Bethpage Newsgram (4/3/26) by Litmor Publishing

SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW

SPLASH PAD GROUND BREAKING

Car Show at TOBAY Beach

Long Island’s largest and most premier car show experience returns to TOBAY Beach on Sunday, April 26th, from 11am to 4pm. “Car Show Long Island” features hundreds of automobiles, trucks, military vehicles, and emergency service vehicles. A live concert performed by That 70’s Band

will take place during the day, followed by trophy presentations. The event is free for spectators.

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino stated, “Whether you’re a proud classic car owner or you want to see the latest and greatest automobiles in the world, Car

Show Long Island is the place to be! With a diverse range of vehicles showcased, car enthusiasts will have the opportunity to admire and interact with some of the most impressive cars around. This free family-fun event is a perfect way

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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

Hicksville Board of Ed meeting highlights

At the March 18 meeting of the Hicksville Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ted Fulton recognized the district’s partnership with the Hicksville Public Library and celebrated the recent accomplishments of Hicksville High School’s Starlets dance team.

Dr. Fulton began his presentation by emphasizing the role libraries play in strengthening communities and expressed the district’s deep appreciation for its ongoing collaboration with the Hicksville Public Library. He highlighted the library’s steadfast support of Hicksville Public Schools through its commitment to education, family

engagement and overall community well-being. From opening its doors for free presentations, workshops and activities, to organizing food drives in support of the district’s food pantry, the library consistently demonstrates its dedication to the Hicksville community. He also commended the library’s partnership with the district’s Family Partnership Program and its support of the Let’s Read Together initiative, which has helped foster a love of reading and learning among Hicksville students. Dr. Fulton extended his personal thanks to Library Director Roseann Acos-

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Members of the Hicksville Board of Education and senior leadership photographed with the Hicksville High School Starlets dance team and coaches.

Photos courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti (center), Councilman Dennis Dunne (right), and Town Clerk Kate Murray (left) broke ground on a new splash pad that will be built near Bluegrass Lane Pool in Levittown.

HHS presents “Little Shop of Horrors”

Highlights of Hicksville High School Repertory Company’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors” that took place on March 13 and 14 in the school’s Charles “Chuck” Arnold Theatre.

Hicksville High School’s Repertory Company delighted audiences with its recent production of the beloved musical comedy “Little Shop of Horrors,” presenting three performances on March 13 and 14 in the school’s Charles “Chuck” Arnold Theatre.

“Little Shop of Horrors” follows Seymour, a timid floral assistant who stumbles upon a mysterious plant with an unusual appetite. As the plant grows, so do the stakes, leading to a thrilling and comedic journey that has entertained audiences for generations. The production captivated attendees with its blend of memorable songs, humor and unexpected twists.

The production featured a talented cast and crew of 72 students, supported by a dedicated pit orchestra. Together, they delivered a series of outstanding

Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

performances that reflected their commitment, collaboration and artistic excellence. The students were directed by Hicksville English and theater teacher Caitlin Cassidy, with vocal direction by chorus teacher Arielle Siegel. High school music teacher Michael Caruso led the pit orchestra and tech direction was overseen by Hicksville Middle School technology teacher Thomas DePalo. The play was choreographed by Leia DePalo.

Hicksville Supervisor of Fine Arts

Chad Wyman said, “This production serves as a testament to the remarkable talent and hard work of Hicksville High School students, both on stage and behind the scenes, and underscores the strength of the school’s performing arts program.”

Levittown Chamber Spotlight on Business

SUBMITTED BY DON PATANE, LEVITTOWN

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Levittown Chamber of Commerce would like to introduce long time member Michael Levy; owner of Minuteman Press in Levittown and also Farmingdale. Levy is a Past President of the Chamber and is currently the Chamber’s Treasurer. He also serves on the Board of YES Community Counseling Center.

Levy has been married to his wife Gwen for 36 years. They were Syracuse University sweethearts. They have three AMAZING children Melanie (married to his awesome son in law Alex), Ryan (married to the beautiful and sweet Lindsay) and their baby Ally (turning 27 next month, who lives with her boyfriend Jack, also a great person). Levy has lived in Roslyn Heights for 29 years. Now as empty nesters Levy & his wife share the house with two sweet dogs “old man” Charlie and “puppy” Goldie.

Levy also went to Graduate School at NYU for Graphic Communications. While there he worked in the family business which was involved in selling printers which ultimately led to him finding Minuteman Press at a franchise show.

Levy says the best advice he ever received from someone pertaining to business is to “go for it”, put all your energy into what you do and don’t be afraid to fail. Learn from any failures and then turn them around. Between his two locations, he currently has 7 full-time employees or, as he likes to say, minority partners. They share in the success that Minuteman Press has had.

Levy comments “As far as my businesses are concerned, my goal is to help other small businesses just like mine grow and get new business. Offering a wide array of products has helped us grow. What separates us from our competition is that we offer MOST services in-house, such as screen printing and

Michael Levy

embroidery. The major growth in our businesses over the last couple of years has been our success in producing all sorts of apparel. Plus, we have many items and products that most people do not know we offer, such as signage, promo items and anything you can put your logo on, we can produce.

Minuteman Press always offers specials throughout the year and sends email blasts out with these offers. They also offer a 10% discount for Senior Citizens through the Nassau County Program.

When not at work, Levy loves being with his family and dogs, and he also at age 59 still plays baseball. He is a catcher on the Massapequa Pirates. Baseball is his pure joy. On the field in warm weather with 17 other people his age doing what they love.

Levy can be contacted at Minuteman Press, 3000 Hempstead Tpke, Suite 114, Levittown, NY 11756. (p) 516-731-4892. Website www.levittown.minutemanpress.com

Bingo event

Catholic Daughters Court Queen of Angels #869 Hicksville invites you to an afternoon of Bingo, Sunday, April 19, at the Bethpage Senior Community Center, 103 Grumman Road West, Bethpage. Handicap accessible.

Doors open at 1:30 p,m. Cost of $12 per person for advance reservations or $15 at the door. Water and snacks, coffee, tea and dessert included. Please call Ellen to reserve your space (516) 390-2394. All proceeds from this event will be donated to local charities.

Are you a professional?

Levittown FD Installation

and Town Clerk Kate Murray

left) congratulated James Behrens, Outgoing Chief of the Levittown Fire Department, during its Installation Dinner on March 21, at the Melville Marriott. Also attending were fellow members of the Levittown Fire Department; Nassau County Legislators Tom McKevitt and Kayla Knight; New York State Assemblyman John Mikulin; New York State Senator Steve Rhoads; and Shannon Fredericks, representing New York State Assemblyman Dave McDonough.

Challengers Homecoming Game

Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti (third right)

(fourth

Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti (left) attended the MacArthur High School Challengers Homecoming Game on February 25. Also attending were Principal Joseph Sheehan and Vincent Causeman.

Fifth graders learn about water systems

Over 150 local fifth-grade students toured the Bethpage Water District’s plant.

The Bethpage Water District welcomed over 150 local fifth-grade students for a behind-the-scenes tour and immersive and educational water program, providing a firsthand look at how drinking water is delivered to the community.

Over the course of three days (March 17, 18, 19), students from the Bethpage School District visited the District’s stateof-the-art Plant 6 facility on Motor Lane. Through this interactive experience, students learned about water conservation, the Long Island aquifer system, and the advanced treatment processes that ensure high-quality, reliable drinking water.

The water educational program is part of the annual partnership between the

Bethpage Water District and the Bethpage Union Free School District. This year’s program has been enhanced to provide a more engaging and comprehensive learning experience. Students explored the full water treatment cycle—from groundwater sourcing to final purification—while interacting with innovative displays, a mobile education unit, and multimedia presentations designed to bring the process to life.

“It is important for students to understand where their water comes from and the work that goes into delivering it every day,” said Bethpage Water District Commissioner Theresa M. Black. “By seeing the process firsthand, they gain a greater appreciation for this essential

resource and the importance of protecting it.”

Bethpage Water District Superintendent Michael J. Boufis emphasized the District’s continued commitment to education and innovation. “We take great pride in not only providing high-quality drinking water, but also in educating the next generation about the infrastructure and technology behind it,” said Boufis. “Programs like this help build awareness and encourage responsible water use for years to come.”

Students observed multiple stages of treatment across the facility, gaining a deeper understanding of the advanced systems in place that meet or exceed all local, state, and federal water quality standards.

A key contributor to the ongoing success of the program is Bethpage Union Free School District’s Science Enrichment Director and 21st Century Program Manager, Lorraine Marcis. She has been instrumental in advancing this partnership, and expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, “This continued partnership with the Bethpage Water District gives our students a unique opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world application. Experiencing the water treatment process firsthand sparks curiosity, encourages critical thinking, and helps students better understand the importance of protecting our water resources.”

Award winning magician to headline fundraiser

The Sarah Grace Foundation for Children With Cancer will present “An Evening of Magic” on Friday, April 10. The highly anticipated annual event will feature award-winning magician Will Fern.

The high-energy, contagiously fun magician is well known for his strolling magic and has been honored by the International Brotherhood of Magicians. He will deliver an unforgettable night of laughs with world-class magic, mind reading and easy-going humor in support of children with cancer.

The benefit fundraiser dinner begins at 7 p.m. and will be held in the Philodendrum Room at the Milleridge Inn, 585 N. Broadway, Jericho, N.Y., 11753. Tickets are $125 per person and include

dinner and a show, along with beer, wine, soda, coffee and dessert. Seating is limited so tickets must be purchased in advance. There will also be numerous raffle baskets and a 50/50 drawing.

The Sarah Grace Foundation has been supporting children with cancer and their families in the Long Island and New York City area since 2003 and is named in honor of Sarah Grace Weippert of Hicksville. Founded by Sarah’s parents, Marissa and Matt Weippert, and Sarah’s brother, James, the organization is dedicated to honoring Sarah’s memory.

Supported by a dedicated, all-volunteer team, the Foundation continues to provide support to families through programs such as the Escape Hatch, the Bead Program, Gabe’s Chemo Duck and Sarah

Grace’s Book Angels. Coordinating with social workers at pediatric cancer centers such as those at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, NYU Langone Cancer Center for Kids, Stony Brook University Medical Center, Montefiore Hospital, New York-Presbyterian Hospital and more, the Foundation is able to identify children and families most in need and provide financial aid, comfort and support for these children who ask only “to be kids, not patients in a hospital,” said Matt Weippert, Foundation president.

“Thanks to the generosity of our donors and their support, our core programs have been able to carry on,” Weippert continued. “Additionally, we continue providing financial aid for meals, transportation, household expens-

es, and funeral expenses when necessary. Until Sarah got sick, we never knew how many children were afflicted with cancer and how many local treatment facilities were necessary to care for them. We understand their pain and anxiety and have done all we can to ease that stress for more than 20 years.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased on the Foundation website at www. thesarahgracefoundation.org. Requests for information may be sent to The Sarah Grace Foundation at 17 E. Old Country Road, Unit B, PMB 202, Hicksville, NY 11801 or by calling (516) 433-9745. Inquiries may also be addressed to Matt Weippert, executive director, at Matt.weippert@ thesarahgracefoundation.org

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Italian Club hosts Carnevale celebration

The annual Carnevale celebration was held in Bethpage High School’s cafeteria, which had been transformed thanks to colorful backdrops depicting scenes of Italy.

Members of Bethpage’s Italian Club, Circolo Italiano, worked hard to organize the event, an annual celebration now in its second year.

On Feb. 26, Bethpage High School was filled with the spirit of Italy as the school’s Italian Club, Circolo Italiano – along with Ms. Calio and Ms. Salcedo – hosted the second annual Carnevale celebration. The event transformed the high school’s cafeteria into a gathering of Italian music, food and culture.

Nearly 100 guests attended and the event was supported by generous donations from Red Volpe, Mario’s, Patrizia’s of Hicksville, Ciminelli’s, Bella Vista Pizza, Calda Pizza, Zucker’s Kosher Bakery, Sweet Sensations, Hot Buns, Sapori del Vallo, Pappardelles and Italiano’s Pizza.

Students and community members had the opportunity to take part in various activities that highlighted the artistic traits of Carnevale. Attendees decorated their own masks using paint and bright stickers. Face painting was also added in while numerous backdrops were placed around the cafeteria for friends to capture memories. Guests also enjoyed live music performances by Mr. Brent Chiarello, Ms. Kirsten Warnokowski and Bethpage’s talented band students as they ate delicious Italian food. Raffle tickets were also sold with the prizes being gift cards to Pappardelles.

This year’s Carnevale celebration once again brought the Bethpage school com-

Bethpage’s world languages coordinator, Ms. Tiffany Salcedo, helped organize the event. She is pictured here with Bethpage High School assistant principal, Ms. Charlotte Hirsch-Beckman.

munity together to honor the Italian heritage, which proved to be both educational and memorable. Special thanks to Mrs. Sagarese, Mrs. Marianaccio, our dedicated BHS student volunteers, and our supportive community.

Guests enjoyed live music performances by Director of Fine and Performing Arts, Mr. Brent Chiarello, band teacher, Ms. Kirsten Warnokowski and Bethpage’s talented band students.

Many local restaurants donated food for the event.

Photos courtesy of Bethpage Union Free School District

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION

HICKSVILLE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

HICKSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

HICKSVILLE, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing of the qualified voters of the Hicksville Union Free School District, Nassau County, New York, will be held at the Board Room of the Administration Building, located at 200 Division Avenue, Hicksville, New York in said District on May 6, 2026, at 7:00 PM , prevailing time, for the transaction of such business as is authorized by the New York State Education Law, including the following items.

1. Presentation of the budget document.

2. To discuss all of the items herein set forth, to be voted upon by voting machine, at the election to be held on May 19, 2026, as hereinafter set forth.

3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that said vote and election will be held on May 19, 2026 at 7:00 PM prevailing time, in the school buildings located in such districts as enumerated below:

District No. 1: Burns Avenue School - 40 Burns Avenue, Hicksville, NY

District No. 2: East Street School - 50 East Street, Hicksville, NY

District No. 3: Woodland School - 85 Ketchams Road, Hicksville, NY

District No. 4: Lee Avenue School - 1 Seventh Street, Hicksville, NY

District No. 5: Fork Lane School - 4 Fork Lane, Hicksville, NY

District No. 6: Dutch Lane School - 50 Stewart Avenue, Hicksville, NY

District No. 7: Old Country Road School - 49 Rhodes Lane, Hicksville, NY

at which time the polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, prevailing time, to vote by voting machines upon the following items:

1. To adopt the annual budget of the School District for the fiscal year 2026 – 27 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.

2. To adopt the annual budget of the Library for the fiscal year 2026 – 27 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.

3. Any other questions or propositions as to matters or expenditures or authority to levy taxes that may be presented for a vote under the Education Law.

4. To elect one (1) member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term commencing July 1, 2026, and expiring on June 30, 2029, to succeed incumbent Sunita Manjrekar whose term expires on June 30, 2026.

5. To elect one (1) member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term commencing July 1, 2026, and expiring on June 30, 2029, to succeed incumbent Irene Carlomusto whose term expires on June 30, 2026.

6. To elect one (1) member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term commencing July 1, 2026, and expiring on June 30, 2029, to succeed incumbent Danielle Fotopoulos whose term expires on June 30, 2026

7. To elect one (1) trustee of the Library Board of Trustees for a five (5) year term commencing on July 1, 2026, and expiring on June 30, 2031, to succeed incumbent Carlos Muñozospina.

8. To elect one (1) trustee of the Library Board of Trustees to fill the remainder of the unexpired term created by the resignation of Joanne Curran Perrucci commencing on May 19, 2026 and expiring on June 30, 2029, with the successful candidate for such unexpired term to take office immediately upon being elected and duly qualified.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for the office of Member of the Board of Education of the Hicksville Union Free School District and Library Board of Trustees shall be filed with the District Clerk of said School District at the District Clerk’s office, Administration Building, 200 Division Avenue Hicksville, NY 11801 not later than April 20, 2026, between 9 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., prevailing time. All nominating petitions must be signed by 45 qualified voters (representing the greater of 25 or 2% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); must state the name and residence of each signer, and must state the name and residence of the candidate. Each petition be directed to the District Clerk and shall describe the specific vacancy for which the candidate is nominated. Each vacancy upon the Board of Education to be filled shall be considered a separate specific vacancy.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 or pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law. If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 and has voted at any annual or special district meeting within the past four (4) calendar years, such voter is eligible to vote at this election; if a voter is registered and eligible to vote pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law, such voter is also eligible to vote at this election. All other persons who wish to vote must register. The Board of Registration will meet for the purposes of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to Education Law §2014 in the school buildings designated for each election district on May 5, 2026 between the hours of 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, prevailing time, to add any additional names to the Registers to be used at the aforesaid Budget Vote and Election, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Registers, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such Budget Vote and Election for which the Register are prepared. The Registers so prepared pursuant to Education Law §2014 will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the School District in the Administration Building, located at 200 Division Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on May 14, 2026, between the hours of 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, prevailing time, on weekdays, and each day prior to the day set for the Budget Vote and Election, except Sunday or holidays, and on Saturday by pre-arranged appointment, and at the polling places on the day of the Budget Vote and Election.

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.

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Car Show

From page 1

to spend the day, all with the beautiful backdrop of TOBAY Beach. Spectators can check out cool cars, vendors, exhibits and enjoy live music while surrounded by Long Island’s best classic, muscle, antique and exotic cars.”

Car Show Long Island’s 2026 TOBAY Beach Spring Classic features some of the hottest and most classic cars in the tri-state region. While enjoying live music performed by That 70’s Band and great eats from the Food Truck Corral presented by Eagle Chevy Performance, thousands of spectators are expected throughout the day to get up close and personal with Long Island’s best classic, muscle, antique and exotic cars. Trophies will be awarded in each class, and children will have a say when deeming which rides are their favorites in the Kids’ Choice Award. Car Show Long Island’s 2026 TOBAY Beach Spring Classic is being presented by: Optimum, Signarama of Huntington, Whitey’s Tire Services of Brooklyn and Cascone & Kluepfel Attorneys at Law.

Classic Car enthusiasts and spectators can also grab a bite to eat from the food truck corral, and can also check out numerous vendors and displays. A rain date of Saturday, May 2, has been arranged. For more information, visit www. carshowli.com, call (516) 7974121 or e-mail carshowli@oysterbay-ny.gov.

Place an ad for it in our classifieds section! Call 516-294-8900 for more details.

Local artists invited to “Art in the Park”

The Town of Oyster Bay is inviting local artists and artisans to participate in a special day of creativity and community at Art in the Park. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, May 30th, at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park & Beach in Oyster Bay, offering a unique platform for talented individuals to display and sell their handcrafted creations. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 15.

“Art in the Park provides an incredible opportunity for local artists and artisans to showcase their best work, connect with the community, and gain recognition,” said Councilman Hand. “Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your creativity and be part of a vibrant community event, featuring live music, food trucks, and fun activities for kids.”

Artists and artisans must be 18 years or older and can

only display and sell original, handcrafted pieces. Commercial or mass-produced items will not be permitted. Participants are responsible for supplying their own 10x10 canopy and any additional equipment needed for their space. Full details, including associated costs, are outlined in the application available online.

Organized by the Town’s Department of Community & Youth Services, Cultural and Performing Arts Division, Art in the Park celebrates a diverse range of handcrafted works, including ceramics, watercolors, glass, jewelry, wood, leather, sculptures, and more.

To apply, visit the Town’s website at www.oysterbaytown.com/capa or contact the Cultural and Performing Arts Division at (516) 797-7932 for more information.

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Election Law, such voter is also eligible to vote at this election. All other persons who wish to vote must register. The Board of Registration will meet for the purposes of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to Education Law §2014 in the school buildings designated for each election district on May 5, 2026 between the hours of 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, prevailing time, to add any additional names to the Registers to be used at the aforesaid Budget Vote and Election, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Registers, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such Budget Vote and Election for which the Register are prepared. The Registers so prepared pursuant to Education Law §2014 will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the School District in the Administration Building, located at 200 Division Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on May 14, 2026, between the hours of 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, prevailing time, on weekdays, and each day prior to the day set for the Budget Vote and Election, except Sunday or holidays, and on Saturday by pre-arranged appointment, and at the polling places on the day of the Budget Vote and Election.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Education Law §2014, the Board of Registration shall meet on May 19, 2026, in the school buildings designated for each election district between the hours of 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, prevailing time, to prepare the Registers of the School District to be used at the annual meeting and election that is to be held in 2027, and any special meeting that may be held after the preparation of said Registers, at which time any person will be entitled to have her or his name placed on such Registers, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school meeting or election for which Registers are prepared.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that qualified voters with disabilities who seek information about access to polling places may, in advance of the day of the vote, contact the District Clerk at 516733-2104 for information about accessibility.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that beginning seven (7) days immediately preceding the May 6, 2026, public budget hearing, any resident in the District may request to review a copy of the proposed budget by appearing at the Office of the District Clerk, 200 Division Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801. Additionally, a statement of the estimated expenses for the ensuing year may be obtained by any resident in the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding said election on the school district website www.hicksvillepublicschools.org , at the Hicksville Public Library during its normal hours of operation, located at 169 Jerusalem Ave, Hicksville, NY 11801, at the School District Administrative Center, 200 Division Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801, and at each of the following school buildings in which school is maintained between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., prevailing time, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays:

Burns Avenue School / East Street School / Woodland School / Lee Avenue School / Fork Lane School / Dutch Lane School / Old Country Road School

And Further Notice is Hereby Given that a public budget hearing on the proposed Library budget will be on May 5, 2026 at 7:30 pm at the Hicksville Public Library, 169 Jerusalem Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801. The proposed Library budget is available upon request by any resident commencing April 28, 2026 at the Hicksville Library during its normal hours of operation, located at 169 Jerusalem Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801. Additionally, a statement of the estimated expenses for the ensuing year may be obtained by any resident in the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding said election on the library website www.hicksvillelibrary.org , at the Hicksville Public Library during its normal hours of operation, located at 169 Jerusalem Ave, Hicksville, NY 11801, at the School District Administrative Center, 200 Division Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801, and at each of the following school buildings in which school is maintained between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., prevailing time, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays:

Burns Avenue School / East Street School / Woodland School / Lee Avenue School / Fork Lane School / Dutch Lane School / Old Country Road School

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN , that pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 495, the School District is required to attach to its proposed budget an exemption report. Said exemption report, which will also become part of the final budget, will show how much of the total assessed value on the final assessment roll used in the budgetary process is exempt from taxation, list every type of exemption granted, identified by statutory authority, and show: (a) the cumulative impact of each type of exemption expressed either as a dollar amount of assessed value or as a percentage of the total assessed value on the roll; (b) the cumulative amount expected to be received from recipients of each type of exemption as payments in lieu of taxes or other payments for municipal services; and (c) the cumulative impact of all exemptions granted. The exemption report shall be posted on any bulletin board maintained by the District for public notices and on any website maintained by the District.

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AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN , that applications for absentee and early mail ballots will be obtainable during school business hours at the office of the District Clerk beginning April 6, 2026. In accordance with Education Law §§ 2018-a and 2018-e, completed absentee and early mail ballot applications may not be received by the District Clerk earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the election, and must be received by the District Clerk at least seven (7) days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or to the agent named in the absentee or early mail ballot application. Absentee and early mail ballots must be received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

A list of persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued, and a list of all persons to whom early mail voter’s ballots shall have been issued, will be available for public inspection beginning May 14, 2026, in the office of the District Clerk during regular office hours, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., each weekday through May 19, 2026, the day set for the election. Any qualified voter may, upon examination of such lists, file a written challenge of the qualifications as a voter of any person whose name appears on such lists, stating the reasons for such challenge. Any such written challenge shall be transmitted by the District Clerk or a designee of the Board of Education to the inspectors of election on election day.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the Hicksville Union Free School District by requesting and returning a registration application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to jobrien@ hicksvillepublicschools.org or fax sent to 516-733-1187. The request for the registration application may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the registration application by either mail, fax or email. Military voter registration application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that military voters who are qualified voters of the Hicksville Union Free School District may request an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk and return such military ballot application to the District Clerk in person, or by email to jobrien@ hicksvillepublicschools.org or fax sent to 516-733-2104. In order for a military voter to be issued a military ballot, a valid military ballot application must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m., on April 23, 2026. Military ballot applications received in accordance with the foregoing will be processed in the same manner as a non-military ballot application under Section 2018-a of the Education Law. The application for military ballot may include the military voter’s preference for receipt of the military ballot by mail, fax, or email. A military voter’s original military ballot application and military ballot must be returned by mail or in person to the office of the District Clerk at 200 Division Avenue, Hicksville, NY

machines the requisite that may be 2026, June 30, 2026, June 30, 2026, on June July 1, term on upon of between voters election); for which considered a either Election Law. any vote State must the district names will be Board be then prepared. The the 11801, and between the the appointment, of district District that have her he or entitled to information at 516preceding the the NY by any school hours Administrative in which Sundays Lane budget will be 11801. 2026 at the Hicksville, NY by any library operation, 200

school is maintained

and holidays:

Burns Avenue School / East Street School / Woodland School / Lee Avenue School / Fork Lane School / Dutch Lane School / Old Country Road School

Hicksville Board of Ed meeting highlights

such lists, stating the reasons for such challenge. Any such written challenge shall be transmitted by the District Clerk or a designee of the Board of Education to the inspectors of election on election day.

From page 1

ta, Head of Youth Services Erin Bach, Head of Reference and Outreach Amanda DeLisi, and Programming Librarian Jeannine Dillon for their continued efforts and collaboration.

Dr. Fulton then turned his attention to recognizing the Hicksville High School Starlets dance team for an exceptional season. Team members Amy Abreu, Maya Amador, Katie Barrientos, Mia Benavides, Ava Cristales, Katerina Fragopoulos, Abigail Goldthwaite, Chloe Guida, Ashley Mancuso, Olivia Mavra, Lyla Mendolia, Kiera Nieves Scott, Ava Orzechowski, Amisha Phagu, Amanda Pinder, Melanie Ruiz de Castilla Orozco, Jaycie Skaee, Hailey Vassallo and Lily Wolowski, along with their coaches, Ilana Shapiro and Brianna Tietjen, were recognized for their hard work and achievements.

pline and teamwork at every competition. This year, the team competed in four local competitions, earning multiple second and third-place finishes. They were also crowned NDA Regional Champions and secured a first-place title in Pom.

In February, the Starlets traveled to Orlando, Florida, to compete at the NDA Nationals, one of the most prestigious dance competitions in the country, with more than 300 schools in attendance. Competing against over 25 teams in each category, the team advanced to the finals in both Jazz and Pom, earning silver medals with a second-place finish in Pom and a sixth-place finish in Jazz.

Hicksville Board of Education President Annette Beiner, Hicksville Board of Education Vice President Linda Imbriale, Hicksville Board of Education Secretary Erin Guida, Hicksville Public Library Director Roseann Acosta, Hicksville Public Library Head of Youth Services Erin Bach, Hicksville Public Library Head of Reference and Outreach Amanda DeLisi, Hicksville Public Library Programming Librarian Jeannine Dillon, Hicksville High School Family Partnership Specialist Maritza Quintero and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ted Fulton.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN , that military ballots shall be canvassed if they are received by the District Clerk before the close of polls on May 19, 2026 showing a cancellation mark of the United States Postal Service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States Government; or received not later than 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026 and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before the election.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a rule adopted by the Board of Education in accordance with New York Education Law §2035, any referenda or propositions to change the number of Board of Education members, or a bond issue for capital improvements, or any other petition required by law to be stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting and Election must be filed with the District Clerk at 200 Division Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801, not later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time, on March 20, 2026. Any other petition, except those petitions required by law to be stated in the Notice of Annual Meeting and Election, must be filed with the District Clerk at 200 Division Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801, no later than 5:00 p.m., prevailing time on April 20, 2026. All such petitions must be typed or printed in the English language; must be directed to the Clerk of the School District; must be signed by at least 45 qualified voters of the District (representing the greater of 25 or 5% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); and must legibly state the name of each signer. However, the Board of Education will not entertain any petition to place before the voters any proposition the purpose of which is not within the powers of the voters to determine, nor any proposition or amendment which is contrary to law.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that those voters seeking information regarding this Budget Vote and Election in Spanish should contact the Office of the District Clerk at 516-733-2104.

John O’Brien

District Clerk of the Board of Education Hicksville Union Free School District

NY 11801

Over the course of their 10-month season, the dedicated student-athletes committed countless hours during weekdays and weekends to perfect their routines, refine their technique and represent Hicksville with pride, disci-

Dr. Fulton concluded his remarks by congratulating the students on their outstanding achievements and applauding all those recognized. He noted that these accomplishments reflect the district’s continued commitment to academic excellence, student leadership and meaningful learning experiences inside and outside the classroom.

Photos courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

“Learn to Play” Hockey Clinic

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that a special New York Islanders ‘Learn to Play’ Hockey Clinic is returning to the Town of Oyster for children ages 5–9 and includes 8 on-ice training sessions. Part of The Future Islanders Program, this ‘Learn to Play’ clinic introduces the game of hockey to young children and serves as a transition program for first-time players interested in house leagues.

“We are pleased to partner with the New York Islanders to offer this exciting clinic for children looking to learn the fundamentals of hockey in a fun environment,” said Town Councilman Tom Hand. “This Future Islanders program, taught by former players and coaching staff from the New York Islanders organization, includes hands-on training

skills and all necessary equipment in the early stages of learning hockey.”

The ‘Learn to Play’ clinic will be offered on Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m. at Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center, in Bethpage, beginning April 7th. Registration is $295 per child and includes full hockey equipment to first time participants (jersey, stick, gloves, helmet, skates, shoulder pads, pants, shin guards, equipment bag.) There will also be special appearances by Isles alumni Arron Asham and Radek Martinek. Registration is now open and space is limited. For more information, please visit www. newyorkislanders.com/learntoplay or contact jocelyne. cummings@newyorkislanders.com or call (516) 501-6764.

NASSAU COUNTY LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICES Businesses invited to wellness fair

Do you have a health and wellness business? The Town of Oyster Bay invites local businesses to participate in an upcoming Health & Wellness Fair being held in conjunction with the 2026 Empire State Ride Long Island, taking place on the streets of Oyster Bay on Saturday, June 13.

“The Empire State Ride is Long Island’s largest charitable cycling fundraiser to benefit cancer research, and this year the event will feature a Health & Wellness Fair on the streets of Oyster Bay,” said Town Councilman Andrew Monteleone. “This great event draws thousands of residents to our historic Town, providing visitors with the opportunity to take part in interactive wellness stations, demonstrations and discussions. Interested vendors are encouraged to sign up to participate in this year’s event.”

Event coordinators, including the Town of Oyster Bay, Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce and Empire State Ride Long Island, are inviting potential vendors who believe their company would benefit from participating in the program to reach out today.

For additional information, or to request an application, interested businesses can contact the Town of Oyster Bay Special Events Division at (516) 797-4127 or email kludwig2@oysterbay-ny.gov.

NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION OF BETHPAGE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT NASSAU COUNTY , NEW YORK (MAY 19, 2026)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a Public Budget Hearing of the qualified voters of the Bethpage Union Free School District, Nassau County, Bethpage, New York, will be held in the Auditorium of Bethpage High School in said District, on May 5, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. prevailing time, for the purpose of discussing expenditures contained in the proposed budget for the ensuing school year 20262027. Copies of the budget document will be made available to District residents commencing April 28, 2026 upon request, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. prevailing time, in the office of the District Clerk located in the Superintendent’s Office of the Administration Building.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting, Budget Vote and Election of the qualified voters of the Bethpage Union Free School District, County of Nassau, State of New York, qualified to vote at School Meetings in said District, will be held in the Main Gymnasium of the Bethpage Senior High School, Cherry Avenue and Stewart Avenues, Bethpage, New York in said District on May 19, 2026, for the purpose of voting by the qualified voters of the District, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (D.S.T.) on the following separate matters:

1. The estimated expenditures (school budget) for the ensuing school year 2026-2027 and authorizing the levy and collection of necessary taxes thereof. (Proposition 1)

2. Any other questions or propositions as to matters or expenditures or authority to levy taxes that may be presented for a vote under the Education Law.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that at the said vote and election to be conducted on May 19, 2026, two (2) members are to be elected to the Board of Education as follows:

ONE (1) member is to be elected for a full three (3) year term to fill the vacancy created by the expiration of the term of Anna Israelton, which term expires June 30, 2026.

ONE (1) member is to be elected for a full three (3) year term to fill the vacancy created by the expiration of the term of Cynthia Krummenacker, which term expires June 30, 2026.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that all nominating petitions of candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education, shall be filed with the Clerk of the District Not Later Than April 20, 2026 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (D.S.T .), whose office is located in the Office of the Superintendent of Schools at the District’s Administration Building, 10 Cherry Avenue, (cross street Stewart Avenue) Bethpage, NY 11714. A separate petition, duly signed by at least 25 qualified voters of the District, as in accordance with law, and stating the residence of each signer, shall be required to nominate a candidate to each separate office. Petitions for school board members shall describe the specific vacancy on the Board of Education for which the candidate is nominated; said description shall include at least the length of the term of office and the name of the last incumbent, if any.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that each person entitled to vote must register. Registration dates, hours, and locations are as follows:

WEEKDAYS , until May 14, 2026, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (D.S.T.) when school is in session in the Office of the District Clerk, located in the Administration Building, 10 Cherry Avenue (cross street Stewart Avenue), Bethpage, New York.

SATURDAY , May 2, 2026 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. (D.S.T.), in the Boardroom at the Administration Building.

The following persons shall be eligible to vote: All persons who shall have presented themselves personally for registration in accordance with section two thousand fourteen of the Education Law and all persons who shall have been previously duly registered for any annual or special meeting or election, who are qualified to vote and who shall have voted at any annual or special meeting or election held or conducted during the four (4) calendar years prior to 2026 (i.e., 2022-2025) and who are not disqualified from voting for any reason set forth in New York State Election Law Section 5-106. In addition, all persons who are registered to vote pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law of the State of New York shall be eligible to vote.

have presented themselves personally for registration in accordance with section two thousand fourteen of the Education Law and all persons who shall have been previously duly registered for any annual or special meeting or election, who are qualified to vote and who shall have voted at any annual or special meeting or election held or conducted during the four (4) calendar years prior to 2026 (i.e., 2022-2025) and who are not disqualified from voting for any reason set forth in New York State Election Law Section 5-106. In addition, all persons who are registered to vote pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law of the State of New York shall be eligible to vote.

All persons who registered at the Annual Meeting held on May 20, 2025 will not be required to re-register for the purpose of voting on May 19, 2026. Persons whose names appear as eligible voters as of May 20, 2025 on the Voter Registration Books issued and maintained by the Nassau County Board of Elections, shall be eligible to vote at the Annual School District Meeting and Elections to be conducted on May 19, 2026.

Any qualified voter of the District who is in doubt as to whether she/ he is registered to vote at the May 19, 2026 Annual Meeting Vote and Election should contact the District Clerk of the Bethpage Union Free School District at 516-644-4002 or email ebecker@bethpage.ws.

The Board of Registration will meet during the election held in the District on May19, 2026 at the place where the Annual Meeting and Election is held for the purpose of preparing a register for meetings and elections held subsequent to such Annual Meetings or Elections.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the register will be open for inspection by a qualified voter of the School District on May 14, 2026 up to and including the day of the election, May 19, 2026, Sunday excepted, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., with the exception of Saturday, May 16, 2026, when the hours will be from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing school year 2026-2027 for school purposes (budget) and a statement of any expenditure and estimated tax levy for the ensuing year that may be required to fund the school budget appropriation at the above stated Annual Meeting shall be prepared and made available upon request to any District resident at the Office of the District Clerk, which is located in the Superintendent’s Office at the District’s Administration Building, and the offices of the principals of all the schools in the District therein and at the Bethpage Public Library during the period of fourteen (14) days immediately preceding the Annual Meeting between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (D.S.T.), Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays excepted.

Administration Building

Bethpage High School

JFK Middle School

Central Boulevard School

Charles Campagne School

Kramer Lane School

Bethpage Public Library

These documents will also be available on the District’s website at: http://www.bethpagecommunity.com

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section

495, an exemption report detailing exemptions from real property taxation shall be available and appended to any tentative, preliminary or final budget.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that absentee ballots and early mail ballots will be available for the election of School Board Members and the Budget Vote. Applications for absentee ballots and early mail ballots may be received by the District Clerk no earlier than the 30 th day before the election for which it is sought. Applications for absentee ballots and early mail ballots are available in the Office of the District Clerk, which is located in the Superintendent’s Office at the District’s Administration Building. To have an absentee ballot or early mail ballot mailed to your home, an applicable completed and signed application must be in the District Clerk’s Office no later than Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Application for an absentee ballot or early mail ballot may be made in person from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on any school day and up until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2026. Applications can also be downloaded from the District’s website at: http://www.bethpagecommunity.com

The right to vote by absentee ballot or early mail ballot will be subject to the approval of the Board of Registration, or the District Clerk or designee, as applicable.

A list of all persons to whom absentee ballots and early mail ballots shall have been issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the Office of the District Clerk commencing with the issuance of such ballots and on each of the five days prior to the day of the election (except Sunday), between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, and on Saturday, May 16, 2026 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The list will also be available at the polling place on May 19, 2026. Absentee ballots and early mail ballots will be accepted in the Office of the District Clerk of the District no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026. Any ballot received after that time will not be counted.

shall have been issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the Office of the District Clerk commencing with the issuance of such ballots and on each of the five days prior to the day of the election (except Sunday), between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, and on Saturday, May 16, 2026 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The list will also be available at the polling place on May 19, 2026. Absentee ballots and early mail ballots will be accepted in the Office of the District Clerk of the District no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026. Any ballot received after that time will not be counted.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that Military Voters who are qualified voters of the District may obtain an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk at The Office of the District Clerk 10 Cherry Avenue (cross street Stewart Avenue), Bethpage, New York 11714; Telephone: (516) 644-4002; or email: ebecker@bethpage.ws. A military ballot application must be returned in person or by mail to the Office of the District Clerk, no later than 5:00 P.M. on the twentysixth day before the vote (April 23, 2026). The Military Voter may indicate their preference for receiving the application for a military ballot by mail, by facsimile or email. Military ballots will be mailed or otherwise distributed no later than 25 days (April 24, 2026) before said Annual District Meeting. Military ballots must be received by the District Clerk (1) before the close of the polls on May 19, 2026 and show a cancellation mark of the U.S postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the U.S. government or (2) by 5:00 P.M. on the date set for the Annual District Meeting and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereof, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before said Annual District Meeting. Irrespective of the preferred mode of transmission, the military ballot application and military ballot must be returned by mail or in person. A list of all persons to whom military ballots shall have been issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the said Office of the District Clerk during regular office hours, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., (Prevailing Time), until the day of said Annual District Meeting.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that any propositions or questions to be placed upon the voting machines shall be submitted in writing by petition subscribed by at least 31 qualified voters of the District and filed in the office of the District Clerk on or before April 20, 2026, except for petitions relating to a proposition which must be included in the notice of the Annual Meeting. Petitions relating to a proposition which must be included in the notice of the Annual Meeting must be submitted sixty (60) days in advance of the Annual Meeting. Any proposition may be rejected by the Trustees or Board of Education if the purpose of the proposition is not within the power of the voters, or if the proposition fails to include the necessary specific appropriation, where the expenditure of monies is required by the proposition.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTING:

1. A person shall be a citizen of the United States.

2. Eighteen or more years of age.

3. A resident of the District for a period of thirty days or more next preceding the election at which he or she offers to vote.

4. Must be registered to vote.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the vote on all propositions and the election of candidates of the aforesaid Annual Meeting Vote and Elections on May 19, 2026 will be conducted by ballot on voting machines. All references to any actions herein including, without limitation, the timing, location, and manner of hearings, registration, and voting in that Annual Meeting, are subject to modification based on applicable legislation or direction by an entity with jurisdiction over the District.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

BETHPAGE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

ELENA BECKER District Clerk

Administration Building

10 Cherry Avenue (cross street Stewart Avenue)

Bethpage, New York 11714

LEGAL NOTICES

with the issuance of such ballots and on each of the five days prior to the day of the election (except Sunday), between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, and on Saturday, May 16, 2026 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. The list will also be available at the polling place on May 19, 2026. Absentee ballots and early mail ballots will be accepted in the Office of the District Clerk of the District no later than 5:00 p.m. on May 19, 2026. Any ballot received after that time will not be counted.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that Military Voters who are not currently registered to vote may apply to register as a qualified voter of the District by contacting the District Clerk at 10 Cherry Avenue (cross street Stewart Avenue), Bethpage, New York 11714; Telephone: (516) 644-4002; or email: ebecker@bethpage.ws, to receive an application to register as a qualified voter of the District for said Annual District Meeting on May 19, 2026. The Military Voter may indicate their preference for receiving the registration application by mail, by facsimile or e-mail. The application to register must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5:00 P.M. on the twenty-sixth day before the vote (April 23, 2026). The register of voters prepared and filed in the District Clerk’s office shall include the names of all military voters who submit a valid military voter registration. A military voter means a qualified voter of New York State who is in actual military service and will, therefore, be absent from the District in which he or she is qualified to vote on the day of registration or election or is discharged from military service within 30 days of an election, or a spouse, parent, child or dependent of the military voter, accompanying or being with such voter, if a qualified voter of New York State and a resident of the same school district as the military voter, or military personnel residing on a military base within a school district in New York State for a period of 30 days immediately preceding said Annual District Meeting. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that Military Voters who are qualified voters of the District may obtain an application for a military ballot from the District Clerk at The Office of the District Clerk 10 Cherry Avenue (cross street Stewart Avenue), Bethpage, New York 11714; Telephone: (516) 644-4002; or email: ebecker@bethpage.ws. A military ballot application must be returned in person or by mail to the Office of the District Clerk, no later than 5:00 P.M. on the twentysixth day before the vote (April 23, 2026). The Military Voter may indicate their preference for receiving the application for a military ballot by mail, by facsimile or email. Military ballots will be mailed or otherwise distributed no later than 25 days (April 24, 2026) before said Annual District Meeting. Military ballots must be received by the District Clerk (1) before the close of the polls on May 19, 2026 and show a cancellation mark of the U.S postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the U.S. government or (2) by 5:00 P.M. on the date set for the Annual District Meeting and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereof, with a date which is ascertained to be not later than the day before said Annual District Meeting. Irrespective of the preferred mode of transmission, the military ballot application and military ballot must be returned by mail or in person. A list of all persons to whom military ballots shall have been issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District in the said Office of the District Clerk during regular office hours, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., (Prevailing Time), until the day of said Annual District Meeting.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTING:

1. A person shall be a citizen of the United States.

2. Eighteen or more years of age.

3. A resident of the District for a period of thirty days or more next preceding the election at which he or she offers to vote. 4. Must be registered to vote.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

BETHPAGE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

ELENA BECKER

District Clerk

Administration Building

10 Cherry Avenue (cross street Stewart Avenue)

Bethpage, New York 11714

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Formation of CAMPUS TO CORPORATE COACHING, LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/26/2026. Office loc.: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The address SSNY shall mail process to Jane H. Gewant, 20 Bucknell Dr., Plainview, NY 11803. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of formation of Kaluvakolanu Consulting LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/17/2026. 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 Secretary of State: Kaluvakolanu Consulting LLC, 329 Broadway Apt C, Bethpage, NY 11714. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Too much junk in your house?

Nashville: Music City and More

BY GERI BAIN FOR TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

You don’t have to be a country music fan to tap your feet and enjoy Nashville’s vibrant music scene. The creativity also spills over into its art, dining and decor. And of course, there’s that famous “hot chicken” and barbecue. No wonder Nashville usually ranks among the nation’s top travel spots.

To get in the mood for my trip, I watch “It All Begins with a Song,” a documentary featuring songwriters performing and talking about their creative process and the unique role of Nashville in their lives. The film leads me to expect live music everywhere, 24/7, and sure enough, there’s a band setting up at the airport when I land at noon. There’s also live music at shopping centers, banks and clubs all around the city.

The standout experience is barand band-hopping along Lower Broadway, a.k.a. Honky Tonk Highway. Here, dozens of bars serve up live music—often on multiple floors—from 10 a.m. until the wee hours of the morning. Most charge no cover charge or minimum.

After bar-hopping, I walk back to the boutique 79-room Fairlane Hotel. It’s within an easy walk of most the city’s major attractions and its colorful, mid-century modern decor complements the city’s vibrant vibe. And while it’s smack in the center of town, when I tuck in to sleep, there is zero noise.

The next day, I’m thrilled to find that Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum has a major exhibit devoted to Dolly Parton (running through September 2026). Watching a video interview with her, I learn that her song, “Coat of Many Colors,” refers

to a true story when classmates made fun of her patchwork coat. The permanent collection is equally intimate. It is laid out chronologically with listening stations and displays illustrating the evolution of country music along with costumes, instruments and memorabilia of individual artists from the Carter Family to Elvis and Jelly Roll.

I’m drawn to the Taylor Swift Education Center , a two-story, 7,500-square-foot learning space within the museum which was opened in October 2013 with a $4 million gift from Swift to fund educational programs. I gravitate to a “Songwriting Station” which invites young visitors to create their own lyrics and providing markers and coloring sheets about musical instruments. A songwriting camp, craft classes and musical performances and talks are offered, but not during my visit. Next time I’ll plan ahead!

For lunch, I head to the nearby Assembly Food Hall which features everything from Vietnamese pho to Hawaiian poke. I’m excited to try the renowned Prince’s Hot Chicken but coward that I am, I order the medium spice level because I’ve been warned the three hotter levels will burn through your entire digestive system. My chicken is deliciously tongue-tingling and sinus-clearing but not painful.

I also visit the National Museum of African Music which is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history and impact of African American music genres. At the ticket desk, I receive an RFID wristband which allows me to download playlists I create throughout the museum that are emailed to me. Exhibits trace the history of AfricanAmerican music from spirituals and gospel and their roots in indigenous African music to jazz, R&B and

hiphop. I am entranced by the interactive stations, especially the jazz table, where I play with layering on instruments and styles in the way a jazz musician might.

A short walk from here is the Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry radio show from 1943 to 1974. Interestingly, the Grand Ole Opry, isn’t a place; it’s the musical variety radio show that was the first to broadcast country music to a national audience. The Grand Ole Opry is recognized as the longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history. The show drew top talent to Nashville who to this day live in Nashville and produce music in the many studios along Music Row, and effectively kicked off the city’s growth into the musical center it is today.

On my last evening, I attend a live radio variety show at the modern “new” home of the Grand Ole Opry, located outside of downtown. On a pre-show backstage tour, I get a kick out of seeing the dressing rooms and mailboxes of Garth Brooks and other stars and catching glimpse of the celebrities as they prepare for their performances.

As I reflect on my Nashville getaway what most impresses me is that the openness, creativity and collaboration that leads to great music seems to spill over into the entire culture. Perhaps that explains the friendly, welcoming vibe that makes the city such a joy to visit.

For more information, go to www. visitmusiccity.com.

The Grand Ole Opry is a live radio show. © Geri Bain

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of April 5-11, 2026

Finding the Spring Triangle

Geometric patterns are fun to trace among the stars. In past articles, I’ve told you about the Summer Triangle, the Winter Hexagon (or Oval), and autumn’s Great Square of Pegasus. Today, I’d like to suggest you step outside one night during April to seek out what we in the Northern Hemisphere might call the Spring Triangle.

This star grouping is pretty easy to find, once you spot the Big Dipper, now standing midway up in the northeastern sky after dark.

First, use the handle of the Dipper to find the star Arcturus. Simply follow the curve of the handle away from the bowl until you encounter this yellow-orange star low in the east. Then, continue that line onward toward bluish-white Spica, a bit lower in the eastern sky.

The third star of the triangle is much higher in the east. Its name is Regulus, and we can use the Big Dipper’s bowl to find it. Locate the two stars in the bowl farthest from the handle. These, you may recall, are known as the pointer stars, because if we follow them from the bowl’s bottom to its top, and extend that line five times farther, we’ll find Polaris, the north star.

To locate Regulus, however, we will need to follow these stars in the opposite direction, from the top of the bowl to the bottom, and continue that line on until you encounter this bright star.

The Spring Triangle, much like every other geo-

Once you locate the Big Dipper in the sky, the Spring Triangle is easy to find.

metrical pattern we recognize in the sky, is not a constellation. A constellation is one of 88 officially designated areas of the heavens that represent objects, animals or people but do not necessarily resemble

LOST IN SUBURBIA

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

I’m not a great packer. I start out with the best intentions and before I know it, I have packed for every possible occasion, including being stranded on an iceberg and meeting the king of England. Since neither of these two things has ever happened, you would think I would have learned to pack more conservatively. But I have not. So when I was packing my bag for my vacation with my husband and I couldn’t even get the darn thing closed, I suspected I might have overpacked. The problem was, I needed to include clothes for two different temperate zones and four semi-dressy occasions, and my husband’s hiking boots that he forgot to pack when he went ahead of me for business two days before.

However, I am nothing if not optimistic, and I figured, if I can zip it, I can take it. True, both of my kids and I all had to sit on the mammoth suitcase to zipper it closed. And it did actually take all three of us to lift it off the bed and get it onto the floor. And it did, in fact, leave a small dent in the wood

any of them. The three stars of the Spring Triangle, however, are each the brightest of three separate constellations, and together they form an “asterism,” a group of stars that actually looks like something.

Arcturus belongs to Bootes, the herdsman, Spica marks a shaft of wheat in the hand of Virgo, the maiden, and Regulus forms the heart of Leo, the lion (and the bottom of a backward question mark of stars that outlines the lion’s head).

These three stars are also quite different from one another.

Arcturus is a red giant star located nearly 37 lightyears from us. It’s a huge star about 25 times larger, and some 170 times more brilliant, than our sun, and its orange color is pretty obvious.

Spica, on the other hand, is a blue giant star that lies about 250 lightyears from Earth. It’s part of a binary system -- two stars that revolve around each other so closely that their mutual gravitational pull distorts each into an egg shape!

The third star, Regulus, is what astronomers know as a blue straggler -- a star that’s hotter, brighter and bluer than one would expect for a star of its type. At a distance of about 79 lightyears, it, too, is not a single star but is part of a quadruple system composed of two stellar pairs that orbit one another.

Be sure to check out these three stars of the Spring Triangle on your next clear night!

Are You Calling My Bag Fat?

floor when I lost my grip and dropped it down the stairs. But I was still surprised when the check-in guy at the airport told me my bag was 10 pounds over the luggage weight limit.

“You’ll have to take some clothes out of the suitcase,” he said.

“And put them where?” I asked, wondering how many articles of clothing I could wear and still fit into my airplane seat.

He shrugged.

“Any other options?” I said.

“The weight limit in first class is 72 pounds,” he told me. “You could upgrade.”

I raised my eyebrows. “And how much is it to upgrade to first class?”

“Fifteen hundred dollars ... one way.”

I choked on my latte. “OK, that’s not going to happen. Anything else?” I looked behind me and saw the long check-in line getting longer and the other passengers growing more impatient. I thought if I didn’t wrap this up soon, someone was going to throw me on the luggage belt.

“You can pay a fee,” he added.

“Why didn’t you tell me that in the first place?” I asked him indignantly.

He shrugged. “You didn’t ask.”

I glared. He looked bored. Finally, I ponied up the money and dumped the bag back on the scale. At this point, I thought a better thing to do would be to accidentally drop my overweight bag on the guy’s foot, but I was pretty sure if I started up with him, my suitcase would somehow be rerouted to the opposite side of the globe.

Once I got past the luggage check-in, the rest of my traveling went without incident.

“Which is your bag?” my husband asked six hours later when I met him at the baggage claim.

“That one,” I said, pointing to the black and pink behemoth moving toward us.

He reached down and grabbed the handle but was forced to follow the moving suitcase for a good 10 feet while he struggled to hoist it off the belt. Finally, with a grunt, he catapulted it onto the floor.

“Oh my god,” he exhaled. “Why is this so heavy?”

I shrugged. “Must be your hiking boots.”

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.

Smart Homes and AI (Without the Hype)

Walk into almost any electronics store—or scroll through real estate listings—and you’ll see the phrase everywhere: smart home. Add “AI-powered” to the description, and suddenly a thermostat or light switch sounds like something out of a science fiction movie.

But behind the marketing language and glossy demos lies a more grounded reality. Smart home technology is not magic. Artificial intelligence in the home is not truly “thinking.” And for most homeowners, the real question isn’t what’s possible—it’s what’s practical, reliable, and worth the investment.

Let’s strip away the hype and look at what smart homes and AI actually mean today.

What “Smart” Really Means

At its core, a smart home is simply a house where devices are connected to the internet and can be controlled remotely or automatically.

That includes things like:

• Thermostats that adjust temperature based on your habits

• Lights you can control from your phone

• Cameras that send alerts when motion is detected

• Door locks you can open without a key

None of that is inherently “intelligent.” It’s automation.

The “AI” layer comes in when systems begin to learn patterns—when your thermostat notices you lower the heat every night, or when your security system distinguishes between a person and a passing car.

But even then, we’re talking about narrow, task-specific learning. Not general intelligence. Not decision-making like a human. More like pattern recognition with memory.

Where AI Actually Works Well in Homes

Despite the over promising, there are areas where AI-driven smart tech genuinely delivers value.

1. Energy Efficiency

Smart thermostats are one of the clearest success stories. They learn your schedule, adjust temperatures automatically, and can reduce energy usage without constant manual input.

The key benefit isn’t intelligence— it’s consistency. Most homeowners don’t adjust their thermostat as often as they should. Smart systems do it for them.

2. Security and Monitoring

Modern cameras and doorbells can identify motion types, recognize familiar faces, and send targeted alerts.

This reduces “false alarms”—like

notifications every time a tree branch moves— and makes monitoring more usable. Instead of constant noise, you get filtered information.

3. Leak Detection and Risk Prevention

AI-powered sensors can detect unusual water flow, humidity changes, or temperature drops that signal a problem.

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

This is where smart homes quietly shine. A small leak caught early can prevent tens of thousands of dollars in damage.

4. Voice and Convenience Layers

Voice assistants make it easier to control multiple systems at once. Turning off lights, adjusting temperature, or locking doors becomes seamless.

Again, this isn’t groundbreaking intelligence—it’s interface simplification. But it matters in daily life.

Where the Hype Gets Ahead of Reality

For every real benefit, there are areas where expectations far exceed performance.

1. “Fully Automated Living”

The idea that your home will anticipate every need and run itself flawlessly is still far off.

In reality, most systems require:

• Initial setup

• Ongoing adjustments

• Occasional troubleshooting

Homes don’t become effortless— they become different to manage.

2. Inter-connectivity Problems

Not all smart devices play well together.

Different brands use different ecosystems, and while compatibility is improving, many homeowners end up juggling multiple apps and systems.

Ironically, a “smart” home can feel fragmented.

3. Over dependence on Internet and Power

Smart homes are only as reliable as their connectivity.

• Internet outage? Many features stop working.

• Power outage? Most systems go offline unless backed up.

This is a critical flaw that’s often overlooked in the sales pitch.

4. Privacy Concerns

Devices that listen, watch, and learn inevitably raise questions:

• Where is the data going?

• Who owns it?

• How secure is it?

While major companies invest heavily in security, no system is immune

to risk.

The Hidden Cost of “Smart”

One of the biggest misconceptions is that smart homes save money across the board.

Sometimes they do. Often, they don’t.

Costs include:

• Device purchases

• Subscription services (cloud storage, monitoring, AI features)

• Upgrades and replacements

• Professional installation in some cases

And technology ages quickly. What feels cutting-edge today may feel outdated in three to five years.

Smart homes should be viewed less like permanent upgrades and more like evolving systems.

What Actually Adds Value to a Home

From a real estate perspective, not all smart features are equal.

Buyers consistently respond to:

• Smart thermostats

• Security systems (especially cameras and doorbells)

• Leak detection and water shutoff systems

• Basic lighting automation

These are practical, easy to understand, and tied to safety or savings. What doesn’t always add value:

• Highly customized or complex systems

• Niche integrations that require specific apps or knowledge

• Overly personalized automation setups

In some cases, too much complexity can actually turn buyers off.

Simplicity sells. Reliability sells. Clear benefits sell.

The Shift from “Smart” to “Resilient”

Here’s where the conversation is starting to change—and where savvy homeowners are paying attention.

The future isn’t just about smarter homes. It’s about more resilient homes. That includes:

• Backup power systems (generators, batteries)

• Systems that function offline when needed

• Redundant safety features

• Devices that prioritize alerts and prevention over convenience

In other words, technology that helps your home perform under stress—not just when everything is working perfectly.

After major storms and extended outages, homeowners rarely talk about

how convenient their voice assistant was. They talk about what kept working—and what didn’t.

A Practical Approach to Smart Home Investment

If you’re considering upgrading your home with smart technology, a grounded strategy beats an all-in approach.

Start with three questions:

1. Does this solve a real problem?

Energy waste, security concerns, water damage risk—these are real problems. Focus there first.

2. Will this still work when something goes wrong?

Power outages, internet issues, system failures—resilience matters more than features.

3. Is this simple enough for anyone to use?

If a future buyer—or even a guest— can’t easily understand it, it may not be worth the complexity.

The Bottom Line

Smart homes and AI are not gimmicks—but they’re not miracles either.

At their best, they:

• Improve efficiency

• Enhance safety

• Simplify daily routines

At their worst, they:

• Add complexity

• Create dependency

• Introduce new risks

The difference comes down to how they’re used.

The homeowners who benefit most aren’t the ones chasing the latest technology. They’re the ones applying it selectively, focusing on durability, practicality, and long-term value.

Because in the end, the smartest home isn’t the one with the most technology.

It’s the one that works—consistently, quietly, and when it matters most.

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:

Continued on page 5

Explaining Social Security ‘Claim’ Numbers

BY TOM MARGENAU

Q: I am a 78-year-old recent widow. I got my own Social Security number when I was about 20. But since my husband and I started getting Social Security benefits about 15 years ago, the correspondence I got from the Social Security Administration showed my husband’s Social Security number with a letter “B” behind it. Somebody at a Social Security office once told me this meant I was getting my wife’s benefits on his record. How does the letter “B” stand for a wife? And now that my husband has died, I notice that any mail I get from the SSA shows my husband’s number with a letter “D.” Does this mean “deceased?”

A: No, it doesn’t mean deceased. Believe it or not, it stands for “widow!” You may legitimately wonder why in the world a “D” means widow. Wouldn’t you think it should be a “W?” I will use this column to explain the mysterious world of Social Security claim numbers. Social Security Administration jargon for these numbers is “BIC codes.” BIC stands for “beneficiary identification code.”

First of all, what is a “claim number?” And how does it differ from a Social Security number? Almost everyone in this country has a Social Security number. It’s the number you give to your employer if you get a job, and it’s the number you would use to file an income tax return. It’s also the number that many government agencies and private companies use as a personal identification number for you. (The use of the SSN for personal identification is a topic for another column.)

But a claim number is the Social Security number on which you are claiming Social Security benefits. And it’s always followed by a little letter symbol to indicate the kind of benefit you have claimed. For many people, their claim number is simply their own Social Security number with a letter symbol following it -- usually an “A.” But some people claim Social Security benefits on another person’s Social Security record -- almost always a spouse and sometimes a parent. So their claim number is the spouse’s or parent’s Social Security number, followed by the appropriate claims symbol.

The little claims symbols were not assigned in any sort of meaningful pattern. In other words, the letter “R” was not used to indicate “retirement” benefits and the letter “W” wasn’t used to indicate “wife’s” or “widow’s” benefits.

Instead, the letters were essentially assigned alphabetically, as benefits were added to Social Security law. Here is a list of the claims symbols used. It’s not a complete list.

-- This claims symbol indicates you are getting your own retirement benefits.

B -- You are getting benefits as an aged (over 62) wife on your husband’s record.

B1 -- You are getting benefits as an aged (over 62) husband on your wife’s record.

B2 -- You are getting benefits on your husband’s record as a young wife (under age 62) caring for his minor child.

B6 -- You are getting benefits as a divorced wife on your ex-husband’s record.

C -- You are getting benefits as a child on your parents’ record.

D -- You are getting aged (over age 60) widow’s benefits from your deceased husband’s record.

D1 -- You are getting aged (over age 60) widower’s benefits from your deceased wife.

D6 -- You are getting divorced, widow’s benefits.

E -- You are getting mother’s benefits -- paid to a widow under age 60 who is caring for the minor children of a father who has died.

E1 -- Same as above, except you are divorced from the father.

E4 -- You are getting father’s benefits -- paid to a widower under age 60 who is caring for the minor children of a mother who has died.

F -- You are getting benefits as a dependent parent on a grown son or daughter’s Social Security account (very rare).

HA -- You are getting disability benefits on your own account. (Although sometimes the SSA shortens this to just “A.”)

M -- You don’t have enough work credits for regular Social Security and you only qualify for Part B Medicare benefits.

T -- You are not insured for Social Security benefits, but you are eligible for Part A hospital coverage from Medicare. (See below for more information.)

W -- You are getting disabled widow’s benefits on your deceased husband’s account.

W1 -- You are getting disabled widow’s benefits on your deceased wife’s account.

More about the “T” code. In the past, the “T” code was reserved only for those very few people who were not eligible for any kind of Social Security benefit but had paid taxes into the Medicare program. But when the full retirement age climbed beyond age 65, and people affected by that change started reaching that age, the SSA had to change its claims filing rules. Those rules say that you can file for Medicare at age 65 without having to file for Social Security benefits. And these folks had to be given a claim number.

It couldn’t be an “A” BIC code, which again means you are getting retirement benefits. So, they used the “T” code, and the definition was changed to “entitled to Medicare but not yet entitled to Social Security.” That means the once little-used “T” BIC is now very common. There are currently millions of “T” beneficiaries. If you are one, meaning you took Medicare at 65 but are waiting until full retirement

age, or maybe age 70, to file for Social Security, whenever you do that, your claim number will change from your SSN with a “T” to your SSN with an “A.” Again, this list is not complete. In fact, if you do a Google search for “Social Security BIC codes,” you will find a list of about a hundred codes, most of them for extremely rare benefits. My list in this column shows only the more common beneficiary codes. But “common” is a relative term. Many of the benefits listed above are infrequently paid. For example, you could almost count on your hands the number of people getting “F”

(parents’ benefits) or “W1” (disabled widower’s benefits).

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

The velvety grass in our old back yard

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

The back yard of my childhood home didn’t seem that important when my family first moved in. Maybe the time of year had something to do with itwe’d unpacked and settled in on a cool October day and in a couple of months the snow would come and blanket our house and yards. It wasn’t until the spring and summer months arrived that we checked it out and really started playing in the yard.

My mom planted geraniums and daffodils by the front door to make it look pretty and the back yard? We kids declared that our domain and we enjoyed playing in it. That meant it wasn’t just for us six Lynch kids, it was for our cousins and whatever neighborhood kids we felt like inviting over.

What made me think of all the fun my siblings, friends and I had playing in my back yard was an episode of “House Hunters” I saw on TV recently. A young couple looked at three possible homes and they told their realtor ahead of time what their most important criteria was. Stairs were out, ranches were in.

One husband wanted a good back yard for their children to play in but his wife didn’t consider that a priority. She focused more on the total number of bedrooms and bathrooms and she wanted a good-sized living room or great room so the whole family could hang out together and entertain friends.

As a kid growing up in Rockville Centre we made good use of our back yard especially in the summer when school was closed. I remember having friends over and my best friend lived next door so Nicole was a frequent visitor. There was no fence between

her property and our property just her narrow driveway so we went back and forth easily.

My younger sister, Susan, had a friend named Anne come over and her sister, Nancy, would tag along with her. She was just a year younger than Susan and Anne so Nancy was all ears. She took in whatever the two girls talked about. I was three years older than Susan and Anne so every so often I’d join them and tell them what to expect the next school year at St. Agnes Elementary School since I was ahead of them and knew all the teachers.

They liked hearing all the details about what was expected of them and Nancy knew she may as well listen, too. The four of us would drink iced tea or cool glasses of water and shoot the breeze until it was time for Anne and Nancy to go home for lunch, dinner or whatever their mom needed them for.

They lived on the next block so they’d very conveniently cut through a neighbor’s back yard and hop a low wooden fence to get to our back yard. Easy peasy.

My parents set up chairs and a table on the patio but we kids liked exploring the land - seeing the trees, bushes and flowers up close. We enjoyed spending

REAL ESTATE WATCH

Smart Homes and AI

(Without the Hype)

Continued from page 3

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time in nature, not that it was the country but compared to Brooklyn, where we’d come from not that long ago, it felt like being in the country.

Dad mowed the lawn every two weeks whether it needed it or not so many times we’d place large striped beach towels and lie on what felt like the velvety grass. It was healthy, it was seeded and it got just the right amount of light so that lawn looked pretty majestic both close up and far away if I say so myself. If there had been a prize for lawn care on our block in the 1960s and ‘70s I bet my dad would have won it.

In one of those memorable days that I am still kidded about, one summer day when Nicole and I had too much time on our hands we got the idea to try one of our parent’s cigarettes. Knowing we had to hide what we were doing because we were probably 13 years old, we leaned on that low fence behind Nicole’s garage and lit up. We each took a puff on the cigarette and coughing, we scrunched up our faces.

Seeing the occasional adult smoking looked so glamorous to us kids but we soon realized it wasn’t for us. Before we came to that conclusion, however, Michelle caught us smoking because she had seen smoke rising and smelled

it. Asking us what we were doing, we both shrugged and stomped out the cigarette.

Michelle rolled her eyes and promised to tell Mom but the funny thing is neither of us ever smoked again. We tease Michelle and say she must not have been a kid and tried pushing the boundaries but still, that afternoon is something she’ll never let me forget.

When my cousin, Elaina, came to spend a few days with us we’d hold court in the back yard since it was our territory. Elaina lived near White Plains so it took about 45 minutes by car to get to Rockville Centre. At night my parents would take all of us kids to Jahn’s on Sunrise Hwy. for ice cream or to play miniature golf and ride the carousel at Nunley’s in Baldwin and we all had a great time.

We still tease Elaina about her time sleeping at our house especially the time my older sister, Michelle, short-sheeted Elaina’s bed and when she tried hopping into bed the first night to get some sleep she couldn’t imagine why her feet wouldn’t go in the sheet and light blanket.

The next day we’d go swimming or spend some time hanging out in the back yard. Elaina liked our yard as much as we did and sometimes I’d spend time hanging out in her back yard not just with Elaina but with their dog, Willy. That Willy was a large black Labrador Retriever who kept me on my toes. He was quick and wily and when we kids were 11, 12 and 13 years old Willy had no trouble good naturedly chasing us around their yard. With family and friends, we had fun every summer.

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Cupcakes

Easter is widely characterized as the holiest day of the year on the Christian calendar. Faith features prominently in modern Easter celebrations, which also include some secular traditions, particularly in families with young children. The Easter bunny and Easter egg hunts are not necessarily the focal point of Easter for adult Christians, but children greatly enjoy these traditions.

It’s customary to give young children a basket of treats on Easter Sunday. Though store-

For the cupcakes:

4 ounces butter

1⁄2 cup sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1 1⁄4 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1⁄2 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the grass:

4 1⁄2 ounces unsalted butter

1 1⁄3 cup icing sugar

1) For the cupcakes: Heat the oven to 375° F. Place paper cupcake liners in a 12-serving muffin tin.

2) Beat the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy.

3) Gradually beat in the eggs, beating until fully incorporated into the mixture.

4) Sift in the dry ingredients and gently stir into the mixture. Stir in the milk and vanilla until blended.

5) Spoon the mixture into the paper liners. Bake for about 20 minutes, until golden. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then place on a wire rack to cool completely.

6) For the grass: Beat the butter until soft. Sift in the icing sugar and beat until smooth. Beat in the vanilla and milk until blended. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of buttercream and set aside.

7) Beat the food coloring into the larger amount of buttercream.

8) Spoon into a piping bag with a grass nozzle. Pipe on top of the

bought treats are easy to come by, homemade items can be even more special. This recipe for Easter-themed “Vanilla Cupcakes” from Lines+Angles, is sure to get a laugh out of youngsters, who also won’t mind taking a bite or two of these tasty treats. Makes 12 cupcakes

1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon milk

Green food coloring

To decorate:

11 ounces white sugarpaste/fondant

4 ounces pink sugarpaste/fondant

Icing sugar

Mini sugar eggs

cupcakes, starting at the outside edge and working in circles. pulling up and away when a buttercream strand is long enough.

9) Roll pieces of white sugarpaste into 12 medium balls for the bodies and 24 small thick rectangles for the paws. Reserve some white sugarpaste.

10) Brush the paws lightly with a little water and attach to the bodies (see photo).

11) Roll 12 small balls and 72 tiny balls of pink sugarpaste. Cut the larger balls in half and press into oval shapes. Brush lightly with water and attach to the paws. Attach 3 tiny balls to each paw with a little water.

12) Put the reserved buttercream into a piping bag with a grass nozzle and pipe a ‘tail’ on each bunny.

13) Arrange the sugar eggs on the cupcakes.

14) Roll out the sugarpaste trimmings separately on a surface dusted with icing sugar and cut out flowers (as in the photo) and place on the cupcakes.

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Boosting Immunity Allergies, Fatigue, Discomfort After Chemo Cardiac Issues Treated Lower Cholesterol,

Wisdom Lane students race against time

Sixth graders at Wisdom Lane Middle School completed an intense bottle flipping challenge during the annual schoolwide Relay Race on March 19.

The entire Wisdom Lane Middle School community in the Levittown School District broke out into teams on March 19 as each grade raced against time to complete a series of challenges in the annual Relay Race.

It was an incredible feat of teamwork as sixth graders dressed in red, seventh graders dressed in green and eighth graders dressed in purple as hallways, classrooms and the gymnasium were transformed to areas where students faced off. Starting with an exciting opening as teammates cheered on their

peers from the gymnasium bleachers, each challenge bumped up the intensity as teams stayed in close competition. Challenges included completing math problems, a three-legged race, shooting basketballs and dribbling soccer balls on Wisdom’s new field. Some challenges required a high level of coordination, such as an egg toss on the lawn and a race against the clock to pass a ball backwards, alternating between overhead and underhand. Ultimately, the sixth grade team came out on top.

Photos courtesy Levittown Public Schools