November 23, 2022 - December 6, 2022 Suffolk Zone 2

20TH ANNIVERSARY GALA - The Long Island Elite (LIE) is celebrating a milestone achievement—20 years of fostering the development of Long Island’s business and philanthropic communities. To highlight this milestone, and raise money for its Charity Partner of the Year United Cerebral Palsy of Long Island, the business networking and philanthropy group held its Great Gatsby Gala, channeling the glamour of the roaring 1920s.

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Tender Years Treasury; An Annual Children’s Shopping Spree Event

The Town of Smithtown Recreation & Senior Citizens Departments will host the annual Tender Years Treasury, a holiday shopping experience where kids can independently shop for family gifts. The unique independent shopping experience for children will be held on Saturday, December 3rd from 10AM to 1PM at the Eugene Cannataro Senior Citizens Center.

“This is a crowd favorite! Kids enjoy surprising mom, dad, siblings, grandparents and good school friends with a special present they hand picked with allowance money. All of the gifts are handmade with care, by local and very talented senior citizens, all reasonably priced at $5 or less. The team at Smithtown Recreation & Senior Citizens Department love putting this annual event together and it shows on the faces of every family member participating.” - Supervisor Ed Wehrheim

The festivities include an upscale boutique, cookie decorating, holiday

crafts, a homemade quilt raffle, balloon sculptures, balloon sculptures, free gift wrapping and refreshments courtesy of the PTA. Adults can rest and relax in a waiting area while kids independently choose their holiday gifts for family and friends. Additionally, children can bring a letter to Santa Claus, with return address information to receive a letter from the North Pole in return.

Children, grades K-5, are chaperoned by Smithtown Senior Center & Recreation Department staff as they make their own decisions on purchasing handcrafted gifts made by local senior citizens. The gift items are all priced at five dollars and under. Parents and/or older siblings may walk little shoppers around after 12:45PM. For more details, residents can call Smithtown Recreation at 631-3607644

Eugene Cannataro Senior Citizens Center is located at 420 Middle Country Road, in Smithtown.

Douglas Elliman’s Smithtown Office Celebrates The Gift Of Giving

For Douglas Elliman Realty—one of the largest residential brokerage companies in the nation, with more than $51 billion in national closed sales volume in 2021— giving back is core to the company culture and its brand identity. The firm is deeply committed to supporting the local communities it serves, along with important causes nationwide through its philanthropic initiative, Elliman Cares. More than 6,600 agents across the country are making a difference every day—and here on Long Island, where the company runs 25 residential sales offices, one especially giving-driven office is making a major impact this holiday season.

Centrally located on the North Shore of Long Island, Elliman’s Smithtown location is best known for its consistent success and carefully selected group of agents that take their careers and reputations seriously. Many of the agents are passionately involved in charitable endeavors, and this holiday season is the perfect time to shine the light on their efforts.

Katy Cardinale, Smithtown’s Branch Manager and Licensed Associate R.E. Broker, is a model of hard work, humility and generosity who inspires the same qualities in those around her. “Community service has always been a priority for me,” said Katy. “I’ve volunteered at Cub Scouts, PTA events and with local families in need. I also founded and currently serve as the President of the Kings Park High School Robotics Booster Association. It’s important for me to give back and be involved in my community. I’m grateful to be surrounded by generous agents who

Rob Scarito, Licensed Associate R.E. Broker on Team Scarito, currently serves as Vice President of the Hauppauge School Board. Rob said, “I am honored to have played an integral role in the passing of the largest tax discount for veterans in the Hauppauge School District.” Aside from making a difference right in Hauppauge, he and his sons participated in the Annual Food & Toy Drive at Brookhaven Town Hall on Sunday, November 13th, which benefited people from all over Long Island.

Noelle Lambert, Licensed R.E. Salesperson, is also holding a holiday drive with the Bryn Elliott Team now through December 19th to benefit the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, an organization dedicated to reducing the number of people experiencing homelessness on Long Island. “I’m actively collecting non-perishable foods and personal care items, such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes and deodorant, that will be given to local individuals facing homelessness,” said Noelle. “It’s heartbreaking to think how each night, many of us head to our warm homes that are filled with more than we need, yet others right here on Long Island are battling homelessness. We have to continue to help these people.” If you would like to donate to this drive, please visit the Douglas Elliman Smithtown office and

drop your donations in the appropriate bin. You can also contact Noelle at 631-478-3819 for a full list of donation drop-off locations.

John Matthew, Licensed Associate R.E. Broker, is holding his annual Holiday Food Drive and Winter Coat Drive now through January 30, 2023—benefitting the Smithtown Emergency Food Pantry and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island. Elliman’s Smithtown office is receiving donation dropoffs, as well.

Also, in partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, the office is hosting the annual Toys for Tots Holiday Toy Drive and is accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys in the specially marked Toys for Tots bin.

The giving keeps on keeping on with several Smithtown agents leading campaigns to raise awareness and funds for the causes close to their hearts. Carlos Salinas, Licensed R.E. Salesperson, is an Ambassador for Real Men Wear Pink, an annual, year-long initiative from The American Cancer Society. As an Ambassador, Carlos raises awareness

and money in the fight to end breast cancer. Although he has exceeded his fundraising goal for 2022, he continues to campaign because every dollar really does make a difference. You can donate to his campaign, online or by check, now through the end of the year. Please contact Carlos at 347-277-9431 for more information.

Margaret Remhild, Licensed Associate R.E. Broker, is a member of the Nesconset Chamber of Commerce and the St. James Chamber of Commerce, while also being involved with both the Smithtown Children’s Foundation and the Thomas Matthew Miloscia Foundation. On November 15th, the Smithtown Children’s Foundation held their Community Table Grand Tasting event at the Watermill Caterers in Smithtown, with proceeds going to help local families in crisis. On December 3rd, the Thomas Miloscia Foundation, a local organization with the mission to provide financial and emotional assistance to children and young adult cancer patients, will hold a fundraising event from 2-6PM at Maia Salon Spa & Wellness at 725

Smithtown Bypass in Smithtown. Come down for pictures with Santa, hot chocolate, holiday shopping, tinsel hair, children’s activities and more, all for a great cause!

Rounding out the volunteerism, Michelle Bender, Licensed R.E. Salesperson, happily volunteers at the Smithtown Historical Society, while Nick Albanese, Licensed Associate R.E. Broker, is an active volunteer at the Smithtown Booster Club. Noelle Lambert is a

loyal volunteer at Connect Church and Tom Diana donates his time as a volunteer at the Commack Basketball Association, an organization that’s dedicated to providing a basketball league that is free to join for boys and girls of Commack and its neighboring communities.

Please consider celebrating this holiday season by making a donation to one of the aforementioned drives— together we can help the season to shine brighter for those in need.

Douglas Elliman’s Smithtown location is at 200 W Main Street, in Smithtown. For more information, please call the office at 631.543.9400.

share my vision.”

Douglas Elliman’s Smithtown Office

Will Commack’s IB Programmes Become A Model For New York State?

Commack was honored to welcome two Deputy Commissioners from the New York State Education Department. Angelique Johnson-Dingle and Jason Harmon requested to visit Commack High School to learn more about the High School’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme as well as the new IB Career-related Programme.

The Deputy Commissioners had specific goals in mind: they wanted to speak with school administrators, teachers, and students, to tour the school and observe lessons, and to find out as much as possible about how other schools could benefit from

Commack’s innovative program. They asked many questions to our panels of teachers and IB Diploma candidate students, and sat in on Math, Psychology, World Language, Physics, Computer Science, Sports Medicine, Personal and Professional Skills classes, and our popular handson learning program –Project Lead the Way. At the end of the more than three hours they spent at the High School, both Ms. Johnson-Dingle and Mr. Harmon were elated by what they experienced and were excited to see if these hands-on approaches to learning could be implemented in state-wide initiatives.

Dr. Jordan Cox, Superintendent of Commack Schools, said, “Commack High School is the first school on Long Island to implement the IB Career-related Programme. We’re very proud of that fact, as well as the over 50 students who have signed up to try out classes related to careers they may pursue in college and beyond. We have two new pathways this school year, a Business Administration Pathway and a STEM Pathway.”

Student interest in other fields will determine future career pathways and next year Commack plans on adding Health Sciences and Fine and Applied Arts Pathways.

Helping You Help Others

By Noelle Lambert

The Charity of the Month for November is Association for Mental Health and Wellness

www.mhaw.org

The Association for Mental Health and Wellness (MHAW)offers a wide range of assistance to veterans in Suffolk County, home to more veterans than any county in the state. These offerings address affordable housing, medical and mental health assistance, peer support and other services.

In this article, we’ll look at Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), an initiative in which MHAW collaborates with the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Inc. SSVF programs provide housing and support services to eligible, low-income veteran families who are homeless, or who are about to become homeless.

Regrettably, America’s veterans require a number of support services. The National Library of Medicine recently estimated that up to 16 percent of U.S. service members who had been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq now have post-traumatic stress disorder or depression. Their other health concerns include suicide, traumatic brain injury, substance use and instances of interpersonal violence.

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta Holds Winter Coat Drive

With SMM Advertising And RSVP

For several years, Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta has been working with Smithtown based SMM Advertising and the Retired Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP) to conduct a winter coat drive to benefit the residents of Suffolk County who are in need of warm winter clothing. They are collecting gently used or new coats, jackets, hats, gloves,

mittens and new socks for infants, children, teens and adult men and women.

“As people prepare for the winter and clean out their closets or plan to give a new coat as a holiday gift, it is important for all of us to help our fellow neighbors who need warm coats by contributing to this event,” said Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta.

Donations of coats and other outerwear may be dropped off at Legislator Trotta’s district office, located at 59 Landing Avenue, Suite 1, (Blue Door) in Smithtown from 9am – 4pm, Monday through Friday. The coat drive ends Friday, January 6, 2023. For directions or questions, please call Legislator Trotta’s office at 631-854-3900.

While Long Island has made significant strides in addressing homelessness among veterans in recent years, “Suffolk County still has its population of homeless veterans,” said Marcelle Leis, a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant who serves as MHAW’s Director of Veteran Services. “They’re living in train stations or they might be living in the woods. Yet even though they’re in need, these individuals often don’t trust government or community agencies enough to step forward and request assistance. And they often don’t feel safe going into shelters.”

Community-based resources like SSVF, says Ms. Leis, can make a major difference in these veterans’ lives by helping them deal with mental health

issues, poverty and their need for supportive systems.

Some SSVF services include personal financial planning, credit counseling and income support services. Qualifying veterans may also obtain legal assistance, housing counseling and healthcare navigation.

In relation to employment, SSVF also offers vocational and rehabilitation services through the state’s Department of Labor Employment Training Assistance by way of Suffolk County’s One-Stop Employment Center.

Also, SSVF provides case management services, as well as peer support and outreach services through MHAW’s Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project. Veterans may also receive assistance obtaining VA and other public benefits though the Suffolk County Veterans Service Agency.

SSVF can also help veterans with temporary financial assistance in the form of rental assistance, utility bills, security or utility deposits, moving costs and childcare support. Eligible veterans may be single, or part of a family in which the head of the household, or spouse, is a veteran.

If you are a veteran in need, or you know of one, MHAW urges them to contact Marcelle Leis, their Director of Veteran Services, by calling 631-9460147 or by emailing her at mleis@mhaw. org.

If your nonprofit would like to be featured in this column, please call Noelle Lambert at 631.226.2636 x225 for consideration.

COMMACK’S IB PROGRAMMES - From left to right: Superintendent Dr. Jordan F. Cox, NYSED Deputy Commissioner Angelique Johnson-Dingle, Commack High School Principal Carrie Lipenholtz, and NYSED Deputy Commissioner Jason Harmon.

Smithtown’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

On Wednesday, November 30th, 2022, the Town of Smithtown will hold the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm at Town Hall. The Tree Lighting Ceremony is a fantastic community-based event that includes live music, performances from our local school districts, dance companies, delicious treats, and a special guest from the North Pole, courtesy of the Smithtown Fire Department.

“This event has grown significantly every year and for good reason… Our recreation department works in lockstep with the school districts, community organizations, businesses, and nonprofits like the Smithtown Food Pantry for months to organize a fantastic live show, featuring our talented young residents. Additionally, the Smithtown Fire Department utilizes special satellite technology to coordinate logistics for Santa to make an early trip to Smithtown every

year. This year we will have new performances, the Big Black Food Truck, the Girls Scouts are helping out and we will be serving gourmet hot chocolate and cookies courtesy of Panico’s Market. Finally, Santa will have his own chair handy, so kids can take photos and interact with him easier. If you haven’t been to the Annual Tree Lighting, I highly recommend you mark your calendars to experience the festivities this year.”Supervisor Ed Wehrheim Feature performances include the William T. Roger Middle School Chorus, Hauppauge Kickline, Great Hollow Middle School Chorus, Commack Varsity Cougarettes, Smithtown JV Whisperettes, Accompsett Middle School Chorus, Smithtown West Varsity Whisperettes, Smithtown West Jazz Choir, and Sara Jean Dance Company.

Entertainment for the evening will include holiday music and balloon sculpting for kids of all ages by

Animations. Cookies and Hot Chocolate donated courtesy of Panico’s Community Market will be served by local Girl Scouts. Santa Claus will be catching a ride with the Smithtown Fire Department and will have a special chair set up for kids to interact with him prior to leading the countdown for the lighting of the tree. Additionally, The Big Black Food Truck will be on-site with delicious food and treats available for purchase. This is a free event for Smithtown Residents.

The town will have a collection site set up for the Smithtown Food Pantry during the event. Residents may drop off non-perishables like canned foods, boxed cereals and snacks, powdered milk, and powdered baby formula.

MENORAH LIGHTINGSAVE THE DATE: The Town of Smithtown Menorah Lighting Celebration is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, December 20th, 2022. Details to follow.

PEARL & ABRIL

Bonded pair. Playmates who brought out the best in eachother.

WINNIE

KITT 10 weeks old. Hound mix. Full of light and love.

CAROLINE

7 year old Terrier mix. Good natured and affectionate girl. The star of the month.

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta Addresses Veterans And Supporters

Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta was honored to be one of the speakers at the annual Kings Park Veterans of Foreign Wars Annual Parade and Ceremony. He noted that his father, who accompanied him to the event, joined the Marines

after high school as he did not want to attend college, but rather serve his country during the Korean War. He had to take a test in boot camp and did so well, that they sent him to electronics school.

Afterwards he served as an electronics engineer

during the war. “We need to thank our veterans every day for the freedoms we have today because of the sacrifices our service men and woman have made for us throughout the years and continue to do so,” said Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta.

SUFFOLK COUNTY LEGISLATOR TROTTA ADDRESSES VETERANS AND SUPPORTERS - Pictured on the grandstand addressing the veterans and residents are Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta (left) and the Commander of the Kings Park VFW Eric Burnett.

The Long Island Elite (LIE) is celebrating a milestone achievement—20 years of fostering the development of Long Island’s business and philanthropic communities. Since 2002, the organization has focused on cultivating the growth and leadership capabilities of Long Island business professionals, while raising awareness and funds for local charities. To highlight this milestone, and raise money for its Charity Partner of the Year United Cerebral Palsy of Long Island, the business networking and philanthropy group held its Great Gatsby Gala, channeling the glamour of the roaring 1920s.

“This year, the Long Island Elite celebrates its 20th Anniversary,” said Long Island Elite President Frank Morizio, Jr. “Organizations that hit this

Long Island Elite Great Gatsby Gala Celebrates Organization’s 20th Anniversary

remarkable milestone must be filled with mission driven people, who are themselves, remarkable. But that’s not all you need to get here.

Over the past 20 years, there have been hundreds of members, thousands of connections made, and millions of dollars raised to support organizations that are doing amazing things for our neighbors in need.”

The anniversary gala is a celebration of the vision that the LIE “Founders” had to support the growth of business and charitable efforts on Long Island.

To honor that vision, the LIE chose United Cerebral Palsy of Long Island to be its gala beneficiary and have committed to help them build an adaptive playground where children in their program can enjoy the simple pleasures of adolescent fun as all children should.

UCP of Long Island

has been committed to advancing the independence, productivity, and full citizenship of people with disabilities by creating Life Without Limits. The Children’s Center, located in Commack, has provided over 60 years of excellence in educational services including preschool, school-age programs and early intervention services tailored to meet the physical, cognitive, and emotional needs of children with disabilities from birth to 21 years of age. The Children’s Center currently serves over 80 infants and children through age 21, with a wide range of developmental disabilities and diagnoses.

Together, the L.I.E. and UCP of Long Island strive to improve the quality of life for individuals and families who have children with disabilities. Please help us by supporting this year’s

20th Anniversary Gala.

For information on how you can support the Long Island Elite and UCP of Long Island, visit www. longislandelite.com or email info@longislandelite. com.

About the Long Island Elite

The Long Island Elite is a registered 501(c)3

nonprofit organization that is dedicated to fostering the development of Long Island’s business and philanthropic communities. Its core goal is to bring business professionals together to support each other’s careers through a variety of networking, business and community functions.

Fire Safety At Accompsett Elementary

The organization takes a leadership role in helping local nonprofits raise money and gain more recognition.

As a philanthropic liaison, Long Island Elite provides forums such as special events, outreach programs, and fundraising support to help its annual charity partner organization grow and thrive.

FIRE SAFETY AT ACCOMPSETT ELEMENTARY - Members of the Smithtown Fire Department paid a visit to students at Accompsett Elementary School on Monday, November 7 to teach the students about fire safety. The students learned to go to the nearest window in case of a fire, touch a doorknob with the back of your hand in case it’s hot and to establish a meeting place if a smoke alarm goes off. Photo courtesy of Smithtown CSD

Calling All Sisters Of St. Joseph Alums “Together Again”

The Sisters of St. Joseph invite alums from all classes, faculty and staff to the Annual Alum Holiday

Event on Thursday, December 8 at Giando on the Water in Brooklyn. For more information or

to purchase tickets, please visit www.brentwoodcsj. org or call 631-273-1187 ext. 154.

Clothing Donations Needed

Ethical Friends of Children, a program helping needy families on Long Island, seeks clothing (tops, bottoms, pjs, sweaters and socks) in certain sizes.

Specific sizes are: GIRLS: 3-4, 4-5 and 9-10 and BOYS: 7-8 and 9-10.

Ethical Friends of Children is an outreach

program of the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island., established in 1985.

“We assist more than 2,500 children and their families each year by providing them clothing for children from newborn to size 12 as well as infant furniture at no cost,” says Pat Spencer of Port Washington. The “store” –

staffed entirely by volunteers – lets families pick out the things they need, at no cost to them.

Those interested in making contributions of clothing or gift cards, should call Ethical Friends of Children at 516-280-5526 or email efoc@ehsli.org

Insurance Tips And Information

Article provided by Ken Marcus and Mitchell Barber

Shopping for Insurance

Are you old enough to remember the Sym’s slogan, “An educated consumer is our best customer?” Do you do your homework before you shop? Are you a coupon clipper? An Amazon addict?

Getting a good quote on your Auto insurance is not simply a matter of being accident free. ALL insurance companies have algorithms that rate some criteria higher than others. What is your credit score? How long do you remain with an insurer before leaving for a lower price? What amount

KEN MARCUS

of coverage do you currently maintain?

There are many, many things that tell insurers

about you and help them predict whether you will be a good client. The insurers crunch numbers to gauge how much of a risk you’ll be. We all are aware of that. But they also predict how profitable you will be over a number of years.

Want to learn what will make you an attractive customer? Speak to an agent. Be respectful of the agent’s knowledge. You’ll likely learn that the agent isn’t simply a salesman. They’re often impressive educators and fiscal watchdogs.

Mechanical Engineer wanted by Flexographic Printing Company in Hauppauge, NY. Will oversee preparation of all production orders at a exographic printing company. Check for food safety & quality issues throughout the production line. Insure the mfg team’s compliance w/ the company’s high quality stds. Monitor the workforce for compliance w/ internal & external Good Manufacturing Practices. Ensure the company’s Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures are being followed on the production line. Routinely update the company’s quality mgmt s/ware to avoid production interruptions. Train less knowledgeable members of the team. Reqmts: Bach deg in Mechanical Engg or closely rltd eld, & 12 yrs of exp in the job o d or closely rltd. Forward resume to: Silvia Avila, HR/ SQF Practitioner, Aladdin Packaging LLC, 115 Engineers Rd, Hauppauge, NY 11788

TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2” A sales representative will be happy to assist you

Call The Classifieds 631-226-2636 Ext. 276

you with a lin e ad or a di splay ad. Let us at SOUTH BAY'S NEIGHBOR NEWS PAPE RS set up an adv ertising program for you. Y ou'll be glad you di d! Call 631-226-2636, Ext. 276

THINKING ABOUT ADVERTISING YOUR BUSINESS and not sure how to get started? Call today and one of our experienced Sa les Representatives will assist you. We c an help you with a lin e ad or a di splay ad. Let us at SOUTH BAY'S NEIGHBOR NEWS PAPE RS set up an adv ertising program for you. Y ou'll be glad you di d! Call 631-226-2636, ext. 276

631-226-2636,

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RENTING? Place

The Town of Smithtown Senior Citizens Department is in need of Volunteer Drivers for its Meals on Wheels Program. Drivers deliver hot meals to the homebound elderly in Smithtown

Township Mondays through Fridays. Mileage reimbursement is available. We are currently experiencing a steep reduction in the availability of our dear volunteer drivers. Our

Home Delivered Meal Program relies heavily on our volunteer drivers and their ability to deliver a hot meal to each of our clients.

The Nutrition Program currently serves 105 homebound

seniors throughout the community. Without our volunteers’ help and generosity of time, these seniors may not receive a meal and will endure continued social isolation.

Volunteers may give

an hour or two of their time to help us deliver these meals. Options for daily, weekly and substitute drivers are available to any who choose to help.

If you have any questions, concerns

or require more information, please do not hesitate to contact the Senior Citizens Department at 631360-7616. Thank you for your assistance.