TO NASSAU COUNTY
THE LION KING, JR.
On Nov. 14 -15 audiences were transported to the Pride Lands as Sewanhaka Central High School District’s middle school performers took the stage in Disney’s “The Lion King Jr.” See page 4
Village rallies for Small Biz Saturday
BY RIKKI MASSAND
Floral Park and Stewart Manor businesses are gearing up to welcome residents, extended families, friends, and visitors into their walkable commercial districts for a bustling holiday season.
The Village’s annual Tree Lighting ceremony and Holiday Market — sponsored by the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce — is just days away, set for Friday, Decem-
ber 5th, at Memorial Park beginning at 5 p.m. Chamber director and village resident Jose Rosario will serve as emcee for the festivities.
Small Business Saturday
Floral Park’s Village Board of Trustees remains a strong supporter of the local business community and its two chambers of commerce: the Floral Park Chamber and the Covert Avenue Chamber.
Deputy Mayor Dr. Lynn Pom-
bonyo, liaison to both chambers, highlighted the significance of the national Small Business Saturday event taking place this weekend — and how it all began.
Residents can also take advantage of free parking throughout the Floral Park and Stewart Manor business districts all day this Saturday.
“Save the date: November 29th is the day that we
See page 4
Floral Park BOT approves funds for ambulance, equipment
BY RIKKI MASSAND
The Floral Park Village Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, November 18th included approval of a bond resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds or bond anticipation notes (BANs) in an amount up to $550,000 to finance the purchase of a new ambulance and related equipment. The resolution also authorizes the village administrator-treasurer to execute all necessary documents.
A related resolution addressed a procedural action stating that the ambulance acquisition has no significant environmental impact under SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review Act).
Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald clarified that neither of the resolutions approved on November 18th authorizes the actual purchase of the ambulance. “The resolutions are just to issue the bonds for it, if need be,” he said.
The Board also approved a “Master Services Agreement” with Capturepoint, LLC, in the amount of $9,925 for software and services for the village pool, and authorized the village administrator to sign the contract.
Later in the meeting, Village Trustee Michael Longobardi discussed the first of several major public hearings on the proposed mixed-use redevelopment of the former Stella restaurant site along
Jericho Turnpike. The initial hearing will be held at the next Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, December 2nd at 8:30 p.m. in Village Hall.
“The purpose of this public hearing is specifically to request approval for the underground parking,” Longobardi said. “This hearing will not result in any approval for the project; this is just the first of several public meetings in the process. While aspects of the full project will be presented during the hearing, zoning items such as building height and the number of parking spots will be reviewed and decided separately by the Board of Zoning Appeals at a later date.”
The trustees also approved a resolution determining that accepting a proposal from Island Wide Engineering to provide engineering services for the proposed Stella development constitutes a SEQRA Type II action, with no significant environmental impact.
Mayor Fitzgerald encouraged public participation in the upcoming hearing. “We welcome all residents and interested parties to attend the public hearing on December 2nd, and that will begin at 8:30 p.m. Immediately prior to it, we will hold our normal Board of Trustees meeting starting at 8 p.m. Please note that the public hearing won’t start until 8:30 p.m.,” he said.
See page 3
December at the Floral Park Library
‘Tis the season…for lighting the Library lions. The Library is hosting the inaugural lighting of the lions –Hugo and Ethan – that greet patrons and visitors at the Library’s main entrance. Attendees young and older can sip hot chocolate, sing songs of the season, and make merry as they await a visit from Olaf. Join the Library staff as they welcome in the holidays on Sunday, December 7, 3:45 p.m. on the Library lawn.
Patrons are invited to share in the spirit of the season with a donation of a new, unwrapped toy to Tricia’s Kids, a 501c3 organization founded in memory of Tricia De Maria, who loved all things Christmas. The donation box is located in the Library lobby.
And, Chef Julie is in the gingerbread house with two Family sessions, along with the family friendly PG-rated Dog Man movie on New Year’s Eve afternoon.
Teen creativity is on the calendar with a DIY Mini Zen garden program, along with a Cricut class and forever favorite P[art]y Art event.
Anastasia Garcia, author of the new children’s book “Creepy Campfire Stories: Frights to Tell at Night,” returns to the Library to share her story with kids ages 7–12. Floral Park’s own Smile Starters Pediatric Dentistry reads a story and discusses good oral hygiene, and Brian the Librarian (DJ Shhhh) leads a Tiny Beats Storytime.
There’s Christmas in a Bag for the
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.
pre-K through 3rd graders crowd, and a K-Pop Demon Hunters Party for K thru 3rd graders. P[art]y Art hosts two sessions: pre-K through 2nd grade, and 3rd thru 5th grade.
Play Hooray, and A Time for Kids Baby Start and Family Pre-School Hour round out December’s offerings for the younger set.
Adults have already sold out Cathy Buckley’s Holiday Ornament Watercolor classes and Yvette Cheng’s Acrylic Ornament program. Chef Barbara Sheridan hosts A Holiday Open House food program, and promises a special dessert for all to enjoy (a few spots remain).
The English Language Learner class meets weekly on Tuesday evenings. Beginning in January, there will be two levels – Beginners and Intermediate. Pre-registration is required for both.
The Monday Morning Friends of the Floral Park Library Book Club meets on Monday, December 1, and the Evening Edition Book Club discusses T J Clune’s “The House in the Cerulean Sea” on December 11.
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 on
Wednesday, December 10, at 7:30 p.m.
The meeting is open to the public (use the rear entrance of the Library).
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).
The Library is closed on Wednesday, December 24, for Christmas Eve, and Thursday, December 25, for Christmas.
On New Year’s Eve, December 31, the Library closes at 5:00 p.m.
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. Hand knitted scarves and gloves are available, too, and make a great stocking stuffer! Follow the Library on Facebook (floralparklibrary), X (fplibrary17), or Instagram (fplibrary 17, floralparkchildrens, fpplteens).
Trustee Longobardi also reported on several ongoing construction projects throughout the village. The new restaurant at 99 Covert Avenue is progressing, and construction at the Covert Avenue fire property is underway with completion expected next summer. Construction dates for the Storage Post project at 50 Carnation Avenue will be announced soon. The King Arms building at 60 Plainfield Avenue continues to undergo fire-related restoration work, with no date yet available for pre-occupancy.
Village Market on Tulip Avenue is continuing façade improvements, with construction expected to run through the end of the year. “Required temporary sidewalk protection has been installed on the Tulip Avenue side for pedestrian protection,” Longobardi noted.
He reminded residents that all sidewalk, curb, and walkway replacements require permits from the Village of Floral Park. For information, call the Building Department at 516-326-6319 or email FPBuildings@fpvillage.org
Longobardi also announced the next meeting of TVASNAC—the Town-Village Aircraft Safety & Noise Abatement Committee—scheduled for Monday, November 24th at Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street.
Two Floral Park Police Department items were approved on November
18th. The Board authorized Police Officer Joseph Sawicki’s attendance at the MPTC reality-based training instructor course at the State Preparedness Training Center in Oriskany from January 12–16, 2026. The Board also approved Officer John Clune’s attendance at Glock Armorer Training at the Town of Islip DPS on January 13th, 2026, at a cost of $300.
Though the date is months away, Village Trustee Jennifer Stewart encouraged residents to “save the date” for June 20th, 2026, when the Village of Floral Park will host multiple celebrations.
As part of her Cultural Arts Committee report, she discussed planning for the Village Picnic and Fireworks Show, which kicks off the Summer Concert Series. June 20th will also serve as the village’s celebration of the United States Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary). Plans include a late-afternoon patriotic parade on Tulip Avenue followed by fireworks at the Recreation Center.
With Thanksgiving approaching, Mayor Fitzgerald closed the meeting by sharing his appreciation for those who keep the village running. “In the spirit of Thanksgiving I would like to thank my fellow Board members, all the staff and employees and volunteers in the village that make Floral Park a great place to live, 24/7 and 365 days a year.” the mayor said.
Student Council officers
Floral Park-Bellerose School’s Student Council officers for the 2025–26 school year are President Faith Persic, Vice President Shane Galla, Treasurer Connor King and Secretary Harper Hammid.
The school hosted elections on Nov. 4, inviting students in grades 5–6 to watch the candidates’ speeches and vote in their classrooms. This year’s Student Council moderators are speech language pathologist Keisha Persaud and teacher Alyssa Garcia.
From left: Floral Park-Bellerose School’s Student Councill President Faith Persic, Vice President Shane Galla, Treasurer Connor King and Secretary Harper Hammid. Photo courtesy of the Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District
Village rallies for Small Business Saturday
will join in celebrating Small Business Saturday! American Express created this annual event, held two days after Thanksgiving, to publicize small businesses and energize consumers by promoting shopping in their own communities during the holiday season. Our local governing bodies have waived all parking meter fees in our business districts to celebrate small businesses and their customers on this very busy community shopping day,” the deputy mayor said. She added, “In Floral Park, our small businesses are highly popular. We are blessed with a rich variety of businesses that offer products and services that we can see and select firsthand. Many businesses have treated their customers like family over several generations while others are brand new here, and the number is steadily increasing. Many of our business owners and their employees are also our neighbors and friends, and Floral Park strives to welcome those from near and far.”
Ideas for celebrating, shopping locally
Floral Park Chamber of Commerce
President Shane Parouse, a village resident raising his family in town, offered
several ideas for enjoying the season while supporting local businesses. He suggested picking up sweet treats, cakes, cookie boxes, and warm seasonal drinks at Buttercooky Bakery, which will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving, November 27th. The bakery’s new Dubai Chocolate cannolis are already a hit for holiday parties, office gatherings, and family celebrations.
For those who prefer to dine out, Buttercooky’s signature restaurant, BC Bistro American-European Fusion at 225 Jericho Turnpike, is a village favorite. The Floral Park Chamber hosted its monthly dinner meeting there on November 6th. Two months earlier, on September 11th, the chamber held its “Back to Business” networking dinner across the street at Mann Sarka, an Asian-fusion and sushi destination. Parouse noted that these and other Tulip Avenue establishments are ideal for families seeking a break from cooking.
“Give yourselves a break from the Thanksgiving cooking and leftovers, and check out the innovative menu at Mann Sarka. There are seafood and sushi specials and terrific mixed
drinks,” he said.
Parouse also suggested picking out Christmas and Hanukkah decorations at Raindew Family Center at 73 Covert Avenue.
Another stop he recommended: Levine’s at 158 Tulip Avenue, stocked with children’s toys and gifts.
And for wellness lovers, Here and Now Yoga, Wellness & Arts Collective (22 Verbena Avenue) will host Open Level Yoga Flow at 9:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, November 27th, followed by a “Black Friday Sanctuary” session at 9:30 a.m. the next day with Michelle Ingkovet Cavanagh. The studio will also begin its Black Friday sales and membership specials. Call 516-8803924 or visit hereandnowyoga.com for details.
Supporting Businesses Year-Round
Deputy Mayor Dr. Pombonyo said she is honored to represent the Village at meetings of both thriving chambers. She shared words of gratitude for the Floral Park Chamber, led by Parouse and its board of directors, as well as the Covert Avenue Chamber — which includes Stewart Manor businesses —
led by President Rene Jorglewich and her board.
“Our small businesses stand out in our daily lives. Floral Park wouldn’t be the greatest place to live, work, and raise a family without them. They contribute significantly to our village’s economy and to our personal and collective quality of life,” she said. Her message, echoed at chamber events and Village Board meetings, is a call to “make it a joyous and prosperous holiday season in Floral Park.” She added, “Let’s honor our village businesses on Small Business Saturday and always — shop, dine, and celebrate local.”
The Floral Park Chamber will close out the year with its final monthly gathering: the annual Holiday Party at Nancy’s Restaurant, 255-41 Jericho Turnpike, on Thursday, December 11th, from 6 to 10 p.m. The evening includes an Ugly Holiday Sweater contest, and attendees are invited to bring an unwrapped toy for local nonprofit Tricia’s Kids. Details are available at floralparkchamber.org.
Friends of Library Craft Fair
The Friends of the Floral Park Library will be holding a Craft Fair on Saturday, November 29, from 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
Start your holiday shopping and help support the Library!
Christmas Wreath Sale
The Boy Scouts of Troop 482 will be holding a wreath sale on Saturday, November 29, at the Floral Park Public Library from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Come down and support the scouts by purchasing a pre-decorated wreath for only $30 per wreath.
Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call the Garden City office today 294-8900 for more information.
THERE REALLY IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME.
Our surgery patients go home faster and are readmitted less often.
At NYU Langone, we’re doing all we can to make sure our patients receive the best care during and after their hospital stay, so they can go home and stay home. Shorter hospital stays reduce your risk of infection, medication side effects, and complications. Plus, you can get back to the things you love most: your own bed, family dinners, and life as usual.
But getting you home is only half the story. Our low readmission rates mean you won’t have to come back days or weeks later for the same issue. Because when it comes to hospital stays, nobody wants a sequel. Just another reason we’re ranked #1 for quality care in the U.S.
“The Lion King, Jr.” performed by Sewanhaka students
Students
Audiences were transported to the Pride Lands as Sewanhaka Central High School District’s middle school performers took the stage in Disney’s “The Lion King Jr.” Held Nov. 14–15 in Elmont Public Library’s 400-seat theater, the production was made possible through the district’s annual partnership with local theater organization Plaza Theatrical.
From the first audition to the final bow, more than 30 young actors experienced every part of putting on a show and learned what it takes to bring a story to the stage. During rehearsals, they worked on blocking, figuring out where to stand, when to move and how to share the space with one another. Between runthroughs, they practiced their lines with increasing confidence, shifting from reading the script to fully own -
ing their roles.
The cast also put solid work into the musical numbers, performing favorites like “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”
“The district is most appreciative of the partnership with Plaza Theatrical and the Elmont Public Library Theatre,” Superintendent of Schools Regina Agrusa said. “This collaboration continues to result in outstanding opportunities for our district students. Our talented middle school thespians were singing, dancing and smiling the entire time. Such joy and pride were seen and felt. Congratulations to all our student performers on a spectacular night at the theatre.”
Photos courtesy of the Sewanhaka Central High School District
The production was in partnership with local theatre organization Plaza Theatrical.
The perfomances took place at the Elmont Public Library.
Sewanhaka Central High School District’s seventh and eighth graders are pictured during a rehearsal for “The Lion King Jr.”
earned medals at the Certamen Autumnale.
More than 30 students took part in the production of "The Lion King, Jr."
From Despair to Hope: Conquering Peripheral Neuropathy with Westbury Acupuncture
“It’s as though I’m stepping from razor blade to razor blade.”
“It feels like my feet are under attack by fire ants.”
“Like I’m walking on wet paint with rolled up socks.”
And you’re in this kind of pain all the time.
“It’s relentless, keeping you up at night and preventing you from doing even the most mundane tasks. Things that I used to take for granted, like wearing shoes and going grocery shopping. Two of my three children were getting married last year and I wasn’t even sure I was going to be able to attend their weddings,” shares Rose W.
tailor treatments based on a number of factors including the severity of your neuropathy, how long you’ve had it, whether or not there are any underlying factors, things of that nature. It’s because of these personalized treatment programs that we’re seeing such incredible results!”
Rose was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in 2015, a degenerative condition affecting almost 5% of people over the age of 55.
“My doctor sat me down and said, ‘Rose I’m so sorry to tell you this, but you have peripheral neuropathy. I’m going to prescribe you gabapentin to manage the discomfort but overall, neuropathy is untreatable.’ My first thought was, ‘we can cure cancer but you can’t stop my feet from hurting?’ It felt like a cruel joke.”
While neuropathy can be caused by a number of things
including diabetes and chemotherapy, over 23% of neuropathy cases are classified as idiopathic. In layman's terms, the cause is unknown. This was the case with Rose. “Basically every question I had was met with an ‘I don’t know.’ It was depressing to say the least.”
Eventually, Rose was forced to quit her job because the numbness had started to set in and prevented her from driving.
Fortunately for Rose, she came across an article in the local newspaper featuring Jae Won Kim L.Ac and his innovative approach to treating peripheral neuropathy. “At first, I thought it had to be a sham. After so many specialists told me there was no hope, here was this acupuncturist in the
article claiming a 90% success rate in treating neuropathy! I just had to call, and I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am that I did.”
Jae Won Kim, founder of Westbury Acupuncture, says that cases like Rose’s are incredibly common. “Almost all of my neuropathy patients have been told at one point or another that there is no hope. I like to think I specialize in offering hope.”
To quote the New York Times, “Chinese medicine proves itself where Western medicine fails.”
“Acupuncture has been treating complicated, chronic conditions like neuropathy for thousands of years,” shares Jae Won. “I start with a foundation based on this time-tested science and my clinical experience. I then
Four months after treatment, Rose is back at work and thriving. “Being back at work isn’t even the most exciting part,” exclaims Rose. “Not only was I able to attend my son’s wedding, but I could walk down the aisle! It was the most magical moment and I have Jae Won to thank for it. To think, I might’ve missed that.” Rose held back tears.
If you or someone you love is suffering with chronic pain that presents as burning, tingling, or ‘pins and needles,’ or you’ve recently been diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy, it’s important to know that there are options.
There is hope. Call (516) 500-8281 to schedule an initial consultation or visit WestburyAcupuncture.com to read more incredible success stories.
November 28, 2025
Holiday Celebrations, Cultural Attractions Turn NYC Into Winter Wonderland
COMPILED BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM
New York City’s holiday season festivities kick off with the 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, heralding in a cornucopia of festive performances, winter exhibits, holiday light displays:
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights, Select Nights, select evenings (Nov. 21-23, 28-30, Dec. 4-7, 11-14, 18-23, 26-31, Jan. 2-4). Holiday Lights is a walkthrough event where you journey through six immersive wildlife lantern trails featuring geographic-themed regions and the magical Forest of Color. More than 400 lanterns representing 100 animal and plant species; Freeze Zone; The Enchanted Sea; music and light performances, nightly ice-carving demonstrations, Wildlife Theater puppet adventures, s’mores roasting, bug carousel and holiday train,. Tickets required and must be reserved in advance; available online at BronxZoo.com/Holiday-Lights, info at bronxzoo.com/holiday-lights.
New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show, thru-Jan. 11, Bedford Park, Bronx: For the 34th year, the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory is filled with 200 twinkling landmark replicas as model trains weave through iconic NYC scenes. Holiday Train Nights offer a magical after-dark experience.
Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, thru Jan. 4, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, now in its fifth year, features dazzling light installations, reimagined art, music and special attractions, highlighting the Garden’s winter beauty.
Holidays at Rockefeller Center, December: See the iconic Rockefel-
Santa’s arrival at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade ushers in New York City’s holiday season © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
ler Center Christmas Tree; ice skate at The Rink at Rockefeller Center, and ride to the Top of the Rock observation deck for a 360-degree views and photo opportunities with Santa on select dates and times.
Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, thru Jan. 4: The beloved holiday tradition returns to the iconic Radio City Music Hall for its 100-year anniversary. One million people come each holiday season to experience its stunning costumes, joyful music, precise choreography and innovative performances. Multiple shows daily.
A Christmas Carol at PAC NYC: thru Dec. 28: An immersive, intimate staging crafted by Tony Award-winning playwright Jack Thorne and director Matthew Warchus.
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at the New York City Ballet, Nov. 28–Jan. 4: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at New York City Center,
Dec. 3–Jan. 4: Classic works from the Ailey repertory including Revelations
The Brooklyn Nutcracker Presented by the Brooklyn Ballet at The Theater at City Tech, Dec. 6–7 and 13–14 reimagines the classic ballet through the lens of Brooklyn’s diverse cultural tapestry, blending iconic characters with hip hop, pop and lock and bohemian flair.
ROB LAKE MAGIC with Special Guests The Muppets, thru Jan. 18: World-renowned illusionist Rob Lake brings his magic to Broadway, joined by Kermit the Frog and friends.
Holidays with the New York Philharmonic, Dec. 10–Dec. 20: Conductor Jane Glover leads the chorus of Music of the Baroque in Handel’s Messiah. Families enjoy Home Alone on screen as John Williams’s score is performed live; also family friendly Sounds of the Season matinees.
The Magic Flute at the Metropolitan Opera, Dec. 11–Jan. 3: The Met’s abridged, English-language
family-friendly production by Tony Award-winning director Julie Taymor. On Dec. 14 enjoy a free Holiday Open House before the performance with special family activities.
Festive Concerts at Carnegie Hall, December: Highlights include the Orchestra of St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble performing Corelli and Vivaldi; the Princeton Nassoons; the Oratorio Society of New York’s 151st consecutive Messiah; the Christmas Night Opera Gala with stars Sondra Radvanovsky and Thomas Hampson and Concert of the Future: A Christmas Dream. Holiday Festivities at The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, Dec. 13–Dec. 31, Morningside Heights: Concerts include the Joy of Christmas featuring Bach’s Magnificat and the renowned New Year’s Eve Concert for Peace with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
A Christmas Carol: The Manuscript, Nov. 25–Jan. 11: See Charles Dickens’s original manuscript in J. Pierpont Morgan’s Library.
Hudson Yards’ 6th annual “Shine Bright at Hudson Yards Presented by Wells Fargo” features 2 million twinkling lights, 115 miles of string lights, 725 trees, and iconic 32-foot hot air balloon, ten 11-foot-tall Toy Soldier and six free, pop-up performances.
Holiday Under the Stars and Broadway Under the Stars at The Shops at Columbus Circle: Be dazzled by 300,000 lights and 44 glowing stars, enjoy “Broadway Under the Stars,” free performances.
For all there is to do and see in New York City, visit nyctourism.com.
© 2025 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com
Celestial Guests Join the Winter Hexagon
BY DENNIS MAMMANA
Week of November 30 - December 6, 2025
The brilliant moon illuminates our night sky again this week, reaching its full phase on Thursday, Dec. 4. All that extra light in the sky means that stargazers will see only the brightest of celestial objects over its glare. Fortunately, there will be plenty of them, but you’ll need to be patient.
Step outdoors around 9:30 or 10 p.m. and you’ll see rising in the east the most brilliant stars of the entire year. These are the stars of winter, making their early appearance in our late autumn sky.
We can connect these bright stars with imaginary lines to form one of the largest asterisms in all the heavens: the Winter Hexagon (or Winter Oval, if you prefer).
To trace it out, let’s start with Sirius, the brightest of all the nighttime stars, twinkling wildly just above the southeastern horizon. Sirius marks the ancient constellation of Canis Major, the great dog, but let’s not worry about that for now; Sirius will simply form the starting point of the Winter Hexagon.
From Sirius, follow a line toward the left until you encounter another fairly bright star. This is Procyon, part of Canis Minor, the little dog. Then continue leftward, but begin heading upward also. Here you’ll find two nearly equally bright stars known as Pollux and Castor, the main stars in Gemini, the twins. Above these two lies another really bright one: Capella in Auriga, the charioteer.
From Capella, slide downward and to the right until you come upon the reddish-orange star Aldebaran i n
Taurus. Dropping down even farther, you’ll find Rigel in Orion, the hunter. Finally, you’ll return to Sirius, where your journey began.
And inside the Hexagon -- a bit below its center -lies another bright star that marks the right shoulder of Orion, the hunter. This is the red supergiant star known as Betelgeuse.
All totaled, this easy asterism encompasses half of the 18 brightest stars visible to stargazers from the Earth’s Northern Hemisphere!
Now, before you got to Pollux, you encountered a dazzlingly bright “star” and must have wondered why it is not part of the Hexagon. That’s because it’s not a star, but a planet (Jupiter) and, as regular readers know, planets appear to move among the stars as they orbit the sun. Over the next few months, keep an eye on Jupiter’s position relative to Castor and Pollux, and you’ll see exactly what I mean. You can even make sketches or photograph the area to compare changes.
The moon also appears to drift among the stars as it orbits eastward around the Earth, and this week you’ll see it appearing to pass through the Hexagon. Every month, the moon makes one complete circuit eastward around our planet, and unlike planets, we can see its position change every night.
Watch for the full moon to enter the Winter Hexagon on the night of Dec. 4, when it appears about midway between the stars Aldebaran and Capella. The next night, though, you’ll notice that it has moved considerably eastward, and by Dec. 6 you’ll see it quite close to Castor, Pollux and Jupiter, before it leaves the Hexagon behind on the 7th.
LOST IN SUBURBIA
Getting
BY TRACY BECKERMAN
“What happened to your ankle?” asked my neighbor when he saw the orthopedic boot on my left foot.
“I tripped while I was in Pamplona running with the bulls,” I told him.
He raised his eyebrows. “Really?”
“Not really,” I admitted. “I was actually climbing Machu Pichu, and I fell over a llama.”
“Seriously?” he said. I nodded. Heck, I’d already been called a klutz. Why not a liar too?
In truth, I had not been running with the bulls or falling over llamas. I had simply been walking when I turned my foot in a hole in the pavement. Then I turned it again and again over several months until, eventually, I ended up in a walking boot which, of course, called a lot of attention to the fact that I had an injury. And naturally, when people see you injured, they want to know how it happened. Since the actual story wasn’t very dramatic, I felt compelled to come
Off on the Wrong Foot
up with something more interesting.
“I fell while I was heli-skiing in the Chilean Andes,” I told another person.
“Wow! I didn’t know you ski,” she said.
“I don’t,” I said. “That’s why I fell.”
And then there was this friend:
“What happened to your ankle?” she asked.
I was caving in Transylvania, and I tripped on a stalactite,” I replied.
“Don’t those hang from the ceiling of a cave?” she asked.
“Um. Yes,” I said. “I was ceiling walking. It’s a new sport.”
Sadly, I have a long history of injuring myself in stupid ways. Anyone who knows me knows I’m not the most graceful person on the planet to start with. When I was a kid, I once sprained my ankle standing still. I’m not exactly sure how that happened, but as I recall, I think I told everyone that I lost my balance while the planet was rotating.
Not surprisingly, I felt it was kind of embarrassing to trip on air. So this
time around, I decided to come up with a good story. People were used to me embellishing stories anyway. So what difference would it make if I said I hurt my ankle flipping a ninja in a mixed martial arts competition? Or getting slapped in the foot by a dorsal fin while tagging humpback whales? Or being chased by a dingo while bagging rattlesnakes in the Outback?
Were all these explanations a little over the top? Probably not, if I was Bear Grylls. But for a suburban mom whose idea of adventure is traveling without a backup roll of toilet paper, I could see why some people might find my excuses a little implausible.
Still, I, for one, found the whole thing immensely entertaining, and coming up with crazy explanations was a good way to pass the time while I was in physical therapy.
But then one day I was in the supermarket, and as I turned a corner to go up another aisle, I slipped on a broken egg on the floor, slid into a display of
soup cans and had one fly off the shelf and conk me in the head. Fortunately, my ankle was OK. But there was a knot on my forehead the size of Texas.
That night when my husband got home, he saw the bump on my forehead and shook his head.
“Oh jeez, honey. What happened now?”
“I slipped on a broken egg, slid across the floor and got whacked in the head by a flying can of tomato soup,” I explained.
He shook his head.
“Sorry, but you better come up with something else. No one is going to believe you.”
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
Winter Hexagon, also known as the Winter Oval, is one of the largest asterisms in the heavens.
Long Island and U.S. Housing Markets Enter a Major Reset
Low inventory, elevated mortgage rates, and affordability pressures are reshaping how sellers, buyers, and investors navigate the 2025 real estate landscape.
The Great Market Reset: What Sellers, Buyers, and Investors Must Understand in Today’s Housing Climate
For anyone trying to sell, buy, or invest in real estate today—on Long Island or anywhere across the United States—one truth rises above the noise: we are living through the most significant market reset in over a decade. The combination of elevated mortgage rates, historically tight inventory, and a widening affordability gap has reshaped the playing field for every participant in the market.
The post-pandemic boom has faded, but it has not been replaced by a traditional slowdown. Instead, we now have a market defined by contradictions: high prices paired with cautious buyers, low supply combined with softer demand, and investors searching for yield in an environment where borrowing costs eat into returns. Understanding this landscape is the key to navigating the next 12–18 months.
A Market That Won’t Move— Because Sellers Won’t Move
The most defining feature of today’s housing market is supply—or more accurately, the lack of it. Across the U.S., inventory remains far below historical norms. Long Island mirrors the national picture, with homeowner tenure growing longer and listing activity dropping.
Why is this happening? The answer is simple: mortgage rate lock-in.
Millions of homeowners refinanced into 2.5% to 4% mortgages between 2020 and 2022. Trading a 3% rate for a 6–7% rate increases a typical monthly payment by hundreds or even thousands of dollars. This has paralyzed would-be sellers who might otherwise upgrade, downsize, or relocate.
On Long Island in particular— where property taxes are higher than the national average—the payment shock of today’s rates is even more pronounced. The result is a gridlock cycle:
• Homeowners stay put
• Listings stay scarce
• Buyers compete over fewer properties
• Prices remain surprisingly firm
Even now, with sales volume lower than past years, prices have not meaningfully corrected. This is the “new normal” until mortgage rates fall or a surge of new construction changes the balance—neither of which is happening quickly.
Affordability Hits a Breaking Point
While inventory remains constrained, affordability has deteriorated. This is the second major force shaping the 2025 market.
Home prices have not adjusted downward enough to offset the effect of higher borrowing costs. Wages, meanwhile, have not kept pace with the rising cost of ownership. Today’s buyers must contend with:
• Higher mortgage rates
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
• Higher insurance premiums
• Higher property taxes
• Higher maintenance costs
On Long Island, where housing costs were already among the highest in the nation, this affordability squeeze has pushed many first-time buyers either into smaller properties, different neighborhoods, or in some cases out of the region entirely.
Nationally, this trend looks similar. Many markets that saw double-digit appreciation during the pandemic continue to price out young families, pushing people toward more affordable Sun Belt or Midwestern locations. But even those markets have become more expensive relative to income.
The affordability problem is not cyclical anymore—it’s structural. And it will shape market behavior for years to come.
Buyers Are More Cautious —But Still Motivated
Despite affordability pressures, buyer demand has not disappeared. What has changed is buyer psychology.
Today’s purchasers are more selective, more hesitant, and require more justification for a property’s asking price. Gone are the days of unconditional offers and frantic bidding wars on every listing. Instead, buyers are demanding:
• Better condition
• Fair pricing
• Seller concessions
• Credits for repairs
• Rate buy downs
In the U.S. and on Long Island, the buyers who are most active fall into several groups:
1. Life-driven movers (marriage, divorce, new children, job relocation)
2. Financially stable families upgrading after years of pent-up demand
3. Individuals seeking multigenerational living arrangements
4. High-income earners leaving rental markets due to rising rents
These buyers are ready to act—but only when the property clearly earns its price tag.
Sellers Must Shift Their Strategies
For sellers, the takeaway is clear: this is no longer the 2021–2022 market. Buyers expect value, transparency, and preparation.
The smartest Long Island and U.S. sellers today are using tools such as:
• Pre inspections to reduce surprises
• Light repairs and cosmetic improvements (paint, floors, kitchens)
• Realistic pricing driven by recent comparable sales
• Offering rate buydowns or closing credits
• Professional staging and photography
Homes that hit the market in well-prepared condition and priced in line with local trends still move quickly—even with elevated rates. But overpriced, poorly maintained, or unprepared listings sit longer, forcing price reductions that ultimately hurt the seller more.
Investors Are Rewriting Their Playbooks
Investors face a different challenge. The era of cheap money is over—for now. Cash flow is harder to achieve, cap rates have not risen enough to offset rate increases, and insurance costs have surged, especially in coastal regions.
As a result, U.S. and Long Island investors are shifting toward:
• Value-add opportunities
• Distressed or off-market deals
• Probate and inherited properties
• Long-tenured owners looking to exit
• Properties needing cosmetic or structural upgrades
These are the opportunities where margins still exist.
Multifamily remains appealing, but not at any price. Single-family rentals still perform well, but investors are prioritizing markets and neighborhoods with stable demand and lower taxes. The essential mindset for investors now is caution combined with creativity.
When Will the Market Truly Reset?
There is widespread speculation about when mortgage rates will fall. Many buyers are waiting for 5% rates; many sellers are hoping for a return to the ultra-low rate world. Neither is likely in the near term.
Even if rates fall modestly, the supply side of the housing market is so tight that lower rates would likely unleash a wave of pent-up demand far greater
than the increase in inventory. This would push prices higher, not lower.
On Long Island especially, where geographic constraints limit new construction and zoning rules restrict density, supply is unlikely to rise quickly enough to rebalance the market.
The national market may see more building activity, especially in growing southern metros, but not enough to offset years of under-building.
Meaning: A major price correction is not on the horizon unless a major economic event triggers it.
The Bottom Line for Sellers, Buyers, and Investors
For Sellers
• Properly priced, move-in ready homes still sell quickly
• Overpricing guarantees longer time on market
• Pre-inspections and minor upgrades produce outsized returns
• Offering concessions may net more than large price cuts
For Buyers
• Competition is lower than during the boom years
• There is more negotiating room, especially on stale listings
• Getting creative with financing (rate buydowns, credits, ARMs) can restore affordability
• Patience and preparation are more valuable than speed
For Investors
• Cash flow must be analyzed conservatively
• Off-market and long-tenure owners provide the best opportunities
• Renovation-ready properties offer stronger returns than turnkey units
• Rising insurance and tax costs must be factored into underwriting
A Market Fueled by Decisions —Not Conditions
The 2025 housing market is not driven by panic, speculation, or frenzy. It’s driven by necessity, strategy, and realism. Unlike the boom or bust cycles of the past, today’s environment rewards those who understand the underlying forces shaping supply, demand, and affordability.
For Long Island and for the nation overall, the message is the same: this market belongs to the prepared—to the sellers who price wisely, the buyers who act decisively, and the investors who analyze thoughtfully.
Those who recognize the landscape for what it is—not what they wish it were—will find opportunity even in the most constrained environment. Moreover, if you are putting a large down payment, due to the above aver-
Continued on page 5
Why Did I Start Getting More Money from Social Security?
BY TOM MARGENAU
I got a letter recently from the Social Security Administration. It told me that my monthly Social Security benefit was going up by a few bucks each month. And why was that? As the letter explained, they finally got around to factoring in my 2024 earnings into my benefit calculation. Those additional earnings boosted my monthly Social Security check. The letter said I would be getting a one-time check to pay me back to January 2025 (when the increase for 2024 earnings goes into effect). My ongoing monthly benefit would be increased by the small amount my 2024 earnings earned me.
And just coincidentally, the same day I got that letter from the SSA, I also got an email from a reader asking me this question: “I’m 76 years old and just went back to work. Do I still have to pay Social Security taxes even though I’m already getting Social Security benefits? And if yes, will my current earnings increase my Social Security benefit?”
The answer to the first question is “Yes.” All people who work at jobs that are covered by Social Security (and almost all jobs are) must have payroll taxes deducted from their paychecks -whether they are 16 years old or 76 years old or 106 years old.
The answer to the second question is “Maybe.” To understand whether or not the earnings you have, and the taxes you pay, after you start getting Social Security, will increase your benefits, you have to understand how Social Security retirement benefits are figured in the first place.
Simply stated, your Social Security retirement benefit is based on your average monthly income, indexed for inflation, using a 35-year base of earnings. So, when you initially filed for benefits, the Social Security Administration looked at your entire earnings history. Then they adjusted each year of earnings for inflation. The inflation adjustment factor depends on your year of birth and varies from one year to the next.
Here is an example. Let’s take a guy who was born in 1949. Let’s say that he made $7,000 in 1970. When figuring his Social Security benefit, the SSA multiplied that $7,000 by an inflation adjustment factor of 6.58. In other words, instead of $7,000, they actually used $46,060 as his 1970 earnings when figuring his Social Security benefit. (There are different inflation factors for each year of earnings.)
After the SSA indexes each year of earnings for inflation, they pull out your highest 35 years and add them up. Then they divide the total by 420 -- that’s the number of months in 35 years -- to get your average monthly inflation-adjusted income. Your Social Security benefit is a percentage of that amount. The percentage used depends on a variety of factors to complex to explain here. But for this
column, we don’t need to know the precise percentage. Suffice it to say that for most people, their Social Security retirement benefit represents roughly 40% of their average inflation-adjusted monthly income.
When you are working and paying Social Security taxes after you start receiving Social Security benefits, those additional taxes you are paying will increase your monthly Social Security check IF your current earnings increase your average monthly income. Or to be more precise, if your current annual income is higher than the lowest inflation-adjusted year of earnings used in your most recent Social Security computation, the SSA will drop out that low year, add in the new, higher year, recalculate your average monthly income, and then refigure your Social Security benefit.
Here is a quick example of what I mean. Let’s go back to that guy who made $7,000 in 1970 and say that was the lowest year in his current Social Security computation. And let’s further say that he is now working and made $35,000 last year. You might assume that because $35,000 is much higher than $7,000, he should get an increase in his Social Security checks. But remember, the SSA didn’t use $7,000 in his benefit calculation. They used the inflation-adjusted amount of $46,060. Because his current earnings of $35,000 are lower than the low year of $46,060 used in his Social Security retirement computation, the additional earnings do NOT increase his average monthly income, so his Social Security benefit will not go up.
On the other hand, had his current earnings been $70,000, for example, that would increase his benefit. The SSA would replace his low year of $46,060 with the new higher year of $70,000, recompute his average monthly wage and refigure his benefit.
By the way, in my case, I really don’t make all that much money from the jobs I have (writing this column and doing an occasional paid speaking gig). But because I was a federal worker for most of my career, and at the time I worked, federal government employees did not pay into Social Security (they now do), my Social Security record is full of a bunch of years with zero earnings. So anything I make now is better than a “zero” year, and thus, I get a small increase in my benefits no matter how much money I make.
Anyway, if you’re working and you’ve had a good year of earnings and you are pretty sure it should increase your Social Security check, what do you have to do to make that happen? The answer is: nothing.
The SSA has a software program that automatically tracks the earnings of working Social Security beneficiaries and recalculates their benefits to see if any increase is due. It generally happens by October of each year.
In other words, if you are getting Social Security benefits, and if you are working, and if your latest earnings increase your average monthly wage and thus your Social Security benefit, you generally will see that increase by October of the following year. For example, you would get an increase for your 2024 earnings by October 2025. And as happened with me, the SSA sends you a notice indicating the increase in your monthly benefit, which is retroactive to January of the year you get the notice.
If you are working and you don’t get an increase, that means your earnings
were simply not high enough to raise your average monthly income and thus your Social Security benefit.
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
REAL ESTATE WATCH
Long Island and U.S. Housing Markets Enter a Major Reset
Continued from page 3
age appreciation on your current home that is now in contract; you will have an increased mortgage rate, on your “next place to call home.” However, analyze your actual cost on your new home and you might be surprised that it might not be any more than your old mortgage, even if a bit more, due to the larger than normal down payment, it will be still be affordable under your current income.
Remember, there will be no U-Haul behind our hearses, so we take nothing with us but our soul and memories. So buy that dream home if the numbers work and don’t look back, while creating your future memories!
I want to wish everyone a Healthy, Happy, Enjoyable, Fun and Relaxing Thanksgiving with your Family and Friends!
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.
WRITER’S CORNER
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
Book clubs are definitely fun places to be
BY CLAIRE LYNCH
Some people attend the book club meetings every single month - they know everyone there and how things run - and I can tell they look forward to attending the meetings. Going there isn’t just a pastime, it’s a love of books. It’s a pleasant way to pass the time and each month the book club focuses on a different book.
One lady I know, Denise, has been going to my book club for six years, a lot longer than I have, and she said she’s rarely missed a meeting. I was surprised to hear that because inevitably things come up but I applaud her for that.
She’s diligent about reading the book to be discussed, whether or not the subject appeals to her, and she always seems to enjoy commenting on the strengths and weaknesses of the book. Denise always does her homework and she’s enthusiastic about each book being discussed during a given month.
Others skip the book club meeting if they don’t like the mere mention of the book to be discussed. My friend, Mark, is someone who picks and chooses which ones he will attend. He thinks nothing of skipping a meeting because the book choice isn’t his cup of tea and if he’s not into the topic he’s not into it.
On the other hand, I find that when I attend the book club meetings on a regular basis I get to know the people better. There’s something to be said for consistency and I never know who I will strike up conversations with. And what we will discuss. Some people arrive early to chat and some people stay late.
My friend, Amy, is a fan of British comedians and sit-coms and a few months back she mentioned reading one of Dawn French’s books. She said her book called A Tiny Bit Marvellous,
published in 2010, is a funny story about the Battle family which consists of Dad, the mom called Mo, and two teenagers, Dora, 17, who always seems to be in a constant fight with her mother, and Peter who likes being called Oscar Wilde, who is his hero.
Each chapter is told from the point of view of one character so the reader gets different perspectives. It’s a fun but wacky story about some modern families and it sounds like Dawn French’s voice.
I’m also big fan of The Vicar of Dibley which ran on TV from 1994-2020. French is the star of the show playing Geraldine Granger, a new vicar for the small English village of Dibley with plenty of eccentric villagers. She is the first woman vicar in the village and although she meets some resistance at first, she perseveres and wins over most people.
That led other people to start talking about Keeping Up Appearances which starred Patricia Routledge and Clive Swift. It ran on the BBC from 1990-1995 and later on PBS and was hilarious. On the show, Hyacinth is a snobbish housewife determined to climb the social ladder in spite of her family’s working-class connections and the constant puzzlement of her husband, Richard.
Several others in my book club had seen both The Vicar of Dibley and Keeping Up Appearances on TV so we couldn’t help but go off on a tangent and talk about how funny most of the episodes are.
On Keeping Up Appearances, Hyacinth Bucket - whose name she insists is pronounced “bouquet”always looks for chances to climb the social ladder although she’s between her sister Violet whose house has a swimming pool, a sauna and room for a
pony, and just above her working-class sisters Daisy and Rose.
Hyacinth is a perfectionist when it comes to entertaining but her neighbor, Elizabeth, finds that coffee with Hyacinth isn’t very relaxing. Hyacinth always wonders what her neighbors are doing. One day when Hyacinth was especially determined to find out, she climbed the fence between her house and the neighbors to see.
Another man in the group, John, likes Westerns so we got off on that subject. He’d read Monte Walsh, the book written by Jack Schaefer published in 1963, and liked it very much. He also mentioned the movie was on TV in 2003 and there are reruns.
I saw the movie on TV recently and John was right - that Western starring Tom Selleck was a good one. More people had seen the movie than had read the book so we had a good discussion about Westerns.
Selleck was well cast as an aging cowboy working a job in the Old West when cowboying is slowly being phased out at the end of the 19th century. Throughout the story there’s plenty of action: tragedy, romance, hard knocks and lots of fist fights.
One day the cowboys are sitting around saying their real names not their nicknames and Monte Walsh says his given name is Montelius. He dares them not to laugh but they have a good laugh anyway.
Fellow book club member Teri said she thought Tom Selleck was perfect for the role because he’s a lifelong rancher with a deep respect for the land. He has a way of connecting to the cowboy way of life - his performance as Monte Walsh is very realistic.
The recent book club meeting was an unusual one in that we started dis-
cussing one book then got onto British writers and TV shows then we ended up talking about Westerns. That’s the thing about book clubs - I never know what we will end up discussing even though the list says it’s one particular book. After our short diversion we got back to talking about books since it was a book club meeting after all.
Connecting with other people is what it’s all about otherwise reading a book could be a solitary hobby. You read a book, put it down without much discussion about it and start looking for another good book to read.
Whether you get your books at the public library, use your Kindle to read them or you, your friends and neighbors pass along books among each other it’s definitely fun.
Connecting via social media is okay but there’s nothing like going to meet a group of people at the public library, senior center or wherever book clubs meet. Different people show up for different meetings and you never really know who you will run into.
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Pack pecans into every cookie bite
Pecan Cream Cheese Cookies
It’s common to indulge in sweet treats a little more often once the holiday season arrives. Halloween kicks off people’s tendency to consume more desserts and candies, and Thanksgiving, and later Chanukah and Christmas, may round out the year on a sugary note. Desserts can be made a bit healthier with the right
1 cup pecan pieces
1⁄2 cup pecan meal
2 1⁄3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
ingredients. Nuts certainly can pack nutrition into each sweet bite.
This recipe for “Pecan Cream Cheese Cookies” feature pecans prominently. With only 4 grams of carbohydrates per serving, pecans fit into plant-based diets, a keto diet, a Mediterranean diet, and other healthy eating plans. One serv-
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1) In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt, set aside. Using an electric mixer, cream together the cream cheese and butter until well combined. Mix in the sugar and vanilla. Reduce the speed to low and gradually mix in the flour. Mix in the pecan pieces.
2) Roughly divide the dough in half. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap or parchment paper, forming the dough into a log about 2 inches wide. Wrap well and freeze until firm, about 2 hours or overnight.
3) When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 F.
ing of pecans contains 18 grams of unsaturated fat, including oleic acid, making them hearthealthy, according to the American Heart Association. Enjoy this recipe, courtesy of the American Pecan Promotion Board.
Yield: Around 24 cookies
1 1⁄4 cup sugar 1
tablespoons vanilla extract
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Unwrap one log and carefully roll the outside in the pecan meal, coating it well. Slice the log into 1⁄4-inch rounds and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
4) Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until the middle is just set and the cookies are just starting to turn light brown on the edges. Cool the cookies on wire racks. Work in batches until all of the dough has been used. Store the cookies in an airtight container.
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Boy Scout Troop volunteers at Centennial Gardens
Members of Boys Scout Troop 4 helped clean up Centennial Gardens. The troop weeded and cleaned up leaves throughout the gardens.
The UMC Boy Scout Troop 4 recently volunteered to do clean up at Centennial Gardens
The United Methodist Church 35 Verbena Ave, was the first church in Floral Park. It has been a part of the community since 1890. The Floral Park Historical Society has placed a plaque in front of the church for all to see. You may have heard about the Theater Box performances at the church. Founded in1980, it has produced a wide array of shows, including musicals and comedies.
The church also has a Thrift Shop open from September to June on Wednesday and Saturday from 9:30 1:30. Clean, used and in good condition donated items can be left inside the church during those hours.
My First School was established in 1963 by parents who saw the need for early childhood education in the community. Arts and crafts, music, play, and socializ-
ing, all provide experiences for learning and growing.
Troop 4 scouts and Katy Wong , have volunteered frequently to help keep the Gardens in good condition. On November 15th, a sunny beautiful fall day, they completed many tasks. They weeded behind the Butterfly Garden and the raised Sensory Bed nearby. They also cleaned the leaves away from the Mural to the right of the ABC Garden. Troop 4 is grateful to Jim Abbett for his expertise, mentorship, guidance, time and the support he provided the scouts on their Centennial Gardens Service Project.
The members of the Floral Park Conservation Society are very grateful for all the work the Boy Scout Troop 4 from the United Methodist Church have been doing for a long time. Their time and energy are an asset to the Gardens and the community.
Town, Marines team up on Toys for Tots
Santa Claus is coming to Hempstead Town, and he’s enlisted the help of the Town of Hempstead and the United States Marines Toys for Tots organization to ensure that every child receives a gift this holiday season. The festive team will collaborate over the next several weeks to hold a Holiday Collection Drive, with donation locations throughout America’s largest township. Residents are invited to take part in the collection drive by donating new, unwrapped toys for families in need.
The Town of Hempstead and the United States Marines Toys for Tots organization will also host a Holiday Collection Cruise-Thru event on Saturday, December 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in East Meadow (1700 Prospect Avenue, East Meadow). Residents can drop off new, unwrapped toys directly to Santa Claus via a drive-thru program, a more convenient and viable option for many parents and guardians with young children.
“During this season of giving, Hempstead Town and the United States Marines Toys for Tots organization want to ensure that every young girl and boy receive gifts and get to experience the true magic and wonder of the holidays,” said Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti. “We ask resi-
dents to join us in helping local families in need. Whether you utilize one of our many drop-off locations or participate in the Holiday Collection Cruise-Thru on December 13th, your gifts will make a difference for many local children.”
In addition to the Cruise-Thru toy drop-off event, toys (new, unwrapped) can be placed in collection bins stationed at five locations through December 17, seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Hempstead Town Hall and Hempstead Town Tax Office are open Monday–Friday only):
• Hempstead Town Hall , 1 Washington Street, Hempstead (Monday-Friday only)
• Hempstead Town Tax Office, 200 North Franklin Street, Hempstead (Monday-Friday only)
• Veterans Memorial Park , 1700 Prospect Avenue, East Meadow
• Levittown Hall, 201 Levittown Parkway, Hicksville Newbridge Ice Arena, 2600 Newbridge Road, Bellmore Toys for Tots’ mission is to collect and distribute new and unwrapped toys as gifts to underprivileged children. This year marks the 78th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, which has distributed hundreds of millions of toys to children throughout the United States.
Floral Park Trustee Frank Chiara (left) and Jim Abbott with members of Boy Scout Troop 4.
“Sam’s Weather School” comes to JLCS
Emmy Award-winning meteorologist Samantha Augeri brought her interactive weather program, “Sam’s Weather School,” to fourth graders at John Lewis Childs School on Nov. 17.
The program covered topics like hurricanes and the science behind weather systems. The fourth graders explored real meteorology instruments, includ-
ing an anemometer and weathervane, and took part in exciting, hands-on experiments that demonstrated how wind and air pressure work.
“Sam’s Weather School” concluded with the students having an opportunity to simulate the work of meteorologists, stepping in front of a green screen to provide their own weather forecast.
The students took part in hands-on experiments that demonstrated weather principles.
The children were fascinated by the presentation.
John Lewis Childs School fourth graders participated in “Sam’s Weather School” with meteorologist Samantha Augeri on Nov. 17.
Welcome to this pristine, charming and conveniently located One-Bedroom, One-Bathroom Rental on Seventh Street in the Heart of Garden City! Once inside this bright apartment, you will discover a modern galley Kitchen featuring sleek stainless-steel appliances—a chef’s delight in a compact, efficient layout. A comfortable, elegant Living Room welcomes you and the spacious Bedroom offers ample closet space. The updated Bathroom and smart layout presents both style and practicality. Enjoy the added convenience of on-premise laundry on the 1st floor, eliminating the hassle of off-site laundry trips. Perfectly situated in the heart of the neighborhood, you’ll love being just a minute or two from Restaurants, Cafes and Shopping on Seventh Street, and only two blocks from the LIRR, making commuting simple. You’re also in close proximity to the Roosevelt Field Mall and Major Highways, offering easy access to additional retail shopping, dining, and effortless travel options. A blend of comfort, convenience, and unbeatable location—this is a must-see First Floor, One-bedroom rare find opportunity!