Twenty-five students from Sewanhaka Central High School District had their artwork displayed in the 2026 Nassau All-County Art Exhibition. See page 4.
“Read Across Floral Park” raff le
The Floral Park Public Library is offering a “Read Across Floral Park” raffle. To enter, just send a photo of yourself, or a family member or friend reading around Floral Park Village or Bellerose Village for a chance to win a gift card to: Tulip Bagels, Village Pizza, Gyro Village, or Tulip Bakery. Four winners will be chosen randomly. The contest is ongoing through Monday, March 16th.
Please email photos to readacrossfloralpark2026@gmail. com
You can take a photo of:
• An adult reading to a child
See page 6
Floral Park details West End drainage project
BY RIKKI MASSAND
On Wednesday night, February 18th, the Village of Floral Park administration led by Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald, the Village Board, Public Works Superintendent Kevin Ginnane and Superintendent of Building Renee Marcus shared details about the West End Drainage construction project in a town hall-style meeting held both in-person and over Zoom. The project is intended to lessen the municipality’s use of the existing Nassau County drainage system and add substantial drainage and stormwater management capacity in the neighborhood.
The project scope includes new piping, drainage inlets and road restoration work for the dead-end streets of Primrose and Clover Avenues, as well as drainage modifications on Maple, Elm and Walnut Avenues from the Mayfair Avenue intersections to the dead ends along Belmont. A new, large recharge basin will be installed on the Belmont property easement just south of East Elder Avenue between Clover and Calla Avenues. Additional drainage inlets, piping and
road restoration work will occur along West Elder Avenue from Spruce Avenue to Walnut Avenue, and the village is installing a drainage leaching system at the intersection of Pine Avenue and Elder Place.
Superintendent Marcus noted that the contractor was planning to start bringing materials to the job sites by Thursday, February 19th, though snowstorms had impacted a few things around town. She said that the bulk of the work in late winter and spring will take place inside the fence at Belmont Park.
“The project’s anticipated substantial completion date is August 1st, but of course that is weather-dependent. What’s unique about this project are the working times; because of the horses and their practice schedules at Belmont, anything inside that facility can not start prior to 11 a.m. – Village Code allows for construction work and activities from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays. The contractors will be only working from 11 a.m. onwards and they can also work on Sundays – the contractor is union, and Belmont does See page 6
March at the Floral Park Library
“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” - Hal Borland
It sure seems like winter has lasted forever, but Daylight Savings Time is upon us, and hope “springs” eternal.
This month, we’re reading across Floral Park for two weeks beginning Monday, March 2. Send a photo of a family member, a friend, a selfie reading somewhere in Floral Park or Bellerose Village. Photos can be of an adult reading to a child (or vice versa), a child reading to a pet or stuffed animal, friends reading together, etc.
Village Pizza, Gyro Village or Tulip Bakery.
FOUR VILLAGE STUDIO
And, this month, Adults can ‘march’ right into a new Library program: The Quiet Reading Book Club. The inaugural meeting happens Tuesday evening, March 3 in (where else?) the Quiet Room.
Photos should be emailed to readacrossfloralpark2026@gmail.com for an opportunity to be one of four randomly chosen winners. Prizes include gift cards to local businesses: Tulip Bagels,
Weekly by-appointment-only Tuesday Tax Prep sessions with AARP are in full ‘bloom,’ and Wednesday morning hybrid Chair Yoga continues to attract the ‘regulars’ and newcomers. Empire Safety Council Defensive Driving class happens on a Saturday this month (spots are filling fast).
For the adult makers and creators, a Gardening 101 program, a Gelli painting workshop and a resin pendant making
9:30 PM
Author Corner
Stephanie Larkin
“Overcoming the Mother Wound” ~ Mari Grande, LCSW, LCAT
Wes Houston Presents…
Wes Houston
Marjorie Kelting & Jen Larson ~ A Bluegrass Duo Uncorked
Rex Whicker
“An Intro to Whiskey” ~ The Regions & Varieties Are Explored FPFD: Red Alert Larry King, AEMT
“The 1931 Franklin” ~ Take a Ride Around Town with Walt & Larry
workshop are options. Or, just relax and catch the Monday Movie “Song Sung Blue” on the 30th.
The weekly English Language Learner classes continue on Tuesday evenings. Pre-registration is required for both Beginning and Intermediate/ Advanced.
The Morning Friends of the Floral Park Library Book Club meets at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, March 2, and the Evening Edition Book Club discusses Khaled Hossani’s “The Kite Runner” on Thursday, March 12.
The Made with Love Knitting and Crocheting groups meet Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m.; no registration necessary.
On taps for teens, a Travel Through Time Gaming event, Community Service opportunities, and more.
The young ones can choose from including Play Hooray, and A Time for Kids’ Baby Start and Family Presschool Hour, a Pom Queen craft (grades 3 – 5), and P[ART]y Art sessions for pre-K thru 2nd grade and third thru 5th grade.
On National Super Mario Day (March 16th), Creatology Kidz offers a fun program to learn about the history behind Nintendo and talk about gaming while building Super Mario, Luigi and other characters out of LEGOs!
Crafty Kids brings the second of four
monthly Proud to be an American crafts for pre-K through grade 2, and Through the Looking Glass shows 3rd thru 5th graders how to create Van Gogh-inspired coasters.
Long Island children’s author Zainab Khan reads her story “Noura’s Crescent Moon” on Thursday, March 26. It’s perfect for children ages four thru eight. And, there’s also Storytime (ages 2.5 – preschool) and More than a Story (3 years and up).
The Library Board meets on Wednesday, March 11, at 7:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public (use the rear entrance of the Library).
Looking for some help with your résumé, job search, LinkedIn profile or interview prep? Look no further than Ellen O’Brien. Contact her at eobrien@ nassaulibrary.org or 516 326.6330 x3103 for a free 30-minute career consultation.
Need assistance with those smart devices and more? One-to-one tech help with Joe for tablets, smartphones, laptops, Kindles and general questions is available for our Floral Park patrons by appointment only (floralparktechhelp@ gmail.com).
For more information on dates and times, events registration and program details, visit the library website, flo-
See page 6
4VS@4VS.org
Waking up to spring at FP Centennial Gardens
BY ANN GRIBBINS, FPCS VOLUNTEER
Wow! What else can be said about the winter of 2026. One snow storm, school closed, and fun. Soon after, a blizzard, school closed, businesses closed, work at home or a day off.
“This is how we grew up”, many adults told the children. The children creating snow figures, igloos, huts, and sledding. With the Winter Olympics new adventures had been witnessed, enjoyed and tried to be copied. Children tried new creative ways to snowboard and sled. Neighbors helping neighbors. As one person said "we live our lives and when someone needs help we are there for then.” So many people helping others at this time.
On March 20, 2026 at 10:46 a.m. ET Spring begins. Spring, one of four seasons, it begins after winter and ends with summer. Spring is associated with new beginnings. It is a season filled with hope, life, growth and joy.
Day light is longer, plants are growing, animals are emerging and an increase in energy can be experienced. The word spring has several definitions. Jump, stand up, emerge, mechanical device, are a few.
With spring comes gardening. Once again it is time to bring out the tools. Last fall, after months of hard work caring for all the plants in the garden the caregivers put the tools away. All were exhausted and needed a rest. Now is the time to give those tools some TLC. The tools need to be cleaned, dried, lubricated and sharpened, to prepare for the season of work ahead. First clean with running water or soak in soap and water. rinse and dry. If rusty spray with WD-40 or oil. It is good to have a bucket with sand and some oil added to it to dip clean your tools. Tools also need sharpening, this is important for the life of the plant. Dull pruning shears can harm plants. Other tools that you will need to
grow and maintain your garden are a trowel, spade, rake, hoe, watering can, gloves, and your love of gardening.
With Spring also comes the emergence of the bees, birds, bugs, flowers, leaves on the trees and “weeds”. Always remember that weeds in one part of the world can be food in another part. Please research the weeds before removing them. Many are sources of food for the animals and insects.Bees depend on dandelions for food as they wait for other sources of nourishment to arrive. Not all bees are part of a bee hive. There are many species that are singletons.
Always remember that when the Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary opens you are welcome to visit and ask questions about gardening. Everyone who works and volunteers at the gardens is there because they are happy to be there and to share their time, energy and knowledge with you.
CELEBRATING
QUALITY THAT L ASTS GENERATIONS
Student artists featured at Nassau exhibition
Twenty-five students from Sewanhaka Central High School District had their artwork displayed in the 2026 Nassau AllCounty Art Exhibition, hosted by the Art Supervisors Association of Nassau County at W.T. Clark High School on March 1.
The exhibition highlighted the artistic accomplishments of more than 1,300 student-artists K-12 across Nassau County, showcasing a wide spectrum of media including drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, computer graphics, photography and sculpture.
Congratulations to the following Sewanhaka CHSD art students who were honored to have their work featured in this prestigious countywide exhibition: Nyla Campbell, Ravenne Gregory, ZiNaya Murray, Clara Pelissier and Rubaita Raihan from Elmont Memorial High School; Samantha Bishop, Jesus Ortez Hernandez, Shalom Mota, Katherine Ryan and Kelsey Werthmuller from Floral Park Memorial High School; Rio Colon, Ava Maia, Rachel Schriefer, Chloe Urban and Mehraal Zeeshan from H. Frank Carey High School; Noorah Choudhury, Olivia Cox, Theodora Doukas, Mydah Fawad and Emily Wong from New Hyde Park Memorial High School; and Camella Azar, Mark Coreas, Marly Pierre-Paul, Marissa Ramirez, and Udaya Taylor from Sewanhaka High School.
Additionally, the Art Supervisors Association awarded scholarships to more than 50 graduating senior art students in recognition of their dedication, growth and artistic achievement. Elmont Memorial’s
Scholarship recipient Floral Park Memorial High School senior Kelsey Werthmuller
Clara Pelissier, Floral Park Memorial’s Kelsey Werthmuller, H. Frank Carey’s Chloe Urban, New Hyde Park Memorial’s Theodora Doukas and Sewanhaka’s Marissa Ramirez were named ASA Senior Scholarship recipients.
.Photos
Sewanhaka Central High School District’s ASA Scholarship Recipients, from left, Elmont Memorial High School senior Clara Pelissier, Sewanhaka High School senior Marissa Ramirez and H. Frank Carey High School senior Chloe Urban.
courtesy of the Sewanhaka Central High School District
LOCAL
Michael S chroder ha s s uccessfully represented Garden City homeowners’ tax appeals for over 40 years. He has lived in the Village for 35 years .
RESU LTS
Schroder & Strom has a 96% success rate in Nassau Count y.
KNOWLEDGE
Michael and his team of attorneys know every section of the Village and key arguments for achieving the largest reductions possible .
Schroder & Strom is recommended by Garden City ’s most prominent attorneys and real estate agents for their clients’ tax appeals.
SAV INGS
Schroder & Strom is saving Na ssau Co unty homeowners an average of $1,400 annually on property taxes.
LAW FIRM AD VANTA GE
As a law firm, we are held to the highest standards and have more resources and options available for favorable outcomes – yet our property tax reduction fees are the same as tax consultants.
Schroder & Strom handles Village appeals while most other tax consultants do not.
Chances are, your neighbors are already saving on their taxes with Schroder & Strom. The Tax Grievance deadline is March 31, 2026. Start saving today. Go to nytaxreview.com and complete the Resi dential P rofile Form OR call us at (516) 742-7430.
Floral Park details West End drainage project
From page 1
allow for Sunday work but the village does not allow it. They do not anticipate working Sundays yet, but if there is a change we will immediately advise residents,” she said.
Marcus shared images of the project sorted by intersections, starting with green areas noting the full road reconstruction planned on those blocks.
“Roads will be dug up, new piping will go underground and then it will be restored to brand new. The bulk of the work is the actual recharge basin itself, but the existing recharge basin will continue working with some modifications made until this new project is completely done – there will be some temporary measures added since the basin is currently piped to Nassau County’s system,” she explained.
The new recharge basin is a large 3.5-acre site at Belmont that will essentially be constructed by excavating a massive hole in the ground. Superintendent Marcus said once the earth is removed the area will be outfitted to collect stormwater and allow it to drain naturally into the ground, filtering through the sand and eventually reaching the aquifer.
“The problem we had with the existing recharge basin is that over time it
has become clogged; there is a lot of clay that’s in it and it does not drain nicely. That does pipe into the Nassau County system, but the fix is building the new recharge basin – it allows us to remove the stormwater going into the existing recharge basin and then alleviate all the water going into Nassau County’s system, leaving a lot more space and capacity for drainage from all the other surrounding areas,” she said.
On Mayfair there will be new piping and new catch basins between Elm and Walnut. The infrastructure upgrades will bring water from the street into the new piping being installed, which will eventually transport it to the new recharge basin at Belmont. On Elm the project will be similar between Mayfair and the dead end.
The paving of these roads once the project is complete will include upgrades with new pavement along residential streets. A resident asked about potential damages along village roads, and Marcus confirmed that village staff will evaluate road conditions. The contractor has stipulations requiring repairs to roads and attention to safety concerns.
Superintendent Marcus said the most disruptive portion of the project will likely be on Maple, Elm, Mayfair and down to the dead end, “because
Come Watch the Big East Tournament March 11-14. (Open early, if needed, for the St. John’s game)
Host your next event at the Knights of Columbus! It’s the perfect place for: Birthdays • Bridal & Baby Showers • Anniversaries Graduations • Corporate Events • Fundraisers • Meetings and More!
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
33 S. Tyson Ave, Floral Park, NY For more details or to book our party room, text Carl Denaro at (516) 361-0544
they will be digging down to install all the new piping.” She said the village would keep residents in that area well informed about the schedule so they have advance notice and can expect noise and construction equipment on site.
As she wrapped up the February 18th presentation, Superintendent Marcus said full repaving work on local roads should be done by late June. The village has taken steps to “limit the disturbances,” and Marcus explained that this involved tightening the contractor’s schedule.
“We’re not letting them open up the streets now and then waiting until June to pave; we are waiting until the new recharge basin is nearly complete before they start ripping up the roads. We are also waiting until all of the piping and all the curb work is done, and then the rest of anything that was not done will be milled, so all the roads that are disturbed during this project will be paved. That should be completed within
two weeks of work,” the building superintendent noted.
“By about the first week of July all the temporary fencing would be removed, and the permanent fencing around the recharge basin as well as the landscaping, including the new trees around the village line, should be installed,” she explained.
Superintendents Ginnane and Marcus, along with consulting engineering staff, will oversee the entire project, and they have advised Village of Floral Park residents about the constant supervision planned.
“Throughout the process, if you have any issues you can call our office, or if it is after hours or you notice any safety concerns call the Floral Park Police Department. If the gate is left open the police would contact us to make sure –but we want you to call us. The village website will also contain updates and schedule info from our meetings with the contractor every other week,” Marcus said.
March at the Floral Park Library
From page 2
ralparklibrary.org, call 516 326-6330, or visit us at 17 Caroline Place. All events and programs are subject to change and/or cancellation.
Check out the Friends of the Floral Park Library offerings at the Circu-
lation Desk. All sales of books, DVDs, jigsaw puzzles, bookmarks, and more support the Friends of the Floral Park Library, a 501c3 organization.
Follow the Library on Facebook (floralparklibrary), X (fplibrary17), or Instagram (fplibrary 17, floralparkchildrens, fpplteens).
“Read Across Floral Park”
raff le at Library
From page 1
(or vice versa)
• Friends reading together
• A child reading to a pet or a stuffed animal
While you’re:
• At the Library
• At your favorite local restaurant, business or meeting place
• At any Village park or landmark
• On the steps of local schools or churches
• At home, in your yard or any other combinations of reading anywhere in Floral Park Village or Bellerose Village.
Get the scoop on what’s happening in your community every week! Contact us today 516.294.8900 or visit us online www.gcnews.com
THERE REALLY IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME.
At NYU Langone, we’re doing all we can to make sure our patients receive the best care during and after their hospital stay, so they can go home and stay home. Shorter hospital stays reduce your risk of infection, medication side effects, and complications. Plus, you can get back to the things you love most: your own bed, family dinners, and life as usual.
But getting you home is only half the story. Our low readmission rates mean you won’t have to come back days or weeks later for the same issue. Because when it comes to hospital stays, nobody wants a sequel. Just another reason we’re ranked #1 for quality care in the U.S.
Medical assisting students offer blood pressure screenings
Throughout February, in recognition of American Heart Month, second-year Sewanhaka District students in the Medical Assisting Career and Technical Education program provided free blood pressure screenings daily to faculty and staff, promoting awareness of heart health and the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Students educated participants on understanding their numbers, including the standard normal blood pressure reading of 120/80 and provided charts outlining healthy ranges. When readings fell outside the normal range, whether indicating hypertension or hypotension, staff members received informational pamphlets and guidance on next steps. Students also discussed lifestyle strategies to help lower blood pressure beyond medication, reinforcing the importance of heart-healthy habits such as exercising, eating healthy foods and maintaining healthy weight.
During each screening, students asked important patient-care questions such as “Do you have a preferred arm for readings?” “What is your normal blood pressure?” and “Do you take any
medications for your blood pressure?”
Each Medical Assisting student conducted screenings at least twice throughout the month, totaling approximately four hours of direct patient-facing experience per student. This handson interaction is invaluable in strengthening communication, clinical accuracy and professional confidence.
In addition to staff screenings, students counseled interested students on heart health by discussing healthy height-to-weight ratios and educating about maintaining a weight appropriate for their height.
The Medical Assisting program, now in its third year, is one of the district’s newest CTE offerings. With 24 seats available per course, students must apply for acceptance. The program offers dual enrollment opportunities, allowing students to earn 13 college credits through Nassau Community College, with coursework aligned to college-level standards. Upon completion, students are eligible to sit for national certification as medical assistants.
"Providing the Medical Assisting II students with the opportunity to per-
District administrators and staff took part in the screenings.
form blood pressure screenings on faculty and staff during American Heart Month is invaluable,” Instructor Lori Lorusso, MSN, RN, said. “These real-
world patient interactions help students build confidence, strengthen clinical skills and understand the importance of preventive care in a meaningful way.”
Sewanhaka Central High School District’s Medical Assisting II students provided free blood pressure screenings to Superintendent Regina Agrusa and Sewanhaka High School staff and faculty on Feb. 26.
Students learned about patient interactions during the session.
Travelers are Prioritizing Meaningful, Wellness, Active, Adventure Experiences
BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE
GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM
More than ever, travelers are prioritizing meaningful, wellness-focused, experiences, active adventures, and authentic connections with offthe-beaten-path destinations and communities. This is the finding of Backroads, a global trailblazer in active travel since 1979, in its Top Adventure Travel Trends for 2026.
Indeed, adventure travel is now one of the fastest-growing segments in tourism, with global adventure travel projected to surpass $2 trillion by 2032, according to the Adventure Travel Trade Association. At the same time, wellness-driven trips are accelerating worldwide as travelers seek meaningful, restorative, experience-rich vacations over passive leisure, a finding confirmed by the Global Wellness Institute.
Backroads’ Top Adventure Travel Trends for 2026
Women and Solo Travelers on the Rise: Across travel, adventures designed for women are surging as friends, family and solo travelers seek connection, immersive confidenceboosting experiences and a sense of community. Backroads bookings reflect this shift, with demand for its Women’s Adventures projected to grow 100% in 2026. The solo travel market is expected to grow 14% over the next five years, with women over 50 a major driver of this momentum. What’s Trending? Backroads England’s Cotswolds, Peru, Canadian Rockies Trips.
Family Togetherness Across the Globe: Prioritizing real-world experiences over screen time, modern families are seeking active vacations that spark connection and create lasting memories. What’s Trending? Backroads Trips for Families with Kids & Teens, Teens &
20s and 20s & Beyond: Brittany & Nor mandy, Croatia and Iceland
Young Professionals Seeking Adventure: Millennial and Gen X travelers are fueling strong growth in adventure travel, driven by a clear desire for active exploration balanced with comfort, camaraderie and iconic destinations. This cohort is also poised to benefit from an unprecedented $27 trillion wealth transfer by 2045, expanding opportunities to prioritize meaningful, experience-driven travel. What’s Trending? Backroads 30s & 40s Trips: Peru Lodge-to-Lodge Trekking, Dolomites Hut-to-Hut Hiking and Santorini & Crete MultiAdventure.
Nostalgia for Human-Powered Travel: From acoustic (non-electricassist) biking for traditional cyclists eager to cover the miles using their own muscle power to hiking epic mountains, travelers are slowing down and rediscovering the rewards of moving with their own strength. By staying longer in one region or embracing human-powered adventure in small groups, guests are able to dive deeper into local culture and landscapes. What’s Trending? Backroads Unplugged non-electric-assist) Bike Tours in Croatia, Portugal’s Algarve, Tuscany and Nova Scotia; Argentina and Chile’s Patagonia Hiking & Walking Tours.
Frontier Islands: Rugged Archipelagos as the New Darling: Moving beyond classic island escapes, travelers are gravitating toward rugged, culture-rich archipelagos, places defined by dramatic cliffs, volcanic ridges, fishing villages and wide-open trails. These “frontier islands” appeal to active travelers seeking big scenery, epic hiking, cooler climates and a sense of remoteness that traditional beach islands can’t deliver. What’s Trending? Backroads Canary Islands, Cyprus, Denmark Islands, Lofoten Islands and Portugal’s Azores Trips.
Trip Stacking, On and OffSeason: Travelers are increasingly “stacking” their journeys by booking back-to-back trips or even three-stop itineraries to maximize a single longhaul flight. This reflects a growing shift toward sustainable, efficient travel, where guests make the most of every mile and every moment away. Off-season exploration is also on the rise, with more travelers heading out earlier in spring, later in fall and throughout the winter for a fresh take on familiar places. What’s Trending? Backroads Norway, Japan and Spain Trips.
Active Culinary Travel Takes Off: Blending outdoor activity with regional food and wine experiences is a travel style that continues to
grow as travelers seek culturally rich, experiential trips. From cooking classes and local farmers market visits to stays at Relais & Châteaux properties, Backroads Active Culinary Trips that unite adventure, flavor and luxury are gaining momentum across key regions. What’s Trending? Backroads Basque Country, Tuscany and Provence Trips.
Slee ing in Huts & Mountain Lodges Is In: Travelers are increasingly choosing mountain lodges and huts and historic hideaways, especially in off-thebeaten-path destinations. Bookings for these laid-back, comfortable stays are surpassing expectations and up more than 170% since 2024, as guests seek accommodations that capture the essence of a place and seamlessly blend activity, discovery, relaxation, sustainability and wellness. Find these authentic stays on many Backroads trips including Hut-to-Hut and Lodgeto-Lodge offerings. What’s Trending? Backroads Dolomites Hut-to-Hut, French & Italian Alps Lodge-to-Lodge and Pyrenees Lodgeto-Lodge Trips.
Learn more about Backroads at www. backroads.com or call 800-462-2848.
More active/adventure tour companies: Active Adventures (activeadventures.com); Austin Adventures (austinadventures.com); Butterfield & Robinson (butterfield.com); Duvine Cycling + Adventure co.(duvine.com); EF Go Ahead Tours (goaheadtours. com); Exodus Adventure Travels (exodustravels.com); Explorateur Journeys (explorateurjourneys. com); G Adventures (gadventures. com); Inspiring Vacations (inspiringvacations.com); Intrepid Travel (intrepidtravel.com); Lindblad Expeditions (expeditions.com); Nat Geo Expeditions (nationalgeographihc.com); Overseas Adventure Travel (oattravel.com); Pure Adventures (pure-adventures.com); Sierra Club (outings.sierraclub.org); Wilderness Travel (wildernesstravel.com); Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com). March 6, 2026
BY DENNIS MAMMANA
Week of March 8-14, 2026
Meet Betelgeuse: A True Superstar
If you hear the word “superstar,” what immediately comes to mind? Perhaps names like Tom Hanks, Taylor Swift or LeBron James? That’s certainly understandable; they are all undisputed superstars who attract the attention of paparazzi and fans alike.
If you’re an astronomer, however, you may answer this question differently. For example, when I hear the word “superstar,” I think of UY Scuti, WOH G64 or RSGC1-F01. Yes, these are superstars, but not quite how people may think. These are some of the largest stars known in our galaxy and, for that reason, are quite intriguing to us celestial paparazzi.
Regular readers of this column know that our sun is also a star. It appears big and bright in our daytime sky because not only is it rather close (about 93 million miles away), it’s also pretty large (nearly a million miles across). It sounds huge, but our star is rather small on a cosmic scale, and believe it or not, there are stars out there that would dwarf our sun and make it look tiny. These are the true superstars!
Until recently, the largest star known was given the hopelessly poetic name of UY Scuti. At a distance of some 9,500 lightyears from Earth, UY Scuti is
what is known as a red hypergiant star, with a diameter some 1,700 times that of the sun!
All that changed recently, however, when astronomers found a gargantuan star some 2,150 times larger than our sun! It’s named Stephenson 2-18, and if you’d like to get a peek at this stellar behemoth, you’ll need more than your eyes. At a distance of some 18,900 lightyears, it appears 5,100 times fainter than we can see without a telescope.
If you have no telescope but would still like to see a celestial superstar, you’re in luck. There’s one shining in our night sky right now; it’s one of the brightest up there and is named Betelgeuse.
Betelgeuse sparkles brightly in the northeastern corner of Orion, the hunter, and you can see its orange light midway up in the southern sky after dark this week. With about 15-20 times more mass than our sun, Betelgeuse is known as a red supergiant star for good reason. While we could align 109 Earths across the face of our sun, we would need at least 700 suns to cross the face of Betelgeuse!
Indeed, this star is so immense that if it replaced our sun at the center of our planetary system, Betelgeuse would engulf the orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, and stretch part of the way to Jupiter! Yet it appears as a simple point of light in our night
The Tale of
BY TRACY BECKERMAN
One day as my husband and I were walking through my town, I noticed a guy coming toward us walking his dog. I peered ahead and tried to figure out what breed the dog was. He didn’t look like any dog I’d ever seen before. As they got closer, I realized he didn’t even look like a dog. He actually looked like ...
A goat.
“Hey honey, is that a goat?” I asked my husband.
“Looks like a goat to me,” he said.
“Is it a pet goat?” I wondered aloud.
“Looks like a pet goat to me,” he said, and then waited a moment for the inevitable.
“I want a pet goat,” I announced.
“Of course you do,” he responded.
Now, where I live, people do not routinely walk goats down the street on a leash. Actually, where I live, people don’t routinely have goats at all. Since this is the suburbs, people are not allowed to keep livestock as pets, even
Betelgeuse, one of the largest known stars, is visible in the southern sky after dark this week
sky because of its tremendous distance from us -- some 3,100 trillion miles, or about 520 lightyears.
Betelgeuse is easily one of the largest known stars, though its size fluctuates by as much as 60% as the star shudders and pulsates on its way to an eventual supernova explosion, thou-
sands or millions of years from now. Or tonight. We just don’t know.
I hope you’ll step out under the night sky soon to meet this remarkable superstar for yourself!
Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.
COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM
the Goat With a Coat
ones that are as well behaved as this one seemed to be. As the goat got closer, I could see he was wearing some kind of coat. It was a goat in a coat. What are the odds?
“Is that a coat on the goat?” I asked my husband.
“Looks like a coat on the goat to me,” he responded.
“Why is the goat wearing a coat?” I asked.
“Maybe he’s going out to eat and jackets are required,” he said.
When the man with the goat in the coat on the leash got near us, we could see that the coat had some writing on it.
“What’s the coat say?” I asked my husband.
He squinted. “Service Goat,” he read.
I roared with laughter. Apparently the goat was not a pet. He was some kind of working goat. At this point, the guy with the goat was close enough for us to talk to him, so I waved to get his attention, but he kept on walking. I suddenly realized he couldn’t see.
“Excuse me,” I said, tapping him on the arm. “Can we ask you a question?”
“Sure,” he said, smiling. I was pretty sure we were not the first people to stop and inquire about his goat in a coat.
“I see that your goat is a service goat. What does he do for you?”
“I’m legally blind,” said the guy with the goat in the coat. “He’s a guide goat.”
“Why didn’t you get a seeing eye dog?” I asked.
“I’m allergic to almost all dogs,” he said. “No problem with goats.”
“That makes sense,” I said.
“Besides, there’s an advantage to having a goat,” explained the man with the goat in the coat. “There’s one less chore for me to do.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“I don’t have to take out the garbage.”
“Why not?” asked my husband.
The man with the goat in the coat shrugged. “The goat eats it.”
Tracy Beckerman is the author of the Amazon Bestseller, “Barking at the
Moon: A Story of Life, Love, and Kibble,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online! You can visit her at www. tracybeckerman.com.
COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM
LOST IN SUBURBIA
The generation gap has my head spinning
BY CLAIRE LYNCH
All of these discussions on the news and in people’s homes about the generation gap is making me ask what it’s all about. I’d sing, “What’s it all about, Alfie?” but these younger kids probably don’t remember that song.
I heard the term generation gap bandyed around a lot in the 1960s and ‘70s and it turns out that “Look” magazine editor John Poppy came up with it in a 1965 article for the magazine. He was the West Coast Editor for “Look” and he used that phrase to describe the significant differences in values, politics and lifestyles emerging between the Baby Boomer generation and their parents’ generation.
Poppy emphasized that there was a distinct social and cultural divide separating the young and the old, with “old” often referring to anyone over 30 at the time. Many people were vocal about their opinions on music, fashion, cultural tastes and more.
As a young child in the 1960s I overheard many adults having conversations about the generation gap. My parents, aunts and uncles would laugh and say that the generation gap is so irksome because each generation thinks its view is the preferable one.
Some experts say the reason for the generational conflict is that each generation feels their way is the right way and that the other generation is wrong. This can lead to a communication gap, as each side tries to convince the other that they are right.
Start talking about politics at home or in a social setting and quite often people are off to the races. Over the
BY CHARLYN FARGO
Here’s another win for the Mediterranean diet pattern. A new study finds that switching to a diet full of fresh vegetables and less processed foods could do wonders for your brain and help you lose weight. Researchers found that eating a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetables, seafood and whole grains -- or even just following dietary guidelines -appears to slow the signs of accelerated brain aging that typically accompany obesity.
In the April 2023 study published in eLife, researchers imaged the brains of 102 participants who were taking part of in a larger clinical trial conducted at a workplace in Israel. Brain scans were taken once before the trial began and again after 18 months, along with tests of liver function, cholesterol levels and
years I’ve learned to watch what topics I bring up because it doesn’t take much to start a controversy. My brothers have been known to bring up controversial topics just to see what may happen. In any event, each generation wants to be explained and more than that, each generation wants to be understood.
When it comes to today’s workplace, there are often four different generations - the Baby Boomers, Generation X, the Millennials and Gen Zers. Some people include a fifth generation called the Silent Generation, those born between 1928 - 1945, so that’s quite an age gap.
When having conversations or dividing up the work responsibilities, generational conflicts can pop up for a variety of reasons. Maybe younger employees feel like they’re not given enough responsibility or older employees struggle to keep up with the new technology. Whatever the cause, it’s important to understand the psychology behind the generation gap to resolve these conflicts.
It helps to respect each other’s strengths because we were brought up in different societal contexts. I admire Gen Zers for being so comfortable with computers. Surfing the ‘Net and using their smartphones to look things up, make reservations, etc. seems effortless to them whereas it still seems a bit unusual to me.
This Baby Boomer never even heard the term digital tools or the Digital Age until I was well into adulthood. As kids we were more familiar with textbooks, marble notebooks, #2 pencils and the tablets we used were called chalkboards.
As I journeyed into the Digital Age it was bumpy at times. Surfing the ‘Net appealed to me because I saw how quickly I could look things up but using smartphones, smart boards, iPads and more - and learning how each one works plus its nuances - proved more challenging.
Then apps came along and to someone who already knew English and some Spanish, apps seemed like a whole other language. Grabbing a younger friend or relative helped expedite that learning process but it took some concerted effort.
In the workplace, we Baby Boomers tend to be fiercely competitive and Gen Z employees are a force to be reckoned with. They are a diverse group who by and large were brought up to be very independent. Both technology and social media come naturally to most of them.
They cherish their individuality and creativity and being innovative is key. Gen Zers like contributing ideas and having flexible work arrangements is definitely welcome because they want to promote their work/life balance.
I have always liked etymology, the origin of words, because most words in English come from the building blocks of other words, more often than not from other languages.
In the world of communications, so many of our English words derive from Latin. Having four older siblings who studied Latin for years in high school helped me realize that making connections with the foreign words helped me spot the derivatives. The Latin word “aqua,” for example means water so in
NUTRITION NEWS
A Younger Brain
body weight. Groups ate one of three diets -- a Mediterranean diet with lots of nuts, fish and chicken instead of red meat; a Mediterranean diet with a few added extras such as green tea; or a diet based on healthy dietary guidelines. Estimates of brain age were based on an algorithm. Participants’ activity levels at work were also considered as they received a free gym membership as part of the trial.
On average, participants lost 4.6 pounds. For every 1% of body weight lost, the participants’ brains appeared nine months younger than their chronological age. Signs of brain aging were also associated with lower levels of liver fat and improved lipid profiles. Researchers concluded that successful weight loss following lifestyle intervention might have a beneficial effect on brain aging. A study backing up their
English we use aquarium, aquatics, etc. The Latin word “fortis” means strong and powerful so in English we use the words fortress, fortitude, reinforce and more.
That all makes sense to me but many Gen Zers don’t want to hear anything about Latin roots or etymology because they’re busy using technology and social media platforms. I’m comfortable with Facebook, Facebook Messenger and YouTube - and my friend, Kathy, likes using Pinterest for recipes, crafts and creative inspiration - but when it comes to Reddit, QZone, Snapchat and TikTok, they outshine me. Thus, the generation gap when I feel like they are speaking a foreign language. Still, I overcame tech anxiety and I appreciate technology every day.
So my friends, relatives and co-workers and I sit down and enjoy lunch or dinner together because we do have a lot more in common than we may realize. I don’t want to butt heads so we have a toast, enjoy our food and discuss shared interests.
When my nephew suggests playing a game of Clue with two others I say I’ll pull out the board game from my closet but Ben, age 10, says he’ll upload it. He’s a whiz with technology and yes, Ben has given new meaning to this classic murder mystery. I’ve never played it online before or virtually and all of this electronic stuff sends my head spinning.
Still, this Baby Boomer acts cool, joins in and ends up winning her first virtual game. I’ve been dragged into the 21st century and found out it’s not so bad. In fact, I like the winning part.
findings looked at adipose tissue distribution and brain age in adults; this was published in the journal Neurolmage: Clinical in 2022.
So what constitutes a Mediterranean diet pattern? Fruits, vegetables, olive oil, nuts, pulses and fish. Here are some practical ways to incorporate it into your diet:
-- Top oatmeal or whole-grain cereal with fruit.
-- Include fruits and vegetables in smoothies.
-- Add extra vegetables to pasta and soups.
-- Roast vegetables with herbs and spices.
-- Make homemade salad dressings with olive oil and lemon juice and flavorings.
-- Saute vegetables in olive oil rather than butter.
-- Add nuts to salads, soups and stirfries.
-- Try making your own hummus for raw vegetables and whole-grain pita bread or crackers.
-- Buy frozen, unbreaded fish and cook in an air fryer.
-- Use salmon, tuna or other seafood from a can or pouch over salads or in a sandwich.
-- Try fish tacos.
Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois, and the current president of the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For comments or questions, contact her at charfarg@aol. com or follow her on Twitter @NutritionRD.
COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM
BY TOM MARGENAU
For a couple of different reasons, a claim for Social Security disability benefits may be reviewed. One is what the Social Security Administration calls a “quality assurance review.” The other is what the agency calls a “continuing disability review.” I’ve gotten a couple of emails about this issue recently. Answering them will explain the difference between the two review processes.
Q: I applied for Social Security disability benefits about 3 months ago. I haven’t heard yet if my claim has been approved. But I just got a letter telling me that they are reviewing my case and want my cooperation. What is this all about?
A: I am sure your case has been selected for a “quality assurance review.” About one percent of all disability claims are selected for this kind of review. This review is essentially just a procedure that the SSA initiates to make sure your claim was processed correctly.
They will review all the medical evidence you provided, or that was obtained from your doctors and other health professionals, to make sure it supports whatever decision the agency’s medical examiners made about your case. Most people don’t know this, but the SSA (a federal government agency) contracts out medical decisions to state governments. In most states, the agency that does this is called the “Disability Determination Service.” These quality assurance reviews are a way of making sure that the DDSs are following all the rules and guidelines for making Social Security disability decisions.
That’s the good news. The SSA is making sure your disability claim will be adjudicated properly. The bad news is that it may slightly delay the decision-making process on your claim.
By the way, “back in the day,” meaning back when I retired from the SSA in 2005, the agency also conducted these kinds of reviews on a small sampling of retirement and survivor benefit claims. But all the research I’ve done recently online about this seems to indicate those kinds of reviews have stopped. I can only find references to quality assurance reviews of disability cases. If any readers had a recent review of a non-disability Social Security claim, I would love to hear from them.
Q: After a long process, I started getting disability benefits about a year ago. And now, out of the blue, I just got a letter from Social Security telling me they want to review my claim. I think this is harassment! It took me almost 12 months and several appeals to prove to them that I am disabled in the first place. And now they are turning around and threatening to take my money away from me! How can they do this? And can
Disability Claims Get Reviewed
you please refer me to a good lawyer so I can fight this?
A: Your situation is an example of the other kind of review I mentioned at the beginning of this column. And that is an occasional review of every disability claim.
You asked, “How can they do this?” Well, the SSA can do this because the law requires them to do it. That law says that every Social Security disability claim must be reviewed from time to time to make sure that the person getting monthly checks from the government still meets the legal definition of disability.
How often a claim gets reviewed depends on the severity of the impairment. In cases where the person’s medical condition is expected to improve, the rules say the claim must be re-examined every 6 to 18 months. Obviously, your impairment must be in that category.
In situations where medical improvement is possible, but not probable, the claim should be reviewed every three years or so.
And even in cases where medical improvement is not expected, the law still requires that the case be reviewed once every five to seven years.
The good news is that you must have a condition that shows every sign of improving and you could be on your feet and off the government dole and back in the work force in the foreseeable future. But the tone of your email tells me you don’t see it this way. You obviously think you are still disabled and deserve to continue receiving the benefits you are currently getting. So let me tell you what’s going to happen.
You’re going to have to fill out a form in which you will explain what your impairment is and how you believe it continues to keep you from returning to work. At the same time, you will be asked to provide updated medical reports. You very likely may be sent to a Social Security doctor for a medical examination. You certainly don’t need a lawyer to deal with this first round of paperwork and possible medical exams.
Then, a couple of months later, you will either learn that your disability is still considered severe enough to merit continued monthly benefits. Or you will get a letter telling you that your condition has improved to the point where you no longer qualify for disability. That letter usually says your checks will stop in three months. If the latter happens, then you will immediately want to file an appeal. And it’s at that point that you might want to start searching online for lawyers who specialize in Social Security disability cases in your area.
If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All
Your Questions About Social Security.”
The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net. To find out
more about Tom Margenau and to read past columns and see features from other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
WATCH
The Real Cost of Power and How Homeowners are Fighting Back
In 2026, Long Island homeowners are facing a quiet but powerful financial squeeze — and it’s not coming from mortgage rates or property taxes alone.
It’s coming from the utility bill.
Electricity, heating, and cooling costs have become one of the fastest-rising expenses in homeownership across Nassau and Suffolk counties. What was once a predictable monthly cost has turned into a volatile and increasingly strategic line item in the household budget.
For many homeowners, the question is no longer whether energy costs will rise.
It’s how high — and how fast.
Long Island’s Perfect Storm
Long Island sits at the intersection of several energy pressures that make the region particularly vulnerable.
First, baseline electricity rates in New York are already among the highest in the nation. Second, much of Long Island’s housing stock was built decades ago, long before modern energy efficiency standards. Third, the region faces aggressive electrification and climate mandates that will require major infrastructure investment.
Layer in aging grid equipment, growing demand from electrification, and increasingly volatile weather patterns, and the result is what many homeowners are now experiencing: utility bill shock.
Winter cold snaps and summer heat Waves are becoming more expensive events. Older homes with poor insulation or outdated HVAC systems are especially exposed.
Why Your Electric Bill Keeps Rising
Several structural forces are driving Long Island’s energy costs higher.
Aging Infrastructure
The electric grid serving the New York metro region requires significant modernization. Storm hardening, substation upgrades, and transmission improvements are expensive — and those costs are ultimately reflected in customer bills.
Long Island’s coastal exposure makes resiliency investments even more critical.
Electrification Policies
New York State is pushing aggressively toward electrification of heating, cooking, and transportation. While the long-term environmental goals are clear, the short-term reality is increased demand on the electric system.
More demand requires more generation and more grid capacity.
Both cost money.
Extreme Weather Volatility
Weather has become a direct financial risk factor.
• Hotter summers drive AC usage
• Colder winter swings increase heating loads
• Storm events raise infrastructure costs
For homeowners in Nassau and Suffolk, the seasonal peaks are getting more expensive — not just more uncomfortable.
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
The AI and Data Center Effect
Few homeowners realize this yet, but the rapid expansion of AI and cloud computing is increasing electricity demand nationwide. New data centers require enormous power capacity, and utilities are planning major investments to keep up.
Over time, that demand pressure contributes to higher systemwide costs.
The Real Estate Impact
Energy is quietly reshaping Long Island real estate.
Today’s buyers are more sophisticated and more cost-conscious. Increasingly, they are asking:
• What are the average utility bills?
• Is the home well insulated?
• Does it have solar panels?
• What type of heating system is installed?
Homes with poor energy performance are beginning to experience what can be called utility drag — where high operating costs reduce buyer enthusiasm and perceived affordability.
Meanwhile, energy-efficient homes are gaining a competitive edge.
In some cases, they are selling faster and commanding modest premiums.
How LI Homeowners Are Fighting Back
The encouraging news is that homeowners across Nassau and Suffolk are not standing still. They are adapting — and in many cases, getting ahead of the problem.
Solar Adoption Is Accelerating
Rooftop solar continues to gain traction across Long Island, and for good reason.
Higher utility rates have improved solar payback periods. Financing options have expanded. And many homeowners are looking for predictable long-term energy costs rather than continued exposure to rate increases.
For the right home, solar is increasingly viewed as a financial hedge.
Battery Storage Is Emerging
The next wave is battery storage.
While still early in adoption, more Long Island homeowners are pairing solar with batteries to:
• Provide backup during outages
• Reduce peak electricity purchases
• Improve energy independence
Given the region’s vulnerability to storms and outages, this trend is likely to grow through the late 2020s.
Efficiency
Retrofits Are Delivering Quiet Wins
Not every solution requires major capital.
Some of the highest-return upgrades remain:
• Air sealing
• Attic insulation
• Smart thermostats
• LED lighting
• High-efficiency HVAC systems
In older Long Island homes — especially colonials, capes, and ranches built between the 1950s and 1980s — building envelope improvements often produce the fastest payback.
Smart Usage Is the New Normal
Time-of-use electricity pricing is expanding, and savvy homeowners are adjusting behavior.
Common strategies now include:
• Charging EVs overnight
• Running dishwashers late evening
• Pre-cooling homes before peak hours
• Using programmable thermostats
• This is the early stage of what may become the smart load management era of homeownership.
What LI Homeowners Should Do Now
If you own property in Nassau or Suffolk, the smartest move is proactive planning.
Start Immediately
• Get a professional energy audit
• Seal air leaks
• Install a smart thermostat
• Review your utility rate plan Plan Over the Next 12–24 Months
• Upgrade insulation where needed
• Evaluate heat pump options
• Replace aging HVAC systems
• Analyze solar economics Think Long Term
• Prepare your electrical panel for future loads
• Consider battery readiness
• Track your annual energy costs
• Treat energy as part of housing affordability because increasingly, it is.
The Bottom Line for 2026
The real cost of power on Long Island is no longer just a monthly nuisance — it is becoming a defining factor in the economics of homeownership.
Rates are under upward pressure. Infrastructure investment is accelerating. Weather volatility is increasing. And electrification is expanding demand.
None of these trends appear temporary.
But homeowners today have more tools than ever to respond — and those who act early are likely to have the advantage.
In the housing market of the late 2020s, the winners may not simply be those who bought at the right price.
They will be the homeowners who learned to control their cost of power.
Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 43+ years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned 3 significant designations:
National Association of Realtors Graduate Realtors Institute (what I consider a Master’s degree in real estate). Certified International Property Specialist - expert in consulting and completing international transactions.
National Association of Realtors Green designation: eco-friendly low carbon footprint construction with 3-D printed foundations, Solar panels, Geothermal HVAC/Heat Pumps).
He will also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and his Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.
He will provide you with “free” regular updates of what has gone under contract (pending), been sold (closed) and those homes that have been withdrawn/ released or expired (W/R) and all new listings of homes, HOA, Townhomes, Condos, and Coops in your town or go to: https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search at your leisure on your own. However, for a “FREE” no obligation/ no strings attached 15-minute consultation, as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached call him at (516) 647-4289 or email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.com
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Oh Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven. Oh, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity.
Oh Star of the Sea, help me herein and show me here you are my Mother.
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Soup makes an ideal appetizer
Beetroot Soup With Mixed Seeds
The right appetizer can lay the foundation for a delicious meal. Appetizers run the gamut from homemade bread to small samplings of seafood. Soup is a popular and versatile appetizer that won’t fill anyone up before the main course is served.
Home cooks can choose from any number of soups to serve as the first course at their next dinner party or family meal. The unique flavor profile of this recipe for “Beetroot Soup With Mixed Seeds” from Lines+Angles makes it an opening course.
Serves 4
For the soup:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion
1 finely chopped garlic clove
3 chopped celery stalks
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
1⁄2 teaspoon dried dill
5 cups vegetable stock; plus extra as needed
1 1⁄4 pound pickled beetroot, in juice, cooked, cubed with juice reserved
2 tablespoons yogurt, coconut or soy milk
Salt
Freshly ground black peppercorns
To serve:
4 tablespoons yogurt, coconut or soy milk
2 tablespoons chopped pistachio nuts, shelled
2 tablespoons black chia seeds
2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoons golden linseeds, or linseeds
1 handful mint leaves
1) For the soup: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan set over a medium heat until hot.
2) Add the onion, garlic, celery, and a generous pinch of salt, cooking for 6 to 7 minutes until softened.
3) Stir in the dried herbs and vegetable stock. Bring to a simmer before stirring in the beetroot.
4) Simmer gently for 20 to 25 minutes, until the beetroot is very tender to the tip of a knife.
5) Purée with an immersion blender, adding in some of the reserved beetroot juice to thin
out the consistency to your liking; you can also thin it out with more stock or some water.
6) Return the soup to a simmer and stir in the yogurt and some salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm over a very low heat, making sure the soup does not boil.
7) To serve: When ready to serve, ladle into warm bowls and top with some yogurt.
8) Garnish with a scattering of chopped pistachios, mixed seeds and some mint leaves before serving.
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