January 28, 2026 North Babylon by Long Island Media Group

South Bay's Neighbor

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.

Food Network Producer Inspires NBTV Students

North Babylon High School’s television studio recently had a special guest visit from Steven Roth, writer and producer for Food Network, for a lecture with TV Broadcast II students. During his visit, Mr. Roth reviewed NBTV’s recent productions and provided the class with thoughtful, high-level feedback on their work. Students gained valuable insight into professional standards for writing, filming and editing as he shared industry tips and practical strategies to help enhance their upcoming projects. The experience offered students a firsthand look at expectations in the television and media industry while reinforcing classroom learning with real-world expertise.

Photos courtesy of North Babylon School District

Science And Math Honor Societies Induct 60 New Members

On Jan. 13, North Babylon High School High School proudly recognized outstanding student achievement during its Science Honor Society and Mathematics Honor Society induction ceremonies. The event celebrated students who have demonstrated excellence in academics, dedication to learning and a strong commitment to the disciplines of science and mathematics. Thirtyone students were inducted into the Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, while the Science Honor Society welcomed 29 new members.

Family members, faculty, and administrators gathered to honor the new inductees, whose academic

accomplishments reflect perseverance, intellectual curiosity and a passion for problem-solving.

Membership in the Science Honor Society and Math Honor Society is awarded to students who meet rigorous academic criteria and exemplify leadership, responsibility and integrity in their studies.

During the ceremony, advisors shared remarks highlighting the importance of scholarly achievement and the role science and mathematics play in innovation, critical thinking and future career pathways.

North Babylon School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth Graham praised the students for their achievements and

work ethic. “This year’s inductees have chosen a path of study that includes academic challenge and success in learning. You’ve demonstrated mastery in your study of mathematics or sciences. And because of their studies and academic achievement, they have a deeper awareness and appreciation for culture, they are more open minded, and they are growing more prepared for the world beyond North Babylon High School.”

Students were then formally inducted and welcomed into their respective honor societies as they accepted certificates recognizing their achievements and pledged their commitment.

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.

North Babylon High School held its Science Honor Society and Mathematics Honor Society induction ceremonies on Jan. 13. Photo courtesy of North Babylon School District

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 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.

SUNDAY, DEC. 7th

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:

A SUBMISSION! Events must be submitted at least

space available basis. For

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!

wine with orders of $70 or more. Orders can be picked up at Cafe Il Villaggio 35 Deer Park Ave. in Babylon

1:00PM

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

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

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Babylon And Huntington Winter Senior Advocate Schedules

Suffolk Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) is pleased to inform Babylon and Huntington residents about the local Suffolk County Office for the Aging Winter 2026 Senior Advocate Schedule. Senior advocates are County representatives who come out into the community and assist seniors with information gathering, completion of eligibility or recertification applications and referrals to appropriate community agencies.

“It is so important for us to provide our senior citizens with the assistance and information they need in ways that are most convenient to them. These visits allow our seniors to connect with our County’s senior advocates right in their own communities,” said Legislator Donnelly. “I hope all those interested in the services that the Suffolk County Office for the Aging provides will take advantage of this opportunity.”

This winter, Senior Advocates will be visiting the following locations in the Town of Babylon:

• Deer Park Library, 44 Lake Avenue, Deer Park: Friday, March 20, 8:30 am – 11:30 am

• North Amityville Senior Nutrition Center, 48-C Cedar Road, Amityville: Wednesdays,

February 18 & March 18, 10 am – 1 pm

• Rainbow Senior Center, 293 Buffalo Avenue, Lindenhurst: Wednesdays, February 4 & March 4, 8:30 am – 11 am

• Tanner Park Senior Center, 2 Tanner Park, Copiague: Wednesdays, February 11 & March 11, 8:30 am – 2 pm

• Spangle Drive Senior Center, 4385 Spangle Drive, North Babylon: Tuesdays, February 24 & March 24, 12 pm – 3 pm

• West Babylon Library, 211 Route 109, West Babylon: Thursday, March 26, 10 am –12 pm

• Wyandanch Senior Nutrition Center, 28 Wyandanch Avenue, Wyandanch: Wednesdays, January 28, February 25 & March 25, 10 am – 1 pm

In Huntington, they will be visiting the following:

• Huntington Senior Nutrition Center, 423 Park Avenue, Huntington: Wednesdays, February 18 & March 18, 8:30 am – 2 pm

• Paumanack Village 5 & 6, 100 Adriatic Drive, Melville: Thursdays, January 29, February 26 & March 26, 8:30 am – 12 pm; residents only Advocates assist with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP –

formerly known as food stamps), Medicare Savings Program and Heating Emergency Assistance Program (HEAP) applications. They also can provide information on Medicare, answer questions and make recommendations and referrals. For more information about available services or directions to any of these locations, please call the Suffolk County Office for the Aging at (631) 853-8200.

“For more than three decades, the Suffolk County Office for the Aging has been providing full and trouble-free access to critical services,” Donnelly said. “I am glad to see their great professional community outreach program continue and hope that every senior resident will make full use of it.” # # #

Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly represents the 17th Legislative District, which includes parts of Baywood, Deer Park, Dix Hills, Huntington, Melville, North Babylon, North Bay Shore and South Huntington. He is a member of the Budget & Finance, Fire, Rescue, EMS & Preparedness, Public Safety, Seniors & Human Services and Ways & Means committees of the Suffolk County Legislature.

Babylon Village Historical Society Welcomes Legislator Renna

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.

On Friday, January 16th, the Village of Babylon Historical & Preservation Society and the Nathaniel Conklin House opened their doors to newly elected Suffolk County Legislator RJ Renna!

The day featured tours of both the Babylon Village Historical Society Museum and the Conklin House and included well over an hour’s worth of conversation on our local history. It was orchestrated by Historical & Preservation Society President Judy Skillen, Vice President and Village Historian Wayne Horsley, and Corresponding Secretary Karen Petz.

Said Legislator Renna: “I thank the Babylon Historical & Preservation Society and Judy, Wayne, and Karen for inviting me o a great afternoon of touring the Village of Babylon’s historic landmarks and I look forward to continuing to meet with and engage in our local history and culture with other local civic groups.

The Historical & Preservation Society is a recipient of Suffolk County of historical preservation funding made possible by the Suffolk County Hotel/Motel Occupancy tax Program.

BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES, ONE HOME AT A TIME

JOANN CILLA

Licensed Real Estate Broker

203 E. Montauk Hwy.

Lindenhurst, NY 11757

Ofﬁce: 631-539-6000

Cell: 516-429-1911

joann@joanncillarealestate.com www.joanncillarealestate.com

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 these two homes shown 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.

Colin Moran

Moran Residential Remodeling 516-286-4155

moranresremodel@aol.com