Town to offer free pickleball clinic
The Town of Hempstead will be offering a free pickleball clinic for kids and seniors to learn the basics of this popular sport.
Pickleball is the latest sports sensation that’s sweeping the nation and the Town of Hempstead has welcomed it with open arms, opening over 70 courts across the Town over the last few years. In fact, since April denotes National Pickleball Month, Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin has announced a free pickleball clinic aimed towards youngsters and seniors to teach the ins-and-outs of this popular sport. The
announcement was made at the packed pickleball courts at Baldwin Park with the sounds of popping pickleball paddles in the background.
The free pickleball clinic will be held on Sunday, April 27, at Baldwin Park (3232 Grand Avenue, Baldwin) from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will be open to youth ages 7 to 13 and adults ages 50+. The course will cover the basic rules
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The Floral Park Villager, 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208 Garden City, N.Y. 11530 • Meg Norris, Publisher
Proposed school budget: What it means for taxpayers
BY KASSARA MCELROY
At the April 10 Board of Education meeting, the Floral Park-Bellerose School District released the final version of its proposed 2025–26 budget, reflecting a 2.07% increase in total spending over the previous year. The proposed tax levy would rise by 1.942%, generating an additional $534,016 in local revenue and bringing the total levy to just over $28 million. For homeowners, this equates to an estimated increase of $156 annually, or roughly $13 per month.
While the first draft of the budget included a slightly lower tax levy increase of 1.926%, adjustments were made following the finalization of the BOCES capital exclusion figure, which was pending during earlier drafts.
The district continues to rely primarily on local revenue, which makes up 70% of the total budget, including tax levies and PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) agreements. State aid accounts for 24%, and 1% comes from additional sources such as community services and interest. Total revenue and expenditures are projected to balance at $40,359,720, a yearover-year increase of $820,036, which includes a projected $20,829 increase in state aid—pending final figures from the Governor.
Investments in safety, staffing, support
The proposed budget includes continued investments in safety and security. These include additional security cameras across the district, updates to the current security system infrastructure
to support more devices, and continued partnerships with both the Floral Park Police Department and Altaris Consulting Group. The district also plans to maintain its collaboration with Nassau BOCES to support ongoing cybersecurity efforts.
To address growing enrollment and evolving student needs, the budget includes funding for several new positions. These include an additional teacher for the primary grades, one full-time integrated co-teaching (ICT) position, a full-time mental health professional, two occupational therapists, and one physical therapist. Increases in staffing time are also planned for both speech and orchestra instruction.
Curriculum development remains a central focus. The district plans to introduce a new three-dimensional science curriculum and expand professional development in science, math, and the science of reading. Additional funding supports curriculum writing and training aligned with revised writing instruction. The curriculum review cycle will also continue, with a focus on social studies.
Capital Reserve Proposal
A new capital reserve fund has been proposed to support long-term facility improvements outlined in the district’s five-year capital improvement plan. Functioning as a dedicated savings account separate from the annual operating budget, the reserve would allow the district to fund future repairs and
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7:30 PM
FOUR VILLAGE STUDIO
4 V S ~ Optimum Ch.18 & Fios Ch.28
MONDAY, APRIL 21st & THURSDAY, APRIL 24th
Uncorked
Rex Whicker
“In Vino, Verdi: Part 2 Il Trovatore” ~ Rex Pairs Wine & Opera
Wes Houston Presents…
8:00 PM
8:30 PM
9:00 PM
9:30 PM
Wes Houston
“The String Sisters” ~ Annie Mark & Maria Fairchild Perform Old -Time Music
The Antique Road Test
Walter Gosden
“The 1931 Franklin” ~ Take A Ride In Walter’s Antique Automobile!
The Author Corner
Stephanie Larkin
“From Crisis to Calm” ~ Nicole Christensen, Health Care Patient Advocacy
Healthcare Aware
George Ingram
“Comfort Health Care” ~ Rene Hauszpigel, RN
New superintendent named for FP-Bellerose schools
The Floral Park-Bellerose Board of Education has announced the appointment of Dr. Anthony Lubrano as the next Floral Park-Bellerose superintendent of schools, effective July 1. The appointment follows an extensive search process that included soliciting community feedback through surveys, a community forum and collaborating with School Leadership LLC to identify the best candidate to meet the needs of the district.
A seasoned administrator with more than 25 years of educational experience, Dr. Lubrano comes to Floral Park-Bellerose from the Hicksville Public Schools system. Throughout his career, Dr. Lubrano has been known for his support of student-centered educational approaches, using federal stimulus funds to implement RULER and balanced literacy approaches. As principal, his building team was recognized by the University of the State of New York Education Department as a High Performing/Gap Closing School and one of 12 NYS schools awarded the Pathfinder Award by New York State’s private sector for marked improvement from one year to the next based on students’ state test scores.
New Party Room Is Here!
1 Floral Blvd., Floral Park, NY 11002
Phone: 516.326.1150 ~ Email: 4VS@4VS.org
Host your next event at the Knights of Columbus’ newly renovated party room! It’s the perfect place for:
~ Happy Easter ~
The hall will be closed for the Easter holiday, but reopening Monday the 21st. Come on down and catch your Mets & Yankees games. Let our place be your home for watching the Knicks playoff run. If you’d like to become a member, stop by to ask for more details.
Dr. Lubrano began his career in education as a literacy teacher for the New York City Department of Education and a reading teacher in the West Islip School District. He has served in various building level administrative capacities, including as an elementary school principal and an assistant principal for more than a decade. He most recently served as an assistant superintendent for curriculum & instruction. Dr. Lubrano is completing a fellowship in the NYSCOSS Future Superintendents Academy.
“It is with great zeal and honor that I begin my service as the Superintendent of the Floral Park-Bellerose School District,” Dr. Lubrano stated. “It is my aspiration that together we will con-
tinue to influence and nurture the educational excellence, innovation, and achievements of the Floral Park-Bellerose children. I look forward to working collaboratively with all the district stakeholders to provide educational opportunities that prepare all students to meet and exceed the district’s forward-thinking goals.”
Dr. Lubrano holds his bachelor’s, master’s and New York State certification for School District Administrator from the City University of New York at Brooklyn College. He earned his doctorate from Long Island University in Transformational Leadership. Additionally, he studied educational leadership and school reform at Harvard University’s Principals’ Institute, Improving Schools: The Art of Leadership. He also spent time studying Spanish abroad in Heredia, Costa Rica and worked as a litigation legal assistant for Sullivan & Cromwell. As an avid traveler, he has traveled in Central and South America, Europe, and Asia.
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.
Get Results!
Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call our Garden City office at 294-8900 for more information.
Dr. Anthony Lubrano
Photo courtesy of Floral Park-Bellerose School District
Junior Woman’s Club
Annual Craft Fair on May 4
The Floral Park Junior Woman’s Club will be holding its Annual Craft Fair on Sunday, May 4, (rain date Sunday, May 18) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
in Memorial Park, Tulip and Plainfield Avenues (in front of OLV).
The fair will feature assorted arts and crafts
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
We
Submissions
sale, raffles, refreshments.
Anyone interested in being a vendor at the event, please email janiceolv@ gmail.com
Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray (left) officiated the wedding of Floral Park residents Felipe Navarijo Aguirre and Jaleel Akaloo on April 2, 2025 at Hempstead Town Hall. Residents interested in obtaining their marriage license and/or scheduling a wedding ceremony should call the Office of the Town Clerk at (516) 812-3014 or visit hempsteadny.gov/marriage.
Proposed school budget: What it means for taxpayers
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renovations without resorting to borrowing or causing sudden tax increases. If approved by voters, the fund would be capped at $9 million and remain in place for up to ten years. All expenditures from the reserve would require separate voter approval.
What Happens If the Budget Fails?
If the proposed budget is not approved by voters, a contingency budget will take effect, freezing the tax levy at its current level. This would require the district to make $534,016 in cuts, potentially impacting program enhancements, staffing, instructional materials, and even requiring fees for district-wide facility use.
Community members will have the opportunity to vote on the budget and capital reserve proposal on May 20, 2025. The district is inviting questions and feedback from residents through a Google Form available on its website. Responses will be reviewed and addressed at an upcoming Budget Advisory Committee meeting.
S.P.A.R.K. Program Feedback
The district also provided an update on the S.P.A.R.K. program at Thursday night’s meeting. Rooted in inquiry-based and project-based learning, the program promotes strategic thinking,
advanced reasoning, creative problem solving, research skills, and cross-disciplinary learning through a thematic and conceptual curriculum.
A recent parent survey showed strong support for the program. Approximately 63% of respondents rated their child’s experience as “excellent,” while nearly 35% rated it as “good.” Only 2% of parents felt neutral or reported that the experience needed improvement. When asked about their child’s engagement, nearly 70% said their child was “highly engaged,” 26% reported “somewhat engaged,” and only 4% noted low or occasional engagement. The majority of parents, 72%, felt the class length was appropriate, with 20% saying classes were too long and 7% saying they were too short.
Additional feedback pointed to noticeable growth in areas such as public speaking, vocabulary development, research skills, and hands-on collaboration connected to real-world problems. Parents also reported high levels of enthusiasm among the kids for the program’s field trips.
Looking ahead, parents are seeking more frequent communication beyond the three annual progress reports and parent-teacher conferences. There were also requests to further refine scheduling to minimize interruptions to core instruction.
Community comments, future meetings
During the meeting, Dr. Anthony Lubrano was officially appointed as the new superintendent of schools, effective July 1. A seasoned administrator with more than 25 years of experience, Dr. Lubrano comes to Floral Park-Bellerose from the Hicksville Public Schools system.
In the public comment portion of the meeting, a representative from the Bellerose Terrace Civic Association raised concerns about the maintenance
of the pedestrian tunnel connecting the school to the surrounding neighborhood. Administrators acknowledged the concern and will share the feedback with the Director of Facilities for further review and appropriate follow-up. The next Board of Education work session will take place on April 23, followed by a regular session on May 8. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and take part in shaping the district’s future by participating in these meetings and voting in the May budget election.
Pickleball Clinic
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of pickleball while also providing some advanced tips and tricks. Paddles and balls will be provided. Online registration begins on Tuesday, April 15, at 10:00 a.m. Registration can be found at the following link: https://hempsteadny.gov/289/Pickleball-Lessons.
The Town of Hempstead is home to 70 pickleball courts for residents to enjoy. What’s more, just recently Supervisor Clavin unveiled Long Island’s first ever ADA-compliant pickleball court at Forest City Park in Wantagh. The ADA-compliant pickleball court is 44
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
feet wide and 74 feet long, compared to the standard pickleball court which is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long. The Town of Hempstead hosts pickleball classes throughout the year for all ages and even hosts an annual pickleball tournament in the Fall.
“With warmer weather on the way, there’s no better time to learn this exciting game,” concluded Clavin. “Take advantage of National Pickleball Month and join in on the free clinic that will teach the basics needed to get started. Once again, I thank everyone for joining us today as we celebrate the great sport of pickleball!”
FP-B schools welcome new superintendent, discuss SPARK program
Interim Superintendent Lisa Ruiz and the Board of Education accepted the check presented by members of the Floral Park-Bellerose Education Fund at the Board of Education meeting on April 10.
Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District formally welcomed the new superintendent of schools, celebrated the accomplishments of S.P.A.R.K. (Strategic Thinking, Problem Solving, Research and Exploration, Advanced Reasoning and Knowledge) students and received generous program funding at the board of education meeting on April 10.
Dr. Anthony Lubrano was officially appointed as the new superintendent of schools, effective July 1. A seasoned administrator with more than 25 years of educational experience, Dr. Lubrano comes to Floral Park-Bellerose from the Hicksville Public Schools system.
Following the introduction of Dr.
Lubrano, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Peter Rufa presented on the district’s successful enrichment initiative, the S.P.A.R.K. program. The program was designed to support students who show high levels of curiosity, creativity and critical thinking.
Four S.P.A.R.K. students were invited to share their recent projects.
Floral Park-Bellerose School third grader Gianna Hasbrouck presented on her archaeology unit research on the Rosetta Stone. John Lewis Childs School fourth grader Charles Peter discussed solving real-world problems and his proposition to build a highway across the continent of Africa. Floral
Park-Bellerose School fifth grader
Shane Galla shared his “Road to the White House” unit research on 31st U.S. President Herbert Hoover. John Lewis Childs School sixth grader Nola Ryan presented on the Global Goals Project, which is based on the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and how her team built a model of a wind turbine to create a renewable energy source.
Following the S.P.A.R.K. students’ presentations, Interim Superintendent Lisa Ruiz acknowledged the incredible work and dedication of Assistant Principals Meghan Dixon and Michael Elka in honor of National Assistant Principals Week.
Mrs. Ruiz also welcomed members of the Floral Park Bellerose Education Fund, which was formed in 2024 to enrich the educational experiences of all students attending Floral Park-Bellerose School and John Lewis Childs School by financially supporting special projects and opportunities. Representatives of the Ed Fund presented the district with $6,600 to fund four impactful projects, two from each building. Funds are awarded through a grant application process completed by teachers.
From left: S.P.A.R.K. teacher Claudia Cerrone-Campoli, Shane Galla, Charles Peter, Nola Ryan, Gianna Hasbrouck and S.P.A.R.K. teacher Michelle Ulzheimer at the Board of Education meeting on April 10.
Dr. Anthony Lubrano (center) is pictured with Board Trustee Rose Peltonen, board trustee Michele Vincent, Board President Jaclyn O’Donohue, Board Trustee Laura Trentacoste and Board Trustee Michael Culotta at the Board of Education meeting on April 10.
John Lewis Childs School Assistant Principal Meghan Dixon is pictured with members of the Board of Education and Interim Superintendent Lisa Ruiz at the Board of Education meeting on April 10. Floral Park-Bellerose School Assistant Principal Michael Elka was not in attendance.
Photos courtesy of the Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District
WHAT DOES ‘HEALTH SYSTEM’ EVEN MEAN? IT MEANS A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR YOUR HEALTH.
A health system is more than a doctor. In our case, it’s 320+ locations with the exact same high standard of care. It’s integrated medical teams that achieve the best patient outcomes. It’s leading the charge in medical discoveries. It’s the lowest mortality rates in the nation. It’s being named #1 for quality care in the U.S. Our health system has the best doctors, and the best doctors are just the beginning.
health starts with a better
April 18, 2025
Rails to Trails Conservancy Highlights Benefits on Celebrate Trails
BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM
Rails to Trails Conservancy is hosting its Celebrate Trails Day on April 26. This annual spring celebration of America’s trails, which Rails to Trails has organized since 2013 on the fourth Saturday of April, invites one and all to “come outside to experience the joy and impact of America’s trails”.
Every Celebrate Trails Day, RTC teams up with partners—trail groups, agencies, nonprofits, businesses, brands, clubs and every other type of organization in between—to offer scores of events and activities that encourage physical activity, stewardship, community engagement and opportunities to swap out a routine car trip for a walk or a bike ride, helping to lower their individual carbon footprint.
“Celebrate Trails Day creates a unique opportunity to show off the many ways trails are essential to communities across the country,” said Ryan Chao, RTC’s president. “Thousands of people get outside with us to send the message that when we connect trails, good things happen.”
What good things? “The nation’s 42,000+ miles of multiuse trails on the ground nationwide lay the foundation for 150+ trail networks in development means we have space to move our bodies and be active outside, which is good for our physical and mental health. We support our local economy and create new connections in the neighborhoods where we live. And we can get around safely without a car. These spaces bring incredible value
Day, April 26
Biking the Great Allegheny Passage trail with Rails to Trails Conservancy. The trail is part of the Great American Rail-Trail that ultimately will create a transcontinental network of trails 3,700 miles from Washington DC to Washington state. Find a trail near you on Celebrate Trails Day, April 26.
© Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
to our everyday lives, improving the quality of life where people live, work and play. When we show up on trails, we send a message loud and clear that these spaces are essential to our communities.”
Every Celebrate Trails Day, Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) teams up with partners—trail groups, agencies, nonprofits, businesses, brands, clubs and every other type of organization in between—to inspire tens of thousands of people to get outside and celebrate – and advocate – for recreational trails.
RTC has curated resources to help you plan a day of biking, walking, hiking, running and/or exploring outdoors.
These include an interactive map
to find events near you (more events being added all the time). Using the map, you can find hikes, spring cleanups, group rides, fun runs, family-friendly festival. You Go to the website , https://www.railstotrails. org/celebratetrailsday/. (You can also find out how to win prizes for participating.)
Find Trails: Any day of the year, you can find trails near you around the nation using RTC’s free trailguide app and website, TrailLink.
Impact of Trails for People, Places and the Planet
The annual Celebrate Trails Day event highlights the return on investment that’s possible as the nation’s more than 41,000 miles of multiuse trails are connected into
GOING PLACES NEAR AND FAR
trail networks that make it safer and easier for people to be active outside where they live.
Many of the more than 240 events that take place align with emerging trail and active transportation networks across the country, creating an opportunity for communities to learn more about these infrastructure developments and to experience the benefits of creating connected trail and active transportation systems. These events also showcase the impact of connected trail systems, which have the potential to deliver more than $138 billion to the economy each year in health cost savings, climate savings and direct spending.
Participants in Celebrate Trails Day reported mental health benefits of time spent being active on the trail (97% of people agree that using trails makes a difference for their mental health and well-being) and the majority say that having events or programming on the trail motivates them to be physically active (85%).
More than three-quarters (78%) indicate that they would use trails as part of their everyday routine (e.g., going to the store, school, work or for exercise) and 76% of respondents indicated they chose to swap a car trip for a walk, bike ride or other active transportation on Celebrate Trails Day and at other times in their day-to-day routines.
Since 1986, Rails to Trails Conservancy, a nonprofit organization, has been “dedicated to creating a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people.”
Its most ambitious program
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GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....
Rails to Trails Conservancy Highlights Benefits on Celebrate Trails Day, April 26
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to date is the creation of the Great American Rail-Trail , that will ultimately connect more than 125 multiuse recreational trails 3,700 miles across the continent, from Washington D.C., through 12 states, to Washington State. (https://www.railstotrails.org/site/ greatamericanrailtrail/)
Some iconic trails are already in place along the Great American Rail-Trail route, while communities, nonprofit partners, state agencies and volunteers are working to build trails to benefit their local area by linking up to the trans-continental network.(See the full list here, https://www.railstotrails.org/ site/greatamericanrailtrail/content/ route/)
As of January, 2025 the Great American Rail Trail – America’s first trans-continental network - is 55% complete with 2,059 miles of trails out of the total 3,700 miles.(see: https:// www.railstotrails.org/resource-library/ resources/great-american-rail-trailroute-assessment-2024/)
Rails to Trails Conservancy, 2445 M Street, NW, Suite 650, Washington, DC 20037, 866-202-9788, railstotrails.org.
Bike Tour Companies Embrace Rail Trails
Already, at least two bike tour operators offer itineraries on segments of the Great American Rail-Trail: Wilderness Voyageurs already has tours on many segments of the Great American Rail-Trail – indeed, it is actually headquartered on, the famous and picturesque Great Allegheny Passage, one of the primary building blocks of the east-to-west route.
With the addition of the Iowa Trestles Tour in 2021, Wilderness Voyageurs offers supported rides on more than 820 miles of the route. Its multi-day, inn-to-
inn, bike tours on the Great American Rail-Trail visit 14 different trails in eight states These include:
The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) is an iconic rail-trail that runs 150 miles from Cumberland, Maryland, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was built in partnership between state agencies and many local trail groups and volunteers. The GAP is featured on three different trips: a four-day Great Allegheny Passage tour from Pittsburgh to Cumberland; six-day Pittsburgh to D.C. tour, and Pennsylvania and Maryland Easy Rider tour. (Wilderness Voyageurs is headquartered right next to the trail in Ohiopyle, Check out the Great Allegheny Passage for info and travel tips.)
The C&O Canal Towpath from Cumberland to Georgetown is featured on a six-day Pittsburgh to D.C. bike tour Following the Potomac River, the C&O Canal Towpath traverses the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park for 184.5 miles. Hundreds of original features - locks, lock houses, aqueducts and other canal structures - are reminders of the canal’s role as a transportation system during the Canal Era, which peaked in the mid-19th century. The C&O actually connects with the GAP.
Its Pittsburgh to D.C. bike tour includes an optional ride on the Capital Crescent Trail, a paved trail that parallels the canal towpath. The 11-mile trail follows the former route of the Georgetown Branch rail line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.
Both its Gettysburg and the Civil War bike tour and Shenandoah and Skyline Drive bike tours visit part of the towpath near historic Harpers Ferry.
The Cincinnati to Cleveland Tour
features a corridor that will ultimately connect the Ohio River in Cincinnati to Lake Erie in Cleveland. Of its planned 326 miles, more than 270 miles of trail are complete visiting six different trails and many beautiful small towns. Besides knocking out a big chunk of the Great American Rail-Trail, you visit Cuyahoga National Park, one of the newest national parks.
The Iowa Trestles Tour is a 4 day meander that cycles 3 different trails that are part of the GART: the High Trestle Trail, the Heart of Iowa Nature Trail and the 2021 inductee to the Rail Trail Hall of Fame, The Raccoon River Valley Trail.
The Idaho Coeur d’Alenes and Hiawatha tour spends time on the NorPac Trail that follows the old rightof-way of the Northern Pacific Railway (hence the trail’s name) in western Montana and the Idaho Panhandle, crossing Lookout Pass. The trail runs from Idaho near Mullan at the trailhead for the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, past the East Portal of the Route of the Hiawatha (south of Taft, Montana) and on to the small town of Saltese. The entire trail offers spectacular views of the forested Rocky Mountains as well as lakes and streams.
The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes covers nearly 72 paved miles through scenic mountains and valleys in Idaho’s Panhandle. The area has a rich mining, railroading and Native American history, and hugs the Lake Coeur d’Alene shoreline, rolling foothills in the Palouse prairie, and goes over the impressive Chatcolet Bridge.
The Washington Olympic Peninsula tour cruises the Olympic Discovery Trail, which is the western terminus of the Great American RailTrail. Starting in the Victorian seaport of Port Townsend and ending on the
Better Nutrition, Better Hearing
BY CHARLYN FARGO
It may surprise you to know that research shows your diet can affect your susceptibility to hearing loss.
A study looking at the relationship between diet, tinnitus and hearing difficulties was published in the March/ April issue of Ear and Hearing journal. Researchers looked at 34,576 U.K. adults between the ages of 40 and 69. Dietary assessment was based on a detailed computerized questionnaire about their intake of 200 commonly consumed food and beverages in the previous 24 hours.
The study was funded and reported by the National Institutes of Health and found that a lack of vitamins A, B, C, D
and E, and minerals zinc, magnesium, selenium, iron or iodine led to an increased incidence of hearing loss. Researchers attributed this to the increased antioxidants from the vitamins and minerals, which inhibit the formation of free radicals that can contribute to hearing loss.
In addition, diets high in carbohydrates, cholesterol and fats and lower in protein corresponded to poorer hearing status, attributed to negative effect on the vascular system and blood flow to the ear’s cochlea, the spiral cavity of the inner ear where nerve impulses are produced in response to sound vibrations.
Researchers found that consuming more healthy fats such as omega-3s had a positive impact on hearing by improving
shores of the Pacific Ocean, the ODT is filled with views of snow capped peaks, ocean vistas, fast flowing rivers and pristine lakes, and everywhere the majestic forests of the Pacific Northwest. Olympic National Park, which was established in 1938 by President Franklin Roosevelt, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site! (Wilderness Voyageurs has trips on many rail trails in New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, South Dakota, Idaho and Washington. (See a complete list of rail-trail bike tours) Wilderness Voyageurs, 103 Garrett Street. Ohiopyle, PA 15470, 724-3291000, 800-272-4141 wilderness-voyageurs. com
Discovery Bicycle Tours, similarly, offers several trips on rail-trails that are part of the Great American Rail-Trail: C&O Canal Trail; Great Allegheny Passage, Pennsylvania; Silver Comet Trail; the Centennial Trail, the Hiawatha Trail and the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes on its Idaho Trails tour), as well as many others.
Other Discovery Bicycle Tours rail trail trips include 200 miles of the Empire State Rail Trail from Battery Park, Manhattan to Albany (part of the 750-mile long Empire Trail Network that goes from Battery Park on the southern tip of Manhattan up to the Canadian border, and east-west on the 360-mile-long Erie Canalway from Buffalo to Albany); the longest rail trail in New England, the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail; Appalachian rail trails of Virginia and West Virginia; Mickelson Trail, South Dakota, 6-Day Washington Cascades Trails, and the P’tit du Nord rail trail in Quebec.
Discovery Bicycle Tours, 2520 W. Woodstock Rd., Woodstock, VT 05091, 888459-3265 info@discoverybicycletours.com © 2025 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com
blood supply to the cochlea.
Tinnitus is defined as ringing or buzzing in the ear and can lead to hearing loss.
A study cited by the American Auditory Society notes that higher intakes of calcium and fat were associated with increased occurrences of tinnitus. In addition, higher intakes of B12 and protein were associated with reduced occurrences of tinnitus.
The bottom line? A diet low in fat and high in vitamins and antioxidants may be important for hearing health.
Q and A
Q: Is watermelon healthy?
A: Watermelon is 92% water, so it’s a simple way to help stay hydrated. And
Continued on page 5
Of chocolate bunnies & jelly beans on Easter
BY CLAIRE LYNCH
My friend, Brian, was excited about Easter which was just around the corner so he told me that last year he figured out a way to surprise his grandchildren with a visit to see the Easter bunny.
On Holy Saturday Brian took the two youngsters, Kara and Billy, who were 6 and 5, to the public library where they went to the children’s section which was all decorated for the holiday and they saw a display of kids’ Easter books.
Sitting down Brian picked up one of the books and read it to the kids. They loved it.
After browsing for a while they headed out toward the lobby where they saw several other youngsters arriving.
Brian knew what was up but he wanted Kara and Billy to discover that out back, a holiday extravaganza was about to begin. It would indeed be a special day because the following day was Easter Sunday when they would remember Jesus Christ rising from the dead.
Heading out behind the library there was a large field where Brian saw lots of colorful balloons, paper eggs hanging from tree branches and a life-size Easter bunny milling about. There were adult volunteers in brightly-colored costumes who were doing a great job of personifying characters dressed as jelly beans.
An emcee announced the beginning of an Easter egg hunt and the kids ran from place to place collecting little plastic eggs that contained chocolates and toys. Some were tucked away in the bushes and were a bit hard to find but others were pretty obvious. The staff knew there would be different age
groups of kids so they varied it - they had made the Easter egg hunt challenging and easy.
Afterwards the kids sat at tables having snacks and socializing. Brian saw his grandkids chatting away with the kids sitting next to them and they were smiling from ear to ear. After the kids had their fill of talking and eating snacks, the librarian went up front to address the group. Off to the side of her sat a plush toy, a cute looking stuffed rabbit and the librarian announced that she was going to tell them a very interesting story. In fact it was a perfect story for Easter.
Lydia the librarian sat at a table with a microphone that had been set up for her. Calling the kids to attention, she started telling them a cute Easter story. As she spoke Brian noticed little bags of jelly beans on either side of her on the table and on the perfect spring day that it was the occasional gust of wind gently blew the balloons around. It was a beautiful setting for an Easter story.
Lydia said, “I’m sure you know the story of Peter the Rabbit, that mischievous rabbit who got into so much trouble in Mr. McGregor’s garden but I have a different cute story to tell you because you probably already knew the story of Peter Rabbit.” Most of the kids nodded so she put the book down, switched gears and started saying that she had an Easter story she wanted to share. At the end of her story they could give a thumbs up or thumbs down indicating whether or not they liked her tale.
So she began: The Easter bunny and the purple jelly bean were standing around in a field when the Easter bunny challenged the jelly bean to a half-milelong race. He would surely win but the
Easter bunny had to announce that the winner of the race would get a pile full of chocolate bunnies to eat on the holiday. He had seen all of the chocolate bunnies and it was indeed a sight to behold.
Smiling agreeably at the Easter bunny, the jelly bean said, “You’re on” and they lined up at the starting line. When someone shouted, “On your mark, get set, go!” they both took off but the jelly bean immediately smiled to herself because she knew she had an advantage. She was round and pliable like most jelly beans are and when she was halfway to the finish line she saw the Easter bunny was still far behind.
Crossing the finish line, she rolled to a halt and smiled from ear to ear. Turning around, she saw the Easter bunny cross the finish line a few minutes later then come over to shake her hand. “Congratulations,” he said. “Now that table full of chocolate bunnies will be yours to enjoy!”
Returning to where they had started, the Easter bunny and the jelly bean chatted for a while under a perfect April sky. The temperature had warmed up and the jelly bean said that she had an Easter idea: she would share all of the chocolate bunnies she had won with the kids in her town.
The Easter bunny raised his eyebrows and asked how exactly would she do that. Smiling, the jelly bean said she would announce that all of the kids should line up and step up to take a chocolate bunny when it was their turn. “Ok,” the Easter bunny said. “I guess it is simple after all.”
Heading into town the jelly bean stood behind the table full of chocolate bunnies and made the announce-
ment. Sure enough the kids lined up and everything went smoothly. They were happy to have a chocolaty treat on the holiday.
When the kids had gone, the Easter bunny turned to the jelly bean and said, “There’s one chocolate bunny left and it is for you. I hope you have a lovely holiday.”
At the end of Lydia’s story the kids all clapped and smiled broadly. They gave a thumbs up and each person was given a chocolate bunny as they left that day. Kara and Billy said goodbye to the kids around them and Brian said it was time to go. He’d wanted to make this a fun day and he had succeeded.
Between going to church, having relatives over for dinner and eating the chocolate Easter bunnies, this holiday promises to be a great one.
This is fiction. Happy Easter, Happy Passover and Happy Spring to all!
Tips to overcome seasonal allergies
Spring and summer are typically welcomed with open arms. Warm weather, blooming flowers and trees full of leaves are a welcome sight for many, but seasonal allergy sufferers may find the transition from winter to spring a little more challenging.
The Center for Health Statistics found that just under 26 percent of adults and roughly 19 percent of children have a seasonal allergy. Treatments for seasonal allergies can be effective, and many people find over-the-counter medications are enough to alleviate their symptoms. But even people who take OTC medications daily may have days when seasonal allergies cause considerable discomfort. In such situations, allergy sufferers can consider these strategies.
• Identify your triggers. The American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology notes that pollen is the most com-
mon outside allergy trigger. Trees and grasses typically pollinate in spring and summer, which is why these seasons can be especially challenging for people with seasonal allergies. Dustmites and pets might trigger allergies indoors, but these can appear throughout the year. A visit to an allergist can determine what exactly triggers seasonal allergies. For example, certain types of grasses and trees might be triggers for some but not others. Identifying triggers is an effective first step because it can compel people to avoid the things that cause allergic reactions.
• Stay indoors on dry, windy days. The Mayo Clinic advises seasonal allergy sufferers to stay indoors on dry, windy days, when pollen can be nearly impossible to avoid.
• Take advantage of a good rain. The Mayo Clinic advises that the best time for seasonal allergy sufferers to be outside is after a good rain. Rain helps to clear pollen from the air, so post-rain conditions can be ideal for people with seasonal allergies.
• Change your clothes and wash up upon coming inside. The ACAAI recommends changing clothes, washing them and taking a shower upon coming inside during allergy season. Washing clothes
and taking a shower reduces the likelihood that you’ll spread pollen around the interior of your home, where it can attach to furniture and trigger allergic reactions.
• Monitor the pollen count. As noted, pollen is a seasonal allergy trigger, so allergy sufferers are urged to monitor the pollen count via a website such as Pollen. com, where visitors can type in their ZIP code and get an up-to-date allergy report. On days when the pollen count is high, stay indoors and keep windows closed so the pollen does not get inside. The Mayo Clinic notes that pollen counts tend to be highest in morning, so it’s best to avoid being outside during this time of day.
Seasonal allergies can make spring and summer more challenging. A few simple strategies can help people control their seasonal allergies even on days when pollen counts are particularly high.
Most Common Social Security Questions
BY TOM MARGENAU
I recently did a couple of media interviews. One was a podcast and the other was a radio show. The hosts of both media outlets asked me essentially the same thing: “What are the most common questions people ask about Social Security?” As long as it’s fresh in my mind, I thought I’d turn those questions (and the answers, of course) into a column.
Many of the questions I’ve been getting recently have to do with the political side of Social Security -- all the stuff going on in Washington. But I’ve written more than a few columns about those issues recently. So today I’m sticking with the much simpler and less volatile program or practical side of Social Security. Here are some of those common practical questions.
Q: When should I take my Social Security?
A: This is by far the most common question I am asked. And I usually start out my answer this way: “Tell me when you are going to die, and I will tell you when to start your Social Security benefits.”
Of course, because no one really knows the answer to that question, no one really knows the absolute best time to start their Social Security benefits. So, there is no magic or secret answer to that question. All you can do is gather all the facts, think through your personal situation and just make the best choice you can.
I can tell you that most financial planners will suggest it is best to wait to file for Social Security until your full retirement age when you would get your full retirement benefit.
But if you are trying to maximize the future survivor benefit that would be paid to your spouse after you die, then it might make sense to wait until age 70 when you (and your potential surviving spouse) would get about 130% of your full retirement rate.
On the other hand, if you have other sources of retirement income, or if you don’t expect to live a very long life, then taking your benefits (at a reduced rate) at age 62 might make the most sense.
Q: I’m 62. My husband is 67 and getting Social Security. Can I file for spousal benefits on his record now and save my own until I’m 70?
A: No, you can’t do that. You always must file for your own benefits first. Only after you do that can you look at your husband’s record to see if you can get any additional spousal benefits.
Q: I am 60 and not working. My husband recently died. Can I file for widow’s benefits now and save my own until I am 70?
A: Yes, you can do that. A widow does not have the same restrictions as a spouse with a living husband (as ex-
plained in the prior Q and A). You can file for widow’s benefits now and then switch to 100% of your own at full retirement age or wait until 70 and get about 130%. Or, depending on the amount of money involved, you might be able to file for retirement benefits at age 62 (the earliest you can do that), and then at full retirement age, switch to 100% widow’s benefits.
Q: If I die, what will my wife get?
A: The answer depends on several factors. But assuming you die well after your full retirement age, and assuming your wife is over her full retirement age when you die, then as a general rule, she will get what you were getting at the time of death. Quick example: You are 85 and getting $1,800 per month. Your wife is 82 and getting $1,200 per month. When you die, she will keep getting her $1,200, and then she will get an additional $600 in widow’s benefits.
Q: I’m already getting my Social Security, but I’m still working. Will my additional income and the taxes I’m paying increase my Social Security check?
A: It depends. Your original benefit was based on your average monthly wage using your highest 35 years of inflation-adjusted earnings. If the earnings you have now are higher than the lowest inflation-adjusted year used in your original computation, the SSA will drop out that lower year, add in the new higher year, and adjust your benefit accordingly. But don’t expect a windfall. Your benefit might go up by maybe $10 to $30 per month if you had a year of good earnings. The actual increase you might get depends entirely on what your past earnings were.
Q: When my father died, why did we have to return his last check?
A: Several rules come into play here. First, Social Security benefits have never been prorated. Second, benefits are always paid one month behind. And third, the law says you must live an entire month to be due a Social Security check for that month.
Here is a quick example. John dies on April 24. The Social Security check that comes in May (the payment for April) must be returned.
That’s the downside to the lack of proration. But there are two upsides.
One: Let’s say John started his benefits when he was 66 and that he turned 66 on June 22. He would get a check for the whole month of June even though he was 66 for only eight days of the month.
Two: If John left a widow, she would get widow’s benefits for the whole month of April even though she was a widow for only six days of the month.
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
It’s not about selling, it’s about relationships, and survival
I went into business in 1977 doing landscape design, licensed and certified professional lawn-tree and shrub applications, irrigation design and also created our carpet cleaning division; when we unfortunately dirtied someone’s carpeting.
Over the years, I have always felt and believed, as Rotary International’s belief and foundation was created upon “Service, Above Self.” Creating cultural competency as a lifelong journey by fostering empathy, embracing diversity, building organizations rooted in trust and belonging and lead across identity lines and living a life of giving and paying it forward.
In our personal lives as well as in our business careers, meeting new people and learning about their life, successes and trials and tribulations, whether to gain new friendships turning them into lasting long-term bonds or in benefiting our business; it starts with that initial spark, growing rapport and then hopefully leading and striving to gain life-long connections. My thoughts and firm belief is that healthy relationships, companionships and solid human connections enable one to live a vibrant, longer and meaningful life.
In business this holds true to the nth degree as a successful business must have these types of long-term connections and relationships in order to successfully scale one’s business to become more lucrative in earning greater profits.
Since the pandemic, I have seen the lack of and degradation of current relationships and connections to a much higher degree than normal. This is only based on my personal experiences and not on any scientific study or survey. It appears that there are those among us that are creating divisiveness and conflict amongst the general population, which is bad and sad not only on a personal level but on a business level as well.
In business having a clear and open
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
mind, being a superb and concerned listener, asking probing questions and catering to the specific “needs and wants” of our clientele is tantamount and of greatest importance in becoming successful. The constant “selling” methods of yesteryear are no longer plausible and valued in today’s business environment. They no longer make any logical or pragmatic sense in your brain or cents in your bank account.
However, there are those that are still practicing and participating in the old “ABC” (always be closing) concepts, from the fantastic, worthwhile-watching 1992 movie Glen Garry, Glen Ross. The main characters are some of our most famous actors today, Al Pacino, Jack Lemon, Alec Baldwin, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin (passed), and Kevin Spacey. My constant and consistent thoughts are my “ABC” always be consulting, that I practice day in and day out. Today, it should never be about “always be closing,” but “always be consulting” and educating your clients; that will more times than none, lead you to many more successful and fruitful outcomes.
We are in extremely stressful and troublesome times and handling our clients with “kid gloves” and catering to their specific “needs and wants,” should be the only direction to consider and pursue. This becomes the most significant, consequential and crucial process to follow that will eventually get one to the closing table, whether a seller, investor, purchaser, lessee of commercial property or even a tenant desperately searching for a place to live.
We all need to laser focus and zero in on what is really important, key and vital in the scheme of things in today’s real estate industry, the client’s satis-
NUTRITION NEWS
Continued from page 2
just one medium slice of watermelon contains 9% to 11% of the vitamin A you need each day, which is important for keeping eyes healthy. It’s low in calories -- 45.6 per cup, compared to 300 calories in a cup of ice cream. Unlike many other desserts, watermelon is fat-free, cholesterol-free and has no sodium. It’s also high in potassium, a mineral that could help cut down on leg cramps. The sugar in watermelon
faction and their success. Whether purchasing, renting or leasing any type of residential or commercial property, we must work for our clients, in the most educational, knowledge gaining, candid, upfront, and shooting straight from the hip, non-discriminatory fashion. Providing and disclosing all the required, necessary pertinent facts and information will allow and enable them to make the wisest, most beneficial and financial decisions; to own and possess the most valuable asset in their lifetimes. We must always be cognizant of that fact and that we work for the client and not the opposite.
Currently, according to the National Association of Realtors, Baby Boomers in 2025 have recaptured the number one position as the largest purchasers of homes, beating out Millennials, as well as GenZs and GenXers.
I believe that we are at a tipping point not only here but around the globe, as to whether or not we will survive as a nation. Changes can and should begin with us Realtors and other related businesses to set ground rules and consistent standards of action, by performing in the utmost professional, knowledgeable, transparent and caring manner. What it really boils down to is that “nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care and know!”
Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 43+ years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned 3 significant designations:
National Association of Realtors Graduate Realtors Institute (what I consider a Master’s degree in real estate).
Certified International Property
Specialist - expert in consulting and completing international transactions.
National Association of Realtors Green designation: eco-friendly low carbon footprint construction with 3-D printed foundations, Solar panels, Geothermal HVAC/Heat Pumps).
He will also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and his Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.
He will provide you with “free” regular updates of what has gone under contract (pending), been sold (closed) and those homes that have been withdrawn/ released or expired (W/R) and all new listings of homes, HOA, Townhomes, Condos, and Coops in your town or go to:
https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search at your leisure on your own. However, for a “FREE” no obligation/ no strings attached 15-minute consultation, as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached call him at (516) 647-4289 or email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.com
You can now search at your leisure for properties at: WWW.Li-RealEstate.com bit.ly/4bXWVu6 (facebook.com) bit.ly/4inVqaR (X.com) bit.ly/4bVSwrs (linkedIn) bit.ly/4inVK9z (Instagram) bit.ly/4bQH14x (YouTube)
is natural, so it’s digested by your body differently than added sugars, so don’t shy away from natural sugars.
Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois, and the current president of the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For comments or questions, contact her at charfarg@aol.com or follow her on Twitter @NutritionRD..
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
BY MARY HUNT
EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE
Your Money Temperament and Why It Matters
Whether you’re aware of it or not, you have a money temperament. Everyone does. It’s the way you naturally think about money, behave with money or react to money. To loosely assess your money temperament, and to have a little fun with it, consider the following scenario and choose the response that’s closest to what you would do.
Your rich uncle learns that you are in desperate need of transportation. In a surprise move, he comes to your rescue with a gift of $15,000 and the instruction to buy a car. What do you do?
A)Make a $15,000 down payment on your dream car.
B) Pay cash for a $15,000 car.
C)Exercise extreme patience, flexibility, consumer savvy and negotiating skills to find a dandy used, late-model, low-mileage, well-maintained car for $7,500 and then stash $7,500 into a savings account.
Putting aside your humble columnist’s obvious bias, let’s analyze the options.
TWICE THE PRICE
If you responded A, you are prone to living your life for twice the price. You don’t mind paying interest and taking on monthly payments, because that’s the way to get what you want. You’re just doing the best you can to maximize your income so you can drive a reliable car.
You depend on consumer credit to bridge the gap between your income and
your expenses. It’s easy and convenient. Because you pay double-digit interest rates on your revolving debt, you end up paying twice the amount, or more, for the goods and services you charge. You don’t think about paying double. You live for today, assuming that tomorrow will take care of itself.
FULL PRICE
If your response was B, you are OK with the full price. When you have money, you don’t hesitate to spend it. You’re a cash buyer, not a wheeler-and-dealer, and you prefer to just pay the asking
price. No hassles, no problems. You have a cash mentality.
You pay as you go. If you like it, you buy it. If you don’t, you wait.
You don’t pay attention to prices that much. As a result, your income matches
your lifestyle. You don’t live beyond your means or carry credit card debt. Still, it takes every penny to pay the bills. You live from one paycheck to the next. It seems like you can never get ahead.
HALF THE PRICE
If your choice was C, your temperament is geared toward live your life for half the price. You enjoy the challenge of living below your means. You try to never pay the full price. You get a thrill whenever you beat the system. You earn more than you spend and save the difference.
You know your prices. You’re patient. And you know how to pay less than the going price for just about everything. In fact, you pride yourself on living your life for half the price.
You live an understated lifestyle and find great satisfaction in being prepared for the unexpected. You live below your means, and that means contentment, joy and a financially stress-free life.
BACK TO REALITY
Of course, no one pays twice the price for everything, nor can anyone be assured of never paying more than half. My point is that with every spending opportunity comes a choice. You can choose to go into debt; you can choose not to spend more than you have; or you can work hard to pay half the price.
We are not bound by our temperaments. The way we naturally think about, respond to and behave about money or myriad other things is simply
LOST IN SUBURBIA
For Whom the Vole
Tolls
our first response. We have control over those thoughts and behaviors. Sometimes our responses are those of bratty kids who need some adult supervision and discipline.
Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “DebtProof Living.”
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
BY TRACY BECKERMAN
I saw it out of the corner of my eye as it darted from under the entertainment unit in the family room, around the corner and into the kitchen. Of course, I wasn’t really sure if it was anything more than a dust bunny. However, it’s pretty unusual to see a dust bunny with a clear agenda, and this one seemed like it definitely had a destination in mind. But I decided to give the dust bunny the benefit of the doubt.
“Did you see that?” I asked my daughter, who was sitting on the couch next to me.
“See what?” she replied.
“That thing that ran into the kitchen.”
“What thing?” she said. I turned and saw the dust bunny emerge from the kitchen, look at me, then nonchalantly walk down the steps into the breakfast room.
“That thing,” I said, pointing to the
dust bunny.
She screamed and stood up on the couch, which seemed redundant since we were already on the couch. But it seemed like the appropriate response nonetheless, so I did it too.
“What is it?” she asked. We both watched the dust bunny saunter over to the dog’s bed and hop on. The actual owner of the bed was asleep at our feet and seemed unbothered that an aggressive dust bunny had taken over his domain.
“It’s a dust bunny,” I said.
“No, it’s not,” she said. “It’s a mouse.”
“Actually, it’s not a mouse. It has no tail. I think it’s a vole.”
“When did you become an expert on rodents?” she wondered aloud.
“When they started coming in from outside and pretending to be dust bunnies,” I replied.
It was true. This wasn’t the first time we’d had a vole in the house. However, it was the first time we’d had one that
was brazen enough to sashay around like he owned the place. In the past when we discovered a mouse in the house, my husband and I had a division of duties. I would scream and get hysterical, and he would set the live traps. This time, however, it was just me and my daughter, so there was twice the screaming and zero trapping.
“What should she do?” my daughter asked.
“I think we should wake up the dog,” I replied.
“But he’ll hurt the vole,” she protested.
“No. If we open the door, he’ll just chase it out of the house.”
“OK,” she agreed.
I jumped off the couch and went to the back door of the family room and propped it open.
“Alright, wake the dog!” I commanded. The dog was a world-class squirrel chaser, so we had high hopes this would end quickly.
“Bowie,” yelled my daughter, nudging the dog awake. “Look!” She pushed the dog toward his bed. He stood there quizzically, not seeing the intruder. Then, suddenly, the vole moved. The fur on the back of the dog’s neck stood up. The vole, on high alert, took two tentative steps across the dog bed. The dog, in response, took one step back, tucked his tail between his legs and ran out the open back door.
My daughter and I stood dumbfounded.
“Now what?” she asked.
“Now ...” I replied. “We have a new pet.”
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
BY DENNIS MAMMANA
Week of April 20-26, 2025
Happy Anniversary, Hubble!
When I was in grade school I was fascinated by the world’s largest telescope: the 200-inch-diameter Hale Reflector on California’s Palomar Mountain. What a behemoth! At the time I enjoyed using a 4.25-inch telescope in my backyard, and it’s stunning to realize that I would have needed more than 2,200 similar telescopes all working in synch to match the light-gathering power of the Palomar giant.
Over the years, larger telescopes have been built, thanks to computers, lasers and innovative mirror-building technologies. As a result, the massive Palomar reflector has dropped out of the top 20 largest telescopes. Though it’s still a world-class instrument, it will soon drop even lower when the 1,181-inch and 1,535-inch telescopes are completed by the end of this decade.
As amazing and valuable as these are, they all share one common problem. They view the heavens from beneath a thick ocean of turbulent air that blurs everything above them. While this can be reduced to some degree, it would be wonderful to view through no atmospheric distortion at all.
Enter the Hubble Space Telescope, which was launched into Earth orbit 35 years ago this week (April 24) aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. With a diameter of “only” 94 inches, it’s hardly the largest telescope around. What makes it special is that it observes the universe from above the Earth’s atmosphere, producing consistently clear and crisp images.
One of its earliest and greatest discoveries -- and there are countless -- was the number of galaxies that exist out there in the universe. In 1995, scientists aimed HST toward a tiny area of the heavens not far from the Big Dipper where they had found nothing except a black, empty section of the sky.
After taking a photograph equivalent to a 10-day long exposure -- now known as the Hubble Deep Field -- they found thousands of galaxies in an area of the sky about the width of a pinhead held at arm’s length. If that’s how many exist in such a tiny region, there must be hundreds of billions throughout the cosmos.
Hubble continues to revolutionize our concepts of the universe as it orbits our planet, and on a good clear night, you can see it with your own eyes. How does one know when and where to look?
My favorite website to predict passes of HST is heavens-above.com. Once there, take a few minutes to register. It’s free and it’ll make your future visits more productive and enjoyable.
Once you tell the program your location, you can
On a clear night, the Hubble Space Telescope is visible with the naked eye.
see details of upcoming HST passes (as well as those of other satellites). And when you click the time of HST’s maximum altitude, a full sky map opens and shows the satellite’s path through the familiar constellation outlines.
Be sure to go outdoors a few minutes early and keep watch along the satellite’s projected path for a “star” that appears to be drifting slowly in the correct direction.
Did you know?
To watch HST fly over is to see with your own eyes the amazing telescope that has helped usher in our current golden age of astronomy. And what a great way to celebrate its 35th anniversary!
Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. . COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
Earth Day is now a global event, but its origins are somewhat humble. Prior to the 1960s, awareness of the link between public health and pollution was minimal. However, according to EarthDay.org, the 1962 publication of Silent Spring by American marine biologist, writer and conservationist Rachel Carson was a watershed moment for the environmental movement. The book did much to raise awareness of the effects of pollution on public health. Indeed, the publication of Carson’s book proved a pivotal step toward the eventual establishment of Earth Day in 1970, which EarthDay.org characterizes as the dawn of the modern environmental movement.
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$Highest$ Ca$h Paid$ All Years /Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct Ca$h. DMV ID#1303199 Call LUKE 516-VAN-CARS 516-297-2277
GOT AN UNWANTED
CAR??? Your car donation to Patriotic Hearts helps veterans find work or start their own business. Fast free pick. Running or not! Call 24/7: 1-888251-3135.
WE BUY 8,000 CARS A WEEK
Sell your old, busted or junk car with no hoops, haggles or headaches. Sell your car to Peddle. Easy three step process. Instant offer. Free pickup. Fast payment. Call 1-855-403-3374
Pristine 3 BR Ranch with hardwood floors, 2 updated Baths and a partially fenced yard.
Close to park & K-1 School. High ceiling unfinished Basement w/laundry great for play, exercise or storage. One car garage. Dogs case by case. Tenant pay 1month fee. NTN screening required. 38 Maxwell Rd, Garden City MLS #831521
$6,500/month
Contact me for a showing! Irene “Rene” Blair Real Estate Salesperson Certified Buyers Representative 516-248-6655 ext 2205 Cell: 516-721-9185
ireneblair@danielgale.com
REAL ESTATE FOR RENT
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FOR RENT
GARDEN CITY
SEVENTH STREET
PRIVATE OFFICE
10 x 15
AVAILABLE FOR RENT 61 Hilton Ave
Call Michael: 516-510-9666
VACATION RENTAL
COTTAGE NORTH FORK SOUTHOLD
2 bedroom, 1.5 bath
Full eat-in kitchen, laundry in unit, Central A/C.
Located on a quiet block with beautiful water views. Situated within walking distance to the beach and just a short drive to town, restaurants, and the North Fork’s famous vineyards.
Spacious outdoor patio with seating, perfect for entertaining.
Weber grill, fire pit. Kayaks and Paddleboard included.
For photos and availability, Contact: 516-312-3837
SERVICES
AGING ROOF?
NEW HOMEOWNER?
STORM DAMAGE?
You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-920-9937
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
INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT?
Don’t Accept the insurance company’s first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider
JACK’S CUSTOM FRAMING
We can frame anything! Quality Care & Workmanship Thousands of frames to choose from!!
Over 30 years in business! 92 Covert Ave, Stewart Manor 516-775-9495
SERVICES
SAVE ON YOUR TRAVEL PLANS! Up to 75% More than 500 AIRLINES and 300,000 HOTELS across the world. Let us do the research for you for FREE! Call: 877 988 7277
ATTORNEY
STEPHANIE A.
D’ANGELO, ESQ.
Elder Law, Wills & Trusts Asset Preservation, Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration/Litigation 901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530 516-222-1122 www.dangelolawassociates. com
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
AQUATEC LAWN SPRINKLERS
SPRING TURN ONS Backflow Device Tests Free Estimates Installation Service/Repairs Joe Barbato 516-775-1199
SERVICES
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-855-399-2076
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
SERVICES
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
MASONRY
All types of stonework Pavers, Retaining Walls, Belgium Block Patios, Foundations, Seal coating, Concrete and Asphalt driveways, Sidewalks, Steps. Free Estimates Fully Licensed & Insured #H2219010000 Boceski Masonry Louie 516-850-4886
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 OUT-
AGES 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
SERVICES
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
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
& 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)
TUTORING
BIOLOGY TUTOR
AP level: Biology, Environmental Science
Regents & Honors: Living Environment
Virtaul or In-Person
Dr. Amanda Shore, University Professor
Please email: ShoreThingBiology@gmail. com
COMPUTER SCIENCE
TUTOR
AP CS A or Principles, College courses
Dessie MiMino, Caltech grad, TA; Software Engineer at Mirosoft & Google Teaching CS for over 11 years; Virtual Contact: Dessie.DiMino@gmail.com
TUTOR AVAILABLE
Elementary Education NY State Permanent Cert. 30+ years experience Local resident Learn to: Read, Write, Math Babysitting upon request Call 516- 510-3093
CLEANING
CLEANING SERVICES
AVAILABLE ! 15yrs experience cleaning home & offices. Great references. Specializing in laundry, ironing cleaning windows, terraces and deep cleaning. Love animals. Own transportation. Please call Erika 516-406-5680
SERVICES
AFFORDABLE TV & INTER-
NET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-855-399-2803
PEST CONTROL: PROTECT
YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-866-448-8311 Have zip code of property ready when calling!
CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900
Spice up your Easter Sunday dinner Indian Lamb Curry
8 servings Easter is a springtime religious holiday during which faithful Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ is often referred to as the “Lamb of God,” many Easter celebrations feature lamb on the menu as a reflection on Christ’s sacrifice. There are many ways to prepare lamb, but those who want to incorporate new flavors into their Easter meal can embrace some bold and flavorful offerings from Asia. “Indian Lamb
2 pounds boneless leg of lamb, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups finely chopped white onion
1) Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add lamb; saute 5 minutes or until browned. Remove lamb from pan; place in a 4-quart electric slow cooker.
2 tablespoons grated peeled fresh ginger
2 tablespoons mustard seeds
2 teaspoons garam masala
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
Curry” from “Cooking Light Dinner’s Ready!” (Oxmoor House) from the editors of Cooking Light, is a hearty and delicious way to feed Easter guests.
1⁄4 teaspoon ground red pepper
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups hot cooked basmati rice
1⁄2 cup plain fat-free yogurt
1⁄2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1) Drain tomatoes, reserving juice. Place flour in a small bowl; gradually add tomato juice, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Stir tomatoes, tomato juice mixture, onion, and next seven ingredients into lamb. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until lamb is tender. Serve lamb curry over rice; top with yogurt, and sprinkle with cilantro.
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
The things you love doing are more than just passions. They’re what make you “you.” This is why for 25 years at The Bristal, our expert team members dedicate their time, attention, and energy to creating personalized experiences that ensure each resident continues being the unique person they are. See for yourself. Explore all of our locations in the tri-state area. thebristal.com
