DAY VOW RENEWAL Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Town Clerk Richard LaMarca invite residents to renew their wedding vows at a special ceremony on Valentine’s Day, Friday, February 14th, at Oyster Bay Town Hall. The event is offered free of charge to Town residents but reservations are required. Residents interested in renewing their wedding vows should RSVP to (516) 624-6380 by February 10th. Pictured: Councilwoman Vicki Walsh, Town Clerk Rich LaMarca, Supervisor Saladino and Tax Receiver Jeff Pravato celebrate with over 100 couples at a Valentine’s Day Vow Renewal ceremony at Town Hall.
Recipe Of The Week: Chicken Barley Soup
Everyone knows there’s no cure for the common cold. Though colds can strike at any time, cold season tends to occur when the weather cools down and people spend more time indoors. Inside viruses can circulate and spread more easily, thus leading to elevated rates of infection. Though there might be no cure for the common cold, that does not mean people are helpless against it. Many people have their own remedies to help them manage and potentially shorten the duration of a cold, and chicken soup features prominently in those antidotes. Whether cold season is kicking into high gear or people are confronting the common cold at other times of year, they can incorporate this recipe for “Chicken Barley Soup” with Vegetables courtesy of Lines+Angles into their cold remedy routines.
Makes 6 servings
8 cups chicken stock
4 cups water
1 teaspoon marjoram
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Directions:
1 medium onion, sliced
1 cup carrots, sliced
2 cups cooked chicken breasts, diced
1 russet potato, peeled and cubed
1 cup broccoli, chopped
1⁄2 cup barley
Salt, to taste, Pepper, to taste
1. In a large pot, combine chicken stock, water, marjoram, rosemary, and parsley. Simmer for 15 minutes.
2. Add onion, carrots, cooked chicken, potato, broccoli, and barley. Add salt and pepper to taste. Simmer over low heat for 35 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve.
Councilman Hand Invites Residents To Apply For Picnic Permits Online
Online Picnic Reservations
Now Available For Local Parks
Oyster Bay Town Councilman Tom Hand announced that residents can apply for picnic permits at all Town parks with picnic facilities online by visiting www. oysterbaytown.com/ picnic. Reservations are available for picnic space at Marjorie R. Post Community Park in Massapequa, Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park and Beach in Oyster Bay, Harry Tappen Beach and Marina in Glenwood Landing, SyossetWoodbury Community Park, and Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park.
“Our beautiful Town Parks are the perfect location for a family,
school, or community group outing set in the great outdoors. Each location, from Roosevelt Beach in Oyster Bay to Marjorie Post Park in Massapequa, offers something unique for residents to enjoy,” Councilman Hand said. “We’ve also streamlined the process for residents to apply for a picnic permit, helping to increase convenience and accessibility.”
Picnic Permits are required for groups of 25 or more at all Town of Oyster Bay picnic pavilion locations and include exclusive use of the permitted area from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the reservation date. Some
locations are covered, have access to water, and permit barbequing.
To view picnic availability, residents can visit www.oysterbaytown. com/picnic and filter their preferred date, facility, specific location, and features using the page menu. Those who don’t have a pre-existing account can create one on the same page and apply for the reservation. It is recommended that residents reserve their picnic pavilion early as spaces fill up quickly for the season. For more information on Town of Oyster Bay picnic permits, call (516) 797-4139.
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East Lake Students Honor Their Law Enforcement Heroes
Blue was the color of the day at East Lake Elementary School in the Massapequa School District on Jan. 9 for the second annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Dozens of police officers visited throughout the day to talk about their vital role in protecting the community.
The uniformed guests were family members of students and staff. They
showed off their equipment, talked about a typical day in law enforcement and answered questions from curious students. Police officers visited classrooms and hosted grade-level presentations in the AllPurpose Room.
Each guest engaged students in a unique way. One officer flew a drone for a class while another read
a children’s book. Outside, children got to see a pair of police motorcycles.
The officers came from variety of agencies including Nassau County Police, the New York City Police Department, Port Authority Police and village departments. They also represented different police units.
A LEAD committee
East Lake Elementary School welcomed police officers from numerous departments for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on Jan. 9.
of more than a dozen administrators, teachers and staff members planned the event. Co-chairs Toni Farrell and Kelly Laura said that the police officers were asked to emphasize their roles as community helpers.
“We want students to know how special and important police officers are, and understand how they protect us,” Ms. Farrell said.
“We are coming together as a school community to honor them for their service.”
Students made a variety of crafts that were hung throughout the building to show their appreciation for the officers. First graders penned thank-you notes that the guest could take home or bring to their colleagues.
Tim Kornbluth, a retired NYPD sergeant who has
a child in fifth grade, enjoyed interacting with the students. He said they asked a lot of questions about his experiences and wanted to hear his most memorable stories.
“Massapequa is a very big law enforcement community,” he said. “For the school to recognize the sacrifices that we make is so important.”
Matt Presta from the NYPD drone team gave an interactive presentation to second graders.
Husband and wife Port Authority police officers Will Farfalla and Dana Ahrens Farfalla spoke about their job to a fourth grade class.
Fourth graders were excited to check out a pair of Nassau County Police Department motorcycles.
Officers from the NYPD hosted grade-level presentations to talk about the role of law enforcement. Photos courtesy of the Massapequa School District
Second graders, from left, Grace Gladitz, Louie Marrero, James Zuniga and Emmy Maddock made drawings to show their appreciation for the police.
FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS
STILL TO COME THIS MONTH!
THURS. JAN. 30th
2:00PM–3:00PM
WINTER BINGO
Babylon Public Library, 24 S. Carll Ave. in Babylon. Shake off your winter blues with a few rounds of Bingo! Adults only, please. Registration is required. Please call Erin White for more information 631-669-1624
6:30PM-8:00 PM
TRIVIA NIGHT - TRIVIA ON ICE at The Whaling Museum & Education Center, 301 Main St. in Cold Spring Harbor. A winter-themed trivia in film, music, nature, history, geography, and more with a whale or two added in, of course! Enjoy hot chocolatespiked 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
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
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
THURS. FEB. 6th
11:00AM LINDENHURST EVENING HOMEMAKERS GROUP
Join Lindenhurst Evening Homemakers Group at the North Amityville Senior Center 48 Cedar Rd. in Amityville. (off of New Hwy.) Open to all, 18 years old & up. Meetings start at 7pm & new members should arrive 15 min. early. Contact Lisa LeBrie at 516-413-7467 for more info
SAT. FEB. 8th
10:30AM-12:30PM FOREST THERAPY WALK
Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Hwy. in Great River. Join a certified forest therapy guide on a walk to slow down, wander, and notice the beauty of nature. This will be a lengthy walk, so please wear comfortable, study shoes and warm clothing. $45/pp.
11:00AM-3:00PM WINTERFEST 2025 Levittown Community Council WinterFest 2025, Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road in Levittown. Free admission, crafts, entertainment, and eye screening. OTHER: Featuring Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers, balloon magic by MsMatch the Clown, music by deejay Tim Aldridge. For information visit: levittowncouncil@yahoo.com
3:00PM
VALENTINE'S DAY CONCERT Valentine's Day Concert
Featuring Kathryn Wilson, soprano soloist. Grace United Methodist Church, 515 S. Wellwood Ave. in Lindenhurst. For more information, please call 631-226-8690. A free-will offering will be taken.
TUES. FEB. 11th
7:00PM
REPUBLIC AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING
7150 Republic Airport, Room 201 in Farmingdale. For information call 631-752-7707 x6109 or email: info@ republicairport.net
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
SUN. FEB. 16th
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
Garage Door
Local Businesses Take Active Role In Sticker Shock Campaign
To Prevent Underage Drinking
The “Sticker Shock” campaign hosted by the Massapequa Takes Action Coalition (MTAC) just before the holidays made strides in raising awareness within the Massapequa community about the importance of preventing alcohol access for individuals under 21. This initiative involves posting eye-catching stickers in local restaurants, at the registers, and on pizza boxes, reminding customers and staff about the importance of not selling or serving alcohol to minors.
Massapequa businesses, including Calda Pizzeria, Frank’s Pizzeria, Leonard’s Pizzeria, and South Bay Beverages were proud to participate in this impactful campaign, showing their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-
being of our youth. The stickers served as a visible reminder of the laws and the role businesses play in protecting young people from alcohol-related harm. Through their participation, these businesses demonstrate leadership in fostering a safe environment while serving their customers. The Sticker Shock campaign encourages everyone to take an active role in preventing underage drinking and to support a responsible and healthy community. For more information about the campaign or resources related to underage drinking, please visit mtacoalition.com or contact Massapequa Takes Action Coalition at (516) 799-3203 ext. 131 or mtacoalition@yesccc.org.
About the Campaign:
Sticker Shock is a community initiative designed to prevent underage drinking by posting stickers in businesses that serve alcohol. The campaign educates both and the public about the importance of promoting healthy decision making when it comes to serving alcohol.
About Massapequa Takes Action Coalition (MTAC)
Massapequa Takes Action Coalition is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing substance use and promoting mental and physical well-being in the Massapequa community. Through education, outreach, and advocacy, MTAC works to empower individuals and families to make healthy, positive choices that contribute to a stronger, more resilient community
Seniors Invited To Join ‘Golden Tones’ Chorus Group
Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Laura Maier announced that the Town of Oyster Bay ‘Golden Tones Entertainment Group’ is returning to the North Massapequa Community Center this February and invite new members. This senior chorus is a social group open to Town residents over the age of 60 who have an interest in singing, dancing or entertaining. Anyone 60 and over is welcome, a great singing voice is not required to participate in this social group.
“We hear from
Spanish Lesson Bears Fruit For Fairfield Fourth Graders
Fourth grade classrooms could have been confused with the produce section of a supermarket as Fairfield Elementary School students learned the Spanish words for different fruits. The lesson by Señora Julianne Loney was part of the Massapequa School District’s Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools program.
For the “ensalada de fruta” or fruit salad activity, each student was
given an index card that listed a fruit. The goal was to find the classmate or teacher with the same fruit. Students asked questions in Spanish until they found a match. The endeavor promoted conversational skills and helped students further develop their Spanish vocabularies. The FLES program includes twiceweekly Spanish lessons for students in grades 3-5 and prepares them for middle school when they can select from among four languages to pursue.
Seniors Invited To Join
Continued From 11
‘Golden Tones’ Chorus Group
choir members all the time how singing together lifts their spirits while
others
Councilwoman Maier.
“The Golden Tones Chorus provides a creative and social outlet for seniors to make new friends and bond over their love of music. Join us today!” Meetings will be held
every Friday, beginning on Friday, January 31, at 10 a.m. at the North Massapequa Community Center, located at 214 North Albany Avenue in North Massapequa. There are two planned shows, a Spring Show as well as a
Holiday Show, scheduled to be performed at the North Massapequa Community Center. Senior citizens interested in joining the Golden Tones should call (516) 797-7916 for more information.
Fairfield Elementary School fourth graders Amelia Dobby and Owen Houser asked each other questions in Spanish to see if they matched in a fruit salad game. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District
Fresh Long Island Duck in an Orange Cranberry Glaze Served with Wild Rice & Vegetables
Steak (Add $9):
Grilled, Topped with Asparagus and Melted Mozzarella in Barolo Wine
Sauce Served with Onion Rings
Cannoli • Flourless Chocolate Cake • Tiramisu
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Deck Construction & Repair & mu ch more J&J Pr emier
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help you with a lin e ad or a di splay ad. Let us at SOUTH BAY'S NEIGHBOR NEWS PAPE RS set up an adv ertising program for you. Y ou'll be glad you di d! Call 631-226-2636, ext.
Autism And Children
According to the National Autism Association, autism is a bio-neurological developmental disability that affects the normal development of the brain in various areas. Those areas include social interaction, communication skills and cognitive function. Autism generally appears before a child reaches his or her third birthday, and the NAA notes it is diagnosed four times as often in boys than it is in girls. Roughly 40 percent of children with autism do not speak, but parents whose children speak between the ages of 12 and 18 months should know that such youngsters can still ultimately be diagnosed with autism. In such instances, the NAA notes that children lose the words they previously learned. Incidences of autism appear to be on the rise, though the reasons for that remain unclear. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of autism had risen to one in every 59 children by 2018. That’s twice as great as the rate in 2004, when the CDC reported one in 125 children were diagnosed with autism.
Saladino, LaMarca Invite Couples To Free Valentine’s Day Vow Renewal
Special Event To Feature Reenactment Of America’s First Valentine
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Town Clerk Richard LaMarca invite residents to renew their wedding vows at a special ceremony on Valentine’s Day, Friday, February 14th, at Oyster Bay Town Hall. Cosponsored by Raynham Hall Museum, the event will include a reading of America’s First Valentine, which was written on February 14, 1779 in Oyster Bay. The special ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. and will include light refreshments for all guests.
“Couples often select Valentine’s Day to celebrate their relationship,” added Town Clerk LaMarca. “It may be a sentimental choice for couples who had their first date, first kiss, or even engagement on Valentine’s Day. Whatever the reason, we are proud to offer this special vow renewal ceremony at Town Hall.”
The ceremony will take place at Oyster Bay Town Hall, 54 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay hamlet. The event is offered free of charge to Town residents but reservations are required. Residents interested in renewing their wedding vows should RSVP to (516) 624-6380 by February 10th.
The story of America’s
“Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year, and many couples celebrate their wedding anniversaries on this special day. We look forward to making this special day even better as couples renew their marriage vows and declare their endless love for one another,” said Supervisor Saladino.
first Valentine is a proud piece of Oyster Bay history which dates back to the time of the Revolutionary War, as British troops occupied Long Island homes. During
the height of the American Revolutionary War, love improbably blossomed between Lt. Col Simcoe and a young patriot named Sally Townsend as the
Townsend property served as a headquarters for a regiment of 300 British troops. Lt. Col. Simcoe presented Sally with a poem he wrote asking
her to be his Valentine, and his famous poem, entitled ‘Will You Be My Valentine,’ became the first documented written Valentine in America.
Councilwoman Vicki Walsh, Town Clerk Rich LaMarca, Supervisor Saladino and Tax Receiver Jeff Pravato celebrate with over 100 couples at a Valentine’s Day Vow Renewal ceremony at Town Hall.
The Michele & Mark Goodman Team
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