January 18, 2023 Farmingdale South

Golden Tones Entertainment Group Seeking New Members

Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Michele Johnson announced that the Town’s ‘Golden Tones Entertainment Group’ is seeking new members. This chorus is a social group open to Town residents over the age of 60 who have an interest in singing, dancing, or entertaining. Anyone 60 and over is welcome to join; a great singing voice is not required to participate in this social group.

“We hear from choir

members all the time how singing together lifts their spirits while providing great joy to others in senior care facilities, schools and at public events,” said Councilwoman Johnson.

“The Golden Tones Entertainment Group provides a creative and social outlet for seniors to make new friends and bond over their love of music. Join us today!”

Meetings will be held every Friday, beginning on February 3rd, at 10am

Bird Walk

at the North Massapequa Community Center, located at 214 North Albany Avenue in North Massapequa. There are two planned shows, a Spring Show as well as a Holiday Show, scheduled to be performed at the North Massapequa Community Center.

Senior citizens interested in joining the Golden Tones of TOBAY Entertainment Group should call (516) 7977916 for more information.

At Hempstead Lake State Park

Join the South Shore Audubon Society on a bird walk at Hempstead Lake State Park on Sunday, January 22, starting at 9:00 am.

All are welcome. Walk leaders and other birders and nature enthusiasts will be happy to share

their knowledge and experience with you.To register, text your name and contact information to Joe Landesberg at 516 4679498. Bring binoculars. The bird walk is free of charge.

The group will meet in Parking Field #3,

Exit 18 South, from the Southern State Parkway. Rain or snow will cancel the bird walk. For more information, log onto www.ssaudubon.org. We follow Covid protocols in effect at the time of walk.

Insurance Tips And Information

Article provided by Ken Marcus and Mitchell Barber

Review Your Home Coverage

Have you reviewed your insurance coverage this year? Within the past five years? Unfortunately, most people’s eyes glaze over when offered the chance to review their coverage. “Everything is fine,” they instinctively say, stalwart in their effort to not-be-sold anything. The problem is our lives are dynamic and everchanging. We must alter our coverage to fit our ever-changing physiques.

In the consumer focused, internet age, we can choose the coverage we want. Seldom, however, do our needs remain the same from year to year. We often need a professional to guide us to purchase what we want, whether we know what we want or not.

KEN MARCUS

Have building codes changed since you purchased your home?

Did you ask about Code Coverage? Do you know what Code Coverage provides? Is your personal property insured against loss or theft? How about if it’s away from home? What happens if you list your house on Air BNB? Or rent a room or floor to a tenant? Are you covered for their lost possessions? Are you covered if you are sued by them?

Call your agent and talk about changes in your life. Review your coverage considering how you live.

Helping You Help Others

By Noelle Lambert

The Charity of the Month for January is Pal-O-Mine Equestrian

Pal-O-Mine Equestrian is a local non-profit organization that began in 1995 as a therapeutic horseback riding program for individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. They grew from having two programs, eight horses and 80 students per week to 11 programs, 25 horses and 400 students per week - and they continue to grow today!

“2023 will be a year of physical growth with our new educational center and treatment clinic, as well as spiritual growth by continuing to serve the many who need our 13 acre farm and herd to help them heal from trauma, grow in personal strength and learn new things to brighten their future,” said Lisa Gatti, Founder of Pal-O-Mine Equestrian. The organization will be o ering various events throughout 2023, some of which are noted below.

February 15th they will kick-o a 3 month virtual Hay Drive Fundraiser. “We’ve been holding this Fundraiser once a year for 3 years now because in the last few years the cost of hay has tripled,” said Lisa. “Every penny donated through this fundraiser goes directly to helping us buy hay for our herd. I’d like to warmly thank everyone in advance for their support and donations, it truly helps us more than you know.” This year they are proud to o er a new text to donate feature. More information is available on their website (www.pal-o-mine.org).

Additionally, May 3rd through May 7th from 9:30AM-2:30PM they are holding their annual J-STEP Spring Craft Fair at their farm, located at 829 Old Nichols Road in Islandia.

J-STEP, which stands for Job Security Through Equine Partnership, is their Vocational Program. The program o ers a paid internship that runs 5 days per week for people with disabilities who are 18 years or older. Every item showcased at this fair is handcrafted by the J-STEP interns.

Lastly, May 4th from 6PM-9PM they will hold a Stable Spirits Art Show and Auction in their barn. This will be a night you won’t want to miss, filled with local wine and cheese, creativity and philanthropy! Pal-O-Mine will proudly feature up and coming artists in individual “stalls” in the barn and proceeds from each sale will go towards building their new educational center and clinic.

If you are interested in finding out more about their J-STEP Program or learning about the opportunity to have your art displayed at the Stable Spirits Art Show, contact Tessa at TessaVF@pal-o-mine. org. For more general information about Pal-O-Mine, call 631-348-1389, visit their website (www.pal-o-mine.org), Like them on Facebook and Follow them on Instagram.

Hometown Heroes Recognition Applications Now Available

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Steve Labriola announced that the Town is now accepting applications for the 2023 Hometown Heroes’ Community Recognition Program. This initiative recognizes the service and sacrifice of the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces – both living and deceased – who are current or former Town of Oyster Bay residents.

“My Town Board colleagues and I were amazed by the outpouring of support this program has received from residents, businesses and local heroes,” said Councilman Labriola. “We are proud to return this important initiative to our communities and look forward to further recognizing our veterans, active duty service members, and their families

for their commitment to defend our freedoms and democracy.”

Banners bearing the nominated individual’s name, rank, photograph and area of service will be unveiled throughout selected park facilities across the Town of Oyster Bay in the months leading up to Veterans Day in November. Any interested individual or organization who would wish to sponsor a banner can remit $75 to sponsor the production of a banner. No profit is made from this

program. Once the banners are displayed, the Town will maintain the banners, and will remain on display until Veterans Day, where they will then be taken down to avoid any inclement winter weather and returned to the service family or their loved ones. Those who sponsored a banner last year are reminded to submit a new application in order to be included in the 2023 season. Applications must be received by March 10, 2023.

Hometown Heroes Recognition Applications Now

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Supervisor Saladino added, “This is an especially meaningful way to honor those who bravely and selflessly served our nation. Together as a community

we will honor the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who sacrificed a great deal for our nation, as well as many local veterans who continue to serve our community and their fellow veterans

through advocacy efforts.”

For more information on how to sponsor a banner, visit www.oysterbaytown. com/herobanners to download or submit an application, or call (516) 797-4121.

Hints For Home Buyers Debunking The Five Myths That Deter Homeownership

(NAPSI)—Buying a home can seem daunting, especially for first-time homebuyers facing record housing prices, tight supply, and rising interest rates. Quite often, misconceptions about homeownership discourage prospective buyers from starting a search even before it begins.  The good news is

homeownership can be much closer than you think. Lisa Frison, Head of Financial Inclusion and Racial Equity at Citi, recalls that growing up her parents rented their home for years before eventually becoming first-time homebuyers. “Even so, I found myself struggling to understand what I needed to do and what resources were available to me when

I was ready to buy my first home nearly a decade later,” she says. Here Frison debunks these Top 5 Myths to help you get on track to building generational wealth through homeownership.

1. I Don’t Have Credit (a FICO Score). Nearly 11% of Americans (50 million people) are “credit

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ING? Place your ad in the Classi fieds 631 -2 26-2636 Ext. 27 6

THINKING ABOUT ADVERTISING YOUR BUSINESS and not sure how to get started? Call today and one of our experienced Sa les Representatives will assist you. We c an help you with a lin e ad or a di splay ad. Let us at SOUTH BAY'S NEIGHBOR NEWS PAPE RS set up an adv ertising program for you. Y ou'll be glad you di d! Call 631-226-2636, ext. 276

Hints For Home Buyers Debunking The Five Myths That Deter Homeownership

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invisible,” according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, meaning they have no or limited credit history. This disproportionately affects diverse and underserved communities. To help, Citi’s HomeRun mortgage program offers non-traditional ways to demonstrate credit readiness, such as providing proof of paying rent, utilities or other monthly payments.

2. I Don’t Have Enough Money Saved. You may have more money than you think. Many banks offer programs for new homebuyers that do not require mortgage insurance for those qualifying. Also, HomeRun has some mortgages for as little

as 3% down, with a minimum 1% borrower contribution. This, along with the bank’s Lender Paid Assistance, which provides up to $7,500 closing cost funds that do not need to be paid back, saves qualifying borrowers thousands of dollars in closing costs, helping them afford more house. These programs are offered only in select markets and have income limitations.

3. I Should Start House Hunting with a Realtor. It seems logical to begin with a real estate agent but your best bet may be to start with your lender, who can explore homebuyer assistance programs with you and give you a realistic view of what you can afford through a pre-qualification or pre-

approval. A real estate agent will then narrow the search to help you find the right home for you and your budget.

4. I Earn Too Much to Qualify for Assistance. Lender assistance programs may be more expansive than you think, especially in response to inflation and rising home prices. For example, Citi has increased lending assistance to borrowers with income up to 120% of median income—up from 80% of the median local income. The bank’s loan officers can tell customers where their income is relative to the local median family income and also whether a property is located in an eligible census tract.

5. I Should Keep Renting Because I Missed the Market and Now I’m Priced Out. First-time or affordable homebuyer programs can help you get on the path to buying a home you can afford. Remember, a home is more than a place to live and build memories—it is a way to build wealth that you can pass on to future generations. That’s something you can’t achieve by renting.

Learn More

For more information, visit www.citi.com/ mortgage/communitylending-homerun.

A Special Family Touch

Stanley Barany Sr. was born in Hungary in 1943. At the age of thirteen he, along with his brother and parents, escaped the revolution and came to America. Stanley later began working at a bakery, which was close to a monument company where he eventually landed a new job. As he quickly picked up the trade and excelled in all his work there, to his surprise he started to realize he was an artist (at the time all monument creation was done by hand). In the 1960s, Stanley proudly opened Heart 2 Heart in Lindenhurst, where he offered inscriptions and monuments. This changed to R. Barany Monuments, Inc. when Randy took over. His company wasn’t the only success in his life, as Stanley became the father of four children over the years. At one point or another, all four sons worked at the business with their father. Randy, his youngest son, first started working with his dad at the age of eight. However, as a young child he didn’t understand the significance of their work, until a single moment forever changed and guided his life. While at

a cemetery as a young child he had been running around the stones and just being a kid. His father called him over and said to him, “Listen son, all these people are someone’s family, you cannot play like this. You need to treat every stone you ever touch or work on as if it was my stone.” This stuck with Randy throughout his entire career and the company’s mottos later became, “Let our family help your family” and “Walk in as a customer but leave as family”.

Randy worked for his dad for about twenty years. Since he was the youngest, he never imagined that one day he would own and take over the business. However, as things became more digital, in reference to design work for their products, Randy became more involved in the progression of the company’s direction. He and his brother Scott stayed at the company with their father. When Randy took over, their mother Margaret and Scotts son, Scott Jr., joined the team as well.

In 2012, Randy took over the company and kept Scott on as one of the best layout and blasters in the business.

Scott had started working

for his dad at the age of eighteen and now has been in this industry well over thirty years, having called out sick only twice in his career. Scott’s son has also joined the family business.

Currently, they are one of the best monument design and etching companies in the business and have been in business for over 50 years. They are also one of the toprated Yahoo! And Google companies. They thoroughly work with cemeteries on the behalf of others and allow customers to help them design the monument they imagine. Barany Monuments feels that they offer some of the most competitive pricing in the business. Plus, they offer discounts to Police Officers, Firefighters and First Responders. They really try to ensure everyone gets a stone no matter their financial situation by offering other discounts as well as payment plans.

For more information, please call them at 631.802.5175, visit www. baranymonumentlettering. com or visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/r. baranymonuments.

Stanley Barany Sr.

From left to right: Scott Barany (Randy’s brother), Margaret Barany (their mother), Deana (Randy’s fiance), Randy Barany, Brooklyn Skye Barany (Deanna and Randy’s baby) and Babylon’s Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer.

Jason P., Farmingdale

Ken Marcus and his group of agents couldn’t get any better. They are always very professional and they make sure they are with you every step of the way. Any questions I had or concerns they were always prompt to respond even if I had a question in the middle of the night I knew first thing in the morning I was getting a response they really treat you like a part of the family. I would definitely recommend them.