January 4, 2023 - January 17, 2023 Suffolk Zone 5

As you grow older, you don’t want to worry about how your family will manage your end-of-life plans.

As you grow older, you don’t want to worry about how your family will manage your end-of-life plans.

As you grow older, you don’t want to worry about how your family will manage your end-of-life plans.

Taking control now takes the pressure off them later – and you can rest assured your preferences will be honored. Our planning tool kit is exactly what you need to get started.

Start today. Peace of mind tomorrow.

Taking control now takes the pressure off them later – and you can rest assured your preferences will be honored. Our planning tool kit is exactly what you need to get started. Start today. Peace of mind tomorrow.

Taking control now takes the pressure off them later – and you can rest assured your preferences will be honored. Our planning tool kit is exactly what you need to get started. Start today. Peace of mind tomorrow.

(631) 588-1515

(631) 588-1515

Serving all of Long Island with locations in:

(631) 588-1515 Serving all of Long Island

locations in:

Bohemia, Central Islip, Holbrook, Lake Ronkonkoma, Center Moriches, Port Jefferson Station, and Hauppauge.

Central Islip, Holbrook, Lake Ronkonkoma, Center Moriches, Port Jefferson Station, and Hauppauge.

Serving all of Long Island with locations in: Bohemia, Central Islip, Holbrook, Lake Ronkonkoma, Center Moriches, Port Jefferson Station, and Hauppauge.

Noelle Lambert and Bryn Elliott. See more information inside.

Connetquot’s Aidan Friel Earns All-American Recognition

Connetquot High School’s Aidan Friel topped off a very successful soccer career, as he was presented on Dec. 5 with the most prestigious athletic award, High School All-American.

By accomplishing AllAmerican Honors, Aidan is recognized as one of the best amateur soccer players in the United States. Aidan also received First Team All-New York State Honors and AllRegion Honors. All-Region Honors represents being one of the best players in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

“It is absolutely amazing and well deserved that he was selected for this award,” coach John Zambriski said. “He is our captain, our leader and our heart and has left a special impact on the program.”

Senior, Aidan Friel is a

four-year starting center defender for the Connetquot T-Birds. Coach Zambriski said Aidan created a level of excellence that will be hard to match by future T-Birds. He described Aidan as an intrinsically motivated athlete with a desire to win that goes unmatched and unchallenged.

“It is rare when exceptional talent and physical ability meet effort and desire to be the best. Aidan leaves no excuses on the pitch. He can shut down the other team’s best attack with his speed, skill and physical play,” coach Zambriski said. “His excellent footwork and ability to control the ball was a big help in starting our possessions out of the back. We would not have had the season we had without Aidan leading us on and off the field. Watching him grow

into such an outstanding, talented, and disciplined defender over these past 4-years has been an absolute pleasure.”

Aidan was a huge part of a historic season for the Connetquot High School boys soccer team. The team won the league title for the first time in 20 years, and it was the first time in the school’s history that they advanced to the Suffolk County Championship. In exciting fashion, the team won its Suffolk County Championship on penalty kicks and then advanced and won their first ever Long Island Championship.

Congratulations to Aidan on these amazing athletic accomplishments and to all the young men on the team for this notable season.

Helping You Help Others

By Noelle Lambert

The Charity of the Month for January is Pal-O-Mine Equestrian

www.pal-o-mine.org

Pal-O-Mine Equestrian is a local non-profit organization that began in 1995 as a therapeutic horseback riding program for individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. They grew from having two programs, eight horses and 80 students per week to 11 programs, 25 horses and 400 students per week - and they continue to grow today! “Our mission has been, and continues to be, to provide a comprehensive therapeutic equine program using horses to facilitate growth, learning and healing,” said Lisa Gatti, Founder and CEO of Pal-O-Mine Equestrian. “We proudly serve individuals with disabilities, those who have been abused or neglected, the military and the impoverished.”

Their location in Islandia offers an unequaled setting for equestrian activities, with a 20-stall barn on 13 acres, handicapped accessible bathrooms, a 100’ x 120’ indoor arena with state-of-the-art-footing and a rider hoisting system, 3 outdoor riding arenas, classrooms, accessible playground, a greenhouse and a wellness center. They offer the following programs:

Lessons: This program provides quality adaptive riding and unmounted lessons that benefit individuals with cognitive, physical, emotional and mental disabilities. Each one of their riding instructors excels in their field and continues with training and certification throughout their careers.

Equine Assisted Learning: This program incorporates horses experientially for educational and emotional growth and learning. Using unique approaches to create positive and constructive learning experiences for children and adolescents who are at risk of failing in the traditional academic setting, this program has changed the lives of countless individuals.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy: This follows a model designed by EAGALA,

Inc., the leading international EAP training and certifying organization.

Currently, Pal-OMine Equestrian has 7 Licensed Mental Health Professionals and 11 Equine Specialists who are certified in this model. Groups that are participating focus on the following issues: grief, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, substance abuse, addiction and codependency.

Speech & Occupational Therapy: Clients respond well to therapy incorporating activities with animals, and a variety of therapy goals can be addressed using this treatment strategy. Occupational Therapists and Speech Language Pathologists run this program to provide therapy services with the assistance of wonderful animals.

Military: For more than four thousand years, horses have been an integral part of warfare. Today, horses are still playing an important role in war, this time in the recovery of military veterans who have suffered emotional and/or physical injuries. This program is an EAGALA designated Military Program and offers individual, group and family sessions to help people heal.

Corporate Leadership: The way individuals interact and react with horses is very similar to the way they interact with their clients, customers, peers and work groups. People interpret horse behavior/emotions through the lens of their personal perception. How they interpret horses can often be a metaphor for their work, attitudes and relationships. Pal-O-Mine Equestrian is proud to offer a Corporate Leadership program.

For more information about this organization and all they offer, please call 631-348-1389 or visit www.pal-omine.org. Don’t miss next week’s article to learn about how you can get involved and help others in your community.

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

FRIEL EARNS ALL-AMERICAN RECOGNITION - Connetquot High School’s Aidan Friel topped off a very successful soccer career, as he was presented on Dec. 5 with the most prestigious athletic award, High School All-American. Photo courtesy of the Connetquot Central School District

Sachem Student-Athletes Commit To Colleges

On Nov. 30, senior student-athletes from the Sachem Central School District signed their national letters of intent to play their respective sports at the collegiate level. During this first round of signings, 32 students committed to continuing

their athletic careers after high school.

Students and their families wore apparel representing their future schools as they were congratulated by Sachem Athletic Director Gary Beutel and Assistant Athletic Director Philip

Torregrosa. The Sachem Central School District thanks its coaches for their commitment to helping student-athletes excel both on and off the field and congratulates all of the student-athletes.

Middle Country Student-Musicians Perform At 64th Annual Senior High School All-County Music Festival

Recently Middle Country Central School District’s student-musicians performed at the 64th Annual Senior High School All-County Music Festival presented by the New York State Council of Administration of Music Education (NYSCAME) and the Suffolk County Music Educators’ Association (SCMEA). The concert took place at Half Hollow Hills High School East.

“We are incredibly proud of our students’ accomplishments and dedication to their passion for music,” said Dr. Diana Cook, Middle Country Central School District Director of Music, Fine Arts, and Community Media Relations. “Congratulations to our All-County musicians and thank you to their teachers, Dr.

Harold Goldstein, Ms. Joan Meichner, and Mr. Brian Hough who have guided, mentored, and supported these students as they hone and advance their musical skills.”

The students had the opportunity to rehearse and perform with other outstanding junior and senior studentmusicians throughout the county performing major masterworks under the direction of master conductors, Marc Greene, Mixed Chorus conductor, Dr. Jennifer Micelli, Treble Choir conductor, and Michael Cordaro, Symphonic Band conductor.

Students were selected to perform at the 64th Annual Senior High School AllCounty Music Festival on the basis of the outstanding rating they received

as soloists in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Solo and Ensemble Festival held in the Spring of 2022, along with their music teacher’s recommendation. Newfield High School Band: Rebekah Giglio, Baritone Saxophone Cameron Unger, Trombone

Newfield High School

Mixed Chorus: Jules Mast, Alto 1 Eli Horowitz, Bass 1

Centereach High School

Treble Choir: Grace D’Acampora, Alto 2 Centereach High School

Mixed Chorus: Emily Strange, Alto 1 Finn Taich, Bass 1 Julian Strano, Bass 1

Families Anonymous Virtual Meetings

12-Step support group giving Hope & Strength to parents, family and friends concerned with a loved one’s destructive behavior caused by

Alcohol, Drugs or Related Behavioral Problems is now meeting virtually until further notice. For further information e-mail or

call: Donna526@aol.com or (631) 589.3790; Diane (631) 587.0966, www. FamiliesAnonymous.org

SACHEM HS EAST - Seventeen students from Sachem HS East committed to playing their sports at the collegiate level. Photo courtesy of the Sachem Central School District

SACHEM HS NORTH - At Sachem HS North, 15 student-athletes signed their national letters of intent. Photo courtesy of the Sachem Central School District

NEWFIELD HIGH SCHOOL - Newfield High School NYSCAME/SCMEA All-County musicians, Cameron Unger, Jules Mast, Eli Horowitz, and Rebekah Giglio. Photo courtesy of the Middle Country Central School District

CENTEREACH HIGH SCHOOL - Centereach High School NYSCAME/SCMEA AllCounty musicians, Grace D’Acampora, Emily Strange, Finn Taich, and Julian Strano. Photo courtesy of the Middle Country Central School District

Successful Donation Drive

On Monday, December 19, 2022, Noelle Lambert and The Bryn Elliott Team concluded their Holiday Donation Drive, which ran for four weeks and had drop-off locations throughout Long Island. The drive brought in countless donations, all of which were given to a local non-profit organization, the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless (LICH).

“It was such a great experience and people didn’t hold back,” said Noelle Lambert, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with Douglas Elliman Real Estate. “I received calls, texts and emails from people who heard of the drive and wanted to donate, many of which ended up giving so much that they couldn’t bring it all into a drop-off location in one trip. Although it’s a very sad reality that many individuals are experiencing homelessness and other hardships right here on Long Island, it was really refreshing to see our community come together and do something about it.”

The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless strives to end homelessness on Long Island, and to alleviate the issues associated with homelessness and poverty for homeless and at risk persons in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The organization’s distribution center where the donations were brought is located at 600 Albany Avenue in Amityville,

and is also known as their boutique. People in need can make an appointment to come to the boutique and leave with clothes and other items, such as non perishable food and personal care products for free. LICH is here to work directly with people in need, as well as with case managers, shelter staff members, school employees, church members and the like who are helping these individuals.

”This organization does so much good and it was a pleasure to contribute towards their important mission,” said Bryn Elliott, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker with Douglas Elliman Real Estate. “So many people have clothing and miscellaneous items that they aren’t using, while others are in real need; it’s just a matter of coordinating a collection. However, it’s clear that the holiday spirit helped our drive quite a bit. I want to express how thankful we are to all who donated, as well as for the businesses that allowed us to use their locations for the drive, which includes USA Auto Body in East Patchogue, The Fish Store in Bayport, Long Island Media Group in

Farmingdale and Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Smithtown and Farmingville.”

“We are so very grateful for this drive that Noelle and The Bryn Elliott Team put together,” said Bailey Riekkinen, Community Engagement Specialist at LICH.

“The Long Island Coalition for the Homeless will continue to advocate and serve until we achieve our mission of ending homelessness on Long Island. In 2022, we referred over 700 households for permanent housing through Coordinated Entry, a system that ensures the most vulnerable Long Islanders are prioritized for permanent, affordable housing.

Affordable housing is scarce on Long Island, and we are consistently working hard at connecting Long Island’s most vulnerable to the available resources. Additionally, we received and distributed over 10,000 pounds of food and toiletries along with countless clothing items to locals that are homeless and at-risk on the streets and in shelters through our boutique and pantry.”

Together we can make a true difference in our community.

If you would like more information about starting a donation drive with the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, please contact Bailey at 631.464.4314 x125. For more information about LICH and all they offer, visit www. addressthehomeless.org or call 631.464.4314.

Noelle Lambert & Bryn Elliott

760 Ocean Avenue Bohemia, NY 11716, 631-567-5079 www.connetquotlibrary.org

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Color Your Cares Away, Thursday, January 5, 3:30 - 4:30 pm

Relax and de-stress by dropping in and coloring a page or two. Coloring pages, pencils, and gel pens will be provided. No registration required.

VIRTUAL: 2023 Movie Preview, Friday, January 6, 7:00 - 8:00 pm

Love movies? Join us for a sneak preview of the new movies coming out in 2023. Get fun behindthe-scenes movie facts about your favorite stars, filmmakers, and upcoming movie releases. Library members may register by visiting our website at www. connetquotlibrary.org.

Apple iOS Q & A Monday, January 9, 10:00 - 11:00 am

Get information, tips, and tricks on all things Apple iOS for your iPhone and iPad, including the latest software information. Share your favorite apps and shortcuts with other group members. Bring your questions and

Connetquot Public Library

we will answer them. No registration required.

Veteran Community Resource Table, Monday, January 9, 3:00 - 5:00 pm

A monthly resource table where you can learn about programs and services available in Suffolk County for veterans and their families. Hosted by Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project. No registration required.

VIRTUAL: New Year, New You, Tuesday, January 10, 3:00 - 4:00 pm

Learn the best healthy practices to help you start the year off right. General nutrition and hydration tips, as well as ways to increase physical activity will be discussed. Presented by South Shore University Hospital. Library members may register by visiting our website at www. connetquotlibrary.org.

Long Island Cares

Mobile Outreach Resource Enterprise, Thursday, January 12, 1:30 - 2:30 pm

Long Island Cares will have a van on site for a three-day supply of food. No identification or library registration required. While supplies last.

Exploring the World of Whiskey with Bob Lipinski, Thursday, January 12, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Bob will discuss the 10 major types of whiskey, including history, ingredients, distillation, aging, label terminology, and trivia. Mr. Lipinski is the author of 10 books on alcoholic beverages and food, including 101: Everything You Need To Know About Whiskey. He taught the executive staff at The White House “How To Pair Wine with Food,” “Proper Wine Service,” and “Sensory Evaluation Skills.” No registration required.

VIRTUAL/IN-PERSON

Prohibition & Speakeasies, Tuesday, January 17, 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Join us on the anniversary of Prohibition when art historian Sylvia LaudienMeo will discuss the dynamics that led to this most unusual law and the ways in which people worked around it, the crime scene that unfolded, and the many speakeasies that blossomed. Library members may register by visiting our website at www. connetquotlibrary.org.

VIRTUAL/IN-PERSON: Invisible Labor: Women’s Work in Whaling Communities, Wednesday, January 18, 11:00 am - 12:15 pm

Long Island was at the heart of commercial whaling, the U.S.A’s fifth

most profitable industry in the 19th century. Long Island Native women ensured industry success by their labor and the mechanisms of survival they built while men were absent, at sea. In this talk, local historian Erin Becker

discusses the role of Long Island Native women in this industry. This is a Zoom presentation that will be shown in the library or can be viewed from home. Library members may register by visiting our website at www. connetquotlibrary.org.

Former NBA Player Shares Powerful Message

Former professional basketball player, Chris Herren, recently visited Sachem High School East to share a powerful message about substance use prevention and addiction. Tenth graders first watched a video outlining Herren’s basketball career from his high school days in

Massachusetts to playing for Division 1 teams to ultimately going pro in the NBA and overseas. Throughout the film, students got a look into Herren’s struggles with addiction during his career. Herren then came out to speak with the 10th graders and share his path

to recovery. He empowered students to rethink how they look at addiction and through sharing his own experiences, touched on topics such as drinking and drug use, peer pressure and bullying. Through each presentation, Herren hopes to make a difference in at least one person’s life.

FORMER NBA PLAYER SHARES POWERFUL MESSAGE - Former NBA player Chris Herren visited Sachem HS East to speak with 10th graders about substance use prevention and addiction. Photo courtesy of the Sachem Central School District

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

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

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

GET YOUR AD NOTICED!

Ca ll Our Classifi ed Dept. 631-226-2636 Ext. 276

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Call today! 631-226-2636

CLASSIFIED GETS RESULTS!

Call today! 631-226-2636

TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2”

A sales representative will be happy to assist you

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

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

TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2”

A sales representative will be happy to assist you

TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2”

A sales representative will be happy to assist you

TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2”

A sales representative will be happy to assist you

TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2”

A sales representative will be happy to assist you

Annual exams play a vital role in staying healthy and are highly recommended by primary care physicians. Even if you’re feeling well, a regular assessment allows your doctor to have a complete picture of your physical wellbeing and help establish goals that include proper diet, exercise and weight management.

Catholic Health Physician Partners Primary Care Physician Danielle Amisano, DO, discusses the importance of annual exams and the role they play in helping your doctor develop a plan to keep you healthy.

Q: Why are annual exams so important?

A: An annual exam is an opportunity to identify and address health issues and develop a personalized

roadmap for the year ahead. From setting exercise and weight loss goals to practicing healthy forms of stress management, your doctor can work to develop a plan that will allow you to live a healthy life. The annual visit allows your physician to move from reacting to problems to preventing them.

Q: What role does a primary care doctor play in annual checkups?

A: As a primary care physician, my goal is to establish who you are on your best day in order to better help you on your worst day. This allows us to build a more complete understanding of how lifestyle affects health and enables us to better treat our patients when they are sick. As with most relationships, the

key to success is a strong foundation of mutual trust. I approach my role in annual visits as a coach, mentor, counselor and confidant.

Q: At what age would you suggest starting the habit of annual exams?

A: My suggestion is to start at any age. No matter your phase of life, you and your physician can work together to prepare for any challenges. Our bodies are constantly changing and being affected by our choices. It is important that we move away from looking at our health as a dichotomy between feeling sick and feeling well.

Q: What are the important exams people should get annually?

A: This will depend on your age, risk factors, lifestyle and medical

history. For the healthy woman at average risk, hypertension, high cholesterol, breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, osteoporosis and heart disease are some of the major conditions that have screening tools to help identify disease as early as possible. Healthy men at average risk should have screenings completed for hypertension, high

cholesterol, prostate cancer, colon cancer and heart disease. Talk to your physician about what exams and tests are important based on your age, sex and risk profile.

To make an appointment with a Catholic Health primary care physician, please visit chsli.org or call (866) MY-LI-DOC.

About Catholic Health

Catholic Health is an integrated system encompassing some of the region’s finest health and human services agencies. The health system has nearly 17,000 employees, six acute care hospitals, three nursing homes, a home health service, hospice and a network of physician practices.