Mid-Island Times (5/2/25)

SERVING PLAINVIEW, HICKSVILLE, AND LEVIT TOWN

Water District wins engineering excellence award

: Hicksville Water District Chairman Nicholas Brigandi, left of center; Commissioner Karl Schweitzer, center; Commissioner William Schuckmann, right of center; and Superintendent Paul Granger, far right; were joined by Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker, third from left; Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, third from right; Keith Presti, Legislative Aide from the Office of State Senator Steve Rhoads, second from left; Hicksville Chamber of Commerce President Charlie Razenson, back center; Hicksville-Jericho Rotary Club President Donna Rivera-Downey, second from right; and a number of local neighbors in celebrating the ribbon cutting of the award-winning Plant 8 in November of 2024.

The Hicksville Water District (HWD) has announced that it recently received a Gold Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York (ACEC New York). Specifically, the award acknowledges the installation of two state-ofthe-art Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) treatment systems and four Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filters at the HWD’s Plant 8. The plant came online last year and is set to treat emerging contaminants in the community’s

drinking water for years to come.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the ACEC for our accomplishments with Plant 8,” said HWD Chairman Nicholas Brigandi. “We work tremendously hard to make sure

See page 8

Town of Oyster Bay designated “Tree City, USA”

The Town of Oyster Bay announced that it has been designated a “Tree City USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation. This marks the 30th year the Town has been recognized for its commitment to effective urban forest management.

“Being recognized as a ‘Tree City’ underscores our Town Board’s commitment to our environment and acknowledges our ongoing efforts to protect Mother Earth,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “Throughout

the year, we host programs and events, many of which include tree plantings, that help bring environmental awareness to residents of all ages, while safeguarding our natural resources.”

The Town achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting all the program’s requirements, including a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget and an annual Arbor Day observance. The Tree City USA program is

See page 8

The Town of Oyster Bay was recently designated a "Tree City USA," celebrating the town's commitment to urban forest management.

Woodland School crowns winner of book tournament

Woodland Elementary librarian Christina Pietras and students in front of the Tournament of Books bulletin board announcing “If I Built a School” by Chris Van Dusen as the winner of the book tournament. Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

After six exciting weeks of reading and voting, students at Woodland Elementary School in Hicksville have chosen Chris Van Dusen’s “If I Built a School” as the winner of this year’s schoolwide Tournament of Books. The imaginative story edged out the runner-up, “The Big Cheese” by Jory John and Pete Oswald, in a close final round.

The tournament, which kicked off in March, featured weekly head-to-head matchups between popular children’s titles. Each week, two books were read aloud to all classes, and students voted

on their favorite. Other contenders in the bracket-style competition includ ed “The Dot,” “Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast,” and “Leonardo, the Terrible Monster.”

“The tournament was a wonderful way to build excitement around read ing and foster a shared love of books throughout our school,” said librarian Christina Pietras. “The bulletin board tracking each round kept students engaged and talking about their favor ites every day.”

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Easter Egg Hunt in Levittown

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“Art in the Park” Craft Sale on May 17

The Town of Oyster Bay will hold its “Art in the Park” Craft Sale on Saturday, May 17, from 12 p.m.–4 p.m. at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park & Beach in Oyster Bay (rain date Sunday, May 18). Local artists and artisans will sell unique hand-crafted goods, jewelry, ceramics, photography, books, greeting cards and more. A live musical performance will take place, featuring an Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute Band, along with family-friendly activities and offerings from local food trucks. Admission is free.

“We are excited to host ‘Art in the Park’ and connect residents with local artists and artisans. Featuring hand-crafted goods, ceramics, watercolors, glass, jewelry, wood, leather, sculpture, and other beautiful items designed by local vendors, the event will offer something special for everyone and provides the perfect opportunity to purchase a handmade gift while supporting our small businesses,” said

Town Clerk LaMarca. “I invite you to stop by ‘Art in the Park’ and bring the entire family, as live music, food trucks, and activities for kids will also be available.”

‘Art in the Park’ is coordinated by the Town’s Department of Community & Youth Services, Cultural and Performing Arts Division and sponsored by: The Gucciardo Law Firm, Extreme Auto Body, Gold Coast Studios, Steel Equities, Good Old Gold Jewelers, Action Auto Wreckers, Complete Basement Systems, David Lerner Associates, C2 Education, Oyster Bay Historical Society, NYS Agriculture and Markets, the Waterfront Center, Walk 97.5, 94.3 The Shark, KJOY 98.3, 103.1 the Wolf, 104.7 WHLI, and News 12 Long Island.

Artist applications are available now and can be obtained by emailing capa@ oysterbay-ny.gov  For additional information, visit at www.oysterbaytown.com/ capa or call (516) 797-7925.

Artist reception in Levittown

On April 10, New York State Senator Steve Rhoads attended the Levittown Library Artists’ Reception to celebrate the artistic and musical abilities of Salk Middle School students. Joined by Legislator John Ferretti and Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray, Senator Rhoads was honored to witness and celebrate the talent of these impressive students. Senator Rhoads offered his congratulations to all artists who had their work featured at the reception!

Youth Pickleball Lessons offered

The Town of Oyster Bay will offer Youth Pickleball Lessons  starting this spring. Lessons will begin May 6 and are open to youngsters ages 8 through 17. These instructional lessons will be taught by a Level 1 PPR Certified Coach and aim to introduce participants to the fundamentals of pickleball. No experience is necessary to register.

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino stated, “Pickleball has quickly become one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation, and is the perfect activity for young athletes, combining fun, fitness, and sportsmanship. These lessons offer an excellent opportunity for children of all skill levels to become involved in this fast-paced and exciting sport; Register today!”

Available lessons include:

• 8–10 Year Olds: Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:00 p.m.- 5:50 p.m. at Allen Park, 45 Motor Ave., Farmingdale

• 11–13 Year Olds: Tuesdays &

Thursdays 6:00 p.m.- 6:50 p.m. at Allen Park, 45 Motor Ave., Farmingdale

• 14–17 Year Olds: Tuesdays & Thursdays 7:00 p.m.- 7:50 p.m. at Allen Park, 45 Motor Ave., Farmingdale

Registration begins Monday, April 14, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. online at: www. oysterbaytown.com/sports. Residents must upload proof of residency (tax or utility bill) and birth certificate for child. Children must be at least 8-years-old at the start of the program.

Fees are $75 for residents and $90 for non-residents. Refunds will be available until Friday, May 16, 2025 at a 5% administrative fee and will be prorated for the number of days attended.

Lessons are 50 minutes long and will run for six consecutive weeks. Participants are encouraged to bring their own paddle and must wear sneakers. For more information, please call (516) 797-7945 or visit www.oysterbaytown.com.

Plainview philanthropist receives two honors

Local grandmother and Plainview resident Lynette Buzen was recently recognized by the American Jewish Press Association (AJPA), receiving its prestigious Simon Rockower Award, which honors excellence in Jewish journalism, for her Women for Israel newsletter. Closely following the award, Lyn also received Jewish National Fund-USA’s Circle of Sapphire Necklace, which recognizes members of the organization’s Women for Israel who have made significant lifetime contributions.

Commenting on her AJPA award, Lyn said she was proud to use her professional skill set to inspire readers in the philanthropic world. “It was a total surprise to be recognized. Yet, as with so many things in life, it’s a team effort, and I want to acknowledge our newsletter’s co-editors, Roni Wolk and Sara King, who were also recognized.”

Lyn (who also serves as past president of the organization’s Long Island Board) and her husband, David, support numerous local and overseas causes. Particularly close to their hearts—especially following the tragic October 7 terrorist attacks on Israeli communities—are programs led by Jewish National Fund-USA that are spearheading rebuilding efforts in the affected regions.

“I hope that David and I can make our world just a little brighter for those who need it most,” said Lyn. “We have been proud to stand with our Plainview community and those throughout Long Island who have stepped up to combat antisemitism and anti-Israel hatred. As they say, the only thing evil needs to flourish is for good men and women to remain apathetic.”

Since October 7, 2023, Jewish National Fund-USA has raised over $200 million to support the land and people of Israel. In addition, almost 5,000 Americans, including many from Nassau County, have traveled to Israel with the organization to volunteer on farms and in communities.

Jewish National Fund-USA TriState Director, Long Island, Ashley Emrani praised Lyn’s double recognition, saying, “As we celebrate Women’s History Month, it’s fitting that we recognize people like Lyn who are the lifeblood of our community. She gives her time and energy to help make our world a better place, and despite the recognition she has recently received, people who know Lyn appreciate that she does none of this for accolades or acknowledgments. She is the definition of humbleness which makes her even more special.”

Ashley Emrani presents Lyn Buzen with her AJPA Award.

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Students collaborate with artist to create mosaic mural

This week at Charles Campagne Elementary School, students are working with longtime artist-in-residence Esther J. Tollen to create a brand-new mosaic mural that will soon brighten the walls of the school's all-purpose room.

This week at Charles Campagne Elementary School, students are getting their hands dirty—in the most artistic way possible. During their art classes, students are working with longtime artist-in-residence Esther J. Tollen to create a brand-new mosaic mural that will soon brighten the walls of the school's all-purpose room.

Ms. Tollen is no stranger to the Charles Campagne community. Over the years, she has partnered with

students on several beloved installations that now adorn the school. From the vibrant mosaic mural outside the STEM lab, to whimsical “street signs” guiding students through the hallways, to the ceramic tile mural near the main office, her collaborative pieces have become landmarks in the school building. Two striking eagle mosaics—an homage to the district’s mascot—flank the stage in the all-purpose room and are especially

The mural is taking shape with an array of materials—porcelain tiles, ceramic findings, colorful glass and natural stones.

treasured.

This newest project continues Ms. Tollen’s tradition of blending handson creativity with meaningful art education. As students design and assemble the mosaic, they’re also learning about the rich history of this ancient craft. Ms. Tollen has shared stories and images from her travels throughout Europe and Asia, where she studied historic mosaics firsthand. These lessons not only provide cultural con-

text but inspire the students as they create their own modern masterpiece. The mural is taking shape with an array of materials—porcelain tiles, ceramic findings, colorful glass and natural stones—all carefully arranged by young hands. As always, Ms. Tollen’s collaborative approach ensures that every student leaves their mark on the piece, helping them feel ownership and pride in the final work.

Town beach passes on sale May 10

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that seasonal beach parking sticker sales and the free distribution of stickers to senior citizens and the disabled will begin on Saturday, May 10. The Oyster Bay Town Board has restricted beach access to residents only. A major sand replenishment project was completed over the past several months.

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino stated, “Break out the beach towels and sunscreen because summer is just around the corner, and so are our beach sticker sales! The Town of Oyster Bay is a true staycation destination offering some of the best beaches in the world. By purchasing a beach sticker in advance, you can avoid the inevitable lines that often accompany the start of the beach season and spend more time with your feet in the sand instead.”

Beach parking stickers will be on sale beginning Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. daily at John J. Burns Town Park in Massapequa, Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay and at TOBAY Beach. Beginning Saturday, May 24, beach parking stickers will be available for purchase on weekends only from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Centre Island Beach in Bayville and Philip B. Healey Beach at Florence Avenue in Massapequa.

On Saturday, June 21, beach parking stickers will be available for purchase daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tappen Beach in Sea Cliff, and in Bayville at Charles E. Ransom and Stehli beaches. To purchase a beach parking sticker for your vehicle, residents must present a valid NYS driver’s license with residency in the Town of Oyster Bay, their vehicle registration, and bring the vehicle they plan to drive to the

beach. Parking stickers are placed on the vehicle at the time of purchase. Only residents may purchase beach parking stickers for Town of Oyster Bay beaches. Beach parking stickers are $60, which pay for themselves following three visits.

Free Passes for Senior Citizens: Town of Oyster Bay residents aged 60+ can obtain a free parking sticker by presenting their driver's license with Town residency and their vehicle registration. After receiving the sticker, senior residents must be present in the vehicle for entry on each visit. If visiting the beach in another vehicle, seniors can show their driver's license and get a free day pass.

Free Passes for Disabled / Social Security Recipients: Residents who are permanently disabled or receive social security can acquire a free beach parking pass by show-

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ing their Notice of Award Letter or Handicapped Parking Permit issued from the Nassau County Department Office for the Physically Challenged, alongside with a valid driver’s license showing residency in the Town and vehicle registration. A parking sticker will then be adhered to the vehicle.

Discounts for Volunteer Firefighters & Veterans: Town of Oyster Bay volunteer firefighters, active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces, and veterans’ quality for beach parking passes at reduced rates.

Only cashless payments are accepted, including credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay. For more information, please call the Town of Oyster Bay Parks Department, Beaches Division, at (516) 797-4111.

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LEGAL NOTICES

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION

HICKSVILLE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT

HICKSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

HICKSVILLE, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing of the qualified voters of the Hicksville Union Free School District, Nassau County, New York, will be held at the Board Room of the Administration Building, located at 200 Division Avenue, Hicksville, New York in said District on May 8, 2025, at 5:00 PM, prevailing time, for the transaction of such business as is authorized by the New York State Education Law, including the following items.

1.

Presentation of the budget document.

2.

To discuss all of the items herein set forth, to be voted upon by voting machine, at the election to be held on May 20, 2025, as hereinafter set forth.

To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

3. AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that said vote and election will be held on May 20, 2025 at 7:00 PM prevailing time, in the school buildings located in such districts as enumerated below:

District No. 1: Burns Avenue School - 40 Burns Avenue, Hicksville, NY

District No. 2: East Street School -  50 East Street, Hicksville, NY

District No. 3: Woodland School - 85 Ketchams Road, Hicksville, NY

District No. 4: Lee Avenue School - 1 Seventh Street, Hicksville, NY

District No. 5: Fork Lane School - 4 Fork Lane, Hicksville, NY

District No. 6: Dutch Lane School - 50 Stewart Avenue, Hicksville, NY

District No. 7:  Old Country Road School - 49 Rhodes Lane, Hicksville, NY at which time the polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, prevailing time, to vote by voting machines upon the following items:

1. To adopt the annual budget of the School District for the fiscal year 2025 – 26 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.

2. To adopt the annual budget of the Library for the fiscal year 2025 – 26 and to authorize the requisite portion thereof to be raised by taxation on the taxable property of the District.

3. Any other questions or propositions as to matters or expenditures or authority to levy taxes that may be presented for a vote under the Education Law.

4. To elect one (1) member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term commencing July 1, 2025, and expiring on June 30, 2028, to succeed incumbent Annette Beiner whose term expires on June 30, 2025.

5. To elect one (1) member of the Board of Education for a three (3) year term commencing July 1, 2025, and expiring on June 30, 2028, to succeed incumbent Linda Imbriale whose term expires on June 30, 2025.

6.   To elect one (1) trustee of the Library Board of Trustees for a five (5) year term commencing on July 1, 2025, and expiring on June 30, 2030, to succeed incumbent Mary D'Antonio.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for the office of Member of the Board of Education of the Hicksville Union Free School District and Library Board of Trustees shall be filed with the District Clerk of said School District at the District Clerk’s office, Administration Building, 200 Division Avenue Hicksville, NY 11801 not later than April 21, 2025, between 9 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., prevailing time. All nominating petitions must be signed by 25 (representing the greater of 25 or 2% of the number of voters who voted in the previous annual election); must state the name and residence of each signer, and must state the name and residence of the candidate. Each petition be directed to the District Clerk and shall describe the specific vacancy for which the candidate is nominated. Each vacancy upon the Board of Education to be filled shall be considered a separate specific vacancy.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that personal registration of voters is required either pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 or pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law If a voter has heretofore registered pursuant to New York Education Law §2014 and has voted at any annual or special district meeting within the past four (4) calendar years, such voter is eligible to vote at this election; if a voter is registered and eligible to vote pursuant to Article 5 of the New York State Election Law, such voter is also eligible to vote at this election. All other persons who wish to vote must register. The Board of Registration will meet for the purposes of registering all qualified voters of the District pursuant to Education Law §2014 in the school buildings designated for each election district on May 6, 2025 between the hours of 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, prevailing time, to add any additional names to the Registers to be used at the aforesaid Budget Vote and Election, at which time any person will be entitled to have his or her name placed on such Registers, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of said Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at such Budget Vote and Election for which the Register are prepared. The Registers so prepared pursuant to Education Law §2014 will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the School District in the Administration Building, located at 200 Division Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801, and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District beginning on May 15, 2025, between the hours of 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, prevailing time, on weekdays, and each day prior to the day set for the Budget Vote and Election, except Sunday or holidays, and on Saturday by pre-arranged appointment, and at the polling places on the day of the Budget Vote and Election.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Education Law §2014, the Board of Registration shall meet on May 20, 2025, in the school buildings designated for each election district between the hours of 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, prevailing time, to prepare the Registers of the School District to be used at the annual meeting and election that is to be held in 2026, and any special meeting that may be held after the preparation of said Registers, at which time any person will be entitled to have her or his name placed on such Registers, provided that at such meeting of the Board of Registration he or she is known or proven to the satisfaction of such Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school meeting or election for which Registers are prepared.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that qualified voters with disabilities who seek information about access to polling places may, in advance of the day of the vote, contact the District Clerk at 516-733-2104 for information about accessibility.

AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that beginning seven (7) days immediately preceding the April 30, 2025, public budget hearing, any resident in the District may request to review a copy of the proposed budget by appearing at the Office of the District Clerk, 200 Division Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801]. Additionally, a statement of the estimated expenses for the ensuing year may be obtained by any resident in the District during the fourteen (14) days immediately preceding said election on the school district website www.hicksvillepublicschools.org, at the Hicksville Public Library during its normal hours of operation, located at 169 Jerusalem Ave, Hicksville, NY 11801, at the School District Administrative Center, 200 Division Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801, and at each of the following school buildings in which school is maintained between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., prevailing time, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays:

Burns Avenue School, East Street School, Woodland School, Lee Avenue School, Fork Lane School, Dutch Lane School, Old Country Road School

2, 2025

Water District wins engineering excellence award

From page 1

that our community receives the highest-quality water service possible, and this new treatment technology ensures that we will continue to do so for generations to come. We are grateful to the ACEC for this acknowledgment and we will continue to strive toward

LEGAL NOTICES

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of Formation of JP Ventures Squared LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/06/2024. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Allen J. Williams: 5 Brewster St, #503, Glen Cove, NY 11542. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Formation of APNA EASTERN MARKET LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/27/2025. Office loc.: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The address SSNY shall mail process to Jaswinder Singh, 70 Somerset Ave., Hicksville, NY 11801. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Formation of DELCO MARKET LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/27/2025.  Office loc.:  Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.  The address SSNY shall mail process to Jaswinder Singh, 70 Somerset Ave., Hicksville, NY 11801.  Purpose:   Any lawful activity.

excellence in our future projects.”

The HWD was nominated for the award by H2M architects + engineers not only for the new technology in place, but also for the District’s ability to minimize the construction’s impact on the community. The efficiency with which the construction and installation was accomplished helped the District avoid taking other wells offline for too long a time. Additionally, the District was highly communicative with residents whose homes neighbor the plant throughout the construction process, addressing any concerns that they may have had regarding noise or the aesthetics of the plant. When improvements at the plant were complete, these residents were invited to take a tour and learn about the project that was going on next door.

Plant 8 represents a more than $14.1 million investment into the community’s drinking water treatment infrastructure. Its AOP and GAC technology enables it to produce 4 million gallons of drinking water with non-detectable levels of 1,4-dioxane, PFOS and PFOA every day. The District has invested a total of $70 million for all projects related to emerging contaminants, more than half of which has been funded by grants from New York State. For this project specifically, the HWD was awarded more than $7.1 million in grant funding for the project, significantly reducing the financial impact it would have on residents’ wallets. Plant 8 represents the fifth treatment plant online within the HWD, contributing to the District’s ability to distribute an average of 7 million gallons of high-quality drinking water to its residents daily, an amount which can double in the summer.

Artists invited to showcase work at “Art in the Park”

From page 8

The Town of Oyster Bay is inviting local artists and artisans to participate in a special day of creativity and community at Art in the Park. This exciting event will take place on Saturday, May 17, at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park & Beach in Oyster Bay, offering a unique platform for talented individuals to display and sell their handcrafted creations. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 9, 2025.

“Art in the Park provides an incredible opportunity for local artists and artisans to show-

Town

case their best work, connect with the community, and gain recognition,” said Town Councilman Tom Hand. “Don't miss this opportunity to showcase your creativity and be part of a vibrant community event, featuring live music, food trucks, and fun activities for kids.”

Artists and artisans must be 18 years or older and can only display and sell original, handcrafted pieces. Commercial or mass-produced items will not be permitted. Participants are responsible for supplying their own 10x10 canopy and any additional equipment needed for their space. Full details,

including associated costs, are outlined in the application available online. Organized by the Town's Department of Community & Youth Services, Cultural and Performing Arts Division, Art in the Park celebrates a diverse range of handcrafted works, including ceramics, watercolors, glass, jewelry, wood, leather, sculptures, and more.

To apply, visit the Town’s website at www.oysterbaytown.com/capa or contact the Cultural and Performing Arts Division at (516) 797-7932 for more information.

of Oyster Bay designated “Tree City, USA”

From page 1

sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

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

The Arbor Day Foundation is a million-member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information is available at arborday.org. To participate in upcoming environmental opportunities in the Town of Oyster Bay, residents can visit www.oysterbaytown.com/volunteer.

Town offers free boating safety seminars

The Town of Oyster Bay is encouraging residents to take advantage of free Boating Safety Seminars being offered at Community Centers across the Town. These essential courses, taught by the Town's Department of Public Safety Bay Constable Unit, will cover critical topics, including safe vessel operation, state regulations, and the responsibilities of boat ownership and operation. As of January 1, 2025, all motorized vessel operators in New York State, regardless of age, will be required to possess a valid boating safety certificate.

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino stated, “Boating is a cherished activity in our Town, and safety must always

come first. These seminars are an excellent way for residents to stay informed, comply with state law, and ensure that everyone can enjoy our waterways safely. I encourage all residents, young and old, to take advantage of this free program and join us in making our waters safer for all.”

Course Details:

• Tuesday, April 29th & Wednesday, April 30, 2025 from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. at Marjorie Post Park Community Center (451 Unqua Road, Massapequa Park).

Sunday, May 18, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Town

Hall North (54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay).

Participants must be at least 10 years old to register. While the seminars are free, advance registration is required. In New York State, individuals aged 18 and older must pay a $10 fee for a permanent boating safety certificate issued by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. There is no fee for participants under 18. Completing an approved boating safety course is mandatory to obtain the certificate. For more information, please call (516) 677-5350.  To register, visit  https://oysterbaytown. com/safeboating

LEGAL NOTICES

NASSAU COUNTY LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION OF BETHPAGE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK (MAY 20, 2025)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a Public Budget Hearing of the qualified voters of the Bethpage Union Free School District, Nassau County, Bethpage, New York, will be held in the Auditorium of Bethpage High School in said District, on May 6, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. prevailing time, for the purpose of discussing expenditures contained in the proposed budget for the ensuing school year 2025-2026. Copies of the budget document will be made available to District residents commencing April 29, 2025 upon request, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. prevailing time, in the office of the District Clerk located in the Superintendent’s Office of the Administration Building.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting, Budget Vote and Election of the qualified voters of the Bethpage Union Free School District, County of Nassau, State of New York, qualified to vote at School Meetings in said District, will be held in the Main Gymnasium of the Bethpage Senior High School, Cherry Avenue and Stewart Avenues, Bethpage, New York in said District on May 20, 2025, for the purpose of voting by the qualified voters of the District, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (D.S.T.) on the following separate matters:

1. The estimated expenditures (school budget) for the ensuing school year 2025-2026 and authorizing the levy and collection of necessary taxes thereof. (Proposition 1)

2. Shall the Board of Education of the Bethpage Union Free School District be hereby authorized and directed to extend the term and amount of the May 20, 2008 District's Building Capital Reserve Fund, as amended on May 17, 2016, as follows: extend the probable term of such fund from twenty (20) years to a cumulative probable term of thirty (30) years, and extend the ultimate amount of the fund from Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000) to a total ultimate amount of Forty-Five Million Dollars ($45,000,000). The purpose and sources of funding for this Capital Reserve Fund, as approved by the voters on May 20, 2008, and amended on May 17, 2016, shall remain unchanged. Each expenditure from this Building Capital Reserve Fund must be authorized separately by the voters. No additional tax levy shall be specifically implemented to fund this Reserve Fund.

3. Any other questions or propositions as to matters or expenditures or authority to levy taxes that may be presented for a vote under the Education Law.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that at the said vote and election to be conducted on May 20, 2025, three (3) members are to be elected to the Board of Education as follows:

ONE (1) member is to be elected for a full three (3) year term to fill the vacancy created by the expiration of the term of John Lonardo, which term expires June 30, 2025.

ONE (1) member is to be elected for a full three (3) year term to fill the vacancy created by the expiration of the term of Christina Scelta, which term expires June 30, 2025.

ONE (1) member is to be elected for a full three (3) year term to fill the vacancy created by the expiration of the term of Marie Swierkowski, which term expires June 30, 2025.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that all nominating petitions of candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education, shall be filed with the Clerk of the District Not Later Than April 21, 2025 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (D.S.T.), whose office is located in the Office of the Superintendent of Schools at the District’s Administration Building, 10 Cherry Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714. A separate petition, duly signed by at least 25qualified voters of the District, as in accordance with law, and stating the residence of each signer, shall be required to nominate a candidate to each separate office. Petitions for school board members shall describe the specific vacancy on the Board of Education for which the candidate is nominated; said description shall include at least the length of the term of office and the name of the last incumbent, if any.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that each person entitled to vote must register. Registration dates, hours, and locations are as follows:

WEEKDAYS, until May 15, 2025, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (D.S.T.) when school is in session in the Office of the District Clerk, located in the Administration Building, Cherry and Stewart Avenues, Bethpage, New York.

SATURDAY, May 3, 2025 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. (D.S.T.), in the Boardroom at the Administration Building.

The following persons shall be eligible to vote: All persons who shall have presented themselves personally for registration in accordance with section two thousand fourteen of the Education Law and all persons who shall have been previously duly registered for any annual or special meeting or election, who are qualified to vote and who shall have voted at any annual or special meeting or election held or conducted during the four (4) calendar years prior to 2025 (i.e., 2021-2024) and who are not disqualified from voting for any reason set forth in New York State Election Law Section 5-106. In addition, all persons who are registered to vote pursuant to Article 5 of the Election Law of the State of New York shall be eligible to vote.

All persons who registered at the Annual Meeting held on May 21, 2024 will not be required to re-register for the purpose of voting on May 20, 2025. Persons whose names appear as eligible voters as of May 21, 2024 on the Voter Registration Books issued and maintained by the Nassau County Board of Elections, shall be eligible to vote at the Annual School District Meeting and Elections to be conducted on May 20, 2025.

Any qualified voter of the District who is in doubt as to whether she/he is registered to vote at the May 20, 2025 Annual Meeting Vote and Election should contact the District Clerk of the Bethpage Union Free School District at 516-644-4002 or email ebecker@bethpage.ws. The Board of Registration will meet during the election held in the District on May 20, 2025 at the place where the Annual Meeting and Election is held for the purpose of preparing a register for meetings and elections held subsequent to such Annual Meetings or Elections.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the register will be open for inspection by a qualified voter of the School District on May 15, 2025 up to and including the day of the election, May 20, 2025, Sunday excepted, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., with the exception of Saturday, May 17, 2025, when the hours will be from 8:00 a.m. –11:00 a.m.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing school year 2025-2026 for school purposes (budget) and a statement of any expenditure and estimated tax levy for the ensuing year that may be required to fund the school budget appropriation at the above stated Annual Meeting shall be prepared and made available upon request to any District resident at the Office of the District Clerk, which is located in the Superintendent’s Office at the District’s Administration Building, and the offices of the principals of all the schools in the District therein and at the Bethpage Public Library during the period of fourteen (14) days immediately preceding the Annual Meeting between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (D.S.T.), Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays excepted.

Administration Building

Bethpage High School

JFK Middle School

Central Boulevard School

Charles Campagne School

Kramer Lane School

Bethpage Public Library

These documents will also be available on the District’s website at: http://www.bethpagecommunity.com

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 495, an exemption report detailing exemptions from real property taxation shall be available and appended to any tentative, preliminary or final budget.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that absentee ballots and early mail ballots will be available for the election of School Board Members and the Budget Vote. Applications for absentee ballots and early mail ballots may be received by the District Clerk no earlier than the 30th day before the election for which it is sought. Applications for absentee ballots and early mail ballots are available in the Office of the District Clerk, which is located in the Superintendent’s Office at the District’s Administration Building. To have an absentee ballot or early mail ballot mailed to your home, an applicable completed and signed application must be in the District Clerk’s Office no later than Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Application for an absentee ballot or early mail ballot may be made in person from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on any school day and up until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, May 19, 2025. Applications can also be downloaded from the District’s website at: http://www.bethpagecommunity.com

2, 2025

10

Friday, May 2, 2025

York, will in the request, Nassau, Stewart p.m.

(Proposition 1)

2008 District's of thirty The purpose expenditure Fund.

Education as 30, 2025. 30, 2025. June 30, 2025. the the District’s law, and vacancy on if any.

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION

Notice of Formation of Total Sports and Performance Baseball, LLC. Arts of Org filed with SSNY: 03/21/2025. Office: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC for process and shall mail copy of process to LLC: 181 N Delaware Avenue, Massapequa, NY, 11758. Purpose: any lawful act.

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION

Notice of Formation of Day To Day Senior Care Consult & Services LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/06/2025. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Charles Day: 100 Duffy Ave, Hicksville NY 11801. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

thousand and who disqualified from Law of the whose to vote at the of day of from 8:00 a.m.

purposes

stated Annual the Dis(14) days

Applications for Building. To Tuesday, May Monday, May 19,

NASSAU COUNTY BID NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID

BETHPAGE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT BETHPAGE, NEW YORK 11714

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE sealed bids will be received by the Board of Education of the Bethpage Union Free School District, Town of Oyster Bay, Bethpage, New York BID # 003-2526 for ATHLETIC AND CUSTODIAL UNIFORMS and SUPPLIES. Bids will be publicly opened and read on May 13, 2025 at 11:00 AM in the Administration Building, 10 Cherry Avenue, Bethpage, New York.

Sealed bids are to be addressed to the attention of Scott Harrington, Assistant Superintendent for Business, Bethpage Union Free School District, Administration Building, 10 Cherry Avenue, Bethpage, New York, 11714.

March Madness brings literary fun to Summit Lane School

Summit Lane Elementary School students listened to 16 stories and voted for their favorite in a March Madness style bracket.

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST RAJESHWARI SINGH; HARENDRA SINGH; ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered November 3, 2017, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 4336 Hicksville Road, Bethpage, NY 11714. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 52, Block 310, Lot 43. Approximate amount of judgment $459,790.32 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #009094/2015. Brian Davis, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 17-006341 85174

The Board reserves the right to reject any and all bids which in its discretion are not in the best interest of the school district, and to waive any informality as to non-material errors or omissions in the submissions.

Bid specifications and all applicable terms and conditions may be obtained via email by contacting Sara Minieri at Sminieri@Bethpage.ws. Contact the Bethpage Business Office with any questions regarding this bid at 516-6444030.

Too much junk in your house?

More than a dozen books were the subject of scrutiny at Summit Lane Elementary School in the Levittown School District as students voted for their favorite tales in a March Madness style bracket. With their classmates, stu-

dents listened to 16 different books that spanned a range of genres, art styles and perspectives. Various guest readers visited the school to read selections to classes. Each class submitted their vote for their favorite book throughout the month as two books were faced off against one another. Ultimately, students chose “The Legend of Rock, Paper Scissors” by Drew Daywalt and “The Dinosaur Who Discovered Hamburgers” as their winners. Photos courtesy Levittown Public Schools

Place an ad for it in our classifieds section! Call 516-294-8900 for more details.

The selected books spanned a range of different genres.

Central Blvd. students support Wildlife Center of LI

On Feb. 28, members of the student council had the opportunity to meet representatives from the Wildlife Center and personally assist in loading the donated items into their vehicle.

Students at Central Boulevard Elementary School recently demonstrated their commitment to kindness and community service by organizing a supply drive to benefit the Wildlife Center of Long Island. As part of the school’s “ Kindness Week ” initiative, students and families collected essential supplies to support the rehabilitation and care of wildlife at the non-profit organization.

On Feb. 28, members of the student council had the opportunity to meet representatives from the Wildlife Center and personally assist in loading the donated items into their vehicle. The representatives also brought a special guest—a falcon—allowing students to witness firsthand the incredible wildlife the center works to protect and rehabilitate. The donated supplies included

The donated supplies included blankets, towels, sponges, dish soap, hand soap, trash bags, baby food and applesauce.

blankets, towels, sponges, dish soap, hand soap, trash bags, baby food and applesauce. These everyday essentials will play a crucial role in maintaining the health and well-being of the center’s rescued animals.

The Wildlife Center of Long Island, currently in the process of relocating from Huntington to Oyster Bay, has been dedicated to preserving Long Island’s wildlife and natural habitats

since 1982. As both a rehabilitation facility and an educational resource, the center provides care for injured and orphaned animals while promoting awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation.

To learn more about the Wildlife Center of Long Island and how you can support their mission, visit wildlifecenterli.org.

The representatives also brought a special guest—a falcon—allowing students to witness firsthand the incredible wildlife the center works to protect and rehabilitate.

Photos courtesy of Bethpage Union Free School District

May 2, 2025

Best Camping Resorts, Destinations for 2025

BY KAREN RUBIN

TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

Camping in all its forms – tenting, glamping, RVing, advanturing – will be extremely popular this year and campground operators across North America are preparing. Here is where to find the best camping resorts: Campspot Awards Showcase North America’s Best Camping Destinations for 2025 Campspot, a leading North America campground booking platform, announced the winners of its  2025 Campspot Awards, recognizing its top campgrounds across the United States and Canada.

Among the 2025 winners are several standouts:

#1 Top Campground in the U.S.: Verde Ranch RV Resort, Camp Verde, AZ: This Arizonabased resort offers striking red rock landscapes and easy access to nearby trails and the Verde River.

#1 Top Campground in Canada: Tsawaak RV Resort, Tofino, BC: Set amongst the beaches, rainforest and islands off the tip of the Esowista Peninsula, Tsawaak is a premier coastal destination, with activities such as whale watching, beachcombing, and kayaking.

#1 Top Glamping Campground: Broad River Campground, Mooresboro, NC combines glamping accommodations with lush forest views and scenic outdoor exploration nestled in North Carolina’s Foothills region.

#1 Top Unique Campground: True West Campground Stables and Mercantile, Jamestown, TN: Campers can step back in

Personal favorite: Herkimer Diamond Mines KOA in upstate New York near the Erie Canalway (marking 200th anniversary this year), has themed cabins like mine, with its own dinosaur dig and one with an actual planetarium, as well as the opportunity to mine for “diamonds” (quartz crystals). A family enjoys a campfire after a day of activity that may well include a cruise on the Erie Canal. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

time with horse trails and boarding, a western mercantile, and old-time charm designed to make you feel like you’re part of a western frontier town.

#1 Top Hidden Gem: The Cove Pub Campground, Inverness, FL: A true hidden gem, this Florida campground offers a relaxing retreat nestled among towering trees, with pub-style dining and peaceful waterside camping for an ‘old Florida’ getaway.

#1 Top for Families: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park CampResort: Golden Valley, Bostic, NC: Spanning over 600 acres, this familyfriendly park offers an exciting range of amenities, including water slides, laser tag, and mini golf,  themed events and fun activities.

15 Adventures at Spacious Skies Campgrounds

Spacious Skies Campgrounds, a fast-growing owner and operator of RV campgrounds with RV, tent, cabin and glamping sites across 15 locations from Maine to Georgia, offers its list of 20 different experiences and where to find them:

Stay rural, play urban. Spacious Skies Savannah Oaks in Savannah, Ga. and Spacious Skies Minute Man near Boston are especially appealing to travelers who want to explore the attractions of a big city by day and sit around a campfire beneath dark skies by night. Spacious Skies Minute Man is a short drive from downtown Boston and its history-focused attractions like The Freedom Trail, Boston Harbor Cruises and museums.

GOING PLACES NEAR AND FAR

With Spacious Skies Savannah Oaks as home base, campers can easily access attractions such as Tybee Island and Georgia Coastal Colonial Gardens, and hop on the Old Town Trolley from the campground to visit Historic Savannah.

Dark Skies Gazing: While all of Spacious Skies campgrounds keep exterior lighting to a minimum to enjoy dark night skies, two of the best places for serious stargazing are Spacious Skies Balsam Woods in central Maine, and Spacious Skies French Pond. Also, each month, the campgrounds stage skythemed events, like May’s “Galactic Guardians.”

Hike to a fishing hole: Campgrounds that feature stocked on-site fishing ponds include Belle Ridge in Monterey, Tenn.; Peach Haven in Gaffney, S.C.; Hidden Creek in Marion, N.C.; Seven Maples in Hancock, N.H; Bear Den in Spruce Pine, N.C., Sandy Run in Fayetteville, N.C..; Woodland Hills in Austerlitz, N.Y.; and French Pond in Henniker, N.H.

Play pickleball in several locations including Spacious Skies Country Oaks in Dorothy, N.J., Seven Maples in Hancock, N.H., Hidden Creek in Marion, N.C. and Woodland Hills in Austerlitz, N.Y.

Paddle with your pals. Several campgrounds feature boat launches and rent kayaks and other paddle craft. These include Spacious Skies Seven Maples in Hancock, N.H., French Pond in Henniker, N.H and Woodland Hills in Austerlitz, N.Y. At Spacious Skies Savannah Oaks in Savannah, Ga., guests can paddle the Ogeechee River.

Seek out quirky local festivals and events. Many communities near

Continued on next page

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

Best Camping Resorts, Destinations for 2025

Continued from previous page

Spacious Skies campgrounds stage fun and often quirky festivals throughout the year. For example, near Spacious Skies Balsam Woods in Abbot, Maine, whoop it up at the annual Whoopie Pie Festival in June. At Spacious Skies Country Oaks in Dorothy, N.J, there’s the annual Doo Dah Parade, featuring string bands, marching bands, floats and pageant winners. The event benefits the local Basset Hound Rescue.

Sample local brew . Several campgrounds are close to local breweries including Paradox Brewery near Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks, North Hudson, N.Y.; and Tuckahoe Brewing Company near Spacious Skies Country Oaks, Dorothy, N.J.

Take a daytime road trip. From Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views in Luray. Va., witness stunning vistas along Skyline Drive in the Blue Ridge Mountains and explore the themed Cultural Heritage Trails.

Power through Maine forestland on an ATV. There are more than 1,000 miles of trails just a short distance from Spacious Skies Balsam Woods in Central Maine. The campground offers easy access to the trails with campsite-to-trail ATV parking, an ATV wash station and onsite gas pump.

Mine for not-so-rare gems. Most campgrounds in the collection have gem-mining stations.

Give parks some love. Most Spacious Skies Campgrounds are near local, state or national parks. Campers at Spacious Skies Bear Den, Spruce Pine, N.C. can experience panoramic views from the top of Mount Mitchell, highest mountain peak in the Appalachians. Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views in Luray, Va. is right in the backyard of Shenandoah National Park, with more than 200,000 acres of wildlife-rich forestland dotted with waterfalls and hiking trails.

Fall in love with waterfalls. Near Spacious Skies Belle Ridge in Monterey, Tenn., hike an on-site trail to Bridal Falls as well as explore four massive waterfalls in nearby Burgess Falls State Park, including one that plunges more than 130 feet into a gorge. The spectacular Blue Ridge Falls is located near Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks in North Hudson, N.Y., and Linville Falls, the most-photographed waterfall in North Carolina, is located near Spacious Skies Bear Den in Spruce Pine, N.C.

Play a round. Miniature golf courses are available onsite at Spacious Skies Peach Haven, Gaffney, S.C.; Adirondack Peaks,n North Hudson, N.Y. Find fullsize golf courses near campgrounds including Spacious Skies Belle Ridge in Monterey, Tenn., near the Cumberland Cove Golf Course, and Spacious Skies

Seven Maples in Hancock, N.H., near the Shattuck Golf Course.

Go for a slide. Spacious Skies Hidden Creek, Marion, NC has a Jr. Olympic pool and giant water slide; Seven Maples, Hancock, N.H., has a huge water slide.

Dive deep into local history Most campgrounds are close to historic attractions. For example, campers at Spacious Skies Belle Ridge in Monterey, Tenn. can explore sites along the Civil War Trail; Fort Frederica National Monument is near Spacious Skies Savannah Oaks, Savannah, Ga.; Fort Ticonderoga is near Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks in North Hudson, N.Y.

is reopening its Cavendish campground, formerly known as Cavendish KOA Holiday, as a Jellystone Park location. Attractions at the new Jellystone Park location will include a swimming pool, jumping pillow and petting zoo as well as RC track where guests can race their own remote-controlled cars and trucks or rent ones on-site. The park also has walking and biking trails and a large playground.

Lake Charles, Louisiana: Four Points RV Resorts recently acquired LeBleu Lakes RV Resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and will convert it to a Jellystone Park Camp-Resort after completing several major

and the Averasboro Civil War Battlefield is near Sandy Run in Fayetteville, N.C.

For more information, visit www. spaciousskiescampgrounds.com

Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts Expand Across North America, Add Attractions

Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts continues to expand across the U.S. and Canada, offering families both new locations as well as more attractions and more ways to stay at existing locations.

Several new Jellystone Park CampResorts have come online in recent years while existing locations have continued to add more and more attractions like water slides, multilevel splashgrounds, floating obstacle courses, snowless tubing, and mini golf, Hershenson said.

With more than 75 franchised locations, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts operates in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences. This year, new Jellystone Park locations are opening in the following locations:

Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, Canada: Maritime Fun Group, which owns and operates leading family amusement parks and attractions in New Brunswick and on Prince Edward Island,

Park location features a huge water zone with two pools, multiple water slides, a lazy river, a splashground, and hot tubs. Luxury cabins, spacious RV sites, and a full schedule of activities make the Camp-Resort near Sand Hollow State Park and Zion National Park a new family favorite.

For more information, visit www. jellystonepark.com

Don’t Just Adventure, AdVANture in a Campervan Don’t just go for an adventure, try adVANturing in a fully-equipped campervan which, give you the freedom and flexibility of camping virtually anywhere parking is allowed.

Moterra campervans are fullyequipped with full kitchen (stove, sink and fridge), porta-potty toilet, thermostat heater and solar-powered electric system and water supply which give you the flexibility of camping virtually anywhere, even “wild camping.”

You can also take advantage of their concierge service and pre-planned itineraries, which are all-inclusive packages with a day-by-day personalized itinerary, pre-booked campgrounds, organized activities, and a dedicated Trip Expert and 24-hour helpline if you encounter any difficulty. Moterra also allows for one-way rentals and are pet and baby friendly.

Moterra’s has locations near airports in Jackson Hole, Wyo, Whitefish, MT, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Portland, Maine, for adventures in Northern New England and Eastern Canada.

improvements. Attractions at the new location will include a swimming pool, water slides, splashground, jumping pillows, and floating obstacle course. The park expects to open May 21 with 200 campsites and will eventually grow to more than 350 sites.

Watts Bar Lake, Tennessee: This Jellystone Park location just south of Knoxville opened in February and by summer will offer two pools, a large splashground with water slides and an outdoor movie theater. Families can meet the Yogi Bear characters, take wagon rides, play laser tag, and experience gem mining. Luxury glamping cabins and premium RV sites are set among the hills and woods overlooking the lake.

Last year, two other campgrounds joined the Jellystone Park: Cochran, Georgia: Less than an hour south of Macon, this picturesque Jellystone Park location is set among tall trees and boasts a lake and pool, comfortable cabins, and shaded RV sites. Family activities, interactions with the Yogi Bear characters, hiking trails, Wi-Fi and a dog park make for fun family vacations in a relaxing outdoor environment.

Zion, Utah: The state’s first Jellystone

Moterra Camper Vans, 2950 West Big Trail Drive, Jackson, Wyoming, 307-2007220, info@gomoterra.com, gomoterra. com

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

Tsawaak RV Resort in Tofino, BC won Campspot’s award as Canada’s #1 campground (photo: Campspot).

Those Gen Zers bring back hobbies from long ago

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

I’ve heard the saying that old things become new again and it’s true in that Gen Zers are doing things their grandparents used to do. It strikes me as amusing because with the generation gap I thought the younger kids wanted to be cool so you would think that things the older generations did or still do today wouldn’t be as appealing to them.

A case in point is crocheting which has become popular among many Gen Zers. I remember my mother and grandmothers sitting in their living rooms with their Ben Franklin reading glasses crocheting years ago and while I admired their handiwork - scarves, sweaters, doilies, etc. - it struck me as old-fashioned at the time. They liked to crochet so of course I didn’t say a word about it but never in my wildest dreams dd I think it would come back in style.

Some of the Gen Zers have gotten into letter writing and I was happily surprised to see that they are rediscovering libraries. On a similar note, they are reading and joining book clubs online, in person and at different places such as cafes, bars and bookstores. That’s not usually where my 50+ friends and I meet for book clubs but I give them credit for thinking out of the box.

Generation Z is the group that comes after Millennials and before Generation Alpha. Born between 1997 and 2012, this group has its own unique characteristics. This is the first generation known to browse the internet and the “Z” in the name stands for “zoomer.”

One characteristic of Gen Zers is their ease with technology. They were

born into a world of technological innovation - unlike the Baby Boomers and Gen Xers who came before them. For the most part information was immediately accessible and social media seemed to be all around them.

It’s not unusual for Gen Zers to work, shop, date and making friends online. They use technology to plan their trips. All of this is very different from their elders which makes for a generation gap sometimes but they are comfortable using the various digital tools.

This generation is a tech-savvy one and by and large they are independent thinkers who have goals and ambition. They also want to find jobs with flexible schedules - and they like remote work when it comes to joining the work place. Maintaining a work-life balance is very important.

Many Gen Zers are practical people and nostalgic people which explains why in so many cases they have taken up hobbies that we would have undertaken 40 and 50 years ago. Crocheting, knitting and embroidery have become popular hobbies and pastimes with them.

They’re still growing up but they know what they want in terms of jobs, their families and politics. These generalizations aren’t an exact science but still, many of the generalizations hold true. The Greatest Generation answered the call from their country to fight in World War II.

The Silent Generation was intent on persevering because they had grown up during the Great Depression, lived through World War II and fought in the Korean conflict which ran from 1950 -

1953.

Baby Boomers are a hard-working group of people who want to be rewarded for a positive performance. An independent group, they want financial stability and the ability to enjoy their retirement years.

My friend, Danny, and his family have been gardening and growing their own fruits and vegetables for years. Danny moved to Long Island from Virginia after getting married and he showed Suzy, his wife, what he had learned from his parents when they had a garden in their back yard.

When their two kids came along and got old enough to help out, they also started checking their “veggie garden” for the ripe carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and green beans Danny and Suzy were growing.

They would place them in baskets and happily hand them to their parents. Rinsing and preparing them for dinner, they would all be happy that some of the food on their table had been home grown. In time Danny and Suzy added eggplant and that was a big hit among the grownups but not so much with the kids.

When they moved into their house Danny and Suzy discovered some goodsized raspberry and blackberry bushes in their back yard and that produced berries every summer. The raspberries and blackberries were delicious - perfect as snacks or for adding to smoothies in the summer.

When their daughter, Mandy, was eight, she would pull the carrots from the ground, shake off the dirt and stack them up. She liked the vivid orange of

the carrots and would tell her mom and dad she couldn’t wait to have them on her dinner plate.

Their son, Sam, who was six at the time, liked picking the berries off the bushes and placing them in his basket. As he worked, Sam would go as quickly as he could from branch to branch and eventually from berry bush to berry bush.

Every so often he would stop to sample them, however. If they were sweet Sam would break out into a great, big smile but if they were tart, he would frown.

Danny, Suzy, a friend and I met for dinner recently and the subject of gardening came up. We all laughed picturing young Mandy and Sam going around the garden looking for treasures they could pick.

Suzy said her kids are grown now and as Gen Zers they have some typical Gen Z interests - fads and hobbies that used to be popular that have returned. Sam likes to do jigsaw puzzles and Mandy likes to crochet and do needlepoint. Both like to go antiquing.

Suzy added that Mandy had crocheted her a really nice sweater so she was glad these hobbies and pastimes are back in style.

Danny and Suzy mentioned that Mandy and Sam have their own houses now complete with vegetable gardens and when grandchildren come along maybe they will pick the berries from the bushes and pull the carrots from the earth.

“That would be perfect,” Danny said. “That would really bring us full circle.”

Tips to make Mother’s Day extra special

Mother’s Day is celebrated each May and marks a perfect opportunity to show Mom how much she’s loved and appreciated. Mother’s Day has been celebrated for more than 100 years, and in that time mothers have grown accustomed to certain staples of the holiday. A bouquet of fresh flowers, Sunday brunch at a local restaurant and some gifts from a partner and the children have become standards each Mother’s Day.

While Mother’s Day standards may never lose their appeal, families looking to make this year’s celebration a little more unique can consider these ideas.

• Whip up (or order in) some baked goods. If Mom is the family baker, surprise her this year with some homemade baked goods. An aroma of freshly baked goodies around the house

can set a welcoming tone for the day, particularly if the treats are prepared in the morning before Mom wakes up. Partners and children whose baking skills leave a little to be desired can get some freshly baked treats from a local bakery and have them waiting for Mom when she wakes up.

• Take to the road. Another way to make Mother’s Day extra special is to make the celebration a weekend affair. A weekend getaway can be a welcome breath of fresh air for mothers and serve as a great opportunity for the family to unwind and celebrate Mom away from everything that reminds her of the hustle and bustle of everyday life. A getaway can be an especially ideal surprise for mothers whose children are full grown. Invite adult kids along and make their attendance a surprise for Mom.

• Book a unique experience. Experiential gifts have been wildly popular in recent years, so why not incorporate this trend into Mother’s Day celebrations? Book a tour of a local vineyard or winery, take Mom to a live theater performance, or take her out for a day on the water, complete with brunch and a champagne toast. Such memorable experiences won’t soon be forgotten and can provide an exciting alternative to previous Mother’s Day celebrations.

• Ensure Mom doesn’t lift a finger. A truly special Mother’s Day will give Mom a day off. Partners and kids can team up to take care of everything from the moment Mom wakes up until she returns to bed at night. Serve breakfast in bed, order in some lunch and then take Mom out for a nice meal at a local restaurant. In between meals, let Mom relax any way she sees fit, wheth-

er that’s curling up with a good book, dusting off her paint brush and engaging in some artistic endeavors and/or squeezing in a rare midday nap. Mom will undoubtedly appreciate a full day off, which might just make for the best gift of all.

Mother’s Day is the ideal time to offer Mom a unique experience that shows her how much she’s loved and appreciated. TF255880

BY TOM MARGENAU

There has been a lot of talk over the years about Social Security being a “Ponzi scheme.” I have addressed this issue many times before, so I don’t want to bore my regular readers with another long dissertation. But since a certain billionaire friend of President Donald Trump brought it up yet again, I will make three quick observations.

One: Social Security is not now and never has been an investment scheme. It is a social insurance program. (After all, the word “social” in Social Security means something!) In addition to providing retired and disabled workers, widows, widowers and the minor children of a worker who has died with a basic and stable income, it was established to achieve larger goals for our country as a whole. For example, one of those goals is to raise the standard of living of lower-income workers in retirement. This is accomplished with a weighted benefit formula that gives them a higher “replacement rate” (when comparing their average income with their Social Security retirement benefit) than their more well-to-do fellow taxpayers can expect.

Two: Many emailers tell me how Social Security started out with thousands of taxpayers for each Social Security beneficiary; and how we now suddenly find ourselves at a 3-1 ratio; and how the entire scam will implode when we reach a 2--1 ratio. That’s a classic Ponzi scheme scenario, they say.

Well, obviously in the very earliest days of the program (the early 1940s), there were many more workers than Social Security beneficiaries. It was more like a 40-1 ratio. But as more and more people quickly qualified for benefits, the taxpayer-to-beneficiary ratio rapidly went down, and by about 1970, it had matured to the 3-1 ratio we have been at for 50 years now. As the baby boomers retire, we are indeed heading towards a 2-1 ratio. But with some modest adjustments to benefits and/or tax rates, the system can continue to operate quite well at such a worker-to-beneficiary ratio. If you want to read more about Social Security financing and review some realistic reform proposals, spend 15 bucks and get my book, “Social Security: Simple and Smart.” You can get it online from Amazon or at a Barnes and Noble store.

Three: Ponzi schemes, by their very definition, have short lifespans. Social Security has been around for 90 years now. (I always wonder when skeptics will finally accept the fact that the program is here to stay!)

And since I mentioned Trump’s billionaire friend, Elon Musk, let me make these quick comments about his Department of Government Efficiency. For me, it’s a case of deja vu. Back in the 1980s, then-President Ronald Reagan appointed J. Peter Grace (the Musk of his day) to

Ponzi Schmonzi

head up a commission to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in the federal government. Or to “drain the swamp,” as Reagan famously said. Here is just one person’s view of that swamp drainage.

At the time, I was heading up an SSA office with a multimillion-dollar budget that wrote and produced all of the hundreds of pamphlets and fact sheets made available to the public to explain the Social Security rules that affect them. The Grace Commission people spent more than a month with me and my staff going over every facet of our operation. When they were done, here is a summary of their findings. 1) Unscrew every other fluorescent tube in the ceiling lights. 2) Use discarded paper from wastebaskets for scratch pads. 3) Turn off the hot water faucets in the bathrooms. That was it. Those were their recommendations to “eliminate waste, fraud and abuse.” (And I’m not making this up.)

Speaking of Musk, here is a recent email I got from a reader.

Q: Thank God for Elon Musk. The more government bureaucrats he can get rid of, the better our country will be. Bureaucrats are just leaches who waste our time enforcing nonsensical rules. They need to be purged from our society.

A: I’ve written past columns about Trump’s and Musk’s attempts to reduce staffing at the Social Security Administration, so I’m not going to go over that again today. But I would like to comment on your disdain for government workers. It’s too bad that “bureaucrat” has become a dirty word that conjures up images of laziness and inefficiency. I’d like you to think about the whole idea of rules and why we have them and why we need people to carry out those rules. I’ll use what I know best -- the Social Security Administration -- as an example.

I recall many years ago, when I still worked for the SSA, taking a claim from a woman who was filing for benefits as a divorced wife on her ex-husband’s account. The law says to get such benefits, you must have been married for at least 10 years. What the law actually says is that your marriage must have reached its 10th anniversary before the divorce becomes final.

Well, in this woman’s case, her divorce decree was signed just two days before their 10th anniversary. So, I had to tell her that her claim was going to be turned down. She appealed to me (as I’m sure I would have done if I was in her shoes) that she was just two days, a measly 48 hours, shy of the 10-year rule.

My heart sided with her. After all, there really was no difference between a 10-year marriage and a nine year and 363 day-marriage. But as a government agent, a bureaucrat if you will, I had to carry out the law. And that law said you must be married 10 years. The law didn’t say “about 10 years” or “sort of close to 10

years.” It said 10 years. Suppose I had the power to tell the lady with the nine year and 363-day marriage that we’d let it slide and allow her to get divorced wife’s benefits. What about the next woman who comes in and is just one

week shy of the 10-year rule? Do we let her get benefits, too? How about somebody who is a month shy? Do you see my point? The law draws a line somewhere. And a government bureaucrat’s job is to carry

Continued on next page

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ESTATE WATCH

Real estate performance in Quarter 1, and some perspective

Real Estate will be affected as prices rise for consumer staples, goods and services. Consumers may not truly understand that as companies raise their prices to stay in the black and continue to be profitable, we will pay the price of those increased costs. Essentially, we will be paying for those tariffs and not the countries that we have levied them against. This will eventually cause real estate inventory to rise as most pull back to costs of ownership and will jump back on the fence and wait and see what happens

The purpose of these tariffs is to bring back and repatriate jobs and businesses back to the U.S., but that will never occur en masse. However, the billions that have been gained will be offset by the greater losses due to reduced purchases by consumers, a decrease in sales taxes received local and nationally and less discretionary spending. The pressure on increased consumer costs will have a detrimental effect on our economy. About half of our annual imports, 1.3 trillion come from China, Canada and Mexico. (Go to usfunds.com for a greater explanation of the impact of the tariffs on our imports). Only those foreign corporations that will benefit from bringing their businesses here to avoid the tariffs and be competitive will consider doing so. The number one reason we outsource our manufacturing is the cost of labor as we cannot compete with the wages in the 3rd world countries. If we tried to, manufacturing businesses would not survive and there would be no benefit in attempting to go into business if the risks and costs made no sense in the brain and cents in the pocketbook. As noted in last week’s column our average wage is $30 per hour and theirs is $7 per hour and even less in some countries. Could AI bring

manufacturing back to the U.S.? It all depends on the way it is done to create a profitable enterprise.

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

If you do your research, you will surmise that tariffs accounted for 50-90% of our federal revenue from 17981913. Since the 1930s, we have moved from tariffs to free trade; as the local and federal income tax system was created and has become the prime method of funding our government. Over the last 70 years, our tariffs have contributed to less than 2% of federal revenue. With the advent of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and its successor, the World Trade Organization (WTO) have dramatically lowered global tariffs. Prior to the current tariffs, 70% of imports have been duty free. In 2024, for example, U.S. Customs and Border Protection received $77 Billion in tariffs, just 1.57% of total government income. We were the major player in manufacturing almost everything back then. As our economy grew, wages increased, other 3rd world countries also grew, but not at our pace, and their wages were considerably lower as was their standard of living.

The U.S. consumer is the largest purchaser of goods and services globally. We should have tariffs on those countries, like China; who controls their currency and has outlawed Bitcoin, making their goods less expensive and creates greater demand. Competition is healthy, but when it is unfair and fixed to undercut us, causing our national and international debt and trade deficits to continue to soar, as we buy more goods and services than

SOCIAL SECURITY AND YOU

out that law precisely as it’s written. It’s not the employee’s job to interpret the law the way he or she thinks it should be interpreted.

In addition to accusations of inefficiency, lots of times, bureaucrats get lambasted for being too rigid and too narrowly focused on carrying out the rules and regulations of the organization they work for. But what a chaotic country we’d have if this weren’t so.

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.

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we sell overseas. Last year we had a $1.2 Trillion trade deficit! We are at a pivotal and uncertain juncture in time that we may not be able to turn back from and/ or repair.

Those countries, especially China, can export and dump their cheap goods here, as they are now doing with their electric cars world-wide. My idea is to balance our tariffs and by reducing our local and federal income taxes proportionately. Putting more money back into the pockets of our dwindling middle class, will boost and scale our excellent economy to higher levels, providing increased sales and income taxes to our local and federal government. However, taxing our most crucial and critical trading partners, Canada and Mexico, is a mistake and a huge error in judgment by our President. Neither country is benefitting as it’s just a tit for tat back and forth increases in tariffs by those countries and will provide no winner in the long run; but the consumer will be the biggest loser! Tariffs just don’t work the way we are carrying them out. Come back next week for Part 3.

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

You Need a Freedom Account

BY MARY HUNT

If I asked you to deduct your monthly expenses from your monthly income, I have a feeling you’d look pretty good on paper. The mystery for many people is why they can’t get through a month without using a credit card to cover unexpected expenses, such as a prescription for a sick child, a quarterly insurance premium or a wedding shower gift.

Your predictable, fixed monthly bills are not the problem. Somehow, the rent and utilities get paid, and the family gets fed. The problem is the accumulation of nonmonthly expenses. Some are easily predictable; others are not.

Here’s the problem: Every day, we are wearing out our cars, the kids are growing out of their shoes, we’re using up our prepaid insurance, and we’re inching closer to the holidays and vacation. But we manage our money as if none of those things is ever going to happen. And when they do, we collapse into a pitiful heap and bemoan the fact that, once again, we’ve been broadsided by an emergency -- another financial crisis!

The solution for this problem is to establish what I call a “freedom account” that forces you to anticipate unexpected, irregular and intermittent expenses and finance your own emergencies.

STEP NO. 1: DETERMINE I RREGULAR EXPENSES

Using your check registers for the past 12 months, your credit card statements, your tax return or, if all else fails, your memory, make a list of expenses you’ve

BY CHARLYN FARGO

Consider a plant-forward diet to help reduce your risk of breast cancer. That’s the finding from a new French research study, presented at the recent annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition.

For the study, more than 65,000 French female participants (average age 53) completed nutritional questionnaires in 1993 and again in 2005.

The women were classified as following either a mostly animal-based diet or a diet that’s mostly plant-based. Researchers found that those who consumed a healthy, primarily plant-based diet saw their risk for developing any type of breast cancer drop by an average of 14%.

What’s interesting about this study is that breast cancer risk fell only among women whose diets included significant amounts of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, vegetable oils, tea and coffee -- even if red meat and poultry occasionally were part of their plates.

had over the last year that you did not pay on a monthly basis. It might be insurance, property taxes, Little League fees, gifts, clothing, vacation, Christmas, car repairs, sports, hobbies, etc.

Come up with an annual figure (estimate if you don’t know), and then divide by 12 so you arrive at a figure that represents one-twelfth of the total annual expense.

For example:

Auto maintenance: $900/12 = $75

Auto insurance: $540/12 = $45

Christmas: $800/12 = $66

Property taxes: $600/12 = $50

Vacation: $720/12 = $60

Clothing: $600/12 = $50

Total: $346

STEP NO. 2: OPEN ANOTHER CHECKING ACCOUNT

It’s easiest if you open this at your current bank or credit union. Order checks for this new account, and have them personalized, including a line that says “freedom account.” You need two active checking accounts for this to work. Your regular checking account will continue to accommodate your monthly expenses and deposits.

STEP NO. 3: AUTHORIZE AN AUTOMATIC DEPOSIT

At the time you open this account, request an automatic deposit or money transfer authorization form. Fill it out, instructing the bank to transfer the monthly total of your irregular expenses (in our example, it is $346) from your regular checking account into your freedom account every month on the same day.

STEP NO. 4: GET A NOTEBOOK

Any three-ring binder will do. Fill it with paper. Prepare one page per subaccount you’ve chosen. Fill in the title of the subaccounts that you established in Step No. 1. Enter the amount to be deposited into that subaccount each month in the upper righthand corner. Prepare five columns for each subaccount: “date,” “description,” “in,” “out” and “balance.”

STEP NO. 5: MANAGE YOUR FREEDOM ACCOUNT

You now have a new regular monthly expense; in this case, it is $346. This is going to feel weird in the beginning. The truth is you are managing your money in a new way that puts you in control and reduces your dependence on credit.

Each month when that automatic money transfer happens, go to your freedom account notebook and enter the deposits on each page so you always know how much you have in each subaccount.

At times, you will be tempted to think of this new account as a savings account or investment holding tank. This is not a savings account. It’s a management account from which you are going to pay your irregular expenses using the checkbook you got when you opened it.

You may be tempted to skip funding your savings or emergency fund in favor of your freedom account. Do not do that. Scrimp wherever you must to free up funds for your freedom account every month while continuing to grow your savings.

Your new freedom account will give

NUTRITION NEWS

Plants and Breast Cancer

But there were no protective benefits seen among older women whose primarily plant-based diet had a heavy reliance on fruit juices, refined grains, sugar-sweetened beverages and desserts. That type of diet, although plant-based, raised breast cancer risk by about 20%.

What we eat matters, whether it’s plant-forward or not, and in particular, how much fiber is included in your diet. Researchers explained that the high fiber content of the healthier plant-based diet helped lower cancer risk due to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Q and A

Q: What are some of the health benefits of flaxseed?

A: Flaxseed is high in dietary fiber (helpful in preventing constipation) and contains the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (considered a healthy fat that helps reduce cholesterol and prevent hardening of the arteries). Flaxseed also contains phytoestrogen compounds called lignans that may be health-promoting. Additionally, flaxseed may have an-

new meaning to the term “ebb and flow.” It will accumulate big balances and then drop to hardly anything. But that’s the way it’s supposed to work. It is strictly a financial management tool that is going to make you feel confident and very grown up.

Don’t be hesitant to establish lots of subaccounts, even if you are unable to fund all of them in the beginning. It’s OK to have pages with zero balances for now, so dream big. Design with the future in mind!

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

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ti-inflammatory properties. Mix it in your oatmeal, add it to a smoothie or sprinkle over yogurt.

RECIPE

Temperatures have been turned up over most of the country, and that means we’re looking for recipes that don’t heat up the kitchen. Here’s a salad from Ellie Krieger’s “The Food You Crave.” It’s a good source of fiber, vitamin A, potassium, vitamin C and vitamin K. The sweetness from the carrots is balanced by the tart apples, yogurt and cider vinegar.

CARROT, GREEN APPLE AND MINT SALAD

Servings: 4

1/3 cup plain nonfat yogurt or 1/4 cup plain Greek-style nonfat yogurt

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

1 teaspoon honey

1 pound carrots, peeled and trimmed

1 Granny Smith apple, cored

2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint Salt to taste

If using regular yogurt, place the yogurt in a strainer lined with a paper towel. Set the strainer over a bowl and let the yogurt drain and thicken for 30 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk together the drained or Greek-style-yogurt and mayonnaise until smooth. Whisk in the lemon juice, vinegar and honey. In a food processor, first grate the carrots and then the apple. Transfer them to a large serving bowl and stir to combine. Pour the dressing over the carrot mixture and toss to coat. Roughly chop the mint and add it to the salad. Season with salt. This salad will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for about 3 days. Serves 4. Serving size: 1/2 cup.

Per serving: 130 calories; 2 grams protein; 19 grams carbohydrate; 6 grams fat (1 gram saturated); 3 milligrams cholesterol; 134 milligrams sodium.

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

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of May 4-10, 2025

OK, I admit I may not remember where my car is parked, but I sure recall my grade school planetarium field trips like they just occurred. These were some of the highlights of my youth, and they played a huge role in my decadeslong career as a planetarium astronomer.

It was great fun seeing the stars and constellations projected onto the overhead dome while the lecturer pointed them out and told stories about those visible that night. Equally enjoyable -- at least for me -- was to race outdoors after dinner to check them all out in the real night sky!

One of my favorite star groupings of springtime was the Big Dipper. This group of seven stars is part of a larger constellation known as Ursa Major, the Great Bear, but tracing a bear is not for impatient stargazers. From my backyard, I could always count on the Dipper to be hovering over my house to the north. But what I learned from the planetarium was how to use the Dipper to find other stars in the sky.

Of course, its “pointer stars” direct us to Polaris and other stars, something I’ve written about recently. But I remember one planetarium show when the astronomer showed even more. He traced the curving arc of the Dipper’s handle away from its bowl and demonstrated how to find two even brighter stars.

STARGAZERS

Follow the Arc to Arcturus ...

I remember he said, “Just follow this arc toward Arcturus ... then speed on to Spica.” Well, that was pretty cool, and that evening, I was able to do exactly that. Equally fun, though, was learning a bit about each of these two stars.

Yellowish-orange Arcturus is the fourth-brightest star in all the heavens and lies only about 37 lightyears from us. It’s an immense star -- a red giant, we call it -- about 25 times larger, and about 170 times more radiant, than our sun.

Arcturus was one of the first stars ever to receive a proper name. In ancient times, it was known as the “Watcher” or the “Guardian”; Arab stargazers knew it by two names, which translate as “the Lance-Bearer” and “the Keeper of Heaven.” Today, we use a name that comes from the ancient Greek word Arktouros, meaning “Bear Guard”; quite appropriate since it never strays from the great celestial bear.

Nearby, bluish-white Spica is estimated to lie about 250 lightyears from Earth, but it’s not just a single star. The light we see from Spica comes from the combined light of two stars that orbit one another every four days. Together they produce about 12,100 times more luminosity than the sun.

Spica was an important star in ancient days too. Around 3,200 B.C., the temple at Thebes was oriented to Spica and, in the second century B.C., Hipparchus used the star to discover the wobble of the Earth’s axis (known

as precession).

If you’re not sure you’ve found Spica, the waxing gibbous moon will help on May 10, when it will appear nearby.

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

“What’s in the bag?” I asked my mother as she got into the car. She had just come out of the hair salon and apparently had been talked into buying some hair products.

“New shampoo,” she said with some excitement. “My old shampoo was terrible. It really dried out my hair.”

“What brand were you using?” I asked. She thought for a moment. She seemed unable to come up with the name.

“Um ... Freaken shampoo,” she finally said.

I snorted. I knew she meant a different shampoo but had mangled the name. My mother was notorious for this, but she denied it vehemently, so I decided to have a little fun with her.

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

The Dipper, Arcturus and Spica will appear higher in the sky each evening for the next few months and will offer a beautiful sight all spring and summer.

Once you locate the Big Dipper in the sky, it can be used to find the stars Arcturus and Spica.

LOST IN SUBURBIA

A Shampoo by Any Other Name

“So that freakin’ shampoo dried out your hair?” I asked her.

“Yes,” she said.

“Did you try using some freakin’ conditioner?” I asked.

“Yes, but it’s too heavy,” she said. “It weighs down my hair.”

“You know, Mom,” I said, smiling, “if the freakin’ shampoo you’re using dries out your hair, you can try another freakin’ shampoo. Maybe some other freakin’ shampoo would work better for you. There’s a whole line of freakin’ shampoos out there you can get.”

“That’s true,” she said.

“And you might want to try some freakin’ conditioner too,” I suggested.

“Just ‘cause one freakin’ conditioner doesn’t work for you, doesn’t mean there isn’t some other freakin’ conditioner that would help your hair.”

“I do use a Freaken hair gel, that

is pretty good,” said my mother. “I don’t like the Freaken mousse, but the Freaken gel gives my hair lots of body.”

“What about the freakin’ hairspray?” I asked.

“I don’t really like the smell,” she responded.

“But all the freakin’ products have the same freakin’ smell,” I said. “The freakin’ hairspray smells like the freakin’ shampoo.”

“Really?” she said. “I like the smell of the Freaken shampoo.”

I laughed out loud.

“What’s so funny?” she asked.

“This whole freakin’ conversation!” I shouted. She stared at me as though I’d lost my mind.

“We’re just talking about shampoo,” she said.

“Freakin’ shampoo,” I clarified.

“Right,” she said.

“Freakin’ shampoo and freakin’ conditioner and freakin’ hair gel and freakin’ hair spray.”

“Yeah?” ...

“There is no FREAKEN shampoo,” I said. “You combined John FRIEDA and REDKEN to make Freaken!”

I saw understanding creep across her face and I cracked up. She looked at me and raised one eyebrow.

“You know what, Tray?” she said.

“What, Mom?”

“You’re a freakin’ pain in the neck.”

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

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GOT AN UNWANTED CAR??? Your car donation to Patriotic Hearts helps veterans find work or start their own business. Fast free pick. Running or not! Call 24/7: 1-888251-3135.

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Welcoming office space, 2-4 rooms, with storage space available within an existing healthcare practice. Healthcare practitioner not required.

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Have an outstanding GPA? Made the honor roll or Dean’s List?

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

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

VACATION RENTAL

COTTAGE NORTH FORK

SOUTHOLD

2 bedroom, 1.5 bath

Full eat-in kitchen, laundry in unit, Central A/C.

Located on a quiet block with beautiful water views. Situated within walking distance to the beach and just a short drive to town, restaurants, and the North Fork’s famous vineyards.

Spacious outdoor patio with seating, perfect for entertaining.

Weber grill, fire pit. Kayaks and Paddleboard included.

For photos and availability, Contact: 516-312-3837

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You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-920-9937

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the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682

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Don’t Accept the insurance company’s first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider

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We’re looking for writers in our community to compose ar ticles on local topics, opinions, reviews, noteworthy 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

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CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

Whip up a quick pasta salad with ingredients fresh from the garden

Pasta Salad with Broad Beans, Tomatoes, Peppers, and Herbs

Makes 6 to 8 servings

Fresh produce is refreshing and delicious. Whether it’s recently plucked fruits or freshly harvested vegetables, these foods boast a flavor and nutritional profile unlike any other.

1 lb. farfalle pasta

4 vine tomatoes, diced

8 ounces broad beans

1 yellow pepper, diced

Comfort foods might reign supreme during colder winter months, but come spring and summer, lighter fare can be just what people need to maintain their energy and avoid feeling sluggish on warm days and nights. This

2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

1 sprig chopped thyme

1) Cook the farfalle in a large saucepan of salted, boiling water until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes.

2) Drain and refresh immediately in iced water.

3) Once cool, drain again and toss in a large mixing

recipe for “Pasta Salad with Broad Beans, Tomatoes, Peppers, and Herbs” courtesy of Lines+Angles offers a midday energy boost that can lighten your culinary load in the months to come.

1 small bunch chives, snipped

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Freshly ground black peppercorns

Salt

bowl with the vegetables and chopped herbs.

4) Add the olive oil, lemon juice and seasoning, tossing again thoroughly before serving.

Last Hope Part of the Chewy.com Rescue Program

If you haven’t tried Chewy.com yet for your pet food and supply purchases, this is a great time to check them out. Last Hope is part of their rescue program. For each new customer that makes a purchase, Last Hope will receive a $20 donation. Go to Last Hope’s Chewy page at https://www.chewy. com/g/last-hope-animal-rescue_b100553681 for info on Last Hope and to shop for items and necessities on the shelter’s wish list.

Bethpage HS hosts annual college fair

On Apr. 7, Bethpage High School hosted its annual college fair. More than 50 colleges and universities were represented.

On the evening of Apr. 7, Bethpage High School’s guidance department hosted its annual college fair, welcoming sophomores, juniors and their parents for a night dedicated to planning for the future.

The event, held in the high school gymnasium and auditorium, gave students and their families the opportunity to explore a wide range of postsecondary options and gather valuable insight into the college admissions process.

More than 50 colleges and universities were represented in the gymnasium, including Farmingdale State College, Hofstra University, LIU Post, Molloy University, Pace University, Stony Brook University and St. John’s University. Representatives from the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy were also on hand to share information about military pathways.

In addition to the college fair, families were invited to attend two informative workshops in the auditorium. Andrea Nadler of Hofstra University led a session titled “Writing the College Essay,” offering tips on how to craft a compelling personal statement. That presentation was followed by “College Testing: Cracking the Code,” presented by Tom Ehlers of Method Learning, which helped demystify standardized testing and offered strategies for success.

Bethpage Director of Guidance Thomas Kenny welcomed attendees and introduced both guest speakers, reminding families that Bethpage’s counseling center is available to support students every step of the way throughout the college admissions journey.

Representatives from the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy were also on hand to share information about military pathways.

Levittown Chamber installs new officers

On January 15, New York State Senator Steve Rhoads attended the Levittown Chamber of Commerce’s 64th Annual Installation of Officers and Directors ceremony where he had the privilege of administering the oath of office to incoming Chamber President William Powell. Joined by Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray, the senator congratulated all outgoing officers on a job well done and expressed gratitude for their leadership while wishing all incoming officers success as they commence their new terms. Other award recipients were recognized, including the President’s Award recipient Frank Mormando, the Citizenship Award recipient Les Rumel, the Organization Award recipient VFW Levittown –Island Trees Post No. 9592, and the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Louise Cassano. Senator Rhoads expressed his support for small businesses and how great it is to see them thriving in Levittown.

Town hiring assistants for summer tennis programs

The Town of Oyster Bay has openings available for tennis assistants in the Adult and Youth Tennis Programs, being held this summer at local Town parks.

“This fun summer job is ideal for a tennis-loving community member looking to build their resume while helping local youngsters or adults improve their game,” said Town Councilman Lou Imbroto. “Town tennis assistants have a lot of fun while receiving handson experience and making a difference in the lives of others.”

Tennis assistants for the Adult Program must be 18 or older and have at

least 2 years of experience participating on a tennis team. Applicants should also be available to work from May through September and be able to take direction from the head coach to facilitate drills.

Tennis assistants for the Youth Program must be 16 or older and have 1–2 years’ experience on a tennis team. The Youth Tennis Program runs from June 30 through August 14 (including any necessary makeups).

For more information, prospective applicants should contact the Town of Oyster Bay Department of Parks, Recreation Division, at (516) 797-7945.

Getting married?

BOE meeting highlights EdVenture Day

At the April 22 Bethpage Board of Education meeting—held this month at John F. Kennedy Middle School—board members, administrators and community members were treated to a special presentation highlighting the school’s first-ever “EdVenture Day,” an innovative event held in early March that invited students and teachers to connect through curiosity, creativity and collaboration.

Bethpage Union Free School District regularly rotates its board of education meetings among schools across the district, and Tuesday’s meeting spotlighted how these site-based meetings help celebrate the unique programming taking place across the community. JFK Principal Erin Hayes and Assistant Principal Anthony Murray led the evening’s feature presentation, introducing a student-driven recap of the day that was both informative and inspiring.

Ms. Hayes opened by describing the

Seventh grader Elaina Gardikas described a last-minute switch into the skincare session, which sparked her interest in the science behind beauty products and skin health.

structure of EdVenture Day: the schoolwide event began with a keynote address by guest speaker Mark Leinweaver, who spoke to students about “Why Character Matters.” From there, students participated in two “special interest” sessions of their choice, led by JFK teachers who stepped outside of their usual subject areas to share their personal passions and hobbies. Sessions ranged widely—from baking, crocheting, and bracelet making to fantasy football, video editing, Ozbots, yoga, indoor gardening, Star Lab and comedy improv.

In addition to the hands-on workshops, students also participated in CCC sessions—standing for “Country,” “College,” or “Community”—where they conducted independent research on colleges, countries, or aspects of the local Bethpage community. The day also included icebreaker activities, surveys for student feedback, and the use of personalized “passports” to

record reflections and collect stickers from each experience.

The highlight of Tuesday’s board meeting came as JFK students shared their personal experiences with the board. Eighth grader Anthony Rapacki presented a video montage of EdVenture Day, which he created after taking a video editing workshop with teacher Zach Levy. Sixth grader Antonio Veneziano shared insights from his CCC research on UCLA. Seventh grader Elaina Gardikas described a last-minute switch into the skincare session, which sparked her interest in the science behind beauty products and skin health.

Mr. Murray then introduced seventh graders Gavin Smith and Vincent Piper, two engineering students who teamed up with the indoor gardening workshop participants to design and 3D-print custom pots for their plants. Their collaboration became an exciting example of how interest areas could intersect, allowing students to

connect across different disciplines.

Ms. Hayes also acknowledged the contributions of seventh grader Hamnah Noor and sixth grader Diyaa Shah, who helped create the EdVenture Day presentation but were unable to attend the meeting. Also during the meeting, Superintendent David Schneider took a moment to recognize Ms. Mary Padalino, a health teacher at JFK, who was recently named Health Teacher of the Year by the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. Ms. Padalino was honored at a ceremony held at Adelphi University.

The board applauded the JFK team for their creativity and dedication, and celebrated EdVenture Day as a prime example of the district’s commitment to student engagement, connection and innovative learning.

Superintendent David Schneider took a moment to recognize Ms. Mary Padalino, a health teacher at JFK, who was recently named Health Teacher of the Year by the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

JFK Principal Erin Hayes led a presentation about the school’s inaugural “EdVenture Day”, an innovative event held in early March that invited students and teachers to connect through curiosity, creativity and collaboration.

The highlight of Tuesday’s board meeting came as JFK students shared their personal experiences with the board.

Mr. Murray then introduced seventh graders Gavin Smith and Vincent Piper, two engineering students who teamed up with the indoor gardening workshop participants to design and 3D-print custom pots for their plants.

Photos courtesy of Bethpage Union Free School District