Wantagh Herald 03-12-2026

Tens of thousands of spectators are expected to line Wantagh Avenue this weekend, when the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns

Thousands are expected for celebration of Irish culture

By lUKE FEENEY

lfeeney@liherald.com

Tens of thousands of spectators are expected to line Wantagh Avenue on Sunday as the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, one of the largest celebrations of Irish heritage on Long Island.

The parade, now in its sixth year, draws spectators from across Nassau County and beyond. Chamber officials expect attendance to be similar to previous years, when the crowd of marchers, officials and spectators has grown to an estimated 50,000 people, and filled the streets of Wantagh.

The parade will step off from Wantagh High School and head south on Wantagh Avenue before ending near Park Avenue, where post-parade festivities typically continue with live entertainment.

“We’re expecting it to be on par with prior years,” Marilynne Rich, the chamber’s first vice president, said of the expected attendance.

This year’s collective grand marshal is

the entire Wantagh Fire Department, in recognition of the volunteer department’s longstanding service to the community. Founded in 1899, the department now has about 200 members and operates out of five firehouses, responding to roughly 2,000 ambulance calls and more than 1,000 fire calls each year.

At the chamber’s Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day celebration last September at Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall, where the parades grand marshal is annually announced. Then Chamber President Kathy McGrory Powell said the decision to honor the entire department, reflected the collective dedication of its members. The department was represented at the dinner by Assistant Chiefs Bill Stevens, Paul Krussmann and Chris Dolley, and Stevens called the department’s selection an honor.

“We’ve worked hand in hand with the chamber the past few parades,” Stevens said at the time. “We’re just honored to be recognized as grand marshals.”

McGrory Powell described the department as the unsung heroes of the communi-

Seaford student is National Merit contest finalist

By lUKE FEENEY lfeeney@liherald.com

Seaford High School senior Matthew Kind has been named a finalist in the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program, placing him among the nation’s top high school students.

The competition recognizes exceptional achievement on the PSAT exam, which students take in their junior year. Each year, the program recognizes about 50,000 students nationwide, including roughly 34,000 Commended Students and 16,000 semifinalists, nearly all of whom become finalists. The winners of just under 7,000 scholarships will be announced beginning in April, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

between significance and success,” Kind said when asked about the subject of his essay. “Living a significant life — impacting others rather than just focusing on yourself.”

That idea, he said, has shaped his outlook both in and outside the classroom. “Significance is making an impact on others,” while success is more individualistic, he explained. His guidance counselor, Suzanne Cosenza, said that mindset reflects the type of student Kind has been since he arrived at the high school.

S ignificance is making an impact on others.

MATTHEw KiNd Senior, Seaford High School

Kind, Seaford High’s valedictorian this year, scored 1510 out of a possible 1520 on the exam. “That qualified me to pursue the next step,” he said of an application process that required support from school administrators and a personal essay.

“I talked about the difference

“From the moment I met Matthew in ninth grade, I knew he was someone truly exceptional,” Cosenza said. “While his academic achievements are remarkable, what stands out even more is his character. In my 28 years as a guidance counselor,” she added, “Matthew is among the most genuine, sincere and respectful students I have ever had the privilege of working with.”

Principal Nicole Schnabel echoed that sentiment, describing Kind as a student whose ConTinueD on PAge 5

Crowds expected to line Wantagh Avenue

ty. “You may not notice them,” she said. “But you know you want them there when you need them, and they’re there.”

In addition to honoring Irish culture, the event has become a major gathering for local organizations, first responders, marching bands and businesses. Fire departments from nearby communities including Seaford, Levittown, Bellmore, Merrick and East Meadow usually participate, along with veterans groups and Irish cultural organizations.

The parade’s popularity, according to Rich, stems in part from Wantagh’s walkable downtown and strong community support. “We have a great downtown area, she said, where there’s lots of restaurants and bars for people to go to afterwards.”

The parade’s route and the chamber’s year-round promotion have helped fuel its growth, with local businesses also benefiting from the influx of visitors, Rich added. “Obviously, the bars and the restaurants are getting a lot of people coming to eat, to drink, to sample things,” she said. “The other businesses tell us that they get a lot of exposure from it.”

This year’s parade also has a hometown title sponsor: Gus Tsiorvas, owner of the Embassy Diner, in nearby Bethpage. “It means everything in the world to me,” Tsiorvas, a chamber member and longtime Wantagh resident, said of

the chamber’s recognition. “That’s my town. That’s where I grew up, and I love Wantagh with all my heart.”

Tsiorvas said that sponsoring the parade was especially meaningful because his family remains deeply con-

nected to the community. “My kids are going to go to school there,” he said. “They go to Mandalay Elementary now — they’re going to go through the Wantagh school district. It’s home. It’s my home. I never left there.”

For many participants, the parade is as much about community pride as it is about celebrating Irish heritage. State Sen. Steve Rhoads said the event has become a local tradition that brings neighbors together.

“The Wantagh Chamber St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of those special traditions that truly captures the spirit of our community,” Rhoads wrote in a statement to the Herald. “Each year, neighbors, families, local businesses and first responders come together to celebrate Irish heritage and the strong sense of pride we share here on Long Island.”

Rich said that one of her favorite moments comes when she steps onto the parade route and sees the throngs of spectators. “When we see the crowds on the street, we know that we’re doing something really special,” she said. “We’re bringing life to the community.”

While the parade celebrates Irish culture, organizers say its appeal reaches far beyond that. “Whether you’re Irish or not, this parade is for everyone,” Rhoads said. “It’s a chance to come together, celebrate our community and enjoy a great Long Island tradition.”

Powering Long Island’s Future: How Solar is Lowering Bills

Ona hot July afternoon, when air conditioners across the South Shore kick into overdrive, Long Islanders feel it two ways: in the strain on an aging electric system and in the monthly bill that follows.

For IT professional Brian Leight, that moment came during his first full summer in his Long Island home.

Between $400–$500 heating costs in winter and now $400–$500 electric bills in summer, “you never get a break,” he added.

Repeated neighborhood outages tied to transformer overload pushed him to look for something more reliable and affordable. As someone who works from home and runs servers in his basement, reliability isn’t optional. He installed rooftop solar paired with battery storage.

Now, he says, “In the summer I probably use maybe 2% grid and you know 98% solar.”

His experience reflects a broader

shift. Long Islanders aren’t just looking for cleaner energy — they’re looking for stability, predictable costs and fewer disruptions.

Long Island’s solar growth

Long Island’s growth in solar adoption mirrors these personal stories. New York now ranks #1 in the nation for installed community solar, powering more than 550,000 homes and delivering 5–10% savings to subscribers. During the

June 2025 heat wave, distributed solar reduced peak load by 5%, cutting statewide electricity costs by more than $90 million.

In January 2026, LIPA and Suffolk County announced a new partnership to evaluate large-scale industrial solar development across major business corridors, including the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge, the Route 110 Corridor, Heartland Business Center in Brentwood, MacArthur Business

Park, Brookhaven Rail Terminal and Wyandanch.

The initiative will analyze rooftop solar potential across industrial areas, assess grid interconnection capacity, and identify ways to streamline permitting and multibuilding coordination. The goal is clear: deploy solar in a way that strengthens grid reliability, reduces operating costs for businesses and advances local economic growth.

On Long Island, solar leadership isn’t just about climate goals. It’s about resilience — lowering costs, strengthening reliability and building a more secure energy future from the rooftops up.

Students play basketball for a good cause

Students at Wantagh Middle School took to the basketball court for a cause on March 4 during the school’s annual Hoops for Heart competition, raising thousands of dollars for the American Heart Association.

The event, hosted by the school’s physical education department, marked the 30th time the fundraiser has been held at the school. Thirty-six students who had won preliminary contests in sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade physical education classes advanced to the championship rounds, while the rest of the eighth grade filled the bleachers to cheer them on.

Following preliminary rounds for both the boys and girls competitions, six players from each group advanced to the finals. Eighth grader Patrick O’Brien and seventh grader Brynn Kreutzberger emerged as the overall winners and received trophies.

In the weeks leading up to the event, students collected donations to support the American Heart Association. Altogether, Wantagh Middle School raised

$4,695 for the organization.

The Hoops for Heart program, sponsored by the American Heart Association and SHAPE America, promotes physical activity, heart-healthy living and community service in schools. The program also raises funds for cardiovascular disease and stroke research while teaching students about cardiovascular health.

The top three student fundraisers were recognized before the final round: Hadley Schwarz, who raised $659.51; Landon Fusco, who raised $571.89; and Jace Tawfik, who collected $481.57.

Physical education teachers Deb DiBiase, Eileen Keener, Thomas Liguori and Gary Reh organized the event. The gymnasium was decorated with red and pink paper hearts created by students during physical education classes, featuring inspirational messages and tributes to family members affected by heart disease.

–Luke Feeney

Town is accepting applications for a seasonal bay

Town seeks bay constable for summer patrols

Hempstead Town is accepting applications for a seasonal bay constable position as officials prepare for the busy spring and summer boating season along the South Shore waterways.

Supervisor John Ferretti and the town board announced the hiring initiative as part of an effort to enhance boater safety and strengthen enforcement of local maritime laws.

“While the Town of Hempstead employs a highly trained and dedicated staff of full-time bay constables, we are seeking to add a seasonal team member to further enhance boater safety and code enforcement,” Ferretti said in a news release. “We urge qualified candidates to apply today.”

The seasonal bay constable will help enforce boating safety laws and regula-

tions, protect local waterways and wetlands, and respond to emergencies on the water, according to town officials.

Under New York state law, all operators of personal watercraft are required to possess a boater safety certificate. Bay constables monitor compliance with that requirement and patrol local waters for unsafe operation, including boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The seasonal hire will also assist fulltime officers with public education efforts, including town-sponsored boater safety classes offered in the coming months.

Applicants may apply in person at the town’s Department of Human Resources, located at Hempstead Old Town Hall, 350 Front St., Hempstead. — Jeffrey Bessen

Let us Know

News Brief items including awards, honors, promotions and other tidbits about local residents are welcome. Photographs may be emailed as well. Deadline for submissions is noon Thursday, week prior to publication. Send to execeditor@liherald.com

Student credits mentors, service experience

leadership comes from lifting others up. “Matthew is a rare individual who not only does all the right things to lead from the front, but just as powerfully, leads from behind,” Schnabel said. “His leadership is rooted not in a desire for recognition, but in an instinctive understanding that true influence comes from elevating others.”

Beyond academics, Kind has also formed meaningful connections through service and community involvement. Last year he took part in Soaring Valor, a school program that took students and 14 World War II veterans to New Orleans to visit the National World War II Museum, an experience that he said left a lasting impression.

On the trip, Kind was paired with 98-year-old World War II veteran Gabe Grenci, of Babylon. The two bonded quickly, talking throughout the plane ride and the three-day visit. “It was about a three-hour plane ride,” Kind recalled, [but] to me it felt like 10 minutes. It was just talking to him the whole time.”

The connection continued long after the trip ended. Kind said he still speaks regularly with Grenci, and recently attended his 99th birthday. “I still am in constant communication,” said. “I’m still talking to him, texting him each day.”

The experience, he said, reinforced his belief in the importance of learning from others and giving back to the community.

nity to do whatever you want.”

“For me, hearing his personal accounts and having the honor to then bring them to others is incredible,” Kind said. Growing up in the Seaford School District helped shape his success, Kind added, crediting the support of teachers, administrators and classmates. “I think it’s the network and the family they build,” he explained. “They make you feel comfortable. You really have the opportu-

Beyond academics, Kind has also formed meaningful connections through service and community involvement, including with 99-yearold veteran gabe

of

As he prepares to graduate, Kind said he is looking forward to the next chapter of his life while taking time to appreciate his final months of high school. “I’m excited to really take in the last moments here with the friends I grew up with since kindergarten,” he said.

He is currently deciding between two colleges — the University of Richmond and Ohio State — where he plans to pursue a pre-law track and then go on to law school.

His long-term goal is a career as an attorney, and to continue focusing on leadership and service. “One of my major things with pursuing law school and being a lawyer is I want to lead,” Kind said. “I want to lead a team of my own and to serve.”

School administrators agree that that commitment to others is what sets him apart. “It has been one of the great privileges of my career to know, and learn from, Matthew Kind,” Schnabel said. “A student who is truly one of a kind.”

HOUSE Job Fair!

Now Hiring Sales Professionals

One of Long Island’s Leading Media Companies

Richner Communications is expanding our sales team and looking for motivated, competitive professionals ready to grow their careers.

Now Hiring:

We offer strong earning potential, established multimedia products, digital solutions, and a respected brand presence throughout the communities we serve.

If you have proven sales experience and the drive to succeed, we want to meet

SPORTS

Garden City denies MacArthur coveted title

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

Top-seeded MacArthur’s perfect season and county championship dreams were dashed last Saturday afternoon in the Nassau Class AA girls’ basketball title game by No. 2 Garden City, which used a strong second half to hand the Generals their only defeat after 22 consecutive wins, 63-45, at Farmingdale State College.

The Trojans pulled away over the final 16 minutes after holding a 28-27 lead at intermission, thanks in large part to a three-headed offensive monster (Kennedy Palmer, Grace Brantuk and Marissa Patrissi) and a stifling defense from senior Elizabeth Gaffney

“Defense, defense, defense,” said Patrissi, who had 11 points before fouling out with 4:01 remaining and Garden City holding 53-42 advantage. “MacArthur has some great players that we knew we had to stop,” she added. “We made some halftime adjustments to fix the little things and had a great second half.”

Palmer scored a game-high 24 points and Brantuk added 12 points and 18 rebounds for the Trojans (19-4), who won their first county title in 13 years and advanced to face Westhampton (212) for the Long Island Class AA title Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Stony Brook University.

Senior Meghan Campbell led MacArthur with 17 points and senior Gabby Nicolini added a dozen. Campbell’s free throw to open the second half pulled the Generals even for the final time at 28 before Garden City scored 11 of the next 13 to build a 39-30 lead.

“It’s not the way we wanted the best season in program history to end,” MacArthur head coach Dave Radtke said. “It was an incredible season really. Garden City plays a physical game and gave us a hard time on the boards. We also had a tough shooting game.”

The Generals, who eliminated Jericho in the quarterfinals and Manhasset in the semis, trailed the Trojans by as many as five in the first quarter but responded with their best surge that resulted in their largest lead of the game at 23-20 late in the second.

Campell and Nicolini scored four points apiece to lead an 11-3 run that was capped by senior Ysabelle Perillo’s jumper in the lane. But Garden City regained the lead with treys from Patrissi and junior Lia Costa and never trailed thereafter.

“We focused on defense all week in practice:” Garden City head coach Steve Bilello said. “The girls really turned up the pressure in the second half to get it done.”

The Trojans, who knocked out Calhoun in the quarterfinals and South

Side in the semis, flexed their muscle after halftime and closed the third quarter with three important points to regain momentum after the Generals inched within 39-34.

Gaffney, who Bilello credited with containing Nicolini, beat the third-quarter buzzer with a layup for a 42-34 lead.

“She did an amazing job defensively today and also had some key baskets,” Bilello said of Gaffney, who had 8 points.

MacArthur was seeking its first-ever county title. It reached the semifinals in each of the past two seasons and got over the hump into the finals but was unable to get to the top of the mountain.

“We had 10 seniors who were a big part of the program and they’re going to be deeply missed,” Radtke said.

Meaghan Campbell capped an incredible

celebrating women’s history month

Empowering and assisting the county’s libraries

By MADISON GUSLER mgusler@liherald.com

The Nassau Library System is a cooperative of 54 libraries throughout the county. While each one is supported by local taxes and governed by its own board of trustees, the NLS provides services, materials and programming to all member libraries.

“One of the largest services we provide are delivery services five days a week,” NLS Director Caroline Ashby said. “We enable libraries to share resources with one another. So when a patron in Levittown wants to use a book only owned by the Elmont library, we’ll pick it up from Elmont, sort it in our facility and send it to Levittown the next day for the patron to check out.

“We save Nassau taxpayers thousands of dollars a year,” Ashby added, “by resource-sharing this way.”

Ashby, a native of Port Washington, began her library career with the New York Public Library while studying for a master’s in library and information sciences at the Pratt Institute. “I was a volunteer in the adult literacy center as a tutor,” she recalled. “These were people from their 40s to their 70s who’d made it that far without real literacy skills.”

At the center, Ashby built relationships with patrons and learned about the challenges they faced, such as a lack of technology skills. She decided to teach those as well, helping with internet browsing, setting up emails and teaching them Microsoft.

“Because to be able to work,” she said, “you need to have a resume, submit your application over email, and know how to use Word.”

After finishing her degree, she worked at the Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library, in Manhattan, part of a nationwide network that provides reading materials to patrons who are blind or visually impaired. Ashby, who worked with patrons by phone and email, and suggested braille and audio materials, credits this experience for broadening her perspective of library services.

In 2014 she was hired as assistant director of the NLS. “I wanted to come back home and serve a community closer to my heart,” Ashby said. In 2019 she was promoted to director.

NLS delivers more than materials to local libraries. Technology is a major aspect of its service, as it provides libraries with broadband internet service and organizes the shared-material catalog. The online catalog allows any cardholder in the county to view materials available at system branches.

NLS offers continuing education for library staff. “We provide training to library trustees on their governance responsibilities, we provide training to library administrators on management and legal compliance topics, and training for public-facing staff on outreach and best practices,” Ashby explained. Through its networking opportunities, she added, the NLS encourages librarians to “learn from one another so the service provided at public libraries in Nassau can be as consistent as possible.”

She also leads NLS’s advocacy work, connecting with local and state elected officials to ensure that libraries receive the funding and support available.

“The more NLS can do to support member libraries,” Ashby said, “the more freedom those libraries have to serve their communities in close, responsive ways.”

Opening doors for the next generation of women

By ALLYSON FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com

A leader helping Long Island girls find their voices traces that mission back to a childhood shaped by an immigrant’s perseverance and a belief that girls deserve the same opportunities to lead and succeed.

Now, as executive director of Girls Inc. of Long Island, Patricia Charlemagne works to expand opportunities and leadership pathways for girls across the region.

Charlemagne, 52, grew up in Queens before her family moved to Baldwin when she was 11. Now she lives in Baldwin with her husband of 15 years, Frank, and their two children, Alix, 13, and Taylor, 11.

Her parents, immigrants from Haiti and the Dominican Republic, prioritized education above everything else. Growing up in a working-class immigrant household, Charlemagne said she was surrounded by opportunities that helped shape her interests and ambitions.

“Education continues to be the most important thing to my family,” she said. “They were very committed to my education.”

Despite her family’s modest means, she took part in activities including ballet and piano lessons, afterschool sports and school programs focused on the visual and performing arts. At the time, she said, she didn’t fully realize the sacrifices her family made to provide those opportunities.

Those experiences later reinforced her belief that all children — regardless of economic background — deserve access to activities that help them grow and thrive.

After graduating from high school, Charlemagne attended Wesleyan University, where she earned a

bachelor’s degree before following it with a law degree from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law and a doctorate in educational and organizational leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. During her studies, she developed an interest in how laws and workplace systems treated women differently, particularly women of color — which eventually led her to a career in nonprofit leadership.

Girls Inc. offers girls mentorship, leadership development and exposure to career pathways often dominated by men. Industries such as the trades and technology still have a relatively low representation of women, she said, something she hopes to change by introducing girls to those fields early.

“My journey to Girls Inc. of Long Island has been a full recognition that when girls are given resources, when girls are given opportunities, when girls are made to feel safe and a sense of belonging,” Charlemagne said, “there is no limit to what they can do.”

In addition to youth programming, the organization has begun partnering with companies working to diversify their workforces. The goal, she said, is to help businesses create environments in which women feel supported and encouraged to pursue careers in under-represented fields.

Charlemagne believes women and girls should be included when decisions are made, rather than having programs and policies created for them without their input. Her perspective has been shaped by challenges she has faced as a woman in the workforce, including disparities in pay and having her ideas overlooked.

“You share an idea and no one hears it,” she said. “Then a man repeats the idea, and all of a sudden it makes perfect sense.”

Those experiences, she said, reinforced the importance of helping girls develop confidence and learn to advocate for themselves.

For Charlemagne, empowering girls also means encouraging women to support one another and prioritize their well-being. “Take care of yourself first,” she said. “You cannot do anything for anyone else if you’re not taking care of yourself.”

Seaford 9/11 Committee names

2026 Honorary Patriots

The Seaford 9/11 Memorial Committee has named Dawn Haskell Carbone (SHS ’84), Robert Powell (SHS ’67) and Robert Valvano (SHS ’75) as its 2026 Honorary Patriot Award recipients.

The award recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to the Seaford schools and the broader community.

The honorees reflect the values and spirit of Seaford High School alumni who died on Sept. 11, 2001: Tommy Haskell (FDNY, SHS ’82), Timmy Haskell (FDNY, SHS ’85), John Perry (NYPD, SHS ’82), Robert Sliwak (Cantor Fitzgerald, SHS ’77) and Michael Wittenstein (Cantor Fitzgerald, SHS ’85).

The committee’s motto, “Service, Character and Commitment,” guides the selection of both Honorary Patriots and student Patriots.

Carbone, Powell and Valvano will be honored at the annual Patriot Award Dinner, along with five Seaford High School seniors who will receive the Patriot Award. The dinner is scheduled for June 22 at the Crest Hollow Country Club.

For information about purchasing tickets or placing a congratulatory ad in the Patriot Journal, visit the committee’s website.

—Luke Feeney

New energy

saving programs from PSEG Long Island

PSEG Long Island marked National Energy Assistance Day last month by encouraging customers facing high winter heating costs to explore available financial assistance programs and energy-saving options.

The utility said its consumer advocacy team is assisting residents across Long Island and the Rockaways through phone and email support, community outreach events and webinars to help customers enroll in bill assistance and payment programs.

Among the available options is PSEG Long Island’s Household Assistance Program, which provides qualifying customers with a monthly bill credit of at least $45 for up to 18 months. Customers may also qualify for state and federal programs, including New York’s Home Energy Assistance Program and Emergency HEAP, which help eligible households pay heating costs during the winter.

—Jordan Vallone

News briefs

MARCH 13 • 10AM-12:30PM

FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle

Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers

1400 Prospect Ave, East Meadow AGENDA:

Take advantage of on-site health screenings

Enjoy lively entertainment, fitness demonstrations and interactive experiences

Hear from experts during a panel discussion with Q&A Win raffles, prizes, and giveaways

Snack station for all

All designed to help you stay active, informed, and engaged at every stage of life.

EXPERT PANEL + Q&A 11:30AM - 12:30PM RAFFLE DRAWINGS*

*must be present to win

Register for this FREE event: RichnerLIVE.com/march.expo

Congregation Beth Tikvah celebrates Purim

Families gathered at Congregation Beth Tikvah in Wantagh on March 1 to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim with costumes, music and festive activities.

The celebration began with the reading of the Book of Esther, a traditional part of the holiday, with many participants dressed in costume. Afterward, the synagogue hosted a Purim Ball where Hebrew School students, adults and guests enjoyed live music from the CBT Band.

The event featured singing and dancing, face painting for children, holiday food, raffles and prizes. Young participants also performed a children’s Purim play during the celebration.

The gathering brought together synagogue members, families and community guests of all ages.

Purim commemorates events described in the Book of Esther, in which the Jewish people were saved from a plot against them in ancient Persia. The name Purim means “lots,” referring to the casting of lots in the biblical story.

The holiday celebrates Jewish survival and is traditionally marked with festive gatherings, costumes and charitable giving.

—Luke Feeney

STEPPING OUT

Get your Irish on for St. Patrick’s Day

By Karen Bloom

ith hints of spring beginning to emerge (or so we hope), St. Patrick’s Day arrives like a cheerful burst of green, bringing with it a welcome dose of celebration and comfort. The beloved holiday is about more than festive attire and lively parades — it’s a chance to gather with family and friends, savor time-honored traditions and, of course, enjoy the rich flavors of Irish cooking.

From the hearty satisfaction of corned beef and cabbage to the warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked soda bread, St. Patrick’s Day offers the perfect excuse to bring a little Irish spirit into the kitchen.

Naturally, no St. Patrick’s Day table would be complete without one of Ireland’s most beloved staples: Irish soda bread. This simple, satisfying quick bread — made with baking soda rather than yeast — has been a household favorite for generations. Whether you prefer the classic loaf or a modern twist, such as soda bread muffins, there’s a version to suit every taste and skill level. Best of all, it’s easy to make, making it a perfect recipe to add to your seasonal repertoire.

Classic Irish Soda Bread

The “real” Irish soda bread consists simply of flour, baking soda, salt and buttermilk. At the other end of the spectrum is Americanized Irish soda bread, a white, sweet, cake-like confection filled with raisins or currants and caraway seeds. Both are equally delicious!

• 3 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour

• 3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt

• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk

• Salted butter (preferably Kerrygold)

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. To a large mixing bowl, add the flour, salt, and baking soda. Whisk to combine thoroughly. Using a wooden spoon, make a well in the

A taste of the Emerald Isle

center of the dry ingredients. Add the buttermilk to the dry ingredients in the well. Use the wooden spoon to gently stir the ingredients together, starting at the center of the bowl and slowly working out. The dough will be very shaggy, that’s perfect!

Lightly flour a work surface, and pour the dough out onto the surface. Use your hands to gently knead the dough about 4 times, until it comes together, and the surface is slightly smoother. Use the palms of yours hands to shape into a round loaf.

Transfer the loaf to the prepared baking sheet. Lightly sprinkle the top with flour. Use a sharp chefs knife to slash a large X on the top of the dough.

Transfer right away to the oven and bake for 15 minutes at 450°. Lower the temperature to 400°F, rotate the pan 180° in the oven, and bake for another 25-30 minutes until deeply golden brown. Allow the bread to cool for at least 20 minutes, then serve warm with salted butter.

Irish-American Soda Bread

This classic quick bread recipe also brings great taste into your home.

• 5 cups all purpose flour

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into cubes, room temperature

• 2 1/2 cups raisins

• 3 tablespoons caraway seeds

• 2 1/2 cups buttermilk

• 1 large egg

Preheat oven to 350° F. Generously butter heavy ovenproof 10- to 12-inch-diameter skillet with 2- to 2 1/2-inch-high sides.

Whisk first five ingredients in large bowl to blend. Add butter; using fingertips, rub in until coarse crumbs form. Stir in raisins and caraway seeds. Whisk buttermilk and egg in medium bowl to blend. Add to dough; using wooden spoon, stir just until well incorporated (dough

Celtic Woman

will be very sticky).

Transfer dough to prepared skillet; smooth top, mounding slightly in center. Using small sharp knife dipped into flour, cut 1-inch-deep X in top center of dough. Bake until bread is cooked through and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Cool bread in skillet 10 minutes. Turn out onto rack and cool completely. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap tightly in foil; store at room temperature.)

Serve with hot tea and organic jam, Irish stew, traditional Irish cabbage dishes, or enjoy on its own!

Cheese Soda Bread

This modern savory twist is another winner.

• 2 1/2 cups flour

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoons caraway seed

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper, ground

• 1/2 cup shredded Irish Cheddar cheese

• 2 eggs

• 1 1/4 cups buttermilk

Preheat oven to 350° F. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and seasonings in large bowl. Stir in cheese. Set aside. Mix eggs and buttermilk in medium bowl. Add to dry ingredients; stir until well blended. Spread in lightly grease 9-inch round cake pan.

Bake 30-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.

Tip: This recipe also lends itself well to a muffin version. Prepare dough as directed and divide among 12 greased muffin cups. Bake 2025 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

The Grammy-nominated global music sensation returns with their new tour, Celtic Woman — A New Era. The show, featuring Mairéad Carlin, Muirgen O’Mahony, Ciara Ní Mhurchú, and new singer Caitríona Sherlock, fuses the ensemble’s signature sound with fresh orchestrations, dynamic stage production, and a contemporary spark that honors Ireland’s rich musical and cultural heritage while embracing Celtic Woman’s continued evolution. The concert promises to be a mesmerizing blend of timeless tradition and modern storytelling, a spellbinding tribute to the enduring power of Irish music and the extraordinary talents of the performers. Audiences can expect an unforgettable and energetic evening with renowned and breathtaking harmonies, stirring original compositions, and instrumental virtuosity brought to life, reflecting the vibrancy of modern Ireland and its heritage.

Sunday, March 15, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Josh Joplin with Jeffrey Gaines

lternative rock mainstay Josh Joplin returns to the stage for an intimate, can’t-miss evening alongside acclaimed singer-songwriter Jeffrey Gaines at My Father’s Place. Joplin spotlights songs from his latest full-length release, GpYr (“gap year”), a deeply personal project that arrives after a 12-year hiatus. It marks a bold new chapter in Joplin’s career. A deeply personal project, it’s an introspective musical journey that, via Joplin’s own experiences, allows us to ponder all of life’s transitions. Jeffrey Gaines brings his own brand of soul-baring musicianship, heralded for his soul-searching lyrics and his powerful live performances. Armed with little more than his voice and an acoustic guitar, He’s built an international following on the strength of his deeply felt lyrics. His stripped-down sets create an atmosphere that is at once intimate and electrifying.

Thursday, March 19, 7:30 p.m. $43. My Father’s Place 1221 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn. Tickets available at mfpproductions.com.