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SERVING PLAINVIEW, HICKSVILLE, AND LEVIT TOWN

Levittown schools unite against breast cancer

Students at Gardiners Avenue Elementary School have been sporting pink throughout October in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Students and staff throughout the Levittown School District have shown their community pride throughout the month of October as they donned pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Whether it was by sporting pink shirts or contributing to fundraising efforts, each of Levittown’s 10 schools participated in the districtwide effort. Schools including Gardiners Avenue Elementary and Wisdom Lane Middle School designed original merchandise to be purchased through the school stores. Teams from both Division Ave-

nue and General Douglas MacArthur High Schools annually host massively successful “Pink Out” and “Dig Pink” games joined by the wider community. At Division’s varsity football game — which resulted in a win over Hewlett High School — individuals affected by breast cancer were honored on the field with a pink carnation. The MacArthur Lady Generals volleyball program’s “Dig Pink” event, hosted on Oct. 10, featured friendly scrimmages between teammates and a game played by teachers, as well as raffles.

The Mid-Island Times & Levittown Times is Published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp. Periodical Postage paid at Hicksville, N.Y. 11801 Tel 931-0012. USPS 3467-68 Postmaster: Send Address Changes to: The Mid Island & Levittown Times 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208, Garden City, N.Y. 11530. Meg Norris Publisher

Queens man arrested for computer scam

Nassau County Police arrested a Queens man for an Elder Scam/Attempted Grand Larceny that occurred on Monday, October 20 in Plainview.

According to detectives, a 64-year-old male victim received a message on his iPad informing him it had been compromised. The victim then called the phone number that was displayed on the screen and was informed that he needed to withdraw his funds from the bank to safeguard his money. According to police, the victim complied and between October 9 and October 16, he withdrew over $121,000 which he handed over to numerous unknown male subjects. On October 20, the victim realized he was being scammed and contacted police. After an investigation, Nassau County Police arrested Enyi Chen, 44, of Flushing after a brief struggle.

The Nassau County Police Department urges the community to be on alert and to remind vulnerable family members, friends and neighbors about potential scams or frauds. If you feel you may have been a victim, please contact the Nassau County Fraud and Forgery Section at (516) 573-2815 or call 911. All callers will remain anonymous.

Enyi Chen

Enyi Chen was charged with Attempted Grand Larceny 3rd Degree and Resisting Arrest. He was released on an Appearance Ticket. Police say Chen is illegally in the United States and is subject to removal proceedings. US Immigration Customs Enforcement Agents (ICE) took custody of the defendant.

Fall & Halloween

The Town of Oyster Bay invites residents and their families to the Town of Oyster Bay’s Family Fall & Halloween Festival, which will be held on Saturday, October 25, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Marjorie R. Post Community Park, located at 451 Unqua Road in Massapequa.

The Family Fall & Halloween Festival will feature a “U-Pick” pumpkin patch

Festival

for children to pick their own pumpkins (while supplies last), Halloween games, inflatables, hayride, and food trucks, The Family Fall & Halloween Festival will be held rain or shine. For more information, please call the Town’s Department of Community and Youth Services at (516) 797-7925 or visit oysterbaytown. com.

Bethpage Water Dist. installs Ryder Cup hydrants

In celebration of the historic 2025 Ryder Cup which took place at Bethpage State Park from September 23-28, the Bethpage Water District installed six commemorative fire hydrants throughout the community. Four hydrants are located on the grounds of the historic Bethpage Black golf course, with two additional hydrants positioned in the Business District on Broadway.

Each commemorative hydrant features full-color imagery of the official Ryder Cup 2025 logo on one side and the Bethpage Water District’s 100th Anniversary logo showcasing the iconic Bethpage Water Tower on the other side.

The commemorative hydrants maintained full functionality while serving as unique markers at the international golf competition.

The District extends special recognition to Clow Valve, a division of McWane, Inc., headquartered in Oskaloosa, Iowa, for generously donating the commemorative hydrants displayed during this international golf competition.

While the historic Ryder Cup is over, residents and others will be able to see these unique hydrants in several months when they are removed from the Bethpage Black course and replaced with regular hydrants. The commemo-

The Bethpage Water District installed six commemorative fire hydrants at the famed Bethpage Black golf course in honor of the Ryder Cup.

rative hydrants will then be displayed at the Bethpage Public Library and at the Water District Headquarters where residents can see them for decades to come.

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Ground breaking at new dealership

Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D –Plainview) attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Rallye Lexus in Jericho on Friday, Oct. 3. “Not only has Rallye been creating jobs and investing in our community for decades, their active participation in significant events across District 16, such as National Night Out and the Syosset Street Fair, exemplify their commitment to contributing to the growth and sustainability of our community,” Deputy Minority Leader Drucker said. “Their decision to expand their footprint here in this district is commendable, and it is a credit to all those who make Nassau County such a great place to live, work and invest. I am looking forward to the opening of this dealership, and I wish them many more years of success in our community!

Car damages home in Jericho

A 17-year-old driver operating a 2025 Tesla crashed into a home on Onondaga Place in Jericho on Sunday, October 19, at 9:40 p.m.

According to Nassau County Police, the vehicle was being driven westbound on Orange Drive at the intersection of Onondaga Place when it left the roadway and struck a residential home

located on Onondaga Place. The driver suffered a minor injury but refused medical attention. There were two occupants present in the home at the time of the collision but were not injured. The Town of Oyster Bay Building Department responded to the scene and deemed the home structurally unsafe.

Photo courtesy Office of Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker

Students honored by Natl. Merit program

Seven students from General Douglas MacArthur High School were recognized in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. Photos courtesy Levittown Public Schools

Division Avenue High School students Ashley Agatep and Daniel Smith were named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.

The Levittown School District has announced that 10 students from Division Avenue and General Douglas MacArthur High Schools were recognized in the prestigious 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.

At Division, Ashley Agatep and Daniel Smith were named Commended Students, while Nish Keer has been recognized as a Semifinalist. At MacArthur, Commended Students included Saahir Afraz, Allyssa Aquino, Kiera Blind, Meaghan Campbell, Alden Sykora and Kevin Tierney, while Sara Duda was named a Semifinalist.

Commended Students are among 34,000 throughout the nation recognized

for their exceptional academic promise and high scores on the 2024 Preliminary SAT. Nish and Sara are among more than 16,000 Semifinalists who will continue in the competition to vie for 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 95% of the Semifinalists are expected to attain a Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

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Bethpage robotics team at Innovation Summit

Regal Eagles team and Optimum employees at the Technology Innovation Summit and Hackathon.

Last week, Optimum held its third annual Technology Innovation Summit & Hackathon at its Bethpage office, which celebrated technological innovation, fostered team collaboration for Optimum employees, and inspired new ideas. The event featured over 30 vendor partners who showcased cutting-edge technology and tools, as well as hosted informative workshops and speaker sessions, allowing attendees to connect directly with the forefront of innovation.

In addition, Optimum welcomed two

Optimum-sponsored FIRST Robotics teams: the Bethpage Regal Eagles from Bethpage High School and Rebel Robotics from Great Neck High School. The students showcased the skills they’re developing through the FIRST Robotics program, demonstrated their robots in live demos, engaged with professionals, and gained firsthand insights into new technologies. The teams also enjoyed tours of the News 12 studios – a day designed to inspire the next wave of innovators.

East Broadway students learn fire safety

One by one, East Broadway Elementary School students jumped out of the Wantagh Fire Department smokehouse to safety on Oct. 16.

Firefighters visiting the students at East Broadway Elementary School on Oct. 16 shared fire prevention tips with a special demonstration of what to do in an emergency.

The Wantagh Fire Department brought along their smokehouse, which mimics the interior of a house and is designed to simulate a fire emergency.

Inside, students learned to identify a

courtesy Levittown Public Schools

potentially dangerous doorway by feeling if the handle is hot and how to crawl to avoid smoke. At the smokehouse’s window, students shouted for help and carefully evacuated with the help of firefighters. The informative visit from local firefighters gives students essential skills to have when faced with an emergency.

Town offers one-stop passport weekend

To help residents looking to obtain new passports, Oyster Bay Town Clerk Richard LaMarca announced that his office will offer a special onestop Passport Weekend on Saturday, November 1, and Sunday, November 2, 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

Attention students!

Avenue in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road in Massapequa. Passport appointments are available Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 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.

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NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU

DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR HSI ASSET SECURITIZATION CORPORATION TRUST 2006OPT1 MORTGAGEPASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2006OPT1, -against-

WALTER J. RODRIGUEZ, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on February 6, 2019, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR HSI ASSET SECURITIZATION CORPORATION TRUST 2006OPT1 MORTGAGE-PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2006-OPT1 is the Plaintiff and WALTER J. RODRIGUEZ, ET AL., are the Defendants. I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, NORTH SIDE STEPS, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on November 3, 2025 at 2:00PM, the premises known as 36 RAILROAD AVENUE, BETHPAGE, NY 11714; tax map identification 46-002-33-35; and description:

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT BETHPAGE, IN THE TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK . . .

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 008027/2015. Richard Kerins, Esq., as Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/ CLERK DIRECTIVES.

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of formation of Bloom Organic Hair Salon. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/29/2025. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Ritu Chauhan: Ritu.chauhan527@gmail.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Too much junk in your house?

Poems pose the question,

“Who am I?”

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Fifth graders at Lee Road Elementary School made introspective observations to craft personalized poems that answer the question, “Who am I?”

Students in Ms. Vrachnas’s class began with their first and last name and pondered what personal traits and interests could fit between them. Fifth graders described their family, favorite foods, animals and subjects and their unique aspirations in short-form poetry. Completing their personal

spotlight, students colored in photos of themselves, making for a bright and informative display for all Lee Road students.

Photos courtesy Levittown Public Schools

Lee

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or visit

Road fifth graders Averie Santo, Landon Caraballo, Savannah Sharpe and John Maddalena created self-portraits and described themselves through poetry.

Alyssa Tufariello, Frankie Noonan, Antonio Ferri and Nafsika Hrisikopoulos responded to the prompt, “Who am I?”

BHS celebrates musical excellence

Bethpage High School welcomed 21 students into its Tri-M Music Honor Society on Oct. 16, celebrating their hard work and musical talents at the annual induction ceremony.

The evening showcased the remarkable diversity of musical talent within the school community. Each new inductee performed for the audience, demonstrating proficiency across an impressive array of instruments and vocal styles. From the tones of the bassoon and French horn to the melodies of violin and saxophone, alongside vocal, piano and percussion performances, the ceremony highlighted the depth and breadth of Bethpage's music program.

Current Tri-M officers led the ceremony, emphasizing both the honor of membership and the society's core pillars: musical achievement, leadership and service to the community.

The 2025-26 inductees are: Jaysun Balladin, Hasya Bhatt, Evelyn Bourke, Alanna Chan, Elizabeth Chopra, Ayan Gupta, Logan Hickey, Nick Jiang, Geewoo Kim, Joshua Lee, Charlie Majewski, Hawa Mashriqi, Anderson Maziero, Sophia Naness, Aleeza Sheikh, Lilibeth Simon, Hayley Soe, Amalia Stavrianos, Giuliana Suppa, Matthew Tusa and Blake Valente.

The ceremony also recognized returning members who continue to contribute to the school's vibrant music culture and uphold the values that define Tri-M membership.

Band teacher Ms. Kristin Warnokowski delivered closing remarks, celebrating the students' dedication to their craft and their commitment to excellence in music education.

Each new inductee performed a solo, showcasing the remarkable diversity of musical talent within the school community.

Discovery Bicycle Tours’ Vietnam: Hue’s Citadel, “City of Ghosts” & the Challenge of Biking the Hai Van Pass

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

On Day 6 of Discovery Bicycle Tours’ 12-Day Vietnam Tour, we get to ride (22 miles for the day), biking right from the Pilgrimage Village resort in Hue along country lanes. There is only light local traffic (mainly bicycles, motorbikes and buffaloes) to the Royal Tomb of Emperor Gia Long, the first emperor of Vietnam’s Nguyen Dynasty.

Built between 1814 and 1820, the mausoleum of Gia Long is a complex of several tombs and temples spread across a tranquil park-like setting of 42 hills and pine forest. What makes this place all the more special is the poignant love story of the Emperor and his first wife, for whom he built the tomb so she could be buried beside him (calling to mind the Taj Mahal).

Our bike ride finishes at a pleasant restaurant in an eco-resort where we enjoy a delightful lunch before getting onto a “dragon” boat, that cruises along the Perfume River to visit the famous Thien Mu Pagoda, which dates from the 1870s and has become the symbol of Hue.

We next board our bus and are taken to the magnificent Citadel of Hue. Spanning 520 hectares on the northern bank of the Perfume River, the walled fortress served as the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945, the last feudal dynasty in Vietnam. The Citadel was designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1993.

Our local guide, Vinh, tells us Vietnam was independent from 18021883. Then the fourth king passed

Our Discovery Bicycle Tours group makes it up the seven-mile stretch to the summit of Hai Van Quan Pass, an iconic pass known around the world as the “Pass of Ocean Clouds,” where an ancient gate used to be a border crossing between two kingdoms © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

away and the French moved in, turning Vietnam into its colony, from 1885-1945. With help of an ally, the Vietnamese pushed out the French, but that lasted only one year, and the French returned in 1946 for nine years. That triggered the Second Indochina War (what we call the Vietnam War and they call the American War).

This very place where we stand today was the site of a major battle in the Tet Offensive - our guide shows us photos of the Battle of Huế, a siege which lasted from January 31 to March 2, 1968. (The restoration was only completed last year and we can still see bullet holes.)

The art, the architecture, the decoration – mosaic, enamel, sculpture –are exquisite, reminding me of China’s Forbidden City in Beijing. It turns out this is not coincidence: Emperor

Gia Long modeled his palace complex after Beijing’s Forbidden City.

We have dinner this evening at the delightful Vy’s Restaurant in Hue and enjoy the bustling downtown activity.

Biking the Challenging

Hai Van Pass

Day 7 of the Discovery Bicycle Tours Vietnam tour brings the greatest cycling challenge and a visit to the intriguingly named “City of Ghosts.”

But the day starts off passively enough, with a delightful breakfast at the Pilgrimage Village resort, and a visit to the Vestige of Thanh Toan Tile-Roofed Bridge, a wooden covered bridge originally constructed in 1776 with seven apartments. The bridge was recognized as a national heritage site in 1990 for its beautiful architecture.

We cross the bridge and enter a busy village market, and after, are brought to an agricultural museum where we are treated to a demonstration of the traditional way of processing rice.

From here, we drive to the An Bang Village Cemetery, known as “the City of Ghosts,” for its thousands of ornate mausoleums that extend over 8 km.

We have a picnic lunch before “hopping on our bikes to conquer” Hai Van Pass, also known as the “Pass of Ocean Clouds.” An iconic pass known around the world, it is the highest in Vietnam at 500 meters above sea level, 7 miles up a gradient up to 7.5% (I think more like 12% at some points).

Now, all of our rides so far have been easy, with very little elevation. But today’s is an absolute challenge and I am one of the few in our group doing it with a regular hybrid bike (not e-bike).

I make it to the top. I take a quick look at the fortress at the summit and the “spectacular view” before biking down the other side.

We arrive at the Royal Hotel Hoi An, a gorgeous, five-star luxury European-style hotel and begin our visit of this dazzling city.

Discovery Bicycle Tours, 2520 W. Woodstock Rd., Woodstock, VT 05091, 800-257-2226, 802- 457-3553, info@discoverybicycletours.com, www.discoverybicycletours.com

Next: Hoi An’s Dazzling Lights, Tranquil Countryside

Seeing a Comet After Sunset ... Maybe!

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of October 26November 1, 2025

It’s been a few years since we’ve seen a decently bright comet grace the nighttime sky, but one is now passing through our celestial neighborhood. It certainly won’t compare to the rare cosmic spectacles like Hale-Bopp or Hyakutake of the late 1990s, but it could become bright enough to see with the unaided eye. Or not.

This comet was found on Jan. 3 by the Mount Lemmon Survey in Tucson, Arizona, although there are photos that show it as early as last November. It’s designated as Comet Lemmon (C/2025 A6).

As confusing as it might seem, the International Astronomical Union’s naming system for comets is rather straightforward. The comet discoverer’s name comes first (in this case Lemmon). This is followed by “C/” to indicate that it’s a nonperiodic comet and that this may be its first journey through the inner solar system. “2025” indicates the discovery year, and “A6” shows that it’s the sixth comet found during the first half of January.

Of course, most of us just call it Comet Lemmon.

Like other comets, Lemmon is one of countless icy remnants of the primordial

solar system that tumble silently in a region known as the Oort Cloud, billions of miles from the sun. Occasionally, one of these cosmic nomads drifts inward toward the sun’s heat, and its ices disintegrate into a cloud of gas and dust around its nucleus (the “coma”). Sunlight and the solar wind act as a fan and blow this material outward to create one or two tails that always point away from our star.

On rare occasions, a comet becomes noteworthy enough to make the news, and we hope that’s what happens with Comet Lemmon. The last time it passed our way was during the late seventh century, but on Oct. 21 of this year, it again swung only 56 million miles past our planet.

Now on its inward track toward the sun, it might make a nice object to view low in the western sky after sunset during this last week of October. But just how bright Comet Lemmon becomes is anyone’s guess. Will it be bright enough to see with the unaided eye, or will we need binoculars or a small telescope to find it? No one can say for sure.

Predictions about the appearance of comets can be somewhat untrustworthy simply because they seem to have minds of their own. As noted comet-hunter David Levy so eloquently explains: “Comets are like cats. They both have tails, and they both do what they want.”

Their unpredictable nature has led people over the ages - and even some today -- to interpret them as cosmic harbingers of doom. Hard to dispute, since every time a comet appears, something bad is happening in the world. Of course, something bad is always happening even when a comet isn’t visible, so make of this superstition what you will.

Check out the accompanying illus-

LOST IN SUBURBIA

tration for Comet Lemmon’s changing position this week, and be sure to grab binoculars to scan the western horizon during dusk to seek out and enjoy this amazing interplanetary iceball.

If you miss it, don’t worry. It’ll return around the year 3175!

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.

Ding, Dong, the Dishwasher’s Dead

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

We went three weeks and a day without a working dishwasher. And then when we finally got a repairman in, he fixed it in five minutes. When I asked him what the problem was, first he blamed the soap. ... Then he blamed me.

“The dishwasher sensed an excess of soap in the bottom of the unit,” said Larry the dishwasher repairman.

I stared at the dishwasher accusingly.

“How could there be an excess of soap?” I finally said. “I use pods. They’re premeasured.”

“Well, let me ask you a question,” he said. “Do you rinse or scrape?”

“Rinse or scrape what?”

“Your plates.”

I thought this might be a trick question. I had always been taught to rinse my plates before I loaded them into the dishwasher. My mother rinsed, and my father rinsed, and both my brothers rinsed as far as I knew because I never actually studied their dishwashing techniques. We all thought rinsing was the best way to ensure that the dishwasher was able to do its job.

“I rinse,” I said definitively.

“You should be scraping,” he said.

“Augh, I knew I’d get that wrong!”

That night I had to tell my husband the error of our dishwasher ways. Like me, he was a devout rinser who came from a long line of rinsers. As long as there had been automatic dishwashers in

his family, they had all rinsed, and they passed the tradition on like a beloved recipe for brisket. I knew he wasn’t going to be happy to be told that he should be scraping instead.

“Larry said the soap needs something to grab onto,” I explained. “That’s why you should scrape.”

“Who changed the rules?” he said. “The dishwasher people or the soap people?”

“Apparently, the dishwasher repair people,” I replied.

He shook his head and got up with his plate to clear the table. Just then I looked down and noticed one of the dog’s toys right in his path.

“Watch out!” I yelled.

But it was too late, and as he stepped away from the table, he tripped on the dog toy.

I watched as he bobbled his plate and caught it, but not before food had flown off his plate and scattered all over the floor. We both stared at the mess on the floor.

“What should I do?” he finally said.

“Clean it up,” I replied.

“I know that,” he said. “But should I rinse or scrape?”

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.

Comet Lemmon, a comet discovered in January, may be visible with the unaided eye after sunset this week.

Question: to discuss books or to exercise?

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

The last time I went to a book club meeting we talked about a novel called Remarkably Bright Creatures because it’s been on the NY Times fiction best-seller list multiple times. Written by Shelby Van Pelt, the book came out in 2022 and is about a woman named Tova Sullivan who forms a deep bond with Marcellus, a precocious and sarcastic giant Pacific octopus, as she works the night shift at an aquarium. Tova is recently widowed and she believes in keeping busy.

Tova and Marcellus become friends and he helps Tova solve her son’s mysterious disappearance 30+ years ago. Erik disappeared and is presumed to have drowned when he was 18 years old in a boating accident on the Puget Sound. His body was never found and Tova always wondered what happened. The mystery of his death is central to the story and Marcellus tries to solve it for Tova.

Marcellus leaves clues and pieces together the truth about Erik’s death. Alongside a young man named Cameron who is searching for his father, they navigate themes of grief and family among others.

At first I was skeptical and unsure about how interesting it would be because I’m not a marine biology enthusiast but it’s really a fiction story. Unearthing the truth is what it’s all about. I got into the story early on because Van Pelt has different types of

characters and it’s full of action. That novel was a page turner.

Another book we discussed is called The Summer List by Amy Mason Doan. The book was published in 2018 and is a fiction story about two friends, Laura and Casey, who were inseparable in high school. One summer night, however, everything falls apart.

After not speaking for 17 years, they are brought back together and throughout the story we discover what drove them apart, along with some other revelations as well. We read the story from Laura’s first-person perspective. Both she and Casey are very likable and very relatable, too.

Set in a small California lakeside town during the summers, The Summer List is told in the present tense and in the past tense - when the girls are in high school. There are also several smaller sections of other characters from even further in the past and eventually we see how it all connects in the book.

There are vivid descriptions of living on the lake which made me think of the carefree summer days of high school. Sometimes it can be confusing when stories go back and forth from the past to the present but in this case it’s not. Amy Mason Doan did a great job of managing the several different time periods with the various storylines.

Throughout the book the characters acted and talked appropriate for their ages - when they’re in high school they think and sound like high schoolers and when they’re adults, they sound like

the adult version of themselves.

Not one to give spoiler alerts, I won’t say too much about the plot or the ending. Doan has a way of making the characters come to life. They are compelling characters so the book is an easy read. It’s a coming-of-age story that makes you wonder what happens next.

The two books mentioned above sound like “chick lit” but that’s not the case. We have a mix of different types of books on our list every year. My book club meets 12 times a year and it’s a large group of up to 35 people. There are only a handful of men so we read about the sun and the moon, the planets and constellations, World War II and more.

Soon we’ll read John Grisham’s The Whistler which is another one of Grisham’s legal thrillers. Then David Baldacci’s The Edge is slated. That novel is set in a small town on the coast of Maine.

My book club meets at 3 p.m. at the public library and for me, this is a perfect time. I go out, meet and talk with some people then return home in time to prepare dinner - steak smothered in mushrooms and onions along with a baked potato or beef stew cooked in my Instant Pot.

Over dinner I’ll tell my relatives about the book club meeting - what we discussed, how many people participated, etc. Afterwards the moderator sends an email to a group list telling us which book is up next. Sometimes she attaches a book description or a videotaped interview about the book and that’s fun

to think about ahead of time. Looking at the group list is a good way for me to put names to faces. Although we wear name tags during the meetings, the list helps me reinforce the names and their faces especially when there are newcomers.

The moderator often brings a plate of cookies to our book club meetings and while I enjoy eating a couple of them, I sit there thinking that when I go home I’d better look at the list of weekly exercise classes at my local senior center and sign up for one of them.

Sitting around in a big circle talking about the books we love and consuming calories is making my waistline grow. I am not happy about that so I’m eager to work off some of those extra calories. A few miles on the treadmill helps me warm up then I switch to the elliptical machine.

I’ve found that following the Elliptical Workout Guide for Beginners is a great place to start so I focus and do my best on that machine. Warming up for 5-10 minutes at a low intensity I then increase the intensity for 2-3 minutes and then return to a lower intensity for 1-2 minutes. I repeat all of this, continue on and the workout feels good. While exercising I meet some other retirees and we chat for a while.

Maybe we can add some non-fiction books about exercising to our book club list and that will prompt all of us to start - or to keep - working out. We book lovers just need a little inspiration.

When It Comes to Storing Bananas, Don’t Believe Old

BY MARY HUNT

For years, I believed an old wives’ tale that bananas will turn black and spoil almost instantly if you put them in the refrigerator. In fact, I even passed this notion on to you. Whoops! Hearing from reader Lin made me reconsider, test, and now, recant. Lin is right. I was wrong!

BANANAS IN THE FRIDGE

I read in your column a while back about how to keep fruit fresher longer. You said do not put bananas in the refrigerator. I beg to differ. We put fresh bananas in the fridge, and they may turn black and ugly on the outside, but inside, even after seven days or longer, they are as fresh and firm as new. Try it. -- Lin (I have discovered that if I put the bananas in a plastic bag and tie or seal it tightly then place this in the crisper drawer, the bananas retain their yellow color. There’s something about black bananas -- even if they are totally fine inside -- I find to be somewhat off-putting! -- MH)

PICKLED ANTS

I have used vinegar as a weed killer for decades. A couple of weeks ago, I found out it is also an excellent ant killer. Simply spray it on them. There is very little odor; what odor there is disappears quickly. I have had a longtime problem with ants in my kitchen and bathroom and do not like to use insecticides

for many reasons (i.e., cat and dogs, poison, smell, oily, getting on my skin). Now I don’t have to worry about it! -- Ann

ASPARTAMED ANTS

Next time there’s an invasion of ants, spread a single packet of Nutrasweet, Equal or Sweet N’ Low (or another sweetener that contains aspartame) over part of the trail. One treatment gets rid of all the ants in less than a day, and I have yet to see them come back. Try it and see. -- Howell

SWEET SKIN CARE

I have a great home recipe for an exfoliant that uses what I have in my pantry. I mix equal amounts of honey and cornmeal and apply to my face, elbows and heels. It leaves my skin feeling wonderful and it smells nice, too. -- Lee

RUBBER BAND GRIP

Instead of using those rubbery disks designed for gripping a jar lid to make it easier to open, simply put a rubber band or two around the lid and twist! It gives you a great grip on the lid and it’s much handier than keeping one more thing in your kitchen that only serves one purpose. -- Mara

GRINDING THE GROUNDS

Instead of purchasing whole peppercorns for use in a grinder, I just fill my grinder full of regular ground black pepper. The grinds are big enough that when ground again, I get

a fresh ground pepper taste at a fraction of the cost. And a bottle of coarse ground pepper lasts a lot longer than those tiny bottles of peppercorns. -- Jennifer WRAP UP A BOUQUET GARNI

If you make soup, a bouquet garni (spices and herbs tied into a little bundle so they can be easily removed before serving) is a wonderful thing. But instead of buying cheesecloth for this process, I wrap the herbs and spices in a coffee filter, roll it or fold it and wrap it with string. I drop it into the soup pot and fish it out easily with a spoon when the soup is done. -- Jessica FOIL SCRUBBER

One morning I faced a tough job cleaning the dried-on pancake batter in a bowl. Instead of reaching for a scrub pad, I balled up a piece of used aluminum foil and it worked perfectly to scrub the bowl clean. -- Brenda HANDY CHARCOAL LIGHTER FLUID

I’ve discovered that charcoal lighter fluid works well on removing the residue that stickers leave behind. A little on a cloth does the job. I also found that it does a great job getting oil-based paint out of brushes. It has very little odor and it’s a lot cheaper than the stuff you buy in the store for that specific purpose. -- Grace Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is ar-

Wives’ Tales

chived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https:// www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.” COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

Crossword Answers

BY TOM MARGENAU

Sometimes people will write to me complaining that the government, specifically, the Social Security Administration, has messed them up and cheated them out of benefits they might have been due. But many times (to use a sports analogy), the ball is in their hands. And if they drop it, they shouldn’t look around and try to blame others. Here are some examples of what I mean.

Q: I am 72 years old. I have been getting my own reduced Social Security retirement since age 62. I have chronic arthritis and fibromyalgia, and I just learned I could have been getting higher disability benefits all these years. So I called Social Security about this, and they said it’s too late! What? Why didn’t someone from Social Security ever tell me about this? They messed up, and they owe me 10 years’ worth of disability benefits.

A: I’m going to be rather blunt with you. They didn’t mess up. You did. It’s your job to educate yourself about the benefits you might be due from Social Security. I know if I had the kinds of problems you described, I would have said to myself: “I wonder if I might be eligible for disability benefits?” And then I would have checked into that.

And the Social Security retirement application has a question on it that essentially asks something like this: “Are you unable to work because of a disabling condition?” Back when you were 62, you must have answered that question, “No,” because a “Yes” answer would have led you down the path to a claim for Social Security disability benefits.

Q: I am 62 years old and currently unmarried. I have always worked in low-paying jobs and my Social Security benefit will only be about $1,200 per month. I was married to a very wealthy man, but we divorced many years ago. We got the divorce just two weeks shy of our 10th anniversary. The Social Security rep I talked to said that because we were not married for 10 years, I can’t get any of his Social Security. Why was I never told about this before? The government has ripped me off!

A: Do you think a Social Security representative should be stationed at every divorce court in this country, ready to tell women to stay married for 10 years to be eligible for benefits from the ex?

I understand that at the time you divorced this guy, Social Security was probably the furthest thing from your mind. Still, the ball was in your court to educate yourself about this.

SOCIAL SECURITY AND YOU

Don’t Drop the Ball

With just a little bit of effort, you could have easily learned about the 10-year duration of marriage rule.

Q: When I was 65, I retired and took the free Part A Medicare. But I didn’t want to spend all that money the government was gouging us to take the Part B. However, five years later, when I was 70, I decided I needed the Part B, so I took it and started paying a penalty on top of my regular monthly premium. I’m now almost 80, and I’m still paying the penalty. This just proves my theory that the government is made up of a bunch of crooks who are just out to gouge all of us senior citizens!

A: Well, you didn’t really ask me a question. You just got up on your soapbox and blamed the government for the Part B penalty predicament you find yourself in.

But I think if you are looking for blame, you should check the nearest mirror. If you had done your homework when you were turning 65, you would have learned that your Part B Medicare monthly premium would increase by 10% for each year you opted not to participate in that part of Medicare. And you would have learned that the penalties are permanent.

So frankly, you messed up. You were trying to save a few bucks each month by foregoing Part B coverage all those years -- and now you’re paying for that mistake. And it sounds like you’re trying to put the blame for that mistake on someone else!

Q: I had done lots of research and lots of planning to make sure my wife and I maximize our Social Security benefits. I waited until 70 (just two months ago) to start my Social Security. My wife, who was always a homemaker and doesn’t have her own Social Security, is also 70 and filed for spousal benefits on my record. We were counting on her getting half of my Social Security. So imagine my shock when we learned that she is only getting about 40% of my benefit. Everything I’ve ever read says a wife gets 50%. So why is the government cheating us?

A: The government isn’t cheating you. You cheated yourself (and your wife) by not doing enough research. Had you done your homework (by reading my book, “Social Security: Simple and Smart,” for example), you would have learned that your wife’s spousal benefit is based on your full retirement age benefit, not on your augmented age 70 rate. So your wife is getting 50%, but again, it’s 50% of your FRA benefit, not your age 70 benefit.

So that’s the bad news. A little bit of good news (for your wife) is this: if you should die before your wife does, her widow’s benefit will be based on your full age 70 rate.

Q: Something has been bugging me for years. I’m 74 years old and have been getting Social Security since I was 62. But I always felt they didn’t figure my benefits correctly. I think they are cheating me. How can I get them to correct this mistake?

A: You can’t. It’s too late. At the time your benefits first started, your “award letter” told you that if you disagreed with anything, you had 60 days to file an appeal. So why did you wait for over 10 years to bring this up? It may

make you feel better to know that studies show that Social Security retirement benefit calculations have something like a 99.8% accuracy rate. So it is extremely likely that you are being paid correctly.

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. T

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Long Island Housing Market Trends

The Great Holding Pattern: Why Long Island Homeowners Aren’t Selling

Homes on Long Island feel frozen in place. With inventory extremely low (about 3.1 months’ supply) sellers aren’t rushing to list. In fact, home prices on Long Island keep rising – the median hit $725,000 in Q2 2025, up 8.2% year-over-year libn.com – even as sales slow.

So why aren’t people selling? A big reason is mortgage rates. Imagine buying a house a few years ago at 3% interest, only to consider selling now with rates in the mid-6% range. Many homeowners feel locked in: if they sold, they’d lose their 2–3% rate for a much higher one

For example, someone with a 2.65% mortgage from 2021 would now face roughly double that rate. For many, giving up those cheap payments isn’t worth it, so they simply age in place. Notably, Baby Boomers staying in their homes longer is pushing inventory even lower.

Even nationally, this is a familiar story. Nearly two-thirds of would-be sellers report waiting a year or more to sell, and about half say they feel “locked in” by today’s rates .

Experts warn that with sellers reluctant, markets can get stuck – literally a holding pattern. As one economist notes, instead of cutting prices, some owners choose to take their homes off the market altogether, keeping buyers and sellers apart in a ‘holding pattern.’ Long Island is no exception. Realtor.com data show the Northeast (including LI) remains one of the tightest markets in the country, meaning LI still has very few listings entering the market.

For buyers, that means choices are limited. You might face multiple

BY CHARLYN FARGO

Most of us have heard that if we’re diabetic or watching our sugar, we should avoid fruit. But the truth is, sugar from fruit (and milk) is natural sugar. It’s true sugar by itself is not nutritious, adding empty calories to a lot of items like cookies, cake, candy, ice cream, breakfast cereals, pastries, coffee drinks and sports drinks. And those added sugars can lead to weight gain. Despite our best intentions, the average person is consuming more than double the amount of their recommended daily sugar intake. Added sugars are hidden in nondairy sweetened milks, flavored yogurt, oatmeal, sports drinks and even granola bars. However, naturally occurring sugars

bids on even modest homes or have to look farther east into Suffolk for deals. Some buyers adapt by saving larger down payments or considering adjustablerate loans. Meanwhile, sellers with move-inready homes often still see above-ask offers –often from cash buyers or investors who don’t mind refinancing at high rates.

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

Consider the numbers:

• Sales down, prices up: Long Island home sales in Q2 2025 fell about 10.6% from a year earlier, even as medians hit new highs. Demand remains strong, but the supply of homes has shrunk.

• Homes stay listed longer: Reports show homes that once sold in days are now taking weeks. The average listing in Nassau sits about 66 days on market (versus around 45 in 2024), suggesting buyers are taking their time.

• Local push factors: Steep local costs ($11,000+ annual taxes and high home prices) drive some families off the Island, further lowering buyer demand.

• Renters feel it too: With homebuying paused, rent demand is up. Long Island rent vacancies fell by ~14% in 2024, squeezing a tight rental market even more.

Experts say change hinges on a few big shifts. NAR’s Lawrence Yun notes that if mortgage rates fall toward around 6%, many more buyers will jump in – he expects home sales to rise 6–11% over 2025–26 if rates ease. For now, rates have ticked down slightly: as of summer 2025 the 30-year fixed averaged roughly 6.6–6.7% (down from above 7% earlier). That’s good news,

but not yet at the “magic bullet” level that would break the logjam.

Putting it all together: Long Island’s market is essentially on pause. Sellers who list still hold leverage, but most are choosing to wait. Buyers can’t snap up enough homes to move the needle.

The next big changes will come from shifting mortgage rates or an influx of new listings. As one local analyst warned, “selling now while inventory is still low and demand is decent might be your last chance to get top dollar.”

Until one of those key factors changes, this great holding pattern is likely to continue. So the bottom line you have an option of cashing out today and taking the money and appreciation and run or sit tight and continue to ride the roller coaster that may some way, somehow end this amazing and crazy market on Long Island.

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

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

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

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

He will also provide a copy of

NUTRITION NEWS

Sugar in Fruit

are different.

Fruit also contains valuable nutrients (vitamin C, fiber, minerals and phytochemicals) that support good health. Our bodies actually thrive when we eat fruit. The fiber in fruit slows digestion (and blood sugar spikes) and adds to stool bulk. The fiber also makes us feel full, which can help with weight loss. If you remove the fiber like we do in fruit juices, you lose those benefits. Fiber is why the natural sugars found in fruit are good, and lack of fiber is why fruit juices aren’t as healthy.

The fiber slows the absorption of the sugars, so they enter the bloodstream more slowly and are unlikely to spike blood sugar levels. About half the sugar

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

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

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

You can now search at your leisure for properties at:

WWW.Li-RealEstate.com

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

in fruit is in the form of fructose, which has less effect on blood sugar than other types of carbohydrates.

The pairing of fiber and fructose gives fruits a low glycemic index. The index is a measure of how quickly an individual carbohydrate-containing food affects blood sugar levels.

The natural sugar in fruit is even OK for those with prediabetes or diabetes, according to Richard Siegel, co-director of the Diabetes and Lipid Center at Tufts Medical Center. “If one has been diagnosed with prediabetes, it’s much more important to cut down on intake of simple carbohydrates like sugar,” writes Siegel in Tufts’ Health and Nutrition Letter. “This means eating less of foods like can-

dy, cookies, cakes and other baked goods, table sugar, honey and syrup.”

Foods like honey, maple syrup or agave nectar may be natural, but they are not found naturally in most foods.

The bottom line is fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy eating pattern. Spread fruit out over the day rather than consuming large amounts of fruit at one time. Try to consume whole fruits over juices, and limit foods with added sugars.

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2) Email Nancy@gcnews.com

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3 DAY NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

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

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

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

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

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

Amen Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days, and then you must publish it and it will be granted to you. (MAK)

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NOVENAS/PRAYERS

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED MOTHER

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.

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

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

This prayer is never known to fail and is to be said for 3 consecutive days. In Gratitude (CVA312)

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MARKETPLACE

GARAGE SALE

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A simple roast ham affords hosts more time to mingle with guests

Roast Ham

Hosting is a time-consuming responsibility. Hosts welcome all that comes with inviting loved ones over, but many might admit cooking for a crowd is a chore that takes up most of their time.

1 cup honey

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

4 apples, cored and quartered

1) Preheat the oven to 350° F.

2) Warm the honey with the mustard in a heavy-based saucepan, stirring until smooth and starting to bubble at the edges of the pan. Set off the heat.

3) Arrange the apple quarters in a large roasting pan and place the ham on top. Score a

The time-consuming nature of cooking leaves many hosts looking for less complicated meals that would afford them more time to spend with loved ones. The following recipe for “Roast Ham” from Lines+Angles is a straightforward dish that will let hosts spend more time with guests and still ensure everyone enjoys a delicious homecooked meal.

Makes 6 to 8 servings

1 8-pound cooked ham, trimmed Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper

diamond pattern on the outside fat; brush with some of the honey-mustard glaze, seasoning with salt and pepper at the same time.

4) Bake the ham until the thickest part of the ham registers at least 160° F, about 1 hour 20 minutes; brush with more of the glaze from time to time.

5) Once the ham has reached 160° F, increase the oven temperature to 450° F and cook for a further 5 to 10 minutes until the top is golden brown and starting to caramelize.

6. Remove from the oven and let cool before slicing and serving. Can also be chilled and served cold.

Music teacher wins prestigious prize

Cameron Carrella, a music teacher at Kramer Lane Elementary School in Bethpage, has been named the winner of the North Shore Symphony Orchestra's (NSSO) inaugural Long Island Music Educator's Performance Prize.

This newly created award celebrates the artistry and dedication of Long Island's outstanding music educators, recognizing their impact in both the classroom and the concert hall. Mr. Carrella was selected from among many talented educators across Long Island for this prestigious honor.

A native of Bayville, New York, Mr. Carrella is a performer and educator whose work bridges both classical and jazz traditions. He earned a BFA in jazz studies at Purchase College and is currently pursuing a master’s in music education at Queens College's Aaron Copland School of Music. Alongside an active performing career with his own jazz groups and wedding bands, he brings tremendous energy and passion to his students at Kramer Lane Elementary School.

As the inaugural prizewinner, Mr. Carrella will perform Jean Baptiste Arban’s “Fantaisie & Variations on The Carnival of Venice” with the North Shore Symphony Orchestra on Oct. 25 at Adelphi University Performing Arts Center in Garden City, New York.

Kramer Lane music teacher Mr. Cameron Carrella has been named the winner of the North Shore Symphony Orchestra's (NSSO) inaugural Long Island Music Educator's Performance Prize.

Photo courtesy of Bethpage Union Free School District

“Cameron brings incredible energy and heart to his work as a music educator, inspiring our youngest musicians with his passion and talent,” said Mr. Brent Chiarello, Bethpage’s director of fine and performing arts. “His students thrive under his guidance, and his artistry as a trumpet player — whether in jazz or classical — sets a powerful example. The Bethpage community is fortunate to have him working with our students.”

Levittown schools unite against breast cancer

Students at Gardiners Avenue Elementary School have been sporting pink throughout October in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Students and staff throughout the Levittown School District have shown their community pride throughout the month of October as they donned pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

and General Douglas MacArthur High Schools annually host massively successful “Pink Out” and “Dig Pink” games joined by the wider community. At Division’s varsity football game — which resulted in a win over Hewlett High School — individuals affected by breast cancer were honored on the field with a pink carnation. The MacArthur Lady Generals volleyball program’s “Dig Pink” event, hosted on Oct. 10, featured friendly scrimmages between teammates and a game played by teachers, as well as raffles.

Lottery for free Holiday Concert tickets

With the holiday season fast approaching, the Town of Oyster Bay invites residents to enter a ticket lottery for this year’s Town Holiday Concerts, being held on November 24 and 25 at the Tilles Center at LIU Post in Brookville.

“There’s no better way to kick off the holiday season than with the Town of Oyster Bay’s Holiday Concert Extravaganza. From music to dancing, this amazing performance brings out the holiday cheer in all who experience

it,” Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. “Due to its overwhelming popularity, the Town hosts a ticket lottery to ensure all residents have an equal opportunity to attend one of our wonderful performances. And, as always, this outstanding holiday entertainment is provided free of charge for our residents.”

This year’s Holiday Concerts are scheduled for two evenings: Monday, November 24, and Tuesday, November

25, at 7:30 p.m.; as well as a matinee performance on Tuesday, November 25, at 2 p.m.

Applications are available on the Town's website, www.oysterbaytown. com, or can be received by calling (516) 797-7925. Completed lottery applications can be dropped off at the following locations:

• Oyster Bay Town Hall North, Town Clerk's Office, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay

Love to write?

• Oyster Bay Town Hall South, South Entrance, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa

Residents may receive up to two tickets per household. All entries must be received by Friday, October 24, at 4:45 p.m. Residents selected will receive their tickets in the mail the week of November 10. Ticket distribution will be based on availability. For more information, visit www.oysterbaytown.com or call (516) 797-7925.

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

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POB Hawks triumph at Homecoming

The Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School Hawks held their homecoming came on September 27.

The Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School (POBJFKHS) Hawks capped a spirited week of celebration with a 28-12 homecoming victory over Hicksville on Saturday, September 27th.

The win was the culmination of a week-long display of Plainview-Old Bethpage school spirit. Festivities included varsity athletes visiting their former elementary schools to inspire younger students, spirit activities throughout the Plainview-Old Bethpage

elementary schools, and a high-energy pep rally to celebrate all fall athletes.

On homecoming day, the school community gathered for a vibrant parade. Before and during the varsity football game, the campus buzzed with activity at the homecoming village, which featured informational tables from various POBJFKHS clubs and community groups. The village also offered dedicated activities for younger students, creating a festive atmosphere for all ages.