South Bay's Neighbor
Daylight Saving
Time Begins March 8, 2026
Residents are reminded that Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Clocks should be set one hour ahead before going to bed on Saturday night, as the change takes effect at 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning.
The start of Daylight Saving Time brings longer daylight hours in the evening, providing more
opportunities for outdoor activities and community events. While many electronic devices update automatically, residents are encouraged to manually adjust clocks on appliances, vehicles, and other nondigital devices.
Officials also remind the public to use the time change as an opportunity
to check household safety measures, including testing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms and replacing batteries as needed.
Daylight Saving Time will remain in effect until Sunday, November 1, 2026, when clocks will be set back one hour.
Assemblyman Durso Announces Annual Pet Food Drive
New York State Assemblyman Michael Durso (R-Massapequa Park), in coordination with Long Island Cares, is inviting the community to participate in his annual Pet Food Drive to help families keep their pets out of shelters and remain at home where they belong. Now through March 27, 2026.
Assemblyman Durso is asking residents, community organizations and pet lovers to kindly donate unopened bags of dog and cat food, canned pet food and pet supplies. All items collected will be donated to Baxter’s Pet Pantry, operated by Long Island Cares, which provides free pet food and pet supplies to petowning families in need throughout Long Island. Donations can be dropped off at Assemblyman Durso’s district office located at
512 Park Boulevard in Massapequa Park or at various other locations throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
For more information, call Durso’s district office at 516-541-4598.
Donations are being accepted at the following locations:
• Assemblyman Durso’s District Office: 512 Park Boulevard, Massapequa Park
• Babylon Public Library 24 S Carll Ave, Babylon
• North Babylon Public Library 815 Deer Park Ave, North Babylon
• West Babylon Public
Library 211 NY-109, West Babylon
• West Islip Public Library 3 Higbie Lane, West Islip
Participating Schools (only accepting staff and student donations):
• Massapequa High School Main Campus, Massapequa
• Massapequa High School Ames Campus, Massapequa
• Bayview Elementary School, West Islip
• Manetuck Elementary School, West Islip
• Oquenock Elementary School, West Islip
• Beach Street Middle School, West Islip
• Udall Road Middle School, West Islip
• West Islip High School, West Islip
• Paul J Bellow Elementary School, West Islip
Islip Winter Senior Advocate Schedules
Suffolk Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) is pleased to inform Islip 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.
This winter, Senior Advocates will be visiting the following locations in
“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.”
the Town of Islip:
• Bay Shore Library, 1 S. Country Road, Brightwaters: Friday, March 20, 10 am – 12 pm
• Bishop McGann Housing, 200 Bishop McGann Drive, Central Islip: Monday, March 30, 10 am – 12 pm
• Brentwood Senior Nutrition, 16 Second Avenue, Brentwood: Friday, March 13, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
• Connetquot Library, 760 Ocean Ave, Bohemia: Thursday, March 12,
10 am – 12 pm
• Islip Library, 71 Monell Avenue, Islip: Monday, March 9, 10 am – 12 pm 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.
SUNDAY, DEC. 7th
MARCH HAPPENINGS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4th
12:00PM-4:00PM
SENIOR CITIZEN
ST. PATTY'S PARTY LUNCHEON
Join The New Serenaders at The Irish Coffee Pub for a St. Patty's Party Luncheon. Get ready to enjoy an afternoon of delicious food, drink, singing, and dancing fun. Included will be a 3-course meal with choice of entree, unlimited beer, wine, soda, dessert, coffee, tea, music, and more. The Irish Coffee Pub is located at 131 Carleton Avenue in East Islip. For more information, please call 631277-0007
SATURDAY, MARCH 7th
2:00PM-4:00PMM
TEA PARTY
At Community Presbyterian Church, 1843 Deer Park Avenue in Deer Park. Menu includes assorted teas, tea sandwiches and desserts. All Ages Welcome. Basket Raffles, 50/50 Rafles, Tea Dueling! For more information, please call Natasha or Nicole at 631-242-0221
3:00PM–4:30 PM
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH LECTURE AND BOOK SIGNING
Preservation Long Island Exhibition Gallery,161 Main Street, in Cold Spring Harbor. Beyond Blue and White: The Hidden History of Delftware and the Women Behind the Iconic Ceramic, presented by author and decorative arts expert Genevieve Wheeler Brown, explores the pivotal yet often
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
overlooked role women have played in the creation, collecting, and interpretation of ceramics worldwide. Free parking in the municipal lot on the opposite side of Main Street. Advance registration required. Registration: https://preservationlongisland.org/ category/upcomingevents/
6:00PM
CHEF COMPETITION
Cook your favorite entree or dessert or just come, taste and cast your vote. Admission $10. Grace United Methodist Church, 515 S. Wellwood Avenue in Lindenhurst. For more information, and to RSVP, please call 631-2268690
THURSDAY, MARCH 12th
6:00PM-9:00PM
BINGO NIGHT
The Friends of the Lindenhurst Library will host a Bingo Night at American Legion, 80 Herbert Avenue in Lindenhurst. See our Facebook page ad for QR code, or pay at the door. For more information, please call 856-9528110, or kagrover1@gmail.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 14th
2:00PM
BAY SHORE-BRIGHTWATERS
ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE 2026
AMVETS Post 76 in Bay Shore is heavily involved in the Bay ShoreBrightwaters St. Patrick's Day Parade, scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2026. The post serves as the central hub for the event.
They will open at 12 PM and all are welcome! The parade, begins at 2:00 PM at Saxon Avenue and marches west down Main Street. The post is located at 44 W Main St. in Bay Shore. For the most up-to-date information, please call 631-665-3526
SUNDAY, MARCH 15th
2:00PM
FARMINGDALE'S ANNUAL ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE
This annual event, organized by the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, is a popular local tradition celebrating Irish heritage, featuring pipe bands, community groups, and local businesses. The parade steps off from Northside School & proceeds south along Main Street to the Village Green in downtown Farmingdale. For more information, visit https://www. facebook.com/share/1AeSqPP4Vn/ or contact Joe Fortuna, joef@ thenuttyirishman.com, or call 516293-9700
THURSDAY, MARCH 19th 7:00PM
BAY SHORE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MARCH MEETING
The Bay Shore Historical Society will meet at the Bay ShoreBrightwaters Public Library, 1 South Country Rd., in Brightwaters. The meeting is open to the public at no charge. Refreshments will be served. Learn more at: https:// www.bayshorehistoricalsociety. org/programs-news
Students Spread Kindness
Before P.S. I Love You Day on Feb. 13, students at Oquenock and Manetuck Elementary Schools in the West Islip Union Free School District created oneof-a-kind bags filled with messages of kindness to be shared throughout the community.
To help spread love, hope, and inspiration, students decorated paper bags with positive words and uplifting
messages in recognition of P.S. I Love You Day. The project encouraged them to reflect on the importance of kindness and how small acts can have a significant impact on others.
School counselor Michelle Falco delivered the decorated bags to local businesses, including Higbie Bagels and SPK. Throughout the day, customers received messages of positivity and
encouragement along with their orders, helping spread joy beyond the school walls and into the community.
The initiative provided students with a meaningful opportunity to promote mental health awareness, kindness, and connection, while reminding community members that even simple gestures can brighten someone’s day.
Did You Know?
There is no definitive age when a child may need to get eyeglasses. However, the American Association for Pediatric Ophthal-mology 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.
Students at Oquenock and Manetuck Elementary Schools in the West Islip Union Free School District decorated bags for local businesses to hand out to customers on P.S. I Love You Day. Photos courtesy of West Islip Union Free School District
Long Island State Parks Celebrates Women’s History Month
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is pleased to celebrate Women’s History Month at Long Island State Parks.
This month-long celebration highlights several notable women in history and their accomplishments through informative posters and pictures. We invite you to visit us to learn more about these great women and their impact on history and culture.
Displays and programs throughout the month of March are at the following Long Island State Park locations:
Nissequogue River State Park – Charles & Helen Reichert Administration Building, Kings Park
Display open daily 8:00am – 4:00pm, for more information call 631-2694927
Jones Beach State Park, Administration Building, Wantagh
Display open daily 7:00am – 4:30pm, for information call 516-785-1600
Hempstead Lake State Park Environmental Education and Resiliency Center, West Hempstead Open daily 9:00am –4:00pm, for information call 516-766-1029
• Steeped in Self Care (Adult program, 18+), Saturday, March 14, 2026, 1:30pm –3:00pm
o Sip, blend, and relax in this hands-on self-care class celebrating Women’s History Month. Create your own customloose leaf tea blends for stress relief and essential oil roller balls to help ease tension headaches. Learn how tea has long brought women together for comfort, care, and community. Come fill your cup, roll away the stress, and steep yourself in a little history.
• Paths of Presence: Women, Wilderness, and Walking with Intention (Adult Program, 18+), Saturday, March 21, 2026, 11:00am – 1:00pm
o Join us at Hempstead Lake State Park for a Women’s History Month Walk celebrating women on the trails! Learn about the history of women’s hiking while practicing simple nature meditation to experience the benefits of being outdoors. Programs are $4.00 per person upon arrival. No parking fee is in effect. Each person in your party needs a ticket. Space is limited. If you are unable to keep your reservation, please
cancel so others may have the opportunity to attend the program. Please try to arrive at least 15 minutes early. We will meet in the Environmental Education and Resiliency Center in Field 1 of Hempstead Lake State Park. To register: https://www.eventbrite. com/o/hempstead-lakestate-park-environmentaleducationand-resiliencycenter-38733458463
Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center-West End 2, Wantagh
Display open daily 9:00am - 4:30pm, for information call 516-8098222
• Storytime: Women’s History Month (Children 0-8; FREE program), Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 11:00am – 12:00pm
o To celebrate Women’s History Month, join our educator and read exciting tales of women in science!
• Women Nature Writers (All ages; FREE program), Saturday, March 28, 2026, 11:00am – 12:30pm
o Join one of our educators at this free event to celebrate Women’s History Month by learning about one of history’s most talented nature writers and practice writing your very own piece inspired by our local environment.
To register: www. jonesbeachenc.org/ programs
Additionally, there will be specially themed lecture programs and workshops being offered through our Long Island State Parks Environmental Education Department: Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
• Recognizing Women’s Right to Vote in NY State, Sunday, April 12, 2026, 1:30pm – 3:00pm
o On November 6, 1917, women won the right to vote in NY State. Join us for this special
Celebrate Irish heritage and local spirit! From parades to eats, drinks, and shopping, support neighborhood businesses while enjoying festive fun. Parades are happening almost every weekend in March, and there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate, and keep it local.
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Kings Park – 16th Annual Parade, 12 PM. Starts at Lou Avenue and Pulaski Road, proceeds along Main Street to Old Dock Road near William T. Rogers Middle School.
Sunday, March 8, 2026
Huntington Village –92nd Annual Parade, 2 PM. Begins north of the Huntington train station along New York Avenue onto Main Street; known as Long Island’s oldest and largest parade.
Long Island St. Patrick’s Day Parades
Saturday, March 14, 2026
Bay Shore & Brightwaters – 2 PM from Saxon Avenue along Main Street/Montauk Highway. St. James – 41st Annual Parade, 1 PM. From Woodlawn Avenue to Lake Avenue and the train station.
Massapequa – Massapequa Chamber 2nd Annual Parade, 11 AM along Broadway (between North Elm Street and Veterans Boulevard). running along Broadway between Jerusalem Ave. and Veterans Blvd. The event features Brian Kilmeade as the Grand Marshal.
New Hyde Park – 4th
Annual Parade, 10 AM eastbound on Jericho Turnpike ending at Fire Headquarters.
Westhampton Beach –58th Annual Parade, 12 PM along Montauk Highway near Oneck Lane. Cutchogue – 20th Annual
Parade, 2 PM, from Cox Lane down Route 25 into the village.
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Rocky Point & Miller Place – 74th Annual Parade, 1 PM. Begins at Route 25A & Harrison Avenue, ending at Broadway & North Country Road.
Bayport & Blue Point –36th Annual Parade, 11 AM along Montauk Highway.
Center Moriches – 22nd
Annual Parade, 2 PM, centered near Our Lady Queen of Apostles School.
Farmingdale – Annual Parade, 2 PM. Parade steps off from Northside School & proceeds south along Main Street to the Village Green in downtown Farmingdale. Main Street will be temporarily closed for the parade. Parade Grand Marshal Brian Harty, Farmingdale Village Administrator - Clerk/
Treasurer Wantagh – 6th Annual Parade, 2 PM, led by the Wantagh Fire Department. The 2026 Grand Marshal is the Wantagh Fire Department.
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Brentwood – Annual Parade, 1 PM starting at Washington Avenue & Clark Street, ending at Ross Park.
Rockville Centre – 30th Annual Parade, 12 PM, beginning near North Sunrise Highway municipal parking area.
Lindenhurst – 5th Annual Parade, 12 PM. 2026 Parade Grand Marshal Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.
Hampton Bays – Annual Parade, 11 AM, starting at the American Legion on Ponquogue Avenue.
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Ronkonkoma – 36th Annual Parade, 2 PM,
7 Fun Ways To Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
beginning at AMVETS Post 48 on Hawkins Avenue.
Patchogue Village –Annual Parade, 12 PM, through downtown along Main Street. Glen Cove – 38th Annual Parade, 1 PM, through downtown streets and Village Square.
Babylon Village – 4th Annual Parade, 2 PM, — led by this year’s Grand Marshal, dance instructor Patti Love. Parade route from Deer Park Avenue south toward Main Street.
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Jamesport – 12th Annual Parade, 1 PM, from North Railroad & Washington Avenues to the firehouse.
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Montauk – 64th Annual Parade, 12 PM, along Edgemere Street and Main Street.
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated each year on March 17. The day honors St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, but it’s also a celebration of Irish culture.
Although St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world by people who can trace their lineage to the
Emerald Isle, millions more with no such heritage join in the festivities each year. That means anyone who is Irish or just Irish in spirit can
take part in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
There are many entertaining ways to commemorate this special day. Here are a
few to get the party started.
1. Eat green foods. Green is a prominent color for St. Patrick’s Day and Ireland in general. Many people eat foods and consume beverages dyed green on March 17.
2. Bake soda bread. Everyone can take part in the kitchen whipping up a batch of delicious Irish Soda Bread. This is a great recipe for kids because there’s no need to wait for dough to rise. Baking soda is the “soda” in the recipe and serves as the leavening agent.
3. Take part in a parade. St. Patrick’s Day parades are held in major cities across the country, making it relatively easy for people to be there in person. However, many communities also host parades that are small in scale but still big on fun.
5. Dine the Irish way. Although corned beef and cabbage is often served on St. Patrick’s Day, it is not the most authentic Irish fare one can eat. Find a restaurant that serves Irish stew, Boxty, Colcannon, or Black and white pudding, or try making such dishes at home.
6. Host a scavenger hunt. See who can find the gold at the base of the rainbow. Pick a person to organize the scavenger hunt. This person can write the clues and hide the prize.
7. Listen to Irish music. Tune in to The Chieftains, The Dubliners, Planxty, The Gloaming, The Wolfe Tones, and others to get into a festive spirit. Enjoy the different ways to celebrate.
4. Attend an Irish dancing demonstration. Irish dance is a traditional dance that originated in Ireland. It is known for its intricate footwork and minimal upper-body movement.
Long Island State Parks Celebrates Women’s History Month
Park, Kings Park
America250
George Munkenbeck
• Revolution Remedies, Saturday, March 28, 2026, 10:30am – 12:00pm
o Explore the overlooked medical work of women during the American Revolution. We’ll highlight the nurses, caregivers, Indigenous healers, and enslaved African women whose herbal knowledge,
improvised remedies, and daily labor sustained the Continental Army. Through a handson activity, visitors will discover how ordinary women used extraordinary ingenuity to keep a nation alive. Programs are $4.00 per person upon arrival. No parking fee is in effect. Each person in your party
needs a ticket. Space is limited. If you are unable to keep your reservation, please cancel so others may have the opportunity to attend the program. Please try to arrive at least 15 minutes early.
To register: www.eventbrite. com/o/nys-parks-longisland-environmentaleducation-33908178297
Fish And Chips Is An Ideal Meal Throughout Lent
Lent is an important time of year for Christians across the globe. Lent is a season of sacrifice, and many practicing Christians abstain from consuming flesh meat on Fridays in the weeks preceding Easter. Abstaining from meat on Fridays throughout Lent does not require devoted Christians to avoid flavor. In fact, there are many flavorful non-meat dishes for Christians to choose from each Friday during Lent. One particularly flavorful option is this recipe for "Gourmet Fish and Chips" from Lines+Angles.
Directions:
1. For the mushy peas: Combine the peas with the baking soda in a large saucepan. Cover with 8" water. Cover and chill overnight.
2. The next day, drain and rinse thoroughly with cold water.
3. Return the peas to a large saucepan and cover with about 0.5" water. Bring to a boil over a high heat before reducing to a simmer until tender to the bite, about 30 to 40 minutes; skim away any froth that rises to the surface and edges.
4. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and set aside until ready to serve.
5. For the chips/fries: Cut the potatoes into fries. Submerge in a large bowl of water as you heat the oil.
6. Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan to 285 F; use a thermometer to accurately measure the temperature.
7. Remove the potatoes from the water and pat dry with a paper towel. Place in a large mixing bowl and sprinkle over the corn starch, onion powder and some salt, tossing well to combine.
8. Deep-fry the potatoes until soft and starting to color, about 10 minutes. Drain on paper towel and cover loosely with aluminum foil to keep warm.
9. Increase the temperature of the oil to 355 F. Working in two batches, return the fries to the oil and fry until golden-brown and crisp all over.
10. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels. Season with salt and cover
Gourmet Fish And Chips
Makes 4 servings
For the mushy peas:
12 ounces green dried peas, split
1 tablespoon baking soda
2 tablespoons butter, softened
Salt
Freshly ground black peppercorns
For the fries:
2 1/4 lbs. white potatoes, peeled
8 cups vegetable oil, for deep frying
4 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon onion powder or onion salt
For the fish:
4 large white fish fillets, approximately 2 lbs., such as cod or haddock, skinless, pin-boned
1 cup flour
1 large egg, beaten
12 fluid ounces beer, chilled
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
To serve:
2 gherkins pickles, sliced lengthwise
2 lemons
Sprig curly parsley
loosely with aluminum foil to keep warm; reserve the oil.
11. For the fish: Return the frying oil to 355 F; use a kitchen thermometer to accurately gauge the temperature.
12. In the meantime, season the fish with salt and pepper.
13. Combine the flour, egg, 1 teaspoon salt, and some freshly ground black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Whisk briefly to combine before slowly whisking in enough of the beer to make a thick, smooth batter.
14. Working one by one, drop the fish fillets into the batter, turning to coat evenly.
15. Let the excess batter drip off the fish before carefully lowering into the hot oil. Deep-fry until golden-brown and crisp, about 4 minutes. Remove from the hot oil and drain on paper towel, covering loosely with aluminum foil.
16. Repeat steps 14 and 15 for the remaining fish.
17. Reheat the fries in the hot oil if needed, draining well.
18. To serve: Divide the mushy peas between ramekins and place on plates. Divide the fries into individual serving baskets and arrange next to the fish on the plates.
19. Cut the lemons in half, scoring a zig-zag pattern into them with a paring knife. Serve alongside the fish and fries, garnishing the fish with gherkin slices and some parsley sprigs
Don’t Mistake A Shamrock For Any Old Clover
Much like New York City’s Empire State Building or Egypt’s great pyramids are in their respective countries, the shamrock is an icon in Ireland that has grown to symbolize Irish heritage and culture. Many products, sports teams, and businesses with ties to Ireland feature shamrocks in their logos.
So it should be no surprise that shamrocks are also a major part of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. After all, this is a day to pay homage to Ireland’s patron saint — as well as the country itself.
The Irish are quite protective of their shamrocks, and some are quick to point out that shamrocks and certain clovers, including the supposedly lucky four-leaf clover, are not interchangeable. Some botanists will agree.
All shamrocks are clovers, but not all clovers are shamrocks. The home and garden resource The Spruce indicates that the term “shamrock” comes from the Gaelic
word seamrog, meaning “little clover.” There is no consensus as to which species of clover is the true shamrock. However, many botanists agree that the white clover (Trifolium repens) is the shamrock. However, the lesser trefoil, or hop clover, the black medick and red clover all can be contenders.
Four-leafed clovers of any variety are not shamrocks and should
not be portrayed as such. That is because the shamrock is a threeleafed sprout that was believed to be utilized by St. Patrick to demonstrate the principle behind the Holy Trinity. St. Patrick, pointing to the three leaflets united by a common stalk, used this visual analogy to spell out the mystery of Christianity’s doctrine of three entities making up one Lord: God
the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Therefore, for all the purported good luck finding a four-leaf clover may bring — based on mythology imparted by ancient Celts called Druids — it cannot be passed off as a shamrock. Both clovers and shamrocks hold special meaning to the Irish. However, it is the three-leaf variety of clovers that defines the shamrock.
A Hearty Stew Tailor-Made For St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
St. Patrick’s Day is a festive day in which people from all walks of life embrace Irish culture. Celebrated right in the middle of March, St. Patrick’s Day calls for hearty fare that those who have been to the Emerald Isle know is a staple of the Irish diet. This year, anyone looking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and stay warm in the process, can enjoy this recipe for “Irish Stew With Lamb and Potatoes” courtesy of Lines+Angles.
DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat the oil in a large pot and sear the meat. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Cook the onions and carrots in the pan for 3 minutes. Return the meat to the pot, season with salt and ground black pepper and deglaze with the stock. Cover and simmer on a low heat for 40 minutes.
Irish Stew With Lamb and Potatoes
Serves 6
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 3⁄4 pound lamb neck, on the bone, thickly sliced
4 small onions, diced
2 carrots, sliced
6 cups beef stock
8 to 10 small waxy potatoes, halved or quartered depending on size
1 to 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
3. Add the potatoes to the pot, cover and cook for another 30 minutes until the potatoes are soft. Season to taste and serve garnished with parsley.
2026 Winter Events At Sunken Meadow State Park
Sunken Meadow State Park, in Kings Park, will offer the following programs during the Winter of 2026. There will be a fee of $4.00 per adult, $4.00 per child, and children under 3 are free. An $8.00 parking fee per car will be charged as of April 1st, on the weekends. A $10.00 fee starts as of Memorial Day weekend and ends after Labor Day weekend. Advanced reservations are required. If you are unable to keep your reservation, please cancel so others may
have the opportunity to attend. Please be prompt. If others are waiting, your place may be given to them if you have not arrived when the program starts. To make a reservation, visit Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure.
Tiny Tots: “Nature Discoveries” Explore the natural world around us. These programs will connect children and their parents with nature through short walks, story time, animal visitors, and crafts. For
children ages 3-5.
Held on Thursdays 10:30 - 11:30am
Shamrock Shuffle
March 12th
Mr. Golden Sun
March 26th
Shamrock Bird Walk: (Adult Program) Sunday March 15th 10:30am –12:00pm Bundle up and join us for some late winter birding at the park! On this brisk stroll along the beach, marsh, and creek, we will discover the birds that make Sunken Meadow their home for the winter. Some binoculars are available to borrow, but feel free to bring your own. (Meet near the bathrooms on the boardwalk in Field 3) Reservations Are Required: Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure
Welcome to Spring Hike: (Family Program) Saturday March 21st 10:30am – 12:00pm After a long winter, spring
finally returns. Start the season off right by getting outdoors and exploring the trails of the Sunken Meadow creek and bluff. An outdoor educator will accompany you and teach you about the natural signs of spring along the way. (Meet near the bathrooms on the boardwalk in Field 3)
Reservations Are Required: Eventbrite.com and search #NatureEdventure
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
A Hot Breakfast For A Relaxed Weekend Mornings
A hot breakfast can be just what the doctor ordered on weekends. Weekday mornings might be too hectic to whip up a hot breakfast, but that’s often not the case come Saturday and Sunday. For those with time to cook breakfast over the weekend, this recipe for a “Peasant Omelet” from Lines+Angles is delicious and simple to prepare.
DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat the oil in a skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the chopped potatoes and saute until almost fork tender. Add the garlic and continue cooking until the potatoes are tender. Add ham and fresh parsley, stirring until heated through. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.
2. Melt butter in an omelet pan or saute pan. Beat milk and eggs together. Pour egg mixture into the omelet pan. Cook over medium heat, gently move the eggs by sliding a spatula under the eggs, to promote even cooking. Cook until eggs are set.
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.
3. Slide cooked omelet onto plate. Season with freshly ground black pepper and top with potato and ham mixture. Garnish with fresh parsley and sliced pickle. Serve immediately.
