Floral Park Villager (8/15/25) by Litmor Publishing

THE GATEWAY TO NASSAU COUNTY

Floral Park Scouts help restore Butterfly Garden

Thank you to recent FPMHS graduate Pranav Akula for restoring the Butterfly Gardens at Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary in Floral Park. Pranav, as an Eagle Scout candidate from Troop 4 in Floral Park, had a plan for the Butterfly Garden. His troop and family members helped him fulfill his ambition to restore the site.

The purpose of the long overdue restoration was to insure it remain a functional habitat for pollinators and an educational and safe place for visitors. The

original garden was created several years ago and was in need of help. Sal Trentacoste, a Centennial Gardens volunteer, supervised the project. Family and other troop members gave time, energy and support to make the project doable. Pranav mapped out a plan that included removing of non-functioning rocks and pebbles, a deteriorated weed barrier, and weeds. A newly installed tarp will prevent future weeds from growing in the area. Rocks were installed to help with proper

drainage. Helpers were asked to wear proper garden protectors, such as gloves and eye safety goggles. Shovels, wheel barrels, and weeders were used for the cleanup process.

Milkweed, the butterflies’ favorite, sunflowers, black eye Susan, and a variety of bulbs have been planted, all with the objective of pollination by the butterflies and other insect visitors.

The American Boy Scout Organization is celebrating 115 years of service this year, 2025. Many boys join for life. At age ten they can become a boy scout. The boys make a commitment that involves

BY RIKKI MASSAND

Friday, August 29 will mark Kurt Meyfohrt’s final official day as the Village of Floral Park Recreation Superintendent. A hometown figure and friend to many, Meyfohrt reflected on his decades of service, major community projects, and the people he has worked alongside since joining the village staff in the early 1980s.

At the June 3 Board of Trustees meeting, Trustee Michael Longobardi announced that Deputy Village Administrator Darlene Lanza will succeed Meyfohrt as head of the Recreation Department. The transition, he said, could not have been smoother. Meyfohrt, 63, recalled first meeting Lanza when his wife, Deborah, recruited her to serve on the Floral Park-Bellerose School PTA. Lanza began her village career in 2015 at the Recreation Center before moving to Village Hall.

Having known Lanza for more than 20 years, Meyfohrt described her appointment as a full-circle moment.

“Darlene’s son and our

son were in class together at FP-B and my wife and her ended up getting the kids together for play dates. Then, roped Darlene into becoming co-president of the PTA and they worked with Lynn Pombonyo. We’ve known Darlene through school, and then she got involved and started as a volunteer on our Pool Committee. Then when the village started construction on the new pool facility, my secretary was leaving at the time and we were looking for office help and processing – Darlene was available, and she started working at the Rec. Center and moved on to Village Hall. Now she is back, though for around five years she’s been helping us run the night athletics with leagues for adult volleyball and basketball,” he explained.

Meyfohrt also credited Pool Director Thomas Dillon as an essential partner in his success. “I couldn’t have done this job and lasted in it without Tom. Since I came back to work in the village and then took over Rec., Tom has been right by my side, and he’s been here

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Inspiring Stories

7:30 PM

8:00 PM

8:30 PM

9:00 PM

9:30 PM

Bill Corbett, Jr.

“pkDO” ~ Polycystic Kidney Disease Outreach ~ Richard Kellner, Founder

The South Floral Park Mayor’s Quarterly

Hon. Nyakya T. Brown

“Summer Update” ~ Deputy Mayor Jennifer Bellamy & Trustee Porscha Lyons

FPFD: Red Alert

Larry King, AEMT

“Staff Support for Local Fire Service ” ~ Luci Labriola-Cuffe, NYS Dep. Fire Admin. Uncorked

Rex Whicker

“Scotch & Food” ~ Rex Creates Unusual Pairings to Enhance Taste

Wes Houston Presents… Wes Houston

“Wes & Friends: Another Round for George” ~ Remembering George Christ

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

Kirtan Music

Meditation Yoga program

The Here and Now Yoga Wellness and Arts Collective will hold a Kirtan Music Meditation with Dena Coduri on Saturday, August 23, from 4–5:30 p.m.

The event will be an uplifting and heart-centered experience of Kirtan, a musical form of yoga that involves simple call-and-response chanting. You’ll be gently guided by Dena and the soothing tones of the harmonium, creating a relaxed, inclusive pace where sound becomes a tool for connection and calm.

“Halfway

No singing experience is needed–there's no pressure to “perform” or even chant out loud. You’re welcome to listen, hum along, or simply soak in the energy of the group. Come just as you are, and discover how sound can quiet the mind and open the heart.

The studio is located at 22 Verbena Avenue, Floral Park. Pre-registration is required at www.hereandnowyoga.com

Please call 516-880-3924 for more information.

to St. Patrick’s

Day” parade

The Floral Park Fire Department will be holding its inaugural “Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Parade” on Saturday, September 20.

Come out and show your Irish pride

and the pride you have for your community.

The parade starts at 11 a.m. Rain date: Sunday, September 21.

Do you have a service to advertise? Our

Directory is sure to bring results. Call 294-8900 for rates and information.

FP Recreation Chief retires, passing the torch

From page 1

for a long time since starting in 2004. He’s the longest-serving pool director we have had, even longer than Chris Schneider was here. And unofficially, in the off-season (once the pool closes) Tom has duties as our Rec. Center’s assistant superintendent. Any time I was not around or on a vacation then Tom has been the contact to speak with. Whenever I’ve needed someone to bounce an idea off of, or to evaluate any issue, Tom is who I call,” Meyfohrt said.

He expressed gratitude to his predecessors, Bill Freely and Jim Krug, for their guidance.

“At our retirement party I thanked both Bill Freely and Jim Krug – they had two completely different styles of managing but I know I learned a lot from them. With Jim Krug, there was once a pool staff meeting with Tom Dillon and myself, and I wondered why Jim was sitting back. He told us ‘I’m just watching you guys – it makes me proud to see my two boys taking over Rec. and running it the way I would like to see it continue. And now I feel the same way with Darlene Lanza coming in. She’s young and energetic and it’s a young person’s game, and I know she will be a great leader here,” he said.-

Career highlights

While many residents associate Recreation with summer pool operations, Meyfohrt said the fall is actually busier.

“We will have a lot of organizations and groups coming in fall to use the facilities for their practices, and then we run programs from the start of school up to Christmas, and we start after New Year’s and run more programs into the spring. We also are the host site for about 20 of the community organizations (including the FISH of Floral Park, the civic associations and others) that use our Pool building to hold evening meetings. Then we have the bigger events to manage like preparations for the Easter Egg Hunt, Christmas Tree Lighting, and Liz’s Day (which will be on Saturday, September 27th this year),” Meyfohrt said.

The facility is open year-round, closing only on Christmas and New Year’s Day. Meyfohrt called the recreation center a 24/7 responsibility.

The venue is also used as a Nassau County voting location for elections, from the village-level and on to the Presidential elections.

“We go straight through the whole year and we’re always here to provide anyone who wants to come down with a little space to play and do activities.

In our busy fall season, once we are near Thanksgiving it’s time to start developing the upcoming fiscal year budget (starting June 1st of the following year). And with seasonal projections you might not use some of the budget funds for over a year away or longer. The process of approvals and Board allocations lead you to plan far ahead,” Meyfohrt shared.

Environmental stewardship has been a priority under his leadership. The Rec. Center and park grounds are maintained with all-organic methods— no chemical fertilizers—and the village avoids costly synthetic turf fields in favor of natural grass.

“It’s a ton of work to say we still have natural grass. We’re one of the only facilities in this category, and this averts the millions of dollars involved in keeping up the synthetic turf fields plus their grooming and maintenance. The Committee gets a lot of cooperation with all our local sports organizations on the use of facilities – they work with us outlining who will be using what facilities, and when. They all know each other and have the contacts to know where they belong so they do not step on each other’s toes,” Meyfohrt said.

Another environmental initiative he’s proud of is the village’s participa-

tion in The Great Backyard Bird Count, as Deputy Mayor Dr. Lynn Pombonyo noted at several Board of Trustees meetings earlier this year.

“We started this back in 2014, and close to 15,000 birds and around 46 different species of birds have been spotted here over these years. It is amazing, and with it happening in mid-February, for Rec. it has evolved to be our kickoff to spring and getting people outdoors,” Meyfohrt said.

Serving all ages

Meyfohrt is proud of programs for both seniors and youth. Senior exercise classes remain affordable, encouraging participation for health and socialization.

“The senior programs are fairly inexpensive, and we want to keep it affordable so we have more people coming out to participate. They say ‘a body in motion stays in motion’ and we want seniors to be out, joining us and even for socialization. The kids benefit too from being at the Rec. Center around other youth, and meet some new kids they may not know from school – it’s very important for their development. Our goal was just giving the kids a ball so they can go play, and we don’t want too

See page 4

FP Recreation Chief retires,

From page 3

many drills and organized exercise. We will watch over them and keep everyone safe, we keep the score too, but it’s just about being happy,” Meyforht explained.

One of the highlights he noted was the Tiny Town project. Meyfohrt oversaw it from concept to development and completion, as he said the village gave him and the Rec. Commission authority over Tiny Town’s design and surfacing.

“Sometimes you are directed on what to do but for Tiny Town the officials allowed me to come up with the best layout and structure, so it was special. Everyone appears to like that as a resource – besides the basketball courts in the Rec. Center, Tiny Town is our most heavily-used part of the facility,” he explained.

He was instrumental in starting up the Rec. Center’s full-day educational and activities program, which hosts 30 children each summer as they get the time to use the park and the pool.

The village organized the Floral Park Pool to be a self-sustaining operation. Meyfohrt said since the pandemic there continues to be some drop-off in memberships, but that has been addressed with lower cost programs offered to residents.

“Up until Covid the Floral Park Pool

was one of the only self-sustaining facilities. Going back, the pool itself didn’t always have programs, except for swimming lessons and the swim team. Fast forward to today and we’ve put in a lot of programs for senior citizens – it is easy to be at the pool in the community. Our exercise classes in the water fill with up to 30 people from Mondays through Fridays, and we do not charge for anything held outside and in the water. We do not charge for those on top of pool membership, but we charge for what we offer inside the Rec. Center. We remain conscious to never overcharge and make a scenario where residents can be double-taxed. The programs are made to be as affordable as possible, but having paid programs helps bring in revenue which we really never had before,” he said.

Pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in the country, has been accommodated with five courts, though space constraints prevent adding more facilities. “Not unless you give us more land,” Meyfohrt joked.

Deep roots in the community

A third-generation Floral Park resident, Meyfohrt grew up on Plainfield Avenue and attended Floral Park-Bellerose School and Floral Park Memorial High School. His mother’s family moved to the village in 1920. Deborah, his wife

of many years, recently retired from Our Lady of Victory School.

The couple’s three children—Kory, Kyle, and Lynn—represent the fourth generation of Meyfohrts in the village. Lynn, a nurse, will marry in December; Kyle works for the Department of Public Works; and Kory is in graduate school at NYIT.

Meyfohrt began as a seasonal worker for the village in the 1980s while also building a 16-year career in banking, managing large teams and tight dead-

lines for firms including Barclays and Fiserv. He returned full-time to the village in the late 1990s, eventually leading a department that employs up to 80 people each summer.

This summer, Meyfohrt celebrated retirement alongside two longtime colleagues—James “Jimmy” Pohl of the Department of Public Works and Building Department Inspector Kevin Bove— whose combined service to the village exceeds 75 years.

Cluttered?

Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call the Garden City office today 294-8900 for more information.

Please welcome 56 Floral Parkway in the Elite Center of the Village of Floral Park with over 3,000 square feet internally on 62x199 property! From the moment you open the front door, the Warmth and Elegance immediately welcomes you with its Vintage Charm and Exquisite Detailed Perfection. The Breathtaking 2-story Entrance Foyer opens to a Formal yet Cozy Living Room with Fireplace and Floor-to-Ceiling Windows. The Extravagance continues into the Chef’s Kitchen with Grand Island, Adjacent Powder Room, Open Formal Dining Room and 12 Foot Ceiling Recreation Room/Den with Windows Galore and French Doors to Backyard. The second floor boasts 4 Generous Sized Bedrooms. The Primary Suite Features Cathedral Tray Ceiling and Spa-like Bathroom with Walk-in Closet. The 3 additional bedrooms all can fit king-sized beds. Hardwood Floors throughout, Finest Custom Moldings, lovely Ambient Lighting and Full Hallway Bathroom round out the 2nd floor. Stairs to Attic with lots of storage. Full Finished Basement with Egress Window, Brand new CAC with 2 Zones, and 200 Amps. The Oversized Private Backyard with Lavish Landscaping with a Smart Sprinkler System is an Entertainer’s Paradise with room for a Pool. Floral Park Village amenities: Private Police; Private Sanitation; Award Winning Library; Recreation Center with Olympic Size Pool, Pickleball/Tennis/Volleyball/Basketball Courts/Baseball Fields/Tiny Tot Park. Easy Access to LIRR with a 35-minute commute to Penn Station or the new Grand Central Terminal, Shopping, Restaurants, Highways, School District #22 FPBS. Make this your One-of-a-kind-home!

Offered at $1,499,998. Please call Marie O’Connor-Grant for a showing at 516-524-2781.

Local artists honored at annual show

The Garden City Public Library once again served as the venue for a vibrant display of local student creativity this July, as it welcomed the Garden City Drawing Board’s annual art show. Organized under the direction of art teacher Kate Haanraadts, the exhibit remained on display throughout the month and featured a selection of student artwork.

A total of 44 pieces were exhibited, representing a range of styles and media including graphite, colored pencil, watercolor, pastels, and alcohol markers. Visitors enjoyed a diverse collection that reflected not only technical

development but also the individuality and vision of each artist.

The exhibit culminated in a festive closing event on July 26, when over 100 guests attended the reception and the 2nd Annual Young Artist Awards. Family members, friends, and community supporters gathered to celebrate the talent and hard work of the young artists.

Adding to the excitement was the presence of Michael Sansone, Kate Haanraadts’ long-time friend and former high school art teacher, who attended the reception as a special guest. His support and mentorship played a pivot-

Haanraadts, founder of the Garden City Drawing Board, holds up the winning artwork by Kate Foley, who was not

Garden City Drawing Board founder Kate Haanraadts (right) shows artwork by Samantha Racich of Garden City, which was awarded second place.

Everly and Ellen Pearson. Everly won some fabulous art supplies in the raffle.

Quinn Redmond of Floral Park won third place for her graphite portrait of a dog.

Kate

present.

Cassidy O’Leary of Floral Park with Kate Haanraadts. Cassidy won the Merit Award for her graphite drawing of a roller skate.

Michael Sansone, Kate Haanraadts’ longtime friend and former high school art teacher attended the reception as a special guest.

Above: Kate Haanraadts, Michael Sansone, and Ellen Pearson

The student artists.

FP Knights win tournament

The 12U Floral Park Knights participated in the Det Brian Moore Baseball Tournament. The team was undefeated in pool play and advanced to the championship game where they won by a score of 8-1. The Knights scored 53 runs over the course of the tournament while being bolstered by homeruns from Giancarlo C., Will D., and Lucas V. The pitching staff and defense were on point as well, allowing only 17 runs over 5 games. The Knights plan to ride this momentum into their big tournament at Cooperstown Dreams Park where they will be competing against 100 teams from across the country.

Local artists honored at annual show

al role in inspiring Kate’s own journey as an educator and artist.

The winners of the 2025 Young Artist Awards were announced during the reception:

• Merit Award: Cassidy O'Leary (11) of Floral Park, for her graphite drawing of a rollerskate.

• 3rd Place: Quinn Redmond (11) of Floral Park, for a realistic graphite portrait of a dog.

• 2nd Place: Samantha Racich (16) of Garden City, for her dynamic pastel rendering of an ocean wave.

• 1st Place: Kate Foley (13) of Garden City, for her bold and expressive alcohol marker portrait of a French bulldog.

• Raffle Winner: Everly Pearson (10) of Manhasset won some fabulous art supplies in the raffle

Each piece demonstrated not only artistic technique but also a strong sense of creativity and expression — qualities that are central to GCDB’s mission.

Congratulations go out to all the participants, whose work made this year’s show such a memorable success. With growing talent and continued community support, the future looks bright for these young artists — and we look forward to seeing what they create next.

Lemonade Stand for a Cause

Six-year-old Juliana Martins of Floral Park recently created Juliana and Zoey’s Lemonade Stand for a Cause to help raise funds to fight PCDH19, a genetic condition which primarily affects girls and can cause epilepsy and other neurological issues. Juliana’s younger sister, Zoey, is fighting the

disorder, and a donation of over $500 was made in her name to the PCDH19 Alliance.

Community members and friends of the family enjoyed lemonade, cookies, and other treats while helping raise funds for the Alliance.

The Martins family at Juliana and Zoey’s Lemonade Stand for a Cause.

August 15, 2025

Annadel Estate Winery: A Sonoma Stand-Out for Charm, Intimacy, History and Really Fine

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

Within days of uprooting from downtown Philadelphia and acquiring the 33-acre Annadel vineyard and winery in Santa Rosa, in California’s Sonoma wine country, Katie Honey and Dan Whalen found themselves fighting wildfire that threatened to consume the century-old farmhouse and vineyard. For days, they battled the Glass Fire that ultimately destroyed a cottage, structures, melted the vineyard drip lines, and scorched fields. “We fought the fires ourselves.”

That was 5 years ago, and they have brought their entrepreneurial talent and passion for wine to rebuild, replant and remake the 1880s winery. They restored the vineyard, added a flower farm, orchard and bee hives, and converted the historic structures into an intimate wine-tasting and indoor/outdoor wedding and events venue, as well making it their family home. Want to feel like a Sonoma local? Annadel even offers a few cozy accommodations where you can stay for a month or more.

With hundreds of wineries and wine-tasting venues throughout Sonoma and Napa valleys, Annadel Estate stands out for its charm and intimacy. Winetasting is by reservation only, and limited to six guests at a time, sitting around a table in a small cottage. And so we are buzzed in through a gate and immediately fall under Annadel’s spell.

We are greeted by Katie Honey, the co-owner and entrepreneur with her husband Dan Whalen, who ushers

Katie Honey, who with her husband Dan Whalen acquired the historic Annadel Vineyard and Winery, hosts intimate, personalized wine-tastings in Sonoma, California’s wine country © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear. com

us to a gorgeous table set out with a platter of delectable cheeses, fruits and crackers to complement the four wines we taste.

As we sample the 2023 Reserve Chardonnay, Katie recounts the story of the Annadel Estate Winery – interesting to be sure, but we find how the wine enthusiasts came to be viticulturists even more storied.

Katie, who was born and raised on the prairie of Saskatchewan, Canada to three generations of farmers, brings a background consulting on events planning and logistics and Dan, a New Jersey native, who runs a tech company, describe themselves as wine appreciators and passionate gastronomists before they were wine producers. In fact, they are trained sommeliers who would come to Sonoma and Napa three and four times a year for tastings. They even were married here in They were

very familiar with Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenere) and where they wanted to source grapes for the wines they wanted to produce.

Annadel winery was established in 1880 by German immigrants Henry and Anna Bolle. According to historic records by the late 1880s, the once 545acre property was producing nearly 50,000 gallons of wine a year, which would equate to a harvest of about 300 tons from 90-acres of vineyards.

Over the 140 years, the Estate has transferred ownership multiple times, been divided and sub-divided into smaller parcels. With Prohibition on the horizon (coinciding with the winery burning down), it ceased being a winery in 1910 and from 19491961, was a turkey ranch. Ultimately, with the rise of Sonoma Valley as a

premium, world-class wine-producing region, it has been restored to growing grapes and creating wine.

“Sonoma has a perfect climatewarm, dry, hot days, cool evenings and mornings,” Katie tells us, as we savor the 2023 Reserve Chardonnay.

She describes their wine-making style as “Old World” (think Italy and France).They prefer to harvest early, so the grapes have lower sugar, brighter acid, and then age the wine in 100% new French oak barrels “to round out, soften” the flavor.

That’s what I notice in the wines we taste - a rounded, smooth, full flavor.

The 2023 Annadel Estate Reserve Chardonnay we taste is from Gap’s Crown Vineyard grapes. (Annadel contracts for blocs of grapes from other premier growers to augment its own production).

The tasting notes describe it best: “The nose shows candied ginger, orange blossom, crisp Bartlett pear, and exotic high tones of tuberose. The mouth leads with crunchy green apple, lemon curd, and a whisper of lilac. The mouth is both soft and focused giving length and freshness.”

We thoroughly enjoy the 2022 Reserve Pinot Noir, the grapes from the coveted Durrell Vineyard (the contracts are hard to come by). It is robust, bright, has good balance, a fruit forward flavor. “Bottom of Form

This is a floral wine where you will get wafts of dark cranberry and tart cherry, a fuse of sandalwood with perfume and grace. The mouth is round and bright with red cherry and pipe tobacco which provide a complex and beautiful finish.”

“Some pinots can be funky, earthy,

Continued on next page

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

Annadel Estate Winery: A Sonoma Stand-Out for Charm, Intimacy, History and Really Fine Wine

Continued from previous page

but this has a nice profile. It’s not too anything,” Katie remarks.

The secret ingredient to Annadel’s success has to be Drew Damskey, their wine maker. Drew’s roots run deep in the vineyards of Napa and Sonoma, where his family has been growing and crafting wines for three generations. Drew, who the San Francisco Chronicle named “a Winemaker to Watch”, and earned a coveted place on VinePair’s 50 List which celebrates the professionals who are changing the drinks space, is a partner in Suara Wine Company and serves as a consultant winemaker for several highly sought-after brands.

“The same grapes may produce a flavor profile, but the artistic difference comes from the wine master, aging, oak barrels,” Katie tells us. “Our goal isn’t to taste the same every year. We do what the year gives us.”

We take our glass of 2022 Estate “Chevy B’ Red Blend, with 57% Merlot, as we stroll the vineyards and tour the venues.

Katie remarks that the movie, “Sideways” temporarily tanked the popularity of Merlot because it seemed the lead character didn’t like Merlot, when actually, he was bitter because Merlot is what he would drink with his ex-wife.

But Annadel fashioned their “Chevy B” after the legendary 1961 Chateau Cheval Blanc, from the Saint-Emilion region of Bordeaux, considered one of the greatest in Bordeaux’s history.

So, Katie says with a smile, Annadel’s version is called American ‘Chevy B’ (they couldn’t use ‘Chateau Blanc’), and puts an image of a 1957 Chevy on the label.

The 2022 Estate ‘Chevy B’ Red Blend proves to be my favorite of the four tastings. The tasting notes describe it as “Blueberry pie with warm crust first pop from the glass followed by juicy summer

BY CHARLYN FARGO

We hear a lot about a plant-forward diet these days: Eat more plants and lower your risk of cancer. Eat more plants and lose weight. Eat more plants and it could even help with menopause symptoms.

We’ve gone from vegetarian plans to vegan to now plant-forward or a “flexitarian” diet. Plant forward or flexitarian means choosing more plants, but not just plants, to eat.

So how do you really do that?

Take the ever-popular charcuterie tray -- typically a beautiful array of meats and various cheeses. To make it more

plum, ground clove, and touch of sage. The mouth starts with a little menthol and cigar box, but swings to black cherry, rose, and a hit of game. Wet pea gravel, mixed dark fruit, and dried herbs define the soft yet serious finish.”

Every season, every harvest brings its own drama. For example, “If there is frost, you have to immediately call the insurance company.” One such frost hit as Katie was in labor with her daughter. Their entrepreneurial bent- and strategy to make their business sustainable – supplementing the winery which produces some 1,235 cases of wine – is shown in their flower production – actually restoring a tradition. Annadel Estate Winery has been cultivating species of David Austin roses and hydrangeas since the 1880s. Katie and Dan have since planted three acres of roses and purchased 400-500 new rose bushes, selling to major vendors in San Francisco, and enabling the estate to maintain two fulltime farmworkers.

They also have planted a fruit orchard, olive grove and have their own bee hives.

As we come to the small fruit orchard, we look up at the blackened trees on a hillside just across a road at the edge of their property, and she tells their harrowing story of fighting the Glass Fire. They lost a cottage, some 13,000 sq. ft of structures, and had to replace 200 plants.

But they were able to save the 1900 horse barn, which they converted into a charming indoor venue for weddings and special events; where the original winery stood is now the outdoor venue with the stone walls as a perimeter. (They provide planners with a list of preferred vendors.)

Back in the tasting room, we savor Annadel’s 2022 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: “Sweet dark fruits and pipe tobacco leap out of the glass, blue berry compote and clove emerge, followed by very juicy dark fruit and vanilla. The mouth is juicy and the tannins are supple there is mocha and grilled plum on the

NUTRITION

Plants on the Plate

plant-friendly, add veggie chips, wholegrain crackers and plenty of fresh vegetables. Add a dip like hummus, salsa or olive tapenade. Add some nuts, fruit or fruit spread.

I’m a fan of the “flexitarian” approach: a semi-vegetarian lifestyle in which you simply incorporate more vegetables, fruits and whole grains on your plate. It’s a healthy diet that doesn’t involve counting calories or following strict rules and allows you to include meat, fish and poultry in your diet from time to time. “Flexitarian” is a portmanteau of the words “flexible” and “vegetarian.” That resonates with me to add flexibility to my meals and more fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole

finish with soft tannins.”

The personalized, 75-minute wine-tasting experience ($75), is by reservation only and limited to six guests per party is what distinguishes Annadel. “We emulate what we learned as wine tasters.” (Larger groups can be accommodated in the indoor event venue.)

“We curate the experience – we ask what people want to do.” Because of that, they are particularly family-friendly. (Tastings are offered M-F, 10am - 3pm, S-S: 9am - 2pm).

Has being a producer from a wine connoisseur changed their relationship to wine? “We appreciate it more. Wine doesn’t just grow out of ground.”

Annadel Estate Winery, 125 Cristo Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95409, 707-537-8007; events 707-584-6816, annadelestatewinery. com, https://annadelestatewinery.com/ shop-our-wine/, info@annadelestatewinery.com.

BeautifulPlaces Offers ShortTerm Stays at Private Villas for Wine Country’s Harvest Season

Harvest season (August-October) is an exciting time of year in Northern California wine country when grapes are picked and crushed, and many wineries celebrate the season with harvest parties, dinners and fun hands-on experiences like grape stomps.

For foodies, the harvest brings extra special culinary experiences as restaurants and private chefs use the bounty of farm-fresh ingredients to create special menus and delicious dishes.

Indulge in wine-themed events in Sonoma in September and October, most notably at the Sonoma County Wine Celebration in September and the Harvest Fair-Taste the Best of Sonoma County. Want to stomp grapes? Check out Napa Valley Vintners’ Harvest Stomp Party on Oct. 4 and Crush Party on Oct. 17.

Visitors can rent villas with vineyards

grains. Think of it as a simple, healthy way of eating less processed and more “whole” foods without obsessing over it (It’s really OK to have a burger now and then).

You don’t have to stress over the holidays. Think about adding more dishes with fall and winter produce, like a butternut squash soup or a pear dessert. Fall produce is packed with phytonutrients and fiber and is typically low in calories. It is colorful as well: the reds of cranberries, beets and pomegranate; the greens of Brussels sprouts and broccoli; the winter whites of cauliflower, turnips and parsnips and the bright yellows and oranges of

Continued on next page

or vineyard views for as few as three nights to partake of wine harvest-related festivities throughout Napa and Sonoma, where there are hundreds of wineries to choose from.

BeautifulPlaces is a source of villa rentals available for wine-countrythemed getaways with onsite vineyards or vineyard views (minimum three-night stay).

Among them: Casa Sebastiani, historic 6-bedroom Italian villa and homestead of the Sebastiani Family in downtown Sonoma with adjacent vineyards at $1,800/night; Villa Nel Bosco, 3-bedroom Tuscan-style villa on a small vineyard at $1,495/night; Sunset View, 3-bedroom wine country vineyard retreat at $2,100/ night; Twilight Ridge, 5-bedroom contemporary home with vineyard at $2,100/ night.

When broken down per room, per night, private villa experiences are often more affordable than booking multiple accommodations at a hotel, with the added benefit of living space and kitchen and dining facilities - an ideal option for couples traveling together and multi-generational groups.

Award-winning BeautifulPlaces is a pioneer in hotel-style hospitality and property management in private residences. The company has over 21 years experience in the luxury villa industry in Napa and Sonoma, California and the Virgin Islands, and soon in Santa Barbara, Kauai and Costa Rica. BeautifulPlaces, www.beautiful-places.com, 800-495-9961.

Get more travel planning help from Sonoma County Tourism, 800-576-6662 / 707-522-5800, www.sonomacounty.com

BY LOU THEODORE

This 9th edition is another tough one. You are once again asked to provide the correct answer to the following 20 questions. Credit 5 points for each correct answer. A grade of 75 suggests you might be brilliant.

1. The more there is, the less you see. What is it?

2. What are the chemical symbols for gaseous hydrogen and water?

3. Who are the two worst managers in baseball?

4. Who won the 2025 Super Bowl?

5. True or false. The first casino in Las Vegas opened in 1943.

6. Name the author of the $9 book “Winning at Casinos.”

7. Provide the solution to the following two linear algebraic equations:

On the Ultimate Quiz IX

2x + 3y = 12 x + y = 5

8. Name an individual who claimed that “there is no free hydrogen on planet Earth.”

9. What occurs once in a minute, twice in a moment, and never in a thousand years?

10. True or false. An electrostatic precipitator is a pollution control device.

11. What diner that recently closed in Astoria, is alive and doing well in Bayside, and recently opened in Syosset?

12. What two brothers out of Rockaway Beach, Queens, are in the basketball Hall of Fame?

13. What word in the dictionary is spelled incorrectly?

14. Does a royal straight flush beat four aces?

NUTRITION NEWS

Continued from previous page

squash, carrots and oranges. Nutritional value is added the more colors you can eat.

The bottom line is your plate -- including your holiday plate -- will benefit nutritionally from adding more plants. It can be as simple as having your traditional holiday dishes and adding a few new plant-based traditions as well.

Q and A

Q: What is the difference between salted and unsalted butter and how should you use them?

A: The only real difference between salted and unsalted butter is literally the salt: All butter is made from the milkfat in cream and contains at least 80% milkfat, 18% water and 2% solids (mainly protein and salt). To make butter, pasteurized cream is shaken or churned until the milkfat (butterfat) separates from the remaining fluid, which is known as buttermilk. After churning, the butter is rinsed -- and salted, if making salted butter -- and

the excess buttermilk is removed. Salted butter is the best kind of butter to use for the table and general cooking. Unsalted butter can be used anytime fat needs to be added to a recipe. Unsalted butter should be your go-to for baking and pastry. Because most recipes call for the addition of salt as an ingredient, using salted butter in things like baked goods can take them over the edge in terms of saltiness. If you only have salted butter on hand when you’re baking, pull back on the added salt in the recipe -- maybe reduce by half or so, depending on what you’re making -- remembering that you can always add more salt later, but you can’t take it back out.

Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois, and the current president of the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For comments or questions, contact her at charfarg@aol.com or follow her on Twitter @NutritionRD. .

15. Can you use notes, calculators, computers, etc., while gambling at a casino?

16. Who recently celebrated his 91st birthday?

17. Who recently celebrated her 58th wedding anniversary?

18. Whose picture is on a $2 bill?

19. What is the traditional Greek soup?

20. Who is the Vice President of the United States?

ANSWERS:

1. Darkness

2. H2 and H2O

3. Full credit, but for me, it is the two New York managers.

4. Philadelphia Eagles.

5. False.

6. It’s yours truly and published by Amazon.

7. x = 3, y = 2.

8. Your favorite author is one of them.

9. The letter m.

10. True.

11. The Neptune Diner.

12. Dick and Al McGuire.

13. Incorrectly.

14. Yes.

15. Surprisingly, the answer is yes.

16. This one is a giveaway.

17. The Queen.

18. Jefferson.

19. Avgolemono.

20. J.D. Vance.

Visit the author at: www. theodorenewsletter.com and / or Basketball Coaching 101 on Facebook

Do you love to write?

We are looking for writers in our community to contribute to our Discovery magazine section. We welcome opinions, reviews, fun places to visit on Long Island, and even fiction. Send submissions to editor@gcnews.com

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

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

• Each writer will be reimbursed a stipend of $25.

Privatizing Social Security ... Yada Yada Yada

BY TOM MARGENAU

Well, once again, the idea of privatizing Social Security is in the news. It’s a topic that delights some people, angers others, and confuses just about everyone. I’ve discussed it many times in the past. But I guess it’s time to clarify things once again.

One form of “privatizing” Social Security has to do with how the fund’s assets are invested. Some claim that Social Security should be managed more like other public pension funds. Most of those funds have a diversified portfolio, with a variety of investments. But every nickel of Social Security assets is invested, by law, in U.S. Treasury notes, considered by everyone the safest place to stash your cash. What most folks who advocate putting Social Security funds into private markets can’t comprehend is the immense size of the Social Security trust funds. Compared to large public pension funds (like many teachers’ retirement funds or police and firefighter funds), Social Security is like Fort Knox, and these public funds are just big piggy banks. Those funds may have millions or even billions of dollars in assets. But Social Security has trillions. That’s a big difference, and you simply can’t compare them.

Or put it another way. Social Security accounts for approximately one-fourth of the entire federal budget of the United States. You just don’t take a quarter of our country’s budget and put it on Wall Street. After all, would you want the federal government, via the Social Security trust fund, to be the major owner of Chevron stock or the primary investor in Phillip Morris?

A more reasonable approach to “privatizing” Social Security would allow individual taxpayers to use private, or managed accounts, to supplement future Social Security benefits. And when you hear talk of such proposals, you must remember to ask this question: Is it a “carve out” plan or an “add-on” plan? There is a huge difference.

Both plans involve requiring younger workers to contribute money to an IRA-type account that would offer several investment options. The worker could choose a safe but generally low-yielding account or a riskier but potentially more rewarding one. The investments from this account would then be used to augment Social Security retirement benefits.

But the difference lies in the funding details. In a carve-out plan (these are usually the plans touted by Republicans), the worker’s IRA investment would be funded with a portion of his or her Social Security payroll tax. For example, currently, 6.2% of a worker’s salary is deducted for Social Security taxes. A carve-out plan might specify that 4.2% continue to be used to fund Social Security, while 2% would be funneled into the private account. In other words, this plan gets its funding by carving it out of the current Social Security system.

On the other hand, an “add-on” plan (the plans usually touted by Democrats)

would require a worker to contribute an extra amount to fund the private account investments. So, 6.2% of his or her salary would still be deducted to finance Social Security benefits. But in addition, that worker would be required to chip in an extra percentage point or two of salary to fund the Social Security supplement. So this plan gets its funding by adding on to the current Social Security system.

Each plan has its pluses and minuses. The downside to an add-on plan is that more out-of-paycheck spending would be required from workers to fund their retirement portfolio. But the advantage of the plan is its greater rewards. Most “addon” proposals are modeled after the highly successful “Thrift Savings Plan,” an addon IRA that has been available to federal government workers for years and has given many of them the kind of financial security in retirement not usually associated with middle-class civil servants.

The upside to “carve out” proposals is that no extra financial burden would be placed on young workers to finance the supplemental benefits. But the often unexplained downside is that huge reductions would be necessary in future Social Security benefits. It’s just simple math. If you are going to carve out about one-third of the Social Security payroll tax to fund a worker’s private supplement, then obviously future Social Security benefits for that same worker are going to have to be cut by at least one-third.

But carve-out advocates always say they won’t cut benefits. And that leads to impossible transition costs. Remember: Social Security is a “pay-as-you-go” program, meaning the money deducted from today’s workers’ paychecks is used to fund benefits to current retirees. So, if you cut the amount of money going into the system, and say you will not cut benefits, you must somehow come up with the funds to pay those promised benefits to CURRENT AND FUTURE retirees. And if taxes aren’t raised to cover those costs, experts estimate the transition costs would add trillions of dollars to the federal debt. (That’s what sunk former President George W. Bush’s carve-out privatization plan in the 1990s.)

But here is the most important point I need to make about proposals for private accounts -- whether carve-out or add-on. Although they are often mentioned in the same breath as other proposals to “save Social Security,” they do nothing of the sort. Social Security’s long-range financing problems are the result of baby boomers quickly turning into senior boomers. For years, Social Security has been working extremely well with a ratio of three workers supporting one retiree. But by the time all the boomers retire, there will be only two workers supporting each retiree. The system simply cannot work AS IT’S CURRENTLY STRUCTURED at a two-to-one ratio.

As I’ve pointed out many times to my readers, many relatively modest propos-

als for reform will keep the system running for many more generations. All those possible solutions involve either slight tax increases or moderate cuts in benefits. None of them involves the creation of private accounts for Social Security beneficiaries. I am not saying the private accounts are a bad idea. I am saying that they have nothing to do with the future financial health of the program.

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.

The challenge of work-life balance and its ramifications

There are those that are overworked and those that are underworked or out of work. Then there are so few who have a work-life balance that most of us would die for. I always say it starts and finishes with the money factor. We try to live within our means, but lately credit card debt has been increasing month over month, currently at the end of Q2 2025 sitting at 1.209 trillion dollars, except in 2024 Q4 when it dipped slightly to 1.211 trillion. This was the highest balance since the New York Fed began tracking back in 1999. Back then it was considerably lower at 478 billion. (lendingtree.com)

New Jersey has the highest credit card debt at 9.382 billion and Mississippi has the lowest at 5.221 billion. Credit debt may fluctuate lower some quarters, but I see it continuing as social programs are being cut to the bone and eliminated by the Trump administration. People are trying to survive by utilizing whatever credit they may have. At some point unemployment runs its course as well as other rental and assistance programs that people are currently be supported by. There are jobs out there, but there are those people who will not consider engaging in, whether it be picking crops, store jobs, sales, administration, etc.

That being said, it’s extremely hard to have a work-life balance when one doesn’t have enough money to survive and pay rent, food, car payments, insurance, etc. I could propose sacrificing whatever is necessary. Much stress and anxiety is occurring when the money isn’t there. However, I realize that many don’t have enough to pay their bills as well as being able to

As summer winds down, long stretches of sunlight are dwindling and cooler temperatures are on the horizon. Gardening enthusiasts may wonder how they can manage their backyard gardens as the peak growing season comes to a close.

People may not be eager to do much in their gardens come August, particularly because the air may be hot and the dew point high. And spending the final days of summer at the beach or in the pool may take priority. However, late summer is a great time to focus on certain tasks.

Deadheading

Many plants look better with the wilted flowers removed. Furthermore, some plants, such as with lilies and roses, will benefit from having spent blooms removed so that no unnecessary energy is drawn away from the roots or bulbs. Research your plants

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

put food on their table. So many are sacrificing what they can, but it isn’t solving the problem of survival and to create and have a lifework balance.

Homelessness has increased 30% over the last three years from 1.75 per 1000 people in 2022 to 2.3 per 1000 people in 2024. (minneapolisfed. org),

How are we to resolve this dire situation as it turns into a calamitous catastrophe? Part of the solution is focusing on more and increased education for those who really need it. I would surmise that more education the better the earnings. However, if you aren’t working then the answer is take any job to get your income moving to a more positive place. AI isn’t eliminating all jobs. Sales jobs are one of them, human resources and recruitment jobs is another. Go to muse.com and search the other jobs that offer opportunity that can only be done by a human. There are positions yet to be filled that Ai cannot do. You may be proud, but be smarter and tougher and take a job. Having a work-life balance is challenging for the reasons stated. One should research the possibilities in other locations across the U.S. to ascertain what jobs are available, that Ai will not replace now or in the immediate future. If you have a significant other who is working, that will contribute to both your costs of living. You will have to decide what is important in striving for that work life balance.

Cut your expenses, buy leasing the most economical vehicle, don’t eat out, brown bag your lunch, and whatever else you can do to maximize savings and minimize your everyday costs. Where there is a will, they will always be a way! Saving to be a homeowner may substantially increase the sacrifices that you and/or your wife or partner may have to consider for the time being, so a worklife balance may be off the table. In the future you can figure out how to accomplish this most desirable situation. Only you will hopefully figure out and know what is most important in life.

Money plus time=lifestyle. You have to determine and create what type of lifestyle and work-life balance to strive for today and in the future.

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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bit.ly/4bXWVu6 (facebook.com) bit.ly/4inVqaR (X.com) bit.ly/4bVSwrs (linkedIn) bit.ly/4inVK9z (Instagram) bit.ly/4bQH14x (YouTube)

Tips to tend a garden in late summer

and learn which can benefit from some late-summer deadheading to keep them thriving.

Weeding

Weeds can become problematic if they’re allowed to grow unabated. Routinely go into the garden and cull the weeds.

Keep an eye open for pests

According to Garden Smart, caterpillars and beetles may be chewing on garden plants by late summer, and aphids still may be problematic. Handpick insects off of vegetables and ornamental flowers, or use safe sprays for treating these issues.

Plant cool weather vegetables

Many plants will grow well when planted in late summer, according to Homesteading Family. Some such plants include turnips, beets, carrots, kale, chard, mustard greens, and peas. You can begin turning your summer

garden, or a portion of it, into a fall and winter garden.

Consider succession planting

Growing vegetables like beans or peas may be more successful if you try succession planting. This involves sowing new seeds every seven to 10 days to extend the harvest.

Harvesting what’s ready Pick vegetables that are ready to

eat, and remove any plants that have reached the end of their growing cycle. Convert planter boxes and containers

This is a good time to start changing over summer annuals in containers and planter boxes to those that do well in fall, such as mums, asters, pansies, and goldenrod.

There’s plenty of work to be done in the garden come the end of summer.

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EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

CUSTODIAL POSITION

Garden City Community Church Is seeking a dependable, self-motivated custodian to join our staff full-time. Some evening hours required. Previous custodial experience preferred but not required. Please email Liz controller@thegccc.org if interested.

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OH BLESSED MOTHER OF THE SON OF GOD; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity.

Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother.

Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity.

Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee (say three times).

Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands (say three times). Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen. (MAK)

MARKETPLACE

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Peachy Tomato Salad

Even as summer winds down, there tends to be plenty of time to reap the rewards of backyard gardens and warm-weather entertaining. Refreshing salads are favored at such gatherings, and the interesting pairing of peaches and tomatoes makes the most of these fruits when they’re at their peak. Sweet and savory flavors combine in this recipe for “Peachy Tomato Salad” courtesy of “The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook” (Rockridge University Press). This delicious side pairs best with grilled fare. Serves 2

2 ripe peaches, pitted and sliced into wedges

2 ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges

1⁄2 red onion, thinly sliced

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1) Toss the peaches, tomatoes and red onion in a large bowl. Season to taste.

2) Add the olive oil and lemon juice, and gently toss. Serve at room temperature.

LI Children's Museum continues creative workshop series

Signature Programs Plus Special Events Create Learning Adventures

The Long Island Children's Museum (LICM) invites families to continue their summer of creativity and discovery with the continuation of specially curated workshop programs running throughout August, plus exciting special programming to close out the season. The Museum's signature summer series continues with Brown Bag Buddies, Crafty Critter, Bubble Magic and Fossil Fun workshops, alongside special events including the popular "Unbox a Saurus for Us" theater presentations and themed activities designed to prepare young learners for the upcoming school year.

Adding to the excitement, the historic Nunley's Carousel returns to operation on Wednesday, August 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The beloved 1912 carousel will then operate Wednesday through Sunday from 12:30 to 3 p.m. through August 31.

LICM’s summer workshop series continues a rotating schedule throughout August so that all visitors will be able to participate in each workshop. Sessions run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on different days each week, with Sweet Dream Pillowcase offering shorter, focused 25-minute sessions on select Fridays. Special theater presentations and themed workshops complement the summer programming schedule.

Featured August Workshops

Brown Bag Buddies continues to

transform ordinary paper bags into extraordinary puppet companions. Young artists design and decorate their own take-home puppets, fostering creativity and storytelling skills through this beloved craft experience.

• Crafty Critter celebrates the animal kingdom with rotating themed crafts that connect to LICM's live animal collection. This hands-on workshop allows children to observe real animals in the Feasts for Beasts exhibit and then express their creativity through craft-making.

• Bubble Magic invites children to discover the science behind soap bubbles through interactive experiments. Participants explore new and creative ways to make bubbles form and pop, combining STEM learning with pure joy in the Museum's Bubbles exhibit space.

• Fossil Fun takes budding paleontologists on a journey through prehistoric times. Children create fossil rubbing art to take home, connecting hands-on artmaking with earth science education.

• Sweet Dream Pillowcase offers an intimate crafting experience with 25-minute sessions designed for personalized attention. Young creators design and decorate their dream pillowcases in small groups on select Fridays (August 1, 8 and 15). This is a ticketed workshop requiring an additional fee, $5 with Museum admission and $4 for members.

Special August Programming

August brings exciting special events to enhance the summer experience: "Unbox a Saurus For Us!" theater presentations offer families the chance to help unveil a never-before-seen dinosaur in LICM's Theater on Wednesdays, August 20 and 27, Saturday August 9, and Sunday, August 29.

AdvoKids programming includes special themed workshops focusing on wellness (August 10) where children create fret dolls to tell worries to, promoting emotional well-being as summer transitions to fall.

Honey Hoopla (August 16) offers an all-day bee-themed celebration, allowing families to "bee-amazed" with special programming from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., while supplies last.

The Theater will host a special interactive puppet show, Beezy County Fair, (August 16 at 11 a.m., 12:15, 1:30 and 2:45 p.m.) to complement Honey Hoopla. Come find out who makes the best honey of the year at a special rate: $5 with admission, $4 for Members, and $10 Theater only.

"Back to School" workshops (August 23-24) help children prepare for the new academic year by creating customized pencil pouches to take home.

"August represents the culmination of our summer programming, and we're thrilled to continue offering these meaningful hands-on experiences that

connect children with our exhibits in immersive ways," says Marissa Feldman, LICM Public Programs Manager. "As families prepare for the transition back to school, our workshops provide both the joy of creative exploration and the comfort of routine learning activities. The integration of our signature workshops with special events like 'Unbox a Saurus for Us' and our backto-school programming creates a comprehensive experience that celebrates both the wonder of summer and the excitement of new beginnings."

Throughout August, families can also enjoy peace of art craft sessions daily from 2:30 to 4 p.m., where children create colorful peace sign crafts to take home

Programs are included with general Museum admission, with the exception of select workshops marked with additional fees. Complete scheduling information is available at www.licm.org.

Museum admission: $18 for adults and children over 1 year old, $16 for seniors, FREE to Museum members and children under 1 year old. Additional fees for theater and special programs may apply. For additional information, contact 516-224-5800.

Summer Hours: (July-August) Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Floral Park Scouts help restore Butterfly Garden

community service, leadership within the troop and the community, and a positive impact on society. To be eligible to become an Eagle Scout the applicant must have earned twenty-one merit badges, a long and challenging process. Only two percent of boy scouts earn this badge. Some well know men

who have become Eagle Scouts are, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Hank Aaron, Michael Jordan, Mark Spitz, Walter Cronkite, Martin Luther King Jr., Michael Bloomberg, Bill Gates, John F. Kennedy, and Harrison Ford. These are people who have become outstanding members of society.

work that has helped create the “new” Butterfly Garden. All are welcome to come, everyday from noon to five, to see and enjoy it.

weed out. It is a wonderful way to help maintain the Gardens , to learn and enjoy with the company of others, and show your appreciation of the Gardens. Anyone wishing to “adopt” a garden can contact volunteer coordinator Ann Moynagh at fpcentennial@gmail.com requesting assistance to become a part of the volunteer group. From page 1

Members of the Floral Park Conservation Society are grateful for all the