Mid-Island Times & Levittown News (12/8/17)

C ELEBRATING T HANKSGIVING

Students at Burns Avenue Elementary School in the Hicksville Public School District celebrated Thanksgiving by dressing as Pilgrims and Native Americans and making crafts with their parents. See page 8.

Town receives bids for former asphalt plant

BY GARY SIMEONE

Bids on a piece of property at 50 Engel Street in Hicksville were due last Thursday, December 7th. The property, which once housed an asphalt plant, has been considered for a new public works building or highway department facility for the Town of Oyster Bay.

The 2.27 acre lot, which many nearby residents considered an eyesore, was a topic of conversation at the Town Board meeting on November 14th. The Board approved declaring the property surplus and planned to solicit buyers for it.

Brian Devine, research assistant to the Town Board, said that taxpayers would benefit from the sale of the property due to the fact its been considered surplus.

“Any cost to renovate the property would be borne by the potential purchaser of the property,” said Devine. “Any profit gained from the original purchase price would go back into the Town’s general fund. Additionally after it is sold, the parcel will go back on the tax rolls.”

Devine did not say how many bids had been received on the property as of this past Monday.

The property has a sordid history, as it once belonged to Carlo Lizza & Sons Paving. Elia Lizza, CEO of the company was indicted earlier this summer, along with high ranking Town officials in a bribery and corruption scheme.

Lizza was involved with offering bribes to former Town Commissioner, Frederick Ippolito, to facilitate the Town’s purchase of the property and the rezoning of an adjacent property that was to be used as senior housing.

According to Town Public Information Officer Brian Nevin, in 2014, the Town began paying the firm, Nassau Suffolk Engineering & Architecture PLLC, over $500,000 to study moving the current Public Works building in Syosset to the location on Engel Street.

Preliminary plans included constructing a $12 million, four floor, 56,000 square foot facility that would house five Town departments, including the Public Works and Highway departments.

Experts conclude study of pinhole leaks in water pipes

BY GARY SIMEONE

The Plainview Water District hired a team of water experts earlier this year to study the issue of pinhole leaks inside people’s homes. Nationally renowned water treatment experts, including Dr. Marc Edwards and Dr Jeffrey Parks, concluded their reports earlier this month, saying that increased alkalinity in the water system would help alleviate the problem.

“This report is the result of the rapid

action taken by the Plainview Water District in response to pinhole leak issues in our community,” said Chairman of the Plainview Water District Board Marc Laykind. “The report maintains that an increase in alkalinity may help reduce pinholes.

Laykind said findings in mid October show that the Plainview Water District “was running at much higher alkalinity, and the final phase of the alkalinity adjustment project is being completed.”

Dr Edwards, who was in charge of

covering the water crisis in Flint, Michigan last year, determined through copper pipe sampling that the water was lacking a sufficient amount of alkalinity. He and his team of experts collected samples from pipes in homes as well as from water wells in the area and sent them for analysis to their Virginia Tech laboratory.

They found that their was pitting in many of the pipes due to a buildup of corrosive acids and increasing alkalinity would help alleviate the problem.

Plainview Water District Commissioner, Amanda Field said that hiring Dr Edwards and his team was in the best interest of the community.

“We take the pinhole leak issue in our community very seriously and we wanted to hire the best possible researchers to evaluate this issue,” said Field. “Dr Edwards and his team are the most sought after experts on material corrosion in the country, and that’s why we acquired their expertise. Our customers expect nothing less.”

THE POLICE BLOTTER

Incidents that have occurred recently in the local area include:

Copper wiring was stolen from a construction site on Fiddler Lane in Levittown between 1 and 8:30 p.m. on November 14.

n

A 37-year-old man from East Meadow was arrested at the intersection of Old Country Road and Post Avenue in Westbury at 1:10 a.m. on November 15. He was charged with Driving While Intoxicated

n

Assorted tools were stolen from a vehicle on California Street in Hicksville between 12 and 8:30 a.m. on November 16.

n

Sometime between 6 p.m. on November 16 and 8 a.m. the next morning, a vehicle that was parked on Harrison Avenue at 3rd Avenue in Mineola was damaged with graffiti by unknown subjects.

n

An incident of Criminal Mischief was reported by a victim to have occurred on Jericho Turnpike in Garden City Park at 6 p.m. on November 17. The victim discovered that three cables at the rear of a building had been cut, causing her phone lines to become inoperable.

n

On Thomas Street in Merrick, a 20-year-old man from Roosevelt was arrested and was charged with Driving While Intoxicated at 3:56 a.m. on November 18.

n

A 29-year-old man from Hempstead was arrested and was charged with

Driving While Intoxicated at 4:35 a.m. on November 18 at the corner of Merrick Avenue and Charles Lindbergh Boulevard in East Meadow.

n

Two hundred dollars was stolen from a vehicle on Brindle Lane in Hicksville between 10 p.m. on November 18 and 9:30 a.m. the next day.

n

On Kuhl Avenue in Hicksville, an iPad was stolen from a vehicle between 11 p.m. on November 18 and 6 a.m. the following morning.

n

At 12:48 p.m. on November 20, a handbag and its contents were stolen from a vehicle on Texas Street in Hicksville.

n

A victim has reported that unknown subjects keyed his vehicle while it was parked on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown sometime between 7:30 and 8:20 p.m. on November 20.

n

Two 29-year-old male subjects, residents of Uniondale, were arrested at a parking lot on Earle Ovington Boulevard in that town on November 20. Both were charged with Criminal Possession of Marijuana.

n

At the corner of Eagle Avenue and Park Avenue in West Hempstead, a 28-year-old man from that town was arrested and was charged with Criminal Possession of Marijuana on November 21 at 3:15 a.m.

Compiled by Kate and Meg Meyer

Knights of Columbus New Years Eve

The Joseph Barry Knights of Columbus will hold its New Year’s Eve Party on Sunday, December 31st from 8:00 pm to 1:00 am. Doors open 7:30 pm

Cost $35 per person - $70 per couple Music: New DJ

Enjoy an open bar, hot dinner, dessert, and coffee. Bring your own snacks and noisemakers. Casual attire. Limit 180 people. The party has sold

out the last 5 years.

Reservations are required. Absolutely no money will be accepted at the door.

Please make checks payable to:

“Joseph Barry Knights of Columbus” by Dec 23rd. Call Brian 516-457-6190

The Knights of Columbus Hall is located at 45 Heitz Place, Hicksville, NY 11801.

Seniors recognized for exceptional leadership abilities

High achieving seniors Heather Bonsignore and Brandon Hagen from Levittown Public Schools Division Avenue High School were recently named Wendy’s High School Heisman School Winners. The students will receive a Wendy’s High School Heisman letterman patch and certificate in early 2018.

Bonsignore, a varsity cheerleader, and Hagen, a member of the school’s track team, were recognized with the honor based on an application that they submitted, showcasing their high

academic skills and examples of how they are proven leaders and role models within their school and community.

The students are among the nation’s most esteemed high school seniors that Wendy’s recognizes each year for giving back to their communities, treating people with respect, continuing education and excelling on the athletic field.

The district congratulates both Bonsignore and Hagen on this outstanding achievement.

Division Avenue High School seniors Brandon Hagen (left) and Heather Bonsignore (right) were named Wendy’s High School Heisman School Winners.

Photo courtesy of the Levittown School District

New York Islanders visit L ee Avenue School

As the result of being selected as one of the winners of a Long Islandwide essay contest about how they demonstrate teamwork and community spirit, students and staff at Lee Avenue Elementary School in the Hicksville Public School District received a special visit from New York Islanders Andrew Ladd and Johnny Boychuk. While proudly wearing blue and orange or their Islanders garb, students met the players, who signed autographs and spoke to them about the importance of teamwork, antibullying and nutrition.

were excited prior to the assembly.

New York Islanders Johnny Boychuk (55) and Andrew Ladd (16) with students at Lee Avenue Elementary School.

New York Islanders Johnny Boychuk (55) and Andrew Ladd (16) spoke to students at Lee Avenue Elementary School.

Many students at Lee Avenue Elementary School dressed in Islanders garb and

Photos courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Middle School 101 takes the stage

Eighth grade students in the Levittown Public School’s Jonas E. Salk Middle School’s Respect and Responsibility, Integrity, Safety, Staying Healthy and Empathy Program recently put their acting skills to the test through the school’s push-in program “Middle School 101.”

Students involved in the RISE program, also known as junior leaders, strive to give the school’s sixth graders a smooth transition into life as a middle school student. “Middle School 101” allows support staff to visit sixth-grade classes to discuss all aspects of middle school life. Under the guidance of advisors social worker Noreen Williams and guidance counselors Michelle Lyons and Michelle Steward, the eighth graders participate in weekly round table discussions throughout the program on how to properly communicate to the sixth-graders about important topics

such as handling conflicts, bullying situations, spreading kindness, and more.

To further the conversation and remind students to be mindful of their actions, the eighth graders decided to use technology to get their messages across. With the help of the school’s movie making club advisor Nectaria Kourkoumelis, the students filmed various skits using a green screen to share with the sixth graders. The skits tackled cyberbullying, roasting others, how a bystander can transform into an upstander and how to be courteous to others every day.

“They are very engaged in it,” said Williams. “We try to make them aware of what is going on outside of themselves and it has been great having these conversations with them.”

Photos courtesy of the Levittown School District

Lev ittow n Public Schools host program on substance abuse

As part of the Levittown Public Schools’ comprehensive health and wellness curriculum, as well as its substance abuse prevention program, the district is hosting “Progression of a Substance Abuse Disorder” on Tuesday, Dec. 12. The program will take place at Wisdom Lane Middle School, which is located at 120 Center Lane in Levittown, beginning at 7 p.m.

Presented by nationally recognized recovery coach and addiction counselor Cortney Lovell, students, parents, the greater Levittown community, and its surrounding neighbors are invited to attend this powerful presentation of addiction and a journey to wellness.

Cortney Lovell is a person in longterm recovery from addiction. An outgoing, athletic teenager, she silently struggled with self-image and other issues growing up. Cortney cloaked her suffering behind a smile for years

as it progressed to heroin addiction and eventually incarceration. At just 19 years old, she began her journey to wellness and discovered her purpose along the way.

Cortney is a spokesperson for the New York State Governor’s Combat Heroin Campaign, the Center for Disease Control’s Rx Awareness campaign, and is a Youth Voice on the website youth.gov. She has been featured on Inside Addiction, in the documentaries: Everywhere but Safe, Reversing the Stigma, and Refinery29’s upcoming opioid film. Cortney is a recurring contributor to HLN’s Michaela Pereira show, is a blogger for the Office of Women’s Health at the White House, often partners with the United States Surgeon General to present on opioids, and is a Planning Partner for SAMHSA’s Recovery Month.

Northside School collects food for needy for Thanksgiving

Northside Elementary School in the Levittown Public Schools recently held its traditional Thanksgiving food drive. Students, families, and teachers throughout the school donated hundreds of assorted food items to help Northside families in need during the holiday.

The staff contributed monetary donations to purchase gift cards at local food stores for turkeys, while third grade teacher Theresa Heaney and her stu-

dents sorted the various cans, bags and boxes of food.

In addition to the students, families and teachers who made a difference, the success of the Thanksgiving food drive was also due to the efforts of head custodian Bob Mehm, school nurse Cara Rutzel, social worker Samantha Romano, and Principal Frank Mortillaro.

From left: Eighth graders Cassidy Baltazar, Ryann Murphy, Olivia Weber, and Darla Joanne Ma Aquino acted out their skit for their video for sixth graders.

From left: Eighth graders Phillip Trafficanda, Khalil Garrett, Luke Tordy, and Adrian Nowak filmed their skit in front of a green screen.

Left to right: Third graders Nathaniel Story, Sophia Librizzi, Jonathan Lopez, and Athena Kong helped sort the food for Northside’s traditional Thanksgiving food drive.

Photo courtesy of the Levittown School District

The Trump Investigations

BY BOB MORGAN, JR.

Here are a few thoughts on the continuing investigations of President Trump.

We start with the starting point of the investigation, whether there was collusion by the Trump campaign with Russian hacking or espionage. At this point, there simply is no evidence of this.

The most that can be said, primarily based on a brief meeting at Trump Towers involving Donald Trump, Jr., is that the Trump campaign was receptive to offers of damaging information about their election opponents from Russian operatives. Of course, the same can be said of Ms. Clinton’s campaign, which paid for a questionable “dossier” derived in large part from alleged Russian intelligence about Mr. Trump.

It’s remotely possible, I guess, that Paul Manafort, George Papadoupolos or Michael Flynn, all of whom are caught in the crosshairs of special counsel’s Robert Mueller investigation, have some information that would demonstrate collusion with respect to hacking or espionage, but so far, nothing. None of Mr. Mueller’s charges against these individuals relate in any way to hacking or espionage.

It is true that Mr. Trump’s transition team engaged with the Russians after the election results were decided, on such issues as United Nation votes relating to Israel. Simply put, such engagement with other countries by an incoming president’s team is extremely common and in itself is not problematic. (This is to be contrasted with Mr. Flynn’s very problematic lying to the FBI about such contacts, which he has admitted.),

The Logan Act, a 1799 law that criminalizes negotiation by unauthorized persons with foreign governments having a dispute with the United States, does not make these Trump team contacts with Russia illegal. The law, which has never been successfully enforced in its 200 plus year history, is very likely unconstitutional, particularly as it relates to an incoming president, who is expected under the constitution to conduct foreign policy when inaugurated, and who necessarily needs to develop relationships.

Indeed, it should be noted that discussions and negotiations

between presidential candidates and foreign leaders is not uncommon even prior to an election. To take one of many examples, during a trip abroad during the 2008 campaign that led to his election, former President Barack Obama met with numerous foreign leaders, including Palestinian representatives. Quite properly, no one accused Mr. Obama of doing anything improper during these meetings.

Mr. Trump’s opponents may be sensing that the collusion/hacking narrative is basically a dry hole, because they are now focusing on alleged obstruction of justice. The likely theory is that Mr. Trump’s firing of former FBI director James Comey was a way of obstructing the prosecution of Michael Flynn, as was his suggestion to Mr. Comey that the investigation of Mr. Flynn be squelched. As law professors John Yoo and Saikrishna Prakash point out, however, this theory doesn’t really pass muster as a criminal matter under these circumstances. The president has overall control over the executive branch, including the Justice Department and the FBI, and has the right to fire anyone he chooses; there were no shortage of arguments for Mr. Comey’s removal. Similarly, a suggestion, as opposed to an order, that Mr. Flynn not be prosecuted, is unlikely to be a criminal offense.

Of course, the House of Representatives by majority vote could decide that it is not bound by criminal laws and determine that Mr. Trump’s actions were corrupt “high crimes and misdemeanors” and thus subject to impeachment.

One final but important point. If the Democrats were to gain control of the House in the 2018 election and pass an impeachment resolution, it would take a two-thirds conviction vote in the Senate, or 67 votes, to remove Mr. Trump. If the Democrats won every Senate seat up for election in 2018 (extremely unlikely), they would only have 56 senators. Accordingly, absent truly extraordinary revelations, removal isn’t going to happen. Is a long and divisive battle ending in Mr. Trump’s acquittal in the Senate really what the Democrats, or the country, needs?

Free Holiday on Ice per formance

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino today announced a free Holiday on Ice Show will take place on Saturday, December 16th, starting at 4:30 p.m., at the Town’s Ice Skating Center - located in Bethpage Community Park, 1000 Stewart Avenue. Admission to the show is free. Skating students, including those from the Town’s Ice Skating Program, will perform an enchanting, holiday season themed skating exhibition.

“This special holiday season performance is free and open to the public for their enjoyment,” said Supervisor Saladino. “Holiday on Ice provides local skaters a special chance to showcase their hard work and talents. We’ve got a great lineup of entertainment this year that I am sure will dazzle all those in attendance!”

In keeping with this time of the year being “the season of giving,” and continuing the Town’s long-standing commitment to helping those less fortunate, those who plan to attend the show are asked to bring two non-perishable food items, which will be collected by Island Harvest - an organization committed to ending hunger on Long Island. The Town has partnered with Island Harvest for many programs throughout the years, and most recently held two very successful relief supply donation drives

Elementar y

after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma earlier this year. Attendees are also welcome to bring a new unwrapped toy to donate to the United States Marines Corp. Toys for Tots Collective Drive. In addition to the Holiday on Ice performance, other activities for attendees include an exhibition hockey game between the Elves and the Reindeer, which are two teams comprised of players from the Town of Oyster Bay Youth Ice Hockey program. Residents will also have an opportunity to participate in the Holiday Mail for Heroes Program by filling out holiday greeting cards for brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces serving here in the homeland and abroad. Santa Claus is slated to make his annual visit to the Ice Skating Center, and will also be available to visit with children and take pictures.

Due to the Holiday on Ice performance, the public skating sessions at the Center, which are normally held from 1 to 3 p.m. and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., will be cancelled that evening. However, the Town’s two outdoor rinks, located at Marjorie R. Post Community Park in Massapequa and at Syosset-Woodbury Park will be open. For more information, please visit www.oysterbaytown. com or call (516) 433-RINK (7465).

music ians selected for LISFA Festival

The Levittown School District is pleased to announce that five fifth-grade students will accompany the six Jonas E. Salk Middle School and Wisdom Lane Middle School student-musicians at the Long Island String Festival Association Intermediate Festival from March 2-4 at Uniondale High School.

The district previously announced that Jonas E. Salk Middle School students Anastasia Angelakis, Eunice Lee and Evelyn Sun will be participating in the Intermediate Festival with Wisdom Lane Middle School students Allison Cha, Isabella Hines, and Shae McGinty. Nine high school students from both Division Avenue and General Douglas MacArthur high school recently participated in the LISFA Secondary Festival

at Wisdom Lane Middle School.

The LISFA participants will have the opportunity to perform with student-musicians from throughout Nassau County.

The Levittown School District congratulates the following LISFA participants:

Melody Hong – East Broadway Elementary School

Kailyn Aniano – Gardiners Avenue Elementary School

Brianna Renneisen – Lee Road Elementary School

Nicholas Castano – Northside Elementary School

Victoria Chang – Summit Lane Elementary School

Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call 294-8900 or visit us online www.gcnews.com to request information & rates

Litmor Publishing's Community Newspapers

Obesity causes more serious health issues than smoking, drinking or poverty.

NYU Winthrop Hospital is responding with the widest choice of safe and effective treatment options in the tri-state area.

NYU Winthrop, a leader in bariatric weight loss surgery, was the first hospital in New York State to use advanced minimally invasive daVinci Robotic Surgery to reduce discomfort and speed recovery. NYU Winthrop is the only hospital in the New York Metro area that offers the HMR Diet, named 2017 ’s Best Diet for Fast Weight Loss by U S News & World Report. The HMR Diet is a medical weight loss program managed by endocrinologists, dietitians and nurse practitioners. And NYU Winthrop is among the first in the nation to offer revolutionary VBLOC Therapy. VBLOC uses a pacemaker-type device to block nerve signals to control appetite and eating patterns.

To learn more about NYU Winthrop’s full range of medically supervised weight loss programs, call 1-866-WINTHROP or go to nyuwinthrop.org. NYU Winthrop is a proud affiliate of NYU Langone.

Burns Avenue celebrates Thanksgiving

Students at Burns Avenue Elementary School in the Hicksville Public School District celebrated Thanksgiving by dressing as Pilgrims and Native Americans and making crafts with their parents. The annual event was also comprised of students speaking about what they are most thankful for and enjoying a Thanksgiving feast in honor of the holiday.

Town suppor ts annua l

Toys for Tots col lec tion drive

Oyster Bay Town Councilman Anthony D. Macagnone and Town Councilwoman Rebecca M. Alesia remind residents that this year’s Toys for Tots collection drive ends December 14th. Through this important program, residents are invited to drop off new, unwrapped toys to be used as gifts for children throughout the community.

“Under the direction of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, the Toys for Tots Drive follows a mission to help ensure that children in need within our area do not have to go the holiday season without something to bring them happiness,” Councilwoman Alesia said.

“By helping those in need experience the wonderful embrace of the holiday season, contributors will get to play an active role in bringing happiness to one of our nation’s most valuable resources for the future, our children,” Councilman Macagnone said.

For those who wish to donate to Toys

for Tots, collection boxes can be found in the following Town facilities: Oyster Bay Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay; Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa; Department of Public Works Facility, 150 Miller Place, Syosset; Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center at Bethpage Community Park, 1001 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage; Syosset-Woodbury Community Park Community Center, Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury; and Town of Oyster Bay Hicksville Athletic Center, South Broadway, Hicksville.

For more information, contact the Council members, co-chairs of the collection drive, at (516) 624-6619 or (516) 624-6364; or visit www.oysterbaytown. com.

Burns Avenue Elementary School commemorated Thanksgiving.

Learning about Thanksgiving at Burns Ave. School

The Native Americans and the Pilgrims

Photos courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Levittown takes the LEADD on making healthy decisions

The Levittown community gathered together on Oct. 29 for the Levittown School District’s annual Levittown Education Against Destructive Decisions Family Walk and Fair at the Levittown Memorial Education Center. Although the rain brought the festivities inside, the gymnasium was filled administrators, faculty, students and families who visited booths from a variety of community, student and parent organizations and clubs.

The district hosts the event each year as a culmination to the educational programs and activities taking place during the week in each building. Students

tackled healthy lifestyle choices and making positive decisions.

During the event, students and their families were encouraged to wear their best Halloween costumes for a costume contest. The gymnasium was full of participants wearing their most creative attire. At the start of the festivities, Father Ralph Sommer was announced as grand marshal, while two student marshals were named as well. Division

Avenue High School student Alisha Sharma and MacArthur High School student Erin Cassano were selected as marshals for embodying a positive role model and leader in their schools and in

the community.

“The big point of LEADD and why it’s so important is to really unite the school district and the community,” said Assistant Director of Special Education Jordan Margolis. “Today we have a tremendous amount of community support. The point of LEADD is to bring awareness to prevention to making positive decisions and I think the link between the schools and the community is really important in that process.”

Students and their families walked around the gymnasium to play games, create crafts, mingle with fellow community members, and more. Due to the weather, an indoor parade took place where students in their costumes had the opportunity to show off their looks. The student marshals judged the costumes and awarded first, second, and third place winners.

Abbey Lane Elementary School first grader Maria Kerr showed off her golf skills at the district’s LEADD fair.

Students painted pumpkins courtesy of the Division Avenue High School’s Students Against Destructive Decisions: SADD Club and Key Club. Jonas E. Salk Middle School junior leaders with their banner.

Student marshals Alisha Sharma (left) and Erin Cassano (right) with the winners of the costume contest.

Levittown School District’s grand marshal Father Ralph Sommer (middle) with student marshals Erin Cassano (right) and Alisha Sharma (left).

Photos courtesy of the Levittown School District

A nig ht under the stars at the Bethpage School District

It was a cosmic experience for elementary school students in the Bethpage School District as they strengthened their science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills during the district’s 15th annual Astronomy Night.

Held at John F. Kennedy Middle School, students and their family members engaged in fun activities organized by members of the middle school’s and high school’s astronomy clubs. They made catapults, constructed towers out

of recyclable materials, created lightup name tags, programmed robots to move across a grid, and even had an opportunity to drive the robot built by the high school’s robotics team in the gymnasium.

The event also invited attendees out to the school’s soccer field, where they could view the night sky through telescopes.

A Bethpage High School student helped a younger student build a catapult during the District’s 15th annual Astronomy Night.

Students, parents, and faculty members of the Bethpage School District enjoyed a variety of STEM activities at the District’s 15th annual Astronomy Night.

Students in the Bethpage School District created light-up name tags during the district’s 15th annual Astronomy Night.

During Astronomy Night, Bethpage School District students drove the robot built by the high school’s robotics team.

Photos courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District

Bethpage High School students viewed the night sky through telescopes during the district’s 15th annual Astronomy Night.

December 8, 2017

Here’s What’s Up on Vermont’s Mountain Resorts Slopes for 2017-18 Season

(On the left) Stowe Mountain Resort is now part of Vail Resorts and is included on the Epic Pass (photo courtesy of Stowe) (Center) The Trapp Family Lodge, as famous for its cross-country skiing as it is for being founded by the family immortalized in the “Sound of Music,” decked out for the holidays © Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com (On the right) At Stratton, which was just acquired as part of the mega-merger of Aspen Sking and KSL of Intrawest, you can see the new uphill trend © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

BY KAREN RUBIN

The big news for Northeast skiers is that the behemoths of the ski industry have all taken up residence in Vermont – Vail Resorts with its acquisition of Stowe Mountain, and Aspen Skiing/ KSL buying Stratton Mountain. That is on top of Powdr (Killington and Pico as well as Mt. Batchelor) and Peak Resorts (Mount Snow as well as

Attitash, NH and Hunter Mountain, NY). These resorts were already world-class, but now they have major branding, and with their system-wide ski passes, adds incentive for Western and Midwestern skiers to venture to Vermont.

“It’s an incredible tribute to Vermont and our iconic ski industry, having Vail and Aspen, two of the

most well respected, world-class ski resort operator companies, coming to Vermont,” said Parker M. Riehle, former president of the Vermont Ski Areas Association. “Those acquisitions enable these resorts to rise to the next level. The enormous marketing can only help elevate entire Ski Vermont brand.”

What’s more, it gives more of a

GOING PLACES NEAR AND FAR

reason for Northeastern skiers to buy Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass (Aspen/KSL is likely to come out with its own by next season), then extend with Rocky Mountain or a Western ski trip, and for Midwestern and Western skiers to come East. Skiers can also follow the snow.

See page D2

from page D1

Vail Resorts’ acquisition of Stowe Mountain puts it in the stable with Whistler Blackcomb in Canada (the largest ski resort in North America) as well as at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado; Park City in Utah (the largest ski resort in the US); Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe; Afton Alps near Minneapolis, Mt. Brighton near Detroit, Wilmot Mountain near Chicago, and the 2018 Perisher season in Australia. Also, Epic Pass holders enjoy limited access to 30 European ski resorts including Verbier and Les 4 Vallées in Switzerland, Les 3 Vallées in France; Arlberg in Austria; and Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta in Italy.

Stratton Mountain Resort, which was part of Intrawest, is now in the group that includes Aspen and Snowmass resorts, Intrawest flagships Steamboat and Winter Park in Colorado (though Winter Park is still owned by the City of Denver); Deer Valley, Utah; Mammoth Mountain, California’s busiest ski area, Lake Tahoe’s  Squaw and Alpine, and  Tremblant in Quebec., plus heli operator Canadian Mountain Holidays.

Here are highlights of what skiers and snowboarders can experience at Vermont’s mountain resorts:

Bolton Valley

The big news is that the venerable Bolton Valley ski resort, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, has been reacquired by a group of local investors headed by the resort’s

founder, Ralph DesLauriers and his son, Evan, so is very much “locally owned” and family run.

Bolton Valley is upgrading its snowmaking system for the 201718 winter season. The pumps at the Timberline pumphouse will be balanced, allowing for more water to be pushed uphill, more quickly. The resort is also expanding its gun and hose inventory. Combined, these two upgrades will allow the resort to blow snow in multiple locations at the same time. The additional guns and hoses will also reduce downtime when the crews need to change locations. The overall benefit will be more snow earlier in the season and more trails getting covered faster than last year.

Bolton Valley is famous for offering

over 1200 acres of backcountry (you can even arrange to overnight in cabins). All of the terrain is mapped and easy to access by skinning up from the Nordic Center or taking the Wilderness lift and heading far skier’s right. The staff at the Nordic Center is always available to provide maps and suggest routes. The Catamount Trail Association hosts a few days of backcountry clinics to help those new to the sport become comfortable on their skis. When you are ready to test your mettle, check out one of the many events from the weekly uphill Skimo race series to the 24 Hours of Bolton Valley backcountry ski race.

Bolton offers 71 trails along three peaks and the most extensive night skiing in Vermont (trails open until 10 pm for total of 79 hours week).

Bolton is a self-contained destination resort with ski in/out lodging; an indoor recreation center with pool and opening additional dining options including Bailey’s, for hot-served breakfast and lunch on weekends and holidays.

Bolton participates in the Freedom Pass program – 13 other independent mountains including Magic Mountain.

Magic Mountain

Magic Mountain’s new ownership continues its capital investment in one of Vermont’s “throwback” ski areas, proud of its “Old School” retro feel and fixed grip lifts.

After winning Liftopia’s award for best ski area in North America, Ski Magic LLC is building on its successful inaugural winter by putting more capital to work expanding the snowmaking system, adding two new lifts (the new green lift accesses beginner, intermediate terrain and a new magic carpet in a new learning area) and enhancing the classic lodge where the Black Line Tavern is recognized as

one of the East’s most spirited après ski scenes. Key to Ski Magic’s efforts is broadening its ski offering to welcome more beginner, novice and intermediate skiers/riders. Magic will now have a new beginner area with a StarLift carpet conveyor lift for its Learning Center. The addition of the new Green Chair Lift servicing base-to-mid mountain intermediate and beginner terrain allows easier access to classic skiing for all ability levels. In combination with expanded snowmaking and grooming capabilities, the new Green Chair area will allow Magic to open earlier than ever by Thanksgiving.

Magic has been a leader in “uphill” traffic (people who shun the lift for the additional exercise) and that vibe continues to be actively supported as Magic has seen a two-fold increase in traffic going up by either skinning or snowshoeing. Magic never charges people getting up the mountain and in fact, provides a free lift ride token at the top for all uphill skiers or split-boarders. Long known for southern Vermont’s most extensive and challenging lift served tree-skiing, Magic also has guided backcountry tours this coming season with shuttle van pick-ups all of which must be reserved through the Learning Center. Snowshoeing trails will also be marked this fall so snowshoers can discover trails winding through the woods to the top of the mountain and to Sunshine Corner for great views of southern Vermont.

While located in southern Vermont (near Stratton and Bromley), Magic offers the terrain and ski experience of northern Vermont.

“It’s what it’s like to not be a KSL or Vail. We take the mountain back to a different era, a different experience that hearkens back to golden age of Vermont

skiing,” says Geoff Hatheway, CEO.

Magic is part of the Freedom Pass program with 13 other independent mountains (including Bolton Valley, and Plattekill, NY)

Smugglers’ Notch Resort

Smugglers’ Notch Resort in northern Vermont continues to build on their award-winning programs and amenities which aim to provide an exceptional experience for fun-lovers of all ages. The completion of the FunZone 2.0 hits that mark and then some. With activities like a multi-course Smugglers’ Warrior Challenge, massive laser tag arena, Smugglers’ themed Mountain Rally Races slot car track, arcade, and transparent climbing tower, everyone in the family is included in the fun. Of course, the elements which made the original FunZone such a hit are still included, in the second floor of the complex, known as the Ozone. Additionally, toddlers can ignite their imaginations in the Littles’ Loft toddler play area. With features such as bouncy castle, pirate ship inflatable obstacle course, and Vermont inspired country store, toddlers can let their energy out while playing like the grown-ups they admire.

Families have always enjoyed skiing and riding together on their  winter

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

vacations at Smugglers’. Last winter there were more activities in the mix, as the resort responded to requests by families for even more activities to enjoy together. Families chose to vary their vacation days by joining craft sessions, broomball challenges, scavenger hunts, snowcat tours, story times and pool games, which were included in their Smugglers’ vacation package. Most popular activities? Oohing and ahhing over the weekly torchlight parade and fireworks, belting out tunes in family karaoke and building a sled to launch from a jump in I-Did-A-Sled – all had approval ratings of more than 95 percent.

Stratton Mountain Resort

Stratton, which is now part of the Aspen/Snowmass, Intrawest, Mammoth, Squaw, Deer Valley group, has expanded its fleet of 11 groomers includes two new Bison X Prinoth cats which guides the team in crafting seamless corduroy and terrain park features and transports guests to midmountain for a starlight gourmet dinner held every Saturday this winter. Combined with more than 1,200 efficient (HKD and fan) guns, Stratton’s seasoned operations team creates epic snow with less energy, including a 40% reduction

Smugglers’ Notch is one of the most family-friendly ski resorts in the country but also offers expert trails © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

in diesel use with the switch to electric compressors.

Stratton, which was just acquired as part of the mega-merger of Aspen Sking and KSL of Intrawest, has joined the  M.A.X Pass family, giving their season pass holders the option to add

WRITER’S CORNER

five days of skiing and riding, with zero blackout days, at each of 42 other resorts across North America for just $329.

See page D5

Hope springs eternal for the Hofstra Men’s Basketball season

BY LOU THEODORE

A week has elapsed and Thanksgiving is now a near distant memory. It is now December. Christmas and the New Year are quickly approaching. What’s the significance? It primarily means one thing for basketball buffs in the Nassau County area: the 2017-18 Hofstra men’s basketball season has arrived.

Every year, at about this time (December 1), I introduce the reader to Hofstra’s Men’s Basketball Team and start the review and prediction process for the coming season. This year is no different – so here goes.

I begin with some comments about last year’s team. One could best describe Hofstra’s (2016-17) last season with one word: under-performance. Here is a part (bullet pointers) of what I had written earlier about last year’s team.

• Once again (as with last year) defense was woefully weak.

• Once again, bench help was essentially non-existent.

• Sabathy (the reserve center) was underutilized.

• Rokas had a disappointing season; his defense play was often missing and also had a poor shooting season.

• Wright-Foreman emerged as a force to be reckoned with the next two years.

• The loss of Buie could have made a difference.

• Buie’s contribution the next three season is currently a wild card.

Here were my bullet pointers at that time for this season.

• Hire an assistance coach to help reduce/eliminate defensive problems.

• STOP playing zone; Wisconsin had several players who couldn’t guard one-on-one and yet played a solid manto-man defense.

• Recruit players who play stellar defense.

• Players should understand that the magic word in defense is INTENSITY! And this is where bench help comes into play.

• Although the team’s goal should be to win games, the ultimate goal is to win the CAA tournament – and that should be reflected in the team’s phi losophy and overall preparation during the season.

Here is the way I see it regarding per sonnel this year. The three key ingredi ents for success remains (as with last year) Wright-Foreman, Pemberton, and Rokas. Wright-Foreman is the real thing, could be CAA player of the year this and next season, and has an outside shot to move onto the next level. Pemberton has potential, seems like a nice kid, but I question his atti tude and defense. Senior Rokas is the wildcard at this point. He has signif icant potential but has not improved since his sophomore year; his defense and inability to make layups and foul shots appear to be problems that have not been addressed. I still like Buie

and Sabathy and hope they see significant action. I believe Buie may turn out to be the heir to a long list of great guards who have performed at Mack Arena. Newcomers of merit? Forwards

the team playing more man-to-man defense. And, the team’s records is 4-3, including a win against Dayton. As for predictions, it will probably be another mediocre year for three reasons:

See page D7

BY TOM MARGENAU

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY

Guessing at Answers to Unedited Questions

I get about a hundred questions emailed to me every week. And I put as many as I can into this weekly column. As you might think, I sometimes have to summarize or rephrase the question to make sure other readers understand what the questioner was asking.

But today, I thought it would be interesting to offer you an unedited glimpse into some of the more confusing queries that land in my mailbag. You’ll see that sometimes I have to guess what the person was asking before I take a stab at an answer.

Q: What is the maximum rate someone who waited until 75 can get from Social Security? He waited that long to get his Social Security. I don’t know where he is. I am only getting $1,565 and I think I should get more. I don’t trust the Social Security clerks because when I ask them, they either tell me “no” or they tell me they don’t understand my questions.

A: Well, frankly, I’m not entirely sure I understand what you are asking either. But let me guess what you are asking. I think you want to know if you might be due benefits on your husband’s Social Security record. Or perhaps you mean your ex-husband. If that is your question, the answer is no. And that’s because the maximum you can get on his account would be 50 percent of his age 66 rate (not his age 75 rate). And the current maximum age 66 rate is about $2,600. Half of that is $1,300. So the $1,565 you are already getting on your own account is more than you could possibly get as a wife on your husband’s or ex-husband’s Social Security record.

Q: I am getting supplemental disability Social Security. I am about to turn 62. I was told I must now file for my retirement Social Security. Is this really true? And if I do that, will I lose my Medicaid?

A: I think you meant to say that you are getting Supplemental Security Income disability benefits. SSI is a federal welfare program managed by the Social Security Administration. (And as I always point out to readers when I mention SSI, those benefits are paid for out of general tax revenues, not Social Security taxes.)

Like any welfare program, SSI is supposed to be a payment of last resort. In other words, you get SSI because you aren’t eligible for any other government assistance. But the other side to the “payment of last resort” stipulation is that you must file for all other benefits you might be due. Now that you are turning 62, you are eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. So that’s why you must file for them.

And whatever you get from Social Security will just come off the top of your monthly SSI check. For example,

I’m going to guess that you are getting about $730 per month from SSI. (That’s about the maximum rate.) Let’s say your monthly Social Security retirement check is $600. You would get that $600, and then you would get $130 from SSI. (Well, for reasons I don’t want to take the time to explain here, you actually would get $150 from SSI, giving you a total income of $750.) And you would keep your Medicaid coverage.

Q: I get the city pension offset on my own Social Security. So why can’t I get my husband’s?

A: There is no “city pension offset,” per se. What you were trying to say is that your retirement benefit was reduced by something called the “windfall elimination provision.” I have explained WEP a thousand times in this column, and won’t do so again today. But in a nutshell, that law says that if you get a pension because you spent your career working at a job not covered by Social Security (the city pension in your case), and if you have worked on the side and paid into Social Security for less than 30 years, then your Social Security retirement benefit will be reduced from about 5 percent to as much as 50 percent, depending on how long you paid into Social Security.

And then a separate law called the “government pension offset” says that an amount equal to two-thirds of your city pension must be deducted from any Social Security benefits you might be due on your husband’s Social Security record.

Q: I had a Social Security card with a T on it and now I got another card with an A on it. Which should I use?

A: I’m sure you are talking about Medicare cards, not Social Security cards. My hunch is that you applied for Medicare only when you turned 65. People who are on Medicare but not yet on Social Security usually get a Medicare card showing their Social Security number followed by the letter “T.” (It really doesn’t stand for anything.) Then sometime recently you must have signed up for your own retirement benefits. After doing that, they issued you a new Medicare card with your Social Security number followed by the letter “A”, which is the symbol used to designate retirement benefits.

Q: I am a woman. Am I eligible for any Social Security benefits?

A: Gosh! Talk about an open-ended question! I could answer by saying, “How in the world would I know?” But I won’t be so snippy and instead will give you this very abbreviated benefit eligibility overview. Assuming you have worked and paid taxes for a specified period of time, you could get retirement benefits if you are 62 or older or disability benefits at any age if you have a physical or mental impairment that

keeps you from working. You could get benefits from a husband if they pay more than you are due on your own record. Or if your husband is deceased and you are over age 60, you might be

due widow’s benefits.

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has the answer. Contact him at thomas.margenau@comcast.net. COPYRIGHT 2017 CREATORS.COM

CROSSWORD

PUZZLE

Answers on page D5

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

What’s Up on Vermont’s Mountain Resorts Slopes

Stowe Mountain Resort

Stowe Mountain Resort, newly acquired by Vail Resorts is now Epic (as in Epic Pass) for the 2017-18 winter season. Starting at only $859, the Epic Pass offers unlimited, unrestricted access to Stowe Mountain Resort and the Epic Local Pass, $639, will offer 10 days of skiing at Stowe. The iconic, East Coast resort is the newest among 45 of the world’s most renowned mountain destinations to be offered with the Epic Pass – which includes the best of the West throughout 10 world-class destination resorts.

The new, $30 million Stowe Adventure Center is a state-of-the art facility that sets a new standard in the industry for kids and family amenities. Located at Spruce Peak, Stowe’s Adventure Center is home to all the children’s programs. From daycare facilities to ski and ride programs for kids 3 and up, the new Adventure Center has significantly advanced and expanded luxurious family amenities and services at the resort. The building also includes new shops, an Indoor Climbing Center (called Stowe Rocks) and family-friendly dining in The Canteen restaurant

Fulfilling the need for family fun off the slopes has been the number one trend at Stowe Mountain Resort over the past several years. That’s why Stowe has recently opened several new amenities in the beautiful Spruce Peak Village Center. Here, at the base of Stowe Mountain, families can enjoy free ice skating (11 am to 9 pm daily) on the new rink centrally located at Spruce (rentals available). On one end of the rink is the new Pavilion building that hosts both children’s activities such as arts and crafts, along with a wine bar for the adults. Also, adjacent to the outdoor ice rink is the Stowe Rocks indoor climbing center. Suitable for all ages, Stowe Rocks has 6 different program walls and a free-standing 40-foot ‘Elephant Head’ tower.

Spruce Peak is also home to the relatively new Stowe Mountain Lodge, one of the most awarded new ski-in skiout luxury hotels & spas in the world.

Sugarbush

Uphill travel at  Sugarbush continues to see huge increases in popularity over the last few seasons. The resort offers free uphill travel passes valid for skinning up designated routes at the resort before and after lift-served operating hours. Sugarbush enters its fourth year with such a policy. The resort hosts Tour De Moon several times throughout the season – a guided skin to Walt’s at the Glen House at Mt. Ellen and offers an

uphill travel option for Allyn’s Lodge Fireside Dining.

In addition, the resort is replacing two of its older double lifts, the Village Double and Sunshine Double, with new fixed-grip quads. There are new RFID gates to speed access, new snowmaking.

With the widespread conglomeration of ski resorts, Sugarbush is emphatically proud of being independently owned and operated (the owner can be found skiing some 100 days).

Sugarbush is replacing the old ticket scanning system with RFID gates at all base lifts. Other projects to improve the guest experience include purchasing new SnowLogic guns, replacing the motor for the North Ridge Quad, installing a new snowmaking pipe on Which Way, new air compressor for snowmaking and purchasing two new Pisten Bully groomers (one specifically designed for the terrain park).

New for the 2017-18 season, Sugarbush has joined the  Mountain Collective, an international pass with access to 16 premier ski destinations all over the world.

The resort is creating new trails for hiking and mountain biking for spring 2018, and Nordic and snowshoeing and ski biking at its center. Tuesday nights offer snowshoeing and picnic on the mountain.

Killington Resort

Killington, “The Beast of the East,” the site of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup over Thanksgiving Weekend, brings new, lower season pass pricing on their Unlimited Season Passes offering unrestricted access to the longest season in the East at an even better value than last season. Killington continues to replace snowmaking infrastructure to ensure their ability to deliver a consistent ski and ride experience.

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

Here’s What’s Up on Vermont’s Mountain Resorts Slopes for 2017-18 Season

Killington is committed to providing the highest quality snow surface possible. As part of this commitment, POWDR continues to upgrade the resort’s snowmaking system, from pipes and pumps, to snowguns and snowcats. As part of a $1M investment in conjunction with Efficiency Vermont, Killington and Pico will add new lowenergy tower-mounted snowguns that use a fraction of the power compared to older models. Additionally, three new state-of-the-art energy efficient snowcats will produce top-notch manicured trails and terrain parks at Killington and Pico.

A Learn to ski and snowboard Discovery” program consists of 4 days lift tix & rental, then you get a free pair of skis.

Killington and Pico are catering to increasing popularity of “uphill travel” with guests choosing to reach the peaks of Bear Mountain, Snowdon, Ramshead and Pico via human vs. machine power with designated routes for each mountain area and 24/7 access (when designed routes are open).

(We were delighted to learn that Casey’s Caboose, a delightful restaurant near Killington, had been closed for four years, but was acquired by a Brit who loves Killington and has reopened the restaurant.)

Killington and Pico are two of four Vermont resorts to offer the  M.A.X Pass add-on for season passholders. The add on at $329, gives purchasers five days of additional skiing and riding at any of the 42 participating resorts nationwide, including Stratton, Okemo,

Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Windham (just joined), Whiteface and Gore.

Mount Snow Resort

Always a pioneer when it comes to snowmaking, Mount Snow has completed $30 million in snowmaking upgrades for the upcoming season, including doubling their ability to make snow and increasing storage capacity six-fold. These upgrades give Mount Snow one of the most powerful snowmaking systems in the East, meaning more trails opening faster to start the season, and better coverage all winter long.

Mount Snow also plans to open a 42,000 sq. foot base lodge at the terrain park.

Part of Peaks Resorts, Mount Snow is included in the  Peak Pass family which allows recipients access to seven mountains from New Hampshire down to Pennsylvania, including sister resorts Attitash, NH and Hunter Mountain, NY. Packages are available from $101/night.

Okemo Mountain Resort

Okemo’s dedication to creating a superior snow surface continues with the addition of two new grooming machines to its fleet of Prinoth Beasts. The Prinoth Bison demonstrates excellent maneuverability and climbing ability - even in adverse conditions - and the Bison X is the ultimate park vehicle. Snowmaking upgrades include a new feeder pipe from Okemo’s Base Pump to mid-mountain Pump Station, and additional pipe upward. Okemo is also adding HKD SV 10 snowguns, bringing its arsenal of HKD snow guns to 1,300 mountain-wide. Okemo continues its rental equipment replacement program

with the purchase of more new skis and snowboards, and, to keep all that equipment in top condition, Okemo is upgrading tuning equipment in the shops at both base areas.

Okemo is a frontrunner with simplified season pass offerings and reduced prices across the board. Skiers and riders can choose from the  Ultra Pass, Classic Pass, Midweek Pass and College Pass. And all passes qualify for a  M.A.X Pass add-on – five days of skiing and riding, with zero blackout days, at each of 42 other resorts across North America.

Mad River Glen

Mad River Glen’s goal is to maintain and preserve the experience rather than overhaul or upgrade it. The ability of Mad River Glen to consistently reinvest in the mountain’s infrastructure is a testament to the success of the Cooperative. Both the skier-owners and the management understand that skiers come to Mad River for the unique combination of legendary terrain, sense of community, low skier density and intimate atmosphere. In over 20 years of co-op ownership, Mad River Glen has invested well over $5 million in capital improvements.

Mad River Glen’s Naturalist Programs are becoming more popular every year. Ever wondered why there are so many snowshoe hare tracks on the slopes? Or seen the bear bites and scratches on trees and questioned the meaning behind them? Perhaps you have encountered Moose tracks and pondered how they can survive the winters. Valley visitors can learn more about these animals, mountains and forests of Vermont by taking part in

one of Mad River Glen’s award-winning Naturalist Programs.

Bromley Mountain Resort

Kid’s fun is the focus at Bromley. On snow, Bromley has reworked their terrain park to embrace the learning progression for smaller statures, with a progressive flow that keeps kids jumping and spinning safely as they move from beginner to professional jib hunter. Off snow they’ve kept the après options easy, with a dedicated kid’s space in the lodge, complete with Vew-do balance boards, movies, video games and, on some nights, special guest entertainment.

Bromley’s cozy base lodge is getting a new roof, the Sun Deck has been resurfaced (all the better to support après firepit hangs), and the rental equipment fleet has a superbly restocked quiver. Don’t own your own? Bromley is expanding the highperformance options in the rental shop this season with more new Rossignol Experience 80 skis, plus all new junior boots in the latest comfy model for happy kid feet.

Jay Peak Resort

Jay Peak is adding reels and rappelling to its list of activities for the coming winter. The resort is opening a 142-seat movie theater and Clip ‘n Climb climbing facility in the 15,000-square foot Clips and Reels recreation center opening at the Stateside area of the resort.

Weather-proofing the New England ski and ride vacation is a  trend Jay Peak started when they opened their Ice Haus in 2010. The arena offers public skating times, figure-skating lessons and stick-and-puck pick-up games.

Jay Peak expanded the weather-proof menu in 2011 with the 60,000-square foot Pump House, an indoor waterpark that guarantees exhausted children.

Suicide Six

Suicide Six (the ski mountain that is owned by the grand Woodstock Inn) continues to make trail improvements, with widening, stumping and thinning of glades in many areas across the map. Contour and grade changes will allow for faster and better snowmaking coverage, as well as newly constructed load and unload decks at the recently installed summit quad. Snowmaking improvements continue with the addition of new snow producers, as well

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

as pipeline and infrastructure repairs. Look for better coverage and higher quality when you visit this season and expect more to come in the future.

Trapp Family Lodge

North America’s first crosscountry skiing center is turning 50! Trapp Family Lodge (founded by the family immortalized in “The Sound of Music”) is celebrating with a week of events, from January 20-26, including a celebration at the Bierhall, a ski with the von Trapps and a specialty brew by von Trapp Brewing.

Mountain Top Inn & Resort

In addition to the abundance of winter activities including 60km of cross

country ski (much of it groomed and petfriendly) and snowshoe trails, Mountain Top Inn & Resort is leading Vermont’s rising trend as a premier 4-season wedding destination. Snow covered winter weddings are a rising trend right now and the property beckons couples with one of Vermont’s most spectacular views, gorgeous event barn, year-round activities and luxurious accommodations. Offering a magical winter wonderland, many of these weddings involve avid skiers wishing to infuse their favorite past-time into their special day.

More information from Vermont Ski Areas Association, https://skivermont.

com/ where you can use the Resort Finder to find lodging, packages, deals, conditions.

© 2017 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear. com,  www.huffingtonpost.com/author/ karen-rubin  and  travelwriters magazine.com/TravelFeatures Syndicate/. Blogging at  goingplaces near andfar.wordpress. com and  moralcompasstravel.info. Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@ aol.com. Tweet @TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at  facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

The Woodstock Inn & Resort Offers Ski & Stay Packages for Winter 2018

WOODSTOCK, VT – With predictions of a “snowier-than-normal” winter this year by the Farmer’s Almanac, the Woodstock Inn & Resort is already gearing up with two ski packages available for guests at its private Suicide Six Ski Area, offering more than 100 acres of skiing and snowboarding on 24 trails and slopes with terrain suitable for all abilities. And, the resort’s Tubbs Snowshoes & Nordic Adventure Center provides adventurers with an additional 30 kilometers of trails to explore via Nordic skis, fat tire bikes or snowshoes. Nestled in Vermont’s Green Mountains, Suicide Six is one of the oldest ski areas in the country.

Couples are invited to ramp-up winter romance on the slopes with the  Teach Your Honey How to Ski package, available from January 1 through March 10, 2018 and includes: luxury accommodations for one night; two hour private lesson for beginners (includes lift ticket); one regular lift ticket for the second person; two après ski cocktails to toast a day on the slopes together; use of the Athletic Club’s fitness equipment, indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and hot tub (package rate starts at $493 per couple).

The  Suicide Six Ski package  is available from January 1 through March 10, 2018 and includes: luxury accommodations for one night; all-day ski passes for two adults at Suicide Six Ski area; hearty breakfast for two at the Red Rooster; use of the

Athletic Club’s fitness equipment, indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and hot tub (package rate starts at $381 per couple; additional people may be added for an added cost, plus tax, gratuitity and $30 per room, per night resort fee;

The grand, historic four-season Woodstock Inn (in spring) in the quintessential New England village of Woodstock, offers ski and stay packages with its ski area, Suicide Six © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

blackout dates apply).

For après ski, Pearly’s Pourhouse at Suicide Six has local Vermont beer on tap, hearty winter-fare and a woodburning fireplace. Guests can also warm up by the Inn’s iconic lobby fireplace or retreat to The Spa, a 10,000 square foot facility complete with a relaxation space, Shaker wood stoves, a hot tub, and a Scandinavian sauna. The game room is fully equipped for game night with a giant Scrabble board, foosball

the comfortable Richardson’s Tavern, known for its heartwarming fondue made from nearby Billings Farm cheese.

Recognized as one of the “prettiest small towns in America,” Woodstock is quintessential New England, brimming with history and New England charm. For shopping and strolling, downtown Woodstock’s quaint antique shops, art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, specialty food markets and more are just outside the resort’s front door. And, also a short walk away are The Billings Farm and Museum and The MarshBillings-Rockefeller Mansion, Laurance and Mary Rockefeller’s home, which are part of the March-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park.

The Woodstock Inn & Resort defines country sophistication.  The 142room, AAA Four Diamond Resort and a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts LVX Collection, offers awardwinning dining in two restaurants, ranked among the finest in New England.  The Woodstock Inn & Resort is owned and operated by The Woodstock Foundation, Inc.  Proceeds from Resort operations support The Woodstock Foundation and Billings Farm & Museum education and conservation programs.

table, vintage pinball machines, board games,. A choice of culinary options includes the Red Rooster, a fine dining restaurant that emphasizes fresh, local ingredients sourced from the best purveyors in New England, and

WRITER’S CORNER

For more information about the Woodstock Inn & Resort, visit www. woodstockinn.com

Hope springs eternal for the Hofstra Men’s Basketball season

C ontinued from page D3

college basketball is operated.” Really? Anybody believe him ever since the feds accused coaches, financial managers and an Adidas executive of using bribes to influence athletes’ choices of schools, shoe sponsors and agents. Nothing has been done and no one really expects

anything to be done. College basketball remains corrupt and the NCAA remains corrupt. Yes, the right word is corrupt. What a shame. I still maintain that the NCAA’s concept of the student-athlete is one of the all-time great scams perpetrated on the public.

As noted on numerous times in the past, attending Hofstra games still

remains the best sports buy in the New York Metropolitan area. There is ample free parking, the concession stands are not a rip-off, there isn’t a bad seat in the house, and its $6 for seniors and children.

In the meantime, the second edition of my Basketball Coaching 101 book is in the works. It will unveil my umbrella

offence – the basketball offense of the future. Consider buying the book – I really do need the royalty money to help subsidize my gambling habits.

Visit the author at: www.theodorenewsletter.com or on his Facebook page at Basketball Coaching 101

CLASSIFIEDS ...a sure way to get results. Call 294.8900

ONE CALL TO 516-294-8900

AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN 11 LOCAL NEWSPAPERS. CALL TODAY FOR OUR VERY LOW RATES. FAX: 516-294-8924

www.gcnews.com

Garden City News • Great Neck News • Mid Island Times

Bethpage Newsgram • Syosset Advance

Jericho News Journal • Williston Times - Mineola Edition

New Hyde Park Herald Courier • Manhasset Times

Roslyn Times • Port Washington Times

DEADLINE FOR CLASSIFIED ADS IS TUESDAY AT 1:00PM.

3 EASY WAYS TO PLACE ADS:

1) Directly on website: gcnews.com & click on “Classified Order”

2) Email Nancy@gcnews.com 3) Fax 516-294-8924

Please include your name, daytime phone number, address and ad copy.

Visa and MasterCard Accepted

Are you tired of thAt sAme old job?

Don’t miss an opportunity for a great job where you can serve your community and make good money doing it. We provide the training you need to obtain your commercial drivers license. We offer: - Flexible hours - 401k plans with Matching funds - Health Insurance - Life Insurance - Emergency Family leave - Safety & attendance bonus twice a

Wait there’s more: REtIREEES wELcoME!

EaSy to dRIvE

FREE cdL tRaInIng For qualified candidates. We will train you for the road test. Call today to begin training!

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

FLORIST

FLORAL DESIGNER NEED-

ED for Garden City area Florist. FT/PT. Experience a must. Typical cleaning, watering, wrapping with an emphasis on helping the customer. Great for retired Florists looking for a few hours a week. hengstenbergsflorist@gmail. com

SITUATION WANTED

AIDE/COMPANION AVAIL-

ABLE with over 12 years of experience. Seeking to work with the elderly. References upon request. Please call 347-965-0333

AVAILABLE NOW: Companion/Aide with car. Please call 718-986-4215 or email: jgsensual@aol.com

EMPLOYMENT

SITUATION WANTED

CERTIFIED HOME HEALTH

AIDE: Full time or weekends. 20+ year experience, light housekeeping, shopping, activities, etc. Own transportation. Please call 516-236-1711

CLEANING AVAILABLE

Houses and Apartments. Flexible days and hours. Experienced, reasonable prices. Very good references Own transportation. Please call 516-272-5154 or 516-385-5547

ELDER CARE AVAILABLE

Live in/Live out, 10 yrs experience, references. Will cook, clean, laundry, etc. Please call Pauline 718-413-0941 or 646-3772308

EMPLOYMENT

SITUATION WANTED

HOME HEALTH AIDE will take care of your loved one in their home. Experienced & honest. Licensed driver with own transportation. Call Flo 352-262-6970

HOME HEALTH AIDE / ELDER CARE Home health aide with over 15 years experience !! Excellent references. Cooking, cleaning, showers, all aspects of daily care. Live in. Available Immediately !! Call Sharon 347-739-7717

Beginning December 1,2O17 for an on-call basis Has Excellent Opportunities Available for: Send resume & letter of interest to: Sydney Friefelder

• P/T Substitute School Monitors

• P/T Substitute Teacher Aides

• P/T Substitute Cleaners

Interim Assistant Superintendent for Business EWSD 11 Bacon Road, Old Westbury, N.Y. 11568 or Fax: 516-333-1126

CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

EMPLOYMENT

HOMECARE COMPANION

w/15 Yrs

MARKETPLACE

STEEL BUILDINGS

END OF YEAR SALE

Discontinued Colors

Save 30% off panel price

Limited Inventory Available www.sunwardsteel.com 845-206-4297

WANTED TO BUY

CAREER TRAINING

AIRLINE CAREERS Start here. Get trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call AIM for free information 866296-7094

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LOST & FOUND

LOST BEAUTIFUL BLACK ROSARY

on Sunday, November 11

Vicinity of St. Joseph’s Church and Key Food, 7th Street. REWARD!

Please call 516-747-0258

PEACOCK FOUND

PEACOCK found on Caroline Avenue Garden City South on November 21

Information call: 516-481-1612

MARKETPLACE

GARAGE CONTENTS FOR SALE GARDEN CITY: Pottery Barn Twin Bed with underneath storage drawers both sides of bed. Excellent Condition.

HON Lateral Filing Cabinet, 5 drawers. Excellent condition. Misc Items: Printer, fax, scanner.

Please call for details/pricing: 516-779-8788

INVITED ESTATE SALES

BY TRACY JORDAN Estate & Tag Sales

Online & Live Auctions

Cleanout & Moving Services

Home Staging Services Appraisals 516-279-6378

www.invitedsales.com

Email: tracyjordan@invitedsales.com

MARKETPLACE

AVITAL GALLERY 336: Paintings, Royal Copenhagen, Rosenthal and more. Hours Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday 12-5, Friday 10-1 or by appointment. 770 Middle Neck road, Great Neck, NY 11024. 516-3045640 or call 516-528-9765. Free parking in back

INVITED ESTATE SALES

BY TRACY JORDAN

Monday, December 11

9:30 a.m.

100 Stratford Avenue West Hempstead, NY 11550

Dining Room, Bedroom, Living Room Furniture, Rugs, Costume Jewelry, Books, Vintage items, Household and Attic... Visit www.invitedsales.com for pictures and details !

LOOKING TO BUY!

Oriental items, clothing, art, old & modern furniture, estates, jewelry, silver, glassware, dishes, old photos, coins & stamps, flatware. Call George 718-3861104 or 917-775-3048

TOP CASH PAID: JEWELRY, Furniture, Art, etc. Please call 718-598-3045 or 516-270-2128. www.iBuyAntiquesNYC.com

TAG SALE

*BROWSE *SHOP *CONSIGN

A.T. STEWART EXCHANGE CONSIGNMENT SHOP

China, Silver, Crystal, Jewelry, Artwork, Furniture, Antiques, Collectibles

Tues-Fri 10-4

Sat 12-4

Every Tuesday: 10% Senior Citizen Discount. All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society 109 Eleventh Street Garden City 11530

516-746-8900

email: store@atstewartexchange.org

www.gardencityhistoricalsociety. org

INVITED ESTATE SALES

BY TRACY JORDAN

Wednesday, December 13

9:30 a.m.

2039 Vine Drive Merrick, NY 11566

Artwork, Mid Century Furniture, Men’s Suits, Clothing and Accessories, Household, Crystal, Books, Records and more.....Visit www.invitedsales.com for pictures and details !

WILLISTON PARK: Bargains + Blessings Thrift Shop at the Church of the Resurrection, 147 Campbell Ave at Center St., Williston Park. OPEN Thursdays and Saturdays 10-4. 516746-5527. Holiday Decorations, Ornaments, Wrapping Paper, Tree Skirts, Gifts for family and friends. Everything you need for the holidays. Jewelry, clothing, household items, etc. Donations accepted. Mon-Fri 9am-12pm. CHRISTMAS SHOP OPEN NOW.

PETS

PET SERVICES

A GARDEN CITY ANIMAL LOVER doesn’t want to leave your precious pooch or fantastic feline alone all day. I’m reliable, dependable and will walk and feed your pet while you work or travel. Please call Cheryl at 516-971-3242

PETS

PET SERVICES

DO YOU HATE KENNELS? OR STRANGERS IN YOUR HOUSE?

HOME AWAY FROM HOME will care for your dog in my Garden City home while you are away. Dog walking also available. Pet CPR & first Aid Certified. Numerous referrals and references. Limited availability. Book early!

Annmarie 516-775-4256

MYA’S K9 CAMP Full Service Pet Care Professional Dog Grooming Training Boarding Walking EFT Pet Therapy

Therapeutic Healing GC Resident 516-382-5553

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOS WANTED

DONATE YOUR CAR to Wheels For Wishes, benefitting Make-a-Wish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Call 631-317-2014 Today!

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

APARTMENT FOR RENT

GARDEN CITY RENTALS

First Floor, Five Rooms 2 Bed, 2 Full Baths

Updated EIK, A/C Parking Immediate

$3,000

Garden City Properties (516)746-1563 / (516)313-8504

ROOM FOR RENT

MINEOLA: Large furnished room, private entrance, share bath, own TV, microwave and fridge, A/C. No pets/smoking. $735 month all utilities included plus 1 month security. References required. 516-747-5799

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

OFFICE SPACE

GARDEN CITY 1565 FRANKLIN AVE

Large Windowed Offices in newly built professional suite. Conference room, reception, copier, pantry included. Ample parking available. Call 516-248-3048

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

HOMES FOR SALE

FRANKLIN SQUARE HOMES FOR SALE:

Cherry Lane; 4 Bedrooms, 2 Full Baths, rear dormer, full basement, garage. Carukin Street; 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths, full dormer, finished basement, 2 car garage. LISA DP REAL ESTATE Text or call: 516-319-3647

OUT OF TOWN REAL ESTATE

JAMESPORT:

STUNNING 3500 sf VICTORIAN

Private landscaped setting on 1 acre. 4 BRs & 3.5 Baths. 2 Master Bedroom Suites. Large EIK, Formal LR, Formal DR, Family Room/fireplace. Geothermal Heat, Central Air and Solar panels. Finished Basement. 3 Car Garage. Must See! Just Listed! $949,000. Colony Realty, Carll Austin 516658-2623

UPSTATE NY LAND! 5 to 41 tracts! Waterfront, old farmland, country bldg lots! Liquidation prices. Terms. Call 888-9058847 newyorklandandlakes.com

SERVICES

CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY DECORATIONS professionally installed on your home or office. Let us help you design your display. Will purchase and deliver decorations if needed. Gutters and windows cleaned. Full handyman services. Free estimate. Senior discount. Call 516-534-9518

CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

AMBIANCE

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

*Handyman & Remodeling

*Kitchen Installations

*Furniture Assembly

*Finish Carpentry

*Minor Electrical & Plumbing

25year GC Resident Lic & Ins H18E2170000 Call BOB 516-741-2154

SERVICES

GUTTERS, WINDOWS, CAR-

PET CLEANING! GENERAL HOME REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE: “Handyman Services”. Outdoor Christmas & holiday decorating available. Plumbing, electrical is my specialty. Most gutters $30-40. Sprinkler blow outs, painting available. Clean ups in/out. All odd jobs...you name it. I will do it. All work guaranteed!! Fully insured. Free estimate. Senior discount. Call 516-534-9518

LAMPS FIXED $65

In home service. Handy Howard. 646-996-7628

MASONRY

All types of stonework Pavers, Retaining Walls, Belgium Block Patios, Foundations, Seal coating, Concrete and Asphalt driveways, Sidewalks, Steps.

Free Estimates

Fully Licensed & Insured

#H2219010000

Boceski Masonry Louie 516-850-4886

ROOF LEAKS REPAIRED Slate Roof Specialist. Copper Flashings. Snow Guards. Aluminum Trim & Siding. No Sub-Contractors. Nassau Lic# H1859520000.

B.C. Roofing 631-496-9711. Text or call owner direct: 516-983-0860

SKY CLEAR WINDOW and Restorations Inc. Window Restorations, Outdated Hardware, skylights, Andersen Sashes, new storm windows, wood windows, chain/rope repairs, falling windows, fogged panes, mechanical repairs, wood repairs, restorations, all brands. Call Mr. Fagan, 32 years experience. 631-385-7975 www.skyclearwindow.com

SERVICES

PAINTING & PAPERHANGING

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING

Plastering, Taping, Sheetrock

Skim Cutting, Old Wood Refinish, Staining, Wallpaper Removal & Hanging, Paint Removal, Power Washing, Wood Replacement

JOHN MIGLIACCIO

Licensed & Insured

#80422100000

Call John anytime: 516-901-9398 (Cell) 516-483-3669 (Office)

PAINTING PAINTING PAINTING: Interior/Exterior.

Fall Specials! Call Steve cell 972998-8573

PARTY HELP

LADIES & GENTLEMEN

RELAX & ENJOY

Your Next Party! Catering and Experienced Professional Services for Assisting with Preparation, Serving and Clean Up Before, During and After Your Party Bartenders Available. Call Kate at 516-248-1545

TUTORING

MATH, PHYSICS, SAT/ACT

TUTOR, adjunct professor Calculus I,II, Algebra, trig, AP & Pre-Calc, IB, NYS Certified, highly experienced. Raj 516-7871026

MATH, SAT, ACT TUTOR: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2 plus Trig, Pre-Calc, AP Calculus. Norm 625-3314

ENGLISH, ACT, SAT TUTOR: 25+ year experience Critical Reading, Writing, Grammar, Essays. Lynne 625-3314 INSTRUCTION

PIANO LESSONS

By Ira Baslow. Experience the joy of playing the piano. Private lessons in your home, free no-obligation piano lesson, all levels, all styles, all ages. Beginners a specialty. 516-312-1054 www.iwantmypianolessons. com

SERVICES

CLEANING

SERVICES

COMPLETE JUNK REMOVAL/DEMOLITION SERVICE:

Strong Arm Contracting Inc. We haul anything and everything. Entire contents of home or office. We clean it up and take it away. Residential/Commercial. Bonded/Insured. Free estimates. 516-538-1125

DEFEND YOURSELF!

Tactics for self defense: In home, empowerment, flexible hours, any age or gender, discourage bullies. Free consultation. Please call 631-707-0029

STRONG ARM CLEANING:

Residential and commercial cleaning specialist, post construction clean ups, shipping and waxing floors, move ins and move outs. Free estimates. Bonded and insured. 516-5381125 www.strongarmcleaningny.com

SERVICES

A & J MOVING & STORAGE:

Established 1971. Long Island and New York State specialists. Residential, Commercial, Piano & Organ experts. Boxes available. Free estimates. www. ajmoving.com 516-741-2657 114 Jericho Tpk, Mineola NYDOT# 10405

COLLEGE ARTS ADMISSIONS: College Counseling in the Visual and Performing Arts. Dance, Musical Theatre & Drama. Film, Instrumental & Vocal Music. Audio Recording & Production. Theatre Technology & Production. Visual & Graphic Arts. Resume, Essays, Repertoire Lists. Michele Zimmerman. 516-353-6255 CollegeArtsAdmissions@gmail.com www.CollegeArtsAdmissions. com

Do you own a local business?

Place an ad in our classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call The Garden City office at 294-8900 for more information Litmor Publishing Corp.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Join the Last Hope cat rescue and adoption team!

Volunteer orientations are held at our Wantagh adoption center the second Sunday of each month at 3:00 PM. Reservations not needed, but please fill out and fax a volunteer application in advance to 516-765-9181. You can download the application from our website: http:// lasthopeanimalrescue.org. Click on “How to Help”, then “Become a Volunteer!”. Our adoption center is located at 3300 Beltagh Avenue in Wantagh. We look forward to having you on our team.

Advertising Sales Executive Blank Slate Media

Our Service Directory is sure to bring results. Call 294-8900 for rates and information.

Blank Slate Media, a fast-growing chain of 6 award-winning weekly newspapers and website, is looking for an energetic, service-oriented professional with good communications skills to sell display, web and email advertising.

Earn up to $60,000 in the first-year representing the 6 Blank Slate Media publications and website as well the 5 publications and 1 website owned by Blank Slate’s sales partner, Litmor Publications.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and service-oriented sales professional with good communication skills.

Requirements: Minimum of 2 years outside sales experience. Newspaper sales experience a plus. Must have your own car.

• Opportunity to sell both print and online programs

• A collegial, supportive sales team

• Award-winning editorial coverage

• Aseparate newspaper for each community allowing advertisers to target their markets, and you to provide the most cost-effective way to advertise

• Represent media that produce superior response for clients Compensation

• Salary plus commission • Health insurance

• Paid vacation, sick days & holiday

To apply, e-mail your resume and cover letter to sblank@theislandnow.com or call Steve at 516-307-1045 x201 for more information.

Theatrical excellence at Hicksville High School

of the

and

Students at Hicksville High School performed a remarkable rendition of The Laramie Project under the direction of drama teacher Caitlin Cassidy on Nov. 16, 17 and 18.

The 50-member cast and crew showcased their talents in three acts for members of the school district and community. Prior to the performances, students also met Dennis Shepard and

Judy Shepard, the parents of Matthew Shepard, upon whom the play is based. The fall production not only highlighted students’ skills in the performing arts, but also touched on a variety of important lessons in character education.

of the

and

Calling all College students!

Have an outstanding GPA, honor-roll, internship? Let us know about your transcending achievements then show your family, friends & neighbors!

E-mail your most prized achievements, along with your name and contact info to: Editor Meg Norris - Editor@GCnews.com

A scene from Hicksville High School’s fall theater production, “The Laramie Project.

Members

cast

crew of the Hicksville High School fall theater production, “The Laramie Project” with Dennis and Judy Shepard.

Members

cast

crew of the Hicksville High School fall theater production, “The Laramie Project” with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carl Bonuso.

From left, Dennis Shepard, Hicksville High School drama teacher Caitlin Cassidy, and Judy Shepard.

Photos courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of formation of Pamela Jill LLC. Articles of organization filed with Secretary of state on 10/31/17 Office location Nassau County: SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY mail process of LLC 17 Andover Lane Hicksville NY 11801. Purpose any lawful activity.

MIT 5589

6X 11/10,17,24,12/01,08,15

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT: NASSAU COUNTY. RIDGEWOOD

SAVINGS BANK, Pltf. vs. PATRICIA J. CARBERY, et al, Defts. Index #6462/2014. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered August 16, 2017, I will sell at public auction at the Calendar Control Part (CCP) Courtroom of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Dr., Mineola, NY on Dec. 19, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. prem. k/a 49 Sleepy Lane, Hicksville, NY 11801 a/k/a being at Levittown, Hicksville, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of NY, known and designated on a certain map entitled, “Section 4 and 5, subdivision Map of Property known as Levittown, owned by County Community Corp. located at Hicksville, Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New York, November 1949 survey and maps by C.A. Monroe P.E. & L.S. #9357” and filed in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office on Jan. 4th, 1950 as Map #4849 and by lot no. 10 in Block 300. Approx. amt. of judgment is $205,494.79 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale.

CHARLES LAPP III, Referee. CULLEN AND DYKMAN, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 44 Wall St. 17th Floor, New York, NY 10005. #93200 MIT 5592 4X 11/17,24,12/01,08

NOTICE OF SALE

Supreme Court County Of Nassau

Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee, on behalf of the holders of the J.P. Morgan Mortgage Acquisition Trust 2007-CH4 Asset Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-CH4, Plaintiff AGAINST

Mirno Berrios, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated 8/30/2017 and entered on 9/8/2017, I, the undersigned

Referee, will sell at public auction at the Courtroom of the Supreme Court Mineola, 100 Supreme Court Drive, The Calendar Control Part (CCP), Mineola, NY on December 19, 2017 at 11:30 AM premises known as 69 West Marie Street, Hicksville, NY 11801. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 11, BLOCK: 175, LOT: 160. Approximate amount of judgment is $587,248.46 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 5481/2014. Richard Langone, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 MIT 5593 4X 11/17,24,12/01,08 NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU THE BANK OF NEW YORK

MELLON F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS SUCCESSOR TO JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF POPULAR ABS, INC. MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 20054, Plaintiff(s), Against Index No.: 21849/2009 CARLOS ORTIZ, OLGA ORTIZ, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office on 10/11/2016, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction in the Calendar Control Part Courtroom (CCP) in the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Dr., Mineola, NY 11501 on 12/19/2017 at 11:30 am, premises known as 21 Thorman Ave, Hicksville, NY 11801, 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 Hicksville, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, and designated on the tax maps of the Nassau County Treasurer as Section 12 Block 197 Lots 15, 16 & 17

The approximate amount of

LEGAL NOTICES

the current Judgment lien is $535,055.06 plus interest and costs. The premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 21849/2009.

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.

SUBSTITUTE REFEREE AT SALE.

Leopold & Associates, PLLC, 80 Business Park Drive, Suite 110, Armonk, NY 10504

Dated: 11/1/2017 GNS MIT 5594

4X 11/17,24,12/01,08

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT –COUNTY OF NASSAU QUICKEN LOANS INC.,

Plaintiff against LAWRENCE COSTA, STEPHANIE COSTA, ANDREW COSTA, JARED COSTA, LOREN COSTA, BRENDA COSTA, et al

Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on October 18, 2017.

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 9th day of January, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. premises described as follows: All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Hicksville, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York. Said premises known as 5 Washington Avenue, Hicksville, N.Y. 11801.

(Section: 12, Block: 321, Lot: 6). Approximate amount of lien $ 348,971.62 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.

Index No. 004170-15. David H. Sloan, Esq., Referee. McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, P.C.

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

MIT 5596

4X 12/08,15,22,29

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY

Federal National Mortgage

Association, Plaintiff against Hal. P. Meltzer, et al Defendants

Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Fein Such & Crane, LLP 1400 Old Country Road, Suite C103, Westbury, NY 11590 Attorney (s) for Plaintiff (s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale Entered March 22, 2017 I will sell at Public Auction to the highest bidder at the Calendar Control Part (CCP) 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, New York, 11501 on January 9, 2018 at 11:30 AM. Premises known as 24 Bunker Lane, Hicksville, NY 11801. Sec 46 Block 471 Lot 11. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Levittown, Hicksville, in the Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County, State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $491,952.85 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 011262/11.

Mark Ricciardi, Esq., Referee YSETN263 MIT 5597 4X 12/08,15,2,29 NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff, Against Index No.: 6597/13 SANGEETA KUMAR, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly recorded in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office on 10/4/2017, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction in the Calendar Control Part (CCP) Courtroom of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Dr., Mineola, NY 11501 on 1/9/2018 at 11:30 am, premises known as 1 Edgewood Drive, Hicksville, NY 11801, and described as: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Hicksville, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, and designated in the tax maps of the Nassau County Treasurer as Section 45, Block 510 and Lot 1. The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $777,893.87 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of

the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 6597/13.

SUBSTITUTE REFEREE AT SALE.

STIENE & ASSOCIATES, P.C. (Attorneys for Plaintiff), 167 Main Street, Northport, NY 11768

Dated: 11/1/2017 File Number: 201000956 TKS MIT 5598

4X 12/08,15,22,29

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of Formation: Positive Plates Nutrition LLC. Art. Of Org. filed w/SSNY 10/23/2017, Nassau County. SSNY designated for service of process SSNY shall mail copies of process served against LLC to : 11 Serpentine Lane Old Bethpage NY 11804. Purpose: any lawful. purpose or activity.

BN 7265

6X 11/24,12/01,08,15,22,29

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

NASSAU COUNTY

U.S. Bank Trust, N.A., as trustee for LSF9 Master Participation Trust, Plaintiff against Teresa Helfrich, et al Defendants Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Fein Such & Crane, LLP 1400 Old Country Road, Suite C103, Westbury, NY 11590 Attorney (s) for Plaintiff (s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale Entered March 17, 2017 I will sell at Public Auction to the highest bidder at the Calendar Control Part (CCP) 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, New York, 11501 on January 9, 2018 at 11:30 AM. Premises known as 29 Hayden Drive, Bethpage, NY 11714. Sec 46. Block 602 Lot 1. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Bethpage in the Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County, State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $563,557.65 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 001015/13. Scott L Braziller, Esq., Referee VERNY355 BN 7266

4X 12/08,15,22,29

Charles Campag ne students learn about traf f ic safety f rom Otto the Auto

Kindergartners and second graders at Charles Campagne Elementary School in the Bethpage School District learned about traffic safety from Otto

the Auto.

According to the AAA Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education program, Otto is a three foot tall,

Otto the Auto educated Charles Campagne Elementary School kindergartners and second-graders about the importance of wearing a seat belt, looking both ways before crossing a street and being careful when walking in parking lots. Otto the Auto educated Charles Campagne Elementary School kindergartners and second graders about the importance of wearing a seat belt, looking both ways before crossing a street and being careful when walking in parking lots.

remote-controlled talking vehicle that can blink his eyes, turn on his headlights and spin in circles to teach young students about automobile safety. Otto educates students about the importance of wearing a seat belt, looking both ways before crossing a street and being

vigilant when walking in parking lots. Through this presentation, students learned how to keep themselves and others safe when a parent is driving.

Kindergartners and second graders at Charles Campagne Elementary School learned about traffic safety from Otto the Auto.

Talking politics from across the globe

Division Avenue High School students in Laura McCue’s Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics classes had the unique opportunity to speak with students at St. Andrews Secondary School in Glasgow, Scotland via video conference on Nov. 3 about political and social issues in the world today.

Facilitated by McCue, the Division Avenue students answered pressing questions from the Scottish students who were interested in hearing more about America. They asked about crime, racism, guns, politics, the death penalty, healthcare, immigration and more. In return, the high schoolers at Division Avenue asked questions about

the educational system in Scotland and their political views.

Through polls and discussion, the Division Avenue students shared their personal experiences with the students in Scotland in relation to the issues being presented. They also openly shared their thoughts on the various issues, providing a wealthy source of information for the Scottish students.

“The goal was for my students to listen to the type of questions their students had and to be able to identify the stereotypes of the United States and our politics,” said McCue.

Photos courtesy of the Levittown School District

students in Scotland about various political and social issues.

Photos courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District

Students at Division Avenue High School enjoyed speaking with

Division Avenue High School students video conferenced with a school in Scotland on Nov. 3.

Social studies teacher Laura McCue called on students to answers questions about the political and social issues in America.

Abbey Lane Elementary School administrators, faculty, students and families gathered together for their Multi-Cultural Night at Levittown Memorial Education Center on Nov. 9. The room featured decorated tables with flags from different countries, colorful balloons, and a variety of cuisine to enjoy from around the world, cour-

A celebration of cultures

tesy of Abbey Lane families and local businesses.

World Language Honor Society students from both Division Avenue and General Douglas MacArthur High School assisted with serving the food, and a mariachi band entertained guests as they mingled with fellow community members. Students and their families

were invited to dress in their cultural attire and place a sticker with their name on it on a giant world map which was located on one of the walls. The map will be displayed in the school lobby to celebrate the diversity of the school community.

Following the dinner, guests were invited to enjoy performances from the Y.H. Park Taekwando Academy, Donny Golden School of Irish Dance and a flamenco dance performed by Abbey Lane

parent Lisa Nazli. In addition, each family received a goodie bag to take home.

“This is the second year that we have put on this event,” said Principal Dr. George Maurer. “We have great diversity in our school community and we like to celebrate that diversity. It’s a really nice opportunity for students to come down and share their culture and a great way to bring people together.”

Photos courtesy of the Levittown School District

Abbey Lane fourth-grader Yusuf Nazli added his sticker to Turkey on the world map.

Second-grader Angela Bandura dressed in Ukrainian attire with her family during Abbey Lane Elementary School’s Multi-Cultural Night.

Third-grader Sophia Rose Alfieri (left) and her four-year-old sister Valentina (right) proudly showed off their Peruvian culture with customized shirts.

Abbey Lane Elementary School families enjoyed food from around the world.

MUSIC ACADEMY OF GARDEN CITY

Long Island’s Premier Music School

F or over a decade, the Music Academy of Garden City has established itself as Long Island’s Premier Music School, and the only serious choice for parents who wish to see their children excel in music and in life.

Our Faculty is comprised of world-class musicians and seasoned educators.

Our Facility is clean, well maintained, and has everything a budding musician needs to succeed.

Our Programs are comprehensive, and include multiple performance opportunities, concerts, and master classes.

• Musical Theatre Program culminating in two concerts at Hofstra University (Fall and Spring)

• Rock Bands and Ensembles led by our world-class instructors

• Complete Recording Services for college pre-screening and audition videos

• BOCES Arts in Education clinics for public schools

• And much more!

Test Prep

Eighth g rade football team goes undefeated

The Jonas E. Salk Middle School eighth grade football team ended their middle school careers undefeated.

Levittown Public School’s Jonas E. Salk Middle School’s eighth-grade football team, the Seahawks, entered the 2017 season with a goal for ending their middle school careers undefeated. They recently accomplished their mission with their final win against Garden City.

Leading up to their final game, the Seahawks had left an impression on opposing teams. They defeated teams including Wantagh, Bethpage, Woodland, Clarke, Manhasset, Merrick Avenue, and Grand Avenue.

During the final game against Garden City, the players showed confidence and control, scoring the game’s first touchdown. Late in the first quarter, with the ball on the five yard line, it looked like Garden City would tie the score. Instead, the Seahawks’ defense made four tackles behind the line of scrimmage for a cumulative loss of 20 yards. The team added two additional

rushing touchdowns in the second half to make the final score 20-0. The game was capped off when the Seahawks’ defense recovered a Garden City fumble in the final quarter of action, and then marched down to the Garden City one yard line before taking a knee in the final minute. The final win was a complete team effort and a great win, as they had this game in mind since the season began.

“This was a special group with an incredible amount of depth,” said coach Brian Luball. “Every one of them were not only good players, but great kids. It was a pleasure to coach them and I look forward to their continued success at MacArthur High School.”

“They deserved the success that they achieved,” added coach Bill Kind. “From the first day, they had tireless work ethic and a team-first attitude.”

Photo courtesy of the Levittown School District

Four th graders explore Native Americ an culture

As part of their curriculum on native culture, fourth grade students at Abbey Lane Elementary School received a visit from the educational program, Journeys Into American Indian Territory, on Oct. 16 and 17.

The in-house field trip allowed students to learn more about Native American culture with the help of presenters from the organization. During

the first day, classes learned about native culture through the exploration of artifacts, film, popular stories and games. The following day, the students learned about the Iroquois government and put their creativity to the test by working on their own clay pots and a symbol project.

Photos courtesy of the Levittown School District

Left to right: Abbey Lane fourth-graders Kelsey Defreitas, Mikaela Memoli, Eric Lohmann, Michael Gross, and Evelina Paterakis during a presentation about Native American customs.

Abbey Lane students worked hard on crafting their own clay pots.

Right to left: Fourth-graders Josselyn Wolinetz, Sara Holt, Keira Quigley, and Sydney Rochefort showed off their clay pots.