BoE celebrates school district staff
Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District celebrated the contributions of both new and long-standing employees during the board of education meeting on Sept. 10.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Anthony Lubrano began the recognitions by formally welcoming 13 new staff members to the district.
“We are here to support you in a tightknit community that values education and has a
strong sense of belonging,” Dr. Lubrano said.
The new faculty are Melanie Boccasini, Michael Caprino, Haley Celona, Gianna Cannavo, Stephanie Curatola, Alice DeSarno, Maria Endrich, Hope Mannion, Rachel Massone, Christopher Palmisano, Emma Parente, Kristen Rowe and Stephanie Xikes.
After extending a warm welcome to the newcomers, the board members shifted focus to
celebrating staff milestones and years of service.
35 Years of Service
Christina Kingsley, Floral Park-Bellerose School
30 Years of Service
Elizabeth Kline, John Lewis Childs School
Marie Szabunka, John Lewis Childs School
25 Years of Service
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Safety in focus as FPB district starts school year
BY KASSARA MCELROY
A strong start to the school year, tributes to retiring staff, and renewed commitments to student safety took focus at the latest Floral Park-Bellerose Board of Education meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lubrano praised teachers, administrators, and staff for ensuring a smooth opening to the 2025–2026 academic year.
“With six school days under our belt already, we’re off to a great start,” he said, noting both instructional and opera-
tional readiness.
The board also turned the spotlight on its people, honoring employees who have reached milestones ranging from five to thirty-five years of service. A special tribute was reserved for Barbara Nash, a teacher aide whose retirement was marked with a Distinguished Service Resolution recognizing her decades of dedication. Retirees Tonina DelGiorno, a teacher aide with 17 years of service, and Virginia Coughlin, a bus
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FP Chamber
‘Back to Business
BY RIKKI MASSAND
With record-breaking attendance, the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce wrapped up summer with a “Back to Business” dinner at Mann Sarka Asian Fusion on Jericho Turnpike, Thursday, September 11. Professionals from across industries and local business owners gathered to share updates and hear what’s ahead for fall,
with several notable events and opportunities for networking and civic engagement.
Chamber President Shane Parouse emphasized the Chamber’s commitment to working with the village and police department to improve pedestrian safety throughout business districts on Tulip Avenue, Covert Avenue, and Jericho Turnpike.
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New staff are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lubrano at the Board of Education meeting on Sept. 10
OLV Rosary Altar Society Harvest Fair
• A Costume Parade at noon, with special gifts from vendors
• An indoor Haunted Forest
• Raffle baskets
• Lots of fun!
Questions? Please email JaniceOLV123@gmail.com
FOUR VILLAGE STUDIO
Davidson & Co.
Larry Davidson
“The Importance of Organ Donation” ~ Dr. Mathew Maurer & Shari Maurer
Inspiring Stories
Bill Corbett, Jr.
Rob Weisberg ~ 9-11 Responder & Advocate for those with PTSD
FPFD: Red Alert
Larry King, AEMT
“Maritime Firefighter Training” ~ James P. Spear, SUNY Maritime College
Wes Houston Presents…
Wes Houston
Walker ~ Singer-Songwriter-Guitarist from the “Brotherhood of the Grape” 9:30
Uncorked
Rex Whicker
“An Intro to Whiskey” ~ Regions & Varieties of the Popular Spirit
St. Anne's Spirit Day planned for Sept. 27th
St. Anne’s Spirit Day is a little over 3 weeks away! The St. Anne’s Spirit Day Planning Committee is hard at work on the 22nd Annual Spirit Day Celebration happening on Saturday, September 27 from 2 to 10 pm.
The informal kick-off to Spirit Day planning happened in August with the opening of sales for the Spirit Day Raffle tickets to parishioners. The cost of a single raffle ticket is $100 with a maximum of 1,000 tickets to be sold.
The Committee is excited to share that the proceeds from the 2025 Spirit Day Big Bucks Raffle will be dedicated to the purchase and installation of a digital carillon for St. Anne’s parish. These beautifully crafted instruments faithfully reproduce the rich tones of traditional cast bronze bells. To purchase a ticket please go to wesharegiving. org/App/Form/e0519ee1-a695-4805-9fb34ea124a4ffa6
The Grand Prize winner receives 25% of the total raised and five additional lucky winners receive 5% of the total. If tickets sell out, as they did last year, the Grand Prize winner receives $25,000 and the five second prize winners will
receive $5,000! Winners do not need to be present to win but no one wants to miss the exciting moment of that drawing between 8-10pm. It’s an incredibly positive way to end a fun and beautiful day for the entire parish family.
Spirit Day itself includes “something for everyone”: Respite Games for the special needs community of St. Anne’s, rides and games for kids of all ages, a robust craft fair, the beautiful MOM’s mums sale, delicious food and drink options, a “Night at the Races”, music and uplifting outdoor Mass. After the Mass stay for the casino event in the St. Anne’s School Cafeteria. All are welcome.
The event will include rides, games and music all day and evening. The day is highlighted with a beautiful celebration of Mass outdoors at 5pm and the exciting Spirit Day Raffle drawing between 8-10pm. Raffle ticket applications, sponsorship opportunities and craft fair vendor information can be found on the St. Anne’s website. Please call the St. Anne’s Rectory at (516) 3525904 or visit www.stannesgc.org for more information.
Our Service Directory is sure to bring results. Call 294-8900 for rates and information.
FP Junior Woman’s Club to meet
The next meeting of the Floral Park Junior Woman ’ s Club will be held on Thursday, October 9, at 7 p.m. at the Floral Park Recreation Center.
The Club is a group of active, community spirited women of all ages, interests and backgrounds. They are your friends, neighbors, co-workers and acquaintances. They are wives, mothers and single women, professionals, educators and business owners who donate their time and talents to the betterment of children, neighbors, the community and the world.
The Junior Woman ’ s Club meets on the second Thursday of the month to conduct the business of the Club at the Floral Park Recreation Center.
Meetings consist of a special monthly program, discussions of upcoming events, any immediate needs of the Floral Park community and how we can be of assistance.
The Club gives away over $3,000 in scholarships annually to local students. It sponsors special community events such as a Spring & Fall Craft Fair and the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting.
Junior Clubs are a critical part of The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC.org). The GFWC is an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.
Temps Are Falling...
Floral Park Chamber ‘Back to Business
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“One of the initiatives the Chamber will be engaged with is improving the primary business districts. We want to make them safer so more people feel comfortable being in these locations,” Parouse said.
Later in the evening, Nassau County Legislator John Giuffrè joined Chamber members. Deputy Mayor Dr. Lynn Pombonyo highlighted the recent installation of a Violet Avenue crosswalk, part of a wider initiative with county officials to improve pedestrian safety on Tulip Avenue.
She said, “The only [intersection] that doesn’t have one is Iris Avenue and at this time it can’t add one because it does not have a traffic signal.” She also mentioned engagement with Legislator Scott P. Strauss and other county officials for help with the pedestrian safety program.
Village and Business Updates
In her Chamber report, Dr. Pombonyo shared updates from the Village Board of Trustees. The board was preparing for a September 16 hearing on a special change of use for property near Jericho Turnpike’s commercial district that could pave the way for senior housing.
“The Village Board will be holding
a public hearing for a special change of use for property – the village has gotten many requests from developers and investors looking to build some senior housing, but the village is not zoned for senior housing. We are making a path up on the west end of Jericho Turnpike near the commercial district, by Van Buren and Van Siclen Avenues, and we would be changing it to add senior housing there. This could help develop the Jericho Turnpike business district that way and have it become more attractive,” Dr. Pombonyo said.
She noted interest in the former Tulip Sweet Shoppe storefront at 175 Tulip Avenue. Owner Tina Matera relocated the longtime business to 70 Covert Avenue.
Dr. Pombonyo also reported on redevelopment plans for the former Stella’s Ristorante property on Jericho Turnpike, which is being designed as a mixed-use retail and residential building. The Floral Park Fire Department has asked developers to address safety and access concerns if building height is significantly increased.
““They have a lot of work to do including the upcoming environmental reviews and a lot of paperwork. And for our FD concerns it’s not just with the height but the size of having a large building running the length of a block
along Jericho,” she said, adding that the planning stages and process would likely continue for several months.
She added that Apple TV recently filmed scenes for a new series at Jack Duggan’s Pub & Restaurant on Tulip Avenue, with parking and safety protocols in place during production.
Chamber Growth and Funding
Chamber President Parouse announced that the Chamber has secured grant funding through the Town of North Hempstead and the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce. Federal dollars are supporting administrative, technology, social media, and beautification efforts.
“They have facilitated some federal money from a couple of years ago to support Chambers of Commerce all over the Town of North Hempstead,” he shared. “Since parts of Floral Park are in the Town of North Hempstead, we squeaked in there and they’ve come through to help cover some operations including our administrative support, technology and social media outreach, and a few of our efforts for beautification within the village. We are very happy to see some of this funding come in as it helps put our chamber in a better position.”
Membership dues remain the Chamber’s main source of revenue, funding
the annual Street Fair each June. Sponsorships from groups like the New York Racing Association also play a major role.
“The Street Fair was very well-attended and successful, but it begins with our Chamber and having the Street Fair Committee run this event so well. I want to extend a special thanks to board members Don Licata, Jose Rosario, Bill Barry (owner of the Paddock Bar & Grill and Uptown Taco! on Tulip Avenue),” Parouse said.
Deputy Mayor Pombonyo praised the event as one of the village’s best nights. She applauded the Department of Public Works and Floral Park Police Department for their professionalism in setup, safety, and cleanup.
“I also want to thank our Floral Park Police Department and the Department of Public Works. They did a tremendous job with setting it up and managing the roads, and the police keeping order. At the end of the evening, as much as people didn’t want to leave, our police were courteous in encouraging them to leave so the DPW trucks could come through, and the cleanup was completed by 11 o’clock, and that was incredible. It’s a tribute to the efforts by all the vendors. Thank you all, and we can’t wait for next year’s Street Fair, number Four!”
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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.
BRUCE
A. BLAKEMAN
NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE presents
CONCERTS
Steve AOKI
Fairyland displays at Centennial Gardens
Bits and pieces of the minature villages from five years of Fairy Festivals will be on display at Centennial Gardens to the right of the entryway on Floral Parkway. Stop by soon as Mother Nature may have a say over the run of this show! No charge, but if you want to bring a buck, it will be happily accepted. All proceeds go to the Floral Park Conservation Society whereby volunteers work tirelessly to maintain this beautiful 13-acre garden and bird sanctuary.
Hillcrest Civic Assn. to meet
The first meeting of Hillcrest Civic Association of Floral Park will be held on Thursday, September 25, at 7:30 p.m. at Floral Park Recreation Center. All are welcome. Refreshments will be served.
The Village trustees and Floral Park Police Department will speak about issues affecting the Village.
Community Yard Sale
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church will be holding a Community Yard Sale on Saturday, September 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Space at the sale is open to the com-
munity. Spaces: $25, table rental: $5. Please contact 718-347-0278 for more information.
The church is located at 246-55 87th Avenue, Bellerose.
YEARS OF TURNING
For 25 years, we’ve transformed uncertainty into unwavering assurance, creating sophisticated spaces where care and comfort naturally intertwine. Because the best decisions often begin with ‘I’m not sure.’
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Discovering Cambodia’s Angkor Archeological Park, Among the World’s Most Fabulous Monument
BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM
Today - technically the third day of our four-day Discovery Bicycle Tours Cambodia pre-tour - is our first real bike ride, scheduled for 36 miles. We pick up our bikes at the tourist office where we also pick up our passes for the national historic sites, and cycle right into the Angkor Archeological Park. We cycle on the Angkor Bikeway and hidden trails through the ruins and forest of Angkor.
We bike on country lanes with rice paddies and fields on either side, seeing homes with thatch roofs, water buffalo. Our guide, Tang, shows us a cashew nut as it is plucked from the tree, the outer layer opened releasing a noxious acid; and the abandoned skin of a snake.
Then we have our first real challenge. What feels like 10 of the miles (and is probably less), though, is riding through a thick layer of sand (like skiing on ice). Once I get the hang of it (the trick is getting into a lower gear), it is still stressful, requiring concentration, but not as scary, with immense and lasting satisfaction when we come to the end of this country road, where we come to a literal archway. Here we find a USAID hat in the middle of that sandy road - crumpled, ripped, dirty, trampled - a metaphor it seemed for what Trump/Musk had just done by shutting down USAID.
We ride a bit further on regular streets and have our first snack stop – with local foods (best cashews ever), dragon fruit, bananas, and
The dramatic sunset scene of the warrior statues on the Tonle Om Gate bridge outside the Preah Khan temple on our Discovery Bicycle Tours four-day Siem Reap, Cambodia pre-tour. More photos at goingplacesfarandnear.com © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
coconuts cut so we can drink the juice with a straw, and then come upon a wedding and learn a bit about the two-day ritual.
We come to our first temple, Banteay Srei, a 10th century temple dedicated to the Hindu gods Shiva and Parvati. It is considered a “jewel of Khmer art” because of its intricate carvings.
Our next stop is Ta Som with its dramatic ficus (fig) tree enveloping one of the towers. It was constructed at the end of 12th century, beginning of 13th C during the reign of King Jayavarman VII. It was destroyed centuries ago and lay in ruins until partners around the world provided assistance to restore it. The temple earned a place on the World Heritage list in 1992 and was the first
project to be managed by the World Monuments Fund’s Cambodian staff.
The art work – and especially the views you get as you walk through the archways and frames – is dazzling.
The full ride is 36 miles, but we have to cut it short by 6 miles for time, so are transported to the last two temples by bus (others could cut short the ride even earlier because the bus and bike truck pretty much follow us).
We next come to the stunning and significant Preah Khan, which I find most intriguing and spell-binding – perhaps because one of the guides offers to give a private tour for $5.
Preah Khan (it means «Royal Sword») was built in the 12th century
GOING PLACES NEAR AND
for King Jayavarman VII to honor his father on the site of his victory over the invading Chams in 1191.
The guard explains that the King built this temple with an aim of bringing Hindus and Buddhists together – a Buddhist sanctuary is offset by satellite Hindu temples; half of the temple has Hindu carvings; the other half is Buddhist – and I wonder if this is why the temple was intentionally destroyed.
What is so fascinating about these vast temple complexes is that they were not just for worship but would have been like palaces, castles or fortresses, housing hundreds, if not thousands of people.
The Preah Khan complex combined the roles of city, temple and Buddhist university and would have had 97,840 attendants and servants, including 1000 dancers and 1000 teachers.
The stone – which mostly appears grey-black- becomes a blazing orange in the setting sun as we leave.
We cross a bridge lined with impressive military figures– several with the heads cut off, very possibly to sell on the black market.
As we cross, the sun, glowing a fiery red, offers a spectacular scene and our guide, Hang, stops the bus for us. We have just two minutes to capture the setting sun before it falls behind trees.
Between 800 and 1200 A.D., hundreds, if not thousands of temples were built through the region. The oldest ones have all but disappeared due to weather, war, religious conflict and greed (stealing the art for sale). The ones we see today have
Continued on next page
GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....
Discovering Cambodia’s Angkor Archeological Park
Continued from previous page
had to be excavated from overgrowth and restored, and represent the Golden Age of monument building. They have a certain common style – largely because of they were built in the same era, and many of the ones we see were built by King Jayavarman VII, which makes you wonder about how he had the resources and manpower. But the temples are remarkably individual for their art, theme and most especially how you experience of discovering them, so I come away with my favorites.
The most famous – for good reason –is Angkor Wat, widely recognized (confirmed by the Guinness World Records) as the largest religious structure or monument in the world, a religious complex spanning more than 400 acres (five times the size of the Vatican). It was originally built by the Khmer Empire, commissioned by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as a Hindu temple before being converted into a Buddhist site by the end of the century.
Back at the Aviary Hotel, I get in a 20-minute swim in the rooftop pool before meeting our group for a 10-minute walk to Chamrey Tree, an elegant restaurant filled with gorgeous art, where we have a fantastic dinner.
After dinner, Calista and Jake go off to explore the night market, where Jake is game to try any unusual food. The next morning, he reports back of his experience eating insects (not sure if he also snacked on snake or just observed).
Departure Day: Angkor Sunrise & Biking
Day 4 is our departure day, but our last morning in Cambodia starts at 4:30 am (we are given a bagged breakfast to take with us) so we can be at Angkor Wat (with thousands of others) for the sunrise. The famous view would have
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the iconic temple back-lit and reflected in two large pools in front - alas the sunrise is not all that impressive and even coming so early, it is hard to get a good enough position, but the experience is exciting enough.
The real thrill comes after, when we go to explore the temple. Most of the sunrise goers leave, so we are able to visit with comparatively few people if we hustle - our guide urges us to get on line fast so we aren’t trapped in an hour-long wait to climb the steep staircase.
We get inside the temple just as the sun is penetrating the structure.
It took hundreds of thousands of workers just 37 years to build – (the 37 year deadline coincides with the belief in 37 heavens and 32 hells and there are 37 steps to enter. Like Machu Picchu, these temples were built by devotees as well as slaves. The stones came from a quarry 35 miles away (during COVID, they had time to study and discovered a canal, which they now believe was used to float the stones).
The temple would have been overgrown after centuries of abandonment; it was rediscovered in 1941 and the French helped restore the temple after a collapse in 1947;
the World Monuments Fund has been working to preserve and restore these temples since 1991. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.
Built in early 12th C under the reign of Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat was both the grandest of all Khmer temples and a city in its own right.
Angkor Wat houses what are considered the finest examples of Khmer art – carved bas-reliefs stretching nearly 600 meters.
In the eyes of Khmer people, the most significant bas-relief located in
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the Churning of the Sea of Milk Gallery portrays devas and asuras in a dramatic tug of war, representing the eternal struggle of good and evil that churns amrit, the elixir of everlasting life, from the primordial ocean.
Heaven and Hell is depicted in an astonishing 68-meter long wall carving: heaven above consists of two tiers; hell has 32 tiers. The inscriptions tell what kind of sin a person may have committed in life judging by the tier the sinner ended up on after death.
In the Hall of a Thousand Buddhas (Preah Poan) a few stand out dramatically from the grey statues for their gold robes.
From Angkor Wat, we bike to the Bayon Temple, with its enormous, fantastical enigmatic faces looking in every direction from every stone tower – 216 in all. It is not known who the face represents – we heard they represented Buddha before achieving Nirvana, or possibly the ruler who built the temple, Jayavarman VII.
Dating from the late 12th century (after Angkor Wat) and the last to be built in the Angkor, the Bayon is a Mahayana Buddhist temple built to pay homage to the king responsible for its construction, Jayavarman VII, and dedicated to his mother. We are told that 12,640 people would have lived within it, including 650 dancing girls.
With time growing short before some of our group has to get to the airport, our 12-mile bike ride is cut short (though some have biked along the top of the defensive walls of Angkor Thom). and we travel by bus to the last temple we get to visit Ta Prohm, famous for scenes from Angelina Jolie’s “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” film.
You really feel the age of the Ta Prohm temple with massive trees growing out of the stone and massive stone
blocks in heaps.
It’s fairly amazing how much we do on Day 4, our departure day when we fly to Hanoi to start the 12-day Vietnam bike tour: three temples, a fabulous bike ride, lovely lunch, and since they have arranged a late check out (the flight several of us are on is at 7 pm), I even have time for a swim. But then I remind myself: we got up at 4:30 am!
Discovery Bicycle Tours organizes everything to make our biking as satisfying and our brief time here as productive and pleasant as possible.
Discovery does a great job of providing advance materials, the day-by-day itinerary, packing lists; excellent bikes (e-bikes are available but not really necessary) and helmets, and even though we do ride together with guides at the front and back and not really a great idea to go off on our own, we have Ride GPS so we can follow the route.
Get the required visa and arrival document at Cambodia’s website (evisa. gov.kh), where the fee is $30 (if you use a visa service it costs something like $197), but give yourself enough time to get the confirmation.
Also, always double-check the U.S. State Department’s travel advisory and make sure no vaccinations are required or recommended.
It is also recommended to purchase travel insurance – especially for the medical and evacuation coverage. You can check a site like travelinsurance. com to get recommendations.
On to Vietnam!
Discovery Bicycle Tours, 2520 W. Woodstock Rd., Woodstock, VT 05091, 800-257-2226, +1 802 457 3553, info@discoverybicycletours.com, discovery bicycletours.com.
© 2025 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear. com
daily meals that include as much as 50 grams of daily fiber from foods like beans, lentils, farro, brown rice, fruits, and vegetables -- about twice the recommended amount of 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day. By comparison, the average American eats roughly 15 grams a day. (A control group will eat a healthy diet that follows guidelines from the American Cancer Society.)
The bottom line is even if a person doesn’t have cancer, eating more fiber is beneficial. Additional fiber means a healthier microbiome and a host of other benefits, from lowering cholesterol to helping with weight loss.
Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian wit SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois, and the current president of the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
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BY CLAIRE LYNCH
It’s crisp and cool - this is Autumn
The sights, sounds and scents of autumn never cease to amaze me. They always seem to take me by surprise when I walk out my door and I smell or see something that is “typically fall.” Because of that - and because of temperatures that are cooler and crisper than summer - autumn always has been my favorite season. Each fall my young niece and nephew like standing under a tall maple tree and getting showered by a splay of leaves falling gently to the ground. Then they stomp on the leaves and laugh when they hear the crunch, crunch sound. They get such a kick out of it that I laugh and can’t help but join in their fun. We call it “dancing under the good, old trees.” Here are some other things I like about fall.
The scent of fireplaces
I’m sitting here reading a book next to the open window and the smell of a fireplace burning is drifting in. Someone has a fire going down the street and it smells delightful. It’s also a reminder to me that it is a first sign of autumn. I like these reminders that a page has turned, that a new season has begun. My friend, Nicole, told me a few months ago that her parents have a small house upstate and they use their open-hearth fireplace to heat the home when they go there in the colder months. It is built into a wall and made completely of stone. I have visited Nicole’s family in that home which they call “the cabin” and that smell of woodsmoke always reminds me of upstate - of small towns, tall pine trees and winding rivers. Some people say that our sense of smell is one of our least appreciated senses. But it is also one of our most powerfully evocative senses. The minute I smell any type of fireplace burning either in the distance or close by it conjures up all types of memories: being 10 years old and standing in my grandparents’ kitchen with my two sisters smelling the food cooking on their wood burning stove. Of being 13 years old and when I walked into my best friend’s house next door early one winter morn-
ing when we were off from school I was greeted by the smell of their open hearth fireplace roaring. Her father had just placed some logs on the fire minutes before and I liked being greeted by its scent and feeling the warmth those logs threw off. My mother had sent me to get three cups of flour from her mother because in our kitchen we were almost out of it. I knew that mom wanted to bake three dozen chocolate chip cookies for our family and that sounded mouth watering to me so I was on a mission to get that flour. These are warm memories - my grandparents’ kitchen and my friend’s house - that I instantly conjure up whenever I smell anyone’s fireplace.
Drinking cold apple cider
Driving home into the sunset last fall I looked over to make sure that the gallon of fresh apple cider was secure in the car. I had just picked it up at a farm and I wanted to surprise my family by serving chilled glasses of apple cider the next day at dinner. Arriving home, I put the gallon in the back of the refrig-
erator to chill overnight, hoping that no one would notice it and I started making dinner. I wanted to surprise them because I know that all of my relatives like drinking apple cider. It goes great with a meal or after dinner with a slice of cake or homemade pie no matter what flavor the pie is. That weekend my guests including my sister, Susan, and her husband, Don, planned on staying
overnight and afterwards Susan said that she had seen the gallon of apple cider in the refrigerator but didn’t let on. Susan knows me well - she knows that sometimes I like to surprise people. Sure enough my relatives were pleasantly surprised when I started placing some fancy glasses of cider on the dining room table that night. I pulled out my best crystal goblets and we toasted each other to health and happiness before starting to drink our fresh apple cider. Explaining that I got it at a farm selling fresh produce, I mentioned that I also picked up some apples at the same time. But baking and serving a homemade apple pie? That’s for another day.
Hearing the geese overhead
At some point in early October I hear the familiar sound of Canada geese flying south for warmer climates. I say at some point because I never know when it’s going to happen, never know when I will hear their honking sounds and stop everything for a few minutes to look skyward and see if I can spot them up above. It’s always such a beautiful
sight, seeing the geese in V-formation, with one following after the other, as they head for lands known or unknown where they can find food, water and comfortable temperatures. They tend to return to the same migration locations but individual flocks have their own patterns so I wonder where this particular flock will end up. Geese can withstand temperatures down to -40 degrees F because their feathers act great as insulators. If the water is frozen over, however, they will migrate to another location. Warmer weather keeps the water from freezing, which can keep geese in the area for longer. The Canada geese raise their young near water where the goslings can feed and if necessary dive or swim away to escape any predators that may be around. Watching these flocks of geese is a marvel to behold each fall.
J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, has said: “Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of the first September was crisp and golden as an apple.”
Little Green Spacemen and Social Security
BY TOM MARGENAU
Well, if I listen to news reports or review the emails I get from many readers, I guess I’d have to conclude that Social Security is doomed. So that means it’s time to once again trot out my “little green men and Social Security” story. This story has to do with an intriguing newspaper headline I read about 20 years ago that went like this: “More people think they’ll see little green spacemen than a future Social Security check.” The story that ran with that headline was based on a poll of young people that asked a question something like this: “Do you believe you will have a better chance of seeing a Social Security check someday or of seeing Martians land on Earth?” And guess what? Most people answered that they figured they’d be more likely to see little green men from outer space than their promised Social Security benefits.
I wasn’t surprised by those poll results then, and I’m not surprised by people’s pessimism now. That’s because I’ve been listening to Social Security skeptics for half a century. I remember way back in 1973 when I was sent out as a relatively new Social Security Administration spokesperson to deliver my first speech on the topic. And hardly before I had a chance to introduce myself, some guy in the audience who appeared to be around 40 years old jumped up and said, “I don’t know why we should listen to anything you have to say. We all know Social Security will go belly up long before we ever have a chance to collect a dime out of the system!”
Well, of course, if that guy is still alive, he’d be pushing 90 now and would have been collecting many millions of dimes in the form of Social Security checks, month in and month out, for about 30 years now. I’ve often wondered if he ever looked back and regretted his rude interruption of that neophyte Social Security rep’s maiden Social Security presentation. At least I hope he accepted the fact that he was wrong.
That story always reminds me of something I learned from one of my mentors when I started working for the Social Security Administration. He was a fairly high-placed official within the agency who started working for the SSA shortly after it was created in 1936. And he told me that way back then, many members of the public were telling him that the Social Security program was doomed to failure.
Well, those doomsayers in 1936 were wrong about the future of Social Security. And that rude audience member who interrupted me in 1973 was wrong about the future of Social Security. And those poll respondents from about 20 years ago who said they’d see Martians from space before they’d see Social Security benefits were also wrong about the future of Social Security. And so too are the people I still hear from today who tell me that Social Security is destined to fail.
I mean, come on, folks! The Social Security program is 90 years old now. It has
been paying monthly benefits for many decades without fail to hundreds of millions of people. How long must the program be around before people accept the fact that it is here to stay?
But of course, I’m not naive. I know what fuels people’s recent skepticism about the future of the program. You can hardly go a week without seeing some newspaper report or some internet story predicting Social Security’s demise.
Some of the headlines, like this one: “Social Security going broke in 2034” are just outright false. Some of the headlines, like this one: “Social Security benefits to be cut 20% in 2034,” are misleading. And of course, none of the headlines tell the whole story.
If you go beyond the headlines and read the rest of the story, you will see a statement similar to this one: “By 2034, Social Security will only have enough cash reserves to pay 80% of promised benefits IF NO CHANGES ARE MADE TO THE SYSTEM BY THEN.”
I added the emphasis to the “if no changes ... “ part of that sentence because it is the key. The Social Security program will never reach the point where future benefits will have to be cut by 20% because there is absolutely no question that the system will be reformed before we reach the 2034 crunch date.
How do I know that? Well, for one thing, it’s just common sense. No member of Congress, no president, no government official is going to let the Social Security program go belly up. You can be as cynical as you want about the state of politics and about the lack of bipartisanship in our country today. But I can assure you that no politician is going to say to their elderly constituents: “Sorry Grandma, because I’m bickering with my colleagues across the aisle and can’t get anything done, I’m going to just forget about reforming Social Security and cut your Social Security checks by 20%!” (OK, maybe there are a few rogue members of Congress out there who might say that, but certainly nowhere near a majority.)
How else do I know that Social Security will not go belly up by 2034? Well, history is on my side. Throughout its history, the program has been reformed many times to keep it relevant and to keep it financially secure. The last time that happened in a big way was the early 1980s. At that point, the Social Security system was about five years away from going in the red. Back then, President Reagan appointed the National Commission on Social Security Reform, made up of a bipartisan coalition of Senators and members of Congress and other experts. They proposed, and Congress eventually passed, a series of relatively modest tax increases and benefit cuts that have kept the system solvent for the next 50 years.
And that’s what’s going to happen again. I’m betting there will be another commission established that will suggest relatively modest reforms that will keep
the program solvent for the next half-century.
Before I close, I must make this point. I get dozens of emails from readers who tell me that the aforementioned Social Security headlines scare them. So, they are choosing to take early (and reduced) benefits now so that they can get “grand-
fathered in” to the current system before the program goes bust. My advice to them is always the same. DO NOT make Social Security decisions based on politics. Make decisions based on your own personal economic situation. And I say that because
Continued on page 7
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Selling in a Seller’s Market: The Hidden Challenges on LI
When people hear the term “seller’s market,” the immediate reaction is usually excitement. After all, the phrase implies that homeowners hold the upper hand. With limited inventory, rising demand, and eager buyers, what could go wrong? On Long Island, though, even in a market tilted in favor of sellers, challenges abound. Selling a home is rarely as simple as putting up a “For Sale” sign and waiting for bidding wars to begin.
The Price Trap: Overconfidence Meets Appraisal Reality
One of the greatest pitfalls sellers face in Nassau and Suffolk counties is overpricing. Because media headlines often highlight record sales, many homeowners believe they can set the bar sky-high and still attract offers. While buyers may show interest, the deal often stumbles when lenders require an appraisal. If the property does not appraise at the inflated asking price, the buyer’s financing can fall apart, forcing sellers to renegotiate or accept less.
Sellers who price strategically— slightly under market value to generate multiple bids—often walk away with stronger results than those who reach for unrealistic numbers. Overconfidence can leave a property languishing on the market, even when demand is strong.
Timing the Market: A Delicate Balance
Another issue is timing. A true seller’s market can shift rapidly. Rising mortgage rates, new inventory, or seasonal slowdowns can cool momentum in weeks. A homeowner who hesitates, hoping for prices to climb just a little higher, may suddenly find themselves with more competition and fewer buyers.
This is especially relevant on Long Island, where seasonal trends are significant. Spring and early summer traditionally bring the strongest demand, while late fall and winter see slower traffic. Sellers who miss the seasonal peak might not feel like they’re in a seller’s market at all.
Interest Rates and Buyer Affordability
Even in a robust market, affordability remains a hurdle for buyers. As mortgage rates climb, purchasing power shrinks. For sellers, this means that while multiple buyers may be interested, fewer can actually afford to close. Deals can fall through late in the process, leaving sellers frustrated.
On Long Island, where property taxes are already among the highest in the nation, higher borrowing costs create added strain. Buyers quickly hit
their ceiling, which can cap price growth even when demand remains strong.
Inspections and the Hidden Cost of Deferred Maintenance
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
Many sellers assume a hot market allows them to skip repairs. While buyers may overlook cosmetic flaws when competition is fierce, home inspections still carry weight. Issues such as aging roofs, outdated heating systems, or structural concerns can trigger last-minute renegotiations. Sellers who have deferred maintenance often find themselves conceding thousands of dollars in credits or scrambling for repairs before closing.
This challenge is especially acute in Long Island’s older housing stock. Homes built in the mid-20th century are now showing their age, and what sellers see as “character” can look like costly repairs to cautious buyers.
Cash Offers: Tempting but Risky
The rise of investor and cash buyers has also complicated the playing field. A cash offer can be alluring because it promises speed and fewer contingencies. However, these buyers often expect discounts in exchange for fast closings. In some cases, investors back out at the last minute or use inspections to renegotiate aggressively.
Sellers should weigh the benefits of a cash offer against the possibility of getting a higher price from a traditional buyer, even if it means waiting a few extra weeks for financing approval.
The Stress of Life Transitions
Not every seller enters the market by choice. Divorce, downsizing, job relocation, illness, or the need to transition into assisted living often create pressure to sell quickly. Even in a favorable market, these homeowners may not have the luxury of time or resources to prepare a property for maximum return.
This creates a paradox: the market favors sellers broadly, but individual circumstances can still leave some feeling at a disadvantage. For these households, careful planning and expert guidance are essential to avoid leaving money on the table.
Local Realities: Taxes, Regulations, and Moving On
Long Island’s unique landscape adds another layer of complexity. Property taxes are a constant consideration for
buyers and can influence how much they are willing to pay. Additionally, zoning restrictions, permitting delays, and strict regulations can make it harder for sellers who hope to market their property as a “fixer-upper” or redevelopment opportunity. Another challenge often overlooked is what comes after the sale. Sellers who intend to remain on Long Island must face the same tight inventory and rising prices as buyers. Many find that while they can sell quickly, finding an affordable next home proves difficult. This reality sometimes causes sellers to delay putting their home on the market altogether.
How Sellers Can Navigate the Challenges
While the issues are real, they are not insurmountable. Homeowners can take several steps to protect themselves and maximize success:
1. Price with precision. Work with a local professional who understands recent comparable sales and appraisal standards.
2. Prepare the property. Address major maintenance issues upfront and consider modest upgrades that increase buyer confidence.
3. Plan for inspections. Expect them to happen and decide in advance how flexible you are willing to be on repairs or credits.
4. Evaluate all offers carefully. Don’t just chase the highest price— consider the buyer’s financing strength, contingencies, and likelihood of closing.
5. Have a post-sale plan. Whether moving locally or out of state, think through your next step before signing a contract.
Conclusion: A Market That Rewards the Prepared
On Long Island, a seller’s market can be both a golden opportunity and a minefield. Prices may be strong and demand high, but that does not eliminate the risks of overpricing, failed appraisals, inspection disputes, or timing missteps. Sellers who assume they cannot lose in this environment often find themselves surprised.
The key to success lies in preparation, realistic expectations, and strategic decision-making. A seller’s market may tilt the balance in favor of homeowners, but the best results still go to those who enter the process with clear eyes and careful planning.
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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BY MARY HUNT
What would we do if we actually had to use everything we own, including all that stuff in the drawers, cupboards, closets, shelves and boxes in our kitchen, bedrooms, living room, basement, attic, garage, rafters, driveway, patio, side yard and cars?
Could we do it? It’s not likely. Instead, we pack it, stack it and pile it away -- we even pay rent to store it -- and keep accumulating even more. More stuff dilutes the quality of our lives.
Every possession carries two price tags: the original purchase price and the continuing toll. That second amount is paid in upkeep, time, maintenance and storage. It can charge its toll in anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, financial distress and even impaired function.
I’ve done it. Perhaps you have, too. I’ve packed it all up and paid someone to move it to a new place. “I’ll sort it there,” I told myself. Years later, I’m still hounded by unpacked boxes that I’ve moved from one house to another, from one floor to the basement, from one room to another or just one side of the closet to the other.
Who could calculate the number of hours we’ve tossed down the drain because of clutter? Simple tasks turn into search-and-rescue missions. There are some people in my neighborhood who
EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE
Clutter’s Last Stand
move the entire contents of the garage onto the front lawn to retrieve holiday decorations. Then, they take the rest of the day cramming it all back before dark.
Perhaps you know about or have heard of the 80/20 Rule, also known as the Pareto Principle. It says that 80% of outcomes result from 20% of inputs. The rule is uncannily predictive. For example, the average person wears 20% of the clothes he or she owns; 80% just take up space in the closet. Here’s another: 20% of employees are responsible for 80% of the results; 20% of students have grades of 80% or higher. It is quite amazing how that works out.
JUDGE
YOUR CLUTTER
Ask yourself these five questions to decide if it is clutter or not:
No. 1: Does it work?
So much of the clutter in our homes is made up of broken things we plan to fix and clothes that might someday fit.
No. 2: Do I really need it?
Determine the impact of this item disappearing from your life.
No. 3: Do I enjoy it?
If this item brings beauty and joy to your life, it is not clutter. Sentimental belongings and things that bring true beauty to our lives should be treated with great care and respect, not packed away in the attic to be forgotten.
No. 4: Am I using it now?
Although the 80/20 rule is frequently used in business and economics, you can apply the concept to just about anything -- especially clutter. Remember, Pareto says we use and enjoy 20% of what we own. The other 80% is made up of items we don’t use, feel we should use or think we might use someday. If that item doesn’t fall into the 20% of things you own that you use on a regular basis, love and enjoy, consider it suspect.
No. 5: Will I use it in the next year?
If you are not certain you will use it soon, more than likely, it’s clutter!
MOVE IT OUT
Sell it, give it away or throw it out. One of the best solutions for “good stuff” is to give it to someone who wants or needs it. The more seriously you take this mat-
ter of de-junking, the greater the positive impact it will have on your life. Important stuff will be easier to find when you don’t have to rifle through piles of worthless clutter.
Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “DebtProof Living.”
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
Meal Prep for People Who Hate Meal Prep
BY MARY HUNT
Some people love meal prep. They plan every meal, color-code containers, and smile as they portion out grilled chicken and broccoli like a seasoned chef. This article is not for them.
This is for the rest of us. The folks who want dinner on the table but without surrendering their entire weekend to a week’s worth of meals all neatly loaded into labeled Tupperware.
If the words “meal prep” make you want to lie down with a bag of chips, keep reading. This is meal prep for people who hate meal prep.
Before you toss the whole idea out the window, let’s get practical. Eating out is expensive. The average restaurant meal in the U.S. now costs over $20 per person once you add tax and tip -- and that’s if you skip the appetizer, soda and dessert.
A fast-casual dinner for a family of four? Easily $60 or more. Do that a few times a week, and you’re spending like it’s vacation, only you’re still at home and now the dishwasher’s full.
On the flipside, making meals at home can bring your cost down to as little as $3 to $7 per person. Over the course of a month, that can translate into hundreds of dollars in savings -- enough to pay down debt or stash away for a rainy day.
Forget about prepping every bite of every meal for the entire week. Instead, think in terms of components. Cook up a few basic ingredients you can mix and match throughout the week:
-- Grains (rice, pasta, quinoa)
-- Protein (rotisserie chicken, beans, hardboiled eggs)
-- Vegetables (chopped, roasted or raw)
-- Extras like shredded cheese, salad dressing or tortillas
You don’t need a meal plan spreadsheet.
less, and makes future you very happy. Lunch doesn’t need to be a four-star experience. Some days it’s a sandwich and some carrot sticks. Other days it’s last night’s leftover stir-fry. The goal is to avoid the “What’s for dinner?” panic that leads to overpriced
Just a few building blocks to make your weeknights less frantic.
Batch while you cook. This means just double up while you’re already cooking. If you’re chopping onions for tonight’s dinner, chop a few extras and store them. Making chili? Freeze half for next week. Boiling eggs? Make six instead of two. It’s efficient, pain-
drive-thru regret.
There is no award for doing everything from scratch. Buy the bagged salad. Use the pre-chopped onions. Let your slow cooker or sheet pan do the heavy lifting. Use frozen vegetables. Rely on that $5 rotisserie chicken like it’s your kitchen intern.
Take five minutes and make a list of
meals your household likes and that you actually know how to cook: tacos, stir-fry, pasta and sauce, sheet pan chicken. Rotate those. Don’t try to become the Barefoot Contessa overnight.
You don’t need a label maker, but a Sharpie and masking tape can save your future self from defrosting something that turns out to be soup when you were hoping for enchiladas. Write what it is and when you made it.
This isn’t a contest. Some weeks you’ll prep more. Some less. Some meals will be creative masterpieces. Others will be peanut butter toast with apple slices. It’s all OK.
The goal isn’t perfection -- it’s to stop dreading dinner and avoid feeling like the only options are expensive takeout or cereal.
Meal prep doesn’t need to be a lifestyle. It just needs to make your life a little easier. That’s a win in my book.
For even more info, links and the opportunity to make comments, I’d love to meet up with you at EverydayCheapskate.com/mealprep. See you there!
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 “Debt-Proof Living.”
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
BY DENNIS MAMMANA
Week of September 21-27, 2025
A Unique Return of Saturn
We’ve been many months without a bright planet in the night sky, but that’s all about to change! On the night of Sunday, Sept. 21, the ringed planet Saturn officially returns to the evening sky, and all planet watchers will surely rejoice.
On that night, Saturn reaches its opposition point, which readers of this column know means it will lie in the heavens opposite the sun, rising in the east-southeast at sunset and glistening all night long. Its opposition also means that the planet is closest to the Earth. This week, Saturn lies only about 794.5 million miles from us and, as a result, a telescope makes it appear larger than at any other time.
Spotting Saturn in the sky isn’t too tough. Look for a bright “star” low in the eastern-southeastern sky just after dark. You should have little trouble finding it because it’s the only bright object in that area. It will remain in our evening sky for a few months, drifting westward from fall to winter, but only during the next month or so can we expect the best view with a small telescope.
Stargazers often cite Saturn as their favorite planet because of its glorious ring system that we can easily see with even a small, low-power telescope. But if you’ve never experienced this magnificent sight, I’m
afraid you’ll have to wait a bit.
That’s because as Saturn orbits the sun, it alternately displays to us different sides of the ring system. At their widest, the Saturnian rings appear “open” when the planet lies in the part of its orbit that corresponds to its summer or winter -- that is, when its poles are tilted toward the sun and Earth. This last occurred in 2017, and Saturn appeared spectacular. Right now, however, the ring system is tilted edge-
LOST IN SUBURBIA
BY TRACY BECKERMAN
After 33 years of marriage, my husband and I have finally figured out why we sometimes have trouble communicating: He can’t read my mind.
I know. I was shocked too. But there it was. And the sad fact was, I was enlightened over a bag of garbage.
One morning I came downstairs to find a bag of garbage sitting near the back door, exactly where I had left it the previous night (the garbage, not the door).
Incensed, I called my husband, who’d already left for work.
“You left the garbage next to the door!” I accused him.
“What garbage?”
“The one I left for you next to the door.”
“Yeah, you mentioned that,” he said. “I didn’t notice it.”
“How could you not notice it?” I asked him. “You would have had to
on to our line of sight. Why is this notable? Because, while these grand rings are nearly 180,000 miles wide, they are less than a mile thick. And that means that, in their current orientation, they appear quite thin. In fact, the ring plane will lie almost directly along our line of sight during the second half of November, nearly causing the rings to vanish.
Don’t worry, though; they’ll be back. Over the next few years, we’ll see them begin to “open up” once again, reaching their maximum exposure to us in 2032. In fact, by the end of this year, they should become more obvious through a small telescope.
In the meantime, skywatchers viewing with a small telescope will need to be satisfied by Saturn’s relatively tiny and nearly featureless yellow disk, along with its largest and brightest moon, Titan, which frequently appears with even the smallest of instruments as a tiny “star” nearby, as do several of its smaller moons that orbit the planet. Check out an app called Gas Giants, which will allow you to pinpoint the positions of Saturn’s moons for any time and date. If you don’t have your own scope, call your local planetarium, science museum or amateur astronomy club to see when their next “star party” will be so you won’t miss this unique view of Saturn.
Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. .
2025 CREATORS.COM
The Psychic Wives Network
physically move it to open the door.”
“I don’t know, honey. I was in a hurry. I guess you wanted me to take it out?”
“No. It was a reminder that today is garbage pickup day, and you needed to bring the cans to the end of the driveway.”
“And I would know this how?” he wondered aloud.
“BECAUSE I LEFT THE GARBAGE NEXT TO THE DOOR!” I explained.
It made perfect sense to me, but my husband said he couldn’t possibly have known this unless he could read my mind. I was flabbergasted. Clearly, if there was a bag of garbage next to the door, anyone with half a brain would realize it meant it was a reminder for garbage pickup day ... assuming, of course, that you were Nostradamus or the Long Island Medium.
Thinking about it, I realized that we’d had other situations in which I expected him to do something with-
out my telling him to do it, and then, surprisingly, he didn’t do it. Then, of course, I’d get mad that he didn’t do it, and he, of course, wouldn’t have the slightest idea why I was mad because I never asked him to do it in the first place.
Follow that?
Honestly, though, I had always figured that while he might not actually be able to read my mind, my husband had a pretty good idea of what I was thinking most of the time. When we were dating, he realized that I wanted to get married without me actually saying so ... although I think the pictures of engagement rings I left on his desk might have helped. And then there was the time when I wanted to have a baby. He picked up on that one just as soon as I waved the pregnancy test stick with the big plus sign on it under his nose.
I suppose the fact that he always seemed to know what I wanted had less to do with being able to read my mind
and more to do with knowing how to navigate the marital waters so he didn’t sink into the irate wife abyss.
After consulting my crystal ball, I decided I might be better off simply asking my husband to do things rather than expecting him to telepathically figure it out. Satisfied with this radical new approach to my marriage, I went off to the bedroom to put away some new clothes I had just bought. As I was trying on a new swimsuit, my husband walked in.
“Wow! You look fantastic in that!” he exclaimed.
He may not be psychic, but he’s certainly no dummy.
Tracy Beckerman is the author of the Amazon Bestseller, “Barking at the Moon: A Story of Life, Love, and Kibble,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online! You can visit her at www. tracybeckerman.com.
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
Saturn returns to the night sky on Sunday, Sept. 21.
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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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3 DAY NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days, making your specific request after the initial lines.
Oh Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven. 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 succour 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 prayer in your hands (say three times). Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen. When request is granted, the novena must be published. (MAK)
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Fall means many things: leaves changing color, cool breezes and plenty of apples to pick. When an afternoon spent at the local orchard provides a bounty of apples, people can turn them into flavor-packed treats.
1 package (17.3 ounces) puff pastry sheets, thawed
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon cream (egg wash)
2 to 3 firm apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Gala) or pears (D’Anjou or Bartlett) cored and peeled
1⁄2 cup finely chopped hazelnuts, almonds, wal-
1) Place 1 sheet of the puff pastry on a work surface and roll out any creases. Cut the pastry into fourths. Place the four pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
2) Place the second sheet of pastry on the work surface. Cut the pastry into eight strips lengthwise and then cut in half horizontally to make 16 strips. 3) Brush the edges of each of the 4 squares with the egg wash and then place a strip of pastry on each edge to make a border.
Sweet apple flavor in every bite
Orange-Glazed Apple Tarts
This recipe for “OrangeGlazed Apple Tarts” from “Small Sweet Treats” (Gibbs Smith) by Zac Williams is a fall treat that blends apples (or pears) with the bright flavors of orange and cinnamon.
Serves 4
nuts, pecans, or pine nuts
1⁄4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1⁄2 cup orange marmalade
2 tablespoons dark rum (optional)
Vanilla or seasonal ice cream, or whipped cream
Brush the edges again with egg wash, and score the edges every 1⁄2 inch to decorate the border.
4) Thinly slice the apples or pears. Place the fruit slices on the pastry, within the border, in a decorative pattern. Sprinkle lightly with nuts, sugar and cinnamon.
4) Bake the tarts on the middle rack of a preheated 425° F oven for 15 minutes, and then reduce heat to 375° F for an additional 10 minutes. The fruit should be cooked and the pastry
golden brown and puffed. Remove from oven.
5) While pastry is baking, heat the marmalade and rum in a small saucepan just until the marmalade has melted. As soon as the
pastries are removed from the oven, brush the tops with the warmed marmalade to form a glaze. Cool to room temperature and serve with ice cream or whipped cream.
&
Projct Engneer I (Bellport, NY): Rview & anlyze blueprnts
Constrctn Mgmt or rel & 1 yr exp as Projct Engneer, Civl Engneer, or rel psition. Alterntively, emplyr also accpts
Projct Engneer I (Bellport, NY): Rview & anlyze blueprnts
Bach or equiv in Civl Engnerng, Constrctn Mgmt or rel & 2 yrs exp as Projct Engneer, Civl Engneer, or rel psition. Salry: $100,131/yr Mail resume to: HR, Integrated Structures Corp., 4 Pinehurst Dr, Bellport, NY 11713.
Constrctn Mgmt or rel & 1 yr exp as Projct Engneer, Civl Engneer, or rel psition. Alterntively, emplyr also accpts Bach or equiv in Civl Engnerng, Constrctn Mgmt or rel & 2 yrs exp as Projct Engneer, Civl Engneer, or rel psition. Salry: $100,131/yr. Mail resume to: HR, Integrated Structures Corp., 4 Pinehurst Dr, Bellport, NY 11713.
FP-B celebrates staff at Sept. Board meeting
From page 1
Kimberly Barnett, Floral Park-Bellerose School
Daniel Cunneely, Administration
Kerrie Murray, Floral Park-Bellerose School
Candice Nagle, John Lewis Childs School
Amanda Norton, Floral Park-Bellerose School
Nicole Terranova-Clark, John Lewis Childs School
Brett Vasquez, John Lewis Childs School
20 Years of Service
Jennifer Pecorella, John Lewis Childs School
Michelle Ulzheimer, John Lewis Childs School
Theresa Valente, John Lewis Childs School
Marie Wells, John Lewis Childs School
15 Years of Service
Abby Ege, John Lewis Childs School
Eric Johnson, Administration
Jessica Palermo, John Lewis Childs School
Avelina Sanchez, John Lewis Childs School
10 Years of Service
Dina Dean, Floral Park-Bellerose School
Patrick Donoher, Transportation
Victoria Foley, John Lewis Childs School
Robert Lupfer, Transportation
Patricia Mancusi, John Lewis Childs School
Michelle Marin, Floral Park-Bellerose School
Marie Picardi, Floral Park-Bellerose School
Kathryn Schaeffer, Floral Park-Bellerose School
Five Years of Service
Brenda Bustamante de Cruz, Floral Park-Bellerose School
Susan Clifford, Administration Office
Nicole Demieri, Floral Park-Bellerose School
David Elyaho, Floral Park-Bellerose and John Lewis Childs School
Timothy Fox, Floral Park-Bellerose School
Rebeca Kim, Floral Park-Bellerose School
Nasim Pervaiz, John Lewis Childs School
Kristine Prestia, Floral Park-Bellerose School
Danielle Reinhardt, John Lewis Childs School
Beth Skar, Floral Park-Bellerose School
Megan White, Floral Park-Bellerose School
The staff recognitions concluded with Distinguished Service Resolutions for three retirees: Barbara Nash, teaching assistant; Virgina Coughlin, bus driver; and Tonina DelGiorno, teacher aide.
Photos courtesy of the Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District
Staff recognized for 25 years of service are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lubrano and members of the Board of Education.
Staff recognized for five years of service are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lubrano and members of the Board of Education.
Staff recognized for 30 and 35 years of service are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lubrano and members of the Board of Education.
Staff recognized for 15 and 20 years of service are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lubrano and members of the Board of Education.
Staff recognized for 10 years of service are pictured with Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lubrano and members of the Board of Education.
FP-B celebrates staff at Sept. Board meeting
Safety in focus as FPB district starts school year
From page 1
driver who spent 30 years transporting students safely, were also recognized for their contributions.
Safety dominated the evening’s discussion. The district held the first of four annual safety committee meetings, bringing together trustees, administrators, and local law enforcement. Updates included mandatory refresher training for bus drivers, renumbering classroom doors for fire safety, installing upgraded fire extinguishers, and revised sudden cardiac arrest training for all staff. Principals also reported on building-specific safety measures, underscoring the district’s comprehensive approach.
One resident urged stricter visitor verification procedures and more comprehensive security reviews. District officials emphasized that weekly visits from safety consultants are ongoing and part of a broader effort to strengthen preparedness.
The board also discussed ways to make meetings more accessible to residents. One trustee suggested adding a second public comment period earlier in the agenda, focused on remarks related to board items. The proposal is currently under consideration.
The next board workshop meeting will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, followed by a regular meeting on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
Floral Park Chamber
From page 4
she said.
Looking Ahead
Chamber dinners are scheduled for October 9 at Trinity Tavern on Jericho
Turnpike and November 6 at a venue to be announced. The annual Holiday Party will return to Nancy’s Fireside in December, following the December 5 Christmas tree lighting and Holiday Festival at Memorial Park.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2025 10:00 AM - 2:00
Retiree Virgina Coughlin is pictured with Superintendent Dr. Anthony Lubrano and members of the Board of Education on Sept. 10.
