News Archives - Page 17 of 26 - Village of Islandia

Islandia Florist Expresses Gratitude to Those Who Served at Village’s Annual Memorial Day Ceremonies

It started with a smile and a piece of gum from a kind U.S. soldier. Since then, Gina Lekstutis, Owner, Gina’s Flower Shoppe, has never forgotten to pay it forward to the fighting men and women who have served this great country.

With two locations in Islandia — one at Village of Islandia Commons, the other at the Hyatt Regency Long Island Hotel — Gina’s Flower Shoppe will donate wreaths for the Village of Islandia’s annual Memorial Day ceremony, which will take place on Saturday, May 23 at 10 a.m. at the Veteran’s Memorial Triangle. The shop has also donated flowers for Veterans Day ceremonies and for funerals whenever a local war veteran passes away.

Ms. Lekstutis recalled that when she was a child in Taiwan (the Republic of China), she met an American soldier. He patted her head and, although she did not speak English, she can hear the kindness in his voice when he spoke to her. He also offered her a piece of chewing gum. It was this act of selflessness that she has since decided to “pay it forward” towards members of the military and everyone she meets.

“I had always remembered to ‘pay it forward’ when it comes to our veterans,” Ms. Lekstutis said. “It is important to honor those who fought for this wonderful country.”

“We are very proud to have a local business owner like Gina honor our veterans,” said Allan M. Dorman, Mayor, Village of Islandia. “The veteran’s organizations are grateful for her support and recognition of what they have done. We thank her for her support in helping to make our Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies special for our community.”

Village of Islandia Celebrates 30 Years

Mayor Allan M. Dorman (center), Village of Islandia, displays the proclamation he received from the Office of Suffolk County Legislator Tom Muratore at the village’s 30th anniversary celebration on April 10. Also pictured (left to right): Tom Cilmi, Suffolk County Legislator; Mike Zaleski, Village Trustee; Leslie Kennedy, Suffolk County Legislator, and Robert Martinez, Chief of Staff, Office of Suffolk County Legislator Tom Muratore.

On April 10, Allan M. Dorman, Mayor, Village of Islandia, held a celebration of the village’s 30th anniversary at Village Hall. Local residents, village employees and elected officials were on hand to celebrate the milestone. During the event, Robert Martinez, Chief of Staff, Office of Suffolk County Legislator Tom Muratore, presented Mayor Dorman with a proclamation in honor of the village’s three decades in existence.

The village was officially incorporated on April 11, 1985, after voters approved a referendum. On May 22, 1985, village residents voted for its first mayor and board of trustees.

The Village of Islandia is home to over 3,300 residents and over 1,300 businesses. It encompasses 2.25 square miles and contains 275 acres of Greenbelt, including Lakeland Park and Islandia Farm. The village is comprised of the Hauppauge, Central Islip and Connetquot School Districts, and the Hauppauge, Central Islip and Lakeland Fire Districts and includes the three hamlets of Hauppauge, Ronkonkoma and Central Islip.

Village Trustees Patty Peters and Barbara Lacey Sworn In for Another Term

Phil Goglas (right), U.S. District Court Judge, swears in Patty Peters (left) and Barbara Lacey (center) for another term as Village Trustees at the Village Board meeting on April 7.

Islandia Village Trustees Patty Peters and Barbara Lacey were sworn in for another term during the April 7 Village Board meeting. They won their respective races in an uncontested election on March 18.

The term for Village Trustee is four years. Ms. Peters has been a Village Trustee since 2007. In 2010, Ms. Lacey was appointed to the Village Trustee post that was vacated by Suellen Leonardo. This is the second election Ms. Lacey has won.

Islandia Village Provides Its Residents with a Dry, Warm and Happy Easter

The Easter Bunny hands out a basket full of eggs to a child at the Village of Islandia’s drive-through Easter event on March 28.

On March 28, the Village of Islandia helped its residents celebrate Easter without having to go out in the snow and the cold. The village set up a drive-through system in which residents drove around the Village Hall parking lot and met the Easter Bunny at the other side of the entranceway. All of the vehicle’s occupants received an Easter basket — courtesy of the Easter Bunny — without having to step outside into the snow. Each Easter basket contained plastic eggs that held pieces of candy inside.

More than 100 baskets were given out that day. The remaining baskets were brought over to the Office of New York State Assemblyman Al Graf, who, along with his staff members, gave out the baskets to the patients at local children’s hospitals.

Rain Does Not Deter Islandia Village’s 9th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

Islandia Village Mayor Allan M. Dorman (fourth from right) is joined by Santa Claus and village officials at the 9th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on December 6. Also pictured (l-r): Tony Church, Village Administrator; Barbara Lacey, Trustee, as "Mrs. Claus"; Shy Main Shieh, Event Volunteer and Islandia resident; Diane Olk, Deputy Mayor; and Mike Zaleski and Patty Peters, Trustees. — Islandia Village Mayor Allan M. Dorman (fourth from right) is joined by Santa Claus and village officials at the 9th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on December 6. Also pictured (l-r): Tony Church, Village Administrator; Barbara Lacey, Trustee, as “Mrs. Claus”; Shy Main Shieh, Event Volunteer and Islandia resident; Diane Olk, Deputy Mayor; and Mike Zaleski and Patty Peters, Trustees.

Islandia residents braved the cold pouring rain to turn out for the 9th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on December 6 at Village Hall. “Joe the Singing Bus Driver” performed under the big tent as he played guitar and sang holiday songs. Residents stayed dry and warm as they enjoyed hot cocoa, cookies and cupcakes while listening to the music.

Mayor Allan M. Dorman went out to light the tree. After the tree was lit, Santa Claus arrived with the Central Islip Fire Department and went inside the tent to distribute toys to the good boys and girls, with help from Santa’s elves. Santa also posed for pictures with the children, who also received candy canes, courtesy of Mrs. Claus.

Photo Gallery

View Slideshow

Mayor Allan M. Dorman Welcomes Mugi Sushi Hibachi & Bar

Mayor Allan M. Dorman (third from right), Village of Islandia, prepares to cut the ribbon in celebration of the grand opening of Mugi Sushi Hibachi & Bar with village officials and Mugi's owners and managers on November 16. — Mayor Allan M. Dorman (third from right), Village of Islandia, prepares to cut the ribbon in celebration of the grand opening of Mugi Sushi Hibachi & Bar with village officials and Mugi’s owners and managers on November 16.

On November 16, Allan M. Dorman, Mayor, Village of Islandia, attended the grand opening of Mugi Sushi Hibachi & Bar, located at 1708 Veterans Memorial Highway in Islandia. The mayor joined village officials and Mugi’s co-owners and managers in a ribbon cutting ceremony. The celebration also featured a buffet lunch for the guests and music.

Construction began on the 5,000-square-foot restaurant in July 2014 and opened in late October 2014. The restaurant section seats 150 people, and features six hibachi tables that can seat up to 75 people per table. Menu items include soups, salads, sushi and sashimi, hibachi lunch and dinner specials and more. In addition, the restaurant is available for private parties.

Village of Islandia Remembers Those Who Served during Veterans Day Ceremony

Mayor Allan M. Dorman (behind podium) speaks to the attendees at the Veterans Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Triangle on November 8 as members of the Central Long Island chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association look on.

On November 8, the Village of Islandia held its annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Village Memorial Triangle. Mayor Allan M. Dorman, a Vietnam veteran, was joined by local elected officials, war veterans and representatives from the Central Islip Fire Department to honor those who served and continue to serve in the armed forces.

There was a musical performance by the Central Islip High School marching band and a presentation of the colors by local members of The United States Marine Corps. Deacon Jim Altonji of St. Joseph Parish in Ronkonkoma delivered the invocation.

During the ceremony, Mayor Dorman asked those in attendance to remember local residents who served in the military and have since passed on, including U.S. Army Sergeant Bill Dufek, who read the poem “In Flanders Field” at the village’s Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies. He also recognized all the local veterans’ groups that were in attendance. The ceremony ended with village officials joining war veterans in placing a wreath and bouquets of roses in front of the memorial.

Watch Video

Mayor Allan Dorman was interviewed by FiOS1 at the Veterans Day ceremony to explain the importance of Veterans Day and how it is important to recognize those who serve our country.

Photo Gallery

View Slideshow

Village of Islandia Celebrates Halloween at its 10th Annual Pumpkin Fest

Winners of the girls' Halloween costume contest pose with their prizes at the Village of Islandia's 10th annual Pumpkin Fest on October 25. — Winners of the girls’ Halloween costume contest pose with their prizes at the Village of Islandia’s 10th annual Pumpkin Fest on October 25.

On October 25, the Village of Islandia welcomed over 600 local residents and children to the 10th Annual Pumpkin Fest on the grounds of Islandia Village Hall.

Throughout the event, children decorated pumpkins and took part in a Halloween costume parade and contest. They also joined their families as they went on hayrides and walked through a chilling Haunted Castle that kept everyone on their toes. Islandia’s own “Joe the Singing Bus Driver” was there to tell spooky stories and sing Halloween songs for the children.

The village also provided guests with hot cocoa, cider and cookies. Each resident left with their very own pumpkin.

Photo Gallery

View Slideshow

Village of Islandia Celebrates Summer with 9th Annual BBQ

Two-year-old Gavin Schrage shows off the two pieces of candy that he received from the piñata at Islandia Village’s 9th annual BBQ.

On July 12, more than 500 Islandia Village residents came out to the 9th Annual BBQ. Village employees and local Boy Scouts served residents hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream, soda and water. Children enjoyed the day with hayrides, games, pony rides, a petting zoo, arts and crafts, face painting, piñatas and a dunk tank. A local DJ provided the music to keep the party going. Local elected officials were also in attendance.

In addition, Mayor Allan M. Dorman hosted a blueberry pie eating contest with the winners each getting a blueberry pie.

Photo Gallery

View Slideshow

Islandia Village Hosts First “Ye Olde Fashioned Tag Sale” of the Year

It is said that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. On June 7, Village of Islandia residents cleaned out their garages, attics, basements and closets and brought their unwanted items to the “Ye Olde Fashioned Tag Sale” on the grounds of Village Hall. Village residents were on hand to sell items such as toys, books, clothes, lamps and assorted knick-knacks.

The Village of Islandia has traditionally held one tag sale during the year, but in 2012, due to the growing success and increasing turnout, it decided to hold the event a second time in the fall. Since then, the village has held two tag sales each year.

Photo Gallery

View Slideshow