Sewanhaka Central High School District hosted its 32nd annual Intra-District Model United Nations Conference on April 18 at Sewanhaka High School, welcoming approximately 250 students from all five schools.
Town car show to return
The unmistakable rumble of classic engines will once again echo along the South Shore as Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti invites residents and visitors to the return of the Spring Dust-Off Car Show at Town Park Point Lookout on Sunday, May 3 (rain date: Sunday, May 17). Widely recognized
as Long Island’s largest car show, the annual event transforms the waterfront park into a showcase of craftsmanship, nostalgia, and automotive innovation.
Car enthusiasts and families alike can expect a packed day featuring hundreds of vehicles competing for top honors, from vintage classics and custom
builds to modern muscle cars and motorcycles. The celebration also includes live entertainment, a popular touch-a-truck experience, a kids’ zone, movie cars, a beer garden, and dozens of vendors offering food, merchandise, and automotive accessories.
This year’s show will also fea-
BY KASSARA MCELROY
The Floral Park-Bellerose Board of Education adopted a $41,895,636 proposed budget for the 2026-27 school year at its April meeting. A public hearing is scheduled for May 6, with the community vote to take place May 19.
The proposal includes a 1.297% tax levy increase over the prior year’s levy, or $540,126, which is below the tax cap. For homeowners, that increase translates to approximately $110 annually, or about $9 per month, based on the median home value, though actual impacts will vary depending on property assessments. fluctuate based on increased or decreased values.
Adopted Budget’s Components & Priorities
Assistant Superintendent for Business Christine Kim noted that the budget process began in October and incorporates audited financial data, projected revenues and expenditures, and broader economic and legislative factors.
Total projected revenue matches expenditures at $41.9 million, resulting in a balanced budget. The tax levy is expected to total $28,571,441, with the remainder supported by state aid and other sources. Current projections show a $255,572 decrease in state aid, though final figures have not yet been adopted by the state, which was meant to happen in early April. Total state aid is estimated at $10.7 million, with Universal Pre-K funding of approximately $1.3 million provided separately through federal sources.
This now-adopted budget allocates 78%, or $32.6 million, to program costs, including instruction, special education and transportation; 10%, or $4.2 million, to administrative expenses; and 12%, or $5.06 million, to capital improvements and facilities.
Budget priorities include implementing a new phonics program and updated social studies curriculum, adding one and a half equivalent ICT positions to work across grade levels, expanding gifted and talented support by one full-time employee, and upgrading teacher devices.
SHS Orchestra performs at Tilles Center
Sewanhaka High School’s Senior High Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Tommy Wu, had the special opportunity to present a concert program on the stage of the Tilles Center on April 15. Photo courtesy of the Sewanhaka Central High School District
Sewanhaka High School’s Senior High Orchestra had the special opportunity to present a concert program on the stage of the Tilles Center on April 15, prior to a performance by the Long Island Festival Orchestra.
Under the direction of Dr. Tommy Wu, the school ensemble delivered a compelling performance featuring “The Barber of Seville” by Gioachino Rossini, arranged by James McLeod; “Kingdom Hearts Medley” by Yoko Shimomura, arranged by Dr. Wu; and “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Richard Meyer.
Following their program, members of the Sewanhaka Orchestra joined the Long Island Festival Orchestra for a collaborative performance of Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor Opus 95, “From the New World.”
“This was a memorable event for the students, and we appreciate the Festival Orchestra and director Eric B. Stewart for inviting them to perform,” Sewanhaka High School Music Chairperson Christopher Doherty said.
Town car show to return to Point Lookout
The unmistakable rumble of classic engines will once again echo along the South Shore as Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti invites residents and visitors to the return of the Spring Dust-Off Car Show at Town Park Point Lookout on Sunday, May 3 (rain date: Sunday, May 17). Widely recognized as Long Island’s largest car show, the annual event transforms the waterfront park into a showcase of craftsmanship, nostalgia, and automotive innovation.
Car enthusiasts and families alike can expect a packed day featuring hundreds of vehicles competing for top honors, from vintage classics and custom builds to modern muscle cars and motorcycles. The celebration also includes live entertainment, a popular touch-a-truck experience, a kids’ zone, movie cars, a beer garden, and dozens of vendors offering food, merchandise, and automotive accessories.
This year’s show will also feature appearances from some of the most recognizable names in the automotive and entertainment world, including custom car builder Dave Kindig, television personality Kev Dogg, automo-
tive entrepreneur Richard Rawlings, and professional wrestling icon Bill Goldberg.
“The Spring Dust-Off has grown into one of the most anticipated traditions on our Town calendar,” said Supervisor Ferretti. “It’s a chance for car enthusiasts to show off their pride and joy while giving families a great reason to spend the day together along our beautiful shoreline.”
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Town Park Point Lookout (1300 Lido Blvd., Point Lookout). Gates open at 7 a.m. for registered vehicles. All makes and models are welcome, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, slingshots, trikes, and specialty vehicles.
Vehicle pre-registration is $25 and $30 the day of the event. Participants can sign up in advance by visiting townofhempsteadevents.com.
“With incredible cars, special guests, and the energy of thousands of visitors gathering in one place, the Spring Dust-Off captures the spirit of the car community,” Ferretti added. “It’s a great way to kick off the season here in the Town of Hempstead.”
May at the Floral Park Library
May heralds the unofficial start of S\ summer with the Memorial Day holiday, and the absolute end of the Winter that wouldn’t end! This month also celebrates Mother’s Day, Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby.
The Library celebrated National Library week on April 20–25 with a chance to enter a raffle at the time item(s) checkout. The winner will receive a $100 gift card to The Harrison, one of the most popular restaurants in Floral Park.
On May 1, the Library will officially launch its Seed Library, having had a “soft opening” in celebration of Earth Day on April 22. There’s quite the “buzz!.”
The Floral Park Library Urban Explorers head to the Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site on the East Side of NYC this month. Bully for them!
May the fourth be with The Morning Friends of the Floral Park Library Book Club, meeting at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, May 4. The Evening Edition Book Club discusses “The Two Family House”
by
Linda Cohen Loigman on Thursday, May 14th.
May 1st’s “Get Birding” program will help local identify the many species of birds that call Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary home. And, it seems like EVERYONE is playing Mah Jongg these days, so another three-session class has been added to the May calendar.
More options for adults: two-session Modern Calligraphy; Meditation is the Key; Patriotic Dipped Strawberries with Them’s the Breaks; Gardens to Attract Birds and Butterflies; the already sold out Sound Bath Meditation; and Medicare 101
The St. Francis Outreach Bus is curbside on Wednesday, May 6, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
The weekly Adult English Language Learner classes continue on Tuesday evenings. Pre-registration is required for both Beginning and Intermediate/ Advanced sessions.
Enjoy conversation and camaraderie with The Made with Love Knitting and
See what's
Crocheting groups that meet Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m.; no registration necessary.
For the kiddos, there’s Play Hooray; A Time for Kids’ Baby Start and Family Pres-school Hour; Mother’s Day Storytime (ages 2.5–preschool); More Than a Story: Literature and Art with Mrs. Lazos; and Crafty Kids (pre-K thru 2nd grade).
Challenger approaches! Super Smash Brothers Ultimate Party, a Personalized Name Plaque craft and a Gratitude Scavenger Hunt are on the Young Adult/Teen May program menu.
The Library Board meets on Wednesday, May 13, at 7:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public (use the rear entrance of the Library).
The Library is closed Sunday May 10, for Mother’s Day, and Monday, May 25, for Memorial Day.
Looking for some help with your résumé, job search, LinkedIn profile or interview prep? Look no further than Ellen O’brien. Contact her
happening at your library!
at eobrien@nassaulibrary.org or 516 326.6330 x3103 for a free 30-minute career consultation.
Need assistance with those smart devices and more? One-to-one tech help with Joe for tablets, smartphones, laptops, Kindles and general questions is available for our Floral Park patrons by appointment only (floralparktechhelp@gmail. com).
For more information on dates and times, events registration and program details, visit the library website, floralparklibrary.org, call 516 326-6330, or visit us at 17 Caroline Place. All events and programs are subject to change and/or cancellation.
Check out the Friends of the Floral Park Library offerings at the Circulation Desk. All sales of books, DVDs, bookmarks, and more support the Friends of the Floral Park Library, a 501c3 organization.
Follow the Library on Facebook (floralparklibrary), X (fplibrary17), or Instagram (fplibrary 17, floralparkchildrens, fpplteens).
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!
GRAND OPENING EVENT
FPB Board adopts budget; Vote planned for May 19
From page 1
Safety investments include additional security cameras, upgrades to the district’s security infrastructure, and continued collaboration with local emergency services and Nassau BOCES.
Capital improvement plans include auditorium upgrades and structural repairs at Floral Park-Bellerose Elementary School, stairway and restroom improvements at John Lewis Childs School, and HVAC upgrades at the central administration building.
District officials noted that if the budget is not approved, a contingency budget would enforce a 0% tax levy increase and lead to reductions, including cuts to capital projects, postponement of expanded ICT programming, reduced extracurricular offerings, and deferred equipment purchases.
District Updates & Community Questions
On the ballot in May, voters will also see a second proposition that would transition to an at-large system for Board of Education elections beginning in the 2027–28 school year. Under the proposal, candidates would appear on a single ballot rather than run for specific seats, with the highest vote-getters filling the available positions.
One trustee also proposed rotating the board presidency every two years to promote transparency and shared lead-
ership, an idea that drew interest from several members.
Later in the meeting, the board approved a walk-on item—the threeyear probationary appointment of Lauren Fretto as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
Educator compensation was also addressed. Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lubrano said district teachers are paid competitively with neighboring districts across Nassau County.
Public comment reflected a range of perspectives. Representatives from the teachers association emphasized the importance of long-term stability and fair compensation, noting that veteran educators rely on negotiated increases once they reach the top of the salary schedule.
Some parents raised concerns about transparency and contract fairness, while others questioned board procedures, including the use and frequency of walk-on agenda items.
Another resident questioned the reduction in transportation aid. District officials said eligibility is based on mileage thresholds that were not met in the most recent review cycle, adding that the district is continuing to explore possible options.
The next budget hearing and in-person voter registration will take place May 6. The budget vote is scheduled for May 19.
Upcoming Events Around Town
Floral Park Junior Woman's Club -
Spring Vendor and Craft Fair
Sunday, April 26th - 9 AM - 2 PM
Memorial Park (across from OLV) Tulip Avenue, Floral Park
FLoral Park Junior Woman's Club
May meeting
Thursday, May 14th - 7 PM
Floral Park Recreation Center
Business meeting and "Baby Shower" for the Infant Layette Program of
Lutheran Family and Community Services and making dog beds to donate to shelters.
Floral Park - Hillcrest Civic Association
April meeting
Thursday, April 23rd at 7:30 PM
Floral Park Recreation Center
Joint civic association meeting - All are welcome.
Trustees and Floral Park Police will speak and there will be a presentation by the Floral Park-Bellerose School District on the 2026-27 school budget.
Town car show to return
From page 1
ture appearances from some of the most recognizable names in the automotive and entertainment world, including custom car builder Dave Kindig, television personality Kev Dogg, automotive entrepreneur Richard Rawlings, and professional wrestling icon Bill Goldberg.
“The Spring Dust-Off has grown into one of the most anticipated traditions on our Town calendar,” said Supervisor
Ferretti. “
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Town Park Point Lookout (1300 Lido Blvd., Point Lookout). Gates open at 7 a.m. for registered vehicles. All makes and models are welcome, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, slingshots, trikes, and specialty vehicles.
Vehicle pre-registration is $25 and $30 the day of the event. Participants can sign up in advance by visiting townofhempsteadevents.com.
FOUR VILLAGE STUDIO
4 V S ~ Optimum Ch.18 & Fios Ch.28
MONDAY, APRIL 27th & THURSDAY, APRIL 30th
Inspiring Stories
7:30 PM
8:00 PM
8:30 PM
9:00 PM
Bill Corbett, Jr.
“pkDO” Polycystic Kidney Disease Outreach ~ Richard Kellner, Founder Uncorked
Rex Whicker
“Wine About Broadway: Part 2” ~ Rex Pairs Wine with Theatrical Performances
Wes Houston Presents…
Wes Houston
Ray Lambiase ~ Singer-Songwriter-Guitarist
FPFD: Red Alert
Larry King, AEMT
“Technology Support For First Responders ” ~ NUSTL, Dept. of Homeland Security
The Author Corner
9:30 PM
Stephanie Larkin
Steven Elliott Borodkin, “Street Level” ~ A Memoir
1 Floral Blvd., Floral Park, NY 11002
Phone: 516.326.1150 ~ Email: 4VS@4VS.org
CULINARY CAMPS
JUNE–AUGUST 2026
AGES 8–17
Our interactive, three-day intensive culinary camp is perfect for your Junior Chef. Each child will learn culinary skills, knife skills, kitchen safety and etiquette as well as mastering new recipes.
JUNIOR CHEF CAMPS, TEEN CAMPS, AND BAKING CAMPS AVAILABLE
REGISTER AT THEWELLSEASONEDCHEF.COM. SPOTS ARE LIMITED!
Floral Park-Bellerose School District hosted a book talk for “The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a Screen-Filled World” on April 15.
Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District hosted a family book talk on April 15 centered on “The Amazing Generation: Your Guide to Fun and Freedom in a ScreenFilled World” by Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price. Haidt, also known for “The Anxious Generation,” and Price, author of “How to Break Up with Your Phone,” explore how young people can build healthier relationships with technology. The children’s book encourages students to view technology as a tool while
The discussion also included a pledge which encourages families to delay giving children smartphones until at least eighth grade.
prioritizing meaningful, real-world experiences.
The program welcomed parents, guardians and students in grades 5–6 from across the district. Building on last year’s adult book club focused on “The Anxious Generation,” this year’s event expanded the conversation by incorporating the kid-friendly “The Amazing Generation,” creating a shared experience that actively engaged students alongside their families.
Continued on page 8
LUXURY RENTALS FOR THOSE 62 AND OLDER
Apartments with Full Kitchens
Concierge Services
Daily Housekeeping
Private Car Services
On-Site Cinema
Outdoor Pool with Cabanas
Fitness Center & Yoga Studio
Spacious Patio & Fire Pit
Two On-Site Restaurants with al fresco Dining
Golf Simulator
Beauty Salon & Spa
FPB hosts book talk for “The Amazing Generation”
Sixth graders served as facilitators for the discussions.
Continued from page 6
Attendees were asked to read the book ahead of time to enrich the discussion. During the event, sixth grade students served as facilitators, leading small-group conversations as participants rotated through thought-provoking questions, including “How do you feel before and
after using your devices? Why do you think people become addicted to their screens?” “From reading the book, what does it mean to be a rebel?” and “How can we use technology as a tool and resource?” The student facilitators had previously read the book with their club advisers in groups such as Leader Corps,
Family members were invited to join the discussion.
Student Council and the Don’t Press Send Club.
In addition to the book discussion, district parent and member of the Digital Awareness Committee, Jennifer Blaine, introduced the Wait Until 8th Pledge, which encourages families to delay giving children a smartphone until at least eighth grade.
As a culminating activity, students completed an “Independence Map,” reflecting on what they can currently do on their own and identifying goals for future independence.
Photos courtesy of the Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District
THERE REALLY IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME.
At NYU Langone, we’re doing all we can to make sure our patients receive the best care during and after their hospital stay, so they can go home and stay home. Shorter hospital stays reduce your risk of infection, medication side effects, and complications. Plus, you can get back to the things you love most: your own bed, family dinners, and life as usual.
But getting you home is only half the story. Our low readmission rates mean you won’t have to come back days or weeks later for the same issue. Because when it comes to hospital stays, nobody wants a sequel. Just another reason we’re ranked #1 for quality care in the U.S.
April 24, 2026
BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM
Travelers are increasingly mindful of their responsibility in preserving and protecting the people, the environment, and the ecosystems of the places they visit and are actively seeking out travel entities - transportation, hospitality, dining, attractions, and destinations - that incorporate sustainable, responsible practices.
Here’s a sampling of how cruises and resorts are not just implementing but also modeling conservation, preservation and regenerative practices, while the revenue from tourism helps fund and sustain these programs.
Havila Voyages, the Norwegian coastal operator, recently completed a historic 12-day voyage aboard its Havila Polaris, powered by biogas, reducing CO₂ emissions by more than 90%. Combined with the fleet’s advanced battery systems which enable ships to sail for up to four hours with zero emissions, Havila is demonstrating that cleaner, quieter travel at sea is ready to scale for the future. Silent, low-emission cruising allows access to fragile areas like the UNESCO-listed Geirangerfjord without environmental harm, while journeys along Norway’s 34-port coastal route connect travelers to authentic communities through 70 immersive excursions, from dogsledding to Sámi cultural experiences. Its “Havila Food Stories” program partners with local producers and serves seasonal, à la carte menus that have reduced food waste to just 69 grams per guest per day, cutting more than 60 tons annually.
Baa Atoll in the Maldives, Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort is committed to safeguarding one of the world’s most delicate and vibrant marine ecosystems. Guests can join the Coral Reef Propagation Project, ocean clean-ups, Citizen Science programs and megafauna dives.
The first Hyatt-branded property in Mazatlán, Mexico, Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlán Golf & Spa Resort has earned the prestigious Platinum Beach Certification for its sustainably maintained shoreline and partnership with local, environmentally responsible suppliers and its water-saving technologies. The resort plays an active role in conservation through its on-site turtle sanctuary, where guests can participate in their protection and preservation.
While sustainable tourism focuses on minimizing the impacts travelers have on a community or ecosystem, regenerative tourism goes a step further to make destinations than they were. All of The Boat Company’s proceeds (after operating expenses) from its week-long expeditionary cruises between Sitka and Juneau through Alaska’s Inside Passage are reinvested back into conservation initiatives (theboatcompany.org, 360-697-4242).
at Rosalie Bay and join rare, responsibly guided encounters with resident sperm whales through Secret Bay’s Swimming with the Whales & Marine Safari. Dominica also offers one of the Caribbean’s most diverse and untouched hiking trail systems.
High in Costa Rica’s cloud forest where regeneration is visible and measurable, Hotel Belmar is a family-owned icon that gets its eggs, dairy, shade-grown coffee, sugarcane and seasonal produce from Finca Madre Tierra, Costa Rica’s first carbon-neutral farm. Guests can visit milk cows, learn cheese-making, pick coffee and press sugarcane. Belmar uses composting and a biodigester to turn organics into clean gas. In the forest, SAVIA offers themed expeditions from dawn birding to nightfall canopy study. Guests can participate in Monteverde Exploration with local guides and farm-totable-to-farm programs (hotelbelmar.net).
In Dominica, visitors can join rare, responsibly guided encounters with resident sperm whales through Secret Bay’s Swimming with the Whales & Marine Safari (photo: Dominica)
Located in the heart of Valle de Guadalupe, B.C., El Cielo Resort & Winery guests can stay in Tuscany-inspired villas, enjoy farm-to-table dining, and explore the property’s organic vineyards. Sustainability initiatives include pioneering solar energy, cultivating grapes without synthetic pesticides and utilizing trained Harris’ Hawks for natural, chemical-free vineyard protection and has created habitats for migratory birds. The resort also captures rainwater to support sustainable irrigation.
In Dominica, the “Nature Island of the Caribbean,” visitors can take part in hands-on conservation experiences like sea turtle nesting season
Nestled between white sandy beaches and coconut groves, sustainability and community-driven practices are woven throughout Banyan Tree Phuket, Thailand. Guests can participate in sustainable initiatives, such visiting the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, beach cleaning and cooking classes that promote sustainability and community engagement.
Six Senses Laamu celebrates the impact of its Sea Hub of Environmental Learning in Laamu (the “SHELL”). This 2,336-square-foot marine education and conservation center offers guests and local communities immersive experiences with the local marine environment, including coral regeneration, seagrass conservation, and sea turtle research. Through the Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI), the SHELL hosts a dedicated team of marine biologists working with partner NGOs. Together they have grown over 10,000 baby corals across five species, released more than 12 million coral larvae onto the resort’s house reef, and conducted genetic studies of sea turtles. The team has also cataloged over 1,000 turtles and 140 manta rays in Laamu Atoll.
Fresh from its historic visit by four intrepid astronauts from Earth, the moon will shine brilliantly in our evening sky this week. It will reach its full phase on the evening of April 30, when it rises in the east just at sunset, and I hope you’ll step outside to enjoy it. Being near its “apogee” (farthest point from the Earth), experienced lunar gazers may notice it appears a bit smaller than usual.
Those wanting to see stars this week, however, may be a bit disappointed. With our brilliant moon overpowering the sky this week, stars will be in short supply. But bright moonlight isn’t the only reason. The fact is that our springtime sky is noticeably devoid of bright stars. Compared to the brilliant stars of winter that we’ve enjoyed the past few months, it appears quite anemic.
From our vantage point on Earth, it’s really quite simple why the night sky changes as it does from season to season. As our planet orbits the sun, we look outward in different directions after sunset, and we see different stars and star groupings, depending on where we are in our orbit. Now this change is extremely gradual (only about one degree of shift every night), but over the past few months, our view outward has shifted considerably.
Traditionally, stargazers consider the wintertime sky to feature such
Farewell, Winter Sky!
bright star groupings as Orion the hunter, Canis Major the great hunting dog, Taurus the bull, and Lepus the hare. And sure enough, these constellations have graced our night sky since they first appeared in the eastern sky after dark late last autumn.
No longer rising in the east at dusk, these beautiful and brilliant wintertime celestial showpieces are now descending in the west as evening falls. And soon, they’ll be gone from view altogether.
Also appearing in the western sky right now are two planets: Jupiter and Venus. They will remain there through much of the springtime, though by early June their own orbital motions will make them appear to converge on each other over the western horizon. By July, Jupiter will be gone, but Venus will hang on through most of the summer.
But fear not. They’re not gone forever. True, they’ll be blotted out by the sun’s glare for a few months, passing overhead not during our dark nighttime hours but during the daytime this coming summer.
Eventually, however, these planets and the winter stars will reemerge on “the other side” of the sun and will shine beautifully in the eastern sky at dawn. This won’t happen until later this summer, but I can assure you that I’ll be out watching when they return to our view.
Several star groupings and planets are still visible to stargazers during the springtime.
Right now, however, we must be content to watch as the winter celestial gems descend in the western sky at dusk. One of the most startling sights will occur as the brilliant star Sirius (in Canis Major) descends lower and lower. Since light of various colors twinkles differently, this bright star
Music to Nobody’s Ears
will appear to radiate like a Fourth of July sparkler before disappearing behind the western horizon.
Not a bad farewell to some of our celestial friends of winter!
Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.
COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM
BY TRACY BECKERMAN
I winced as we sat in the audience of an experimental music concert played by a string quartet. Calling it music was being generous. It was more like the sound of a subway car screeching on the tracks, mixed with nails on a chalkboard -- and choruses of crying babies on an airplane.
“I don’t get it,” I whispered to my husband as the quartet tweaked their instruments so violently that strings began to break loose and fly up in the players’ faces.
“Experimental music is about seeing how far the players can push their instruments to get new sounds,” he explained.
“If the instruments ignite and explode, does that mean they succeeded?” I asked.
My husband had brought me to this concert in an effort to expand my cultural horizons. Apparently, though, my horizons were not that willing to be expanded. The music was so profound-
ly unlistenable that had I done some research beforehand, I might have chosen to do something less painful, like stab myself in the eye with my mascara.
The first composition was particularly difficult to listen to. While I’m sure there are people who appreciate this kind of music, for me it was about as pleasing to the ear as a vuvuzela at the World Cup.
“It’s actually supposed to be dissonant,” my husband said when I complained.
“If dissonant is a synonym for torturous, then they’re right on track,” I replied.
In his defense, my husband is a musician and a composer, so he tends to be much more open to new musical experiences than I am. As his wife, I try to be open to experiencing them with him. Unfortunately, I have a limited tolerance for these kinds of things. Call me crazy, but if a musical piece sounds like a power tool drilling metal crossed with a terrified cat, I have a hard time appreciating it as an art form.
“Why did we come here again?” I asked my husband.
“The tickets were gifted to us.”
“Did the person who gifted you the tickets have a grudge against you and want you dead?” I wondered aloud.
The next piece of music was accompanied by a performer. As she started to warble, I was struck by the extremes a human voice could achieve, but not in a good way. Her voice got higher and higher until it was almost at a pitch that only dogs could here. I turned in terror to the windows, expecting them to shatter from the frequency. The sounds were so alien that at any moment, I expected Godzilla to come through the side of the building to take down Mothra.
I looked over at my husband and realized that he was the only one in the audience who did not have a pained expression on his face.
“How are you not horrified by this?” I asked incredulously.
“I’m used to it,” he whispered.
“From your studio?” I asked.
“No,” he said. “From your mother.” 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 2026 CREATORS.COM
Crossword Answers
LOST IN SUBURBIA
A generation gap that is still alive & well
BY CLAIRE LYNCH
Several months may pass in my family without any mention of the generation gap but then several of us of different ages will get together on a holiday or for a special occasion and there it is.
At one of these recent family parties the subject of Westerns came up and my nephew, Patrick, said he liked “The Magnificent Seven” which came out in 2016. It’s about seven outlaws, bounty hunters and gunslingers who’ve been hired by a young widow to protect her small town of Rose Creek.
Led by Sam Chisholm who is played by Denzel Washington, the group defends the town against corrupt industrialist Bartholomew Bogue, played by Peter Sarsgaard, and his private army. They want to seize land for gold mining. The movie also stars Ethan Hawke, Chris Pratt and others.
I said it was a remake of the film originally out in 1960, a fact the younger people didn’t know, and that it was actually a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s movie “Seven Samurai.”
Patrick said he likes the modern Westerns, whether they are movies, TV shows or on cable TV such as “Yellowstone,” “1923,” “Marshals,” “Longmire” and more. He also cited “Hell or High Water,” out in 2016, as an action-packed movie. Starring Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine and Ben Foster, it’s set in Texas, a big state with plenty of room for two brothers to rob some banks to pay off a debt.
While busy preparing dinner in the kitchen, I heard Patrick engaging in a rather animated discussion with his cousin, Kylie, who said she likes the old-fashioned Westerns. “They’re better written,” Kylie explained, “and I like some of the old-time actors better. John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Steve McQueen just to name a few.”
I remember Westerns in the 1960s when John Wayne aka “The Duke” was the star and Maureen O’Hara played opposite him. She was his most frequent leading lady. Young when they first came out, I probably saw them on reruns.
Patrick laughed at my “leading lady” reference and said we both sounded pretty old fashioned.
I chimed in and said I agree with Kylie in that some of the old movies are better than the newer ones. Pointing out that Yul Brynner was great in “The King and I,” this time they both rolled their eyes because that was out ages ago. Brynner won the 1956 Academy Award for Best Actor which was years before Patrick and Kylie were born.
His great performance was legendary and I heard that over and over from my parents, aunts and uncles since I was knee high. Yul Brynner had a way of making a scene come alive on the big screen.
My younger friends and relatives like kidding me about the fact that many of us Baby Boomers like eating at the table, drinking coffee every morning, phoning instead of texting and going to the public library once in a while. I laugh at their list of things but then ask what’s so bad about that?
Anyway, we got onto the subject of more modern things such as the Artemis II flight around the moon and all three of us liked seeing it on TV. NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch plus Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen spent nine days in orbit and as they went about their work, they took photos of the moon closeup and also of the earth. From their viewpoint it was pretty cool to see that “Blue Marble” as many people call our planet.
Seeing earth and the moon’s craters up close was amazing and we all admitted that we held our breath during their splashdown on April 10 off the coast of San Diego in the Pacific Ocean.
After moving from the inflatable “front porch” raft to the USS John P. Murtha the astronauts were photographed smiling and in good health on the flight deck.
On April 11 the astronauts spoke at a press conference in Houston about what it was like to be so far away and orbit around the moon. Some people described their “moonjoy,” that intense
happiness and sense of awe and excitement as they checked out the moon. Their excitement spread to us here on earth. It was a wonder to behold.
I said when my family and I watched the astronauts walk on the moon in 1969 they didn’t use the word moonjoy but as we watched the historic event on TV we were all so excited we just about fainted.
On July 20, 1969, American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the moon during NASA’s Apollo 11 mission. He stepped onto the lunar surface in the Sea of Tranquility and proclaimed, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Then Buzz Aldrin stepped out of the capsule and the two astronauts spent two hours walking on the moon. They were the first humans to do so. And as hard as it was to believe, they were 240,000 miles away from earth.
“Moonjoy” certainly was a good word for that excitement but that’s the difference between Patrick and Kylie, those two Millennials, and me as a Baby
Boomer.
I started singing “Fly Me to the Moon” which was popularized by Frank Sinatra in 1964 and the years following and Patrick and Kylie wondered what that was all about. Some of the words go:
“Fly me to the moon
Let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like
On Jupiter and Mars
In other words …”
I said, “Here goes the generation gap again. Of course, I was young, young, young at that time but don’t tell me you’ve never heard it?”
Patrick and Kylie both shook their heads and said, “Never heard it before” and I broke out laughing. Why does the generation gap rear its ugly head at the strangest times?
Sometimes we laugh long and hard because in these big family parties there’s often one reference after another that we who are 50+ years old get - but the younger generations? Not a chance!
BY TOM MARGENAU
An Old and Whacky Social Security Rant
A reader shared with me an email he got from an acquaintance. It is a Social Security screed that is filled with half-baked ideas, exaggerations and outright lies. The reader said he had never heard of these allegations before. But I pointed out to him that the harangue has been around for decades. 40 years ago, it was passed from one naive knucklehead to another by regular mail and by fax. Today, of course, it floats around in the online world. Sadly, thousands, if not millions, read it and believe it to be true. I’ve tackled the tirade in more than a few past columns. But I guess it’s time to do so again.
It starts out with a couple of paragraphs lambasting the government for calling Social Security checks “federal benefit payments.” The writer says that Social Security is not a “benefit.” He says, “It’s our money that we earned. How dare the government call it a benefit?”
By the way, bear in mind that the guy (and I’ll bet my next ten Social Security checks it was a guy) who originally wrote this misleading missive did so 40 or 50 years ago and has probably long since died. But amazingly, his rant lives on. New generations of Gullible Gus’s read it and get hot under the collar.
But why? I’m sure that conspiracy-minded ninnies are convinced the wording is some sinister attempt by government officials to take away their rights and their money. But I mean -- come on! Everybody knows that you work and pay Social Security taxes and that one day the money comes back to you. And the money you get back is in the form of a “benefit” that comes from the “federal” government in a monthly “payment.” Federal ... Benefit ... Payment. These are just words. Don’t try to read evil or ominous meanings into them.
Next, the writer trots out the disingenuous claim that if you had taken all that money the mean-old government took from you in the form of Social Security taxes and invested it, you would be a multi-millionaire today.
Gosh, isn’t that wonderful! We would all be millionaires today if it weren’t for that devious old Social Security system that is stripping us all of untold riches. For example, just think back to those times before Social Security came along in the 1930s, when the country was just full of millionaires because no one was taking Social Security taxes out of their paychecks. Those sure were the good old days!
I’m not going to spend too much time discussing the fallacies of the “we’d all be millionaires” claims. But I am going to discuss the numbers people use to come up with these meaningless arguments. (And I said the numbers “people” use because it wasn’t just this one old goat 40 or 50 years ago who came up with these misleading allegations. Countless folks over the years have made the same misguided miscalculations.)
And here is where they all go wrong.
When they are figuring out how much money has been taken away from them in Social Security taxes (money they supposedly would have been religiously investing), they always use the figure 15.3%. In other words, they claim that 15.3% of their income has been withheld from them.
But the money actually withheld from their paychecks for Social Security taxes is only 6.2%. So where do they get 15.3%? Well, first, they look at their own paycheck and see that 7.65% has been withheld from them. But that includes 1.45% that is used to fund the Medicare hospital insurance program. You just can’t add that Medicare portion of the tax into any Social Security payback calculations.
Then, the next mistake they make is to add in the employer’s portion of the Social Security/Medicare tax. In other words, they claim the 7.65% employers pay into Social Security was their money that their employer was sending into Social Security on their behalf. But that is just not the case. What employers pay into Social Security is simply a tax that they pay to the government. It is not your money they are sending to the government.
If you want proof of that -- consider this. Say Social Security was abolished tomorrow. Do you think your employer is then going to turn around and say, “Hey, we are increasing your salary by 7.65% because, after all, this is your money we’ve been sending to Washington for you.” Not a chance! To repeat: it’s not your money. It’s just a tax that employers pay.
So anyway, when you are doing these “what did I pay into Social Security calculations,” you have to use 6.2% of your income, not 15.3%. (By the way, I totally understand that self-employed people pay 12.4% of their net profit into Social Security, but these screeds I am talking about are always written by wage-earners.)
Next, the rant writer brings up this timeworn and untruthful argument. It goes like this: “Congress has stolen Social Security money to pay for other programs.” That assertion comes from a misunderstanding of how the Social Security program is financed. In a nutshell, here is how it really works,
As soon as every nickel in Social Security tax collections lands in Washington, D.C., it is immediately converted into U.S. Treasury notes. I own some treasury bonds. You probably do, too. What is the government doing with that money we invested in those bonds? It is spending it, of course. But we still hold the notes. And when we redeem them, we get repaid, with interest. It works the same way with the treasury notes held by the Social Security system, except, of course, on a much larger scale. If you want to learn more about how that works, do a Google search for “Social Security Office of the Actuary” and noodle around in all the Social Security investment data they make available to the public.
Finally, the diatribe writer trots out the tired old “Social Security is a Ponzi
Scheme” allegation. As I have pointed out a hundred times in this column, Social Security is not now, never has been and never will be an investment scheme. Instead, it is a social insurance program that, in addition to providing a base of income support to retirees, for people with disabilities and for the spouses and families of a worker who has died, is also intended to accomplish larger social goals for our country. If you need proof that the social goals of the Social Security program are being met, just consider this. Before Social Security was established in 1935, almost 80% of senior citizens in this country were
living below the poverty level. Today, the number is less than 10%. And that’s even though we are not all millionaires because we never got a chance to invest the Social Security taxes stolen from us!
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.
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CROSSWORD PUZZLE
REAL ESTATE WATCH
What Downsizing Really Feels Like (According to Homeowners Who Did It)
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
Downsizing is one of the most misunderstood moves in real estate.
On paper, it sounds almost clinical: fewer square feet, lower bills, less maintenance. A rational trade—space for simplicity. But talk to homeowners who have actually done it, and a very different story emerges. Downsizing isn’t just a housing decision. It’s a deeply personal transition—one that touches identity, memory, family, and the future all at once.
Ask people after the boxes are unpacked, and you’ll hear a consistent theme:
“I thought this would be easier than it was.”
It Starts as a Logical Decision
For most homeowners, the decision begins logically.
The house is too big. The kids are gone. Maintenance is exhausting. Costs are rising. Retirement—or simply a new phase of life—is approaching. The property that once felt like a perfect fit starts to feel like excess weight.
In many cases, the motivation is practical: reduce upkeep, unlock equity, simplify life.
But logic only gets you to the decision.
Emotion takes over from there.
The First Shock: It’s Not About the House
One of the biggest surprises homeowners report is this:
Downsizing isn’t really about the house.
It’s about what the house represents.
A longtime home is rarely just real estate. It’s where birthdays happened. Where routines formed. Where children grew up. Where holidays repeated year after year until they became traditions.
So when people prepare to leave, they aren’t just selling property— they’re closing a chapter.
That’s why many describe the experience not as a move, but as a kind of emotional separation.
One homeowner put it simply: downsizing can feel like “losing a piece of identity.”
The Hidden Work: Letting Go
If there’s one part of downsizing everyone underestimates, it’s this: the sheer emotional weight of letting go of belongings.
Every object becomes a decision. And every decision carries a story.
That old chair isn’t just furniture— it’s where someone read to their kids. A box in the attic isn’t just clutter— it’s 20 years of memories. Even things with no practical value suddenly feel important.
Homeowners often discover they’re not holding onto stuff— they’re holding onto versions of their lives.
This is why downsizing can feel overwhelming. It compresses decades of living into a short window of decision-making.
And unlike buying a home—which is about gaining something—downsizing is largely about giving things up.
The Emotional Curve: From Resistance to Relief
Interestingly, the emotional journey tends to follow a pattern.
Phase 1: Resistance
Even motivated sellers feel hesitation. Doubts creep in:
Will I regret this? Will the new place feel like home? What am I losing?
Fear of the unknown is powerful, even when the move makes sense.
Phase 2: Overwhelm
Sorting, packing, deciding—it becomes all-consuming. Many describe this as the hardest stage. The process feels bigger than expected, both physically and emotionally.
Phase 3: Grief
This is the part few people talk about. There is often real sadness in leaving. Not necessarily regret—but recognition that something meaningful is ending.
Downsizing often coincides with other life transitions—retirement, loss, or family changes—which can intensify these feelings.
Phase 4: Adjustment
After the move, reality sets in. The space is smaller. Storage is tighter. Routines change. Some homeowners feel disoriented at first.
Phase 5: Relief (Eventually)
Then, for many, something shifts. Less cleaning. Less maintenance. Lower stress. A simpler daily rhythm. What initially felt like loss starts to feel like freedom.
The Trade-Off No One Explains Clearly
Here’s the truth most homeowners discover after downsizing: You don’t just gain simplicity. You trade space for ease.
And that trade comes with compromises.
Some people miss hosting large gatherings. Others miss having room for hobbies, storage, or visiting family. Smaller homes can feel restrictive at times, especially early on.
Even financial expectations don’t
always match reality. Costs, moving expenses, and pricing differences can offset anticipated savings.
In other words, downsizing solves some problems—but introduces new ones.
The Identity Shift
Perhaps the most profound—and least discussed—part of downsizing is how it changes how people see themselves.
For decades, a home may have symbolized success, stability, or family life. Letting it go can feel like redefining who you are.
That’s why some homeowners delay the decision for years, even when the house no longer fits their lifestyle.
But others find something unexpected on the other side:
A sense that life becomes less about maintaining a home—and more about living in it.
Research on happiness consistently shows that fulfillment is tied more to health, relationships, and financial security than the size of a home.
For many, downsizing becomes a shift toward those priorities.
What Homeowners Say After It’s Done
If you ask people a year after downsizing, the answers become more balanced—and more honest.
You’ll hear things like:
• “It was harder than I expected.”
• “The process was exhausting.”
• “I didn’t realize how emotional it would be.”
But you’ll also hear:
• “I wish I had done it sooner.”
• “I feel lighter now.”
• “Life is simpler.”
Even homeowners who describe the experience as “emotional” or “traumatic” often say they’re ultimately glad they did it.
That duality is the real story.
Downsizing is both difficult and rewarding. Stressful and freeing. Loss and gain—all at once.
The Biggest Mistake People Make
The most common regret isn’t downsizing itself.
It’s rushing the process.
Homeowners who move too quickly often feel they didn’t have time to process the emotional side—or make thoughtful decisions about what to keep and where to go next.
Downsizing works best when it’s intentional, not reactive.
So What Does Downsizing Really Feel Like?
It feels like:
• Closing a chapter you didn’t realize was still open
• Sorting through the physical evidence of your life
• Questioning what matters—and what doesn’t
• Feeling both loss and relief in the same moment
• Letting go of space, but gaining clarity
And ultimately, it feels like change.
Not just where you live—but how you live.
Because in the end, downsizing isn’t about having less.
It’s about deciding what’s worth keeping.
Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 43+ years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned 3 significant designations:
National Association of Realtors Graduate Realtors Institute (what I consider a Master’s degree in real estate).
Certified International Property Specialist - expert in consulting and completing international transactions.
National Association of Realtors Green designation: eco-friendly low carbon footprint construction with 3-D printed foundations, Solar panels, Geo-thermal HVAC/Heat Pumps).
He will also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and his Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.
He will provide you with “free” regular updates of what has gone under contract (pending), been sold (closed) and those homes that have been withdrawn/ released or expired (W/R) and all new listings of homes, HOA, Townhomes, Condos, and Coops in your town or go to: https:// WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search at your leisure on your own. However, for a “FREE” no obligation/no strings attached 15-minute consultation, as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached call him at (516) 647-4289 or email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.com
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Reap the rewards of expanding your culinary horizons
Green Fish Curry with Rice
Trying new foods is one of the joys of cooking. When people expand their culinary horizons and embrace opportunities to taste new dishes, their mealtime options are endless.
For those looking to experiment with Asian cuisine, this recipe for “Green Fish Curry With Rice” from Lines+Angles is sure to please. Makes 4 servings
For the curry:
2 tablespoons coriander seeds
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
6 cloves garlic, chopped
5 shallots, chopped
1 large bunch coriander, chopped, plus extra for garnishing
1) For the curry: Toast the coriander and cumin seeds in a dry frying pan over a medium heat until aromatic. Tip into a spice grinder and blitz until fine and powdery. Tip into a blender or food processor.
2) Add the nutmeg, garlic, shallots, coriander, chillies, galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, shrimp paste, and lime juice. Blend on high to make a smooth paste.
3) Heat the oil in a large saucepan set over a medium heat. Add the paste and fry for 4-5 minutes until it starts to darken, stirring frequently.
4) Whisk in the stock and bring to a simmer. Place the cod in the sauce, cover with a lid, and cook over a low heat for 10 to 15 minutes until the fish is firm, opaque, and starting to flake.
2 tablespoons sunflower oil
2 cups vegetable stock
4 thick, skinless, boneless cod fillets, approximately 7 ounces each
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
For the rice:
1 tablespoon sunflower oil
1 cup basmati rice, rinsed in several changes of water, then drained
3 cups water
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1 large carrot, peeled and finely diced
4 1⁄2 ounces green beans, chopped
Season the curry with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and set aside until needed.
5) For the rice: Heat the oil in a heavy-based saucepan set over a medium heat. Stir in the rice and fry for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the water and salt. Bring to a boil, then cover with a lid and cook over a low heat for 20 minutes until the rice has absorbed the water and is tender.
6) When the rice is ready, scatter the carrot and green beans on top and cover with a lid. Set aside for 10 minutes. Fluff up the rice with a fork, mixing in the vegetables at the same time.
7) Reheat the curry over a medium heat. Ladle into bowls and serve with the rice on the side and some chopped coriander on top.
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