Bethpage Newsgram (9/12/25)

SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW

AMERICAN LEGION INSTALLS OFFICERS

On Friday, August 15th the American Legion of Syosset, Woodbury and Jericho installed its new slate of officers. Left to right: Richard Kaupke-Service Officer, Frank Scibeli-3rd Trustee, Pat Crudo- National Security Chair, Tony Hartman-2nd Vice Commander, Rob Ryan-Judge Advocate, Ken Trainer-3rd Vice Commander, Ed Aulman- Adjutant, Don MacAvoy-1st Vice Commander, Terri Squires-Commander, Mary Norris- Vice Commander Nassau County American Legion and Installing Officer. Seated left to right: Phil Rhodes-Service Officer and Frank Urso-Chaplain and 1st Trustee.

Fatal crash in Hicksville

A crash on East Barclay Street in Hicksville killed a passenger on Friday, September 5, at 2:25 a.m. According to Nassau County Police detectives, a 51-year-old female was operating a 2003

Honda Accord eastbound on East Barclay Street when she lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree near the intersection of Bay Avenue.

A 52-year-old male passenger was pronounced deceased at the scene by a Nassau County Police Medic. The operator of the vehicle was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

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

Seminars set to protect seniors from scammers

In a concerted effort to safeguard senior citizens from increasingly prevalent scams, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly and the Town of Oyster Bay are partnering to host a series of educational seminars this fall. The initiative aims to equip seniors and their caregivers with the knowledge and tools necessary to recognize, report, and combat fraudulent schemes.

Senior citizens, often targeted due to their limited familiarity with modern technology and scam tactics, face heightened risks of manipulation. Factors such as loneliness and medication-related vulnerabilities can exacerbate their susceptibility. The seminars will cover a range of topics including:

• Common scam tactics and how to identify them

• Steps to take if you suspect a scam

• Practical strategies for safeguarding personal information

• Resources for reporting fraudulent activities

These informative sessions will be held at community centers throughout the Town of Oyster Bay, ensuring easy access for residents. The fall schedule includes:

• Friday, September 26, at 1:30 p.m. at Marjorie Post Park Community Center, 451 Unqua Road, Massapequa.

“Protecting our seniors is a top priority,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “By working with District Attorney Donnelly, we are taking proactive steps to ensure that our elderly community members are informed and empowered against deceitful tactics.”

District Attorney Donnelly stated, “My office is dedicated to combating fraud using all the tools at our disposal, and community engagement is vital to keeping Nassau County safe. Through these educational seminars, seniors will learn how to spot the warning signs of a scam and, most importantly, protect themselves and their finances. Working together with leaders like Supervisor Saladino, we can fight back against senior scams across our county and blunt their impact on our most vulnerable residents.”

Residents are encouraged to attend these seminars to gain valuable insights and share the information with family and friends.

• Thursday, September 18, at 1:30 p.m. at William P. Bennett Hicksville Community Center, 28 W Carl Street, Hicksville

Catholic Daughters plan Bingo fundraiser

The Catholic Daughters will be hosting a Bingo fundraiser on Sunday, September 21, at the Senior Center, 103 Grumman Road West, Bethpage (handicap accessible and plenty of parking).

Doors open at 1:30 p.m.

Reservations in advance: $12. Walkins welcome: $15 (Please make checks

payable to CDA #869)

For reservations. please call Karen at (516) 937-5527

Snacks, water, coffee/tea and dessert included!

All money raised is donated to local charities!.

Bethpage School Board meetings

The Bethpage Board of Education will meet as follows: Agenda Meeting Tuesday, September 16, at 7:30 p.m., Administration Building, District Conference Room, 10 Cherry Ave., Bethpage Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 30, at 7:30 p.m., Administration Building, District Conference Room, 10 Cherry Ave., Bethpage

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Town to host famous Bluef ish Tournament

If hours of fishing followed by a tailgate party with food, raffles, awards and prizes sounds like a perfect day to you, then you'll want to sign up right now for the 39th Annual Town of Oyster Bay Bluefish Tournament, scheduled for Sunday, September 14 , and hosted by the Town of Oyster Bay. The post-tournament tailgate party will take place on the beach at Theodore Roosevelt Park in Oyster Bay.

“The Bluefish Tournament is a great all-day sporting event with wonderful prizes and great camaraderie, ” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “Join us for this fun day of tranquility on the water, the adrenaline rush of feeling that first big tug on your fishing line and the spirit of competition as you try to beat the tournament record and compete for prizes. ”

The tournament runs from 4:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to anglers of all ages. All contestants must be pre-registered. The entrance fee for the tournament is $40 for both Town of Oyster Bay residents and non-residents. All those who register before September 9 will receive a tournament t-shirt, and all participants will be automatically entered into the door

prize raffle. Food trucks will be available for purchase to all spectators. Registration can be found online at www.oysterbaytown.com/sports. In-Person Registration is offered at Causeway Bait & Tackle in Wantagh, Hi-Hook Bait & Tackle in Huntington, and Duffy's Bait & Tackle in Glenwood Landing. The Town of Oyster Bay is also hosting an in-person registration from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on September 13, at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park. Registration forms can also be mailed to: Town of Oyster Bay Department of Parks Attn: Jackie Devlin Bluefish Tournament 977 Hicksville Road Massapequa, NY 11758.

Along with plaques, winners of 1st through 10th Places will receive gift certificates in the following amounts: 1st Place - $1,000; 2nd Place - $750; 3rd Place - $500; 4th Place - $400; 5th & 6th Places - $300; 7th & 8th Places - $100; 9th & 10th Places$100. Prizes subject to increase based on registration. Raffle winners must be present to receive their prizes, which will be presented at the tailgate party scheduled for 4:15 p.m. For further information, please contact the Town of Oyster Bay Parks Department, Recreation Division, at (516) 797-7945.

Town, county offer

veterans benefits seminars

Nassau County Legislator

Samantha A. Goetz, in partnership with County Executive Bruce A. Blakeman, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency, is hosting a free Veterans Benefits and Information Seminar for veterans and their family members to be briefed on a variety of available benefits and other important veterans information.

The event will be held on Friday, September 19, starting at 10:00 a.m. in the Oyster Bay Town Hall board room, located at 54 Audrey Ave. in Oyster Bay. "Long Island is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the country so I am pleased to be co-hosting this event that will provide important information that our veterans and their families are eligible to receive," said Legislator Samantha A. Goetz.

“ Our Veterans Service Agency does a great job helping the men and

women who proudly served get the benefits they deserve so I thank them for all of their efforts. ” Among the topics to be covered include briefings on VA disability compensation, aid and attendance benefits, VA survivor and dependent compensation, veterans ’ burial benefits and more. Veteran counselors will be present to answer questions and schedule follow-up appointments.

“ Our veterans are true American heroes, and it is our responsibility to ensure they and their families receive every benefit they have earned through their service and sacrifice. By hosting this seminar, we ’ re making it easier for veterans to access the resources, support, and information they deserve, ” said Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. Reservations are recommended to attend this program and can be made by calling the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency at (516) 572-6565.

Sarah Grace Foundation supports kids with cancer

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and The Sarah Grace Foundation for Children With Cancer is ensuring that everyone knows how they can support both the Foundation mission and these children. Throughout the month, the Foundation will be distributing information about childhood cancer and distributing water bottles and childhood cancer awareness backpacks throughout the community.

The gold ribbon is the worldwide symbol of childhood cancer awareness, and the Foundation is asking everyone to “Wear Gold for Our Children,” and please support the cause by wearing a gold ribbon during the month of September. You can order your own ribbon on the Foundation website at www. thesarahgracefoundation.org/shop-donate/. Your donation directly supports the programs the Foundation sponsors to support children with cancer and their families.

September is also when everyone goes back to school, and the Foundation would like to wish everyone a safe school year, while sharing a reminder: Children with cancer are unable to attend school due to severely compromised immune systems, and many of them will be home schooled or tutored in-patient. Throughout the summer, the Foundation has been sending crafts and activities to local pediatric cancer centers, and recently provided new backpacks and school supplies to seven pediatric cancer centers as part of their ‘back to school’ program.

Foundation efforts were made possible through the collection of school supplies by Marcie and her team at Ray Leventhal Clothing in Plainview, as well as community support for the Foundations online supply drive. The Foundation is forever grateful to the community and the dedicated teams of volunteers who donate their time to the Sarah Grace mission. Matt Weippert, President of the Sarah Grace Foundation, said, “we are incredibly grateful to all our supporters, and our dedicated volunteers who continually partner with us to coordinate donation pickups, sorting and delivery to the children we serve.”

Once again, as the weather gets cooler, the volunteers of the Foundation will be looking ahead to other programs, including their Halloween Trick or Treat goodie bags, their annual holiday toy drive, and holding their annual Holiday Extravaganza Raffle. “This is the 15th year now that we’ve held our

holiday raffle,” Weippert said, adding, “It’s a great way to support a child with cancer while also kickstarting your holiday experience.” Tickets are just $25 and can be purchased online via the Foundation website. Anyone purchasing a ticket will be entered into a monthlong raffle with fantastic prizes, including: Restaurant and retail gift cards, gas gift cards, cash prizes and more. Best of all, each ticket stays in the drawing for the entire month of November, even if you’ve already won, meaning one ticket gives you 30 chances to win!

Tickets go on sale September 15th on the Foundation website.

As an all-volunteer charity, the Foundation has worked with thousands of children and their families providing numerous programs to help combat the struggles of this horrific disease and provide comfort and support to these children and their families. “Every year, over 4,000 children die from cancer,” said Weippert. “Roughly 46 children are diagnosed every day. We are all too familiar with their struggle, and we’re committed to doing all we can to improve their quality of life.”

Over the last year, the Foundation continued to support families with reimbursement for grocery expenses, utilities, patient co-pays, funeral expenses as well as toys and games to provide some normalcy to the children who ask only to be children, not patients in a hospital. Additionally, the Foundation continues to support core programs such as “The Escape Hatch,” “The Bead Program,” “Sarah Grace’s Book Angels,” “Chemo Duck,” and more.

“This year has been difficult for everyone, but especially so for families who were already struggling,” said Weippert. “Your support means the world to the families we serve and as we look ahead to the holidays and our plans for 2026, we hope to be able to continue Sarah’s mission that has guided us for more than 22 years. While it is a recognition of Sarah’s loss, it is also our ultimate tribute to her memory.”

For more information on The Sarah Grace Foundation please call (516) 4339745 or visit the Foundation’s website at www.TheSarahGraceFoundation. org. Donations or requests for information may be sent to The Sarah Grace Foundation at 17 E. Old Country Road, Unit B, PMB 202, Hicksville, NY 11801. Anyone who wishes to volunteer or provide support to the Foundation in any way may also email matt.weippert@ thesarahgracefoundation.org

FRIDAY

SEPTEMBER 19TH 7:00PM

BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN

Syosset resident’s design chosen for anniversary logo

HARRY CHAPIN LAKESIDE THEATRE

CONCERTS

ASHLEY M c BRYDE

With opener singer songwriter NINI CAMPS of Antigone Rising

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH | 6:00PM

EISENHOWER PARK

Catherine Johnson of Syosset designed the logo which was selected to celebrate SUNY Old Westbury's 60th anniversary.

Campus pride is expected to be extra high this academic year as SUNY Old Westbury looks back across its history and hosts special events, exhibitions and more while celebrating the institution’s 60th anniversary.

One student in particular also might be walking a bit taller after having her design selected to serve as the anniversary year’s official logo.

Catherine Johnson, a junior adolescence education: mathematics major from Syosset,  had her logo design selected as the official emblem for the campus’ anniversary year.

Large interlocking numbers creating the number 60 in green with smaller, gray text reading SUNY Old Westbury and superimposed over a gray illustration of a stand of trees

With large, interlocking numbers that form “60” along with the silhouette of the stand of trees featured on the campus’ official logo, Johnson's work earned first place in a competition that began last spring. The two other finalist designs were both created by visual arts najor Sydney Eckstein.

“It was kind of surprising,” said Johnson of her selection. “I saw the second and third place submissions had more detail, and mine was simpler. To me, for a logo, you want it

to be something simple and distinct. You want people to be able to recognize it easily and that’s what I wanted to create.”

Johnson entered the contest while enrolled in Graphic Design 1 taught by associate professor of visual arts Patricia Harris, who coordinated the contest and worked with the students to take their work from concept to design. But Johnson's interest in art and design started well before that.

“Art has always been a hobby for me,” she said, noting that she took art classes throughout high school even after having fulfilled her requirements. “I have been drawing for as long as I can remember and am really into design and fashion.”

With a focus on becoming a middle school teacher, Johnson is already thinking about how her interest in art and design might inform her future work.

“When most people think about math and art, they see them as opposites where math is more ‘technical’ and art is more ‘free,’” she said. “For me, being interested in both math and art, it helps me look at things from different perspectives. I think if that relationship helps me to be able to understand what others are thinking, that same relationship might help me help others learn and understand.”

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The Levittown Cup

Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti and Councilman Dennis Dunne attended the Levittown Cup soccer match-up between Island Trees High School and MacArthur High School on September 2, at MacArthur High School.

Give the gift of life: Donate blood Last chance for free summer concert

With hospitals facing a nationwide blood shortage,  the Town of Oyster Bay invites residents to attend a Blood Collection Drive on Tuesday, September 16, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hicksville Athletic Center, located at 167 S. Broadway in Hicksville.

Appointments are preferred for the Town's Blood Drive. To qualify as a donor, a person must be between the ages of 17

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of formation of Dedicated Detailerz LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 4/25/25. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Kaleb Josaphat: 10 East Milpage Drive. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

and 75 years old (16 with parental 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. Additionally, all donors will receive a voucher for a free Blizzard at Dairy Queen.

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino added, "It's quick,

easy, and safe to donate a single pint of blood which can save up to three lives. Donating blood at the Hicksville Athletic Center, is an incredible way for all of us to pitch in and give back, to help ease the burden of our Healthcare Heroes as they continue to provide lifesaving efforts."

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

Casino bus trip

The Catholic Daughters of the Americas will host a bus trip to Wind Creek Casino in Bethlehem, PA, on Tuesday, September 30.

The cost is $60 per person, which includes the driver’s tip, and includes a give back of $35 slot play.

Please arrive at 8:30

a.m. Return will be approximately 8:30 p.m.

Parking: # 999 So. Oyster Bay Road (dead end)

Reservations: Call Barbara at (516) 935-5576

Please make checks payable to “CDA”.

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The Lords of 52nd Street will perform a “Last Summer Blast” concert at Ellsworth W. Allen Park in Farmingdale on Saturday, September 20, at 7 p.m. This free concert will offer Town of Oyster Bay residents one last chance to enjoy some free musical entertainment before the fall season officially arrives. The Lords of 52nd Street features the legends of The Billy Joel Band, including Liberty DeVitto, Richie Cannata and Russell Javors.

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino stated, "The members of the Lords of 52nd Street are

legends of rock n' roll and put on an amazing performance each time out, recreating the amazing sounds of rock legend Billy Joel, whose hits they were originally part of. The Town is proud to present this free concert to residents."

Residents are invited to bring chairs or blankets for seating, which begins after 4 p.m. This outdoor event is being held weather permitting - visit www.facebook.com/ townofoysterbay or call (516) 797-7925 for all up-to-date information.

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Town offers

Fall Athletic Programs

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that it will offer Fall Athletic Programs for basketball, badminton, and volleyball, beginning on Sunday, September 28, and Monday, September 29, at the Hicksville Athletic Center. All athletic programs run for 10 weeks, are co-ed, and open to individuals 18 and over.

“The Town's athletic programs offer a great opportunity for residents to take to the court, improve their skills, and make new friends,” said Town Councilman Lou Imbroto. "We have various sessions scheduled for each sport, giving residents several opportunities to have fun while staying active."

Basketball pickup games will be held on Thursdays from 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturdays from 8:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., and Sundays from 8:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., beginning on September 28, 2025. The Basketball program is 10-weeks long and costs $25 for residents and $40 for non-residents.

Badminton will feature two sessions for registrants to choose from. Classes start Sunday, September 28. Session 1 takes place Tuesdays from 8:45 p.m. to 10:05 p.m., Fridays from 8:45 p.m. to 10:05 p.m., and Sundays from 6:10 p.m. to 8:10 p.m. Session 2 takes

place Tuesdays from 10:15 p.m. to 11:35 p.m., Fridays from 10:15 p.m. to 11:35 p.m., and Sundays from 8:20 p.m. to 10:20 p.m. The Badminton program is 10-weeks long and costs $75 for residents and $100 for non-residents.

Volleyball will be split into two sessions. The first session will be held on Mondays from 8:45 p.m. to 10:05 p.m., Wednesdays from 8:45 p.m. to 10:05 p.m., and Saturdays from 6:10 p.m. to 8:10 p.m. The second session will take place on Mondays from 10:15 p.m. to 11:35 p.m., Wednesdays from 10:15 p.m. to 11:35 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:20 p.m. to 10:20 p.m.. The volleyball program is 10-weeks long, costs $75 for residents and $100 for non-residents, and is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 29.

Registration is available by visiting oysterbaytown.com/sports. You must upload proof of residency (tax or utility bill) and a valid identification card such as a driver's license. Proof of residency is required for resident discount. The schedule is subject to change - if a session is cancelled, make-up day(s) will be attempted. For more information, or to inquire about special holiday scheduling, please call (516) 797-7945 or email tobparks@oysterbay-ny.gov

Waterfront Festival, concert rescheduled

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that a free Waterfront Festival and Outdoor Concert will take place on Sunday, September 14, at TOBAY Beach Marina. This family-fun day will feature marine and outdoor exhibits, a children’s snapper derby, police boat demonstrations, food concessions and a free concert featuring Captain Cool Band with yacht rockin’ hits. The festival will run from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00pm.

“The Town is thrilled to offer a free day of family-fun and live music at TOBAY Beach. Bring your fami-

for Sept. 14

ly to Waterfront Festival for a great outdoor concert, educational exhibits and foods and drinks as the summer ends,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “This free festival also provides a great opportunity to introduce children to recreational sport of fishing, as all equipment will be provided along with professional assistance and guidance.”

For more information about the Waterfront Festival and Free Concert, call (516) 797-4121 or visit www.oysterbaytown.com.

TOBAY Beach to be open through Sept. 14

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that it will extend hours at TOBAY Beach for two additional weekends after Labor Day – Saturday & Sunday, September 6 and 7, as well as 13 and 14. TOBAY Beach will stay open, free of charge, for those two extra weekends with lifeguards on duty from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“To help you hold onto summer for a little longer, we’re extending access to TOBAY, free of charge, for two additional weekends this year,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “We invite residents and their families to put their toes in the water and feet in the sand while enjoying some nice weather and

savoring the last warm days of the season.”

Residents visiting TOBAY Beach on Sunday, September 7, can also enjoy the Town’s free, family fun Waterfront Festival at TOBAY Marina, presented by Optimum. In addition to a free concert featuring Captain Cool Band with yacht rockin’ hits, the day of free family fun will feature marine and outdoor exhibits, a children’s snapper derby, police boat demonstrations, food concessions and much more! The festival will run from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on Town beaches and programs, visit www.oysterbaytown.com.

DogFest Long Island to benefit Canine Companions

The Town of Oyster Bay will host DogFest Long Island on Saturday, September 13, to benefit Canine Companions. The event, being held at Marjorie Post Park in Massapequa, runs from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

“September is National Service Dog Month, and what better way to celebrate than to bring your canine friends to a fun event for a great cause,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “We are pleased to once again join with Canine Companions to offer DogFest visitors a fun day of games, inspiring speakers, activities for kids, service dog demonstrations and more.”

There is no fee to participate, however residents are invited to fundraise and help spread the word about the event by visiting www.canine.org/dogfestlongisland. All monies raised benefit Canine Companions, a nonprofit who works

to place expertly-trained service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities, free of charge. Their mission is to help clients and their service dogs live with greater independence, and more than 400 people are currently waiting for their new canine partners.

“We invite all residents to participate in this fun event while making a positive difference in the lives of others,” said Tax Receiver Jeffrey Pravato. “Thanks to events like DogFest, Canine Companions is able to continue the great work they do to assist the disabled community people with disabilities.”

Residents are invited to bring well-socialized dogs, provided they are friendly with other dogs and people, comfortable in crowds and fully vaccinated. All dogs must be kept on leash at all times (no longer than six feet). For more information, please visit www.canine.org.

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Hiking, Biking Adds Dimension to Experiencing Siem Reap, Cambodia’s Ancient Archeological Monuments

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

Biking back roads of Siem Reap, Cambodia, passed farmland and fields, through small villages our Discovery Bicycle Tours group chances upon a wedding - but not just any wedding. As it happens, the uncle of the groom was the man who came to the rescue of a couple of our riders who had car trouble on the way from the airport. When Pam gets off her bike to take a photo of the wedding, he recognizes her and dashes out – even inviting our Discovery Bicycle Tours group inside the tent to participate in the ritual underway. The experience gives new meaning to the expression, “small world.” Biking has that effect of making the world smaller, more intimate, more connected.

You don’t go to Cambodia to bike, but biking adds a whole extra dimension – and perspective – to the travel experience, as I find on Discovery Bicycle Tours’ four-day Cambodia pre-tour add-on to the 12-day Vietnam bike tour that follows.

You bike in Cambodia to have such immersive experiences, to see scenes unobstructed and at a pace where you can really observe, even stop and get off the bike for a better, lingering view, to ride through villages, alongside homes and farms and fields that you would never see otherwise, and to have such serendipitous encounters as coming upon a wedding. Discovery Bicycle Tours’ four-day Cambodia is tailored, so we bike on country roads and back roads rather than through the intensely trafficked towns, and we are taken by bus to far-flung locations so we are not deprived of seeing the

Our six-mile hike through Kulen National Park leads to the Reclining Buddha, said to be the largest reclining sandstone Buddha in Cambodia. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

important highlights of Siem Reap.

Siem Reap has justifiably become a major attraction for visitors – as evidenced from many lovely hotels in the city, the bustling markets and shops and the modern new international airport that opened (for logistical planning purposes it is important to take note that it is more than one hour’s drive from downtown, not the 20 minutes of the old airport),

Indeed, Siem Reap is a long way to go: it’s taken me 32 hours, three planes and three, long immigration lines, though it could have been less had I flown east from JFK instead of west; also when you book your travel, be aware that you cross the Dateline so you lose a day; and be very aware of the online process to get the visa and arrival document).It’s too long a way to go to miss the extraordinary sites by obsessing over biking point-to-point

exclusively.

I make my way to the Aviary Hotel in the heart of Siem Reap (Discovery has arranged an airport pick up but somehow I missed it), riding a shuttle from the airport with a local woman who now works in Sweden, home to visit her family. I have the good sense to ask her where to go for the best place to see the sunset. Phnom Bakheng, she replies without hesitation.  Armed with this information, as soon as I pull up to the hotel where I am met by Discovery’s guide Calista Phillips (I actually had just traveled with her on Discovery’s Idaho Trails bike tour), our local guide, Hang, arranges for the hotel’s tuk tuk driver to take Calista and me at 4:30 pm. (Others in the tour had other plans.)

I organize my time so that I recover my energy for our adventure, and resist my inclination to explore the

area, taking advantage of the Aviary Hotel’s stunning garden pool (it also has a rooftop pool) at the Aviary, a delightful 43-room eco-friendly boutique hotel which is our home base for our four-day stay.

I organize my first, free afternoon so I will recover energy for the sunset adventure. I explore the streets and markets around the hotel, pick up food for lunch, spend the afternoon swimming in the hotel’s gorgeous garden pool (it also has a gigantic rooftop pool) and the rest so I will have energy for the evening.

The 35-minute ride through the streets on the tuk tuk – basically a carriage pulled by a guy on a motorcycle – to the temple is extreme fun (what a ride!).

We immediately see why this is the most popular place for the sunset. Situated in the heart of Angkor Archaeological Park, the Hill of Phnom Bakheng offers gorgeous views of surrounding monuments and countryside. (Calista and I have purchase our three-day Angkor Archeological Park passes online, which the others will be given later; Discovery reimburses me the $62; the 3-Day Pass is valid within 10 days of purchase.)

Because of heavy seasonal rains causing damage, the eastern stairway is closed, so we hike for 15 minutes along a shady gentle sloping path which provides a panoramic route to reach the temple.

The first glimpse through the trees is of a temple, glowing orange in the setting sunlight. This is  Bakset Chamkrong, built during the first decades of the 10th c at the foot of Phnom Bakheng, the only pyramid September 12, 2025

Continued on next page

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

Hiking, Biking Adds Dimension to Experiencing Siem Reap, Cambodia’s Ancient Archeological Monuments

temple in the area that has survived. The notes describe a rare Sanskrit text engraved in the doorjamb about the mythic succession of Khmer kings. According to the myth, the dynasty descended from the union of the hermit Kamba, said to be “born from himself” and the celestial nymph mera.  (Note: this architectural jewel can also be visited.)

Continuing on, we come to beautiful views over treetops in haze to the water.

And then we come to Phnom Bakheng, which is undergoing restoration– a cooperative project begun in 2004 of World Monuments Fund (WMF) and APSARA National Authority of the Kingdom of Cambodia.with funding from US Dept of State, US Ambassador fund for Cultural preservation and US Embassy Phnom Penh.

We climb the steep stone steps to the top of the temple, and I am struck at the people who have taken up their position facing  away  from the sunset. I ask why and a woman points down and to the side, and mutters, Angkor Wat. Indeed, this majestic structure –one of the largest religious sites in the world –emerges from the haze and rises above the tree tops. Oh. The hope (expectation) is that when the sun dips, it will turn the grey/black stone a firey orange like the temple we saw on our walk up.

I squeeze my way into one of the last positions that would give me that view and wait.

Alas, when it is clear that the weather will not cooperate (it is still a beautiful sight), I take another position to watch the sun, now a firey red ball, skirt alongside two of the temple’s stone towers, and when it finally dips into the clouds, go to study more intently the carvings on the temple.

We are among the last to start down after the sun has dropped into the clouds, and by the time we get all the way down, it is actually dark – just adding to the

atmosphere. Our ride back in the tuk tuk (the guide has waited for us and we cleverly have taken down his telephone number in case we have trouble finding him) is tremendous fun. We get to see how people gather together at night.

Our driver very kindly asks if we prefer to be dropped at the hotel or at Pub Street, about five blocks further than the hotel so we can get a sense of the colorful night life. We opt for the night market and immediately are engulfed in the neon lights and activity. We come upon crafts people and food sellers.

Hiking Kulen National Park

Our first day full day in Cambodia is not spent biking but hiking. After a delightful breakfast at the hotel, the nine of us who are doing the Cambodia add-on (of the eventual 19 of us who will be doing the Vietnam tour), gather together and set out for Kulen National Park.

The six-mile hike through a jungle on the Langur Trail, named for leaf-eating monkeys that live here) brings us to historic places – where religious symbols have been placed in a stream, a temple, and, most interestingly, a rocky hideaway that was used for the Khmer Rouge.

We hike along the River of 1000s of Lingas - the phallic symbol of the Hindu

god, Shiva – and rock carvings depicting Hindu deities made during the Khmer Empire.

The trail takes us to a fabulous 16th century Buddhist monastery and sacred site for pilgrims at Preah Ang Thom There is such reverence that we need to take off our shoes before we climb the steps to where the massive Reclining Buddha is housed – in fact, we are told, it is Cambodia’s largest sandstone reclining Buddha. The pose, the colors are simply jaw-dropping magnificent.

Our hike continues into what seems to be a village and central marketplace for the national park, where we have lunch in a delightful restaurant. From there, we walk a path that takes us to a steep staircase (103 steps) to the scenic, 81-foot high Phnom Kulen Waterfalls. The area evokes the water cleansing of the Ganges, and was a holy place in 802 AD. We swim (fish nibble at our dead skin - actually a spa treatment), frolic under the forceful spray, before busing back an hour to Siem Reap.

Taking into account that we won’t be getting back for the rest of the group to experience the sunset at Phnom Bakheng which we raved about,  our guide, Hang, stops at Pre Rup, for us to explore as

Healthy Eating and Food Costs

BY CHARLYN FARGO

Most of us are painfully aware that food costs in the past year have risen. A survey by The Hartman Group found that 85% of consumers feel the pinch in their pocketbook. Over half of those people say rising prices have impacted their ability to purchase foods, beverages and other grocery items “at least somewhat.” Nearly 1 in 4 report they’ve “really had to rethink how they shop for groceries.”

Here are some strategies for healthy eating on a tight budget:

No. 1: Eat out less. We all got used to

eating at home more during COVID-19. Let’s keep up those cooking skills. The first step is to plan your meals, so you don’t think about what’s for supper on your way home from work -- and opt for a frozen pizza.

No. 2: Choose less expensive foods selectively. Frozen foods can be cheaper than fresh if fresh foods aren’t in season. Skip or reduce soft drinks and energy drinks; swap a couple meat-focused meals each week to include dishes based on canned beans or lentils. Or add those canned beans, mushrooms or lentils to ground beef to stretch your meat budget

the sun sets. This temple was built in honor of Lord Shiva in 961 AD by King Rajendravarman while Siem Reap was the capital of the kingdom of Koh Ker, before the capital was moved to Angkor. (It is not nearly as impressive, so do not miss an opportunity to see the sunset at Phnom Bakheng.)

We gather at 7:30 pm for dinner at Spoons Restaurant – a delightful restaurant which is also a social enterprise where young people from disadvantaged circumstances are trained for jobs in hospitality. The food, the presentation, the ambiance are superb.

Set in the heart of Siem Reap town, The Aviary Hotel

Our base for our four-day visit to Siem Reap is the Aviary Hotel, a 43-room eco-friendly boutique hotel that offers a luxurious, comfortable, modern environment with delightful Cambodian flourishes celebrating the Kingdom’s birdlife and filled with locally commissioned art. The Aviary’s turquoise pool has a garden-like setting curtained by vines and flowers that drape over the balconies above and comfortable lounge chairs, from which you can order drinks and food – a truly relaxing sanctuary. A rooftop pool seems as big as an Olympic pool and is particularly delightful at the end of the day and into the evening. Each morning we enjoy a marvelous buffet breakfast. The hotel also offers its own café. (Aviary Hotel, #09, Tep Vong Street, Siem Reap, Cambodia, +855 12 241 602, reservation@theaviaryhotel.com) Discovery Bicycle Tours, 2520 W. Woodstock Rd., Woodstock, VT 05091, 800-257-2226, +1 802 457 3553, info@discoverybicycletours.com, discovery bicycletours.com.

Next: Biking Siem Reap’s Angkor Archeological Park

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

for items such as hamburgers, pasta sauce or meatloaf. Choose a larger container for foods like unsweetened yogurt and mix each serving with fresh or frozen fruit. Choose canned or frozen seafood such as tuna or cod.

No. 3: Reduce food waste. Repurpose that leftover chili into a chili mac; buy a whole chicken, cook it in your slow cooker for your first meal, then use it the next few days in quesadillas, white chicken chili or chicken salad. Take an inventory of what’s in your freezer and plan your meals based

Continued on page 5

Our sunset hike to Phnom Bakheng gives us this view of Angkor Wat rising above the trees in the haze © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Working out slowly & steadily but determinedly

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

Last month I saw a sign for a place that’s specifically for seniors who want to exercise and I thought, “This sounds great! I’ll stop by and check it out.”

Approaching the gym, I parked the car and peered at the place, happy to see some shades partially blocking the front windows. They were meant to be sun shades but I thought of them as privacy shades. No one would be able to walk past and look inside at those of us working out. No pressure would be ideal. I want to be in an exercise space that is friendly and non-judgmental.

Starting out, my goal was to lose 20 pounds and whether that goal would take me three months or a year to do was okay with me. I can’t exercise like I am 20 years old because I’m not that age anymore. So I go at my own pace and whatever progress I make is okay with me.

Walking inside, I was pleased to see several seniors who looked fit working out but at a more leisurely pace. I wouldn’t call these exercisers laid back but I didn’t see anyone resembling Sylvester Stallone aka Rocky Balboa racing up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the “Rocky” movie.

During that 72-step trek up the steps Rocky really pushed it and I couldn’t help but admire his athleticism - and his determination. Rocky is 30 years old in the movie and in that workout, he is shown training for a fight against Apollo Creed. Well done, Rocky. He was focused and he was pushing it.

I, on the other hand, want a leisurely workout. I realize that a “leisurely workout” may be a contradiction in terms but that’s okay. As someone who is 50+ I’ll exercise whenever I can but I am as pleased as can be if that exercise comes naturally and gradually. I don’t want to work out until the point of exhaustion. No, thank you.

Still, I realized that I would have to push myself if the workouts would have any substantial payoffs. No pain, no gain is a familiar refrain among exercise enthusiasts and physical therapists but I didn’t want too much pain. I wanted to see the pounds slide off slowly but steadily.

In my ideal workout I would enter the building, be cheerfully greeted by two employees, be escorted to some exercise equipment and get started as some peppy music played in the background. Motivational music does wonders when working out. It’s fun to listen to and helps get the muscles moving.

I’d get chatting with the seniors on my left and on my right and inevitably we’d compare notes about how many pounds we all were dropping. I’d be happy to hear all about their progress but at an early point in the conversation I’d explain that I was a newbie to the exercise routine.

They would say how long they have been going to the gym and be as proud as could be of their “exercise anniversary date.” It was a milestone for sure because any time someone embarks on a new healthy journey it is an endeavor to be applauded.

As we spoke I discovered that people have many different reasons for going to the gym. Some don’t need to lose weight but they want to be more toned and have better stamina.

Being surrounded by my peers I could count this as some social time. My new friends explained they work out three days a week at a specific time and adding that commitment to their calendars is important because they will stick to it.

I was just starting out but I’d convinced myself that moving around, lifting some light weights and walking on a treadmill, on angle or as a flat surface, would be beneficial. How long my workout is and how many pounds I

start with is important. Then I will step up my game when it’s the right time. I appreciate a customized routine not a one-size-fits-all approach to working out.

Walking, stretching and doing some jumping jacks are good ways to warm up before a serious workout and personally, I’d be happy to stick with those things. Workouts are fine but I don’t want my exercise regimens to be jarring on my joints.

Resistance bands have been offered to me and I’ve used them a few times but they don’t really pique my interest. And when I’m in the gym and focused on working out, I like to be engaged.

Throwing heavy ropes is pretty rigorous and my trainers say that it helps improve strength and cardiovascular fitness. It breaks up the routine of walking on the treadmill and lifting weights so for a little while I throw those ropes around. Plus I’ve seen people on TV do it and it always looks cool.

Fitness can be fun but a good workout does involve breaking a sweat. Being lulled by a comfortable routine and by the status quo doesn’t work when it comes to exercising if I want to

see some results. It takes work. I want to be more toned, have more overall endurance and increased flexibility. It’s all about feeling healthy.

Afterwards I relax with a warm shower, get dressed and head home humming the song “Gonna Fly Now” from the Rocky movie written by Bill Conti. He received an Academy Award nomination for that song among others.

“Trying hard now

It’s so hard now

Trying hard now

Getting strong now

Won’t be long now

Getting strong now …”

Pleased that I have set a new goal, I felt okay patting myself on the back because on this particular day I followed through and took some good steps.

In the end, I am discovering that working out is harder than doing some yoga, with or without goats walking on my back, and it is harder than taking a walk around my neighborhood on a cool day when the weather is perfect.

BY TOM MARGENAU

I can tell it’s time for me to once again explain to people that SSI and Social Security are two entirely different programs.

Every single day, I get emails from readers who say something like this: “I am getting SSI, and I want to know if my wife might be due some of my SSI.” Or they will say, “I’m getting close to retirement. How do I file for my SSI benefits?”

I know from experience that these folks are talking about Social Security, not SSI. I’m guessing they think that SSI stands for “Social Security Insurance.” It does not. SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. It is a federal welfare program that really has nothing to do with Social Security, other than the fact that it is managed by the Social Security Administration.

And mixing up the programs is not just a matter of a semantic error. It could be problematic. For example, if you called the SSA and said you want to file for SSI (when you really meant to say you want to file for Social Security), you could be led down a very incorrect administrative path. To clarify things further, let’s start with some background.

Obviously, everybody knows what Social Security is. You get a Social Security number, you work, you pay Social Security taxes, and one day you, and possibly some of your dependents, collect Social Security retirement benefits. Or you become disabled before reaching retirement age and you, and possibly some of your dependents, get Social Security disability benefits. Or you die and your widow, or widower and/or minor children collect Social Security survivor benefits.

But only a small percentage of Americans really know what Supplemental Security Income is. To introduce it, here is just a short history lesson. Back before the early 1970s, there were hundreds of different welfare programs in the country. Sometimes states administered welfare programs. Other times, counties had their own welfare programs. And in some places, cities or other jurisdictions had their own welfare programs. And they all had different rules and eligibility factors. It was a mess.

Some officials in the Nixon administration had a good idea. They decided to federalize and standardize this hodgepodge of welfare programs into one national program. But then they had two bad ideas.

The first bad idea: They gave this new program to the Social Security Administration to run. On the one hand, I suppose it made sense. The SSA had a network of field offices around the country, and it had the computer infrastructure necessary to manage a big national government benefits program. On the other hand, they messed up a nice clean government operation used to deal mostly with grandpas and grandmas and saddled it with the task of running a big messy welfare system.

Their second bad idea was the name.

SSI Is Not Social Security

Somebody somewhere in the Nixon administration decided to call the new program Supplemental Security Income. I understand what they were trying to do. They wanted to remove the negative connotations of the word “welfare” from the minds of potential program beneficiaries. But this act of political correctness has led to problems ever since.

So, they called the new program Supplemental Security Income, and they gave the program to the Social Security Administration to run. And almost everyone back then in the 1970s, and almost everyone still today, thinks that Supplemental Security Income is some kind of supplemental Social Security benefit.

It’s not. To repeat, SSI is a federal welfare program that has nothing to do with Social Security other than the fact that it happens to be managed by the SSA. Also, SSI payments are funded out of general tax revenues -- NOT Social Security taxes.

Gosh, how I wish they would have called SSI something like the Federal Welfare Program. And gosh, how I wish they would have created a new federal agency to run it and called it something like the Federal Welfare Benefits Administration.

Anyway, here are some examples just from this week’s emails that give you an idea of all the confusion caused by the misnamed program.

Q: I am getting ready to retire. I called Social Security and told them I want to apply for my SSI benefits. They asked me a bunch of questions about my income and assets and about my house and car. And then they told me I have too much money to get SSI. I was so confused I just hung up. Can you help?

A: Yes, I can help. Call them back and tell them you want to file for Social Security retirement benefits. You do NOT want to file for SSI. To be fair, after a little more questioning, the Social Security agent you talked to should have realized you wanted to file for Social Security and not SSI. But maybe you hung up in frustration before he or she had a chance to figure that out.

Q: In a past column, you said that someone getting disability could inherit a million dollars and still be eligible for benefits. Well, I recently inherited a lot less than that (about $100,000), and it got me into all kinds of trouble with my SSI disability. I’m jumping through lots of hoops now trying to keep my benefits.

A: You misunderstood what I wrote. In that past column, I was referring to someone getting Social Security disability benefits. Social Security is not a welfare program. You could be a millionaire and still get Social Security, whether it’s a retirement benefit or a disability benefit or a survivor benefit.

But you are not getting Social Security disability. You are getting SSI disability. And to repeat, SSI is a welfare program. And as a general rule, someone who in-

herits $100,000 doesn’t need welfare. I’m not a real expert on the SSI program, but you may be able to set up something called a “special needs trust” that lets you keep your SSI checks. Those may be the “hoops” you are trying to jump through.

Here is an interesting tidbit that further shows how these two programs can get confused. The Social Security disability program is frequently referred to as SSDI, which stands for Social Security disability insurance. And the SSI disability program

Continued on next page

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

What effect will an autocratic U.S. have on the housing industry?

The following is my research and thoughts on what would happen:

1. Government Control over Housing

• Property Rights: In a true autocracy, private property rights could weaken. The government might impose stricter controls on ownership, limit who can buy/sell, or even seize land for state use (which is already occurring today through Eminent Domain via the Fifth Amendment of our Constitution). Taking property for the benefit of the public.

• Rent Controls & Price Caps: An authoritarian regime might impose artificial rent controls or home price limits to maintain social stability, which could discourage investment.

• Housing Development: Largescale state-directed housing projects (similar to what’s seen in some authoritarian countries) could replace private-sector-driven development.

2. Economic Impact

• Investment Climate: Investors (both domestic and foreign) may pull back due to uncertainty, sanctions, or fear of government interference, reducing housing demand and slowing construction.

• Interest Rates & Mortgages: An autocratic regime might manipulate interest rates for political goals, which could distort mortgage markets — either making housing artificially cheap (short-term boom) or unaffordable (long-term bust).

• Wealth Flight: Affluent homeowners could move assets abroad, creating more supply at the high end but weakening the luxury market.

3. Social Effects

• Widening Inequality: Housing access may depend on political loyalty or connections, leading to disparities in ownership and opportunity.

• Migration & Demand Shifts: If civil liberties decline, some citizens may emigrate. Outmigration reduces demand in certain markets, while

SOCIAL SECURITY AND YOU

Continued from previous page

is usually called SSID.

So finally, repeat after me. SSI is a welfare program. It is not a Social Security program. SSI does not stand for Social Security Income. It stands for Supplemental Security Income.

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

authoritarian policies could restrict foreign buyers.

• Homelessness & Displacement: Government priorities may shift away from housing support programs, worsening homelessness unless the state tightly controls urban residency 4. Regional & Global Dynamics

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

• Urban vs. Rural Divide: An autocracy might prioritize capital cities and strategic regions for development, neglecting others.

• Sanctions & Trade Barriers: If an autocratic U.S. faces sanctions, costs of materials (steel, lumber, appliances) could rise sharply, driving up construction costs.

• Foreign Investment: Global real estate buyers (e.g., from Asia or Europe) could hesitate to buy U.S. property if rule of law and transparency decline.

5. Psychological & Market Sentiment

• Consumer Confidence: Fear of instability reduces people’s willingness to make long-term commitments like buying homes.

• Black Market Housing: In extreme cases, housing may be informally traded outside official channels to avoid state scrutiny.

Summary:

An autocratic U.S. would likely create a less stable, less transparent housing market. Property rights could weaken, inequality may grow, foreign and domestic investment might decline, and housing could become politicized. In the short term, the government might prop up the housing market to maintain control, but long-term effects would likely reduce trust, liquidity, and growth in the industry.

Continued from page 2

on what you’ve already purchased. No. 4: Use sales and coupons wisely. My mom used to plan her menus around the weekly grocery store flyer. Now you can do it based on your grocery store app -- and what’s on sale.

No. 5: Make a list before you shop.

This scenario is potentially where we might be heading as things progress politically. I do not believe that this is what the majority of homeowners and investors want to see materialize and have to experience and be encumbered by in the future. However, who we elect going forward will have a marked and monumental effect on our housing industry. One must be extremely cognizant and vote for those who want free enterprise and entrepreneurial spirit to continue to thrive and flourish and not be hindered by those in power.

However, there needs to be a better balance for those in need of reasonably priced housing, while minimizing homelessness by coming up with solutions that make sense. We currently have major issues in both these categories, but an Autocratic environment will only exacerbate the problem and not solve it.

Next week I will provide some insight as to how property ownership functions in Russia and China to provide more insight to how the laws and rules in those two countries effect the values.

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

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

Certified International Property Specialist - expert in consulting and completing international transactions. National Association of Realtors

NEWS

Most of us tend to impulse shop when we go to the grocery store. If you have a list, you’re more likely to purchase the things you need rather than what appeals to you in the moment. It’s also important to eat before grocery shopping. Planning helps you avoid overbuying and helps you know when to cook a little extra for use in another dish.

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

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)

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

14 Ways to Use Coffee Filters That Don’t Involve Coffee

BY MARY HUNT

It was a dumb mistake. I grabbed the biggest package of coffee filters -- a pack of 1,000 -- only to discover much later that I’d picked up the wrong size for my coffeemaker.

Coffee filters are not expensive, which is probably the reason I didn’t bother returning them to the store. I suppose I should have tried, but I didn’t. Instead, I began finding ways to use those filters for other things than making coffee.

What I discovered is that the basket-style filters are super useful. It took a few years, but I used up the wrong-size stack of filters, and not to filter coffee! They became such a handy item that I bought the same size again, but this time from the dollar store. Most recently, I found 150 filters there for $1.

Here are some of the things I can do with a coffee filter:

1. Prevent splatters: Don’t you hate that mess inside the microwave? Prevent it by covering the bowl, plate or food item with a coffee filter turned upside down to create a little canopy. It works really well because the filter is highly absorbent but doesn’t fly off when the food pops and splatters.

2. Quick sparkle: Use a coffee filter instead of paper towels to clean and pol-

ish a mirror, window, glass tabletop or chrome. There’s no lint, and it’s super absorbent.

3. China protectant: Be kind to your fine dinnerware or other types of dishes by placing a filter between each plate and bowl to prevent the pieces from sliding around and causing damage.

4. Protect cast iron: Once I clean, dry and re-oil my cast iron skillet, I put a flattened-out filter in the bottom to prevent rust by absorbing any moisture that might remain.

5. Absorb grease: When frying bacon, French fries or any other thing that gets fried in oil, I place a couple of filters on a plate instead of paper towels to drain said items.

6. Food wrappers: Coffee filters are convenient to use as wraps for messy foods like tacos, burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches. I love that they’re the right size and they catch stuff that might fall out when the kids dig in.

7. Applique backing: Like a dryer sheet, a coffee filter makes a great tear-away backing for embroidery and applique.

8. Bouquet garni: I learned this by watching the Food Channel. Place herbs and spices in the center of a coffee filter, and then close it up like a little pouch and tie with a piece of string. Drop this in the soup or stew, and allow it to simmer for

hours as needed. Remove the little tiedup pouch before serving, leaving behind the essence and goodness without the twigs, ugly spent leaves, seeds, etc.

9. Spoon rest: Lay the spoon, spatula or other implement you’re cooking with on a coffee filter. It will soak up the drips but not leave bits of paper on the item when you pick it up later, as paper towels often do.

10. Cradle ornaments: Use a coffee filter to individually wrap special Christmas ornaments or other precious decor items. This prevents ornaments from rubbing against one another and makes it easier to nestle them for compact storage.

11. Blotting paper: Whether it’s ink, paint or pressed flowers, when you need to blot, grab a coffee filter. It works perfectly well.

12. Strainer: A coffee filter will strain soup, wine that has bits of cork in it, tea or any other liquid you wish to become clear. Place the filter over a receptacle, and secure it with a rubber band. Pour the item to be strained through the filter.

13. Disposable snack bowl: One or two basket-style filters make an easy-to-hold snack dish for popcorn, chips or nuts.

14. Seed sprouter: Want to get seedlings started in time for spring? Grab a filter, and dampen it with water. Lay the seeds to be sprouted on the filter, and fold

it over so the seeds are covered. Place it inside a small zip-type baggie, and leave it be until the seeds sprout and are ready for planting.

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

Groceries and the Dating Game: What Expiration Dates Really

BY MARY HUNT

If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me about food expiration dates, I could afford to buy a lot of the milk that gets tossed each week just for being one day “past.”

These questions come in by the dozen -- from readers, neighbors and once from a stranger in the dairy aisle holding a suspicious-looking yogurt cup like it was a ticking timebomb.

It’s no wonder. Between the “sell by,” “use by” and “best before” -- and “What the heck does this code mean?” -- food packaging labels have become their own dialect. Most of us are just trying to avoid food poisoning without wasting good money -- or a perfectly decent sleeve of saltines.

That brings me to Bob D., who wrote: Dear Mary: Can you clarify expiration dates on food products? When it says “sell by 8/01/25,” does that mean it has to be used or just sold by that date? Others show a date of, say, 2/01/26 on canned or packaged goods. Does that mean you need to use it by this date or what? Some canned or packaged products don’t seem to have any date that I can find. Why is that? I’m so confused! -- Bob D.

Dear Bob: Short question, long answer. Here’s a breakdown of what those dates really mean -- and when to toss or keep:

“SELL BY”

This date is mainly for stores. It helps with shelf rotation so newer stock ends up behind older stock. A “sell by” date doesn’t mean the food becomes unsafe after that day. For example, milk is often good for five to seven

days past its “sell by” if kept cold.

You can freeze milk, cheese or even bread just before the “sell by” and stretch your grocery dollar a little further.

“BEST BEFORE” AND “BEST IF USED BY”

These labels suggest when the food is at its best quality -- taste, texture and appearance -not safety. That box of crackers or jar of peanut butter may taste a little stale afterward but is still perfectly safe to eat.

“USE BY” AND “EXPIRATION”

Now we’re getting serious. These labels -especially on dairy, deli meat and refrigerated dough -- mean the manufacturer can’t guarantee safety after the printed date. Use your senses, but when in doubt, don’t risk it. This is the only date that typically implies a safety concern, especially with perishable items. Infant formula and baby food are the only

products legally required to carry and adhere to expiration dates. Those should always be used exactly as labeled.

“GUARANTEED FRESH”

You’ll see this on bakery goods. The donuts may still be edible after this date, but they may taste more like hockey pucks than baked treats. The label is about freshness, not safety.

“PACK DATE”

This is when the item was packaged, not when it should be eaten. On eggs and some canned goods, it might show up as a Julian date (001 for Jan. 1, 365 for Dec. 31). It’s not meant for consumers, but it can help you guesstimate freshness.

If you stumble across an item with no visible date, don’t panic. Not all foods are required to be labeled. Use your best judgment. If it smells weird, looks odd or feels slimy, toss it.

A WORD ABOUT WASTE

Here’s the bigger issue: Americans throw away billions of pounds of food each year, often because of misunderstood date labels. That’s not just sad -- it’s expensive. The average family of four wastes over $1,800 annually in uneaten food. It’s like buying groceries, driving them home and putting half directly in the trash.

A FEW SMART TIPS

-- Keep your fridge below 40 F and use airtight containers.

-- Use the “first in, first out” method to rotate pantry goods.

-- Freeze meat, cheese and bread near their “sell by” date.

-- Don’t fear “best by.” It’s about quality, not safety.

Bob, you’re not alone in the confusion. But with a little savvy, you can keep more of your groceries out of the trash -- and more of your dollars in your wallet.

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 “Debt-Proof Living.”

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

A Celestial Trio to Greet the Dawn

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of September 14-20, 2025

Early risers have probably been marveling at the dazzling white “star” now appearing in the eastern sky at dawn. It is, of course, the brilliant planet Venus. But this week it will team up with a couple of other celestial bodies to create an even more beautiful display.

On the morning of Friday, Sept. 19, Venus will join with the thin crescent moon and the distant star Regulus. In fact, the three will appear so close that you’ll want to aim binoculars to see them all together.

What appears to be a near collision is anything but. The three celestial bodies are widely separated, but the fact that they appear roughly along the same line of sight produces the illusion of nearess.

Each of these three is an example of a completely different type of object. The moon is our closest celestial neighbor and natural satellite. It’s a huge chunk of rock that, we now believe, formed when a planet-sized body slammed into the Earth some 4.5 billion years ago.

On the morning of the 19th, it will lie 241,185 miles away.

Venus is a planet, much like the Earth, except that it’s enshrouded by poisonous clouds that hold its surface temperature hotter than a pizza oven. On Sept. 19, it will lie some 135 million miles away, and its light will require 12

and a half minutes to reach us.

The third collaborator in this celestial trio is a thermonuclear cauldron not unlike our sun (but much larger and hotter). It’s known as Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo. It’s the most distant of these three, at a whopping 466 trillion miles away -- so far that we see its light arriving after a journey of 79.3 light years.

As I said, no danger of a collision!

But things are not stationary up there. The moon orbits the Earth, and Venus orbits the sun, and both of these motions are visible to those who are patient. Check out the morning sky a few days before Sept. 19, and you’ll see what I mean. Venus appears just above Regulus, while the moon lies quite far above this pair.

Over the next few mornings, you’ll notice that both Venus and the moon have moved in their orbits and appear to be approaching Regulus from above. Keeping watch on this is fun, but you might also want to use your camera to capture the positions of the three as they seem to close in on each other.

And then, on the 19th, Venus, Regulus and the moon will lie almost along the same line of sight and appear as a tight group low in the eastern sky. You should begin your watch about an hour or so before sunrise and enjoy the view as the light and colors of dawn change.

If you’ve got binoculars, you’ll want

at once with binoculars.

to aim them toward this trio. All will fit neatly inside the same field of view and produce a marvelous sight. And a small, low-powered telescope will show Venus and Regulus together.

Be sure to set your alarm early on

Only the Nose Knows

Friday, Sept. 19, for a celestial display you won’t want to miss!

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. . COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

Superman is able to see through walls.

Spider-Man can detect things with his Spidey-sense.

Me? I can smell something in the next county. Yes, it’s true. I am Super Smell Woman (not to be confused with the significantly less appealing Super Smelly Woman). I can detect unseen mold under a bathtub mat. I can sniff out spoiled milk from behind refrigerator doors. I am Super Smell Woman; hear me snort.

Like any superpower, this particular trait is sometimes a gift, sometimes a curse. It’s not a bad thing when the smell in question is something good like flowers or fresh-baked cookies. Most of the time though, it’s super nasty.

“The dog did something bad downstairs,” I inform my husband as we lie in bed.

“What are you, Kreskin?” he asks.

“I can smell it.”

At that point he knows it is his job to go down and investigate, because if I get too close to the nasty smell, it’s curtains for me. Superman has kryptonite. For me, it’s horrid-smelling dog things.

On the plus side, my super sense of smell makes it hard for my family to get away with anything.

“You had cookies,” I say to my daughter when she comes to visit and kisses me hello.

She is flabbergasted. “How did you know?”

“Mothers know everything!” I inform her mysteriously. She thinks I am omniscient. Little does she know I can smell the chocolate on her breath.

Like most superheroes, I feel it is in my best interest to keep my powers a secret. To most people, I am simply “Tracy Beckerman, suburban mother of two with an average sense of smell.” Only my family knows the olfactory phenomenon that I really am.

But then one day the unthinkable happened, and the truth came out.

As I waited at the teller window at the bank, I said, “I smell maple syrup. Did someone have pancakes for breakfast?”

The teller shook her head no. The teller at the next window shook her head no. The teller at the third window shook her head no. But then the customer at the third window blurted out, “You can SMELL that?”

“Um, yeah,” I admitted.

“That’s unbelievable! I have maple syrup-flavored lip gloss on,” she announced loudly to the whole bank. Then she whipped her lip gloss out of her handbag and held up it up for proof. “Maple syrup, see!!”

Everyone turned and looked at me, the weirdo who could smell maple syrup lip gloss across the room.

“I have a good nose,” I said sheepishly, and slunk out of the bank.

Feeling like a freak of nasal nature,

I went off to the gym to try to work off my maple syrup-induced embarrassment. As I contorted my body into some obscure stretch in a group exercise class, I leaned over to my neighbor and whispered, “Who comes up with these moves?”

From across the room, the instructor yelled, “This is a standard Pilates move!”

“You could HEAR that?” I bellowed. “I said that in a whisper.”

“I have super hearing,” she admitted.

I was so excited. A comrade! A cohort! A fellow freak!

“So, you’re a superhero?” I asked.

“No,” she said. “I’m a mom.”

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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On Friday, Sept. 19, the moon, Venus and the star Regulus will appear so close together in the sky that all three can be viewed

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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. (T.Y.)

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Enjoy a honey of a breakfast

Crunchy Honey-Yogurt Breakfast Parfait

Morning mealtime can be frenetic, as multiple people in a home get ready for work or school at the same time. Stocking the refrigerator with ready-to-go offerings that are healthy and delicious ensures that everyone can grab breakfast even if they’re in a rush.

This recipe for “Crunchy Honey-Yogurt

Breakfast Parfait” courtesy of the National Honey Board® seems like a dessert but actually can be enjoyed first thing in the morning. With nutrient-dense ingredients like whole fruits, honey and yogurt, it provides the boost of energy necessary to start one’s day. Makes 2 servings

1 large banana, sliced, divided 1⁄3 cup honey, divided 1⁄2 cup plain yogurt, divided 1⁄2 cup crunchy granola, divided 1⁄2 cup blueberries, divided

1) Reserve several slices of banana and a few blueberries for garnish.

3) Repeat for a second parfait.

4) Garnish with reserved banana, blueberries and a drizzle of honey.

2) Layer 1 tablespoon, 1⁄4 of the pre-sliced banana, 2 tablespoons blueberries, 2 tablespoons yogurt, 2 tablespoons granola, 1⁄4 of the sliced banana, 2 tablespoons blueberries, 1 tablespoon honey, and 2 tablespoons granola in a parfait glass.

Enter our “World’s Most Beautiful Grandchildren” contest! Just send in your grandchildren’s photos and a brief description of the child (or children) along with your name and address to editor@gcnews.com

Do you have grandchildren? Advertise in our

provide, we’ll create

to

or have a

and help you be

Reviving Hope: A Breakthrough Approach to Treating Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

"Several years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemotherapy treatments. I'm now in remission and blessed to still be here, but I was in so much pain. My feet and hands were constantly burning - a tingling sensation, almost like when your leg or arm falls asleep," shared Mary of Westbury.

Mary was suffering from Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy or CIPN. While chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells, they are not exactly discriminating in what they destroy. The smaller nerves, specifically those in your hands and feet, are some of the first to be harmed. Those suffering from peripheral neuropathy have described this pain as “burning,” “tingling,” “like walking on sharp rocks,” or like Mary explained, that fuzzy, tingling pain you experience during paresthesia (the technical term for when a limb “falls asleep”).

"Standing all day was not just a challenge, it caused me physical agony. Keeping up with my busy schedule - forget about it. I couldn't even go for walks on the beach." Mary, like so many others, was prescribed Gabapentin to help with the pain and told there was nothing anyone could do. In their words: “There is no treatment for neuropathy.”

Fortunately for Mary, where Western medicine fails, Westbury Acupuncture tends to

National Board-Certified Acupuncturist, has been blending the time-tested science of acupuncture with modern, medical technology to design a real solution for peripheral neuropathy that doesn’t involve invasive surgeries or prescription medications with uncomfortable side effects.

These Renew Nerve Ⓡ protocols, specific to Westbury Acupuncture and its network of certified providers, actually treat neuropathy versus attempting to mask its symptoms.

"Acupuncture is incredible at restoring blood flow and stimulating damaged nerves. It’s been used for centuries to treat peripheral neuropathy and similar conditions” tells Jae Won. “We take our treatments a step further by integrating ATP Resonance BioTherapy Ⓡ , which targets specific nerves in the body using microcurrent. ATP Resonance BioTherapyⓇ is

treatment stimulates the blood vessels to grow back around the peripheral nerves and provide them with the proper nutrients and energy they need to repair and recover.”

ATP Resonance BioTherapy Ⓡ was originally designed by NASA to speed up healing and recovery. “To have access to this kind of technology has been life changing for our patients” shares Sariah, one of the incredibly compassionate Patient Care Technicians at Westbury Acupuncture. “We even have people asking if they can take the equipment home, so we’re working on developing some at-home options for our less mobile patients.”

After only four weeks of treatment, Mary is already seeing incredible improvement. "I've taken the handicap placard off my rearview mirror and I'm finally back to walking on the beach. I can't wait to see how I feel at the end of my program! I used to think that

the neuropathy pain was just the price I have to pay for still being alive. Jae Won has really given me hope for a better life!"

Jae Won L.Ac and the staff at Westbury Acupuncture have a 90% success rate in reversing peripheral neuropathy, and not just that caused by chemotherapy. They also have tremendous success in treating diabetic neuropathy and neuropathy of undetermined origin, otherwise known as idiopathic neuropathy. “I watched my grandmother suffer with neuropathy during her final years and it broke my heart when she was told there was nothing they could do. This condition is one of the main reasons I went into medicine. Since then, I’ve been on a quest to help people truly thrive in their golden years.”

The number of treatments needed to allow the nerves to fully recover will vary from person to person and can only be determined after a comprehensive consultation and detailed neurological evaluation.

If you or someone you love is suffering from peripheral neuropathy, call (516) 500-8281 to schedule.

For new patients, an initial consultation is complimentary. Simply visit www.WestburyAcupuncture.com for more information and to take advantage of this offer.

This Week at the Syosset Public Library Arts and Crafts for Toddlers

Friday, September 12, at 10:00 a.m.

Simply Stronger with Balance (VIRTUAL)

Instructor: Mindy Vasta

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

Friday, September 12, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

FCA Senior Financial Assistance Lecture (IN-PERSON)

Presenter: Family & Children’s Association

FCA’s Senior Financial program staff are dedicated to helping seniors in the community manage finances, navigate the Medicare system and connect with community resources. Join us to learn more about our services and gain valuable information on financial counseling services including assistance with Nassau County property tax exemptions and Medicare. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org.

Saturday, September 13, from 9:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Driver’s Safety Course (IN-PERSON)

Completion of this program entitles you to a NYS insurance discount and point reduction. Bring your NY State driver’s license and a pen to class.  In person registration ONLY.  For drivers of all ages.  Fee: $33

Tuesday, September 16, at 7:15 p.m. Evening Book

Discussion (IN-PERSON)

Join Ralph Guiteau, Reference Librarian, for a special Evening Book Discussion of the #1 New York Times bestseller, “ The Art Thief: A True

Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession” by Michael Finkel. No registration needed.

Wednesday, September 17, at 2:00 p.m.

Bingo for Adults (IN-PERSON)

Presenter: Seniors of Syosset

Enjoy an afternoon of playing Bingo with friends or make new ones. Registration needed. Prizes will be given out. Register at syossetlibrary.org.

Thursday, September 18, at 2:00 p.m.

The Making of “King Kong” (IN-PERSON)

Presenter: Sal St. George, pop culture historian

Learn the captivating back story of one of cinema ’ s grandest and most memorable adventures produced. Considered to be the greatest ground-breaking horror film of all time, “King Kong” features a superb cast and a magnificent music score. The 1933 film has spawned countless remakes and sequels, but none have ever captured the imagination and excitement of the original. No registration needed.

Thursday, September 18, at 7:00 p.m.

Virtual Writing Workshop: How to Write Great Dialogue with Erin Coughlin

Presenter: Erin Coughlin, awardnominated writer and producer and author of “Pop and Fizz’s Double Feature Movie Night Guide”

In this intensive writing workshop, you’ll discover all of the writing tips and tricks that you need to create great dialogue. Learn how you can use dialogue to engage your readers/audience and improve your writing. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org.

Friday, September 19, at 2:00 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.

Call our GC office at 294-8900, or visit us online at gcnews.com for more info & questions

The Town of Oyster Bay’s popular Toddler Arts & Crafts Program will be offered again this fall, beginning on October 7. This 6-week program offers classes at the Town’s Ice Skating Center Community Room in Bethpage and at the Hicksville Athletic Center, and is open to children ages 2 through 4.

“The Town’s Toddler Arts & Crafts Program is a wonderful way to help support your toddler’ s development through nurturing their artistic expression,” said Town Councilman Andrew Monteleone. “Classes will certainly fill up quickly as this program offers children an opportunity to meet others their age and explore their creativity. Highlights of the program include holiday crafts and ceramics.”

The Toddler Arts & Crafts Program begins October 7 and is 6 weeks in duration. Residents who sign their toddler up for the program must choose one class per week, per child. Classes will take place on:

• Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. for two-year-olds, and 11:00 a.m. for threeand-four-year-olds at the Hicksville Athletic Center in Hicksville

• Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. for

two-year-olds, and 11:00 a.m. for threeand-four-year-olds at the Ice Skating Center Community Room in Bethpage; • Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. for two-year-olds, and 11:00 a.m. for threeand-four-year-olds at the Ice Skating Center Community Room in Bethpage.

Registration will take place online through the Parks Portal, and is available at oysterbaytown.com/portal as of September 8 at 9:00 a.m. Space is limited- first come, first serve. Registration will close when the program reaches full capacity.

Each class is approximately 45 minutes. The cost of the program is $35 per child who is a Town resident, and $45 per child whose care giver is a Town resident but not the child. The child’s birth certificate and a tax or utility bill will be required to validate age and proof of residency. A guardian must be present during the class. A smock and supplies will be provided with enrollment. The final day to request a refund for this program will be October 17.

The Toddler Arts & Crafts Program is run by the Town’s Parks Department, Recreation Division. For further information, please call (516) 797-7945.

Fall Toddler Sports Program

The Town of Oyster Bay’s Toddler Sports Program will return this fall, beginning October 7. This 6-week program offers sports classes at the Hicksville Athletic Center for children ages 3 and 4.

“ The Town ’ s Toddler Sports Program is a fantastic way to teach your toddler the fundamentals of sports in a fun and social environment,” said Town Councilman Lou Imbroto. “This program is sure to be a hit with children and parents alike, as youngsters are given the opportunity to learn the basics of various different sports such as tee-ball, flag football and more along with children their own age.”

The Toddler Sports Program begins October 7 and is 6 weeks in duration. Residents who sign their toddler up for the program must choose one class per week, per child. Classes will take place on: Tuesdays at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. at the Hicksville Athletic Center in Hicksville; and Thursdays at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. at the Hicksville Athletic

Center in Hicksville.

Registration will take place online through the Parks Registration Portal available at oysterbaytown.com/sports on September 8 at 9:00 a.m. Space is limited — first come, first serve. Registration will close when the program reaches full capacity.

Each class is approximately 50 minutes. The cost of the program is $75 per child who is a Town resident, and $90 per child whose care giver is a Town resident but not the child. The child’s birth certificate and a tax or utility bill will be required to validate age and proof of residency. A guardian must be present during the class. The child MUST be 3 years old by the start of the program. The last day to request a refund for this program will be October 17.

The Toddler Sports Program is run by the Town’s Parks Department, Recreation Division. For further information, please call (516) 797-7945.