Floral Park honors the fallen Sewanhaka HS receives grant from NY Islanders
Hempstead Town Councilman Tom Muscarella (left) and Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll (2nd right) attended the Floral Park Memorial Day event on May 25. Also attending were Village of Floral Park Deputy Mayor Dr. Lynn Pombonyo and Trustees Frank Chiara, Jennifer Stewart, and Michael Longobardi; and Nassau County Legislator John Giuffre.
FP Woman’s Club contributes to charities
The Floral Park Woman's Club ended this club year by contrbuting to two of its favorite charities - Lutheran Social Services and Operation Smile. Former FPMHS principal Diane Kelly prepares layettes for familes in need through
LSS. The club members donated baby clothes and other needed items including books and hand made articles.
The club sent Operation Smile many toiletries and small toys . Several of the ladies also made hospital gowns for the children. The club looks forward to continuing helping those in need when it meets again in September. The FPWC meets on the third Wednesday of the month at the Rec Center.
Sewanhaka High School recently received a $10,000 grant from the New York Islanders.
Following the team’s announcement of grant opportunities, Principal John Kenny submitted a grant proposal focused on giving students more opportunities to unplug and socialize during lunch periods.
“The grant proposal focused on providing games and activities that would allow students opportunities to stay active, socialize and have fun during lunch and free periods, bringing a sense of
‘old-school’ play, interaction and camaraderie back to our school community,” Mr. Kenny said. Sewanhaka received the grant funding from the Islanders Children’s Foundation, and five teachers were invited to attend an Islanders game at UBS Arena and meet the team’s owner. Brianne Giuliano, Casey Hayes, Samantha Romanello, Lena Demas and Deidre McIntyre attended the event and shared that the Islanders organization treated them like celebrities throughout the entire experience.
High School teachers accepted a $10,000 grant from the New York Islanders. Photo courtesy of the
Sewanhaka
Sewanhaka Central High School District
Floral Park-Bellerose School hosts wellness fair
Floral Park-Bellerose School first graders engaged in the various stations during the Wellness Fair on May 21. Photo courtesy of the Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District
Floral Park-Bellerose School students in grades pre-K through sixth grade discovered fun and engaging ways to support healthy minds and bodies during the school’s annual Wellness Fair, held May 21-22. Organized by teacher Caitlyn Pereira, the two-day event transformed the gymnasium and library into interactive wellness experiences with hands-on activities focused on physical, emotional and mental well-being.
Students worked together to create a positivity paper chain, sampled bell peppers, explored calming sounds
through steel drums and hand chimes, completed an agility course, and created their own stress balls and fidget rings. Additional activities included practicing yoga poses, relaxing with destress coloring, and unwinding in a calming corner featuring sensory mats, a tent and books.
Members of the Don’t Press Send Club, Calm and Confident Club, Student Ambassadors and Student Council volunteered throughout the event, helping to lead activities and support their fellow students.
Attention students!
Graduated from school? Have an outstanding GPA? Made the honor roll or Dean’s List? Scored an internship or study abroad opportunity? We invite you to send details of any of these things and more, along with your name and contact info, to editor@gcnews.com for a chance to be seen in our paper!
Volunteers thanked
Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti (left) presented a Town of Hempstead Citation to Thomas O’Keefe of Floral Park in appreciation of her participation in the Town’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, which helps senior citizens and residents with limited incomes prepare their federal and state income tax returns.
7:30 PM
8:00 PM
FOUR VILLAGE STUDIO
4 V S ~ Optimum Ch.18 & Fios Ch.28
MONDAY, JUNE 8th & THURSDAY, JUNE 11th
Wes Houston Presents…
Wes Houston
Justin Gusmano ~ Teenage Keyboardist & Composer
Community Spotlight
Jimmy Ost
“Floral Park Titans: Coaches Review the 2025 Championship Season”
Inspiring Stories
8:30 PM
9:00 PM
9:30 PM
Bill Corbett, Jr.
“Career Day Inc.” ~ Beth Bucheister, Founder & Executive Director
Uncorked
Rex Whicker
“Disney World Wines: VIII” ~ Rex’s Most Recent Trip to America’s Theme Park
The Author Corner
Stephanie Larkin
“Witness To Tribulation” ~ Liz Finnegan, Historical -Fiction, Battle of Gettysburg
FP Explorers Installation
Hempstead Town Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll congratulated Outgoing Explorer Captain Christopher D’Amato as he was recognized during the Floral Park Fire Department Explorers Post 129 Installation Ceremony on May 3. Also attending was Explorers Post 129 Director Lawrence Goerke.
Pizzeria / Kensington Pies
Pizzeria / Kensington Pies
1 Floral Blvd., Floral Park, NY 11002
Phone: 516.326.1150 ~ Email: 4VS@4VS.org
DAILY DEALS
www.antoniospizzerianewyork.com
Open 7 Days: Mon–Sun, 9am–10pm Free Delivery (Within 3 Miles, $10 Minimum)
Catering Available
FP Armed Forces Day
Hempstead Town Councilman Tom Muscarella (right) attended the Village of South Floral Park 30th Annual Armed Forces Day Ceremony and Inauguration Ceremony of Board of Trustees
Christine
Michael
Laura
Holocaust survivor speaks at FP-B School
Sixth grade students at Floral ParkBellerose School and John Lewis Childs School received a powerful firsthand account of the Holocaust and World War II from survivor Arnold Newfield
during visits held on May 12. The presentations were organized by the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.
During the visits, Mr. Newfield
shared his family’s experiences during the Holocaust and spoke about their journey to survival. Students also had the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions following his presentation.
Floral Park-Bellerose School sixth graders listen to Arnold Newfield during his presentation on May 12.
John Lewis Childs School sixth graders listen to Arnold Newfield.
Photos courtesy of the Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District
BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE
INTERNATIONAL NIGHTS
AT HARRY CHAPIN LAKESIDE THEATRE IN EISENHOWER PARK
FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL NIGHTS
Saturday, June 6th ............. 6:00pm UKRAINIAN AMERICAN NIGHT
Saturday, June 13th ........... 6:00pm INDIAN AMERICAN NIGHT
Sunday, June 14th.............. 5:00pm ISRAELI AMERICAN NIGHT
Tuesday, June 30th ............ 7:00pm GREEK AMERICAN NIGHT
Monday, July 6th ................ 7:00pm GERMAN AMERICAN NIGHT
Sunday, July 12th ............... 7:00pm CREOLE AMERICAN NIGHT
Monday, July 13th .............. 7:00pm ITALIAN AMERICAN NIGHT
Friday, July 17th ................. 7:00pm CARIBBEAN NIGHT featuring Keznamdi
EISENHOWER PARK
Monday, August 3rd ........... 7:00pm IRISH AMERICAN NIGHT
Sunday, August 9th ............ 6:00pm BANGLADESHI AMERICAN NIGHT
Sunday, August 16th ....... 5:00pm PAKISTANI AMERICAN NIGHT
Saturday, August 29th ....... 6:00pm AFRICAN AMERICAN NIGHT
Sunday, August 30th .......... 6:00pm CHINESE AMERICAN NIGHT
Sunday, September 6th ..... 6:00pm TURKISH AMERICAN NIGHT
Saturday, September 19th ... 6:00pm KOREAN AMERICAN NIGHT
Sunday, September 20th .... 12:00pm MID-AUTUMN MOON FESTIVAL (Rain date October 4)
Sunday, September 27th ...... 4:00pm LATINO AMERICAN NIGHT
FREE ADMISSION | Bring Blankets or Chairs | Parking Field #6 Weather permitting, call 516-572-0200 for up-to-date information.
PARKS ADMINISTRATION 516-572-0200 For more information: nassaucountyny.gov/parks
June at the Floral Park Library
June…graduations, brides, Father’s Day, barbeques, outdoor concerts–and the kickoff for the Summer Reading Clubs, with two themes this year–America 250 and Unearth a Story.
And, The Library will be ‘unearthing’ 8-foot tall, 14-foot long Sammy the Dinosaur on the Library lawn Sunday, June 28 to kick off the Summer Reading program.
Throughout the year, the Floral Park Library is featuring America 250-themed programs, exhibits, and crafts for all age groups. The highlight for June will be the Little Patriots Parade. Participants will decorate bikes, wagons, scooters, strollers (whatever the mode of transportation is) in red, white, and blue for our country's 250th anniversary, then they will parade walk around the library's property area for a fun and festive celebration.
May’s Floral Park Library Urban Explorers trip to the Intrepid was SRO, and the June bus excursion to the South Street Seaport is likely to be the same.
The Friends of the Library Book Club meets on June 1 at 10:15 a.m., prior to their two-month Summer hiatus. The Evening Edition Book Club takes on “Isola” by Allegra Goodman. To take advantage of the longer evenings during summer months (June,
July and August), the Evening Edition group will meet in various members’ backyards.
In keeping with the outdoor theme, the Quiet Reading Book Club holds its June meeting on the Library lawn, weather permitting.
The Library lawn is getting a workout all summer long, including a 4-week Pilates on the lawn program with Maria DaGrossa-Hanna and the annual Solstice Drum Circle Saturday, June 20, with Laura Cerrano.
Hybrid Adult Chair Yoga continues on Wednesday mornings, with the occasional Zoom only (check the calendar!) session as Micheline makes her annual trip ‘home’ to Malta.
The June 18 Empire State Defensive Driving class is the last one until September; registration is open.
Three patriotic adult programs are on tap this months: 250 Years of Long Island History with Eco-Explorers; Pressed Flower America’s Birthday Craft with Yvette Cheng; and Host a Bang Up Fourth with Chef Barbara featuring Yankee Pot Roast Sandwiches.
Teen activities are light in June, as test taking and end of school activities consume most teens’ time. There is a Teen Advisory Committee scheduled, and a perfectly timed De-stress from
Stress program. Teen Buddies Beadfest for America 250 rounds out the month.
Girls Scouts are hosting an event on the Library lawn on June 6, and Chefs of d’Future hosts a two-session family program. Also for the family, PG-rated “Hoppers” hops onto the Library screen at 2:00 p.m. on June 19.
Kids can choose from: Play Hooray; A Time for Kids’ Baby Start and Family Preschool Hour; StoryCraft (Pre-K – 2nd Grade); Tiny Beats with DJ Shhh!; and a Glass Planter Vase (Grades 3 – 5)
Eric Carle’s “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” Storytime celebrates the 57th anniversary of its publication (ages 2–Preschool).
The weekly Adult English Language Learner classes continue on Tuesday evenings. Pre-registration is required for both Beginning and Intermediate/Advanced sessions.
The Made with Love Knitting and Crocheting groups continue to meet Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. throughout the Summer; no registration necessary.
The Library Board meets on July 8, at 7:30 p.m. The meeting is open to the public (use the rear entrance of the Library).
The Library is closed Sunday,
June 21, for Father’s Day.
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, floralparklibrary.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 Circulation Desk. All sales of books, DVDs, bookmarks, puzzles, and more support the Friends of the Floral Park Library, a 501c3 organization.
You’re invited to follow the Library on Facebook (floralparklibrary), X (fplibrary17), or Instagram (fplibrary 17, floralparkchildrens, fpplteens).
From Despair to Hope: Conquering Peripheral Neuropathy with Westbury Acupuncture
“It’s as though I’m stepping from razor blade to razor blade.”
“It feels like my feet are under attack by fire ants.”
“Like I’m walking on wet paint with rolled up socks.”
And you’re in this kind of pain all the time.
“It’s relentless, keeping you up at night and preventing you from doing even the most mundane tasks. Things that I used to take for granted, like wearing shoes and going grocery shopping. Two of my three children were getting married last year and I wasn’t even sure I was going to be able to attend their weddings,” shares Rose W. Rose was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy several years ago, a degenerative condition affecting almost 5% of people over the age of 55.
“My doctor sat me down and said, ‘Rose I’m so sorry to tell you this, but you have peripheral neuropathy. I’m going to prescribe you gabapentin to manage the discomfort but overall, neuropathy is untreatable.’ My first thought was, ‘we can cure cancer but you can’t stop my feet from hurting?’ It felt like a cruel joke.”
While neuropathy can be caused by a number of things
including diabetes and chemotherapy, over 23% of neuropathy cases are classified as idiopathic. In layman's terms, the cause is unknown. This was the case with Rose. “Basically every question I had was met with an ‘I don’t know.’ It was depressing to say the least.”
Eventually, Rose was forced to quit her job because the numbness had started to set in and prevented her from driving.
Fortunately for Rose, she came across an article in the local newspaper featuring Jae Won Kim L.Ac and his innovative approach to treating peripheral neuropathy. “At first, I thought it had to be a sham. After so many specialists told me there was no hope, here was this acupuncturist in the article claiming a 90% success rate in treating neuropathy! I just had to call, and I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am that I did.”
Jae Won Kim, founder of Westbury Acupuncture, says that cases like Rose’s are incredibly common. “Almost all of my neuropathy patients have been told at one point or another that there is no hope. I like to think I specialize in offering hope.”
To quote the New York Times, “Chinese medicine proves itself where Western medicine fails.”
“Acupuncture has been
treating complicated, chronic conditions like neuropathy for thousands of years,” shares Jae Won. “I start with a foundation based on this time-tested science and my clinical experience. I then tailor treatments based on a number of factors including the severity of your neuropathy, how long you’ve had it, whether or not there are any underlying factors, things of that nature. It’s because of these personalized treatment programs that we’re seeing such incredible results!”
Four months after treatment, Rose is back at work and thriving. “Being back at work isn’t even the most exciting part,” exclaims Rose. “Not only was I able to attend my son’s wedding, but I could walk down the aisle! It
was the most magical moment and I have Jae Won to thank for it. To think, I might’ve missed that.” Rose held back tears.
If you or someone you love is suffering with chronic pain that presents as burning, tingling, or ‘pins and needles,’ or you’ve recently been diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy, it’s important to know that there are options.
There is hope. Call (516) 500-8281 to schedule an initial consultation or visit WestburyAcupuncture.com to read more incredible success stories.
Sewanhaka celebrates students, staff during BOE meeting
CTE students are pictured with members of the Board of Education and administrators at the Board of Education meeting on May 21.
Sewanhaka Central High School District celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of students and staff during the Board of Education meeting on May 21.
Ex officio student board member Jasmine Chen, a junior at Floral Park Memorial High School, shared districtwide highlights during the monthly Student Report. Among the achievements highlighted were students completing more than 4,000 AP exams, wellness initiatives recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month, and upcoming junior high and senior high school concerts.
Director of Career and Technical
Education Dr. Patrick Dunphy presented highlights from the recent New York State SkillsUSA Conference, where more than 60 students from across the district participated and competed against more than 3,400 students statewide.
“SkillsUSA is more than just competitions; it gives students the chance to demonstrate technical skill, academic growth, leadership, professionalism, teamwork and confidence beyond the classroom,” Dr. Dunphy said.
Twenty-three CTE students were recognized for their achievements, including 14 first-place winners. The students were introduced by CTE teachers
Elmont Memorial High School music teacher Benjamin Pesenti, music teacher Daniel Guillaume and chairperson Andrea Galeno are pictured with,(from left) Superintendent Regina Agrusa, Board trustee Lynette Battle and Principal Marya Baker.
Park Memorial High
left) Superintendent Regina Agrusa, board trustee
Principal Michael Farina and Board trustee Jaclyn
Shannon Bourgeois and John Kosinski. Following the CTE recognitions, Superintendent Regina Agrusa honored Floral Park Memorial High School student Charlie Turner for being nominated for the prestigious Roger Rees Award for Outstanding Performer in a Musical. Elmont Memorial High School was also recognized for earning a Best Communities for Music Education Award from the NAMM Foundation. The award celebrates individual schools and school districts for their dedication to music education and commitment to ensuring equitable access to music as
part of a well-rounded education. Music Chairperson Andrea Galeno and music teachers Benjamin Pasenti and Daniel Guillaume were present to receive certificates of recognition.
The evening’s recognitions concluded with Assistant Principal Dr. Marc Isseks, who received a 2026 Nassau BOCES Education Partner Award. He was honored for his distinguished educational leadership and commitment to fostering successful outcomes for students.
Attention students!
Graduated from school? Have an outstanding GPA? Made the honor roll or Dean’s List? Scored an internship or study abroad opportunity? We invite you to send details of any of these things and more, along with your name and contact info, to editor@gcnews.com for a chance to be seen in our paper!
Sewanhaka High School Assistant Principal Dr. Marc Isseks is pictured with (from left) Superintendent Regina Agrusa, Principal John Kenny, Board trustee Lynette Battle and Board President William Leder.
Floral
School student Charlie Turner is pictured with (from
Rosemarie Peltonen, Assistant
O’Donohue
Photos courtesy of the Sewanhaka Central High School District
ON LONG ISLAND, WE’RE #1 IN ALL THINGS HEART♥
#1 in the U.S. for Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery.
What does it mean to be the best in cardiovascular care?
It means bringing together integrated teams of renowned cardiologists and heart surgeons for every patient and conducting the clinical research to make the scientific discoveries that shape how heart conditions get treated.
That’s how we’ve achieved this #1 ranking at NYU Langone Heart and attained some of the nation’s highest success rates for congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease, heart failure, heart rhythm disorders, and valve disease. From prevention to diagnosis to recovery, patients can expect the highest standard of care across our entire health system, with locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island.
Better health starts with a better health system.
Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald LIRR Strike
I’d like to thank Trustee Stewart and Village Administrator Bambrick for their diligence, time, and the many meetings they attended to keep our local government informed regarding the LIRR strike and contingency plans. Thank you both for staying on top of this matter. I know you fielded a number of calls regarding these concerns.
NYRA Fencing Project
The New York Racing Association (NYRA) has informed us that work on the fencing project will continue from Mayfair Avenue all the way to the school. This will complete the new fencing installation project that has been ongoing for the past year and a half.
Memorial Day Parade
Lastly, this coming Monday is Memorial Day, and as always, I hope to see our residents out for the parade and afterward at Memorial Park for the ceremony honoring those who gave their lives for our freedoms.
Deputy Mayor Lynn Pombonyo Police Department
Throughout the month of April, 848 Incidents required our Floral Park Police Department’s attention. This number encompassed 331 traffic stops (up from 225 in March), 24 traffic accidents with damage and/or injuries, 82 aided cases also involving our NYU Langone or Fire Department ambulance, 24 citizens needing assistance, 37 alarms of all types, 11 domestic incidents, 9 youth-related issues, 43 suspicious persons, and 2 important welfare checks.
Two hundred ten violations, not including parking, were issued in April (up from 169 in March). Forty-six summonses were issued due to failure to stop at stop signs. Additional summonses were issued for disobeying traffic control devices (13), improper u-turns (14), and numerous other infractions that violate our Vehicle and Traffic Laws.
In April, our Motor Carrier Unit responded to some community concerns and focused their truck inspections on dump trucks on Plainfield Avenue in the vicinity of construction projects. Our New York State certified Officers conducted a total of 17 inspections and issued 38 moving violations. Four vehicles were placed out of service for tire, load securement and brake violations, one of which was towed. Seven drivers were placed out of service for not having the required medical certification to operate a commercial motor vehicle. In addition, our certified Sergeant conducted an inspection while on patrol. That vehicle was stopped for being on Willis Avenue which is a posted no truck route. Four summonses
Board Of Trustees' Reports
May 19th Board Meeting
were issued and the driver was placed out of service for not having a medical certificate. The Unit will continue its enforcement with large dump trucks, and also in the area of Plainfield Avenue following several recent motor vehicle collisions and pedestrian accidents.
Our FPPD Detectives perform an essential role as they conduct investigations seeking additional information and evidence when alleged crimes are committed. In April, our Detectives conducted investigations involving Criminal Mischief (including property damage), Petit Larceny (entering two unlocked motor vehicles and shoplifting), DWI with property damage, and Identity Theft (with unauthorized purchases). Our Detectives and Patrol Officers have also made thirteen arrests, year to date.
In the area of parking, 1201 summons were issued (up from 1103 in March). The violations included 360 for expired meters, 264 for on-street parking between 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM, 34 for parking under the LIRR station without a permit, 15 for double parking, and 18 for parking in a marked fire/emergency lane. The Village of Floral Park and Police are reminding all: Do not block emergency vehicles, or others as well, by parking in the cross-hatched fire/ emergency lanes on Tulip Avenue, Verbena Avenue, and others in our Village.
And, as you see our Police “Park, Walk and Talk” on our Village streets, be sure to Stop, Greet and Thank.
The Library
Our new Floral Park Seed Library is the BEST! It features interesting varieties of flower, vegetable and herb seeds for all to take to create their own dream gardens. Possibilities include native and pollinator friendly flowers to encourage birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to thrive. In honor of our Village founder, John Lewis Childs, let’s carry forward his legacy and passion for flowers, trees and horticulture. Over 513 Seed Library packets have made their way to Floral Park’s gardens since Earth Day in April.
And be sure to take a look at the colorful Seed Library booklet. It’s filled with lovely prints of the original Childs Seed Catalog covers, dating back to the 1890’s, compliments of the Floral Park Historical Society. For Seed Library details, see the homepage at: floralparklibrary.org Chambers of Commerce and Our Businesses
A big thanks goes to our very own Village Market for their three day ribbon cutting and grand opening. Featured were special sales, patriotic banners and balloons, live music, a magic show, face painting, and special guests including the team that designed and
remodeled the new store, the Village Board, the Chamber of Commerce, and our community. Congratulations and best wishes go to owners Jose, Mike and their families, what a wonderful addition to our Village!
The Covert Avenue Chamber’s dinner meeting is up next on Tuesday, May 26th, 7:00 PM at Shintaro Asian Bistro on Covert Avenue. Find out what’s new on Covert and what’s planned for a bright and shining summer. Stay tuned, and visit: covertavenuechamber.org
Following that will be the big “NightBefore-the-Belmont Stakes” Street Fair on Tulip Avenue. Celebrate our local businesses, our Chambers of Commerce and Belmont Stakes horse racing with us on Friday, June 5th, starting at 5:00 PM and ending at 10:00 PM. There’s fun for all! floralparkchamber.org
Next will be the Covert Avenue Chamber’s dinner meeting on Tuesday, May 26th, 7:00 PM at Shintaro Asian Bistro on Covert Avenue. Find out what’s new on Covert and what’s planned for a bright summer. Stay tuned, and visit: covertavenuechamber.org
Have you SHOPPED AND DINED LOCAL today? We think you should make it an enjoyable habit.
Trustee Frank Chiara Department of Public Works
This information is from Superintendent Ginnane’s final report.
The Highway Department crews have placed 17 tons of asphalt and have been cleaning and weeding tree pits along our commercial strip. They are preparing the pool parking lot for the upcoming season and assisted with setting up and taking down barricades for the Hance 5K event that took place this past weekend.
The Parks Department crews continue to maintain all of our parks. They have installed hanging plants along our streets and are planting flowers throughout the Village.
The Tree Department have trimmed 10 Village trees and are installing the veterans’ banners at various locations throughout the Village.
The Sanitation Department crews collected a total of 68 tons of household waste, 11 tons of paper, 7 tons of mixed plastics, and 15 tons of bulk rubbish. Please note that next week, in observance of Memorial Day, sanitation services will follow a holiday schedule with no bulk pickup.
**Update on the West End Drainage Project:**
– Excavation for the new recharge basin has been completed.
– Paving of all affected roads in the West End, including Calla Avenue, is scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20.
– Restoration of all plantings, along
with the completion of a punch list containing minor remaining items, will be addressed afterward.
Thank you to everyone involved in this project for keeping it on track and minimizing any negative impact on our residents. A special thank you to Building Superintendent Renee Marcus and DPW Superintendent Kevin Ginnane, who extended his retirement date to ensure that this major project was carried out and completed on schedule.
Additionally, as part of a separate project, paving of Roscoe Place and all of Fuller Avenue is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20. All roads within the paving zone will be closed to traffic that day, and notices have been sent to affected residents. If you have any questions, please contact the DPW. Centennial Gardens and Conservation Society
This past weekend, the annual Hance 5K Run and Festival took place both outside and throughout the Gardens. It was a fantastic day made possible by the efforts of many volunteers who worked hard to ensure everyone enjoyed the event.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all of the Hance volunteers, the Conservation Society volunteers, and the Village staff who contributed to making this event a major success. A special thank you to Darlene Lanza, Superintendent of Recreation, and Kevin Pearsall, DPW Supervisor, for coordinating and managing the activities within the Gardens. The Gardens shone brightly that day and will continue to do so throughout the season. Thank you to everyone involved.
Beautification Committee
Many of you may have already noticed flowers being planted throughout the Village. Alongside our talented DPW staff, led by Larry DeCiantis, our Beautification Committee has also been hard at work planting flowers around the community.
A sincere thank you goes to Donna Sanchez and all of the volunteers on the Beautification Committee for their wonderful work in planting flowers throughout the Village. Their dedication and pride in our community help make the Village more beautiful and welcoming. The colorful displays and care they provide each season does not go unnoticed and are truly appreciated by all who live here.
Thank you for volunteering your time and talents to help brighten our Village and bring enjoyment to the community.
Today, News 12 aired a segment highlighting the Committee and our Village. It was wonderful to see our community recognized in such a positive way. Thank you once again for all of your
hard work.
As Memorial Day approaches, I want to express my gratitude to all veterans and current members of the Armed Forces for their service to our country, especially to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. I look forward to seeing everyone at our Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25th.
Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, and let us always remember those who gave their lives to keep our country free. God bless them all, and God bless the United States of America.
Trustee Jennifer Stewart MTA
Please see the below for a high-level schedule for which weekends we will be working in the area between Floral Park and Queens Village:
• May 30-31
• June 6-7, 13-14, 27-28
• July 18-19, 25-26
• Aug 1-2, 8-9, 15-16
Each weekend the service changes and associated impacts will be slightly different, so we encourage all our riders and stakeholders to regularly check our customer messaging on the TrainTime app and our website. Next weekend from Saturday May 30th at 12:15am until Monday June 1st at 3:30am the following changes will be in effect as we install a switch in between Elmont UBS Arena and Queens Village Stations
• Hempstead trains run between Floral Park and Hempstead only. Transfer at Floral Park for Huntington or Ronkonkoma Branch trains to and from Manhattan.
• For Hollis and Queens Village:
o Eastbound Hempstead trains will skip Hollis, Queens Village and ElmontUBS Arena
▪ This specific change will only occur from 12:30am Saturday May 30th until 4:00am Sunday May 31st.
o Hourly westbound service will be available on Huntington trains
o MTA buses will accept LIRR tickets for eastbound travel from Jamaica.
• For Elmont-UBS Arena:
o Westbound service will be available on Huntington and Ronkonkoma trains.
o NICE Bus will accept LIRR tickets for eastbound travel from Jamaica.
• Bellerose station is closed. NICE Bus will accept LIRR tickets on the nearby n24.
Additionally, we will take advantage of next weekend’s train service outage to complete the final paving work at the Hilton Avenue crossing in Garden City. Crews will be onsite from 7PM on Friday, May 29th through approximately 7AM on Saturday, May 30th
• This final paving work will complete the recent crossing rehabilitation,
Board Of Trustees' Reports May 19th Board Meeting
which included asphalt paving between the rails and installation of new concrete crossing panels.
• Feel free to review the attached, which is going out to homeowners in the area regarding the closure limits.
o In it, you will see the anticipated road closure limits for this work, which will be managed by MTAPD.
• This work is highly dependent on weather (we need it to be completely dry so that the asphalt so can adhere and cure properly) so if there is a need to reschedule it, we will let you know!
Trustee Michael Longobardi Building Department
Here are some updates on the various construction projects in our Village:
1.The next hearing for the proposed Stella’s mixed-use development will address zoning issues. This meeting is scheduled for June 17 at 8:00 p.m. We remind everyone that the project has NOT been approved; only the underground parking request has been approved. There are several more hearings and steps before the project receives either full approval or denial. Please follow the Village Board reports for accurate information and visit the website for updates.
2. Work on the West End Drainage project is nearly complete. Street paving will occur tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20.
3. Construction work for the proposed restaurant at 99 Covert Avenue will continue over the next several months and is expected to be completed sometime in 2026.
4. The Covert Avenue fire property construction is well underway and is estimated to be completed in the Summer of 2026.
5. Construction start dates for 50 Carnation Avenue (Storage Post) will be announced once they are confirmed.
6. Construction of the two new homes in the 32 Orchid subdivision, as well as one home at 116 Miller Avenue, is expected to begin within the next few weeks.
7. Renovations at 212 Jericho Turnpike, formerly Firestone, are ongoing. The owner plans to operate an auto repair shop in the rear portion of the first floor, with retail/business space occupying the remainder of the building.
8. 60 Plainfield Avenue, the King Arms Building, is still undergoing fire restoration. A date for pre-occupancy is not currently available.
9. A Special Use application for Club Pilates, proposed for 170 Tulip Avenue, has been received. The hearing date will be announced once it has been scheduled.
At the July 7 Board of Trustees
meeting, there will be a public hearing regarding a proposed Verizon cell tower at the DPW garage in Floral Park. Additional details will be provided as they become available.
A reminder that all driveways and ductless split air conditioning units require permits prior to installation. Numerous violations have been issued to property owners who widened their driveways or installed mechanical units that do not comply with Village code requirements. In many cases, the work will need to be removed or altered to achieve compliance. Please contact the Building Department with any questions regarding size and placement requirements. One phone call could prevent a costly modification.
Pool and Recreation
The Fuller Avenue gate entrance to the Recreation Center will be closed all day Wednesday, May 20, due to road milling and paving on Fuller Avenue. By now, you have hopefully received the 2026 Recreation and Pool mini booklet. The full booklet is available online at the Village website by clicking the Quick Links “Pool/Recreation” button or by visiting the Recreation and Pool pages. Copies are also available at the pool building.
Registration for the 2026 Pool and Leisure Pass is now available online through the Community Pass Registration System. Due to a system and software upgrade this year, every household must create a new account. Instructions for creating your account are included in the pool booklet.
The link to create your household account is: https://register.capturepoint.com/ VillageofFloralPark (no spaces). The link will take you directly to the account page. You must create your new account prior to registering for programs or memberships. Online registration for programs is now open and ongoing.
In-person registration at the pool building is available Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please note that the pool building will be closed on Memorial Day Monday.
We are just 25 days away from the pool opening on June 13 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Recreation Center is offering new programs, including:
A Half-Day Program for ages 5–10, operating Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
A Mini-Day Program for ages 3–5, operating Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
We are excited to announce that these programs will offer bus service with daily pickup and drop-off provided
by Mrs. Kerry of Corbett Coach Bus. You may request bus service during registration. Routes, pickup locations, and drop-off schedules will be coordinated once the number of requests is determined.
Weekly daytime sports programs are also available for various age groups and include soccer, lacrosse, tennis, volleyball, and roller hockey. Sessions vary between mornings and afternoons. Programs are available for children ages 4 through 14. Adult men’s and women’s volleyball, basketball, tennis, and pickleball programs will also be offered.
At the pool, we will once again offer Friday Family Fun Movie Nights, DJ specials, Residents’ Days, Grandparents’ Days, Senior Picnic Day, D&J Rollback Nights, and more. Swim lesson programs, along with youth and adult fitness programs, will also return. These include Tiny Tots Gym, Cardio Kickboxing, Pilates Fusion, Senior Fitness, and more.
Please refer to the Summer Recreation Booklet for the complete list of activities and events, as well as full details regarding dates, times, and rates.
John Lewis Childs School held successful Field Days yesterday and today at the Recreation Center. Next week, we will host Our Lady of Victory School’s Field Day.
The Recreation Center will host the Village’s 250th Semi-quincentennial Celebration on June 20, featuring a picnic, fireworks, and more. Ongoing updates and details can be found online and in Trustee Stewart’s reports.
Town-Village Aircraft Safety & Noise Abatement Committee (TVASNAC)
The next meeting is Monday, June 22, 2026, at Town Hall, 1 Washington Street in Hempstead. If you want to make a noise complaint regarding air traffic, you can call 1-800-225-1071. You can also go to the village website, which has links under the TVASNAC Noise Complaint Contact Information page on our home page.
Memorial Day
This upcoming weekend is Memorial Day, a federal holiday dedicated to honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the Armed Forces. As you enjoy the long weekend, please take a moment to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy not only this weekend, but the many freedoms we have every day. We hope to see everyone at the parade on Monday and at Memorial Park immediately following the parade as we come together to honor our military service members.
New York City Goes All Out With Ways for Fans to Enjoy FIFA World Cup
BY KAREN RUBIN
New York City Tourism + Conventions is making it easy to find the scores of fan events and viewing parties, soccer/football activations and popups and groundbreaking cultural exhibitions to enjoy FIFA World Cup 2026™. To plan your experience, visit nyctourism.com/worldcup26
NYC Tourism’s digital calendar of World Cup events + offers (www.nyctourism.com/worldcup26/ world-cup-offers-and-events) is now live, highlighting special events, promotions and offers citywide. NYC Tourism’s World Cup content hub includes teams guide (https:// www.nyctourism.com/worldcup26/ teams/) to find places to cheer for teams.
The Five Borough Winners Special is NYC’s official citywide World Cup dining program offering $26 food and beverage specials and collectible borough cups at bars and restaurants, June 11-July 19. Platform by JBF x NYC Tourism is hosting a ticketed World Cup Dinner Series celebrating global matchups with one-night-only chef collaborations at the James Beard Foundation’s Platform in Pier 57.
FIFA World Cup 2026™
Official Fan Events & Viewing Locations
Rockefeller Center: In addition to the fan village excitement on the plazas below, Top of the Rock is the Official NYNJ World Cup 26 Viewpoint, screening matches live from June 11-July 19. The FIFA Museum presented by Hyundai at Rockefeller Center will host “Legacies of Champions,” a free immersive exhibition with free
timed-entry tickets.
Hudson Yards, The Shops at Columbus Circle and Bronx Terminal Market, an Official Host City Supporter, has live match viewings, events and official merchandise.
Free Official NYNJ Fan Events: Queens: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (June 11–27). Manhattan: Rockefeller Center (July 6–19). Brooklyn: Brooklyn Bridge Park (June 13–July 19). Staten Island: Staten Island University Hospital Community Park (June 29–July 2).
Sports & World Cup Inspired Cultural Offerings
American Museum of Natural History launched World Cup, World Cultures: Celebrating the Community of Science and Sport featuring FIFA World Cup 2026™ watch parties; a community celebration on June 13; For the Win: Objects of Sports Excellence exhibition of championship rings, trophies, medals, and jewelry from legendary athletes and teams; Goal Zone interactive soccer play space; a Global Sports Pavilion; neighborhood block party on July 11 culminating with a Manhattanhenge sunset.
The Whitney Museum of American Art (currently featuring the Whitney Biennial 2026) is offering Free Friday Nights, Free Second Sundays and 20% admission discount to visitors wearing their team’s jersey or carrying team memorabilia; DJ sets, art-making activities, tours; culminating in a West Side Fest celebration, July 10–12.
Summer for the City at Lincoln Center will host World at Play with World Club DJ nights, freestyle pop-up soccer performers, workshops; and Film at Lincoln Center will present free open-air soccer-related cinema classics.
The Paley Center will host The Global Game: Soccer in the United States and the FIFA World Cup™ June 11 through July 26, featuring gameworn jerseys from American soccer stars. cleats, signed memorabilia, archival footage and iconic match moments. The Paley Center will also host watch parties.
Transportation to NYNJ Stadium from NYC
Fans must use official options, including NYNJ stadium shuttle
buses, NJ TRANSIT, limited rideshare or pre-purchased parking at American Dream (stadium parking is restricted to FIFA-permitted vehicles).
The Official New York New Jersey Stadium Shuttle will provide direct, round-trip bus service from Port Authority Bus Terminal, Midtown East and Midtown North for $20 round-trip.
NJ TRANSIT rail tickets are available to FIFA match ticket holders through the NJ TRANSIT mobile app for a flat round-trip fare of $98. Tickets are limited to 40,000 per match day and must be purchased in advance. Fans traveling by rail from New York City will board at Penn Station New York, transfer at Secaucus Junction and continue to the stadium.
Visit the New York New Jersey Host Committee’s website for official transportation details: https://nynjfwc26.com/getting-to-nynj-stadium/
For all there is to see and do in NYC during the tournament, visit nyctourism.com/worldcup26.
Long Island World Cup Watch Events
Rock band Third Eye Blind will perform live at 8 pm at the free New York State United 2026 World Cup Watch Experience on Long Island on June 12 at Stony Brook University. The free watch experience starts at 1 pm; kickoff of Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina is at 3 pm; USA vs. Paraguay at 9 pm. Tickets are free at https://www. newyorkstateunited.com/. Nassau County and The Island FC are hosting a free, public viewing ticketed event for the USA vs Australia match on June 19, 3-6 pm at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre in Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. Obtain free tickets at TheIslandFC. com or at NassauCountyTourism.ticketspice.com.
BY DENNIS MAMMANA
Week of June 7-13, 2026
During one of my recent night sky tours, an elderly guest gazed into the sky and asked if the stars ever move. He said the constellations look the same now as when he was a child, and he was convinced that nothing in the heavens ever changes.
It was an excellent observation but one that didn’t consider an important fact: Human time scales are considerably different than cosmic time scales.
Even the healthiest of humans will live at most about a century, and during our lives, we measure time in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years and decades. The cosmos, on the other hand, has been around for nearly 14 billion years, and everything takes much longer to occur.
To recognize changes in the universe, astronomers must think on a more cosmic scale. When we do, we find that the universe is remarkably active. Stars are forming, consuming their nuclear fuel, and dying, and all are racing through our galaxy at tremendous speeds. Expecting to see changes in any star’s appearance or the shapes of constellations over even a full human lifespan just isn’t possible.
To understand this, consider Barnard’s Star, visible only through
Approaching the Solar Apex
a telescope from the Earth’s Southern Hemisphere. This star tears through our galaxy at a speed of some 88 miles per second, yet from our terrestrial vantage point six lightyears away, Barnard’s Star requires three and a half centuries to cross a segment of the sky only the width of your outstretched little finger.
Of course, we can’t watch this movement with our eyes -- or even through powerful telescopes -- but by using sophisticated earthbound and satellite technology, astronomers can precisely measure these stellar speeds and directions of motion.
Measure the speeds and directions of enough stars, and we find some interesting patterns. For example, stars that appear roughly in the direction of the summer star Vega (now shining low in the northeastern sky after dark) seem to be spreading out from a central point, while those on the opposite side of the sky (near Sirius, setting in the southwest around sunset) appear to be converging on one another.
What this means is fascinating. Our sun’s own motion is carrying it (along with the planets of our solar system) toward the stars near Vega -- a point we know as the solar apex -- and away from those near Sirius (known as the solar antapex).
This phenomenon isn’t difficult to
Imagine you’re driving along a highway from one city to another. The buildings in front of you appear to become more widely separated as you approach, while those behind you appear to converge more tightly.
This is exactly what’s happening in our section of the galaxy. Our sun is moving at some 12 miles per second toward a point in our sky not far from the bright star Vega. Of course, we can’t see this movement, but it’s fun
LOST IN SUBURBIA
Going in Circles
BY TRACY BECKERMAN
Given the choice between usinga regular door and a revolving door, I always choose the regular door. I’ve been that way since birth. OK, maybe not birth -- I’m fairly certain there was no revolving door where I made my way into the world. But for as long as I can remember, I have been reluctant to go through them. No, not reluctant. Phobic. Truthfully, I am afraid of revolving doors. I have orbitagoraphobia.
Orbitagoraphobia isn’t actually a legitimate word, but for lack of a better one, that’s what people use to describe their fear of revolving doors. It kind of makes sense. “Orbit” means to go around, and agoraphobia is basically the fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult, so basically you have a fear of going around and getting stuck. It makes sense to me. Although if I were asked to call it something, I’d cut to the chase and just call it revolvaphobia.
I’m not the only one who suffers
from this (clearly, or else why would they bother naming it?). The actor Matthew McConaughey is also, allegedly, orbitagoraphobic. I think this piece of information actually makes having this phobia somewhat cooler. Certainly cooler than having arachibutyrophobia, which is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth. Of course, if you had arachibutyrophobia and orbitagoraphobia and you happened to go through a revolving door while eating a peanut butter sandwich, you would probably suffer from orbitagorarachibutyrophobia, which obviously would be impossible to say if you had peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth.
here are a number of celebrities with strange phobias. Supposedly Billy Bob Thornton has a fear of antique furniture, Christina Ricci has a fear of indoor plants, and singer Lyle Lovett has bovinophobia, a fear of cows. McConaughey wouldn’t have a problem having bovinophobia since it’s physically impossible to take a cow through a revolving door, anyway.
Since McConaughey and I possibly had this thing in common, I thought it would be cool to meet him and ask him for his autograph, assuming I don’t have to go through a revolving door to do it. However, this might be a problem if he also suffers from scriptophobia, the fear of writing in public, or anthropophobia, the fear of meeting new people. If this was the case, he would probably suffer from anthroporbitoscriptophobia, which is a combination of all three. But this would be a real issue if he also had hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia, the fear of long words.
I wouldn’t be surprised if McConaughey also suffered from the fear of being remembered for the movie “Surfer, Dude.” But that wouldn’t necessarily affect our ability to get together, unless I brought a surfboard with me or something.
Still, none of this is a problem for me, since the only phobia I have is of revolving doors.
Unless it turns out that I also have anthropomcconaughphobia, the fear of meeting Matthew McConaughey.
to stand outdoors on a clear night and imagine our sun and Earth racing outward toward Vega.
Now, if you’re worried about a collision with this star ... well, fuhgetaboutit. Even at this remarkable speed, we’d need some 5,300 human lifetimes to get there!
Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.
COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM
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
visualize.
Stars are very active, but when viewed on our human timescale, they appear to never change.
REAL ESTATE WATCH
The Hidden Costs of Homeownership Nobody Warned You About
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
For generations, homeownership has been viewed as one of the cornerstones of the American Dream. Owning a home provides stability, builds equity, and offers a sense of pride that renting often cannot match. Yet many first-time buyers—and even experienced homeowners—discover that the true cost of owning a home extends far beyond the monthly mortgage payment.
While lenders carefully calculate principal, interest, taxes, and insurance, there are numerous expenses that rarely make it into the glossy brochures or online mortgage calculators. These hidden costs can catch homeowners off guard and significantly impact household budgets.
Understanding them before they become surprises can make the difference between enjoying your home and feeling financially overwhelmed by it.
Maintenance Never Takes a Vacation
One of the biggest misconceptions about homeownership is that once you buy the house, major expenses become predictable. In reality, homes are constantly aging.
Roofs wear out. Water heaters fail. Appliances stop working. Driveways crack. Gutters clog. Decks need staining. HVAC systems eventually require repair or replacement.
Many financial planners recommend budgeting between 1% and 3% of a home’s value annually for maintenance and repairs. For a $600,000 home, that could mean setting aside $6,000 to $18,000 each year.
Some years may require little spending. Others may bring a new roof, a furnace replacement, and plumbing issues all at once.
The challenge is that homes rarely coordinate repairs with your financial schedule.
Utility Bills Often Increase Dramatically
Renters frequently underestimate how much utilities cost when they move into a larger home.
Heating and cooling a 2,500-squarefoot house is significantly more expensive than managing a small apartment. Water bills, sewer fees, garbage collection, electricity, natural gas, internet services, and seasonal landscaping costs all add up quickly.
Many buyers focus heavily on mortgage affordability but fail to ask current owners about average monthly utility expenses.
A house that appears affordable on paper can become substantially more expensive once all recurring costs are included.
Property Taxes Rarely Stay Still
Property taxes are one of the most overlooked costs of homeownership because they can increase over time even when your mortgage payment remains fixed.
Municipalities regularly reassess property values, school budgets rise, infrastructure projects are approved, and tax rates adjust accordingly.
Many homeowners experience “payment shock” when their escrow account is recalculated and monthly mortgage obligations increase because of higher property taxes.
Unlike a mortgage that eventually gets paid off, property taxes continue indefinitely.
Insurance Costs Continue to Rise
Homeowners insurance is no longer a static expense.
Across the country, premiums have risen significantly due to increasing construction costs, severe weather events, inflation, and higher claim payouts.
In some areas, homeowners are discovering that insurance companies are requiring larger deductibles or reducing coverage options.
Additional protection for floods, earthquakes, windstorms, or sewer backups may require separate policies or riders that further increase annual expenses.
The result is that many homeowners are paying substantially more for insurance than they anticipated when they first purchased their property.
Landscaping Is More Expensive Than It Looks
The beautifully manicured lawn that helped sell the house can become a recurring financial commitment.
Lawn care equipment, fertilizer, irrigation systems, tree trimming, seasonal cleanups, mulch, plant replacements, snow removal, and pest control all carry costs.
Homeowners who hire professionals can spend thousands annually maintaining their outdoor spaces.
Even do-it-yourself landscaping requires tools, materials, and considerable time.
That picturesque yard often comes with a price tag that buyers rarely calculate in advance.
Homeowners Associations Can Be Costly
Many buyers appreciate the ame-
nities and neighborhood standards provided by homeowners associations (HOAs).
However, HOA fees can become a substantial monthly expense.
Beyond routine dues, homeowners may face special assessments for community improvements, roof replacements, road repairs, or unexpected maintenance projects.
These assessments can sometimes reach thousands of dollars with little warning.
Before purchasing, homeowners should carefully review an association’s financial reserves and history of special assessments.
The “Small” Projects Add Up
One of the most surprising realities of homeownership is how quickly small expenses accumulate.
A new mailbox here. A ceiling fan there. Fresh paint in a bedroom. Replacing a broken fence panel. Updating light fixtures. Purchasing tools for simple repairs.
Individually, these projects may seem minor.
Collectively, they can consume thousands of dollars annually.
Unlike renting, where maintenance is typically someone else’s responsibility, homeowners become responsible for every repair, improvement, and cosmetic update.
Furnishing a Larger Space
Buying a home often means buying more furniture.
Many new homeowners discover that empty rooms create pressure to furnish, decorate, and personalize larger living spaces.
Area rugs, dining sets, patio furniture, window treatments, shelving systems, and storage solutions can quickly become significant expenditures.
The house itself may fit comfortably within the budget, but making it feel complete often requires additional spending that wasn’t part of the original purchase calculation.
Opportunity Costs Matter Too
Some hidden costs are less obvious.
The money tied up in a down payment, closing costs, maintenance, and property-related expenses could potentially have been invested elsewhere.
While homeownership builds equity over time, it also reduces financial flexibility.
This doesn’t mean buying a home is a poor investment—it simply means
homeowners should recognize that every financial decision involves tradeoffs.
Understanding those trade-offs helps create more realistic expectations.
The Bottom Line
Despite these hidden costs, homeownership remains one of the most rewarding investments many families will ever make. A home provides security, stability, personalization, and the potential for long-term wealth creation.
The key is not avoiding homeownership but entering it with open eyes.
Too many buyers focus exclusively on the purchase price and monthly mortgage payment while overlooking the ongoing expenses that accompany owning property.
The most successful homeowners are not necessarily those with the largest houses or the biggest budgets. They are the ones who plan ahead, maintain emergency reserves, and understand that a home is both an asset and an ongoing responsibility.
When buyers account for these hidden costs from the beginning, they position themselves to enjoy the benefits of homeownership without being blindsided by the realities that rarely appear in the sales brochure.
After all, the true cost of a home isn’t just what it takes to buy it—it’s what it takes to keep it running for years to come.
Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate. 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).
Continued on page 5
More Social Security Rules I Can’t Explain
BY TOM MARGENAU
I’ve always prided myself on being able to explain the rationale behind various Social Security rules and regulations. Many times, readers will send me emails in which they express utter befuddlement at a law or regulation that affects their eligibility for Social Security. It’s usually a situation that results in them getting reduced benefits. Of course, this irks them to no end. They figure the government is just out to shortchange them. But once I explain why the rule exists, they will almost always accept the fact (sometimes grudgingly) that the law makes sense.
In fact, during my SSA career, I even developed a training session for my fellow employees, which I called “Rationale.” And my class did just that. It provided the reasoning behind a myriad of Social Security rules and regulations that many people found hard to understand. Even though I considered myself pretty much of an expert on these issues, there were some laws that even I couldn’t, and still can’t, explain. I’ve gone over some of them in past columns. But I’ve come across a couple new ones.
One of the rules I can’t explain is this: Why doesn’t your dependent wife or husband share in the bonus you earn for starting benefits after full retirement age? I really don’t know.
You can earn a bonus in your Social Security checks if you delay starting your Social Security benefits until after your full retirement age. You get an extra twothirds of 1% added to your retirement check for each month you wait -- up to age 70. (There is no bonus paid for months beyond age 70.) Depending on what your full retirement age is, that can be anywhere from a 24% to a 32% bonus.
But if you have a spouse eligible for benefits on your record, the spousal rate is based on your full retirement age benefit, not the augmented delayed retirement benefit. That’s the bad news. The good news is that when you die, the widow(er)’s benefit payable to your spouse is based on the higher delayed retirement rate. In other words, your dependent wife or husband doesn’t share in these delayed retirement credits, but your widow or widower will. And again, I can’t explain why one but not the other.
There’s a twist to those husband/wife scenarios that I also can’t explain, and it is this. Let’s say a husband decides to take reduced retirement benefits at age 62. If his wife files for spousal benefits on his record, her spousal rate will be based on his full retirement age benefit rate, not the reduced retirement rate he is getting. But if he dies first, the widow’s benefit due to his wife will be based on his reduced retirement rate. In other words, the benefit paid to a wife isn’t affected by his decision to take reduced benefits. But the benefit paid to a widow is! Why? I don’t know. Another rule I can’t explain has to do with what is known as the “waiting pe-
riod” to collect Social Security disability benefits. The law says that if your claim for disability benefits is approved, you can’t be paid those benefits for the first five months of your disability. And actually, because the law says it must be five full calendar months, it almost always means that a person has to wait six months before his or her disability checks start rolling in.
For example, let’s say Fred has a severe heart attack on Oct. 10. Sometime afterward, he files for Social Security disability and his claim is approved. Because he was disabled for only part of October, the five full calendar month waiting period would run from November through March of the following year. The first disability check he will get is for April of that year. And because all Social Security checks are paid one month behind, that check will actually come in May.
So why does Fred, who had a severe heart attack in October, have to wait until the following May to get his first disability check? Some have told me that waiting period is there because Fred should have other sources of income (maybe from an employer or an insurance company) during those first six months. Others have suggested the waiting period is built into the law to take some time to make sure Fred really is disabled. I don’t like either of those supposed rationales for the sixmonth delay in starting disability benefits. (By the way, there are some disabling conditions that are exempt from this waiting period.)
Something else I’ve never been able to satisfactorily explain is the reasoning behind the Social Security earnings penalty. I could (and frequently do) spend a whole column telling readers what those rules are. They are quite complex. Today, I will just briefly summarize them.
The law says that if you are under your full retirement age and getting Social Security benefits, but you are still working, you will lose one dollar in benefits for every two dollars you earn over a certain limit. In 2026, that limit is $24,480. So, for example, if 63-year-old Alice is on Social Security and has a part-time job that will pay her $30,000 this year, the Social Security Administration will be required to deduct $2,760 from her benefits for the year. ($30,000 minus $24,480 equals $5,520 divided by two equals $2,760.)
That was a very simple example of a very confusing set of rules. There are special rules that apply to your first year of retirement. And there is a different earnings penalty for the year you reach full retirement age. Also, effective with the month you reach FRA, you could make a million dollars a day and still get your Social Security checks.
My purpose today is not to give you an in-depth lesson in the earnings penalty rules, but rather just to tell you I can’t explain why the rules are there in the first place.
I can tell you that when the Social Se-
curity Act was passed in the 1930s, Congress felt a person should be completely retired in order to collect “retirement” benefits. Maybe that made sense back then. But over the years, Congress gradually relaxed those rules. And about 25 years ago, they eliminated the earnings penalty for people who have reached their full retirement age.
But why didn’t they just eliminate the penalty for all retirees? Why should people who are under their full retirement age and who are trying to make ends meet by getting a job to supplement their Social
Security check lose some of those benefits? I can’t really explain it!
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.
COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
BY LOU THEODORE
This one is also in honor of our nation’s 250th birthday, a remarkable achievement… and something else. Since 1776, there have been lots of time for things to go wrong. But here we are, still despite a misstep on rare occasions – blessed in a land of the free and the brave. And that something else relates to this word brave.
It’s Memorial Day. Another holiday. A day off for most. For some others, it is time to consider the wars our nation’s soldiers have fought – and, are still fighting. Some give thought to our fallen heroes. Others may pray for peace. Others could care less. And then the day is gone.
Every Memorial Day, I am reminded of a passage in a book (having read it five times) written by my favorite author. The book: Tales of the South Pacific. The author: James Michener. Published: 1957. Comment: A book every American should read (a comment I have included in the previous seven articles). In part of a passage, a young World War II soldier stationed in the South Pacific expresses his feelings on visiting a cemetery at Hoga Point.
“Before me lay the dead, the heroic dead who took the island. Upon a strange plateau, on a strange island, in a strange sea, far from their farms and villages, they slept forever beside the lagoon which bore them to their day of battle…
If you sit at home and read that two hundred and eighty-one men died in taking an island, the number is only a symbol for the mind to classify. But when you stand at the white crosses, the two hundred and eighty-one dead become men: the sons, the husbands, and the lovers…
Each man who lay there bore with him to his grave some promise for a free America. Now they were gone. Who would take their places? Women? Old men? Or were those who lived committed to a double burden? Theirs and the dead men.”
The relentless passage of time makes it all too easy for some to allow the importance of Memorial Day to pass without a second thought. For some,
On Memorial Day
forgotten are the sacrifices of those who risked and lost their loves for our future and a better world. Forgotten also are those who were asked to recover a few square yards of land. Forgotten are those who never had a chance to love. Forgotten are those who didn’t give their lives for their country but had part of their lives taken away from them. This holiday is for them, and to ensure they are not forgotten.
But who should we and those around the world give thanks to? For some, the answer might be the bureaucrats, politicians, lawyers, etc. For others, it might be doctors or engineers or scientists. For me, thanks would be directed to those who have served or are presently serving in the defense of our great nation. Today, approximately 1.5% of the 300,000,000+ U.S. citizens serve in the military. One can only wonder how much thought is given by those who have not served. Do they really understand the sacrifice by our men and women in the miltary? I feel a pang of guilt every year when Memorial Day rolls around. I am now 92 years old and never served America. The 92 years spanned four wars, including the present war on terrorism and yet, I did not serve. Many others were not as fortunate.
The bottom line is that our nation was formed by men and women of great courage – starting with George Washington to the pioneers who settled the West to Teddy Roosevelt to the Greatest Generation and to today’s heroes who serve. These were truly brave individuals. Hopefully, leaders will soon emerge who will exhibit the vision and the courage to bring about the necessary changes to eliminate / reduce other wars and ensure the future of our great nation.
Finally, the quality of our lives can be directly attributed to those special men and women who served bravely during those horrible periods discussed above. Hopefully, each and every one of us can reflect on those sacrifices and become better human beings. May kindness and understanding, rather than combat and hate, fill our lives in the days that follow so that we may truly celebrate life. May we also work
to ensure that our veterans will live out their lives in a healthy, happy, safe and free environment.
Happy Memorial Day to one and all. And God, please continue to bless our
great nation. Visit the author at: www.theodorenewsletter.com and / or Basketball Coaching 101 on Facebook
REAL ESTATE WATCH
The Hidden Costs of Homeownership Nobody Warned You About
Continued from page 3
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
Garden City News • Mid Island Times Bethpage Newsgram • Syosset Advance Jericho News Journal • Floral Park Villager
DEADLINE FOR CLASSIFIED ADS IS TUESDAY AT 1:00PM.
2 EASY WAYS TO PLACE ADS:
1) Directly on website: gcnews.com & click on “Classified Order” 2) Email Nancy@gcnews.com Please include your name, daytime phone number, address and ad copy.
Visa and MasterCard Accepted
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ATTENTION OXYGEN
THERAPY USERS!
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DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Direct and get your first free months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918
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WE BUY HOUSES FOR CASH
AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670
MARKETPLACE
Antique & Vintage Items
Jewelry-Crystal-Silver Furniture-Mirrors-Tabletop
Artwork-Lamps
Consign, Shop or Visit the Yellow House 109 Eleventh Street Garden City 516-746-8900
Mon-Fri 10-4 (Wed to 6pm) Saturday 12-4 (entrance & parking in back) Consignments by appointment atstewartexchange@tgchs.org All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society
MARKETPLACE
WANTED TO BUY
LOOKING TO BUY!
Estates, Oriental items, Gold, Silver, Costume Jewelry, Dishes, Flatware, Watches, Clothing, Old Photos, Coins, Stamps, Records, Sports Cards, Pokemon Cards, Comics and Art. Immediate Cash Paid Call George 917-775-3048
AUTOMOTIVE
MARKETPLACE
INVITED SALES BY TRACY JORDAN
Transform your space, maximize your value: Are you looking to add value to your property and enhance its appeal? Look no further!
At Invited Sales, we offer a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet your needs:
Personal Property
Appraisals and Evaluations: Get expert insights into the true value of your personal property.
Estate and Tag Sales: Simplify the process of selling estate items with our professional online and in-person tag sale services.
Home Updates: From carpet removal to one-day floor refinishing and contractor services, we handle it all to refresh your home effortlessly.
Staging Services: Elevate your space with our curated selection of furniture, accessories, lighting, and decorative items for a stunning transformation. Explore our captivating before and after photos showcasing homes where we’ve added significant value, making them stand out in the market:
Visit: InvitedSales.com today to discover how we can help you achieve your property goals! Please Call: 516-279-6378 Or Text Tracy Jordan: 516-567-2960
AUTOS WANTED
***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS
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Call LUKE 516-VAN-CARS 516297-2277
DONATE YOUR CAR TODAY
Donate your car running or not. Support Patriotic Hearts for our Veterans and their Families! Free, fast pickup. May be tax deductible. Se habla Espanol. Call now: 844-415-1229
GET A BREAK ON YOUR TAXES! Donate your car, truck, or SUV to assist the blind and visually impaired. Arrange a swift, no-cost vehicle pickup and secure a generous tax credit for 2025. Call Heritage for the Blind today at 1-855484-3467
WE BUY 8,000 CARS A WEEK
Sell your old, busted or junk car with no hoops, haggles or headaches. Sell your car to Peddle. Easy three step process. Instant offer. Free pickup. Fast payment. Call 1-855-403-3374
REAL ESTATE FOR RENT
SERVICES
BARNES GALLERY
Custom Picture Framing Two Nassau Blvd Garden City, NY 516-538-4503
Tuesday-Saturday 10-5
CONSUMER CELLULAR the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682
JACK’S CUSTOM FRAMING We can frame anything! Quality Care & Workmanship Thousands of frames to choose from!!
Over 30 years in business! 92 Covert Ave, Stewart Manor 516-775-9495
ATTORNEY
STEPHANIE A. D’ANGELO, ESQ.
Elder Law, Wills & Trusts
Asset Preservation, Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration/Litigation 901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530 516-222-1122 www.dangelolawassociates. com
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
AQUATEC LAWN SPRINKLERS
SYSTEM TURN ONS Backflow Device Tests Free Estimates Installation Service/Repairs Joe Barbato 516-775-1199
SERVICES
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-833-807-0159
DO YOU KNOW WHAT’S IN YOUR WATER? Leaf Home Water Solutions offers FREE water testing and whole home water treatment systems that can be installed in as little one day. 15% off your entire purchase. Plus 10% senior & military discounts. Restrictions apply. Schedule your FREE test today. Call 1-866-247-5728
MADE IN THE SHADE CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS
Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Draperies
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MASONRY
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Free Estimates
Fully Licensed & Insured #H2219010000
Boceski Masonry Louie 516-850-4886
PAULIE THE ROOFER STOPPING LEAKS IS MY SPECIALTY! Slate & Tile Specialists All types of Roofing Local References Licensed & Insured 516-621-3869
SERVICES
AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE?
You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-833-880-7679
SERVICES
HOME IMPROVEMENTS
PREPARE FOR POWER outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5 year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-877-5161160 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.
PREPARE FOR POWER
OUTAGES with Briggs & StrattonPowerProtect(TM) standby generators the most powerful home standby generators available. Industry-leading comprehensive warranty 7 years ($849 value.) Proudly made in the U.S.A. Call Briggs & Stratton 1-888-605-1496
SAFE STEP
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Comprehensive Lifetime warranty. Top of the line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step: 1-855-916-5473
STRONG-ARM CONTRACTING
DEMOLITION Kitchens, Bathrooms, Basements, Decks, Sheds, etc.
JUNK REMOVAL Furniture, Appliances, Carpeting WE CAN RIP OUT, REMOVE OR TAKE APART ANYTHING OR EVERYTHING IN YOUR HOME OR ON YOUR PROPERTY.
Residential & Commercial Call: 516-538-1125
WELLINGTON
MASONRY & CONTRACTING EXPERTS
Driveways, Blacktop, Patios, Stoops, Concrete, Pavers, Brick Work, Retaining Walls, Stone Work, Sidewalks & Curbs. Financing Available wellingtonmasonry.com
Call:
Andrew: 516-659-1003 Frank: 516-316-5560
SERVICES
HEALTH SERVICES
FAMILY CARE CONNECTIONS, LLC
Dr. Ann Marie D’Angelo
PMHCNS-BC
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Advanced Practice Nurse Care Manager
Assistance with Aging at Home /Care Coordintion
Nursing Home & Assisted Living Placement
PRI / Screens / Mini Mental Status Exams
Medicaid Eligibility and Apllications 516-248-9323
www.familycareconnections.com
901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530
PAINTING & PAPERHANGING
INTERIOR & EXTERIOR
PAINTING
Plastering, Taping, Sheetrock
Skim Cutting, Old Wood Refinish, Staining, Wallpaper Removal & Hanging, Paint Removal, Power Washing, Wood Replacement JOHN MIGLIACCIO
Licensed & Insured #80422100000
Call John anytime: 516-901-9398 (Cell) 516-483-3669 (Office)
SERVICES
AFFORDABLE TV & INTER-
NET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-833-323-0160
PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-833-549-0598 Have zip code of property ready when calling!
Roasted Vegetables with Pignoli Nuts
When the weather warms up outside, the desire for healthy, lighter fare rises alongside the mercury. That leads many people to turn to vegetables, which can satisfy hunger pangs but do not typically create feelings of sluggishness. Vegetables can be cooked in myriad ways, and some can even be eaten raw. If raw vegeta-
2 red bell peppers, seeds removed and sliced lengthwise
2 green peppers, seeds removed and sliced horizontally
2 large stalks celery, quartered lengthwise, then horizontally
8 cloves garlic, peeled, whole
1) Preheat oven to 450° F. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and toss until well coated. Transfer to a sheet tray and spread vegetables into a single layer. Bake for about 30
bles don’t sound all that appealing, then roasting is a great way to eat healthy without sacrificing flavor. This recipe for “Roasted Vegetables With Pignoli Nuts” from Lines+Angles is sure to please.
Makes 4 servings
2 shallots, peeled, whole
2 portobello mushroom caps, cut into quarters
7 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1⁄4 cup pignoli nuts
minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Transfer roasted vegetables to a serving dish, sprinkle pignoli nuts over the top and serve.
CUSTOM FRAMING
Two Nassau Blvd Garden City, N.Y. 516-538-4503
www.barnesgalleryframing.com barnesgallery@yahoo.com Hours: Tues - Sat 10 am - 5 pm
Litmor Publications publishes the ads of service providers in our Classifieds, Professional Guide and Service Directory. A 6-week agreement brings your specialty or service to the attention of the community. Let us begin listing you in our next Issue. For More Info and Rates, Call Nancy 516.294.8900 Advertising in the Professional Guide is only open to N.Y.S. Licensed Professionals.
Your Next Chapter Begins Here
Welcome to this stately Georgian Colonial in the heart of Bellerose Village, offering over 4,100 square feet of beautifully designed living space. Defined by its timeless symmetry and classic architectural detail, this residence delivers an elegant and lasting first impression with its balanced façade, refined entry, and exceptional curb appeal.
Inside, a traditional center hall layout creates a seamless flow between formal and everyday living. A grand foyer welcomes you with soaring ceilings and exquisite moldings, setting the tone for the home’s sophisticated interior. The gracious living room with fireplace and formal dining room provide the perfect backdrop for entertaining, while the chef’s kitchen, featuring custom cabinetry, a substantial center island, and radiant heat, opens to a bright breakfast area with French doors leading to the backyard. A den just off the living room offers additional flexible living space, while a discreetly positioned powder room and secondary staircase enhance both convenience and functionality.
Upstairs, a sweeping two-tier staircase leads to the primary suite with full bath, along with four additional wellproportioned bedrooms and two full hall bathrooms. A sunroom with laundry adds both charm and practicality. The full basement offers a recreation area, updated utilities, egress access, and abundant storage.
Set on an 85x130 property, the private backyard oasis is complemented by a two-car garage and an extended driveway. Ideally located near shopping, dining, parks, and transportation, including the LIRR with approximately 30-minute access to Manhattan, this home presents a rare opportunity to own a residence that perfectly blends timeless elegance with modern-day living.
This is more than a home, it’s a statement of timeless design, refined living, and enduring value in one of the area’s most sought-after locations.
Please call
Offered Price is $1,800,888
