Mid-Island Times (6/11/21)

SERVING PLAINVIEW, HICKSVILLE,

AND

LEVIT TOWN

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY

Hempstead Town Councilman Dennis Dunne, Sr. and Town Clerk Kate Murray attended the Levittown Memorial Day Parade on May 31, which stepped off at Island Trees Middle School and concluded with a ceremony at Veterans Park in Levittown. Also attending were members of the Fuentes family, representing Spc. Daniel Fuentes , an Island Trees High School student who was tragically killed while serving in Baghdad, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007; Frank Marcinek, Past Commander of Levittown American Legion Post 1711; Joseph Mondello, former United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago; Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti and New York State Assemblyman John Mikulin.

Robbery arrest in Bethpage

Nassau County Police arrested a homeless man on Tuesday, June 1 after the man allegedly tried to steal a pair of sneakers from someone who had posted them for sale on Facebook.

According to police, a male victim agreed to sell the sneakers to Alexander

Almonte, 20, through a Facebook posting. Police say that the two agreed to meet at 7-11 located on Hempstead Turnpike in Bethpage. They say that as the victim was showing Almonte the sneakers, Almonte allegedly grabbed them and ran southbound on Seitz Drive. The victim fol-

lowed and Almonte allegedly pulled out a knife and pointed it at the victim. The victim backed off and called 911.

Police arrested Almonte and charged him with two counts of robbery and a count of criminal possession of a weapon.

Bethpage Water Dist. adds additional treatment system

The Bethpage Water District (BWD) has unveiled its fourth Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) treatment system for the removal of 1,4-dioxane from drinking water at its South Park Drive facility. This AOP system, combined with the installation for Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), is the only approved method to rid the drinking water of 1,4-dioxane. In addition, GAC treatment is also effective at removing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS).

The BWD has been working at an unprecedented speed to ensure these systems were up and running without the need for a compliance deferral from New York State.

“The top priority of the Bethpage Water District is and will always be the health and safety of our residents,” said BWD Chairman John Coumatos. “This District works tirelessly to ensure our community continues to receive the highest quality water despite the herculean challenges we face with the Northrop Grumman Plume. This is a huge milestone for our community and we are proud of the four treatment systems we have been able to install in such a short period of time.”

The Bethpage Water District was the first Nassau County water provider to have operation AOP

treatment. They were also the first water provider in the world to have an approved Trojan Flex 100 AOP system, which is now the standard AOP system being used throughout Long Island. Construction of each of the District’s four AOP facilities began well before the State finalized its new maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) to regulate emerging contaminants. The District’s aggressive work to produce high quality water has made them a leader in Long Island’s battle to address emerging contaminants.

“Actions always speak louder than words. The completion of this fourth AOP system is an additional measure to support our fight to reverse the false narrative surrounding the quality of the Bethpage community’s water,” said BWD Commissioner Theresa Black. “As bad actors continue to kick the can down the road in addressing the plume or others try to instill fear in our residents to leverage the situation for their own profits, we have never wavered in our obligation to ensure our residents receive water that is of the highest quality. Our residents can rest assured that our water quality meets or surpasses all federal, state and local guidelines and stands up against any water provider in the region.”

Protect first responders

To the Editor:

My name is Joshua Lafazan, and I serve as Nassau County Legislator representing the 18th District.

I'm proud to announce that I have filed the "First Responder Protection Package", comprised of two bills which I sponsored that will increase protections for law enforcement officers here in Nassau County.

The first bill establishes Nassau County's first-ever “Blue Alert” system.

Modeled after the "Amber Alert" system, the “Blue Alert” system will establish an emergency communication protocol to alert the public of critical information regarding an individual who either seriously injures or kills a cop.

Violence against police officers is at staggering levels. Statistics show that here have been 56,034 assaults against law enforcement officers in 2019, resulting in 17,188 injuries. And more than 700 federal, state and local law enforcement officers have sustained injuries on the job during nationwide protests in 2020.

This bill, using geo-location to send notifications to all cell phones in Nassau County, as well as utilizing mass communication platforms like television and radio, empowers the Police Commissioner to send out a “Blue

Alert” to seek the public's help in apprehending a suspect who targets a police officer and has fled the scene.

This bill was first sponsored by Assemblyman Steve Stern up in Albany, but has stalled in the State Capitol. So my hope in the mean time is to pass this bill in Nassau and then in Suffolk, creating a Long Island-wide "Blue Alert System" from Montauk to Great Neck.

The second bill amends Nassau County's Human Rights Law to include law enforcement officers as a protected class.

The recent widespread pattern of physical attacks and intimidation directed at the police has undermined the rule of law and put all our civil liberties in danger.

Across the nation, we watched in disbelief as citizens assaulted cops on city streets during their course of duty. From metal bats, to fire extinguishers, to molotov cocktails, to driven vehicles and more, law enforcement officers sent to respond to mass chaos and unrest were the subjects of viscous and wanton attacks.

As Legislators we have determined that there is an urgent need to enhance the legal protections afforded to our law enforcement personnel and other first responders under the Human Rights

Law, in order to encourage them in their crucial service to the community, to make them whole in the face of injury suffered at the hands of rioters and other individuals bent on lawless behavior, and to deter and punish such destructive behavior in order to protect the human rights of all people.

Therefore this law sets in stone that it shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice to harass, menace, assault or injure an individual due to such individual’s status as a first responder, and that those who violate this provision will be subject to a substantial civil penalty and as well as civil liability to the first responder.

Where such a first responder is in uniform, or is otherwise clearly identified as a first responder, there is an irrebuttable presumption that such harassment, menacing, assault or injury is motivated by such individual’s status as a first responder.

And because organized mob violence undermines the foundations of

law, democracy and ordered liberty, such damages are trebled when the first responder is injured in the course of a riot. Violators will also subject to punitive damages as a further deterrence and to injunctive relief to prevent future targeting of law enforcement personnel and other first responders.

Nassau County was just ranked as the safest county as America. This safety remains in jeopardy so long as those who are sworn to protect us aren't protected themselves.

There is no justification for violence against law enforcement officers. And these bills will add further protections in law to protect Nassau County's finest, as they protect us.

Thank you to all of our members in law enforcement for their service, and thank you for keeping us safe.

Joshua A. Lafazan Nassau County Legislator, District 18

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

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Syosset man convicted of killing mother, wounding father

Ian Kazer, 31, of Syosset was convicted of manslaughter in the first degree and attempted murder in the second degree for attacking his parents in 2019 in their home.

According to an indictment by the Nassau County District Attorney's office, on March 20, 2019, Ian Kazer began stealing from his job at a local Target store. The district attorney said he used stolen gift cards to send electronics — including a television — to his home. On March 20, Kazer was fired from his job and given a desk appearance ticket for stealing more than $2,500 from his work place.

The indictment said Kazer originally told his parents that he had won a $500 gift card from work, but later told them the truth and admitted he was fired and was given a criminal summons. The family had an argument, agreed to return the items, and hire a lawyer. The son returned to playing video games.

According to the indictment, that

evening, Ian’s father left the home to get pizza for dinner. While he was away, Ian approached his mother at the kitchen table and stabbed her 47 times — in the head, throat, chest and hands. Kazer then took off his bloodied clothes and covered his mother’s body with a blanket, the indictment said.

When his father returned home, Ian allegedly attacked him with a knife — stabbing him in the chest. The father was able to wrestle the knife away from Ian and he fled the scene in only his underwear, according to the indictment. Ian was found by police approximately a mile from the house and placed under arrest.

The bench trial was conducted by State Supreme Court Judge Angelo Deligatti, who found Kazer guilty of manslaughter, attempted murder, assault and grand larceny. He faces a potential maximum sentence of 51⅓ to 54 years in prison. He is expected to be sentenced on July 19.

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Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call our Garden City office at 516-294-8900 for more information.

Town honors hockey coaching staff

Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino recently recognized the coaching staff of the Town of Oyster Bay Youth Ice Hockey Program as Employees of the Month for the month of May. The coaches were recognized for their distinguished record of excellence and for demonstrating a selfless commitment to Town residents. This season saw a record number of players in the Town’s hockey program, with over 500 players participating in Town leagues and clinics. All coaches were thanked and acknowledged for their pride in their jobs, and for going the extra mile to meet the needs of participants.

Virtual event speakers share their pandemic stories

BY GARY SIMEONE

It was in late April when a group of panelists came together through an online virtual event to share their stories of how they each dealt with the pandemic. The event was entitled “Stories of Hope,” and it was sponsored by the YES Community Counseling Center in Massapequa.

Adrienne LoPresti, executive director of the YES CCC, helped to organize the event, which included a variety of panelists such as local business owners, hospital staff and a recovering addict.

“They each shared their tales of how they were able to pull themselves out of some of their darkest moments during the pandemic and find the strength and resolve to carry on,” said LoPresti.

The panelists included Mike

Levy, owner of Minuteman Press in Levittown, Renata Shillizzi and Dhalia Puri, nurses at Cohen’s Children’s Hospital, and Tricia Ragusa, a single parent of four and recovering addict.

“They spoke about how they were able to cope during the pandemic and focus on what they could control in their lives,” said LoPresti. “I think the biggest thing that came across was how each of them were able to help others in need at a time when they were dealing with great stress.”

Levy, who owns Minuteman Press and is Levittown Chamber of Commerce president, did his part by producing face shields at his printshop for hospital workers at a time when personal protective equipment was at a premium.

Shillizzi and Puri, two registered

nurses at Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center, helped with food donations and comforted COVID patients in the ICU units of the hospital.

“Renata, who previously went through a tragedy of her own, losing both her mother and daughter two years earlier, helped provide emotional comfort and prayed with patients who were in the hospital,” said LoPresti. “She knew even though she could not help every patient recover from COVID, she was able to pray with them in their native language to provide support that their family members weren’t able to because of restrictions.”

Puri volunteered in her off hours to work in the COVID unit, and organized food donations to medical staff who were working around the clock in the heart of the pandemic earlier

this year.

Ragusa, a Massapequa Park resident and single parent of four children, was helping her children with remote learning and other recovering addicts abstain from substance abuse.

“She was going through a lot at the time helping her children with the difficulties of remote learning while trying to maintain her sobriety and the sobriety of other recovering addicts,” said LoPresti. “This wasn’t really a tale about COVID itself, but rather four individuals who gave of themselves during an extremely stressful time, and sprang into action to give back to others.”

A similar virtual event was scheduled earlier this month by the Town of Oyster Bay, but was cancelled due to lack of participants.

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Levittown Council honors three outstanding students

First place winner Julianna Ryley’s family (left to right), dad Tim, mom Lisa and sister Teresa, are pictured with Julianna (second from left).

Levittown and Island Trees middle school students were recently honored as Junior Volunteers of the Year by the Levittown Community Council. First place winner was Julianna Ryley, who attends Wisdom Lane Middle School. Runners up were Meaghan Campbell, a student at Jonas E. Salk Middle School and Julia Soto, who attends Island Trees Memorial Middle School.

Ryley, an eighth-grader, was cited for her work with local organizations including Levittown Kiwanis Builders Club, Levittown Library monthly book reviews, Levittown Community Action Coalition’s educational substance use prevention forums and Levittown Community Council’s Earth Day cleanup. Her self-initiated project of making red, white and blue military hats for soldiers was a big success and her book collection project resulted in making a library in a children’s hospital in Queens, NY. As a Girl Scout and an officer of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), she he has worked with many area organizations including Long Island Cares, Pet Pantry, Forgotten Friends, Last Hope Shelter, Book Fairies and Island Harvest.

Julianna was sponsored for the Junior Volunteer award by Levittown School District social worker JoAnn Medina, who wrote: “Julianna is dedicated, caring and focused when it comes to creativity, ideas, volunteering; making positive differences in others’ lies…. she has a generous, kind heart.”

Meaghan Campbell (center), a student at Jonas E. Salk Middle School, with her family (left to right): her father Michael, mother Jen, siblings Cara and Ben, andgrandmother Debbie Prudente, and Council President Pat Patane.

“Meaghan is very responsible and always willing to lend a helping hand,” wrote Builders Club advisor Kim Welsch about runner-up Meaghan Campbell, a seventh grader at Salk Middle School. Meaghan, a peer tutor, has held the positions of secretary and president of the Builders Club, participated in beach clean ups, organized a food drive and coat drive for local people in need and a Winter Jamboree raising money for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Meaghan served as seventh-grade representative for round table discussion on school-wide issues and for the character education program. She has donated her hair to help create a wig for a person with cancer, and participated in a DVD collection and project making cards for soldiers overseas and children in hospitals with cancer. In addition, in a recruitment effort, Meaghan brought in 20 new members to the Builders Club last year.

Community Council Board of Directors joined student Julia Soto and her family. Pictured (left to right) are Council 1st VP Louise Cassano, Membership Chair Mauro Cassano, grandparents, Miguel and Rosa, and dad Christian, brother Owen, grandfather Joseph McHale, Julia Soto, mom Kelly, Council President Pat Patane, grandmother Christine McHale, Council Treasurer Ginny Isola, 2nd VP Lowell Wolf and Director Tom Kohlman.

Island Trees seventh grade student Julia Soto was sponsored by Island Trees Middle School Principal Daniel Keegan, who wrote: “Julia navigates many social circles with great dexterity and care. She seems to be a friend to all and demonstrates kindness and respect toward all.” A Girl Scout, Drama Club members, softball and soccer player, Julia baked, cooked and sold fresh cinnamon honey butter treats as a fundraiser with all proceeds going to Smile Train, an organization that helps children with cleft care and treatment.

Julia has also worked diligently to organize and promote a holiday card and letter writing campaign to recognize the work of and honor front line workers in a Holidays for Heroes campaign.

Keegan wrote, “I have no doubt that Julia Soto will continue to leave a strong and powerful mark on the Levittown community and beyond.”

The first place winner received a monetary award from Sterling Bank, which was presented by manager Christine Sweeney.  Other winners received monetary awards donated by Levittown VFW Post 9592,

presented by Commander Peter Stasinski and Hicksville Elks presented by Steven Stubbs. New York State Senator Kevin Thomas presented the honorees with a certificate and each of the students were each presented with certificates by local legislators.

The Community Council’s certificate commended the winners on their volunteer work and stated, “Your efforts and acts of kindness are an example of the spirit the Levittown Community Council wishes to encourage in residents and those who have a stake in our community.”

3 POB seniors named winners in Natl. Merit competition

Three seniors at Plainview - Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School were recently selected to receive $2500 scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Elijah Blum, Ishaan Jhawar, and Brian I. Lee received the awards based on their exemplary scores on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

Elijah Blum, POBJFKHS Class of 2021 salutatorian, is graduating with a cumulative GPA of 102.699. Elijah is currently a researcher at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory through the Partners for the Future program and formerly served as a NYBG Pfizer Laboratory research assistant. Elijah is also a selectee for the AllEastern Honors Band, as well as the All-State Band. He will be attending Cornell University in the fall where he plans to study biological sciences, mathematics, and computer science.

Ishaan Jhawar is being offered the National Merit Northeastern University Scholarship, a college-sponsored Merit Scholarship award for use at a participating institution. Ishaan is a clarinet player in the school’s band and marching band and holds a cumulative GPA of 99.32. Throughout his high school

years, Ishaan has taken a wide variety of AP courses (10 in total) across all disciplines. Ishaan’s academic and career focus is in the STEM field, and he hopes to become an engineer. Ishaan will be attending Northeastern University in the fall to study mechanical engineering.

Brian Lee, who is also a U.S. Presidential Scholarship Candidate this year, has achieved a GPA of 101.5 and is currently engaged in research to prepare for medical school. Brian is a talented musician playing both the violin and piano and was selected to play in the All-County Orchestra

for three years, and more recently, the All-State Orchestra. He is a valuable member of the high school’s Model UN club, having held various leadership positions and organized a fundraising concert for the American Cancer Society-Asian Initiatives.

Town renames street for Charles Wang Town to host blood drive on June 21

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Saladino, Town Councilwoman Vicki Walsh, and Town Clerk Rich LaMarca joined with Beechwood Homes CEO Michael Dubb, Islanders owner John Ledecky, and the family of Charles Wang for a ceremonial renaming of a street in his honor in Plainview. The street, which is the entranceway to the Country Pointe development built on land formerly owned by Charles Wang, was unveiled with a ceremonial street sign that recognized Charles for his charitable work and dedication to the local community.

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 .

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

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Hicksville HS announces valedictorian, salutatorian

Hicksville High School is has announced Navpreet Singh as the Class of 2021 valedictorian and Cailin Hoang as the salutatorian.

Singh is an accomplished member of the Hicksville High School community and has received many recognitions due to his academic excellence. Throughout his time as a high school student, Singh took 12 Advanced Placement (AP) classes. He was named a National AP Scholar, a Questbridge College Prep Scholar and received the AP Capstone Diploma in 2020. Most recently, Singh was announced as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist and a Questbridge National College Match Finalist. His involvement in the English Honor Society, Math Honor Society, National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society are testaments to his academic achievements.

Additionally, Singh dedicates his time to many clubs in the district. Since seventh grade, Singh has been involved in the Science Olympiad club, earning a total of 17 medals, including one state medal. He currently serves as the president of the club. Since ninth grade, Singh has been an active member of the Robotics Team. During his sophomore year, he had the opportunity to travel to Detroit and compete in the World Championships. Singh also serves as an officer for the Model United Nations club. Along with extracurricular clubs, Singh plays the tenor saxophone in the Jazz Band and Marching Band and is a studentathlete on the Varsity Tennis team. This fall, Singh plans on attending the Massachusetts Institute of

Town, community commemorates Memorial Day

Technology.

Hoang is a well-rounded student, involved in many extracurricular activities. During her time at Hicksville High School, she took 11 AP courses. Her academic performance led to her involvement in many honor societies including, National Honor Society, Social Studies Honor Society, Math Honor Society, English Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society. She is also the president of the Science Honor Society, encouraging her peers to engage in a scientific community.

Throughout her five years as a member of the Science Olympiad club, Hoang has received 11 medals and was named an officer in 11th and 12th grade. In the arts, Hoang is a stand-out student. She serves as public relations officer of the Art Honor Society. At the High School’s Empty Bowls fundraiser, Hoang uses her talent to create artwork for sale that raises money for a local food pantry. Additionally, she is a violinist in the String Ensemble and a section leader of the Marching Band.

Outside of school, Hoang dedicates her time to help the community. She is an employee and volunteer with the Nassau County Office of Asian American Affairs, helping to bridge the gap between Asian minorities and the local government. She volunteered with the Nassau University Medical Center in 2018 and with the Buddy Break Organization from 2018-2019, watching over children with disabilities while their parents were busy. This fall, Hoang plans to attend Yale University.

Photos courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino joined with local elected officials and veterans in commemorating Memorial Day at the Bethpage Memorial Day parade. Together, they

honored the brave men and women in our United States Armed Forces who made the supreme sacrifice for our freedom, democracy and way of life.

Michael Kaplan of Jericho was among the graduates at the University of Alabama during commencement ceremonies on April 30–May 2.

Kaplan received a Bachelor of Science in commerce & business administration.

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Among the students named to the Dean’s List at York College of Pennsylvania for the Spring 2021 semester were the following local residents:

Melanie Barroca of Levittown, a sophomore nursing major

Joseph Ricciardi of Levittown, a senior criminology and criminal justice major

Hannah Vogt of Levittown, a senior criminology and criminal justice major

Ryan Hargrave of Syosset, a sophomore graphic design major

Michael Barsch of Levittown received a Bachelor of Arts degree from College of the Holy Cross.

Barsch is among 748 bachelor of arts degree candidates Holy Cross celebrated at its 175th Commencement held in person on Friday, May 21 on the College’s Fitton Field.

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Jessica Morandi of Levittown received a Master of Business Administration degree in digital design and media art during commencement ceremonies at Wilkes University during Memorial Day weekend.

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Three local residents who attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute recently completed intensive research projects. At WPI, all undergraduates are required to complete a research-driven, professional-level project that applies science and technology to addresses an important societal need or issue.

Lanna Delaney of Bethpage, majoring in mechanical engineering, member of the Class of 2022, completed the project titled Tolerance Bag with Moscow Project Center.

Erin Gonzalez of Bethpage, majoring in industrial engineering, member of the Class of 2022, completed the project titled

College Notes

Designing an Application for Pediatric Eye Care in Armenia with Yerevan, Armenia (IQP).

Aidan Melgar, of Syosset, a member of the Class of 2022, majoring in mechanical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), was a member of a student team that recently completed an intense research project titled Night-Time Light Emission with Berlin, Germany IQP

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Several local students have been named Presidential Scholars for the Spring 2021 semester at Clarkson University. They are:

Paolo Antonio Martino of Jericho, a sophomore majoring in business studies

Tyler Scognamiglio of East Norwich, a senior majoring in civil engineering

Timothy Maxwell Elicks of Syosset, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering

Presidential Scholars must achieve a minimum 3.80 grade-point average and carry at least 14 credit hours.

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Sixty students completed New York Institute of Technology’s rigorous Internship Certificate Program during spring 2021, earning valuable hands-on experience, developing resilience in a reallife work environment, and honing other skills related to their chosen professions.

Local students included:

Mengheng Li of Plainview, who internated at ENS Security Inc.

Michael Langjahr of Levittown, who internated at Lizardos Engineering, Associates, P.C.

Mustapha Gharib of Hicksville, who internated at BBS Architects, Landscape Architects and Engineers, PC.

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Nearly 2,300 students have been named to the Spring 2021 Dean’s List at Kutztown University. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, an undergraduate student must be registered for at least 12 credits and have a minimum grade point average of 3.60.

Local students include

Zachary Robert Schmidt of Levittown

Annmarie R Zielinski of Levittown n

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania congratulated the nearly than 2,300 students who were named to the Spring 2021 Dean’s List.

A full-time student whose semester GPA is 3.5 or higher in 12 or more semester hours of course work for which a grade or grades are received are named to the Dean’s List.

Laura Lavin from Hicksville, an early child(PK–4)/deaf and hard of hearing major, was one of those named to the Dean’s List.

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Ohio Wesleyan University has invited Vincent Leonardi of Hicksville into its chapter of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society this spring.

Phi Eta Sigma recognizes first-year students who achieved a grade point average of 3.50 or better during their first semester and who also are in the upper 20 percent of their class.

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At Bryant University’s 158th Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 22, 840 graduates of the Class of 2021 and their families and guests gathered on campus to celebrate earning a Bryant degree. Jason Katz of Bethpage graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Sdministration degree in team and project management.

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For the 2020–21 academic year, 126 students were inducted into New York Institute of Technology’s chapter of Phi Eta Sigma, the nation’s oldest and largest honor society for first-year college and university students.

The following local students were among the inductees:

Yuna Cha of Jericho

Rishika Thayavally of Hicksville

Rajvee Leuva of Hicksville

Jai Kaur of Levittown

Supreet Sangha of Levittown

Abhay Arora of Hicksville

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Venkata Sai Varma Mandapati of Hicksville, majoring in data science, is one of 117 students inducted into New York Institute of Technology’s chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) for the 2020–21 academic year.

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Kelli Heffer of Bethpage is one of more than 700 Lebanon Valley College students named to the Dean’s List for the Spring 2021 semester. Dean’s List students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.4 out of 4.0.

Heffer, a graduate of Plainedge High School, is pursuing a bachelor of science in exercise science at The Valley.

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The Georgia Institute of Technology presented degrees to approximately 4,435 undergraduate and graduate students during the Institute’s 260th commencement exercises May 7–8, 2021, at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The following local students received degrees:

Nicolas Shu of Levittown - Master of Science in computer science and Master of Science in electrical and computer engineering

Charlotte Canavor of HicksvilleBachelor of Science in history, technology, and society with high honors

Daniel Lee of Old Bethpage - Bachelor of Science in computer science with highest honors

Joshua Philipose of Jericho - Master of Science in computer science

n

Kelli Heffer of Bethpage competed for the Lebanon Valley College Flying Dutchmen during a shortened exhibition season this spring. Heffer, a graduate of Plainedge High School, is pursuing a bachelor of science in exercise science at The Valley.

Heffer was a member of the volleyball team. In the shortened spring exhibition season, the volleyball team went 3-1.

Hicksville students place in Olympics of Visual Arts

Hicksville High School’s sculpture team entry placed third in the Olympics for the Visual Arts.

Hicksville High School’s drawing team entry placed second in the Olympics for Visual Arts.

Hicksville’s sculpture team was made up of nine high school students. Pictured here from left to right is Victor Parciak, Krista Biedenbach (teacher), Madilynn Winters and Adam Kaszovitz.

Two teams from Hicksville High School recently placed in the Olympics of Visual Arts sponsored by the New York State Art Teachers Association. The Hicksville drawing team placed second for the high school division and the Hicksville sculpture team placed third. Congratulations to the students on both teams:

Drawing Team:  Linda Chen, Sienna Hein, Charlotte Quintero

Sculpture Team:  Grace Hall, Michael Jonas, Adam Kaszovitz, Aaliya Mukadum, Isabella

Osorno, Victor Parciak, Isabella Sabatino, Sabrina Salerno, Madilynn Winters

The Olympics of Visual Arts is a creative, problem-solving event in which teams enter a long-term design solution and participate in a prompt. This year, the drawing category was mark making and the sculpture category was surrealism. Along with their entry, teams present a portfolio to showcase the research, planning and iterations that led to the final design.

Photos courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Division Avenue student selected as scholarship recipient

Division Avenue sophomore Dayanna Sabujo earned a $2,500 college scholarship through the DoSomething Scholarship Program for her participation in the Whole Histories Campaign this past April. Photo courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools

Dayanna Sabujo, a sophomore from Division Avenue High School in the Levittown Public Schools, is already looking towards her future. She recently earned a $2,500 college scholarship through the DoSomething Scholarship Program for her participation in the Whole Histories Campaign this past April. The DoSomething Scholarship Program offers scholarships to students age 25 and younger in the United States and Canada through community service and other online opportunities that ask students to

share their thoughts on a specific global issue and provide their own solutions.

Sabujo heard about the scholarship program on social media and decided to participate in the Whole Histories Campaign which asks students to answer three questions to help improve textbooks and curriculum on race, racism and history. DoSomething.org will use the student submissions to create guides for students and schools nationwide to improve their history curriculum.

“The reason I chose this campaign

At tention students!

is because it is something that we need to learn about,” she said.

Sabujo’s goal after high school is to attend New York University to study nursing. Her dream is to be a neonatal nurse and this scholarship will contribute to wherever she continues her education after high school.

“I want to take care of newborns who have an illness and support their families,” she said. “I’m glad to have my family support, especially my mom.”

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!

Division Avenue student wins statewide video competition

BY GARY SIMEONE

School and community spirit were incorporated into the three-minute video that Division Avenue High School senior Samantha Snevily submitted to a statewide student film contest earlier this year. Her submission earned her a first-place prize in the New York State Rural Association film competition.

“The name of my short film was ‘Our School. Our Community Better Together,’ ” said Snevily. “I wanted to show viewers that our High School is one big community and that we're like one big family here.”

She said that when she was first putting the video together she had musical performance in mind  similar to the “Glee” television series.

“In the video I panned the camera throughout the halls and classrooms of

my school and had some of my friends do little dance numbers and even got my teachers involved. The music was very upbeat to show all of the positive energy that everyone has.”

In a short narrative that she had throughout the video, Snevily states “my school is what makes my community. It is so important, especially during times like this to come together, because like the song says, if we do, we’ll make it through whatever because we’re simply better together.”

At the climax of the video, she and a couple of her classmates perform a choreographed dance number in front of the entrance of the school. The final sequence shows Snevily confidently running back towards the school in slow motion capture.

Snevily said that she became interested in film study during her junior

Love to write?

year, when she was taking a visual media class.

“I learned the basics of filmography in that class along with things like putting together music videos and even silent films.”

She said that her visual media teacher informed her about the contest and encouraged her to post her video on YouTube.

This past February, she was notified by the judges of the film competition that her video had won the grand prize, which was $1,000.

Snevily said she plans to attend the University of Connecticut in the fall and will use her prize money to pay for her college expenses.

She said she plans to study visual media & design and film and video production while in college.

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

Summit Lane students combat homelessness with drive-through event

Fifth-grade student government members from Summit Lane Elementary School in the Levittown Public Schools facilitated a community outreach drop-off event after school on May 19 to support the New Ground organization of Levittown. New Ground provides social work and education services to help families and veterans break the cycle of poverty and homelessness.

With the help of student government co-advisers Meghan Ruane and Maureen McLaughlin, along with teacher Jennifer O’Brien, the students set up their event in the front circle of the school. Summit Lane students and families were encouraged to attend and drive through the circle to donate paper goods, along with hygiene and household items, to benefit New Ground. This included dropping off needed items such as body lotion and body wash, dish soap, facewash, household cleaning products, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes and toilet paper.

The service project coincided with the Summit Lane P.R.I.D.E. Program, which stands for Patience, Respect, Integrity, Determination and Excellence. Summit Lane students including the school’s student government members, value and focus on these positive attributes throughout the school year in different ways.

While cars drove through the front circle

of the school, music played and the students created colorful signs filled with words of gratitude. Safety protocols were in place as students wore their masks and gloves as donators generously handed them boxes and bags of items through their car windows. As a sign of appreciation, the student government members gave each supporter a pinwheel.

The afternoon outreach event was a success as members collected about eight large boxes, six large bags and a number of small bags filled with items to donate to New Ground.

“It feels good to be giving back,” said Frankie Imperato, fifth-grade student gov-

ernment president. “I hope that the organization is really happy with what we collected.”

“It’s really fun to be doing this,” added Kaylee Weinberg, fifth-grade student government vice president. “We want to thank everyone who donated.”

Photo courtesy of the Levittown Public Schools

From Mountains to Beach Getaways, New England Serves Up Summer Delights For Families

BY KAREN RUBIN

TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE

Vail Resorts in Northeast Gear Up for Summer with Mountain Biking, Golf, Zip Tours

Broomfield, Colo.-based Vail Resorts has opened its summer activities program at six of its Northeast resorts including Mount Snow, Stowe and Okemo in Vermont and Mount Sunapee, Attitash and Wildcat in New Hampshire. (Openings comply with state and local guidelines and may be subject to change.)

Mount Snow Resort

The Mount Snow Golf Club has already teed off. The Mount Snow Golf Course has matured into one of Vermont’s premier mountain courses and has been rated one of the top five in the state by Golf Digest.

Mountain biking has begun at the Mount Snow Bike Park. Now in its 33rd season, making it one of the oldest bike parks in North America, the bike park is a four-time Top Five finisher in the MTBparks.com Riders’ Choice Best Bike Parks Awards for the Northeast. The lift-served park’s 10 trails offer a variety of cross-country, downhill, freeride and mixed-use terrain with a total vertical of 1,000 feet. Mount Snow also offers the First Lift and First Drop programs, which are clinics geared toward introducing people to the sport of downhill mountain biking and helping them build their skills.

Scenic chairlift rides on the

What a trip! Riding the historic Mount Washington Cog Railway up to the top of the Northeast’s tallest peak Photo Courtesy of Cog Railway

Bluebird Express to the summit of Mount Snow have begun, offering views of Somerset Reservoir, Mount Monadnock and sometimes even Mount Washington.

Stowe Mountain Resort

Stowe’s Zip Tour Adventure, which opens on July 1, is among the world’s fastest and most exhilarating zip line experiences. Ride our Summit Gondola to the launching point near the top of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, then fly down three of the world’s longest zipspans, above and through the Green Mountain State Forest.

Stowe’s Treetop Adventure offers six different levels of courses consisting of aerial tree-to-tree connections with 68 various Challenge/Game ele-

ments intertwined in the experience. Suitable for most ages, the courses are designed to progressively build confidence.

The 4.5-mile Mount Mansfield Auto Toll Road begins next to the Inn at the Mountain and climbs to an elevation of 3,850 feet, from which you can access the Mount Mansfield Summit Station for spectacular hiking.

An equally spectacular mountain ascent is provided by the Mount Mansfield Gondola which departs from the Gondola Barn, ¼ mile north of the historic Mount Mansfield Base Lodge.

Okemo Mountain Resort offers lift-served mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides on The Sunburst Six to the summit of Okemo Mountain.

GOING PLACES NEAR AND FAR

Okemo’s Adventure Zone at Jackson Gore features the Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster, Miniature Golf, Disc Golf, Haulback Challenge Course and Coleman Brook Mining Company Sluice.

Mount Sunapee offers scenic chairlift rides to the summit and lift-served mountain biking, hiking trails, an archery course; the Mount Sunapee Adventure Park has miniature golf, disc golf, an aerial challenge course, a mining sluice and a new pump track. .

Attitash Mountain Resort in the heart of the White Mountains offers its classic Alpine Slide and the Flying Yankee Scenic Chair.

Wildcat Mountain Resort: Wildcat Express Scenic Ride offers spectacular views of Mount Washington and the surrounding Presidential Mountain range. Take the scenic, four-person enclosed gondola to Wildcat Mountain’s 4,000+ foot summit. .

New England Inns & Resorts

The New England Inns & Resorts Association (NEIRA) has collected the best accommodations with water experiences for travelers to  Cool Off  this summer in the region’s lakes, rivers, oceans, pools and waterfalls: Beach Loving Cows at the Nobnocket Boutique Inn  at Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts: explore the Elizabeth Islands by boat, stopping to swim with the highland cattle of Nashawena Island (www.newenglandinnsandresorts.com/inns-resorts/massachusetts/vineyard-haven/nobnocket-boutique-inn/offers/ explore-the-elizabeth) June 11, 2021

Continued on next page

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

New England Serves Up Summer Delights For Families

Continued from previous page

Waterfall Tour at the Stone Hill Inn in Stowe, Vermont: visit all of Vermont’s famous waterfalls on a 2-hour guided excursion through the Green Mountains (www.newenglandinnsandresorts.com/ inns-resorts/vermont/stowe/stone-hillinn/offers/stowe-hiking-adventure).

Tuna Fishing at the  Beauport Hotel Gloucester in Gloucester, Massachusetts: the crew from the popular TV show “Wicked Tuna” will take guests hunting giant tuna and split the total earnings (www.newenglandinnsandresorts. com/inns-resorts/massachusetts/ gloucester/beauport-hotel-gloucester/ offers/go-tuna-fishing-with-the).

Paddle a Lazy River at the  Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford, Vermont: floating the Clyde River, view birds and wildlife before returning for a romantic dinner at the inn (www. newenglandinnsandresorts.com/innsresorts/vermont/lower-waterford/ rabbit-hill-inn/offers/lazy-river-paddleadd-on-package).

Themed Water Park at the Cape Codder Resort & Spa in Hyannis, Massachusetts: the indoor/outdoor 30,000 square foot water park with themed pools at the resort offers a magical family getaway (www.newenglandinnsandresorts.com/ inns-resorts/massachusetts/hyannis/ cape-codder-resort-and-spa/offers/ splash-into-spring-savings).

Lobsters & Lighthouses  at

BY JEFF RUGG

Q: We planted a new vegetable garden with a lot of different vegetable seeds. We killed the existing lawn grass by scraping the plants off, and we did some digging to loosen the soil. We covered the garden with 2 to 4 inches of bark mulch from the city to keep out the weeds. The city grinds up branches from tree trimming around power lines. We have kept the garden moist, mostly by rain. The only plants to come up are the peas. Nothing else is growing at all. It has been over two weeks. We are new to gardening, but shouldn’t more than peas be sprouting by now?

A: Peas do tend to sprout faster than many other vegetables. Two weeks is a long time to wait, but warm-season vegetable seeds might need a little longer if the soil is cold. I think the mulch might be your problem. Mulch is great at keeping vegetable garden soil evenly damp and preventing some weed seeds from sprouting. But I think it may be keeping your vegetables from sprouting, too. If you know where the seeds were planted, pull back the mulch or try planting over again with the mulch pulled back from

the Glenmoor By The Sea in Lincolnville, Maine: cruising Penobscot Bay, guests will bait lobster traps, bird watch, and count the local lighthouses on a boat cruise (www.newenglandinnsandresorts. com/inns-resorts/maine/lincolnville/ glenmoor-by-the-sea/offers/lobsterand-lighthouse-package).

NEIRA (www.newenglandinnsandresorts.com) is a one-stop shop for travelers to discover more than 300 places to sleep in New England by filtering properties by state, offers, and interests (www. newenglandinnsandresorts.com/offers/ cool-off).

Summer Vacation in New Hampshire’s White Mountains

Twin Mountain-Bretton Woods, in the shadow of Mount Washington nestled between Franconia Notch and Crawford Notch, is a great home base for a White Mountains summertime getaway in New Hampshire. There are plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy:

Biking trails, ranging from easy to advanced (bike rentals available at  Bretton Woods and  Drummonds Mountain Shop);

Hiking: Take in the views of Mount Washington, the mighty Presidential Range, and the Ammonoosuc River by foot. There are hiking trails suitable for all ages and abilities - beginners will enjoy Elephant’s Head or Mount Willard; Lower Falls is a great kid-friendly hike which leads to an incredible

waterfall; more experienced can hike on Zealand Trail; less-traveled alternatives are Middle and North Sugarloaf Mountains. (See a list of hikes at https:// twinmountain.org/hiking/)

Some of New Hampshire’s top-rated  waterfalls are in Twin MountainBretton Woods, including Arethusa Falls, NH’s tallest waterfall.

Enjoy rides and activities at  Clark’s Bears and  Bretton Woods Adventure Center;  The Rocks or nearby Franconia Notch State Park (featuring the Flume Gorge and the tramway to the summit of Cannon)

Bird watchers flock to Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge where 200 species can be spotted; during the summer, loon, American bittern, northern harriers, gray jay, Swainson’s thrush).

Ride to the top of the Northeast’s tallest peak, Mount Washington: Board the  Mount Washington Cog Railway for a three-hour round-trip to the skyline, a 6,228’ excursion! Drive yourself on the Mount Washington Auto Road, where you’ll earn your “This Car Climbed Mount Washington” bumper sticker.

To explore from a birds-eye view, take a helicopter ride with Vertical Ventures Aviation. For breathtaking views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range, enjoy a 12 minute a ride on the Bretton Woods Skyway Gondola.

The rivers, lakes, and ponds are often stocked with trout and attract anglers

Vegetable Garden Questions

the planting row. After the plants have grown a few inches tall, you can push it back around the plants.

Another thing you could try is planting the seeds in potting soil indoors. You can use anything you want for a container, such as paper cups, any kind of pot or a milk jug that has been cut in half. All you need is for the soil to stay damp for the next couple of weeks. After the plants grow their first true leaves, not just the seed leaves, you can plant them. They don’t even need much light for the time they are sprouting.

Q: Last year, my tomatoes had dry, circular rings around the skin. This year, they don’t seem to be growing well again. They have not yet set fruit, and I want to prevent last year’s problems. What can I do?

A: The dry weather many people had last year was the cause of many tomato woes. This spring, the nation has seen a drought out west, hot and then cold weather in the Midwest, and too much rain in the South. Just to make weather interesting, the three areas will probably switch between the time I write this and the time you read it.

The dry, circular rings are caused by

of all ages and abilities. Enjoy fishing around the White Mountain National Forest or at one of the many bodies of water with roadside or backcountry access. Fishing licenses are required and available online through the  NH Fish and Game.

Golf at five extraordinary Donald Ross  golf courses, including the Omni Mount Washington Hotel.

Twin Mountain-Bretton Woods offers a variety of  lodging from a grand resort (the Mount Washington, a grand historic resort, is our favorite), to hotels, motels, campgrounds, cabins and vacation homes (https://twinmountain.org/findlodging/)

More information at Twin MountainBretton Woods Chamber of Commerce, 800-245-TWIN, twinmtnchamber@ gmail.com, https://twinmountain.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

changes of water in the soil, especially dry weather followed by too much rain or too much watering. If the fruit reaches its full size for the weather conditions the plant is in and starts to turn color, then the plant receives more water and the fruit will stretch and crack. Cracked tomatoes are still edible even if they are ugly. If the crack is deep, bacteria and fungi can enter the fruit, causing it to rot.

Tomatoes aren’t the only vegetables with growth ring problems. Cabbage, carrots, potatoes and sweet potatoes can all crack if they try to continue growing after they have reached a mature size.

Tomatoes and most other garden vegetables and vines prefer to receive water on a slow and continuous basis. Use a soaker hose, drip irrigation or other slow method and you will lose less water to evaporation and give more to the plants. An old milk jug with a few holes poked in the bottom and filled with water will water the plant all day long. Overhead watering in the garden can allow disease organisms to grow on the flowers, fruit and leaves. Watering in the morning before the plant needs it is better than waiting until it is already dry. If the plant is dry, don’t wait until the next morning to water it.

Use organic mulch in the garden to help hold the moisture in place. Soil that is exposed to the air will wick water out of the ground and form a crust into which it is hard for roots to grow.

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

COPYRIGHT 2021 JEFF RUGG

DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS SYNDICATE

Crossword Answers

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

When I first started working full-time after graduating from Hofstra University most of the celebrations of co-workers were for engagement announcements, weddings, new babies and so on. We looked forward to climbing the corporate ladder and starting families of our own. That “retirement” word only seemed to come up when people twice our age had handed in their retirement papers to Human Resources and started to make plans for all of the retirement dreams they’d had over the years. Take a trip to Tahiti? No problem. Sail around the Panama Canal? Definitely.

It always struck me that people acted differently once they’d announced their retirement. I guess they knew that all of those years of calculating and figuring out when they could retire were over. It wasn’t a matter of “if” anymore - it was when. Yes, their retirement was within reach.

As a young employee I’d cover my ears whenever an older colleague started talking about retirement or Social Security. Those words seemed so distant when I was fine-tuning a project and looking ahead to a long, productive career. I figured getting off the merrygo-round was fine for those seniors but not for my friends and me. We were young workers and the world was full of possibilities. The world was our oyster, as they say.

The years passed and as time went on, however, I found that I was getting more and more invitations for friends’ and co-workers’ retirement parties at restaurants and catering halls in Baldwin, Jericho, Rockville Centre, etc. That became the name of the game. It seems that the nature of retirement parties has evolved over the years - they’ve become bigger and fancier.

I remember going to my sister’s retire-

Retirement: loafing or the Caribbean?

ment dinner five years ago at a large banquet hall in Baldwin. Eighty people attended that night. There was a dais, a lectern and microphone plus a perfect sound system. The agenda showed us how organized this event was. The night included an emcee and a list of speakers so we attendees were entertained by the humorous speakers who were co-workers of my sister, Michelle, and knew all of her routines at work.

It also included the more serious speakers - people who remembered Michelle as someone who not only was dedicated to her job but who often went above and beyond the call of duty - many times when no one saw it.

I was especially interested in hearing the speeches at Michelle’s party because she’d told me ahead of time who would be speaking and I knew that some roasting was inevitable. Sure enough co-worker Eileen stepped up to the microphone and said how she would miss Michelle’s routines. “Michelle always had been a stickler for punctuality even though many times she’d stayed up late the night before watching her favorite TV shows,” Eileen said.

“Michelle would come into work with her extra large cup of coffee, set it down, and looking over her reports she’d eventually glance wistfully over at the bowling awards certificates and golfing holes in one memorabilia she had on her wall knowing that in retirement she could bowl and golf whenever she wanted to. It would be a dream come true - all Michelle had to do was decide.

“At other times in the day Michelle would pull out her ‘to do list,’ look it over and start ticking off the items. The busier the day the more Michelle would write on her list even though her handwriting would get tinier and tinier as she went down the page. We co-workers would kid Michelle telling her that she would need a magnifying glass to read

all of her tasks of the day.”

With that Eileen handed a guest at the closest table an extra large magnifying glass and one of Michelle’s long lists to decipher. That drew long, hard laughs from the crowd.

“The point of this roast,” Eileen continued, “is not to talk about Michelle’s many idiosyncrasies but to show our affection and appreciation for all of her hard work and effort over the years. She really made a difference in how our office functioned. Now as Michelle heads off to find the perfect greens, to find the best golf courses and bowling alleys, we’ll have to find a way to carry on. It won’t be easy but then Michelle isn’t the first person to ever retire. She is the first one of our immediate group to do so (pause) and we’ll miss her - a lot.”

Eileen suggested that Michelle and her co-workers have a reunion get-together in St. Lucia, the Caribbean, a year later because the Caribbean’s one of Michelle’s favorite places. Sure enough eight of them met there for a week’s fun. They filled Michelle in on the office news then they talked about their families and their latest hobbies. They took that trip pre-pandemic when no one thought

twice about social distancing or wearing face masks.

Co-worker Jamie said that she was three years away from retiring so she’s be planning a big event at a restaurant complete with speakers and yes, probably some roasts but she was hoping they’d skip the magnifying glass, her to-do lists and other potential embarrassments.

Hearing all of this reminded me of the time I went to my co-worker Tracy’s retirement party. Tracy chose to have her dinner at her favorite steakhouse in Rockville Centre and invited 30 co-workers and friends. She remembered hearing me talk about Michelle’s retirement dinner in Baldwin and didn’t want any magnifying glasses to come out or any to do lists. Tracy didn’t want to see any gag gifts, either, but they appeared.

Deciding to retire and switching from a very busy schedule to being not so busy can be challenging. I retired three years ago and have enjoyed doing the hobbies I never had much time for before. I also want to travel and see new things starting with one of nature’s greatest wonders - the Northern Lights of Iceland.

File a Social Security Claim to Protect Your Rights

BY TOM MARGENAU

I frequently hear from readers who tell me that they contacted the Social Security Administration with the intention of filing for Social Security benefits of one kind or another and then were either told they were not eligible for any benefits or were just otherwise talked out of filing.

Of course, sometimes that is good advice. For example, if you are 62 years old and still working full time and making $75,000 per year, and you call the SSA to file for retirement benefits, the rep would be correct in telling you that you simply are not eligible for benefits until you retire or reach your full retirement age, whichever comes first.

Or if you are a 58-year-old woman whose husband has died and you call the SSA to file for widows benefits, they should tell you that you must be at least 60 years old before you can get such benefits.

But sometimes, the circumstances are not so cut and dried. And because of that, here is the message of today’s column: If you think you are possibly eligible for Social Security benefits, you have every right to file for whatever Social Security benefits you think you are due. So, whenever there is any doubt about your eligibility, always demand to file a claim.

By doing so, you accomplish two things. One, you will get a legal decision about your eligibility for benefits, and not just one Social Security clerk’s opinion. (Or, for that matter, one Social Security columnist’s opinion.) And two, you will have appeal rights. In other words, if your claim is denied and you still are not satisfied, you can ask that your claim be reviewed. You even could take it all the way to the Supreme Court if you wanted to! That last comment is a little far-fetched (although feasible). However, the basic point I am making is very valid. If a Social Security representative just says “no” and you walk away and later learn you were due benefits, you generally won’t be able to do anything about it but gripe -- and then file a claim with no retroactivity. But if you actually file a claim the first time and it is denied and you later are able to prove your eligibility, you will get full retroactive benefits to the date you filed the claim.

So, that is the overall message to everyone reading this column: Always demand to file a claim for benefits if you think you might possibly be due them -- no matter what a Social Security agent tells you. And especially do so if you get different answers from different SSA representatives. (Sadly, I hear the latter complaint far too often from far too many of my readers.) Now, here are some questions from readers that illustrate what I am talking about.

Q: I am 68 years old and get a small Social Security retirement check. My first husband and I were married for 30 years. But it was an abusive relationship, and I divorced him about five years ago. Three years ago, I married a wonderful man. But sadly, he died last month. When I called the Social Security office to file for widows benefits, the clerk told me we had to be married at least 10 years, so she said I wasn’t due anything. She helped me file for the $255 death benefit, and that’s all I got. But lately, some friends told me I should be getting widows benefits. What should I do?

A: Unless I am missing some of the facts, you were given bum advice by the Social Security rep. The 10-year duration of marriage rule applies only to divorced spouses. So, assuming your second husband’s benefit rate was more than you are getting on your own, it sure sounds to me like you are due widows benefits. You should call the SSA back and immediately file a claim.

Q: I am 62 years old. I called Social Security’s 800 number and told them I wanted to file for my Social Security benefits. I run my own business, but I plan to turn it over to my wife (at least on paper) and pay myself a salary of $18,000 per year so I will be under the Social Security earnings limit and thus eligible for my monthly checks. The telephone rep I talked to told me I was eligible for benefits, and she set me up for a phone interview with someone at my local Social Security office. But when the local office representative called me, he said I was not eligible for benefits and terminated the interview. Do I have any recourse?

A: Well, you are treading a fine Social Security eligibility line. In the past, the rules were pretty stringent. You would not have been able to simply turn the business over to your wife on paper and pay yourself a minimal salary and then expect to collect Social Security retirement benefits. But recently, the SSA has eased up on these rules, and now you may be eligible. Again, the only way you will find out for sure is to file a claim.

Q: I am 68 years old. I have yet to sign up for Social Security. My wife just turned 62, and she recently filed for her own benefits. Friends told me I can employ the “file and suspend” strategy and collect benefits on my wife’s account and, at 70, switch to my own benefits. But when I called Social Security’s 800 number, the agent told me that I could no longer file and suspend. But in a recent column, you said I could (if I read it right). So, what should I do?

A: You misread my column and confused the SSA rep because you are using the wrong term. You do not want to file

and suspend. That maximizing strategy has been eliminated. (So, I won’t bother explaining what it means.) What you want to do is “file and restrict.” That strategy is still available to anyone who was born before Jan. 2, 1954. It means you can file for spousal benefits on your wife’s record and then, at 70, switch to 132% of your own benefit. So, call the SSA back and insist on filing a claim. And just to be sure, here is the precise phrasing you should use. Tell them you

want to file a Social Security claim, but say, “I want to restrict that claim to spousal benefits on my wife’s record so I can switch to my own retirement benefits at 70.”

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

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

As I have been driving around the last few weeks I have noticed that there are those homeowners that have done some gorgeous plantings of annuals and other types of shrubbery and bushes.

The color has lit up those properties to make them stand out above others on their block. However, I have seen so many others that have not done so, even some that have for sale signs. This doesn’t highlight and make the outside of those homes pop, so anyone doing a drive-by might not consider stopping by and just might pass by without considering the property.

Many concentrate so much on the inside that they many times forget about the curb appeal that purchasers look for. As an example, a few years ago my son was looking for a vacation home out in the North Fork of Long Island and had passed by a home a few years ago and because the outside was not very appealing, he and his wife passed on it. Low and behold a year+ later we saw the house again when he told me he had seen it already. I asked him if he went in and he said no because they didn’t like the exterior. I said don’t judge a book by its cover, so we went in and they ended up purchasing.

Many may not give a home a second look as my son did, due to the lack of curb appeal. It’s much to your advantage to always add spring/summer color to the landscape of your home, especially if you are selling or considering selling.

The outside is as important as

REAL ESTATE WATCH

Have you done your plantings yet?

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

the inside and there are times that it could make or break a deal. Buyers will consider the extra dollars that they will have to spend to upgrade the property, no more than what they might have to do to the interior. Upgrading and sprucing up the property is surely much less than a kitchen or bathroom, right? Impatiens are the most popular annuals to plant.

It is critical to know how much shade and/or sun will be in the area to be planted. Some annuals need more shade than sun and visa-versa with those that need much more exposure to the sun and less shade. Some of my favorites are Variegated Periwinkle, Red flash Caladium, Giant Snowflake, Black-Eyed Susan, etc.

Others I like are Dropmore Scarlet Honeysuckle Vine, Dahlias (Marble Ball and Pulp Fiction varieties), Roses of Sharon, BegoniasandMay Night Salvia, etc. There is such a huge choice in varieties, I would suggest that you go to a nursery either nearby or plan a day trip and go out to the growers on the North or South Fork to see varieties that you probably won’t experience at the large box garden centers.

As far as shrubs and other types of perennials, you can choose azaleas, although they have bloomed already, Rhododendrons, which are in bloom.

American or Korean Dogwood trees is another flowering tree and they come

BY CHARLYN FARGO

News flash: You don’t need special, expensive foods to build a healthy diet. Surprised? Most of us buy into the myth that eating healthy costs more. But the United States Department of Agriculture has a plan to help you eat healthy -- at an affordable rate. It involves choosing healthier foods such as carrots and pinto beans over ice cream and cakes -and spending less to do that. Here are a few practical tips to do that.

No. 1: Plan ahead, and cook from scratch. Planning ahead allows you to only buy what you need, take advantage of sales and avoid using fast food for lunches. The cheapest meal you will fix is the one already in your freezer. Check your pantry, fridge and freezer to build meals around things you’ve already purchased. Cut down on food waste by repurposing leftovers and freezing extras

in an assortment of colors. Plant shade trees where grass will not grow but keep far enough away from the foundation of your home so future damage will not occur. Look for deep-rooted trees without surface roots. Profusion Crabapple, Flowering Cherry, Japanese Maple are good examples.

Cypress, Hemlock, or Thuja Green Giant Arborvitaes are excellent for screening and privacy. Whatever your decisions are to add or upgrade your landscape make sure you follow the planting directions especially when digging the holes and spacing the plantings for future growth, so in 5 years they do not crowd each other out. Also important is to provide adequate amounts of water to your annuals as needed. Also, root feeding your trees and shrubs will go a long way in keeping them healthy and growing taller and thicker each year. Also, do some periodical granular fertilization to your other plantings with either Osmocote smart release plant food or Miracle-Gro slow release.

Remember you don’t get a second chance at a first impression. So light up that front yard and get out there this weekend and do some plantings. You don’t want those serious buyers to just do a driveby, but you want them to stop and revel in how beautiful you have maintained your property.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker

NUTRITION NEWS

The Cost of Healthy Eating

for another meal. You can save money buy purchasing frozen fruits and vegetables and making meat an accent rather than the main event.

No. 2: Skip more expensive organically grown plants. All fruits and vegetables (fresh or frozen, cooked or raw, or organic or conventional) are healthy choices. The important thing is to include lots of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. Buy what’s in season, whether that’s at the grocery store,

farmers market or grown in your own garden.

No. 3: Skip gluten-free unless you have been diagnosed with celiac disease. For most people, there is no research that gluten-free foods are healthier than foods containing gluten. Gluten is found in wheat, which is a valuable contributor to dietary fiber intake in our diets. It is more important to opt for whole grains rather than refined products, whether wheat or gluten-free.

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.

No. 4: Buying in bulk can save money -- if you have a plan to use the food rather than let it go to waste. Bulk items work best if they have shelf life, such as canned beans or lower-sodium canned tomatoes or lower-sodium chicken broth. Bulk frozen items (packaged individually) can also be money savers.

No. 5: Cook it yourself. If you cook a meal yourself, you can save the extra expense of buying more expensive already-prepared meals in the freezer case or deli counter. And you have more control over the foods you eat. Studies show meals at home are healthier than those purchased in a restaurant because they often include fruits and vegetables.

Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU Med School in Springfield, Illinois. .

COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS.COM.

Women and Retirement: Can You Afford Not to Save?

BY CARRIE SCHWAB-POMERANTZ

Dear Carrie: For the past three years, my 29-year-old daughter has been working for a good company that offers a 401(k), but she still hasn’t started to contribute. She says she can’t afford it. How can I persuade her to get going? -- A Reader

Dear Reader: I wish I had enough space in this column to share with your daughter the myriad stories I’ve heard from women about their retirement worries. At 29, your daughter may feel she has lots of time to save, but just talk to someone 65 or 75 who’s struggling with limited retirement income and the need to start saving early comes through loud and clear.

In fact, there’s been a fair amount of press recently about how women are falling behind in retirement savings. There are lots of explanations: Women put others’ needs first, or they believe they can rely on their husbands for retirement, or they’re more risk-averse when it comes to investing. But the hard truth is that we need to take care of ourselves.

Statistically, women live longer than men -- and according to a 2012 report by the Department of Health and Human Services, titled “A Profile of Older Americans,” almost half of women 75 or older live alone. Yet a 2013 publication by the Department of Labor, titled “Women and Retirement Savings,” reports that only 45 percent of American working women participate in a retirement plan. Another hard reality is that women still earn roughly three-fourths of what men earn, which means their Social Security benefits are less.

To me, all this adds up to a clear wakeup call -- one that women would be smart to heed as soon as they start working.

But knowing you need to do it and actually getting started are two different things. You might open your daughter’s eyes with this information, but the way to really get her going might be to give her some practical guidance. Here’s my advice.

Get the Details

Help your daughter focus on her 401(k) options. First, does the company offer both a traditional and a Roth 401(k)? Contributions to a traditional 401(k) account are tax-deductible, which would lower her taxable income now; however, she’d pay income taxes on withdrawals come retirement time. With a Roth 401(k), there’s no upfront tax deduction, but withdrawals at retirement are tax-free. If it’s available, a Roth can be a good choice for a young person who will most likely be in a higher tax bracket come retirement.

Next, have her find out whether her company matches employees’ 401(k) contributions and, if so, how much that is.

As an example, let’s say your daughter’s company will contribute 50 cents for every dollar she contributes to her 401(k) plan, up to 6 percent of her salary. At the very least, wouldn’t she be able to contribute that 6 percent in order to gain an additional 3 percent?

Do the Math

The longer your daughter waits to con-

tribute to her 401(k) the more money she’s leaving on the table. Seeing how much money she already may have missed out on may be a good incentive to reprioritize. She should go over her fixed and flexible expenses to see where she could cut back. With some real numbers in front of her, it will be easier to figure out what percentage of her salary she could direct toward her 401(k). She can start small and then increase the percentage as her salary increases.

Also, because a 401(k) contribution will come out of her paycheck automatically, she’ll quickly get used to living on a slightly smaller monthly income.

Have Confidence

The next step is for your daughter to get her savings working. Over the years, researchers have shown that women are less confident than men about investing and are more risk-averse. The Labor Department’s Women’s Bureau states that women tend to invest more conservatively than men. But though men may profess to be more confident and more comfortable with investment risk, this isn’t necessarily the wisest approach -- and can ac-

EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE

tually be detrimental in terms of investing outcomes. The key here is to understand what constitutes smart risk, which means looking at what you want to accomplish and your timeline and then investing in a diversified mix of investments for the long term.

At 29, your daughter can confidently take some smart risk. She has the time to ride out market ups and downs. You might review the investing choices in her 401(k) with her and discuss the relative merits of each. Encourage her to choose a couple of diversified funds and watch what happens.

Don’t Waste Another Minute -- or Dollar

Your daughter may feel she can’t afford to contribute to her 401(k) now, but I say she can’t afford not to. She should consider that if she starts saving and investing now, she could stick with saving just 10 to 15 percent of her annual salary for the rest of her working life. However, if she waits, she’ll be facing the prospect of having to save 20 percent, 30 percent or more. And if she doesn’t save at all, she may be faced with a far less secure future in which she won’t be able to comfortably afford even the basics. I can’t imagine a stronger incentive to get going !

Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, Certified Financial Planner, is president of the Charles Schwab Foundation and author of “The Charles Schwab Guide to Finances After Fifty,” available in bookstores nationwide. Read more at http://schwab.com/ book. You can email Carrie at askcarrie@ schwab.com. This column is no substitute for individualized tax, legal or investment advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, consult with a qualified tax adviser, CPA, financial planner or investment manager.

COPYRIGHT 2021 CHARLES SCHWAB & CO. INC., MEMBER SIPC DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM

Tips to Keep Your House Cool on a Budget

BY MARY HUNT

Are you dreading the heat of summer? Relax while you consider these ingenious solutions to keep your house comfortable without putting a freeze on your bank account.

KEEP FURNITURE CLEAR

Your air conditioning unit needs freedom to blast out air unobstructed. None of your furniture should be blocking that flow of air. This means you may need to move the sofa and rearrange the bedroom the get the air circulating

well. If you just can’t upset the way your furniture is arranged, you can purchase heat and air deflectors for the vents to adjust the air flow direction around furniture for the season. Ask for these at your local home improvement center such as Home Depot or Lowe’s.

COVER THE WINDOWS

Leaving blinds and drapes open when the sun’s rays are beating through the windows will turn your home into a sizzling greenhouse. Cut back on direct sunlight by closing all the blinds or other window coverings. Drapes,

blinds and shades are all very effective in reflecting the heat of the sun. White ones will do an even better job. But they won’t do a lot of good unless you draw and lower the window coverings early in the morning, before the house can heat up.

TURN AC OFF AT NIGHT

Allowing an AC to run 24 hours a day is a surefire way to make your electricity bill soar. You can lighten the load by turning the unit off at night. Lower it an hour or two before bedtime. Because nighttime temperatures drop, opening

the windows will allow those cooler night temperatures to keep things comfortable.

KEEP THE AC WORKINGAT ITS BEST

During the summer, make sure your AC unit is working at 100% efficiency. It will guzzle less energy when the filter is super clean.

DETERMINE YOUR OPTIMAL TEMPERATURE

Experiment with fine-tuning the ex-

act temperature to establish as your default. Start at, say, 77 degrees, and then shift by one degree up or down until you’re satisfied. Then test to see if you can tolerate 78. Every subsequent degree you accept will yield savings on your electric bill.

WHEN YOU’RE GONE, TURN IT OFF

When you leave your house, turn off the AC. There’s no use keeping an empty house cold. As a bonus, allowing the system to take a break will prolong its useful life. Once you come home, just power the AC back on.

PREPROGRAM

THE THERMOSTAT

A programmable thermostat is a relatively inexpensive device you can install yourself, and it will more than pay for itself in a single summer. Now you won’t have to keep remembering to turn the setting up or down depending on if you are home. Simply program it to fit your lifestyle and you won’t waste money cooling the house when no one is home. It’s easy to customize the thermostat to follow your lifestyle. For example, you can program the AC to shut off at night, turn on before breakfast, turn down again when you leave for work

BY MARY HUNT

I’ll admit I used to think frugality was a distasteful lifestyle forced upon the poor. I believed it was synonymous with never buying new clothes and dumpster diving under the cover of night.

Boy, did I have a lot to learn. And learn I did -- and I continue to learn -- that it is the path to building wealth with any income.

I’d say the most fun I’ve had learning the fine art of frugality has been in reading “The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy” by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko.

Webster’s dictionary defines “fru-

EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE

and adjust itself before you return. A programmable thermostat lets you set it and forget it.

AUGMENT WITH FANS

Give your AC a boost with a room fan. Ceiling fans are great to circulate cooled air, but a trusty portable fan also works wonders. Fans increase general air circulation, preventing air from stagnating and accumulating unwanted heat. Combined with an AC unit, fans offer cooperative cooling.

It costs about $4 a month to run a high-efficiency ceiling fan on high speed for 12 hours a day (assuming a cost of about 14 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is the U.S. average). The result is your home will feel about 7 degrees cooler simply because the air is circulating effectively. And that means your air conditioner will not have to work as hard to keep things comfortable.

LIMIT STOVE USE

Limiting use of your stove will give the AC a break from needing to work overtime. On exceptionally hot days, stick to using the microwave, or use your outdoor grill.

Resources: If you’d like specifics on the resources mentioned above, you can find all of that at https://Everyday-

Cheapskate.com/summerheat.

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.everyday-

The Frugal Lifestyle

gal” as behavior characterized by or reflecting economy in the use of resources. The opposite is “wasteful,” a lifestyle marked by lavish spending and hyperconsumption. Wealth has nothing to do with how much you earn. It’s about what you do with it and how much you keep.

Ask most people to name a financially savvy American and a regular guy like 41-year-old Paul Kieffer, profiled several years ago in Money Magazine, wouldn’t even be in the running. At that time, Kieffer lived in St. Charles, Minnesota (population 3,735), spent about $38,000 a year to support his wife and two kids, drove a three-year-old used car, refused to sign up for cable TV and worked six days a week at the local Red

Wing shoe store. Oh, yes. Kieffer also happened to own the store, as well as five trailer parks in the St. Charles area, which gave him a net worth of $1.4 million.

The reason folks like Kieffer are financially independent is because they live understated lifestyles. They live frugally. They aren’t showy; they are careful how they spend and invest their money.

Stanley and Danko identify the following self-imposed rules of self-made wealthy Americans:

--Live below your means. Reduce your spending as necessary, so you eventually save 15 to 20 percent of your annual income before taxes.

--Meticulously budget your spending. Make a belt-tightening plan for everything you spend, and do whatever it takes to stick to it.

--Take on secured debt sparingly. Every dollar you pay in interest is one less you have to invest. Unsecured debt is not in the vocabulary of the authentically wealthy.

--Participate in serious tax sheltering. Pay as little as legally possible in income taxes by maxing out on contributions to tax-deferred retirement accounts.

--Launch a disciplined investment plan. More important than the amount of money you put away now is establishing the habit of regular investing.

--Get help from a sharp fee-only financial advisor. Such a professional

cheapskate.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

can assist with a wide range of financial needs for a flat fee. To find a good one, go to the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors website. Another good resource is the Garrett Planning Network.

--Work hard -- ideally in your own business. Salaried workers are pretty much limited to what an employer will pay them. Savvy business owners can grow their business and thereby increase their income.

Keep in mind as you consider what role frugality will play in your household and in your life that any of the people who flaunt the trappings of success often have little wealth. I’m told that Texans describe these people who live flashy lifestyles in a very simple yet colorful way: Big hat, no cattle!

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

Mid Island Times Bethpage Newsgram

• Syosset Advance • Jericho News Journal

Williston Times - Mineola Edition

New Hyde Park Herald Courier • Manhasset Times Roslyn Times • Port Washington Times • Great Neck News

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

2 EASY WAYS TO PLACE ADS:

1) Directly on website: gcnews.com & click on “Classified Order”

2) Email Nancy@gcnews.com

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

Visa and MasterCard Accepted

Eddie’s of New Hyde Park

famous for thin crust pizza & full Italian menu.

HIRING F/T AND P/T SERVERS

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BUS PERSONS (16 yrs old plus)

Please call (516) 354-9780 or (516) 424-8080 or walk in at 2048 Hillside Ave. New Hyde Park. Ask for Joe or Lorraine

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

Tuesday 10am-7pm • Wednesday 10am-7pm Saturday 8am-2pm (every other Saturday, September- June)

Description: Seeking an experienced, patient focused, highly motivated hygienist to join our Dental team. Do you want to take your career to the next level, focusing on the overall health of your patients and on the quality care they receive? Working at Passes Dental Care you will discover an organization that invests in you and your future.

You must be proficient with periodontal therapy, sealants, impressions, x-rays, zoom whitening, patient management, and give local anesthesia. You must be as passionate about your profession as we are. Most importantly, you must be a team player.

Key Tasks: Provide dental health education about tooth care and diet

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Clean and sterilize all equipment and working surfaces to the required standards at the end of each session.

Maintain patient dental records; update all medical records as necessary

Take all reasonable methods to ensure patient comfort.

Requirements: Current NY State Dental Hygiene License

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Passes Dental Care offers employment opportunities that promote professional, personal and financial growth. Competitive wages and opportunities for advancement are just a few reasons why a career with us is an investment in your future.

To apply for this position you must e-mail your resume along with a cover letter to passesdental.marji@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you.

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HELP WANTED

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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

Advertise in our newspaper! 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!

HELP WANTED SEASONAL HELP

Inc. Village of Williston Park

The Village of Williston Park is looking to hire 2 – 3 Seasonal Employees who will be assigned to the Public Works Department. Hours are Monday – Friday 6:30am – 2:30pm. $15/hour.

Please contact Village Hall for further information. 516-746-2193.

HERRICKS SCHOOL DISTRICT

Substitute and Part Time positions needed

Clerical Positions

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.

EMPLOYMENT

SITUATION WANTED

HOME HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL

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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. (D.M.F.)

MARKETPLACE

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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.

Place an ad for anything you need in our classifieds section! Call 294-8900 for rates and information. Our Service Directory is sure to bring results. Call 294-8900 for rates and information.

Visit us at www.invitedsales. com for a listing of our upcoming Virtual Tag Sales and Weekly Auctions!

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Town pools open daily from June 25

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that all Town pools will open for the season beginning on Friday, June 25. The Town of Oyster Bay operates five pool facilities, including Bethpage Community Park, Marjorie Post Community Park, PlainviewOld Bethpage Community Park, SyossetWoodbury Community Park, and a saltwater pool at Tappen Beach in Glenwood Landing.

“The warm, sunny days of summer are nearly upon us and all residents may start visiting our pools daily beginning Friday, June 25th,” Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. “Town Pool memberships offer families and senior citizens access to

many great amenities, including upgraded restrooms, pool deck furniture, picnic benches and sunshades.”

Pool hours from Friday, June 25 through Labor Day, Monday, September 6 will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, weather permitting. Additionally, extended hours until 8pm, will be offered as follows (weather permitting) at the following locations on the following schedule:

• Monday: Syosset-Woodbury

• Tuesday: Plainview-Old Bethpage

• Wednesday: Bethpage

• Thursday: Marjorie R. Post

• Fridays: ALL pools open late including Tappen

Pool memberships can be obtained at each park location. Memberships are available at community park pools for both park district residents and non-park district residents. Daily admission rates and nanny memberships are also available. In addition to the great new amenities at our facilities, the Town is offering swimming lessons at local pools to members age five and older. Applications to register for swimming lessons will be available at each facility, with four swim lesson sessions available to choose from.

The Town will also offer a swim program this summer at outdoor pools located in Syosset-Woodbury Community Park

and Marjorie R. Post Community Park in Massapequa. Town of Oyster Bay residents aged 6 to 16 are eligible to register for the swim program. Workouts will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. beginning Wednesday, July 7 and ending on Friday, August 13.  If a session is cancelled, make-up day(s) will be attempted. Registration must be postmarked by June 30.

For more information, including membership rates, and schedules for swim lessons, please visit www.oysterbaytown.com/ pools.

Generals recognized by the Town of Hempstead

The 2019–2020 varsity wrestling team was recognized by Town of Hempstead Councilman Dennis Dunne (middle left) and Town Clerk Kate Murray (middle right). Pictured with MacArthur High School Principal Joseph Sheehan, Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics J. Keith Snyder and assistant wrestling coach Tom Bobal.

Town of Hempstead Councilman Dennis Dunne (middle right) and Town Clerk Kate Murray (middle left) presented a sign to MacArthur High School’s 2019–2020 varsity cheerleading team. Pictured with MacArthur High School Principal Joseph Sheehan (right) and Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics J. Keith Snyder (left).

Three exceptional teams from General Douglas MacArthur High School in the Levittown Public Schools were honored by Town of Hempstead officials on May 25. Surrounded by MacArthur High School Principal Joseph Sheehan and Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics J. Keith Snyder, student-athletes and coaches who took home titles such as Nassau County Champions, were recognized by Town of Hempstead Councilman Dennis Dunne and Town Clerk Kate Murray.

They presented a large congratulatory sign to members of the 2019–

2020 varsity cheerleading team who were named two-time Nassau County Champions, along with being ranked as third and fifth place in the nation. Dunne and Murray also unveiled congratulatory signs for the MacArthur 2019–2020 varsity wrestling team and the girls varsity soccer team. The varsity wrestling team was named Nassau County Tournament Team Champions and Nassau County Dual Meet Champions, while the girls varsity soccer team was recognized as Nassau County Class A Champions and the 2019 Long Island Regional Finalist.

Head coach of the MacArthur varsity girls soccer team Jamie San Filippo (middle right) and assistant coach Ayla Sezer (middle left) were presented with a sign of commemoration for their team’s achievements. Pictured with (left to right) Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics J. Keith Snyder, Town of Hempstead Councilman Dennis Dunne, Town Clerk Kate Murray and MacArthur High School Principal Joseph Sheehan.

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Levittown seniors share writing talents with elementary students

Seniors enrolled in the college writing course at Division Avenue High School and General Douglas MacArthur High School recently took on a new role as children’s book authors. The high schoolers created their own books geared toward young children and had the unique opportunity to share their stories with elementary school students.

During the course of two days, the seniors from MacArthur High School visited Gardiners Avenue Elementary School to read their books to students in grades K–2. They embraced the beautiful spring weather and while social distancing, the seniors read their creative books to small groups of Gardiners Avenue students on the school field. The groups rotated throughout the morning so that the elementary school students could experience each story and get to know the seniors.

“I thought that this project was so much fun,” said MacArthur senior Tania Devito. “I had fun making the book and I enjoyed seeing the kids reactions. It was great to see them get excited over a book that I wrote.”

A few days later, Division Avenue seniors followed suit and stopped by Summit Lane Elementary School to share their children’s books with the students. They popped into classrooms and had fun interacting and getting to know the students. For those seniors interested in pursuing education as a future career, the visit to the elementary schools allowed them to get a taste of what it is like to lead a classroom. It was a memorable experience for all.

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Notice is hereby given that SEALED PROPOSALS for:

WELLHEAD TREATMENT FOR REMOVAL OF EMERGING CONTAMINANT

AT PLANT No.8 PROJECT NO. HKWD1910

NYSEFC PROJECT No. 18790 will be received by the BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS of the HICKSVILLE WATER DISTRICT, at the office of the Board, 4 Dean Street, Hicksville, New York, until 10:00 A.M., prevailing time, on Friday, July 2, 2021, at which time will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Information for Bidders, Proposal, Specifications and Contract Forms may be obtained in electronic format at the office of the District Engineer, H2M architects + engineers, 538 Broad Hollow Road, Fourth Floor East, New York 11747, upon deposit of Twenty-Five Dollars ($25.00). Make deposit check payable to HICKSVILLE WATER DISTRICT. Bidder’s deposit will be refunded when the original disc is returned in good condition within ten (10) days after the bids have been opened. Other deposits will not be refunded. Only plan holders who have registered and paid their deposit are eligible to submit bids.

Each proposal submitted must be accompanied by a certified check or bid bond, payable to the Hicksville Water District, in a sum equivalent to five percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid, as a commitment by the bidder that, if his bid is accepted, he will enter into a contract to perform the work and will execute such further security as may be required for the faithful performance of the

contract.

The Board of Commissioners of the Hicksville Water District reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any informalities therein and to accept the bid which, in its opinion, is in the best interests of the Water District.

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

HICKSVILLE WATER DISTRICT

DATED: JUNE 11, 2021 MIT 5915

1X 06/11

NOTICE OF FORMATION

Riann Realty LLC

Filed Art. of Org. with the SSNY on 04/06/2021. Office: NASSAU County. SSNY designated as agent for process and shall mail copy to: 1 N PERSHING AVE, BETHPAGE, NY 11714.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

BN 7506

6X 05/07,14,21,28,06/04,11

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

LEGAL NOTICES

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

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

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING BY THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 246, Section 246-12 of the Code of the Town of Oyster Bay, notice is hereby given that the Zoning Board of Appeals has scheduled a public meeting, which will take place in the Town Hall Meeting Room, Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, New York, on JUNE 17, 2021, at 7:00 P. M., to consider the following appeals:

BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

APPEAL NO. 21-269

SYOSSET

HONG TU: (A) Variance for the expansion of an existing two-family dwelling. (B) Amend Specific Plan as presented for Appeal No. 79-139B and granted by Decision of the Zoning Board of Appeals, dated June 7, 1979.

S/s/o Walters Ave., 66.60 ft. E/o Railroad Ave., a/k/a 37 Walters Avenue, Syosset, NY

APPEAL NO. 21-270

SYOSSET

ROBERT BLICK: (A)

Variance to construct one story attached garage having less aggregate side yards and exceeding maximum building coverage than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to

allow existing gas barbeque and counter having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (C) Variance to allow existing air conditioning units having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance.

N/s/o Eaton Rd., 283.38 ft. E/o Cambria Rd., a/k/a 20 Eaton Road, Syosset, NY

APPEAL NO. 21-271

SYOSSET

LINCOLN SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT, LLC:

(A) Variance to allow existing flag lot having less width of lot at the “pole portion” and building envelope size than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to construct new dwelling having less front yard setback than permitted by Ordinance; also encroachment of eaves and gutters. (C) Variance to construct parking area having less front yard setback than permitted by Ordinance.

S/s/o Cold Spring Rd., 346.7 ft. W/o Southwoods Rd., a/k/a 352 Cold Spring Road, Syosset, NY

JUNE 7, 2021 BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK

SYO 4394

1X 06/11

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING BY THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 246, Section 246-12 of the Code of the Town of Oyster Bay, notice is hereby given that the Zoning Board of Appeals has scheduled a public meeting, which will take place in the Town Hall Meeting Room, Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, New York, on JUNE 17, 2021,

at 7:00 P. M., to consider the following appeals:

BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

APPEAL NO. 21-268

JERICHO

SHAHANA BEGUM: (A) Variance to allow existing front two-story vestibule and portico above platform with steps to grade having less average front yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (B) Variance to allow existing detached garage having less rear yard setback and exceeding maximum height than permitted by Ordinance; also encroachment of eaves and gutters. (C) Variance to allow existing detached garage, deck surrounding swimming pool and abutting dwelling, front two-story vestibule and portico above platform with steps to grade exceeding maximum gross floor area than permitted by Ordinance. (D) Variance to allow existing deck surrounding swimming pool and abutting dwelling having less side yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (E) Variance to allow existing swimming pool and deck surrounding pool and abutting dwelling having less rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance. (F) Variance to allow existing pool equipment having less rear yard setback than permitted by Ordinance.

W/s/o 20th St., 165 ft. S/o Scott Ave., a/k/a 7 20th Street, Jericho, NY

JUNE 7, 2021 BY ORDER OF THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK JNJ 7965 1X 06/11

Field Day fun at Central Boulevard School

Central Boulevard Elementary School in the Bethpage School District participated in field day on May 26. Adorned in blue and gold, students were once again able to convene to compete against one another in classic events such as tug of war.

This class is ready for the games to begin.

Hicksville ASL Honor Society plants flags for Memorial Day

of the

Ahead of Memorial Day, members of Hicksville High School’s American Sign Language (ASL) Honor Society displayed American flags on the school’s front lawn. Prior to planting the flags, students volunteered their time to prepare them and get them ready for the outdoors.

The event was student-led, as some members of the ASL Honor Society have family members in the military. It was a way for students to honor those who lost their lives in service to their country on this Memorial Day.

Bethpage seniors

honored for accomplishments

Bethpage High School honored members of the Class of 2021 for their accomplishments in and out of the classroom during the district’s Senior Awards on May 26. Assistant Principal Kevin Healy and Principal Nick Jantz welcomed the students and their families in person for the event, marking a welcome change from the previous year. Students were recognized in the areas of academics and service, as well as for their active participation in the Bethpage community. Photo courtesy of the Bethpage School District

Burns Ave. students connect with troops overseas

Colonel Mayer and his troops received cards and hand-drawn pictures from students at Burns Avenue Elementary School. Photos courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Students at Burns Avenue Elementary School are connecting with U.S. troops overseas. Back in November, in-person learners in first through fifth grade wrote letters and colored pictures of positivity and gratitude to troops in honor of Veterans Day. The letters were mailed to Colonel Brian Mayer, who was on a year-long deployment to Ali Al Salem Air Base as a maintenance group commander in Kuwait.

In May, students received a thank you note in the mail, as well as a picture of Colonel Mayer with his troops holding the cards from the Burns Avenue students. Colonel Mayer wrote in part, “The smiles and joy we got when we read these pictures made us understand again why we are here, for the love of our country and for the people like the students of Burns Avenue Elementary.”

Dutch Lane students go on virtual field trip to the zoo

Fourth-grade students in Mrs. Wiertz's class enjoyed a virtual field trip to a zoo in Omaha, Nebraska.

Fourth-grade students in Mrs. Wiertz’s class at Dutch Lane Elementary School traveled all the way to Omaha, Nebraska via Zoom. Students had the opportunity to sit in on a virtual field trip with the Henry Doorly Zoo.

The fourth-graders met some of the animals who live at the zoo, while learning what humans can do to keep those animals safe. With summer around the corner, students learned about looking for “reef safe” sunscreen to help keep marine ecosystems healthy. They also discussed how recycling and cutting plastic rings from packaging can keep plastic and trash out of the ocean.

Prior to the field trip, Mrs. Wiertz’s

class conducted research about ocean animals and created a brochure to summarize their findings. The virtual field trip served as a culminating activity to further explore ocean animals and how humans can contribute to ensuring their safety and health.

The Henry Doorly Zoo is home to the largest aquarium within a zoo in the world. This program was made possible through Hicksville’s partnership with Nassau BOCES’ Videoconferencing Services. The virtual field trip was a way to engage students and deepen their understanding, despite the constraints of the pandemic.

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$3 Tap Beers ALL DAY LONG JUNE 20th

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WINE DOWN WEDNESDAYS ARE BACK

1/2 OFF Bottles of Wine from 5-10pm

Available at the Bar and in the Dining Room

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OUTSIDE DINING AVAILABLE

Per CDC Guidelines, FULLY vaccinated patrons may enter the restaurant without a mask.

Now Accepting Reservations For Parties of 6 or More

A $25 fee will be applied if canceling within 3 hours of reservation

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ARE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FOR LUNCH AND DINNER