The Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), inducted three volunteers into the LIJSL Hall of Fame on Sunday, April 6 at the Stonebridge Country Club in Smithtown. From left to right, Michael Saint Laurent, Gina Titus and Michael Lombardi. Photo courtesy of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association.
The South Shore Audubon Society is offering two $2,000 college scholarships this year: one funded by Evelyn Bishop and her family, and one funded by Jay Koolpix. Each scholarship will be awarded to a different college junior, senior, or graduate student who is taking courses to prepare for a degree in an area of biological or environmental science. This includes
wildlife management, forestry, animal behavior, ecology, marine biology, oceanography, mammalogy, ornithology or the field of sustainable and renewable energy.
To be eligible for the Scholarships, applicants must be residents of one of the areas listed at www. ssaudubon.org/areas-weserve.asp and/or attend a college in Nassau or Suffolk County.
Applications are available at the SSAS website, www. ssaudubon.org, or from the emails listed below. Applications are due by April 30, 2025.
They should be emailed to either Betsy Gulotta, betsy.gulotta@ncc.edu, or Betty Borowsky, bborow@ optonline.net. For more information and for assistance with application forms, contact Betsy Gulotta or Betty Borowsky at the email addresses above.
Earth Day is now a global event, but its origins are somewhat humble. Prior to the 1960s, awareness of the link between public health and pollution was minimal. However, according to EarthDay.org, the 1962 publication of Silent Spring by American marine biologist, writer and conservationist Rachel Carson was a watershed moment for the environmental movement. The book did much to raise awareness of the effects of pollution on public health. Indeed, the publication of Carson's book proved a pivotal step toward the eventual establishment of Earth Day in 1970, which EarthDay.org characterizes as the dawn of the modern environmental movement. April 22, 2025 is Earth Day!
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THURS., APRIL 17th
7:00PM
VOICES AT THE TABLE
Farmingdale United Methodist Church Presents "Voices At The Table", 407 Main Street, invites the community to a live retelling of the story of the Last Supper on Maundy. For information please contact the church at office@ farmingdaleumc.org or call 516 694-3424
SAT., APRIL 19th
10:00AM-2:00PM FOOD DRIVE
N. Babylon Lions Club Food Drive at ShopRite 1960 Deer Park Ave. in Deer Park. For more information, please contact donnaquarant@ gmail.com
11:00AM-1:00PM
FOURTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT’S EGG HUNT
Sen. Martinez announces annual district egg hunt. Families are encouraged to hop on down to Geiger Park for this year's Eggceptional Egg Hunt. Remember to bring your basket as you gather your little bunnies for this egg-stra special day, because it's going to be quite the hoppening! The egg-stravaganza will also provide attendees an opportunity to dispose of unused or expired medications and shred sensitive documents. Geiger Park, 130 Grant Boulevard in Deer Park.
11:00AM-2:00PM
PHOTOS WITH THE EASTER BUNNY
Costello's Ace Hardware of
12th - PASSOVER BEGINS
15th - TAXES DUE
20th - EASTER
22nd - EARTH DAY
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 info, call 631.226.2636 x275 or send events to editorial@longislandmediagroup.com
Farmingdale presents photos with the Easter Bunny. Free for everyone! The Easter Bunny will take pictures with your family, kids, and pets on Saturday, April 19th. Make sure to bring your camera. 242 Broadhollow Road in Farmingdale. For more information, please call 631-694-1100
11:00AM-2:00PM CLOTHING SALE
St. Patrick’s Church, 305 Carll’s Path in Deer Park is having a Clothing Sale in the church hall, rain or shine. We have women’s, men’s, and children’s clothes, shoes, and accessories at great prices. Hot beverages will be served. Come by and take a look.
For more information, please call 631-242-7530
THURS, APRIL 22nd
7:00PM GENERAL MEETING
N. Babylon Lions Club General Meeting. Phelps Lane Pool BldgBlue Room, 151 Phelps La., N. Babylon. We're not just Pancakes and Pasta, join us in helping others while having fun. For more information, please contact: Joefatuzzo@gmail.com
THURS., APRIL 24th
1:45PM–7:30PM
BLOOD DRIVE
Levittown Fire Department with Senator Steve Rhoads 120 Gardiners Avenue, Levittown
Follow the link to schedule an appointment: https://Donate. nybc.org/Donor/Schedules/Drive_
schedule/323184 or call 1-800 933-BLOOD. For more information, or help scheduling an appointment, please contact Ron Hlawaty at ronhlawaty@yahoo.com or Jodie Behrens email resqchick048@ gmail.com. Appointments Preferred. Walk-Ins Welcome!
6:30PM
A NIGHT IN MONTE CARLO
The Heritage Club in Farmingdale is hosting a A Night in Monte Carlo. Cocktail reception, followed by an elegant buffet dinner and extensive Viennese display. The event will feature casino gaming, raffle prizes and art pieces available for purchase and created by UCP-LI artists. Join us for an unforgettable evening in support of United Cerebral Palsy of Long Island! To purchase tickets, please visit https://specialevents. ucp-li.org/2025MonteCarlo. For more information, please contact cschramm@ucp-li.org | 631-2320011 ext. 450
SAT., APRIL 26th
10:00AM ANNUAL ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION
The community is invited to the annual Arbor Day Celebration in Amityville at the corner of South Bayview Ave. and Bayview Pl. in Amityville. (south of Merrick Road). Get educational information on tree planting and maintenance and celebrate the day with a tree planting to beautify the open space known as The Mary Carroll Marsden Community Garden.
By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
The Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), the largest league in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), inducted three volunteers into the LIJSL Hall of Fame on Sunday, April 6 at the Stonebridge Country Club in Smithtown.
Michael Saint Laurent has been President of the Central Islip Soccer Club for the past 15 years and coaches several teams every season. With its large Latino population, Central Islip has great potential as a soccer community and that potential is becoming a reality under Michael’s inclusive policies by making soccer accessible to every family regardless of financial status or the child’s skill level. Several of the club’s players have gone on to
play college soccer as the Central Islip resident has become a role model in that community.
Gina Titus coached the Stony Brook Panthers squad for a dozen years and was assistant coach for the girls varsity soccer team at Ward Melville High School from 1996 to ’98. She then volunteered as tournament director from 2001 to 2012 for the Long Island Soccer Shootout that was played at the Three Village Soccer Park. She was Chairperson of the hugely popular LIJSL Convention at the Huntington Hilton for nearly two decades and served on various other LIJSL committees. For the past decade, the Setauket resident has volunteered as President of the Long Island Ladies Soccer League and its 60+ teams in six divisions are a place for LIJSL girls to play after they graduate from youth soccer.
The New York State Senate has passed a package of legislation to strengthen protections for the well-being of animals. Included were Senate Bills S197 and S252, sponsored by State Senator Monica R. Martinez, that give judges the discretion to order consecutive sentences when an individual is convicted of multiple counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and expands the definitions of wild and exotic animals to ensure these creatures will be protected from being imported, sold, or owned.
S197, also known as Tucker’s Law, was originally introduced in 2020 following the arrest of a Long Island man for the beating deaths of two
Michael Lombardi coached his children— Danielle, Michael and Christine—when they were growing up in the West Islip Soccer Club and has been the Club President for the past dozen years. During his tenure as President, Mike has helped develop a new lighted soccer field that’s coming soon, built and manages the club’s highly-successful concession stand, expanded the Adam Novellano Indoor Tournament to over 400 teams, partnered the club to form the Long Island Soccer Classic tourney with over 500 teams every summer plus expanded the club’s High Flyers TOPSoccer Program. Additionally, the West Islip resident leads the club in West Islip’s Annual Memorial Day Parade plus is a LIJSL and high school referee.
With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than
25,000 volunteers, the nonprofit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 10 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA
exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier
players as well as Children With Special Needs. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and US Youth Soccer. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer. com/
dogs and the injury of a third. The legislation was crafted in response to a limitation in state law that restricts a charge of aggravated cruelty to a definite sentence not exceeding two years in prison. The bill addresses this by granting judges discretion to impose consecutive sentences when an individual is convicted of multiple counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. Currently, the law caps sentences at up to two years, even for the most egregious acts.
S252 was filed in response to a Hauppauge pet store found to be selling various exotic animals. The shop also allegedly allowed visitors to purchase 30-minute sessions to pet, feed and
interact with wild and exotic animals, including sloths and kangaroos. Under current law, selling or keeping these types of animals is not prohibited, but the shop was closed last year following court orders for alleged town code violations.
“Today’s vote is a reminder that humanity’s laws have not always kept pace with the cruelty some individuals inflict on animals. The package of bills passed, including expansions of ‘Tucker’s Law’ and the ban on exotic animal sales, raises our standard of accountability toward our fellow beings. These proposals reflect our deeply held belief that compassion is a virtue that must be reflected in both our values and
our laws. As cruelty to animals is often a precursor to future abuse against humans, this legislation not only protects animals but also affirms our commitment to ensuring both are treated with dignity and respect.”
In addition to the proposals passed as part of this package, Sen. Martinez is sponsoring the following animal protection bills under consideration this legislative session:
• S673 – Housing People and Animals Together Grant Program: This bill creates a grant program to fund shelters and organizations that provide emergency housing and domestic
violence shelters for both people and their companion animals, ensuring that no one has to choose between housing and their pet.
• S896 – Comprehensive Emergency Management Planning for Pets:
This bill requires New York’s emergency management plans to include provisions for animals, ensuring pets are not left behind during disasters and shelters, rescue operations, and veterinary care are accounted for.
• S1741 – Strengthening Penalties for Animal Abandonment: This bill increases the minimum penalty for abandoning an animal, ensuring
that those who leave pets behind face fines of at least $500.
• S1742 – Increasing Penalties for Inadequate Shelter for Dogs: This bill strengthens penalties for failing to provide proper shelter for dogs left outside in extreme weather, ensuring that neglect is met with consequences.
• S1743 – Granting SPCA Officers the Authority to Enforce Animal Cruelty Laws: This bill grants SPCA peace officers the same authority as police officers to issue appearance tickets, summons, or arrests for violations of animal cruelty laws.
No-Bake Cheesecake Eggs
Serves 2
Base
1 medium chocolate Easter egg
35 grams unsalted butter
75 grams digestive biscuits
Filling
200 grams full-fat soft cheese (such as cream cheese or neufchâtel), at room temperature
1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons icing sugar
100 milliliters double cream
25 grams cocoa powder
Decoration
50 grams milk chocolate, melted Easter chocolates, Sprinkles
Directions:
Base
Carefully split the Easter egg into two halves. Melt the butter in the microwave in short bursts or in a small pan over a medium heat. In a food processor, blitz the biscuits to a fine crumb, add the melted butter and pulse a few times until the mixture is well combined.
Divide the mixture equally between the two halves of the Easter egg, and very gently press down, without breaking the shell.
Filling
In a large bowl, whisk the cheese, vanilla extract and icing sugar until smooth. Add the double cream and cocoa powder and whisk again until smooth and thickened. Divide the mixture evenly between the two Easter egg halves and smooth over as carefully as possible. Chill in the fridge for an hour or so until set.
Drizzle the melted milk chocolate over the two halves and decorate with some Easter chocolates and sprinkles.
Editor’s note: Icing sugar also is known as confectioner’s sugar or powdered sugar. In the United States and Canada, “double cream” may not be readily available. Double cream has a higher butterfat content and is primarily sold in the UK. If double cream is not available, try substituting with heavy cream with the highest fat content you can find, but note that the consistency of the finished product may be slightly different.
ANTIPASTO (Choose one)
• Traditional Antipasto Platter
• Mozzarella Caprese Platter
• Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail Platter
FIRST COURSE (Choose one half tray)
• Traditional Meat or Cheese Lasagna
• Traditional Baked Ziti
• Penne alla Vodka
• Manicotti
• Stuffed Shells
VEGETABLE (Choose two quarter trays)
• Sautéed Broccoli Garlic & Oil
• Lemon Herb Roasted Potatoes
• Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• String Bean Casserole
• String Bean Almondine
• Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts
ANTIPASTO (Choose one)
• Traditional Antipasto Platter
• Mozzarella Caprese Platter
• Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail Platter
SALAD (Choose one)
• Crispy Green Garden Salad
• Traditional Caesar Salad
• Baby Spinach & Goat Cheese with Fresh Berries
DESSERT (Choose one)
• Assorted Fresh Fruit Bowl
• Homemade Apple Pie (10 inch)
• Imported Italian Colomba
DESSERT (Choose one)
• Assorted Fresh Fruit Bowl
• Fresh Baked Italian Cookie Tray (2 lbs.)
• Imported Italian Colomba
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• All Natural Hormone Free Stuffed Pork Roast
• Boar’s Head Brown Sugar, Sweet Sliced Holiday Ham
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• Candied Sweet Potatoes VEGETABLE (Choose two half trays)
• Sautéed Broccoli Garlic & Oil
• Lemon Herb Roasted Potatoes
• Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• String Bean Casserole
• String Bean Almondine
• Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Candied Sweet Potatoes MAIN COURSE (Choose one)
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As cold and flu season sets in, a seemingly simple cold could signal a more serious concern for some people— but there’s good news, too.
The Risk of RSV Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that mimics cold-like symptoms. While many people recover quickly, RSV can cause severe illness, hospitalization, and even death in certain groups, particularly older adults. The
virus spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, and close contact.
However, there’s a way to protect yourself: vaccination. Last year, RSV vaccines reduced the risk of hospitalization or emergency visits by 75%, making them a powerful tool in preventing severe outcomes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends RSV
vaccination for:
• Everyone 75 years and older
• Adults aged 60–74 at higher risk due to chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, severe obesity, or diabetes, as well as those living in nursing homes. Unfortunately, chronic conditions are widespread in older populations. Public health experts encourage
you to discuss your RSV risk with your healthcare provider. Nearly 95% of adults aged 60 and older have at least one chronic health issue, and almost 80% have two or more, so talk with your healthcare provider if you have questions about whether you have eligible risk conditions. Taking Action Champions for Vaccine Education, Equity, and
Progress (CVEEP), a trusted source of information that advocates for access to recommended vaccines, emphasizes the importance of vaccination for those most vulnerable to respiratory illnesses, especially in underserved communities.
RSV vaccines can be given alongside other vaccinations, and they’re free for most people. Both private and public insurance
plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, cover RSV vaccines. Adults who are eligible can get vaccinated against RSV at any time of year.
Find a Vaccine
To locate an RSV vaccine near you and learn more about RSV protection options, visit www.vaccines. gov or www.CVEEP.org/ RSVReady.
