The Deer Park High School Business Department recently hosted a School/Industry Advisory Board meeting in the school’s library, with members of the business community, faculty and students in attendance.
The purpose of the Advisory Board – which comprises professionals from across different industries including
business, insurance, healthcare, technology, law and higher education – is to help prepare Deer Park students for the world of work. Its members serve as hosts for student job shadowing, internships and cooperative work experiences. Topics of focus include industry trends, the board’s vision for future partnerships and how the board members
can play a key role in shaping the future of Deer Park’s students.
At this meeting, the board discussed selecting a corporate sponsor for Deer Park High School’s Virtual Enterprise program, revising its job shadowing program, bringing back Career Day for high school students, hosting a career fair focused on careers in the trades and finding job
placements for students in the school’s transition program.
“This collaborative meeting between professionals from the community and Deer Park High School students and staff was a productive kickstart to our School/ Industry Advisory program,” Director of Mathematics and Business Christine Gill said.
the business community, faculty and students. Photo courtesy of Deer Park School District
2025 Picnic Pavilion Reservations
For Long Island State Parks
Are you interested in renting a picnic pavilion this summer at one of your Long Island State Parks? Reservations will open Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 9:00 AM EST on the New York State Parks Reserve America website or by calling 800-456-2267. There are no in-person reservations. All picnic pavilion reservations must be made online or by calling Reserve America directly.
Reservable picnic pavilions are located at the following Long Island State Parks for the 2025 season, with the following restrictions:
• Belmont Lake State Park, North Babylon
o No sound systems / DJ’s / amplified sound
o No buses holidays Memorial Day to Labor Day
o No generators permitted
• Bethpage State Park, Farmingdale
o No electricity
• Heckscher State Park, East Islip
• Hempstead Lake State Park, West Hempstead
o No generators permitted
• Orient Beach State Park, Orient
o No buses on weekends
• Gov. Alfred E. Smith/ Sunken Meadow State Park, Kings Park (Field # 4)
o No pony rides, inflatables, sound systems / DJ’s /
amplified sound
• Valley Stream State Park, Valley Stream
o No sound systems / DJ’s / amplified sound
o No buses on weekends and holidays Memorial Day to Labor Day
After you have successfully reserved a pavilion, you can then apply for an addon permit to enhance your reservation. Applications for add-on permits, which include sound system / DJ’s / amplified sound, pony rides, buses, inflatables, or alcohol, can be found within the 2025 Group Use Application. Applications must be received at least 14 days prior to your reservation date.
For additional
information, please call the Regional Permit Office at 631-321-3515. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 80 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.
Recipe Of The Week: Chicken Barley Soup
Everyone knows there’s no cure for the common cold. Though colds can strike at any time, cold season tends to occur when the weather cools down and people spend more time indoors. Inside viruses can circulate and spread more easily, thus leading to elevated rates of infection. Though there might be no cure for the common cold, that does not mean people are helpless against it. Many people have their own remedies to help them manage and potentially shorten the duration of a cold, and chicken soup features prominently in those antidotes. Whether cold season is kicking into high gear or people are confronting the common cold at other times of year, they can incorporate this recipe for “Chicken Barley Soup” with Vegetables courtesy of Lines+Angles into their cold remedy routines.
Makes 6 servings
8 cups chicken stock
4 cups water
1 teaspoon marjoram
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Directions:
1 medium onion, sliced 1 cup carrots, sliced
2 cups cooked chicken breasts, diced
1 russet potato, peeled and cubed
1 cup broccoli, chopped
1⁄2 cup barley Salt, to taste, Pepper, to taste
1. In a large pot, combine chicken stock, water, marjoram, rosemary, and parsley. Simmer for 15 minutes.
2. Add onion, carrots, cooked chicken, potato, broccoli, and barley. Add salt and pepper to taste. Simmer over low heat for 35 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve.
An Amazing Performance For Deer Park DECA
A total of 73 members from Deer Park High School’s DECA club participated in DECA’s Suffolk County Regional Competition last month. In the most competitive regional competition in over 20 years, Deer Park’s students had an amazing performance, earning 31 trophies and 12 honorable mention awards. The team was guided by DECA adviser Gregory Menig. Most of the Deer Park DECA students will be moving on to participate
New York DECA’s 66th annual State Career Conference, to be held March 5-7 at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center in Rochester.
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Eighth Grader Named Runner Up In Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest
RUNNER UP IN HISPANIC HERITAGE
Watching the big game together with friends and fellow fans makes football even more engaging and fun. With that in mind, fans can consider these tips to improve their game
ESSAY CONTEST
Emily Rodriguez, an eighth grader at Deer Park’s Robert Frost Middle School, was recently named a runner up in the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month essay contest, earning a new iPad as her prize. For the contest, sponsored by Optimum and Univision Foundation in celebration of Hispanic Americans’ diverse histories, cultures and contributions, Rodriguez wrote an essay titled “The Most Colorful Time in Ecuador.”
Optimum representatives visited Robert Frost for a presentation ceremony, which was attended by the Rodriguez family and school administrators. Optimum additionally presented the school with a $500 gift card to DonorsChoose, a nonprofit organization that allows teachers to
Improve Your Game Watch Experience
watch party as the stakes get higher for their favorite team.
• Upgrade your equipment. There’s no doubt about it, football is best watched on a big screen. Choose
a screen size of at least 65 inches and ensure the television has a high refresh rate, which helps to keep up with fast-moving action on the gridiron.
A TV with good motion
handling can help ensure that moving objects are clear.
• Tailgate at home. There’s something about football and the outdoors that works. Although watching
submit requests for needed materials or supplies.
“Emily is an incredible young lady who is always ready to learn and to partake in activities both in and outside of the classroom,” Spanish teacher Meredith Telese said. “When presented with the opportunity to create an essay for this contest, based on the impact that Hispanic culture and traditions have had on her life, she was eager to begin. Her essay was well thought out and truly captured the influence that her Hispanic culture has had on her. She was able to capture the beauty and emotions experienced during Ecuador’s Carnival, making her entry very unique and special. I am so proud of Emily, and I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for her.”
the game indoors is perfectly acceptable, think about taking the action outside. Open the door to the garage and set up a viewing area there. Man a grill nearby in the driveway and prepare all of your favorite tailgate foods and beverages. Once the drinks are flowing you might not even notice chilly temperatures.
• Offer finger foods. Foods that can be grabbed and shared are ideal options for football watch parties. These include sliders, pizza, tacos, and wings. The game day menu does not need to be complicated. Just make the food readily accessible and guests will dig right in.
• Toss around the pigskin. Get some exercise and test your skills by throwing around the ball during commercial breaks or before and after the game. If you really want to go all out, play a game of touch or flag football
(leave the tackling to the professionals).
• Up the ante. Make watching the game a little more competitive by taking bets beforehand. Betting boxes (football squares) provide a simple way to collect and pay out during game play. Participants buy as many squares as they like for a set price and write their initials inside the squares they choose. Teams are assigned to the rows and columns which are numbered zero through nine. Those numbers will represent the final digit of the score for the corresponding team. Winners can be called each quarter as well as for the final score.
• Create a winning playlist. Compile a playlist of songs that can raise fans’ spirits. Include teams’ theme songs in the mix when possible; otherwise, incorporate upbeat options that span the last few generations.
MONTH
-Emily Rodriguez, an eighth grader at Deer Park’s Robert Frost Middle School, was recently named a runner up in the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month essay contest. Photo courtesy of Deer Park School District
(Choice of one: Macaroni, Potato or Coleslaw)
Garage Door Sale!
Garage Door Sale!
Garage Door Sale!
Interesting Facts About The Month Of February
February is the shortest month of the year. Unless it’s a leap year, when an extra day is tacked on to the end of the month, February is just 28 days long. Despite its brevity, February is a notable month, and the following are four interesting facts about the second month of the year.
1. The name “February” comes from the Latin word “februa,” which means “to cleanse.” The ancient Romans celebrated a festival of purification and atonement known as Februalia, and historians believe that celebration, which lasted a month, occurred around the time of year that the month of February now takes place.
2. February is arguably the most unique month on the calendar thanks to the phenomenon of the leap year. According to NASA, the Earth takes approximately 365 days and six hours to orbit the
sun and approximately 24 hours (one day) to rotate on its axis. NASA notes that most years are rounded down to 365 days, though that does not erase the extra six hours in each year. So approximately every four years an extra day is added to the calendar in February. That will actually take place in 2024, which should excite anyone whose birthday happens to be February 29.
3. Speaking of February 29, many a notable event has taken place on that unusual date over the years. On February 29, 1720, the Queen of Sweden, Ulrika Eleonora, abdicated her throne in favor of her husband, who became King Frederick I a little less than a month after his wife’s abdication. On February 29, 1940, actress Hattie McDaniel became the first African American to win an Academy Award.
And on February 29, 1996, the Siege of Sarajevo officially ended, marking the end of a conflict that had lasted 1,425 days. 4. Though it’s typically only 28 days, February still provides many opportunities to celebrate. February is Black History Month in both the United States and Canada, and has recently been observed in Ireland and the United Kingdom as well. February also features Mardi Gras and “Fat Tuesday,” the final, and often festive, feast day before the Christian season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. American history buffs also have plenty of reasons to celebrate in February, as the month marks the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (February 12), Susan B. Anthony (February 15) and George Washington (February 22), among others.
FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS
STILL TO COME THIS MONTH!
THURS. JAN. 30th
2:00PM–3:00PM
WINTER BINGO
Babylon Public Library, 24 S. Carll Ave. in Babylon. Shake off your winter blues with a few rounds of Bingo! Adults only, please. Registration is required. Please call Erin White for more information 631-669-1624
6:30PM-8:00 PM
TRIVIA NIGHT - TRIVIA ON ICE
at The Whaling Museum & Education Center, 301 Main St. in Cold Spring Harbor. A winter-themed trivia in film, music, nature, history, geography, and more with a whale or two added in, of course! Enjoy hot chocolatespiked or plain - and appetizers from Grasso's Restaurant. Prizes and bragging rights for winners! Adults 21+ For more information, please call Cristina Ainslie at 631-367-3418
SAT. FEB. 1st
11:00AM
LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAM
Connetquot River State Park Preserve, 4090 Sunrise Highway in Oakdale. After a brisk hike, warm up with traditional New Year soups and sweets while enjoying a Presentation. Our Island’s Story: The Natural History of Long Island: This talk will discuss the features that make Long Island's geology distinctive and have shaped the peoples who have inhabited this island. Registration required. www. friendsofconnetquot.org
HOLIDAYS
2nd - Groundhog Day 14th - Valentine's Day 17th - Presidents' Day
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 info, call 631.226.2636 x275 or send events to editorial@longislandmediagroup.com
THURS. FEB. 6th
11:00AM LINDENHURST EVENING HOMEMAKERS GROUP
Join Lindenhurst Evening Homemakers Group at the North Amityville Senior Center 48 Cedar Rd. in Amityville. (off of New Hwy.) Open to all, 18 years old & up. Meetings start at 7pm & new members should arrive 15 min. early. Contact Lisa LeBrie at 516-413-7467 for more info
SAT. FEB. 8th
10:30AM-12:30PM FOREST THERAPY WALK
Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Hwy. in Great River. Join a certified forest therapy guide on a walk to slow down, wander, and notice the beauty of nature. This will be a lengthy walk, so please wear comfortable, study shoes and warm clothing. $45/pp.
11:00AM-3:00PM WINTERFEST 2025 Levittown Community Council WinterFest 2025, Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road in Levittown. Free admission, crafts, entertainment, and eye screening. OTHER: Featuring Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers, balloon magic by MsMatch the Clown, music by deejay Tim Aldridge. For information visit: levittowncouncil@yahoo.com
3:00PM
VALENTINE'S DAY CONCERT Valentine's Day Concert
Featuring Kathryn Wilson, soprano soloist. Grace United Methodist Church, 515 S. Wellwood Ave. in Lindenhurst. For more information, please call 631-226-8690. A free-will offering will be taken.
TUES. FEB. 11th
7:00PM
REPUBLIC AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING
7150 Republic Airport, Room 201 in Farmingdale. For information call 631-752-7707 x6109 or email: info@ republicairport.net
SAT. FEB. 15th
11:00AM-1:00PM
MAPLE SUGARING
Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve. This interactive program geared for adults will teach you how to make your own maple syrup at home! Not recommended for children. Please call for Reservations: 631-423- 1770. Registration: Required
SUN. FEB. 16th
3:00PM-7:00PM ANNUAL OUTREACH DANCE SPONSORED BY THE LADIES ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS Join them for their Annual Fundraiser at Division 2 Hall in Babylon. $40 pp includes beer, wine, soda, buffet dinner, dessert, Irish coffee Bar. Bring a bag of non-perishable food for inclusion in a Special Raffle! Reservations are a MUST call or text Mary Gibbons 631-671-6178
Discuss Your Next Move
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4 Memorable Moments In The History Of The NFL’s Biggest Game
The National Football League offers no shortage of notable moments over the course of a typical season. Memorable plays and exciting moments begin when the NFL kicks off its season in early September, and the excitement only builds as the season inches closer to the Super Bowl, the league’s much-watched championship game.
The winner-takeall nature of the Super Bowl certainly adds to the gravity of the game, and that has laid the foundation for some unforgettable plays since the first Super Bowl was played in 1967. Any list of notable moments in Super Bowl history could be endless, but the following are four moments that fans of the game won’t soon forget.
1. The Seattle Seahawks
decide to throw the ball. The Seahawks were trailing the New England Patriots 2824 with 20 seconds left in Super Bowl XLIX in Arizona in 2015 but had the ball at the goal line. Most football fans fully expected Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson to hand the ball off to running back Marshawn Lynch, who scored a rushing touchdown earlier in the game. But Seattle instead chose to pass, and Wilson was intercepted by undrafted rookie Malcolm Butler, a play that sealed the Patriots’ victory and prompted second-guessing from millions of fans.
2. David Tyree makes a catch for the ages. Acrobatic catches have become the norm in the
modern NFL, but there may still be no more unlikely catch than New York Giant David Tyree’s “Helmet Catch” in Super Bowl XLII in 2008. The Giants trailed the Patriots 1410 late in the fourth quarter when Tyree and
his teammates faced a third down. Tyree leapt in the air to catch an Eli Manning pass with one hand, pinning the ball to his helmet and maintaining possession for a first down and 32yard gain. The Giants ultimately scored a
touchdown on the drive to secure a 17-14 victory.
3. Joe Montana keeps his cool. When the Cincinnati Bengals kicked a go-ahead field goal with a little more than three minutes left in Super Bowl XXIII in Miami in 1989, things were looking bleak for quarterback Joe Montana and his San Francisco 49ers teammates. But Montana kept his cool, even pointing into the crowd as the Niners offense huddled on the field and asking, “Hey, isn’t that John Candy?” Montana’s cool demeanor undoubtedly helped the 49ers pull off a stunning comeback, which culminated when he connected with wide receiver John Taylor on a 10-yard touchdown with 34 seconds to go to cap an incredible 11play, 92-yard drive.
4. Scott Norwood breaks hearts in Buffalo. Memorable plays leave some fans cheering and others lamenting what might have been. Super Bowl XXV in Tampa, Florida, between the Giants and the Buffalo Bills in 1991 certainly featured such a play. Trailing 20-19 with just four seconds to go, the Bills lined up to kick a 47-yard field goal that would have earned the franchise its first Super Bowl victory. But Buffalo placekicker Scott Norwood’s kick sailed wide right, handing the Giants the win and starting a string of four straight Super Bowl losses for the Bills.
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Long Island State Park Hosts 2025 Winter Concert Series
The New York Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation invites you to warm up from the Winter cold and enjoy the comfort of fine classical music on Sunday afternoons at the Upper Carriage House at Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River, New York. The 2025 Winter Concert
Series performance schedule is as follows:
February 02 – Serenade
Duo Gerry Saulter (Guitar)
Michelle La Porte (Flute)
February 09 – Extra Chi
Terence Purcell (Piano)
Michelle Lisi (Flute)
February 16 –
Queensound Linda Teixeira (Soprano), Helena
Kim (Piano)
March 02 – Quintessence
Laura Mole (Violin), Jody Ratner (Viola), Susan Lehr (Cello)
Parking will be limited and on a first come, first served basis throughout the entirety of this concert series. All concerts begin
promptly at 1:00PM. Seating is on first come, first serve basis. The concerts, free to he public, are sponsored by the Islip Arts Council with funding provided by Bayard Cutting Arboretum, Natural Heritage Trust, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
For more information, please call the Islip Arts Council at (631) 8883525. For information on the day of the concert,
please call Bayard Cutting Arboretum at (631) 5811002.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 80 million visitors annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.
Valentine’s Day is steeped in tradition. Giving flowers is a popular tradition each February 14, and the National Retail Federation estimates that people spend around $2.6 billion on flowers for Valentine’s Day, when an estimated 250 million stems of flowers are sold globally. Valentine’s Day is the most lucrative day for florists, with the red rose the most popular flower given on this day for lovebirds.
Just because millions of roses are prepared in
Pick The Perfect Valentine’s Day Flowers
advance of Valentine’s Day sales doesn’t mean this is the type of flower that one has to choose for a bouquet or arrangement. A surprise bouquet can feature unique blooms. Here are tips to give the perfect bouquet to the person who claims your heart.
• Identify your loved one’s favorite colors and flowers. Understanding your partner’s floral preferences is the first step in choosing a Valentine’s Day arrangement. Many
Valentine’s Day is a time to bring smiles to the faces of loved ones — particularly the special someone in a person’s life. Gifts that appeal directly to spouses or significant others may be the standard, but gifts couple can use together can bring them closer together. The following are some great Valentine’s Day gifts couples can enjoy together.
• Quirky mugs: Mug sets come in all shapes and sizes and express various sentiments. Some even feature interlocking designs designed to symbolize that couples are two pieces of one puzzle. Kissing mugs, which look like lips touching when they are brought together, are perfect for couples who enjoy their morning coffee together. Look for them at www. uncommongoods.com.
• Matching robes: Plush terry cloth robes need not
have a favorite flower type or color, and everyone’s isn’t necessarily a red rose. Some people love bright daffodils, while others like exotic lilies. Pay attention to these likes to select flowers that will delight your partner.
• Select fresh flowers. When buying flowers in person, make sure they are fresh by gently feeling the part of the petal that meets the stem. If this part is firm, then the flower is fresh.
• Opt for neutral tones. If you’re unsure of which flowers to buy, stick with varietals in white and soft, neutral tones. This will lend a more romantic vibe to the bouquet. Bright, high-contrast florals may come off as tacky unless you can guarantee that the person prefers them.
• Keep allergies in mind. Valentine’s Day should be about offering love, not a case of the sniffles. If the person in your life suffers from floral
allergies, avoid certain blooms, like sunflowers, chrysanthemums and hyacinths, suggests Funny How Flowers Do That, a United Kingdom-based flower company. Tulips, irises and hydrangea are
less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
• Order early. Time is of the essence when getting flowers for Valentine’s Day. Florists may rush or have fewer flowers to work with as Valentine’s Day draws
Valentine’s Day Gifts Couples Enjoy Together
be reserved for luxurious stays at premiere hotels. Coordinating robes can be monogrammed and worn on lazy days when gathering in front of a cozy fire.
• Charcuterie set: A romantic meal is the start of any Valentine’s Day celebration. Invest in a compact charcuterie board with two matching wine glasses and enjoy the set on date nights at home.
• MasterClass lesson: Purchase a MasterClass instructional (www. masterclass.com) and learn photography tricks or insider tips from established professionals together.
• Travel excursion: Jet set to an exotic locale with a planned adventure. Parents can arrange for a sitter, friend or relative to look after the children so the trip provides some one-on-one time. This trip can serve as
the second honeymoon couples dream about.
• Custom cornhole set: Couples who love tailgating or opening up their homes (and yards) to guests can purchase monogrammed or custom-carved bean bag toss boards.
• Fancy coffee maker: Couples who spend more time in take-out coffee shops than they probably should can brush up on their barista skills at home. There are plenty of coffee makers on the market that can help couples whip up lattes, cappuccinos or espressos with ease.
• Wine club membership: Couples who enjoy sampling the latest vintages and flavors may enjoy a wine subscription. Winc.com is just one of the delivery services available. Or couples who prefer to be a little more hands-on can experiment with winemaking kits.
• Hot tub: What can be more relaxing than soaking in a warm bath of bubbling water? A backyard hot tub turns up the heat on relaxation and time spent together.
closer. Ordering well in advance means you’ll get your desired arrangement. Choosing flowers comes down to a few simple steps to offer a gift of love on Valentine’s Day.
• Tokens of love: Matching or coordinating bracelets, necklaces or even tattoos can serve as enduring symbols of a couple’s love.
Valentine’s Day gifting may be even more enjoyable when gift-giving focuses on presents couples can enjoy together.
