Summer Seaons 2023 Edition Five

June is a busy month! Summer will officially arrive in just one week and we've got you covered with informative editorial for the season.

Did you know that June is National Zoo And Aquarium Month? Don't miss our special themed two-page spread featuring nearby destinations the whole family will enjoy!

We hope you have a peaceful and memorable Father's Day, along with a fun filled Fourth of July. Stay safe and soak up the sun throughout the summer season.

Plus, don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more community news (@longislandmediagroup).

Until next time, The Staff

Media Group

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Great Weekend Getaway Ideas

Fewthings embody a summertime vibe better than a day spent soaking up the sun and enjoying a warm breeze in the great outdoors. Warm weather and generally dry conditions are one reason why summer is so popular among vacationers. Even individuals who can’t get away on vacation this summer can still look to the weekend as a great time to hit the road or the friendly skies for weekend getaways.

Convenience and proximity are two selling points when choosing weekend getaway destinations. The following are some weekend getaway ideas that are tailormade for summer fun.

• Take yourself out to the ballgame. The pandemic forced millions of baseball fans to stay home as their favorite team battled it out on the diamond. No fans were allowed during the shortened 2020 season, and the 2021 season began with many teams allowing only limited attendance. Some fans might not have felt comfortable returning to packed stadiums last summer. Now that attendance restrictions have been lifted, what better way

to enjoy America’s pastime than in person? Take a weekend to follow your favorite team on the road or visit a stadium you’ve never been to. Many ballparks are now surrounded by great restaurants and five-star hotels, making a ballpark trip an ideal way to experience a new city in style.

• Make it a water-based weekend. No matter where you live, a body of water is no

doubt nearby. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicate that roughly 40 percent of the United States population lives in a coastal region, oceans aren’t the only places to find some sand and enjoy a warm summer breeze. Lakes and rivers are great places to relax, and getaway seekers can utilize sites like Airbnb and Vrbo to find short-term waterfront rentals.

• Soak up the city lights. Big cities tend to clear out on summer weekends, which can make this an ideal time to visit. City visitors won’t have to contend with the sizable crowds that descend on metropolises in winter when indoor entertainment is in high demand. That means savvy travelers also may find discounts on live theater and local concerts. It also won’t be as difficult to book reservations at the latest culinary hotspots, particularly for travelers who book early.

• Hit the slopes (seriously). Skiing might be the furthest thing on people’s minds in summer. However, skiing hotspots can make for the ideal summer getaways for individuals looking for a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Instead of traversing slopes on skis, visitors can hike their way through the mountains before retiring to their resort for a more laid-back evening of relaxation.

There’s no wrong way to get away. Summer travelers who don’t have much time to escape can look to some unique weekend getaway ideas and enjoy a relaxing taste of something new.

Fourth Of July Party Tips

Morethan 332 million people live in the United States, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. There’s a good chance that, come July 4th, a considerable number of those individuals will be hosting or attending parties to celebrate American independence. This year those planning on a July 4th fête can consider these tips as they prepare to celebrate with family and friends.

• Borrow a second grill. Those tasked with grilling often find themselves standing there for hours over hot flames. Cut down on time at the grill by adding an extra cooking surface. That’s easily achieved by having more than one grill going simultaneously. Cook fastcooking items like hamburgers and hot dog on one grill, and reserve the other for sausages and chicken, which may need more time to reach safe levels of doneness.

• Stop peeking. Resist any urge to check the food too often. Every time you flip, press or move the meats, you compromise flavor and could make the food dry out.

• Lure insects away. Bees are attracted to sweet smells, but wasps and hornets are drawn to meats. Put a saucer of very

sweet soda and some chicken scraps in a far corner of your yard to attract yellow jackets and other stinging insects to that area, drawing their attention away from guests and their meals.

• Hire a lifeguard. If your party will involve time spent in a pool, consider hiring a lifeguard or designate someone to observe pool activities. Party hosts may be distracted by other duties, and one can’t count on guests

to watch what is going on in the pool. For safety’s sake, a dedicated set of eyes on swimmers can prevent injuries and accidents.

• Give neighbors a headsup. Parties and barbecues on July 4th are largely expected, but you can offer a courtesy to neighbors by informing them of your plans, including the start time and proposed ending time. If you are close with neighbors, consider inviting them.

• Skip the fireworks. Even if fireworks are permitted where you live, it’s best to avoid potential safety hazards and leave fireworks displays to the professionals. Shooting off fireworks in neighborhoods causes debris to rain down on guests or land in pools, and it may even be ingested by pets or wildlife. Even sparklers can be dangerous, as they burn at 2,000 F. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says sparklers account for around 60 percent of injuries among children under five during summer festivities.

• Create a patriotic playlist. Use your favorite music streaming service to curate a music list that features Americaspecific songs, songs about summer, and general party tunes. Be sure the music is in the background and does not overpower the conversation.

July 4th plans are heating up. When hosting a party or barbecue, please keep it simple and safe.

CELEBRATE NATIONAL ZOO Visit One Of These

BRONX ZOO•2300 SOUTHERN BLVD., BRONX, NY

The Bronx Zoo is home to over 10,000 animals and more than 700 species. They are considered to be one of the largest zoos in the United States and the largest metropolitan zoo. Some of their amenities include inperson and virtual wildlife encounters, as well as treetop adventures with a climb and zip line across the Bronx River.

BEARDSLEY ZOO•1875 NOBLE AVENUE, BRIDGEPORT, CT

The Beardsley Zoo is Located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. They are the only AZA-accredited zoo in the state and their zoo features over 300 animals, which includes North and South American animals, endangered species and tropical rain forest animals. Additionally, you’ll find one of the few carousels found in the state right on premises.

CENTRAL PARK ZOO•EAST 64TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY

The Central Park Zoo is a major tourist attraction, located at the southeast corner of the park. Spanning over 6.5 acres and featuring over 130 species, the zoo is home to three major exhibits, which includes tropic, temperate and polar. They also host educational venues and exhibits for visitors and members of the community.

PROSPECT PARK ZOO•450 FLATBUSH AVE., BROOKLYN, NY

Located on the eastern side of Prospect Park, this zoo has roughly 864 animals and 176 species. They are operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society and their three themed exhibits include World of Animals, Animal Lifestyles and Animals in Our Lives. They also offer children’s education programs, restoration of endangered populations and they offer volunteer programs for the local community.

Beloved

ZOO & AQUARIUM MONTH!

Beloved Destinations

NEW YORK AQUARIUM•602 SURF AVE., BROOKLYN, NY

This is the oldest operating aquarium in the country! This destination has 266 species of aquatic wildlife and a total of eight exhibits, which includes Spineless, Ocean Wonders: Sharks, Aquatheater, PlayQuarium, Sea Cliffs, Conservation Hall, Atlantic Sturgeon and Sea Change. They also offer various wildlife encounters with penguins, sea lions and shark feeding.

LONG ISLAND AQUARIUM•431 E. MAIN ST, RIVERHEAD, NY

One of the biggest attractions at this aquarium is their 20,000-gallon coral reef display tank, which is one of the largest all-living coral display in the Western Hemisphere. They have both indoor and outdoor exhibits and they offer animal encounters, which includes a Shark Dive, Seal Encounter, Sea Lion Encounter, a Penguin Encounter and so much more!

MARITIME AQUARIUM•10 N WATER ST., NORWALK, CT

The Maritime Aquarium features both fresh and saltwater exhibits, a 4-D theatre and catamaran tours. They offer educational programs year-round cruises and special events on premise. You can find 75 live exhibits here, all which feature over 7,000 animals. They also recently announced their newest member of their Aquarium Family – Sono, a male harbor seal pup born April 2023.

SEA LIFE AQUARIUM•1 AMERICAN DREAM WAY, EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ

At Sea Life Aquarium there is tons to explore! You can see sharks and rays and visit over 10 exhibits inspired by New York memorable landmarks and experiences. Also, consider including a Ranger Activity Pack and VIP Photo Pass to make the most of your time there.

Summertime Projects For Kids

Summer slide is a concept that has been on educators’ minds since 1996 when the first comprehensive study on the topic was published. Students lose significant knowledge in core subjects over the summer break, and those losses

increase each year. There’s much parents can do to help their children continue learning over the summer. Educational projects may be a good start. Here’s a brief list of educational projects children can work on this summer.

• Conduct informal science experiments, such as growing the biggest vegetable or studying butterflies or insects that visit the backyard.

• Maintain a journal about adventures during summer vacation through personal narratives or even through creative fictional accounts based on the child’s experiences.

• Search for patterns in nature, such as those in shells or flowers.

• Learn about money by keeping tallies on souvenir purchases or the cost of items in stores.

• Calculate distances from home by using maps and mileage.

• Become amateur meteorologists, keeping track of changing weather patterns and which signs indicate precipitation.

• Stock up on summer reading books that everyone in the family can enjoy while sitting poolside or at the beach.

• Visit a museum or a local point of interest and learn about something historical.

What To Know About Installing A Pool

Summeris a season of relaxation when school is not in session, vacation season is in full swing and people everywhere are getting outside and soaking up the summer sun. It’s hard to imagine how that can get any better, but it can be for people thinking of installing a pool in their backyard.

Pools definitely have a wow factor that’s hard to replicate. Homeowners considering pool installation can take note of these factors as they try to decide if a pool is right for them.

Cost

The cost to install a pool depends on a host of factors, including which type of pool homeowners are considering and where they live. According to the online home improvement resource Angi (formerly Angie’s List), the average cost to install an aboveground pool in the United States in 2022 was $3,322, while the average inground pool installation in the same year was $55,000. That’s quite a disparity in price, and homeowners should know that the average cost of each project is higher in certain regions and under certain circumstances. Potential ancillary costs, such as excavation and plumbing relocation, will add to the final cost of the project. The erection of fencing around the pool if no fencing currently surrounds the area where the pool will be located also will add to the final cost.

Pool type

As noted, above-ground pools, on average, require a considerably smaller financial investment than inground pools. This is an important consideration, but which option may ultimately prove the better investment is worth researching. Homeowners can speak with a local real estate professional to determine if an inground pool or above-ground might yield a significantly higher return at resale. If an inground pool is likely to increase property value by a substantial amount, it could be well worth the extra upfront costs.

Location

A survey of the land in a yard can reveal how smoothly a pool installation may or may not go. Though it’s possible to install a pool in just about any yard, some spaces might require greater preparation and preinstallation effort than others. Sloped backyards, for example, may require the services of a landscape architect to prepare the space, which can extend the time it takes to complete the project

and add to the overall cost.

Maintenance

Pools are undeniably fun, but they still require maintenance. The experts at Better Homes & Gardens note that vinyl liners in pools last approximately six to 10 years, while painted concrete may require a fresh coat of paint every five years. Plaster finishes may last as long as 15 years, while cement-coated products can last a lifetime. Pools also need periodic

cleaning, and chemicals to keep the pool operating safely and cleanly will require an additional if somewhat minimal, financial investment. Homeowners investing in a new pool should be aware of the maintenance required to keep the pool clean and be willing to do that maintenance. And though homeowners typically can open and close pools on their own, it’s also possible to hire someone to do it for a relatively small fee each season.

How To Make Outdoor Living Spaces

More Comfortable

Privatebackyards are now go-to spaces for recreation and entertainment and great places to recharge the body and mind.

One ripple effect of the COVID-19 pandemic was more time spent outdoors, even if it was predominantly on one’s own property. OnePoll, in conjunction with the lawn care company TruGreen, surveyed 2,000 American homeowners and found participants spent 14 hours outside every week in 2021, which was three hours more than prior to the pandemic. In addition, respondents admitted that time spent outdoors was therapeutic.

A separate survey conducted for the International Casual Furnishings Association found that people now spend more time relaxing, gardening, exercising, dining, and entertaining outside than in years past. Though COVID-19 may no longer

dominate headlines, the desire to enjoy outdoor spaces has not waned.

While enjoying outdoor living areas, homeowners can do all they can to make these spaces comfortable and welcoming. The following are some good starting points:

Get all lit up

Outdoor spaces can be enjoyed no matter the hour when there is ample lighting. That could be why the International Casual Furnishings Association reports those who plan to renovate their outdoor spaces list outdoor lighting as a priority. Outdoor lighting not only sheds light on entertaining spaces but also makes spaces safer and more secure.

Increase privacy

No matter how friendly homeowners are with their neighbors, there comes a time when privacy is paramount.

Fencing, whether it is wood or vinyl or even a natural fence made from closely planted hedges, can ensure residents feel comfortable venturing outdoors to swim, take a cat nap, or even star gaze in private.

Address the elements

Homeowners should note the direction their backyard faces and the typical daily conditions of the space. For example, a yard that faces southwest may get plenty of strong sun during the day, requiring the addition of shade trees, covered patios, or arbors to cut down on the glare and heat. If the yard is often hit by winds, trees or bushes planted strategically as windbreaks can help.

Sit comfortably

High-quality comfortable seating increases the likelihood that homeowners will want to stay awhile in their outdoor spaces. A deep seating set complete

with plush chairs, an outdoor sofa or love seat, and chaise lounge chairs gives people more opportunity to sit and stay awhile.

Take a dip

A pool can be the perfect gathering spot on a warm day, while a spa/hot tub can bridge the gap to cooler weather. According to the Family Handyman, soaking in hot tubs can relax tired muscles after a long day, loosen up stiff joints, improve cardiovascular health, and reduce the time it takes to fall asleep.

Bite back at bugs

Homeowners may want to consider using a professional exterminator to get rid of ticks, mosquitoes, and other nuisance insects from outdoor spaces.

As people spend more time enjoying their properties, they can consider the many ways to make outdoor living spaces more comfortable.

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