Bethpage Newsgram (1/17/20)

HAPPY NOON

YEAR

Summit Lane Elementary School fifth graders celebrated "Noon Years Day" to welcome 2020. See page 14.

Town, MTA battle over resident-only parking spaces at train station

BY GARY SIMEONE

An ongoing dispute between the Town of Oyster Bay and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority about resident-only parking spots near the Hicksville train station does not look like it’s going to be resolved anytime soon. Officials from Oyster Bay

want the MTA to replace any Town parking spaces that would be displaced by the building of a new parking garage at the station.

“Hicksville is the busiest railroad station on Long Island yet the MTA has failed to properly invest in parking for their cus-

tomers using the station,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “We continue to meet with the MTA to demand they fulfill their pledge to construct new parking garages in Hicksville just as they did in Westbury and Mineola.”

Brian Nevin, a spokesperson

See page 10

Catholic school closing after nearly sixty years of service

BY GARY SIMEONE

A Catholic school that has been part of the Hicksville community for nearly sixty years plans to close its doors to students at the end of the school year. The Our Lady of Mercy K-8 school will close due to declining enrollment and tuition revenue, according to the Diocese of Rockville Centre. The school was established by the Sisters of Mercy religious organization in the early 1960s.

Sean Dolan, director of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, said that it was sad news that the school had to close after serving the local community for nearly sixty years.

“We are deeply saddened by the announced closing of Our Lady of Mercy School in Hicksville, which was established by the Sisters of Mercy nearly sixty years ago,” said Dolan. “This closing is a great loss to the students, parents, teachers, administrators, support staff and volunteers who have served the school so faithfully during its history.”

He said that the drop in enrollment and the decline in tuition income made it unsustainable to keep the doors open for students.

“These two factors combined makes the goal of providing a quality education to nurture and develop students academically, emotionally and spiritually unsustainable,” said Dolan.

See page 10

Shooting in Plainview

Nassau County Police are investigating a shooting of a 27 year old man in Plainview on Tuesday, January 14th at 5:30 p.m.

According to detectives, police received a 911 call for a shooting victim in front of a Margaret Drive E. residence. Officers responded to the scene and a 27 year old man, who was the victim of gunshot wounds, was transport-

ed to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. His identity was not released before press time.

Detectives believe a light-colored vehicle may be involved in the incident and request anyone with information regarding this crime to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

Levittown man arrested in robbery

Nassau County Police have arrested a Levittown man for allegedly robbing an Exxon gas station on September 24.

According to detectives, Second Precinct officers responded to a Robbery at the Exxon gas station located at 3285 Hempstead Turnpike on that date. Upon arrival, a male employee, 69, told police that a man had walked into the store, pulled out a knife and demanded money from the register. The victim complied and the subject fled on foot in an unknown direction.

Police say that after a thorough investigation Bureau of Special Operations Officers were able to locate Nicolas Bocci,  on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 9:30 p.m. in Levittown sitting in a parked vehicle on Barbara Lane. Police say he was placed under arrest without incident.

Nicolas Bocci is charged with Robbery 1st Degree and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana 2nd Degree.

Salk students spread kindness one bear at a time

Eighty-two seventh and eighth-grade students from Jonas E. Salk Middle School in the Levittown Public Schools recently raised $400 for the nonprofit organization, Kids In Danger, during the school’s annual Tyler’s Teddies fundraiser.

The fundraiser was created after a 10-month-old named Tyler was fatally entrapped in the side of a drop-side crib. The crib continued to be advertised in stores as the number one product for safety. KID is dedicated to improving child safety products and the organization shares Tyler’s story, among others, in an effort to raise awareness and support laws that keep kids safe.

Led by English teacher Michele Witte, the student volunteers sold teddy bears for $3 during their lunch periods to students and staff. Those who purchased a bear were encouraged to either keep it and promise to share kindness or give it to a family member or friend and ask them to do a random act of kindness

in return during the holiday season.

“I decided to get into the Tyler’s Teddies movement because all the money was going towards such a great cause to protect kids from dangerous things and I just thought that was great,” said seventh-grader Brooke Todhunter.

Students at Jonas E. Salk Middle School wore pajamas on Dec. 20 to show the world that they joined the Tyler’s Teddies movement, raised awareness and spread kindness. The students also participated in the school’s Holiday Jamboree that day where they were stationed at a table and encouraged their peers to make a Tyler’s Teddies bag, writing what their act of kindness was.

“I hope that the students did the act of kindness that we asked, and I hope that they learned something from it,” said seventh-grader Shea Slavens. “We want them to not just do an act of kindness when they buy a teddy but to do it whenever.”

Nicolas Bocci

Jonas E. Salk Middle School students raised $400 for the nonprofit organization, Kids In Danger, by selling teddy bears as part of their Tyler’s Teddies fundraiser.

Photo courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools

Public meeting in Hicksville focuses on street safety

BY GARY SIMEONE

Members of the Hicksville community met for the second time on January 6 for a public information meeting for the Downtown Hicksville Complete Streets Project at the Hicksville Community Center. It was one of several meetings that have been held regarding the overall downtown revitalization project.

Representatives at the meeting included Nassau County legislators Rose Walker, Arnold Drucker and Laura Schaefer, as well as members of the Nassau County DPW project team.

“We’re all here because we’re interested enthusiastic and concerned about the revitalization project,” said Drucker, who represents the County’s 16th district. “I know everyone wants to see things moving along in incremental steps and I believe one of the worst things developers can do is to not keep people in the loop.”

Sean Sallie, deputy commissioner of the DPW, said that meetings had taken place in 2019 with the state DOT Town of Oyster Bay and LIRR officials to make the downtown area more accessible and pedestrian friendly.

“We coordinated with each other to help improve accessibility safety and availability in the Hicksville downtown area particularly around the railroad station,” said Sallie. “We worked on ways to help support commerce in the area economic development and overall quality of life.”

Sallie said the meetings concentrated on pedestrian safety and accessibility around the area of LIRR station and several preliminary recommendations were made.

Eight recommendations were made regarding the project site, which stretches from Old Country Road to John Street in the area considered to be Hicksville proper.

The areas that the recommendations were made for included 1. Broadway and downtown area 2. bike routes 3. Duffy Avenue and Newbridge Ave intersection 4. Duffy Avenue crossing 5. Broadway and Newbridge intersection at John Street 6. The LIRR station 7. Barclay triangle and park area 8. Underline area under the LIRR station.

Stephen Normandin, managing director of NV5 Global Inc, a site and traffic engineering firm, gave some insight into possible upgrades in each of these locations.

He said that helping to cut down

on the commercial activity around broadway is paramount.

“We’re looking at a better way to organize the area and give it a facelift of sorts,” said Normandin. “Maybe getting rid of the clutter when it comes to signage and all the bicycles tied to anything standing up. What we’re proposing is downtown streetscaping like replacing cracked and narrow sidewalks and trying to make the space visually larger.”

For bike routes and facilities, Normandin said accommodating bike activity and making safer bike routes was a top priority.

“We looked at ideas like shared lane markings dedicated bike lanes and intersection markings for bike lanes,” said Normandin.

He called the Duffy and Newbridge Avenue intersection a “very busy area for transit,” and said proposals included wider travel lanes and shoulders for vehicle activity.

Through statistical analysis NV5 members determined that the Broadway and Newbridge section at John Street was one of the highest vehicle accident locations in the County and also had one of the longer pedestrian crossings.

“Organizing and tightening up this intersection is of utmost impor -

tance and we looked at things like creating curb extensions wherever we can,” said Normandin.

Plans for the LIRR station include overhauling infrastructure and making larger available space for pedestrian activity.

“We found a lot of issues in regards to taxis and pedestrians like outdated signage and quick dropoff locations as well as many sidewalks in disrepair,” said Normandin.

In the underline area which the team considered around Newbridge and Jerusalem Avenue and Herzog Place, they said the priority was enhancing intermodal activity.

Other ideas that the NV5 group brought to the table included creating a sense of space and a welcoming mat of sorts to the downtown area by adding things like wider medians and LED lighting to Newbridge and Jerusalem Avenue underpasses.

“We think it would be good to brighten up the area and a provide a gateway into downtown Hicksville when you approach in your vehicle,” said Normandin.

A meeting on the Seritage project is scheduled for March 10 at Hicksville High school at 7 p.m.

New Year. New You!

Take One Day in 2020 to Renew— with a Focus on You!

We know caregivers seldom concentrate on their own day-to-day needs, so Village Green is giving you a good excuse to do just that. And we virtually guarantee it will be precious time well-spent.

What’s on Our Caregiving Seminar Agenda?

More than just a basic panel discussion, you’ll enjoy tasty food and drinks and smart strategies for taking care of yourself— from diet and exercise to laugh therapy. We’ll also touch on when it makes sense to turn to the experts—from chiropractic care to a professional organizer. Join us!

• New Year’s Resolutions for Caregivers

• Organizing Your Home

• De-stressing

• Wellness, Nutritionist & Chiropractor

• Comedy Skit on Aging

New Year. New You! Caregivers Seminar Thursday, January 30

Registration: 5:15 p.m. I Events: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Village Green Welcome Center 100 Schoolhouse Road | Levittown, NY 11756

RSVP to (516) 271-2500 by Monday, January 27.

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Hicksville HS senior named Regeneron Scholar

Congratulations to Hicksville High School senior Sejal Gupta, who has been named a Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar for 2020! Sejal has been selected from among 300 national Regeneron Scholars now eligible for a grand prize of $250,000 and a chance to be named the top Regeneron Scholar.

Sejal was selected for her project, “Development of a Machine Learning Algorithm to Predict the Path of Joints for Gait Rehabilitation.” She set out to develop a machine-learning algorithm that can predict personalized walking patterns for patients with injuries to lower extremities. In order to achieve the most effective plan for each patient’s injury, Sejal determined that age, mass, leg length and gait speed must all be factored into her algorithm to produce the ideal walking motion. She hopes to incorporate her work into a robotic exoskeleton that can guide treatment for patients.

According to Sejal, she drew inspiration from her own ankle injury. “I thought, maybe this will work and can help people like me,” said Sejal, who first heard the news via a text from her father, just around the time that her good friend from a neighboring school district informed her that she too was named a Regeneron Scholar. “It’s nice to be part of a community of individuals who are likeminded and share the same interests as me,” she added.

Sejal worked under the guidance of her mentor, Anurag Purwar, research associate professor for the Department

of Mechanical Engineering, Stony Brook University, who is also director of the school’s Computer-Aided Design and Innovation Lab.

Additionally, Sejal is a member of Hicksville High School’s Science Olympiad as well as the robotics team. Outside of school, she is involved in an Innovation Entrepreneurship Café in which she teaches students in grades kindergarten through eight in STEAM.

Sejal hopes to be among the 40 finalists who will be announced on Jan. 22. Finalists are invited to Washington, D.C., in March to participate in final judging. While in the nation’s capital, finalists will display their work to the public, meet with notable scientists and compete for awards, including the top award of $250,000. Sejal said she will also enter her project into the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair.

The Regeneron Science Talent Search is the nation’s most prestigious pre-college science competition. Its alumni have made extraordinary contributions to science and hold more than 100 of the world’s most coveted science and math honors, including the Nobel Prize and the National Medal of Science.

Each Regeneron Scholar, selected from 1,993 entrants, receives a $2,000 award, with an additional $2,000 directed to his or her respective school.

“Sejal works so hard in everything she does,” said Hicksville High School Principal Ray Williams. “No one is more deserving.”

Hicksville High School senior Sejal Gupta (center) is congratulated by math teacher Jason Cetron, chemistry teacher Dr. Pnina Powell, Hicksville Superintendent of Schools Marianne Litzman, Hicksville High School Principal Ray Williams, research teacher Dr. Stephanie Piscitelli and school counselor Patricia Lozoya.

Photo courtesy of the Hicksville School District

Free musical performances at libraries in January

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that its Department of Community and Youth Services will be offering free musical performances during the month of January 2020 at local libraries throughout the Town. This is a continuation of the 2019-2020 Distinguished Artists Concert Series, which will continue to run monthly through May 2020.

“The Town’s Distinguished Artists Concert Series has proven to be one of our most popular and enduring programs, as residents flock from all across the Town to see the free musical and dance performances scheduled each month for the enjoyment of our residents,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “I invite residents to take advantage of these four wonderful performances offered by the Town for free

at local libraries throughout the month of January.”

Upcoming performances for January 2020 include:

• Just 60’s - The Stories…The Songs! on Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. in the Massapequa Public Library.

• The History of Rock & Roll – A Trip Down Memory Lane Featuring the Music of the 50s, 60s, and 70s on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in the Hicksville Public Library.

The Distinguished Artists Concert Series is sponsored by the Cultural and Performing Arts (CAPA) Division of the Town of Oyster Bay’s Department of Community & Youth Services. For further information, please call (516) 7977900 or visit www.oysterbaytown.com.

Attention students!

Graduated from school? Have an outstanding GPA? Made the honor roll or Dean’s List? Scored an internship or study abroad opportunity? We invite you to send details of any of these things and more, along with your name and contact info, to editor@gcnews.com for a chance to be seen in our paper!

MacArthur’s guidance department receives Office of The Week award

The guidance department at General Douglas MacArthur High School in the Levittown Public Schools was recognized with the Office of The Week award from the radio station KJOY 98.3 during the week of Jan. 6-10. As their reward, the radio station presented members of the

guidance department with bagels and a catered lunch from Moe’s Southwest Grill. They were also acknowledged on the radio throughout the week for being the honorary Office of The Week.

Photo courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools

The General Douglas MacArthur High School guidance department won the Office of The Week award from the radio station KJOY 98.3 during the week of Jan. 6-10

Senior basketball player joins sister with 1,000-point

Senior Emily Gillis with her basketball team and coaches Ray Weidlein (left) and Steve Robins (right).

Emily Gillis, a senior varsity basketball player on the Division Avenue High School Lady Dragons team, recently accomplished an enormous feat, joining the exclusive 1,000-point scoring club during a game against Wheatley High School. She joins her sister Madison Gillis, Class of 2019, who was only the second Lady Dragon to reach the 1,000point milestone in the school’s history. Noreen Duffy, Class of 1996, was the

first.

Emily hit her 1,000th point with the first basket of the game. She helped Division Avenue High School beat Wheatley High School, 44-28, by scoring 13 points with 12 rebounds during the game. Following graduation in the spring, Emily will continue pursuing her passion for basketball at Gardner Webb University.

Division Avenue High School senior Emily Gillis scored 1,000 points in her basketball career.

Town, MTA battle over residentonly parking spaces at station

From page 1

from the Town, referred to an environmental impact statement for the MTA’s Third Track Project that was dated back in 2017. He said that the MTA had made plans to address the parking situation in Hicksville, but have so far failed to live up to expectations.

“In the statement, they had plans for a garage in Hicksville,” said Nevin. “They fulfilled their plans in Westbury and Mineola, but haven’t done so in Hicksville.”

He estimated that in the Town, nearly 2,000 commuters park illegally or on residential streets because of the lack of parking at the Hicksville station. The station is considered to be one of the busiest hubs on Long Island.

“The Town owns the parking lots and is willing to let the MTA construct a garage on our property, however, they must replace whatever resident spots they take away,” said Nevin.

The MTA and the Town have been in discussion for years about the construc-

tion of a new multistory parking facility at the train station. The facility would create over 1,000 new parking spaces that are currently being used as surface parking lots. The current lots require motorists to have a town-issued permit to park in them.

Meredith Daniels, a spokeswoman for the MTA, said the dialogue is still ongoing between the MTA and the Town on how to best resolve the issue.

“We are continuing to work on ways to improve access to stations including Hicksville and have been in discussions with the Town to explore new opportunities,” said Daniels in a statement.

“This however is an ongoing dialogue with no official plans at this point in time.”

Nevin he said he did not want the discussions to result in an ultimate loss in resident-only parking.

“The only expectation we’ve had is that if you’re going to build on, let’s say 100 current resident spots, that we still have those 100 available to residents,”said Nevin.

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Catholic school closing after nearly sixty years of service

Our Lady of Mercy School, serving kindergarten through eighth grade, will close at the end of the school year.

From page 1

Statistics showed a sharp drop in enrollment from the 2012-2013 to the 2019-2020 school year. There was a decrease from 368 students to 104 students in the kindergarten through eighth grade class which was a 72% drop.

Over the same period, the school has seen enrollment decrease of 61% from 469 students to 181 students in nursery school through eighth grade.

Dolan said as the enrollment declined, the income from tuition and fundraising has decreased, and the amount of parish and diocesan contribution has increased dramatically.

“From the 2012-13 school year through the 2018-19 school year, the parish has provided a total of $2.36 million in operating support and the Diocese of Rockville Centre has provided almost $500,000 in additional core contribution,” said Dolan. “In the current 2019-20 school year, the parish is anticipated to provide at least $400,000 in operating subsidy, and the diocese is expected to provide approximately $200,000 in core contribution. This level of financial dependence on the parish and diocese is not sustainable.”

The closing represents a recent trend on Long Island of local Catholic schools

having to shut their doors because of declining enrollment and the funds to support such institutions. In 2018, the Bishop McGann-Mercy High School in Huntington, 1 of 3 schools run by the Diocese, closed its doors for good. At the same time, two east end Catholic schools, Our Lady of Mercy Regional School in Cutchogue and St. Isidore School in Riverhead, merged into one new nursery–eighth grade school.

As a result of the Our Lady of Mercy school closure, there is expected to be an influx of students into other area Catholic schools.

Dolan said students from Our Lady of Mercy will be welcomed into any Catholic elementary school located in the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

These schools include the Holy Family School in Hicksville, St. Edward the Confessor School in Syosset and St. Patrick’s School in Huntington.

The Diocese of Rockville Centre has established a dedicated website for additional information on the closing of Our Lady of Mercy School, which can be found at www.olmhicksville.com. A special hotline (516-280-4124) and dedicated email address, education@drvc.org, have also been established for comments and questions during this time.

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Badlands and Black Hills, Buffals and Bikes: Wilderness Voyageurs’ South Dakota Bike Tour

BY KAREN RUBIN

TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

I find myself mere feet from a swarm of buffalo (or more accurately, bison). I am walking my bike and have wisely chosen to walk between two cars that are essentially stopped as the herd crosses a road in Custer State Park, in the Black Hills of South Dakota. From this vantage point, though, I can shoot photos from the left hill and the right field and feel reasonably protected even though there is really nothing between me and them.

This is the second encounter today with this herd – the first came as our small group biked from the enchanted Sylvan Lake to our lunch stop in Custer State Park at the new Visitors Center. The herd had parked itself right on the field outside the center, as if orchestrated by our tour operator, Wilderness Voyageurs. (I am told this isn’t necessarily a regular thing, but was a fortuitous occurrence on this day). It is only just one thrilling experience in an incomparable day, in an incomparable six-days of biking through South Dakota’s Badlands and Black Hills.

In the days before, we biked through Badlands National Park, completely surprised and enthralled by the stark scenery – essentially an ocean floor that had risen up as the

The captivating scenery as we bike the road through Badlands National Park, South Dakota © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Rocky Mountains formed. I had never realized that the Badlands is a gold mine of fossils from about 65 million years ago and from 35 million years ago (with a curious gap of 30 mil-

lion years) – a transition period from dinosaurs (which went extinct around 65 million years ago) and mammals. Some 600,000 specimens have already been excavated just from this area,

supplying every major museum and paleontology laboratory in the world. On this day, in the Visitors Center,

See page D2

Badlands and Black Hills, Buffalos and Bikes: Wilderness Voyageurs’ South Dakota Bike Tour

we walk into an astonishingly fine Paleontology lab to watch two paleontologists painstakingly chipping away ever so carefully to release fossilized bones from rock.

The fossils are so plentiful – and more are being exposed with erosion – that fossil-hunting should be added to the list of activities that visitors to the Badlands National Park can enjoy. There is an entire “heroes” wall filled with photos of visitors who have made their own fossil finds just this year alone, alerting the paleontologists to their location. One of those visitors from years ago – he is a

legend – was a photographer who happened on a couple of fossils; when the paleontologists came, thinking it was an afternoon’s worth of digging, they found a tennis-court sized bone field that so far has yielded 19,000 specimens over 15 years of excavation.

Each day of biking through the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota, the landscapes change so dramatically, along with such variety of visual and experience, from nature and natural wonders to heritage to history.

Over the course of the six days of riding, we bike the entire 109-mile long Mickelson Rail Trail (one of Rail-

toTrails Conservancy’s “Hall of Fame” award-winning trails), taking us through ranch land and towns, ending at the historic town of Deadwood (but not all at once – the Wilderness Voyageurs guides have broken up the rides so we get the best ride and the best itinerary); we ride through Badlands National Park and Custer State Park, with the stunning scenery of the Needles Highway, and ride the Wildlife Loop giving us close encounters with herds of buffalo (actually bison). The lodgings are also distinctive: after the Badlands ride, we stay at a guest house on a ranch in Custer State Park, we overnight in luxurious log cabins at the Blue Bell Lodge. The attractions are epic: we hop off the Mickelson trail to visit the Crazy Horse Memorial (who knew it wasn’t finished, but that decades after the death of sculptor Korczak Ziokowski who designed and carved the head, two more generations have worked on it and it will likely take decades more to finish); and finish our tour at Mount Rushmore National Monument (who knew that famous sculpture of the presidents Washington, Jefferson, TR Roosevelt and Lincoln also was not finished but never will be?).

I love that the focus is not on racing from point A to B as fast as possible, but that our bikes are our vehicles to explore, to discover, to immerse, to revel in this glorious landscape and history –the bikes become an endorphin-making machine, filling you with exultant feelings. “This is your vacation,” our guide, James Oerding says more than once. I am so glad that most of the rides do not depend upon us all ending up at the van

for a shuttle ride, so I don’t have that nagging feeling of holding up other people by stopping for photos or listening to a ranger talk, watching a film or looking at an exhibit.

That attitude, “This is your vacation,” follows into how they carefully the route is constructed for the best possible ride and experience. So we don’t do the Mickelson Trail end to end. We start in the middle and go in one direction, then on another day, are shuttled back to that middle starting point to go in the other direction.

The group – small enough so we all fit in one van – is absolutely delightful. After a dozen bike tours, I have found there is a certain self-selection process that goes into choosing a bike tour – bikers (and especially bikers on trips that involve camping) are welcoming, open, interested, congenial, love and respect nature and heritage.

The six-day bike tour is spectacular in every way, and once again confirms why bike trips are my favorite form of travel: the pace you travel is ideal to really see things (even stop when you want to more closely observe or explore), but fast enough to provide unending interest. The scenery is literally spectacular – the idyllic setting on Sylvan Lake, the stone spires of the Needles, the tunnels cut through stone, the expanse of trees that become prairie. Then there is the wildlife – especially as you ride the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park. Plus there is that element of physical challenge that gets the endorphins going (not to mention the pure fresh air, scented with pine and the altitude). Not to mention the delightful

places Wilderness Voyageurs organizes for us to stay – the ranch and the cabin were so fantastic (more on that later), the excellent food – breakfast at the lodgings, lunch as satisfying as any gourmet feast, usually served from the back of the van on a table under a lean-to, with ingredients fresh from the farmer’s market or store, wonderfully prepared sandwiches and wraps on request, and dinners at the guides’ favorite restaurants (they sure know how to pick ‘em).

The guides on our trip – James Oerding and John Buehlhorn - are not only experienced and skilled, but take care of us like Father Hens (rescuing me on that dark night at the lodge when a buffalo was on the path back from the restaurant to my cabin). And then there are the companions you travel with – on this trip, there were three couples and three single women from all over the country, who contribute immeasurably to the pleasure of the experience.

Each day brings its own highlights and surprises – such variety and diversity in the experience and the visuals on top of the normal adventures of biking and travel. Biking is its own experience –you are in your own head, in control of your own transportation. Wilderness Voyageurs, a company I became familiar with as the tour operator for Rails-toTrails Conservancy’s Sojourns on the Great Allegheny Passage (the company is headquartered in Ohiopyle, PA, on the trail) operates the bike tour in an ideal way – we ride at our own pace; the second guide serves as “sweeper” hanging back with the last rider (most often me!). Neither John nor James ever push me

along or discourage me from stopping, exploring, taking photos. We have cue sheets and a Garmin that show us the route, and can download an app that talks the directions (though there aren’t a lot of turns – I still manage to go off route three times). (This style of guided bike tour is not always the case; I recently was on a bike tour with one guide who we had to follow, no cue sheets or directions and plenty of turns; we all had to ride together at the pace of the slowest rider, and if I wanted a photo, I had to ask for the whole group to stop). They also provide wonderful meals including a few dinners at restaurants where we

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR.... WRITER’S

order off the menu. Guided bike tours are not cheap, but there is excellent value in Wilderness Voyageurs’ tour price.

This is a part of the country I have never been before...And frankly, it is ideal for anyone – especially international visitors – who want to immerse themselves in America’s mythic Western past. The combination of nature, open country, historic and heritage attractions that go so deeply into America’s psyche, is unbeatable. And on top of that is the endorphin-rush you get from biking.

A key part of the tour is riding the 109mile long Mickelson Trail, one of 30 railtrails to have been named to the Hall of

Fame by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

Also known as “The Big Mick,” The George S. Mickelson Trail (originally named the Black Hills Burlington Northern Heritage Trail), was dedicated in 1998 in memory of the late South Dakota governor who acted in strong support of transforming the former rail line into a multi-use trail.

The trail follows the historic Deadwood to Edgemont Burlington Northern rail line that passes through the Black Hills and was abandoned in 1983. After strong activism by locals and See page D6

The wonderful world of space exploration

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

Where are we going now? It seems that with NASA and its staff of experts there is always something in the news about what’s next in the area of space exploration. I can imagine many of them dreaming day and night about what they can do to bring us humans closer to Saturn, Venus and all of those other planets out there that look so far away.

The moon is always a favorite topic of theirs. When we look up at the sky at night we see it bright and beautiful in the sky. It’s a quarter of a million miles away but to the engineers who work on the plans to investigate the moon it is reachable. It is explorable. Will we be able to visit it in the near future and will human beings at any point be able to occupy it? That’s what they really wonder.

On most days I think about the things I have to do but when I stop and think about the moon it’s pretty intriguing. In high school I read the book by Robert Heinlein called “Have Space Suit - Will

Travel.” This book was originally serialized in “The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction.”

It was published in 1958, when I was just a toddler, but my high school English teacher recommended it to me when I was looking into reading some science fiction books.

In the story Clifford “Kip” Russell enters an advertising jingle writing contest, hoping to win an all-expenses-paid trip to the moon. He instead gets a used space suit. Kip puts the suit, which he calls “Oscar,” back into working condition.

Kip reluctantly decides to return his space suit for a cash prize to help pay for college, but he puts it on for one last walk. As he idly broadcasts on his shortwave radio, someone identifying herself as “Peewee” answers and requests a homing signal. He is shocked when a flying saucer lands practically on top of him. A young girl called Peewee and an alien being called the “Mother Thing” flee from it, but all three are quickly captured and taken to the moon. It goes on.

At the end, Kip and Peewee are returned to Earth with devices and equations provided by the Vegans. Kip passes the information along to Professor Reisfeld, Peewee’s father. Reisfeld arranges for a full scholarship for Kip at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where Kip wants to study engineering and spacesuit design. The story is more for teenagers than adults.

Today when NASA talks about sending people to do some work on the moon and maybe eventually live there it makes me think of all of the things that I would miss if I were one of those people on board a space ship.

I’d miss:

-Rolling around and frolicking with my cat on the green grass out back.

-Driving up to a fast-food restaurant and placing my order on days when I was having a late lunch and suddenly the hunger pangs were hitting me.

-Having a cold milkshake on some hot summer afternoons.

-Playing with my 17 nieces and nephews - either altogether or in smaller

groups of three and four - and taking them to see the latest and greatest movies in the theatre.

- Looking forward to taking a gondola ride on the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy.

When Apollo 11 blasted off toward the moon in July 1969 NASA pretty much promised that history was going to be made soon. Sure enough, on July 20 Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the surface of the moon and when he said, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” it was an amazing thing.

Most people that I knew were glued to their TV sets. The sight of a man walking on the moon was something we had never before seen in our lifetimes. I was in my teens when Armstrong walked on the moon.

As I watched him slowly take his steps on the moon and then watched as astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin

See page D5

Biking through Badlands National Park, South Dakota © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Tips for Dealing With the Social Security Administration

BY TOM MARGENAU

Near the end of last year, I wrote a couple of columns in which readers complained about the service they received from the Social Security Administration. After that column ran, I predictably got emails from people with more complaints. They are usually from people griping about long wait times when they call the agency’s 800 number or from people who claim to have received misinformation from an SSA rep. I think I’ve aired enough of their grievances already.

Instead, today I’m going to look at the flip side of that SSA service coin. Because I also received quite a few emails from readers who told me that their dealings with Social Security offices and representatives had been professional, courteous and efficient. And some of those folks shared thoughts and insights with me that I will pass along to you.

I also heard from several people who currently work for SSA, and they shared their views with me, too. Their potentially valuable advice is included in this column.

So here are some tips for how to improve your experience when you are dealing with representatives of the Social Security Administration.

Many people complained to me about wait times when they call SSA’s national hotline at 800-772-1213. More than a few said the wait time was two hours or more. But quite a few readers told me that when wait times are long, SSA always offers a callback service. In other words, you can leave your number and an SSA rep will call you back within a specified period of time. For example, one reader told me this:

“I called the 800 number to file for spousal benefits on my husband’s record. I was told there would be a twohour wait. I was offered the option of leaving my number for a callback, which I did. And almost exactly two hours later, and nice young man called me back. He was helpful and courteous, and we finished my application in less than a half-hour. I couldn’t have been more pleased with the service I got.”

So, obviously, one tip would be to make use of SSA’s callback procedure if you are trying to get answers from the 800 number service and the wait times are long.

And one SSA telephone representative told me that frequently, people who call the 800 number simply are not prepared to answer even the most basic questions. For example, he said one woman called to file for widows benefits, and she didn’t have her husband’s Social Security number available. He said she spent about 10 minutes searching for the number before she came back on the phone. And he said there were other bits of basic information he needed

that she did not have readily available. He estimated the call took 30 minutes longer than it needed to because of the woman’s lack of preparation. “This was a half-hour I could have spent helping someone else. And this was not an unusual situation. This is part of the reason why so many people have to wait so long to talk to an SSA rep.”

You wouldn’t think I should have to pass this along as a tip. But, apparently, I do. Be prepared! Think through your situation before you make a call, and have names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, dates of marriage and/ or divorce (if filing for spousal benefits) and dates of death (if filing for survivors benefits) readily available.

Another SSA telephone rep told me I wouldn’t believe how many people get on the phone with a huge chip on their shoulder. She said, “They are obviously very angry and upset, many times about a letter they received from the SSA with information they don’t understand, and they start yelling at me almost before I have a chance to say hello!” She went on to say, “And the whole conversation just goes south from there, and the call takes far longer than it needs to just because the customer is so irate that he or she can’t or won’t listen to what I am trying to say.”

So there is another tip. If you have a possible problem with the SSA, take a couple of breaths before you call them. And remember that the phone rep you are talking to didn’t personally send you the letter you don’t understand or stop your benefits if you are missing a Social Security check. They really are there to help you, not to get into verbal fisticuffs with you.

Speaking of letters from the SSA, here is another tip: Lots of times, your benefit amount will change. For example, maybe you’ll suddenly find an extra deposit from Social Security in your account. The SSA always sends a letter explaining the change. But the letter always lags behind the benefit change. That’s because the benefit can change with the push of a few buttons, but a letter has to be prepared and then find its way to you through the postal service.

So what’s the tip? If some change happens to your Social Security benefits, don’t jump on the phone right away to find out what happened. Wait a few days for the explanatory letter to show up. There’s a pretty good chance it will answer all of your questions.

Many people wrote to tell me to remind readers that so much of Social Security’s business can be handled online at https://www.socialsecurity.gov. I was going to start listing all the things you can do online. But the list got so long I decided to do this instead. Go to the website, and near the top of the homepage, click on the “Online Services” icon. You will find a list of available online services that may surprise you -- includ-

ing getting answers to frequently asked questions, reviewing your records, filing for various kinds of Social Security benefits, managing your account once your checks start and replacing a lost Medicare card. And so much more. So, another tip: If you need some help from Social Security, try going online first. Finally, another reader had this tip: He reminded people to plan ahead. He guessed (correctly) that many people wait until the last minute to file for benefits and take care of other Social Securi-

ty business. He said, “I wanted to file for benefits at my local Social Security office. I called the 800 number three months before I wanted my benefits to begin. The first available in-office appointment was six weeks down the road. But that was no problem for me because I was doing things so far in advance.”

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has the answer. Contact him at thomas.margenau@comcast.net.

COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM

The wonderful world of space exploration

C ontinued from page D3

“Buzz” Aldrin planted the U.S. flag on the lunar surface it was spectacular. History was being made right before my eyes and it was great to be able to see it in real time on TV. It was quite a momentous day.

Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked around on the moon for three hours. They collected samples of lunar soil and rock to bring back to Earth and examine. As they went about doing their work time seemed to drag - things went slower - because I knew that on the lunar surface, gravity was different.

Many years have passed since then. Now NASA spokespeople talk about a SpaceX Dragon and that seems like a technical term to me. I’m not an engineer. I looked it up, however, and the SpaceX Dragon is a reusable cargo spacecraft developed by SpaceX, an American private space transportation company.

NASA is working with the private sector to test technologies, train astronauts and strengthen the growing space economy. Providing expanded opportunities at the International Space Station to manufacture, market and promote commercial products and services will help expand the space exploration markets for many businesses.

What we know at this point about the moon: For centuries people have been mesmerized by the moon. With his telescope the astronomer Galileo first looked at the moon in 1609. He saw its strangely uneven surface - its mountains and craters, and its dark, lava-filled basins called “seas” that were caused by collisions that rocked the moon during the chaotic beginnings of the solar system.

According to write-ups in a book called “Stars & Planets” in which David H. Levy was the Consulting Editor (published in 1996), from the Earth these dark markings seem to form a pattern which people often call the “man in the moon.”

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin left footprints that will be there forever because there is no wind, rain or anything else on the moon that can destroy them. There are no clouds or active volcanoes on the moon.

As the moon moves around its orbit of the Earth, it seems to change shape in the sky depending on how much of it is lighted by the sun. We always see the same face of the moon because it spins on its axis in the same time it takes to orbit the Earth.

Tides are caused by the pull of the moon’s gravity on the Earth’s oceans and to a lesser extent, by the sun’s gravity.

And how it all began? The experts say the best working theory is that a tremendous collision, early in the Earth’s history, produced a cloud of rocky debris that

orbited the Earth. The debris formed clumps that heated as they collected together. The result was a new body that cooled down to become the moon.

Like individuals who have signed up to take a one-way flight to Mars, a large part of me wonders what would inspire someone to want to fly in a rocket to the moon? What would make someone want to give up everything they have on Planet Earth and head to the moon? Is it the sheer curiosity of it all?

Is that it, pure and simple? Or is it the thrill of going into the solar system - of being able to do what very few people can do in this lifetime? I wonder.

I saw NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine talk about the Artemis program on TV a few weeks ago and he explained that NASA’s goal is to land the first woman and next man on the moon by 2024. They will use innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before.

Human and robotic explorers will see what’s on the moon. According to nasa. gov, the U.S. will send astronauts to new locations, starting with the lunar South Pole. On the moon, they hope to find and use water and other critical resources needed for long-term exploration.

They will also investigate the moon’s mysteries and learn more about our home planet and the universe. The general idea is to learn how to live and operate on the surface of another celestial body where astronauts are just three days from home.

NASA’s powerful new rocket, the Space Launch System will send astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft from Earth to the lunar orbit. Astronauts will dock Orion at the Gateway where they will live and work around the moon.

The crew will take expeditions from the Gateway to the surface of the moon in a new human landing system before returning to the orbital outpost. Ultimately the crew will return to Earth aboard Orion.

Hearing Jim Bridenstine talk about this project and about how people will go to the moon was exciting. Usually science isn’t my thing but anything having to do with space exploration is awesome. The explanations make me pay close attention to what’s coming down the pike - or in this case, what will, in a short period of time, be transpiring on the moon.

Over the years I’ve noticed that NASA gives names to projects for a specific reason. In this case the name “Artemis” pertains to the moon. In Greek mythology, Artemis was the twin sister of Apollo and goddess of the moon.

The historic challenge: The first missions to take astronauts to the moon were called the Apollo Program. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy challenged the nation to land astronauts on the moon by the end of the decade. NASA

met that challenge with the Apollo program, landing the first man on the moon in 1969.

Fast forward 50 years. With today’s Project Artemis, astronauts will delve more deeply into what makes the moon tick and when they land, our astronauts will step foot in areas where no human has ever been before.

Why do additional tests on the moon?

The moon is a good place to learn new science. When astronauts study new places on the lunar surface, NASA will learn more about the moon, Earth and the sun, too. The moon is a test bed for Mars meaning that it is a place to prove that a technology or idea will work. The moon is a place to demonstrate that astronauts will one day be able to work away from Earth on Mars for long periods of time.

I never thought that I would think about people heading to the moon and digging around to search for any signs of water. Or to see what temperatures exist on the moon. Time marches on, however, advances are made and what NASA is doing is great. Still, I think that I will leave all of that technical stuff to

the experts.

Whether someone is a baby boomer or a millennial, the idea of people going to the moon and looking around is very interesting. The more information we can gather about the moon, the better it will be. And after that, NASA wants to send other astronauts to Mars. Mars, anyone?

Crossword Answers

Badlands and Black Hills, Buffalos and Bikes: Wilderness Voyageurs’ South Dakota Bike Tour

Governor Mickelson, the first six miles of trail was opened in 1991. Another decade under Governor Jacklow and the trail was completed in 1998 with the help of the US Forest Service, SD Department of Transportation, SD Department of Corrections, the National Guard, SD Department of Game, Fish and Parks, the Friends of the Mickelson Trail and hundreds of volunteers.

There is a strong link between the very existence of this trail and the railroads, and the Crazy Horse Memorial which we will visit, which pays homage to the indigenous peoples who lived here.

I am reminded that the railroads through these Black Hills can be traced back to 1874, when the infamous Lt. Colonel George A. Custer discovered gold as part of an exploration team. This discovery caused an explosion of miners hoping to strike it rich. Within a few years, many other towns were founded and quickly grew. But what led to the development of railroads, was not the need to transport the gold itself, but to move people and supplies. Along the trail, we see some mining shafts and go through the towns that developed with the railroads, and will even stay in a casino hotel in Deadwood that was re-created from a slime plant (slime is the waste

left when they use cyanide to decompose rock to release the gold), that was part of the Homestake Mine, the largest and deepest gold mine; it produced the most gold and was longest in operation, from 1885 to as recently as 2001.

The trail, largely crushed limestone and gravel and beautifully maintained with rest stops and water cisterns, offers wonderful diversity in landscapes as well as attractions. It travels along creeks, across open valleys, and through forests besides ranches; we ride over 100 bridges and through four tunnels. (see more at www.traillink.com/trail/george-s-mickelson-trail

Over the course of our trip, we will ride the full 109 miles of the trail, but Wilderness Voyageurs has broken it up in such a way as to intersperse attractions and, in a word, make it easier.

The Wilderness Voyageurs Badlands trip starts in Rapid City where I cleverly organize my trip to arrive the day before, staying at the famous, historic Alex Johnson Hotel (famous on its own, but made eternally famous for the part it played in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film, “North by Northwest” – an autographed caricature of Hitchcock is behind the front desk).

Indeed, the Alex Johnson Hotel is a major attraction in itself (it’s red and white sign atop the building is iconic symbol of the city) – the hotel even provides a walking tour. (Hotel Alex Johnson Rapid City, Curio Collection by Hilton, 523 Sixth Street,Rapid City SD 57701, 605-342-1210, alexjohnson.com.)

The next morning, our guides pick us up with the van at our hotels, and we drive 55 miles down the highway (following what seems like hundreds of

Corvettes who have gathered in Rapid City for a convention) to Badlands National Park, for our first day’s ride and the start of our Badlands adventure. But first, we stop at Wall, a literal holein-the-wall town that rose up to serve the Westward-bound settlers. On this spot, a drug store opened – more of a general store – and this quaint Western-looking town has become a must-see tourist stop. Delightful. I keep seeing a sign for a museum but can’t find it before it is time to get back to the group.

Wilderness Voyageurs started out as a rafting adventures company 50 years ago, but has developed into a wide-ranging outdoors company with an extensive catalog of biking, rafting, fishing and outdoor adventures throughout the US and even Cuba, many guided and self-guided bike itineraries built around rail trails like the Eric Canal in New York, Great Allegheny Passage in Pennsylvania, and Katy Trail in Missouri. 103 Garrett St., Ohiopyle, PA 15470, 800-272-4141, bike@WildernessVoyageurs.com, Wilderness-Voyageurs. com

© 2020 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com,  www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karenrubin & travelwritersmagazine.com/ TravelFeaturesSyndicate/ Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar. wordpress.com & moralcompasstravel. info. Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Tweet @ TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook. com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Biking the Mickelson rail trail

Riding through the rock tunnel on the Needles Highway in Custer State Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Railroads opened up the Black Hills. The 109-mile long Mickelson Trail is built on the historic Deadwood to Edgemont Burlington Northern rail line that passes through the Black Hills and was abandoned in 1983. Work started in 1991 and the full trail was dedicated in 1998. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com C ontinued from

What is National Catholic Schools Week?

Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. It starts the last Sunday in January and runs all week, which in 2019 is January 27 - February 2. The theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2019 is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” Schools typically observe the annual celebration week with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities and our nation.

CURRICULUM IN CENTER-BASED LEARNING

Skills and Knowledge to Help Children Succeed PRE-K AND UPK

Children have so much to learn about the world around them, their own capabilities and specific academic areas. The teaching methods and curriculum in our Pre-K and UPK help them develop the skills they will need to succeed throughout their academic careers and beyond.

Our classrooms use Center-Based Learning to encourage children to make their own choices about selecting activities. This creates self-motivated, independent thinkers and helps them develop social skills as they interact with their peers during various academic and play activities.

Each of the core academic subjects (literacy, math, science and social studies) has its own center. In addition, separate spaces are dedicated to our kitchen, dress up and dramatic play, snack, art, dollhouse, blocks, technology, SMART Board, listening and sand/water centers. Music and movement help children develop body awareness and outdoor play and recess promote motor and social skills.

KINDERGARTEN

Your children will enjoy individualized attention in a safe, caring and structured environment..

Kindergarten at a Catholic School engages kids in learning while having fun in class. Together with their classmates, Kindergarten students will:

* Build literacy, math and science skills;

* Enjoy learning-oriented play and field trips;

* Participate in community service projects to help others;

* Grow socially, emotionally and spiritually; and

* Be successful in Elementary School and beyond ELEMENTARY

Graduates move on from Catholic elementary school with a solid academic and social foundation necessary for the academic rigors of high school, college and beyond.

Our schools are mission-driven and data informed. Our curriculum follows the National Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS). Students take New York State tests in English Language Arts and Math in grades 3 through 8 and the Iowa Test of Basic Skills in grades K through 2. Students perform well on these exams. Test scores are only one piece of information in a comprehensive system of assessment. Our schools also integrate academic learning with enrichment activities and character development to help students develop spiritually, intellectually, socially and physically.

SECONDARY TRANSITION TO HIGH SCHOOL

Choosing the right high school is a signif-

throughout the high school years chart the path for the future.

Our high school programs, rooted in Catholic religious beliefs and values, enable children to grow in their understanding of themselves and their relationships with God and other people. Our teachers understand adolescents and know that a safe, nurturing, structured environment helps them to grow as students and as compassionate young adults.

Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of New York have an impressive record of success, measured in graduation rates, college accep-

Students are immersed in math through: Friday, January 17, 2020 |

For students who have enjoyed the benefits of Catholic elementary schools, the transition to Catholic secondary education is the next step in the education continuum. Catholic high schools are a part of a logical progression in academic and spiritual formation. There are a wide variety of coeducational and single-sex schools, each with a distinct spirit and identity.

CATHOLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS HELP STUDENTS TO:

* Recognize themselves as individuals with unique qualities

* Become able to express their feelings, needs

need

* Engage in service projects with the greater school community

Preparing Kids for Elementary School and Beyond

Students are immersed in literacy through:

* Daily literacy instruction – including reading and writing stories for teachers and classmates

* Language skill development: speaking, listening, English grammar and usage

Sacred Heart Academy, Hempstead, L.I., is an all-girls Catholic college preparatory school, rooted in the spirituality and tradition of the Sisters of St. Joseph. The all-girls environment provides unique learning opportunities that cultivate confidence and leadership skills, encouraging students to “take the lead.”

A Sacred Heart education focuses on all dimensions of human growth. The school community is committed to live, learn and work with inclusive love and to bring about unity and reconciliation with God and with one another.

Student achievement is the best indication of Sacred Heart Academy’s excellence. Over ninety percent of the Class of 2019 were awarded college scholarships in the areas of academics, athletics and the arts. The athletic teams are consistently ranked among the best on Long Island and the student-artists and dancers excel in local and national competitions.

The Bloomberg Finance Lab and state-of-the-art Science Research Lab prepare students for competitive opportunities.

Above all, however, Sacred Heart students are critical thinkers who actively integrate their education into their lives and routinely find ways to make a difference through their commitment to community service and social justice.

Fast Facts

• On average, 98 percent of graduates attend four-year colleges.

• Each student is required to complete at least 20 hours of community service annually. However, most students far exceed this, devoting up to 200 hours of their time each term to helping their neighbors.

• The exceptional 13:1 student-teacher ratio, combined with a faculty extraordinarily dedicated to students’ success, Sacred Heart Academy students routinely surpass their state peers in standardized test scores and the majority earn Advanced Designation Regents Diplomas each year.

Schedule a visit or shadow a student by visiting the school online at: sacredheartacademyli.org/SHAdowing/.

Saint Anne’s School

CELEBRATING OVER 65 YEARS OF CATHOLIC EDUCATION

St. Anne’s School, located in Garden City, New York, offers a Family Oriented Catholic Education to all of its students. St. Anne’s is committed to preparing our children for high school, college and career readiness by working in partnership with our students and their families while teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ through word and deed.

Offering an excellent academic program, St. Anne’s follows the New York State Standards. In all curriculum areas, students are encouraged to think critically, independently and honestly. They are given the opportunity to make choices and assume responsibility within a loving, disciplined, well maintained and safe environment.

As a Catholic Faith Community, St. Anne’s is dedicated to helping each child feel God’s presence and love. Children are encouraged

to demonstrate Catholic Virtues through the celebration of Mass, Sacrament Preparation, and service to those in need. These tenets are essential to our children’s academic, spiritual and moral growth.

Students at St. Anne’s are also offered unique

academic opportunities by our caring and motivated teachers and staff. In addition to the core curriculum, there are opportunities to participate in Spanish, Accelerated Math, Music, Technology and Art classes. The school has interactive whiteboards in all classes, a science lab, a technology room and a music center.

St. Anne’s School is proud that 100% of our students are accepted to Catholic High Schools. The school is a strong part of the St. Anne’s Parish Family where the children benefit from the partnership of faculty, staff, parents, students and the entire Parish Community working together to educate our children in an educational atmosphere of mutual respect for all and an understanding that Jesus Christ is the reason for this school.

Saint Anne’s School

25 Dartmouth St. Garden City, NY 11530

Catholic Schools Week Celebration 2020

HOUSE January 26 • 1:00pm-2:30pm

Every morning at St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope Regional School, two eighth graders lead the community in the pledge, prayers and announcements. The final words of the announcements are, “St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope Regional School, a place where faith shapes the spirit, family shapes the heart, and knowledge shapes the mind.”

FAITH: At St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope Regional School we share our faith not only in formal religion classes but also in how we conduct ourselves. The adults in the building strive to preach the Gospel in words and actions as witnesses to our students. The rich cultural diversity of the school community is celebrated, and Christian values are woven into daily activities.

A powerful expression of our faith in action is our response to those in need. We partner with St. Brigid’s Parish Outreach throughout the year for food drives, gifts at Christmas and Mother’s Day Baby Shower. Beyond our local community, we reach out to veterans groups, residents in assisted living facilities and animal welfare groups. We even reach out globally through Catholic Relief Services.

FAMILY: Building community helps us feel like a family. Not only do we often gather to pray, we also get together to celebrate and break bread. Activities throughout the year bring students, families and school staff together. They include ice cream socials, pasta suppers, fellowship after Mass, Thanksgiving feasts and dances. Every time we get together, we build relationships. Recently we served breakfast for 300. Even Santa joined us! For the last two years we have sponsored a 5K Run/Walk through the streets of Westbury. Our family includes the greater community as well.

KNOWLEDGE: State of the art technology supports our academic program and turns everyday lessons into interactive learning experiences. Our academic program prepares students for the challenges of high school and beyond. High school level Regents courses in math and science are offered in 8th grade. Passing rates are 100%, many with distinction.

University partnerships have been forged with St. John’s University School of Law and Molloy College. Other enrichment opportunities for all grade levels (K-8) are offered during and after school.

EDUCATING THE WHOLE CHILD:

In addition to academics, students explore their gifts in the arts and on the athletic field. Our fine arts programs include vocal and instrumental music, drama, visual arts and dance. Our middle school students participate in three seasons of interscholastic sports – cross country, basketball and volleyball. All members of the school community gain knowledge of our loving God, knowledge of the world around us and knowledge of themselves!

Open House during Catholic Schools Week is Sunday, January 26, 2019, from 2 until 3:30 PM. Tours start from the lobby on Maple Avenue. Call the office (516-333-0580) or email info@stbolh.org to arrange a school visit at other times

St. Brigid/Our Lady of Hope School-Westbury

THE SCHOOLS OF SAINT MARY

At the Schools of Saint Mary, Manhasset, students in Nursery through Grade 12 flourish in an innovative and nurturing educational environment rooted in Catholic values. The mission of the school is to empower students to find inspiration and joy as they discover themselves and learn what they are capable of accomplishing. Small class sizes foster a more personal connection between students and faculty. Faculty and administrators at St. Mary strives toeducate the whole child – intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, socially, and physically.

The use of cutting-edge technology, including campus-wide wireless capabilities, an online system that allows students and parents to access homework and grades, and school-issued Chromebooks for every student in sixth through twelfth grade, helps teachers provide students with a strong academic foundation. At the early childhood and primary grade levels, students actively explore concepts and develop skills through an interdisciplinary approach utilizing the latest technology, hands-on learning materials, and skill-related experiences. Students in grades 6-12 incorporate technology as an interactive tool that enables them to be independent learners while investigating research-based learning.

The St. Mary’s education is about more than just academics. Spiritual values, a sense of service and the growth of faith are fostered by connecting Gospel values to all parts of the curriculum, including core academic classes, allowing students at all grade levels to deepen their moral

standards and ethics. Students learn about the tenets and meaning of their faith and how to live it joyfully, especially in serving others within the school and greater community.

The school day doesn’t end when the last bell rings – St. Mary’s becomes a vibrant afterschool community as students at all grade levels participate in a wide range of extracurricular clubs and activities, exploring their talents and skills outside of academia.

Middle and high school students gain an appreciation for the arts and develop their creativity through participation in the Fine and Performing Arts Program. By taking classes in art, chorus, band, orchestra, dance or stage performance; performing arts students learn from and work alongside professionals in those fields.

The Schools of St. Mary is also proud of its competitive athletic programs at the middle and high school levels, which are highly regarded for both excellent coaching and superb sportsmanship.

In the science labs, St. Mary’s High School students work collaboratively and learn about science, technology, engineering and math through a STEM education.

From early childhood students to their high school seniors, The Schools of St. Mary is preparing inspired thinkers and creative leaders by guiding all students as they develop the character traits of great leaders and skilled team players. This approach includes creativity, flexibility, diligence, perseverance, accountability, and responsibility. At every level, St. Mary’s balances strong academic development with experience to encourage personal growth. Exceptional faculty and staff inspire each student along their educational journey, always promoting the safe and welcoming culture that is one of the hallmarks of theSt. Mary’s experience.

St. Mary’s welcomes a diverse student body, consisting of students of many different faiths and cultural backgrounds, who come from Nassau and Suffolk Counties and several New York City boroughs including Queens and Brooklyn.

For more information on the programs and curriculum at St. Mary’s or to schedule a personal tour, please contact Mrs. Norma Stafford, director of admissions at 516.627.0184 or nstafford@stmary.ws.

OPEN HOUSE FOR ADMISSIONS: SUNDAY, JANUARY 26 AT 12:00 PM 1300 NORTHERN BLVD., MANHASSET

Faculty and administrators at St. Mary’s strive to educate the whole child - intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, socially and physically.

What is National Catholic Schools Week?

Continued from page 1B

* A strong emphasis on the use of manipulatives – objects that are designed to help young learners learn about mathematical concepts through hands-on experience;

* Daily whole group discussions involving number identification and comparisons, and problem-solving

* Reasoning and working with other students to solve problems

Students are exposed to science through:

* Multiple STEM/STREAM schools

* Live experiments at school

* Working with robotics – like the new Dash and Dot pilots for Kindergartners

Kindergartners have an opportunity to participate in technology, art, music, gym, robotics and other enrichment programs each week, taught by specialist teachers who promote age-appropriate activities in class.

Technology to Improve Teaching and Learning

* In addition to making Wi-Fi, SMART Boards and Chrome books available, the Archdiocese is committed to expanding Blended Learning – which integrates modern technology with traditional classroom instruction –across all our schools.

* Today’s technology gives teachers additional resources to tailor their lesson plans according to the learning styles of each student in their classroom.

Additional Programs Enhance Learning and Growth in Young Students

* A wide variety of after-school programs are available, and most schools offer extended hours to accommodate parents’ schedules

* The additional, daily exposure each day to new activities infused with values and faith,

gives young children an edge in their development as thinkers, leaders and members of their communities

* As a school system rooted in the Catholic faith, we are committed to providing a learning environment that is safe, inclusive and welcoming for students with special needs

* We have made concerted efforts to serve the needs of students who rely on individualized education services plans (IESPs) to meet growing demand from parents everywhere.

EXTENDED HOURS OF LEARNING FOR UPK PARTICIPANTS

Working families often seek a safe, structured full-day learning environment for their 4-year-olds. Our after-school and wrap-around programs for 4-year-old UPK participants are an excellent and affordable option for you. These extended hours offer students the same center-based approach they experience during UPK/Pre-K, reinforcing and enhancing their overall school experience.

SPECIAL EDUCATION MISSION STATEMENT

The Archdiocese of New York is committed to providing children with special needs an education that meets their spiritual, academic, emotional and social needs. Children with learning disabilities (LD), other health impairments (OHI), and speech or language impairment (SPL) have their special education needs met with resources that parallel those available to other students in their public school district. These may include special education teacher support services, resource room, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and counseling.

The cost of living is no longer cheap in Queens

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

My daughter is looking to purchase a home on the North Shore of Nassau County and to come back from Queens to save a boatload of money.

The reason that I say this is that homeowners and others, (and those who should be buying instead of renting), that I have spoken to, who happen to be fortunate to earn $100,000+ need to fire their accountants. If you add up your city income tax, supposed “cheap real estate taxes on a 18 X 90 or a 40 X 100 lot, or larger, your water bill (water costs more to pump down from the reservoirs upstate) (included in your coop maintenance, raising that cost) and auto insurance and the quality of life, and also the school districts; Nassau County offers so much more!

Oh yeah, do you remember that crazy record-breaking snow of 27.5 inches on January 22, 2016, and those who suffered in Queens (Nassau and Suffolk too) being really stuck and had to abandon their cars; as well as a few died because the EMS vehicles in Queens, couldn’t get down certain blocks and neither could the plows? So when the next heavy snow hits; good luck if you are on a tertiary street, you might as well stay in your home for up to 24-48 hours and relax and watch the boob tube! Years ago, the powers that be were trying to make the “big Apple” the 51st State and I quote from Wikipedia “New York City: the 51st State was the platform of the Norman Mailer–Jimmy Breslin candidacy in the 1969 New York City Democratic Mayoral Primary election.

Mailer, a novelist, journalist, and filmmaker, and Breslin, an author and at the time a New York City newspaper columnist, proposed that the five

New York City boroughs should secede from New York State, and become the 51st state of the U.S. Mailer topped the ticket as candidate for Mayor; his running mate, Breslin, sought the office of City Council President. Their platform featured placing city governmental control in the hands of the neighborhoods, and offered unique and creative – if impractical and even logistically impossible – solutions to air pollution, traffic congestion, school overcrowding, and crime.

So the question is, why are people with higher incomes staying put, still residing in Queens, when Nassau in so many ways offers more, especially when it comes to the schools? I can’t provide you an exact answer, maybe they like paying more, have too many friends in the area, feel comfortable or complacent, lazy and not motivated to move.

and have a passion for, but never considered “pulling the trigger” and to begin.

After a strong grassroots campaign, the ticket entered the primary on June 17, 1969, as decided underdogs. They finished second to last, garnering a citywide total of 41,288 votes, 5% of the total votes cast.[1] James Trager (October 13, 2004). The New York Chronology: The Ultimate Compendium of Events, People, and Anecdotes from the Dutch to the Present. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-06-074062-7. Retrieved September 6, 2011.

One never knows what would have happened if New York City had become the 51st State and maybe, just maybe it would have been even more successful than what it is today and maybe there wouldn’t be a city income tax and other burdensome costs to those who now have moved or are moving out and into the other counties away from the 5 boroughs or even out of state as the current exodus of the millennial group and others continue to deplete our population all over New York State and negates the numbers of those coming in.

But one should be questioning their accountants as to the #1 way to save money, and if you fit that income profile that I mentioned at the beginning of this column would move out of Queens, even if it isn’t Long Island. Moving out of state would save you a “boatload of money.” But obviously, it sounds so easy for me to say this because I am somewhat comfortable financially and in my surroundings with my children and grandchildren nearby, but I am also cognizant of the fact that more individuals and families are truly struggling to get by to be able to stay in New York. My suggestion is to start a small side or internet business, any type of affordable one with as low a risk as possible (unless you have funds to fuel something larger that you can afford the greater risk, but will potentially gain a greater return) or you could consider earning your real estate license in as little as 16 days with a minimal cost of about $1200 (includes the class in person or online, class exam, NYS exam, license fee, Errors and omissions insurance, and business cards and be sponsored by a licensed Brokerage) to begin your career than you might suddenly learn to grow into

When there is no risk, there is no reward, no pain, no gain and if you don’t take the first step to start, you will never finish! This is in no way a solicitation, but to educate those who want more financial freedom and to also scale their incomes and/or business to a higher level to be in a position, once you reach that magic number that allows you to escape the expensive costs of living in Queens and move; if not on Long Island, but pretty much anywhere else. However, that all depends on if your business or job is transferable to another area or your business is portable enough to run it anywhere.

I truly and thoroughly love and enjoy living on Long Island and will most likely never leave, but I am fortunate to live and work there and have available choices and want to be around my family. You too can accomplish this if you start thinking outside the box, go back to school, learn a different trade, think of a viable business to start part-time that you always wanted to be in and as they say, “just do it” and then earn the necessary monies to move, Good Luck in whatever endeavor you choose!

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (G.R.I.) and also as a Certified International Property Specialist (C.I.P.S. For a “FREE” consultation, he can be reached by cell: (516)647-4289 or by email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.Com to answer any of your questions or concerns.

17,

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COMPANION/CAREGIVER AVAILABLE

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EMPLOYMENT

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HEALTH AIDE:

Certified Aide seeking to provide private duty care to Garden City or local area resident. Available Monday through Friday, part time or full time, flexible hours, exceptional references.

Call Annmarie 917-586-7433

HOME AIDE/COMPANION

available for immediate hire. 19+ years experience with focus on Dementia, Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s disease. Extremely reliable. Able to do light housekeeping. Driver’s License. References available upon request. Please call Verona: 347-455-7564

IRISH LADY AVAILABLE to care for sick or elderly full time any days. Experienced in all phases. References and car available. Garden City references. Please call 516-437-1285

Garden City Union Free School District

ASSISTANT BUS DISPATCHER

Under direction of the Transportation Supervisor, assist in routing, scheduling, and assigning transportation personnel.

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MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS/EDUCATION

• High School Diploma or GED EXPERIENCE and one year of satisfactory bus driving and/or motor vehicle dispatching experience

• Experience in office procedures and equipment including computers, routing programs and two-way radios.

• Must satisfy all requirements of Article 19-A of the NY State Vehicle and Traffic Law for school bus driver. Must possess appropriate CDL license A or B with Passenger, School Bus and Air Brake endorsements. Garden City Union Free School District is an equal opportunity employer.

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INVITED ESTATE SALES BY TRACY

JORDAN

Looking to sell items from your home?

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Online Auctions reach more interested buyers than tag sales and can often sell for more than what you would make at an estate or tag sale.

Invited Estate Sales by Tracy Jordan can do both! You can sell your items online reaching potential buyers locally or globally as well as hosting a private sale from your home! Let us guide you on what items to put in auction including furniture, housewares, decorative items, jewelry, collectibles, coins, artwork and anything else you may no longer want or need. Our services can help you to maximize your selling experience whether you are selling 1 item or 500 items. We are a one stop service for all your needs when you are moving or selling a property! Selling, donating, discarding and cleaning out services can be done to meet your time frame with minimal stress.

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MARKETPLACE

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TAG SALE

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Saturday, January 18 9am 2pm (no early birds) 73 Second Street Garden City (Between Cathedral & Cherry Valley Ave)

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PET SERVICES

A GARDEN CITY ANIMAL LOVER doesn’t want to leave your precious pooch or fantastic feline alone all day. I’m reliable, dependable and will walk and feed your pet while you work or travel. Please call Cheryl at 516-971-3242

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A GREENER VIEW

2020 AAS Award Winners

BY JEFF RUGG

My garden seed catalogs are arriving. I am always happy to find the All-America Selections, or AAS, logo in a plant’s description. I know these plants have been tested in the AAS testing program. It is an independent, nonprofit organization that tests new plants. They have more than 40 test gardens, from Alaska and Canada to California and Florida. They also have over 175 display gardens all across the continent that are used not for judging but for showing gardeners how well the plants grow locally.

The judges evaluate the plants all season long, not just an end-ofseason harvest. Only the entries with the highest nationwide average score are considered to be worthy of a national AAS Award. Some plants will do better in either a hot, dry climate or a cool, humid one, so the country is divided into six regions where a

plant might win one or more regional awards.

The flowering plants are evaluated for desirable qualities such as novel flower forms, flower colors, flowers held above the leaves, fragrance, length of flowering season and disease or pest tolerance or resistance. This week, we discuss the flowers; next week, we’ll discuss the vegetables.

Apparently red is the color of the year for gardeners. Three of the four AAS winners this year are red.

There had never been a coleus AAS winner. The oddly named Main Street Beale Street coleus is a worthy winner. It has red leaves that stay red even when the plant is grown in the full-sun conditions that burn the leaves of a typical coleus. It can be grown in fullshade to full-sun conditions. The nice thing about colorful leaves is that the plant has color all the

time, not just when it is in bloom. My favorite thing about this coleus is that it blooms as much as six weeks later than other coleuses!

As with all annual plants, coleus plants want to produce flowers and seeds before they die in the fall. The flowers on coleus plants are not too showy, and as they produce flowers, they stop growing colorful leaves. The flowers should be pinched off, but that requires work, so a coleus plant that is six weeks late producing flowers is great.

Echinacea Sombrero Baja Burgundy is a coneflower with deep violet-red flowers. Because this is a perennial plant, it was kept in the trial garden for three years. The AAS Judges noted its hardiness, sturdy branching and prolific blooming habit. This is a deer-resistant plant. Gardeners will enjoy prolific blooms from midsummer until the first frost.

Last year, the 12-inch-tall Baby Rose nasturtium was the first nasturtium to win since the 1930s, but now we have the larger Tip Top Rose nasturtium from the same plant breeder. It holds its flowers above the 15-inch-tall leaves. The rose-red flowers don’t fade like many nasturtium flowers. This western region winner grows well in dry regions, where it can be used as a winter annual in warmer climates and as a spring annual in cooler areas. If you are looking to enliven a bland green salad, both the red flowers and round green leaves are edible and provide a peppery flavor.

The problem with many blackeyed Susans is that they have fungus disease problems on the leaves if grown in wet, humid conditions. American Gold Rush showed no sign of the common Septoria leaf spot fungus, even when grown in good conditions for the fungus. When planted two feet apart, this plant forms mounds of yellow flowers from July to September. The 2-inch-wide flowers cover the whole plant, making a very showy display.

Email questions to Jeff Rugg at info@greenerview.com. To find out more about Jeff Rugg and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2020 JEFF RUGG

DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS SYNDICATE

I spent the better part of 2019 reorganizing and decluttering my home, something that forced me to seriously consider what we actually need to be happy and content. I’ve discovered anew that having less stuff, fewer obligations and more time make room for what’s truly important. Simplifying gives more space in my life for the people I love, things I appreciate and opportunities I want to take.

No matter where you live or what you do, consider that maybe it’s time for you to simplify your life, too. I promise that it will give you more time, space and energy.

No. 1: Declutter your house For most of us, that has to start with a new mindset to stop directing our goals toward the acquisition of more and more consumer goods. Before you buy another appliance, the latest model or the newest fad, ask yourself these questions: Do I really need this? Will it make my life better? Will I use it more than just a few times

EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE

10 Ways to Simplify Your Life

before it finds its way into a cupboard or closet?

No. 2: Buy used instead of new. Perfectly good used items are the biggest bargain around. And not one bit of the Earth’s resources is consumed when you buy used. Example: Used cars no more than a year or two old cost one-third less than a new car and will run just as long for all practical purposes.

No. 3: When you do buy new, go for simplicity. Most consumer goods are loaded with features that people don’t need. These features drive up the cost of the product enormously. Think of the last time, for example, you changed the settings on your dishwasher or used your VCR’s fancy programming features.

No. 4: Use up the goods you have already. Drive that car until the wheels fall off. You’ll get the lowest cost per mile, and you’ll keep down the number of new cars that are manufactured each

BY MARY HUNT

year. The same advice holds for appliances, clothes and all sorts of items. People throw out perfectly good things all the time to make way for shiny new ones that do exactly the same thing.

No. 5: When it’s time to get rid of serviceable goods, don’t send them to the landfill. Recycle by donating them to charitable groups who will see they are put back into service.

No. 6: Cut down on waste Recycle newspapers, plastic and paper, if you’re not doing so already. Start a compost pile if you’ve got a bit of land available.

No. 7: Think smaller. Consider this: In 1973, the median new single-family house was just 1,525 square feet, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By 2010, it had grown to 2,169 square feet. And, by 2018, it reached 2,435 square feet. Perhaps it’s time to start questioning this edifice complex.

No. 8: Set an economical example for your children. By

acting with conservation in mind, you lead children more by what you do than what you say. Trying to fulfill your child’s every material desire sends two wrong messages: that everything is easily attainable and that baubles are worth having even, if you can’t afford them.

No. 9: Cut down your driving by combining errands, planning ahead and carpooling when possible. You’ll save not only gas but also wear and tear on yourself and your family.

No. 10: Make a positive difference in your community. Pitch in on projects that serve

everyone, and encourage your children to do that, too.

Would you like more information? Go to EverydayCheapskate. com for links and resources for recommended products and services in this column. Mary invites questions, comments and tips at EverydayCheapskate.com, “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 lifestyle blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.” COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS. COM

Last Hope Part of the Chewy.com Rescue Program

If you haven’t tried Chewy.com yet for your pet food and supply purchases, this is a great time to check them out. Last Hope is now part of their rescue program. For each new customer that makes a purchase, Last Hope will receive a $20 donation. Click on the ad below or go directly to the Last Hope page at https:// www.chewy.com/rp/5941

Happy Noon Year at Summit Lane

Summit Lane fifth-graders celebrated “Noon Year” on Jan. 8.

Summit Lane Elementary School fifth graders in Jennifer O’Brien’s class rang in the new year with a special “Noon Years” celebration in their classroom on Jan. 8. Wearing Happy New Year headbands, beaded necklaces and 2020 glasses, the students excitedly counted down to noon and made noise with their party blowers. The classroom was decorated in gold and black balloons for the special event and Ms. O’Brien provided snacks for the class after the clock struck 12.

Prior to the celebration, the fifth-graders worked in small groups and reflected on 2019. Each group was assigned pages from a Time for Kids magazine that featured pictures and information about the past year. Together, they completed a poster detailing what they learned from their reading. Students shared their posters which was filled with information and drawings during the

“Noon Years” celebration. In addition, fifth-grader Anthony Konior read the book “Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution” by Pat Miller to the class. After a quick brain break, the students gathered with their groups again to engage in a carousel activity about what the world was like 100 years ago. Four large sheets of paper were scattered around the classroom with a passage about a topic from the 1920s. This included a passage about Charles Lindbergh, Louis Armstrong, the Harlem Renaissance and the Roaring Twenties. At each station, the fifth-graders were challenged to work together to read the passage and pick one or two facts to write on the paper. As the groups rotated, they could not repeat what was already written. Afterwards, the class discussed their findings and completed a writing activity where they compared 1920 to 2020.

Fifth-grader Anthony Konior (middle) read a New Year’s book to his class.

Fifth-grader Jay Godhwani wrote a fact about the Roaring

during the carousel activity.

Summit Lane fifth-grader Hailey Constantine celebrated “Noon Year” in her 2020 glasses.

Students counted down to noon with their peers.

Twenties

From left: Summit Lane fifth-graders Anthony Konior, Eric Rivera Reyes, Analiah Delacruz, Adam Geer and Kayleigh Shearin presented their year in review poster.

COME EXPERIENCE PORTLEDGE SCHOOL

a Day of Play

Pre-Nursery through 5 th Grade

The Reggio Way Saturday, January 25, 2020

Portledge Lower School

11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.

Join us for a free winter Day of Play on Saturday, January 25th from 11:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M., located in the Portledge Lower School. Children entering Pre-Nursery through fifth grade and their families will be able to engage in a variety of activities inspired by the Reggio Emilia and Portledge Lower School Program including sensory and art activities for young children and STEAM activities for elementary ages. The playground will be open, weather permitting.

Families may also learn more about the Portledge Lower School, meet select teachers, and tour the classrooms.

355 Duck Pond Road, Locust Valley, NY 11560 516.750.3100 EXPLORE CREATE EXCEL

*Alternate snow date is Saturday, February 1, 2020

To RSVP visit www.portledge.org/dayofplay or contact Leigh DeMaria at ldemaria@portledge.org or 516.750.3224

Friday, January 17,

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court

Nassau County

DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR SAXON ASSET SECURITIES TRUST 2006-2 MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-2, V.

ERIC P. MILGRIM, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF NASSAU COUNTY, AS THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF GLORIA R GORCEY, ET AL.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated October 12, 2018, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR SAXON ASSET

SECURITIES TRUST 2006-2 MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-2 is the Plaintiff and ERIC P. MILGRIM, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF NASSAU COUNTY, AS THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF GLORIA R GORCEY, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the CALENDAR CONTROL PART (CCP) COURTROOM OF THE SUPREME COURT, FIRST FLOOR, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on February 04, 2020 at 11:30AM, premises known as 131 DEAN STREET, HICKSVILLE, NY 11801: Section 46, Block 377, Lot 36: ALL THAT CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND SITUATE AT HICKSVILLE, TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 0006249/2015. No cash will be accepted at the sale.

Ellen Savino, Esq. - Referee. RAS Boriskin, LLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. MIT 5866 4X 01/03,10,17,24

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court Nassau County U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS

INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE NRZ PASS-THROUGH TRUST X, V.

ROSEMARIE CASEY AKA ROSEMARIE RUGGIERO, ET. AL.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated June 03, 2019, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE NRZ PASSTHROUGH TRUST X is the Plaintiff and ROSEMARIE CASEY AKA ROSEMARIE RUGGIERO, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the CALENDAR CONTROL PART (CCP), FIRST FLOOR, COURTROOM OF THE SUPREME COURT, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on February 11, 2020 at 11:30AM, premises known as 11 GARDEN BOULEVARD, HICKSVILLE, NY 11801: Section 0046, Block 00365-00, Lot 00035: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT HICKSVILLE, TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 005842/2016.

Janine T. Lynam, Esq.Referee.

RAS Boriskin, LLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff.

MIT 5867

4X 01/10,17,24,31

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF SILVIASHOUSECLEANING NY LLC.

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/04/2019. Office located in Nassau. SSNY is designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to 72 W. John St., Hicksville, NY 11801. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

MIT 5868 6X 01/10,17,24,31,02/07,14

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court Nassau County

DITECH FINANCIAL LLC, F/K/A GREEN TREE SERVICING LLC, Plaintiff against MUKRAJ SINGH A/K/A MUKHRAJ SINGH, et al Defendants

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered May 30, 2018, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at the Calendar Control Part (CCP), Courtroom of the Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, New York 11501 on February 11, 2020 at 11:30 AM. Premises known as 15 Cornwall Lane, Hicksville, NY 11801. Sec 11 Block 337 Lot 8. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Hicksville, in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $678,849.39 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 16677/08.

Richard Kerins, Esq., Referee Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 1400 Old Country Road, Suite C103, Westbury, NY 11590 Attorney (s) for Plaintiff (s).

VERJN257

MIT 5869

4X 01/10,17,24,31

REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE Supreme Court Nassau County THE BANK OF NEW YORK

MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS, CWABS, INC., ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-6, Plaintiff - against -

MARY DONOVAN, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on September 10, 2018. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Calendar Control Part (CCP) Courtroom of the Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, New York 11501, Nassau County, New York on the 18th day of February, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Hicksville, Town of Oyster Bay; County of Nassau, and State of New York.

Premises known as 14 Lee Place, Hicksville, (Town of Oyster Bay) NY 11801

(Section: 11, Block: 352, Lot: 0003)

Approximate amount of lien $594,791.27 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 15-6569. Michael Wolkow, Esq., Referee.

Davidson Fink LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 28 East Main Street, Suite 1700 Rochester, NY 14614-1990 Tel. 585/760-8218

For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www. Auction.com or call (800) 2802832

Dated: December 20, 2019 MIT 5871 4X 01/17,24,31,02/07

NOTICE OF SALE

Supreme Court Nassau County U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE UNDER THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT

DATED AS OF MAY 1, 2006, GSAMP TRUST 2006-HE3, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006HE3, Plaintiff against MARY MURRAY A/K/A MARY C. MURRAY, Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on September 16, 2019.

I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in the Calendar Control Part (CCP) Courtroom of the Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. on the 28th day of January, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. premises described as follows: All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Bethpage, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York. Said premises known as 273 North 4th Street, Bethpage, N.Y. 11714.

(Section: 46, Block: 78, Lot: 53). Approximate amount of lien $ 424,971.27 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 3901-15.

Joseph J. Ra, Esq., Referee. McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff

145 Huguenot Street – Suite 210 New Rochelle, New York 10801 (914) 636-8900

BN 7445

4X 12/27,01/03,10,17

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court Nassau County THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF CWMBS, INC., CHL MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH TRUST 2006-11, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 200611, Plaintiff against DAVID PIGOTT A/K/A DAVID J. PIGOTT, et al Defendants

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered September 24, 2019, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at CCP (Calendar Control Part Courtroom), in the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on February 4, 2020 at 11:30 AM. Premises known as 134 Windhorst Avenue a/k/a 134 North Windhorst Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714. Sec 49 Block 007 Lot 534 & 536. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Bethpage, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $457,457.05 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 605930/2018. IBNY132

Jennifer Ettenger, Esq., Referee. Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 1400 Old Country Road, Suite C103, Westbury, NY 11590

Attorney (s) for Plaintiff (s). BN 7446

4X 01/03,10,17,24

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court

Nassau County

WELLS FARGO BANK N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR CARRINGTON MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006-NC4 ASSET BACKED PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES, Plaintiff, vs. ANTHONY G. ALBERGO, ET AL., Defendant(s).

LEGAL NOTICES

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated December 12, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the CCP (Calendar Control Part Courtroom) in the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on February 11, 2020 at 11:30 a.m., premises known as 8 Normandy Drive, Bethpage, NY. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York,

Section 49, Block 193 and Lot 15. Approximate amount of judgment is $994,431.45 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 24620/2009.

Ronald Scott Zimmer, Esq., Referee Knuckles, Komosinski & Manfro, LLP, 565 Taxter Road, Suite 590, Elmsford, NY 10523, Attorneys for Plaintiff Cash will not be accepted.

BN 7447

4X 01/10,17,24,31

Aide honored, new programs presented at Levittown BOE meeting

Anita Gribben, teacher aide at Summit Lane Elementary School, was honored for her care of fifth-grader Anthony Gregoretti.

Pictured are the students and staff who presented their summer experiences at the Jan. 8 meeting.

At its Jan. 8 meeting, the Levittown Public Schools Board of Education received a special presentation from students and staff highlighting the new programs that had been offered during summer 2019. The presentation focused on the additional opportunities the two new programs – Marine Biology Camp and Adventures in Local History Camp - afforded Levittown students.

Three students who participated, as well as three high school students who volunteered to assist on the excursions, attended the meeting to recount their week-long adventures. Benjamin Campbell from Jonas E. Salk Middle School and Sean Doyle from Gardiners Avenue School shared their experiences on a salt marsh walk, beach collections and surfcasting, as part of Marine Biology Camp. Violet Paplow from Jonas E. Salk Middle School shared all the locations the Adventures in History camp visited includ-

ing the Vanderbilt Museum, the LI Museum and her favorite, Garvies Point Museum Preserve. High School volunteers Julianne Magliano from MacArthur High School, Andrew Kiphart from Division Avenue High School and Emily Zhang from MacArthur High School also shared their experiences volunteering for the camps.

“We are always looking to add opportunities for our students,” Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Todd Winch said of the new offerings. “And, as a school district, the rate at which we can offer these programs over the summer is far less than through other places.”

As part of its recognition portion of the evening, the board and administration honored a teacher aide at Summit Lane Elementary School, Anita Gribben, for going above and beyond in ensuring the health and care of fifth-grader Anthony Gregoretti.

Photos courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools

Eagle Scout project draws commendation from officials

BY RIKKI MASSAND

On Saturday, January 4, community leaders and elected officials representing Syosset and Woobury attended an Eagle Scout “Court of Honor” ceremony for Timothy Patrick Dyfnog Rea of Troop 170 in Syosset, the Rough Rider District, Theodore Roosevelt Council, BSA. Rea completed requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout on October 29, 2019.

Rea resides in Plainview, where he started his journey as a first grader, joining Cub Scout Pack 423 as a tiger cub. In 2011, he would join Syosset’s Troop 170. At PlainviewOld Bethpage High School, Rea was active on the Hawks’ football, wrestling and lacrosse teams.

“Throughout the last eight years, I have developed lifelong friendships, countless skills and great leadership ability. The most important things I’ve learned in life have been the les

sons that scouts have taught me,” he said. Monthly campouts have been among the most influential experiences and best settings for Rea to demonstrate and enhance his leadership abilities, Rea added.

Rea graduated from JFK High School in June 2019 and is currently attending Wilson Technical Institute to learn the trade of welding.

A parishioner of Holy Name of Jesus Church at 690 Woodbury Road, Tim Rea is currently a sacristan and altar server at the Church, and hiss Court of Honor ceremony not only took place there, but his Church was also the venue at which his Eagle Scout project took place in the Woodbury community. According to Rea, for the project he built a stand for a statue of The Virgin Mary, added a trellis over the statue and planted flowers around its stand.

In addition for better convenience and safety at Holy Name of Jesus Church, Rea built and installed a sign for traffic, directing drivers and visitors to the parking lot upon entering the Church grounds.

Maureen Nickel, owner of BrightStar Home Health Care based in Woodbury and the new president of the Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce, spoke on behalf of local professionals and the inclusive business community, in appreciation of all the good work and civic efforts young people and students like Tim Rea perform in Syosset, Woobury and the greater north shore. Nickel noted that as a leader with the Chamber, she’s working on engagement with various community entities.

Presentations were made by New

York State Assemblyman Chuck Levine, New York State Senator Jim Gaughran representing the 5th District along the north shore; Geoffrey Goldfeder, representing Nassau County Legislator Josh Lafazan and Town of Oyster Bay Councilwoman Vicki Walsh along with representatives from the VFW and American Legion.

State Senator Jim Gaughran said “ Congratulations to Timothy Patrick Rea for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Timothy ’ s hard work and commitment to bettering our community make him quite impressive and I look forward to following his successes to come. ”

Legislator Josh Lafazan, a Syosset native, 2012 graduate of Syosset High School and former board of education member in his home district, commended Rea in an email to the Advance and News-Journal this week:

“ At a time when young people are engaging in unprecedented civic activism, our future is in great hands with young leaders like Tim Rea. Tim cares about the Syosset community, he cares about service to those less fortunate, and he cares about leaving the world a better place than he found it. I'm proud to represent Tim, and congratulate him on a wonderful accomplishment, ” Lafazan said.

Rea’s well-attended Scouts’ Court of Honor ceremony January 4 was conducted by master of ceremonies and Eagle Scout Committee member Mike Haft. The event began with an opening prayer by Monsignor Richard Bauhoff, pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Church.

Try hockey for free at Town skating center

The Town of Oyster Bay, in conjunction with the National Hockey League’s New York Rangers, will host a special “Try-Hockey-for-Free Program” on Sunday, February 15, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the stateof-the-art Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center in Bethpage.  The event will allow children, ages 5 through 9, a unique opportunity to explore the sport of ice hockey.  In addition, time will be set aside for photo opportunities and autographs.

“This is a great NHL program that provides local children the opportunity to explore the exciting sport of ice hockey under the watchful eye of professional,” said Town of Oyster

Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino.

“This free session provides parents the opportunity to assess if the sport of ice hockey is a good fit for their child, without making an initial financial commitment.”

Try-Hockey-for-Free is designed for children with little or no prior skating experience.  New York Rangers alumni and Junior Rangers staff will lead the one-day session, which includes free skate rentals and loaner equipment, a free Rangers hockey stick for children to take home and a post-skate meet-and-greet with former professional hockey players.  The program is limited to 75 participants and space is filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For additional dates, locations and registration, parents can visit https:// www.nhl.com/rangers/community/ junior-rangers-rookie-series.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for kids to get the chance to play the greatest game on Earth,” said New York Rangers-legend Adam Graves.  “These are kids that might not otherwise be able to experience the game of hockey.  They are sure to love it and hopefully this ignites a lifelong passion for the sport.”

The Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center is a year-round indoor recreational facility located at Bethpage Community Park, 1001 Stewart Avenue in Bethpage.  The facility features

an NHL-size rink, professional-grade dasher boards, locker rooms with showers, a four-paneled electronic scoreboard, elevated bleacher seating with excellent sight lines, a modern food concession, a brick fireplace and seating area, and a fully stocked pro and skate shop.  Year-round beginner/ advanced hockey programs are available, including the Town’s own House League for ice hockey, as well as figure skating programs and public skate sessions. For more information about the Try-Hockey-for-Free program and other activities at the facility, please visit www.oysterbaytown.com or call (516) 433-RINK.

Kathy Rea and Tom Rea (left) with their son, Eagle Scout Timothy Rea (center) and Syosset Woodbury Chamber Of Commerce President Maureen Nickel at the January 4, 2020 "Courtyard of Honor" ceremony at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Woodbury.

A spirited night of recognition

Fall sports athletes from Division Avenue High School and MacArthur High School, including the Nassau County Class A Champion girls soccer team from MacArthur, were honored during the Levittown Public Schools Dec. 11 Board meeting.

Division Avenue senior Jacquelyn Devaney was honored as a semifinalist in the Coca Cola Scholarship Program during the Levittown Public Schools Dec. 11 Board meeting.

It was a spirited affair on Dec. 11 for the final Levittown Pubic Schools Board of Education meeting of the decade. Before celebrating the accomplishments of students and staff, attendees were treated to a holiday performance by the MacArthur High School wind ensemble in the Levittown Memorial Education Center auditorium.

Remaining in the auditorium, the board and administration honored fall sports athletes from Division Avenue High School and MacArthur High School, including the Nassau County Class A Champion girls soccer team from MacArthur. The varsity football teams from both schools will be honored during the Jan. 8 meeting.

Continuing the meeting, Division Avenue senior Jacquelyn Devaney was honored as a semifinalist in the Coca Cola Scholarship Program. This is an achievement-based scholarship that is awarded to students in recognition of their capacity to lead and serve in their schools and communities.

“Her willingness to take on leadership

roles and dedicate her time and energy to various causes, made her a valuable member of the Division Avenue community,” said Division Avenue Assistant Principal Jaclyn Guidice.

To conclude the night of achievement, Michelle Kelly, director of elementary education, honored members of the elementary literacy team. Due to the efforts of Sheri Cammarata (Summit), Jennifer Engel (Abbey Lane), Rachael Hogan (Northside), Elissa Kronstat (East Broadway), Jill Wilson (Lee) and Kristy Quinlan (Gardiners), the Levittown Literacy Center was recognized as a Program of Excellence by the New York State English Council.

“The teachers’ efforts over the years to create a program from scratch has been nothing but impactful for students, which include engaging center-based activities,” said Ms. Kelly.

As part of the recognition, the teachers were invited to attend the 69th NYSEC annual conference in Albany, where they were recognized.

Photos courtesy of Levittown Public Schools

Members of the Levittown Public Schools elementary literacy team during the Levittown Public Schools Dec. 11 Board meeting.

Classic Country comes to Bethpage

The classic country music of the 1920s through the 1950s—the music of Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers, the Carter Family, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and more—will be coming to the Bethpage Public Library on Sunday, January 26, at 2 p.m.

Tennessee Walt’s The Other Great American Songbook is a one-man concert featuring two dozen songs from country’s greatest songwriters, the likes of Kris Kristofferson, Ernest Tubb, Loretta Lynn and Hank Williams, arranged for voice and piano.  It’s also an intriguing, fact-filled look into what has made country music (and its most prominent descendant, rock ‘n’ roll) popular throughout America and beyond.

“Think of it as a cabaret show, except that, instead of voice-and-piano versions of Tin Pan Alley songs from the 1920s through 1950s, these are Music Row songs of the same period,” said Gayden Wren, the musical-theater veteran who performs as Tennessee Walt. “From those two streets have come the lion’s share of America’s greatest songs.  Both streets were originally dedicated to pop music, music made for a buck, but in the past 20 or 30 years we’ve come to realize the classical aspects of the songs of Jerome Kern, George Gershwin and Rodgers & Hart.  I think it’s time we recognized that there’s that same classical essence in the greatest country songs.

“This isn’t what people may think

of when they hear the words `country music,’” Wren said.  “It’s voice and piano, not fiddles and steel guitars, and I won’t be yodeling.  And this isn’t the country of Toby Keith or Carrie Underwood—it’s the older, purer country music that inspired them and everybody from Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley to Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and Ringo Starr.  Anyone who comes to this show will learn some

things they never knew about America’s musical heritage, and they’ll hear some of the funniest, most moving and most musically engaging songs ever written.”  Tennessee Walt’s The Other Great American Songbook will be presented on Sunday, January 26, at 2 p.m. at the Bethpage Public Library, 47 Powell Avenue in Bethpage.  Admission is free.  For further information, call (516) 9313907 or visit www.bethpagelibrary.info.

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