June 3, 2026 West Islip by Long Island Media Group

South Bay's Neighbor

STUDENT WINNERS OF PSEG LONG ISLAND’S EARTH DAY CONTEST - PSEG Long Island announces and congratulates the student winners of its seventh annual I Am EM-Powered Energy Conservation video public service announcement (PSA) contest. Awards and accolades were bestowed on 25 students from the Babylon, East Meadow, Mineola, Northport-East Northport, Oyster Bay-East Norwich, Sachem, Sayville and West Islip school districts – the creators of the top 10 PSA video winners of PSEG Long Island’s I Am EM-Powered program. Pictured: Student winners of PSEG Long Island’s seventh annual I Am EM-Powered Energy Conservation Video Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest with their teachers and PSEG Long Island representatives at the I Am EM-Powered awards ceremony.

JUNE HAPPENINGS

FRIDAY, JUNE 5th

10:00AM–1:00PM

FIRST FRIDAY AUTHOR SERIES

Jack Jack’s Coffee House, 223 Deer Park Avenue in Babylon Village. Free and open to the public. Signed books, coffee, and light fare will be available for purchase. The First Friday Author Series is a monthly literary gathering. Each month features a local Long Island author who will be available throughout the event to chat with visitors, sign books, and enjoy relaxed conversation over coffee. Featured Author for This Month: AwardWinning Travel Writer, Irvina Lew, and her book Forays in France. For more information, Misslaffsalot48@ gmail.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 6th

10:00AM-4:00PM

YARD SALE

Farmingdale United Methodist Church Main & Grant Streets in Farmingdale. Huge variety of new, used & Vintage Items! Don't miss out! For more informaion, please contact the church ofﬁce 516-694-3424

SATURDAY, JUNE 6th

7:00PM

SUNDAY, JUNE 7th

4:00PM

DEMOCRACY 250

The Babylon Chorale, eVoco Mixed Ensemble and Manhasset Choirs present “Democracy 250” – a concert featuring two commissioned works by Michael Bussewitz-Quarm and Barndon A. Boyd with chorus and orchestra, at Manhasset Secondary School Auditorium, 200 Memorial Place, Manhasset. Tickets can be purchased

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

online at www.evoco.vc. For more information, see www.evoco.vc or www.babylonchorale.org

thru SUNDAY, JUNE 7th

MIDWAY HOURS: 5-10 pm

Monday - Thursday, 5-11 pm Friday, noon-11 pm Saturday, noon-10 pm Sunday. Aqua Live Spectacular showtimes are 7 pm and 9 pm daily, with an additional 3 pm performance on Saturday and Sunday.

SOUTH SHORE MALL CARNIVAL

South Shore Mall, 1701 Sunrise Hwy. in Bay Shore. Thrills galore are in store at this family-friendly annual event, from exciting midway rides and games for all ages to the Aqua Live Spectacular water stunt show starring enchanting aerialist mermaids, "The Hurricane" waverunner jet ski and more -- plus plenty of palate-pleasing carnival eats. Please visit the website, for more information https:// dreamlandamusements.com/

SUNDAY, JUNE 7th

9:00AM-3:00PM

TRUCKFEST 2026

ATHS Long Island Chapter presents: 3rd Annual TRUCKFEST 2026. The Maples-10 Ryerson Ave. in Manorville. All Makes, Models and Year Trucks. People's Choice for Antique and Modern Truck Rafﬂes & 50/50. Portion of Proceeds to beneﬁt Lighthouse Mission. Please call Laurie for information 631-3393065

TUESDAY, JUNE 9th

7:00PM

REPUBLIC AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING

7150 Republic Airport, Room 201, in Farmingdale. For information call 631-752-7707 x6109 or email: contactus@republicairport.net

FRIDAY, JUNE 12th

10:00AM-1:00PM

THRIFT SHOP BAG SALE

Simpson United Methodist Church, 30 Locust Ave. in Amityville. $5 bag sale for clothing. For more information, please call Mary at 516991-8098

SATURDAY, JUNE 13th

10:00AM-4:00PM

AMITYVILLE KIWANIS CRAFT & ANTIQUE FAIR

Rain date: June 20th. 10am - 4pm Amityville Beach Pavilion, 398 So. Bayview Ave in the James Caples Memorial Park. Huge annual event. Come shop for beautiful creations, handmade treasures and scrumptious treats plus eclectic antiques. Plus, there will be rafﬂe baskets & refreshments. You'll ﬁnd lots of things to buy for Dad's and Grad's while supporting the Amityville community. FREE gift for the 1st 50 shoppers. For more information please contact: AmityvilleKiwanisCraftFair@gmail. com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24th

3:30PM-8:00PM

NY BLOOD DRIVE

Christ Lutheran Church, 117 Carleton Ave. in Islip Terrace. For moreinformation, please call 631581-1710

Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally, and backwords.

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CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION

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EDITOR

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Teri Tinkler

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Stephan Schulze

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Historical Society Of Islip

Hamlet Hosts Presentation

On Long Island’s Natural History

The Historical Society of Islip Hamlet hosted Tara Rider and her presentation, “Long Island’s Natural History,” on May 18. During the well-attended program, attendees learned about the unique geological features that make Long Island distinctive and how they have shaped those who have inhabited the island. For more information about the society, upcoming programs, and the Oakwood Cemetery Tour, contact 631-559-2915 or visit www.isliphamlethistory.org. Pictured: Society Board members with Ms. Rider (third from left).

Student Winners Of PSEG Long Island’s Earth Day Contest

PSEG Long Island announces and congratulates the student winners of its seventh annual I Am EM-Powered Energy Conservation video public service announcement (PSA) contest.

Awards and accolades were bestowed on 25 students from the Babylon, East Meadow, Mineola, Northport-East Northport, Oyster Bay-East Norwich, Sachem, Sayville and West Islip school districts – the creators of the top 10 PSA video winners of PSEG Long Island’s I Am EM-Powered program.

Nearly 300 people, including approximately 100 student finalists – the creators of the top 30 videos – and their families,

along with participating teachers and school administrators, attended the ceremony and reception hosted by PSEG Long Island on April 28 at the Huntington Hilton/Long Island in Melville.

This year, 4,381 fourth – eighth grade students and 105 educators from 41 schools in 32 school districts across Long Island and the Rockaways engaged with PSEG Long Island’s I Am EM-Powered coursework. The program, which is provided to teachers free of charge by PSEG Long Island, includes lessons on conserving energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and understanding renewable energy, and contains instructions on how to create a video PSA.

annual I Am EM-Powered Energy Conservation Video Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest with their teachers and PSEG Long Island representatives at the I Am EMPowered awards ceremony on April 28, 2026.

Connect With Dad This Father's Day Even If You're Far Away

Father’s Day celebrations are unique to each family. Some gather for a big celebration, while distance may keep others apart. Children who live far from their fathers can still make the holiday special, even if they can’t be with Dad in person this June.

If you’re miles away from a father, grandfather, or stepfather this Father’s Day, there are still meaningful ways to celebrate.

Connect digitally. If you can’t share a meal in person, use video chat apps like Zoom or FaceTime to connect. Sharing a virtual meal while chatting and laughing can still make the day feel special.

Give gifts that keep on giving. Subscription boxes remain popular, from grilling spices and gourmet coffee to snack boxes and cheese-of-themonth clubs. These gifts

offer a monthly reminder of your appreciation. Consider virtual experiences. Many shoppers are choosing unique gifts over traditional ones. A virtual whiskey tasting or an online master class you can enjoy together over video call can create lasting memories.

Personalize gifts for Dad. A monogrammed golf bag, custom photo book, or travel gear tied to one of

Dad’s hobbies shows extra thought and care. Plan a trip together. If Father’s Day can’t be spent together, schedule a future outing like a concert, ballgame, or weekend trip centered around one of Dad’s passions. Distance may affect Father’s Day celebrations, but with some planning and modern gifting ideas, any dad can feel celebrated and loved.

Individual students and groups of up to four worked through concepts and brainstormed topic ideas, created storyboards, wrote scripts, starred in, recorded and edited their 45-second PSA videos putting the newly learned concepts into action. Teachers were able to submit their three favorite videos. This year, 156 video PSAs were submitted for judging.

“PSEG Long Island’s I Am EM-Powered awards ceremony is always a fun night celebrating this group of bright and energetic youngsters in our community,” said Michael Presti, PSEG Long Island’s director of Customer Experience and Marketing, who co-hosted the event. “Providing this free educational program in our customers’ schools is one of the ways PSEG Long Island is supporting our communities. We appreciate the teachers who implement the program and the students who participate – both helping to make our island and the world a better place.”

Along with the Top 10 winners, finalists (student creators of the top 30 PSAs) hailed from Babylon, Brentwood, Copiague, East Meadow, Mineola, NYC District 27 Far Rockaway, Northport-East Northport, Oyster Bay-East Norwich, Patchogue-Medford, Plainview-Old Bethpage, Sachem, Sayville, Westbury and West Islip school districts.

Members of each of the top 10 student teams earned $75 gift cards, certificates and a class party in their honor. Their teachers received $100 gift cards and an additional $100 to throw the victory party. Every finalist received a certificate for being a finalist in the competition.

To watch the awards announcement and view the 10 winningvideos,clickhere:youtube.com/watch?v=EnSxzEptx Ww&list=PLFWQcc EE12tiKSBDAqPbIa5ioPlNmsEkv &index=2.

The World Cup Is In Our Backyard, Watch It In Yours!

With the excitement of the 2026 World Cup building, New York State United invites everyone to join them at Stony Brook University for the New York State United- 2026 World Cup Watch Experience! Enjoy a free, family-friendly viewing where community members can gather and watch the live matches on giant outdoor screens, enjoy entertainment, and cheer along the World Cup together! The event will take place at Stony Brook University on Friday, June 12, 2026

On top of the New York State World Cup community viewing events, New York State United will be recognizing local soccer coaches who have made a lasting impact across Long Island communities. The categories include: Volunteer Recreational Coaches, Travel Coaches, School Coaches, Inclusive/ Adaptive Coaches, Girls Coaches, and Underserved Community Coaches.

To learn more about tickets and information, go to www.newyorkstateunited. com.

Be a part of New York State’s World Cup celebration!

Student winners of PSEG Long Island’s seventh

Girl Scouts Of Suffolk County Plant Flags At Veterans’ Graves

More than 50 girls from The Girl Scouts of Suffolk County (GSSC) honored Long Island military veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice by planting American Flags at their graves at Calverton National Cemetery, in an annual Memorial Day Weekend salute to our country’s fallen troops and their families.

“I feel it’s the least we can do for our soldiers who gave everything for our country,” said Larura Sorgie, Service Unit Coordinator, Unit 48 of the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, who has been organizing the event for more than 25 years. “It’s important to teach the girls about patriotism, service, and gratitude.”

As part of the morning,

Girl Scouts fanned out across the field of grave markers in Section 4 of the cemetery. As they stopped at each marker, they read the name and service branch of the person buried there, paused to reflect on their sacrifice, and then planted a flag to honor them. Calverton National Cemetery is the final resting place for more than 300,000 military members, spanning more than 1,000 acres.

The event is part of the GSSC county-wide Service Unit activities and included girls ages 5 to 16 from Mastic Beach, Shirley, and Moriches.

“A lot of people expect this to be a sad event,” said Joslyn Lawrence, 17, a Girl Scout from Shirley, whose great-grandfather died in

World War II and whose grandfather served in the Vietnam War. “I think it’s a happy event to remember all the joy that these people risked and gave their lives for.”

The girls also earned a special “Calverton National Cemetery” patch to wear on their sashes and vests.

About Girl Scouts of Suffolk County

Tricks For Planning Your Summer Getaway

Summer is a popular time of year, with warm temperatures and a relaxed atmosphere that can make even staying home feel like a vacation. Still, many people look forward to traveling and fully embracing that sense of rest and relaxation. Planning a summer getaway during peak travel season can be challenging, especially when balancing family schedules. These tips can help make vacation planning easier.

• Identify blackout dates. Start by marking any nonnegotiable commitments on the calendar, such as kids’ summer camps, sports practices, or other events. Blocking out those dates early helps reveal which days and weeks are available for travel.

others in your department are not already scheduled to be out. Many employers limit overlapping vacation time, so it’s wise to discuss plans with supervisors early.

• Delegate tasks. Vacation

planning involves many details, from transportation to meals and activities. Sharing responsibilities with family members or friends can make the process much less stressful for everyone.

Since 1968, Girl Scouts of Suffolk County has been committed to building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. With over 15,000 members, they are one of the largest youth-serving agencies in Suffolk County. Girl Scouts helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others. For more information about the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, visit www. gssc.us. Follow Girl Scouts of Suffolk County on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

• Start planning early. Getting a head start on vacation planning can save money and reduce stress. Narrow down destination choices, compare travel and lodging costs, and book as soon as you find a good deal to avoid higher last-minute prices.

• Set price alerts. Many travel websites let you create alerts for deals that match your budget. Keep in mind that airline sites may track searches, so clearing cookies or using a different device can sometimes help you find better prices.

• Check for work conflicts. Before finalizing plans, make sure coworkers or

Safety Recalls

Millions of drivers across the country are putting themselves and their loved ones at risk by driving vehicles with unrepaired safety recalls. A staggering 57.7 million vehicles in the U.S.—roughly 1 in 5— have outstanding safety recalls, according to data from CARFAX. (NAPSI)

The Argyle Theatre proudly presents Disney’s Descendants: The Musical, running April 25 through June 7, 2026, as part of its celebrated Children’s Theatre series. This production is directed and choreographed by Nikki Rinaudo-Concessi, with music direction by Mary Ann Cafiero. Descendants features a dynamic cast of rising stars and seasoned performers, delivering a story about legacy, identity, and the power of choosing your own path.

Based on the wildly popular Disney Channel Original Movies, Descendants: The Musical follows the teenage children

Long Island’s ARGYLE THEATRE

Continues Its Children’s Theatre Series With The Musical DISNEY’S DESCENDANTS: THE MUSICAL

Directed and choreographed by NIKKI RINAUDO-CONCESSI

with music direction by MARY ANN CAFIERO through June 7, 2026

of Disney’s most infamous villains as they leave the Isle of the Lost for the first time to attend school in the idyllic kingdom of Auradon. As friendships form and loyalties are tested, these next-generation heroes and villains must decide who they want to be — and whether they will follow in their parents’ wicked footsteps or forge a new future.

The production features a vibrant score including fan-favorite songs like “Rotten to the Core,” “Evil Like Me,” “Chillin’ Like a Villain,” and “Ways to Be Wicked,” delivering a theatrical experience that is as infectious as it is inspiring.

The cast includes Sarah Stewart (Regional: To Kill a Mockingbird) as Mal, Jessica Jane Smith (NY: UGLY! A Christmas Sweater Story) as Evie, Ryan Van Nostrand (NY: Into the Woods: In Concert) as Carlos, Ali-Asha Polson (NY:

Fordham/Ailey Training) as Jay, Cassidy Baltazar (NY: Lee Strasberg Institute) as Maleficent, Paul Schiller (Regional: Xanadu) as Ben, with Tatiana Bahoque (Regional: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Hunter Fenstermaker (Regional: Junie B. Jones: The Musical), Nathan Stevenson (Regional: Annie), Peter Rezkalla (Regional: Elf the Musical), Katie Garthe (Regional: 9 to 5), Ráhel Steinberg (NY: AMDA), Alexandra Rose Meli (NY: Doctor Glass Workshop), RJ Christian (Off-Broadway: The Twenty-Sided Tavern), Grace Stauffer (Regional: Elf), and Erik Simon

(Regional: CATS).

The creative team includes: book by Nick Blaemire, music adaptation by Madeline Smith. orchestrations by Matthew Tishler, lighting design by Michael Visco, costume design by Amanda Scanze, sound design by Matthew Walsh, production stage manager is Gabby Duarte, and assistant stage manager Katelyn Chiappone.

“This production captures the hearts, minds, and imaginations of audiences of all ages,” said the Argyle Theatre’s leadership in a statement. “

Following Descendants, the Argyle Children’s Theatre season continues this summer with DisneyPixar’s Finding Nemo, further expanding the theatre’s commitment to high-quality family entertainment.

Located in the heart of Babylon Village, The Argyle Theatre offers a state-of-the-art, nearly 500-seat venue delivering a Broadway-style experience just steps from the

LIRR and local dining destinations.

Sponsored by Catholic Health Good Samaritan University Hospital, this electrifying stage adaptation of the hit Disney Channel franchise brings audiences into the worlds of Auradon and the Isle of the Lost for a musical adventure filled with humor, heart, and highvoltage fun. The Argyle Theatre is led by Artistic Director Evan Pappas, with Executive Producers Mark Perlman and Dylan Perlman, continuing the theatre’s mission to bring Broadway-caliber productions to Long Island audiences

PERFORMANCE

DETAILS

Disney’s Descendants: The Musical. Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 am through June 7, 2026. Tickets are $29 The Argyle Theatre 34 West Main Street, Babylon, NY Tickets are available at www.argyletheatre.com or by calling 631-230-3500.

Hospital Association Offers $2,000 Scholarship

The Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council (NSHC) announces a $2,000 scholarship for college juniors/seniors or post graduate students who are studying Journalism, Marketing/ Communications, or Healthcare Administration. (The scholarship is not for clinical-based study.)

The Ann Marie Brown Memorial Scholarship honors the late Ann Marie Brown, who served as vice president for government and public relations for the Hospital Council from 1983 to 1993. The scholarship is administered by the Hospital Council’s Communications

Committee.

Filing deadline is June 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM. For more information and an application go to the NSHC scholarship page or call 631-334-8321.

About the Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council (NSHC)

The Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council represents the not-for-profit and public hospitals on Long Island. It works in conjunction with the Suburban Hospital Alliance of New York State to advance legislative and regulatory priorities. NSHC serves as the local and collective voice of hospitals on Long Island.

Greenlawn Water District Wins Suffolk Water Tasting Contest

Village of Bayville Water Department Wins Nassau Section of Contest

To celebrate National Drinking Water Week, the Long Island Water Conference (LIWC) hosted its 38th annual Drinking Water Tasting Contest at Farmingdale State College from Tuesday, May 5 to Wednesday, May 6. 17 water providers from across Long Island competed for the title of best drinking water in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, respectively. This year’s winners were the Greenlawn Water District for Suffolk County and the Incorporated Village of Bayville Water Department for Nassau County.

“We at the Long Island Water Conference look forward to our Drinking Water Tasting Contest every year,” said LIWC Chairman Brendan Warner. “It serves as a fun, light-hearted way for Long Island’s water providers to connect with students and residents from throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties, educating them about everything providers do to deliver high-quality water service every single day. We hope

our participants gained a greater sense of appreciation for their drinking water, and congratulations to the Village of Bayville and the Greenlawn Water District for coming out on top of the competition.”

More than 380 participants voted on their favorite water, each of whom received giveaways like water bottles and tote bags. LIWC representatives, as well as representatives from the participating water providers themselves, educated interested students and passersby on the role that water providers play in treating and distributing the billions of gallons of water brought to residents’ homes every single day. Long Island’s water treatment infrastructure is as advanced as it gets, something which the LIWC believes is important for the public to understand.

“It is an honor to once again be chosen as Suffolk County’s best-tasting water,” said Greenlawn Water District Chairman John H. Clark. “We are

tremendously proud of the effort and dedication that our Greenlawn Water District staff delivers each day in providing our customers with the excellent water service they deserve. Providing water that is recognized for its superior quality, and doing so with reliability and consistency, is no easy task. It takes coordination, leadership, and a shared desire for excellence. I want to thank our entire staff, and especially our field personnel, for the work they do every day. Winning two consecutive contests is quite an accomplishment given the quality of our peers, and winning this award for the fifth time in the past nine years is something we are immensely proud of.”

For emerging as the victors with the besttasting drinking water, the Incorporated Village of Bayville Water Department and the Greenlawn Water District will take home the ever-updating trophy and hold bragging rights over their peers for the next year.

More than 380 participants at Farmingdale State College voted on the best tasting water on Long Island, declaring the Village of Bayville Water Department the winner in Nassau County and the Greenlawn Water District the winner for Suffolk County.

New York Blood Center Declares Blood Emergency As Blood Supply Nears Critical Level

New York Blood Center (NYBC) has declared a blood emergency as supplies have hit a critical low, dropping to less than a two-day supply overall and below a one-day supply for type O blood, the most critical type used in emergency care. These levels are particularly concerning given the challenges presented by upcoming special events and the summer “trauma season” that typically increases the need for blood. We are calling on our dedicated New York community to roll up their sleeves and support us in rebuilding our inventory to ensure we can meet the needs of our hospitals and support emergency mass-casualty preparedness. All blood types are desperately needed, but Types A-, B-, and O+/O- have hit dangerously low levels in the region.

Dangerously

Low Blood Supply Levels

Blood donations are down nearly 15%, representing approximately 4,500 fewer donations than needed to meet hospital demand across the region. The shortfall comes on the heels of Memorial Day weekend, when donations traditionally decline due to travel, vacations, school breaks, and holiday activities. Spring donations have failed to rebound as expected following a difficult winter season. Without consistent blood donors, the blood supply remains in crisis.

“Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer and ‘trauma season,’ and this has been one of the most challenging periods we’ve faced in years,” said Jeannie Mascolino, Vice President of Operations at New York Blood Center. “We are already thousands

of donations behind where we would like to be heading into one of our most difficult periods, and hospital demand is increasing across the country. Donor support in the coming weeks will be critical to helping hospitals maintain a stable blood supply for patients who depend on transfusions every day.”

Summer Trauma Season

Summer is notoriously known as “trauma season,” when hospitals typically see a rise in serious injuries, including car crashes and other emergencies requiring large volumes of blood. Trauma patients can require dozens, sometimes hundreds, of blood transfusions in a matter of hours.

In New York State alone, more than 56,000 traumatic injuries are reported each year, many of which occur during weekends and throughout the summer months due to increased travel, outdoor recreation, and holiday activities.

This year, that time of increased need will coincide with logistical challenges as New York and New Jersey welcome tourists for the FIFA World Cup and other major events.

Blood cannot be manufactured and has a limited shelf life, meaning hospitals rely on a steady stream of donors to meet daily demand. A blood emergency means the available supply has dropped below safe levels to meet routine and urgent patient needs. For trauma centers, where patients may require large volumes of blood within minutes, maintaining an adequate supply is critical for patient care.

“With the increase in travel and gatherings this summer, we expect to see an increase in injuries requiring blood transfusions,” New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “We want to ensure that patients who are suffering from traumatic injuries, undergoing surgery, or fighting cancer can get the blood they need in an emergency. I urge you to consider the selfless act of donating blood – just one donation can help multiple people – so roll up your sleeve and give the gift of life during this time of need.”

Clinicians at Level I Trauma Centers and local blood recipients are echoing the call for donors.

“In trauma care, seconds matter—and so does immediate access to blood,” said Dr. Christopher Tedeschi, an emergency medicine physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/ Columbia University Irving Medical Center. “Summer emergencies can drive sudden spikes in demand, with critically injured patients needing massive transfusions within minutes. A strong blood supply makes it possible for us to deliver lifesaving care when every second counts.”

“As a trauma surgeon, I have personally seen, many times, a critically injured patient’s life saved using donated blood products,” said Dr. Matthew Bank, Executive Director, Northwell

Trauma Institute. “These patients are sons and brothers, daughters and sisters, husbands and wives. The people who donate blood are also members of our community family who give of themselves to help others in need. It is a rare opportunity when our community can come together to directly save the lives of trauma patients. For anyone who has been “on the fence” regarding blood donation, I would implore them to go to their nearest donor center. In the blink of an eye, anyone can become a trauma patient, so the life you save might be a member of your own family or even your own. “

“Maintaining a stable blood supply is essential, and we are committed to helping the New York Blood Center raise awareness of the urgent need for donations,” said Devika Mathrani, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at NewYork-Presbyterian. “One blood donation can save up to three lives, and we encourage everyone who is eligible to donate regularly.”

“Blood Center blood donations are essential to patient care across our health system,” said Kathleen Blaney, MPH, RN, Assistant Vice President of Clinical Lab and Communicable Diseases at NYC Health + Hospitals. “We encourage all eligible donors to make an appointment and

give blood, especially as we head into the summer months when maintaining adequate inventory becomes increasingly challenging. A strong blood supply is a shared community responsibility and remains critical to saving lives across New York City and the surrounding region.”

Stories like Emily Miethner’s underscore how quickly blood is needed in medical emergencies.

“Donated blood saved my life. In an emergency, there’s no substitute. It’s there because someone chose to give selflessly,” said Emily Miethner, a blood recipient who required 19 emergency transfusions following traumatic childbirth complications. “That’s why I donate today and encourage others to make it part of their routine. You never know when someone’s life will depend on it.” Watch Emily share her remarkable story.

New York Blood Center is asking all eligible donors, especially those with type O blood, to schedule an immediate appointment to donate. In light of recent updates to FDA guidance, more people than ever may now be eligible to give. Blood donors can donate every 56 days, and platelet donors can give up to twice per month.

To view current eligibility guidelines or make an appointment, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org.

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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.

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The New Orleans Musicians Clinic reports that listening to jazz music can expand blood vessels by up to 30 percent. Widening of blood vessels increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure. Maintaining a healthy blood pressure is important, as the Mayo Clinic notes that unchecked high blood pressure can lead to complications such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and/ or dementia.

How Flag Day Got Its Start Community Invited To Celebrate Flag Day

Flag Day is commemorated each year in the United States on June 14. Though Flag Day is not an official federal holiday, it remains significant, as it dates back to 1777.

The Second Continental Congress formally adopted the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777. That resolution noted certain characteristics of the new flag, including the alternating red and white stripes, which remain part of the flag celebrated each June 14.

Flag Day is one of various notable events and holidays commemorated in June, a list that includes Father’s Day, Juneteenth, and the summer solstice. That can make it easy for Flag Day to get lost in the proverbial shuffle, but the Farmer’s Almanac notes it is customary for the sitting president of the United States to encourage Americans to display the

flag outside of their homes and businesses each June 14. The flag is flown from all public buildings on Flag Day, which the Farmer’s Almanac reports is another rich tradition that dates back to 1877 and the centennial of the flag’s adoption.

President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation on June 14, 1916, that designated the day as Flag Day going forward. Thirty-three years after President

Wilson’s proclamation, the U.S. Congress officially established June 14 as National Flag Day.

One notable tidbit Americans can consider this Flag Day is the connection between the flag and seamstress Betsy Ross. Many American schoolchildren were taught that Ms. Ross designed and sewed the first American flag, but historians have since discredited that legend. The Farmer’s Almanac notes that many

historians now believe George Washington already had a design for a flag with 13 red and white alternating stripes and 13 six-pointed stars set in a circle when he visited Ms. Ross in Philadelphia. And while historians do not doubt that Ms. Ross sewed a flag reflecting the design George Washington brought with him when visiting the seamstress, it’s hard to confirm if she, in fact, sewed the first flag.

Residents are encouraged to honor Flag Day on June 14, commemorating the adoption of the American flag in 1777 and the values it represents. Flag Day is a time to reflect on the nation’s history, unity, and freedom. Community members can participate by displaying the American flag at their homes and businesses and attending local ceremonies and educational programs.

Flag Day reminds us of the ideals that unite us as Americans. It’s a meaningful opportunity to come together and show pride in our country. Local observances may include flagraising ceremonies and activities for residents of all ages to learn about the history and significance of the Stars and Stripes.