February 11, 2026 Seaford

Black Experiences In The Revolutionary War Lecture At Bethpage State Park

New York State Parks celebrates America’s SemiQuincentennial.

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.

Free Car Care Guide

(NAPSI)—“Unless you are trying to defrost the windshield or warm the interior of your car, idling is not required for today’s vehicles,” explains the non-profit Car Care Council. For a free copy of its Car Care Guide, visit www.carcare.org.

Kidney

Bean

Double Chili

For 4 servings

large poblano chili peppers, seeded, chopped*

cloves garlic, minced

ounces frozen beef flavored crumbles, such as Boca or Beyond Beef brands

tablespoon chili powder, such as ancho or chipotle chili powder by McCormick brand

teaspoons dried Mexican oregano

cup chipotle salsa, preferably Frontera brand

15- or 16-ounce cans no salt added kidney beans, rinsed, drained

medium yellow summer squash or yellow zucchini, cut into 1⁄2- inch chunks (2 cups)

cup reduced fat sour cream 1⁄4 cup chopped cilantro or flat leaf parsley

DIRECTIONS: Cook chili peppers and garlic in a large saucepan coated with cooking spray over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add frozen crumbles, chili powder and oregano and continue to cook 1 minute. Stir in salsa. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook 5 minutes or until chili peppers are tender. Stir in beans and 1 cup water. Stir in squash. Cover and cook until squash is tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt, if desired. Ladle into shallow bowls; top with sour cream and cilantro. *If fresh poblano chili peppers are not available, substitute 1 or 2 jalapeno chilies, minced and seeded, and add 1 large green bell pepper, diced. If chipotle salsa is not available, substitute your favorite salsa and add hot pepper sauce to taste. Ancho or chipotle chili powder will give the dish more heat than regular chili powder. Beef stock may replace the 1 cup water.

STATE UTILITIES

State Utilities is a major oil dealer on Long Island providing heating fuel to residents and businesses in Nassau and Suffolk County; we offer on-line fuel ordering, delivery, and full service heating oil contracts.

State Utilities takes pride in supplying fuel you need to heat your home and/or office to the comfort level you desire. Winter can be long and brutal, and should your burner fail to start it can become a crucial disaster. It is comforting to have full service during this disruption by contacting us by telephone or Email, no matter what the weather outside.

Celebrating 74 years in business, we are grateful to the many generations of loyal customers who have entrusted State Utilities with their interior comfort. Thank you.

SHANE’S ANCHOR REALTY

FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS

THURSDAY, FEB. 12th

10:00AM-2:00PM AFA HEALTH SCREENING

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

Senator Rhoads Honors Local Students At Seaford Community Blood Drive

During his visit, the Senator recognized these students for using their

public health awareness amidst a critical national blood shortage. Senator Rhoads expressed his gratitude to the Seaford Lions Club, community leaders, and volunteers for their collaborative efforts in organizing the drive. By combining student artistry with civic duty, the event highlighted the powerful bond between local government, service organizations, and the student body in the mission to save lives.

2026 Picnic Pavilion Reservations

For Long Island State Parks

Are you interested in renting a picnic pavilion this summer at one of your Long Island State Parks? Reservations will open Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 9:00 AM EST on the New York State Parks Reserve America website or by calling 1-800-456-2267. There are no in-person reservations. All picnic pavilion reservations must be made online or by calling Reserve America directly. Reservable picnic pavilions are located at the following Long Island State Parks for the 2026 season, with the following restrictions:

• Belmont Lake State Park, North Babylon

o No sound systems / DJ’s / amplified sound

o No buses on holidays Memorial Day to Labor Day

o No generators permitted

• Bethpage State Park, Farmingdale

o No electricity

• Heckscher State Park, East Islip

• Hempstead Lake State Park, West Hempstead

o No generators permitted

• Orient Beach State Park, Orient

o No buses on weekends

• Sunken Meadow State Park, Kings Park (Field # 4)

o No pony rides, inflatables, sound systems / DJ’s / amplified sound

• Valley Stream State Park, Valley Stream

o No sound systems / DJ’s / amplified sound

o No buses on weekends and holidays Memorial Day to Labor Day

After you have successfully reserved a pavilion, you can then apply for an add-on permit to enhance your reservation. Applications for add-on permits, which include sound system / DJ’s / amplified sound, pony

rides, buses, inflatables, food trucks, or alcohol, can be found within the 2026 Group Picnic Application. Applications must be received at least 14 days prior to your reservation date.

For additional information, please call the Regional Permit Office at 631-321-3770. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, and welcomes over 88 million visits annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom.

Seaford High School’s current and incoming students were looking to the future during the annual Viking Vision Day on Jan. 30. The theme was “Seaford Scholars: All In.”

Viking Vision Day is a program that aims to accomplish several goals such as providing a reset at the beginning of the second semester, reaffirming the school theme, promoting academic opportunities, connecting students with wellness resources and welcoming the incoming ninth grade.

Freshmen, sophomores and juniors attended a curriculum fair in the gymnasium, where each department showcased its course offerings.

Scheduling for the 20262027 school year begins soon, and this allowed Seaford’s scholars to find out more about elective courses offered in each area. This was supported by Counselor Connection, in which students met with their guidance counselors to discuss goals for their next academic year.

The Seaford Scholars Assembly in the auditorium featured a Family Feud-style game.

Seaford Scholars Envision A Fulfilling Future

In teams of five, students earned points by guessing answers related to the 10 Seaford Scholar traits. The responses, revealed after the audience exclaimed “Survey says…” were based on a poll of National Honor Society members.

Jacy Good and her husband, Steve Johnson, presented “Hang Up and Drive,” a powerful assembly that educated students about the dangers of using their

phones while driving. Ms. Good told the story of a 2008 head-on crash, in which she was partially paralyzed and her parents were killed, because of a man talking on the phone while driving.

Eighth graders from Seaford Middle School visited for Practice Run Day. They toured the building, attended an extracurricular fair and learned about the high school’s academic program.

Pick The Perfect Valentine’s Day Flowers

Valentine’s Day is steeped in tradition. Giving flowers is a popular tradition each February 14, and the National Retail Federation estimates that people spend around $2.6 billion on flowers for Valentine’s Day, when an estimated 250 million stems of flowers are sold globally. Valentine’s Day is the most lucrative day for florists, with the red rose the most popular flower given on this day for lovebirds.

Just because millions of roses are prepared in advance of Valentine’s Day sales doesn’t mean this is the type of flower that one has to choose for a bouquet or arrangement. A surprise bouquet can feature unique blooms. Here are tips to give the perfect bouquet to the person who claims your heart.

• Identify your loved one’s favorite colors and flowers. Understanding your partner’s floral preferences is the first step in choosing a Valentine’s Day arrangement. Some people love bright daffodils, while others like exotic lilies. Pay attention to these likes to select flowers that will delight your partner.

• Select fresh flowers. When buying flowers in person, make sure they

are fresh by gently feeling the part of the petal that meets the stem. If this part is firm, then the flower is fresh.

• Opt for neutral tones. If you’re unsure of which flowers to buy, stick with varietals in white and soft, neutral tones. Bright, high-contrast florals may come off as tacky unless you can guarantee that the person prefers them.

• Keep allergies in mind. Valentine’s Day should be about offering love, not a case of the sniffles. If the person in your life suffers from floral allergies, avoid certain blooms, like sunflowers, chrysanthemums and hyacinths, suggests Funny How Flowers Do That, a United Kingdom-based flower company. Tulips, irises and hydrangea are less likely to cause an allergic reaction.

• Order early. Time is of the essence when getting flowers for Valentine’s Day. Florists may rush or have fewer flowers to work with as Valentine’s Day draws closer. Ordering well in advance means you’ll get your desired arrangement.

Thoughtful Valentine’s gifts

Valentine’s Day brightens up the bleakness of the shortest and most wintry month of the year for the northern part of the globe. Businesses and homes are awash in pink and red each February, with heart-shaped decorations and boxes filling up store aisles. Sending heartfelt sentiments is a large part of celebrating Valentine’s Day, and most people cherish the day for the opportunity to bestow gifts on the ones they love.

The National Retail Federation says more than half of all consumers typically plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day. In 2025, $27.5 billion was spent on the holiday, with consumers continuing to prioritize gifting those closest to them. The NRF reports the top gift categories for Valentine’s Day are candy, flowers, greeting cards, an evening out, and jewelry. Here’s how to make these gifts more thoughtful and endearing.

Candy

Gift givers can select candy that is preferable to their loved one instead of choosing the first box of chocolate they find at the store. Perhaps the person you love likes confections from a boutique candy shop a few towns

over or has a hankering for candy from overseas? Mexico, for example, is known for its Dulce de Leche, while Halva is a dense, sweet treat from the Middle East. Choosing a special candy really sets the gift apart.

Flowers

Flowers are special gifts. Too often, people feel pressured to buy roses on

Valentine’s Day, even if this might not be a special someone’s preferred flower. Choose, instead, a flower that has particular meaning to the person or one that is known to be a favorite. Aster and Baby’s Breath are two blooms known for being symbols of love, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac.

Greeting cards

A handmade card may express warmer sentiments than one picked up at the store, particularly since the former can be customized to the recipient. Include personalized sentiments, inside jokes or memories of time spent together. Craft and hobby stores offer plenty of supplies for paper crafting, so it’s possible to create a lovely greeting card with minimal effort.

A night out

A night out can be tailored to the interests of the couple celebrating. Book a dinner at a restaurant that was the scene of your first date; otherwise, stay in and watch a movie you each love.

Jewelry

Jewelry is a very personal gift. While it may seem like a great idea to surprise a special someone with a bracelet or earrings, if the style is off or the color wrong, the piece may not be worn. Rather, the surprise can be a trip to the jewelry store together to pick out something recipients wear all the time. Gifts that fit the interests, personality and memories of a couple can be especially meaningful on Valentine’s Day.

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Councilman Hand Invites Residents To Apply For Picnic Permits Online

Oyster Bay Town Councilman Tom Hand announced that residents can apply for picnic permits at all Town parks with picnic facilities online by visiting www.oysterbaytown.com/ picnic. Reservations are available for picnic space at Marjorie R. Post Community Park in Massapequa, Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park and Beach in Oyster Bay, Harry Tappen Beach and Marina in Glenwood Landing, SyossetWoodbury Community Park, and Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park.

“Our beautiful Town Parks are the perfect location for a family, school, or community group outing set in the great outdoors. Each location, from Roosevelt Beach in Oyster Bay to Marjorie Post Park in Massapequa, offers something unique for residents to enjoy,”

Councilman Hand said. “We’ve also streamlined the process for residents to apply for a picnic permit, helping to increase convenience and accessibility.”

Picnic Permits are required for groups of 25 or more at all Town of Oyster Bay picnic pavilion locations and include exclusive use of the permitted area from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the reservation date. Some locations are covered, have access to water, and permit barbequing.

To view picnic availability, residents can visit www. oysterbaytown.com/picnic and filter their preferred date, facility, specific location, and features using the page menu. Those who don’t have a pre-existing account can create one on the same page and apply for the reservation. It is recommended that residents reserve their picnic pavilion early as spaces fill up quickly for the season. For more information on Town of Oyster Bay picnic permits, call (516) 797-4139.

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Score The Best DealsThis Presidents’ Day

After the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was passed, Washington’s Birthday was combined with the celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (February 12) to commemorate these two iconic figures in American history. The day also has become a way to promote retail sales during a historically slow time of year for retailers. As a result, the holiday is now celebrated each year on the third Monday of the month, and is now called Presidents’ Day. It also now pays homage to all American presidents.

Presidents’ Day is an ideal time to get great deals on any number of items, as many key products tend to go on sale this time of year.

• Furniture: Furniture discounts peak in January and during the three-day Presidents’ Day holiday. This is prime time to grab a new sofa, dining set or any other pieces of furniture needed for the home.

• Large appliances: Appliances also are on sale this time of year. Buyers can get discounts on new refrigerators, washing machines or even stoves.

• Home goods: Rounding out the list of deals for home goods, bed linens, towels and kitchenware are often available at steep discounts around Presidents’ Day.

• Winter clothing: Retailers already have started putting out their spring lines and items as they plan ahead for warmer weather. Grab heavily discounted winter gear, especially coats and boots, before it’s all gone.

• Mattresses: Presidents’ Day weekend is an excellent opportunity to try out various mattresses and replace old ones with more comfortable models, according to Consumer Reports.

• Tech: Shoppers may be able to snag discounts on items like televisions, accessories to use with cell phones, computers, and more.

Presidents’ Day is an opportunity to study and celebrate American history, and it also offers a chance to benefit from great deals on many items for the home and more.