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Friday, May 8, 2026
Vol. 86, No. 19
SERVING PLAINVIEW, HICKSVILLE, AND LEVITTOWN
Town, environmental groups cultivate kelp to clean water
Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino with a line of kelp The Town of Oyster Bay’s Environmental team recent-
ly harvested kelp from Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park,
together with local environmental partners. The Town,
Gold Coast Book Fair
The Gold Coast Book Fair will come to the north shore the weekend of May 16–17, featuring more than 150 authors. Presented by Four Leaf, this book festival will feature fun for the whole family, including book signings, vendor marketplace, games and activities, food, children’s stage, YA stage, poetry corner, and 11 venues of author programming. “This fun and informative
book fair is the largest literary event on Long Island, featuring something for book lovers of all ages,” said Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “Featuring various events on the Town’s north shore, including at LIU Post and on the streets of downtown Oyster Bay, the Gold Coast Book Fair provides readers with endless activities.” The 2026 Gold Coast Book
Fair will feature headlining authors H.W. Brands, Joan Lunden, Susan Lucci, Jay McInerney, Patrick Park, A.T. Qureshi, Ali Rosen, Claudia Rueda, Danielle Sepsy, DeMaurice Smith, Emma Straub, and Cherly Thompson. A full list of authors, schedules for all events and access visit at www.goldcoastforum. org.
The Mid-Island Times & Levittown Times is Published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp. Periodical Postage paid at Hicksville, N.Y. 11801 Tel 931-0012. USPS 3467-68 Postmaster: Send Address Changes to: The Mid Island & Levittown Times 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208, Garden City, N.Y. 11530. Meg Norris Publisher
Friends of the Bay and Cornell Cooperative, each harvested lines of kelp to use in helping improve water quality in Oyster Bay. Additionally, through a new partnership with the Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club, local youth participate in kelp harvesting to achieve a handson experience in marine conservation and sustainable environmental practices. “The Town of Oyster Bay’s kelp harvesting program has resulted in the cultivating and harvesting of thousands of pounds of sugar kelp from our north shore marinas,” explained Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “Kelp farming is a sustainable practice that enhances biodiversity, provides habitats for marine life, and improves water quality by reducing excess nitrogen and carbon in the ecosystem. The
harvested kelp is repurposed as a nutrient-rich fertilizer for Town parks and gardens, promoting eco-friendly practices throughout the community.” Each winter, kelp lines are planted at marina locations in Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park, Tappen Beach and TOBAY Beach, as well as in Oyster Bay Harbor and Cold Spring Harbor Conservation Management Areas. for prime cultivation periods until spring months when it gets harvested. Since the inception of the program, the Town now successfully grows over 3,000 feet of kelp – the equivalent of 10 football fields. For more information regarding this program and other environmental initiatives, visit www.oysterbaytown. com or call the Department of Environmental Resources at (516) 677-5943.
Schools honored for music education Bethpage Union Free School District has been named a Best Community for Music Education (BCME) by the NAMM Foundation, joining a select group of school communities nationwide recognized for their commitment to music as a core part of the educational experience. The designation – awarded annually by the National Asso-
ciation of Music Merchants Foundation – honors districts that demonstrate exceptional support for music education through funding, participation, instruction time and community engagement. Bethpage's recognition reflects the district's sustained investment in its music programs across all grade levels.
A makeover for good cause PAGE 4 Parade for first responders PAGE 7