Autumn is here. Despite the cooler weather, many of us are still enjoying time outside. Whether you find yourself cuddled up by a fire pit or planting colorful mums that brighten your day every time you pass them, fall home improvement projects may be something that you find on your mind lately. This season is when many of us decide to take the step and get some of those projects done, so we've gathered informative editorial that can assist in your decision making process if you decide to tackle one (or many)! Plus, don't miss local news throughout and a delicious recipe that football fans won't be able to resist.
“ I save 20% a month on my energy bills after upgrading my lighting and HVAC system.”
—
John Riley, Grasshopper’s Comics, Williston Park
John Riley loves comic books. And for the last 30 years, he’s been sharing that love with readers young and old at his shop in Williston Park. PSEG Long Island has been with him every step of the way. With $16,000 in rebates, John was able to switch to LED lighting and replace a leaking 50-year-old oil tank with a superefficient heat pump system.* These upgrades save him money that he reinvests in—you guessed it—more comic books. As it should be.
How can we support your small business? psegliny.com/businessfirst
*Rebates and savings will differ with every energy efficiency project.
Pink In The Park Event A Success: Over 60 Vendors And Local Officials Show Support
For Breast Cancer Prevention
TheTown of Huntington’s Pink in the Park Breast Cancer Prevention and Awareness Fair, held on Sunday, September 29th, 2024, at Heckscher Park, was a resounding success. The event, spearheaded by Councilwoman Theresa Mari, drew over 60 vendors and a strong show of support from local officials and the community. Attendees enjoyed a beautiful walk around Heckscher Park, despite a few brief weather interruptions, and were treated to a vibrant performance by Dancin' Feet that energized the crowd.
Local officials who joined the event to show their support included Supervisor Ed Smyth, Councilman Salvatore Ferro, Director of Highway Andre Sorrentino, Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (18th District), Director of Parks Cable “Todd” Jamison, Chief of Staff Michelle McCarthy, Town Attorney Susan Coleman, Congressman Nick LaLota, and Huntington Republican Party Chairman Thomas McNally. Their participation highlighted the collective commitment to raising awareness about breast cancer prevention and supporting those affected by the disease.
Councilwoman Theresa Mari, a breast cancer survivor herself, shared her personal journey and underscored the importance of early detection and community support. Senator Mario Mattera (2nd District) also spoke passionately about his wife Terry’s battle with breast cancer, adding a deeply personal and touching perspective to the event.
“The success of Pink in the Park wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of so many,” said Councilwoman Mari. “I am incredibly grateful to all the vendors, local officials, and attendees who came together to create such a supportive and inspiring day for our community.”
Councilwoman Mari’s team, Legislative Aide Michelle Wright and Legislative Secretary Phillip Griffin, ensured the event went off without a hitch. They were on hand to assist vendors, the press, and attendees, and helped distribute promotional bags to those in attendance.
The event served as a vital platform for sharing breast cancer resources, raising awareness, and fostering community solidarity. Pink in the Park was more than just a fair; it was a day of hope, healing, and empowerment for those touched by breast cancer.
For more information on future events or breast cancer resources, please visit the Town of Huntington’s website or contact the office of Councilwoman Theresa Mari.
If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Wright, Legislative Aide to Councilwoman Theresa Mari, at MAWright@huntingtonny.gov or via phone at 631.351.3173.
How To Make A Home More Cozy
Themeaning of the term “cozy” varies as it pertains to home decor. For some, cozy may mean intimate spaces with lots of quilts and throws. For others, cozy could indicate bright and airy spaces enhanced by plenty of fresh foliage. Regardless of how they define cozy, homeowners typically want their homes to be inviting and comfortable. With that in mind, the following are some ways to impart a cozy vibe to any living space.
• Make use of a fireplace. Flames lapping wood (or faux wood in the event of gas-powered fireplaces) can put anyone in a tranquil state of mind. Fireplaces add instant ambiance and make great places for people to congregate and engage in conversation. During warmer months when the fire isn’t blazing, decorative candles can be lit to mimic the same feel.
• Add texture in the design. Texture can be anything from a raised pattern on wallpaper to a knotty area rug to a mosaic piece of artwork. A home with texture tends to create cozier impressions than one with all sleek and smooth surfaces.
• Enjoy a soft rug. Although many design experts say hardwood floors or laminate options are easier for allergies and keeping a home clean, a soft rug underfoot can be welcoming. Rather than wall-to-wall carpeting, place area rugs in spots that can use some cozying up, such as beneath beds and even under the dining table.
• Light candles. The warm, flickering light of candles adds cozy vibes in spades. According to The Spruce and Paula Boston, a visual merchandiser for Festive Lights, candles can be used throughout a home to create instant atmosphere. Exercise caution with candles and fully extinguish them before retiring for the evening.
• Update bedding for the season. Crisp and light cotton and linen are cozy materials when the weather is warm. But when the temperature starts to dip, flannel or jersey bedding makes a bed that much more inviting, says Real Simple.
Renovations That Help Sell Homes
Theadage “there’s a lid for every pot” suggests that, even in relation to the real estate market, there’s bound to be a buyer for every home on the market. Price is a significant variable in the minds of potential buyers, but there are additional factors that can affect the impression people get of a given home. Certain home features can tip the scales in favor of sellers. In fact, various renovations can help sell homes more readily. And these renovations need not cost a fortune. Putting a home on the market can be stressful, but these renovations may help it sell fast.
• A fresh coat of paint: Although painting is relatively inexpensive and a job that some do-ityourselfers can tackle, it’s not a task relished by many. Painting is messy, it takes time, and requires moving furniture. In fact, prepping a room for painting often is the toughest component of any painting job. But fresh coats of paint can create a strong first impression. Choose a neutral color and get painting. Jennie Norris, chairwoman for the International Association of Home Staging Professionals, says gray is a “safe” color that has been trending in recent years.
• Minor bathroom remodel: Remove dated wall coverings, replace fixtures, consider re-glazing or replacing an old tub, and swap old shower doors for fast fixes in a bathroom. If there’s more room in the budget, replacing a tub, tile surround, floor, toilet, sink, vanity, and fixtures can cost roughly $10,500, says HGTV. You’ll recoup an average of $10,700 at resale, making a minor bathroom remodel a potentially worthy investment.
• Redone kitchen: The kitchen tends to be the hub of a home. This room gets the most usage and attention of any space, and it’s a great place to focus your remodeling attention. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry estimates that homeowners can recover up to 52 percent of the cost of a kitchen upgrade upon selling a home. Buyers want a functional and updated kitchen. Trending features include drawerstyle microwaves and dishwashers, commercial ranges, hidden outlets, and even wine refrigerators.
• Updated heating and cooling system: Better Homes and Gardens reports that homeowners may be able to recoup 85 percent of the cost of new HVAC systems when they sell their homes. Heating, cooling and ventilation components are vital to maintain. You don’t want buyers to be taken aback by an older system, and many millennial buyers are not willing to overlook old mechanical systems.
• Fresh landscaping: A home’s exterior is the first thing buyers will see. If they pull up to a home with eye-catching landscaping and outdoor areas that are attractive yet functional, they’re more likely to be intrigued. Often buyers will equate a home that features an impressive exterior with upkeep inside as well. The American Nursery Landscape Association says the average homeowner may spend $3,500 for landscaping.
Improving a home’s chances to sell quickly and at a higher price often comes down to making smart improvements that catch the eyes of buyers.
Students Honored Upon Completion Of Prestigious 2024 Boys And Girls State Programs
Legislator Tom Donnelly honors Half Hollow Hills High School West student Craig Eng for completing the prestigious and rigorous 2024 Boys and Girls State Program in a recent ceremony held at the Greenlawn American Legion Post #1244. Not pictured are Lauren Breaton and Alexa Costello of Walt Whitman High School in Huntington Station who also completed the program.
Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) recently joined Greenlawn American Legion Post #1244 leaders, members and other invited guests to recognize local students who completed the 2024 Boys and Girls State Programs. Established in 1937, the highly selective week-long intensive program gives students an opportunity to learn about our government with a focus on the importance of civic awareness and community engagement.
In total, 18 students from the area were recognized by local officials and members of the Post in a special ceremony held at the Greenlawn Post on August 14. Three of the students who completed the rigorous program reside in Legislator Donnelly’s district.
Lauren Breaton and Alexa Costello from Walt Whitman High School in Huntington Station completed the Girls State program at SUNY Brockport and Craig Eng from Half Hollow Hills High School West in Dix Hills completed the Boys State program at Morrisville State College, both programs commencing in late June. Over the course of the week, Boys and Girls State delegates worked cooperatively towards the creation of a “Model State” government where they participated in mock legislative sessions, court proceedings, law enforcement, assemblies and other group activities.
Greenlawn American Legion Sergeant at Arms Charlie Armstrong again served as Chairman of the program.
“These students demonstrated a venerable commitment to democratic values with a yearning to develop the critical knowledge needed to become good American citizens,” Legislator Donnelly said. “They are well prepared to lead their generation into the future, and I am proud to honor them.”
Suffolk
How DIY Can Be Bad For Homeowners’ Bottom Lines
Homeowners know it can be tempting to go the do-it-yourself (DIY) route when starting a home improvement project. Home repairs and renovations can be costly, and the notion of saving money on such projects compels many homeowners to try their hand at home improvements. However, the DIY approach can be costly as well, and if things go awry, homeowners may end up with empty pockets and unfinished projects. Online tutorials and advertisements for home improvement retailers can make DIY seem like a snap. However, there are potential pitfalls to consider that could make the ostensibly less expensive DIY route far more detrimental to the bottom
line than homeowners may recognize.
• Permits: Permits ensure work is done in accordance with local codes, which are designed to ensure the safety of residents and their neighbors. Licensed contractors know which permits are necessary for projects they’re hired to work on, and many even procure permits for their clients (homeowners are urged to read estimates and contracts to determine who will be responsible for acquiring the appropriate permits). DIYers may not know about local permits, and therefore go ahead with projects without procuring any. That can be
order to complete projects on their own. Ancillary costs include but are not limited to the price of tools and equipment; disposal fees for materials that will need to be discarded; and the cost of permits. These costs are often included in estimates provided by contractors, but they’re easily overlooked by novice DIYers.
harmful in the short- and long-term. In the short-term, a failure to procure the appropriate permits can make a home less safe and potentially lead to costly fines and necessitate a complete do-over of the project. In the long-term, homeowners who did not secure the appropriate permits may not be given a certificate of occupancy (CO) when putting their homes on the market, which can make it very difficult to sell the home.
• Ancillary costs: The ancillary costs of DIY are not often noted in online tutorials. However, such costs can dramatically increase the amount of money DIYers shell out in
• Repairs: Even experienced contractors make mistakes, so DIYers, particularly novices, can anticipate making a few errors along the way. Minor mistakes may not prove too costly, but more significant mishaps can quickly negate any cost savings associated with DIY renovations. The cost to fix DIY mistakes varies depending on the project, but a 2019 survey from Porch.com found that the average DIY mistake cost homeowners $310 and added five and a half hours to the overall time spent to complete a project. It’s worth noting the Porch.com survey was conducted prior to the dramatic increase in materials costs related to inflation in recent years. So it’s reasonable to assume that fixing DIY mistakes in 2024 could end up costing considerably more than a few hundred dollars.
Before diving in to DIY, homeowners may want to consider the real costs associated with forgoing professional experience in the potentially misplaced hopes of saving a few dollars.
Elwood BOE Honors Student Volunteers
Dedicated
student volunteers from Elwood-John H. Glenn
High School were honored at the district’s Sept. 12 Board of Education meeting. The students, who were recognized over the summer with citations from the Town of Huntington for their leadership and hard work, also received additional citations at the meeting from New York State Assemblyman Steve Stern.
John Glenn junior Khoshal Rametra was the first to be recognized for his volunteer work with the Huntington Youth Bureau, followed by a remarkable group of student volunteers including Jada Casey, Jakeem Casey, Ellie Crowley, Olivia Hechler, Joey Mammolito, Meghan McGowan, Christina Munch, Madison Sorok and Caroline Weiss. Principal Corey McNamara introduced the group with a short history of the district’s Best Buddies and Blooming Buddies programs, which help make connections and build friendships between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as the unified basketball, bowling and intramural teams.
“These programs would not be where they are today without the leadership, support, hard work, and dedication of some outstanding role models and young adults,” McNamara said. “I believe that the collective work that has been done here is an amazing demonstration and example of what the Elwood community is all about. We have tremendous community support, as seen at our events. All students are welcome and included. Students led by these fine examples before you today volunteer and participate, just because it’s the right thing to do. Our district administration helps to bring in these amazing programs all supported by the Board of Education, and our faculty and staff help to coach and facilitate. My motto has always been, we’re in this together. We are one Elwood community, and I feel lucky to be a part of it. Standing here tonight are these amazing young men and women who truly act as the driving force behind it all. Thank you again for
demonstrating your Elwood pride while acting as John Glenn Knights and role models for others, and congratulations on your recognition. We look forward to seeing what you will all accomplish this year and in the future.”
“Congratulations to everyone this evening on years of hard work getting to this point,” Board of Education President James Tomeo said. “Many of you are seniors, so you’re getting to those milestones. You can really appreciate all that hard work and look back on all that you’ve done. Keep up the good work now and going forward for the rest of the year, your future looks really bright.”
The Link Between Volunteering And Academic Performance
Thereare many reasons for parents to encourage children who express an interest in volunteering. Volunteering is a social activity that can help children develop their social and networking skills, and many parents credit volunteering with instilling a sense of perspective in their children that they might not have gained had they not been exposed to people from different backgrounds. Volunteering also has been linked to stronger academic performance. The Corporation for National and Community Service reports that students who indicate they're doing better in school are more likely to be volunteers than students who report doing less well. College applicants with volunteering experience also may set themselves apart in the increasingly competitive application process. Though a 2019 Pew Research study reported that most schools admit more than two-thirds of their applicants, that figure is significantly lower at many of the more highly rated institutions in the United States. For example, Stanford University (4.3 percent) and Harvard University (4.9 percent) recently reported acceptance rates below 5 percent. Though volunteering alone won't help applicants gain acceptance to such competitive institutions, it can serve as a strong résumé builder and be even more effective if it also produces the previously noted improvements in academic performance.
Photo courtesy of Elwood School District
Treat Fellow Football Fans To Slow-Cooked Ribs And Homemade Sauce
Football and food go are a perfect and popular pairing. Though fans may not need to eat while watching their favorite team play, adding food to the football festivities certainly makes fall weekends more enjoyable. Few fans will turn down a plate of wings or walk away from a tray of nachos during football season, but fans hosting game watch parties at home can go beyond the norm and offer additional fare that’s sure to please a crowd. For instance, the following recipe for “Baby Back Ribs” with homemade “Kansas CityStyle Barbecue Sauce” from Will Budiaman’s “The Essential Kamado Grill Cookbook” (Rockridge Press) will make sure fans go home with full bellies this football season.
Baby Back Ribs
Serves 4
4 2- to 21⁄2-lb. racks baby back ribs
3 tablespoons kosher salt
3 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
2⁄3 cup Kansas City-style Barbecue Sauce (see below)
Kansas City-Style Barbecue Sauce
Makes about 1 1⁄2 cups
1 cup ketchup
1⁄2 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons unsulfured blackstrap molasses
6 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons canola oil
6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons sweet paprika
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Baby Back Ribs Directions:
1. Trim any hanging fat off the ribs. Season with the salt and pepper on both sides. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
2. Prepare the grill for smoking at 225 F to 275 F.
3. Place the ribs meat-side up on the grate over the drip pan. Close the lid. If desired, wrap the ribs in aluminum foil after 1 hour 30 minutes or once the bark (crust) is reddish brown.
4. Turn over the ribs, close the lid, and continue cooking for 1 hour 30 minutes more, or until the ribs pull apart with a gentle tug.
5. Remove the foil (if using), baste the ribs with the sauce, close the lid, and cook meat-side up for 10 more minutes or until the sauce is set. Serve immediately.
Cooking tip: The back of pork ribs is covered with a membrane that some pitmasters say prevents the meat from absorbing the smoke, but this is a myth. Many don’t bother removing it, and leaving it on helps keep the ribs from falling apart when you move them.
Kansas City-Style Barbecue Sauce Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the ketchup, vinegar Worcestershire sauce, molasses and sugar until smooth.
2. In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat.
3. Add the garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds or until golden.
4. Add the salt, paprika, cinnamon, and cayenne. Cook for 10 seconds or until fragrant.
5. Stir in the ketchup mixture. Bring to a simmer and let simmer for about 1 minute or until the flavors meld.
6. Let cool and refrigerate overnight before using to let the flavors develop.
The Top Ten Most Popular Projects
Homerenovations can improve a home in many different ways. Modifications to kitchens and bathrooms have long been popular projects, but are they the most popular renovations? According to data from Realm, which analyzed the top 10 most popular projects from roughly 2.8 million listings and permit filings in the United States, certain projects are more popular than others. Nationally, the most common home renovations include interior painting, exterior painting, finishing a basement, installing or replacing windows, and bathroom remodeling. Houzz polls have unveiled that renovating kitchens and bathrooms, new windows and porches, balcony and deck projects are among the most popular.
Get Into The Spooky Spirit This Halloween
Halloween
is a time when the line between having fun and being scared is easily blurred. While trickor-treating and attending parties are ways to enjoy the final day of October, there are plenty of other ways to make Halloween more fun.
• Host a Halloween book club. Those who love to read can ensure the October gathering of a book club is one that features a discussion of a scary book. Those looking for a scare can explore horror authors like Stephen King, Anne Rice, Dean Koontz, Clive Barker, Shirley Jackson, and Tananarive Due.
• Go pumpkin picking. Most people already make pumpkin picking an annual treat. Don’t overlook mishappen pumpkins that can be carved into spooky jack-o’-lanterns. Also, enhance Halloween decor with pitted and warty gourds that lend that scary appeal.
• Create a haunted house. Instead of going elsewhere to get chills and thrills, transform your house or yard into a spooktacular vision and invite neighbors to explore.
• Make creepy crafts. Children can get a kick out of crafting Halloween decorations. Drape a piece of muslin over a beverage bottle and spray it with laundry starch. Let sit and the muslin will stiffen when it dries. Paint on black circles for eyes and hang your “ghost” from a string.
• Whip up Halloween treats. Candied apples, extra-rich brownies and mini hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls to look like mummies are just some of the ways to create a
scary Halloween feast.
• Have a costume theme. Everyone in the household can get in on the fun by planning costumes to fit a theme. For example, everyone can dress like the Addams family.
• Read some scary stories. There’s something to be said about reading scary stories or poems on Halloween. Readers’ imaginations take over on Halloween as they envision scary characters and scenarios. Edgar Allen Poe, author of many notably macabre works, is a popular read come Halloween.
• Host an outdoor movie. Projectors can now be hooked up to smartphones and tablets, so it’s easier than ever to watch movies outside. Simply project a device onto a screen, white fence or even a bedsheet. Since it gets dark somewhat early in October, the movie doesn’t have to start very late. Depending on the audience, choose a movie that is very scary or only mildly so if children will be viewing.
• Organize a Halloween treat exchange. Similar to a Christmas “Secret Santa,” participants put together a wrapped gift of homemade or store-bought foods and exchange with others.
