Armed Forces Appreciation Day
The Town of Oyster Bay invites all veterans and active-duty military personnel to a special Armed Forces Appreciation Day Celebration on Friday, May 16, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Syosset-Woodbury Community Park (7800 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury). This FREE event is dedicated to the brave men and women who have answered the call to serve our great nation. Join us as we come together in patriotic unity to honor those who have fought to protect our freedoms.
The event will include:
• A Complimentary AllAmerican BBQ – A lunch in honor of our heroes!
• Live Patriotic Entertainment – Featuring the nationally acclaimed American Bombshells
• A Salute to Our Hometown
If
Heroes – Recognizing those who have served with honor
“The men and women of our Armed Forces embody courage, sacrifice, and patriotism,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “This celebration is a heartfelt thank-you to those who have defended our freedoms, ensuring that America remains the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
To accommodate as many hometown heroes as possible, each veteran or active-duty service member may bring one guest to share in this special day. Call (516) 797-4121 to reserve your spot!
Town Councilman Lou Imbroto concluded, “Let’s raise our flags, stand together, and show our deep appreciation for those who have served. God bless our troops, our veterans, and the United States of America!”
2355 S. Pershing Blvd., Baldwin 1269 Raymond Road, Bellmore
2788 Clarendon Avenue, Bellmore
47-43 243rd Street, Douglaston
Leonard Drive, E. Northport
Hollyoak Avenue, E. Hampton
Bellmore Road, East Meadow
Hampton Place, Freeport
Free car seat safety checks
36 Elliot Place, Merrick
901 Putnam Avenue, Merrick
1811 Princeton Place, Merrick
1664 Buckingham Road, Merrick
57 Sycamore Avenue, Merrick
111 Doris Avenue, N. Bellmore
2323 Logue Street, N. Bellmore
POINT LOOKOUT
Sutton Place, Greenport
Mead Avenue, Hicksville
Leach Street, Lynbrook
Plymouth Drive, Massapequa
36 Garfield Place, Massapequa
121 Violet Street, Massapequa Park
1805 Commonwealth Avenue, Merrick 1651 Bridge Street, Merrick 1808 Meadowbrook Road, Merrick 1668 Kensington Avenue, Merrick
14 Fairfield Lane, New Hyde Park
231 Shelter Road, Ronkonkoma
3762 Tiana Street, Seaford 510 Dubois Avenue, Valley Stream 3064 Riverside Drive, Wantagh
570 Peter Paul Drive, West Islip
Nassau County Deputy Minority Leader Arnold Drucker, partnering with the Nassau County Police Department, will offer free child car seat safety checks on June 18. Archival photo from 2024 courtesy Office of Deputy Minority Leader Arnold Drucker.
Town beach passes on sale May 10
The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that seasonal beach parking sticker sales and the free distribution of stickers to senior citizens and the disabled will begin on Saturday, May 10. The Oyster Bay Town Board has restricted beach access to residents only. A major sand replenishment project was completed over the past several months.
Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino stated, “Break out the beach towels and sunscreen because summer is just around the corner, and so are our beach sticker sales! The Town of Oyster Bay is a true staycation destination offering some of the best beaches in the world. By purchasing a beach sticker in advance, you can avoid the inevitable lines that often accompany the start of the beach season and spend more time with your feet in the sand instead.”
Beach parking stickers will be on sale beginning Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. daily at John J. Burns Town Park in Massapequa, Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay and at TOBAY Beach. Beginning Saturday, May 24, beach parking stickers will be available for purchase on weekends only from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Centre Island Beach in Bayville and Philip B. Healey Beach at Florence Avenue in Massapequa. On Saturday, June 21, beach parking stickers will be available for purchase daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tappen Beach in Sea Cliff, and in Bayville at Charles E. Ransom and Stehli beaches. To purchase a beach parking sticker for your vehicle, residents must present a valid NYS driver’s license with residency in the Town of Oyster Bay, their vehicle registration, and bring the vehicle they
plan to drive to the beach. Parking stickers are placed on the vehicle at the time of purchase. Only residents may purchase beach parking stickers for Town of Oyster Bay beaches. Beach parking stickers are $60, which pay for themselves following three visits.
Free Passes for Senior Citizens: Town of Oyster Bay residents aged 60+ can obtain a free parking sticker by presenting their driver's license with Town residency and their vehicle registration. After receiving the sticker, senior residents must be present in the vehicle for entry on each visit. If visiting the beach in another vehicle, seniors can show their driver's license and get a free day pass.
Free Passes for Disabled / Social Security Recipients: Residents who are permanently disabled or receive social security can acquire a free beach
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parking pass by showing their Notice of Award Letter or Handicapped Parking Permit issued from the Nassau County Department Office for the Physically Challenged, alongside with a valid driver’s license showing residency in the Town and vehicle registration. A parking sticker will then be adhered to the vehicle.
Discounts for Volunteer Firefighters & Veterans: Town of Oyster Bay volunteer firefighters, active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces, and veterans’ quality for beach parking passes at reduced rates.
Only cashless payments are accepted, including credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay. For more information, please call the Town of Oyster Bay Parks Department, Beaches Division, at (516) 797-4111.
We’re looking for writers in our community to compose ar ticles on local topics, opinions, reviews, worthy places to visit on Long Island, and even pieces of fiction. We aim to feature at least one new article and writer each week in our Discovery magazine section.
Email submissions: editor@gcnews.com
• Attach article and any photos (1MB), along with your name and contact info.
• Articles must be between 1,500 - 3,000 words. • Each writer will be reimbursed a stipend of $25.⁰⁰
Wisdom Lane’s Terrific Kids
Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray congratulated Wisdom Lane Middle School students Ekkam Bhandal, Julianna Cruz, Raffaella Digrigoli, Sheikha Musfera, Jocelyn Navas, Randy Niola Yuquilima, Rumahi Rakhra, and Gabe Rappaport as they were named “Terrific Kids” by the Levittown Kiwanis Club. Also attending were Levittown Kiwanians Pat Carney, Phyllis Camillone, Advisor Scott Hass, Gary Crozier, and Diane Mortagua; Principal John Avena; Superintendent of Schools Todd Winch; Nassau County Legislators John Ferretti and Tom McKEvitt; and other friends and neighbors.
Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray congratulated Wisdom Lane Middle School students Isabella Barriga, Aiden Colin, Nathalie Contreras, Amelia Easton, Daniella Juarez, Martha Anne Sonata Marigmen, and Klaudiusz Swierczekas as they were named “Terrific Kids” by the Levittown Kiwanis Club. Also attending were Levittown Kiwanians Pat Carney, Phyllis Camillone, Advisor Scott Hass, Gary Crozier, and Diane Mortagua; Principal John Avena; Superintendent of Schools Todd Winch; Nassau County Legislators John Ferretti and Tom McKEvitt; and other friends and neighbors.
Upcoming Events at the Jericho Public Library
Friday, May 9
2:00 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Great Performers: Betty Grable: Million Dollar Legs with Marc CourtadeBetty Grable was one of Hollywood’s most popular actresses during the 1940s. Her famous pin-up pose during World War II adorned barracks all around the world, and she became the highest-paid actress in Hollywood. She was famous for her “million dollar legs,” and acknowledged “there are two reasons why I am successful in show business and I am standing on both of them.” Her film popularity continued until musicals declined in the 1950s, when she focused on the stage and night clubs. Her films are highly entertaining, and Grable remains a shining example of a true star.
4:00 p.m.: Plant a Smile for Someone Special (Grades 2–5)Decorate a flower pot and plant a beautiful flower for someone special! It's a fun, creative way to make a special gift just in time for Mother ’ s Day. Come ready to paint, plant, and spread some love.
Saturday, May 10
2:00 p.m.: Art Reception - The “!What's New?” exhibit, presented by the Long Island Craft Guild, will showcase the latest creations from its talented artists. This exhibit offers a glimpse into what the members have been working on lately - whether it's exploring new techniques, experi -
menting with different craft mediums, or pushing the boundaries of their art. It ’ s a celebration of their evolving skills, fresh perspectives, and the exciting directions their work is taking.
Monday, May 12
7:00 p.m.: Teens: Rainbow Grilled Cheese - Join us in the early celebration of Summer Reading as we create “ Color Our World ” themed rainbow grilled cheeses! Shredded mozzarella will be tossed in a powdered food coloring and we will assemble our sandwiches to be grilled and enjoyed!
7:00 p.m.: Book Discussion:
“Freckle Juice” by Judy Blume (Grades 1 & 2) - Come to this book discussion to talk about “ Freckle Juice ” by Judy Blume. After registering, pick up a copy of the book to read and be prepared to talk about it with your peers.
Tuesday, May 13
9:30 a.m.: Adult Walking Club (Weather Permitting) - All levels, all abilities are welcome. Join us for a 45 minute walk around the neighborhood. It’s an opportunity to get some exercise, meet new people, spend time with a friend and enjoy some conversation. Meet us in front of the library. Participants must wear sneakers and bring a bottle of water.
10:00 a.m.: Caring Cubs (Ages
2 to 4 Years) - This class is a mini wonderland where tiny tots dive into the world of learning, socializing, and jamming to catchy tunes. Led by a social worker, by the end, you and your little one will strut out with a fresh skill, a new friend, or a heartwarming connection like never before.
11:00 a.m.: VIRTUAL: Guided Meditation for Self-Healing with Patricia Anderson - Join Pat for one or all of the meditation sessions to bring harmony and balance into your life. Learn the beautiful practice of Jin Shin Jyutsu to help your body heal and keep you relaxed.
Wednesday, May 14
10:00 a.m.: Stepping Stones to Milestones (Ages 24–36 Months)
- Come join Miss Renee and Miss Amy for an adventure in Language, Learning and FUN! Creative activities will focus on helping your child as they venture down the path toward age appropriate milestones.
11:00 a.m.: Stepping Stones to Milestones (Ages 18–23 Months)
- Come join Miss Renee and Miss Amy for an adventure in Language, Learning and FUN! Creative activities will focus on helping your child as they venture down the path toward age appropriate milestones.
6:30 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Free Creative Writing Workshop - Do you like to write but don’t know where to begin? You can write on
any topic and genre. It can be a short story, poetry, fairy tale, a reflective memoir, fiction or non-fiction. There are no limitations. Through both writing and reading we hope you will be inspired!
Thursday, May 15
10:30 a.m.: Giggles and Grooves with Rebecca (Ages 1–5) - Join Ms. Rebecca from Giggles and Grooves for a morning of singing, dancing, and playing! In this class, children will listen to the guitar and explore different instruments, movement toys, puppets, parachute and bubbles. Let ’ s make music together!
7:00 p.m.: VIRTUAL : Going to College with Chronic Health Conditions with Dana Sperber, LCSW - This presentation will guide students and their parents/caregivers through key practical, logistical, and emotional considerations for managing your medical needs as you transition to campus life. We’ll cover important topics such as applying for accommodations, self-advocacy on campus, navigating social environments, and essential questions to discuss with your healthcare team before classes begin. This program is designed for both students and their parents to help ensure a smooth and successful college experience.
7:00 p.m.: Books Before Bedtime (Ages 4–8) - Listen to a read a loud and then watch a short film all before bedtime!
LEGAL NOTICES
NASSAU COUNTY
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
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 8, 2025, at 5:00 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 20, 2025, as hereinafter set forth.
To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
3. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that said vote and election will be held on May 20, 2025 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 2025 – 26 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 2025 – 26 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, 2025, and expiring on June 30, 2028, to succeed incumbent Annette Beiner whose term expires on June 30, 2025.
5. To elect one (1) member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term commencing July 1, 2025, and expiring on June 30, 2028, to succeed incumbent Linda Imbriale whose term expires on June 30, 2025.
6. To elect one (1) trustee of the Library Board of Trustees for a five (5) year term commencing on July 1, 2025, and expiring on June 30, 2030, to succeed incumbent Mary D'Antonio.
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 21, 2025, between 9 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., prevailing time. All nominating petitions must be signed by 25 (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 6, 2025 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 15, 2025, 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 20, 2025, 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 2026, 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 516-733-2104 for information about accessibility.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that beginning seven (7) days immediately preceding the April 30, 2025, 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
9, 2025
York, will in the request, Nassau, Stewart p.m.
(Proposition 1) 2008 District's of thirty The purpose expenditure Fund. Education as 2025. 30, 2025. 30, 2025. the the District’s law, and vacancy on if any. thousand and who disqualified from Law of the whose to vote at the of day of from 8:00 a.m.
purposes
stated Annual the Dis(14) days
F riday, May 9, 2025
Plainview FD honored for response to blaze Levittown Chamber Spotlight on Business
From page 1
rushed to the scene after the fire broke out in a second-story apartment at around 5 a.m. As then-Plainview First Assistant Chief Andrew Cohen banged on doors at the Harmon Shepherd Hill apartments from a blaze during the early morning hours of February 18, 2024, his radio stopped working — yet he persisted with his rescue efforts.
While he and Rivera carried a resident to safety, Brandon Cohen and Harris together commanded a hose line as debris collapsed around them, which staved off the fire long enough for his father to escape.
Once the blaze was brought somewhat under control, Plainview firefighters re-entered the building with mutual aid from the Hicksville Fire Department to complete their rescue efforts. While two
residents of the complex perished in the blaze, the heroic efforts of that morning saved the lives of more than a dozen people.
“When I heard all the sirens and received the notification on my phone, I drove over to lend a hand in any way that I could — and what took place was amazing,” Deputy Minority Leader Drucker said. “Without hesitation, these men rushed into this apartment complex, which was engulfed in flames and on the verge of collapse, and saved dozens of residents’ lives. It was truly a team effort — and if you asked these gentlemen, they would tell you this was simply the call of duty. But I can assure you, gentlemen: Your willingness to put yourself at risk in such a profound way for the sake of your neighbors is beyond commendable.”
SUBMITTED BY THE LEVITTOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Levittown Chamber of Commerce would like to introduce Donald Patane, CFS, a Financial Adviser and one of the founders of Main Street Financial Group. He is a long- time resident of Levittown and a Past President of Levittown Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves on the Board of Directors. He has offices in Levittown and Kings Park.
His goal is to help make his clients financially secure through each phase of his clients' lives. By emphasizing his clients' personal goals, objectives and risk tolerances as the driving forces behind his financial strategies, he helps
See page 15
LEGAL NOTICES
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 17, 2025 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 20, 2025. 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 20, 2025. 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, 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 20, 2025. 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 24, 2025). 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, 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 twenty-sixth day before the vote (April 24, 2025). 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 25, 2025) before said Annual District Meeting. Military ballots must be received by the District Clerk (1) before the close of the polls on May 20, 2025 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 39 qualified voters of the District and filed in the office of the District Clerk on or before April 21, 2025, 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 20, 2025 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 Cherry and Stewart Avenues Bethpage, New York 11714
Donald Patane
NASSAU COUNTY
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION
Notice of Formation of Mashawears Media LLC. Art. of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/09/2025. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to: 998C Old Country Rd. #259, Plainview, NY 11803. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
NASSAU COUNTY
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION
Notice of Formation of Day To Day Senior Care Consult & Services LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/06/2025. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Charles Day: 100 Duffy Ave, Hicksville NY 11801. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
NASSAU COUNTY
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST RAJESHWARI SINGH; HARENDRA SINGH; ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered November 3, 2017, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 4336 Hicksville Road, Bethpage, NY 11714. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 52, Block 310, Lot 43. Approximate amount of judgment
$459,790.32 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #009094/2015. Brian Davis, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 17-006341 85174
BOE honors Science Olympiad students
At the April 23 Hicksville Board of Education meeting, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Ted Fulton recognized the achievements of Hicksville students who excelled in recent Science Olympiad competitions at both the middle and high school levels.
Founded in 1984, Science Olympiad is a nationwide program designed to foster interest and excellence in science, technology, engineering and math. Through engaging, collaborative and competitive tournaments, students participate in events that combine academic rigor with hands-on engineering challenges.
The Hicksville Middle School Science Olympiad teams competed in the regional event at Kellenberg Memorial High School, earning medals in 15 of the 23 events. Team A’s outstanding performance secured 4th place overall and an invitation to the State Tournament, held at East Syracuse-Minoa
LEGAL NOTICES
NASSAU COUNTY
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION
Notice of Formation of Aspire to Thrive LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/21/2025. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Angelique P Stacey: 219 Princess Street Hicksville, NY 11801. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
NASSAU COUNTY
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION
Notice of Formation of king Gambits ent llc. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/11/2024. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to united states corporation Agents, INC: 7014 13th Avenue Suite 202 Brooklyn NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
High School on April 4 and 5. There, they earned medals in five events and placed 15th out of 40 participating teams.
State Medal Winners – Middle School:
• Air Trajectory – 6th place: Veer Jaggi and Antonios Tsirigos
• Code Busters – 10th place: Jay Pharma, GiGi Goh, and Aman Aenugu
• Crime Busters – 6th place: Luke Van Bell and Antonios Tsirigos
• Entomology – 8th place: GiGi Goh and Eason Liu
• Potions and Poisons – 5th place: Saanvi Ahuja and Luke Van Bell
Hicksville High School students also delivered a strong showing at their regional competition at Division High School, collecting a total of 33 medals across three teams. Team A ranked in the top 5 in 12 events and earned 3rd place overall, advancing to the State Tournament at Le Moyne College in Syracuse on March 21 and 22. For the first time in school history, the high school team finished in the top 10 statewide, placing 9th.
State
Medal Winners – High School:
• Anatomy and Physiology – 4th place: Kimberly Widjaja and Tasmiya Rahman
• Code Busters – 10th place: Sissi Goh, Tristhan Cheung, and Sami Hayat
• Ecology – 5th place: Ian Kim and Anusha Shah
• Entomology – 9th place: Sissi Goh and Tasmiya Rahman
• Fossils – 10th place: Kimberly Widjaja and Kapish Pharma
• Geologic Mapping – 4th place: Kailash Thayavally and Ian Kim
• Robot Tour – 5th place: Krishang Gupta and Nirvair Singh
• Tower – 4th place: Arnav Chhatwal and Kimberly Widjaja
Levittown Chamber
Spotlight on Business
From page 14
them achieve a level of comfort regardless of the economic and financial conditions.
Patane is licensed to conduct securities/investment transactions in addition to being licensed in Life and Health insurance and thus Don helps clients with a variety of financial concerns including life insurance, disability and long-term care insurances, retirement planning (401k, IRA, Rollovers), college planning and general investments. Don's practice involves initially sitting with people to discuss their goals and desires in a free consultation. If he feels
he can help, he will receive compensation from whichever companies and/or products he uses to find the best solution for the client. He generally does not charge the client a fee.
Patane has a busy life of further volunteer work. He is a member of the Levittown Kiwanis Club, Levittown Lions Club and Levittown Community Council. He also serves on the Board of Directors for YES Community Counseling Center.
Patane is also a member of the “Gazebo Gang” which is involved with Community work projects to better the appearance of Levittown such
as the Veterans Gazebo, silhouettes and 911 memorial in Veterans Memorial Park. He is also an Ex Navy-Lieutenant and is a member of American Legion Post 1711. In addition, he also belongs to several groups that help seniors and their needs. Namely Senior Umbrella Networks of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens chapters, NAIPC (National Aging in Place) and Gerontology Professional of NY (for which he serves as Treasurer).
Patane can be contacted either at his Levittown office (516-579-6259) or his Kings Park office (631-269-2300 x108) or by email at dpatane@msfg. info
Students from Hicksville Middle and High Schools earned medals during various Science Olympiad events.
Photos courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools
Discover Long Island Navigates New Challenges as it Searches for New Leader
BY KAREN RUBIN
TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE
Long Island is getting ready for its prime tourism season but with a set of unanticipated challenges: the virtual boycott by Canadian visitors, antagonism of Europeans, and Americans’ economic anxiety. This is where a professional tourism marketing organization rises to the fore, but this year, Discover Long Island will soldier on without Kristen Reynolds, CDME, who for the past 10 years has lead and reshaped it. (The organization has just appointed the current Board Chair Mitch Pally as Interim President & CEO as a search is underway for a new president and CEO.)
I’m betting that most Long Islanders do not understand the importance tourism plays in our economy and quality of life, and I am certain most do not understand what Discover Long Island does.
“It’s always a challenge to educate locals why tourism matters,” Reynolds said in a telephone interview just before her final day, April 25. “It’s not just about bragging. It’s about the economy. Long Island in particular has challenges understanding the true value to every resident. We’re lucky - our proximity to New York City, incredible beach locations insure the island will be busy during summer weekends.”
It helps having two major airports,Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia, feeding into the region. Now MacArthur Airport in Islip is growing as well, giving Long Islanders to get to Florida in a hur-
Discover Long Island has been promoting the 100th anniversary of the publication of Great Necker F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “Great Gatsby” for a year, promoting Gatsby-era mansions like The Oheka, now a hotel, in Suffolk © Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com
ry.”Discover Long Island’s task is to ”change the direction” and entice travelers to take advantage of the new routes to come to Long Island.
“We’re working closely, making strides to bring people in, as opposed to out – especially the international visitors who come through JFK. As a destination, we are lucky to have that feeder market – people don’t realize tourism is an economic strategy.”
Most Long Islanders view tourists as a burden, overcrowding their beaches in summer. The task for DLI is to attract visitors “not just over summer weekends when the weather is good. There is so much to see and do across Long Island-, sea to sea, shore to shore. We want to welcome people when we want, so it would be more of
a year-round strategy, and not such a burden on locals.”
Tourism is a $7.5 billion industry on Long Island – bringing 42 million visitors a year and supporting 76,000 jobs– and this is without a convention center, which Reynolds says is both the initiative she is most proud of bringing to the fore and most disappointed to be leaving unfinished.
Consider this: Chicago, where Reynolds will become the CEO and president of Choose Chicago (Discover Long Island’s counterpart) gets 52 million visitors a year with largest convention center in North America; her mission will be to develop more tourist traffic.
For Long Island residents, that $7.5 billion in visitor spending means $900
million in local and state tax revenues a year – paying for the public services, roads and infrastructure that contribute to Long Islanders’ quality of life. The funds help sustain cherished sites as Old Bethpage Village Restoration, Cradle of Aviation Museum, the Long Island Aquarium, Montauk Point Lighthouse, Sag Harbor Whaling Museum, and Old Westbury Gardens for all of us.
Over the past 10 years, she helped increase that tourism dollar spend by $2 billion from 2015’s $5.3 billion.“[Chicago was] very excited about what we’ve done over 10 years.”
But for the past year, those figures do not include Nassau County, since Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman pulled Nassau out of Discover Long Island and handed the $1 million per year contract to promote tourism to RRDA, a brand marketer with no tourism promotion experience.
“So many Nassau major attractions have opted to pay directly – they understand the value of Discover Long Island, the importance of being able to promote to a global audience, bringing visitors from outside the region, so they pay out of their own budgets,” Reynolds said.
Attractions that have opted to pay to stay part of Discover Long Island include the UBS Arena, Old Westbury Gardens, WildPlay at Jones Beach, Old Bethpage Village Restoration, the Children’s Museum, and Cradle of Aviation Museum.
The money for tourism promotion does not come from county taxes but from the county’s hotel-motel tax, so is literally paid by the visitors that May 9, 2025
Continued on next page
Celebrating Mother’s Day in a special way
BY CLAIRE LYNCH
Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 11, this year and one woman who most people know is actress Patricia Heaton. She played Debra Barone on the TV show “Everybody Loves Raymond” which ran from 1996 to 2005.
The show worked well because both Ray Romano as Ray Barone and Patricia Heaton as Debra Barone are good comedic actors. The chemistry between Ray Romano and Patricia Heaton was real and it allowed audiences to believe that they actually were watching a married couple go back and forth discussing their three kids, in-laws, golf games and other everyday subjects.
Heaton won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series plus another Emmy for Outstanding Culinary Program.
Patricia Helen Heaton was born on March 4, 1958, in Bay Village, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. She is the daughter of Patricia and Chuck Heaton, who was a sportswriter for “The Plain Dealer.” The fourth of five children, Heaton’s mother passed away when she was just 12 years old.
Heaton attended Ohio State University where she became a member of the Delta Gamma sorority and graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts in drama. Later in 1980, Heaton moved to New York City to study with drama teacher William Esper. Heaton made her first Broadway appearance in the chorus of “Don’t Get God Started” in 1987 then she and fellow students created Stage Three, an off-Broadway acting troupe.
Heaton auditioned for the role of Elaine Benes on “Seinfeld” in 1989. When Stage Three brought one of its productions to Los Angeles, Heaton caught the eye of a casting director for the ABC drama series “Thirtysomething.” She played an oncologist and had six appearances on the series from 1989 to
1991. Other guest appearances include “Alien Nation” in 1989, “Matlock” in 1990 and a supporting role in “Shattered Dreams,” also out in 1990, which was a made-for-TV movie.
In 1992 Heaton made her big screen debut appearing in a supporting role in the comedy-drama film “Memoirs of an Invisible Man.” Later that year, she appeared in the popular family comedy film “Beethoven.” From 1992 to 1993, Heaton starred as a lead character in the ABC sitcom “Room for Two.”
In 1994 she starred in another sitcom, “Someone Like Me,” but it only lasted for six episodes on NBC. Later that year, Heaton appeared in the comedy-drama film, “The New Age.” In 1995 she starred opposite Delta Burke in the CBS sitcom “Women of the House,” a spin-off of “Designing Women.”
Patricia Heaton also played Frankie Heck in the ABC sitcom “The Middle,” which ended in May 2018 after nine seasons. The show centered around the Heck family’s life and featured Heaton as the matriarch.
Heaton has been married to English actor and director David Hunt since 1990. They have four sons and they divide their time between Los Angeles and Cambridge, England. Her memoir,
“Motherhood and Hollywood: How to Get a Job Like Mine,” was published by Villard Books in 2002 and made the N.Y. Times bestsellers list. In 2020, Heaton released the book, “Your Second Act: Inspiring Stories of Reinvention.”
Right after college Patricia Heaton moved to New York City. She worked at different jobs including waitressing and proofreading. She met David Hunt when she sublet a room from him as he was leaving Manhattan for an acting job, according to People. They fell in love and eventually moved to Los Angeles, where they married in 1990 and found out how much they enjoyed entertaining.
“I love parties,” Hunt has said. “Love them. I grew up in a working-class household in England, and I was often lonely, so now that I have the chance to have people over, I enjoy it tremendously. I think I’m trying to make up for lost time.”
Patricia Heaton and David Hunt and have four sons, Samuel, John, Joseph and Daniel. A Juilliard School graduate, Hunt was a school teacher and coach before he moved to New York to study with acting teacher Larry Moss.
Hunt is most well-known American movie role is as Harlan Rook in the 1988
action film “The Dead Pool,” part of the Dirty Harry series. He has also appeared from time to time on “Everybody Loves Raymond” as Bill Parker, Ray’s irritating neighbor.
In May 2012 when Heaton got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, she thanked co-stars Ray Romano and Neil Flynn, her TV husbands, plus the casts of “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “The Middle.”
Doris Roberts and Brad Garrett were there plus her sons, her mother-in-law, her brother, Michael Heaton, who is a columnist for “The Plain Dealer” and countless friends.
Patricia Heaton described how she balanced her work schedule and home life when her four boys were younger:
“I spend as much time with my kids as any mom who stays home. I only work during the hours they’re at school, but there is always the sense of trying to catch up with all their stuff and not only organize my work life but also their school lives.”
“Being a mother is indescribable; joy, worry, delight, frustration, but ultimately the greatest satisfaction and deepest human love of your life. So grateful.”
“Like every mom, what I wouldn’t give to go back for an hour and just cuddle them!”
Her best advice to her own family, as well as to others who may be wondering what to do for Mom on Mother’s Day?
“Just leave her alone for a day. Just let her sit outside and bring her a glass of iced tea and let her read the newspaper or a book or whatever. Pop your head out every once in a while and say, ‘Mom, could I get you something?’”
“It’s really the time you spend with your family. It’s sometimes just about taking a walk or hanging out and watching television together.”
Happy Mother’s Day to one and all!
BY TOM MARGENAU
Time for Another Survey of SSA Services
Sadly, there has been more than a little bit of “government bashing” going on lately. In addition to general rants about alleged government inefficiency, government employees come in for more than their share of criticism. All I really know is Social Security and the services provided by the Social Security Administration. So that’s what I am going to write about today.
I hear about the issue all the time from readers. I’ve learned over the years that people are much more likely to complain to me about poor service than they are to send me an email praising good service. That’s why I was a little surprised when I got about a half-dozen unsolicited emails this week from readers in various parts of the country telling me how pleased they were with the people they encountered at the Social Security Administration and with the services they got. Several told me that they filed for Social Security benefits online, found the process very simple and got their “award letter” notifying them of benefits they would be due in about a week. Several others told me that they called the agency’s national toll-free number (800-772-1213), and that even though they waited on hold for a long time (which they correctly blamed on staffing cuts), they praised the help and efficient service they got once their call was answered.
Despite this recent spate of positive comments, as I said, I’ve learned over the years that more people tend to complain about poor service. I’ve always been intrigued by this. So, occasionally, I survey my readers’ opinions of the SSA’s services. The last one I did was about a year ago. Maybe it’s time for another one.
What I learned from past surveys is that when given the chance to voice their opinion, the folks who were very satisfied with the SSA’s services and employees come out of the woodwork and let me know what they think. In the last survey I did, I asked my readers to rate the service they got from the Social Security Administration in the form of stars: 5 stars for excellent service, down to 1 star for poor service. I got 254 responses from readers. The ratings broke down like this:
-- 5 stars: 191 ratings
-- 4.5 stars: 7 ratings
-- 4 stars: 31 ratings
-- 3 stars: 13 ratings
-- 2 stars: 4 ratings
-- 1 star: 8 ratings
If I’m doing my math right, that comes out to a 4.5-star average rating. I understand this is an unscientific survey. But I still think it’s a pretty good representation of what most people think about the service they get from the SSA.
And I did glean some points from the responses I got to that last survey. As I’ve reported on before, the SSA does routine work extremely well. And the good news is that when it comes to our involvement
with the Social Security Administration, almost all of us have routine issues. We file for retirement benefits, or we want to change our address in the SSA’s records. These jobs are handled quickly and efficiently -- usually by the SSA’s website: www.socialsecurity.gov. Many readers who gave 5-star reviews specifically mentioned the ease of using the website.
Conversely, many people who gave lower ratings had messy situations. One guy had been trying for years to get disability benefits. And even though he eventually got those benefits, he gave the agency a 1-star review.
Two other readers gave a low rating because they said they got wrong answers from SSA reps. But when they described their situation to me, they actually got the correct information. I don’t think people should give a low rating based on what they think an answer is supposed to be. But still, they did.
Some people who gave lower ratings cited the long wait times when calling the agency’s toll-free number. One guy gave a 1-star rating for that reason. But interestingly, another person who said he waited for about an hour gave a 4-star rating because once his call was answered, he said he talked to a knowledgeable rep who gave him good advice.
And this leads me to another observation I gleaned from readers’ responses to my last survey. I think happy and optimistic people tend to give good ratings, and grumpy and pessimistic people give low ratings. Here is a perfect example of that. Two people, one kind of grumpy and one kind of happy (I could just feel those vibes in the emails they sent), reported almost identical issues with the SSA’s in-office service they experienced. They each ended up sitting for about an hour in the waiting room of their respective local SSA office before being served. Mr. Grumpy gave the SSA a 1-star because of that. Mr. Happy still gave a 5-star review because he said he understood there had been staffing cutbacks, and once he was served, he got his issues taken care of in a professional way. By the way, I am not saying that all those who give low reviews are grumpy people. But I am saying that all grumpy people give low reviews.
Anyway, with the latest round of staffing cuts we’ve all heard about, I think it’s time to do another survey. If you’ve had to deal with the Social Security Administration lately, tell me what you think. Use the same star system I mentioned earlier: 5 stars for excellent service, down to 1 star for poor service. Send those ratings to my email address: thomas.margenau@ comcast.net. All I need is the rating. But if you feel inclined to comment on your rating, go ahead. But please don’t make it a long, drawn-out critique. Due to the high volume of emails I get from my readers around the country, I simply don’t have time to digest them all.
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.
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CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Watching Earth-Orbiting Satellites
BY DENNIS MAMMANA
Week of May 11-17, 2025
Gaze skyward on any spring and summer night and you’ll surely see what appears to be a star drifting slowly across the night sky. This is probably an Earth-orbiting satellite. I should remind you that if it’s got red and green blinking lights, don’t get too excited. That’s an airplane!
Keep watch for an hour or so and you’re sure to see quite a few satellites. I recall watching for satellites outside with my dad back in the early 1960s. Back then there were only one or two in orbit, so it was quite a thrill to see one. Today, however, there are about 10,000 active satellites (and many that are inactive) circling our globe, so it’s pretty hard to look up at night and not see one.
A satellite will occasionally change its brightness as the angle of sunlight falling on it changes. Sometimes it will even catch a brief glint of sunlight and brighten rapidly. And don’t be surprised if the satellite fades away entirely; if it does, it’s just crossed into the night side of the Earth.
I still enjoy watching these artificial moons as they crisscross the sky. It’s even more fun knowing in advance which satellites will be passing over tonight, then going outdoors to see them right where you expected them to be.
So how does one know when and where to look? Back in the “old days” when I began watching satellites, we relied on the local newspapers to tell us if a
satellite might pass over our town. Today, however, there are many smartphone apps you can find that provide times and locations of bright satellites, but my favorite for predicting satellite passes is the website heavens-above.com.
About 10,000 active satellites currently circle the Earth, making spotting one at any given time easy.
LOST IN SUBURBIA
The
Feet Flightmare
Visit this site and take a few minutes to register. It costs nothing, but it’ll make your future visits much more enjoyable. Here you can learn not only which satellites are passing over your neighborhood but also astronomical information such as times of sunset, sunrise, twilight, moon phases and much more. First, either select your town from the massive database or enter your latitude and longitude manually. Once you do this you will see a list of upcoming satellite passes coming over the next few nights.
One feature that I love comes from clicking the time of a satellite’s maximum altitude: a full sky map appears showing a satellite’s path across the familiar stars and constellations.
Now let’s say, for example, that you discover that the International Space Station or the Hubble Space Telescope will be making a bright pass tonight and you’d like to see it. Just take the star map outdoors, hold it over your head with the directions on the map aligned with those at your location, and begin watching. As with anything celestial, it’s always a good idea to begin your watch a few minutes early.
It’s always great to see satellites pass overhead, especially when you know which ones you’re seeing. But it’s most fun to call the neighbors outside because ISS or another satellite will be passing over in a few minutes.
When it does, you’ll look like a rocket scientist!
Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.
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BY TRACY BECKERMAN
About five years ago I started having a problem with airplanes. It wasn’t a fear of flying or a fear of the plane food or a fear that the person in front of me would recline so much that I would be forced to look up his nose for the duration of the flight.
No, the problem was my feet.
For some reason, suddenly, my body decided that feet and flying don’t mix. Regardless of the length of the flight or the shoes I wore, my feet would swell. And it wasn’t just a little swelling. It was like a cross between elephant feet and an African baobab tree stump. My ankles would disappear and the area between my calves and the tips of my toes would merge into one large uberfoot. This is not an attractive look for even Horton or Dumbo, so you can imagine how pleased I was when we flew home from vacation last week and
my feet looked like I had turned into a hobbit.
After several years of this, I had started to wear compressions socks. These are supposed to help with the swelling but for some reason have not been updated style-wise since women won the right to vote. Combined with orthopedic shoes (yes, I was also blessed with flat feet), the overall look is essentially nursing home chic. When I put them on, not only do I look like an old lady, but I suddenly have the desire to change my name to Helga and tell everyone stories about how hard life was in the old country.
Now, this is something I am willing to put up with temporarily to avoid said hobbit feet, because a) I generally don’t care what the other people on the plane think of me, b) the flight attendants have seen far worse, and c) the 40-year-old woman in the zebra-print onesie with matching slippers and a tail
looked a lot stupider than I did.
Unfortunately, this time, I forgot to pack the compression socks, and within an hour of takeoff, my feet were so swollen that I had to remove my shoes for fear that my feet would burst out of them and the shoes would become dangerous projectile missiles capable of shooting across the plane and knocking out the lady in the zebra onesie.
As my feet grew in size, I wondered who was more miserable: me or the mother of three who forgot to download movies onto her iPad for her kids to watch (this was an old plane with no TV screens on the back of the seats). I thought for a moment of helping her out by distracting her kids with swollen foot tricks I had mastered on previous flights (sort of like making balloon animals) but ultimately decided it was every unhappy frequent flyer for themselves.
With no end in sight to this foot
flightmare, I finally decided to give in and accept my frankenfeet and try to get some sleep. My husband, seated next to me and without any kind of foot trauma, had immediately dozed off when we got on the plane. But no sooner did I close my eyes than my husband began to snore so loudly he nearly drowned out the plane’s engines.
I realized then that there was actually one benefit to having freakishly enormous feet. I turned on my side, extended one of my hobbit feet and ... Kicked him.
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.
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We’re looking for writers in our community to compose ar ticles on local topics, opinions, reviews, noteworthy places to visit on Long Island, and even pieces of fiction. We aim to feature at least one new article and writer each week in our Discovery magazine section.
Email submissions: editor@gcnews.com
• Attach article and any photos (1MB), along with your name and contact info.
• Articles must be between 1,500 - 3,000 words. • Each writer will be reimbursed a stipend of $25.⁰⁰
We don't do it for the attention.
We don't do it for the recognition. We don't do it for the personal gain.
And we certainly don't do it for the awards. We do it for you.
Catholic Health is the winner of Press Ganey’s 2025 HRO Foundation Award for exceptional reliability and patient safety.
At Catholic Health, we pursue the very best in health care for one reason only: you. Every single one of you that walks through our doors, every day. So, while we’re honored by this recognition, we also know there’s no finish line in health care. There’s always a new goal just over the horizon, and a new level of excellence for us to achieve for the health of Long Island.
Learn more at DedicatedtoBetter.org
Abbey Lane School marks Autism Acceptance Month
Students at Abbey Lane Elementary School marked Autism Acceptance Month on April 24 with sensory-friendly crafts and activities.
The all-purpose room at Abbey Lane Elementary School in the Levittown School District was transformed into a sensory-friendly space with a bevy of activities to enjoy on April 24 in celebration of Autism Acceptance Month.
ABA classes linked with their fellow classmates to complete crafts as a group and exchange ice-breaker questions. A wide range of activities included building with blocks, riding on scooters and exploring a maze of tunnels. Before the event,
Panek explored a maze of tunnels
students prepared a banner filled with their handprints along with the motto, “Be kind to all minds.” The sensory-friendly event reinforced
Students gathered together at the end of the event.
Abigail
alongside Katerin Marcia Bonilla.
Abbey Lane’s culture of acceptance and inclusion between all community members.
Photos courtesy Levittown Public Schools
MORTALITY RATES. HOW’S THAT FOR AN ICEBREAKER?
Our health system maintains the lowest mortality rates in the nation. And at the end of the day, this is what matters. We apply the highest standard of care to every factor that impacts patient recovery and survival, so more people who come here, go home. No wonder we were named #1 for quality care in the U.S.
Better health starts with a better health system.
