Wintertime! 11/29/23 edition is published by Anton Media Group.

AN ANTON MEDIA GROUP SPECIAL

NOVEMBER 29- DECEMBER 5, 2023

Child’s play and the Long Island Children’s Museum Good health and fitness through the holidays Donate your time and expertise

NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 5, 2023 • WINTERTIME! | 1B

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Child’s Play

An exclusive chat with the children’s museum president

BY CHRISTY HINKO

chinko@antonmediagroup.com

It’s wintertime. Almost every parent on Long Island is faced with the challenge of overcoming winter blues and boredom woes from children of all ages.

The Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM) in Garden City is the answer to your seasonal dilemma. When my own daughter was a toddler, the museum was the answer to keeping us both sane, taking a break from being cooped up in the house for the winter.

T

he museum has come a long way since its pilot opening at 550 Stewart Avenue more than 30 years ago.

I had a chance to speak with the newest museum president, Erika Floreska, about the museum benefits, membership, some of the newest programs, as well as some of the time-honored exhibits that remain consistent, tried and true.

What’s New?

“We are doing an exhibit called snowflakes sock skating, creating this whole winter village at the museum,” Floreska said. “We brought it in during COVID, when kids really needed to get more gross motor skills going. It had been so popular that we brought it back twice, it has been so popular.”

The polyurethane floor is like an ice rink that kids can go on in provided slipon booties. There’s a play village, a mock kitchenette, a pretend campfire and fake s’mores maker.

“And it’s a really fun winter activity,” Floreska said. “That’s a good introduction to the museum.”

Tot Spot recently got a makeover also, with some new features and additions.

Membership

“The main benefit of a LICM membership is that if you come more than three times [in a year], you paid for the whole thing,” Floreska said.

For the cost of unlimited visits, you can stop at the museum and play all year long. The museum offers traveling exhibits, discounted programs, film screenings and member-only activities. The museum is a nonprofit, so a portion of the membership cost is tax-deductible.

“When you buy a membership, you can come as many times for as long or short as you want,” Floreska said. “It is such a good backup for you if you’re a parent with young kids, because you don’t have to feel like making the most of every visit.”

She explained, “If you buy tickets every time, you want to make sure you’re here

for two or three hours. And sometimes kids don’t want to be here for that long, and then have a meltdown, or they may be cranky.”

With a membership, you can decide to just go long enough to explore one room or one exhibit, just long enough that everyone is still enjoying themselves by the end of the visit.

“You can just stop in and hang out for an hour, like an indoor playground,” Floreska said. “Parents think, ‘Oh, we have been there, we have seen everything already,’ but if your kids go back to a place like the museum here, there’s always another way to interact with an exhibit, or another aspect to learn or explore, or playing dress up and role playing. That’s really good for kids’ brains, to play and explore. The repetition, doing the same thing over and over again that helps kids learn something different, seeing it from a different perspective each time. Kids are not built for one-and-done.”

Other perks include morning hours before the general public, exclusive events, discounts on events, discounts at Nunley’s Carousel, discounted birthday parties, museum store discounts, and reciprocity for free admission to more than 200 science museums worldwide.

Membership costs range from $100 to $400 per year.

Some of the exhibits that have stood the test of time at the museum continue to be the communication station with rotary phones and braille machines, the bubbles exhibit and the music room.

“Those long-running exhibits were here when we opened and continue to be the most popular,” Floreska said.

The museum is handicapped accessible and also offers special visiting hours for families of children with disabilities.

“We do ‘friendly hours’ once a month on Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m.,” Floreska said.

“The museum is less busy at that time. We lower the lights and reduce the sounds; the sensory overload is minimized.”

Floreska said, “Parents appreciate having their family together, exploring,

playing and should there be Blast your winter blues at LICM. behaviors that, in other settings might be concerning, they are in a community that supports parents and families who are navigating that; we understand that you never know day-today whether today is going to be a good day or a challenging one. We wanted to create a space where those families can come for free, so that if they do need to back out it’s not a stressor.”

The museum offers LICM For All, a program for families who qualify for EBT and SNAP benefits. There is also a discounted offer for military and veteran families.

“There are ways that we want to Fake make s’mores over the “firepit” make sure everyone has access and we at LICM. recognize that some of these special communities may need a little different path to the museum; we want to support that,” Floreska said.

Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM) is located at 11 Davis Ave. along Museum Row in Garden City. School year hours from September to June: Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and most school holidays. There are separate summer hours.

Museum admission: $17 for adults and children over 1 year old, $16 for seniors, free to museum members and children under the age of one.

Additional fees for theater and special programs may apply. For the safety of our visitors, adults are not permitted in the Museum without children; Museum visitors under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Visit www.licm.org or call 516-224-5800 Slide on the “ice” at LICM. for more information.

Photos provided by LICM

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Steps To Avoid Those Dreaded Holiday Pounds

BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF

specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

There are many traditions associated with the holidays—and one of them is the extra pounds everyone seems to gain during December. So, unless you want to spend January dieting and working off those extra pounds, you may want to think about taking some steps now, which can help you avoid that dreaded holiday weight gain.

I

t is still possible to enjoy the holidays and not gain a belly that shakes like a bowlful of jelly. It’s all about making smarter choices and overindulging a little, not a lot.

Holiday cooking tends to go overboard and that leaves lots of temptations remaining for days after celebrations. Think about how much food is really needed and not prepare more food than necessary. Having too much food makes it so easy to go to the refrigerator and choose a rich, high-calorie leftover instead of a more sensible choice.

If you do prepare more than you need, freeze what is leftover instead of stocking it in the refrigerator. If an item needs to be unfrozen, it is more likely to be skipped for a better, healthier choice. Stock the refrigerator with healthy choices, such as carrots, celery and apples instead of the leftover cakes.

Of course, even on the holidays, the choices made can make a big difference.

Pies are a traditional holiday dessert.

However, all pies are not created equal.

Those double-crusted pies can be a waistline disaster, so take off the top layer of crust if served a pie with a double crust. When baking the pie yourself,

use only one layer of crust and switch from a flaky crust to a graham-cracker crust to save even more calories.

Consider the following estimates.

An apple pie with a crust has about 290 calories while such a pie without the crust has only 200. A slice of pumpkin pie, which is usually made without a top layer of crust, has a reasonable amount of about 230 calories.

The same goes for custard pie, which has about 250 calories per slice. Moving up the calorie scale, a piece of mincemeat pie has about 300 calories, and a slice of pecan pie has around a whopping 470 calories.

A cup of chopped nuts has about 760 calories. To save calories, chop the nuts finer and then use only half of the suggested amount. By doing this, the baker will still disperse the flavor throughout the pie but will save calories. Do the same with chocolate chips, which have about 840 calories. Use mini chocolate chips and only use half a cup to save 420 calories

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while still dispersing flavor.

Pitfall parties

There are many goodies enjoyed at parties that can be a problem. Despite the belief that overeating is the main culprit, the foods eaten tend to be very dense, so it’s easy to gain weight without overeating.

A half cup of eggnog has about 180 calories. Therefore, having just a half cup a week, without making other cuts, will result in gaining a half pound for the week.

Problem hors d’oeuvres

Think twice about having any that are in a pastry, since each one can have up to 150 calories. Choose only the hors d’oeuvres that you really want and passing on others so as not to waste calories. Bring food as a gift to a party. The host is likely to put your offering out, so you will have a choice of something that’s healthier. However, if you choose to indulge in the appetizers presented to you, take your own plate and make your own healthier choices, as opposed to having the host select food items for you. Seek out shrimp cocktail.

Alcohol=waistline danger Always keep a cup in your hand, as party guests without one are more likely to

be offered a drink. Keep that cup filled with club soda, diet soda or ice water. If indulging in cocktails, alternate alcoholic drinks with non-calorie drinks to cut your alcohol and calorie consumption in half.

When having mixed drinks, use diet soda or non-calorie drinks, so you don’t mix sugar in your alcohol. Don’t mix caffeinated beverages with alcohol, as the caffeine will make you feel less impaired, even though you are.

Plan ahead

This doesn’t mean skipping a meal. It takes your brain half an hour to realize you have eaten, so if you haven’t eaten, you are more likely to overeat when you do begin your dining. Plan out your day and have a healthy lunch, such as lean ham, roast beef or turkey on whole wheat bread with lettuce and tomatoes but no mayonnaise. Drink plenty of water and eat a nutrition bar.

Routine exercise

With so much going on at this time of the year, exercise can often be skipped, which also contributes to weight gain. Exercise not only burns calories, it also burns stress, and being stressed causes individuals to eat more. Walk your dog for an extra 10 minutes, schedule gym time or do a family exercise.

Step on a scale at least once a week.

Those who step on a scale and see they’ve gained five pounds in early December are more likely to make changes and avoid the shock of seeing a 10- or 15-pound gain in January.

—With Northwell Health

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Wintertime Things To Do Long Island’s winter charm beckons with a plethora of frosty delights. From snow-covered beaches to festive village displays, it’s a season of joy. Families relish ice skating at local rinks, while vineyards offer wintry tastings. Cozy fireside gatherings, holiday markets, and the thrill of snow days make Long Island winters unforgettable.

Here are a couple of fun things to do this month.

SATURDAY, DEC. 2

First Night and Tree Lighting Ceremony Westbury House, decorated for the season, especially illuminated at night is a special experience at Old Westbury Gardens. Take a self-guided tour through the period rooms with enchanting floral decorations, have cookies and cider on the West Porch, and meet and take pictures with Santa. A Christmas-themed concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. followed by an outdoor tree lighting ceremony. Advanced tickets are required. Event will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 2.

Old Westbury Gardens at 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury.

Visit www.oldwestburygardens. org or call 516-333-0048.

Wreathmaking Workshop Craft your own bespoke evergreen wreath at Queens Farm on Dec. 2, 3, 9, two sessions available at 10 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. No experience necessary. Just bring your own garden shears, materials will be provided. Ticket price includes evergreen boughs, wire wreath frame, floral wire, and red bow.

For ages 18 and older. Tools and embelishments can be purchased for additional fee. Queens County Farm at 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy. in Floral Park. Visit www.queensfarm.org or call 718-347-3276.

with decorations, cider and sweets on Dec. 10 from 2 to 5 p.m. Rock Hall invites you and your family to visit period rooms and enjoy holiday festivities, gingerbread house decorating, music, crafts, holiday photos, face painting and other fun activities. Reservations are required. Rock Hall Museum at 199 Broadway in Lawrence. Visit www.friendsofrockhall.org or call 516-239-1157. .....................

SATURDAY, DEC. 16

Countdown to 2023 at Long Island Forest Bathing Children’s Museum Take a meditative Forest Bathing walk, led by certified guide and traditional carols from both East and West. Refreshments will Linda Lombardo on Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to noon. Based follow the concert. Admission on the Japanese tradition of and refreshments are both free Shinrin-Yoku, a wellness practice of charge. The church is located developed in the 1980s, each at 369 Green Avenue in East unique walk inspires mindful Meadow. Visit www.htocem.org connections with the natural or call 516-483-3649 for details.

Christmas Concert elements of the woods for a range .....................

The Choir of Holy Trinity of healthful benefits. Walk is deSUNDAY, DEC. 10 Orthodox Church of East signed for ages 18 and older. PreRock Hall Holiday Celebration Meadow will present its Annual registration is required. Register Come experience the holidays in Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. on online or call 516.304.5076 for Saturday, Dec. 2, featuring choral “Colonial America,” where the payment. Sands Point Preserve New Year was often celebrated music of the Orthodox Church at 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands

Point.

Visit www. thesandspointpreserve.com or call Forest bathing 516-571-7901. .....................

THROUGH SUNDAY, JAN. 7

Snowflake Sock Skating and Snowflake Village Slide into the snowy season at Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM) as you slip on “sock skates” and take a spin on the indoor rink. Enjoy all the fun of this winter sport without the runny noses or cold hands. The indoor rink at LICM is made from a high-tech synthetic polymer surface that lets kids slide around without blades. This exhibit offers plenty of opportunities for active play as kids stretch, twirl and glide at LICM. The musem is lcoated at 11 Davis Ave., Garden City. Visit www.licm.org or call 516-224-5800.

—Compiled by Christy Hinko

Just Minutes Away from the Long Island Expressway in Riverhead, NY!

MEET NEW FRIENDS 431 East Main Street, Riverhead • 631.208.9200, ext. 426 | www.LongIslandAquarium.com *Admission must be used within 7 days of your birthday. No exceptions and no refunds. Valid ID is required or no admittance.

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Christmas at Westbury House Three Weekends Only 10am - 4pm

Free with regular admission Saturday, Dec. 2 | Sunday, Dec. 3 Saturday, Dec. 9 | Sunday, Dec. 10 Saturday, Dec. 16 | Sunday, Dec. 17

Join Us for Some Holiday Cheer!

Meet & take pictures with Santa!

Enjoy cookies & cider on the West Porch and tour a decor ated Westbury House!

“First Night” and Tree Lighting Ceremony Saturday, Dec. 2 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM

An Edwardian Christm as: A Children’s Puppet Show — and More!

Saturday, Dec. 9 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Holiday Victory Party!

Friday, Dec. 15 Saturday, Dec. 16 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

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Seven Ways To Cut Your Holiday Expenses When it comes to holiday spending, waiting in store lines all night and jostling for discounts will mean very little if you don’t have a budget that shapes your finances year-round. With the average U.S. household spending $600-$700 for the holidays, putting that money together shouldn’t be a game of chance.

Here are some tips to get it right.

Compare and cut your auto and home insurance premiums. Turn down the thermostat, dump magazine subscriptions, gym memberships and any other budget item you’re not using. You’ll find that savings build quickly.

Before you make a It’s tough to cut young kids off list, plan a gift list, so turn to the adults.

If your finances are limited, it’s How’s your debt? Do you have worth asking adult friends and an emergency fund family members if they’d consider a gift swap or forego gifts or any savings put aside? Start altogether. They might actually the holiday season by getting think it’s a good idea. a handle on what you owe and

Assuming you’ve made a tight gift list, create a gift budget (www. practicalmoneyskills.com/ YourGiftLog) tracking precisely what you’re willing to pay for every item. Also, don’t forget to budget for holiday entertainment (www.practicalmoneyskills.com/ EntertainmentPlanner). It’s a potentially huge cost. Plan ahead and don’t waver.

what you’re spending day-toAttack your everyday. Then plan a holiday budget day expenses (www.practicalmoneyskills.com/ YourHolidayBudget) as early as Want to afford possible that allows you to spend the holidays? wisely.

Consider evaluating some expensive habits. Try reducing See what spendthe amount you are spending ing is really necon expensive nights out. Cook essary at home and bring your lunch to work. Use public transportation.

Browse before you buy

Create your own Holiday Club

Online savings and money market accounts can allow you to set aside your holiday budget in

small amounts throughout the year and they’ll pay better rates than the last few banks offering Holiday Club savings accounts.

Watch gas and shipping Smart shoppers weigh the value of store trips versus online shopping. They also keep an eagle eye for advertised online and shipping discounts. Sign up for special deals and coupons, consolidate in-person trips to stores and make sure you review return policies at online and bricks-and-mortar stores before you buy. Paying return fees or missing a window to return a gift entirely can cost big money.

what you spend every year. Good recordkeeping not only allows you to track the numbers, but also prevents you from duplicating gifts or overspending year to year. And it’s always a good idea to keep a list of what you get from others to make sure you’re thanking people appropriately.

Finally, consider whether it’s worth making new holiday traditions that go beyond gift giving. Some families consider contributing throughout the year to a joint vacation or reunion fund to bring everyone together. You might also consider the needs of aging or needy relatives who need assistance with chores, transportation or pet care. The holidays are what you make them.

—Visa

Keep good records Whether you track your finances on paper or on a computer, develop a system that allows you to match your holiday list to

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‘Tis The Season Of Giving

BY CHRISTY HINKO

chinko@antonmediagroup.com

Now that the holiday season is among us, many nonprofit organizations are reaching out for donations.

V

olunteering your time is a transformative experience with huge benefits. It fosters a sense of community and social connection, reducing feelings of isolation. Engaging in volunteer work also enhances mental well-being by providing a sense of purpose and accomplishment. It offers the opportunity to develop new skills and gain valuable experiences, bolstering personal and professional growth. Volunteering can broaden perspectives and increase empathy by exposing individuals to diverse backgrounds and challenges.

It often leads to the formation of lasting friendships and a deeper understanding of societal issues.

The act of giving back creates a positive ripple effect, benefiting both the volunteer and the community at large.

Here are some local organizations that could use your help.

Andy Foundation

195 Herricks Rd., New Hyde Park 516-739-1717 www.theandyfoundation.org

Child Care Council of Nassau 99 Quentin Roosevelt Blvd, Ste. 201, Garden City 516-358-9250 www.childcarenassau.org

Bethany House

102 Whitehouse Ave., Roosevelt 516-868-6866 www.bhny.org

Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline Adelphi University Breast Cancer Support Program Garden City 516-877-4320 www.breast-cancer.adelphi.edu

The Book Fairies

70 N. Main St., Freeport 516-557-6645 www.thebookfairies.org

Family & Children’s Association

100 E. Old Country Rd., Mineola 516-746-0350 www.fcali.org

Ronald McDonald House 267-07 76th Ave., New Hyde Park 516-775-5683 www.rmhlongisland.org

Girl Scouts of Nassau County 110 Ring Rd. W., Garden City 516-741-2550 www.gsnc.org

The Sarah Grace Foundation 217 Plainview Rd., Hicksville 516-433-9745 www.thesarahgracefoundation.org

Long Island Crisis Center

Belmont Child Care Association

2740 Martin Ave., Bellmore 516-826-0244 www.longislandcrisiscenter.org

2150 Hempstead Tpke., Gate 6, Elmont 516-488-2103 www.belmontchildcare.org

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The Safe Center

100 Madison Ave., Hempstead 516-486-8506 www.the-inn.org

15 Gruman Road West, Bethpage 516-465-4700 www.tscli.org

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Get Cozy With A New Book This Winter In winter, the allure of reading intensifies as a cozy escape from the cold. The warmth of blankets, the crackling of a fireplace, and the sound of rain against windows create an ideal setting.

Books become companions, transporting us to different worlds, providing solace, and allowing introspection during the serene winter months.

Here are some of the new releases for you to consider, in no particular order.

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice—her truth—was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey—and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history. .......................

Pretty Boys Are Poisonous: Poems by Megan Fox Megan Fox showcases her wicked humor throughout a heartbreaking and dark collection of poetry. Over the course of more than 70 poems Fox chronicles all the ways in which we fit ourselves into the shape of the ones we love, even if it means losing ourselves in the process. .......................

Prequel: An American fight against fascism by Rachel Maddow Rachel Maddow traces the fight to preserve American democracy back to WWII, when a handful of public servants and private citizens thwarted far-right plotters trying to steer our nation toward an alliance with the Nazis.

My Effin’ Life by Geddy Lee The long-awaited memoir, generously illustrated with never-before-seen photos, from the iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Famer

and Rush bassist. .......................

The Exchange: After the Firm by John Grisham John Grisham delivers high-flying international suspense in a stunning new legal thriller that marks the return of Mitch McDeere, the brilliant hero of The Firm. .......................

The Little Liar by Mitch Albom Beloved bestselling author Mitch Albom returns with a powerful novel that moves from a coastal Greek city during the Holocaust, to America, where the intertwined lives of three survivors are forever changed by the perils of deception and the grace of redemption.

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My Name Is Barbra by Barbra Streisand The long-awaited memoir by the superstar of stage, screen, recordings, and television.

Teddy and Booker T.: How two American icons blazed a path for racial equality

by Brian Kilmeade Bestselling author of George Washington’s Secret Six and Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates turns to two other heroes of the nation: Theodore Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington. .......................

You Like It Darker: Stories by Stephen King From legendary storyteller and master of short fiction Stephen King comes an extraordinary new collection of 12 short stories, many never-before-published, and some of his best ever.

Being Henry: The Fonz . . . and Beyond

by Henry Winkler From Emmy-award winning actor, author, comedian, producer, and director Henry Winkler, a deeply thoughtful memoir of the lifelong effects of stardom and the struggle to become whole.

—Descriptions and images courtesy of the respective publisher or Amazon.

Compiled by Christy Hinko.

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