Syosset Advance (6/2/23)

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Girl Scouts visit Water District

Chamber celebrates 25th anniversary with gala, good works

BY RIKKI MASSAND

With many of its past presidents, board members and local elected officials in attendance, the Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 25th anniversary with a gala evening on Tuesday, May 23, in Woodbury. Chamber President and a 23-year Syosset resident Russell P. Green led the event, with over 100 attendees.

addressed the gala audience in The Mansion at Oyster Bay on May 23. He praised the Syosset Woodbury Chamber for the work it performs and spoke about the donation to the St. Edward’s Food Pantry, which continues its partnership with Island Harvest. He said it will be very helpful in feeding those in the community who are in need. Father Maffeo also mentioned that ongoing food contributions are always greatly appreciated.

The Plainview Water District (PWD) recently hosted Girl Scouts of Nassau County Troop 3249 to learn more about the water supply, treatment processes and water conservation.

“The Plainview Water District remains dedicated to engaging with and educating students throughout Plainview-Old Bethpage,” said PWD Commissioner Marc Laykind. “We are always happy to provide tours and educational tools to groups like the Girl Scouts, especially

because they are the future of the POB community. Teaching them the importance of water and the impact that their personal consumption habits can have is an incredibly important task.”

Lead by Plainview Water District Commissioners Marc Laykind, Andrew Bader and Michael Chad as well as Superintendent Stephen Moriarty, the girls were taken on a tour of one of the District’s well-pumping and treatment facilities, at which the scouts had an opportunity

to ask questions about their drinking water. In addition, the group participated in a classroom session to discuss the hydrological water cycle, water conservation and how water is treated.

“We enjoy spending time with our local Girl Scout troops and teaching them the important work the District does to help protect our most precious natural resource,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Troop 3249 showed outstanding interest

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“Thanks to Tami Racaniello, Alan Goldberg and everyone else on the Gala Committee, the Syosset Woodbury Chamber was able to raise $2,100 each for the food pantry at St. Edward’s Church and the Rudman Food Pantry at the Mid-Island Y JCC. Helping those in need in our community is one of the goals of the Chamber, and the funds raised at the Gala will help that effort,” he said.

Gail Warrack, director of volunteer services for the Mid Island Y JCC, spoke on behalf of the JCC and Rudman Food Pantry team as well as MIYJCC Executive Director Rick Lewis. She thanked the chamber and its members for supporting the food pantry, especially during the pandemic. The Rudman Pantry began serving Long Islanders eight years ago.

Father Mike Maffeo, pastor of St. Edward the Confessor Church on Jackson Avenue in Syosset,

Eight of the past presidents in the Chamber’s 25 years serving greater Syosset, Woodbury and Long Island’s north shore were able to attend at the Mansion at Oyster Bay.

“The Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce was honored to have acknowledged the efforts of all the former presidents who have led this great organization over the past 25 years,” Green said. He too was honored with an introduction delivered by his two daughters.

TOBAY Supervisor Saladino presented an official Town Proclamation for all the past chamber presidents who were honored for the 25th anniversary. Chamber Board member Tami Racaniello and Chamber Board’s longtime Membership Chair, Alan I. Goldberg, served as the co-chairs for the event. During the evening they announced many activities for

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PWD Commissioner Marc Laykind, Superintendent Stephen Moriarty, Commissioner Andrew Bader and Commissioner Michael Chad with Girl Scout Troop 3249.

Theodore Roosevelt to return in re-enactment

The Town of Oyster Bay, in partnership with the Friends of Sagamore Hill, announce a major historical re-enactment will take place in Oyster Bay’s Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park on Saturday, June 3, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. as the nation commemorates the 125th Anniversary of the formation of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt’s 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry.

“What better way to celebrate the American spirit in advance of Independence Day than seeing history come alive as the Rough Riders and Theodore Roosevelt visit the place he called home, the hamlet of Oyster Bay,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “This is a great opportunity for residents of all ages to step back in time and learn more about the Rough Riders, their skills and how they helped advance America’s profile around the globe.”

Performed by Boots and Saddles Productions and the Island Long Riders, this historical commemoration features:

• Theodore Roosevelt Reprisor and Photo Opportunities

• Rough Riders on Horses

• Mounted Cowboy Shooting by the Island Long Riders

• Interpretive Performances and Live Music

• Saber Performances by U.S. Cavalry Soldiers

• Historical Encampment with Canvas Period Tents

“We are so pleased to partner with the Friends of Sagamore Hill to welcome home our most famous resident, President Theodore Roosevelt, along with the Rough Riders,” said Town Clerk LaMarca. “Join us for this free family-fun day in Oyster Bay.”

The Rough Riders was a nickname given to the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry, one of three such regiments for the Spanish–American War and the only one to see combat. The U.S. had gone to war in opposition to Spanish colonial policies in Cuba, which was then torn by a rebellion. 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, a strong advocate for the Cuban War of Independence, helped attract skilled horsemen eager to see combat to the regiment. Known as “Roosevelt’s Rough Riders,” they are best remembered for their conduct during the Battle of San Juan Hill. Several days after the Battle, the Spanish fleet sailed from Cuba, and in only a few weeks an armistice ending the fighting was signed. Despite the brevity of their service, the Rough Riders became legendary, thanks to Roosevelt’s writing his own history of the regiment and the silent film reenactments made years later. Colonel Roosevelt later became the 26th president of the United States of America. During his time in office, Roosevelt’s residence at Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay became known as the "Summer White House" and the focus of international attention.

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Syosset educator named Star Teacher

Syosset High School biology, chemistry, and research teacher Matthew Zito has been named a STEM Star Teacher by the Long Island Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics Educational Leadership Association (LISTEMELA).

The STEM Star Teacher Award was created by the LISTEMELA to recognize educators who are a beacom of light for students. Winners demonstrate an exemplary commitment to the organization’s vision, which is to improve science education on Long Island through leadership.

“I’m so honored to have been nominated and be a recipient of this award,” said Matthew Zito. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to teach a love of science to the next generation of scientists who will undoubtedly find answers to our most pressing questions.”

Jericho Robotics Team scores in world competition

The Jericho Vex Robotics team recently completed a very successful season. There were 28,000 teams that registered to compete during the regular season. Only 811 teams made it to the World Competition in Dallas, through a state competition. Jericho represented two of the 811 teams from the southern tier region of New York State. Additionally, Team X finished 42 out of 81 and Team F 70 out of 81.

Syosset High School science educator Matthew Zito.

Photo courtesy of the Syosset Central School District

Abbey Lane Girl Scouts dedicate Buddy Bench to school

Girl Scouts Troop 3732, comprised of students from Abbey Lane Elementary School in the Levittown Public School District, decorated and dedicated a bench to their school that encourages kind acts.

The girls started planning on the design for the bench in February as part of their Bronze Project and are finally able to unveil it to all their peers during lunch periods. The Buddy Bench features the handprints of all troop members as well as positive and encouraging words. Those looking for a buddy can sit on the bench, and Abbey Lane peers will come to greet them. The girls also produced a video for the project and created a kindness-themed bingo game with bracelet prizes. The bench will be displayed in the school’s playground area.

Abbey Lane Elementary School students in Girl Scouts Troop 3732 dedicated a Buddy Bench to their school.

Photo courtesy of Levittown Public Schools

Upcoming Events at the Jericho Library

Saturday, June 3rd

2:00pm Meet the Artists’ Reception: Independent Art Society Juried Art Exhibit

In the Gallery in June. The Public is Invited to Attend.

Monday, June 5th

2:00pm Virtual: Profiles with Dr. William Thierfelder: Changing Your Perspective: Verne & Wells ~ Future Visions

From the 1860s until the mid-20th century, the novels of Jules Verne and Herbert George Wells, sparked the imaginations of untold millions of readers. Through adventure, romance and science, Verne and Wells sought to entertain and challenge readers. This program looks at the lives of each writer and then focuses on five seminal works and their often trail-blazing ideas and themes that continue to inspire writers and scientists: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, From the Earth to the Moon, The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds and First Men in the Moon. What novel by Verne or Wells has sparked your imagination?

Tuesday, June 6th

10:30am 1,2,3 Full STEAM Ahead (18 months-5 years) This preschool STEAM program includes music, movement, fine and gross motor development and storytelling followed by a craft!

2:00pm Virtual: Art LectureGeorgia O’Keeffe: To See Takes Time with Professor Thomas Germano Georgia O’Keeffe once wrote, “To see takes time.” Best known for her flower paintings, O’Keeffe also made extraordinary series of preliminary multi-media drawings. Throughout a long and prolific career, she revisited and reworked the same subjects, developing, repeating and transforming motifs that bridge observation and abstraction. O’Keeffe’s many images captured not only nature’s forms but its rhythms. Professor Germano will conduct a visual lecture about the artist and her work in the MoMA’s exhibition on display through August 12, 2023.

4:00pm Evergreen Earth Team

(EET): Garbage or Art?

Join Tami Wood to discover how artist Tyree Guyton turned trash into art in order to transform his Detroit neighborhood for his world-famous Heidelberg Project. Then have fun creating your own recycled object art.

6:00pm Teens: Summer Reading Sticker Mural

Work on our annual Summer Reading themed Sticker Mural and earn 1 hour of community service credit for each session you attend. This year’s theme is All Together Now. Registration is for both sessions, but no worries if you can’t make it to both.

Thursday, June 8th

1:00pm Hybrid: The Passionate Reader with Mary Hirdt: The House Party by Rita Cameron

When a house party goes terribly wrong, a small town fractures along lines of privilege, exposing disturbing truths about the community. Listeners are welcome!

7:00pm In-Person: Signs from Beyond with Maria D’Andrea, Author, Lecturer, Psychic

Can loved ones who have passed send us signs that they are with us in spirit? Maria D’Andrea, MsD, D.D., DRH, will show us how to tune into the signs we are given. We will explore the idea of symbols, such as butterflies and coins, and what they mean. She will also discuss loved ones appearing in our dreams.

Friday, June 9th

10:30am Family Day with PlayHooray (Ages 8 months to 5 years)

Enjoy fun family time together singing, dancing and playing.

4:00pm Summer Solstice (Grades 1-6)

Join the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum to learn about the summer solstice and make a craft to take home.

Register for all Events at https:// www.jericholibrary.org/events/ month

Non-residents may register beginning 2 weeks before each program.

Jasmine Odle of Bethpage, NY, was among 10 students who earned diversity awards as part of the Kente Graduation Recognition Ceremony at SUNY Oneonta.

Odle was awarded the New Direction Award and is graduating this spring with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

For the 2022-2023 academic year, 65 students were inducted into New York Institute of Technology’s chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS).

Abdul Raafay Irfan of Hicksville, studying Mechanical Engineering, is among the inductees.

Serena Onbasi of Levittown, studying Psychology, is among the inductees.

Iels Aan Jibu of Hicksville, studying Life Sciences, B.S. / Osteopathic Medicine, D.O., has been inducted into New York Institute of Technology’s chapter of Phi Eta Sigma, the nation’s oldest and largest honor society for firstyear college and university students.

The following local students recently completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at University of the Cumberlands this spring:

Vikas Pati of Hicksville

Om Dinesh Tanda of Levittown

Fariba Afzaly of Plainview, has earned an Award of Excellence at Western Governors University Leavitt School of Health. The award is given to students who perform at a superior level in their coursework.

Janis Chen of Syosset and Olivia Belluomo of Plainview qualified for Belmont University’s Spring 2023 Dean’s List.

Dean’s List eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C.

Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, welcomed 1,869 new initiates from 78 universities during April 2023.

Students initiated into the Society must be sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate/professional students in the top 35% of their class, demonstrate leadership experience in at least one of the five pillars, and embrace the ODK ideals. Fewer than five percent of students on a campus are invited to join each year.

Hayley Goldsmith of Plainview - Elon University

Dayana Romero of Levittown - Long Island University Post

Emily Leary of Levittown - Long Island University Post

Hailey Calabrese of Levittown - Long Island University Post

Shayla Kaim of Hicksville - Long Island University Post

College Notes

Christopher Rimaldi of PlainviewLong Island University Post

Julia Warshauer of JerichoVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Elma Purisic of Syosset - Long Island University Post

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The University of Georgia recognized more than 7,000 candidates for graduation in the Class of 2023 Commencement exercises. Local graduates included:

Madison Kade Siegel of Woodbury, was a candidate for a AB Communication Studies.

Jacob Lawrence Katz of Syosset, was a candidate for a BBA Finance and BBA Management Information Systems.

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The following people recently were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

Gabriella Belloli of Syosset at Fordham University

Rebecca Trinin of Syosset at The University of Texas at Austin

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As part of New York Institute of Technology’s 62nd annual commencement, the School of Architecture and Design recognized outstanding members of the Class of 2023, including Federica Moreschetti of Jericho. Moreschetti received the Interior Design Faculty Award.

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New York Institute of Technology School of Architecture and Design has inducted members of the Class of 2023 into the Tau Sigma Delta Honor Society in Architecture and Allied Arts, including Julia Andor of Bethpage.

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Yoav Gabbay of Syosset, was one of 62 SUNY Oneonta students who, along with the Sport and Exercise Sciences department, partnered with Special Olympics to host a regional track and field event at Oneonta High School on Sunday, May 7. The event allowed area individuals who have varying intellectual and adaptive disabilities, including clients at local organizations Springbrook and Pathfinder Village, to showcase their athletic ability in a competitive setting.

Gabbay was a volunteer, and is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at SUNY Oneonta.

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Kristina Calamia of Bethpage, earned a place on Furman University’s dean’s list for the 2023 spring semester. Furman’s dean’s list is composed of fulltime undergraduate students who earn a grade point average of 3.4 or higher on a four-point system. Calamia’s parents and/or guardians are Lynda Calamia and Christopher Calamia.

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On May 18, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic

Medicine (NYITCOM) recognized 16 students from the Class of 2023 at an end-of-year awards ceremony. The following local students were among those honored:

George Shehata from Levittown, who received the AOF - Donna Jones Moritsugu Memorial Award (Spouse Award).

Kimberly Fasciglione from Hicksville, who received the Distinguished Service Award and NYSOMS Award.

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On May 18, New York Institute of Technology’s nursing students from the Class of 2023, including Angad Sudan from Plainview, were welcomed into the profession with a pinning ceremony. Nursing school pinning ceremonies are a rite of passage celebrating the completion of students’ training as they graduate and go on to pursue careers as RNs.

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Sol Horn of Hicksville, successfully completed and received their certification from Alvernia University’s O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship Executives-InTraining Program as a graduate student at Alvernia University.

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Joseph Horowitz of Plainview, a member of the class of 2024 majoring in Environmental Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), was a member of a student team that recently completed an intense research project titled Charting Perspectives of Gene Modification for Pest Control.

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Dani Cherkis of Syosset, was recently recognized with a gold-level leadership milestone through SUNY Oneonta’s LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program.

Cherkis is studying Early Chld/ Childhood Ed (B-6) at SUNY Oneonta.

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The State University of New York at Potsdam recognized the Class of 2023 during the College’s 203rd Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 20. During Commencement, SUNY Potsdam honors students who have either earned their degree or are eligible to graduate during that calendar year.

Local graduates include:

Kathleen Avery of Levittown, who is set to graduate magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and English Creative Writing

Danielle DeMarco of Hicksville, who is set to graduate with distinction with a Master of Music degree in Music Education (K-12)

Christopher Kim of Hicksville, who is set to graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education

Steven Rodriguez of Hicksville, who is set to graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education

Yongxiang Cai of Jericho who is set to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science.

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On May 15, New York Institute of Technology’s Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program held its annual White Coat Ceremony. The event celebrated members of the Class of 2023, including these local students:

Susan Abramovich from Old Bethpage

Javeria Jawaid from Bethpage Naveera Qureshi from Syosset.

White coat ceremonies are a rite of passage celebrating the completion of students’ training as they graduate and pursue careers as PAs. In marking the transition into professional life, the event centers around the symbolic awarding of a new long white coat, which replaces the short student white coat worn to class and clerkships.

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The honor roll lists for Graceland University’s 2023 spring term have been announced, and Bora Apak of Plainview, has been named to the President’s List. Graceland University students with a perfect 4.0 grade point average are named to the President’s List.

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Emma Gorman, a Lasell University student from Plainview, participated in the institution’s annual RUNWAY shows last month.

Gorman was a designer who presented original work at the RUNWAY undergraduate show.

How many healthcare apps do you really need? One.

Easily check test results, schedule appointments, video chat with doctors, and refill prescriptions. From Nassau to Suffolk to your phone, all our doctors, locations, and practices are connected to provide top-quality care.

Jericho debaters soar at New York State tournament

Congratulations to all of the Jericho students who recently competed in a New York State Debate Tournament. The following students were recognized for their performance:

Ruoxi Qian, Jeslyn Choudhury, JeanClaude Pierre, Elaine Zhang, Xiaotang (Tina) Wang, Rachel Wishner, Shubhan

Mehta, Lilly Horowitz, Sahaj Sharma, Jordan Perlman, Natalie Tehrani, Aaron Hsu, Cynthia Qian, Maggie Li, Daksh

Verma, Ashka Shah, Diana Sun, Emma

Zhu, Zoe Davis, Faiz Karim, Dennis Min, Sharanya Shanmugavel, Evalyn

Chen, Michelle Dong, Jenna Tse, Khushi

Patel, Keira He, Arabella Balgobind, Vivek Kirpalani, Joshua Lesnick, Max Scharf, Henry Zhang, Ryan Wang, Aarika Mehrishi, Vanshika Thakur, Dev Lakhani, Anchita Agrawal, Archana

Hariharan, Amanda Gimbel, Alexa Tan, Aryana Adur, Tianjiao Wang, Jeffrey Yu.

This Week at the Syosset Public Library

#AskALibrarian (on Twitter)

Thursday, June 1, at 12:00 p.m. Join librarians from Syosset Library and around the world on Twitter for #AskALibrarian to receive reading suggestions based on your requests. Must have a Twitter account to participate. Read a great book? Need a read-alike? Looking for your next book club choice? Use #AskALibrarian in your tweet.

The Making of Yankee Doodle Dandy (Hybrid)

Thursday, June 2, at 2:00 p.m.

Relive the backstory of James Cagney’s Oscar-winning portrayal of George M. Cohan in Yankee Doodle Dandy. Discover the personal dilemma that convinced Cagney to star in this movie. Learn about Cagney’s family members who appeared in front of and behind the scenes. The movie won an Oscar for Best Actor, Best Musical Score, and was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, Best Original Score, Best Editing and Best Picture. No registration needed for in-person or Zoom. For Zoom link, go to syossetlibrary.org. Presenter, Sal St. George, entertainment historian.

Lotus Lantern Painting Class (In Person)

Friday, June 2, at 10:30 a.m.

June is early summer, and lotus flowers are in full bloom. Let’s use brushes, ink, and pigments to paint lotus flowers onto fans, and enjoy the fragrance and coolness of summer. Class is being

taught in Chinese. Fee $5. Registration required. To register, go to syossetlibrary.org. Instructor, Dr. Xiangdong Shi, Internationally renowned artist.

Simply Fit (In-Person)

Monday, June 5, at 11:30 a.m.

A class especially suited for the older adult that combines the basics of strength training and stretching. You will need light hand weights. Seven Sessions. Fee: $28. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org. Instructor, Marilyn Bunger.

Yoga for Energy (In-Person)

Tuesday, June 6, at 9:45 a.m.

This class combines the ancient wisdom of Qi energy with modern techniques to maximize the brain’s functions. Each class includes stretching, core strengthening, breathing exercises, meditation and relaxation. Classes are suitable for all levels. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat. Eight sessions. Fee: $32. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org.

Instructor, Jenny Lu.

Beginner Tai Chi (In-Person)

Wednesday, June 7, at 11:15 a.m.

Mindful, gentle, flowing movements to improve balance, strength, and stability. Wear sneakers or soft sole shoes. A chair can be used if needed.

Nine Sessions. Fee: $36. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org.

Instructor Jenny Lu.

Qi Gong (In-Person)

Thursday, June 8, at 11:00 a.m.

Qi Gong is an ancient Asian healing mind-body practice that means energy work. Each class includes gentle stretching, guided breathing, energy meditation and mindful movements to improve balance, strength and immune function. Classes are suitable for all levels. Wear sneakers or flat sole shoes.

Eight sessions. Fee: $32. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org.

Instructor, Jenny Lu.

#AskALibrarian (on Twitter)

Thursday, June 8, at 12:00 p.m.

Join librarians from Syosset Library and around the world on Twitter for #AskALibrarian to receive reading suggestions based on your requests. Must have a Twitter account to participate. Read a great book? Need a read-alike? Looking for your next book club choice? Use #AskALibrarian in your tweet.

Seniors of Syosset Drop-In Session (In Person)

Thursday, June 8, from 1:30 -3:30 p.m.

Learn about social work support, community health nursing, and assistance with transportation to medical appointments and a shopping bus for grocery shopping, as well as other activities and services, offered to Syosset residents through the Naturally Occurring Retirement Community program funded by the NYS Office for the Aging. These services are only available to residents of Syosset proper, age 60 and over. For those living in the surrounding area, staff can provide referrals to

other resources that may address your needs.

Sun Records (In Person)

Thursday, June 8, at 2:00 p.m.

Sun Records was the home of the biggest names in Rock and Roll. From Elvis Presley to Jerry Lee Lewis, this small studio in Memphis, Tennessee gave rise to legends of American music. Under the guidance of founder Sam Philips, Sun Records also gave artists like B.B. King, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins their big breaks when no other label would. In this lecture/concert, he will tell the stories of Sun Records’ biggest artists and perform some of their most memorable hits. No registration needed. Presenter, Dr. Tom Rizzuto, teacher of The History of Rock & Roll at Molloy College

Demystifying Sous Vide (In-Person)

Friday, June 9, at 11:00 a.m. Chef Ron will bring his culinary expertise to this cooking program where he will demonstrate and demystify Sous Vide cooking. You will learn how to use this method safely, and taste a variety of items that have been prepared using this technique Sous vide cooking utilizes precise temperature control with circulation to produce results that you can’t achieve through any other cooking technique. Recipes and tastings will be included. Fee: $5. Registration is required. Registration for SSD residents begins May 19; all others one week later if available. To register go to syossetlibrary.org. Presenter, Chef Ron Fan.

Bethpage students celebrate Community Helper Day

Bethpage second graders from Central Boulevard Elementary School celebrated Community Helper Day on May 10 as part of their study on different communities and community members. Eleven parents volunteered their time to come into the school to educate the students on what they do for a living.

The event was held in the school’s all-purpose room which gave the second graders the chance to move about and meet every community helper. Each parent was stationed at a table and brought supplies related to their job. Students were split into small groups and rotated to the different tables throughout the morning. They learned about a variety of occupations as they met a chef, dentist, doctor of physical therapy, lawyer, firefighter, police officer and more. The event was a great way for students to learn more about how each community helper plays an important role in society.

From left: Bethpage second graders Claire Hamnill, Abigail Buruca and Evangeline Gonsalves learned about what dentists do during Central Boulevard’s Community Helper Day.

Second graders at Central Boulevard Elementary School heard from Esha Desai (left) about her role as a doctor of physical therapy.

Morgan Heller, supervisor at UBS – NY Islanders (right), spoke with students about her career.

Bethpage firefighter Josh Ganshaw (middle) showed second graders Camilo Pacheco (right) and Yousha Mughal (left) his bunker gear.

Police officer Mike Shaw (left) showed second grader Francesca DeAngelo (right) his police vest.

Photos courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District

Recent Real Estate Sales in Syosset and Jericho

The information about these homes and the photos were obtained through the Multiple Listing Services of Long Island. The homes presented were selected based solely on the fact that they were recently sold

25 Tioga Drive, Jericho

18 Sexton Road,

Houses featured on this page were sold by various real estate agencies

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff, vs. BRETT COHEN AND MONICA COHEN, Defendants.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 15, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, North Side steps, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, on July 6, 2023 at 2:00 P.M., premises known as 15 SPARROW LANE, WOODBURY, NY 11797. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being near Woodbury, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 12, Block: 529, Lot: 8. Approximate amount of judgment is $603,572.82 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 609389/2019.

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, the Mortgagee's attorney, or the Referee.

Chamber celebrates 25th anniversary with gala, good works

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local Syosset/Woobury businesses to get involved and support the community.

Racaniello noted that there were pictures of Chamber events and business grand openings throughout the years which were a “powerful and meaningful” display. She said, “As we celebrated 25 years of the Chamber, we celebrated where we have been, and provided an event where longtime and past members could reminisce, and newer members could get that sense of the history.”

honorees in attendance.

Nickel is an involved parishioner at St. Edwards. She noted that the church and community is always thankful for the support the Chamber provides with its donations.

“Oftentimes we do not realize that there are those in Syosset who have food insecurity needs. For some people it is just a temporary situation due to the loss of a job or other family dynamic, but for others it is an ongoing situation and the source of their weekly food supply,” she said.

Bill Chabina of William J. Chabina Co. Inc. Insurance based on Whitney Avenue in Syosset and Erica McKeon, esq. of Ackerman Law.

Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff

Goldberg noted that he and Racaniello were proud to coordinate the event, which exceeded the Chamber’s goals. He said, “We wanted to honor our past presidents for their contributions over the past 25 years and to celebrate the chamber’s 25 years, to raise funds through our raffle and sponsorships to support our two local member food pantries, to bring value to our commemorative journal sponsors through both print and social media, to thank our raffle sponsors by soliciting prizes which would drive business back to them yet entice our participants to participate and win prizes of significant value – and of course for our attendees to have an enjoyable evening at a reasonable price,” Goldberg said.

Past presidents of the Syosset Woodbury Chamber including co-founder Frank Urso, Danielle Delgrosso of Roslyn Savings Bank, Chanbir Kaur from DIME Bank, and Woodbury resident Maureen Nickel – the 2020 Chamber president and owner of BrightStar Home Health Care – were among the

The other past presidents honored included three-time Chamber President Charo Ezdrin (2017-2019), Lisa Predmore (2012-2013) and Ken Robinson (2014), Kevin Allison (2008-2009), James TInnelly, Michael Biggiani, and Jerry Siegel.

Faith Lutheran Church’s Pastor Rebecca Sheridan, a current member of the Chamber board, attended the May 23 gala with her husband, as did the Chamber board secretary Amanda Johnson, who is married to Syosset Fire Department’s ex-chief Ken Johnson.

The Syosset Woodbury Chamber’s current vice president is Kerri Winans Kaley, director of business development for Encore Luxury Living. Other 2023 Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce board members include real estate professional with Compass, Tricia Shannon, the Chamber’s treasurer JOVIA Financial Credit Union Syosset branch manager Kenya Zachary, tax and financial services professional Greg Jaffe, Mike Gallo from Home Depot of Syosset; Ben Indivigli of Douglas Elliman Commercial Real Estate Sales & Leasing;

Chamber businesses and community groups sponsored advertising for a special commemorative journal produced for the 25th anniversary. Many of the special ads congratulated the past presidents people recognize in Syosset and Woodbury, while others were able to introduce their newer business to professionals in attendance through the journal.

Elected officials attending included Nassau County Legislators Arnold Drucker and lifelong Syosset resident Josh Lafazan as well as Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino.

Chamber President Green came up with a fun way for the Gala to raise funds for the respective food pantries and its community service mission. Through an auction, the chamber raised $1,100 with attendees’ bidding for personal experiences with local elected officials.

Legislator Arnold Drucker donated a round of golf for four. Legislator Lafazan donated a breakfast at the On Parade Diner on Jericho Turnpike in Woodbury.

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Saladino donated an oceanfront dinner experience at The Crescent Beach Club on the north shore.

New York State Assemblymember Steve Stern provided citations for all the Chamber’s past presidents and donated an experience with him at a New York Islanders game.

Girl Scouts visit Water District

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and participation in learning about how water is delivered to their homes. We hope the information they learned during their visit will stay with them and that they will share it with their families.”

After participating in the tour of the facilities, the Girl

Scouts were able to earn the Water Wise fun patch.

To earn the patch, girls must learn about water conservation and how they can improve their consumption practices every day.

“Educating the next generation through tours or local events are some of the most

exciting opportunities for us at the Plainview Water District,” said PWD Commissioner Michael Chad. “The scouts and students in the Plainview-Old Bethpage community are always incredibly interested in learning about how things are conducted throughout the Water District.”

June 2, 2023

Day 4 on the Inca Trail: Sun Gate to Machu Picchu, The Lost City Of The Incas, the End of our Quest

BY KAREN RUBIN WITH ERIC LEIBERMAN AND SARAH FALTER TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

This is the day that many of us have had on a bucket list, and for some of us, represents the fulfillment of a “trip of a lifetime”: Machu Picchu.

We are awakened at 3 am when the Alpaca Expeditions staff bring hot coffee to our tents. We have everything ready for leaving the Wiñaywayna campsite by 3:15 am (I had packed everything the night before and only kept out what I would be taking on the trail) and set out, our bagged breakfast in hand, wearing our headlamps in the dark for the surprisingly short distance to the check-in point for Machu Picchu where we wait until it opens at 5:30 am.

Our guide Lizandro Aranzabal Huaman wants us to get up so early to be first on line (he claims to have a 98% success rate) and also to get to the Sun Gate as the sun rises (and before it gets overwhelmed with photo-snappers) and to Machu Picchu in time for the first rays to illuminate the scene. In fact, there is only a group of six ahead of us and something like 200 behind us (the number of trekkers is limited), checking our passport against the list of permits granted for the day.

Somehow, I wind up leading our pack of 15 trekkers and I surprise myself at the pace I set for the onehour hike on this mostly flat portion of the trail to the Sun Gate. I am in the lead until we get to what Lizandro calls the “Gringo killer”- 50 of the steepest steps – more like a rock

climbing wall – where you need to use your hands to crawl up like cat.

Lizandro has prepared us for the fact that the sun only comes through the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) at sunrise on the solstice. But from here, we get our first view of Machu Picchu in the distance (it’s still an hour’s hike away).

One of the many nice aspects of our guides, Lizandro and Georgio, is that they have been patiently taking individual and group photos of us with our phones and cameras at each of the key spots along the trail, and so we stop at the Sun Gate to take our turn posing for those shots. (Everyone wants to be at this small point for the sunrise, which is why Lizandro wanted us first.)

And then we continue (down-

hill!) from the Sun Gate at 8956 ft. elevation, an hour more to Machu Picchu, descending to 7,873 elevation over the course of three miles from the Wiñaywayna campsite. At the same time, the temperature which had been cold at the highest elevations, becomes warm, even balmy, so we are actually sweating (need sunscreen and hat!) at the site.

This part of the Inca trail gives us views that show how Machu Picchu is positioned – we see the entirety of the Lost City (I can only imagine what it was like before it was excavated) and how it is etched amid the contours of the mountain peaks – which is how it was kept hidden from the Spanish when they invaded in 1538 and for 400 years.

Literally 10 seconds after I pass a

scenic overlook, the sun pokes out. (These views and so much more, are why we take the Inca Trail trek.)

At about 7:40 am, we walk in what seems to be a back entrance into the city, where we are perched on high terraces and the views are the iconic ones of magazines and postcards (and I suspect are not available to the day-trippers who come in from the bottom entrance for the tour). How lucky we are because the sun breaks through, highlighting the structures, for exquisite scenes.

We actually walk down and out of Machu Picchu site to wait for our ticketed time, 8:30 am, to re-enter (you can only stay 2 ½ hours and can only come in with a guide), when we will have a two-hour private guided tour with Lizandro on Circuit #4 (there are four different circuits to control crowds) to the highlights: the terraces, Sun Temple, Royal Mausoleum, Palace, Plaza, Sacred Rock.

Machu means “old,” “ancient,” “big”). Picchu means “peak,” so Machu Picchu actually means “Ancient Mountain,” but that is not its indigenous name.

Lizandro tells us that Machu Picchu was built in the mid-1400s by Pachacuti, the 9th Incan king but its first emperor and the “Alexander the Great,” the Empire Builder, of the Inca. Beginning in 1438, he and his son Tupac Yupanqui began a far-reaching expansion that brought much of the modern-day territory of Peru under the ruling Inca family control. He rebuilt Cuzco, built Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu. He built Machu

Continued on next page

Picchu up in the

We made it! Karen, Sarah and Eric at Machu Picchu at the end of the Alpaca Expeditions four-day, 26-mile Inca Trail trek (photo by Lizandro Aranzabal Huaman)

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mountains instead of the valley to be closer to the sun, to connect the sky and the earth in one place, as well as for protection – the Inca rulers claimed to be the children of Inti, the Sun God.

Machu Picchu is built in two sections – an urban sector has some 200 units of which 172 were homes, and the rest were temples, and a sun dial.

There would have been 700-800 people living here full time - 60% were nobles, the rest were farmers and workers.

How did they build Machu Picchu without slaves, without animals to carry, without a wheel, iron tools, or written language? What they had was a culture and a labor system based on principles: Ani - reciprocity; Minka –community benefit – care for the vulnerable – collectivity; and Mita – paying taxes by work, labor (not cash) to benefit the whole.

It took 50-60 years to build Machu Picchu for Emperor Pachacuti, who ruled from 1432-1472, but it was never finished.

When the Spanish invaded in 1538, Machu Picchu was abandoned before it was finished and the Inca forces fell back to arm Vilcabamba, the Inca’s last stronghold. “They promised to come back but didn’t,” Lizandro says.

It is mindboggling to contemplate that as complex a construction as what we see, the scale, and the fact that more than 60% is still unexcavated, buried under 400 years of overgrowth.

The archaeologist Hiram Bingham didn’t discover Machu Picchu (it was discovered in 1902 by Bolivian fortune

Day 4 on the Inca Trail

hunters looking for Incan treasure), but came on an expedition in 1911 in search of Vilcabamba, the last stronghold of the Inca after the Spanish conquest.

“He set up tents at base, met a local to ask where Vilcabamba might be. The man didn’t know, but on July 24 1911, with machete in hand, Bingham had a big surprise: the sight of Machu Picchu took his breath away. Two families were living here, cultivating the terraces two years before Bingham arrived. They were running away from paying taxes to the government.”

Bingham returned for a second, then a third expedition. He uncovered eight Inca trails (the Inca destroyed many of the trails to prevent the Spanish from reaching Machu Picchu) and took away artifacts, he claimed, for two years.

The photos Bingham published brought international attention to Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Inca” – and tourists. The first tourist following the Inca trail came in 1954 and this Incan Citadel has become the most visited tourist attraction in Peru. The site was named among the New Seven Wonders of the World and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

We follow Circuit 4 (there are four circuits, to spread out the crowds): starting at the Main Gate (where we must present our passports and permit), to the Sun Temple, House of the Inka, the water foundation; Granitic Chaos; Sacred Plaza; Intiwatana Pyramid; Sacred Rock; Three Gates; Water Mirrors; and Condor Temple.

You only appreciate the scale of Machu Picchu as you haul yourself up the high steep stone steps. The straight lines and perfect angles, the precision,

the sheer size and bulk of the stones, and how this entire city is nestled on a plateau amid these sheer mountain peaks.

Photos do not do justice, you have to stand next to the rock walls, trace how the boulders link to perfectly together, see the curve at the edge, the inclined angle (for stability against earthquake) with such exquisite precision, hoist yourself up the steep stone steps, look beyond to the distance these boulders would have had to be transported from their quarry.

Several of our group have obtained permits in advance to climb Huayna Picchu – that famous nub of a mountain, like an overlord, in the iconic Machu Picchu images - and Sarah has obtained one, while the rest of us continue touring Machu Picchu with Lizandro.

Sarah reports back that the 45-minute hike is extremely arduous –much harder than the Inca Trail hike - almost straight up to a tiny perch at the top, at 8,835 ft., 850 ft. higher than Machu Picchu, where everyone has to take turns for the photo, but you get a famous view of Machu Picchu.

We finally come back down to the exit area and Lizandro hands us a ticket for the bus that takes us down an extremely winding road to the village of Aguas Calientes. We meet for a last lunch together in a local restaurant –kind of a celebratory meal (optional and not included). Lizandro gives us our train ticket, departing Aguas Calientes 3:20 pm (you need to take seriously the notice to be on the platform at least 30 minutes ahead of time, which is when the train loads) to Ollantaytambo.

The train is wonderfully vintage, with roof-windows, and very comfort-

able for the two-hour trip (which for some reason takes us much longer). At Ollantaytambo, we are met by the Alpaca Expeditions bus for the two-hour drive back to Cuzco and drop off back at our hotel.

Candidly, I had been so obsessed about getting passed Day 2, Machu Picchu was more of an end-goal of a quest than the prime attraction – being here means I had gotten over the Dead Woman’s Pass, completed the 26 miles, going as high as nearly 14,000 feet –much as it would have been for the pilgrims who undertook this journey of a lifetime. It is personal. For me, it is not just a trip of a lifetime but a now or never proposition.

What makes a “trip of a lifetime” –one that is truly life-enhancing, even life-changing? It is the doing.

Alpaca Expeditions offers many ways to get to experience Machu Picchu – the trek is its own experience. The tour company also offers many different programs – like the Sacred Valley excursions – to different areas.

More information: Alpaca Expeditions, 202-550-8534, info@alpacaexpeditions.com, https://www.alpacaexpeditions.com/

Check with the US State Department to get the latest information on travel to Peru (https://travel.state.gov/ content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-CountryInformation-Pages/Peru.html).

© 2023 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear. com

Art is Busting Out All Over in the Big Apple

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

New York City is the epicenter of the art world and not just the famous, prominent, important museums but a plethora of galleries tucked into neighborhoods like The Lower East Side (who would have expected such magnificent art around the corner from the Bowery Mission, where you will also find the New Museum of Contemporary Art), Tribeca, Chelsea and the Meat Packing district under the High Line, and East and West Village. You get to experience the works of artists who should be displayed in the major museums, and perhaps will be.

Pure joy and engagement is what I felt at David Barnett’s “Collectomania” now on view by appointment at Ivy Brown Gallery (around the corner from the Whitney Museum a short walk from the High Line and Hudson River Greenway) through June 6 (the artist will be at the gallery for an artist talk on June 6, from 6 to 8 pm).

Barnett, a surrealist artist, incorporates

discarded mechanical objects, gadgets, and various and sundry other collaged material into his artwork. His work is characterized by its unique and eclectic mix of materials, which range from bottle caps, feathers, x-rays, machine parts, maps, doll parts, old clocks and typewriters. Barnett’s use of these discarded items not only adds texture and depth to his work, but it also serves as a commentary on consumer culture and the disposability of modern technology.

In addition to his use of mechanical objects, Barnett’s work often incorporates elements of humor and absurdity. Many of his pieces feature whimsical or fantastical creatures and scenes, such as a mechanical bird with flying machines, humans or parts of humans, a cityscape made entirely out of discarded electronics, old magazines, books, and various found objects. (I can easily imagine these becoming characters in an animated feature.)

“My objective is to integrate these found elements with those fashioned after my own hand to convey a sense of conflict that resonates with the viewer. My work speaks to a recurring theme--the battle between society and automation for man’s

soul,” Barnett says.

“I incorporate Victorian era botanical imagery, ancient anatomical diagrams, and vintage mechanical components along with natural materials. Whether it’s a rusty piece of metal, branches from an oak tree, or tiny turquoise-tipped rooster feathers, the right juxtaposition reveals itself to me—the more absurd, the better. A character is born and a narrative begins to unravel. The theme of flight is recurrent, as is the conflation of anatomy and mechanics. The result is a menagerie of ethereal winged creatures, human and animal hybrids, and fanciful flying machines. In this era of mass-production and instant gratification, it’s my hope that these intimate and meticulously crafted works will also evoke a sense of rarity, delight, and mystery.” (See www.davidbarnettworks.com)

The range of his artistic talent is just stunning: painting, drawing, collage, sculpting, constructing complex figures as if he were an engineer or inventor. Some of the mobiles have electric motors. The intricate detail is astonishing, and makes you want to look deeper, search more. The works are as thoughtful as they are artful.

Many are playful, historical, nostalgic (lots of Victoriana), but some explore darker subjects.

Ivy Brown Gallery, 675 Hudson St #4N; Gallery hours; by appointment, phone: 212925-1111, Email: ivybrowngallery@gmail. com,  www.ivybrowngallery.org

Crossword Answers

A private island in Scotland sounds wondrous!

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

From time to time in the press I read all about private islands that are for sale at a reasonable price. One that’s currently selling for $190,000 is a remote Scottish island and if you ask me, the idea of owning a small but not too small island off the southern coast of Scotland sounds pretty enticing.

The writeup I read gave specific details. Called Barlocco Island, it consists of about 25 acres but there are no buildings on it, only a flood pond providing water for livestock and wildlife. At low tide Barlocco Island is accessible by foot, by tractor or quadbike. At high tide the island can be accessed by boat and there is a pebble beach where boats can be anchored.

The closest town is about six miles away and the closest train station is Dumfries, an hour’s bus ride from the town. London, England, is roughly 350 miles away and Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is about 100 miles away.

I doubt that cell phones and smart phones can be used on this remote island in Scotland which means that long-distance calls and hashtags are out. Lots of other things are out, too, but what’s in are clear nights outside under the stars and getting in a boat to go fishing or to do some cold-water swimming whenever you want.

My guess is that lots of people have responded to the advertisements for this private island because there is something magical and something romantic about owning an island that is sheltered from the hustle and bustle of city life.

When I saw the writeup in the press my interest was piqued because I’ve got some Irish roots which makes me curious about anything Celtic. That long, rich history has always been fascinating to me. Over the years my older relatives have told me lots of tales about our ancestors from Ireland and Scotland and although there were some

rough patches in the countries’ histories and in our families’ histories, there were good times, too.

I’ve read a lot about Scotland, home to Sean Connery and other famous people - and reading about it is fine because my imagination runs away with itself - but there is nothing like being there, immersed in the country and the culture. I would talk to the locals and hear all of the stories the locals tell each other and during the day I’d take trips to explore a land and a country I’ve never visited before.

I would definitely make trips to Edinburgh to check out the highlights of the capital and to take in some of its rich history. A hilly city, Edinburgh is home to the Scottish Parliament. It has a medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town with gardens and neoclassical buildings. Looming over the city is Edinburgh Castle, home to Scotland’s crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny, used in the coronation of Scottish rulers. Calton Hill has several monuments and memorials and Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park has beautiful views of the city.

Glasgow is a port city located on the banks of the River Clyde, in West Central Scotland. Famous for its museums, it’s also home to the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and National Theatre of Scotland and its night life.

Back home on the private island the first thing I would build would be a large log cabin for my family and me - a substantial one that would hold a comfortable dining and living room area plus have plenty of roaring fireplaces in the winter and lots of rooms for guests.

Second, I would build a stable for my horses which I’d bring over from the mainland. I’d name them such cute names as Mango, Ginger, Milkshake and Sunshine. I’d spoil them every day with delicious foods, the finest water to drink and plenty of brushing of their manes and coats. They’d be happy to be living on Barlocco Island.

I’d also get some donkeys, goats and chickens along with a dog - a Bluetick Coonhound - I’d name Blue. It would pretty much be a menagerie but they’d all get along and they’d be happily living on Barlocco Island.

While reading about the possibility of moving to a private island off the coast of Scotland I have spent many daytime hours and many nighttime hours, too, dreaming about not just living there but inviting my friends and relatives to be my guests on Barlocco Island. My American friends would be surprised to get invitations to visit me in Scotland and I’d be happy to host them all in my new home. What a treat that would be!

Whether I buy a private island like Barlocco Island remains to be seen. So far it has amounted to daydreaming but I believe that dreaming about new travels, new adventures and new possibilities is great. It broadens one’s horizons which, I feel, is good for the soul. It tells me that nothing in this great, big

beautiful world of ours is out of reach.

I’ve considered the real possibility that while I may not purchase a private island and move to Scotland, I might settle for buying an RV and driving it with friends and relatives all over the U.S. For me, that holds a certain appeal. I haven’t seen the four presidents at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, Yellowstone National Park, the Hoover Dam or the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, so those places would be mustsee destinations.

Twenty years ago my family and I visited the Grand Canyon but we are overdue for another visit. I bet certain things have changed at the Grand Canyon yet I’m sure that the magical wonder of the place remains exactly the same. It’s picture perfect!

Traveling from place to place and leisurely enjoying all the sights sounds like fun but sometimes, late at night, I pick up my books about Scotland and I think, “Oh, wouldn’t it be wonderful?”

BY TOM MARGENAU

Gosh, I hate getting old! Even though my wife and I are relatively fit, when you’re in your late 70s, you can’t help thinking about the inevitable. We’re all going to die. And even though my wife is a few years older than me, I figure I’m eventually going to be the first to buy that one-way ticket to the great beyond. So, I’ve started working on a little something I will leave my wife when I’m gone. It’s a file called, “I’m dead. Now what?” And in it will be all the information she will need to know to handle things like pensions, insurance, etc., after I’m gone. And one of the sections of that document will be about how to take care of Social Security matters.

I’ve written about this subject before. But if my emails are any indication, there is still a lot of confusion about this topic. So, here is what you need to know about Social Security matters if a loved one dies.

The first issue I will cover is what to do with the final Social Security check for the deceased. And to do so, I must start out making two points. First, Social Security checks are paid one month behind. So, for example, the check you get in June is the benefit payment for May.

Second, Social Security benefits have never been prorated. I’ve explained before how this lack of proration can help out when someone first starts getting Social Security. For example, if you took benefits at age 66 and you turned 66 on June 28, you would get a check for the whole month of June even though you are only 66 for 3 days of the month. On the other hand, if your spouse dies on June 28, you would not be due the proceeds of that June Social Security check even though he or she was alive for 28 days of the month.

But there is a flip side to that perceived drawback to Social Security’s proration rules, and it could be good news for any survivors due benefits on the deceased’s Social Security account. Let’s say that Bill died on June 28. If his wife, Sarah, was due widow’s benefits, she would be paid those benefits for the whole month of June, even though she was a widow for only three days of the month.

So, to repeat, when someone dies, the Social Security check for the month of death must be returned. But that’s only if you get the check in the first place.

I added that qualifier because there is a very good chance the check won’t even show up in the deceased’s bank account. As you maybe have heard, there are all kinds of computer-matching operations that go on between various government agencies and banks. So if the Treasury Department learns of a person’s death in time, they won’t even issue the Social Security benefit. Or, if the check was issued, the bank will likely intercept the payment and return it to the government before it even hits the

I’m Dead. Now What?

deceased’s checking account. In other words, you usually don’t have to worry about returning any Social Security checks. It’s almost always done for you.

There can be a little twist to this scenario though. For example, let’s say that Henry died on July 2. And let’s further say that his Social Security check was normally sent to him on the third of each month. In other words, Henry died just before his Social Security check was deposited into his bank account. Because he was alive the whole month of June, that means he was due the money from that June check. And now his widow or his estate is due that money. So that June Social Security benefit would have to be returned to the Social Security Administration. Then it will be reissued to the widow or to the estate. (There is a form that needs to be filled out to get that to happen. Talk to an SSA rep about that.)

So far, I’ve been talking about dealing with the last Social Security check that was sent to the deceased. Now let’s talk about getting any Social Security survivor benefits that might be due. Unless they are due higher benefits on their own Social Security accounts, widow(er)s are due full benefits at their full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60 if they are not working. But the most common scenario involves couples who were both getting Social Security benefits at the time of death of one of the spouses. The easiest way to explain what happens is with examples.

Fred died. He was getting Social Security retirement benefits. And his wife, Wilma, was getting just a spousal benefit. In other words, she didn’t have enough work credits to get her own Social Security benefit. In this case, the process is pretty simple. No widow’s application is required. Wilma simply notifies the SSA of Fred’s death and they just push of few buttons to switch her from wife’s benefits to widow’s benefits. As part of the process, she may have to provide a copy of the death certificate. I say “may have to provide” because there is a chance the SSA will already have some proof of death in their files. Assuming Wilma was over “full retirement age,” she will just start getting whatever Fred was getting at the time of death. (But if he started his Social Security at age 62, Wilma would actually get a little more. Fred would have been getting a rate equal to 75 percent of his full benefit, and Wilma is guaranteed to get at least 82% of his full benefit.)

If Wilma was getting her own retirement benefit that was less than Fred’s rate, she will get bumped up to that higher amount. And she would have to file an application to get those widow’s benefits. It’s really not very hard. There is one little twist. Widow’s claims cannot be filed online, so Wilma would have to contact the SSA at 800-772-1213 to file her claim over the phone. In addition to a death certificate, Wilma may also have

to provide a copy of her marriage certificate.

There is also the matter of the $255 death benefit. I’m always embarrassed talking about this one-time payment because it is so miserly. There is a long history to this benefit, and I don’t have the space to explain it here today. Suffice it to say, the rate has been set at the $255 level for about 50 years now. A half-century ago, it might have gone a long way toward paying for a funeral. Today, it barely covers the cost of the flowers draping the casket. But no matter how stingy it is, the benefit is still there. However, a number of years ago, Congress passed a law saying it

can only be paid to a widow or widower who was living with the deceased. So, if someone dies, and there is no spouse, the $255 death benefit cannot be paid.

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets.

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CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers on page 2

Aftermath of the pandemic bailouts

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

Looking back to 2020, earning income to pay your mortgages and other expenses from your rental properties during the pandemic was a challenge for pretty much everyone. There was a ban on tenant evictions and late fees while tenants weren’t required to pay any rent. There was also mortgage assistance for landlords who had lost their tenant income so as to be able to pay their mortgages via the federal Corona Virus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and its successor, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.

In addition, there were EIDL (economic injury disaster loans) for self-employed individuals, as well as PPP Loans (Paycheck Protection Plan) assistance monies for employees. Many of these loans became grants and didn’t have to be paid back. Unfortunately, some were not able to take advantage of the programs, because they didn’t apply, didn’t fill out the applications properly, or the available money was exhausted.

As reported by Bloomberg Financial, CNBC, and NBC News, $80 billion was stolen out of the $800 billion earmarked from the PPP program, and in addition, $90-$400 billion was stolen from the unemployment relief program, (there is no accountability to know the exact amounts taken) at least half from international scammers. Lastly, another $80 billion was believed to have been pilfered from the EIDL program. There was nobody watching the money with the fox guarding the hen house and no checks and balances were initiated as our tax money went out the window!

The landlords and tenants who received assistance monies were able to stay afloat. The law also put a stay on foreclosures of all federally backed mortgage loans, e.g. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

BY CHARLYN FARGO

Most of us eat better if we’re in a better state of mind. The relationship between nutrition and mental health is the subject of a growing number of studies.

For example, recent studies have identified benefits in helping reduce depression for those who eat according to the Mediterranean diet pattern. A 2019 review published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that just increasing fruit and vegetable consumption positively impacts psychological health, and daily vegetable consumption has a therapeutic impact by reducing symptoms of depression in people with clinical depression. Why? A healthy diet provides more

on multi-family properties starting from March 18, 2020, for a period of 60 days, and provided 180 days of forbearance for borrowers who were directly affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

The federal mortgage and relief programs were initially supposed to end on Dec. 31, 2020, but President Biden extended the foreclosure moratorium for federally guaranteed mortgages through June 30, 2021. Borrowers who entered forbearance on or before June 30, 2020, would receive up to six months of additional mortgage payment forbearance in three-month increments. Probably due to the high costs of mortgages and related expenses, states like New York and California and some local governments had also issued orders related to mortgage forbearance and foreclosure prohibitions in relation to the Corona Virus. But the details and degree of relief available varied greatly depending on the state and municipality.

We hadn’t experienced an event such as this since the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918, so we really weren’t as prepared as we could have been. Our previous president was advised as early as December 2019 by Peter Navarro, his economic trade adviser, that there was a virus in Wuhan, China, causing severe sickness and deaths. This information was circulated via the National Security Council widely around the White House and federal agencies.

By late January, alarm bells were ringing, but the situation was downplayed. By March, as the pandemic came and grew like a Tsunami, people were getting sick and dying. Our economy began faltering and becoming severely affected by supply chain shortages, due to the shutdown of China and

most other economies as well as other major disruptions, and we were told not to go to work.

The fast-tracked programs were successful in that they were able to keep our economy and a majority of our citizens above water. The real dilemma was that an excessive amount of money was put out into the market. But if more checks and balances were initially thought-out and planned there could have been less money stolen and more available for those who desperately needed it. Inflation became the overriding issue and was the result of the excessive outlay of money that was mostly digitally sent out to banks to keep them solvent as well as a portion that was actually printed.

The lowest interest rates on record became a windfall for those able to borrow at such reduced costs that inflation began to occur with all the spending that was occurring with the limited supplies. It was a basic supply-demand economics situation; low supply and high demand equaled higher prices and the inflation that goes along with it.

My professional opinion is that rates should have been increased slowly as far back as 2021, when Fed Chair Jerome Powell first noticed inflation rearing its ugly head, saying it was transitional and would eventually subside. And we know the end of that story.

Although there was a short-term lull in real estate from March 2020 through the end of May 2020, it came back like a roaring lion afterward, due to the historic low interest rates and the demand backup, benefiting all those who were qualified to purchase. In turn, this fueled the immense increase in prices of 42% since the beginning of the pan-

NUTRITION NEWS

Mediterranean for Mental Health

vitamins and minerals; healthy fats; and fiber from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, which can reduce inflammation and alter neurotransmitters to reduce symptoms of depression.

More recently, an April 2022 study published in Current Developments in Nutrition assessed the effect of the Mediterranean diet pattern in treating moderate to severe depression among males ages 18 to 25. The basics of the pattern are more fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains and healthy fats such as olive oil.

Study participants had all been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and were divided into a diet intervention group and a control group for a 12-week,

demic through today and caused the lowest inventory levels on record that are still occurring.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 40 years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (G.R.I.) and also as a Certified International Property Specialist (C.I.P.S.) and in 2022 has earned his National Association of Realtors “Green Industry designation for eco-friendly construction. He will provide you with “free” regular updates of sold and new homes in your town via the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island (MLSLI) or go to https://WWW. Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search on your own. For a “FREE” `15 minute consultation, as well as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached. He can also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and our Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.

You can email or snail mail (regular mail) him with your request or ideas, suggestions or interview you for a specific topic and a Q & A for a future column with your name, email and cell number. He will email or call you back and respond to your request ASAP as long as he has your complete name, cell, email and/or full home or business address. Again, for a “FREE” 15 minute consultation, he can also be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.Com to answer any of your questions and concerns in selling, investing, purchasing, or leasing residential or commercial property.

parallel-group randomized controlled trial. The diet intervention group received nutritional counseling and assistance in meal planning to adhere to the Mediterranean diet pattern. They attended a 60-minute nutritional counseling appointment conducted by a clinical nutritionist who offered personalized dietary advice, goal setting and mindful eating strategies to support adherence to the Mediterranean diet. They also were provided information on serving sizes, sample meal plans, recipes, dining-out options and a daily online diet history survey. In contrast, participants in the control group attended “befriending” support sessions in which researchers discussed neutral topics of

interest such as movies, sports, and hobbies. Befriending support was chosen for its ability to control factors that can confound randomized controlled trial results.

Researchers found the diet intervention group showed significant improvements in depressive symptoms, with a mean reduction of 20.6 points on the Beck Depression Inventory Scale, compared with a reduction of 6.2 points for the control group.

The bottom line? Eating healthy according to the Mediterranean diet pattern can make a difference in your mental health as well as your physical health.

Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU Med School in Springfield, Illinois. COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of June 4-10, 2023

Ask your friends and neighbors, and most will probably tell you that it was the 17th century scientist Galileo who invented the telescope. This just isn’t so. The “optic tube,” as it once was called, most likely originated in Holland decades earlier. The Dutch had cleverly used it to spot approaching ships long before the eye alone could see them.

Galileo was also not the first ever to aim a telescope skyward; what made him unique was that he built one to study the heavens systematically and scientifically. And what he found among the stars was enough to rock the world and overturn long-held concepts of the universe.

One of his great celestial observations was that the moon had craters and mountains; of course, others had found this earlier, but Galileo used the shadows these features cast onto the lunar surface to calculate their sizes.

When he aimed his telescope toward the planet Jupiter, he found something even stranger. He discovered that this distant world played host to four moons that swung around the planet from night to night.

We can see both phenomena today with even a small backyard telescope -- when the moon and Jupiter are in our

The Changing Phases of Venus

sky, of course.

One of the other celestial sights Galileo can now be seen low in the western sky shortly after sunset. You’ve almost certainly noticed it there glistening in the waning light of dusk -- the brightest of all planets -- Venus.

Venus shines so brilliantly because it’s a world the size of Earth that now lies less than 70 million miles away. In addition, the planet is shrouded by thick white clouds that reflect into space more than two-thirds of all sunlight that falls on them.

What makes Venus particularly interesting right now is exactly what Galileo found four centuries ago. The planet appears through a telescope not as a round disk but in a quarter phase -- not unlike our moon every few weeks. By July 8, Venus will have approached to about 41 million miles and will appear through a telescope as a thick crescent. And by the end of July, it will lie less than 30 million miles from us and appear as a thin crescent that you might even see in binoculars!

While this may not seem like an epic discovery in today’s fast-paced, hightech world, it was this simple observation that led Galileo to conclude that the phases of Venus could not happen if the planet were orbiting the Earth as both the great Aristotle and the Catholic Church had long taught. No, the only way its phases could appear as they did

was if Venus circled the sun!

In other words, our world was not the center of the universe as had long been believed. And this ultimately helped to change forever how we view ourselves and our place in the universe.

If you don’t have a telescope of your own, go online and search for an amateur astronomy club in your area.

LOST IN SUBURBIA

All Hail the Panini

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

Every once in a while, I discover some new dish that I fall in love with, and then I order it whenever I go out to eat.

For example, there was a point in time when I was really into duck. I had sampled a crispy duck at a new restaurant, and it was love at first duck. For six months I ordered it every time I saw it on a menu. Then one day, a pair of mallards arrived in our backyard, and the next thing we knew the place was silly with cute little duckies. That pretty much ruined the whole duck dinner thing for me.

Then I went through a flatbread phase. Flatbread is essentially pizza, but it’s usually rectangular rather than round, which somehow makes it warrant a special name. I’m not sure why someone felt they had to get all fancy with the shape of pizza and then call

it something different, but who am I to question the culinary geniuses of the world? So, I got on the flatbread bandwagon and then discovered that, in nearly all cases, good old-fashioned thin crust pizza is better than most fancy flatbreads, so I switched back.

Right now, my obsession is panini. In case you are not familiar with it, a panini is basically a grilled cheese sandwich for grownups. Instead of American cheese on white bread, it is usually made with mozzarella cheese on focaccia, with other things stuffed into it, such as chicken, pesto, roasted peppers, etc. “Panini” is the Italian name for sandwich, which, I think, is a much nicer name than “grilled cheese,” or even the French term, “croque monsieur” (pronounced “croak miss-yur”), which makes me think of female frogs.

Kind of an appetite killer, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, ever since I sampled my

first panini, I have been on a quest to find the perfect panini, with just the right blend of melted cheesiness and crispy breadiness. After traveling far and wide and sampling many a panini, I have determined that:

a) There are a lot of places that call a panini a panini, but in reality, they are just serving glorified Hot Pockets;

b) No one actually does make the perfect panini, and since I think so...

c) I am a panini snob, and furthermore:

d) I still don’t like the name croque monsieur.

Once I determined that there was no restaurant that served the perfect panini, I felt it was my duty, as a panini lover, to make one myself.

So, the first thing I did was run out and buy a super-duper, magic panini maker. Then I went out and I bought a beautiful focaccia, some fresh grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella, tomato and

Chances are they’ll be having a free “star party” sometime soon where you can view through their telescopes all the wonders of the cosmos --including the amazing planet Venus.

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM

pesto. I came home, lightly browned the inside slices of bread, added all the rest of the ingredients between the slices, and then put my soon-to-be panini in my brand new, super-duper, magic panini maker and closed the lid.

A moment later a friend called, and we started talking about “The Crown” and who was the better Queen, and then I suddenly smelled smoke.

I hung up, whirled around and found my perfect panini was now a blackened panini hockey puck.

Fortunately, I am over my panini phase and have moved onto bruschetta...

Because it needs no cooking.

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

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS

Observing the phases of Venus helped Galileo conclude that planets in our solar system orbit the sun, not the Earth.

ONE CALL TO 516-294-8900 AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN 11 LOCAL NEWSPAPERS. CALL TODAY FOR OUR VERY LOW RATES. www.gcnews.com

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

AVAILABLE POSITION

PERSONAL ASSISTANT / ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Part-Time work from home

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3 days per week

2)

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

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Task work based on needs of COO; professional, clear, confident phone voice; ability to resolve multiple issues-tasks independently; FT or PT

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Advertise in our newspaper!

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Call 1-516-294-8900 to inquire!

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

ASSISTANT GARDEN CITY P/T

We are a premier funeral home located in Garden City, Long Island seeking a responsible, smart and kind individual, who can assist two funeral directors in their daily requirements, to join our highly professional team. Most of the skills required can be learned on the job but in general requirements are; excellent phone, people and team skills, a professional appearance, attention to detail, willingness to learn and follow direction, computer proficiency, punctuality, good mobility (as we have many stairs) and most importantly, a positive attitude. Proximity to our location is a very big advantage and having a clean drivers license is a requirement. We are looking for three or four days per week however, the job has the potential for growth if desired. Pay is competitive and commensurate with experience.

Please Respond: PCCV@MAC.COM

(put HELP in the subject line)

Your Duties are as followsmail pick fedex and drop off Enters pertinent data information into computer system. Assists office staff with filing, ordering supplies Perform official assignment to detail/ instruction

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If you need care from your relative, friend/neighbor and you have Medicaid, they may be eligible to start taking care of you as personal assistant under NYS Medicaid CDPA Program. No Certificates needed. 347-713-3553

EMPLOYMENT SITUATION

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Certified HHA

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• Excellent references. We will provide you the best caregivers in America.

Filipino men and women. Kind,loving and caring at this very difficult time. Call Gertrude 347–444–0960

SALES REPRESENTATIVE NON REMOTE

Sales Representatives guide families through the process of making informed decisions for cemetery at-need and pre-need planning services.

Catholic Cemeteries offers excellent compensation for motivated individuals which includes a base salary (not a draw) plus commissions and incentives. Benefits include medical, dental, paid vacation, sick days and 403B.

Sales Representatives interact with families, funeral directors, and other personnel/departments. This is a performance based prospecting position all within the cemetery grounds. We do not visit customers at home.

Experience:

Experience with processes, principles, and methods for selling products and services.

Record of accomplishment in networking, developing leads, contacting referrals, setting appointments and meeting monthly sales goals

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in person, on the telephone and online

Highly organized, detail oriented, and excellent time management skills

Ability to work and make decisions under pressure and tight deadlines. Proficient in the use of computers and technology

Valid state issued driver’s license required.

Job Type: Full-Time

Monday – Friday 9am-5pm and Saturdays from 9am-1pm

Salary: $65,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year. (Salary plus commission)

Please send resume to cbalcarcel@ccbklyn.org

EMPLOYMENT

SITUATION WANTED

AIDE/CARE GIVER: Available for work in East Hampton and surrounding area.

Caring, Efficient, Reliable. Available FT Live In nights & weekends to care for your sick or elderly loved one. Cooking, personal grooming, administer medications. 15years experience.

References available. Fully Vaccinated. Please Call 631-830-9016

CERTIFIED NURSE’S AIDE

25 YEARS EXPERIENCE. Honest, reliable. Available Fulltime, Part-time & Overnight, Weekends. Licensed driver. Also available to run errands, pick up medication, etc. Call Barbara 917-442-5760

HOME HEALTH AIDE/COMPANION.

Gentle. Optimistic.

Experienced with many medical conditions and kinds of people. Families have told me I created a lovely environment, more than they could have hoped for.

Please call Grace 917-499-9520

CAREER TRAINING

COMPUTER & IT TRAINING

PROGRAM! Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Grants and Scholarships available for certain programs for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details!

(844) 947-0192 (M-F 8am-6pm ET) Computer with internet is required.

TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL BILLING

Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get trained, certifie Call 855-543-6440 (M-F 8am6pm ET)

Computer with internet is required.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DIRECTV

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The most live MLB games this season, 200+ channels and over 45,000 on-demand titles. $84.99/mo for 24 months with CHOICE Package. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-5346918

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOVENAS/PRAYERS

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED MOTHER

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

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

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

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

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

Amen. This prayer is never known to fail and is to be said for 3 consecutive days.

In Gratitude (M.T.F.)

MARKETPLACE

A.T. STEWART EXCHANGE CONSIGNMENT SHOP

516-746-8900

Antiques-FurnitureJewelry-Silver-MirorsLamps-Artwork

Come to Consign & Stay to Shop Visit....

Our Shop

109 Eleventh St. Garden City

Mon-Fri 10-4 (Wed till 6) Saturday 12-4

Shop Our Online Store ATStewartExchange.org

Items to Consign?

Email photos (with sizing info) to: store@atstewartexchange. org

All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society

Like us on Facebook & Instagram

INVITED ESTATE SALES

BY

TRACY JORDAN

is doing VIRTUAL TAG SALES and ONLINE AUCTIONS now!

Sell the contents of an entire house or sell just a few things!

You can host your own sale on invitedsales.com and Facebook and Instagram or we can do it for you. We can photograph, advertise and handle the winning pickups for you within a week!

Don’t worry about your closing date, we can get your house ready on time! We are a one stop service for all your needs when you are moving or selling a property! Selling, donating, discarding and cleaning out services can be done to meet your time frame with minimal stress. Contact info@invitedsales.com for more information or call 516-279-6378 to schedule a consultation or receive more information.

Visit us at www.invitedsales. com for a listing of our upcoming Virtual Tag Sales and Weekly Auctions!

MARKETPLACE

WANTED TO BUY

LOOKING TO BUY!

Estates, Oriental items, Gold, Silver, Costume Jewelry, Dishes, Flatware, Watches, Clothing, Old Photos, Coins, Stamps, Records, Toys, Action Figures, Comics, Art and Furniture. Immediate Cash Paid

Call George 917-775-3048 or 718-386-1104

TOP CASH PAID: ESTATE CONTENTS ALL OBJECTS OF ART JEWELRY, ETC. Please call 718-598-3045 or 516-270-2128 www.antiqueassets.com

PETS

PETS FOR ADOPTION

FREE

GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPIES TO FOREVER HOMES!

1 Male, 1 Female. Excellent temperament! House trained and very good trainable natures. Perfect for families with children and other pets!

I will not re-home to just anyone.

Please email me first: staceymcclelland8@gmail. com

and text: 312-270-0850

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOS WANTED

***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS

$Highest$ Ca$h Paid$ All Years /Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct Ca$h. DMV ID#1303199 Call LUKE 516-VAN-CARS 516-297-2277

DRIVE OUT BREAST CANCER:

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WHEELS FOR WISHES benefitting Make-A-Wish

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Car Donation Foundation d/b/a Wheels For Wishes. www.wheelsforwishes.org

SERVICES

Money Matters

Practical and common-sense advice to help you:

• Negotiate lower bills (cell, cable, taxes, insurance, etc.)

• Earn more interest

• Understand investing and crypto concepts

• Save more for retirement

• Benefit from loyalty and reward programs

• Spend wisely i.e. get more for less

Call 516.684.9800 for a FREE 30-minute consultation. No obligation.

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

APARTMENT FOR RENT

GARDEN CITY BORDER

APARTMENT. Huge, bright 2BR, 2 Bath apt. $2,485 + Electric. Gated Parking. Laundry room, Air Conditioning, Dishwasher, Hardwood Floors. Near LIRR. NO BROKER FEE. www.gcbapts.com

Voice or text: 516-524-6965

OFFICE SPACE

WILLISTON PARK PROFESSIONAL OFFICE

Space for rent. Partially furnished-2 Exec. offices. Reception area, Main floor, Private parking. $2900-p/m. Call Tony 516-248-4080

VACATION RENTAL

MATTITUCK

2 Bayfront Homes For Rent

One 3 BR, 2 BTH, One 2 BR Cottage. Available the weeks of June 24th-July 1st and August 26-September 2nd. House $2050-per week. Cottage $1850per week. IDEAL FAMILY VACATION. Call 631-298-8433

SERVICES

ARE YOU BEHIND 10K OR MORE on your taxes? Stop wage and bank levies, liens and audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, and resolve tax debt FAST. Call 888-869-5361

(Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm PST)

JACK’S CUSTOM FRAMING

We can frame anything!

Quality Care & Workmanship

Thousands of frames to choose from!!

Over 30 years in business! 92 Covert Ave, Stewart Manor 516-775-9495

SERVICES

STRONG ISLAND PROPERTY SERVICES

We are a landscaping service company founded by 2 GCHS graduates. We strive to enhance residential landscapes by specializing in mulch and flower installations, bush trimming, tree removal, sod installation and much more.

Call us Today for a free estimate and if you refer a friend, you’ll both get 10% off your next service!

Call 516-272-3262 or 516-778-4180

ATTORNEY

STEPHANIE A. D’ANGELO, ESQ.

Elder Law, Wills & Trusts Asset Preservation, Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration/Litigation 901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530 516-222-1122

www.dangelolawassociates. com

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

AQUATEC LAWN SPRINKLERS

SPRING TURN ONS

Backflow Device Tests Free Estimates Installation Service/Repairs

Joe Barbato 516-775-1199

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 866-393-3636

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NYC NASSAU SUFFOLK 516-766-1666 or 631-225-2600

Since 1982 chimneykinginc.com

PLANS. 833398-0526

HANDYMAN

Careful & Reliable

Serving GARDEN CITY and surrounding area since 2003 Repairs & Installations of all types

Carpentry, Moldings, Lighting and More 35-yr Nassau Resident References

Lic#170101

Phone/Text Friendly Frank: 516-238-2112

Email: Frankcav@optonline. net

MADE IN THE SHADE CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS

Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Draperies

Top Brands at Discount Prices!

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Licensed & Insured 516-621-3869

ROOFS, GUTTERS, CARPENTRY, BATHROOMS, KITCHENS, NEW BASEMENT ENTRANCES, EXTENSIONS, MASONRY, FLOORS, WATERPROOFING, DRAINS, LEAKS, STOOPS, DECKS, DRIVEWAYS, DEMOLITION, RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ARIS CONSTRUCTION

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DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS NOW HIRING !!

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Requir ements:

Valid NYS Driver's License

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Complete Bac kground Screening

Community Mainstreaming (CMA)

www.communitymainstreaming.or g | 516-683-0710, ext 256

Administrative Opening Monticello Central School High School Principal

The Monticello CSD is seeking forward thinking and dynamic School Building Principal who can lead MCSD’s highly engaged faculty, staff, parents, students, and community. The successful candidate will have a vision of educational excellence, be highly motivated, and demonstrates an ability to impact student learning.

Starting Salary: $150,000

NYS SDA/SAS/SBL Certification Required plus 2 yrs. of previous administrative leadership and 3 yrs. exp as a classroom teacher preferred.

Please apply online by June 15th at https://monticelloschools.tedk12.com/hire or OLAS EOE 113456

Administrative Opening

Monticello Central School

Assistant Secondary Principal

The successful candidate should possess: Knowledge of research-based instructional programs & practices; exp. w/ teacher supervision & evaluation; a record of successfully improving learning experiences and enhancing school to home communication; and can provide a supportive environment with knowledge of social-emotional competencies, restorative practices, and promote a culturally responsive educational climate.

Salary Range: $95,000 to $105,000

NYS SDA/SDL/SBL Certification Required plus 3 yrs. exp. as a classroom teacher preferred.

Please apply online by June 15th at https://monticelloschools.tedk12.com/hire or OLAS EOE

Administrative Opening

Monticello Central School

Assistant Elementary Principal

The successful candidate should possess: Knowledge of research-based instructional programs & practices; exp. w/ teacher supervision & evaluation; a record of successfully improving learning experiences and enhancing school to home communication; and can provide a supportive environment with knowledge of social-emotional competencies, restorative practices, and promote a culturally responsive educational climate.

Salary Range: $95,000 to $105,000

NYS SDA/SDL/SBL Certification Required plus 3 yrs. exp as a classroom teacher preferred.

Please apply online by June 15th at https://monticelloschools.tedk12.com/hire or OLAS EOE

SERVICES

HEALTH SERVICES

FAMILY CARE CONNECTIONS, LLC

Dr. Ann Marie D’Angelo PMHCNS-BC

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Advanced Practice Nurse Care Manager

Assistance with Aging at Home /Care Coordintion

Nursing Home & Assisted Living Placement

PRI / Screens / Mini Mental Status Exams

Medicaid Eligibility and Apllications 516-248-9323

www.familycareconnections.com

901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530

PAINTING & PAPERHANGING

MICHELANGELO PAINTING & WALLPAPER

Interior, Exterior, Plaster / Spackle, Light Carpentry, Decorative Moldings & Power Washing.

Call: 516-328-7499

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

CLEANING

CLEANING AVAILABLE EXPERIENCED POLISH HOUSE CLEANER

Good references, ability. Very honest, reliable, responsible and hard working. Own transportation. English speaking. Flexible days and hours. Reasonable rates. I will do a good job.

Call or text 516-589-5640

DISH TV

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High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply.

Promo expires 1/31/24

Call 1-866-595-6967

LEAK REPAIRS

Plumbing Repairs

Bathrooms, Showers, Kitchens

24 HOUR SERVICE

Call 516-668-5624

Getting

SERVICES SERVICES

MAGNUM SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.

Serving Garden City for 40 years.

Let Magnum Upgrade Your Existing Security System.

Burglar & Fire Alarms

Cellular Radio 3G Upgrades

Remote Access

Call: 516-486-5484

PASSION FOR SENIORS

Certified HHA’s, Companions & Homemakers. 24 hour care available. Also Nassau Locations. Trained in Dementia and Alzheimer’s care.

Call 718-850-3400

DENTAL Insurance

1-855-225-1434

Dental50Plus.com/nypress

Town offers summer jobs

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that there are still openings for summer employment in the Town of Oyster Bay. Positions are available for the 2023 Summer Recreation Program, as well as the Youth Tennis Program. Those interested must be 16 years of age or older to apply.

“These great summer jobs are ideal for community teens ages 16 or

older who are looking to build their resume,” said Supervisor Saladino. “Our summer recreation counselors and tennis assistants have a lot of fun while receiving hands-on experience and making a difference in the lives of others.”

The Summer Recreation Program runs for six weeks, from July 5 through August 11. Applicants must be available for the duration of

the program. Sessions are Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Program participants take part in trips, tournaments, shows and athletic events, including the TOBAY Games, making being a counselor a great first job for many residents.

Tennis assistants must be 16+, have at least 1–2 years of experience participating on a tennis team,

and be available for the duration of the program, which also runs from June 26 until August 11. Tennis runs Monday through Thursday, between the hours of 3:45 p.m. and 8 p.m.

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

D’Angelo Law Associates, PC Stephanie A. D’Angelo, Esq.

Old Bethpage School holds Read Aloud Day

Old Bethpage Elementary School hosted a Dr. Seuss Read Aloud Day as part of its Pick a Reading Partner month celebrations this March.

Students greeted guests—including some of their own parents, Board of Education members and other special members of the community—who volunteered to visit and read to the students. In addition to reading, visitors also shared information about their various career paths, including those in the fields of medicine, environmental conservation, real estate, politics and rocket science.

As Read Aloud Day began and guests arrived, invitees were met by student government members and student ambassadors dressed in Cat in the Hat attire. The participants left that day feeling proud and energized, while the students left inspired and thinking about their bright futures. As Dr. Seuss once wrote, “You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way!" The students are well on their way to accomplishing great things!

A number of visitors came to Old Bethpage Elementary School for Read Aloud Day, and to not only read to the students, but also talk about their professions and career paths.

Town offers One-Stop Passport Weekend

To help residents looking to obtain new passports, Oyster Bay Town Clerk Richard LaMarca announced that his office will offer a special onestop Passport Weekend on Saturday, June 3, and Sunday, June 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at both Town Hall North in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South in Massapequa.

“Residents looking to apply for a new passport are invited to visit Town Hall during Passport Weekend to receive assistance,” said Town Clerk LaMarca. “We can help you with organizing your documents,

obtaining a photo and submitting the documents for approval.”

Requirements for applying for a passport include:

• One 2x2 color photograph with a clear view of the applicant’s face against a plain white or light colored background. Photos will also be available for $10 at both Town Halls North and South during Passport Weekend.

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship

– Previously issued undamaged U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad or

Certification of Birth, Naturalization Certificate, or Certificate of Citizenship.

• Proof of Identity –

Naturalization Certificate, Valid Driver’s License (cannot have been issued or renewed in the last six months), Current Government ID (city, state or federal), Current Military ID (military and dependents).

• This service does NOT apply to Adult Renewals unless your Passport is expired for 5+ years.

Town Clerk LaMarca has offic -

es located at Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road in Massapequa. Passport appointments are available Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m, and during this special Passport Weekend. For appointments in Oyster Bay, please call (516) 624-6324. For appointments in Massapequa, please call (516) 797-7964.

For information on passport requirements and processing times, as well as instructions for passport renewals, visit www.travel.state.gov.

The event was also a celebration of the works of Dr. Seuss, and students greeted the guests dressed as the Cat in the Hat.

Among the visitors were members of the Board of Education.

Lee Road kindergartners get close view of ducks hatching

Kindergartners at Lee Road Elementary School in the Levittown Public School District experienced ducks hatching from their eggs during a special lesson on May 15.

Kindergarten classes gathered together to watch as the ducklings slowly poked through their eggs. Each hatching was projected on the class-

room screen for all to see. When they got out of their shells, the ducks were shown to every student up close. The lesson taught students about the gentle care required when caring for baby animals as well as the science behind ducklings hatching. It was an exciting experience for all.

Kindergartners at Lee Road Elementary School saw duckling up close after they hatched in their class.

Each student had a brief gentle interaction with the duckling, teaching them the care required for handling baby animals.

Photos courtesy of Levittown Public Schools

Summer Pickleball sessions from Town

The Town of Oyster Bay invites residents to take part in a co-ed Summer Pickleball program, beginning July 5 throughout the Town. Pickleball is available to individuals 18 years of age or older and runs for 10 weeks in Bethpage, Hicksville and Massapequa.

Town Councilman Steve Labriola stated, “Pickleball continues to be a growing sport in our communities and this program will provide an even greater opportunity for fans to participate. Pickleball is a fun and social sport that provides a great healthy activity for the whole family.”

Online registration will begin on Monday, June 5, at 5:00 p.m. for residents and on Monday, June 12, at 5:00 p.m. for non-residents, all at www.oysterbaytown.com/parksportal. In-person registration is

also available for residents-only on Wednesday, June 7, from 5 p.m.

– 9 p.m. at the Hicksville Athletic Center, located at 167 S Broadway in Hicksville. Space is limited- first come, first serve. Registration will close when the program reaches full capacity. Fees are $75 for residents and $100 for non-residents. Proof of residency requires individuals to upload a tax or utility bill and valid photo ID. Participants must provide their own racket.

The following five sessions are offered:

• Session 1 in Bethpage:

Begins Thursday, July 6, Tuesdays & Thursdays Lenox Avenue Park (Behind Bethpage Library) 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

• Session 2 in Massapequa:

Begins Wednesday, July 5, Wednesdays & Fridays Garrick

Williams Park (Ritter Ave, Massapequa) 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

• Session 3 in Massapequa:

Begins Thursday, July 6, Tuesdays & Thursdays Garrick Williams Park (Ritter Ave, Massapequa) 5:00 p.m. –7:30 p.m.

• Session 4 in Bethpage:

Begins Wednesday, July 5, Mondays & Wednesdays Lenox Avenue Park (Behind Bethpage Library) 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

• Session 5 in Hicksville:

Begins Wednesday, July 5, Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays Hicksville Athletic Center (167 S Broadway) 7:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.

Pickleball is a fun sport for all ages, played with a wooden paddle and lightweight plastic ball. The sport combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong and can

include two, three or four players. It shares similarities to other racquet sports. The dimensions and layout closely resemble a badminton court, which is considerably smaller than a tennis court and rules of the game are somewhat similar to tennis.

Due to its popularity, the Town Board recently announced plans to construct new pickleball courts at John Burns Park in Massapequa, Field of Dreams and Anchor Park in Massapequa, Allen Park in Farmingdale, Syosset-Woodbury Community Park, Plainview-Old Bethpage Community Park, and Centre Island Beach in Bayville. Courts are anticipated to open to the public in September 2023.

For more information, or to inquire about special holiday scheduling, call (516) 797-7945 or email tobparks@oysterbay-ny.gov.

Town offers summer sports programs

The Town of Oyster Bay will offer Summer Athletic Programs for basketball, badminton, and volleyball, beginning on July 6 at the Hicksville Athletic Center. All athletic programs run for 10 weeks, are co-ed, and open to individuals 18 and over.

“The Town’s athletic programs offer a great opportunity for residents to take to the court, improve their skills, and make new friends,” said Town Councilwoman Vicki Walsh. “Playing basketball, badminton, and volleyball are the ideal way to have fun while staying active, and I encourage residents to take advantage of these Town programs.”

Basketball will be held on Thursdays from 9:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturdays from 8:15 a.m.

to 10:00 a.m., and Sundays from 8:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., beginning on July 6, 2023. The basketball program is 10 weeks long and costs $25 for residents and $40 for non-residents.

Badminton will feature two sessions for registrants to choose from.

The first session consists of Tuesdays from 8:45 p.m. to 10:05 p.m., Fridays from 8:45 p.m. to 10:05 p.m., and Sundays from 6:10 p.m. to 8:10 p.m.

Session 2 consists of Tuesdays from 10:15 p.m. to 11:35 p.m., Fridays from 10:15 p.m. to 11:35 p.m., and Sundays from 8:20 p.m. to 10:20 p.m. The badminton program is 10 weeks long and costs $75 for residents and $100 for non-residents, with the program scheduled to begin on July 7.

Volleyball will be split into two

different sessions. The first session will be held on Mondays from 8:45 p.m. to 10:05 p.m., Wednesdays from 8:45 p.m. to 10:05 p.m., and Saturdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The second session will take place on Mondays from 10:15 p.m. to 11:35 p.m., Wednesdays from 10:15 p.m. to 11:35 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:20 p.m. to 10:20 p.m. The volleyball program is 10-weeks long, costs $75 for residents and $100 for non-residents, and is scheduled to begin on July 8.

Registration for Town of Oyster Bay residents begins online on Monday, June 5, at 5 p.m. at oysterbaytown.com/portal. You must upload proof of residency (tax or utility bill) and a valid identification card such as a driver’s license.

Town residents also have the option to register in person on Wednesday, June 7, from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the TOB Hicksville Athletic Center (167 S Broadway, Hicksville). Nonresidents can register online at oysterbaytown.com/portal beginning June 12.

Proof of residency is required for the resident discount. The schedule is subject to change. If a session is cancelled, make-up day(s) will be attempted. For more information, or to inquire about special holiday scheduling, please call (516) 797-7945or email tobparks@oysterbay-ny.gov