KIWANIS CLUB OF COPIAGUE WELCOMES KAMP KIWANIS STUDENTS - The Kiwanis Club of Copiague had the pleasure of meeting with students who attended Kamp Kiwanis. Unfortunately, one student was unable to attend due to the flu, but members enjoyed hearing from Jeyana about her activities and experiences at camp. Pictured from left are Phil, Ken, Carol, Christine, Jodie, Jeyana, Carlos, Jeamoure, Lori, and Tony. It was a great night!
Amityville Memorial High School recently hosted a successful career fair for seniors, providing them with the opportunity to explore a wide range of career paths and engage directly with professionals from various companies and organizations.
Throughout the day, students met with career professionals in the school’s gymnasium, auditorium and lunchroom. Each professional hosted an individual station where they shared their expertise, discussed career experiences, and answered students’ questions about their respective fields.
The event featured a diverse group of professionals, allowing students to gain exposure to numerous career options and better understand the possibilities available to them after graduation. By interacting oneon-one with industry representatives, students were able to make meaningful connections and gain insight into future educational and career pathways.
The National External Diploma Program offers adults 21 and over, the opportunity to receive credit for their life experiences, and earn a high school equivalency diploma without the challenge of taking lengthy timed examinations. NEDP, is a competency based program for students who are unable to attend classes or who prefer to work at home. Successful candidates for NEDP include former ESL students, students who have been out of school for prolonged periods of time, or students who fare better without the structure of tests. This program is an alternative to other programs.
Anyone interested should call Western Suffolk BOCES to meet with a counselor. Call 667-6000, Ext. 327 to register.
This is the new Good Samaritan University Hospital.
Introducing the most advanced, state-of-the-art health care experience the South Shore has ever seen.
Here at Good Samaritan University Hospital, “better” isn’t a finish line. It’s a starting point. A new beginning. A symbol of transformation our community deserves. And while our Patient Care Pavilion will feature an all-new, expanded emergency department, technologically advanced operating rooms, reimagined private patient rooms, and enhanced Trauma and Stroke centers, we know that better care isn’t just about the building. It’s about the people inside, and the hands that heal. Because better is something we live every day. And it never stops.
To
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), Babylon Town Clerk Gerry Compitello, and Suffolk County District Attorney
Raymond Tierney will host a free senior scam prevention program on Wednesday, February 25, at 10 a.m. at the AFA Barbara Rabinowitz
Education & Resource Center in Amityville. The program, Preventing the Financial Exploitation of Seniors, will educate attendees on common scams, warning signs, steps to protect against fraud and identity theft, and how to respond if victimized. According to the FBI, seniors lose an estimated $3 billion annually to scams, often because they are viewed as trusting and financially stable.
AFA President and CEO Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. praised the partnership for empowering seniors with knowledge and awareness. District Attorney Tierney and Town Clerk Compitello emphasized the importance of education in protecting seniors from increasingly sophisticated scams. Advance registration is required. For more information or to register, call 631-223-4000.
At
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• No Upfront Filing Fees
• Easy Advance Loans
• Same Day Tax Prep
• Secure Virtual Filing Options
• Audit Protection
THURSDAY, FEB. 12th
10:00AM-2:00PM AFA HEALTH SCREENING DAY
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is inviting Long Islanders to get free health screenings. The event takes place at the AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education and Resource Center, 149 Schleigel Boulevard in Amityville. Open to the public and free of charge. First-come, first-served basis; no appointments required. For more information, contact the AFA Barbara Rabinowitz Education & Resource Center at 631-223-4000
FRIDAY, FEB. 13th, and SATURDAY, FEB. 14th
Friday 7:30AM, Saturday 1:30PM
VALENTINE’S CABARET DINNER & SHOW
Celebrate St. James, in partnership with the director and cast of Lighthouse Repertory Theater, is presenting a special Valentine’s Cabaret fundraiser. The talented cast is generously donating their time and talent to support the restoration of the historic Calderone Theatre. Performances will be held at Celebrate St. James, located in the historic Calderone Theatre at 176 Second Street in St. James. All proceeds support ongoing theatre restoration efforts. For tickets and more information, please visit www. celebratestjames.org.
THURSDAY, FEB. 19th
10:00AM-12:00PM
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
WINTER BIRD WALK: FAMILY PROGRAM
2026 Robert Moses State Park in Babylon, Winter Environmental Event Winter on the beach is one of the best birding times of the year! Dress for the weather and we will be walking on sand. Bring binoculars. Reservations required: Visit Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure. If you are unable to keep your reservation, please call or cancel so others may have the opportunity to attend.
SATURDAY, FEB. 21st
1:00PM–4:00pm HOLIDAY CHEER BUS AWARDS CEREMONY KiDS NEED MoRE will host its Holiday Cheer Bus Awards Ceremony to celebrate the volunteers, fundraisers, donors, sponsors, and community partners who made the holiday season possible. The event honors the “elves” behind the scenes who helped spread cheer to children and families across Long Island. Carney’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, 136 Broadway in Amityville. For more information, visit kidsneedmore.org.
7:00PM-11:00PM
DANCE TO THE OLDIES
Will be held at the Wade-Burns VFW 7279, 560 N. Delaware Avenue in Lindenhurst. Tickets $40.00 pp includes: Hero sandwich, Macaroni and Potato salad, Tap beer, House Wine, Soda, coffee, Tea, Dessert.
Music by DJ Ralph. Call Dot Kelly at 631-957-6574 for ticket availability. Must be 18 or older to attend.
SUNDAY, FEB. 22nd
1:30PM–3:00pm
BLACK EXPERIENCES IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR LECTURE
The New York State Parks’ Interpreter for African American History will present a special lecture program called “Black Experiences in the Revolutionary War” at Bethpage State Park’s Heritage Club in the Lenox Room. Reservations are required. To register, please visit Eventbrite.com and search by program title or #NatureEdventure. For questions, please call 631-581-1072
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 25th
7:00PM
BOY BAND & POP DIVA MUSIC BINGO 317 Main Street in Farmingdale. All winners will receive a prize! Reserve your spot now and purchase your ticket! 21+ / Limited menu available during the event. For more information, please call 631-9214670
THRU SAT. FEB. 28th 11:00AM-4:00PM HIDDEN HEARTS SCAVENGER HUNT At The Whaling Museum & Education Center, 301 Main St. in Cold Spring Harbor. Find the hidden hearts and snag a prize! Free Event. For more information, please call 631-367-3418
Fourth and fifth grade students in Patty’s Newman’s STEM classes in the Copiague School District put their problem-solving skills to work during a handson project focused on
empathy, innovation and design. As part of the STEM project, the fourth and fifth graders researched fidget devices and how they can support learners with special needs by providing
sensory input that helps with focus and regulation.
Using the engineering design process, students planned and created their own fidget prototypes designed to meet a specific sensory need.
Over several weeks, they brainstormed ideas, selected materials, built models, tested their designs and made improvements based on their results.
The project concluded
with students sharing and explaining their fidget prototypes to classmates, highlighting the features they included and how their designs could be helpful in a classroom setting.
Through this experience, students strengthened their understanding of engineering principles while developing creativity, collaboration and compassion for others’ needs.
Fourth and fifth grade students in Patty Newman’s STEM classes designed their own fidgets as part of a recent engineering project. Photos courtesy of Copiague School District
Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally, and backwords.
More than two decades after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the toll of that day continues to grow.
At Overlook Beach, the Town of Babylon and the Town of Babylon Fire Chiefs Association are planning a new post-9/11 memorial to honor town residents who later died from illnesses linked to toxic exposure at Ground Zero.
The memorial will recognize that deaths from 9/11-related illnesses have now surpassed those killed on the day of the attacks, with experts warning that thousands more may be diagnosed in the coming decades.
“Unfortunately, we believe these illnesses could continue for the next 25 to 30 years,” said Thomas Richardson, a Deer Park resident, former FDNY chief of department, and member of the Town of Babylon Fire Chiefs Association.
Planning is being led by the Chiefs Association, whose members bring decades of service and firsthand experience with the long-term effects of 9/11.
“This is really a team effort,” said Town of Babylon Councilman Terence McSweeney. “The Chiefs Association has led the way, with support from Deputy Supervisor and Councilman Tony Martinez and our DPW staff.”
McSweeney said the memorial is meant to reassure families that their loved ones have not been forgotten and to formally acknowledge the lasting human cost of 9/11.
“This is how the town reflects the nation’s gratitude to those who spent countless hours at the site,” he said. “It will give families a place to mourn, reflect, and find support.”
The post-9/11 memorial will be built alongside Babylon’s existing 9/11 memorial, completed in
2005, which honors the 48 town residents killed in the attacks. Families and Chiefs Association leaders urged a unified design so all sacrifices are recognized in one space.
As a result, the new memorial will mirror the original design, with completion targeted for Sept. 11, 2026. Funding will come through the town’s capital improvements budget.
McSweeney, an FDNY firefighter for more than 22 years, said the memorial also serves an educational purpose.
“If we don’t keep teaching what really happened and its long-term effects, history has a way of repeating itself,” he said.
While some memorials nationwide now include post-9/11 deaths, Babylon’s dedication is believed to be among the first on Long Island created specifically for town residents who later died from 9/11-related illnesses.
The memorial will honor not only first responders, but anyone who worked at the World Trade Center site and later died from exposure-related conditions recognized by the World Trade Center Health Program under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
For town leaders and the Chiefs Association, the memorial ensures that sacrifice is recognized not just on one day in history, but for generations to come.
Babylon Town Post9/11 Memorial Eligibility Requirements:
• Must have been a Babylon Town resident at some point during the rescue and recovery period
• Must have been registered with the WTC Health Program or diagnosed with a
certified 9/11-related illness
• Must have passed away
as a direct result of that certified illness For more information
or to apply, contact Councilman Terence McSweeney’s office at
gmontes@townofbabylon ny.gov or 631-957-3081.
VITA
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provided by Bethpage Federal Credit Union will be conducted virtually for the 2026 tax season. Services will be available to taxpayers who meet the necessary criteria by visiting lovebethpage. com/vita and completing the Bethpage Virtual VITA Application. The application will be available February 1 and space is limited. Appointments run through the first week in April.
AARP Tax Assistance
Tuesdays, through April 7 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
IRS-certified AARP Tax-Aide volunteers will be at the library to assist individuals with low to moderate income in preparing and filing their tax returns. You must pick up a tax information packet at the Information Desk after making your appointment to see what documents you must bring. For joint returns, both spouses must be present with their own photo ID and Social Security card. Please call for an appointment. Registration is required.
Early-Stage Dementia Support Groups
Tuesdays, February 17, 24 March 3, 10 1:00 - 2:00 PM
This support group is for people in the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease/dementia and offers activities and discussions that will encourage social engagement, disease education, and a supportive environment. A group for the caregivers will be held at the same time. For more information and to register, please call 1-800-272-3900. Registration is required.
Some love stories begin with flowers. Others start with chocolate. But the ones that last a lifetime? They begin at home.
In our communities, love lives in the everyday moments...
Saturday mornings around town, summer nights by the water, kids riding bikes down familiar streets, holiday dinners that turn into traditions, and neighbors who become lifelong friends.
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
Valentine’s Day!
A house is four walls and a roof. A home is where first steps are taken. Where birthdays are celebrated. Where memories are made year after year.
This Valentine’s Day, we celebrate love in all its forms. Love for your family. Love for your community. Love for the place you call home. Because when you love where you live, everything else just feels right.
