Jericho-Syosset News Journal (8/1/25)

Plainview Old Bethpage Chamber hosts barbecue

On June 18, Senator Steve Rhoads attended the Plainview-Old Bethpage Chamber of Commerce Barbecue. The annual event featured delicious food, lively music, and great company. Senator Rhoads enjoyed the opportunity to connect with members of this vibrant business network and celebrate the strong spirit of community that defines Plainview-Old Bethpage.

Free summer concert series at parks, beaches

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced the return of “Music Under the Stars” – a free summer concert series – which kicks off on Tuesday, July 1, and features a wide variety of genres ranging from country to rock. All concerts begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted below. For comfort, residents may bring blankets, chairs and coolers. Performances are subject to change and will be held weather permitting. For additional information, please call (516) 797-7925, visit the Town’s website at www.oysterbaytown.com/summer or Facebook page @TownofOysterBay.

August Concert Series:

Saturday, August 2: John J. Burns Town Park, Massapequa - The Beat Goes On: Cher Tribute featuring Lisa McClowry

Tuesday, August 5: John J. Burns Town Park, Massapequa - Tribute to Beatles, Zeppelin and Doors by Magical

Mystery Doors

Wednesday, August 6: Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park, Plainview - The Main Event: A tribute to the legendary Barbra Streisand starring Jill Gioia.

Saturday, August 9: Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park & Beach, Oyster Bay - Dr. K’s Motown Revue: America’s #1 authentic Motown Revue Band

Tuesday, August 12: John J. Burns Town Park, Massapequa - The Doo Wop Project: America’s Premiere Doo Wop Group

Wednesday, August 13: Syosset-Woodbury Community Park, WoodburyHalf Step Playing the music of the Grateful Dead

Saturday, August 16: John J. Burns Town Park, Massapequa - Dalton presents the Zac(h)s: Celebrating the Music of Zac Brown Band and Zach Bryan

“Movies by Moonlight”

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that free ‘Movies by Moonlight’ will be offered in local parks on Thursday evenings this summer, beginning July 10. Residents are welcome to bring blankets and chairs when attending these family-friendly movies.

“Residents and families looking for a fun night need look no further than their backyards this summer as the Town is ready with a summer to remember,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “We’re thrilled to once again show family-friendly films at our parks, along with

character meet and greets, inflatables, games and more.”

Seating and pre-movie activities will begin at 6:30 p.m. including character meet and greets at select movies, inflatables and games. All movies begin at sundown and are subject to change. They will be held weather permitting. For additional information, please call (516) 797-7925 or visit the Town’s website www.oysterbaytown.com/summer  or Facebook page @TownofOysterBay.

Levittown commander named to Veterans Hall of Fame

New York State Senator Steve Rhoads with Commander

On July 11, New York State Senator Steve Rhoads inducted Commander Matthew J. DeGregorio of VFW Post 9592 in Levittown into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame. A Brooklyn native raised in Levittown, DeGregorio served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War as an Aircraft Maintenance and Crew Chief with the 602nd Fighter Squadron (Commando) in Vietnam and Thailand. He earned the National Defense Service Medal,

Vietnam Service Medal, and Air Force Good Conduct Medal.

As Post Commander, he has led countless efforts to support hospitalized veterans, ship care packages to deployed troops, assist military families, mentor youth, and champion veteran causes at every level of government. A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Commander DeGregorio embodies a lifetime of service, sacrifice, and leadership.

Are you a professional?

Our Professional Guide is sure to bring results. Call 516-294-8900 for rates and information.

One-stop Passport Weekend at Town Hall

To help residents looking to obtain new passports, Oyster Bay Town Clerk Richard LaMarca announced that his office will offer a special one-stop Passport Weekend on Saturday, August 9, and Sunday, August 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at both Town Hall North in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South in Massapequa. Residents are required to book appointments in advance.

“Residents looking to apply for a new passport are invited to visit Town Hall during Passport Weekend to receive assistance,” said Town Clerk LaMarca. “We can help you with organizing your documents, obtaining a photo and submitting the documents for approval.”

Requirements for applying for a passport include:

• One 2x2 color photograph with a clear view of the applicant’s face against a plain white or light colored background. Photos will also be available for $10 at both Town Halls North and South during Passport Weekend.

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship –Previously issued undamaged U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, Consular

Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth, Naturalization Certificate, or Certificate of Citizenship.

• Proof of Identity – Naturalization Certificate, Valid Driver’s License (cannot have been issued or renewed in the last six months), Current Government ID (city, state or federal), Current Military ID (military and dependents).

• This service does NOT apply to Adult Renewals unless your Passport is expired for 5+ years.

Town Clerk LaMarca has offices located at Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road in Massapequa.  Passport appointments are available Monday through Friday, from 9:30am to 3:30pm, and during this special Passport Weekend.  For appointments in Oyster Bay, please call (516) 624-6324.  For appointments in Massapequa, please call (516) 797-7962. For information on passport requirements and processing times, as well as instructions for passport renewals, visit www.travel.state.gov.

Animals come to life one block at a time at Lee Road School

First graders at Lee Road Elementary School worked together to form animals using 2D blocks on May 29 .Photo courtesy Levittown Public Schools

First graders at Lee Road Elementary School in the Levittown School District worked together to bring animals to life through colorful pattern blocks on May 29.

After enjoying the book “The Greedy Triangle” by Marilyn Burns, Jennifer McCarty's first grade class worked in pairs to create zoo animals using blocks of various 2D shapes. Students have been learning about the attributes of 2D shapes through lessons, and this hands-on activity encouraged the use of teamwork and problem-solving skills to mimic patterns. They then discovered that the blocks can be combined to build other 2D shapes.

Matthew J. DeGregorio

Levittown’s Lazy Days of Summer event

On July 19, Senator Steve Rhoads joined Assemblyman John Mikulin, Councilman Dennis Dunne, Sr., Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray, and Legislator Tom McKevitt at the Levittown Community Council’s 28th Annual Lazy Days of Summer at the Village Green. The event featured fun games, music, and entertainment, providing a great afternoon to connect with residents and celebrate the strong sense of community that makes Levittown special.

Earth Day artist honored by state senator

On June 27, Senator Steve

welcomed Hicksville Middle School student Angad Singh and his family to his district office to recognize Angad’s exceptional Earth Day artwork, which was featured in the New York State Senate’s Earth Day Poster Contest. Angad’s piece, along with other impressive student submissions from across the district, is now proudly displayed in the Senator’s Community Art Gallery — each one delivering a strong message about the importance of environmental stewardship and protecting our planet for future generations.

Rhoads

Bethpage students learn about water conservation

Sixth grade students from the Bethpage school district recently visited the Bethpage Water Disrict for a behind the scenes educational program about advanced water treatment.

The Bethpage Water District recently impressed students with a special behind-the-scenes tour and a new interactive program designed to foster water conservation awareness. The initiative also deepened their understanding of where their drinking water comes from and the steps they can take to protect this vital resource.

This year, over 150 students from nine classes took part in this immersive experience at one of the District’s stateof-the-art water treatment facilities at Plant 6 (Motor Lane). The District has one of the most advanced suburban water treatment facilities in New York State – and possibly the nation. Through this initiative, students gained critical insight into the importance of water conservation and the role they play in preserving high-quality drinking water for future generations.

“It is essential for students to see firsthand where their drinking water comes from,” said Bethpage Water District Commissioner Teri Black. "By experiencing the process, they gained a realworld understanding of the technology and expertise that goes into delivering high-quality water to their homes. This initiative was informative and empowering. All District Commissioners hope it inspires these students to appreciate and conserve water in their daily lives."

Students gained insight into the cutting-edge water treatment processes that ensures the high quality drinking water we provide to residents meets

or exceeds all local, state, and federal guidelines. Superintendent Michael J. Boufis emphasized the importance of the Bethpage Water District’s pioneering technology in the industry: “We are proud to be the first in the country to implement this advanced system. Our investment in this technology ensures that our residents and customers will always have access to high-quality drinking water.”

A key contributor to the success of the program was Bethpage Union Free School District’s Science Enrichment Coordinator and 21st Century Program Manager Lorraine Marcis. She was instrumental in advancing this partnership, and expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, “This collaboration with the Bethpage Water District transformed the way students are engaging and learning about the world around them. Seeing the process firsthand fostered curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation for the importance of water conservation in their everyday lives.”

Students visiting the facility saw the full water treatment cycle from sourcing groundwater to final purification –learning about the equipment and technology used throughout the process. Innovative learning tools, including interactive displays and an educational mobile unit, provided a dynamic and stimulating approach to water education.

Attention students!

Graduated from school? Have an outstanding GPA?

Made the honor roll or Dean’s List? Scored an internship or study abroad opportunity?

We invite you to send details of any of these things and more, along with your name and contact info, to editor@gcnews.com for a chance to be seen in our paper!

Flag Day at Abbey Lane School Summer events at the Levittown Public Library

Levittown Public Library outdoor summer concerts take place in the Town of Hempstead’s Levittown Veterans Memorial Park located across from the library’s front entrance. In the event of inclement weather, they will move inside the library on a first come, first seated basis.

Outdoor Music

Thursday, July 17, 7:00–8:30 p.m.

Summer Outdoor Concert–Steely Band: Performing Steely Dan’s hits and B-sides.

Outdoor in-person concert. If inclement weather concert moves indoors. No tickets or fee.

Thursday, August 7, 7:00–8:30 p.m.

Summer Outdoor Concert–The Legendary Murphys: Classic rock and roll music featuring male and female vocals.

Outdoor in-person concert. If inclement weather concert moves indoors. No tickets or fee.

Tuesday, September 16, 7:00–8:30 p.m.

Summer Outdoor Concert–Foreign Journey: A tribute band playing the best of Foreigner and Journey. Outdoor in-person concert. If inclement weather concert moves indoors. No tickets or fee.

Indoor Music

Monday, August 4, from 2:30–3:45 p.m.

Summer Indoor Concert: Vic Vincent: Teen idol hit songs from the 50s–70s.

Tickets required. Reserve tickets at www.levittownpl.org-Upcoming Events. This program will be in person. No fee. Outdoor Movie

Tuesday, August 19, 8:00 p.m.

All Age Program: Outdoor Movie –“Moana 2:” The outdoor movie will take place on the lawn next to the library staff parking lot. Please bring your own chairs/blankets and snacks. Rain date: Tuesday, August 26, at 8:00 p.m. Rated PG. 1 hr. 40 min. Animation/Musical.

No registration or tickets required. No fee.

Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray (rear, second left) attended the Abbey Lane Elementary School Flag Day Concert on June 13. Also attending was Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti.

From Despair to Hope: Conquering Peripheral Neuropathy with Westbury Acupuncture

“It’s as though I’m stepping from razor blade to razor blade.”

“It feels like my feet are under attack by fire ants.”

“Like I’m walking on wet paint with rolled up socks.”

And you’re in this kind of pain all the time.

“It’s relentless, keeping you up at night and preventing you from doing even the most mundane tasks. used to take for granted, like wearing shoes and going grocery shopping. Two of my three children were getting married last year and I wasn’t even sure I was going to be able to attend their weddings,” shares Rose W. Rose was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in 2015, a degenerative condition affecting almost 5% of people over the age of 55.

chemotherapy, over 23% of neuropathy cases are classified as idiopathic. In layman's terms, the cause is unknown. This was the case with Rose. “Basically every question I had was met with an ‘I don’t know.’ It was depressing to say the least.”

rate in treating neuropathy! I just had to call, and I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am that I did.”

tailor treatments based on a number of factors including the severity of your neuropathy, how long you’ve had it, whether or not there are any underlying factors, things of that nature. It’s because of these personalized treatment programs that we’re seeing such incredible results!”

Four months after treatment, Rose is back at work and thriving. “Being back at work isn’t even the most exciting part,” exclaims Rose. “Not only was I able to attend my son’s wedding, but I could walk down the aisle! It was the most magical moment and I have Jae Won to thank for it. To think, I might’ve missed that.” Rose held back tears.

“My doctor sat me down and said, ‘Rose I’m so sorry to tell you this, but you have peripheral neuropathy. I’m going to prescribe you gabapentin to manage the discomfort but overall, neuropathy is untreatable.’ My first thought was, ‘we can cure cancer but you can’t stop my feet from hurting?’ It felt like a cruel joke.”

While neuropathy can be caused by a number of things

Eventually, Rose was forced to quit her job because the numbness had started to set in and prevented her from driving.

Fortunately for Rose, she came across an article in the local newspaper featuring Jae Won Kim L.Ac and his innovative approach to treating peripheral neuropathy. “At first, I thought it had to be a sham. After so many specialists told me there was no hope, here was this acupuncturist in the

Jae Won Kim, founder of Westbury Acupuncture, says that cases like Rose’s are incredibly common. “Almost all of my neuropathy patients have been told at one point or another that there is no hope. I like to think I specialize in offering hope.”

To quote the New York Times, “Chinese medicine proves itself where Western medicine fails.”

“Acupuncture has been treating complicated, chronic conditions like neuropathy for thousands of years,” shares Jae Won. “I start with a foundation based on this time-tested science and my clinical experience. I then

If you or someone you love is suffering with chronic pain that presents as burning, tingling, or ‘pins and needles,’ or you’ve recently been diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy, it’s important to know that there are options.

There is hope. Call (516) 500-8281 to schedule an initial consultation or visit WestburyAcupuncture.com to read more incredible success stories.

Exhibit showcases artwork across a variety of mediums

Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School’s (POBJFKHS) Art Department recently hosted its first-ever AP art show, celebrating the exceptional creativity and dedication of its advanced placement art students. The June 3rd event featured an opening reception attended by parents, staff, students, and community members, all eager to admire the students’ impressive work.

The showcase highlighted a diverse display of talent across multiple mediums including computer graphics, draw-

ing and painting, fashion, photography, and sculpture. From digital designs to handcrafted sculptures, the exhibit underscored the students’ hard work and the high quality of POBJFKHS’s AP art program.

Guests enjoyed light refreshments while exploring the exhibit, which transformed the school into a vibrant gallery for the afternoon. This inaugural event was spearheaded by art teacher Ms. Jen Beinlich, who hopes to turn this art show into an annual tradition.

The exhibit was a showcase of the wonderful artwork the school’s AP Art program has produced over the school year.

A variety of mediums were represented, including fashion.

POBJFKHS hosted its inaugural AP Art Show exhibition on June 3.

Francis Hospital & Heart Center… nationally ranked in 7 adult specialties

Year after year, St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a national leader across multiple specialties. With exceptional physicians and an unrivaled patient experience, St. Francis sets the standard for superb care and expertise.

No other hospital on Long Island has been nationally ranked for Heart & Vascular as often as St. Francis—now 18 times by U.S. News.

chsli.org/st-francis-hospital

This Week at the Syosset Public Library

Friday, August 1, at 10:00 a.m.

Simply Stronger with Balance (VIRTUAL)

Instructor: Mindy Vasta

Handheld weights, resistance bands and balls will help improve strength, flexibility, and coordination. Includes a balance segment to enhance posture, core strength, and proper alignment of muscle groups. Exercises can be performed sitting or standing. Equipment recommended but not required. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org.  The Zoom link will be sent out once you register.

Friday, August 1, at 2:00 p.m.

Friday Movie at the Library (IN-PERSON)

Join us for an afternoon

movie at the library. Check our website for the movie that will be shown. Go to syossetlibrary. org.

Tuesday, August 5, at 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday Trivia Nights! (Salute in Plainview)

Join us at Salute in the Plainview Shopping Center and get ready to put your wits to the test and your drinks to the side (for just a second) – it’s bar trivia night! Your chance to flex your knowledge, compete with friends, and win epic bragging rights. Whether you’re a pop culture guru, a sports fanatic, or just here for the fun, there’s something for everyone. Grab your team, grab a drink, and let the trivia games begin. Event will take place at 397A South Oyster Bay Road, Plainview, NY 11803.

LEGAL NOTICES

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF MEETING

Thursday, August 7, at 2:00 p.m.

Supreme Court Year in Review: Part 1 (IN-PERSON)

Presenter: James Coll, adjunct professor of American and Constitutional history, Nassau Community College, and retired NYPD detective

Take a look at selected cases the court heard and the controversies that developed during the October 2024 to June 2025 term.  Part 2 will be held October 9.  No registration needed.

Thursday, August 7, at 7:00 p.m.

Writing Workshop: How to Create a Compelling Fictional Duo (VIRTUAL)

Presenter: Erin Coughlin, award-nominated writer and

Town of Oyster Bay Zoning Board of Appeals

TOWN HALL, AUDREY AVENUE, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK 11771-1592

TELEPHONE: (516) 624-6232 – FAX: (516) 624-6149

RITA BYRNE, Chairwoman – LOIS SCHMITT, Vice Chairwoman – KATHLEEN MULLIGAN

REBECCA M. ALESIA –LISA CICCOLELLA – FLORESTANO GIRARDI – BRIAN GRIFFIN

PUBLIC HEARING CALENDAR

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING BY THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 246, Section 246-12 of the Code of the Town of Oyster Bay, notice is hereby given that the Zoning Board of Appeals has scheduled a public meeting, which will take place in the Town Hall Meeting Room, Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, New York, on AUGUST 7, 2025, at 7:00 P. M., to consider the following appeals:

BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

APPEAL NO. 25-159 SYOSSET

CRYSTAL HUANG: (A) Variance to construct second story addition having less aggregate side yards than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to construct front two story addition and second story addition exceeding maximum gross floor area than permitted by Ordinance.

E/s/o Underhill Ave., 179.38 ft. S/o Willets Ave., a/k/a 31 Underhill Avenue, Syosset, NY

APPEAL NO. 25-162 SYOSSET

PATRICIA FLYNN: (A) Variance to allow two (2) existing 10 ft. by 9.8 ft. sheds having less side yard setback, rear yard setback and exceeding maximum height than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance for the reduction of off-street parking spaces. Reduction of spaces to 1 when 2 parking spaces are required. E/s/o Martin Ct., S/o Oakwood Dr., a/k/a 205 Martin Court, Syosset, NY

APPEAL NO. 25-242 SYOSSET

ANDREW MONTELEONE: (A) Variance to reconstruct a new 59.9 ft. by 35 ft. dwelling on partial existing and partial new foundation having less side yard setback and aggregate side yards than permitted by Ordinance; also encroachment of eaves and gutters. (B) Variance to construct driveway having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance.

E/s/o Harriet Dr., S/o Beth Pl., a/k/a 25 Harriet Drive, Syosset, NY

JULY 28, 2025 BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK

producer and author of “Pop and Fizz’s Double Feature Movie Night Guide”

In this fun workshop, we’ll go over how you can improve your story by creating compelling fictional foils aka duos. We’ll discuss the importance of our favorite, influential fictional duos from the page and screen. Learn how you can use these popular character types and relationships in your own writing. Participate in writing prompts guaranteed to help you develop your own awesome fictional duo for your story or script. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org.

Friday, August 8, at 10:00 a.m.

Simply Stronger with Balance (VIRTUAL)

Instructor: Mindy Vasta Handheld weights, resis-

tance bands and balls will help improve strength, flexibility, and coordination. Includes a balance segment to enhance posture, core strength, and proper alignment of muscle groups. Exercises can be performed sitting or standing. Equipment recommended but not required. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org.  The Zoom link will be sent out once you register.

Friday, August 8, at 2:00 p.m. Friday Movie at the Library (IN-PERSON) Join us for an afternoon movie at the library. Check our website for the movie that will be shown. Go to syossetlibrary. org.

NY Islanders “Learn to Play”hockey clinic

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that a special New York Islanders ‘Learn to Play’ Hockey Clinic is returning to the Town of Oyster for children ages 5 – 9 and includes 8 on-ice training sessions beginning on August 6th. Part of The Future Islanders Program, this ‘Learn to Play’ clinic introduces the game of hockey to young children and serves as a transition program for first-time players interested in house leagues.

“We are pleased to partner with the New York Islanders to offer this exciting clinic for children looking to learn the fundamentals of hockey in a fun environment,” said Town Councilman Andrew Monteleone. Sessions of the ‘Learn to Play’ clinic will be offered on Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m. or

Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center, located at 1001 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage. The program will run from August 6 through September 25. Registration is $295 per child and includes full hockey equipment to first time participants (jersey, stick, gloves, helmet, skates, shoulder pads, pants, shin guards, equipment bag.) There will also be special appearances by Isles alumni Arron Asham and Radek Martinek.

Registration is now open and space is limited. For more information, please visit www. newyorkislanders.com/learntoplay or contact jocelyne.cummings@newyorkislanders.com or call (516) 501-6764.

“Movies by Moonlight” in the parks

From page 1

Summer Movies: Thursday, July 31: “Toy Story” at Ellsworth W. Allen Town Park, Farmingdale Thursday, August 7:

“Sonic the Hedgehog 3” at Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park, Plainview Thursday, August 14: “Inside Out 2” at Syosset-Woodbury Community Park, Woodbury

Upcoming Events at the Jericho Public Library

Friday, August 1

10:30 a.m.: Tuney Tots Music and Movement (Ages 18 to 36 Months)Join us for this high energy music & movement program using lots of colorful props with little ones favorite tunes while learning about colors, numbers, shapes, body awareness, and more!

Saturday, August 2

2:00 p.m.: Colorful Paper Flowers (Grades 3–6) - Create colorful paper flowers with ordinary household materials to add color to our world with flowers!

Monday, August 4

9:30 a.m.: Book Donations - The Library will be accepting donations of patrons’ gently used books, CDs and DVDs to be sold at our Annual Book Sale.Please leave donations beneath the overhang in the back of the library on the JPL Donation Cart. Donated items will become the property of the Jericho Public Library. Use of these items is at the sole discretion of the Library.

10:30 a.m.: Glass Gems of the SeaDiscover how to identify shards of sea glass by color appearance as you explore historic bottles from our collection. Design and Create your own nautical shadow box scene using genuine Long Island Sound sea glass.

4:00 p.m.: Neurographic Summer Art (Grades 4–6) - Craft a sun-kissed beach scene with flowing lines and whimsical shapes. Join us to unwind and let your creativity soar!

Tuesday, August 5

9:30 a.m.: Adult Walking Club (Weather Permitting) - All levels, all abilities are welcome. Join us for a 45 minute walk around the neighborhood. It’s an opportunity to get some exercise, meet new people, spend time with a friend and enjoy some conversation. Meet us in front of the library. Participants must wear sneakers and bring a bottle of water.

6:00 p.m.: Teens: Sculpey Clay Creation Workshop - In this hands-on sculpture workshop, you'll use Sculpey polymer clay to create your own unique figurines. The session emphasizes creativity and self-expression, encouraging each participant to develop and complete their own design. You'll learn and apply fundamental ceramic hand-building techniques “pinch, coil, and slab” to bring your ideas to life. All materials,

including Sculpey clay, will be provided. At the end of the workshop, your sculptures will be baked in a toaster oven, allowing you to take them home the same day!

Wednesday, August 6

10:30 a.m.: 1,2,3 Full S.T.E.A.M Ahead (18 Months–5 Years) - This preschool STEAM program includes music movement, fine and gross motor development and storytelling followed by a craft!

Thursday, August 7

1:00 p.m.: HYBRID: The Passionate Reader - “How the Light Gets In” by Joyce Maynard with Mary HirdtFollowing the death of her former husband, Cam, fifty-four-year-old Eleanor has moved back to the New Hampshire farm where they raised three children to care for their brain-injured son, Toby, now an adult. Toby’s older brother, Al, is married and living in Seattle with his wife; their sister, Ursula, lives in Vermont with her husband and two children. Although all appears stable, old resentments, anger, and bitterness simmer just beneath the surface.

Friday, August 8

10:00 a.m.: “The Dot” (Grades Pre-K to 2) - After reading “The Dot” by Peter Reynolds, children will create a gumball machine artwork using watercolor paint and paper.

2:00 p.m.: VIRTUAL : The Commanding Presence of George C. Scott with Marc Courtade - George C. Scott was an actor of extraordinary range and daring, most celebrated for his performances as General George S. Patton Jr. in the movie “Patton. Scott had a range and intensity that helped him create a variety of unforgettable characters on stage and in films. He was a natural, intuitive actor who came alive on stage or before the camera. From sinister killers and con men to flawed doctors, social workers and lawyers, he could play them all, aware of the power a performance could have. Scott’s talent remains unique and highly regarded. This look at the man and his career will showcase his talents and magnetism that made his performance unforgettable.

3:00 p.m.: Bond with Your Teen: Bingo! - Calling all parents and teens! It’s BINGO time! The first team to show BINGO, wins a prize.

Plainvew student interns at PSEG

Kaitlyn Lam, of Plainview is among 24 local college students who began 12-week paid internships at PSEG Long Island on June 2.

The 24 students are rising sophomores, juniors, seniors and master’s degree students studying disciplines that include engineering, accounting, economics and cybersecurity, at schools across Long Island, New York State and beyond.

Throughout the summer, the group is exploring utility careers and getting hands-on experience in various PSEG Long Island departments, including Distribution Operations, Overhead and Underground Construction, Cybersecurity, Finance and Accounting, Customer Operations, Customer Experience, Real Estate, Human Resources and several engineering groups. PSEG Long Island may also offer opportunities for future internship in Corporate Communications, Customer Advocacy, Surveying, Energy Efficiency and more.

Lam of Plainview is a rising junior at New York University majoring in economics and business studies. She says she’s getting real life experiences this summer.

“As a business intern at PSEG Long Island, I have been working on a team to

PSEG Long Island summer intern Kaitlyn Lam

track financial reports and conduct budget variance analysis,” said Lam. “I enjoy how this internship provides insight into how a large company plans its yearly budgets and estimates project costs. The accounting and analytical skills I am utilizing in this internship will be useful to my future career in finance.”

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There is no charge for obituaries.

Boat Bike Tours’ Netherlands Islandhopping: Discovering Living History in Enkhuizen

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE

GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

On Day 8 of our Boat Bike Tours’ Islandhopping Netherlands tour, we wake up in Enkhuizen, back where we started. We have breakfast and have to disembark by 9:30 am but we are able to leave our luggage on board for a couple of hours, giving me time to explore a bit before I need to take the train back to Amsterdam and the Schiphol Airport.I really appreciate this bit of time since I hadn’t a chance to explore Enkhuizen when we first arrived (I recommend coming a day before the ship sails so you have more time), so enjoy wandering around this morning.

I find myself at the Zuiden Kerk (church) – magnificent yet simple and unpretentious, awesome yet approachable; ancient yet modern, the painted wooden ceiling shaped like the upside down bottom of a boat. It is Sunday morning and people are gathering for service as the organmeister plays Pacobel.

I find my way to the Zuiderzee Museum, an open-air living history museum village that re-creates daily life around the Zuiderzee before the sea was turned into a lake - the Ijsselmeer where we have just sailed – when the dam was built in 1932. You stroll the cobble streets and explore 140 historic buildings collected from places in the former Zuiderzee region.

The outdoor museum was opened by Queen Beatrix in 1983 as an extension of the indoor Zuiderzeemuseum, which opened in 1950 (the indoor museum doesn’t open until noon so I have to miss it). Most of the buildings

Plan to spend at least 2-4 hours at the Zuiderzee Museum, an openair living history museum village in Enkhuizen that re-creates daily life around the Zuiderzee before the sea was turned into a lake © Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

are authentic while others are reconstructed replicas of actual buildings. A complete village, you can wander around and visit a windmill, lime kilns, fish-smoking house, steam laundry, drugstore, pharmacy, basketmaker, blacksmith, cheese warehouse, school (where wooden shoes are lined up outside the classroom), even a hairdresser, and visit the working post office. The harbor is a replica of its layout on Marken. From April to November you can see life in the village of Urk as it was in 1905, meet residents and watch traditional activities, like old games and building clog boats, and demonstrations of crafts such as rope-making, cooperage, basket making and herring being smoked.

The Indoor Museum, “a treasure house of the Zuiderzee,” which opened in 1950, consists of a string of 17th century buildings (original and

replicated), some of which were used by the Dutch East India Company. Here, various collections are presented with a modern approach: you can cive into a ‘Sea of Stories’ and experience life on the former Zuiderzee in this interactive exhibition. A popular attraction is the ‘Schepenhal’ (ship’s hall), which allows visitors a closeup view of historic ships. The indoor museum also displays artifacts from the Zuiderzee cultural past, including paintings, furniture and traditional local costumes (‘klederdracht’). (Unfortunately, it opens at noon and I did not have the time to visit.)

Both ‘indoor’ and ‘outdoor’ museums have several restaurants located in National Heritage sites, like the Hindeloopen Pub, the Amsterdam House and the Pepper House on the Wierdijk.

22E (56E for a family); plan to spend 2-4 hours at the outdoor museum.

GOING PLACES NEAR AND FAR

[Note: if you are combining the boat bike tour with a stay in Amsterdam, you may want to get the Iamsterdam city card, which includes admission to the Zuiderzee Museum, https:// www.iamsterdam.com/en/whats-on/ calendar/museums-and-galleries/ museums/zuiderzee-museum]

Zuiderzee Museum, Wierdijk 12-22, 1601 LA  Enkhuizen, https://www. zuiderzeemuseum.nl/.

Getting to Enkhuizen

I am relieved to see how amazingly easy it is to get to the embarkation point in Enkhuizen from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport (especially since I arrived by plane on the same day as the boat departed): just walk down to the train (every 15 minutes) to the Central Station, a quick switch to the train to Enkhuizen ((every half hour) for the hour-long, comfortable and scenic ride. The trick is to “check in” with a credit/debit card, or purchase a ticket (14-16E) before you go through to the train by tapping on a pole (a conductor will double check on the train), then when you depart the train, tap it on the pole again, and the correct amount is debited. (If you don’t pre-purchase, the conductor can charge you an extra 50E; I did forget but the conductor was extremely kind in helping me buy the ticket online.) Then it’s just a five minute walk from the train station to the ship. You can purchase tickets in the vending machines at the stations or online on  https://www.ns.nl/en/ journeyplanner#/. This website can also be used to check the timetable. Getting back to the airport is equally easy – we are asked to leave the ship by 9:30 am (but I am able to

Continued on next page

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

Boat Bike Tours’ Netherlands Islandhopping: Discovering Living History in Enkhuizen

Continued from previous page

store my luggage there, so I could visit the city until 11).I time my touring to get back to the ship, pick up my stuff to get the 11:39 am train to Central Station in Amsterdam, then a quick switch to the train to Schiphol with more than the three-hours before my flight at 7:05 pm.

Boat Bike Tours

This was my second trip with Boat Bike Tours (I had the best time on their Bruges-Amsterdam boat-bike-tour – utter perfection with the biking, the barge boat, the sights along the way; be sure to plan to spend at least a day in Bruges before the bike tour).

Boat Bike Tours, which is based in Amsterdam, got its start when Channel Cruises Holland, a barge tour operator founded in 1977, added biking to its itineraries in response to guests asking for traditional Dutch activities. The new cruise-and-cycle concept was so successful that it was spun off as its own brand in the mid-1990s. Between 2000 and 2020, the company added more itineraries and ships. Last year, Boat Bike Tours merged with Islandhopping, a Croatiabased operator which also specializes in cruise-and-cycle travel (I loved the boat-bike trip in Greece that I took with Islandhopping). Together, the merged company, while operating under their own names, offers more than 70 itineraries in 15 countries, and has opened a North American sales office in Fairfield, Connecticut.

“With half of our guests coming from North America now, it makes sense to have an office here,” said Jana Tvedt, Director of Sales, North America for Boat Bike Tours. “We’re available when needed and familiar with what Americans and Canadians are looking for in destinations, experiences and ships. And we’re always happy to work with travel advisors, groups and charters.”

Each season, the company leases some 50 ships including barges, motor

yachts and sailing ships, ranging in category from comfortable to superior. Biking styles include guided for casual riders and independent (self-guided) for seasoned cyclists, with touring bikes, e-bikes and mountain bikes available depending on the destination.

The big news is that Boat Bike Tours will be offering a newly built ship for 2026, Magnifique X, an all-suite ship accommodating 32 passengers, giving the company a new deluxe, superior category. In addition to the bigger cabin, the itinerary is also enhanced with upgraded amenities, support van, included lunches, more inclusions for sightseeing. The itinerary goes from Amsterdam to Paris with one night hotel stay in Amsterdam, then biking to Bruges, then a motorcoach transfer to Paris where there is a hotel stay. (Bookings are open.)

Itineraries range from five to 15 days, with most being eight days, and cater to a variety of budgets and interests, from historic cities and landmarks to picturesque natural landscapes and the world’s best wines.

The Boat Bike Tours concept is to enable guests to connect with local people, culture and nature, while traveling by smaller boat and by bike also takes guests beyond tourist hotspots and minimizes environmental impacts. (We noted that our sailing ship, Leafde fan Fryslân,

used biodiesel.)

People in period dress bring to life the village of Urk as it was in 1905, in the Zuiderzee Museum, an open-air living history museum village in Enkhuizen that re-creates daily life around the Zuiderzee before the sea was turned into a lake © Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com

Among its most popular itineraries for North American travelers:

Amsterdam to Bruges: Cruise and ride through the Dutch countryside of Zeeland and western Flanders in

the town centers of Split and Dubrovnik, and experience the culture and nature of more sparsely populated islands like Brač, Hvar, Korčula, Lastovo, Mljet and Šipan. E-bikes help with hilly and mountainous terrain.

Cochem to Metz: Follow the Moselle River through Germany, France and Luxembourg, passing endless vineyards and stopping to taste local wines. See enchanting old cities like Cochem and Bernkastel, the once-imperial Roman Trier, the stunning waterfalls of Saarburg, the Gothic cathedral of Metz and welcoming villages in between.

The merger of the company means that clients of either one can take advantage of a 3% loyalty discount when booking. Meanwhile, bike tours prove superb choices for solo travelers, and each departure offers at least one cabin with a reduced single supplement.

One of Boat Bike Tours’ most popular tours starts in Bruges and goes to Amsterdam © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Belgium. Tour world-famous cities such as Amsterdam, Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges, as well as picturesque villages, a Dutch cheese farm, the windmills of Kinderdijk and the magnificent natural landscape along the Schelde River.

Split to Dubrovnik: Hop from island to island in the South Dalmatia region of Croatia by boat and e-bike. See

Eating For Diabetes

BY CHARLYN FARGO

Dairy often gets a bad rap. Some think it causes bloating or gas. Others think it’s inflammatory. The truth is dairy can be part of a healthy diet. The Dietary Guidelines recommend three servings of dairy a day.

But now Italian researchers have discovered that eating certain animal products -- including dairy -- could reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Researchers, led by Dr. Annalisa Giosue of the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery at the University of Naples

Federico II in Naples, Italy, reviewed existing meta-analyses into the links between animal products and diabetes. The scientists browsed four databases -- Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus and Embase -- to uncover suitable studies that compare how different animal products could lead to or prevent the development of Type 2 diabetes.

The team found 175 studies of animal products and Type 2 diabetes. Their findings were presented at the recent annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Stockholm, Sweden.

Researchers found that drinking 7 ounces of milk per day was associated with a 10% reduction in diabetes risk and 7 ounces of total dairy was associated with a 5% reduction. Low-fat dairy was associated with a 3% reduction. Eating 7 ounces of yogurt was associated with a 6% reduction. Eating 1 ounce of cheese and 7 ounces of full-fat dairy had no effect on the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

The researchers found a 30% increase in risk with the consumption of 7 ounces of processed meat per day and a 22% increase in risk with the consumption of 7

Continued on page 5

For more information, call 203-8141249 or visit https://www.boatbiketours. com/

© 2025 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear. com

It’s fun reconnecting with old friends

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

I am big on high school reunions and college reunions. It’s fun to get together after 40 years or whatever the time has been and celebrate with a dinner and dancing at a restaurant or catering hall.

I’m also big on keeping in contact with the close friends I had in high school and college. After graduating we kept in touch for a while then lost touch for a few years since we were in different states.

My landing place two months after graduating was Fairfield University in Connecticut. One friend went to SUNY Oneonta and another went to Marist College in Poughkeepsie. Keeping track of all my friends was hard when I was getting immersed in freshmen orientation and attending classes at a new school.

During the Christmas break that first year some of us got together but I was also busy catching up with my relatives on Long Island and in Brooklyn. Still, over the years, we were able to get back in touch thanks to parents or the siblings of our friends.

Someone would run into someone we knew at the supermarket, at the beach or at church and say, “How’s Claire?” or something to that effect and so the reconnecting would begin.

My older sister, Michelle, is great about running into people in public, recognizing them as my old high school friends and saying hi. Michelle was just three years ahead of me at St. Agnes Cathedral High School in Rockville Centre so she knew many of the freshmen when she was a senior - and she certainly knew many of the classmates I had been fast friends with. Michelle is great remembering faces and names.

My mother also was good about passing along messages. She would run into the parent of one of my high school friends and say, “How’s Terry?” or something like that. That parent would relay the message and sure enough, in time we would reconnect.

Now with Facebook and other social

media the communications process is much improved. We can “friend” old friends on Facebook or send them a private message with our phone number and email address. Thanks to today’s social media, things often happen at lightning speed unlike 30 years ago when the “I’ll relay a message to Claire” method was common.

I like comparing it to the horse and buggy vs. cars but suffice it to say that messages would be passed on and eventually we would speak again by phone, text or email.

I had a hard time tracking down my friend, Patsy, who graduated from Long Island University-C.W. Post College with a Bachelor of Arts in the fine arts which included painting, drawing and sculpture. She then went to California because she likes the Golden State so much.

Through mutual friends I heard that Patsy was teaching Art to middle school students. Patsy only returned to the east coast every so often and we always seemed to miss seeing each other. We were like two ships in the night. The good news is Patsy did attend our 40th high school reunion so we connected there.

Many of my classmates headed out and engaged in some interesting careers. My friend Susie married, settled in the San Diego area and started her own advertising company. Another classmate went on to medical school and works as a physician in the Cayman Islands. Another classmate got his degree in marine biology and founded a marine construction business in the Bahamas.

Suffice it to say that I knew many of the students in my high school but I didn’t realize where all of my classmates were headed. I certainly didn’t realize all of the talent we had in that graduating class but from going to reunions and looking at our social media pages I’ve learned about so many of their accomplishments and contributions to society. It’s nice to see.

My friend, Gail, and I were chatting

recently and I told her how much fun it was working on the school newspaper. She was the editor and I was the associate editor so we got to collaborate on ideas for stories, themes, layouts and designs often.

I also mentioned how great it was that at the beginning of the school year she told a few of us girls that her dad would show us how to do layouts for the newspaper. We got together a few times on a Saturday that fall in Gail’s basement in Rockville Centre and her father showed us specifics.

He was the advertising manager for The NY Times his whole career so he had picked up a lot about the newspaper business along the way. As Gail said many times, “He had the newspaper business in his blood.”

Sure we had a moderator for the high school newspaper who gave us some tips but Gail’s father gave us lots of pointers and we were eager learners. We measured everything, laid it out on a large table, discussed headlines, inches, picas, etc. That was great. This was years before desktop publishing

software became available to the general public.

I’ve used that information so often over the years working in corporate public relations. Even though much of today’s info is done on the computer, we still have to know how a story will fit on the page - and how to create a beautiful design.

Adding photos or graphic elements adds a nice touch to the page and can help break up blocks of text.

My friend, Lynn, told her mom that a few of us were going to our junior prom in high school and she offered to give us some dance lessons. We thought that was a nice idea so I remember six of us getting together and learning some cool dance moves.

At first we laughed at ourselves because we didn’t feel like smooth dancers but eventually we got what Lynn’s mom was teaching us. By the time prom night arrived, we were much more sophisticated.

Whether it is in person or long distance by computer, it’s always fun to reconnect.

Social Security Disability Benefits and Incentives to Work

BY TOM MARGENAU

Q: I am 57 years old and getting Social Security disability benefits. I understand I can work and make $23,000 and still keep my disability checks. Is this true?

A: No, it’s not true. The dollar figure you cite applies to retirees who are under their full retirement age and working. They can work and earn up to $23,400 and still get all their retirement checks. So now let me explain some things to you about working while on Social Security disability.

The only reason you are getting disability benefits in the first place is that you have been deemed to be unable to work. Or to put that another way, you are not getting Social Security disability just because you have a physical or mental impairment. You are getting those benefits because that impairment keeps you from working. In other words, the inability to work is the key to your eligibility for disability benefits. So, on the one hand, you normally shouldn’t be working at all.

On the other hand, there are all kinds of work incentives built into the disability program that allow you to try working while still collecting your disability checks -- at least for a while.

Those incentive provisions fill up about a 100-page book that the Social Security Administration produces. So, there is no way I can explain all of them to you in this column. But I can summarize the main provisions.

As a general rule, you can work for up to nine months, making as much money as you can and still keep getting your benefits. However, after those nine months, if you are still working and if you are making more than about $1,600 per month, there is a pretty good chance your disability checks will stop. If you want more information, go to www.socialsecurity.gov and under the “Publications” link, look for the pamphlet called “Working While Disabled -- How We Can Help.” It is an abbreviated version of the book I mentioned earlier.

Q: I have a 55-year-old son. He has had cerebral palsy since childhood, but he has managed to work off and on over the years. In fact, he worked enough that he got the required credits to qualify for disability benefits when his condition worsened and he had to stop working. But after a few years on disability, the Social Security people kept telling him there were special provisions in the law that allowed him to work and get disability checks. In fact, he was eventually making upwards of $15,000 per year. And now he has just received a letter today from Social Security stopping his disability benefits and telling him he’s been overpaid $32,000 and that he has to pay that back. How can they encourage him to go back to work and then turn around and tell him he’s no longer eligible for benefits and ask for

their money back?

A: I really feel sorry for you and your son and the problems he is now going through. Earlier, I mentioned that 100page booklet that explains the work incentives built into the disability program. That book is just the tip of the iceberg. All of these return-to-work provisions are just so darn convoluted and complicated.

I think those complications reflect a conundrum our society faces. On the one hand, we want to provide disability benefits to people who are truly disabled. On the other, we want to encourage them to work and become financially self-sufficient so they don’t have to rely on the government dole. And then sadly, those two goals can end up competing and causing problems. Your son is now facing the result of that competition.

What you and your son need to do right away is to deal with the alleged overpayment. My “Social Security: Simple and Smart” book, available from Amazon, has an entire chapter devoted to how to handle an overpayment. You really need to read that chapter. For now, I can tell you that your priority should be to file an appeal of the alleged overpayment. That involves calling the SSA at 800-772-1213 and filling out a form called a “Request for Reconsideration.” That will start the ball rolling in getting them to review your son’s case. As I said, these work incentive provisions are just so darn complicated that maybe another set of eyes reviewing your son’s case will come up with a different conclusion.

Q: I’m on Social Security disability. How do I get a ticket to work?

A: The “Ticket to Work” program is just one of the many work incentive provisions built into the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs. And to be honest, I don’t fully understand how it works. But if you simply Google “Ticket to Work,” you will find a ton of information. I copied the following from the Social Security Administration website:

“Ticket to Work connects you with free employment services to help you decide if working is right for you, prepare for work, find a job or maintain success while you are working. If you choose to participate, you will receive services such as career counseling, vocational rehabilitation, and job placement and training from authorized Ticket to Work service providers, such as Employment Networks (EN) or your State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency. The service provider you choose will serve as an important part of your “employment team” that will help you on your journey to financial independence. For more information, call the Ticket to Work hotline at 866-968-7842.”

Q: I’m on disability. If I win the lottery, can I keep my disability check?

A: Well, I guess winning the lottery is one way of avoiding all the hassles of trying to work while on disability. The answer to your question depends on the kind

of disability benefit that you are getting. If you are getting Social Security disability benefits, you could win a million dollars in the lottery and you’d still keep getting your disability checks. But if you are on SSI, which is a welfare program, and you win the lottery, your SSI payments would stop almost immediately.

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers.

One is called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net.

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

Owning a home today isn’t just about the mortgage, taxes and insurance. There are other additional variables that come into play that adds to the ongoing cost of homeownership. Some may not take this into consideration when purchasing. Items like weekly and monthly maintenance, exterior services to maintain the outside of one’s home. These can be handled by the homeowner, assuming they have time. However, there are those bills that you do not have total control over, such as electricity, heating and water.

Homeowners look at their utility bills and wonder why they are so high. The problem is twofold. Many do not conserve efficiently. Lights left on in rooms, CAC on a lower than necessary temperature, especially when no one is home. Most modern thermostats can be controlled by your cell phone and can be setup to go on 15-30 minutes before you arrive home.

Over watering your lawn and taking showers longer than necessary can really increase your bill. You can try a Marine shower for guys, where you wet down, shut water off, then soap up and then rinse. However, this might not work so well with the ladies, especially if they have long hair, but if not it’s worth a try. Lowering the temperature on your hot water tank to 120 degrees will save some on your bill whether you have a gas or electric hot water heater.

Utilizing the proper technology, today, especially with LED lighting can be a real savings by minimizing and reducing your electric bills. Replacing old appliances with energy star rated ones will also contribute to your savings.

Having the most efficient air conditioning, quieter split-units will reduce your electric bill. Reducing the sunlight through windows by lowering shades and closing drapes during the hot summer days, will enable your units to work more efficiently and

Lowering your utility bills

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

keep your home cooler. Having a setback cellular controlled thermostat for summer and winter is one method of conservation. PSEG has a program whereby they will increase your thermostat during the summer for more savings.

For a noticeable savings during winter months try lowering your thermostat a few degrees per day to get used to a lower temperature. However, making sure the north side of your home, which is the coldest, is warm enough so existing pipes won’t freeze. You can purchase 24Volt wiring that you can wrap around outside faucets or exposed pipes so they do not freeze during winter months. If doing a renovation, you can add this wiring to any piping inside any walls facing north.

they provided me ones for my business at no cost. Determine if your attic or basement crawl spaces have adequate insulation. Fiberglass batts provide the optimum protection in those areas. However, foam or cellulose can be blown into exterior walls for maximum insulation. You should see a reduction in your heating bill next winter. Shop around to price whatever you plan to consider doing.

Due to the Big Beautiful Bill that was passed, this will be the last year by 12/31/25, that you can take advantage of 30% Federal 25D credits for installing solar panels, solar roofing tiles, solar water heaters, wind turbines, geothermal heat pumps, fuel cells, and home battery storage.

Green designation: eco-friendly low carbon footprint construction with 3-D printed foundations, Solar panels, Geothermal HVAC/Heat Pumps).

He will also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and his Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.

He will provide you with “free” regular updates of what has gone under contract (pending), been sold (closed) and those homes that have been withdrawn/ released or expired (W/R) and all new listings of homes, HOA, Townhomes, Condos, and Coops in your town or go to:

Your local utility company, PSEG on Long Island has had programs that provide more efficient replacements for specific older inefficient AC’s, dehumidifiers, and other appliances. They will also provide at no charge new Google Nest setback thermostats which will save you money on heating and CAC costs. Call them to ask about any of their available programs.

You are able to increase or decrease your home’s interior temperature directly from your cell phone. When not in a room, is there any need to continue leaving your lights on? I do not think so. Make sure you replace your incandescent bulbs with LED type bulbs. They will provide you the same lighting at reduced costs. Call your local utility to see if they will provide you replacements for free. They sometimes offer free efficiency surveys of your home. They have programs to provide you new energy star AC’s, dehumidifiers and other older appliances that waste energy. Previously,

Utility costs keep going up regularly as costs for producing the energy increases. The Clean Energy programs and tax incentives to industries for creating lower cost electricity have also been eliminated. This is the year to look at your home to see where your energy wasters are and make a concerted effort to make changes and take advantage of whatever tax savings there are while also reducing your carbon footprint, to save money and our planet.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 43+ years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned 3 significant designations:

National Association of Realtors Graduate Realtors Institute (what I consider a Master’s degree in real estate).

Certified International Property Specialist - expert in consulting and completing international transactions.

National Association of Realtors

https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search at your leisure on your own. However, for a “FREE” no obligation/ no strings attached 15-minute consultation, as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached call him at (516) 647-4289 or email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.com

You can now search at your leisure for properties at:

WWW.Li-RealEstate.com

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

How to Cook Your Way Out of These Common Kitchen Mistakes

BY: MARY HUNT

It happened again; I suffered a kitchen disaster. Boy, do I hate when that happens! This time, I ruined an entire pot of pasta because I got busy and was not paying attention. By the time I realized, the pasta had cooked beyond al dente all the way to al mushe. I could barely make out the pasta shape!

It killed me to dump the whole thing and start over, but there was no way to undo that disaster -- it was that far gone! Thankfully, that’s not true for every cooking mistake. Here is a list you’re going to want to keep handy just in case.

STICKY PASTA

When the pasta is not totally mush but all stuck together as if by glue, drain and cool immediately. Then return the pasta to a saute pan, add a tablespoon of olive oil and toss while reheating. That should take care of the stickiness, while no one is the wiser.

TOO MUCH SALT

It’s a common cooking mistake. If you’ve added far too much salt to a sauce or soup and you have enough ingredients, double the recipe or make more by half. Then mix it in with the salty batch a bit at a time until you’ve reached your desired flavor. Another trick is to add a bit more unsalted water to the mix, provided this will not also dilute the flavor.

BURNT TOAST

Don’t toss it until you’ve tried this neat trick: Use your cheese grater to quickly scrape off the burned layer. Works like magic! Other options: Scrape

off the worst, brush with olive oil, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and present as crostini or use for croutons.

STALE ROLLS

Wet your fingers and generously flick some water on the rolls. Then wrap in foil and heat in a 250 F oven for 10 minutes.

UNDERCOOKED CAKE

The first sign of a cake that’s not done is that sinkhole in the middle. Once cooled, you cannot rebake it. But don’t worry; this is not a hopeless kitchen disaster. Break the cooled cake into pieces (even those parts that are undercooked) and layer them with whipped cream and fresh fruit to make dessert parfaits or one large trifle. Perfect!

OVERCOOKED VEGETABLES

If you’ve overcooked broccoli, asparagus or similar vegetables, don’t despair. Tweak your menu a bit to include creamed vegetable soup. Puree the vegetables in the blender, pour in a bit of heavy cream, check the seasoning and

add salt and pepper as needed. There! Cooking mistake averted.

OVER-CHARRED BEEF

You can totally spin this disaster by rubbing the beef with a mixture of garlic, ground black pepper and chili powder, presenting it as “blackened.”

Or switch things up! Cut away the over-charred portions, then slice that charred beef for stir-fry, fajitas or salad.

BURNT PUDDING, CUSTARD, SOUP

Even the most seasoned chefs have been known to burn a custard or two. If you notice that the bottom layer of custard or cream-based soup has turned dark, stop stirring immediately. You don’t want to incorporate any of the burned bottom into the unburnt portions. Pour the remaining custard, pudding or cream into a new pan, making sure you don’t scrape up any of the part that’s scorched at the bottom, then keep cooking.

There are several techniques you can try to thicken the sauce. Work some flour into small amounts of butter. Bring the sauce to boil and drop the flour-but-

Eating For Diabetes

ounces of red meat per day. Eating white meat of chicken was associated with a 4% increase in risk (per 3.5 ounces daily consumption) while eating fish and eggs had no effect on developing Type 2 diabetes. Here’s the bottom line: All foods can fit into a healthy eating plan -- dairy included and even small amounts of pro-

cessed and red meats. Eating healthy to prevent the risk of Type 2 diabetes is just one of many things you can take control of, along with exercise, reducing stress and maintaining good sleep habits.

Q and A

Q: Does coffee really have antioxidants?

A: Coffee actually may be one of the

main sources of compounds with antioxidant activity for many people, as much if not more than fruits and vegetables, according to a study published in the October 2014 issue of Journal of Nutritional Science. Coffee is higher in these compounds than green tea. In fact, upwards of 1,000 compounds with antioxidant activity have been identified in unprocessed coffee beans, and even more de-

ter balls in one at a time while stirring, until the sauce is your desired thickness. Cornstarch is usually a good thickener, provided you have mixed it with cold water first. Add it to the boiling liquid a little at a time while stirring. Some cooks use dried potato flakes as an emergency thickene

LIMP GREENS

Give those greens a lovely bath in a big bowl of very, very cold water and a few ice cubes. Let this sit for 10 minutes or so. Next, gently lift the greens out of the cold water, wrap them in a damp tea towel and stick them in the refrigerator. If they’re not completely over the hill, they crisp up nicely and look equally fresh and lovely.

OVERRIPE FRUIT

When it’s too far gone for even fruit salad, get out the blender to make smoothies. Prefer dessert? Add a little agave, sugar or maple syrup for a great ice cream topping.

Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “DebtProof Living.”

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois, and the current president of the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. .

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

THIN SAUCES

velop during roasting.

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of August 3-9, 2025

Let’s try a demonstration that we all enjoyed in elementary school.

Close one eye, hold out your thumb at arm’s length, and align it with an object on the other side of the room. Without moving your thumb, blink your eyes back and forth slowly, and you’ll notice that your thumb seems to shift relative to the more distant background.

Now bring your thumb closer to your eyes and try again. What kind of shift do you see this time?

The apparent shift of your thumb’s position against the background is called “parallax.” Because your brain knows the separation of your eyes (the “baseline” of a triangle formed by your eyes and any object), it can estimate an object’s distance pretty accurately.

Anyone with binocular vision (two functioning eyes) uses this technique constantly to navigate our everyday world. It’s what keeps you from tripping over the cat or driving into the car ahead of you.

But what about the stars? Might this same technique work to measure their distances? Of course, the best way to answer that question is to try it, but I’ll save you some time. You can blink your eyes at a star until you pass out; you’ll see no shift in its position. The fact is, the stars are just too far away.

What if we could use a baseline that

Measuring the Cosmos

is longer than the spacing between our eyes? Suppose, for example, we put two telescopes on opposite sides of the Earth and again measured the position of a star? Would that make a difference?

Again, the short answer is no, not even for the nearest of stars.

OK, what if our baseline were even longer: say, the diameter of the Earth’s orbit around the sun? If we could observe a star’s position in August, for example, when the Earth is on one side of the sun, and then observe the same star six months later when we’re on the opposite side of the sun, we’d have a baseline of some 186 million miles.

Well, that question was first asked by Greek thinkers two millennia ago, and, despite their best efforts, no one ever noticed a bit of parallax. Nope, the first time this was ever done was in 1838, when Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel (17841846) used a telescope at the Konigsberg Observatory in East Prussia to measure the position of the faint star 61 Cygni relative to the more distant background stars. Six months later -- when the Earth was on the opposite side of its orbit -- he made the same measurement.

That he detected any shift at all is quite remarkable, since it was only two hundred-thousandths of a degree -- about the width a pizza in San Diego would appear if seen from New York City!

Since Bessel’s day, technology has improved even more, and we now have

Astronomers use parallax to measure a star’s distance from the Earth.

parallax measurements (and, therefore, direct distance measurements) for more than a billion stars!

The next time you show your child or grandchild how to blink their eyes while viewing their thumb, remember, it’s not

Kiss and Make Up

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

I was in mid-eyelash when I heard a knock on the door.

“Can I use the bathroom?” my husband asked through the door.

“No.” I replied.

“No?”

“No.”

“Why?” he wondered aloud.

“I’m putting on my mascara, and I’m mid-eyelash. You can’t interrupt me in the middle of the process.”

“Why?”

“It’ll mess the whole thing up. The mascara will dry, and then when I try to put on the second coat, my eyelashes will clump. Then I’ll have to take it all off and start over.”

“Clumping is bad?” he asked.

“Yes. Very bad.”

“I don’t understand,” he said.

Of course he didn’t understand. He’s

a guy. He has no idea how complex this whole getting-ready process is. I knew that if I was going to get any support on this, I was going to have to womansplain this to him in terms he could understand.

“It’s like when you’re blowing glass. You have this window while the glass is hot and melty, and you can shape it however you want. But if you stop in the middle, it’ll harden and you can’t shape it anymore,” I explained.

“What does that have to do with eyelashes?”

“You have to work in the window,” I replied.

I could see we weren’t making progress. Mascara was not in his wheelhouse of knowledge, and clearly, neither was blowing glass. I thought I’d try a different tack.

“OK, it’s like when you blow dry your hair,” I continued.

“I don’t blow dry my hair,” he said.

“Yes, but if you did, you would know that you can’t do it when it’s soaking wet, but it can’t be completely dry either. It has to be damp. That’s the window.”

“The window thing again?” he repeated.

“Yeah.”

“I still don’t get it,” he admitted. I sighed. I realized I was going to have to get down on his level to get through.

“OK, it’s like when you shave. Your face has to be wet so you don’t cut yourself. But if you stop and then go back to it, your face will be dry, so you have to wet it all over again, right? That’s your window of shaving.”

“Right.”

“So you get it now?” I asked him.

“Yes, I get it. Can I use the bathroom now?”

just a childish game. It’s one of the fundamental techniques that astronomers use to measure the cosmos!

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

“No. Now I have to blow dry my hair,” I told him.

He started to leave to use the downstairs bathroom but then turned back to me.

“It’s very complicated to be a woman, isn’t it?” he said.

“Yes, it is.”

“I know how to make it easier,” he said.

“How?”

“I can throw your mascara and blow dryer out the window.”

Tracy Beckerman is the author of the Amazon Bestseller, “Barking at the Moon: A Story of Life, Love, and Kibble,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online! You can visit her at www. tracybeckerman.com.

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Oh Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven. Oh, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity.

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

Oh Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power.

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This prayer is never known to fail and is to be said for 3 consecutive days.

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

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

Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands (say three times).

Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen. (MAK)

Jewelry-Crystal-Silver Furniture-Mirrors-Tabletop Artwork-Lamps Consign, Shop or Visit the Yellow House 109 Eleventh Street Garden City 516-746-8900

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BY TRACY JORDAN

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Blueberry Lemon Cornmeal Cobbler

Blueberries are out in full force when the weather warms. Blueberries are delicious freshly picked, and can be topped with some light cream for a refreshing dessert. Blueberries also are equally at home baked in muffins, breads and cobblers.

The following recipe for “Blueberry Lemon Cornmeal Cobbler” courtesy of “Vegan Cooking for Beginners!” with recipes curated by Publications International, Ltd., pairs the tang of lemon with the sweetness of blueberry for the perfect treat. It’s great for dessert or even served for brunch. Makes 8 to 10 servings

3 tablespoons boiling water

1 tablespoon ground flaxseed

5 cups fresh blueberries

1⁄2 cup plus 1⁄3 cup sugar, divided

3 tablespoons lemon juice, divided

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 1⁄2 tablespoons finely grated lemon peel, divided

1) Preheat oven to 375 ° F. Spray 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Combine boiling water and flaxseed in small bowl. Let stand until cool.

2) Combine blueberries, 1⁄3 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, cornstarch, and 1⁄2 tablespoon lemon peel in large bowl; toss to coat. Spoon into

1⁄2 cup plain unsweetened soymilk or almond milk

2⁄3 cup all-purpose flour

1⁄4 cup fine-ground cornmeal

prepared pan.

3) Combine soymilk and remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice in small bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Combine flour, cornmeal, remaining 1⁄2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon peel, baking powder and salt in medium bowl; mix well. Add soymilk mixture, coconut oil and flaxseed mixture;

1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder

1⁄4 teaspoon salt

1⁄4 cup coconut oil, melted

stir until just combined. Drop topping by 2 tablespoons into mounds over blueberry mixture.

4) Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until filling is bubbly and topping is golden brown. Let stand 30 minutes before serving.

Outstanding MacArthur HS seniors honored

Three students earned the prestigious New York State Senate Youth Leadership Award: Ronan Donnelly, Peter Muzio, and Aaron Cruz.

Senator Steve Rhoads recently awarded several outstanding MacArthur High School seniors with the New York State Senate Citizenship and Youth Leadership Awards—recognizing students who lead by example, uplift their communities, and inspire those around them.

Madison Anderson received the New York State Senate Citizenship Award for her exceptional leadership as Student Advisor to the Superintendent and her achievements as a standout athlete. Gianna Morales, with a GPA exceeding 101, was also presented with the Citizenship Award for her academic

excellence, athletic involvement, and dedication as a mentor. Gianna will attend NYU in the fall to pursue a career in pediatric medicine.

Three additional students earned the prestigious New York State Senate Youth Leadership Award: Ronan Donnelly, who is heading to Eastern Connecticut State University to study education and play lacrosse; Peter Muzio, an Eagle Scout, talented musician, and SHIELD Award recipient; and Aaron Cruz, a compassionate and driven student inspired by his sister’s health journey to pursue a career in medicine.

Salk students win patriotic essay competition

Patriot’s Pen essay competition.

Three students at Jonas E. Salk Middle School in the Levittown School District wrote to victory in a patriotism-themed essay competition hosted by the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 9592.

Answering the prompt, “How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?” students who volunteered to participate in the Patriot’s Pen competition described the ways they support their community. Eighth grader Cara

Campbell won second place, while sixth grader Scarlett Alston won third place and eighth grader Brynn Russett won fourth place. In their essays, each student wrote about the ways they step up at Salk, such as Campbell’s leading of the Builders Club as president, and how they use their voice to create change. The winners each received a scholarship and were honored at a ceremony hosted by the VFW Post 9592 at their hall in Levittown.

Jonas E. Salk Middle School students Scarlett Alston, Brynn Russett and Cara Campbell are winners in the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 9592’s

Photo courtesy Levittown Public Schools

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Levittown honors standout students at board meeting

Levittown School District trustees and administrators recognized standout students during the Board of Education’s final meeting of the school year on June 4.

In the Levittown Memorial Education Center auditorium, the district’s talented athletes received the spotlight. All County athletes from Division Avenue and General Douglas MacArthur High Schools, as well as girls lacrosse coach Sean Donnellan, who was named Conference Coach of the Year, received certificates of recognition as well as praise from their respective principals.

Alyssa Wunsch, a student at MacArthur High School, was recognized for her independent drive in pursuing copyediting. Her work got the attention of author Suzanne Phillips, for whom Alyssa helped edit one of her books.

Additionally, artists from all Levittown schools were thanked by trustees for their artwork, which were selected and framed to hang in Levittown Memorial and will be featured in next year’s district calendar.

Finally, administrators and trustees recognized this year’s student liaisons, Division senior Vidhi Patel and MacArthur senior Madison Anderson. Both students have displayed commitment by attending each monthly board meeting, where they shared the latest school happenings with trustees and acted as a voice to represent their peers. They received commemorative plaques. The district greatly appreciates the time Patel and Anderson have dedicated to Levittown Schools.

Photos courtesy Levittown Public Schools

Love to write?

We’re looking for writers in our community to compose ar ticles on local topics, opinions, reviews, worthy places to visit on Long Island, and even pieces of fiction. We aim to feature at least one new article and writer each week in our Discovery magazine section.

Email submissions: editor@gcnews.com

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

• Articles must be between 1,500 - 3,000 words. • Each writer will be reimbursed a stipend of $25.⁰⁰

Division senior Vidhi Patel and MacArthur senior Madison Anderson, this year’s student liaisons, were recognized.

Division Avenue High School’s All County athletes and Conference Coach of the Year Sean Donnellan were recognized.

General Douglas MacArthur High School All County athletes were recognized at the June 4 Levittown Board of Education meeting.

Artists from all Levittown schools were thanked by trustees for their artwork, which were selected and framed to hang in Levittown Memorial.

Alyssa Wunsch, a MacArthur High School student who worked with author Suzanne Phillips to help edit one of her books, received recognition.

Make The Right Move

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