At the Monday, January 5th, Organizational Meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature, Richard “RJ” Renna was proudly sworn in as Legislator of the Fourteenth District! RJ is a driven community servant and a lifelong resident of Lindenhurst. The 14th Legislative District encompasses the Villages of Babylon and Lindenhurst as well as the Gilgo and Oak Beach communities and parts of Captree, Copiague, West Babylon, North Lindenhurst, and North Babylon.
We wanted to share the invitation for JoAnn’s Emeritus Gala - tickets are officially live and on sale. This is going to be such a special night, and I truly believe tickets will go quickly.
It would really mean so much to have you there as we come together to celebrate JoAnn and everything she’s done to build and grow our Chamber and our community.
We hope you can all be part of this beautiful evening - it wouldn’t be the same without you.
JANUARY HAPPENINGS
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, 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
10:30AM–12:00PM MAPLE SUGARING
at Nissequogue River State Park in Kings Park. (Family Program ages 8+) Maple syrup production has been a tradition in the Americas for centuries. This demonstration will walk your family through the process of identifying and tapping maple trees. Meet us at the Charles & Helen Reichert Park Office on the North side of the park! Reservations are required:
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
Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure. For more information, please visit parks. ny.gov, or call 631-669-1000
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 631-6691624
THROUGH JAN. 31st
9:00AM-6:00PM
SHOWCASE ABSTRACT PAINTINGS
Richard Margolies to Showcase Abstract Paintings at East Islip Library, 381 E. Main Street in East Islip. The exhibit will highlight a collection of his latest abstract paintings, offering visitors a chance to experience his bold use of color, form, and texture. For more information, please call 631-5819200
UPCOMING FEBRUARY EVENTS
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
1:00PM
SUNDAY FUNDAY: SHADOWS & SURPRISES at Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive in Smithtown. A fun groundhog adventure. Meet some animal friends and do some fun activities while learning all about groundhogs and their friends. For more information, please call Call Sweetbriar 631979-6344 or visit https://www. sweetbriarnc.org/
THURSDAY, FEB. 5th 7:00PM
BLACK JAZZ ARTISTS TO BE CELEBRATED
Black History Month will be celebrated this year at The Jazz Loft with a special presentation by the Loft’s 17-piece Big Band. The program will feature compositions by Black composers, arrangers, and performers. The band is conducted by The Jazz Loft founder Tom Manuel. For more information, visit https://www.thejazzloft.org or call 631-751-1895
Space is limited. Don’t delay.
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.
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 addon 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.
External Diploma Program
The National External Diploma Program offers adults 21 and over, the opportunity to receive credit for their life experiences, and earn a high school equivalency diploma without the challenge of taking lengthy timed examinations. NEDP, is a competency based program for students who are unable to attend classes or who prefer to work at home. Successful candidates for NEDP include former ESL students, students who have been out of school for prolonged periods of time, or students who fare better without the structure of tests. This program is an alternative to other programs. Anyone interested should call Western Suffolk BOCES to meet with a counselor. Call 667-6000, Ext. 327 to register.
Renna Sworn In As County Legislator
At the Monday, January 5th, Organizational Meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature, Richard “RJ” Renna was proudly sworn in as Legislator of the Fourteenth District!
RJ is a driven community servant and a lifelong resident of Lindenhurst. He attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School and Lindenhurst Senior High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in business from Farmingdale State College.
After graduating, RJ became an active member of many local organizations, ultimately serving as President of the Lindenhurst Kiwanis Club, Vice President of the Lindenhurst Chamber of Commerce, on the Board of Directors of the Christina Renna Foundation, as a Board Member of the Business Improvement District, and as a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #794.
RJ transitioned his passion for community service to the public sector in April of 2017, when he joined the Lindenhurst Village Board. After subsequent reelections, RJ was named Deputy Mayor of the Village of Lindenhurst in April of 2023 – a position he held until his election to the County Legislature. RJ succeeds former Legislator and Presiding Officer Kevin
J. McCaffrey, whose term came to an end in December due to the County’s 12-year term limit on legislators.
Said Legislator Renna: “I am eager to get started as your County Legislator and continue to make this County a great place to live and work. I would like to thank all my friends, supporters, and most importantly my family; for allowing me to continue this journey and be the dedicated elected official our residents
Presiding Officer McCaffrey Recognized By Argyle Theatre
Suffolk County Legislator Kevin J. McCaffrey recently partnered with The Argyle Theatre at Babylon Village to showcase improvements to the facility made possible by Suffolk County JumpSMART funding!
Renovations to the historical theatre, which dates back to 1922, included an exterior facelift with new lighting, fresh paint, and a new marquee; as well as a new 19-foot mahogany bar, a new tin-inspired ceiling, upgraded lighting fixtures, an improved sound system, and upgrades to the production capabilities of the theatre.
Further, accessibility and the bones of the building received a refresh, with upgrades to the women’s restroom (which has doubled in size, adding four new stalls and sinks), a new roof, updated
electrical wiring, improved insulation, concrete repairs, and the installation of brand-new HVAC units.
The allocations were made through the County’s capital program and Federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, designed to help small businesses and communities effectively recover from the pandemic.
Both Village of Babylon Mayor Mary E. Adams and Argyle Theatre Co-Owners Dr. Mark Perlman and Dylan Perlman presented Legislator McCaffrey with tokens of appreciation for his support of the Theatre and his efforts to assist in securing funding for improvements to the Theatre.
deserve.” He would further declare his plans to prioritize public safety, environmental resilience, and infrastructure improvement throughout the 14th District and across Suffolk County.
The 14th Legislative District encompasses the Villages of Babylon and Lindenhurst as well as the Gilgo and Oak Beach communities and parts of Captree, Copiague, West Babylon, North Lindenhurst, and North Babylon.
Get Results Call Classifed 631-226-2636 Pres s “2”
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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.
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.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Lindenhurst Moose Lodge 1421 883 South Broadway, Lindenhurst
Every month the lodge holds a Family Brunch and Family Pasta Night, the following are the upcoming dates for these events.
“Family Brunch”
1/21 & 1/28/26
Upcoming Special Events:
“Lodge Super Bowl LX Watch Party” Sunday, Feb 8th: For additional information, please see our flyer on our website.
information, please see our flyer on our website.
Sunday, Feb 1st & Mar 1st: Enjoy our “Family Brunch Buffet”, featuring a Custom Egg - Omelet Station. Come down for a relaxing and delicious brunch, remember to call early to make reservations, please contact Theresa Restivo (631) 252-4203 or Bridget Ahlers (631) 834-4742.
“Family Pasta Night” Tuesday, Feb 24th, Mar 24th: Enjoy our “Italian Buffet ”, featuring a Custom Pasta Station. Come down for a relaxing and delicious dinner, remember to call early to make reservations, please contact Theresa Restivo (631) 252-4203 or Bridget Ahlers (631) 834-4742.
“WOTM Chapter 690
Family Valentine Breakfast” Saturday, Feb 14th: For additional information, please see our flyer on our website.
“County Night” Saturday, Feb 14th: Come down for a night of Country, with music by DJ Neil, and Country Daning lessons by Sandy. For additional information, please see our flyer on our website.
“St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Dance” Saturday, Mar 7th: A night to be Irish, enjoy our annual corned beef and cabbage dinner, Irish music, and dancers. Tickets now are on sale in our Social Quarters, and for additional
“County Night” Saturday, Mar 14th: Come down for a night of Country, with music by DJ Neil, and Country Daning lessons by Sandy. For additional information, please see our flyer on our website.
“WOTM Chapter 690 Breakfast with the Easter Bunny” Saturday, Mar 28th
The Lodge Membership Meetings are every 1st & 3rd Monday at 8:00pm. The WOTM Chapter Social Gathering is on the 1st Tuesday at 7:30pm and the Chapter Membership Meeting is every 3rd Tuesday at 7:30pm.
Our Main Hall is available for your Special events, Shower, Weddings, Birthdays, etc. Please contact Barbara Colasanto (631) 754-7477 or Theresa Restivo (631) 252-4203 for information.
All events are for members and qualified guests. Members must always present their membership card upon entering the building. All qualified guests and members without their membership card must sign the guest book.
If you have any questions, or would like additional information, please contact the Lodge at (631) 226-4364, via email at Lodge1421@gmail.com
For all events and our calendar, please visit our website at www. MooseLodge1421.com
Thank you for supporting our Community, Mooseheart, Moosehaven & our Lodge. LIKE us on Facebook –LOOM1421 (The Official Lodge Page)
Two LHS Students Take Part In Exclusive Art Workshop
Two Lindenhurst High School art students, Cassandra Herrador and Nina Bednarczyk, were recently selected to participate in an exclusive “all-Island” workshop sponsored by the New York State Art Teachers Association (NYSATA). They were among a distinguished group of only
24 student-artists from across Nassau and Suffolk counties chosen for this honor.
The invitation was extended following their exemplary performance in the NYSATA Spring 2025 portfolio adjudication, a comprehensive review where students present their finished artwork, discuss
Did You Know?
their creative process, and conduct a self-assessment with an adjudicator.
The students joined peers from districts including Babylon, Hicksville, Mattituck, and William Floyd for the inaugural event on November 17th.
The workshop was led by Long Island-
based multimedia artist and activist Andres Gallardo. Gallardo shared his personal artistic journey and the inspiration behind his unique use of vinyl records as a medium. Students had the opportunity to create their own original works on vinyl albums under his direct guidance.
There is no definitive age when a child may need to get eyeglasses. However, the American Association for
Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus notes that children’s visual systems are still developing during the
first 12 years of their life, and during this period wearing glasses can be important for normal vision development. Glasses can help straighten crossed or misaligned eyes, bolster weak vision caused by differences in vision between a child’s eyes, and even protect the stronger eye. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children begin vision screening around age 3 and receive annual screenings each year at ages 4, 5 and 6. After that,
screening is recommended when children turn 8, 10, 12, and 15. Of course, parents who begin to suspect their children are having trouble with their vision are urged to take the child to an ophthalmologist once such suspicions arise. Some notable signs include inexplicable declines in academic performance, children sitting closer to the television than they once did and children’s own remarks regarding their vision if they say anything at all.
Cassandra Herrador, pictured, took part in an exclusive art workshop sponsored by the New York State Art Teachers Association.
Nina Bednarczyk was also selected for this prestigious honor.
The workshop was led by Long Islandbased multimedia artist and activist Andres Gallardo.
This particular workshop focused on artwork using vinyl records as a medium. Photos courtesy of the Lindenhurst Union Free School District
BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES, ONE HOME AT A TIME
BEFORE AFTER
BEFORE AFTER
Sometimes, my work is more than helping people buy and sell their homes. Sometimes, I help families reimagine what’s possible. And, in the process, help neighborhoods rise one home at a time.
The before-and-after transformations of two homes shown above are proof that the right partnership can turn an older house into someone’s dream home and bring new pride, energy, and value to an entire block.
For these projects, I needed a trusted builder who shares my standards and commitment to doing things the right way. I needed Colin Moran with Moran Residential Remodeling.
Colin brings years of hands-on remodeling expertise and a sharp eye for turning tired spaces into fresh, functional, beautiful homes. He and his team did an incredible job and made two families very happy in the process.
If you are thinking about selling your home and want to get top dollar, or if you are looking to buy a home that needs work and want to know what’s possible and how much it will cost, call me, email me, or stop by our office on Montauk Highway.
Colin and I will help you make the impossible possible.
