The kindergartners at Oquenock Elementary School in the West Islip Union Free School District have been working hard this school year to learn all 26 letters of the alphabet. As a celebration of their learning, students starred in an alphabet fashion show on Jan. 24. They strutted their stuff down the red carpet, showing off their alphabet costumes to an enthusiastic audience of prekindergarten and first grade students. Photo courtesy of West Islip Union Free School District
“ The Vacant Space Revival Program qualified us for on-bill credits that really help me manage costs.”
—George Karatzas, James Cress Florist, Smithtown
Unoccupied business spaces are an opportunity to help bring vitality to downtown areas. For George Karatzas, owner of James Cress Florist, staying downtown was a priority, but costs were prohibitive. Then George applied for our Vacant Space Revival Program, which has provided $2,462 in bill credits to help offset his overhead.* And Smithtown continues to have a business that brings warmth and charm to the area. It’s a beautiful thing to see come together—just like George’s floral arrangements.
How can we help support your small business? psegliny.com/businessfirst
*Incentives, grants, and savings will vary with every project.
FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS
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
11:00AM-2:00PM
CLOTHING SALE
St. Patrick’s Church, 305 Carll’s Path in Deer Park. In the church hall. Forget the supply chain worries, plenty of women’s, men’s, and children’s clothes, shoes, and accessories at great prices. Rain or shine. Hot beverages will be served. For more information, please call 631-242-7530
8:00PM
DEVERNE WILLIAMS’ VINTAGESOUL
Bayway Arts Center in East Islip. Electrifying Disco and Motown performances. Secure your tickets now at baywayartscenter.com or call 631-581-2700.
SUN. FEB. 16th
1:00PM
WINTER CONCERT SERIES
Sunday afternoon at the Upper Carriage House at Bayard Cutting Arboretum in Great River. Queensound Linda Teixeira (Soprano), Helena Kim (Piano) For more information, please call the Islip Arts Council at 631-8883525. For information on the day
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
of the concert, please call Bayard Cutting Arboretum at 631-5811002.
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
FRI. FEB. 21st
6:3-PM TRIVIA NIGHT
N. Babylon Lions Club Trivia Night at North Babylon A. Tatti Youth Center, 213 Phelphs Lane in N. Babylon. $35pp includes Prizes, pizza, salad. Raffles and 50/50. RSVP by 2/10 to Diane @ 6315530217 or Judy @ 631-7453007
SAT. FEB. 22nd
10:00AM-11:00AM
WILDLIFE WONDERS: FUN WITH FEATHERS
Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more. Sweetbriar Nature Center - ECSS, 62 Eckernkamp Drive in Smithtown. For more information, please call 631-979-6344
SUN. FEB. 23rd
1:00-4:00pm
AN AFTERNOON WITH ELVIS
Long Island Society of Italian Americans, (LISIA) is having an Afternoon With Elvism at The Malverne American Legion, 240 Franklin Ave, Post 44. $30.00 pp, includes admission, show, coffee and cake and a cash bar. Bring your own snacks, max 10 to a table. Call Diane Langella @ 516-777-0607 for reservations.
TUES. FEB. 25th
1:00PM
CARNEVALE CELEBRATION
The Italian Cultural Society of Farmingdale cordially invites you to join them at their February Carnevale celebration. Entertainment and light refreshments. Costumes and/ or masks are encouraged for all attendees. Come join the fun! Allen Park Meeting Room, Motor Avenue in Farmingdale. For more information, please contact ICSF Co-President Aggie Vitale agvit@aol. com
6:30PM
BABY SHOWER
The Kiwanis Club of Copiague is having a Baby Shower and will be collecting new clothing, diapers, blankets and many other items a baby needs. Items will be donated to Madonna Heights. Please drop off donations at Red Lobster 801 Sunrise Hwy in Copiague on Tuesday, Feb. 25th. For more information, please contact Lori Prisco 631-495-8755, or Christine Madrazo 631-559-1079
Building Engineering Basics With LEGO
Young engineers at Manetuck Elementary School in the West Islip Union Free School District are growing their STEAM skills by engaging in coding and architectural lessons. The third graders are using the new LEGO coding kits for handson, interactive learning experiences.
Students are building models with LEGO bricks to explore concepts in engineering and design. They can create simple machines, structures and vehicles while learning about forces, motion and problem-solving. Coding is introduced through the online LEGO design kits, where students learn
basic programming skills to control their LEGO creations, such as making a creation move or respond to sensors. These activities foster creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and technical skills. Using this comprehensive STEAM resource has made these experiences educational and fun.
An Alphabet Parade At Oquenock
Winter Senior Advocate Schedules
Suffolk Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) is pleased to inform Islip residents about the local Suffolk County Office for the Aging Winter 2025 Senior Advocate Schedule. Senior advocates are County representatives who come out into the community and assist seniors with information gathering, completion of eligibility or recertification applications and referrals to appropriate community agencies.
“It is so important for us to provide our senior citizens with the assistance and information they need in ways that are most convenient to them. These visits allow our seniors to connect with our County’s senior advocates right in their own communities,” said Legislator Donnelly. “I hope all those interested in the services that the Suffolk County Office for
the Aging provides will take advantage of this opportunity.”
This winter, Senior Advocates will be visiting the following locations in the Town of Islip:
• Bay Shore Library, 1 S. Country Road, Brightwaters: Friday, March 21, 10 am – 12 pm
• Bishop McGann Housing, 200 Bishop McGann Drive, Central Islip: Mondays, February 24 & March 24, 10 am –12 pm
• Brentwood Senior Nutrition, 16 Second Avenue, Brentwood: Monday, March 3, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
• Connetquot Library, 760 Ocean Avenue, Bohemia: Thursday, March 13, 10 am – 12 pm
• East Islip Library, 381 E. Main Street, East Islip: Monday, March 10, 10 am – 12 pm Advocates assist with the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly known as food stamps), Medicare Savings Program and Heating Emergency Assistance Program (HEAP) applications. They also can provide information on Medicare, answer questions and make recommendations and referrals. For more information about available services or directions to any of these locations, please call the Suffolk County Office for the Aging at (631) 8538200.
“For more than three decades, the Suffolk County Office for the Aging has been providing full and trouble-free access to critical services,” Donnelly said. “I am glad to see their great professional community outreach program continue and hope that every senior resident will make full use of it.”
West Islip Ranks Among Top New York State School Districts
According to a recently published report by Syracuse.com, West Islip Union Free School District is tied for the highest-ranking school district in New York State based on the 2023-2024 Language Arts Regents results. West Islip is tied with 22 other school districts out of 634 across New York State. It is also
among the top five on Long Island and the top two in Suffolk County. West Islip tested a total of 316 students.
“Our district administrators, building administrators, and teachers made this tremendous accomplishment possible,” said West Islip Union Free School District Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Paul Romanelli. “Beginning in the early years with building a solid foundation in literacy, to the middle and high school years where our educators work to strengthen the reading, writing, and communication skills our students need to be successful, this is truly a team effort and a collective accomplishment.”
Did You Know?
It’s hard to imagine Valentine’s Day without chocolate, and that association can be traced to a name that is very familiar to people who enjoy sweets on February 14. According to History.com, Richard Cadbury utilized advancements at his family’s chocolate factory in England to produce new varieties of what was then known as “eating chocolate.” Cadbury then began marketing eating chocolates in decorative boxes, and while History.com notes he never patented the heart-shaped box, it’s widely believed Cadbury was the first to create one.
The kindergartners at Oquenock Elementary School in the West Islip Union Free School District have been working hard this school year to learn all 26 letters of the alphabet. As a celebration of their learning, students starred in an alphabet fashion show on Jan. 24. They strutted their stuff down the red carpet, showing off their alphabet costumes to an enthusiastic audience of prekindergarten and first grade students. Photos courtesy of West Islip Union Free School District
Recipe Of The Week: Cherry Pie Bars
Tart, red cherries and Valentine’s Day seem to be the perfect pair. Not only do cherries align with a Valentine’s Day color scheme, they even resemble little hearts when hanging from their stems. Celebrating Valentine’s Day involves many different traditions, and enjoying decadent desserts is among them. Purchasing ready-made treats from a local bakery is one way to indulge in a sugary confection, but crafting a recipe at home is another way to show that special someone how much you care. “Cherry Pie Bars” are not exactly a pie, but a pound cake with a cherry pie filling swirl. They can be made for many different occasions, but make for something sweet on Valentine’s Day. Whip up this recipe from “Butter, Flour, Sugar, Joy” (Sourcebooks) by Danielle Kartes.
Yield: One 9-by-13-inch pan 2 cups sugar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 9-by-13-inch pan with parchment paper. In a stand mixer, or with a hand mixer, cream sugar and butter on low. Add the eggs one at a time. Beat until just combined. Add the flour, baking powder and salt. Spread a little over half the cake batter into the pan. Evenly spread the pie filling over the top, and spoon the rest of the cake batter over the pie filling. It’s fine if the cherries show through. Bake 35 minutes or until the top has turned slightly golden. Do not overbake. Allow to cool and slice into squares. Enjoy!
WORDS
FEATURING
• Penne
• Baked Ziti
• Spaghetti
• Rigatoni
• Chicken Marsala
• Stuffed Shells (16 pc)
• Manicotti (8 pc)
• Jumbo Cheese Ravioli (16 pc)
• Chicken Francese
• Eggplant Parmigiana
• Chicken Parmigiana
• Sausage & Peppers
• Chicken with Sundried Tomatoes & Broccoli
• Eggplant Rollatine
• Garden Salad • Caesar Salad
•
•
Hanger
Gourmet Dinner Special
Americans celebrate President’s Day each year in mid-February. Though some may see the holiday, which is celebrated on a Monday, as a great opportunity to book a three-day weekend getaway, others may be inspired to learn about the many men who have held the highest office in the United States. For the latter, the following are some interesting facts about U.S. presidents, courtesy of History.com.
• Founding father and first U.S. president George Washington was a man with many hobbies, including dog breeding. Alex Hager of the Presidential Pet Museum told History. com that Washington likely developed his passion for dog breeding as a result of his love of fox hunting. Indeed, the American Kennel Club considers Washington the father of the American foxhound. It’s also worth noting Washington’s
Interesting Facts About U.S. Presidents
predilection for giving his dogs humorous names, including Drunkard, Tippler and Sweet Lips.
• The country’s fourth president, James Madison, was a slight man. Madison was five-feet-four and weighed just over 100 pounds. Madison might have put on a few additional pounds had he lived to enjoy the snack cake brand Dolly Madison, which was inspired by the fourth president’s wife, Dolley, and introduced in 1937.
• John Quincy Adams might be most recognized as the first man to follow his father and hold the office of the president. However, the sixth president had a notable career even after his time holding the highest office in the land. John Quincy Adams argued before the Supreme Court in a case that freed African captives who had rebelled aboard the slave ship Amistad. That rebellion and its
subsequent court case was later dramatized in the 1997 Steven Spielberg film “Amistad,” in which Adams was portrayed by Welsh
actor Anthony Hopkins.
• It took some time before the United States had its first Americanborn president, but that
happened upon the election of Martin Van Buren in 1837. Prior to Van Buren’s victory, all presidents had been born before 1776 and were thus British subjects at their time of birth.
• Many Americans fought long and hard to secure the right to vote, but one president never voted until his own name appeared on the ballot. Zachary Taylor, the nation’s twelfth president, acknowledged he had never voted prior to 1848, the year he was elected president.
• Only two men in U.S. history have been elected to serve non-consecutive terms as president. The first to do so was Grover Cleveland, who served as the nation’s twentysecond and twenty-fourth president. That feat was not replicated until it was pulled off by Donald Trump, who was elected in 2016 as the nation’s fortyfifth president and then again in 2024.
• Some presidents are more soft spoken than others, but perhaps none have been more reserved than the thirtieth president Calvin Coolidge. When a female visitor bet Coolidge that she could get three words out of him, Coolidge simply replied, “You lose.”
• Thirty-third president Harry S. Truman’s name is somewhat misleading. The middle initial “S” is not an abbreviation for any particular name, but rather an homage to his grandfathers Anderson Shipp Truman and Solomon Young.
• Richard Nixon, the nation’s thirty-seventh president, was a highly skilled poker player. In fact, during his time serving in the United States Navy during World War II, Nixon won substantial sums of money playing poker, funds he ultimately used to finance his first political campaign.
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New York State Parks On Long Island Celebrate Black History Month
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is pleased to announce Black History Month 2025 at your Long Island State Parks.
The month-long celebration highlights some of America’s notable African Americans and their accomplishments through informative posters and pictures. We invite you to visit us to learn more about these great Americans and their impact on American history and culture.
Displays throughout the month of February are at these Long Island State Park locations:
Hempstead Lake State Park Environmental Education and Resiliency Center, West Hempstead
Open daily 9am - 4pm, for information call 516-7661029
Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center-West End 2, Wantagh
Open daily 9am - 4:30pm, for information call 516-8098222
Jones Beach State Park, Administration Building,
Wantagh
Open daily 8:00am – 4:30pm, for information call 516785-1600
LI State Parks Regional Headquarters Lobby, West Babylon
Open Monday through Friday 10am – 4pm, for information call 631-321-3510
Planting Fields Arboretum Hoffman Conference Center, Oyster Bay
Open daily 10am – 4pm, for information call 516-9228600
Nissequogue River State Park – Charles & Helen Reichert Administration Building, Kings Park
Open daily 8am – 4pm, for more information call 631269-4927
Additional to displays, there will be special programs and workshops being offered through Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center and the Long Island State Parks Environmental Education Department. Please visit
Benefits Of Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way for individuals to strengthen their communities, but it also can be a unique way for individuals to improve their own overall happiness. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Happiness
Studies examined 70,000 participants, each of whom received surveys that asked questions regarding their volunteering habits and mental health.The study found that, when compared to those who did not volunteer, people who had volunteered in the previous 12 months were more satisfied with their lives and gave their overall health higher ratings.
www.jonesbeachenc.org/programs and www.eventbrite. com/o/nys-parks-long-island-environmental-education33908178297 for information on program dates, times, locations, and how to sign up.
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.
The frequency of giving back to one’s community also may affect just how much volunteering affects mental health.
Study participants who volunteered at least once per month rated their mental health even higher than those who volunteered but did so infrequently.
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Playing the Residential Real Estate
“What If” Game in 2025
By JoAnn Cilla
In business, and especially in real estate, success often comes down to how well you can anticipate and adapt to change. That’s where the What If game comes in. It’s a strategy I often discuss with home buyers and sellers to help them see the positive and negative market scenarios and to create a plan for each one.
For Long Island’s residential real estate market in 2025, the What If game is more relevant than ever. The market is shifting, mortgage rates are unpredictable, and buyers and sellers are adjusting their expectations. For my clients, it’s essential to think ahead and go through the possibilities. Here are four of the most popular questions: What If Mortgage Rates Drop? We’ve seen mortgage rates fluctuate dramatically over the past few years. If rates drop significantly in 2025, demand will surge as buyers who were sitting on the sidelines jump in. This could lead to bidding wars, rising home prices, and a big seller’s market.
If you are a seller: Take advantage of the increased demand by pricing your home competitively but strategically. With more buyers in the market, you may receive multiple offers—so work with your agent to negotiate the best terms, not just the highest price. Also, make sure your home is market-ready.
If you are a buyer: Be prepared to move quickly. Get pre-approved for a mortgage and have your finances in order so you can make a strong, competitive offer. Consider being flexible with contingencies to make your offer more attractive
but be mindful of your budget, don’t get caught up in bidding wars that push you beyond your comfort zone.
What If Mortgage Rates Stay High? If rates remain high or increase, affordability will continue to be a challenge. Buyers will be more selective, and homes may sit on the market longer.
If you are a seller: Price your home realistically and be open to negotiation. High rates mean fewer buyers. Keeping a well-maintained, move-in-ready home will give you an edge.
If you are a buyer: Look for homes where sellers are willing to negotiate. High rates may limit your purchasing power, but you can explore options like adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) or first-time homebuyer programs. You can always refinance later if rates drop.
What If Inventory Remains Tight? Long Island has seen low inventory for several years, keeping prices elevated. If this trend continues, competition among buyers will remain fierce.
If you are a seller: A low-inventory market gives you an advantage. You can
price confidently but should still be mindful of appraisal values. If you’re also buying another home, consider negotiating a lease-back option or extended closing to give yourself time to find your next property.
If you are a buyer: Be proactive and work with an agent who has access to off-market listings. Act fast when you find a home you love and consider writing a compelling offer letter to make your bid stand out.
What If the Market Slows Down? A slowdown could be caused by shifts in the economy, changes in the job market, or other unexpected events.
If you are a seller: Be patient and flexible. In a slower market, buyers have more negotiating power. Pricing correctly from the start is key—overpricing can lead to long days on market and price reductions. Also, marketing matters more than ever—professional photos, virtual tours, and strategic online exposure can make a big difference.
If you are a buyer: A slower market could mean more opportunities! With less competition, you’ll have time to negotiate better terms and possibly secure a lower price. However, if the slowdown is due to economic concerns, make sure you’re financially prepared before making a big investment.
Final Thoughts: Playing the What If game in real estate means preparing for any kind of market conditions and being ready to act immediately when things change. Whether you’re buying or selling, having a solid strategy gives you a competitive advantage!
Families Anonymous Virtual Meetings
JOANN CILLA
Winter Concert
Saturday, February 15, 2025, 3 PM
Concerts are made possible by: Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center and West Islip Country Fair Committee
LOCATION: Beach Street Middle School
e West Islip Symphony Orchestra wishes to thank Su olk County Department of Economic Development and Planning and Legislator Steve Flotteron for helping to fund this year’s performances.
