South Bay's Neighbor
Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilman Steve Labriola, and Councilman Louis Imbroto announce that the Town of Oyster Bay is now accepting applications for the 2025 Hometown Heroes Community Recognition Program. This cherished initiative honors the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces – both living and deceased – who are current or former residents of the Town of Oyster Bay. Pictured from right to left: Councilman Steve Labriola, Retired United States Air Force Captain Warren Achenbaum of Massapequa, and Councilman Louis Imbroto.
Recipe Of The Week: Deep-Fried Wontons
Celebrate the Chinese New Year with deep-fried wontons. The Chinese New Year is a unique celebration with a global footprint. While many of the more awe-inspiring celebrations may occur within China, that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to commemorate this unique event elsewhere. Celebrations can even take place at home, where individuals can whip up homemade Chinese fare to lend their festivities a more authentic feel. This Chinese New Year, those who want to bring this unique event into their homes can try the following recipe for “Deep-Fried Pork Wontons” courtesy of Lines+Angles.
For the filling:
7 ounces minced pork
2 spring onions
1 green chili, deseeded
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon lime juice
32 square wonton wrappers
Vegetable oil, for frying
To serve:
Mixed leaf salad; cabbage, lettuce and coriander
Add sweet and sour sauce
Directions:
1. Mix together the ingredients for the filling, stirring in one direction only.
2. Place double layers of wonton wrappers in front of you in a diamond shape. Place a little of the filling on the bottom half of the dough. Fold the bottom corner of dough over the filling and roll it once. Take the outside corners and bring them together, sealing with a little water. Stand the wontons on their flat bases and gently separate the two top flaps. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
3. Heat about 4 inches oil in a deep pan until gently bubbling, then fry the wontons in batches for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels then serve on beds of the mixed leaves with the sweet and sour sauce alongside.
Tip: This recipe may also be steamed or boiled.
What Is The Year Of The Snake?
Chinese New Year is a cultural phenomenon in China. In fact, the National Museum of Asian Art indicates Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China, where a 15-day celebration incorporates age-old traditions in commemoration of the nation’s culture and history. Chinese New Year also has a global footprint, and celebrations in various countries commemorate this unique event that heralds the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunisolar calendar.
One notable tradition associated with the Chinese New Year involves animals. That tradition is traced to an ancient Chinese poem that told the story of 12 mythical
animals that descended from the heavens in a particular order. The Rat was the first animal to arrive and help celebrate the coming spring, and the Pig was the last to make its presence known. Each Chinese New Year commemorates a different animal from that ancient poem, which is why celebrations are often characterized as “Year of the (Name Animal).” Chinese New Year celebrants will commemorate the Year of the Snake in 2025. According to National Museums Liverpool, the snake is wise and intense. The Snake emphasizes physical beauty, which is why it’s often associated with vanity. Travel China Guide adds that the snake carries meanings of malevolence, cattiness and
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mystery, but also notes that some in China believe a snake found in a courtyard is an omen of good luck. In addition, Chinese mythology characterizes the creator of the world as having a human head and the body of snake.
Compatibility is another notion associated with the animals of the Chinese Zodiac that feature so prominently in Chinese
New Year celebrations. The Snake is considered most compatible with the Rooster, which the poem suggests was the tenth animal to descend. The Pig (twelfth) is considered the least compatible animal with the Snake.
Chinese New Year is a notably unique celebration. In 2025, the Chinese New Year begins on Wednesday, January 29.
JANUARY HAPPENINGS
FRI. JAN. 24th
10:00AM-11:00AM
TINY TOTS:
WINTER PUPPET THEATER Hempstead Lake State Park. Explore the natural world around us. These programs will connect children and their parents with nature through short walks, animal visitors, and crafts. To register, please visit Eventbrite.com. Registration: Required
SAT. JAN. 25th
8:45AM-12:00PM
8:45AM 5K Start
9:00AM Half Marathon & Marathon Start
ICEBREAKER MARATHON, HALF MARATHON & 5K at Eisenhower Park Field 2 Rain or Shine. Certifi ed course and a Boston Qualifi er! The course is a looped course and great for spectating. The course is fully stocked with water and nutrition stops. The course is on park paths and fully closed roads. For more information, please call Brendan Dagan 516-531-3323
9:30AM–4:00PM DEFENSIVE DRIVING
Will be held at the Islip Public Library, 71 Monell Ave. in Islip. Fee: $25 check or money order payable directly to New York Safety Training Associates (NYSTA) on the day of the program. For more information, please call 631-581-5933
10:00AM-4:00PM
PET ADOPTION-DONATE EVENT
HOLIDAYS
1st - New Years Day
20th - Martin Luther King Jr. 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
INDOOR EVENT
Come Adopt or Come and Donate Animal Garage Sale Lots Of Vendors Lots Of Items. 1172 Route 109 in Lindenhurst. Items needed: dry food, canned food, treats, collars/leashes, cat litter, chew toys, cat toys, blankets.
12:00PM
SATURDAY SPACE LAB: SPACE TELESCOPES & THE WONDERS OF LUNAR NEW YEAR
Learn about the incredible space telescopes like Hubble and James Webb, which orbit our planet and capture stunning solar system images. Then, discover the history, traditions, and signifi cance of the Lunar New Year. Space Labs are held at The Cradle Of Aviation Museum, Charles Lindbergh Blvd. in Garden City. Led by talented interns, astronomy docents, and museum educators. Reservations 516-572-4066
6:30PM NIGHT AT THE RACES
Will be held on Saturday, January 25,2025, at Wade-Burns VFW 7279, 560 N. Delaware Avenue in Lindenhurst, Doors open 6:30 p.m. Admission $10.00. For more information, please call 631-888-9854.
TUES. JAN. 28th
8:30AM BUS TRIP TO WIND CREEK CASINO BETHLEHEM, PA Hosted by Joseph Barry Columbiettes located in Hicksville.
Cost: $55 pp, includes driver’s tip. Give back: $35 slot play. Please arrive at 8:30 a.m. Return approx. 8:30 p.m. Parking: 999 So. Oyster Bay Road (dead end) Reservations: call Barbara at 516-935-5576
THURS. JAN. 30th
6:30PM-8:00 PM
TRIVIA NIGHT - TRIVIA ON ICE at The Whaling Museum & Education Center, 301 Main St. in Cold Spring Harbor. A winterthemed trivia in fi lm, music, nature, history, geography, and more with a whale or two added in, of course! Enjoy hot chocolate - spiked or plain - and appetizers from Grasso's Restaurant. Prizes and bragging rights for winners! Adults 21+ For more information, please call Cristina Ainslie at 631-367-3418
UPCOMING
FEBRUARY EVENTS
SAT. FEB. 1st
11:00AM
LUNAR NEW YEAR PROGRAM Connetquot River State Park Preserve, 4090 Sunrise Highway in Oakdale. After a brisk hike, warm up with traditional New Year soups and sweets while enjoying a Presentation. Our Island’s Story: The Natural History of Long Island: This talk will discuss the features that make Long Island's geology distinctive and have shaped the peoples who have inhabited this island. Registration required. www. friendsofconnetquot.org
Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally, and backwords. See this puzzle and its answers at longislandmediagroup.com/wordsearch
Massapequa Trumpet Player Among Top Musicians In The East
More than a decade of playing the trumpet has paid off for Massapequa High School senior Austin Benedict, who was selected to participate in the 2025 All-Eastern music conference, hosted by the National Association for Music Education.
The accomplished student-musician will attend the conference in Hartford, Conn. from April 24-27. He will join the Concert Band, which will be conducted by Director
of Bands for the University of California L.A. Dr. Travis J. Cross. More than 700 students from a dozen states were chosen for six ensembles. In addition to performing, Austin will attend workshops led by accomplished musicians.
He began playing the trumpet 12 years ago under the tutelage of his father, and joined his first ensemble in fourth grade as a member of Lockhart Elementary School band. Since then, he has been selected to the
All-County music festival every year since fifth grade and the All-State conference twice.
Austin, who was nominated by his band teacher, Andrew Dwork, looks forward to playing alongside other top musicians from the region. The theme for this year’s festival is “Advocate! Elevate! Celebrate!”
“It’s a tremendous honor,” Austin said. “I hope to meet new people, play new music and learn from others.”
Advance Care Plans
The United States population is rapidly aging.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), by 2030, the number of Americans aged 65 and older will more than double to 71 million older Americans, comprising
roughly 20 percent of the U.S. population. With age comes the added burden of dealing with illnesses such as heart failure, dementia and cancer, any one of which can leave you unable to make decisions involving
your care. Unless you have a plan in place, the burden will fall on your family. Protect your loved ones from having to make life and death decisions on your behalf by developing an advance care plan today.
Massapequa High School senior Austin Benedict will play the trumpet in the Concert Band at the 2025 All-Eastern music conference. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District
BUYING? SELLING? RENTING?
Place your ad in the Classifieds 631-226-2636 Ext. 276
Business Analyst needed w/ Master’s Deg or Foreign Equiv in Bus Admin or Info Technology or Comp Sci or Comp Info Systems & 1 yr exp as Bus. Analyst or Project Mgr performing following job duties: Work formulating techn’l specs & manuals based on customary client workflows. Assist in Code deployment to QA, UAT, production envrmt along w/ error debugging of applic/ API & its resolution along w/ Server Level updates in production. Collaborate w/ certification team on connectivity & techn’l certifications w/ Speedroute, BAML, Virtu & Stock Exchanges. Work on GUI rltd enhancements based on the changing landscape of compliance w/in the equity & option industry. Work w/ H/ ware, S/ware & connectivity corresponding to client access (Latency) & systems configuration performing Traceroute testing, telnet client, IP whitelisting & Firewall testing. Work w/ functional & non-functional automation tools leveraging their capabilities to drive efficiency & ensure successful outcomes. Use: XML, SQL (DB), C++, ICE chat, CTM, Algorithms, Derivatives, IOI’S, Risk mgmt Tools, Bloomberg Demo tool & API’s. Benefits: Partial Medical, Life Insurance & 401K. Salary: $128,939.00/yr. Job Locs: Mineola, NY or any unanticipated client sites w/in the U.S. Must be available to travel & relocate to any unanticipated client sites for temporary projects. Traveling to any unanticipated client sites w/in the U.S. for temporary projects is based upon project length. Upon the completion of the project, travel is reqd to the next client site. The occupation is only reqd to travel to National which is Mineola, NY or unanticipated client sites w/ in the U.S based on the project length, there is no Int’l travel Reqd. Mail resumes to: Trafix LLC, 34 Willis Ave, Ste 201, Mineola, NY 11501.
HAVE AN APARTMENT TO RENT?
Place your ad in our Classifieds 631 -2 26- 2636 Ex t. 276
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Minor Repairs to Major Renov ations Tile Work, Painting Sheetrock, Spackle Flooring, Roof Repairs
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Lifetime Warranty All Work Guaranteed Lic/ Ins 631 782 93 79
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BUYING? SELLI NG? RENTING? Place your ad in the Classifieds. 631-226-2636 Ext. 276
TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2” A sales representative will be happy to assist you
TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2”
A sales representative will be happy to assist you
TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2”
A sales representative will be happy to assist you
TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2”
A sales representative will be happy to assist you
TO place an ad in the CLASSIFIED section, call 631-226-2636, press “2”
A sales representative will be happy to assist you
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Hometown Heroes Banner Recognition Applications Now Available
Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilman
Steve Labriola, and Councilman Louis Imbroto announce that the Town of Oyster Bay is now accepting
applications for the 2025 Hometown Heroes Community Recognition Program. This cherished initiative honors the service and sacrifice of the brave men and
women of the United States Armed Forces –both living and deceased – who are current or former residents of the Town of Oyster Bay.
Councilman
Labriola stated, “This Hometown Heroes Banner Recognition Program allows us to show our deep gratitude to the men and women who have put their lives on the line for our nation. Their courage and dedication deserve our utmost respect, and this initiative provides a lasting tribute to their service. We are proud to bring this important initiative back to our communities.”
The program features banners bearing the honorees’ names, ranks, photographs, and areas of service. These banners will be displayed at selected park facilities throughout the Town of Oyster Bay in the months leading up to Veterans Day in November. To participate, individuals or organizations may sponsor a banner for $75,
covering the production cost. No profit is made from this program.
After Veterans Day, the banners will be taken down to prevent damage from winter weather and returned to the service member’s family or loved ones. Those who sponsored banners in the previous year must submit a new application to be included in the 2025 season. Applications are due by March 14, 2025.
“I’m proud to commend retired U.S. Air Force Captain Warren Achenbaum for his distinguished service as a navigator bombardier and for joining us in promoting the Hometown Hero Banner Program. His dedication to our nation and his support of this important initiative to honor local heroes inspire us all. This program is
a meaningful way to recognize the sacrifices and achievements of our veterans, and I thank Captain Achenbaum and his family for their commitment to preserving and celebrating their legacy in our community parks,” added Councilman Louis Imbroto.
Supervisor Saladino concluded, “This program is a meaningful way for our community to pay tribute to those who have bravely and selflessly served our nation. It is an honor to recognize their sacrifices and their continued contributions to our local communities through advocacy and leadership.”
For more information or to download an application, visit www. oysterbaytown.com/ herobanners or call (516) 797-4121.
Pictured from right to left: Councilman Steve Labriola, Retired United States Air Force Captain Warren Achenbaum of Massapequa, and Councilman Louis Imbroto.
