On Tuesday, September 30th, the Chamber of Commerce of the Massapequas held a ribboncutting ceremony to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Mercato Kitchen & Cocktails, located at 4958 Merrick Road in Massapequa Park. Congratulations to Keleigh, Brian, and Chef Matt Bivona. The Chamber congratulates Mercato's on this incredible milestone and thanks them for being such a valued part of the Massapequa community.
October 2025
Dear Fellow Chamber Members and Residents of the Massapequas,
As I write this, my favorite season of beaches, barbecues and flip flops has officially come to a close, and fall has arrived. While I’ll miss those long, sunny days, I’m excited for the season ahead and for all the ways our Chamber will continue to bring people and businesses in our community together.
This past summer, we were honored to sponsor the Massapequa Park Fireworks, and it was great to see so many families and neighbors come together for such a fantastic evening. We also had a great time participating in Park After Dark, connecting with our community and supporting our local businesses. We also held our very first Member Appreciation Picnic at Marjorie Post Park in August, and it was a wonderful evening filled with laughter, good food, and great company.
One of my favorite events each year is our Annual Police Luncheon, which we held on September 25th at the American Legion Post 1066. As the wife of a retired NYPD Lieutenant who proudly served for 31 years, this event holds special meaning for me. The Massapequa Chamber of Commerce is always proud to Back the Blue! This special celebration shines a well-deserved spotlight on the heroes of the Nassau County Police Department. This year, we had the privilege of honoring Police Officers Christopher Guardino, Christopher Lamonica, Paul Mangione, and Brittany Jackolski. They all exemplify dedication, compassion, and service to our community. A special thank you to our generous event sponsor, New You Plastic Surgery, for helping make this day possible.
With the fall season in full swing, we’re looking forward to several upcoming events that promise to bring our community even closer together! Our Second Annual Halloween Trunk or Treat, proudly sponsored by James Funeral Home, will take place on October 18th from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the McKenna Elementary/Senior Center Parking Lot. This family-friendly event is open exclusively to Massapequa families and will feature our Chamber member businesses in a fun-filled, spooky afternoon!
October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time that holds special meaning for our Chamber as we remember our beloved Past President and dear friend, Patricia Orzano, who passed away in November 2023 after a courageous battle with breast cancer. Patty’s dedication to our Chamber and her love for this community were extraordinary. In her honor, we encourage everyone, especially women, to make their health a priority by scheduling routine mammograms and screenings. Early detection truly saves lives.
As the spooky season continues, we’re excited to host more opportunities for networking and fun! Join us for our Annual Fall “Spooktacular” After-Hours General Meeting on Thursday, October 23rd at 6:00 PM at Zona Restaurant. Costumes are optional but always welcome! It’s a perfect evening to connect with fellow business leaders while enjoying a delicious dinner in a festive atmosphere. Be sure to visit our website to RSVP!
Looking ahead, we’re thrilled to celebrate the continued growth and success of our members. Recent ribbon-cuttings and milestones highlight the vibrancy of our local business community. We welcomed Over South Real Estate and congratulated Sean Manning and the entire team on their Grand Opening in Massapequa - it was a pleasure celebrating this new beginning with you and we wish you great success as you help families find their dream homes! We also celebrated the 10-Year Anniversary of Mercato Kitchen & Cocktails - congratulations to Keleigh, Brian, and Matt Bivona! A decade in business is an incredible accomplishment and a true testament to your commitment to excellence, exceptional cuisine and service and we wish you many more ahead.
I am also very excited to welcome our three newest board members: Randi Jankowski, Anthony Migliorelli, and Angela Shirian. Their enthusiasm, fresh ideas, and commitment to the community will be an incredible asset as we continue to grow and strengthen our organization.
We also bid a fond farewell to our Office Manager, Shelley Siemsen, who is moving on after ten years of dedicated service to our Chamber. Shelley has been the heart of our office, and we wish her all the best in her next chapter. We are incredibly grateful for all she has done for our members and our community.
If you’d like to get involved, please call us at 516-541-1443 or visit www.massapequachamber.org to learn more about membership and sponsorship opportunities. We can’t wait to welcome you into our vibrant Chamber family.
Wishing you a fantastic and festive fall season!
Robin Hepworth, President Chamber of Commerce of the Massapequas, Inc.
Residents Invited To Free Family Fall & Halloween Festival
Oyster Bay Town
Supervisor Joseph Saladino invites residents and their families to the Town of Oyster Bay’s Family Fall & Halloween Festival, which will be held on Saturday, October 25th, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Marjorie
in Massapequa.
“This festival is a great opportunity for residents to celebrate Halloween and the fall season with activities that are fun for residents of all ages,”
Supervisor Saladino said. “Families are sure to enjoy
picking and our popular Halloween hayride. Remember, costumes are encouraged!”
The Family Fall & Halloween Festival will feature a ‘U-Pick’ pumpkin patch for children to pick their own pumpkins (while supplies last), Halloween games and giveaways, inflatables, hayride, and food trucks, as well as a special character appearances presented by Royal Events Princess Parties. Costumes for those attending are encouraged!
The Family Fall & Halloween Festival will be held rain or shine. For more information, please call the Town’s Department of Community and Youth Services at (516) 797-7925
Free Mega Job Fair In Bethpage
Oyster Bay Town
Supervisor Joseph Saladino and The Workforce Partnership announced that a Mega Job Fair will take place on Thursday, October 23rd, at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center, located at 1001 Stewart Avenue in Bethpage. There is no charge for admission and parking is free. Doors open at 10am, and the event runs until 1pm.
Employers from across Long Island will be seeking candidates for positions including entry and middle management level, licensed professional, hospitality and food service industries, banking, staffing and individuals with technical and IT experience.
The Town of Oyster Bay serves as administrator of The Workforce Partnership, a consortium of local governments funded by the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act that provides free valuable resources to
both employers and job seekers at Career Centers in Hicksville and Massapequa. These centers help train employees to meet the needs of the private sector, connecting qualified job seekers with employers, and by assisting applicants in accessing job opportunities.
The Centers offer Resource Rooms, which are equipped with state-of-the-art computer workstations, complete with Microsoft software and internet access.
Additionally, these Centers offer residents access to job listings, resource materials, photocopiers, fax machines and telephones. The Centers
provide employability and computer workshops, as well as career counselors who will guide residents through their job search. Computer workshops are taught on-site in modern computer labs. Residents can increase their marketability by updating or acquiring new computer skills at the Centers.
For more information about this program and the many other great services that the Town’s Workforce Partnership program offers, contact (516) 797-4560 or email business@oysterbayny.gov.
451 Unqua Road
offer,
Assemblyman Durso To Hold Blood Drive Event
New York State Assemblyman Michael Durso (R-Massapequa Park), in coordination with the New York Blood Center and the Long Island Republican Assembly delegation, will be holding a blood drive event at the Massapequa Donor Center located at 1050 Sunrise Highway in Massapequa through Sunday, October 26, 2025
This event is in honor of Madeline Norton, who at just 6 months old, was diagnosed with PKAN, a rare disease that robs children of their motor functions, speech, and eventually their ability to walk, eat, and live independently. Currently, there is no cure.
Madeline’s Mission, a social media and fundraising campaign, was started by Madeline’s parents and Massapequa residents, Gerard Norton, a Rockville Centre Police Officer, and his wife Kaitlin, to raise
awareness and support PKAN life-saving research. The Norton’s are not giving up hope but choosing to fight by getting the word out to give their child, and all children like Madeline, the best life possible.
“I encourage anyone who can donate to roll up their sleeve in honor of Madeline and to support
those in need of life-saving blood transfusions,” said Assemblyman Durso.
To schedule an appointment, please visit New York Blood Center’s website at www.nybc. org/madeline or call 1-800-933-BLOOD (2566). Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred.
Town Kicks Off Foodie Week To Highlight Local Businesses
Continuing efforts to help restaurants recover from the impact of the economic downturn, Supervisor Joseph Saladino, joined by Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato, announced the return of Foodie Week – a unique opportunity for dining establishments to showcase their worldclass culinary hotspots. This week-long event highlights the finest culinary creations local chefs, bakers, and artisans have to offer, running from October 19th to October 26th.
“This great – and fun – event gives participants an opportunity to support their favorite restaurants, as well as try new ones,” said Supervisor Saladino. “Restaurants are vital to our downtowns and crucial to our local economy. Foodie Week gives us the chance to support our favorite eateries through a fun and unique experience.”
Consistent with well-known New York City standards for similar restaurant promotions, a Long Island Food Critic panel has curated all participating restaurants and evaluates them based on the same set of criteria to help ensure that restaurants are of a similar caliber. Participation in Foodie Week is free of charge for restaurants located in the Town of Oyster Bay. For additional information, as well as a full list of participating venues and events, visit www.FoodieWeek.com.
Applications Now Being Accepted For The Fourleaf Federal Credit Union Scholarship Program
FourLeaf Federal Credit Union recently announced that applications for its annual Scholarship Program are now open. High school seniors are invited to apply for financial assistance as they prepare for college. Designed to support hardworking, communityminded students, the program provides awards that can help offset the
rising costs of tuition, books, and other college expenses.
“Our scholarships are one way we can help ease the financial burden on families while
encouraging students to pursue their dreams,” shared Kimberly Ruiz, Manager Community Engagement New Markets. “Each year, we proudly award 10
accomplished students, knowing that investing in young people is an investment in the future of our communities.”
To apply, please visit; https://www.fourleaffcu. com/community/ education-scholarships/. The 2026 Scholarship Program application deadline date is Friday, January 9, 2026 (no late submissions are accepted).
Town officials announce the return of Foodie Week at Palmer’s American Grille in Farmingdale. Shown are Carl Mattone, owner of Ficarra Ristorante of Hicksville, Bob Gebbia, owner of Palmer’s American Grille, Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato.
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Residents Invited To Oyster Bay Halloween Ghost Walk & Dance Party Raynham
Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Vicki Walsh and Town Clerk Rich LaMarca invite residents to the annual Halloween Parade presented by Raynham Hall Museum in Oyster Bay. The event will be held Saturday, November 1st beginning at 5:45 p.m. Residents are invited to dress up in costume and bring their little ghosts and goblins (two and four-legged welcome) for a ghost parade throughout town. Participants are invited to bring lanterns and noisemakers.
“Residents of all ages are invited to enjoy ghostly entertainment, a DJ, food and drink available for purchase, and more at this fun, festive annual event,” said Town Clerk LaMarca. “Participating vendors include Gimme Burger, Home Sweet Home, Oyster Bay Brewing, the Oyster Bay Main Street Association, and more. This event has something for everybody!”
Anyone interested in assisting Raynham Hall by volunteering to help carry ghostly puppets can contact info@raynhamhallmuseum.org. The parade route begins at Oyster Bay High School on East Main Street, west to Audrey Avenue and spookily encircle the bandstand in Townsend Park.
