Jericho-Syosset News Journal (6/18/21)

Legislators, community groups condemn hate

Legislators Arnold Drucker and Joshua Lafazan joined with their colleagues in government and supporters of the “Stop Anti-Semitism and Hate Now” on Sunday, June 13.

In response to the alarming increase in attacks against the Jewish community and the acts of hate seen across America, Nassau County Legislators Arnold W. Drucker and Joshua Lafazan joined with the Woodbury Jewish Center, and community organizers to condemn these acts on the front steps of the Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building during the “Stop Anti-Semitism and Hate Now” rally on Sunday, June 13.

Legislator Ducker and an array of speakers called attention to an alarming recent increase in anti-Semitic violence and incidents around the world. This includes reports by the ADL which indicate a 63-per-

Photo courtesy Office of Legislator Arnold W. Drucker

cent rise in anti-Semitic attacks last month nationwide and 2019 statistics from the FBI Hate Crimes reported that shows how anti-Jewish bias accounted for 60.2 percent of anti-religious hate crimes.

“Throughout my lifetime as a Long Island resident, my family and I have not been spared from the painful impacts of anti-Semitic bigotry. While this hateful undercurrent has always lurked in the darkest recesses of our society, a recent string of brazen, violent incidents targeting Jewish people have shown that the threat has morphed in an alarming way,” Legis-

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“Big Dig” goes onwith no end in sight?

BY GEORGE HABER

Hidden from public view, with no updates from the construction company or Amazon, the “big dig” on Robbins Lane in Syosset continues into its third month, as ground is prepared for Amazon’s massive new warehouse/sorting center off the Long Island Expressway.

Declining to release any information about the progress of the project, contractor Whiting-Turner Construction, and Amazon headquarters in Seattle give no indication when the 204,000 sq. ft. facility is expected to be completed and operational.

“It’s disturbing to have no idea when we’ll start seeing big trucks and vans rolling through the area to and

from the facility,” said Jay Roberts a long-time resident of East Birchwood. Amazon’s warehouse/sorting center is slated to occupy almost forty acres on the former Cerro Wire site on Robbins Lane in Syosset, off the LIE. The facility is planned to be one-story high with four loading zones to accommodate twenty vans per loading sector. There will be sixteen loading docks in the building.

Amazon spokesmen told the Birchwood Civic Association that 49 tractor-trailers would be serving  the facility daily, “most” arriving after 6 p.m. Delivery vans would return to the facility between 7 and 9 p.m.

The spokesmen told the BCA, “The

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Arrest for gun possession

Nassau County Police arrested a Connecticut man on Friday, June 11 for allegedly possessing a handgun illegally.

According to police, highway patrol officers observed a male operating a 2016 Yamaha motorcycle southbound on Sunnyside Boulevard.  Police say the motorcycle’s license plate was improperly displayed and the operator entered a 7-11 parking lot located at 160 Sunnyside Blvd. without signaling.

According to police, when the man exited the store, the officer began to conduct an investigation regarding the motorcycle’s registration.  They

say the operator was uncooperative, refused to comply with the officer’s commands and attempted to get on the motorcycle to flee the scene.  According to police, the officer grabbed the motorcycle to prevent the operator from leaving.  They say the man then got off the motorcycle and fled northbound on Sunnyside Boulevard.   He then allegedly dropped an item on the side of the road, which was a handgun.  Police arrested Isaac Cabanas, 25, of  New London, CT. and charged him with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree and Obstructing Governmental Administration 2nd Degree.

Casino bus trip

St. Ignatius Loyola Parish will be hosting a bus trip to Wind Creek Bethlehem Casino (formerly Sands Casino) in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, July 27.

The $44 cost includes the driver’s tip and there will be a $35 give-back for slots play.

Please arrive at 8:30 a.m. Return will be at approximately 8:30 p.m.

Parking is at 999 South Oyster Bay Road (dead end)

For reservations, please call Barbara at 516-935-5576. Please make checks payable to “St. Ignatius Loyola Church.”

Knights plan live concert for August 28

The Joseph Barry Knights of Columbus plan a live in-person concert with The Acchords on Saturday, August 28 from 7:30–11:30 p.m.

Enjoy an open bar, sandwiches and wraps, salad, coffee and desserts.

$40 per person. Mail checks payable to: Joseph Barry Knights of Columbus, 45

Heitz Place, Hicksville NY 11801

Casual attire, reservations required. Attendance is limited to 150 persons due to NYS Health Dept. regulations. No money will be accepted at the door. Call Brian 516-457-6190 or e-mail roadrunnerbrian@aol.com

Bethpage High School holds annual research symposium

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Bethpage High School held the 11th annual research symposium featuring the research and findings of four students on June 8. The students are pictured with research teacher Chris Pollatos. Photo courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District

Bethpage High School held its 11th annual research symposium featuring the work of four science research students on June 8. These students presented their research and fielded questions from their peers and audience members. Other science research students acted as hosts for the events, introducing their classmates and their impressive achievements.

The student presenters and their projects were:

• Aurrel Bhatia: Utilizing a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) Machine Learning Algorithm to Create Soil Moisture Prediction Models and Improve Water Productivity in Southern California

• Sutures Zaara Yakub: Designing Interpretable Hybrid Convolutional-Recurrent Networks for Regulatory Genomics

• Maya Maciel-Seidman, Ruchitha Channapatna, Suchitha Channapatna: Solar-Powered Soil Sensing Robot: A Novel Agricultural Device for Monitoring Moisture and pH

The district commends all of the participating students on their hard work and dedication in their research. Special thanks to science research teacher Chris Pollatos, AP research teacher Kristen Garvey and Director of Science Janice Yale for their guidance and support of our research students.

• Sebastian Marano: The Effect of Different Types of Suture Knots on the Tensile Strength of the Knot Using Polyglycolic Acid (Absorbable)

Parking expanded at Bethpage pickleball courts

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced the addition of a new parking lot at the Bethpage Pickleball Court. Located at Lenox Avenue Park behind the Bethpage Public Library on Powell Avenue. This new parking area will allow dozens more residents to enjoy the game of pickleball.

“Pickleball has become incredibly popular in the Town of Oyster Bay, as seniors and families play daily at our courts in Massapequa and Bethpage,” Supervisor Saladino said. “To meet the demand created by a growing number of pickleball fans, the Town has partnered with BK Sweeney’s Shopping Center to add additional parking for residents seeking to utilize our courts in Bethpage. We also expanded the adjacent parklet’s field to meet the new parking area.”

A fun sport for all ages, pickleball is played with a wooden paddle and lightweight plastic ball and combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong. The sport can include two, three, or four players and shares similarities to other racquet sports. The dimensions and layout closely resemble a badminton court, which is considerably smaller than a tennis court. Rules of the game are somewhat similar to tennis.

“Pickleball is a very fun, social and healthy activity for the whole family, and this new parking facility in Bethpage will be a welcome addition to the community while helping meet the increasing need for quality facilities to play this great sport,” Councilwoman Johnson said.

Local runners score in LI Police Appreciation Run

Highlighted by a big field, with over 400 runners registered and 297 of them making their way to the Eisenhower Park finish line, the 30th annual David Lerner Associates Long Island Police Appreciation 5 Kilometer Run on the evening of June 3 was a major success by any standard.

The field was held down a bit by the weather services, who kept predicting a doom and gloom thunder and lightning storm that — very fortunately — never happened.  The bottom line was a relatively cool and cloudy evening that produced perfect weather conditions for running.

Local runners were very prominent among the award winners, led by Shari Klarfeld of Plainview, who scored as the second woman overall and first in the women’s 40-44 age group, crossing the finish line in 20 minutes, 2 seconds.  Also winning awards were August Finger of Syosset, who scored first in the 55-59 age group with a time of 21:21, 10 year old Jasen Zhao of Jericho, who earned the 2nd place award in the 14 and under age group, with a finishing time of 22:32, Kim Solomine of Syosset, who took top honors among the women in the 60-64 age group with a time of 23 minutes, 2 seconds, Donna Rosen of Jericho, who scored second in the women’s 65-69 age group in 36:18, and 94 year old Bert Jablon, who took the first place award in the 90 plus age group, crossing the finish line in 49:14.

The Run was, as usual, a fundraiser for the Police Crisis Fund that continues to support police officers and their families

in difficult times, with the first $1000 of the proceeds going to the Nassau Police Running Club and its Scholarship Fund.

The Run was staged by the Greater Long island Running Club (GLIRC) with GLIRC President Mike Polansky serving as the director of the Run and GLIRC Vice President Mindy Davidson serving as the coordinator of volunteerrs.

A major “thank you” goes to title sponsor David Lerner Associates, who once again provided the support necessary to assure the financial success of the event.  Marty Walcoe, the president and CEO of DLA, and Vice President Alex Barnych and the rest of the leadership team at DLA continue to be dedicated to the event and what it stands for! Big thank yous as well go to the other businesses that provide the support that is so welcome for this event: All Round Foods, Bimbo Bakery, Woodbury Country Deli & Frito-Lay.

Thanks to Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Parks Commissioner Eileen Krieb for making Eisenhower Park available to for the event.  Thanks as well to Nassau County Legislators Rose Walker, Steve Rhoads & Laura Schaefer for being on hand to show their support, with Legislator Schaefer running in the event in a very creditable 32:42 time for the 5 kilometers.

Thanks as well to the elitefeats team for handling the timing and scoring chores, and a special shoutout to Terry Bisogno for returning as the great announcer of the Run.

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This Week at the Syosset Public Library

Friday, June 18 at 12:00 p.m.

Virtual Author Visit: Summer Scares BYO Lunch with Rachel Ryan

Grab your lunch and zoom in to meet Rachel Ryan, author of “The Woman Outside My Door.” No registration needed. Click on Virtual Calendar for Zoom link - www.syossetlibrary.org/ live-streaming.

Friday, June 18 at 2:00 p.m.

Saving Radio City Music Hall: A Dancer’s True Story

Presenter: Rosemary Novellino-Mearns, dance captain of the Radio City Music Hall Ballet Company during the 1970s

The true story of how Radio City Music Hall was saved from demolition in the 1970s. It’s a David and Goliath story of how a dancer motivated a small group of dedicated colleagues and friends to save the classic Rockefeller Center performing arts venue. No registration needed. Click on Virtual Calendar for Zoom link - www.syossetlibrary.org/ live-streaming.

Monday, June 21 at 9:15 a.m.

Dancersize with Carol Rodriguez

This fitness class combines aerobic exercise with dance movements. Register at www.syossetlibrary.org/ live-streaming

Monday, June 21 at 2:00 p.m.

Grilled Salmon & More

Presenter: Craig Geraghty, Block Island Seafood Company

Welcome back to the  Block Island Seafood Company cooking class as we spring into summer.  They'll demonstrate a grilled salmon over shaved brussels sprouts and kale salad dressed in a lemon vinaigrette and an arugula pesto dressed linguine topped with shrimp. Register at www.syossetlibrary. org/live-streaming. You will receive a Zoom link, ingredient list and recipe.

Tuesday, June 22 at 6:15 p.m.

Virtual Yoga for Relaxation

Learn basic yoga postures and relax-

ation techniques from the comfort of your own home.

Register at www.syossetlibrary.org/ live-streaming

Wednesday, June 23 at 1:00 p.m.

Simply Fit with Marilyn Bunger

This class is especially suited for the older adult, and combines the basics of Simply Stronger and Simply Stretch. You will need light hand weights for the class. Register at www.syossetlibrary. org/live-streaming

Thursday, June 24 at 2:00 p.m.

Young Vocalists Perform Old Songs – Part 2

Presenter: Richard Knox

Here is a wonderful opportunity to experience many of the outstanding standards of the Great American Songbook performed by a variety of a new generation of singers. This multipart program will give us an opportunity to watch and hear dozens of young semi-professionals and amateur vocalists share their talents with new renditions and creative arrangements of some of the most memorable tunes. No registration needed. Click on Virtual Calendar for Zoom link - www.syossetlibrary.org/live-streaming.

Thursday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Christina Lauren!

Virtual Author Visit & BYOB

Grab your favorite summer beverage and zoom in to meet Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, authors of “The Soulmate Equation.” No registration needed. Click on Virtual Calendar for Zoom link - www.syossetlibrary.org/ live-streaming.

Friday, June 25 at 12:00 p.m.

Donna Freitas!

Virtual Author Lunch

Grab your lunch and zoom in to meet Donna Freitas, author of “The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano.” No registration needed. Click on Virtual Calendar for Zoom link - www.syossetlibrary. org/live-streaming.

Call our GC office at 294-8900, or visit us online at gcnews.com for more info & questions

June Virtual Events at the Jericho Public Library

Monday, June 21

2:00 p.m.: The Discovery of a Masterpiece with Mallory Mortillar0 - Mallory is the curator of collections for the Hartley Dodge Foundation in Madison NJ. While cataloging the artwork housed inside, she uncovered a masterpiece that had been lost to the art world since the 1930s. After a year of research, the piece was authenticated as an official work by Auguste Rodin. Mallory will share the story of how a simple art cataloging project evolved into a search for a mysterious piece’s provenance and became one of the biggest art finds in recent history.

4:00 p.m.: Flex & Tone with Mindy Vasta - Put on some comfortable clothing and  join Mindy for this exercise class while in the comfort and safety of your home.

7:00 p.m.: Fit & Fabulous with Linda Ray - Join Linda for this evening exercise class designed to get you Fit & look Fabulous!

Tuesday, June 22

10:30 a.m.: Stories with Miss. Liz (Ages 2–5 Years)

11:00 a.m.: Guided Meditation for Self Healing with Patricia AndersonJoin Pat for one or all of the meditation sessions to bring harmony and balance into your life.

2:00 p.m.: News Currents with Elinor Haber - Join Elinor to participate in this informal current events discussion.  Talk about  topics of the day

- the international, national and local scene. There will be lots to discuss!

Wednesday, June 23

1:00 p.m.: Watercolor Demonstration with Chuck Van HornLearn watercolor techniques, tips and tricks. There will be time for questions.

Thursday, June 24

10:00 a.m.: Chair Yoga with Jolie Bosnjak - This practice is for all levels including those nursing an injury or coping with a chronic problem. The results will surprise you!

5:30 p.m.:Yoga with Joe - This yoga class is geared for all levels to reduce the stress in your life while keeping fit!

Friday, June 25

2:00 p.m.: Garden Tour: Gardens of the World with Barbara Levine, Master Gardener - From Keukenhof to Kirstenboch, Barbara will take us on a virtual tour of gardens which she has visited and photographed. Make yourself comfortable and enjoy the tour- no seat belts required!

Saturday, June 26

1:00 p.m.: Summer Reading Kick off for All Ages - Join us outside the Library for an ice-cream treat, register for the children, teen or Adult Summer Reading Program. Receive a starting gift when you sign up. Masks and a valid Jericho Library card are required!

For all events, go to www.jericholibrary.org/events/month to register.

Hicksville pre-kindergarten

lottery deadline

Hicksville Public Schools is offering a pre-kindergarten program for the 2021–2022 school year with half day and full day openings available.  Selection for this program is lottery-based and requires the completion of an application.

To be eligible for the pre-kindergarten program, the student must turn 4 on or before Dec. 1, 2021.  Additional information regarding this lottery program is posted on the district’s website.  Contact the PreKindergarten Department at 516-7332371 with additional questions.

Applications for the lottery must be received by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, June 18, 2021 (if mailed, postmarked by June 18, 2021).  Parents can obtain applications by visiting the district’s website at www.hicksvillepublicschools.org, at the Hicksville Public Library and at all seven elementary schools. Applications can be submitted online at the district’s website, returned in person or mailed to: Hicksville Public School District, 200 Division Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801

See what's happening at your library!

From classes to lectures and concerts to movie screenings, there's never a dull day at your local library! Check this paper each week for fun and informative all-ages activities, all for free or cheap!

Northeastern University is pleased to recognize those students who distinguish themselves academically during the course of the school year. The following students were recently named to the University’s Dean’s List for the Spring semester, which ended in May 2021:

Bethpage resident Olivia Binder, majoring in sociology/int’l affairs

Hicksville resident Neeloy Bose, majoring in bioengineering

Hicksville resident Harrison Chan, majoring in civil engineering

Jericho resident Ruoxuan Wang, majoring in computer science/biology

Levittown resident Kayla StrongNieves, majoring in bioengineering

Plainview resident Ryan Norris, majoring in mechanical engineering/ physics

n Vincent Leonardi of Hicksville has been named to the 2021 spring semester Dean’s List at Ohio Wesleyan University.

To earn Dean’s List recognition, Ohio Wesleyan students must achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale in all applicable classes.

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More than 100 Rochester Institute of Technology students, including Josh Haber of Plainview were named as Outstanding Undergraduate Scholars for the 2020-2021 year.

n Jonathan Swift, a Nichols College student from Levittown, achieved President's List status for the Spring 2021 semester at Nichols College, which ended in May.

The President's List gives recognition to those students who achieve high grades during a single semester. Students whose semester average is 3.85 or higher for at least 12 undergraduate credit-hours and no grades below B- will receive President's List honors.

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SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran announces Atif Ghaffar of Levittown earned President's List honors during the Spring 2021 semester. Ghaffar majors in health care management.

President’s List recognizes students who achieve a 3.75 or greater GPA on a 4.0 scale.

n SUNY Canton recognizes Anthony B. Ferrandino of Plainview for earning Dean’s List honors during the spring 2021 semester. Ferrandino majors in esports management.

Dean’s List recognizes full-time students who earn a GPA between 3.25 and

College Notes

3.74 on a 4.0 scale.

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SUNY Canton recognizes the following part-time students who earned academic awards during the spring 2021 semester:

Cynthia Daitch, health care management, Hicksville

Irene F. Canela, health care management, Levittown

Diane C. Schonmann, management, Levittown

The college created Part-Time Honors to recognize students who earned at least a 3.25 GPA in 6 to 11 credits of course work. It stands alongside the college’s Dean’s List and President's List as one of the top awards given for academic success at the college.

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Syosset resident Claire Larson has been named to the President's List at James Madison University for the Spring 2021 semester. Students who earn President's List honors must carry at least 12 graded credit hours and earn a GPA of 3.900 or above. Larson is majoring in biology.

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Samantha Petry of Bethpage has been named to Alvernia University’s Dean’s List for the Spring 2021 semester. In the spring, Petry studied nursing at Alvernia’s Reading Campus.

To be eligible for the Dean’s List, students must carry a semester GPA of 3.5 or better and take a minimum of 12 credits.

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Sofia Sergi of Syosset graduated Cum Laude with a degree in graphic design from James Madison University during commencement exercises in May 2021.

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Rebecca Muha of Hicksville was one of 60 students who participated in the annual Elmira College Nurse Pinning Ceremony in Gibson Theatre as part of Commencement weekend activities. The ceremony recognizes students who have completed the requirements for a bachelor of science degree in nursing.

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Jericho resident Maria S. Grafas has been named to Husson University’s Dean’s List for the Spring 2021 semester. During the spring semester, Grafas was enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science/Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

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Several local students received degrees from Alvernia University during the 2020-21 academic year. Graduates from August 2020, December 2020 and May 2021 celebrated by walk-

ing across the stage at First Energy Stadium on May 15, 2021. The following local students were among those who completed their degrees:

Samantha Lauren Petry of Bethpage, has graduated with a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree after completing all the requirements for graduation during the 2020-21 academic year. Petry majored in nursing while studying at Alvernia University.

Andrew Scott Ritchie of Bethpage, has graduated with a Master of Business Administration degree after completing all the requirements for graduation during the 2020-21 academic year. Ritchie majored in Community Service and Economic Leadership while studying at Alvernia University.

Sol Max Horn of Hicksville, has graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree after completing all the requirements for graduation during the 2020-21 academic year. Horn majored in sport management and marketing with a minor in Ccommunications while studying at Alvernia University.

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Ohio University College of Arts and Sciences student Bri Blumenthal from Jericho has been named to OHIO’s Spring 2021 Dean’s List.

Due to COVID-19, OHIO students who earned 12 semester hours of credit, including at least six hours attempted for letter grades, with a minimum grade point average of at least 3.5 achieved this distinction.

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Julia Fikar of Bethpage has earned Dean’s List honors for the Spring 2021 semester at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York.

The Dean’s List recognizes full-time undergraduate students who complete a minimum of 12 graded credit hours and who achieve a semester average of 3.5 without a D, F, or Incomplete grade.

Fikar is majoring in criminal justice behavior & law at Saint Rose.

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Sophia Markus, Class of 2022, has been named to the Dean’s List for the Spring 2021 semester at the University of Vermont. Markus, from Jericho, is in the College of Arts and Sciences.

To be named to the Dean’s List, students must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or better and rank in the top 20 percent of their class in their respective college or school.

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Samantha Unterlack of Plainview was recently recognized with a gold-level leadership milestone through SUNY Oneonta’s LEAD (Leadership Education

and Development) program.

Unterlack is studying early chld/ childhood ed (B–6) at SUNY Oneonta.

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Connor Norton of Syosset graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience during commencement ceremonies in May, 2021.

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The following local residents were recently named to the Dean’s List at the College of William & Mary for the Spring 2021 semester:

Plainview: Jordan Stewart

Syosset: Daniel Pellerito

In order to achieve Dean’s List status, a full-time degree seeking undergraduate student must take at least 12 credit hours and earn a 3.6 Quality Point Average during the semester.

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The University of Wisconsin-Madison has recognized students named to the Dean’s List for the spring semester of the 2020-2021 academic year.

Jericho:

Emily Rosen, School of Human Ecology, Dean’s Honor List

Madeline Rosen, School of Human Ecology, Dean’s Honor List

Tyler Scher, College of Letters and Science, Dean’s List

Chloe Sheftel, College of Letters and Science, Dean’s List

Old Bethpage:

Lily Bedell, School of Human Ecology, Dean’s Honor List

Alexa Rosen, School of Business, Dean’s List

Kendall Stolar, School of Education, Dean’s List

Plainview:

Dylan Khazzam, School of Human Ecology, Dean’s Honor List

Jeremy Leffel, School of Business, Dean’s List

Syosset:

Madeline Cover, College of Engineering, Dean’s Honor List

Jessica Levy, School of Education, Dean’s List

Jolie Nemshin, School of Business, Dean’s List

Alexandra Saypoff, School of Human Ecology, Dean’s Honor List

Hayley Schneider, School of Human Ecology, Dean’s Honor List

Nicole Woldar, School of Human Ecology, Dean’s Honor List

Students who achieve at a high level academically are recognized by the dean at the close of each semester. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, students must complete a minimum of 12 graded degree credits in that semester.

At tention 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!

Going green at Northside Elementary School

Northside Elementary School students and staff are enjoying the school’s new greenhouse where they plant and water flowers, fruits and vegetables.

Pictured from bottom left: Principal Frank Mortillaro, third-graders Brayden McNamara and Ileana Arias and teacher Geraldine Butler.

Pictured from top left: teachers Alison Fleigner and Ayshe Avman.

Students and staff at Northside Elementary School in the Levittown Public Schools found a positive light during an unprecedented school year. With the dedicated efforts of Principal Frank Mortillaro, staff members Ayshe Avman, Geraldine Butler, Alison Fleigner, Donna Papa and custodian Michael Boye, a small greenhouse was built in the middle of school’s courtyard this past March. Since then, the outdoor space has been a welcoming addition to the school building.

The new greenhouse allows children to engage in real life learning experiences and gives them a space beyond the classroom to explore, learn more about agriculture and work with their hands.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tonie McDonald of the Levittown Public Schools was a great supporter of the project and Mr. Mortillaro’s vision.

“I want students to come out here and learn a little bit about agriculture, growth and how to sustain themselves,” he said. “The students have really taken a liking to it so far.”

The greenhouse features a variety of plants such as eggplant, peppers, tomatoes and strawberries. Students and staff help to maintain them daily by watering and tending to the growing vegetables and fruit. As a positive way to give back to the community, the school plans to donate some of the food that they grow in the greenhouse to the Levittown Food Pantry which is housed at Wisdom Lane Middle School.

In addition to the positive impact that it will make on the Levittown community, the greenhouse has become a beneficial space for all students. On beautiful days, all Northside classes are encouraged to read or enjoy lessons in the outdoor space as four blue picnic tables and several colorful chairs surround the greenhouse. Next year, the school plans to create a gardening club to support the greenhouse and give interested students more hands-on experiences with the plants. These students will eventually be able to take what they learn at Northside and bring their newfound gardening knowledge over to Wisdom Lane Middle School where a gardening club has already been established.

The greenhouse and the new courtyard setup will be a space that students and staff alike will cherish for years to come.

Levittown seniors to take their talents to collegiate level

Three student-athletes from General Douglas MacArthur High School committed to college teams. Pictured is Alyssa Accordino (left), Dustin Genco (top right) and Sofia Quitoni (bottom right) signing their commitment letters.

Nine seniors from the Levittown Public Schools committed to collegiate sports teams after high school. From lacrosse to football, these talented student-athletes have shown their hard work and dedication on the field and have made their coaches and families proud. One senior even committed to join an esports team in college, also

known as competitive video gaming. Congratulations to the following student-athletes from Division Avenue High School and General Douglas MacArthur High School:

Division Avenue High School

• Nicole Bowe – Hunter College, Softball

• Emily Gaska – Massachusetts

Six student-athletes from Division Avenue High School committed to college. Pictured, top row (left to right): Ian Votta, Nicole Bowe, Jennifer Rodriguez. Bottom row (left to right): Emily Gaska, Elizabeth Petrellese and Christopher J. Smith.

College of Liberal Arts, Girls Lacrosse

• Elizabeth Petrellese – Mount Saint Mary College, Girls Lacrosse

• Jennifer Rodriguez – SUNY Farmingdale, Cheerleading

• Christopher J. Smith – Lourdes University, eSports

• Ian Votta, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Boys Lacrosse

General Douglas MacArthur High School

• Alyssa Accordino – Kings College, Soccer and Football

• Dustin Genco – St. Joseph’s College, Soccer

• Sofia Quitoni – Molloy College, Girls Lacrosse

Photos courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools

Town to host blood drive on June 21

To help hospitals meet the ongoing and pressing need for blood, the Town of Oyster Bay invites residents to attend a Blood Collection Drive on Monday, June 21 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hicksville Athletic Center, located at 167 S. Broadway in Hicksville. Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Michele Johnson stated, “Residents can save lives by donating blood this June at the Hicksville Athletic Center. Blood supplies have seriously dwindled as a result of the COVID-19 health pandemic and are critically needed for local hospitals to meet the demand and continue saving lives. Please consider participating in this blood drive on June 21st.”

Appointments are preferred for the Town’s Blood Drive. Social distancing and sanitary protocols will be in place to maintain the health and safety of all donors. To qualify as a blood donor, a person must between the ages of 17 and 75 years old (16 with parental permission and 76 or older with a doctor’s note), weigh at least 110 pounds and

not have donated blood within the last 56 days. Anyone who received a tattoo within the past 12 months is ineligible to donate. It is recommended that donors eat well (low fat) and drink fluids in the days before the Blood Drive. Additionally, all donors will receive a voucher for a free Blizzard at Dairy Queen, compliments of Councilwoman Laura Maier.

Town Councilman Tom Hand added, “It’s quick, easy, and safe to donate a single pint of blood which can save up

to three lives. This past year has been incredibly difficult for all of us, especially for our health care system, and it is up to all of us to help pitch in to make sure our Healthcare Heroes are able to continue to provide lifesaving efforts.”

For additional information regarding the Town’s Blood Drive, contact the Town’s Public Information Office at (516) 624-6380. To make an appointment to donate at this Blood Drive, sign up today at https://bit.ly/3gACp82 .

Raynham Hall Museum adds a new education annex

BY GARY SIMEONE

It was a cause for celebration this past Saturday, as 125 people gathered at the Raynham Hall Museum in Oyster Bay for the inauguration of its new education center. Local officials, including Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Town Councilwoman Michele Johnson attended the event, which took place in the museum’s garden from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Museum is the former home of the Townsend family one of the founding families of the Town of Oyster Bay.

“Our dream finally came true this past Saturday of opening our new education annex to the public for the first time," said Harriet Gerard Clark, executive director of Raynham Hall. “The new annex will display elements of the Town’s historical Revolutionary War activity, including exhibits, two historical dioramas and a brand-new gift shop.”

She said that the new wing in the museum is a long time in the making after the Museum’s executive board first broached the idea of having additional educational space for the public in the 1970s.

The new annex, which is currently open to visitors, includes exhibits that depict the lives of the merchant shippers who once lived in the Town of Oyster Bay and the lives of the enslaved people who were vital to its economy.

The dioramas display key historical events in the Town, which include the Battle of Long Island (Revolutionary War action) that was fought on August 27, 1776, and the departing of the British Queen’s Rangers from Fort Hill in 1779.

Guests at the ceremony were treated to a demonstration of a new enhanced reality app called “Digital Tapestry,” which features animated 18th-century style portraits.

“This new enhanced reality app will display portraits of four main characters making speeches, including vital figures Robert and Samuel Townsend, lieutenant colonel John Graves Simcoe, a British Army General, and a young enslaved woman named Elizabeth who absconded with the British army,” said Clark.

The restoration project and building of the new education annex was made possible with grants from the Town the Gardiner Foundation, Gerry Charitable Trust and other generous donors.

Legislators, community groups condemn hate

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lator Drucker said. “I am committed to channeling the spirit of today’s rally toward concrete actions that will equip us to fight ignorance at every turn and bigotry and wherever it may emerge.”

“My grandfather Boris was a refugee of the Holocaust. Through his eyes, I learned the consequences of what happens when hate directed towards a group of people goes unchecked - and that's why today isn't just about people of Jewish faith standing up and fighting back,” Legislator Lafazan said. “It's also about all of our allies, and people of good conscience everywhere, understanding the gravity of just how serious things are right now, and realizing they too have a crucial role to play to extinguish Anti-Semitism and hate in all of its pernicious manifestations. Because we understand all too well the weight of these famous words: ‘All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.’”

At the rally, Legislators Drucker and Lafazan were joined by Legislature colleagues Debra Mulé, C. Wil-

liam Gaylor III and Thomas McKevitt; New York State Senators Todd Kaminsky; Jim Gaughran and Anna Kaplan: New York State Assembly Members Edward Ra and Steve Stern; members of the Nassau County Commission on Human Rights and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Long Island; Long Island Board of Rabbis; American Jewish Committee Long Island; The Simon Wiesenthal Center; Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center; Temple Beth Torah of Westbury; Makom NY; StandWithUs;  the Interfaith Clergy Council Syosset-Woodbury; Hineni Heritage Center; Sid Jacobson JCC; Midway Jewish Center; Voices for Truth and Humanity; The Long Island Coalition Against Bullying; Congregation Simchat HaLev; Mid-Island Y JCC; Suffolk Y JCC; Gotham Government Relations, Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm; Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity; Plainview Jewish Center; Democratic Majority for Israel; Temple Or Elohim - A Community Reform Congregation; and Israel Nitzan, Acting Consul General, Consulate General of Israel in New York.

“Big Dig” goes onwith no end in sight?

Workers clear former Cerro Wire site in Syosset for Amazon warehouse/distribution center.

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developer wants to keep traffic off Robbins Lane....(We) want to make sure we are the best corporate citizens ..(and) worked with the architects to mitigate the impact on the community.”

In light of the developer’s implied wish to be transparent with the community, some residents are asking why there appears to be such apparent “secrecy” surrounding the updating of the project.

Recent Real Estate Sales in Syosset and Jericho

15 Ostego Place, Jericho

5 bd, 4 ba

Sold On: 5/20/21

Sold Price: $1,300,000 Type: Single Family Schools: Jericho

3 bd, 3 ba, 1,967 sqft

Sold On: $935,000

Sold Price: 5/19/21

3 bd, 3 ba, 2,762 sqft

Sold On: 4/19/21

Sold Price: $962,500

Type: Condominium Schools: Jericho 1 Woodbury Way, Syosset

2 bd, 2 ba, 1,104 sqft

Sold On: 5/19/21

Sold Price: $610,000

Type: Single Family Schools: Syosset

June 18, 2021

Family Summer Escapes, from the Exotic to the Familiar

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE

For summer of 2021 and beyond, travel is poised for a comeback and borders are reopening and family vacations top the list. Here are ideas to quench any family’s wanderlust, from avid astronomers to city slickers, from the exotic to the familiar.

For the astronomer family

• Todos Santos in Baja, Mexico, is a prime spot for stargazing due to its minimal light pollution and dry clean air. Each of the rooftop suites at the  new Paradero Todos Santos comes with its own telescope to take in the evening’s bounty of stars, galaxies and planets that sparkle across the desert sky.

• On the open-air observation deck at  Nayara Alto Atacama, guests check out the most important constellations for the people of the Atacama: the Yacana Llama that runs along the Great River (Milky Way) and the Chacana Cross (Inca Cross) which points to the south. The Atacama Desert’s famously arid atmosphere makes it ideal for stargazing.

• andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge  in Namibia’s Namib Desert abuts a dark sky reserve and has an astronomer on staff to guide guests’ stargazing experiences. Plus, the above-bed sky lights are perfect for spotting shooting stars while drifting off to sleep.

For the birding family

• While most head to Jamaica for

From June to October, the beaches of Nevis come alive with the scurrying sea turtles as they come ashore to nest. This summer, Four Seasons Resort Nevis is inviting families and nature lovers to join its Sea Turtle Summer Camp program (photo provided by Four Seasons Nevis).

its white sandy beaches, birders find an avian playground with over 300 species. Specifically, the Blue Mountains, set 3,100 feet above sea level, are laced with a network of trails for birdwatching among the Jurassic Park-like landscape.  Strawberry Hill’s onsite bird expert, Lyndalee Burks, arranges adventures with knowledgeable local guides –think sunrise and sunset treks to see the rare Crested Quail-Dove or Jamaican blackbird.

• With a plethora of birds to check off a list (over 500 species in the area),  Nayara Tented Camp’s private naturalist guides can lead family’s on daily birding walks to spot toucans, red-lored parrots, green herons, and ruby throated hummingbirds. Tents can comfortably fit two adults and up to two children, plus there are

adjoining tents for bigger groups and older kids.

• All guests at andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve receive a  Star Birds guide to spot the 400 bird species inhabiting Phinda’s diverse habitats, but passionate birders can book a Birding Safari. One of andBeyond’s guides leads guests on a special game drive to see Rudd’s Apalis, Neergard’s Sunbirds, and Narina Trogons.  Phinda Homestead –a stand-alone lodge with four bedrooms – is the perfect private spot for a family.

For the beach bum family

• Jamaica’s  GoldenEye , once home to Ian Fleming and the site where he penned all 14 James Bond novels, offers a collection of stand-alone hut, cottage and villa accommodations. Kids can

partake in coconut carving and nature walks led by Ramsey DaCosta, Fleming’s former gardener, while adults enjoy cocktails at Firefly, Noel Coward’s hilltop estate and rumored to have been Captain Morgan’s lookout. Mark the occasion by planting a tree on property with a donation to the hotel’s Oracabessa Foundation, which supports the community through a variety of health- and environmentally- focused initiatives.

• Off the coast of Zanzibar,  andBeyond Mnemba Island is a private island paradise worthy of screen saver. Families can lounge on the beach in their private beach cabanas, go snorkeling or scuba diving with the local dolphins, take a sunset dhow sailboat ride, or take a day trip to Stone Town and learn about the spice trading history of Zanzibar. The thatched-roof bandas have no doors or windows, just woven shades, creating a true Robinson Crusoe vibe.

For the history buff family

• The Dupont Circle hotel, is located in Washington DC’s Embassy Row, surrounded by former gilded age mansions of the city’s elite that are now embassies, and is just a 20-minute stroll to the National Mall and its monuments and museums. The Penthouse Suite can be booked as a two bedroom and with its sprawling terrace, living room, and dining area it creates a luxurious home-away-fromhome.

• Dromoland Castle was built in the 16th century and has a rich

Continued on next page

Family Summer Escapes, from the Exotic to the Familiar

history – from starting as the royal seat of the last kings of Ireland to a Temple of Mercury dedicated to a beloved racehorse who saved the family from financial ruin. Families can try the ancient sport of falconry, golf on the 18-hole golf course, try cocktail making or go foraging with a local guide.

• The magic of Greek mythology still envelopes the Cycladic isles. Mykonos was the home of Aeolus, keeper of the wind. Families can stay in one of the two villas at the soon-to-open  Kalesma and catch the sunset over Delos, the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo.

For the outdoorsy family

• The Chatwal Lodge is nestled within a 30-acre environmentally protected land in the Catskill region of New York State. Guests enjoy panoramic views of the 1,000-acre Toronto Reservoir Lake, ideal for year-round fly fishing; have access to hiking trails dotted with chestnut trees and water streams; and admire myriad native animals, such as white-tailed deer and nesting bald eagles. Adventurers at heart can opt for a treehouse, raised 25 feet above the ground, or a luxury glam tent.

• Families looking for a breath of fresh air can head to  Napa Valley in California wine country and explore the 53,000 acres of preserved land laced with hiking and biking

BY JEFF RUGG

Q: We moved into this house two years ago. We were told there was a 3-year-old apple tree in the backyard. Last year, there was no fruit, but this year, the tree has thousands of small apples. First, is this normal? One year of no fruit and the next with too much? Second, will the tree drop a lot of apples prematurely, or do we need to prune them out?

A: The tree may have been too young to have fruit last year, but it should have fruit from now on. Apples, pears, peaches and other trees will sometimes develop what is called alternate bearing or biennial bearing. It is easy to understand but hard to fix.

During the summer when the tree is developing a lot of fruit, nuts or seeds, a lot of the carbohydrates, nutrients and other chemicals produced by the tree go into the fruit. There isn’t much left over for the tree to produce flower buds. Without many flowers blooming during the

trails through the mountains. Kids can join parents to explore the di Rosa outdoor sculpture park, or visit with miniature horses – Winnie the Pooh, Sweet Jane, and Molly – at Jamieson Ranch Vineyard while parents enjoy a vino tasting. Families can opt to stay at Calistoga Motor Lodge – a roadside 1940’s motel in its past life – which evokes a retro-camping feel with rooms designed to mimic a 1960s VW camper. As an ode to its roots, the property offers throwback in-room amenities such as Polaroid cameras and Etch-a-Sketches that kids will love.

For the city slicker family

• Tokyo is the ultimate destination for city lovers – its towering skyline, famously busting crosswalks, jewel box bars, and mix of modern and ancient culture are hypnotic.  Park Hyatt Tokyo sits above the city and offers families a haven above the metropolis, especially with older kids. The concierge can book restaurant reservation at in-theknow-only spots and recommend fun stops like Kawaii Monster Café with its rainbow confections, and the whole family can wind down at the hotel with the twice weekly goodnight sleep stretch.

• London has something for everyone in the family from shopping to museum hopping to tasting global cuisines. Centrally located in Mayfair,  The Beaumont is

the perfect home base to explore all the Big Smoke has to offer. A destination unto itself, the hotel is home to Turner Prize-winning artist Antony Gormley’s inhabitable sculpture called ROOM. Families can even book the entire fifth floor for up to 10 people, with perks including a stocked pantry kitchen, large dining terrace and private elevator access.

• While Paris is known for romance, it’s surprisingly family-friendly, offering myriad parks and museums, not to mention the food – who doesn’t love croissants and baguettes? Overlooking the Trocadero and with unbeatable views of the Eiffel Tower are the 10  La Réserve Paris Apartments

The largest apartment can accommodate up to 10 people, but families could reserve multiple flats for larger groups. The neighborhood is also home to the Bois du Boulogne, the 2,000+ acre forest full of hiking trails and ponds, the Jardin d’Acclimation amusement park and the Fondation Louis Vuitton.

Four Seasons Resort Nevis Introduces Sea Turtle Summer Camp Program

NEVIS, WEST INDIES –From June to October, the beaches of Nevis come alive with the scurrying of sea turtles as they come ashore to nest. This summer,  Four Seasons Resort Nevis is inviting families and nature lovers to join in the splendor of Nesting Season

Alternate-Bearing Apple Tree

second year, there won’t be many fruits produced, so the tree uses its resources to produce lots of flower buds. Lots of flowers during the third year mean -- you guessed it -- lots of fruit, and we are back to where we started. We sometimes call the fruiting year the “on year” and the nonfruiting year the “off year.”

Of course, this is a problem for orchards. An off year means no sales, but too much fruit is also a problem, as many could rot in the orchard if not enough labor is available to harvest. Much of the fruit may be too small to sell, as the tree can’t grow all of the fruit to full size. Also, too much fruit can break branches, damaging the tree.

So, what do you do this year? A tree with that much fruit will probably go through what is called “June drop.” The tree can’t support so much fruit, and it will go through a natural thinning on its own. On a young tree like yours, it is better to cut out a lot of fruit so the tree can continue to grow more branches and roots. Just keep a few fruits on a branch. It is better to have less fruit this year

with the Sea Turtle Summer Camp package.

The special Sea Turtle Summer Camp offers guests who stay for seven nights   family friendly activities: daily marine biology classes and sea turtle-themed arts and crafts experiences; guided nature walks and beach cleanups; marine-themed dinner and movie nights; family land sports activities, like eco-bio golf; private beach cottage or pool cabana access; sea turtle-inspired baking classes; golf cart, greens fees and club rentals; make your own essential oil or scrub classes at the Spa; and private airport transfers for the whole family.

Rates start at $2,000 per night (based on double occupancy in an Ocean View room for two adults; additional adults will be charged at $775 and children at $475, ages 5-12). For more information:  reservations.nev@fourseasons. com, 869-469-6238, visit  www.fourseasons.com/nevis/offers,

© 2021 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com,  www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karenrubin & travelwritersmagazine.com/ TravelFeaturesSyndicate/ Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar. wordpress.com & moralcompasstravel. info. Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Tweet @ TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook. com/NewsPhotoFeatures

to grow a stronger tree for the future. Even on an older tree, it is a good idea to reduce the number of fruits as early in the summer as possible. The tree will develop more leaves and flower buds this year and not go into alternate bearing.

Apples often have clusters of five fruits: a central apple that is larger and four smaller ones around it. Keep the one large apple. Thin the single large apples to an average of 6 inches apart on a branch. Thin large fruit such as apples, peaches and pears to an average of 6 to 8 inches apart; plums about 4 inches; and apricots between 2 and 4 inches. It is better to cut them off than pull them so you don’t yank the small branches off.

After you have thinned the fruit, you will want to keep the tree healthy and strong for a good crop of apples. Water can be a limiting factor in fruit size and quality. Keep the soil damp but not waterlogged this summer.

From the tree’s viewpoint, alternate bearing may be beneficial. During the on year, more pollinators may be available. During the on year, more of the fruit,

nuts or seeds will be missed by insects and other animals that want to eat them.

Animals that eat some and store some will store more seeds, and that means more will sprout later.

Email questions to Jeff Rugg at info@ greenerview.com.

COPYRIGHT 2021 JEFF RUGG DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS

Celebrating Father’s Day in some very special ways

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

Father’s Day is on Sunday, June 20, this year and it’s a great time to acknowledge our dads for all of their unconditional love and support.

One celebrity father who has said that being a dad has transformed his life is actor Matthew McConaughey. McConaughey is well known for being a Hollywood actor. He first gained notice for his supporting performance in the coming-of-age comedy “Dazed and Confused” in 1993 which was considered by many to be his breakout role. He starred in the legal drama “A Time to Kill” the 1996 movie which was based on John Grisham’s 1989 novel.

He also starred in “Dallas Buyers Club” the movie that came out in 2013. McConaughey won the Academy Award in 2014 for Best Actor - for playing the part of electrician Ron Woodroof in Texas in the mid-1980s in “Dallas Buyers Club.”

Matthew David McConaughey was born on November 4, 1969, in Uvalde, Texas. His mother, Mary Kathleen “Kay” McConaughey is a former kindergarten teacher and published author. His father, James McConaughey, was born in Mississippi and raised in Louisiana, where he ran an oil pipe supply business. He played football for the Kentucky Wildcats and the Houston Cougars college teams. In 1953, Jim was drafted in the 27th round by the NFL’s Green Bay Packers. He was released before the season began and never played an official league game in the NFL.

Matthew McConaughey has two older brothers, Michael and Patrick. Michael, nicknamed “Rooster,” starred in the CNBC docuseries “West Texas Investors Club,” and as of 2018 stars in the A&E reality show “Rooster & Butch” with Wayne Gilliam.

The McConaughey family moved to Longview, Texas, in 1980 and Matthew graduated from Longview High School. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in the spring of 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in RadioTelevision-Film. His plans were to go on to law school after college but he changed his mind about becoming a lawyer. Matthew didn’t want to go into sports or work a desk job, either.

He recalls telling his father by phone one night when he was a college sophomore that he was going to follow a different path from the rest of the family. Nervous, he thought his dad would be skeptical about his decision to attend film school but his dad’s reaction surprised him. His dad paused then said, “Is that what you want to do?” and Matthew said, “Yes, sir” and he paused again then told him not to mess it up.

Matthew McConaughey met his

future wife, Camila Alves, in 2006 at a club in Hollywood. She had moved to New York City from her native Brazil at the age of 19 to pursue a career as a fashion model. He and Alves were married on June 9, 2012, in Austin, Texas, where they still live. McConaughey became a dad in 2008 when their son, Levi, was born. They also have daughter, Vida, and another son, Livingston.

Early on, Camila said that she’d love to have kids but there was one deal. She said, “You go, we go,” which is a dream for Matthew. So if he’s working, that’s part of his deal. The family sticks together so when he works, they’re with him.

McConaughey wants a big family but he and his wife have different ideas.

“I’d like to have eight more kids,” the father of three said on a HISTORYTalks: Leadership and Legacy panel in March 2020. “My wife’s not on the same page. I understand that.”

McConaughey has often spoken publicly about how happy he is being a dad. He’s said, “The only thing I’ve ever known I’ve wanted to be, since I was eight years old, 100 per cent knew it, clear, natural law, was to be a dad. I always knew I wanted to be a dad. I’ve always revered that as the greatest thing a man can do, be a father. It’s the greatest privilege and the greatest responsibility.”

One of the happiest days of his life was when Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves found out that they were expecting their first child so Father’s Day is always a special occasion for the McConaugheys.

About fatherhood Matthew McConaughey has also said: “I’ve got more to live for now, that’s for sure. A lot of people say when you have kids, life comes to a screeching halt and you start over. That has not been true for me at all ... Everything I’m doing, even if my kids aren’t with me, has to do with them.”

“When you’ve got family, you have to pick your extracurriculars. Whoever has kids knows that, man. You have to pick and choose and go ‘wait, which is the one I really want to do because I ain’t watching all the Saturday’s football and I’m not watching all of Sunday’s. I’m not going to be a kayaker, a snow skier and a marathon runner.’ No, you gotta zero in when you got kids and a family.”

Some quotes from other famous dads: Actor Hugh Jackman has said about daughter, Ava and son, Oscar: “The things that I really cherish are the everyday moments, like sitting around together on Sunday mornings, or getting home after a tough day and my kids come up and give me a hug and remind me what’s really important.”

TV and movie actor Chris Pratt has

said about his son, Jack: “I’ve done all kinds of cool things as an actor: I’ve jumped out of helicopters and done some daring stunts and played baseball in a professional stadium, but none of it means anything compared to being somebody’s daddy.”

Dave Grohl, the front man of the Foo Fighters, said about his three children: “When you have kids, you see life through different eyes. You feel love more deeply and are maybe a little more compassionate.”

I wish a very Happy Father’s Day to all of you dads out there!

BY TOM MARGENAU

Self-employed People “Cook the Books”

Most of us work for wages, and there isn’t much we can do to avoid paying Social Security taxes on those earnings. But people who are self-employed can frequently “cook the books” to lessen their tax burden. (By the way, I totally understand that when self-employed people do pay Social Security taxes, they pay twice the rate of the rest of us. That’s a topic for another column.) But today, I’m going to answer emails from readers who avoided paying Social Security taxes and are now suffering the consequences.

Q: My husband and I are self-employed. Quite a few years ago, we incorporated our business. We did this on the advice of our accountant who said we would pay less in taxes this way. In fact, for many years we paid no taxes at all. Recently, at age 58, I hurt my neck and back in a car accident. I filed for Social Security disability benefits and my claim was denied. They said I’m not insured. What does that mean? I have my 40 quarters from work I did before we started this business.

A: It means there are consequences to not paying taxes. There are two insured status requirements you must meet to get Social Security disability benefits. The first is that you must have at least 40 Social Security credits, often called quarters. You said you have that, which means you will get retirement benefits someday.

But the second half of the insured status rule for disability says you must have been working and paying Social Security taxes in recent years. Specifically, the law says that you need to have paid Social Security taxes in five of the last 10 years.

I just hope that you took some of that money you saved by not paying Social Security taxes and bought yourself a good disability insurance policy!

Q: My ex-husband and I had a small but successful bookstore for many years before we divorced. All the earnings from that business went on his Social Security record even though I did all the bookkeeping and payroll and other office duties. My ex is 61, but I am almost 65. I checked with Social Security and learned I am due nothing! And I’m sure my ex will one day get a big fat Social Security check. I think Social Security is cheating me. I plan to go back and refile our taxes.

A: Social Security isn’t cheating you. Your ex-husband cheated you. Or possibly, you cheated yourself.

You said you did all the bookkeeping for the business. If that included the fil-

ing of tax returns, you should have done a better job of it. Or if someone did your taxes for you, you should have been asking some questions way back then.

The part of the tax return that assigns self-employment income for Social Security purposes is called the Schedule SE. What likely happened is that just one Schedule SE was completed annually, and that form had your husband’s name and Social Security number on it. So all the income went on his Social Security record. But based on what you said, the income from the business should have been divided. There should have been two Schedule SE’s prepared: one with his name and SSN and one with yours.

You might as well give up your plan to go back and file amended tax returns. To do so would require not only a lot of time and effort, but also would need your ex-husband’s cooperation. And I’m sure that is never going to happen.

The only good news I can give you is that once your ex-husband reaches age 62, you will be eligible for divorced wife’s benefits on his Social Security account. (He does not have to be getting Social Security himself.) You would get an amount equal to one-half of his full Social Security benefit rate.

And if he dies before you do, then you will get 100% of his Social Security in the form of divorced widow’s benefits.

Q: My wife and I own a dry cleaning business. I am about to turn 62 and want to start my Social Security. So we plan to put the business in my wife’s name. I will draw a small salary -- about $18,000, just enough to stay under the Social Security earnings limit. The rest of the business income will go under my wife’s name to help build up her Social Security account. Is my plan going to work?

A: Even though you are “cooking the books,” the Social Security Administration, or SSA, recently made a big policy change that’s going to help you -- and thousands of other self-employed business owners -- qualify for Social Security retirement benefits.

The original philosophy behind Social Security was that you had to be retired to be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. And retired initially meant not working -- period. But over the years, Congress liberalized these rules. Currently, they say if you are over your full retirement age, or FRA, you can get your Social Security benefits even if you are still working full time. And if you are under FRA, you can get reduced monthly benefits if your earnings are below a certain limit. That earnings limit is $18,960 in 2021. In the year you reach FRA, the limit goes up to $50,520.

If someone works for wages, it’s very

easy to document if that person has income under the earnings limit -- a simple check of his or her pay stubs or W-2 form shows exactly what he or she is making.

But it’s a different story for people who run their own business. They are able to fudge things a bit, as you plan to do. For decades, the SSA required business owners under FRA who were signing up for Social Security benefits to jump through quite a few more hoops

Continued on next page

TIs the rental market where your money should be?

he forbearance for those not having to pay their mortgages during the Covid-19 Pandemic is about to end on June 30, unless it is extended once again, Although, one can never predict what course the government might take at the last minute.

But at the same moment in time, I am quite concerned for those small landlords who cannot collect a dime for rent and who depend on the cash flow to pay their own mortgages. Potentially millions of homes might just be coming into the market as the majority of them have positive equity and it will obviously be an excellent time to sell and taking advantage of this still “hot market” especially if they will have to begin paying their mortgages.

However, those who are selling will have to find a place to live. Rentals will most likely be the option that they will choose as purchasing again might be way too challenging. So owning rentals will be an excellent asset to possess as the return should be greater, safer, and more stable over the long run than most other investments.

However, where you choose to buy rental property will depend on your return on investment. Long Island and the general New York area are quite pricey at the moment so your return might not be what you are looking for or make financial sense. However, as an example, states like Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and others are better locations to secure rental properties. As Ray Dalio has said repeatedly

(founder of Bridgewater Associates the world’s largest hedge fund), “cash is trash” and many still haven’t realized this and won’t until it is way too late. What better place to put your declining value paper dollars in the bank but into rental properties?

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

Our currency might be at a pivotal point of drastic change, with Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies slowly emerging in popularity. With inflation raising its ugly head one needs more dollars to pay for food and commodities.

So the cost of living has been increasing over the last year and some say it’s temporary and others feel the opposite and that it is just the beginning. The more I read the more I feel confident and sad at the same time that there will be millions more renting going forward after the forbearance on mortgages cease. Currently, the ownership rate is 68+%, which in 2008 was 74+% because of lax mortgage requirements. Back then if you had a pulse, you could get a mortgage with very little documentation (called no doc loans). Prior to the run-up in 2008 and subsequent implosion in the market, generally, the normal ownership rate had been around 63%.

Going forward there will be a retraction in ownership back to more normal levels and a greater move to rentals. However, will there even be a sufficient

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY

Self-employed People “Cook the Books”

than simply filling out a retirement application. They had to complete extensive questionnaires that delved into the day-to-day operations of their business. They had to provide documentation that they were cutting back on their involvement in the business. In effect, they had to prove they were retired -or at least significantly reducing the amount of time they spent in the business.

But all that has changed. After years and years of doing such development, the government has decided it’s not worth the hassle. The number of staff and the administrative hours

spent investigating these cases simply didn’t justify the money saved by not paying Social Security benefits to those few business owners who were caught trying to cheat the system.

So, you are going to be able to collect Social Security retirement benefits even though you technically are not retired from your business.

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has a book with all the answers. It’s called “Social Security: Simple and Smart.” You can find the book at creators.com/books. Or look for it on Amazon or other book outlets. COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS. COM

amount of new inventory for sale to those who qualify as well as rentals to satisfy the demand? Probably not as several million; potential new buyers enter the market each and every year. From what I have read and researched, it looks bleak for many who want to establish homeownership creating and accumulating their future wealth; which would be passed on to their future children and family members.

There will be many who will not be able to purchase and will have to opt for renting for possibly long periods of time for the foreseeable future. The wealth gap with the haves and have not’s will grow wider and the necessary solutions and remedies will have to be strategized in order for more to prosper. But I believe one of the ways to accomplish homeownership will be greater and more in-depth financial and motivational education as well as learning how to become an entrepreneur to be able to create more than one stream of income. This will also incubate and grow the minds of future investors hopefully leading to satisfying the increasing demand for our current housing dilemma.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 39 years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned designations as a

Graduate of the Realtor Institute (G.R.I.) and also as a Certified International Property Specialist (C.I.P.S.). He will provide you with “free” regular updates of sold and new homes in your town via the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island (MLSLI) or go to http://WWW. Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search on your own. For a “FREE” `15 minute consultation, as well as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s tumultuous Covid-19 pandemic market without any obligation or “strings” attached. He can also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and our Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.

You can email or snail mail (regular mail) him with your request or ideas, suggestions or interview you for a specific topic and a Q & A for a future column with your name, email and cell number. He will email or call you back and respond to your request ASAP as long as he has your complete name, cell, email and/or full home or business address. Again, for a “FREE” 15 minute consultation, he can also be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.Com to answer any of your questions and concerns in selling, investing, purchasing, or leasing residential or commercial property.

What Farmers Can Teach Us About Finances

BY CARRIE SCHWAB-POMERANTZ

Dear Readers: In the fast-paced financial world we live in, with its focus on trading trends, online platforms and market movements, it’s easy to get lost in the weeds and lose sight of the grounding principles of managing money that are essential to long-term success. So with spring in the air and buds on the vine, I thought it would be fun to focus on some of the financial lessons we can learn from the people who are more in touch with the land.

If you’ve had any experience on a farm, you’ll know what I’m talking about. For instance, my father learned the reality of the phrase “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” in his first business venture: literally selling eggs when he was a young teen in Sacramento. He had a firsthand understanding of this lesson by the time he got into investing! Read on for some other words of wisdom that get to the heart of smart money management, from those who work the land -- both folklore and a couple of well-known commentators. It might give you some new insights as well as a few smiles.

Your Fences Need to be Horse-High, Pig-Tight and Bull-Strong.”

To me, there’s a pretty clear message here: Be prepared; set boundaries; and have all your safeguards in place. What does this mean for your finances? Right away, I think of the importance of setting goals and planning ahead to meet them, which also means creating a realistic budget that includes savings. A budget will help you set realistic financial boundaries so you know the space you have to work in. The next step is to fortify your space by having an emergency fund and the right insurance.

Want to make your financial fences even stronger? Create a financial plan. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that’s too esoteric or only for the wealthy. A financial plan can help you answer some very down-to-earth questions to help for-

tify everyday finances for you and your family.

“Every Path Has a Few Puddles.”

You’ve probably made some good money choices and, like most everyone, made some mistakes. Financial “puddles” might be small things, like blowing your budget now and then, or bigger things, like falling behind on retirement savings. But whatever the size of the puddle, rather than getting discouraged, figure out a way to get around it. By changing a few financial habits, you can make a positive change. In fact, simple financial hacks like setting up automatic deductions from checking to savings, putting bills on autopay or creating a financial calendar can make it easy -- almost automatic -- to jump the financial puddles and keep going forward.

“If You Find Yourself in a Hole, the First Thing to Do Is Stop Digging.”

Digging ourselves into a hole is a common metaphor for getting into too much debt. We know we need to stop, but the question is how. For a lot of folks, credit cards are a major cause of debt overload. The first step is to cut down on using them. Pick just one card and put the others away. As much as you can, commit to using cash or paying off credit card balances immediately. Then come up with a realistic repayment plan, focusing extra money on your highest-interest card. Consider transferring balances to a lower-interest card (watch for balance-transfer fees and grace periods!).

Set up automatic payments. Debt in itself isn’t bad, but you have to manage it wisely so it doesn’t bury you.

“It Is Only the Farmer Who Faithfully Plants Seeds in the Spring Who Reaps a Harvest in the Autumn.”

I think this bit of wisdom from B.C. Forbes, founder of Forbes magazine, poetically gets across a pretty straightforward message: You have to get started early to see better results. And that certainly applies to investing. A lot of savers hesitate to invest because they worry about market volatility or think

investing is too complicated. But while saving is important, history has shown that investing is the best way to make your money grow and beat inflation. And it doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, if you have a 401(k), you already have an easy way to get started. Still think it’s too hard? Try these five simple steps to investing now so you can look forward to your own future harvests.

“Life on a Farm Is a School of Patience. You Can’t Hurry the Crops or Make an Ox in Two Days.”

This insight from a French botanist can certainly be applied to investing! While there may be a lot of current attention on fast trading, a long-term view is essential to weathering market ups and downs. Once you set your goals and create a diversified portfolio that matches your timeline and feelings about risk, you need to be patient. As is often stated, it’s time in the market -- not timing the market -- that’s the key to success.

“The Farmer Has to Be an Optimist or He Wouldn’t Still Be a Farmer.”

These words from Will Rogers can apply to many things in life. And certainly, being optimistic is as important in investing as it is in farming. When it comes to finances, you can’t absolutely control what will happen any more than

a farmer can control the weather; a market drop, a job loss or a pandemic can certainly set you back. But with the right attitude -- rooted in a solid financial plan -- you’ll be able to more easily adjust and continue to make progress toward your goals.

So take a lesson from the farmers. Build your fences. Stop digging yourself into a hole. Plant your seeds (early). And with a little patience and positive thinking, you are setting yourself up to reap the harvest of a more secure financial future. Happy spring!

Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, Certified Financial Planner, is president of the Charles Schwab Foundation and author of “The Charles Schwab Guide to Finances After Fifty.” Read more at http:// schwab.com/book. You can email Carrie at askcarrie@schwab.com. The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax, legal or investment planning advice. COPYRIGHT 2021 CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC. MEMBER SIPC. DIST. BY CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC. (#) 0321-1HEP

Window Air Conditioner: How to Fix It, Clean It and Make It Like New

BY MARY HUNT

The heat of summer will soon be bearing down, giving millions of window-mounted air conditioners a real workout. Many owners of said units are wondering why their air conditioners aren’t working properly. Good news! In most situations, consumers can fix a window air conditioner themselves, provided they have the right information and an inexpensive handy tool.

If you have a window air conditioner in your home, here’s what you need to know

More than any other household appliance, window-type air conditioning units are the most frequently neglected. This is a pity because one that is operating poorly can be a big energy guzzler. A little maintenance means that homeowners can save money on both utility and repair bills.

With the right information and access to replacement parts, you should be able

to repair a window air conditioner yourself, saving the cost of a service call or, worse, replacing the unit altogether.

BASICALLY THE SAME

All residential window air conditioners have a cooling system consisting of four primary components: a compressor, an evaporator, a temperature-sensing device and a condenser.

Air conditioner cooling systems are better understood if you think of them as devices that remove heat and humidity from the air rather than devices that

cool the air.

These are the essential maintenance steps you should take to keep your window-mounted air conditioning unit operating in tip-top condition while using the least amount of energy:

MONTHLY

Every month during the months of operation, replace (or clean) the filter located in the front grill. Cost to replace: about $20.

ANNUALLY

The condensing coils on an air condi-

tioner get very dirty, and the dirt tends to accumulate on the inside of the coils, out of sight. Once a year, remove the entire cover of the air conditioner to gain access to the coils, and then clean them by blowing compressed, or “canned,” air on them.

BY CHARLYN FARGO

Want to make a simple change that will help you have a healthier diet? Eat more fiber. Most of us simply aren’t eating enough.

A recent five-year study presented at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual conference found just 7.4% of U.S. adults met the Institute of Medicine’s recommended daily intake of 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories. Fourteen grams of fiber per 1,000 calories translates to 25 to 35 grams per day.

Researchers analyzed data from 14,640 adult participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2013 to 2018. The research was led by Derek Miketinas, an assistant professor of nutrition and food sciences at Texas Woman’s University in Houston.

Research showed women consumed more fiber than men, and participants with diabetes ate more fiber than those without diabetes.

But overall, we all need more. If you’ve had a colonoscopy, it’s likely your doctor recommended more fiber -- even if you got a clean report.

Here’s the latest research on fiber’s benefits:

-- A recent study in the journal Endocrinology showed that a higher dietary fiber intake may decrease the risk for depression among pre-menopausal women.

Here are solutions for the top four repair dilemmas with window air conditioners:

No. 1: Bent Fins

Don’t despair if you’ve accidentally bent the delicate aluminum fins on

the rear of the unit. They need to be straight for the best operation. This is not as tedious as it might sound. Repair Clinic (https://www.repairclinic.com/) will send you a handy fin-straightening comb. Cost: $12.78.

No 2: A Motor Is Running, but No Air Is Blowing

Air conditioners have two motors: the compressor and the fan motor. It is possible that only one is running. If, after removing the cover of the unit, you discover the fan blade is very stiff and difficult to rotate, the fan motor may need oiling or may need to be replaced.

No. 3: Water Leaks From the Front of the Unit

This is normal. All air conditioners should be installed so they tilt slightly backward to allow for proper removal of condensed water that accumulates.

No. 4: The Air Smells Musty Air conditioners remove moisture from the air. Most of it is evaporated from the unit. However, it is possible for some water to stagnate in the base of the air conditioner. Also, dirt, lint or dust can collect in the water pan at the base of the unit and absorb water, allowing mold and mildew to grow. All

NUTRITION NEWS

Fiber Benefits

-- Adherence to a high-fiber diet may aid in mediating systemic inflammation and decrease the risk for respiratory morbidity, including asthma, according to study results published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.

-- High fiber consumption appeared to be associated with reduced risk for breast cancer, according to the results of a meta-analysis of prospective observational studies published in Cancer.

-- Ischemic stroke risk was inversely associated with the consumption of dietary fiber, fruit, vegetables and dairy foods such as milk and cheese, according to a study published in the European Heart Journal.

So what foods are high in fiber to choose more often? You can’t go wrong with any fruit, vegetable or whole grain. But specific high-fiber foods (according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database) include raspberries, pears, apples, green peas, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes (with skin), whole wheat spaghetti, barley, bran flakes, quinoa, split peas, lentils, black beans, baked beans, chia seeds, almonds and pistachios.

Q and A

Q: Is there something I can eat to have healthier skin?

A: Our skin is the body’s largest organ and first line of defense. And yes, the skin needs nutrients to stay strong and healthy. No single nutrient can

this leads to bad smells. Thoroughly clean the water pan each year when you clean the condenser coils.

GET HELP

Need more help with your window-mounted air conditioners? Check out Repair Clinic, where you can live chat with a repair technician, plus get the exact parts you may need. Super helpful site!

Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” Tips can be submitted at tips.everydaycheapskate.com/. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.”

COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS.COM

maintain healthy skin (despite the advertisements). Variety and eating a colorful diet are key. Think about choosing a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, such as avocadoes, carrots, tomatoes, watermelon, kiwi, leafy greens and sweet potatoes. It’s also beneficial for your skin to avoid refined sugars, such as those added to items like ice cream, soda, pastries and processed foods.

RECIPE

I’m a big fan of pairing eggs and spinach together. This Spinach and Mushroom Quiche is a great way to start your morning. Make it on a Sunday, and heat the leftovers the rest of the week. It’s from Eating Well magazine.

SPINACH AND MUSHROOM QUICHE

Servings: 6

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

8 ounces sliced, fresh mixed wild mushrooms, such as cremini, shiitake, button or oyster

1 1/2 cups thinly sliced sweet onion

1 tablespoon thinly sliced garlic

5 ounces fresh baby spinach (8 cups), coarsely chopped

6 large eggs

1/4 cup whole milk

1/4 cup half-and-half

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray; set aside. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; swirl to coat the pan. Add mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and tender, about eight minutes. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring often, until softened and tender, about five minutes. Add spinach; cook, tossing constantly, until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk eggs, milk, half-andhalf, mustard, thyme, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Fold in the mushroom mixture and cheese. Spoon into the prepared pie pan. Bake until set and golden brown, about 30 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes, and slice. Garnish with additional thyme, and serve.

Per serving: 277 calories; 17.1 grams protein; 6.8 grams carbohydrates; 20 grams fat (8.2 grams saturated); 220.2 milligrams cholesterol; 1.5 grams fiber; 3.2 grams sugars; 442.5 milligrams sodium.

Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU Med School in Springfield, Illinois. For comments or questions, contact her at charfarg@aol.com or follow her on Twitter @NutritionRD.

COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS.COM.

18,

ONE CALL TO 516-294-8900

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DEADLINE FOR CLASSIFIED ADS IS TUESDAY AT 1:00PM.

2 EASY WAYS TO PLACE ADS:

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2) Email Nancy@gcnews.com

Please include your name, daytime phone number, address and ad copy.

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Management Operations Research Consultant –Qral Group, LLC Great Neck

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Send resume to: chu@qralgroup.com

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FULL TIME PROFESSIONAL PIZZA MAKER needed. Good Pay. PLUS Room and Board. Upstate NY. Call Dominick 315-725-6969

HELP WANTED

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HOME HEALTH AIDE

WANTED for permanent parttime position Saturday-Sunday. Additional hours available. Must have car. Speak English. Nassau County. Call: 516-299-6331

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HOME HEALTH AIDE AVAILABLE

Experienced Home Health Aide seeking work to care for the elderly. Can work 6, 12 or 24hr shifts. Driver’s License. References avaiable. Please call 516-406-6812 or 516-688-9251

HOME HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL

Over 30 years experience caring for elderly including patients with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. All long term assignments. Available immediately days, nights or weekends. Excellent references. Call Monica 516-325-5774

EMPLOYMENT

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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FAMILY ORIENTED SINGLE WOMAN LOOKING TO WELCOME A CHILD INTO HER LIFE. Any ethnicity welcome, expenses paid. Please call 347470-5228 or my attorney: 800-5823678 for information.

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CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

EMPLOYMENT

HERRICKS SCHOOL DISTRICT Bus Driver – Cleaner 10 Months – Full Time

Monday – Friday 7:00 am – 4:00 pm

Possession of a valid New York State Driver’s License with no convictions for moving violations during the past year and appropriate for the type of vehicle to be operated. Applicants for this position require Civil Service Clearance and must be fingerprinted in compliance with New York State Education Department regulations. Applications are available online at https://www.herricks.org > District>Human Resources or at the Community Center, Main Office, 999 Herricks Road, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

HERRICKS SCHOOL DISTRICT HELP WANTED

Food Service Workers and Cashier/Manager to assist with various duties in the Herricks School District. Applications are available online at https://www.herricks.org > District> Human Resources or at the Community Center, Main Office, 999 Herricks Road, New Hyde Park, NY 11040

ARMORED CAR DRIVERS

Must have clean Driver’s License and background. Polygraph and drug test required. Should be able to work any day and times. Please send resume and contact information to: Operations@ibiarmored.com

PART TIME

SECRETARY

NEEDED for recording and transcribing of meeting minutes. Three hours once a month and other minor duties.

Please contact J. Darden 917-880-5332

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOVENAS/PRAYERS

PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (Never known to fail). Oh Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine of Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin assist me in this necessity. Oh Star of the Sea help me and show herein you are my Mother. Oh Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth I beseech thee from the bottom of my heart to succor me this necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh show me herein you are my Mother. Oh Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to Thee (three times). Oh Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands (three times). Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen. This prayer must be said for three days and after three days your request will be granted. The prayer must be published. Grateful thanks. (J.E.D.)

MARKETPLACE

A.T. STEWART EXCHANGE CONSIGNMENT SHOP

516-746-8900

Antiques-Furniture-Jewelry-Silver-Mirrors-LampsArtwork

Come to Consign & Stay to Shop Visit....

Our Shop

MARKETPLACE

INVITED ESTATE SALES BY TRACY JORDAN is doing VIRTUAL TAG SALES and ONLINE AUCTIONS now! Sell the contents of an entire house or sell just a few things! You can host your own sale on invitedsales.com and Facebook and Instagram or we can do it for you. We can photograph, advertise and handle the winning pickups for you within a week! Don’t worry about your closing date, we can get your house ready on time! We are a one stop service for all your needs when you are moving or selling a property! Selling, donating, discarding and cleaning out services can be done to meet your time frame with minimal stress. Contact info@invitedsales.com for more information or call 516279-6378 to schedule a consultation or receive more information. Visit us at www.invitedsales. com for a listing of our upcoming Virtual Tag Sales and Weekly Auctions! AUCTIONS

to assist with various duties in the Herricks School District. Applications are available online at https://www.herricks.org> District>Human Resources or at the Community Center, Main Office, 999 Herricks Road, New Hyde Park, NY 11040.

Please call Melande at (347) 262-2603 30 years experience. • Competitive Pay Rate

Flexible Scheduling • All Shifts & Locations available 718-850-3400 718-850-3400

very difficult time. Call Gertrude 347–444–0960

109 Eleventh St. Garden City Tues-Fri 10-4 (Wed till 6) Saturday 12-4

Shop Our Online Store ATStewartExchange.org

Items to Consign?

Email photos (with sizing info) to: store@atstewartexchange.org

All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society

Like us on Facebook & Instagram

COOL OLD STUFF IN GLEN COVE VINTAGE SHOP WINNER OF BEST OF NORTH SHORE 2020. GREAT PRICED items for Boat and Home. See ALL online: Wilsonsdrydock.com. For info / appt Please call 516-662-2821 WANTED TO BUY

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LOOKING TO BUY!

Estates, Oriental items, Gold, Silver, Costume Jewelry, Dishes, Flatware, Watches, Clothing, Old Photos, Coins, Stamps, Records, Toys, Action Figures, Comics, Art and Furniture. Immediate Cash Paid Call George 917-775-3048 or 718-386-1104

TOP CASH PAID: ESTATE CONTENTS ALL OBJECTS OF ART JEWELRY, ETC. Please call 718-598-3045 or 516270-2128 www.antiqueassets.com

MARKETPLACE

TAG SALE

ESTATE/TAG SALE

GARDEN CITY

Saturday, June 19th 9:30am 3:30pm 11 Transverse Road

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

DON’T MISS THIS ONE!! Furniture, Bedroom Sets, Family Room Furniture Antiques, TVs, Custom Entertainment Center, Surround Sound Equipment, Leather Sofa w/Queen pull out bed

China, Dishes, Glassware, Waterford Crystal, Jewelry, Clothing, Framed Wall Pictures, Holiday Decor, Office Accessories, Golf Clubs, Tools, Garden Tools, Garage Contents.

Outdoor Furniture Treasures for Everyone ALL MUST GO!

GARDEN CITY

INVITED ESTATE SALES BY TRACY JORDAN

Thursday, June 24, 2021 9:30 a.m.

75 Whitehall Blvd Garden City, NY 11530

Furniture, crystal, collectibles, housewares, holiday, garage and much more! Please bring masks and gloves. Visit www.invitedsales.com for pictures & details!!

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTO SERVICES

DETTAGLIO DETAILING: Anthony Masia. Owner/Operator. Dependable, professional detailer. SUVs, vans, pick-ups also detailed at a higher price. We specialize in imports/Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi, Jaguar & Maserati.

$10 off with this ad. Call 631-612-7152

AUTOS WANTED

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOS WANTED

***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS

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DRIVE OUT BREAST CANCER:

Donate a car today! The benefits of donating your car or boat: Fast Free Pickup 24hr response Tax deduction Easy to do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

OFFICE SPACE

OFFICE CONDOMINIUM FOR PURCHASE OR LEASE

1505 sf Office Condominium located in a nicely appointed Professional Building immediately adjacent to Garden City. It contains one oversized office that can easily accommodate three people at traditional executive desks, three single-occupant executive offices, a fully functional kitchen, half bathroom, and an additional office suitable for your desired purpose. The unit has been completely renovated with a bright, comfortable appearance. Asking Price $225,750. Please Contact: Thomas DeGruccio 516-5280460

REAL ESTATE WANTED

HOMES WANTED

GARDEN CITY HOME WANTED

Retired couple sold GC home and wish to purchase Cape Cod or Ranch style home in Village. Can pay all cash. Close now; move at your convenience.

Principals Only. Call : 516-747-1024

SERVICES

** EVON’S SERVICES ** HOME HEALTH AIDES

ELDER CARE CHILD CARE AND MORE!

We offer the following services: Companions, Home Health Aides/Elder Care Child Care and Housekeeping Laborers Days / Nights Live In or Live Out NO FEE TO EMPLOYERS Call: 516-505-5510

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SERVICES 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

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PAULIE THE ROOFER STOPPING LEAKS IS MY SPECIALTY! Slate & Tile Specialists All types of Roofing Local References Licensed & Insured 516-621-3869

CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

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Call 631-496-9711 (Office) or 516-983-0860 (Owner direct)

THE GENERAC PWRcell

a solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down Financing Option. Request a FREE, no obligation, quote today. Call 1-888-871-0194

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

MICHELANGELO

PAINTING & WALLPAPER

Interior, Exterior, Plaster / Spackle, Light Carpentry, Decorative Moldings & Power Washing.

Call: 516-328-7499

TUTORING

ELA TUTOR

Available to assist your child with summer reading assignments, build and develop general reading and writing skills, guide your child in ELA summer enrichment, reading for pleasure, vocabulary building, study skills and journal writing. NY State certified with 20 plus years experience.

Please text: 516-458-2136

SERVICES

INSTRUCTION

BASEBALL TRAINING/ LESSONS

Trainer: Jake Fraher, former 2 year varsity starter. All-League high school selection and current Division 1 player. Lessons for all ages, include training in pitching, hitting and defense for just $35/hour. Individual and small groups welcomed. Contact: 516-761-8184

CLEANING

CLEANING AVAILABLE EXPERIENCED POLISH HOUSE CLEANER

Good references, ability. Very honest, reliable, responsible and hard working. Own transportation. English speaking. Flexible days and hours. Reasonable rates. I will do a good job.

Call or text 516-589-5640

DEEP CLEANING EXPERTS

Commercial and Residential Window, Gutters, Power Washing

Call Richie 917-553-8008

Email:

delgadothebestcleaning@gmail. com

GARDEN CITY

WINDOW CLEANING

HOME WINDOW CLEANING

INTERIOR/EXTERIOR SERVICE BY OWNER

Fully Insured/25 yrs experience

516-764-5686 631-220-1851

SERVICES

A & J MOVING & STORAGE:

Established 1971. Long Island and New York State special ists. Residential, Commercial, Piano & Organ experts. Boxes available. Free estimates. www. ajmoving .com 516-741-2657 114 Jericho Tpk, Mineola NYDOT# 10405

DISH TV

$64.99 for 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free In stallation, Smart HD DVR In cluded, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo expires 7/21/21 Call 1-888-609-9405

LEAK REPAIRS

Plumbing Repairs

Bathrooms, Showers, Kitchens

24 HOUR SERVICE

Call 516-668-5624

PASSION FOR SENIORS. CERTIFIED HHA’S, Companions & Homemakers. 24 hour care available. Also Nassau locations. Trained in Dementia and Alzheimer’s care. Call 718-850-3400

“Cruise Thru Food Drop”collection drive set for June 26

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that it will partner with Island Harvest Food Bank and Car Show Long Island to host a special food drive called the “Cruise Thru Food Drop” on Saturday, June 26 (rain date of June 27), at Marjorie Post Park in Massapequa. The food drive will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and benefit our neighbors in need during this public health crisis, with the donations going to help and

restock local food banks throughout Long Island.

“As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to impact our fellow Long Island residents, many people are facing a great hardship at this time. The fine work of organizations like Island Harvest touch the lives of so many Long Islanders who are less fortunate, and their work has become more crucial than ever during these uncertain times,”

Supervisor Saladino said. “I am proud that the Town will be partnering with Car Show Long Island to host a Cruise Thru Food Drop for our neighbors in need, as this event will not only help provide residents with a fun outlet to give back to those in need, but also practice social distancing while helping to champion a great cause!”

The Town, Island Harvest, and Car Show LI are asking residents to

Get the news everyone’s reading about !

assist by providing the necessities to their neighbors in need of food assistance by donating non-perishable food items and pet food at this event. Show cars and non-show cars alike are welcomed, and proper social distancing guidelines will be followed throughout the course of the event while collecting food donations.

For more about Island Harvest and their amazing mission, residents can visit www.islandharvest.org.

Stay informed about your community with a weekly subscription to our newspaper. With current events, announcements, local sports, restaurants, puzzles, and much more, there’s always something for everybody to enjoy!

LEGAL NOTICE

Hicksville Water District

Hicksville, New York NOTICE TO BIDDERS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received by the Board of Commissioners of the Hicksville Water District (Owner) in the office of the Board at 4 Dean Street, Hicksville, New York, until 10 a.m., Prevailing Time on Friday, July 9, 2021, and will be publicly opened and read aloud at 10:30 a.m. and the contract awarded as soon thereafter as practicable to construct Permanent AOP Treatment at Plant No. 9. Detailed specifications, the proposed contract and bid forms for the above mentioned contract are presently available for electronic delivery from H2M architects + engineers, the Engineer of the Hicksville Water District for this project. Electronic copies thereof may be obtained upon deposit of Ten Dollars ($10.00), made payable to the Hicksville Water District. Mail the deposit to the Engineer at the following address: H2M architects + engineers, 538 Broad Hollow Road, 4th Floor East, Melville, NY 11747, attn: Steven Mirra. Please simultaneously email a scanned copy of the deposit check to the following: smirra@h2m.com and apayret@ h2m.com. Upon electronic receipt of the scanned check, H2M will transmit all bid documents via H2M’s Newforma Infoexchange website. If a hardcopy of the deposit is not received, the Hicksville Water District reserves the right to reject the bid submission. All bids shall be submitted upon the forms provided therefore by

the Hicksville Water District. Each bid proposal must be accompanied by a Bid Deposit payable to the Hicksville Water District by certified check, bank check or bid bond in the amount of five (5%) percent of the total lump sum bid price. Bids must be addressed to the Board of Comissioners, Hicksville Water District, 4 Dean Street, Hicksville, New York, and submitted in a sealed envelope marked “Permanent AOP Treatment at Plant No. 9” not later than 10:00 a.m. on the date above stated.

No bid may be withdrawn after its acceptance or for a period of forty-five (45) days after being publicly opened and read. Deposits for the plans and specifications will be completely refunded to bidders and non-bidders who make a request to H2M to get the deposit check back within ten (10) days following the bid date. No deposit will be refunded after ten (10) days following the bid date.

The Board of Comissioners of the Hicksville Water District reserves the right to reject any and all bids in the whole or in part and to waive any informality in the bids and to accept the bid and award the Contract to the lowest, responsible, formal Bidder deemed most favorable to the interests of the Hicksville Water District therefore, pursuant to Section 103 of the General Municipal Law. Upon acceptance of the bid, if the successful bidder fails to enter into a contract pursuant to the requirements of said Board of Comissioners, then at the sole option of the District the bid deposit shall be forfeited to the Hicksville Water District as liq-

uidated damages and not as a penalty, and the District shall retain all of its other remedies for damages provided by law.

Dated: June 18, 2021

HICKSVILLE WATER DISTRICT

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MIT 5916

1X 06/18

NOTICE OF FORMATION

AJR Keepsakes, LLC.

Filed with the SSNY on 5/13/21. Office: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to USCA, Inc. at 7014 13th Ave, Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

BN 7507

6X 06/04,11,18,25,07/02,09

NOTICE OF FORMATION

GW Capital Infinity, LLC.

Art. of Org. filed Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 4/20/2018. Office location: New York County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: The LLC, 25 Preston Ln, Syosset, NY 11791.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

SYO 4392

6X 06/11,18,25,07/02,09,16

NOTICE OF FORMATION

IIC Realty LLC.

Art. of Org. filed Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/18/2021. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: The LLC, 17 Pal St, Plainview, NY 11803. Purpose: any lawful activity.

SYO 4393

6X 06/11,18,25,07/02,09,16

Town to host blood drive on June 21

To help hospitals meet the ongoing and pressing need for blood, the Town of Oyster Bay invites residents to attend a Blood Collection Drive on Monday, June 21 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hicksville Athletic Center, located at 167 S. Broadway in Hicksville. Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Michele Johnson stated, “Residents can save lives by donating blood this June at the Hicksville Athletic Center. Blood supplies have seriously dwindled as a result of the COVID-19 health pandemic and are critically needed for local hospitals to meet the demand and continue saving lives. Please consider participating in this blood drive on June 21st.”

Appointments are preferred for the Town’s Blood Drive. Social distancing and sanitary protocols will be in place to maintain the health and safety of all donors. To qualify as a blood donor, a person must between the ages of 17 and 75 years old (16 with parental permission and 76 or older with a doctor’s note), weigh at

least 110 pounds and not have donated blood within the last 56 days. Anyone who received a tattoo within the past 12 months is ineligible to donate. It is recommended that donors eat well (low fat) and drink fluids in the days before the Blood Drive. Additionally, all donors will receive a voucher for a free Blizzard at Dairy Queen, compliments of Councilwoman Laura Maier.

Town Councilman Tom Hand added, “It’s quick, easy, and safe to donate a single pint of blood which can save up to three lives. This past year has been incredibly difficult for all of us, especially for our health care system, and it is up to all of us to help pitch in to make sure our Healthcare Heroes are able to continue to provide lifesaving efforts.”

For additional information regarding the Town’s Blood Drive, contact the Town’s Public Information Office at (516) 624-6380. To make an appointment to donate at this Blood Drive, sign up today at https://bit.ly/3gACp82 .

Lee Road Student Council commended for service

Lee Road Student Council advisers Jennifer Lores (left) and Tina Vrachnas.

Members of the Lee Road Elementary School Student Council in the Levittown Public Schools were recently recognized by the New York State Assembly for their outstanding participation in the Baxter’s Pet Food Drive.

Led by club advisers Jennifer Lores and Tina Vrachnas, the student council members facilitated the drive from April 26–May 14 and collected items such as pet toys and canned food. The goal was to help those who are struggling and unable to take care of their pets properly and the Lee Road community generously showed their support.  Congratulations to the following student council members who each received a certificate for their outstanding service:

Co-Presidents: Lukas DiNorcia and Amelia Voutsinas

Vice-President: Luke Zaharis

Secretary: Alaina Psipsikas

Senators: Angelina Chen, Nicholas Coyle, Isabella Geary, Jayden Keinath, Khloe Romanelli, Isabella Scarola and Ryan Zaharis

Representatives: Aiden Lazzarini, Joshua Martinez, Mia Pietropaolo and Kayla Rodriguez

Remote Representative: Victoria Forrer

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If you own a business or have a service to provide, we’ll create professional advertisements to promote it and help you be seen by thousands of local readers! Call 1-516-294-8900 to inquire!

A smashing success: Hicksville hits Broadway

Hicksville’s elementary students flexed their muscles in a percussive performance at the Broadway Commons Mall in early June.

“ In a year filled with obstacles, it was a breath of fresh air for our wonderful art and music students to have an outlet to show how hard they have been working this year,” commented Mr. Chad Wyman, Hicksville’s director of fine and performing arts about the three-day student showcase held at Broadway Commons Mall on June 3, 4 and 5.  From the HHS Jazz Ensemble, Winter Guard and String Ensemble to solo vocal and instrumental pieces, mall-goers were treated to performances by over 130 music students and were able to view over 200 pieces of K–12 artwork from the district’s nine buildings.

In an ongoing partnership with the Mall, “Hicksville Hits Broadway” plans were begun months ago by the PTAs, under the leadership of PTA Council President Mrs. Erin Guida, to provide the opportunity for the district’s fine arts students to have

a concert and art exhibit experience when COVID prevented the normal in-school schedule of these events that are so important to budding young musicians and artists.

“Hicksville Schools made a decision very early on to make sure the arts continued unabated in this year of COVID, and to have an event like this that featured our students, teachers and community was truly special,” continued Mr. Wyman. “I cannot give enough praise to Mrs. Guida and The Hicksville Council of PTAs for making this possible!  BRAVO to all involved!"

The extravaganza included raffles supported by the PTA units at all nine schools, plus the Board of Education, SEPTA, the Council of PTAs, Hicksville Alumni Association, Hicksville’s Congress of Teachers, Hicksville’s Athletic Booster Club and the Robotics Booster Club.

Informational tables during the

Middle and high school Robotics team members attended to demonstrate their robots on a sample competition table.

A smashing success: Hicksville hits Broadway

The Board of Education hosted an informational table at the “Hicksville Hits Broadway” three-day event. Here Vice President Brenda Judson (left) and Trustee Linda Imbriale table-sit on Saturday, June 5.

event included Hicksville HS’s Class of 2022, the Hicksville Public Library, the Northwest Civic Association, HHS and HMS Robotics, the Robotics Booster Club, the National Art Honor Society students, the HMS Art Club students, and the Booster Club.

“We, as a community, needed this uplifting moment, and what brings people together better than art and music...our kids!” said PTA Council President Erin Guida. “It was wonderful to see our district students sharing their talents with our Senior Citizen guests, their parents and the entire community.  The success of this event wouldn't have been possible without the collaboration of so many. On behalf of the Hicksville Council

of PTAs, I would like to give a huge shout out to our Supervisor of Fine Arts, Chad Wyman, who created the enthusiasm that led the charge in our partnership. We look forward to our continued partnership that will bring more special events to our community while focusing on the accomplishments of our students.”

The Hicksville Council of PTAs would also like to express its gratitude to teachers Adam Nadler, Beth Garner, Brian Vollmer, Caroline Calleo, Craig Mateyunas, Danielle Donnelly, Jen LaCava, Jennifer Weiss, Jonathan Shmuel, Justin Starr, Kerri Barnett, Kristin Powell, Laurie Haddock, Margaret Corbett, Michelle Lesser, Michelle Shmuel, Naomi Marmol, Pam

At the close of the three-day event, a few of the key leaders took a moment for a photo op. From left to right are Board Vice President Brenda Judson, Board Trustee Linda Imbriale, PTA Council President Erin Guida, Superintendent of Schools Marianne Litzman, Legislator Rose Walker, and Director of Fine and Performing Arts Chad Wyman.

Del Gatto-Erario, Pat Tarsoly, Rachel Kreiger, Sam Pollenz, and Stephanie Hart.

A special thanks to Amaka Muir from Broadway Commons; Manager Danielle Quigley, Mike Prakash and Susan Koscis at Panera; Mike Ruvolo from Minuteman Press. And our PTA helpers:  Annette Beiner, Bernadette Comiskey, Alyssa Fiorese, Nicole Fragopolous, Linda Gurriere, Marianne Isnardi, Nora Jennings, Erica Mathes, Sharon Olivares, Dina Pinder, Lisa Robertaccio, Allison Salti, Elissa Shapiro, Linda Smith, Blair Stack, Brenda Telesky, and Christine Weih.

Additional appearances were made by our Principals and APs: Dr.

John Comer, Susan Guiliano, Patrick Harris, Dr. Barbara Mrozik, Laura McConnell, Janine Rossi, and Phil Grusenmeyer. Special guest speakers from Administration included Superintendent Marianne Litzman and Assistant Superintendent Anthony Lubrano. And a big “Thank you” to Legislator Rose Walker, who graciously closed the event.

Needless to say, an event this large required the dedication and hard work of many, including our supportive parents. The District is thankful for each and every one who made “Hicksville Hits Broadway” a rousing, community-affirming success!

Town partners with Islanders to offer street hockey clinic

The Town of Oyster Bay is partnering with the New York Islanders to offer children in kindergarten through seventh grade a street hockey clinic. The program will be held at Town parks in Syosset-Woodbury, Massapequa and Farmingdale.

“We are so pleased to partner with the New York Islanders to offer this fun and affordable Street Hockey Clinic, which will run for six weeks at three Town facilities,” said Supervisor

Saladino. “This great program will introduce girls and boys to the game of hockey through a non-competitive, instructional clinic.”

The six-week program will be offered at the following locations:

Syosset-Woodbury Community Park

7800 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury

Friday evenings July 2 to August 6

• 4:30 p.m.–5:30pm: Grades K–2

• 5:45 p.m.–6:45pm: Grades 3–5

• 7:00 p.m.–8:00pm: Grades 6 & 7

Marjorie Post Community Park

451 Unqua Road, Massapequa Sunday mornings June 27 to August 8

(*no class July 4)

• 9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.: Grades K–2

• 10:45 a.m.–11:45 a.m.: Grades 3–5

• 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. Grades 6 & 7

Ellsworth Allen Town Park

45 Motor Avenue, Farmingdale

Monday evenings June 28 to August 2

• 4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.: Grades K–2

• 5:45 p.m.–6:45 p.m.: Grades 3–5

• 7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.: Grades 6 & 7

Space for the Street Hockey Clinic is limited. Registration is $125 per person – all participants receive a New York Islanders hockey stick and gift bag. Rain dates will be rescheduled whenever possible. Residents are encouraged to register online at NewYorkIslanders. com/StreetHockey. For more information, call (516) 501-6700 ext. 4, or email communityrelations@newyorkislanders.com

Maria Lisa Caracciolo

marialisa.caracciolo@elliman.com