Homeowners know there’s no shortage of ways to tweak a property. Some homeowners may lament that the work associated with home ownership is never done, but owning a house also provide endless opportunities to upgrade the spaces people call home.
Landscape lighting has become increasingly popular in recent years. That popularity is undoubtedly due to a number of variables, and each highlights a benefit of installing landscape lighting around a property.
• Affordability. Some may think of big budget projects like kitchen remodels or room additions when pondering home renovations. Such projects can have a dramatic impact on
Home renovations can increase resale value and outfit spaces to make them more accommodating to residents. Homeowners interested in remodeling projects understand that such undertakings are often a lengthy process. But the time spent waiting often is well worth it when the work is done and the finished product looks just as homeowners imagined.
Depending on the scope and scale of a project, home renovations can take anywhere from a day or two for minor cosmetic changes to nine months for a major project.
The lender RenoFi says projects like remodeling a kitchen or bathroom have a lot of
the look and feel of a home, but landscape lighting can be equally transformative at a fraction of the cost of larger undertakings. The home renovation experts at Angi.com estimate the average landscape lighting project costs around $4,000, making affordability a notable benefit of the project.
• Appearance. There’s no denying the aesthetic appeal of a well-lit landscape at night. Landscape lighting can be utilized to draw attention to aweinspiring components of a landscape, whether it’s natural features like gardens and foliage or manmade components like architectural features. Improved appearance can increase curb
appeal, which is often associated with how a home looks during daylight hours. But photographs of a welllit nighttime landscape can impress buyers as well.
• Cost savings. Landscape lighting might help homeowners reduce the cost of their homeowners insurance. Researchers at PolicyGenius.com found that insurance companies typically offer a discount of 2 to 5 percent to homeowners who install a home security system. Insurance providers may offer additional savings to homeowners who pair such systems with landscape lighting, which can be a deterrent to burglars who prefer to operate under a cloak of darkness.
• Safety. Insurance firms
The Benefits Of Lighting Up Your Landscape
may discount premiums because of landscape lighting because they view it as a deterrent to potential criminals. But landscape lighting also makes moving around a property at night safer for residents and guests. Lighting can be used to illuminate walkways, outdoor living rooms, patios around pools,
and other areas where residents and guests will be walking at night, which can reduce the risk of falls and injuries that may result from such spills.
• ROI. Savvy homeowners consider a renovation’s return on investment before deciding to go forward with a project.
Studies vary, but the National Association of Realtors indicates landscape lighting can recoup as much as 70 percent of homeowners’ investment in the project at resale. When viewed through the lens of ROI, the cost of installing landscape lighting is even less.
How To Prepare For A Lengthy Renovation Project
moving parts, including plumbing and electrical work, structural changes, flooring, and installation of appliances. Due to that complexity, such projects may take six to 12 weeks. A home addition can take months. Homeowners weary of such lengthy undertakings can implement strategies to make conditions at home more manageable.
• Get a rough estimate from contractors so that you can budget accordingly. A project will go nowhere without proper funding. Get detailed estimates that include labor and building materials. Then start saving and stash money away for the project so you’re not caught off-guard later on.
• Clear out clutter. Remove any extraneous items from the room or rooms that will be remodeled. Although it will be an added expense, it is a good idea to rent a storage unit or have a storage pod placed in the driveway or yard for the duration of the project. Move items that will not be needed into the unit. This will get them out of the way and protect them from damage.
• Stay with relatives. While some people have no issues living in a residence during a renovation, others may find the work simply too inconvenient or distracting to be around. Time away from the property can help manage stress, and prevent kids, pets and others from getting in the way of work.
• Safeguard sensitive items. Take inventory of items in the home and catalog them for insurance purposes. This way, you’re covered in the case of damage or theft. Remove documents, like birth certificates, passports, insurance policies, and other private papers, and keep them in a safety deposit box or fireproof safe.
Town Unveils Historical Marker
Commemorating Oyster Bay’s
Oldest
Business Historic Snouder’s Drug Store Once Home To Press
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board joined with local community representatives to unveil a historical marker at Snouder’s Corner Drug Store, the oldest continuously operated business in the hamlet of Oyster Bay. Officials also celebrated the grand opening of new French restaurant L’Etoile at the location, and thanked property owners Tim Lee and Claudia Taglich, as well as businessowners including the Milana family who operate L’Etoile.
Snouders Corner Drug
Store, the oldest operating business in Oyster Bay, was home to the first and only telephone in the community in the 1880s. When Theodore Roosevelt became Governor of New York, and later the President, the press corps would gather at Snouders so they could transmit
Officials, including Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Town Clerk Rich LaMarca, Councilwoman Vicki Walsh, Receiver of Taxes Jeff Pravato, and Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips, joined with property owners and chamber representatives to unveil a historical marker at the location of Snouders Corner Drug Store.
news from Oyster Bay. In 1889 Mr. Snouder installed a soda fountain, which became a center of social life for several generations of young people, who enjoyed soda and refreshments at the establishment for almost a century, into the 1970s.
“Today, we honor
the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to a prosperous future in our hamlet thanks to the commitment of those who have helped bolster our downtown and preserve our history,” said Supervisor Saladino.
Town Clerk LaMarca added, “I’ve been very
proud to work with and be part of great organizations like the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Association and Historical Society –who hold a true partnership in our hamlet and ensure that our great history is forever remembered and appreciated.”
Signs It’s Time To Replace Gutters
Home improvement projects run the gamut from complex undertakings like room additions to simpler renovations like a new front door. Some home renovations excite homeowners more than others, but all improvements are a way to make a home safer, more comfortable and/or more functional.
A gutter replacement might not inspire the same level of excitement as a room addition or an overhaul of an outdoor living space, but new gutters can help to prevent roof damage and make properties safer by ensuring rain water is directed away from walkways. Homeowners who suspect it might be time for a gutter replacement can look for these signs of fading gutters.
• Cracks or splits. Cracks or splits at the seams of the gutters where two pieces connect is a telltale sign they need to be replaced. Cracks or splits are can slowly lead to separation of gutter pieces, which will lead to leaks. But not all cracks or splits
are found at the seams. In fact, some homes feature seamless gutters, which also can crack or split. Regardless of where they’re found, cracks or splits are a warning signs of fading gutters.
• Rust. Rust is rarely a good sign whether you’re looking at a vehicle or even garden tools. Rust also is a bad sign in relation to gutters. Gutters are painted, and not only for aesthetic purposes. Paint on gutter also serves to protect them from water. When paint begins to flake, gutters will begin to rust and may even produce noticeable rust flakes on the ground below. Rust on gutters and rust flakes beneath them are indicative of gutters that need to be replaced.
• Gutters pulling away from the home. Gutters that appear to be pulling away from the home is a sign that they need to be replaced. Gutters are fastened to a home during installation, which ensures they can withstand rain and water. Over time,
Children’s Snapper Derby Returning To Oyster Bay September 14th
Event To Be Featured At Town’s Famed Bluefish Tournament
Oyster Bay Town
Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilman Lou Imbroto invite residents to attend the Town’s 3rd Annual Children’s Snapper Derby to be featured at the famed Bluefish Tournament on Sunday, September 14th, at Theodore Roosevelt Park in Oyster Bay.
those fasteners can wear down, ultimately leading to gutters that appear to be pulling away from the home. Though gutters can be refastened, eventually they will need to be replaced.
• Pooling water. Pooling water in a gutter may just be a sign that gutters need to be cleaned. However, pooling water on the ground directly beneath gutters indicates they’re not effectively directing water away from the home.
• Water damage inside. A home’s interior might not be the first place homeowners look when inspecting for damaged gutters, but a flooded basement or crawl space could indicate a gutter problem. Gutters and downspouts are designed to direct water away from a home when functioning properly. When that isn’t happening, water can pool beneath the foundation, leading to pooling water and other water damage in basements and crawl spaces.
“This fun family event is open to youngsters ages 14 and under with fun prizes and awards for winners, as well as giveaways for all participants,” said Supervisor Saladino. “This fun event provides a great opportunity to introduce children to the wonderful recreational sport of fishing.”
The Snapper Derby will take place between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., during the Town’s Bluefish Tournament, at Theodore
Roosevelt Memorial Park by the fishing pier. There is a $10 registration entry for residents and $15 for non-residents. Participants are invited to bring their own equipment, including poles and bait, as supplies are limited. Children will be placed into two age groups, ages 7 and under and 8-14. Winners will be based on number of snappers caught
- catch and release only - with awards and prizes being given out for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for each age group. Food trucks will be available for purchase to all spectators.
“We are thrilled to bring this fun event to Theodore Roosevelt Park and invite all youngsters to sign up to participate,” said Councilman Imbroto. “There will be free refreshments, shirts and raffles for all participants, as well as awards and prizes for top winners.”
For more information on registration, residents can contact the Town’s Recreation Office at (516) 797-7945. Registration is now open on the Town’s website, at www. oysterbaytown.com/sports.
Monteleone Announces Fall
Toddler Arts & Crafts Program
Oyster Bay Town Councilman Andrew Monteleone announced that the popular Toddler Arts & Crafts Program will be offered again this fall, beginning on October 7th. This 6-week program offers classes at the Town’s Ice Skating Center Community Room in Bethpage and at the Hicksville Athletic Center, and is open to children ages 2 through 4.
“The Town’s Toddler Arts & Crafts Program is a wonderful way to help support your toddler’s development through nurturing their artistic expression,” said Councilman Monteleone. “Classes will certainly fill up quickly as this program offers children an opportunity to meet others their age and explore their creativity. Highlights of the program
include holiday crafts and ceramics.”
The Toddler Arts & Crafts Program begins October 7th and is 6 weeks in duration. Residents who sign their toddler up for the program must choose one class per week, per child. Classes will take place on:
Tuesdays at 10:00 am for two-year-olds, and 11:00 am for three-andfour-year-olds at the Hicksville Athletic Center in Hicksville; Wednesdays at 10:00 am for two-year-olds, and 11:00 am for three-and-fouryear-olds at the Ice Skating
Continued On 7
Monteleone Announces Fall Toddler Arts & Crafts Program
Continued From 6
Center Community Room in Bethpage; Thursdays at 10:00 am for two-year-olds, and 11:00 am for threeand-four-year-olds at the Ice Skating Center Community Room in Bethpage.
Registration will take place online through the Parks Portal available at oysterbaytown.com/ portal. Space is limitedfirst come, first serve. Registration will close when the program reaches full capacity. Each class is approximately 45 minutes. The cost of the program is $35 per child who is a Town resident, and $45 per child whose care giver is a Town resident but not the child. The child’s birth certificate and a tax or utility bill will be required to validate age and proof of residency. A guardian must be present during the class. A smock and supplies will be provided with enrollment. The final day to request a refund for this program will be October 17, 2025.
The Toddler Arts & Crafts Program is run by the Town’s Parks Department, Recreation Division. For further information, please call (516) 797-7945.
Save Water
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) WaterSense program is encouraging homeowners to find and fix leaks to save more than 10 percent on utility bills now and help save water for future generations. For more information and tips about how to save water, visit www. epa.gov/water sense.
Kitchen Cabinets: Reface Or Replace?
Thekitchen is a busy room in many homes. That popularity likely has something to do with why so many homeowners spend sizable sums renovating their kitchens. According to highlights from a recent U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, the median spend on major kitchen remodels grew by 14 percent from the previous year, and minor remodels increased by 25 percent. Spurred on by increased time spent at home during the pandemic, the main impetus for kitchen remodels, according to the study, was that homeowners wanted to make these improvements all along and finally had the time and means to do so.
There are many aspects of a kitchen that homeowners can change. Houzz found 94 percent of renovators either fully or partially replaced cabinets in their improvement plans. Cabinets are a major component of kitchen layouts. Cabinets help
to establish the aesthetic of a kitchen and serve a useful function, providing necessary storage space to ensure the room does not appear cluttered. Homeowners have different options when it comes to cabinet renovations, and they may need to decide if they need to replace or reface their cabinets.
• Replacement. Cabinet replacement involves removing all of the existing cabinets before new cabinets are leveled and installed. According to the home improvement resource The Spruce, homeowners can expect to pay between $13,000 and $30,000 for contractorgrade cabinets. Cabinet replacement is a good idea when homeowners want to add more cabinet space or create a new layout in the room.
• Refacing. Cabinet refacing is less messy and less disruptive than replacement. All cabinets remain the
Town To Host Famous Bluefish Tournament In Oyster Bay
Registration Now Open To Anglers Of All Ages
If hours of fishing followed by a tailgate party with food, raffles, awards, and prizes sounds like a perfect day to you, then you’ll want to sign up right now for the 39th Annual Town of Oyster Bay Bluefish Tournament, scheduled for Sunday, September 14th, and hosted by Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board. The post-tournament tailgate party will take place on the beach at Theodore Roosevelt Park in Oyster Bay.
same size and in the same location. The cabinet boxes must be in good shape to facilitate a refacing. The process involves the installation of new drawer fronts and cabinet doors, as well as the veneering of the cabinet boxes. New hardware is typically installed as well. The insides of the cabinets typically remain the same. The Spruce says cabinet refacing can be 30 to 50 percent cheaper than a replacement.
Most people call in professionals to change their cabinets. Cabinet replacement can be a do-it-yourself job, but it involves measuring and ensuring everything fits and is leveled appropriately. Homeowners who choose to reface their cabinets themselves may opt to paint or restain. Wood veneer or a new door and drawer panel installation can be complicated and is best left to qualified contractors.
“The Bluefish Tournament is a great all-day sporting event with wonderful prizes and great camaraderie,” said Supervisor Saladino. “Join us for this fun day of tranquility on the water, the adrenaline rush of feeling that first big tug on your fishing line, and the spirit of competition as you try to beat the tournament record and compete for prizes.”
The tournament runs from 4:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to anglers of all ages. All contestants must be pre-registered. The entrance
fee for the tournament is $40 for both residents of the Town of Oyster Bay and non-residents. All those who register before September 9th will receive a tournament t-shirt, and all participants will be automatically entered into the door prize raffle. Food trucks will be available for purchase to all spectators. Registration can be found online at www. oysterbaytown.com/ sIn-person. In-person registration is offered at Causeway Bait & Tackle in Wantagh, Hi-Hook Bait & Tackle in Huntington, and Duffy’s Bait & Tackle in Glenwood Landing. The Town of Oyster Bay is also hosting an in-person registration from 8am –5pm on September 13th, at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park. Registration forms can also be mailed to: Town of Oyster Bay Department of Parks Attn: Jackie Devlin Bluefish Tournament 977 Hicksville Road Massapequa, NY 11758. Along with plaques,
winners of 1st through 10th Places will receive gift certificates in the following amounts: 1st Place - $1,000; 2nd Place - $750; 3rd Place - $500; 4th Place - $400; 5th & 6th Places - $300; 7th & 8th Places - $100; 9th & 10th Places - $100. Prizes subject to increase based on registration. Raffle winners must be present to receive their prizes, which will be presented at the tailgate party scheduled for 4:15 p.m. Sponsors of the 2025 Bluefish Tournament include: Mill Max Corporation, Causeway Bait & Tackle, Duffy’s Bait & Tackle, Coach Meeting House, Cooper Bluff, HiHook Bait & Tackle, Homes by Mara Realty, New York Marine Trades Association, Oyster Bay Marine Supply, Paddy’s Loft, The Sunset Club, Riverhead Building Supply, and Tow Boat U.S. For further information, please contact the Town of Oyster Bay Parks Department, Recreation Division, at (516) 797-7945.
Raindate
October 5th
SHOWMOBILE #1
North Beech St.
1:00pm-1:30pm
OPENING CEREMONIES
Italian National Anthem & American National Anthem
2:00pm-3:30pm
Spindrella & The Posers
4pm-5:30pm LI Rewind Band Music of 60’s, 70’s & 80’s
ENTERTAINMENT SPONSORS
PLEASE, For Animal Safety, Leave Your Pet At Home
NORTH MASS F.D.
• First Aid Station
Rag-A-Muffin Registration • Recruitment Station
North Broadway, North Massapequa
A Beginner’s Guide To Fall Planting And Maintenance
Spring and summer are perhaps the busiest times of year for gardeners. However, fall also is a prime time to tend to gardens.
The tree and bare root retailer Bower & Branch advises that soil temperatures in many regions of the country may still be warm enough to encourage root growth well into the start of winter. Furthermore, fall is often the ideal time to plant, fertilize and keep a garden going or to get a head start on next year’s bounty.
Here are some tips to make the most of the fall gardening season.
• Think about fall annuals and bulb planting. Near the end of September, start planting cool-weatherloving pansies and violas for pops of color
as summer flowers fade. Also, it’s a good idea to stock up on bulbs that will bloom in the months to come before they sell out in stores. Wait until the temperatures really cool down before planting them in desired spots for spring sprouts.
• Sow salad seeds. Lettuce, spinach, radishes, and arugula tolerate cooler temperatures. Try new and interesting lettuce varieties and enjoy salads well into the fall season.
• Take inventory of the sun. Positioning a garden carefully means maximizing hours of sunlight, which begin to dwindle in the fall. Experts say gardens grow best in sunny locations that receive six hours of direct sunlight each day. This is where container
gardens can be helpful, as they allow gardeners to move plants into spots that will get ample sunlight.
• Fill in landscaping gaps. Some fall plants can add color around the landscape and brighten up homes to add curb appeal. In addition to pansies and violas, asters, kale and chrysanthemums are fall blooms. Keep in mind that mums can come back year after year. So take them out of those flower pots and get them into the ground. They can be enjoyed next year as well, sprouting in early spring and developing leaves and buds through late summer.
• Clean up unwanted growth. Fall is an ideal time to cut back spent vegetable plants and
get rid of errant weeds. Rather than bagging leaves, mow them with a grass catcher and then add the mix to a vegetable garden as an excellent soil insulator. The nitrogen and carbon will fertilize the soil, enhancing growing possibilities and limiting weed growth.
• Continue to water plants. Water is essential in the fall and winter as roots can still be growing. Gradually reduce watering duration as plants go dormant.
• Propagate plants in the fall. As temperatures gradually begin to cool, start taking cuttings from perennials, gathering seed pods from azaleas and rhododendrons and dividing hardwood cuttings, says the resource Gardening Know How. Consult with a garden center or horticulturist on the proper ways to propagate stems using rooting hormone and other techniques.
432216N091025
A Year Of Great Potential Begins In Massapequa
The sun was shining bright as more than 6,000 students returned to school in the Massapequa School District on Sept. 2.
After a nine-week summer vacation, the doors opened and students in grades 1-12 walked into clean, shiny buildings with their new sneakers and backpacks.
At the elementary schools, principals, assistant principals,
teachers and support staff greeted children as they arrived by car, on foot and by bus. As friends reunited, there were plenty of photo opportunities at large “Welcome Back” signs on the front lawns. The young learners got to their classrooms, settled into their desks and unpacked their supplies. Throughout the three secondary schools, students visited their lockers
before beginning their first-semester schedules, with teachers reviewing course information and expectations for the coming year.
The district’s theme for the 2025-2026 school year is “A Paradigm of Potential: The Power of Connections and Community.”
Photos courtesy of the Massapequa School District
and
beginning their first year of high school at the Ames Campus.
Remedies For Creaky Floors
Hardwood
floors are coveted features in many homes.
The National Wood Flooring Association says wood floors are the most environmentally friendly flooring options available. In the United States, the hardwood forests that provide flooring products are growing twice as fast as they are being harvested. Furthermore, wood floors can last for many generations and require fewer raw materials to produce than other flooring options. That means less waste may end up in landfills.
Hardwood floors can endure for decades in a home, but over time those same floors may need some tender loving care to keep them looking good and working as they should. Squeaky floors are a common nuisance that homeowners may experience. Squeaking is often caused by movement and friction between floorboards. Treating the problem involves identifying the underlying issue.
• Loose hardware.
Squeaky floors may be due to the loosening of the hardware holding the floor in place, says The Home Depot. When nails or screws no longer are secured tightly, the boards can rub together. The noise heard is the sound produced by rubbing. Tightening or replacing the hardware can help reduce the squeaking.
• Counter-snap kit method. This Old House says this kit method is a great way to fix squeaks without damaging the floor. Once the source of the squeak is located, drill a 3/32-inch pilot hole through the hardwood flooring. Then insert a screw through the kit’s depth-control fixture and into the pilot hole, and drive it until it automatically snaps off below the wood surface. Follow this up by filling the hole with wood putty that matches the floor color. Once the putty is dry, lightly sand the area to blend.
• Use a shim or shims. Sometimes the floor may squeak because of
a gap between the joists and the subfloor. Filling the gap with a small piece of wood called a shim can help alleviate the gap or gaps.
• Drive up screws. If a squeak is just in one spot, The Home Depot says that you may be able to drive short screws from below into the subfloor.
• Small gaps. For small gaps between boards, sprinkle talcum powder or powdered graphite between squeaky boards to reduce friction. Wood filler applied with a putty knife also may work. For larger gaps, use a liquid filler designed for wood floors.
Homeowners also can visit their local home improvement center for other hardware solutions designed for underfloor repairs to remedy squeaks. Many work from underneath the floor and involve mounting plates or brackets to sure up the floor.
Squeaky floors can be problematic, but noises can be banished with some repair work.
Massapequa Superintendent Dr. William Brennan
Principal Tania Williman greeted freshmen
It was the last first day at Fairfield Elementary School for this group of fifth grade friends.
GUTTERS
Every Jo b TRIPLE R GU TTERS Call To ny
631-793-8812 Masonr y ALL MASONRY WORK AND BLACKTOP DRIVEW AYS APRONS ASPHALT, WALKWAYS, POOL PATIOS BELGIAN BLOCKS, NEW STOOPS & REPAIRS ALL PHASES OF LANDSCAPING & LAWN SERVICES & MAINTENANCE MULCH, TOP SOIL, SEED, & TREE TRIMMING O-ROD LANDS CA PING LIC/INS
