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‘Shed The Meds’ Drug Take Back Day On Saturday, September 27th Drug Takeback
Day To Properly Dispose Of Old Medications
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Massapequa Park Village Mayor
Danny Pearl announced a partnership with Drug Free Long Island and the Nassau County Police Department to host a ‘Shed the Meds’ Drug Take Back Day at Massapequa Park Village Hall on Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 10:00am – 1:00pm.
“This Drug Take Back Day is a great opportunity to rid your medicine cabinet of old and unwanted prescription drugs,” said Supervisor Saladino. “Through proper disposal of old medications, we can prevent them from contaminating the environment and also
keep them out of the wrong hands and away from young people.”
In cooperation with Drug Free Long Island and the Nassau County Police Department, the Town and Village will host this event at Massapequa Park Village Hall, in the back parking lot. This program is anonymous.
For those who cannot attend this Drug Take Back Day, disposal containers are located at all Police Precincts throughout the county for safe deposit.
For those looking to turn in unused or expired medication, be sure to make sure of the following:
• If left in original container, please remove all personal
information from label.
• Liquid medication will not be accepted
• Illicit substances are also not part of this initiative.
• Intra-venous solutions, injectables, and syringes will be accepted.
This event is in partnership with New York State Assemblyman Michael Durso, New York State Senator Alexis Weik, Thomas’ Hope Foundation, LICADD, Lions Club International and Community Action for Social Justice.
For more information about the ‘Shed the Meds’ Drug Take Back Day, please call Drug Free Long Island at (516) 639-2386 or email info@ drugfreeli.org
Residents Invited To Submit Photos For Town Publications
Oyster Bay Town
Councilman Tom Hand invites residents to submit photos taken in the Town of Oyster Bay to be considered for future use in Town publications.
“We accept photos year-round submitted by our residents which depict people, places, community events and scenery throughout our Town,” said Councilman Hand. “We accept photos for the calendar, as well as other Town publications, including our website, social media pages and brochures.”
Councilman Hand noted that photos should be taken within the confines of the Town of Oyster Bay.
Digital submissions are preferred, but highquality photos may also be submitted. Emailed photos should be sent to photos@oysterbayny.gov. Printed photos can be submitted to the Town’s Public Information Office, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay NY 11771. Residents should make sure their name, address, phone number and brief description of the photo are included with their submission. The photographer is responsible for the correct spelling of the names and subjects in the photos, as well as notifying subjects they may appear in a Town publication.
Massapequa’s youngest learners took their first steps toward high school graduation in 2038 as they arrived for the first day of school on Sept. 3.
Massapequa Says Hello To The Class Of 2038
In keeping with a district tradition, kindergartners started on the second day of school after a brief orientation on Sept. 2. This time, they arrived
ready for a full day of school. Backpacks were filled with supplies and their minds were full of curiosity as they explored new surroundings. For
those with older siblings, it was finally their chance to go to the “big kid” school.
Across Massapequa’s six elementary buildings, 509 kindergartners are enrolled this year, ready to learn and eventually become the next generation of student leaders. With unlimited potential, their first day was filled with making
connections with teachers, classmates and other friendly faces.
Massapequa Superintendent Dr. William Brennan greeted Melissa Bruno’s kindergarten class at Unqua Elementary School for their first day of school on Sept. 3.
Photos courtesy of the Massapequa School District
Principal Thomas McKillop greeted students as the kindergarten train rolled into East Lake.
Fourth grader Luca Laugen was a good big brother as he escorted Noah to Unqua’s kindergarten entrance on Sept. 3. East Lake kindergarten teacher Serena Dixon enthusiastically greeted her students.
Lunch
Special
(Monday - ursday)
3 Course Prix Fixe Dinner Special
Includes: Soup or Salad (Tossed or Caesar)
ENTRÉE: Pasta, Chicken, Veal, Filet of Sole or Eggplant, served with Vegetable of the Day 12 NOON-3PM
Soup or Salad (Tossed or Caesar)
ENTRÉE: Pasta, Chicken, Veal, Filet of Sole or Eggplant, served with Vegetable of the Day & Cheesecake or Cannoli
$2995 (Monday - ursday)
Choice Of Main Course:
Chicken Francese
Chicken Parmigiana • Veal Marsala Filet of Sole Oreganata
Raindate
October 5th
SHOWMOBILE #1
North Beech St.
1:00pm-1:30pm
September
OPENING CEREMONIES
Italian National Anthem & American National Anthem
2:00pm-3:30pm
Spindrella & The Posers
4pm-5:30pm LI Rewind Band
Music of 60’s, 70’s & 80’s
ENTERTAINMENT SPONSORS 29th Annual Italian Feast & Festival
PLEASE, For Animal Safety, Leave Your Pet At Home
NORTH MASS F.D.
• First Aid Station
• Rag-A-Muffin Registration
• Recruitment Station
North Broadway, North Massapequa
Between North Beech St. & North Nassau St.
(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 mini-fairy 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
Continued On 17
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)
Continued From 13
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
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.
Dot Day Makes An Impression On East Lake Dreamers
Students and teachers at East Lake Elementary School had Sept. 15 circled on their calendars, a date widely known as International Dot Day. In Massapequa and across the world, it’s a chance to embrace creativity and celebrate the unique talents of every person.
International Dot Day is based on the Peter Reynolds book, “The Dot,” the story of a caring teacher who encourages a student to trust in her own abilities by being brave enough to “make her mark.” East Lake students made their mark in different ways throughout the day.
Third graders in Toni Farrell’s class participated in digital breakout room, and had to solve five puzzles all relating to dots. Supported by technology learning coach Jennifer Emberley, students worked together toward the solutions and cheered
when they successfully reached the end of the challenge.
Denise Sicignano’s students were joined by Ms. Emberley to make a digital class book that featured each child’s unique dot. The project was done in Book Creator.
The fourth grade classrooms were also full of Dot Day excitement. In Lauren Ahrens’ class, students made tie-dye dots by coloring designs on coffee filters and then adding water. Allison Abbate’s fourth graders did creative drawings in frames of their choice, and also wrote about ways they could encourage others. Students in Giana DiCostanzo’s class will have a reminder of the Dot Day message throughout the year, as they colored “How will you make your mark?” bookmarks. They drew symbols that reflect their interests while making creative and
unique color patterns.
Art teacher Patti Krakoff spearheaded the creation
of a community dot. On a large circular piece of cardboard, students added
colorful dots using an ink stamper, and parents were also invited to contribute
to the project during back-to-school night.
Plan An October Weekend Getaway
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 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.
In Patti Krakoff’s art room, third graders contributed to a community dot that featured marks from both students and parents. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District
The Route 231 Bridge over the Southern State Parkway in North Babylon will be renamed in honor of fallen September 11, 2001 responder Port Authority Detective Thomas M. Inman following the signing of legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Michael Durso and Senator Monica R. Martinez by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The bill passed both houses of the state legislature earlier this year. The legislation dedicating the bridge was signed on the 24th anniversary of the attacks.
Southern State Parkway Bridge
Be Renamed In Honor Of 9/11 Responder
Detective Inman was a Vietnam veteran and a decorated member of the Port Authority Police Department, where he served for more than three decades. In the aftermath
of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, he worked 15 months at Ground Zero and in the morgue, helping to recover remains and bring closure to grieving families. He later developed cancer tied to his work at the Ground Zero site and died in 2020.
“Detective Thomas M. Inman’s career was defined by bravery, dedication, and unwavering service to our community,” said Assemblyman Michael Durso. “Let this dedication ensure his legacy of service may never be forgotten.”
“Port Authority Detective Thomas M. Inman’s life was defined by
his service to our nation, his neighbors, and all New Yorkers,” Sen. Martinez said. “That service ultimately claimed his life due to cancer linked to his work at Ground Zero following the September 11th attacks. Today, his legacy stands as a tribute to his strength, courage, and compassion during those darkest days and I thank Gov. Hochul for signing this legislation to ensure Detective Inman’s name and sacrifice are forever remembered.”
According to Leonard Marone, President of the Port Authority Detectives Endowment Association,
NEIGHBOR NEWSPAPERS SERVICE
“This dedication ensures that Detective Inman’s heroism will never be forgotten. His actions exemplify the sacrifice and strength of our law enforcement community.”
Detective Inman served in the U.S. Army at age 17 before joining the Port Authority Police Department, where he rose to the rank of detective. He retired in 2003 after 32 years of service. He is survived by his wife Diane, his partner of 50 years, as well as nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, and former colleagues.
The September 11
attacks killed nearly 3,000 people, including 72 law enforcement officers and 343 members of the New York City Fire Department. Thousands more first responders later suffered illnesses caused by exposure to toxic debris at Ground Zero.
A dedication ceremony for the “Port Authority Detective Thomas M. Inman Memorial Bridge” will be held at a later date, in conjunction with the installation of signage by the New York State Department of Transportation.
DETECTIVE THOMAS M. INMAN
Benefits To Cooking Your Own Meals
Aging men and women may be tempted to eschew home cooking entirely. After all, there are plenty of convenient frozen or take-out foods available that can be whipped up in a snap. However, there are certain benefits to cooking your own meals. John Moore, DO, an Aetna medical director and senior health specialist, says that cooking can be good for helping to stave off cognitive decline. Dr. Moore notes that, when cooking, the mind is put to use following a recipe and learning new skills and tasks. Furthermore, cooking for oneself can boost seniors’ self-confidence, reassuring them that they can handle an important daily task without having to rely on their family for meals. As long as it is deemed safe (i.e., no sign of cognitive decline or forgetfulness), seniors should be encouraged to continue cooking.
