Celebrating the Spirit of Giving This Holiday Season
The holiday season is a time to give back, and at Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, we’re dedicated to supporting our communities. Our agents are involved in local initiatives, making a difference in the lives of those in need and are proud to contribute to:
EJ Autism Foundation
AutisMile
Seatuck Environmental Association
Big Brothers Big Sisters for our annual Coat Drive
Island Harvest
Dress for Success
St. Mark’s Church Holiday Toy Drive
Bay Shore Lions Club
danielgale.com | danielgalefoundation.org
Thistime of year we reflect on all that 2024 has brought us, while thinking of what we strive to accomplish in the year ahead. We are so thankful for each and every one of you; we simply couldn't do what we do without your loyal readership.
As you flip through the pages, you'll find seasonal editorial, along with timely and informative local stories throughout. Plus, don't miss our holiday coloring contest, where you can win a 4-pack of tickets to the Long Island Aquarium! We wish you joy, peace and happiness throughout the season and always.
Spend New Year’s Day Visiting One Of Long Island’s Iconic Lighthouses
The first day of a new year often brings upon feelings of hope and excitment, as we embark on a fresh start and begin to tackle our recently-declared New Year’s resolutions. You may find yourself searching for a memorable activity that you and your loved ones can set your sights on come January 1st. Whether or not your resolution pertains to “being more active,” consider taking a walk to one of Long Island’s iconic lighthouses, the Fire Island Lighthouse. This famous destination can easily be enjoyed by all who visit.
Tower is open from 10 AM - 3:30 PM daily.
Museum and Gift Shop are open 10 AM - 4 PM daily. Plus, you can now shop their gift shop from the comfort of your home! Visit www.fireislandlighthouse.com for more information.
January 12 Evening Tower Tour
On Sunday, January 12, there will be an Evening Tower Tour at 4 PM. Enjoy watching the sunset from the top of the Fire Island Lighthouse! Bring a flashlight for your walk back to the parking lot. Reservations are required. Visit www. fireislandlighthouse for pricing and more information.
Fire Island Lighthouse
Fire Island, New York
The Fire Island Lighthouse, located at the western tip of Fire Island, was one of the first landmarks visitors saw when arriving by ship from Europe. It is Long Island’s tallest lighthouse tower at 168 feet tall, with 182 steps to the top. This very well may be the most recognizable and visited lighthouse on the island.
NOTICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS
How To Host A New Year’s Brunch
NewYear’s Day unofficially marks the end of the holiday season. After the turkey and trimmings of Thanksgiving and the gifts galore of Christmas and Chanukah, New Year’s presents one final chance to toast to fun and fortune.
Chances are good that after an evening of ringing in the New Year and dancing until dawn, most people sleep in and catch up on a few extra hours sleep on January 1. Breakfast may come and go before tired revelers are ready to greet the day. That is what makes brunch so popular on January 1.
Brunch is a meal eaten in the late morning or early afternoon — generally between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. It consists of a blend of breakfast and lunch foods. Historical evidence suggests that brunch originated in the British
upper classes in the late 19th century. Many upperclass people gave servants partial or full days off on Sundays. Staff would set out buffet spreads in the morning before leaving, enabling homeowners to graze among breakfast and lunch items.
It may be challenging to compete with the excitement of New Year’s Eve, but a New Year’s Day brunch can be just as memorable, especially when planning is a priority.
• Send invitations early on. The holiday season is a busy time and people often commit to invitations early on. If you want to host certain guests at the brunch, send out those invitations several weeks in advance.
• Keep it intimate. Individuals will be feeling the effects of a late night of partying and it’s likely you will be as well. Make things easier on yourself by keeping the
omelets, French toast, bagels, deli meats, and salads. If you want to get creative, change up these recipes in subtle ways, such as serving French toast stick dippers with a warm maplecaramel dipping sauce or bite-sized omelets baked in small ramekins.
• Keep the coffee flowing. Coffee, teas and hot chocolate are great at brunch. It’s easier to recover from New Year’s Eve overindulgence with a warm jolt of caffeine. Set up a nice beverage bar, and be sure to include other drinks that enable guests to rehydrate after a night of revelry.
guest list on the small side. In turn, there will be less food required and perhaps less mess to clean up afterward.
• Serve familiar foods. Brunch combines the best of breakfast and lunch. Guests will be expecting some of the standards, including
• Keep it simple. Soft music and nice conversation may be all that’s needed to entertain during a New Year’s brunch. Another low-key option is to queue up a light-hearted movie or play a relatively easy trivia game.
New Year’s brunches can close the door on another successful holiday season with a relaxing afternoon spent in the company of family and friends.
View Website For Entire Menu!
Selections
Stu ed Rigatoni 65 110 (In Fresh Pomodoro Sauce)
Linguine with Clam Sauce 80 135 (Red or White)
Eggplant Rollatini 75 130
Lobster Ravioli 80 135 (With Vodka Sauce)
Breaded or Grilled Chicken Cutlet Tossed With Garlic, Fresh Basil, Roasted Red Peppers & Melted Mozzarella
Fee: $25 check or money order payable to New York Safety Training Associates (NYSTA).
SENIOR ADVOCATE
Monday, January 13
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
An advocate from the Suffolk County Office of the Aging will be available to answer your questions regarding senior programs, services, applications, referrals and more. Anyone with questions regarding services to seniors is welcome. No registration is necessary for this one-on-one, walk-in service, but please call ahead to confirm that there are no changes in the Senior Advocate’s schedule.
THAI LETTUCE WRAPS AND GLAZED SHRIMP
Wednesday, January 15
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Join Chef Rob Scott for a demo and tasting of Thai lettuce wraps made with ground beef, ginger, carrots and scallions; also on the menu is glazed shrimp with a Chinese plum sauce.
VEGAN CHILI ISA216
Saturday, January 18
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Savor the rich, aromatic, and hearty flavors of this meatless chili; Chef Dell'Amore will provide a demonstration and tasting.
CERAMIC WINTER GNOMES
Tuesday, January 21
6:30 – 8:00 pm
Fee: $16 Join instructor Teresa Grant and paint this 6 x 6 ceramic gnome couple in red and pink for Valentines Day; other paint colors will be available!
FRIDAY MORNING BOOK DISCUSSION: THE GOD OF THE WOODS
Friday, January 24
10:00 – 11:00 am
Join librarian Dan Coster to discuss The God of the Woods, a riveting mystery about the disappearance of a 13-yearold girl at a summer camp in 1975.
DEFENSIVE DRIVING
Saturday, January 25
9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Fee: $25 check or money order payable directly to New York Safety Training Associates (NYSTA) on the day of the program.
CHICKEN BIRYANI WITH GEETU MAKIN
Monday, January 27
7:00 – 8:00 pm
Come enjoy aromatic one pot chicken biryani made with chicken, basmati rice, spices and herbs!
WEDNESDAY NIGHT YOGA SERIES
January 29; February 5, 12, 19
6:30 – 7:30 pm
Fee: $25
Join yoga instructor Brittany for a combination of chair and mat yoga. This class is designed for all levels of yoga. Exercises can be done on the floor or in a chair.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON MOVIES: ROMANTIC COMEDIES
Sabrina (1954): January 17
Manhattan (1979): January 24
Something’s Gotta Give (2003): January 31
Love Actually (2003): February 7
Trainwreck (2015): February 14
MICROSOFT OFFICE TIPS AND TRICKS
Saturday, February 1
10:00 – 11:30 am
In this class with an instructor from Sharper Training Solutions, learn the most popular Office functions that will help improve your skills for Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Prerequisite: basic computer knowledge.
Go 'Mutts' For These Pet Gifts
Accordingto the American Pet Products Association, consumers in the United States spent $147 billion on pets in 2023. And it’s not just the essentials that have people opening up their wallets for pets. A 2022 YouGov survey found that 57 percent of owners buy holiday gifts for their pets and 40 percent host birthday celebrations.
With the holiday season on the horizon, there’s a good chance that beloved pets are on gift lists this year, particularly for Gen Z pet owners. A study of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted by Talker Research for Newsweek found that Gen Z spends an average of $148.50 on their pets each month, the highest of all surveyed. For those shopping for gifts their pets will enjoy, these options could have tails wagging.
• Treat dispenser: It isn’t possible to be home with their pets all of the time. A dispenser that can be programmed to offer treats at certain intervals or
connected to an app that enables a person to release one at the push of a button can be a nice gift to surprise stay-at-home pets.
• Puzzle toy: Pets need to keep their brains working; otherwise, they may get bored and into trouble. A puzzle toy that has treats or kibble hidden behind panels helps pets remain mentally sharp.
• New bed: Upgrade a pet’s bed to something even more lush and comfortable. A fleece blanket and a dedicated pet pillow can help pets feel even more pampered.
• Safety belt: Guarantee that trips in the car to the dog park or other excursions are safer by gifting a safety pet harness that works like a seatbelt in a vehicle.
• Grooming package: Everyone wins when a pet is washed, dried and primped to perfection. Professional groomers have the skills to tame excess fur and trim nails so pets smell wonderful and remain comfortable.
Santa Claus Comes To Connetquot
Connetquot
River State Park Preserve and the Friends of Connetquot are excited to announce that Santa is coming to Connetquot on Sunday, December 22! Activities begin at 1 PM. Join the Friends for holiday craft projects as you await Santa's arrival. When Mr and Mrs Claus arrive, everyone will move to the famous Billiard Room of the Clubhouse for story time before you get to tell Santa what you hope will be under your Christmas tree this year! Photo opportunities will be available, so dress your holiday finest! Hot chocolate and sweet treats will be served. Admission to the event is free to all, but please bring a non-perishable food for donation. Register online on Eventbrite at https://parks.ny.gov/ parks/8/details.aspx.
CARS BOUGHT
Islip High School: Student Artwork Selected For Prestigious Exhibition
TheNew York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA), proudly sponsored by NYSATA, is delighted to present its annual student art exhibit in a dynamic virtual format, ensuring accessibility for all. Teachers statewide submitted student artwork, creating a vibrant online gallery showcasing the immense creativity of young artists representing all 10 regions of New York. This prestigious exhibition was a highlight of the NYSSBA Convention in New York City from October 20-22, 2024, offering school board members a unique opportunity to appreciate the students' artistic talents. Among the selected works is a remarkable piece by Matthew Levy, a 10th grader at Islip High School. His colored pencil dragon eye drawing captivated his teacher, Mrs. Buzzeo, with its exceptional detail and artistry. When asked about his work, Mrs. Buzzeo stated, "Matthew's talent shines through in this piece, demonstrating his dedication and artistic skill. He has a natural talent in art and takes on any art medium with great pride. I cannot wait to see the future artwork he creates." The virtual gallery will remain open to convention attendees and the public until December 31, 2024, extending the celebration of student art to a wider audience. It can also be viewed at: https://nysata.memberclicks.net/nyssba. Matthew's work is # 254 under Islip High School.
Magic Of Lights Drive - Through Experience Illuminates The Imagination During Holiday Season
Magicof Lights, the family-friendly, drivethrough holiday lights festival, is celebrating the grandest holiday of the year with a dazzling, sparkling, and twinkling series of magical light displays in a 2.5-mile drive-through experience, the longest and brightest ever, at both Long Island’s Jones Beach State Park and at Holmdel’s PNC Bank Arts Center running nightly through January 4. Inside the comfort of their own vehicle, guests will enjoy Magic of Lights’ classic holiday favorites including Winter Wonderland, the 12 Days of Christmas, Toyland, festive Elves and Reindeer Road. In addition to the 200 foot long Enchanting Tunnel of Lights, there will also be other new light tunnels to delight and amaze.
Other illuminated displays include the 32-foot-tall animated Mattel’s Waving Christmas Barbie®, Prehistoric Christmas featuring life sized
dazzle and delight guests of all ages.”
The Magic of Lights uses the latest CAD technology and is hand-crafted at the Magic of Lights warehouse in Medina, OH, then, transported to Long Island. The displays combine for more than 10 miles of LED lighting across all presentations, in the trees, and on the buildings. There are 10 different colors of LED bulbs used. The highest scene is 32-feet tall, and the longest is several hundred feet long. The steel displays are designed, bent, cut, and welded into about 800 frames combined in different configurations to create each show’s giant winter holiday scenes.
by Flagstar. Further, a portion of every Jones Beach entry ticket sold will support Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Foundation for Long Island State Parks Inc.
Guests are encouraged to share their favorite Magic of Lights pictures!
Facebook: @ magicoflightsjonesbeach
Facebook: @ MagicOfLightsNewJersey
Instagram: @ TheMagicOfLights
Magic of Lights is produced in partnership between Family Entertainment Live and Live Nation.
dinosaurs celebrating the season, and the legendary BIGFOOT® Monster Truck. Created with over two million sparkling lights, Magic of Lights is a nostalgic and festive event everyone will enjoy.
The Toyota Holiday Village, which allows guests to walk through a magical out-of-car area featuring Santa Photos, refreshments, and other holiday activities, will also return at both locations. A new augmented reality feature will be introduced this year as well to make the magical experience even more interactive, with details set to be released in November.
“We are excited to return Magic of Lights to both the Long Island and Holmdel communities for as its become a part of the local annual holiday tradition,” says Ken Hudgens, CEO of Family Entertainment Holdings, LLC.
“Our innovative creative team has designed a drive-through holiday wonderland light experience that promises to
Magic of Lights is open Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. (dusk) until 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. (dusk) until 11 p.m. For dates, times, and ticket availability, visit magicoflights.com. Admission is $30 in advance or $35 at the gate on weekdays and $30 in advance or $40 at the gate on weekends through November. Price is based per car. Special pricing is available for limousines and buses. Group ticket rates are available. Tickets are available through TicketMaster.com.
At Jones Beach, Magic of Lights is supported by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and presented
About Family Entertainment Live
Family Entertainment Holdings, LLC is a diversified, entertainment holding company that develops familyoriented live events including Magic of Lights ®, an outdoor holiday lights drive-through experience produced at venues throughout North America and Hot Wheels® Monster Trucks Live, showcasing a toys-to-life show of Mattel’s legendary Hot Wheels Monster Trucks show presented across North America, Europe and elsewhere internationally. The Company is headquartered in New York, NY. For more information visit familyentertainmentlive.com.
