Jericho-Syosset News Journal (12/13/21)

Chamber honors founder at holiday tree lighting

BY RIKKI MASSAND

A meeting of local merchants on Jackson Avenue in 1998, organized by real estate professional Frank Urso, led to the founding of the present-day Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce which now has over 140 members, from small and local businesses to area corporations, nonprofits and community organizations.

On Jackson Avenue on Sunday, December 12, at the special community Holiday Lighting Spectacular at Plaza Realty’s parking lot, Frank Urso was honored for all he has contributed to Syosset and Woodbury over the past quarter-century including his annual role in hosting and MCing the marquee holiday event. Urso and his wife Marilyn were seated in the

audience before he was called up to the stage by Syosset resident and 2021 Businessperson of the Year Amanda Johnson, owner and certified balloon artist with her local company Balloons by Amanda.

“Welcome, Mr. Christmas himself! Frank has been the face and driving force of our Holiday Lighting Spectacular since it began in 1998. Frank, I hope I make you proud and on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce I want to thank you and express our gratitude for all you have done to make this such a success over the years,” she said.

Amanda Johnson took the reins from Urso as the host and MC of the 2021 Holiday Lighting Spectacular in Syosset’s

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Syosset legislator plans run for US Congress

BY RIKKI N. MASSAND

What started as a campaign to become a Syosset Board of Education trustee during his senior year of high school in 2012, followed by success in elections at the school board level and to the Nassau County Legislature representing his home district (the North Shore’s LD-18), will take a new direction -- towards the U.S. Capitol - as Syosset’s Joshua A. Lafazan announced his candidacy for United States Congress on Monday, December 13. Lafazan recently won a third term as County Legislator, following five years (2012 through 2017) on the Syosset Central School District’s board of education.

If he is successful in his Congressional run in the 3rd district, to represent parts of Queens, Nassau County and

Suffolk County in 2022, Lafazan will be the youngest member of Congress in the Democratic Caucus in Washington, D.C., at still under 30 years old.

In his announcement on Monday, Lafazan said he believes it is time for fresh faces and new voices in Washington, D.C. “If I’m elected to the U.S. Congress, I will be the youngest Democrat there. And if we’ve learned anything from the divisiveness of our politics it’s that people are ready for new and pragmatic voices that can get things done. I’m used to being underestimated. When I ran to be the youngest elected official in New York State, people called me crazy. But I won a seat on the Syosset School Board at age 18. When I took on an entrenched incumbent as a Democrat in a district won by Donald Trump, I was told there was no

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Lee Road chorus gets festive with the community

Students in the Lee Road Elementary School chorus performed for the community on Dec. 5.

On Dec. 5, students in the chorus at Lee Road Elementary School in the Levittown Public School District performed at the Forest City Tree and Menorah Lighting ceremony at the Forest City clubhouse, an annual community tradition.

courtesy of Levittown Public Schools

The event, hosted by the Forest City Civic Association, was a return to form after a hiatus last year. It was well attended by the community and featured a bake sale, food, hot cocoa, a balloon artist along with the students’ performance of festive songs.

Casino bus trip

On Tuesday, January 25, the St. Ignatius Loyola Parish will host a bus trip to the Wind Creek Bethlehem (formerly Sands) Casino in Bethlehem, PA. Cost is $44 per person, which includes the driver’s tip. There willbe a give back of $35 for slots play.

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

Please park at #999 So. Oyster Bay Road (dead end)

For reservations please call Barbara at (516) 935-5576

Please make checks payable to “St. Ignatius Loyola Church”.

The first to pay is the first on the bus, etc.

Division Ave. senior earns semifinal berth in national competition

BY GARY SIMEONE

Emily Leicht, a senior at Division Avenue High Schoo, should be pretty proud of herself after earning a semifinal bid in a highly regarded nationwide competition. The academic scholar and community leader was chosen out of a pool of 68,000 applicants to be one of the 1,600 remaining semifinalists in the Coca Cola Scholars Program. She recently submitted her required essay questions to be entered into the final round, where winners will receive a $20,000 scholarship to the college of their choice.

“I had originally applied for the contest on the Coca-Cola Scholar’s Foundation website, and had to submit a very long application process to be formally entered into the competition,” said Leicht who is president of the Division Avenue Key Club. “The criteria for the contest required a good academic standing extracurricular activities within the school and community and leadership responsibilities in the community.”

Leicht's academic standing is amongst

the best in her class with a 4.0, 95.8 weighted average. She also holds various leadership roles within the school and community, including president of the Key Club, a member of the Art National and World Language Honor Society and secretary of the AV Club.

The precocious teenager is also highly active within the Levittown community, serving as the leader and co-founder of Levittown YOUTH (Young Organizers United To Help.) She also spends her time crocheting blankets for animals at the North Shore Animal League and putting together tote bags full of school supplies for younger members in the community at Levittown Dream Camp.

As a result of her involvement with Levittown YOUTH, Leicht recently attended a coalition with other teen peer awareness groups in Maryland to discuss ways to foster better prevention and awareness methods for teen substance abuse.

To earn a berth in the finals round, which will include 250 other teens from around the nation, Leicht had to submit a series of essay questions and a statement of impact in the community to the judges in the competition by December 9th.

“They weren’t easy questions and I had to put a lot of thought into each one of my answers,” said Leicht. “The questions included things like how has my involvement in organizations and extracurricular activities changed me for the better, and if I was granted one-hour of free time, how would I utilize it?”

She added that she gave her best effort answering the questions in the finals application and has her fingers crossed that she’ll be chosen as one of the 250 final applicants.

Leicht is applying to Cornell University and the University of California Davis to pursue biological science and pre-veterinarian studies.

She will find out at the end of January if she is one of the chosen finalists selected in the competition.

Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results.

Call the Garden City office today at 294-8900 for more info.

Water district receives award for installation of treatment equipment

Hicksville Water District Chairman Karl Schweitzer (center) and fellow Commissioners William Schuckmann (left) and Nicholas Brigandi led the District as it went through its award-winning rapid deployment of AOP treatment systems to fight the presence of 1,4-dioxane in some of the District’s wells.

The Hicksville Water District (HWD) recently received an award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) for its rapid deployment of Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) treatment systems to fight the presence of 1,4-dioxane in some of the District’s wells, which started in the summer of 2020. H2M architects + engineers nominated the District for this annual award, recognizing the District for the exceptional job it did in rolling out this vital water treatment technology.

“Providing our residents with the cleanest water available is our chief priority at the Hicksville Water District,” said HWD Chairman Karl Schweitzer. “Our ability to successfully roll out our AOP treatment systems quickly and efficiently is a tribute to the dedication of our Board of Commissioners, Superintendent and the rest of our incredible staff. It is an honor to receive this award from the ACEC and to be recognized for the hard work we have all put in over the last two years to keep our most precious

resource safe.”

The HWD initially began piloting the AOP process in 2018 after receiving a grant from New York State as a part of its Water Infrastructure Improvement Act. The District was exceptionally aggressive in its actions to complete the piloting process, enabling them to rapidly install the new treatment systems.

AOP treatment, when coupled with granular activated carbon (GAC), is the only proven method to rid the water supply of 1,4-dioxane. This treatment combination is also capable of removing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), should detections of these contaminants ever near the State’s maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). AOP treatment works by mixing an oxidant, in this case hydrogen peroxide, with water and running it through ultraviolet light. This makes a chemical reaction that destroys the 1,4-dioxane molecules. The water then runs through the GAC filters which removes any remaining hydrogen peroxide and impurities prior to entering the public distribution system.

Upcoming events at the Jericho Public Library

Friday, December 17

2:00 p.m.: In Person & Virtual  Great Performers with Marc Courtade: Christopher Plummer, Like a Fine Wine - Christopher Plummer was a prolific and versatile actor whose career spanned seven decades. He had major successes in television, films and on stage, winning two Emmys, an Academy Award and two Tonys. He was best known for his performance as Captain von Trapp in “The Sound of Music,“ a film that he found unpleasant to make. He aged like a fine wine, giving some of the best performances of his career the older he got. This talk will celebrate the life and career of this legendary actor.

Saturday, December 18

11:30 a.m.: In Person Family Film: “The Polar Express” - The big

screen in the JPL theater is the best place to see “The Polar Express,” a magical movie about a special gift that is not to be missed. After the movie, children may stop by the Children’s Room and pick up a fun craft to do at home.  No registration required.

Sunday, December 19

2:00 p.m.: In Person (tickets required) & Virtual: Linda Ipanema and the Hot Spots present Here’s to the Holidays - Linda and the Hot Spots invite you to get into the wonderful feeling of the holidays with music of the season. Enjoy “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Feliz Navidad,”  along with songs about Hanukkah and more! Enjoy Linda’s unique voice and the swinging trio of Hot Spots composed of Dave Picton on piano, Ralph Hamperian

on bass and Dave Clive on drums.

Monday, December 20

2:00 p.m.: In Person & Virtual Art Lecture: The National Gallery of London with Mary MaguireThis national treasure is the 8th most visited museum in the world. Walking through its galleries is like turning the pages of “Jansen’s History of Art.” Major developments in art history, from Giotto to Cezanne, are all represented with important works. Mary will make special stops in front of Botticelli’s “The Mystical Nativity” and Pieter Bruegel’s “The Adoration of the Kings” in keeping with the holiday season.

Tuesday, December 21

2:00 p.m.: Virtual News Currents with Elinor Haber - Join Elinor for an opportunity to participate in an infor-

Love to write?

mal exchange about the topics of the day — the international, national and local scene. We’ll focus on trends that affect us now and in the future.  Bring your thoughts, issues and ask a friend to join in the discussion from the comfort of your home.

7:00 p.m.: In Person & Virtual Talk About Books with Fran Cohen: “The Chosen and the Beautiful” by Nghi Vo. Listeners are Welcome!Return to the Jazz Age as we re-imagine “The Great Gatsby” told from the perspective of Jordan Baker as a queer Vietnamese adoptee. This beautifully crafted, literary work is a novel of excess and overindulgence.

Masks are required in the library. Register for all events at https:// www.jericholibrary.org/events/month  except when otherwise noted.

We’re looking for writers in our community to compose articles on local topics, opinions, reviews, worthy places to visit on Long Island, and even pieces of fiction. We aim to feature at least one new article and writer each week in our Discovery magazine section.

Email submissions: editor@gcnews.com

• Attach article and any photos (1MB), along with your name and contact info. • Articles must be between 1,500 - 3,000 words. • Each writer will be reimbursed a stipend of $25.⁰⁰

This Week at the Syosset Public Library

Friday, December 17, at 2:00 p.m.

Friday Movie at the Library

Check our website www.syossetlibrary.org to see the title of the movie that will be shown. Masks are required in the theater for all programs.

Monday, December 20, at 9:15 a.m.

Virtual Dancersize

This fitness class combines aerobic exercise with dance movements. Register at www.syossetlibrary.org/ events/calendar.

Wednesday, December 20, at 2:00 p.m.

America's Favorite Holiday Movie: A Look Inside “It’s a Wonderful Life” (VIRTUAL)

Presenter: Brian Rose, retired professor of communications, Fordham University.

Voted the most inspirational movie ever made by the American Film Institute, yet when the film was released in 1946, it was a box-office flop, won no Academy Awards, and was largely forgotten—until it was rediscovered through endless airings on local TV stations beginning in the 1970s. This talk will look at the challenges of how the movie was made, what it says about the problems of post-war America, and how it became the ultimate portrayal of holiday goodwill and cheer. For Zoom link, go to www.syossetlibrary.org/ events/calendar

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!

Wisdom Lane Builders Club holds coat drive

in

already-successful

Members of the Builders Club at Wisdom Lane Middle School in the Levittown Public School District are holding a coat drive for winter, and donations are already piling up.

Multiple bags and bins are filled with coats perfect for the season, and more donations are more than welcome. Students can drop off donations near the front entrance of the school.

The Builders Club is a service-oriented group with the aim of carrying out projects that benefit the school and surrounding community.

Adopt-a-Hydrant program in Plainview Water District

The colder winter months are here, and soon there will be snow in the forecast. The Plainview Water District (PWD) would like to stress the importance of keeping fire hydrants across the Plainview-Old Bethpage community clear of snow and other winter debris. Hydrants that remain free of snow can save first responders precious time when responding to an emergency situation.

“The arrival of more consistent cold weather provides for a great opportunity to remind our residents about the important responsibility they have of ensuring hydrants are kept clear this winter,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “As a community, we owe it to our dedicated firefighters to make sure they always have quick and easy access to fire hydrants at all times. Every moment counts when responding to an emergency, so please keep your hydrants clear.”

Residents are encouraged to “adopt” a nearby hydrant so there is a dedicated person responsible in keeping it clear during a snowstorm as well as reporting any potential issues. Clearing three feet of snow around the hydrant will allow firefighters to not only identify their locations with ease, but also provide

uninterrupted access during a potential emergency.

“An emergency can occur at any point, so we encourage all of our residents to never assume the fire hydrant in front of their home won’t be needed,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “All residents are asked to speak with their neighbors before the snow starts to fall so there is no question about who will be taking responsibility for clearing the hydrant in a timely fashion.”

The District is also asking its residents to consider providing assistance to any friends, family members, or neighbors who are not able to clear their own hydrants. Those who leave their homes for the winter season are asked to please notify a neighbor who can ensure a hydrant is still cleared in their absence.

“Our community’s safety is our top priority at all times, and the District wants to ensure this simple, yet important step is never overlooked,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “All of us at the Plainview Water District appreciate the attention our residents pay to this crucial task and thank them in advance for doing their part in protecting our community.”

Town outdoor ice skating rinks now open

The Town of Oyster Bay’s outdoor ice skating rinks at Marjorie R. Post and Syosset-Woodbury Community Parks have officially opened for the season.

“Ice skating is a fun activity for residents of all ages to enjoy, and the Town’s outdoor ice rinks provide the perfect setting to relax, unwind, and take in the wonderful winter atmosphere,” said Town Councilman Lou Imbroto. “Our outdoor ice rink facilities are the perfect antidote to combating cabin fever during the winter months, and are the ideal way to help make coping with the cold fun and enjoyable!”

Public skating sessions are hosted at both outdoor rinks on Fridays from 4 p.m.–6 p.m. and 7 p.m.–9 p.m., Saturdays

from 1 p.m.–3 p.m., 4 p.m.–6 p.m., and 7 p.m.–9 p.m., and Sundays from 1 p.m.–3 p.m. and 4 p.m.–6 p.m. During holiday breaks, a special schedule takes effect, which is available on oysterbaytown.com. Also, for those who wish to take advantage of ice skating but do not wish to be outdoors, the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center is open year-round and is located at 1001 Stewart Ave. in Bethpage.

For information on schedules, fees and rink programs, call (516) 797-7990 for the Marjorie Post Park Outdoor Rink or (516) 677-5990 for the Syosset-Woodbury Park Outdoor Rink. All information is available on the Town’s website at www.oysterbaytown.com/ice.

ATTENTION STUDENTS!

We invite you to send details of your academic achievements, along with your name and contact info, to editor@gcnews.com for a chance to be featured in our paper!

Submissions from students of all ages are welcome!

College Notes

SUNY Oneonta recently recognized students who have attained silver-level leadership milestones through the college’s LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program.

LEAD@Oneonta is a comprehensive leadership program based on current research and guidelines from the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. All students can choose to participate in the LEAD program, which aims to better prepare them for life after college by providing a comprehensive picture of leadership and the skills needed to be a good leader.

The following local students were recognized:

Kaitlyn Rubin of Plainview who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Early Chld/Childhood Ed (B-6)

Star SassoneLevy of Plainview who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Early Chld/Childhood Ed (B-6)

Molly Miller of Syosset, who is studying Family and Consumer Sciences Education Human Ecology

n Mia Reich of Plainview, a student in the Physical Therapy program in the School of Health Sciences at Quinnipiac University, was inducted into Alpha Eta, the national honor society for the allied health professions, during a recent on-campus ceremony.

To be eligible for induction, undergraduate students must have a gradepoint average of 3.5 or higher and graduate students must have a GPA of 3.8 or higher and be in the top 20 percent of the graduating class.

n

Mark Elkins of Jericho, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Elkins was initiated at Clemson University.

Elkins is among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership.

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Kristen Aasheim, of East Norwich, was one of 16 students recently inducted in the Elmira College chapter of Phi Eta Sigma, the International Honor Society rewarding first-collegiate-year scholarship.

Kristen was also one of seven Elmira College students awarded the 2021 Moser Freshman Prize.

Each year, the Moser Freshman Prize is presented to the student or students achieving the highest grade point average at the end of the first year of full-time academic work.

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Matthew Smith of Levittown competed for the SUNY Oneonta men’s cross country team during the recently completed fall season.

Matthew was a member of the Men’s Cross Country team this fall. The team finsihed fourth in the SUNYAC Championship meet. Matthew recorded a personal best in the 6k at the SUNY Poly Short Course Invitational and a personal best in the 8k at the NCAA Division III Niagara Region Cross Country Championships.

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David Vides of Hicksville, played for the SUNY Oneonta men’s soccer team this fall.

David was a member of the Men’s Soccer team this fall. The team finished with an overall record of 10-4-3 earning a berth into the NCAA Division III Tournament. David played in seven games recording one goal and two assists for five points.

Home Starts Here

From our home to yours, wishing you and your loved ones a warm and safe holiday season and the best of health, happiness, peace and prosperity in 2022.

As we reflect on the past year, we are humbled and honored to have represented our seller clients in moving towards their next chapter and our buyer clients to find their dream homes and new beginnings.

Thank you for putting your trust in us.

Ellen Zipes

Founding Agent Long Island

Luxury Division Member

Licensed Associate RE Broker ellen.zipes@compass.com M: 516.817.7300 | O: 516.500.8271

Jared Zipes

Licensed RE Salesperson

jared.zipes@compass.com M: 516.776.7993

Amar Prashad

Licensed RE Salesperson

amar.prashad@compass.com M: 516.477.3037

Lauren Grella

Licensed RE Salesperson

lauren.grella@compass.com M: 516.250.2427

Athletes honored at Levittown Board of Education meeting

Several athletes who enjoyed successful seasons this year were honored at the Levittown Public School District Board of Education meeting on Dec. 8.

Players and coaches of a wide range of sports representing teams from Division Avenue High School and General Douglas MacArthur High School were present and were recognized for their All-Conference, All-County and Coach of the Year statuses.

Honorees included:

Division Avenue High School

• Gabriel Aguilar, All-Conference, cross-country track

• Jake Pendergrass, AllConference, football

• Christopher Stancarone, AllCounty, football

• Jeremy Taggart, All-Conference, football

• Brendan Connolly, AllConference, boys soccer

• Christian Ramirez, AllConference, boys soccer

• Anna Cacciuttolo, Honorable Mention All-County, girls soccer

• Shae McGinty, All-County; Conference Goalie of the Year, girls soccer

• Simar Parmar, All-Conference; Senior Scholar Athlete, girls soccer

• Rebecca Petrellese, Honorable Mention All-County, girls soccer

• Isabella Hines, All-Conference, girls volleyball

• Alyssa Weinberg, AllConference, girls volleyball

General Douglas MacArthur High School

• Mike Cassano, All-County, NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Team, cross-country track

• Alyssa Rotondo, All-County, NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Team, cross-country Track

• Gia Bergonzi, All Conference, NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Team,

cross-country track

• Pedro Sandova, All-Conference, NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Team, crosscountry track

• Coach Diann Sciulla, Coach of the Year, girls volleyball

• Ryann Murphy, All-County, girls volleyball

• Sofia Migliore, All-County, Honorable Mention, girls volleyball

• Amanda Mejia, All-Conference, girls volleyball

• Connor Cullen, All-County, football

• Vincent Fundaro, All-County, football

• Ryan Muller, All-County, football

• James Napoli, All-County, football

• Matthew Papach, All-County, football

• James Clarkson, All-Conference, football

• Coach Andy Atkins, Conference A1 Coach of the Year; Conference A1 Champions; NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Team

• Matt Cassidy, Scholar Athlete, boys soccer

• Cristian Perez Franco, AllCounty; Conference Offensive Player of the Year, boys soccer

• Joe Iannuzzi, All-County, boys soccer

• Tyler Mormando, All-County Honorable Mention, boys soccer

• Tyler Behr, All-County Honorable Mention, boys soccer

• Jason Tordy, All-Conference, boys soccer

• Matt Cassidy, All-Conference, boys soccer

• James Eden, All-Conference, boys soccer

• Kieran Weber, All-Conference, boys soccer

• Nick Del Grosso, Unsung Hero, boys soccer

• Dylan Vargas, All-County, NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Team, boys

volleyball

• Ryan Senra, All-Conference; Senior Scholar Athlete, boys volleyball NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Team

• Tyler Levi, Unsung Hero, NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Team, boys volleyball

• Coach James SanFilippo, Coach of the Year, NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Team

• Hailey Hnis, All-County; All State 2nd Team; All Long Island, girls soccer

• Fiona Kilian, All-County; All State 1st Team; Top Nassau County Vote Receiver; All-Long Island, girls soccer

• Kaitlyn Tung, All-County Honorable Mention, girls soccer

• Bella Calabro, All-County Honorable Mention, girls soccer

• Summer Looney, All-County Honorable Mention; Scholar Athlete, girls soccer

• Hailey Metzger, All-Conference, girls soccer

• Meghan Wetzel, All-Conference, girls soccer

• Caitlin Barry, All-Conference, girls soccer

• Ava Angiuli, All-Conference, girls soccer

Districtwide

• Brian Bason, All-County, golf

• Isabella Bonagura, 400 Freestyle Relay All Conference; 200 Freestyle Relay All-Division; All-Conference, NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Team, girls swimming and diving

• Nicole Canon, 400 Freestyle Relay All-Conference; 200 Freestyle Relay All-Division; All-Conference, NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Team, girls swimming and Diving

• Shae McGinty, 200 Freestyle Relay All-Division; All-Conference, NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Team, girls swimming and diving

• Evelyn Sun, 200 Freestyle; 500 Freestyle; 200 Freestyle Relay AllConference and All-Division; 400 Freestyle Relay All Conference, NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Team, girls swimming and diving

• Nicole Steiner, All-Conference, 400 Freestyle Relay

The board also gave a special recognition to Senior Scholar Athlete Simar Parmar and Mike Nelson, longtime director of the Levittown PAL Lacrosse program and an active member in the community.

Syosset legislator plans run for US Congress

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way I’d win. But I’ve now won that seat three times,” he noted.

Since becoming the youngest elected official in New York State when he won a seat on the Syosset School Board at age 18, Josh has been elected to the Nassau County Legislature three times -- in 2017, 2019 and again in the November 2021 election. Over the last four years, Lafazan has passed more bills than any Nassau County Legislator in history. Now he is running for U.S. Congress to represent parts of Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens, for the seat currently occupied by former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi.

In his launch video entitled “SEAT” Legislator Lafazan makes the case that in a tough year, keeping New York’s 3rd Congressional district in Democratic hands will be a challenge given the changing electorate on Long Island and the national political climate.

According to his statement this week, Lafazan believes his candidacy “as a Democrat who has a proven record of winning across party lines” will offer Democrats their best chance at holding this seat and thus delivering on the issues that matter most to them.

He pointed to his commitment to lowering taxes, making healthcare more affordable, ending the gun violence and opioid epidemics, advocating for our

veterans, and “fighting COVID responsibly by listening to the science.”

On Friday, December 10 Lafazan was part of a special “Thank You” event honoring healthcare heroes assisting older residents in his hometown, at Excel at Woodbury for Nursing & Rehabilitation. At the center, Legislator Lafazan handed out special, official pins presented on behalf of the Nassau County Legislature, for the team of healthcare and rehab center staff, “in honor of their service throughout the pandemic.”

Lafazan was introduced by director Stacey Altman of Excel at Woodbury, as patients at the facility surprised the local healthcare heroes with applause and a chorus of “thank yous” as they

were honored by Lafazan, on behalf of all of Nassau County “for their dedication to health, safety, and wellbeing this past year.”

At Monday’s announcement on his Congressional candidacy, Lafazan commented, “I was born and raised in this district. I graduated from our public schools, and have served my community as a volunteer, an advocate, a school board member of Syosset Central School District, and as a Nassau County Legislator. Now I’m running for Congress because in these unprecedented times we need leaders in Washington that are battle-tested and ready to sit down and get to work to solve our toughest challenges.”

Chamber honors founder at holiday tree lighting

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downtown, as she is a current Syosset Woodbury Chamber board member and was elected as the organization’s secretary for 2022. Frank Urso has decided to leave service on the Chamber’s board of directors after 23 years in a board role and having been the inaugural president of the chamber. His current term expires December 31, 2021.

Chamber President Russell P. Green welcomed a longtime colleague of Urso’s, Jack Biondo of Plaza Realty, whose father remained very close to Urso when the considerations of starting the chamber came about in the late 1990s. Biondo presented a plaque on behalf of the Chamber thanking Urso for his Holiday Lighting event dedication and efforts over 23 years.

“Frank has always organized our Holiday event -- he and my father go so far back, and I recall 1998 with my father and my mother, together with Frank they started it all, Frank was the leader. But the funniest thing to remember is, he used to call me about this every August! It was hilarious that we would sit and talk about Christmas in August when it’s 93 degrees outside. But that was Frank’s goal for every year. I am so thankful he’s done such an unbelievable job of all of these years,” he said. Biondo was eager to work with the Chamber again and have this special event come back this year after COVID forced its cancellation a year ago.

“The event is the right way for us to thank Frank for all that he’s done for the community. It’s so special to see everyone out here again, all the young kids, and I think this one might have the most people we have ever seen!” Biondo said.

Chamber President Russell Green commented on the dedication and leadership Frank Urso provided the chamber with. He noted that Frank was a role model for him as colleagues on the chamber board, with Urso leading by

experience as the co-founding member and the chamber’s first president.

The Syosset Woodbury Chamber’s president in 2020, Woodbury resident Maureen Nickel, owner of Bright Star Home Care at 150 Woodbury Road, said there is no one quite like Frank Urso.

She used the letters of his first name for a fitting acronym:

F for Formidable, R for Resourceful, A for Accomplished, N for Nurturing and K for Kindhearted.

“I have always been humbled by Frank’s commitment and loyalty to the Syosset Chamber. Commencing with his vision to create a Chamber over 20+ years ago and continuing to the present day, Frank’s positive impact on the business community has remained steadfast. Thank you, Frank! Much health and happiness to you and Marilyn,” Nickel said.

New York State Sen. James Gaughran shared some reflections on Urso:

“Frank Urso is a longtime pillar of the Syosset Woodbury community. As inaugural president of the Syosset Woodbury Chamber of Commerce, Frank has been a leader for our community, a champion for small businesses, and has exemplified service through his actions and generosity. I wish Frank Urso well in his retirement and thank him for his years of service.”

Chamber Vice President Danielle Delgrosso of Roslyn Savings Bank, a division of New York Community Bank, met Frank and Marilyn at the December 12 Holiday Spectacular for the first time in a long while. After giving him a big hug before he was called up to the stage, Delgrosso said that it’s been an honor and privilege working with Frank on the chamber board and in every capacity that it provided over the past 23 years.

“Frank has done so much for our community in almost two and a half decades with the Chamber and is the HEART of what this organization

strives to do for the local businesses. His service and contributions to the Chamber will be missed -- we wish him the very best, always!” she said.

The chamber’s Membership and Networking Committees’ chairperson, Alan I. Goldberg, spoke about Urso as a chamber director, having worked with him and collaborated on various community and chamber events in the past several years.

“I have served with Frank on the Syosset Woodbury Chamber Board of Directors for the past five years and have the utmost respect for him, for his roles within the chamber and the community as a whole. Thank you, Frank, the community is a better place because of your involvement, leadership and longevity. His 23 years of dedication is much appreciated,” Goldberg explained.

Former Chamber of Commerce president Lisa Predmore spoke about meeting Frank Urso at her first Chamber meeting.

“Frank assigned me to the Parking Committee and we became friends from that point. I have always considered Frank to be the “Mayor of Syosset”. He is a kind and caring person who always looks out for the people of this community and their well being. Frank knows everyone and they all know him. Frank had a vision for the Chamber : “Where People and Business Make A Difference” He worked toward that goal every day. When he wasn’t busy working as a realtor, he was busy promoting the Chamber. Each year we would look forward to the Holiday Lighting Spectacular and what Frank would wear (he loved his sock collection!). He would make sure our singers and dancers felt special.” she explained.

Another former president of the Syosset Woodbury Chamber is attorney Ken Robinson, who has known Urso for two decades. Robinson explained that the board was in need of Frank Urso’s leadership and determination through

the course of the early 2000s.

The Syosset Woodbury Chamber has grown immensely over 20 years, and Robinson credits Urso with much of that success and for steadying the ship through time, with new board members and chamber presidents seeking the guidance and expertise Frank provided. Ken Robinson noted that Frank Urso was a team player and would make sure the individuals of the chamber functioned, on behalf of the community, as a true team.

Tom Montalbano of Syosset, a historian and integral part of the early days of the Chamber of Commerce, provided his comments on the contributions of Frank Urso. Montalbano first met the Urso’s at the very first “new” Syosset Woodbury Chamber meeting which Frank organized in 1998.

“Working with Frank for almost 20 years on Syosset’s Holiday Lighting Spectacular remains a highlight of my lifetime. As a committee chairman, Frank was a truly effective combination of forceful, focused, and open to new ideas, such as the “homegrown talent” theme of our shows, which has become a cherished Syosset tradition. I suspect many other Chamber committees have greatly benefited from Frank’s leadership, and I am sure his impact will resonate for a very long time.”

Tricia Shannon, a longtime chamber board member and the chair of the Women in Business networking group, commented on the significance of Frank Urso as the Chamber’s first president and his 23 years with the nonprofit business community organization.

“I remember Frank’s original goal was to bring the community and small business owners together -- and we did so at the first Holiday Lighting! He continued to achieve that same goal for 22 years with passion, creativity, many hours of hard work, good will, and festive sweaters!” she explained.

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Holiday Happenings in Our Own Backyard

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE

One of the most enchanting experiences of the holiday season happens in our own backyard, at the exquisite Old Bethpage Village Restoration: the Candlelight Evenings.

This year, Candlelight Evenings are being offered Dec. 17-21 and Dec. 26-29.

When you leave the visitor center and electric lights, you feel you have literally traveled through a time portal. Within a few steps, you are transported back to the 19th century – an illusion that is made to feel so real because of the hosts in period dress, who demonstrate and discuss their holiday traditions. There are fiddle music in the 150-year old Manhasset School House;, a bonfire, purchase hot cider at the Noon Inn, candy at the Layton House General Store (one year I met Santa in the parlor). Sit in the Manetto Hill Church for stories or Christmas carols.

The most wonderful thing about the candlelight evenings at Old Bethpage Village Restoration on Long Island, is yes, the sense of stepping back into time, into an idyllic peacefulness such as finding yourself in a Christmas card – it’s like a sugar rush of nostalgia. But what I love best are the serendipitous moments when you engage the reenactors in conversation- the questions that arise just because you are immersed in that experience.

Candlelight Evenings are open from 5- 9:30 pm (last admittance at

8 pm). Online prices are $19/Adults, $14/ Seniors and Children (5-12 years old). Active-duty service members attend free.

Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, New York, 11804, Email: oldbethpagevillagerestoration@nassaucountyny.gov, 516-572-8409.

New Event: ‘Shimmering Solstice’ at Old Westbury Gardens

This year, we have a new holiday happening to enjoy: an outdoor walkthrough light show, “Shimmering Solstice,” at Old Westbury Gardens, presented by Catholic Health. You behold a series of light displays

as you walk along the beautiful meandering paths through Old Westbury Gardens’ Walled Garden, Rose Garden, South Lawn and Allée.

The event opened November 20, 2021 and runs through January 9, 2022. Admission starts at 5:30 p.m. and the last admission is at 9:30 p.m. The gates close at 11 p.m.

Shimmering Solstice is a completely custom-built show that has been specifically designed to highlight the features of Old Westbury Gardens.

Some examples of what visitors will see include both the formal Rose Garden and Walled Garden blooming with light and twinkling in lively rhythmic patterns; enormous dandelions which line the pond and a giant

Christmas tree made of lit globes displayed in front of Westbury House.

The walk-through portion of the show is designed for visitors to explore at their own pace. For the exciting finale, visitors will be dazzled to see the south facade of Westbury House come alive in a magical and wondrous sensation of lights and sounds, celebrating the spirit of the season.

Built in 1906 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Old Westbury Gardens is the former home of John S. Phipps, his wife, Margarita Grace Phipps, and their children. Today, as a not-forprofit organization, Old Westbury Gardens offers a wide range of historical, cultural, artistic, educational, horticultural events. Old Westbury Gardens seeks to inspire appreciation of the early 20th century American country estate through faithful preservation and interpretation of its landscape, gardens, architecture and collections. For more information, visit  https://www.oldwestburygardens.org/

For more information on Shimmering Solstice, visit https:// shimmeringsolstice.com/

Times Square

New Year’s Eve Celebration is Back!

The highly anticipated December 31 Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration is inviting revelers back to Times Square to safely watch the Ball Drop in person with proof of full vaccination and valid photo

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Holiday Happenings in Our Own Backyard GOING PLACES,

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identification. The highly anticipated festivities – organized by The Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment – will also be broadcast for television and internet audiences, and will include a virtual multi-media experience.

All in-person revelers are required to be vaccinated. Attendees who are age 5 or over must present proof of COVID19 vaccination (FDA or WHO approved). Unvaccinated minors under the age of 5 must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult. Face coverings are required for unvaccinated minors who are medically able to tolerate a face-covering.

Persons who are unable to get vaccinated because of a disability will be required to present proof of a negative COVID PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to the event and if medically able to tolerate a face-covering, wear a mask for the entire duration of the event.

A Times Square New Year’s Eve commercial-free webcast will cover the action and festivities in Times Square will be streamed live on multiple websites, including TimesSquareNYC. org, NewYearsEve.nyc, LiveStream. com/2022 and TimesSquareBall.net. Embedding codes and additional webcast info is available at: https://www. timessquarenyc.org/times-squarenew-years-eve/nye-live-webcast or LiveStream.com/2022

BY JEFF RUGG

If you have ever seen a hydroponic gardening system, especially a DIY project to build your own hydroponic system, you probably saw a lot of pipes and pumps. If you are not a plumber, you were probably not impressed. These systems tend to be ugly and only meant to be used in the garage or backyard where they are out of sight. But gardens of plants are supposed to be pretty and visible. Sure, there are some hydroponic gardens for sale that look nice, but they tend to be expensive and are not intended for the do-it-yourselfer.

Until now that is, because “Home Hydroponics” by Tyler Baras from Cool Springs Press changes the look of DIY hydroponic gardens. This book not only fully covers the how-to of growing vegetables and flowering plants hydroponically, but it also has easy to follow instructions on how to build 14 projects that will easily fit into any home decor. Each project is ranked by its difficulty to build and operate, the maintenance requirements, price, yield and crop op-

Additionally, Jamestown, the owner of One Times Square (home of the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Celebration) will bring back its virtual New Year’s Eve experience with the VNYE app. Through the VNYE app, people from across the globe can explore the virtual world of Times Square, play games, and livestream New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square and around the world. Broadcast networks also will be airing elements of the Times Square celebration.

Revelers began celebrating New Year’s Eve in Times Square as early as 1904, but it was in 1907 that the New Year’s Eve Ball made its maiden descent from the flagpole atop One Times Square. Seven versions of the Ball have been designed to signal the New Year.

The Ball has been lowered every year since 1907, with the exceptions of 1942 and 1943, when the ceremony was suspended due to the wartime “dimout” of lights in New York City. Nevertheless, the crowds still gathered in Times Square in those years and greeted the New Year with a minute of silence followed by the ringing of chimes from sound trucks parked at the base of the tower—a harkening-back to the earlier celebrations at Trinity Church, where crowds would gather to “ring out the old, ring in the new.”

The Ball is a geodesic sphere, 12 feet in diameter, and weighs 11,875

pounds, covered with a total of 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles of varying sizes, and illuminated by 32,256 LEDs (light emitting diodes). For Times Square 2022, 192 Waterford Crystal triangles introduce the new Gift of Wisdom design represented by a central wheel with wedge cut petals of knowledge growing ever forward.

More information at TimesSquareNYC. org and TimesSquareBall.net.

New Year’s Eve Concert for Peace

For several years in a row, now, I have celebrated New Year’s Eve at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, for its annual “Concert for Peace,” (a tradition started by Leonard Bernstein in 1986), that takes place from 7-8:30 pm. (I still have time to walk back down to Penn Station to get a sense of the city’s revelry and still get back in time to watch the ball drop at Times Square).

The inspiring concert features Cathedral Choir & Orchestra of St. John the Divine, conducted by Kent Tritle, Bryan Zaros & Jie Yi and Jamet Pittman, soprano. Famed news commentator Harry Smith hosts.

This year, the festive concert kicks off with Handel’s  Water Music  Suite in D and features Joel Thompson’s riveting  Seven Last Words of the Unarmed and David Hurd’s When Night Fell address deep issues of our time. A

Gift Books for Gardeners

tions. For instance, the lift-top coffee table may be a bit difficult and expensive to build, but it is easier to operate and maintain than suction-cup planters on a window.

There are many benefits to hydroponic gardening. If you know a gardener and a person handy with carpentry, this is a good book to get.

Many people started gardening or growing houseplants in the past couple of years. It is often difficult for people living in cold climates to know what to do with tropical plants. We grow them outdoors in the summer and try to overwinter them indoors, but they can be hard to grow. So, how do you know which plants to keep and which ones to throw out?

Marianne Willburn has created a guidebook that will help.

She divides tropical plants into easy-to-understand relationships. The summer romance plants are easy to fall in love with, but we kiss them goodbye at the end of summer. The long-term commitment plants go outside in the summer and then continue indoors over the win-

ter. The best-friend plants are reliable and easy to grow. The high-maintenance partner plants are irresistible but challenging. The friends-with-benefits plants are edible or medicinal.

Marianne’s book “Tropical Plants and How to Love Them” is for northern gardeners, new gardeners who want to know more about tropical plants and gardeners who want to use houseplants more creatively outdoors.

Raise your hand if you don’t like bugs. Now, raise your hand if you do like bugs. Jessica Walliser’s new book “Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden” will try to move you from the not-liking-bugs category to liking them.

Bugs fit into three categories: pests, benign and beneficial. Only about 1% of insects fit into the pest category, so most bugs can just be left alone. Or we can even plant our gardens to attract more of the good insects that control the bad ones.

The world of insects is complex. Jessica interviews entomologists from across the United States to learn about research

medley of Asian composers will include Chen Yi, with the Cathedral choir singing in Chinese! Jamet Pittman will lead all in singing “This Little Light of Mine” after J.S. Bach’s timeless setting of Dona Nobis Pacem from his  Mass in B Minor

Tickets start at $40. All attendees and/or ticketholders must be fully vaccinated (received the final dose at least 14 days before the performance date). At check-in, ticketholders will be required to show proof of full vaccination (the NYS Excelsior Pass or a hard copy or photo of the vaccination card and a valid ID).

The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Avenue at 112th St., New York, NY 10025, 212-316-7540, info@ stjohndivine.org, www.stjohndivine.org.

© 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

on invasive exotic pests, lost ladybugs and beetle banks. This is a great book for gardeners who want to learn more about the ecosystem that inhabits their garden. Email questions to Jeff Rugg at info@ greenerview.com.

COPYRIGHT 2021 JEFF RUGG DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS

A family’s extra special Christmas Day

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

Last Christmas my husband, Frank, got the idea to go to Quebec City for the holidays. Agreeing that it was a great idea, we flew from New York to Quebec a few days before Christmas and stayed the whole week after.

Our three kids were so excited about going to Canada for the holiday. Kenny, who was 7, and Haley who was 8, were thrilled but my 5-year-old daughter, Annie, was the most thrilled. She knew that Christmas meant holiday lights and huge Christmas trees and that baby Jesus would be born - and this year she was intent in seeing baby Jesus in the manger in the stable.

As a family we went to church in mid-December and Annie saw the nativity scene on the altar but there was no baby Jesus, she said. Asking where he was, I explained that he was born on Christmas Day so that’s when he’s placed in the manger. Not before then. It symbolizes the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Mary was his mother and Joseph, his father. The three wise men were there and lots of animals were in the stable.

Jesus was born in the days of King Herod and the three wise men from the east went to Jerusalem to visit, saying, “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.” They offered gifts to him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Her given name at birth was Annie Noelle so she always got doubly excited about Christmas. She’d asked why we chose “Noelle” and I said that it was from an old French word “noël” meaning “Christmas.” She’d been born in early December so Frank and I liked it. Asking if she would hear “The First Noel” sung at church, I laughed and said I wasn’t sure because at Christmastime people sing lots of different songs. Annie knew that but she still wanted

to hear her special song. Assuring her that I would play it at home, Annie was happy enough.

As a kindergartner, Annie heard stories at school about Christmas. Her homeroom teacher read the class the stories “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Annie loved hearing those two stories - seeing how Rudolph used his red nose to light the way for Santa’s team of reindeer and his sleigh plus hearing Clement Moore’s story of St. Nicholas hard at work dropping off presents - but her favorite that year was “The Fir-Tree” by Hans Christian Andersen. The little Fir-tree had plenty of sun and fresh air but it wanted very much to be a grown-up tree.

On Christmas Eve in Quebec, the snowflakes began to fall, lightly at first, then harder. As New Yorkers we knew all about snow but seeing it coming down in Quebec was magical. Frank had been to Quebec several times but I hadn’t so he acted as tour guide. Bundling up in our winter coats and hats, our first stop that day was at the Chateau Frontenac, a historic hotel built in the late 1800s and visited by many kings, queens and U.S. presidents including Theodore Roosevelt. It sits atop a hill and guests have a beautiful view of the St. Lawrence River.

We walked along the cobblestone streets and went from shop to shop stopping at various bakeries. The croissants, muffins and pastries, freshly baked, were delicious. We took several pastries with us to eat later.

Going to a recommended coffee cafe, I ordered a hot latte and Frank tried the cappuccino. Both hit the spot. Exploring a quaint city like Quebec was delightful especially when it was decorated for Christmas. There was lots of walking but it was well worth it.

Our next stop was the Basilica of Notre-Dame. The cathedral-basilica, a massive neoclassical structure that

opened in 1843, was built on the site of the first chapel constructed by Samuel de Champlain in 1633. After the first building burned down, the Jesuits built another church in 1647 this time in stone. The oldest components of the basilica date back to this period.

Frank had told me about it before but seeing it in person was breathtaking. The five of us admired the architecture from the outside then went inside to reflect and pray. Annie desperately wanted to see the nativity scene, to see baby Jesus in his manger on the altar but we reminded her that it wasn’t Christmas Day yet. Just as when we were back home in New York, we’d gone to church the prior week and Annie saw the creche but no baby Jesus. On December 25 he would be placed in the manger.

Annie told me later that she was wound up on Christmas Eve and had trouble falling asleep but she’d finally fallen asleep dreaming of sugarplums and angels in the night and the presents that Santa Claus and his helpers might drop off for the holiday.

On Christmas morning we awakened to numerous gifts under the artificial

Christmas tree we had in our hotel room. Our tree wasn’t even half the size of the one at home but that was fine, enjoying Christmas Day as a family in Quebec was fantastic.

After opening our gifts and cleaning up, we all went for a walk and wouldn’t you know it, several carolers stood outside singing “The First Noel.” Joining in, I could see how excited Annie Noelle was to hear “her song,” a most traditional Christmas song, which starts like this:

“The First Noel, the Angels did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay In fields where they lay keeping their sheep

On a cold winter’s night that was so deep

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel

Born is the King of Israel! Noel, Noel …”

Merry Christmas to all! I wish you Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy and Healthy New Year! This is fiction.

Vets Being Misled by Internet Come-ons

BY TOM MARGENAU

Not a week goes by when I don’t get emails from veterans who have been led to believe that they are missing out on some extra Social Security benefits allegedly payable to people who served in the military. Here is a very typical example of such an email.

“I read on the internet that as a veteran, I should be getting an extra $120 per month added to my Social Security check. They said all I have to do is take my DD214 (military discharge papers) down to my local Social Security office and they will start paying me the extra money. I tried to do that, but nothing happened. What can you tell me about this?”

As is so often the case with these misleading internet come-ons, there is a tiny kernel of truth to the story. But then exaggerated claims and false information take over and things get blown way out of proportion.

Here are the facts in a nutshell: If you were in the military anytime up until 2001, the government may add a small amount of additional earnings to your Social Security record. And note that I am NOT talking about extra money added to your Social Security check. These are simply extra earnings incorporated into your Social Security earnings record -- the earnings record upon which your Social Security monthly benefit is based.

So, the good news is you get these extra earnings put on your Social Security account. But the bad new is these extra credits are relatively minimal and usually will have little or no effect on the eventual amount of your Social Security check.

And you also need to know that these extra earnings are automatically added to your Social Security account. There is nothing you need to do to get the extra credits.

Now let’s back up and give a little more information about military service and Social Security. If you served on active duty or active-duty training in the military service any time after 1956, you paid Social Security taxes on your earnings just like anyone else working at a job covered by Social Security. And since 1988, inactive duty in the armed forces reserves, such as weekend drills, has also been covered by Social Security. That’s the simple part.

What leads to all the confusion is that Congress decided to add extra earnings credits to the Social Security records of military personnel. And the amount of those credits varies depending on the time served.

If you were in the military between 1957 and 1977, the government adds $300 to your Social Security records for each calendar quarter in which you received active-duty basic pay.

From 1978 through 2001, the government adds an extra $100 to your Social Security account for each $300 you

earned in basic pay, up to a maximum of $1,200 per year. There are times when these extra credits aren’t granted. For example, if you enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980, and didn’t complete your full tour of duty, you won’t get the extra credits. Check with the Social Security Administration for more exceptions.

Beginning in 2002, the government stopped adding extra credits to Social Security records for military service.

As I said above, if you are due extra credits, you usually don’t need to do anything to get them added to your record. If you served from 1968 through 2001, those credits are automatically added to your Social Security account. If you served from 1957 through 1967, the credits will be added at the time you file for benefits. In some cases, you may be asked to provide your DD-214 (discharge papers) to verify your military service.

The story is a little different for older vets reading this. If you served in the armed forces between 1940 and 1956, Social Security taxes were not deducted from your military paychecks. But in most cases, the government did add $160 per month in earnings to your Social Security account for the time you served. These credits were automatically added at the time you applied for Social Security benefits.

So that’s the story. There are no big Social Security bonuses for vets. You don’t need to go to your Social Security office waving your DD-214 and expect to get a big pile of cash. (Although, as I pointed out above, folks who served between 1957 and 1967 may need to show their discharge papers at the time they file for benefits to get those extra earnings added to their Social Security account.)

And finally, it’s important that I repeat this message: Those extra earnings you get for your military service aren’t going to make you rich. Because Social Security retirement benefits are figured using a 35-year base of earnings, a few hundred dollars sprinkled here and there into your Social Security account will have little if any effect on your eventual Social Security benefit.

I will use the little space I have left to cover another topic related to veterans and Social Security: their possible eligibility for disability benefits.

Many former members of the military who have a physical or mental impairment get some form of disability compensation from the Veterans Administration (VA). And sometimes they think that automatically qualifies them for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. It does not.

Why? Because the VA and the SSA have different eligibility rules concerning what constitutes a disabling condition. You can get a VA disability benefit for a relatively minor impairment. This is usually expressed in terms of percent-

ages. For example, a vet might be getting a 30% VA disability.

But with the SSA, it’s essentially all or nothing. In other words, you have to be 100% disabled to qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

And even if you have a 100% VA disability, that still doesn’t mean you will automatically get benefits from the SSA. And again, that’s because the VA and the SSA have different rules. I don’t really know VA rules. But I do know that SSA rules say that your 100% disability must be so severe that it prevents you

from doing ANY kind of work that you might be able to perform, or it must be a terminal illness. That’s a fairly strict definition of disability. So, vets should just realize that even though the VA says you are disabled, that doesn’t necessarily mean the SSA will agree.

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 www.creators.com/books. Or look for it on Amazon or other book outlets.

COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS.COM

REAL ESTATE WATCH

What are your determining factors in hiring a Realtor?

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

People many times get enamored with the size of a company as a pre-requisite to consider hiring an agent. Then others will check the reviews and testimonials. Then there are times when one will hire a friend to sell the most valuable asset they own. Knowledge, the number of years in the business and experience should be the most critical and overriding factor over the size of a company as a determining factor.

Even when checking reviews and testimonials, look for words that are used to describe their experience with the broker, such as their expertise, knowledge, accuracy of information, smoothness of process, minimizing the stress of the transaction that the agent provided. Also, would they use them again? The review in and of itself is extremely crucial for current and future business. However, the words used to describe how the broker assisted in the sale are crucial to be able to describe how smart and knowledgeable the Broker was when assisting the seller(s) and/or purchasers(s) and even renter(s).

Today, real estate transactions are a very complicated stressful process if it is not handled properly. It is no longer a cake walk to the closing and the bank. One really has to know what they are doing, have the perception, learning and reasoning and a strong foundation of the process in order to earn a commission. Knowing staging, construction and be a creative “idea person” and problem solver to provide alternatives and solutions to issues that come up during the transaction is a must. Also, being an excellent listener and also learning, absorbing, practicing and applying one’s knowledge

becomes tantamount in providing the necessary and required expertise to service today’s clients in the fashion that they need, want and expect.

Some may forget the amount of money being spent and take for granted what is involved in a transaction, whether selling, investing, purchasing, even for a renter just starting out with their first move out of their parents home.

Guiding consumers through sometimes the tricky process requires the expertise of a full time seasoned professional. Today, the knowledge, patience and fortitude to stick with a client in finding a home, with the right style, interior accouterments, location, school district, etc. is part and parcel of performing our job well.

However, one’s expertise, being transparent and upfront will go a long way in educating their clients as to what is realistic or not in their search. There should always be discussions about determining what the most important items that a buyer needs based strictly on their budgets. Sometimes their “wants” are what we might call, “champagne tastes and beer pockets.” However, every once in a while, we’re able to find one of those “wants” in a home purchase. However, our job is to guide our clients to become more realistic in their outlook and search and recognize that trade-offs are absolutely necessary if they want to find a home. It may not be the only home that they will purchase in their lifetime, so it’s important to convey this fact so they can become more cognizant as to what

BY CHARLYN FARGO

Oh, that holiday weight gain -- does it have to happen? Too many portions, constant nibbling, high-calorie recipes and inactivity can derail us quickly. A piece of pumpkin pie has 350 calories; a cup of mashed potatoes adds another 257; a 6-ounce serving of wine is 120 calories; 1 cup of stuffing, 350; a half-cup of cranberry sauce, 220; and an 8-ounce serving of turkey can have 480 calories. Calories for a single meal can tip the scales at almost 2,000 calories.

I’ve put together some tips to help you ditch the weight-gain worries with some strategies for holiday eating and smart swaps.

will be feasible on their “wish list”.

Competition for the limited number of homes currently available is still strong, until the snow and severe weather hits and potentially slows the number of buyers looking.

But what’s extremely crucial and should be focused on is to be able to lock in a low interest rate, to keep their monthly cost as low as possible. Better to be in a homeownership position than to continue to stay in a rental providing their landlord all the benefits. My thought is that timing always equals luck and there are times you can be in the right place at the right time to enable that to occur.

Proper research, marketing, following up and staying in touch with current and prior clients and connections can assist in becoming lucky in finding that one home that your client will consider. To become an expert requires years of study, training, trial and error, being disciplined in one’s actions and sacrificing time in order to attain a position to assist consumers in their search for their most valuable possession that they will own in their lifetime. It is not a simple undertaking and the majority drop out of the business as they are not equipped to do whatever is takes to survive and thrive to earn a living. So when hiring a Broker or agent observe their motivation, experience and knowledge. Go through an interview process as if your future wealth depended on it so you feel most comfortable that the fit is beneficial and that you have hired the most qualified individual to represent you wheth-

NUTRITION NEWS

Tipping the Scales

No. 1: Don’t skip breakfast before the big meal. It may seem like a smart thing to “save” breakfast calories, but research has shown that it’s likely to backfire and cause you to overeat later in the day. Choose a healthy, fiber-rich breakfast like oatmeal topped with blueberries or an egg-in-a-cup with plenty of veggies that you can pop in the microwave for a minute.

No. 2: If you’re going to graze before the big meal, choose more fruits and veggies and fewer cheese balls. You’re going to eat later, so this is the time to choose carefully and practice mindful eating.

No. 3: For the main meal, slow down. It can take roughly 20 minutes for diges-

er selling, investing, or purchasing.

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 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.

tive hormones to let the brain know that the stomach is full. Give your body time to register how much you’ve eaten.

No. 4: Swap the pecan pie for pumpkin and save calories and sugar. Choose white meat over dark and remove the skin; go for the whole-wheat dinner roll to boost fiber. You can also flavor the sweet potatoes with apple juice and cinnamon or whip the mashed potatoes with skim milk and roasted garlic.

No. 5: A typical Christmas meal is going to include plenty of starchy dishes, which can cause a sudden spike in blood sugar as carbohydrates are converted into glucose. You can slow that process down by including non-starchy dishes such as green beans, roasted vegetables

and salads. Fiber slows down digestion, which keeps blood sugar from spiking.

No. 6: Limit alcohol -- have a glass of water in between. Alcohol stimulates the part of the brain that regulates hunger, which can cause you to feel hungry when you normally wouldn’t. It can also decrease blood sugar levels temporarily. Many alcoholic drinks are higher in calories with little nutritional value, so sip in moderation.

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

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

You Have To Be Thick Not To Get This

“How do you like the new tortilla chips?” I asked my husband as he chomped on a new tortilla chip while we watched TV.

“I like them,” he said. “They’re thinner than the other ones you’ve gotten.”

“Actually, they’re thicker,” I said. “It’s the same company that makes the thin ones you like, but now they make a thicker version.”

“These (SET ITAL) are (END ITAL) thinner,” he said.

“No, they’re thicker than the thinner ones.”

“You’re telling me these are the thicker ones?”

“Yes, they are less thin.”

“They seem pretty thin.”

“Maybe, but they’re thicker.”

“What about that other brand I like?”

“Those are a bit thinner than the thicker version of the thin ones you’re eating.”

“So, these thick ones are thicker-er than the other thick ones?”

“Yes.”

“And why did you get these thick ones instead of the other thick ones?”

“These are also stronger.”

“These thick ones are stronger than the other thick ones?”

“Yes.”

“And that is important why?”

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of December 12-18, 2021

Few things in nature are more stunning to watch than an immense and orange full moon rising over the horizon. View this amazing sight just once and you’ll surely ask the same question as every other moon gazer: “Why does the moon appear so large and red when it’s rising?”

A simple question; unfortunately, the answer is not so simple.

First off, the moon’s orange color originates from the atmosphere around us. This dust-filled air scatters the bluish light from the moon’s spectrum and leaves only warmer colors such as yellow, orange and red to shine through. The more particulate matter (such as dust, smog or volcanic ash) in the air, the redder the moon will appear.

The seemingly immense size of the rising moon, however, is another matter altogether. Many believe the atmosphere acts like a lens and magnifies the moon’s appearance, but this is just as wrong now as it was when Ptolemy suggested it 20 centuries ago.

This striking phenomenon is known as the “moon illusion” and is created not by the moon or atmosphere but occurs because our brains are fooled by the terrain over which the moon appears.

To demonstrate this for yourself,

“They hold up better in salsa.”

“Which salsa do we have?”

“The chunkier one.”

“Chunkier than what?”

“The less chunky one.”

“And why do we want the chunkier one?”

“It sits on the tortilla chips better.”

“The thicker tortilla chips.”

“Of course.”

“So, let me get this straight. The thick version of the thin tortilla chips that we like, which are thicker than the other thick tortilla chips, are also stronger, so they’ll hold up better in the chunkier salsa, which sits better on the thick tortilla chips than the less chunky

Big Moon A-Risin’

make a loose fist and hold it up to your eye and look at the rising (large) moon through it, using your fist to block out all but the moon itself. The moon will appear to shrink. For an even more startling demonstration, blink your eyes back and forth, looking through--and then around--your loose fist, and watch as the moon grows and shrinks.

I think you’ll agree that it’s quite a powerful effect, but why do we see the illusion, but a camera doesn’t? It may have to do with the conditioning our brains have experienced from the time that humans began their time on Earth.

We’ve come to know that a rigid body appearing near the horizon generally lies farther from us than one not near the horizon, and the brain expects its image on the retina to be smaller as a result. As the moon is not significantly farther near the horizon, its image does not appear smaller. So, the brain reasons that if this “more distant” moon does not produce a smaller image on the retina, it must have somehow swollen in size. And that’s just how it forces us to see it!

Try the experiments above to remove the horizon from view and the brain is no longer confused.

If this concept makes your head spin, you’re not alone. Scientists have been debating this for centuries. Look up the “Ponzo illusion” online, and you’ll see a similar illusion involving railroad tracks.

Whatever the actual cause of the moon illusion, the rising full moon never disappoints, and Saturday, Dec. 18 will be no exception. To see it at its best, remember that the full moon rises around the same time -- and in the opposite direction -- as the sun sets. That means that on that day you can watch

salsa.”

“Exactly.”

“And if I don’t want salsa?”

“Then you can eat any tortilla chip that you choose.”

“You know what? I think I’m going to switch to potato chips.”

“Do you want the ones that are saltier or less salty?”

Tracy Beckerman is the author of the Amazon Bestseller, “Barking at the Moon: A Story of Life, Love, and Kibble,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online! You can visit her at www. tracybeckerman.com.

COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS.COM

If you have a low horizon and a clear sky, you’ll definitely be amazed!

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.

COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS.COM

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Spanish Teacher (7-12)

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Antiques-Furniture-Jewelry-Silver-Mirrors-LampsArtwork

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Immediate Cash Paid

Please call Chery at 718-306-3017

30 years experience.

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I have years of experience with Dementia/Diabetes. You name it, I've seen it all. Very hardworking, reliable. Caring & honest woman in need of job. Have my own car. Please call: 646-575-8217 Place an ad for anything you need

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. (D.A.C.)

Mon-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

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!

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

TAG SALE

CATHEDRAL GARDENS

INVITED ESTATE SALES BY TRACY JORDAN

Tuesday, December 21, 2021 9:30 a.m.

86 St. Paul’s Place Cathedral Gardens, NY 11550

Tons of collectibles, furniture, clothing, kitchen items, TVs, household items and more....... Visit www.invitedsales.com for pictures & details!! Masks will be required due to the new mandate and for your safety.

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOS WANTED

***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS

$Highest$ Ca$h Paid$ All Years /Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct Ca$h. DMV 10#1303199 Call LUKE 516-VAN-CARS 516297-2277

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

APARTMENT FOR RENT

APARTMENTS FOR RENT MINEOLA in 2 Family house on Roslyn Rd 1st Floor Apartment: 2 BR, Washer & Dryer Finshed Basement Backyard, Parking $2850/month 2nd Floor Apartment: 2 Br, Parking $2250/month ***

Close to Winthrop Hospital, LIRR, Restaurants

Utilities are separately metered. NO FEES! Contact Michael: 516-510-9666

GARDEN CITY BORDER APARTMENTS

NO BROKER FEE. Huge, bright 1Br, 1 bath apt. $1,685 + electric. Gated parking. Laundry room, air conditioning, hardwood floors, Near LIRR. www.gcbapts.com Voice or text: 516-524-6965

REAL ESTATE WANTED

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SUMMER 2022 RENTAL WANTED HOUSE OR APARTMENT Retired Garden City couple looking for summer rental in Garden City, Rockville Centre, W. Hempstead or surrounding areas.

July, August and September. Please call Martha: 516-697-6694

SERVICES

FAMILY RECOVERY SERVICES

I am a long time resident of Garden City and understand the complexities of ADDICTION & MENTAL HEALTH.

I am available to GUIDE families find the MOST COST EFFECTIVE & COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT PLAN for a loved one.

I will Bridge the Gap between a Family ravaged by Alcoholism, Drug Addiction and/or Mental Health AND Life Long Recovery.

HELP IS HERE NOW!

Please call me for a confidential consultation. 954-5408441

Kim Koslow, LMHC, MCAP, CTT

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Reliable Resource

“It was in my heart to help a little because I was helped much” Kahill Gibran

JACK’S CUSTOM FRAMING

We can frame anything! Quality Care & Workmanship

Thousands of frames to choose from!!

Over 30 years in business!

92 Covert Ave, Stewart Manor 516-775-9495

WE HAVE THE HELP YOU NEED

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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

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Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off and 0% financing for those who qualify. PLUS Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-877-763-2379

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THE GENERAC PWRcell

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Flat TVs mounted, Phone, TVs & Computer wiring installed & serviced, camera & stereos, HDTV Antennas FREE TV www.davewireman.com 516-433-WIRE (9473 631-667-WIRE (9473) or TEXT 516-353-1118

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We are looking for writers in our community to compose news articles on local topics, opinions, reviews, worthy places to visit on Long Island, and even fiction. We aim to feature at least one new article and writer each week in our Discovery magazine section.

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Each week Litmor Publications publishes the ads of providers in our Classifieds, Professional Guide and Service Directory. A 6 week agreement brings your specialty or service to the attention of the community in a public service format.

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Students help preserve history at local museum

Students from several

Tyler Johnson (Baldwin UFSD), Tyler Sparke (Bethpage UFSD), Museum Volunteer Frank Rauch, and Ethan Jimenez (Valley Stream CHSD) are working on getting the multiple bomb rack (MBR), which was used on the A6A Avenger, ready for repainting and refurbishing.

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S H O P L O C A L . S H O P S A F E .

- T H I S H O L I D A Y S E A S O N -

During this season of gratitude, we are thankful for an amazing year and our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our progress possible. Best wishes for a Happy Holiday. May joy and hope be with you throughout the New Year.

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