Veterans Day commemorated in Floral Park
Veterans Day was commemorated in Floral Park on November 11th with a parade and ceremonies to honor those who have served in the armed forces.
Floral Park’s American Legion Post 334 hosted the annual Veterans Day Parade and ceremony on Monday, November 11.
The parade stepped off at 10:30 a.m. from Verbena Avenue and proceed along Tulip Avenue to Memorial Park, where a ceremo-
ny was held at 11 minutes after 11 a.m. — the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
Local officials attended the ceremony to pay tribute to local veterans, whose names were read aloud in tribute.
by Rikki Massand Boy Scout Troop 482 was well represented at the Veterans Day parade.
Rotary Club honors four veterans with special tribute
In a heartfelt tribute on Veterans Day, the Rotary Club of Floral Park-Bellerose recognized the invaluable contributions of four local Vietnam veterans.
The club proudly spotlighted distinguished community members: Bob Murray, commander of American Legion NY Post 0334, past Commanders, Matt Cacciatore’ and Jim McDonald and Rotarian Rich Mooney, all of whom both served the nation with honor and continued to enrich the community through their dedication.
This year’s observance was not only a moment of reflection but also a celebration of connection and Rotary's motto, "Service Above Self."
See page 10
Knights of Columbus
More photos page 10
Photos
The
Beehives are buzzing at Centennial Gardens
BY CHRISTOPHER WALSH, BEEKEEPER
Recent heavy rain caused some flooding at Centennial Gardens. Immediately the bee hives are a focus.Over the years the bee hives have been flooded and lost. The Gardens master carpenter, Jim MacDonald, has created a lifting device to raise the bee hives when a flood occurs. Thankfully the water level by the bee hives remained low and they did not have to be raised during this rain storm.
Like all living creatures bees are unique. Some years they produce large quantities of honey and other years not as much. Winter is coming and it is time to transition to the cold weather. Bees prepare themselves for seasonal changes and especially the long winter ahead. The hives are now wrapped in black tar paper. This is to keep the chill off the hives themselves and also to attract heat from the sunlight Hopefully they will make it through the winter successfully. The fluctuations in temperatures really confuses them. One day it’s cold and the next it’s upper 60’s. It is great for us to have a nice warm day in the middle of a cold spell. unfortunately for the bees it is a different story. Many of them will go out foraging while it is warm and get caught off guard when the temperature drops in the evening. This results is less bees are making it back to the hive.
In nature bees cluster around the queen and vibrate their bodies to generate heat and stay warm. Less bees means less heat. While in the hive they consume honey for energy. This is the honey they worked so hard to make in the prior seasons.One key point in beekeeping is for a bee keeper to successfully harvest honey without taking too much and leaving the bees hungry over the winter with no food source. It’s a challenging role to be able to identify the frame inside the hive and prepare these insects for winter. It is a passion of mine and I enjoy every moment of it. I’m especially grateful to be able to
keep hives at the Gardens and to talk to people as they walk up and admire them. Some question the whole idea and others have appreciation for the work being done. It is quite rewarding.
Another challenge the honey bee faces on a daily basis are the tiny varroa mites that can attach to the bees and weaken them. As a result the bees are medicated/ treated with formic pro and hop guard (organic).They are used throughout different time of the year depending on the temperature. The bees are also fed a sugar syrup during a nectar dearth so they can consume and store carbohydrates in the hive.
This is only done when honey frames for human consumption are not on the hive. When it is too cold to feed sugar syrup fondant and protein patties are used instead. They are patties made of a sugar syrup, pollen, carbohydrates, and essential oils that the bees like.
This gives them energy and a close food source in case they run out of honey to consume over the winter.
Jim has made a sign, “Henry’s Honey”, after my 4 year old son . The hives have gained much publicity around the village. I have gotten multiple calls about bees in peoples yards. Sometimes they are wild swarms and other times just honey bees taking a drink from a leaking sprinkler heard on
a warm afternoon. Bees in our community are very positive and I am happy to help our community pollinate all the beautiful flowers and plants while educating those who have a common interest or appreciation for one of earth’s most precious insects.
Jim MacDonald with Christopher Walsh with his son, Henry
Village of FP Tree Lighting planned
On Friday, December 5, the Village of Floral Park Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Festival will take place at Memorial Park. The events will be sponsored by the Floral Park Junior Woman’s Club and the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce.
At 5 p.m., the markets will open. Shop for holiday items, baked goods, and enjoy mulled cider while listening to holiday music.
The Tree Lighting program will begin at 6:15 p.m. Mary Ann Norton, president of the Floral Park Junior Woman’s Club will open the program, and will be followed by a prayer from Rev. Thomas M. Fusco, pastor of Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church.
A presentation of the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce Businessperson of the Year award will be made to honoree Marie Grant. Members of the Chamber and the Village Board of Trustees will
make the presentation: Mayor Kevin M. Fitzgerald, Deputy Mayor Dr. Lynn Pombonyo, Trustee Frank Chiara, Trustee Jennifer Stewart, Trustee Michael Longobardi and President of the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce Shane Parouse.
The Our Lady of Victory School Choir, under the direction of Donna Lindskog will perform, as will the Our Lady of Victory Adult Choir, under the direction of Joanna Connolly Pope, and the Floral Park High School Band, under the direction of John Smykowski, and the Bridge Church Ensemble.
Mayor Kevin M. Fitzgerald will preside over the tree lighting, and a performance of the Floral Park Memorial High School Florettes will follow.
Santa Claus is expected to make a visit to the event, with a little help from the Floral Park Volunteer Fire Department.
Businessperson
Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti and Town Clerk Kate Murray congratulated Marie O’Conner Grant of the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce as she was named Small Businessperson of the Year during the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce 40th Annual Businessperson of the Year and Legislative Breakfast. The event was held on October 31st at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. Also attending were Frank Camarano, President of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce; Nassau County Legislator John Giuffre; North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jen DeSena; New York State Assemblyman Ed Ra; New York State Senator Patricia Canzoneri Fitzpatrick; and other friends and neighbors.
Town drive to support homeless vets
The Town of Oyster Bay, in partnership with VFW Post #6394 in Syosset, encourage residents to support local veterans by donating to a Collection Drive.
Throughout the month of November, residents are invited to donate toiletries that will be distributed through the not-for-profit organization Help for Homeless Long Island Veterans.
“From hosting veteran appreciation events to recognizing their service with
Hometown Hero Banners in our parks, the Town of Oyster Bay is committed to honoring veterans for their service to our nation,” Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. “Please join this mission to help bring the comforts of home to veterans by making a donation to our collection drive.”
Most needed items include toiletries: toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, Chapstick, shampoo, conditioner,
deodorant, lotion, cream, razors, shaving cream, combs, brushes, sunscreen, Q-Tip’s, tweezers and nail clippers.
“When I learned that Help for Homeless Long Island Veterans had a ‘Wish List’ of items their veterans desperately need, I knew residents would generously spring into action to help ensure these needs are met,” said Town Clerk Richard LaMarca. “I thank the residents of our wonderful Town in
advance for their generosity and support of our veterans.”
Collection Bins will be available on weekdays from 9:00am to 4:45pm at Town Hall North (54 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay) and Town Hall South (977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa). For more information, please call (516) 624-6380 or email ealter@oysterbay-ny.gov.
November programs at the Floral Park Public Library
And so, it begins… and ends… in November. The beginning of the holiday season, and the end of Daylight Savings Time.
It’s also the beginning of the Food for Fines thanks and giving initiative. A donation of non-perishable food items forgives $5.00 in overdue fines. Items are donated to the Our Lady of Victory food pantry. The donation box is located in the Library lobby,
The Friends of the Floral Park Library host an indoor craft sale on Saturday, November 29, beginning at 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Boy Scout Troop 482 will be selling Christmas wreaths on the Library lawn, too.
They’re also hosting a Line Dancing Event, Read Between the Line Dancing, at Fireman’s Hall (in Village Hall) on Saturday, November 15, at 7:00 p.m. $40 includes light Mexican fare and line dancing lessons. The evening includes raffles and a 50/50. Attendees are welcome to BYOB.
While the Floral Park Library Urban Explorers’ next event is on December 4 –the iconic New York Botanical Gardens Holiday Train Show – in person registration begins in November. The trip includes an all garden pass which allows attendees to enjoy the tram ride around the gardens. Floral Park residents can register beginning November
The Perfect Party Room Rental for Every Occasion
10; all others beginning November 17. The $45.00 (cash only) fee is payable at the time of registration.
Teens can participate in a Community Service project on Friday, November 21, as part of Giving Back Month, and will be able to fill shampoo, conditioner, and lotion bottles to be given tothose in need, or create get well cards for hospitalized children.
The younger set can enjoy a Pokémon Yuka Morii Clay workshop on Monday, Novwember 24, where Pokémon Professor Brittany will teach young trainers about the sculpted clay works of Pokémon card artist Yuka Morii before helping them make their very own clay Tangelas to be photographed and put on their own custom Pokémon cards.
The last Empire Safety Council Defensive Driving class of the year happens on Thursday, November 20. Educational and informational programs for Adults include Estate Planning and Eldercare Workshop and Understanding Your VA Benefit hosted by Bayada Nurses.
Adults can relax, play, and have fun with a Game Nite for Grownups on Tuesday, November 18, or a Cheesecake Shooters cooking program on Tuesday,
November 25.
The English Language Learner class meets weekly on Tuesday evenings. Registration is required. Hybrid Chair Yoga continues every Wednesday at 10:15 am.
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.
One-to-one tech help with Joe for tablets, smartphones, laptops, Kindles and general questions 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.
Check out the Friends of the Floral Park Library offerings at the Circulation Desk. 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).
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.
Thanksgiving Dinner Packages
Turkeys Fully Cooked or Oven Ready
$309 + tax (Serves 10–15 people)
• 16–18 lb Fresh Cooked or Oven Ready Turkey
• 1/2 Tray Traditional Stuffing with OR without Sausage Meat
• 1/2 Tray of String Beans, Mixed Vegetables, OR String Bean Casserole
• 1/2 Tray of White Mashed Potato OR Sweet Mashed Potato w/ Marshmallows
• Choice of Apple, Pumpkin, or Pecan Pie
• Homemade Turkey Gravy
• Homemade Cranberry Sauce
$439 + tax (Serves 15–20 people)
• 20–22 lb Fresh Cooked or Oven Ready Turkey
• Full Tray Traditional Stuffing with OR without Sausage Meat
• Full Tray of String Beans, Mixed Vegetables, OR String Bean Casserole
• Full Tray of White Mashed Potato OR Sweet Mashed Potato w/ Marshmallows
• Choice of Two Pies (Apple, Pumpkin, or Pecan) • Homemade Turkey Gravy
• Homemade Cranberry Sauce
ADDITIONS: +Extra Pies ($16 each) • +Turkey Carving ($15 each)
Orders must be placed by Monday, 11/24/25. Pickup is on Thanksgiving morning, 8–10 a.m. or any day requested. Not combinable with coupons or discounts.
FRESH TURKEY
Amish Grade A Turkey ($4.19/lb) • Bell & Evan’s Fresh Turkey ($5.49/lb)
Boneless Turkey Breast ($11.99/lb) • Bone-In Turkey Breast ($8.49/lb)
Stuffed Turkey Breast (Apple Cornbread) ($12.99/lb)
Turkey Gravy (Quart) ($9.95 ea) • Turkey Carving ($15) • Oven Ready ($20)
COOKED
OR OVEN READY TURKEY A LA CARTE
(Includes Gravy.CarvingAdditional $15)
8–10 People (12–14 lb.) ($119) • 12–15 People (16–18 lb.) ($149) 16–20 People (22–24 lb.) ($179)
Cooked Boneless Turkey Breast: 8–12 People (5–6 lb.) ($79)
BUTCHER FAVORITES TRIMMINGS
Honey Glazed Spiral Ham ($10.99/lb) • Fresh Ham ($3.99/lb)
Filet Mignon MP • Prime Rib Roast MP
Boneless Pork Roast ($6.99/lb) • Crown Roast Pork ($12.99/lb)
Stuffed Pork Roast ($7.99/lb)
Stuffing with or without Sausage ($50/$75) • White Mashed Potato ($50/$75)
Sweet Mashed Potato w/ Marshmallows ($50/$75) • String Bean Casserole ($50/$80)
Brussels Sprouts & Pancetta ($55/$80) • String Beans w/ Garlic and Oil ($50/$75)
Homemade Cranberry Sauce Quart ($9.95) • Apple, Pumpkin or Pecan Pie ($17)
November 14, 2025
Best Time of Year to Lock In Savings on International Tours
Major international tour operators are offering their biggest savings of the year, expanding Black Friday/ Cyber Monday sales to weeks. Here is a sampling of vacation deals:
Inspiring Vacations, a Melbourne, Australia-based tour company is offering weekly flash sales through November providing 50% off the companion’s rate and $100 per person savings on Solo Journeys. Use code BUDDY50 to save 50% or BUDDY30 to save 30% on select deals. Book online, inspiringvacations.com or phone 24/7 888-356-2021.
G Adventures: Through November 30, save up to 30% on 600+ adventures across every continent on the planet, with travel by April 30,2026. Or save 10% on select trips departing May 1 through August 31, 2026. Shop the travel deals at https:// www.gadventures.com/travel-deals/ black-friday-sale/. (https://www.gadventures.com/, 1 888 800 4100 24/7)
Contiki, one of the world’s leading travel brands for 18-35-year-olds, unveils its biggest Black Friday Sale ever, offering 50% off up to $800 on 150 itineraries worldwide and limited-time “drops” featuring select trips and departure dates at 50% off From Nov.12–Dec. 4, save $800 on global Contiki trips, including $500 off Japan Unrivalled, $300 off Ireland and Scotland or $400 off Victoria Falls and Bostwana. During the sale, Contiki is also offering limited-time drops featuring select trips and departure dates, including in-demand itineraries such as Albania Beaches and
Peaks and Portugal Highlights, available at 50 percent off.
Global guided vacation company, Trafalgar, is offering buy one, get one 50% off on six new trips every week during the sale period. Additional savings of up to 15% off are available on top itineraries including on the new river cruise itinerary, Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam, as well as Treasures of Thailand, Best of Devon and Cornwall among others. Sale runs Nov. 3-Dec. 4.
Global tour operator Friendly Planet Travel is offering up to $2,000 in savings on tour packages to 70+ itineraries, including the Incredible South Africa with Rovos Luxury Train & Victoria Falls, the Patagonian Explorer by Land & Sea, the Discover Ultimate New Zealand. Each package includes airfare, ground transportation & transfers, first-class
and deluxe accommodations, guided touring, English-speaking local guides, curated local experience, select meals, 24/7 support,. Book Nov. 28-Dec. 5, 2025, for travel in 2026 and 2027. Additionally, guests who book online from November 28 to 30th receive an extra $50 off booking bonus discount.
Celtic travel expert Brendan Vacations is offering savings of up to $1,400 pp on its most popular guided tours in Ireland and Scotland. booked Nov. 3-Dec. 4, including Best of Ireland and Castles and Manors and premium itineraries Britain and Ireland Discovery and Irish Elegance New Small Group Tour itineraries offer savings of up to $1,000 pp Save up to $600 pp on private driver, luxury self-drive, self-drive and rail vacations for travel in 2026.
CIE Tours is offering up
to 15% off guided vacations across all destinations with no blackout dates. Book Nov. 3-Dec. 2 to save up to $2,000 per couple on tours to Ireland, Scotland, England, Spain and Italy. Early Access deals (Nov. 3–17) feature 24 itineraries; from Nov. 18–Dec. 2, savings include 22 additional trips. Perillo Tours, celebrating 80 years as a leading U.S. tour operator to Italy, is offering $500 savings per couple on select Italy escorted tours, $750 per couple on select Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and Hawaii tours, and $500 per couple on customized journeys to Italy through Perillo Custom Vacations. Book Nov. 28–Dec. 5 for travel throughout 2026 Book by phone (1-800-431-1515) or online using code “BLACKFRI25” for group tours or “IVBLACKFRI25” for custom vacations.
Unforgettable Travel, known for creating tailor-made luxury journeys that combine innovative experiences with highly personalized service, is offering $1,000 off any private custom trips to Africa or Asia. Book Nov. 28-Dec.18.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, a luxury all-inclusive river cruise line sailing in Europe, Egypt, South America and Asia, is bringing back its popular 12 Days of Christmas Event with daily surprising savings ranging from 50% off popular cruises to free trip extensions, and waived solo traveler supplements A new offer is unveiled each weekday for 12 days beginning Nov. 28. Visit Uniworld.com/12days
© 2025 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com
BY DENNIS MAMMANA
Week of November 16-22, 2025
Nearly two and a half centuries ago, in December of 1781, musical composer and amateur astronomer William Herschel was scanning his telescope through the skies over England when he came upon a tiny bluish-green dot that did not appear on his star charts.
He soon realized it wasn’t a star but rather a planet -- the first ever to be discovered. To cajole some money out of King George III, he suggested naming the new world in his honor: Georgium Sidus (“George’s Star”). Saner heads prevailed, however, and astronomers agreed that the new planet’s name should match the classical origins of other planetary names. They decided to name it after Ouranos (OOH-rah-nohs), the mythological father of the Titans and grandfather of Jupiter. And so it was named Uranus.
Today, Uranus is, without a doubt, the most mispronounced planet in the English language, always getting a giggle out of kids (and even adults). Of course, you can say it any way you’d like, but if you’d like not to appear foolish, use its correct pronunciation: YOU-rah-nuhs.
On Friday, Nov. 21, Uranus will officially lie at opposition -- the point in the sky where it appears opposite the
Finding the Seventh Planet
sun. This distant world is typically visible only with binoculars or a small telescope, but at these times it enters the realm of naked-eye visibility for stargazers with excellent vision and a clear, dark sky far from city lights. This week will be a great time to search for this elusive planet.
In addition to needing good vision and a dark sky, finding Uranus requires some patience, but it’s as difficult as you might imagine. Right now, you can find it roughly in the direction of the Pleiades, or Seven Sisters, a tiny cluster of stars low in the eastern sky after dark. To find it, aim binoculars toward the Pleiades, and place the cluster on the upper left side of the field of view. Uranus will appear on the lower right.
It will look like a star but may appear slightly brighter than the faint stars around it, and it may show a subtle blue-green tint. Use the pattern of stars in the accompanying illustration to identify Uranus among the stars.
Once you’ve found it and can identify the stars around it, put the binoculars down and try searching for it with your eyes alone. If you’ve got a very dark sky and good vision, you may be surprised by how easy is! If you spot it, you may wonder why ancient skywatchers hadn’t found it millennia ago.
While it’s true that these stargazers had no binoculars to help them along,
they did have extremely dark skies with no city lights. And many were meticulous and obsessive about their celestial observations -- especially the ancient Chinese.
Why they failed to find this planet among the starry sky is anyone’s guess. Perhaps someone did spot it but never recorded the discovery. Perhaps their
LOST IN SUBURBIA
Quoth the Raven, ‘Caw’
records have been lost over time.
In any case, this week’s a great time for modern stargazers to do what the ancients never did ... track down and observe this elusive and distant planet in our nighttime sky.
Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
BY TRACY BECKERMAN
One of the things I do actually love about the suburbs is the quiet. Of course, the quiet mostly happens in short spurts between clamorous bouts of home construction, lawnmowers, garbage trucks and barking dogs. But when I do get it, it’s glorious.
So, naturally, as I was having one of those brief late-afternoon quiet moments on my deck, a bird suddenly landed on my deck railing and started yelling at me. It wasn’t a nice little bird tweet like the helpful birdies in a Disney movie. It was a large bird “caw,” like something from the movie “The Birds,” a sound that precedes the bird(s) pecking someone to death.
“Caw, caw, caw,” he cawed at me.
“Shoo, shoo,” I shooed back at him. Unfortunately, he neither stopped
cawing nor shooed. In fact, he seemed very insistent and cawed more aggressively than before.
I wondered if maybe this was turf war and he thought I was in his space. I thought maybe if I danced on the deck, snapped my fingers and sang the rumble song from “West Side Story,” he might take the hint. But no dice.
So I decided maybe I needed to be firmer.
“Caw, caw, caw,” said the big black bird.
“Be gone,” I said dramatically, channeling my inner Gandalf. “There will be no cawing here today.”
“Caw,” said the bird.
At this point, I started to grow a little concerned. What if the bird was in trouble and was cawing at me to get me to help him? Maybe, like Lassie, he was trying to tell me that Timmy fell
into the well, even though I didn’t know anyone named Timmy, and there were no wells anywhere near my property. Or perhaps he was warning me of an impending zombie apocalypse. I heard that sometimes animals are aware of things like earthquakes and zombie apocalypses before they happen. Just to be safe, I checked my weather app on my phone but didn’t see forecasts for either of those things.
The bird started to fly but landed a few feet away and started cawing again. Then he flew a few feet farther away again.
“Caw, caw,” he said.
I decided he definitely wanted me to follow him. I got up and started to walk across the deck. The bird flew over to a nearby tree on my property, and I followed. Now I was sure he had a problem. Maybe one of his little baby birdies fell out of the nest. Or maybe there was
something threatening on or near the tree. I circled the tree and then looked around the area but found nothing. I returned to the tree and stood under the bird.
“There’s nothing here,” I yelled to him. “I think you’re good. Be safe, little large bird. Have a good bird life.”
As I was about to head back to the deck, I heard someone start up a chainsaw next door. Then a lawnmower roared to life.
And then, just for good measure ... The bird pooped on my back.
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
On Friday, Nov. 21, Uranus will lie at opposition -- directly opposite the sun -making it visible in a clear night sky.
BY CLAIRE LYNCH
When good books make great movies
What do “The Jungle Book,” “The Ugly Duckling” and “The Wizard of Oz” all have in common? All three books were written more than 100 years ago. “The Jungle Book,” written by the English journalist Rudyard Kipling, was published in 1894, “The Ugly Duckling,” was written by the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen in 1845, and “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” written by L. Frank Baum, was published in 1900. It is definitely an American story.
The movie version of “The Wizard of Oz” first came out in theatres in the U.S. in 1939 and has been enormously popular. Judy Garland was 16 years old when she played Dorothy Gale in “The Wizard of Oz.” The film made Judy Garland an instant success and she became famous for singing “Over the Rainbow.”
In writing “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” Baum wanted to entertain and delight children. He aimed to create a modernized fairy tale that captured the wonder and joy of traditional stories while leaving out the more sinister elements of the stories. A good example of that is “Little Red Riding Hood” a fairy tale that is entertaining but which certainly has a storyline that can be frightening to kids.
“The Ugly Duckling” is a favorite of my 6-year-old niece, Maddy. When I asked her why, she said that the story had its sad parts but it had a happy ending so she was glad about that.
Then Maddy recounted the storyline for me: The Ugly Duckling was born in
BY CHARLYN FARGO
‘Tis the season for family, festivity and food -- lots of food. Temptations are everywhere, and parties and travel disrupt daily routines. What’s more, it starts before Halloween and goes past the New Year.
How do you stick to your healthy eating goals when everyone around you seems to be splurging? Here are five tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that can help.
No. 1: Holiday-proof your plan. We may not be able to control what food we’re served, and we’re going to see other people eating tempting treats. Have a plan:
--If you have diabetes, eat close to your usual times to keep your blood sugar steady. If your meal is served later than normal, eat a small snack at your usual mealtime and eat a little less when dinner is served. That strategy also works if you’re trying to lose weight.
--Invited to a party? Offer to bring a healthy dish along.
a barnyard with other ducklings but he didn’t fit in with them so he set out to find a place he could call home. He went from one place to another but things didn’t work out for one reason or another. He came upon a farm he liked but the farmer’s cat chased him so he moved on.
In the springtime the Ugly Duckling returned to a lake he had visited before and when he saw his reflection in the water he realized that he had become a beautiful swan. When he joined the swans and they accepted him, he stayed and was happy because he had become part of a family.
Maddy said that she had seen the animated short film which runs for 8 minutes 59 seconds but she said she was very familiar with the story because she’d read the book before seeing the film. It’s got a good moral to the story.
Maddy’s brother, Ben, who’s 7, said his favorite movie is “The Jungle Book.” Ben saw the 1967 animated version of the film and it’s one of his favorites. It tells the story of Mowgli, a young boy who gets lost in the Indian jungle and is raised by wolves.
Mowgli learns the ways of the jungle and becomes part of the wolves’ family. He faces danger from Shere Khan, a tiger who is vicious and sees Mowgli as a threat and wants to kill him. Mowgli becomes close to Baloo, a wise bear, and Bagheera, a black panther, who help him navigate the jungle and learn the “laws of the jungle.”
Although he lived with humans in the village, Mowgli chooses to return
to the jungle where he finds acceptance and belonging with his wolf family. Ben said he likes “The Jungle Book” because it has a lot of action and he also likes the ending of the movie.
Maddy and Ben’s cousin, Joey, who is 8, happened to be at the house when we were talking about good books and movies and he said that he likes “Tarzan.” His dad told him that the author, Edgar Rice Burroughs, published his first Tarzan story in a magazine in 1912. The story was printed in the magazine called “The All-Story” before being released as a novel in June 1914.
Burroughs then developed the characters and several Tarzan books followed. So did several Tarzan movies. Joey said he really enjoyed watching “Tarzan and the Great River” which came out in 1967. In this adventure movie Mike Henry stars as Tarzan, Jan Murray is Capt. Sam Bishop and Manuel Padilla, Jr. is Pepe.
Joey called Tarzan #1 in his book. Maddy, Ben and I laughed at how Joey put it and then he said why he likes Tarzan so much. “It’s a great movie,” Joey told us. “It has underwater footage in South America and shows lots of crocodiles swimming around. Most of all Tarzan is a hero in my book. He’s strong, he has courage and he lived in nature.” We agreed that Tarzan is pretty cool and thanked Joey for reminding us of that.
After talking about many of our favorite movies, Maddy, Ben, Joey and I paused. When I said that “The Bare
Holiday Strategies
--If you want to have a sweet treat, cut back on other carbs (like potatoes and bread) during the meal.
--Don’t skip meals to save up for a feast. You’ll be more likely to overeat.
--If you slip up, get right back to healthy eating with your next meal.
--Choose pumpkin pie instead of pecan to cut calories and sugar by one-third.
--Keep moving. You may need to break physical activity into smaller chunks to fit it in. Taking a walk for 10 minutes, three times a day, adds up to 30 minutes of exercise.
No. 2. Outsmart the buffet. When faced with a spread of delicious holiday food, make healthy choices easier.
--Have a small plate of the foods you like best and then move away from the buffet table.
--Start with vegetables to take the edge off your appetite.
--Eat slowly. It takes at least 20 minutes for your brain to realize you’re full.
--Avoid or limit alcohol. If you do have an alcoholic drink, have it with food.
Necessities” is a fun, peppy song, they agreed. The three kids were about to launch into singing that song but I offered them some cups of hot chocolate and freshly-baked cookies and they all liked that.
While eating our cookies and sipping our hot chocolate I explained that Rudyard Kipling, the author of “The Jungle Book,” was born in India and lived there until age six because his parents had moved there because of his father’s work.
Then they moved back to England so Kipling and his younger sister could attend school and get an English education but Kipling always said he had fond memories of his time in India. He wrote several stories with Mowgli as the main character.
They were interested in hearing about Kipling’s life but after putting their cups and plates in the sink they were still stuck on singing a fun song called “The Bare Necessities” from “The Jungle Book.” Some of the lyrics go:
“ … Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
That’s why a bear can rest at ease
With just the bare necessities of life …”
Before the kids left we agreed that the next time we meet we’ll play a movie - either one of our favorites or one none of us have seen before.
No. 3: Fit in favorites. No food is on the “I can’t have it” list. Choose the dishes you really love and can’t get any other time of year, like Aunt Shirley’s Italian cream cake. Slow down and savor a small serving, and make sure to count it in your meal plan.
No. 4: Keep Moving. We all have a lot on our plates this time of year, and physical activity can get crowded out, even forgotten. However, being active is a secret holiday weapon. It can help make up for eating more than usual and reduce stress during this most stressful time of year. Take a walk after a holiday meal.
No. 5: Get plenty of sleep. Going out more and staying out later often means cutting back on sleep. When we are sleep deprived, we tend to eat more and prefer high-fat, high-sugar food. Aim for seven to eight hours per night to guard against mindless eating.
Most of all, remember what the season is about: celebrating and connecting with the people you care about. When you focus more on the fun, it’s easier to
focus less on the food.
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. . COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
BY TOM MARGENAU
An Antidote to Maximizing Mania
I’ve written about my now deceased friend, Don Winters, before. But I can tell from my emails that it’s time to share his story again.
Every single day, I get emails from readers who seem to be absolutely obsessed with the idea of “maximizing” their Social Security benefits. And frequently, those emails are almost dripping with anxiety and sometimes almost torment. It’s like these folks are just worrying themselves sick that they might be missing out on a few bucks in potential Social Security benefits.
And what I’ve learned over the years is that most people worrying about this are not between a rock and a hard place -- Social Security speaking. Instead, they are between a pillow and a soft place. In other words, they really can’t go wrong no matter which Social Security decision they make. And the difference of a relatively small amount of money between their various Social Security options is not going to make or break them.
Having said that, I do understand the desire to get as much as possible out of the Social Security system. I mean, who wouldn’t like more money, right? Well, maybe not everybody. And that’s where Don comes in. His story goes back to the early days of my career working for the Social Security Administration. It was around that time that I met Don -- who said that he was getting too much money!
Let’s go back to 1973. I was working in a little Social Security branch office in a small farming community in central Illinois. Congress had recently passed the Supplemental Security Income program. As I’ve explained many times in this column, SSI is not a Social Security benefit and is not funded by Social Security taxes. It is a federal welfare program for low-income elderly and disabled people that just happens to be managed by the Social Security Administration.
So anyway, as SSI was being rolled out, SSA employees were sent on a mission to help as many people as possible to apply for the benefits of the new program. But those “benefits” weren’t really all that impressive. At the time, the SSI program could supplement someone’s income up to $160 per month. In other words, if a person was getting a $120 monthly Social Security check and had no other income, he or she could get an additional $40 from the new SSI program.
(Gosh, it may seem to some of my younger readers that I am writing about the Depression era. I even find it hard to believe that in my lifetime, people were living on $160 per month, or even less!)
Well, speaking of even less, one of the folks I came across in our efforts to find people potentially eligible for SSI benefits was Don, an old man living all alone in a two-room house in a modest neighborhood of our little town. Don was about 70 years old. He was single and living on an $80 per month Social Security check. That was his only income in the world! His little house, which he had inherited from his
mother, was paid for, and with the help of food stamps and some assistance from a local government agency with his utility bills, Don managed to get by on that small amount of monthly income.
When he came into the office to see me with a letter we had sent him about the new program, I explained that an SSI check would double his monthly income. Instead of receiving just $80 per month from Social Security, he would get an additional $80 per month from SSI. His monthly income would go up to a whopping $160! But surprisingly, Don was reluctant to sign up. He explained that he was getting by just fine without the extra help. What convinced him to apply for SSI was the bonus of automatic eligibility for Medicaid benefits. (Medicaid is the federal health insurance program for poor people, as opposed to Medicare, which is usually tied to Social Security eligibility and is available to both rich and poor Americans.)
So anyway, Don applied for the new program, and within a few weeks, his monthly SSI checks started to roll in. After he got his first check, I went to his home to visit him. He proudly showed me the used TV he bought with his first SSI check. He said he was sure glad I talked him into signing up for SSI benefits. The next check came in, and I learned that Don bought a toaster oven.
Fast forward about three monthswhen one day, Don parked his bike next to the big picture windows that fronted our little Social Security branch office and walked in. I noticed his bike was festooned with a new basket and bell, and he even added some of those colorful “streamers” you see attached to the handlebar grips of kids’ bikes. (One of the ways Don got by on such a small amount of income was by walking or riding his bike most places he went. He hadn’t owned a car in years.)
He came up to my desk looking a bit sheepish and said, “Tom, I want you to take me off this gosh darn SSI program.” When I asked why, he told me he just didn’t need all that money! I tried to point out that $160 per month really wasn’t all that much money.
But to Don, it was. He said, “Tom, look at my bike. I bought that bell and those silly streamers because I had the extra cash. I look like a damn fool riding around town now.” And then he went on: “And that stupid TV. I used to sit around at night and read. Now I’m glued to that darn contraption, and I waste my time watching ‘Love Boat’ and ‘Laugh In!”
I told Don that he could take the extra money each month and give it away to friends or charities. And I reminded him of the potential benefits of the Medicaid program. He thought about it for a couple of minutes and finally said, “I just don’t want it. I’ve gotten along just fine for years now on my Social Security checks and Medicare. I simply don’t need SSI and Medicaid. And if I start giving the money away, I’ll probably make enemies of those I don’t give it to!”
I had to do a bit of digging through our rule books because I had no idea how to
take someone off the SSI program. But I found the instructions, located the right form needed to withdraw his application, and helped Don fill it out. He signed it and walked out the door a satisfied man. As he got on his bike, I saw him pull the streamers off the handlebar grips and throw them in a trash can.
Later that evening, I stopped by Don’s place. I just wanted to make sure that he really wanted to stop his SSI checks before I submitted his withdrawal form. But as I walked onto the porch of his modest little house, I could see through a window that the TV was gone. Don was sitting in a chair reading. I didn’t even bother knocking on the door to ask him about his decision. I knew he was happy!
Now, I’m not recommending that my readers give up most of their earthly goods and live a simple life. But I am suggesting that there might be other things in life besides a maximized Social Security check that could make you happy.
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
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Your Credit Score: The Hidden Key to Unlocking Your Next Home
If you’ve been thinking about buying a home — whether it’s your first, your next, or an investment property — there’s one number that can quietly make or break your plans: your credit score.
It’s not as exciting as scrolling through listings or touring open houses, but when it comes to real estate, credit is the foundation everything else is built on. Your score affects what kind of loan you qualify for, how much you’ll pay in interest, and even how sellers view you as a buyer.
So, let’s take a closer look at why credit matters so much — especially in markets like Long Island — and what you can do right now to get it working in your favor.
What Your Credit Score Really Says About You
Think of your credit score as your financial reputation. It tells lenders, “Here’s how reliable I’ve been when borrowing money.”
Credit scores usually range from 300 to 850, and most mortgage lenders use something called the FICO model. Here’s a quick breakdown of what affects it:
• Payment history (35%) – Do you pay your bills on time?
• Amounts owed (30%) – How much of your available credit are you using?
• Length of credit history (15%) –How long have your accounts been open?
• New credit (10%) – Have you opened a lot of new accounts recently?
• Credit mix (10%) – Do you have a variety of credit types (like cards, auto loans, etc.)?
These factors combine to form your score — and even a few small changes can make a big difference when you’re ready to buy.
Why Credit Matters When You’re Buying a Home
Here’s where the rubber meets the road: your credit score has a direct impact on the interest rate your lender offers you.
Let’s say two buyers are purchasing homes for $600,000, both putting 20% down. One has a 760 credit score, the other a 660. The first buyer might get a rate around 6.25%, while the second might see 7.5%.
That doesn’t sound like much, but it adds up fast — it could mean paying roughly $350 more per month, or over $125,000 more over 30 years.
That’s a whole extra kitchen ren-
ovation, a few college semesters, or quite a few family vacations!
Minimum Scores for Common Loans
Different mortgage programs have different requirements. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
• Conventional loans: Usually need at least 620, but you’ll get the best rates at 740+.
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
• FHA loans: More flexible — as low as 580 (with 3.5% down), or 500 with 10% down.
• VA loans: For veterans and active-duty military — often no down payment and easier credit guidelines.
• USDA loans: Designed for rural and some suburban areas; generally need a 640+ score.
Of course, credit isn’t the only thing lenders look at — income stability, savings, and debt levels also matter — but it’s one of the biggest factors in determining your costs.
When to Start Working on Your Credit
The best time to start prepping your credit is long before you start shopping for homes. Ideally, give yourself six months to a year to tune things up.
Here’s a simple timeline:
• 12 months out: Check your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport. com. Fix any errors.
• 6 months out: Pay down credit cards below 30% of your limits and keep old accounts open.
• 3 months out: Avoid opening new credit cards or loans.
• 1 month out: Stay steady — don’t make any big purchases or credit moves before closing.
Good credit preparation not only gets you a better loan — it can make your offer stronger when you’re competing against other buyers. Sellers love preapproved buyers with solid financing.
Easy Ways to Boost Your Score
You don’t need to be perfect, but improving your score even by 20–40 points can save you real money. Try these:
1. Always pay on time. Even one late payment can hurt your score.
2. Keep balances low. Using less than 30% of your total credit limit is ideal (under 10% is even better).
3. Limit new credit applications. Each hard inquiry can lower your
score a few points temporarily.
4. Don’t close old cards. Older accounts help your score’s “age.”
5. Mix it up. Having a few different credit types shows lenders you can handle variety.
If you’re right on the edge of a better rate tier, your lender might even do a “rapid rescore,” which updates your report quickly after you pay off debts.
Good Credit = Negotiating Power
Credit doesn’t just get you a loan — it gives you leverage. Sellers (and their agents) tend to favor buyers with solid preapprovals and strong credit because they’re less likely to have financing fall through.
In today’s Long Island market, where well-priced homes can still draw multiple offers, that kind of reliability helps you stand out. A clean credit report tells sellers: This deal is going to close smoothly.
On the flip side, if your credit is weak, you might need to offer a higher price or bigger down payment to stay competitive — and even then, it could make sellers nervous.
For Real Estate Investors, It’s Even Bigger
If you’re an investor or thinking about building a portfolio, credit plays an even bigger role. Excellent credit can open doors to better rates, more flexible financing, and even short-term bridge loans for flipping or renovations. When you want to refinance, pull out equity, or buy multiple properties at once, lenders look closely at your credit as a sign of how well you manage debt. The stronger your credit, the more opportunities you’ll have to expand.
The Bottom Line
Your credit score might not be the most glamorous part of real estate, but it’s one of the most powerful. It’s the difference between paying more or less, winning or losing an offer, and feeling confident versus frustrated during the buying process.
So before you start touring homes or calling movers, take a moment to look at your credit. A few smart moves today could save you thousands — and make your next home purchase a whole lot smoother.
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
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No need to skip the bread, these gluten-free rolls enhance meals
Easy Yeast Rolls
A light and airy roll can enhance any meal. However, many people have to skip the traditional rolls come the holidays or during other times of the year because of food allergies and intolerances. Those who avoid gluten because they have celiac disease or for other reasons can rest easy knowing there is a delicious option that can be whipped up in no time at all.
2 1⁄2 cups Gluten-Free AllPurpose Flour blend (see below) 2 teaspoons salt
1) In a medium mixing bowl, mix together yeast, water and sugar. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the yeast to bloom. 2) In a separate bowl, mix together flour and salt.
These “Easy Yeast Rolls” from “It Just Happens to be Gluten-Free” (Do Life Inspired Publishing) by Jen Fiore are a welcome addition to any table. Makes 12
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large egg 1 cup warm water
3) Add the yeast mixture to the dry mixture along with the egg and oil. Mix together for one minute.
4) Cover the bowl with a towel and let it rise for 30 minutes.
All-Purpose Flour Blend (Bread)
1 1⁄8 cups tapioca flour 1 1⁄8 cups potato starch
2 tablespoons cane sugar
2 1⁄4 teaspoons fast acting yeast 1 egg white (about 1 tablespoon)
5) Divide the dough evenly among the 12 spots in the muffin pan. Smooth the top and sides with a tiny bit of water on a small spatula for a nicely shaped, even-looking roll.
1 cup fine brown rice flour
1 cup fine white rice flour
3 teaspoons xanthan gum
• Each writer will be reimbursed a stipend of $25.⁰⁰ 1) In a large mixing bowl, mix very well with a whisk until all the ingredients are well blended. Store in an airtight container.
Veterans Day commemorated in Floral Park
Rotary Club honors four veterans with special tribute
From page 10
“We believed it was vital to honor those who had given so much of themselves,” said Richard Burgess, president of the Floral Park-Bellerose Rotary Club. “By sharing their stories, we hoped to inspire others and remind our neighbors of the living history in our midst.”
The Rotary Club encouraged residents to join this gesture of gratitude—whether by attending local events or simply thanking a veteran in their lives. This effort echoes the Rotary ideal of “Service Above Self” in action.
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Local elected officials listen as Rev. Thomas Fusco, pastor of Our Lady of Victory, gives the invocation.
Members of Floral Park Boy Scout Troop 4 march in the Veterans Day parade
The Girl Scouts had a large group attending.
Vijay Thillainathan (center) newest member of the Rotary Club of Floral Park - Bellerose was inducted by Mayor Kevin Fitzpatrick (right) with Rich Burgess, president
Bob Murray, American Legion Post 0344 Commander, Rich Burgess, President of Rotary, and Jim McDonald, Past Commander
Members of the Rotary Club of Floral Park - Bellerose at their monthly meeting on November 11th at Post & Union.
Reviving Hope: A Breakthrough Approach to Treating Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
"Several years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemotherapy treatments. I'm now in remission and blessed to still be here, but I was in so much pain. My feet and hands were constantly burning - a tingling sensation, almost like when your leg or arm falls asleep," shared Mary of Westbury.
Mary was suffering from Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy or CIPN. While chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells, they are not exactly discriminating in what they destroy. The smaller nerves, specifically those in your hands and feet, are some of the first to be harmed. Those suffering from peripheral neuropathy have described this pain as “burning,” “tingling,” “like walking on sharp rocks,” or like Mary explained, that fuzzy, tingling pain you experience during paresthesia (the technical term for when a limb “falls asleep”).
"Standing all day was not just a challenge, it caused me physical agony. Keeping up with my busy schedule - forget about it. I couldn't even go for walks on the beach." Mary, like so many others, was prescribed Gabapentin to help with the pain and told there was nothing anyone could do. In their words: “There is no treatment for neuropathy.”
Fortunately for Mary, where Western medicine fails, Westbury Acupuncture tends to
National Board-Certified Acupuncturist, has been blending the time-tested science of acupuncture with modern, medical technology to design a real solution for peripheral neuropathy that doesn’t involve invasive surgeries or prescription medications with uncomfortable side effects.
These Renew Nerve Ⓡ protocols, specific to Westbury Acupuncture and its network of certified providers, actually treat neuropathy versus attempting to mask its symptoms.
"Acupuncture is incredible at restoring blood flow and stimulating damaged nerves. It’s been used for centuries to treat peripheral neuropathy and similar conditions” tells Jae Won. “We take our treatments a step further by integrating ATP Resonance BioTherapy Ⓡ , which targets specific nerves in the body using microcurrent. ATP Resonance BioTherapyⓇ is
treatment stimulates the blood vessels to grow back around the peripheral nerves and provide them with the proper nutrients and energy they need to repair and recover.”
ATP Resonance BioTherapy Ⓡ was originally designed by NASA to speed up healing and recovery. “To have access to this kind of technology has been life changing for our patients” shares Gen, one of the incredibly compassionate Patient Care Technicians at Westbury Acupuncture. “We even have people asking if they can take the equipment home, so we’re working on developing some at-home options for our less mobile patients.”
After only four weeks of treatment, Mary is already seeing incredible improvement. "I've taken the handicap placard off my rearview mirror and I'm finally back to walking on the beach. I can't wait to see how I feel at the end of my program! I used to think that
the neuropathy pain was just the price I have to pay for still being alive. Jae Won has really given me hope for a better life!"
Jae Won L.Ac and the staff at Westbury Acupuncture have a 90% success rate in reversing peripheral neuropathy, and not just that caused by chemotherapy. They also have tremendous success in treating diabetic neuropathy and neuropathy of undetermined origin, otherwise known as idiopathic neuropathy. “I watched my grandmother suffer with neuropathy during her final years and it broke my heart when she was told there was nothing they could do. This condition is one of the main reasons I went into medicine. Since then, I’ve been on a quest to help people truly thrive in their golden years.”
The number of treatments needed to allow the nerves to fully recover will vary from person to person and can only be determined after a comprehensive consultation and detailed neurological evaluation.
If you or someone you love is suffering from peripheral neuropathy, call (516) 500-8281 to schedule.
For new patients, an initial consultation is complimentary. Simply visit www.WestburyAcupuncture.com for more information and to take advantage of this offer.
