FunDay Monday dates announced for 2023 Discover new wines perfect for the summer

Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and the Town Board have announced the schedule for the 2023 FunDay Monday season. This popular, free senior program, held at North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington, takes place every Monday from July 10 to August 21.

“Funday Monday is one of the Town’s most popular programs for our senior residents, and we are excited to again be hosting a full slate of events throughout the summer at North Hempstead Beach Park,” DeSena said. “Funday Monday has become a summer staple in many of our residents lives and the Town is happy to once again host these weekly events filled with games, exercise, and rousing performances.”

Organized and hosted by the Town’s Department of Community Services, FunDay Monday offers hundreds of seniors from across the Town the opportunity to gather for games, music, dancing, entertainment, and exercise.

The program’s most widely attended events are the Health Fair, which will take place this year on July 24 and HomeTown USA scheduled for Aug. 21, which honors our nation’s Armed Forces and veterans.

The 2023 FunDay Monday Summer Event Schedule:

July 10: Stan & Edi will charm you with their singing.

July 17: Vincent Rhodes Productions will give a live beach performance.

July 24: Senior Health, Education and Information Fair: learn more ways to maintain and manage your health. EJ the DJ will also be at the beach from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

July 31: Take a trip down Abbey Road and join the Beat-A-Likes, a Beatles Tribute, for some enjoyable music by the water.

Aug. 7: Residents will be treated to a Dance Aloha and Elvis Tribute at this summertime event.

Aug. 14: The Rat Pack Tributem will be showcasing their talents with music from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

Aug. 21: HomeTown USA: An exciting celebration of American traditions with crafts, hobbies, demos, musical performances, a classic car show and a special Salute to the Troops. Also enjoy performances by the Quatrain Barbershop Quartet and Bud & Linda as well as a vintage car show on the boardwalk.

FunDay Mondays will also have plenty of fun activities throughout the day including fitness classes, games, arts & crafts, beach walks, and more! Come on down each week for pickleball from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., line dancing from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and Tai Chi for balance and health from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Free bus transportation is available from various points throughout the town. For further information, or for a pick-up location near you, please call 311 or 516-869-6311.

BY RYAN BURKETT

As the temperatures rise and the days grow longer, it’s time to embrace the spirit of summer with a glass of refreshing wine in hand.

From crisp whites to light-bodied delights, the world of wine offers a plethora of options that perfectly complement the sunny season. Join us as we explore a selection of summer-friendly wines from across the globe, each offering their own unique characteristics to enhance your summertime enjoyment.

Txakolina: The Effervescent Gem of Basque Country

Hailing from the Basque Country in northern Spain, Txakolina (pronounced chah-ko-LEE-nah) is a vibrant and slightly fizzy white wine that’s an absolute delight on a warm summer day.

Made from indigenous grape varieties such as Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondarrabi Beltza, Txakolina offers refreshing acidity, vibrant citrus flavors, and a subtle saline note. Its effervescence adds a touch of liveliness, making it a perfect accompaniment to fresh seafood, salads, and light tapas.

While there are a number of great Txakolina producers, one of the best is Bodegas Zudugaraigrab a bottle of their 2022 ‘Antxiola’ today!

Vinho Verde: Vibrant and Zippy Portuguese Elegance From the vineyards of Portugal’s Minho region comes Vinho Verde, a wine renowned for its zesty character and light effervescence.

Despite its name, Vinho Verde (meaning “green wine”) refers to its youthful and vibrant nature rather than its color. Typically a blend of local grape varieties such as Alvarinho, Loureiro, and Trajadura, Vinho Verde offers crisp acidity, citrus flavors, and a refreshing, slightly spritzy mouthfeel.

Enjoy it as a standalone aperitif or pair it with fresh salads, grilled seafood, and light summer fare. The Vinho Verde from Quinta de Santiago offers amazing value and is a great way to get introduced to the style.

Soave: Italian Elegance in a Glass

Hailing from the Veneto region in northeastern Italy, Soave is a white wine that exudes elegance and style.

Crafted primarily from the Garganega grape, Soave offers delicate floral aromas, ripe orchard fruit flavors, and a lively acidity. Its medium body and smooth texture make it a versatile companion for a variety of dishes, from grilled vegetables to seafood pasta.

Soave’s balance and finesse are perfect for alfresco dining and warm summer evenings. But frankly, a lot of terrible Soave gets made. So make sure you are shopping at a reputable wine shop that selects their Soave carefully!

Albariño: The Essence of the Atlantic Coast

From the coastal regions of Galicia in northwest Spain comes Albariño, a white wine renowned for its crispness and aromatic charm. With its notes of ripe stone fruits, zesty citrus, and a distinctive mineral character, Albariño embodies the essence of the Atlantic Ocean. Its bright acidity and medium body make it a versatile partner for grilled fish, shellfish, and summer vegetable dishes, capturing the coastal spirit with every sip. Do yourself a favor and find the Benitos Santos Albarino. You won’t need another wine all summer.

Sauvignon Blanc:

Crisp and Herbaceous Classic

No list of summertime wines would be complete without Sauvignon Blanc. Grown in various regions worldwide, Sauvignon Blanc is celebrated for its zesty acidity, vibrant fruit flavors, and distinct herbaceous and grassy notes. From the lively examples of New Zealand to the elegant offerings of Sancerre in the Loire Valley in France, Sauvignon Blanc is a go-to wine for its refreshing character and versatility. Enjoy it alongside fresh salads, goat cheese, grilled vegetables, or as a refreshing sip on its own. Our favorite comes from right next door to Sancerre, offering a similar climate to grow grapes without the price tag. Isabelle and Pierre Clément make a delicious, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc from Menetou-Salon that competes with the best from Sancerre.

Now is the time to unleash your inner wine adventurer and embark on an exploration of flavors. From the effervescent gem of Basque Country’s Txakolina, to the zippy Portuguese refreshment of Vinho Verde, these wines are ready to dance on your taste buds. Let’s not forget the Italian elegance of Soave and the essence of the Atlantic Coast in a bottle of Albariño. Go forth, wine-loving friends, and embark on a journey of delightful discoveries. Summer awaits, and so do these perfect wines. Cheers to a summer filled with flavor and fun!

Graduation is steeped in tradition. Come the day of graduation, many grads-to-be might be focusing on receiving their diplomas and then celebrating after the ceremony. The hard work students put in affords them every right to celebrate once they’re officially anointed as new grads, but before the party begins it can be fun to reflect on the many traditions associated with graduation ceremonies.

Cap and gown

Graduation ceremonies simply wouldn’t be the same without caps and gowns. The tradition is anything but new, as Columbia University notes caps and gowns have been linked to academia since the 12th century. Back then, students wore gowns and hoods to emulate the clergy who taught them, but also to stay warm. Many universities dressed their scholars in gowns from the 1700s onward. In 1786, one school, Brown University, even mandated that degree candidates be clad in flowing robes and caps at commencement ceremonies. Though educators and students may no longer wear caps and gowns when attending class or around campus, the tradition of doing so at commencement ceremonies has endured.

Tassel turning

The tradition of turning the tassel does not have the lengthy history of the cap and gown, dating back only decades rather than centuries. Graduates typically turn the tassels after everyone has received their degrees during the ceremony. The turn is symbolic of their transition from student to graduate. Tassels start on the right for high school students and college undergraduates and are then turned to the left, while recipients of master’s degrees and doctorates keep their tassels on the left throughout the commencement ceremonies.

Tossing caps in the air

The tossing of graduation caps in the air is believed to date back more than 100 years. Prior to 1912, graduates of the United States Naval Academy had to serve as midshipmen for two years before they were commissioned as officers. As a result, they still needed their graduation caps. But beginning with the class of 1912, graduates were automatically commissioned as officers, so they no longer needed their hats. That led the graduates to throw them in the air, thus beginning one of the more fun and photo-worthy graduation traditions.

“Pomp and Circumstance”

This tradition marked by the playing of “Pomp and Circumstance” is rooted in the work of William Shakespeare, which makes it seem like a perfect fit for graduation ceremonies. Sir Edward Elgar composed “Pomp and Circumstance” in 1901 and the title for the song was inspired by a line in the bard’s “Othello.” Elgar received an honorary degree from Yale University in 1905, and during that ceremony “Pomp and Circumstance” was played. The song apparently made a strong impression, as it soon began to be played at various commencement ceremonies, a tradition that continues today.