JANUARY HAPPENINGS
THURSDAY JAN. 22nd
11:00AM-4:30PM
ART TALK: ANDY WARHOL
at Freeport Memorial Library, 144 W. Merrick Rd. in Freeport. Free Event. Presented by Gene Wisniewski, VIRTUAL PROGRAM
One of the few artists to achieve “household name” status, Andy Warhol remains a subject of fascination, yet the reason he’s ranked among the most important artists of the 20th century is a mystery to many. The answer lies in his almost clairvoyant understanding of American culture, which continues to play out in full force. For more information, please call 516-379-3274
FRIDAY, JAN. 23rd
11:00AM-4:00PM
WARM UP ON FROSTY FRIDAYS! at The Whaling Museum & Education Center, 301 Main St. in Cold Spring Harbor. Come in out of the cold and enjoy a free cup of hot cocoa at the museum. Included with admission. For more information, please call 631-3673418
THROUGH JAN. 23rd
11:00AM-4:30PM
ART EXHIBITION:
SHINING STARS PAST AND PRESENT
New York Fine Arts Society Gallery, 1 Flowerfield, Suite 15 in Saint James. Exhibition and sale of women artist from the East End of Long Island along with international women artist of years past. Graphics, drawings, and
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
paintings. Free Event. For more information, please call 703-3719166
SUNDAY JAN. 25th
12:00PM-2:00PM
CHASING THE LIGHT at BAFFA Art Gallery, 47 Gillette Avenue in Sayville. The photography of local artists, Pat DeLuca, Carol Rosenthal, and Rob Verbeck, will be exhibited at the BAFFA Art Gallery. Free Event. For further information visit www. baffa.org.
WEDNESDAY JAN. 28th
Doors open 6:00PM Games start 7:00PM VALENTINE BINGO
The Memorare Columbiette® Auxiliary located at 2183 Jackson Avenue in Seaford, is hosting a Valentine Bingo. $35 p.p., includes 8 games of bingo, wine, soda, snacks, coffee and dessert. (Snacks from home are always welcome). 50/50, lotto board, raffles and additional bingo cards are available for purchase. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact Patricia Fernando 516-798-6237
7:30PM
ALTERNATIVE ROCK MUSIC BINGO at 317 Main Street in Farmingdale. Join 317 Main Street for Alternative Rock Music Bingo. $20 per person includes 2 bingo cards. 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, JAN. 31st
5:00PM
TEENS CANNED FOOD DRIVE
The Babylon Library is hosting a canned vegetable drive to help out our neighbors at Nourish Babylon! Teens should bring in four cans of one type of vegetable (carrots, green beans, corn, potatoes, etc.) to earn one hour of community service. There will be a collection box at the Adult Reference Desk. Teens must be present to receive their community service form! Grades 6-12. 24 S. Carll Ave. in Babylon. For more information, please call Erin White 631-669-1624
UPCOMING
FEBRUARY EVENT
SUNDAY, FEB. 1st
12:00PM-6:00PM
TAKEOUT SUNDAY SAUCE DINNER
Babylon Lions Club in conjunction with Cafe Il Villaggio presents Gaspare Mannina & Jim Bruscia Memorial Takeout Sunday Sauce Dinner. Pre-orders can be placed beginning at 11:00AM, call 631422-7037. $35 per order - take out only. Includes Pasta, Meatballs and Sausages. Complimentary bottle of wine with orders of $70 or more. Orders can be picked up at Cafe Il Villaggio 35 Deer Park Ave. in Babylon
LONG ISLAND MEDIA GROUP
ACCOUNT
EXECUTIVES
Carol
Nicole
Kim
Bonnie Schifano
Lucille Moran
Terry Rydyzynski
Noelle Lambert
SCAN
Josh Marlowe
Victoria Kokolakis
Stephan Schulze
PROOFREADING
Kerry Mastrobuoni
Noelle
Two West Babylon Students Qualify For NYS DECA Competition
West Babylon Senior High School students recently participated in the DECA regional competition. This year’s competition was highly competitive, with thousands of students from across New York State taking part in the business contest.
Two West Babylon students, Diego Pettinato and Jean Guerrero, qualified for the New York State DECA State Conference following their outstanding performances at the regional level. Guerrero earned qualification in the Hotel and Lodging Management event, while Pettinato qualified in the Entrepreneurship Series event. Both students demonstrated exceptional preparation, professionalism and strong business acumen throughout the competition.
The NYS DECA State Conference will be held in
West Babylon Senior High School students Diego Pettinato and Jean Guerrero will represent the district at the NYS DECA Conference in March. Photo courtesy of West Babylon School District
March in Rochester, N.Y. Pettinato and Guerrero will represent their school as they continue to showcase their skills on the
stage.
Winter Concert
A Slower Start to 2026
By JoAnn Cilla
January has a way of slowing things down, whether we want it to or not. The holidays are over, the decorations are packed away, and the calendar suddenly feels a little lighter. And yet, many of us feel a crazy urge to fill it up as fast as possible. New goals, new routines, new commitments. What if January wasn’t meant for rushing?
After weeks of noise and nonstop activity, this month gives us something rare…room to think. Before the year speeds up on its own, January lets us hit the pause button to decide how we want to spend our valuable time and energy.
One of the smartest things we can do right now is reclaim our time. December takes time from us; January gives us a chance to take it back. It does not mean doing more or becoming more
productive overnight. It means noticing where our time goes and being honest about what feels meaningful and what simply feels automatic. It also means identifying time robbers – the people and activities that steal our time.
Many of us move through the year fueled by momentum. This month, look at the big picture to see what drains you. What gives you energy? What do you say yes to out of habit
rather than intention?
Instead of jumping into a list of resolutions, take time to ask better questions. What really matters to me this year? What can I let go of? What would make my days feel calmer instead of more crowded?
Good questions slow us down in the right way. They help us make thoughtful choices rather than rushed ones. They remind us that a good year isn’t built in a week. It’s built gradually, through small thoughtful decisions.
January doesn’t need to be loud or ambitious. If we think before we rush, protect our time more carefully, and ask better questions, we give the rest of the year a much stronger foundation.
As this new year unfolds, maybe the best place to start is simply paying attention. Permit yourself to slow down and see what comes up. In the meantime, I’ll see you around town.
JOANN CILLA
West Babylon Public Library
211 Route 109
West Babylon (631) 669-5445
www.wbpl.us
Nancy Evans, Director ***
SENIOR ADVOCATE
Thursday, January 22, 10 am-12 pm
A Suffolk County Office for the Aging representative will be here to help with Medicaid, Senior ID Cards, food stamps & more. Patrons will be helped on a first come, first served basis.
LIBRARY
GAME ZONE: BINGO
Thursday, January 22, 3-4 pm
Prepare for an afternoon of friendly competition and exciting prizes! Whether you’re a seasoned Bingo player or new to the game, this is a chance to enjoy an afternoon of fun with other community members. Join Librarian Phyllis for this fun-filled afternoon.
FRIDAY FLICKS
Movies begin at 1 pm
Friday, January 23: Freakier Friday (PG, 97 min)
EMPIRE DEFENSIVE DRIVING
Saturday, January 24, 10 am-4 pm
Attend this class and you may be eligible for an auto premium discount and
reduction of violation points.
A $35 non-refundable check or money order (NO CASH) payable to Empire Safety Council is due within 48 hours of signing up to keep your spot.
COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION & SUPPORT PROGRAM INFORMATION TABLE
Monday, January 26, 5-7 pm
The Community Mental Health Promotion and Support Program (COMHPS) is a free, anonymous, and confidential program funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health that aims to support community members with mental health needs and to establish, maintain, and improve individual and community mental health and wellness by providing emotional support/brief counseling, providing mental health workshops that can be tailored to any age group, providing support groups, providing recreational activities that promote wellness, and make links and referrals to community resources and licensed mental health professions.
BLINDFOLDED CHOCOLATE TASTINGS
Monday, January 26, 7-8:30 pm
Join Chocolatier Linda for some yummy chocolate treats.
CASUAL CRAFTING KIT
January 27-February 1
Get crafty in your down time with these monthly kits for adults. Each kit comes with a small DIY craft to be completed at your leisure. West Babylon Card holders only.
MEDICAID
ENROLLMENT ASSISTANCE
Monday, January 27, 10 am-1:30 pm
Sign up is first-come, firstserved and free of charge. For more information, call the Nassau Suffolk Hospital Council at 631435-3000.
LET’S TALK ABOUT BOOKS
Thursday, January 29, 1:30-3:30 pm
With a Vengeance by Riley Sager.
WINTER PICNIC
Thursday, January 29, 7-8:30 pm
Join chef Jackie to celebrating the season with Non-Alcoholic Glogg (warm, mulled juice), Mushroom Tortellini Soup, and Ham & Swiss Baguette.
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.
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 1-800456-2267. 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.
Best Solution To Remembering Passwords
(NAPSI)—Perhaps the best solution to difficulty remembering passwords is to not use them, opting for a method with much higher security, such as biometrics—which authenticate individual people through their faceprint, voiceprint, fingerprints or iris scan for superior convenience and security. Learn more at www.aware.com.
Zesty Wings Make A Perfect Playoff Party Palate Pleaser
Football fans know there’s nothing quite like the playoffs. Whether your passion rests with college football or the action on the professional gridiron, there’s plenty of exciting football to watch in the early weeks of winter.
Game watch parties are wildly popular. Indeed, big games are even more enjoyable when watched alongside fellow fans. When hosting a game watch party at home, certain culinary staples, including chicken wings, need to make an appearance. Fans hosting playoff parties this playoff season can ensure guests get what they need by offering up these “Zesty Chicken Wings” from Lines+Angles.
Directions:
1. Combine all of the ingredients for the marinade in a food processor. Pulse until blended well.
2. Rinse chicken wings under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Place the marinade and chicken wings into a large resealable plastic storage bag. Seal the bag securely. Squeeze the bag several times coating the chicken wings thoroughly with marinade. Place the bag in the refrigerator and marinate overnight.
4. Prepare the grill for direct grilling. Brush the grill grate lightly with oil. Barbecue the wings over medium hot coals or at medium high-heat for 5-7 minutes on each side (turning once, halfway through) until they are cooked through and golden brown.
5. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce (optional).
Zesty Chicken Wings
Makes 4 servings
For the marinade:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small white onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
1⁄2 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 cups Barbecue sauce (your favorite)
1⁄4 cup sherry vinegar
1 teaspoon turmeric
For the chicken wings:
1 1⁄2 pounds chicken wings
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon oil, for the grill
Did You Know?
The National Football League (NFL) was formed in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA). The firstever NFL game was played at Triangle Park in Dayton, Ohio, on October 3, 1920. In that contest, the hometown Dayton Triangles defeated the Columbus Panhandles 14-0. Though the Dayton Triangles were eventually purchased by a Brooklynbased syndicate and relocated to New York as a result of that transaction, the team’s status as the host of the first NFL game continues to pay dividends for residents of the southwestern Ohio city where the franchise ushered in the now wildly popular league. In recognition of the place the city of Dayton holds in NFL history, the NFL Foundation, in partnership with FieldTurf & Vasco, pledged to fund the installment of a new artificial turf at the city’s Kettering Park.
