February 25, 2026 Massapequa Park

Bayshore: 180 East Main Street, 1st Floor

Babylon: 400 West Main Street, Suite 106

Bethpage: 4070 Hempstead Turnpike

Massapequa Imaging: 1220 Hicksville Road Room I-12

Bethpage:

Massapequa Park: 5165 Merrick Road

Massapequa

Diet And Mental Wellness

Nutritious diets have long been touted as essential components of healthy lifestyles. Many people have a tendency to view diet as something that’s purely physical, associating the foods they eat with how they look and how much energy they have. While accurate, it doesn’t paint the full picture of just how big and positive an impact healthy diets can have on overall health.

In regard to healthy diets, it’s hard to dispute the effectiveness of the Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean diet focuses on plant-based foods and, as a result, includes lots of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and olive oil. The diet is so healthy that the World Health Organization even recognizes it as a healthy, sustainable dietary pattern.

• Wide Selection Of Trusted Brands Offering Options For All Price Points

• Expansive Showroom To See And Select Materials For Your Upcoming Project

• In-House Designer Available To Assist With Material Selection And Provide 3d Renderings

• Dedicated Project Manager Assigned To Oversee Each Renovation From Start To Finish

NOTICE OF SPECIAL DISTRICT MEETING OF THE AMITYVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY BUDGET VOTE AND TRUSTEE ELECTION

APRIL 14, 2026

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

that a Special Meeting of the qualified voters of the Amityville Union Free School District (the “District”), Town of Babylon, Suffolk County and Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New York will be held at the Amityville Public Library, 19 John St., Amityville, New York 11701 (the “Library”) on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, between the hours of 10:00am and 9:00pm, for the purpose of voting on the following items:

1) To adopt the annual budget of the Amityville Public Library for the fiscal year 2026-2027, and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation upon the taxable property of the District; and

2) The election of two (2) members of the Board of Trustees, consisting of: (i) one (1) trustee to serve a five-year term commencing July 1, 2026 and expiring June 30, 2031; and (ii) one (1) trustee to serve a one-year term commencing July 1, 2026 and expiring June 30, 2027. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected to the five-year term, and the candidate receiving the second highest number of votes shall be elected to the one-year term.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that candidates for the office of Trustee of the Library Board of Trustees shall be nominated by petition. Petitions must be filed with the School District Clerk (address above), between the hours of 9:00am and 5:00pm no later than Monday, March 16, 2026. Forms of petition may be obtained from the School District Clerk. Each petition must be directed to the School District Clerk; must state the name and address of the candidate; must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District and list each signer’s address.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that copies of a statement of the estimated library expenses for the fiscal year 2026-2027 may be obtained at the Library (address above) and in the Office of the School District Clerk, located at 150 Park Ave., Amityville, NY 11701, daily except Saturday and Sunday, beginning March 16, 2026, between 9:00am and 4:00pm.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that the Library will host a public informational meeting for the purposes of discussion of the proposed 2026-2027 Library Budget on March 30, 2026 at 6:00pm. All residents of the District are invited to attend at the Library.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN

that pursuant to section 2014 of the Education Law, personal registration of voters is required, and no person shall be entitled to vote at said meeting and election whose name does not already appear on the register of said school district, or who does not register as hereinafter provided, except as may otherwise be provided by the laws of the State of New York. Registration is available in the Office of the School District Clerk (address above) Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 4:00pm, through April 14, 2026. The register so prepared includes all persons who have presented themselves personally for registration in accordance herewith, and all persons who shall have been registered previously hereunder for an annual or special meeting or election, and who shall have voted at any annual meeting or election, held or conducted at any time within four (4) years prior to the preparation of the register. A qualified voter is one who is (i) a citizen of the United States, (ii) at least eighteen (18) years of age, and (iii) a resident within the District for a period of thirty (30) days next preceding the meeting and election

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for early mail or absentee ballots may be applied for at the Office of the School District Clerk (address above). Completed applications must be received in the Office of the School District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election, if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Early mail or absentee ballots must be received by the School District Clerk, or in the polling place at the Library, not later than 5:00pm, prevailing time, on Monday, April 13, 2026. A list of persons to whom early mail or absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available in the Office of the School District Clerk on each of the five days prior to the day of the election, except Saturdays and Sundays and such list will also be posted at the polling place at the election.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN, that a qualified voter whose ability to appear personally at the polling place is substantially impaired by reasons of permanent illness or physical disability, and whose registration record has been marked “permanently disabled” by the Board of Elections pursuant to the provisions of the Education Law, shall be entitled to receive an absentee ballot without making separate applications therefor.

FURTHER NOTICE IS GIVEN that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter. Military voters who are qualified voters of the Library District may submit an application for a military ballot. Military voters may designate a

preference to receive a military voter registration, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile transmission, or electronic mail in their request for such registration, ballot application or ballot. Military voter registration forms and military ballot applications must be received in the Office of the School District Clerk (address above) no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday March 20, 2026. No military ballot will be canvassed unless it is received by the Office of the School District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the election.

Dated:

Amityville, New York

February 19, 2026

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE AMITYVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY, TOWN OF BABYLON, SUFFOLK COUNTY AND TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

BY DISTRICT CLERK AMITYVILLE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, TOWN OF BABYLON, SUFFOLK COUNTY, TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

AVISO DE REUNIÓN

ESPECIAL DEL DISTRITO DE LA BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE AMITYVILLE

VOTACIÓN PRESUPUESTARIA Y ELECCIÓN DE LOS ADMINISTRADORES

14 DE ABRIL DE 2026

SE EMITE AVISO de que se celebrará una Reunión Especial de los votantes cualificados del Distrito Escolar Libre de Amityville Union (el “Distrito”), el municipio de Babylon, condado de Suffolk y el municipio de Oyster Bay, condado de Nassau, Nueva York, en la Biblioteca Pública de Amityville, 19 John St., Amityville, Nueva York 11701 (la “Biblioteca”), el martes 14 de abril, 2026, entre las 10:00 y las 21:00, con el fin de votar los siguientes puntos:

1) Adoptar el presupuesto anual de la Biblioteca Pública de Amityville para el año fiscal 2026-2027, y autorizar que la parte necesaria de este se recaude, mediante impuestos, sobre los bienes sujetos a impuestos del Distrito; y

2) La elección de dos (2) miembros de la Junta de Síndicos, compuestos por: (i) uno (1) fideicomisario para servir un mandato de cinco años que comienza el 1 de julio de 2026 y expira el 30 de junio de 2031; y (ii) un (1) fideicomisario para cumplir un mandato de un año que comienza el 1 de julio de 2026 y expira el 30 de junio de 2027. El candidato que reciba el mayor número de votos será elegido para el mandato de cinco años, y el candidato que reciba el segundo mayor

número de votos será elegido para el mandato de un año.

SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que los candidatos al cargo de Fideicomisario de la Junta de Síndicos de la Biblioteca serán nominados mediante petición. Las peticiones deben presentarse ante el Secretario del Distrito Escolar (dirección anterior), entre las 9:00 y las 17:00 horas, a más tardar el lunes 16 de marzo de 2026. Los formularios de petición pueden obtenerse del Secretario del Distrito Escolar. Cada petición debe dirigirse al Secretario del Distrito Escolar; debe indicar el nombre y la dirección del candidato; debe estar firmado por al menos veinticinco (25) votantes cualificados del Distrito y indicar la dirección de cada firmante.

SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que se pueden obtener copias de un estado de cuenta de los gastos estimados de la biblioteca para el año fiscal 2026-2027 en la Biblioteca (dirección anterior) y en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar, situada en 150 Park Ave., Amityville, NY 11701, todos los días excepto sábados y domingos, a partir del 16 de marzo de 2026, entre las 9:00 y las 16:00 horas.

SE EMITE ADEMÁS AVISO de que la Biblioteca acogerá una reunión informativa pública con el fin de debatir el presupuesto propuesto para el periodo 2026-2027 el 30 de marzo de 2026 a las 18:00. Se invita a todos los residentes del distrito a asistir a la Biblioteca.

SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que, conforme a la sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación, se requiere el registro personal de los votantes, y ninguna persona tendrá derecho a votar en dicha reunión y elección cuyo nombre no aparezca ya en el registro de dicho distrito escolar, o que no se registre según lo establecido posteriormente, salvo que lo dispongan las leyes del Estado de Nueva York. La inscripción está disponible en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar (dirección arriba) de lunes a viernes, de 9:00 a 16:00, hasta el 14 de abril de 2026. El registro así preparado incluye a todas las personas que se hayan presentado personalmente para su registro conforme a este documento, así como a todas las personas que hayan estado previamente registradas bajo este término para una reunión o elección anual o extraordinaria, y que hayan votado en cualquier asamblea o elección anual, celebrada o celebrada en cualquier momento dentro de los cuatro (4) años previos a la preparación del registro. Un votante cualificado es aquel que (i) es ciudadano de los Estados Unidos, (ii) tiene al menos dieciocho (18) años de edad y (iii) es residente dentro del Distrito durante un periodo de treinta (30) días previos a la reunión y elección

SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que las solicitudes para votos

anticipados por correo o por correo pueden solicitarse en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar (dirección arriba). Las solicitudes completadas deben recibirse en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar al menos siete (7) días antes de la elección, si la papeleta se va a enviar por correo al votante, o el día antes de la elección, si la papeleta debe entregarse personalmente al votante. Las papeletas anticipadas por correo o por correo deben ser recibidas por el secretario del distrito escolar, o en el colegio electoral de la biblioteca, a más tardar a las 17:00 horas, hora vigente, el lunes 13 de abril de 2026. Una lista de personas a las que se hayan entregado papeletas anticipadas por correo o por correo estará disponible en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar en cada uno de los cinco días previos al día de la elección, excepto sábados y domingos, y dicha lista también se publicará en el colegio electoral durante la elección.

SE DA ADEMÁS AVISO de que un votante cualificado cuya capacidad para comparecer personalmente en el colegio electoral esté sustancialmente afectada por motivos de enfermedad permanente o discapacidad física, y cuyo registro de registro haya sido marcado como “permanentemente discapacitado” por la Junta Electoral conforme a las disposiciones de la Ley de Educación, tendrá derecho a recibir una papeleta de voto por correo sin presentar solicitudes separadas para ello.

SE DA UN AVISO ADICIONAL de que los votantes militares que no estén actualmente registrados pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes cualificados. Los votantes militares que sean votantes cualificados del Distrito de la Biblioteca pueden presentar una solicitud para una papeleta militar. Los votantes militares pueden designar una preferencia para recibir un registro de votante militar, una solicitud de papeleta militar o una papeleta militar por correo,

transmisión por fax o correo electrónico en su solicitud de dicho registro, solicitud de papeleta o papeleta. Los formularios de registro de votantes militares y las solicitudes de papeleta militar deben recibirse en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar (dirección arriba) a más tardar a las 17:00 horas del viernes 20 de marzo de 2026. No se solicitará ninguna papeleta militar a menos que la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar la reciba a más tardar a las 17:00 horas del día de las elecciones.

Fechado: Amityville, Nueva York 19 de febrero de 2026

POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE FIDEICOMISARIOS DE LA BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE AMITYVILLE, DEL PUEBLO DE BABYLON Y DEL PUEBLO DE BAY, SUFFOLK COUNTYOYSTERNASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

POR SECRETARIO DEL DISTRITO

DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE AMITYVILLE UNION, MUNICIPIO DE BABYLON, CONDADO DE SUFFOLK, MUNICIPIO DE OYSTER BAY, CONDADO DE NASSAU, NUEVA YORK

AM, MASS, MP - 1182 - 2/25, 3/11, 3/25 & 4/8/26

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Ames Promotes Hope And Help In Mental Health Awareness Program

Massapequa ninth graders attended sessions on Feb. 9 and 10 that featured an important and empowering presentation focused on suicide prevention and mental health awareness. The program encouraged open conversations, highlighted the importance of looking out for one another and reminded

students that support is always within reach.

Kim Hession, social worker at the high school’s Ames Campus, met with students in the library during their math classes. The annual presentation was held in the days leading up to P.S. I Love You Day, a national campaign dedicated to eradicating the stigma

around mental health.

Ms. Hession showed three videos that portrayed teen crisis situations and what steps could be taken to ensure a successful outcome. Ninth graders identified the positive strategies that were used in follow-up discussions.

Students also learned about the ACT approach –

acknowledge, care, tell – to support a family member or friend who might need support. Additionally, Ms. Hession shared the crisis hotline number and provided students with referral tickets they could fill out if they wanted an individual appointment with her for further discussion.

“The purpose of these

presentations are that students learn warning signs and symptoms,” Ms. Hession said, “and gain skills on how to reach out on behalf of a friend and connect them to help.”

She spoke about the origin and meaning of P.S. I Love You Day, and encouraged students to wear purple on Feb. 13 as a

unified showing of support for suicide prevention. After the presentation, ninth graders could take a purple, heart-shaped charm made by the 3D Printing club. The Active Minds club, which Ms. Hession leads along with Alyssa Levine, also made posters to raise awareness.

Ames DNA Study Helps Decode Local Ecosystem

Ninth grade Science Research students at Massapequa High School’s Ames Campus are gaining real-world experience through a multi-year environmental study. On Feb. 5, students made their second visit of the school year to the Dolan DNA Learning Center at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

The project began in October with students collecting organism samples from a stream at the Massapequa Preserve as part of an ongoing biodiversity study. After extracting and amplifying DNA during an earlier visit, students analyzed their genetic data during the February trip, comparing results to known

organisms using GenBank, a National Institutes of Health genetic database.

Science Research teacher August Eberling said the long-term data collection allows students to track changes in the stream’s ecosystem, including the possible emergence of new or invasive species. He noted that students are performing

work typically done at the college or post-graduate level and could potentially earn recognition on a published research paper if a significant discovery is made.

Curriculum associate for science 6–12 Daniel Mezzafonte added that Massapequa students have participated in the Preserve’s

“Day in the Life” stream study for more than 15 years, with ninth graders joining the DNA Barcoding initiative four years ago.

Students praised the hands-on nature of the project and the opportunity to work in a professional laboratory. Several expressed interest in pursuing science or medical careers.

The students will welcome Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory entomologist Jeff Petraca in May to assist with research papers and poster presentations ahead of a June symposium. They are also preparing independent projects for regional science competitions.

FEBRUARY

HAPPENINGS

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

SATURDAY, 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

9:00AM-2:30PM CLOTHING DRIVE at Hicksville High School, 180 Division Avenue. Fundraising clothing drive in support of The Sarah Grace Foundation For Children With Cancer. The Foundation is an all-volunteer Hicksville based charity that has supported these children and families for 23 years. Items can be dropped off in the main lobby of HICKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL on Saturday, February 28.

2:00PM

MEGA MAGIC WITH MIKE D’URZO Award-winning magician and mentalist. Michael J. Grant Campus

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

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: 631851-6589, Ammerman Campus, Selden: 631-451-4163

SATURDAY, FEB. 28th

10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

SUNDAY, MARCH 1st 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM LONG ISLAND PET SHOW 2026 at Suffolk Federal Credit Union Arena, 1001 Crooked Hill Road in Brentwood. The Long Island Pet Expo is designed to educate and entertain the public about the wonderful world of pets. Featuring many pet vendors, educational and entertaining performances, special attractions, hands-on-petting opportunities, pet adoptions, and outstanding shopping for pet lovers and their pets. Well behaved leashed pets are welcome! A fun day for the whole family!

UPCOMING MARCH EVENTS

MONDAY, MARCH 2nd

7:00PM-9:00PM THE HISTORY OF THE SOUTH SIDE SPORTSMAN'S CLUB

The Historical Society of Islip Hamlet will host Ed Gross,

Historian, on the history of the Sportsman's Club; how it grew from an 18th century house to an Inn. Presidents and notables of the era hunted and fished there. The Club worked with Robert Moses to create Connetquot River State Park. Meeting will take place at the Islip Public Library, 71 Monell Ave, is free and open to the public. For more info: www.isliphamlethistory. org, 631-559-2915.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4th

12:00PM-4:00PM

SENIOR CITIZEN

ST. PATTY'S PARTY LUNCHEON

Join The New Serenaders at The Irish Coffee Pub for a St. Patty's Party Luncheon. Get ready to enjoy an afternoon of delicious food, drink, singing, and dancing fun. Included will be a 3-course meal with choice of entree, unlimited beer, wine, soda, dessert, coffee, tea, music, and more. The Irish Coffee Pub is located at 131 Carleton Avenue in East Islip. For more information, please call 631277-0007

SATURDAY, MARCH 7th

6:00PM

CHEF COMPETITION

Cook your favorite entree or dessert or just come, taste and cast your vote. Admission $10. Grace United Methodist Church, 515 S. Wellwood Avenue in Lindenhurst. For more information, and to RSVP, please call 631-226-8690

Benefits Of Leisure Activities

CLASSIFIED GETS RESULTS! Call toda y! 631-226-2636 631-226-2646

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.

se ctio n, call 631-226-2636, press “2”. A sales representative will be happy to assist you.

Leisure activities may be widely viewed as fun ways to fill up free time, but the benefits of leisure activities extend beyond beating boredom. An analysis published in the journal BBA Molecular Basis of Disease found that leisure activities have a positive impact on cognitive function and dementia. The analysis, conducted by researchers with the Aging Research Center in Stockholm who examined various studies regarding the relationship between certain activities and cognitive function, defined leisure activity as the voluntary use of free time for activities outside the home. After retirement, leisure time constitutes a large part of many retirees’ lives, and finding ways to fill that time is more beneficial than merely avoiding boredom. The researchers behind the study concluded that the existing research is insufficient to draw any firm conclusions regarding the effects of certain types of leisure activities on the risk for dementia and cognitive decline, though they did note that multi-domain cognitive training has the potential to improve cognitive function in healthy older adults and slow decline in affected individuals. A multidomain approach to cognitive training involves memory, reasoning, problemsolving, and map reading, among other activities. Aging adults who embrace activities that require the use of such skills may find that they’re not only finding stimulating ways to fill their free time, but increasing their chances of longterm cognitive health as well.

DON’T GAMBLE WITH YOUR LARGEST INVESTMENT ... SEE WHAT YOUR NEIGHBORS ARE SAYING!

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