February 18, 2026 North Massapequa

“Business First has saved us nearly $3,200.”*

—Lisa Basini, Baking Coach, Bellport

Lisa’s passion is baking. Opening a store was a big step—one she made with support from PSEG Long Island. She earned incentives for choosing a vacant space that reduced her monthly energy costs. Now, her thriving business has made life a little sweeter for all of us.

Reduce your energy costs. Get a free business energy assessment. psegliny.com/businessassessment

*Incentives, grants, and rebates will vary with every project.

Free Concerts At Local Libraries This February

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino announced today that the Distinguished Artists Concert Series will continue with free performances at local libraries throughout the Town.

“The Distinguished Artists Concert Series provides free musical and dance programs for the enjoyment of our residents,” said Supervisor Saladino. “I encourage residents to take advantage of these wonderful performances offered by the Town for free

at local libraries.”

Scheduled performances for February include:

• Art Lillard & The Blue Heaven Swing Sextet on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 2:00 pm at the Massapequa Public Library – The group plays a variety of swing standards and no-sostandard swing and blues numbers, written by such luminaries as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, and Lester Young.

• Pure Joy with Paige Patterson on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 2:00 pm at the Hicksville Public Library – Musical therapy for the soul! A feel-good mix of bestloved songs from Sinatra to Santana, Bon Jovi to Broadway.

• The Little Big Band on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 4:00 pm at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library – The Little Big Band pays homage to the elegant and awe-inspiring bands

of the ‘30s, ‘40s, ‘50s, and beyond. Open to all. Free Tickets required. For more information, contact the library at (516) 938-0077.

The Distinguished Artists Concert Series is sponsored by the Cultural and Performing Arts (CAPA) Division of the Town of Oyster Bay’s Department of Community & Youth Services. For the full concert schedule and further information, please call (516) 797-7900 or visit www. oysterbaytown.com/CAPA.

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 picnic permits, call (516) 797-4139.

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Examples of qualifying experiences include caring for or supporting a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related illness, volunteering or working in a dementia care setting, raising awareness in school or the community, or conducting Alzheimer’srelated research.

The scholarships are funded through the generous support of charitable donors. To support this and other AFA programs, visit www. alzfdn.org/donate or call 866-232-8484.

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FEBRUARY HAPPENINGS

THURSDAY, FEB. 19th

10:00AM-12:00PM

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

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

sandwich, Macaroni and Potato salad, Tap beer, House Wine, Soda, coffee, Tea, Dessert. Music by DJ Ralph. Call Dot Kelly at 631-9576574 for ticket availability. Must be 18 or older to attend.

SUNDAY, FEB. 22nd

9:00AM–12:00pm

33rd ANNUAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST

The Mayor's Beautification Society of Lindenhurst is hosting their annual pancake breakfast at Fireman's Pavilion, 555 Heiling Blvd. Enjoy breakfast, lots of raffles and 50/50. Adults $12 and Seniors (60+) / Children (under 12) $10. Breakfast served until 11:00AM followed by raffle drawings. Purchase at door or email: LINDENHURSTMBS@GMAIL.COM

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 631-921-4670

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

SATURDAY, FEB. 28th

2:00PM

MEGA MAGIC WITH MIKE D’URZO Award-winning magician and mentalist. Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood. The Theatres at Suffolk County Community College, in partnership with the Lively Arts Series, announce the Spring 2026 Season, featuring a dynamic lineup of performances presented at the Michael J. Grant and Ammerman campuses. Tickets and information available at sunysuffolk.edu/spotlight or by calling: Michael J. Grant Campus, Brentwood: 631-8516589, Ammerman Campus, Selden: 631-451-4163

GENESIS FUEL OIL

Berner Keeps The Ball Moving In The Fight Against Hunger

As the annual Souper Bowl food drive came to an end on Feb. 6 at Berner Middle School in the Massapequa School District, the preferred team was obvious. The boxes for the Seattle Seahawks were filled significantly higher with donations of nonperishable goods than the boxes for the New England Patriots.

The annual charitable drive, organized by the Chiefs Challenge Club, was again a success with hundreds of items donated over the seven-day drive. The school community contributed a variety of food

such as canned vegetables, cereal, pasta, rice and soup. All donations will be given to the Harry Chapin Food Bank at Long Island Cares.

As food was brought in each morning, students and staff could place the items in a box representing the team they expected, or wanted, to win the Super Bowl. Chiefs Challenge members helped promote the drive by making posters to hang around the school and sharing facts about hunger on Long Island during the morning announcements.

Advisers Caroline Glynn and Juliette Happe said that

Long Island Cares provided the boxes and also would pick up the donations at the end of the drive. They noted that all of the food benefits local families.

“It’s really good that we’re helping people who need it,” said seventh grader Michael Despagno, the Chiefs Challenge treasurer. “It’s really awesome how people showed they care and donated a lot of food.”

This year, the Birch Lane Elementary School PTA also joined in, and boxes were placed there for donations.

East Lake Authors Are Biography Buddies

Fifth graders may be working on individual research papers, but the writing process is a team effort in Grace Falcon’s class at East Lake Elementary School in the Massapequa School District.

For the biography writing project, which is part of a nonfiction unit, each student selected a famous person to research. Their subjects include artists, athletes, presidents and more. They used books from the library

and online sources to learn about each person’s biographical information, early life, accomplishments and contributions to society.

After completing their rough drafts, the young authors are revising their stories. Recently, students shared their revisions with classmates to get constructive feedback to use as they continue through the editing process. Another round of peer editing will take place before fifth

graders publish.

Ms. Falcon said that students are encouraged to elevate their writing through expert words and context clues. They will write their finals versions in Google Docs and design covers in Canva that will feature a caricature of each person in a setting that reflects his or her life. When finished, they will share their stories with their first grade buddies.

LONG ISLAND MEDIA GROUP

Long Island State Parks Celebrate Black History Month

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is pleased to announce the celebration of Black History Month at Long Island State Parks. This month-long celebration highlights some of America’s notable African Americans and their accomplishments through informative displays and programs. 2026 serves as an important milestone in black history as the ASALH (The Founders of Black History Month) celebrate “A Century of Black History Commemorations”, highlighting 100 years since the founding of Black History Month. You're to visit to learn more about some notable African Americans and their impact on American history and culture.

Informational Displays throughout the month of February will be at these Long Island State Park locations:

o Hempstead Lake State Park, Environmental Education and Resiliency Center, West Hempstead. Open daily 9am – 3:30pm, for information call

516-766-1029

o Jones Beach State Park, Administration Building, Wantagh. Open daily 7:00am – 4:30pm, for information call 516785-1600

o LI State Parks Regional Headquarters Lobby, West Babylon. Open Monday through Friday 10am – 4pm,

for information call 631-321-3510

o Planting Fields Arboretum Hoffman Conference Center, Oyster Bay. Open daily 10am – 4pm, for information call 516922-8600

o Nissequogue River State Park – Charles & Helen Reichert Administration

Building, Kings Park. Open daily 8am – 4pm, for more information call 631-269-4927

o Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center-West End 2, Wantagh. Open daily 9am - 4:30pm, for information call 516809-8222

The Long Island State Parks Environmental Education department and

the Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center will also host special programming at the following parks:

o Hempstead Lake State Park, Environmental Education & Resiliency Center, West Hempstead. Art in the Park: Charles McGee – Saturday, February 21st 11:00am – 12:30pm

o Bethpage State Park, The Heritage Club (Lenox Room), Bethpage. Black Experiences in the Revolutionary War with guest speaker Lavada Nahon, Sunday February 22nd. 11:00am – 12:30pm

o Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center - West End 2, Wantagh. Black History in Exploration (All ages) – Saturday, February 28th 2:00pm – 3:00pm Please visit www. jonesbeachenc.org/ programs and www. eventbrite.com/o/nys-parkslong-island-environmentaleducation-33908178297 for information on how to sign up for programs.

41st Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Black History Month Commemorative Celebration

The Eta Theta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will host its 41st Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Black History Month Commemorative Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, at The Heritage Club at Bethpage in Farmingdale, New York. For more than four decades, this signature event has brought together civic leaders, educators, faith leaders, nonprofit partners, and community advocates to honor the enduring legacy of Dr. King while advancing Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s

commitment to service, justice, and educational opportunity across Long Island.

Distinguished 2026 Honorees

This year’s celebration will recognize five leaders whose work reflects excellence in public service, education, and community impact:

Raphael G. Warnock, United States Senator and Senior Pastor, Ebenezer Baptist Church

Marc H. Morial, President & CEO, National Urban League; Former Mayor of New Orleans

Janeene Balmir, Senior

Vice President, Global League Finance, National Basketball Association

Michaelle C. Solages, New York State Assembly, District 22

Dr. Monique DarrisawAkil, Superintendent, Uniondale Union Free School District

45 Years of Expanding Access Through the HBCU College Tour

The 2026 program will also commemorate the 45th anniversary of the Eta Theta Lambda Chapter’s HBCU College Tour, one of the chapter’s longest-running signature initiatives. For more

than four decades, the tour has introduced generations of Long Island students—primarily African American and Latino—to the academic, cultural, and leadership opportunities available at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, helping expand college awareness, aspiration, and access.

“For more than 40 years, this celebration has served as both a tribute to Dr. King’s legacy and a call to action,” said Kendall Richards, Ph.D., president of the Eta Theta Lambda Chapter. “By honoring leaders who embody service

Notable Firsts For Black Americans

and justice and investing in scholarships and youthfocused initiatives, we reaffirm our responsibility to uplift communities and help prepare the next generation of leaders.”

Community Impact

Proceeds from the event support the Eta Theta Lambda Chapter’s scholarship fund, HBCU college tour, youth mentoring initiatives, leadership development programs, and community outreach efforts serving students, families, and communities across Nassau and Suffolk counties.

The United States has been shaped by its diverse population, including many Black Americans whose trailblazing achievements created lasting change and expanded opportunity for future generations. Among them are Jackie Robinson, who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier; Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first to seek a majorparty presidential nomination; Hattie McDaniel, the first Black Academy Award winner; Benjamin O. Davis Sr., the first Black U.S. Army general; and Barack Obama, the nation’s first Black president. Obama’s historic terms may have helped pave the way for the vice presidency of Kamala Harris, who became the first Black American and first Asian American vice president in 2021. Their legacies continue to influence the nation and inspire Americans of all backgrounds.

THE ARGYLE THEATRE Announces Full Cast For Upcoming Production Of NEWSIES Director TOMMY RANIERI, Choreographer

TRENT

SOYSTER

Musical Director JONATHAN BRENNER

Long Island’s largest year-round professional theatrical venue, The Argyle Theatre, has announced the cast for its upcoming production of Disney’s Newsies, directed by Tommy Ranieri with choreography by Trent Soyster and musical direction by Jonathan Brenner. Performances run through March 22, 2026.

Joining the previously announced cast of Mason Ballard (Regional: Bonnie & Clyde) as Jack Kelly, Cara Rose DiPietro (Regional: Little Shop of Horrors) as Katherine Plumber, Keyon Pickett ( Hallmarks’s

“A Christmas Love Story”) as Davey, Jeremy DerMovsesian (Regional: Saturday Night Fever) as Crutchie, Arielle Faye Beane (Argyle’s Mary Poppins) as Medda Larkin, and Andrew Foote (National Tour: Jekyll & Hyde) as Joseph Pulitzer are Sean Joseph Condenzio, Shea Curran (Regional: MEMPHIS), Kevin Dennis (Broadway: Paradise Square Argyle’s Rock of Ages), Mikey LoBalsamo (Regional: Murder on the Orient Express), Chris Donovan (Regional: Come From Away Argyle’s Music Man), Michael Di Leo (Regional:

From Away Argyle’s Music Man), Cole Hong Sisser (Regional: Jagged Little Pill ), Maclain Rhine (Regional: Grease), Errol Service Jr. (Regional: Pretty Woman), Ryan Wong (Regional: The King and I), Carson P. Zoch (National Tour: Shrek the Musical), Noah Lytle (National Tour: The Addams Family), Ryan Schaefer (NYC: Bodas de Blood), Jillian Reef (Regional: Young Frankenstein), Zoë Lewis-McLean (Regional: Waitress) with Swings: Rhagan Carter (Regional: White Christmas), Jacob Lill (Regional: On the Town),

Nathaniel Dickson (Film: Dear Dad) Set in turn-of-the-century New York City, Newsies follows Jack Kelly and a band of teenage newsboys who rally to strike against powerful publishers after unfair price hikes threaten their livelihoods. Based on the 1992 Disney film and inspired by a true story, the Tony Award-winning musical features a score by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and a book by Harvey Fierstein, with favorite songs including “Seize the Day,” “Carrying the Banner,” and “Santa Fe.”

New York Blood Center Declares Blood Emergency Amid Sharp Post-Holiday Donation Drop

New York Blood Center (NYBC) has declared a blood emergency, urging immediate donations as supplies fall to critically low levels. Holiday disruptions, severe winter storms, canceled blood drives, and widespread seasonal illness have caused donations to drop nearly 40% below hospital demand, leaving less than a twoday supply for more than 200 hospitals across the tri-state area. Recent challenges

include major snowstorms that halted travel and blood drives, record flu activity with over 71,000 cases reported in a single week, and holiday timing that eliminated two weeks of peak midweek collections—resulting in about 10,000 fewer donations than needed.

“Blood is needed every single day for trauma care, surgeries, cancer treatment, and chronic conditions,” said Jeannie Mascolino, NYBC Vice President of

Blood Operations. Although January is National Blood Donor Month, the need is urgent now due to blood’s limited shelf life. NYBC encourages eligible donors to schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-9332566 or visiting nybc. org. Those unable to donate can still help by volunteering or supporting NYBC’s mission financially at nybc.org/support-us.

Benefits Of Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way for individuals to strengthen their communities, but it also can be a unique way for individuals to improve their own overall happiness. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Happiness Studies examined 70,000 participants, each of whom received

surveys that asked questions regarding their volunteering habits and mental health.The study found that, when compared to those who did not volunteer, people who had volunteered in the previous 12 months were more satisfied with their lives and gave their overall health

higher ratings. The frequency of giving back to one’s community also may affect just how much volunteering affects mental health. Study participants who volunteered at least once per month rated their mental health even higher than those who volunteered but did so infrequently.