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
FRIDAY AFTERNOON MOVIES: ROMANTIC COMEDIES
Trainwreck (2015): February 14
DEFENSIVE DRIVING
Thursday, February 20
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.
GET TO KNOW UNIVERSAL CLASS
Saturday, February 22
10:00 – 11:00 am
Looking to develop a new skill or searching for a new hobby for the new year!? Join us for this hands-on workshop with librarian Laurie Aitken and learn about Universal Class, an online-learning database available for free with your Islip Library card. Discover hundreds of courses including business and finance, pet and animal care, self-help, crafts and hobbies, and much more! During this workshop, you will sign into Universal Class, search for courses, and begin a course of your choice –then complete it at your leisure. Bring your own laptop to this program for a more personalized experience. If you do not have a laptop, a library laptop will be provided.
2025 Philadelphia Flower Show:
The Gardens of Tomorrow
Tech Buddies
Wednesday, March 5
3:00 – 4:00 pm
Did you get a new device for the holidays? Need to learn how to use it? Let a teen help you! Stop by anytime from 3:00 – 4:00 pm.
Nina Romano presents Maybelle Carter:
American Musical Legend
Saturday, March 8
2:00 – 3:00 pm
In honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, join acoustic guitarist/vocalist Nina Romano accompanied by bass guitarist, as they pay tribute to Maybelle Carter, a member of the original Carter Family, formed in 1927 and one of the first commercial rural country music groups. Maybelle, who played autoharp and banjo as well as being the group’s guitarist, created a unique sound for the group with her innovative ‘scratch’ style of guitar playing. Join Nina Romano as she tells her story with illustrative songs, musical examples, and other lore from the period.
Senior Advocate Monday, March 10 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.
Job Fair
Tuesday, March 11 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Join us for a job fair presented by the Suffolk County One Stop Employment Center. Representatives from public and private Long Island businesses and organizations will be in the Islip Public Library’s Community Room to meet with you about potential employment. No registration is necessary for the Job Fair. All job seekers are welcome! 71 Monell Ave. Islip, NY 11751, 631-581-5933
Saturday, March 1
Fee: $100
Bus departs Islip Library: 7:30 am
Lunch will be on your own at the Show, or at the Reading Street Market located directly across the street. The Liberty Bell, Constitution Center, and the Betsy Ross House are also nearby. We will spend approximately 5 ½ - 6 hours at the Show.
Cost for trip includes transportation via Hampton Jitney motor coach and admission to the Flower Show. Please note: lunch and bus driver gratuity are not included in the cost.
Approximate return time: 8:00 pm
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
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.
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.
alentine’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
lucrative day for florists, with the red rose the most popular
• 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,
• 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.
the essence when getting flowers for Valentine’s Day. Florists may rush or have fewer flowers to work with as Valentine’s Day draws
East Northport Teen Whose Holiday Light Show Captivated Long Island To Donate Funds Raised
Andrew Reid, 19, who transformed his family’s East Northport home into a holiday lighted winter wonderland with over 500 restored holiday decorations, along with his mother, Christne, presented a check for $16,023.20 in donations raised by visitors to their Holiday light display yo representatives from Ronald McDonald House Charities NY Metro. The size of the donation was kept a surprise by Andrew right up until the moment the check was presented.
“I was blown away, I had no idea it was going to be that large,” said Matt Campo, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities New York
Metro. “I told the family we work so hard to raise every dollar. For someone to come and hand us more than $16,000 is just amazing.”
What began as a passion for refurbishing discarded holiday decorations grew into an annual tradition for Andrew and his family, with more than 500 decorations covering nearly every inch of Andrew’s home, yard, and even his car. His display was chronicled by media across New York and nationally.
Andrew’s ‘Misfit Island’ Christmas display was also voted the winner of Newsday’s “Holiday Lights”
contest, with a prize of $1,000, which will be part of the donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities NY Metro.
“I surprised myself as well. It was a lot of work, a lot of standing in front of the house collecting donations,” said Andrew, who says he begins setting up his display in August every year.
“Ronald McDonald House is a very good organization to support and it’s local, so the money will stay here.”
The money donated will go toward the construction of the new Ronald McDonald House at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. A
groundbreaking ceremony was held last year and construction will begin in the spring with plans to open in 2027.
Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro provides comfort and support to families of children undergoing medical treatment. Funds raised through Andrew’s light display will directly benefit the new 24/7 care facility at Stony Brook Hospital, ensuring families can stay close to their sick or injured children.
Photo courtesy of RMHC NYM
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 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
It’s
Did You Know?
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.
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.
JUNK CARS BOUGHT TOP CASH
BlackHistory Month has a lengthy history that dates back more than a century. According to History.com, historian Carter G. Woodson and minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) in September 1915. Promoting the achievements of Black Americans was among the various missions of the ASNLH. One of the ways the ASNLH sought to achieve that mission was through the establishment of Negro History Week in 1926. Organizers chose the second week of February for the event because that week happened to be when Abraham Lincoln (1809) and Frederick Douglass (1818) were born. Lincoln and Douglass played pivotal roles in the abolition of slavery in the United States. After the establishment of Negro History Week in 1926, more and more cities began to celebrate it. History.com notes that by the 1960s Negro History Week had evolved into Black History Month on college campuses, eventually leading to formal recognition of the event by American president Gerald Ford in 1976.
Cozy Up To These Romantic Films This Valentine’s Day
Anumberof people feel that nothing beats a quiet evening in with the one you love on Valentine’s Day. Watching a romantic film together can be a way to cap the night off. There are plenty of films that focus on Valentine’s Day or have a larger romantic theme. Such movies are ideal for date nights and the ultimate date night: Valentine’s Day.
• “Valentine’s Day” (2010): This aptly titled film takes place on — you guessed it — February 14th. It has a who’s who cast of well-known actors like Jennifer Garner, Shirley MacLaine and Bradley Cooper. Various storylines intersect among the characters as Los Angeles residents work their way through the highs and lows of love on Valentine’s Day.
• “Kate & Leopold” (2001): While rom-com fans are used to seeing Meg Ryan teamed up with Tom Hanks, in this tale she’s paired with Hugh Jackman. Jackman is a duke from 1876 who inadvertently finds himself traveling through time to modern-day New York City, where he meets a plucky advertising executive. The two clash before they discover feelings for each other.
• “The Princess Bride” (1987): This movie has withstood the test of time. It has a little bit of everything: swordfights, revenge, a giant, and, of course, a heartwarming love story at its core.
• “The Wedding Singer” (1998): Despite coming out in the
1990s, this film brings on all the campy 1980’s nostalgia, including a hit soundtrack of favorite songs from that decade. Although not everyone is a fan of Adam Sandler’s comedic antics, this movie is less slapstick and more heartfelt. It’s one of a few where Sandler has paired with Drew Barrymore in the lead roles. Check out “50 First Dates” if you want a fun Sandler-Barrymore double feature.
• “Love, Simon” (2018): In this movie, Simon, a high school student, hasn’t yet come out to his friends and family, but has been exploring a budding romance with an anonymous boy online. The big reveal of that boy’s identity is a moment of anticipation.
• “Pride and Prejudice” (2005): Jane Austen’s classic novel has undergone many interpretations on the silver screen. The 2005 version starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen as Elizabeth and Darcy is a fan favorite. With its beautiful tableaus and enchanting soundtrack, viewers can’t help but root for this unlikely couple.
• “Always Be My Maybe” (2019): This Netflix original movie has Ali Wong and Randall Park playing former childhood best friends with some unfinished business. When they are reunited as adults on different paths, will they find a connection? Keanu Reeves has a guest cameo.
• “Chocolat” (2000): A mysterious French woman and her young daughter open a chocolate shop in a remote place where villagers are afraid of change. Her confections seemingly have magical powers to fix the ills of people, if only the shopkeeper can lure the stubborn to give them a taste. Johnny Depp stars as a love interest.
• “Notting Hill” (1999): If Meg Ryan is the queen of rom-coms, Hugh Grant may be the king. In this movie, an unassuming British book shop owner gets cast into the limelight when a famous American actress played by Julia Roberts hides in the stacks and eventually becomes more than just a customer.
Winter Senior Advocate Schedules
SuffolkLegislator 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, January 27, February 24 & March 24, 10 am – 12 pm
• Brentwood Senior Nutrition, 16 Second
Avenue, Brentwood: Mondays, February 10 & 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: Mondays, February 10 & March 10, 10 am – 12 pm
• St. Anne’s Gardens, 80100 2nd Avenue, Brentwood: Friday, February 7, 8:30 – 11 am 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.”
MEET NEW FRIENDS
Cherry-Almond Ice Cream For Valentine's Day
Ice cream is a beloved dessert. The extraordinary number of flavor combinations that can be achieved simply by mixing together a few ingredients undoubtedly contributes to the popularity of ice cream.For those partial to cherries and almonds, there’s nothing better than combining those flavors in this recipe for “No-Churn Cherry Bakewell Ice Cream” from “Jane’s Patisserie” (Sourcebooks) by Jane Dunn.
Directions:
Add the pitted cherries to a blender and blitz until smooth. Pass through a sieve to remove any lumps and set aside. Pour the cream into a bowl and whip to soft peaks. Put the condensed milk, almond extract, pink food coloring (if using) and puréed cherries into a separate bowl and stir to combine, then pour the mixture into a container, like a large loaf tin.
Freeze for at least 5 to 6 hours, or preferably overnight so it has time to get the correct texture. Remove from the freezer about 20 minutes before serving to allow it to soften slightly. Scoop into bowls and serve topped with fresh cherries and toasted flaked almonds.
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.
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.
