Play Ball! Saladino Announces 2026 Summer Softball League
Oyster Bay Town
Supervisor Joseph Saladino announced that registration is now open for the Town’s Summer Softball Night League, with games scheduled to begin in May 2026. Games will be held at three parks throughout the Town with a season consisting of 10 weeks of regularly scheduled double headers (20 games total) plus playoffs and championships. Residents and non-residents alike are welcome to sign up for the softball league. Players must be ages 18 and older.
“The Town’s Summer Softball Night League is a fun and competitive league that provides a great opportunity for both residents and nonresidents to enjoy their love of the game and appreciate some of our wonderful Town parks and facilities,” said Supervisor Saladino. “So, get your team together and take advantage of one
of the Town’s most popular programs!”
Games begin in May and will be held at 3 different locations:
• John J. Burns Park, 4990 Merrick Road in Massapequa
• Ellsworth Allen Park, 45 Motor Avenue in Farmingdale
• Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park, 175 Washington Avenue in Plainview
Registration is currently available at oysterbaytown.
com/sports. The fee is $850 per team, and each team is responsible for liability and accidental insurance as well as umpire fees. Umpire fees are paid in cash to the umpires at the start of each game. Each team will sign up for one of three divisions: A, B, or C, with A being the most advanced.
Teams interested in more information can call the Town of Oyster Bay’s Parks Department, Recreation Division, at (516) 797-7945.
Pravato To Host Free Property Tax Assessment Grievance Workshops
Workshops Offered Through Mid-February
Oyster Bay Town Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato will host four free Property Tax Assessment Grievance Workshops for residents looking to acquire information on how to challenge their 2027-2028 property tax assessments. The workshops will be held both in the morning and evening to help accommodate all residents.
Cow Adoption A Moo-Ving Experience
Through monthly updates, fourth graders at McKenna Elementary School in the Massapequa School District are eagerly exploring the progress of Ivy, a young cow they adopted through the Discover Dairy.
Teachers Jordyn Axelrod and Jamie Gallo signed up for the free year-long AdoptA-Cow program which connects schools with farms in the region. The 3-month-
old Ivy is being raised at Fouts Farm in Cortland, N.Y. The class received a certificate of adoption and students get regular reports on Ivy along with photos and videos of the calf with her host farmer, Juila.
Ms. Axelrod and Ms. Gallo are connecting the cow adoption to all subject areas. In math, students are keeping track of Ivy’s height and weight, and
marking a measurement chart in the classroom. They gain scientific knowledge by learning about the development of an animal. In English language arts, students read nonfiction books about cows, and for social studies they made New York State maps and identified Cortland’s location. Ivy is 268 miles away from Massapequa, they learned.
A fourth grade class at McKenna Elementary School adopted a cow in upstate New York through the Discover Dairy program.
The Property Tax Grievance Workshops are scheduled as follows:
• Monday, February 2nd, 7 p.m. at the Hicksville Community Center, 28 W Carl St
• Tuesday, February 3rd, 10 a.m. at the Hicksville Community Center, 28 W Carl St
• Wednesday, February 11th, 7 p.m. at Oyster Bay Town Hall, 54 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay
• Thursday, February 12th, 10 a.m. at Oyster Bay Town Hall, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay
In January, Nassau County notified residents of their home’s tentative
“While Nassau County determines your assessed value, we in Town government want to make sure you know that you have a right as a homeowner to challenge your assessment. Remember, your assessment can only be lowered as the result of a challenge – it can never be raised – and this workshop helps you challenge for free,” said Receiver of Taxes Pravato. “If you are a homeowner who disagrees with the assessed value of your property, I invite you to attend a Property Tax Assessment Workshop, as the property tax grievance deadline of March 2nd is approaching.”
assessed value for the 20272028 School Tax period and the 2028 General Tax period. Any residents who did not receive the notice may view it online at www. mynassauproperty.com or contact their County Legislator.
At the workshop, Receiver of Taxes Pravato will answer questions and show residents how to use online tools to file an “Application for Correction of Property Tax Assessment” online or via mail. There is no requirement to pay a law firm or agency to file a grievance. For those unable to attend the workshop, Receiver of Taxes Pravato offers an online video at www.oysterbaytown. com/grievancevideo. For more information, contact the Tax Office at (516) 624-6400 or visit www. oysterbaytown.com.
Sal Diana opened the note announcing there was an update on their adopted cow, Ivy. Photos courtesy of the Massapequa School District
Seniors Invited To Join
‘Golden Tones’ Chorus Group
Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Laura Maier announced that the Town of Oyster Bay ‘Golden Tones Entertainment Group’ is returning to the North Massapequa Community Center this February and invites new members. This senior chorus is a social group open to Town residents over the age of 60 who have an
interest in singing, dancing or entertaining. Anyone 60 and over is welcome, a great singing voice is not required to participate in this social group.
“We hear from choir members all the time how singing together lifts their spirits while providing great enjoyment to others in senior care facilities, schools and
at public events,” said Councilwoman Maier.
“The Golden Tones Chorus provides a creative and social outlet for seniors to make new friends and bond over their love of music. Come join today!”
Meetings will be held every Friday, beginning Friday, January 30, at 10 a.m. at the North Massapequa Community
Center, located at 214 North Albany Avenue in North Massapequa. There are two planned shows, a Spring Show as well as a Holiday Show, scheduled to be performed at the North Massapequa Community Center.
Senior citizens interested in joining the Golden Tones should call (516) 797-7916 for more information.
2026 Picnic Pavilion Reservations
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.
All-Time Records From The NFL’s Biggest Game Of The Year
At one point during the second quarter of Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, a game that ended with the Eagles hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the second time since 2017, 138 million people were watching. Such viewership is a testament to the popularity of the National Football League and its championship game, which has become a cultural phenomenon that attracts diehard fans, casual enthusiasts and even those who don’t know a first down from a facemask penalty. The chance to win the biggest game of the year in professional football has inspired many teams and athletes to produce recordbreaking performances. As fans gather for this year’s big game, they can consider these records and see if any are broken this February.
• Most Super Bowl wins (player): 7, Tom Brady, New England Patriots (6) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1)
• Most Super Bowl
wins (head coach): 6, Bill Belichick, New England Patriots
• Most Super Bowl losses (player): 5, Gale Gilbert, Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers; Cornelius Bennett, Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons; and Glenn Parker, Buffalo Bills and New York Giants
• Most Super Bowl losses (coach): 4, Don Shula, Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins; Bud Grant, Minnesota Vikings; Dan Reeves, Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons; and Marv Levy (Buffalo Bills)
• Most passing touchdowns (single game): 6, Steve Young, Super Bowl XXIX, January 29, 1995
• Most rushing touchdowns (single game): 3, Jalen Hurts, Super Bowl LVII, February 12, 2023, and Terrell Davis, Super Bowl XXXII, January 25, 1998
• Most receiving touchdowns (single game): 3, Jerry Rice
(twice), San Francisco 49ers, Super Bowl XXIX, January 29, 1995, and Super Bowl XXIV, January 28, 1990
• Most sacks (in a single game, player): 4, L.C. Greenwood*, Pittsburgh Steelers, Super Bowl X, January 18, 1976
* Greenwood is not the official recordholder, as sacks did not become an official statistic until 1982. Various players have recorded three official sacks in a Super Bowl since 1982.
• Field goals made (single game): 4, Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs, Super Bowl LVIII, February 11, 2024, and Don Chandler, Green Bay Packers, Super Bowl II, January 14, 1968
• Longest Super Bowl game (in game time): 74 minutes, 57 seconds, Super Bowl LVIII, Kansas City Chiefs vs. San Francisco 49ers, February 11, 2024
SUNDAY, DEC. 7th
JANUARY
HAPPENINGS
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:
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
1:00PM
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
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
Football Trivia For Your Big Game Watch Party
Super Bowl Sunday is a cultural phenomenon. Come the day of the big game, fans from all walks of life gather to enjoy food, friends and, of course, football. Game watch parties are arguably as anticipated as the game itself, and those hosting may look for ways to entertain guests prior to kickoff. Trivia can be a fun way to engage guests, and hosts can ask these questions and more to enjoy some lighthearted fun this Super Bowl Sunday.
1. Which team lost four consecutive Super
Bowls in the early 1990s?
A. The Detroit Lions
B. The Denver Broncos
C. The Buffalo Bills
D. The Chicago Bears
2. This Hall of Fame wide receiver, nicknamed “The Playmaker,” caught two touchdowns in an 18-second span in Super Bowl XXVII on January 31, 1993.
A. Jerry Rice
B. Andre Reed
C. Randy Moss
D. Michael Irvin
3. True or False: No rookie quarterback has ever started for his team in the Super Bowl.
4. This Hall of Fame quarterback out of Stanford University lost three Super Bowls before finally winning his first one on January 25, 1998.
A. Joe Montana
B. John Elway
C. Brett Favre
D. Andrew Luck
5. Which New York Giants wide receiver helped his team win
Super Bowl XLII after making a miraculous catch in which he pressed the ball against his helmet to secure possession while falling to the ground?
A. David Tyree
B. Plaxico Burress
C. Mario Manningham
D. Jeremy Shockey
6. This famous coach led his team to victory in Super Bowl I and Super Bowl II.
A. Bill Parcells
B. John Madden
C. Vince Lombardi
D. Bill Belichick
7. Which of these Hall of Fame quarterbacks never won a Super Bowl?
A. Terry Bradshaw
B. Dan Marino
C. Troy Aikman
D. Peyton Manning
8. This stylish quarterback famously guaranteed his team would win the Super Bowl, even though the team was a heavy underdog.
A. Tom Brady
B. Jim McMahon
Joe Namath
Drew Brees
True. Rookie sensation Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders came close in the 2024-25 season, but his team ultimately fell one game short of making the Super Bowl.
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2026 Winter Concert ‘Salon’ Series At Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation invites you to warm up from the Winter cold and enjoy the comfort of fine classical music on Sunday afternoons at the River Room at Bayard
Cutting Arboretum State Park in Great River, New York.
The 2026 Winter Concert Salon Series performance schedule is as follows:
February 08 – JK Hodge (Piano)
February 15 – Student
Showcase Variety Performance
March 01 – Serenade
Duo Jerry Saulter (Guitar), Michele LoPorte (Flute)
March 08 – Cambiata
Duo Paul Finkelstein (Cello) & Suzanne Mueller (Cello)
March 15 – Cross
Island Ensemble Suzanne Mueller (Cello), Eleanor Zayas (Piano), Joseph Rutkowski (Clarinet)
Seating will be limited with pre-registration required through the Islip
Arts Council. All concerts begin promptly at 1:00PM. The concerts, free to the public, are sponsored by the Islip Arts Council with funding provided by Bayard Cutting Arboretum, Natural Heritage Trust.
For registration, please call the Islip Arts Council at (631) 888-3525 or visit isliparts.org. For information on the day of the concert, please call Bayard Cutting Arboretum at (631) 5811002.
The Michele & Mark Goodman Team
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 two-day 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.
