SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW
Town honors hockey legend
Members of the Town of Oyster Bay Board congratulate the Town's youth hockey director, Buzz Deschamps, on his induction into the New York State Hockey Hall of Fame.
The Town of Oyster Bay recently honored the Town’s youth ice hockey director, Buzz Deschamps, on his recent induction into the New York State Hockey Hall of Fame. Before becoming one of Long Island's most respected coaches and mentors for over 40 years, Buzz had an outstanding playing career. He was drafted by the New York Rangers and went on to become a standout player with the Long Island
Ducks.
Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino stated, “While his accomplishments on the ice are impressive, perhaps his greatest legacy is the countless young people whose lives he has positively influenced through his patience, encouragement and leadership. Buzz exemplifies selfless community service, integrity and an unwavering passion for growing the game of hockey. His induction into
the New York State Hockey Hall of Fame is richly deserved, and our entire Town shares in celebrating this extraordinary achievement.”
Buzz was inducted alongside fellow legendary players including Josh Bailey, Nick Fotiu, Teagan Ketchum, Andrea Kilbourne-Hill, Steve Janaszak, Don Maloney, and Shawn Weller.
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E-bike rider struck in Bethpage
A 14-year-old electric bike rider was seriously injured in a crash on Wednesday, July 8th at 2:53 pm in Bethpage.
According to Nassau County Police, a 14-year-old male was operating an e-bike westbound on Sherman Avenue crossing Seventh Street when he was struck by 2014 Dodge operated by a 17-year-old female trav-
eling southbound on Seventh Street. The e-bike operator suffered severe body trauma and was airlifted by a Nassau County Aviation Helicopter to a local hospital where he was listed in critical condition. The operator of the Dodge remained at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.
Blood drive planned for August 13
With hospitals facing a nationwide blood shortage, the Town of Oyster Bay invites residents to attend a Blood Collection Drive on Thursday, August 13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Town Hall North, located at 54 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay.
Town Councilwoman Vicki Walsh stated, “Blood supplies are critically needed for local hospitals to meet the demand and continue saving lives. Please consider participating in this Blood Drive to help bolster our blood banks and ensure as many people as possible can be helped. Together, we can give the gift of life though a simple blood donation.”
Appointments are preferred for the Town’s Blood Drive. To qualify as a donor, a person must be between the ages of 17 and 75 years old (16 with paren-
tal permission and 76 or older with a doctor’s note), weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood within the last 56 days. Anyone who received a tattoo within the past three months is ineligible to donate. It is recommended that donors eat well (low fat) and drink fluids in the days before the Blood Drive. All donors will receive a voucher for a free Blizzard at Dairy Queen, and donors who enter their email addresses will receive two free New York Islanders tickets via email one week after the donation drive. For additional information regarding the Town’s Blood Drive, contact (516) 624-6380. To make an appointment to donate at this Blood Drive, sign up today at www.oysterbaytown. com/blooddrive.
Jericho Middle School student places third in golf tourney
Taerin Lee, a thirteen-year old middle school student from Jericho, credits her grandmother for sparking her interest in the game of golf. She has gotten so good at the game that she recently placed third the 102nd MGA Women’s Public Links Championship.
“My grandmother introduced me to the sport when I was younger and I’ve taken a liking to it ever since,” said Lee. “I think the best thing about golf is that it’s a solo sport, so if you do something good or you make a mistake then everything falls on your shoulders.”
Lee, who is a member of the High School varsity golf team, played in the Federations Cup tournament last weekend on the Bethpage Red course at Bethpage State Park golf course. The course is an eighteen hole 6,500 yard that is considered one of the toughest courses at Bethpage.
She earned her way into the prestigious tournament by placing in the top-ten list of players in the state championships at the high school level.
Lee faced off against some of the top female players in the City, Catholic, Private and Public-school rankings.
“I am really proud of myself because I competed against some of the best girl players around and I was able to finish in third at such a young age,” said Lee.
She ended up with a final score of eight over par on a course that is long distance and considered one of the tougher ones to play.
“It is a pretty good score from that distance but I know I can do better in the future. I plan to enter and play in more tournaments so I can improve my score.”
Bo Lee, Taerin’s mom, said she was
very proud of her daughter for showing such poise and maturity in competing against much older girls and accomplished players.
“Competing against some the best players was a massive challenge for Taerin but she embraced it completely,” said her mom. “Seeing her hold het own and finish third in this level of competition as just a seventh grader is an incredibly proud moment for our family. She showed so much maturity and heart out there.”
HazMat Collection, Homeowners’ Cleanup Days
The Town of Oyster Bay has announced the Town’s S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) and Homeowners Cleanup Days for this summer, with dates scheduled for weekends in July and August. Residents can drop off materials at the Old Bethpage Solid Waste Disposal Complex, located at 101 Bethpage-Sweet Hollow Road in Old Bethpage.
S.T.O.P. Program - Saturday, July 11, & Saturday, August 8, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.: collects various hazardous materials, including: asbestos material (double bagged); automobile batteries; automobile tires (with or without rims); brake and transmission fluids; drain and oven cleaners; fire extinguishers; fares; fluorescent bulbs; gasoline; pesticides and insecticides; oil-based and latex paint; outdoor gas grill propane tanks; photo chemicals; rechargeable and button batteries; small aerosol cans; smoke detectors; solvents; spot removers; thermostats; waste motor oil and antifreeze; and wood preservatives.
“Improperly disposing of products such as waste oil, oven cleaner or paint thinner could contaminate your water supply,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “Anything poured on the ground or put into cesspools, storm drains, or recharge systems can work its way down to the aquifer or our waterways.”
Homeowners Cleanup Day –
Saturday, July 25, & Saturday, August 22, from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.: collects non-hazardous waste only, including: air conditioners; all e-waste; campers; boats and boat trailers (proof of ownership required - oil, gas, other fluids and batteries removed); clean, broken concrete; large metal items; propane tanks and propane torches; tires; and yard waste.
“With the start of spring, many residents begin to clean out their yards and may have large amounts of yard waste and other non-hazardous debris to dispose,” said Councilman Tom Hand. “Residents can bring items such as used tires, fence posts, clean broken concrete or yard waste to our Homeowners Cleanup.”
Free Paper Shredding ServicesSaturday, July 25, & Saturday, August 22, from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.: provides residents an opportunity to destroy unwanted documents in a safe and secure manner. Residents only, no businesses, can bring up to four bankers’ boxes of paper to the shredding program.
The Town’s S.T.O.P. and Homeowners programs are open to residents within the Town’s Solid Waste Disposal District. Proof of residency is required. For more information, including a full list of what is accepted at these programs, visit www.oysterbaytown. com/cleanup or call (516) 677-5848.
August Readers Services events at Syosset Library
Tuesday, August 11, at 7:30 p.m.
Evening Book Discussion
Join Lisa Hollander, Readers’ Services Librarian, for an in-person discussion of the New York Times bestselling novel “All the Colors of the Dark” by Chris Whitaker. Copies of the book will be available at the Circulation Desk one month before the discussion. No registration.
Tuesday, August 25, at 2 p.m.
Afternoon Book Discussion
Join Donna Burger, Readers’
Services Librarian, for an in-person discussion of the historical fiction novel “The Wartime Sisters” by Lynda Cohen Loigman. Copies of the book will be available at the Circulation Desk one month before the discussion. No registration.
The Syosset Public Library is located at 225 South Oyster Bay Road, Syosset. For more information please call516921-7161 ext. 239 or email Readersservices@syossetlibrary.org
*All events are wheelchair accessible
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Taerin Lee
Elementary school receives “Little Library”after teacher’s passing
BY GARY SIMEONE
Mary Boland was a beloved long-tenured reading teacher at the Burns Avenue Elementary School. When she unexpectedly passed away earlier this year, it was a huge blow to staff members and students alike.
“She was a teacher who was beloved in this district and she was always about her students first and foremost,” said Burns Avenue Principal Bryan Offermann. “With the new lending library that was built in her honor outside of the school, our staff and students will always be able to come together and lend or read a book in her memory.”
The lending library, which is built like a small little house, was the creation of fellow teachers Suzanne Calo (reading teacher) and Vanessa Reinhart (special education teacher.) One of Reinhart’s family members, who works in construction, was able to build the house from scratch.
“This small little library will serve
as a lasting tribute for her passion for reading and her dedication to aspiring young learners,” said Dr. Catherine Carella-Dean, supervisor of English, reading and libraries for Hicksville Public Schools. “We are so happy to have members of our staff and students and family members of Ms. Boland here at this ceremony to dedicate this small library in her honor.”
The ceremony took place on June 23rd, on a rainy day where everyone gathered underneath the schools awning to seek shelter. School officials including School Superintendent Dr. Theodore Fulton, Assistant Superintendent Timothy Piciello and family members of Ms. Boland spoke about how great a teacher she was to her students.
“We definitely had a lot of staff members and students who became emotional and teary-eyed during the ceremony but with this library they will always have a way to remember her,” said Offermann.
Volunteer of the Year awards
Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti (thrd left) and Town Clerk Kate Murray (second left) congratulated Alivia Munro, Matthew Perez, and Isabella Chlebek as they were recognized during the Levittown Community Council Junior Volunteer of the Year Awards on May 26, at the Levittown Public Library. Also attending were Nassau County Legislators Tom McKevitt and Kayla Knight.
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Foosball top finishers
SATURDAY, JULY 25 6:30 PM
FREE SUMMER CONCERTS ATLANTA
RHYTHM SECTION FIREFALL & PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE
Three young competitors, Daniel Rojas, Sean Gorey, and Parneet Singh recently emerged as the top finishers during the McDonald’s New York Metro Foosball Youth Series qualifying event held this month at the McDonald’s restaurant located at 280 N. Broadway in Hicksville. Rojas secured the event’s top spot and earned a place in the championship finals on July 17 in Midtown Manhattan, where finalists from across the New York metropolitan area will compete for a chance to win a $5,000 educational grants and other prizes.
Summer “Movies by Moonlight”at
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 9. 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, on-stage performances, inflatables, games and more.”
Seating and pre-movie activities will begin at 6:30 p.m. including inflat-
PARK
town parks
ables 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 23 - Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park, Plainview“The Bad Guys 2”
Thursday, July 30 - Harry Tappen Beach, Glenwood Landing - “Elio” Thursday, August 6 - Ellsworth W. Allen Town Park, Farmingdale - “Cars” Thursday, August 13 - SyossetWoodbury Community Park, Woodbury“Hoppers”
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Forming values. Building confident leaders.
Division Dragons soar at 67th commencement
A momentous milestone was reached by Division Avenue High School’s Class of 2026 on June 20 as they celebrated their many achievements during the 67th commencement ceremony held at Hofstra University.
Parents and loved ones made their pride heard in the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex as seniors processed toward their seats to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance.”
Senior Manav Dubey led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the national anthem and “The Irish Blessing” sung by senior members of the concert choir.
Principal Jeffrey Myers encouraged graduates to celebrate their achievements while acknowledging the spirit and camaraderie they expressed through their years in high school. “It’s not just about brains, awards, championships, performances or college acceptances,”
Mr. Myers said. “It’s about being part of something bigger than yourself.”
Assistant Principal Mark Curtiss announced a special recognition of Michael Pappas, who has served on the Levittown board of education for 18 years. Mr. Pappas was presented with an honorary diploma, plaque and Division sweatshirt and hat.
Superintendent of Schools Todd Winch recognized graduates who will serve in various branches of the United States Armed Forces and emphasized the importance of character.
“Years from now, few will care much about what was printed on your business card or posted on Indeed,” Mr. Winch said. “What they will remember is how you make people feel — whether you showed kindness when it wasn’t easy and encouraged when it wasn’t convenient.”
Board President Christina Lang presented the diploma to her daughter, Victoria Lang.
Graduates shook hands with administrators and trustees upon receiving their diploma.
Valedictorian Nish Keer addressed his peers.
Members of Division Avenue High School’s Class of 2026 were ready to cross the stage ahead of their graduation ceremony on June 20.
Senior members of the concert choir gave a performance of “The Irish Blessing.”
Seniors in the string orchestra joined their peers.
Terrific Kid honored Division Dragons soar at 67th commencement
Division salutatorian Andrew Zhao reminded his peers that success is found in the small moments and accomplishments. “Over time, we learned that getting here was really about the smaller things: showing up, keeping up, trying again and taking responsibility for what comes next.”
In his valedictory address, Nish Keer discussed the different methods that can be used to approach mathematical problems — an insight he gained when viewing different teams during Science Olympiad competitions. “Those unique innovations taught me that there is rarely one right way; that the person next to you might be taking a completely different path to the same destination,” he said.
Seniors in the string orchestra joined their peers for a performance of “Viva la Vida” before a commemorative video assembled by the Division News Network was played.
In her class address, Class President Isabella Montes reminded her peers not to dwell on the past. “No matter where you are or what you’re doing tomorrow or 50 years from now, remember that you can decide how you spend your time,” she said.
Each graduate proudly stepped across the stage to receive their diploma from administrators and trustees. Once tassels were turned, the Division Avenue Class of 2026 officially became graduates.
Photos courtesy Levittown Public Schools
Fork Lane explores the cosmos
Fork Lane Elementary students in Hicksville were invited to explore the cosmos through a portable planetarium, an enormous inflatable dome that immersed participants in the wonders of outer space and was set up in school’s gymnasium on May 26. The out-of-this-world experience allowed students to journey through the universe on a guided exploration of the solar system, seasonal night skies and the rich stories of Greek mythology woven among the stars.
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Also attending were local residents, Joe Cina, Sr., and Levittown Chamber of Commerce President Joel Harris.
Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti (second right), Councilman Dennis Dunne (left), and Town Clerk Kate Murray (third left) greeted Lucas Wachsberger and Joe Cina, Jr., co-owners of Block Party in Levittown, as the Wantagh Avenue business celebrated its grand opening on April 17.
Photos courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools
Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti congratulated Abbey Lane Elementary School student Emily Quigley as she was recognized as a “Terrific Kid” by the Levittown Kiwanis during the school’s Moving Up Ceremony on June 25.
Traveling by Road or Air? These Items Keep Your Adventure Memorable in a Good Way
KAREN RUBIN
Vacationers are taking to the roads and taking in special events for America’s 250th, state fairs, and sports events in huge numbers. Some new gear can make your trip that much safer, more comfortable and more satisfying. Indeed, travel is an adventure- the trick is to make the adventure (and inevitable difficulties that add spice to the experience) as manageable, even pleasurable as possible, and memorable in a good way.
One of my biggest fears has always been to lose track of my child when at some big, crowded festival, event or attraction, especially a nighttime concert. Xplora is a smartwatch designed to provide kids with a safe and age-appropriate way to stay connected, without a phone. Children can call and chat with pre-approved contacts, track their steps, capture moments with a built-in camera, and use GPS tracking for safety. Parents maintain full control through the Xplora Parent App. ($129.99+, Available at Amazon, Walmart, Target)
Another major fear I have is getting stuck on a dark road with a failed car battery. BoostHero Vehicle Jump Starter, Flashlight & Power Bank is an all-in-one portable safety tool, it has a vehicle 800A jump starter, 4-mode flashlight, and 6,000mAh power bank and fits into a compact bag.
The Olight ArkPro Ultra is an all-in-one travel safety tool. It’s flat, 115 grams, fits in a glovebox and does four things green laser for signaling, 1,700 lumen pure flood light that has a magnet for hands-free work under the hood, spotlight for navigating unfamiliar streets at night,
UV for checking hotel linens or leak detection, The CNC-machined O-Aluminum unibody is drop rated, USB-C rechargeable from any car port or power bank. (ArkPro Ultra Onyx Black MSRP: $129.99).
The Baton Series’s Moonlight mode doubles as a safe nightlight in unfamiliar rooms, and the dualswitch tail cap gives instant-on access in an emergency. The rotating hidden USB-C port charges from any travel adapter. Great for when traveling with children. (Baton 4 Pro $62.99; Baton Ultra $89.99).
Having an infant doesn’t have to snafu your lust for travel: LectroFan Alpha: With its small size, the Alpha sound machine is perfect for travel –whether you want to help baby sleep while you’re on the go, in the car or in the stroller, or to cover up noises in the hotel room, tent or cabin. It plays your choice of seven gentle,
soothing sounds, including a heart beat, two different fans, two white noise variations and two variations of ocean waves. It recharges with the included USB cable, and it plays for up to 40 hours per charge. The included clip makes it easy to attach to car seats, cribs, strollers ($29.95, Available on Amazon)
TernX Carry-On Luggage
Stroller is a hybrid stroller and certified carry-on suitcase that doesn’t require unpacking when switching modes. Ideal for airports, city travel, and quick getaways. It fits in overhead compartments; has18L storage capacity; is lightweight with independent front-wheel suspension; ergonomic reclining seat with expandable backrest for growing kids; has a UPF 50+ extendable sun canopy and adjustable five-point harness; is ASTM certified and transitions for everyday use at home ($699).
KEEP>GOING First Aid Kits are TSAapproved kits are stocked with 130+ everyday necessities in a compact case that fits easily into carryons, beach bags, glove compartments, and hiking packs. New Pet Kit keeps furry travel buddies covered too (www.KeepGoingFirstAid.com, Amazon).
Mozy Wearable Thermal Wrap’s patented thermal design traps and recirculates body heat for up to 500% more warmth than traditional outerwear, giving parents and kids a cozy buffer against cold. Waterresistant, windblocking, and handsfree, it clips around the waist to keep core and legs warm while you move. Perfect for sunrise hikes, boat rides, sports sidelines, and any adventure where temps dip unexpectedly. Visit www.getthemozy.com EF Adventures Partners with Backcountry: EF Adventures and Backcountry have formed a strategic partnership that gives EF Adventures’ travelers access to Backcountry Gearhead-curated gear lists, exclusive gear and apparel benefits, and Backcountry Summit Club Plus membership, while Backcountry customers gain exclusive deals and upgrades on world-class hiking, biking, and multi-adventure tours through EF Adventures. There are plans to curate and launch “The Backcountry Tour Collection, powered by EF Adventures” — a series of exclusive departures created specifically for outdoor enthusiasts. Learn more: efadventures.com/backcountry
© 2026 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear. com
BY DENNIS MAMMANA
Week of July 19-25, 2026
We can spend our time under the stars trying to find constellation figures from mythological times, but we’ll always have limited success. If we really want to see pictures among the stars, I’m afraid we need to create our own.
You may remember from previous articles that constellations are simply areas of the sky, and do not resemble their namesakes. Corvus looks nothing like a crow. Trying to find a bear in Ursa Major? Fuhgetaboutit! And Scorpius, the scorpion ... well, OK, there will always be one exception.
No, if you want to see pictures among the stars, you must invent your own. And that’s where asterisms come in. An asterism is a group of stars that we connect in our imaginations to look like something.
Some of the easiest of these to create are geometrical figures. If you ever took a geometry class, you may recall that a point is the simplest of these -- a figure with no length, width or depth. In the sky, every star forms a point; connect any three of these, and you’ll create a triangle. One in particular, though, is different. It’s larger and brighter, and we can find it midway up in our eastern sky after dark. It’s called the Summer Triangle. It’s not a constellation but rather an asterism
The Great Summer Triangle
made of three stars from three separate constellations, but that doesn’t mean that early storytellers overlooked this prominent star grouping.
For example, an ancient Chinese love tale tells that the star Deneb represents a magpie bridge over the Milky Way, which allows the separated lovers Altair and Vega to be reunited on only one summer night each year.
The brightest of the stellar trio -and highest in the sky this week -- is Vega, the most prominent star in the constellation of Lyra, the harp. It lies 150 trillion miles from us (about 25 lightyears); in other words, the light arriving tonight from Vega began its journey toward our eyes in 2001.
The southeasternmost of the three stars is Altair, the brightest in the constellation of Aquila, the eagle. Its name comes from the Arabic Al Nasr al Tair, meaning in English “the flying eagle.” Altair lies about 96 trillion miles (17 lightyears) from us. Not only is Altair one of the nearest stars, it’s also one of the most rapidly spinning, completing one rotation in just 6.5 hours!
Finally, farthest to the northeast lies Deneb, marking the tail of the great swan Cygnus, more easily recognized as the Northern Cross. It’s not certain, but we think that Deneb could lie as far away as 2,600 lightyears from Earth. If it’s truly that distant, this star could be one of the most brilliant in our entire
The Summer Triangle is visible in the eastern sky after dark this week.
galaxy, with a luminosity equivalent to 200,000 suns, and would generate more light in one day than our sun has produced since the days of Marco Polo at the end of the 13th century!
With the overwhelmingly bright moonlight this week and next, the brightest stars are about all we’ll be
LOST IN SUBURBIA
Let
Them Eat Cake
BY TRACY BECKERMAN
If I’d had any choice in the matter, I certainly wouldn’t have planned to have my two kids’ and husband’s birthdays be only weeks apart. The first two just kind of worked out that way. The third was completely out of my control.
The problem with all these occasions has nothing to do with gifts or parties.
It’s about the cake. Or, more accurately, cakes.
Lots and lots of cakes.
Naturally, no one wants to share a birthday celebration, which means we have to do a separate cake for each birthday. Everyone likes the same cake, so we end up with three very rich, very chocolatey, chocolate fudge and buttercream cakes -- one per week for three weeks. Each cake lasts a week, so we basically start a new cake just as we finish the previous one. While this might sound like heaven for some people, for me it’s a disaster. It is the ominous end of my summer beach body. It is ...
The Enemy of the Thighs.
Of course, I don’t have to eat all the cakes, or even have more than one slice
of each cake. But they call to me from the kitchen:
”Forget your thighs. Pay no heed to your hips.”
It’s the siren cry of the bewitching baked goods. And I am under their sugary spell.
“You know, you could just throw it out after a day or so,” said my husband as I complained about my predicament while simultaneously shoving forkfuls of cake into my pie hole.
“But that would be a waste of money,” I replied. “And I need to save money to pay for the liposuction I’m going to need after I eat all this cake.”
He shook his head. He was immune to the call of the cake, and so was my son. I decided it couldn’t really be about willpower. Surely it was a genetic issue, and my extra X-chromosome was the one that weakened my resistance to cake.
As I worked my way through cake No. 2, I wondered how people who work at bakeries deal with being around cake all day. I thought that maybe they developed a sugar immunity from prolonged exposure. I decided to ask the
Cake Boss that question if I ever ran into him.
Meanwhile, back in cake central, I boxed up the cake and brought it back into the kitchen so it could lie in wait until the next time I passed by and it called out to me.
But as I crossed the threshold into the kitchen, the thigh gods intervened. With the large cake box in front of me, I didn’t notice the dog toys on the floor at the door to the kitchen, and I tripped over them, tossing the cake box across the room like a chocolate shot put. The cake box landed upside down, and when I went to retrieve it, I discovered that the whole thing had collapsed onto itself and was no longer a chocolate cake. Now it was a chocolate pancake.
My husband walked in and saw me cleaning up the mess quickly so the dog didn’t join the party.
“Well, it looks like you solved your cake problem,” he said.
I put the cake pancake back on the counter and shook my head.
“Don’t be silly,” I replied as I grabbed another fork from the drawer. “It ain’t pretty, but it still tastes great!”
able to see, but you can still head outdoors to check out the brightest of the summer -- the Summer Triangle.
Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.
COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM
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 2026 CREATORS.COM
Why Gen Z, Millennials and Gen X are Leaving New York
For generations, New York has represented opportunity. From Wall Street to Broadway, Silicon Alley to worldclass universities, the Empire State has long attracted ambitious people looking to build careers. raise families, and create wealth. Yet today, a growing number of Gen Z, Mi1lennial, and even Gen X residents are packing up and leaving New York State in search of something they believe they can no longer find here: affordability, flexibility, and a better quality of life.
This migration isn’t simply a reaction to high housing costs. It reflects a broader shift in how younger generations define success, financial security, and personal freedom. While New York remains one of the world’s most dynamic places to live and work, it faces increasing competition from states offering lower taxes, less expensive housing, expanding job markets, and lifestyles that better align with evolving priorities.
For homeowners, buyers, investors, and policymakers, understanding these trends is becoming increasingly important because they are reshaping the future of real estate.
The Affordability Challenge
Housing affordability remains the single greatest reason many younger residents leave New York.
For many Gen Z professionals entering the workforce, purchasing a first home in many parts of New York feels almost impossible. Student loan debt, elevated mortgage rates, rising insurance costs, and historically high home prices have pushed ownership beyond reach for many firs time buyers.
Millennials, now largely in their prime family-forming years, often discover that what they can purchase elsewhere significantly exceeds what they can afford in New York. The same salary that buys a modest condominium in parts of Long Island may purchase a spacious four-bedroom home with a yard in North Carolina, Tennessee, or Texas.
Gen X homeowners face a different calculation. Many have accumulated substantial home equity but find themselves burdened by rising property taxes, increasing maintenance expenses, and escalating insurance premiums. Selling and relocating can dramatically reduce monthly expenses while allowing them to preserve or even grow retirement savings.
Property Taxes Continue to Influence Decisions
New York consistently ranks among the states with the highest property taxes. Long Island homeowners under-
stand this reality better than almost anyone.
Annual property tax bills exceeding $15,000, $20,000, or even $30,000 have become common in many communities. While excellent schools and municipal services justify much of these costs, many families question whether the financial trade-off still makes sense.
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
When relocating to states with significantly lower taxes, homeowners often discover they can own larger homes while reducing their annual housing expenses by thousands of dollars.
For retirees and middle-income households alike, these savings can become difficult to ignore.
Remote Work Changed Everything
Before 2020, many careers required employees to live near New York City. Today, remote and hybrid work have permanently altered that equation.
A software engineer, accountant, marketing executive, financial analyst, or graphic designer can now live hundreds, or often thousands, of miles from Manhattan while maintaining the same employer.
This newfound geographic flexibility has fundamentally changed relocation decisions.
Instead of asking, “Where can I find work?” many professionals now ask, “Where do I want to live?”
Increasingly, the answer isn’t New York.
Lifestyle Has Become More Important Than Location
The pandemic accelerated another significant trend.
People increasingly prioritize lifestyle over proximity to an office.
Many younger buyers seek larger homes, dedicated home offices, outdoor living space, lower traffic congestion, and greater access to recreational activities.
States throughout the Southeast and Mountain West actively market these lifestyle advantages.
Communities in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Texas continue attracting New Yorkers looking for wanner climates, newer housing, and lower living costs.
For many families, relocating also means spending less time commuting and more time with children.
That lifestyle improvement often
outweighs the prestige associated with a New York address.
Business Climate Matters
Entrepreneurs and small business owners frequently cite regulatory complexity and taxation as additional reasons for relocating.
Starting and operating a business in New York often involves higher operating costs than many competing states.
Commercial rents, insurance, payroll expenses, licensing requirements, and taxes can make expansion challenging.
Meanwhile, many southern and western states actively recruit businesses with tax incentives and streamlined permitting.
As companies relocate or expand elsewhere, employees often follow.
Gen Z Wants Flexibility
Unlike previous generations, Gen Z often values flexibility over permanence.
Many delay marriage, postpone homeownership, rent longer, and prioritize experiences over possessions.
If moving creates better career opportunities or improves financial stability, relocation becomes less emotionally difficult.
This generation is also highly mobile.
Many are comfortable changing cities multiple times throughout their careers.
For them, New York may represent one chapter-not necessarily the entire story.
Millennials Are Chasing Financial Stability
Millennials entered adulthood during the Great Recession and later navigated inflation, rapidly rising mortgage rates, and escalating housing costs.
Many delayed purchasing homes for years.
What Does This Mean for Long Island?
Despite outward migration, Long Island remains surprisingly resilient. Why?
Because demand continues exceeding supply.
Many homeowners remain reluctant to sell because replacing their existing low-interest mortgages would substantially increase monthly payments.
This “lock-in effect” has kept inventory historically low.
As a result! even with residents leaving New York, home prices in many Long Island communities have remained remarkably stable.
However, demographics are gradually changing.
More older homeowners are downsizing.
Some younger buyers are relocating elsewhere.
Luxury markets continue attracting affluent buyers, while first-time buyers increasingly struggle with affordability.
Builders continue facing limited land availability, rising construction costs, and restrictive zoning.
These factors collectively support home values despite population shifts.
Can New York Reverse the Trend?
New York retains extraordinary advantages. Its educational institutions remain among the world’s finest.
Its healthcare system, financial sector, arts, culture, and transportation infrastructure remain unmatched.
The challenge is making these advantages financially attainable for future generations.
Policies encouraging housing construction, increasing affordability, streamlining development approvals, and reducing excessive costs could help retain younger residents.
Expanding housing options-including accessory dwelling units, thoughtfully planned mixed use developments, and appropriately located higher-density housing-could provide attainable entry points for first-time buyers while respecting neighborhood character.
The one major issue and issue that no one talks about is our precious aquifers where all our water is stored and derived from. The dilemma in solving our slowly but surely dwindling and diminishing “ftesh11 water supply is an acute and extremely serious and detrimental problem that absolutely must be addressed.
It is being effected and impacted by salt water infiltration and intrusion as well as nitrates from the utilization of fertilizers on farms and home lawns. This problem must be solved in order for life on Long Island to continue to flourish, expand and survive!
Final Thoughts
Every generation defines success differently.
For today’s Gen Z professionals, Millennial, and Gen X families, success increasingly means financial flexibility, borne ownership, and a balanced lifestyle.
Many no longer believe those goals
Continued on page 5
BY TOM MARGENAU
Based on some recent emails I received, I think it’s time to bring up again a message I’ve delivered more than a few times in the past: Don’t worry. Be happy. And that message is meant for those people who are so darn intent on squeezing every last nickel they can out of their Social Security benefits.
I get the fact that people want to get all the benefits for which they are eligible. But I am talking about those folks who seem absolutely obsessed with the issue. I swear some people must lie awake nights and worry that they might make a decision they think will cost them thousands of dollars in lost benefits, but that is actually usually way less.
Because when it comes to Social Security, most of these folks are not between a rock and a hard place. Instead, they are between a pillow and a soft place. In other words, they really can’t go wrong no matter which Social Security decision they make. I’ve saved up a few emails from some of these readers, and I will share them with you today.
Q: I will turn 70 on Aug. 2, 2026. I want to make sure I get the full 32% bonus for delaying my retirement until that age. I’m really afraid that if I file for those benefits a little early, like in July, for example, that they will start my checks in July and I will lose my bonus. Should I wait until Aug. 2 to file?
A: First things first. In your case, the delayed retirement bonus would be about 21%, not 32%. I will explain that in a minute. And it sounds like you think that the 21% delayed retirement bonus is an all-or-nothing deal. In other words, you assume you get an extra 21% added to your monthly benefits if you wait until exactly age 70 to file. But that is not how it works.
Instead, the delayed retirement credits are calculated this way. You get an extra two-thirds of 1% added to your Social Security benefit rate for each month you delay retirement beyond your full retirement age. In your case, your FRA was age 66 and 4 months. If I’m doing my math right, that means you reached FRA in December 2022. So, for example, had you filed for your benefits in December 2023, 12 months after your FRA, you would have received an 8% bonus. (12 times two-thirds of 1% equals 8%.)
But if you wait until age 70 to file, that is 32 months beyond your FRA, giving you a roughly 21% delayed retirement bonus.
So, you can file for benefits tomorrow and just tell the Social Security people you want your benefits to start in August when you are 70. And if the worst-case scenario happens and they mistakenly start your benefits right away, you would end up getting about a 20% bonus instead of 21%. In other words, you would lose that 1% in your
SOCIAL SECURITY AND YOU
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
ongoing benefit rate. But you would have received one extra Social Security check, probably worth several thousand dollars. As I said, you are between a pillow and a soft place, so don’t fret it.
Q: I will be 67 next year. I have worked all my life and have always paid taxes on the maximum amount of earnings that could be taxed for Social Security purposes. But my employer just downsized and I won’t make the max this year. So now I won’t get the maximum Social Security benefit. I’m just sick over this. I’ve been waiting for a long time to get this maximum benefit and now it’s gone. Can I pay the difference myself to get back to the maximum?
A: No, you can’t pay the taxes on your own. But there is absolutely nothing special about the so-called “maximum” Social Security benefit. It is not like you get some kind of bonus for reaching that milestone. Like everyone else, you simply get a retirement benefit rate that is based on your highest 35 years of inflation-indexed earnings. So if you come up a little shy of the maximum taxable earnings this year, you might make up for it by having earned the maximum in all those prior years -- especially since those past years are adjusted for inflation.
But if you don’t end up with the maximum benefit -- so what? What’s the big deal if, instead of getting $4,152 per month, maybe you would start getting $4,142 per month? I don’t think that’s worth losing any sleep over.
And I need to make one more important point about this whole maximum retirement benefit business. That $4,152 figure I just quoted is the maximum monthly retirement benefit for 2026.
But that does not mean it is the absolute maximum amount of monthly Social Security benefits that anyone can get from the government. Indeed, millions of retirees get much more than that. $4,152 is the maximum benefit payable to someone turning full retirement age in 2026 who has paid taxes on maximum Social Security earnings for 35 years.
But many seniors work well beyond the age of their FRA, and they get much more than $4,152 per month because of delayed retirement credits paid up until age 70 and because the extra earnings they add to their Social Security account after FRA may be used to increase their monthly retirement check.
Q: I will be 63 in October. I want my benefits to begin then. I understand I will get about 80% of my benefits if I do that. I don’t want to take any more reduction than that. How can I make sure my checks start in October?
A: You can do whatever you want to do, of course. After all, they are your Social Security benefits. So when you fill out your retirement application, just
make sure you indicate October 2026 as the month you want your Social Security checks to start.
But frankly, I am a little confused why you are so worried that your benefits start exactly at age 63. Your monthly benefit rate is reduced by about one-half of 1% for each month they are taken before your FRA:
You were right that if you take your benefits at 63, you would get about 80%. But if, for example, they were to start a couple of months earlier, you’d get maybe 78 or 79%. In other words, you’d lose
a few bucks per month, but you’d gain one or two extra Social Security checks. Once again, it’s a pillow or a soft place. 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
When ice cream & kitchen sinks always hit the spot
BY CLAIRE LYNCH
Every time summer rolls around I can’t help but think of ice cream. It’s one of my favorite desserts when summer is here and even if it’s not dinnertime I think of ice cream as a perfect cool treat. Having a dish of ice cream when it’s summer and I’ve got all the time in the world to enjoy it ties with getting my other cool treat - a frozen coffee.
Leisurely playing tennis and croquet as a kid visiting Spring Lake, N.J., my family and I would have fun then enjoy our favorite ice cream. As a young adult I remember heading out to Montauk with friends, staying for a long weekend and after enjoying a good dinner we’d get some ice cream to go and sit on the beach watching the sun set. In the summer the sun sets over the Long Island Sound at around 8:30 p.m. - perfect timing for some pretty scenery on “The End.”
Among my friends and relatives, one debate that always comes up is which flavor to get if we’re ordering out and which toppings to add to make that ice cream cone or dish of ice cream just perfect. Whipped cream, maraschino cherries, sprinkles, chocolate syrup and nuts are all great - just as the cooks say - and they add a special something or je ne sais quoi as they say in France.
I’ve discovered over the years that people are partial to certain flavors and it makes their day if they end up getting the dish of ice cream they want. Each one of us has their first, second and third choices - just in case the restaurant is out of that particular flavor - so I kind of know what my friends, relatives and I like when it comes to ice cream treats.
My sister, Susan, likes ordering a
banana split around the time of her birthday. She says she goes all out because those of us who are related to her know that on typical days Susan likes eating a dish of Neapolitan ice cream - those distinct layers of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream. So she says she’ll order the “kitchen sink” at her favorite ice cream shop and have her friends and relatives join in because a kitchen sink is an awfully big portion.
A great big bowl of eight scoops of ice cream, it’s an over-the-top portion that has every imaginable topping. We laugh about getting the kitchen sink because it’s so far out there - and because we’ve never gotten it.
While my sister, Michelle sets her sights on pralines and cream and she is always pleased as punch when they have it. If by any chance they don’t she’s disappointed but Michelle’s second choice always seems to be cookies & cream. And butter pecan is her third choice.
I tell Michelle that her choices aren’t the usual run of the mill vanilla, chocolate or strawberry and we both laugh as she says when it comes to ice cream, she knows what she likes.
Mint chocolate chip ice cream is my favorite - always, always, always. Second place goes to strawberry and third place is rocky road. That’s a mix
of smooth chocolate, crunchy almonds and fluffy marshmallows. A whipped cream topping on my rocky road always hits the spot.
My friend, Kelly, likes chocolate chip ice cream and yes, disappointment sets in if the place doesn’t have it. Her second choice is chocolate and if a dish of chocolate ice cream isn’t available, she likes moose tracks ice cream - that vanilla ice cream along with peanut butter cups and fudge - which was created in Marquette, Michigan.
Smiling when she mentions moose tracks ice cream, I tell Kelly an interesting bit of trivia. The flavor was named after a mini golf course located right down the street from the very first ice cream shop to offer it. And that was in July 1988. Who knew?
My brother, Greg, likes eating coffee ice cream because he’s a coffee aficionado or fanatic - and my other brother, Phil, likes fudge swirl. Our oldest brother, Peter, likes black cherry ice cream with whipped cream and, naturally, a cherry on top.
Once in a while someone says they like sorbet better than ice cream so we always make sure the place we’re going has plenty of choices. Sometimes they want gelato or sherbet.
My friend, Nicole, has made homemade ice cream for her family for years and I’ve envied her ability to pull an ice
cream maker from the cupboard, add a few ingredients, push a few buttons and presto, there’s a cool dessert that pretty much everyone likes.
I envy her because as long as she has the ingredients on hand the whole project goes quickly and because Nicole is so organized she never forgets things she needs at the supermarket, meaning she always has the right ingredients in her house.
Anyway, when we were kids, Nicole’s mom showed us how to make homemade ice cream. When we were nine years old, Mrs. Murphy pulled out a great big bowl and said she needed just three ingredients - chilled heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract. Using a hand mixer to whip the heavy cream in the bowl, she added the condensed milk and vanilla extract and mixed it thoroughly.
Then Mrs. Murphy covered the mixture and put the bowl in the freezer overnight or from 6-8 hours. She used a measuring cup to make sure the proportions were just right but Nicole and I didn’t watch the exact measurements, we were amazed at how Mrs. Murphy worked her magic. Taking it out the next day, it made a delicious ice cream treat.
She told us later that the way she made it was by using the simple “no-churn method” - she did it the old-fashioned way. These days Nicole uses an ice cream maker which is handy and the result is a soft-serve type of ice cream. It’s light and creamy.
Mrs. Murphy always made some homemade ice cream for each family member’s birthday and for mine, too, every July. We’re all happy about that and we don’t even mention getting a kitchen sink.
Continued from page 3
are easiest to achieve in New York.
Yet New York remains one of the nation’s most desirable places to live. For many residents, the cultural richness, career opportunities, schools, healthcare, and vibrant communities continue to outweigh the costs.
The challenge for New York, and particularly for Long Island, is ensuring that future generations don’t feel they must leave in order to build the life they envision. If the state can improve affordability while preserving the qualities that make it exceptional, it has every opportunity to remain a destination not only for dreamers. but
also for those determined to stay and put down roots.
Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate. He has 43+ years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned 3 significant designations:
National Association of Realtors Graduate Realtors Institute (what I consider a Master’s degree in real estate). Certified International Property Specialist - expert in consulting and completing international transactions.
National Association of Realtors Green designation: eco-friendly low carbon footprint construction with 3-D printed foundations, Solar panels, Geothermal HVAC/Heat Pumps).
He will also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and his Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.
He will provide you with “free” regular updates of what has gone under contract (pending), been sold (closed) and those homes that have been withdrawn/ released or expired (W/R) and all new listings of homes, HOA, Townhomes, Condos, and Coops in your town or go to: https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search at your leisure on your own. However, for a “FREE” no obligation/ no strings attached 15-minute consultation, as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached call him at (516) 647-4289 or email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.com
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Blueberries make for flavorful additions to cookies, too
Butter Cookies with Blueberries
Cookies are a versatile treat that can incorporate a wide range of ingredients. There’s no rules when it comes to making cookies, which means amateur bakers can take to their kitchens and whip up a batch of these beloved treats with whatever they have on hand in the pantry or refrigerator. Blueberries might be a go-to ingredient when baking a pie at
3⁄4 cup butter, softened
2⁄3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 pinch salt
3 large eggs
11⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
1) Preheat the oven to 400° F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2) In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
3) Add the flour, baking soda, almond meal, and spices. Stir to form a smooth mixture; fold in the dried blueberries.
home, but they also make for a delicious addition to a freshly baked batch of cookies. This recipe for “Butter Cookies With Blueberries” from Lines+Angles is a testament to the versatility of blueberries when it comes to crafting homecooked baked goods. Makes 20 to 24 servings
1 teaspoon baking soda
2⁄3 cup almond meal
1⁄2 teaspoon ground ginger
1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1⁄2 cup dried blueberries, chopped
4) Spoon the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a round piping tip. Pipe 1-inch rounds onto the baking sheet (or use a teaspoon to place small mounds of the mixture on the sheet.)
5) Bake until golden and set, 10 to 15 minutes.
6) Remove from the oven and carefully transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
Wellness Walk at Bethpage High School
The event's centerpiece, the Wellness Walk, invited participants to circle the track together, a simple yet meaningful gesture of solidarity and support.
On June 4, Bethpage High School marked its annual Sources of Strength Wellness Walk with an afternoon of community, connection and mental health awareness. The event brought students and staff together for an afternoon of sunshine, ice cream and community, all centered on the important work of the Sources of Strength program.
The afternoon featured a range of activ-
ities to promote wellness and foster connection. An ice cream truck drew a steady crowd, while spike ball sets and cornhole games added friendly competition. A DJ kept the energy high with upbeat music throughout. The event's centerpiece, the Wellness Walk, invited participants to circle the track together, a simple yet meaningful gesture of solidarity and support.
The afternoon's most anticipated
Students not only walked the track but also took part in spike ball games and cornhole matches.
The afternoon's most anticipated moment arrived when several teacher volunteers agreed to take on the ice bucket challenge. Students cast their votes in a raffle for their top choices, ultimately selecting Chris DeStefano and Ralph Tauriello for the honor.
moment arrived when several teacher volunteers agreed to take on the ice bucket challenge. Students cast their votes in a raffle for their top choices, ultimately selecting Chris DeStefano and Ralph Tauriello for the honor. As the buckets came down, the crowd erupted, and the two teachers took their soaking in stride, earning cheers from students who packed the sidelines.
The event also gave students a chance to
learn more about the Sources of Strength program and how to get involved in the upcoming school year. Sources of Strength is a nationally recognized suicide-prevention and mental health-promotion program that focuses on building protective factors among young people, including healthy coping strategies, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
Photos courtesy of Bethpage Union Free School District
An ice cream truck was on-site to provide treats to attendees.
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Lee Road kids donate to local fire department
Members of the K-Kids club at Lee Road Elementary School in the Levittown School District led highly successful schoolwide fundraisers that ultimately supported their local fire department and the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center Foundation.
Representatives of the Kiwanis organization and members of the Wantagh Fire Department, as well as teachers and administrators, gathered at Lee Road on June 12 to commend students’ efforts. Students generated original fundraising ideas that included holiday shops and the sale of handcrafted items such as bracelets, stickers, stress balls and bookmarks. The K-Kids spent months planning, creating, organizing and running these fundraisers. In addition to a
direct donation to the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center Foundation, students donated a trauma kit to the fire department that includes numerous essential tools for responding to emergencies.
“We’re so proud of the leadership, teamwork, creativity and kindness they showed throughout the entire process,” club advisor Emily Dunbar said.
“Our K-Kids are a group of dedicated, compassionate young people who exemplify the very best of our school community,” Principal Jami Anspach said. “They set out with meaningful goals, worked together as a team and demonstrated leadership, creativity and kindness every step of the way.”
Photos courtesy of Levittown Public Schools
The donation drive was a community effort at Lee Road School.
K-Kids President Mathias Petrakis and Vice President Antonio Ferri were proud to present the donation.
Members of the K-Kids, along with advisors Emily Dunbar and Kirsten Quinn, presented a trauma kit to Wantagh Fire Department members.
The Lee Road Elementary School K-Kids club led schoolwide fundraisers that helped support the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center Foundation and the Wantagh Fire Department.
