members from left, Jovie Hartmann, Mila Rogdakis, Ryan Kind and Angela O’Brien
drive
St. Vincent de Paul Society, which runs through Jan. 10. Photo courtesy
JANUARY HAPPENINGS
THRU THURS. JAN. 2nd
10:00AM-3:00PM
CHRISTMAS HOUSE
LONG ISLAND
If you are looking for an exciting and fun, indoor family holiday attraction, Christmas House Long Island is now open daily at the Broadway Commons, 358 N. Broadway in Hicksville. This unique 45+ minute walk-through features interactive and imaginative experiences that will delight people of all ages! For more information, please call 516-878-0273
THRU SAT. JAN. 4th
12:00 PM 1:30 PM
MAGIC OF LIGHTS
Jones Beach State Park. 1 Ocean Parkway in Wantagh. Magic of Lights is a dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience, which features holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations. Experience this all from the comfort of your own car! One carload, one price. For dates, times, and ticket availability, visit magicoflights.com.
SAT. JAN. 4th
12:00PM-1:30PM
FOREST BATHING WALK
Start the new year with a Forest Bathing Walk with one of Sweetbriar’s nature educators and forest therapy guide, Linda Lombardo. Forest Therapy is a research-based framework for supporting healing and wellness through immersion in a forest or other natural environment. Sweetbriar Nature Center - ECSS 62 Eckernkamp Drive in Smithtown.
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
For more information, please call 631-979-6344
MON. JAN. 6th
7:30PM
BABYLON CHORALE AUDITIONS
The Babylon Chorale will hold auditions at Sisters of St. Joseph Brentwood Campus. All voice parts are welcomed. For further information, visit www.babylonchorale.org or email info@babylonchorale.org
THURS. JAN. 9th
7:00PM
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. JAN. 11th
8:45AM-10:30AM
POLAR PLUNGEFreezin for a Reason
Get ready to take the plunge for an amazing cause! Join us for the Town of Huntington 2025 Polar Plunge and show your support for the incredible athletes of the Special Olympics! Location: Crab Meadow Beach in Northport. This event is about more than just a chilly dip, it’s about coming together as a community to celebrate and empower these remarkable athletes. Let’s make a difference together. For more details and to register, visit: www.polarplungeny.org/ Huntington
SUN. JAN. 12th
11:00AM-2:00PM
2025 NYS PARKS
WINTER RUN SERIES
at Heckscher State Park, East IslipField #2. Absolutely No: Baby Joggers, Rollerbladers, Skaters, Bikers or Pets Are Permitted! For more information, please call Brendan Dagan 516-531-3323
SAT. JAN. 18th
4:00PM-7:00PM
FAMILY GAME NIGHT
Farmingdale United Methodist Church, 407 Main Street in Farmingdale, invites the community to their Family Game Night. Come have fun with Duck Races, Cornhole Games, Board Games, Life-Size Jenga, Connect Four, food and much more! Please RSVP to office@armingdaleumc.org.
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. Certified course and a Boston Qualifier! 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
Service Club Spreads Warmth
There are few limits to what can be donated to Seaford Middle School’s winter clothing drive, a charitable initiative sponsored by the Service Club.
The drive, which runs from Dec. 9 to Jan. 10, will benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Society. At donation boxes in the lobby, students can drop off new and gently used items for people of all ages such
as coats, pants, sweaters, socks, pajamas, hats and gloves.
“There’s a lot of donations,” Service Club
President Jovie Hartmann said two weeks into the collection drive. “I’m proud of our school. It’s fun to see everyone get involved and show that they care about the community.”
“It feels rewarding to see the Seaford community coming together to support
others,” added Treasurer Mila Rogdakis.
Advisers Katheryn Hickey and Taryn Ohlmiller said that the Service Club has been busy during the first few months of the school year. In addition to the ongoing winter clothing drive, students also made holiday cards for a local senior center, and participated in a districtwide Hurricane Helene relief fundraiser.
Society, which runs through Jan. 10. Photo courtesy of the Seaford School District
Imbroto Announces Toddler Sports Program For Winter 2025
Oyster Bay Town Councilman Louis Imbroto announced that the Toddler Sports Program will return this winter, beginning February 11th. This 6-week program offers sports classes at the Hicksville Athletic Center for children ages 3 and 4.
“The Town’s Toddler Sports Program is a fantastic way to teach your toddler the fundamentals of sports in a fun and social environment,” said Councilman Imbroto. “This program is sure to be a hit with children and parents alike, as youngsters are given the opportunity to learn the basics of various different sports such as tee-ball, flag football and more along
with children their own age.”
The Toddler Sports Program begins February 11th and is 6 weeks in duration. Residents who sign their toddler up for the program must choose one class per week, per child. Classes will take place on:
Tuesdays at 10am or 11am at the Hicksville Athletic Center in Hicksville; and Thursdays at 10am or 11am at the Hicksville Athletic Center in Hicksville.
Registration will take place ONLINE through the Parks Portal available at oysterbaytown.com/ portal on January 7th at 9:00 am. Space is
limited- first come, first serve. Registration will close when the program reaches full capacity.
Each class is approximately 50 minutes. The cost of the program is $75 per child who is a Town resident, and $90 per child whose care giver is a Town resident but not the child. The child’s birth certificate and a tax or utility bill will be required to validate age and proof of residency. A guardian must be present during the class. The child MUST be 3 years old by the start of the program.
The Toddler Sports Program is run by the Town’s Parks Department, Recreation Division. For further information, please call (516) 797-7945.
CLUES ACROSS
1. Americans’ “uncle”
4. Chair
8. Ancient kingdom 10. Egyptian city 11. Alaskan glacier 12. One from Somalia
13. Ancient alphabets
15. Relating to vocabulary 16. Small mongrels
CLUES DOWN
1. Counterbalancing debt 2. In slow tempo
3. Glamorous city 4. Japanese lute
5. Makes law
6. Informative book 7. Animal’s body part 9. American playwright
Blood poisoning
17. Natural settings
18. Weekend entertainments
21. Line from which light seemingly streams
22. Your own private code
23. Swiss river
24. Satisfaction
25. A person’s brother or sister
26. Folk singer DiFranco
27. The Blonde Bombshell
34. Kids’ school project
12. Angels
14. Sino-Soviet block (abbr.)
15. Written account
17. Unwelcome pest
19. Saddle horses
20. Type of gibbon
23. Delta is one
24. NE Massachusetts cape
25. Soup cracker
26. Yes vote
35. Bluish greens
36. Classifying
37. Cube-shaped
38. Choo-choos
39. Indian religious god of dissolution
40. French department
41. Leak into gradually
42. Foundation
43. Midway between south and southeast
27. Muddy ground
28. Physics apparatus (abbr.)
29. Type of drug
30. German city
31. Animal disease
32. Martini ingredients
33. Get away 34. Spanish municipality 36. Thrust a knife into
Seaford Middle School Service Club members from left, Jovie Hartmann, Mila Rogdakis, Ryan Kind and Angela O’Brien helped organize a winter clothing drive for the St. Vincent de Paul
Plainedge School District Proudly Presents
PRE
Orthodox Christian Church
The Orthodox Church offers you the authentic Christian Tradition maintained without innovation since Apostolic times, which fulfills life on a daily basis, not just on Sunday. We welcome all people seeking a community rooted in the oldest Christian Church with an emphasis on Holy Scripture, Holy Tradition, liturgical and prayer life, and traditional Christian values. The Divine Liturgy is celebrated every Sunday at 9:30 AM at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 369 Green Avenue, East Meadow. Coffee hour follows the Divine Liturgy. Services are also streamed on https:// www.facebook.com/htocem. All services are conducted in English. Additional information and schedules can be found on the parish website, www.htocem.org, or by email, htocem@gmail. com.
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Second Course
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First Course (Choose One) Salad (Choose One)
• USDA Prime Sirloin Hamburgers with Buns!
• Garden Salad • Caesar Salad
• Boar’s Head Brand Hot Dogs with Buns!
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Large Trays (Choose One per 10 People)
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• Stuffed Chicken
Gourmet Catering Special #1
• Chicken Grigio
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• Stuffed Rigatoni
Large Trays (Choose One per 10 People)
• Chicken Piccata
• Baked Ziti
• Chicken Parmigiana
• Cavatelli Calabrese
• Chicken Marsala
• Chicken Cacciatore
• Chicken with Broccoli & Sundried Tomatoes
• Chicken Francese
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• Chicken Piccata
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• Orecchiette Broccoli Rabe
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• Penne alla Vodka
• Eggplant Rollatini
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• Orecchiette Broccoli Rabe
• Brussel Sprouts • Butternut Squash
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• Grilled Salmon • Maryland Crab Cakes • Mussels Margherita • Mussels w/ Garlic & Oil • Shrimp Oreganata
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Package Includes: Dinner rolls, garden salad, plates, forks, spoons, knives, napkins and serving utensils.
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Stuffed Flounder Filet
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• Grilled USDA Prime Flat Iron Steak • Meatballs • Pork Chop Caprese • Pork Filet Salpino
• Sausage & Peppers • Veal Marsala
Veal Parmigiana
Veal Scallopine From the Land
Future Leaders Blossom At Seaford Harbor
Did You Know?
(NAPS)—Slow down during the last half hour before you go to bed, advises Dr. Richard Shane, the licensed psychotherapist and sleep therapist who developed the Sleep Easily Method that leads you gently into sleep. Learn more at www. drshane.com and www. sleepeasily.com.
They’re called the Leaders of Tomorrow, but 11 fourth graders at Seaford Harbor Elementary School are showing their leadership skills today. The new club, advised by teacher Marina Massa, is focused on several initiatives, including community service and promoting awareness of the Seaford Scholar traits.
Students from each fourth grade class were chosen for the club following an application process. The goal is to build a foundation in elementary school that prepares them for leadership opportunities at the secondary level, such as the middle school’s Teen Leaders Care and the high school’s Brackett Leadership Team.
Leaders of Tomorrow members are responsible for teaching others about the Seaford Scholar traits. It began in November, when the trait of the month was communicator. Students made presentations that they shared with fellow fourth graders. In December, which focused on being mindful, they showed their digital presentations to kindergartners.
In small groups, members of Leaders of Tomorrow visited other classes to present digital slides made in Canva as well as facilitate discussions about the trait and lead hands-on activities. December featured belly breathing, a gratitude circle and mindful coloring.
Anastasia Stambolis said the emphasis is to teach their peers how to incorporate the Seaford Scholar traits into their daily lives.
The young leaders are now planning for their January visits, which will spotlight being reflective. As the club grows, they hope to bring their presentations to first and second grade classes, as well.
“It’s nice teaching the kids, seeing the younger students listen to and having them understand
what you’re talking about,”
Evie Banoff said.
Sean Kitt added that being a member of Leaders of Tomorrow is about setting a good example for other students in the building.
“Their role is valuable,” Ms. Massa said, “because they’re teaching the traits that we want all of our students to graduate with.
The Leaders of Tomorrow are definitely being looked up to.”
The club will also do community service projects, and their first initiative was a hurricane relief drive.
“It was important for us to create a leadership opportunity at the Harbor School for our students,”
Principal Jennifer Bisulca said. “Leadership is a true
hallmark of the Seaford student and we knew that it would draw a great interest.”
Families Anonymous Virtual Meetings
12-Step support group giving Hope & Strength to parents, family and friends concerned with a loved one’s destructive behavior caused by Alcohol, Drugs or Related Behavioral Problems is now meeting virtually until further notice. For further information e-mail or call: Donna526@aol.com or (631) 835.8788; Diane (631) 587.0966, www. FamiliesAnonymous.org
Seaford Harbor Elementary School Leaders of Tomorrow members Anastasia Stambolis and Sean Kitt made digital presentations about the Seaford Scholar trait of the month to help educate other students. Photo courtesy of the Seaford School District
7 Ways To Organize And Store Holiday Decorations
Decorating a home for the holidays is quite popular. A survey from the National Retail Federation found that 53 percent of respondents said they were planning to decorate their home or yard.
Lombardo Homes polled 1,000 Americans and 94 percent said they celebrate Christmas in at least some way, and 84 percent said they decorate. With so many avid holiday decorators, individuals will need to find ways to organize and store their seasonal items.
Holiday decor comes in many different sizes — from the smallest tree ornaments to illuminated statues for the yard or inflatable items. Figuring out a storage plan can take a little effort. These seven tips can help.
1. Purchase clear, similarly sized storage bins and shelving racks, hanging them where you plan to keep the decorations. Most people prefer an out-of-the-way spot, such as in the garage, attic or
basement. Label each bin by holiday and put the bins in chronological order to make finding items more convenient. Uniform bin sizes make it easier to stack and store.
2. Store smaller items inside larger decor items. Decorative baskets or wrapped boxes brought out for Christmas or Chanukah are ideal places to keep smaller tchotchkes like ceramics, dreidels, candlestick holders, or mantel hooks. Delicate items can be tucked into Christmas stockings or wrapped and stored in a fluffy tree skirt.
3. Label everything so you will not need to dig through boxes or bins to know what is inside. This might be a good year to ask for a label maker for the holidays!
4. Use overhead or wall storage for holiday decor. Overhead spaces in the garage or basement walls can be good spaces to
keep holiday decorations. Always keep bins and boxes off the floor so they are not vulnerable to damage related to leaks or floods.
5. Garment bags can protect larger decorations, such as wreaths, artificial trees or signs. If you have a large number of mechanical, illuminated or inflatable lawn ornaments, consider investing in a small shed where these items can be safely kept. Wrap the extension cords and any bracing stakes or strings used with the decorations so it’s easy to find.
6. Utilize pieces of cardboard as well as toilet paper or paper towel tubes to keep lights and wires tidy. Tuck cords into the toilet paper tubes, and wrap lights around the cardboard to avoid tangles.
7. Each year, take inventory of your decoration collection and toss out anything that is damaged or has seen better days.
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Gingerbread Towers Are Team Successes
To celebrate the holidays and work on their teamwork skills, students at Seaford Middle School participated in a gingerbread building challenge on Dec. 19. It was the third of six teaming events this year, designed
to foster collaboration and communication. All sixth, seventh and eighth graders were assigned to a team of four or five students. Together, they had to use two packs of a graham crackers and a cup of icing
to build the tallest tower possible that could support a tennis ball.
Before the building began, students had discussions about the qualities necessary to work well as a team, looking at it through the lens
of the 10 Seaford Scholar traits. They also had followup conversations after the challenge ended.
“The whole point is to talk about teamwork, put it into practice and reflect on it,”
Principal Dr. Raphael Morey
said. He added that the skills they develop now builds the foundation for being good communicators and collaborators during the rest of their years in school and beyond.
Dr. Morey explained that
the six teaming activities this year are designed to give students a break from their academic rigors and rejuvenate their love of school, while developing life skills along the way.
Seaford Middle School students, from left, Dylan Herbert, Liam Fox, Hailey Salamon and Jake Gould worked on a gingerbread tower as part of a teamwork activity on Dec. 19. Photo courtesy of the Seaford School District
Teachers Ken Botti and Danielle Alveari checked the height of one of the gingerbread towers. Photo courtesy of the Seaford School District
