October 8, 2025 Copiague by Long Island Media Group

South Bay's Neighbor

COPIAGUE

SENIOR EARNS

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School senior Madeline Sotomayor was honored with the prestigious Congressional Award Gold Medal, recognizing more than two years of dedication in public service, personal development, physical fitness, and exploration. The prestigious Congressional Award Gold Medal is the highest honor presented by the United States Congress to America’s youth. She is pictured with Walter G. O’Connell High School Principal Joseph Agosta. Photo courtesy of Copiague School District

OCTOBER HAPPENINGS

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 8th

12:00PM-4:00PM

SENIOR CITIZEN FALL FEST LUNCHEON

Join The New Serenaders at The Irish Coffee Pub for a Fall Fest Luncheon Party. Enjoy an afternoon of delicious food, drink, singing, and dancing fun. Included will be a 3-course meal with choice of entree, unlimited beer, wine, soda, dessert, coffee, tea, music, and more. The Irish Coffee Pub is located at 131 Carleton Ave. in East Islip. For more informaton, please call 631-277-0007

THURSDAY, OCT. 9th

7:00PM

HISTORY OF WANTAGH

Tom Watson of the Wantagh Preservation Society will talk on the History of Wantagh. Seaford Historical Society, at the museum 3890 Waverly Ave. in Wantagh. For more information, please call Judy Bongiovi 516-783-8629

6:45PM-8:30PM

BOY SCOUT TROOP 1 INTEREST NIGHT

St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church 39 N. Carll Ave, Babylon Village. Are you a young man that is looking for adventure, personal challenge and community service? Come and meet the Scouts of Troop 1 Babylon and ﬁnd out what we do to cover those goals. For more information, please call 631290-1314

7:00PM

LINDENHURST HOMEMAKERS EVENING GROUP

HOLIDAYS

13th - COLUMBUS DAY

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY 31st - HALLOWEEN

MAKE A SUBMISSION!

Events must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event date and will run free of charge on a space available basis. For more information, please call 631.226.2636 x275 or send events to editorial@longislandmediagroup.com

at the North Amityville Senior Center 48 Cedar Rd. in Amityville. (off of New Hwy.) Open to all, 18 years old & up. Meetings start at 7:00pm, new members should arrive 15 min. early. For more information, please call Lisa LeBrie 516-413-7467

SATURDAY, OCT. 11th

1:00PM 2025 LONG ISLAND COLUMBUS DAY PARADE AND ITALIAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL

The Town of Babylon is proud to host the 2025 Long Island Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Festival. Presented by the New York State Grand Lodge of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America. Following the parade, the celebration continues with the Post-Columbus Day Italian Heritage and Culture Family Festival at the Constantino Brumidi Lodge #2211 in Deer Park, from 1:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Free parking available on Lake Avenue (across from Deer Park Fire Department) with shuttle service to the Lodge, plus street parking nearby.

1:00PM-6:00PM

ANNUAL BREAST CANCER FUNDRAISER

Division 2 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians will be hosting its annual Breast Cancer Fundraiser, at the Irish Cultural Center in Babylon Village. This event supports two vital community organizations - the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition and the West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition - which provide direct

2025 Long Island Columbus Day Parade And Italian Heritage Festival

assistance to local individuals and families affected by this devastating disease. This is a 100% volunteerled event, and every dollar raised goes directly to these two frontline organizations. For more information, please call Ron Rice, Event Chairman, 631-335-7191 Email: ronrice107@gmail.com, Lucinda Lauro-Rooney, Event CoChair, Email: Lucindadiv2@gmail. com

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 15th

7:00PM-9:00PM

THE DEVIL IN NEW YORKTHE WITCHCRAFT TRIAL OF GOODY GARLICK

The Historical Society of Islip Hamlet will host Tara Rider and her presentation "The Devil in New York - The Witchcraft Trial of Goody Garlick". Years before the 1692 Salem witch hunts began, accusations ran rampant. The program will be held at the Islip Public Library, 71 Monell Ave. Free and open to the public. For more information on this, our 2026 Holiday House Tour or to become a member, visit www. isliphamlethistory.org, or call 631559-2915

SATURDAY, OCT. 18th

10:00AM-3:00PM

ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH

THRIFT SHOP / YARD SALE

(Rain or Shine) Thrift Shop Special Event “Pack A Bag” ($5.00) many new items in all categories, Rent A Table - $25.00. 305 Carll’s Path in Deer Park. For more information, please call 631-242-7530

The Town of Babylon will proudly host the 2025 Long Island Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Festival on Saturday, October 11. Presented by the New York State Grand Lodge of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, the parade will feature lodges, community organizations, marching bands, and floats in a vibrant display of Italian-American pride and tradition. Following the parade, the celebration continues with the PostColumbus Day Italian Heritage and Culture Family Festival at the Constantino Brumidi Lodge #2211 in

Deer Park, from 1:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The festival will include live entertainment, cultural displays, family attractions such as rides and seasonal activities, as well as food trucks, Italian cuisine, vendors, and raffles. This annual event is one of Long Island’s most anticipated celebrations, expected to draw thousands of visitors for a day of music, food, family fun, and cultural pride.

Free parking available on Lake Avenue (across from Deer Park Fire Department) with shuttle service to the Lodge, plus street parking nearby.

External Diploma Program

for their

and earn a high school equivalency diploma without the challenge of taking lengthy timed examinations. NEDP, is a competency based program for students who are unable to attend classes or who prefer to work at home. Successful candidates for NEDP include former ESL students, students who have been out of school for prolonged periods of time, or students who fare better without the structure of tests. This program is an alternative to other programs. Anyone interested should call Western Suffolk BOCES to meet with a counselor. Call 667-6000, Ext. 327 to register.

Pet-related Vendors open at 10:00 a m. end at 2:00

Doggie

1st,

Green

All participants w ill receive a Goodie Bag, Participation Trophy, and Free Ice Cream, all valued above $30.00

There w ill also be Ra es Prizes galore

Proceeds go toward high school scholarships, Farmingdale community service projects, the ght against animal abuse, and the Farmingdale Breakfast Rotary Club

To register your dog(s) Scan the QR Code or E-mail Kathy Firetog at crazykats@optonline.net

LONG ISLAND MEDIA GROUP

Knowledgeable StaffEvery team member is dedicated to making customers feel welcome, informed, and valued.

Complimentary Wash & Vacuum - Every car is returned clean inside and out, at no extra charge.

Customer-First Approach -

communication, fair pricing, and no surprises.

Copiague Student-Musicians Selected For Prestigious Festivals

Eleven studentmusicians from Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School have been selected as Division IV vocalists in the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education’s All-County

Festival. The festival will take place on Nov. 14 at Hauppauge High School. Congratulations to following students: Madison Goodman, Carolina AcostaRivera, Samari Cooper, Christopher Cobian,

Sophia Ramos, Amy Perez, Sebastian Chavez, Wagner Garcia, Gabriela Gonzales, Ryan Lopez and Dianna Espinal.

In addition, AcostaRivera was selected for the All-State Choral Ensemble

performing at the New York State School Music Association’s Conference in Rochester, New York, in December. Garcia and Cobian were also selected as alternates for the AllState Ensemble.

Eleven student-musicians from Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School have been selected as Division IV vocalists in the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education’s All-County Festival. They are pictured with Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Principal Joseph Agosta, Director of Fine Arts Jennifer Ross-Troise and Choral Director Gina Occhiogrosso.

Copiague Senior Earns Congressional Gold Medal

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School senior Madeline Sotomayor was honored with the prestigious Congressional Award Gold Medal, recognizing more than two years of dedication in public service, personal development, physical fitness and exploration. She is pictured with Walter G. O’Connell High School Principal Joseph Agosta. Photo courtesy of Copiague School District

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School senior Madeline Sotomayor has earned the prestigious Congressional Award Gold Medal, the highest honor presented by the United States Congress to America’s youth.

To achieve the Gold Medal, participants must complete at least 400 hours of voluntary public service, 200 hours each of personal development and physical fitness, and a multiday expedition or exploration experience. The rigorous process requires a minimum of 24 months to complete.

Sotomayor met and exceeded these requirements through years of dedication and hard work:

• Voluntary public service: Contributed hundreds of hours to supporting the school PTA and the local community, beginning as early as sixth grade.

• Personal development and physical fitness: Dedicated consistent time to developing new skills, interests and healthy habits that strengthened both mind and body.

• Expedition/exploration: Traveled to new places and experienced different cultures, broadening perspective and building confidence through stepping outside their comfort zone.

Reflecting on the journey, Sotomayor said, “I am so proud of how much I’ve grown through the Congressional Award program. This journey showed me that small, consistent steps can lead to big achievements. The Congressional Award helped me build confidence, perseverance and purpose — and inspired me to keep finding ways to serve and grow.”

Carolina Acosta-Rivera was selected to the All-State Choral Ensemble performing at the New York State School Music Association’s Conference. In addition, Wagner Garcia and Christopher Cobian were also selected as alternates for the All-State Ensemble. They are pictured with Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Principal Joseph Agosta, Director of Fine Arts Jennifer Ross-Troise and Choral Director Gina Occhiogrosso. Photos courtesy of Copiague School District

Check-in starts at 9:00 a.m. behind the Village Gaz ebo (Cost is $1 5 p er do g en try in S how)

T he Runway Show (Costume Contest) begins at 10:00 a.m. ends 11:30 a.m.

Pet-related Vendors open at 10:00 a.m. end at 2:00 p.m.

D oggie Costu me Contest

1st, 2nd, a nd 3rd pl ace p rizes f or bes t cos tume

(W he ther it be the scariest, most p atriotic, o r a ny ot her int erest)

Blessing of the Dogs at the Villag e Green

All p articip an ts w ill receive a Goodie B ag, Participation Trophy, and Free Ice C ream, all valued above $30.00

There w ill also b e R a es Prizes galore

Proceeds go toward high school scholarships, Farmingdale community service projects, the ght against animal abuse, and the Farmingdale Breakfast Rotary Club

To reg ister your dog(s): Scan the QR Code or E-mail Kathy Firetog at cra zykats@o pto nline.n et

Two Copiague Seniors Honored As Commended Students

Anne Marie De Oleo Mayorga and Daniel Zheng from Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School have been named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.

The National Merit Scholarship Program honors exceptional academic talent nationwide. Commended Students place among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.3 million students

who entered the 2026 competition by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School

Principal Joseph Agosta said, “This recognition speaks to the hard work and perseverance of our students. Their commitment to learning and achievement is a source of pride for our entire school community.”

Commended Students are recognized for their exceptional academic promise and represent some of the nation’s most capable high school students. While they will not continue in the 2026 competition for National Merit Scholarships, their performance on the PSAT/ NMSQT places them among the top students in the country.

Did You Know?

The National Football League (NFL) was formed in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA). The first-ever NFL game was played at Triangle Park in Dayton, Ohio, on October 3, 1920. In that contest, the hometown Dayton Triangles defeated the Columbus Panhandles 14-0. Though the Dayton Triangles were eventually purchased by a Brooklyn-based syndicate and relocated to New York as a result of that transaction, the team’s status as the host of the first NFL game continues to pay dividends for residents of the southwestern Ohio city where the franchise ushered in the now wildly popular league. In recognition of the place the city of Dayton holds in NFL history, the NFL Foundation, in partnership with FieldTurf & Vasco, pledged to fund the installment of a new artificial turf at the city’s Kettering Park.

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Notice of formation of CRAFTMASTER STAIRSTYLE, LLC; a limited liability Company. Article of Organizations filed With the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 08/06/2025. Office location: Suffolk County. SSNY is designated for Service of process. SSNY shall mail Copy of any process served against The LLC - 125 Audley Court, Copiague N.Y. 11726, Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose

COP - 1559 - 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5 & 11/12/25

From left: Lauren D’Annunzio, chairperson for home instruction and secondary guidance, Daniel Zheng, Anne Marie De Oleo Mayorga and Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Principal Joseph Agosta. Photo courtesy of Copiague School District