Floral Park Village (6/27/25)

Floral Park youth lead the way with service projects

Town plans salute to veterans, fireworks show this weekend

Summer is fast approaching and not only is the temperature heating up, but also the competition! Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin today announced that contest sign-ups are now open for the Town of Hempstead Annual Salute to Veterans Concert & Fireworks show. The contests include a volleyball tournament, sandcastle building

competition, and the ever-popular hot dog eating contest. These contests will be followed by a heartfelt tribute to local veterans, a stunning performance by The Commodores, and a spectacular fireworks and drone display. This fun-filled, family friendly event is slated to take place on Saturday, June 28, at 3 p.m., with a rain date of Sun-

day, June 29. Attendance to the Salute to Veterans Concert & Fireworks Show and participation in all contests is completely free.

“The summer fun is just getting started and there’s no better way to soak up some sun than by joining us at the Town of Hempstead’s Annual Salute to Veter-

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As the Floral Park Lions Club celebrates its 100th year of service, the Leo Club emerges as one of its proudest legacies. Established in 2015 through the efforts of Lion Theresa Whalen, the club thrives thanks to the dedicated guidance of faculty advisor Mrs. Jennifer Mango and the unwavering support of Lion Tracie Thomson.

The Leo name stands for Leadership, Experience, and Opportunity—and these young leaders have lived up to that promise through a wide range of creative and compassionate projects, including:

• Donating blood at a community blood drive with the Floral Park Knights

• Collecting and packing thousands of pounds of clothing with help from cheerleaders and kickliners

• Raising funds and socks for “Socktober”

• Recycling hundreds of pounds of crayons

• Assembling gift bags for children undergoing cancer treatment

• Helping the Rotary Club package over 10,000 meals

These acts of service not only impact lives—they inspire others to do the same. As part of Lions Clubs International’s global focus on Youth, the Leo Club is helping to grow the next generation of community leaders, right here in Floral Park. Their work can be followed on Instagram, where their spirit and energy are on full display.

Honoring Student Service Across All Ages

Every year, the Floral Park Lions Club recognizes outstanding students in elementary, middle, and high school who demonstrate exceptional commitment to serving others.

This year, more than 200 student essays were reviewed, showcasing work with the Hance Family Foundation, Centennial Garden, and initiatives supporting veterans, children with disabilities, and cancer causes.

Lion Lynn Pombonyo, deputy mayor of Floral Park and a former school superintendent, led the award and judging process with a dedicated team of Lions who read the essays.

Elementary School WinnersLions of Floral Park Community Service Award

Each recipient received a certificate and a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card.

• Brynn Gosler, Floral Park-Bellerose School

• Olivia Ruiz, John Lewis Childs School

• Timothy Moroney, Our Lady of Victory School High School Scholarship Winners

$500 Scholarships in Memory of Two Devoted Lions:

• Kriselle Changtongkam –  George J. Allen Memorial Scholarship (Community Ser-

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The newest Floral Park Memorial High School Leo members at their induction ceremony.

The following Floral Park students were named to the University at Buffalo's spring 2025 dean's list.

Aliya Ambachen

Jonathan Canosa

Marcela Carver

Zachary Cataldo

Nick Cataldo

Jocelyn Chen

Tasnim Daouaou

Aidan Del Valle

Lauren Maguire

Steven Ramirez

Jason Velez of Floral Park, NY, graduated from York College of Pennsylvania with a degree of Bachelor of Science.

Hofstra University is proud to release the spring 2025 Provost's List, which recognizes students who earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

Floral Park students who earned placement on the list include:

Nora Cernjul, whose major is History.

Rebecca John, whose major is PrePhysician Assistant.

Nidhi Majumder, whose major is Sociology.

Julia Mills, whose major is Italian.

Devon Senjalia, whose major is History.

Kristen Weiss, whose major is Political Science.

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Hofstra University congratulates the students named to the spring 2025 Dean's List for their outstanding academic achievement. Students must earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 during the semester to make the Dean's List.

Floral Park students who earned placement on the list include:

David Aldorisio, whose major is Computer Science.

Aleksei Armas, whose major is Sports Management.

Ajay Ballie, whose major is Management.

Jack Carella, whose major is

Accounting.

College Notes

Kayla Diaz, whose major is Early Childhood & Childhood Ed.

Mark Filoso, whose major is Nursing.

Anthony Gemelli, whose major is Electrical Engineering.

Parnika Heer, whose major is Computer Sci & Cybersecurity.

Noelle Lauletta, whose major is Early Childhood & Childhood Ed.

Aleeza Nasir, whose major is Health Science.

Neelam Persaud, whose major is Finance.

Keval Shah, whose major is Finance.

Yashdeep Singh, whose major is Information Systems.

Sheryl Varghese, whose major is Marketing.

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Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has announced that Nicholas Lee, a member of the class of 2027 majoring in Mechanical Engineering, was named to the university's Dean's List for academic excellence for the spring 2025 semester.

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The following Floral Park students graduated from the University at Buffalo.

Lauren Maguire graduated from the University at Buffalo with a bachelor's degree in business administration from the School of Management.

Steven Ramirez graduated from the University at Buffalo with a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

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The University of Hartford is pleased to announce that 2,228 students have been named to the Dean's List and President's List for the spring 2025 semester.

The Dean's List recognizes students achieving superior academic standing. The requirement, with some exceptions, is a grade point average of at least 3.0 and no grade below C.

The President's List recognizes a select group of students reaching the

highest level of academic standing. To be placed on the President's List, students must maintain a GPA of at least a 3.75 and receive grades of C or better.

Among the honorees are the following Floral Park residents:

Angelica Lopez - Dean's List

Ethan Hallock - Dean's List and President's List

Erin Kenney - Dean's List and President's List

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Logan McCann, a member of the Class of 2026 from Floral Park, has been named to the Spring 2025 Dean's List at Stonehill College. To qualify for the Dean's List, students must have a semester grade point average of 3.50 or higher and must have successfully completed all courses for which they were registered.

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Michaela Dillon, of Floral Park, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the College of Charleston.

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A total of 14,289 students enrolled during spring semester 2025 at The University of Alabama were named to the dean's list with an academic record of 3.5 (or above) or the president's list with an academic record of 4.0 (all A's).

Floral Park students include: Brandon Madden was named to the Presidents List.

Caroline Gross was named to the Presidents List.

n Brandon Madden of Floral Park has receiveda Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from The University of Alabama.

n Nicholas Sciabica, of Floral Park has been named to the 2025 Emmanuel College Dean's List. Sciabica is majoring in Communication and Media Studies at Emmanuel.

To earn a spot on the Dean's List, Emmanuel students must achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or higher for a 16-credit semester.

n Salve Regina University recently conferred degrees on the following Floral Park residents:

Ryan Cuddy was awarded a BS in Nursing degree.

Christopher Tall was awarded a MBA degree.

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Shake Tanvir Ahmed of Floral Park completed requirements for a degree from Trine University at the end of the Spring 2025 term.

Ahmed earned a degree in Master of Science in Business Analytics at Trine.

9:30 PM

FOUR VILLAGE STUDIO

The National Gallery of Art “Past Is Present” ~ Previous Exhibition Highlights

Inspiring Stories

Bill Corbett, Jr.

“You’ll Be OK Too” ~ Christina Mathieson-Segura, Breast Cancer Survivor

Healthcare Aware

George Ingram

“Fighting Cancer In America ” ~ Lorraine Marin, MD, Oncologist

The Author Corner

Stephanie Larkin

Age 90+ Newlyweds & Authors George & Susanah Pratt

Wes Houston Presents… Wes Houston

Fred Raimondo ~ Singer-Songwriter-Guitarist

Town plans salute to veterans this weekend

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ans Concert and Fireworks Show,” said Clavin. “We’re heating up with competition here in America’s largest township, come on down and test your might!”

Participants are encouraged to register prior to the event. Walk-ups will be taken on the day of the event, but space is limited. Sign-ups operate on a first come, first served basis. Interested participants can sign up by heading to TownofHempsteadEvents.com and navigating to the Salute to Veterans event page.

The Town of Hempstead Hot Dog Eating Contest challenges competitors to eat as many hot dogs as they can within 10 minutes. The entire hot dog

and bun must be consumed to count as one hot dog. Contestants may drink any non-alcoholic beverage of their choice — water will be provided. Hot dogs and buns can be dipped into a beverage, but for no longer than five seconds. Utensils and condiments cannot be used, and contestants must be 18 years of age or older to enter. A waiver must be completed and returned to hello@TownofHempsteadEvents.com.

The Town of Hempstead Sandcastle Building Competition challenges competitors to build the best sandcastle possible within 90 minutes. The sandcastles are scored out of 60 points and will compete for first, second, and third place prizing.

Floral Park youth lead the way

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vice)

• Nicolette Pirro – George J. Allen Memorial Scholarship (Community Service)

• Mia Gonzalez – John S. Murphy Community Service Award (Academic Achievement & Service)

These scholarships continue a tra-

dition dating back decades, beginning with the very first recipient, Lion Lois Bisca—now in her 90s and a member of the Plainview-Bethpage Lions Club.

As the Floral Park Lions look toward their second century of service, they do so with pride in the youth of our community, who are not only tomorrow’s leaders but today’s changemakers.

July at the Floral Park Library

Summertime…the livin’ is easy, and the Library is as busy as a bee in a summer flower garden!

The Library lawn hosts two Family programs: Yoga with Micheline, a Candy Twisted Balloon event, Art on the Lawn Fun with Chalk; two live music concerts: Just Sixties and the evergreen Bobby Sings Bobby; and four Pilates sessions.

Busier yet is our Children’s Librarian, Kathy Guidal, who has almost 20 programs on tap for July alone. Along with the timeless A Time for Kids, Inc. Baby Start and Pre-School Hour programs, Play Hooray, and Funkytown Playground, there’s also: Painted Sunflower Window Cling with Through the Looking Glass and Dog Man Book Club for grades 3 – 5; a Chef of d’Future program (grades K – 2); and Magic with Ari Bisk (grades 2 – 5).

Still more choices for children: two free play Lego sessions (18 months –Pre-school);  Lego Engineering with Fun Concepts Engineering (grades 1 – 3 and 4 – 5); P[art]y Art for K – 2nd and 3rd – 5th graders; Tie Dye Events; Chef of d’Future Mommy & Me; Summer Craft

Fun with the Pom Pom Queen; Rainbow Quest with Rogue Bear Press; and Ms. Rachel Experience (6 months – 5 years of age).

Making his Floral Park Library debut is Instagram sensation Snack Bag Dad, and Pokémon Professor Brittany returns with a Pokémon Silhouette Collage.

Teen options include a skateboard decorating event and a chocolate bar extravaganza, a P[art]y Art session and Ari Bisk’s Discover Magic especially for this cohort.

Tuesday evening’s English Language Learners classes ongoing. Chair Yoga never wraps up, and continues in its regular Wednesday morning time slot. Empire Safety Council Defensive Driving class is on July’s calendar, too.

The Evening Edition Book Club meets on Tuesday, July 8, to discuss Ilyon Woo’s “Master Slave Husband Wife.” The Monday Morning Book Club is on summer hiatus.

The Made with Love Knitting and Crocheting groups meet Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m.; no registration necessary. The Library

Board meets Wednesday, July 9, at 7:30 p.m.. The public is invited to attend.

One-to-one tech help with Joe for tablets, smartphones, laptops and Kindles is available for our Floral Park patrons by appointment only (floralparktechhelp@ gmail.com).

For more information on dates and times, events registration and program details, visit the library website, floralparklibrary.org, call 516 326-6330, or visit us at 17 Caroline Place. All events and programs are subject to change and/ or cancellation. The Library is closed Friday, July 4, and every Sunday in July beginning July 6 through Labor Day. Additionally, Saturday hours are 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in July.

Call the Library (516 326-6330) to check days and times for the Book Nook. All sales of books, DVDs, jigsaw puzzles, bookmarks and more support the Friends of the Floral Park Library, a 501c3 organization.

Follow the Library on Facebook (floralparklibrary), X (fplibrary17), or Instagram (fplibrary 17, floralparkchildrens, fpplteens).

Do you have a ser vice to adver tise?

Our Service Directory is sure to bring results. Call 516-294-8900 for rates and information.

“Halfway

to St. Patrick’s Day” parade

The Floral Park Fire Department will be holding its inaugural “Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Parade” on Saturday, September 20.

Come out and show your Irish pride and the pride you have for your community.

The parade starts at 11 a.m. Rain date: Sunday, September 21.

Love to write?

We’re looking for writers in our community to compose articles on local topics, opinions, reviews, worthy places to visit on Long Island, and even pieces of fiction. We aim to feature at least one new article and writer each week in our Discovery magazine section.

Email submissions: editor@gcnews.com

• Attach article and any photos (1MB), along with your name and contact info.

• Articles must be 1,500–3,000 words.

• Writers will be reimbursed a stipend of $25.⁰⁰

YEARS OF TURNING

NOT SURE’ INTO

For 25 years, we’ve transformed uncertainty into unwavering assurance, creating sophisticated spaces where care and comfort naturally intertwine. Because the best decisions often begin with ‘I’m not sure.’

When Expertise Meets Compassion – Confidence Follows

For a list of all locations in the tri-state area, visit: thebristal.com

Native plants welcomed in Floral Park

Native plants are plants that have been in an area for a very long time, they have adapted to the location they are thriving in and they help sustain the birds, bees, butterflies and bugs living in the area. They provide food and shelter to the local wildlife. The native trees and plants provide nourishment for the wildlife to live, pollinate and keep fruits and vegetables growing. Native plants adapt to the local climate and soil and requires less watering than grass. Once planted these perennial plants will return every year and they will require only maintenance to continue their objectives. Long Island is an area rich in biodiversity. The native plants evolved over thousands of years, contributing to soil health, pollination and plant reproduction.

Native bees, caterpillars, and other pollinators depend on native plants for survival. Human beings depend on the pollinators for the fruit trees and vegetables to grow and reproduce.

Some native trees are red oak, pitch pine, black tulip, tulip trees, white oak and sugar maple.

Shrubs and bushes are wintergreen, buttonbush, inkberry, eastern red cedar, and American holly. Perennials and wildflowers are black-eyed Susan, butterfly milkweed, purple coneflower, wild lupine and asters. The butterfly milkweed is essential for

butterfly survival. Adding mulch to soil help retain moisture and suppress weeds. Local nurseries have native plants.

Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary is the place to go for the birds, bees, caterpillars, bugs and turtles. They are among some of the wildlife enjoying the grounds.

Joann Deeks’ Centennial Garden contains Joe-Pye weed, little bluestem, cardinal flower, purple cone, goldenrod, liatris and gaura honeysuckle vine.

For many years Don Haug has maintained a garden to attract hummingbirds. Don also spends many hours keeping the bird feeders full. When asked Floral Park Conservation Society members immediately responded with the names of the native plants that they are growing on their property.

For two years, Bonnie Cleary has been growing blue eyed grass, golden Alexander, oakleaf hydrangeas, ironweed, lady fern, butterfly weed and swamp milkweed.

The number of native plants is many and varied. With all of these varied plants a garden can be planned according to the interests of the designer. Driving along Floral Blvd., on the north side, Marina Horan’s front property has been converted to plants, mostly native.

Just days ago, Doug Cioffi , the garden birder and photographer, took the picture of a Baltimore oriole munching berries in one of the Garden’s mulberry trees. The mulberry tree provides food for several types of birds.

The sweet tasting berry also attracts bees and other insects. In the 17th and 18th century, wealthy Europeans established lawns on their property as a status symbol. Prior to the grass lawns, the land was used to grow fruits and vegetables. Then servants and animals were used to keep the grass trimmed. In 1830, E. Budding invented the push lawn mower. Post World War II, the suburbs came to the United States, and the housing landscapes emerged. Eventually landscaping grew into a billion dollar business in the US. Also came the insecticides and pesticides.

Unfortunately, these chemicals cause a diminished population of food source for the pollinators. These chemicals also seep into the water table, rivers, lakes and oceans. The consequences of these chemicals is a serious concern to many.

Driving around Floral Park many grass areas are now being converted into plant areas. Diversity is necessary to sustain live.

Many native plants are growing in Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary. Walking around the Gardens visitors will also see black-eyed Susans, milkweed, oakleaf hydrangeas, blueberry and bee balm.

The Gardens are open everyaay from noon to five, weather permitting.

Oakleaf hydrangea at the Gardens

Butterfly milkweed at the gardens

Native daisy plants

A Baltimore oriole

Native plant bee balm at Centennial Gardens

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

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

health starts with a better

June 27, 2025

New York Historical’s ‘Blacklisted: An American Story’ Offers Sobering Lessons for Today

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

Get out of the heat this summer and feel your blood boil – come to New York Historical’s new exhibit, “Blacklisted: An American Story” and be horrified by the recognition that the assault of civil liberties, democracy, Rule of Law happening today has happened before, and not all that long ago.

The intersection of politics, art, and culture that shaped America’s Red Scare is showcased in  Blacklisted: An American Story, a traveling exhibit created by the Jewish Museum Milwaukee, on view at the New York Historical through October 19. Expanded by The Historical, the exhibition builds on the story of the Red Scare and the blacklisting of screenwriters and directors known as the Hollywood Ten, along with countless others who were impacted.  Blacklisted shows how global politics and concerns over the Cold War were used to justify antisemitic, racist and anti-worker crackdowns domestically, and how the government crushed artistic expression in the 1940s and 1950s to reverse social justice movements.

“Our aim with  Blacklisted  is to prompt visitors to think deeply about democracy and their role in it,” stated Dr. Louise Mirrer, president and CEO of The New York Historical. “The exhibition tackles fundamental issues like freedom of speech, religion, and association, inviting reflection on how our past informs today’s cultural and political climate.”

“Swearing Loyalty.” New York Historical’s new exhibit, , “Blacklisted: An American Story,” the anti-democratic scourge that developed out of the postWorld War II Red Scare, raises horrifying parallels to today. © Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com

When the exhibit was first developed in 2016, and then opened in Milwaukee in 2018, “no one could have anticipated” how uncomfortably close to what is taking place in the United States today, with book bans, loyalty oaths, people seized from the street by masked men without badges or warrant, shutting down of research and education, and the attacks – a la Cultural Revolution – on academics, scientists, intellectuals, lawyers and journalists, while political violence and terror is allowed to surge.

“We also couldn’t have anticipated the rise of antisemitism now, as then,” Mirrer said at the opening reception. “This is an uncannily timely and meaningful show that hopes to teach about courage and American traditions, and how

precious our democracy is.” She said she hoped the exhibition would spark “discourse as we think about who we are as Americans. History has power to change lives.”

The exhibit, which makes starkly clear the connection between the “anti-Communist” crusade and the link with antisemitism, racism and anti-unionism, was first produced and organized by the Jewish Museum Milwaukee in 2016 (before Trump was elected), opening in 2018. It generated some revelations for the exhibit’s curator Ellie Gettinger, who we met at an opening reception at New York Historical in front of the section noting the Blacklist never actually ended, it just gradually faded into disuse.

“People think the Red Scare was McCarthy, but we showed it was not

one individual, it was so many – in government, in industry – so many throughout American society,” Gettinger said. Why weren’t the people who were persecuted protected by the First Amendment? “Because it wasn’t the government. It was the industry. Even the Hollywood studios controlled by Jews.”

She reflected, “In 2018, so many were shocked [by the exhibit and parallels to today]. People are really disturbed now, feeling politically impotent and overwhelmed. We have to keep fighting.”

Just as today, a culture that engendered empathy, compassion and understanding of others becomes the enemy of those who want to keep power and profit. It is no accident that Trump and the MAGAs have effectively rendered illegal so-called DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) and CRT (critical race theory) in school curricula, admissions and hiring, and going after academia, research institutions, legal firms, and media, just as in Mao’s Cultural Revolution.

“The Blacklist flourished when political and corporate interests superseded First Amendment rights. Freedoms of speech, association and assembly – all protected under the First Amendment - became casualties. Each of the three branches of government – executive, legislative and judicial-prioritized national security over civil liberties. Their actions exposed the dangers of unchecked political power in the US. Numerous industries purged employees suspected of being sympathetic to communism. Hundreds of people lost their jobs, and thousands stood by silently, afraid of jeopardiz-

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GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

New York Historical’s ‘Blacklisted: An American Story’

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ing future employment.

“Supporters and critics of the Blacklist both claimed they were fulfilling their patriotic duty. The Hollywood Blacklist shaped the nation’s political and cultural landscape for decades to come.”

The Blacklist impacted, even destroyed lives.

We met Julie Garfield in front of the portrait of her father, John Garfield, she lent to the exhibit, an acclaimed, dashing Hollywood leading man in such patriotic films as “Pride of the Marines” (the uniform he wore in that movie is on display). She wrote her father’s blacklisting “killed him, it really killed him. He was under unbelievable stress. Phones were being tapped. He was being followed by the FBI. He hadn’t worked in 18 months. He was finally supposed to do ‘Golden Boy’ on CBS with Kim Stanley. They did one scene. And then CBS cancelled it. He died a day or two later.”

Garfield wasn’t the only one. There is a list of those who “whether by heart attack or suicide, all were killed by the relentless pressures of inquisition,” wrote Alvah Bessie, screenwriter and one of the Hollywood Ten.

Blacklisted features more than 150 artifacts, including historical newspaper articles, film clips, testimony footage, telegrams, playbills, court documents, film costumes, movie posters, scripts, and artwork.

Among the personal objects on view are Blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo’s Academy Award Oscars for  Roman Holiday— originally awarded only to co-writer Ian McLellan Hunter since Trumbo was prohibited from working in film under his own name—and  The Brave One, awarded to the fictitious Robert Rich (one of his pseudonyms). Trumbo finally received his Oscar for “The Brave One” in 1975,

20 years after it had been awarded and his wife, Cleo Trumbo, accepted his Oscar for “Roman Holiday” posthumously in 1993, 40 years after the film’s release.

Also on view is Lauren Bacall’s costume from How to Marry a Millionaire, a 1953 film released during the height of the Blacklist. Bacall was one of the founding members of the Committee for the First Amendment, which initially supported the Hollywood Ten.

The exhibit draws clear connections between antisemitism and racism at the heart of the “Red Scare” “The House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) included avowed segregationists and antisemites, with the larger objective of “the preservation of the established social order disrupted by New Deal initiatives and World War II” displaying a pamphlet, “Today... Hollywood. Tomorrow...the Whole Country.”

“HUAC members Rep. John Rankin (D-Mississippi) and Rep. John S.Wood (D-Georgia) advanced a reactionary white supremist agenda.” Rankin defended the Ku Klux Klan’s racial violence and terror, asserting “the KKK is an old American institution.” Wood added “threats and intimidations of the Klan are an old American custom, like illegal whiskey-making.”

We associate the era with Senator Joseph McCarthy, but as the exhibit points out, McCarthy “was only one of many who used the politics of Redbaiting to gain political leverage and power.”

The Hollywood Ten were found in contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions, and sentenced to prison for up to one year. The claim of First Amendment protection was rejected by the lower court, but by the time their case reached the Supreme Court, two liberal members died and the Supreme Court declined to hear their case.

Changing Habits

“Guilty until proven innocent,” one section proclaims unnervingly in light of today’s events, as we see people being rounded up by masked goons and thrown into jails or deported to third countries without the ability to prove their innocence. “The role of hearsay and the assumption of guilt in the hearings became central to the ongoing operation of the Hollywood Blacklist throughout the 1950s...HUAC’s targets had no recourse, they could not sue for libel or challenge the damage to their reputations and livelihoods.” They were even blacklisted for pleading the Fifth.

It is shocking to see films that were tagged for blacklisting:

“The Best Years of Our Lives,” was blacklisted for portraying “the upper class in a bad light.” The FBI noted, “The banker was portrayed as a mean, avaricious individual,” and the film contained Communist propaganda and “subversive half-truths.”

“It’s a Wonderful Life,” was deemed “subversive!” “This picture represents a rather obvious attempt to discredit bankers,” the FBI analysis stated.

Best picture winner “Gentleman’s Agreement,“ starring Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire and John Garfield, in which Peck plays a journalist who poses as a Jew to expose antisemitism, was blacklisted. “A Police Lieutenant is party to antisemitism .This was a deliberate effort to discredit law enforcement.”

“Pride of the Marines” was blacklisted because screenwriter Albert Maltz “had the actors say everything possible to ‘provoke doubts’ concerning representative government and free enterprise; they accused employers of everything from racial prejudice to a conspiracy to scuttle the GI Bill of Rights.”

This being New York City, the New York Historical put its own stamp on the exhibit with a reference to the 1920s anti-immigrant (antisemitic) Palmer

raids and Emma Goldman’s deportation, and a whole section on New York Theater and the Blacklist, in which it is shown that the city’s theater community pushed back.

Playwright Arthur Miller, so famous for his Tony Award-winning play, ”The Crucible,” in which the Salem witch trials were a metaphor for McCarthyism, wrote, “We are at times ruled by the collective fear of each other and of those who may take away our rights and persecute us.”

The New York Historical, 170 Central Park West (77th Street), New York, NY 10024, 212-873-3400,  nyhistory.org

Also see:

Jewish Museum: A brilliant companion to “Blacklisted,” is the exhibit at the Jewish Museum, Ben Shahn, On Nonconformity, who used his art for social justice in ways that are unnervingly relevant today. (On view through Oct. 12). Also, a phenomenal exhibit, “The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt,” (on view through Aug. 10) (Jewish Museum, 1109 5th Ave &, E 92nd St, thejewishmuseum.org, (212) 423-3200; free admission on Saturday).

Anne Frank The Exhibition  immerses visitors in a full-scale recreation of the Annex rooms, fully furnished, where Anne Frank, her parents and sister, and four other Jews spent two years hiding to evade Nazi capture. Four exhibition galleries and more than 100 original collection items from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam immerse through video, sound, photography, and animation On view through October. Tickets at AnneFrankExhibit. org. (Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, cjh.org.)

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

BY CHARLYN FARGO

Healthy eating, working out daily, losing weight -- it’s all in the habits, the tiny little habits that add up over time to be big habits.

James Clear, author of “Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results,” defines a habit as a routine or behavior that is performed regularly -- and in many cases, automatically. Changes that seem small and unimportant at first will compound into remarkable results if you’re willing to stick with them over time, he writes.

Clear isn’t talking specifically about

healthy eating habits, but good habits overall. When it comes to eating and working out, this approach can help to achieve remarkable results.

As we assess our own habits when it comes to eating or exercising, here are tips for breaking some bad habits and creating good habits:

No. 1: Reduce exposure. If you don’t want to keep sabotaging your diet with dessert, don’t bring the chocolate chip cookies and ice cream home. Instead, pack your cart with fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Prep meals and snacks ahead so there isn’t the temptation to grab fast food.

No. 2: Make it unattractive. Put a picture of yourself at the weight you were happiest at on the refrigerator. Add your steps and goals to get there.

No. 3: Make it difficult. Increase the number of steps between you and unhealthy eating. And conversely, make it easier to eat healthier. Have a scale on the kitchen counter to weigh portions. Make it easier to go to the gym or work out at home.

No. 4: Make it unsatisfying. Working out with a friend increases accountability. Letting a friend know you’re trying to lose

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What makes these Summer months so special

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

Ray Bradbury’s book titled, “Something Wicked This Way Comes” was published in 1962 and in the prologue he wrote, “Consider August, a good month: school hasn’t begun yet. July, well, July’s really fine: there’s no chance in the world for school. June, no doubting it, June’s best of all, for the school doors spring wide and September’s a billion years away ...” Kids have a lot to ponder: how they will spend their summer days whether it would entail swimming in a pool, fishing at a river or lounging in a chair at home and reading a good book. It’s a lot to think about. Here’s what else I like about summer.

Vibrant green houseplants

Last summer my sister, Michelle, gave me some Ferns and the Dieffenbachia plants as a birthday present. They came in a garden dish with other assorted plants and since I don’t have much of a green thumb, only the Ferns and Dieffenbachia plants survived. The Variegated Ivy didn’t make it. But wow, did the Ferns and Dieffenbachia survive! The dish, which is a pretty 9-inch ceramic one, looks great. It’s a medium-sized dish garden. All summer I keep it outside on my porch, in partial sun, and the trick I’ve discovered is only watering it once a week. In the past with other plants I’ve had a tendency to be oversolicitous meaning I overwater them, thinking I’m doing the right thing, but it’s not such a great idea because certain houseplants really like to dry out thoroughly between waterings. I’ve made Sunday

my day to water this plant and sticking to that schedule has been the answer. I don’t like losing houseplants to overwatering and I’m not partial to decorating with artificial houseplants so this dish garden has been a bright spot on my porch. When the cold weather months approach I bring this dish inside and place it near a window but not too close to a drafty window so it gets the right amount of sun each day.

Dieffenbachia plants prefer diffused sunlight or partial shade but occasionally they will tolerate full shade. This is what makes dieffenbachia a good houseplant. It thrives in temperatures between 60 and 75°F. Its nickname is the “dumb cane” or “leopard lily” plant and how it got those nicknames I’m not sure. I’ve always been partial to Dieffenbachia plants. My mother always kept some potted Dieffenbachia plants on stands near the dining room window, the one that faced west, and they were always hardy. They added greenery and tranquility to the room and our guests always noticed our beautiful houseplants.

Tossing around a baseball

Each summer I’m reminded that the leisurely summer months are here and kids don’t have to think about the first day of school for a while. Today when I see kids tossing around a baseball it brings me back to the days when my father would oil the baseball gloves we kept in our garage in Rockville Centre. He would oil them and try to break them in for my three older brothers then a few years later for the three of us girls. So these days, whenever I

smell a well-oiled baseball glove, I’m reminded that it is, indeed, summer. On rainy summer days when my siblings and I couldn’t toss around a baseball, we’d stay inside and play board games and hands of cards. Or we would head downstairs to our finished basement and start playing a game of ping pong. One game would lead into the next and it was a fun way to pass the time. When we grew tired of that we’d check out the paperback novels my parents kept on a big set of wooden bookshelves in our den. Picking up some interesting-looking books, I’d smell the scent of the old paperbacks and wonder what stories these paperback books held. Old baseball gloves and old paperbacks evoke certain memories, always of summer days spent hanging around the house as a kid looking for something to do or those times when my sisters, friends and I were getting ready to start an impromptu game of baseball in front of our houses. We were kids, after all, with all the time in the world on those lazy summer days.

Illuminating night skies

Looking out my window one recent

Tips to plan a summer adventure

summer night I saw a light bouncing off a pond close by and for a moment I thought it was a bevy of fireflies dancing in the distance. My mind thought back to when I was a child growing up in Rockville Centre and sitting on our patio after dinner we’d wait and watch for sunset when the fireflies’ dance would start in earnest. Asking my dad for some glass jars with holes propped into the top, my sisters and I would run around the back yard chasing the fireflies and hoping to catch some magic. We liked the fireflies that danced around our back yard and patio because they never stung us. Nor did they bite us. Those were good things. And our parents liked the fact that they didn’t eat any of the plants or vegetables they had in their garden. They weren’t pesky pests. Technically fireflies are not flies - they are actually beetles. They use bioluminescent light to communicate with each other, primarily to attract mates but sometimes to signal alarm or send a warning or even to attract food.

Luck often struck and we’d get one or two in each jar and take them back to our chairs to sit on the patio and admire them. We’d proudly show them off to our parents and they would smile at us and each other, knowing that having kids running around chasing fireflies is definitely a rite of childhood. The fireflies would flash their lights and in the darkness it always seemed magical - it always looked as if we had our very own light show. Later that night we’d fall asleep contently, dreaming about whatever adventures might unfold the next day.

Few people would deny summer is a season of relaxation. But that familiar laid back vibe does not mean summer also can’t be a time for adventure.

The definition of an adventure depends on who does the defining. To some, an adventure may entail relaxing on a boat as it sways back and forth on a serene lake or in a calm ocean. For others, adrenaline levels need to rise in order for an activity to qualify as an adventure. It’s perfectly alright for people to define adventure in their own unique way. However one chooses to define an adventure, the following are some summer adventure planning pointers that can make an upcoming excursion more enjoyable.

• Choose your destination and route. Heading off for parts unknown with no itinerary may seem like the ultimate adventure. However, a lack of planning

can quickly derail a getaway. Traffic, fellow tourists, lodging shortages, and other unwanted developments are all likely when vacationers do not plan ahead. By planning an adventure in advance, travelers can choose routes that are less likely to be overcome with traffic, book stays in memorable and comfortable accommodations and steer clear of crowded tourist destinations.

• Leave yourself some leeway. Of course, planning ahead does not require planning every second of each day you will be traveling. Leave yourself some wiggle room and free time to head off the beaten path if you so desire. Avoid making dinner reservations for each night you’re traveling, as doing so might lead you to prioritize making the reservation over exploring. Instead, build in some days and nights where you can go at your own pace

without having to rush to ensure you make it to a prearranged activity or dinner reservation on time.

• Pack food and beverages. Nothing can derail an adventure more quickly than thirst and/or a growling stomach. Going off the grid or enjoying an adventure without a schedule dictating your every moment is easier when you pack food and beverages. Depending on where you’re going, the nearest eatery could be far away, which means travelers who don’t pack food and beverages are likely to spend more time driving in search of sustenance than they are enjoying an adventure.

• Make a contingency plan. Road trips are not as predictable as excursions to resorts that make no secret about all guests can enjoy during their stay. Traffic, large crowds and weather can turn an adventurous road trip into

an exercise in managing frustration. A contingency plan that includes a detailed list of alternative activities and destinations can ensure an adventure does not become a nightmare if forces beyond your control present themselves.

• Ask for everyone’s input. Everyone, even solo travelers, can benefit from additional insight when planning an adventure. Parents can ask their children if there’s anything in particular they want to do during a trip so kids are equally excited about the vacation. Solo travelers can ask friends and family members for advice about potential activities and sights to see during their trip.

Planning a summer adventure can be its own enjoyable experience that heightens travelers’ anticipation for an upcoming trip.

BY TOM MARGENAU

There is probably no question I am asked more often than some version of this: “When should I file for Social Security?” And I’ve discerned from my emails over the years that there is no issue senior citizens fret over more than the answer to that question.

To answer it, many people prepare spreadsheets. They construct matrices. They buy books. They consult financial planners. And who knows, maybe they even get in touch with mystics, palm readers and other charlatans.

What they seem to be looking for is a magic answer. They want to believe there is some secret formula that, if they only knew it, would guide them to pick the absolutely perfect age to start their Social Security benefits.

Well, guess what, folks? There is no magic answer. There are no secrets. There are no special formulas. You simply have to sit down, maybe with a calculator and pencil and paper, and go over your options.

And what are those options? Well, you could start your retirement benefits as early as age 62. If you do that, your benefit will be reduced by 30%. In other words, you’d get 70% of your full retirement age benefit.

Or you could wait until your full retirement age and get 100% of your Social Security benefit.

Or you could file for your Social Security benefits anytime between age 62 and your FRA. (Your benefit is reduced roughly one-half of 1% for each month you start benefits before your FRA.)

Or you could wait until age 70 and get a bonus of about 28% added to your monthly benefits. (The bonus is two-thirds of 1% for each month you delay filing for benefits beyond your full retirement age. In other words, you could file anytime between your FRA and age 70 and get the calibrated bonus added to your monthly benefit rate.)

And by the way, there is absolutely no advantage to waiting beyond age 70 to file for your Social Security benefits.

So, you’ve got to choose sometime between the ages of 62 and 70 to start your benefits. And as I said, there is no secret or magic formula to help you make that decision. In its very simplest form, it comes down to this obvious choice. Do you want smaller monthly benefits but for a longer period? Well, then start those benefits sometime between age 62 and your full retirement age. Or do you want larger monthly benefits for a shorter period? Then you should wait to start your benefits sometime between your FRA and age 70.

To help you make that decision, think about a couple of things, like your health. If you’re active and robust and think you’ll still be kicking when you’re in your 90s, then it might be best to wait until 70 to

No Magic Answers

file for benefits. On the other hand, if you are like me and came out on the short end of the longevity gene pool (neither my dad nor any of my uncles lived until age 60), then it might make sense to file for Social Security as soon as you’re eligible.

And what about your financial well-being? For example, if you are doing well and have other sources of income, meaning your Social Security check is just frosting on your retirement cake, then maybe you should start benefits early. But if your Social Security is going to be your primary source of income in retirement, then you might want to maximize those benefits by starting them later.

And speaking of maximizing benefits, many retired men have told me that one of their primary retirement goals is to maximize potential widow’s benefits for their wives. If that is your concern, then if you wait until age 70 to file, your wife’s eventual widow’s benefits will include that bonus you get for delaying the start of your own benefits.

Having said all that, you’ve got to approach the decision of when to start your benefits, realizing that it’s a gamble. Or to put that another way, if you can tell me the date when you are going to die, then I can tell you the absolute best time to start your benefits. And since no one really knows that answer, no one really knows the best Social Security start date.

For example, I can’t tell you how many times over the years I’ve heard from a recent widow who told me something like this. “My husband insisted on waiting until 70 to get the highest Social Security benefit possible. He thought he was going to live until 100. And then he died at age 72. Gosh, I wish he had filed for his Social Security sooner!” (Of course, the bit of consolation I could give her is that she will get higher widow’s benefits based on his age 70 Social Security start date.)

And then on the other end of the spectrum is this story I heard from a sprightly old man in a local coffee shop. He said, “I took my Social Security at 62. And now I’m 95. If I knew I was going to live this long, I would have waited to start my benefits at a later age!”

So again, you never really know if you are making the right choice of when you should start your benefits. And with that in mind, here is another piece of advice I can give you. Considering all the factors I talked about earlier (and other possible factors I didn’t have space to mention), just make the best choice you can about when to file for Social Security -- and then live with it. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve heard from over the years who just fret and fret some more over that decision -- even after they made it. My advice: Don’t worry! Be happy! Make the decision and enjoy retirement!

Besides, I’ve also learned this over the years after having heard from thousands of readers about this issue. Most people trying to decide when to start their ben-

efits are not between a rock and a hard place -- Social Security speaking. They are between a pillow and a soft place. In other words, they really can’t go wrong no matter which decision they make. So, throw away those spreadsheets and stop reading tea leaves or gazing into crystal balls. Pick a Social Security start date and be happy. And finally, some shameless self-promotion. If you really want to consult something, buy my book, “Social Security - Simple and Smart.” There is a whole

Continued on next page

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

REAL ESTATE WATCH

What are your reasons and concerns for not selling?

There are a multitude of homeowners (approximately 65+ %), who had refinanced in 2021-2022 at historically low rates. This has been the major cause of the lack of inventory in satisfying the demand over the last few years up through today. However, I am quite sure from having conversations with many homeowners that they would move whether upgrading or downsizing, if they could keep their existing low rates. Unfortunately, this is not possible.

Those that need to sell are still far and few between to be able to quench the existing buyer’s thirst to become homeowners. There just aren’t enough choices. For the high prices that they must pay without sufficient choices, Their willingness to settle just isn’t there for many. Moreover, they may have a fear of purchasing a home that they are not in love with or the vibes aren’t there.

If you the homeowner have a large equity position in your home and are going to put a large down payment on the next property, then leaving that low interest rate shouldn’t be an issue. The smaller new mortgage that you will be approved for may not be a major impact on your finances even at the current 6.86% rate. You should consider that the first quarter of 2025, showed a yoy median sale price of $716,000 on Long Island, an increase of 10.1%. The median sale price per square foot is $453, a 10.2% increase.*

Selling in the current market and taking advantage of the continuing increases in prices actually reduces your cost on paper compared to the current mortgage rates. So giving up your low interest rates and paying more, will not cost you more, as you are making up the difference in the increases in yearly appreciation. Even though this analysis is only calculated on paper, you are still taking advantage and benefit of the greater appreciation that is currently occurring as

opposed to waiting.

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

This is obviously not a guarantee going forward; but as long as demand is greater than the existing inventory, then I don’t see prices decreasing, but rather I still see them increasing. There are variables, e.g. tariffs, wars; severe climate change that no one can predict their impact on appreciation and the price of homes. Moreover, if there is a major impact on the changing value of the dollar, then you will need more money to be able to purchase. Most important, one must keep ahead of whatever inflation is happening by utilizing the smartest investment strategies.

I believe that there are 3 obvious choices in shelter, purchasing, renting or staying with in-laws. Each person has to decide which makes more sense in the short and long term. There are gurus that say renting is now cheaper than buying and others say buying is still more advantageous. This will be predicated on your particular situation and where you want and need to reside. Job, family, health and financial issues will be determining factors. Comparing the local rental prices with the overall cost of purchasing will provide greater insight as to what direction to consider.

Leaving our area to relocate south and to the Midwest you will find median rentals being much less e.g. $1331 in Omaha, Nebraska than a comparable mortgage of $1992 plus insurance. Detroit, Michigan where rentals are $1295 and mortgages of $516.00 plus insurance. Then there are places such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, Tampa, New Orleans, where mortgages are thousands of dollars greater than rentals when factoring in all the costs of ownership. Planning your move is ultimately the most cru-

SOCIAL SECURITY AND YOU

Continued from previous page

chapter in that book about when and how to file for Social Security benefits. If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand

Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon. com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net.

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

cial and critical consideration to contemplate, in order to come to a logical and pragmatic decision.

If you decide that renting is preferred and you are able to invest the entire or partial difference between the costs of ownership and rental costs will hopefully keep you ahead of inflation. Hire a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), which will be to your advantage in building your future wealth.

Paying cash for your next purchase and investing the difference in your sale price of your current home, in a well thoughtout commodity that will provide you a solid return will be a more advantageous path to consider pursuing. You will earn money on your investment plus whatever increases in appreciation that you will gain on your purchase.

The question is do you want to move or stay put. If you are a babyboomer, could you renovate as you age in place to accommodate your specific needs and wants? Or would you rather downsize to a smaller ranch style home, condo or coop? There are choices, but it must fit your lifestyle, as this might be your last move. It can be a challenging proposition and you need to ascertain the reasons to move or stay.

*Refin/Realtor.Com/Zillow

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

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

Certified International Property Specialist - expert in consulting and

completing international transactions.

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

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

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

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

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

BY MARY HUNT

EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE

‘Cool’ Summer Tips, Tricks and Hacks

Whatever summer adventures you have planned -- to the beach, pool, campground or even your own backyard -these cool summer tips, tricks, hacks and DIYs will bring a smile to your face and, perhaps, even a sigh of relief. There’s still plenty of time to get out there and do summer like a champ!

NO. 1: PACK A FITTED SHEET

Take a fitted bed sheet with you to the beach. Do this as soon as you locate your spot. Spread out the sheet, turn up the corners and place something heavy on each one (the cooler, food basket, etc.) This will keep it spread out and all your gear -- and you -- corralled and free of sand without having to make sure you’re lying on a small towel.

NO. 2: BARBECUE COVER

Fold an old vinyl tablecloth in half and sew up the sides to make a cover for your outdoor barbecue grill.

NO. 3: NATURAL MOSQUITO REPELLANT

Here’s a charming way to persuade mosquitos to stay away from the picnic table: Cut a lemon or lime in half, then press whole cloves into the cut surface of each half. Place the studded citrus around the food. Mosquitos hate that spicy fragrance, but you and your guests

won’t. This also makes for a pretty addition to the table.

NO. 4: FIRE STARTERS

You’ll never worry about getting your campfire started when you pack a few of these nifty, absolutely free fire-starters. Just tightly stuff the empty cardboard tube from a roll of toilet paper with dryer lint! That’s it. Dryer lint catches fire easily and the cardboard roll will keep it lit long enough to start the firewood too.

NO. 5: SEASHELL BAGS

Use mesh laundry bags -- or even a mesh onion sack -- for gathering shells at the beach. They’re strong, waterproof and they sift out most of the sand by themselves. Rinse the bag and its contents under an outdoor faucet and you won’t get a speck of sand in the car or house.

NO. 6: SAND-FREE

ELECTRONICS

Stick your smartphone, iPad or other electronics inside a zip-close plastic bag and close it up. This will protect your phone from sunscreen, water, sand and all other outdoor hazards. Now, whenever that device lands in an environment that’s probably not great for phones, it will be safe. The touch screen works well even when it’s in the bag.

NO. 7: SAND-FREE FEET

Keep a container of baby powder in your beach bag. Before the kids get back

into the car or walk into the house, sprinkle a bit on their legs and feet. A quick rubdown will leave all of that sand at the beach and none of it will be in the car or house.

NO. 8: POCKET SAFE

Sew a coordinating washcloth to a beach towel along three sides and use hook and loop tape fasteners -- such as Velcro -- to close the fourth. Now, you and your kids have an instant pocket for keys, coins or suntan lotion.

NO. 9: WILL IT FLOAT?

Attach a cork to your key ring when you go boating, or to any other lightweight item you’d rather not sink to the bottom of the lake should you accidentally drop it in. Yes, corks float.

NO. 10: CRYSTAL-FREE ICE CREAM

This is not only a summer hack but one you’ll use year-round. Before you put that container of ice cream into the freezer, put the whole thing with the lid securely in place into a gallon-size zipclose freezer bag and zip it shut. For some unknown reason, even if the container is only partially full, it will not form crystals. No freezer burn!

NO. 11: COLD AS ICE WATER BOTTLES

Tired of trying to melt ice cubes to get them to fit into your water bottle before

heading outdoors? Do this: Fill your bottle partway with water the night before. Put the bottle in the freezer, but instead of standing up, lay it on its side. Now you’ll have all the ice you need inside, but plenty of room to add fresh water to fill it up.

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

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

Continued from page 2

weight can help motivate you.

No. 5: Make it obvious. Keep the cut-up fruit and vegetables in the front of the refrigerator. Make a big salad that you can portion and take to work.

No. 6: Make it easy. Invest in purchases that can help you lock in the right behaviors. Consider a bento box to take your lunch. Buy an ice pack or two to keep lunches cold. Can you invest in a treadmill at home to take the excuses out of going to the gym or walking in inclement weather?

No. 7: Use a habit tracker. Keep track of your workout streak or days without

dessert to motivate you to continue to avoid “breaking the chain.”

No. 8: Never miss twice. When you miss a day of working out or eating healthy, get back on track the next day.

No. 9: Master the decisive moment. Optimize small choices -- choosing a fruit cup over french fries or a salad with a vin-

aigrette dressing over a burger or a grilled pork tenderloin over breaded and fried -to achieve your goal of healthier eating.

No. 10: Use bundling to your advantage. Pair an action you want to do, like reading a book, with an action you need to do, like walking on the treadmill.

Before long, you’ll have built good habits into your daily routine.

Q and A

Q: What should I pack in my kids’ lunches to make them healthier?

A: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate has some good guidelines. You want a mix of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy in that lunchbox. Think beyond sandwiches and pack

some crackers with fiber, string cheese, a carton of Greek yogurt, carrots and celery sticks with hummus, a hard-boiled egg and fresh berries. Or to be more traditional, pair a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole wheat, a cut-up apple or grapes, red pepper slices and a carton of milk.

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

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

BY: DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of June 29 - July 5, 2025

The Dog Days Are Upon Us

It won’t be long before we hear the TV meteorologist tell us we’re in the “dog days of summer” while offering no explanation whatsoever. If you’re like most people, you hear it, accept it and go on about your day. But did you ever wonder what that term actually means or where it originated?

It seems reasonable to suspect it comes from the seemingly lethargic behavior of our canine companions in the late-summer heat. If that’s your guess, well ... I’m afraid you’re barking up the wrong tree. No, like many words we use in our daily lives, the origin of the term lies not on Earth but in the heavens. It comes from ancient times and from a star we now call Sirius.

Modern stargazers know Sirius as a star we see during crisp, cold winter nights. It’s the brightest of all and, since it marks the constellation of Canis Major, the Great Dog, it’s long been known as the “Dog Star.”

Ancient stargazers kept a close watch on the heavens, not for scientific purposes but to glean messages or omens coming from the gods. In their observations they noticed that, during this especially hot season, Sirius would rise around the same time as the sun -- its “heliacal” (hee-LYE-ah-kahl) rising we call it -- and that both would drift across the daytime sky together. Of course, they couldn’t see the star in the bright daylight any more than we can today, but they certainly knew it was there.

And this is where the story gets interesting.

Many in the ancient world believed that it was the

heat and light of Sirius that combined with that of the sun at this time of year to produce the especially scorching conditions of late summer -- the “caniculares dies” or “dog days” -- as the Romans called them.

Today we know that, at a distance of 51 trillion miles, the heat Sirius provides us is negligible. However, ideas such as this die hard and have become ingrained into our culture. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if some people still believe this connection today, despite it being debunked more than 20 centuries ago by the Greek astronomer Geminus.

“It is generally believed that Sirius produces the heat of the Dog Days,” he wrote, “but this is an error, for the star merely marks a season of the year when the Sun’s heat is the greatest.”

Now if you’d like to watch the heliacal rising of Sirius as the ancients did, you’ll have to do so in August. This is because the Earth wobbles on its axis -- an effect called precession -- and over several millennia, the positions of celestial objects shift slightly. But if stars shone in broad daylight, we would now see those of winter -- including brilliant Sirius -- glistening halfway between the sun and the southern horizon at midday.

Of course, to see Sirius after sunset, we’ll have to wait a few months until the sun no longer appears along roughly the same line of sight. This occurs during the winter months and, when it does, we’ll see Sirius appearing as a sparkling stellar diamond rising in the southeast at dusk.

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

LOST IN SUBURBIA

Have Your Cake and Post It Too

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

“WAIT!” I yelled as everyone started to dive into their entrees. “Don’t eat yet!”

We were at the kind of fancy restaurant where the food isn’t just served, it’s strategically arranged on the plate and balanced precariously in a tower like a game of Jenga.

My husband stopped with his fork in mid-air and stared.

“Why?” he asked. “Is there something wong with the food?”

My daughter rolled her eyes. “No. Mom just has to take a picture of it so she can post it on Instagram.”

It was true. I had become one of those people who couldn’t just live my life. I had to document it and post it

online so other people could like it, share it and comment on it.

“It just looks so pretty,” I said sheepishly. “I want to show other people how yummy it looks!”

“Why?” asked my husband. “So they can lick their screen?”

I glared at him, although I kind of got his point. I wasn’t sure when I had gone from someone who just ate food to someone who set it up like a professional food photographer and then made everyone at the table wait while their food got cold so I could take the perfect drool-worthy picture. Then I had to decide whether or not it was better suited for Pinterest or Instagram. And then wonder if I should also share it on X and Facebook. With the right lighting, I knew could get 50 likes on a chocolate

lava cake. And that meant, of course, that I was either really popular or, at the very least, my dessert was.

The big question, though, was whether anyone out there actually cared about what I was eating. I didn’t routinely call up my friends and tell them everything I was having for dinner every night. So why would I post about it on social media? Was it pretty? Yes. But was someone going to think better of me because I had my french fries stacked over my teriyaki steak over a bed of wilted baby greens? I didn’t think so.

Still, I felt obliged to take a picture of it. I adjusted the plate and was setting up my shot when suddenly my son reached over, grabbed a fry and somehow ended up knocking the whole

tower of food over until it fell in an unappetizing heap on the plate.

We all stared silently at my plate. It was no longer a thing of exquisite culinary beauty. Now it was merely a flat pile of formerly glamourous food.

I sighed. My photo op was kaput.

“What am I going to do now?” I asked my family dejectedly.

My husband handed me a fork.

“You could eat it.”

Tracy Beckerman is the author of the Amazon Bestseller, “Barking at the Moon: A Story of Life, Love, and Kibble,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online! You can visit her at www. tracybeckerman.com.

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

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1) Directly on website: gcnews.com & click on “Classified Order”

2) Email Nancy@gcnews.com

Please include your name, daytime phone number, address and ad copy.

Visa and MasterCard Accepted

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

CUSTODIAL POSITION

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

LEGAL SECRETARY

Garden City attorney seeks legal secretary to work full time or part time Excellent typing skills necesary; Reply to: LTJonesAtty@cs.com OR 516-747-1141

SITUATION WANTED

A HOME AIDE/CAREGIVER

Caring, Honest & Reliable woman with 10 years experience available to care for your elderly loved one. Personal grooming, dispense medications, cooking, cleaning.

Checkable references.

Licensed driver with own transportation.

Please call 516-383-7150

COMPANION HHA PCA

Seeking position overnight or weekends.

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

COMPANION/CAREGIVER AVAILABLE

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

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

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

MARKETPLACE

INVITED SALES BY TRACY JORDAN

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

At Invited Sales, we offer a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet your needs:

Personal Property

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

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

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

WE BUY HOUSES FOR CASH

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

MARKETPLACE

Antique & Vintage Items

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

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

Appraisals and Evaluations: Get expert insights into the true value of your personal property.

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

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

Staging Services: Elevate your space with our curated selection of furniture, accessories, lighting, and decorative items for a stunning transformation. Explore our captivating before and after photos showcasing homes where we’ve added significant value, making them stand out in the market: Visit: InvitedSales.com today to discover how we can help you achieve your property goals! Please Call: 516-279-6378 Or Text Tracy Jordan: 516-567-2960

***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS

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

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

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

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOS WANTED

WE BUY 8,000 CARS A WEEK

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

SERVICES

AGING ROOF?

NEW HOMEOWNER?

STORM DAMAGE?

You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-833-880-7679

BARNES GALLERY

Custom Picture Framing Two Nassau Blvd Garden City, NY 516-538-4503

Tuesday-Saturday 10-5

CONSUMER CELLULAR

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

GET DISH SATELLITE TV + INTERNET! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-7824069

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT?

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

JACK’S CUSTOM FRAMING

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

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

PRIVATE SENIOR RESIDENCE:

Your loved ones will be treated like family. Basic Care Provided. Meals, laundry, housekeeping & gym onsite. PRIVATE PAY ONLY. arlinresidence@gmail.com 914-462-0624

SERVICES

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

ATTORNEY

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

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

AQUATEC LAWN SPRINKLERS

SPRING TURN ONS

Backflow Device Tests Free Estimates Installation Service/Repairs

Joe Barbato 516-775-1199

SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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

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

MADE IN THE SHADE CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS

Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Draperies

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

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

MASONRY

All types of stonework

Pavers, Retaining Walls, Belgium Block Patios, Foundations, Seal coating, Concrete and Asphalt driveways, Sidewalks, Steps. Free Estimates Fully Licensed & Insured #H2219010000

Boceski Masonry Louie 516-850-4886

SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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

SAFE STEP

North America’s

#1 Walk-In Tub.

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

HEALTH SERVICES

FAMILY CARE CONNECTIONS, LLC

Dr. Ann Marie D’Angelo

PMHCNS-BC

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Advanced Practice Nurse Care Manager Assistance with Aging at Home /Care Coordintion

Nursing Home & Assisted Living Placement

PRI / Screens / Mini Mental Status Exams

Medicaid Eligibility and Apllications

516-248-9323

www.familycareconnections.com

901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530

LI’S ACUPUNCTURE

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

PAINTING & PAPERHANGING

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR

PAINTING

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

JOHN MIGLIACCIO

Licensed & Insured #80422100000

Call John anytime: 516-901-9398 (Cell) 516-483-3669 (Office)

PARTY HELP

LADIES & GENTLEMEN

RELAX & ENJOY

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

SERVICES

TUTORING

TUTOR AVAILABLE

Elementary Education NY State Permanent Cert.

30+ years experience

Local resident

Learn to: Read, Write, Math

Babysitting upon request

Call 516- 510-3093

SERVICES

SERVICES

AFFORDABLE TV & INTER-

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

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

CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

Tangy cheese gives this salad a kick

Chickpea, Feta and Orzo Salad

Summer party season requires having plenty of refreshing, and easy-to-prepare offerings for family, friends and other guests. Salads come in all shapes and sizes, and can feature a versatile mix of ingredients to help customize their flavor. They’re also refreshing and easy to prepare and serve on hot days or nights.

1 cup uncooked orzo Cucumber-thyme relish (see below)

“Chickpea, Feta and Orzo Salad” puts a Mediterraneanstyle twist on the summer salad. Feta cheese gives it richness and tang, while chickpeas pack a protein- and fiber-laden punch. Enjoy this recipe, courtesy of “Cooking Light® Fresh Food Superfast” (Oxmoor House) by the Cooking Light® kitchens. Serves 4

1 cup refrigerated pre-chopped tomatoes

1 16-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1) Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse under cold water. Drain well. While pasta cooks, prepare cucumber-thyme relish.

1⁄4 teaspoon salt 1⁄3 cup (1.3 ounces) crumbled feta cheese with basil and sun-dried tomatoes

2) Combine tomato and chickpeas in a large bowl, tossing gently; stir in pasta, salt, and cucumber-thyme relish. Add feta cheese; toss gently.

About to hit a milestone?

Share your life accomplishments with your neighbors! Put your engagement, wedding, or baby announcement in the paper. It's free of charge for subscribers! Email editor@gcnews.com

CUSTOM FRAMING

Two Nassau Blvd Garden City, N.Y. 516-538-4503

www.barnesgalleryframing.com barnesgallery@yahoo.com Hours: Tues - Sat 10 am - 5 pm

Do You Have a Service To Advertise?

Litmor Publications publishes the ads of service providers in our Classifieds, Professional Guide and Service Directory.

A 6-week agreement brings your specialty or service to the attention of the community. Let us begin listing you in our Next Issue. For More Infor and Rates, Call Nancy 516.294.8900 Advertising in the Professional Guide is only open to N.Y.S. Licensed Professionals.

SPARK students host Passion Project Symposiums

John Lewis Childs School S.P.A.R.K. students are pictured with their Passion Projects on June 16.

Floral Park-Bellerose School and John Lewis Childs School’s fifth and sixth grade students in the gifted and talented S.P.A.R.K. program hosted Passion Project Symposiums at each building on June 16.

These projects challenged the students to select a topic that they care deeply about and discover how they can make a positive impact on the world. Over the course of several weeks, they identified a problem, conducted research to understand it better and then developed a thoughtful solution. Each project was self-driven, and the students were allowed to choose how they wanted to present it to others. They utilized Canva, Google Slides and Tinkercad to create presentations, pamphlets,

The children identified problems and developed solutions to them.

QR codes and other ideas. To gain personal insights and guidance, students also had the opportunity to connect with professionals in the field through in-person or virtual interviews, as well as email correspondence.

Some of the topics covered included affordable healthcare, animal adoption and fostering, childhood obesity, endangered animals, fixing the gap between men and women’s pay, homelessness, homework stress, recycling and honoring U.S. veterans.

The projects celebrated creativity, curiosity and compassion, and inspired students to believe that they can make a difference.

Some of the projects focused on the needs of children.

Topics included nutrition, healthcare, animal welfare and other areas.

Floral Park-Bellerose School S.P.A.R.K. students are pictured with their Passion Projects on June 16.

Endangered animals were the focus of this project.