Mid-Island Times (10/31/25) by Litmor Publishing

SERVING PLAINVIEW, HICKSVILLE, AND LEVIT TOWN

Diwali celebrated in Hicksville

Senator Steve Rhoads joined the Asamai Hindu Temple & Community Center’s 21st Annual Diwali Mela in Hicksville to celebrate the Festival of Lights and recognize the triumph of good over evil. He presented Youth Leadership Awards to Aarti, Akshay, and Rakhi Bhasin, along with Arvin Mehra, for their five years of dedicated service to the Temple’s Sunday School Program. Senator Rhoads was joined by Legislator Rose Marie Walker and Supervisor Jennifer DeSena in celebrating this vibrant community event honoring faith, service, and togetherness.

Town drive to support veterans

The Town of Oyster Bay, in partnership with VFW Post #6394 in Syosset, encourage residents to support local veterans by donating to a Collection

Drive. Throughout the month of November, residents are invited to donate toiletries that will be distributed through the notfor-profit organization Help for

Homeless Long Island Veterans.

“From hosting veteran appreciation events to recognizing their service with Hometown

See page 6

Hicksville music educator receives achievement award

Hicksville Public Schools is proud to announce that Kerri Kamping has been named the recipient of the 2025 New York State School Music Association Early Career Achievement Award. This prestigious award recognizes a pre-K–12 music educator who, within the first five to 15 years of their career, has demonstrated excellence in teaching and a deep commitment to the advancement of music education in New York State.

"We are incredibly proud to celebrate Ms. Kamping’s achievement," said Chad Wyman, supervisor of fine arts for Hicksville Public Schools. "Her dedication to fostering musical growth and enthusiasm among her students and within our school community is truly commendable. This award is a testament to the high quality of our music program and the passionate educators who lead it."

“Ms. Kamping’s passion for music education and her ability to inspire students through creativity and connection are what make Hicksville proud,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ted Fulton. “Her recognition by NYSSMA reflects

not only her exceptional talent and dedication, but also the collective excellence of our fine arts program and the commitment of our educators to enriching the lives of our students through the arts.”

NYSSMA is a state unit of the National Association for Music Education. It is a professional organization dedicated to music education across New York State.

Kerri Kamping

Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Councilman meets with students on environment

Oyster Bay Town Councilman Steve Labriola recently welcomed a group of Jericho High School students to Town Hall after receiving their letter about the importance of local climate action and sustainability. The students wrote about how every Town can play a part in protecting the environment and suggested forming a Youth Environmental Advisory Council to engage young people in community education and shaping a greener future.

“I was so impressed by these young people and their aspirations in

both environmental and traffic safety issues,” said Councilman Labriola. “They showed a genuine care for their community and a desire to make a difference. I commend them for their initiative and civic involvement.”

The Councilman thanked the students for sharing their ideas, emphasizing that their voices and perspectives are always welcome. He encouraged them to stay involved and continue to bring forward creative ideas to make the Town of Oyster Bay a safer, cleaner, and more vibrant place for all residents.

Levittown Bluegrass Festival

Town Councilman Steve Labriola (center) meets with Jericho students Grace Li, Malvin Patel, Richard Nie and Margina Chen.

Hempstead Town Councilman Dennis Dunne (third left) attended the 8th Annual Bluegrass Festival, presented by the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 1711, on September 20 at the Levittown American Legion Post 1711.

Levittown FD Open House

Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti (third left), Councilman Dennis Dunne (second left), and Town Clerk Kate Murray (third right) attended the Levittown Fire Department Open House on October 10.

Hometown heroes honored

On Friday, October 24, the Syosset American Legion Post honored four heroes that make Syosset a safe and wonderful place to live.

Left to right: State Senator Steve Rhodes, PSEG Lineman Bill Zimmerman, Fire Department Fighter John Farraday, Police Communications Operator Jessica Stack, Nassau County Police Inspector Jannine Palazzola, Syosset American Legion Vice Commander Don MacAvoy and representing the Nassau County American Legion Mike Ernst. Not in photo is National Security Chairman Pat Crudo.

HHS students give back to community

The Hicksville High School Helping Hands Club recently donated $300 to the Hicksville Food Pantry. The funds were raised through several student-led initiatives, including the sale of club apparel and after-school churro sales.

Left to right: Hicksville bilingual school social worker Monica Aber, co-advisor Joe Romano, Old Country Road Elementary School Principal Laura McConnell, Helping Hands Club students, Treasurer Yajaira Garcia, President Sheilyn Soto Soriano, Vice President Zenia Hussain and co-advisor Artie Mediate.

Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

This Week at the Syosset Public Library

Friday, October 31, 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, October 31, 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.

Sunday, November 2, at 1:00 p.m.

Concert: Como Brothers Live! (IN-PERSON)

Meet the dynamic brother duo from Long Island. These musical maestros are a blend of pop-rock, easy listening, and a sprinkle of bluesy goodness. You will hear famous songs as well as some of their original tunes that have danced their way into popular TV shows. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org.

Thursday, November 6, at 2:00 p.m.

Selling the President (IN-PERSON)

Presenter: James Coll, adjunct professor of American and Constitutional history, Nassau Community College, and retired NYPD detective Television—and the use of the medium in every presidential election since its invention—has transformed the way we learn about potential Chief Executives. In this non-partisan lecture, we will view and discuss some of the most influential TV ads to get a better understanding of how candidates have sought to define themselves and their opponents from within America’s living rooms. No registration needed.

Friday, November 7, at 10:00 a.m.

Simply Stronger with Balance (VIRTUAL)

Instructor: Mindy Vasta

A warm welcome to HMS 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 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.

On Oct. 22, Hicksville Middle School hosted a special breakfast for new students entering the district. Principal Benjamin Tangney welcomed them to the cafeteria and highlighted the unique opportunities in the building. The experience gave students the chance to connect with their new peers and current students. Members of the school’s support staff were on hand to help answer any questions and connect face-to-face.

Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Town drive to support veterans

From page 1

Hero Banners in our parks, the Town of Oyster Bay is committed to honoring veterans for their service to our nation,”

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. “Please join this mission to help bring the comforts of home to veterans by making a donation to our collection drive.”

Most needed items include toiletries: toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, Chapstick, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, lotion, cream, razors, shaving cream, combs, brushes, sunscreen, Q-Tip’s, tweezers and nail clippers.

“When I learned that Help

for Homeless Long Island Veterans had a ‘Wish List’ of items their veterans desperately need, I knew residents would generously spring into action to help ensure these needs are met,” said Town Clerk Richard LaMarca. “I thank the residents of our wonderful Town in advance for their generosity and support of our veterans.”

Collection Bins will be available on weekdays from 9:00am to 4:45pm at Town Hall North (54 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay) and Town Hall South (977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa). For more information, please call (516) 624-6380 or email ealter@oysterbay-ny. gov.

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LEGAL NOTICES

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.

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Levittown Chamber new member spotlight

The Levittown Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors welcomed new member, Sabrina Burke, on September 17 at their membership meeting held at VFW Post #9592 in Levittown. Sabrina who is the founder of Fluffy Hammer Bookkeeping LLC officially launched her business last spring.

by Tara Cassano

NASSAU COUNTY LEGAL NOTICE

NEW YORK STATE

DEPARTMENT OF STATE DIVISION OF CORPORATIONS, STATE RECORDS AND UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE FILING RECEIPT

ENTITY NAME: DOMNET GLOBAL LLC DOCUMENT TYPE: ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION ENTITY TYPE: DOMESTIC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY DOS ID: 7664223

FILE DATE : 07/21/2025 FILE NUMBER : 250721000013 TRANSACTION NUMBER: 202507210000015-4741487

EXISTENCE DATE: 07/21/2025

DURATION/DISSOLUTION: PERPETUAL COUNTY: NASSAU

SERVICE OF PROCESS

ADDRESS:

REGISTERED AGENTS INC.

418 BROADWAY STE R, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA

ELECTRONIC SERVICE OF PROCESS EMAIL ADDRESS: N/A

FILER: MICHAEL REED

418 BROADWAY STE R, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA

BY TARA CASSANO, LEVITTOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Levittown Chamber of Commerce would like to Introduce New member Sabrina Burke, who is the founder of Fluffy Hammer Bookkeeping LLC, based in Levittown. She officially launched her business in May 2025, but bookkeeping has been part of her life for as long as she can remember. Growing up in a family of business operators, Burke said she learned the value of accurate records early on—even as a child counting buttons in her family’s Manhattan manufacturing store. That early exposure led her to a now career, 15 year career in bookkeeping.

Before starting Fluffy Hammer Bookkeeping, Burke served as Director of the Virtual Controller Division at Perlson LLP. In that role, she helped develop standard operating procedures for the bookkeeping division and specific company-wide clientele including the family office. Burke

implemented modern technologies and processes that streamlined operations, expanded their client portfolio, and built a stronger, more efficient team. These experiences gave her the confidence and expertise to launch her own practice with a focus on innovation and client empowerment.

Burke lives in Island Trees with her husband, their son, and their two dogs. Outside of work, she enjoys Zumba, crochet, embroidery, and taking long walks with the dogs. She also loves stand-up comedy, family car sing-alongs, and reading. She mentions that these activities bring balance and joy to her life and keep her energized for the work she does with clients.

Burke says “What sets Fluffy Hammer Bookkeeping apart is our expertise in tech stacking across industries. While many businesses try a trial-and-error approach with applications, I bring years of hands-on experience onboarding and offboarding tech stacks. This ensures my clients adopt the right solutions the first time, saving them stress, time, and money.”

In addition to client bookkeeping services, Burke also provide training and mentoring for other bookkeeping professionals and CPA firms. Whether it’s scaling operations, improving systems, or acting as a sounding board, she helps fellow professionals build sustainable, efficient practices.

The best way to reach her is through the secure contact form on her website: www. fluffyhammerbookkeeping. com. or via LinkedIn

With Fluffy Hammer Bookkeeping, Burke’s mission is to arm business owners with clear, accurate, and timely financials. She believes bookkeeping is no longer just about posting income and expenses—it’s about providing business owners with the tools and insights they need to understand their financial position, make confident decisions, and achieve their goals with transparency.

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Photo

Record-breaking fundraiser, with duct tape and slime

As part of the fundraising incentives, students earned the privilege of duct taping three teachers to a wall in the main school hallway.

Kramer Lane Elementary School's gymnasium erupted in cheers on Wednesday as students celebrated the overwhelming success of this year's Fun Run fundraiser – and collected on some unforgettable prizes.

The student body not only met but surpassed their $40,000 fundraising goal, ultimately raising an impressive $42,440 for the school’s PTA. The funds will support programs, cultural arts initiatives and special events that benefit all students throughout the year.

But for the kids, the real reward came in watching their beloved principal and three teachers pay up on their promises.

As part of the fundraising incentives, students earned the privilege of duct taping three teachers to a wall in the main school hallway. Fifth grade teacher Mrs. Denise Caliguri, along with fourth grade teachers Mrs. Sara Dionne and Mrs. Michelle Brady, volunteered as tribute for this unique honor.

With assistance from PTA members, students from each teacher’s class took turns layering strips of heavy-duty duct tape, securing the three educators to the wall outside the gym. The tape proved so effective that when the step stools supporting each teacher were pulled away, all three remained suspended against the wall, hovering inches off the ground – much to the delight of their

cheering students.

Following the duct tape spectacle, the entire student body gathered in the gymnasium for the grand finale: sliming Principal McCarthy. As the top fundraising class, Mrs. Caliguri’s students earned the honor of dumping multiple buckets of colorful slime over their principal, who proved to be an

Kramer Lane teacher Michelle Brady looks a bit unsure as her students and PTA members begin duct taping her to the wall.

exceptionally good sport throughout the messy ordeal.

The Fun Run fundraiser, organized through Boosterthon, transformed what could have been a routine donation drive into an engaging, goal-oriented event that brought the entire school community together. The funds raised will directly impact student experiences

With assistance from PTA members, students from each teacher's class took turns layering strips of heavy-duty duct tape, securing the three educators to the wall outside the gym.

throughout the academic year, making yesterday's sticky situation well worth it for everyone involved.

Following the duct tape spectacle, the entire student body gathered in the gymnasium for the grand finale: sliming Principal Kerri McCarthy.

Photos courtesy of Bethpage Union Free School District

October 31, 2025

Discovery Bicycle Tours’ Vietnam: Hoi An’s

Dazzling Nights, Tranquil Countryside

KAREN RUBIN

TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

When I think of Hoi An, Vietnam, I think of “dazzling” and I think of Venice. That first glimpse in the night as we walk over the Hoi An bridge into Old Town and suddenly see the colored lights and lanterns popping out of the darkness, the silhouette of the sampan boats rowing on the river evoking Venetian gondoliers, the reflections on the dappled surface of the water, takes my breath away. Add to this the crush of people crossing the bridge, reminiscent of the Ponte di Rialto (but with the added hubbub of motorbikes also winding their way through the crowd). And then there is the Japanese Covered Bridge that brings to mind Venice’s Bridge of Sighs.

In the17th and 18th centuries, Hoi An was one of the most prosperous international trading ports in Southeast Asia – the center of commerce for merchant vessels from Japan, China, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands and India. Preserved intact and considered a living museum of architectural monuments, the Old Town was recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1999, and in 2023 was listed as one of the UNESCO creative cities for handicraft and folk arts.

Experiencing Vietnam’s Rural Life by Bike

Today’s ride on Day 8 of Discovery Bicycle Tours’ 12-day Vietnam cultural tour proves my favorite - especially compared to yesterday’s challenging seven-mile ride over the Hai Van Pass. We bike 20 miles through Hoi An’s countryside, through villages which represent the “five pillars” of daily life – pottery village, carpentry village, fishing village, vegetable village.

Back in Hoi An after our ride, we have the afternoon free and time to explore the delights of Hoi An.

I go off to find The Precious Heritage Museum and Art Gallery in Old Town, a 20-minute walk from the Royal Hotel Hoi An along the

The dazzling night scene in Hoi An takes my breath away © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

river through the markets. This is so much more than the gallery of world-renowned photographer, Rehahn - it is an ethnography exhibit of his decade long project to photograph all 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. Magnificent portraits are displayed along with that village’s traditional dress and other artifacts. I love his notes telling the story of the people he photographed, the experience and context for the photographs and the tribe, and outstanding videos. The photos are published in his book, “Vietnam.” (Free admission, open daily 8 am-8 pm, 26 Phan Boi Chau – Hoi An 84 94 982 06 98, https://www.Rehahnphotographer.com/)

Our group meets for a marvelous dinner at the Morning Glory Restaurant, where a large plaque written by Ms. Vy, founder and owner of The Taste Vietnam Group, notes that Vietnamese cuisine had to be re-invented after decades of deprivation.

After dinner, we stroll around on our own. A few of us head toward the Old Town across the Hoi An Bridge, and that’s when we come across the breathtaking sight: the colorful lanterns on sampan boats.

We enjoy looking into the shops and then come to another scenic highlight of Hoi An: the Japanese Covered Bridge. It was built in the early 17th century by the Japanese who lived in Hoi An

town, to cross the stream to do business with the local people in the residential area. Inside, we see the small temple and historic photos of the bridge.

Biking to My Son Sanctuary

This morning, we ride the bus to Vinh Dien where we cycle 15 miles to the My Son Sanctuary, the spiritual capital of the Cham Kingdom, which dominated Southeast Asia for nearly a thousand years, and is one of the few sites from this era left standing.

We get back to Hoi An with the whole afternoon and evening to ourselves to enjoy this marvelous city.

The Precious Heritage Museum and Art Gallery is so fascinating that I return with two others from our tour and we are so fortunate that Rehahn, the photographer himself!, is at the gallery, signing his newest book.

Discovery Bicycle Tours, 2520 W. Woodstock Rd., Woodstock, VT 05091, 800-257-2226, 802- 4573553, info@discoverybicycletours.com, www.discoverybicycletours.com

Next: Ho Chi Minh City

Largest Full Moon of the Year

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of November 2-8, 2025

How far is the moon?

I’ll bet that many of my readers know the answer; we all learned it in school. In fact, I still recall reciting it in fifth grade: “The moon is 240,000 miles from Earth.”

What the teacher never told us, however, is that this number is just a rough average, and that there is no single answer. That’s because the moon doesn’t orbit the Earth in a circular path; if it did, its distance would always be the same. It orbits, instead, along an elliptical path, and its distance from us changes throughout its monthly cycle.

Scientists can measure the moon’s exact distance by bouncing a laser beam from reflectors installed on the moon decades ago by Apollo astronauts. What do I mean by the moon’s “exact distance”? Well, these laser ranging measurements can yield the lunar distance to an accuracy of less than 2 millimeters or one-thirteenth of an inch!

To most of us, however, that’s overkill. We simply enjoy watching the moon as it lights our nighttime sky and, on Wednesday, Nov. 5, we’ll have a great opportunity to see a unique full moon rise in the east at dusk. On that evening, the moon will lie very near its perigee position (its closest orbital point to our planet), only about 221,726 miles away, so you may notice that it appears slightly larger than normal. It will, in fact, be the closest, brightest and largest-ap-

pearing full moon of 2025.

This lunar perigee occurs every month, of course, but when it happens to coincide with a full moon we frequently hear folks call it a “super moon.” Nothing terribly “super” about it, really. On that evening, the moon will appear only 7% larger than an average full moon, and this isn’t terribly much. Imagine leaving a 7% tip to a restaurant server. ... Do you suppose they’d get excited and exclaim, “Oh, what a super tip!”? It’s doubtful!

Even regular moon-watchers may struggle to notice the size difference, but keep in mind that some of the moon’s “hugeness” you see may be caused by a confused brain trying to sort through what we call the moon illusion.

When the moon appears near the horizon, our brain interprets it as being farther away and, therefore, expects that its image on our retinas should be smaller. Since its image is not smaller (because the moon is not actually farther) the brain assumes that the moon must have grown in size, and very effectively shows us a larger moon.

Check out the moon again later in the evening when it lies high overhead and you’ll see that it now appears a bit smaller. Of course it isn’t; it’s just that when it lies high in the sky, there’s no horizon in the foreground to help our brains create the illusion, and the moon appears to be a normal size once again.

Be sure to mark your calendars for Wednesday, Nov. 5, and get out after sunset to watch the full moon ascend over the eastern horizon. Whether or

LOST IN SUBURBIA

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

“Help!” I cried out meekly.

“Where are you?” asked my husband, looking around the bedroom.

“I’m in here,” I responded. “In the mattress.”

Truth be told, I wasn’t actually IN the mattress, but I was sunk down so low, it looked like I had been swallowed up by the mattress. Our very pricey and well-constructed pillowtop mattress had not held up so well. Granted, I had gained 10 pounds recently, but that could hardly account for the huge depressions that had formed on either side of our bed. Based on the size of the indentations, it actually looked as though the Incredible Hulk and his wife had been sleeping on our bed.

The mattress wasn’t a complete disaster, though. Between the two craters there was a large hump down the middle, which, if you balanced yourself just right, provided a flat, if somewhat precariously narrow, sleep space. For the past several months I had gotten

not you see it as larger, the rising full moon is always stunning!

The closest, brightest Moon of the year will appear on Wednesday, Nov. 5.

Once Upon a Sagging Mattress

in the habit of sleeping on the hump to avoid being sucked into the black hole on my side of the bed. The good news was, my husband did the same, and it did bring us closer together as a couple. The bad news was, if I happened to roll over in the middle of the night, I sank so low into a crater that I needed a crane to pull me out.

“Time for a new mattress?” asked my husband, staring down at me in my crater.

“You think?” I responded. “Can you give me a hand?”

He applauded.

After I was airlifted out of the bed, I called the manufacturer to see if we could get an exchange. I was informed that unless you could actually reach China from the bottom of the mattress, it is just considered normal body wear.

“It’s normal body wear if you’re BIGFOOT,” I complained to my husband in a huff.

“Give it up, honey,” he said. “They’ve got us by the mattress springs.”

So, off we went to the mattress store.

There was a dizzying array of mattress choices, which was not a good thing for two people who’d been sleeping poorly for several months. But I was confident. I’d done my research. I thought the best way to pick a great mattress was to grill the salesman about the latest advances in mattress coil technology. My husband thought the best way to pick a mattress was to go to sleep on it.

I quoted Consumer Reports.

He snored.

Turns out, he was right.

Our salesman was indeed a wealth of mattress information, having recently graduated from Mattress School, which is only slightly less grueling than Latte School. But even he admitted that the best way to judge a mattress is from a prone position.

The problem was, my husband didn’t just fall asleep on any mattress. He fell asleep on the most expensive mattress in the store. And it was love at first zzzzz.

“This is the one,” he proclaimed when I told him he had to get up because

it had become nighttime and they were closing the store.

“This can’t be the one,” I argued. “It’s too big, it costs too much, and we don’t know anything about its coils or springs.”

“Try it,” he said, patting the bed.

I shook my head no.

“Come on ...”

I sat on the edge.

“All the way,” he coaxed.

I lay down.

“What do you think?” he asked. I melted into the bed. There were no humps. There were no sinkholes. It was just the right firmness and softness. I closed my eyes.

“Mmm. Let me sleep on it.”

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.

Reaching for the stars in college English classes

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

After high school graduation I headed north to Fairfield University in Connecticut and as a freshman I signed up for an English Composition class that would have an impact on me. I was a business major and that class was an elective.

On the first day of class I joined English majors and non-majors and as I sat down I noticed the professor - I’ll call her Dr. Smith - looked pretty young. I found out later that she was nine years older than us freshmen. She’d already studied at Columbia University and Oxford University, England, and had gotten her Ph.D.

As the months went on, we all saw that Dr. Smith was smart, funny and engaging. I could tell that she loved what she did and her specialty of American literature was especially interesting to me.

We had plenty of papers to write for that class and back then it was on some old typewriters. We had to document and justify our 3 credits but I had no problem with that because I really enjoyed the class. We could choose our topics but Dr. Smith had to approve the subject ahead of time.

She was a people person and liked the lively discussions my class had about the works of Anne Tyler, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Marianne Moore and Lorraine Hansberry. When it came time to putting pen to paper, we had to be focused and to the point in presenting a cogent argument no matter what the essay’s topic was.

Looking back at the end of the semester, I thought taking an English Composition class would be a non brainer but boy was I wrong about that. It turned out that Dr. Smith was a tough grader.

Dr. Smith made us think and write as clearly as we could. Then she made us think again. She made us see the difference between writing papers in high school and writing them in college. We had to push further to grow and mature as people, as adults in society, as we sharpened our writing skills.

I’d signed up randomly for Dr. Smith’s English Composition class but afterwards I compared notes with my friend, Blanca. We liked Dr. Smith because we were learning things we’d never learned in our high school English classes. What I realize now is that Dr. Smith liked challenging us. She enjoyed talking about the students’ various topics. She liked watching us think and how we came to new conclusions not just about the stories and the essays but about life, too. That back-and-forth discussion at the end of class or in her office was an extension of the class. In speaking with Dr. Smith about the next paper to be written or whatever the subject was we all had a chance to speak with her one on one and inevitably she’d get talking about some of her favorite college classes.

When she analyzed a short essay, she explained that one sentence should flow easily into the next and that one’s thoughts should logically move from one to another. Dr. Smith had a certain

impatience with laziness in the classroom - with students who wouldn’t even try - and several classmates dropped her class out of frustration.

I realized that one of Dr. Smith’s goals was to watch us as we busily participated in class, did our readings and our essays, and went about our research and our learning. She would have been happy if all of the students at Fairfield University could have taken her class not just to learn how to write well but how to approach tasks in an organized manner.

After transferring back to Long Island and graduating from Hofstra I kept in touch with Dr. Smith for a while. Eventually we lost touch but I heard that she taught English at Fairfield University for nine years then taught at a university in Massachusetts. She was originally from Connecticut so I knew that she was very familiar with New England.

Dr. Smith retired after teaching English for more than 50 years but to see how she was doing as a professor I checked out a web site called ratemyprofessors.com. I read the comments line by line and many of the remarks by students she had over the years rang a bell with me. Dr. Smith was a very tough grader. She wanted students to learn not just go through the motions of sitting in her class and hoping to get an A at the end of the semester. If you got a B or B+ you did well with Dr. Smith. That’s exactly how I remembered Dr. Smith’s classes so many years ago.

Some of the students said:

Coffee and Heart Health

BY CHARLYN FARGO

Go ahead and grab that cup of coffee or two: it’s good for lowering your blood pressure.

In a recent study published in the journal Nutrients, researchers found that drinking two to three cups of coffee every day helped maintain low blood pressure. The study found regular coffee drinkers had significantly lower blood pressure, both on peripheral and central levels, than those who do not drink it, according to Dr. Arrigo F. G. Cicero, an associate professor in the department of medical and surgical sciences with the University of Bologna in Italy.

“Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in Italy and in the world, and its consumption has already been associated with a positive impact on human health, particularly regarding CVD (cardiovascular disease), Type 2 diabetes and a number of neurodegenerative and liver

diseases,” Cicero and colleagues wrote in a press release.

Researchers looked at the Brisighella Heart Study to compare both peripheral and central blood pressure values in 783 women and 720 men who reported drinking varying amounts of coffee every day. They found that heavy coffee drinkers had the lowest systolic blood pressure, followed by moderate coffee drinkers. Compared with those who didn’t drink coffee, people who drank two cups per day and those who drank more than three cups a day had lower systolic blood pressure. Researchers found similar trends for aortic blood pressure, aortic pulse pressure and peripheral pulse pressure.

“The results are very clear: peripheral blood pressure was significantly lower in individuals consuming one to three cups of coffee a day than in non-coffee drinkers,” Cicero said in the release. “And for the first time, we were also able to confirm these effects with regard to the central

“You will have to work hard however, if you pay attention in class you can really learn a lot. She has a lot of valuable insight.”

“The work is challenging but if you give her a chance she can really be inspirational and teach you a lot about life. “

“You have to work A LOT. But if you like to learn, she’s inspirational. If you want an easy A, not for you. She’s a tough grader but gives the opportunity of resubmitting essays. But I’d rather get a B+ and be amazed by her.”

That last quote is my favorite because I took Dr. Smith’s English classes both as a freshman and a sophomore and each time she amazed me. She loves English and everything about it - the poets, the essayists, the short story writers, the plays. She loves the British writers as much as the American writers but her forte is teaching the American writers.

I entered Fairfield University as a business major and left as an English major. I’d always been interested in English but Dr. Smith’s classes impacted me so much that I changed majors and never looked back. As a freshman I wasn’t happy about having to put more effort into my English Composition class but Dr. Smith showed us that we’d get so much out of it by putting in the work.

When I think of stretching my capabilities and reaching for the stars, one of the people I always think of first is Dr. Smith.

aortic pressure, the one close to the heart, where we observe an almost identical phenomenon with entirely similar values for habitual coffee drinkers compared to non-coffee drinkers.”

The study found both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee gave the same results, suggesting that caffeine isn’t the main determinant of the effect of coffee on blood pressure.

“Caffeine is only one of the several coffee components and certainly not the only one with an active role. Positive effects on human health have indeed been recorded even among those who consume decaffeinated coffee,” Cicero said in the release. “We know that caffeine can increase blood pressure, but other bioactive components in coffee seem to counterbalance this effect with a positive end result on blood pressure levels.”

Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU School of Medicine in Springfield,

Benefit Adjustment at Full Retirement Age

BY TOM MARGENAU

I hear one or both of these rumors about Social Security benefits all the time from readers.

Rumor 1: “I have been told that if I take a reduced Social Security benefit at 62, when I reach my full retirement age, my benefit will be bumped up to my full retirement age amount.”

Rumor 2: “I have been told that if I take a reduced Social Security benefit at 62, but have some of my benefits withheld because I worked and earned over the annual threshold limit, all that money will come back to me when I reach full retirement age.”

The first rumor is absolutely false. If you take reduced benefits, you will always get reduced benefits.

The second rumor is also false. But I understand how some people might get confused because in some cases, a benefit rate might get adjusted slightly upwards when a Social Security beneficiary reaches full retirement age. And I’m going to spend the rest of this column explaining that.

There is a little-known Social Security rule that may benefit some individuals who began receiving Social Security checks before full retirement age and therefore took a reduction in their monthly benefits, but then decided to return to work. And now they wonder if their early retirement reduction is permanent. The answer is it might not be. And that’s because a software program built into the Social Security Administration’s computers kicks in after you reach full retirement age, which is designed to remove the reduction factor for any months you didn’t get a Social Security check because of the SSA’s earnings penalty rules. The program is called the Adjustment to the Reduction Factor, or ARF.

Before I explain how the ARF works, I’ve got to give a little background. And I will start out with a quick overview of the earnings penalty. The law says that one dollar must be withheld from your Social Security checks for each two dollars you earn over a certain threshold that changes every year. The 2025 threshold is $23,400. Here is a simple example. Hank is 65 and getting Social Security, but he is working and plans to make $33,400 in 2025. That is $10,000 over the $23,400 threshold, so half of that, or $5,000, must be withheld from his Social Security checks in 2025.

Now, some more background. I’ve got to

explain the reduction factors for early retirement. The law says if you start your Social Security checks before full retirement age, your benefit will be reduced five-ninths of one percent for each of the first 36 months of reduction and five-twelfths of one percent for any additional months. That’s a bit too convoluted for the examples I’m going to use in this column. So I am going to keep things simple by saying that your benefit is reduced by about one-half of one percent for each month you start benefits before full retirement age.

For example, let’s say that Hank’s full retirement age is 67. But he started getting reduced benefits when he was 65. That’s 24 months early, so his Social Security benefit was reduced by about 12%. In other words, at age 65, Hank started getting about 88% of his full retirement age benefit.

And with that bit of background, I can close the circle on my ARF explanation. In my above example, Hank started getting an 88% benefit rate when he took his Social Security at age 65. And because his earnings exceeded the penalty threshold, I pointed out that $5,000 had to be withheld from his 2025 benefits. Let’s assume his monthly check is $2,500. In other words, the SSA held back two of Hank’s Social Security checks in 2025 because of his excess earnings. And let’s further say that Hank’s earnings in the following year caused two more of his Social Security checks to be withheld.

Once Hank turns 67, the ARF program kicks in. That program says Hank’s ongoing permanent benefit can only be reduced for those months he actually received a Social Security check before he turned his full retirement age. In our example, Hank only received 10 Social Security checks in 2025 and will get another 10 checks in 2026. In other words, he will have received XC 20 of his 24 Social Security checks before reaching full retirement age.

So instead of the initial 24 month, or 12% reduction, Hank’s ongoing benefit is adjusted to give him only a 20 month, or 10%, reduction. In other words, starting at age 67, Hank will get a two percent boost in his Social Security check. Actually, the ARF program usually isn’t finished running until several months after full retirement age, but it will be retroactive to the month of FRA.

And by the way, this ARF procedure is something that happens automatically after you reach full retirement age. You don’t have to apply for the increase. If you signed up for Social Security before your full retirement age but worked and had some of your benefits

withheld due to the earnings penalty rules, several months after FRA, you will get an unexpected Social Security check in the mail that includes some back payments. I frequently hear from readers who ask me about this unexpected payment. I tell them to be patient and that a letter of explanation will soon arrive in their mailbox. The letter doesn’t use the term “ARF.” That’s a bit of in-house SSA jargon. But it does explain that your initial reduction factor has been adjusted because some of your benefits were held back while

you were working. 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.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Late Fall: The End-of-Year Seller’s Checklist

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

How to Finish 2025 Strong

The holidays are coming, the days are shorter, and most homeowners are thinking about anything but selling their home. Yet for those willing to act strategically, late fall may be one of the most productive times of the year to prepare, position, and profit from the next market cycle.

Whether you’re planning to list in December, early 2026, or just getting ready to downsize, or considering and planning to purchase a larger domicile, this “end-of-year seller’s checklist” can help you finish strong and start the new year ahead of the pack.

1. Evaluate Your Home’s 2025 Market Position

Long Island’s housing market is evolving—but not collapsing. Prices remain steady, even as buyer activity has cooled slightly. In September 2025, the median sale price held near $685,000 in Nassau County and $615,000 in Suffolk, according to the Long Island Board of REALTORS®. That’s roughly flat compared to a year ago—proof that local values are holding despite higher mortgage rates.

If you’ve owned your home for five years or more, you’re almost certainly sitting on significant equity. Start by reviewing comparable sales from the past 90 days, not last spring. Pricing trends can shift quickly, especially by neighborhood.

If you’re within a year of selling, this is the time to get a professional market analysis, not just an online estimate. Local agents can flag subtle value differences—like a finished basement, school district, or distance to the LIRR—that Zillow can’t.

2. Maximize Curb Appeal Before the Frost

Late fall is your last call to handle outdoor maintenance. The weather still cooperates (most years), and curb appeal remains crucial—even if you don’t plan to list until spring.

Focus on what buyers will notice first:

• Power-wash siding, walkways, and fences.

• Trim back shrubs and trees.

• Clean gutters and touch up paint on trim or front doors.

If you plan to take listing photos this year, do it before the trees are bare. The light is softer, the air is crisp, and your landscaping will still have some color. A well-timed photo shoot can save you from bleak winter images that

undercut your home’s warmth.

3. De-clutter and Stage Before the Holidays

The holidays can be both a distraction and an opportunity. Most homeowners accumulate more clutter than they realize—especially as decorations come out and storage fills up.

Before the year ends, start de-cluttering room by room. Create three categories: donate, store, or discard. Pack away excess furniture, personal photos, and anything seasonal. The goal is to make your home feel spacious and calm.

If you plan to sell during the holiday season itself, use restraint in décor. A few neutral accents—a wreath, candles, or soft throws—can make a home feel inviting. But too much seasonal color can distract buyers and date your photos.

4. Handle Key Repairs and Pre-Inspections

Don’t wait for a buyer’s inspection to reveal surprises. Fall and early winter are ideal for proactive maintenance:

• Service your HVAC system before deep cold.

• Check roof shingles and flashing for leaks.

• Test your sump pump and basement dehumidifiers.

• Replace smoke and CO detecto batteries.

A pre-listing inspection is a smart investment—especially if your home is older or has additions. It gives you control over repairs, avoids last-minute renegotiations, and builds buyer confidence.

5. Review Financial and Tax Implications Before December 31

Selling real estate often intersects with tax planning. Before the year ends, talk to your CPA about:

• Capital gains exclusions: If your property is your primary residence and you’ve lived there at least two of the past five years, you may exclude up to $250,000 in gains ($500,000 if married filing jointly).

• Property tax deductions: Confirm payments and prepayments before January 1.

• Energy tax credits: If you’ve installed new insulation, heat pumps, or solar, credits can offset 2025 taxes.

If you’re considering a 1031 exchange or moving proceeds into another investment, set that up now—before the closing rush in Q1.

6. Assess Your Next Move (Before You List)

One common mistake: selling before you know where you’re going. Inventory is still tight, and rentals are expensive. Begin scouting your next step early.

If you’re downsizing, explore condos or 55+ communities on the North Shore, South Shore, or East End. If relocating, research your target market’s prices and tax structure.

And don’t overlook estate or trust planning. Late fall is a good time to review how your home is titled, ensuring a smooth transfer if your sale involves family members or inheritance.

7. Consider Listing Before Year-End

Contrary to myth, homes do sell during the holidays—often faster than expected. Buyers shopping in December are typically serious, motivated, and less distracted by competition.

With fewer listings, your home can stand out. Real estate websites stay active year-round, and virtual tours make it easy for buyers relocating from the city or other states to preview properties remotely.

8. Build Your 2026 Strategy

If you prefer to wait until early next year, use December to prepare your spring launch. Line up your agent, set a timeline for photography, and create a marketing plan now.

Come February, while others are just starting, you’ll already be polished, staged, and ready to capture early-bird buyers before the April rush.

The Bottom Line

Real estate rewards the proactive. Late fall isn’t just about wrapping up the year—it’s about setting up your next opportunity.

By tackling this checklist now, you’ll position yourself for success whether you sell next month or next spring. The sellers who plan early, price smartly, and stay organized will enter 2026 not with uncertainty—but with leverage.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace

Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 43+ years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned 3 significant designations:

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

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

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

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

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

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

You can now search at your leisure for properties at: WWW.Li-RealEstate.com

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Halloween gets a little sweeter

Cheesecake Truffles

Candy and other sweets are enjoyed in full force on Halloween. Whether trick-ortreaters are scouring the town looking to increase their treasure trove or guests are spending time at a party circling the

dessert table, there are plenty of options to indulge a sweet tooth or two.

Making something decadent at home to share on Halloween is relatively simple when choosing a simple

candy to create. Try this recipe for “Cheesecake Truffles” from “Jane’s Patisserie” (Sourcebooks) by Jane Dunn. Makes 25

300 grams (10 ounces) full-fat soft cheese, like cream cheese or mascarpone

50 grams (2 ounces) icing sugar

176 grams (6 ounces) biscuit (cookie) crumbs, finely crushed

Decoration

200 grams (7 ounces) milk chocolate, melted

50 grams (2 ounces) biscuit (cookie) crumbs, finely crushed

1) Add the soft cheese to a bowl and mix briefly until smooth before adding the icing sugar and briefly mixing again until combined.

2) Pour the crushed biscuit crumbs into the mix and fold together until combined.

3) Refrigerate the mixture for

at least 2 hours.

4) Take the chilled mixture out of the fridge and scoop into truffle shapes using 2 teaspoons or a melon baller, then place onto a tray lined with parchment paper. Return the truffles to the fridge for another hour, or the freezer for 30 minutes.

5) To decorate the truffles, carefully dip each into the melted chocolate and place back onto the lined tray. You can use small spoons or forks to help with this. Once dipped, sprinkle the tops with the extra crushed biscuits.

Blue Dragons roar for Division Avenue homecoming

Members of the Division Avenue High School volleyball team joined the annual homecoming parade on Oct. 17.

The Key Club sold snacks to support their cause.

Blue Dragons’ fiery spirit was on full display as the Division Avenue High School community came out in full force on Oct. 17 for the annual homecoming parade and varsity football game.

Candy was tossed to onlookers as the parade filled with students from various clubs and sports teams made its way toward the Division Avenue field. Dressed in their best, the homecoming court was cheered on, which included queen Isabella Montes and king Daniel Smith. Before kickoff, clubs including the Key Club sold snacks and merchandise to support their causes. In a mas-

sive display, hundreds of seniors and parents gathered on the field to honor students’ final year in the marching band, cheer and football teams. The varsity football team burst through a Division Avenue banner to start the game, which proved to be fierce with a 68-64 finish in favor of Valley Stream South High School. During halftime, performances by the marching band and cheer and kickline teams took over the field with coordinated choreography and high-flying routines.

Blue Dragons marching band led the parade.

Denisse Chin sang the national anthem.

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The

Photos courtesy Levittown Public Schools

Golden Eagles soar to victory at homecoming

Homecoming king and queen Ryan Betwinek and Jessica Maietta rode in style at the parade atop a convertible Ford Bronco, driven by Superintendent David Schneider.

After consecutive years of rain-soaked homecoming games, the sun finally smiled on Bethpage High School this past Oct. 25, as the Golden Eagles delivered a commanding 42-0 victory over Mineola in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

After consecutive years of rainsoaked homecoming games, the sun finally smiled on Bethpage High School this past Oct. 25, as the Golden Eagles delivered a commanding 42-0 victory over Mineola in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

The Golden Eagles wasted no time establishing dominance, scoring a touchdown in the opening minutes and never looking back. The offense continued to build momentum throughout the game, ultimately shutting out their opponents in a performance that gave the homecoming crowd plenty to cheer about.

The perfect autumn weather set the stage for a day of celebration that began with the annual homecoming parade. Starting at JFK Middle School and winding its way to Bethpage High School, the procession showcased the school's spirit with performances from the marching band, cheer squad and kickline team. Each high school class added to the festivities with themed cars and costumes, while local peewee football and cheer teams marched alongside

district administrators.

The parade’s highlight came as homecoming royalty Ryan Betwinek and Jessica Maietta rode in style atop a convertible Ford Bronco, driven by Superintendent David Schneider. The Bethpage Fire Department led the procession, with assistance from the local POP unit ensuring a smooth route.

Hours later, fans gathered at the Bethpage Athletic Complex for the main event. School PTAs operated booths along the field, selling Eagles merchandise and snacks, while the Eagle’s Nest concession stand kept spectators refreshed throughout the afternoon.

At halftime, the Bethpage marching band, kickline, and cheer squad took center stage, delivering spirited performances fresh off their Thursday night appearance at the Newsday Marching Band Festival.

With clear skies, a decisive victory and a community united in Golden Eagle pride, this year's homecoming proved worth the wait for sunshine.

Photos courtesy of Bethpage UFSD

At halftime, the Bethpage marching band, kickline, and cheer squad took center stage, delivering spirited performances.

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