The Garden City News (10/3/25)

H OMECOMING H EROES

The Garden City High School football team beat Baldwin 56-7 during the homecoming game on September 20th. Students in the Garden City schools enjoyed a week of spirited festivities leading up to the big game.

St. Paul’s survey spurs debate on recreation needs

BY RIKKI MASSAND

At the second Town Hall presentation on the St. Paul’s Survey, held September 9th at Village Hall, Garden City trustees, consultants from Brandstetter Carroll Inc. (BCI), and residents debated

not only the results of the survey but also the state of the village’s broader Recreation and Parks facilities.

Guiding

values and mission

BCI senior planner John Bucher outlined the “Guiding Values” of Recreation and Parks staff—

Community, Excellence, Fun, Accessibility, Health, and Enrichment—and reminded residents that the challenge ahead is to define “what you want to be” rather than rely on what has always been offered.

See page 40

Synthetic turf plan faces scrutiny

BY RIKKI MASSAND

The Garden City Board of Trustees will vote next week on plans to build a new synthetic turf playing field at the St. Paul’s complex on Stewart Avenue. The decision, scheduled for Thursday, October 9th at Village Hall, follows weeks of discussion about safety, environmental concerns, and the project’s overall impact on residents.

At the September 25th Board meeting, Assistant Superintendent of Recreation & Parks Andy Hill presented details on the proposed field. Trustees and residents raised questions about the safety of turf materials—particularly the infill mixture of rubber and sand—and the potential health risks tied to young athletes’ injuries and exposure to chemicals.

Some residents urged the Village to stick with natural grass fields, but trustees indicated that the project will move forward, with completion possible by mid-winter. The key issue under review is the exact composition of the infill.

Bid and location

The Board is considering awarding the contract to The Landtek Group of Bay Shore for $1,334,548. Mayor Ed Finneran said the September 25th vote was delayed at trustees’ request to allow more discussion and options to be considered.

Hill explained the chosen location near restrooms and parking

would minimize disruption to residents, preserve grass playing fields, and ease construction access.

“After meeting with the Landtek Group and other companies before, and the Board as well as our local sports organizations, we came to the conclusion that this location would best serve the needs of the players and it’s nice and close to the comfort station (restrooms) and close to ample parking. It’s also in a position where we are not limiting ourselves with the grass playing fields, where we can wrap around the turf and we aren’t losing spaces that become unusable,” Hill noted.

He added, “It’s also the most considerate position for residents on any side of the St. Paul’s fields, for noise and for traffic, and for potential future endeavors – this is where we feel would be the best place to put the field, to cause the least disruption. It would also help with construction when the company comes to do it, as it’s not far to travel and less room for damage to the St. Paul’s grass fields we have really worked hard on. The construction trucks can come right across without damaging any other of the grounds.”

Infill and Safety

Hill clarified that the turf would use 60% rubber and 40% sand as infill, a system already in place at Community Park. He added that the mixture provides drainage,

See page 39

Photo courtesy Garden City Public Schools

Finally, a controversy that isn’t about St. Paul’s building. Instead, this controversy is about installing an artificial turf field at the St. Paul’s athletic complex.

On one side of the discussion are the athletic leagues, who say that the grass fields are sometimes in poor condition, and that the turf field would provide a better surface for the kids.

On the other side are concerns about environmental issues with the materials used in artificial turf, as well as the fact that they can get excessively hot.

Some may look at this new-ish controversy as another example of the polarization which has gripped our nation for the last decade. Everybody is always fighting. But really, controver-

sies are good.

When citizens care about an issue enough to learn about it and object to it, that means our democracy is working well. It’s when we slip into apathy because we think we are powerless that democracy looks a lot less certain. So cheers to those on both sides who are fighting for what they want.

We’re not taking a stance on the turf surface, although the suggested field lighting is just a terrible idea. There are homes near the field that don’t deserve to lose their quiet suburban darkness to games played after sunset. That would be highly unfair to those homeowners.

The board has said it will not install them, but we hope that future boards also don’t impose them on the neighbors.

In support of turf field

To the Editor:

As leaders of the Garden City youth sports organizations, we are writing to express our support for the installation of an artificial turf field at the St. Paul’s Recreation Complex. We appreciate the work and efforts of the Mayor, Trustees, Garden City Recreation Department, and the Recreation Committee to build a new turf field. This has been many years in the making over countless meetings with the leaders of the community and our organizations. The time to execute is now. With over 3,000 Garden City players participating in Centennials Soccer, Garden City Youth Lacrosse, Thunder Football, and Tradition Lacrosse, our current field infrastructure does not meet the growing demands of our youth sports programs.

We currently have just one turf field at Community Park, which our teams use almost nonstop. Along with the grass fields at St. Paul’s, our athletes are using these facilities any time school is not in session, except for a few quiet weeks in July and August and in the middle of winter. Heavy use and unpredictable weather often force field closures, especially on grass, which needs time to recover. As a result, we frequently cancel games and practices, and our athletes have fewer opportunities to train, compete, and stay active.

Adding a new turf field would ease that strain, allowing us to reduce cancellations, spread out field usage, and extend the life of our natural grass fields. It would also give our kids a reliable, safe, high-quality surface to play on in all conditions. Beyond the practical need, this investment supports our community’s values. Garden City is known for having the top youth sports organizations, led entirely by volunteers working for charitable purposes. Garden City High School teams consistently win Nassau County, Long Island, and New York State championships. Beyond logistics, this project supports the overall well-being of our kids. It gives them more chances to stay

active, work as a team, and stay off screens—contributing positively to both their mental and physical health. In a time when so many young people struggle with anxiety, isolation, and screen dependency, we cannot overstate the value of keeping kids engaged through sports.

On any given weekend in the fall or spring, hundreds of families visit the St. Paul’s Recreation Complex for games. Let’s ensure they leave knowing that Garden City does not just have the best teams—we also have the best facilities.

This is an opportunity to reinforce our commitment to excellence, youth development, and community pride. I urge our village leaders to support the addition of a new turf field and make a lasting investment in the future of Garden City.

Timothy Haniffy, President of Thunder Football

Kevin Hegarty, President of Tradition Lacrosse

Robert Malhame, President of Centennials Soccer

BJ Prager, President of Garden City Youth Lacrosse

From grass to plastic fields

To the Editor: The Board of Trustee proposal to install a synthetic turf field at St. Paul’s raises serious questions that remain unanswered. One trustee remarked that the debate is still open but then narrowed that debate to the type of infill used upon installation rather than whether turf should be installed there at all. This is the proverbial nose under the tent—first the field, then the tall bright lights. We were told bright lights are “not on the table,” yet in the same breath it was suggested they could be voted in later. Which is it?

We also learned that the possibility of renting out the field to outside groups for $25,000–$30,000 remains open. What impact will this have on our community, our neighborhoods, and our quality

See page 46

Group meets to discuss St. Paul’s Park

RESIDENTS FOR A ST. PAUL'S PARK

On September 16, more than thirty residents met in person at the cottages on the St Paul’s grounds, with more on Zoom, to discuss St. Paul’s and the dangers of excessive debt if the Village were to pursue  Adaptive Reuse of the building.

Four past trustees, some that served more than a decade ago, some more recently, spoke about the dangers of too much debt and the necessity of having financial flexibility and adequate reserves in case of emergencies.

Former Mayor Mary Flanagan provided insight as to her experiences with the present members of this Board of Trustees (BOT) and her work with BCI.  The former Mayor reviewed BCI, their

expertise, why they were hired, and how the recent survey was changed by the present BOT from how BCI normally conducts surveys to help towns and villages develop projects that have wide community support.

The group agreed to meet regularly and committed to help educate the residents on the operational difficulties and potential costs of Adaptive Reuse and how the debt will affect the Village’s finances using letters, social media, paid ads and word of mouth.

If interested in supporting these efforts, please look for upcoming announcements on social media and the GC News.  The group will be announcing further meetings and efforts in the coming weeks.

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Body Shop, Reimagined

BY RIKKI MASSAND

Garden City’s industrial east side has been brightened up, thanks to a local business boost from Paul Wilson, owner of Paul’s Auto Collision, a stateof-the-art repair and refinishing center at 585 Commercial Avenue. The new shop houses 20 vehicles at a time across spacious bays—designed so technicians can work on every car simultaneously without crowding.

This is the company’s third—and largest—location. Wilson started with Paul’s Great Neck Auto Repair & Collision on Northern Boulevard and added Northern Boulevard Collision in 2013.

““Garden City’s a good zip code, and our two Great Neck locations are cracking at the seams. We’ve been there 40 years in Great Neck and we were at capacity. We have four buildings there but we outgrew it, and it wasn’t enough. Before the pandemic I started looking around for a suitable area to look into, with proximity to our home base,” Wilson said.

The Commercial Avenue building had never housed an auto body shop. Its stand-alone layout appealed to Wilson: no immediate residential or retail neighbors, a large lot that can hold over

100 cars, and quick access to Nassau County’s major roads. ““All our independent garage doors allow for accessibility into the building, so it works out logistically. For any automotive shop with a bad layout, their biggest problem is with having to move one vehicle but maybe moving three other cars out of the way first,” he said.

Paul’s is onboarding with insurance partners and expects to be on short lists for central Nassau repairs.

The build took patience. Wilson filed for zoning and permits pre-COVID; approvals didn’t land until March 2023.

“We applied for the zoning change and building permit, but then Covid hit and everything died for two years. I did not get my building permit until March of 2023 – then it took a year and a half to build the facility, properly outfit the space, and add in so much technology,” Wilson shared.

A mechanical engineer by training, Wilson designed the shop around precision and flow. Vehicles ride a recessed floor track that moves them sideways through stations, echoing a Ford assembly line. Heavy mechanical and structural work—welding, chassis and frame straightening, measuring, disassembly and reassembly—happens on the south

Get the scoop on what’s happening in your community every week! Contact us today 516.294.8900 or visit us online www.gcnews.com See page 38

As a native Long Islander, Monica Kiely has developed extensive first-hand knowledge of the communities, schools, commuting options, and lifestyle that make the area so desirable. Her deep local insight, paired with a strong professional background, makes her an invaluable resource for both buyers and sellers.

Before embarking on her real estate career, Monica spent more than a decade on Wall Street as a municipal bond underwriter. The analytical skills and negotiating expertise she honed in finance now serve her clients in real estate—whether establishing accurate market value or securing the best price in a transaction.

When asked why she shifted from finance to real estate, Monica laughs, “Houses and apartments are much more interesting than municipal bonds!”

Monica is known for her approachable style and clear communication. She believes in keeping her clients fully informed at every step, ensuring they have the knowledge to make confident decisions. “Listening closely to my clients’ needs and concerns, I work tirelessly to help them achieve their goals,” she shares.

Her dedication and results have earned her recognition, including the 2023 Office Elite Award and 2023 Silver Level Achievement, Companywide. Monica is also a proud alumna of Boston College (BS in Finance) and New York University (MBA in Finance)

Whether buying your first home, upgrading, or selling a cherished property, Monica offers the perfect balance of market knowledge, business acumen, and personal care. Monica Kiely

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GCFD Fire Prevention Day, Open House on Oct. 5

The Open House will include fire prevention displays and demonstrations.

The Garden City Fire Department invites all residents to its annual Fire Prevention Day and Open House on Sunday, October 5, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Fire Headquarters, 347 Stewart Avenue in the Village Hall complex. This fun and informative event is a great opportunity for families to meet their volunteer firefighters, tour the firehouse, and learn important safety tips.

Throughout the afternoon, there will be numerous fire prevention displays and demonstrations designed to teach residents of all ages about home fire safety, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, escape planning, and more. Children will enjoy exploring the fire trucks, meeting firefighters, and taking home important fire safety information.

The Garden City Fire Department looks forward to welcoming the community for this educational and family-friendly event.

This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is “Charge into Fire Safety™: LithiumIon Batteries in Your Home.” The campaign focuses on educating the public about the safe use of lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly found in everyday items such as phones, tablets, laptops, e-bikes, and power tools. The message is clear: BUY, CHARGE, and RECYCLE safely to reduce the risk of fire.

Annual Halloween House Decorating Contest

Halloween is just around the corner, and this year, the Property Owners Associations (POAs) are excited to announce the inaugural Halloween House Decorating Contest! This spook-tacular event is open to all residents of GC, inviting everyone to showcase their creative flair and transform their homes into haunted havens.

The contest is open to all residents of GC, providing an opportunity for families, friends, and neighbors to come together and celebrate the Halloween spirit. To join the fun, participants must send an email to GCPOAEvents@gmail. com by October 16.  You will receive the details after you register.

All GC residents are invited to drive around town, see all the houses, and vote for their favorites. Voting is between October 17 and 28.  An interactive map will be shared through POA

social media for all residents to vote. Winners will be announced on October 30.

The POA Halloween House Decorating Contest is a fantastic opportunity for GC residents to showcase their creativity, celebrate the season, and connect with our community. Whether you are an experienced decorator or a first-time participant, this contest is about having fun and embracing the Halloween spirit. Please- no professional decorators allowed.

Do not miss out on this chance to be part of this fun GC tradition. Register by October 16 and get ready to turn your home into a Halloween masterpiece. Happy decorating and may the best house win!

For more information and to register, send a note to GCPOAevents@ gmail.com.

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Advice for what matters most, when you need it most

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Halloween banquet at Cathedral of the Incarnation

Cathedral ghosts A.T. Stewart and Cornelia Clinch Stewart ready to welcome some of the Hogwarts ghosts to the Cathedral.

Halloween has become a cherished tradition at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City, where the community celebrates the history of Garden City founders Alexander and Cornelia Stuart each fall with a spirited tour of its grounds.

This year, the Cathedral invites the young and the young at heart to step into a magical world as we launch our Wizards and Wonders series with a Harry Potter–themed banquet! Together we’ll feast, embark on daring quests, and rediscover the power of friendship, courage, and light in the midst of darkness.

Why Wizards and Wonders?

From the earliest days, the Church has used the language, art, and stories of the world to share the Gospel. Jesus himself taught in parables—vivid, everyday stories that helped listeners glimpse the heart of God.

Inspired by that tradition, Wizards and Wonders invites us to explore familiar stories from today’s culture—like those found in the Harry Potter series— and reflect on the Christian truths they echo: sacrificial love, hope in darkness, courage in the face of evil, and the power of community.

What to Expect This Fall

• Halloween Hogwarts Banquet Kickoff - Step into the Great Hall for a magical evening of food, fun,

and festive fellowship. Space is limited. Sign up with the QR code by October 19

• Children’s Classes - Explore Christian themes such as diversity, spiritual gifts, and God’s unique call to each of us—through storytelling and hands-on activities.

• Weeknight Adult Dinner Series - Dive deep into the literary and biblical themes that inspired a beloved fantasy series, and discover how its imagery and symbolism draw from scripture and tradition.

Join us this fall at the Cathedral of the Incarnation as we follow the light of Christ through story, imagination, and sacred wonder. All are welcome.  Let the adventure begin!

Net Proceeds will Benefit BREAKTHROUGH T1-D

PLEASE JOIN US

GCRE ANNUAL GALA COCKTAILS FOR A CAUSE

GARDEN CITY COUNTRY CLUB FRI NOV 7TH 7PM

CHRISTINE AND MICHAEL TIEDEMANN

PURCHASE TICKETS OR BECOME A SPONSOR

Founded by families of loved ones diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D), Breakthrough T1D (formerly know as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) is a nonprofit organization that connects experts to advance treatments, influence policy, and improve access to care. Through driving innovation, the organization's ultimate goal is to make T1D a condition of the past. www.breakthrought1d.org

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

BLACK DIAMOND SPONSOR: $20,000

Ten (10) tickets included with special recognition at the podium. Acknowledgment in the Garden City News and recognition within the digital event program.

DIAMOND SPONSOR: $10,000

Eight (8) tickets included with special recognition at the podium. Acknowledgment in the Garden City News and recognition within the digital event program.

PLATINUM SPONSOR: $5,000

Four (4) tickets are included with acknowledgment in the Garden City News and recognition within the digital event program.

GOLD SPONSOR: $3,000

Two (2) tickets are included with acknowledgment in the Garden City News and recognition within the digital event program.

SILVER SPONSOR: $2,000

Tickets are required to attend the event. Acknowledgment in the Garden City News and recognition within the digital event program.

BRONZE SPONSOR: $1,000

Tickets are required to attend the event. Acknowledgment in the Garden City News and recognition within the digital event program.

TICKETS: $200 EACH

Checks can be mailed to: Garden City Real Estate Professionals Foundation C/O Joseph Farkas

1050 Franklin Avenue, 4th Fl Garden City, NY 11530

For more information about GCRE please visit https://gcrepf.org

Garden City Real Estate Market Information

RECENT REAL ESTATE SALES IN GARDEN CITY

Long Island Sales Data From One Key MLS

201 Brixton Road

Date: 09/30/2025

Sold price: $2,350,000

5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 1 half bath

Architectural Style: Colonial

Property Size: .18 acre

Annual taxes: $28,818

MLS number: 878021

The Seller’s Team: Laura Carroll, Compass Greater NY

The Buyer’s Team: Tracy Kearns, Daniel Gale Sothebys Intl Rlty

Introducing this beautifully updated classic Center Hall Colonial situated on an 80’ x 100’ lot and extensively renovated since 2018. This elegant home features an open-concept kitchen and family room with newly updated gas fireplace and sliding doors leading to a fully fenced backyard with a paver stone patio. The first floor also offers a formal dining room, formal living room, mudroom area with powder room, and an integral two-car attached garage with interior access. Upstairs, the second level presents four generously sized bedrooms, including a luxurious primary suite with multiple closets and an en-suite bath, an additional hall bath with double vanity and tub, and the convenience of second-floor laundry. The fully finished basement provides an egress window, a bedroom, a full bathroom, play room, ample storage, and updated mechanical and electrical systems, including a whole-house water filtration system and central vacuum system. Ideally located near the highly desirable Merillon Avenue LIRR station, this exceptional residence seamlessly blends modern updates with timeless sophistication.

11 Wellington Road

Date: 10/01/2025

Sold price: $1,551,000

3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath

Architectural Style: Colonial

Property Size: .14 acre

Annual Taxes: $21,835

MLS number: 891068

The Seller’s Team: Elizabeth Breslin, Howard Hanna Coach

The Buyer’s Team: Jane Walsh, Daniel Gale Sothebys Intl Realty

Welcome to this beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath Colonial located on a manicured 60x100 lot. From the moment you enter the charming foyer with rich hardwood floors and detailed millwork, you’ll feel the warmth and timeless appeal this home offers. The spacious living room features a classic fireplace and flows seamlessly into a bright sunroom/den—perfect for relaxing or working from home. The formal dining room is ideal for entertaining, and the updated white kitchen boasts quartzite countertops and stainless steel appliances, offering both style and function. Upstairs, the serene primary suite includes a newly renovated bath with radiant heated floors and a convenient home office. Two additional generously sized bedrooms feature custom closet systems and share an updated hall bath. Outside, enjoy the low-maintenance turf backyard with a covered terrace—ideal for outdoor dining, morning coffee, or relaxing in any weather. Additional features include updated systems, tasteful finishes, and thoughtful details throughout. All this in a prime location close to the train, shops, and local restaurants. Move right in and enjoy the perfect blend of classic charm and modern comfort!

This informational page is sponsored by Douglas Elliman Real Estate

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

We Know and Love Garden City

Hyde Park Road, Garden City, NY (516)-488-1008

Spice up your weekdays with new tastes and great recipes! Learn new skills and recipes as you explore different cuisines and develop a lifelong love of food and cooking. To view details for each class, scan the QR code above to visit our website, and go to the CULINARY CLASSES section.

JUNIOR CHEF –LITTLE ITALY NIGHT

OCTOBER 9, 4–6 P.M. • AGES 8–12

JUNIOR CHEF –RAVIOLI CLASS

OCTOBER 16, 4–6 P.M. • AGES 8–12

KIDS FALL PIE MAKING CLASS

OCTOBER 23, 4–6 P.M. • AGES 8–12

ADULT NIGHT OUT –A NIGHT IN TUSCANY

OCTOBER 9, 7–9 P.M.

ADULT NIGHT OUT –RAVIOLI CLASS

OCTOBER 16, 7–9 P.M.

ADULT FALL PIEMAKING CLASS OCTOBER 23, 7–9 P.M.

HALLOWEEN PARTY & CUPCAKE DECORATING CLASS

OCTOBER 29, 4–5:30 P.M. • AGES 2–7

TEEN FALL COOKING CLASS

OCTOBER 30, 4–6 P.M. • AGES 12–17

WPOA to hold general meeting

The WPOA will hold its General Meeting on Tuesday, October 7,  at 7:30 p.m. at Homestead School. Our Guest Speaker will be Village Trustee Vinny Muldoon, who will bring us up to date on the progress and game plan for the following projects: Edgemere Firehouse, St. Paul’s and the Senior Center; Seventh Street, Franklin Avenue and the New Hyde Park Road Business District; Traffic across the Village; the new turf field, Cluett Hall and the Fieldhouse.  In addition, Trustee Muldoon will give an update on fighting the casino project and the Town of Hempstead code changes.

Q&A to follow.

The WPOA has begun its 2026 Membership Drive…our membership year is from January 1 through December 31. Annual membership dues of $25 help defray the cost of insurance, mailings, scholarships, the annual West End Tree Lighting and other expenses related to the

organization’s operations. Please consider becoming a dues-paying member. You can sign up electronically by scanning the QR code below or payments can be mailed to Western Property Owners Assn., P.O. Box 7976, Garden City, NY 11530

We bring a unique perspective to the table, blending traditional values with modern expertise. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, we are dedicated to providing personalized service tailored to your needs. When you choose our Mother/Son team, you gain a partner who truly understands the importance of long-term success and building a legacy for generations to come.

Garden City real estate, reimagined.

Laura Baymack

Lauren Grima Lic. RE Salesperson Principal Agent

Pedro “Pete” Diaz

Athena Menoudakos

Alexander G. Olivieri

Patrick M. McCooey

Alexandra Parisi

Agent

Catherine Anatra

Demetrios Arnidis

Daniel Niebler

RE Salesperson Baymack Team

Jane Reilly

Carroll Team

Julie Whicher

Susan Gillin Lic. RE Salesperson Jen Sullivan Team

Danielle Nero

Salesperson Laura Carroll Team

Christina M. Hirschfield

RE Salesperson Laura Carroll Team

Adrienne McDougal

Carroll Team Frank Morabito

Diaz Team Amanda Keller

Carroll Team

Patrick Gibbons

Kerry Flynn

Carroll Team

Denice Giacometti

Mairead Garry

Carolyn Fowler

Carroll Team

Alyson B. Esposito Lic. RE Salesperson Laura Carroll Team Laura Rich

Carroll Team

List this fall with the #1 brokerage in Garden City.* Reach out to connect to a Garden City agent.

6

GARDEN CITY

STREET 3 BEDROOMS | 1 BATH | $925,000

Charming center hall colonial in move in ready condition! This classic 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom home is set on a 75 x 100 lot. The main level has original hardwood floors throughout and a cozy dining room with excellent natural light. The second floor you will find the primary bedroom with two closets and two additional bedrooms with closets and original hardwood floors. Additional highlights include: finished basement, a one car attached garage, Central air conditioning, and a large backyard with a brick patio excellent for entertaining.

NEW TO MARKET

GARDEN STREET

GARDEN CITY

4 BEDROOMS

3 BATHROOMS

$1,300,000

OPEN HOUSE

SATURDAY, 10/4 & SUNDAY, 10/5 12–2 PM

Welcome to this expansive four bedroom, three full bath Colonial offering over 2,600 square feet on a picturesque 60×126 lot on Garden Street. The main level features a sunlit living room with bay window, fireplace, and new hardwood floors; a formal dining room with direct access to an enclosed porch; and an eat-in-kitchen flowing into a 28×17 family room. A first floor laundry room and full bathroom complete this level. Upstairs, a primary suite with two walk in closets and private bath joins three additional bedrooms and another full bath. One car garage, basement, new gas burner, new hot water heater, and a double wide driveway near Grove Park and Locust School—endless potential.

Women’s Health Care of Garden City committed to personalized care

By John L. Gomes, MD

John

L. Gomes, MD, founded Women’s Health Care of Garden City in 1995. It has remained an independent private practice, providing personalized obstetrical and gynecological services.

He employs the technical advances of conventional medicine with an integrative approach to navigate women through difficult pregnancies into the menopausal years. He treats a wide variety of OB/GYN conditions and is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care.

All tests are conveniently done on the premises, and a dedicated, compassionate staff is on call 24/7.

He is committed to excellence in patient communication, education and support, as many patients come with anxiety associated with past experiences and future concerns.

Dr. Gomes received his undergraduate degree from Brown University, and his Doctor of Medicine from Columbia University.

He is both Board Certified and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Women’s Health Care of Garden City is located at 1000 Franklin Avenue, Suite 200, Garden City.

Bobby Menges Memorial Blood Drive

The Bobby Menges Memorial Blood Drive will be held at Roosevelt Field on FRIDAY, October 10, from 12:30–6:30 p.m.

The Memorial Blood Drive is a project of I’m Not Done Yet, the foundation founded by the Menges family in memory of 2015 GCHS graduate and lifelong resident of Garden City, Bobby Menges, who died of cancer in 2017 at the age of 19.  I’m Not Done Yet raises funds to support programs on Long Island and throughout the country focusing on adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients and survivors.

Walk-ins are welcome, or make an

appointment by scanning the QR code below, or visiting www.imnotdoneyetfoundation.org

Save the Date:    Upcoming Bobby Menges Memorial Blood Drive on December 8 from 1–7 p.m. at the Stewart Manor Country Club

plans

Fall Food Drive

The National Charity League Gardenias of Garden City will be holding a Fall Food Drive in support of Faith Mission, Families 4 Families, Feeding America, FCALI, and TCAH Donations will be accepted at Community Park on October 3, October 10, and November 7; at St. Paul’s on October 18, November 1, and November 15; or drop off any time at 38 Hilton Ave; 124 3rd Street; or 110 Wickham Road.

Accepted food items:  cereal - hot or cold; canned goods including chick-

en, soup, fruit, vegetables; rice, beans, pasta, jarred tomato sauce, bread, peanut butter and jelly, mayonnaise, vegetable oil, cookies, chips, salsa, hand soap, paper towels, dish soap, shampoo, conditioner, soap deodorant, toothpaste, moisturizer, petroleum jelly, oranges, apples, onions, salad dressing, ketchup, mustard.

The Gardenias will be sorting and distributing to philanthropy partners on October 25 and November 22 from 1–3 p.m. at 38 Hilton Ave.

Attention students!

Graduated from school? Have an outstanding GPA? Made the honor roll or the Dean’s List? Scored an internship or a study abroad opportunity? We invite you to send details of any of these things and more, along with your name and contact info, to editor@gcnews.com for a chance to be seen in our paper!

Bobby Menges

LIVC Youth Board collects Halloween costumes

In support of the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club October service project, the Long Island Volunteer Center's Youth Advisory Board is promoting a Halloween Costume Drive that will benefit New Ground, a nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness. New and gently-used children and teen costumes can be dropped off two locations during regular business hours to The Garden City News office, 821 Franklin Avenue, Suite 208; or to the Garden City Long Island Volunteer Center, 38 Old Country Road, Suite 203. Boy and girl costume sizes needed are infant/toddler to size 17. Accessory donations like masks, hats, wands, wings, capes, unused face makeup, candy pail, and treat bags are also welcome. Help make some magic happen for children who would love to be superheroes for a night.

The Youth Advisory Board was formed last year to assist the Long Island Volunteer Center board and management team to expand youth programming and advise about engagement opportunities that would attract youth. Successes to date include: updated youth volunteer opportunities list, helped plan and execute volunteer fair in partnership with the Garden City Public Library Tweens and Teens

Department, supported service learning project with NYS DOE ACCES-VR for school supplies to benefit The INN, gently-used sports equipment drive for local at risk youth organizations, and creation of Birthday Wishes boxes for homeless children. Meetings are run with Roberts Rules of Order to teach the fundamentals of board governance. Officers have been recently elected: President Oliver Gibson, Vice President Ali Bennett, Treasurer

Caileigh McDonough, and Secretary Ciara Hegarty. For more information, contact 516-564-5482 or email info@longislandvolunteercenter.org.

Proud Sponsor of the “Fashion Through the Ages” exhibit. “Fashion Through the Ages” Exhibit

Oct. 18th–30th, 2025

Oct. 17th

LIVC Youth Advisory Board (from left to right): Emily Bennett, Ali Bennett, Caileigh McDonough, Ciara Hegarty, Lizzy Hagopian, Mary Doherty, Oliver Gibson, and Brae McDonough

Shoplifting arrest

On September 24, Garden City Police responded to CVS for a report of a male subject stealing numerous items. The subject was located on 7th Street and was allegedly arrested for petit larceny.

Truck violations

Also on September 24, a Franklin Avenue truck operator was charged with driving with unsecured hazardous materials and unsafe tires.

Identity theft

On September 24, a victim’s identity was stolen and used to open an unauthorized insurance account.

Motorist charged

A Stewart Avenue motorist was charged on September 24 with driving with a suspended registration and making an unsafe turn.

Ice cream theft

Walgreens reported on September 24 that a male subject stole numerous pints of ice cream and fled the store.

Car on tracks

On September 25, Garden City Police responded to Nassau Boulevard,

where a vehicle traveling southbound passed North Avenue and accidentally crashed into the train tracks and 3rd rail. The occupants exited safely. Traffic was detoured, and train service was suspended until the vehicle was removed and repairs completed.

Credit card fraud

Also on September 25, a person’s credit card infor mation was stolen and used to make an unauthorized online purchase.

Overweight truck

A Cherry Valley Avenue truck operator was charged on September 25 with driving an overweight vehicle.

Unlicensed driver

On September 25, a South Avenue motorist was charged with unlicensed operation and passing a stop sign.

Multiple charges

On September 25, Garden City

Police arrested a subject for a September 9 incident in which he allegedly fled from police after committing numerous traffic violations. He was charged with driving with a license suspended for DWI, additional suspensions, and reckless driving.

Bike larceny

On September 26, officers investigated a report in Parking Field 7S where a juvenile subject rode away on a bike after the owner let him try it out.

SUV flees crash

A mid-size SUV reportedly fled the scene on September 26 after colliding into another vehicle in Parking Field 7N.

Bank fraud

On September 26, officers investigated a report of an unauthorized transfer of funds from a victim’s bank account.

Festival detail

Also on September 26, officers were assigned to traffic and safety details for the 7th Street Ryder Cup Festival.

Unregistered, uninsured

On September 26, a Clinton Road motorist was charged with speeding, operating an unregistered auto, and uninsured operation.

Unlicensed, uninsured

A Washington Avenue motorist was charged on September 26 with unlicensed operation and uninsured operation.

Theft from vehicle

On September 27, an item was reported stolen from a vehicle parked on Heath Place.

Unregistered auto

A Clinton Road motorist was charged on September 27 with driving with a suspended registration and unregistered auto.

Multiple alarms

On September 27, GCFD and GCPD responded to alarms triggered by burnt food, aerosol spray, and one set in error.

Stop sign violation

A Tanners Pond Road motorist was charged on September 27 with unlicensed operation and passing a stop sign.

Driving violations

On September 27, motorists on Rockaway Avenue and Stewart Avenue were separately charged with driving with suspended registrations and unregistered autos.

Trunk scare

Officers responded on September 27 to 7th Street for a report of a child’s voice coming from a trunk. Investigation revealed the sound came from a toy.

Unregistered auto

A Cherry Valley Avenue motorist was charged on September 28 with driving with a suspended registration and unregistered auto.

BBQ fire

On September 29, officers assisted firefighters who responded to a residence and extinguished a barbecue fire.

Getaway bus

Also on September 29, a male subject reportedly stole items from a store on 7th Street and fled on a NICE Bus.

Stolen check

On September 29, a check placed in the mail in Parking Field 11 was reported stolen, altered, and cashed.

Unsafe driving

A Clinton Road motorist was charged on September 29 with driving with a suspended registration and unsafe speed.

Elevator rescue

On September 29, Garden City Police and Firefighters removed multiple people stuck in a malfunctioning elevator at Garden City Plaza.

Multiple charges

A Stewart Avenue motorist was charged on September 29 with driving with a suspended license, unsafe speed, and uninsured auto.

Gas leak

GCFD and GCPD responded on September 29 to a residence for a gas odor. Firefighters detected a small leak in the fireplace and rendered it safe.

Children not secured

A Clinton Road motorist was charged on September 29 with driving with a suspended registration, unregistered vehicle, and failing to secure children in safety seats.

DWI arrest

At 8:10 p.m. on September 30, Garden City Police responded to the Nassau Boulevard Railroad Station for a vehicle on the tracks. A vehicle with two occupants had crashed

We are officially into Fall 2025 and the team at Village Hall is busy, busy, busy. At the DPW, Buildings, Finance and Recreation departments senior folks and staffers at all levels are tackling both internal and external projects. The DPW team is managing many projects, including replacing the Cedar Swamp refuse transfer station on the grounds near the corner of Second Street and Hilton Avenue. This is a multi-million dollar, once in four generations project and incredibly crucial to the smooth running of the east’s residents sewage system. The Rec team is managing a busy schedule of fall team sports across the Village, keeping activities hopping at the Senior Center, manicuring the Central Section and getting ready to manage the installation of a new slide at the GC Pool. Engineers at the Building Department are responding to permit requests, inspecting locations in the business and residential sections of town and evaluating bids for reconstruction of the Western Fire House (which should be completed over the next two weeks or so). And of course the Finance unit is always crunching numbers, watching the inflows and the outflows and keeping the BOT advised on all major and minor budgetary matters.

Couple of quick notes: the Propel NY project continues apace and we remain in regular contact with senior members of the pathway team and expect to hear from them shortly on the latest footprint to be utilized within Village bounds; we hope to have a new Head of Rec and HR on board soon, as the search processes move toward conclusion; there’s been no substantive movement re: the poten-

THE MAYOR’S UPDATE

efinneran@gardencityny.net

tial disposition of the Marine Corps property on Stewart Ave. We’ve had several contacts with the Marines over the past several months and are being assisted by our own Frank Tauches, Congresswoman Gillen’s office and our lobbyists in Washington, D.C.

St. Paul’s Turf Field

At last Thursday’s BOT meeting Asst. Superintendent of Rec & Parks Andy Hill presented details on the turf field proposed for the St. Paul’s recreation complex. The field would be lined for soccer and boys and girls lacrosse and, as proposed, would sit 26 feet west of the playground. After considering numerous locations throughout the Village, we felt the St. Paul’s field location best serves the needs of the players and is quite considerate of the residents contiguous to the field broadly. With close and ample parking and the comfort station nearby, we believe the location will be convenient for all, cause the least disruption and fit in nicely in the overall St Paul’s field layout. The Landtek Group’s proposed design, completely vetted by Village staff at all levels, will be on the BOT’s October 9, 2025 agenda. To view the presentation, please visit the Village website’s Recreation & Parks page.

Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere— phones, tablets, tools, toys, even e-bikes. And while they bring great convenience, they can pose serious risks if not handled properly. It’s all about learning how to buy, charge and recycle lithium-ion batteries safely so we can protect our homes and families. The event will feature tours of the fire station and apparatus, demonstrations, fire safety education, kid-friendly activities, giveaways and more. Anyone interested in volunteering will have the opportunity to meet current members, learn about training and requirements, ask questions and sign up. Stop by Fire Headquarters Sunday, October 5, 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Airplane Noise Petition

Airplane noise over our community has gotten significantly worse in recent years. The Environmental Advisory Board’s Airplane Noise SubCommittee is taking action — and we

Fire Prevention Day & Open House

This year, Fire Prevention Week runs from October 5–11, 2025 and the theme is “Charge into Fire SafetyTM: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.”

The Office Cat

into two parked cars, fencing, the third rail, and a train platform stanchion. Train service and power were halted until repairs were made. The driver, a 60-year-old Garden City woman, was arrested for alleged DWI. No injuries were reported. MTA Police and GCFD also assisted.

Thefts from vehicles

On September 30, officers investigated theft of property from a vehicle on Second Place, and multiple thefts and attempted thefts from autos on Russell Road, Wyatt Road, and Westbury Road.

Overweight trucks

Truck operators on Clinton Road and Franklin Avenue were charged on September 30 with driving overweight vehicles.

SUV hit and run

On September 30, a white SUV reportedly left the scene after colliding with another vehicle on Cathedral Avenue.

Suspended driver

A Clinton Road motorist was charged on September 30 with driving with a suspended registration, unsafe speed, and uninsured operation.

Transformer explosion

Garden City Police and Firefighters responded on September 30 to Mulberry Avenue for an explosion later determined to be a blown transformer. PSEG was notified.

need your help. Please sign this petition today. Your signature will be sent to our elected officials to demand relief from the growing noise problem.

Volunteer opportunities in the Village

Do you have a passion for serving the Village in an impactful way? Our Village government is led by dedicated volunteers, from the Mayor and Village Trustees to the many members of our important Boards and Commissions. There are openings now and in the coming months on the following Boards: Planning Commission and Library Board. More information can be found about these positions on the Village website.

If you are interested, please send a resume and letter of interest by October 30th to Village Clerk Kelly Galanek at mailto:kgalanek@ gardencityny.net.

Trunk or Treat

The NYU Langone EMS team will host a haunted “Trunk or Treat” event on Friday, October 31, 2025 from 2 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of St. Paul’s, at Cluett Hall. The NYU EMS folks plan to decorate the ambulance, distribute candy, and teach basic first aid such as bleeding control and hands-only CPR.

Mayor Edward Finneran

World Communion Sunday celebration at GCCC

BY MELVA VICTORINO

“The peace of Christ belongs to everyone, everywhere. As a community of faith, we extend Christ’s peace throughout the world even in these uncertain times. We proclaim God’s presence of peace by receiving all and everything into our midst as God’s creation.”

The Garden City Community Church (GCCC) will join all Christian churches around the world in a global celebration of World Communion Sunday (WCS) on Sunday, October 5th at the 10:30 a.m. worship service. The altar will be dressed with fabrics from around the world and from different faith practices. The worship service will center on our oneness with each other, as breads from different parts of the world are presented and placed on the altar. This is a Communion service, and all are welcome to receive it. This day is observed annually on the first Sunday of October to celebrate the unity of Christians worldwide and the interconnectedness of all people in Christ. WCS is a celebration observed by many Christians churches around the globe, which promotes Christian unity, ecumenical relationship, and cooperation. It

focuses on an observance of the Holy Sacrament of Communion and/or the Eucharist. WCS is a special time to remind children that God’s family stretches across every country and culture. Communion is a sacred meal that unites Christians across every culture and community. On WCS, we remember that when we share the bread and cup, we are joining with believers around the world at Christ’s table.

The Rev. Noel Vanek will be the guest preacher this Sunday. Rev. Noel Vanek is a retired pastor who over the course of thirty years served two congregations in the Metro Association of the NY Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC)..  He now works part-time as a Search and Call Associate for the New York Conference, assisting local churches with their pastoral search.  Rev. Vanek also leads a Community of Practice support group for ministers and is on the Conference Boundary Awareness Training team.

GCCC invites everyone to join them:

• Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m .Intercessory Prayer every Tuesday in the Chapel, this is a very meaningful service that helps strengthen the spiritual journey as names are lifted in prayer.

• Sunday worship service at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary and fellowship hour after worship in the church parlor

• Wednesdays, Starting October 1st - The viewing and discussion of the TV series  ‘The Chosen” will resume on October 1st at 6:30 p.m. viewing, followed by discussion at 7:30 on this groundbreaking streaming television series about the life of Jesus.  Everyone has an option to watch in advance the episodes at your own home, and join the group at 7:30 for the group discussion. All are invited to attend. For more information, call the church 516-746-1700.

Whoever you are, wherever you are on your life’s journey, you are welcome at GCCC. We have services, events, and programs for all ages. Our Sunday Worship Service is in-person and live-streamed. For information on how to attend our services virtually or in person, please contact the church office churchoffice@thegccc.org. To get information regarding our virtual and in-person worship services and programs, visit our website at www. theGCCC.org.

• Sunday School - All children ages 3 years old to 5thgrade are welcome to attend. For information, call 516-746-1700.

• October 15th - Food Donations for the Summer will go to the INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network) Drop-off before noon on the porch on the Whitehall Blvd side.

The Garden City Community Church is part of the United Church of Christ. It is an Open and Affirming congregation that welcomes people of all ages, races, gender identities, and sexual orientations to participate in the life of our community. It is located at 245 Stewart Avenue between Whitehall Blvd. and Kensington Road. For more information, email  churchoffice@thegccc. org or call (516) 746-1700. You may also visit our website, www.theGCCC.org

World Communion Sunday altar

GCHS musicians earn All State honors

Garden City Schools has announced that nine exceptional students from Garden City High School have been selected as participants or alternates for the prestigious 2025 NYSSMA All-State Performing Ensembles. These talented musicians will represent the district at the annual event, taking place Dec. 4-7 in Rochester, highlighting their skills among the top performers across New York State.

Congratulations to the following students on this outstanding accomplishment:

• Emily Pulver – Mixed Chorus

• Sarah Phinney – Symphony Orchestra

• Clara Archer – alternate, bass clarinet

• Rebecca Chau – alternate, flute

• Ava Chen – alternate, violin

• Eton Lu – alternate, tuba

• Grace Kumpel – alternate, violin

• Elsie Ross – alternate, trumpet

• Azra Zirhli – alternate, cello

Thousands of students auditioned last spring for the NYSSMA All-State Festival, making this an exceptional accomplishment for these Garden City musicians. Special thanks go to their ensemble teachers — Andrew Albani, Daniel DellaMonica, Alexandra Frazzetto, Stephen Mayo and James McCrann — for their dedication and guidance in preparing students for their auditions.

“Being selected to participate in NYSSMA’s All-State ensembles is a tremendous honor that reflects not only exceptional musical talent, but also dedication, discipline and a deep love for the arts,” said Coordinator of Music and the Arts Ms. Akira Regan. “These students represent the very best of our state’s young musicians, and we are incredibly proud of their achievement.”

The Garden City All-State musicians, alternates, ensemble teachers and Ms. Regan.

Photo courtesy of the Garden City School District

The Transatlantic Divide

BY BOB MORGAN, JR.

As this is written, I am in southern Spain, on the Costa del Sol for a vacation trip. Late September/ early October is actually a great time of year to travel in these parts as it is less crowded but still beach weather on most days. Spain is an easy place to navigate, with friendly people and relatively low prices. I try to use my Spanish, but the language barrier is minimal here.

Whenever you travel internationally, you are always conscious of the differences and similarities between your home country and where you are visiting. On this trip, one obvious example of this is the divergence in sports and sports culture between the United States and Europe.

Staying in touch with American sports and teams is a relatively low priority for me when I travel. Nevertheless, I do find striking the relatively low profile of American sports, and correspondingly intense interest in other sports, particularly soccer, commonly known as football.

You start out with American football, the most popular spectator game in the United States. The National Football League has attempted for decades to broaden its reach abroad by scheduling a few games in Europe each year. For example, there are annual games in London, a game last weekend in Dublin and this year there will be games in Berlin and, amazingly enough, in Madrid.

But for all of the NFL's efforts, American football has relatively limited overall visibility in Europe. Outside perhaps of the Super Bowl, there is almost no NFL coverage in the local sports media and, only partially because of time differences, it is pretty hard to watch a game in bars, which show other sports instead. I tried to find an online radio feed for the Jets-Dolphins game, but it was apparently blacked out here, at least absent a paid subscription.

If American football does not have a large footprint in Europe, baseball's

is even lower, even with the endorsement by Major League Baseball of the World Baseball Classic. While the Yankees playoffs against the Red Sox and the abject collapse of the Mets, may be big news in New York, there is basically no coverage here. I do happen to have an audio subscription to MLB.com, which does function in Europe, so that's how I will be following the Yankees series.

European sports fans do seem to have endless interest in their version of football, a sport many Americans regard, at least on a spectator level, as dull and low-scoring, Here in Spain, La Liga reigns supreme and there is a great rivalry among two Madrid teams, Real Madrid and Atletico and another high-flying Spanish team, Barcelona FC.

Of course there are a few sports and sporting events that actually do have a solid base on both sides of the Atlantic. The Olympics are an obvious example. To a degree, so is the World Cup, when even American interest in soccer revives after a four four year hiatus.

In addition, tennis and golf, in particular the major tournaments, have considerable interest in both America and Europe. In this connection, there was perhaps too much mutual interest in the recently concluded Ryder Cup, where there was rather too much rowdy partisanship by a minority of America fans.

I guess if I moved to Europe, I would likely go native about sports, probably adopting one of the local football teams as my own. Indeed, I think my grandfather who emigrated to the United States from Ireland in 1906, provides some example. After just a few years in the country, he became a big fan of baseball and eventually the New York Yankees and Babe Ruth. As he showed, the sports divide between the United States and Europe is probably easier to accept than to overcome.

Teens create donation drive to support The INN

Danielle and Will Landolphi are coordinating a donation drive to support the Mary Brennan INN.

Danielle and Will Landolphi, juniors at Garden City High School and Chaminade High School, respectively, are taking the lead in giving back by coordinating a donation drive for toiletry items to support the Mary Brennan INN. These small everyday necessities make a big difference in the lives of families and individuals experiencing hardship.

The Mary Brennan INN, located in Hempstead, is Long Island’s largest soup kitchen and part of The INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network). Its mission is to serve hungry and homeless Long Islanders by providing not only nutritious meals, but also dignity, care, and essential support services to help

families get back on their feet. For more information about the INN and its mission, visit the-inn.org.

A donation drop-off bin is located at 27 Roxbury Road, where contributions will be accepted throughout October (10/1–10/31). If you prefer to have items picked up, please call 516-305-9205 to schedule.

Requested items (full or travel size) include: soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, lotion, toothbrushes, toothpaste, disposable razors, shaving cream, and toilet paper.

Your generosity helps families in need and ensures that every guest at the INN has access to basic care items that support dignity and well-being.Tee

Garden City PTA News

Homecoming is Saturday, 9/20!

Meeting place and starting point on 7th Street just east of Franklin Ave. Parade ends at High School Parking Lot on Merillon Ave.

Parade begins at 1 p.m.

Game starts at 3 p.m.

Join/Renew Your PTA Membership Today!

Don’t forget to join the Garden City PTA for the 2025–26 school year! Joining is easy - visit gardencitypta.org and choose your membership option. One membership covers all of your children in all seven schools through June 2026. Join by September 30 for a chance to win an Amazon gift card!

Fall Sportswear On Sale Now!

Visit gardencitypta.org/sportswear to preview and purchase all the latest gear! Get ready to FALL in love with all these cozy and trendy essentials. Lots of new styles this year you won’t want to miss! Store closes October 10.

PTA Reflections

Calling all artists, musicians, dancers, creators and more. The PTA Reflections Committee is accepting submissions now through November 5th for the 2025–2026 theme “I Belong” please visit http://gardencitypta.org/reflections to learn more.

Annual Sponsorship Applications Now Available!

Email sponsorships@gardencitypta.org.

Important Dates

• GC UPK HCC Roslyn: 10/7

• Fall Sportswear Closes: 10/10

• Schools Closed: 10/13

Let’s Connect!

Website: www.gardencitypta.org Facebook/Instagram/X: @gardencitypta

To get real time information - turn on notifications!

Join the conversation and invite your friends.

DAR mourns passing of Dell Dalton

Members of the Col. Aaron Ogden Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) mourn the loss of chapter member and friend Dell Dalton, who passed away on September 16. She had recently turned 99 years old.

Dell was a graduate of Syracuse University and loved history and reading. Like many members of the DAR, she spent many hours absorbed in genealogy research. Dell became a member of the Colonel Aaron Ogden Chapter NSDAR in 1988, a good fit for someone with her interests. She was an active member of the chapter, having held many offices over the years and contributing to the work of running the chapter. She served as Chapter Regent from 1992 to 1994, and in the dual roles of Chapter Scholarship Chair and Magazine Chair from 1996 to 1998. She was Membership Chair from 2001–05 and 2009–2012 and Lineage Research Chair from 2001 to

2005. In addition, she was a Chapter Director from 2012 to 2018.

However, the role in which she had the most impact, in addition to that of Regent, was probably in her office as Chapter Registrar. In that critical position she assisted many prospective members in gathering documentation for their applications to become members of the NSDAR. No small feat, as DAR members must document all the birth, marriages and deaths between themselves and their Revolutionary War ancestors in order to join the organization. Dell made a lasting mark by serving as Registrar from 2001 to 2012, a dozen years. She was an invaluable asset to the Chapter.

Chapter Regent Heather Zawislak called Dell, “a lovely woman who did a great deal of good for the communities she belonged to.” The chapter will miss her “can do” attitude.

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Adult Services at the Garden City Public Library

The film “Field of Dreams” will be screened at the Garden City Public Library on Monday, October 6.

Monday Movies

Monday Movies presented by the Friends of the Garden City Library at 1:30 p.m.: October

October 6 - “Field of Dreams” - 1989, 107 Mins.

October 20 - “Strangers on a Train”1951, 101 Mins.

October 27 - “Phantom of the Opera”2004, 103 Mins.

October Programs

Yoga with Kimberly

• Tuesday, October 7, 14, 21, 28

• Tuesday, November 4, 11

7–8 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room

Kimberly Mercadante is back with her popular Yoga Series! Join her for a Yoga Class for beginners and more. All are welcome! This is a series of twelve classes continuing through November. To register, please register online at LibCal at https://gardencitypl.libcal. com/. For additional information contact Adult Services at (516)742-8405 ext. 5236 or email speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.  Programs may be canceled due to weather, power outages, lack of registration, or other unforeseen circumstances. If contact information has been provided for registration, a direct attempt will be made to notify participants.

Learn to Crochet and/or Knit with an Experienced Instructor - Lupe Velasquez

• Wednesday, October 8 & October 22

• Wednesday, November 5 & 19

7–8 p.m. in the Small Meeting Room

The novel “Remarkably Bright Creatures” will be featured at the Adult Book Club on Wednesday, October 29.

Even though it’s only September, it’s never too early to start preparing for the holidays!  Crafter, knitter and crocheter Lupe Velasquez will be on hand to teach, help and suggest projects to do.   The class is scheduled on alternating Wednesdays in September, October and November. You may register once for the entire series.

Please register online at LibCal at https://gardencitypl.libcal.com/. For additional information contact Adult Services at (516) 742-8405 ext. 5236 or email speakingofbooks@gardencitypl. org.  Programs may be canceled due to weather, power outages, lack of registration, or other unforeseen circumstances. If contact information has been provided for registration, a direct attempt will be made to notify participants.

Mah-Jongg  & Games

(Register for each one separately)

• Thursday, October 9, 22

4–6 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room

Bring your own Mah-Jongg board. No instruction is provided. Seating is limited.

Please register online or call the Reference desk (516)742-8405 x5236.

Italian For Beginners and More

• Thursday, October 9, 16, 23

• Thursday, November 6, 13, 20

• Thursday, December 4

Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon in the Large Meeting Room

Mrs. Brunetti is back to teach her popular class “Italian for Beginners and More.”   This program is for those with

limited knowledge of Italian but all are welcome to join.

Register online on Libcal (https:// gardencitypl.libcal.com) or call Adult Services Reference Desk at (516)742-8405 ext 4236 or email Speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.  Programs may be canceled due to weather, power outages, lack of registration, or other unforeseen circumstances. If contact information has been provided for registration, a direct attempt will be made to notify participants.

Chairobics and Strength Training with Debbie Krzyminski

• Wednesday, October 8, 15, 22

• Wednesday, November, 5, 12, 19 Wednesdays from 12–1 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room

We’re excited to have Debbie back with her wonderful program.  Debbie Krzyminski from Fitness Figures, NY, Inc. will be teaching “Chairobics and Strength Training.” This program covers strength training, balance, coordination, aerobics and flexibility. Most of the exercises are performed seated in a chair. Equipment will be provided. Feel free to bring your own free weights, if you are comfortable using them. Have water available, wear clothing that you can comfortably move in and be ready to have fun! This is a seven-week session.

Register online on Libcal (https:// gardencitypl.libcal.com) or call Adult Services Reference Desk at (516)742-8405 ext 4236 or email Speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.  Programs may be canceled due to weather, power outages, lack of registration, or other unforeseen circumstances. If contact information has been provided for registration, a direct attempt will be made to notify participants.t will be made to notify participants.

Bingo for Adults

• Friday, October 17

• Friday, November 14

• Friday, December 19 11 a.m.–-12 p.m. in the Small Meeting Room

Join us for a fun morning of Bingo and win some fun prizes.

Register for each Bingo online on Libcal (https://gardencitypl.libcal. com) or call Adult Services Reference Desk at (516)742-8405 ext 4236 or email Speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.  Programs may be canceled due to weather, power outages, lack of registration, or other unforeseen circumstances. If contact information has been provided for registration, a direct attempt will be made to notify participants.

Defensive Driving Course with The Empire Safety Council

Saturday, October 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 pm in the Large Meeting Room

Join us on Saturday, September 20, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. for a Defensive Driving Course with the Empire Safety Council. Receive 10% reduction on automobile/liability insurance and qualify for a license point reduction. Register in person at the Garden City Public Library. Space is limited, so check with the Reference Department for availability. Register separately for each person. Proper ID is required when registering an absentee party. You must bring a $33 check made payable to Empire Safety Council and current Library card with you to register. Bring your valid New York State driver’s license and a pen to class.

Jeff Berkoff and Numismatics

Tuesday, October 21, from 1–3 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room

Jeff Berkoff, who has over 30 years of experience in Numismatics, will teach you about the value of your coins. Through the seminar he will be handing out coins to show and giving you history on these coins as well as answering any and all questions directed in specific areas of US & Foreign Coin, US & Foreign Paper currency, any sterling silver, gold, platinum and palladium. He will also talk about how to handle and store them, when to buy or sell them, strategies on how to start or enhance your collection, and how to handle a collection that you inherited. Bring your coins and Jeff will try to answer your questions, as time allows. All are welcome to attend.

Register online on Libcal (https:// gardencitypl.libcal.com) or call Adult Services Reference Desk at (516)742-8405 ext 4236 or email Speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.  Programs may be canceled due to weather, power outages, lack of registration, or other unforeseen circumstances. If contact information has been provided for registration, a direct attempt will be made to notify participants.

Larry Wolfe Presents Abbot & Costello’s  “Hold That Ghost” Thursday, October 23, from 6:30–8:30 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room

“Hold That Ghost” - the funniest haunted house film ever made! Get ready for Halloween laughs with the film starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in the funniest haunted house film ever made. It also has great music from Ted Lewis and the Andrews Sisters, a great supporting cast and Lou Costello at his finest

Adult Services at the Garden City Public Library

comedic form. Learn the backstory and then laugh yourself silly at “The Boys” in film highlights as they deal with ghosts, gangsters, disappearing rooms and missing money. See Lou Costello’s classic comic reactions to a pair of candles that have a life of their own! This film answers the famous question of where Moose Matson hid his money - “in his head.” This is the first Long Island lecture to present this screen classic! Fun Halloween music is included as is a large memorabilia, autograph and book display.

Register online on Libcal (https:// gardencitypl.libcal.com) or call Adult Services Reference Desk at (516)742-8405 ext 4236 or email

Speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.  Programs may be canceled due to weather, power outages, lack of registration, or other unforeseen circumstances. If contact information has been provided for registration, a direct attempt will be made to notify participants.

Garden City Public Library Adult Book Club

Wednesday, October 29, from 7–8 p.m. in the Small Meeting Room

Join us as we discuss the charming book “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt.  This delightful book features a curmudgeon of an octopus named Marcellus.  He is a brilliant giant Pacific octopus living in an aquarium when he meets Tova Sullivan, the cleaning person at the aquarium.  Tova’s son mysteriously vanished years before and Marcellus helps unearth the truth before it’s too late.

Register online on Libcal (https:// gardencitypl.libcal.com) or call Adult Services Reference Desk at (516)742-8405 ext 4236 or email Speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.  Programs may be canceled due to weather, power outages, lack of registration, or other unforeseen circumstances. If contact information has been provided for registration, a direct attempt will be made to notify participants.

Museum Pass Information

Check Out A Museum Pass This Summer! Through the generosity of the

Friends of the Garden City Public Library, the Library offers free passes to select museums and cultural institutions. Reservations can be made via LibCal, which requires a Library card and a PIN. Please visit the Circulation Desk to verify or create your PIN. Once you have a PIN, you can make your reservations from home or at the Library.

You can make a reservation to borrow a Museum pass from one of the member institutions in our Museum Pass Program. Some museum passes are now available to print from home, including the Vanderbilt Museum located at 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport. If you do not have access to a printer, the Library will be happy to print the pass for you. These passes will be good for one day only. Please note that not all museums participate. For a list of print-from-home passes, visit the Library website, www.gardencitypl.org.

Passes for the following museums still need to be picked up at the Library: 9/11 Memorial & Museum, NYC (2 adults & 2 children); MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art), NYC (5 visitors); the Long Island Children’s Museum, Garden City (2 adults & 2 children) and the Empire Pass, which allows entry of the vehicle when the card is presented at most New York State Parks, Department of Environmental Conservation forest preserve areas, boat launch sites, arboretums and park preserves.

The following Library Museum Pass rules remain in effect.

Museum passes are available only to Garden City Public Library cardholders in good standing who have signed the Museum Pass User Agreement. Museum passes may be reserved in advance and must be checked out by an adult (18 years and older) family member.

Reservations will be taken up to one month in advance of the desired date, subject to availability on a firstcome, first-served basis. Reservations can be made in person at the Reference Desk or over the phone at 516-742-8405 x5236.

Additional rules and information are available at the library.

See what's happening at your library!

From classes to lectures and concerts to movie screenings, there's never a dull day at your local library! Check this paper each week for fun and informative all-ages activities, all for free or cheap!

Library parking lot improvements to begin

The Library parking lot will undergo improvements beginning the week of October 5. Lighting will be upgraded to provide more light and increase the amount of space in the parking area. Concrete work will follow on the adjacent walkways and sidewalk aprons. Lastly, the parking lot will be milled and repaved. The improvements should take a few weeks to complete. During most of this time, the parking lot will be partially accessible. Please follow the Library website newsletter and social media page for more updates.

Town offers Senior ID Program

Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray (right) provided her office’s Senior ID Program to Garden City residents Sharron Caban and Kathy Bliss on September 17, 2025 at the Franklin Square Public Library. The Town Clerk's Office provides free Town of Hempstead Senior ID Cards, complete with a resident's personal data, physicians' contact information, and emergency phone numbers. Allergies and other vital information can also be printed on these wallet-sized cards. These Senior ID Cards and forms may be useful in the event of an emergency, as medical technicians can quickly gather pertinent information about a senior and contact his/her doctors and family members.

News from the Children’s Room

Please join us on Oct. 7 at 11:30 a.m. for Preschool Craft for 3 to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

Upcoming September and October Library Programs for Children

These programs are for children ages Birth through Grade 5. Registration is required. Visit https://www.gardencitypl.libcal. com to register for August programs. Programs may be canceled due to weather, power outages, lack of registration, or other unforeseen circumstances. If contact information has been provided for registration, a direct attempt will be made to notify participants.

IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ! Children’s programs are extremely popular! We recommend that registrants arrive EARLY to check-in. Your reserved spot will be held for 5 minutes after the starting time of the class before being given to a patron on the waitlist. If you know you cannot attend a class, please cancel your registration on LibCal or call the Library at 516-742-8405 x5241, so that your spot can be released to someone on the waitlist.

• Monday, Oct. 6, at 10:30 a.m.: Toddler Storytime - 18 Months to 3 Years

• Monday, Oct. 6, at 11:30 a.m.: Mixed Age StorytimeBirth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 10:30 a.m.: Mother Goose Storytime

- Birth to 17 Months (Non-Walkers)

• Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 11:30 a.m.: Preschool Craft - 3 to 5

Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 3:30 p.m.: STEAM MakerspaceGrades 2–5

• Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 10:30 a.m.: STEAM Preschool Building - 6 Months to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 4:00 p.m.: STEAM Fun Club - Grades K–2

• Thursday, Oct. 9, at 10:30 a.m.: Mixed Age StorytimeBirth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Thursday, Oct. 9, at 11:30 a.m.: Mother Goose Storytime

- Birth to 17 Months (Non-Walkers)

• Friday, Oct. 10, at 10:30 a.m.: Play Hooray - Birth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 10:30 a.m.: Mother Goose Storytime

- Birth to 17 Months (Non-Walkers)

• Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 11:30 a.m.: Mixed Age StorytimeBirth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 3:30 p.m.: STEAM Maker SpaceGrades 2–5

• Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 10:30 a.m.: STEAM Preschool Building - 6 Months to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Thursday, Oct. 16, at 10:30 a.m.: Mixed Age StorytimeBirth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten )

• Thursday, Oct. 16, at 11:30 a.m.: Mother Goose Storytime

- Birth to 17 Months (Non-Walkers)

Please join us on Oct. 6 at 11:30 a.m. for Mixed Age Storytime for Birth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Thursday, Oct. 16, at 6:30 p.m.: Books Before Bedtime Storytime - Birth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Monday, Oct. 20, at 10:30 a.m.: Toddler Storytime - 18 Months to 3 Years

• Monday, Oct. 20, at 11:30 a.m.: Mixed Age StorytimeBirth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 10:30 a.m.: Mother Goose Storytime

- Birth to 17 Months (Non-Walkers)

• Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 11:30 a.m.: Preschool Craft - 3 to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 3:30 p.m.: STEAM MakerspaceGrades 2–5

• Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 10:30 a.m.: A Time For Kids - 18 Months–36 Months

• Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 4:00 p.m.: STEAM Fun Club - Grades K-2

• Thursday, Oct. 23, at 10:30 a.m.: Mixed Age StorytimeBirth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Thursday, Oct. 23, at 11:30 a.m.: Mother Goose Storytime

- Birth to 17 Months (Non-Walkers)

• Thursday, Oct. 23, at 4:00 p.m.: Tween and Teens Yarn Group - Grades 4 to 12

• Saturday, Oct. 25, at 10:30 a.m.: Inclusive Storytime Adventure - Grades K-5

• Monday, Oct. 27, at

10:30 a.m.: Toddler Storytime - 18 Months to 3 Years

• Monday, Oct. 27, at 11:30 a.m. : Mixed Age StorytimeBirth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 10:30 a.m.: Mother Goose Storytime

- Birth to 17 Months (Non-Walkers)

• Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 11:30 a.m.: Mixed Age StorytimeBirth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 3:30 p.m.: STEAM Maker SpaceGrades 2–5

• Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 11:00 a.m.: Halloween Parade and PartyBirth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 4:00 p.m.: Halloween BINGOGrades K-5

• Thursday, Oct. 30, at 10:30 a.m.: Mixed Age StorytimeBirth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Thursday, Oct. 30, at 11:30 a.m.: Mother Goose Storytime

- Birth to 17 Months (Non-Walkers) Unattended Child Policy

It is Library policy that all children under age 11 must be accompanied by a parent or designated responsible person while in the Library. Also, if the young child is attending a Library program, we require the parent or designated responsible person to remain in the Library throughout the program and meet the child upon completion of the program.

It’s What’s Happening for Young Adults Through the Library

Go on an adventure at the Library’s monthly Dungeons and Dragons program.

Go on an

Adventure During Dungeons and Dragons in October!

Go on an adventure by playing the popular roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons during the Library’s monthly Dungeons and Dragons program, which will be held on Thursday, October 16, at 4 p.m. This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6-12. Teens volunteer to DM and run games for their peers while enjoying snacks and drinks. Registration is required and begins Tuesday, October 7, at 10 a.m. online via LibCal at gardencitypl.libcal. com. Teens who complete an online survey after the program can receive

community service for participating in this program. The last Dungeons and Dragons, pictured above, was held on Thursday, September 18, at the Library.

Ninth Annual Tweens and Teens Locked-in-the-Library Halloween Party Registration starts October 7 for the Ninth Annual Tweens and Teens Locked-in-the-Library Halloween Party!

Registration is required and begins Tuesday, October 7, at 10 a.m. online via LibCal (gardencitypl.libcal.com) for the Library’s ninth annual, award-winning Locked-in-the-Library Halloween Party! The party will be held after

Teens in Grades 6–12 decorated recycled golf balls using acrylic paint and permanent markers during Teen DIY Golf Balls, which was held on Monday, September 22, at the Library. The program was part of a series of golf-themed events the Library held during the week of the Ryder Cup. Additional recycled golf balls were made available for teens to decorate in the Library’s Tweens and Teens Room during the week for teens who couldn’t make the program.

Register for the ninth annual Tweens and Teens Locked-in-the-Library Halloween Party.

hours starting at 6 p.m. at the Library on Friday, October 25. We will be watching “Clue”, which is rated PG. We will also have a variety of games and activities, including:

• A Clue-themed scavenger hunt game on the Library's first floor

• Crafting including a candle collage and painting craft & glow-in-thedark bracelet making

• A screening of the 1985 film “Clue”, which is rated PG, to celebrate its 40th anniversary

• Halloween-themed and glowin-the-dark party favors

• A Clue Board Game Tournament with prizes

• Video games like Super Smash Brothers & Mario Kart on our Nintendo Switch consoles

• Tabletop board games like Jenga, UNO, Sorry, Foosball, Billiards, & more!

• Plus, pizza and candy will be served!

This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12 only. Teens who complete an online survey after the program can receive community service for participating in this program. Want to volunteer? Choose if you want to volunteer to set-up before the party, clean up after the party, or both when you sign-up!

Registration is required. Space is limited, so make sure to register early to reserve your spot at the party! Costumes are encouraged, but not required.

Upcoming and Ongoing Library Programs for Tweens and Teens

These programs are for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12 unless otherwise noted. Registration is required for these programs on LibCal at https:// gardencitypl.libcal.com unless other-

Teens painted wood signs to hang in their locker, in their room, or on their door during Teen Crafternoon: DIY Hanging Wood Sign. This program was held on Friday, September 19, at the Library. Teen Crafternoons are held once a month on a Friday after school at 3:30 p.m. and are for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12. Another Teen Crafternoon will be held on Friday, October 3, at 3:30 p.m. in which teens will be making Halloween Model Magic Creations. Registration is required online via LibCal (gardencitypl.libcal.com). Teens who complete an online survey after the program can receive community service for participating in this program.

It’s What’s Happening for Young Adults Through the Library

wise noted.

Teens who complete an online survey after specific programs can receive community service for participating.

Registration is live online at https:// gardencitypl.libcal.com for the following programs:

• Tuesday, October 7, at 4 p.m.: Teen Advisory Board (Grades 6–12)

• Friday, October 10, at 3:30 p.m.: Teen Creative Hour (Grades 6–12)

Registration begins Tuesday, October 7, at 10 a.m. online at https:// gardencitypl.libcal.com for the following programs:

• Wednesday, October 15, at 4 p.m.: Teen Art Workshop (Grades 6–12)

• Thursday, October 16, at 4 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons (Grades 6–12)

• Friday, October 17, at 3:30 p.m.: Teen Gamers (Grades 6–12)

• Saturday, October 18, at 3PM: Teen STEAM Workshop: Slime with Chris Buchman (Grades 6–12)

• Friday, October 24, at 6 p.m.: Tweens and Teens Ninth Annual Locked-in-the-Library Halloween Party (Grades 6–12)

• Saturday, October 25 at 10 a.m.: Inclusive Storytime Adventure Volunteers (Grades 9–12)

Registration begins Tuesday, October 14, at 10 a.m. online at https:// gardencitypl.libcal.com for the following programs:

• Tuesday, October 14, at 10 a.m.–Thursday, October 23, at 4 p.m.: Ornaments for Community Service (Grades 6–12)

• Thursday, October 23, at 4 p.m.: Tweens and Teens Yarn Group (Grades 4–12)

Registration begins Tuesday, October 21, at 10 a.m. online at https://

gardencitypl.libcal.com for the following programs:

• Tuesday, October 28, at 4 p.m.: Perler Bead Art for Community Service (Grades 6–12)

• Thursday, October 30, at 4 p.m.: Tween Thursdays: Game Afternoon (Grades 6–12)

Ongoing Take-Home Community Service Opportunities

Looking to volunteer? Check out some of our ongoing take-home community service opportunities for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12. Please check at the Library for more information on each of these opportunities; all volunteer projects should be submitted at the Library with a Volunteer Form, which can be found outside the Tweens and Teens Room.

Ongoing: Bookmarks for Community Service - No registration required. Up to 20 bookmarks can be submitted per volunteer monthly.

Ongoing: Kindness Cards for Community Service - No registration required. Up to 10 cards can be submitted per volunteer monthly.

Ongoing: Friendship Bracelets for Community Service - No registration required. Up to 10 bracelets can be submitted per volunteer monthly.

Ongoing until October 31, 2025: The Great Give Back: Cards for Veterans - No registration required. Volunteers can submit 10 cards, following the instructions provided and available at the Library.

Ongoing until December 19, 2025: Fall Creative Arts Book Submissions for Community Service - No registration required. Up to five pieces of writing and/or art (sized 8.5 × 11 inches) can be submitted per volunteer.

Ongoing until December 19, 2025: Holiday Recipe Cards for Community Service - No registration required. Up to five recipe cards can be submitted per volunteer.

Chamber of Commerce Spotlight on Business

SUBMITTED BY THE GARDEN CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Welcome to our new series spotlighting our local businesses. Please remember to support our Chamber of Commerce Members!

Pet Club

Pet Club was founded in 2016 by siblings who grew up surrounded by dogs and cats. Caring for animals has always been second nature, and today, the family business continues that passion. Currently, the owners share their home with two cats and a dog, keeping them closely connected to the needs of pet parents.

Pet Club is a family-owned, customer-focused shop where every visit is personal. We take the time to get to know our customers, their pets, and their unique dietary needs so we can provide the right guidance and products.

Having studied at Hofstra and family

at Adelphi, we’ve always spent time in the Garden City neighborhood. It has long been one of our favorite places, making it a natural fit to grow our business here.

We joined the Chamber of Commerce to become more engaged in the community, and from our very first interaction, John Wilton made us feel welcome. His warmth and friendliness gave us a wonderful experience and made us feel like part of a family.

Our best experiences are meeting new people and experiencing the strong sense of community here has been our favorite part of being in town. It’s truly a tight-knit and friendly place.

In the coming year, we see Petclub becoming a true staple for pet owners in the community. Our goal is to cater to all pet parents while hosting more events and collaborations that bring people together. Thank you for being so welcoming, Garden City!

Pet Club on Franklin Avenue held its ribbon cutting.

FOR SENIORS fyi

Garden City’s Senior Center is open. Please visit the Senior Center Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for further information on activities and events!

Learn About Medicare

Please join us for a free seminar at the Senior Center on Thursday, October 30, at 2:00 to learn about Medicare basics, important terminology, enrollment periods, plan types and cost assistance. To register, please stop by the Senior Center front desk or call (516) 385-8006.

Bingo Pizza Party

Please join us at noon for a special Halloween BINGO Pizza Party at the Senior Center on Friday, October 31. Wear your best costume (required) and enjoy an afternoon of BINGO, and chances to win great prizes! To register, please stop by the Senior Center front desk, the cost is $10.00 (cash only). Deadline: 10/23.

Butterfly Presentation

Join us at the Senior Center on Wednesday, October 22, at 11:00, for a fantastic Butterfly Presentation with Steve Fratello. Back by popular demand, Steve will be here with his beautiful collection of butterflies and ready to dazzle you with information from his various expeditions and knowledge of the species. To register, please stop by the Senior Center front desk or call (516) 385-8006.

Nassau County Museum of Art:  “At Play Artists and Entertainment”

On Friday, November 7, join us for a trip to the Nassau County Museum of Art for the “At Play Artists and Entertainment” exhibit. The Recreation bus will leave from across the street from the Senior Center at 11:45, the tour begins at 12:30–1:30, with lunch immediately after at Mim’s in Roslyn. To register please visit the Senior Center front desk with a check for $20 made payable to the “Nassau County Museum of Art” and $40 cash for lunch. Both due at time of registration.

Free Health Screenings

On Monday, October 6, from 10:00 a.m.–

2:00 p.m., the Mobile Outreach Bus from Catholic Health LI will be at the Senior Center to offer free health screenings. A brief cardiac history, blood pressure screening, BMI screening, simple blood test for glucose and cholesterol, and FREE flu shots. No appointment necessary, last walk in at 1:30.

Recognizing Neuro Emergencies

NYU EMS will be at the Senior Center on Tuesday, October 28t, presenting, “Recognizing a Neuro Emergencies”. To register, please stop by the Senior Center front desk or call (516) 385-8006.

Afternoon Book Club

Join us, our Afternoon Book Club will be meeting at the Senior Center on Thursday, October 23, at 1:00 p.m. The title of the book is “Magpie Murders” by Anthony Horowitz. All are welcome.

Open Ping Pong

Join us on Tuesday afternoons at the Senior Center from 1:00–3:00 for Open Ping Pong. This is a drop-in program, bring a friend!

Chair Yoga

Chair Yoga schedule for Tania at the senior center.  9:15–9:45 Meditation, 9:45–10:45 Chair Yoga class. July 29 will be Tania’s final Tuesday class. Cathy will teach chair yoga on August 19. Tania will return in the fall on Thursdays.

Chess 4 Community

Join us for Chess 4 Community’s Play and Learn at the Senior Center, every other Friday 3:00–4:00. This program will resume in the fall, dates to be announced. All ages and levels are welcome. No registration is required, just stop by and play!

Senior Center Lunch Group

Join our Senior Center Lunch Group at 12:30–3:30 on Wednesdays, or, if you miss your pool friends, join the Garden City Pool Chat Group at the center, on Thursdays beginning at 1:00–3:30. For both groups, coffee and tea will be served, just bring your lunch and chat!! Also, call to inquire about our two book clubs, one meets on Thursdays during the day and the other on Wednesday evenings.

Senior Duplicate Bridge Results

The winners of the Monday, September 29, games: North / South: First Place: Athena Philippides and Carol Cook East / West: First Place: Nick Basile and Bill Draybk

Teacher honored as LI School Hero

The Long Island Coalition Against Bullying has named Mrs. Elizabeth Dukeman, a general education teacher at Locust School in the Garden City School District, as one of this year’s Long Island School Heroes.

The award recognizes K–12 educators and school community members across Long Island who go above and beyond to support kindness, inclusion and safety, leaving a lasting and positive impact on students and families. Honorees are nominated by parents, peers and students who see firsthand their commitment to supporting children in meaningful and life-changing ways.

Beyond celebrating the impact of these individuals, the Long Island School Hero Awards also serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges schools face around bullying, mental health and student well-being — and the difference that one dedicated person can make in addressing them.

Mrs. Dukeman has been teaching for more than 20 years and has both her bachelor’s and master’s degree in special education. She has worked in general education as a classroom teacher in Garden City since 2007 and while there has taught first, fourth and fifth grade. She was nominated by Dr. Lisa Pasch, the parent of a student in Mrs. Dukeman’s class last year.

As a child psychologist with a strong background in bullying prevention, Dr. Pasch has worked closely with schools and community organizations on this important issue.

“In my 20-plus years in the field and around countless educators, I had never felt compelled to submit a nomination until Mrs. Dukeman,” Dr. Pasch shared. "Throughout the year, Mrs. Dukeman showed both her dedication to the students as well as being an anti-bullying warrior. While there had been some instances of bullying or potentially bullying behaviors, Mrs. Dukeman's responses all came from a place of kindness and wanting all students to feel safe and secure in and out

of the classroom. I believe she truly helps children at a very vulnerable age.”

“I was honored when I was nominated, and even more honored to have been chosen for this award,” said Mrs. Dukeman. “It’s always been a goal of mine to be an advocate for others. Whether someone needs me to be their voice or simply hold their hand for a minute, I’m all in — everyday.”

“We are so proud of Mrs. Dukeman for being named a Long Island School Hero by the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying,” said Dr. Kusum Sinha, superintendent of Garden City Schools. “Her compassion, empathy and commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment have made a lasting difference in the lives of our students through the years.”

Mrs. Dukeman will be honored at the Long Island School Hero Awards ceremony, presented by the LICAB on Oct. 20.

Mrs. Elizabeth Dukeman

Photo courtesy of the Garden City School District

The Thomas Jones Decorative Glass Company- Part 2

“Christ in Gethsemane”- Stained glass close-up by Thomas Jones Decorative Glass Co., property of the Christian and Missionary Alliance of Lawrence.

BY SUZIE ALVEY, FORMER VILLAGE HISTORIAN

As a continuation of the article published on August 15th about Howard S. Jones of 84 Nassau Boulevard, I have recently found more stained-glass samples from the Thomas Jones Decorative Glass Company he owned. In the first article I wrote about the St. John’s Lutheran Church (now Metropolitan Baptist Church).

The stained-glass window photos are from the Lawrence Methodist Episcopal Church, a landmark in the Five Towns area on Long Island’s south shore, that purchased windows from the Thomas Jones Company. The new church had a cornerstone laid in 1907, according to the “Brooklyn Daily Times.” It reported building details by architect, A. T. Ketcham for the seating of 250 parishioners, but the part that is of interest to readers is the memorial windows created in Louis Comfort Tiffany fashion by the Thomas Jones

Decorative Glass Company. Six windows that are eleven feet high and two large, heavy, double windows ten feet wide by twenty-five feet in height are located in the church, along with smaller windows. They represent famous paintings from the life of Jesus, that include the titles, “Christ in the Temple,” “Christ Blessing the Little Children,” “Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane” and “The Resurrection.” The Lawrence Methodist Episcopal Church is now the Christian and Missionary Alliance of Lawrence, with Pastor Victor Matheu the Senior Pastor.

Many stained-glass windows in churches are based on famous paintings of the time, including the Lawrence one. Its richly-colored stained-glass windows are interpretations of Johann Heinrich Hofman’s (1824-1911) work, a German painter of portraits and religious themes, best known for paintings glorifying the life of Jesus, which Hoffman began painting in the 1850s. (Louis Comfort Tiffany based his stained-glass windows on Hoffman’s paintings as well.)

Hofman’s original oil painting, “Christ in Gethsemane” (1886/1890) is located in the Christ Chapel of Riverside Church in Manhattan. Riverside Church also owns the painting, “Christ in the Temple”

the

“Christ in Gethsemane” and “The Resurrection”Complete stained-glass by Thomas Jones Decorative Glass Co., Christian and Missionary Alliance of Lawrence.

(1910). Hoffman’s work was a combination of Italian and Northern European styles that were popular in the Renaissance. Both paintings were donated to the Church by John D. Rockefeller, Jr.

Thanks go to Pastor Victor Matheu of the Christian and Missionary Alliance of Lawrence; Millicent Vollono, author and historian; Filomena at the Peninsula Public Library and Julie Sloan, Stained Glass Consultant in Lake Placid for helping with this article.

Photo by Pastor Victor Matheu.

“Christ in Gethsemane”- Oil painting by Johann H. Hoffman, Riverside Church, Manhattan. WikiCommons

Photo by Pastor Victor Matheu

“Christ in the Temple”- Stained glass detail by Thomas Jones Decorative Glass Co., property of the Christian and Missionary Alliance of Lawrence.

Photo by Pastor Victor Matheu

Thomas Jones Decorative Glass Co. Catalog- 1905 showing non-figurative leaded glass styles.

“Christ in

Temple”- Oil painting by Johann H. Hoffman, Riverside Church, Manhattan. WikiCommons

October art exhibit, reception at Barnes Gallery Estates POA to meet Oct. 8

The Barnes Gallery will be hosting its next exhibition featuring the Artists of Suburban Art League during the month of October.

An opening reception is scheduled for Saturday, October 4th, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 p.m.  Live Jazz music from local musicians Joe Cupani & Kevin B. Clark will be featured.

On view will be works of art by local, fine artists of Suburban Art League, including works from their sister leagues, Art League of Nassau County and Independent Art Society. Meet the artists, enjoy the music, the refreshments and hors d’oeuvres

The Suburban Art League, is a notfor -profit organization that was formed in 1963. Their mission is to increase cooperation among artists, art students and all others engaged in artistic activities; to provide a registry for artists; to hold competitions and exhibitions; and to promote the study and improvement and appreciation of the arts. The League meets on the first Tuesday of the month at the Syosset/Woodbury Community Center 7800 Jericho Tpke. Woodbury, NY 11797, featuring demo artists, interactive demonstrations, workshops and exhibitions. Please visit

www.suburbanartleague.com for more information.

The exhibition will be on display and available for purchase from October 1st through October 29,  Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at Barnes Gallery, 2 Nassau Blvd, Garden City.

For additional information about this event, please call us at 516-538-4503

The Estates Property Owners’ Association (Estates POA) will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, October 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the Garden City Senior Center located at 6 Golf Club Lane. All Estates POA members are encouraged to attend and the meeting is open to all residents of Garden City. Topics to be discussed will include:

• North Avenue Traffic Study

• Turf Field at St. Paul’s

• Homecoming Retrospective

• Airplane Noise Petition ( https://chng.it/RnfZ66kmby)

• Trustee Q&A with Residents

Open to all Garden City residents –Stay informed and get involved!

GC Schools participate in Intl. Dot Day

Students throughout the Garden City School District participated in International Dot Day. Photo courtesy of the Garden City School District

On Sept. 15, Garden City Public Schools proudly continued its tradition of celebrating International Dot Day, a worldwide event inspired by Peter H. Reynolds’ book “The Dot,” which encourages students to embrace their creativity, take risks and see the impact they can make.

Each year, students across the district participate in art, writing and collaborative projects that highlight their unique voices. This year, classrooms brought the story of “The Dot” to life as students came together to “make their

Love to write?

mark,” sharing their ideas, creating colorful displays and reflecting on how even small acts of courage can lead to something extraordinary.

“Literature has the power to spark imagination and inspire action,” said Lauren Kaufman, director of literacy K-12. “International Dot Day reminds us that when students are encouraged to be brave and creative, they discover just how powerful their voices can be. Each mark they make is a step toward shaping a bright future for themselves and for the world around them.”

We’re looking for writers in our community to compose ar ticles 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.

Email submissions: editor@gcnews.com

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“Towers of NYC” oil painting by Claudia Bedell

“Glistening Water” oil painting by Teresa Idelowitz.

Photos from the Village Archives

Garden City Garage

The Garden City Garage, facing northwest from the south side of Seventh St. at Franklin Ave., prior to 1920. The middle and east sides were built by the Garden City Company in 1908, with the west side added a year later. Initially it mainly serviced the cars of those staying at the Garden City Hotel, with their chauffeurs lodged in a boarding house on the south side of Seventh St. across from the garage. Included was storage for 80 cars and a machine shop necessary to repair the cars of the day. At the curb two gas pumps can be seen. At the right is a sign identifying “The Dodge Brothers”, but no data is available on them. In 1920 the operation was taken over by Gerard and George Hughes, who maintained it for 47 years. During the period 1932-1940 it was also a Chevrolet dealership. The Hughes deed included a 20-year covenant precluding a similar business from operating in the center of the Village. In 1967 the property was rented to Texaco, who demolished the building and replaced it with a new service station.

Archives identifier:gcgar27

From page 3

side. Refinishing and cosmetics are handled on the north side. Technicians specialize in single tasks to maximize quality and efficiency.

“Logistically we minimize motion; it’s streamlined and there is very little waste. The workers stay at their post, with their assigned jobs, and the vehicles come straight to them as the production is always staged correctly. In that aspect we have the ability to see what’s coming for a vehicle at four and five stations down the line. Every vehicle goes through the same stages of repairing, but for employees they are specializing in just one area since repetition is the best teacher,” he explained.

AI in a changing industry

Disassembly is often necessary to reach hidden damage. “Most of the damage we repair is small to medium. A lot of cars need to come apart to gain access to certain surfaces which you would otherwise be unable to reach. Insurance companies are very quick to total vehicles, at even 50% of vehicle’s value. They compensate the owner for their

A selection from the extensive Village Archives. Others can be seen at www.NYHeritage.org  - click on Organizations, G,  and Garden City Public Library. Comments/questions: email Historian@gardencityny.net - Wm. Bellmer

Body Shop, Reimagined

loss, as the insurance does not want liabilities of carrying out an extensive repair of a vehicle. With the use of AI by an insurance adjuster in their evaluation, it has become more common for vehicles to go straight from accident scenes to a salvage yard. AI processes footage and photos and tells them right away if it’s a ‘fixer’ or not. The industry is evolving and constantly changing, and we have to adapt and keep up with what is. They (insurance companies) use AI to improve their bottom line, and so do we,” Paul Wilson shared.

Wilson trained staff on the new machinery, then built daily production around it. “My job is making sure everyone uses the equipment to its full potential,” he said. “Precision makes for better work—and a happier shop.”

One of the most advanced machines is the gas-catalytic infrared curing system. It converts natural gas to high-intensity IR that cures body filler, primer, sealer, base coat and clearcoat from the inside out—releasing trapped solvents and hardening all layers quickly and uniformly.

“The beauty is that it not only happens really quick, but the finish you

create is permanent – like you seized the moment in time. These are very lasting finishes, fully-cured. A freshly-refinished panel from here is much closer to what a factory-finish is. It’s not going to go through changes later onno die-back and defects in paint after six months,” Wilson said.

Paint, but greener

The sealed paint booth uses compressed nitrogen instead of air, adding an ionized charge that finely atomizes paint and attracts it to the panel— dramatically reducing overspray and wasted material. The shop uses low-solvent, water-based paint, robust ventilation and cooling, and technicians wear industrial respirators.

With the IR cure system and booth throughput, the refinishing team can complete a paint cycle roughly every 30 minutes. ““When it makes the motion from paint to refinish and cure, that’s one cycle. When you average it out, the system is calibrated and calculated up to 16 paint cycles in an eight-hour work day. ,” Wilson said. Realistically, he targets 12 completed cars per day at Garden City; Great Neck’s 3,500-square-

foot shop averages four.

“To justify the efforts and expenses of building a facility of this magnitude, I would say you have to aim higher,” Wilson explained.

Traditional spraying can waste up to 30% of material as mist and floor residue, Wilson said. “Our static-charge process puts most of the paint on the panel. Efficiency in the booth lifts the entire operation.”

He’s equally proud of the environmental gains: a cleaner facility and fewer volatile organic compounds.

“You have to be at the leading edge of technology, employing the latest and best-available products and machinery, and making sure your operations have as small of an environmental impact as you possibly can. Every aspect is conducive to having a high-quality work site environment. Minimizing our carbon footprint has become a very important cause in our operations. Whether someone is a believer or disbeliever in global warming, you know we have an effect on the environment. Why not try and do your part to minimize any negative impacts?” he explained.

Environmental Tip of the Week Keystone Species

A keystone species is a species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically. It has a disproportionally large effect relative to its abundance. They can be categorized as ecosystem engineers, predators and mutualists. Ecosystem engineers alter the environment. Beavers are an excellent example. By building dams, they create wetlands which support many species. Predators control the population of prey species. Wolves are an example. They prevent overgrazing by preying on deer and elk. Mutualists, such as seed dispersers, engage in mutually beneficial relationships. Seed dispersers eat fruit and spread the seeds, thus propagating the fruit species while feeding the dispersers.

You can plant keystone species in your garden. The National Wildlife Federation is one source of informa-

tion; its website contains tables of keystone species. For example, for our region, white oak is listed as the top tree, supporting over 400 species of caterpillars! The top three native host plants for pollen specialist bees are

sunflower, goldenrod and aster. Each of these is a host plant for over 30 species of specialist bees. Visit the NWF website at https://www.nwf.org/keystoneplants for further information.

Prepared by the GC EAB. See gardencityny.net for details.

Synthetic turf plan faces scrutiny

From page 1

shock absorption, and durability.

With 5 pounds per square feet of infill, he said it would break down to 2 pounds of sand to weigh the turf down and help with drainage. Then, the infill has 3 pounds of rubber that goes on top of that to serve as a shock absorber so people can play safely and reduce impacts from falls, “mimicking as much natural (field) play as it can.”

Mayor Finneran observed the sample Hill provided and said this infill material will also be used for turf at Garden City High School, with the school district’s project.

Hill also addressed concerns about “forever chemicals” (PFAS), citing FieldTurf testing that showed levels below EPA safety thresholds.

“Right now the low levels of some PFAS compounds are found, but they are below the minimum for laboratory reporting limits and below the EPA’s recommended safety limit. FieldTurf is happy to go on the record to state that their product is tested, approved and safe for use. They have a multipage document that addresses all the environmental questions people ask when it comes to turf fields and injuries posed to people – all the information will be available to the public, as the Recreation Department and trustees have done their research. This info goes to show that FieldTurf has done the

same and they are using safe products,” he said.

Community concerns

Residents and trustees debated safety, environmental impact, and aesthetics. Trustee Yvonne Varano stressed that the village plans to use a product called “ChillFill,” not the crumb rubber banned in some municipalities.

“If you try doing internet research on the turf’s infill, they call it crumb rubber which has been banned by Westfield and Hartford, Connecticut. I want people to know that even though this is ‘rubber crumb’ they should be looking up details about ChillFill – that’s what the village is looking to put in. Do not get it confused with crumb rubber,” she said.

Resident George Salem, who lives adjacent to St. Paul’s, asked Mayor Finneran and the Board if there was a recommendation about the turf field proposed from the village’s Environmental Advisory Board (EAB). He was aware that the topic had been raised at several meetings and in a recent Letter to the Editor by members of the EAB which was published in The Garden City News.

In response to Mr. Salem, Trustee Michele Harrington, co-chair of the EAB along with Trustee Jessica Tai, noted that for a handful of their meetings in the last 18 months PFAS and synthetic turf playing surfaces were the focus of guest speakers – including with

Assistant Superintendent Hill back in the spring.

Trustee Harrington commented that she views the EAB as “split” about the safety and viability of turf fields.

“We felt it was very important for us to try to disclose as much as we could about the different types of infill that were available, and the different types of risks. I would say the EAB is split and no recommendation was going through to the Village Board – except that Trustee Jessica Tai and I were adamant that the Village Board discuss the infill contents much deeper than we had before we put a vote out,” she said.

Another question Salem raised to the Board was whether or not stanchions, for stadium-style lighting illuminating nighttime play, would be installed in the first phase of the turf field project.

Mayor Finneran responded adamantly, saying, “Lights are NOT on the table…I can say it 18 times, and say it clearly every time.”

Landscape architect and former Architectural Design Review Board chair Celia Petersen said she is concerned about the field’s aesthetics, saying the bright turf would stand out as an unnatural “rectangle” in the middle of town.

“You are going to see bright green that stands out from the natural turf, and you will see the fence. Because it’s in the middle of town, this could be very noticeable to people driving by and

people who come to St. Paul’s for the natural grass fields and the playground. I am not happy with the aesthetics of it. It would look like a big rectangle that’s a different color – and in winter it will be VERY noticeable,” she said.

She also questioned whether sports advocates were pushing the project too aggressively and whether the village was being “bulldozed by the sports guys who aren’t happy with natural turf.”

Petersen also asked about the fence height for the proposed field and Trustee Vinny Muldoon noted that it would be a more discrete, four-foot-high fence and subtle, 10-foot-high safety netting that would not create the look of a cage hoovering on top of the field. The netting is a network of removable sleeves and can be removed as needed, including for inclement weather so it won’t be damaged.

Trustee Vinny Muldoon acknowledged the visual change but said the field would help meet demand.

“Will it be a noticeable change? Yes, I would agree, a synthetic facility on the St. Paul’s grounds will look different. But we are conscious of it and will be making it as subtle of a change as it can possibly be. It will look great to a lot of people who will love it, but some people won’t. I would love to have all-grass and leave the fields the way they are, but in today’s day and age there is a huge demand and need for a turf field,” Muldoon said.

St. Paul’s survey spurs debate on recreation needs

From page 1

The department’s mission statement, “Enriching our community through exceptional parks, programs and play,” underpinned BCI’s recommendations for expanded activities in play, fun, and learning.

Balancing facilities and finances

One resident asked how the village might sustain staffing and maintenance costs for a potential new St. Paul’s Recreation Center. Planner

Keith Rodenhauser noted that expenses vary depending on space, programming, and user fees. Sponsorship sales and naming rights could provide supplemental revenue, though not enough to finance large capital projects.

“The idea is not that you will sell enough sponsorships to renovate St. Paul’s – those are two different things, but the Rec. Department already sells sponsorships with banners for the fields and gyms, and they could sell the naming rights to specific facilities – we are not talking about an NFL stadium but we’re talking about the tennis courts and around a few thousand dollars per year,” he noted.

Rodenhauser commented that local-level naming rights deals can be successful, depending on the facility in question. “If you add a sponsor for a community Rec. Center or a Field Complex, then those could be quite helpful when it comes to the overall cost of the project.”

Mayor Ed Finneran referenced philanthropy and grants, including possible state preservation funds, while Trustee Vinny Muldoon stressed that residents need to see “real drawings and real ideas” before making final decisions.

“The first step you will need to do is to eventually provide people with real drawings and real ideas, so people would actually know what they will be paying for and then make their final decisions about it. The drawings would have to be prepared, for residents to see what they could get for their tax dollars – that’s the only way you get to the firm numbers from the ballpark numbers, and eventually it would go out to bid. Then you look at federal and state preservation grants; all the possible ways to get money to fund a project at

St. Paul’s or somewhere else. From that we would be able to see who else can contribute to the scope, with ranges in costs,” he noted.

Trustee Muldoon said the proposals and potential for funding can get more clear, “depending on which direction we respectively go on the project.” A key to his assertion would be the sentiments of the village’s tax base.

“Whether you agree or disagree on the numbers, the first step is to eventually provide the residents with real drawings and real ideas, so people can actually know what they would be paying for and then make a final decision. The only way to reach that point is making the drawings that will show them what the spaces would look like, and they could make a final decision – whether that is a ‘No’ because they see it and say they won’t pay for that, or a ‘Yes’ and they are enthused upon seeing what they will get in drawings, and would decide to pay for this with or tax dollars. That would be the point where it eventually can get to go out to bid with firm numbers vs. ballpark numbers,” he said.

Recreation priorities and indoor needs

BCI Planner Bucher said an indoor community recreation center ranked among top needs in survey responses, though it would not necessarily need to be located at St. Paul’s. He emphasized that the Field House and Cluett Hall remain valuable but require upgrades to extend their use.

Parking and accessibility

Parking emerged as a major consideration for any expanded St. Paul’s facility. BCI suggested 100–200 additional spaces near the playground or on land currently occupied by cottages.

Another place suggested was the space occupied by the cottages now being the right location for additional parking. Bucher shared at the September 9th Town Hall, “If you have another building to put what’s in the cottages in, there could be another lot.”

Accessibility also took center stage after a resident shared her difficulty using Cluett Hall’s steep ramp. Bucher admitted many village parks are not ADA compliant.

The village has worked with BCI to develop an ADA transition plan.

Trustee Muldoon explained, “The (current wooden) ramp is a disaster and it’s been there forever but it’s useless. We are working on that, trying to design something to go on the left of the staircase and literally a mini-elevator outdoors on a platform.”

Broader recreation upgrades

Other items covered in the two St. Paul’s Survey Town Hall meetings in August and September included the conditions of Garden City’s playgrounds. Bucher told the audience, “A lot of the playgrounds are in need of improvements, and the village could use some features in its playgrounds for older kids instead of only for the younger kids. The playground programming upgrades would be across the village, increasing the quality as well as variety and having a regular replacement schedule for replacing safety surfaces and equipment.”

One surprising reason for neck pain

How much stiffness is just a normal part of aging?

The neck ache that doesn’t quit…

That tightness when you turn to check your blind spot…

Most people accept discomfort as the price of admission for aging.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Here’s the thing…

Movement is controlled by muscles…

And they all work together to keep you active.

When these connections work seamlessly…

They can soothe your neck and make you feel nimble…

Because sometimes, the key isn’t the neck itself, but how your hands, arms, and shoulders support it.

For example…

A 2023 study on school teachers found that the more severe someone’s neck pain was, the weaker their grip strength tended to be.

And in 2024, a study revealed that desk workers saw the same

pattern, as neck pain went up, grip strength went down.

Now, what does this mean?

Building your grip strength may relieve your neck discomfort.

Let me explain…

Low grip strength means the muscles in your hands and forearms aren’t working at full throttle…

So, muscles upstream, like in your neck, pick up the slack!

This leads to stiffness, tightness, and achiness.

Over time, it’s like carrying a backpack that keeps getting heavier...

At first, it’s fine, then it hurts and you feel it in your shoulders and back.

That’s what happens when your neck has to make up for weaker muscles downstream.

Neck pain can make driving feel scary, make everyday movements uncomfortable, and steal simple pleasures, like curling up with your favorite book.

So remember, building grip strength helps the muscles in your hands and forearms do their job…

Taking the load off your neck and letting it move freely so you can turn your head easily and forget about your neck pain.

Remember, exercise is key to lifelong strength and independence. Try these tips today!

Ahmed Ahmed is the owner of Lotus Fitness. Contact him at (646) 415-2349 or ahmed@ lotusfitnessny.com https:// lotusfitnessny.com/

Ahmed Ahmed

October 3, 2025

Discovery Bicycle Tours Vietnam Trip: Ho Chi Minh

Mausoleum Brings New Clarity to a Cloudy Past

BY KAREN RUBIN

Visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi is a profound experience – revelatory, even. I had not expected to see the great liberator of Vietnam’s actual body, lighted from above. And shortly after, standing outside the Soviet-built mausoleum, I realize as we were listening to our guide, Nguyen Hong Phong, that I had no actual understanding of who Ho Chi Minh was. Combing the recesses of my mind, I realize I saw Ho Chi Minh as the enemy and likely a brutal dictator. And even though I had lived through the Vietnam War (known here as the American War or the Second Indochina War), I really hadn’t understood that either.

But here in Hanoi, you can see how Ho Chi Minh is justifiably venerated as a hero to his people - George Washington, Lincoln and FDR rolled into one. Visiting is like a pilgrimage with rules that accord him maximum respect. We walk up the stairs into the mausoleum, and slowly walk around his actual body, lit from above, as if he is merely sleeping - the still sleeping Liberator.

Ho Chi Minh, Phong tells us, “is the most respected in Vietnam. People changed their name to Ho. He is worshipped like a god in homes. He overcame the French, Japanese, Chinese and Americans for independence and freedom. Now we live in a peaceful country because of Ho Chi Minh.”

Coming back to the front of his mausoleum (built by the Soviets), Phong relates that Ho Chi Minh was

Visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi on Discovery Bicycle Tours’ 12-day Vietnam trip is a profound experience © Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com

born in 1890 into an educated family - his father was a Mandarin, working for a royal family. In feudal society, only men went to school. He and his brother went to a French school.

He attended college in Saigon in 1911, studying culinary arts and applied to work as a cook in France. He wound up working on a ship, traveling to America, Britain, France, Russia and in 1928, went to China. Seeing the world in this way is what cultivated his revolutionary ideology and zeal to liberate Vietnam from foreign imperialists.

“What he really learned was the importance of making Vietnam independent. He left Vietnam to learn enough about the French to kick them out,” Phong tells us.

He returned to Vietnam in 1941, having been away for 30 years.

When the Japanese and the French (who had occupied Vietnam since 1868, introducing Roman alphabet to replace Chinese characters the people used for 1000 years) left in 1945 at the end of World War II, Ho Chi Minh declared the independent Democratic Republic of Vietnam. But after only one year, in 1946, the French attacked, forcing Ho Chi Minh into the mountains and retaking control.

“He wanted peace and agreed to divide the country in two for two years. They agreed to divide along the 17th parallel. It was supposed to be temporary. Five million people (mostly Catholic), fled south while one million southerners moved north. Then there was supposed to be national elections.”

If I had questioned how Americans

would be received in Vietnam, I soon get my answer standing in front of a monument to John McCain, at the lake where McCain’s plane was shot down in 1967. McCain began six years as a prisoner in the dreaded Hoa Lo Prison, infamously known as the “Hanoi Hilton” – famously refusing to leave until his comrades were also freed.

The monument dates from 1992, when John McCain became one of the first Americans to come to Vietnam to heal relations; President Bill Clinton established relations in 1993 and helped revive Vietnam’s economy.

If Vietnamese still resent Americans you do not feel it at allwhen I ask our guides about that, I am told “We are a Buddhist country. We do not look to the past; we look to the future.”

It is our second day on Discovery Bicycle Tours’ 12-day Vietnam tour.

From here, we drive a couple of hours to the Thung Nham Ecotourism Zone where we travel by traditional boat into a bird sanctuary.

It’s another 45 minutes drive to Emeralda Ninh Binh Resort, the fabulous five-star resort where we will stay for two nights.

Discovery Bicycle Tours, 2520 W. Woodstock Rd., Woodstock, VT 05091, 800-257-2226, 802- 457-3553,   info@discoverybicycletours.com,  www.discoverybicycletours.com

Next: Ninh Binh: A Boat Ride Through Caves, Bike Ride To Temples

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

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of October 5-11, 2025

I recall as a child lying on the grass at night, gazing up at the stars, and wondering if any of those distant suns had planets orbiting nearby.

I was not the first to do so, of course. The question had been pondered by others for millennia. In a letter to Herodotus, the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus (341-270 B.C.) wrote: “There are infinite worlds both like and unlike this world of ours. ... We must believe that in all worlds there are living creatures and plants and other living things we see in this world.”

Even before these now-famous words, Thales of Miletus in the sixth century B.C. taught that the stars and the Earth are made of the same materials. His student Anaximander extrapolated further that if the universe is infinite and the makeup of all its parts is identical, then there must be an infinite number of worlds out there.

But pondering such weighty questions and finding other worlds among the stars are two completely different matters. Just imagine trying to find a small planet-sized body near a glaring sun many trillions of miles away. That’s what astronomers have always been up against, and such a planet had never been reported.

Planets Among the Stars

Not until 1963, that is. In that year, Swarthmore College astronomer Peter Van de Kamp described a small red star (Barnard’s Star) that wobbled as it drifted through space, a telltale sign that something must be orbiting nearby and tugging on it gravitationally.

The excitement didn’t last long, however. Other astronomers eventually found just enough errors in the measurement process to determine that this planet was most likely not real.

But when a similar announcement was made 30 years ago this week by Swiss astronomers Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz, it rocked the astronomical community and earned them the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Using a much more advanced technique than Van de Kamp, they found that the sunlike star 51 Pegasi -- affectionately known to astronomers as 51 Peg -- some 50.9 lightyears away, appeared to be wobbling as if a planet was pulling on it. This new world was originally designated 51 Pegasi but is now called Dimidium, the Latin word for “half,” because it is believed to contain nearly half the mass of Jupiter.

Today, astronomers have at least a dozen techniques to seek and detect planets orbiting other stars, and have turned up thousands. But 51 Peg will always be special since it was our first. Not only that, but it’s a star that back-

Thirty years ago, astronomers Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz discovered the sunlike star 51 Pegasi.

yard stargazers can find easily.

This week, go outdoors after dark and look midway up in the eastern sky. There you should spot the four stars outlining the Great Square of Pegasus. With the accompanying map in hand, you’ll be able to identify it easily.

If your sky is dark and relatively free from light pollution or moonlight, try to spot 51 Peg (perhaps with binoculars).

It’s located almost midway between the two westernmost stars of the square,

LOST IN SUBURBIA

Check This Out

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

Whenever I go to the supermarket, I have a big decision to make. It has nothing to do with which cereal to buy or what to make for dinner. It’s not figuring out the math so I know whether to get 4 = 8 or 6 = 15 rolls of paper towels. It’s all about which checkout to use: cashier or self-checkout.

On the plus side for the self-checkout, the lines are usually a lot shorter. But the problem for me is that I suffer from a little-known affliction: I am self-checkout challenged. This means that I go to check out full of confidence but invariably something happens that will require a self-checkout supervisor to come over to help me with an item or to reset the machine or find a new product that will scan better. This results in a slowdown at the self-checkout line and a bunch of people on line glaring at me while I shrug my shoulders and blame it on the barcode.

This was the case the last time I

was at the supermarket when I found myself stalled at the self-checkout machine. I had successfully weighed my bananas and looked them up by typing in their name, but then when I went to accept the weight, the machine flipped out and said I needed a store employee to finish the transaction. This time I couldn’t blame it on the barcode because there was no barcode -- just a bunch of bananas.

I looked around for a store employee, but there didn’t seem to be anyone at their usual perch, waiting to assist the self-checkout challenged like myself. I thought maybe I could back out of the banana problem by hitting the cancel button, but I was afraid it would cancel the entire transaction, and I was already 20 items into the checkout process. Out of options, I decided maybe I could reason with it.

“Reset,” I said to the machine, leaning in so the people at the other self-checkout lanes didn’t hear me.

The giant X on the screen continued

to flash at me.

I thought maybe I needed to be nicer to it.

“Please reset,” I said.

The giant X didn’t move.

I thought maybe it needed a compliment.

“You’ve been doing a great job so far,” I said to it. “Could you please reset?”

Nothing happened.

I thought maybe I needed to be more complimentary and also more specific.

“You’re a very attractive self-checkout machine,” I said to it. “Could you please ring up my bananas?”

The giant X just glared at me.

I thought if I gave it any more compliments, it would think I was hitting on it and report me to the self-checkout authorities, so I decided to change tactics.

“Congratulations, you’ve won a year’s supply of groceries,” I said enthusiastically. “Simply ring up these bananas to claim your prize.”

and slightly west of the line connecting them.

To learn more about the discovery of these distant worlds, check out the website science.nasa.gov and scroll down to the exoplanet section.

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

Fortunately, right at that moment, a store employee appeared at my side.

“Do you need help?” she asked. I wasn’t sure if she was referring to ringing up my bananas or if she had overheard me and thought I was going bananas.

I nodded and pointed to the giant X on the screen. She stepped up to the checkout and swiped her employee card.

“Place your BANANAS in the bag,” said the self-checkout machine. “And don’t forget my year’s supply of groceries.”

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 2025 CREATORS.COM

The generation gap can be awfully confusing

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

For years I pretended that the generation gap was something made up - or at least overly exaggerated - and I tried to ignore it. As time went on, however, I kept seeing examples of the generation gap in conversations I had with friends, relatives and co-workers.

Sometimes these people were older than I but most times it was the members of the younger generations who didn’t get a reference I’d made to a movie, to a book or to someone famous in history.

It would take a few minutes to clarify whatever the reference was then we would good naturedly laugh about it but later on, it made me pause and think. What’s missing? As a Baby Boomer I see the world through a certain lens and that can be both good and bad.

The Gen Xers and Gen Zers I meet and chat with also see the world through certain lenses. They were shaped and formed by how they grew up and what they perceived of society and the world around them. The most glaring examples I encounter are our different work ethics. We Baby Boomers tend to have a strong work ethic, are competitive, are family oriented and for the most part are team players.

Gen Xers, those people born between 1965 - 1980, are a bit more independent, more flexible, like challenges, and seek a fun work life and work-life balance. They don’t want to devote all their energy to the job, they want to enjoy life when they’re not working.

Gen Xers seem to have a different view of the world. Many of them grew up in homes where both parents worked so they became “latchkey kids.” Generally speaking Gen Xers are an independent group who by and large are resourceful and adaptable. They figured out how to do things and with the advent of personal computers they were off and running.

Gen X began using email in the workplace in the 1980s before it became common for the public during the midto-late 1990s. This makes them the first generation to adapt to email and other early communication technologies.

Gen Zers, born between 1997 - 2010, by and large really like using social media. They crave individuality, creativity and diversity. They want to work at companies where they can learn the skills needed to advance their careers.

It’s not always good to generalize, I realize that, but when it comes to the generation gap, many times the generalizations are true. And we Baby Boomers have our cultural references with the other generations.

Who was Mama Cass Elliott? Mama Cass was part of the 1960s folk-rock group “The Mamas & the Papas” popu-

lar in the 1960s and wow, what a voice she had. I have nostalgic memories of “The Mamas & the Papas” for their songs “California Dreamin’,” “Monday, Monday,” “Dream a Little Dream of Me” and more.

It was nice turning on the radio and hearing John Phillips or Mama Cass belting out one of their hit songs. It was a unique time in America and “The Mamas & the Papas” set a tone that was all their own. They wrote their own songs too. John Phillips was the primary songwriter for the group.

When I hear “California Dreamin,” these lyrics are a nice memory of “The Mamas & the Papas” from 1965:

“All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)

And the sky is gray (and the sky is gray)

I’ve been for a walk (I’ve been for a walk)

On a winter’s day (on a winter’s day)

I’d be safe and warm (I’d be safe and warm)

If I was in LA (if I was in LA)

California dreamin’ (California dreamin’)

On such a winter’s day …”

And when I talk about Leon the younger people say, “Leon who?”

“Like a rubber-neck giraffe, you look into my past …” That’s Leon Russell of course singing “Tight Rope” in 1972.

Bette Midler? Who else could sing these words the way she did?

“It must have been cold there in my shadow

To never have sunlight on your face

You were content to let me shine, that’s your way

You always walked a step behind …

“Did you ever know that you’re my hero?

And everything I would like to be I can fly higher than an eagle

For you are the wind beneath my wings …”

Those lyrics kind of made you sit up and take notice. When “Wing Beneath My Wings” came out in 1988 that was Bette Midler’s biggest hit song. It was featured in the movie “Beaches” and that was a memorable movie.

If you said “Beaches” in the 1980s or ‘90s everyone knew you meant the movie not Fire Island or Atlantic Beach, that’s what kind of an impression it made. It also made my friends and me take stock and think about who the heroes were in our lives.

An old expression is it’s a “red letter day” meaning it’s a special or memorable day. The term first came about because of the old custom of printing holidays in red on calendars. For example, “Bill got promoted and engaged to be married yesterday, it was truly a red-letter day for him.”

I wonder how many young people remember red letter days or Leon Russell, Bette Midler or Mama Cass? Each generation makes its mark and that’s not to say that one generation is

better than the other.

My efforts go into trying to minimize the generation gap because that makes for an all-around happier place.

My nephew, Jake, stopped at my place recently and I invited him to play Left, Center, Right but that card game didn’t appeal to him.

Then I asked him if he wanted to play a round of mah-jongg along with two other people and that didn’t appeal to him either. He didn’t want to deal with tiles, build a wall and keep playing for an hour or more. It’s true, those mah-jongg games often feel like they are going on forever.

I was going to mention playing a few hands of poker complete with chips but I could tell Jake was thinking of other ways to spend his time. My younger relatives prefer riding motorcycles, going to concerts and listening to music.

Smiling at our generational differences, I mention Game Boys and Jake talks about Tik Tok videos. Yes, Jake is decades younger and so are many of my other nieces and nephews but somehow, in some way, we manage to bridge the divide.

Different Answers Are Not Necessarily Wrong Answers

BY TOM MARGENAU

Readers frequently tell me that they talked to two different Social Security Administration agents and got two different answers. Or they tell me that a neighbor gave them one bit of Social Security advice, but another neighbor told them something else.

Sometimes I will do a little digging and learn that they didn’t really get conflicting information. Rather, they got the same information or answer, but it was simply presented in different ways. Or they posed a question to a Social Security rep and got one answer, and then later asked what they thought was the same question of another rep and got a different answer. Today’s column will give some examples of what I am talking about.

Q: I am 67 and started getting my Social Security benefits a year ago. I called the Social Security Administration about a month ago and asked if my wife, who has never worked, would get half of my Social Security. I was told she would, and an interview was set up to take her claim. When the interview finally took place yesterday, I was told that my wife would not receive half, but only a third. Which agent should I believe?

A: Both SSA agents gave you correct answers, based on the information they had at the time. I checked into this and learned that you failed to tell the first agent that your wife was only 62 years old. Your wife can get up to half of your Social Security benefit if she waits until her full retirement age to file. But if she starts her benefits at 62, she gets a reduced rate -- roughly one-third of your FRA benefit amount.

Q: I will be turning 67 in April 2026. I want to get 100% of my full retirement age rate so, per the advice of a neighbor, I was planning to file for those benefits in April of next year. But then another neighbor told me I could file as early as January 2026 and get the same 100% rate. Are there some new and different rules?

A: There aren’t any new rules. I’m guessing your second neighbor was trying to tell you that you can file for benefits up to 3 months ahead of time. In other words, you could file in January, but you would indicate on your application that you want those benefits to start in April.

Q: I recently filed for Social Security disability benefits. As part of the claims intake process, the Social Security rep explained to me that the law required a 5-month waiting period before my benefits could begin. In other words, if my claim is approved, I would have to wait 5 months before my first disability check would arrive. A week or so later, I went back to the Social Security office to take in some of my medical records. While there, I asked about this waiting period, and this time, a different clerk told me it is

actually a 6-month waiting period! So, who is right?

A: Interestingly enough, they both are. What the law actually says is that no benefit payments can be made for the first five “full calendar months” after the date the records show your disability began. For example, let’s assume your claim is approved, and they say you became disabled on Sept. 15, 2025. Your first Social Security disability check would be paid for the month of February 2026. That is five full calendar months after September 2025. But if you’re counting on your fingers, it seems more like six months later.

The five full calendar month count would come out to an actual five months only in those fairly rare cases when someone is declared to be disabled on the first day of the month. In other words, if you became disabled on Sept. 1, 2025, then five full calendar months later would be January 2026 and that is when your benefits would begin.

Q: A couple of months ago, I was in the planning stages of filing for my Social Security retirement benefits. I called Social Security and made an appointment. During that appointment call, I told the agent that we have a disabled 39-year-old son. She told me that he would be eligible for “disabled adult child” benefits on my record. I finally had the appointment interview yesterday. And this SSA rep told me my son was not eligible for benefits. Why was I misled by the first agent? Or is this second agent wrong?

A: I actually exchanged several emails with this questioner and quickly figured out what was going on. He does indeed have a son with a disability. But that disability is the result of a car accident the son had when he was 30 years old. When he made his appointment, he didn’t explain that to the SSA representative. And that is a critical piece of information because the law says that dependent benefits can be paid to an adult child who has been disabled since childhood. To be specific, the rules say the child must have been disabled before age 22.

Q: When I filed for my Social Security benefits at age 70 several years ago. I was still working at the time, and I clearly remember the Social Security rep telling me, “Because you are over your full retirement age, you could earn a million dollars per year and your benefits will not be reduced.” So imagine my shock when I got a letter this year telling me that because I sold some property in 2024 (and just coincidentally happened to make a million dollars on the sale), my Social Security benefits are being dramatically cut beginning in 2026. Why was I lied to?

A: You were not lied to. The SSA agent correctly told that if you were working and making a million dollars in salary, that would not reduce your benefits. But your property sale was not income

from a job. It was a capital gain. Even so, that million-dollar capital gain did not reduce your benefit. At least not directly. What it did do is increase your Medicare Part B premium, which is deducted from your monthly Social Security check.

For about 30 years now, the law has said that rich people should pay more for Medicare. And you were “rich,” at least on paper, for that one year (2024). And the rules say that income affects your Medicare premium two years later. So the bad news is that you must pay the higher Part B premium and thus get a lower Social Security check during 2026. But the good

news is that, assuming you have not sold any property since, your Part B premium and your Social Security benefit will return to normal in 2027.

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

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Predictions for the housing market through 2026

What is the prediction of the strength of the housing market in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 2026?

Here’s a reasoned projection (with caveats) for the strength of the U.S. housing market in Q4 2025 through 2026 — along with key risks and regional caveats you should watch. (Note: this is not a certainty — it’s a synthesis of expert forecasts and macro trends.)

Key Signals & Assumptions

Some of the main inputs shaping forecasts:

Mortgage rates: Expected to decline from mid-6 % toward ~5.9 % by end of 2026 per Fannie Mae

Lower rates will re-stimulate buyer demand and make financing more affordable.

Home sales volume: Fannie Mae projects home sales rising — e.g. from ~4.72 million in 2025 to ~5.16 million in 2026

Stronger transaction activity as demand recovers.

Price growth / appreciation : Moderate, slower growth expectations: many analysts expect modest gains rather than dramatic runs

Prices unlikely to collapse — but gains will be more restrained.

Supply / Inventory / New construction : Construction constrained by financing costs, labor, regulation; inventory is tight but slowly improving

A tighter supply curve may support pricing even if demand is only modest.

Macroeconomy & employment: Slower overall growth expected (but still positive) maintains support for housing demand

If job growth weakens, housing demand could sag.

Affordability & valuations : Current affordability headwinds (high prices + rates) moderate demand; equity in homes and wealth effects may help some buyers

Affordability is a key brake — gains may skew toward markets with lower price bases or stronger incomes.

Given these, the forecast is for a soft recovery / stabilization rather than a boom.

Forecast: Q4 2025 Through 2026

Putting it all together, here’s how I expect things to play out (with ranges):

Transaction volume (home sales): Upward drift or moderate rebound. As mortgage rates ease, more buyers re-enter. Fannie Mae’s forecast suggests a noticeable increase in sales volumes in 2026 compared to 2025

Home price appreciation: Modest, low to mid single-digit growth

Many forecasts see inflationary pressure, supply constraints, and buyer

demand supporting continued rising prices — but at a slower pace than past years. Some more cautious forecasts even see flat or slight declines in certain markets.

Regional divergence

Strong bifurcation

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

Fast-growing sunbelt, exurban, or supplyconstrained markets may outperform. Slower or declining growth in high-cost, oversupplied, or weak-demand metro areas.

Short-term (Q4 2025 / early 2026): Relatively flat to gently improving The recovery may begin late 2025, but the real momentum may accelerate through 2026 as rate cuts take fuller effect. Some parts of 2025 may still feel “stuck.”

Bottom line forecast: By the end of 2026, the housing market will likely be stronger than in 2025 — but not in a runaway fashion. Gains in volume and price are likely, but tempered by affordability constraints and macro pressures.

Risks, Uncertainties & What to Watch

• Interest rates & monetary policy shifts: If inflation resurges, the Fed might delay cuts, keeping rates higher longer. That would choke off demand again.

• Economic shock / recession risk: A downturn in employment or consumer income could dampen demand sharply.

• Regional / local vulnerabilities: Areas with weak job growth or overbuilding may see price softness or outright decline.

• Regulatory, tax, lending changes: Changes to credit standards, property taxes, or incentives could shift demand quickly.

• Supply constraints / construction bottlenecks: Even with demand, if new supply doesn’t keep up, that can push prices upward further (or limit how much volume can grow).

The housing market on Long Island is poised for a moderate recovery through the fourth quarter of 2025 and into 2026, influenced by declining mortgage rates, sustained demand, and limited inventory. Here’s a detailed outlook for your area:

Long Island Housing Market Outlook (Q4 2025 – 2026)

Home Prices & Sales Activity

• Median Home Prices: As of mid2025, Long Island’s median home price reached $725,000, marking an 8.2% year-over-year increase. This trend is

expected to continue, with moderate appreciation projected at 4–6% annually through 2026.

• Sales Volume: In Q2 2025, home sales declined by 10.6% year-over-year, totaling 4,634 closed sales. While this indicates a slowdown, the market is anticipated to stabilize as mortgage rates decrease and inventory levels adjust.

• Inventory Levels: Long Island’s housing inventory remains tight, with only 3.1 months of supply in Q2 2025, significantly below the national average of 4.6 months. This limited supply continues to favor sellers but may ease as new listings emerge.

Market Trends for 2026

• Mortgage Rates: Fannie Mae projects the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate to decline to 5.9% by the end of 2026, potentially stimulating buyer demand and increasing home sales.

• Sales Activity: Nationally, existing home sales are expected to increase by 9.6% year-over-year in 2026, with new home sales rising by 6.9%. Long Island may experience a similar uptick, contingent on broader economic conditions and mortgage rate trends.

Regional Dynamics

Nassau County

• Market Characteristics: Nassau County continues to be a soughtafter location due to its proximity to New York City, quality schools, and suburban amenities.

• Price Trends: Home prices have seen steady increases, with some areas experiencing appreciation rates above the regional average.

Suffolk County

• Market Characteristics: Suffolk County offers more affordable housing options compared to Nassau, attracting first-time buyers and families seeking more space.

• Development Projects: Ongoing developments and infrastructure improvements are expected to bolster the housing market, potentially leading to increased demand and price stabilization.

Key Considerations

• Affordability Challenges: Despite declining mortgage rates, high home prices and property taxes may continue to pose affordability challenges for buyers.

• Economic Factors: Broader economic conditions, including employment rates and consumer confidence, will influence housing

demand and market stability.

• Regional Variations: Market conditions can vary significantly within Long Island, with some areas experiencing stronger growth than others.

Conclusion

The Long Island housing market is expected to experience a moderate recovery through the end of 2026, driven by declining mortgage rates, sustained demand, and limited inventory. Buyers and sellers should remain informed about market trends and consider consulting with local real estate professionals to navigate the evolving landscape effectively.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 43+ years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned 3 significant designations:

National Association of Realtors Graduate Realtors Institute (what I consider a Master’s degree in real estate).

Certified International Property Specialist - expert in consulting and completing international transactions.

National Association of Realtors Green designation: eco-friendly low carbon footprint construction with 3-D printed foundations, Solar panels, Geothermal HVAC/Heat Pumps).

He will also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and his Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.

He will provide you with “free” regular updates of what has gone under contract (pending), been sold (closed) and those homes that have been withdrawn/ released or expired (W/R) and all new listings of homes, HOA, Townhomes, Condos, and Coops in your town or go to:

https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search at your leisure on your own. However, for a “FREE” no obligation/ no strings attached 15-minute consultation, as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached call him at (516) 647-4289 or email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.com

You can now search at your leisure for properties at:

WWW.Li-RealEstate.com

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ONE CALL TO 516-294-8900 AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN 6 LOCAL NEWSPAPERS. CALL TODAY FOR OUR VERY LOW RATES. www.gcnews.com

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

2 EASY WAYS TO PLACE ADS:

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

2) Email Nancy@gcnews.com

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

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EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

MECHANIC

Now hiring

$2,500-$3,000 / week for heavy equipment Trucking Construction Company in Farmingdale, NY Call 516-802-3552 or email resume: baycareer516@gmail.com

PERSONAL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Garden City Office Full Time, Mon-Fri Bill payment / bookkeeping / data entry/mail review for financial executives/families. Professional verbal & written communication skills a must. Accounting background preferred. Email resume: gardencityoffice@aol.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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MARKETPLACE

Antique & Vintage Items

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE BUY HOUSES FOR CASH AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670

NOVENAS/PRAYERS

3 DAY NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL

Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days, making your specific request after the initial lines.

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

Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me 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 succour 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 prayer in your hands (say three times). Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen. When request is granted, the novena must be published. (MAK)

Our Professional Guide will get you business from all across Long Island! Call 294-8900 for rates & info.

Jewelry-Crystal-Silver Furniture-Mirrors-Tabletop Artwork-Lamps Consign, Shop or Visit the Yellow House 109 Eleventh Street Garden City 516-746-8900

Mon-Fri 10-4 (Wed to 6pm) Saturday 12-4 (entrance & parking in back)

Consignments by appointment atstewartexchange@tgchs.org All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society INVITED SALES BY TRACY JORDAN

Transform your space, maximize your value: Are you looking to add value to your property and enhance its appeal? Look no further!

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MARKETPLACE

WANTED TO BUY

LOOKING TO BUY!

Estates, Oriental items, Gold, Silver, Costume Jewelry, Dishes, Flatware, Watches, Clothing, Old Photos, Coins, Stamps, Records, Sports Cards, Pokemon Cards, Comics and Art. Immediate Cash Paid Call George 917-775-3048

TAG SALE

TAG SALE MOVING SALE

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REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

GREENPORT

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REAL ESTATE WANTED

HOMES WANTED

HOME WANTED IN GARDEN CITY

Elderly couple looking for a Ranch home west of Nassau Blvd. Principals only No Brokers Please Call Tom: 917-710-5828

SERVICES

BARNES GALLERY

Custom Picture Framing Two Nassau Blvd Garden City, NY 516-538-4503

Tuesday-Saturday 10-5

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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

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PAINTING & PAPERHANGING

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Toss homemade pizza with ease

Simple Pizza Dough

Pizza is one of the most widely enjoyed and consumed comfort foods around the world. Although it is believed to have originated in Italy, pizza can now be found in many countries across the globe. Canadians and Americans consume many pounds of pizza every year, and pizzerias are popular, successful businesses. Sometimes it can be fun to make pizza at home where everyone gets busy kneading dough and customizing their toppings. Enjoy this “Simple Pizza Dough,” courtesy of Janie’s Mill artisanal stoneground flours. Makes one large or 2 to 3 smaller pizzas

375 grams (3 cups) Italian Style Pizza Flour (plus extra)

250 ml (1 cup) warm water

1 tablespoon olive oil

1) Preheat oven to 475° F.

2) Mix flour and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Combine water, yeast and sugar (if using) in a large mixing bowl and let sit for 5 minutes until it is foamy and bubbly.

3) Add the olive oil and the flour-salt mixture to the large bowl with the water-yeast mixture, and stir with a spatula until dough comes together.

4) Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes. Add additional flour if needed, one tablespoon at a time.

5) Return the dough to the bowl, cover with a kitchen

6 grams instant dry yeast

10 grams sugar (optional)

6 grams salt

towel, and let dough rise for 30 minutes if you have time. If not, simply roll the dough out to 1⁄4-inch to 1⁄2-inch thick on a well-floured surface. Form it into one or more rough circles to make your pizza(s).

6) Pierce the dough with a fork multiple times, add your toppings and bake on the bottom rack of the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until the bottom and edges of the crust are a rich golden brown. Check your pizza often so it doesn’t get too brown.

7) As with all bread recipes, this pizza recipe will turn out best if you weigh your ingredi-

ents. Invest in a quality kitchen scale to get the best results. Topping ideas: Marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese creates a classic pizza, but everyone can get creative with their toppings. A pesto sauce base and grilled chicken can be tasty. Try prosciutto and basil as another option. Meatlovers’ pizzas often contain ground sausage, pepperoni and sometimes ham. Pizza dough also can be used for dessert. Top with a “sauce” of hazelnut spread and sliced strawberries for a delicious treat.

THI S WEEK AT ROTARY

John Borroni, Garden City superintendent of Public Works; Althea Robinson, publicity chair; Diana O’Neill, Club president and Bob Schoelle, past Club president.

GC Dept. of Public Works Superintendent Reports

At its lunch meeting on September 23, the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club hosted John Borroni, superintendent of Garden City’s Public Works as guest speaker.

Superintendent Borroni familiarized attendees with the myriad functions of the Department of Public Works along with the challenges that lie ahead towards infrastructure advancement, the delivering of essential services and supporting the needs of the Garden City community.

The Village website lists among

the key functions of maintaining our Village, as the maintaining of our streets … snow and leaf removal … storm drain maintenance … sanitary sewer management … garbage and rubbish collection … recycling services plus traffic control design and installation.

Having joined the Village in 2015 as a civil engineer, John Borroni has had plenty of experience.  He was promoted to senior engineer in 2019 and became superintendent in 2023.  Prior to his Village appointments, John worked for Nassau County as an engineer and  instruction inspector designing, inspecting and managing a variety of infrastructure projects.

CPOA meeting on October 14

Interested in what’s going in Garden City’s business district? John Wilton, President of the GC Chamber of Commerce will speak at the Central Property Owners’ Association (CPOA) meeting on Tuesday, October 14. The meeting will start at 7:30 at the Senior Center on Golf Club Lane.

In addition, you will hear reports from Village Trustees, the BOE, the Environmental Advisory Board and

other Village groups. Residents will have the opportunity to raise issues that interest them.

The CPOA’s next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 18, at 7:30 in the Senior Center on Golf Club Lane. Follow the CPOA on Instagram Instagram@gardencitycpoa and Facebook Garden City Central Property Owners Association. Its website is gccpoa.org

Superintendent Borroni reported that among the current priorities of the Village is the restoration of the historic Water Works building constructed in 1876 and listed on both the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places.  “Preserving this landmark not only honors our Village’s history, but also creates an opportunity to provide lasting value for generations to come.

After graciously fielding several queries and concerns from members and guests, John Borroni closed with his commitment to advance infrastructure, ensure public safety and support the needs of the Garden City community.

Last Call to Register for Music Bingo

Last call to register for Music Bingo –a fun evening where you can play Bingo to music!  The event, to benefit RotaCare, will be a barrel of fun and at the same time will benefit RotaCare, free healthcare for our neighbors in need.   (RotaCare was formed by Mineola-Garden City Rotary in 1992.)

To be held next Wednesday, October 7, 6:30–9:30 at Revel restaurant, (fee  $90), the event will include dinner and door prizes too, plus all Bingo prizes are resner, dessert dessert, unlimited wine and beer plus two game cards.  There’ll be raffles and door prizes too, plus Bingo prizes are restaurant gift cards.  Hurry, you can still reserve or make donations to RotaCare by visiting RotaCare.Events@gmail.com.

Rotary Supports New Ground  with Halloween Costume Drive

As Mineola-Garden City’s October service project in celebration of our 100th anniversary, our Club is holding a Halloween Costume Collection Drive in support of the New Ground organi-

zation.  A long time supporter of New Ground, our Club joins in the effort to bring imagination and magic to life for children served by New Ground by collecting new and gently used Halloween costumes for youth between the ages of 0–17.

Accepted will be new or gently used/ washed costumes and/or Halloween masks, costume accessories including unused Halloween face make-up, candy pails, treat bags, etc.

Donations may be dropped off at The Garden City News office, 821 Franklin Avenue, suite 208, or at the Garden City Long Island Volunteer Center, 38 Old Country Road, Suite 203.

(For detailed information, refer to article elsewhere in this issue.)

Upcoming Lunch Meeting Speakers

(Lunch Meetings at Mineola’s Davenport Press restaurant, 12:15 p.m.  Fee: $40pp payable at the door.  To reserve, visit mineola-gardencityrotaryclub@gmail.com).

October 14:  Featuring Maureen O’Connell, Nassau County clerk.  Learn about services provided by the Clerk’s office you may not know about.

October 28:  Featuring Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly.  Learn why Nassau County has been acknowledged as “America’s safest community.”

November 11:   Breakfast, Carle Place Diner, 8 a.m..  Fee: $20 payable at the door.

December 9: Breakfast, Carle Place Diner, 8 a.m.  Fee: $20 payable at the door.

December 17: Rotary’s 100th Anniversary Gala/Community Service Award presentations.

Resurrection Lutheran Church hosts blood drive

Local hospitals report that blood supplies are critically low. In response to the urgent need, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Garden City, will partner with New York Blood Center to host a Blood Drive, Monday, October 6, from 3:15 to 7:45 p.m. in Resurrection’s Parish Hall. People 16–75 can donate, minimum weight for donors is 110 lbs. Please bring your donor card if you have one, or an ID with name and photo. Donors should eat well and drink fluids on the day of the drive.

About to hit a milestone?

For more info, or to make an appointment, please contact Resurrection’s Parish Nurse Linda Wardley, Linda@ resgc.org, or call the church office, 516-746-4426.

Resurrection Lutheran Church is a Christian community of faith, located at 420 Stewart Ave., near Clinton Rd., in Garden City. Worship services are offered Sundays, at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m., with Children’s Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. For more information, call 516.746.4426.

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

Garden City Welcoming Club

Join the Welcoming Club - exciting events for all in the fall!

The Garden City Welcoming Club invites women living in Garden City to join our rolling membership. As a volunteer organization, we bring together both new and long-term members to foster friendships, discover new interests, and contribute to our community. Whether you’re new to the area or have been here for a while and are seeking new opportunities, we’d love to connect with you.

Newcomers Event Recap!

Last week, the GCWC held our Fall Newcomers event, welcoming a wonderful group of new attendees eager to participate in future activities! The evening was filled with vibrant energy, delicious food from Key Food and Edible Arrangements, and plenty of enjoyable moments. Everyone left excited about what ’ s to come!

Halloween

Spooktakular on Saturday October 18, at 9 a.m.!

Get ready for some spooky fun this fall! Join the Welcoming Club for a family-friendly Spooktacular Scavenger Hunt with a DJ, costumes, face painting, and festive treats. Kids will receive personalized treat bags. Light breakfast and refreshments will be provided. All ages welcome— costumes encouraged! For more info contact: welcomingclubfamily@ gmail.com

Price: $30/pp (babies under 12 month free)

Join the Club!

To purchase tickets to events you must be a member so join and make a difference! For just $50 a year you

will have access to great events. Complete the online membership form today at www.thegardencitywelcomingclub.org in the “Join” section of the website. Browse the site for great information about the club. Contact welcomingclubofgcmembership@gmail.com

Follow Us!

Facebook: The Welcoming Club of Garden City Instagram: @gcwelcomingclub LinkedIn: The Garden City Welcoming Club Website: www.thegardencitywelcomingclub.org/register

Join A Group Book Club

Enjoy a good book amongst friends. The book club meets every 6 weeks to discuss the page-turner of choice. For upcoming book club events, please email WelcomingClubBookClub@ gmail.com.

Craft Club

The craft club is a great way to meet with friends and get crafty. No experience necessary. We meet every few months to create a seasonal craft. If you are interested in joining, please email GCCraftClub@gmail.com.

Supper Club

Bring your significant others out for this one! This is a great way to make new friends as a couple. You will be paired up with 3-4 other couples to set up a rotation of dinner events. Host your new friends at home or head out to try local restaurants. Please email GCSupper@ gmail.com for more information.

Fitness

Different group fitness activities

are planned throughout the year.  It’s a great way to stay active and meet new friends. Stay tuned for details on upcoming events, or contact WelcomingClubFitness@gmail. com.

Toddler Activities

A great way for you and your little

ones to make new friends. Activities include stroller walks each week around our beautiful village and a visit to the park. We also set up playgroups with kids of similar age. Please email welcomingclubtoddleractivities@gmail.com for more information.

GCHS named School of Excellence

Garden City High School has earned recognition as one of 42 Long Island high schools to be named a School of Excellence by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association for the 2024–25 school year.

The School of Excellence honor is awarded to schools where at least 75% of varsity teams qualify for the Scholar-Athlete Team Award. To achieve this distinction, a minimum of 75% of student-athletes on each team must maintain a grade point average of 90% or higher, highlighting a balance of academic achieve -

ment and athletic commitment.

This year, 331 schools across New York State were recognized as either Schools of Excellence or Schools of Distinction, reflecting the outstanding dedication of student-athletes, coaches and school communities to creating environments of both edu -

cational and athletic success.

Garden City High School’s recognition as a School of Excellence celebrates not only the hard work of its student-athletes but also the support of teachers, administrators and families who encourage excellence on the field and in the classroom.

Stay informed about your community with a weekly subscription to our newspapers.

With current events, announcements, restaurant reviews, puzzles, and much more, there’s always something for everybody to enjoy!

The Welcoming Club invites Garden City women to join its membership.

“Fashion Through the Ages” at GC Historical Society

The Garden City Historical Society will present "Fashion Through the Ages" collection of fashions throughout the years.

Pre K Girls

Pink Ladybugs

Emma Romero

Caroline Rosenberg

Purple Shooters

Olivia D’Arrigo

Katie Furman

Team Peters

Lily De Rubbio

Millie Strom

Bridget Caporaso

Harper Peters

Teal Turbo Tots

Freya Hafsteinsson

Elliana Davila

Ellie Downey

Kindergarten Girls

Team 1 - Green Grapes

Ruby Fitzgerald

Katelyn Collins

Giuliana Mingoia

Team 2 - Pink Cheetahs

Ellie O’Connor

BY MELISSA JAEGER, ON BEHALF OF THE TGCHS MUSEUM COMMITTEE

Please join us for an event to remember!  The Garden City Historical Society (TGCHS) is again hosting a Clothing Exhibit of “Fashion Through the Ages” October 18th – 30th at the Garden City Historical Society Museum located at 109 Eleventh Street in Garden City.

To kick off our two-week long exhibit, we will have a Special Preview Reception of “Fashion Through the Ages” on Friday, October 17th from 4  – 7 pm. We are pleased to say that Suzanne Weis of Compass Real Estate in Garden City will be sponsoring our event. Suzanne is also on the Historical Society Board of Trustees. Marianna Garthwaite Klaiman will be our featured Speaker. After a successful career in real estate and working at Sotheby’s, she followed her passion for textiles and became an Independent Textile Scholar, specializing in ecclesiastical vestments. Marianna has been a tremendous asset to Historical Society in evaluating our garments.

Tickets are $40.00 and can be purchased online through Eventbrite and at the A.T. Stewart Exchange within the lower level of the Museum. Tickets also will be available for purchase at the door the evening of the event.  You can even call the Shop at 746-8900 to purchase your tickets over the phone. As you peruse the exhibit, enjoy light refreshments.

All the garments have been graciously

Soccer Players of the Week

Abigail Brocki

Peyton Austin

Team 3 - Purple Hippos

Caroline Mergenthaler

Sophie Meskell

Team 4

The Whole Team

Team 5

Sienna Cassidy

Mary-Claire Brennan

Team 6

The Whole Team

Kindergarten Boys

Team 1

Brando Bianchi

Logan Moy

Team 2

Colin Gunther

Noah Peng

Team 3

Aiden Schembri

Joseph Filosa

Team 4

Nolan Ruffini

Carter Croatt

Team 5

James Gentile

Jack Breslin

Team 6

Jayden Fong

Grayson McCarthy

Team 7

Jack Blagojevic

Ty Doherty

Team 8

Maverick Murphy

Muzhi Lin

1st Grade Girls

Team 1 - Starlettes

Sophie Bletsch

Elizabeth George

Team 2 - Lavender

Labubus

Rose Joelson

Jacqueline Reeves

Team 3 - Blue Cotton

Candies

Ella Calma

Dylan Flecker

Team 4 - Maroon

Magic

Ava Gomes

Claire Sorensen

Team 5 - Pink Flamingos

Camilla Lione

Georgina Mayer

Team 6 - Red Hearts

Rylie Campbell

Quinn Hinker

Team 7 - Purple

Parrots

Isabelle Egan

Alice McKeever

Team 8 - Pink

Panthers

Reagan Hausner

Brooke Lempa

donated to the Society through the years. Since this is the 100th Anniversary of The Great Gatsby, the focus of this, our third such exhibit, will be clothing from 1910s-1960s. Why, you may ask?  What’s the connection? Long Island, and specifically its Gold Coast, was the inspiration for The Great Gatsby. The fictional towns of West and East Egg were inspired by the mansions and wealthy communities of the North Shore, a region known as the Gold Coast, which extended from Great Neck to Northport. With roughly 1,200 mansions, almost half were set on 50 acres or more.  Fitzgerald’s book was inspired by a youthful romance he had with a wealthy socialite, and the lavish parties he attended on the North Shore.  Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda moved to Great Neck in 1922 and the book was published in 1925. Gatsby’s mansion was inspired by Oheka Castle and Beacon Towers, while Old Westbury Gardens and other estates provided the backdrop for the novel’s lavish setting.

You will recall that Alexander Turney Stewart, founder of Garden City, made his fortune in “dry goods” (aka textiles and clothing). Stewart opened this country’s first department store – aptly named the A.T. Stewart Department Store – in 1846 at 280 Broadway in New York City and then in 1862 moved to its larger location on Broadway and 10th Street.

Can’t make the “Sneak Preview?” Don’t worry, as the Exhibit will be open to the public at no charge every day through Thursday, October 30, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

2nd & 3rd Grade Girls

Team Urban

Millie Hannan

Juliana Torhan

Lizzy Viola

Team Groarke

Lila Groarke

Lily Imbriano

Team Balkema

Mia Forlenza

Teagan Munnelly

Team McAuliffe

Leila Horn

Emmie Demuth

Caroline Furman

Team Sheehan

Cassidy Benn

Eleanor Sheehan

Team Surguladze

The whole team

2nd & 3rd Grade Boys

Team #1 – Tornados

Shane Reily

James Gnatowski

Team #2

Joseph Makaryus

Declan Montegari

Team #3

Ryan Chiara

Christopher Sofia

Team #4

Jack Romero

Rikhil Doshi

Team #5

Walter Bird

Samuel Woo

Team #6

Christian Fraser

Steven Perrone

Team #7

Cooper Faranda

Henry McGlynn

Team #8

Wesley Chen

Daniel Milman

of life? Renderings were shown at a meeting, but they were not attached to the evening’s agenda. Residents deserve full transparency—where can we see the actual plans?

The turf vote was to occur last week but was kicked to October when someone raised concern over the whole thing on social media. During the meeting, a trustee chose to personally disparage that resident as a “keyboard warrior.” That resident has given countless hours of volunteer service to this village and even helped elect the disparaging board member. Regardless, the Board should debate the issues, not impugn the people who raise them.

Another concern is that the façade option for St. Paul’s was categorically removed from discussion by this Board. A façade plan could have provided turf with less intrusive lighting and roundthe-clock use. Instead, residents are asked to accept plastics, paints, crumb rubber, and “acceptable levels” of metals and chemicals where grass exists today. Already, I see infill pebbles tracked into my home after games. Forgive me for being skeptical when government and salespeople assure us everything is “completely safe” for our kids, so many of whom have also suffered turf-related soft-tissue and other injuries. It’s telling that FIFA soccer won’t touch the stuff, the NFL is wildly split, and MLB has moved away from turfing.

This project also sets precedent. We have gone from organic field maintenance to chemical turfing in less than a decade, and there is no sign it will stop with one field. Indeed, one Village employee said cryptically that the placement was conducive to “future endeavors.” Does that mean bright stadium lights, bleachers, and multiple fields in one of the last quiet, dark corners of Garden City?

I do not doubt the need to better support our student athletes; I am part of that community myself. But have we truly explored other options? Why not coordinate with the schools or consider Community Park as a site? Our children play Thunder football across Long Island on visitors’ school fields, but not here at home. Why?

Finally, why hasn’t the Board done any real analysis of the environmental, aesthetic, and injury-related impacts of this plan? Aren’t we owed this if they’re going to alter our landscape and spend millions of our tax dollars for a field our kids play on?

There are too many open questions and too little transparency. This project should not be rushed to a vote in October. Garden City deserves a full, honest, and public debate before any irreversible steps are taken at St. Paul’s field.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

Goodbye GC’s Central Park?a

To the Editor:

To me, the grass fields of St. Paul’s are the most parklike and beautiful open space in the village. But the Village Board, at their next meeting, will be voting on whether or not to start covering those fields with artificial turf.  The first field could include:

• Full size lacrosse/soccer field fenced in with locked gates

• High netting to protect the adjacent children’s playground

• High light towers

Even this first artificial turf field, because of its size and location, would greatly diminish the look of the fields.

If the natural grass fields of St Paul’s are covered over, Garden City will lose something that will never be replaced. A little bit of Garden City will be lost forever.

John Carter Is turf field in trouble?

To the Editor:

In preparation for my attending Board of Trustee meetings I usually check the meeting agenda ahead of time. I did this for the September 25th meeting. Item number four on the “Consent Calendar” was an item (number 4) titled St. Paul’s Turf Field--Accept Proposal. It sought Board authorization to approve a contract to pay $1.33 million for the purchase of materials for the installation of that field.

At the outset of the meeting, Mayor Finneran announced the removal of Item number four from the agenda. It must have been a last minute decision because the agenda distributed to attendees listed the item. Thus, the scrapping of the item had to occur perhaps just a few hours before the meeting. So what happened? Apparently, some influential residents appealed to the Mayor to delay the vote in order for the Board to reconsider the wisdom of adding an artificial turf field at St. Paul’s field. This has been my recommendation for many months--speaking at BOT meetings and letters to the G.C. News--the most recent was an August 1, 2025 letter.

Major Issues and Risks: Here are my issues that Garden City residents should consider and have their opinions communicated to the Board, POAs, and social media. 1. Health and injuries--from “forever” chemicals (PFAS) emitted by the plastic turf thereby possibly causing certain debilitating diseases. Artificial turf consists of a mixture of sand and rubber from tires. 2. Artificial turf bans throughout the U.S. include Boston, Florida and California. 3. Absence of Full rendering-- up to now residents have not been shown a rendering of what the field will look like when complete. 4. Aesthetics-- the St. Paul’s Field is one of the jewels of Garden City. New turf, fencing, and potential tall light stanchions (up to 60 feet tall) could alter the beauty of the field for the worse, though lights are not in the plans for 2025, but will be considered in 2026 and beyond. 5.Long term plans--what do Trustees and the sports lobby envision for turf fields? 6. Adverse Impact on abutting homes--besides glaring lights, backyards of these homes could suffer additional spectator noise, referee whistles, plus a possible decrease in the market value of their homes--especially those on Hampton Rd. and St. Paul’s Place.

7. Let’s hear from Sports Leaders-why do we need additional fields and night play? A nonstarter is their idea to rent our fields in order to generate revenue. 8. EAB Opinion-- What is the input of the G.C. Environmental Advisory Board?

Until the September 25 Board Meeting, the Turf project was a “done deal.” Now it appears that our trustees will more-fully evaluate this topic. In sum, let’s place plans to add an artificial turf field on hold, while residents and the Board digest the pros and cons of this significant project.

George M. Salem

In praise of “keyboard warriors”

To the Editor:

It seems the last BOT meeting made great use of the term “keyboard warriors” by several of the trustees.  It was not meant to be a compliment.

Richard Corrao

My message: a turf field is an important and major undertaking and I believe it has been “rushed through” without full and proper discussion by residents and Trustees. Up to now, Trustee Vinny Muldoon and Recreation Director Andy Hill.have been the most outspoken proponents of the field. Incidentally, I was not one of the residents who caused our Mayor to remove the Turf field from the agenda. How about a town hall on this topic? This would help to educate residents on the myriad potential risks-to our youth and Village. I should state that field sports are a huge activity in our town and their leaders represent a strong lobby in favor of the proposed new field.

In the interest of good governance, I however, would like to commend the “keyboard warriors” for giving the residents the critical information this BOT did not.  Certainly, the three members of the Garden City Environmental Advisory Board (EAB); Kelly Smith, Kurt Ehrig and Elizabeth Bailey should be praised, not criticized for writing/ speaking out.

Mayor Ed Finneran is quoted as saying at a BOT meeting, “I feel very confident that the environmental folks have looked into it, and the questions today are just the tip of the iceberg that this effort has taken, so it’s going to move forward”.  It took great courage as members of a Village Board to correct the

Mayor with “the mayor’s statement is misleading as it misrepresents the EAB as having come to conclusions about the safety of the turf. We have not.” (see Misleading Statement https://www. gcnews.com/articles/misleading-statement/) It must have been even more difficult to correct the Mayor’s misstatements as Trustees Harrington and Tai serve on the EAB, and neither spoke up to correct the Mayor. The three “keyboard warriors” than went on to list many of the EAB’s concerns with turf, “ranging from long-term implications for children’s health, increases in sport-related injuries for athletes using turf, heat retention and related injuries, pollution, and costs.”

This is not to say one favors turf over grass, but a community cannot have an intelligent debate, and have broad support for a project, if they are only given partial facts and the Mayor is misstating (unintentionally we hope) the EAB’s learned opinion.  The Village might decide turf is worth the risk, or that turf has less risks than fertilizer, but misstatements by the Mayor and others should not be part of the process.

The EAB member’s letter also mentions that they were told there would be lights, bringing the total cost to roughly $2,000,000.   Yet, the EAB might not have even been aware that some trustees have been telling other individuals and groups that there will NOT be lights, even publicly answering one resident that lives next to St Paul’s with “there are no plan for lights this year on this new field”, which while technically correct, could not have been more misleading as conduits for lighting are part of the present cost and the lights are already in the 5-year capital budget plan.  Sure, technically another BOT could change the plan, but residents are not fooled by such “lawyerly” language to quote one resident that challenged this BOT’s veracity at the last BOT meeting.  The EAB’s concluding paragraph pleads for honesty from our elected officials, “Our community deserves continued honest and thorough conversations and resident input about the health and financial tradeoffs from artificial turf. Suggesting the village would remove these expensive fields in the future if they were found to be unsafe seems empty, since we already know these materials are toxic and problematic.”

The most recent target of the BOT’s “keyboard warrior” insult directed at those that feel such a major change in the aesthetics of our Village should require a minimum level of transparency was John Cantwell, a Recreation Committee member who apparently had the audacity to post about the substantial changes that were about to happen to our St Paul’s fields before a BOT vote on the turf.  Apparently, Mr. Cantwell has been advocating to the Recreation From page 2

Board and Recreation Liaison Trustee Muldoon for more openness around the turf installation, restrictions, height of fences and netting, plans for lights, etc for weeks.

The implication that these three individuals that serve on the EAB, and John Cantwell, Rec. Committee Member, and others, are “keyboard warriors” and thus contribute nothing to the village, while only the present BOT members have the God-given right to have an opinion, deserves an apology. John Cantwell served on Mayor Flanagan’s St Paul’s Committee that was instrumental in hiring BCI.  John also serves on the Recreation Commission and was instrumental in changing the policy from pure organic to the mix that has finally started to improve the grass on St Paul’s.  In addition, when this BOT, cynically refused to put a “demo” box on the last survey to limit resident choice, or even the simplest instructions for how a resident could vote “demo”, John, believing in free and fair debate,  was front and center in designing an information packet with others  to inform residents how they could exercise their vote, helped organize the handing out of sheets in the apartments and mailboxes and, along with others, wrote personal checks for printing and to take out fullpage ads in the GCNews to inform residents how to express their preference for demo. Mr. Cantwell would appear to be anything but a “keyboard warrior”. Nor should anyone that serves on the EAB be considered such.  Frankly, rather than whining, Trustees Torino and Muldoon should be thanking John and the EAB members for doing what they should have done as trustees, allowing residents to easily vote what they want done with the St. Paul’s building and providing much needed transparency around the issues of turf and lighting towers and how it will change the aesthetics of the St Paul’s open space, not attacking him and EAB members.

Thank you “keyboard warriors!”

Donald MacLeod

Public safety considerations

To the Editor:

To date, more than 575 Garden City residents have signed a petition opposing a proposed subdivision at the corner of Princeton Street and New Hyde Park Road. Despite widespread community concern and countless letters and testimonies at public meetings, the Garden City Board of Trustees has allowed the project to advance exempting it from a temporary moratorium on subdivisions, even though the proposal has not been fully approved.

At the heart of the issue is public safety. The developer’s plan calls for both driveways to be built on a dangerously short stretch of Princeton Street, directly off New Hyde Park

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

Road which is a high-volume County roadway now crowded with speeding vehicles and heavy truck traffic, including 18-wheelers. This intersection is not a normal residential corner. Conditions have changed dramatically since subdivision rights were originally granted decades ago, when Garden City’s population and traffic volumes were far lower. Allowing additional driveways and increased density under outdated standards ignores current realities and puts lives at risk.

I’ve outlined below the key concerns which were emailed to the Board of Trustees and the Traffic Commission:

• The 2 additional driveways planned for a dangerously short stretch of Princeton Street

• Speeding and blind turns from New Hyde Park Road, a busy County roadway with truck traffic

• Obstructed sight lines for drivers and pedestrians

• Increased risks to children, cyclists, and families who walk this route daily

• Eliminate already-limited on-street parking

The Board, advised by its counsel, has enacted a temporary moratorium on subdivisions clearly acknowledging that problems with subdivisions exist but deliberately excluded this property, despite its lack of final approval by the Architectural Review Board. This decision gives the appearance of protecting residents while, in reality, siding with the builder. It is misleading and unfair, and it undermines the very purpose of the moratorium.

We need support in addressing two important matters:

Traffic Survey – We’ve requested that a qualified traffic engineer be sent to the site to conduct a formal traffic survey.

Moratorium Inclusion – We’ve also asked that the subdivision be included in the current moratorium due to serious safety concerns, pending further review.

To date, we have not received confirmation regarding either of these requests. Given the potential risks to residents, we believe these matters require urgent attention.

Janice Pasqualina

Continued silence on subdivision

To the Editor:

I write once again to express my deepening disappointment and growing concern with our Board of Trustees regarding the ongoing subdivision process at 111 New Hyde Park Road. Several concerned neighbors— myself included—have reached out to the village administration seeking clarity, only to be met with canned responses such as “Thank you for your note” or “We will do what’s best for the village.” Our WPOA has shown little interest or concern. In some cases, residents have

even been encouraged to follow a social media page or donate to an affiliated organization. These responses are not only dismissive, but completely out of step with the seriousness of the issue at hand.

Over 700 residents signed a petition opposing subdivisions in our village—a clear and powerful expression of public will. Yet to date, the Board has failed to acknowledge this overwhelming opposition. It is disheartening and, frankly, unacceptable for residents to be ignored—especially when we are entitled to transparency and access to public information.

A Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request revealed that Nassau County has not yet approved the subdivision. Yet, the property owner appears to have received permission to proceed with subdividing the lot. As someone not well-versed in the complexities of the subdivision process—and in light of the complete lack of meaningful communication from the Board—I am left with serious concerns about how decisions are being made, and whether proper procedures are being followed.

Recent site visits by the Mayor and members of the Building Department have only added to the confusion. When residents asked for clarification, we were once again told to “email someone on the Board,” or were met with vague, noncommittal responses.

This marks my third letter to your publication on this issue. My goal is not only to express my personal frustration, but to alert fellow residents: if you raise a difficult or inconvenient topic with the Board, be prepared for silence. Even if this particular subdivision doesn’t impact you directly, the lack of transparency and accountability should concern everyone.

We elect our officials to represent the community—not to ignore it. The absence of clear and honest communication from our leadership erodes trust and weakens our village. If this is how public opposition and resident inquiries are handled, we must demand better— because vague answers, or no answers at all, are simply unacceptable.

Maureen Shannon

Casino gambling rejections

To the Editor:

It is interesting to see that applications for 3 downstate NY State gaming licenses have dwindled from 12 to just 4. Most have been stopped by local community boards, which have acted responsibly and protected the communities they were elected to represent. Last week, all 3 proposed Manhattan sites failed to advance, as local officials voted to reject those applications, each by a 4-2 vote. This week, a local board in Brooklyn also rejected a proposal for a casino gambling project in Coney Island by the same 4-2 margin.  Despite support

from both Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams, pressure from union leaders, and heavy influence from wealthy casino backers such as Jay-Z and Mohegan Sun, local officials represented their constituents properly and firmly protected their interests by voting against the proposals to defeat the projects. Citing concerns about public safety, congestion and quality-of-life issues, these boards are to be commended for listening to their residents and preventing the development of gambling casinos in their neighborhoods.

We residents in the Town of Hempstead were not as fortunate. Our local leaders refused to listen to us, ignored our very same concerns and voted unanimously to embrace gambling in our town. They failed to safeguard us, and the contrast with how other local boards steadfastly dealt with this issue is striking. It is disappointing that our local leaders did not have the courage to stand up and represent the majority of residents, and instead shamefully caved to the gambling interests.

We are lucky that the Las Vegas Sands walked away from their project, but the Town zoning change that was passed has disastrous implications.

We deserve better.

Joe DiPrisco

American flag history lesson

To the Editor:

Yes, it was a tragedy the assassination of private citizen Charlie Kirk who left behind a wonderful wife and children. As a true Catholic she forgave the killer.

God bless her. However, Charlie was no saint and not an elected member of our Government. I stand behind our superintendent of Schools Dr. Sinha not flying Old Glory at half mast in violation of our convicted felon President’s executive order. Respect is a two way street and Trump had no respect for a real President and war Veteran Jimmy Carter.

American flags at the US Capitol flew at full-staff for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington DC , despite a White House order for flags to remain at half-staff for 30 days after the death of former president Jimmy Carter . Per house speaker Johnson “On January 20th, the flags at the Capitol will fly at full-staff to celebrate our country coming together behind the inauguration of our 47th President, Donald Trump.” Following the death of Carter on 29 December 2024, US flags have been flown at half-staff at federal properties, by tradition after the death of a former president, including at the Capitol. Joe Biden ordered the flags to be lowered for a period of 30 days, in accordance with the US flag code. But Trump thinks Rules are for suckers and It was an annoyance for his big day.

How to Create a CommunityPass Account!

Three simple steps to create a CommunityPass account:

3,

• Create an account through this link:  https://register.capturepoint.com/GCRecandParks

• Verify your residency with 2 proofs of residency (ID and utility bill) by email (gcrec@gardencityny.net) or stop by the Cottages (108 Rockaway Avenue)

• Log in to your new account and hit the “Click Here To Register” button to find the type of Membership or Class you want to sign up for.

Stay Up to Date On All Things Recreation!

Follow our new Instagram and Facebook “GardenCityRecreation” for all Recreation content! Any questions regarding programs or facilities can be directed to our new Recreation email, GCRec@gardencityny.net .

Upcoming Programs

Flag Football is coming back!  Outdoor sessions on Friday from 9/19–10/24 from 4:30–5:30 p.m. & an Indoor session from 11/7–12/19 from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at the St. Paul ’ s fields and the St. Paul's Fieldhouse.  There will be 30 minutes of Clinic and 30 minutes of Games!  Run by Pioneer!  Girl's Volleyball Clinic - Sessions starting Mondays 9/22–11/3 & 11/17–12/22 from 6 p.m.–7 p.m. at St. Paul ’ s Fieldhouse!  Run by Pioneer!

Pastel Workshop with Arleen Rueth Urban PSA

Have you ever had the desire to challenge your artistic skills?  Perhaps you enjoyed drawing as a child and never seriously ventured to explore your hidden talent.  Perhaps you have painted and wish to advance your current skills.  Arleen Rueth Urban PSA has been offering her pastel class at Cluett Hall for decades to accommodate the beginner as well as the seasoned artist through her expertise and skillful teaching. She will guide you through her years of drawing experience to master your skills and create the very best you can be as an artist.  Arleen is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America and a seasoned professional portrait artist.  Her commissions are in the homes of families both locally and abroad.  She is the winner of numerous awards including the international Elvis Presley award held annually in Graceland, where her portrait of the “King” hangs permanently at his home.  She has painted portraits of many famous subjects throughout the country, including the late Barbara Walters.

On the first day of the program, a list of supplies will be distributed to the students.  Arleen will then demonstrate her skills in pastel.  She will transform an ordinary photograph into a skillfully executed rendering.  Students will learn throughout the course, basic drawing skills, the aspects of color, composition, perspective, and all the elements of a

good painting.  Although pastel is her recommended choice of mediums, her extensive skill as an artist can assist anyone in any medium they wish to explore in her class.  Hints from drawing from the right side of the brain are utilized weekly as Arleen will critique the students works and suggest endless hints of how to make each painting the very best it can be.

Arleen will accept all levels of expertise from very beginner to the seasoned artist.  It has been noted that artists can add ten years to their life expectancy due to the positive passion that art can have on those fortunate enough to make it part of their lives.  So don’t hesitate, sign up for this wonderful local art program, and become the artist you wish you had always been.

Yoga Class

We will be hosting a brand new yoga program for adults at Cluett Hall in the fall.  Classes will be held on Saturdays from 8 a.m.–9 a.m. starting September 6!  More information to come!

Garden City Recreation and Parks 2025–26 Dance Conservatory Schedule

For information only, registration will begin in early September, date TBD.

Classes begin September 22.

Monday:

5:00–5:55: Jazz for Grades 7 and 8

7:00–7:55: Jazz for Grades 9–12

Tuesday:

4:00–4:55: Ballet/Jazz for Grades 2 and 3

5:00–5:55: Jazz/Lyrical for Grades 4–6

6:00–6:55: Lyrical for Grades 7 and 8

for Grades 4–6

Saturday:

10:00–10:55: Ballet/Hip Hop for Grades K & 1st

11:00–11:55: Creative Combo for Ages 3.5 – 5 Years Old

1:00–1:55: Jazz/Hip Hop for Grades 7 and 8

3:00–3:55: Tap for Grades 7–12

Tennis Ultimate Workout

Registration for the fall session of Ultimate Workout began on Tuesday, September 2.

12 sessions – 1.5-hour classes ** FEE: $350.

(A fun way to drill for an experienced tennis player)

Adult Tennis Lessons - Fall 2025

Registration for thefall session of our Adult Tennis Lesson program begins on Tuesday, September 2. Our ten-week sessions will begin the week of October 6.

You must be a resident of the Inc. Village of Garden City to register. Program fee: $295. per course  (10 sessions)

Women’s Tennis League at Community Park

The league has openings for players in the below league:

• Monday: 2.0 – 3.0 Level

Coached Play DOUBLES 11:30 a.m.  –1 p.m.

(Instruction and doubles play)

• Wednesday: Learn and Play - Beginners and Advanced Beginners  – 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Begins week of Monday, October 6, and plays through April (off on school holidays)

FEE:   $550. Per person for the season

The president did not fly the fly the flag at half-staff  after the fatal shooting of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, and her husband in June.

Absent from Mr. Trump’s outrage were recent acts of political violence that targeted Democrats, including Hortman’s death, an attack on Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s husband in their California home and an arson attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence.

Just because you wear a cross it doesn’t make you a Christian. Here are Charlie Kirk’s own words. On Pope Francis: people can’t get over the idea of this Marxist who calls himself the head of your church being a representation of Christ our Lord. Why should I care at all what that guy from Argentina has to say? On people of color as pred-

ators: Happening all the time in urban America, prowling Blacks go around for fun to go target White people, that’s a fact. It’s happening more and more. Charlie also opposed the Civil Rights Act, calling it a way to “re-found the country” and “a way to get rid of the First Amendment.” Kirk on Jewish money subverting society: Jewish donors have been the No. 1 funding mechanism of radical, open-border, neoliberal quasi-Marxist policies”. lastly, Kirk on gun control:“I think it’s worth to have a cost of unfortunately some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights.”

According to the bible, You reap what you sow.

Patrick A. O’Rourke

email editor@gcnews.com to put your engagement, wedding, or baby announcement in the paper

8:00–8:55: Adult Dance Combo for Ages 25–60

Wednesday:

11:15-12:00: Senior Citizen Combo (takes place at the Senior Center) for Ages 60–90

2:00–2:55: Creative Combo for Ages 3.5-5 years old

4:00–4:55: Ballet/Tap for Grades K and 1

5:00–5:55: Jazz/Tap for Grades 4–6

7:00 –7:55: Lyrical for Grades 9–12

Thursday:

4:00–4:55: Creative Combo for Ages 3.5–5 Years old

5:00–5:55: Jazz/Lyrical for Grades 2 and 3

7:00- 7:55: Ballet for Grades 9–12

Friday:

4:00–4:55: Ballet/Hip Hop for Grades K and 1

5:00–5:55: Jazz/Hip Hop for Grades 2 and 3

6:00–6:55: Jazz/Musical Theatre

For more information, contact: Steve Espey at the Recreation Office, 516-465-4075

Tennis Center Will be Closed for Court Maintenance Soon!

We will be closed for 1 week for court maintenance in the near future. We are waiting for confirmation from the court resurfacing company as to the exact date.

Please call the Community Park tennis center at 516 483-2525 for updates.

Youth Tennis Lesson Registration

Please make sure you have set up your account with our new Community Pass software. Go to gardencityrecreation.org and scroll down to  How to Create a CommunityPass Account for instructions. If you joined the Pool this past summer you have an account. If you need help setting up your account, please call the Recreation Office 516-465-4075

Trojans soar to 57 straight as Jets stall

Will Mattice (33) locks down on defense.

The Garden City Trojans delivered another commanding performance on Saturday, blanking East Meadow 42–0 to improve to 3–0 and extend their record winning streak to 57 games.

Running back Anthony Asaro set the tone with 76 yards on just five carries. He scored twice on the ground and added a 14-yard touchdown reception, recording three touchdowns in the opening quarter as Garden City raced to a 21–0 lead. Quarterback Brayden Robertiello added to the attack, completing 5 of 8 passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns, including a second-quarter strike to Justin Baiker, and also rushed for a 23-yard score. Meritt Ruckh, Jake Brown and Andrew Dengler all had notable contributions.

East Meadow’s best chance for take off came when the Jets landed inside the Garden City 1-yard line — but Will Mattice turned the end zone into a no-fly zone, sparking a four-play goal-line stand. Wolfgang Ullrich, AJ Haffner, Michael Desiderio, Jeffrey

Finnell, Ryan Haniffy and Ben Smith all applied relentless pressure before Gus Galli clipped the Jets’ wings and forced the turnover on downs. Moments later, senior Owen Andersen broke free on a stunning 97-yard touchdown sprint, tying a school record for the longest run from scrimmage. “Great blocking up front by the O-line. Saw a hole and hit it, and that was it. I was gone,” Andersen said afterward, deflecting credit to his teammates despite the historic moment.

East Meadow threatened once more, but the defense held firm with stops from James Logler, Greg Buccella, Jimmy Barry, and Kevin Thorn, capped by Gianluca Ingrassia’s soaring pass breakup to ground the Jets.

The golden leg of Chris Desiderio was perfect on six extra points, providing the finishing touches on the Trojans’ dominant effort. The Trojans will meet the Generals under Friday Night Lights on October 3 at 7:00 p.m. at MacArthur. GO TROJANS!

Owen Andersen ties a Garden City record with his 97-yard touchdown run. Kevin Thorn takes flight on offense.

Max Siragusa (25) and Jack Camplettano(32) open lanes with key blocks.

Thunder 11s Reilly humbled by Mustangs

The Thunder 11s (Team Reilly) suffered their first loss of the 2025 campaign, 21-0, at the hands of the Massapequa Mustangs last Sunday at Community Park. Despite the valiant efforts of Kian Durkan, Charlie Galli, Gavin Alper, Charlie Fuschillo, Caeden Corbett, RJ Frankenstein, Henry Faranda, Brooks Galli, Sofia Khawaja, Henry Crain, Declan Quinn, Conor Hegarty and Connor Reilly, the Mustangs’ potent ground game and opportunistic passing attack wore

down the Thunder “D” in this late morning tilt. The Thunder Offense could not sustain drives against the aggressive 8-man front deployed by Massapequa. Coaches recognized the efforts of Jason Zonneveldt, Jesse Frosch, Will Capparelli, Marc Sanzeri, Caleb Howald, Peter Rosenberg, and Victor Lopez on a tough day at the office. Team Reilly gets two weeks to re-group and prepare for Farmingdale on 10/18.

Go Thunder!

Charlie Fuschillo evades a Mustang tackler!

Charlie Galli with the blindside sack!

Sophia Khawaja takes on the block!

Thunder “D” swarms ballcarrier

Boys Varsity Soccer improves to 8-1

The Boys Varsity Soccer team had a busy week with two league games against Roosevelt and Great Neck North and one non-league game against Shoreham Wading River.  The Trojans took on Roosevelt on Thursday, September 25, at Roosevelt High School where the Roughriders were determined to avenge their earlier loss this season to the Trojans.

Roosevelt started the match strong trying to put pressure early on the Trojans and forcing a mistake, however the boys kept their poise, and started looking for opportunities against the Roughrider defense.  Ten minutes into the game the Trojans stormed down the left side of the field and were awarded a free kick on a foul.  Senior Dylan Fisher sent a beautiful kick into the box and sophomore Cole Lewis sent a solid header into the back of the net –Trojans leading 1-0.  The Trojans kept the pressure on for the remainder of the first half with the Roosevelt goalkeeper making several saves to keep the Roughriders in the game.  The second half picked up where the first left off with the Trojans combining ball control, dominant defense and explosive attacks to put the Roosevelt team on their heels.  The Roughriders did stage a comeback halfway through, and put a serious shot on goal that required a diving save from senior goalkeeper Michael Karcher.  For the remainder of the game, the defense of seniors Thomas Fargione, Charlie Koester, Jacob Cooper and Will Egan suffocated any Roosevelt attempts and senior Jack Shorr made run after run down the left side, which ultimately resulted in Garden City earning a penalty kick when he was taken down in the box.  Senior Jack Costa took the penalty and buried it in the net to give

the Trojans the 2-0 lead which is where the game ended.

On Saturday, September 27, the boys took part in the 1st Annual Shoreham Wading River (SWR) Gilmore Game celebrating the legacy of Coach Adrian Gilmore who passed away tragically earlier this year.  Before the match began, both teams lined up at center field and observed a minute of silence in remembrance of Coach Gilmore.  Once play began it was clear that it was going to be a tough, physical game.  The play was swift with challenges on both sides of the field, with the defense containing all attacks and the midfield setting up multiple crossing opportunities but the SWR goalkeeper was aggressive in his saves.  With a few minutes left in the first half the officials made a controversial call on the Trojans calling a foul in the box and giving SWR a penalty kick, which just eluded Trojan senior goalkeeper Michael Karcher by a few inches and put the boys behind for the first time this season.  The second half continued with tough physical play and the Trojans put their attack into high gear with multiple charges at the goal but were unable to penetrate the goal line.  With less than ten minutes to play, the boys threw everything they had at SWR and had four attackers in the box pounding away until Senior Ollie Williams sent one into the net, only to be called back for being offsides.  Garden City argued the call, but the officials held fast to their ruling.  The Trojans continued their attack in the final minutes but could not come up with the equalizer and lost their first game 1-0.

The last game of the week was an away game at Great Neck North on Tuesday, September 30.  This was a

rematch of a week one game that the Trojans won 3-0, and the team from Great Neck North came out much more aggressive than last game.  Sophomore Colby Wenk started on defense with the seniors Fargione, Cooper and Egan and turned back all attempts while the rest of the boys worked away at the Great Neck North defense.  After several challenges the Trojans capitalized with a great crossing pass and a goal by senior Jack Costa, and then in the waning seconds of the first the boys made a last push and senior Ollie Williams tipped a crossing pass behind the goalkeeper with literally a second remaining – Trojans up 2-0.  In the second half Great Neck North was able to get on the board after being awarded a free

kick.  Despite the Great Neck North goal, the Trojans spent the second half bombarding their goalkeeper with shots and resulted in two additional goals with one from senior Ollie Williams and one from senior George Curth with the game ending with a 4-1 win.

The Trojans are now 9-1 overall on the season and  8-0 within the AA2 Division.  Despite being disappointed in the loss, they are more fired up then ever to start a new win streak towards the playoffs.  Next up is a non-league match against the Catholic School powerhouse Saint Anthony’s on Thursday, October 2,  followed by the next home game at Garden City High School on Saturday, October 4, against Sewanhaka High School at 2:00.  Come down and cheer the boys on.

Junior Gianluca Damiano moves through the Great Neck North defense.

Senior Jacob Cooper driving up the right side.

Senior Jack Costa dribbles through Great Neck North.

Sophomore Colby Wenk heads the ball back up the field.

Senior George Curth celebrates his goal against Great Neck North.

Senior Thomas Fargione towers over the Great Neck North attacker.

Thunder 11s Diez silences Bulldogs

Grayson Pepicelli (28) runs the ball down the field for a touchdown with perfectly executed blocking by his teammates.

On a picture-perfect autumn Sunday at Community Park, a golden sun poured over the field as the energy from parents, friends, and neighbors bubbled through the stands, anticipation thick in the air. For the Thunder 11’s—Diez, this wasn’t just any game; it was the first-ever clash against the Long Beach Bulldogs, and with their surging confidence from a strong season start, every player took the field with purpose and excitement.

From the opening whistle, the Thunder seemed to move in sync, their first possession a testament to hours of practice and teamwork. Quarterback Nick Diez expertly commandeered the offense down the field, mixing crisp passes and decisive runs, setting the tempo as the offensive line—anchored by Robbie Sampson, Ben Mackiewicz, Michael Ferrari, Sean Schoppner, Nicholas Manginello, and Jackson Gallogly—paved rushing lanes like seasoned pros. Fans held their breath

as Grayson Pepicelli darted through defenders and crossed the goal line for the opening touchdown, a play that set off a wave of cheers from the home crowd. There was almost a sense of inevitability as Diez zipped a pass to Eric Melendez for the extra point, putting the Thunder up 7-0 and electrifying their sideline.

But the Bulldogs were not about to fade quietly. Battling back, they pieced together a determined drive of their own, eventually knotting the score at 7-7 before the first quarter faded into memory. For a moment, the atmosphere grew tense. Yet as if flipping a switch, the Thunder defense emerged with newfound grit. Every snap became a test of willpower, as Alex Manna, James Virzera, and Keegan Fitzpatrick crashed into the backfield, forcing hurried throws and rattling the Bulldogs’ confidence. The secondary, marshaled by Christian Diez, Powers Dell’olio, Dylan Conway, Luca Calma, and Daniel

TD to end the game.

Diez 11s teammates congratulate Daniel Makaryus (30) on his huge drive-ending tackle.

Eric Melendez (88) scores the extra point.

Matt Dean (52) runs the ball down the field. Nicholas Manginello (42) holds his block. Later, Matt scores his first-ever

Co-Players of the Game Alex Manna (26) and Keegan Fitzpatrick (17) share the hammer for their incredible day on defense.

Owen Moylan (10) takes the ball from QB Nick Diez (12) and begins his long run for a touchdown.

Thunder 11s Diez silences Bulldogs

Makaryus, seemed to be everywhere at once—anticipating routes, swatting passes, and daring the Bulldogs to throw their way. The defensive highlight: a soaring, gravity-defying interception by Dell’olio, which drew roars of disbelief and pride from those lucky enough to witness it.

The battle at the line of scrimmage was just as fierce. William Burke, Peter Valentic, and Richie Corrao refused to give ground, collapsing pockets and hounding the opposing quarterback, frustrating every Bulldogs attempt at a comeback. Before halftime, Owen Moylan took a handoff and weaved through defenders for a highlight-reel touchdown, the sort of play that left spectators trading excited glances and bumping fists.

The drama didn’t dip after intermission. With tactical savvy, the Thunder executed a textbook onside kick, catch-

ing the Bulldogs off guard and reclaiming possession. Before Long Beach could catch their breath, Pepicelli struck again, scoring his second touchdown and swinging momentum even further in favor of the maroon and white. Late in the contest—as victory was near—Nick Diez uncorked a pass into the endzone, where Matt Dean rose above defenders to snare the ball. Dean’s leaping grab, his first touchdown as a Thunder player, was the kind of moment that will linger in memories long after the cleats have been packed away for winter.

When the final whistle blew, the Thunder 11’s had notched a signature 26-7 victory and a 3-1 record. Alex Manna and Keegan Fitzpatrick were awarded co-players of the game for their incredible defensive performance. The Thunder are set to return to Community Park on Sunday, October 12th, at 3pm vs. the Bellmore-Merrick Braves.

Islanders get ready for opening night

BY TONY SENA

The New York Islanders will complete their training camp this week at the Northwell Ice Center in East Meadow. The team has practiced and skated hard during the past few weeks of training. Head coach Patrick Roy commented to the media that he “wants the team to have fun out there and enjoy this training camp.”

The Islanders have looked very sharp during these practice sessions and they have concentrated on the power play and penalty killing.

The home opener is next Saturday October 11th at the UBS arena against the Washington Capitals at 7:00pm. Let’s get out there and cheer our team on as they prepare for an exciting new season. “Let’s Go Islanders!”

Swim, Dive team improves to 3-0

The GCHS Girls Swim and Dive team started their 2025 season a perfect 3-0 for the first time in years with a win over Lynbrook on Friday 9/26. It was a beautiful evening at one of the only outdoor pools in the division. There were many highlights for the team including several swimmers achieving county-qualifying times and Charlotte Kohner, who qualified for States in the 500M freestyle. Garden City is in high spirits, thanks to many impressive individual performances and strong showings in all relay events. The team is entering a tough stretch in their season with 3 meets in 6 days starting October 4.

Girls Soccer unbeaten in conference play

captain Marissa Patrissi celebrates her punted goal with Katie Horn (4), Ali Bennett and Madsie Patrickakos (9).

The Girls Varsity Soccer team posted a 3-0 week to remain the only undefeated team in Conference 1. In league play, the Lady Trojans scored 20 goals and yielded only 2 goals for the season. With 5 games remaining in the regular season, don’t miss your opportunity to come out and support this stellar group of athletes!

Thursday, September 25Home v. Syosset

The Garden City Girls Varsity Soccer team dusted off its first loss of the season sustained on Monday in a non-league contest versus Kellenberg by opening the scoring floodgates against  Syosset on Thursday afternoon at home. After searching for scoring consistency over the first 8 games, the Lady Trojans finally burst the dam and walked off the field with an 8-0 victory. Even more impressive than the lopsided score over a league foe was the fact that GC’s scoring came of the feet of eight different players.

The American flags waving majestically northward indicated a wind favoring Garden City in the first half, and the home team did not waste much time taking advantage as they opened the scoring barrage early. With 5 minutes off the clock, senior captain LeeLee Gaffney passed off to fellow captain Brianna Ciccone, who dished to junior Sienna Castellano for the finish and a 1-0 lead. A little over a minute later, Junior Ali Bennett found Gaffney from her right back position with a gorgeous up field strike. Gaffney finished the play

by lacing a right-footed shot off the bottom of the far side crossbar and into the net. Two nothing Garden City.

Not all soccer goals are created equal, and Garden City’s third goal illustrated that truth when the rare and unthinkable occurred. With 27:21 remaining in the first half, senior captain goalie Marissa Patrissi fielded the ball in her 18-yard box. Several earlier punts indicated that her foot was fully loaded this windy afternoon. Patrissi took her space and unleashed a bomb from the top of the box. The ball got caught up in the Jetstream and cleared midfield on the fly with ease. Syosset’s goalie, caught off guard and too high in her own 18-yard box, froze as the ball took two sizable wind-aided bounces and arched over her head into the back of the net. The stunned crowd erupted as it witnessed a full field punted goal, untouched by anyone other than GC’s rock-steady keeper. 3-0 Garden City.

The rest of the scoring went as follows:

• Anna Olcott from Lia Costa. 4-0 GC.

• Nora Donohue off a throw in by Lia Costa. 5-0 GC

• Stella Trillhaase assisted by freshman Lyla Hessler. 6-0 GC.

• Sydney Rhein from Sienna Castellon. 7-0 GC.

• Freshman Emily Bennett unassisted. 8-0 Final.

It was a banner day for the Lady Trojans, who came off Monday’s ropes with a statement win.

Saturday, September 27 -  Home v. Massapequa

Last Saturday, the girls squared off against Massapequa for the second time this season. Massapequa came in seeking to avenge an earlier 1-0 loss to the Lady Trojans, and their intensity was evident from the opening kick. With big, physical players up and down the lineup, the play was chippy at times as the referees let them play. The first half ended in a 0-0 tie. With 28 minutes to go in the second half, Garden City struck first with a masterful combina-

tion from Sienna Castellano, who found LeeLee Gaffney on the left side of the box, who sent a low liner towards the far post which Anna Olcott converted home. With 19 minutes remaining in the game, Garden City took a corner from the right side. Brianna Ciccone went short to freshman Emily Bennett, who played it right back to her captain. Ciccone one-timed a cross to the far post, which freshman Stella Trillhaase leaned into with her head to score just inside the left post for a 2-0 lead. Down two, Massapequa ramped up its inten-

Junior Sienna Castellano battles for the ball.

Senior Nora Donohue with senior Katie Horn looking on.

Senior

Girls Soccer unbeaten in conference play

Boys Varsity Soccer wins first ever State Championship

between two defenders to Jack Schorr. The ball hit Schorr in stride, he beat the two flat footed defenders and whipped a shot past an outstretched keeper and GC had the insurmountable 2-0 lead and a ticket to the finals on Sunday morning.

As the final whistle blew on Saturday the boys knew they had one more test to complete their season long journey. After months of training and battle tested with 22 straight wins that included 17 shutouts the boys and their coaches were on a mission, bring the State title home to Garden City for the first time.

Once again, the Trojans faced a team in Clarnece that approached the game as many opponents have, contain the GC attack, allow time of possession to favor the Trojans but try to not allow good scoring chances. As with the previous day, the Red Devils played with only one man up front and ten behind the ball giving Garden City about an 80-20 percentage of ball control and several quality chances to get the opening goal.

for the Trojans was a through ball from Profeta that just missed connecting with Jack Costa in the box. The first half ended nil-nil.

the box and with only the keeper to beat he was taken down from behind and awarded a penalty kick in the 50th minute of play.

Garden City had numerous chances but couldn’t come up with the first goal. In the opening twenty minutes the Trojans had several dangerous corner kicks but an active Clarence keeper kept them off the scoresheet, either coming off his line to punch the ball out or being in position to grab the ball off the heads of the taller GC forwards.

Junior Anna Olcott works the ball upfield.

in the 3-0 victory.

After an inspiring half-time talk with coach Paul Cutter, he emphasized that the game was there for the taking and the boys couldn’t continue to have so many chances without pushing one in. He implored the boys to raise their intensity, bring more urgency to the field and continue doing what they’ve done all season.

Tuesday, September 30 -

Watson approached the ball and drove a strong shot towards the corner, but the Red Devil keeper guessed right and made the save. Watson didn’t give up on the ball and without hesitation struck the ball into the open net for the goal that put GC up 2-0.

Perhaps the best chance for GC came in the eighteenth minute as Woodbine shook his defender in the box and one touched a ball that just cleared the bar.

For Clarence, their one and only scoring chance of the opening half came on a counterattack in the seventeenth minute as they pushed two men up field. With a good cross to the corner of the 18 yard box, the Clarence forward fired a shot to the opposite corner of the goal that went just wide as Pupke was able to close down the shooters angle.

In the last five minutes of the half, GC continued to attack and had two good chances, both with Luca Profeta on the ball. The first was a free kick from Profeta from 25 yards out that couldn’t connect. And the second, and last chance of the half

sity as they fought to get back into the game. With 15 minutes to go, a hard foul by Emily Bennett led to a retaliatory shove from her opponent, which drew an immediate red card and left the Chiefs down a player for the remainder of the game. Despite playing short, they didn’t fold their tent and kept pressuring GC’s defense. With a minute left, it was the Lady Trojans who got the last tally when sophomore Madison Mejia banged in a pass by sophomore Zoe Wood, Mejia’s first as a varsity player. Massapequa had sought to break through Garden City’s impenetrable defense, led by senior Nora Donohue, junior Madsie Patrickakos, senior Katie Horn, and senior Ciara Hegarty and anchored in net by Marissa Patrissi. However, they were stymied all morning long and were unable to capitalize as GC posted its 7th shutout of the season

Away v. Syosset

Cutter’s words were quickly translated to the field as the team scored in under two minutes gone by in the half. Controlling the ball off of the tap off, GC got the ball into the box and with bodies crashing, Justin Woodbine was able to push the loose ball past an out of position keeper for the opening goal of the game. Garden City celebrated but kept their game faces on as they inched closer to their ultimate goal.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Lady Trojans traveled to Syosset for a rematch against the team that they annihilated 5 days earlier, 8-0. But everyone knew that this match would be different, as Syosset is a proud soccer town. Sure enough, it played out just as anticipated. After nearly scoring less than a minute into the game off a wide right shot by LeeLee Gaffney, it was Syosset who struck first with 4 minutes off the clock.

With Clarence looking to generate more offense to get back in the game, the middle of the field started to open up for GC. This played right into the Trojan game plan as the open space allowed them to control the ball with their quick passes and good touches on the ball.

After failing to clear the ball under relentless pressure from the Syosset front line, the Cyclones blasted a liner just over the reach of Marissa Patrissi and under the crossbar for a 1-0 lead. Syosset continued to control play for next 15 minutes, in complete juxtapo-

The insurance goal came off the foot of Nassau County scoring leader Myles Watson as he deftly worked the ball into

The Trojans had several more good scoring chances in the next 15 minutes as the shot total continued to climb in their favor at 23-3. Woodbine shot just wide of the post, Charlie Koester sent a free kick into the box for Jack Klein that was headed on goal and Profeta sent a couple of corner kicks into the goal area, but none connected for the important third goal.

sition to Thursday’s game. But with 20:20 remaining in the first half, Garden City took its revenge. A short corner from the left side was knocked around before junior Lia Costa sent a moon ball from outside the 18-yard box, which Syosset’s keeper failed to handle cleanly. Junior on the spot Sienna Castellano knocked in the rebound to the the game 1-1, which is how the match stood at haltime.

had the Trojans going 554 minutes without giving up a goal, and it raised the angst of the many GC fans that travelled to Middletown.

Garden City didn’t allow the Red Devils any room in the final minutes of play, and they secured the first NY State title in school history. And the players and coaches were finally able to celebrate loudly having accomplished what they had started in the summer months.

As the game entered the final fifteen Clarence began pushing more players into the attack and had a good chance that Ian Pupke closed in on and forced the shooter to go wide of the goal. But with under six minutes remaining in the game Clarence made the game interesting. Attacking down the right sideline the ball was crossed into the middle and a Red Devil player was able to avoid the GC defense and with a quick one touch shot pushed the ball passed Pupke to make the score 2-1. The goal was the first given up by GC in the playoffs, official scoring

The second half was a battle as each team mounted attacks and counterattacks in both directions. The defense once again came up big time and again, with Ciara Hegarty, Ali Bennett, Katie Horn, Madsie Patrickakos, Nora Donohue, and Amelia Scianablo standing tall in front of their keeper, whose biggest save came when a direct kick from distance torpedoed on a line just

All that was left was a very happy ride back to Garden City, and with a GCPD escort the team bus was able to deliver that title on 7th Street to the many parents, friends and residents on Sunday afternoon. The season was truly an historic run for the team and coaches, as they finished their perfect season with a 23-0 record.

Special mention should be made of the excellent coaching and dedication to the team from head coach Paul Cutter with assistants Luke Connolly and Mike Lind, team managers Ryan Cappello and Henry Schnell, athletic trainer Anthony Navaro and Athletic Director Ed Ramirez (GCTrojanNation).

Congratulations especially to all the seniors, many of whom have been with the team for the past two or three seasons.

under GC’s crossbar. Patrissi punched the ball over the bar, deflating the Syosset bench and crowd. With juniors Sydney Rhein (whole game) and Lia Costa (second half) out with injuries, some key bench players stepped up to fill the void. But it was junior Amelia Scianablo who saved the day at the 22:05 mark. After another corner kick, the ball made its way outside the box, nearly 30 yards from the goalmouth. Scianablo, from her center defensive midfield position, stepped in a rocketed a high heater which brushed off the keeper’s fingertips and into the goal for what turned out to be the winning tally. Garden City hung on with grit and determination through the final whistle for a 2-1 victory, maintaining its unbeaten league record as they headed into October.

Senior Ciara Hegarty works the sideline.

Varsity Soccer team leaving for the NYS Championship weekend.

Photos by Ed Rotondo

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