Bethpage Newsgram (2/27/26) by Litmor Publishing

SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW

VALENTINES FOR VETERANS

The Town of Oyster Bay recently presented ‘Valentine’s for Veterans’ to Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 82, to be distributed to various Veterans organizations, as well as to the VA Hospital. Thousands of special Valentine’s cards were handmade by students from numerous school districts throughout the Town as an expression of appreciation and gratitude for our Hometown Heroes, and to recognize that their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sensory-friendly children’s program at Library

On Sunday, March 22, at 12:15 p.m., Syosset Public Library will host a sensory friendly production, “Flat Stanley The Musical”, for children with autism spectrum disorders and their families. This production has been modified by Sunrise Theatre Company, and will be presented in the library’s theater. The performance will last approximately one hour. A calming corner with coping tools will be available for use outside the theater. Seats will be available beginning February 9 for families with children on the autism spectrum and

sensory sensitivities. Reserve seats by email splchildrens@ syossetlibrary.org or by phone (516-921-7185). Registration will open to all beginning March 9, if space is available.

For more information visit the library’s website at www. syossetlibrary.org

The Bethpage Newsgram is published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp. Periodical Postage paid at Hicksville, N.Y. 11801 Telephone 931-0012 - USPS 3467-68. Postmaster: Send Address Change to: The Bethpage Newsgram, 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208, Garden City, N.Y. 11530 • Meg Norris Publisher

Free concerts at local libraries for March

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that the Distinguished Artists Concert Series will continue with free performances at local libraries throughout the Town.

“The Distinguished Artists Concert Series provides free musical and dance programs for the enjoyment of our residents,” said Town Councilman Andrew Monteleone. “I encourage residents to take advantage of these wonderful performances offered by the Town for free at local libraries.”

Scheduled performances for March

• The Brooklyn Bards on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Syosset Public Library – Experience the deep lyrics and rich melodies of traditional Irish music. Open to all. Free tickets required. Registration begins February 11. Visit: https://syosset.librarycalendar.com/events/month and select the date of the concert and register.

• Women of Soul on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Farmingdale Public Library – Celebrating female singers and their triumphs, with a timeline of songs.

• The Traditions on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Jericho Public Library – Vocal harmony at its best! Performing “Teardrops,” “In the Still of the Night,” “Daddy’s Home,” and more! Open to all. Free Tickets required. Two tickets per person. Tickets available at the library beginning February 22. For more information, contact the library at (516) 935-6790.

• The Golden Chords on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Jericho Public Library – A Half Century of Bob Dylan Songs: from Folksinger to Nobel Laureate. Open to all. Free Tickets required. Two tickets per person. Tickets available at the library beginning March 1. For more information, contact the library at (516) 935-6790.

The Distinguished Artists Concert Series is sponsored by the Cultural and Performing Arts (CAPA) Division of the Town of Oyster Bay’s Department of Community & Youth Services. For the full concert schedule and further information, please call (516) 797-7900 or visit www.oysterbaytown.com/ CAPA.

Dutch Lane students enjoy author visit

Students at Dutch Lane Elementary School in Hicksville enjoyed an unforgettable visit on Feb. 9 as they welcomed author Justin Colón, writer of “The Quacken.” The book is a humorous, lightly spooky picture book about a young boy who unknowingly unleashes a ferociously fuzzy creature at his campground.

Colón delivered a high-energy, engaging presentation filled with laughter that captivated students from beginning to end. Through storytelling insights and behind-the-scenes inspiration, he brought the world of “The Quacken” to life, leaving students curious, inspired and eager to read more.

Paid internships for college students

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced the return of internship opportunities for college students who are looking to gain meaningful work experience. The Town will offer an internship program for the 2026 summer season in various departments.

“Internships give students an advantage over other job seekers when it comes to work readiness, and I am proud that the Town will once again provide that opportunity for our residents,” Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. “This internship program provides an invaluable opportunity for students to receive mentorship and supervision from experienced government professionals.”

This program compensates students at a competitive rate of $20 an hour, and students will work 19.5 hours per week. The program will run for 10 weeks, from June 11 through August 19. Internships are available in the following Town

Departments: Comptroller, General Services, Environmental Resources, Inter-Governmental Affairs, Planning & Development, Public Information, Public Safety, Public Works/ Engineering, Town Attorney and Town Clerk. Interns will gain worksite specific knowledge, learn departmental procedures, assist with general office duties and reports, develop an understanding of worksite specific projects and apply the knowledge gained to benefit the Town of Oyster Bay. College students interested in internship opportunities must apply by March 23, 2026. Applicants must submit a resume with their application, available at oysterbaytown. com/internship. Completed applications and resumes should be submitted to personnel@oysterbay-ny. gov. For more information, please call (516) 624-6425.

Author Justin Colón, writer of “The Quacken,” visited students at Dutch Lane Elementary School in Hicksville on Feb. 9. Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Parking sticker renewal weekends

To help residents looking to renew their LIRR parking stickers, Oyster Bay Town Clerk Richard LaMarca announced that his office will offer two special Commuter Parking Sticker Weekends on Saturday, February 28, and Sunday, March 1,, and Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at both Town Hall North in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South in Massapequa.

Residents are required to bring:

• A copy of the current vehicle registration (New York State plates only)

• Proof of residency such as a copy of a current home telephone, utility bill (PSEG, water, cable, etc.), W-2 or paystub.

“Residents looking to renew their LIRR parking stickers are invited to visit either Town Hall locations during these two special Commuter Parking Sticker Weekends,” said Town Clerk LaMarca. “Please take advantage of these convenient weekend hours before your parking sticker expires on March 31st.”

Town Clerk LaMarca has offices located at Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road in Massapequa. Commuter parking stickers are also processed daily, Monday through Friday, 9am to 4:45pm at both Town Hall locations. For more information, please call the Town Clerk’s Office at (516) 624-6332.

Community Reader Day

Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray (rear, second right) visited Abbey Lane Elementary School in Levittown to participate in Community Reader Day. The heartfelt artwork will be delivered to local veterans’ organizations.

Attention students!

Graduated from school? Have an outstanding GPA? Made the honor roll or Dean’s List? Scored an internship or study abroad opportunity? We invite you to send details of any of these things and more, along with your name and contact info, to editor@gcnews.com for a chance to be seen in our paper!

Local couples renew vows on Valentines Day

Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray (right) congratulated Peter and Donna Campbell of Levittown as they renewed their wedding vows after 29 years of mar-

Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray (right) congratulated Manoj and Monika Jareth of Levittown as they renewed their wedding vows after 38 years of marriage.

On February 12, Town of Hempstead Clerk Kate Murray hosted over 100 couples as they renewed their wedding vows in honor of Valentines Day. The event was held at the Coral House of Baldwin.

WHAT DOES ‘HEALTH SYSTEM’ EVEN MEAN? IT MEANS A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR YOUR HEALTH.

A health system is more than a doctor. In our case, it’s 320+ locations with the exact same high standard of care. It’s integrated medical teams that achieve the best patient outcomes.

It’s leading the charge in medical discoveries. It’s the lowest mortality rates in the nation.

It’s being named #1 for quality care in the U.S. Our health system has the best doctors, and the best doctors are just the beginning.

Better health starts with a better health system.

Levittown schools go purple for love

Each student’s name at Jonas E. Salk Middle School was represented on a mural reflecting this year’s P.S. I Love You theme, “Be The Light.”

At Division Avenue High School, students’ names were represented on paper chains hung throughout the school.

Messages of positivity and perseverance were the theme across Levittown Schools on Feb. 13 as students and staffed marked P.S. I Love You Day.

Each year, Levittown Schools participate in P.S. I Love You Day, an initiative started in New York that aims to bring awareness to the importance of mental health. Through the promotion of positive messages and activities, students’ mission was to help decrease bullying and stand against isolation. At Jonas E. Salk Middle School, for example, each student across the building were rep -

resented in a mural displayed by the front lobby reflecting the theme, “Be The Light.” Outside the cafeteria, students sold purple bracelets, stress-relief toys and sunglasses, as well as raffle tickets for the chance to win one of several prize baskets. At Division Avenue High School, hearts were decorated with messages dedicated to peers who received an uplifting message. Every student’s name was represented in paper chains hung throughout the building, mirroring their unity.

Student Aimar Montoya wrote a positive message to a friend on a paper heart.

Family and consumer science teacher Molly Neary and sixth grader Maryann Munar posed in Salk’s photobooth.

Outside the Salk Middle School cafeteria, students sold P.S. I Love You Day-themed items.

Photos courtesy Levittown Public Schools

LUXURY RENTALS FOR THOSE 62 AND OLDER

Apartments with Full Kitchens

Concierge Services

Daily Housekeeping

Private Car Services

On-Site Cinema

Outdoor Pool with Cabanas

Fitness Center & Yoga Studio

Spacious Patio & Fire Pit

Two On-Site Restaurants with al fresco Dining

Golf Simulator

Beauty Salon & Spa

Military Bridge Fundraiser

Mercy League will present a Military Bridge Fundraiser on Sunday, March 15, from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. This is a fun game which can be learned quickly as you play along. Knowledge of bridge is not necessary.

The event will take place at the Bethpage Community Senior Center, 103 Grumman Road, Bethpage. Doors open at 1 pm.

Free refreshments: coffee, tea & desserts. Admission: $10

$200 Cash Prizes for the Top 3 Teams:

1st Place Team = $100; 2nd Place Team = $60; 3rd Place Team = $40

Plus: Lottery Board, 50/50, Raffle Prizes!

For questions, please call Roseann (516) 320-5567

Upon arrival, please check in at front door. All are welcome!

Are you a professional?

Our Professional Guide is sure to bring results. Call

LEGAL NOTICES

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF MEETING

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF BETHPAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Board of Trustees of the Bethpage Public Library hereby gives notice that a Special District Meeting of the qualified voters of the Bethpage Union Free School District will be held at the Bethpage Public Library, 47 Powell Avenue, Bethpage, New York, on Monday, the 13th day of April, 2026 from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. prevailing time, for the purpose of voting by paper ballots upon the following propositions:

1. To adopt the Annual Budget of the Bethpage Public Library for the fiscal year 2026-2027 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the Bethpage Union Free School District; and

2. To elect one (1) member of the Board of Trustees, who will serve a term commencing on July 1, 2026, and expiring on June 30, 2031, which is currently encumbered by Gregory Cusumano.

A petition shall be required to nominate such candidate to the office of Library Trustee. Petitions shall be directed to the District Clerk at the Bethpage Union Free School District Administration Offices Cherry Avenue and Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, New York, and shall be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District. Vacancies on the Board of Trustees are not considered separate specific offices; candidates run at large. Nominating petitions shall not describe any specific vacancy upon the Board for which the candidate is nominated. Petitions shall be available at the Office of the District Clerk at the School District Administrative Offices, Cherry Avenue and Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, New York. In the event that any such nominee shall withdraw his or her candidacy prior to the election, such person shall not be considered a candidate unless a new petition nominating such person in the same manner and with the same limitations applicable to other candidates is filed with the District Clerk. Each petition shall be filed in the office of the District Clerk between the hours of 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. (excluding Saturdays and Sundays), through Friday, March 13, 2026, and not later than March 13, 2026.

REGISTRATION

FURTHER NOTICE IS GIVEN that pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law, personal registration of voters is necessary and no person shall be entitled to vote at said Special District Meeting of April 13, 2026 unless such person has personally registered.

Each person may register for the said Special Meeting by appearing personally before the Board of Registration of the School District on April 1, 2026, as hereinafter stated. The Board of Registration will meet for the purpose of personal voter registration and the preparation of a register of the qualified voters of said School District, on April 1, 2026 between the hours of 4:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. at the School District Administrative Offices during which time and at which place members of the Board of Registration shall place upon the School District Register the names of all qualified voters personally appearing before them, provided they are known to be or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration that they are entitled to vote at the above specified Library Special District Meeting.

Call 516-294-8900 for more details. KEF Consulting LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/30/25. Off. loc.: Nassau Co. SSNY desig. as agt. upon whom proc. may be served. SSNY shall mail proc. to: 44 Algonquin Av, Massapequa, NY 11758. Purp.: any lawful. NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY LEGAL NOTICE

Such register, upon its completion, will be filed in the Office of the District Clerk at the School District Administrative Offices, Cherry Avenue and Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, New York, and will remain on file at such office and will be open for inspection between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. on each of the five (5) days prior to the meeting or election for which it was prepared, except Saturday and Sunday. Voters may register for voting at subsequent Library special district meetings on the day of the April 13, 2026 Special District Meeting. All persons who have voted at any Special or Annual Meeting or Election or at any general election within four (4) years prior to the preparation of the register, or who are registered to vote at any general election, pursuant to Section 5-210 of the Election Law of the State of New York need not re-register to vote at the Special District Meeting of April 13, 2026.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, the voters may register with the Clerk of said School District at her office in the Bethpage Union Free School District Administrative Offices, Cherry Avenue and Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, New York, between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 3:30 P.M. when school is in session at any day prior to April 1, 2026 to add any additional names to the Register to be used at the aforesaid election, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Register provided that at such meeting with the Clerk of said School District he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of the Clerk of said School District to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such election for which the Register is prepared. The Register so prepared pursuant to Section 2014 of the Education Law will be filed in the Office of the District Clerk, at her office in the School District Administrative Offices, Cherry Avenue and Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, New York, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District between 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. on each of the five (5) days prior to the day set for the election, except Saturday and Sunday, and at the polling place(s) on the day of the vote.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district. An application for registration as a military voter can be requested from the Board of Education at the Bethpage Administration building and must be returned to the Office of the District Clerk at 10 Cherry Avenue, Bethpage NY 11714, or by contacting the District Clerk at (516) 644-4002. The application for registration must be received in the office of the clerk no later than 5:00 P.M. on March 18, 2026. In the request for an application for registration, the military voter is permitted to designate his/her preference for receiving the application for registration by mail, facsimile transmission, or electronic mail.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the district may submit an application for a military ballot by requesting an application from the District Clerk at 10 Cherry Avenue, Bethpage NY 11714, or by contacting the District Clerk at (516) 644-4002 and returning the application in person or by mail to the Office of the District Clerk at 10 Cherry Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714, no later than 5:00 P.M. on March 18, 2026. In the request for an application for a military ballot, the military voter is permitted to designate his/her preference for receiving the application for a military ballot and the military ballot by mail, facsimile transmission, or electronic mail. All qualified military voters’ ballot applications and military ballots must be returned by mail or in person. Ballots for military voters shall be distributed to qualified military voters no later than March 19, 2026. Military ballots must be received by the District Clerk either (1) before the close of the polls, on Monday, April 13, 2026, and must show a

Let the games begin at Burns Avenue Elementary

In celebration of the 2026 Winter Olympics, students at Burns Avenue Elementary School in Hicksville held a schoolwide Olympic opening ceremony on Feb. 5.

In celebration of the 2026 Winter Olympics, students at Burns Avenue Elementary School in Hicksville held a schoolwide Olympic opening ceremony on Feb. 5 in the school’s gymnasium. Students proudly raised flags that they created in class which represented countries from around the globe. The room was abuzz with excitement as members of the student council kicked off the fun, parading in with

Schools

the American flag. The procession was followed by the Burns Avenue banner and the passing of a handmade Olympic torch as it made its way to be placed on the presentation podium. Throughout the morning, students learned about the meaning of Olympic traditions such as the lighting of the torch and the importance of the games to different countries and cultures around the world.

no later than 5:00 P.M. on March 18, 2026. In the request for an application for registration, the military voter is permitted to designate his/her preference for receiving the application for registration by mail, facsimile transmission, or electronic mail.

A list of all persons to whom military voters’ ballots have been issued shall be available during regular office hours at the Office of the Clerk of the Bethpage Union Free School District on each of the five days prior to the day set for the Special District Meeting, except Sunday, and on April 13, 2026, at the polling place during the Special District Meeting. Any qualified voter then present in the polling place may object to the voting of the ballot upon appropriate grounds by making his or her challenge and the reasons therefore known to the Inspector of Election before the close of the polls.

FURTHER NOTICE IS GIVEN, that in accordance with Education Law Section 2018-a and 2018-f, applications for absentee ballots and early mail voter ballots for the Special District Meeting may be applied for at the Office of the Clerk of the Bethpage Union Free School District. Such applications must be received by the Board of Registration no earlier than Monday, March 16, 2026 and at least seven (7) days prior to the Special District Meeting, on Monday, April 6, 2026, if the absentee ballot or email mail voter ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the Special District Meeting, if the absentee ballot or early mail voter ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. The Board of Registration shall make a list of all persons to whom absentee voters ballots have been issued and a list of all persons to whom early mail voter ballots have been issued, and have such lists available during regular office hours on each of the five days prior to the day set for the Special District Meeting, except Sunday, and on April 13, 2026, at the polling place during the Special District Meeting. Any qualified voter then present in the polling place may object to the voting of the ballots upon appropriate grounds by making his or her challenge and the reasons therefore known to the Inspector of Election before the close of the polls. No absentee voter ballot or early mail voter ballot shall be canvassed unless it is received not later than 5:00 P.M. on the day of the Special District Meeting.

Dated: Bethpage, New York

February 9, 2026

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

BETHPAGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Gregory Cusumano, President

AVISO LEGAL

AVISO DE REUNIÓN ESPECIAL SOBRE LA BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE BETHPAGE

El Consejo de Síndicos de la Biblioteca Pública de Bethpage informa que se celebrará una reunión especial del distrito de los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Libre y Unión de Bethpage en la Biblioteca Pública de Bethpage, 47 Powell Avenue, Bethpage, Nueva York, el lunes 13 de abril de 2026, de las 2:00 P.M. a las 8:00 P.M., hora local, con el propósito de votar mediante boletas electorales sobre las siguientes proposiciones:

1. Aprobar el presupuesto anual de la Biblioteca Pública de Bethpage para el año fiscal 2026-2027 y autorizar la parte necesaria del mismo que se recaudará mediante impuestos sobre los bienes sujetos a impuestos del Distrito Escolar Libre y Unión de Bethpage; y

2. Elegir a un (1) miembro del Consejo de Síndicos, que ocupará un cargo que comenzará el 1 de julio de 2026 y vencerá el 30 de junio de 2031, que actualmente está ocupado por Gregory Cusumano. Se requerirá una petición para nominar a dicho candidato al cargo de Síndico de la Biblioteca. Las peticiones se dirigirán al Secretario del Distrito en las Oficinas de Administración del Distrito Escolar Libre y Unión de Bethpage, Cherry Avenue y Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, Nueva York, y deberán estar firmadas por al menos veinticinco (25) votantes calificados del Distrito. Las vacantes en el Consejo de Síndicos no se consideran cargos específicos separados; los candidatos se presentan en general. Las peticiones de nominación no describirán ninguna vacante específica en el Consejo para la que se nomine al candidato. Las peticiones estarán disponibles en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito en las Oficinas Administrativas del Distrito Escolar, Cherry Avenue y Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, Nueva York. En caso de que cualquier candidato retire su candidatura antes de la elección, dicha persona no será considerada candidata a menos que se presente una nueva petición nominando a dicha persona de la misma forma y con las mismas limitaciones aplicables a otros candidatos ante el Secretario del Distrito. Cada petición deberá presentarse en la oficina del Secretario del Distrito entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 5:00 p. m. (excluyendo sábados y domingos), hasta el viernes 13 de marzo de 2026, y no más tarde del 13 de marzo de 2026.

INSCRIPCIÓN

SE AVISA ADEMÁS que, de conformidad con la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación, es necesaria la inscripción personal de los votantes y que ninguna persona tendrá derecho a votar en la mencionada Reunión Especial del Distrito del 13 de abril de 2026 a menos que dicha persona se haya inscrito personalmente.

Cada persona puede inscribirse para la mencionada Reunión Especial presentándose personalmente ante la Junta de Registro del Distrito Escolar el 1 de abril de 2026, tal como se indica a continuación. La Junta de Registro se reunirá con el propósito de la inscripción personal de votantes y la preparación de un registro de los votantes calificados de dicho Distrito Escolar, el 1 de abril de 2026, entre las 4:00 p. m. y las 8:00 p. m. en las Oficinas Administrativas del Distrito Escolar, durante el cual tiempo y en el cual lugar los miembros de la Junta de Registro colocarán en el Registro del Distrito Escolar los nombres de todos los votantes calificados que se presenten personalmente ante ellos, siempre que se sepa o se pruebe a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro que tienen derecho a votar en la mencionada Reunión Especial del Distrito Escolar de la Biblioteca.

ante la Junta La Junta de de un registro p. m. y las 8:00 cual lugar los de todos los pruebe a satisfacción Especial del Dicho registro, Administrativas permanecerá

3:00 p. m. en excepto los subsiguientes

9 Friday, February 27, 2026

Todas las personas elección general registradas Electoral del distrito del 13

Y, ADEMÁS, el Secretario Libre y Unificado m. y las 3:30 agregar cualquier el que cualquier dicha reunión para el Secretario elección para de la Ley de Administrativas abierto para p. m. en cada domingos, y

Y POR LA PRESENTE registrados una solicitud Bethpage y 11714, o poniéndose debe recibirse solicitud de solicitud de

Y POR LA PRESENTE distrito pueden del Distrito Distrito al (516) del Distrito p. m. En la solicitud recibir la solicitud correo electrónico. como las papeletas para los votantes de 2026. Los de las urnas, de los Estados recibo por parte del día de la determine no

Una lista de disponible durante de Bethpage Distrito, excepto del Distrito. voto por motivos antes del cierre

ASIMISMO, Educación, para la Reunión Bethpage Union 16 de marzo abril de 2026, enviar por correo ausentes o Junta de Registro votantes ausentes por correo anticipado, de los cinco y el 13 de abril votante calificado apropiados de las urnas. contará a menos

Fecha: 9 de febrero

POR ORDEN BIBLIOTECA

Gregory Cusumano,

Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public

military by mail,

district

Clerk at 10 returning Bethpage, NY military ballot, the military ballot voters’ ballot voters shall received must show a must show later than witness, with a regular the five days the polling may object reasons

2018-f, may be applications must seven (7) email mail absentee Registration shall persons to office hours and on April present in his or her polls. No than 5:00

ante la Junta de Registro del Distrito Escolar el 1 de abril de 2026, tal como se indica a continuación. La Junta de Registro se reunirá con el propósito de la inscripción personal de votantes y la preparación de un registro de los votantes calificados de dicho Distrito Escolar, el 1 de abril de 2026, entre las 4:00 p. m. y las 8:00 p. m. en las Oficinas Administrativas del Distrito Escolar, durante el cual tiempo y en el cual lugar los miembros de la Junta de Registro colocarán en el Registro del Distrito Escolar los nombres de todos los votantes calificados que se presenten personalmente ante ellos, siempre que se sepa o se pruebe a satisfacción de dicha Junta de Registro que tienen derecho a votar en la mencionada Reunión Especial del Distrito Escolar de la Biblioteca.

Dicho registro, una vez completado, se archivará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito en las Oficinas Administrativas del Distrito Escolar, Cherry Avenue y Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, Nueva York, y permanecerá archivado en dicha oficina y estará abierto para su inspección entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 3:00 p. m. en cada uno de los cinco (5) días anteriores a la reunión o elección para la que se preparó, excepto los sábados y domingos. Los votantes pueden inscribirse para votar en las reuniones especiales subsiguientes del distrito de la biblioteca el día de la reunión especial del distrito del 13 de abril de 2026. Todas las personas que hayan votado en cualquier reunión o elección especial o anual o en cualquier elección general dentro de los cuatro (4) años anteriores a la preparación del registro, o que estén registradas para votar en cualquier elección general, de conformidad con la Sección 5-210 de la Ley Electoral del Estado de Nueva York, no necesitan volver a registrarse para votar en la reunión especial del distrito del 13 de abril de 2026.

Y, ADEMÁS, POR LA PRESENTE SE HACE EL SIGUIENTE ANUNCIO: los votantes podrán inscribirse con el Secretario de dicho Distrito Escolar en su oficina en las Oficinas Administrativas del Distrito Escolar Libre y Unificado de Bethpage, Cherry Avenue y Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, Nueva York, entre las 8:30 a. m. y las 3:30 p. m. cuando la escuela esté en sesión, en cualquier día anterior al 1 de abril de 2026, para agregar cualquier nombre adicional al Registro que se utilizará en la mencionada elección, momento en el que cualquier persona tendrá derecho a que su nombre sea incluido en dicho Registro, siempre que en dicha reunión con el Secretario de dicho Distrito Escolar se conozca o se pruebe, de forma satisfactoria para el Secretario de dicho Distrito Escolar, que dicha persona tiene o tendrá derecho a votar en dicha elección para la que se preparó el Registro. El Registro preparado de conformidad con la Sección 2014 de la Ley de Educación se archivará en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito, en su oficina en las Oficinas Administrativas del Distrito Escolar, Cherry Avenue y Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, Nueva York, y estará abierto para su inspección por cualquier votante calificado del Distrito entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 3:00 p. m. en cada uno de los cinco (5) días anteriores al día fijado para la elección, excepto los sábados y domingos, y en el lugar o lugares de votación el día de la votación.

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE AVISA ADEMÁS, que los votantes militares que actualmente no estén registrados pueden solicitar registrarse como votantes calificados del distrito escolar. Se puede solicitar una solicitud de registro como votante militar a la Junta de Educación en el edificio de Administración de Bethpage y debe devolverse a la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito en 10 Cherry Avenue, Bethpage NY 11714, o poniéndose en contacto con el Secretario del Distrito al (516) 644-4002. La solicitud de registro debe recibirse en la oficina del secretario a más tardar el 18 de marzo de 2026 a las 5:00 p. m. En la solicitud de una solicitud de registro, al votante militar se le permite designar su preferencia para recibir la solicitud de registro por correo, transmisión por fax o correo electrónico.

One-Stop Passport Weekend at Town Hall

To help residents looking to obtain new passports, Oyster Bay Town Clerk Richard LaMarca announced that his office will offer a special one-stop Passport Weekend on Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at both Town Hall North in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South in Massapequa. Residents are required to book appointments in advance.

“Residents looking to apply for a new passport are invited to visit Town Hall during Passport Weekend to receive assistance,” said Town Clerk LaMarca. “We can help you with organizing your documents, obtaining a photo and submitting the documents for approval.”

Requirements for applying for a passport include:

Naturalization Certificate, Valid Driver’s License (cannot have been issued or renewed in the last six months), Current Government ID (city, state or federal), Current Military ID (military and dependents).

• This service does NOT apply to Adult Renewals unless your Passport is expired for 5+ years.

reunión en la de 2026, electorales sobre

2026-2027 y sujetos a de julio de Cusumano. Las Escolar Libre estar firmadas Síndicos no peticiones de candidato. Administrativas cualquier candidata a con las petición deberá (excluyendo de 2026.

necesaria la mencionada inscrito personalmente continuación. preparación las 4:00 tiempo y en el los nombres sepa o se Reunión

Oficinas

m. y las preparó, especiales

Y POR LA PRESENTE SE AVISA ADEMÁS, que los votantes militares que sean votantes calificados del distrito pueden enviar una solicitud de papeleta electoral militar solicitando una solicitud al Secretario del Distrito en 10 Cherry Avenue, Bethpage NY 11714, o poniéndose en contacto con el Secretario del Distrito al (516) 644-4002 y devolviendo la solicitud en persona o por correo a la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito en 10 Cherry Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714, a más tardar el 18 de marzo de 2026 a las 5:00 p. m. En la solicitud de una papeleta electoral militar, el votante militar puede indicar su preferencia para recibir la solicitud de la papeleta militar y la papeleta electoral por correo postal, transmisión por fax o correo electrónico. Todas las solicitudes de papeletas electorales de votantes militares calificados, así como las papeletas electorales militares, deben devolverse por correo postal o en persona. Los votos para los votantes militares se distribuirán a los votantes militares calificados a más tardar el 19 de marzo de 2026. Los votos militares deben ser recibidos por el Secretario del Distrito ya sea (1) antes del cierre de las urnas, el lunes 13 de abril de 2026, y deben mostrar una marca de cancelación del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o deben mostrar un aval fechado de recibo por parte de otra agencia del Gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o (2) a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. del día de la elección y estar firmados y fechados por el votante militar y un testigo, con una fecha que se determine no posterior al día anterior a la elección.

Una lista de todas las personas a quienes se les han emitido los votos de los votantes militares estará disponible durante el horario de oficina regular en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar Libre de Bethpage en cada uno de los cinco días anteriores al día establecido para la Reunión Especial del Distrito, excepto el domingo, y el 13 de abril de 2026, en el lugar de votación durante la Reunión Especial del Distrito. Cualquier votante calificado presente en el lugar de votación puede objetar la votación del voto por motivos apropiados presentando su desafío y las razones del mismo al Inspector de Elecciones antes del cierre de las urnas.

ASIMISMO, SE NOTIFICA que, de conformidad con las secciones 2018-a y 2018-f de la Ley de Educación, las solicitudes de boletas de voto en ausencia y de papeletas de voto anticipado por correo para la Reunión Especial del Distrito pueden solicitarse en la Oficina del Secretario del Distrito Escolar Bethpage Union Free. Dichas solicitudes deben ser recibidas por la Junta de Registro no antes del lunes 16 de marzo de 2026 y al menos siete (7) días antes de la Reunión Especial del Distrito, el lunes 6 de abril de 2026, si la boleta para votantes ausentes o la boleta para votantes por correo electrónico se va a enviar por correo al votante, o el día antes de la Reunión Especial del Distrito, si la boleta para votantes ausentes o la boleta para votantes por correo anticipado se va a entregar personalmente al votante. La Junta de Registro elaborará una lista de todas las personas a quienes se les han emitido boletas para votantes ausentes y una lista de todas las personas a quienes se les han emitido boletas para votantes por correo anticipado, y tendrá dichas listas disponibles durante el horario de oficina regular en cada uno de los cinco días anteriores al día establecido para la Reunión Especial del Distrito, excepto el domingo, y el 13 de abril de 2026, en el lugar de votación durante la Reunión Especial del Distrito. Cualquier votante calificado presente en el lugar de votación puede objetar la votación de las boletas por motivos apropiados presentando su desafío y las razones de este ante el Inspector de Elecciones antes del cierre de las urnas. Ninguna boleta para votantes ausentes o boleta para votantes por correo anticipado se contará a menos que se reciba a más tardar a las 5:00 P.M. del día de la Reunión Especial del Distrito.

Fecha: Bethpage, Nueva York 9 de febrero de 2026

POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE FIDEICOMISARIOS BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA DE BETHPAGE

Gregory Cusumano, Presidente

• One 2x2 color photograph with a clear view of the applicant’s face against a plain white or light colored background. Photos will also be available for $10 at both Town Halls North and South during Passport Weekend.

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship – Previously issued undamaged U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth, Naturalization Certificate, or Certificate of Citizenship.

¨• Proof of Identity –

Town Clerk LaMarca has offices located at Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road in Massapequa. Passport appointments are available Monday through Friday, from 9:30am to 3:30pm, and during this special Passport Weekend. For appointments in Oyster Bay, please call (516) 624-6324. For appointments in Massapequa, please call (516) 797-7962. For information on passport requirements and processing times, as well as instructions for passport renewals, visit www.travel.state.gov.

LEGAL NOTICES

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of formation of Mesa and Muse LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/03/2026. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Mesa and Muse LLC: 122 Sagamore Drive, Plainview, NY 11803. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of VendEase. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/07/2025. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Brian Brockett: 35 Broadway. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

February 27, 2026

Family Travel is Booming in 2026

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

Family travel is booming, along with multigenerational travel. The Baby Boomers who are today’s grandparents value travel as an essential experience, have the discretionary resources to share that experience, and most importantly, cherish the bonds and memories that traveling together engender. .

Here is a sampling of family travel experiences, far and near, for 2026: Mediterranean Gulet Gathering: Gather the whole family and charter a traditional gulet with Peter Sommer Travels to explore Croatia, Greece or Turkey like Indiana Jones. Visit ancient sites with an archaeologist or historian, then enjoy time to swim, snorkel or kayak in secluded coves, or simply relax onboard (https://www. petersommer.com/gulet-charters)

Make the Lion King Come Alive: From wildebeest herds thundering across the Serengeti to elephants grazing beneath acacia trees, Gondwana Ecotours’ private Tanzania: Great Migration Safari brings Africa’s magic to life for families. Spot lions, zebras, giraffes, leopards and hippos on daily game drives, with window seats in every pop-top safari vehicle. Visit a remote Maasai boma and meet a family clan, learn about their culture and join their traditional jumping dance. Sleep to the sounds of the savanna in deluxe tented camps and enjoy pop-up bush lunches (https://www.gondwanaecotours.com/adventure-tours/great-migration-serengeti-safari-tour-tanzania/)

Greek Islands Multi Adventure: Experience Greece’s Ionian Islands by boat, bike and on foot on a family-friendly cruise from Islandhopping. Visit olive tree-covered Paxos, the white sand beaches of Lefkas, a colorful port on Cephalonia, peaceful Arillas. Swim in the crystal clear Ionian Sea,

Housekeeping 2026 Travel Awards.

Gondwana Ecotours’ private Tanzania: Great Migration Safari brings Africa’s magic to life for families © photo: Gondwana Ecotours

ride to a waterfall, row to a cave accessible only from the water, tube behind a dinghy and bike through a national park (https://www.inselhuepfen.com/ en/cycling-tours/greece/multi-adventure-ionian-islands)

Amazon Rainforest Immersion: Deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon, Sacha Lodge offers a responsible way for families to explore one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. Guests participate in low-impact activities like guided canopy walks, wildlife spotting by dugout canoe, and nature hikes led by local guides, while staying in secure, private, thatched-roof cabins that ensure a luxurious and comfortable experience. https://sachalodge.com

Chase the Northern Lights Together: From chasing the aurora to walking with reindeer, Gondwana Ecotours’ private Alaska: Northern Lights Adventure is an unforgettable family journey. Days are packed with dog sledding, curling lessons, hot springs and a visit to Santa’s Village, while nights light up with nature’s most dazzling show. Stay cozy under the covers until your nighttime aurora guide sounds the buzzer, signaling it’s time to step outside and watch

the northern sky come alive. https:// www.gondwanaecotours.com/adventure-tours/northern-lights-tour-fairbanks-alaska/

Arizona Dude Ranch Getaway: Play cowboy or cowgirl among the saguaro cactuses of the Sonoran Desert at the family-owned and operated White Stallion Ranch in Tucson, Arizona. Enjoy horseback riding, hiking, shooting and archery, fat tire e-biking and rock climbing, and entertainment like cowboy singing, trick roping and a weekly rodeo (https:// whitestallion.com/)

Grand Canyon’s North Rim: Escape Adventures invites families to discover the cool, high-altitude sanctuary of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim on an unforgettable five-day mountain biking and camping expedition (https://escapeadventures.com/tour/ grand-canyon-north-rim-mountainbike-tour/)

Princess Cruises’ Discovery

Princess Named ‘Coolest Way to See Alaska’

Princess Cruises’ Discovery Princess has been named “Coolest Way To See Alaska” in the prestigious Good

GOING PLACES NEAR AND FAR

Family-oriented programming includes having Park Rangers onboard in Glacier Bay with live narration and Junior/Teen Ranger programs; a Storyteller series with cultural ambassadors, adventurers, authors, photographers and Iditarod champions; Puppies in the Piazza and Campfire Movies Under the Stars; and youth and teen activities like Gold Rush Treasure Hunt and Great Alaskan Fishermen’s Race. In the cruise line’s biggest-ever Alaska season, in 2026 Discovery Princess sails the popular “Voyage of the Glacier” route between Vancouver and Anchorage (Whittier), featuring Glacier Bay National Park. Another highlight is the debut of Star Princess, its newest ship, sailing weekly seven-day Inside Passage cruises roundtrip from Seattle. In total, the May through September 2026 Alaska program features eight ships, 180 departures and 19 destinations. Guests can extend their adventure with a Princess Cruisetour, pairing a seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise with 3-10 nights at Princess-owned Wilderness Lodges to explore Alaska’s interior, including Denali National Park. (Visit www.princess.com/alaska, 800-774-6237, princess.com)

The Regent Grand Introduces ‘Grandymoon’

The Regent Grand on Turks & Caicos is debuting its new “Grandymoon” offer. Amenities include: spacious multi-bedroom suites or villas; $200 resort credit; family photo session; concierge-arranged celebratory family dinner; spa treatments for all ages, island excursions such as jetski tours, fishing trips, boat cruises, scuba and snorkeling, paddleboard and kayak safaris and beach horseback riding; family tennis or pickleball tournament; resort bikes and eco bikes; in-room babysitting services. To book, just add “Grandymoon” in the reservation notes section (theregentgrand.com)

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of March 1-7, 2026

Attention, night owls and insomniacs! The sky show this week is just for you!

Much of North America is about to see the moon experience one of nature’s most beautiful sky shows: a total lunar eclipse.

A lunar eclipse occurs when the full moon slips into the Earth’s shadow far out in space, either partially or completely, and that’s just what will happen during the wee hours of March 3. Skywatchers throughout North America will see the start of this eclipse (weather permitting, of course), but depending on where you live, you may see only a portion of the sky show. In general, the farther west you live, the more of the eclipse you will see before the moon sets behind the western horizon.

The eclipse begins at 12:44 a.m. PST (3:44 a.m. EST), when the moon enters the Earth’s light outer shadow (known as the penumbra), but this shadow is so thin that no one will notice a darkening of the moon’s appearance.

Within an hour or so, that will change significantly. As the moon approaches the dark inner shadow of the Earth (known as the umbra), skywatchers will notice the eastern side of the moon beginning to darken slightly.

The real show begins at 1:50 a.m.

Shadow on the Moon

PST (4:50 a.m. EST) when the moon officially enters the umbra. No one gazing skyward will have any doubt that a “bite” has been taken out of the moon -- a bite that will grow larger with each passing minute.

For the next hour or so, the moon will dim as it slips more deeply into our planet’s umbra, until 3:04 a.m. PST (6:04 a.m. EST) when it’s completely engulfed and the total eclipse begins. Unfortunately, those in the far eastern part of North America may miss this since the moon will lie quite close to (or even below) the western horizon.

During the total phase, the moon will take on a dim coppery hue. This occurs because sunlight passing through our atmosphere is reddened and bent inward toward the darkened surface of the eclipsed moon, now suspended eerily against the stars of Leo, the lion.

Only those viewing from the Midwest to the West Coast will see mideclipse, which occurs at 3:33 a.m. PST (5:33 a.m. CST). Those in the Midwest may miss the end of totality at 4:02 a.m. PST (6:02 a.m. CST), however, as the moon will be setting in the west.

The entire event will end at 5:17 a.m. PST (4:17 a.m. MST) with the moon approaching the western horizon for viewers in western North America.

Unlike an eclipse of the sun, a lunar eclipse is perfectly safe to view without protective filters. Your eyes are all you

LOST IN

A total lunar eclipse will occur in the wee hours of March 3.

need to enjoy the show, but you’ll have even more fun viewing through binoculars or a small telescope. If the sky is cloudy that morning, or if you live where the eclipse won’t be visible, you can watch a livestream of the sky show online. Visit timeanddate. com and click on “Sun, Moon & Space” at the top to find details for your loca-

SUBURBIA

A Plant by Any Other Name

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

“What do you think of our new succulent?” I asked my husband as I presented the small plant resting on our family room coffee table. I had decided to take the leap from plastic plants to live ones and figured this would be one I couldn’t kill too easily.

He looked at it and scrunched up his face.

“It’s OK ... but can you get something else?” He asked.

“Why?” I wondered aloud. “You don’t like it?”

“I don’t like the name.”’

“What? ‘Succulent’?”

“Yeah. It bothers me,” he replied.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “And so therefore you don’t want it in the house?”

“Right.”

“Thank goodness you don’t mind my name,” I said irritably.

I was quite dumbfounded. Who the heck rejects an item because they don’t

like what it’s called? I guess I really shouldn’t have been surprised, though.

My husband is a wonderful guy, but he has always been a little word-intolerant. He has passed on desserts at restaurants that were described as “moist” or “tasty,” refuses to eat anything with a “spork,” and won’t have anything to do with a product that comes as an “ointment.” He avoids at all costs using our outdoor “spigot,” or associating with anyone with a lot of “spunk.”

“If it really bothers you, we don’t have to call it a succulent,” I said. “We can just refer to it as ‘the Plant That Dare Not Be Named.’”

“Ugh. Don’t say that name.”

“Succulent?”

“I can never unhear that,” he complained.

I sighed. I decided that if this was going to be an issue, I really should go ahead and make it a huge issue.

“Do you know what a synonym for succulent is?” I asked him.

“No, what?” he asked. “Moist.”

He glared at me.

Also, tasty.”

“I see what you’re trying to do here,” he said.

“And did you know that aloe comes from a succulent?” I continued. “And aloe is an ointment.”

He sighed.

“See, honey, you can’t escape it,” I said. “But they’re just words. They don’t bite.”

“But I don’t like them.”

“OK, I get it,” I finally replied. “I don’t want to make you miserable. I’ll replace it with something else. Do you have a problem with the word ‘cactus’?”

“No, cactus is fine.”

“OK, it’s a cactus, then.”

“I can work with that,” he replied.

“Great. By the way, a cactus is a succulent.”

Tracy Beckerman is the author of

the Amazon Bestseller, “Barking at the Moon: A Story of Life, Love, and Kibble,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online! You can visit her at www. tracybeckerman.com.

REAL ESTATE WATCH

Why insurance companies are redefining ‘uninsurable’ homes

For decades, homeowners assumed one thing was virtually guaranteed: if you could afford the premium, you could insure your home. That quiet certainty is now eroding. Across the United States, insurance companies are not just raising rates — they are fundamentally redefining what it means for a property to be “insurable.”

This shift is happening unevenly and often quietly, but its implications for homeowners, buyers, lenders, and real estate professionals are profound. We are witnessing the early stages of a structural change in housing finance — one that could reshape property values and migration patterns over the next decade.

Let’s unpack what’s really happening.

The New Math of Risk

Insurance has always been about probabilities. But today’s insurers are no longer relying primarily on historical loss data. Instead, they are increasingly using forward-looking catastrophe models that project future risk based on climate trends, development patterns, and replacement costs.

That shift matters enormously.

In the past, a home was considered insurable if past losses in the area were manageable. Now, insurers are asking a different question: What is the probability this property becomes a major loss in the next 5–30 years?

As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, insurers face mounting payouts and higher reinsurance costs. The result is a quiet re-calibration of underwriting standards nationwide.

The Climate Multiplier Effect

The single biggest driver behind the redefining of “uninsurable” is climate risk — but not in the simplistic way many headlines suggest.

Yes, wildfires in California, hurricanes in Florida, and flooding in coastal areas are obvious factors. But insurers are now modeling secondary and emerging risks as well:

• Inland flooding in previously low-risk areas

• Severe convective storms in the Midwest

• Extreme heat stressing building systems

• Rapid brush growth followed by drought conditions

Climate change has already accounted for more than 30% of insured natural-catastrophe losses globally in the past decade. That is not a marginal shift — it is a structural one.

In response, insurers are raising premiums, limiting new policies, or refusing renewals altogether.

Between 2018 and 2023 alone, insurers canceled nearly two million home-

owner policies due to rising climate risks. That number should get every homeowner’s attention.

When the Spreadsheet Stops Working

Insurance companies are not charities. Their business model requires that premiums plus investment income exceed claims paid.

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

Three financial pressures are colliding:

1. Catastrophe Losses Are Spiking

Major disasters are producing record insured losses. When a single wildfire season or hurricane year wipes out years of underwriting profit, insurers reassess entire regions.

2. Reinsurance Costs Are Surging Insurance companies buy insurance themselves (reinsurance). Those costs have risen sharply, forcing primary carriers to either raise premiums or reduce exposure.

3. Replacement Costs Keep Climbing

Labor shortages, material inflation, and stricter building codes mean homes cost far more to rebuild than even five years ago.

When these three forces intersect, insurers reach a simple conclusion: some homes no longer pencil out.

The Quiet Rise of Non-Renewals

Most homeowners expect dramatic cancellations. Instead, the industry’s preferred tool is more subtle: non-renewal.

Rather than loudly declaring areas uninsurable, carriers simply:

• Stop writing new policies

• Reduce capacity in certain ZIP codes

• Non-renew higher-risk properties

• Tighten underwriting guidelines

• From the outside, it looks incremental. From the inside, it is strategic withdrawal.

In several high-risk states, major insurers have already scaled back or exited markets entirely, leaving homeowners scrambling for coverage.

The FAIR Plan Pressure Cooker

As private insurers retreat, staterun insurers of last resort — FAIR Plans and similar programs — are absorbing the overflow.

These plans were never designed to handle mass migration from the private market. Yet in many regions they are now the only option.

The danger is systemic:

• Coverage is often limited

• Premiums are typically higher

• Financial reserves can be thin

• Exposure is growing rapidly

• Analysts warn that the exodus of private insurers could place enormous strain on these government-backed programs.

If those backstops falter, the consequences for housing markets could be severe.

The Mortgage Domino Effect

Here is where the issue moves from insurance problem to housing problem. Without acceptable property insurance:

• Most lenders will not issue mortgages

• Buyers cannot finance purchases

• Property liquidity declines

• Values come under pressure Federal Reserve officials have already warned that lack of insurance could reduce homeownership and accelerate neighborhood disinvestment.

In plain English: uninsurable homes risk becoming unmortgageable homes. That is the real headline.

The Geographic Expansion of Risk

One of the biggest misconceptions is that this is only a coastal or wildfire-zone problem.

It isn’t.

Insurers are now using high-resolution data and predictive analytics that evaluate risk at the parcel level. Areas once considered safe are being reclassified based on:

• Micro-flood mapping

• Wind and hail history

• Vegetation density

• Distance to fire services

• Roof age and materials

• Local building code enforcement

This means the definition of “high risk” is expanding — often faster than public awareness.

Even markets in the Northeast and Midwest are beginning to feel the ripple effects through higher premiums and tighter underwriting.

Technology Is Accelerating the Shift

Artificial intelligence and advanced catastrophe modeling are speeding up the redefinition of insurability.

Today’s insurers can:

• Analyze satellite imagery of individual roofs

• Model wildfire spread street by street

• Predict flood depth property by property

• Score homes on resilience features

In short, the industry’s visibility into risk has improved dramatically. And when risk becomes measurable,

it becomes price-able — or avoidable. This technological leap is one reason the shift feels sudden. The data has finally caught up to the risk reality.

What This Means

for

Homeowners

For current homeowners, the implications are significant:

Expect More Volatility

Premium swings, carrier exits, and underwriting changes are likely to continue.

Property Condition Matters

More Than Ever

Roof age, mitigation features, and maintenance now directly affect insurability.

Location Risk Will Be Priced More Precisely

The days of broad ZIP-code pricing are fading.

Shopping Early Is Critical

Waiting until renewal season may leave fewer options.

What It Means for Buyers and Sellers

Real estate professionals need to pay close attention.

For sellers:

• Pre-listing insurance checks may become standard

• Disclosure around insurability could expand

• High premiums may affect buyer pools

• For buyers:

• Insurance quotes should be obtained during due diligence

• Debt-to-income calculations must include realistic premiums

• Some properties may require specialty carriers

• Increasingly, insurance is becoming a front-end transaction issue, not a back-end afterthought.

The Long-Term Market Question

Are we heading toward large numbers of truly uninsurable homes?

Probably not nationwide.

But we are likely moving toward a tiered housing market, where:

• Low-risk homes enjoy competitive insurance

• Moderate-risk homes face rising premiums

• High-risk homes rely on last-resort markets

• Extreme-risk properties struggle to obtain coverage at any price

• Over the next 10–20 years, this stratification could influence:

• Migration patterns

• New construction locations

• Municipal tax bases

• Long-term property values

In fact, some analyses suggest climate-driven insurance pressures could ultimately reduce U.S. home values by more than $1 trillion over the coming decades.

Continued on page 5

BY TOM MARGENAU

In prior columns, I gave readers a brief history of Social Security by highlighting the major changes to the program brought about by annual amendments to the original Social Security law. Every once in a great while, there is a dramatic change, such as the addition of the disability program in 1956. Most years, these amendments are minor and introduce only small technical changes to some of the program’s laws. And occasionally, the annual Social Security amendments introduce relatively modest reforms, such as the 1977 amendments that lowered the duration of marriage requirement for divorced women from 20 years to 10 years.

But the point I am getting at in today’s column is that almost without fail, every amendment to the original Social Security law over the years has expanded or increased outlays or liberalized the rules allowing more folks to qualify for the program’s various benefits.

In the 90-year history of the program, I can think of fewer than a half dozen times when Social Security benefits were actually reduced. Here is a brief overview of the Social Security cuts that have been made over the years.

Raising the Retirement Age

This change, brought about by the 1983 Commission on Social Security Reform, wasn’t a “cut” per se, in existing benefits. But by raising the retirement age from 65 to 67, it delayed the amount of time a person could collect his or her full retirement age benefit. By the way, this change, enacted in 1983, will not go fully into effect until people born in 1960 and later reach their full retirement age in 2027. And the point I am making here is that if Congress decides to raise the retirement age again as part of any upcoming reforms to the program, it won’t happen overnight. It will probably be implemented over many future decades.

Student Benefits

Since the very earliest days of Social Security, the dependent minor children of a retired or deceased parent and since the mid 1950s, the dependent minor children of a disabled parent, were eligible for monthly benefits on the parent’s Social Security record.

Those benefits were paid until the child turned 18, but could continue beyond age 18 in two circumstances: First, if the child was disabled, in which case they could continue for the rest of the child’s life, even into their adult years; and second, if the child was still in school, in which case they would continue until age 22.

In 1981, Congress decided to eliminate benefits to students over age 18. They reasoned that because so many other forms of government loans and grants were available to students, there was no need to further subsidize higher education

Social Security Benefits Rarely Cut

through the Social Security program.

Mother’s Benefits Curtailed Congress was looking for other ways to trim Social Security outlays in 1981 and widowed mothers and dependent wives/mothers of retired or disabled husbands with minor children ended up in their crosshairs.

For decades, the law had prescribed that wives and widows of any age with young children in their care could receive monthly benefits (in addition to the benefits paid to their kids) as long as at least one of their children was eligible for benefits. But in 1981, they changed the law to say that benefits to the mother would end when the youngest child turned 16. They figured that once all the children were over age 16, the mother ought to be able to work, if necessary, to help support her family.

(By the way, although these situations rarely occur, the same benefits and the same cutbacks also applied to widowed fathers and dependent stay-athome husbands with minor children.)

Death Benefit Restrictions

In the early days of Social Security, Congress offered a one-time death benefit to the family members of a taxpayer who died before having a chance to collect Social Security benefits. Over the years, this partial refund of Social Security taxes morphed into an official Social Security death benefit payable to the family members of anyone who died, even if he or she had been a Social Security beneficiary.

Most people mistakenly referred to the one-time payment as a “burial benefit.” It was never meant to be that, especially considering that it was capped at $255 many years ago. As anyone who has ever planned a funeral knows, $255 would barely cover the cost of flowers, let alone all the other burial or cremation costs.

Anyway, in yet another attempt to curtail Social Security expenditures, Congress in 1981 decided that the death benefit should be paid only to a widow or widower who was living with the deceased at the time of death, or to any minor children.

Benefits to Prisoners

Suspended

Before 1992, it was assumed that people getting Social Security had earned their benefits, so they were legally due their Social Security checks no matter where they lived. But in the early 1990s, Congress came under intense pressure to suspend monthly benefits to anyone in jail or prison. People felt that since prisoners were already getting their room and board paid for by the taxpayers, they didn’t need taxpayer-funded Social Security checks.

Drug Addicts and Alcoholics

There was a rash of news stories in the mid 1990s highlighting certain disabled people who were allegedly spending the proceeds of their Social Security disabil-

ity checks on drugs and alcohol. Knuckling under the pressure to do something about this, Congress eventually passed a law that essentially denied such benefits to anyone whose only disabling condition was drug addiction or alcoholism. The law was largely pointless, though, because most of these folks have other conditions that qualify for disability. For example, a hardcore alcoholic probably had some kind of kidney or liver damage and that impairment keeps the disability checks rolling in.

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Why insurance companies are redefining ‘uninsurable’ homes

Continued from page 3

The Bottom Line Insurance companies are not loudly declaring homes uninsurable — but make no mistake, the definition is being rewritten in real time.

Driven by climate volatility, rising rebuild costs, expensive reinsurance, and powerful new analytics, the industry is moving toward far more surgical risk selection.

For homeowners and real estate professionals, the message is clear:

Insurability is becoming as important as location, condition, and price.

Those who adapt early — by understanding risk, improving property resilience, and verifying coverage upfront — will navigate this transition

far more successfully than those who assume yesterday’s rules still apply.

Because in today’s housing market, the most dangerous words a homeowner can hear may soon be:

“We’re sorry — we can’t renew your policy.”

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 43+ years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned 3 significant designations:

National Association of Realtors Graduate Realtors Institute (what I consider a Master’s degree in real estate). Certified International Property Specialist - expert in consulting and completing international transactions.

National Association of Realtors Green designation: eco-friendly low carbon footprint construction with 3-D printed foundations, Solar panels, Geothermal HVAC/Heat Pumps).

He will also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and his Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.

He will provide you with “free” regular updates of what has gone under contract (pending), been sold (closed) and those homes that have been withdrawn/ released or expired (W/R) and all new listings of homes, HOA, Townhomes, Condos, and Coops in your town or go to: https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search at your leisure on your own. However, for a “FREE” no obligation/ no strings attached 15-minute consultation, as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached call him at (516) 647-4289 or email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.com

Women’s History Month: A writer & a dancer

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

March is Women’s History Month and I am recognizing writer Joan Didion and dancer and choreographer Martha Graham for their achievements.

Joan Didion

Joan Didion was born on December 5, 1934, in Sacramento, California, to Eduene and Frank Reese Didion. She had one brother who was five years younger. Didion recalled writing things down as early as age five, although she said she never considered herself a writer until after her work had been published.

She attended kindergarten and first grade, but, because her father was a finance officer in the Army Air Corps and the family relocated often, Didion didn’t attend school regularly. She loved to read and considered herself a shy person.

In 1944 her family returned to Sacramento and her father went to Detroit to negotiate defense contracts for World War II. Didion wrote about her family’s many moves in her 2003 memoir, “Where I Was From.”

In 1956 Didion received a B.A. in English from the University of California, Berkeley. During her senior year she won first place in the “Prix de Paris” essay contest, sponsored by “Vogue” and was given a job as a research assistant at the magazine. The topic of her winning essay was the San Francisco architect William Wurster.

During her seven years at “Vogue,” from 1956 to 1964, Didion worked her way up from promotional copywriter to associate feature editor. “Mademoiselle” published Didion’s article “Berkeley’s Giant: The University of California” in January 1960. While working at “Vogue” she was homesick for California so she

wrote her first novel, “Run River,” published in 1963 about a Sacramento family as it comes apart.

It was writer and friend John Gregory Dunne who helped Didion edit the book. John, the younger brother of author, businessman, and TV mystery show host Dominick Dunne, was writing for “Time” magazine at the time. He and Didion married in 1964.

The couple moved to Los Angeles in 1964 and California remained their home for the next 20 years. In 1966, they adopted a daughter named Quintana Roo Dunne. Joan Didion and John Dunne wrote many newsstand-magazine assignments as a means of paying the bills. In Los Angeles, they settled in Los Feliz from 1963 to 1971, and then, after living in Malibu for eight years, she and Dunne moved to Brentwood Park.

Didion said that as a teenager she observed how accomplished writers crafted their stories. She said, “I learned a lot about how sentences worked. How a short sentence worked in a paragraph, how a long sentence worked. Where the commas worked. How every word had to matter. It made me excited about words.”

Joan Didion noted in “Why I Write” that she knew she was a writer because she was always paying attention to the periphery - the way leaves fell from the tree out the window, the smell of the Greyhound bus on her daily commute, the way certain streetlights became sinister in the evening - rather than strictly focusing on ideas.

For four decades Joan Didion had her own special way of expressing thoughts in her novels and essays about love, loss and the world around her - publishing five novels and a dozen nonfiction books. In 2013, she was awarded a National Humanities Medal by President Barack

Obama and the PEN Center USA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Didion died on December 23, 2021, in NYC at age 87.

Martha Graham

An American modern dancer, teacher and choreographer: Martha Graham’s style, often called the Graham technique, reshaped the dance world and is still taught in academies worldwide.

Born on May 11, 1894, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Graham moved to California as a teenager where she was inspired by Ruth St. Denis and joined her Denishawn School. It was her father, a physician interested in body language, who instilled the idea that “movement never lies.” That principle that shaped her work.

Graham danced and taught for over 70 years. She was the first dancer to perform at the White House, travel abroad as a cultural ambassador and receive the highest civilian award of the US: the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction. In her lifetime she received honors ranging from the Key to the City of Paris to Japan’s Imperial Order of the Precious Crown.

In the 1994 documentary, “The Dancer Revealed,” Martha Graham said, “I have spent all my life with dance and being a dancer. It’s permitting life to use you in a very intense way. Sometimes it is not pleasant. Sometimes it is fearful. But nevertheless it is inevitable.”

In 1926, Martha Graham founded her dance company and school, living and working out of a tiny Carnegie Hall studio in midtown Manhattan. The Martha Graham School is the oldest school of dance in the U.S. The school currently has two different studios in New York City. In developing her technique, Martha Graham experimented endlessly

with basic human movement, beginning with the most elemental movements of contraction and release.

In her NYC dance school Graham focused on raw emotions through sharp, angular movements. She believed that dance speaks directly to our emotions and inner feelings. It’s a reminder that we can express ourselves without using words.

She choreographed a ballet called “Appalachian Spring” and explored Greek myths, collaborating with artists like sculptor Isamu Noguchi and composer Aaron Copland. Touring globally, Martha Graham became a cultural ambassador and performed until she was 75. Her innovations in movement, storytelling, and collaboration made her a foundational figure in modern dance.

Graham has been called the “Picasso of Dance” because she was important to modern dance in a way that Pablo Picasso was enormously important to modern visual arts. Her impact has been also compared to the influence of Stravinsky on music and Frank Lloyd Wright on architecture.

In 2013, the dance films by her were selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the registry’s owner, the Library of Congress. Martha Graham is well known for saying, “Dance is the hidden language of the soul.”

Martha Graham choreographed until her death in December 1991 in NYC at age 96.

Writer Joan Didion and dancer Martha Graham both felt that their craft had chosen them and they spent their lives working at their professions. Graham once said, “Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.”

ONE CALL TO 516-294-8900 AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN 6 LOCAL NEWSPAPERS. CALL TODAY FOR OUR VERY LOW RATES. www.gcnews.com

Garden City News • Mid Island Times Bethpage Newsgram • Syosset Advance Jericho News Journal • Floral Park Villager

DEADLINE FOR CLASSIFIED ADS IS TUESDAY AT 1:00PM.

2 EASY WAYS TO PLACE ADS:

1) Directly on website: gcnews.com & click on “Classified Order”

2) Email Nancy@gcnews.com

Visa and MasterCard Accepted

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS!

Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-833-661-4172

DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Direct and get your first free months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391

WE BUY HOUSES FOR CASH AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670

NOVENAS/PRAYERS

HOLY SAINT JUDE

Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful and intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to whom God has given such great power to come to my assistance. Please help me in my present and urgent petition. (Here describe the nature of your personal need) In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St. Jude, pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen. This Novena should be said for nine consecutive days. After reciting the Novena, pray 3 Our Fathers, 3 Hail Mary’s and 3 Glory Be. Publication must also be promised. (EED)

Please include your name, daytime phone number, address and ad copy. Let our

MARKETPLACE

Antique & Vintage Items

Jewelry-Crystal-Silver Furniture-Mirrors-Tabletop Artwork-Lamps

Consign, Shop or Visit the Yellow House 109 Eleventh Street Garden City 516-746-8900

Mon-Fri 10-4 (Wed to 6pm) Saturday 12-4 (entrance & parking in back) Consignments by appointment atstewartexchange@tgchs.org All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society

MARKETPLACE

INVITED SALES BY TRACY

JORDAN

Transform your space, maximize your value: Are you looking to add value to your property and enhance its appeal? Look no further!

At Invited Sales, we offer a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet your needs: Personal Property Appraisals and Evaluations: Get expert insights into the true value of your personal property.

Estate and Tag Sales: Simplify the process of selling estate items with our professional online and in-person tag sale services.

Home Updates: From carpet removal to one-day floor refinishing and contractor services, we handle it all to refresh your home effortlessly.

Staging Services: Elevate your space with our curated selection of furniture, accessories, lighting, and decorative items for a stunning transformation. Explore our captivating before and after photos showcasing homes where we’ve added significant value, making them stand out in the market:

Visit:

InvitedSales.com today to discover how we can help you achieve your property goals!

Please Call: 516-279-6378 Or Text Tracy Jordan: 516-567-2960

WANTED TO BUY

LOOKING TO BUY!

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOS WANTED

***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS

$Highest$ Ca$h Paid$ All Years /Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct Ca$h. DMV ID#1303199 Call LUKE 516-VAN-CARS 516-297-2277

GET A BREAK ON YOUR TAXES! Donate your car, truck, or SUV to assist the blind and visually impaired. Arrange a swift, no-cost vehicle pickup and secure a generous tax credit for 2025. Call Heritage for the Blind today at 1-855484-3467

WE BUY 8,000 CARS A WEEK

Sell your old, busted or junk car with no hoops, haggles or headaches. Sell your car to Peddle. Easy three step process. Instant offer. Free pickup. Fast payment. Call 1-855-403-3374

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

HOMES FOR SALE

FOR SALE BY OWNER GARDEN CITY PARK

4 Bedroom, 1.5 Bath Colonial 1,422 sf Large corner lot (40’ x 150’) Wood floors, Two fireplaces Separate one car garage Five blocks from LIRR $849,000BY APPOINTMENT ONLY CALL 718-926-1604

SERVICES

AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE?

Estates, Oriental items, Gold, Silver, Costume Jewelry, Dishes, Flatware, Watches, Clothing, Old Photos, Coins, Stamps, Records, Sports Cards, Pokemon Cards, Comics and Art. Immediate Cash Paid Call George 917-775-3048

INVITED SALES BY

TRACY JORDAN

Thursday, March 5, 2026

9:30 a.m.

189 Rockaway Ave Garden City, NY 11530

Public sale selling furniture, collectibles, clothes, books, kitchen items, silver items, records, cds. Visit www.invitedsales.com for pictures & details!!

SERVICES

JACK’S CUSTOM FRAMING

We can frame anything! Quality Care & Workmanship Thousands of frames to choose from!!

Over 30 years in business! 92 Covert Ave, Stewart Manor 516-775-9495

ATTORNEY

STEPHANIE A. D’ANGELO, ESQ. Elder Law, Wills & Trusts Asset Preservation, Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration/Litigation 901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530 516-222-1122

www.dangelolawassociates. com

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-833-807-0159

DO YOU KNOW WHAT’S IN YOUR WATER? Leaf Home Water Solutions offers FREE water testing and whole home water treatment systems that can be installed in as little one day. 15% off your entire purchase. Plus 10% senior & military discounts. Restrictions apply. Schedule your FREE test today. Call 1-866-247-5728

MADE IN THE SHADE CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS

Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Draperies Top Brands at Discount Prices! Family owned & operated www.madeintheshadensli. com 516-426-2890

You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-833-880-7679

BARNES GALLERY

Custom Picture Framing Two Nassau Blvd Garden City, NY 516-538-4503 Tuesday-Saturday 10-5

CONSUMER CELLULAR the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682

MASONRY

All types of stonework Pavers, Retaining Walls, Belgium Block Patios, Foundations, Seal coating, Concrete and Asphalt driveways, Sidewalks, Steps. Free Estimates

Fully Licensed & Insured #H2219010000

Boceski Masonry Louie 516-850-4886

PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES TODAY with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5 year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-877-516-1160 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

PREPARE FOR POWER

OUTAGES with Briggs & StrattonPowerProtect(TM) standby generators the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-888-605-1496

SAFE STEP

North America’s

#1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive Lifetime warranty. Top of the line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step: 1-855-916-5473

HEALTH SERVICES

BIG APPLE ACUPUNCTURE

Xiao S. Chen Lac

Unmatched Expertise

Tailored Treatment Personalized Acupuncture

All types of pain treated including neck, back, hip, sciatica. Treatment adjusts internal organ balance, enhances immunity, metabolism and endocrine function. Promotes circulation, resulting in increased energy, weight loss and reduced facial wrinkles. We Accept Most Insurances www.bigappletcm.com 516-250-7051

FAMILY CARE CONNECTIONS, LLC

Dr. Ann Marie D’Angelo PMHCNS-BC Doctor of Nursing Practice Advanced Practice Nurse Care Manager Assistance with Aging at Home /Care Coordintion

Nursing Home & Assisted Living Placement PRI / Screens / Mini Mental Status Exams

Medicaid Eligibility and Apllications 516-248-9323 www.familycareconnections.com

901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530

SERVICES

PAINTING

& PAPERHANGING

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING

Plastering, Taping, Sheetrock Skim Cutting, Old Wood Refinish, Staining, Wallpaper Removal & Hanging, Paint Removal, Power Washing, Wood Replacement JOHN MIGLIACCIO

Licensed & Insured #80422100000

Call John anytime: 516-901-9398 (Cell) 516-483-3669 (Office) CLEANING

CLEANING SERVICES AVAILABLE!

15yrs experience cleaning home & offices. Great references. Specializing in laundry, ironing cleaning windows, terraces and deep cleaning. Love animals. Own transportation. Please call Erika 516-406-5680 SERVICES

PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today!

1-833-549-0598 Have zip code of property ready when calling!

Hit the sweet (potato) spot with homemade bread

Sweet Potato Bread

Many people have a passion for baking. Baking can be a rewarding hobby and fill a home with an aroma that’s unique, welcoming and instantly identifiable.

There’s no shortage of options when the desire to bake arises. Homemade bread is a go-to among baking enthusiasts, who can whip up a loaf of this “Sweet Potato Bread” courtesy of Lines+Angles. Makes 1 loaf

1 1⁄2 cups granulated sugar

1⁄4 cup canola oil

2 eggs

1 3⁄4 cups sifted all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1⁄4 teaspoon salt

1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1⁄3 cup water

1 cup cooked and mashed sweet potatoes

1⁄2 cup shelled chopped pecans or walnuts

In Addition:

Pure maple syrup, for drizzling Whipped cream, to serve

1) Preheat oven to 350° F. Coat a 9- by 5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2) In a large bowl, combine sugar and oil; beat well. Add eggs, one at a time and beat between each addition. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir flour mixture into egg mixture alternately with water. Stir in mashed sweet potatoes and chopped nuts.

3. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for about one hour, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.

4. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes and turn out onto a wire rack to cool further. Slice and serve with maple syrup and whipped cream.

Two Nassau Blvd Garden City, N.Y. 516-538-4503 www.barnesgalleryframing.com barnesgallery@yahoo.com

Boosting

Xiao S. Chen Lac

This Week at the Syosset Public Library

Fridays, February 27 and March 6, at 10:00 a.m.

Simply Stronger with Balance (VIRTUAL)

Instructor: Mindy Vasta

Handheld weights, resistance bands and balls will help improve strength, flexibility, and coordination. Includes a balance segment to enhance posture, core strength, and proper alignment of muscle groups. Exercises can be performed sitting or standing. Equipment recommended but not required. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org. The Zoom link will be sent out once you register.

Monday, March 2, from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Card & Board Games (IN-PERSON)

Bring a game to play with your friends for the afternoon. Play canasta, Mah Jongg (must have table covering), or a board game. Rooms will be set up with tables and chairs. You will need to bring your own game and playing partners. No registration needed.

Tuesday, March 3, at 11:15 a.m.

Mind in Movement (VIRTUAL)

Instructor: Mindy Vasta

This class consists of aerobic movement to improve cardiovascular fitness. All movements can be performed standing or sitting. Proper footwear is needed. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org. The Zoom link will be sent out once you register.

Tuesday, March 3, at 2:00 p.m.

Title Swap Tuesdays (IN-PERSON)

Excited to hear about our favorite books? Join the Readers’ Services librarians for a fun, lively in-person presentation of all the books we can’t stop talking about. Leave with a list of great reads. No registration needed.

Wednesday, March 4, at 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The Yarn Circle (IN-PERSON)

Do you like to knit, crochet or do other needlework? Stop by the library to meet other crafters, chat while you work, share ideas and show others your finished projects! This is not an instructor-led class, but open space to work on your projects. No registration needed.

Wednesday, March 4, at 2:00 p.m.

The Presidents of Mt. Rushmore and the Constitution, Part 2 (IN-PERSON)

Presenter: James Coll, adjunct professor of American and Constitutional history, Nassau Community College, and retired NYPD detective.

A look at constitutional questions that faced the Mt. Rushmore Presidents, their biographies, and the history of the monument. No registration needed.

Friday, March 6, from 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Driver’s Safety Course (IN-PERSON)

Completion of this program entitles you to a NYS insurance discount and point reduction. In person registration ONLY. For drivers of all ages. Fee: $33

Friday, March 6, at 2:00 p.m.

The Founding Mothers (VIRTUAL)

Presenter: Valerie Gugala, historical lecturer

Learn about the women who stood behind the founding fathers (Martha Washington, Abigail Adams, and Dolly Madison). Who were they and how did they contribute to the cause of American independence? No registration is needed. For Zoom Link, go to syossetlibrary.org.

Lee Avenue student reporters

Each week, fifth grade students at Lee Avenue Elementary School in Hicksville are excited to report the current news, sports and weather to their peers as part of the school’s news crew, also known as the Lee Ave News 1 Team. In addition to keeping the school community informed, the program is allowing to fifth graders to build valuable skills in communication, teamwork and media literacy.

courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Spring Youth Ice Hockey Program

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that registration for the Town’s 2026 Spring Youth Ice Hockey Program will begin soon. The program features a House League, which includes full House League games, a practice schedule, and playoffs for boys and girls in the 8U, 10U, 12U, and 14/16U age groups. Clinics spanning 10 weeks in duration are also available, including all girls clinics, 6U clinics, adult learn to play clinics and advanced skill clinics. Programs will begin on April 1.

“The Town of Oyster Bay’s Youth Ice Hockey Program is one of the best games in town, and features many respected coaches dedicated to teaching this outstanding sport to the many boys and girls enrolled in the program,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “With a variety of leagues and clinics,

there's something for everyone, and we are committed to fostering a love for the game in a supportive and fun environment.”

The registration fee is $400 for residents and $500 for non-residents. Additionally, the program offers various clinics, including an All Girls Clinic, Adult Learn to Play program, and Boys & Girls 6U Clinic for a fee of $200. The Advanced Skill clinic is offered for travel level players for a fee of $250.

Online registration will take place for residents on March 2 and March 3 at 9 a.m. Non-residents can begin registering online on March 4 at 9 a.m. Registration can be completed by visiting oysterbaytown.com/sports. For more information, please email tobhockey@oysterbay-ny.gov or call (516) 433-7465, x8234.

Photo

Levittown students learn about artificial intelligence

Students in the Levittown School District have been utilizing artificial intelligence in creative ways to advance their education. At the Feb. 4 board of education meeting, they presented to trustees the many ways they have learned to adapt to using this vital tool.

The district has begun implementation of MagicSchool AI into classroom lessons, giving students a leg up in a quickly evolving field. MagicSchool AI is an education-designed platform that empowers teachers to personalize learning, streamline instruction and support every student in a safe and responsible way. It has already yielded a high level of success after being introduced to teachers and staff this year, with nearly 33,000 AI generations — a single piece of content the platform creates — by teachers, and more than 120,000 by students. Regarding instruction, the platform poses many possibilities, including creating lesson plans, rubrics and assessments, adjusting texts and materials to meet students’ instructional needs, and creating relevant, engaging and personalized classroom content.

During the meeting, students Nathan d’Auteuil and William Amato led an engaging news segment-style presentation that featured teachers and fellow students. They explained how MagicSchool AI has become an essential part of the classroom, such as students having direct conversations with CEOs and other real-life figures as the AI chat box takes on the role.

“Every student who walks into my

Students and teachers led a presentation on the Levittown School District’s implementation of MagicSchool AI at the Feb. 4 Board of Education meeting.

classroom is unique,” Abbey Lane Elementary School special education teacher Taylor Mastromonica said.

“MagicSchool is a key part of my classroom because it helps me personalize instruction more effective -

William Amato (holding the camera) and Nathan d’Auteuil (holding the microphone) led a news segment-style presentation.

ly.”

“Using MagicSchool as a tool not only helps me think deeply but also analyze and organize my ideas more precisely,” General Douglas MacArthur High School student Ava

Girardi said. “I’m not just memorizing facts, but I’m able to ask better questions to my peers and teachers in my classrooms.”

General Douglas MacArthur High School student Ava Girardi explained how MagicSchool AI has become a vital tool in her education.

Photos courtesy Levittown Public Schools

Barbara Bucovetsky Sells Homes!

There Must Be A Reason...

NOBODY SAYS IT BETTER THAN MY CLIENTS:

Barbara Bucovetsky

Licensed Associate RE Broker

barbara.bucovetsky@compass.com O: 516.517.4866 | M: 516.428.2016

“Dear Barbara – Thank you is really not enough! Thank you for your incredible support during this crazy time. Your expertise matched only by your ability to know what I needed and when were more appreciated than you can imagine! You are a very special person and I’m thankful that I can now call you my friend.”

— Marcy T.

“I have engaged Barbara to sell my properties on two occasions. Each time, I was involved in a stressful transition in my life. She was very sensitive to this and guided me in a calm and obliging manner. She was always available if I had any concerns and offered easy solutions. Barbara’s upbeat attitude made the whole process pleasant and easy.”

— Sybil S.

“When I first met Barbara I knew she was the person to help sell our house. She was forthright and super knowledgeable about the housing market, assisting us in every step of the process which eased our stress. She calmed a challenging situation. We are grateful for Barbara’s expertise and commitment.”

— Joan & Randy R.

“You were there every step of the way for us – days, evenings, weekends and holidays – above and beyond the call of duty. We will be forever grateful.” — Jim and Penny D.