It’s not every day that children get to meet a published author or a Major League Baseball player, but fifth graders at McKenna Elementary School in the Massapequa School District had the pleasure of connecting with both. Author Angela O’Hoppe and Major League Baseball player Logan O’Hoppe visited McKenna Elementary School on Feb. 4 for a reading of Ms. O’Hoppe’s book, “If You Choose to Believe Them,” to fifth graders. Photo courtesy of the Massapequa School District
Introducing the most advanced, state-of-the-art health care experience the South Shore has ever seen. To
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.
Town Clerk LaMarca
Announces Special Commuter Parking Sticker Weekends
To help residents looking to renew their LIRR parking stickers, Oyster Bay Town Clerk Richard LaMarca announced that his office will offer two special Commuter Parking Sticker Weekends on Saturday, February 28th and Sunday, March 1st, and Saturday, March 21st and Sunday, March 22nd from
9am to 3pm at both Town Hall North in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South in Massapequa.
Residents are required to bring:
A copy of the current vehicle registration (New York State plates only)
Proof of residency such as a copy of a current home
telephone, utility bill (PSEG, water, cable, etc.), W-2 or paystub.
“Residents looking to renew their LIRR parking stickers are invited to visit either Town Hall locations during these two special Commuter Parking Sticker Weekends,” said Town Clerk LaMarca. “Please take advantage of these convenient weekend hours before your parking sticker expires on March 31st.”
Town Clerk LaMarca has offices located at Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road in Massapequa. Commuter parking stickers are also processed daily, Monday through Friday, 9am to 4:45pm at both Town Hall locations. For more information, please call the Town Clerk’s Office at (516) 624-6332.
New York State Assemblyman Michael Durso announced that the New York Conference of Italian American State Legislators is now accepting applications for academic and athletic scholarships with an award amount of $3,000 each.
Scholarships are available to residents of the 9th Assembly District who are current college students or high school seniors entering college. Applicants do not need to be of Italian American heritage to apply. Students can access and
Tell Us About It!
Let us know about your honors, awards, promotions and other announcements. They are always welcome. Photos can be emailed as well. Send them to editorial@ longislandmediagroup.com.
complete the application by visiting: https://www.nyiacsl. org/apply-for-scholarshipform
The application deadline is Monday, March 16, 2026.
“This is an excellent opportunity for high school seniors and college students in the 9th Assembly District who have worked hard, distinguished themselves from their peers and intend to pursue higher education,” said Assemblyman Durso.
“With college costs on the rise, these scholarships can help reduce the financial burden for so many young
people and their families. I encourage eligible students in my district to apply.”
The New York Conference of Italian American State Legislators is a bipartisan organization of state Assembly and Senate members who actively promote and celebrate the state’s Italian American community. For additional information, or to inquire if the student lives in the 9th Assembly District, please call Assemblyman Durso’s office at 516-541-4598.
NY 11783
Visit One of Our Convenient Locations:
Bayshore: 180 East Main Street, 1st Floor
Babylon: 400 West Main Street, Suite 106
Bethpage: 4070 Hempstead Turnpike
New York State Park Police Open Applications For The New Year
The New York State Park Police recently opened applications for park police officers for the state park system which will be accepted until Feb. 18, 2026.
The New York State Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation requires candidates to be at least 20 years of age at the time of hire and must not have passed their 43rd birthday as of Oct. 1, 2026. Candidates are also asked to have education and experience including 60 college semester credit hours completed by June 30, 2026; military service; or municipal police training. Learn more at parks.ny.gov/ about/park-police/park-
policenew-applicants.
“With updated guidelines and requirements, we are proud to welcome a new generation of park police candidates,” State Parks Acting Commissioner, Kathy Moser, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. “Our park police officers play a vital role in protecting the people, places and experiences that make our state park system so special. As visitation continues to grow, we are seeking dedicated individuals who are committed to public service and to ensuring our parks remain safe and welcoming for everyone.”
New recruits will receive hands-on field work and classroom education in the following: criminal procedure law, penal law, vehicle and traffic law, park and recreation law, and criminal investigations. They’re also offered training in firearms, first response, snowmobile operation, ATV operation, emergency vehicle operation, along with many other law enforcement-related topics and skills.
Visit https://parks. ny.gov/park-police for more information regarding the application process, agility test and written exam.
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
WINTER BIRD WALK: FAMILY PROGRAM
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
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.
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
SATURDAY, FEB. 21st
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.
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.
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
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.
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
Classifieds
CHAPERONES WANTED
To Supervise Pre-School Age Group At The S.A.F.E. After School Childcare Program Located at Santapogue Elementary School in West Babylon. Hours Are 2:30pm
THE power of CLAS SIFIED!
to assist you.
10% Military Discount/Senior Discount Lic./Ins.#16739H.I #H18B4 3900000
Black Experiences In The Revolutionary War Lecture At Bethpage State Park
New York State Parks celebrates America’s Semi-Quincentennial.
On Sunday, February 22nd, the New York State Parks’ Interpreter for African American History will present a special lecture program called “Black Experiences in the Revolutionary War”. The program will be held from 1:30 – 3:00pm at Bethpage State Park’s Heritage Club in the Lenox Room.
Program Description: The Revolutionary War was more than battles. It was about people. Those saying no to England also said they did not want to be treated like slaves. Yet, many of them in New York, from the elite class down to tenant farmers were enslavers. Blacks became soldiers for both sides. Black women and children were both laborers and refugees. This program takes a look at the Black faces of the war, people who traditionally have been left out of the story. Presented by Lavada Nahon, Interpreter of African American.
Reservations are required. To register, please visit Eventbrite.com and search by program title or #NatureEdventure. For questions, please call (631) 581-1072.
Did You Know?
Parents who want to encourage their children to volunteer may find their efforts at doing so are more convincing if they volunteer themselves. A study published in the Journal of Adolescence examined the effects that parents who volunteer and talk about volunteering have on children. Researchers found that the children of volunteers were 27 percent more likely to volunteer than children whose parents did not volunteer. In addition, adolescents were 47 percent more likely to volunteer when their parents volunteered and talked about volunteering with their children.
CALL NE IGHBOR NE WS PAPERS to place your classified ad. 631-226-2636, Ex t. 276
TO pl ace an ad in the CLASSIFIED se ctio n, call 631-226-2636, press “2”. A sales representative will be happy to assist you.
TO pl ace an ad in the CLASSIFIED se ctio n, call 631-226-2636, press “2”.
A sales representative will be happy to assist you.
TO pl ace an ad in the CLASSIFIED se ctio n, call 631-226-2636, press “2”.
A sales representative will be happy to assist you.
Lockhart’s Young Thespians Are Off To See The Wizard
Take a journey from Massapequa to Kansas to the Land of Oz as fourth and fifth graders from Lockhart Elementary School present “The Wizard of Oz.” The annual Spotlight musical production features 66 student-actors in a trio of shows on Feb. 11 and 12.
Lead actors include
Charlotte Wu as Dorothy, Emily Considine as the Scarecrow, Samil Saygili as the Tin Man, Vivian D’Alto as the Cowardly Lion and Emily Utkin as Toto. Jack D’Alto and Matthew Roth will alternate as the Wizard and Professor Marvel and Alex Brostoff and Lilianna Buckley will each take a
turn as Almira Gulch and the Wicked Witch of the West. Sofia Katimisky portrays Glinda, the Good Witch.
The show will feature several well-known songs such as “Follow the Yellow Brick Road,” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “We’re Off to See the
Wizard.” Director Kathleen Dyckman said the children are very excited about the show because many of them are familiar with “Wicked,” a “Wizard of Oz” prequel.
“It’s nice to do a classic,” Ms. Dyckman said. “The cast is working very hard and our dancers are incredible.”
Rehearsals have been taking place twice a week since October. Ms. Dyckman is supported by assistants Jacqueline Spinelli and Allison Virgilio, as well as student dance captains Valentina Blandino and Vivian Mirro. Theater students from Berner Middle School and
Massapequa High School are also helping out and several fourth and fifth graders not in the cast are working the stage crew. There will be a schoolday performance for Lockhart students on Feb. 11, followed by 4:30 and 7 p.m. shows for families on Feb. 12. Tickets are $10.
More than 60 fourth and fifth graders from Lockhart Elementary School will perform “The Wizard of Oz” on Feb. 11 and 12.
DON’T GAMBLE WITH YOUR LARGEST INVESTMENT ... SEE WHAT YOUR NEIGHBORS ARE SAYING!
“5 for 5 successful transactions thanks to this dream team! In the past few years, Michele and Mark have helped my family buy and sell five properties and each time they make the process as smooth and easy as it gets. For the homes we sold, knowing the market inside and out, they suggested selling prices beyond our expectations and sure enough, they got them! We couldn’t be more satisfied with this knowledgeable and experienced team that consistently goes above and beyond !” ... KZ Maddox
“During our first meeting with Michele we knew immediately she was the person we wanted to help sell our home of 36 years. Every detail of the process was clearly explained to us and executed exactly as proposed. Michele helped us carefully review our offers and pointed out the positives and negatives of each one. In the end we got a terrific price for our home and we were very happy. We highly recommend Michele for her professionalism and many years of real estate knowledge.” ... Andrew & Sheryl Engel
Seaford | LIST PRICE $247,000... Attention Builders & Boaters! Waterfront Land + Adjacent Island! A Rare Opportunity! Build In Prime Cul-De-Sac!
Massapequa | 3 BR, 1 Bath
$790,000 Nassau Shores Beautiful Ranch Renovated In 2024 On 90x100 Property With Beautiful New Kitchen!
