November 16, 2022 West Babylon North

culmination

Red Ribbon Week activities, West Babylon Senior High School hosted an assembly with Stephen Hill, motivational speaker

shared his journey of addiction and recovery with students. Sharing his personal story,

hopes

inspire

person

seek treatment. Photo courtesy of West Babylon School District

THEN NOW

TOMORROW ALWAYS

We are Good Samaritan University Hospital

Here, “University” means so much more. For more than 25 years, we’ve been educating the next generation of physicians in the latest, most innovative medicine, all while providing the most advanced capabilities along with the most compassionate care. Now, our name reflects that commitment to Long Islanders today — and for generations to come.

Learn more at goodsamaritanuniversity.org LONG LIVE LONG

Babylon Rotary Club’s 75th Anniversary

ROTARY CLUB’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY

Wednesday, November 9th, Babylon Town Councilman Terence McSweeney attended the Babylon Rotary

Rotary

Annual Thanksgiving & Christmas

Holidays, Open House Seasonal Shows!

Admission is free!

Raffled Prizes, 50/50, and more!

Come see the recent upgrades and ongoing changes to the layout!

Saturday & Sunday, November 19th & 20th, and December 3rd & 4th, from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.

Open to the general public and community.

There’s also a “LIONEL” INTERACTIVE ANIMATION layout for the children as well.

Contact Info: centraloperatinglines@

gmail.com or please call (631) 563-0173. Website: www.coltrains. com

Central Operating Lines Ltd. is located at 50-A Carlough Rd. in Bohemia, NY 11716

Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube.

Stop & Shop’s Turkey Express Program

Benefits Long Island Food Banks

Stop & Shop donated 2,000 Thanksgiving turkeys to Island Harvest and Long Island Cares during the first intermission when the New York Islanders host the Calgary Flames at UBS Arena in Elmont. The Food Bank Presidents participated in the Stop & Shop ShootOut – attempting a center ice shot to secure their

donations.

The donation of turkeys is part of Stop & Shop’s annual Turkey Express program which provides more than 25,000 turkeys to hunger relief organizations across the supermarket’s footprint.

As the official supermarket of the Islanders, Stop & Shop’s donation spotlights the increased need the Food

Banks are facing going into the holiday season: Island Harvest Food Bank expects to collect and distribute 14,500 turkeys and tens of thousands of pounds of trimmings necessary to complete a holiday-style meal for Long Islanders coping with food insecurity.

Island Harvest Food

Bank serves approximately 300,000 families at various times during the year.

Last year the food bank supplemented 18 million meals for Long Islanders struggling with food insecurity.

Across Long Island, more than 148,000 students are qualified to receive free or reduced-price school meals.

Helping You Help Others

By Noelle Lambert

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

www.mhaw.org

As home to 72,000 military veterans, Suffolk County has more veterans than any of the other 61 counties in New York State. With Veterans Day occurring in November, this month is a fitting time to recognize local organizations that serve the veterans community, such as our Charity of the Month, the Association for Mental Health and Wellness (MHAW).

MHAW offers a wide spectrum of assistance to Suffolk County veterans in respect to affordable housing, medical and mental health assistance, peer support, and other services. This column focuses on MHAW’s permanent housing for veterans with support services.

In October of 2021, MHAW celebrated the opening of three new homes, adding to their capacity to offer permanent residences for formerly homeless veterans. The three houses became available through Suffolk County’s “Housing Our Homeless Heroes Act” where abandoned properties are transferred to non-profit organizations that serve at-risk and homeless veterans. The initiative is funded through New York State’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s “Homeless Housing and Assistance Program.”

Ashanta Murray, a Navy veteran of eight years with three young children, is now living in one of the homes. “I was so proud to serve in the Navy – and to come home and try to find housing was such a struggle,” Ms. Murray said. “To serve your country and come home to face homelessness should never happen. This home for me and my children has been such a blessing.”

Aside from a new home, veterans receive such support services as employment and training opportunities, counseling, peer support, independent living skills training, linkage to primary healthcare, substance use disorder treatment, mental healthcare, childcare and other benefits.

The goal of this kind of permanent housing and support services is to prevent

chronic illness, promote a healthy and safe environment, promote wellbeing, prevent mental health and substance use disorders and

to help veterans continue to live in their communities in a manner consistent with their abilities and goals. MHAW aims to purchase and rehab additional homes in the future.

“We owe our veterans deep gratitude and must ensure that they have the opportunity to thrive,” said Colleen Merlo, CEO of MHAW. “They cannot do that without safe and consistent housing. It is an honor to be part of this program.”

For several years, MHAW focused its attention on offering temporary housing for homeless veterans at a shelter in Yaphank. Through the efforts of MHAW along with community and government partners, Long Island has made significant strides in addressing homelessness among veterans in recent years. “We have reached a point where when a veteran is homeless, they do not remain homeless for very long,” said Ms. Merlo. “We are proud to have helped to support this trend through our affordable and permanent housing work as well as our focus on employment opportunities and support services to veterans and their families.”

If you are a veteran that is interested in MHAW’s services, please contact Marcelle Leis, the Director of Veteran Services, at 631-946-0147, or by email at mleis@mhaw. org.

West Babylon Public Library

211 Route 109 West Babylon (631) 669-5445 Fax: (631) 669-6539 www.wbpl.us Nancy Evans, Director ***

Registration dates are for WBPL cardholders. Non-residents may register 14 days prior to program. Please note: These programs are offered virtually through Zoom. Registrants must have an

email address to attend programs.

SENIOR ADVOCATE

Thursday, November 17, 10 am-12 pm IN PERSON

A Suffolk County for the Aging representative will be here to help with Medicaid, Senior ID Cards, food stamps & more. Patrons will be helped on a first come, first served basis.

LET’S TALK ABOUT BOOKS

Thursday, November 17, 1:30-3:30 pm WBA40 IN PERSON

Join the West Babylon Literary Club to meet and discuss a novel. Copies of this month’s novel are available at the Circulation Desk upon registration or for download via Libby.

PUZZLE ANSWERS:

2021.

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

Dignitaries and community leaders cut the ribbon on new permanent housing for veterans in Medford, NY in

Get Results Call Classifed 631-226-2636 Press “2”

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

LOOKING TO ADVERTI SE YOUR BUSINES S? Call Classified and one of our experienced sales representatives will help you. BIG BUDGET? SM ALL BUDGET? 631-226-2636, press 276

Landscaping

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

THINKING ABOUT ADVERTISING YOUR BUSINESS and not sure how to get started? Call today and one of our experi enced 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

West Babylon Public Library

TAKE HOME KIT

This month’s book is The Rose Code by Kate Quinn.

PUMPKIN PATCH TRAY

November 17-22 WA120

VIRTUAL WITH KIT

Join Shirley Ruby and learn to paint a group of colorful pumpkins on a large 17” wood tray with metal handles. Pretty to look at and so practical for serving up those Autumn treats. Video link will be available November 17-December 1. Nonrefundable/transferable materials fee: $5.

CASUAL CRAFTING November 21-27 WBA117

Get crafty in your down time with these monthly kits for adults. Each kit comes with a small DIY craft to be completed at your leisure. Patrons will be contacted when kits are available for pick-up. One kit per library card. West Babylon Card holders only.

NO BAKE BOSTON CREAM DESSERT

November 22-28 WBA621

VIRTUAL WITH KIT

Great if your oven is super busy cooking a turkey! Make the chocolate glaze and vanilla filling. Use graham crackers and layer these ingredients into a dessert. Set in the fridge

overnight to enjoy the next day. Join the Baking Coach and learn to make this yummy dessert! Baking kit and video link will be provided by the Library. Registrants will be contacted when baking kits are available for pick-up. Non-refundable/ transferable materials fee: $5.

EMPIRE DEFENSIVE DRIVING Saturday, November 26, 10 am-4 pm WBA300 IN PERSON Attend this class and you may be eligible for an auto premium discount and reduction of violation points. A $35 non-

refundable check or money order (NO CASH) payable to Empire Safety Council is due within 48hrs of sign up. Please be aware that space is limited, the payment is due within 48hrs of registration to keep your spot.

One registration per Library Card.

DIY: CERAMIC OWL

November 29-December 4 WBA122

TAKE HOME KIT

Paint and design your own ceramic owl. West Babylon Card holders only. Registrants will be contacted when kits are available for pick-up.

An Elevated Risk

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some medical conditions can put people at an elevated risk for certain infections. Heart disease, diabetes mellitus type 1 or 2, chronic lung disease, including COPD, and kidney failure are among the conditions that can increase a person’s risk for certain infections. The CDC notes the importance of recognizing this potential connection, as such a recognition can help

people understand the role vaccines can play in promoting their overall health. It’s also vital that men and women realize the connection between their lifestyle choices and their risk for certain infections. For example, excessive consumption of alcohol and smoking are two controllable risk factors that can elevate a person’s risk for infection. Learn more about vaccinations and your risk for certain infections by visiting www.cdc.gov.