October Seasons 2024 - Edition Three by Long Island Media Group

This 3 Bedroom Ranch-style home sits on a half-acre property. Circular driveway and detached 2-car garage. All bedrooms are on the main oor. Open oor plan merges the living room, dining room, and den. Eatin kitchen, with stainless-steel appliances. Landscaped yard with inground pool. $725,000 Contact Lynn Witz

Welcome to your dream home! This

Plus, the expansive yard provides outdoor

$1,295,000 Contact Lynn Witz

Ready to be built parcel of land in Fort Salonga w/ sweeping water views of Long Island sound on a private road . This land comes complete with a survey & professional rendering/plan showing the ability to build a 4876 square foot home that the buyer can use if they wish.

$1,150,000 Contact Lynn Witz

Lynn Witz was recognized as the 2023 Top Sales Agent of the Year, for the entire Howard Hanna Coach Realtors organization. An honor given to only one of our rm’s 700 sales agents.

This exquisite property is part of an elite 3-home subdivision, that’s o ering both privacy & community in a highly soughtafter location. Magni cent 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom colonial home with gourmet kitchen. The primary suite boasts a luxurious ensuite bath. $1,119,000 Contact Lynn Witz

Standing proud in the heart of the sought-after Dix Hills area, four-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom Farm Ranch home captivates with its beauty and inviting charm, inside and out. Boasting a huge eatin kitchen, living room with a cozy woodburning stove, and a primary downstairs bedroom. $999,000 Contact Lynn Witz

Lynn Witz

CBR CLHMS, SRES, CHMS Lic. Real Estate Salesperson

Top Sales Agent of the Years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014,2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019 & Top Listing Agent 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 631.499.1000 Ext. 1229

Each Winner Will Recieve a Pumpkin Full of Goodies and Their Picture Will Appear in Pennysavers Got

Three prizes will be awarded, one for each age group. Just mail or drop off your entry by 4 pm on Thursday October 24, 2024 at the Howard Hanna Coach Realtors Office, 212 Commack Road, Commack, NY 11725. Winners will be notified by Friday October 25, 2024.

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.

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.

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

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.

NorthportEast Northport Public Library

Upcoming Events

NORTHPORT GALLERY:

Feathers & Fins by Gina Cariello

Mixed media pieces featuring water, waves, fish, and birds painted in abstract ways, incorporating color and movement, broad brush strokes, and fluid paint.

MEET THE ARTIST: (N) Friday, October 18, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

MEDITATION AS A HEALING PRACTICE (Zoom)

Thursday, October 17, 7:00 p.m.

Meditation has long been valued for its benefits to physical, mental, and spiritual health. Research-based studies have determined the efficacy of meditation for improving wellness, including brain function as well as pain management. Join long-time meditator Arvind Naik for this informative program. Registration is underway. NENA972 This program is cosponsored with the public libraries in the Town of Huntington.

AUTHOR TALK WITH CARL SAFINA Northport Public Library

Sunday, October 20, 2:00 p.m.

Carl Safina—ecologist, author, founding President of The Safina Center, and the first Endowed Professor for Nature and Humanity at Stony Brook University—will discuss his newest book, Alfie & Me: What Owls Know, What Humans Believe. The book is a moving account of raising, then freeing, an orphaned screech owl, whose lasting friendship with him illuminates humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing. Registration is underway. NENA973. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Northport-East Northport Public Library.

LEARN TO BE . . . TOBACCO FREE

East Northport Public Library

Mondays, October 21, 28, November 4, 18, 25, December 2, 16, 6:00 p.m.

This multi-session program is offered by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services and is based on the CDC’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for treating nicotine dependence. The cessation program provides important information about the three aspects of nicotine dependence: biological, psychological, and behavioral. The emphasis is on preparing to quit. Those who use all forms of tobacco products (including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes, and chew tobacco) are welcome. To register, call Debora at the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, 631-853-2928, or email debora.rippel@ suffolkcountyny.gov. Registration is underway.

JOB READINESS WORKSHOP

Northport Public Library

Monday, October 21, 10:00 a.m.

Suffolk County Labor Specialist Alonzo Cook will provide resume writing, interviewing, and etiquette assistance along with an overview of the services the Suffolk County Department of Labor offers. Bring your resume and questions. Mock interviews will be conducted if time permits. Registration is underway.

NENR580

JOB FAIR

Northport Public Library

Wednesday, October 23, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Calling all job seekers! Come meet representatives from area companies to discuss job opportunities. Bring your resume and dress for success. Arranged by Suffolk County One Stop Employment center. No registration required.

“ON THE LINE: THE CREATION OF A CHORUS LINE”

Northport Public Library

Monday, October 28, 2:00 p.m.

Author Robert Viagas, who collaborated with the original cast of the landmark musical for the book On the Line: The Creation of A Chorus Line, shares the inside story of how the show was written and produced. Hear the firsthand accounts of people who made it happen, along with the triumphs and tragedies they experienced from seeing their personal lives transformed into a musical production.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY MEET THE MUNSTERS

Northport Public Library

Thursday, October 31, 2:00 p.m.

A nostalgic and fun afternoon awaits as you join Larry Wolff and relive two of the most offbeat and funny series ever to appear on major network television. Learn about the creation, background, and making of both The Addams Family and The Munsters, then watch two of the best episodes of both shows. An autograph and book display is included.

151 Laurel Avenue • Northport, NY 11768 631-261-6930

185 Larkfield Road • East Northport, NY 11731 631-261-2313 • www.nenpl.org

Students Honored Upon Completion Of Prestigious 2024 Boys And Girls State Programs

Suffolk 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.”

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.

Garage Door

Museum Celebrates 50th Anniversary On Great Cow Harbor Day

The Northport Historical Society's Museum celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its opening on Great Cow Harbor Day 2024 with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony. This year's Great Cow Harbor Day Parade had the theme of "Iconic Northport," a nod to the original purpose of Great Cow Harbor Day as a day to celebrate our shared history and heritage. The parade stopped in front of the Northport Historical Society Museum at 215 Main Street, just as it did 50 years ago on Great Cow Harbor Day 1974, to cut the red ribbon, opening our museum with a new exhibit.

This milestone marked a key chapter in Northport's history, which began in 1962 when Northport resident Marilyn Campbell led a successful effort to preserve the town’s architectural heritage. It also inspired Campbell to gather her friends to officially form the Northport Historical Society. The Society held its first public meeting on May 18, 1962, at Village Hall, and in 1963, its Constitution and Bylaws were drafted.

The first exhibition, featuring shipbuilding tools, was staged in 1972 at the old Northport Public Library building at 215 Main Street. After the generous donation of the building in 1976 by Stephen and Frank Cavagnaro, the Society’s Museum has since been a beacon of local history.

For more information, please visit the Northport Historical Society’s website at www.northporthistorical.org.

The Most Popular Rooms To Remodel

Homeimprovement trends come and go. In a testament to that reality, the wildly popular open floor plan concepts that have dominated homeowners’ desires over the last decade-plus could be falling out of favor, a shift that Rachel Stults of Realtor.com linked to the COVID-19 pandemic in a 2023 interview with Business Insider. Stults noted open floor plans will likely exhibit some measure of staying power, but linked the shift toward more traditional layouts to COVID

lockdowns and the desire for more privacy among residents.

The shift away from open floor plans is a testament to the fleeting nature of home renovation trends. But trends still deserve a place at the table among real estate investors and homeowners who want to renovate their homes with an eye on projects that could be most appealing to prospective buyers. As homeowners balance their own preferences with those that might help them sell their homes down the road, they can consider this list of the most popular rooms to renovate, courtesy of the “2024 U.S. Houzz & Home Study” from Houzz Research.

1. Kitchen

2. Guest bathroom

3. Primary bathroom

4. Living room

5. Guest bedroom

6. Primary bedroom

7. Laundry room

8. Closet

9. Dining room

10. Home office

When considering renovating these or other rooms, homeowners should know that Houzz researchers found that the median spend increased for most interior room upgrades compared to the previous year. However, the median cost to upgrade living rooms and home offices remained unchanged.

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.