Bethpage Newsgram (6/13/25)

SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW

Bethpage student recognized for robotics project

Bethpage High School sophomore Partap Sidhu was awarded 4th place in the category of Robotics and Intelligent Machines at the prestigious 75th annual Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. He is pictured here with Bethpage’s Director of Science, Mr. Chris Pollatos, Science Research teacher, Ms. Nicole Dulaney and Bethpage High School principal, Mr. Nick Jantz.

Bethpage Union Free School District is proud to announce that Bethpage High School sophomore Partap Sidhu was awarded fourth place in the category of Robotics and Intelligent Machines at the prestigious 75th annual Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF), held in Columbus, Ohio. This remarkable achievement comes with a $600 scholarship and an exclusive invitation from the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University to attend a residential summer engineering camp of his choice in the summer of 2026.

Regeneron ISEF, a program of the Society for Science, is the world’s largest global science competition for high school students. Now in its 75th year, the fair brings together top young scientists from around the world

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Hicksville celebrates exceptional students, educators at meeting

At the May 20 meeting of the Hicksville Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Ted Fulton opened his report by recognizing two Hicksville students, Matthew Lu and Kayla O’Connor, for being recipients of the distinguished George Farber Outstanding Student Award presented by Nassau BOCES. This prestigious award recognizes students who embody dedication, determination, talent, character, passion and citizenship. Both Lu and O’Connor have demonstrated these outstanding qualities and were

applauded for their achievements and contributions to the school community.

Following the student recognitions, the board awarded tenure to a group of 37 dedicated educators and teaching assistants from across the district, highlighting their outstanding accomplishments and unwavering commitment to student success.

The following staff members were recognized:

•  Laurie Adamo - High School (TA)

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(L-R) Hicksville Board of Education Secretary Linda Imbriale, student Matthew Lu, parent Jennifer Chen, school psychologist and Coordinator for Special Services Courtney Selvaggi, Executive Director of Special Education and PPS Inna Mishiev and Hicksville Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ted Fulton. Missing from photo: student Kayla O’Connor.

Photo courtesy of Bethpage Union Free School District

Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Levittown man charged with assault

Nassau County Police charged a Levittown man with assault after he allegedly assaulted a police officer during a traffic stop.

According to police, officers stopped a 2014 Maserati on Gardiners Avenue in Levittown on Thursday, June 5, at 10:38 p.m. According to police, the vehicle was stopped because it had a license plate cover obstructing the rear plate. They say that during the stop the male front seat passenger exited the vehicle and began to walk away from officers.  According to police he appeared to be nervous.

Police say that the passenger, Dashawn Thompkins, 47, intentionally provided the police with an incorrect name and birthday. They say that they found that he was in violation of two active orders of protection, one from the female driver and one from the male passenger. According to police he then fled on foot and after a brief foot pursuit, two officers sustained injuries during the course of the arrest. Both officers were treated at a local area hospital. One officer sustained multiple rib fractures and a fractured wrist and the second officer sustained minor injuries.

Dashawn Thompkins

Thompkins was charged with two counts of Assault 2nd Degree, two counts of Criminal Contempt 1st Degree, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd Degree and False Personation.

Bethpage School Board meetings

The Bethpage Board of Education will hold the following meetings in June: Tuesday, June 17 -  Agenda Meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Administration Building

Tuesday, June 24 - Regular Meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Administration Building

Middle School leadership serves up school spirit

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Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

New church opens in Levittown Syosset Library Artist of the Month

A painter based in Oyster Bay, Nicole Abe Titus is an abstract expressionist who uses strong colors that dance across the canvas, interacting to create a visceral sense of movement and energy. Lines carve through space with purpose, guiding the viewer’s eye and constructing an underlying framework that supports an overall narrative. The shapes that populate the work are bold and decisive, each one a testament to the spontaneity and deliberate intention that coexist on the canvas.

“My work emerges from an intimate dialogue between color, line, and shape. My artistic journey is rooted in conceptual exploration. I seek to evoke emotion and provoke thought through bold, dynamic compositions,” Ms. Titus says. “Through this visual language, I hope to transcend the tangible and enter a realm where emotions and ideas take

form.”

The work is a celebration of the unpredictable, the unseen, and the profound impact of visual stimuli on the human psyche. It is a continuous exploration of the ways in which abstract expressionism can communicate the complexities of our inner worlds.

“I invite viewers to engage with their own interpretations and experiences, finding resonance in the abstract,” Ms. Titus says. A selection of Ms. Titus’ work is on view in the Syosset Library Gallery through June. There is a reception Thursday, June 26, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. All are welcome.

Syosset Library is located at 225 South Oyster Bay Road in Syosset. For more information about programs, services, and hours, call 516-921-7161, or visit the library or the website at www. syossetlibrary.org.

Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray attended the grand opening of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, located on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown, on April 27.

4 Jericho Girl Scouts earn Gold Awards

Four Jericho Girl Scouts were recently honored by local officials for having achieved their Gold Awards. Girl Scouts Audrey Chen, Katherine Istomin, Sanam Mehta, Aanika Shah and Sophia Tarasenko received citations for their achievements on Sunday, June 1.

The award, which is earned by completing projects which seek to address some of society’s biggest challenges in a sustainable way, marks the culmination of each of these young leaders’ dedication to not just empowering and bettering themselves, but to making the world a better place for others.

“By earning the Gold Award, Audrey, Katherine, Sanam, Aanika and Sophia are exemplifying a form of selfless service that uplifts us all and equips these young leaders with skills and values that will guide them for a lifetime,”

Deputy Minority Leader Drucker said. “Their leadership is inspiring and much needed in our world today, and I applaud them for their hard work and earning the Girl Scouts’ highest award. I wish you all tremendous success in your future endeavors!”

This Week at the Syosset Public Library

Friday, June 13, at 10:00 a.m.

Simply Stronger with Balance (VIRTUAL)

Instructor: Mindy Vasta

Handheld weights, resistance bands and balls will help improve strength, flexibility, and coordination. Includes a balance segment to enhance posture, core strength, and proper alignment of muscle groups. Exercises can be performed sitting or standing. Equipment recommended but not required. Registration needed within 24 hours of class. Register at syossetlibrary. org.  The Zoom link will be sent out once you register.

Monday, June 16, at 11:00 a.m.

Psycho-Analysis:

A Look Inside Hitchcock’s Horror Masterpiece (VIRTUAL)

Presenter: Brian Rose, professor emeritus, Fordham University

Join us for a lecture on the 65th anniversary of the release of Hitchcock’s famous movie “Psycho.” Working without his usual menu of big budgets, big stars and glamorous locations, Hitchcock crafted a masterful study of fear and anxiety that still has the power to shock. This lecture will explore Hitchcock ’s singular achievement, examining how the film was made and

how it continues to haunt our cultural imagination. No registration needed.

Tuesday, June 17, at 11:00 a.m.

Morning Mystery Book Discussion (IN-PERSON)

Join Sonia Grgas, Reference Librarian, at the library for a Morning Mystery Book Discussion of “The Mother-In-Law” by Sally Hepworth.

Friday, June 20, at 10:00 a.m.

Simply Stronger with Balance (VIRTUAL)

Instructor: Mindy Vasta Handheld weights, resistance bands and balls will help improve strength, flexibility, and coordination. Includes

a balance segment to enhance posture, core strength, and proper alignment of muscle groups. Exercises can be performed sitting or standing. Equipment recommended but not required. Registration needed within 24 hours of class. Register at syossetlibrary. org.  The Zoom link will be sent out once you register.

Friday, June 20, at 1:30 p.m.

Friday Movie at the Library (IN-PERSON)

Join us for an afternoon movie at the library. Check our website for the movie that will be shown. Go to syossetlibrary.org.

Sophia Tarasenko with Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker.

Town of Oyster Bay Councilwoman Vicki Walsh, Katherine Istomin, Audrey Chen, Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker, Aanika Shah, and Nassau County Legisltor Rosemary Walker.

Photos courtesy Office of

Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker

From Despair to Hope: Conquering

Peripheral Neuropathy with Westbury Acupuncture

“It’s as though I’m stepping from razor blade to razor blade.”

“It feels like my feet are under attack by fire ants.”

“Like I’m walking on wet paint with rolled up socks.”

And you’re in this kind of pain all the time.

“It’s relentless, keeping you up at night and preventing you from doing even the most mundane tasks. Things that I used to take for granted, like wearing shoes and going grocery shopping. Two of my three children were getting married last year and I wasn’t even sure I was going to be able to attend their weddings,” shares Rose W. Rose was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in 2015, a degenerative condition affecting almost 5% of people over the age of 55.

‘I don’t know.’ It was depress ing to say the least.”

“My doctor sat me down and said, ‘Rose I’m so sorry to tell you this, but you have peripheral neuropathy. I’m going to prescribe you gabapentin to manage the discomfort but overall, neuropathy is untreatable.’ My first thought was, ‘we can cure cancer but you can’t stop my feet from hurting?’ It felt like a cruel joke.”

While neuropathy can be caused by a number of things including diabetes and chemotherapy, over 23% of neuropathy cases are classified as idiopathic. In layman’s terms, the

Eventually, Rose was forced to quit her job because the numbness had started to set in and prevented her from driving.

Fortunately for Rose, she came across an article in the local newspaper featuring Jae Won Kim L.Ac and his innovative approach to treating peripheral neuropathy. “At first, I thought it had to be a sham. After so many specialists told me there was no hope, here was this acupuncturist in the article claiming a 90% success rate in treating neuropathy! I just had to call, and I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am that I did.”

Jae Won Kim, founder of

neuropathy patients have been told at one point or another that there is no hope. I like to think I specialize in offering hope.”

To quote the New York Times, “Chinese medicine proves itself where Western medicine fails.”

“Acupuncture has been treating complicated, chronic conditions like neuropathy for thousands of years,” shares Jae Won. “I start with a foundation based on this timetested science and my clinical experience. I then tailor treatments based on a number of factors including the severity of your neuropathy, how long you’ve had it, whether or not there are any underlying factors, things of that nature. Call (516) 500-8281

BHS hosts Science Research Symposium

The senior class researchers were recognized for their achievements and contributions to the program.

On June 3, Bethpage High School celebrated its 15th annual Science Research Symposium, a showcase of the impressive work being done by students in the school’s Science Research program, led by Ms. Nicole Dulaney. The symposium began with formal presentations by senior researchers Devaanshi Kawatra and Lavleen Kaur, and a team of junior researchers, Andres Bonetti, Aryaan Khalfan and Sarah Oh.

Devaanshi shared her research on the neuroprotective properties of B-cryptoxanthin and B-carotene in a fruit fly model for Parkinson’s Disease, while Lavleen explored the effects of insulin on androgen

signaling in prostate cancer. The juniors presented their collaborative study examining how the proximity of a salt marsh to urbanized areas impacts its heavy metal concentration. Following the presentations, all the senior class researchers were recognized for their achievements and contributions to the program.

Attendees then visited a poster session in the gymnasium, where research students from all grades displayed their work. The event also included the announcement of winners in the Research 1 competition, which recognized outstanding firstyear projects. Erin Park earned first place for her study on the effect

Devaanshi Kawatra shared her research on the neuroprotective properties of B-cryptoxanthin and B-carotene in a fruit fly model for Parkinson’s Disease at Bethpage’s Science Research Symposium.

Juniors Andres Bonetti, Aryaan Khalfan and Sarah Oh presented their collaborative study examining how the proximity of a salt marsh to urbanized areas impacts its heavy metal concentration.

of music on athletic performance.

Olivia Anicito and Lily Pfeffer took second with a project on the influence of artificial intelligence in education, and Valerie Garcia and Noorpreet Kaur Multani placed third for their investigation into how ethnic background affects color perception.

Student voting added an extra layer of fun to the afternoon. Lavleen Kaur’s project was awarded “Most

Lavleen Kaur explored the effects of insulin on androgen signaling in prostate cancer.

Original,” Prushti Purohit won “Biggest Potential Impact” for her research on indoor air pollutants generated by Indian cuisine and the team of Nikhil Peter, Tracy Jiang and Vidhi Sevak earned “Most Professional Poster” for their cost-effective object-detection glasses for the visually impaired.

Photos courtesy of Bethpage Union Free School District

Symposium attendees visited a poster session in the gymnasium, where research students from all grades displayed their work.

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

A health system is more than a doctor. In our case, it’s 320+ locations with the exact same high standard of care. It’s integrated medical teams that achieve the best patient outcomes. It’s leading the charge in medical discoveries. It’s the lowest mortality rates in the nation. It’s being named #1 for quality care in the U.S. Our health system has the best doctors, and the best doctors are just the beginning.

health starts with a better

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.

Advertise your services in our Guide or Service Directory and be seen in these five newspapers:

Hicksville celebrates exceptional students, educators at meeting

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• Jennifer Albertson - High School (HCT)

• Dawn Dempsey - Dutch Lane (TA)

• Josephine Ellinger - Middle School (TA)

Country Rd (TA)

• Jamie Marrone - Middle School (HCT)

• Jasmine Sultan - Middle School (HCT)

• Joslyn Thomas - East Street (HCT)

NASSAU COUNTY BID NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

516-294-8900 today to learn more!

BETHPAGE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

BETHPAGE, NEW YORK 11714

BID # 012-2526 Parts for Chromebooks

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that sealed bids will be received by the Board of Education of the Bethpage Union Free School District, Town of Oyster Bay, Bethpage, New York. BID # 012-2526 for Parts for Chromebooks. Bids will be publicly opened and read on June 27, 2025 at 11:00 AM in the Administration Building, 10 Cherry Avenue, Bethpage, New York.

Sealed bids are to be addressed to the attention of Scott Harrington, Assistant Superintendent for Business, Bethpage Union Free School District, Administration Building, 10 Cherry Avenue, Bethpage, New York, 11714.

The Board reserves the right to reject any and all bids which in its discretion are not in the best interest of the school district, and to waive any informality as to non-material errors or omissions in the submissions. Bid specifications and all applicable terms and conditions may be obtained via email by contacting Sara Minieri at Sminieri@Bethpage.ws. Contact the Bethpage Business Office with any questions regarding this bid at 516-6444030. can go so far...

• Andrea Baron - Middle School (TA)

• Carmen Bell - High School (TA)

• Alexandra Calia - Lee Avenue (HCT)

• Lisa Calderera - Dutch Lane (TA)

• Teresa Chan - Fork Lane (TA)

• Gloria Cruz - Old Country Rd (HCT)

• Bernadette Costas - Dutch Lane (TA)

• Caitlin Crowley - Burns Avenue (HCT)

• Elizabeth DeJesus - Lee Avenue (HCT)

• Diana Guarino - Lee Avenue (HCT)

• Mark Guiffre - Middle School (HCT)

• Leah Guardi - East Street (HCT)

• Katelyn Howell-Luu - Middle School (HCT)

• Ruchita Jhaveri - Dutch Lane (TA)

• Ilene Levy - Dutch Lane (TA)

• Doris Lyons - Woodland (TA)

• Tracy Manzo - High School (TA)

• Adelfa Mascarenas - Old

• Stephen McSweeney - High School (HCT)

• Kelly Minot - High School (HCT)

• Dana Mirro - Woodland (HCT)

• Vicki Montalvo - Administration

• Cindy Negri-Diaz - Woodland (HCT)

• Nancy Pizarro - Middle School (TA)

• Bianca Pizzo - Old Country Rd (HCT)

• Lauren Rochford - East Street (HCT)

• Alyssa Smith - Dutch Lane (HCT)

• Jessenia Thurmond - Middle School (HCT)

• Jaclyn Todd - High School (HCT)

• Kristin Waldron - Old Country Rd (HCT)

Dr. Fulton closed his remarks by commending all honorees for their hard work and commitment, stating, “The dedication shown by our students and staff is what drives the excellence in Hicksville schools. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and grateful for the contributions they make every day.”

Bethpage student recognized for robotics project

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to compete for a share of nearly $9 million in awards and scholarships. Finalists are selected through a rigorous process involving a global network of local, regional and national science fairs.

Partap’s award-winning project, “A Humanoid Upper Body for Automating Hazardous Tasks”, addresses the critical need for safer solutions in high-risk work environments.

With industries increasingly turning to robotics to perform dangerous tasks, they often face steep costs and technological limitations. Partap’s innovation seeks to change that landscape.

Built for just $897, Partap’s humanoid robot is a groundbreaking alternative to commercial models, which typically cost between $30,000 and $2.5 million. His design features quasi-direct drive actuators

and incorporates machine learning, allowing it to adapt to a wide range of complex tasks. The system utilizes ROS2 (Robot Operating System 2) for real-time planning and an Intel Realsense 3D camera for precise position detection. A custom-trained Yolov10 object detection model boasts 97% average accuracy, and motor control is streamlined via a CAN-bus interface. The prototype successfully completed

trials in both laboratory and recycling environments.

This exceptional project not only showcases Partap’s deep understanding of robotics and artificial intelligence but also reflects his commitment to creating cost-effective solutions to real-world problems.

To learn more about Partap’s project, visit: https://isef. net/project/robo029-humanoid-upper-body-for-automating-hazardous-tasks

The Czech Republic’s Spa Triangle

BY GERI BAIN

“You are going to love Karlovy Vary,” my doctor friend Natalya says when I tell her I’m going to extend my stay in Prague with a few days there. She worked in Poland for a time and said that Karlovy Vary (aka Carlsbad) is very popular with Europeans who buy special cups to “take the cure“, drinking from the natural hot springs. “The town is so beautiful. Just don’t overdo drinking from the fountains; think of them as medicine.”

I have wanted to visit Karlovy Vary ever since seeing images of Belle Epoque women in long dresses and men with dapper hats strolling along elegant streets, stopping to fill dainty porcelain cups at sculpted fountains spouting hot mineral water. As I research my trip, I realize Karlovy Vary is part of a “Spa Triangle,” a triad of neighboring Czech towns that includes Mariánské Lázně and Františkovy Lázně.

All three were purposefully designed to leverage the hot springs with eye-candy architecture, fountains and parks and provide restful settings for healing therapies. Today’s cures are based on a doctor-prescribed regime built around drinking, inhaling, and being immersed in the waters and muds. In fact, many European health insurance companies cover weeks-long stays to treat a variety of metabolic, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal ills.

Karlovy Vary, the largest of the towns and the only one whose springs are hot, is only about an hour and a half from Prague by car. Many people come on day trips, but I am headed there for two nights and then will spend a night in Mariánské Lázně. As we reach the peak of the mountain, my driver points

The Singing Fountain’s dancing waters delight locals and visitors alike.

Geri Bain

to a castle-like building on a hill and says, “The Hotel Imperial.”

Driving in through manicured gardens and pulling up to the grand entrance, I wonder if I should have worn something fancier, but looking at fellow guests around the lobby as I enter, I don’t feel out of place in my chinos. When I present my passport to check in, the receptionist quickly fetches her colleague who speaks fluent English. I find that while Czech, German and Russian are the main languages spoken in the region, there is always someone who speaks English.

My room, the Hotel Imperial’s basic category, is spacious—a couple spending a few weeks here would not feel cramped, and the view of the forested hills is spectacular. The bathroom has a heated towel rack and bidet and is spotlessly clean although it feels a bit dated to my American eye.

Like most guests, I have a meal plan and eat in the main dining room. I admire the crystal chandeliers, high ceilings and architectural detailing

and enjoy the social interactions around the buffet, which has a nice selection of meat, fish and vegetarian foods. Everything is self-serve except added-charge drinks and coffee (free from cappuccino/espresso machines that operate only during breakfast).

After lunch, I speak with staff physician Dr. Zuzana Weddelova. She talks about the ailments they treat and says that increasingly people are coming to be proactive about wellness and not just for problems. Either way, she advises a minimum stay of three nights. “While at least three weeks is optimal for treatments, even three days can be the impetus for changes in habits.”

Stays often start with a doctor consult that uses blood work, MRIs and other diagnostic tools (bring any test results you have from home) to create a plan that might include prescriptions for specific mineral waters and dosages and a wide array of other treatments. For longer stays, tests are repeated at the end to measure results.

I sign up for a 20-minute mud wrap

(about $40 US). I’m directed to a long corridor of numbered doors. A woman peers out from one of the rooms and I hand her my prescription. She points to a chair where I leave my clothes and then enter an adjoining room where she slaps hot mud from a large bucket on a white sheet and indicates that I should get on the table and lie on my back on the mud. I’m nervous because sign language is our only way of communicating and this feels very clinical—not the indulgent “spa” experience I’m used to—but as the heat from the mud seeps in, I feel a deep relaxation spreading through my whole body and think “I could get used to this.”

After dinner, I take a funicular (free to guests) down the steep hill into town. I’m amused by the creative spa cups in the shape of cats and elephants but buy a classic blue and white one and walk along the colonnades, stopping at the free-flowing fountains to sample the waters. The standard advice is to drink a small cup’s worth (200 ml), sipping slowly about 30 minutes before each meal. I checked in with my doctor before coming because the waters can be harmful to certain conditions. I also read that you shouldn’t mix the waters, but I am curious so I take a few sips from various fountains. The biggest difference I discern is the temperature.

People are riding in horse-drawn carriages along the town’s main street. It is all as I imagined it except for the absence of finely turned-out women of the Belle Epoque — people tend to dress far more casually these days.

The next morning, I meet Iva, my private guide for the next two days. We walk into town to the Mill Colonnade. It’s one of five arcades that were built over the main fountains to protect visitors from inclement weather as they June 13, 2025

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GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

The Czech Republic’s Spa Triangle

sip and stroll. Each has its own architectural style. Most of the current structures were built in the late 1800s.

The exception, Iva points out, is the Functionalist-style glass and concrete Hot Spring Colonnade, completed in 1975, which includes a separate pavilion where I linger to breathe in the steamy salty breath of the centerpiece, a geyser-like fountain that shoots up almost 40 feet at times.

Karlovy Vary translates to “Charles’ hot springs”, referring to King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, who, according to legend, came upon hot springs on a hunting trip here in the 14th century. When the hot spring waters healed a wound on his leg, he chartered the town to serve visitors coming to bathe in the springs.

His original Gothic castle burnt down in 1604, leaving only the present Castle Tower. We head there next. Updated in the 18th century, it now houses a small café and a UNESCO exhibit, “The Great Spa Towns of Europe.” Displays of the 11 UNESCO Spa Towns include the three in Czech Republic and other famous ones including Baden Baden, Germany and Bath, England. The focus is on the Golden Age of Spas, the 18th and 19th century, when medical use of these hot spring areas became more sophisticated and elegant hotels, facilities and entertainment venues were developed, making the spa towns social centers for the elites of the day.

Modern royalty including A-list Hollywood stars still come, especially during the annual International Film Festival in July and the start of “The Season” in May, when warm weather is welcomed with parades and special events.

The place to see and be seen is the

glamorous Grandhotel Pupp. The hotel itself starred in scenes in the James Bond movie Casino Royale and Queen Latifah’s Last Holiday. The hotel has hosted Bach, Beethoven, Napoleon, and more recently Renee Zellweger, Morgan Freeman and many other notables and Iva points out the bronze bricks in the front patio where their names are engraved.

The hotel’s history dates back to 1701, reflecting key events of the nation. It served as a hospital during World War II. During the communist era, it was nationalized and renamed Grandhotel Moskva and provided care to workers, peasants and generals alike. After the nonviolent 1989 Velvet Revolution that began the transition to democracy, the hotel once again became the Grandhotel Pupp and was renovated to pamper modern day spa-goers.

From here, we forego the funicular and hike up to Restaurant Diana for lunch. It’s a steep, winding trail but the panoramic views are worth the climb, and in less than 30 minutes we arrive. The restaurant is justly acclaimed for its forest setting and traditional Czech cuisine. I order a delicious venison with wild Czech forest mushrooms and am amazed that it costs only about $20.

Our next stop is the Imperial Spa, built for Emperor Franz Josef I and now a national cultural monument and entertainment venue that offers public tours (in English and other languages). I am amazed at the splendor of the 1895 VIP spa suite and enjoy an engaging exhibit in a section of former commoner spa rooms that includes holograms of famous visitors comprising a mini-Who’s Who of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

After dinner, I head to the Saunia Thermal Resort which offers facilities open to the public at hourly and day rates.

Water

BY CHARLYN FARGO

Ever wonder how much water you should be drinking daily? The answer depends on a lot of different factors, such as your age, activity level, whether you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, the temperature outside, your medications, your health, the food you eat and even whether you have access to air conditioning.

The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women.

Other health experts often recommend people drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day. This is commonly known as the “8x8” rule. It may not apply to everyone, though. That may or may not be enough.

What’s clear is even mild dehydration can affect us. In a study published in Oxford Academic Journal, researchers found that a fluid loss of 1.36% after exercise impaired mood and concentration and caused headaches.

Another study, published in the journal Obesity, found that drinking more water than usual (before meals) helped with

Perched high on a hill, its huge outdoor heated swimming pool, spring-fed therapeutic pools and sunning chaise lounges and various saunas and steam baths afford spectacular vistas of the town.

The next morning, Iva and I drive to Marianské Lázně. En route we stop at Loket Castle, a rebuilt 13th century castle that houses a history museum with exhibits of court treasures, early weapons, traditional dress, and in the dungeons, startling life-size vignettes of early forms of torture. The town itself is a jewel with cobblestone streets lined by pastel-painted buildings, small shops and inviting eateries.

While smaller and newer than Karlovy Vary, Marianské Lazne (founded in 1818) has the same Belle Epoque feel. It has also attracted its share of famous fans including Frédéric Chopin, Franz Kafka, Sigmund Freud, and Mark Twain. It held a special place in the heart of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and the town museum, sadly closed during my visit, has an exhibit devoted to him.

My home base in Marianské Lázně is the Falkensteiner Spa Resort. Its extensive modern in-house spa has pretty indoor and outdoor pools and lounge areas and a suite of saunas and relaxation rooms that feel more like the indulgent spas I’m used to. Spa manager Daniel Falkus explains that their program combines eastern and western practices, so in addition to treatments with spring water, they have certified guides who lead forest bathing sessions and they offer CO2 soaks, wraps and injections to improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation.

I’m limping from a pulled muscle and in quite a bit of pain and he suggests a CO2 shot might help by bringing more oxygen to the area to stimulate healing. I’m skeptical but decide to give it a try. I follow

the shot with a CO2 bath. The CO2 bubbles make me feel as though I’m soaking in champagne. I feel surprisingly energized and my leg feels a bit better so Iva and I meet up for a tour of the town.

The hotel is just steps from the main street. The historic town center, divided by a greenway, seems to flow around its large parks. She says that inhaling the air is considered therapeutic. She points out a path through a forest and nature preserve punctuated by mineral springs, including a gently mineralized water source that locals use for drinking water. I decide I will try to follow that walk in the morning.

We rush to get to the Singing Fountain in time for its “performance.” Here, every two hours, the waters dance to piped in music. A daily schedule of the musical pieces is posted near the fountain. I thought that sounded hokey, but it is so lovely that I go back again that evening.

Like the spa, dinner at the hotel feels indulgent, with impeccable service. I am assigned to a table and served by a waiter who speaks perfect English. He suggests a wonderful Czech wine and brings me several special samplings he thinks I’d enjoy tasting in addition to the three-course menu.

Back home, the beauty and peaceful ambience of Mariánské Lázn and Karlovy Vary still fills me with a sense of well-being and I can see why people go back year after year. There’s plenty more I’d like to see and do. I’d especially like to experience Františkovy Lázn , which specializes in the use of local peat for in its treatments, but more than anything, these spa towns are a place to simply be—and next time, I’ll stay long enough to truly “take the cure”.

For more travel planning information, see visitczechia.com and www.visitvaryregion.com

© 2025 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com

weight loss. Middle-aged obese or overweight participants were assigned to one of two groups for a 12-week period. Those who added 500 milliliters of water before their daily meals (compared to no water) lost 4 pounds more than those who didn’t drink water before their daily meals.

Drinking enough water also helps with constipation, preventing urinary tract infections and kidney stones, and skin hydration.

And it’s true other foods that contain water can help. Those include other beverages, celery, cucumber, lettuce, zucchini, watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, cauliflower, peaches, oranges and grapefruit, broth and soups, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage and yogurt.

As we age, water is even more im-

Continued on page 6

Luke Bryan: One dad’s key to success

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

Father’s Day is on June 15 and I am spotlighting Luke Bryan, a country singer, songwriter and TV personality. He’s been a judge on “American Idol” since 2018. Bryan has been named “Entertainer of the Year” by both the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Country Music Association.

In 2019, Bryan’s 2013 album “Crash My Party” received the first Album of the Decade award from the Academy of Country Music. With over 75 million records sold, Luke Bryan is one of the world’s best-selling music artists.

Born Thomas Luther Bryan on July 17, 1976, in Leesburg, Georgia, to LeClaire and Tommy Bryan, most people call him Luke. Leesburg is a small farming community of 3,550 people 140 miles south of Atlanta.

The residents of Leesburg have said that as a child, Bryan was like any other kid. He participated in sports, enjoyed the great outdoors and helped on his parents’ peanut farm. His dad also ran a fertilizer business.

Luke Bryan had another job as well. He worked at Rubo’s grocery store in the summers for years starting at age 10. He was a stock boy and got $15 a day. Bryan worked as a bagger and cashier plus he did whatever they needed him to do. He got his first guitar at the age of 14 and soon he was playing songs with other local musicians. He continued to practice and within a couple of years he was starting to write country songs.

Bryan has credited his interest in music with listening to his parents’ record collection - his dad played lots of country music especially George Strait, Conway Twitty and Merle Haggard.

Going to college at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, Bryan joined the Sigma Chi fraternity, briefly dated his future wife Caroline Boyer and graduated in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Luke Bryan reconnected with Caroline several years later when he

was performing at a bar in Statesboro when she was in town. They later resumed their relationship and married in December 2006.

It was two years after graduating from college that Luke Bryan moved to Nashville. His father had urged him to pack his truck and leave the small town of Leesburg to pursue a musical career. Bryan initially gained success as a songwriter for other people but he wrote a lot of his own songs and built a catalog of music.

In short order Luke Bryan signed as

“Tate” Christopher, who are teenagers now. They also adopted Luke Bryan’s two nieces and nephew after the deaths of his sister, Kelly, and brother-in-law, Ben Cheshire.

The Bryan family lives on a 150-acre farm in Franklin, Tenn., just outside Nashville. They moved to their dream home in 2012 and the farm is named Red Bird Farm in memory of his late sister.

Bryan said an important part of parenting is supporting the children. “I think too, through all their good days and bad, you have to uplift them.

a performer and his first major success was the song, “All My Friends Say,” which reached #5 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and was on the charts for 30 weeks. That single, co-written with producer Jeff Stevens, was released on his debut album, “I’ll Stay Me,” out in 2007. Bryan became a superstar with singles such as “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” and “Play It Again.”

Luke and Caroline Bryan have two sons, Thomas “Bo” Boyer and Tatum

To teach them to cut themselves some slack. I have seen this world put pressures on my boys that I never even thought about when I was a kid.

“As they grow older, it’s easier to let them tag along. They become little men and they become functional little microcosms of me. Their personalities are really different … They become your buddies. I mean, they’re still your kids, you still have to do the discipline and you still have to teach them the

right and wrongs of life, but they really morph into your buddies.”

He also has said that his sons were “different” than he was at their age. “They come home and sit down, they do their homework and I’m like, ‘I didn’t do that when I was a kid,’” Bryan said. “They’re just well-rounded kids. Learning farm life and how to live on a farm and do outdoor things, but they’ve also come with me to the big cities and watched me do Dodgers Stadium and have seen the whole world and have a nice perception of it.”

Bryan added that these days, “I rarely just lay inside on the couch and watch a day of football or sports. I mean, my thing is when I’m at home, I’m riding around the farm, I’m working on boats, I’m organizing my tackle shop, I’m getting ready for the next hunting or fishing trip or messing with my golf clubs.

“And then I got boys standing there with me the whole time, relining fishing reels. As long as I can be at home, you know. Yeah, I mean, when I moved to Nashville, my dad goes, make sure you don’t forget about your hobbies and what you love, and I never have.”

Other celebrities have talked about what being a dad means:

Singer/songwriter Pharrell Williams has four kids, a son and triplets. He has said, “It’s a full-on assembly line ... They harmonize when they cry. When one cries, two cry, then three cry. Chain reaction is a real thing at our house.”

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian has said, “You gain clarity … I finally understand ‘Game of Thrones.’ I think about how I would do anything for my daughter, and also my wife. Fatherhood gives me this clarity of thought around every decision I make, not just professionally, but personally, and everything else. It just feels really good. It’s like a higher level of consciousness.”

I wish all the dads out there a very Happy Father’s Day!

Social Security Administration Service Still Gets High Marks

BY TOM MARGENAU

Well, the votes are in. (Actually, they are still coming in, but I had to cut them off at some point and compile results.) Anyway, I’m shocked! Several weeks ago, I asked my readers to rate the service they got from the Social Security Administration in the form of stars: 5 stars for good service, down to 1 star for poor service. 148 of you responded. And the overall rating averaged out to a solid 4.5 stars.

I must admit, these results surprised me. Long-time readers may recall that I did a similar survey about a year ago. And the overall rating back then also came out to 4.5 stars. But given all the negative press reports in the past three or four months about cutbacks in Social Security Administration staffing and services, I was convinced that the rating would drop and that people would be telling me horror stories about their interactions with the SSA. And a few of you did. But most readers told me they got great service and were satisfied with their dealings with the beleaguered agency.

I was also surprised by the high overall rating because of the day-to-day emails I get from folks -- many of whom usually write to me to complain about some problems they had with the agency’s services and its employees. So, this survey reinforces what I speculated about in that prior column. On a routine basis, people are much more likely to complain to me about poor service than they are inclined to send me an email praising good service. But as I learned in this and the past survey, when given the chance to voice their opinion, the folks who were very satisfied with the SSA’s services and employees came out of the woodwork and let me know what they think. I’m going to expound on your ratings and your responses in a bit. But first, here are some general thoughts about ratings.

As we all know, ratings for businesses and services are now extremely common. Whether you’re buying some underwear at Target or a burrito at Taco Bell, the clerk you deal with is likely to say something like this to you: “And we would appreciate it if you could take a minute and complete a survey about our service.” And if they are especially bold (and honest), they might add: “And we sure would love it if you gave us 5 stars!” (5 stars being the top grade in most rating systems.)

I think most people accept the fact that these rating systems can be a bit suspect. And so often, they depend on the mood and temperament of the reviewer. For example, I was recently checking out vacation homes on the VRBO website. One place I liked got almost all 10-star reviews. (VRBO uses a 1-10 rating system.) But one grumpy guy gave the place 1 star because he found an ant in a cupboard! So anyway, that’s just my way of say-

ing that these rating systems can be important and can be an indication of the value or quality of the product or service being rated. But at the same time, sometimes the rating must be taken with a grain of salt. I totally acknowledge the fact that this little survey I did is entirely unscientific. Still, it’s the best I’ve got. Here are the results.

I got 148 responses from readers. (That’s about 100 fewer responses than I got in my last survey. Not sure why. Anyway, the ratings broke down like this:

-- 5 stars: 118 ratings

-- 4.5 stars: 2 ratings

-- 4 stars: 11 ratings

-- 3 stars: 6 ratings

-- 2 stars: 7 ratings

-- 1 star: 3 ratings

-- 0 star: 1 rating (more about this rating in a minute)

If I’m doing my math right, that comes out to a 4.5-star average rating. As I said, I understand this is an unscientific survey. But I still think it’s a pretty good representation of what most people think about the services they get from the SSA.

And I did glean some points from the responses I got. As I suspected, 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. In fact, 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. And sadly, when a case gets messy, the service sometimes gets messy, too. Although one reviewer said he had what he considered a complicated case, he explained that his situation was handled “efficiently and professionally.” Another 5-star reviewer with what he described as “thorny circumstances” said both his case and his wife’s case were handled “smoothly and expertly.”

Frankly, I’m not all that familiar with the SSA’s current phone policies (I retired from the agency almost 20 years ago), but apparently, they have some deal where you can leave your number and get a callback. A 1-star reviewer said the callback never happened. But three other people who gave 4- and 5-star reviews said they got a callback exactly when it was scheduled.

I didn’t get too many comments about the in-office service at the SSA. Although one reviewer, who admitted to me that he had somewhat of an anti-government bias, said that he walked into his local Social Security office without an appointment (something I wouldn’t recommend) and was treated kindly, waited about 15 minutes, and then talked to “a helpful

and courteous clerk.” Another in-office visitor said, “The waiting room was busy, but clean and well-managed. And the lady I talked to sure knew her stuff.”

But then there was this from the 0-star reviewer. “I had the most unbelievable experience with a group of human beings I’ve ever had in my life. I could not believe that many grossly, malignantly incompetent people could remotely be housed in one place named the SSA office. It truly was a life-alter-

Continued on next page

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

REAL ESTATE WATCH

Is it the calm before the storm or continued easy sailing?

Doesn’t everything look amazing in real estate? Long Island has seen median list prices increase to $849,000 a 10.4% increase and median sold price of $716,000, a 10.1% increase. A median Sale price per square foot of $453, a 10.2% year-over-year increase.

But is the feeling shared by everyone else who might be struggling to purchase a house, condo or coop, or even just to live comfortably without struggling? I do not think so. As the economy appears to be slowing, people are beginning to pull back. They are going and eating out less, staying home more often. I am sure backyard barbecues are being considered more today than ever before.

Purchasing of cars has slowed, especially since tariffs are in the forefront of people’s minds and psychologically making them think twice about buying new. However, whole sale prices at auctions have increased 4.9%, leading to higher prices in the used car market, where many have been gravitating, due to higher prices of new ones.

Our local economy has been stable, job growth opportunities are available. However, finding workers and qualified employees are becoming challenging as the cost of living in Long Island continues to exacerbate a growing problem for those trying to find reasonably priced housing for sale or even for rent.

As prices continue to increase, and the lack of affordable housing, more people are considering leaving and this might be a turning point. There has been a slight increase in people migrating to NYS over the last few years from other countries. However, this will change as the President just signed a travel ban restricting foreign nationals, immigrants and travelers from 12 countries (7 more to follow) that he deems terrorist locations. The lifeblood of our economy is partially fueled by immigrants and travelers coming from outbound locations and spending. Time will tell what negative effects this will have on our economy.

Long Island housing prices have

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

obviously benefited tremendously, especially from those who left NYC during the Pandemic to our suburban and quieter environment; especially due to the remote working and hybrid opportunities. However, today, this allows those who own to cash-in and for those who rent, to choose states where the daily living and taxes are less, like South Carolina, Alabama and Arkansas and Texas, where populations are increasing. I have noticed this when I am making calls and ask the individual where they are located.

by a little or a lot, dependent upon when buyer demand decreases substantially enough to become a tipping point for affordability. When the psychology and mindset begins changing; even for those that could still purchase, noticing price adjustments that are occurring. Although it will take time, inventory will be able to increase to normal 6-7 month levels and that will have an impact prices.

National Association of Realtors Graduate Realtors Institute (what I consider a Master’s degree in real estate).

Certified International Property Specialist - expert in consulting and completing international transactions.

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

I see a huge uptick in those who live in a completely different state than the corporate office locations.

In United Van Lines 48th year study, they have compiled statistics as to outbound and inbound traffic. There were 3 major reasons for moving out, to be closer to family (25.6%), retirement (20.8% and company transfer (15.8%). 49% of migrations were outbound. 1 in 5 moved to Florida.

On the flip side, 41% of inbound moves were for family (32%) changing jobs (27%) and choosing a different lifestyle (14.5%). More important, was that the majority of those moving here had incomes of $150,000 (52.8%) and our highly rated schools were a huge consideration. So we are attracting those that can afford to live here, and losing the more socio-economically challenged employees and workers, which we so desperately need to fill those available but unfulfilled positions. Go to www.unitedvanlines.com) to see the full study.

There was an assessment of the risks of living on Long Island through 2050. There was the increase of hotter, dryer days leading to more wild fires, storm and flood risks and most importantly the reduction in portable water due to pollution and salt water intrusion into our underground aquifers. www. en.m.wikipedia.org and www.libn.org

At some point, prices will decrease

SOCIAL SECURITY AND YOU

Continued from previous page

ing experience. My rating is a BIG FAT ZERO!!!”

Oh well, I guess there is one in every crowd! Anyway, I thank all of you (including Mr. Big Fat Zero) for your ratings and comments. Sorry, but I just didn’t have the space to include all of them.

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. COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

As I mentioned in last week’s column, Baby Boomers are the number one purchasers today (in front of Millennials, GenZs and GenX). As we, the majority, pass on over the next 10-20 years, a multitude of those in the other groups will not be able to afford to purchase due to ongoing high student loan and credit card debt.

However, those parents who have enough assets and are able to leave a sizable estate to their heirs will allow those lucky ones to be able to purchase. However, it is extremely important for the need to be protected financially from being exposed to estate taxes by the IRS. Over 65% of Americans in 2024 didn’t even have the bare minimum of a Will in effect. Financial planning in advance is of utmost significance and importance. Do you have a Will and if so, has your family situation changed where a review and a possible update or revision could be necessary? If so, stop procrastinating and get off your butt and do something!

P.S. The following are the most critical and crucial documents that those with assets will need: Last Will and Testament, a Living Will and a Living Trust, health Care Proxy and a Power of Attorney.

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:

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

He will provide you with “free” regular updates of what has gone under contract (pending), been sold (closed) and those homes that have been withdrawn/ released or expired (W/R) and all new listings of homes, HOA, Townhomes, Condos, and Coops in your town or go to:

https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search at your leisure on your own. However, for a “FREE” no obligation/ no strings attached 15-minute consultation, as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached call him at (516) 647-4289 or email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.com

You can now search at your leisure for properties at: WWW.Li-RealEstate.com bit.ly/4bXWVu6 (facebook.com) bit.ly/4inVqaR (X.com) bit.ly/4bVSwrs (linkedIn) bit.ly/4inVK9z (Instagram) bit.ly/4bQH14x (YouTube)

BY: MARY HUNT

6 Generics That Are Truly a Great Buy

What do you associate with the word “generic?” Do the words “inferior” or “tastes like cardboard” come to mind? Or do you, like many people, associate name brands with people who are well-to-do, while people in poverty opt for generics? That’s complete nonsense but a commonly held attitude. The truth is that generics are often a great buy because the quality of the product is exactly equal to, or sometimes even better than, the namebrand counterpart. Here are six winners:

CEREAL

You really can stop paying $4 a box for cereal because excellent generic options are typically 30% cheaper. In several blind test studies, kids who were given name-brand and generic cereals could not tell a difference. If your kids are picky about their favorite cereal, try combining the name brand and the generic brand in a plastic container so they don’t see

Continued from page 2

portant as aging brings about physical changes that affect the body’s ability to cool itself and stay hydrated. Medications can also affect a person’s ability to stay hydrated. In addition, many older people avoid drinking water because going to the bathroom is harder. They also may not “feel” thirsty anymore. Diseases such as dementia can make older adults more susceptible to dehydration as they may have a limited ability to communicate thirst.

the packaging. Gradually move the mix to more and more generic until they’ve made the switch.

MEDICATION

If you are buying name brands like Advil, Tylenol, Bayer Aspirin, Prilosec, Zyrtec, Claritin and Sudafed, you are wasting your money. You are paying up to three times as much as that medication’s generic version.

By law, a generic drug must be created to be the same as an existing approved name-brand drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality and performance characteristics. I was shocked to learn Americans waste about $32 billion a year buying name-brand pills over the counter when generic alternatives are readily available.

PANTRY STAPLES

Government regulations require the same manufacturing and storage procedures for all staples, such as flour, sugar, eggs, milk, salt and so forth, no matter the brand. Buying the generic brand is just as safe and tastes the same because it is the same as the name brand. Buying generic is almost always cheaper (except for those rare occasions when the brand name is on sale for less than its generic counterpart) because there is no marketing and advertising built into the product’s price tag.

INFANT FORMULA

The Food and Drug Administration strictly regulates and requires the same

nutrients in all infant formula. This means your baby will get the same benefits from the name brand as with the much less expensive generic option. Generic formulas have to follow the same manufacturing and safety guidelines too, so there’s no added risk there. You really can be confident in generic infant formula.

CLEANING PRODUCTS

I cannot say that all generics can compete with their name brand counterparts. But there are many generic cleaning products that perform equally or even better. I have to agree with those who

find that name-brand paper towels and window cleaner are usually worth the money. Generic paper towels tend to be too thin, and generic window cleaner often leaves streaks. However, off-brand scouring powders, disinfecting wipes

Water for Health

Here are some tips to know you’re staying hydrated in the heat:

No. 1: Drink throughout the day for clear, pale urine.

No. 2: When you feel thirsty, drink.

No. 3: During high heat and exercise, drink more to offset any loss through sweat

Q and A

Q: I know I need to eat more fruits and vegetables to be healthy. Are those fruit and vegetable pills I see advertised a good solution?

A: Products that claim to pack all the nutrition of fruits and vegetables into a

little pill are too good to be true. They lack the hydrating water, most of the fiber and many of the other compounds naturally present in food. It’s unclear whether all the other nutrients are retained after the processing necessary to make the pills. There is not evidence you can substitute these pills for the real thing. Try to consume eat 2 1/2 to 4 cups of vegetables and 1 1/2 to 2 cups of fruit a day. A “cup-equivalent” of vegetables is 1 cup of raw or cooked vegetables or vegetable juice or 2 cups of raw, leafy salad greens. A “cup-equivalent” of fruit is 1 cup of fruit, a half-cup of dried fruit, a small apple or

and bathroom cleaner are nearly always equal to, or even better than, the namebrand options.

NONPERISHABLES

The generic options for things like pasta, canned fruits and vegetables, crackers, soda and bottled water tend to be equal in quality. Do not hesitate to give them a try. Here’s a good rule of thumb as you make the decision: The fewer ingredients you see listed, the more likely it is that the generic brand tastes just as good as the name brand.

National brand manufacturers spend a lot of money on advertising and attractive packaging to sell you a product that may not be better than the generic one. And in some cases, the generic and namebrand companies are the same. Hint: If the labels say the products were made in the same town, chances are pretty good they were made by the same company.

Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “DebtProof Living.”

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

banana or a cup of 100% fruit juice. Add a banana to your cereal, add a green salad at lunch and add chopped vegetables to casseroles, stir-fries and pasta dishes; snack on an apple or a handful of baby carrots or red pepper slices.

Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois, and the current president of the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For comments or questions, contact her at charfarg@aol.com or follow her on Twitter @NutritionRD.

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

BY: DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of June 15-28, 2025

I’ve been finding my way around the night sky with a star map for more than six decades and have always found it quite easy.

And then in 1994, I visited the Southern Hemisphere for the first time. For those who aren’t aware, stars and constellations visible from there are different from those we see from the northern half of our planet, and I was lost!

I learned quickly that using a star map is easy only when you already know the sky! But a little understanding of how one works can get you zipping around the heavens in no time.

Today, of course, many planetarium apps can show stars accurately; all it takes is holding a smartphone up to the night sky. But the phone’s bright light and relatively small labels can make stargazing challenging. I’m pretty old school when it comes to using a star map; I’ve always preferred a paper map and a red flashlight (to protect night vision) to help make the evening more productive and enjoyable.

Not just any old generic star map will work. Since our view of the night sky changes constantly as our planet rotates and orbits the sun, we must be sure to use one made for our location on Earth, the correct time and season. The map I’ve supplied here is one I created from heavens-above.com (and

Reading a Star Map

the “Interactive Sky Chart” link) for mid-northern latitudes during the evening hours of early June 2025.

Within the circular outline of the star map, each dot represents a star, with larger dots representing brighter stars. The cardinal directions (N, S, E, W) are printed along the outer edge, and to help organize the heavens into recognizable segments, traditional star patterns are outlined by lines. Simple enough so far.

But using a star map under the night sky is where many people become frustrated. The trick is that, unlike a roadmap, which is held in a normal reading position, a star map must be held overhead, with its cardinal points aligned to the actual directions. Once we learn this, we’re ready to do some stargazing!

There are two ways to use a star map. First, we can go from the sky to the map. Suppose, for example, we spot a fairly bright star halfway from the southeastern horizon to the zenith (the map’s center and overhead point). A glance at the map shows that this star must be Spica, the brightest in the constellation Virgo.

The other way to use the map is to go from the map to the sky. Suppose we want to find the stars Castor and Pollux in Gemini. The star map shows these two equally bright stars sitting low in the west, so that’s where we must look for them in the heavens.

The biggest shock in store for most skywatchers is that star patterns

overhead appear much larger than they do on the map. This shouldn’t be surprising, though. After all, the sky map is only a scale model of the real sky. Once we grasp this difference in scale, finding our way around the sky

becomes a relatively simple and enjoyable process.

Once you know how to use a star map, finding your way around the night sky is easy.

LOST IN SUBURBIA

One Small Step for Man, One Large Step for a ‘Man Cold’

BY: TRACY BECKERMAN

My husband and I both got sick at the same time, with the same cold and all the same symptoms. The difference was, I made dinner, went grocery shopping and did the laundry, while he lay on his deathbed hovering between a congested coma and near-certain demise by sniffles. While this vast pendulum swing between my cold and his might confound doctors, to me it was obvious: I had a regular cold, and he had a “man cold.”

I’ve written here before about the times my husband has had a “man cold” ... when we weren’t sure if he was indeed going to make it to his next birthday, or even the weekend. When the kitchen counter had been overtaken by so many cold remedies it looked like an aisle at CVS. When he appeared

too weak to even pick up the TV remote but could still miraculously find his way to the quart of Haagen-Dazs in the freezer. I’ve never taken these situations lightly ... except when I’m sick at the same time. At these times, when I’m folding laundry and he expresses a wish to cut off his head and throw it out the window, I offer to open the window for him.

Having been through a 36-hour labor before giving birth to a giant baby -twice -- I know a little something about discomfort. I traveled for work with a broken foot, was running (or, rather, hobbling) errands a month after a knee replacement, and was writing a book two weeks after surgery to repair a hiatal hernia. We’ve both had COVID19, which wasn’t much fun either, but I’ve never had a “man cold,” so clearly I don’t really know how miserable a

person can be until I walk a mile in his germ-infested slippers.

His colds have been so bad that he has been forced to consult WebMD to make sure there is nothing more serious going on. Unconvinced, he will then seek actual medical attention. Even after the doctor assures him it is just a cold, he will still insist that it must be more serious than a cold and contemplates calling in the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force to test him for possible Martian cold viruses that might have arrived via meteorite in the Midwest and somehow gotten into his system in New Jersey.

Still, I am not without empathy. This is, after all, the man who held my hand through 36 hours of labor, carried me to the bathroom after my knee surgery and made me smoothies for a month after my hernia repair. The least I

could do was warm up his soup, buy him more tissues and make his funeral arrangements in the chance that he did not recover from his “man cold.”

As miserable as we are, though (me for different reasons than him), when we’re both sick there is some good news. While the “man cold” is unparalleled in intensity, it is, fortunately, relatively short in duration. This is good for both my husband and myself. For him, it means a small amount of time when he is veritably at death’s door. For me, it means a short amount of time hearing about it.

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.

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

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CUSTODIAL POSITION

Seeking a reliable professional individual to join our team as a full time custodian at Garden City Community Church, located at 245 Stewart Ave, Garden City. The position requires some evenings and weekends. Competitive hourly wage. Please send resume to: controller@thegccc.org

SITUATION WANTED

COMPANION HHA PCA

Seeking position overnight or weekends.

29 years experience with Parkinsons, Alzheimers, Dementia, Cancer Patients. References available upon request. Call Miss Browne 516-302-7564

COMPANION/CAREGIVER AVAILABLE

Honest, Reliable, Friendly, experienced Polish Woman is available for Companionship with elderly.

Flexible days and hours. Light Housekeeping, Laundry, Errands.

English speaking, Own Car. Call or Text 516-589-5640

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ATTENTION OXYGEN

THERAPY USERS!

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

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

MARKETPLACE

Antique & Vintage Items

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

HEARING AIDS!! High-quality rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45day money back guarantee! 855-598-5898

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

NOVENAS/PRAYERS

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED

VIRGIN (Never known to fail). Oh Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine of Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin assist me in this necessity. Oh Star of the Sea help me and show herein you are my Mother. Oh Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth I beseech thee from the bottom of my heart to succor me this necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh show me herein you are my Mother. Oh Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to Thee (three times). Oh Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands (three times). Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen. This prayer must be said for three days and after three days your request will be granted. The prayer must be published. Grateful thanks. (Y.M.V.)

MARKETPLACE

WANTED TO BUY

LOOKING TO BUY!

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOS WANTED

Jewelry-Crystal-Silver Furniture-Mirrors-Tabletop Artwork-Lamps Consign, Shop or Visit the Yellow House 109 Eleventh Street Garden City 516-746-8900

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

INVITED SALES BY TRACY JORDAN

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

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

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

Home Updates:

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

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

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

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

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

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOS WANTED

***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS

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

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

GOT AN UNWANTED CAR??? Your car donation to Patriotic Hearts helps veterans find work or start their own business. Fast free pick. Running or not! Call 24/7: 1-833-441-4496

WE BUY 8,000 CARS A WEEK

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

SERVICES

AGING ROOF?

NEW HOMEOWNER?

STORM DAMAGE?

You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-920-9937

CONSUMER CELLULAR

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

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT?

Don’t Accept the insurance company’s first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider

JACK’S CUSTOM FRAMING

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

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

SAVE ON YOUR TRAVEL PLANS! Up to 75% More than 500 AIRLINES and 300,000 HOTELS across the world. Let us do the research for you for FREE! Call: 877 988 7277

ATTORNEY

STEPHANIE A. D’ANGELO, ESQ.

Elder Law, Wills & Trusts Asset Preservation, Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration/Litigation 901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530 516-222-1122 www.dangelolawassociates. com

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

AQUATEC LAWN SPRINKLERS

SPRING TURN ONS

Backflow Device Tests Free Estimates Installation Service/Repairs

Joe Barbato 516-775-1199

SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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

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

MADE IN THE SHADE CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS

Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Draperies

Top Brands at Discount Prices! Family owned & operated www.madeintheshadensli. com 516-426-2890

SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

MASONRY

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

Free Estimates

Fully Licensed & Insured #H2219010000

Boceski Masonry Louie 516-850-4886

PAULIE THE ROOFER STOPPING LEAKS IS MY SPECIALTY!

Slate & Tile Specialists All types of Roofing Local References Licensed & Insured 516-621-3869

SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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

PREPARE FOR POWER

OUTAGES TODAY with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5 year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-877-5161160 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

SAFE STEP North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub.

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

SERVICES

HEALTH SERVICES

FAMILY CARE CONNECTIONS, LLC

Dr. Ann Marie D’Angelo

PMHCNS-BC

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Advanced Practice Nurse Care Manager

Assistance with Aging at Home /Care Coordintion

Nursing Home & Assisted Living Placement

PRI / Screens / Mini Mental Status Exams

Medicaid Eligibility and Apllications

516-248-9323

www.familycareconnections.com

901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530

LI’S ACUPUNCTURE

Hicksville Acupunctuirst

30+ years of expert care for a wide range of conditions. Major Insurances Accepted. Senior discount available. CALL NOW 516-806-5538 Visit Us: acupliang.com

SERVICES

PAINTING & PAPERHANGING

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING

Plastering, Taping, Sheetrock

Skim Cutting, Old Wood Refinish, Staining, Wallpaper Removal & Hanging, Paint Removal, Power Washing, Wood Replacement

JOHN MIGLIACCIO

Licensed & Insured #80422100000

Call John anytime:

516-901-9398 (Cell) 516-483-3669 (Office)

PARTY HELP

LADIES & GENTLEMEN

RELAX & ENJOY

Your Next Party! Catering and Experienced Professional Services for Assisting with Preparation, Serving and Clean Up Before, During and After Your Party Bartenders Available. Call Kate at 516-248-1545

TUTORING

TUTOR AVAILABLE

Elementary Education

NY State Permanent Cert.

30+ years experience Local resident

Learn to: Read, Write, Math Babysitting upon request Call 516- 510-3093

SERVICES

AFFORDABLE TV & INTER-

NET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-855-399-2803

PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-866-448-8311 Have zip code of property ready when calling!

CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

Make a Father’s Day meal Dad can savor

Pecan-Stuffed Pork Chops

Families celebrate Dad in unique ways on Father’s Day. Gifts are customary, but so is a delicious meal Dad will love. Many dads will appreciate a meal that goes above and beyond the ordinary, preferably something that is hearty and delicious. These “Pecan-Stuffed Pork Chops” from “Jon Bonnell’s Texas Favorites” (Gibbs Smith) are

1 large rack of pork chops, bones in

4 tablespoons butter

1⁄2 yellow onion, chopped 2 ribs celery, chopped

1) Clean the rack of pork well and cut in between the bones to get thick individual pork chops. Cut a large slit down the back side of each chop and insert the tip of a knife 2 to 3 inches inside the chop to create a pocket for the stuffing. Do not poke completely through the pork or the stuffing will not stay in.

2) In a large saucepan, melt

5 cloves garlic, minced

1 1⁄2 cups chicken stock

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 cups panko bread crumbs

the butter and sauté the onion, celery and garlic until the onion has slightly softened.

3) Add the chicken stock, salt and cayenne and bring to a light simmer. Pour the contents into a mixing bowl and add the panko bread crumbs and pecans. Mix together and let cool to room temperature.

4 ) Stuff as much of the mix -

a great dish to serve family style when everyone gathers around the table for Father’s Day.

Serves 7–8

2 cups

2 cups roasted pecans, chopped More kosher salt and pepper, to taste

ture into each pork chop as will fit (overstuffing is okay, too). Sprinkle both sides of each chop with salt and pepper to taste, then roast in a preheated 400 ° F oven for 12 minutes. Turn the chops over once and roast an additional 15 minutes. Check for doneness with a meat thermometer. Cook to medium, or 135 ° to 140 ° F.

Upcoming Events at the Jericho Public Library

Thursday, June 12

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.: Books Before Bedtime (Ages 4–8) - Listen to a read-aloud and then watch a short film, all before bedtime!

Friday, June 13

2:00 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Great Performers: Gene Hackman: An Actor, Not a Star with Marc CourtadeGene Hackman had a career that spanned over 60 years. He received two Academy Awards, one a Best Actor, one as Best Supporting Actor, and had three other nominations. From his early career on stage and television, he said he was trained to be an actor, not a star. His best roles continued to be playing ordinary people even as his fame increased. His performances remind us of the quality a great actor can bring to films.

Saturday, June 14

10:30 a.m.: Itty Bitty Bookworms (Ages Birth to 30 Months) - Join us for this interactive program of rhymes, songs, stories, and more!

1:00 p.m.: Puzzle Tournament All Ages - Join us for a fun and competitive afternoon! Participate in our family puzzle tournament. The family who finishes first, wins a prize! For all ages!

Monday, June 16

10:30 a.m.: Sensational Playtime (Ages 18 Months to 3 Years) - This is a play-based program for Early Childhood designed with occupational therapy objectives in mind. It will focus on developmental motor and social skills to foster the emerging skills for this age group.

2:00 p.m.: HYBRID: Art Lecture: Athens and the Little Gems of the Aegean with Mary Maguire - Starting in Athens, up on the Acropolis, we will explore the city where democracy was born. We will visit the site of ancient theaters where Sophocles and Aristotle inspired the plots for many of today’s film productions. Then we will wander the ancient agora where Socrates taught, and the stadium where the first Olympic Games were held. Finally, we will set sail on the blue Aegean taking in the myths, ancient ruins, spiritual sites, beaches and the incomparable sunsets of Mykonos, Santorini, Delos, Patmos, Rhodes and Crete. A perfect way to spend a June afternoon!

6:30 p.m.: Teens: Needle Felted Turtles - Let’s get felty! Come join The Whaling Museum to create a colorful

Sanitation collections modified for holiday

Town of Oyster Bay sanitation and S.O.R.T. Recycling collection schedules will be modified for the Thursday, June 19, observance of Juneteenth.

There will be no sanitation or recycling collection on Thursday, June 19, for residents who normally receive Town service.

Residents who generally receive

Town pickup on Thursdays will have their collections done the next day, Friday, June 20. Those who usually receive pickup on Fridays will be collected on Saturday, June 21.

Town offices will be closed on June 19. For more information, visit the Town’s website at www.oysterbaytown. com.

turtle pal using a felting needle. Fun fact: Did you know whalers carved knitting and sewing tools out of whale bone? How cool!!

Tuesday, June 17

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.

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.

2:00 p.m.: VIRTUAL: The 2025 Tony Awards with Stephen Nachamie - Join us on a journey through this past Broadway theatre season and explore the diverse productions of this past season. From SUNSET BLVD to GYPSY, SMASH to BOOP!

6:00 p.m.: Teens: Intro to CrochetCome join us for this beginner crochet class! You will learn in a comfortable, relaxed environment, and practice the chain (slip) stitch and single crochet. All materials are supplied.

Thursday, June 19

10:30 a.m.: 1,2,3 Full S.T.E.A.M Ahead (18 Months–5 Years) - This preschool STEAM program includes

music movement, fine and gross motor development and storytelling followed by a craft!

1:00 p.m.: Bond with Your Teen: Cooking Together with Chef Rob!Chef Rob will be back to teach you how to make a giant chocolate chip cookie pizza enough to share with the family. Patrons will need to bring: large and medium bowl, whisk, spatula and a round or square baking tray.

Friday, June 20

10:00 a.m.: St. Francis Outreach Bus - The St. Francis Hospital Bus will be in our front parking lot offering free health screenings. The screenings include a brief cardiac history, blood pressure, a simple blood test for cholesterol and diabetes screenings. They will offer appropriate education and referrals as needed for those attending. No appointment necessary but you MUST be 18 years of age or older. 4:00 p.m.: Lego Stamping Fun! (Grades K–4) - Get ready to stamp and create in this hands-on art adventure! With the assistance of teen helpers, kids will explore their creativity by using LEGO bricks as stamps to make colorful, one-of-a-kind masterpieces. From bold patterns to playful textures, every print is a surprise! This funfilled activity encourages imagination, fine motor skills, and lots of messy fun—no building experience required, just bring your love for LEGO and art! 4:00 p.m.: Teens Community Service: Craft Corner - Earn community service credit as you assist younger children in making a fun craft, then help us clean up!

Summer “Movies by Moonlight” at local parks

We’re looking for local writers to compose articles and stories of all kinds for the Discovery section of our paper! E-mail submissions and contact info to editor@gcnews.com

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that free ‘Movies by Moonlight’ will be offered in local parks on Thursday evenings this summer, beginning July 10. Residents are welcome to bring blankets and chairs when attending these family-friendly movies.

“Residents and families looking for a fun night need look no further than their backyards this summer as the Town is ready with a summer to remember,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “We’re thrilled to once again show family-friendly films at our parks, along with character meet and greets, inflatables, games and more.”

Seating and pre-movie activities will begin at 6:30 p.m. including character meet and greets at select movies, inflatables and games. All movies begin at sundown and are subject to change. They will be held weather permitting.

For additional information, please call (516) 797-7925 or visit the Town’s website www.oysterbaytown.com/summer  or Facebook page @TownofOysterBay. Summer Movies:

Thursday, July 10: “Moana 2” at Marjorie R. Post Community Park, Massapequa

Thursday, July 17: “Wonka” at John J. Burns Town Park, Massapequa

Thursday, July 24: “Despicable Me 4” at Harry Tappen Beach, Glenwood Landing

Thursday, July 31: “Toy Story” at Ellsworth W. Allen Town Park, Farmingdale

Thursday, August 7: “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” at Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park, Plainview Thursday, August 14: “Inside Out 2” at Syosset-Woodbury Community Park, Woodbury

Exclusive elegance

LUXURY RENTALS FOR THOSE 62 AND OLDER

‘ Apartments with Full Kitchens

‘ Concierge Services

‘ Daily Housekeeping

‘ Private Car Services

‘ On-Site Cinema

‘ Outdoor Pool with Cabanas

‘ Fitness Center & Yoga Studio

‘ Spacious Patio & Fire Pit

‘ Two On-Site Restaurants with al fresco Dining

‘ Golf Simulator

‘ Beauty Salon & Spa

Join us at any of The Bristal communities for a festive summer weekend. Take a tour, view our beautifully appointed apartments, meet our team and learn more about The Bristal’s amenities and lifestyle. Take advantage of our summer savings special this weekend only! To let us know you’re coming, give us a call at 877-978-1088 or scan the QR code to visit: thebristal.com/gardenparty

BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN

FREE HARRY CHAPIN LAKESIDE THEATRE CONCERTS

Friday, June 13, 7:00pm

National BBQ Festival

JD Leonard, Decades of Country

Saturday, June 14, 7:00pm

National BBQ Festival

Warren G and DJ Belal

Sunday, June 15, 10:00am-4:00pm

National BBQ Festival

Family Entertainment including: Professional Wrestling with Championship Entertainment Productions and Rolie Polie Guacamole

Monday, June 16, 5:00pm

Senior Afternoon Concert: Manhattan Skyline & Sons of Pitches

Thursday, June 19, 7:00pm

Juneteenth Celebration

Chrisette Michele and Earth Wind & Fire Tribute by D’votion

Saturday, June 21, 7:00pm Disco Unlimited

Monday, June 23, 7:00pm The Mavericks

Thursday, June 26, 7:00pm Orleans and Atlantic Rhythm Section

Friday, June 27, 7:00pm

Million Dollar Reunion featuring stars of Broadway’s Million Dollar Quartet

Saturday, June 28, 7:00pm Freestyle Meets Salsa featuring: TKA/K7, Tito Puente Jr., Joey Cruz, La Sonora 495, Forever Freestyle Band

Thursday, July 3, 5:30pm

(Rain date Saturday, July 5)

TD Bank Celebrate America Fireworks & Show: Face to Face LI, Chicken Head, and Glenn Strange Band

Thursday, July 10, 7:00pm

So Good – Neil Diamond Tribute

Saturday, July 12, 7:00pm Desert Highway Tribute - Eagles Tribute

Sunday, July 13, 4:00pm

Family Day on the Lake featuring Beauty and the Beat and wide-ranging entertainment for children and families

Thursday, July 17, 7:00pm Doo Wop Show featuring: Kid Kyle, The Capris, Vito Picone and the Elegants

Friday, July 18, 6:30pm

Tribute to Harry Chapin with Corey Reiman & The Dilemma Band

Saturday, July 19, 7:00pm Russell Dickerson

Monday, July 21, 5:00pm

Senior Afternoon Concert: Vinny Medugno & The Chiclettes

Friday, July 25, 7:00pm

Dean Karahalis & the Concert Pops of L.I.

Saturday, July 26, 7:00pm

Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway

Thursday, July 31, 7:00pm

Christopher Macchio & The Nassau Pops: Opera and The Classics

Friday, August 1, 7:00pm

Half Step - Grateful Dead Tribute

Saturday, August 2, 6:45pm Salute to Veterans American Bombshells & Streetfighter - Rolling Stones Tribute

Sunday, August 3, 6:00pm

The 42nd Infantry Division Band, NY Army National Guard

Thursday, August 7, 7:00pm

Lady Supreme

A Diana Ross Experience

Friday, August 8, 7:00pm

The Boss Project - The Premier Bruce Springsteen Tribute Band

Thursday, August 14, 7:00pm The Castellows

Friday, August 15, 7:00pm Dancing Dream - ABBA Tribute

Saturday, August 16, 7:00pm

Midtown Men - Original Cast of Jersey Boys

Monday, August 18, 5:00pm

Senior Afternoon Concert:

Stan Zizka & The Del Satins

Thursday, August 21, 7:00pm

Let’s Sing Taylor

Taylor Swift Experience

Friday, August 22, 7:00pm Yachtley Crew

70s and 80s Soft Rock

Friday, August 29, 7:00pm

Misty Mountain, Led Zeppelin Tribute and Who’s Next, The Who Tribute

Saturday, August 30, 7:00pm Elvis Crespo

Sunday, September 14, 6:00pm Ashley McBryde

Friday, September 19, 7:00pm

Parti-Gras with Bret Michaels and a Renowned Former Lead Guitarist –TBA

Friday, September 26, 8:00pm

Steve Aoki with DJ Theo and Untamed