Hempstead Town Councilman Tom Muscarella (left), Town Clerk Kate Murray (second left), and Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll (right) attended the Floral Park Fire Department Communion Breakfast on March 15 at the Stewart Manor Country Club in Garden City. Also attending were members of the Floral Park Fire Department.
FPHS presents “Old Glory: The Presidents”
The Floral Park Historical Society announces a public presentation titled “Old Glory: The Presidents,” delivered by former Floral Park Mayor Ann V. Corbett. The talk offers a historical perspective on U.S. presidents who shaped the evolution of the
American flag, situating presidential influence within the flag’s changing design and symbolism.
This FPHS USA 250th Anniversary event scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at the Floral Park Recreation/ Pool Building (124 Stewart St.), is handicap accessible, free to the public, and includes contact information (516-532-1518) and the society’s website for further details at FloralParkHistorical. Org.
From Nursery School to Business Owners
BY RIKKI MASSAND
Two lifelong “Garden City guys” entered 2026 with a local business venture aimed at serving area residents and boosting the day-to-day local economy. Kyle Irwin and Michael Comiskey first met as two-and-a-half-year-olds attending Garden City Nursery School in the mid-1990s. Today, the pair are grown men, college graduates, hardworking young professionals, and the co-owners of the Stewart Manor Laundromat at 90 Covert Avenue.
In front of a large gathering of family, lifelong friends, customers new and old, and fellow businesspeople on Saturday, January 31st, the team at Stewart Manor Laundromat was formally welcomed by the two governing bodies that manage the business district streetscape bordering two villages: trustees and administrators from the Village of Floral Park and the Village of Stewart Manor. Attendees at the official grand opening ceremony included Floral Park Deputy Mayor Dr. Lynn Pombonyo, Trustees Michael Longobardi, Jennifer Stewart, and Frank Chiara, and Floral
Park Clerk Joseph O’Grady. The presidents of the two local business advocacy and networking organizations— Shane Parouse of the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce and Rene Galietti Jorglewich of the Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce—were also in attendance, offering encouragement and support to the young entrepreneurs. Michael Comiskey was joined by his twin sister Maggie, brother Charlie Jr., their mother Stacy Comiskey, and father Charles Comiskey at the grand opening, where light refreshments, wraps, and cookies were served. Surrounded by local friends from Garden City—and a handful who attended elementary or middle school with the business partners—the owners spoke about their deep connections to the community, both new and longstanding. Irwin said there is a strong sense of gratitude in working so close to where they grew up and in seeing how the community benefits from an upgraded local laundry service.
Kyle attended Chaminade High School, while Michael
Hire a Neighborhood Kid (HANK)
HANK Services for Seniors (Hire a Neighborhood Kid), a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of seniors in Floral Park, Stewart Manor, and Garden City, is making a positive impact by connecting local
teens with seniors in need of assistance.
The organization pairs seniors with teens who help with household tasks, allowing seniors to maintain their independence. Currently, over 30 teens, including about 10 from Floral Park, are providing valuable support to many seniors in the community. One such senior was highlighted in the Long Island Press this month, showcasing the personal stories behind the organization’s mission.
HANK Services has garnered media attention, with a segment scheduled to air on Channel 5 at 5 p.m. one night the week of March 23. The segment will highlight the organization’s mission and its essential role in fostering community connections.
For more information please email info@HANKServices.org or go to HANKServices.org
Junior Woman’s Club offers scholarships
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 our commu-
7:30 PM
8:00 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM
9:30 PM
FOUR VILLAGE STUDIO
4 V S ~ Optimum Ch.18 & Fios Ch.28
MONDAY, APRIL 6th & THURSDAY, APRIL 9th
The Author Corner
Stephanie Larkin
“Lovers Own The Silence” ~ Michael Watt, Novelist
Inspiring Stories
Bill Corbett, Jr.
“Island Harvest”: A Food Bank For Long Island ~ Randi Shubin Dresner, CEO
Wes Houston Presents…
Wes Houston
Walter Finley ~ Singer-Songwriter-Guitarist
FPFD: Red Alert
Larry King, AEMT
“Prison Fire Safety” ~ Christopher Currenti, Federal Bureau of Prisons (Ret.)
The Floral Park Mayor’s Report
Hon. Kevin M. Fitzgerald
“Floral Park Assessor’s Office: An Overview” ~ Michael Derby, Assessor
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 by April 24, 2026. See application for additional details. 1 Floral Blvd., Floral Park, NY 11002
Getting Married?
email editor@gcnews.com to put your engagement, wedding, or baby announcement in the paper
Phone: 516.326.1150 ~ Email: 4VS@4VS.org
April at the Floral Park Public Library
The first full month of spring, symbolizing renewal, growth, and warmer weather, is (finally) upon us.
Thank you to all who participated in the Library’s Read Across Floral Park initiative in March. Submissions were creative, especially the mystery reader who chose “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs," and the young patron hanging upside down from a tree limb – book in hand.
For teens, April brings Teen Cuisine Quesadillas Your Way; Slay Your Space – Organizing Skills for Teens as a Community Service initiative, and the Teen Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting.
The PG-rated “ SpongBob SquarePants Movie – Search for Squarepants” is a great way to spend Sunday afternoon, April 11,with family.
The inaugural meeting of The Quiet Reading Book Club for Adults was a success, so the meetings will continue for the second quarter of 2026 at 7:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month.
We’re back to Thursdays 10:00 a.m. –4:00 p.m. for the six-hour monthly Empire Safety Council Defensive Driving class . Registration opens March 23 for the April 16 class.
The weekly Adult English Language Learner classes continue on Tuesday evenings. Pre-registration is required for both Beginning and Intermediate/Advanced sessions.
AARP Tax Assistance wraps up on the 14, and slots are full. For the adults, Game Nite for Grownups continues, as does weekly Hybrid Chair Yoga on Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m..
More for the adult to choose from: How to Successfully Reinvent Your Career Path; Stars & Stitches Patriotic Embroidery Workshop ; NYS Unclaimed Funds presentation ; Estate Planning Basics ; and Watercolor Wreath Note Cards with Cathy Buckley.
There are a few spots available for the rescheduled Mediterranean Cooking with Chef Naela on April 30. The three-session Mah Jongg class filled by the second day of registration. It seems EVERYONE wants to play Mah Jongg these days.
The Floral Park Library Urban Explorers took their first trip of 2026 to the Frick Museum last month. Next up: Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site.
If that’s not enough, A Shred Away will be curbside on April 17 to assist you with spring cleaning!
The Morning Friends of the Floral Park Library Book Club meets at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, April 6, and the Evening Edition Book Club discusses “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers” by Jesse Q. Sutanto on Thursday, April 9.
The Made with Love Knitting and Crocheting groups meet Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m.; no registration necessary.
The always popular kids’ programs include Play Hooray ; Funkytown Playground; and A Time for Kids’ Baby Start and Family Preschool Hour, a Pom Queen craft (grades 3 – 5), and P[ART]y Art sessions for pre-K thru 2nd grade and third thru 5th grade.
And, there’s Pokémon Bingo Show (grades K – 5); Trust Your Imagination (grades K- 5); Poetry Comics for Kids; Storytime (2 ½ years – preschool); and Game On! A Long Island Children’s Museum Outreach program
Crafty Kids brings the third of four monthly “Proud to Be an American” crafts for pre-K through grade 2.
The Library Board meets on Wednesday, April 8, at 7:30 p.m.. The meeting is open to the public (use the rear entrance of the Library).
The Library is closed Easter
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
Sunday, April 5.
Looking for some help with your résumé, job search, LinkedIn profile or interview prep? Look no further than Ellen O’Brien. Contact her 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, jigsaw puzzles, 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 Nursery School to Business Owners
From page 1
is a Garden City High School alumnus. His sister, Maggie Comiskey, attended Sacred Heart Academy. Both Michael and Kyle majored in economics at Union College. They said they had always planned to go into business together. About 15 years ago, their power-washing business provided a starting point, offering steady work during high school and college. When they were not focused on academics and sports, Kyle and Michael were busy power washing homes in Garden City and Stewart Manor.
“It’s always been about providing service, and over here we are doing something similar with wash-n-fold so the transition to this partnership comes naturally,” Irwin commented.
Business Destination
In an interview, Michael said he and Kyle viewed a laundromat as a strong investment opportunity. One of their first and biggest challenges was finding the right location. He said they looked across Long Island, but the Covert Avenue site—just west of the Village of Garden City—became available at the right time.
“We had stopped here and given our information, and out of nowhere the owner called us and said he was ready to sell. Kyle and I drove fast to see him
since this is close to home for us— everywhere else couldn’t compare to that sense of opening this business in our backyard. We came over to meet with Sammy (the prior owner), and for this community we saw there was an opportunity to renovate the inside of the laundromat and make it a bigger, cleaner and brighter place with a local owner environment to it,” Comiskey explained.
He and Kyle Irwin have also spent time with other local business owners, including Rene Jorglewich, and they have seen the camaraderie of the shopping and dining district “with everyone helping each other out.”
Both men are close friends with John Parks, owner of the Stewart Manor Country Club and the concession/ refreshments business at the Garden City Pool facility. Kyle and Michael are the same age as Mr. Parks’ daughter Maggie, who attended school with Michael’s sister. Michael added that he consulted with John Parks about local business goals as the deal to take over the laundromat came together.
Irwin said that their market research and effort to open near their hometown extended further. He and Michael spent time knocking on doors to meet residents and learn where people were getting laundry services.
“We came back here to do business
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The new co-owners of the Stewart Manor Laundromat at 90 Covert Avenue, native sons of Garden City, Kyle Irwin and Michael Comiskey (center, kneeling) at the celebration for their new local business’s grand opening. The Irwin and Comiskey families were joined by many longtime friends and former classmates.
with and for our community. Michael and I want to serve the people around us, and that begins with introductions to every business owner and sending mailers to the neighborhoods—our message is to save your time, let us do the laundry for you.”
Stacy Comiskey said that since their days at Garden City Nursery School, Michael and Kyle have been inseparable for 30 years. All three of her children attended Union College together. Michael and Kyle also played lacrosse together, and Michael is the godfather to Kyle’s child.
“They’ve been such great friends and always supportive of each other, and I have seen them become good business partners going back to their teenage years in the village.”
“Because they have differing personalities they can conquer different jobs together in a great way,” she explained.
One of the most meaningful aspects of the business venture, according to Michael’s family, is its hometown focus.
Resurgence of Covert Avenue
Covert Avenue appears primed for a renaissance, with new businesses opening and more expected later this year. In 2025, Tulip Sweet Shoppe relocated to 70 Covert Avenue, and Irwin noted the renovations completed by neighboring My Three Sons Bagel Cafe at 88 Covert, which have enhanced the area’s appeal.
The co-owners also pointed to other developments along Covert Avenue, including a new restaurant, the nearly 36,000-square-foot mixed-use development Hillcrest of Floral Park under construction across the street, a new pizzeria, and plans for a dentist office at the former bank site.
“Though we raised him on the eastern side of Garden City (not far from the Country Life Press LIRR station) Michael loves Stewart Manor and his heart is here, and it’s such a beautiful community. You can tell the guys really love Stewart Manor, Covert Avenue and the mix of local villages nearby the customers are coming from,” Mrs. Comiskey said.
Customer feedback is welcomed at Stewart Manor Laundromat. Comiskey said new promotions and outreach efforts are underway.
“However we can reach people in the community, we want to be a part of that, help our customers and stay top of mind,” he said.
“This presents a great opportunity for us to grow and to offer more services like pick-up and drop-off, which is our goal. For the time being we are just doing wash-n-fold dropoffs, but we see this area as a hub with convenience from many towns and the Stewart Manor LIRR station—it’s growing. Our vision will be for Covert Avenue coming back, and we want to be a part of that with bringing residents a nicer, clean and modern laundromat. It’s an honor for us to open up here,” Comiskey said. He agreed with a point made by the Covert Avenue Chamber and Floral Park officials about the diverse customer base supporting local businesses. Jorglewich has noted that customers come from Garden City, Stewart Manor, Floral Park, New Hyde Park, Mineola, and beyond.
Irwin added, “People are here to support local businesses, and the businesses are responding by investing in the real estate and in the Covert Avenue locations. It’s becoming more vibrant every week.”
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“Read Across Floral Park” highlights reading
Between Monday, March 2, and Monday, March 16, the Floral Park Public Library held its “Read Across America” event.
Residents were encouraged to take pictures reading at different locations around town. Below are some of the entries.
Micheline DeBono, reiki master and Chair Yoga instructor at the Floral Park Library
Linda Sartini, secretary to the Library Board of Directors, reading “The Cookie Bible” at Buttercooky Bakery
Ali Valdner, owner of P[ART]y Art
One mystery reader chose "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs".
Floral Park Bellerose Education Fund Board members at ‘80s Parent Prom night.
There was much to celebrate during the Board of Education meeting on March 24, as the Sewanhaka Central High School District commended students and athletic staff for their recent accomplishments.
Ex officio board member Kyara Ozil, a junior at Sewanhaka High School, helped open the meeting by delivering the Student Report. She highlighted districtwide events, including the P.S. I Love You Day celebrations across all five buildings and the successful and upcoming spring musicals.
Superintendent Regina Agrusa began the recognitions by honoring Anthony Brancato as the 2026 Section VIII Athletic Administrator of the Year. Serving as the athletic director and chairperson of physical education and health at H. Frank Carey High School, Brancato’s commitment to the Franklin Square community and Section VIII athletics is evident through his
many leadership roles, including Section VIII boys golf coordinator, and member of the Section VIII sportsmanship committee and the Section VIII council and planning committee. He received this prestigious award at the New York State Athletic Administrators Association’s annual conference.
The celebration of excellence continued with another distinguished educator. Ahkeel Rodney was recognized for being named the 2025 National High School Coach of the Year by the Black Soccer Coaches Leadership Team. As the varsity boys soccer coach at Floral Park Memorial High School, he has led the team to remarkable success, including a New York State Soccer Championship in 2024 and a second consecutive Nassau County Championship in 2025.
Student achievements were also fea-
tured throughout the evening. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Richard Faccio recognized five students from the Class of 2026 who were recently named finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Congratulations to Floral Park Memorial High School student Nathan Gee, and New Hyde Park Memorial High School students Anirudh Arvind, Shohom Chakraborty, Darsh Mirchandani and Ava Su.
In addition, Superintendent Agrusa and the board presented five student artists with certificates of achievement for having their work displayed in the 2026 Nassau All-County Art Exhibition, hosted by the Art Supervisors Association. These five students were among 50 graduating senior art students selected for the ASA Senior Scholarship. The recipients are
Elmont Memorial’s Clara Pelissier, Floral Park Memorial’s Kelsey Werthmuller, H. Frank Carey’s Chloe Urban, New Hyde Park Memorial’s Theodora Doukas and Sewanhaka’s Marissa Ramirez.
Rounding out the evening, Career and Technical Education students in the architecture program delivered a special presentation. They shared detailed renderings and plans for a proposed new and enhanced guidance suite at H. Frank Carey High School. Under the guidance of teacher John Koscinski, students developed their designs based on budget considerations and an analysis of the building’s requests. They also presented their concepts to industry professionals, incorporating valuable feedback from experts in the field.
Not
attendance:
National Merit Scholarship Program finalists (from left): Ava Su, Darsh Mirchandani, Anirudh Arvind and Nathan Gee
Not in attendance: Shohom Chakraborty
Floral Park Memorial High School Physical Education Chairperson Larry Doreson, Principal Alicia Calabrese, Board President William Leder, Board trustee Rosemarie Peltonen, Superintendent Regina Agrusa and Board trustee Jaclyn O’Donohue
District Athletic Director T.J. Burke, Board President William Leder, H. Frank Carey High School Principal Jennifer Alaimo, Anthony Brancato and Superintendent Regina Agrusa
ASA Senior Scholarship recipients Clara Pelissier and Chloe Urban are pictured with (from left) Elmont Memorial High School Principal Marya Baker, Board President William Leder, H. Frank Carey Principal Jennifer Alaimo, Superintendent Regina Agrusa, board trustee Tiffany Capers and board trustee Binu Jacob
in
Kelsey Werthmuller, Theodora Doukas and Marissa Ramirez
Photos courtesy of the Sewanhaka Central High School District
Nashville: Music City and More
BY GERI BAIN FOR TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM
You don’t have to be a country music fan to tap your feet and enjoy Nashville’s vibrant music scene. The creativity also spills over into its art, dining and decor. And of course, there’s that famous “hot chicken” and barbecue. No wonder Nashville usually ranks among the nation’s top travel spots.
To get in the mood for my trip, I watch “It All Begins with a Song,” a documentary featuring songwriters performing and talking about their creative process and the unique role of Nashville in their lives. The film leads me to expect live music everywhere, 24/7, and sure enough, there’s a band setting up at the airport when I land at noon. There’s also live music at shopping centers, banks and clubs all around the city.
The standout experience is barand band-hopping along Lower Broadway, a.k.a. Honky Tonk Highway. Here, dozens of bars serve up live music—often on multiple floors—from 10 a.m. until the wee hours of the morning. Most charge no cover charge or minimum.
After bar-hopping, I walk back to the boutique 79-room Fairlane Hotel. It’s within an easy walk of most the city’s major attractions and its colorful, mid-century modern decor complements the city’s vibrant vibe. And while it’s smack in the center of town, when I tuck in to sleep, there is zero noise.
The next day, I’m thrilled to find that Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum has a major exhibit devoted to Dolly Parton (running through September 2026). Watching a video interview with her, I learn that her song, “Coat of Many Colors,” refers
to a true story when classmates made fun of her patchwork coat. The permanent collection is equally intimate. It is laid out chronologically with listening stations and displays illustrating the evolution of country music along with costumes, instruments and memorabilia of individual artists from the Carter Family to Elvis and Jelly Roll.
I’m drawn to the Taylor Swift Education Center , a two-story, 7,500-square-foot learning space within the museum which was opened in October 2013 with a $4 million gift from Swift to fund educational programs. I gravitate to a “Songwriting Station” which invites young visitors to create their own lyrics and providing markers and coloring sheets about musical instruments. A songwriting camp, craft classes and musical performances and talks are offered, but not during my visit. Next time I’ll plan ahead!
For lunch, I head to the nearby Assembly Food Hall which features everything from Vietnamese pho to Hawaiian poke. I’m excited to try the renowned Prince’s Hot Chicken but coward that I am, I order the medium spice level because I’ve been warned the three hotter levels will burn through your entire digestive system. My chicken is deliciously tongue-tingling and sinus-clearing but not painful.
I also visit the National Museum of African Music which is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history and impact of African American music genres. At the ticket desk, I receive an RFID wristband which allows me to download playlists I create throughout the museum that are emailed to me. Exhibits trace the history of AfricanAmerican music from spirituals and gospel and their roots in indigenous African music to jazz, R&B and
hiphop. I am entranced by the interactive stations, especially the jazz table, where I play with layering on instruments and styles in the way a jazz musician might.
A short walk from here is the Ryman Auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry radio show from 1943 to 1974. Interestingly, the Grand Ole Opry, isn’t a place; it’s the musical variety radio show that was the first to broadcast country music to a national audience. The Grand Ole Opry is recognized as the longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history. The show drew top talent to Nashville who to this day live in Nashville and produce music in the many studios along Music Row, and effectively kicked off the city’s growth into the musical center it is today.
On my last evening, I attend a live radio variety show at the modern “new” home of the Grand Ole Opry, located outside of downtown. On a pre-show backstage tour, I get a kick out of seeing the dressing rooms and mailboxes of Garth Brooks and other stars and catching glimpse of the celebrities as they prepare for their performances.
As I reflect on my Nashville getaway what most impresses me is that the openness, creativity and collaboration that leads to great music seems to spill over into the entire culture. Perhaps that explains the friendly, welcoming vibe that makes the city such a joy to visit.
For more information, go to www. visitmusiccity.com.
Geometric patterns are fun to trace among the stars. In past articles, I’ve told you about the Summer Triangle, the Winter Hexagon (or Oval), and autumn’s Great Square of Pegasus. Today, I’d like to suggest you step outside one night during April to seek out what we in the Northern Hemisphere might call the Spring Triangle.
This star grouping is pretty easy to find, once you spot the Big Dipper, now standing midway up in the northeastern sky after dark.
First, use the handle of the Dipper to find the star Arcturus. Simply follow the curve of the handle away from the bowl until you encounter this yellow-orange star low in the east. Then, continue that line onward toward bluish-white Spica, a bit lower in the eastern sky.
The third star of the triangle is much higher in the east. Its name is Regulus, and we can use the Big Dipper’s bowl to find it. Locate the two stars in the bowl farthest from the handle. These, you may recall, are known as the pointer stars, because if we follow them from the bowl’s bottom to its top, and extend that line five times farther, we’ll find Polaris, the north star.
To locate Regulus, however, we will need to follow these stars in the opposite direction, from the top of the bowl to the bottom, and continue that line on until you encounter this bright star.
The Spring Triangle, much like every other geo-
Once you locate the Big Dipper in the sky, the Spring Triangle is easy to find.
metrical pattern we recognize in the sky, is not a constellation. A constellation is one of 88 officially designated areas of the heavens that represent objects, animals or people but do not necessarily resemble
LOST IN SUBURBIA
BY TRACY BECKERMAN
I’m not a great packer. I start out with the best intentions and before I know it, I have packed for every possible occasion, including being stranded on an iceberg and meeting the king of England. Since neither of these two things has ever happened, you would think I would have learned to pack more conservatively. But I have not. So when I was packing my bag for my vacation with my husband and I couldn’t even get the darn thing closed, I suspected I might have overpacked. The problem was, I needed to include clothes for two different temperate zones and four semi-dressy occasions, and my husband’s hiking boots that he forgot to pack when he went ahead of me for business two days before.
However, I am nothing if not optimistic, and I figured, if I can zip it, I can take it. True, both of my kids and I all had to sit on the mammoth suitcase to zipper it closed. And it did actually take all three of us to lift it off the bed and get it onto the floor. And it did, in fact, leave a small dent in the wood
any of them. The three stars of the Spring Triangle, however, are each the brightest of three separate constellations, and together they form an “asterism,” a group of stars that actually looks like something.
Arcturus belongs to Bootes, the herdsman, Spica marks a shaft of wheat in the hand of Virgo, the maiden, and Regulus forms the heart of Leo, the lion (and the bottom of a backward question mark of stars that outlines the lion’s head).
These three stars are also quite different from one another.
Arcturus is a red giant star located nearly 37 lightyears from us. It’s a huge star about 25 times larger, and some 170 times more brilliant, than our sun, and its orange color is pretty obvious.
Spica, on the other hand, is a blue giant star that lies about 250 lightyears from Earth. It’s part of a binary system -- two stars that revolve around each other so closely that their mutual gravitational pull distorts each into an egg shape!
The third star, Regulus, is what astronomers know as a blue straggler -- a star that’s hotter, brighter and bluer than one would expect for a star of its type. At a distance of about 79 lightyears, it, too, is not a single star but is part of a quadruple system composed of two stellar pairs that orbit one another.
Be sure to check out these three stars of the Spring Triangle on your next clear night!
Are You Calling My Bag Fat?
floor when I lost my grip and dropped it down the stairs. But I was still surprised when the check-in guy at the airport told me my bag was 10 pounds over the luggage weight limit.
“You’ll have to take some clothes out of the suitcase,” he said.
“And put them where?” I asked, wondering how many articles of clothing I could wear and still fit into my airplane seat.
He shrugged.
“Any other options?” I said.
“The weight limit in first class is 72 pounds,” he told me. “You could upgrade.”
I raised my eyebrows. “And how much is it to upgrade to first class?”
“Fifteen hundred dollars ... one way.”
I choked on my latte. “OK, that’s not going to happen. Anything else?” I looked behind me and saw the long check-in line getting longer and the other passengers growing more impatient. I thought if I didn’t wrap this up soon, someone was going to throw me on the luggage belt.
“You can pay a fee,” he added.
“Why didn’t you tell me that in the first place?” I asked him indignantly.
He shrugged. “You didn’t ask.”
I glared. He looked bored. Finally, I ponied up the money and dumped the bag back on the scale. At this point, I thought a better thing to do would be to accidentally drop my overweight bag on the guy’s foot, but I was pretty sure if I started up with him, my suitcase would somehow be rerouted to the opposite side of the globe.
Once I got past the luggage check-in, the rest of my traveling went without incident.
“Which is your bag?” my husband asked six hours later when I met him at the baggage claim.
“That one,” I said, pointing to the black and pink behemoth moving toward us.
He reached down and grabbed the handle but was forced to follow the moving suitcase for a good 10 feet while he struggled to hoist it off the belt. Finally, with a grunt, he catapulted it onto the floor.
“Oh my god,” he exhaled. “Why is this so heavy?”
I shrugged. “Must be your hiking boots.”
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
Smart Homes and AI (Without the Hype)
Walk into almost any electronics store—or scroll through real estate listings—and you’ll see the phrase everywhere: smart home. Add “AI-powered” to the description, and suddenly a thermostat or light switch sounds like something out of a science fiction movie.
But behind the marketing language and glossy demos lies a more grounded reality. Smart home technology is not magic. Artificial intelligence in the home is not truly “thinking.” And for most homeowners, the real question isn’t what’s possible—it’s what’s practical, reliable, and worth the investment.
Let’s strip away the hype and look at what smart homes and AI actually mean today.
What “Smart” Really Means
At its core, a smart home is simply a house where devices are connected to the internet and can be controlled remotely or automatically.
That includes things like:
• Thermostats that adjust temperature based on your habits
• Lights you can control from your phone
• Cameras that send alerts when motion is detected
• Door locks you can open without a key
None of that is inherently “intelligent.” It’s automation.
The “AI” layer comes in when systems begin to learn patterns—when your thermostat notices you lower the heat every night, or when your security system distinguishes between a person and a passing car.
But even then, we’re talking about narrow, task-specific learning. Not general intelligence. Not decision-making like a human. More like pattern recognition with memory.
Where AI Actually Works Well in Homes
Despite the over promising, there are areas where AI-driven smart tech genuinely delivers value.
1. Energy Efficiency
Smart thermostats are one of the clearest success stories. They learn your schedule, adjust temperatures automatically, and can reduce energy usage without constant manual input.
The key benefit isn’t intelligence— it’s consistency. Most homeowners don’t adjust their thermostat as often as they should. Smart systems do it for them.
2. Security and Monitoring
Modern cameras and doorbells can identify motion types, recognize familiar faces, and send targeted alerts.
This reduces “false alarms”—like
notifications every time a tree branch moves— and makes monitoring more usable. Instead of constant noise, you get filtered information.
3. Leak Detection and Risk Prevention
AI-powered sensors can detect unusual water flow, humidity changes, or temperature drops that signal a problem.
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
This is where smart homes quietly shine. A small leak caught early can prevent tens of thousands of dollars in damage.
4. Voice and Convenience Layers
Voice assistants make it easier to control multiple systems at once. Turning off lights, adjusting temperature, or locking doors becomes seamless.
Again, this isn’t groundbreaking intelligence—it’s interface simplification. But it matters in daily life.
Where the Hype Gets Ahead of Reality
For every real benefit, there are areas where expectations far exceed performance.
1. “Fully Automated Living”
The idea that your home will anticipate every need and run itself flawlessly is still far off.
In reality, most systems require:
• Initial setup
• Ongoing adjustments
• Occasional troubleshooting
Homes don’t become effortless— they become different to manage.
2. Inter-connectivity Problems
Not all smart devices play well together.
Different brands use different ecosystems, and while compatibility is improving, many homeowners end up juggling multiple apps and systems.
Ironically, a “smart” home can feel fragmented.
3. Over dependence on Internet and Power
Smart homes are only as reliable as their connectivity.
• Internet outage? Many features stop working.
• Power outage? Most systems go offline unless backed up.
This is a critical flaw that’s often overlooked in the sales pitch.
4. Privacy Concerns
Devices that listen, watch, and learn inevitably raise questions:
• Where is the data going?
• Who owns it?
• How secure is it?
While major companies invest heavily in security, no system is immune
to risk.
The Hidden Cost of “Smart”
One of the biggest misconceptions is that smart homes save money across the board.
Sometimes they do. Often, they don’t.
Costs include:
• Device purchases
• Subscription services (cloud storage, monitoring, AI features)
• Upgrades and replacements
• Professional installation in some cases
And technology ages quickly. What feels cutting-edge today may feel outdated in three to five years.
Smart homes should be viewed less like permanent upgrades and more like evolving systems.
What Actually Adds Value to a Home
From a real estate perspective, not all smart features are equal.
Buyers consistently respond to:
• Smart thermostats
• Security systems (especially cameras and doorbells)
• Leak detection and water shutoff systems
• Basic lighting automation
These are practical, easy to understand, and tied to safety or savings. What doesn’t always add value:
• Highly customized or complex systems
• Niche integrations that require specific apps or knowledge
• Overly personalized automation setups
In some cases, too much complexity can actually turn buyers off.
Here’s where the conversation is starting to change—and where savvy homeowners are paying attention.
The future isn’t just about smarter homes. It’s about more resilient homes. That includes:
• Backup power systems (generators, batteries)
• Systems that function offline when needed
• Redundant safety features
• Devices that prioritize alerts and prevention over convenience
In other words, technology that helps your home perform under stress—not just when everything is working perfectly.
After major storms and extended outages, homeowners rarely talk about
how convenient their voice assistant was. They talk about what kept working—and what didn’t.
A Practical Approach to Smart Home Investment
If you’re considering upgrading your home with smart technology, a grounded strategy beats an all-in approach.
Start with three questions:
1. Does this solve a real problem?
Energy waste, security concerns, water damage risk—these are real problems. Focus there first.
2. Will this still work when something goes wrong?
Power outages, internet issues, system failures—resilience matters more than features.
3. Is this simple enough for anyone to use?
If a future buyer—or even a guest— can’t easily understand it, it may not be worth the complexity.
The Bottom Line
Smart homes and AI are not gimmicks—but they’re not miracles either.
At their best, they:
• Improve efficiency
• Enhance safety
• Simplify daily routines
At their worst, they:
• Add complexity
• Create dependency
• Introduce new risks
The difference comes down to how they’re used.
The homeowners who benefit most aren’t the ones chasing the latest technology. They’re the ones applying it selectively, focusing on durability, practicality, and long-term value.
Because in the end, the smartest home isn’t the one with the most technology.
It’s the one that works—consistently, quietly, and when it matters most.
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:
Continued on page 5
Explaining Social Security ‘Claim’ Numbers
BY TOM MARGENAU
Q: I am a 78-year-old recent widow. I got my own Social Security number when I was about 20. But since my husband and I started getting Social Security benefits about 15 years ago, the correspondence I got from the Social Security Administration showed my husband’s Social Security number with a letter “B” behind it. Somebody at a Social Security office once told me this meant I was getting my wife’s benefits on his record. How does the letter “B” stand for a wife? And now that my husband has died, I notice that any mail I get from the SSA shows my husband’s number with a letter “D.” Does this mean “deceased?”
A: No, it doesn’t mean deceased. Believe it or not, it stands for “widow!” You may legitimately wonder why in the world a “D” means widow. Wouldn’t you think it should be a “W?” I will use this column to explain the mysterious world of Social Security claim numbers. Social Security Administration jargon for these numbers is “BIC codes.” BIC stands for “beneficiary identification code.”
First of all, what is a “claim number?” And how does it differ from a Social Security number? Almost everyone in this country has a Social Security number. It’s the number you give to your employer if you get a job, and it’s the number you would use to file an income tax return. It’s also the number that many government agencies and private companies use as a personal identification number for you. (The use of the SSN for personal identification is a topic for another column.)
But a claim number is the Social Security number on which you are claiming Social Security benefits. And it’s always followed by a little letter symbol to indicate the kind of benefit you have claimed. For many people, their claim number is simply their own Social Security number with a letter symbol following it -- usually an “A.” But some people claim Social Security benefits on another person’s Social Security record -- almost always a spouse and sometimes a parent. So their claim number is the spouse’s or parent’s Social Security number, followed by the appropriate claims symbol.
The little claims symbols were not assigned in any sort of meaningful pattern. In other words, the letter “R” was not used to indicate “retirement” benefits and the letter “W” wasn’t used to indicate “wife’s” or “widow’s” benefits.
Instead, the letters were essentially assigned alphabetically, as benefits were added to Social Security law. Here is a list of the claims symbols used. It’s not a complete list.
A
-- This claims symbol indicates you are getting your own retirement benefits.
B -- You are getting benefits as an aged (over 62) wife on your husband’s record.
B1 -- You are getting benefits as an aged (over 62) husband on your wife’s record.
B2 -- You are getting benefits on your husband’s record as a young wife (under age 62) caring for his minor child.
B6 -- You are getting benefits as a divorced wife on your ex-husband’s record.
C -- You are getting benefits as a child on your parents’ record.
D -- You are getting aged (over age 60) widow’s benefits from your deceased husband’s record.
D1 -- You are getting aged (over age 60) widower’s benefits from your deceased wife.
D6 -- You are getting divorced, widow’s benefits.
E -- You are getting mother’s benefits -- paid to a widow under age 60 who is caring for the minor children of a father who has died.
E1 -- Same as above, except you are divorced from the father.
E4 -- You are getting father’s benefits -- paid to a widower under age 60 who is caring for the minor children of a mother who has died.
F -- You are getting benefits as a dependent parent on a grown son or daughter’s Social Security account (very rare).
HA -- You are getting disability benefits on your own account. (Although sometimes the SSA shortens this to just “A.”)
M -- You don’t have enough work credits for regular Social Security and you only qualify for Part B Medicare benefits.
T -- You are not insured for Social Security benefits, but you are eligible for Part A hospital coverage from Medicare. (See below for more information.)
W -- You are getting disabled widow’s benefits on your deceased husband’s account.
W1 -- You are getting disabled widow’s benefits on your deceased wife’s account.
More about the “T” code. In the past, the “T” code was reserved only for those very few people who were not eligible for any kind of Social Security benefit but had paid taxes into the Medicare program. But when the full retirement age climbed beyond age 65, and people affected by that change started reaching that age, the SSA had to change its claims filing rules. Those rules say that you can file for Medicare at age 65 without having to file for Social Security benefits. And these folks had to be given a claim number.
It couldn’t be an “A” BIC code, which again means you are getting retirement benefits. So, they used the “T” code, and the definition was changed to “entitled to Medicare but not yet entitled to Social Security.” That means the once little-used “T” BIC is now very common. There are currently millions of “T” beneficiaries. If you are one, meaning you took Medicare at 65 but are waiting until full retirement
age, or maybe age 70, to file for Social Security, whenever you do that, your claim number will change from your SSN with a “T” to your SSN with an “A.” Again, this list is not complete. In fact, if you do a Google search for “Social Security BIC codes,” you will find a list of about a hundred codes, most of them for extremely rare benefits. My list in this column shows only the more common beneficiary codes. But “common” is a relative term. Many of the benefits listed above are infrequently paid. For example, you could almost count on your hands the number of people getting “F”
(parents’ benefits) or “W1” (disabled widower’s benefits).
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
The velvety grass in our old back yard
BY CLAIRE LYNCH
The back yard of my childhood home didn’t seem that important when my family first moved in. Maybe the time of year had something to do with itwe’d unpacked and settled in on a cool October day and in a couple of months the snow would come and blanket our house and yards. It wasn’t until the spring and summer months arrived that we checked it out and really started playing in the yard.
My mom planted geraniums and daffodils by the front door to make it look pretty and the back yard? We kids declared that our domain and we enjoyed playing in it. That meant it wasn’t just for us six Lynch kids, it was for our cousins and whatever neighborhood kids we felt like inviting over.
What made me think of all the fun my siblings, friends and I had playing in my back yard was an episode of “House Hunters” I saw on TV recently. A young couple looked at three possible homes and they told their realtor ahead of time what their most important criteria was. Stairs were out, ranches were in.
One husband wanted a good back yard for their children to play in but his wife didn’t consider that a priority. She focused more on the total number of bedrooms and bathrooms and she wanted a good-sized living room or great room so the whole family could hang out together and entertain friends.
As a kid growing up in Rockville Centre we made good use of our back yard especially in the summer when school was closed. I remember having friends over and my best friend lived next door so Nicole was a frequent visitor. There was no fence between
her property and our property just her narrow driveway so we went back and forth easily.
My younger sister, Susan, had a friend named Anne come over and her sister, Nancy, would tag along with her. She was just a year younger than Susan and Anne so Nancy was all ears. She took in whatever the two girls talked about. I was three years older than Susan and Anne so every so often I’d join them and tell them what to expect the next school year at St. Agnes Elementary School since I was ahead of them and knew all the teachers.
They liked hearing all the details about what was expected of them and Nancy knew she may as well listen, too. The four of us would drink iced tea or cool glasses of water and shoot the breeze until it was time for Anne and Nancy to go home for lunch, dinner or whatever their mom needed them for.
They lived on the next block so they’d very conveniently cut through a neighbor’s back yard and hop a low wooden fence to get to our back yard. Easy peasy.
My parents set up chairs and a table on the patio but we kids liked exploring the land - seeing the trees, bushes and flowers up close. We enjoyed spending
REAL ESTATE WATCH
Smart Homes and AI
(Without the Hype)
Continued from page 3
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time in nature, not that it was the country but compared to Brooklyn, where we’d come from not that long ago, it felt like being in the country.
Dad mowed the lawn every two weeks whether it needed it or not so many times we’d place large striped beach towels and lie on what felt like the velvety grass. It was healthy, it was seeded and it got just the right amount of light so that lawn looked pretty majestic both close up and far away if I say so myself. If there had been a prize for lawn care on our block in the 1960s and ‘70s I bet my dad would have won it.
In one of those memorable days that I am still kidded about, one summer day when Nicole and I had too much time on our hands we got the idea to try one of our parent’s cigarettes. Knowing we had to hide what we were doing because we were probably 13 years old, we leaned on that low fence behind Nicole’s garage and lit up. We each took a puff on the cigarette and coughing, we scrunched up our faces.
Seeing the occasional adult smoking looked so glamorous to us kids but we soon realized it wasn’t for us. Before we came to that conclusion, however, Michelle caught us smoking because she had seen smoke rising and smelled
it. Asking us what we were doing, we both shrugged and stomped out the cigarette.
Michelle rolled her eyes and promised to tell Mom but the funny thing is neither of us ever smoked again. We tease Michelle and say she must not have been a kid and tried pushing the boundaries but still, that afternoon is something she’ll never let me forget.
When my cousin, Elaina, came to spend a few days with us we’d hold court in the back yard since it was our territory. Elaina lived near White Plains so it took about 45 minutes by car to get to Rockville Centre. At night my parents would take all of us kids to Jahn’s on Sunrise Hwy. for ice cream or to play miniature golf and ride the carousel at Nunley’s in Baldwin and we all had a great time.
We still tease Elaina about her time sleeping at our house especially the time my older sister, Michelle, short-sheeted Elaina’s bed and when she tried hopping into bed the first night to get some sleep she couldn’t imagine why her feet wouldn’t go in the sheet and light blanket.
The next day we’d go swimming or spend some time hanging out in the back yard. Elaina liked our yard as much as we did and sometimes I’d spend time hanging out in her back yard not just with Elaina but with their dog, Willy. That Willy was a large black Labrador Retriever who kept me on my toes. He was quick and wily and when we kids were 11, 12 and 13 years old Willy had no trouble good naturedly chasing us around their yard. With family and friends, we had fun every summer.
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Cupcakes
Easter is widely characterized as the holiest day of the year on the Christian calendar. Faith features prominently in modern Easter celebrations, which also include some secular traditions, particularly in families with young children. The Easter bunny and Easter egg hunts are not necessarily the focal point of Easter for adult Christians, but children greatly enjoy these traditions.
It’s customary to give young children a basket of treats on Easter Sunday. Though store-
For the cupcakes:
4 ounces butter
1⁄2 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 1⁄4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1⁄2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the grass:
4 1⁄2 ounces unsalted butter
1 1⁄3 cup icing sugar
1) For the cupcakes: Heat the oven to 375° F. Place paper cupcake liners in a 12-serving muffin tin.
2) Beat the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
3) Gradually beat in the eggs, beating until fully incorporated into the mixture.
4) Sift in the dry ingredients and gently stir into the mixture. Stir in the milk and vanilla until blended.
5) Spoon the mixture into the paper liners. Bake for about 20 minutes, until golden. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then place on a wire rack to cool completely.
6) For the grass: Beat the butter until soft. Sift in the icing sugar and beat until smooth. Beat in the vanilla and milk until blended. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of buttercream and set aside.
7) Beat the food coloring into the larger amount of buttercream.
8) Spoon into a piping bag with a grass nozzle. Pipe on top of the
bought treats are easy to come by, homemade items can be even more special. This recipe for Easter-themed “Vanilla Cupcakes” from Lines+Angles, is sure to get a laugh out of youngsters, who also won’t mind taking a bite or two of these tasty treats. Makes 12 cupcakes
1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk
Green food coloring
To decorate:
11 ounces white sugarpaste/fondant
4 ounces pink sugarpaste/fondant
Icing sugar
Mini sugar eggs
cupcakes, starting at the outside edge and working in circles. pulling up and away when a buttercream strand is long enough.
9) Roll pieces of white sugarpaste into 12 medium balls for the bodies and 24 small thick rectangles for the paws. Reserve some white sugarpaste.
10) Brush the paws lightly with a little water and attach to the bodies (see photo).
11) Roll 12 small balls and 72 tiny balls of pink sugarpaste. Cut the larger balls in half and press into oval shapes. Brush lightly with water and attach to the paws. Attach 3 tiny balls to each paw with a little water.
12) Put the reserved buttercream into a piping bag with a grass nozzle and pipe a ‘tail’ on each bunny.
13) Arrange the sugar eggs on the cupcakes.
14) Roll out the sugarpaste trimmings separately on a surface dusted with icing sugar and cut out flowers (as in the photo) and place on the cupcakes.
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Urban Explorers visit the Frick Collection
On Thursday, March 26, the Floral Park Library's Urban
Collection for a guided tour on a splendid weather day.
visited the
A museum guide showed the Urban Explorers works of art in the collection.
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The museum houses the art collection of Henry Clay Frick in his former Fifth Avenue home.
The group took the LIRR into Manhattan to see the newly renovated Frick Collection.
The Urban Explorer group visitg the Frick Museum on March 26.
Explorers
Frick
Spring migration at Centennial Gardens
STORY AND PHOTOS BY
DOUGLAS CIOFFI, FPCG VOLUNTEER
Floral Park Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary reopens on April 1 each year but it’s not just people who are welcomed back!
If you’re into bird watching many birders will say there are no better months for this hobby than the months of April and May each year. These are the primary months for Spring migration. Spring migration is the premier birding season, offering a chance to see songbirds like warblers and orioles in vibrant breeding plumage. Peak activity generally occurs from mid-April to mid-May, with birds flocking to coastal areas, lakeshores, and urban green spaces, like Centennial Gardens, to rest and forage. In addition, since the trees are not yet in full bloom, your chances are better for seeing these beauties as they sing their beautiful bird song high
in the tree tops!
Some of the birds that arrive at the Gardens at this time will stay for the Spring and Summer. They will mate, build their nests, and raise their young here before heading back south. These include Baltimore Orioles, Gray Catbirds, and Northern House Wrens. Among them the House Wrens can be seen entertainingly building their nests in the many nesting boxes that are placed throughout the Garden grounds.
Many migratory birds return to the same breeding, nesting, or feeding locations annually, often arriving within days or even on the exact same date each year! This precise timing is managed through instinct and astronomical cues, ensuring they reach vital food sources.
Visitors to the Gardens often track and report the birds they see in a free on-line database called EBird. Looking
back at April and May of last year, here are the birds that were observed migrating through Centennial Gardens and the date they were first seen in 2025:
April 1, 2025 – Hermit Thrush, Chipping Sparrows
April 4, 2025 – Eastern Phoebes
April 9, 2025 – Ruby-Crowned Kinglets
April 13, 2025 – Golden Crowned Kinglets
April 14, 2025 – Eastern Towhees
April 19, 2025 – Savannah Sparrows, Common Yellowthroats
April 27, 2025 – Northern House Wren, Gray Catbirds
April 29, 2025 – Yellow-rumped Warblers
April 30, 2025 - Veery, Wood Thrush, Baltimore Orioles, Ovenbirds
May 1, 2025 – Northern Parula
May 8, 2025 – Black-and-White Warblers
Attention students!
May 10, 2025 – American Redstart
May 15, 2025 – Swainson’s Thrush, Blackpoll Warber
Some of these species can only be seen in our area during these months and chances are Centennial Gardens is the best local place to see them (meaning they probably won’t be seen in your own backyard). Some will stay for a couple of days before continuing their journey north, others only for a single day so grab your binoculars and plan to visit often. Remember, this is your best chance to see birds you may not see any other time of the year.
Spring migration, there’s no better time to be a bird watcher!
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