Floral Park Villager (3/28/25) by Litmor Publishing

THE GATEWAY TO NASSAU COUNTY

SERVING FLORAL PARK, BELLEROSE AND STEWART MANOR

Sewanhaka robotics team qualifies for World Championships

Sewanhaka Central High School District’s robotics team, from left: Club Adviser Jack Chen, New Hyde Park Memorial High School student Yashivi Singh, New Hyde Park Memorial High School student Zarif Abrar, Floral Park Memorial High School student Ian Tallini, New Hyde Park Memorial High School student Ethan Lin, Floral Park Memorial High School student Ainsley Cunningham, New Hyde Park Memorial High School student Shohom Chakraborty and Sewanhaka High School student Taaboja Brown.

Sewanhaka Central High School District’s robotics team, the Robopandas, competed at the FIRST Tech Challenge Long Island Regional Championship, hosted at Great Neck South High School on March 16.

In the FIRST Tech Challenge, teams design, build and program their robots to compete on a 12’ X 12’ field, in an alliance format, against other teams. The robots are built from a reusable platform, powered by Android technology and programmed using Java-based programming languages.

At the Long Island Regional Championship, the Robopandas had a perfect match record of 5-0 during the qualification round and were seeded as the #2 ranked team for the following elimination round. Due to their outstanding performance, the team earned the Inspire Award and were recognized as the Finalist Alliance

Captain. Sewanhaka High School student Hailey Sethi and New Hyde Park Memorial High School student Zarif Abrar were named as FIRST Dean's List Semifinalists, a recognition of their leadership and dedication. Robotics team coach Jack Chen, the Career and Technical Education pre-engineering teacher at Sewanhaka High School, was honored with the Compass Award, which recognizes an adult coach or mentor who has given outstanding guidance and support to a team throughout the year and demonstrates to the team what it means to be a “Gracious Professional.”

The Robopandas qualified to advance to the FIRST Robotics World Championships in Houston in April.

“This marks the first time since 2017 that our students will be competing at that level,” Director of Career and Technical Edu-

Basketball tournament raises funds for wildfire recovery

BY UMAMAH SHAHBAZ

On March 12th, the Floral Park community gathered for a fun 3v3 basketball tournament, raising $400 for the Wildfire Recovery Fund. The event brought together student teams from grades 7 through 12 for an exciting night of competition, sup-

porting a cause that’s close to many, the recovery efforts following the recent wildfires in California. “It was incredible to see the community come together to raise funds for those in need. Every dollar we raise makes a difference, and we’re proud to be sending $400 to the Wildfire Recovery Fund.” said Ms. Calabrese, the

principal. The event featured a Junior High and Senior High basketball tournament with strong teamwork, all with the goal of helping those affected by the wildfires. Thanks to the generosity of participants and spectators, the Floral Park community was able to make a meaningful impact.

A recent 3 versus 3 basketball tournament featuring junior and senior high school students raised $400 for the Wildfire Recovery Fund.

Junior Woman’s Club plans Supermarket Bingo

The Floral Park Junior Woman's Club will hold a Supermarket Bingo event on Friday, April 4, to support its program of scholarships and social services.

The event will take place on Friday, April 4. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the first game starts at 7:30 p.m. It will take place at the American Legion Hall, 15 Elizabeth Street, Floral Park. The building is handicap accessible.

Cost of $15 includes two bingo

cards, coffee, dessert, and a a door prize raffle ticket. Additional bingo cards are available at two for $6 or 4 for $10. Winners will receive supermarket gift cards.

There will also be raffle baskets and a 50/50 drawing.

Payments must be made with reservations. Please contact Kathy Kiss at 516-946-3369 or kklccj@hotmail. com by March 21 for reservations and more information.

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Welcome spring at Floral Park Centennial Gardens

Help welcome spring by joining the Weedout Saturday at Floral Park Centennial Gardens on Saturday, April 5.

BY RICH BURGESS, WEEDOUT COORDINATOR AND ANN GRIBBINS, FPCS

May 20th – July 7th 6:35-9:25pm Tuesday/Thursday

SHAPE YOUR FUTURE:

This academy includes:

Jumpstart Your Career in the Financial Services Industry

Career in the Industry Professional Academy individuals services industry. necessary to pass the examination and

April first starts the next season for the Gardens. For 243 days, from noon to 5 p.m., the gardens are open to all, without charge. It is a place of nature to relax and enjoy. All are welcome. The gardens close the weekend after Thanksgiving, and on Thanksgiving Day.

where humans do not want it. It can be a wild plant growing in a human controlled environment crowding out desired plants. These definitions leave considerable room for interpretation.

This academy includes:

• A

• A Three–Credit Finance Elective. Led by a Series 7-licensed professional, this course prepares students to take the SIE, a FINRA licensing requirement for securities industry professionals.

this course prepares students to take the SIE, a FINRA licensing requirement for securities industry professionals.

• Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC). Completion of this self-paced course in Molloy’s trading room will attest to your competency on the Bloomberg Professional system, the gold standard for dissemination of financial information.

• A Three–Credit Finance Elective. Led by a Series 7-licensed professional, this course prepares students to take the SIE, a FINRA licensing requirement for securities industry professionals.

Molloy’s School of Business Summer Finance ProfessionalAcademy offers an intensive learning experience tailored for individuals interested in pursuing careers in the financial services industry. This unique program will provide the training necessary to pass the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) licensing examination and gain other sought-after credentials in this industry.

examination and gain other sought-after credentials in this industry.

Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC). Completion of this self-paced course in Molloy’s trading room will attest to your competency on the Bloomberg Professional system, the gold standard for dissemination of financial information.

• Microsoft Excel Associate or Expert Certification. Strong Excel skills are essential to a successful career in finance. The academy includes training materials and testing fees.

For more information, reply by May 1: https://forms.office.com/r/t3tHDGB84R

• Microsoft Excel Associate or Expert Certification. Strong Excel skills are essential to a successful career in finance. The academy includes training materials and testing fees.

7th 6:35-9:25pm

Microsoft Excel Associate or Expert Cetification. Strong Excel skills are essential to a successful career in finance. The academy includes training materials and testing fees.

The season starts with a Weedout on Saturday April 5th at 9 a.m. Volunteers will meet with Marina Horan at the main gate on Floral Parkway. Marina will share her experience as the creator of the Lavender Garden, lecturer about birds and her many years of volunteering at the gardens. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their garden gloves, clippers, tools and wear garden attire. Over the years high school students, scouts, and individuals of all ages have come and offered their helping hands to keep the gardens looking beautiful.

This brings the question “what is a weed ”?. A plant considered a weed on Long Island could be considered a food in another part of the world. One of a possible number of definitions is that it is a plant growing

The warm spring weather brings several small, colorful flowering plants popping up all over. One very visible flower is the dandelion. This bitter tasting plant has medicinal qualities, however it should be carefully evaluated before consuming as allergic reactions can occur. Other flowers appearing are the crocus, daffodil, violets, clover and tulips . The first flowers to bloom provide essential nectar for the bees to feed and to pollinate.These solitary bees have been hibernating under plants and leaves over winter. The flowers are essential for the bees to survive and for plants to continue. Pesticides kill bees and seep into the ground contaminating the soil.

Please come to the entrance on Floral Parkway on Saturday, April 5th at 9 a.m. You will meet other interested volunteers who appreciate the gardens. You will also leave with a feeling of satisfaction for giving your time to this beautiful area of nature.

Attention students!

For more information, reply by May 1: https://forms.office.com/r/t3tHDGB84R

For more information, reply by May 1:

https://forms.office.com/r/t3tHDGB84R

May 20th – July 7th 6:35-9:25pm Tuesday/Thursday

Graduated from school? Have an outstanding GPA? Made the honor roll or Dean’s List? Scored an internship or study abroad opportunity? We invite you to send details of any of these things and more, along with your name and contact info, to editor@gcnews.com for a chance to be seen in our paper!

April Events at the Floral Park Library

April… the first full month of Spring, and a harbinger of the Library’s Annual Lawn Sale on Saturday, April 26, from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (rain date: Saturday, May 3). Everyone is invited to explore 35+ tables of treasures.

Several Author Talks are on the April schedule with current and former Floral Park residents: John Noone offers “The Plain Field / Shadow Twins” on April 27; Sherry Shaw Levine shares poems in “Remembering Mommy” on April 17; and young Chloe Iannitti reads her Children’s book “A Walk in the Park” on April 1.

On Thursday, April 3, at 6:30 p.m., Town of Hempstead Councilman Thomas Muscarella brings a Narcan Training program to the Library.

April’s Floral Park Library Urban Explorers take on the Museum of the City of New York. The adventure is already at capacity, as was March’s tour of the New York City Public Library. If you’re in spring cleaning mode, visit the Library on April 25 from

10 a.m. – noon when A Shred Away will be curbside to shred your no-longer-needed documents. Curbside at the Library on April 30 from 10:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m. will be the St. Francis Hospital Outreach Bus. Contact the St. Francis Outreach Department for an appointment.

Tuesday evening English Language Learners classes continue, while AARP Tax Assistance wraps up for the year with the last two dates on the April calendar. It’s always a date on Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m. for Hybrid Chair Yoga with Micheline.

For pure entertainment and enlightenment, Adults can opt for a three-class Mah Jongg series, a Stitch and Study Plants with Old Westbury Gardens, and an in depth look at how to Empower Your Child and Teens to Flourish. Registration is open for all three.

The morning Friends of the Library Book Club meets Monday, April 7, at 10:15 a.m., while the women of the Evening Edition Book Club discuss

“The Women” by Kristin Hannah on Thursday, April 10, at 7:00 p.m. Spring Canvas Art and a Minecraft Space Drop programs are available to the teen cohort.

For the youngest cohort, there’s Play Hooray, A Time for Kids Baby Start and Family Pre-School Hour; Craft with the Pom Pom Queen (grades 3 – 5); and Tiny Tots Storytime, Craft with the Pom Queen (grades 3 – 5), and P[art]y Art Fun for Kids sessions (PreK – 1st grade, and grades 2 – 5).

Pokémon Professor Brittany bring a new program to the Library with a Pokémon Trading Card event, and Wool Spring Blankets teach children in grades 3 – 5 the art of basket weaving.

And what would a month be without Chef Julie and a Chefs of d’Future kids program?!

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 April 9 at 7:30 p.m. The

Let your voice be heard!

public is invited to attend.

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

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

For more information on dates and times, events registration and program details, visit the library website, floralparklibrary.org, call 516 326-6330, or visit us at 17 Caroline Place. All events and programs are subject to change and/or cancellation. The Library is closed Sunday, April 20, for Easter Sunday.

Follow us on Facebook (floralparklibrary), Twitter (@fplibrary17), or Instagram (fplibrary, 17, floralparkchildrens, fpplteens).

Is there an issue in your community you want to discuss? Want to respond to something you saw in our paper? Then write a letter to our editor and bring it to everyone’s attention! Send your letter to editor@gcnews.com and we’ll publish it for you!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG AT ST. HEDWIG’S CHURCH

Archival Treasures Part II: The Museum Comes to You

On April 6th at 2 p.m. the Floral Park Historical Society will present the program "Archival Treasures Part II - The Museum Comes to You."

See more selected historical materials from the archives presented by Floral Park Historical Society President Ann Corbett. Hear the stories of why they represent the foundation of Floral

Park community life.

Items will include maps, albums, photos, documents, objects, and recent acquisitions.

The program will be held at the Floral Park Recreation / Pool Building, 124 Stewart Street. The public is invited and the program is free.

FP Junior Woman’s Club plans Supermarket Bingo

The Floral Park Junior Woman's Club will hold a Supermarket Bingo event on Friday, April 4, to support its program of scholarships and social services.

Cost of $15 includes two bingo cards,

coffee, dessert, and a a door prize raffle ticket. Additional bingo cards are available at two for $6 or 4 for $10. Winners will receive supermarket gift cards.

There will also be raffle baskets and a 50/50 drawing.

Payments must be made with reservations. Please contact Kathy Kiss at 516-946-3369 or kklccj@hotmail.com by March 21 for reservations and more information.

Sewanhaka High School student Hailey Sethi and New Hyde Park Memorial High School student Zarif Abrar were named as FIRST Dean’s List Semifinalists.

From page 1

cation Dr. Patrick Dunphy said. “It’s a huge achievement for our program, and the students are incredibly excited.”

Photos courtesy of the Sewanhaka Central High School District

Canvas for your Dream Home! Location, Location, Location, nestled in the Desirable West end of Floral Park Village. This 3 Bedroom/2 Bath house is situated on a 75x100 property with a Two Car Garage and Long Driveway. Featuring Living Room, Formal Dining Room, Eat-in-Kitchen with Gas Cooking and Mudroom on the First Floor. Second Floor has Three Bedrooms and Full Bathroom. Attic has 2 rooms for Storage space. Full Unfinished Basement with Utilities, Bathroom Plumbing, Oil Heating and Egress to the Backyard. Selling “As Is”.

Floral Park Village amenities: Private Police; Private Sanitation;Award Winning Library; Recreation Center with Olympic Size Pool/Pickleball/Tennis/Volleyball/Basketball Courts/Baseball Fields/Tiny Tot Park. Easy Access to LIRR 4 blocks away with a 35-minute commute to Penn Station or the new Grand Central Terminal, Shopping, Restaurants, Highways, School District #22 FPBS. Don’t miss this Potential to build a Dream Home as a property like this doesn’t come to market often! Offered Price at $875,000.

Please call Marie Grant at 516-524-2781 for a private showing. LocAtion + LAnd (75x100) +

“Wacky Science Show” at Floral Park - Bellerose School

Floral Park-Bellerose School students enjoyed interactive science and math learning at the “Wacky Science Show,” on March 18.

Throughout two assemblies, students learned grade-level science facts and witnessed fun experiments, with some involving student assistance. During the second assembly for stu-

dents in grades 4-6, they discussed the difference between life and physical science and experimented with a Möbius strip, liquids and gases, and polymers.

The show was sponsored by the Floral Park-Bellerose PTA.

Students witnessed fun experiments at the Wacky Science Show.

Floral Park-Bellerose School students in grades 4-6 attended the “Wacky Science Show” on March 18.

Photos courtesy of the Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District

Welcome to the Perfect Family Getaway! Walker Ave, East Quogue

This family-friendly, five-bedroom, three bath house on 3/4 acres of lush greenery, nature preserve behind, offers privacy and serenity as you grill on the deck or swim in the heated in-ground pool. Steps away from Shinnecock Bay, perfect for kayaking or canoeing.

Located just minutes from the best beaches, vineyards, and restaurants, this stunning residence boasts features that will make your stay memorable.

New central AC and internet provide a comfortable atmosphere throughout this newly refreshed home. The living room is warm and inviting with RokuTV, leading into dining room with large dining table. The kitchen is fully equipped with all the essential appliances and housewares.

Glass doors open to an expansive deck with large table and outdoor furniture, perfect for entertaining or sun-soaking. A three season screened in cedar outdoor dining room allows for fresh air in the shade.

Large master bedroom opens to the deck and pool. Connected by hallway to an oversized bathroom with steam shower and guest bedroom/office, these three rooms can be closed off for a real master retreat!

The opposite end of the house has a full-sized bedroom and full bath. The second floor has two bedrooms and a full bath.

Available Memorial Day through Labor Day for two weeks, monthly or full summer rental.

Dr. Nicholas O’Malley named resident at NUMC

Free Delivery for Senior Citizens

Nicholas A. O’Malley of Floral Park recently graduated from medical school, and is currently a resident in orthopedic surgery at the Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow.

A lifelong resident of Floral Park, Dr. O’Malley attended Our Lady of Victory School, The Bro. Joseph C. Fox Latin School, and Chaminade High School. Upon graduation from Chaminade, he matriculated to St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, where he earned the coveted Dean’s Scholarship, a full-tuition merit-based award.

While at St. Joseph’s, he was a member of the NCAA Division I Varsity Rowing team, and competed in the prestigious Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta. Majoring in Health Science, he was involved in several academic and philanthropic pursuits. He was named a fellow of the Institute for Clinical Bioethics and was responsible for coordinating the Hispanic Health Promoter Program. He was also involved in conducting medical research at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, a health care study visit to Cuba, and a semester abroad in Madrid, Spain.

After graduating St. Joe’s magna

cum laude, he became a Research Fellow at the NYU Langone Health Spine Research Center in Manhattan, where he developed an interest in orthopedic surgery. He also earned a Masters of Science in Bioethics from Columbia University.

Dr. O’Malley was then admitted to the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine. A medical student during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. O’Malley was a volunteer member of a task force that visited medically underserved areas of New York City to administer vaccinations, and which also provided health care resources to veterans in residential facilities on Long Island. He was awarded a commendation from the Town of Hempstead for his participation in these activities.

Dr. O’Malley is a co-author of numerous published research articles on spine surgery and ethics. He has presented spine-surgery research findings at various national and international conferences.

Dr. O’Malley is the son of Mary Jane and Bernard O’Malley of Floral Park.

Dr. Nicholas O’Malley with parents Mary Jane and Bernard O’Malley of Floral Park.

FOR THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF CANCER CARE, THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

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Find a location near you

AmaWaterways’ Vietnam-Cambodia Mekong Cruise:

The Cambodian Mekong and Siem Reap

GERI BAIN

My 30-year-old-daughter and I are on a week-long AmaWaterways Mekong River cruise. Our journey starts with two pre-cruise days based at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza exploring Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam before setting out on AmaWaterways’ five-star, 64-cabin AmaDara. We have completed the Vietnam portion of our cruise, featured in Part 1, and have crossed the border into Cambodia. Here, in Part 2 of our three-part series, we share highlights from our cruise through Cambodia and our stay in Siem Reap.

On day three of our AmaWaterways Mekong River cruise, we wake up to find our ship docked in Phnom Penh, where we will spend the next two nights. During our time in Vietnam, we anchored mid-river and tendered ashore; we are excited that for the next two nights we are docked right in town near a lively riverside park and can walk or take a tuk tuk (motorized rickshaw-style taxi) to the market, temples and other sites when we are not touring.

The Royal Palace complex, our first destination in Cambodia, takes our breath away with its gilded storybook Khmer architecture. Cambodia is a constitutional monarchy and this complex is the official royal residence as well as a key religious and educational center. Finn, our guide, explains the religious icons and the meaning woven into the architecture. For example, Nagas, which often take the form of multi-headed semi-divine snakes, are used to form balustrades and climb the steep, slanted roofs

AmaWaterways’ Mekong River cruise takes us deep into the cultures of southern Vietnam and Cambodia. (Photo: Courtesy of AmaWaterways)

of buildings, symbolically connecting earth and the heavens. We learn more at our next stop, the National Museum, where Finn shares important Hindu and Buddhist stories behind the sculptures and bas reliefs on display.

In the afternoon, we tour Sleng S21 Detention Center, now a Genocide Museum, where AmaWaterways has arranged for us to meet with one of only seven men known to have survived this torture camp. He has written a book about the horrors he’s seen. Our next stop, as it was for many S21 prisoners, is the infamous Choeung Ek Killing Fields, an extermination camp where the inhumanity is even more startling. Here, mass graves labeled with the number of men, women and children they contain and the skull-filled memorial tower among the shocking things we witness there.

Most of us were aware of the Khmer Rouge genocide, but the scale

and cruelty are unfathomable. It’s believed that at least 1.5 million Cambodians—about a fourth of the population—were murdered from 1975 to 1979 and many more died under the harsh conditions of forced labor camps. It is amazing to realize that most Cambodians alive today either lived through the genocide themselves or have relatives who survived (or perished) during that terror-filled period.

Our moods lift that evening at a pre-dinner performance by a local Khmer dance troupe, whose stylized hand gestures and movements tell classical and folkloric stories. The positive spirit carries into our next day at the Oudong monastery. As we enter its impressive prayer hall, awash in brilliant religious paintings, a giant Buddha statue seems to look down benevolently at us. We seat ourselves on the temple floor. Buddhist monks walk in and sit cross-legged facing our group. Before

bestowing a blessing on us, one of the monks, in perfect English, answers our questions and tells us about their lives and the importance of blessings in Cambodian life, where more than 93 percent of the population is Buddhist. During the 15-minute blessing ceremony, their chanting resounds hypnotically through the grand temple, drawing to a close with a gentle scattering of lotus flowers.

Over the next few days, we get a sense of rural and religious life on visits to a number of temples and small villages. Highlights include an ox-cart ride to a small temple, a visit to a school where we pair off with students to practice their English and a stop at “Silk Island” where we are shown the painstaking process of weaving silk fabric, from mulberry trees and silk worms to cocoons. We watch cocoons being “reeled” into thread that is dyed, set into hand looms and woven into iridescent scarfs, ties, and other products.

One of my favorite excursions is to Angkor Ban, a small agricultural village where people live in wooden homes raised on stilts, and we are guests of a friendly local couple who show us around their home and talk about their children and grandchildren. Leading us along its dirt roads, Finn points out the offerings families place at the small gilded ancestor shrines set on posts in their front yards, the oxen, tethered or fenced near many of the homes, and the daytime activities, many of which take place in the shady under stories of the stilted houses.

Our last stop is Kampong Cham We dock next to a riverside park

Continued on next page

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

The Cambodian Mekong and Siem Reap

Continued from previous page

where we see locals picnicking, exercising to music in small groups, and socializing. We are sad that our cruise is coming to an end. One of the things we love about AmaWaterways is that we tour in small “families” and our guides— one for each country—travel on board with us. The continuity helps fosters a deeper understanding of the culture as our guides build on their narratives. It also creates a familial feeling with them and our fellow travelers. Many of us exchange addresses. Marveling at how much we have seen and done, it’s hard to believe we have only been cruising for a week. We leave the AmaDara with a sense of life in the Mekong region that we could never have fathomed on our own.

AmaWaterways transports us by bus to Siem Reap, where we check into the Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor, a cultural icon that blends French Art Deco architecture with Khmer (Cambodian) art and design. It also showcases ancient Khmer art as well as contemporary Khmer art curated by gallery owner Nat Di Maggio, who offers guided art tours for hotel guests. Other hotel activities include daily monk blessings, morning yoga, and botanical, history, garden and other tours. (www.raffles. com/siem-reap)

Across the street is one of the royal residences of the King Norodom Sihamonia. We stroll through the public Royal Gardens and stop to listen to the prayers at a popular shrine where people come with candles, incense sticks, lotus flowers and other offerings. We return to the hotel in time for afternoon tea—or in my case, the condensed-milk sweetened Cambodian coffee I have come to love—and then head around the corner to the Angkor National Museum which presents a cultural history of the Khmer civilization that proudly con-

At the Oudong monastery, we chat with two monks who answer questions about their rigorous routine and why they chose to be monks. @GeriBain

veys how far-reaching and advanced the Khmer Empire once was.

That evening we indulge in a memorable tasting menu of Cambodian specialties, including corn cake with coconut sauce and snow fish with sweet and sour sauce, at the hotel’s gourmet restaurant,1932. The restaurant takes its name from the year the Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor opened to satisfy the burgeoning interest in Angkor Wat, just a few miles away. After dinner, we walk to the lively nightlife area, a chic modern area of bars, restaurants and sidewalk cafe-style eateries.

We set our alarm for 4 a.m. so we can watch the sun rise over Angkor Wat, a long-standing tradition. Seeing the reddish hues sweeping over the temples and reflected in the huge surrounding moat is well worth early wake-up and we enjoy the generous backpack breakfast Raffles sends with us. We’ve arranged for a private tour, which allows us to go at our own pace and tour several nearby temples, including Banteay Srei. We’re

NUTRITION NEWS

amazed at how well preserved it is - its exquisitely detailed 10th century carvings seem untouched by time.

The 800-year-old Ta Prohm Temple, a.k.a “Tomb Raider Temple” feels especially wonderful—not because the site starred in the the 2001 film starring Angelina Jolie—but because climbing around it gives me the feeling that we are explorers discovering something for the first time. Here, tree roots are spreading over and digging into the stone buildings, and I can imagine how archaeologists felt when they first began discovering the many temples in this region.

Before leaving Cambodia, we spend a morning at the Kulen Elephant Forest, where elephants that once worked under cruel conditions at Angkor Wat are protected and lovingly cared for. We notice torn ears and other evidence of their hard past; now they seem happy to be among people. Their handlers show us how to make treats that they eat from our hands and then we stroll with these

Spring Cleaning Your Diet

BY CHARLYN FARGO

Living in the Midwest with its range of seasons, I have the annual task of switching my closet from the current sweaters and turtlenecks (surprisingly, black and gray) to the lighter, brighter T-shirts and skirts.

It’s also a great time to spring clean your diet by rethinking old eating habits, making healthy food swaps and rethinking food choices.

Start by cutting back on alcohol, added sugars, salt and refined grains (think cakes and cookies). Then you can add more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and probiotics.

With our closet, we often want to add a new spring outfit. With our spring diet, think about trying a new fruit or vegetable. Try the new kiwi berry (no fuzz, super sweet, like a big grape) or some roasted chickpeas (Bombay spice or lightly salted). Both are fun and healthy. For healthy fats, try avocados, nuts, eggs, salmon, tuna, olive oil or dark chocolate. Start your spring clean with a healthy breakfast. A good breakfast fuels your day, and studies show that eating breakfast can help prevent weight gain. A 2017 study in Spain found people who skipped breakfast had more fatty buildup in their arteries, an early sign of heart disease. If weight loss is one of your spring

gentle giants through the forest, watching them interact with each other. We stop at along the way and allow them to sniff us with their trunks as we pet their rough, thick skin and feed them a treat. These elephants, that have been through truly horrific times, seem to harbor no grudges and to be striding resiliently into the future, much like the people of the region. My short voyage through Vietnam and Cambodia has not been a sightseeing trip; it has been a timeless journey into resilient cultures that will live within me forever.

Next, we fly back to Vietnam and spend three days exploring Hanoi, which you can read about in our next installment.

The basics:

In 2025, AmaWaterways offers oneweek Mekong River trips, except during May, June, and July, traveling between Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Siem Reap, Cambodia. Prices start at around $2,320 and include transfers between the ship and Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap and all sightseeing, wi-fi, meals, and on-board programs. Airfare (discounted fares are available), visa fees, bar drinks (alcoholic beverages with meals are included), port charges (about $210 per person) and suggested tips ($80 per person for the crew) and $20-$25 for the cruise manager are extra. AmaWaterways also offers a choice of all-inclusive pre- and post-cruise options. The most comprehensive is eight nights, including Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap/ Angkor Wat, Hanoi, and Ha Long Bay, priced at $2,779 per person. (AmaWaterways.com)

Next: Museum Hopping and Shopping in Hanoi

goals, pull back on portions. Use a smaller plate, share a dinner or save half for tomorrow’s lunch. Mindful eating -- taking more time to chew and explore tastes and textures -- can help with weight loss.

Add another bottle of water to your spring routine as well. Water is vital to all organ systems. Swap it in for a soda, jazz it up with lemon or lime or add some fresh mint.

Spring is also a great time to clean out the fridge and pantry. Clean it out with an eye for health. Ditch the chips and try those roasted chickpeas (6 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein per serving).

Continued on page 5

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

What’s fantastic about Springtime!

As the months pass, as the cold temperatures and brisk winds of winter slip away, I am once again pleasantly reminded about what’s great about spring. Here is my list of a few things that makes it a favorite:

Sounds of Spring Mornings

On spring mornings I wake to the sound of silence and to the sound of a small bird outside my bedroom window singing his song. Long before the others in my house wake up I hear those birds singing softly and it reminds me of so many times, 40+ years ago, that school would be closed for summer vacation and my time would be my own. Before the heat of July and August, before hearing the clanking of our fans or the constant whirring sound of air conditioning, I’d hear that sweet sound of the birds. Once spring arrived my sisters and I and our friends would count down the days until summer vacation. We looked forward to doing so many things. We were students at St. Agnes Elementary School in Rockville Centre so we’d get up early, eat breakfast and dress in our forest green uniforms then catch the yellow school bus for the ride to school. Once the school year was over the eight weeks until Labor Day meant the chance to rest and recreate. Every so often my mom would say it’s time to go food shopping so we’d dress in T-shirts and shorts, get in the car and do that together. On warmer days we’d head to the pool for hours of swimming. Or we’d get in the car and go swimming at Point Lookout. Whatever we did we knew those would be leisurely days. It’s a different bird that sings outside my window now. Picturing it as a cardinal, a bluejay or a bluebird, I know its familiar song and I look forward to waking up each day to its melody. When sunset comes it quiets down and rests but the next day it’s ready once again to sing its song. I am an early riser and when the rest of the house is still quiet I wake up and hear the bird. I imagine it sitting

on the branch of the tree outside my window and every so often I stand up and walk quietly to the window, thrust it open for some fresh air, to see it in person and not just imagine it. My cat also likes looking out the window. Bette Davis seems to know it’s spring when she jumps onto the windowsill to watch whatever is outside and to listen to the songs of the birds. She’s content being inside and hearing their trills. I imagine the colors of the birds’ feathers are bright and beautiful but I discovered a long time ago that even a tiny sparrow has a beautiful song to sing.

The Buzz About Bumble Bees

Bees in a colony work with each other to gather food. Some flowers have more pollen and nectar than others. When a good flower patch is found, bees recruit other bees from their colony to the patch. Using special dances inside the hive, bees communicate their flower location. One bee dances while other bees watch to learn the directions to a specific flower patch. The dancing bee smells like the flower patch, and also gives the watching bees a taste of the nectar she gathered. Smell and taste help other bees find the correct flower patch. The “waggle dance” tells the watching bees three things about a flower patch’s location: the distance and the direction away from the hive plus the quality of the nectar-rich flower patch. Once a bee finds a good flower, she collects resources and returns to the hive, and dances to tell other members of her colony where to find the flower so they can go and collect more resources from it. The dance is an excellent choreography - the bees’ goal is to find the most pollen and nectar in the least amount of time possible. People want to conserve bumble bees because they are essential pollinators. Tomato plants, peppers and cranberries all benefit from buzz pollination. It helps the environment when there are more bumble bees around.

Going to a Ballgame

If you’re in the stands, nothing beats the fun of belting out the song that everyone knows, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” The song was written in 1908 by Jack Norworth, a 29-year-old who hadn’t attended a baseball game. It was first performed at a baseball game in 1934 and then again later that year at a Major League Baseball game. It was in 1946 that tradition of singing this baseball song in the seventh inning first took place. The band struck up the song during a game while fans stood for the seventh-inning stretch. The song was described by Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Caray as “a song that reflects the charisma of baseball” and now we all connect it with America’s national pastime.

These days you can hear “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” being sung at every MLB ballgame. While many teams played “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch, very few people sang it. That changed thanks to announcer Harry Caray who spent 15 years with the Chicago Cubs. And, if you guessed Chicago Cubs, that would make sense,

but the answer is the Chicago White Sox, when Harry Caray was that team’s play-by-play announcer. It was after Bill Veeck bought the team and he was known for his publicity stunts. Veeck is the person who put ivy in the outfield at Wrigley Field. Early in the 1976 season Veeck heard Harry Caray singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” along with the organist during commercials. He could only be heard by people in the booth, but Veeck had an engineer secretly hook up a public address microphone in Caray’s booth, and the next night Caray heard himself singing to everybody in the stadium. Caray wasn’t happy about it, but Veeck told him that for years he’d wanted crowds to sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and Caray’s participation did the trick. Caray argued that he didn’t have a good singing voice. Veeck said that was true which made everyone in the stadium feel they could sing at least as well or better. He told Caray, “If you had a good singing voice, you would intimidate them and they wouldn’t join in.” People join in because it’s such a fun, catchy song.

BY TOM MARGENAU

The GPO Repeal Backlash Has Begun

I predicted this was going to happen. The public outcry over the repeal of the Government Pension Offset law has begun. I am hearing from more and more people (mostly women) who want to know why retired teachers, firefighters, police officers and other public employees are getting Social Security spousal and survivor benefits that they can’t get. Here is a typical recent email.

Q: My sister and I are both retired teachers. I taught in a private school in Colorado, where I paid into Social Security. My sister taught in Dallas, where she paid into the Texas Teachers Retirement program and not Social Security. So I get a Social Security retirement benefit and she gets a Texas teacher’s pension. Surprisingly, they are both about the same amount. We each get about $3,000 per month. We’re also both widows. Until recently, neither of us could get widows benefits because our own retirement pensions prevented us from getting anything from our husband’s Social Security. But apparently a new law was recently passed called the Social Security Fairness Act that allows my sister to get full Social Security widows benefits. However, I still can’t. How in the world is that fair?

A: It’s not fair. I’ve been preaching that the misnamed Social Security Fairness Act is a bad law. And as a result, I’ve been receiving angry and even hateful emails from retired public employees around the country. I want them to listen to your story. (In today’s column, I will be dealing only with the repeal of the Government Pension Offset, not the repeal of the related Windfall Elimination Provision.)

First, here is some background to help you understand what GPO was all about. Throughout the history of Social Security, the law has always said that a Social Security retirement benefit offsets any spousal or widows benefits a person might be due.

Here are a couple quick examples. Mary is getting $3,000 in her own Social Security retirement benefit. Her deceased husband Frank was getting $2,800. Mary can’t get widows benefits because her own Social Security benefit is higher than her potential widows benefit.

Or we could change that example a bit and say that Frank was getting a $4,200 retirement benefit before he died. In this scenario, Mary will keep getting her own $3,000 Social Security check, but she will get an extra $1,200 in widows benefits to take her up to Frank’s $4,200 level.

Again, that Social Security benefit offset has been in place ever since the beginning of the program in the 1930s. But

by the mid-1970s, Congress noted a glitch in that law. The retirement benefits paid to public employees who worked at jobs that were not covered by Social Security but who had spouses who did work and pay into Social Security, were not subject to any offset. In other words, in our example above, if Mary was a retired teacher in Texas who was getting $3,000 in a Texas teacher’s retirement pension, she would have been able to get that pension AND have received full Social Security widows benefits on Frank’s record. (Either $2,800 monthly in the first example or $4,200 in the second.) There would have been no offset.

Congress correctly said that was unfair. So in the 1970s, they passed the Government Pension Offset law that essentially said that a public employee retirement pension would offset any spousal benefits due just as Social Security retirement pensions had always done. You would think that everyone would recognize the fairness of that. But that is not what happened. Public employees went into a rage thinking that they were being cheated out of spousal and widows benefits from Social Security that everyone else could get. They totally misunderstood the point that Social Security retirement benefits had always offset and spousal or widows benefits due. The GPO law was simply treating their public retirement pensions in the same way that Social Security retirement pensions had always been treated.

Anyway, public employee unions and advocacy groups spent the next 40 years lobbying Congress to repeal the GPO law. Bills to repeal GPO were introduced in every Congress. And every year, those bills were defeated. Why? Because the GPO law made sense -- it made sure that all working Americans were treated fairly.

But then we got into the politically wacky 21st century where there seemed to be constant partisan battles in Congress over budgets and continuing resolutions and government shutdowns and all other forms of fiscal chicanery. Amid all that mess, it became easier for GPO repeal advocates to get their bills into the hopper of an otherwise distracted Congress. And each year, they seemed to get closer and closer to having their way. Finally, in December 2024, literally almost at the last minute of the last day of Congress, they tacked on the totally misnamed “Social Security Fairness Act” into a mix of other bills, and it became law.

So now we are right back where we were 40 years ago. Public employees can get spousal and widows benefits that no one else can get.

But back to the teacher who sent the email I quoted at the beginning of the column. With the repeal of GPO, her sister, the teacher from Texas, will now be able to get her teacher’s retirement pension

AND full widows benefits from Social Security. But the letter writer, the private school teacher from Colorado, will never be able to get widows benefits. If anybody thinks that is fair, then please explain it to me.

Here is one more even weirder

and less fair part of the Social Security Fairness Act. As I mentioned many times in this column, as an old federal retiree, I collect a civil service retirement pension -- not Social Security.

Continued on next page

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

REAL ESTATE WATCH

Will education, entrepreneurial spirit spur homeownership?

Over the years a defining factor for the majority of purchasers was location, location and the school district. This was understandable, especially if you already had or planed on having children in the future. Today’s’ high prices of homes, condos and coops dictate who has the wherewithal to afford to move to a highly rated school system. Moreover, the availability and diversification of special education programs is another asset to consider when choosing a town. This is a dilemma for many who want the best education for their children, but may be limited due to the high interest rates and prices as well as their defined budgets and qualifications to be approved for a mortgage. Paying high rents as opposed to buying, to be in better schools is a trade-off in reducing your future wealth, but temporarily, may be worth it in exchange for a better learning environment and opportunities for your kids. Unfortunately, those with higher paying jobs or lucrative businesses have an advantage and are in a more beneficial position to purchase and choose better school systems.

The price of education has escalated over the last decade to an unpredictable average level of $36,523+ per student in 2025, for the 11 school districts in the Town of North Hempstead, up an estimated $1000 plus from the previous year as stated. Since approximately

SOCIAL SECURITY AND YOU

Continued from previous page

(Feds hired since 1984 do pay into Social Security and will retire with Social Security benefits.) Even though I get a comfortable civil service pension, with the repeal of the GPO, I am now able to collect a dependent husband’s benefit on my wife’s Social Security account. Anybody with a Social Security retirement pension the same size as my civil service benefit would never be able to do that. So why can I? And for that matter, why can millions of retired teachers, firefighters and police officers do the same? No one has ever been able to give me a good answer to these questions either.

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.

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

65% of your real estate taxes are related to your school taxes, there appears to be no end in sight. It appears that the majority of school budgets in the higher valued property locations always seem to pass as education is still a priority for those particular voters and their families as the most important and worthwhile facet and commodity and of greatest value of a top notch community.

I need to change direction for a moment to provide some explanation. My personal and professional opinion, if you are currently residing in a school system that needs improvement, there is only one path that you must take as a homeowner. It should be of utmost priority for you to be as involved as possible in your schools and the programs it offers that will be the greatest benefit to your children’s education. There is power in numbers and the more proactive in participating in all meetings with school administrators; the greater the opportunity that changes will occur.

To start, this can be accomplished at home, by setting ground rules at an early age as to what you expect of your children as far as doing their

daily homework, studying and most important after school activities to keep them healthier, building strong character qualities and teamwork. Sacrificing some of their free time and becoming disciplined will assist them in their future development, endeavors and advancement later on in life. Consistent conditioning and guidance will reap the rewards in their future paths to success. Increasing the scholastic scores in math, science and English will raise the statistics and profile of that school. Hopefully this will also lead to better grades, going on to higher education and a successful career and/ or business. You as a parent are the most critical, crucial and influential component in order to advance them, being competitive leading to a successful outcome.

College may not be as important today for that segment of the population who have above average IQs, entrepreneurial skills and creative cutting edge ideas, as did Bill Gates, who started Microsoft and, Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook (now Meta), as they dropped out of Harvard University to begin their global changing companies, redefining the world of PCs and social networking. Steve

NUTRITION NEWS

Jobs opted to drop out of Reed College to begin his journey in creating Apple Computer. Even Sergey Bren dropped out of his PHD program to start Google with partner Larry Page. However, Michael Dell, Dell Computers started his company in his dorm at the University of Texas. Come back next week for Part 2.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate,l = located at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. For a free 15-minute consultation, value analysis of your home, or to answer any of your questions or concerns he can be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email: Phil@TurnKeyRealEstate.Com and you can search properties at your leisure and convenience at: https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com bit.ly/4bXWVu6 (facebook.com) bit.ly/4inVqaR (X.com) bit.ly/4bVSwrs (linkedIn) bit.ly/4inVK9z (Instagram) bit.ly/4bQH14x (YouTube)

Spring Cleaning Your Diet

Continued from page 2

And since it’s spring, heat up the grill and cook at home instead of going out. It will save you calories, sodium and money -- and you’ll be ready to enjoy the spring weather.

Q and A

Q: Should I wash my greens even if they are in packages that say they are “prewashed”?

A: The Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention say prewashed leafy greens in packages that say “ready-to-eat,” “triple washed” or “no washing necessary” do not need to be washed again. For all other greens, washing is important. Remove any torn or bruised leaves and the outer leaves of cabbages and lettuce heads and rinse the remaining greens under running water, rubbing them gently to help get rid of dirt and germs. The CDC does not recommend soaking, as that may allow germs from one leaf to spread to other

leaves. And the CDC does not recommend using produce wash, soap or any other chemicals on foods.

Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois, and the current president of the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of March 30 - April 5, 2025

Check Out a Ringless Saturn

Saturn is everyone’s favorite planet, it seems. Through a telescope those glorious rings make that world appear so three-dimensional that it’s not uncommon for folks to accuse me of inserting a slide into the eyepiece. “It just can’t be real,” they proclaim.

But it is real. The ring system of Saturn is one of the great marvels of our solar system that even a small, low-powered telescope can show, along with Saturn’s largest and brightest moon, Titan. Of course, a more powerful telescope will show not only the planet’s rings but also a break within them known as the Cassini Division.

Astronomers have known about the rings of Saturn for nearly four centuries, and for most of that time, scientists debated their true nature. Today we know that, even though the rings appear solid, they’re made of countless chunks of ice that whirl around the planet at tens of thousands of miles per hour. And the size of the rings (a diameter of about 170,000 miles) is hard to comprehend. In other words, if brought to Earth this structure would fill most of the void between the Earth and the moon, yet the rings are less than a mile thick!

If you’ve never experienced this amazing sight, I’m afraid you’ll have a bit of a wait. That’s because these rings change their orientation as Saturn orbits the sun. At their widest, the rings girdle the Saturnian equator at a 26.7-degree angle to Earth. They appear “open” when Saturn is in the parts of its orbit that correspond to its summer or winter -- when its poles are tilted toward the sun and Earth.

As Saturn approaches its spring and fall positions, however, these remarkably thin rings “close down” and become quite difficult to see from Earth. When turned completely edge-on to us, they leave only a tiny, faint and nearly featureless yellowish-white disk.

Right now is one of those times. We crossed Saturn’s ring plane on March 23; at that time, however, the planet was much too close to the sun to get a good view. Our best view of Saturn appearing without rings will begin in April when it begins to emerge from the sun’s glare. And if you’ve never seen Saturn without rings, it’s well worth the effort to do so!

We’ve seen Saturn in our evening sky for the past

view quite thrilling, since the ring may appear only as a thin dark line crossing the planet’s disk or may even cast its shadow onto the Saturnian cloud tops. After this month, our next good edge-on view of Saturn won’t come until 2038-39.

By this time next year, the rings will be opening a bit more and will continue doing so until they reach their widest and brightest again in 2032.

Saturn will appear in the predawn sky in April, though its rings will barely be visible.

few months, but now it’s crossing behind the sun and is lost in our star’s glare. It will emerge into the predawn sky during April, but no matter what size telescope you use, you may find the view of a ringless Saturn disappointing. Or you may find this surreal

LOST IN SUBURBIA

And it’s these stunningly beautiful views that make Saturn everyone’s favorite planet!

Nothing Comes Between Me and My Lava Cake

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

When it comes to desserts, there are three kinds of people: sugary-dessert people, fruit-dessert people and no-dessert people. I’m a sugary-dessert person, and like most sugary-dessert people, I don’t get the other kinds of dessert people at all. I can almost understand no-dessert people. But fruit-dessert people? Fruit as a dessert seems like a completely wasted opportunity. If a molten chocolate lava cake is on the menu, why would you possibly order fruit unless, perhaps, you were a pirate with scurvy and needed the vitamin C?

I had all this in mind when my husband and I finished dinner with one of his clients and the client’s wife. The dinner was perfectly nice. The conversation was lovely. But when it came time to order the desserts, my husband and I got a sugary dessert because, hello, lava

cake (!), while the husband got fruit, and the wife got nothing.

“Just coffee for me,” she said to the server. And then to me, “I’m trying to cut out sugar.”

I nodded respectfully at her choice to be a no-dessert person.

When my cake arrived, I went to dig in. But before I could get my fork into the cake, the no-dessert lady reached over with her fork, took a giant swipe of my cake and then plunged it into her mouth. No “Do you mind if I ...” or “May I have a taste?” She just went in with fork blazing and cakejacked my cake. I was floored.

“Ummmm,” she swooned. “This is yummy.”

“I wouldn’t know,” I said under my breath. “I haven’t tried it.”

I glanced at my husband, who had his fork up in midair, ready to have his

taste. He took one look at me and lowered his fork.

“Oh, honey,” said the no-dessert lady, who was rapidly becoming someone-else’s-dessert lady to her husband. “This is so good. You have to try it!”

With that she plunged her fork into my cake a second time and then fed her husband my cake off her fork.

“Oh yeah, that’s good lava cake,” he replied, licking his lips.

I went to say something, but I honestly was at a loss for words. I was astounded that someone would actually have the audacity to pilfer my dessert not one but two times, and before I’d even had any. I wondered if I had a look about me that said, “Sure, go ahead, take my cake.”

The bigger issue, though, was not that she had shoplifted my cake twice but that I really couldn’t say anything

about it. This was the wife of my husband’s client. She might be a cake-napper, but she was still a cake-napping wife of a client.

Fortunately, before I could say something, the client’s wife excused herself to go the bathroom, and the client stepped out to make a call. Impulsively, I reached out, picked up the saltshaker and dumped a generous amount of salt in her coffee.

My husband stared at me, appalled. “What are you doing?!?” he hissed. I shrugged. “I’m giving her her just desserts.”

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.

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APARTMENT FOR

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2nd Floor, 2 Bedrooms

$2,800/month

Available Immediately

Call 516-993-1207

WIREMAN/CABLEMAN

TVs Mounted. Phone, TV, Computer Wires, HD Antennas, Starlink Dishes, Stereos Installed And Serviced. FREE Estimates.

Lic#54264-RE and Ins.

Call Dave 631-667-9473 (WIRE), 516-353-1118 (TEXT)

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

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

FLORAL PSYCHIATRY

MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC

Adult Psychiatrist & Nutritionist

Focus on Women’s Mental Health

Therapy & Nutrition Psychiatry

Medication Management

A multilingual practice Parthy Shah, MD

516-666-2693

Virtual Clinic online at: urjapsychiatry.com

PAINTING & PAPERHANGING

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING

Plastering, Taping, Sheetrock

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

JOHN MIGLIACCIO

Licensed & Insured #80422100000

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

SERVICES SERVICES

AFFORDABLE TV & INTER-

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

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

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

Email submissions: editor@gcnews.com

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

• Articles must be between 1,500 – 3,000 words.

• Each writer will be reimbursed a stipend of $25.⁰⁰

CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

Homemade pasta makes for flavorful comfort food

Herb Ravioli

Makes 4 servings

Pasta is enjoyed across the globe. Whether it’s the main course of a meal or served up as a side dish, pasta will seemingly always have a place on the dinner table.

Pasta may not be the first

For the dough:

14 ounces flour; for pasta

2 egg yolks

For the filling:

7 ounces baking potatoes

1 slice stale white bread

3 1⁄2 tablespoons soft butter

1 bunch finely chopped chives

1 bunch finely chopped parsley

In addition:

Flour for the work surface

1 egg white

1) Combine the flour, egg yolks, eggs, oil, salt, and 2 to 3 tablespoons cold water and quickly knead to a pliable dough. Form into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 1 hour.

2) For the filling, peel and quarter the potatoes and cook in boiling, salted water for 20 minutes.

3) Finely dice the bread. Heat 1 tablespoon butter and fry the

thing people think of when pondering comfort food, but certain dishes, including ravioli, certainly meet the comfort food criteria. Such is the case with this recipe for “Herb Ravioli” courtesy of Lines+Angles.

2 eggs

1 pinch salt

1 tablespoon olive oil

Sprig chervil

4 ounces crème fraîche

1 finely chopped shallot Salt Pepper

4 1⁄2 ounces bacon

1 bunch chives

Chervil or parsley, to garnish

diced bread until golden brown to make croutons. Let cool, then reserve 1 tablespoon of the croutons for serving.

4) Drain and mash the potatoes, let cool slightly, then mix with the rest of the butter, salt, pepper, herbs, croutons, and crème fraîche.

5) Divide the pasta dough in half and roll out thinly into 2 sheets. Put teaspoonfuls of the

filling on one of the sheets of pasta, leaving about 2 inches between them.

6) Brush the dough around the filling with egg white. Lay the second sheet of pasta dough on top and press together between the heaps of filling.

7) Cut out the ravioli with a pastry wheel.

8) Drop the ravioli into boiling, salted water and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, then take out and keep warm.

9) Dice the bacon and fry until crisp and brown. Wash the

chives, shake dry and snip. Serve the ravioli onto warmed plates, scatter with bacon, chives and croutons and serve garnished with chervil or parsley.

9:30 PM

Stephanie Larkin Girl Scouts Troop 1239 Gold Award Candidates

FPFD: Red Alert

Larry King, AEMT

James P. Spear ~ Director of Professional Mariner Training at SUNY Maritime

The Antique Road Test

Walter Gosden & John Salemmo

“The Automobile Salon” ~ An Invitation-Only Luxury Car Exhibition

The Author Corner

Stephanie Larkin

Mark A. Torres ~ “Long Island & the Legacy of Eugenics: Station of Intolerance”

Wes Houston Presents…

Wes Houston Fred Raimondo ~ Singer-Songwriter-Guitarist

OLV Rosary Altar Society Spring Fair

OLV Rosary Altar Society Spring Fair will be held on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event will include great vendors; free bike tune up, blessing of bikes, bake

sale, raffles, refreshments. Anyone interested in being a vendor at the event, please email janiceolv@ gmail.com

Attention high school seniors

The Floral Park Junior Woman’s Club will be offering awards with scholarships to students who have displayed outstanding dedication to community service throughout their high school experience. These awards are given to honor the memory of three former members of the Floral Park Junior Woman’s Club who volunteered in the commu-

nity. Applications can be found at the Floral Park Public Library and Floral Park Memorial High School Guidance Office. Please fill out an application with a short essay about your community service experience and return it by Thursday, April 24, 2025. See application for additional details.

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1 Floral Blvd., Floral Park, NY 11002 Phone: 516.326.1150 ~ Email: 4VS@4VS.org

Swinging Nursery Rhymes and Lullabies at LICM

Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Webob Program Highlights National Jazz Month

Get ready to jazz things up at the Long Island Children’s Museum this April in celebration of National Jazz Month! From toe-tapping performances to cool crafts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

On Sunday, April 13, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Jazz at Lincoln Center is bringing its Webop Family Jazz Party’s “Swingin’ Nursery Rhymes and Lullabies” to the LICM Theater! Get ready to hear classic nursery rhymes and lullabies like “Old McDonald,” “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and “Wheels on the Bus” with a jazzy twist! Led by talented musicians and educators, little ones will be introduced to the magic of jazz while singing, dancing, and joining in on the fun. This family-friendly performance is sure to inspire future jazz lovers, so be sure to bring the whole crew for a toe-tapping, finger-snapping good time!

“I’m delighted that Museum visitors will have the chance to enjoy the talented Jazz at Lincoln Center musicians again and experience the exciting Webop program,” says LICM President Erika Floreska. “I have wonderful memories of my own children taking part in Webop performances, and now I have the privilege of bringing that same experience to LICM families.”

Webop performances are aimed at infants to eight-year-old children. Floreska spoke about the connection children have to the improvisational elements of jazz introduced in the Family Jazz Party performances. “The idea of creating something in the moment is the basis of play; it’s something kids do every day and something that the Museum celebrates as the most important learning tool.”

This concert, aligned with the Jazz at Lincoln Center residency at the Tilles Center, is the penultimate performance of the Museum’s Musical Explorers Series for the season. Musical Explorers! performances are sponsored by

Roni Kohen-Lemle and Robert Lemle.

The Jazz at Lincoln Center performances on April 13 are priced at $5 with Museum admission ($4 for Museum members) and $10 for theater-only tickets. Tickets are available at the Museum Box Office or online at www.licm.org/ theater.

During National Jazz Month, kids can get even more creative at the Museum’s All That Jazz workshop, offered weekdays throughout the month.

Though jazz is often associated with brass and string instruments, the genre wouldn’t be what it is without percussion. Come make your own tambourine and don’t miss a beat! Visitors can create their take-home tambourines on Tuesday through Friday from 2:30 to 4 p.m. (April 1-4, April 8-11, and April 22-25), as well as Tuesday, April 29, and Wednesday, April 30. This is a dropin program and is free with Museum admission.

All activities will be held at the Long

Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Museum admission: $18 for adults and children over 1 year old, $16 for seniors, FREE to museum members and children under 12 months old. For additional information, contact 516-224-5800.

Hours: September to June: Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July -August: Open Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WeBop Family Jazz Party takes over the LICM stage.

Photo courtesy LICM/ Lawrence Sumulong/Jazz at Lincoln Center.

JLCS sixth graders receive special visit from Holocaust survivors

John Lewis Childs School sixth graders received firsthand accounts of the Holocaust and World War II from survivors Agi Adler and Gilda Zirinsky on March 19. The event was organized by the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.

To welcome the special guests to the school, the sixth graders sang a beautiful rendition of “Peaceful” by Teresa Jennings, led by music teacher Chelsea Stern.

In the classrooms, Ms. Adler and Ms. Zirinsky spoke to the students about their personal experiences during the Holocaust and how they survived. To conclude the visit, the students were able to ask Ms. Adler and Ms. Zirinsky questions.

Sixth graders learn about World War II and the Holocaust as part of their social studies curriculum at John Lewis Childs School.

Lewis Childs School sixth graders, administrators and Interim Superintendent

are pictured with Agi Adler on March 19.

personal experiences surviving the Holocaust on March 19.

See what's happening at your library!

From classes to lectures and concerts to movie screenings, there's never a dull day at your local library!

Check this paper each week for fun and informative all-ages activities, all for free or cheap!

John Lewis Childs School sixth graders listened as Gilda Zirinsky spoke about her

John Lewis Childs School sixth graders listened as Agi Adler spoke about her

John Lewis Childs School sixth graders welcomed Holocaust survivors Agi Adler and Gilda Zirinsky with a performance of “Peaceful” on March 19.

John Lewis Childs School sixth graders are pictured with Gilda Zirinsky on March 19.

John

Lisa Ruiz

Photos courtesy of the Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District

JLCS students see presentation from Paws of War

The students presented Paws of War with a special donation, demonstrating their commitment to supporting local heroes who have served their country.

More than 250 students at John Lewis Childs Elementary School in Floral Park recently received an inspiring educational assembly from veterans and staff members from Paws of War. The program showcased the nonprofit organization’s life-changing work for veterans and first responders and their service dogs. The presentation was led by Courtney Collins, Director of Operations and Programs for Paws of War, who was joined by fellow veterans Ron Williams (U.S. Army), Gary O’Rourke (U.S. Army), John Mulvey (U.S. Navy), and Matt Humpf (U.S. Army), each of whom were accompanied by their service dogs. The veterans educated students on the critical difference between service dogs and companion animals; while demonstrating the profound impact these specially trained dogs have on their daily lives.

"Our students were captivated by the presentation from Paws of War and the incredible bond between the veterans and their service dogs. Witnessing firsthand how these specially trained animals provide vital support to those who have served our country created a powerful learning experience. The students' enthusiastic response and eagerness to contribute to this worthy cause demonstrates how educational initiatives like this teach important lessons about service and compassion and also inspire meaningful action,” said Christina Saunders and Marianna Antonakis, Teachers and co-organizers of the event.

“These service animals provide essential support to veterans and first responders who have given so much to our country,” said Collins. “Our goal for the program was to help them better

The event began with a formal presentation of colors by students from the school who recently completed training with the Floral Park American Legion Post 334 on flag etiquette and color presentation protocols.

understand our programs and why it is important to support and recognize the service of our local heroes. We were all thrilled to see the excitement and patriotism of the students.”

The event started with a formal presentation of colors by students from the school who recently completed training with the Floral Park American Legion Post 334 on flag etiquette and color presentation protocols. The ceremony highlighted the importance of patriotism

and respect for national symbols. The students also presented Paws of War with a special donation, demonstrating their commitment to supporting local heroes who have served their country. Students, parents, teachers and staff are continuing to raise funds for Paws of War, these funds are needed to help Paws of War provide services at no charge to veterans and first responders.

“We are incredibly moved by the students’ generosity,” said Collins. “Their

contribution will directly support our mission to provide service dogs to veterans and first responders in need.”

The event organized by teachers Marianna Antonakis and Christina Saunders with the support of school principal Kristina Lynch and members of the Floral Park American Legion Post 334.

To donate or to learn more about Paws of War, please visit, www.pawsofwar.org.

The students got to meet the working service dogs and learn about the profound impact these animals have had on the lives of the veterans.