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.
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.
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.
Interesting Facts About Memorial Day
Memorial Day, observed at the end of May, honors the men and women who lost their lives while serving in the Armed Forces. With origins dating back to the aftermath of the Civil War, the holiday carries deep historical significance. Here are five interesting facts:
1. Originally called Decoration Day: Before Memorial Day was formally established, communities held springtime tributes by decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. In 1868, General John A. Logan officially proclaimed May 30 as Decoration Day.
2. Became a national holiday in 1968: President Lyndon B. Johnson signed legislation recognizing Memorial Day as a federal holiday. He also issued a proclamation naming Waterloo, New York, as the birthplace of Memorial Day, noting its early community-
wide observance in 1866.
3. Flowers influenced the date: May 30 was chosen not because of a specific battle, but because it fell during a time when flowers would be in bloom across the country, making it ideal for decorating soldiers’ graves.
4. Expanded after World War I: While early observances focused on Civil War soldiers, the holiday was later expanded to honor all American military personnel who died in any war.
5. Date changed for a long weekend: The Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved Memorial Day from May 30 to the last Monday in May, creating a three-day weekend for federal workers. The change took effect in 1971.
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.”
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.
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:
Bay Shore - Brightwaters Public Library
ONE SOUTH COUNTRY ROAD, BRIGHTWATERS, NY 11718
631-665-4350, www.bsbwlibrary.org
LIBRARY HOURS: Monday through Thursday - 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Friday and Saturday - 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Sundays 12:00 - 4:00 PM
DISPLAYS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY:
Lobby and Inside Display Case and the Gallery - The Bay Shore Public Schools will be showcasing student artwork. Student projects will be displayed in the gallery, outside showcase, and inside showcase throughout May. Come and be amazed!
NOTARY PUBLIC - Patrons are required to make a notary appointment with our online system. Walk-ins are available on Fridays between the hours of 9:30 -11:00 AM but are subject to notary availability and cannot be guaranteed. Please see our website for our updated notary policy.
SNEAKER COLLECTION DRIVE - The library is a collection point for the GotSneakers? Campaign coordinated by the Keep Islip Clean organization. Please place your old sneakers in the bin by the front entrance for recycling. Help us in our effort to keep old sneakers out of landfills.
SOCIAL WORK INTERN - The library will have a social work intern available to help with referrals to social services, food and housing assistance, and mental health resources. Email socialworker@bsbwlibray.org or call the library for more information and to set up an appointment.
PUZZLE SWAP - Check out our puzzle swap, Pick out a new puzzle and leave one for the community to enjoy. Located outside of the Teen Room.
ADULT PROGRAMS:
May 7th – Thursday 6:00 PM - Hometown Histories: A Local History Book Club. This month’s selection will be
Long Island’s Vanished heiress: The unsolved Alice Parsons Kidnapping by Steven C. Drielak. We will read and discuss fiction and non-fiction books written by local authors, as well as books about our local areas. Reading materials will be available a month before the meeting at the Circulation Desk.
May 9th- Saturday from 11:00 - 12:30 PM - Theatre Improv Games For Adults With Laura Albert. Welcome to Improvisation for the theatre! You will be introduced to the building blocks of acting through theatre games and improvisation techniques. Gain creativity, confidence and community!
May 9th- Saturday from 1:00 - 3:00 PM - Mother’s Day Crafting. Create a miniature decorative scene in a teacup! Bring a teacup of your own to this beginner friendly needle felting workshop and leave with a one-of-a-kind creation to use decoratively or a pincushion. All other materials will be supplied.
May 12th – Tuesday from 6:00 - 7:00 PM - Bring Your Own Teen: Decorative Flower Pots. Transform a plain flower pot into a vibrant work of art. Then take home your very own plant to grow and thrive inside it. Be sure to register both yourself and your teen.
May 12th – Tuesday from 2:00 - 3:30 PM - Fireside Book Discussion. Copies of the book in various formats are available a month before the next meeting at the Circulation Desk. This month’s selection is The Women of the Copper Country by Mary Doria Russell.
May 13th – Wednesday from 6:30 - 7:30 PM - Stop the Bleed Training. Learn to save lives through three basic actions to stop life-threatening bleeding following emergencies.
May 16th – Saturday from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Empire Safety Defensive Driving Course. Learn to be a better driver and save money on your auto insurance. There will be a half hour lunch break. Fee of $30 due at registration in person cash or check made out to Empire Safety Council.
May 17th – Sunday from 12:00 - 4:00 PM - The Local History Room will be open for visitors. Feel free to drop in to view collections or get assistance with research or scanning! You can also make an appointment by emailing: BSBWPLLocalhistory @gmail.com
May 23rd – Saturday from 1:00 – 3:00 PM - Family Bicycle Rodeo! Come on down with the whole gang for a good old fashioned Rodeo! Ride your bikes to the library, get fitted for your equipment, have your tire pressure checked and filled, and learn some tips for safety and where to ride. There will be crafting activities for children and the chance to win fun prizes!
May 26th – Tuesday from 6:30 - 7:30 PM - Paint It Forward Self Care Jars. Sponsored by the YES Community Mental Health Promotion & Support Organization, this program explore practical tools for building healthy habits.
Honor Veterans This Memorial Day
Memorial Day 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.
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.
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.
