Doherty Enterprises-owned Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants on Long Island announced the official launch of their 9th annual Above and “BEE”yond Teacher Essay Contest. The annual essay contest celebrates outstanding teachers, nominated by their students, by awarding each a $500 sponsorship check and hosting a special end-of-year class party.
The essay contest is open at participating Applebee’s restaurants on Long Island that are owned and operated by local franchisee, Doherty Enterprises (see complete list of participating restaurants below).
This spring, four exceptional educators – two from Nassau County and two from Suffolk County – will each receive a $500 sponsorship check to enhance their classrooms for the 2025-2026 school year. Additionally, the winning teachers will enjoy a celebratory end-of-year party with their current class!*
To participate in the contest, students are invited to submit an essay in person at their local Applebee’s, detailing why their teacher should be named Applebee’s “Teacher of the Year.” Elementary school students are asked to write a ½ page essay, while middle and high school students must submit a 500-word essay explaining why their teacher stands out.
As an added bonus, all students who submit an essay will be rewarded with a free ice cream certificate for future use.
Each student may submit only one essay, and entries will be accepted at participating Applebee’s locations through Sunday, March 16, with a strict deadline of 10 pm ET. Winners will be announced on Friday, April 18, and the class parties will take place in June. If class parties are not feasible, they will be substituted with two Dinner for Four certificates for the student who wrote the winning essay.
“We’re excited to kick off the ninth annual Above and ‘BEE’yond Teacher Essay Contest at our Long Island Applebee’s locations,” said Brian McDonnell, director of operations for Doherty Enterprises’ Applebee’s Long Island. “It’s an honor to celebrate the incredible teachers who dedicate themselves to shaping young minds. This contest gives students the opportunity to highlight the lasting impact their teachers have made while shining a spotlight on the educators who go above and beyond every day.”
Applebee’s Above and “BEE”yond Teacher Essay Contest entries will be accepted at the following Applebee’s locations owned and operated by Doherty Enterprises on Long Island:
Nassau County: Baldwin, Bellmore, Bethpage, Elmont, New Hyde Park, Rosedale, Valley Stream, and Westbury.
Suffolk County: Bohemia, Brentwood, Commack, Deer Park, East Farmingdale, East Islip, Farmingville, Lake Grove, Lindenhurst, Miller Place, Patchogue, Riverhead, and Shirley.
Two winners will be selected from both Nassau and Suffolk counties. Prizes are subject to change. If end-of-year parties are not viable, class parties will be replaced with two Dinner for Four certificates.
For the fourth year running, Jefferson’s Ferry in South Setauket has earned a Choice Community Award from Holleran Consulting, based on the outstanding results of ayearly survey of its residents. Holleran has the largest benchmark of senior living engagement scores by which Life Plan Communities can compare performance relative to their peers.
The Choice Community Award is widely recognized as the gold standard in the senior living industry. Recipients of the award have exceeded the national benchmarks for resident engagement and satisfaction.
“The Choice Community Award is based entirely on feedback from our residents, making this vote of extremely high satisfaction particularly meaningful to our entire team,” explained Vice President of Resident Life Linda Kolakowski. “Participating in Holleran’s Resident Engagement survey is strictly voluntary, so we’re doubly appreciative that our residents have taken the time to express their views and share their insights. Their feedback and the dedication of our team members make Jefferson’s Ferry one of a kind.”
“Our mission is to provide our residents with the exceptional, engaged, and active lifestyle that they expect and deserve,” added Jefferson’s Ferry President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Caulfield. “Our lifestyle promotes independence, individuality, dignity, privacy, security, and peace of mind for each resident through a focus on resident programs, service and outstanding health care.
“People choose to live at Life Plan Communities with an expectation of a continuation of care as their needs change,” continued Caulfield, “but what makes Jefferson’s Ferry stand above other Life Plan choices is the culture of community specific to Jefferson’s Ferry. In our almost 25 years of operation, Jefferson’s Ferry has developed a distinct vibe and tradition of caring for each other as neighbors and friends. The feeling of home and the security it provides is a key component of life at Jefferson’s Ferry. Cultivating that special bond and engagement our residents and staff experience is a cornerstone of our community.”
As you may know, some businesses pass along part of their profits to investors in the form of dividends. If you own shares of these companies, either directly in stocks or more indirectly through mutual funds, you may have a choice: Should you take the dividends as cash or reinvest them into the stocks or funds?
There’s no one correct answer for everyone. So, let’s look at some reasons for both choices — reinvesting or cashing out.
Reinvesting dividends offers at least two related benefits. First, reinvested dividends make up part of a stock’s total return, along with price appreciation. And second, when you reinvest dividends, you are buying more shares of the investment — and share ownership is a key to building wealth. Keep in mind that dividends can be increased, decreased or eliminated without notice.
It’s also easy to reinvest dividends. Through a dividend reinvestment plan, or DRIP, your dividends are automatically used to buy more shares of a company. And these new shares will generate more dividends that can be reinvested.
Consequently, it’s fair to say that dividend reinvesting is an economical way to grow your portfolio. However, a DRIP does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss, so you’ll need to consider your willingness to keep investing when share prices are declining.
If you’re mainly investing for long-term growth, you may well want to reinvest your dividends. But under what circumstances wouldn’t you want to reinvest them?
For starters, of course, you may simply need the dividends to help support your cash flow. This may be especially true in your retirement years.
But there may be other reasons to cash out dividends, rather than reinvesting them. You might already own a considerable number of shares in a stock, mutual fund or exchange traded fund and you don’t want to buy more of the same. By not reinvesting these dividends, you can use the money to help broaden your investment mix.
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You also might want to consider taking the cash, rather than reinvesting, if the company that pays the dividends appears to be struggling or has an uncertain future. Again, you could then use the money to fill gaps in your portfolio.
Regardless of whether you reinvest your dividends, you’ll pay taxes on them if your investments are held in a taxable account. Ordinary dividends are taxed at your ordinary income tax rates, while qualified dividends are taxed at the capital gains rate, which is 0%, 18%, or 20%, depending on your income. (A dividend is considered qualified if you’ve held the stock for a certain length of time.)
If your dividend-paying investments are held in a traditional IRA or a 401(k), you won’t have to pay taxes on the dividends until you begin taking withdrawals from these accounts, typically at retirement. And if you have a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k), you may not pay taxes on the dividends at all, provided you’ve had the account at least five years and you don’t take withdrawals until you’re at least 59½.
In any case, you may find that dividends, whether reinvested or taken in cash, can play a role in your overall financial strategy. So, follow your dividend payments carefully — and make the most of them.
Michael Christodoulou, ChFC®, AAMS®, CRPC®, CRPS® is a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones in Stony Brook, Member SIPC.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.
Students from Great Neck South Middle School, left, and Ward Melville High School during their final Science Bowl matches that secured their first-place wins. Photos by David Rahner and Kevin Coughlin/BNL
Both teams will compete for the National Science Bowl title in April
Bright minds from Great Neck South Middle School and Ward Melville High School won first place at regional middle and high school Science Bowls — fast-paced question-and-answer academic competitions — hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton on Jan. 30 and Jan. 31.
The Science Bowl tests students’ knowledge on a range of science disciplines including chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, astronomy, earth, and computer science.
The teams’ first place wins secured them an all-expense-paid trip to the National Science Bowl, where they’ll compete with students from around the country. The National Science Bowl is scheduled to take place from April 24 to April 28 near Washington, D.C.
“The regional Science Bowl competition brings together some of the best and brightest STEM students from our region. We must inspire these students by highlighting career pathways and training opportunities, setting them on the path to become the next generation of STEM professionals,” said competition coordinator Amanda Horn, an educator with Brookhaven’s Workforce Development and Science Education Office.
The winning teams also received a banner to hang in their schools, the top four teams received trophies, and the top three received medals. The first-place high school team won $500 and the second-place team won $250. All prizes and giveaways are courtesy of the event’s sponsors, Brookhaven Science Associates and Teachers Federal Credit Union.
Middle School Science Bowl Top Four
Great Neck South Middle’s first-place team, from left to right, Diane Caplain (coach), Zale Zhang, Nathan Li, Ryan Tsai, Leeann Lee, and Nathan Wong (coach). Photo by David Rahner/Brookhaven National Laboratory
The regional middle school Science Bowl on Jan. 30 was open to schools from Long Island and New York City.
Team members from Great Neck South Middle School spent hours the day before the middle school competition studying as much as they could, said student Ryan Tsai. Each team member specialized in a different subject.
“I would like to thank the math people for doing math,” said Tsai, who focused on chemistry questions.
Looking ahead to the National Science Bowl, captain Nathan Li added, “We’re looking forward to not getting last place and also just having a good time.”
First Place: Great Neck South MS (Team 1)
Second Place: Hunter College MS
Third Place: Paul J. Gelinas JHS
Fourth Place: R.C. Murphy JHS
High School Science Bowl Top Four
Ward Melville High School’s winning team, from left to right, Philip Medina (coach), Harry Gao, Anna Xing, Sean Skinner, Jason Yin, and Gunes Sunar. Photo by Kevin Coughlin/BNL
Ward Melville Senior High School is sending a team to the National Science Bowl for the third straight year.
To prepare for the regional high school competition on Jan. 31, the team studied even more than they did last year since two previous members graduated since then, said captain Sean Skinner. They also practiced how to buzz in to answer questions as fast as possible, he said.
“Most of us have read a textbook cover to cover in our main fields,” Skinner said, noting that each team member specialized in a subject or two. He added that he was happy with the teamwork Ward Melville showed. “Everyone was really positive and focused; that was awesome to see,” Skinner said. “I think my favorite thing is working together with other people to solve a problem that goes between both of your skills.”
First Place: Ward Melville Senior HS
Second Place: Great Neck South HS
Third Place: Roslyn High School
Fourth Place: General Douglas MacArthur Senior High School
Encouraging STEM participation
Science Bowl competitors learned about research happening at Brookhaven Lab straight from scientists, engineers, and postdoctoral researchers at the STEM Expo. (David Rahner/Brookhaven National Laboratory)
Both competitions kicked off with an introduction to Brookhaven Lab’s role as one of 17 DOE national laboratories and its unique facilities that aid researchers in making groundbreaking discoveries.
Gary Olson, deputy site manager at the DOE-Brookhaven Site Office, encouraged students and their teachers to explore STEM training opportunities available through DOE programs.
“We need your minds. We need your inputs. We need your collaboration with your peers who are sitting next to you, in front of you and behind you to make those world-class discoveries, those scientific leaps of sorts, those transformational things, whatever they may be,” Olson said.
Students also heard from two early-career scientists at Brookhaven Lab about their areas of research.
Amie Dobracki of the Environmental and Climate Sciences Department shared with middle schools why researchers study aerosols and their impacts, and how the tiny particles are key ingredients in the formation of clouds.
Success! These middle school students quickly cracked codes to unlock treats during the STEM Challenge. (David Rahner/Brookhaven National Laboratory)
Ejiro Umaka of the Physics Department explained how sPHENIX, one of two detectors that captures particle collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, a DOE Office of Science User facility for nuclear physics research at Brookhaven, helps scientists further understand the nature of matter in our early universe.
During a STEM Expo organized by the Lab’s Workforce Development and Science Education Office, students were the ones asking questions. Scientists from across the Lab’s disciplines offered demonstrations that revealed the basic principles of vacuum chambers, electron beams, software that operates instrumentation used to view materials at the nanoscale, and more.
Science Bowl competitors also toured the National Synchrotron Light Source II, a DOE Office of Science User facility at Brookhaven.
Teams that did not move on to the competition’s final double elimination rounds had the chance to further test their know-how at a STEM Challenge. They quickly put their minds together to solve puzzles that revealed codes to unlock boxes filled with treats. The teams with the fastest times won gift bags.
Middle school STEM Challenge results:First Place: New Hyde Park Memorial High School;Second Place: Great Neck South Middle School (Team 2); Third Place: Plainedge Middle School
High school STEM Challenge results: First Place: Lindenhurst High School; Second Place: Long Beach High School; Third Place: Jericho High Schoo
Brookhaven National Laboratory is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit science.energy.gov.
This week’s featured shelter pet is Wall-E, a two-year-old orange tabby catwho has been at the Smithtown Animal Shelter since late January.
Found through the shelter’s TNR program, this sweet boy obviously comes from a tough life of being bullied but he is gentle and loving. Wall-E is FIV+ but that is no issue so long as he remains an indoor only cat. According to shelter staff, this sweet hunk loves to be loved all of the time. Adopt this young boy and you will not regret it.
If you are interested in meeting Wall-E, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with him in the shelter’s Meet and Greet room.
The Town of Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.
Pictured from left, board member Richard Hamburger, Executive Director Claudia Fortunato, board member Kevin Coneys, Six Harbors owner Mark Heuwetter, and board members Peter Chase, Robert Hughes, and Toby Kissam. Photo courtesy of Lefferts Tide Mill & Preserve
The Lefferts Tide Mill & Preserve recently received a generous donation of $1,100 from Six Harbors Brewery representing a portion of the sales of the specially brewed Lefferts Tide Mill Lager sale.
The special beer was brewed by Brewery co-owner Mark Heuwetter, and introduced to the public last August at a fundraising event at the Brewery for the Lefferts Tide Mill & Preserve. The lager was available for sale in the following months with a portion of the sale of each pint or can earmarked for the continued preservation of the mill.
“I like giving back to the history of Huntington because Six Harbors is a result of the research my wife and I did when I was just starting the Brewery,” said Heuwetter.
“I knew the people of Huntington would be so interested in learning about the 18th century Lefferts Tide Mill that I wanted to make it known that tours of the mill are available through the Huntington Historical Society. The beer was a great way to start the conversation!” said Lefferts Tide Mill & Preserve’s Executive Director Claudia Fortunato.
If you missed a chance to get a taste of the beer, don’t worry — the fundraiser will be held again this year! The funds raised from the Lefferts Tide Mill Lager will be dedicated to the crucial task of maintaining the mill and ensuring its doors remain open as a museum.
The Lefferts Tide Mill & Preserve is a not-for-profit organization, established in 2013, with a mission to preserve and protect an 18th century tide mill, located in the Village of Lloyd Harbor, that is the best-preserved tidal grist mill in the United States. The mill design is based on U.S. Patent No. 3 for an “automatic mill” signed by President George Washington. The mill pond has flourished into a haven for native and migratory waterfowl, contributing significantly to the region’s biodiversity.
SMM Advertising, a full-service agency in Smithtown specializing in branding, advertising, and lead generation, was recently recognized at the 2024 MarCom Awards with a Gold Award for Strategic Communications Marketing/Promotion Campaign, Special Event.
SMM achieved this gold award for crafting all the marketing communications materials for the 50th-anniversary celebration of Festo USA, a worldwide manufacturer of automation technology. Their team developed a distinctive visual and thematic concept for the event, highlighting Festo USA’s legacy and its continued impact on the industry.
“We’re deeply honored to be recognized for our hard work on this special project,” said SMM Managing Director Judy DeBiase. “Achievements like this truly reflect the passion and commitment our team invests in delivering exceptional results for our clients.”
Pictured from left, Dr. Joseph Marino, Northwell SVP Anesthesia Service Line; Dr. David Park, Anesthesia Chair at Mather Hospital; Steven Cortes; Michael Lampasona, Nurse Anesthesia Manager at Mather; and Kevin McGeachy, President, Mather Hospital. Photo courtesy of Northwell
Steven Cortes, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist at Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson, was honored on Feb. 3 with a lifesaver award from Northwell’s Anesthesia Service Line for his role in saving the life of a house fire victim.
On Oct. 14, 2024 Mr. Cortes finished his 10-hour shift and began driving home to his wife when he came upon an active house fire in his neighborhood. The first person on the scene, he called 911, then assisted in rescuing a 62-year-old disabled man trapped in the blaze.
The paramedics on the scene tried unsuccessfully to place a breathing tube in the man. Steve rushed in and successfully intubated the man on his first attempt. After securing the patient’s airway, he remained at his side in the ambulance and aided in the resuscitation efforts on the way to the closest hospital.
“Steve spent the entire evening and night displaying an extraordinary level of compassion and selflessness,” said Michael Lampasona, Nurse Anesthesia Manager at Mather Hospital. “He truly exemplifies the mission, vision, and values of Northwell Anesthesia.”
“Steven’s quick thinking, training and experience helped save a life that night,” said Mather President Kevin McGeachy. “I congratulate him for showing the highest level of dedication and professionalism, the kind of extraordinary patient care for which Mather is known.”
FRIGID FUN: Join the Smithtown Performing Arts Center for 'Frozen Jr.,' playing every day at 1 p.m. from February 17 through February 21. A perfect way to enjoy a winter day with the whole family.
Winter break is a great time to create special memories. From learning about nature, the solar system and making fun crafts to watching live theater,there are plenty of activities on the North Shore for families with young children to enjoy during this week-long vacation.
PROGRAMS
First Steps in Nature
Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown continues its First Steps in Nature series for ages 2 to 4 on Feb. 14 at 9:30 a.m. with hands-on exciting activities, crafts, stories and much more. Children will gain a greater appreciation of nature and wildlife while having fun. $20 per child. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. 631-979-6344
Make a Valentine’s Day Card
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor from Feb. 14 to 16. Make a Valentine’s Day card for one of your favorite animals at the hatchery. Cards will be displayed on the animal’s tanks. Free with admission of $7 adults, $6 seniors and $5 children ages 3 to 12. 516-692-6768
Crafts with Recycled Materials
Children ages 3 to 12 with a parent/caregiver are invited to stop by Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket on Feb. 15 between 10 a.m. and noon to create a work of art with recycled materials. No registration required. Bring a friend! Questions? Email [email protected]
Falling In Love With Wildlife
Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown presents its annual Falling in Love with Wildlife event on Feb. 16 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Join them for an afternoon of close encounters with wildlife. Meet some cute and loveable animals, play an animal matching game for Valentine’s Day, and create a craft to remember the day. There will be many photo opportunities including an “Animal Kissing Booth.” Best suited for ages 2 to 10.$15 per child and $5 for adults. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org.
Vanderbilt Winter Workshops
Suffolk County Vanderbit Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport presents two winter workshops for children in grades K through 4 during February recess: Portraits & Mixed Media Selfies (Children will visit the mansion, search for interesting elements in the collection of portraits, and create self-portraits.) on Feb. 17; and Animals in Winter & Woodland Lantern (Children will explore the wildlife dioramas, learn about adaptations that help animals in winter, and make a woodland-inspired lantern) on Feb. 19. Classes will be held from 10 a.m. to noon and are $20 per child, $18 members. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Story & Craft with Nana Carol
The Next Chapter bookstore, 204 New York Ave., Huntington hosts a Story and Craft event with Nana Carol on Feb. 17 at 10:30 a.m. Free. No registration required. Appropriate for ages 0-4. 631-482-5008
Trash to Treasure
Join the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor for a Trash to Treasure drop in event on Feb. 17 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Check out the museum’s new 26-sculpture of a giant squid created from plastic trash found on beaches. Then, roll up your sleeves with artist Bri Sander from UpSculpt to transform plastic debris collected from our shores into miniature whimsical upcycled sea creature sculptures. No registration necessary. Admission fee + $10 participant; $5 member. 631-367-3418
February Break at the Hatchery
Enjoy February Break at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor with a Winter Wonderland Mosaic on Feb. 17, Paint with Ice on Feb. 18, Slimy Science on Feb. 19, Homemade Playdough on Feb. 20 and a Hatchery Tour with live animal encounters on Feb. 21. No reservations necessary. All activities will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and arefree with admission of $7 adults, $6 seniors and $5 children ages 3 to 12. www.cshfishhatchery.org. 516-692-6768
Pocket Solar System
What would our Solar System look like if we shrunk it down to fit in your pocket? Find out at a Pocket Solar System workshop at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport on Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. to noon where each participant will create and take home a scale model of the Solar System! For ages 6 to 8. $10 per child, $8 member. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
World Whale Week Crafts
Celebrate World Whale Week at the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor by dropping in to make crafts on Feb. 19 and Feb. 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. See and touch real whale bones from the museum’s exhibit and learn how you can help keep the oceans safe for these incredible creatures. Make an interactive ocean sensory jar featuring a clay whale of your own creation. Admission fee + $10 participant; $5 member. 631-367-3418
Stellar Suncatchers and Solar Observing
Children ages 9 to 12can learn all about the Sun, create stellar suncatchers and safely look directly at the Sun through a solar telescope (weather permitting) at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport on Feb. 20 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. $10 per child, $8 members. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Gesture drawing
Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport offers a Gesture Drawing Workshop with artist Wendy Klemperer on Feb. 20 from noon to 2 p.m. Participants will view drawings and sculptures in her exhibition Wrought Taxonomies, practice gestural drawing, and learn about the artistic process of creating sculpture that captures movement and form. For kids in grades 5 to 8 only. Tickets are $45, $40 members at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
THEATER
‘Frozen Jr’
Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents Frozen Jr. from Jan. 18 to Feb. 23. A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen Jr. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. Tickets are $26.50 per person. To order, call 1-800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.
‘Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz’
Theatre Three, 423 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz from Feb. 19 to March 29 with a sensory friendly performance on March 2 at 11 a.m. Join them for an unforgettable trip down the Yellow Brick Road as Dorothy Gale is whisked away by a tornado to that magical land that lies just Over the Rainbow. Follow Dorothy and her friends the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Lion as they encounter challenges and celebrate friendship. All seats are $12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘Frozen Jr’
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport kicks off the new year with a production of Frozen Jr. from Jan. 25 to March 2. When faced with danger, princesses Anna and Elsa discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. This enchanting musical features all of the memorable songs from the hit Disney film and will thaw even the coldest heart! All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com
Many puppies including Gia will be up for adoption at the fundraiser on Feb. 14. Photo courtesy of Dori Scofield
Many puppies including Bunny will be up for adoption at the fundraiser on Feb. 14. Photo courtesy of Dori Scofield
Many puppies will be up for adoption at the fundraiser on Feb. 14. Photo courtesy of Dori Scofield
Many puppies will be up for adoption at the fundraiser on Feb. 14. Photo courtesy of Dori Scofield
Many puppies will be up for adoption at the fundraiser on Feb. 14. Photo courtesy of Dori Scofield
By Julianne Mosher
Who needs a box of chocolates when you can adopt a puppy this Valentine’s Day?
Save-A-Pet Animal Shelter will be hosting its first annual Valentine’s Day Yappy Hour on Feb. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. at its Port Jefferson Station location for a special holiday fundraiser.
According to Dori Scofield, president of Save a Pet, the Yappy Hour will feature wine, charcuterie boards and desserts inside the adoption center, which they are transforming into a romantic setting for a purr-fect night out.
“We’ll have tables set up with candlelight and roses for the women,” she said. “It’s going to be a really fun night.”
Proceeds from the event will go towards helping dogs who need orthopedic surgeries, including Teddy, above. Photo courtesy of Dori Scofield
Just this month, the shelter, which is already home to several dozen cats and dogs up for adoption, received 30 puppies from Georgia and Puerto Rico.
“The shelters there are just too overcrowded,” said Scofield.
Those little loves, who will be joining you for your date night roaming the room, are up for adoption and the $25 ticket price will come off the adoption fee, Scofield added.
Proceeds from the event will go to continue support for the adoption center and also help care for three special cases; dogs who need orthopedic surgeries. One dog, Teddy, who is not for adoption, was unfortunately hit by a car and thanks to his latest procedure will be at Yappy Hour sporting his new cast and overseeing the night’s schedule.
If you’re looking for a lovable cat or dog who might be a little older, all the other animals available will be adoptable, too.
Those animals come from all different situations, Scofield said. “We have strays, animals who were abandoned, left in the woods, left in the streets… abandoned, abused and neglected.”
And you won’t need Cupid to shoot an arrow through your heart to fall in love with one of them.
Save-A-Pet, 608 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station will hold a Valentine’s Day Yappy Hour on Feb. 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person. For reservations, visit www.saveapetusa.org. 631-473-6333.
To participate in the contest, students are invited to submit an essay in person at their local Applebee’s, detailing why their teacher should be named Applebee’s “Teacher of the Year.” Elementary school students are asked to write a ½ page essay, while middle and high school students must submit a 500-word essay explaining why their teacher stands out.
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