30 Berry Hill Road, Syosset
Offering free home market analysis & complimentary services wishesThanksgiving from our house to yours. May your home be filled with laughter and happiness.
Call for an appointment MARA NAVARETTA Broker / Owner 516-551-3347
The fifth grade at Robbins Lane Elementary School recently hosted a car wash to raise funds for the PTA. See page 16.
BY GARY SIMEONE
It will be a Hanukkah party like no other at the Temple Or Elohim in Jericho on Sunday, December 15. A joyous holiday party is planned for the community reform congregation, complete with Broadway actors and actresses and a Hasson-catered hot breakfast. The event is scheduled to take place from 10:30 a.m to 1 p.m.
“What makes this event so unique this year is that we have stars from Broadway coming to perform for us,”
said Laurel Fried, organizer of the event. “They will put on a cabaret performance which is open to both temple members and members of the public.”
The Broadway stars who will be attending the event include Brayden Bratti, a fifth-grader who is currently starring in “Matilda” at the John Engeman Theatre in Northport, and Amanda Swickle, a Jericho teenager who recently received a Young Artist Award scholarship.
The two performers are part of the 'Shine Theatre Arts Project,' a performing arts training intensive for kids and teenagers. The STAP is located in the Berkshire Mountains in Massachusetts, and works to cultivate Broadway's next generation of talent through instruction support and advice.
Fried said that of the congregation’s 300 members, there are some adult Broadway actors in the mix, but this
See page 8
BY RIKKI MASSAND
At its meeting on Monday evening, November 18, the Syosset Board of Education discussed the potential of adding new light-up signage akin to LED-lit message boards in front of many high schools, that would face roadways leading to and/or in front of Syosset’s school buildings. Sign costs, their specific locations, functionality as a means of communication, the aesthetics of electronically-lit signage -- plus encasing signboards in brick/masonry stands, and what that costs -- are all part of this ongoing school trustees’ discussion ahead of project plans.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas Rogers explains that light-up sign boards cost around $25,000 per side, with a dual-sided (to face traffic in either direction) would cost $50,000. Dr. Rogers noted the costs of installations and upkeep, which are not able to be specifically examined unless a site on property and in front of a district school are identified.
The Board resolved to direct Rogers to further discuss opportunities for sign locations and specific designs with consultants to the school district from H2M Architects + Engineers. Rogers says he will request three proposals for signage displays. The potential height and width of the light-up signs was not mentioned during
the school board’s discussion on Monday.
School Board President Tracy Frankel says she has no specific objections to having “lighted signs somewhere” but the costs are a concern, noting the capital and infrastructure projects on the horizon with the next school budget’s formulation coming up. The district administration continues researching the costs and availability to outfit Syosset Central School District properties with lighted roadway signs. But timing is not ideal for the project, she told her fellow trustees.
“The questions remain, where we get the funds, for what, and what facilities projects we may or may not anticipate right now that will require moving around money -- I am not so sure that NOW is the time to talk about spending $50,000 on a double-sided sign anywhere,” Frankel said. An update she delivered this week is that the library is unable to accommodate any lighted road sign for the district.
School Board Trustee Andrew Feldman asked for more specifics on the potential looks of LED-lighted signage and whether they would appear as a setting, in masonry, or as a temporary road or construction sign might catch the eye. Dr. Rogers confirmed there is only an option for
See page 8
The Glen Cove-Hicksville-Syosset Chapter of the Mercy League will be holding its annual Christmas holiday gift wrapping program.
From Thursday, December 12 to Tuesday, December 24 bring your gifts to Broadway Commons Mall to have them expertly wrapped by Mercy League volunteers. Proceeds of the wrapping service will support enrichment activities and equipment at Mercy
Medical Center.
The service will be available from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Christmas Eve til 4 p.m.). Prices will range from $2 to $5 depending on size of package and options chosen. Oversized packages will be priced accordingly. A large selection of gift wrap, decorative bags, ribbons and bows will be available.
For more information, please contact Pat at 681-6690 or Anna at 390-0200.
Our Professional Guide is sure to bring results. Call 516-294-8900 for rates and information.
Email: Editor@GCNews.com
To the Editor:
With the coming of autumn, thoughts turn to the rapidly approaching new year, and with a new Executive Budget for New York State. In each of his last three budgets Governor Andrew Cuomo has made a baffling decision; repeatedly removing increases in funding enacted by the Legislature during the previous year.
The Governor’s repeated $5M budget cut to Library Aid demonstrates either ignorance or apathy to the vital role that libraries play in every community.
Despite the rapidly evolving function of libraries in meeting the needs of all New Yorkers, last year Governor Cuomo proposed Library Aid at just 1% above where it had been funded TWO DECADES earlier in 1999. In 1999, less than one third of public libraries had a publicly accessible computer- and today nearly every public library is the primary source of access to the internet for nearly a quarter of households earning
below $50,000 annually.
With libraries being increasingly called upon to assist state government in its initiatives (the upcoming 2020 Census is but one example), it’s time for Governor Cuomo to update his thinking and actions about libraries. He needs to make a bold new investment in our libraries to provide them with the needed resources to provide all New Yorkers with 21st Century library service.
Libraries are a cornerstone of New York’s education and civic infrastructure. Governor Cuomo needs to invest in libraries.
Join me in speaking up for our libraries, sign up as a library champion at nyla.org/ advocacy.
The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that children can send their ‘holiday wish list’ directly to Old St. Nick at the North Pole through a special network of Santa’s Mailboxes which arrived in Town facilities from the North Pole. Mailboxes will accept letters now through Monday, December 16.
The Town of Oyster Bay will forward letters to Santa at the North Pole. Letters received by Monday, December 16 with a legible name and return address will be answered by Santa before the holiday. No postage is necessary.
Colorful red mailboxes will be accessible
daily during regular business hours at the following locations:
• Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay
• Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa
• Hicksville Athletic Center, 167 S. Broadway, Hicksville
• Ice Skating Center, 1001 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage
For more information about Santa’s Mailboxes, please call (516) 624-6380 weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. or visit the www.oysterbaytown.com.
Town of Oyster Bay’s Department of Community and Youth Services will be offering free musical performances during the month of December 2019 at local libraries throughout the Town to kick-off the 2019-2020 Distinguished Artists Concert Series, which will continue to run monthly through May 2020.
“The Town’s Distinguished Artists Concert Series has proven to be one of our most popular and enduring programs, as residents flock from all across the Town to see the free musical and dance performances scheduled each month for the enjoyment of our residents,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “I invite residents to take advantage of these wonderful performances offered by the Town for free at local libraries.”
Upcoming performances for December 2019 include:
Breakdown – A Tribute to the Music of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at 2 p.m. in the Bethpage Public Library.
Copperline – A Tribute to
the Music of James Taylor on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in the Syosset Public Library (tickets required for performances at Syosset Public Library as space is limited, tickets available at the library beginning on November 19, 2019, for more information call 516921-7161.)
Sugar & Spice Soul Band –A Soulful Tribute to Motown and R&B on Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. in the Farmingdale Public Library.
Four Hand Band – One Hundred Years of Women’s Voices on Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. in the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library.
The Distinguished Artists Concert Series is sponsored by the Cultural and Performing Arts (CAPA) Division of the Town of Oyster Bay’s Department of Community & Youth Services. For further information, please call (516) 797-7900 or visit www.oysterbaytown.com.
Two Glen Head residents were arrested by Nassau County Police on Monday, November 18 after allegedly firing multiple shots at the Meadowbrook Motor Lodge on Jericho Turnpike in Jericho.
According to detectives, police were dispatched for shots fired that occurred at the Meadowbrook Motor Lodge after a man was observed in the parking lot with what appeared to be a handgun and who fired multiple shots in the direction of a nearby gas station. No injuries reported at scene. Upon police arrival, the man was seen running through the rear of the building with a woman.
Vincent Tasso, 24 and Molly Dutrow, 25, both of Glen Head, were apprehended without further incident. Police say that during the investigation they found that Tasso was also the subject of a grand larceny that had occurred on Thursday, November 14, in Hicksville and that Molly Dutrow had an open NYS parole warrant.
Vincent Tasso is charged with Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Reckless Endangerment 1st Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th Degree and Grand Larceny 4th Degree. Molly Dutrow is charged with Violation of Parole.
Eight Syosset students have been accepted by the Institute of Creative Problem Solving for Gifted and Talented Students at SUNY College at Old Westbury. Selection by the Institute into their annual program indicates that these students are among the top onetenth of one percent of all students in mathematics on Long Island in his or her grade.
Chosen to participate in this year’s program are Kevin He and Wendy Yin from H.B. Thompson Middle School; Vincent Huang, Arthur Kaplan, William Shih and Samuel Xiao from South Woods Middle School; and Aarian Mepani and Colin Rosen from Syosset High School. They competed against approximately 550 top ranking students who were nominated by their principals for one of 85 spots available.
Students accepted into the program will spend 50 hours in class over the course of 20 Saturday mornings. The curriculum will include algebra, geometry, discrete math and number theory courses, as well as problem-solving topics such as probability and mass point geometry. Institute graduates have gone on to win prestigious national and international math, science and engineering contests and have been selected as Intel and Siemens awardees in math, science or technology.
Photos courtesy of the Syosset School District
and Kevin
Mouthwatering gourmet pizzas and pasta specialties will have you coming back time and time again. Our complete catering meni includes heroes as well as all types of pasta and Italian specialties by the tray.
Adult Winter Reading Club
Interested in winning a NOOK tablet? Join the Adult Winter Reading Club! Visit the Readers' Services Desk on the second floor to register and receive your Adult Winter Reading Club Bingo card. In-person registration required. Registration begins on Tuesday, December 3, 2019. Open to SSD residents 18 years or older with a valid library card. Details will be available at the Readers' Services Desk and on the library website www.syossetlibrary.org
Tuesday, December 3 at 1:30 p.m.
Title Swap Tuesday
Share tea, cookies, and your favorite titles with Readers' Services staff, and we'll share ours. Leave with a list of great winter reads.
Free. No registration required.
Tuesday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Evening Book Discussion
“Kitchen Confidential” by Anthony Bourdain Led by Ralph Guiteau, Readers’
Services Librarian
Free. No registration required.
Tuesday, December 17 at 2 p.m.
Annual Year-End Readers’ Services Celebration
Join the Readers’ Services Department for an exciting Year-End Celebration featuring Kitty Zeldis, author of the 2018 novel “Not Our Kind.” Ms. Zeldis will discuss the author’s life, as well as the writing of her historical fiction novel set in postwar New York City. Books will be sold by the Friends of the Library at the event. Refreshments will be served.
Free. No registration required.
Events will be held at the Syosset Public Library, 225 South Oyster Bay Rd., Syosset. All events are wheelchair accessible. Books are available at the Circulation Desk one month before each program.
For more information email readersservices@syossetlibrary.org or call 516-921-7161 ext 239
Thursday, November 21 at 2 p.m.
Broadway Ballads & Showstoppers: Part 5
Presenter: Richard Knox, retired teacher
Part 5 of this series will include highlights from several notable works such as “Gypsy,” “South Pacific,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Camelot.” Also included will be a variety of anecdotes about the creative teams and casting decisions.
Friday, November 22 at 10:30 a.m.
Caring for the Caregiver
Presenter: The Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias impacts the whole family. Learn about how to best take care of family caregivers and discuss the importance of self-care. There is help and assistance available to families every step of the way.
Programs will take place at the Syosset Public Library. 225 South Oyster Bay Rd. Syosset.
For more information, go to www. syossetlibrary.org
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia takes both heart and science – knowing what expert approaches to take, and providing such care with compassion. This is what we do every day at The Bristal at Lake Success. Our community is dedicated 100% to state-of-the-art memory care, built upon a solid foundation of success caring for seniors at our family of assisted living communities across the tri-state area. We’ve also developed an alliance with Northwell Health’s Feinstein Institute, initiating opportunities for advancements in dementia care. Altogether, this means peace of mind for you, proven memory care for your loved one, and the freedom to share and embrace every moment. Come visit a truly extraordinary community where memory care is everything: The Bristal at Lake Success.
From page 1
permanent lighted signs enclosed in a masonry or brick pattern design. He cited one estate-type LED sign he drives past in Huntington enclosed in brick, for example.
School Board Trustee Anna Levitan agrees with the chance of illuminated signage providing the community with more and enhanced communication. She brought up the opportunity for the district to try one out, specifically facing South Woods Road near Syosset High School, and see it in action before over $100,000 or more is allocated for multiple signs.
“It’s a great idea and I believe this is doable. For me personally, the chance to see a high school musical displayed and lit up on the sign in bright colors would be great as an announcement, or for any important community messages,” Levitan said.
School Board Trustee Chris DeFilippo explained that the correct title for the project would be “LED messaging boards” and they would serve as a great benefit to the community.
“I do not see the costs of signs a significant amount of money to spend for the communications that they would afford the district, communicating out to our residents. Almost 80% of schools on Long Island have such LED/lighted
signage, and there’s obvious value in that. I would consider an LED sign for J. Irving Baylis Elementary as that is also on a major roadway where traffic goes towards many Syosset/Woodbury residences. In addition the board has considered signs at three schools that serve as voting locations, as well near the old school building behind Walt Whitman on Woodbury Road (south of Jericho Turnpike) but there’s still potential of selling that,” he said, referencing a 3.679-acre site sold in fall 2016, with the sale later rescinded by the Board.
Trustee Chris Ulrich said the cost would be factored appropriately for the district’s budgeting as “a long-term cost” because such signage should have usable life and maintenance over a 10 to 15-year period.
“When you look at the costs over the useful life of the LED signage it really is an effective way to get the word out continuously; not just to parents of kids in the district but to anybody living or working in the district who is driving by. They will see the information whereas right now, we offer more communications just to the parents of current students,” Ulrich said.
DeFilippo asked Dr. Rogers to discuss with H2M and any vendors they may currently work with about the finishing of the signage product and how
locations would play into that, based on existing examples at or adjacent to other Long Island schools. He adds that some school districts opt for LED signage not enclosed in masonry, but put atop steel posts or girders, “and they look appropriate -- this does not have to look like the Taj Mahal,” DeFilippo said.
School Board Vice President Rob Gershon said the biggest issue for the district may be factoring in “the where” to place LED signage. “An option could be to go for one-sided signs; that lessens the cost. But I think we should continue to explore this,” he said.
Trustee Susan Parker said the light-
ed signs along roads will increase the ways messages reach people in and around Syosset/Woodbury. “If we continue to talk about locations we must keep in mind the most visible locations. As far as school building voting sites, Harry B. Thompson Middle School is in a neighborhood and does not see a lot of traffic. I think that would not be a good location,” she said.
Trustee DeFilippo also said there could be savings in mailing costs for the school district because of information being provided on electronic signs, visible for the community.
From page 1
will be the first time a younger generation of Broadway stars performs for an audience.
“We’ve held musical events at this location before, but having a cabaret show with these young Broadway actors will be a first for us,” said Fried. “It’s advertised as a kids activity but with adults invited and will be a lot of fun for all who attend.”
Apart from the cabaret show, the event, which is entitled the Hanukkah
Lights of Broadway, will have a candle lighting ceremony, dreidel cooking making and various arts & crafts projects for all of those in attendance.
“The whole event is a way for us to of course retain our membership but also to entice new kids and adults to join our temple,” said Fried.
The Hanukkah Lights of Broadway event, including the breakfast buffet and the Broadway performance, is free admission for both members and non-members of Temple Or Elohim.
In the season of gratitude, we pause to say "THANK YOU" for your business.
Wishing you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving and all the best for the Holiday Season.
Lois Kirschenbaum, GRI, SRES, CBR
Associate Real Estate Broker
Lois Kirschenbaum Team
Gold Circle of Excellence
c.516.526.7425
loiskirschenbaum@danielgale.com
Tara Matchton, CBR
Real Estate Salesperson
Lois Kirschenbaum Team
Sterling Circle of Accomplishment c.516.641.2652 taramatchton@danielgale.com
Jill Landow, CBR
Real Estate Salesperson
Lois Kirschenbaum Team
Sterling Circle of Accomplishment c.516.993.0975 jilllandow@danielgale.com
Elyse Gropper, CBR
Real Estate Salesperson
Lois Kirschenbaum Team c.631.404.7108 elysegropper@danielgale.com
Wheatley Plaza Office | 342 Wheatley Plaza, Greenvale, NY | 516.626.7600 | danielgale.com
Student Art on Display in November
Students from the Jericho Schools will have their art in the Gallery/ Meeting Room & Lobby Showcases. Meet the Artists Reception on Wednesday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
Sunday, November 24 at 2:00 p.m.
John Ciotta in Concert
From the 40s through today, pop to Motown, standards and more, John Ciotta delivers your favorite songs with his trademark high energy, warmth, comedy and charisma. You’ll love this feel good show that will have you laughing, singing, and dancing in your seats! This program is co-sponsored by the Jericho Library and the Town of Oyster Bay Distinguished Artists Concert Series.
Non ticket holders will be seated as space allows.
Ed Helmsler spends his life preparing for a disaster that may never come. Ronnie Meisner spends her life shopping for things she may never use. These two people will try to find love. Starring John Lithgow, Blythe Danner, Derek Cecil.
Rated PG-13. 1 hour, 34 minutes.
Tuesday, November 26 at 2:00 p.m.
News Currents with Elinor Haber
Join Elinor for an opportunity to participate in an informal exchange about topics of the day—the international, national and local scene. We’ll focus on trends that affect us now and in the future. Bring your thoughts, issues and a friend to join in the discussion.
Thursday, November 28
The Library will be closed Thanksgiving
Monday, November 25 at 2:00 p.m.
Movie: “The Tomorrow Man” (Drama/Romance)
Programs will take place at the Jericho Public Library: 1 Merry Lane, Jericho.
For more information, go to www.jericholibrary.org
The Town of Oyster Bay’s outdoor ice skating rinks at Marjorie R. Post and Syosset-Woodbury Community Parks will officially open for the season the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 29.
“Ice skating is a fun activity for residents of all ages to enjoy, and the Town’s outdoor ice rinks provide the perfect setting to relax, unwind, and take in the wonderful winter atmosphere,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “Our outdoor ice rink facilities are the perfect antidote to combating cabin fever during the winter months, and are a wonderful way to help make coping with the cold fun and enjoyable! I encourage residents of all ages to take advantage of these facilities.”
Public sessions at both outdoor rinks on opening day will run as follows: 10 a.m.–12 p.m., 1 p.m.–3 p.m., 4 p.m.–6 p.m. and 7 p.m.–9 p.m. In addition to public sessions, private and semi-private lessons, group lessons and private rentals are also available at the rinks. Also, for those who wish to take advantage of ice skating but do not wish to be outdoors, the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center is open year-round and is located at 1001 Stewart Ave. in Bethpage.
For information on schedules, fees and rink programs, visit www.oysterbaytown.com or call the (516) 797-7990 for the Marjorie Post Park Outdoor Rink or 516-677-5990 for the SyossetWoodbury Park Outdoor Rink.
We’re looking for writers in our community to compose articles on local topics, opinions, reviews, worthy places to visit on Long Island, and even pieces of fiction. We aim to feature at least one new article and writer each week in our Discovery magazine section.
November 22, 2019
BY KAREN RUBIN
TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM
The ski industry has done something very clever – much akin to the hotel and airline loyalty programs keep you within their brand. Two giants have emerged, through acquisition or operation of mountain resorts and through partnerships that give both global reach: Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass and Alterra Mountain Company’s Ikon. This year, both have enhanced their programs with value, reach and even flexibility. What it means, though, is that pass holders have more incentive and latitude to experience new destinations – across the country and around the world.
But hurry: the last date to purchase the passes is Nov. 24.
The passes, though, only get you up the mountain. Organizing all the logistics and elements of a ski vacation – from transportation, to accommodations, to rentals to activities on and off the mountain, even choosing from among the hundreds of choices the appropriate destination for a long-haul ski holiday which will be unfamiliar – is the bailiwick of a company like Ski.com.
Here’s a rundown:
Epic Pass is Epic No question about it: Vail
Resorts has stormed the entire East Coast ski market, just this season adding 17 resorts in one fell swoop with its acquisition of Peak Resorts, including such iconic destinations as Mount Snow in Vermont and Hunter Mountain in New York to a list that already included Stowe and Okemo Mountain in Vermont (and Okemo’s sister resorts, Mount Sunapee in New Hampshire and Crested Butte in Colorado), Now add in Attitash Mountain Resort, Wildcat Mountain and Crotched Mountain in New Hampshire and Liberty Mountain Resort, Roundtop Mountain Resort, Whitetail Resort, Jack Frost and Big Boulder in Pennsylvania plus seven more in the Midwest, all of which are included on this season’s Epic Pass.
New for 2019/20 – The Epic Pass now offers access to Sun Valley, Snowbasin, Rusutsu-Japan, along with the 17 Peak Resorts ski areas, including Hunter Mountain, New York and Mount Snow, Vermont. Also new for 2020: Access Falls Creek and Hotham, Australia.
The 2019-20 Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass, Epic Australia Pass and Military Epic Pass now include unlimited and unrestricted access to each of the 17 newly
See page D2
Riding the bubble chair at Mount Snow, Vermont, the newest addition to Vail Resorts, now included in on the Epic Pass © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Okemo, Vermont is now part of Vail Resorts and included on the Epic Pass © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Continued from page D1
acquired Peak ski areas, in addition to the access provided to some of the world’s most well-known resorts including Vail, Whistler Blackcomb, Park City and Breckenridge. Guests with an Epic Day Pass are also able to access these 17 ski areas as a part of the total number of days purchased. For the 2019-20 season, Vail Resorts is honoring all Peak Resorts pass products. Current Peak Resorts’ pass holders now have the option to upgrade to an Epic Pass or Epic Local Pass.
Epic Pass™: For $969 for adults and $509 for children (ages five to 12), the Epic Pass offers:
Unlimited, unrestricted access to: Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe, Okemo, Mount Snow, Mount Sunapee, Attitash, Wildcat, Crotched, Hunter, Liberty, Roundtop, Whitetail, Jack Frost, Big Boulder, Stevens Pass, Alpine Valley, Boston Mills, Brandywine, Mad River, Hidden Valley, Snow Creek, Paoli Peaks, Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton, and Wilmot in North America. The Epic Pass also includes access to Perisher, Falls Creek, and Hotham in Australia.
Limited access to partner resorts, including: seven days at each of Telluride, Sun Valley, Snowbasin, and the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies; five consecutive days at Hakuba Valley, Japan’s ten ski resorts; five consecutive days at Japan’s Rusutsu Resort. The Epic Pass also grants limited access to Les 3 Vallées in France; 4 Vallées in Switzerland; and
Skirama Dolomiti in Italy.
Epic Local Pass™: For $719 for adults, $579 for teens (ages 13 to 18) and $379 for children (ages five to 12), the Epic Local Pass offers:
Unlimited, unrestricted access to: Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Okemo, Mount Snow, Mount Sunapee, Attitash, Wildcat, Crotched, Hunter, Liberty, Roundtop, Whitetail, Jack Frost, Big Boulder, Stevens Pass, Alpine Valley, Boston Mills, Brandywine, Mad River, Hidden Valley, Snow Creek, Paoli Peaks, Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton, and Wilmot.
Unlimited access with holiday restrictions to: Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, and Stowe.
10 total days combined (with holiday restrictions) at: Vail, Beaver Creek, and Whistler Blackcomb.
Limited access to partner resorts, including: two days (with limited holiday restrictions) at Sun Valley; two days (with limited holiday restrictions) at Snowbasin; and five total consecutive days with no blackout dates at Hakuba Valley’s ten ski resorts in Japan; and five total consecutive days with no blackout dates at Rusutsu Resort.
Military Epic Pass™: For $159 for Active and Retired Military and their dependents and $559 for Veteran Military and their dependents, the Military Epic Pass offers:
Unlimited, unrestricted access to: Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe, Okemo, Mount Snow, Mount Sunapee, Attitash,
Wildcat, Crotched, Hunter, Liberty, Roundtop, Whitetail, Jack Frost, Big Boulder, Stevens Pass, Alpine Valley, Boston Mills, Brandywine, Mad River, Hidden Valley, Snow Creek, Paoli Peaks, Afton Alps, Mt. Brighton, and Wilmot in North America. The Military Epic Pass also includes access to Perisher, Falls Creek, and Hotham in Australia.
The New Epic Day Pass Makes Skiing and Riding More Accessible and Affordable: New for the 2019-20 season, Vail Resorts launched the Epic Day Pass, which provides all skiers and riders with the value and flexibility traditionally available only to season pass holders. The Epic Day Pass is a first-of-its-kind customizable pass for skiers and riders who may not need the unlimited access offered by traditional season passes, with discounts up to 50% off of lift ticket window prices and as low as $109 for one day of skiing at any of our North American resorts. Guests can lower their cost per day by adding more days and selecting the number of days they plan to ski or ride – from one day to seven days – and whether or not to add holiday access.
Use the pass at any of the Company’s North American owned resorts, including Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Park City, and more, including the 17 new resorts. Those purchasing four or more days also get access to Telluride, Sun Valley, Snowbasin, and Resorts of the Canadian Rockies as a part of the total number of days purchased.
There are also local passes. Visit https://www.epicpass.com/ pass-results/passes.aspx
IKON Pass Adds Zermatt, A-Basin Alterra Mountain Company’s Ikon Pass expands its offerings this season with the addition of Zermatt in Switzerland (and the famous Matterhorn) and Arapahoe Basin Ski Area in Colorado.
The addition of Zermatt brings the number of destinations available to Ikon Pass holders to 41 around the globe, across five continents, 12 states, 4 Canadian provinces, for a total of 84,385 acres of skiing and 4,857 trails.
The iconic Matterhorn towers over more than 3,500 acres (1,416 hectares) of terrain that spans both Switzerland and Italy, offering Swiss hospitality coupled with Italian lifestyle, in the highest skiable terrain offered in the picturesque Alps. Connected lift service offers Ikon Pass holders access to Rothorn, Gornergrat and the Schwarzsee-Matterhorn glacier paradise within the Zermatt ski area, plus Cervinia-Valtournenche ski areas in Italy, collectively known as Matterhorn ski paradise.
Ikon Pass holders will have seven-day access to Zermatt and the Matterhorn ski paradise network on the Ikon Pass with no blackout dates, and five-day access on the Ikon Base Pass, also with no blackout dates.
“The Matterhorn is a true icon known around the world, so we are thrilled to have Zermatt join the Ikon Pass community,” said Erik Forsell, Chief Marketing Officer for Alterra
Mountain Company. “Ikon Pass strives to continually offer pass holders unique experiences in the mountains. Now they can experience Zermatt’s glacier skiing, traditional Swiss fondue, plus its infamous European après ski across two countries, on one pass.”
“Zermatt and Matterhorn ski paradise are pleased to be the first European destination on the Ikon Pass, and we look forward to offering our best Swiss quality and Italian lifestyle to Ikon Pass holders everywhere. We are excited to share our passion and devotion to skiing within the Ikon Pass community and its impressive destination partners across the globe,” said Sandra Zenhäusern, Director of Marketing, Zermatt Bergbahnen AG.
The Ikon Pass unlocks adventure with access to 41 iconic winter destinations across the Americas, Switzerland, Japan, Australia and New Zealand and is a collaboration of industry leaders - Alterra Mountain Company, Aspen Skiing Company, Boyne Resorts, POWDR, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Alta Ski Area, Snowbird, SkiBig3, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Taos Ski Valley, Sugarbush Resort, Zermatt, Thredbo, Mt Buller, Niseko United, Valle Nevado, and NZ Ski. Each demonstrates integrity, character and independence that is reflected in their mountains and guests.
A-Basin is located just 68 miles from Denver and boasts the longest season in Colorado, many seasons running through the 4th of July. Affectionately known as “The Legend,” A-Basin sits on the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains and offers a high-alpine, big-mountain experience, paired with a laid-back atmosphere. Its 1,428 acres of iconic terrain includes the East Wall and Montezuma Bowl, plus The Beavers and The Steep Gullies, some of North America’s newest terrain. The Beach, a stretch of prime real estate near the lower-mountain chairlifts, transforms into a Colorado après tradition.
Ikon Pass holders will have sevenday access to A-Basin on the Ikon Pass with no blackout dates, and five-day access on the Ikon Base Pass, with selected blackout dates.
Alterra Mountain Company’s Ikon Pass connects some of the most iconic mountains across North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Chile, delivering authentic, memorable snow adventures. The Ikon Pass unlocks access to a community of diverse destinations to ski and ride, including Aspen Snowmass, Steamboat, Winter Park Resort, Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, and Eldora Mountain Resort in Colorado; Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain and Big Bear Mountain Resort in California; Jackson
Alta Ski Area, Utah, is one of 41 ski resorts around the world included for Alterra Mountain Company’s Ikon Pass holders © Eric Leiberman/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming; Big Sky Resort in Montana; Stratton, Killington and Sugarbush Resort in Vermont; Snowshoe in West Virginia; Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain in Michigan; Crystal Mountain and The Summit at Snoqualmie in Washington; Tremblant in Quebec and Blue Mountain in Ontario, Canada; SkiBig3 in Alberta, Canada; Revelstoke Mountain Resort and Cypress Mountain in British
Columbia, Canada; Sunday River and Sugarloaf in Maine; Loon Mountain in New Hampshire; Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico; Deer Valley Resort, Solitude Mountain Resort, Brighton Resort, Alta Ski Area, and Snowbird in Utah; Zermatt in Switzerland; Thredbo and Mt Buller in Australia; Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt Hutt in New
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BY CLAIRE LYNCH
In November 1621 the Pilgrims had several good reasons to get together for a celebratory dinner. In actuality, however, they had two very good reasons: they had survived a rough winter in Massachusetts and their crops had made it. Their reason for the get-together was to celebrate their harvest of corn.
It had long been customary for the Europeans to set time aside time to give thanks for their blessings, so the Pilgrims continued this custom in America.
The Plymouth settlers, known as Pilgrims, had settled in a land abandoned by the Patuxet Indians when all but one of the Indians died in a plague. After a harsh winter killed half of the Plymouth settlers, Tisquantum, aka “Squanto” came in at the request of Samoset, the first Native American to come across the Pilgrims.
Squanto taught the Pilgrims how to catch eels and how to grow corn in America. He also served as an interpreter for them since he spoke English. The Wampanoag leader Massasoit gave food to the Pilgrims during the first winter when supplies brought from England were insufficient,
according to historyofmassachusetts. org.
The Pilgrims celebrated at Plymouth for three days after their first harvest in 1621. The exact time is unknown, but it was at the traditional time, in the fall. Seventeenth-century accounts call it a harvest festival not a Thanksgiving observance per se.
It included 53 people who were on the Mayflower, which was the number of people that remained of the 102 who had landed, and 90 Native Americans. The feast was cooked by the four adult Pilgrim women who had survived their first winter in the New World, along with several boys and girls who helped.
The Pilgrims didn’t eat potatoes and they didn’t have the butter or flour necessary for making pies. The Pilgrims hadn’t even built their first oven by November 1621. Cranberries might have been served but only for color or tartness instead of as a sweet sauce.
The writings of Governor William Bradford, an important signer of the Mayflower Compact who helped organize the first Thanksgiving, don’t reveal what was actually eaten at the first Thanksgiving meal besides fowl and deer. Historians guess that mussels, lobsters, grapes, plums, corn and herbs were served because the Pilgrims often
wrote about those foods.
It is doubtful that the Pilgrims ate turkey on the first Thanksgiving. Turkey wasn’t even associated with the Thanksgiving holiday until the editor of a magazine called “Godey’s Lady’s Book” came across Edward Winslow’s writings about the feast in the 1840s. Winslow was an author, diplomat and one of the leaders of the Pilgrims.
When this editor, Sarah Josepha Hale, read Winslow’s writings, she decided to bring this historic celebration back to life. Up until that time, Thanksgiving was only a regional New England holiday and wasn’t celebrated across the country the way it is today. Hale began publishing recipes and articles about the feast.
Sarah Josepha Hale’s articles described Thanksgiving dinners with roast turkey and various trimmings and from then on the two went hand in hand. Many people believe that a Thanksgiving feast became an annual event for the Pilgrims but this isn’t clear historically. It wasn’t recorded anywhere.
Little did the Pilgrims know that with their first feast in 1621 they would start a new tradition in America. A few years later, in July of 1623, the Pilgrims held what they called a Thanksgiving
which was simply a religious day of prayer and fasting.
President George Washington declared the last Thursday in November to be a national day of Thanksgiving. Abraham Lincoln was the president who in 1863 supported legislation making Thanksgiving a national holiday on the last Thursday in November. In 1941, however, Congress changed the date so that Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.
My sister, Susan, and her husband, Don, are hosting Thanksgiving this year at their home. There should be 22 of us in total so Susan and Don are adding the leaves to their dining room table and also setting up a bridge table. Some of us will stay overnight and other relatives will drive there and leave after we spend a couple of hours playing some post-feast board games.
Last year it was my niece’s wish to help make the stuffing that went with the roast turkey. Six-year-old Sandy had watched the adults make stuffing in the past and she wanted to be part of the action. My sister-in-law, Kathy, got a large round bowl and showed Sandy
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BY TOM MARGENAU
Even after writing several recent columns about the issue, I still get many emails from readers confused about which date to choose as the starting date for their Social Security retirement benefits.
The confusion essentially centers around the fact that Social Security checks are paid one month behind. For example, the Social Security payment for November will be sent to you in December. That’s a relatively straightforward rule, but it leads to all kinds of problems, especially when people are filing for their Social Security benefits online. Here is a typical example:
Q: I will be 66 in February 2020. I don’t want any reduced benefits, so I want to make sure my checks start at age 66. The online application is asking me which month I want to start my benefits. I know checks come one month behind, so I’m afraid if I put down February as my starting month, that will be the January Social Security check, meaning I will get a reduced amount for starting my benefits before age 66. So should I indicate March as my starting month?
A: You turn 66 in February. So if you want your benefits to begin when you are 66, you should indicate February as your starting month.
In other words, don’t concern yourself with the month your Social Security check is actually delivered to you. The application question isn’t asking, “Which month do you want your first check to be sent to you?” Instead, it is essentially asking you this: “Which month do you want to be your first month of eligibility for Social Security benefits?” And again, in your case, that is February 2020.
In some cases, people sent me their questions after the fact. And it’s causing them all kinds of undue stress. Here is an example of that:
Q: I was 65 in September, and that’s when I wanted my Social Security to start. But the question on the online form confused me, and I thought if I indicated August as the starting check, knowing that it would come in September, then September would be my starting month. But then I got a letter from Social Security telling me that my benefits had started in August, one month before my 65th birthday, meaning I now will get a reduced benefit for the rest of my life. Please help me. What can I do about this?
A: What you can do is relax. You made a little goof. You can correct it if you want. But really, it’s not that big a deal, so you may want to just let things ride.
You didn’t give me your benefit amount, but let’s assume your age 65 benefit rate would have been $2,200 per month. But you mistakenly started your Social Security at age 64 years and 11 months. Retirement benefits are reduced five-ninths of 1% for each month they are taken early. So your monthly rate (with an August start date) might be about $2,185 or so. In other words, you will lose around $15 per month forever. But on the plus side, you got that one extra $2,185 Social Security check for August. It will take you about 145 months, or more than 12 years, before you come out on the short end of the stick by making this minor error in your starting date. Or to put that another way, you will be 77 years old before this mistake catches up with you.
If I were you, I wouldn’t worry about it, and I’d just let things go. But if it is going to bother you, you can contact the Social Security Administration and tell them you want to withdraw your original claim and file a new claim with September as your starting date. If you do that, you will have to return the Social Security checks you’ve already received.
Now here is a question from someone who also made a mistake, but in the opposite direction:
Q: Oh, my gosh! I don’t know what to do! I turned 66 in September. The online form asked me when I wanted my checks to start, and I said October, knowing that the September check comes in October. I just got a letter from the SSA telling me that October is my starting month, with my first check coming in November. So, because of this mistake, I’m missing my September Social Security check. What can I do?
A: As I advised the previous reader, you could go back to the SSA and tell them you want to withdraw that claim you made and file a new claim with September as your starting month.
Or, you could just let things go the way they are. Because you started your Social Security benefits one month after your full retirement age, you will get a little something extra in your monthly checks. It’s not much. You get a two-thirds of 1% increase. It’s called a “delayed retirement credit.” (For people who wait until age 70 to start their benefits, those delayed retirement credits add up. You get 32% added to your monthly check if you wait that long.)
You didn’t give dollar amounts, but let’s say your age 66 benefit would have been $2,500 per month. With this one extra delayed retirement credit, you might get 20 bucks or so added to your check each month. That’s the good news. The bad news is that you lost one check (the September payment). It’s going to take you about 10 years to make up that one
benefit payment you lost. So, if you think you’re going to live past age 76, you will actually come out ahead because of this mistake you made.
And finally, here is a question about filing dates with a bit of a twist:
Q: I was 62 on August 15. I filed for my Social Security to start when I turned 62. I expected my first benefit payment (the August check) to come in September. But I didn’t get my first check until October. Did I do something wrong?
A: You did nothing wrong. All is well. There is a law that says you must be 62 for an entire month before you can get a check for that month. September is the first time you were 62 all month. So the September check is the first one you are due, and it was sent to you in October.
If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has the answer. Contact him at thomas.margenau@comcast.
COPYRIGHT 2019 CREATORS.COM
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how to tear pieces of bread and toss them into the bowl.
Sandy added some chicken stock, salt, pepper and poultry seasoning and Kathy showed Sandy how to mix it all up with a large spoon. Kathy chopped some celery and onions and sautéed them in butter in a pan on top of the stove. When they were cooked, Kathy very carefully added them to the bowl and let Sandy mix them all around.
When Kathy said it looked good, together Kathy and Sandy put some of the stuffing into the 20-lb. turkey then spooned the rest of the stuffing into a Pyrex roasting dish. Kathy covered the pan of stuffing with plastic wrap and placed it in the refrigerator until it was time to go in the oven.
Kathy had preset the oven to 350 degrees. First the turkey went in for 4 ½ hours then for the last half hour they placed the pan of stuffing in the oven. When Kathy pulled it out, Sandy kept ooohing and aaahing over how it looked since the stuffing looked delicious.
That was Sandy’s claim to fame for Thanksgiving and she proudly showed off the dish to anyone who would look. We gathered at the tables, said a prayer of thanks and enjoyed our holiday meal.
My nine-year-old nephew, Jerry, told us all about a children’s story that a teacher at his school had read to them before last year’s Thanksgiving holiday. It was Eileen Spinelli’s “Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’” which was originally published in 1982. It is a favorite of many people.
Philadelphia, Pa.-born Eileen Spinelli writes about a Thanksgiving Day that starts out well for one family, the Tappletons, but a series of unfortunate events occur and it makes each family member question the real meaning of Thanksgiving Day.
In this fictional story the Tappletons start the day hungry and each family member has a job to do. They watch as, one by one, the courses of their holiday meal sidestep the dining room table.
The big turkey slips away when Mike the milkman rings the doorbell to hand Mrs. Tappleton a gift of eggnog for the holiday and she answers it with the turkey under her arm. It slips out of her hands and down the icy hill and into the pond. Plop! Splash! It bubbled out of sight.
The salad has been fed to the school rabbits because the day before Kenny reached into the refrigerator for lettuce, carrots and radishes and brought them to Mrs. Butterworth’s class. Jenny is mashing the potatoes but she gets chatting with her best friend, Nora, on the phone and the electric mixer sends them flying and well, that’s that. “The mixer went wild,” Jenny says.
Simms’ bakery is sold out when Mr. Tappleton asks for his pies . . . and so on, until Uncle Fritz and Grandfather Tappleton think that they won’t be eating their Thanksgiving Day dinner at all.
It is when Grandmother Tappleton reminds everyone, “Of course there is something to be thankful for. There is more to Thanksgiving than a turkey and trimmings,” that the Tappletons begin to improvise … and end up enjoying a most unusual holiday “feast.” They may not have had the turkey that they all had counted on but they were all together as a family.
We all applauded after Jerry gave us that good summary of the story. It pretty much set the tone for our Thanksgiving feast last year - making us feel glad that we were together - and as I prepare for this special holiday, I think about it again.
In her book “Thanksgiving at the
Tappletons’” Eileen Spinelli does a good job of explaining what the true meaning of Thanksgiving is all about. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
In September of 1620, 102 Pilgrims left Plymouth, England, a port on the southern coast, aboard the Mayflower. Usually the Mayflower’s cargo was wine and dry goods, but on this trip the ship carried passengers who crossed the Atlantic Ocean. They hoped to start a new life on the other side of the Atlantic. Nearly 40 of these passengers were Protestant Separatists who hoped to establish a new church in the New World.
The Pilgrims’ intent was to establish a settlement in the Hudson River area in the northern reaches of the recently established Virginia Colony. After a 66-day journey, however, they made landfall roughly 500 miles north of their target on the east coast of Massachusetts, southeast of the present-day Boston. Whether this was done on purpose or accidentally no one knows. By legend the Pilgrims stepped ashore at Plymouth Rock although their records do not mention this landmark.
Settlers began erecting buildings and rough shelters for the winter. It turned out to be a very harsh winter. Over time the colony gradually grew in size, and the original settlement known as the Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, Mass., expanded as settlers built houses in the area.
Plymouth Colony retained its independence for more than 70 years, and by 1691 its population exceeded 7,000. It was integrated with the Massachusetts Bay Company’s much larger colony to establish the royal colony of Massachusetts.
Today’s Plimoth Plantation, which was founded in 1947, is a not-forprofit living history museum. People can tour Plimoth Plantation where they have historical interpreters who interact with today’s visitors in the first person, answering questions, discussing their lives and viewpoints, and participating in tasks such as cooking, planting, blacksmithing and animal husbandry.
The museum grounds at Plimoth Plantation also include Nye Barn, where historical breeds of livestock are kept, a crafts center where many objects are created for use in the village exhibits, a cinema where educational videos are shown and more. The re-enactment of events helps bring the history to life for visitors.
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Zealand; Niseko United in Japan, and Valle Nevado in Chile. Special offers are available at CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures, the world’s largest heli-skiing and heli-accessed hiking operation.
The Ikon Pass is available at www. ikonpass.com
Alterra Mountain Company is a family of 14 iconic year-round destinations, including the world’s largest heli-ski operation, and the Ikon
Pass. The company owns and operates a range of recreation, hospitality, real estate development, food and beverage, retail and service businesses. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Alterra Mountain Company spans six U.S. states and three Canadian provinces: Steamboat and Winter Park Resort in Colorado; Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain and Big Bear Mountain Resort in California; Stratton in Vermont; Snowshoe in West Virginia; Tremblant in Quebec, Blue
Mountain in Ontario; Crystal Mountain in Washington; Deer Valley Resort and Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah; and CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures in British Columbia. Also included in the portfolio is Alpine Aerotech, a worldwide helicopter support and maintenance service center in British Columbia, Canada. Alterra Mountain Company honors each destination’s unique character and authenticity and
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C ontinued from page D5
celebrates the legendary adventures and enduring memories they bring to everyone.
For more information, visit www. alterramtnco.com.
Ski .com Facilitates Planning Long-Haul Holidays
With the global reach of Epic Pass and Ikon, the whole world is now the skiers’ oyster, encouraging more and more people to venture to Europe, Asia and Australia for an entirely different downhill experience.
The passes create new incentives for season-pass holders to go further afield from their “local” or familiar mountain, even “shopping” for where the best snow may be or novel activities, amenities, vibe or ambiance. This makes the services of a travel agent with particular expertise in mountain resorts to assist with the logistics (air, car rent-
al, lodging, even rentals, etc.) more in demand. SkiCom, a travel agency/broker specializing in skiing and mountain resorts, brings that expertise cultivated over 50 years, especially when venturing to more off-the-beaten track, even exotic or remote destinations, out of your comfort zone, where help with lodgings, transportation, and non-ski or après-ski activities brings extra value.
Ski.com’s 65 mountain travel experts live and breathe ski culture. They are ski and snowboard enthusiasts who know the intimate details about each resort because they’ve been there, and done that.
These experiences allow them to accurately determine which resort(s) and accommodation(s) is perfect for each customer, based on their interests and budget.
Another benefit of using a ski specialist to help coordinate a long-distance vacation is mitigating the cost. With the
Deer Valley, Utah’s legendary Stein Eriksen Lodge. Ski.com can help coordinate all the elements of a ski holiday including accommodations, transportation, rentals, on and off mountain activities © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
Skiing Keystone, Colorado, a Vail Resort included on the Epic Pass © Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com
rising cost of skiing, “people want to make sure they’re receiving more value for the higher cost,” says Dan Sherman, Ski.com chief marketing officer. “This is where Ski.com can help. In addition for being able to hunt for the best price, we really excel by matching people with the vacation components that are right for them. Also, not too long ago, all you needed for a successful ski vacation was a hotel, a chairlift and a bar. Now, resorts offer world-class amenities, spas, dining, improved family and ski school facilities and additional on- and off-mountain activities.”
Founded in 1971 in the heart of Colorado ski country, Aspenheadquartered Ski.com is one of North America’s largest providers of mountain vacation packages and an industry leader in online travel technology. Ski. com is actually an amalgam of some of the most famous names in ski travel companies: beginning as Aspen Ski Tours, which became Ski.com in 1999; the company over time acquired Lynx Vacations, GoWest Tours, Adventures on Skis, Sportours, AnyMountain Tours, and Rocky Mountain Tours. The company has booked travel for more than one million skiers and riders.
Ski.com specializes in booking custom ski vacations at more than 120 of the most popular ski resorts and heliand cat-skiing destinations in North America, Europe, Japan and South America, with relationships with more than 120 destinations worldwide and over 4,000 properties worldwide. It is a one-stop shop for custom ski vacation packages that can include everything from discounted lift tickets, lodging, flights, equipment rental, ground transfers, lessons and off-mountain activities (such as dogsledding or nordic skiing). Visit Ski.com (you can do an on-line chat with a specialist) or call 800-9085000 or 970-429-3099.
© 2019 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com, www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karenrubin & travelwritersmagazine.com/ TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar. wordpress.com & moralcompasstravel. info. Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Tweet @ TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook. com/NewsPhotoFeatures
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
So now you have decided to finally consider selling your property and now you have to decide how to approach this most arduous, complicated and nerve-racking process. Do you do this on your own (For Sale by Owner/ FSBO) or hire a knowledgeable professional who has years of experience in all facets of the residential and commercial real estate business.
So how do you start, you say to yourself? Then you ask yourself, should I hire someone I know, a good friend or someone my friend knows and recommends? That’s a possible route, but now step back and think about it. Recommendations can be an excellent source to pursue.
However, the overall knowledge of that individual should come into play and who best to know and have had experience with that most important ingredient, but one who has had direct contact in the past in working with that Broker on a sale or purchase of a property. I am surely not saying that friends and associates won’t necessarily have your back and recommend someone that is not a true professional, but my motto is, “you’re only as good as your last deal.”
The exception to that is the testimonials and reviews that an expert real estate broker receives from past sellers, purchasers, investors, renters and lessees of residential and commercial properties who have had the first-hand experience on a one on one basis, in dealing with that broker before, during and after the sale! From my own research and experience, testimonials and reviews over the short and long run are the lifeblood of a professional, regardless of the industry that they are employed or in business within. They become some of your most crucial advocates in the course of one’s career, whether real estate or any other profession of job.
Of course, your friends, family members, and business associates can be a source of recommendations for whom to use, who knows that person for his or her scope of knowledge, character, honesty, qualifications, disposition, attitude and other important qualities. But sometimes relying on friends and business associates for recommendations can turn into a disaster as I have been told; hearing many stories from
clients, purchasers, even in conversations from strangers in how difficult and stressful it was. I am quite sure that you would rather keep your friendships and close relationships than lose them, especially when your sale or purchase is probably the most expensive commodity that one purchases in their lifetime.
Making sure that the person you hire or are working with, guides you through the process from beginning to the closing table, by showing, advising and consulting you through their concerted efforts, disciplined actions and the sacrifice of their valuable time! This process takes some serious knowledge, expertise and time tested trial and error to perfect and mold one’s way to do business and handle their clientele. Many who try to travel this path don’t always receive the proper training and guidance from whoever is educating them whether it is their broker or outside groups or individual mentors. Many don’t prove they’re worthy or gain the proper information due to lack of business experience, not sure of the correct way to go, confusion as to what to learn, laziness, wrong attitude, dedication and most crucial, their motivation and passion to be in the real estate business.
For these reasons I believe, this is a major contributing factor in the dropout rate of agents being excessively high and would be lower if those factors were addressed, minimized and a solution was found. More important, there are those who have this agenda to pick the shortest path to get their commission check without really knowing what to do from start to finish in having the necessary tools and expert knowledge to provide what that seller, investor, buyer and even renter and lessee are so desperately looking for to enable their search to the eventual sale or purchase to have a positive outcome. I have seen many within our industry trying to sell real estate instead of consulting their clientele. Advocates and those that you have done business with who verbally expound the virtues of how good you were are very important and a great way to gain future refer-
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rals. But having something in writing as a testimonial and review of services rendered is one of the most powerful tools to be able to utilize as proof of how the quality of your services was to them during the process. So the reaction and rating from clients, purchasers or renters and their true feelings and experience about the agent’s performance and the services provided, if exemplary and top-notch, would go a long way if put into a review or testimonial.
Unfortunately, future clients will most likely not know your personal friends, business associates or any of your advocates, so having reviews and testimonials posted in the proper places, allows those that don’t know you to have a clear picture painted of you and your business and truly your essence, what you represent and who you are as a Realtor. I believe the longer the track record and length in business and the more positive comments, the more successful you will become and the more you will earn in real estate.
Anyone can take a licensing class and pass the NYS exam, but those basic preliminary tests don’t teach or closely prepare you for the real test of the business in all the critical and crucial areas of knowledge and expertise needed to be learned. Knowing how to consult your clienteles in negotiating, keeping within the Department of State rules and regulations, as well as our local MLS rules and regulations too and creating a workable business plan, learning technology, knowledge of construction, heating, electrical and so many other facets of the business that the typical agent doesn’t know about or even understand. Consumers today, and especially the millennial crowd, demand and expect those in our business to be the most knowledgeable and experienced about all the aspects of our industry and all those things necessary to guide them from the start of showing property, to advising and consulting them (and not selling them vanilla if they need and want to purchase chocolate) and assist them with paperwork, suggestions for improvements of their prospective purchase and so much more to go through the
process in as smooth a fashion with the least amount of stress and hassles possible. For many, it is an extremely challenging porcess, but it must be learned, absorbed and applied to truly become a successful Realtor. Having gone through additional classes and earning the Graduate of the Realtor Institute and Certified International Property Specialist designations prove that the Broker has exceeded and gone way beyond what is typically expected of someone in our industry. Moreover, it provides so much more in knowledge and proper practices with varied cultures to prove their expertise and worthiness and above-average earnings. So when you are ready to sell, and begin the process of interviewing, don’t just get so impressed with a large company or all those million-dollar producers, because I have a secret, with prices at all-time highs, most of us are million-dollar producers, even if we have sold as little as one property. Get impressed with those that have the greatest knowledge, expertise, credibility, straight forwardness, reliability, and consistency, follow up and above average reviews and testimonials to backup how good they really are as being an absolute requirement and necessity in the Real Estate business today.
Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (G.R.I.) and also as a Certified International Property Specialist (C.I.P.S.). 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 WWW.Li-REalEstate.Com as well as a “free” value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any “strings” attached. He can also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality or Our Seller’s or Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling or Purchasing your Home. Just email or snail mail(regular mail) him with your request with your name, email and cell number and he will send it out ASAP. For a consultation, he can be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.Com to answer any of your questions or concerns.
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Bargains & Blessings Thrift Shop147 Campbell Ave, Williston Park, NY 11596
INVITED ESTATE SALES BY TRACY
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APARTMENT FOR RENT
APARTMENT FOR RENT
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If you don’t live in the West Coast or southern Florida, you probably experienced some record cold temperatures last week. It was very cold in a lot of places that are supposed to be warm this time of year.
Plants are not all created equal. Plants native to areas near the equator are called tropical plants. As a group, they don’t do well if the temperature drops into the 50s. Subtropical plants are native to areas closer to the poles and at higher altitudes than tropical plants and can often survive a frost. Temperate plants are native to lands that always expose them to frost or freezing.
All cold weather is not the same, either. Each time it occurs, the cold air mass lingers for a different amount of time and has a different size, direction, humidity and wind speed. The exact same cold system in November causes a lot more damage to plants than in January because plants are not prepared for or acclimated to the harsh November weather.
Temperate and subtropical plants exposed to shorter days and cooler temperatures develop more antifreeze that helps them survive cold weather. This process takes time, and some plants may not have been entirely ready for last week’s cold.
Every individual landscape has microclimates that cool off slower and warm up quicker, so the total amount of time that the tempera-
BY JEFF RUGG
ture is below freezing is less in certain parts of the landscape. The sun warms south-facing walls, and trees trap warmth released from the ground, even when the branches are bare, keeping areas near buildings and under trees slightly warmer.
All of these differences mean that each time there is a cold spell, the plants exposed to the cold are going to react differently. A temperature of 25 F in one cold spell may kill plants that survived an earlier 20 F cold spell. A plant in the shelter of a building may survive the night that kills the same kind of plant farther from the building’s warmer microclimate.
The first symptom that is going to show up on cold, damaged plants is dead, brown leaves. Lawns and evergreen shrubs often show symptoms first. Plants without leaves will have bark and bud damage that won’t be visible for a few days or weeks. Scratching just under the bark should show green tissue, not brown.
The preferred treatment of frost-damaged plants is to leave them alone until spring. Dead leaves don’t always mean a dead plant. Don’t try to force growth by fertilizing or watering. There may be more cold weather coming that would damage a plant that is trying to grow new leaves. Pruning should only be done on plants that have begun growing again, when live wood can be determined.
Covering plants works best if
the cover is waterproof, goes all the way to the ground, doesn’t touch any leaves and insulates the plants. A blanket and plastic work better than either alone. Covering works best for a frosty night, not a cold weather system lasting for days. Plastic touching leaves transfers heat and allows the leaves to freeze.
Palms cannot replace freeze-damaged, water-conducting cells in the trunk like other plants. A frozen palm may look fine until all the water in the trunk is consumed, and then it will suddenly wilt and die. The central growing point of a palm tree already has next spring’s leaves. If they are damaged by the cold, they will come out distorted and brown and may need to be pruned at that point.
While seeds may be strong, flowers and fruit are the most frost-tender parts of almost every plant, which is why the citrus trees survive, but the fruit does not. Leaves are often expendable, even on broadleaved evergreens like hollies, palms and rhododendrons.
Cold-damaged plants will be more susceptible to disease in the spring. You may need to have a certified arborist look at any trees you think are having problems. Fungicide and fertilizer treatments may be necessary to restore health to freeze damaged trees.
On the bright side, many insect pests were also probably not pre-
pared for the cold, and there may be fewer pests in the spring.
Email questions to Jeff Rugg at info@greenerview.com. To find out more about Jeff Rugg and read features by other Creators Syndi-
cate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2019 JEFF RUGG DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS SYNDICATE
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF JRN FUTURE LLC
Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 04/02/2019. Office located in Nassau. SSNY is designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC (14 Queens St. Syosset, NY 11791). Purpose: any lawful purpose.
SYO 4321
6X 10/25,11/01,08,15,22,29
NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court
Nassau County
U.S. Bank National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee for the RMAC Trust, Series 2016-CTT, Plaintiff AGAINST
Jeffrey M. Greene, Lisa D. Greene, et al, Defendant
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated 9/10/2019 and entered on 9/11/2019, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Courtroom of the Supreme Court Mineola, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on December 03, 2019 at 11:30 AM premises known as 72 Aspen Drive West, Woodbury, NY 11797. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 13, BLOCK: C, LOT: 163. Approximate amount of judgment is $501,384.19 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 4307/2016.
Salvatore Pontillo, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706
SYO 4323
4X 11/01,08,15,22
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF MOM AND ME
CLEANING SERVICES LLC
Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on June 21, 2019. Office located in Nassau
County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to Lee J. Mondshein, Esq., 445 Broadhollow Road, Suite 419, Melville, NY 11747. Purpose: any lawful purpose.
JER 7926
6X 10/25,11/01,08,15,22,29
NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court Nassau County
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff, vs.
ROBERT J. AQUINO A/K/A ROBERT JOSEPH AQUINO
A/K/A ROBERT AQUINO, MD, MONICA A. AQUINO
A/K/A MONICA AQUINO, CONSTANCE AQUINO, et al., Defendants
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on August 16, 2019, I, Zelda Jones, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on December 3, 2019 at the Calendar Control Part (CCP) Courtroom, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, County of Nassau, State of New York, at 11:30 A.M., the premises described as follows:
2 Copperfield Lane Old Brookville, NY 11545
SBL No.: 22-K-230
ALL THAT TRACT OF PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Incorporated Village of Old Brookville, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York
The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 0003205/2016 in the amount of $1,264,633.47 plus interest and costs.
Richard S. Mullen, Esq. Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP
Plaintiff's Attorney 500 Bausch & Lomb Rochester, New York 14604
Tel.: 855-227-5072
Syosset High School held its National Athlete Commitment Day on Thursday, November 14, 2019. Syosset’s most distinguished student-athletes committed to play their respective sports at the collegiate level during a ceremony attended by family, administration, faculty and coaches. Syosset Director of Athletics, PE and Recreation Drew Cronin hosted the event in conjunction with boys varsity lacrosse coach John Calabria.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas Rogers, along with Syosset coaches, commended the students on their character, dedication and achievement and recognized the students’ families for supporting them throughout their journey to becoming a collegiate athlete. “Each of these young men and women have been leaders in their respective sports programs and now it’s time to take what they have learned to the collegiate level and make us proud,” remarked Calabria, as he expressed his excitement for the students’ futures.
The District would like to congratulate the following student-athletes: Victoria Cini - Girls Lacrosse - Holy Cross
University
PJ Daniels - Baseball - Johnson & Wales
University
Tommy Dolciotto - Boys Lacrosse - Stonybrook
University
Jacob Fisher - Track & Field - Dartmouth University
Kayla Gulmi - Girls Lacrosse - Villanova Univeristy
Kendall Halpern - Girls LacrosseNorthwestern University
Gabe Izakson - Boys Lacrosse – NYIT
Riley Kelly - Girls Lacrosse - Vassar College
Hope Neale - Girls Soccer - Swarthmore College
Dani Romano - Girls Soccer - SUNY Farmingdale
Kent Sato - Boys Lacrosse - Stonybrook University
Charlotte Twohig - Girls Basketball - Mount St. Mary’s
Justin Weiss - Boys Soccer - Colgate University
Ethan Wood - Boys Soccer - University of Michigan
JNJ 7927
4X 11/01,08,15,22
No Paper? No Justice
Weigh the advantages of legal advertising in Litmor Publishing's Community Newspapers For information on rates and coverage, call 516-294-8900
Our Service Directory is sure to bring results. Call 294-8900 for rates and information
BY RIKKI MASSAND
On Tuesday evening, November 12, the new Orchard Estate of Woodbury at 900 Woodbury Road hosted the Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce for an evening reception featuring business networking, food and beverages, social updates and information to share in the community. Local business people had a chance to tour the assisted living facility and learn the details of the facility. After Orchard Estate of Woodbury officially opened about three months ago, several area professionals and local officials attended its grand opening/ribbon cutting event held on Wednesday October 23.
Executive Director and Administrator of Orchard Estate Doug Cormack welcomed the Chamber and spoke about the process of opening in Woodbury, with the brand’s recent outgrowth from New England. Several Orchard Estate properties are operating in Connecticut; Woodbury’s is the first on Long Island. The property at 900 Woodbury Road offers units of two-bedroom/two-bathrooms, one-bedroom and studio suites.
“Our introduction to the Syosset Woodbury Chamber has been great as we were introduced to this great, local professional organization a year ago when we were in the early stages of this building and our project. Thank you all for making Orchard Estate feel at home here in the community! We are finding that the memory-care program has been very well received in this specific market, probably because there is not a lot of options for folks living in this area. Prior to Orchard Estate’s opening here in Woodbury this was an underserved market -there were only about 55 available units for folks suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s or requiring memory care for other conditions. We are
adding another 32 to this market,” Cormack said.
Early in its operations here, Orchard Estate of Woodbury finds that many requiring memory care come from the local Syosset/Woodbury community. “If they aren’t a lifelong resident themselves they are people with adult children now living in Syosset/ Woodbury, Jericho and nearby communities -- our facilities allow them to live closer to family, and that has been well-received,” Cormack said.
Orchard Estate operates a traditional assisted living community while also offering memory-care services. The brand carries enhanced licensure and certification for residents to have a more clinical settings as they age in place.
Cormack explains that Orchard Estate’s parent company Benchmark Quality operates its over 50 locations in the Northeast U.S. with a model of being “a human connections company offering assisted-living services.” The company website states that over 20 years ago, Benchmark Quality founder Tom Grape designed facilities and operations with a goal of “creating an exceptional living experience for seniors built on connections, bonds, and quality care rooted in a people-first philosophy.
Last Tuesday evening Cormack was joined by Orchard Estate of Woodbury’s directors of community relations, Jeanne Schultz and Lauren Sklarin. In May Sklarin was the recipient of the 2019 Long Island Power Woman award. Prior to her role with Orchard Estate of Woodbury, Sklarin served as director of community relations for Home Instead Senior Care for Central Suffolk County and in account management roles for a number of public relations agencies, including Publicis and Edelman.
Alan I. Goldberg, president of Water
Solutions of Long Island and membership chair of the Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce, delivered a warm welcome to a gathering of area professionals and small businesses at Orchard Estate of Woodbury.
One year ago Goldberg met with Doug Cormack and Jeanne Schultz to speak about the Chamber’s presence and the community.
“Orchard Estate joined our Chamber and got involved in Syosset/ Woodbury over 10 months before the facility opened. They have done charitable efforts including a paint night, and they have maintained relationships in our business community. They have installed a few of my bottleless water coolers and done business with me as well as with Mike Palazzolo (a director with the Syosset-Woodbury Chamber and owner of Island Signs & Graphics at 235-O Robbins Lane).”
The Orchard Estate team have become friends of ours -- they are communi-
ty-minded people that I am proud to be associated with,” he said.
Goldberg also commented on Orchard Estate as a great and timely resource and facility for people in and around Syosset/Woodbury.
“Benchmark Quality knows what they are doing for senior, assisted-living and memory care and they have great people working here. If anyone has parents, relatives or others in mind who may need their services, you should definitely consider this facility,” Goldberg noted.
Alan Goldberg introduced Chamber President Charo Ezdrin, attorney at her firm Ezdrin & Woods P.C., 93 Jackson Avenue. Ezdrin announced at the Orchard Estate gathering that after three wildly successful, groundbreaking years at the helm of the Chamber of Commerce she will be leaving the chamber presidency in great hands -- those of her colleague,
Continued on page 18
The Robbins Lane fifth grade hosted an extremely successful car wash. With a visit from the Syosset Fire Department, the fifth-graders washed
cars and trucks to raise money for the PTA. Thanks to all community supporters of the Robbins Lane PTA!
SHS NYSSMA All-State student-musicians are congratulated by District Coordinator of Fine and Performing Arts Michael Salzman (second from letft), and music teachers Larry Ballereau, Paul Caputo, Kristin Howell and Stephanie Merten.
Thirty-nine Syosset High School student-musicians were selected to participate in the 2019 New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Winter Conference. The students will participate in the All-State festival, either as active members or alternates. Four of the students were selected for multiple instruments.
The students are part of an elite group of 902 student-musicians who were chosed out of over 6,500 who audi-
tioned for this honor last spring. The NYSSMA Winter Conference will take place December 5 through 8, 2019 in Rochester, New York.
Congratulations to Syosset High School’s 2019 NYSSMA All-State Musicians:
Nicholas Affatato (Cello), Autumn Avery (Alto 1), Antonio Bulzomi (Trombone), Stella Chen (Violin), Even Cheng (Violin), Alexandra Donach
(Soprano 2), Hailey Edelman (Alto 2), Esther Han (Flute/Piccolo), Alexander Hom (Violin), Lois Hur (Violin), Emily Im (Oboe), Sophia Jaffe (Bb Clarinet/ Eb Clarinet), Alex Ji (Cello), Kayla Kessler (Jazz Electric/String Bass), Michael Kopacz (Bass 2), Stella Ku (Cello), Caroline Lee (Viola), Zach Levine (Snare/ Jazz Drum Set), Eric Liang (Viola), Borui Lu (Double Bass), Jade Maracic (Alto 1), Phillip Merolla (Bass 1), Grace Mun (Violin), Christopher Oh (Viola), Irene Park (Violin), Augustine Park (Violin), Daniel Park (Cello), Giselle Rasquinha (Cello), Caroline Ruggiero (Violin), Elizabeth Ruggiero (Violin), Talia Schatz (Alto 1), Lauren Schechter (Alto 2), Evan Sunshine (Tenor 1), Austin Tse (Snare/ Timpani), Kevin Wei (Cello), Tammy Wu (Flute/ Piccolo), Siyu Yang (Mallet), Michelle Yang (Cello), and Joshua Yun (Cello).
Continued from page 15
current Chamber Vice President Maureen Nickel, owner of BrightStar Home Health Care.
Last week, Ezdrin thanked the Chamber and reflected on the great three years she’s been president for, and how the business community has grown and new members have added to the momentum with Chamber events.
“Thank you all for being here at this
beautiful facility. Every time I walk into new buildings and businesses in Syosset and Woodbury that I have not been in before, it warms my heart how amazing the community is. Orchard Estate has invited the Chamber here and we see the great place it is -- once we see businesses and speak about them and the events we were participating in, this is how local businesses and vibrant communities grow and thrive,” Ezdrin said.
After Chamber members’ introduc-
tions to the group, Ezdrin commented on incoming President Nickel:
“Maureen was nominated by our Chamber nominating committee and by Friday (November 15) she will likely be confirmed as our next president. I want to acknowledge how great her efforts are and this year as VP she has stepped up, led several Chamber meetings and has helped me tremendously. I think it will make for such a beautiful transition to Maureen Nickel as president,” she said.
The “presidential” pair of was joined at the Orchard Estate networking night by attorney Ken Robinson, another former Chamber of Commerce president. Charo Ezdrin’s immediate predecessor as Chamber president, Chanbir Kaur, manager at BNB Bank (formerly Bridgehampton National) at 8191 Jericho Turnpike in Woodbury, is set to host the Chamber members’ annual Holiday Party and December networking event on Thursday evening, December 12 starting at 5 p.m.
27 Hedgerow Lane, Jericho
Sold Price: $740,000
Date: 10/18/2019
3 beds, 3 Full baths
Style: Exp Ranch
# of Families: 1
Lot Size: .24
Schools: Jericho
Total Taxes: $17,317
MLS# 3148621
Sold Price: $620,000
Date: 08/07/2019
3 beds, 2 Full/1 Half baths
Style: Split # of Families: 1
Lot Size: 58x95
Schools: Syosset
Total Taxes: $11,816
MLS# 3132325
127 The Chase, Syosset 12 Tacoma Lane, Syosset
Sold Price: $560,000
Date: 11/01/2019
3 beds, 3 Full baths
Style: Condo
Schools: Syosset
Total Taxes: $15,003
MLS# 3154296
28 Gainsboro Lane, Syosset
Sold Price: $515,000
Date: 11/05/2019
3 beds, 1 Full baths
Style: Ranch # of Families: 1
Lot Size: 77x106
Schools: Syosset
Total Taxes: $12,156
MLS# 3148026
