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,
feels as if we just begun 2025, but Valentine's Day is right around the corner! We hope your year has been off to a great start and we're excited to bring you another issue, filled with editorial throughout. Flip through the pages for local news, a delight recipe perfect for Valentine's Day and so much more. Looking to advertise? Contact us today at 631.226.2636 or via email at info@longislandmediagroup.com. We thank you for your loyal readership.
www.longislandmediagroup.com
Immaculate & spacious 11 room, 6 bed, 2.5 bath 3,117 SqFt bright and modern colonial featuring generous room sizes, loads of living space and lots of natural light, entry foyer, new kitchen (2 yrs) w/white quartz waterfall countertop, stainless steel appliances, wine refrigerator & pantry, living room, formal dining room, cozy fireplace room, large family room, mudd room, 2 zone CAC, hi hats, master suite w/2 closets, ensuite bath and water views, 1 bedroom on the first floor & 5 bedrooms upstairs, 2.5 car detached garage, new timbertech deck (2 yrs) and a private fenced yard professionally landscaped by a landscape architect all on a beautiful shy half-acre property just a few doors down from the bay…come see for yourself.
Five Ice Skating Rinks The Whole Family Can Enjoy
Ice skating rinks can offer excitement and adventure as you test your skating skills with your whole family. This winter, consider bundling up the kids and heading to one of these rinks to have some fun!
Marjorie R. Post Community Park Ice Rink
451 Unqua Road, Massapequa Park
This beloved outdoor ice skating rink attracts people from surrounding neighborhoods and offers reasonable is one to see, but hurry, the rink will be closing for the season on February 23.
This unique and memorable skating facility is open all year and is home to large two rinks. They also have an Ice Rink Pro Shop, which stocks a wide variety of equipment and supplies, ranging from laces to dresses.
Superior
Ice Rink
270 Indian Head Road, Kings Park
The McGuigan family has owned and operated this rink since 1972. They pride themselves on being a destination the entire family can
enjoy! Additionally, they will be offering a Learn to Skate program this March and April.
Buckskill Winter Club
178 Buckskill Rd, East Hampton
Buckskill Winter Club offers a wide array of family activities including public ice skating and skate rentals and junior and adult ice hockey programs. They have a cozy club house, where you can warm up by a fire and watch the action on the ice with a cup of hot soup or European hot chocolate from their full service snack bar.
The Rinx at Harborfront Park
101-A E Broadway, Port Jeferson
This rink is convienantly located in the village of Port Jefferson, close to many eateries and shops. Whether you want to take one of their skating lessons or just enjoy being on the ice with your loved ones, consider heading to this beautiful destination by the water.
The Ice Rink at Clark Gillies Arena
575 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills
and Summer Learning in a safe and welcoming environment. Campers become the best versions of themselves making memories that last a
Start Off Valentine’s Day With Breakfast
Valentine’s Day is about expressing love for special people in your life. One way to do so is to pamper that person as much as possible. That can mean starting the day off with delicious breakfast in bed.Muffins can be prepared in advance and are easy to enjoy in hand for a breakfast that involves lounging and love. “Blackberry Crunch Muffins” marry coffee cake and muffin elements and tart berries for something that is equal parts breakfast and dessert. What better idea for Valentine’s Day? Try this recipe, courtesy of “Lord Honey Traditional Southern Recipes with a Country Bling Twist” (Pelican Pulishing) by Chef Jason Smith.
Blackberry Crunch Muffins
Serves 12
2 1⁄4 cups self-rising flour
1 cup white sugar
1⁄4 cup brown sugar
1⁄2 cup canola oil
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
3⁄4 cup full-fat buttermilk
1 1⁄2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries
Zest of 1 lime
Crunch topping
1⁄2 cup white sugar
1⁄4 cup brown sugar, packed
1⁄2 cup self-rising flour
1⁄2 cup quick-cook oats
1⁄4 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1⁄2 cup chopped walnuts
5 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1⁄2 teaspoon ground ginger
Glaze
2 cups powdered sugar
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Juice of 1 lime
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease or line a 12-hole muffin tin. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and sugars. Add the oil, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk, and stir to combine.
In a small bowl, toss the blackberries with 1 tablespoon flour, then add the berries and zest to the batter and lightly fold them in.
Place the crunch topping ingredients in a bowl and mix with a fork until large crumbles form.
Divide the batter evenly into the muffin tin, and sprinkle tops with crunch mixture.
Bake for 22 to 28 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack. Place the glaze ingredients in a bowl and whisk until combined. Drizzle over cooled muffins.
A Valentine’s Day Dessert Whipped Up In An Unusual Way
Decadent
treats and Valentine’s Day go hand in hand. Couples typically exchange gifts on Valentine’s Day, and those gifts are often accompanied by something sweet. A survey from Statista found that 44 percent of respondents intended to purchase candy and sweets for their significant other on Valentine’s Day. That made candy and sweets the most popular Valentine’s Day gift by a considerable margin, well above the likes of other February 14th favorites like greeting cards (33 percent) and flowers (32 percent).Romantic dinners still have a place at the Valentine’s Day table, as the Statista survey found that 29 percent of respondents intended to sit down for a romantic meal as part of their celebration. Homemade desserts can be a great way to show that special someone just how much they’re loved. If cooks want to employ the element of surprise, then this recipe for “Ginger Cake” from Will Budiaman’s “The Essential Kamado Grill Cookbook” (Rockridge Press) won’t disappoint. Firing up the grill is sure to pique a loved one’s interest, and the slightly spicy finished product marks a departure from more traditional desserts.
Ginger Cake
Serves 8
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cubed, plus more for the pan, at room temperature
2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
4 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 2⁄3 cups packed light brown sugar
4 large eggs
1⁄2 cup whole milk
Directions:
1. Bring the grill to 350 F with the cooking grate and heat deflector installed. Butter the bottom and sides of a 10inch cast iron skillet.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, ginger, and salt.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar on medium speed for 3 minutes.
4. Reduce the speed to medium-low and add the eggs one at a time. Mix for 1 to 2 minutes or until light tan in color.
5. With the machine running, add the milk.
6. Add the flour mixture, scraping down the side of the bowl as needed, until fully incorporated. Transfer to the skillet.
7. Put the skillet on the grate. Close the lid and cook for 1 hour or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Put on a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Cooking tip:
Cutting butter into small cubes and arranging them in a single layer will help them soften more quickly.
Pick The Perfect Valentine’s Day Flowers
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
Valentine’s Day Gifts Couples Enjoy Together
Valentine’sDay 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.
• Matching robes: Plush terry cloth robes need not be reserved for luxurious stays at premiere hotels. 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
flower given on this day for lovebirds. Just because millions of roses are prepared in 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 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.
• 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 Kingdombased 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 closer. Ordering well in advance means you’ll get your desired arrangement.
Valentine’s Day celebration. Invest in a compact charcuterie board with two matching wine glasses and enjoy the set on date nights at home.
• 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.
• 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.
• Tokens of love: Matching or coordinating bracelets, necklaces or even tattoos can serve as enduring symbols of a couple’s love.
Interesting Facts About U.S. Presidents
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 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 fivefeet-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 American-born 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 forty-fifth 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.
Winter Concert Series
TheNew 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 16 – Queensound
Linda Teixeira (Soprano), Helena Kim (Piano)
MARCH 02 – Quintessence
Laura Mole (Violin), Jody Ratner (Viola), Susan Lehr (Cello) Karen Gellert (Double Bass), Elinor Zayas (Piano), Hiroko Nakahara (Guest Violinist)
MARCH 09 – Piano Duo Elinor Zayas & Karen Baer
March 16 – Cambiata Cello Duo Paul Finkelstein & Suzanne Mueller
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) 888-3525. For information on the day of the concert, please call Bayard Cutting Arboretum at (631) 581-1002.
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.
PSEG Long Island Employees Make $1,100 Donation
PSEG
Long Island employees donated $1,100 to Lighthouse Mission in Bellport to support local children and families. The donation was made through PSEG Long Island’s Adelante LI employee business resource group (EBRG), which is made up of employees who promote, advocate and support Hispanic people and cultures.
“PSEG Long Island has a longstanding commitment to community service and we are proud to support organizations like Lighthouse Mission, which serves as a true beacon of hope for many Long Island families,” said Norberto Lopez Gutierrez, PSEG Long Island employee and Adelante LI EBRG member. “Along with this grant, my colleagues and I also provide this organization with toy donations around the holidays and school supplies in the fall.”
“Lighthouse Mission was blessed to receive a kind donation from PSEG Long
Island’s Adelante LI EBRG,” said Pastor Michael Caiazzo, Lighthouse Mission youth director and warehouse director. “Every donation counts for us and we greatly depend on The Lord working through the generosity of others to help meet the needs of struggling Long Island families.“
Lighthouse Mission helps people facing food insecurity through food distributions at its headquarters and other locations around Long Island. In addition, Lighthouse Mission supports local children through afterschool mentoring programs, educational trips and camps. The organization also provides clothing to members of the community that need it.
Community service is part of PSEG Long Island’s core commitments. This donation is an example of how its employees support the causes and issues they care about and those that affect their neighbors throughout the year.
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.
Over $8 Million Donated To LI Area Historic Organizations
TheRobert David Lion Gardiner Foundation is pleased to announce it has donated a total of $8,098,574 in grants to historic organizations across Long Island and beyond during calendar year 2024. Grant recipients were recognized during two rounds of awards luncheons hosted by the Smithtown Historical Society in June 2024 and Old Westbury Gardens in December 2024. Grants will be used by a variety of Long Island historic sites to fund initiatives ranging from educational programs and exhibitions to publications, scholarships, and construction and renovation projects.
Recipients of the First Round 2024 Grant Awards are:
Association of Public Historians of NYS
Byrd Hoffman Water Mill Foundation
Caumsett Foundation, Inc.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society
Fraunces Tavern Museum
Greater Westhampton Historical Museum
Long Island Children’s Museum
Long Island Library Resource Council, Inc.
- Long Island and NY State History Day
Long Island Museum of American Art
History and Carriages
Long Island Seaport and Eco Center
Montauk Historical Society
New York University
Queens Museum
Waterfront Museum
Whaling Museum & Education Center
Recipients of the Second Round 2024 Grant Awards are:
Friends of Raynham Hall, Inc.
Jewish Historical Society of Long Island
Long Island Library Resource Council, Inc.
– Long Island History Day
Long Island Maritime Museum
Nassau County Museum of Fine Art
New York Historical Society
Sag Harbor History Museum
The Church
The Cooper Union
The following organizations received grants as part of the Gardiner Foundation’s new Challenge Match Grant program. The program recognized each organization’s fundraising efforts by matching up to $10,000 raised for new offerings during 2024.
Conscience Point Shellfish Hatchery, Corp.
Fireboat Firefighters Museum
Friends of Lakeview Cemeteries
Historical Society of Greater Port
Jefferson
Historical Society of Islip Hamlet
Long Beach Historical and Preservation Society
Mattituck Laurel Historical Society
Miller Place Mount Sinai Historical Society
North Sea Community House
Oyster Bay Railroad Museum
Quogue Historical Society
Rocky Point Historical Society and Museum
Victor D’Amico Institute of Art
Wading River Historical Society
The Gardiner Foundation also awarded $1,600 to each of 35 historic organizations for employing young people as part of the 2024 Gardiner Young Scholars Program. To learn more about the program, visit https://www. rdlgfoundation.org/news/77.
“Fulfilling the historic educational vision of Bob Gardiner is a great privilege for our Board and all at the Foundation,” said Kathryn M. Curran, Executive Director of the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation.
ABOUT THE ROBERT DAVID LION GARDINER FOUNDATION
The mission of the Foundation is to educate, cultivate and encourage the study and understanding of Long Island and New York’s historic role in the American experience. The Foundation also supports scholarships and historic preservation, including study, stewardship and promotion of Long Island’s historic educational aspects. The Foundation was established by Robert David Lion Gardiner in 1987. Robert David Lion Gardiner was, until his death in August 2004, the 16th Lord of the Manor of Gardiner’s Island, NY. The Island was obtained as part of a royal grant from King Charles I of England in 1639. The Gardiner family and their descendants have owned Gardiner’s Island for 385 years. The Island remains private and is owned and maintained by direct Gardiner descendants to this day. The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation remains inspired by Robert David Lion Gardiner’s personal passion for Long Island and New York history. Since 2015, the Foundation has awarded over $45 million to support historical societies, museums, archives, research, scholarships and renovation, restoration and adaptive reuse of historic sites.
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