The Marching Knights take second at State Band Championships
Tricia’s Kids brings joy, and toys, to children near and far
BY RIKKI MASSAND
The Floral Park-based nonprofit organization Tricia’s Kids is once again gearing up for its annual Holiday Toy and Donation Drive, which runs through Sunday, December 15th. Now in its seventh year, the drive continues its mission to make the world a happier place for all children, especially during the Christmas season.
The Marching Knights of Sewanhaka proudly represented the district this past weekend at the New York State Field Band Conference Championships, held inside the iconic JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, NY. Competing in the Large School 3 Division, the Knights delivered a thrilling performance that earned
them second place in the entire state with an impressive score of 80.95!
This season’s production, titled “Dead Men Tell No Tales”, brought audiences on a high-seas adventure as a daring crew of pirates set out in search of buried treasure. With swashbuckling spirit and powerful music, the band cap-
tivated the crowd and judges alike, proving once again that the Marching Knights are among New York’s finest. Remarkably, this marks the fourth consecutive season that the Sewanhaka Marching Knights have broken a score of 80 or higher at championships
See page 12
Founded by Tom De Maria, a longtime Floral Park resident and St. Francis Prep alumnus, Tricia’s Kids is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit named for his late wife, Patricia “Tricia” De Maria, who passed away in 2018 after an accidental fall at her mother’s home in Howard Beach, Queens. The couple’s love story began in childhood. They were neighbors in 1950s Howard Beach, classmates at Our Lady of Grace School, and lifelong friends before becoming husband and wife.
“Our parents were among the new residents of homes built in the 1950s in Howard Beach, and my parents and her parents (the Contes) became best friends. My wife and I were the same age, and we were in the same class at the same school, Our Lady of Grace Catholic school. We received Communion together, our parents went out to dinner and we
had our Confirmation together. Tricia even came to all of my high school football games with my parents, even though she hated football,” Tom explained. In their senior year of high school, Tom finally asked her out. For college they were apart; Tricia attended Adelphi University and became a nurse, while Tom went to Bowdoin College in Maine. They got engaged after undergraduate studies and Tom returned to New York, where he attended Brooklyn Law School and earned his JD. In 1977 the couple got married. Before her tragic accident, Patricia worked as a labor and delivery nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. At the time of Patricia’s death they had been married for close to 41 years.
After Tricia’s passing, Tom and their two adult children— his son in North Carolina and daughter in Bellmore—founded the charity in her honor. The first toy drive, in 2018, gathered nearly 1,000 toys—far exceeding expectations. Since then, the generosity has only grown.
“My son was about to get married in November 2018, and Tricia had passed in June. He told me we set aside some money for a gift for mom but she isn’t
See page 10
Receiving the second place award: Kaitlyn Conway - color guard captain; Chloe LaVaute - drum major; Aiden Ramballi - drumline captain; Emma Mathew - color guard captain Photo by Paul Walsh
Sixth graders create meaningful projects for Veterans Day
Floral Park-Bellerose School sixth graders are pictured with their Veterans Day projects on Oct. 29. Photo courtesy of the Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District
In honor of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, Floral Park-Bellerose School sixth graders in Caitlyn Pereira’s classes have been working on meaningful projects as part of their social studies lessons.
After learning about the history of Veterans Day and the five branches of the U.S. military, students began creating individual puzzle pieces that will come together to form a large military dog tag. Each puzzle piece has a per-
sonal message describing what a veteran means to them, creating a unified tribute to those who have served. In addition, each student is either writing a heartfelt letter to a veteran or composing a haiku or acrostic poem to express their gratitude for those who have served.
Their projects will be on display for the school’s upcoming Veterans Day assembly.
Floral Park Junior Woman’s Club
The next meeting of the Floral Park Junior Woman’s Club will be held on Thursday, November 13, at the Floral Park Recreation Center at 7 p.m. There will be a. business meeting and then members will make dog beds to donate. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY DOUG CIOFFI, (RACCOON PHOTO BY KATHY ROSS BURROUS)
Besides birds, there’s a whole host of other wildlife who call Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary their home!
Let’s start with butterflies. The Gardens have many native plantings such as milkweed, lavender, goldenrod, and Black-eyed Susan, which draw many species of butterflies, including Monarch, American Lady, Cabbage White, Black Swallowtail, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Harvester, and Clouded Sulphur. And while most species of butterflies don’t spend their winters in the Gardens there is one species that does, the Mourning Cloak.
Adult Mourning Cloaks can be seen flying very early in the spring, often while there’s still snow on the ground! They hibernate through the winter as adults, hidden under bark and other small crevices and emerge in March or April to mate. A sure sign that spring has arrived is the appearance of the Mourning Cloak. One other fun fact, Mourning Cloaks are believed to be the longest-lived butterfly species in North America, with some living nearly up to a year as adults!
At least two species of snakes have been spotted at the Gardens; Garter
snakes and DeKay’s Brownsnake.
Garter snake is the common name for a small to medium-sized snake, native to North and Central America. The good news is Garter snakes cannot seriously injure humans with the small amounts of mild venom they produce. De Kay’s Brownsnake is a small non-venomous species of snake native to North America. DeKay’s Brownsnakes are terrestrial, secretive, and seldom found in the open. They are nocturnal, but are most often found under surface objects.
One of the more common types of turtles seen at the Gardens is the Eastern Box Turtle. Different subspecies of Eastern Box Turtles have different coloration. Some have brown shells, while others have olive-brown shells with decorative yellow markings. Most Eastern Box Turtles have yellow markings on dark feet and faces.
Interestingly, Eastern Box Turtles reach maturity at 10 to 20 years old and can live to be more than 100 years old!
Two of the most abundant nonwinged residents at the Gardens are the Eastern Gray Squirrel and the Eastern Cottontail Rabbit. Both of these species nest at the Gardens and raise their families here.
Eastern Gray Squirrels generally
See page 4 Racoon kits
Photo by Kathy Ross Burrous
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Centennial Gardens, it’s
Eastern gray squirrels
From page 3
live either in dens made in the cavities of healthy trees, or dreys, which are nests made of twigs and leaves that are constructed high up on tree branches. As the Garden’s trees lose their foliage, you may begin to notice large, round clumps of leaves in the branches. These structures can be a foot or two wide and are usually located 20 feet or higher up a tree.
Eastern Gray Squirrels use nests for shelter and warmth, especially at night, but they don’t hibernate in them—in fact, they don’t hibernate at all. They stay active year-round, searching for the food they hid during warmer weather.
Alternately, Eastern Cottontail Rabbits nest is a shallow depression in the ground, lined with grass and the moth-
er's fur, which is often covered with grass and twigs.
Known for its distinctive fluffy white tail, which resembles a cotton ball and gives the species its common name, the eastern cottontail typically inhabits open fields, meadows, and brushy areas where it can easily find cover and food. It feeds on grasses, herbs, twigs, and bark, and plays an important role in the ecosystem as prey for a variety of predators including the Garden’s hungry hawks!
Two animal species that inhabit the Gardens but that you are unlikely to see because they are primarily nocturnal (active at night, sleep during the day) are bats and raccoons.
There are several bat houses erected around the Gardens grounds but it is
See page 14
Eastern box turtles
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We Serve Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner • ~ Italian Dishes, Pizza and Pasta ~ Delicatessen and CateringAvailable
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Urban Explorers visit Chinatown, Little Italy
The trip was a big hit with the Unrban Explorers.
The Floral Park Public Libray's Urban Explorers enjoyed a bus tour of Chinatown and Little Italy on Wednesday, October 29. The Museum
of Chinese in America and the Italian American Museum tours were phenomenal and so were the delicious foods enjoyed along the way.
Members of the Floral Park Urban Explorers enjoyed delicious food in Chinatown and Little Italy.
Members of the Urban Explorers enjoyed a bus tour of Chinatown and Little Italy. The group visited museums in lower Manhattan.
Sewanhaka celebrates board, student achievers at meeting
Several students were recognized for their outstanding achievements at the Sewanhaka Central High School District Board of Education meeting, hosted at Elmont Memorial High School, on Oct. 28.
Superintendent of Schools Regina Agrusa welcomed families and community members to the meeting, reporting the district’s recent highlights, including a second place win for the Marching Knights of Sewanhaka at the New York State Field Band Championship in Syracuse and the successful ribbon cutting ceremony for the new, state-of-the-art cosmetology building. Ex Officio student board member Evangeline Moonsammy, a senior at Elmont, provided the students’ update, sharing achievements in athletics, the arts and building initiatives.
In honor of School Board Recognition Week, which was observed this year from Oct. 13-17, Ms. Agrusa acknowledged members of the board. Each member received a gift of thanks for their dedication and service.
“Tonight, it’s an excellent opportunity for us to publicly recognize, with our sincere appreciation, the critical role that our board members play in guiding this district and ensuring student success,” Ms. Agrusa said. “This board of education volunteers their time to serve and support, often celebrating students’ success at many schoolwide events.”
Following the board recognition, Ms. Agrusa introduced Elmont Memorial High School student Videsh Muneshwar, who recently became a first-time published author for his children’s book, “Alex and the Wishing Well.” The book aims to help children explore their emotions, as Alex journeys through the forest of fears, the meadow of sadness and the volcanoes of anger. Videsh read his book aloud to the audience and gifted each board member with a copy.
Students’ creative pursuits continued to be celebrated at the meeting, as two students were honored for being named as Scholar Artists by the Long Island Arts Alliance. H. Frank Carey High School student Ava Maia was recognized in the Media Arts category, and New Hyde Park Memorial High School student Sara Erxleben was recognized in the Visual Arts category.
The district then proudly recognized the 10 outstanding students selected as valedictorians and salutatorians of the Class of 2026 across all five buildings.
“Please join me in recognizing ten outstanding scholars who embody tremendous academic commitment and future promise,” Ms. Agrusa said. “These students have ingratiated themselves into their academic studies, while also demonstrating a high level of active participation in their schools and communities.”
Sewanhaka High School valedictorian Ipsaan Sedhai and salutatorian Hailey Sethi are pictured with (from left) board trustee Lynette Battle, board trustee Tiffany Capers, Principal John Kenny and Superintendent Regina Agrusa on Oct. 28.
Floral Park Memorial High School valedictorian Nathan Gee and salutatorian James Urban are pictured with (from left) board trustee Rosemarie Peltonen, board trustee Jaclyn O’Donohue, Principal Alicia Calabrese and Superintendent Regina Agrusa on Oct. 28.
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Tricia’s Kids brings joy, and toys, to children near and far
From page 1
here, and then he and his wife thought about how generous Tricia was for kids and how she loved Christmas. So they bought toys with that money to donate them to a children’s charity where they lived. Then we figured that it would be right to do this every year,” Tom explained.
It’s overwhelming to see the generosity of people. With all the craziness out there in the world, there are still good and generous people that really contribute, whether it is with money, new toys or by sponsoring a child,” Tom said.
Partnerships and community spirit
Before launching Tricia’s Kids, De
Department, for residents who want to donate anytime.
Chamber holiday party supports drive
On Thursday, December 11th, from 6 to 10 p.m., the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce will host its Annual Holiday Party at Nancy’s Restaurant, 255-41 Jericho Turnpike. Guests are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy for Tricia’s Kids. Tickets are $60 per person, with registration available at https://FloralParkChamber.org/events
Donors can also “Sponsor a Child” through an online form, providing specific gifts requested by children in need, or purchase items directly from online wish lists on Amazon, Walmart, or Target, which will be sent straight to Tri-
Maria consulted with his friend, retired U.S. Marine Major Chuck Kilbride, who leads Toys for Tots of Nassau County, which distributed nearly 800,000 toys in 2023. Kilbride encouraged the effort wholeheartedly.
Tricia’s Kids also collaborates closely with another Floral Park nonprofit—the Hance Family Foundation—to ensure that children throughout the area experience the joy of the holidays.
Toy drop boxes around town
This year’s Toy Drive will feature several convenient donation options. Residents can make monetary contributions through PayPal or Zelle on https://TriciasKids.org, or drop off new, unwrapped toys in donation boxes placed around Floral Park and neighboring communities.
The Village Municipal Center at 1 Floral Boulevard hosts two collection boxes—inside the 24/7 operations of the Floral Park Fire Department and Police
able to keep up with them, but fortunately we directed a lot of our efforts and we were able to take care of a lot of people,” De Maria said.
He recalled a moving story from last year’s drive: a woman who walked miles to a food bank partnered with Tricia’s Kids. She saw a donated skateboard and burst into tears—it was the only thing her son wanted for Christmas.
“She left there hugging the skateboard, sobbing and telling everyone she was able to care of her son’s Christmas wish,” De Maria explained. “The best part of the whole job is when you can see and feel the kids actually getting the gift. Somebody dropped off this skateboard like it’s nothing, but they would
never know there was a child in need that really wanted it, and their parents would be so grateful as well. It’s just so emotional. Kids light up, and it really is a way to make a difference in their life,” he said.
Year-Round Giving
Beyond the holiday season, Tricia’s Kids continues its charitable work yearround. The organization partners with Commonpoint Queens, Ronald McDonald House, and other local groups to distribute toys, clothing, and essentials to families in need.
For more information or to donate, visit TriciasKids.org or follow @ WereAllTriciasKids on Facebook.
cia’s Kids for distribution.
“We have people who prefer to donate through the ‘Sponsor’ opportunity to provide a specific item or items for a child. That is an alternative we offer to dropping the toy or doll inside a donation box and not knowing the exact wish for a child’s Christmas present, or a piece of clothing or item they might really need. A person (donor) can go out and buy the exact item and we’ll provide that to the child,” Tom shared.
Reaching families in need
The organization’s reach now extends beyond New York. After De Maria’s son and daughter-in-law moved to western North Carolina, Tricia’s Kids expanded its impact to the region—particularly after Hurricane Helene’s devastating floods in 2024.
“It was a true disaster area, and we were getting a lot of requests down there. We were afraid we wouldn’t be
Floral Park police officers helped with the 2024 drive.
Floral Park Firefighters collected items for the toy drive in 2024.
Many of the toys are donated to Ronald McDonald House. Above, Tom De Maria, left, organizer of the Holiday Toy Drive for Tricia's Kids, delivering toys.
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
prove itself. Jae Won, 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
akin to watering a plant. This 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.
The Marching Knights take second at State Band Championships
From page 1
— a testament to the students’ hard work, passion, and teamwork.
The ensemble is truly a district-wide effort, bringing together talented students from all five Sewanhaka high schools to perform as one united band family.
Directors John Smykowski and Matthew Povolny extend their heartfelt thanks to the Music Parents, the Sewanhaka Central High School District administration and the Floral Park Memorial administration for their unwavering support of the Marching Knights program.
“These students have poured their hearts into this show,” said Smykowski. “Their dedication and energy make this program something truly special for our entire community.”
Congratulations to the Marching Knights on another incredible season — and for continuing to make Sewanhaka proud, both on and off the field!
The Marching Knights
Photo by Christine Kozak
Trumpet soloist Sabrina Ifill
Photo by Elizabeth Santos
Trombone soloist Matthew Santos
Photo by Elizabeth Santos
Drumline at the Syracuse Dome
Francis Hospital & Heart Center… nationally ranked in 7 adult specialties
Year after year, St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a national leader across multiple specialties. With exceptional physicians and an unrivaled patient experience, St. Francis sets the standard for superb care and expertise.
No other hospital on Long Island has been nationally ranked for Heart & Vascular as often as St. Francis—now 18 times by U.S. News.
chsli.org/st-francis-hospital
Centennial Gardens, it’s not just
From page 4
uncertain how many are used. Common bats found on Long Island include the big brown bat, eastern red bat, and little brown bat. Bats play an essential role in pest control, pollinating plants and dispersing seeds. One bit of good news, it has recently been discovered that bats are feasting on invasive spotted lanternflies!
Raccoons are omnivores, meaning they will eat both meat and vegetables. Being nocturnal, they search for food at night. They like grasshoppers, nuts, berries, mice, squirrels, and bird eggs, all of which are in abundant supply at the Gardens.
Finally, representing the reptile world is the Italian Wall Lizard. Italian Wall Lizards are the only lizard that can be found living in our natural environment on Long Island. Released from a pet shop in Hempstead, New York in the 1960’s, they have made their way much farther west and east, and we can expect them to continue until they reach the end of Long Island!
These speedy reptiles, which can be identified by their green and brown coloration, are now a common sight basking on the Garden’s fences, rocks, and other sunny surfaces.
Indeed, Floral Park Centennial Gardens, is not just for the birds!
DeKay's brownsnake
Eastern cottontail
Italian wall lizard
At The Bristal Assisted Living, we are privileged to celebrate the legacies of our residents, especially the brave men and women who have defended our freedom. Their courage and camaraderie inspire us all.
This Veterans Day, we pay heartfelt tribute to their service and sacrifice. It’s their stories, their spirit, and their unwavering dedication that make our communities truly extraordinary.
We honor their contributions with deep gratitude, today and every day.
Scan the QR Code to learn more about our veteran discount & other available resources or visit: thebristal.com/saluting-veterans
A Rendezvous with Progress of the Present, Horrors of the Past in Ho Chi Minh City
BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM
The War Remnants Museum in Hanoi evokes profound shame of the horrors inflicted in our name.
Our Day 10 Discovery Bicycle Tours itinerary would have us visit the Reunification Palace – the former Presidential Palace, renamed to commemorate the April 30, 1975 victory of President Ho Chi Minh’s forces. But by the time we finish lunch, there is not enough time to visit the Palace, so we are taken to the War Remnants Museum instead. But this is such an important museum, dedicated to telling the story of the American War (we call the Vietnam War), it should not be missed and I would have made time to visit.
The War Remnants Museum is housed in what used to be the US military’s intelligence headquarters during the Vietnam War and was originally known as the “Museum of Chinese and American War Crimes”. It is one of the most visited museums in Vietnam, attracting 500,000 visitors every year, two-thirds of whom are foreigners. This is apparent during our visit, as well.
The exhibits are detailed, emotional and intense – the most stirring being the photos for magazines and newspapers including Life Magazine, as well as a kind of shrine honoring the reporters and photojournalists killed on the field of battle.
I visited this museum five years ago. Now that I have seen countryside and people, I see these photos differently, more in context. The faces in the photos were real people who you see in the faces of the people today..
Leaving the museum, our sightseeing continues.
There is lots of Western influence
here – Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest city and its commercial capital, and had been under French and Western control for more than a century. It seems very much a bustling, cosmopolitan city.
One of the best examples is the famous Ho Chi Minh City Central Post Office, unchanged since it was built in the French style in the 1880s.
For dinner, we get to experience Saigon’s famous street food on Ho Thi Ky Flowers and Foods Street and Li leads us from one stall to another to sample these local delights. .
city. Instead, we are bused 2 ½ hours to the Mekong Delta. Our 20-mile bike route takes us through villages, rice paddies, orchards.
We come to Mr. Kiet’s Ancient House, a faithfully restored upper-class 1838 home. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site, the home is still occupied by Mr. Kiet’s widow who operates a small restaurant in the orchard garden, where we have a most delightful lunch.
Finishing our bike ride, we board a boat for a short cruise on the Mekong River, stop into a factory that makes candy from rice (like popcorn!), and have another ride on a traditional boat. Get the required visa at Vietnam’s website (evisa.gov.vn), where the fee is $25 (if you use a visa service it costs something like $197), but give yourself enough time to get the confirmation. Purchase travel insurance – especially for the medical and evacuation coverage. You can check a site like travelinsurance.com to get recommendations.
To see more about the Vietnam Adventure Cultural Bike Tour Experience visit: https://discoverybicycletours.com/12-day-vietnam-adventure-cultural-bike-tour-experience/.
Discovery Bicycle Tours, 2520 W. Woodstock Rd., Woodstock, VT 05091, 800257-2226, 802- 457-3553, info@discoverybicycletours.com, www.discoverybicycletours.com
© 2025 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear. November 7, 2025
When we return to the Majestic Hotel, we go up to its gorgeous rooftop bar with stunning views of the river and the street activity.
The Majestic is an elegant Frenchstyle hotel which first opened in 1925 and the first Vietnamese-managed hotel to earn five-star status. There is a stunning outdoor pool, a gorgeous restaurant where we enjoy breakfast, and a beautiful lobby lounge.
Biking, Cruising in the Mekong Delta
Our last full day in Vietnam is spent biking but mercifully, not in the
Enjoying street food in Ho Chi Minh City © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
BY DENNIS MAMMANA
Week of November 9-15, 2025
If you’re seated while reading these words -- as I am writing them -- you’re most likely convinced that you and the room around you are stationary. What if I were to tell you, however, that this just is not true?
It might be hard to believe, but when we view things from a more cosmic perspective, we begin to understand just what an incredible journey we and our planet are on. Some of these motions might be familiar to you; others may surprise you. But all carry us in at least seven different directions at more than a million miles per hour!
Let’s start with the simplest. Everyone has noticed how the sun rises in the east, drifts slowly westward across the daytime sky, and sets in the west each evening. Though ancient skywatchers didn’t realize it, we’re watching a remarkable illusion caused by the rotation of our Earth in the opposite direction. Every second of every minute of every day, our world spins like this while carrying us in middle-northern latitudes around at nearly 900 mph.
And what about how the nighttime sky changes from season to season? Why do we see Scorpius in the summer and Orion in the winter? Well, that’s because our planet is orbiting the sun
Mr. Earth’s Wild Ride
and allowing us on the nighttime side to gaze outward in different directions as we go. This journey carries us at 66,000 mph -- fast enough that an average human lifetime will transport us some 45 billion miles through space.
Don’t be fooled, though. Our sun isn’t static; it’s moving too. It’s towing our Earth and entire solar system behind at 12 miles per second in the direction of the bright star Vega, appearing high in the western sky this week. No need to worry about a collision; even at this extraordinary speed, we’d need 5,300 human lifetimes to reach that star!
But wait, there’s more!
Even our Milky Way galaxy is spinning and carrying us along at about 140 miles per second. Only two dozen times over the 5-billion-year history of our planet have we passed this way; the last time, the first small dinosaurs were beginning to appear. The next? Who knows!
In addition, our Milky Way is careening at 50 miles per second toward the Great Andromeda galaxy, one of some 50-plus such structures that form a galactic collection known to astronomers as the “Local Group,” which itself is falling toward the Virgo supercluster at another 150 miles per second.
And if that’s not enough, beyond lie even more galaxy superclusters as far as the largest telescopes can see. All
appear to be receding from each other as if hurled from a huge cosmic explosion 13.8 billion years ago. Between these superclusters glows the faint, ghostly echo of this primordial fireball through which we speed at more than a million miles per hour.
Is there more? What about the universe itself? Is it turning about an even
Cross My Legs and Hope to Die
larger universe? Is it speeding along in some unknown direction at an even more incredible speed? No one knows for sure, but it sure is fun to ponder the dizzying possibilities!
Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
BY TRACY BECKERMAN
One morning, I had a big cup of coffee, as I usually do, and then I got in the car and drove 40 minutes to a clothing store I had been curious to check out. I don’t normally drive 40 minutes to go shopping, but since I am a stay-athome mom and everyone knows we stay-at-home moms just spend our time shopping and eating bonbons, I figured, “What the hey?”
Having had the aforementioned monster cup of coffee 40 minutes earlier, I naturally had to go to the bathroom the instant I arrived at the store.
“Please tell me you have a bathroom I can use before I start shopping,” I begged the salesgirl. She gave me a bored look.
“We don’t have a public restroom,” she said before going back to folding clothes.
For a while I tried to explain the merits of having a restroom for customers to use, but her eyes glazed over and I realized that A) she couldn’t care
less, and B) if I didn’t stop arguing with her and actually get to a bathroom really soon, I would end up shopping for Depends.
“Well, where is the nearest bathroom?” I asked.
“There’s a coffee shop around the corner.”
Around the corner turned out to be two blocks away, and by the time I arrived, I was about to blow. But when I tried the door to the restroom, it was locked. I waited a respectful amount of time and then knocked. When no one answered, I figured there was either a deaf person in the restroom or it was one of those public bathrooms you need a key to get into. Five minutes later, when the deaf person failed to emerge, I approached an employee.
“Do I need a key to get into the restroom?” I asked her.
“Yes. But the restroom is for patrons only.”
I gave her a blank stare.
“You need to buy something to use the restroom,” she shouted. Clearly she
thought I was deaf too.
“Are you serious?” I asked. I looked around. The place was empty. It wasn’t likely that I, a nonpaying customer, was going to interfere with the restroom needs of any actual paying patrons.
“Are you going to buy something?” she asked me impatiently.
I shook my head. “If I buy a cup of coffee, then I will use your bathroom, go back to the store two blocks away, and in 10 minutes, I will have to come back and use your bathroom again,” I argued. “Then, you will make me buy another cup of coffee, and I will use your bathroom again and then go back to the store, and 10 minutes later, I will have to go to the bathroom again. Is this really what you want???”
“You have to buy something,” she said again.
I was furious. I was indignant. But I was also desperate. “Fine!!! What’s the smallest thing you have?”
“You can get donut holes. They come in a box of 10, 25 or 50.
“I meant small as in amount, not
small as in size,” I explained slowly. “Huh?”
I sighed. “I’ll take one donut hole.”
“Just one?”
“Yes.”
“Would you like glazed or powdered?”
“I DON’T CARE! Just give me any hole and the key to the bathroom!”
She handed me one lone powdered donut hole, rang me up and handed me the key to the city.
When I came out, I gave her the key back.
“Can I help you with anything else today?” she asked robotically.
“Yeah,” I replied acidly. “You’re out of toilet paper.”
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
LOST IN SUBURBIA
Earth orbits the sun at a speed of 66,000 mph, and as the sun itself moves, it tows Earth (and the rest of the solar system) along with it at a speed of 12 miles per second.
BY CLAIRE LYNCH
I have my hopes and optimistic feeling about the generation gap but deep down inside I doubt the generation gap will ever be “solved.” What helps is when people of all generations do their best to keep communicating - even when the inevitable misunderstandings pop up.
Here’s a case in point: just the other day I was watching a cop show and when the older cop said to the younger novice cop, “Don’t try to be Serpico,” she said, “Who?”
Laughing out loud, I remembered Serpico from the 1973 film about Frank Serpico who was an honest New York City Police Department officer who became a whistleblower as he exposed widespread corruption within the department in the 1960s and early ‘70s. The lead role was played by Al Pacino. The novice hadn’t heard a word about Serpico, however.
It’s easy for me to be amused by these things but then I stop myself. Being more patient is my goal because that novice cop wasn’t even born in 1973. Whether it’s on TV, while talking with friends and relatives at parties, or simply chatting with my younger nieces and nephews when spending time with them, various examples of the generation gap arise. They look quizzically at me or I look quizzically at them and somehow someone explains the word or the reference and we move on. C’est la vie! Such is life.
Some people say the generation gap is overly exaggerated - that the misunderstandings between one generation and another aren’t that big a deal. But when a younger relative of mine gives me a blank stare or hesitates, not knowing my reference, it makes me stop and think. What’s up, Alfie? They honestly don’t know what I’m talking about.
We laugh and carry on. I could really give them some examples of what the old-timers in my family - and on my block growing up in Rockville Centreused to say when I was a kid.
Many hands make light work. A stitch in time saves nine.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Never look a gift horse in the mouth. Early to bed and early to rise makes you healthy, wealthy and wise
When I say any of these phrases to the younger generations, they get strange looks on their faces. Especially when I mention the idiom about going to sleep early and getting up early.
And when I once said to my niece, Erin, “A stitch in time saves nine,” she paused then asked, “What does that mean?”
After I explained that if you sort out a problem immediately it may save a lot of extra work later Erin got it but I had to agree with her that it is indeed a very old expression that we don’t hear much anymore.
One of my favorite expressions that I use pretty frequently is: “A watched pot never boils.” I call it a favorite because how often am I in the kitchen waiting for something to finish cooking when it seems to take forever? My nephew, Sam, was visiting recently when this one came up.
While warming a pot of cider on the stove for Sam and three other relatives, I kept stirring it and thinking it wasn’t quite warm enough. I mentioned something about “A watched pot never boils” when he laughed and raised his eyebrows. That’s one of the first signs that there’s a generation gap.
Sam asked, “What’s that?” and I replied that if I keep looking at the pot it will never warm up enough but if I step away for just a minute it will be fine. “It’s Murphy’s Law in effect,” I said and we all laughed.
Sam added that he’s never used that phrase before nor did the younger relatives and I found that amusing because it’s one of my most used idioms. In exact words, it means that time seems to pass more slowly when you are anxiously waiting for something to happen.
Benjamin Franklin is credited with using this phrase long, long ago and since then many people have uttered it. Be patient. That’s not something the
younger kids like but then you could have said the same thing about my generation in the 1970s.
According to some experts, the major reason the generation gap is getting bigger is that the difference in age is increasing. People are living longer and they are working longer, too. So when the different generations meet at work, you can see instances of the generation gap.
I mentioned the song, “Riders on the Storm” and they didn’t know it was The Doors from 1971. Most music lovers know The Doors burst on the music scene when they released “Light My Fire” in 1967.
“Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum came out in 1967 and they asked, “Procol who?”
So I went on to sing one of my favorite songs of that era, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” which was released as a single in 1971 and sure enough I got the same blank stares from both nieces and nephews because many of them weren’t born before the year 2000.
John Fogerty was the songwriter and lead singer of CCR, and as a reminder of what a great song it is, some of the lyrics go:
“Someone told me long ago There’s a calm before the storm I know, it’s been comin’ for some time When it’s over, so they say It’ll rain a sunny day I know, shinin’ down like water
I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain?
I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain?
Comin’ down on a sunny day …”
When “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” played over the airways, we kids were bopping around and I was Sweet 16. This is not to say that some young people wouldn’t remember those great singers and musical groups but … they are few and far between.
All I know is you don’t have to be a Golden Oldie to like the music from the 1960s and ‘70s. When you’re tapping your foot and bopping along, you know those songs are good.
BY TOM MARGENAU
In early October of every year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its much-anticipated report on changes (usually increases) to the Consumer Price Index over the past 12 months. (It was a little late this year due to the government shutdown.) Why is this little esoteric government report -- actually called the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers -- so popular? Because for the past 50 years, it’s been the report that determines the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that Social Security beneficiaries will get the following year.
Because my column has a long lead time, what I am reporting here isn’t news to most of my readers. As I’m sure you already heard, all 75 million Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries’ checks are going up 2.8% in 2026.
I always dread mentioning COLAs in this column because every single time I do, I am flooded with emails from readers complaining that the increase is not enough.
Yet here’s the rub: Many economists and social planners believe Social Security COLAs are too generous! (I’ve explained why in past columns, but don’t have the space to get into that argument today.) That’s why most discussions of long-range reform for Social Security include proposals to reduce cost-of-living increases.
But for now, that’s neither here nor there. So, let’s get back to the 2026 Social Security COLA. Due to these increases, the average monthly retirement check will be $2,071 in 2026, a $56 increase from the 2025 level. The maximum Social Security check for a worker turning full retirement age in 2026 will be $4,152, compared to $4,018 in 2025. And please note that $4,152 is the maximum for someone turning full retirement age in 2026. That does not mean it is the maximum Social Security payment anyone can receive. Millions of Social Security beneficiaries get much more than that, primarily because they worked well past their FRA and/or delayed starting their benefits until age 70.
Here’s another important point about the COLA. Many readers have been asking me if they must file for Social Security benefits in 2025 in order to get the COLA that’s paid in January 2026. The answer is no. The COLA will be built into the benefit computation formula. So even if you don’t file for Social Security until next year, or some subsequent year, you’ll still get the 2.8% increase.
Although this is a Social Security column, I must mention the upcoming increase in the Medicare Part B premium, which is deducted from Social Security checks for most people. As I was writing this column, the 2026 basic Part B premium had not yet been announced. But it is projected to be $206.50. That’s $21.50 more than the 2025 rate. And as has been the case for more than 20 years now, wealthy people will pay more than the basic premium.
Social Security COLA for 2026
I don’t want to get into the complicated issue of Medicare premiums other than to make this quick point. Even though they are linked in the minds of most senior citizens, Social Security and Medicare are entirely separate programs, administered by entirely separate federal agencies, and they have entirely separate rules and regulations regarding their benefit and payment structures. For example, I already explained how Social Security COLAs are figured. The Part B Medicare premium increase has nothing to do with the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ consumer price index. Instead, by law, it must be set at a level that covers 25% of the cost of running the program. Taxpayers pick up the remaining 75%. (And again, wealthy people pay more than the 25% share.)
Another measuring stick called the “national wage index” is used to set increases to other provisions of the law that affect Social Security beneficiaries and taxpayers. Specifically, this includes increases in the amount of wages or self-employment income subject to Social Security tax; the amount of income needed to earn a “quarter of coverage;” and the Social Security earnings penalty limits.
The Social Security taxable earnings base will go up from $176,100 in 2025 to $184,500 in 2026. In other words, people who earn more than $184,500 in 2026 will no longer have Social Security payroll taxes deducted from their paychecks once they hit that threshold. This has always been a very controversial provision of the law. (Elon Musk pays the same amount of Social Security tax as his plumber!) I think it’s a pretty good bet that any eventual Social Security reform package will include an increase in that wage base.
Most people need 40 Social Security work credits (sometimes called “quarters of coverage”) to be eligible for monthly benefit checks from the system. In 2025, people who were working earned one credit for each $1,810 in Social Security taxable income. But no one earns more than four credits per year. In other words, once you have made $7,240, your Social Security record has been credited with the maximum four credits or quarters of coverage. In 2026, the one credit limit goes up to $1,890, meaning you will have to earn $7,560 this coming year before you get the maximum four credits assigned to your Social Security account.
People under their full retirement age who get Social Security retirement or survivor’s benefits but who are still working are subject to limits in the amount of money they can earn and still receive all their Social Security checks. That limit was $23,400 in 2025 and will be $24,480 in 2026. For every two dollars a person earns over those limits, one dollar is withheld from his or her monthly benefits.
There is a higher earnings threshold in the year a person turns full retirement age that applies from the beginning of the year until the month the person reaches FRA. (The income penalty goes away once
a person reaches that magic age.) That threshold goes up from $62,160 in 2025 to $65,160 in 2026.
A couple of other Social Security provisions are also impacted by inflationary increases. For example, people getting disability benefits who try to work can generally continue getting those benefits as long as they are not working at a “substantial” level. In 2025, the law defined substantial work as any job paying $1,620 or more per month. In 2026, that substantial earnings level increases to $1,690 monthly.
Finally, the Supplemental Security Income basic federal payment level for one
person goes up from $967 in 2025 to $994 in 2026. SSI is a federal welfare program administered by the Social Security Administration, but it is not a Social Security benefit. It is paid for out of general revenues, not Social Security taxes.
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
Why smart sellers do a pre-inspection before listing their home
When it comes to selling your home, first impressions are everything — and not just to potential buyers. Before the “For Sale” sign even goes up, there’s one set of eyes that can make or break your transaction: the home inspector’s. For many Long Island sellers, that inspection doesn’t happen until after the offer comes in. But increasingly, savvy homeowners are flipping the script by ordering their own pre-inspection before listing.
It’s a growing trend, especially in a market where buyers are cautious, inventory is tight, and every deal can hinge on the results of an inspection report. A pre-inspection gives sellers an inside look at their home’s condition — the good, the bad, and the potentially expensive — before the buyer’s inspector ever steps foot inside.
The Reality of Today’s Market
In the past few years, the Long Island housing market — much like the rest of the U.S. — has been on a roller coaster. Interest rates rose sharply, buyer demand cooled, and yet prices have remained stubbornly high thanks to a lack of inventory. As of late 2025, homes on Long Island are still commanding strong prices, but buyers have become far more cautious and selective.
After years of bidding wars and waived inspections, buyers are now reasserting their right to know exactly what they’re getting. Many are hiring thorough inspectors and negotiating aggressively for repairs or credits once issues are uncovered. For sellers, that can mean unwelcome surprises — and lost leverage — halfway through a deal.
That’s where a pre-inspection changes the game.
What a Pre-Inspection Is (and Isn’t)
A pre-inspection is a professional home inspection ordered by the seller before listing the property for sale. It’s typically the same comprehensive review a buyer’s inspector would perform — examining the home’s major systems, structure, roof, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and more.
What it’s not is a city code inspection or appraisal. It’s simply a way to identify issues that could affect the sale — from small maintenance items like loose railings or leaky faucets to larger concerns such as foundation cracks or outdated wiring.
On Long Island, where many homes are older (especially those built before 1980), pre-inspections often reveal age-related issues that sellers may not be aware of. Things like outdated oil tanks, aging cesspools, or minor leaks in basements can spook buyers, even if they’re not major deal-breakers. Addressing these proactively can make your home appear well cared for — and reduce negotiation headaches later.
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
The Key Benefits for Sellers
1. Avoid Deal-Killing Surprises
Imagine accepting a great offer, only to have the buyer’s inspection reveal a list of costly problems you didn’t know existed. Suddenly, they’re demanding thousands in repairs or threatening to walk away.
A pre-inspection helps prevent that. It allows you to identify issues before the buyer does — and either fix them or disclose them upfront.
Full transparency builds trust and gives buyers fewer reasons to renegotiate later. If your report shows that the roof is 10 years old, the boiler was serviced annually, and minor repairs have already been addressed, buyers see value and confidence — not risk.
2. Price Your Home More Accurately
A pre-inspection gives you a clear understanding of your home’s true condition, which helps your agent price it appropriately. If your home is in great shape, you can justify a higher asking price. If there are issues you choose not to repair, your agent can factor that into pricing strategy — rather than being blindsided later by a low appraisal or renegotiation.
In a balanced market, honesty pays. Sellers who overprice and then get hit with inspection issues often end up chasing the market downward with price reductions.
3. Strengthen Your Negotiations
When buyers know that a professional inspection has already been done, it removes one of their strongest leverage points in negotiations. You can even provide the report to interested parties and highlight the repairs or maintenance you’ve completed.
This transparency often reduces the need for contingencies or credits. Buyers see that you’ve taken care of the home — and that you’re not hiding anything. On Long Island, where bidding wars are less frenzied than they were a couple of years ago, this can give your listing a competitive edge.
4. Speed Up the Sale Process
Time kills deals. When inspection issues come up late in the transaction, they often delay closings or even derail them entirely. A pre-inspection smooths the process by addressing potential obstacles in advance. It signals to buyers (and their agents) that your home is “move-in ready,” which can lead to faster offers and shorter escrow periods.
5. Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Perhaps the biggest benefit is peace
of mind. Selling a home is stressful enough without worrying about what might pop up in an inspection report. A pre-inspection lets you take control of the process and approach the sale with confidence.
What Does a PreInspection Cost?
The cost of a pre-inspection varies based on home size and location, but on Long Island, expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $700 for a typical single-family home. Larger properties or homes with additional structures (like detached garages or accessory apartments) may cost more.
While that’s an upfront investment, it’s often far less than what you might lose in negotiations later. For example, a minor plumbing issue you can fix for $250 could turn into a $2,500 credit demand from a buyer who overestimates the problem.
When and How to Schedule a Pre-Inspection
The best time to schedule your pre-inspection is before your home officially goes on the market, ideally right after you’ve met with your real estate agent and before the professional photography or open houses begin.
Once you receive the report, review it carefully with your agent. You’ll have three choices for each item noted:
1. Repair it before listing.
2. Disclose it to potential buyers (and price accordingly).
3. Do nothing if the issue is purely cosmetic or minor.
Your agent can help prioritize which repairs offer the best return on investment — for instance, fixing small electrical issues or servicing the HVAC system can go a long way toward showing buyers the home is well maintained.
Should You Share the Pre-Inspection Report?
This is a key strategic decision. Some sellers choose to share the full report openly, while others only disclose that a pre-inspection was done and list the repairs completed.
There are pros and cons to both:
• Sharing the report shows transparency and builds trust, but it also legally obligates you to disclose all findings — even minor ones.
• Keeping the report private gives you more flexibility, though you’ll still need to disclose known defects under New York State’s Property Condition Disclosure Act (or, alternatively, pay the $500 credit to the buyer in lieu of disclosure).
Your real estate agent and attorney
can advise on which approach is best for your situation.
The $10,000 Mistake That Wasn’t Consider a recent example from Nassau County. A homeowner in Garden City was preparing to sell a 1950s colonial. Their agent recommended a pre-inspection. The report uncovered a slow leak in a basement pipe and outdated electrical outlets that weren’t GFCI-protected.
The total cost to fix both issues? About $800.
Had the sellers skipped the pre-inspection, the buyer’s inspector would have found those issues, likely inflating repair costs and leading to a $10,000 price reduction request. Instead, the sellers completed the repairs, documented them, and sold their home at full asking price in less than two weeks. That’s the power of being proactive.
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, Geo-thermal 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) 6474289 or email: Phil@TurnKeyRealEstate. com
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BARNES GALLERY
Custom Picture Framing Two Nassau Blvd Garden City, NY 516-538-4503 Tuesday-Saturday 10-5
CONSUMER CELLULAR the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682
JACK’S CUSTOM FRAMING
We can frame anything! Quality Care & Workmanship Thousands of frames to choose from!!
Over 30 years in business! 92 Covert Ave, Stewart Manor 516-775-9495
ATTORNEY
STEPHANIE A. D’ANGELO, ESQ.
Elder Law, Wills & Trusts Asset Preservation, Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration/Litigation 901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530 516-222-1122 www.dangelolawassociates. com
BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-833-807-0159
DO YOU KNOW WHAT’S IN YOUR WATER? Leaf Home Water Solutions offers FREE water testing and whole home water treatment systems that can be installed in as little one day. 15% off your entire purchase. Plus 10% senior & military discounts. Restrictions apply. Schedule your FREE test today. Call 1-866-247-5728
MADE IN THE SHADE CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS
Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Draperies
Top Brands at Discount Prices! Family owned & operated www.madeintheshadensli. com 516-426-2890 MASONRY
All types of stonework Pavers, Retaining Walls, Belgium Block Patios, Foundations, Seal coating, Concrete and Asphalt driveways, Sidewalks, Steps. Free Estimates Fully Licensed & Insured #H2219010000 Boceski Masonry Louie 516-850-4886
PAULIE THE ROOFER STOPPING LEAKS IS MY SPECIALTY! Slate & Tile Specialists All types of Roofing Local References Licensed & Insured 516-621-3869
PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES with Briggs & StrattonPowerProtect(TM) standby generators the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-888-605-1496
PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES TODAY with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5 year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-877-5161160 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.
CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900
SERVICES
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
SAFE STEP
North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub.
Comprehensive Lifetime warranty. Top of the line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step: 1-855-916-5473
HEALTH SERVICES
FAMILY CARE CONNECTIONS, LLC
Dr. Ann Marie D’Angelo PMHCNS-BC
Doctor of Nursing Practice Advanced Practice Nurse Care
Manager
Assistance with Aging at Home /Care Coordintion
Nursing Home & Assisted Living Placement
PRI / Screens / Mini Mental Status Exams
Medicaid Eligibility and Apllications 516-248-9323
www.familycareconnections.com
901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530
PAINTING & PAPERHANGING
INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING
Plastering, Taping, Sheetrock
Skim Cutting, Old Wood Refinish, Staining, Wallpaper Removal & Hanging, Paint Removal, Power Washing, Wood Replacement
JOHN MIGLIACCIO
Licensed & Insured #80422100000
Call John anytime: 516-901-9398 (Cell) 516-483-3669 (Office)
PARTY HELP
LADIES & GENTLEMEN RELAX & ENJOY Your Next Party!
Catering and Experienced Professional Services for Assisting with Preparation, Serving and Clean Up Before, During and After Your Party Bartenders Available. Call Kate at 516-248-1545
Place an ad for anything you need in our classifieds
SERVICES
TUTORING
STRUGGLING WITH BIO? LET’S MAKE IT CLICK!
From cell structure to ecosystems, I help students truly understand not just memorize. AP Honors
Regents: Biology Environmental Science Virtual or In-Person
Dr. Amanda Shore, University Professor ShoreThingBiology@gmail. com
CLEANING
CLEANING AVAILABLE
I am available for cleaning homes or offices.
My ultimate objective is to provide the highest quality of service to satisfy your cleaning needs.
I have many years of cleaning experience. References available upon request.
Please contact Laylaa: 929-410-1442
SERVICES
AFFORDABLE TV & INTER-
NET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-833-323-0160
PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-833-549-0598 Have zip code of property ready when calling!
Advertise in our newspaper!
Soup is a favorite on chilly days
Hearty Sweet Potato Soup
Cooler temperatures are on the horizon, which means soups will be back on the menu in full force.
A filling soup can be the ideal meal when the mercury drops, particularly when it incorporates
If you own a business or have a service to provide, we’ll create professional advertisements to promote it and help you be seen by thousands of local readers! Call 1-516-294-8900 to inquire! Decoration
1 red onion, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
1 teaspoon ground cumin
fall flavors and ingredients. This “Hearty Sweet Potato Soup” was inspired by Ethiopian spices and it incorporates layers of flavor with a base of earthy sweet potatoes. It’s thick enough to be a
1 teaspoon berbere spice mix
3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into small cubes 5 cups vegetable stock
Handful of canned (drained) chickpeas, butter beans or red kidney beans
1) Add the onion to a large pan with the olive oil and sauté for 10 minutes on a low heat. Add the spices and garlic and fry for a further few minutes.
2) Next, add the sweet potato
meal, and pairs well with fresh, crunchy bread. Try it, courtesy of “Rainbow Bowls” (Sourcebooks) by Niki Webster. Serves 2 to 4
3 tablespoons sun-dried tomato purée
Pinch of chili flakes (optional) Sea salt and black pepper
Toasted seeds or dukkah
2 to 3 tablespoons coconut cream
cubes, vegetable stock, sun-dried tomato purée and chili flakes (if using), cover and simmer for 20 minutes on a low heat until the sweet potato is tender. Season well.
3) Turn off the heat and blitz until smooth using an immersion blender. Ladle into serving bowls and top with the chickpeas, seeds, coconut cream, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Welcome to The Floral Park Villager, where your story is our story!
Over the next few weeks we will be mailing free copies of our new newspaper to all of the homes in the zip code so you can see what we’re excited about! If this is your first time seeing the paper, welcome! Copies are also available at drop points around town. In addition, you can find us online at www.fpvillager.com
What You Can Expect:
Local Focus: Unlike other papers, we concentrate solely on Floral Park and Bellerose. Our pages will be filled with news that matters to you and your neighbors.
Community Contributions: We want to hear from you! Share your sports updates, event announcements, club news, scouting adventures, and personal milestones like weddings and graduations. Your stories are the heartbeat of our publication.
Comprehensive Coverage: Stay informed about village and school board meetings, ensuring you’re up-to-date with the decisions that impact our community.
Letters to the Editor: We value your voice. Share your opinions, ideas, and feedback. Your letters will help shape the dialogue in our community.
Get Involved:
We encourage you to submit your items for publication to editor@gcnews.com. Whether it’s a story, a photo, or an announcement, your contributions will help us build a newspaper that truly reflects the spirit of Floral Park and Bellerose.
How to Subscribe
If you would like to get convenient home delivery of the paper through the mail, please use this QR code or go to our website at www.fpvillager.com
Advertising:
Our Advertising Account Executive, Peter Camp, is a long-time member of the Floral Park community. For information about advertising, you can reach him at 917-861-4627 or pcamp@gcnews.com.
CHOOSING THE #1 HOSPITAL FOR NEUROLOGY & NEUROSURGERY IS A NO-BRAINER.
Best in the U.S. 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022.
NYU Langone Health has been named the Best Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery for the 4th year, based on parameters like patient outcomes and advanced clinical technologies.
With over 340 physician experts across Manhattan, Brooklyn and Long Island, we treat some of the most complex cases of epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and more—while maintaining one of the lowest neurosurgical mortality rates. And what helps us consistently give it our best? A health system designed to do better.
Better health starts with a better health system.
Born and raised in Woodside and Sunnyside, Queens, Marie O’Connor Grant was infused with a strong sense of community that she brought and found again when she moved to Floral Park in 1986. Graduating from Pace University with a BBA Management Information Systems degree and before transitioning into real estate, Marie spent 25 successful years in computer technology sales, where she honed her negotiation skills and built a reputation for integrity and results-driven service. Involved with the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce since 2007 and the former President of the Chamber, Marie exudes passion for the business owners and residents of Floral Park Village. Marie believes that Floral Park residents have a civic responsibility to shop locally and have active involvement in the community. As a dedicated real estate salesperson, known for her personalized approach and deep knowledge of the Long Island, Queens, and especially Floral Park housing markets, she is often quoted as saying, you are not just buying a home, you are buying into a community lifestyle! Being a resident of Floral Park and raising her two sons, Ryan and Christopher here, Marie brings a unique blend of professional expertise and personal experience to her work. She is honored to be a recipient of this prestigious award!