Town offers Summer Softball League
The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that registration is now open for the Town’s Summer Softball Night League, with games scheduled to begin in May 2026. Games will be held at three parks throughout the Town with a season consisting of 10 weeks of regularly scheduled double headers (20 games total) plus playoffs and championships. Residents and non-residents alike are welcome to sign up for the softball league. Players must be ages 18 and older.
“The Town’s Summer Softball Night League is a fun and competitive league that provides a great opportunity for both residents and non-residents to enjoy their love of the game and appreciate some of our wonderful Town parks and facilities,” said Supervisor Saladino. “So, get your team together and take advantage of one of the Town’s most popular programs!”
Games begin in May and will be held
at 3 different locations:
• John J. Burns Park, 4990 Merrick Road in Massapequa
• Ellsworth Allen Park, 45 Motor Avenue in Farmingdale
• Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park, 175 Washington Avenue in Plainview
Registration is currently available at oysterbaytown.com/sports. The fee is $850 per team, and each team is responsible for liability and accidental insurance as well as umpire fees. Umpire fees are paid in cash to the umpires at the start of each game. Each team will sign up for one of three divisions: A, B, or C, with A being the most advanced.
Teams interested in more information can call the Town of Oyster Bay’s Parks Department, Recreation Division, at (516) 797-7945.
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Syosset Library to host college admissions presentation
Dr. John Durante, principal of Syosset High School and host of “The College Admissions Podcast”
The Syosset Public Library will host a special presentation featuring Dr. John Durante, principal of Syosset High School, host of “The College Admissions Process Podcast”, and author of “Straight from the Admissions Office”. The program will take place at the library on Monday, March 16, at 7:00 p.m.
Through his podcast, Durante has interviewed hundreds of college admissions representatives from colleges and universities across the country. These conversations have provided unique behind-the-scenes insight into how admissions decisions are made and what students can do to stand out in today’s increasingly competitive admissions environment.
During this informative presentation, Durante will share:
• Key insights gained from hundreds of conversations with admissions professionals
• Practical strategies students can use to strengthen their college applications
• Guidance for families on how to best support students throughout the admissions journey
Over the past several years, “The College Admissions Process Podcast” has grown into a trusted resource for students, parents, and educators seeking clear and practical guidance on navigating the admissions process. Through these conversations with admissions leaders, Durante has developed a unique perspective on what colleges value most in applicants and how students can make the most of their high school experience.
The program is designed for teens and parents who want a clearer understanding of the college admissions process and actionable steps students can take during high school to build a strong application. Registration is required for this free event, and it is open to individuals ages 13 and older. Registration will close on March 16 at 6:30 p.m.
For more information or to register, visit the Syosset Public Library website for their calendar of events.
Unsettled Times Heightens Need for Travel Insurance: Tips for What to Look For
BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE
With thousands of flights cancelled across the Middle East and hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded in the immediate aftermath of the US-Israel attacks on Iran, most coverage has focused on stranded passengers and airport shutdowns.
But travelers are learning the hard way that acts of war exclusions and timing of purchase are determining who gets reimbursed and who doesn’t with their travel insurance.
Suzanne Morrow, CEO of InsureMyTrip, an insurance comparison platform that helps travelers find the most appropriate travel insurance for their needs, advises:
Travelers going to, from, or through Middle East hubs right now should stay flexible and informed. Check your flight status directly with the airline before heading to the airport, look for waivers or rebooking options, and enroll in the State Department’s STEP program for real-time updates. Conditions are changing quickly, so having a backup plan is important.
Timing of purchase matters because once an event is considered “foreseeable,” new travel insurance policies typically won’t cover losses tied directly to it. “That’s why we always encourage travelers to buy coverage early, ideally right after making the first trip deposit, so they have the broadest protection and options like Cancel for Any Reason.”
There’s also a difference between cancellation coverage and travel delay support. Cancellation coverage may reimburse prepaid, nonrefundable costs if you can’t take the trip for a
covered reason. Travel delay benefits help if you’re stuck mid-trip, covering things like meals, hotels, or transportation while you wait. Both are helpful, but they apply in different situations.
To protect reimbursement options, travelers should review their policy now, keep receipts for any extra expenses, and document delays or cancellations. It’s also smart to check airline and hotel policies first, since many are offering flexibility that can solve the issue without filing a claim.
If you are already traveling and a crisis happens, whether political unrest, war, terrorism, climate events, or a pandemic, safety comes first. Follow guidance from local authorities and your embassy and register for alerts if you haven’t already. Travel insurance doesn’t arrange government evacuations, but many plans include 24/7 emergency assistance services that can help you understand your options, coordinate care and navigate next steps. Depending on the situation and the policy, some travelers may
have trip interruption benefits if they need to cut a trip short, but coverage always depends on the specific policy and circumstances.
“The bottom line: know your destination, know your coverage, and give yourself flexibility whenever possible,” Morrow advises.
InsureMyTrip.com customers get free access to a claim advocate, a service that reviews denied claims, contacts the provider and assists with appeals.
Claims
for Medical Issues
Travel insurance is an important investment for big-ticket trips like cruises, tours, safari, renting a home and for international travel, particularly for the medical, and medical evacuation, coverage.
Squaremouth, a leading travel insurance comparison platform, wants travelers to understand how travel insurance can protect them if they fall ill and their trip is disrupted:
If You’re Too Sick to Travel: If you, your travel companion, or a
non-traveling family member gets sick before your trip, you could cancel your trip and be covered by a comprehensive travel insurance plan under the Trip Cancellation benefit. This benefit can reimburse you for 100% of your prepaid and non-refundable trip costs, including flights, hotels, tours, excursions, and more.
If You’re Too Sick to Finish Your Trip: If you get sick while on your trip and need to go home early, the Trip Interruption benefit can reimburse you for unused trip expenses, plus the additional transportation costs you incur to get home. Typically, this benefit covers 100% of your unused, prepaid, non-refundable trip costs but some plans even cover 125 - 200%.
If You Need Medical Treatment While Traveling: Most domestic healthcare insurance plans will not cover you abroad. However, emergency medical insurance can cover the costs of medical treatment during your trip if you get sick or are injured, including hospital stays, doctor visits, and prescription medications. More serious cases could require emergency evacuation to a suitable medical facility, especially if you’re traveling in a remote destination or on a cruise. Medical Evacuation coverage, which is included with most travel insurance plans, can pay for transportation to a hospital in the event of a medical emergency or even back to the U.S.
If You Change Your Mind About Traveling: Concerns about traveling for fear of getting sick are not covered reasons under standard travel insurance policies, but travelers can purchase optional add-on benefits like Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) and Interruption For Any Reason (IFAR)
