These two moms opened a spa. It had one big, beautiful effect on the community.
Mery and Sindy always knew they wanted to open a spa to bring beauty to customers. Little did they know it would have the same effect on the community. And Business First was there. We provided $23,000 in grants to help with much-needed renovations so Mery and Sindy could bring their vision to life.* Now, not only does their spa impact clients in a beautiful way, it gives the community an economic lift as well.
*Incentives, grants, and savings will vary with every project.
Mery Seminario and Sindy Catalan, ISSI Beauty Spa, Port Washington
Spring is in full bloom - a season of renewal, hope, and fresh beginnings. May brings longer days, warmer weather, and special moments like Mother’s Day and Memorial Day gatherings. Inside this issue, enjoy seasonal editorial, including a fresh and timely recipe, and more to inspire your month. Interested in advertising? Seasons® Magazine is published in print and online each month. Contact us today to learn more.
Learn The Meanings Behind Popular Mother’s Day Flowers
Mother’sDay is a time to express love and appreciation for mothers, sentiments that are often expressed with gifts. Flowers are a popular present to bestow on Mother’s Day, as they can brighten a room and bring a sweet aroma to any household.
While any flowers may ultimately suffice on Mother’s Day, gift givers may want to select flowers for Mom that convey specific messages. The language of flowers has been recognized for centuries. Though perhaps not as heralded as it once
was, flower symbolism persists to this day. Here’s a look at some of the meanings behind certain types of flowers to help guide Mother’s Day gifting.
• Amaryllis: These plants start as bulbs and are naturally spring-blooming flowers. The name comes from the Greek word “amarysso,” which means “to sparkle,” and they symbolize pride.
• Aster: These daisy-like flowers are delicatelooking perennials. Asters make great gifts because they symbolize love and daintiness.
• Begonia: There are more than 2,000 types of begonias, and the flower symbolizes deep thoughts. Begonias were made famous by French horticulturist Michel Bégon, who thought the blooms looked like beautiful girls.
• Bleeding heart: These flowers are red and pink blossoms that look like the perfect heart shape with a teardrop at the bottom. They’re beautiful and symbolic of love and affection.
• Buttercup: These are associated with youthfulness
and cheerfulness and can call to mind childhood days spent picking buttercups and holding them under chins to reveal that you like butter. The flower is known for its beauty and innocent charm.
• Camellia (white): White camellias stand for purity and innocence, but they also symbolize admiration and respect. Camellias make beautiful additions to any bouquet.
• Daisy: Daisies are happy-looking flowers, and according to Norse mythology they represent motherhood and children.
• Delphinium: Delphin-iums come in pink, white and blue varieties and embody youth and renewal. They’re a good pick if you want to convey a continued or renewed affection for a person.
• Tulip: Tulips with an orange hue are thought to represent understanding and appreciation. They can express appreciation for Mom or another special person. Yellow tulips symbolize happiness, while pink tulips are symbolic of love. Red blooms should be reserved for sweethearts.
Various flowers symbolize feelings people want to express to their mothers, grandmothers and other special women on Mother’s Day.
Decorative Crabapple
White • Red • Pink
Dogwood - White • Pink
Red Bud - Lavander Twist Forest Pansy
Pink Pom Pom • Vanilla Twist
Ornamental Flowering Cherry
Kwanzan • Yoshino • Weeping
Snow Fountain
Birches
Multi Stem • Weeping
Single Stem • Dura Heat River • Heritage
1.Age of unit: Most central air units should be replaced after 15 years of use.
2.Maintainence: Central AC units should be inspected annually for safety, and to ensure maximum efficiency, expand life-span and prevent failure.
3.Climate and Environment: Extreme temperatures, sun exposure, and high humidity require central air condition systems work harder to maintain reasonable interior temperatures and humidity levels.
Bring Your Burger Making Skills To The Next Level
Hamburgers are a staple of menus in millions of homes. Whether you’re hosting friends on Memorial Day weekend or simply looking for a hearty midweek meal, burgers and summertime cooking go hand in hand. Hamburgers are a straightforward dish that are often prepared on a grill. But burgers also can be prepared on a stovetop, which can add a new flavor profile to this beloved staple. Those looking to do just that can try this recipe for “Beef Burgers With Onions, Spinach, Ketchup, and Blue Cheese” from Lines+Angles.
DIRECTIONS:
For the sauce: Heat the oil in a pan and lightly sauté the diced onion and garlic. Stir in the honey and sugar and simmer briefly. Mix in the tomato puree, passata, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, and whiskey. Simmer until thickened. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, paprika, and chilli powder to taste.
For the burgers: Place the beef in a bowl, add the onions, salt, pepper, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and chili sauce, and mix well. Shape into 4 burgers.
Preheat a griddle pan. Lightly oil the pan and grill the burgers for 8 to 10 minutes, turning once. During the last minute of cooking, top the burgers with cheese and allow to melt. Remove the burgers from the pan and set aside. Halve the burger buns horizontally and toast in the pan, cut-side down, for 1 minute, then remove.
Beef Burgers With Onions, Spinach, Ketchup, And Blue Cheese
Layer the bottom half of each bun with spinach and sprinkle with crispy onions. Place the burgers on top, drizzle with tomato sauce and cover with the top bun halves. Fix with a skewer if desired and serve with the remaining sauce separately.
Add Some Additional Flavor To Your Memorial Day BBQ
MemorialDay weekend is a time for both reflection and relaxation across the United States. Memorial Day mourns and honors military personnel who lost their lives while serving in the American Armed Forces. Memorial Day parades honor such individuals, and the parades also instill pride in Americans during a muchbeloved weekend across the United States.
Though Memorial Day is
observed annually on the last Monday in May, the three-day holiday weekend marks the unofficial start of summer for millions of people each year. That kickoff typically includes lots of backyard barbecues. As millions gather to celebrate Memorial Day this year, those tasked with manning the grill can consider these ways to add some extra flavor to foods cooked over an open flame.
• Monitor temperatures
with a meat thermometer. Overcooking foods cooked over an open flame is a common mistake. Overcooked foods tend to taste dried out and fail to offer that signature juiciness associated with wellcooked barbecue staples like steak and other types of red meat. People manning the grill this Memorial Day are urged to utilize a meat thermometer, which can ensure foods maintain their juicy flavor profile and do not dry out. The ideal internal cooking temperature varies depending on which foods are being cooked, so be sure to stick to a recipe or look up the appropriate internal cooking temperature for foods that will be cooked over an open flame.
• Utilize wood chips or chunks. Another way to add flavor is to grill foods over wood chips or chunks. Chips or chunks might be flavored (mesquite is a popular flavor) or unflavored. Cooks should know that adding flavored or unflavored chips or chunks will impart a smoky flavor to anything cooked on the grill. When using a gas grill, cooks can put the chips or chunks in a smoker box or wrap them in a foil pouch to impart extra flavor without
adversely affecting the grill.
• Dry rub meats. Some people marinate grilled foods prior to cooking, but marinade can drip off when cooking food and lose much of its value in regard to adding flavor. Dry rubs are made from spices, herbs and other seasonings that won’t fall or burn off when foods are cooking. Dry rubs can add extra flavor when applied hours before cooking or even shortly before placing foods on the grill.
• Slow down. “Low and slow” is a motto embraced by people who love to smoke foods, and that same approach can be applied to more traditional grilling as well. Even if you don’t have all day to cook like you would if you choose to smoke foods, cooking low and slow can ensure foods are juicy and full of that unique taste that’s only possible when cooking over an open flame. Keep vents open only on a crack and cook foods at lower temperatures than you otherwise might. While the foods won’t be cooked as fast, they will boast more of that signature smoky flavor grilling enthusiasts love.
There’s no shortage of ways to impart some extra flavor to grilled foods this Memorial Day.
Prom Expands Beyond The Dance
Promis much more than a dance. It is a rite of passage and a memorable component of the high school experience. The few hours spent dancing and socializing at a catering hall or other venue will be the centerpiece of prom night, but often there is more to the festivities. Increasingly, students incorporate preprom events and after-prom adventures, during which additional memories are made.
Getting ready
Many young women enjoy prepping for the prom together. This presents a chance to work on each others’ hair and makeup, and ensure that the finishing touches are all set. Depending on the school, some students may have an early dismissal on the schedule so prom-goers have ample time to get ready. It’s possible to meet at a spa, salon or someone’s house to put together the perfect prom aesthetic. This is a busy day, so it’s always a good idea to pre-book prom treatments well in advance to ensure that beauty professionals will be free and able to accommodate groups.
Pre-prom gathering
Pre-prom get-togethers are all about looking good before the dancing (and sweating) occurs. This is the time when friends gather to take photos with their closest group of besties. Typically, one student who has a home with a scenic backyard hosts the pre-prom mixer. Light snacks, photo opportunities with balloons and backdrops are the norm. It can be a nice touch to have a parents’ station with some snacks and beverages so that
parents can mingle and grab their own photos as well. The pre-prom gathering also is a way to facilitate easy transport to the prom. Groups can coordinate vans, party buses or limos to stop at this centralized location.
Prom after-party
Once the last song is played and the lights come on at the prom venue, it may seem like the night is done. But this is not quite the case for those who want the fun to continue. After-prom events tend to fall into two distinct camps: the school-sanctioned option and the private party.
The school event may feature things like inflatables, food, casino-type games, and more music. Some are lock-in events where students stay until morning, helping to keep people off the road in the wee hours.
Private after-parties run the gamut of classic house parties to diner hangouts to destination trips. In many
regions of the country, it is a tradition to head to a beach house, a cabin or a hotel in a hot spot for the remainder of the prom evening and potentially the weekend. Students and parents must carefully weigh the pros and cons of these types of parties, and make every endeavor to keep participants safe. Some hotels will not allow bookings to underage patrons, so that also is a consideration. Families may want to establish pacts that hold students to certain behavior standards, such as avoiding alcohol, drugs and intimate encounters at prom after-parties. The after-party requires a level of responsibility and trust on the part of all involved. Prom has evolved to be an all-day event that mixes the getting ready stage with pre-prom photo opportunities, the dance, and then the afterevent. This maximizes the chances for memories that will last a lifetime.
Honor Veterans This Memorial Day
MemorialDay is often associated with the excitement of a long weekend and backyard barbecues, but it is also a time to reflect on the men and women who gave their lives to defend American freedom. Established to honor those who died while serving in the Armed Forces, the
day encourages remembrance of their sacrifices. Here are a few ways to pay tribute:
• Observe the National Moment of Remembrance: This one-minute moment of silence takes place at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day. Established by
How To Make Grilling Healthier
Grillingis a beloved summer tradition, but it’s not always the healthiest way to eat. Classic backyard barbecue fare like hot dogs and hamburgers may be crowd favorites, but there are simple ways to enjoy the flavor of grilling while maintaining a nutritious diet:
• Choose healthier proteins: Replace burgers and hot dogs with options like fish or skinless chicken breasts. If you still crave a burger, opt for lean ground poultry instead of beef to cut down on saturated fat.
• Practice moderation: The relaxed atmosphere of barbecues can lead to overeating. Swap out chips and heavy sides for healthier choices like fresh vegetables, fruit salad or chickpea salad, and keep portion sizes reasonable. Health experts recommend about three ounces of meat per serving, with no more than six ounces.
• Skip the salt: While salt enhances flavor, too much can contribute to high blood pressure. Try a salt-free rub made with spices like chili powder, garlic powder and paprika to add bold flavor without extra sodium.
• Add more vegetables: Grilled
Congress in 2000, it asks Americans to pause and reflect on the cost of freedom.
• Honor the American flag: On Memorial Day, the flag is flown at half-staff until noon, then raised to full-staff for the rest of the day, symbolizing mourning in the morning and remembrance in the afternoon.
• Place flags at gravesites: Organizations and volunteers often decorate veterans’ graves with small American flags. Families can also visit cemeteries and leave a penny or stone to show respect.
• Share stories with the next generation: Veterans can help preserve the memory of fallen service members by speaking with young people about their experiences and those of their comrades.
Memorial Day is more than a day off—it is a time to remember those who never returned home and to honor their service and sacrifice.
vegetables are both tasty and nutritious. Brush them with a healthy oil like olive oil to prevent sticking and bring out their natural flavors over the flame.
With a few simple adjustments, grilling can be just as healthy as it is delicious, making your next backyard barbecue both enjoyable and better for you.
Day Trips Make Mother’s Day Special
Mother’s
Day 2026 will be celebrated across the United States, Canada, Australia, and many other countries on Sunday, May 10. Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May, and has been since 1914, when President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation establishing the day as a national holiday.
There are plenty of ways to celebrate mothers, grandmothers, and stepmothers, including with gifts and celebrations. However, gift givers also may want to trade wrapped presents for a shared experience. Consider day trips or overnight excursions as options for treating Mom to something special. Here
are some day trips that can make lasting memories.
• Wine country: For moms who love wine, a visit to a nearby vineyard is an elegant way to celebrate. However, there’s also the option to travel to historically popular and well-regarded wine regions, such as Napa Valley, Sonoma County or Willamette Valley in the western United States. An even more epic adventure can be a trip to key regions in Europe like Bordeaux, France, Tuscany, Italy, or Rioja, Spain.
• Historic sites: Moms who are history buffs can travel to areas of the country that are known for their
historical significance. Boston, with its hop-on-hopoff trolley tours, provides an up-close look at sites that shaped the American Revolution. Williamsburg, Virginia, and nearby Jamestown also offer a historical touch. Colonial Williamsburg is a livinghistory museum where actors in period costume depict daily Colonial life. At Jamestown, walk in the steps of Captain John Smith and Pocahontas and explore a unique locale in American history.
• Peace in nature: Some mothers find that nature is their happy place. A garden tour or a visit to the nearest botanical garden is a great choice. Many beautiful flowers peak in early May, including late tulips, lilacs and azaleas. Roses
also may start budding around this time. Butchart Gardens in Canada is a 55-acre National Historic Site known for its Sunken Garden, and can be a lovely spot to tour. Another option is the Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania, which boasts formal gardens, meadows and large indoor conservatories.
• Coastal escape: When treating Mom to some “vitamin sea,” a day trip to the coast cannot be beat. A walk on the sand certainly can be a winning choice, but activities like a Mother’s Day brunch cruise on a riverboat or ferry can elevate the excursion.
Letting mom experience different day trips can be a special way to set this Mother’s Day apart.
K ids C o l o r i n g C o nte st !
Get creative and color the drawing to the best of your ability! Three winners will be chosenone in each age category: 4-5, 6-7, 8-10. Winners will receive a 4-pack of tickets to the Long Island Aquarium. All entries must be submitted by May 15. Winners will be notified on May 18. One entry per person.
Please mail your submission to:
Long Island Media Group
Attn: Marketing
565 Broadhollow Road. Suite 3
Farmingdale, NY 11735
Name:
Age: __ Phone Number: Email address: Town:
Treat Mom To A Classic Pasta Dish
Moms often work tirelessly to care for their families, with many juggling careers and time spent at home. It’s a balance that is sometimes tricky to manage, and at times mothers need to have their loads lightened. Children or spouses who learn to cook can take some pressure off of Mom. Mother’s Day is a prime opportunity for other members of the household to spend time in the kitchen. Pasta dishes generally are easy to prepare and can feed a crowd. Such is the case with this recipe for “Carbonara” from “Rachael Ray: Memories and Meals From a Sweet and Savory Life” (Ballantine Books) by Rachael Ray.
Carbonara
Serves 4
1⁄4 cup approximately EVOO
1⁄3 pound chunk of meaty pancetta or guanciale, cut into 1⁄4-inch dice
4 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced or chopped
1 1⁄2 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
1 cup white wine
6 large egg yolks
1 cup grated Pecorino Romano, plus more to pass Salt
1 pound bucatini or spaghetti
1⁄2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (a fat handful of leaves)
Directions:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta.
In a large, deep skillet over medium heat, heat the EVOO, four turns of the pan. Add the pancetta or guanciale and render for about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and pepper and stir 1 minute more. Add the wine and reduce by half (about 7 minutes), then reduce the heat to low.
In a medium bowl, combine the egg yolks and grated cheeses to the liberally salted boiling water and cook to 1 minute less than al dente per the package recommendation.
Remove about 11⁄4 cups of starchy cooking water from the pot and whisk it into the egg yolks in a steady stream to temper them. Reserve an extra 1⁄2 cup of starchy water just in case. Drain the pasta or transfer it with a spider or tongs to the pan with the pancetta and garlic. Remove the pan from the heat and add the tempered egg yolks and parsley. Toss to combine. If the sauce seems too thin, return the heat to the lowest setting and, stirring constantly for 2 to 4 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Add salt to taste.
Note: Many recipes for this dish include heavy cream. Such recipes may be delicious, but they’re not authentic. The creamy consistency here comes from tempering the eggs and emulsifying them with oil, cheese and cooking water.
The Benefits Of Attending Summer Camp
Summer camp is something akin to a rite of passage for millions of youngsters each year. Many adults look back fondly on their experiences at summer camp, often crediting such times as formative periods in their lives.
Summer camp benefits children in myriad ways. Recognition of the many advantages of attending summer camp can serve as a great reminder of just how fun it can be for children to spend their time away from school at a camp of their choosing.
• Campers continue to socialize throughout summer. Socializing isn’t just for the school year. While children in high school might be independent enough to come and go with their friends during summer break, kids who are still in elementary school or middle school might not be old enough to handle such freedom. That can make it hard to stay in touch with friends, which in turn can contribute to feelings of boredom and loneliness. Camp provides ample opportunities for young children to socialize during a time of year when they might not see their school friends as often as they’re used to.
• Campers can expand their horizons. Though some summer camps are exclusive to residents of certain communities, many tend to feature children from numerous towns or municipalities. Such camps provide an opportunity for campers to
expand their horizons by engaging with youngsters who come from different backgrounds. Indeed, the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University notes that summer camp may be the first time children spend substantial amounts of time with people whose backgrounds differ from their own.
• Camp can get kids off their devices. Modern children are growing up in a digital world, and parents know how hard it can be to get kids to put down their devices and get outdoors. But the key to making that pivot could be access to outdoor play spaces. A 2025 study from researchers at the University of Michigan published in the journal Health and Place found
that efforts to reduce kids’ screen time are more successful when children are given a chance to play outside. Many summer camps are structured around outdoor play, making them a potentially invaluable ally as parents seek to help children cut back on the time they spend using their devices. Children who do not attend camp and live in households where both parents work or in single-parent households where Mom or Dad works may be forced to spend much of summer indoors, which could increase the frequency with which they turn to devices to occupy their time.
• Camp adds structure to summer days. Once a school year ends, the
structure a school day provides vanishes into thin air. Couple that with extracurricular activities that go on hiatus during summer vacation, and kids accustomed to structure are left with little to do and no need to schedule their time. That can add an aimlessness to summer days. Camp can provide the structure kids are accustomed to but still offer a break from responsibilities like homework or the commitments required of extracurricular activities. There’s no shortage of benefits to enrolling youngsters in summer camp, where kids can socialize, grow and get off their devices while engaged in structured but stress-free activities.
Prom Night Prep Tips For Parents Helping Teens
Prom is a teenage rite of passage. Prom night provides one more exciting adventure in a school experience that likely started with preschool jitters and will soon culminate with graduates receiving their high school diplomas.
Prom night planning reaches a fever pitch a few weeks before the big event. A significant amount of time and money are involved in making prom a night to remember. While teens may be focused on fashion and fun, parents may be wondering what they can do to steer their sons and daughters in the right direction. Here are some pointers to consider as families prepare for prom.
Set a budget
The pandemic has affected supply chains and has contributed to increased prices on all types of consumer goods, so you may find that prom attire and accessories will cost more this year. Figure out what you can afford to contribute to the prom, and ask your teenager to pitch in. If your child is footing some of the bill, there may be a greater willingness to corral spending. One way to save money is to rent a gown/tuxedo rather than purchasing one outright.
Be a parent first, friend second
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says the months of April through June are some of the most dangerous times of year for teens, particularly regarding alcohol-related traffic accidents. Many teens are looking at prom night as an opportunity to let loose, and that may include alcohol consumption or drug use.
Parents must not condone underage drinking when hosting teens at home or when hosting an after-party at a hotel or restaurant where alcohol will be served. Not only is it irresponsible, it is illegal to give alcohol to anyone who is under 21.
Set an example by keeping calm
Prom planning can be stressful. Various details have to come together on the big day. Even though they may appear to be young adults, teens still may have meltdowns or impulse control issues when things don’t go their way. Set an example by reacting to obstacles calmly and finding workarounds.
Stay involved
An involved parent may help keep a teen out of trouble. A Statistics Brain survey of nearly 13,000 high school students found that 14 percent of girls reported having sex on prom night, and 5 percent of girls and 3 percent of boys lost their virginity on prom night.
There’s also the potential for sexual assault at prom, particularly when alcohol is present. Informed parents who are keeping tabs on who their children will be hanging out with and setting partying limits can make prom night as safe as possible.
Did You Know?
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, some may wonder where the name “America” comes from. According to the Library of Congress, it is derived from Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, who suggested the lands reached by Christopher Columbus in 1492 were part of a separate continent. In 1507, German mapmaker Martin Waldseemüller honored Vespucci by naming the region “America” on a map—the first to depict it as a separate continent—now held by the Library of Congress and often called “America’s Birth Certificate.”
