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By Mike White 🏂🏼 Dec. 18, 2025

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☕ Good morning, Long Island!

🕎 Wishing our very many Jewish subscribers a bright and meaningful Hanukkah.

GIVEAWAY ALERT 🍎 Gala Foods is gifting 5 shoppers free groceries every Friday in December at random. (Shop and maybe you'll get lucky.)

🍇 And if you're looking for a charcuterie board made special for you and your family these holidays, read this.

✍🏼 Feel free to respond to this email with feedback!

Weather: Mostly sunny with a high near 53. ☀️

MEET OUR TOWN SPONSORS

First, this tiny Mineola ramen shop just ranked No. 2 in the U.S. by Yelp

🍜 A small ramen shop in Mineola is making a big statement on Long Island — and beyond. Youta Ramen, which opened just two years ago, has been named the second-best ramen spot in the country.

Second, how these giant toy soldiers became a Bay Shore holiday landmark

🎄Every December, three towering toy soldiers return to their familiar posts outside Drew Patrick Spa in Bay Shore. But this year’s display carries a special milestone.

Third, when it counts, Long Island opens its wallet big time on GoFundMe

🙏🏼 GoFundMe’s latest “Year in Help” report highlights just how giving Long Islanders can be, naming New York the fifth most generous state in the nation by percentage of repeat donors.

More headlines to highlight

⛷️ The Ski Lodge is bringing alpine après vibes straight to Patchogue with its second annual winter bash on Saturday, Dec. 27, from 1 to 8 p.m.

🎅🏼 Lake Ronkonkoma native and former Sachem North football star Craig Geoghan was crowned the winner of Season 2 of Hallmark Channel’s Finding Mr. Christmas during the season finale that aired Monday night.

🏈 According to reports, Lindenhurt's own Jeremy Ruckert has signed a two-year, $10 million contract extension with the New York Jets — the team he grew up rooting for.

💳 After years of hamburgers and loaded potato skins, the former TGI Fridays in Farmingville is headed for a quieter future with a TFCU branch.

🫗 In just a few months, this little coffee shop in East Islip has become a familiar stop for locals — something that has surprised its young owner.

🛒 Tanger Outlets Deer Park is set welcome two major additions in 2026 as part of the shopping center’s ongoing expansion of retail and entertainment offerings.

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Greater Babylon coverage is funded in part by The Argyle Theatre, where Broadway comes to Babylon. Click here for tickets to Annie.