Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino joined Nassau County Legislator Samantha Goetz in attendance at the East Norwich Fire Company No. 1 Installation Dinner to honor Ex-Chief and President Timothy J. Valentine for his 50 years of active service to the fire company and to the community. Supervisor Saladino said, “The Town of Oyster Bay is proud to honor brave firefighters and first responders like Ex-Chief and President Timothy J. Valentine who have dedicated their lives to protecting our community."
Free concerts at libraries
The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that the Distinguished Artists Concert Series will continue with free performances at local libraries throughout the Town.
“The Distinguished Artists Concert Series provides
free musical and dance programs for the enjoyment of our residents,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “I encourage residents to take advantage of these wonderful performances offered by the Town for free at local libraries.”
Scheduled performances for February include:
• Blueprint Blue on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public
See page 7
“From Your Heart to Our Seniors” program
For the fourth consecutive year, Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D –Plainview) is once again assembling his local troupe of crafty Cupids to bring joy to local seniors this Valentine’s Day.
It’s all part of the “From Your Heart to Our Seniors” project, in which youngsters create oneof-a-kind cards filled with warm greetings and messages of love and well-wishes. Any volunteer who wants to make a card is reminded that they must be legible in large prints; handwritten; and made without glitter. Participants are encouraged to use lots of color and personal creative flourishes like photos, crosswords, and drawings. In the interest of ensuring universal appeal, religious messages
should be avoided if possible.
Students from Plainview-Old Bethpage, Syosset, Woodbury, Jericho, Farmingdale and Hicksville schools are welcomed to participate; teachers are encouraged to contact Deputy Minority Leader Drucker’s office at 516-571-6216 or adrucker@nassaucountyny.gov for details.
“It truly warms my heart to see the care and craftsmanship that local children put into the cards they make – and how those beautiful and uplifting greetings that put smiles on seniors’ faces wherever I have the privilege of delivering them,” Deputy Minority Leader Drucker. “I can’t wait to see what our youngsters come up with this Valentine’s Day, and I am looking forward to this year’s program being bigger and better than ever!”
Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview) with a recipient of the 2025 "From Your Heart to Our Seniors" program.
Orchestra gets master class in music
Composer and conductor Soon Hee Newbold (center) provided some tips to POBJFKHS’ electric orchestra, the Thunder Hawks.
Orchestra students at Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School (POBJFKHS) kicked off 2026 with a special three-day educational residency led by internationally renowned composer and conductor Soon Hee Newbold, giving student-musicians a unique opportunity to learn directly from a leading modern artist.
A 2024 inductee into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame, Ms. Newbold is celebrated for compositions that blend classical and contemporary elements. Her works are performed on global stages, including Carnegie Hall, The
Kennedy Center, and Lincoln Center, and she is a sought-after clinician and conductor for ensembles across the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Throughout the residency at the POBJFKHS, Soon Hee Newbold worked closely with the school's orchestra ensembles, sharing her expertise in performance technique, composition, and musical storytelling. This hands-on collaboration provided students with a rare opportunity to learn from and create alongside a world-class artist in their own school.
Town offers
Winter Toddler Sports Program
The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that the Toddler Sports Program will return this winter, beginning February 10. This 6-week program offers sports classes at the Hicksville Athletic Center for children ages 3 and 4.
“The Town’s Toddler Sports Program is a fantastic way to teach your toddler the fundamentals of sports in a fun and social environment,” said Councilman Imbroto. “This program is sure to be a hit with children and parents alike, as youngsters are given the opportunity to learn the basics of various different sports such as tee-ball, flag football and more along with children their own age.”
The Toddler Sports Program begins February 10 and is 6 weeks in duration. Residents who sign their toddler up for the program must choose one class per week, per child. Classes will take place on:
• Tuesdays at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. at the Hicksville Athletic Center in Hicksville; and
• Thursdays at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. at the Hicksville Athletic Center in Hicksville.
Registration will be available online through the Parks Registration Portal at oysterbaytown.com/sports beginning Wednesday, January 14, at 9 a.m. Space is limited- first come, first serve. Registration will close when the program reaches full capacity.
Each class is approximately 50 minutes. The cost of the program is $75 per child who is a Town resident, and $90 per child whose care giver is a Town resident but not the child. The child’s birth certificate and a tax or utility bill will be required to validate age and proof of residency. A guardian must be present during the class. The child MUST be 3 years old by the start of the program. The last day to request a refund for this program will be February 19, 2026.
The Toddler Sports Program is run by the Town’s Parks Department, Recreation Division. For further information, please call (516) 797-7945.
Bethpage scout earns Eagle status
Town offers free tax grievance workshops
Oyster Bay Town Receiver of Taxes
Jeffrey Pravato will host four free Property Tax Assessment Grievance Workshops for residents looking to acquire information on how to challenge their 2027–2028 property tax assessments. The workshops will be held both in the morning and evening to help accommodate all residents.
“While Nassau County determines your assessed value, we in Town government want to make sure you know that you have a right as a homeowner to challenge your assessment. Remember, your assessment can only be lowered as the result of a challenge – it can never be raised – and this workshop helps you challenge for free,” said Receiver of Taxes Pravato. “If you are a homeowner who disagrees with the assessed value of your property, I invite you to attend a Property Tax Assessment Workshop, as the property tax grievance deadline of March 2nd is approaching.”
The Property Tax Grievance Workshops are scheduled as follows:
• Monday, February 2, 7 p.m. at the Hicksville Community Center, 28 W Carl St.
• Tuesday, February 3, 10 a.m. at the Hicksville Community Center, 28 W
Carl St.
• Wednesday, February 11, 7 p.m. at Oyster Bay Town Hall, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay
• Thursday, February 12, 10 a.m. at Oyster Bay Town Hall, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay
In January, Nassau County notified residents of their home’s tentative assessed value for the 2027–2028 School Tax period and the 2028 General Tax period. Any residents who did not receive the notice may view it online at www.mynassauproperty.com or contact their County Legislator.
At the workshop, Receiver of Taxes Pravato will answer questions and show residents how to use online tools to file an “Application for Correction of Property Tax Assessment” online or via mail. There is no requirement to pay a law firm or agency to file a grievance. For those unable to attend the workshop, Receiver of Taxes Pravato offers an online video at www.oysterbaytown.com/grievancevideo. For more information, contact the Tax Office at (516) 624-6400 or visit www.oysterbaytown.com.
New York State Senator Steve Rhoads with Eagle Scout Matthew Thomas Cusumano
MacArthur HS musicians named to ensembles
Nine talented musicians at General Douglas MacArthur High School were selected to perform in All-County ensembles and the LISFA festival.
Several talented musicians at General Douglas MacArthur High School in the Levittown School District were recently named to multiple prestigious ensembles.
Students in the choir, band and orchestra were selected for All-County and Long Island String Festival Association ensembles after a series of auditions. Jiamin Rao, Alaina Psipsikas, Christian Romelus and Alesia Vargas
Photo courtesy Levittown Public Schools
were selected for Division 4 All-County ensembles, while Kayla Ryu, Gianna McAdams, Benjamin Morales, Gianna Vu and Catherine Purirojejananon were selected for Division 5 ensembles.
Additionally, Jiamin Rao, Benjamin Morales and Gianna Vu were selected to perform in the LISFA festival. They prepared for their auditions under the guidance of music teachers Joseph Romano, Lisa Levenberg and Sha Wu.
Library to present sensory-friendly children’s program
On Sunday, March 22, at 12:15 p.m., Syosset Public Library will host a sensory friendly production, “Flat Stanley The Musical”, for children with autism spectrum disorders and their families. This production has been modified by Sunrise Theatre Company, and will be presented in the library’s theater. The performance will last approximately one hour. A calming corner with coping tools will be available for use out-
side the theater. Seats will be available beginning February 9 for families with children on the autism spectrum and sensory sensitivities. Reserve seats by email splchildrens@syossetlibrary.org or by phone (516-921-7185). Registration will open to all beginning March 9, if space is available.
For more information visit the library’s website at www.syossetlibrary.org
Call our GC office at 294-8900, or visit us online at gcnews.com for more info & questions
Hicksville staff members get stuck for a good cause
East Street Elementary School Principal Joseph Messana and fifth grade teacher Scott Starkey in Hicksville found themselves in a “sticky” situation when they were duct taped to the gym wall during a recent fundraiser that raised more than $500 for student programs.
BY GARY SIMEONE
East Street School Principal Joseph Messana and fifth-grade teacher Scott Starkey found themselves in quite a sticky situation last month. The two staff members at the elementary school were duct taped to the gymnasium wall as part of a school PTA fundraiser at the December 19th event.
Messana said that each student had to pay one dollar to get their piece of duct tape to suspend the staff members in the air.
“Scott and I both stood on these milk crates in the gymnasium and we had each student come up and tape us to the wall one at a time,” said Messana. “It was such a fun and quirky experience for everyone involved and was for a good cause. We ended up raising over five hundred dollars for the whole day.”
He said the PTA got the idea from a skit on Instagram and that the whole school came to watch the wild event take place.
“It was such a fun atmosphere and the kids kind of got to stick it to their principal and fifth-grade teacher for the day,” joked Messana.
He said that he even made it a point
to let every student in grade K-5 get involved in the taping even if they did not have a dollar to give.
Starkey said that he played the role of the villain as he was being taped to the wall, telling the students they’d be in trouble or have extra homework for taping him up.
“I kind of let the older students have it a little bit, teasing them about the consequences of taping their beloved fifth grade teacher to the wall,” said Starkey. “It was actually pretty unique being suspended once wall. Joe and I were there hanging on for a good five minutes after they removed the milk crates from beneath our feet.”
Messana said all of the money raised from the event would go to an Author visit that the school holds every April.
“This is our first time doing the duct taping but it definitely won’t be the last after seeing how crazy the kids went over taping their principal and teacher to the wall,” said Messana. “For upcoming fundraisers we plan to have a pie in the face of the teacher event and other fun skits to keep our school atmosphere fun and lively for the students.”
Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools
School Board celebrates champions, therapy dog program
The Bethpage High School varsity girls cross-country team was recognized for their achievements this season, which include winning both county and conference championships, and placing sixth in the state competition.
The Bethpage Board of Education convened at Charles Campagne Elementary School on Jan. 20, opening the meeting with recognition of athletic excellence and an inspiring presentation on the school's therapy dog program.
Superintendent David Schneider honored Bethpage High School’s varsity girls cross-country team for their outstanding achievements this season. The team captured both county and conference championships and placed sixth in the state competition. Beyond their athletic success, the team also earned scholar athlete recognition, demonstrating excellence both on the course and in the classroom.
Head Coach Jim Ravener was recognized for his leadership after being named Nassau County and Long Island Coach of the Year. Each team member received a certificate in acknowledgment of their accomplishments.
Charles Campagne Elementary School Principal Julianne Inghilterra and school psychologist Maureen Conklin then presented an overview of the school's therapy dog program, featuring Oakley, a fox red Labrador retriever born in 2022. Owned and trained by Conklin, Oakley is a certified therapy dog with READ certification and a Canine Good Citizen achievement. The presentation highlighted numer-
ous benefits the therapy dog provides to the school community, including:
• Increased engagement with learning tasks
• Support for literacy development
• Reduced anxiety and improved emotional regulation
• Enhanced attitudes toward reading and writing
• Encouragement of a positive school climate
• Development of empathy
Oakley visits CCS one to two times per week, participating in classroom visits as well as small group and individual support sessions. Ms. Inghilterra and Ms. Conklin emphasized the careful and thoughtful approach taken to introduce Oakley to the school community.
One highlight of the therapy dog program has been the creation of a pen pal initiative connecting CCS students with other school communities that have therapy dogs. Students have been corresponding with peers and their therapy dogs across the United States and even in the United Kingdom.
This program has strengthened letter writing skills, increased student engagement in writing and encouraged pride and ownership in student work. The school has displayed a map in the hallway showing all pen pal locations, creating cross-curricular connections
CCS’s students pose for a photo with Oakley following their presentation.
Charles Campagne Elementary School psychologist then presented, along with CCS Principal Julianne Inghilterra, an overview of the school's therapy dog program.
to geography and map skills. Several CCS students spoke during the presentation, sharing personal testimonials about how Oakley’s presence has helped them. The public portion of
Love to write?
Several CCS students spoke during the presentation, sharing personal testimonials about how Oakley’s presence has helped them.
the meeting concluded with enthusiastic applause and treats for Oakley, who attended the meeting, before the board entered executive session.
Photos courtesy of Bethpage Union Free School District
We’re looking for writers in our community to compose ar ticles 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
NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
NOTICE OF FORMATION of 411 40TH STREET LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/5/2026. Office location: Nassau Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to 2 Virginia Road, Syosset, NY 11791. Purpose: any lawful purpose.
NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
ALEXANDRA LEAV LLC. Filed 1/21/26. Office: Nassau Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: 148 Plainview Rd, Woodbury, NY 11797. Purpose: any lawful purpose.
Free concerts at libraries during February
From page 1
7 Friday, January 30, 2026 Library – A tribute to the music of Steely Dan. Open to all. Free Tickets required. Tickets available at the library beginning January 26. For more information, contact the library at (516) 938-0077.
• Back on Bourbon Street on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Jericho Public Library – Playing the best musical grooves of New Orleans from the 1950’s through today. You’ll hear the right-on
sounds of Dr. John, The Neville Brothers, Fats Domino & many more! Open to all. Free Tickets required. Two tickets per person. Tickets available at the library beginning January 25. For more information, contact the library at (516) 935-6790.
• Art Lillard & The Blue Heaven Swing Sextet on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Massapequa Public Library – The group plays a variety of swing standards and no-so-standard swing and blues numbers,
written by such luminaries as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, and Lester Young.
• Pure Joy with Paige Patterson on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Hicksville Public Library – Musical therapy for the soul! A feel-good mix of best-loved songs from Sinatra to Santana, Bon Jovi to Broadway.
• The Little Big Band on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at the Plain-
LEGAL NOTICES
view-Old Bethpage Public Library – The Little Big Band pays homage to the elegant and awe-inspiring bands of the ‘30s, ‘40s, ‘50s, and beyond. Open to all. Free Tickets required. Tickets available at the library beginning January 17th. For more information, contact the library at (516) 938-0077.
The Distinguished Artists Concert Series is sponsored by the Cultural and Performing Arts (CAPA) Division of the Town of Oyster Bay’s Department of Community & Youth Services. For the full concert schedule and further information, please call (516) 797-7900 or visit www.oysterbaytown. com/CAPA.
Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call our Garden City office at 294-8900 for more information.
January 30, 2026
New York State Celebrates America’s 250th
BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM
Most Americans might not think of New York State first in context of the American Revolution and Independence – Boston, Philadelphia are more top of mind. But it will surprise virtually everyone to know that more battles – and pivotal ones - of the Revolution were fought in New York State than any other. In fact one-third of the battles and incursions were fought in New York, which the British considered vital to conquering the continent. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening:
Fort Ticonderoga Real Time Revolution™ Event Series (Adirondacks): The iconic historic site continues to honor its role with the Real Time Revolution™ event series, designed to bring the Revolutionary War to life on the very grounds it took place with key event reenactments, including during Independence Day Weekend, with a signature reenactment event: “Return of an Army.” This will depict the Northern Continental Army’s retreat to Ticonderoga during the same period that the Declaration of Independence was being signed in Philadelphia. (102 Fort Ti Road, Ticonderoga, NY 12883, 518-585-2821).
Saratoga National Historical Park (Saratoga Battlefield): Two hotly contested Revolutionary War battles ended in an American victory which some proclaim as one of the most important in world history. Visit the visitor center; tour the scenic 10-mile auto and bike road, hike historic paths (648 Rte 32, Stillwater, NY 12170, 518-664-9821, x 2980, www.nps. gov/sara to plan your visit).
Fort Stanwix National Monument, a full-scale reconstruction of the original fort built in 1758
by the British during the French and Indian War, was occupied by Americans during the Revolutionary War. After the successful defense of the fort against the British in August 1777, Fort Stanwix became the only American post never to surrender to the enemy throughout the war. Engage with costumed interpreters and visit Marinus Willett Center (100 N James St, Rome, NY 13440, (315) 338-7730, https://www.nps.gov/fost/ index.htm)See America’s Story on Display in New York City: New York City will also have its share of blockbuster events celebrating America’s 250th. One of the most sensational is “Sail 4th 250”, taking place July 3-9, 2026, with 30 Tall ships and 30 Grey Hull ships from 32 nations bringing 10,000 officers, cadets, crew and diplomats to parade down the East River on July 3rd up the Hudson River on July 4. Open to free public visits through July 9 (www.sail4th.org). Macy’s 50th anniversary fireworks on July 4th will be especially spectacular, with an International Aerial Review, head-
lined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. The Blue Angels will then headline the FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Bach State Park (date change from Memorial Day Weekend to July 5 – 6) to celebrate America’s 250th. Follow Washington’s Culper Spy Ring Trail on Long Island: The Culper Spy Ring was an intelligence network crucial to the American victory (recently depicted in an AMC series, “Turn.”). Largely following Route 25A (Long Island Heritage Trail), President George Washington traveled this route in 1790 by horse-drawn carriage on a mission to thank his Long Island supporters and the ‘Culper Spy Ring’ for their help in winning the American Revolution. Among the Revolutionary War sites: Raynham Hall in Oyster Bay; the Arsenal in Huntington; the Conklin House’ Joseph Lloyd Manor, the Brewster House in Stony Brook; and Sherwood-Jayne Farm, home of Loyalist William Jayne aka “Big Bill the Tory”. See where the Battle of Setauket was fought near the Setauket Presbyterian Church on
Caroline Ave.; Strongs Neck Road, where Anna Smith Strong and Abraham Woodhull lived, a key location for the spies; Thompson House where spies’ names are in the doctor’s book. On the South Shore, Sagtikos Manor in Bay Shore is where President George Washington stayed here during his Long Island tour in 1790. See: https://www.discoverlongisland.com/plan-your-trip/famous-longisland/george-washingtons-spy-trail/; find more Long Island 250 events: https://www.discoverlongisland.com/ longisland250/.
Westchester’s American Revolutionary Trail: invites travelers to walk through compelling historic sites: Jacob Purdy House (White Plains), Washington’s wartime headquarters; John Jay Homestead (Katonah) tracing early American politics, antislavery roots; Philipsburg Manor (Sleepy Hollow), examines slavery in the Colonial North; St. Paul’s Church (Mt. Vernon), a field hospital after the Battle of Pell’s Point; Square House Museum (Rye), historic tavern where John Adams, Samuel Adams and George Washington once stayed; Thomas Paine Cottage (New Rochelle), last home of the legendary pamphleteer, filled with rare artifacts; Van Cortlandt Manor (Croton-onHudson), a patriot family’s post-war home reveals the challenges of building a new nation. Visit https://www. visitwestchesterny.com/things-to-do/ history/american-revolutionary-trail/
See a full calendar of New York State’s America 250 events: https:// www.iloveny.com/things-to-do/ path-through-history/america-250/)
The moon is our nearest neighbor in space, at an average distance of about 238,000 miles. As it orbits our Earth every month or so, it appears to pass by stars and planets in our night sky ... or, at least, so it seems. This is only an illusion, however, since the planets and stars are considerably farther away.
On occasion, however, the moon drifts in front of one of these more distant celestial bodies, blocking it from view for an hour or so. Such an “occultation” is important because it allows us to refine our knowledge of the moon’s orbit, and even to discover companion objects orbiting distant stars. In fact, it was a faint companion star orbiting the red supergiant Antares that first showed up during a lunar occultation in the early 19th century.
These lunar occultations are not uncommon, but for the moon to occult a bright star is. That’s why on Monday night, Feb. 2, stargazers throughout much of North America should plan to watch as the moon passes in front of the bright star Regulus.
On that night, the moon will approach the star from its upper right. Keep a watchful eye on Regulus until it winks out instantly behind the moon’s bright edge. This quick disappearance occurs for two reasons. The first is that the star is so distant that it appears as only a point of light in our sky. The second is because the moon has no atmosphere to dim the star’s light before blocking it completely.
Watching the star disappear and reappear might
be a challenge, however, since the moon will be so bright. You will find that binoculars will help you see Regulus wink out, and a small telescope will give you the best view of all.
Skywatchers around the country will view the
LOST IN SUBURBIA
BY TRACY BECKERMAN
Whenever my husband goes out of town, I cheat. I figure what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him, and since there’s no way for him to find out that I cheated, why not have some fun while he’s out of town?
Do I feel guilty about this? Maybe a bit. But only because I know that my indiscretions may eventually catch up with me in the end. You see, I don’t just have one lover. I have two.
Ben AND Jerry.
It’s true, I’m supposed to be dairyfree. Wheat-free too. It’s not that I’m allergic to wheat and dairy. It’s more of an intolerance. And by intolerance, I mean that when I eat anything with wheat or dairy in it ...
I snore. Yes, I snore. And it’s loud. Like, rocket-engine loud. Someone once measured it in decibels, and it was somewhere between a heavy metal rock concert and a baby crying on a plane, both of which are annoying but apparently not as annoying as an extremely loud wife snoring in the bed next to you.
event from different angles, so the times will differ from place to place. From the U.S. East Coast, for example, Regulus will disappear (its ingress) at around 8:52 p.m. EST and reappear (its egress) at around 9:52 a.m. EST.
In the Midwest, the occultation will occur with the moon much lower in the eastern sky. The moon covers Regulus around 7:44 p.m. CST and uncovers it around 8:41 p.m. CST.
Farther to the west, in the Mountain time zone, the moon will appear quite low in the east. Regulus will disappear before it and the moon rise over the horizon, but the pair will lie about 10 degrees above the landscape by the time Regulus reappears from behind the moon around 7:31 p.m. MST.
Viewers on the West Coast, I’m afraid, will have to sit this one out. The entire event occurs while the moon and Regulus are still below the horizon.
Wherever you’re located, make sure you begin your watch at least 10 or 15 minutes early, and don’t turn away as the star appears to close in on the moon. To get more precise timings, call your local planetarium, science museum or observatory.
If the weather should interfere, or if you miss the star’s split-second disappearance or reappearance, don’t worry. There will be other occultations during the coming months.
Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM
Sleeping With the Enemy
Or so I’ve been told.
While my husband is out of town, I don’t care if I snore. I don’t wake myself up snoring, and I don’t keep anyone else awake either. Yeah, sometimes the dog gets annoyed, but then again, sometimes he snores too. When he snores, he gets thrown out of the room. My husband doesn’t do that with me because it would make me mad, and he knows which side his bread is buttered on.
Wheat-free bread, that is.
It was a tough decision, but for the sake of my marriage, I chose domestic bliss over fresh bread. But when the cat is away, the mouse will play ... and also eat a lot of cheese, pizza and ice cream.
I thought I was in the clear, but the problem with wheat and dairy is that they always come back to bite you in the butt, or at least make your butt bigger. After several months, it was becoming clear that I definitely had a little something going down on the side, and I knew I was going to have to come clean.
But then I found a guy who makes really good gluten-free cakes and bread.
And my favorite ice cream dudes, bless their hearts, started a line of dairy-free ice cream. Was it possible I could have my wheat-free chocolate lava cake and eat it too?
I made the switch while my husband was away. And then when he came home, we went to sleep, and I assumed all went well.
But alas, I was wrong.
“You snored last night,” he said accusingly the next day. “Did you eat wheat or dairy yesterday?”
“I did not,” I replied honestly.
“Well, you must have had something. What did you have?” he asked.
“The only thing I had that I didn’t make was a piece of wheat-free chocolate cake.”
“Maybe you are chocolate-intolerant now too,” he said.
I glared at him. “So you’re saying that now you think I should give up chocolate?”
“Maybe. If it makes you snore.”
“Actually, I think you should give up something now too,” I replied.
“What?” he wondered aloud.
I shrugged. “Sleeping in the bedroom.”
Tracy Beckerman is the author of the Amazon Bestseller, “Barking at the Moon: A Story of Life, Love, and Kibble,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online! You can visit her at www. tracybeckerman.com.
COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM
On Feb. 2, the moon will pass in front of the bright star Regulus. (
Pros & Cons of Outsourcing Jobs and Its Effect on Real Estate
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
If you think our costs of goods are high now, can you imagine what they would have been if we had kept our jobs in the U.S.? However, the middle class would have been much improved, but the lower income waged families and individuals would have actually continued to suffer affordability, as explained and shown in my research and analysis below:
If the U.S. had not outsourced jobs or moved manufacturing offshore, the cost of goods and merchandise would almost certainly be higher, but with important trade-offs that are often overlooked.
Estimated Price Impact
Most economists agree that everyday consumer goods would cost 15% to 40% more on average, depending on the product category:
Category: Estimated Price Increase:
Clothing & footwear +25% to +40%
Electronics & appliances +15% to +30%
Furniture & home goods +20% to +35%
Toys & consumer products +20% to +40%
Automobiles +10% to +20%
Example:
A $25 T-shirt: $32–$35
A $1,200 TV: $1,400–$1,550
A $30,000 car: $33,000–$36,000
Why Costs Would Be Higher
U.S. production generally means:
Higher wages
Stronger labor protections
Higher regulatory compliance
Higher healthcare and benefit costs
These get passed through the supply chain into retail pricing.
But… What Would We Gain?
Higher prices would be offset in several ways:
1. Higher Domestic Wages
Millions more Americans would be employed in manufacturing, logistics, and supply chains—raising household incomes.
2. Stronger Middle Class
Manufacturing historically supported stable, unionized, middle-income jobs, especially in housing and consumer markets.
3. Greater Economic Resilience
Less exposure to global disruptions (pandemics, wars, shipping crises, tariffs).
4. Improved Trade Balance
Less reliance on imports, lower trade deficits, stronger dollar stability over time.
Real Estate Connection
If manufacturing had stayed domestic: More regional economic stability, especially in Midwest and industrial towns, Stronger housing demand in secondary markets, not just coastal cities, core consistent wage growth, supporting homeownership.
Bottom Line
Yes, goods would likely cost 20–30% more, but many Americans would also earn 20–40% more in real wages—creating a very different economic balance than today’s lower prices but higher inequality.
Building a localized housing affordability model for Long Island, and then contrast that with how consumer budgets would look across income brackets if the U.S. had higher domestic wages (from more on-shore manufacturing and less outsourcing).
Long Island Housing Affordability Today
Current Snapshot (2024–2025)
Nass Cty Suff Cty LI Overall
Median Home Price
~$720,000 ~$550,000 ~$635,000
Est. Monthly Total Housing Cost*
~$5,970 ~$4,675
Median Household Income
~$143,000 ~$128,000
*Assumes 20% down, 30-yr mortgage at current rates + taxes/insurance.
Affordability Ratio
(Housing Cost / Income)
Nassau County: ~50% of income
Suffolk County: ~44% of income
Affordable Benchmark: <30% of income
So most Long Islanders are spending far more than the affordable threshold, with many cost-burdened households spending >35% of income on housing.
Median Income vs. What’s “Affordable”
According to polling and housing data:
Typical homes now require ~$240,000+ annual income to meet traditional affordability metrics — far above local median households.
Primary drivers:
Stagnant wage growth vs. housing price surges
Limited housing supply, especially for starter homes
High property taxes
2. If U.S. Wages Were Higher (Hypothetical On-shore Wage Scenario)
Here we model how housing affordability would change if manufacturing jobs stayed in the U.S. and raised wages across income brackets, without changing housing supply.
Key Assumptions
U.S. average wages +15–30% due to domestic manufacturing wages lifting average pay.
Consumer goods ~20–30% higher cost — as estimated earlier.
Housing prices initially unchanged but purchasing power increases due to higher incomes.
3. Affordability by Income Bracket
Let’s use three example households: Household Type Income Housing Budget @30%Typical LI Home Payment
Middle (50th pct)* ~$130,000 ~$3,250/ mo housing cost ~$4,675–$5,970/mo Upper (80th pct)~$220,000~$5,500/mo housing cost closer to affordable
*Median LI incomes vary widely depending on county.
*“Typical LI Home Payment” uses combined mortgage + tax estimate.
Current Reality
Lower-income houses are priced out of homeownership entirely — spending large shares of income on rent and barely any on savings.
Middle earners are struggling: even a household at ~130k must spend 40–50%+ of income on housing — much above the 30% guideline.
High earners can approach affordability, but local prices still strain budgets since houses often exceed 9× income with high taxes and cost burdens.
4. Hypothetical: Wages +25% (No Outsourcing)
Let’s model how that changes affordability.
New Income Estimates
Income Bracket Today Hypothetical
Lower $50,000 $62,500
Middle $130,000 $162,500
Upper $220,000 $275,000
Housing Budget @30% Rule
Scenario 30% of Income (Monthly)
Lower $1,563
Middle $4,063
Upper $6,875 Impact
Lower household: Still unable to afford median Long Island housing, but can better cover rent and necessities — and might buy in more affordable suburbs outside LI.
Middle household: Moves from severely cost-burdened (~40–50% of income) closer to borderline (~30–35%) on typical LI payments.
Upper household: Gets comfortably within traditional affordability range.
Overall — higher wages improve purchasing power even though goods cost more. The housing portion of budget eases because income growth outpaces the percentage increase in housing costs.
5. Consumer Budget Impacts
Without Outsourcing (Higher Wages)
More disposable income
Better housing affordability ratios
Stronger local economies
Less pressure on rentals
Trade-off
Consumer goods cost 20–30% more (e.g., electronics, clothing).
But income gains generally outweigh these raised prices for middle and upper income brackets.
6. Local Takeaways for Long Island Current Situation
Many households are cost-burdened (spending >30–35% on housing).
Root causes include wage stagnation, high taxes, supply constraints, and demand pressure.
With Hypothetical Higher Wages
Middle incomes would approach affordability thresholds.
Lower incomes would still struggle — highlighting need for more housing supply and targeted subsidies.
Local economic growth (e.g., more manufacturing jobs) could reduce the need for long commuting patterns and increase disposable spending.
Bottom Line
If wages were generally 25% higher due to more domestic jobs, housing affordability on Long Island would improve significantly, particularly for middle-income families. However: It wouldn’t solve the crisis for the lowest-income households without supply and policy changes.
Local budgets would adjust to higher consumer prices — but the net purchasing power would still be stronger for many.
Key Insights
Lower-income households remain severely priced out, even with wage gains.
Continued on page 5
BY TOM MARGENAU
This is going to be a column about the infamous “notch babies.” I thought this issue had died, because frankly, almost everyone affected by this glitch in Social Security law has died. (The few still alive would be over 100 years old.) But amazingly, I am now hearing from the babies of notch babies! In other words, people now in their 70s are writing to me about an issue that affected their parents. Here is a typical example.
“I’ve always been curious about something. My mom, who would have turned 100 today if she were still alive, always complained that she was being cheated out of Social Security benefits because of something called “the notch.” In fact, she called herself a “notch baby.” I know it’s too late to do anything about it, but can you explain what that was all about?”
Yes, I can explain. This cohort of now mostly deceased Social Security beneficiaries are generally people born between 1917 and about 1926. And their false claims about getting financially fleeced by Uncle Sam were fueled by a rather sophisticated, albeit deceitful and shameful lobbying campaign, sponsored by greedy gadflies out to make a quick buck.
The infamous “notch” refers to a time period when corrections were made to the Social Security benefit formula -- corrections that were necessary to ensure that all Social Security recipients were paid properly, but corrections that were misconstrued by many to be a way of cheating them out of benefits they felt they were due. Here’s the story.
In 1972, Congress passed a law mandating automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments -- or COLAs -- to Social Security checks. Those COLAs were to be based on increases in the government’s official inflation measuring stick: the consumer price index. (Before 1972, COLAs were not automatic. They were sporadic and happened only if Congress specifically authorized a yearly increase.)
As part of the new process, the Social Security Administration had to come up with a formula for calculating increases to people’s Social Security checks -which they did. But after COLAs were paid for a couple of years, someone noticed the formula was wrong. Social Security beneficiaries were getting cost-ofliving increases that were slightly higher than intended.
Once the mistake was discovered and SSA notified Congress, several decisions had to be made. For one, they had to figure out what to do about all of the Social Security beneficiaries who received the overly generous COLA adjustments. Congress decided to let them keep the money. (It would have been political suicide to send “overpayment” letters to every senior citizen in the country de-
Babies of “Notch Babies”
manding repayment of the incorrectly paid funds.)
The second choice Congress had to make was to decide where to draw the line -- to figure out which people would have their benefits figured using the proper COLA formula. And they drew that line at 1917. In other words, they said everyone born in 1917 and later would have their Social Security benefit figured using the corrected formula.
Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? But sometimes Congress can’t leave well enough alone. In this case, they bowed to pressure from senior citizen groups who demanded a transition period from the old (incorrect) formula to the new (proper) formula. After lots of haggling, what they eventually decided was that everyone born between 1917 and 1921 would have their benefit figured using a special formula.
So, we ended up with the following scenarios. People born after 1921 had their benefits figured using the lower, but proper, COLA formula. People born before 1917 had their benefits figured using the higher, but incorrect, formula. And people born between 1917 and 1921 had their benefits figured with a special formula that was not quite as generous as the one used for the pre-1917 crowd but more generous than the one used for the post-1921 crowd.
You’d think everyone would be happy, right? Well, what happened next was pretty bizarre. Social Security recipients born between 1917 and 1921 started to complain that they weren’t getting quite as generous a COLA as folks born in 1916 and earlier. Someone should have pointed out to them that they were indeed being paid at a special rate that was lower than the incorrect benefits paid to the pre-1917 crowd, but at a higher rate than anyone born from 1922 on.
Instead of listening to reason, mobs of angry senior citizens around the country started to form into groups demanding justice. Even advice columnist Ann Landers got into the fray. She’s the one who came up with the moniker: “notch babies.” And all these folks mistakenly thought they were singled out for lower benefit adjustments than everyone else.
Then those greedy lobbying groups I mentioned earlier got into the mix and really muddied things. They sent letters to folks born in the so-called “notch years” telling them they were being cheated out of Social Security benefits and asking for donations to “fight this injustice.” And to help fill their coffers even more, the lobbyists deceitfully expanded the definition of those notch years to include everyone born through 1926. Some inexplicably even pushed the notch cutoff into 1930s dates of birth! So senior citizens of all ages started sending in tens of millions of dollars -- money that paid for many overpriced lobbyists and some pretty nice office space in Washing-
ton, D.C. -- but money that accomplished nothing else. After all, there was no “injustice” to fight.
Sadly, millions of seniors born between 1917 and 1926 or even later went to their graves bitter and disappointed -- including my own mother, by the way! Those very few still alive believe to this day that they are being cheated out of Social Security benefits. If you know one of these people, please tell them to enjoy what time they have left on earth and stop fretting about an alleged injustice that never happened. Or if you are the child of a deceased “notch baby,” please
rest assured that your parent wasn’t cheated out of anything.
If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net.
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CROSSWORD PUZZLE
BY THOMAS F. SCHENKEL
My father, a mechanical engineer, would occasionally end our family dinner by reciting to us a poem from memory. His library of technical textbooks was interspersed with volumes of poetry. I never quite understood the connection between the two, but I found it very intriguing.
When the shocking news came that dad had suddenly passed away from a heart attack, we were all devastated and were all left to grieve in our own personal way. I, as a young English teacher, found it difficult to accept that I would never see my father again. Fighting back my tears, I realized that life, despite my grief, must go on and that I must provide a living for my growing family. Fortunately for me, I found my livelihood to be, not an obstacle, but a source of solace.
One day I came up with an idea. Why not share my father’s love for poetry with my students? I started to gather together my thoughts and recollections and compiled a list of poems that I could recall. I selected “The Daffodils” by William Wordsworth and proceeded to commit the poem to memory.
As I learned Wordsworth’s classic poem line by line and stanza by stanza, I felt a surge of my father’s words dancing in my mind. There was a certain feeling of fulfillment and pride when I had accomplished the task. Now it was my job to share this joy with my students. To my great satisfaction, they embraced the assignment whole-heartedly. We made our project fun and enhanced it with various projects and posters. The culmination, of course, was each student’s recitation of the
A Father’s Lasting Gift
poem. Even the most timid of my students were nurtured and given lavish praise for their efforts and accomplishments.
The assignment was a resounding success. My father’s love of poetry was still alive despite his passing. As the year progressed, I continued to incorporate other poems recited by my father and to add favorites of my own. It became a joyous and memorable part of our academic year. Little did I know then the impact that this poetry would have on my students. As the year progressed, I would introduce various poems that would tie in with our novels, the seasons, holidays and other topics of interest. It became a huge success with the students and parents alike.
“The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe was a favorite. I would douse the lights and close the blinds before reenacting Poe’s macabre masterpiece. After studying the poem, we watched a film version and created various props to enhance our sense of drama: “the purple curtain”, “the bust above my chamber door” and , of course “the stately Raven”. It was the perfect poem to set the mood for the Halloween season. Students rose to the occasion far beyond my expectations. As always, I would do my own dramatic recitation before the students did theirs. I think it made the class more at ease to realize, “well, if he can do it, so can I”.
As the year progressed, we studied “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost. Frost has long been a personal favorite of mine. For this poem our major prop was a set of “harness bells” to shake at the
appropriate time. They loved the bells, and I also gave them additional motivation. I told the class that if everyone learned the poem I would take them outside to do a class recitation on the day of the first snow. Let me just say, they held me to my word. It was exhilarating and joyous! You don’t forget a moment like that, ever.
To tie in with our study of the American Revolution we read the novel Johnny Tremain. When we came to the battles of Lexington and Concord we studied Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem “The Concord Hymn”. You perhaps recall the memorable line, “and fired the shot heard round the world”. To add to the drama I wore a tri-cornered hat, a tan vest and held a replica musket from Williamsburg, Virginia. Need I say more? You see, it’s all about the props. I was delighted when a student of mine visited the site of Emmerson’s “rude bridge” with his family and recited the poem. His photos and stories only added to our appreciation. Our memorization would sometimes include a classic piece of prose like The Gettysburg Address. This outstanding speech has been hailed as one of the greatest public addresses of our time. I started our lesson by showing the movie The Perfect Tribute. This story portrayed Lincoln’s words and the impact that they had on our nation. “That this government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth”. To allay students’ fears, I told them that I would leave a copy of the speech on the podium if they needed to refer to it. I then proceeded to deliver the Address dramatically with a top-hat on my head
(only kidding). I also shared with the class that I had personally recited this speech on the very spot where Lincoln had spoken. It is marked by a star on the ground. Since our study, two former students, both sisters, recited the Gettysburg Address together while standing on the very same star.
One summer’s day my wife and I were dining outdoors at a local eatery. We encountered two married couples that I had taught years before. One former student said “Do you remember when you had us recite the poem “Richard Cory” by E.A. Robinson? Sure enough, the five of us did a recital of the poem together, right there on the busy street.
On a January day several years ago, I received a letter from the mother of a former student. She wrote to me of her son’s love of poetry stemming from my class. They were out to dinner as a family when her son realized that it was December 21st, “the darkest evening of the year”. He spontaneously started to recite a Robert Frost poem. She shared with me that her son “has a degree in engineering, but his true loves are poetry and writing, thanks to you”. I wrote a letter back to her and assured her that all the credit belonged to a fellow engineer. “Thanks, dad. Despite the fact that Carl Sandburg told us that ‘the grass will cover all’, your love of poetry lives on in the minds and hearts of many.”
Thomas F. Schenkel is a lifelong Garden City resident and former educator in the Garden City Middle School.
Pros & Cons of Outsourcing Jobs and Its Effect on Real Estate
Continued from page 3
Middle-income households move closer to affordability but still face strain.
Upper-income households move comfortably into affordable territory.
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A great game day treat
Football Cake Pops
Football is a wildly popular sport throughout much of North America. That popularity kicks up a notch come January, when collegiate and professional players are battling it out in their respective playoffs with an end goal of winning a championship.
Watch parties have become a game day tradition for millions of football fans, and it’s customary to provide some delicious food when hosting such get-togethers. Chicken wings and nachos might be must-have foods for adults come game day, but it’s import-
3 1⁄2 cups cake flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1) Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly butter and flour two 8- or 9-inch round cake pans.
2) In the bowl of your stand mixer, sift or whisk together the cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and half the buttermilk. Beat with the paddle attachment on a medium-low speed until combined and smooth, about 3 to 4 minutes.
3) In a medium sized bowl, with a fork, whisk together the eggs, egg whites, the rest of the buttermilk, and the vanilla to combine, just until eggs are broken up. Add the egg mixture to the batter in 3 additions, mixing on medium speed for 2 minutes after each addition, being sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl frequently.
4) Divide the batter evenly between the two pans, and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick or skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in pans until they are cool to the touch, then turn out of pans and cool completely on wire racks.
5) Make sure the cakes are completely cool before you attempt the cake pops, otherwise your frosting will melt and you may have some trouble rolling intact balls.
and
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6) Put your baked cake in a large mixing bowl. Use your hands to crumble the entire cake. Add about half of the chocolate frosting to the crumbled cake. The frosting is what acts as a glue to hold the cake balls together. Use your hands to mix the frosting evenly throughout the crumbled cake mix until the cake mix is well moistened. Your cake mix should
2 large egg whites, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1⁄2 cup prepared chocolate frosting
2 to 21⁄4 lbs. milk chocolate
3 tablespoons shortening 40 candy sticks White icing, for decorating
be moist enough to shape into a large mound and keep its shape.
7) Roll your cake mix into 11⁄2inch, football-shaped cake balls using the palms of your hands. You should be able to get 30 to 35 football-shaped balls from a single batch of cake mix.
8) To prepare the chocolate shell, pour milk chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl and melt on 50 percent power for 4 minutes, or more time if necessary.
9) Pull out your melted milk chocolate and stir thoroughly with a spoon until completely smooth. Once smooth, add shortening to the chocolate to thin out the consistency a bit. Stir thoroughly again.
10) Take a candy stick and dip into the chocolate about 1 inch and place it into the center of your cake ball on the top. This will act as a glue keeping your cake pop and stick attached. Continue for all cake pops. Wait 10 minutes for the chocolate to harden on the stick and on the cake pop.
ant to provide something special for young fans as well. This year, playoff party hosts can whip up these tasty “Football Cake Pops” from Lines+Angles for young fans. Makes 30 servings Our Service
11) Now you are ready to coat your cake pops in the chocolate. Place the pop in the chocolate at a sideways angle with one hand. Using the other hand, spoon the chocolate mixture all around the pop. Try to do this as quickly as possible before the chocolate begins to harden and get lumpy. Once you have evenly coated the pop, gently tap the stick on the side of the bowl to get off any excess chocolate that would drip. Once the chocolate shell hardens, decorate the football pops with grip marks using the white icing. Let the icing dry and serve at room temperature.
2:00 p.m.: Lunar New Year Celebration - Join Li Liu when she performs traditional Chinese acrobatics with hand balancing, plate spinning, ribbon dancing and more. Li will explain some of the Lunar New Year rituals. There will be fun for all and some audience participation
Sunday, February 1
2:00 p.m.: Rescheduled - Hybrid: Bill Bleyer "The True Story of the Culper Spy Ring" Co-Hosted by the Nassau County Historical Society You must re-register for this event!
Discover the true story of the Culper Spy Ring with former Newsday reporter Bill Bleyer, author of “George Washington’s Long Island Spy Ring” Long surrounded by legends--especially since the TV series Turn--the ring’s methods and key figures have often been misunderstood. This presentation separates fact from fiction and reveals how this ingenious intelligence network helped the Patriots win the Revolutionary War.
Monday, February 2
8:30 a.m.: Book Donations - The Library will be accepting donations of patrons’ gently used books, CDs and DVDs to be sold at our Annual Book Sale. Please leave donations beneath the overhang in the back of the library on the JPL Donation Cart.
Donated items will become the property of the Jericho Public Library. Use of these items is at the sole discretion of the Library.
Tuesday, February 3
10:30 a.m.: Mandarin Bilingual Story Time (Ages 18 Months - 5 Years)Join us for a 30-minute program that consists of nursery rhymes, puppets, songs, stories, and movements in English and Mandarin Chinese. Does not require a Mandarin background.
11:00 a.m.: VIRTUAL: Guided Meditation for Self-Healing with Patricia Anderson - Join Pat for one or all of the meditation sessions to bring harmony and balance into your life. Learn the beautiful practice of Jin Shin Jyutsu to help your body heal and keep you relaxed.
Wednesday, February 4
4:00 p.m.: Learn to Crochet! (Grades 4–6) - Tweens - Join us for this beginner crochet class! You will learn in a comfortable, relaxed environment, and practice the chain (slip) stitch and single crochet. We encourage participants to attend both sessions so you can reinforce the fabulous new skill you will have learned. All materials are supplied. Please note that although these programs run for 2 hours, we understand if you have to leave early. It takes time to learn crochet, but you can do it!
6:30 p.m.: VIRTUAL : Silver Scribblers: Creative Writing Workshop - Everyone has a story to tell -- what’s yours? Join Silver Scribblers, the library’s creative writing group designed especially for older adults who love words, memories, and imagination. Whether you’re jotting down family stories, crafting
poetry, or exploring new forms of writing, this friendly group offers encouragement, inspiration, and a welcoming space to share your voice.
6:30 p.m.: Estate Planning with the Law Office of Kathleen M. Rose, PLLCJoin attorney Kathleen Rose from Law Office of Kathleen M. Rose. PLLC. for this seminar on creating wills, trusts, health care proxies, powers of attorney, plus so much more. Kathleen will also go over Medicaid planning for long-term care, and handling estate administration. Please bring any questions you have regarding any area of estate planning.
Thursday, February 5
10:00 a.m.: Stepping Stones to Milestones (Ages 18–28 Months)Come join Miss Renee and Miss Amy for an adventure in Language, Learning and FUN! Creative activities will focus on helping your child as they venture down the path toward age appropriate milestones.Â
11:00 a.m.: Stepping Stones to Milestones (Ages 29–47 Months) - Come join Miss Renee, a literary specialist, and Miss Amy, a former speech and language pathologist, for an adventure in Language, Learning and FUN! Creative activities will focus on helping your child as they venture down the path toward age appropriate milestones.
1:00 p.m.: HYBRID: The Passionate Reader: “Heartwood” by Amity GaigeWhen experienced Appalachian Trail hiker Valerie Gillis disappears in the Maine woods, she documents her
struggle to survive in letters to her mother. Game Warden Beverly leads the search, while Lena, a seventy-sixyear-old birdwatcher, turns armchair detective. As their stories intersect, a chilling truth emerges--Valerie’s disappearance may not be accidental.
4:00 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Art Workshop with Art Teacher Amy (Grades 1-6) - Follow along with Art Teacher Amy as she leads you through creating your own masterpiece in the style of great artists.
Friday, February 6
1:00 p.m.: Cooking Demonstration: Valentine's Vanilla Drizzled Chocolate Chip Scones with Chef Rob - In this class, we will be making Valentine’s vanilla drizzled mini chocolate chip scones. Everyone will make 16 mini chocolate chip scones ready to take home and bake. Please bring: a cookie sheet, rubber spatula, large bowl and a small container with a lid.$5 per person; non refundable. 4:30 p.m.: The Realm of Dragons with The Whaling Museum (Grades 1–5) - Kick off the Lunar New Year with an adventure through dragon myths from around the world. Uncover how real-life sea creatures sparked dragon legends, and bring the wonder home by designing a movable dragon craft. This program is presented by The Whaling Museum.
Register for all events at https:// www.jericholibrary.org/events/month Non-residents may register beginning 2 weeks before each program.
This Week at the Syosset Public Library
Friday, January 30, at 10:00 a.m.
Simply Stronger with Balance (VIRTUAL)
Instructor: Mindy Vasta
Handheld weights, resistance bands and balls will help improve strength, flexibility, and coordination. Includes a balance segment to enhance posture, core strength, and proper alignment of muscle groups. Exercises can be performed sitting or standing. Equipment recommended but not required. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org. The Zoom link will be sent out once you register.
Monday, February 2, from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Card & Board Games (IN-PERSON)
Bring a game to play with your friends for the afternoon. Play canasta, Mah Jongg (must have table covering), or a board game. Rooms will be set up with tables and chairs. You will need to bring your own game and play-
ing partners. No registration needed.
Tuesday, February 3, at 11:15 a.m.
Mind in Movement (VIRTUAL)
Instructor: Mindy Vasta
This class consists of aerobic movement to improve cardiovascular fitness. All movements can be performed standing or sitting. Proper footwear is needed. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary. org. The Zoom link will be sent out once you register.
Tuesday, February 3, at 7:30 p.m.
Evening Book Discussion (IN-PERSON)
Join Kaye, Readers’ Services Librarian, for a discussion of the #1 New York Times bestseller “ First Lie Wins ” by Ashley Elston. Copies of the book will be available at the Circulation Desk one month before the discussion. No registration needed.
Wednesday, February 4, at 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Yarn Circle (IN-PERSON)
Do you like to knit, crochet or do other needlework? Stop by the library to meet other crafters, chat while you work, share ideas and show others your finished projects! This is not an instructor-led class, but open space to work on your projects. No registration needed.
Friday, February 6, at 10:00 a.m.
Simply Stronger with Balance (VIRTUAL)
Instructor: Mindy Vasta
Handheld weights, resistance bands and balls will help improve strength, flexibility, and coordination. Includes a balance segment to enhance posture, core strength, and proper alignment of muscle groups. Exercises can be performed sitting or standing. Equipment recommended but not required. Registration needed. Register at syos-
setlibrary.org. The Zoom link will be sent out once you register.
Friday, February 6, at 11:00 a.m.
The Presidents of Mt. Rushmore and the Constitution, Part 1 (IN-PERSON)
Presenter: James Coll, adjunct professor of American and Constitutional history, Nassau Community College, and retired NYPD detective
A look at constitutional questions that faced the Mt. Rushmore presidents, their biographies, and the history of the monument. No registration needed.
Friday, February 6, at 2:00 p.m.
Friday Movie at the Library (IN-PERSON)
Join us for an afternoon movie at the library. Check our website for the movie that will be shown. Go to syossetlibrary.org.
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