Mid-Island Times (1/3/20) by Litmor Publishing

SERVING PLAINVIEW, HICKSVILLE, AND LEVIT TOWN

A STRONG START Free musical performances at libraries in January

The Division Avenue High School varsity cheerleading team earned first place in the small coed division at the Universal Cheerleaders Association’s Empire Regional championship. Pictured with cheer coaches Cristen Ronzo (back right) and Liz Lynch (left). Photo courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools

The varsity cheerleading team from Division Avenue High School had a triumphant start to their competition season. The team recently placed first at a Section 8 competition at Oceanside High School, executing a clean routine that was free from any deductions. The team’s high score will be averaged with the rest of their scores from throughout

the season. The top 50% of teams in their division will advance to the Nassau County Championships in March. The team has embarked on a new endeavor this year, competing in the coed division, with one male student-athlete on the team.

In addition, the team recently competed at the Universal Cheerleaders Associa-

tion’s Empire Regional championship, earning first place in the small coed division. This prestigious win is a first for the Dragon cheerleading program, coached by Cristen Ronzo and Liz Lynch, and it resulted in an automatic bid to compete at the UCA High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, FL this February.

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that its Department of Community and Youth Services will be offering free musical performances during the month of January 2020 at local libraries throughout the Town. This is a continuation of the 2019-2020 Distinguished Artists Concert Series, which will continue to run monthly through May 2020.

“The Town’s Distinguished Artists Concert Series has proven to be one of our most popular and enduring programs, as residents flock from all across the Town to see the free musical and dance performances scheduled each month for the enjoyment of our residents,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “I invite residents to take advantage of these four wonderful performances offered by the Town for free at local libraries throughout the month of January.”

Upcoming performances for January 2020 include:

• Sheri Miller – Honoring Women’s Voices in Music on Sunday, January 5, 2020 at 2 p.m. in the Hicksville Public Library.

• Bay Big Band – Pop Goes the Bay Big Band on Sunday, January 12, 2020 at 2:30 p.m. at the Farmingdale Public Library.

• Just 60’s - The Stories…The Songs! on Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. in the Massapequa Public Library.

• The History of Rock & Roll – A Trip Down Memory Lane Featuring the Music of the 50s, 60s, and 70s on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in the Hicksville Public Library.

The Distinguished Artists Concert Series is sponsored by the Cultural and Performing Arts (CAPA) Division of the Town of Oyster Bay’s Department of Community & Youth Services. For further information, please call (516) 797-7900 or visit www.oysterbaytown.com.

Meeting planned on Hicksville downtown project

The Nassau County Department of Public Works has scheduled a public meeting for Monday, January 6 to hear recommendations for traffic and pedestrian safety improvements within the Hicksville downtown area. The public will have an opportunity to comment and ask questions.

The meeting will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hicksville Community Center, 28 West Carl Street, Hicksville.

Plainview-Old Bethpage

Fall Varsity teams honored

The Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District’s John F. Kennedy High School recently announced that every fall interscholastic varsity athletic team was awarded the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s (NYSPHSAA) Scholar-Athlete Team Award. The award recognizes teams where 75% of the roster earn a cumulative team GPA of 90 or above.

In addition to the group’s academic success, 75% of all varsity student ath-

letes received the NYSPHSAA Individual Scholar Athlete Award. This award is given to any varsity student athlete who has individually achieved a GPA of 90 or above.

“These awards are a remarkable achievement for our interscholastic athletic teams and demonstrate a true commitment to education from our student athletes, coaches, teachers and staff,” said Dr. Lorna Lewis, Superintendent of the PlainviewOld Bethpage Central School District.

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Town: Recycle boxes this holiday season

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino (center) and Town Councilman Tom Hand (right) meet with local Plainview resident Daniel Alter (left) as they remind residents to recycle cardboard.

With Hanukkah and Christmas just days away, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Tom Hand remind residents in the Town of Oyster Bay’s sanitation districts to protect the environment by recycling cardboard this holiday season.

Supervisor Saladino said, “You can help protect the environment by recycling cardboard boxes and leaving them curbside on your regular recycling collection day. The Town of Oyster Bay is committed to being a regional recycling

leader and I thank you in advance for helping us reach that goal.”

“This holiday season, as you’re unwrapping and unpacking boxes and containers, remember that many, if not all of those items can be put out with your recyclables, which will directly translate to taxpayer savings while protecting our environment,” Councilman Hand added.

For more information about single stream recycling, please call (516) 6775745.

About to hit a milestone?

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

Long Island Blues Winter Hockey special tournament

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that the 10th Annual Town of Oyster Bay Long Island Blues Winter Classic will take place on Saturday, January 25. This special event showcases LI Blues hockey players with special needs enjoying a game they love verse three other teams from the tri-state area. The public is welcome to attend and admission is FREE. The tournament will consist of six games that will take place throughout the day between the four teams.

“The LI Blues is an inspiring hockey program in which children and young adults with developmental disabilities play ice hockey in a wonderful setting,” said Supervisor Saladino. “This LI Blues organization brings all the fun of playing ice hockey to athletes with special needs, and this Winter Classic Tournament is the perfect way to highlight their inspirational stories. Three other teams, the Connecticut Storm, the New Jersey Dare Devils and the Nova Cool Cats will be participating and the Town welcomes these teams to the Town of Oyster Bay. We invite residents to come to this event and cheer

on the LI Blues. Their commitment and dedication to the sport is uplifting.”

“The LI Blues organization is pleased to again be partnering with the Town of Oyster Bay to present the LI Blues Winter Classic,” Skip Theiss of LI Blues Special Hockey said. “We are very proud of our program which adapts the game of hockey to make it fun for players with special needs. The LI Blues Winter Classic is an outstanding piece of that program and we are thrilled to have it at the state-of-the-art Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center.”

The LI Blues Winter Classic is just one of the many special events held at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center. The facility offers public skating sessions, and serves as home to hockey clubs, figure skaters and special events throughout the year. The Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center is located at 1001 Stewart Avenue, adjacent to Bethpage Community Park.

For more information about the LI Blues Winter Classic and other programs at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center, please visit www.oysterbaytown.com or call (516) 433-RINK.

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VFW Post #4987 holds Christmas party

Members of the Bethpage Butehorn Brothers VFW Post #4987 at their Christmas party held at Palmer’s American Grille in Farmingdale.

The VFW Post #4987 recently held its Christmas party at Palmer's American Grille in Farmingdale. Members of the post enjoyed extraordinary food and service and expressed its appreciation to the restaurant’s management.

In addition to celebrating Christmas, the Post also celebrated the birthdays

of members George Hudak and Bud Rosch. Bud Rosch, one of the Post’s WWII members, celebrated his 99th birthday.

The Post welcomes any veterans who would like to become members. Please email GeorgeOHudak@gmail.com for information.

Division Avenue’s top seniors praised at Blue and Silver Luncheon

Thirty-seven of Division Avenue High School’s top achievers from the Class of 2020 were honored during the school’s annual Blue and Silver Luncheon on Dec. 5. Organized by student council advisers Lynn Castellano and Gerard Marzigliano, the room was beautifully decorated in Division Avenue pride with the help of the school’s guidance department.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tonie McDonald, members of central administration, district directors, building administrators, board members and select teachers proudly attended the luncheon to honor the seniors who have excelled academically and have served as positive school leaders during their high school careers. Guidance chairperson Mark Curtiss opened the luncheon by welcoming the special guests. Division Avenue High School Principal John Coscia followed by expressing how proud he was of the students and all they have done for the high school.

“They strive for outstanding academic achievement while also demonstrating exemplary character,” he said. “They set the bar extremely high for themselves, registering for and succeeding in the most rigorous Advanced Placement courses, college courses and extracurricular activities.”

Attendees participated in an engaging Kahoot! game with those at their tables. Using tablets, each group had to work together to answer questions about different colleges and universities. Students from the top tables received free Spirit Night tickets, while the winning staff members received Division Avenue High School lanyards.

Before enjoying the delicious food, each senior presented a PowerPoint slide which listed their top five schools, their intended major of study, favorite memory from Division Avenue High

School and what they will miss the most.

The district congratulates the following top students: Christian Aguilar, Syed Ahmed, Megan Avner, Alison Barry, Shawn Berman, Emily Bonacchi, Erin Cacciuttolo, Nicholas Ciotoli, Grace Connors, Jacquelyn Devaney, Leah Draluck, Mya Ferreiro, Emily Fuchs, Michael Giordano, Danielle Hegel, Shannon Hetzel, Ravneek Kaur, Jai Kaur, Samiullah Khan, Carol Kim, Khushi Kumar, Anjela Ladhar, Adriana Lemieux, Brennan Mulqueen, Oscar Ng, Connor Oliva, Kaitlyn O’Toole, Purva Padh, John Rasmussen, Nataly Rodriguez, Charlize Rojas, Victor Shin, Jaclyn Spector, Thomas Staab, Jacqueline Testamark, Abel Varghese and Laura Watson.

Photos courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools

Seniors Nataly Rodriguez (left) and Megan Avner at the Blue and Silver Luncheon.

The top 37 seniors from Division Avenue High School’s Class of 2020 were honored during the school’s Blue and Silver Luncheon. (Not pictured: Christian Aguilar, Michael Giordano and Shannon Hetzel)

Division Avenue High School Principal John Coscia addressed the students.

Senior Victor Shin shared his PowerPoint slide.

From left: Division Avenue High School Principal John Coscia, seniors Erin Cacciuttolo, Syed Ahmed and Emily Fuchs, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tonie McDonald and Board President Peggy Marenghi.

Spotlight on business: Donald Patane

SUBMITTED BY THE LEVITTOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Levittown Chamber of Commerce would like to introduce Donald Patane, CFS , a Financial Adviser and one of the founders of Main Street Financial Group. He is a long- time resident of Levittown and a Past President of Levittown Chamber of Commerce. Don currently serves on the Board of Directors. He has offices in Levittown and Kings Park. He generally meets clients at their home or place of business or any other location convenient for them. Don refers to himself as a “Financial Doctor” who makes house calls.

Don’s goal is to help make his clients financially secure through each phase

of his clients' lives. By emphasizing his clients' personal goals, objectives and risk tolerances as the driving forces behind his financial strategies, he helps them achieve a level of comfort regardless of the economic and financial conditions.

Patane is licensed to conduct securities/investment transactions in addition to being licensed in Life and Health insurance and thus Don helps clients with a variety of financial concerns including life insurance, disability and long-term care insurances, retirement planning (401k, IRA, Rollovers), college planning and general investments. Don's practice involves initially sitting with people to discuss their goals and desires in a free consultation. If he feels he can help, he will receive compensation from whichever companies and/or products he uses to find the best solution for the client. He generally does not charge the client a fee.

Patane is a member of the Levittown Kiwanis Club, Levittown Lions Club and Levittown Community Council. He is also an Ex Navy Lieutenant and is a member of American Legion Post 1711. In addition, he also belongs to several groups that help seniors and their needs.. Namely Senior Umbrella Networks of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens chapters, NAIPC (National Aging in Place) and Gerontology Professional of NY (for which he serves as Treasurer) .

Don can be contacted either at his Levittown office (516-579-6259) or his Kings Park office (631-269-2300 x108) or by email at dpatane@msfg.info

Kindergarten registration

If you have a child/children residing in the Levittown Public Schools born on or before December 1, 2015, they will be eligible for kindergarten for the 20202021 school year.

Please contact Arlene Mege at 516434-7058, Central Registration, at Levittown Memorial Education Center to place your name on the list to receive a kindergarten package for registration. All packages will be mailed out at the beginning of January in 2020. For more information, please visit the district’s website at levittownschools.com.

Levittown Chamber welcomes new member

Matthew DeGregorio – Former Post Commander of VFW Post 9592; Gary Tarlov – Cruise Planners –Embarknation LLC; Dr. Eric Yousha, D.O.; LaDonna Yousha –Office Manager at Levittown Family Medicine; Michael Levy – Minuteman Press; Robert L. Ryan, Esquire; William J. Powell – William J. Powell Associates; Louise Cassano – LuCas Communications; and Don Patane - Main Street Financial Group

BY TARA CASSANO

The Levittown Chamber of Commerce Officers and Board of Directors recently welcomed Dr. Eric Yousha, D.O. to the chamber. Dr. Yousha runs a family practice, Levittown Family Medicine in Levittown. For more information on Dr. Yousha’s practice, please visit levittownfm.com.

The Levittown Chamber of Commerce is currently accepting membership applications for 2020. The Levittown Chamber of Commerce offers a variety of service to its membership, including:

• Ribbon cuttings for new businesses as well as anniversary celebrations for existing businesses

• Regular monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of the month throughout the year, except in July, featuring professional speakers and offering excellent networking opportunities;

• A monthly Spotlight on Business column featuring a chamber member which appears in local community newspapers, the chamber website and Facebook and is e-mailed to the chamber membership.

• Regular advertising of our members in local newspapers;

• An annual Business to Community Expo offering exhibition opportunities to chamber members;

• Networking opportunities & events

• Membership in the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce and the Levittown Community Council;

• A working relationship with the various community organizations including the Nassau County Police Department, Levittown Fire Department, Wantagh-Levittown Volunteer Ambulance Corps,Levittown Property Owners Association Levittown Historical Society, Levittown-Island Trees Youth Council, local school boards, public libraries, veterans organizations, civic organizations and houses of worship;

• Discounted insurance exclusively for chamber members at Liberty Mutual Insurance.

Please visit levittownchamber.com for membership information.

Attention students!

Graduated from school? Have an outstanding GPA? Made the honor roll or the Dean’s List? Scored an internship or a 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!

Donald Patane, CFS

Hicksville Middle School students light up the holidays

Students in Victor Lam’s Wearable Electronics class at Hicksville Middle School recently created festive pop-up Christmas cards with LED lights to brighten up the holiday season. They created their projects from a circuit design template on card stock, copper tape, small LED lights and a battery. In many cases the LED lights served as the topper for a Christmas tree or a snow hat!

The Wearable Electronics course introduces students to the tools, materials and techniques necessary to cre-

ate interactive electronic circuits and embed them in clothing and other things that can be worn or used for a practical purpose.

The course gets students excited about e-textiles (digital fabrics) while broadening their participation in and perceptions of programming. They engage in basic sewing skills and circuit concepts, use conductive thread and stitch out simple circuits.

Some past projects created by Lam’s students include glow bots and wearable LED masks and bracelets.

A Hicksville Middle School student creates the inside of an LED Christmas card, one of many light-up projects made in the Wearable Electronics course.

Long Island Blues Winter Hockey special tournament

“The LI Blues is an inspiring hockey program in which children and young

adults with developmental disabilities play ice hockey in a wonderful setting,” said Supervisor Saladino. “This LI Blues organization brings all the fun of playing ice hockey to athletes with special needs, and this Winter Classic Tournament is the perfect way to highlight their inspirational stories. Three other teams, the Connecticut Storm, the New Jersey Dare Devils and the Nova Cool Cats will be participating and the Town welcomes these teams to the Town of Oyster Bay. We invite residents to come to this event and cheer on the LI Blues. Their commitment and

dedication to the sport is uplifting.”

The LI Blues Winter Classic is just one of the many special events held

at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center. The facility offers public skating sessions, and serves as home to hockey clubs, figure skaters and special events throughout the year. The Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center is located at 1001 Stewart Avenue, adjacent to Bethpage Community Park.

For more information about the LI Blues Winter Classic and other programs at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center, please visit www.oysterbaytown.com or call (516) 433-RINK. We’re

Victor Lam with a few of his students displaying the LED Christmas cards they made in his Wearable Electronics class at Hicksville Middle School.

Victor Lam demonstrates how to lay out copper tape on the design template for the pop-up LED Christmas cards his students made.

You get a taste of what to expect in Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (PMG) as you enter the South Street neighborhood. The creator, Isaiah Zagar, who has lived in the neighborhood since moving there with January 3, 2020

Philadelphia Offers Treasure Trove of History, Heritage, Culture: Magic Gardens, Franklin Institute

BY KAREN RUBIN

TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

Philadelphia is a jewel box of unique and spectacular, even lifeenhancing attractions, a trove of national treasures of history, heritage, culture that glitters particularly during the holidays. The holiday splendor is eye-catching and warms the heart, but any visitor still has to make time to experience first-hand at least some of these iconic places. I manage to bookend my holiday merrymaking with a mix of art (Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia Magic Gardens) with history (Independence Hall) with heritage (National Museum of American Jewish History) with science and enlightenment (Philly is the hometown of one of our most enlightened inventors, Ben Franklin), and so I end this visit with the Franklin Institute and can’t wait to come back.

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens

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twisted paths through layers and levels of Isaiah Zagar’s Magic Gardens of mosaics © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

Philadelphia Offers Treasure Trove of History, Heritage, Culture: Magic Gardens, Franklin Institute

Continued from page D1

his wife, Julia, in the late1960s when it was derelict and blighted, turned trash and broken walls into sparkling mosaic art. Otherwise forbidding narrow alleyways and whole sides of buildings twinkle with the pieces of broken mirrors and glass and humor (you can’t help but smile). But nothing prepares you for the awe you feel when you walk out of the two indoor galleries into the Magic Gardens.

Here is a riot of handmade tiles, bottles, bicycle wheels, mirrors, international folk art, recreated into walls, pathways, stairways, layers and levels. There is so much to explore and discover – not just visually, but emotionally. Woven into the art are Zagar’s profound, personal sayings, expressions, thoughts, feelings: “I build this sanctuary to be inhabited by my ideas and my

fantasies.” “Imagery which refuses to stabilize.” “The complexity of various problems. Rewind it.”

It’s called Magic Gardens even though there are no plants, flowers or trees. But you aren’t here long before you realize how it nonetheless is a living organic thing, where broken and discarded trash and objects considered valueless or past their useful life, get new life, purpose, meaning. And value.

The “magic” is how the objects are re-animated – an expression of creativity, infusion of imagination. ”The Garden” grows organically, as if living organism.

“It is one man’s vision, process, style,” Elisabeth Carter (Lis), a Magic Gardens guide, tells me. “He had assistants. Most of the smaller figurines and sculpture were made by Mexican folk artists and couple of local artists, especially the Aguilar family. Others helped

make some of the tiles – including First Lady Michelle Obama (there is a letter that she sent to the Gardens).

“It is still a work in progress – new pieces are added – plus it is outdoors, so weather (snow/ice) is factor. We have a full-time preservation team of thee who maintain, repair, and document new folk art.

“He’s interested in how things wear, fade, and change over time – things are constantly changing, new things added – like a breathing animal.

Zagar brings the art form of mosaic to a whole different dimension. “Zagar is known for mosaics. He uses things that others think are trash or have no value. He is inspired by the Hindu God Shiva – the god of destruction and transformation.”

Zagar, who is 80 years old now, studied art at the Pratt Institute, Lis says, “but painting wasn’t fulfilling. He Is bipolar; he used mosaics as mental health therapy. Small, broken pieces of tile people were throwing away, he found satisfying to build into something positive and beautiful.”

Lis points me to a small sculpture which is a self-portrait, depicting the artist with three arms.

There must be thousands and thousands of objects here. You first see what is in front of you as a whole, but then your eye goes to sections, narrower and narrower, until you spend time searching and discovering individual objects. And what you see, what you experience would always be different – with light, time of day, weather affecting the colors and textures.

You have to walk through at least twice: the first time is very sensory, overload. The second time, you can focus more. You walk through an alley of art, curved paths, you see things differently from every angle, every step. Like a Japanese Garden, you cannot see the whole thing at once, and you don’t know what to expect beyond. It’s a carnival of art, a riot of color, texture, shapes and subjects that dazzle the eye and the brain and stir the heart.

“Zagar has devoted himself to beautifying the South Street neighborhood since the late 1960s, when he moved to the area with his wife, Julia. The couple helped spur the revitalization of the area by renovating derelict buildings and adding colorful mosaics on both private and public walls. The Zagars, teamed with other artists and activists, transformed the neighborhood into a prosperous artistic haven and successfully led protests against the addition of a new highway that would have eliminated South Street. This period of artistic rebirth was coined the ‘South Street Renaissance.’ After the street was saved, Zagar continued creating mosaic murals, resulting in hundreds of public artworks over the next five decades.

“In 1991, Zagar started working on the vacant lots located near his studio at 1020 South Street. He first mosaicked the buildings on either side of the property, then spent years sculpting multi-layer walls out of found objects. In 2004, the Boston-based owner of the lots discovered Zagar’s installation and decided to sell the land,

calling for the work to be dismantled. Unwilling to witness the destruction of the now-beloved neighborhood art environment, the community rushed to support the artist. His creation, newly titled Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, quickly became incorporated as a nonprofit organization with the intention of preserving the artwork at the PMG site and throughout the South Street region. Zagar was then able to develop the site even further; excavating tunnels and grottos.”

Philadelphia Magic Gardens opened to the public in 2008, giving visitors the opportunity to participate in tours, art activities, hands-on interpretive experiences, workshops, concerts, exhibi-

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

tions, and more. Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is open Wednesday-Monday, 11 am – 6 pm, closed Tuesdays. (1020 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147, 215-733-0390, www.phillymagicgardens.org)

I continue my walk to the Franklin Institute, all the while coming upon the fantastic public art throughout the city – magnificent murals that decorate buildings, that reflect and speak to that particular neighborhood and inspire with their beauty and their message. No doubt a public art movement inspired by Isaiah Zagar.

There is also Philadelphia’s “Museum Without Walls” of sculptures and art work throughout the city (an

audio tour is available, www.museumwithoutwallsaudio.org, 215-399-9000).

Franklin Institute

As you enter Franklin Institute. beneath a giant moon there is a sensational lighted statue of America’s first scientist and Philadelphia’s Favorite Founding Father, Ben Franklin, who inspired the institute’s founding in 1824. During the course of a few hours, I travel to outer space in search of life; walk through a human heart; tangle in neurons of the human brain; visit one of the earliest steam engines; and try to unravel the mystery (to me, anyway) of electricity.

“If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe,” Carl Sagan said, the

WRITER’S CORNER

quote opening the movie in the Fels Planetarium, one of the first ever built, that dates from 1933.

Founded in honor of America’s first scientist, Benjamin Franklin, The Franklin Institute is one of the oldest and premier centers of science education and development in the country. Today, the Institute continues its dedication to public education and fostering a passion for science by offering new and exciting access to science and technology in ways that would dazzle and delight its namesake.

Everything about the Franklin Institute is designed to engage, immerse, interact.

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Martin Luther King, Jr.’s message for all people

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

January 20 is a national holiday, a time to remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal offices and schools will be closed and it is a good time to remember what Dr. King was all about.

The Atlanta, Ga., native was a minister, humanitarian, activist and leader of the Civil Rights Movement. On December 10, 1964, MLK received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work for equality in the U.S. Michael King was born on January 15, 1929. His father would later change both of their names to Martin.

On September 20, 1944, King entered Morehouse College in Atlanta. He was 15 years old. After receiving his sociology degree from Morehouse College in 1948, King was awarded a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pa. in 1951.

He later received his doctoral degree in theology from Boston University in June 1955.

At Crozer Theological Seminary King won the Plafker Award as the outstanding student of the graduating class, and the J. Lewis Crozer Fellowship as well. It was during his three years studying at Crozer Theological Seminary that King first heard about Mahatma Gandhi’s use of non-violence to persuade people to change.

A speech by Mordecai Johnson, then-president of Howard University, had a major impact on King. Johnson had just returned from India and had come back excited about stories of Mahatma Gandhi’s successful struggle for Indian independence.

Fascinated by Gandhi’s use of non-violent non-cooperation as a form of protest, the young theological student bought every book he could find about the Indian leader who had defeated the British Empire with passive resistance and a spinning wheel. As he read, he became convinced that Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence was “the only logical approach to the solution of the race prob-

lem in the U.S.”

In June 1953 Martin Luther King, Jr. married Coretta Scott at the Scott home near Marion, Alabama. Martin Luther King, Sr. performed the marriage ceremony.

M.L. King, Jr. then decided to return south to become the pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala. There he made his first mark on the civil rights movement by mobilizing the black community during a 382-day boycott of the city’s bus lines. King overcame arrest and other violent harassment, including the bombing of his home.

A national hero and a civil-rights figure of growing importance, in 1957 King called together a number of black leaders and laid the groundwork for the organization now known as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. King was elected its president, and he soon began helping

Washington where he delivered one of the most passionate addresses of his career. Time magazine designated him as its Person of the Year for 1963. A few months later he was named the recipient of the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize. When he returned from Norway, where he had gone to accept the award, King took on new challenges.

In Selma, Ala., he led a voter registration campaign that ended in the Selma-toMontgomery Freedom March. King next brought his crusade to Chicago where he launched programs to rehabilitate the slums and provide housing.

Although he was trying to create a new coalition based on equal support for peace and civil rights, King’s beliefs about the Vietnam War caused issues. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) saw King’s shift of emphasis as “a serious tactical mis-

other communities organize their own protests against discrimination.

After finishing his first book and making a trip to India, King returned to the U.S. in 1960 to become the co-pastor, with his father, of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.

Three years later, King’s nonviolent tactics were put to their most severe test in Birmingham during a mass protest for fair hiring practices and the desegregation of department store facilities. King was arrested during the protest but it was this time that he wrote “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.”

Later that year King was a principal speaker at the historic March on

take.” The Urban League warned that the “limited resources” of the civil rights movement would be spread too thin.

But King’s timing historically was right on point. Students, professors, intellectuals, clergymen and reformers rushed into the movement. Then King turned his attention to the domestic issue that he felt was directly related to the Vietnam struggle - poverty. He called for a guaranteed family income, he threatened national boycotts and he spoke about disrupting entire cities by nonviolent “camp-ins.”

With this in mind, Martin Luther King, Jr. began to plan a large march of the poor on Washington, D.C., envisioning a demonstration that would be huge

and have an impact.

King interrupted these plans to lend his support to the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike. He wanted to discourage violence and he wanted to focus national attention on the plight of the poor, unorganized workers of the city. The men were bargaining for basic union representation and long-overdue raises.

He never got to speak on the night of April 4, 1968. King had flown to Memphis International Airport the day before and while standing outside on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel with Jesse Jackson and Ralph Abernathy, an assassin named James Earl Ray shot King.

His death caused a wave of violence in major cities across the country. King’s legacy has lived on, however. In 1969, Coretta Scott King, his widow, organized the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change in Atlanta. (seattletimes.com)

As many people have said, Dr. King was willing to risk his life for what he believed in because he recognized that with injustice and inequality, there was no true freedom. He summoned his inner strength to apply maximum effort and each day he was determined to live out his dream.

About the civil rights movement Dr. King once said, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

What separated Martin Luther King, Jr. from those who came before him, and anyone who has come after him, was his ability to use passion to energize his dream but not to let it take away from his ability to stay focused and continue forging ahead. King knew that in order to achieve equality and civil rights for African-Americans and all Americans, he needed to be courageous and level-headed.

Empathy and a positive attitude were King’s most powerful weapons for fight-

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BY TOM MARGENAU

It has been my custom for most of the past 23 years to write a year-end column that summarizes the Social Security changes and updates scheduled to take place the following year.

Almost all Social Security beneficiaries are familiar with the most popular and publicized upcoming change: the increase in monthly benefit checks for 2020 due to the automated cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. In fact, Social Security recipients have probably already received a letter from the Social Security Administration telling them of the expected increase.

All Social Security checks are going up 1.6% in 2020. The COLA is based on something called the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. This is the official measuring stick SSA has used to determine COLAs for the past 46 years. If you want to learn more about this measure, check out the website of the folks who maintain it: the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You’ll find them at https://www.bls.gov.

I always dread mentioning COLAs in this column because every single time I do, I am flooded with emails from readers complaining that the increase is not enough. (Maybe not unexpectedly, not once in 23 years has anyone ever written to me to say that their COLA increase was too high!)

Yet here’s the rub: Many economists and social planners believe Social Security COLAs are too generous! (I’ve explained why in past columns, but I don’t have the space to get into that argument today.) That’s why most discussions of long-range reform for Social Security include proposals to reduce cost-of-living increases.

OK, back to the 2020 Social Security COLA. Due to these increases, the average monthly retirement check will be $1,503 in 2020, a $24 increase from the 2019 level. The maximum Social Security check for a worker retiring at age 66 next year will be $3,011, compared to $2,861 in 2019. And please note that $3,011 is the maximum for someone turning 66 next year. That does not mean it is the maximum Social Security payment anyone can receive. There are millions of Social Security beneficiaries who get much more than that, primarily because they work well past age 66 and/or delay starting their benefits until age 70.

Although this is a Social Security column, I must mention the upcoming increase in the Medicare Part B premium, which is deducted from Social Security checks for most people. In 2020, the basic Part B premium will be $144.60, a $9.10 increase from the 2019 rate. Some people will pay less than that because of the muddled mess involving the “hold harmless” provision of the law that essentially says an increase in the Part B premium cannot reduce the net amount of your monthly Social Security check. And wealthy people

Social Security Update for 2020

will pay more than the basic premium -- as much as $491.60 per month for the richest Americans.

I don’t want to get into this complicated issue of Medicare premiums other than to make this quick point. Even though they are linked in the minds of most senior citizens, Social Security and Medicare are entirely separate programs, administered by entirely separate federal agencies, and they have entirely separate rules and regulations regarding their benefit and payment structures. For example, I already explained how Social Security COLAs are figured. Part B Medicare premium increases have nothing to do with the consumer price index. Instead, they must be set at a level that covers 25% of the cost of running the program. (Taxpayers pick up the remaining 75%.)

Another measuring stick called the “national wage index” is used to set increases to other provisions of the law that affect Social Security beneficiaries and taxpayers. Specifically, this includes increases in the amount of wages or self-employment income subject to Social Security tax -- the amount of income needed to earn a “quarter of coverage” -- and the Social Security earnings penalty limits.

The Social Security taxable earnings base will go up from $132,900 this year to $137,700 in 2020. In other words, people who earn more than $137,700 next year will no longer have Social Security payroll taxes deducted from their paychecks once they hit that threshold. This has always been a very controversial provision of the law. (Bill Gates pays the same amount of Social Security tax as his plumber!) Normally, I would bet my next pension check that any eventual Social Security reform package will include a sharp increase in that wage base. But with the anti-tax Republicans controlling the Senate and the White House, I’m not so sure.

Most people need 40 Social Security work credits (sometimes called “quarters of coverage”) to be eligible for monthly benefit checks from the system. In 2019, people who were working earned one credit for each $1,360 in Social Security taxable income. But no one earns more than four credits per year. In other words, once you made $5,440, your Social Security record has been credited with the maximum four credits or quarters of coverage. Next year, the one credit limit goes up to $1,410, meaning you will have to earn $5,640 in 2020 before you get the maximum four credits assigned to your Social Security account.

People under age 66 who get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits but are still working are subject to limits in the amount of money they can earn and still receive all their Social Security checks. That limit was $17,640 this year and will be $18,240 in 2020. For every $2 a person earns over those limits, $1 is withheld from his or her monthly benefits.

There is a higher earnings threshold in the year a person turns 66 that applies from the beginning of the year until the month the person turns 66. (The income penalty goes away once a person reaches that full retirement age.) That threshold goes up from $46,920 in 2019 to $48,600 next year.

A couple of other Social Security provisions are also impacted by inflationary increases. For example, people getting disability benefits who try to work can generally continue getting those benefits as long as they are not working at a “substantial” level. In 2019, the law defined substantial work as any job paying $1,220

or more per month. Next year, that substantial earnings level increases to $1,260 monthly.

Finally, the Supplemental Security Income basic federal payment level for one person goes up from $771 this year to $783 in 2020. SSI is a federal welfare program administered by the SSA, but it is not a Social Security benefit. It is paid for out of general revenues, not Social Security taxes.

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has the answer. Contact him at thomas.margenau@comcast.net.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

C ontinued from page D3

ing to achieve equal rights for people who never had them. King followed through on what he said he would do, making him a man of his word and a hero to people around the world.

Maya Angelou, the famous poet who was born Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, knew Dr. King.

Angelou remembered King as a “prince of peace.” She added, “He literally believed in peace.” There was work to be done in the area of civil rights but progress was being made.

Angelou was cooking food in her New York City apartment on the day that Dr. King was killed. It was her 40th birthday and some friends were coming over. Her friend, Dolly, arrived and broke the news that King had been shot in Memphis.

When the truth sank in, Angelou ran out of her apartment and, with her neighbors, walked to Harlem to mourn King’s death, according to her biography written by Donna Brown Agins.

“Life stopped for me for a few days,” Angelou said. “Just terrible. I couldn’t believe that this great man’s great dreams - great dreamer, this person who dared to love everybody - could be killed before he could realize his dream.”

Angelou, who died in 2014, didn’t celebrate her own birthday for years because it was a painful reminder of King’s death. But for over 30 years, she and King’s widow, Coretta Scott King, would meet, call or send each other flowers every April 4.

In 1960, after hearing Dr. King deliver a speech in Harlem, Angelou was inspired to join the civil rights movement. She and comedian Godfrey Cambridge staged the play “Cabaret for Freedom” and proceeds from the production went to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which King helped organize and served as its first president.

She later became northern coordinator for the SCLC and two months into her tenure, Angelou met King during one of his visits to New York.

Angelou went on to become famous with her first memoir, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” which was published the year after King’s death and with the encouragement of her friend the novelist James Baldwin.

In 1993, she became the first African American and first woman to read at a presidential inauguration, when she recited her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” for President Clinton’s first swearing-in. (latimes.com)

In “Rainbow in the Cloud,” a memoir published after her death, she wrote about Dr. King: “It is a great blessing to have lived in the time of Martin Luther King Jr., when forgiveness and generosity of spirit encouraged our citizenry to work for a better world for everybody.”

Representative Elijah Cummings, the

Congressman from Maryland, was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1951 and he died in October 2019 at the age of 68. At a young age a school counselor told him that he was a poor learner and should give up any dream he had of becoming a lawyer.

That only made Cummings more determined to learn. He became a lawyer and a judge, too.

He graduated with honors from the Baltimore City College high school in 1969. He then attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he served in the student government as sophomore class president, student government treasurer and later student government president. He became a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.

Cummings graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1976, and was admitted to the bar in Maryland later that year. He practiced law for 19 years before first being elected to the House in the 1996 elections. He served Maryland’s 7th Congressional District for more than 20 years.

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in 2019, Congressman Cummings released a statement to honor King’s legacy. Cummings said that King worked tirelessly to promote political, economic and social justice for all Americans.

“Dr. King engaged in the never-ending work of perfecting our Democracy, and he called upon our nation to offer far more opportunity and hope to all the Americans who - regardless of their racial background - were being disparaged and dismissed by our society,” Cummings wrote.

“Today, we must carry Dr. King’s vision forward and fight to expand voting rights. And on this day of remembrance and celebration, I urge all my fellow Americans to carry Dr. King’s dream in their hearts and work towards building a more fair, equal and just society.”

On this holiday we remember Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and all of the lessons he taught us.

Crossword Answers

GOING PLACES,

Brain circuits become a climbing gym in Franklin Institute © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

At Franklin Institute’s special exhibition, “Worst Case Scenario,” learn how to jump from a moving train car, pick a lock, escape from quicksand, survive an avalanche, and more in the 13 challenges that fill the Survival Gymnasium, which offers step by step instructions, expert advice, and the training to build the worstcase survival skills. (photo courtesy of Franklin Institute).

Philadelphia Offers Treasure Trove of History, Heritage, Culture

This is exemplified in the special exhibition on view through April 12, 2020, the world-premiere exhibition of “The Worst Case Scenario Survival Experience,” based on the best-selling survival handbook series. The exhibit showcases strategies of survival and elements of escape in the form of a handson, minds-on logical series of immersive challenges providing the essential instructions for surviving unexpected but possible real-life scenarios with countless moments of excitement and levity throughout.

Learn how to jump from a moving train car, pick a lock, escape from quicksand, survive an avalanche, and more in the thirteen challenges that fill the Survival Gymnasium, which offers step by step instructions, expert advice, and the training to build the worst-case survival skills.

Tools for extreme survival, includ-

Ben Franklin sitting beneath the moon makes for a dramatic entrance to the Franklin Institute © Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com

ing counterintuitive uses for everyday items are on display, plus graphics that share how to identify anxiety and fear within the body and uncover how stress, physical exhaustion, and disorientation can make an activity, like surviving, more challenging.

Samuel Vaughan Merrick and William H. Keating founded The Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts in 1824. The Franklin Institute science museum opened to the public on January 1, 1934, calling itself a “Wonderland of Science,” and was one of the first museums in the nation to offer a hands-on approach to learning about the physical world. It has been expanded over the years to contain more than 400,000 square feet of exhibit space, two auditoriums, and the Tuttleman IMAX Theater –becoming the most visited museum in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a top-five tourist destination in the City of Philadelphia, and one of the leading science centers in the country.

The Institute also operates the Fels Planetarium, the second oldest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. The Institute is home to the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial, which was fully restored in 2010 and which is open free to the public. It is one of just a handful of national memorials in the custody of a private institution.

The new 53,000-square-foot Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion which opened in June 2014, houses a STEM education and conference center, a climate-controlled traveling exhibition gallery, and (an amazing) new permanent exhibit Your Brain, in which visitors can explore neuroscience and their own senses.

Franklin Institute, 222 North 20th St., 215-448-1200, www.fi.edu

Staying at The Roost East Market apartment hotel really enabled us to be part of the city, most of what we wanted to see within walking distance. It’s not hyperbole to say the comfort of a fully-equipped, gorgeously furnished apartment meets luxury amenities of a boutique hotel. All of the apartments feature full-size kitchens with cookware and utensils (I especially love not having to go out for breakfast) and king size beds. A third-floor is devoted to guest amenities including a well-equipped 24-hour fitness center, magnificent and comfortable lounge areas and library, a huge demo kitchen, a private screening room, an outside, 20-meter heated lap pool, barbecue area, landscaped terrace, community vegetable garden;

C ontinued from page D3

GOING PLACES, NEAR &

and bike-share program. There is also 24-hour front desk and concierge, security (you need your card to access the elevator and public areas); and direct access to a parking garage. They even arrange dog-walking and grocery delivery services. (The Roost East Market, 1199 Ludlow Street Philadelphia, PA 19107, 844-697-6678, https://myroost. com/philadelphia/east-market/).

Well, there are 7 more days as of the writing of this column to 2019! What a year and all its turmoil, tragedies and positive and happy times.

To start off the year, January 2, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple reported international sales of iPhones to China were down, which rocked international stock exchanges.

Nancy Pelosi is re-elected by Congress on January 3, a second time as Speaker of the House. On January 3, a docuseries on R. Kelly, R & B singer’s purported sexual abuse of women, premieres on Lifetime TV. Roger Feder wins a few amazing tennis tournaments. Golden State and Sacramento hit for (41) 3 pointers to set a new NBA record for three-pointers and Stephen Curry hits for pointers, (10) 3 pointers; but Golden State sneaks by Sacramento, to win 127-123.

Japan’s Emperor, Akihito with Empress Michiko abdicate his reign and gets permission to step down and allow his son to take over Japan as the oldest ruling monarchy, which hasn’t happened in 200 years.

President Trump announces the shutdown of our government and the border wall. On January 15, a witness in the El Chapo Guzman trial, claims former Mexican President Enrique Peña accepted a 100 million bribe from the drug cartel head.

British Prime Minister, Theresa May’s Brexit deal with the European Union, overwhelmingly fails with her UK Parliament with the greatest defeat in its democratic history. Unfortunately, due to this critical defeat, she resigned on May 24.

On Feb 3, Pope Francis arrives in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates on the first-ever papal excursion to the area. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders announce their runs for President. Swedish teenager, Greta Thunberg holds strikes to protest Global Warming takes place around the Globe and she continues her crusade throughout the year.

On March 21 New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden announces a ban on military-style weapons, 6 days after the Christ Church terrorist attack. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada (the 2nd youngest

A Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package includes overnight free parking and perks, and is bookable at Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website, visitphilly.com, 800-537-7676 where you can explore things to do,

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REAL ESTATE WATCH

A recap of the events of 2019

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

ever elected, and (whose father, Pierre Trudeau was also Prime Minister from, 1968–1979 and then again, 1979-1984) proposed a ban on single-use plastics by 2021.

On June 11, Comedian Jon Stewart addresses Congress in a very heated speech to Congress for the lack of funds to 1st responders into the 911 World Trade Tower tragedies and to extend benefits to them. June 15, Babe Ruth’s sports jersey sells for an unprecedented sum of 5.64 million dollars, the highest amount in the history of sports memorabilia.

and friends for a holiday party on December 21. He told me that he had bought the ½ acre plot of land 16 years ago for $6000, to build a brand new home, as I was falling off my chair due to the shock of what he had paid!

Even 16 years ago, there were very few communities on Long Island in an excellent school district (as his was), where one could pay that pittance of an amount of money, let alone for that size of land! I went on to have a discussion as to what his real estate taxes were and he responded $9200.

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

On October 15, Turkey launches airstrikes on Kurdish forces in Northern Syria after President Trump makes a decision to pull back our forces.

October 13, U.S. athlete, Simone Biles becomes the most decorated gymnast in history when she wins her record 25th medal on the balance beam at the world championships in Stuttgart, Germany. October 26, a raid by US Special Forces kills ISIS founder Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in Syria.

On October 27, Tiger Woods scores a last-minute 3-stroke win over Hideki Matsuyama at the inaugural Zozo Championship at Accordia Golf and Country Club to tie Sam Snead’s record 82 PGA victories. Dec 11, climate activist Greta Thunberg is named Time magazine’s Person of the Year. December 12, England’s General Election, Boris Johnson’s won a landslide election as well as The National Party in Scotland. There were many, many other events of importance, but since this is supposed to be a Real Estate/Business column and my editor Steven Blank wants me to focus on that category, but I felt compelled to recap 2019 and maybe next week if it’s ok Steve? I will add more “standout events” of 2019 as we close this eventful year!

The relationship of land vs location

However, I just want to convey some information about the relationship between land values in Long Island compared to Hainesport, NJ, where my nephew, Ross Berkey resides, where I had traveled to visit him and his family

It blew me away, considering his colonial styled home is 3700 without a finished basement; which he is currently completing. It’s 4 bedrooms and 3 full and 2 ½ baths, huge family room, eat-in kitchen, large dining room, and an office space. What’s surprising, the current market value based on current comparable sales is approximately $625,000! OMG, when compared with a similar home on Long Island or around the North Shore’s Gold Coast, a comparable home with land that size would be at the lowest price point in a fair school district around $850,000 upwards of almost $2,000,000 and the killer is, the taxes would be from $15,000 to $35,000 per year.

This leads me to believe that the land in Hainesport, NJ, although more costly today than 16 years ago is not even close to what the cost would be for a ½ an acre here; which would go for anywhere from $600,000 to well over 1,500,000 depending on what town or village it might be located within. So my nephew’s home is more expensive than the land that it sits upon; whereby our land value here on Long Island is usually more expensive than the home it was built upon. Absolutely shocking, but then again, when you consider the main reason why, it’s the scarcity of available buildable land here compared with his town and many areas of New Jersey, as well as across the U.S., where construction is booming very well. So the correlation to buildable land is directly related to the availability of the housing inventory, which presently is at 5.4 months whereby

normal inventory is 6-7 months; as well as interest rates which are at a 50+ year low.

From my research, it’s still somewhat of a seller’s market below $1,200,000, if your real estate taxes aren’t above $10,000-20,000, (but slows as you approach $20,000 and above) due to our wonderful S.A.L.T. tax, (which effected all the Blue “wealthier States” whereby you can only deduct a maximum of $10,000 as an offset on your income taxes for primary residences only (not investment properties, which is unlimited). However, Supply and demand economics will always play a role in real estate, no matter what, as well as every other commodity; however, there might be an exception due to pollution in the case of real estate or some glitch, such as “tariffs” but for the most part it has generally worked throughout history.

However, something needs to be done in New York to seriously lower real estate taxes, maybe a V.A.T. tax like they have in some areas in Europe and Israel or a “Fair Tax”, which is a book written a while ago about how to change our system to make it fairer? Not sure it would suffice for the wealthy, but I would be agreeable to any solid, pragmatic and workable plan to keep more of our New Yorkers from becoming expatriates especially our millennial and Gen Z’s, who are leaving by droves or living in mom and dad’s home, until they have enough savings to exit one of the most expensive states in the U.S. If you’re wealthy how many more homes and properties do you really need, cars, jewelry, etc.; it’s conspicuous consumption to the nth degree, while our country is falling apart and behind! Anyone have any thoughts on this dilemma, please email or write and let me know what you think!

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute and also as a Certified International Property Specialist. He can be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email, at: Phil@TurnKeyRealEstate. Com to answer any of your questions or concerns.

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EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE

A Foolproof Formula to Fix Your Money in 2020

According to a survey conducted by Offers.com, the top two New Year’s resolutions in the U.S. for 2019 came in almost tied, with exercise more/lose weight at 38% and save money at 37%. So, how did that work out for you? Is your financial picture better now than it was 12 months ago? Are you more fit and lean?

The reason I love New Year’s is it feels like a clean slate -- a fresh start. Whether you did great in 2019 or blew it altogether, I have good news. Today’s a new day -- a new year -- and a chance to start over or to do even better. We’ve been granted another opportunity. As for that saving money part, I have a great formula that’s been working for me and thousands of people I’ve led out of debt and into a lifestyle where they consistently live below their means.

Record your spending.

Sounds like a silly instruction, especially if you feel overwhelmed and under deposited. Nonetheless, if you begin keeping a written record of every expenditure, I can promise you a couple of things: No. 1: You’ll hesitate before making silly, impulsive purchases. No. 2: You’ll start taking back control once you see where all of your money goes.

Give back. I know. You’re broke. You have mountains of debt, and some idiot is suggesting you give money away. That’s right, and you can call me an idiot. Giving is a mysterious, miraculous activity that will transform your life when practiced. Giving is the antidote for that wretched trend toward excess and self-indulgence.

Pay yourself. Ideally you should pay yourself 10% right off the top of the amount of money

BY MARY HUNT

you see in your paycheck. If you can’t start with 10%, start with something. Even if it’s $1 a week, start saving. Even if you are heavily in debt, start saving. Saving money is a great attitude booster, so if you’re discouraged and down in the dumps, start saving money! Stop debting. I know that’s not a real word, but I wish it were! It means buying stuff on credit because you don’t have enough to pay cash. Just stop spending money you don’t have. You may need to part with some credit cards and even shed a few tears, but you can stop. No one can force you $1 further into debt.

Reduce expenses. If your income is less than your outgo, reduce the outgo. There’s no better way to make money than to cut expenses. The results are immediate, and the proceeds are tax-free. I would suggest from this moment

that you pledge to cut expenses any way you can and a little bit in every area. This way, you will see dramatic results with the least amount of discomfort. Reading this column religiously will keep you on track.

Rapidly repay debt. If you continue paying your creditors according to their payment schedule, you may never get out of perma-debt. Incurring no more new debt and prepaying principal is the key to rapid debt reduction. Sell assets. If you own things of value that are unnecessary in your life or could be replaced at a later date, selling them could ease your financial situation.

Seek solvency. Solvency means being content with the money you have. Solvency is that confident feeling of being prepared for any circumstance, of living with joy and peace -- of living

Mini Resolutions NUTRICIAN NEWS

BY CHARLYN FARGO

If your resolution in 2020 is to lose weight, try these six mini resolutions that will upgrade your health. Even write them on your calendar -- one for each week, to help remind you. Research has found it helps to break down resolutions into smaller action plans for success.

Make protein a part of every meal. Go beyond that steak for dinner. We need protein in the morning, too. Consuming a meal with protein makes us feel fuller and helps us eat fewer calories overall. Add a hard-boiled egg to your breakfast, powered peanut butter to your oatmeal or a cup of Greek yogurt or high-protein cereal to your fruit.

Add more plants to your meals. I’m not advocating a total vegetarian meal plan, but I do think all of us can benefit from a more plant-based diet, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer and obesity. You can swap half the meat in your tacos with beans, add more veggies in your lasagna or go a step further and have meatless Mondays for a month.

Start your meals with a brothbased soup or salad. They can fill you up and help get more nutrients in your diet. Go easy on the dressing, nuts and cheese on the salad, and boost the carrots, cucumber and tomatoes.

Focus on fiber. We need 25

to 35 grams of fiber a day -- most of us get about half that. Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains. Swap brown rice for white, eat the skin on a baked potato and choose whole-wheat bread. Start the month with adding two fruits and vegetables a day as snacks. Or add chia or flax to your oatmeal, cereal or yogurt.

Drink more water. Take a week to give up soda, tea, coffee or whatever sweetened beverage you typically drink. A glass of water before a meal also can help reduce hunger. Try packing a bottle of water with you wherever you go. Try new recipes, especially those that align with your goal of eating healthier. Most of us buy the same things at the grocery store and fix the same rotating 6-10 meals. Consider a vegetable or meal challenge for a month so you don’t eat the same food fixed the same way.

Q and A

Q: What is metabolic syndrome?

A: It’s a group of conditions rather than a single disease. These related health problems include too much belly fat, high triglycerides, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. When you have at least three of these issues, your chances for heart disease, stroke and diabetes are increased. To prevent

metabolic syndrome, lose weight, exercise and cut back on calories.

RECIPE

Here’s a new recipe to try from Cooking Light: Lower Sugar Sweet Potato Casserole. It has 5 fewer teaspoons of added sugar per serving than traditional versions.

LOWER SUGAR SWEET

POTATO CASSEROLE

3 pounds sweet potatoes (5 to 6 medium)

1/2 cup evaporated whole milk

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

2 large eggs, separated Cooking spray

3/4 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

2 tablespoons light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom

Preheat oven to 350 F. Wrap potatoes individually in foil. Arrange on a baking sheet. Roast at 350 degrees until very tender, 60 to 75 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes. Peel potatoes; discard skins. Place potatoes in a large bowl; mash until smooth. Cool completely, about 20 minutes. Stir in milk, butter, vanilla, salt, pepper and egg yolks. Spread mixture

beneath your means.

There you go. A foolproof formula for 2020 that you can take to the bank.

So, what are you waiting for? There’s no time to waste.

Let’s go!

Would you like more information? Go to EverydayCheapskate. com for links and resources for recommended products and services in this column. Mary invites questions, comments, and tips at EverydayCheapskate.com, “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 lifestyle blog and the author of the book Debt-Proof Living.

evenly in 2-quart glass baking dish coated with cooking spray. Whisk egg whites in a medium bowl until frothy. Stir in walnuts, oats, brown sugar and cardamom. Sprinkle evenly over sweet potato mixture. Bake at 350 F, uncovered, until top is toasted and edges are bubbling, 40 to 50 minutes. Serves 12 (serving size: about 1/2 cup).

Per serving: 220 calories; 5 grams protein; 31 grams carbohydrates; 8 grams sugars (2 grams added); 9 grams fat; 4 grams fiber; 327 milligrams sodium.

Charlyn Fargo is a registered

dietitian at Hy-Vee in Springfield, Illinois, and the media representative for the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For comments or questions, contact her at charfarg@aol.com or follow her on Twitter @NutritionRD. To find out more about Charlyn Fargo and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com COPYRIGHT 2019 CREATORS.COM

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Friday, January 3,

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court

Nassau County NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE

LLC, Plaintiff, -againstBEATRIZ E. ACOSTA AKA BEATRIZ ACOSTA; MIDLAND FUNDING LLC; CARLOS ACOSTA,

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated, February 5, 2019 and entered with the Nassau County Clerk on February 13, 2019, Anthony F. Altimari, Esq., the Appointed Referee, will sell the premises known as 14 Lily Lane, Levittown, New York 11756 at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, New York 11501, Calendar Control Part (CCP), on January 14, 2020 at 11:30 A.M. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in Levittown, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York known as Section: 45; Block: 201; Lot: 6 will be sold subject to the provisions of filed Judgment, Index No. 17-002691. The approximate amount of judgment is $441,323.72 plus interest and costs. Index No. 17-002691.

FRIEDMAN VARTOLO LLP

85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. MIT 5862

4X 12/13,20,27, 01/03

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court Nassau County

U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff against JENNY YUN A/K/A JENNY KANG, et al Defendants

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered December 17, 2016, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at CCP (Calendar Control Part) at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, New York 11501 on January 14, 2020 at 11:30 AM. Premises known as 10 California Street, Hicksville, NY 11801. Sec 11 Block 292 Lot 53 and 54. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Hicksville, not an Incorporated Village, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State

of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $377,675.82 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of ﬁled Judgment Index No 08-005529. VERJN115

Dan Blumenthal, Esq., Referee Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 1400 Old Country Road, Suite C103, Westbury, NY 11590

Attorney (s) for Plaintiff (s). MIT 5864

4X 12/13,20,27,01/03

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS WITH NOTICE Supreme Court Nassau County CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff, -againstGREGORY KIRKHAM, and, if he be living and if he be dead, the respective heirs-atlaw, next-of-kin, distributes, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendant who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or inheritance, lien or otherwise any right, title or interest in or to the real property described in the complaint, THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE and UNITED STATES OF AMERICAINTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, YANG HOU and RUI WONG, Defendants

Index No. 602015/2019

To the above named defendants: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the plaintiff’s attorneys within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York) or within (60) days after service of this summons if it is the United States of America; and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. To the above-named defendants. The foregoing summons is served upon you pur-

LEGAL NOTICES

suant to an order signed by the HON. THOMAS A. ADAMS,J.S.C. dated the 9th day of October 2019. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. The foregoing supplemental summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Honorable Thomas A. Adams, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, NASSAU County, dated the 8th day of October, 2019 and duly entered in the office of the Clerk of the County of NASSAU, State of New York. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT The object of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $109,600.00 and interest, recorded in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on March 24, 1998 in Book 18473, Page 843, which mortgage was assigned to CitiMortgage, Inc. by assignment of mortgage dated August 1, 2000, which was recorded in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on September 1, 2000 in Book 20506, Page 224, covering premises known as 98 MILLER RD, HICKSVILLE, COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK 11801 (SECTION 12, BLOCK 174 AND LOTS 413 AND 414). The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above. The Plaintiff also seeks a deficiency judgment against the Defendant, GREGORY KIRKHAM, for any debt secured by said Mortgage which is not satisfied by the proceeds of the sale of said premises, unless discharged in

bankruptcy. Premises lying and being at Hicksville, town of Oyster Bay. BEGINNING at the corner formed by the intersection of the northerly side of Twin Lawns Avenue and the westerly side of Miller Road; being a plot 10 feet by 64.33 feet by 30.65 feet by9 7.26 feet by 100 feet by 70 feet.

SECTION 12, BLOCK 174 AND LOTS 413 AND 414

Dated: Roslyn Heights, New York ______________, 2019

DAVID A. GALLO & ASSOCIATES LLP

By: Rosemarie A. Klie

Attorneys for Plaintiff 99 Powerhouse Road, 1st Floor Roslyn Heights, NY 11577 (516) 583-5330 MIT 5865 4X 12/20,27,01/03,10

NOTICE OF SALE

Supreme Court Nassau County DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR SAXON ASSET SECURITIES TRUST 2006-2 MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-2, V.

ERIC P. MILGRIM, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF NASSAU COUNTY, AS THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF GLORIA R GORCEY, ET AL.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated October 12, 2018, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR SAXON ASSET SECURITIES TRUST 2006-2 MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-2 is the Plaintiff and ERIC P. MILGRIM, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF NASSAU COUNTY, AS THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF GLORIA R GORCEY, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the CALENDAR CONTROL PART (CCP) COURTROOM OF THE SUPREME COURT, FIRST FLOOR, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on February 04, 2020 at 11:30AM, premises known as 131 DEAN STREET, HICKSVILLE, NY

11801: Section 46, Block 377, Lot 36:

ALL THAT CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND SITUATE AT HICKSVILLE, TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 0006249/2015. No cash will be accepted at the sale.

Ellen Savino, Esq. - Referee. RAS Boriskin, LLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. MIT 5866 4X 01/03,10,17,24

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court Nassau County GREEN TREE SERVICING LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST MARIO KOT, et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated April 02, 2019 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Calendar Control Part (CCP) Courtroom of the Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, on January 14, 2020 at 11:30AM, premises known as 669 BROADWAY, 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 46, BLOCK 587, LOT 58. Approximate amount of judgment $429,689.87 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment for Index# 001361/2014.

GERARD DEGREGORIS, JR., ESQ., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC Attorney for Plaintiff 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221 BN 7441 4X 12/13,20,27,01/03

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court

Nassau County WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST RAJESHWARI SINGH, ET AL., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of

Foreclosure and Sale duly dated November 02, 2017 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Calendar Control Part (CCP) Courtroom of the Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, on January 14, 2020 at 11:30AM, 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 for Index# 9094-15.

RICHARD H. RUBIN, ESQ., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC Attorney for Plaintiff

1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221

BN 7442

4X 12/13,20,27,01/03

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court Nassau County NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A CHAMPION MORTGAGE COMPANY, Plaintiff, vs.

JOELINE T. ORTIZMARESCO A/K/A JOSELINE ORTIZ-MARESCO A/K/A JOELINE ORTIZ-ROSSOL, AS EXECUTRIX OF THE ESTATE OF JUDITH ORTIZ, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated November 13, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the CCP (Calendar Control Part Courtroom) in the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court

LEGAL NOTICES

Drive, Mineola, NY on January 21, 2020 at 11:30 a.m., premises known as 1 Central Boulevard, Bethpage, NY. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 46, Block K and Lot 728. Approximate amount of judgment is $569,491.17 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 5897/2016.

Jane P. Shrenkel, Esq., Referee Pincus Law Group, PLLC, 425 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, New York 11556, Attorneys for Plaintiff

BN 7443

4X 12/20,27,01/03,10

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court Nassau County WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR CARLSBAD FUNDING MORTGAGE TRUST, Plaintiff, Against AFSHAN MALIK A/K/A AFSHAN G. MALIK, Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 8/6/2019, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, in the CCP (Calendar Control Part) Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Dr., Mineola, NY 11501, on 1/21/2020 at 11:30 am, premises known as 548 Adele Place, Bethpage, NY 11714 and described as follows: ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Plainview, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York designated on the tax maps of the Nassau County Treasurer as Section 46 Block 487 Lot 10 The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $428,265.32 plus interest and costs. The premises will be sold subject to provisions of

the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 08404/2015. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Index No.: 08404/2015.

Jane Shrenkel, Esq., Referee. Leopold & Associates, PLLC, 80 Business Park Drive, Suite 110, Armonk, NY 10504

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff

Dated: 12/3/19

BN 7444

4X 12/20,27,01/03,10

NOTICE OF SALE

Supreme Court Nassau County U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE UNDER THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT

DATED AS OF MAY 1, 2006, GSAMP TRUST 2006-HE3, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006HE3, Plaintiff against MARY MURRAY A/K/A MARY C. MURRAY, Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on September 16, 2019.

I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in the Calendar Control Part (CCP) Courtroom of the Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. on the 28th day of January, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. premises described as follows: All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Bethpage, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York. Said premises known as 273 North 4th Street, Bethpage, N.Y. 11714.

(Section: 46, Block: 78, Lot: 53). Approximate amount of lien $ 424,971.27 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 3901-15.

Joseph J. Ra, Esq., Referee. McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 145 Huguenot Street – Suite 210 New Rochelle, New York 10801 (914) 636-8900

BN 7445 4X 12/27,01/03,10,17

NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court Nassau County THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF CWMBS, INC., CHL MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH TRUST 2006-11, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 200611, Plaintiff against DAVID PIGOTT A/K/A DAVID J. PIGOTT, et al Defendants Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered September 24, 2019, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at CCP (Calendar Control Part Courtroom), in the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on February 4, 2020 at 11:30 AM. Premises known as 134 Windhorst Avenue a/k/a 134 North Windhorst Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714. Sec 49 Block 007 Lot 534 & 536. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Bethpage, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $457,457.05 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of ﬁled Judgment Index No 605930/2018. IBNY132

Jennifer Ettenger, Esq., Referee.

Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 1400 Old Country Road, Suite C103, Westbury, NY 11590 Attorney (s) for Plaintiff (s). BN 7446 4X 01/03,10,17,24

Central Boulevard students create unique birthday surprises

BY GARY SIMEONE

As part of a school activity called Thoughtful Thursdays, students from the Central Boulevard school created birthday cards, signs and pictures for homeless children who are celebrating their birthdays. The activity was done in conjunction with the help of the Birthday Wishes of Long Island organization, which provides birthday celebrations for local families and children experiencing homelessness on Long Island. All of the materials created by the students were given to the organization as part of their ‘Party In A Box’ package.

Patricia Tierney, a second-grade teacher at Central Boulevard and co-coordinator of the Thoughtful Thursdays monthly series, said that the students were really excited to make the birthday materials.

“Our students were very excited to brighten the lives of children suffering from homelessness with their handmade birthday cards posters and bookmarks,” said Tierney.

The students were overjoyed that a small thing like putting together a birthday card or poster could go a long way in making someone’s special day extra special.

Lily Peralta, a second-grader in Mrs. Tierney’s class, said it made her feel good inside to do something special for someone less fortunate.

“I felt happy and proud to do something like this,” said Peralta. “I like

Generals head coach honored as Coach of the Week

doing things for other people that aren’t able to have a birthday party.”

Elementary teachers at the school, including Kerry Wessinger, Joanna Seiben, Kate Wright and Melissa Sokolowski, had all of their students participate in the Thoughtful Thursday activity.

Brady McElwee, a student in Mrs. Seiben’s class, said that the activity enabled kids who wouldn’t ordinarily have a party to have fun on their birthdays.

“I think it was a good idea because kids that can’t really celebrate their birthday have a chance to have fun on their birthday,” said McElwee.

Sofia Favuzza, another student in the class, said “it was nice to do this because we could help other people who don’t have birthday parties,” said Favuzza.

Liam Walters, a student in Mrs. Wessinger’s class, summed up the activity best by saying helping others feel good was the purpose of the day.

“I think this a really good opportunity for our class to show that we care for others,” said Walters.

The Birthday Wishes of Long Island organization helps to make a difference in the lives of homeless children and their families by providing them with two types of party packages. They offer on-site parties at the shelters they serve and a birthday-in-a-box program which provide parties at domestic violence safe shelters hotels and other sites.

Douglas MacArthur High School’s head football coach Bobby Fehrenbach was honored as the Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week for week eight of the 2019 season.

Bobby Fehrenbach, head football coach at Levittown Public Schools’ General Douglas MacArthur High School, was recently recognized as the Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week for week eight of the 2019 season.

The New York Giants and Gatorade selected Fehrenbach for this prestigious honor based on his commitment to promoting youth football, developing motivated student-athletes and his overall community involvement.

Each week during the high school football season, the Giants select one area high school head coach as the Coach of the Week winner. Fehrenbach is an alumnus of MacArthur High School who graduated in 1984. He served as MacArthur’s assistant football coach from 1991-98 before becoming the head coach in 1999.

This season has been a successful one for the team. Under the leadership of Fehrenbach, MacArthur High School defeated Garden City High School 27-7 on the road to move to 7-0 on the

season. The win ended Garden City’s 42-game winning streak, which spanned three plus seasons, including three Long Island Class II Championships.

“Of all the schools in the Tri-State area, it is pretty humbling as one of a handful of coaches to get recognized,” said Fehrenbach.

The Giants Foundation and Gatorade will present a $2,000 check to MacArthur High School’s football program in his honor. Fehrenbach will receive a certificate of recognition signed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Giants head coach Pat Shurmur. He was acknowledged with an in-stadium announcement when the Giants hosted the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 1 and is invited to attend a dinner hosted by the Giants at MetLife Stadium in the Spring for all 2019 Coach of the Week honorees and the 2019 Coach of the Year. Fehrenbach will also be invited with his team to a Giants preseason game in 2020.

Teacher Patricia Tierney with her second-grade students collecting birthday wishes and donations.

General

Photo courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools

Kramer Lane students build gingerbread houses for the holidays

Students at Kramer Lane Elementary and their parents had some holiday fun with gingerbread house making on Dec. 13 in the school’s auditorium.

Affan Hussain from Mariann Seewald’s first-grade class at Kramer Lane Elementary put finishing touches on his gingerbread house during the school’s holiday activity on Dec. 13.

Students from Kramer Lane Elementary in the Bethpage School District spread holiday cheer by building gingerbread houses with their parents on Dec. 13.

Students in Allison Schmidt, Margaret Meehan and Mariann Seewald’s first-grade

classes gathered in the school’s auditorium with sweet treats, frosting and smiles. Students and parents alike were excited to be able to join forces during the school day and complete the festive activity.

Photos courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District

Emilia Marano from Margaret Meehan’s first-grade class at Kramer Lane Elementary meticulously built her gingerbread house on Dec. 13 as part of the holiday activity.

Sophia LoCurto from Mariann Seewald’s first-grade class at Kramer Lane Elementary was all smiles during the gingerbread making activity on Dec. 13.

Irish Family History Forum to meet

On Saturday, January 18, the Irish Family History Forum will present Susan Jaycox Murphy, who will give a talk on “Cemetery Research: Eternity Is Not Forever.” Cemetery research can be rewarding for family historians, providing them with information that they cannot find anywhere else. Discoveries can include missing children, unknown

relatives, dates and places of births, marriages, and deaths, relationships, group associations, friends, and even photographs. Susan Jaycox Murphy will discuss the law, the practices of cemeteries, what can be found in cemetery research, where we can find records and what can be done to preserve family memorials.

The schedule of events for the meet-

ing will be:

10:00 a.m.: Kathleen McGee: Irish Civil Registration of Marriages 10:30 a.m.: Refreshment Break: Meet and socialize with other members.

Ask the Experts: This is an opportunity to meet one-on-one with an experienced genealogist to ask a basic genealogy question.

11:00 a.m.: Featured Speaker: Susan Jaycox Murphy

Meetings are free and open to the public. Light refreshments are served. Meetings are held at Bethpage Public Library 47 Powell Avenue, Bethpage.

Information: contact Pat Email: programs@ifhf.org Website: www.ifhf.org