April 22, 2026 North Babylon

Bringing Comfort To Hospice

Mangano Family Funeral Homes and Family Florist visited the Spangle Drive Senior Center in North Babylon and worked with local residents to create and donate floral arrangements to Good Shepherd Hospice in Port Jefferson and the Mary Ann Tully Hospice Inn in Melville. Pictured: Kim Mangano (center) and the team at Family Florist setting up for a class teaching local residents at Spangle Drive Senior Center in North Babylon about how to create floral arrangements.

Mangano Family Funeral Home And North Babylon Seniors Bring Comfort To Hospice

Mangano Family Funeral Homes and Family Florist visited the Spangle Drive Senior Center in North Babylon and worked with local residents to create and donate floral arrangements to Good Shepherd Hospice in Port Jefferson and the Mary Ann Tully Hospice Inn in Melville.

“Giving back is an important part of who we are, and we’re thankful to be able to provide comfort and bring warmth and

brightness to patient rooms and family spaces during these incredibly difficult moments,” said Sal Mangano, President of Mangano Family Funeral Homes. “Thank you to our dear friends at Spangle Drive Senior Center for rolling up their sleeves and creating beautiful floral arrangements to remind the families they are surrounded by care, compassion and support. Our commitment to serving families in such a

way aligns with hospice’s mission to create an environment filled with dignity, comfort and serenity.”

About Mangano Family Funeral Homes

With more than 115 years in operation as a family-owned business, Mangano Family Funeral Homes provide families and their loved ones with caring and compassionate service in their time of need. To learn more please visit www.manganofh.com.

America’s 250th & Choir’s 50th Celebration Concert

On May 2nd at 7pm, 100+ singers from parishes all over Long Island celebrate our parish choir’s 50th anniversary with Vivaldi’s Gloria and a hymn festival. Join us! Our biggest concert in decades. This is also the 20th spring choir concert for the month of Our Blessed Mother Mary as we close the 10th year of the monthly concert series in memory of the 100th birthday of original parishioner

Nelson Pontillo. Free Will Offering, All Welcome, Just Walk In, Hospitality to Follow. A special acknowledgement goes to our Padre Pio Prayer Group anticipating their Mass for the Saint later in May.

Our Lady of Grace RC Church - 666 Albin Ave. West Babylon, NY 11704 For more information please call the parish office @ 516-587-5185

Saturday, July 18, 2026 12-4PM

Mangano Family Funeral Homes & Family Florist Hosting FREE SHREDDING EVENT

Mangano Family Funeral Homes and Family Florist will host a Free Paper Shredding Event on Sunday, April 26th, from 9:00am to 12:00pm, or until the shredding truck is full. The event will be held at 1701 Deer Park Avenue, Deer Park, NY 11729 and is open to the public.

With identity theft and data security concerns on the rise, this communitydriven initiative provides residents with a simple, safe, secure and environmentally friendly way to dispose of personal documents in real time. All items will be shredded onsite in a professional mobile shredding truck while you watch and then responsibly recycled to help reduce waste.

What You Need to Know:

• Limit: Each individual may bring up to four (4) bags or boxes of documents

• Residential use only. No materials from commercial businesses will be accepted

• Accepted: Only paper documents. Staples and paper clips are permitted.

• Not Accepted: Binders, plastic sleeves, cardboard, electronics, hard drives or other non-paper materials

“Our responsibility to the families we serve goes beyond honoring their loved ones,” said Sal Mangano, President of Mangano Family Funeral Homes. “In today’s world, safeguarding personal information is more important than ever. By hosting this free shredding event, we’re giving our community a simple, secure way to prevent identity theft and gain peace of mind.”

For more information, contact Mangano Family Funeral Home at (631) 5863600.

About Mangano Family Funeral Homes

With more than 115 years in operation as a familyowned business, Mangano Family Funeral Homes provide families and their loved ones with caring and compassionate service in their time of need. To learn more please visit www. manganofh.com.

Tell Us About It!

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Sharp Tax APRIL HAPPENINGS

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 631559-2915, www.isliphamlethistory.org

THURSDAY, APRIL 23rd

7:00PM

"STUMP THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY"

All Welcome to the Wantagh Preservation Society's "Stump the Historical Society" night! Bring your questions, this will make for an educational fun, interactive meeting. As the saying goes, "you're never to old to learn something new." Place: Wantagh Preservation Society Museum, 1700 Wantagh Ave. in Wantagh. Light refreshments will be served. For more information: homebound315@gmail.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 24th

9:30AM-10:30AM

FIRST STEPS INTO NATURE

Little ones will learn about nature through hands on interaction, music, stories, play, and more. Children ages 2-5y. Help Introduce The Wonders Of The Natural World To Your Child. An experienced educator will lead your youngster through hands-on exciting activities, crafts, stories and much more! Children will gain a greater appreciation of

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

nature and wildlife while having fun. Sweetbriar Nature Center - ECSS, 62 Eckernkamp Drive in Smithtown. For more information, please call 631979-6344

SATURDAY, APRIL 25th

Doors open at 5:00PM Tournament starts at 7:00PM TEXAS HOLD’EM POKER TOURNAMENT

The Copiague Fire Department –Vigilant Engine Company is hosting its First Annual Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament, and they're inviting the community to come out and support a great cause. Seats are limited, and early registration is encouraged. All proceeds support the efforts of the Copiague Fire Department and help them to continue serving the community. For more information and registration visit: www. vigilantenginecompany.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 25th

SUNDAY, APRIL 26th

10:00AM-5:00PM

MERRICK SPRING FEST - CRAFT FAIR Free Event. Family Shopping Fun. Merrick Avenue in Merrick. Vendors, Food Trucks, Carnival, Lice Music. For more information, please visit https://nassaucountyfairs.com/

SUNDAY, APRIL 26th

1:00PM-4:00PM

EARTH DAY COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP

The Levittown Community Council presents Earth Day Community Clean-Up (Rain Date: April 27th) Location Meet-Up: Veterans Memorial Park, Hempstead Turnpike & Shelter Lane. Bring your own rakes, brooms, etc. ALL

participants under 14 MUST be accompanied by an adult For more information contact: email: levittowncouncil@yahoo.com facebook: @ levittowncommunity councilinc

Dinner at 2:00pm Play begins at 3:30pm "TWO CENTS"

A STAGED READING AND DINNER

Sgt. John Sardiello American Legion Post 1634, 10 Bruce Street in West Babylon. Written by Long Island playwright Amy Nicole. All proceeds to benefit the Trustee Fund of Sgt. John Sardiello American Legion Post 1634. For additional information, contact: secretary.posf1634@gmail.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 30th

8:00 PM

Doors open at 6:30PM COMEDY NIGHT FUNDRAISER

The Kiwanis Club of Wantagh Comedy Night Fundraiser at Governor's Comedy Club 90 Division Avenue in Levittown. Tickets not sold at the door. Come support a great cause, comedy and wonderful raffle baskets. All proceeds support the Kiwanis Club of Wantagh's community service projects, scholarships and Kamp Kiwanis. For Tickets: contact Debbie Tota: 516.729.0521. Mail checks payable to Wantagh Kiwanis 2868 Lindale Street, Wantagh, NY 11793, www.facebook.com/ photo?fbid =1252757503617537&set =a.444021294491166

Kids Coloring Contest!

Get creative and color the drawing to the best of your ability! Three winners will be chosen - one in each age category: 4-5, 6-7, 8-10.

Winners will receive a 4-pack of tickets to the Long Island Aquarium All entries must be submitted by May 15. Winners will be notified on May 18. One entry per person.

Please mail your submission to:

Long Island Media Group

Attn: Marketing 565 Broadhollow Road Suite 3 Farmingdale, NY 11735

Name: Age: __ Phone Number: Email address: Town:

Hope For The Warriors To Host Free Virtual Career Workshops

Geared for the military community, Hope For The Warriors will present a series of free virtual career workshops with Robert Half, a talent solutions and business consulting firm.

The four-part series begins Thursday, April 23, at 11 a.m. EDT. Led by career coaches from Hope For The Warriors and Robert Half, the onehour interactive workshops are designed for veterans, service members, and military spouses navigating the civilian job market.

Participants will receive guidance on job-search skills, including resume development, interview preparation, networking strategies, and exploring civilian career options during the transition from military service.

The following are the topics of the four-part series:

• Thursday, April 23 – How to Ace the Interview (Without Sounding Scripted): Designed for first-time

interviewees and those returning to the job market after an extended gap, this session focuses on confident communication and effective interview techniques.

• Thursday, July 23  –National Hire a Veteran Day – Employer Spotlight Panel: Employers will discuss the skills they seek in veteran candidates, how veterans can stand out in a competitive job market, and common misconceptions — and how to overcome them.

• Thursday, September 17 – Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) – How to Get Seen: This workshop will explore why applications can disappear into the “black hole” and provide strategies for improving resume visibility within ATS platforms

• Thursday, November 19 – Salary Negotiation

& Compensation

Confidence: Participants will learn how to discuss pay, understand market value, navigate civilian compensation structures and performance reviews, and determine when and how to negotiate.

For the first 15 participants who attend any of the events for its entirety, Robert Half will provide 30day access to its Percipio learning platform. Percipio features thousands of career development resources, including courses on resume writing, interview prep, leadership, Microsoft Office skills, and more. The goal of the self-guided program is to help users sharpen their skills and explore new interests to help take the next step in their career journey.

As a part of Hope For The Warriors’ Warrior’s Compass transition program, the free, virtual career workshop series provides training to

help prepare those in the military landscape for a job search in today’s civilian climate. The workshops offer tools and tips, as well as opportunities to network with other service members, military spouses, and companies committed to hiring those with military backgrounds.

“Service members and veterans bring strong skills to the workforce, but the transition from military service to civilian employment can be challenging for some. These workshops are designed to make that process clearer and more accessible,” said Brian Papakie, director of transition services and life roles for Hope For The Warriors and a retired U.S. Marine.

To register for the free, virtual career workshops, visit hopeforthewarriors.org.

About Hope For The Warriors: Hope For The Warriors (HOPE) is a national leader driving

transformative change for the post-9/11 U.S. military community (including veterans and active-duty service members as well as military caregivers, spouses and family members, and families of the fallen). At HOPE, our mission is to deliver unparalleled services that uplift individuals and their families as they navigate

the complexities of military life. We are committed to fostering resilience and a sense of purpose, ensuring that those who have served our nation will thrive. Together, we forge a strong community that champions courage, commitment, and grit. To learn more or support our mission, visit hopeforthewarriors.org.

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Did You Know?

Weddings are well-known as costly affairs, even for couples who opt for more laid back ceremonies and receptions as opposed to lavish gatherings. Each year, The Knot Real Weddings Study uncovers the latest wedding trends, including those related to fashion, food and, of course, finances. The most recent study found that the average cost of a wedding in 2023 was $35,000. That marks a considerable increase over just a year earlier, when couples spent an average of $30,000 on their weddings. That significant spike in just a 12-month period undoubtedly reflects the effects of inflation, which has led to a notable increase in the costs of many products and services since 2022. If wedding costs are indeed surprising couples as they start to plan their big day, they can consider an approach that many before them have increasingly turned to: wedding planners. According to The Knot, 37 percent of couples hired a wedding planner in 2023, an increase of 7 percent over 2019, when the pandemic had yet to be declared and inflation had not led to such significant price increases. Wedding planners can help couples navigate some costly waters so they can avoid starting their life together with substantial weddingrelated debt.

Arbor Day Events & Activities

Communities across Long Island and the nation will celebrate Arbor Day on Friday, April 24, 2026, with events dedicated to tree planting, environmental education, and the preservation of natural resources.

Arbor Day is an annual observance that encourages individuals and organizations to

plant and care for trees, highlighting their essential role in improving air quality, conserving energy, supporting wildlife, and enhancing community landscapes.

The main Arbor Day event on Long Island in 2026 will be Branches in Bloom: A Spring Festival at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park on

Sunday, April 26, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This free, family-friendly festival will showcase blooming magnolias and cherry trees, along with educational exhibits, guided tours, live music, and activities for all ages.

tree plantings across the county in honor of the milestone celebration.

Additional celebrations include an Arbor Day event at Bayard Cutting Arboretum on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring free, familyfriendly programming centered on the importance of trees and conservation. Suffolk County will also mark the occasion with its “Plant it Forward” initiative, launching April 24 as part of the Suffolk County 250. The initiative introduces a Living Legacy Tree Registry to document

In addition, PSEG Long Island, in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, will promote proper tree planting through customer programs designed to enhance energy efficiency and support reliable service.

Residents are encouraged to take part in local events, plant trees at home, and support conservation efforts throughout their communities. For the most up-to-date event details or to register for activities, visitors should check the official websites of the Planting Fields Foundation and Bayard Cutting Arboretum.

HAPPY EARTH DAY 2026

What we do today shapes tomorrow.

JOANN CILLA

Licensed Real Estate Broker

203 E. Montauk Hwy.

Lindenhurst, NY 11757

Office: 631-539-6000

Cell: 516-429-1911

joann@joanncillarealestate.com www.joanncillarealestate.com

Seven Things You Should Know About Earth Day

Earth Day began in 1970, inspiring 20 million Americans to take action. It was sparked by environmental disasters that demanded change. It led to landmark laws like the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.

Today, it’s celebrated in more than 190 countries.

Over one billion people participate each year.

The date April 22 was chosen to engage students nationwide.

Earth Day efforts have planted hundreds of millions of trees globally.

“The Earth does not belong to us. We belong to the Earth.”