Students and staff from Central Boulevard Elementary School in the Bethpage Union Free School District wore orange and spread peace for Unity Day on Oct. 19.
Photo courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District
The Hicksville Water District (HWD) hosted its second annual Pharmaceutical Take Back Day on October 22, encouraging residents to dispose of unused and expired medications in their homes through a safe, contactless drive-thru event. The event provides the community with a safer alternative to flushing these medications down the drain, which can ultimately force them to end up in our water supply. Altogether, residents came out to dispose of approximately 100 pounds of pharmaceuticals, allowing them to not only protect our water, but also to get these potentially harmful materials out of their homes.
“A significant aspect of the Hicks-
The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that Trainville Hobby Depot will host a Model Train Show on Saturday, November 19, and Sunday, November 20, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Hicksville Community Center, located at 28 West Carl Street in Hicksville. The Model Train Show includes operating model layouts coordinated by Trainville Hobby Depot. Donations are being accepted at the exhibit to support the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum.
efforts of a sponsoring organization,” said Town Clerk Richard LaMarca.
“We are pleased to partner with Trainville Hobby Depot, who coordinates or participates in many hobby shows that benefit the fundraising
Admission in to the exhibit is $5.00, children ages 4-11 years are $3.00 and entry for children under the age of 4 is free. For further information, please visit www. trainville.com or call (516) 433-4444.
ville Water District’s ability to provide our residents with the highest quality of water available is protecting our supply,” said HWD Chairman Nicholas Brigandi. “Pharmaceutical Take Back Day empowers our community to help us along in that mission, as it enables them to dispose of their unused medications in a safe and simple manner. Not only does this prevent these potentially dangerous substances from entering into our water supply, but it also helps residents get them out of their homes as winter approaches. We thank our neighbors for coming out in support of this event and we greatly look forward to seeing them again next year.” The Bethpage Newsgram is published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp. Periodical Postage paid at Hicksville, N.Y. 11801 Telephone 931-0012 - USPS 3467-68. Postmaster: Send Address Change to: The Bethpage Newsgram, 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208, Garden City, N.Y. 11530 • Meg Norris Publisher
Hicksville Water District Chairman Nicholas Brigandi, far left, and Commissioner Karl Schweitzer were joined by HWD Clerk Tabitha Schillinger, Nassau County Legislator Rose Walker, HWD Clerk Joe Marasco and Nassau County Police Activity League Officer Sean Gaddy in collecting approximately 100 pounds of unused pharmaceuticals, preventing them from entering into the water supply.
Legislator Drucker presented a Nassau County Legislature Citation to the PlainviewOld Bethpage Central School District Board of Trustees on Monday, Oct. 17.
In recognition of School Board Recognition Week, Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (DPlainview) honored the board members of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District during their Monday, Oct. 17 meeting and thanked them for their ongoing commitment to community service.
Observed this year from Monday, Oct. 17 through Friday, Oct. 21, the New York State School Board Organization sponsors School Board Recognition Week to raise community awareness and understanding about the crucial role school board members have within a district. The members of the PlainviewOld Bethpage Board of Education
Photo courtesy of Office of Legislator Arnold W. Drucker
are: President Debbie Bernstein; Vice President Seth Greenberg; and Trustees Jared Goerke, Tara Rock, Ginger Lieberman, Lauren Sackstein and Gary Bettan.
“As a lifelong resident, a proud Plainview graduate, and a father whose children thrived in Plainview schools, the Plainview-Old Bethpage School district has enriched my life in so many ways - and the common thread to it all is their commitment to outstanding public education,” Legislator Drucker said. “It was a pleasure and a privilege to recognize the outstanding public servants who are so diligently carrying on such a wonderful tradition.”
The Gardiners Avenue Elementary School community wore pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and raised $2,375 for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Photos courtesy of Levittown Public Schools
Students and staff at Gardiners Avenue Elementary School in the Levittown Public School District were dedicated to the cause of breast cancer awareness throughout the month of October by donning pink and raising more than $2,000.
The Gardiners Avenue community, including teachers, staff, students and family members, committed to
wearing pink every Friday throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Students designed and crafted pink ribbons, shared personal stories, joined walks and made donations. Fundraising concluded with $2,375 raised for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for breast cancer treatment and prevention research.
The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that residents who wish to deter any potential door-to-door solicitors and peddlers can obtain a free, waterproof, vinyl “ No Soliciting ” sticker through the Town Clerk’s Office.
Town Clerk Richard LaMarca stated, “Now more than ever, our Town residents wish to remain unbothered at home by the potential nuisance of door-to-door peddlers. My office offers free ‘No Soliciting’ stickers to homeowners as a way to set clear boundaries with anyone approaching your home looking to do unwanted business. Contact us today for a free sticker.”
Town Clerk LaMarca further cautioned residents to remember a few simple guidelines to help avoid any potential pitfalls of being taken in by a fast-talking peddler or solicitor. Residents are advised to check for a current Town-issued photo identifica -
tion badge prior to doing any business with a door-to-door peddler. Photo ID issued by the Town Clerk’s Office is a good form of protection because it is issued only after an in-depth background check of the individual has been made and full disclosure of the nature of their business is provided. While nonprofit organizations are not required by law to have permits, Town Clerk LaMarca has urged these organizations to inform his office about when and where their members will be soliciting, with the information then forwarded to the local police precinct, along with the solicitor’s names. This provides residents with another way of checking any official status a solicitor may have.
To obtain a free, waterproof, vinyl ‘No Soliciting’ sticker, please call (516) 624-6333, and visit the www.oysterbaytown.com for further information on services offered by the Oyster Bay Town Clerk.
Jericho High School students who participated in the Future Authors Project, a writing workshop.
Select students at Jericho High School experienced first-hand what it’s like to be a published author, thanks to the Future Authors Project, a writing workshop supported by Canon Solutions America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc. These talented Jericho students produced a book titled “With Every Letter Comes a Story,” a collection of their personal experiences as told through their own writing and photography.
The Future Authors Project, which first launched in the Jericho School District in 2017, is an annual program that provides high school students an inside look into the writing process from idea conception, drafting, and editing through to publication. The students also participate in an official book launch, held this year on October 20 at Jericho High School, where they sign copies of the published books, printed on Canon production print technology by Suffolk Printing.
“The stories included in the book are a collection of personal reflections, shared challenges and experiences from each student,” said Dr. Daniel Salzman, curriculum associate for English Language Arts, Jericho School District. “I am proud of each and every one of our students for creating this wonderful book and sharing it with us, and taking their first professional steps into the world of writing.”
The goal of the workshop is to sharpen writing, editing, and storytelling skills. This year’s theme of “letters” gave the writers the opportunity to unearth their untold stories through a one-on-one message format, addressing recipients such as “My Younger Self,” “Memory,” “Loss,” and “A Stranger.” As part of the program, students used Canon imaging equipment during the creative process to capture vivid pho-
tographs to accompany their written work. Canon equipped each student with an EOS M50 Mark II camera and provided training on basic photography principles. The writings and photos of the students were combined into the book “With Every Letter Comes a Story,” affording each student a published author credit.
“We would like to give a huge thanks to Canon Solutions America for helping us complete yet another successful book,” said Heather McGee, English teacher, Jericho High School. “The Future Authors Project provides our students with the opportunity to unleash their creativity capacities.”
For some of the students, this was the first time ever seeing their work published in a printed book, sparking strong feelings of accomplishment. Jericho High School senior Jerry Zhao explained this was a proud moment.
“It was a great experience collaborating with my teachers and fellow students during the writing and photography process,” said Zhao. “It was surreal to see the finished product, and I think more schools should offer students wonderful programs like Future Authors.”
Andrew MacCallum, senior manager of the Imaging Technologies and Communications Group at Canon U.S.A., Inc., visited the Future Authors students at the workshop this summer, to share his knowledge of photography and give tips and tricks about how to take great pictures for the book.
“It’s a rewarding experience to help these future authors and future photographers—and show them how they can tell their stories through pictures,” said MacCallum. “We hope the Future Authors Project strengthens these students’ writing and photography skills, and enhances their critical thinking.”
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino recently joined with his colleagues on the Oyster Bay Town Board in welcoming Jennie Riegler of Plainview as well as Richard Haunss of Syosset, to help build awareness to a debilitating condition known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) or reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD). It is an extremely rare and debilitating nerve disorder that causes tremendous pain with no identifiable cure. Both Jennie and Richard have a family member suffering from CRPS. At their request, the Town will support a crucial awareness initiative by proclaiming Monday, November 7, 2022 as “Color the World Orange Day” to help spread awareness. Color the World Orange was first initiated in 2014 by a group of teens who wanted to raise awareness. To learn more, please visit: https://fighttheflame.org/
The Hicksville Boys & Girls Club recently received a donation of $ 2,000.00 from The Ridgewood Savings Bank. Tahmeed Kalam, branch banking officer of the Center Shops Office in Hicksville is presenting Hicksville Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Thomas Bruno with the check. Thank you Ridgewood Savings Bank!
Assemblyman John Mikulin (far right) stands with the 2022 17th Assembly District Women of Distinction Honorees (starting with third from the left): Dr. Tonie McDonald, Diane Garone, Deborah Podolski, Thien Ngu Vu, and Carol Louise Gravely. They were also joined by (far left) Nassau County Legislator Steve Rhoads and Nassau County District Court Judge Rhonda E. Fischer as well as Betty Tucker (second from right).
Assemblyman John Mikulin (R, C-Bethpage) held his annual Women of Distinction ceremony to honor the remarkable accomplishments of women from throughout the 17th Assembly District. The ceremony was held at the Island Trees Public Library on October 1 and featured a keynote speech from Nassau County District Court Judge Rhonda E. Fischer, Betty Tucker who read the biographies of the women present, as well as participation from Nassau County Legislator Steve Rhoads.
“I am so honored to represent this community. It’s such a warm and wonderful place to have grown up and to continue to call home because of the remarkable people who do so much for others, and that’s what this event is all about. Taking time to recognize, honor, and say thank you to the women who have truly gone above and beyond when it comes to community, to being civically engaged, to being leaders in their fields, or giving their all,” said Mikulin. “We are grateful to them for their accomplishments because without them, our community would not be as strong
– it wouldn’t be home. Thank you and congratulations to every woman who was nominated this year.”
In total, nine women were honored this year, including a special recognition award that was given to Thien Nga Vu (Westbury), a certified body and yoga instructor. The other nominees are Carol Ippolito Arigo, retired and former local business owner of Pietro’s Restaurant (East Meadow), Elizabeth K. Franks, member and treasurer of the American Culinary Federation Long Island Chapter (Massapequa), Diana Garone, world language teacher (Bethpage), Carol Louise Gravely, nurse and firefighter (East Meadow), Dr. Tonie McDonald, former superintendent of the Levittown Union Free School District and educator (Levittown), Dr. Jacklyn J. Nogan, chiropractor and head of Public Relations and Adult Programming at the Levittown Public Library (Levittown), and Deborah Podolski, retired director of the Farmingdale Public Library (Massapequa), and Paula DiPietrantonio Sidor, volunteer with the Blue Star Mothers NY 14.
The Bristal Assisted Living has been serving seniors and their families in the tri-state area since 2000, offering independent and assisted living, as well as state-of-the-art memory care programs. We are committed to helping residents remain independent, while providing peace of mind that expert care is available, if needed. Designed with seniors in mind, each of our communities feature exquisitely appointed apartments and beautiful common areas that are perfect for entertaining. On-site services and amenities include daily housekeeping, gourmet meals, a cinema, salon, plus so much more. Discover a vibrant community, countless social events with new friends, and a luxurious lifestyle that you will only find at The Bristal.
Thursday, November 3
1:00 p.m.: HYBRID: A Booktastic Discussion: Lessons in Chemistry with Lisa Jones, JPL Librarian - Join Lisa Jones when she discusses “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus
A frustrated chemist finds herself at the helm of a cooking show that sparks a revolution. Welcome to the 1960s, where a woman’s arsenal of tools was often limited to the kitchen — and where Elizabeth Zott is hellbent on overturning the status quo one meal at a time.
4:00 p.m.: Art Workshop with Art Teacher Amy (Grades 1–6) - Snowy Owls - Learn about the snowy owl and how to draw them. No prior art experience necessary!
7:00 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Medicare Made Easy with Marie Cantone - This program is designed to take the “confusion” out of all the options available so you are able to make the “RIGHT” choices. Marie will review the basics of Medicare, supplementary insurance, advantage plans, prescription drug plans, the “donut” hole, eligibility requirements and enrollment windows. Also discussed will be any changes effective in 2023.
7:00 p.m.: Pajama Storytime (Ages 3 Years to K) - Children will enjoy a half hour of stories and make a craft.
Friday, November 4
12:30 p.m.: IN-PERSON: Learn to Play Canasta - This program is designed to teach you the basics of this very popular game card game. You will learn all the basic rules, as well as strategies for successful play. If you played Canasta many years ago, be aware that the game has changed dramatically from the old version and you will want to learn this modern version! Come join us! Cost: $15 (6 sessions)
Saturday, November 5
10:30 a.m.: Saturday Storytime (Ages Birth to 30 Months) - Join us for this interactive program of Mother Goose rhymes, songs, stories and more!
Monday, November 7
7:00 p.m.: Book Discussion: “Miss Nelson is Missing!” by Harry Allard (Grades 1–2) - Pick up a copy of the book in the Children’s Room and read prior to the program.
Tuesday, November 8
10:30 a.m.: Sing ‘n Swing (Ages 2 to 5 Years) - A Mommy & Me program of stories, rhymes and fingerplays. A
parade will follow!
7:00 p.m.: Teens: Community Service: Snowman Candy Jar - Teens will decorate a jar to turn it into a snowman candy jar! Then fill the jars with LifeSavers. These festive jars will be donated to a local nursing home for residents to enjoy.
Wednesday, November 9th
10:30 a.m.: IN-PERSON: 1,2,3 Full S.T.E.A.M Ahead (18 Months–5 Years)
- These preschool STEAM programs include music movement, fine and gross motor development and storytelling followed by a craft!
7:00 p.m.: Art Workshop with the Village Artist: Cartooning (Grades 3–6)
- Cartooning was used by Italian masters, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, as an exercise to define the essence of a person. You will learn how to draw cartoons in these workshops. No prior art experience necessary!
Thursday, November 10
2:00 p.m: HYBRID: Art Lecture-The Tudors Art & Majesty in Renaissance England with Professor Thomas Germano - England’s Tudor dynasty was a thriving home for the arts. The demanding, high-stakes royal patronage by Henry VIII and England’s first two reigning queens, Mary and Elizabeth, enlisted a truly cosmopolitan cadre of artists. This visual lecture relates to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibition on view from October 10, 2022 through January 8, 2023.
7:00 p.m.: Teens: Finding and Securing Competitive Summer Programs and Internships With C2 Education - Applying for competitive Summer Programs and Internships is a time-consuming and multifaceted process. We will discuss how to research and find these programs, what is typically needed for the application, and what steps you will need to take to complete a successful application. For Teens in grades 9 through 12. Parents are welcome!
7:00 p.m.: Chess (Grades 1–6) - Whether you’re new to the game or an avid player, this program will help improve your game and develop new strategies and skills.
Friday, November 11
10:30 a.m.: IN-PERSON: Jump for Joy (Ages 18 Months–5 Years) - Come to this lively program of music and activities for you and your child.
See what's happening at your library!
From classes to lectures and concerts to movie screenings, there's never a dull day at your local library! Check this paper each week for fun and informative all-ages activities, all for free or cheap!
On Sunday November 27, at 12 noon, Syosset Public Library will host an autism friendly production, “Willy Wonka, Jr.” for children with autism spectrum disorders and their families. This production has been modified by Plaza Productions, Inc. and will be presented in the library’s theater. The performance will last approximately one hour. A calming corner with coping tools will be available for use outside the theater. Seats
will be available beginning October 25 for families with children on the autism spectrum. Reserve seats by email splchildrens@syossetlibrary. org or by phone (516) 921-7161 ext. 209. Registration will open to all beginning November 14, if space is available.
For more information, visit the library’s website at www.syossetlibrary.org
Friday, November 4, at 2:00 p.m.
Betty Crocker and Her Cookbook That Changed How America Cooks (VIRTUAL)
Presenter: Leslie Goddard, Ph.D., former museum director, author and speaker
Created in 1921 by a flour company, Betty Crocker became the most famous and most trusted advisor to American cooks. The fun illustrated lecture by historian Leslie Goddard, Ph.D., looks at how Betty Crocker was invented, why her cookbook has endured and what makes her so iconic. No registration needed. For Zoom link, go to syossetlibrary.org.
Monday, November 7, at 1:00 p.m.
Autumn Pumpkin Pie Scones (IN PERSON)
Presenter: Chef Rob Scott
Join us and make these delicious scones that are perfect for a fall breakfast or brunch.
Bring two medium bowls, one small container, rubber spatula and a cookie tray. Registration is required. Fee: $5. To register, go to syossetlibrary.org.
Thursday, November 10, from 1:45–3:30 p.m.
Seniors of Syosset Drop In Session (IN PERSON)
Funded through New York State Office for the Aging, Seniors of Syosset is a Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community program (NNORC-SOS). The program will offer social work support, community health nursing, volunteer-based transportation to local medical appointments and shopping, and other activities and services, including some at the library! Whether you are a senior in need of support, someone who wants to volunteer helping the community, or just someone who wants to learn more, we hope you will drop-in and get involved!
Thursday, November 10, from 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Prescription Drug Take Back Day (IN PERSON)
Sponsored by Nassau County Legislator Josh Lafazan, and made possible by the 2nd Precinct, Nassau County Police Department
Safely dispose of unwanted or expired medications. Keep potentially dangerous pharmaceuticals away from children, groundwater, and waterways. ACCEPTED ITEMS INCLUDE: prescription and over-thecounter medications and vitamins. ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED INCLUDE: needles, sharps, aerosol cans, thermometers, hydrogen peroxide, inhalers, ointments (liquid or lotion), biohazardous waste, and items from business.
Thursday, November 10, at 2:00 p.m. Technology and the Constitution (HYBRID)
Presenter: Professor James Coll, adjunct professor of American and Constitutional history, Nassau Community College and Hofstra University, and retired NYPD detective
A discussion about how the Constitution and laws written in previous centuries have been applied to new technology and how the courts may rule in this area in the future. No registration needed for in-person or virtual. For zoom link go to syossetlibrary.org.
Thursday, November 10, from 7:30–8:30 p.m.
Nekesa Afia and Emily Edwards
Author Visit (VIRTUAL)
Grab your favorite fall beverage and zoom in to “ meet ” authors Nekesa Afia and Emily Edwards. No registration needed. For Zoom link, go to syossetlibrary.org.
The Plainview-Old Bethpage school community gathered on Saturday, October 15 for its annual Homecoming celebration. The jubilant display of school spirit was made even more so when the POB Hawks prevailed against Westbury 24-8, capping the day-long celebration.
“It is always a pleasure to see our school community out in force to celebrate all things Plainview-Old Bethpage,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary
O’Meara. “The beautiful weather was a perfect pairing to the cheers, smiles and talent on display for this wonderful annual tradition.”
The festivities began with the traditional parade down the streets outside PlainviewOld Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School. School and local officials marched alongside class leaders, the POBJFKHS marching band and cheerleaders to the field ahead of the game.
Members of the POBJFKHS marching band played for the traditional Homecoming parade.
The Class of 2023 was crowned winner of the annual banner contest for its Senior Salsa design.
The theme of this year’s Homecoming celebration was music. Members from each high school class collaborated to design and craft their own music-themed banners, which they proudly marched across the
The varsity cheer squad was ready for the big day.
School and local officials joined in the celebration at Plainview-Old Bethpage’s Homecoming on October 15.
Begin your college search by attending FALL OPEN HOUSE! Saturday, November 19 at 10 AM
at www.stac.edu/open-house-island or scan
Bethpage fourth graders in Lauren Abrams’ class at Central Boulevard Elementary School celebrated Thoughtful Thursday on Oct. 20 with an activity based on the book “The Most Magnificent Thing” by Ashley Spires. One Thursday each month, Central Boulevard students do something special, whether it be an activity or an event, to acknowledge Thoughtful Thursday.
After reading “The Most Magnificent Thing” by Ashley Spires, Ms. Abrams’ students discussed the book which focuses on a girl who tries to create the most magnificent thing but tries and fails. Out of anger, she quits but
later returns to get it just right. The book showcases perseverance and creativity and showed the students just how important growth mindset is.
Inspired by the story, each student made a list of some magnificent things that they could create. They let their imaginations run wild and picked one of their amazing ideas to draw and color. From a robot that does homework, to a speaker that translates penguin language, the fourth graders did a great job bringing their magnificent thing to life on paper.
Photos courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District
The Division Avenue High School Varsity Cheerleading team won the New York State Game Day East Invitational on Oct. 29.
On Oct. 29, Levittown’s Division Avenue High School Varsity Cheerleading team were crowned champions at the New York State Game Day East Invitational held in Arlington, NY.
The team, coached by Cristen Ronzo and Liz Lynch, were pronounced the 2022 NYSPHSAA Class C Champions. They are led by seniors Liz Catania, Danielle Kennedy (captain), Sydney Martins (captain), Sofia Rella (captain), Ava Soto (captain), Kyra Bollinger, and Courtney Moore.
November 4, 2022
BY KAREN RUBIN, DAVE E. LEIBERMAN, LAINI MIRANDA, ERIC LEIBERMAN & SARAH FALTER
TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM
On the second day of the four-day cruise aboard the Galapagos Legend, we sail on to Santiago island. Early in the morning, after a talk about snorkeling and getting outfitted with our gear, we have a dry landing at Bartolome island just off Santiago. We climb a long boardwalk, 372steps, over a barren landscape that evokes a moonscape, up to the summit for an iconic view overlooking the famous Pinnacle Rock and Santiago Island. On the way up, we get to see sea lions frolicking (courting, perhaps?) with each other, and on the way down, one perches on a deck, perhaps putting on a show for us, until another literally pushes it off (wanting attention?).
When Darwin visited here on October 5, 1835, he encountered Spaniards who came to catch tortoises for food; he also found many land iguana which today are extinct. Goats, pigs and donkeys were released on the island in the 1800s, “causing havoc for the island ecosystem and many of its native species,” the Galapagos Conservancy, a US-based nonprofit, notes. “Goats destroy habitat, cause massive erosion, and compete with native herbivores, including the giant tortoise. Pigs dig up both giant tortoise and sea turtle nests and destroy both eggs and hatchlings, dig into Galapagos petrel nests in the highlands, and destroy other ground-nesting birds.
Exploring the lava field at Sullivan Bay on the second day of a four-day cruise aboard the Galapagos Legend © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Donkeys are particularly destructive to Opuntia cactus in the arid zones. The presence of these species on Santiago had created an ecosystem very different from the pristine condition.” (https://www.galapagos. org/about_galapagos/the-islands/)
Today there are programs to eradicate the goats, which have provoked ire from animal rights groups. “Which would you prefer,” our guide, Billy, challenges, “penguins or goats? Penguins or cats? Flightless cormorants or dogs? We are sorry for animal-loving people, PETA” but the Galapagos has made its choice.
Then we ride in the dinghy along the coast where we get a glimpse of the Galapagos penguin (one of 18 penguin species but the only one found this close to the Equator).
We are returned to a beach on Santiago Island to snorkel and explore for an hour. (Those who don’t want to snorkel can take a
12-passenger glass bottom boat to observe the marine life). Naturalist Alejandro, who is also a Galapagos National Park ranger, tells us to look for sea turtles, rays, maybe a small reef shark and the Galapagos penguin. (Karen is so happy with her Olympus Tough6 waterproof, shockproof camera, though David got excellent video with his cellphone in a waterproof pouch).
It is amazing to literally share the beach with sea lions. This also provides an opportunity to see the extraordinary Galapagos penguins; Sarah gets to swim with one. One of our group (we are Albatross; the other group is Booby) actually sees a white-tipped reef shark as he snorkels.
In the afternoon after a wonderful lunch, we have a dry landing off the dinghy and into the water at Sullivan Bay (Santiago Island) – a fascinating geologic site of a relatively “young” pa-hoe-hoe lava flow that came from
10 km away. It is like being dropped into a sculpture of black swirls and shapes – an absolutely stunning and dramatic landscape. Billy explains the black is because of oxidation but the layers underneath still have the original reddish-mustard color.
Billy says that when Darwin visited this very place, he estimated it formed only 200 years before and was spot on because scientists believe this land mass is a mere 350 years old. Now it seems virtually devoid of life – a moonscape - though when we look more carefully, we see the very beginnings of life taking hold: small mollugo plants beginning to grow out of fissures, a cactus, a locust flying by.
There is no organic soil, no water, the food chain is poor, but that locust eats the little bush and drinks its liquid and becomes food for lava lizards. This is like what Galapagos would have been at the beginning, just the top of volcano above the surface and nothing living, he says.
We are already witnessing the process of how the surface material will be broken down by lichens and eventually become soil.
Lichens are key to “terraforming” this barren landscape. “Look for moisture from steam coming out from fissures – that’s where lichens colonized.” The lichens crack the rock and turn it into organic soil that can support a plant or tree. Come back in 500 years, he says, and there will be life.
Billy tells us there used to be coal mining here, but after the National Park was established, the company
Continued on next page
Continued from previous page
was evicted. Today, the government has resisted permitting any kind of drilling, mining – for fresh water or for any of the valuable minerals that are likely in these islands, nor any of the resort or real estate development companies that would pay a small fortune for the rights to establish themselves here. The government has resisted all offers in order to preserve the Galapagos, “Nature’s Greatest Laboratory.”
“We know the Ecuador government has pressure to build resort hotels. But Galapagos has been a UNESCO Heritage site since 1978 – even if a corrupt government would want to sell, it cannot. Politically and geographically, Galapagos belongs to Ecuador, but culturally, Galapagos belongs to world.” But a lot of celebrities and billionaires have been so moved by their experience, they deposit hefty checks on their way home. “Bill Gates wrote a check for $5 million and left it at one station.”
Sullivan Bay was made famous because “Master & Commander” was filmed here – but the images of the ship were all digitized because the only boats allowed in the Galapagos have to come from here. Also, all the wood that is used to build boardwalks has to be already cut down – no living trees can be cut.
Back on board, Alejandro gives a
BY MARY HUNT
I was not born with a natural bent toward frugality. Everything in me cries out to spend, acquire, spend, achieve, amass, spend, spend, spend! I am drawn to the extraordinary, the luxurious and the unique. I live with visions of grandeur and opulence. My fondest dreams include tailored clothing, domestic staffs, $600 silk bed sheets, manicured gardens, rich Italian leather, exotic cars, limousines and private jets. That’s just how I am.
For me, practicing frugality is not really fun. Oh, there’s an occasional situation when scrimping might be slightly amusing, but on the fun meter of life, planning and budgeting, paring down, doing without when it seems that everyone else in the world is prospering beyond belief -- none of that can hold a candle to carefree shopping and living as if money were no object. Self-imposed financial limits are confining and often prevent the spontaneity and excitement of reckless abandon involving unlimited funds.
My dilemma is that I do not have the means to indulge in a lifestyle equal to
talk about how the weather and currents are responsible for the unique life found in the Galapagos, and why, only in the Galapagos, can you see sea lions, penguins, tuna with parrot fish, angel fish and flamingoes.
From December through May, the water temperature (avg. 76°F/25°C) and air temperature (avg. low/high 72-86°F/22-30°C) are slightly warmer. Seas tend to be calmer. Rainfalls are common for a short period of time each day, but the remainder of the day tends to be very sunny resulting in high humidity. Flowers come into bloom and vegetation is more colorful. This is a good time to observe birds mating or sea turtles nesting on the beaches.
From June through November, when we visit, the Humboldt Current brings colder water (avg. 72°F/22°C) and cooler land temperatures (avg. low/high 66-79°F/19-26°C) It also brings nutrient-rich water that attracts fish and sea birds: albatross arrive on Española and penguins are easier to encounter. This is the mating season for blue-footed boobies. During this time of year clouds fill the sky and a misty rain called Garua is common. Winds tend to be stronger and seas a bit rougher. The abundant marine life makes this the preferred time of year for experienced divers.
Alejandro tells us that the sunny, blue skies we have had are unusual for
this time of year (late August).
Back on board the Galapagos Legend, we thoroughly enjoy relaxing on the deck, hanging out together –there are two hot tubs and a nice-sized pool, plus a fitness center, a library, a children’s playroom, and a gorgeous lounge where coffee, tea, hot chocolate and fresh fruit are always available.
The M/V Galapagos Legend has 52 ocean view, air-conditioned cabins plus 3 interior ones, each cabin which can accommodate a matrimonial, double, triple or quadruple option, accommodating 100 passengers. The Balcony suites have private balconies and panoramic windows. The Junior suites have three meters of panoramic windows. Housekeeping is provided twice daily. You can use US plugs, and US currency. Our cabins on the Earth deck are gorgeous and spacious and can easily accommodate a triple.
The ship is large enough to feel very comfortable and have all the amenities you would want in a luxury cruise, but small enough to feel intimate.
The cuisine on board is superb (we especially love the BBQ banquet served alfresco on deck), how we are greeted on the return from our excursions and snorkeling with hot chocolate or tea and a snack, and how coffee, tea and fresh fruit are always available.
There are special touches: we absolutely adore the electronic key-brace-
my natural-born tendencies. Those of you familiar with my story know that my feeble attempts to play out my natural tendencies landed me in a lot of trouble. I took the treacherous path of incurring debt to acquire things I couldn’t afford. Living under mountains of ever-growing debt is not living; it feels like dying.
So if living naturally brings pain but living frugally isn’t fun, is there any hope for the unnatural frugal type? Yes! It requires new behaviors. Voluntarily. Attitude is key. If you can change your attitude, everything else will follow. No one can do that for you because unless there is a heart change from deep inside, the behavior change will be neither genuine nor permanent. Here are some baby steps you can take to start the change.
The fear of feeling poor keeps many of us entrapped in financial bondage because the shopping and spending produce a false sense of richness. Both feelings are unfounded. Unless you are
lets we wear throughout our stay (even snorkeling) so you never have to fish for a key; how they keep track that everyone is onboard with a computerized check-in. (You can purchase beer or wine packages; wet suits are $25 to rent; kayaks are $40 pp, and you can purchase access to wifi.)
More information: Go Galapagos by Kleintours, 1-888 50 KLEIN, GoGalapagos.com.
Next: Our Voyage on the Galapagos Legend Continues to San Cristobal
For more photos, see: https:// goingplacesfarandnear.com/cruising-on-the-galapagos-legend-santiago-island/
© 2022 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com , www. huffingtonpost.com/author/karenrubin, and travelwritersmagazine.com/ TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress. com and moralcompasstravel.info. Visit instagram.com/going_places_ far_and_near and instagram.com/ bigbackpacktraveler/ Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Tweet @TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures
a permanent resident of Burundi (one of the poorest countries in the world), you probably have no idea what “poor” really is.
Frugality is a smart and dignified activity. It takes the ability to reason and apply self-discipline. Never forget that while you may not have it all, you have enough. And that’s more than many people in this world can say.
Non-frugal types often suffer from major cases of the I-wants whenever they find themselves within the vicinity of a mall or other commercial establishment, often resulting in compulsive purchasing. If this describes you, try a little shopping self-talk. Instead of coveting and envying every wonderful thing you see, assure yourself that if these things were really necessary (such as a kidney transplant or milk for the baby), you could find a way to purchase them. The necessity test usually dismisses the matter right then and there.
If the desire still lingers, make yourself consider what would be required
if all those things really were yours. There’d be cleaning and maintenance, repairs and dusting, insuring and fueling and worrying about the possibility of theft, to say nothing of all of the packing required should you ever decide to move.
By the time you get through that exercise, you should be sufficiently exhausted and thankful that you can enjoy those beautiful things without
Continued on page 5
Crossword Answers
BY CLAIRE LYNCH
My friend, Taylor, and his wife, Julie, bought a house in Unity, Maine, two summers ago and he announced it to friends on social media. Knowing they’ve lived in Norwalk, Conn., for 35 years I was surprised until Taylor said it was their summer house. That made sense because I knew he was still working in Manhattan. Almost six hours by car from southern Connecticut, Unity would be a perfect getaway home for their family.
Located in Waldo County, Unity is north of Augusta and south of Bangor. Taylor said friends could come visit. Fall with the changing color of the leaves would be great. My curiosity was piqued because I had been to Bangor years before but I hadn’t had a chance to explore some of the smaller towns and the coastline of Maine.
Taylor and I had worked together in Manhattan for 10 years doing corporate PR then I moved on to a job on Long Island. We kept in touch and when I told Taylor that my friend, Emma, and I were taking a road trip to New England last October, he and Julie said, “Great, come on and visit!” We worked out the details of our visit and Julie gave us great directions to their Maine home.
As we drove north on I-95, the leaves had started to turn and the fall foliage looked magnificent. I told Emma I was excited about seeing their house because in Taylor’s social media pictures I saw a good-sized river from their living room window. It turns out the Kennebec River is literally just outside their back yard. She agreed it would be an interesting trip and she mentioned wanting to take some side trips to coastal towns.
Driving to Taylor and Julie’s house on Friday, we had a delicious dinner and the view of the river from their dining room was spectacular. Maine’s fall leaves made it even more impressive. Taylor tossed some logs into their fireplace and lighted it, so we felt warm despite the dropping temperatures of the evening. We told them we envied
the location of their house and Emma asked if they would retire there. Taylor said they were still thinking about it. He wouldn’t retire for several years so in the meantime they could enjoy Norwalk, Conn., and Unity, Maine.
We chose a good time to go to Maine - it was cool but winter hadn’t arrived yet. Light jackets and sweaters did the trick and although we’re always impressed by Long Island’s changing leaves, New England’s fall foliage is always great.
Reuniting and comparing notes was fun and Taylor and I pledged that we would only spend a few minutes talking about our former job and the colleagues we knew. He and I had a few laughs about some of our on-the-job pranks then Emma changed the subject.
Ever the explorer, Emma brought up going to Belfast, Maine, the next day, and Taylor and Julie said they would join us. Taylor hopped into the driver’s seat that Saturday and we adjusted our first stop as we headed a little further southeast to Northport, Maine, just because we liked the sound of it. “It reminds me of Long Island,” Emma said and we all laughed, not knowing if it would be anything at all like Northport, LI.
Northport, Maine, was quaint, just like Northport, LI, but each town has its unique personalities. Meandering around Northport, Maine, we found the Bayside Store which turned out to be a perfect place to stop for lunch. The four of us tried the Steak & Cheese Pizza which was tasty and something we’d never heard of before.
After a relaxing lunch we headed back to Belfast and Julie suggested stopping at two shops she had visited before and liked. Coyote Moon is a cute clothing and accessories store in Belfast. After browsing Coyote Moon we headed to the Purple Baboon, a gift shop on Front Street. We had fun acting like tourists walking around, chit-chatting with the owner then picking out some souvenirs for our relatives back home.
In late afternoon we drove back to Unity and Taylor and Julie surprised
us by having a BBQ dinner complete with a red and white tablecloth, ears of corn, a tossed salad and corn muffins on their enclosed porch. They brought the outside world in and sitting there admiring the Kennebec River up close and personally, we drank in the beauty of the area. Their dog, Copper, a gold retriever, loved jumping into a pile of leaves outside and watching him was funny.
Julie explained that this 170-milelong river starts in Moosehead Lake to the northwest and empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Popham Beach in Phippsburg which is about 25 miles east of Portland. Taylor added that between 1782-1790 settlers slowly began to move into Unity. Around 1785 Lemuel and Benjamin Bartlett, two brothers from Plymouth, Mass., moved to Unity. Within a few years they were so well established they sent for their mother and father.
Unity was officially incorporated as a town on June 22, 1804. Taylor, a history buff, had read the history of the town. It was interesting to hear their descriptions because we weren’t famil-
iar with that part of Maine. We took in some terrific water views on that trip and as we drove along many of the smaller roads, we saw the tall pine trees that Maine is known for. In the late afternoons when we saw the sun glistening through the yellow, orange and brown leaves, we were impressed. With a steaming hot mug of coffee in hand, watching the sun rise in the early mornings in Unity was breathtaking. I was glad we went at that time of the year although I bet summertime in Unity is great, also.
Our trip to New England last fall was rewarding. We enjoyed spending time with Taylor and Julie and we had a chance to see what makes Maine so special.
BY TOM MARGENAU
Q: My husband is a 58-year-old farmer. He is a very stubborn man. He is opposed to paying any kind of federal taxes, including Social Security taxes. He will do anything near the end of a year to show a loss on his farm. He will buy equipment. He will buy seed or fertilizer. He will do whatever it takes so he can show a loss on his tax return and therefore not have to pay any Social Security self-employment tax. He has been doing this all his adult life. He is also a very old-fashioned man. Even though I have a college degree in nursing, he will not let me work outside the home. I am 54 years old. So, we are approaching our senior years and I’m worried what’s going to happen to us financially. Will we be eligible for any kind of Social Security? I’ve heard of something called Supplemental Social Security for people who don’t qualify for Social Security. How does that work?
A: I’ve met stubborn guys like your husband many times in my 50-year Social Security career. Or to be more precise, I usually meet the widow of guys like him who come to the Social Security office following his death wondering what benefits they might be due. They learn that because he didn’t put anything into the Social Security system, he (or the widow) won’t get a dime out of the Social Security system.
That’s the fate that awaits you. So, I hope your husband has some investments or insurance or otherwise has put some money aside, because the two of you will get nothing from Social Security.
You mentioned that other program that you mistakenly labeled “Supplemental Social Security.” I’m sure you are referring to the Supplemental Security Income program. SSI is a federal welfare program that is managed by the Social Security Administration. (As I always make clear to my readers, SSI is funded out of general tax revenues, not Social Security taxes.)
SSI pays a small monthly stipend (currently less than $900 per month) to disabled people and to people over 65 who are poor. How poor? Well, you’d have to have less than $3,000 in assets. With the farm (and with all that equipment your husband is buying to avoid paying Social Security taxes), I am sure you guys would never qualify for SSI payments. So, all I can say to you is, “Good luck!”
By the way. I showed your email to my wife, and she insists I add this to my answer. She said: “What do you mean your husband won’t LET you work? It’s your life and you should be able to make your own decision about working or not. Tom says that if you spend the next 10 years nursing, by the time you are 64 years old,
you will have earned a small but decent Social Security retirement pension. And you’d have your own income from your job during that time. Think about that.”
Q: My husband and I own a small heating and air conditioning business in Northern California. We’ve been doing this for about 30 years. He does most of the physical labor. I do all the office work (except taxes, which our accountant does). My husband is 61 and I’m 57. We get occasional Social Security statements. He is scheduled to get $3,100 a month at age 67 and about $2,200 if he takes benefits at 62. My statement shows minimal earnings -- and all from before we were married -- but not enough to get my own Social Security. I remember reading past columns of yours about how moms often get the shaft (pardon my French!) in a mom-andpop business, but I can’t remember why that is. After all, we have been filing joint tax returns ever since we got married. Can you please explain again why his Social Security record is full and mine is virtually empty?
A: Filing a joint tax return has nothing to do with the payment of self-employment taxes and the assignment of earnings for Social Security purposes. That happens with a tax form called the Schedule SE. And obviously, for all these years, your accountant has been putting only your husband’s name and Social Security number on that Schedule SE. That means all the earnings from the business end up on your husband’s Social Security record.
(And by the way, your accountant isn’t the only one doing this. In my 50 years of working for the Social Security Administration or writing about Social Security issues, I’d guess that about 90% of the “pops” in mom-and-pop businesses get all the Social Security credits -meaning 90% of the “moms” end up with a blank Social Security slate like yours.)
That’s the bad news. The good news is that it could work out for you, and that’s because you’ll get spousal benefits on your husband’s record. The combination of his high benefit and your spousal rate could end up netting you guys more money than you would have received if you had split the business earnings -- meaning you each could have ended up with two smaller retirement benefits. Also, assuming he dies before you do, your widow’s rate will be more because it will be based on his high retirement benefit.
Q: My first husband and I ran a small business together for 25 years before we divorced about 10 years ago. We both remarried about two years later. I am now turning 62. My current husband is 58 and plans to work until age 70. My ex is 68. I don’t have my 40 quarters because my first husband took all the Social Security earnings from our business. Can I get
any of my first husband’s Social Security now, and later switch to benefits from my current husband?
A: No, you can’t do that. As long as you’re married to husband No. 2, you can’t get any Social Security from No. 1.
Your case provides a good example of how this tax-filing tactic of giving all the Social Security credit to pop in a momand-pop business can really mess mom up. You’re going to get absolutely no Social Security benefits for those 25 years you spent running that business with your ex. On top of that, you’re going to have to wait until your current husband files for his Social Security before you
can get benefits on his record. In fact, that might be an incentive for your husband to file at full retirement age rather than waiting until 70.
If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets.
COPYRIGHT 2022 CREATORS.COM
Most consumers, who were or are still looking to buy, are somewhat aware of what is occurring in our economy. Serious decisions for so many as to whether to buy or rent or just sit tight where they are have come into play over the last year as rates have doubled. Even when the desired home is found and there is an agreed and accepted price between seller and buyer this is the first step in the process. Next, an inspection needs to be completed to determine whether or not you are purchasing a “money pit” with thousands of dollars of additional costs creating an expense that you didn’t anticipate. Lately, most contracts are subject to an inspection, written mortgage approval, and of course your attorney’s review of all documents
When the market was in a feeding frenzy, there were those buyers that waived their inspection as well as the mortgage contingency, leaving them in a some-what precarious position. This could be a real financial problem if any issues came about with the home or if they had to come up with more money if the appraisal was less than the selling price. Another question to ask yourself is should you lock in your interest rate right now anticipating another rate hike on November 1st? With all that being said, you need to be much more cognizant of what you are purchasing and the terms and conditions that you are agreeing to. Lately, I have seen that some sellers are now agreeing to a certain number of repairs or a credit towards fixing them.
A few smart sellers are beginning to offer short-term 5-10 year financing with lower interest rates, just to make a transaction happen. As demand has been reduced by higher rates, sellers
Continued from page 2
committing to ownership. Personally, I have many wonderful things that I “store” in the lovely shops at a local fancy-schmancy mall. They are well taken care of and I can visit anytime I want.
COME
I recently met a man whose wife works in a Nevada casino. She would put a roll of quarters into a slot machine every workday. He showed her that her weekly $50 could pay for the boat she really wanted in just two years if she would simply put the quarters in a savings account rather than in an electronic bandit. They now have their paid-for boat and she’s saving for her next dream,
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
must begin to think outside the box if they really have a need to sell. Then again, as I have mentioned in a previous column, those that might be hesitating to move due to leaving their low-interest mortgage to a new higher rate might find seller financing to be more advantageous with lower closing costs. If you are a real seller that doesn’t need all the proceeds upon the sale, then this is an opportunity to consider and become creative and earn a greater return than what a bank or credit union is offering and much less risk than trying to be a stock picker in the current market. If you have substantial capital gains, providing your purchaser a mortgage, and spreading out your taxable gains, over the term of the mortgage will enable you to not have to pay it all upfront. You now have security by being a lien holder in the first position, similar to a bank. Also, if the buyer wanted to extend the mortgage, then the seller’s capital gains could be spread out even further. This situation could be a real win/win for both seller and buyer and allow more homes to be sold. I would suggest that you discuss this with your CPA and financial planner and strategize this in advance to know your options and the best path to pursue. Throughout approximately the last 150 years real estate has returned on average 8%; but over the last 50 years a much higher return has been gained due to inflation and supply and demand economics, as per the Federal Reserve. Obviously, future returns
may not reflect past history. Bank of San Francisco (frbsf.org). So timing the market to purchase will never work and you have to determine whether buying and building long-term equity or renting now, and giving away money monthly (with increases); based on your family’s financial position and capability is in your best interest in building long-term wealth. Lastly, finding your first or next home in today’s environment may take longer, and realizing trade-offs will be part and parcel of the purchasing process. However, it is crucial for buyers and sellers to work with each other in a mutually beneficial pragmatic situation so this can inevitably conclude with more very happy endings.
Tip of the Week:
As leaves are falling, they are beginning to clog your gutters and leaders. You will need to regularly remove and clean them as necessary or consider installing screening or custom covers to eliminate the issue going forward. Clogged gutters could create greater damage, by having water back up inside your soffits and then inside your walls later on. Also, if you haven’t already, cover or store all your outdoor furniture, gas grill, and hoses.
Continue to Donate to the Ukrainian Crisis and save a life or 2: https://usaforiom.org/iomsukraine-response/
Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave
having given up the slots completely. It was just a change of attitude.
For me, practicing frugality is not always fun the way it must be for you natural-born tightwads. Actually, it’s rarely fun. But the results are so well worth the effort that I will never go back to the pain of living beyond my ability to pay. I haven’t bounced a check in 34 years. I have savings and investments. I buy with cash. I have no credit card debt. I don’t dread evening phone calls and I no longer have to hide the mail and shopping bags.
Now that I think about it, there are many things I’ve been called to do in my life that aren’t particularly fun -- such as dental visits, childbirth, cleaning toilets and weeding. But so far, I’ve not been ex-
Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 40 years experience in the Real Estate industry and 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.) and in 2022 has earned his National Association of Realtors “Green Industry designation for eco-friendly construction. He will provide you with “free” regular updates of sold and new homes in your town via the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island (MLSLI) or go to https://WWW. TurnKeyRealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search on your own. For a “FREE” `15 minute consultation, as well as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached. He can also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and our Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.
You can email or snail mail (regular mail) him with your request or ideas, suggestions or interview you for a specific topic and a Q & A for a future column with your name, email and cell number. He will email or call you back and respond to your request ASAP as long as he has your complete name, cell, email and/or full home or business address. Again, for a “FREE” 15 minute consultation, he can also be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.Com to answer any of your questions and concerns in selling, investing, purchasing, or leasing residential or commercial property.
cused simply because I don’t like them. I enjoy the results so much, I willingly repeat these activities over and over again. Except for the childbirth!
Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and
comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.”
COPYRIGHT 2022 CREATORS.COM
Get Results! Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call our Garden City office at 294-8900 for more information.
BY DENNIS MAMMANA
Week of November 6-12, 2022
Night owls and insomniacs will be the only people to see a remarkable sky show next week.
Why? Because for much of North America, the full moon will be experiencing one of nature’s great sky shows during the wee hours of Tuesday, Nov. 8: a total lunar eclipse.
Most skywatchers will see the start of this eclipse (weather permitting), but depending on where you live, you may see only a portion of the event. In general, the farther west you live, the more of the eclipse you will see before the moon sets.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the full moon slips into the shadow of the Earth far out in space. This occurs every six months or so when the sun, moon and Earth are aligned. Sometimes the moon only partly enters this shadow, and we see what’s called a partial eclipse. Other times it passes closer to the shadow’s center and we see the moon fully engulfed: a total lunar eclipse.
And that’s just what will happen on the morning of Nov. 8.
At 12:02 a.m. PST (3:02 a.m. EST) the moon will enter the Earth’s light outer shadow called the penumbra, but this is so thin that no one will notice a darkening of the moon’s appearance.
Within an hour or so, that will change. As the moon approaches the dark inner shadow of the Earth, known as the umbra, skywatchers will notice the eastern side of the moon beginning to darken slightly.
The real show begins at 1:08 a.m. PST (4:08 a.m. EST) when the moon officially enters the umbra. No one gazing skyward will have any doubt that a “bite” has been taken out of the moon -- a bite that will grow larger with each passing minute.
For more than an hour, the moon will dim as it enters more deeply into our planet’s umbra until 2:59 a.m. PST (5:59 a.m. EST) when it reaches its maximum eclipse. Eclipse watchers on the East Coast will have a treat as they watch the partially eclipsed moon descending over the western horizon.
During mid-eclipse, the moon will take on a strange coppery hue because sunlight passing through our atmosphere is reddened and bent inward toward the darkened surface of the eclipsed moon.
At 3:42 a.m. PST (6:42 a.m. EST), the moon will begin to recede from the shadow. The partial phase will last until 4:49 a.m. PST (6:49 a.m. CST).
Unlike an eclipse of the sun, a lunar eclipse is perfectly safe to view without protective filters. Your eyes are all you need, but you’ll have even more fun with binoculars or a small telescope.
If the sky is cloudy that morning, or if you live in an area where it won’t be visible, you can watch a livestream of the eclipse. Visit timeanddate.com and click on “Solar and Lunar Eclipses” to find details for your location as well as links to view it live online.
If you miss this sky show, North
Americans will have to wait a year for the next partial lunar eclipse visible here, and two and a half years for the next total lunar eclipse.
Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.
COPYRIGHT 2022 CREATORS.COM
BY TRACY BECKERMAN
In the world of melons, you’ve basically got your cantaloupes, your honeydews and your watermelons. You can generally expect the cantaloupes to be on the smaller size, watermelons to be large and the honeydews somewhere in between. So, it can be very disconcerting when one day you order a cantaloupe from the supermarket, and it doesn’t arrive the size of a cantaloupe. It doesn’t arrive the size of a watermelon. It arrives the size of a Buick.
“Oh my gosh, look at the size of this cantaloupe,” I exclaimed to my husband as I struggled to lift the ginormous piece of fruit out of the shopping bag.
“Are you sure that’s not a watermelon?” he asked.
“No, it’s definitely a cantaloupe,” I said.
“Well, why did you order such a big one?” he asked. “It’s just for the two of us.”
“I didn’t expect it to be so big. I had no idea I was ordering a mutant melon from outer space. It just showed up that way.”
“It’s going to go to waste,” he said. “We’ll never eat all that cantaloupe.”
I shook my head. “Oh, we’ll eat it,” I said. “And we’ll like it!” I insisted. I was not one to shy away from a challenge. I would not be bested by a piece of fruit. We had been gifted an ubermelon and we were going to eat the ubermelon if it killed us.
“It’s going to take us a year to eat that,” he said.
“Oh, don’t go making melons out of molehills,” I replied. “We’ll just have a little at a time.”
I was confident in this plan. But talking about eating a giant cantaloupe and actually eating a giant cantaloupe are two very different things. First, I had to cut it up, which took the better part of the morning. Then I had to find containers big enough to house mass
amounts of cantaloupe. Then I had to make room in the fridge for an army of cantaloupe. By the time I was done with the whole cantaloupe prep, I was too tired to actually eat any.
So, I made my husband.
“Hey, what’s for lunch?” he wondered.
“Cantaloupe,” I said. “And then there’s cantaloupe for dessert. But it’s early. Do you want a snack to hold you over?”
“Sure,” he said.
“Great,” I replied. “Have some cantaloupe!”
“Hmmm...” he said. “I’m sensing a theme here.”
“Then for dinner I thought I might make a cantaloupe salad and a cantaloupe gazpacho, and maybe a cantaloupe souffle,” I told him.
“Is that all?” he said.
“How about some cantaloupe shish kebab?” I asked, holding up a piece of cantaloupe on a stick.
He waved me away. “I just can’t... aloupe.”
“You know,” I said, “In the scheme of things, this cantaloupe isn’t really that big.”
“How do you figure?” he wondered.
“Well, I just read that there’s a pumpkin in Minnesota that weighs 2,500 pounds. That’s enough pumpkin pie for a small village.”
“That’s great, honey,” he said. “After the villagers finish their pumpkin pie, invite them over here for some cantaloupe.”
Tracy Beckerman is the author of the Amazon Bestseller “Barking at the Moon: A Story of Life, Love, and Kibble,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online! You can visit her at www. tracybeckerman.com.
COPYRIGHT 2022 CREATORS
ONE CALL TO 516-294-8900
YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN 11 LOCAL NEWSPAPERS. CALL TODAY FOR OUR VERY LOW RATES. www.gcnews.com
Garden City News • Mid Island Times • Bethpage Newsgram
Syosset Advance • Jericho News Journal Williston Times - Mineola Edition
New Hyde Park Herald Courier • Manhasset Times
Roslyn Times • Port Washington Times • Great Neck News
CLERICAL POSITION PT / FT
Elevator Consultant Co in Williston Park. Candidate must be computer literate, job duties not limited to filing, data entry, scheduling. Starting pay based on experience. Send resume to: ciglesias@triboroconsulting.com
HELP WANTED
COMPANION WANTED FOR YOUNG ADULT.
Carle Place/Mineola location. Flexible hours. Must drive / have car / NYS driver’s license. Please call: 516-747-7377 FORMER BIG FOUR/SIX ACCOUNTANT
Stay at home mom looking to make extra spending money? Flexible schedule, limited deadlines, work from home. 18-20 hours per week. CPA not required. Call 516-522-0499 Email: kathleen@kscprofessional.com
HELP WANTED
P/T-F/T POSITION AVAILABLE
In Girl’s Clothing, Retail / Wholesale Operation. Flexible Hours, Greenvale Location. Call 516-482-1125
RECEPTIONIST FULL TIME NEEDED
For Port Washington Animal Hospital. Including Saturdays. Please call for interview/ more info: 516-883-2005
TELEMARKETERS
Lead Generation. No Experience Necessary! $16/hour Plus Commission! 25 Hours/Week, 10am-4pm. Nice Work Environment! In Office Only / Not Remote. Garden City, NY Call Rick: 516-456-7492
UP TO $21.09 NYC, $20.22 LI, $15.20 UPSTATE NY!
If you need care from your relative, friend/neighbor and you have Medicaid, they may be eligible to start taking care of you as personal assistant under NYS Medicaid CDPA Program. No Certificates needed. 347-713-3553
VET/TECH KENNEL ASSISTANT
needed. All shifts available. Duties include helping doctors with appointments/treatments. Cleaning cages/offices/ equipment. Must like animals, be reliable, dependable & work well with others.
Please call to schedule interview.
Port Washington Animal Hospital: 516-883-2005
•
•
•
•
•
• Must be able to work fast and think on your toes.
• Transportation
•
•
•
Adventures in Learning, the highly successful after-school academic and enrichment program for Manhasset and Great Neck students (Grades Kindergarten-6), seeks part-time teachers who have either a Bachelors or Masters Degree in Education for the 2022-2023 academic year. Teachers are needed with backgrounds in Reading, Math, Science, English as a New Language (ENL) and more.
For many years, Adventures has served hundreds of local children, making a difference in the lives of young people who would otherwise be without assistance during a critical time in their development.
For further detailed job information, please email diana@adventures-in-learning.org or call 516-365-7131.
SITUATION WANTED
A COMPANION HOME HEALTH AIDE & BABYSITTER
20 years experience in home care, nursing homes and babysitting. Seeking a position to care for the sick/elderly. Male or female patients. Experience with Dementia, Alzheimers, Stroke.
Babysitting services also available.
References available. English speaking. Please call: 347-546-4133
HOME HEALTH AIDE
Gentle and Optimistic. Experienced with many medical conditions and kinds of people.
Families have told me I created a lovely home environment, one they never could have hoped for.
Please call Grace 917-4999520
MATURE LADY SEEKS employment as CNA. Home health aide, very reliable, hard working, willing to do background checks, 15 yrs nursing home experience. Please call 516-410-1892, 917-244-3714 or 516-688-9251.
COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM! Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Grants and Scholarships available for certain programs for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details! (844) 947-0192 (M-F 8am-6pm ET) Computer with internet is required.
TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL BILLING Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get trained, certified & ready to work in months! Call 855543-6440 (M-F 8am-6pm ET) Computer with internet is required.
A.T. STEWART EXCHANGE CONSIGNMENT SHOP 516-746-8900
Antiques-FurnitureJewelry-Silver-MirrorsLamps-Artwork Come to Consign & Stay to Shop Visit.... Our Shop 109 Eleventh St. Garden City Mon-Fri 10-4 (Wed till 6) Saturday 12-4 Shop Our Online Store ATStewartExchange.org Items to Consign? Email photos (with sizing info) to: store@atstewartexchange.org
All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society Like us on Facebook & Instagram
INVITED ESTATE SALES BY TRACY JORDAN is doing VIRTUAL TAG SALES and ONLINE AUCTIONS now! Sell the contents of an entire house or sell just a few things! You can host your own sale on invitedsales.com and Facebook and Instagram or we can do it for you. We can photograph, advertise and handle the winning pickups for you within a week! Don’t worry about your closing date, we can get your house ready on time! 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. Contact info@invitedsales.com for more information or call 516279-6378 to schedule a consultation or receive more information.
Visit us at www.invitedsales. com for a listing of our upcoming Virtual Tag Sales and Weekly Auctions!
LOOKING TO BUY!
Estates, Oriental items, Gold, Silver, Costume Jewelry, Dishes, Flatware, Watches, Clothing, Old Photos, Coins, Stamps, Records, Toys, Action Figures, Comics, Art and Furniture. Immediate Cash Paid
Call George 917-775-3048 or 718-386-1104
NEED CASH FOR CHRISTMAS?
TURN THE BOXES OF OLD COMIC BOOKS into cash money!
Call George 917-652-9128 or email: gbrook@pipeline.com
TOP CASH PAID: ESTATE CONTENTS ALL OBJECTS OF ART JEWELRY, ETC. Please call 718-598-3045 or 516-270-2128 www.antiqueassets.com
***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS $Highest$ Ca$h Paid$ All Years /Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct Ca$h. DMV ID#1303199 Call LUKE 516-VAN-CARS 516-297-2277
DONATE YOUR CAR TO BREAST CANCER RECOVERY! Tax Deduction Receipt Given Upon Pick-Up, Free Towing. 501C Charity. 631-988-9043 breastcancerresearchrecovery.org
DRIVE OUT BREAST CANCER:
Donate a car today! The benefits of donating your car or boat: Fast Free Pickup 24hr response Tax deduction Easy to do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755
AUTOS WANTED
WHEELS FOR WISHES benefitting Make-A-Wish
Northeast New York. Your Car Donations Matter NOW More Than Ever! Free Vehicle Pick Up ANYWHERE. We Accept Most Vehicles Running or Not. 100% Tax Deductible. Minimal To No Human Contact. Call: 877-798-9474
Car Donation Foundation d/b/a Wheels For Wishes. www.wheelsforwishes.org
ARE YOU BEHIND 10K OR MORE on your taxes? Stop wage and bank levies, liens and audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, and resolve tax debt FAST. Call 888-869-5361 (Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm PST)
JACK’S CUSTOM FRAMING We can frame anything! Quality Care & Workmanship Thousands of frames to choose from!!
Over 30 years in business! 92 Covert Ave, Stewart Manor 516-775-9495
ACE PAVING & MASONRY Free Estimates. Budget friendly solutions. If you’re looking for any masonry service, be it a driveway installation, chimney repair, asphalt, or concrete work, foundation and basement repair. Trust our team to handle it for you. With more than 45 years of combined experience, we promise you impressive results. We guarantee we’ll beat any like for like quote, so you can enjoy budget-friendly services when you hire us. www.acepavingandmasonry.com Call: 516-814-1511
AQUATEC LAWN SPRINKLERS FALL DRAIN OUTS Backflow Device Tests Free Estimates Installation Service/Repairs Joe Barbato 516-775-1199
BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 866-393-3636
CHIMNEY KING ENT. INC. FREE ESTIMATES
Stainless steel liners cleaning & repair specialists. Masonry specialist. FULLY licensed & insured. NYC NASSAU SUFFOLK
516-766-1666 or 631-225-2600 Since 1982 chimneykinginc.com
DON’T PAY FOR COVERED HOME REPAIR AGAIN!
American Residential Warranty covers ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES. 30 DAY RISK FREE / $100 OFF POPULAR PLANS. 833-3980526
ELIMINATE GUTTER
CLEANING forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off and 0% financing for those who qualify. PLUS Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-877-763-2379
FOAM INSULATION SOLUTION
Update your home insulation for FREE! Save Money on your energy costs.
Certified Partner of National Grid
Ask about the Total Home Care Program Rebates Call 917-870-7373
FREE ESTIMATES
Extensions, Kitchens, Baths, Basements, Carpentry Work, Porticos, Siding, Dormers, Stone, New Construction & Conversions, Mason Work, Stone. Insured. Please Call 516-5819146
Careful & Reliable
Serving GARDEN CITY and surrounding area since 2003
Repairs & Installations of all types
Carpentry, Moldings, Lighting and More
35-yr Nassau Resident References
Lic#170101
Phone/Text Friendly Frank:516-238-2112
Email: Frankcav@optonline.net
MADE IN THE SHADE
CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS
Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Draperies
Top Brands at Discount Prices! Family owned & operated www.madeintheshadensli.com 516-426-2890
MASONRY
All types of stonework
Pavers, Retaining Walls, Belgium Block Patios, Foundations, Seal coating, Concrete and Asphalt driveways, Sidewalks, Steps. Free Estimates
Fully Licensed & Insured #H2219010000
Boceski Masonry Louie 516-850-4886
PAULIE THE ROOFER STOPPING LEAKS IS MY SPECIALTY!
Slate & Tile Specialists
All types of Roofing Local References Licensed & Insured 516-621-3869
THE GENERAC PWRcell
A solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down Financing Option. Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today. Call 1-888-871-0194
FAMILY CARE CONNEC TIONS, LLC
Dr. Ann Marie D’Angelo PMHCNS-BC
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Advanced Practice Nurse Care
Manager
Assistance with Aging at Home /Care Coordintion
Nursing Home & Assisted Liv ing Placement
PRI / Screens / Mini Mental Status Exams
Medicaid Eligibility and Aplli cations
516-248-9323
www.familycareconnections.com
901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530
PAINTING & PAPERHANGING
MICHELANGELO
PAINTING & WALLPAPER
Interior, Exterior, Plaster / Spackle, Light Carpentry, Decorative Moldings & Power Washing. Call: 516-328-7499
LADIES & GENTLEMEN
RELAX & ENJOY
Your Next Party! Catering and Experienced Professional Services for Assisting with Preparation, Serving and Clean Up Before, During and After Your Party Bartenders Available. Call Kate at 516-248-1545 SERVICES
A & J MOVING & STORAGE:
Established 1971. Long Island and New York State specialists. Residential, Commercial, Piano & Organ experts. Boxes available. Free estimates. www.ajmoving.com
516-741-2657 114 Jericho Tpk, Mineola NY DOT# 10405
DISH TV
$64.99 for 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo expires 1/21/23 Call 1-866-595-6967
LEAK REPAIRS
Plumbing Repairs
Bathrooms, Showers, Kitchens 24 HOUR SERVICE Call 516-668-5624
MAGNUM SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
Serving Garden City for 40 years.
Let Magnum Upgrade Your Existing Security System. Burglar & Fire Alarms Cellular Radio 3G Upgrades Remote Access Call: 516-486-5484
PASSION FOR SENIORS
Certified HHA’s, Companions & Homemakers. 24 hour care available. Also Nassau Locations. Trained in Dementia and Alzheimer’s care. Call 718-850-3400
shared information about various aspects of Hispanic heritage, in both Spanish and English, during a recent assembly.
NASSAU COUNTY
NOTICE OF SALE
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for the HSI Asset Securitization Corporation Trust 2006, Plaintiff AGAINST Patricia Warmhold, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered August 16, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 17, 2022 at 2:30PM, premises known as 201 N 1st Street, Bethpage, NY 11714. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Bethpage, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, SECTION: 46, BLOCK: 48, LOT: 8-10. Approximate amount of judgment $606,979.12 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #007502/2016. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 Protocols located on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) website (https://ww2.nycourts.gov/Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held "Rain or Shine". Lawrence Weinreich, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss
Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-053591-F00 73244
NASSAU COUNTY BID NOTICE
BETHPAGE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT BETHPAGE, NEW YORK 11714
BID # 010-2223
Parts for Chromebooks
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that sealed bids will be received by the Board of Education of the Bethpage Union Free School District, Town of Oyster Bay, Bethpage, New York. BID # 010-2223 for Parts for Chromebooks Bids will be publicly opened and read on November 29, 2022 at 11:00 AM in the Administration Building, 10 Cherry Avenue, Bethpage, New York. Bids must be (1) submitted to the Board of Education, Bethpage Union Free School District, on the bid form furnished by the District; (2) in accordance with the specifications in the bid solicitation; (3) enclosed in sealed envelope bearing (a) name and address of the bidder, (b) Parts for Chromebooks #010-2223, November 29, 2022, 11:00 AM and (4) delivered no later than 10:00 a.m. on November 29, 2022– Attention: Scott Harrington, Assistant Superintendent for Business, Bethpage Union Free School District, Administration Building, 10 Cherry Avenue, Bethpage, New York 11714.
The Board reserves the right to reject any and all bids which in its discretion are not in the best interest of the school district, and to waive any informality as to non-material errors or omissions in the submissions. Bid specifications and all applicable terms and conditions may be obtained via email by contacting Sara Minieri at Sminieri@Bethpage.ws. Please contact the Bethpage Business Office with any questions regarding this bid at 516-6444030.
NASSAU COUNTY
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT- COUNTY OF NASSAU
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL FUNDING MORTGAGE SECURITIES I, INC., MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-S7, Plaintiff, AGAINST
NAZANINA FARHADI, KHAN FARHADI AKA KHAN M. FARHADI, et al. Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on May 8, 2019.
I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 15, 2022 at 2:00 PM premises known as 187 North Herman Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714.
Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Nassau County and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing.
All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Central Park (Bethpage) not an Incorporated Village, in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 49, Block 117 and Lots 445, 447, 449.
Approximate amount of judgment $1,089,185.98 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #002530/2016.
Karen C. Grant, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLP - Attorneys for Plaintiff - 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
A Notice of Formation of 138 Peer LLC, Art. of Org. filed Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 8/19/2022. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: The LLC, 17 Pal St, Plainview, NY 11803. Purpose: any lawful activity.
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Notice of Formation of Vestic Group, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2022-09-21. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Vestic Group, LLC: 734 Franklin Ave Suite 775 Garden City NY 11530. Purpose: Any lawful purpose
#The BestOutcomes
Source: 2022 Vizient Quality and Accountability Ranking. Ranked #1 out of 107 participating comprehensive academic medical centers
Scan to see why NYU Langone is #1
From left: Sofia Lestingi, Casey Walsh and James Kemnah were creative when making book reports on their reading of “Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.”
Fifth graders at Lee Road Elementary School in the Levittown Public School District recently got creative while making book report projects on their summer reading of “Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library” by Christopher Grabenstein.
On poster boards and in repurposed cardboard boxes, students created dioramas, new book covers,
advertisements and puzzle books. They utilized various methods to create their presentations, including 3D pens, sculpting clay, paper crafts and much more. The projects are a culmination of the districtwide fifth grade summer reading initiative, which was participated by all Levittown students entering fifth grade.
The fall festival showcased community organizations.
Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker (D - Plainview) recently celebrated the autumn season on Saturday, Oct. 15 by joining the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church community for their annual fall festival.
“Good Shepherd’s fall festival is a beloved seasonal tradition that so
many in Plainview look forward to each year,” Legislator Drucker said. “Thank you to Rev. Marc Herbst and the entire Good Shepherd family for making this event such an enjoyabl e afternoon and a great success!”
Photos courtesy of Office of Legislator Arnold
Let your voice be heard!
Is there an issue in your community you want to discuss? Want to respond to something you saw in our paper? Then write a letter to our editor and bring it to everyone’s attention! Send your letter to editor@gcnews.com and we’ll publish it for you!
