Skip to main content

The Garden City News (12/28/18)

Page 1


A THRILLER GAME

On December 22nd GC High School played a thrilling game in a rematch of last year's County final, which Garden City had won. In this game, Floral Park scored at the buzzer to win 50-49. See page 32.

Parking solutions discussed by Board

Garden City will alleviate some residents’ and sports’ families parking woes for accessing Stewart Field through a new two-stage agreement with Nassau County, authorized by the Village Board of Trustees at their December 6 meeting. Village Administrator Ralph Suozzi said for a long time Garden City has been seeking a formal agreement with Nassau County for accessory overflow parking use in the area north of Stewart Field, adjacent to Stewart School

in the easternmost section of the village.

Mayor Brian Daughney explained that additional parking for about 45 cars will be created north of Stewart, as will a unique opportunity to promote and celebrate Garden City’s history with the stretch of the historic Vanderbilt Motor Parkway (also known as the Long Island Motor Parkway) which 110 years ago ran west/east from Queens to eastern Long Island, and was the first designated highway in America. In east-

ern Queens’ Cunningham Park the Vanderbilt Parkway is preserved as a bike path and walking trail in a forested setting. The Parkway was originally built in 1908 as a racecourse by the railroad mogul and financier William K. Vanderbilt, Jr., the great grandson of railroad developer Cornelius Vanderbilt. One hundred years ago in the World War I era the 48-mile parkway was used primarily by Manhattan-based socialites travelling to their summer estates on

See page 10

New lights, crosswalks planned near Garden City High School

Nassau County is proposing a new configuration to curb traffic at county roads Rockaway Avenue and Merillon Avenue in Garden City. The project concept presented in December would assist students and staff members to walk safely to and from the high school. Although the earliest a project in front of GCHS could start is believed to be two years away, the first step taken by the county was meeting with village and school district officials to gain pertinent feedback.

On Tuesday November 20, Garden City Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kusum Sinha announced that the Nassau County Department of Public Works had a preliminary engineering concept for the reconfiguration of the Rockaway Avenue/Merillon Avenue intersection. She told the board of education about a meeting with Nassau County Legislator Laura Schaefer and engineers from the Nassau County Department of Public Works planned for Monday, December 10.

A day after that meeting, the topic came up during the board of education meeting at Garden City Middle School December 11. Sinha explained the concepts during her superintendent’s report:

“(Assistant Superintendent for Business) Dana DiCapua and I met with Legislator Schaefer and the Nassau County Department of Public Works, along with village executive staff, to look at the intersection for Rockaway and Merillon Avenue. The county is proposing two traffic lights along Rockaway with two pedestrian crosswalks -- really the purpose is slowing down the traffic in the vicinity of the high school,” she explained.

The purpose of the meeting was to get some initial perspectives from stakeholders with the village government and the school district administration in the same room. Sinha said the county was eager to simply “show the plans and gain input from us.” She outlines a next step for Nassau County to seek residents’ and businesses’ input for the project, although the planning remains in a very preliminary stage.

“We looked at simulations of what the two traffic lights and crosswalks on Rockaway Avenue would look like. Really the purpose is to slow down traffic by the high school.

This is still in the preliminary planning stages and although they have shown us their plans they will be having meetings

Happy New Year

We would like to wish our readers a happy New Year. Although our country is more divided than we can ever recall, there are still many things that can bring us together - the core beliefs that people should be free to express themselves, that people should be treated with dignity and respect and the belief that the strength of the country comes from its people.

As we write this, the federal government is shut down, and the two parties are further apart than ever. And yet, pretty much everyone knows that there eventually will be an agreement reached, with each side making concessions. It's simply a matter of time.

Locally, we have an intractable decision that has haunted the village for over twenty years - what to do with

St. Paul's. Although it may be blind optimism, perhaps 2019 will be the year when a decision is finally made on what to do with the building, instead practicing demolition by neglect.

The recent video made by "urban explorers" that we discussed last week appears to show that the lower floors of the building are not in bad shape, although an architectural assessment would be needed to confirm this. We hope that the Village Board, which seems intent on pushing the sports arena concept, also looks at other options that don't involve destroying the inside of the building. The only way to have a true consensus in the community is for ALL of the facts known about the current state of the structure.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

Protect St. Paul’s

To the Editor:

Meg Morgan Norris, Publisher and Editor of The Garden City News and Brian Pinnola have both alerted us to the dangers of neglecting the lack of security and the lack of repairs for the historical treasure that is St. Paul’s. The only explanation I can come up with is that it is probable that The Garden City Village government, including the Trustees, are expecting their neglect of St. Paul’s to lead to the demolition and destruction of this beautiful building. The filmmakers were, as Ms. Morgan Norris indicated, “well intentioned” guys who gave us evidence of the neglect that has led to the deterioration of St. Paul’s.

As a result of the neglect and the deterioration, the film shows, first of all, that anyone can get into the building and do whatever he or she wishes to do. The security of the building is negligible or non-existent. Secondly, the film ironically illustrates that the intruders showed that the intrinsic beauty of the building still exists despite the lack of care displayed by those who govern Garden City. Money should be going into repairs and preservation rather than the endless financial waste of hiring consultant after consultant.

When will the Garden City Board ever respond to the need to at least shore up the building, prevent collapse, and secure the building from vandalism?

Is their secret plan to let the building decay to the point when the only option is demolition? Many others have spoken to me spontaneously and without prompting about the loss of historical treasures over the years in Garden City. When will our Village government awaken to the need to preserve one of our last remaining historical treasures? If nothing is done, Garden City will lose its special character and with that loss, we will also eventually lose real estate value because Garden City will become just another suburb. And, furthermore, we are setting a bad

example for our children if we ignore historical treasures that make our Village great and reflect how America became so great. We should honor the foresight displayed by the Stewart family in founding Garden City which led to the magnificent Cathedral and St. Paul’s School. Patriotism is involved here, as well as an appreciation for aesthetics and art.

If you want to keep Garden City great and America great, at least repair St. Paul’s and prevent deterioration and vandalism before engaging more consultants who waste our absurdly high taxes. I don’t see much value for my tax dollar in hiring expensive consultants. If St. Paul’s is at least protected and preserved, then I would see at least something worthwhile done with my tax dollar and the taxes of all Village residents. Get going, Trustees, and do something logical and good by preserving and protecting St. Paul’s.

I stand with Brian Pinnola, who has indefatigably urged the Village Board to repair and secure St. Paul’s. I also commend Meg Morgan Norris for her comments and efforts to display “Images from St. Paul’s Interior” which indicate that despite the neglect, St. Paul’s beauty still exists and should be preserved and protected, not neglected to the point of expensive and dangerous demolition.

Francis N. Elmi, Ph.D.

Girl Scouts battling bullying

To the Editor:

We are Girl Scouts in Garden City Troop #1567 and the three of us, Natalie Greiner, Kaila Heingartner and Annabel Buggy are finishing our Silver Award project. Our project is an anti-bullying initiative. The three of us strongly believe in the importance of anti-bullying efforts and the positive impact these efforts have on awareness and acts of kindness. We will be installing a "Buddy Bench" on the blacktop area at Stewart

See page 18

GC Cathedral will celebrate the Twelfth Night of Christmas

On Sunday, January 6th at 4 pm, the Cathedral Choirs will close out the twelve days of Christmas with their annual concert ,“Twelfth Night and the Procession of Three Kings.” The concert will feature carols and hymns that celebrate the end of the Christmas season and the start of the season of Epiphany. The “procession of three kings” honors the moment in the Christmas story when the three kings (also called the three wise men, or the three magi) followed the star of Bethlehem to the manger where Jesus was born, bringing him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The popular carol “We Three Kings” and other will be performed by the full Cathedral Choirs.

The annual concert has become tremendously popular since it was instituted at the Cathedral six years ago. Last year’s concert had an attendance of well over 200 people. Last year was also the first time the Cathedral began a new ticketed cocktail reception following the concert as

a fundraiser for The INN. While the concert remains free of charge and open to all, the cocktail party costs $60 per person, with 100% of the proceeds going to The INN. The sponsors for this year’s reception include Perennial, The French Workshop, and Garden City Pizza. The Very Rev. Michael Sniffen, dean of the Cathedral, has sponsored a full bar, and Peter Mistretta of Perennial is supplying a professional cocktail bartender and featuring a specialty cocktail for the night. A pianist and flutist will provide musical accompaniment at the event, which will take place at See House, the stunning Victorian mansion just south of the cathedral itself.

The Twelfth Night concert begins at 4 pm inside the Cathedral, and no reservations or tickets are necessary. Tickets for the cocktail reception are available online at www.tinyurl. com/INNcarnation12th. For questions, contact Kris at the cathedral at kris@ incarnationgc.org.

The Cathedral Choirs
StephanCullum Manager/ Associate Broker
Deidre Albertson
Patricia Aprigliano
Laura Baymack
Stephen Baymack
Andrea Bharucha
Suzanne Blair
Liz Breslin
Barbara Chmil

Ideally located in the heart of the Village, this co-op in the popular Carlisle House has much to offer. This newly renovated 2 bedroom/ 2 bath apartment is delightfully spacious, bright & sunny. In addition to its new kitchen with granite counter tops & new appliances, its 2 new full baths and 6 generous closets make for a very comfortable home. There are all new double pane insulated windows and hardwood floors throughout. Also included: 3 built in air conditioners, central heating, front security camera with electronic door opener, free use of laundry room personal garage & additional storage space.... all part of a very reasonable monthly maintenance fee. In an area convenient to all, this one is special. Priced to Sell at $649,000

Elise Ronzetti Laura Rich Theanne Ricci Maribeth Quinn Louisa Pironi
Monica Kiely
Or Mayer
Jayne McGratty Armstrong
Kristin Laird
Roseanne McMahon
Barbara Moore
Patricia O Grady
Rita Paiewonsky
Julie O’ Neill
CherylMcAuliffeAdams
Michael Kelly

Lessons on 'The Garden Within' presented at yoga studio

On Saturday, December 15, local author and illustrator Matthew Reid presented his book Mihn, an 28-word short story on “the process of internal gardening.” His follow up publication released in 2018 is the expanded version, Just Relax: A Short Discourse on Meditation with chapters on the pond of self-reflection; Meditation: a daily practice; Prayer, “Wiggle your toes” and “facilitating the miracle of growth.”

The December event took place at Samudra Yoga on New Hyde Park Road, in the west section of Garden City. It also featured a guitar and song performance from musical guest Jayashri Wyatt from Briarwood, Queens, a devotee of Bhakti Yoga and meditation teacher Sri Chinmoy who gained a following of 7,000 students in 60 countries. Professionally, Wyatt has led major initiatives and special projects in her career at the United Nations, including with UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund) the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and with U.N. Public Relations.

Reid’s first book Mihn, published in 2017, delivers lessons on the garden each individual has within their heart, and the importance of “planting seeds of good qualities and focusing on them,” according to Reid. He says all elements we face in our lives, from weather,

adversity to life changes, are all necessary for plants to grow. How people connect to the different elements they encounter is what creates their dynamics in life, he said.

The story of Mihn traces a little girl planting a seed in the ground and all the elements preceding that event, the happy, joyous, and the unpleasant things create the growth within her and within the seed she plants. The Samudra Yoga event poster highlighted the message behind Mihn: “Her story reminds us of the sacred connection that links us all to the natural world.

As we watch the plants grow, we grow. The sun rises and sets, we wake each day and return to sleep every night. As Minh admires the changes in nature around her, she cultivates beauty and peace within her.”

“If we accept rains and sun as what they are and see the periods for what they are -- if we shift our perspectives on how we see things, they all become food for us to grow from in ourselves. Meditation is the tool that brings us to that. Through the meditative process, we can reflect on how we react to things,” Reid said at the studio.

He referenced the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle to explain the internal journey.

“The story has an interesting parallel -- it starts out with a pure, white egg

born onto a leaf. The egg hatches and the caterpillar looks for food. He starts with fruits, an apple, pears, plums, and so on. He inevitably goes onto the big eating binge of candies and lollipops, cupcakes and pizzas. Then the caterpillar gets a stomach ache, and in the book it’s written as ‘he makes himself sick.’

The caterpillar stops, takes a bite out of the green leaf again, then he goes into

a cocoon where inevitably he becomes a butterfly. The interesting thing about that is that we’re all born as a pure white egg and every day we indulge more and more in worldliness. It starts off as one apple and then it grows and grows until we’ve gone on a binge and become so far removed from ourselves and from the pure, white egg. We needed to go on the

See page 30

Author and illustrator Matthew Reid with attendees of his presentation at Samudra Yoga.

n Plumbing repairs

n Drain cleaning

n Heat repairs

n Installation of appliances

n Installation of toilets & sinks

n Water filtration systems

NO JOB IS TOO SMALL

We pride ourselves on having the most professional and qualified plumbers in Nassau County. Neat clean and courteous.

Old World Quality Plumbing of Garden City Inc. 516-741-8226

136 Cherry Valley Avenue West Hempstead, NY 11530

Owners: Vinny Muldoon & Tony DiNuzzo

Chamber of Commerce holds ribbon cutting for new restaurant

Salvatore Ferrara, Catherine Schierse, Manny Voumvourakis, and John Wilton

Last Thursday, December 13, the Garden City Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Garden City’s newest BBQ restaurant and bar, smok-haus. Located on 712th Street and the corner of Franklin Avenue, smok-haus is a casual restaurant and bar that serves authentic American BBQ, cooked low and slow and paired up with the freshest, healthy international fare. The BBQ pits are always loaded with premium beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, and sausage, all smoked for hours to perfection with hickory and other wood blends. Paired with wholesome comfort dishes - grain & veggie bowls, salads, pita wraps, burritos, sandwiches, and wings. The creativity of their kitchen continues when you walk through our doors. Patrons of the restaurant are invited to come and linger in the restaurant and bar or get their food to go, so be sure to stop by and check them out for yourself!

Sanitation collections

Residents are reminded that there will be no garbage or recycling pickup on Tuesday, January 1, 2019.

The Holiday Collection Schedule will be as follows:

• Western half of the Village (west of Rockaway Avenue): Garbage - Monday and Friday; RubbishThursday, January 3rd.

• Eastern half of the Village (east of Rockaway Avenue): GarbageWednesday and Saturday; RubbishThursday, January 3rd

There will be no recycling collection on Tuesday, January 1, 2019.

Left to right: John E. Appelt, Patricia Donnelly, Andree de la Garza-Walsh, Catherine Schierse, Dennis Donnelly, Manny Voumvourakis, John Wilton, Salvatore Ferrara, Elizabeth Denby

THE OFFICE CAT

Vehicle entered: On December 19th, loose change and other items were reported stolen from a vehicle parked at a Magnolia Street home.

Grand Larceny: A 53 year old Williston Park man was arrested for allegedly steal ing a laptop computer valued at $1,100 from a room at the Garden City Hotel. He was charged with grand larceny.

Porch pirates: A package delivered to a Roxbury Road residence was reported stolen on December 19th. Another package was reported stolen from a 5th Street residence on December 20th.

DWI arrest: On December 21st Garden City Police officers arrested a 36 year old Mineola man on South Avenue for alleged DWI, driving on the wrong side of the road, and driving without the vehicle’s headlights activated.

Barefoot thief? Shoes were reported stolen from a vehicle parked at a Chestnut Street residence.

Bridge strikes again: On December 22nd a truck traveling south on Nassau Boulevard struck the train trestle. The driver, a 33 year old Massachusetts man, was charged

with disregarding bridge clearance signs. No injuries were reported.

Phone not home: On December 23rd a phone was reported stolen at a Stewart Avenue address. The victim attended a party at the residence.

Identity theft: A resident reported someone used her personal information to open three unauthorized credit card accounts.

Oven fire: On December 23rd Garden City Police and Firefighters responded to the Wyndham Condominiums for a smoke condition caused by a small oven fire.

iPad theft: On December 23rd a Stewart Ave. resident reported that someone stole an iPad from her unlocked vehicle.

Another kitchen fire: Police and firefighters responded to a kitchen fire at a Jefferson St. residence on December 24th.

Wallet taken: A wallet was stolen from an unlocked vehicle on December 24th on 4th Street.

Harassment: Police arrested a 45 year old Garden City woman for alleged harassment.

Season’s Greetings

Once again we are blessed to enjoy the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays and festivities with family and friends. While joy is always the transcending theme, as we hope it is for all, we ask that you include everyone regardless of faith or private beliefs, in sharing this wonderful holiday season. Please take a few minutes to look in on your neighbors who may be alone or housebound to spread a little holiday cheer and comfort.

The Board of Trustees and the entire Village Staff wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah and a joyful and safe holiday season.

Brian C. Daughney, Mayor TRUSTEES

Theresa A. Trouvé

Louis M. Minuto

Robert A. Bolebruch

Mark A. Hyer

Stephen S. Makrinos

Colleen E. Foley

John M. Delany

New lights, crosswalks planned near Garden City High School

with the community as well. There is still that has to be approved (at the county level) for this project, and the earliest it could start is late 2020 or early 2021,”

Sinha added that simulations indicated a slower speed for traffic on the main road, and “slower is what we want for our students” and the crosswalks would aid and abet students or staff who walk to and from the school.

Board President Heineman said Nassau Engineering conducted the initial study for Rockaway and Merillon Avenues three years ago. She asked how the process would unfold. Dr. Sinha said she expects Nassau County DPW to come back to the district administration with an updated timeline and any modifications it has to make.

“It is still pretty early in the project’s phase, and I believe the next step will be seeking community input,” she said.

Another question came up on whether or not the Village of Garden City Traffic Commission would review and later endorse this project, but DiCapua explained that since a Nassau County road is involved it is not subject to the village’s jurisdiction.

DiCapua said the county is proactive in seeking any feedback from both the village and school district in Garden City, and addressing any concerns the two entities might bring forward.

“They are looking for the community input but the project’s funding is not yet set, and this process is still

in its very, very preliminary stages,” DiCapua added. Dr. Sinha added that because funding has to be secured, the potential project dates of two years from now could be pushed back even further.

DiCapua said a key factor Nassau County has investigated to date is the weekday afternoon peak time of traffic along Rockaway and Merillon. Nassau County DPW engineers conducted studies and traffic flow data models based on that afternoon use. In the course of the December 10 meeting and discussion, this was evident with their simulations she and Dr. Sinha viewed. But the district and village look at traffic near GCHS from an additional lens.

“Based on that, we (GCUFSD) as well as village officials have asked the county engineers to go back and conduct the same study of traffic for the morning time with school and work traffic. Between work commuters and school traffic, that is on the road at the same time, we felt morning would mean more traffic at the same time than the afternoons. We wanted to make sure the county’s simulations were able to predict and handle that capacity as well. They feel that the simulations as they existed now would very much help control the flow of traffic and not create the backup. But they also included intricate details into it like garbage collection and snow removal routes -- there are layers of things to consider,” she said.

Heineman considered the implications beyond car traffic on the “walkers” from GCHS and its athletic facili-

ties, for example. DiCapua said Nassau County was committed to installing the two crosswalks “to set up two proper places” for pedestrians to cross streets.

Lots 7S and 7N Come Up Again

At the Central Property Owners’ Association meeting held the same night as the school board’s on Tuesday, December 11, Garden City Deputy Mayor Theresa Trouvé considered traffic solutions and strategy for the long term and said the village is going to seriously consider “how municipal parking lots operate and how to be efficient and do a good job with them, so we can control what a person is looking for in a parking spot when they enter the lots -- especially Lot 7S.”

Lot 7S is between the stores on the south side of Seventh Street and the railroad tracks. Lot 7N is behind the north side stores, and apartment buildings.

When CPOA Traffic Commission liaison Pat DiMattia said the village should focus on keeping commuters for the LIRR from taking up spaces in village parking lot 7N, Trouvé agreed this was an important part of planning.

“Traffic and parking lot issues should be of great significance to all of us (with the CPOA) as most of it happens in our section of the village. We want to do a thorough and good job on it and solve many problems that exist with our parking. I think that means following all the information that comes out on it, with residents voicing their opinions and sharing it with the Traffic Commission

and trustees. We in the Central are immediately affected by it but the whole village is too, and we’d like for everyone to participate and voice your opinions so we can arrive at a resolution to some problems that have been plaguing us for quite a while,” Trouvé said.

DiMattia says commuters parking for the LIRR illegally in Lot 7N has been an issue before the village government for the past 20 months. “Why it is not being dealt with is a mystery to me, but fundamentally if the village addresses this particular problem then there can be new signage and restriping to better equip the lot -- then we can see permit parking included as part of the upgrades,” she explained.

The deputy mayor added that at the December 6 Board of Trustees’ meeting the residents’ permits for 7N was noted as a potential village resolution, hopefully ready in time for the next Board meeting on Thursday night, January 17.

“We will have a resolution on that for you and I feel we’d be coming to closure on it. The board is taking the lead on traffic issues that are serious and difficult to solve, and the requests from the residents of the apartments like Hilton Hall and others about having permits for Lot 7N is one of them. We’ve discussed that from the point of view of having a pilot program over a period of time to reflect on any kinks that develop and resolving them, and Mayor Daughney indicated the resolution would be done quickly,” Trouvé said.

Parking solutions at Stewart Field discussed by Board

Long Island.

With the implications for historic markers, the mayor recognized Village Historian Bill Bellmer and resident Cyril Smith as two longtime advocates for the Vanderbilt Parkway’s role in New York and U.S. history, as both gentlemen were present at the December 6 meeting.

“This move addresses our parking problem for Stewart Field, it clears out the overgrowth of decades, and it helps us promote the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway as we will put up markers and take care of that. Hopefully we will get the area cleared by late spring and get moving,” Daughney said.

Plans include installing a minimal amount of lighting for the parking location, as some sports and games at Stewart Field may end around 7:30 or 8 p.m. and there needs to be adequate visibility.

The village expects the cost of the paving, clearing of shrubs and overgrown vegetation plus signage to fall between $150,000 to $200,000. Village

Attorney Peter Bee commented that as part of the lease agreement with Nassau County, Garden City could recoup the funds, if it is finally determined in the use agreement and built into the lease document.

The village’s December 14 “News & Information” press release contained Bee’s explanation of the process with a Nassau County lease: “The County government has a complex system of approvals that have caused that negotiation to extend over a protracted period of time. Fortunately I understand the mayor wound up having a conversation with one of the deputy county executives and suddenly a flame was lit and things began to move. We were successful in getting - in short term, a license agreement to utilize that location and to improve it.”

At the meeting Village Administrator Suozzi explained one more benefit for the village. Overflow parking for Stewart Field has usually meant people parking cars in front of homes on Raymond Court in the East section of the village, so this solution also attempts to “take the overflow parking off the residents’

doorsteps,” he said.

Paving Problem on Huntington Road?

At the December trustees’ meeting, resident Michael Butler of Huntington Road spoke about problems with the village’s repaving on his street and called it “the most unbelievable paving job” he has ever seen in over 50 years of experience in construction -- not as a compliment.

Butler told the Board there are at least four to six inches of water sitting outside of each driveway on Huntington Road. He had a suggestion for institutionalizing “anybody that would accept that work or pay for that job.”

“Please come out to take a look -anybody that puts new pavement down knows how you need to slope it towards the drain, where the water runs to, and not to anyone’s driveway. People within the East are reflecting this issue back to you (the Board) and that’s why I came here tonight. If the village has paid for the work it should be seeking reimbursement now. This situation needs to be addressed. If you are going to represent the use of our tax dollars, you

had better represent them correctly. Understand that we are the people in this village who pay the taxes -- here I am giving you firsthand information,” Butler said.

Trustee Mark Hyer replied that the Board agrees to look into this concern.

Trustee John Delany, who represents the East, instructed Superintendent of Public Works Joseph DiFrancisco to have DPW staff go examine the situation on Huntington Road and contact Butler with its finding. Delany and Hyer both said that poor quality of the road pavings in the East are not a topic brought before them during any recent EPOA meetings, however.

Trustee Robert Bolebruch asked DiFrancisco if the paving crew who won the bid for Huntington Road has done other work in Garden City, and he said this company does all the paving work in the village. Bolebruch says several recently paved streets near where he lives in the West have been “an absolutely beautiful job” so he doesn’t know why there’s the discrepancy. Public Works will be following up in the Huntington Road neighborhood this month.

From page 1
From page 1
Patrick McCooey Branch Manager
Jill Sackman Palmeri Jovanni Ortiz
Tiffany Pedone
Norma Quigley
Robin Pellegrini
Vincent Rendo
Cecilia Pang
Giovanni Perna
Christina Riccobono
Arlene Zebatto
Anthony Zapelli
Carmela Romanello Jane Romanowski
Joseph Sciarrotto
Julie Whicher
Sandra Shannon Annette Stasi
Frank Trivoluzzi
Maryann Milovcic
Laura Mulligan Alex Olivieri
Chrisitne Nappi
John McSherry
Denise Lauth Michelle McArdle Sean McCoyd
Jana Lappas
Charlotte Bower
Helen Achury
Linda Brunning
Rosemary Bruno
Reginald Balmir Courtney Barry
Nicole Andrianopoulos
Lynda Carnevale
Eleni Koutsoftas
Katrina Kamer
Mitchell Halpern
Kathleen Holt Maeve Kilgo
Margaret Grioli Denice Giacometti
Catherine Gerspach Mairead Garry
Milana Faylayev
John Corrigan
Nancy Peppard Carpenter
Lisa Duggan
Jennifer Davan Jennifer DeRocchis Lisa Doria
Santo Galbo
Brandon Constantine

in interest rates?

Morgan Stanley Bank NA

Maturity 10/26/2020 YTW/YTM 3.00 % Yield

Wells Fargo Bank NA

Maturity 10/26/2021 YTW/YTM 3.15 % Yield

Citibank National

Maturity 10/26/2022 YTW/YTM 3.30 % Yield

59 Hilton Avenue, Garden City

For more information or to speak to an Investment Professional, please call 516-622-3100

FDIC Insured, $5000 Minimum

Prices are subject to change. If the need for cash arises before the maturity date, CDs may be liquidated in the secondary market at prevailing market prices, which may be more or less than an investor’s original purchase price.

A review of 2018

It is difficult even to reach even a tentative judgment on 2018, the year that is quickly drawing to a close.

One key reason for the difficulty in evaluating 2018 is that the last month of the year was replete with seemingly important, mostly negative, developments. As this is written, the financial markets have absorbed heavy losses, with the Federal Reserve Bank coming under considerable fire for its policy of incrementally raising interest rates. Meanwhile, trade disputes with China remain unresolved and a partial government shutdown looms over building a Mexican border wall. Overseas, there is a continuing stalemate over Brexit and the future of the European Union, as well as significant unrest in France. President Trump announced pullouts and a lesser military role in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

All of this turmoil could be very significant, possibly presaging a deep worldwide recession and continuing international crisis, maybe even a global power vacuum.

response of local law enforcement; this issue, at least, can be addressed.

In the political sphere, President Trump remained a very polarizing figure, although it may be that his bombastic rhetorical style, and the apocalyptic style of his opponents in and out of the media, have became fully priced into the political equation. Perhaps fewer people take either completely at face value.

Overall, 2018 may have been a bit less noisy than 2017. It seemed that much of the efforts of the opposition to President Trump were channeled into the more conventional political process, as Democrats, with many very well financed candidates, were able to wrest control of the House of Representatives from Republicans, gaining about 40 seats, with particular strength in suburban districts. The election was not a complete blowout, however, for the GOP as Republicans increased their majority in the Senate, and did well in a the key state of Florida. Retention of the Republican Senate majority will be a huge help in confirmation of future judicial and executive nominees.

On the other hand, the negative news could pretty much be a series of false alarms or overblown problems. It is entirely possible possible that the government shutdown will be brief, the markets will rebound, some trade agreement will be reached with China and the turmoil in Europe will subside. Some of the United States security role may be assumed by allies. Frankly, we just don’t know.

Somewhat ironically, aside from the important potential development late in the year, 2018 probably will not go down as one of the more significant years of the century.

The newspaper story that was voted most important by the Associated Press, the horrific school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, was sadly reminiscent of many stories in the past, both inside and outside of schools. Indeed, a leading story of 2017 was the massacre of country music fans in Las Vegas. A movement called March for Our Lives was launched, but in the end no particular legislative or governmental action was taken. This may well be because there is not all that much that can be done to end gun violence, short of massively unpopular gun confiscation measures and house to house searches, in a country of 350 million weapons where the right to bear arms is a cherished constitutional right. A particularly unfortunate side story of the Parkland massacre was the totally ineffective

All through the year special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of the Trump Administration continued, but so far the known results have been less than definitive. Mr. Mueller’s team was able to uncover lying or other wrongdoing by some of Mr. Trump’s aides, but at least so far has not produced substantial evidence relating to its original focus -- alleged collusion between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russian agents. The new Democratic majority in the House will no doubt launch numerous investigations into Mr. Trump that will supplement Mr. Mueller’s work.

Another story that consumed much attention in 2018 was the confirmation hearings of Presidential Trump’s Supreme Court nomineeJudge Brett Kavanaugh. Late in the confirmation process, allegations surfaced as to alleged misconduct by Mr. Kavanaugh when he was in high school 35 years earlier. However, there was little corroboration of the charges and he was approved by the Senate in a close vote. One interpretation of the Kavanaugh hearings is that, even in this era of justifiably heightened concern anoutvsexual misconduct, principles of fairness and due process remain in place.

So after 2018 may or may not have ended ominously, we’ll have to see about 2019. Happy New Year.

Adelphi donates 180 baby hats to NICU infants in Nepal, Guyana

Adelphi students with the donations

Get rid of your unwanted items by placing an ad for them in our Classifieds! We have reasonable rates, and you’ll have prompt results! Call our Garden City office at 294-8900 for rates and other info.

To kick off the holiday season, Adelphi University’s Graduate Student Council (GSC) and Student Government Association (SGA) set a goal to collect and donate 100 baby hats for infants in the NICU unit of two underserved hospitals in Nepal and Guyana. In just a few short weeks, they exceeded their goal, sewing and collecting over 180 hats and dozens of other clothing items.

The idea to create the 100 baby hats initiative came from Maria-Pilar Martin, M.D., Adelphi assistant professor and director of the master of public health program, who devotes time to volunteering in underserved communities around the world through her non-profit organization, International Health Connection (IHC). Martin reached out to her students, seeking volunteers to sew, knit, or collect baby hats and other gently used clothing for babies in need. Natalie Madray, president of Adelphi University’s GSC, and Manjusha Gopi, GSC programs and activities representative, answered the call to action, joining forces with the SGA to get a plan in motion.

Achieving the goal of collecting over 100 baby hats was a collaborative effort by the entire Adelphi community and beyond. Adelphi’s GSC and SGA hosted two sewing parties on campus, instructed by Della Hudson,

dean of student affairs and Terry Woods, administrative assistant of the anthropology department. Adelphi students, as well as students from H. Frank Carey High School, came to lend a hand. Christine Feeley, Ph.D., senior adjunct professor of psychology, and her church group, the Creative Crocheting Guide of Long Island, knitted 45 baby hats for the cause.

Additionally, two collection boxes were stationed in Adelphi’s Nexus Building to garner donations from the campus community. By the deadline on November 30, each box was filled with a mix of new and gently used baby clothing.

“It was a truly humbling experience to see graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, staff, and members of the local community come together for such a rewarding cause,” Madray said. “The success of the drive is due to Panther Pride that Adelphi helps to cultivate in each of us.”

The clothing items will be donated through the International Health Connection to the hospitals and organizations including the International Children’s Heart Foundation, benefitting the Georgetown Public Health Hospital in Guyana, and The Public Health Concern Trust, benefitting Kirtipur Hospital in Nepal.

In their second year as Daisies, these fabulous Homestead first-grade girls are showing themselves how strong and capable they are. They are even sharing their talents to add cheer to those who

Manor

might not have as much during the holiday season. What beautiful snowy tree centerpieces they made for Mary’s Manor in Inwood!

SLATE ROOF & COPPER FLASHING SPECIALISTS

At Old World Quality Corp. we’re ready to handle all of your roofing needs. Whether you are looking to repair or replace a simple flat or asphalt roof, or you need the services of our expert craftsmen to repair your slate roof, Old World Quality Corp. can get the job done. We focus on providing the highest quality and service to our existing customer base and new customers in the future.

Our roofers are the best in the business when it comes to servicing your slate roof and copper flashing.

• Slate Repairs

• New Slate Roof

• Copper flashing associated with slate roofs

• Asphalt roofs

• Flat roofs and railings

• Copper and galvanized snow guards

• New gutters and leaders on homes 516-741-8226 136 Cherry Valley Avenue West Hempstead, NY 11550 Vinny’s email: vinnyowqc@yahoo.com Website: Oldworldqualitycorp.com

Daisy Troop #1636

The Kordes K orner

PhotograPhy history

This is the New York State Supreme Court building built in 1966 at a cost of over 11 million dollars opposite Transverse Road. It is a perfect example of 1950’s and 1960’s municipal architecture.

This building is part of the Nassau County seat of government that has expanded in Garden City since the county’s inception in 1899. Often referred to as Mineola, due to the Mineola railroad station serving it since 1899, it is actually located within Garden City’s borders. Old Country Road separates Garden City from Mineola and the Town of Hempstead from the Town of North Hempstead. They also receive their mail through a Mineola zip code. They pay no taxes to Garden City yet Garden City provides full services to the county seat. Hmm... how is your tax bill?

IN MEMORIAM

Frieda V. Stark

Frieda died peacefully at her home at the age of 87 after a long battle with cancer on Friday, December 21, 2018. She was married for 64 years to Robert H. Stark.

Frieda was born on June 5, 1931 to Henry G. Vierling and Lucienne Dickman Vierling in Englewood, NJ. She met her husband at Gettysburg College in 1952. While attending college, she played women’s varsity basketball and was a member of the Phi Mu sorority. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology in the Class of 1954, and married her husband, Robert, on December 19, 1954.

After college, Frieda and Robert

lived in Pennsylvania and New York, and during her husband’s military service, in Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma before settling in Garden City where she lived in her home for 58 years. While raising two children, she volunteered as a school class mom and Cub Scout den mother. She was also a member of the Garden City/ Hempstead Community Club, Garden City Community Church Women’s Auxiliary, and American Association of University Women (AAUW).

Frieda was a Cherry Valley Club Ladies Doubles Platform Tennis champion for eight years (1972-1976, 1978, 1980 and 1984). She was also an avid tennis player and a golfer. Frieda enjoyed attending the US Open Tennis Championships with her children and watching matches on TV.

She is survived by her husband, Robert, her son, Robert, Jr., daughter-in-law, Martha, and granddaughter, Elizabeth, as well as her brother, Henry C. Vierling. She was pre-deceased by her daughter, Lucy.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Garden City Community Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Frieda’s name to Garden City Community Church, 245 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530.

Taxpayers Forum at GC Library

Have you lost someone?

If you would like to post an obituary for a loved one, simply send a short biography of them with (if desired) their photo, details of their funeral/visitation services, and/or any donation requests to editor@gcnews.com, or call our office at 516-294-8900 to inquire.

Hempstead Town Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin (center) held a Taxpayers Forum on November 19, at the Garden City Library. Receiver of Taxes Clavin spoke to local residents about tax exemptions, challenging Nassau County assessments, and other important information. Also attending were Garden City residents Denise Ragas, Winnie Yu, Bill Drabyk, and Margo Almeida.

Frieda V. Stark

“Zumba Gold” Fitness Classes for the Active Senior or Beginner

Our winter session of our “Zumba Gold” fitness will be held in on Thursday afternoons at 2:15 pm at The Senior Center. Each 45-minute class, teaching the basics of Zumba exercise, is led by Felicia Lovaglio, our certified Zumba exercise instructor. This class is geared for seniors or the beginner adult. The ten week session will begin Thursday, January 17th. The price for the session is $60.

To register, please visit the Recreation and Parks Office at 108 Rockaway Avenue.

Beginner Mah Jongg

Garden City Recreation and Parks is pleased to offer beginner mah jongg lessons to our seniors. This eight-week course will cover the basics of the game and the rules so you can enjoy playing. The class will meet every Monday from 12:15 pm to 2:15 pm beginning Monday, January 7. The cost of this eight-week class will be $80 and space is limited. Checks should be made payable to the Village of Garden City. To register for this class, please visit the Recreation and Parks Office at 108 Rockaway Avenue. Applications will be accepted until all 16 spots are filled.

FOR SENIORS

PLEASE NOTE – an additional $10 supply fee will be payable to the instructor at the first class.

Upcoming Trips for Seniors

Here is the Garden City Recreation and Parks’ trip list for seniors who are residents of the Inc. Village of Garden City. If you would like to register for any of our trips, please visit the Recreation and Parks Office at 108 Rockaway Avenue. Payment must accompany registrations. Other trips will be added in the upcoming weeks.

Wednesday, March 6

Trip to the Metropolitan Opera to see "Rigoletto"

We will travel by coach bus to the Metropolitan Opera House, where we will see the 7:30 pm performance. You will have time to eat on your own before the show. We will return to Garden City after the performance. Tickets will be $75, checks only made payable to the Village of Garden City.

Exercise

for Seniors

Recreation and Parks is offering the following exercise classes for seniors at The Senior Center on Golf Club Lane. Classes are open to all seniors ages 60 and older who are residents of the Inc. Village of Garden City. Classes might

be cancelled due to a special event or trip so please check the bulletin board at The Senior Center for updates.

MONDAYS

Exercise with Felicia at 10 am

Meditation with Connie at Noon

Tai Chi with Connie at 1 pm

TUESDAYS

Yoga for all Levels with Allie at 1:30 pm

Chair Dancing with Felicia at 2:30 pm

Schedule of Events

Closed for Holidays: December 31st

Monday, January 7

Meeting - Sandwiches

Monday, January 14 Regular Meeting

Monday, January 21

Closed for MLK Day

Monday, January 28 Pizza

Lunch is served roughly twice a month.

We welcome bridge, and especially non-bridge, players, in order to expand the variety of our activities. Some suggestions: poker, chess, back-

WEDNESDAY

Exercise with Felicia at 10 am

Chair Yoga with Connie at 11 am

THURSDAY

Yoga for all Levels with Allie at 11:15 am

Meditation with Allie at 12:25 pm

FRIDAY

Exercise with Felicia at 10 am

Resistance Bands with Felicia at 10:45 am

Meditation with Connie at Noon

Tai Chi with Connie at 1 pm

gammon, other card games, cribbage and billiards. Also you may come for just conversation, camaraderie, and to make new friends.

Poker players: check with John Marino at 248-1770.

About the GC Retired Men’s Club

All Garden City men 55 years and older are eligible for membership.

Annual dues are a very “expensive” $10. Meetings are on Mondays, and a less busy meeting is on Thursdays. Both begin at noon and end at 4:00PM. Check with the GCNews RMC schedule re upcoming meetings. In good weather we offer BBQ, bocce, and shuffleboard.

School. When a child doesn't have anyone to play with at recess, he/she can go to the Buddy Bench and sit down. One of their peers will then come and join them, so that they have a friend at recess. Everyone is always welcome at the bench. We will also be presenting in several classrooms at Stewart School to explain the "Buddy Bench" to the students and show the importance of kindness.

We are asking for monetary contributions to cover the cost of supplies to install the bench at Stewart School. Contributions can be made payable to Garden City Troop #1567, 40 Kenwood Road, Garden City NY 11530. Thank you in advance for your consideration in this effort. We very much appreciate your generosity.

Annabel Buggy

Natalie Greiner

Kaila Heingartner

How to recycle Christmas lights

To the Editor:

At this time of year, many of us are discarding damaged Christmas lights. These require special recycling and cannot be dumped in the Village Yard. Several easy options for handling are listed in the article below.

https://www.thespruce.com/how-torecycle-lights-2736471

Thanks for your consideration!

Alison Parks

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

Politics and the MTA’s funding

To the Editor:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is developing the next 2020 - 2024 Five Year Capital Program. It will be reviewed and approved by the State Capital Program Review Board. This four member committee is composed of one representative appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio. The Mayor’s representative can only vote on NYC projects. Democrats control all four votes. Three of four come from NYC. The fourth, Westchester State Senate majority leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, has to deal with 23 of her 39 members who come from NYC districts.

Historically, Long Island Rail Road riders concerns were protected by a Republican State Senate majority and nine member GOP Long Island delegation. Past Republican Senate majority leaders Warren Anderson from Binghampton along with Ralph Marino, Dean Skelos and John Flanagan (all from Long Island) appointed one representative to the CPRB.. It was usually a Long Island Senator such as John Cammerer or Norman Levy.

Who will Democratic Senate Majority Leader Andrea Steward Cousins appoint as her voting representative to the CPRB replacing outgoing Brooklyn GOP Senator Marty Golden? Will it be someone from the 23 NYC based members of her caucus? Or will she want to protect her suburban base by

appointing Senator Anna Kaplan, Todd Kaminsky or another member from Long Island or Westchester?

If all four members of the CPRB are from NYC, the LIRR could end up with less money for projects and programs in the upcoming 2020 - 2024 MTA Five Year Capital Plan.

Assume the next MTA Five Year 2020 - 2024 Capital Program Plan starts out at $30 billion. First they intend to program $2.265 billion, bringing total funding for Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 up to $4 billion. This is necessary to leverage $2 billion in Federal Transit Administration New Starts dollars to support a total project cost of $6 billion. The backlog of unfunded NYC Transit safety and state of good repair bus and subway projects far exceed $30 billion. How will the MTA find $19 billion more on top of $30 billion toward funding NYC Transit President Andy Byford’s proposed ten year 37 billion plan? He calls it Fast Forward: The Plan to Modernize NYC Transit subway and bus system. Some want billions more to accelerate bringing more of the 471 subway stations into compliance with Americans With Disabilities Act. Others want billions more to increase the numbers of new and rehabilitated subway cars and buses.

Elected officials from NYC will have the edge to deliver given the numbers of voters, riders and offices they hold. Long Island counterparts will end up with whatever crumbs fall off the table.

There may be no funding for Central Branch electrification, running east of Hicksville on the Ronkokoma line to Babylon. This would provide additional options for thousands of Babylon riders.

They could travel this route to Jamaica via the Main Line Third Track. Central Branch electrification could afford creation of new north/south scoot service, running from Huntington via Hicksville to Babylon.

There would be no funding for Port Jefferson branch electrification beyond Huntington, Montauk line from Babylon to Speonk, the Ronkonkoma line from Ronkonkoma to Yaphank and the Oyster Bay line to Mineola. All five combined easily cost over $1 billion. This does not include several hundred million for a new storage yard on the Port Jefferson branch east of Huntington to support electric multiple unit MU cars.

Without extending electrification on these five branches, there would be no one seat ride via electric MU cars for service to Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station. This investment would improve reliability making the LIRR more attractive to current and future riders. Otherwise, commuters will continue to change at Jamaica. Height restrictions in the 63rd Street Tunnel built decades before construction of the current East Side Access project began in 2006 prevents the LIRR from running duel mode locomotives and double decker coaches into Grand Central Terminal.

Larry Penner

(Larry Penner is a transportation historian, advocate and writer who previously worked 31 years for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 NY Office)

36

AVE, GARDEN

Classic Colonial charm situated on a 84’x100’ parklike lot. 3 bedrooms & 2 full baths. ML#3002848 | $799,000

5 bdrm / 2.5 bath French Tudor, backyd w/ patios on 60x125 lot. Close to all. ML#3034200 | $1,168,000

Police officer, recruit take their oaths

Mayor Brian Daughney, Trustee Mark Hyer, Officer Amir Latif joined by his parents and brother, and Police Commissioner Kenneth Jackson.

Trustee Mark Hyer, as appointed police commissioner, administered the oaths of office to police officer Amir Latif and police recruit Christopher Caiazza during a brief ceremony at Village Hall December 6.

Born and raised in Queens, Officer Latif graduated from John Jay College with a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He aspired his whole life to

become a police officer, joining the New York Police Department as an administrative aide in 2011 and later becoming a police officer in 2014.

For the past three years, he was stationed in the 114th Precinct in Astoria. His last assignment was as the domestic violence officer.

Recruit Caiazza grew up in Lindenhurst, receiving a lacrosse schol-

Brian Daughney, Trustee

and Police Commissioner Kenneth Jackson.

arship to Saint Leo University. He later transferred to LIU Post College where he graduated with a criminal justice degree.

Recruit Caiazza entered the Police

Blood drive to be held at the

Garden City Public Library

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

2:30 pm – 7:00 pm

Long Island Blood Services will hold a blood drive at the Garden City Public Library on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 from 2:30 pm –7:00 pm in the large meeting room on the lower level of the Library. Area hospitals are in need of local residents’ help. Each donation can help to save up to three lives. Donors will receive a McDonald’s coupon for a free large sandwich.

Eligible donors must be between 16 and 75 years of age, with a minimum weight of 110 lbs., and no tattoos within the past 12 months. Sixteen-year-olds must have parental permission and donors age 76 and over must present a doctor’s note. All donors must have valid ID with signature or photo. Donors are encouraged to eat well (low fat) and drink fluids. For medical questions concerning blood donations, call 1-800-688-0900. Walk-ins are welcome.

police

Christopher

Academy on December 3. “We look forward to him joining the department upon graduation,” Commissioner Kenneth Jackson said.

Tiramisu: King of Italian Desserts

Garden City Public Library

Thursday, January 10 at 2 pm

Come learn about and taste tiramisu, the most loved and requested of Italian desserts on Thursday, January 10th at 2 pm at the Garden City Public Library. Cultural icon Elena Florenzano of Thinking Italian will explore the ingredients, the step by step recipe, the cultural secrets, and the taste of this classic Italian dessert at this interesting presentation. Participants will receive a copy of a recipe to make

authentic tiramisu and enjoy a sample of this delicious dessert.

This program is limited to 30 participants. Garden City Library cardholders may register by telephone to Reference Librarian Ann Garnett at 516-742-8405 x 221 beginning Tuesday, December 18 at 9:30 am. Non-residents may register beginning Friday, January 4 if space is available. This program is sponsored by The Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Trustee Mark Hyer administers the oath of office to police officer Amir Latif during a brief ceremony at Village Hall December 6.
Trustee Mark Hyer administers the oath of office to police recruit Christopher Caiazza during a brief ceremony at Village Hall December 6.
Mayor
Mark Hyer,
recruit
Caiazza,
All photos by Carisa Giardino

New York Ski Areas Make $71 Million in Improvements for 2018-19 Season

New York’s ski areas are greeting guests this season with an unprecedented $71 million in investments and improvements.

More than 25 mountains and resorts have made enhancements in snowmaking, grooming, chair lift operations and guest/lodging services. Whether it is a seamless lift-ticket experience with RFID, opening new high-speed lifts, or doubling the size of the lodge/ restaurant, New York ski areas have invested more capital into the 2018-19 season than any other state in the Northeast.

Most notably Windham, Hunter Mountain & Peak Resorts, Catamount and ORDA ski areas (The New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority which operate Whiteface, Gore Mountain and Belleayre) top the list with a collective $60 million invested. Energy efficiencies in power and snowmaking have been made possible by a $5,000,000 grant from NYSERDA which benefited Plattekill, Oak, Song, Thunder Ridge and Kissing Bridge.

Windham Mountain Resort along with Catamount are the first resorts in New York State to implement RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology,

providing guests with easy, simple lift access. ORDA property, Gore Mountain is opening a twolevel addition to the Base Lodge, doubling the size of the Tannery Pub & Restaurant, seating up to 350 guests, while the lower level

Holiday Valley, Bristol, Titus and Peek n’ Peak have focused on infrastructure upgrades as well as optimizing their ski and stay offerings by expanding activities and creating lodging packages.

“New York ski areas have

Ski like an Olympian at Whiteface, Lake Placid © Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com

addition will house the new headquarters for their Mountain Adventure kids’ program, and more lockers. Resorts including Greek Peak (a self-contained resort notable for its indoor water park),

dug deep into their own pockets to make these improvements, which will allow us to expand our Learn to Ski programs. This is incredibly exciting,” said Scott Brandi, President of Ski Areas

of New York, Inc. “Coupled with investments to increase efficiency in snow grooming, lodge hospitality and lift upgrades, we hope to create life-long ski enthusiasts and welcome future generations of winter sport advocates.” This is a state-wide effort with moxie and vision for a fantastic season around each bend, Brandi added. “With these expenditures, it is clear that New York ski areas and resorts are committed to being known as family-friendly accessible outdoor destinations, as well as offering a great experience to both the novice and advanced.”

New York State has 50 ski areas–more than any other state in the country—and will welcome nearly four million skiers, riders and winter enthusiasts this season, making it fourth in the country for skier visits; the ski industry has a $1 billion economic impact in the state.

Here are highlights of what’s in store this season: Gore Mountain Adds Snowmaking, Gets FIS Certification Set in the Adirondacks, Gore is a big ski mountain – actually four linked mountains - with the most terrain (110) and lifts (14 including an eight-passenger Northwoods Gondola and two high-speed quads)

See page D2

GOING PLACES,

New York Ski Areas Make $71 Million in Improvements for 2018-19 Season

Continued from page D1

in New York, the 6th longest vertical in the East – the highest vertical drop within a four-hour drive of New York City and is closest big mountain (439 skiable acres) to NYC (a snow bus is available).

Skiers have been coming to Gore to be challenged for more than 80 years. Beginning and expert skiers will appreciate the vast improvements this season, including a 42% increase in snowmaking with 400 new snow

guns, 312 of them state-of-the-art with sensors that adjust to weather changes. In addition, new grooming machines ensure a smooth experience on the nine sides of four peaks of alpine terrain. For those looking forward to après ski, the Tannery Pub and Restaurant doubled in size.

Gore offers nightskiing in North Creek Ski Bowl, where 60% of the trails are intermediate; this is also where there is the Nordic skiing center and snowshoeing (also open at night).

Four of the Nordic courses at North Creek Ski Bowl have just won homologation certifications from the International Ski Federation (FIS), making Gore Mountain one of just 29 FIS venues in the United States and one of only two in New York State.  The certifications are for the 2.5K Distance Course, the 3.3K Distance Course, the 1.2K Sprint Course, and the 1.6K Sprint Course. Gore Mountain recently increased its snowmaking capabilities at the Ski Bowl with the purchase of 20 HKD Phazer snow guns designed specifically for Nordic terrain.

The Gore Mountain Nordic Center is equipped with lights, snowmaking, and grooming, and welcomes recreational users and athletes daily.  The amphitheater style of the landscape at the North Creek Ski Bowl provides an outstanding experience for spectators, and the facilities include a lodge with rentals, restrooms, and fireplace, a food truck, a yurt, a tuning pavilion, and bleachers.

Gore has a reciprocal pass with the other two NYS Olympic

Regional Development Authority ski destinations, Whiteface and Belleayre. (www.GoreMountain.com, 518-251-2411)

Gore doesn’t have slopeside lodging (except for Gore Mountain Lodge which offers yurts on the access road). But the nearby village of North Creek is utterly charming (lovely shops and bistros) where we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Copperfield Inn (www. copperfieldinn.com , 877-235-1466).

The town offers a free shuttle to the mountain base.

New in North Creek for summer and fall: Revolution Rail Experience: a fastmoving “rail bike” that you propel 6 miles, roundtrip, one of the many yearround activities being developed.

Whiteface Mountain Expands Snowmaking

Whiteface Mountain (Wilmington, Essex County) is home to the greatest vertical in the east (3,430’), and the east’s longest intermediate run (Wilmington Trail, 11,088 ft), with 86 trails stretching over 22 miles and encompassing three peaks, with an almost natural separation in skier ability. This season the Olympic mountain offers upgraded snowmaking capabilities on key trails while widening and expanding popular trails, and a new pump house, for a 25% increase in snowmaking capacity. The renovations to the Bear Den Base Lodge will be home to the facility’s evergrowing snowsports program.

Lake Placid is a charming village that is the hub for Whiteface in the Adirondacks in upstate New York. Plenty to do, from the Olympic ice

skating oval and museum downtown, to Olympic venues (you can even do bobsled, skeleton, biathalon, go up the Ski Jump towers, cross-country). Even (and especially) if there is someone in the family who doesn’t ski, there is so much to enrich a trip. (Try also to fit in a hike through Ausable Chasm, incredible in winter). It’s not for nothing SKI Magazine named Lake Placid #1 ski town for off-hill activities. Purchase an Olympic Sites Passport for $40 for onetime admission to the venues any time through April 30, 2019 (ages 6 and under get free admission; online purchases must be made at least 24 hours in advance.) (www.whiteface.com, 518-9462223).

We loved our festive holiday stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, which offers a shuttle bus up to Whiteface, but also is a hub for all that Lake Placid offers: walking distance to the Olympic Oval ice skating rink (open at night) and museum or ice skate on Mirror Lake just outside the resort; lovely shops and restaurants and the local “toboggan roller coaster.” Also dog-sledding across the frozen surface of Mirror Lake and guided snowshoeing at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. (www.goldenarrow.com, 844-209-8080)

Belleayre Expands Areas 51, 15, Kidscamp

The third of New York State’s ski destinations under the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), Belleayre, in the Catskills, is one of the closest major ski areas to New York and one of the best for families and

Windham Mountain, which began as a private club and still has that intimate feeling, offers night-skiing, Terrain-Based Learning, and beginner packages.
Hitting the park at Hunter Mountain, now owned by Peak Resorts. This season, the resort opened Hunter North, expanding skiable terrain by 80 acres.
Mountain coaster at Greek Peak is a year-round attraction.

beginners. Located off of State Route 28 in Highmount, just a few hours from New York City, Belleayre is set in an area that was declared “Forever Wild” by the New York State Forest Preserve in 1885 and was one of the earliest pioneers of American skiing.

Belleayre is compact: 51 trails (the longest is 12,024’), 5 glades, one terrain park, one progression park, 175 skiable acres, a vertical drop of 1,404 feet, 8 lifts, with a natural separation between beginners in the lower part of the mountain, and intermediates and advanced above. The “Catskill Thunder” gondola located next to the Discovery Lodge which opened last year, services intermediate and expert terrain and “Super Chief” detachable high-speed quad services the Intermediate/Expert Area and 4 lodges.

New for 2018-2019: Area 51 and Area 15 terrain parks are bigger and better, with new jumps, ramps, boxes, rails, pipes; expanded snowmaking capabilities with the addition of 50 low energy tower snowguns to the fleet and 4 new 1500 cfm compressors; expanded Kidscamp Learning Area with a longer 220’ magic carpet.

Belleayre also offers 9.2 km of crosscountry trails, which free to use and are only open with natural snow.

Belleayre has become a year-round destination. In summer into fall,

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

Located just an hour by Metro North railroad from New York City, Thunder Ridge, which offers night skiing, has been a popular place for families to learn how to ski.

Belleayre Beach swimming, picnicking, horseshoe pits, volleyball, basketball, boat rentals (pedal boats and kayaks), stand on top paddle board rentals, fishing, hiking and great relaxation; there’s mountain biking; hiking, scenic gondola rides, and festivals. (845-2545600 or 800-942-6904, belleayre.com)

Belleayre doesn’t have its own

lodging, but there is plenty in the vicinity. Years ago, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay in an 1866 Queen Anne bnb with mountain views, the Margaretville Mountain Inn (845-5863933, www.margaretvilleinn.com).

Hunter Mountain Opens Hunter North Hunter Mountain in the Catskills

WRITER’S CORNER

is debuting five new trails, four new glades and high speed six-person lift this season – adding nearly 80 acres (an increase in 33%) in terrain, accessed with a new high-speed six-person lift. Driven by a $9 million investment by its new owners, Peak Resorts (which See page D5

Making some great resolutions for the New Year!

Now that it is December I’ve been trying to come up with some New Year’s resolutions. I’ve been giving this topic a lot of thought recently because I want to do something different this year.

Rather than make the same resolutions such as joining a health club to exercise more, losing weight, eating healthier foods, drinking green smoothies more often, thinking more positive thoughts, meditating more, cutting back significantly on the amount of TV I watch and so on, I’ve decided to approach this from a different angle.

As I toss out all of the different possibilities, I have to remind myself that making New Year’s resolutions isn’t the same thing as giving up something cherished for the 40 days of Lent.

For example, something like giving up my favorite treat, such as chocolate or candy or desserts on the 40 days before Easter. In the Catholic religion, giving up something cherished for 40 days, starting on Ash Wednesday, reminds us of the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert sacrificing.

New Year’s resolutions and Lenten sacrifices are very different. With Lent it’s about sacrificing what I really want.

New Year’s resolutions, however, focus more on how I can be a better person. If I am fitter, healthier and more focused in 2019, that will make me better. I want it to be something personal – something that means a lot to me.

In short, I want to be different – I want to make a difference in someone else’s life. As far as I am concerned, that is most important.

Before I tell you readers what my New Year’s resolution is for 2019, I have mentally gone through the many varied resolutions I have heard friends, family and acquaintances talk about over the years.

My Uncle Douglas said that for his resolution a couple of years ago he gave up swearing. He knows that it is a bad habit and it’s an especially bad one in front of children. At a family party a few weeks later that he and his wife hosted, he accidentally dropped a stack of dinner plates and swore like a sailor. So that New Year’s resolution pretty much went out the window. The same is true for many other people. Some New Year’s resolutions just don’t last that long. I guess that is what prompted Virginia native and writer D.S. Mixell to say, “Many years ago, I made a New Year’s resolution to never make New

Year’s resolutions. Hell, it’s been the only resolution I’ve ever kept!”

A friend of mine named Carly resolved one year to stop being a klutz, but certain natural tendencies are hard to change. Gracefulness may look easy and effortless, but it’s actually hard to come by. Carly found herself dropping things, kicking things and accidentally tripping over things like curbs so that resolution didn’t work out too well for her.

My sister, Michelle, decided to try to grow a green thumb one year as her New Year’s resolution so she tossed out all of her indoor artificial green plants and got some very real and very hardy green plants from her local nursery.

Michelle promised to give them the proper amount of sun and water them regularly but in short order the green plants weren’t looking too good.

Knowing that I love plants and have several real ones in hanging baskets and strategically placed on tables in my home, Michelle called me over to her house one day to take a look. They were all wilting. Looking closely, I could see that there was too much water in each of her plant’s dishes.

That “green thumb resolution” went out the window for Michelle because

overwatering the plants was definitely a problem. She had to go to her backup plan. Fortunately for Michelle, she had a list of other possible resolutions.

My friend, Lenny, decided a few years ago to volunteer in the pediatric unit of his local hospital – with a twist. He always went as a clown so he could amuse the young patients and their visitors.

To this day he always spends a good amount of time getting ready – putting on the clown’s makeup, putting on his big wig and his big red nose, and getting into his clown suit and shoes.

I’ve seen Lenny in action and he always seems to bring a smile to the people’s faces when he tells them stories, sings a few songs and does a couple of magic tricks. He is an amateur clown not a professional clown, but when I watch him entertaining a group of pediatric children I really see his personality come through. Kids love him and he gets a lot of laughs from them.

Lenny tells me that it is the best New Year’s resolution he’s ever made because he is helping others.

I envy the sense of satisfaction Lenny gets from volunteering for the kids –

Dear Santa:

I wrote you a similar letter last year. But I must have been a bad boy because you didn’t grant me any of my wishes. So I’m going to try again. I think I’ve been mostly a good boy this time around. Oh sure, a few of my readers got upset with me when I said something they didn’t like. But I live by this maxim: I can please some of my readers all of the time, and all of my readers some of the time, but I can’t please all of my readers all of the time. However, I can keep all of my readers informed about the ins of outs of Social Security. And I think I did that this past year, so I should be pretty high up on your list of good little boys and girls.

And that’s why I am sending you this last-minute wish list of what I’d like to see changed about Social Security. I’m not necessarily talking about major reforms to the program. Instead, I’m talking about changing people’s misperceptions about Social Security to give them a better understanding of how the program works. Here’s an example. Could you please get people to stop confusing Social Security with the Supplemental Security Income program? I’d guess that about half the emails I get from readers say something like this: “My wife and I are getting SSI...” or “I have a question about my SSI benefits.” But what they really mean is that they are getting, or have a question about, Social Security benefits.

I suppose most of these folks think that SSI stands for Social Security income. It does not. SSI is short for Supplemental Security Income. And SSI is a federal welfare program managed by the Social Security Administration. But it is NOT a Social Security benefit and the money used to make SSI payments comes out of the general government coffers, not the Social Security trust funds.

And it’s not just a matter of semantics. I’ve heard from more than a few readers who said they went to their local Social Security office and said they wanted to “apply for SSI” (when they meant to say Social Security) and they were sent to the side of the office that deals with welfare benefits and it took a while to work out the confusion.

Here is another wish. Please help women understand that they do not necessarily qualify for half of their husband’s (or ex-husband’s) Social Security. I probably get a dozen letters per week from women complaining that they are not getting what they think they are due. A woman qualifies for up to half of her spouse’s Social Security only if she waits until age 66 to claim such benefits. If she takes benefits before age 66, the amount is reduced -- down to about 30 percent at age 62. (Information for widows is coming up in the fourth wish.)

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY

My Christmas Wish List

This is wish number three. Please tell people that they can NOT file for reduced benefits on one Social Security record and then later switch to higher benefits on another account. For example, millions of seniors think they can take benefits on a spouse’s record at age 62, and then at age 66 or 70, switch to higher benefits on their own work record. They can’t do that. The law says if you file for any Social Security benefits before age 66, you must file for any and all benefits you are due at the same time.

The flip side to that coin is the fact that people who wait until age 66 to apply for benefits, and who reach that magic age before January 2020, can file for spousal benefits at full retirement age and then at 70, switch to 132 percent of their own benefit. (That so-called maximizing strategy is being phased out. That’s why there is the January 2020 deadline.)

As I mentioned above, my fourth wish has to do with widows. You can tell them to ignore what I just wrote about the inability to change benefits. And that’s because widows have always had the option of playing the benefit switching game. For example, assuming she is not working, a woman could file for reduced widow’s benefits at 60 and then at age 66, switch to full benefits on her own work record. Or wait until age 70 and get 132 percent of her full retirement benefit.

My fifth wish is asking a lot. Please help people understand that Social Security and Medicare are two entirely separate government programs with their own sets of rules and regulations. I know they are inextricably linked because most people getting Social Security eventually end up on Medicare -- and their Part B medical insurance premiums come out of their Social Security checks. And they usually have to go to a Social Security office to apply for Medicare. But once that enrollment process is over with, SSA is essentially out of the Medicare picture. And as a former SSA employee, I’m pretty much out of the Medicare picture, too. Still, thousands of people ask me complicated Medicare questions every year. Most of the time, I tell them to talk to a Medicare counselor. They are called SHIPs. That stands for State Health Insurance Program counselor. (If you live in California, they are called HICAP counselors. HICAP is Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program.) To find the SHIP or HICAP counselor nearest you, go to www.medicare.gov and pull down the menu for your state under “Find someone to talk to” and then click on SHIP or HICAP.

check. And 2) each political party must be willing to compromise. Republicans normally would never vote for any Social Security reform package that includes a tax increase. And Democrats normally would never vote for a plan that includes cuts in benefits. But here is the deal: Social Security can be made financially secure for generations with some relatively modest changes that include both. For example, if the Social Security payroll tax was raised by one half of 1 percent (the rate hasn’t changed in 30

years) and if Social Security cost-of-living increases were cut by one half of 1 percent (basic benefits haven’t been cut in 80 years), the program would be solvent until the year 2100.

Thanks for listening, Santa. Your good little boy, Tommy Margenau If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has the answer. Contact him at thomas.margenau@comcast.net.

COPYRIGHT 2018 CREATORS.COM

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

And if that last wish was asking a lot, this final one is asking for the moon. Please get Congress to start talking about some serious long-range reform to Social Security next year. That’s going to be tough for two reasons. 1) No member of Congress likes messing around with grandma’s Social Security Answers on page D5

GOING

New York Ski Areas Make $71 Million in Improvements for 2018-19 Season

also owns Mount Snow in Vermont), the opening of Hunter North is the largest expansion the Northeast U.S. has seen in 15 years.

“Hunter North is a game-changer for Hunter Mountain as it dramatically expands our winter offerings and adds

Greene County) is where small-town charm meets 21st century technology: radio-frequency identification (RFID). This new feature eliminates paper lift tickets and allows skiers to reload online, meaning shorter lines, less waste and lower prices.

But the big news is the opening this season of Windham’s new high-speed

Whiteface, Lake Placid, is where you can experience Olympic sports such as bobsled on an Olympic track © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

variety to our terrain,” Russ Coloton, General Manager at Hunter Mountain, commented. “Featuring predominantly intermediate terrain serviced by the high-speed six-person chair lift, Hunter North will allow our resort to broaden its appeal and improve on-mountain traffic flows over the course of the winter season. Views from the additional terrain are spectacular.”

With the addition of Hunter North, the resort offers 320 skiable acres; 67 trails, 7 gladed areas, 4 freestyle areas, 13 lifts and a vertical of 1600 ft. There’s also snow tubing, cat tours, and a spa. (www.huntermtn.com, 800-486-8376)

Hunter Mountain has its own slopeside lodging with ski in/out convenience – the Kaatskill Mountain Club Lodge and condos - but the area also has most charming inns and bnbs. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Fairlawn Inn, an elegant Victorian bnb, just down the street from Hunter’s entrance (www.fairlawninn.com).

Windham Mountain Has New Lift, RFID

Windham Mountain (Windham,

six-pack detachable lift, Westside Six, which brings skiers up the mountain in less than 5 ½ minutes, for a total of 12 lifts accessing its 285 skiable acres and 54 trails, six terrain parks. The resort, which began as a private club

See page D6

Making some great resolutions for the New Year!

C ontinued from page D3

and that’s great for him – but I know it wouldn’t work for me. I’m just not the clowning around type of gal.

My other friend, Melissa, decided a couple of years ago that her New Year’s resolution would be to learn to drive. She is from Queens and was used to taking subways and buses for most of her life. Living in the suburbs, however, she knew that driving herself around would be better.

For several years she had asked friends and family to drive her but eventually she chose to take driving lessons. Melissa did her homework, studied for the test, took her road test and passed on her first try. Getting her driver’s license has given Melissa more confidence and helped to make her feel much more independent.

My old friend, Steve, has resolved to put together a cookbook in 2019. He has been thinking about it and gathering various recipes for years but so far he hasn’t pulled it together. I’ve tasted Steve’s many soups, appetizers, entrees and desserts and I think he should go ahead with his cookbook. This New Year is it for Steve and his cookbook.

My young nieces and nephews always seem to resolve to “do better in school” in the New Year and that’s a great thing but as an adult I like to pick a resolution that challenges me more.

There are a lot of new things I want to do in 2019. There are places I want to go, like the Emerald Isle, Ireland – I’ve never been there and that’s a large part of my heritage – skills I want to learn

such as keep teaching myself to play the piano a little at a time, and things I want to do like set up a large aquarium in my living room.

I want to try many new things, maybe not zip lining over a huge river and valley in South America on a cable, but I do want to challenge myself to try new things.

Speaking for myself, sometimes I get complacent and set in a routine that I like. Changing it – switching it up every once in a while – is a good thing for me. It keeps life interesting!

I also want to reach out to new people and get reacquainted with some old friends from high school and college.

Before I say what my New Year’s resolution is for 2019, I want to mention certain things that need a little reiterating. In the months and New Year ahead I want to be gentle with myself and others. I want to work on patience. I think that if we all have more patience and tolerance it will have a profound effect on the world.

More than ever, I want to pray for peace around the world. We need it so badly.

I want to learn from the best traits of the people I admire the most. I don’t want to copy them or imitate them, but I will learn from them whether they are older than I or younger than I, whether they are like me or not so much like me personality-wise. I just want to learn.

I want to keep relying on my own hunches, instincts and thoughts, and not automatically do whatever the crowd does. The most popular thing to do is not always the right thing to do and my conscience always tells me

what’s right and wrong. Whenever I listen to my conscience things seem to turn out just right.

I want to listen to others better both with my head and my heart. Being attentive and focused is a good thing. I hope I never come across as dismissive – to young kids or to anyone.

In 2019 and beyond, I want to remember to keep my sense of humor. I need to believe, deep, down inside, that I can look at even serious issues clearly and head on with a certain amount of levity because a) most things work out in the end and b) sometimes, with a good night’s sleep, things look different the next day. A new day often gives me a new outlook on things.

I want to wear the world like a loose garment because when I take the world too seriously I don’t always make the best decisions. Or I take things to heart that I shouldn’t really bother myself with. I promise that I won’t take on comments and other people’s opinions that really aren’t important to me.

In 2019, I am going to volunteer in a hospital that is close to my home. I am not a doctor, I am not a nurse and I am not a medical assistant but I know that there are lots of ways that I can help as a layperson. I was a candy striper at Mercy Medical Center when I was in high school in Rockville Centre and I found helping others rewarding.

Now I have some time each week that I can dedicate to volunteering in the hospital. Hospitals need lots of volunteers and I am someone who is willing to give my time and help others selflessly.

The British born author Neil

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR.... WRITER’S CORNER

Gaiman, who now lives in the U.S. and writes books for readers of all ages, just a few years ago wrote:

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.

So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody has ever made before.

Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”

I wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year! Here’s to 2019!!

New York Ski Areas Make $71 Million in Improvements for 2018-19 Season

C ontinued from page D5

and still has that intimate feeling, offers night-skiing, Terrain-Based Learning, beginner packages. It also offers lodging, dining options, an Adventure Park, and full-service Alpine Spa.

This year, Windham Mountain Resort and the Adaptive Sports Foundation have joined forces with the Capital Region Nordic Alliance, Inc. to offer Nordic and ParaNordic activities at Windham Country Club this winter, including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, orienteering, and biathlon (light-based and paintball). Trail fees will be $10 for adults and $8 for youth (children ages six and under are free). An additional fee of

$10 for adults and $5 for youth will be charged for orienteering or biathlon activities.  Rental equipment and PSIA certified Nordic lessons are also available.  Capital Region Nordic Alliance, Inc. plans to work closely with The Adaptive Sports Foundation in Windham, making these services available to children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities and chronic illnesses. (capitalregionnordicalliance.org).

Windham Mountain Resort is a year-round destination in the Great Northern Catskills of Greene County, in the Hudson River Valley, about two and a half hours north of New York City. In the summer months, Windham Mountain Bike Park is famous for its

World Cup course, but also features a three-mile-long beginner trail. Windham Mountain Country Club is an 18-hole public golf course with a private club atmosphere. (windhammountain. com, 800-754-9463)

Windham has its own lodging but there are also several delightful inns in the vicinity. We enjoyed our stay at the Thompson House Family Resort, a six-generation historic inn, just around the corner (actually abuts Windham’s golf course),  thompsonhouse.com, 518734-4510.

Greek Peak Mountain Resort

Greek Peak Mountain Resort (Cortland, Cortland County in the Finger Lakes) continues to invest in the mountain with more than $1.5

million in improvements. Under new ownership, the resort, which was founded in 1958, has added a new quad chairlift, new PB 600 groomer with Zaag attachment, new ski and board equipment in the rental shop and state of the art ski & board tuning facility and added snowmaking machines with 1,000 gallons per minute capacity. Improvements to the lodge include a gazebo, a mountain-top deck, a weddingtent venue with new flooring, and a new ‘Big Bear Activity Zone’ at Cascades Indoor Waterpark, a 41,000 sq. ft. park featuring 500 ft. of slides, wavepool and hot tubs open to the public year-round.

Greek Peak Mountain Resort is the largest ski resort in central New York with 33 trails, six aerial lifts, two surface

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

lifts, beginners’ slope, and terrain parks. The four-season resort is located in New York’s scenic Finger Lakes region, just minutes from Interstate I-81.

Its “green” hotel, Hope Lake Lodge, affording ski in/out convenience, features 106 luxury condominium-style suites. Arcadia Village, located next to the hotel, offers additional lodging in units that are spacious with all the comforts of home.

Amenities at the resort include three restaurants, a world-class customized spa, a fitness center, and a 41,000-square-foot indoor water park. The Resort is set within 7,000 acres of state-protected land that is accessible by all residents and guests for cross country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and horseback riding. Additionally, Greek Peak Mountain Resort operates an Adventure Center in New York State with a Mountain Coaster and 4 tandem zip lines operating year-round and a ten-lane winter snow-tubing center and the Cascades Indoor Waterpark (greekpeak.net, 888-353-5707).

Hop Metro North to Thunder Ridge

Closest and most convenient to New York (actually, just a hop off Metro North) an hour north of New York City, Thunder Ridge Ski Area, Patterson, NY, is an ideal area for families and beginners. The ski area offers a convenient shuttle service from the train, a “Take the Rails to the Trails” package and is open for night skiing until 9 pm (Sunday until 5 pm). Ski and snowboard lessons are available for all ages and ability levels. There are ski and stay packages and seasonal passes are based on age (https://thunderridgeski.com/, 845-878-4100).

January is Learn to Ski Month

Events and discounted programs for skiers and riders of all skill levels are planned at New York State ski areas this season, including:

January 11, 2019: National Learn to Ski or Snowboard Day Celebration – Part of a national monthlong initiative that encourages skiing and snowboarding with professional lessons offered by many ski areas

January 17, 2019: Discover NY Ski Day – Special deals and discounts by various ski areas

January 26, 2019: Central Park Winter Jam – Annual event hosted by the Ski Areas of NY, NYC Parks and the Olympic Regional Development Association that brings free skiing and snowboarding to New York City’s Central Park

All season: Kids Passport Program – Third and fourth grad students learn to ski for free with a paying adult

Various Dates: Ski & Stay Weekends – Deals includes ski and stay for two nights and get the third night free

For more information on these and other winter experiences in New York State, visit iloveny.com/winter.

Connect with ISKINY online at www.iskiny.com, www.facebook.com/ISKINY, and www.instagram.com/i_ski_ny/ New York State features 11 vacation regions. New York’s attractions encompass landmarks such as Niagara Falls, the largest park in the continental U.S. in the Adirondacks and treasures such as the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, Women’s Rights National Historic Park in Seneca Falls, the Strong Museum of Play (with its Toy Hall of Fame) in Rochester, National Comedy Center in Jamestown, Fort Stanwix National Monument in Rome, and the Erie Canal stretching across the state’s mid-section. New York State offers diverse activities for all seasons, from fishing, hiking, biking and boating to year-round festivals and exploring the rich history and culture of one of the 13 original colonies. Throughout the state, visitors enjoy fine cuisine, beverage trails and farm-to-table fresh foods. Visit iloveny.com  for more information.

© 2018 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com,  www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karenrubin & travelwritersmagazine.com/ TravelFeaturesSyndicate/

Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar. wordpress.com & moralcompasstravel. info. Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Tweet @ TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook. com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Belleayre, an ORDA ski area, has an adaptive ski program.

Skiing Gore Mountain © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

CLASSIFIEDS ...a sure way to get results. Call 294.8900

ONE CALL TO 516-294-8900

AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN 11 LOCAL NEWSPAPERS. CALL TODAY FOR OUR VERY LOW RATES. FAX: 516-294-8924

www.gcnews.com

Garden City News • Mid Island Times Bethpage Newsgram

• Syosset Advance • Jericho News Journal Williston Times - Mineola Edition

New Hyde Park Herald Courier • Manhasset Times Roslyn Times • Port Washington Times • Great Neck News

3 EASY WAYS TO PLACE ADS:

EMPLOYMENT

SITUATION WANTED

HOME HEALTH CARE AIDE

MARKETPLACE

INVITED ESTATE SALES BY TRACY JORDAN

Looking to sell items from your home?

MARKETPLACE

WANTED TO BUY

Consider doing an Online Auction!

1) Directly on website: gcnews.com & click on “Classified Order”

2) Email Nancy@gcnews.com

Visa and MasterCard Accepted DEADLINE FOR CLASSIFIED ADS IS TUESDAY AT 1:00PM.

3) Fax 516-294-8924

Please include your name, daytime phone number, address and ad copy.

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

JOB OPPORTUNITY:

$17/hr NYC $14.50/hr LI

If you currently care for your relatives or friends who have Medicaid or Medicare, you may be eligible to start working for them as a personal assistant. No Certificates needed. 347-462-2610 or 347-565-6200

PART TIME SALES ASSO-

CIATE: St. Stephen’s Consignment Shop, Port Washington. Please help us further our mission “Good Deals and Good Works” in the community. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 12pm-4:30pm during the school year. Assist with sales and social media posts. Hourly wage, no benefits. Please email: office@ststephenspw.org

SECRETARY OFFICE HELP

Mineola Dental Manufacturing Company seeking mature, dependable person. 20 hours per week. 516-499-8530

TAX PREPARER PART TIME in Franklin Square. Experience needed. Retirees welcome. Call 516-358-9455 Fax resume 516-358-9483

WEEKEND RECEPTIONIST

Garden City Real Estate Office seeking Front Desk Receptionist available to work Saturdays and/or Sundays. Please call 516-307-9406

EMPLOYMENT

SITUATION WANTED

AIDE AVAILABLE

NURSES AIDE/COMPANION

Available to take care of your elderly loved one. Experienced with excellent references. Live in or out.

Light housekeeping. Please call 516-353-9686

CARE GIVER: NEED A COMPANION or nursing assistant for your loved ones at home or in a health care facility? Call 516-410-9943 for a NY State certified nursing assistant with excellent references !

CERTIFIED NURSES AIDE

Experienced 20 years. Honest and reliable seeking home care position. Available Part Time Days, Evening, Nights, Weekends. Licensed driver w/car. Contact Barbara 516-303-4501

HOME HEALTH AIDE

AVAILABLE: Companion for your loved one at home or facility. Honest, reliable, references available. Call Cynthia: 516-360-5400

HOME HEALTH AIDE will take care of your loved one in their home. Experienced & honest. Licensed driver with own transportation. Call Flo 352-262-6970

Irish trained woman with 10 years experience and excellent checkable references available. Honest and reliable. Licensed driver with own transportation. Please call 516-383-7150

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A PLACE FOR MOM has helped over a million families find senior living. Our trusted, local advisors help find solutions to your unique needs at no cost to you. Call: 1-800-404-8852

ADDICTION HELP

Suffering from an ADDICTION to Alcohol, Opiates, Prescription Pain Killers or other DRUGS? There is hope! Call Today to speak with someone who cares. Call NOW: 1-833-880-6049

CPAP MACHINE

Have a CPAP machine for sleep apnea? Get replacement FDA approved CPAP machine parts and supplies at little or no cost! Free sleep guide included. Call 866-430-6489

DIRECTV CHOICE All Included Package. Over 185 Channels! ONLY $45/month (for 24 mos.)

Call Now Get NFL Sunday Ticket FREE! CALL 1-888-5346918 Ask us How to Bundle & Save!

FREON R12 WANTED:

CERTIFIED BUYER will PAY CASH for R12 cylinders or cases of cans. 312-291-9169. www.refrigerantfinders.com

OXYGEN

Anytime. Anywhere. No tanks to refill. No deliveries. The All New Inogen One G4 is only 2.8 pounds! FAA approved! FREE info kit: Call 866-971-2603

Online Auctions reach more interested buyers than tag sales and can often sell for more than what you would make at an estate or tag sale.

Invited Estate Sales by Tracy Jordan can do both! You can sell your items online reaching potential buyers locally or globally as well as hosting a private sale from your home! Let us guide you on what items to put in auction including furniture, housewares, decorative items, jewelry, collectibles, coins, artwork and anything else you may no longer want or need. Our services can help you to maximize your selling experience whether you are selling 1 item or 500 items. We are a one stop service for all your needs when you are moving or selling a property! Selling, donating, discarding and cleaning out services can be done to meet your time frame with minimal stress.

Estate and Tag Sales

Online Auctions

Cleanout and Moving Services

Home Staging Services Appraisals

Contact for more info: info@invitedsales.com or Call: 516-279-6378 to schedule a consultation or receive more information. www.invitedsales.com

Pashmina Embroidered Scarfs, Alpaca Scarfs and Shawls, Artesian Jewelry, Enameled Bangles, Initial Necklaces, Provence, France Soaps & Hand Creams

BUBBA BROWN’S TREASURES 302 Main St.,Port Washington,NY 516-767-6200

LOOKING TO BUY!

Oriental items, clothing, art, old & modern furniture, estates, jewelry, silver, glassware, dishes, old photos, coins & stamps, flatware. Call George 718-3861104 or 917-775-3048

TOP CASH PAID: JEWELRY, Furniture, Art, etc. Please call 718-598-3045 or 516-270-2128. www.iBuyAntiquesNYC.com

TAG SALE

*BROWSE *SHOP

*CONSIGN A.T. STEWART EXCHANGE

CONSIGNMENT SHOP

China, Silver, Crystal, Jewelry, Artwork, Furniture, Antiques, Collectibles

Tues-Fri 10-4

Sat 12-4

Every Tuesday: 10% Senior Citizen Discount. All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society 109 Eleventh Street Garden City 11530 516-746-8900 email: store@atstewartexchange.org www.gardencityhistoricalsociety. org

WANTED! Comic books, toys, video games, Star Wars. 30’s through 90’s. Call 516-313-3237 or email: trustey1@gmail.com

PETS

PET SERVICES

A GARDEN CITY ANIMAL LOVER doesn’t want to leave your precious pooch or fantastic feline alone all day. I’m reliable, dependable and will walk and feed your pet while you work or travel. Please call Cheryl at 516-971-3242

Get results! Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call the G.C. office at 294-8900 for more information.

Join a winning team! classified inside sales representative

The Blank Slate Media/Litmor Publications Advertising Group, a fast-growing chain of 11 weekly newspapers and two websites on the North Shore of Long Island, is currently looking for an aggressive, “go-getter” with a proven ability to close business.

Responsibilities:

• Contact existing and potential customers about advertising in our 11 newspapers and on our website as well as sponsoring company events

• Document and update customer records based on interactions

• Develop and maintain a knowledge of the evolving products and services

Qualifications:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• A drive to succeed

• A passion for customer service

• Good computer skills and be internet savvy

• 2 years of outside sales experience. Previous media sales experience a plus

• Minimum of two years college

• A car

Benefits:

• Salary plus commission

• Contact management system

• Advertising agency quality ads

• Health insurance

• Paid holidays and vacation

To apply, email a resume and cover letter to sblank@theislandnow.com. Or call Steven Blank from Mon. to Fri. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 516.307.1045 ext. 201

Blank Slate media/ Litmor Publications

a winning team!

multimedia account

Blank Slate Media, an award-winning group of weekly newspapers and websites, is seeking an account executive to sell display, web and email advertising as well as event and contest sponsorships.

Must have:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• A drive to succeed

• A passion for customer service

• Good computer skills and be internet savvy

• 2 years of outside sales experience. Previous media sales experience a plus

• Minimum of two years college

• A car Benefits:

• Salary plus commission

• Uncapped earnings

• Protected territory

• Contact management system

• Advertising agency quality ads

• Health insurance

• Paid holidays and vacation

To apply, email a resume and cover letter to sblank@theislandnow.com. Or call Steven Blank from Mon. to Fri. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 516.307.1045 ext. 201

Roslyn Times Williston Times
Times
Blank

CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

PETS

PET SERVICES

DO YOU HATE KENNELS? OR STRANGERS IN YOUR HOUSE?

HOME AWAY FROM HOME will care for your dog in my Garden City home while you are away.

Dog walking also available. Pet CPR & first Aid Certified. Numerous referrals and references. Limited availability. Book early! Annmarie 516-775-4256

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOS WANTED

AUTO BUYERS! We visit you. Highest cash paid. Or donate, tax deduct+ cash. DMV#1303199. Please call Luke. 516-VAN-CARS or 516-297-2277

DONATE YOUR CAR to Wheels For Wishes, benefitting Make-a-Wish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Call 631-317-2014 Today!

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

APARTMENT FOR RENT

GARDEN CITY BORDER

APARTMENT: Huge, bright 1 bedroom, new kitchen and bath

$1,700 AND studio $1,325, 1 bath, dining area, gated parking, laundry, A/C. NO BROKER FEE, near LIRR. rentals@gardencityborder.com or 516-524-6965 (text or voice)

HOMES FOR RENT

NEW HYDE PARK

2 BR, close to LIRR, $2,200 including utilities. 516-437-0333 https://bit.ly/2Les282 OFFICE SPACE

GARDEN CITY 1565 FRANKLIN AVE

Large Windowed Offices in newly built professional suite. Conference room, reception, copier, pantry included. Ample parking available. Call 516-248-3048

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

HOMES FOR SALE

FOR SALE BY OWNER:

200 foot deep property on very desirable Mineola Blvd. 3 Br, 2 Bath. Huge patio. All hardwood floors. Gas fireplace. Fully finished basement. Cac. IGS. New construction in 2015. Brokers Protected. Text or call 516-8840663. $775,000

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

OUT OF TOWN REAL ESTATE

NORTH FORK

UNIQUE NORTH FORK

HOME FOR SALE. One of a kind custom built home located in private Mattituck/ Cutchogue neighborhood. 4 BR, 4.5 Baths. Two Master Suites, custom built-ins and mouldings, Brazilian cherry floors throughout, three car garage, full basement, custom gunite pool with bluestone / granite patio. Magnificent view of the Hamptons. $1.625.

PRINCIPALS ONLY

By appointment only:

917-217-6676

SEBASTIAN FLORIDA (East Coast)

Beach Cove is an Age Restricted Community where friends are easily made. Sebastian is an “Old Florida” fishing village with a quaint atmosphere yet excellent medical facilities, shopping and restaurants. Direct flights from Newark to Vero Beach. New manufactured homes from $114,900. 772-581-0080; www. beach-cove.com

SERVICE

EARTHLINK HIGH SPEED

INTERNET as low as $14.95/ month (for the first 3 months). Reliable High Speed Fiber Optic Technology. Stream Videos, Music and More! Call Earthlink today 1-855-970-1623.

GUARANTEED LIFE INSURANCE! (Ages 50 to 80). No medical exam. Affordable premiums never increase. Benefits never decrease. Policy will only be cancelled for non payment. 855686-5879

SERVICE

PASSIONATE FOODIE AVAILABLE

Soon to be empty nester, former culinary graduate looking to get back into my passion. Available to cook in your home or mine.

No time for grocery shopping? No problem, I will shop for you. References available. Call Elena 516-382-0393

SPECTRUM TRIPLE PLAY!

TV, Internet & Voice for $29.99 ea. 60 MB per second speed. No contract or commitment. More Channels. Faster Internet. Unlimited Voice. Call 1-855-977-7198

ATTORNEY

STEPHANIE A. D’ANGELO, ESQ.

Elder Law, Wills & Trusts

Asset Preservation, Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration/Litigation 901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530 516-222-1122 www.dangelolawassociates. com

COMPUTERS

COMPUTER ISSUES? FREE DIAGNOSIS by GEEKS ON SITE! Virus removal, data recovery! 24/7 Emergency Service, in home repair/on line solutions. $20 off any service! 844-892-3990

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

AMBIANCE

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

*Handyman & Remodeling

*Kitchen Installations

*Furniture Assembly

*Finish Carpentry

*Minor Electrical & Plumbing

25year GC Resident

Lic & Ins H18E2170000 Call BOB 516-741-2154

SERVICE

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

AQUATEC

LAWN SPRINKLERS

Fall Drain Outs

Backflow Device Tests Free Estimates Installation Service/Repairs

Joe Barbato 516-775-1199

BATHROOM RENOVATIONS

EASY, ONE DAY updates! We specialize in safe bathing. Grab bars, no slip flooring & seated showers. Call for a free in home consultation: 888-657-9488

CJM CONTRACTING, INC. Chris Mullins. Specializing in general contracting including churches and cathedrals. All renovations, expert leak repairs, dormers / extensions, bathrooms, kitchens, basements, carpentry, roofing, flat shingle, attics, masonry, stoops, brickwork, waterproofing, pointing, windows, power washing, plumbing, electric. Small jobs welcome. Free estimates. Licensed / insured #H18C6020000. 516-428-5777

LAMPS FIXED $65 In home service. Handy Howard. 646-996-7628

MASONRY

All types of stonework

Pavers, Retaining Walls, Belgium Block Patios, Foundations, Seal coating, Concrete and Asphalt driveways, Sidewalks, Steps. Free Estimates

Fully Licensed & Insured #H2219010000

Boceski Masonry Louie 516-850-4886

SKY CLEAR WINDOW INC. Window Restorations, Outdated Hardware, skylights, Andersen Sashes, new storm windows, wood windows, chain/rope repairs, falling windows, fogged panes, mechanical repairs, wood repairs, restorations, all brands. Call Mr. Fagan, 45 years experience. 631-385-7975 www.skyclearwindow.com rob@skyclearwindow.com

WALK-IN BATHTUB

Stay in your home longer with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-844286-6771

CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

SERVICE

HEALTH & FITNESS

FAMILY CARE CONNECTIONS, LLC

Dr. Ann Marie D’Angelo PMHCNS-BC

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Advanced Practice Nurse Care Manager

Assistance with Aging at Home /Care Coordintion

Nursing Home & Assisted Living Placement

PRI / Screens / Mini Mental Status Exams

Medicaid Eligibility and Apllications

516-248-9323

www.drannmariedangelo.com

901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530

Z ACUPUNCTURE & HERBAL HEALING ARTS

Xiao Jun Zhou, L.Ac. NYS Licensed Acupuncturist/M.D.China.

U.S. National Board Certified Herbalist. 103 South Middle Neck Road, Great Neck, NY 11021

516-809-8999

AccuHerbZhou@gmail.com

Insurance Accepted

PAINTING & PAPERHANGING

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING

Plastering, Taping, Sheetrock

Skim Cutting, Old Wood Refinish, Staining, Wallpaper Removal & Hanging, Paint Removal, Power Washing, Wood Replacement

JOHN MIGLIACCIO

Licensed & Insured #80422100000

Call John anytime: 516-901-9398 (Cell) 516-483-3669 (Office)

MICHELANGELO

PAINTING & WALLPAPER

Interior, Exterior, Plaster / Spackle, Light Carpentry, Decorative Moldings & Power Washing. Call: 516-328-7499

TUTORING

MATH, SAT, ACT TUTOR: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2 plus Trig, Pre-Calc, AP Calculus. Norm 625-3314

ENGLISH, ACT, SAT TUTOR: 25+ year experience Critical Reading, Writing, Grammar, Essays. Lynne 625-3314

SERVICE

TUTORING

PRIVATE TUTORING FOR GRADES K-6

Give your child a helping hand! Licensed NYC / NYS Dept of Education teacher available to tutor students grades K-6. Contact Audrey Sullivan, M.S.Ed 347-628-8872 (voice/text) seguenow@aol.com

INSTRUCTION

CLARINET, SAXOPHONE AND FLUTE LESSONS:

Professional musician NYSSMA Adjudicator, motivating lessons in your home. All ages, beginner to advanced. NYSSMA Prep. Bernie Rose,Ph.D. 646-662-9373

PIANO LESSONS

By Ira Baslow. Experience the joy of playing the piano. Private lessons in your home, free no-obligation piano lesson, all levels, all styles, all ages. Beginners a specialty. 516-312-1054 www.iwantmypianolessons.com

CLEANING

STRONG ARM CLEANING:

Residential and commercial cleaning specialist, post construction clean ups, shipping and waxing floors, move ins and move outs. Free estimates. Bonded and insured. 516-5381125 www.strongarmcleaningny.com

SERVICES

A & J MOVING & STORAGE:

Established 1971. Long Island and New York State specialists. Residential, Commercial, Piano & Organ experts. Boxes available. Free estimates. www. ajmoving.com 516-741-2657 114 Jericho Tpk, Mineola NYDOT# 10405

COLLEGE ARTS ADMISSIONS: College Counseling in the Visual and Performing Arts. Dance, Musical Theatre & Drama. Film, Instrumental & Vocal Music. Audio Recording & Production. Theatre Technology & Production. Visual & Graphic Arts. Resume, Essays, Repertoire Lists. Michele Zimmerman. 516-353-6255 CollegeArtsAdmissions@gmail.com www.CollegeArtsAdmissions. com

SERVICE

COMPLETE JUNK REMOVAL/DEMOLITION SERVICE: Strong Arm Contracting Inc. We haul anything and everything. Entire contents of home or office. We clean it up and take it away. Residential/Commercial. Bonded/Insured. Free estimates. 516-538-1125

DISH TV

$59.99 for 190 Channels $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installations, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Call 1-877-229-5789

NATURAL STONE RESTORATION & MAINTENANCE: Granite, marble, limestone, other natural stones; repair cracks & chips, remove stains & scratches, cleaning, polishing. Licensed/insured. Marlon 516-205-9635

www.naturalstonerandm.com naturalstonerestoration19@ gmail.com

OLD VILLAGE TREE SERVICE: Owner operated since 1989. 24 hour emergency service. Licensed / insured. Free estimates, member LI Arborist Assoc. Please call 516-466-9220

If you haven’t tried Chewy.com yet for your pet food and supply purchases, this is a great time to check them out. Last Hope is now part of their rescue program. For each new customer that makes a purchase, Last Hope will receive a $20 donation. Click on the ad below or go directly to the Last Hope page at https:// www.chewy.com/ rp/5941

Agim Ghilaga

June 2, 1931 - December 18, 2018

Agim Ghilaga, husband to Vildan Bushati for over 55 years, and father of Teuta and Artesa Ghilaga, died peacefully in the company of his immediate family on December 18, 2018. Agim was born in Tropoje, Albania on June 2, 1931 to Haxhi Ghilaga and Shukrije Kadiu. On April 7, 1939, the family was forced to go into exile in Athens, Greece, as a result of the invasion of Albania by the fascist government of Italy. In 1940, as political refugees, they emigrated from Greece to Istanbul,Turkey, where they resid -

ed until 1955. During their stay in Istanbul, Agim went to St. Benoit Prep School and then pursued higher education. In 1945, when the Communists won the Civil War in Albania and established their oppressive regime, the family decided not to return to their native country and received asylum in Turkey.

In 1955, after the family moved to the United States, Agim embarked on a career in the restaurant industry and was an entrepreneur owning several businesses during his lifetime, In 1963, he married Vildan Bushati, also of Albanian ancestry, and had two daughters, Teuta and Artesa Ghilaga, both of whom reside in New York.

As a young man, Agim was an ardent man of sport, participating in soccer, tennis and swimming, which he continued to enjoy as a spectator throughout his life. He never forgot his Albanian heritage and led a productive social life in his community, amongst his fellow Albanian Americans. He is survived by his wife, Vildan; his daughters Teuta and Artesa, grandson Bato Aydelotte and son-in-law Todd Aydelotte; his brother Skender, and his niece Emilie Ghilaga; as well as numerous cousins and family in Albania, and worldwide. Visitation was held from 5-8 pm on Friday, December 21st at Fairchild Sons Funeral Home, Garden City. The funeral service was held at Fairchild Sons Funeral Home on Saturday, December 22nd. Burial followed at the Pinelawn Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY.

Agim Ghilaga
SPANISH TUDOR
LESSONS

Tween Holiday Party held at Garden City Library

Tweens selected cookies to enjoy before watching the holiday special How the Grinch Stole Christmas and then made ornaments during the Tween Holiday Party, which was held Monday, December 3 at the Garden City Public Library.

Children’s Librarian Barbara Grace helped tweens make holiday ornaments during Tween Holiday Party at the Library. This was a joint program with the Young Adult and Children’s Department for grades 4-7, as part of their monthly Tween Night programs.

Blood drive at GC Library

Long Island Blood Services will hold a blood drive at the Garden City Public Library on Tuesday, January 8, from 2:30 pm–7:00 pm. in the large meeting room on the lower level of the Library. Area hospitals are in need of local residents’ help. Each donation can help to save up to three lives.

Donors will receive a McDonald’s coupon for a free large sandwich.

Eligible donors must be between 16

and 75 years of age, with a minimum weight of 110 lbs., and no tattoos within the past 12 months. Sixteen year olds must have parental permission and donors age 76 and over must present a doctor’s note. All donors must have valid ID with signature or photo. Donors are encouraged to eat well (low fat) and drink fluids. For medical questions concerning blood donations, call 1-800-688-0900. Walk-ins are welcome.

Computer Systems Librarian Joseph Agolia (second left) and Reference Librarian Martin Bowe (third left) received 35-year Certificates for Public Service from the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials (NYCOM). Library Board Chairman J. Randolph Colahan (left) and Library Director Marianne Malagon (right) offered congratulations to them for their 35 years of service to the Garden City Public Library.

What’s Happening for Young Adults at the Library

Tween Night –Oreo Cookie Taste Challenge

Tweens in grades 4-7 are invited to join us for our first Tween Night of the New Year, Oreo Cookie Taste Challenge, which will be held on Monday, January 14, 7 pm–8 pm! Taste a variety of Oreo flavors and determine Garden City’s favorite flavor! Registration is required and begins Wednesday, January 2 at 10AM online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library and is joint program with the Young Adult and Children’s Departments.

ACT/SAT Practice Exam with Curvebreakers

Nick LaPoma of Curvebreakers will be conducting practice exams on Saturday, January 12. Registration is required and begins Wednesday, January 2 at 10 am online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Registrants may choose the ACT or SAT to take. Results will be emailed to registrants.

Winter-Spring 2019 YA Programs

The Young Adult Department is gearing up for 2019! Information about tweens and teens winter-spring 2018 YA programs will be available by the end of December. Check online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org ) or look for our flyers in the Young Adult Department at the Library to learn about 2019 events and programs for grades 6-12.

Children’s LEGO Club –Tween and Teen Volunteers

Earn volunteer hours by helping out with the Children’s Department’s LEGO Club. The LEGO Club is an hour program for children in grades K-5 and meets monthly. Registration is required and begins Wednesday, January 2 online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Volunteers must be in grades 6-12 and will be asked to help with set-up and clean-up before and after the program. Please note that there is limited availability to volunteer. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Volunteers can sign-up for the following Tuesdays, 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm:

• Tuesday, January 15

• Tuesday, February 12

• Tuesday, March 5

• Tuesday, April 16

Blind Date with a Book Library Display

Earn community service by helping make the Tweens and Teens Blind Date with a Book Valentine’s Day display on Saturday, January 12, 3

pm–4 pm. Registration is required and begins Wednesday, January 2 at 9:30 am online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Volunteers must be in grades 6-12.

VolunTeens

If you are looking to volunteer at the Library, volunteer hours are posted each month in the Tweens and Teens Department; tweens and teens in grades 6-12 can register for volunteer hours on the last day of the month for the upcoming month online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Please note there is limited availability for volunteers. Volunteers are limited to signing-up for two sessions per month; volunteers can sign-up for additional sessions if there is still availability left 24 hours before the start of the session. January hours will be posted at the end of December.

Book Buddies/Homework Helpers Volunteers

Become a volunteer for the pilot Book Buddies/Homework Helper program. Volunteers must be in grades 6-12 and will help elementary age children with homework as well as read to or with them. Volunteer spots are limited. The program will be held on Thursdays, 4 pm – 5 pm on the following days: March 7, 14, 21, and 28. Volunteers are asked to arrive beginning at 3:30 pm. Sign-up begins on Tuesday, February 26 at 9:30 am online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org ). Applications to volunteer are available beginning at the end of December in the Young Adult Room and online on the Library’s website (www.gardencitypl.org ) and are due by Friday, January 25. Submitting an application does not guarantee your acceptance into the program. Volunteers must attend a mandatory training session on either Saturday, February 9 or Thursday, February 21, 10:30 am – 12 pm in order to volunteer.

Volunteer Teen Reviewers Needed

Would you like to be a reviewer for the Library? Need community service hours? Then become a Volunteer Teen Reviewer! This program is for tweens and teens in grades 6-12. Reviews will be used to update the Tweens and Teens Library Review Page (https:// www.gardencitypl.org/category/ teen-reviews/). Reviews can be submitted via our online submission form, which can be found here: https://www. gardencitypl.org/submit-a-teen-review/. Reviews are subject to approval by the Young Adult Librarian. Please make sure to follow the guidelines for reviews in order for the review to count toward community service.

Families make gingerbread houses at the Library

GC Library Holiday Hours

The Garden City Public Library Holiday hours will be:

New Year’s Eve, December 31: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm

New Year’s Day, January 1: Closed

About to hit a milestone?

Share your life accomplishments with your neighbors! Put your engagement, wedding, or baby announcement in the paper, (and it's free of charge for subscribers!) Email editor@gcnews.com

Families start to decorate their gingerbread houses with The Baking Coach. The family program was held Saturday, December 8 at the Garden City Public Library.
A proud family shows off their finished gingerbread house at the Library.

News From the Children’s Room

Winter Storytimes 2019

Online registration for Garden City residents begins Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at 10:00 am on EventKeeper (www. gardencitypl.org ). Non-residents can register beginning Tuesday, February 5, 2019, at 10:00 am. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend the storytime. Each child needs his or her own Library Card to register. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist for that day.

Storytimes

RHYME TIME STORYTIME

Thursdays at 10:00 am, February 7—March 7 (No February 21)

For children ages 6 months–29 months (born July 2016—August 2018) with a parent or caregiver. Program is thirty minutes.

YOU AND YOUR TODDLER STORYTIME

Session 1: Mondays at 11:30 am February 4—March 4 (No February 18)

Session 2: Tuesdays at 11:30 am February 5-March 5 (No February 19)

For children ages 2 ½–3 ½ (born February 2015—February 2016) with a parent or caregiver. Sign up for only one session. Program is thirty minutes.

LITTLE LISTENERS STORYTIME

Session 1: Tuesdays at 1:30 pm February 5—March 5 (No February 19)

Session 2: Wednesdays at 1:30 pm February 6—March 6 (No February 20)

For children ages 3–5 (not yet in kindergarten). (Born February 2014— February 2016) without adults Sign up for only one session. Program is thirty minutes.

KINDERGARTEN & FIRST GRADE COMBINED STORYTIME

Tuesdays 3:45-4:30 pm

February 5—March 5, 2019 (No February 19)

For children presently enrolled in kindergarten and first grade Book Discussions

Registration is in the Children’s Room ONLY, beginning Tuesday, January 22, 2019, at 10:00 am. Non-residents can register beginning Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at 10:00 am. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on waitlist for the day.

CHAPTER CHAT!

An introductory book discussion for children presently enrolled in second grade. Discuss the book, and do related activities.

The School is Alive (An Eerie Elementary Series Book) by Jack Chabert

Monday, March 11, 2019 , 4:00-6:00 pm

Book discussion will be followed by a fun one-hour fun science program with science teacher Chris Buchman. A beverage and snack will be provided.

THE BOOK ENDS

A program for children presently enrolled in grades 3, 4, and 5. Join us for games and activities.

The Great Treehouse War by Lisa Graff

Tuesday, March 26, 2019 4:00-6:00 pm

Book discussion will be followed by a fun one-hour Science program with Science Teacher Chris Buchman. A beverage and snack will be provided.

Children’s Room Programs

Ages Birth - 5 Years (Not yet in Kindergarten)

*BABY SIGN LANGUAGE

SESSION 1 AND 2

Thursdays, March 14 and 21 10 am

Come and learn basic sign language with instructor Margaret Ann Farmer. These one-hour sessions are for children birth to 5 (not yet in kindergarten) and a caregiver. Expectant parents are also welcome. Online registration is required beginning Tuesday, March 5, at 10:00 am on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Register once for both sessions. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend the program. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist. Each session is one hour.

SPRING EGG HUNT IN THE LIBRARY

Monday April 8 at 10 am

This program is for children ages 2 1/2-5 (not in kindergarten) and a caregiver. Registration is required beginning Tuesday, March 26, at 10:00 am on EventKeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend the program. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist. Children should bring their own baskets to collect eggs. Program is one hour.

*BABY JAM AND TODDLER JAM

WITH ANDREA MORALES

Thursday, April 11 at 10 am

Baby Jam is for children ages 6-18 mos. and a caregiver is at 10AM. Toddler Jam is for children ages 19-30 mos. and a caregiver at 11AM. Online registration is required beginning Tuesday, April 2 at 10:00AM on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org ). You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend the program. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist. Each program is 45 minutes.

*INFANT JAM

WITH ANDREA MORALES

Thursday, April 18 at 10 am

This program is for children birth through five months and a caregiver at 10 am. Online registration is required beginning Tuesday, April 2, at 10:00 am on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org

). You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend the program. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist. Program is 30 minutes.

*DADDY DO WITH MISS DONNA AND SHERI NICOLETTI

Saturday, June 8 at 11 am

Dads will learn how to do different hair styles for their daughters. Please bring your own brush and comb. This program is for children ages 2 ½ -kindergarten.

Ages Kindergarten – Grade 5

*DROP-IN LEGO CLUB

Tuesdays, January 15, February 12, March 5, and April 16

This monthly club meets on four Tuesday afternoons from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm and is for children in grades K-5. No registration required. Space is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis.

*FINGER PAINTING WITH MISS SANDY

Saturday, March 30 at 1:30 pm

Online registration is required and begins Tuesday, March 19 at 10:00 am on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org ). You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend the program. Please arrive promptly. If you are late your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist. Please dress accordingly. Program is 1 hour.

*ICE CREAM SOCIAL WITH LIBRARIANS MISS DONNA AND MISS BARBARA

Monday, April 15 at 7:00 pm

Online registration is required beginning Tuesday, April 2 at 10:00 am on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend the program. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist. Program is 45 minutes.

INTRODUCTION TO ROBOTICS

Tuesdays, May 7, May 15 & May 21 from 3:30 – 4:15 pm For 4th and 5th grade only. Online registration required beginning Tuesday April 16 at 10:00 am online at Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) and is for all 3 sessions. Separate registration for each child is required. Please arrive promptly.

*DADDY DO WITH MISS DONNA AND SHERI NICOLETTI

Saturday, June 8 at 11 am

Dads will learn how to do different hair styles for their daughters. Please bring your own brush and comb. This program is for children ages 2 ½ – kindergarten. Online registration is required on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) with a library card beginning May 21 at 10:00 am. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend

the storytime. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist for that day.

Tween Programs

Mondays

These programs are for Tweens in grades 4-7. Online registration is required on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org ) with a Library Card. Registration starts at 10:00 am on the days indicated below. Programs run from 7:00–8:00 pm.

January 14

OREO COOKIE TASTE CHALLENGE

Determine Garden City’s favorite flavor! Registration begins on Wednesday, January 2.

February 11

*DECORATE CAKE POPS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

Registration begins on Tuesday, January 29.

March 11

*BOOK DISCUSSION

Discuss the book The Perfect Score by Rob Buyea, while enjoying a pizza dinner. Registration begins Tuesday, February 26.

April 8

*KAHOOT TRIVIA NIGHT.

Registration begins Tuesday, March 26. Joint Children’s and Young Adult Programs

Online registration is required on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org ) with a Library Card. Registration starts at 10:00 am on the days indicated below. You must do a separate registration for each tween. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist for that day.

Sat., March 23

*STAR WARS DAY

A day to celebrate STAR WARS with programming,character meet-andgreets throughout the day for all ages. Registration begins Tuesday, March 5. (Special events for preschoolers through grade 8 and families.)

Sat., April 6

*WONDER ANTI-BULLYING DAY

The Library will be hosting a Wonder Anti-Bullying Day based on the best-selling book Wonder by R.J. Palacio with programming focusing on anti-bullying throughout the day, for all ages. More details to follow. Registration begins Tuesday, March 19 (kindergarten through adult). Details to follow.

Sat., May 18

*QUIDDITCH (GRADES 4-8) Teen Quidditch Tournament 11:00AM—12:00 PM

Sign up for your team and compete in our Quidditch Tournament! Weather permitting, this program will be held outside. In the event of inclement weather, this program will be cancelled. Registration is required. Registrants must sign up for a team. Registration begins Tuesday, March 26.

Continued on page

NOTICE OF SALE

Supreme Court

County Of Nassau

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF THE CSFB MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005CF1, V.

COLLEEN TRETTIEN; ET. AL.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated January 19, 2017, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF THE CSFB MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005CF1 is the Plaintiff and COLLEEN TRETTIEN; ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Calendar Control Part, Mineola, NY 11501, on January 8, 2019 at 11:30AM, premises known as 162 MEADOW ST, GARDEN CITY, NY 11530: Section 34, Block 546, Lot 32 & 39:

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT PEICE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF GARDEN CITY, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 0000801/2015.

Marilyn Salzman, Esq. - Referee. RAS Boriskin, LLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff.

GC 0872

4X 12/07,14,21,28

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court County Of Nassau RBS CITIZENS, N.A., Plaintiff

-againstANTONIO IMPERIALE A/K/A ANTONIO E. IMPERIALE, KRISTEN SANNA and KRISTIN IMPERIALE as, KRISTEN IMPERIALE A/K/A KRISTEN SANNA, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated September 25, 2018, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at (CCP) Calendar Control Part Court Room of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Dr., Mineola, NY on January 29, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, Village of Garden City, County of Nassau and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at the corner formed by the intersection of the southerly side of First Place, with the Westerly side of Franklin Court West; being a plot 76.53 feet by 86.15 feet by 70.63 feet by 78.47 feet.

Said premises known as 16 1ST PLACE, GARDEN CITY, NY

Approximate amount of lien $707,484.38 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Index Number 10509/2013.

JOHN PATRICK GIBBONS JR., ESQ., Referee

David A. Gallo & Associates LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 99 Powerhouse Road, First Floor, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577

File# 5025.2074

GC 0874

4X 12/28,01/04,11,18

News from the Children’s Room

Continued on page 27

Joint Children’s and Young Adult Programs

Online registration is required on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org ) with a Library Card. Registration starts at 10:00 am on the days indicated below. You must do a separate registration for each tween. Please arrive promptly. If you are late, your spot may be given to someone on the waitlist for that day.

Sat., March 23

*STAR WARS DAY

A day to celebrate STAR WARS with programming,character meet-and-greets throughout the day for all ages. Registration begins Tuesday, March 5. (Special events for preschoolers through grade 8 and families.)

Sat., April 6

*WONDER ANTI-BULLYING DAY

The Library will be hosting a Wonder AntiBullying Day based on the best-selling book Wonder by R.J. Palacio with programming focusing on anti-bullying throughout the day, for all ages. More details to follow. Registration begins Tuesday, March 19 (kindergarten through adult). Details to follow.

Trash

Sat., May 18

*QUIDDITCH (GRADES 4-8)

Teen Quidditch Tournament 11:00AM—12:00 PM

Sign up for your team and compete in our Quidditch Tournament! Weather permitting, this program will be held outside. In the event of inclement weather, this program will be cancelled. Registration is required. Registrants must sign up for a team or to be a Snitch in advance online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org ) with a Library Card beginning Tuesday, April 30th at 10:00 am. There are limited spots on each team and to play as the Snitch. Registrants are asked to wear the color of the team they are signed up to play for: Green— Slytherin, Blue—Ravenclaw, Red—Gryffindor, Yellow—Hufflepuff, Black—Snitches

*Funding for these programs has been provided by The Friends of the Garden City Public Library. Priority is given to Garden City Public Library Cardholders. Non-residents will be accommodated on a space available basis. Each child needs his or her own Library Card to register. Please check the Library website www.gardencitypl.org for upcoming events and registration dates.

Eddie & Jean Costello’s

or Treasure Antiques Roadshow

Garden City Public Library

Sunday, January 27, 2019 at 2 pm

Registration Begins Tuesday, January 15 @ 9:30 am

Do you have something that is old, unusual, and perhaps even bizarre? Come find out on Sunday, January 27th at 2 pm at the Garden City Public Library. Learn how to identify today’s hottest antiques and collectibles. Eddie Costello will be guest appraiser and host. The first 40 people who register will have the opportunity to bring an item they would like to have appraised (no coins, currency, or stamps) and Eddie will provide an appraisal and rationale for the valuation. Eddie is a veteran appraiser with over 40 years of experi-

ence. His crowd-pleasing appraisal events and entertaining demeanor always make for an informative and entertaining show.

Registration begins Tuesday, January 15 at 9:30 am for Garden City Library cardholders. You may register in person or register by calling the Reference Department at 516-7428405 ext 239. To be guaranteed an appraisal, you must sign-up for this program ahead of time. On the day of the program walk-ins are welcome; however, walk-ins will receive an appraisal after those who have signed up, if time permits. Non-Garden City Library cardholders may call to register on Wednesday, January 23 if space is available.

Presbyterian Church Youth present Christmas program

The Presbyterian Church in Garden City held its annual children’s Christmas pageant on Sunday, December 16. Entitled ‘Twas the Very First Christmas, it featured Matthew Hughes (narrator), Holly Dutton, David Hernandez-Arroyo, Daniel HernandezArroyo, Andrew Dutton (an adult mem-

ber), Alexis Sekeres, Patrick Stein, and Nicholas Dutton (not pictured below.)

The PCGC is located at the corner of New Hyde Park Road and Chester Avenue. Worship services begin at 10:30 on Sunday morning, followed by refreshments in the Colonial Room.

The Children’s Christmas pageant, “T’was the Very First Christmas”

“Tea and Play” classes at Waldorf School

The Waldorf School is offering free trial “Tea & Play” classes for parents and children on Tuesday, January 15 and 29th from 2:00 – 3:00 pm.

The Waldorf School of Garden City’s Parent and Child Program offers parents and their children (ages of 1–3 years old) an opportunity to come together once a week in a warm and homelike setting. Under the guidance of a Waldorf-trained Early Childhood teacher, adults share insights about life with a toddler through lively class discussions. For the children, this structured program includes free play, circle time, songs and poems, and a puppet

“Rembrats

2019”

play. Together, they also prepare and share a wholesome snack. In this way, teacher and parents work together to provide a model of what community means for young children. Typically a ten-week session, winter classes begin in January!

For parents, an Introduction to the Nursery Information session will be offered on January 30th from 6:30-8:00 pm. For more information or to rsvp, please visit: https:// www.waldorfearlyeducation.org/ parent-child-program/. You may also contact Carol Proctor at proctorc@ waldorfgarden.org.

Rembrats 2019, a juried show and group exhibition of the pastel and artworks of the students of Arleen Rueth Urban from Cluett Hall, Arleen’s private workshop classes, and the Garden City Community Club, will be held at the Garden City Library from January 5 through February 23.

Awards will be presented, including the prestigious HJR Award of Excellence (Best in Show).

Information for participants:

All paintings must be properly

framed under glass with wire only and ready to hang. Other hanging appliances will not be accepted.

Delivery of the paintings: Saturday, January 5 from 10–11 am (Please note that late deliveries will not be included in the show.)

Removal of paintings: Saturday, February 23 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a mini reception and awards. (Paintings not removed by 11 am may be discarded by the Library.)

For any questions, please contact Arleen at 516-352-6798.

Get Results!

Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call 294-8900 or visit us online at www.gcnews.com to request information & rates

After the program, the congregation enjoyed a piece of Jesus’ birthday cake, which was prepared by Doris Watson (shown with the Rev. Wanda Lawry Hughes).

Lessons on 'The Garden Within' presented at yoga studio

From page 6

binge and made ourselves sick to revert back to that purity,” Reid said.

The preface to Just Relax announces “The state of the world is a reflection of the state of our hearts. So how does one change the world? It begins on a singular level and is a personal responsibility shared by all people. Judgements of the actions or words of others perpetuates the blame cycle seemingly increasing our separateness. However the observed qualities present in others, and in society as a whole, are simply extensions of the individual. To recognize qualities externally implies an intimate understanding of them.”

Harsh reactions to the not-so-pleasant occurrences on a given day can be curbed by taking a step back, Reid advised. He says if you’re driving and have a close call or some other driver cuts you off, reduce the ‘boiling up’ feelings by remembering to pause before getting carried away or asking yourself how much you need to be angry or frustrated. Reid considers the positives of trusting that “things will end up how they need to end up” even though the immediate situation may be at odd with your thoughts.

“It is easier to express a gratitude for their being there if you consider that you know what it’s like to be in a rush, even though it seems like such an unpleasant moment. Eight hours later you may look back and think ‘I can’t believe that moment messed up my entire day,” he said.

Reid told the audience December 15 that taking time out for meditation daily, “to look within yourself and to see,” is just as important as eating or sleeping. Once the self-reflections take place consistently, emptying and recalling sequences of events, people piece together their cycle of events, “everything leading us forward.”

Changes can start with better awareness of things you might do ‘involuntarily’ each day, such as making purchases or using an electronic device, “doing without the things we assume that we need.” Catching yourself throughout the days and making a note of it helps regulate emotional peaks and valleys, desires and impulses.

Garden City resident Sylvia Ehrhart is the co-founder of Samudra Yoga and a mom of three children. At Reid’s presentation she commented that among people she knows who meditate, “it can become spiritual materialism.” Some have assigned a need such as a particular soundtrack or the Alexa meditation studio (app), certain malas (prayer beads and necklaces) or yoga outfits and “Zen-like” accouterments. Her message is that “you don’t really need much.” Another attendee agreed and said Reid’s palpable lecture compliments a phrase meditation teachers have used, “simplicity is an advanced course.”

When Ehrhart first moved into Garden City the closets in her first house here were very small, but the explanation of them carried insight.

“I spoke with the woman selling the house and she said back in the 1920’s people did not need more than five outfits. That was a shock as I thought of just five outfits, but they didn’t think about it like that. So why do we need five winter coats when one is enough? It is true that we may feel we need more. I used to think I was born to shop but now I try not going to the mall. We start thinking we’re always needing something when we are not. It is nice to feel like you don’t need anything and not really care if the same coat is used all year,” Ehrhart says.

Reid, who lives in Floral Park, says there is reason to trust in faith if a person keeps good intentions plus “that openness and emptiness within.”

“We need to become gardeners of the heart and address that through meditation. The meditative practice essentially brings us to emptiness -- aware from ourselves and the idea of attachments to anything. We fill our days distracting ourselves from that emptying process. But it is in that empty garden that those seeds of love and selflessness can bloom, or in Carle’s story, become that beautiful butterfly. I encourage everyone to examine the process, how we react to things, and to understand that it all stems from us,” Reid explained. He recommends setting aside 10 minutes every morning and every night for some form of meditation and sitting quietly.

Meditation can get a bad wrap of “being too distant and far removed from us,” but Reid says breaking through the choice to start meditation, and entering that quiet, relaxed zone with Eric Carle’s metaphor of the “cocoon period” allows us to recall the simplicity of life we had in our childhoods. Meditation is not an easy practice to keep up, especially as it becomes routine the fervor of the beginning stage is lost.

Reid commented that responsibility for our words and actions creates a common bond that everyone in society shares. He says the work behind that happens on the individual level to make the greater picture whole, akin to how “the caterpillar has to become a butter fly through its time in the cocoon.”

“We store all the extra stuff in the closet spaces in our minds, and we must remember to eventually ‘dust’ and clear it all out. We clutter that garden space within ourselves and we feed the weeds of desire. Everything outside becomes the norm and we just continue in the pattern moving on. In regards to how our modern culture sets things up for us, even within the spiritual commu nity, we look for that magic one-off that will change everything such as a mantra that sticks or having a charm. Everything we need is already inside of

us. It is as simple as sitting with your eyes closed every morning and evening and embracing whatever comes up,” Reid said.

Reid is currently working on his third book, which he said was inspired by his experience on one stretch of his 11-week-long book release speaking tour, involving a drive from Amarillo, Texas to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“I was held up in Amarillo for 24 hours longer than scheduled. As I am getting on to the highway to finally leave Amarillo I saw a young man hitchhiking, and I felt compelled to pick him up so I just looped around and picked him up. During the six-hour drive he told me he had no faith in God because he just believed in science, God was nonsense to him. That night we split costs of the trip and the next day I dropped him off on the highway, and

it was fun despite our different viewpoints. As we parted ways the flash came to my mind, even though he says he had no faith in God and I have such faith in God as God loves everybody, here I gave him the ride for six hours even though he has no faith. The sun shines on everybody without regard for who you are -- it does not care. This is part of our course as people, and it unifies us. Not everybody is a spiritual person, but we are here and we have the desire and responsibility within ourselves. There is an implied aestheticism in that. As boundaries start to dissolve it is easier to see commonalities and the same emotions and aspects in each other,” Reid said.

Copies of Mihn and Just Relax as well as more of Reid’s reflections and experiences can be found on his website, HowStrangelyWeAreMade.com.

Musical guest Jayashri Wyatt performs for the audience.

Space Adventure with Bricks4Kidz

Join us for a Space Adventure! During this 6 week session we will be building models inspired by the NASA space program. This session is packed with models that will make your imagination blast off! At the end of the 6 week session children will go home with a LEGO minifigure!

Bricks4Kidz classes build on the popular LEGO bricks to deliver high-quality educational play. Each hour-long class is an engaging experience for your child with a new project each week. Our unique models aren’t the kits you find on the shelves of a toy store. They’re designed by Bricks4Kidz to teach concepts across a variety of subject areas.

This class is open to Garden City residents in grades 1-4 and will be held on Wednesdays from 4:00-5:00 pm in St.Paul’s Cluett Hall.

The cost is $135 per child for the six week session.

Registration is limited to 12 children. Please make checks payable to Bricks 4 Kidz.

Open Family Time

During Holiday Break

St. Paul’s Fieldhouse will be open for family time on:

• Saturday, December 29 from 10 to 2 pm

• Monday, December 31 from 9 am to 1 pm

This open time provides the oppor-

VILLAGE SPORTS

tunity for families to enjoy various gym activities in an indoor environment. The time is designated for family time only. No organized practices or workouts will be allowed. Although there will be staff to monitor activity, this is not a drop off program. We ask that elementary aged children be accompanied by an adult. For the safety of our users, no lacrosse or baseball equipment, or any other sport involving stick equipment, will be allowed.

Men's Saturday Basketball at the Middle School

Recreation and Parks sponsors Men’s basketball in the Middle School south gym on Saturdays from 8:30 to 11:30 am. Games are strictly pickup and are open to residents and their guest. Play will continue through February 16.

Registration for Winter Youth Tennis Lessons Begins

We are pleased to announce the start of registration for our WINTER Tennis Program for children at the Community Park Tennis Center. Classes are held weekdays with some levels on Saturdays. A full schedule of classes can be found at the Recreation and Parks Office at 108 Rockaway Ave. or on our website at www.gardencityrecreation.org.

Classes will begin on Monday, January 7. All classes will run for 10

GC Wings 7 - Oceanside Sailors 6

Game 13

In a must-win situation to still be in playoff hunt, the GC Wings pulled off a stunning come-from-behind victory against the Oceanside Sailors, 7-6. The Sailors scored twice in the 1st period and opened the 2nd period before Tyler Bedard put the Wings on the board at 3:40 (assisted by Matt Savino). Luca Bevil scored (assisted by Matt Savino and Ryan Michel) at 12:14 for the Wings to close within one goal. The Sailors quickly answered back in 21 seconds to close the 2nd period at 4-2.

Wings opened the 3rd period with a breakaway goal by Tom Allen (assisted by Matt Savino) at 2:16. A minute later, Eric Mueller blasted a shot from the point (assisted by Tom Allen and Ryan Michel) to tie the game at 4. At 5:08, Matt Savino’s goal (assisted by Tyler Bedard and Chris Michel) put the Wings ahead for the first time in the game. The Sailors scored at 8:56 to tie it at 5. At 9:20 Ryan Michel’s unassisted goal gave the

Wings the lead once more, 6-5.

With a minute left in the game the Sailors pulled their goaltender for an extra skater. With a fierce battle ensuing in center ice, Tom Allen was able to steal the puck and score an empty netter at 14:02 to give the Wings a two goal lead. With 43 seconds left in the game, the Sailors scored to close within 1 goal. The Wings held on for the win, 7-6.

Jason Derby was in goal, making 22 saves on 28 shots. The rest of the squad was: Billy Willis, Matthew Conelli, Sean Jaeger, Connor Holfester, Chris Heckelmann, Zachary Debler, Harrison Debler, Julian Larenas, and Troy Dorizas. Coaches: Richard Peck and Joe Pyeron.

GC was out shot by a 28 to 26 margin. The team moved into a tie for 4th place. Their record now stands at 6-5-2 for 14 points. The Wings’ next game is on Sunday night, January 13th at the Iceworks Arena. Game time is at 8 pm. Coaches: Richard Peck and Joe Pyeron.

See what's happening at your library!

From classes to lectures and concerts to movie screenings, there's never a dull day at your local library! Check this paper each week for fun and informative all-ages activities, all for free or cheap!

weeks. To register for a class, please visit our office or website or, if you have a password you can register online at www.gcreconline.gardencityny.net.

An explanation of each level of classes is as follows:

Tots Ages 4-5 (not in kindergarten) and PeeWee - Ages 5(in kindergarten) to 7 Introduction to Tennis, emphasizing basic movement and striking skills in a fun game playing environment.

Novice - Ages 6 to 7 - Continued development of basic movement and striking skills on a full size court. Serving and scorekeeping will be introduced. Past Tennis experience required.

Junior - Ages 8 to 11 - Extension of Novice Level program. Continued emphasis on striking concepts, movement, and skills related to tennis play.

Junior Advanced - Ages 8 to 11 For the more serious, more advanced students. These lessons are offered in 1 1/2 hr time slots. Experience required.

Senior - Ages 12 and olderExtension of Junior Program, continued emphasis on fundamentals and skills related to tennis play.

Senior Advanced - Ages 12 and older - For the more serious, more advanced student. These lessons are offered in 1 1/2 hour time slots. Experience required.

College

Thomas Bermel, a student at High Point University, made the Dean’s List for the Fall 2018 semester. Thomas is from Garden City and is a biology major, looking to pursue a career in medicine. Dean’s List students are those who have attained a 3.5 or higher GPA based on a 4.0 scale.

n

Shawn Sony from Garden City, who is earning a BS in health sciences from New York Institute of Technology, is one of 92 students who completed NYIT’s rigorous Internship Certificate Program this fall semester. Sony worked as a Shadow at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens.

Pee-Wee Sports Mini Sampler for Children Ages 4

& 5 Years Old

The Garden City Recreation Department will offer our poplar PeeWee Sports Sampler program this winter for children ages 4 & 5 who are Residents of the Inc. Village of Garden City. We are offering 2 three-week sessions for the children to get a taste of the program with longer sessions planned after the holidays. This program has been designed to provide an opportunity to try a wide variety of sports with basic instruction.

This 55 minute program will take place in St. Paul’s Fieldhouse. Our Sampler will incorporate new skills and free play in a non-competitive atmosphere. A different sport will be offered each week. Classes will be held according to the following schedule:

Mondays 1:30 to 2:25 pm

Tuesdays 10:30 to 11:25 am

Tuesdays 1 to 1:55 pm

Wednesdays 1:30 to 2:25 pm

The following session is available: Session Two – Week of January 2 through Week of January 14 (Mondays end 1/28)

The cost of this program is $50. To register for this program, please visit the Recreation and Parks Office at 108 Rockaway Avenue or, if you have a password you can register online at www.gcreconline.gardencityny.net.

Notes

The Internship Certificate Program at NYIT includes assessment of targeted skills by an on-site supervisor. Most certificate holders are offered continuing employment at the organization where they completed their internship. This year, more than 200 NYIT students earned certificates by working as product assistants, physical therapy aides, architecture interns, and in many other jobs.

n

Kristen Fitzsimons of Garden City graduated from York College of Pennsylvania on Dec. 19. Fitzsimons earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

GC and Floral Park play another thriller

On December 22nd, the Floral Park Knights came to Garden City with a 5-1 record for a rematch of last year’s Class A Nassau County final, in which the Trojans won a classic in double overtime. We have come to expect thrilling games when these two teams face each other. In this game, the Trojans led most of the way with tenacious defense and scoring from James Cashwell (14 points, 5 rebounds) and Billy Duff (9 points, 9 rebounds). With 14 seconds left, Joe Scattareggia (8 points, 7 rebounds) hit a floater in the lane to put GC up by a point. After calling a time-out with four seconds on the clock, Floral Park’s leading scorer hit a running layup in traffic to win at the buzzer 50-49.

On December 19th, GC played their first league game losing in the final seconds to Great Neck South 41-38. The Trojans were led by James Cashwell (15 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals), Billy Duff (6 points, 5 rebounds), James Basile (6 points, 5 steals), Brian Wood (5 points), Joe Scattareggia (4 points, 3 rebounds), and Jack Downey (2 points, 7 rebounds).

On December 18th, GC lost to Valley

Stream South 53-34. James Cashwell (13 points, 10 rebounds), Billy Duff (10 points), James Basile (5 points, 3 steals), Tom Franz, and Gavin Paskewitz scored 3 points each.

The Trojans have lost 3 games by a total of 8 points in the early season, but still have 11 league games remaining.

The GC Trojans roster is made up of:

• Seniors: James Basile (Captain), James Cashwell (Captain), Gavin Pappas (Captain), Joe Scattareggia (Captain), Billy Duff, Cyrus Lalehzar, and Pat Reilly.

• Juniors: Chase Gardi, Aiden Long, Joe McNiff, Gavin Paskewitz, and Brian Wood.

• Sophomores: Michael Deluca, Jack Downey, Tom Franz, and Luke Long.

• Team Managers: Kostas Adams, Dylan Fu, and Matteo Yepes.

GC Upcoming Home Games:

Jan 3rd: Valley Stream Central, 6:30 pm

Jan 5th: Herricks, 1:30 pm

Jan 11th: Mepham, 6:30 pm

Come out and support the team!

Coach Hegmann draws up a play
Cash hits a jump shot
Jack Downey in the lane
Joe Scatt drives the lane
Billy Duff shoots for two

Calling all Garden City HS Basketball alumni

Women’s participants

Bethany LeSueur (‘01) dribbles up the court.

Has your mind ever made a promise your body couldn’t keep? How about getting geared up for the Garden City High School men’s and women’s alumni hoops game!

The TMA will present this co-ed event which will be played at Garden City High School on Saturday, January 5th. The afternoon starts with the High School boys basketball team taking on Herricks H.S. at 1:30 pm. This will be immediately followed by the Alumni

hoops game. Cost is $40 which includes game shirt, postgame food and drink specials at Doc O’Grady’s and more. Most of the proceeds will go to support the GCHS girls and boys basketball programs.

Please go to GCTMA.ORG for more details and to register for the game.

Although we will welcome “walkups,” it’s important for all those planning on being a part of day to register in order to assure your names being includ-

ed in the game day program. Check the website to see who’s registered. There are already over twenty-five former men’s hoopsters signed up! C’mon ladies, we need some players,

so far there’s only a handful signed up! Reach out to your former teammates! Looking forward to seeing all back on the hardwood!

Bruce Bergwall (‘76) and Rick Herbst (‘75) take the opening tip

CONTRACT

Garden City, NY

2-bedroom, 2-bath. SD #18. MLS# 3067005. $499,000.

Out of Town Listings

Garden City, NY

4-bedroom, 2.5-bath. SD #18. MLS# 3050208. $669,000.

CONTRACT

Hempstead, NY

4-bedroom, 2-bath. SD #1. MLS# 3072529. $310,000.

Garden City, NY

3-bedroom, 1.5-bath. SD #18. MLS# 3071781. $749,000.

Seaford, NY

2-bedroom, 1-bath. SD #6. MLS# 3064742. $379,000.

New Hyde Park, NY
#5. MLS# 3072910. $639,000.
Franklin Square, NY
#17. MLS# 3072465. $539,000.
Floral Park, NY
2-bath.
#22. MLS# 3064334. $524,000.
Rene Blair Ann Collins Chelsea Costello Patricia Costello
Claudia Galvin Manager Annmarie Bommarito Laura Carroll Christine Cudahy
Patricia Dickson Arthur Anderson
Michele LaRocca
Alexandra Parisi Linda Mulrooney Susan MacDonald Athena Menoudakos Kathy Lucchesi
Eileen O’Hara
Brigid Marmorowski
Mary Lo Galbo
Matthew Minardi
Denise Eilbeck
Diane Piscopo
Garden City, NY 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath. SD #18. MLS# 3084268. $1,949,000.
Garden City, NY 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath. SD #18. MLS# 3084181. $1,989,000.

Roslyn, NY

5-bedroom, 4.5-bath. SD #3. MLS# 3022054. $1,899,000.

Wyndham Resale Office

Patricia Costello, Patricia Dickson, Alfred Kohart, Mary Krener and Linda Mulrooney

2-bedroom, 2.5-bath.

3077798.

100

Garden City, NY

2-bedroom, 2.5-bath.

SD #18. MLS# 3034870. $2,700,000.

Garden City, NY

3-bedroom, 2.5-bath. SD #18. MLS# 3074901. $4,200. Garden City, NY

3-bedroom, 2-bath. SD #18. MLS# 3084120. $5,500.

Lauren Grima
Marilyn Frey
Robert J. Krener
Lisa Heaney Fortune Heaney
Daureen Hausser
Susan Gillin
Alfred Kohart Mary Krener
Kathleen Higdon
Meredith Krug
Kathleen Roberts Cecile Raoult Julia Mastromauro Rosado
Jennifer Sullivan Scott Wallace Maureen Walsh Lagarde Joseph Scianablo
Cheryl Trimboli
Lynn Puccio Brian Pryke

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook