April 1, 2026 West Islip by Long Island Media Group

South Bay's Neighbor

Islip Town Board Honors Women’s History Month

The Town held a ceremony recognizing several women who have made an impactful difference in their communities. Because March is National Women’s History Month, the Town Board took a moment to reflect on the many women who positively influence our lives every day. Honorees included:

Irene Attanasio Munno, who has been an inspiration and a model of growth in our community as a mentor and educator, as well as a licensed nurse and law practitioner, having passed both the New Jersey and New York State Bar Exams. Carla Simpson, the

Executive Director of the Central Islip Civic Council, consistently guides the nonprofit’s efforts and further supports the community through her involvement with over 20 boards across Long Island.

Deputy Police Commissioner Belinda Alvarez-Groneman, a public servant of more than four decades, has devoted herself to strengthening the relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Lynn Luttenberger, the Vice President of the West Islip Association, has worked to revitalize West Islip Beach and Madeleine’s

Playground, as well as the Weeks-Muncy Cemetery, preserving Town history and rejuvenating Town infrastructure.

Marlene Keghlian, a local business owner who has used her platform to champion causes within the community.

Please congratulate them all for their incredible contributions to our Town!

"As we take this time to celebrate, let’s also commit to ensuring that women’s voices, contributions, and leadership are supported every day, not just this month." Said, Supervisory Carpenter.

Did You Know?

The exact origins of April Fool’s Day are unknown, though historians have some interesting theories regarding the dawn of this day devoted to pranks. Some historians have linked April Fool’s Day to the festival of Hilaria in ancient Rome. According to History.com, Hilaria was celebrated by the followers

of the cult of Cybele at the end of March. During the festival, celebrants dressed up in disguises and mocked fellow citizens. Another theory suggests April Fool’s Day might be linked to the transition from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar in France in 1582. The news of that transition,

which officially recognized the start of the new year as January 1 after it had been April 1, reached some people’s ears more quickly than others’. Those who were slow to get the news continued to celebrate April 1 as the start of a new year, inspiring others to mock them and refer to them as “April fools.”

Islip Resident Recognized As Suffolk County Irish American Heritage Day Honoree

Legislator Steven J. Flotteron recognized Vic Vogel as the 11th Legislative District’s honoree at the 4th Annual Irish American Heritage Celebration held at the H. Lee Dennison Bldg. in Hauppauge.

Vogel has been a bagpiper with the Roisin Dubh

Irish Pipe Band at AOH Division 7 since 1981 and is the Band Manager. In 2024, the band competed in World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. He is a Past President of AOH Division 7, Our Lady of Knock, East Islip, AOH Suffolk County and New

York State. As such, he prioritized promoting the Irish Culture such as the book Irish & Irish American Monuments, Memorials and Commemorative Plaques in NYS, and a Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Knock Shrine in County Mayo, Ireland. Most importantly, he established the Irish Culture Collection of approximately 600 books that is housed in the Irish Heritage Room at the East Islip Library.

PSEG Long Island Prepares For The Osprey’s Return

As the osprey breeding season nears, PSEG Long Island has been busy preparing by inspecting known nesting areas and cleaning out debris and garbage in the nest located near the company-installed webcam in Oyster Bay.

Working from bucket trucks, crews recently retrieved manmade garbage, including plastic tape and fishing line, from the osprey nest, helping to ensure the birds and their chicks do not get tangled when the new nesting season begins this spring.

In addition, he is Chairman of the Community Children's Christmas Party and participated in Project Children bringing Catholic and Protestant youngsters from Northern Ireland to the United States during the Summer. His family roots are in County Galway, Ireland. He proudly served as Grand Marshal of the East Islip-John Reilly Memorial St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2012 and was Aide to the Grand Marshal of the NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2005.

“PSEG Long Island’s reliability is in the top 10% of electric utilities nationwide, and our work with conservation partners to support the osprey population is part of the work we do to maintain that reliability,” said Scott Jennings, president and COO of PSEG Long Island. “It’s good environmental stewardship, and protecting these birds from high-voltage equipment also improves reliability for customers.”

Ospreys build their nests on the tallest structure near a body of water. To proactively monitor its

Beach Street Celebrates Newest Inductees Into NJHS

Sixty-two students from Beach Street Middle School in the West Islip Union Free School District were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society during a ceremony held on March 16. The event recognized students for their outstanding achievements in scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship and character.

During the ceremony,

Beach Street Middle School Principal Dr. Anthony Bridgeman congratulated the students on their accomplishments and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence. “What you have already achieved is impressive,” he said. “But even more importantly, we celebrate you for who you are becoming — individuals who lead with integrity,

serve with compassion and pursue excellence with humility.”

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources James Cameron also addressed the students and spoke about the deeper meaning behind the five pillars of the National Junior Honor Society, explaining how they represent qualities that extend far beyond middle school. “Scholarship is your

toolbox,” Cameron said. “It’s not just about grades — it’s about your capacity to learn. The best resources in the world are people who never stop learning.” He also emphasized the importance of character and human connection, reminding students that reputation and integrity matter long before a resume is written. He encouraged students to continue living

by the values that led to their induction.

Following the ceremonial lighting of the candles and the recitation of the National Junior Honor Society pledge, National Junior Honor Society advisors Theresa Robertson and Christopher Scharf called the names of each student to receive their certificate.

The ceremony celebrated

not only the students’ academic achievements but also their commitment to leadership, service and making a positive impact in their school and community. Families and educators joined together to recognize the inductees and the hard work that led them to this important milestone.

Career Week Inspires Next Generation

Students at Paul J. Bellew Elementary School in the West Islip Union Free School District recently explored a wide range of careers during the school’s annual Career Week, where community members visited classrooms to share insights about their professions and answer students’ questions.

Throughout the week, students learned about many different career paths, including a nurse, pilot, judge, lawyer, pastor, veterinary technician, police officer, FDNY EMT, orthopedic physician assistant, speech therapist, acupuncturist, construction manager, finance professional, human resources specialist, and high school physics

teacher.

Students also heard from professionals in fields such as business development for sports and entertainment, advertising sales, theater production and music, automotive service management, sanitation fleet management, and sales and fitness management. Additional presentations highlighted careers in education, baking and agriculture, and public service.

Career Week provided students with a valuable opportunity to learn about the many pathways available to them in the future while hearing firsthand about the education, skills and experiences needed for different professions. The event also helped students see how the lessons they are learning in school connect to realworld careers.

Photos courtesy of West Islip Union Free School District

Photo courtesy of West Islip Union Free School District

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PSEG Long Island Prepares For The Osprey’s Return

utility poles for osprey nests, PSEG Long Island partners closely with Group for the East End, a nonprofit organization that has advocated for the protection and preservation of nature on the East End since 1972. Volunteers with the nonprofit conduct their own surveys of the area and share osprey data with the company, which maintains a team dedicated to mitigating risks and relocating nests safely and in accordance with all regulations protecting the wildlife.

Maintaining the nesting platforms helps PSEG Long Island maintain strong electric service reliability.

hazardous to the birds. Many times, the osprey will gather garbage, such as plastic bags and fishing wire, to build their nests.

According to a 2025 report issued by the Group for the East End, osprey breeding activity has increased over the past 12 years on the East End, with 385 active nests in the summer of 2025 compared with 199 active nests in 2014.

In balancing its commitment to the consistent, safe delivery of power for its customers with its commitment to being a good environmental steward, PSEG Long Island has installed dozens of osprey nesting platforms and protective equipment to deter the returning birds from nesting on electrical equipment, which puts both the raptors and the electrical system in danger.

PSEG Long Island maintains a 24-hour webcam at one of these nesting platforms in Oyster Bay. For more information about osprey and to view a live webcam feed of the Oyster Bay nest, visit psegliny.com/wildlife/ ospreycam.

Fishing lines and strings may wrap around the birds’ feet, preventing them from leaving the nest. Plastic litter is very easy to find, and since the birds live close to humans, plastic is often found in nests.

To learn more about how PSEG Long Island works to protect wildlife, visit psegliny.com/wildlife. Continued From 6

Human garbage is

When ospreys build a nest on electrical equipment, it puts the nest in danger of

catching fire, which can cause significant damage and outages to customers, as well as harm to the osprey. The birds are at high risk of electrocution, as their large wingspan can complete the circuit between closely spaced energized equipment or between an energized wire and a neutral ground wire.

Local Library Resources That Might Surprise You How Reading Builds Young Children’s Vocabulary

Did You Know?

Avid readers may feel there’s nothing better than diving into a good book, but that book might be even more beneficial than they realize, particularly for older book lovers. A study published in the journal Social Science & Medicine noted that reading books can promote empathy, social perception and emotional intelligence, notable benefits that researchers found contributed to a survival advantage. Researchers behind the study noted book readers experienced a 20 percent reduction in risk of mortality over a 12-year followup period than non-book readers. Equally notable among the researchers’ findings was older individuals who read books enjoyed this survival advantage regardless of their gender, overall health, socioeconomic status, or education levels.

Local libraries have a lot to offer. While the chance to borrow a great book free of charge is reason enough to visit a local library, libraries also offer a host of additional resources, some of which might surprise you.

• Museum passes: Some libraries allow residents with library cards to borrow passes for complimentary admission to popular museums and other cultural attractions. Museum entrance fees can be costly, so this benefit can provide ample cost savings, particularly for families with children who might otherwise need to purchase multiple passes for a single visit.

• Park passes: Library cardholders also might be eligible to borrow passes to state or national parks. Parks provide a unique way to experience local culture and the beauty of nature, so this is a benefit worth looking into for those who can’t get enough of the great outdoors.

• Help with forms or registration: Many local libraries offer assistance to local residents looking for help with certain government forms or registrations, including passport applications or renewals. These programs can help residents navigate application processes that can be more complex and confusing than residents may realize.

• Book clubs: Books are arguably the most well-known offering available at local libraries, so it

makes perfect sense that some facilities organize book clubs for local readers. Many host clubs for readers of all ages, and some may even host genre-specific clubs, meaning there might be a club for anyone, whether they’re avid fantasy fans, mystery devotees or students of sci-fi.

• Streaming content: Print books might be a specialty at local libraries, but many also offer cardholders access to movies or television shows via a streaming service like Kanopy. Audiobooks and e-books also may be available to borrow free of charge.

• Professional resources: Volunteers at local libraries may offer their professional services free of charge. Volunteers may be local residents with extensive experience in business who can help young professionals identify opportunities and how to make the most of them or assist established professionals brush up on their résuméwriting skills.

• Board games: If game night is a popular pastime in your household, then you might want to see if your local library allows cardholders to borrow games. Many provide such services, which can help ensure no two game nights are the same.

Local libraries offer books and much, much more, typically at no cost to cardholders.

A study from The Ohio State University found large differences in word exposure based on how often young children are read to. Children whose parents read them five books a day heard about 1.48 million words before kindergarten, compared with just over 4,600 words for children who were never read to. Even daily reading resulted in far fewer words than reading multiple books a day. Beyond vocabulary growth, reading supports children’s communication skills, empathy, literacy, and understanding of the world.

One study also noted the effects that reading to young children can have on the relationship between parent and child. That study, authored by researchers at the University of Wollongong in Australia and Boston University and published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, found that reading to young children supports a strong relationship between parent and child.

APRIL HAPPENINGS

MONTH OF APRIL

9:00AM-11:00AM

TUBER SALE

The Long Island Dahlia Society will hold a tuber sale at the Barn at the Bayard Cutting Arboritum during the month of April on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Various types available. Plant sale will start in May. Further information at LongIslandDahlia.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4th

3:00PM

CONCERT OF SACRED LENTEN MUSIC

A Journey through Lent featuring Kathryn Wilson, soprano soloist Saturday. Grace United Methodist Church, 515 S. Wellwood Avenue in Lindenhurst. For more information, please call 631-226-8690. A free-will offering will be taken.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4th

10:00AM-4:00PM

SUNDAY, APRIL 5th

9:00AM-2:00PM

EASTER PLANT SALE

The Seaford Fire Department will be hosting its annual Easter Plant Sale, at Seaford Fire Department headquarters on the corner of Waverly & Southard Avenues. A wide variety of plants and ﬂowers will be available for purchase (while supplies last). Come early for the best selection. Rain or shine.

SATURDAY, APRIL 11th

10:00am-1:00pm

FRIENDS OF THE LINDENHURST

MEMORIAL LIBRARY

BOOK AND JEWELRY SALE

A preview for current Friends of the Library from 9:00AM-10:00AM. Anyone may sign up for membership at the Sale to take advantage of early access. Located at One Lee Avenue,

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 information, please call 631.226.2636 x275 or send events to editorial@longislandmediagroup.com

Lindenhurst. For more information, please call 631-957-7755

10:00AM-4:00PM

AMVETS LADIES AUXILIARY 18 CRAFT AND VENDOR FAIR

Hosted at AMVETS Post 18, 141 Carleton Avenue in East Islip. Free Admission, rafﬂes, 50/50, Cake sale. For more information, please call 631-277-9842 or 516-885-1410, GCM42@AOL.COM

11:30AM-1:00PM SPRING BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP

The Spring Bereavement Support Group will start on Saturday April 11-June 13. Located at 210 South Wellwood Avenue in Lindenhurst. For more information, please call 631226-7725 x 200

SATURDAY, APRIL 11th

SUNDAY, APRIL 12th

12:00PM-4:00PM ST JAMES MODEL RAILROAD CLUB SPRING OPEN HOUSE

43 years in the making: Once again open to the public. This will be the last show until November. New Drive In Theater, City scene with operating roadway, Freight yard, LIPA Power plant, Working Fire Scene, Two Operating Subways, Lighted vehicles and much more! Train Show is located at 176 Mills Pond Road in St James. For further information call evenings 516-263-9607 or 631-543-8732w

TUESDAY, APRIL 14th

7:00PM

REPUBLIC AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING

7150 Republic Airport, Room 201 in Farmingdale. For information

call 631-752-7707 x6109 or email: contactus@republicairport.net

THURSDAY, APRIL 16th

7:00PM

THE BAY SHORE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING

At the Bay Shore - Brightwaters Public Library, 1 South Country Rd., in Brightwaters. The guest speaker will be Arthur Frischman, Long Island Sign Guy. The meeting is open to the public at no charge. Refreshments will be served. Learn more at: https:// www.bayshorehistoricalsociety.org/ programs-news

SUNDAY, APRIL 19th

10:00AM-4:30PM ALL KIDS FAIR

A full day of amazing exhibitors, activities and classes! At the Hilton Long Island/Huntington (AKA the Huntington Hilton) in Melville! Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Rd, in Melville. Mostly inside but partially outside - including food trucks, petting zoo, and a few other surprises. For more information, visit https://www.allkidsfair.com/

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22nd

7:00PM-9:00PM "THE BATTLE OF LONG ISLAND"

Author Bill Bleyer will discuss "The Battle of Long Island", Long Island's pivotal role in the American Revolution. Learn about the single-day engagement, the British occupation and the resilience of Long Islander's. The program is held at the Islip Public Library, 71 Monell Ave. in Islip. Free and open to the public. For more information, please call 631-559-2915, www. isliphamlethistory.org

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