Liverpool Shuffle Band wows the crowd
FP Board of Trustees report on issues
The Floral Park Board of Trustees met on August 15th. The following are reports from the mayor and trustees:
Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald
Village Roadwork
For my update, I’d like to provide an update on the road work in the Village. Hopefully, by our next board meeting, we will have a complete list and approximate dates of the roads that will be worked on and when that work will take place.
NYRA
You may have noticed that NYRA is nearing completion of their project to install new fencing along the border of Floral Park.
I would like to thank Glenn Kozak, Head of Operations for NYRA, for always being available to me. Also, Superintendent Ginnane and Village Clerk O’Grady have consistently addressed the issues raised by Village residents regarding this project to the best of their ability. Thank You
Lastly, I’d like to thank the Long Island Press and the Floral Park Villager for being with us tonight, and for their continued coverage of our beautiful Village.
Board Proposes Local
Law Regarding Senior Housing
At the August 13th Village Board meeting, the Village Board introduced proposed Local Law 3. If enacted, proposed Local Law 3 would provide for a modification of the Village’s Zoning Code to allow for the construction of Senior Housing in the Village’s commercial zone. Mayor Fitzgerald made the following statement regarding the introduction of proposed Local Law 3:
“The Board is introducing this local law to provide for the addition of Senior Housing within the existing B-3 Commercial zone, which is dedicated to commercial and industrial uses, such as warehouse, auto body shop, light manufacturing etc. , and currently does not allow for any type of housing. Many older adults want the option to stay close to their communities as their needs change, but many have been unable to do so because of a lack of accessible senior housing options. Local Law 3 is designed to address this need.
There will be a public
3
Floral Park residents enjoyed an evening concert by the Liverpool Shuffle Band on the Library lawn on August 14. The band played hits of the Beatles for the crowd’s enjoyment as residents sang and danced along.
Foam Fairies visit the FP Library Kirtan Music Meditation Yoga program
The Foam Fairies visited the Floral Park Public Library on Monday, August 11, to celebrate the end of the great Summer Reading Program 2025: Color Our World. Children of all ages enjoyed playing witht he foam on the Library lawn.
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. No singing experi-
ence 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.
“Halfway 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.
Advertise your business in our Professional Guide! Call 294-8900 for rates and information.
Kni ghts of Columbus Counc il #2345 presents...
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7th
DOORS OPEN @ 12 NOON
Admission: $30 per person
Includes:
6 Large Screen TVs showing both Jet & Giant Games @ 1 pm
Bar-B-Que Lunch served @ halftime
1 Free Drink
Live Music Performance by THE HAMBONES starting @ 4 pm CASH BAR
For further info contact
Carl Denaro 516-361-0544
Rick Guidal 516-353-3006
FP Knights compete at Cooperstown tournament
During the week of August 11, the Floral Park Knights 12U baseball team proudly represented their community at the prestigious Cooperstown Dreams Park tournament. This milestone marks the first time a team has traveled to Cooperstown under the Knights banner—a historic moment for the program.
The Knights proved they belonged on the national stage, powering their way deep into the playoffs. After earning a first-round bye, they battled through tough competition to reach the fourth round. Along the way, they racked up an impressive 79 runs and launched 16 home runs, including three electrifying grand slams.
It was a week filled with unforgettable memories, hard-fought victories, and the culmination of years of dedication. The Knights extend heartfelt thanks to all the coaches, families, and supporters who helped make their Cooperstown dream a reality.
The Floral Park Knights celebrate.
Photo courtesy Floral Park Knights
September programs at the Floral Park Library
September is known as the Harvest Month. With summer in wind-down mode, it’s the perfect time to “harvest” a few good books to read on a cool approaching fall night!
Since September is also back to school month, we’re giving teens a break from Library programs and events to focus on the upcoming school year.
The younger set can look forward to Play Hooray and A Time for Kids, Inc. Baby Start and Family Pre-school Hour. For the parents, there’s a parent-child workshop (18 months – preschool) hosted by New York Therapy Placement Services.
cate to (where else!?) Gatsby’s Landing restaurant in Roslyn. The drawing will be held October 10.
There’s even a live comedy program, “Laffs at the Library” on September 12, at 2:00 p.m.
Learn about volunteer opportunities with Parker Jewish Institute’s Willing Hands… Helpful Hearts at the Wednesday, September 17, tabling event.
• Sundays-only Religious School begins September 7th
• Rosh HaShanah services: September 22nd and 23rd
• Yom Kippur services: October 1st and 2nd
• High Holiday children’s services
168 Nassau Boulevard, Garden City NY 11530 www.gardencityjewishcenter.org email: info@gardencityjewishcenter.org
GCJC is a member of the Union for Reform Judaism.
The Floral Park Library Urban Explorers are back after a brief Summer hiatus, and head to the Merchant’s House Museum and Cooper Union this month. In between stops, there’s lunch at Swift Hibernian House.
Wednesday Chair Yoga is ZOOM only this month, as Micheline is still at “home” in Malta.
The Tuesday evening English Language Learner class continues to grow in popularity, with most classes filled to capacity.
The September calendar offers Adults a variety of programming: Reiki on the Library Lawn (by appointment); September 11th – a Day that Will Live in Infamy lecture; two-session Intro to Crocheting; Manifest to Create the Life You Want program; the first of a three-session Mah Jongg class hosted by Judy Cueva; and a Lavender Essential Oil Spray lecture and craft. Empire Safety Council has spots open for the Thursday, September 18, class.
The Gatsby celebrations aren’t done yet! Adult patrons can learn to dance the Charleston and the Fox Trot “Gatsby Style” with instruction from Elena Iannucci, or partake in a four-course sampling celebrating Gatsby’s 100th. with Chef Barbara.
Patrons with confirmed attendance at one of these two programs, along with two October programs, will be entered into a drawing for a $100.00 gift certifi-
The first Monday of the month Morning Book Club is back in session on Monday, September 8. The Evening Edition Book Club meets on Thursday, September 11, at 7:00 p.m. to discuss Marjan Kamali’s “The Lion Women of Tehran.”
The Made with Love Knitting and Crocheting groups meet Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m.; no registration necessary. The Library Board meets on Wednesday, September 10, at 7:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.
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).
Regular Library hours resume on Saturday, September 6. For more information on dates and times, events registration and program details, visit the library website, floralparklibrary.org, call 516 326-6330, or visit us at 17 Caroline Place. All events and programs are subject to change and/or cancellation.
The Friends of the Floral Park Library offer “Blind Date with a Book” gifts for sale for varying age groups. Check out their inventory at the Circulation Desk. Call the Library (516-326-6330) to check days and times for the Book Nook. All sales of books, DVDs, jigsaw puzzles, bookmarks and more support the Friends of the Floral Park Library, a 501c3 organization. Follow the Library on Facebook (floralparklibrary), X (fplibrary17), or Instagram (fplibrary 17, floralparkchildrens, fpplteens).
Floral Park Board of Trustees report on issues
From page 1
hearing on September 16th, in which residents can speak/express their opinion on this change as well as learn more on why this change is being proposed.“
The text for proposed Local Law 3 is here:
http://fpvillage.org/wp-content/ uploads/2025/08/LOCAL-LAW-3.Filing. pdf
Deputy Mayor Dr. Lynn Pombonyo Police Department
Our FPPD remained busy during the very hot month of July as they were engaged in 703 incidents. Of this number, 181 were traffic stops, 32 were traffic accidents, 77 were aided cases also involving our ambulance service and Rescue Company, 10 domestic incidents, 44 suspicious person reports, 26 citizens needing assistance, and 6 welfare checks.
Throughout the month of July, our Police issued 148 traffic summonses. Some of the most frequent violations included failure to stop at stop signs (27); disobeying traffic control devices/passing red signals (8); improper u-turns (6); and failure to yield right-ofway to pedestrians in the crosswalk (4).
As our FPPD focuses on parking enforcement, a total of 1036 summonses were issued in July. These includ-
ed expired parking meter summonses (352); overnight street parking between 3 AM and 5 AM violations (260); parking over the four-hour limit (55); and parking under the LIRR trestle without a permit (47), an important enforcement target.
Our Police Officers and Detectives work hand in hand on the investigation of serious crimes. This strong, collaborative partnership results in many success stories. In July, our overnight tours of Officers came upon two cases of illegal mailbox fishing, stealing mail from the mailboxes outside the Floral Park Post Office. In the first, our Officer determined the perpetrator’s identity enabling our Detectives and other agencies to execute an arrest. In the second overnight case, our Officers caught three perpetrators mailbox fishing in the same location and were able to execute three arrests on the spot. The perpetrators had attempted to steal more than $100,000 in checks in the envelopes they pulled from the mailboxes. These three arrests yielded a total of 29 year to date for our Department.
Our FPPD continually displays a high quality of leadership, skill and professionalism in their enforcement of crime.
The Library
If you saw bubbles and foam drifting
through the air two evenings ago, you saw the Foam Fairies at play on our Library lawn. Several hundred children and their families jumped into the piles of foam while celebrating the Children’s Summer Reading Club and enjoying tasty ices, compliments of the Friends of the Library. Enjoy the wild videos and photos of our Foam Fairies event on the awesome Floral Park Library Facebook page.
Library patrons of all ages are enjoying a summer of favorite books and funfilled activities. Two hundred eleven book review summaries have already been submitted by the Adult Book Club members. Each week, a lucky adult reader wins a gift card for a local business. Adults, keep watching our Library events for the Urban Explorers trips coming this fall.
Our teens are having their own summer fun too as the Nassau Library System’s Techmobile recently visited our Library. Using the innovative Construct 3 for game design, each teen learned new computer skills, then applied them to create his/her own unique video game and program the characters. Our teens now have copies of their new creations. Coming earlier today for our teen group was the Teens Drone Missions Event (using STEM to guide the drones) and, on Monday, August 18th, it will be
the Teen World of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and robots.
And all are invited to join in celebrating our favorite Beatles songs on the Library lawn at this Thursday’s Liverpool Shuffle concert in the Showmobile at 7 PM.
Chambers of Commerce and Our Businesses
Thanks to all who have been SHOPPING AND DINING LOCAL this summer. It’s been a great time to do both right here in Floral Park and Stewart Manor.
Our Floral Park Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for the fall season with a Let’s Get Back to Business Dinner Meeting on Thursday evening, September 11th. Join us at Mann Sarka Asian Bistro on Jericho Turnpike at 6:30 PM.
And, in the meantime, check out the dynamic Floral Park Chamber of Commerce Facebook page for amazing videos and photos of our businesses in action, as well as news of special happenings around the Village.
Visit both Chamber websites to learn more about our businesses’ products, their services, and Chamber membership at:floralparkchamber.org and covertavenuechamber.org And, always, SHOP AND DINE LOCAL!
Floral Park Board of Trustees report on issues
Trustee Frank Chiara 4VS
Four Village Studio is currently recruiting and has openings for high school and college students to join their volunteer staff. The studio has a long-standing history as a successful educational facility, offering valuable career-building knowledge and experience in media production. Interested students in the 4VS area, aged 15 and older, should contact the studio to arrange an informational interview. To schedule an appointment, please email 4vs@4vs.org or call (516)326-1150. To learn more about 4VS, visit our website at www.4vs.org.
Programming for the week of August 18 includes:
• Inspiring Stories with Bill Corbett, Jr.
• South Floral Park Mayor’s Quarterly Update with Hon. Nyakya T. Brown
• FPFD Red Alert with Larry King, AEMT
• Uncorked with Rex Whicker
• Wes Houston Presents with Wes Houston
For more program details, please check the 4VS website.
Department of Public Works
The Department of Public Works has been extremely busy throughout the summer months. The Parks Depart-
ment has maintained all Village parks and the grounds surrounding Village buildings. They have trimmed all bushes in Memorial Park and along Floral Parkway, watered all hanging flower baskets, and planted flowers throughout the Village.
The Maintenance Department has installed signage at the library, renovated the bathrooms at Village Hall, and installed new TV monitors in the Village Hall courtroom. New LED lighting has also been installed inside the Magnolia Tunnel, and all Village buildings have been thoroughly cleaned and maintained.
The Highway Department has installed 30 tons of hot asphalt and performed minor road repairs at various locations within the Village. They’ve filled potholes on the West End and Northside, responded to and repaired two small sinkholes, and sealed cracks in newer roads to help preserve them. Additionally, all crosswalks within the Village have been refreshed with new paint.
The Tree Department has been trimming trees daily. Trees to be trimmed are selected from a list created by logging all residents who call DPW to request it. Any resident who wishes to have a tree trimmed near their home should call DPW to be added to the list.
• Servicing Your System • Check the Filter
• Backflow Tests
• Remodels/Repairs
• Certified Water Quality Experts
• Water Filter Installations
• Free Estimates
Also, if any resident would like a tree planted by their home, they can contact Public Works to be placed on the fall planting list.
The Maintenance Shop mechanics have been performing routine maintenance and repairs on Police Department, DPW vehicles, and all other Village-owned equipment as needed.
The Sanitation Department has collected 55 tons of household waste, 8 tons of paper, 4.5 tons of plastic, and 10 tons of bulk rubbish.
I would like to thank the Department of Public Works for all their hard work in keeping our Village looking so good.
Conservation Society
The Conservation Society held their monthly “Weed Out” at Centennial Gardens on the first Saturday of August. Deputy Mayor Pombonyo, myself, and a number of energetic volunteers spent the day weeding one of the gardens that needed a little TLC. Not only are our volunteers incredibly helpful with the weeding, but they also bring valuable knowledge on gardening tips and can easily identify different flower types.
Anyone interested in helping with the next “Weed Out” is invited to join us at Centennial Gardens at 9 AM on the first Saturday of the month. In September, that will be Saturday, September 6th. Centennial Gardens is a peaceful
place to enjoy nature at its finest.
A big thank you to the Conservation Society and all of its volunteers for maintaining and enhancing the gardens, making them a wonderful place to visit and enjoy!
Trustee Jennifer Stewart Fire Department
The Fire Department is practicing hard for the annual Fire Department vs. Police Department Softball Game, set for Friday, September 5th, at 7 PM at the Recreation Center. Come out, choose your side, and cheer loudly for your chosen heroes!
For the month of July, the Fire Department responded to 43 calls for service, an additional 6 calls for mutual aid, and NYU Langone responded to 80 calls, with Rescue Company responding to 6, for a total of 86 rescue calls.
I was thrilled to be present on Monday night as the Chief’s Office swore in new member Keeley Dwyer to Rescue Company. Keeley is the youngest resident to ever join Rescue Company. We are pleased to have her and grateful for her desire to serve our community. As you heard earlier, the board also voted to approve firefighters Richard Millitello Jr. and Goce Janceski. The community is grateful for their dedication. Congratulations to the Fire
See page 10
August 22, 2025
Viking Polaris: Luxury & Learning on a Great Lakes Expedition Cruise
BY GERI BAIN
FOR TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM
We are out on deck at 7:45 a.m. to watch the weekly weather balloon launch. It’s July but still chilly on a Lake Superior morning. The crew has set out coffee and pastries, upbeat music is playing and the mood is festive as we count down to the launch. Helium carries the balloon up with its precious data collection module, which transmits detailed information back to the U.S. National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. After the launch, guests are invited to the Expedition Central area, where members of the scientific team are on hand to explain and answer questions. It’s exciting to learn that there are synchronous launches collecting data around the world.
This is one of many activities that draws us into the research being performed on-board every day during our 8-day “Undiscovered Great Lakes” cruise, which combines pristine Canadian wilderness with Midwest cities. We set out from Thunder Bay, Ontario in Canada and travel through Lake Superior, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan before ending in Milwaukee, WI.
Viking Cruises has two identical expedition ships—Polaris and Octantis. The ships are actual research vessels that partner with Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory and other universities and institutes to contribute data to scientific projects. Both offer itineraries of varying lengths from Antarctica to the Arctic.
Each sails with a team of scientists, historians and naturalists who lead explorations and on-board handson educational activities, offer lively lectures, and share information about nature and citizen science apps such as iNaturalist and iBird.
My husband and I are drawn to this cruise as it allows us to travel together while exploring at our own paces, sharing some activities and splitting up for others. (My ideal trip is almost nonstop activity; my husband enjoys his downtime.) I love that Viking Polaris has its own fleet of kayaks, Zodiacs and submarines and offers guided hikes and bike rides; he is excited by the chance to experience the highspeed, turn-on-a-dime, military-grade Special Operations Boats. We both look forward to basking in the Nordic Thermal Suite of steam, sauna and snow rooms, the heated pool with a relaxing area with massaging jets, and a traditional “badestamp”, a sheltered outdoor hot tub. And we both love the camaraderie of a small ship and low-
key nightlife.
Our cruise departs from Thunder Bay, Ontario. We arrive a day early to explore this nature- and history-rich area on our own. Our home base, Delta Hotels Thunder Bay, is a four-star Marriott.
We arrive in time for dinner and a walk along the waterfront which is dotted with sculptures and art installations. We especially like the trail that winds through Spirit Garden, designed in collaboration with the Anishinaabe and other indigenous cultures with sign posts about the nature and culture of the region. On the horizon, we identify the “Sleeping Giant,” a rock formation across the bay that looks like a reclining giant.
The next morning, we take a guided tour of Fort William Historical Park where costumed reenactors recreate daily life at an 1815 fur trading fort. At an Anishinaabe camp, women talk about how they plant and move with the seasons and insulate their wigwams to keep warm in winter.
Inside the Fort, we meet a voyageur, a laborer from Quebec who does the backbreaking work of loading and transporting furs, and chat with the wife of the fort’s director who shows us around her house and talks about the difficulties of frontier life. We spend more than two hours here and we’d like to stay longer, but also want to see Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park, which has 130-foot tall falls and easy-to-hike trails.
Back in Thunder Bay, the history and art museums are closed the day we visit, but we get a sense of the vibrant art scene admiring the murals on “graffiti alley” before boarding the Viking Polaris, which is docked about a half mile from our hotel.
We board in time for the orientation, where we learn that fitness tests are required both to go kayaking (the test consists of climbing in and out of the kayak without leaning anywhere that would tip it) and to take a submarine ride (basically the ability to squat). We love that we can attend the daily predinner port talks and all the major onboard lectures either in person in The Aula, an inviting, two-deck auditorium, or on-demand in our cabin.
Our cabin’s sleek wood design feels chic yet super-functional with lots of drawers and closets, plus a special drying closet, and its heated bathroom floor and complimentary, customstocked drink fridge and snack drawer are nice touches.
That evening, we dine at World Cafe, the main dining room. Meal choices, surprisingly varied for a ship with only 378 passengers, are served buffet style, including everynight sushi and seafood stations
Continued on next page
The Viking Polaris sails past Spirit Garden in Thunder Bay. ©Keroack Photography
GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....
Viking Polaris: Luxury & Learning on a Great Lakes Expedition Cruise
Continued from previous page
where lobster is always on tap, and “The Grill”, with fresh meats, lobster and fish cooked to order. There is also 24/7 room service, two waiter-service restaurants, and Mamsen’s, a small light-bite eatery that features Norwegian recipes inspired by Viking President Thorstein Hagen’s mamsen (mom).
We wake up to find ourselves anchored off Silver Islet in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. We have signed on for a hike along the Sea Lion Trail. Our guide, Tom, whose wife’s family has been on the island for generations, talks about the geology and nature of the area and what it’s like to live in a tiny community with only a handful of year-round residents and a single general store. He notes that the town once supported one of the richest silver mines of the mid-19th century.
We learn more about the silver mine that afternoon on a zodiac trip that stops right over the hauntingly abandoned mine, now fully underwater. We marvel at the creativity and work it took to build an island around an underwater silver deposit and then pump out the water to build mining shafts that descended as far as 384 meters below the surface.
That evening we have reservations we made pre-cruise (allowed once here and in The Restaurant) for Manfredi’s, justifiably known for its excellent Italian dishes; my favorite is steak brushed with porcini mushroom dust. We enjoy the waiter service and we come back twice more and have no trouble being seated.
After dinner, I take off to explore the ship’s many lounges. There’s a trio playing in the Explorer’s Lounge and the game room has a competitive scrabble contest in play. My personal favorite is the Hide Lounge. Here, each evening a different crew member chats about the topic of his/her choice.
The next day, we are anchored off Terrace Bay. Our group of six heads out on a Zodiac with Kelly, a geologist, who explains that the terraced shoreline was
caused by various glacial retreats, which also allowed the land to rebound from the weight of the glaciers as they melted. He drops us off at Terrace Bay Beach, where we follow a boardwalk along the shore and then hike up to a waterfall and gorge. As we pull out, we spot a bald eagle.
McGarvey Shoal, our destination for the next day, comes with a morality tale of hubris. The luxury yacht Gunilda was shipwrecked here in 1911 because its owner declined to hire a pilot, opting to navigate his own way through this archipelago of low-lying islands. Fortunately no one
mining, trade and brewing of his times.
It’s an easy walk from the ship to the Lake Superior Maritime Museum and the William A. Irvine Ore Boat Museum. We have signed on for a walking tour which provides a historic overview but does little more than take us to the two museums. In hindsight, I would have skipped the tour and explored the waterfront and museums on my own, and perhaps have added the nearby Great Lakes Aquarium, which a fellow passenger raved about.
Thanks to the Soo Locks, ships don’t have to run the rapids to safely navigate
Scientists offer interactive presentations throughout the trip at the ship’s Expedition Central area. ©Keroack Photography
died, but his boat sank. Exploring the shallows by Zodiac and kayak, it is easy to see how this could happen. In the late afternoon, we take a special ops boat ride that combines a nature tour with a breath-taking demonstration of the boat’s extreme speeds and maneuvering.
We awaken in time to take in Duluth as we sail slowly along the waterfront. Since this is our first U.S. port, we need to pass through U.S. immigration, which amazingly sets up its operation steps from where we dock. After a quick pass through immigration, we join a morning tour of Glensheen Mansion, the art-filled estate of turn-of-the-century Duluth lawyer and legislator Chester Adgate Congdon. His life and wealth reflect the burgeoning
the 21-foot drop from Lake Superior into Lake Huron. Passing through the lock is an experience no one wants to miss. Since the timing is unpredictable, we have a full day “at sea.” I had worried that I’d be restless, but with expedition center activities, tours of the laboratory and The Hanger (where the water toys are stored and dispatched), and an indulgent visit to the spa, the day goes way too quickly.
I spend almost an hour at the Expedition Center, where I learn that the ship scientists collect phytoplankton, the basis of the entire food chain. A fascinated handful of us watch them dance around on a microscope slide whose image is projected on a big screen, and a few of us attempt to isolate one with a pipette. Then,
touring the lab, I learn about the microplastics and bio-diversity studies the ship participates in and see the lab that analyzes the DNA of phytoplankton—like the one we tried to capture with a pipette. Viking offers bike tours and a lunch/ tour at the Grand Hotel, but we prefer exploring on our own. On a short horsedrawn carriage ride, we learn how the island was transformed from a military fort and trading stronghold to a tourist town. We walk around, stopping into a few of the 17 fudge shops along the town’s main street. We arrive back at the ship in time to compete in a trivia contest and I savor one last swim and sauna before dinner.
All too quickly, we find ourselves disembarking in Minneapolis and headed to the airport. Back home, we feel an almost mystical connection with the natural and human forces that formed and continue to re-form the Great Lakes and are looking at our local landscapes and wildlife with new eyes.
The Basics: Viking Cruises offers expedition cruises of the Great Lakes varying in length from eight to 17 nights between late May and mid-September. Prices for the 8-night “Undiscovered Great Lakes” cruise start at around $6,995 per person and include a land or shore excursion in every port including those on kayaks, zodiacs & special operations boats (with any needed gear such as dry suits for kayaking provided), port fees, gratuities, beer, wine & soft drinks with meals, access to the Nordic Spa and fitness center, self-service laundry, 24-hour room service, and more. Submarine excursions are $499 per person; pre- and post- tours and additional land excursions are available at added cost.
Helpful Links: VikingCruises.com visitthunderbay.com
© 2025 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com
BY CHARLYN FARGO
A study published recently has some good news for those having trouble remembering things: You can eat your way to remembering more.
Researchers at Rush University Medical Center have found that older adults may benefit from a specific diet called the MIND diet even when they develop protein deposits, known as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, which contribute to dementia. Plaques and tangles are pathologies found in the brain that can build up between nerve cells and typically
interfere with thinking and problem-solving skills.
Just what is the MIND diet? It’s a blend of the Mediterranean and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diets, developed by Martha Morris, a Rush nutritional epidemiologist, and her colleagues. Earlier research on the MIND diet found that adherence may reduce a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
The study found participants in the study who followed the MIND diet -- even moderately later in life -- did not have cognition problems, according to a paper
published on Sept. 14 in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Lead author Klodian Dhana, assistant professor at Rush, found that some people can maintain cognitive function despite an accumulation of the plaques and tangles in their brain, suggesting diet can play a role.
In the study, researchers examined the associations of diet -- from the start of the study until death -- with brain pathologies and cognitive functioning in 569 older adults who participated in the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center’s ongoing
Continued on page 6
Book clubs are serious & amusing & …
BY CLAIRE LYNCH
My friend, Janie, is a big proponent of going to book clubs. She goes to three different groups each month - at the public library, at the senior center and in someone’s home. People take turns hosting book club meetings and Janie likes the socializing aspect of going there. She gets to meet different people, discuss a good book in a friendly circle of fellow bibliophiles and hang out for a while.
I asked her if going to book clubs ever got boring and right away she said, “No way. We talk about different books and different people attend the meetings. There are regular members but there are other people who come and go. There’s always something new going on and this retiree likes that.”
My brother, Phil, also likes book clubs and I was surprised because while I’ve always known that he’s a reader, I didn’t think he was a book club type of person. He worked fulltime for 40+ years and there was no way while working that he would have set aside the time to go.
He commuted to that job and often stayed late at work to meet various deadlines. Plus we relatives knew that Phil enjoyed participating in outdoorsy types of hobbies. Swimming, fishing and boating always piqued his interest and he’d always invite friends and relatives to join him.
Once Phil retired he had the time not only to go to the library but to commit to the monthly book club that met there. It wasn’t far from his home so he started attending it on a monthly basis and he likes the various comments people make about the book of the month.
With 23 people in the group including men and women from all different backgrounds people had no problem giving their opinions about the books they were reading.
The book they discussed the first time Phil went was “Low Tide” which is book 1 of The Forgotten Coast Florida Suspense Series by Dawn Lee McKenna. Phil likes mysteries. The book’s summary says:
“In the quaint, coastal town of Apalachicola, FL, sinister things are afoot, as sinister things tend to be. Meet Lt. Maggie Redmond. Bold. Honorable. Damaged. And welcome to Maggie’s
hometown in the Florida Panhandle.
“Here you’ll find oystering and shrimping, Little League, and backyard barbeques. Sprawling historic homes, simple cottages and strong families. But in a town where everyone knows everyone, there are an awful lot of secrets … It’s up to Maggie and Sheriff Wyatt Hamilton, her best friend, boss and the man she’s falling for, to solve the puzzling, and often dangerous crimes.”
They had a lively discussion about “Low Tide” so Phil was happy with that book club meeting. His wife, Kathy, goes to a book club held at the senior center and enjoys those gatherings. She prefers reading historical fiction and anything non-fiction because Kathy says she “likes learning new things.”
One of her favorite historical fiction books the group discussed was Marie Benedict’s “The Other Einstein,” a novel that came out in 2016. It’s the story of a talented woman overshadowed by her husband.
Kathy later told us that the comments were lively and many participants said they liked Mileva “Mitza” Maric, Einstein’s first wife, who was a brilliant mathematician and physicist in her own right. She shared many scientific theories with him such as the theory of relativity but Albert Einstein usually got the credit for the innovative theories.
Kathy said she gets something out of every meeting because she never knows who she will be chatting with and she likes the different comments people make about the book being discussed. Different viewpoints help give different perspectives.
She added that it’s good for married couples to go to different groups and meet new people rather than always being involved in the same groups, book clubs included. At my book club the last book we discussed was “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” This novel by Mark Twain came out in 1885 and is a sequel to “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” It’s known for its use of vernacular language and its portrayal of life in the pre-Civil War South.
A primary theme in “Huck Finn” is freedom and both Huck and Jim both seek that although they have very different ideas about what freedom means. We talk about how Huck wants his free-
dom and Jim does, too, and each person who comments has a slightly different view on it.
Jack, the man in my book club, said he’d read Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn in elementary school and he always envied the characters’ desire to run away and be his own person. Jack said the last sentence of Huck Finn underscores how much Huck wants to be an independent person and while on the subject of Mark Twain, he mentioned a funny part in the Tom Sawyer book.
Tom gets his friends to whitewash Aunt Polly’s fence even though he was supposed to do it. In other sections he talks about the crushes he had on Becky Thatcher and Amy Lawrence. He’s got an active imagination, that’s for sure.
“Huck Finn” is a more serious book overall but it also has some funny scenes. Huck and Jim come across the Duke and the King, who claims to be the Dauphin, the rightful heir to the French throne. As they journey down the Mississippi River Huck and Jim realize they are nothing more than a pair of con artists.
They try to learn and perform
Shakespeare particularly scenes from “Romeo and Juliet” and “Richard III” and that was pretty funny but Huck didn’t like it when he knew for sure they were trying to steal money from the Wilks nieces. As the story slowly unfolds, Huck’s conscience is revealed. What I liked about both Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn is the way Mark Twain portrayed their characters. What’s most memorable is the humor in each bookand the various escapades the boys got into. I’d say they are typical teenagers but each character is pretty unique. Twain’s descriptions live on even years after the books first came out.
BY TOM MARGENAU
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a column about some of the most common questions I receive. This week, I thought it would be interesting to write a column answering some of the more unusual questions I get. Or to clarify, they may be unusual to you. But not to me. In the 50-plus years I’ve been dealing with Social Security issues, I don’t think there is a single question I haven’t been asked many times before!
Q: I am an 85-year-old woman in Tucson. I recently took a friend to one of our local Social Security offices where she had an appointment to resolve a Medicare matter. While I was waiting in my car in the office parking lot, I noticed many young people who appeared to be in their 20s and 30s entering the office. What kind of benefits could they be applying for?
A: They most likely were not there to file for any Social Security benefits. They were there to get a replacement Social Security card. (People are losing their cards all the time.) A very high percentage of the workload in any Social Security office is just that -- helping young people replace a lost Social Security card.
Q: I am getting my Social Security benefits, which I started at age 70. My 62-year-old wife is about to sign up for Social Security. She was a stay-athome mom for much of our marriage, so her own Social Security benefit is very small. She will get much more on my record. Does that mean she simply forgoes her own benefit and just files for spousal benefits on my account?
A: No. She will be paid her own benefit first. Then that benefit will be supplemented with whatever extra spousal benefits she is due on your record. And as I’ve pointed out many times in this column, her spousal benefit will be based on your full retirement age benefit, not your augmented age 70 benefit. Although if you die first, her widow’s benefit will be based on your higher age 70 benefit.
Q: My father died several years ago. After he passed, the Social Security office contacted my mother and helped her file for widow’s benefits. Recently, my wife’s father died. But nobody ever contacted her mother, and she eventually got in touch with Social Security herself to file a widow’s claim. Can you explain why their cases were handled differently?
A: Yes, I can. Although there are all kinds of variables that could come into play, here is a very broad outline of how widows’ claims are usually handled.
Not So Common Questions
If a woman was getting only spousal benefits on her husband’s record before he died (meaning she didn’t have any Social Security of her own), then once the Social Security Administration learns of her husband’s death, she will be automatically converted from wife’s benefits to widow’s benefits. No application is needed.
If a woman was getting some benefits on her own record and some additional spousal benefits on her husband’s record (meaning her name is already attached to her husband’s Social Security account), then the SSA will likely contact her to help her file for widow’s benefits.
But if a woman were getting only her own retirement benefits and no spousal benefits from her husband, then after he dies, the ball is in her court, so to speak. In other words, it would be up to her to contact the SSA to file for widow’s benefits.
Q: As we all know, more than a few men have had multiple wives. If such a guy dies, will all those women get widow’s benefits on his record?
A: It’s possible, but not probable. Why? For a couple of reasons. Some of those ex-wives will likely have remarried. And once they do that, they won’t be due any Social Security benefits on the prior husband’s account. Also, if any of the exwives worked, they might be due higher benefits on their own record.
Q: My partner and I have been living together for almost 30 years. But we’ve never gotten married. We think of ourselves as a common-law couple. We are both getting close to our 60s and are now starting to think about Social Security. I always made more money than she did. If I die, will she get any widow’s benefits on my record?
A: As a general rule, Social Security follows state law concerning the legality of a marriage. So, if the state you live in recognizes common law relationships and considers you married, then the Social Security Administration will also consider you married and pay your partner widow’s benefits after you die. But if your state doesn’t recognize common law marriage, you could be in trouble. Of course, you could make things much simpler for Social Security purposes if you just got legally married.
Q: We have a conservatorship for our two grandchildren. Our son and his wife are just unable to take care of these kids. When we recently signed up for our Social Security benefits, they told us the grandkids can’t get dependent benefits on our records. Why not?
Correction
In the “Social Security And You” article from Aug. 15, 2025 there was an error. The last sentence in the 10th paragraph which read “That’s what sunk former President George W. Bush’s carve-out privatization plan in the 1990s.” should instead have said “in the early 2000s.”
A: Social Security law says children can only get benefits on a grandparent’s record if both natural parents are deceased or disabled. Apparently, that’s not the case in your situation. Your only other option would be to adopt these kids. If you did that, they would be eligible for benefits on your Social Security records.
Q: I’d like to learn more about the rate of interest earned by the Social Security trust funds. Where can I find that information?
A: You can find out everything you
Continued on next page
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
If you or your spouse is 65 or older, with joint ownership, have you checked to determine if you are receiving your Star Exemption? If not married all owners must be 65 or old. This is applied only to your primary residence and not vacation homes. Determining whether it is your primary residence includes voting, vehicle registration and the length of time that you reside there yearly. Income limitations are $500,000 or less for Basic Star credit and $250,000 or less for the STAR exemption $107,300 for the Enhanced Star $110,750 for 2026). If one spouse passes the other surviving spouse can retain the Enhanced Star Exemption if they are at least 62 years of age by December 31 in the year that their age eligible spouse passed away. If not, then the surviving spouse can apply for the Enhance Star when they turn 65.
Owners who had enrolled before 2015 were eligible to receive the exemption to reduce their school taxes. However, you can apply for the Star Credit, whereby the money will be directly deposited to your bank account.
There are other special situations that allow the Star Exemption. If you are a trust beneficiary to shift ownership of your home to trustees, but still live in the home, you will still receive the Star benefit. So providing the home’s ownership to children, but still is the beneficiary of the trust, then the surviving spouse is still considered the owner and will get the Star Exemption.
If there is a life estate, on party has a life tenancy (they will owner the home for the rest of their life).
REAL ESTATE WATCH
STAR exemption, do you have it?
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
The other party called the remainderman, will become the owner after the life tenant passes. The deed will show that the remainderman has ownership, but will only take title upon death of the life tenant. The life tenant still has the Star Exemption based on their qualifications.
You can receive your Star Exemption by check or direct deposit to your bank account. When switching to direct deposit, you benefit will be more. This will also eliminate delays, lost checks and having to cash a check waiting for it to clear. Benefits for the Basic Star can be from $350-$600. The Enhanced Star provides a benefit of between $700$1500.
It would be prudent to ask your accountant for help to ascertain your eligibility where for the Basic Star or Enhanced Star Exemption. Depending on your locality, some areas have much larger benefits. Today, every bit of savings can assist those families and individuals, who are eligible and this will be crucial and beneficial in reducing their real estate taxes.
Long Island homeowners pay some of the highest taxes in the U.S. Approximately 60-70% of your real estate taxes are school taxes on Long Island. The Star Exemption is one way to gain some relief to reduce your overall costs on taxes. Most important, as of 2025, the Salt deduction will increase
from $10,000 to $40,000 allowing most homeowners to have additional deductions to their income taxes. If you are a homeowner of single or multi-family home, townhome, condo or coop and have not ever registered and applied for the Basic Star Exemption, I would advise you to look into the process. There is no cost to do this. Why leave money on the table each year and not gain the reduction in our every increasing Long Island real estate taxes.
More information can derived from: www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/star/ stardd-qa.htm#general Reference tax. ny.gov
Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 43+ years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned 3 significant designations:
National Association of Realtors Graduate Realtors Institute (what I consider a Master’s degree in real estate).
Certified International Property Specialist - expert in consulting and completing international transactions.
National Association of Realtors Green designation: eco-friendly low carbon footprint construction with 3-D printed foundations, Solar panels, Geothermal HVAC/Heat Pumps).
He will also provide a copy of
“Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and his Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.
He will provide you with “free” regular updates of what has gone under contract (pending), been sold (closed) and those homes that have been withdrawn/ released or expired (W/R) and all new listings of homes, HOA, Townhomes, Condos, and Coops in your town or go to:
https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search at your leisure on your own. However, for a “FREE” no obligation/ no strings attached 15-minute consultation, as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached call him at (516) 647-4289 or email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.com
You can now search at your leisure for properties at: WWW.Li-RealEstate.com
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Continued from previous page might want to know about the financing of Social Security and the operation of the trust funds from the Social Security Administration actuaries. It’s all online. Do a Google search for “Social Security Office of the Chief Actuary” and once at their site, just start noodling around.
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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EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE
How to Store Bread to Keep It Fresher Longer
BY MARY HUNT
Bread has a certain shelf life, beyond which it can go stale, become moldy and, in a short time, inedible. It is possible to extend its delicious lifespan once you understand the ins and outs of how to store bread.
It’s the starch in any baked goods that makes them become stale. Exposure to air and heat can make the starch crystallize or degrade more quickly. Trapped moisture is what hastens the process of mold growth.
Store-bought sandwich bread and other commercial bakery products can have a much longer useful life because they are made with preservatives. Homemade or bakery artisan bread that is preservative-free can turn stale or become moldy much more quickly.
It’s a storage problem. If you don’t like throwing out the rest of the hardened, stale or even moldy bread pieces, I have some ingenious tips to keep bread fresher for longer -- up to the very last fresh, delicious crumb.
48-HOUR RULE
For bread that has just been baked (or purchased at the supermarket or bakery) that you intend to use up within 48 hours, leave it out, completely uncovered if homemade, or in the packaging it came in at room temperature. The crust on freshly baked bread will remain at its best texture for at least one day, if not two full days. If you have made or purchased multiple loaves you know you will not consume within 48 hours, freeze them, following the steps that follow.
HOW TO STORE BREAD IN FREEZER
A frozen loaf of bread can taste just as
good as a freshly baked loaf when handled properly. The icy temperatures of your freezer prevent the dreaded starch degradation, holding the bread in a stable state.
To freeze entire loaves of bread, allow the bread to cool completely, then transfer to a large, durable freezer zip-type bag, press out any excess air and seal. If you prefer, you can wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in a small paper bag, and then transfer it to a heavy freezer zip-type bag.
Instead of freezing a whole, unsliced loaf, consider preslicing it. That makes your loaves easier to work with when you need to make a single sandwich or
piece of toast. This method works well with all kinds of bread, including bagels. (Never freeze bagels without slicing them in half first.) Some experts suggest placing a piece of waxed paper between slices to make it even easier to remove a single slice or two.
The prep of preslicing may seem time-consuming, but you’ll be grateful you did the work when it’s time for breakfast.
HOW TO USE FROZEN BREAD
Slices of frozen bread will thaw quickly, in 5 to 10 minutes, when placed on the
counter or cutting board. You can also place a frozen slice right into the toaster and proceed without any thaw time. It may take a minute longer to toast up, but it’s quite easy.
Allow a frozen unsliced loaf of bread to thaw (in the freezer bag) at room temperature for several hours or overnight on your countertop the night before.
To bring it back to fresh-out-of-the-oven bread, preheat the oven to 350 F for at least 20 minutes with a rack in the center position.
Once the oven has reached temperature, remove the loaf of bread from the bag and run it, very quickly, under cold water. You do not want to saturate the loaf, just lightly spray it evenly with cold water on all sides. This will create a tiny bit of steam in the oven, resulting in a crisper, fresher crust than placing a dry loaf in the oven.
Place the moistened whole loaf of bread directly on the oven rack and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the crust is crisp. Don’t err on the side of putting that loaf into a cold oven or even one that has not reached 350 F. It will stick to the rack and make a mess. But cold loaf on hot rack? Perfect.
Remove the perfectly crisped, refreshed loaf of bread from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a cooling rack before slicing.
Remember the MIND Diet
Continued from page 2
Memory and Aging Project, which began in 1997. Participants were without known dementia, and all of them agreed to undergo annual clinical evaluations while alive and brain autopsy after their death.
Beginning in 2004, participants were given an annual food frequency questionnaire about how often they ate 144 food items in the previous year. Using the questionnaire answers, the researchers gave each participant a MIND diet score based on how often the participants ate specific foods. The MIND diet has 15 dietary components, including 10 “brain-healthy food groups” and five unhealthy groups -- red meat, butter and stick margarine, cheese, pastries and sweets, and fried or fast food. To benefit from the MIND diet, a per-
son would need to eat at least three servings of whole grains, a green leafy vegetable and one other vegetable every day (along with an optional glass of wine), snack most days on nuts, have beans every other day or so, eat poultry and berries at least twice a week and fish at least once a week. A person also must limit intake of the designated unhealthy foods, limiting butter to less than 1 1/2 teaspoons a day and eating less than a serving a week of sweets and pastries, whole-fat cheese and fried or fast food.
Based on the frequency of intake reported for the healthy and unhealthy food groups, the researchers calculated the MIND diet score for each participant across the study period. An average of the MIND diet score from the start of the study until the participant’s death was
used in the analysis/.
Researchers found that a higher MIND diet score was associated with better memory and thinking skills independently of Alzheimer’s disease pathology and other common age-related brain pathologies. They concluded that the diet seemed to have a protective capacity and may contribute to cognitive resilience in older adults.
The bottom line is that diet changes can impact cognitive functioning and risk of dementia (positively or negatively). It’s never too late to make diet changes to slow cognitive decline.
Q and A
Q: What are persimmons? Can you eat them?
A: Persimmons are an autumn fruit that are best known for predicting the
DON’T STORE BREAD IN THE REFRIGERATOR
It may seem like a good idea to store bread in the refrigerator but it’s not ideal. I have not discovered even one professional baker or seasoned home baker who even slightly suggests it’s OK to refrigerate bread. On the contrary, they seem to be uniformly horrified by even the suggestion!
The temperature of a refrigerator prompts immediate “starch degradation,” a process that accelerates moisture loss, causing the bread to become prematurely stale. It’s true that refrigeration will stave off mold, but even tightly wrapped bread stored in the refrigerator is going to harden, change in texture and flavor and quickly become stale.
Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “DebtProof Living.”
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weather. The story goes that the inside of the fruit reveals a white marking in one of three weather-predicting shapes: a knife shape, which forecasts a cold, “cutting” winter; a fork, which means a mild season; or a spoon, which represents lots of snow shoveling. (It was a spoon this year). The fruit itself is known for its intensely sweet flavor. It can be added to a salad or stir-fry, dipped in yogurt or eaten like an apple.
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. .
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BY DENNIS MAMMANA
Week of August 24-30, 2025
Two easy-to-find star groupings appear during late summer and early autumn. You can see them by going outdoors and facing north during early evening hours.
Look low in the northwest for the seven equally bright stars of the Big Dipper. Many people call this a constellation, but the Dipper is only part of a much larger constellation known as Ursa Major, the great bear. Interestingly, many cultures throughout history saw this celestial region as representing a bear.
The ancient Greeks described the Dipper’s “bowl” portion as defining the bear’s hind end and its “handle” as the long tail. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen a bear with a long tail. So how did the Greeks explain this anatomical oddity? When Zeus tossed the bear into the heavens, they said, he did so by swinging it by the tail, thus stretching it out into its current length. Those ancient Greeks had answers for everything!
Seeing a bear, though, is another matter altogether. That’s why the Dipper is such a handy “asterism” -- a group of stars that looks like something familiar. And the Big Dipper is useful
The Dipper and the Queen
for finding the second easy-to-recognize star grouping: Cassiopeia (cass-eeOH-pee-uh).
This one you’ll find low in the northeastern sky. Rather than looking for the image of an ancient Ethiopian queen and mother of Andromeda, you’ll have better luck finding five stars that outline a nicely formed letter “W.”
Midway between these two star groupings lies Polaris, aka the North Star, easily the most important star of our night sky. That’s because, at this time in history, Polaris happens to stand directly above our planet’s north pole, so when you face this star, you’re facing true north. Keep in mind that your compass won’t point this way; it’s designed to point toward the magnetic North Pole, which, to much of North America, appears farther to the east.
In addition, the Earth’s rotational axis aims almost directly toward Polaris, so during the advancing hours of the night (and seasons of the year), this star never changes its position, while all the northern stars seem to revolve counterclockwise around it. That’s pretty handy, since we in the Northern Hemisphere have a unique direction finder available at all times.
You can use the Big Dipper to point your way toward Polaris by following two stars of its bowl (the two farthest
The Big Dipper and Cassiopeia are easy to find in the sky during late summer and early autumn.
from the handle) from its base to its top, and extend that line about five times their separation. There, you’ll find Polaris. And, if you continue that line forward to the other side of Polaris, you’ll encounter the easternmost star of Cassiopeia’s “W.”
What could be easier!
Notice that Polaris lies almost midway between the two asterisms. As the sky turns during the night (or through the seasons), you’ll see that the Dipper and Cassiopeia wheel counterclockwise around this star.
LOST IN SUBURBIA
I
Got Your Goose
BY TRACY BECKERMAN
When we lived in the suburbs, my dog had a squirrel obsession. He would routinely sit by the deck door watching the backyard for squirrels like a guard at Buckingham Palace. Neither sleep nor hunger nor the sound of a killer Roomba approaching would tear him from his post, unless, of course, he heard the sound of food accidentally dropping on the kitchen floor. When a squirrel appeared, he would growl menacingly and finally erupt into a fit of hysterical barking until I let him outside to chase the interloper over the fence or up a tree. I can’t say I was unhappy about that. The squirrels ate my pumpkins and raided my bird feeders, so I was not really a fan. If Bowie wanted to chase the squirrels back to their squirrel lair so they could tell little squirrel stories about the mean squirrel-hating dog in our yard, it was OK by me.
When we left the suburbs, I thought
the squirrel issue was resolved. We moved into the city, and there was nary a squirrel to be found. It seemed our bothersome squirrel issues would be a thing of the past. But then we moved again, to a place near the water, and we discovered that there was something afoul.
Or, more specifically, a fowl.
In this latest move, we had unwittingly traded in squirrels for geese, the scourge of lawns and sidewalks everywhere. I woke up to the sound of geese honking. I went to sleep to the sound of geese honking. And when I went outside to shoo the honking geese away, I discovered a minefield of honking goose droppings.
According to multiple geese authorities, the average goose poops every 12 minutes, which translates to more than 100 times a day. ONE HUNDRED TIMES! This was somewhat horrifying and really more than I wanted to know about geese, but it at least explained the minefield outside.
When we first moved, the geese weren’t here. I suppose they had left for greener pastures. But about two months later they suddenly appeared, and the only member of our family who seemed truly excited about this ... was the dog. The dog had led a somewhat sheltered suburban life and had never actually met a goose before. So the first time I took him outside to do his business, he didn’t notice them. But then the geese honked and he suddenly perked up like a retriever on a hunt, waiting to go collect the birds his owner shot down. As my dog is, actually, a retriever, this wasn’t much of a surprise. What happened next was.
I had fully expected the dog would bark his head off and lurch at the geese -- which I assumed were just big squirrels with beaks to him -- scaring them away from the premises. But as he took a few steps forward and strained at the leash, a bunch of the geese turned and flew at us, paralyzing both the dog and me in terror.
Keep an eye on them over the next few weeks, and you’ll watch the Dipper gradually descend in the northwestern sky while the “W” ascends in the northeast. By next spring, you’ll be able to welcome the Big Dipper back to the northeastern sky while bidding Cassiopeia farewell until next fall.
Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.
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Now, I’ve done battle with wild turkeys, which I had always thought were the scariest birds in the ‘burbs. But they don’t hold a feather to an angry goose. Apparently, we had unwittingly trespassed on private goose territory, and this is not something that geese will tolerate.
At first I thought I might stand my ground with my faithful retriever by my side and show the geese who was the toughest bird. But as the geese flew at us, Bowie yanked the leash out of my hands and ran off to save his own skin. This really left me with no other option. So, I turned and flew the coop.
Tracy Beckerman is the author of the Amazon Bestseller, “Barking at the Moon: A Story of Life, Love, and Kibble,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online! You can visit her at www. tracybeckerman.com.
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Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me here you are my Mother.
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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 (make request). There are none that can withstand your power.
Oh, 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). Amen.
This prayer is never known to fail and is to be said for 3 consecutive days.
In Gratitude (E.H.)
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
Antique & Vintage Items
Jewelry-Crystal-Silver Furniture-Mirrors-Tabletop Artwork-Lamps
Consign, Shop or Visit the Yellow House 109 Eleventh Street Garden City 516-746-8900
Mon-Fri 10-4 (Wed to 6pm) Saturday 12-4 (entrance & parking in back)
Consignments by appointment atstewartexchange@tgchs.org All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society
CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900
MARKETPLACE
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WANTED TO BUY
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AUTOMOTIVE
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from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other
Reel in your next dinner
Friday Night Fried Catfish with Tartar Sauce
Freshly caught and prepared catfish is a notable dish in the American south. Catifsh is an oft-overlooked option elsewhere in the coun-
3⁄4 cup mayonnaise
1 hard-boiled egg, chopped
2 tablespoons capers
try, but more might pine for it if they knew of its mild, slightly sweet flavor that is similar to trout and white fish. Catfish is known for its firm, moist
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Juice of 1⁄2 lemon
1 tablespoon finely chopped scallions, greens only
1 1⁄2 tablespoons finely chopped celery
1⁄2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1) In a small mixing bowl, blend all the tartar sauce ingredients. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
2) In a large, deep saucepan, heat the canola oil to approximately 350° F.
and dense texture, which holds up well in a variety of recipes. However, fried catfish remains a favorite way to prepare this catch. Dish up this recipe
Catfish
2 1⁄2 cups canola oil
2 cups buttermilk
1⁄4 cup hot sauce
1 tablespoon favorite spice mix
1⁄2 teaspoon creole seasoning
(St. Martin’s Press) by Neal Corman the next time
2 cups Universal Flour (see below)
4 7- to 8 ounce fresh catfish fillets
2 lemons, cut into halves or wedges
gently slide into the hot oil.
3) In a small mixing bowl, combine the buttermilk, hot sauce, spice Mix, and creole seasoning. Set out the Universal Flour in a separate small bowl.
Universal Flour
Makes 3 1⁄2 cups
1 cup yellow cornmeal
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
1 tablespoon granulated onion
4) Place the catfish in the buttermilk mixture for 3 minutes. Remove and dust with the Universal Flour. Shake off the excess and
5) Fry the fillets for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until golden brown on one side. Flip and fry for 3 more minutes, or until golden brown. (Fry the fillets in two batches of two fillets each. They will be much easier to maneu-
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
ver.)
6) Remove the fried fillets to a large plate covered in paper towels. Blot with paper towels to dry.
7) Serve immediately with 1⁄4 cup of tartar sauce and a lemon half for each fillet.
1) Combine all of the ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk together until incorporated. Transfer to a covered container. Store in a cool and dry place.
for “Friday Night Fried Catfish with Tartar Sauce” from “Virgil’s Barbecue Road Trip Cookbook”
Beatles band wows the crowd
Floral Park residents enjoyed an evening concert by the Liverpool Shuffle Band on the Library lawn on August 14. The band played hits of the Beatles for the crowd’s enjoyment as residents sang and danced along.
Floral Park Board of Trustees report on issues
From page 7
Department Explorer Company on their successful car wash this past Sunday, August 10th. Thank you to all who came out and supported these fine young men and women!
September 20th will mark the inaugural Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The Parade will step off from Headquarters at 11 AM, head down Carnation to Tulip, and along Tulip back to Headquarters.
I wish to extend my deep condolences to the family of Ex-Chief Raymond Newfeld. Ex-Chief Newfeld served our community for 42 years and certainly left a positive mark on the community and particularly the Fire Department.
MTA/LIRR
The MTA will be installing the signal shed on their right-of-way along Atlantic Avenue next weekend, from Friday, 8/22, through Sunday, 8/24. This work will be ongoing around the clock, with light and noise anticipated for the duration of the weekend. Atlantic Avenue will be closed from Childs Avenue to Carnation Avenue. We are hopeful that this signals the end of construction at this site. The work is somewhat weath-
er-dependent; in the event of stormy weather, it will need to be rescheduled.
We appreciate the advance notice from the MTA/LIRR throughout the duration of this project.
Council of Cultural Affairs
As the summer ends, so do the concerts in Memorial Park. Our final show will be on 8/22, Bobby Sings Bobby, at 7:30 PM in Memorial Park. I would like to thank all our resident performers who braved the heat and humidity to put on an absolutely amazing concert on July 25th. Floral Park was treated to a showcase of epic talent from our very own young people, with a special thanks to the Long Island Studio of Music for promoting the show and encouraging their students to come out and perform. Shoutout to Andy Sexton and John GaNun, who performed a few fan favorites and some original hits!
Mark your calendars for June 20, 2026, when Floral Park will celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a parade and fireworks. Come out and help us celebrate the birthday of our wonderful nation!
Trustee Michael Longobardi Building Department
Since our last meeting, here are a few updates on the ongoing building projects around town:
The construction work for the proposed restaurant at 99 Covert Avenue is expected to be completed this fall.
Covert Avenue Fire property steel installation is now complete, and the second-floor framing is expected to start this month.
50 Carnation Avenue has submitted a zoning application to expand its storage buildings. This case was heard at the April 10th Zoning Meeting and the June 17th Board of Trustees Special Use Hearing. The next step is a presentation to the Architectural Review Board; the date will be announced.
There are no upcoming meetings scheduled at this time for the proposed large-scale mixed-use development project located at 144-162 Jericho Turnpike, formerly Stella’s.
Demolition of 32 Orchid is complete, and the construction of the new homes is expected to begin next month.
The full renovation at 212 Jericho Turnpike, formerly Firestone, is underway.
After a long process of issuing viola-
tions and communicating with the bank that owns the abandoned property at 35 Van Siclen Ave, the Board of Trustees authorized a contractor to make safety and façade repairs to ensure the house was secure and more aesthetically pleasing for the neighborhood. The front roof was replaced, and the front windows were temporarily boarded over to help mitigate unauthorized entry.
As a reminder, all homes and businesses are required to remove weeds and cut grass along the curbs and sidewalks adjacent to the property. Please ensure work is done in a timely manner and help the Village maintain its beauty and keep away unwanted pests and rodents.
Pool and Recreation
Summer adult leagues have ended. Congratulations to all those who participated, and to the following champions: Women’s Competitive Volleyball –That’s What She Set, Women’s Intermediate Volleyball – Spike and Rally, Women’s Recreational Volleyball – FPFL, Men’s Volleyball – Paddock, Men’s Over 30 Basketball – Sportify Dawgs, Men’s Under 30 Basketball – Bellerose Bev-
The concert was a big hit with residents.
Happy concert attendees on the Library lawn.
The Liverpool Shuffle Band
Floral Park Board of Trustees report on issues
erage. Registration for Fall Programs begins September 4th. Registration will show a slight increase in rates, as the cost to run these programs has risen. Unfortunately, we have just over two weeks left of summer before Labor Day. The pool will begin modified hours from August 16th–31st, open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. The pool will be open on Labor Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the traditional final swim at 5 p.m. Tuesday the 2nd will be our annual senior picnic from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You may have noticed the grandstand bleachers on Field 1 are being removed. In the short term, we will have picnic tables in that area, and you are welcome to bring a chair for any game on that field.
One safety note: The recreation center has a very strict safety rule regarding bicycles and scooters in the park. You are not allowed to ride your bike or scooter, motorized or non-motorized, through the park. Anyone with a bike or scooter must dismount at any entry gate and walk the bike or scooter through the park. This is a safety measure to protect everyone, and there is a zero-tolerance policy. Please respect this safety rule and help educate our younger residents on why it’s so important to follow. I previously mentioned the end of the summer season, and with that comes the end of a special era at the recreation
center. Superintendent of Recreation Kurt Meyfohrt will retire on August 31st. He began his career in Floral Park 44 years ago, in June of 1981, as a Park Attendant. He was promoted to Assistant Supervisor in August of 2000, and then Superintendent of the Recreation Center. Over the years, he has played a vital role in the development of our premium recreation center, leaving a lasting positive impact on our village and residents. We thank you for your constant professionalism and positive attitude displayed every day. Congratulations on your retirement. We wish you and your family health, happiness, and much enjoyment in your next chapter.
Town-Village Aircraft Safety & Noise Abatement Committee (TVASNAC)
We have received phone calls and emails regarding the airplane noise and traffic we experience in our village. In my last report, I mentioned some of the processes we have gone through with our elected officials and partnering townships. These include local officials, the Town of Hempstead, the Town of North Hempstead, the Town of Oyster Bay, county officials, members of Congress, and others, addressing numerous fronts. A lawsuit was initiated by the Town of Hempstead in June to order the disclosure of certain data, which would
accurately present the air traffic noise and help initiate a plan to reduce the current situation, and hopefully modify the approach to our local airports. This is ongoing, and we will keep you updated as things progress. A special thanks to Andrew Weiss, fellow resident and member of TVASNAC, for all his hard work on this committee. The next meeting will be on Monday, August 25, 2025, at Town Hall, One Washington Street in Hempstead. If you wish to make a noise complaint regarding air traffic, you can call 1-800-225-1071. You can also visit the village website, where the links are available under the TVASNAC noise complaint contact information page on our homepage.
Emergency Management
Our Emergency Management Committee would like to remind residents that hurricane season is here, and we already have one storm in the Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center urges everyone to “Be Prepared – Get a Plan!” It’s important to remember that each
storm is unique, and all it takes is one storm to have a major impact. Our Public Works Department continues to maintain catch basins throughout the village and inspect, remove, or trim trees. We have invested in several major drainage projects to help mitigate potential flooding. Our Police and Fire departments train and drill regularly to be prepared for these events.
Residents should also prepare and be ready—remember, you may be without electricity for three days or more. Build your supply kit for at least three days. The kit should include flashlights, batteries, medications, infant supplies, pet food, a first aid kit, water, cash, and important household documents. This is just a summary of key points. Homeland Security has a useful website at Ready.Gov. Make sure everyone knows how to contact Police and Fire. In case of emergency, call 911 or 516-326-6400. For non-emergencies, please call 516326-6300.
Please be prepared and stay safe!
