The Garden City News (3/6/26)

PREMIERE DIVISION CHAMPIONS

The GU11 Garden City Aces received their well-deserved LIJSL fall Premiere Division winner medals this past weekend. The Aces only lost one game this fall on the way to being crowned champions. See page 55.

Garden City seeks multiple state grants

BY RIKKI MASSAND

At the Garden City Board of Trustees’ February 17 meeting, Village Administrator Ralph Suozzi shared several items for which the village sought authorization from the Board of Trustees to apply for New York State grants through the office of State Sen. Siela Bynoe.

Suozzi reviewed the list of grant requests, which includes separate

applications for a new GCFD Fire Training Center ($750,000), fire extrication tools ($300,000), ADAcompliant access infrastructure for Village Hall’s main entrance ($350,000), and additional projects.

The administrator also detailed potential Public Works projects that could receive state grant funding, including $5 million to perform lead service line identification and replacement; a $1.12 million grant to replace an exist-

ing 10-inch sanitary sewer force main that has exceeded its useful life; $500,000 for the Department of Public Works to install a new backup generator at the Garden City Public Library; and $250,000 for the repaving of Village Parking Field No. 6.

Playground proposal questions

Another group of grant applications concerns the village’s

See page 52

BY RIKKI MASSAND

At its meeting on Wednesday night, March 4, the Village of Garden City’s Recreation Commission approved membership rates for the 2026 summer season at the Garden City Pool, which will feature a brand-new pool slide and additional special “theme nights.”

The Commission approved rate increases of just under 3% for most membership categories, with a few slightly exceeding that threshold.

To begin the discussion, Assistant Superintendent for Recreation & Parks Andy Hill shared the proposed season dates — Opening Day on Saturday, June 13, through Monday, August 31, plus the full Labor Day weekend, September 5 through 7.

Hill explained that when he worked under former Recreation Superintendent Paul Blake in 2024, the stan-

See page 51

BY RIKKI MASSAND

The Village Board of Trustees approved termination payouts for four members of the Garden City Police Department who have left village service, appropriating a total of $824,065 from reserves for compensated absences.

At the February 17 meeting, Village Treasurer Irene Woo detailed the termination payouts for the board’s approval.

Trustees unanimously approved a payout of $515,570 to recently retired Commissioner Kenneth Jackson, who served the village for more than 40 years, including the last 13½ years as chief.

See page 52

Look beyond the initial costs

In the last few weeks there have been many posts on social media sites about various plans for the future of St. Paul’s. They run the gamut from major restoration to complete demolition, and it seems as if the residents’ opinions are further apart than ever.

Whatever plan is ultimately chosen, this will be a turning point in the future of the village. The potential costs of various proposals may have a huge impact on taxes, as well as the ability of the village to maintain its excellent services and facilities. There are about 7,700 homes in the village, and the cost for adaptive reuse of the building has been estimated to be north of $150 million, which would be quite a burden.

As of this week, the two ideas that are currently on the table are:

(1) demolishing the building and replacing it with a park or (2) turning it into a landmark by replacing the roof and fencing, and landscaping the area.

We think people should focus on ongoing costs to the taxpayers. A park will have some ongoing maintenance costs, and costs for any programs there.

Some have claimed that landmarking the building would be more fiscally sound, but we’re skeptical. Even if the building were sealed up and landmarked now, time and weather have a way of upending our plans.

Even landmarks need regular maintenance, and that would need to be budgeted by future boards. It’s not a “one and done” scenario.

Sources lacking for “Landmark Option” To the Editor:

Late last week in a series of videos, the CAP trustees introduced a “new” plan for St. Paul’s, declaring that they had found the final resolution to all of our St. Paul’s troubles. The specifics of the plan remain murky but include a new roof and an ornamental fence and candidates say it will cost just $10M, but have failed to provide any verifiable sources for this estimate.

It is astonishing that sitting trustees are providing costs for a plan without any sources and are portraying them as fact.

In fact, professionals who have done work in the building estimate the cost of a new roof alone to be at least double the figure quoted by CAP candidates. Additional work cited by Trustee Muldoon, Trustee Tai and Deputy Mayor Courtney beyond the roof will drive the price of this project to at least $20M-$30M according to professional estimates.

A vote for CAP this election is a vote for continued wasteful spending on a building deteriorating from the inside, and trustees who do not feel it is necessary to provide accurately sourced information to residents. This election, vote for transparency and responsibility. Vote Brosnan, Frey, Ryan and Bajaj. Neha Bajaj

Real, not replica

To the Editor:

FABGC founder MacLeod and contractor Beal reiterated Tuesday their social media post that FABGC’s preferred plan for St. Paul’s is complete demolition and construction of a “replica” Clocktower within a new 3–5 acre park.

FABGC’s proposal offers a smaller clocktower “replica” (materials supposedly similar but no dimensions provided) and carries a projected cost of $32+ million — roughly $500 per household. In contrast, the CAP/POA candidates propose a Minimalist Landmark Preservation approach: restore the real St. Paul’s with a new roof and repaired exterior, securing the original St Paul’s building and clocktower for about $10 million — approximately $50–$100 per household depending on financing.

As Oscar Wilde observed, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.”

Replacing the original clocktower with a smaller replica clocktower would diminish Garden City’s character and community pride. We deserve better. Keep Garden City Real not Replica.

Vote Row B CAP

Peter Coll & Frank McDonough,  Co-Chairs, St. Paul’s Conservancy

Not one & done

To the Editor:

CAP has a new proposal to spend millions of dollars to further mothball St Paul’s. They are making false claims that this is a Final Solution (One & Done) yet, Trustee Muldoon says future BOT can do what they want. I assume he means that future BOTs can do just that and ignore what CAP proposed. This is why you need to vote for Tom Ryan and the other FABGC on March 18 to build the park and save the clock tower.

Barbara Cashin

History matters

To the Editor:

In 1978, the then Board of Trustees placed a group of 50 buildings on the See page 24

During the three issues before the village election (Feb. 27th, March 6 and March 13th), the following rules for Letters to the Editor will be in effect:

• Letters must be 200 words or less.

• Letters must be received by our deadline of noon on Wednesday.

• One letter per person per week

CAP proposes “Landmark Compromise” for St. Paul’s

SUBMITTED BY THE COMMUNITY AGREEMENT PARTY CANDIDATES

The Community Agreement Party (CAP) candidates have introduced a new proposal for the future of St. Paul’s — the “Landmark Compromise” — an effort to resolve an issue that has weighed on Village residents for more than 30 years.

The Landmark Compromise seeks to meet residents where they are. As Trustee Candidate Judy Courtney explained, “The CAP candidates realize we need a new idea that is truly a compromise between all that residents have said they want. Some want to save the building, some want to demolish it. Some are willing to add to their Village taxes, some don’t want to add anything. We believe this new suggested approach meets everyone in the middle.”

The proposal would preserve St. Paul’s as a historic landmark while limiting the scope of work to essential exterior preservation and site improvements. The approximate scope includes securing a new Mansard roof, minimal exterior repairs such as structural masonry and security, removal of the

Community Agreement Party candidates Jessica Tai, Judy Courtney, Vinny Muldoon, and Gerard Smith with a rendering of the CAP’s proposed Landmarking of St. Paul’s. See page 52

Presentation on St. Paul’s Park

A full house braved the rain and wind to come out and listen to a presentation on St Paul's Park. After a robust 1-hour presentation covering costs, replacing the building, saving the clock tower and the components of building a park, the panel managed to answer all resident questions.The St. Paul's Park Group would like to thank former Mayor Flanagan for helping on the history of St Paul's and her excellent suggestions for a way forward.The also thank the ladies that took it upon their themselves to bake brownies and chocolate chip cookies. It would not have been the same without your treats! Submitted by the For A Better Garden City Candidates

Financial Advisor

Associate Vice President

Taylor

Taylor George The George Group at Morgan Stanley 1200 Franklin Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 516-683-3282

Financial Advisor raymond.george@ morganstanley.com advisor.morganstanley.com/the-george-group

Team: Forbes'

The use of the CDFA® designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney

Source: Forbes.com (2023-2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC. based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.

Source: Forbes.com (2019-2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award. For more information on award

and

FABGC candidates to hold Meet and Greet

For A Better Garden City Trustee candidates Thomas Brosnan, Joann Frey, Thomas Ryan, and Neha Bajaj will be hosting a Meet & Greet, March 11, from 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. Come speak with the candidates about their position on St Paul’s and any other specific issue or questions you might have. For more information about the Candidates, their bios and accomplishments, or to contribute to the campaign, please visit www.fabgc.org

Historical Society to host “Seafood and Wine Soiree”

The Historical Society will celebrate the arrival of Spring with “A Spring Catch Seafood & Wine Soirée Dinner” on Saturday, March 28, at The Historical Society Museum, 109 Eleventh Street. A limited number of tickets remain.

Presented in partnership with Les Dames d’Escoffier New York, the evening will be hosted by Dame MichaelAnn Rowe, aka “The Fishionista,” and Dame Cathy Coluccio Fazzolari, author of “The Italian Daughter’s Cookbook.”

Guests can expect a seafood extravaganza curated by Rowe and Coluccio Fazzolari, featuring seasonal flavors and thoughtful wine pairings. All seafood for the evening is graciously donated by Stew Leonard’s, thanks to the generosity of Dame Blake Leonard.

Wine expert Dame Ellen Negrin has selected perfect pairings from Italy and Spain to accompany each course and will demystify choosing wines to

com-plement fish, including a robust Tuscan Red.

The event will also feature exclusive raffle experiences, including private in-home cooking classes, a seafood immersion experience, curated wine tastings and dining packages at premier Manhattan and Long Island restaurants.

Tickets are $150 per person. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to https://TGCHSSeafoodFeast. eventbrite.com, or visit The A.T. Stewart Exchange at the Historical Society Museum, 109 Eleventh Street, Garden City.

The Historical Society’s partnership with Les Dames d’vEscoffier New York, an or-ganization of women at the top of the culinary, wine and spirits, hospitality, cookbooks fields and culinary media, continues to bring exceptional culinary programming to the community.

Opportunity is knocking at 208 Weyford Terrace in Garden City. This spacious 5 bedroom, 2 bath Crown Ranch sits on a 60 x 110 property with low taxes and offers a flexible layout that provides plenty of room to grow, redesign, and make it your own. With generous living space and a classic floor plan, this home is ready for a new vision and thoughtful updates. Whether you choose to renovate, expand, or completely reimagine the space, the possibilities here are truly endless. A rare chance to create your dream home in the award winning Garden City school district and a highly sought after neigh-

Have you seen me?

BY JOE UMANA, VILLAGE ARBORIST

The organism that you see in this photo is known as Lichen. If you thought lichen was a type of fungus, you would be partially right. Lichens are two organisms living together as one, also known as a composite organism. For most lichen, the partnership is a fungus and one or more algae working together. Normally, fungi would rely upon external food sources, generally dead or decaying matter, but when in combination with a partner capable of photosynthesis they do not need to. Individually, fungi would absorb nutrients from whichever surface they are growing on through a root-like structure called a hyphal network, but with the partner being capable of photosynthesis and producing its own food, the fungi does not need to utilize outside sources for their nutrients. All of this to

say, they are not in the least bit harmful to our trees.

We receive many resident calls about “fungus” infecting a tree only to realize it’s nothing more than some harmless Lichen. Lichen is a food source for many herbivores and other grazers. Some birds may incorporate lichen at random, while a select few, namely hummingbirds, appear to use lichen every time they build their nests. Lichens are also a good reflection of how well an environment is doing. If there is a lot of lichen in an area, that means that is a healthy, thriving, environment, with a higher level of air quality over time. Even if there is not a lot of lichen in the area, they also help to clean up pollution. Because lichens take in carbon dioxide through their photosynthesis process, they are also taking in air pollutants. These pollutants are absorbed and remain trapped in the lichen.

EPOA scholarship application open

It is with pleasure that the Eastern Property Owners’ Association announce that it will once again award a $1000 scholarship for 2026 to a graduating high school senior who resides in the Eastern section.

The candidates, or their family, must be dues paying members of the EPOA.  They must be currently attending public or private high school and plan to attend college full time in the fall.  The focus of this scholarship is community service.

Candidates need to submit an application which can be accessed from the EPOA website at www.gcepoa.org or obtained from the Garden City High School Guidance Department. The application should be sent to contactus@gcepoa.org. Should you have a question, you can call Barbara Garry at 516-248-1486.

All interested, eligible seniors are encouraged to apply.  The deadline for applications is April 16, 2026.

Charlie’s Champions donates funds to cancer center

The Charlie’s Champions Foundation recently made a $10,000 donation to the NYU Langone Cancer Center for Kids to help support the great things they do for so many families in the community.

The Schmitt family would like to thank everyone for their generosity over the years and for helping us give back to a place that has been so special to our family.

The

The

success, provide a respite from personal struggles, and nurture a love of reading across age groups.

We invite you to participate in this program by dropping off your like-new or gently used books at our Seventh Street location during office hours. The Book Fairies accept books from baby through adult but please, NO

invite you to participate in this program by dropping off your like-new or gently used books at our Seventh Street location during office hours.

The Book Fairies accept books from baby through adult but please, NO encyclopedias, textbooks or books older than 1995.

We Know and Love Garden City

Garden City Real Estate Market Information

34 East Drive

RECENT REAL ESTATE SALES IN GARDEN CITY

Date: 02/26/2026

Sold price: $1,450,000

3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath

Architectural Style: Split Level Square feet: 1,620

Lot size:.18

Annual taxes: $20,272

MLS number: 930690

The Seller’s Team: Lisa Fedor, Compass Greater NY

The Buyer’s Team: Demetrios Arnidis, Compass Greater NY

159 Brixton Road

Date: 02/26/2026

Sold price: $1,320,000

5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 1 half bath

Architectural Style: Colonial Square feet: 2,300

Lot size:

Annual taxes: $22,526

MLS number: 874632

The Seller’s Team: Katherine Koniecko and Arline Barraza, Signature Premier Properties

The Buyer’s Team: Ann and Matthew Heaney, Compass Greater NY

Welcome to this classic Center Hall Colonial nestled on the picturesque and tree-lined Brixton Road in the desirable Prime Estate Section of Garden City. Offering timeless appeal, this spacious home features 5 generously sized bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, providing plenty of room for comfortable living and entertaining. With three full floors of living space, the home features a traditional layout that begins with a welcoming foyer, flanked by a formal living room with a wood burning fireplace and a sunlit formal dining room. The main level also includes a kitchen with access to the backyard, a powder room, and space ready to be reimagined to fit your needs.

Upstairs, the second floor offers three spacious bedrooms and two full baths, including a primary suite with en-suite bath. The third floor adds two additional bedrooms and a full bath, making it perfect for guests, a home office, or flexible family living. Set on a flat lot, the property also includes a one-car detached garage and a private backyard — ideal for outdoor enjoyment.

Located close proximity to schools, parks, shopping, and the 2 LIRR lines! This property combines location, charm, and opportunity — a true find in Garden City!

This informational page is sponsored by Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Houses featured on this page were sold by various real estate agencies

Michael S chroder ha s s uccessfully represented Garden City homeowners’ tax appeals for over 40 years. He has lived in the Village for 35 years .

RESU LTS

Schroder & Strom has a 96% success rate in Nassau Count y.

KNOWLEDGE

Michael and his team of attorneys know every section of the Village and key arguments for achieving the largest reductions possible .

Schroder & Strom is recommended by Garden City ’s most prominent attorneys and real estate agents for their clients’ tax appeals.

SAV INGS

Schroder & Strom is saving Na ssau Co unty homeowners an average of $1,400 annually on property taxes.

LAW FIRM AD VANTA GE

As a law firm, we are held to the highest standards and have more resources and options available for favorable outcomes – yet our property tax reduction fees are the same as tax consultants.

do not.

Chances are, your neighbors are already saving on their taxes with Schroder & Strom. The Tax Grievance deadline is March 31, 2026. Start saving today. Go to nytaxreview.com and complete the Resi dential P rofile Form OR call us at (516) 742-7430.

Garden City real estate, reimagined.

List this winter with the #1 brokerage in Garden City.* Reach out to connect to a Garden City agent.

6

Mobility Impaired Committee plans 2026 priorities

Gerry Kelly in his man cave! This rare structure came about when PSEG? cleared the caps on the sidewalk so the openings to the gas tanks were clear. A fun place to hang out!! (Those who live on the corner blocks try to have a sense of humor.)

BY GERRY KELLY

The Mobility Impaired Committee is working on a web site accessaisle.org to have a place for the disabled and seniors to tap into. My most used resource is the lift assist out of our great police department. Many times we fall in life. If we are fortunate a big friend or sibling is around! However, at 6’1 and 197 on a good day, I could be on the floor for awhile! Before my life in the wheelchair began, I came to know the police very well!

So our website is in process and we are being helped by residents. We will always be looking for stories and lessons learned by residents. As we visit restaurants and stores we will compliment those that have easy access (Leo’s is good) and great handicap bathrooms (El Gufo).

One of our priorities this year involved the pool. I recently attended a Recreation Commission meeting and

Liz (my wife) escorted me to the cottage the St. Paul’s Advisory Committee used. I looked at the three brick steps and from my wheelchair and told her this maybe a problem. After a couple minutes the group moved to the front cottage, ironically, where the Mobility Impaired Committee had its initial meetings. I was fortunate to speak early in the meeting of the importance of the pool to the seniors and disabled. I know with the late Labor Day (September 7) staff and lifeguards will be challenged. I said it would be great to make it through Labor Day and heavenly if you get through the month of September. In the new year our top priority is making Village Hall’s front entrance ADA accessible. The current Village Administrator, Ralph Suozzi and Public Works Director are working hard to deliver this goal in the Fall.

Please contact me at anytime! Stay safe!

Stephen Baymack

The Baymack Team

Licensed Associate RE Broker

stephen.baymack@compass.com

M: 516.216.0244

Laura Baymack

The Baymack Team

Licensed RE Salesperson

laura.baymack@compass.com

M: 516.537.3050

The

New Listing 8 Andover Court, Garden City

$1,485,000 | 4 BD | 2.5 BA

Perfectly positioned mid-block on a quiet tree-lined street, this beautiful 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath Center Hall Colonial offers an abundance of living and entertaining space throughout. A gracious living room with a fireplace opens to a sun-drenched den or home office, while the elegant formal dining room is ideal for hosting gatherings. The eat-in kitchen flows seamlessly into the inviting family room, highlighted by a cozy fireplace. A powder room and direct access to the two-car garage complete the main level. The second floor features a primary bedroom suite and three generously sized bedrooms that are serviced by a full hall bathroom. The basement provides a versatile recreation room along with ample storage space. The 89 x 108-foot lot provides a perfect setting for outdoor entertaining or relaxing.

Women’s Health Care of Garden City committed to personalized care

By John L. Gomes, MD

John L. Gomes, MD, founded Women’s Health Care of Garden City in 1995. It has remained an independent private practice, providing personalized obstetrical and gynecological services.

He employs the technical advances of conventional medicine with an integrative approach to navigate women through difficult pregnancies into the menopausal years. He treats a wide variety of OB/GYN conditions and is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care.

All tests are conveniently done on the premises, and a dedicated, compassionate staff is on call 24/7.

He is committed to excellence in patient communication, education and support, as many patients come with anxiety associated with past experiences and future concerns.

Dr. Gomes received his undergraduate degree from Brown University, and his Doctor of Medicine from Columbia University.

He is both Board Certified and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Women’s Health Care of Garden City is located at 1000 Franklin Avenue, Suite 200, Garden City.

CAP candidate Gerard Smith runs for Village trustee

SUBMITTED BY THE CANDIDATE

A lifelong resident of Garden City, Gerard is seeking his first term as Village Trustee, bringing with him decades of professional experience, community involvement, and a deep personal commitment to the village he proudly calls home.

Born and raised in Garden City, Gerard returned to the community after a brief time living in New York City to raise his family in the same village that shaped his own upbringing. His three children attended Garden City public schools—just as he did—and he credits the district’s strong academic foundation, robust recreational programs, and close-knit community spirit with playing a defining role in his family’s life.

Athletics have long been central to Gerard’s personal and professional journey. A member of Cherry Valley Country Club, he remains an avid tennis player and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Manhattan College (now known as Manhattan University) in recognition of his achievements in tennis. Beyond his own athletic accomplishments, Gerard has devoted significant time to coaching and mentorship. He coached his daughter’s middle school soccer team and was actively involved with his son’s travel soccer program. These experiences, he says, strengthened his leadership abilities and sharpened his negotiation skills—often sharpened in conversations with passionate soccer parents and competitive young athletes!

Professionally, Gerard enjoyed a distinguished 43-year career on Wall Street, culminating as a partner at Weeden & Co.. His expertise in finance and governance has extended well beyond his professional life and into meaningful community service. He has served on the Board of Governors of Cherry Valley Country Club, been actively involved with the Estates Property Owners’

Association, and most recently contributed his time on the St. Paul’s Advisory Committee.

Gerard’s commitment to Garden City dates back to his college years. During summers, he worked for the Village Sanitation Department and was later assigned to the village’s Hedge Crew. He believes that having served both as a village employee and as a longtime resident provides him with a valuable perspective on municipal operations, workforce morale, and the everyday services that residents rely on.

Now, as he seeks his first term as Village Trustee, Gerard aims to combine his professional expertise, community leadership, and lifelong connection to Garden City in service to the village’s future. Gerard points to his canvassing as one of the best parts of the campaign. “I love meeting fellow residents. I love hearing about their thoughts. As members of the most recent St. Paul’s Advisory Committee, we were charged with finding paths to using the building of St. Paul’s. As a candidate for Trustee, my mission is different, but both have given me a tremendous amount of insight into how residents feel about our history, and I love getting the chance to learn more. With a lifelong connection to Garden City, I hope to be viewed as a trusted neighbor and a voice for both long-term residents and newer families. I am grateful for the support of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and current Trustees. The future of the village is one of my highest priorities.”

Election Day is March 18th. Applications for early and absentee voting can be found at Village Hall or at www.gardencityny.net. For more information about the CAP candidates and their platform, please visit www. gardencitycap.org. Please vote ROW B from 12 noon – 9 p.m. at the St. Paul’s Fieldhouse. Let’s move forward together.

Knights host defensive driving course

The Knights of Columbus #15809 at St Joseph’s Church in Garden City is pleased to offer the community a Driver Defensive Driving Course. The course will be held on Saturday, March 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph’s Church, 130 Fifth St., Garden City - LL St Agnes Room. Call for directions.

Upon completion of this course,

Participants are eligible for 10% off their motor vehicle insurance for three years and/or a possible reduction of points from their driver’s license. The fee for the course is $55 per person, and advance registration is required. To register and for more information, please contact Louie Malave , 631-398-8922

IT’S BEEN A BUSY TERM

In just two years, your Community Agreement Par ty Trustees turned action into progress and plans into results - investing in inf rastructure, safety, transparency and quality of life for ever y resident . Here are just some of the projects and under takings:

CRITICAL CEDAR VALLEY SEWER LIFT STATION REPLACEMENT APPROVED FIELDHOUSE LIGHTING SYSTEM UPGRADED AND REPLACED AT ST. PAUL’S HIGH-TECH SECURITY CAMERAS INSTALLED ON SEVENTH STREET PARKING LOT 7N LAUNCHED SMART IRRIGATION SPRINKLER REBATE PROGRAM

TIMELY RELEASE OF BOARD MEETING LIVESTREAM RECORDINGS

APPROVED NEW TREE PROGRAM TO GUARD AGAINST UNNECESSARY TREE REMOVAL

IMPROVED TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL COURTS AT GROVE PARK

WATER WELL 9 (EDGEMERE) AOP TREATMENT PROJECT COMPLETED LIBRARY UPGRADES: REPLACEMENT OF DOORS AND ROOF, UPGRADED CARPET, PARKING LOT LIGHTING AND HVAC SYSTEM, REFRESHED LANDSCAPING, INSTALLED ADDITIONAL PLANTERS FOR SECURITY

FIRST-EVER VILLAGE SWIMMING POOL CODES ADOPTED, INCLUDING SAFETY SETBACKS

St. Paul’s Fieldhouse Wednesday, March 18th 12 Noon to 9PM

CAP CANDIDATE

LANDMARK COMPROMISE PROPOSAL

Photo of St. Paul’s taken the morning of the 2025 Turkey Trot.

The crowds, some trees, race tents and construction fence has been edited out of the photo.

MAKE SURE YOUR VOICES AND VOTES ARE HEARD!

AI-derived rendering of St. Paul’s with the addition of landscaping and estate fencing, set more toawrds the building to allow for extra green space.

PRESERVE ST. PAUL’S AS A PERMANET HISTORIC LANDMARK

INSTALL A NEW ROOF TO PREVENT FURTHER DETERIORATION COMPLETE ESSENTIAL EXTERIOR MASONRY AND STRUCTURAL REPAIRS

REPLACE UNSIGHTLY CONSTRUCTION FENCE WITH 6 FT. ESTATE FENCING, SET BACK RESTORE PROPERTY TO PARK-LIKE SETTING WITH LANDSCAPED GREEN SPACE

UPHOLD OUR COMMITMENT BY OFFERING THE LOWEST COST-VIABLE PROPOSAL CURRENTLY AVAILABLE

BRING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER AROUND HISTORY AND BEAUTY WHILE PRESERVING A DEFINING SYMBOL OF GC AND MOVING BEYOND THE DIVISION

VOTE ROW B * MARCH 18 * ST. PAUL’S FIELDHOUSE *12PM - 9PM TH MAKE SURE YOUR TAX DOLLARS ARE SPENT WISELY AND RESPONSIBLY!

Alarm response

Garden City Police and Firefighters responded to Adelphi University on February 25th for an automatic fire alarm that was caused by burning food.

Cooking alarm

On February 25th, police and firefighters responded to a Wyatt Rd. residence for an automatic fire alarm that was triggered by cooking.

Identity theft report

Garden City Police took a stolen identity report on February 25th from a resident at a Cathedral Ave. House of Worship.

Cooking in the office

GCFD and GCPD responded to an Old Country Rd. office building for an automatic fire alarm caused by cooking on February 25th.

Dryer alarm

An overheated rag in a dryer caused an automatic fire alarm at a 7th St. business, bringing GCFD and GCPD to the scene on February 25th.

Missing person located

Garden City Police responded to a local medical facility on February 26th

for a missing person report. Upon arrival, Nassau County Police were already on the scene with the missing person, who had previously been reported as a high-risk Missing Person from the 3rd Pct.

False alarm

On February 26th, Garden City Police and Firefighters respond ed to the Historical Society building on 11th St. for an automatic fire alarm that was determined to be false in nature.

Gift cards stolen

A Maple St. resident came to GCPD HQ on February 26th to report a petit larceny involving gift cards that had been placed in a 6th Street mailbox. The cards were never received, and the victim later confirmed at the store where they were purchased that the gift cards’ funds had already been depleted.

System test

Garden City Police and Firefighters responded to a 7th St. business on February 26th for an automatic alarm

that had been triggered during a system test.

Identity theft

A Kilburn Road resident was the victim of identity theft on February 26th after discovering cash missing from an account. Bank fraud investigators advised that an in-person fraud had occurred at a NY branch the day before.

Suspended registration

On February 27th, a Garden City Traffic Unit officer stopped a Washington Ave. motorist for having a suspended registration. Police say that further investigation revealed multiple additional violations, resulting in the vehicle being impounded.

Youths running through yard

Officers responded to North Ave. and Brompton Rd. on February 27th for a report of youths running through a yard. The youths were Gone on Arrival (GOA), and no further action was requested.

Threatening texts

A Franklin Ct. resident reported receiving threatening text messages on February 27th and requested that the incident be documented for information purposes only.

Vehicle entered

On February 27th, a Willow St. resident reported that someone had entered his parked vehicle during overnight hours. No loss was reported.

Shoplifting report

A Franklin Ave. business reported the theft of merchandise on February 27th. The subject was not present upon police arrival, the video footage was unclear, and the store manager declined prosecution.

Visibility effort

Garden City Police conducted Community Policing — House of Worship events throughout the day on February 28th as part of a visibility effort. All such events were completed without incident.

Motorist dispute

Officers responded to a dispute between motorists on February 28th; however, upon arrival neither party wished to reveal their names or details and both left the area.

Hair dryer alarm

Garden City Police and Firefighters responded to a Roxbury Rd. residence on February 28th for an automatic fire

alarm that had been triggered by a blow dryer.

Protest monitored

On February 28th, Garden City Police were present at the County Executive Building on Franklin Ave. during a “No War in Iran” protest attended by approximately 40 protestors. The event concluded without incident.

Construction alarm

GCFD and GCPD responded to a Franklin Ave. business on February 28th for an automatic fire alarm that was determined to have been triggered due to construction activity.

Snowblower theft attempt

Garden City Police responded to a 3rd Place residence on February 28th for the report of an attempted larceny involving a snowblower. The homeowner was alerted by home video surveillance, which showed the subject moving the unit to the street before leaving on a bicycle. GCPD detectives are investigating.

Water main break

Garden City Police responded to Herricks Rd. and Rockaway Ave. on March 1st for a water main break. Nassau County Police were also on scene, and Nassau County DPW was notified by NCPD.

Suspicious noise

On March 1st, officers responded to a Roosevelt St. residence for a suspicious noise that was later determined to be animals in the backyard.

Parade assistance

Garden City Police assisted the Nassau County Police with traffic control during the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 1st. The event was completed without incident.

Malfunction alarm

Garden City Police and Firefighters responded to a Greenridge Ave. residence on March 1st for an automatic fire alarm that had been triggered by a system malfunction.

Lost dog

Garden City Police responded to a Brook St. residence on March 1st for a report of a lost dog. The animal was later returned to its owner by a neighbor.

Order violation arrest

A 26-year-old undomiciled male was arrested on March 1st for criminal contempt after he allegedly violated an order of protection.

Email scam

A resident came to Garden City

See page 44

It’s grant writing time…the Village is currently applying for grants through the U.S. Congress and New York State Legislature. Later this year, we will also be applying for grant monies through Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead. We have and will apply for assistance in funding programs being developed by our Recreation Department, DPW, and the Police and Fire Departments, amongst others. Very quietly, these allocations over the years have assisted the Village in financing important projects at the Water Department, the GCFD’s Western Fire House and new equipment at HQ and on fire trucks, as well as new technology apparatus for the GCPD. Ralph Suozzi and the senior crew at Village Hall have had the laboring oar in this annual undertaking for many, many years.

History at Play

On Sunday, March 22 at 2:00 p.m. at the Senior Center, we will be presenting “A Revolution of Her Own.” The show chronicles the life of American Revolutionary War Hero, Deborah Sampson, the first woman to fight in and be honorably discharged from the American military. This one-woman interactive performance starring Judith Kalora has been a smash hit up and down the east coast. The show is part of the Village’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Hope to see you there. Admission is FREE!! To learn more, visit www.HistoryAtPlay. com.

Check Smoke and CO Detectors

As we turn the clocks forward for Daylight Saving Time this Sunday, the GCFD is reminding all residents and business owners that this is the perfect time to check and replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are the first line of defense in the event an emergency occurs in your home or workplace. These life-saving devices provide critical early warning, giving occupants the time they need to safely evacuate and call 9-1-1. Over the years, GCFD has responded to numerous alarms where properly functioning smoke detectors alerted occupants to smoke or fire conditions, allowing families to get out safely and minimize damage. Under New York State regulations, smoke alarms sold today are required to be equipped with sealed, non-removable 10-year batteries. These units are designed to provide continuous protection for a full decade without battery replacement. However, homeowners should still test their alarms monthly and replace the entire unit if it is more than 10 years old or not functioning properly.

• Smoke detectors in every home and apartment, including inside each sleeping area, outside sleeping areas, and on every level of the residence, including basements.

• Carbon monoxide detectors in all residential dwellings, including one- and two-family homes and multiple dwellings.

• CO detectors must be installed within 10 feet of sleeping areas.

• Landlords are responsible for providing and installing these devices in rental properties, while tenants are responsible for maintaining them and replacing batteries where applicable. To ensure maximum protection:

• Install smoke detectors inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home.

• Install carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas and on each level of the home.

• Avoid placing detectors directly next to kitchens, bathrooms, or

fuel-burning appliances where nuisance alarms may occur.

• Test alarms monthly and after replacing batteries.

The Garden City Fire Department encourages all residents to use the time change as a reminder to check their alarms and review their home escape plans with family members.

2026 Village Election: What You Need To Know

The General Village Election for 2026 will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at the St. Paul’s Field House. Polls will be open from 12 Noon to 9:00pm in the evening. The names of those who are running for Village wide office are as follows:

The Community Agreement Party: Trustee – 2 years – Vinny Muldoon Trustee – 2 years – Judy Courtney Trustee – 2 years – Jessica Tai Trustee – 2 years – Gerard Smith For A Better Garden City Party: Trustee – 2 years – Thomas Brosnan Trustee – 2 years – Jo-Ann Frey Trustee – 2 years – Thomas Ryan Trustee – 2 years – Neha Bajaj

New York State law requires:

Friday, March 6, 2026

National Register of Historic Places, identified as the thematic group of “A.T. Stewart Era” structures. Forty four of the 50 structures were residences. The Garden City Water Works, The Cathedral of the Incarnation, St. Mary’s Cathedral School, 53-55 Hilton Avenue and St. Paul’s School were also part of the historic buildings placed on the National Register as important historical elements of Garden City.

A.T. Stewart planned Garden City to be a special community with broad tree lined streets, places of worship, places for recreation and accessible by commuter railroad.

Since 1978 the responsibility of every Board of Trustees is to maintain the historic character of Garden City as it was envisioned by not only A.T. Stewart but his wife Cornelia.

The present Board of Trustees and Mayor are upholding their fiduciary and historic preservation responsibilities for the greater good of our Village. Maintaining the historic legacy of Garden City which is what sets us apart from other towns and villages.

Vote for Vinny Muldoon, Judy Courtney, Jessica Tai and Gerard Smith on March 18, 2026.

Cosmo Veneziale, Former Mayor 2021-2023 CAP fails at math

To the Editor:

Trustee Muldoon said a 10 year $40 million park bond was almost the same cost as a 30 year $80 million adaptive re-use bond. This isn’t accurate and it would cause a student to fail any math class.

Consider 3.2% bond interest to compare apples to apples, but longer bonds would have a higher interest rate:

$40 million 10 year bond interest would be $7 million

$80 million 30 year bond interest would be $39.8 million

A $32.8 million interest difference is NOT almost the same. If they don’t fully understand interest; maybe that’s why they have trouble controlling our debt.

NOTE: We proposed a $32 million park bond (not $40 million), interest would be $5.6 million; a $34 million difference.

$80 million is NOT a valid cost since it’s from an anonymous company with no supporting data. We estimate adaptive re-use at $159 million with interest of $79.3 million.

Equally concerning is CAPs refusal to provide any details for adaptive re-use operating & maintenance. Plus they don’t acknowledge that getting an extension of the required 15 to 30 years debt requires Albany’s intervention and approval.

Interest on debt is real money!

Tom Ryan,  Village Trustee Candidate

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

Landmark option brilliant

To the Editor:

Why are some people hell-bent on knocking down St. Paul’s? Cornelia Stewart built St. Paul’s as a memorial to her late husband Alexander Turney Stewart, the founder of Garden City and one of the most successful merchants in US history. It’s a privilege to have a historic landmark such as St. Paul’s in our village that preserves our past and allows us to connect with the people and events that shaped our village. How lucky we are as citizens of this nation that no one razed Mount Vernon or Monticello just to name two very wellknown historic buildings. St. Paul’s has been standing for over 140 years. Don’t let Don McCleod and his cronies knock down the building without a vote from the residents. In another 140 years Don will be long gone and forgotten while St. Paul’s could remain standing for generations to come with the least expensive landmark option. It makes no senses to knock down the building and create a “park” when you can keep this cornerstone of our historic village and have a park surrounding the building. The icing on the cake is it would be 1/3 the cost of demolition. Vote for the fiscally responsible CAP candidates, Vinny Muldoon, Judy Courtney, Jessica Tai and Gerard Smith to move this brilliant idea forward.

Pauline Edwards

Line A for St. Paul’s Park

To the Editor:

A St. Paul’s Park makes sense now, and all residents have an opportunity to vote for this solution on March 18th by choosing Brosnan-Frey-Ryan-Bajaj on Line A.

A St. Paul’s Park is an opportunity to increase and protect valuable green space in our village, and to create a beautiful outdoor gathering place for residents of all ages.  It provides the lowest cost solution for the St. Paul’s Main Building that does not burden future generations.  It ends the toxic debate that is hurting our community and the wasteful spending of your tax dollars and time of village leaders on an effort that cannot succeed.

We owe a debt of gratitude to the past Mayors and Trustees who have spent so much time thoroughly exploring all possible solutions for the St. Paul’s Building.  I have written about those extensive efforts, and without them, we would not be where we are now with such a clear answer.

The St. Paul’s Park presentation this week shared a solution that is beautiful, responsive to resident input, will enhance our community, and honors our history. On March 18th, you can be a part of the solution by voting for Line A.

Mary Carter Flanagan,  Former Mayor

Re-elect the CAP Candidates

To the Editor:

As Mayor and Trustee for nearly three years—and as a keen observer of BOTs for 20+ years—I can state unequivocally that the effort, creativity, and care Vinny, Judy, and Jessica T. have brought to serving residents over the past two years has been exemplary and set a new standard of excellence for Trustees.

With the addition of Gerard Smith to the ticket—a longtime resident with fresh ideas and a common touch—the Board will add another thoughtful voice and veteran perspective.

Vinny, Judy, and Jess approach every issue, large or small, with an extraordinary work ethic, empathy, and responsiveness. Vinny is a “force of nature” who has engaged residents in everyday Village affairs like never before; Judy, my Deputy Mayor, brings a keen mind, common-sense and two decades of meaningful community involvement; and, Jess, possesses an exceptional ability to get to the heart of an issue with intelligence and thoughtfulness.

Whether the issue is traffic, recreation, infrastructure, et.al., this team’s remarkable devotion to serving the best interests of you, the residents, will continue to strengthen the Village not only through 2028 but for many, many years to come. I support the CAP ticket passionately.

Mayor Ed Finneran

GC needs to comply with ADA

To the Editor:

Disability doesn’t just affect “someone else.” Any one of us can become disabled at any time — through illness, an accident, or simply aging. Accessibility is not a favor; it is a civil right and a shared community responsibility.

When will Garden City fulfill its moral and legal obligation to become fully accessible to residents with disabilities?

It has been more than 36 years since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, yet Village Hall remains only partially accessible. Although there is an accessible entrance, it is located far from the handicapped parking area — too far for many with mobility challenges. The entrance nearest parking has steps that are impossible for wheelchair users and difficult for those using walkers or canes. The door is not automatic and is too heavy to open independently.

During the last blizzard, accessible spaces across the Village were not properly cleared. At St. Joseph’s Church, they were buried in snow, forcing a disabled parishioner to park six feet into the street.

These are not minor oversights. They deny residents equal access to services and participation in community

life. Garden City can — and must — do better. Compliance should be the floor, not the ceiling.

Jo-Ann Frey,  Candidate for Trustee

Delivered meaningful results

To the Editor:

We are writing in strong support of Vinny Muldoon’s reelection to the Garden City Board of Trustees on March 18th.

Over the past two years, Vinny has delivered meaningful results for our community. As Traffic and Fire Commissioner, he has strengthened public safety, improved traffic flow, and advanced critical infrastructure projects, including the Edgemere Firehouse restoration, Meadow Street drainage upgrades, and lead water line improvements. He has led major recreation and park enhancements, beautified downtown streets, secured funding for historic landmarks, and increased transparency through more direct and responsive communication with residents, including on social media.

Beyond his accomplishments, Vinny is simply a wonderful person. When we purchased our first home in Garden City, he went above and beyond to provide support and guidance. He truly cares about the people who live here and consistently shows up with generosity, integrity, and heart — helping make Garden City not only a beautiful town, but a wonderful place to raise our family.

Vinny is just getting started. The progress we’ve seen is only the foundation for what’s ahead. He deserves the opportunity and the time to finish the important work he has begun and continue moving our community forward. Please join us in voting for Vinny Muldoon on March 18th.

Diana and Tom Halpin

Highest integrity

To the Editor:

Jo-Ann Frey is an excellent candidate for Village Trustee. I have known Jo-Ann well for over 40 years, first as a co-worker, and since then as a life-long friend. Let me tell you a little bit about her. You may know that Jo-Ann is an attorney and devoted her entire career to public service. Why? Because she is dedicated to both her country and her community. Having grown up in Garden City, she has wonderful memories from her childhood and wants others to have the same experiences. Jo-Ann is insightful, analytical, and intelligent. Moreover, she has boundless amounts of energy and will advocate effectively on behalf of Garden City residents. She is very engaged in thoughtful consideration of issues, particularly those relating to Village finances.

Importantly, Jo-Ann is a person of

See page 26

1991

The St. Paul’s School closes down due to dwindling enrollment and severe financial losses.

Timeline of St. Paul’s Timeline of St. Paul’s

1993

The Village of Garden City purchases St. Paul’s with the stated goal of utilizing the fields with no longterm plan for the main building.

1994

The Mayor’s Committee explores all uses for the space with 35 parties and all decline due to prohibitive costs of restoration except an assisted living facility.

1994-1996

The Board of Education does not view the St. Paul’s facility as an economically feasible answer to the district’s needs.

2001-2003

The Mayor’s Committee explores moving Village Hall to St. Paul’s, moving the GC Library to St. Paul’s, building a community center and private developers for the space. All are ultimately rejected due to costs.

Westerman Construction Co. is engaged to provide cost estimates and a comparative analysis on adaptive reuse, facadism and demolition.

Residents vote on survey with no options for Demo or Facadism preservation. 52% of households oppose all options for preservation and 33% write-in Demolition.

St. Paul’s Bond Resolution to finance the demolition of the St. Paul’s Main Building does not pass.

Village-wide vote of 5,020 results in 2,272 voting for demolition, 1,875 voting for mothballing and 873 voting for an assisted living facility.

2004

St. Paul’s is designated as Parkland. Any future commercial uses will require Albany approval.

Friday, March 6, 2026

the highest integrity and can be trusted to keep her word. When her aunt Marie Casey, a Wyndham resident and a retired teacher from the Stratford School, was declining in health, Jo-Ann stepped in and competently handled her affairs. She ensured that her Aunt remained in her home and was exceptionally well taken care of. She took this responsibility very seriously. Jo-Ann has recently retired from her legal career and now has both the time and a sincere desire to devote herself to the Village. You will be hard pressed to find a more dedicated, hard-working, and trustworthy candidate than Jo-Ann Frey. Please vote for her on March 18, 2026, as Village Trustee.

Ronald Wisla

Just ask Jessica

To the Editor:

The GC Library has been a valuable resource for Jessica and her family. An ardent supporter of the library renovation, she envisions the library will be the heart of the community. Over the past 2 years, Jessica has conferred with Bruce Torino, the CAP BOT liaison to the library who has updated the physical library indoor and outdoor plans. Jessica suggested exciting new ideas ensuring there are programs to benefit everyone.

With the cessation of the promenades, Jessica worked diligently to recreate a new format to ensure the safety and enjoyment of residents. She designed creative themed nights including the patriotic ‘Kickoff to Summer’ and coordinated with the schools to encourage children to participate in the community spirit.

Jessica has been visibly active in community events and has improved communication dramatically. She promotes the use of the GC app which provides residents with information they want to know about ‘What’s Up?’ in their community.

I support the CAP team for their hard work and success with the library and other village accomplishments. Jessica welcomes challenges, accepts new ideas and gets the job done! Want something done in the village? Just Ask Jessica! Kathie Wysocki The right thing to do

To the Editor:

I have known Thomas Brosnan for years both professionally and personally. I wholeheartedly support him for Village Trustee.

The Village is at a crossroads and tough decisions must be made. The Village needs trustworthy, truthful and dependable people to lead this Village. It also needs intelligent and forthright people to balance the needs versus the wants of residents.

Thomas Brosnan is that person. He

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

will be an asset to the Village. I trust him implicitly.

You may know Tom as an accountant, as a professor at Adelphi, as a neighbor, or as a friend. Tom goes out of his way for others. He is a regular blood donor because it is the right thing to do. He is a lector at St. Joseph’s Church for the early 7:30am mass on Sunday. But, when I, and others, cannot get to church, he takes us. It’s the right thing to do.

He shovels his neighbors’ yards. It’s the right thing to do.

When I was immobilized for two months, he regularly visited bring ice cream. It was the thoughtful thing to do.

Vote for Thomas Brosnan on March 18th. He will put the Village first because it’s the right thing to do.

Anita Frey

Disciplined energy and focus

To the Editor:

It is my pleasure to offer my strong support for Gerard Smith.

Gerard is a lifelong resident of our Village, as well as a longtime neighbor and friend. We have known each other since high school, and I have seen firsthand his deep commitment to our community. I fondly remember the summers when he instructed my mother’s tennis group at Miss Gardner’s tennis court on Sixth Street — a simple but meaningful example of his willingness to give back.

Gerard brings disciplined energy and focus to everything he does. He is committed to helping ensure our Village is well run and fiscally responsible. His financial background will serve the Finance Committee well, and his lifelong love of athletics makes him a natural fit for the Recreation Commission.

Having grown up here and raised three children in the Village, Gerard understands our community from every perspective. He has a strong sense of the pulse of our residents — young families, working professionals, and seniors alike.

I look forward to working with Gerard on the Board of Trustees this coming year. Please vote Row B on Wednesday, March 18th at St. Paul’s Field House.

Thank you for supporting the Community Agreement Party.

Michele Beach Harrington

Kindness and integrity

To the Editor:

I am writing to encourage my friends and neighbors to vote for Tom Brosnan in the upcoming Board of Trustees election.

Tom has been my neighbor for over 38 years. In all that time, he has quietly and consistently shown up for me. He clears the snow from my property without being asked, places my newspaper through the mail slot before heading

to work so I don’t have to step outside, and now brings me Holy Communion on Sundays.

These may seem like small gestures, but to me, they mean everything. Tom does not serve for recognition — he serves because it is who he is. In many ways, he has been more than a neighbor; he has been a guardian angel.

If elected, I believe Tom will bring that same kindness, integrity, and care to our Village.

Joan Whiting Turns ideas into actions

To the Editor:

I am proud to support Jessica Tai in her re-election to the Village Board of Trustees.

I met Jessica several years ago through the Garden City Welcoming Club, and what immediately stood out to me was her authenticity, dedication, and genuine passion for serving others—qualities that have made her such an effective and impactful Trustee to date.

Over the past year, I have seen firsthand what Jessica has accomplished as a Trustee. As a mom of three young children, I am especially grateful for her strong commitment to families in Garden City. From stepping up to organize summer festivals after the promenades were canceled, to leading meaningful upgrades at the Garden City Swimming Pool—including a new playground—to prioritizing important initiatives such as enhanced railroad safety measures for our children, Jessica consistently focuses on initiatives that strengthen and protect our community.

Jessica leads with integrity, energy, and a thoughtful vision for Garden City’s future. She listens, she collaborates, and—most importantly—turns ideas into action. Our village is stronger because of her leadership, and I am confident it will continue to thrive with her continued service.

I encourage everyone to vote for Jessica Tai in the upcoming election.

Laura Chiara

Vote with your wallet

To the Editor:

The eight BOT Trustees make the decisions and spend the money. A four year Trustee, my husband Bruce Chester was respected, honest, listened to the residents, and voted his conscience. Many of CAP accomplishments were instituted by fellow FABGC trustees.

For 4 years, the bulk of his time was focused on St Pauls. They took an informal vote and then hired BCI to take a resident survey. The CAP trustees ( Vinnie, Judy, Jessica) refused to include demolition or facadism. Muldoon directed the St. Paul’s Committee to only consider full adaptive reuse.

The CAP BOT refused to compromise.

Now, they are last minute flip-flopping. Their actions over the past two years speak louder than their last minute political promises. Did they really have a change of heart?

Residents don’t financially support any adaptive reuse. Can Muldoon, Courtney and Tai be trusted with the biggest financial decision in decades? Do you want to vote for the social media nice guys or vote with your wallet?

As a CPA, I believe the only solution is based on financial reasons. They have a plan to build a beautiful park with St Pauls clock tower.

Vote FABGC candidates Brosnan, Frey, Ryan and Bajaj.

Patricia Chester

Experience and results matter

To the Editor:

We are writing to strongly endorse all four Candidates of the Community Agreement Party, Judy Courtney, Vinny Muldoon, Jessica Tai, and Gerard Smith, for election on March 18, 2026.

The current Board of Trustees has demonstrated their leadership capabilities in a broad array of accomplishments for our Village. To effect these results, they have shown focus, dedication, collaboration and the ability to listen to residents. Here are some striking examples of their accomplishments: the renovation of the Edgemere Fire Station, securing a huge $500,000 Federal .grant for the Edgemere renovation, other long overdue infrastructure improvements, such as Meadow Street Drainage Project, a new turf field at St Paul’s, HVAC upgrades and other improvements to Cluett Hall and St Paul’s Fieldhouse and a significant improvement in our relationship with the business community, including with the Chamber of Commerce. Importantly, this list would not be complete without mentioning their efforts to resist the Casino development, working towards a solution on St Paul’s and a much needed moratorium to pause all prospective subdivisions.

We are confident the four CAP Trustee Candidates are highly qualified and up to the challenges of the future of our beautiful Village and hope you will join us in supporting a Vote for Row B for Judy Courtney, Vinny Muldoon, Jessica Tai, and Gerard Smith on March 18 at the St. Paul’s Fieldhouse.

Karl and Kate Schmidt Engaged and energetic

To the Editor:

I have lived in the Village since 1971 and raised my children in this wonderful Village.  The Village is facing serious issues and needs thoughtful, dedicated, serious leadership to work for the benefit of the Village.  For these reasons, I support Jo-Ann Frey who is running for Village Trustee.

I met Jo-Ann at the G.C. Pool where

To our fellow Garden City residents:

In just over two weeks, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to end 33 years of division. The fate of St. Paul’s is the single greatest financial threat to our Village’s future Full preservation estimates have climbed as high as $159 million Even the recent $80 million figure shared as an anonymous estimate by Trustee Muldoon’s St. Paul’s committee was admitted to be a mere starting point.

As fellow residents, we are tired of the indecision We are also offended by the repeated lack of transparency of this Board of Trustees and CAP candidates. From biased surveys to committees that ignored resident concerns about costs, the process has been designed to lead to only one conclusion: preservation at any price

In the months leading up to this election, we have all witnessed the CAP candidates’ inability to provide a solution other than preservation The candidates have offered no solid plan, only a dizzying array of pivots that have included all of the following: 1) public-private partnerships that could risk involvement from Albany; 2) exploring new real estate transfer taxes on homebuyers and sellers; 3) proposals for a preschool and school district uses for St Paul’s, which would require approval from Albany and have already been rejected by the School Board in the past; 4) spending $80M+ to “whitebox” and not use 75% of the building; and most recently, 5) resurrection of "mothballing”, a plan 77% of residents rejected just last summer This plan, being marketed as “Landmark Options” a deceptive term as the building has no Landmark status involves pouring unknown amounts of money into St. Paul’s now so that a future BOT can revisit preservation.

We simply cannot afford to roll the dice with CAP candidates to see which of their costly suggestions they ultimately land on, none of which provide any closure to this saga.

Our Village debt has quadrupled over recent years This year, we are on schedule to have the largest debt increase in the history of Garden City, 19-20% in just a single year. Many residents are increasingly feeling the pressure of our economic climate The only way to end this debate with certainty is to elect candidates committed to a financially responsible, permanent solution: replacing the building with a park

This isn't just about demolition; it’s about creation The St Paul’s Park proposal offers preservation of historical artifacts from St Paul’s that have been hidden from public view for decades The solution creates a community space with low maintenance costs to be enjoyed by residents for years to come. The solution ends decades of debate and division

This election, vote for the four FABGC candidates, Thomas Brosnan, Jo-Ann Frey, Thomas Ryan and Neha Bajaj, who are proposing the practical solution The alternative is a never-ending financially disastrous path The choice is yours

The preservationists are willing to save St Paul’s at any cost They are passionate, organized, well-funded and have been at it for decades They will show up to vote If you want to finally move our Village forward, united rather than divided, make sure you show up too.

Vote for a definitive end. Vote for financial sanity. Vote for the Park. Vote Brosnan, Frey, Ryan and Bajaj on Row A. Show up and be counted on March 18th at the St. Paul’s Field House from Noon to 9p.m.

-Thomas Brosnan, Jo-Ann Frey, Thomas Ryan and Neha Bajaj

From page 26

Friday, March 6, 2026

we got to know each other.  She often brings her mother, Anita Frey, with her.  She is now part of the Pool Chat Group at the Senior Center.

Jo-Ann, an attorney, spent her career in government service as a supervisor and director for over 30 years. She also has an advanced law degree, plus a Master’s in Education, and a M.S.W. in Social work.  She obtained these additional degrees while working full-time and raising a family. As an engaged lifelong learner, she is very analytical.

Jo-Ann is thoughtful, intelligent, engaged, energetic and very invested in the Village and the world around us.  To be honest, she recently retired and now has the time and desire to devote her efforts to the Village.

The village would be lucky to have such a person as a trustee.  Vote for her on March 18th.

Dian Kendrick

Done a fabulous job

To the Editor:

Thumbs up to the current village Board of Trustees for a fabulous job in keeping our pretty village clean and orderly.

Thank you for the new courts on Grove Street, the power-washed sidewalks, the neatness behind the stores on Seventh Street, the beautiful new flower boxes and plantings, and so much more!

The current BOT has done a fabulous job.

Thank you for the hard work, efforts, and dedication! It does not go unnoticed.

A special shout-out to a longtime friend and neighbor, Vinny Muldoon. He has been tirelessly working on ways to improve our village and has constantly kept us informed and up to date.

James and Debra Canavan

Hard working and principled

To the Editor:

I am writing in to recommend Jo-Ann Frey for Village Trustee. Jo-Ann and I have known each other since we were 12 years old. We met in Garden City Junior High and became close friends through high school and beyond sharing time in homeroom and Masquers. We attended proms together, attended reunions together, and are still friends today.

Jo-Ann went to law school and spent her career in public service in managerial roles. Thus, Jo-Ann has a deep commitment to public service. She has since retired in October of 2025, but still has a desire to do new things. In 2023, Jo-Ann graduated from SUNY Stony Brook with an MSW. Now she would like to give back to Garden City, the place where she grew up and remains a resident.

If elected, the Village would benefit from a hard working, principled Trustee, who would put the needs of the Village residents front and center, researching a variety of options to solve

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

problems encountered. I feel that she would made an excellent Trustee which is why I wholeheartedly support her candidacy. Please for Jo-Ann Frey on March 18th.

Cindy Guion now DeLuca Vote for Vinny, CAP ticket

To the Editor:

I’m writing this letter as a 40-year resident of Garden City and co-Chairman with Frank Tauches of the St. Paul’s Committee, who prepared a report on the future options for the St. Paul’s School, as requested by the Board of Trustees.

I had the pleasure of getting to know and working with Mayor Finneran and Trustee Vincent Muldoon.

I would like to provide this letter in support of the re-election of Trustee Vinny Muldoon and the rest of the slate. I’ve known Vinny personally for almost thirty years and have the utmost respect for him as an individual, and a successful business person, dedicated to the Village of Garden City.

Accomplishments during his time as Trustee include the renovation of Cluett Hall and the Fieldhouse, working with the Traffic Commission to improve village traffic safety, approval of the Edgemere Fire House restoration, expansion and major enhancement projects benefiting 7th Street and Franklin Avenue, support of outside dining initiatives, library upgrades, and much more.

Based on this track record and the need for continuity to complete the many projects ahead, I strongly recommend a vote for Vinny Muldoon and the rest of his team, Judy Courtney, Jessica Tai, and Gerard Smith.

Robert Catell

Experience in budgeting

To the Editor:

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with Neha Bajaj for years and have seen first hand her deep commitment to our community. She has always been passionate about the community, and about the notion that all residents should be heard on the issues that matter to us, and she is dedicated to bettering our village for every member of the community. Neha also has years of experience in budgeting and nonprofit leadership, and that background gives her a unique blend of financial / operational expertise and empathy. She understands that fiscal responsibility and community investment go hand in hand, and that it is crucial to protect taxpayer dollars while at the same time supporting vital services. Neha has always demonstrated common sense and integrity, and our village would benefit greatly from her leadership.

Shanna Maier

Gone above and beyond

To the Editor:

I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the dedication and countless hours of hard work the CAP candidates have invested in improving our Village. I have known Vinny Muldoon and Gerard Smith for decades. These folks, as well as Judy Courtney and Jessica Tai, have gone above and beyond in an effort to improve Garden City in every conceivable way. They have invested in many different projects, including in infrastructure, safety, recreation and beautifying 7th Street. All the while, being fiscally responsible. The CAP team candidates are passionate residents who endeavor to make Garden City the best place to live. Their efforts, hard work and results make them a great team to lead our Village.

Charles Lucchesi

The best of GC

To the Editor:

I write in support of Tom Ryan for Trustee.

There is no one better suited to represent the Village citizen’s overall interests. He has the character, knowledge and common sense to do an excellent job.

Richard J. Williams

Leadership matters

To the Editor:

My wife Patty and I are celebrating our 30th anniversary as residents of Garden City. What a gift this town has been and continues to be for us and its residents. We were fortunate to raise five amazing kids in Garden City all of who reflect fondly on their experiences in town.

It’s that spirit that drives our support to re-elect Vinny Muldoon as Village Trustee. Vinny and his team reflect all the qualities we believe the town stands for: Respectful, honest, and a willingness to listen.

Vinny supports business that supports our town. He pushes to get things done when it’s easier to do nothing. The parks, recreational areas, 7th Street, etc. All in better condition today than previously.

We see neighboring towns across Long Island consistently fall into decay. Why? It’s not complicated - it’s a lack of town leadership.

Garden City is a gift, not an entitlement. It requires it be cared for with leadership, pride, and vision that supports both its history and its future in order that it continue forward consistent with its past.

Please join us in voting for Vinny Muldoon on March 18th

Joe and Patty Lohrer

Strong leadership

To the Editor:

I proudly support the re-election of Jessica Tai for Village Trustee.

During her first term, Jessica has shown strong leadership and commitment to strengthening our library and recreation programs. As an educator and library advocate, she understands the library is truly the heart of our community.

Over the past two years, Jessica has worked with trustees and staff to improve facilities and expand programs. She supported growing the book collection, adding interactive features to the children’s room, and funding a maintainer position to keep the building in good condition. She also backed key upgrades, including replacing outdated doors, installing planters to improve safety and appearance, repaving walkways, and upgrading lighting. She looks forward to continuing this work, including renovating the lower level.

As a parent, Jessica understands the importance of strong recreation programs. She stays engaged with the recreation department to support sports programs, field maintenance, and improvements to our pool and playgrounds.

Jessica Tai brings vision and proven results. I encourage residents to re-elect Jessica Tai — along with Vinny Muldoon, Judy Courtney, and Gerard Smith — on March 18th.

Laura Crain

Re-elect Jessica Tai

To the Editor:

Having served alongside Jessica Tai on the Board of Trustees and the Finance and Audit Committee this past year, I have seen firsthand the leadership, integrity, and work ethic she brings to our village. Jessica is thoughtful and incisive, unafraid to ask tough questions and challenge assumptions to ensure our village remains transparent, fiscally responsible, and accountable to residents. She approaches every decision with discipline, independence, and a clear focus on what is best for our village.

As Co-Chair of the Environmental Advisory Board, Jessica has been working with our water department to develop a responsible plan to meet the EPA’s lead service line mandate. As an educator, she is a steadfast advocate for our public library and the essential role it plays in lifelong learning and community connection. She has also worked with our Chamber of Commerce to revive our summer promenades, strengthening local businesses and reinforcing the sense of community that makes Garden City so special.

On Wednesday, March 18th, vote for proven leadership. Vote Row B for Jessica Tai and the entire CAP team— Vinny Muldoon, Judy Courtney, and Gerard Smith.

Rich Catalano

See page 30

St. Paul’s Advisory Committee

A

Tangled Tale of Deceit

On January 29th the Board’s Advisory Committee presented its evaluation of the St Paul’s Survey and its recommendation for redevelopment of St. Paul’s.

The Committee recommended that the School District use St Paul’s for a Pre-Kindergarten Program (Committee Report p 33)

The Mayor stressed that the Committee was independent. No Board member was involved in making the Report. Nothing could be further from the truth. Trustee Muldoon said, “I was fortunate enough over a year ago to head up this great Committee”. The Committee met in his home. There they discussed using St Paul’s for a Pre-Kindergarten Program.

On March 21, 2025, the Board sent the residents a 5-page Survey with over 40 uses for the redevelopment of St Paul’s. There was no mention of a Pre K-Program. I was astonished that Trustee Muldoon was simultaneously campaigning for the Survey’s redevelopment options for St Paul’s and working with the Committee to recommend a Pre-Kindergarten Program for St. Paul’s. Isn’t that deceitful?

The residents overwhelmingly rejected the redevelopment options for St Paul’s. (St Paul’s Survey Results Aug 12, 2025)

Now we have Trustee Muldoon’s Pre-Kindergarten Plan. This plan was developed in secret. There was no public disclosure or public input, unlike any other Village Committee on St Paul’s.

The School District’s capital plan in October 2025 reflects no need for a Pre-K Program. (Committee Report p 16)

The Mayor and Trustee Muldoon want “to kick the can down the road again”. They want to “mothball” St. Paul’s without providing the funds for the unforeseen costs and repairs. Precisely what 67% of the residents voted against. (St Paul’s Survey Results Aug 12, 2025) St Paul’s will continue to deteriorate, and Village residents will pay the unforeseen costs and repairs.

Let’s end this 30-year odyssey and the fairy tales.

Let’s preserve our green space for future needs and build an iconic park for all our residents to enjoy.

Trustee Muldoon is charming, but he has kissed the Blarney Stone too many times.

Vote for Thomas Ryan, Thomas Brosnan, Jo-Ann Frey, Neha Bajaj for Village Trustees.

Thomas M. Lamberti

Former Trustee, Village Attorney, School District Counsel

page 28

Endorses CAP candidates

To the Editor:

I endorse Vinny Muldoon, Gerard Smith, Judy Courtney and Jessica Tai for Trustee.  In recently meeting the candidates, I was impressed with their thoughtful consideration of the issues confronting the Village, including but not limited to St. Paul’s.  They addressed a number of topics: the fact that we now have a comprehensive inventory of Village owned properties which allows optimal planning; a focus on village aesthetics as a differentiating factor compared to other communities; the effort to prevent the Casino project and the commitment by the board to be transparent.  In my judgement this slate of candidates is best to address our issues in a way that preserves the attributes of the Village that make it such a desirable place to live while balancing the investment necessary to do so.

As an aside, I have been fortunate to have known Vinny Muldoon for the last 15 years dating back to when my wife Trina and I were debating where to move our family.   His love of Garden City, description of its community and history were key factors in our deciding to move and raise our family here.  It would be a material loss if he were not a Trustee.

Jeff Coviello

Why I support Judy

To the Editor:

I am writing to support Judy Courtney for re-election as Village Trustee. I have known Judy before she was a Trustee and have seen firsthand her commitment to Garden City.

We have volunteered together for POA events and the annual Holiday Market, and Judy was always the first to lend a helping hand. No detail was too big or too small — whether it was planning logistics, setting up decorations, or staying late and picking up a broom to clean up to ensure everything ran smoothly, she approached every task with enthusiasm. Judy anticipates what needs to be done and does it!

Her dedication is not limited to one event. Over the years, Judy has consistently stepped up to support the Village in countless ways. She gives her time generously, listens thoughtfully, and always follows through. She understands that Garden City is built not just on ideas, but on hard work over the long term.

Garden City would continue to be well served by someone with Judy’s integrity, work ethic, and genuine love for our Village. As someone who has witnessed firsthand what she can do, I wholeheartedly encourage you to support her candidacy.

Diane Geyer

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

Brings people together

To the Editor:

Although I am not a resident of the Village of Garden City, I felt compelled to share a few thoughts about Mr. Muldoon — not only as a candidate for re-election, but as a colleague and lifelong friend. I have known Vinny since we were boys growing up in Ireland, and we have worked together on residential construction projects for more than twenty-five years.

In that time, I have rarely encountered anyone with his level of dedication, work ethic, and natural leadership. He leads by example, never hesitating to roll up his sleeves and get the job done. Time and again, I’ve watched him bring people together — whether organizing crews to assist neighbors or ensuring a project is completed properly and with care. When help is needed, he shows up, and he inspires others to do the same.

Vinny values action over empty talk. He believes in doing things the right way and holding himself and others to high standards. As he often says, it’s the small details that matter most. His commitment is evident, and I am proud to support him.

Brian Egan

CAP offers compromise

To the Editor:

We are dealing with some realities:

(1) Our town continues to be divided about St. Paul’s - some are strongly advocating for demolition - some are strongly advocating for preservationsome are open to either idea depending on tax impact and the Village finances.

(2) Our town faces critical infrastructure issues and certain challenges to meet the needs of various age groups.

My two cents: I continue to support the CAP candidates (Courtney, Muldoon, Smith, Tai) because the proposal for a compromise at this time is necessary. Is this a perfect solution? No, but the division over St. Paul’s warrants a compromise. This is my personal opinion. Just sharing! Many of us believe that the current BOT has excelled in many areas, set a new standard for service and therefore earned our vote. Further, the current BOT has a solid understanding of the inner workings of the Village. This was demonstrated during the recent blizzard plus the list of accomplishments is impressive. Further, the concerns over infrastructure are being addressed.

Marta Waters

Supporting dad for reelection

To the Editor:

I strongly support the re-election of my dad, Trustee Vinny Muldoon, along with Trustees Judy Courtney and Jessica Tai, and the election of Gerard Smith.

Vinny has helped restore the historic Toll Lodge, advance the Edgemere

Firehouse renovation, support the St. Paul’s turf field now under construction, and approve the Meadow Street drainage and Water Department infrastructure project. He has also kept residents informed through consistent public updates while simultaneously taking real-time feedback from residents.

He serves in good faith and always in the best interests of Garden City. His impeccable character, undeniable work ethic, and genuine passion to serve our residents are evident in everything he does. I encourage residents to support Vinny Muldoon, Judy Courtney, Jessica Tai, and Gerard Smith.

“True leadership is proven not in applause, but in the quiet resolve to serve despite the noise.”

Conor Muldoon

Integrity and commitment

To the Editor:

I am proud to endorse Gerard Smith for Village Trustee. As our village navigates complex fiscal challenges and critical planning decisions, Gerard offers the ideal blend of professional financial expertise and a deep commitment to our community. He understands that a Trustee’s role is to serve as a bridge between all residents and village government. Gerard is dedicated to a culture of transparency and active listening, ensuring every resident’s voice is heard and valued before policy decisions are enacted.

His analytical skills are essential for managing village budgets, identifying efficiencies, and protecting taxpayer dollars. Gerard has the integrity and temperament to lead vital infrastructure projects while maintaining Garden City’s fiscal stability. Please join me in voting for Gerard Smith and the Community Agreement Party on Wednesday, March 18th.

John Reilly

Not a Landmark

To the Editor

A mere three weeks before the election the “CAP” candidates for BOT now propose a “compromise”, a “Landmark Option” which involves replacing the entire roof for $7m. (That figure was disputed as low during Tuesday’s St. Paul’s Park meeting). The CAP “compromise” also includes doing structural repairs, window work, replacing the current secure fence with a new fence and improving landscaping around the building- all without calculations. The $7m cost does not specify soft costs and

contingencies. Is this idea an undocumented, unsourced by any cost estimate relabeling for “mothballing”, for which Trustee Muldoon gave a $35m-$40m cost estimate for the highly unpopular mothballing survey option on the recent survey? The building is not a landmarked building, the expenditure of these funds would not make it so.

Mothballing means “save it for later” but for when, for how long and at what further cost? No one knows. This approach seems like anteing up in a poker game, a huge multimillion bet on the future. But the should the Board ever play poker with resident taxpayer money? Residents want a solution now, with ability to clearly project their financial obligations.

A commemorative park providing uses at a reasonable cost is the only real, true solution.

George Kane

Mothballing by a different name

To the Editor:

The CAP/POA Board promoted St. Paul’s preservation options in hundreds of videos and a few townhalls in 2024/2025. However, the 2025 Survey results revealed majority opposition to each of the three preservation options and to any tax increases to fund them. Since December, the BOT (1) announced a Public-Private Partnerships “pause”, (2) released the St. Paul’s Advisory Committee Report that discussed a PPP structure and real estate transfer taxes, (3) reversed course on the PPP without public discussions, and (4) rejected real estate transfer taxes (candidates only?) after public backlash.

Three weeks before election day, the CAP/POA BOT candidates announced a proposal—not a detailed plan with sourcing—that would replace the roof and waterproof the building. This would continue the 33-year status quo of an unusable building and serve as a downpayment for future major projects, while being marketed as a “compromise”. The proposal would exceed the TOTAL OF ALL prior Village spending on the building from 1993-2025.

This is Mothballing by a different name. Of course, the CAP/POA team cannot call it that since mothballing was resoundingly rejected in the 2025 Survey by 77% to 14%. Vote Row A (Bajaj, Brosnan, Frey, and Ryan) for clarity and finality

James Kumpel

Civil Defense Photos from the Village Archives

The Garden City Civilian Protection unit van c1941, in front of the fire house on Seventh St. The Garden City unit of the NYS Office of Civilian Protection was established in 1941 as the forerunner of the civil defense operations during and after WWII. In 1941 some 1,755 Village residents were trained members of the unit, with the first Village blackout test conducted on 10 October 1941. In 1950 the Korean war prompted the reactivation of the renamed Garden City Civil Defense Committee. The first headquarters was the house at the east end of Seventh St. [later the first location for the Library]. In 1951 a Control Center was then established at St. Paul’s school, coordinating more than 1,000 volunteer participants. A detailed plan for housing and feeding evacuees

in the event of an extensive emergency was prepared. The GC Hotel tower was set up as an aircraft spotter’s post. The 3,000 school children were photographed and fingerprinted [with parent consent]. A Block Mother program was organized in which more than 400 mothers would make their homes available for children living on their streets in an emergency. In 1959 the Control Center was moved to the new Library building at Hubbell Plaza. By 1961 it was becoming more difficult to attract volunteers. It was noted that food, medical supplies, and bedding were stored at the Control Center. The Garden City Civil Defense was listed as Unit 114, Zone 1, Section 2 in Nassau County. In 1965 a map showed 53 shelter areas in the Village, 39 with 14-day supplies for 18,500 persons, although it was recommended that, in an event alert, persons should “stay where they are and take cover”. In 1974 the nineteen named members of the Civil Defense operation were no longer listed in the Village annual report. A new committee was formed to discuss preparedness for natural disasters.

Archives identifier: w2cd08

A selection from the extensive Village Archives. Others can be seen at www.NYHeritage. org  - click on Organizations, G,  and Garden City Public Library. Comments/questions: email Historian@gardencityny.net - Wm. Bellmer

Getting up off the ground made simple

Help…I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.”

You’ve seen the commercial.

For many people, this isn’t just an advertisement…

It’s a real fear.

The idea of being stuck on the floor…

Hoping someone eventually finds you.

But it’s not just about falling…

Maybe you’re playing with your grandkids on the ground…

And when it’s time to come back up, you immediately look for something to hold on to.

Here’s the thing…

Your ability to stand up from the floor is more than a measure of mobility.

A 12-year study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology followed 4,282 adults

between ages 46 and 75…

Researchers asked them to sit down and stand up from the floor using as little support as possible.

Those who needed extra support or looked unsteady had a 42% higher risk of mortality.

Now, this isn’t meant to alarm you…

It’s meant to show you that your ability to rise from the ground is a marker of how well your body functions.

Ahmed Ahmed

So, what’s the difference between someone who easily gets up and someone who struggles?

It’s strength…

And the good news is strength can be built at any age.

To rise from the floor with ease, you need strength in a few key areas.

Your arms and chest help you peel your upper body off the ground…

Your core helps bring your knees underneath you so you can move from lying to kneeling…

Your hips help position your feet so you’re ready to rise…

And once your feet are planted, your thighs straighten your knees and your hips drive you to stand tall.

When those muscles are strong, get-

ting off the ground feels steady, confident, and controlled…

Not stressful.

Because when you can rise on your own, you’re protecting your independence.

Ahmed Ahmed is the owner of Lotus Fitness. Contact him at (646) 415-2349 or ahmed@lotusfitnessny. com https://lotusfitnessny.com/

About to hit a milestone?

Share your life accomplishments with your neighbors! Put your engagement, wedding, or baby announcement in the paper, (and it's free of charge for subscribers!) Email editor@gcnews.com

THERE REALLY IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

At NYU Langone, we’re doing all we can to make sure our patients receive the best care during and after their hospital stay, so they can go home and stay home. Shorter hospital stays reduce your risk of infection, medication side effects, and complications. Plus, you can get back to the things you love most: your own bed, family dinners, and life as usual.

But getting you home is only half the story. Our low readmission rates mean you won’t have to come back days or weeks later for the same issue. Because when it comes to hospital stays, nobody wants a sequel. Just another reason we’re ranked #1 for quality care in the U.S.

Now, as we are well into year 2026, Mineola-Gardn City Rotary proudly looks back on 2025, its Centennial Year, when it performed a variety of services to benefit nonprofit partnering organizations each month throughout the year.

Our Club celebrated this impressive milestone with a holiday-themed Community Service Award Diner in December at the Stewart Manor Country Club at which it honored Garden City residents Joanne Meyer-Jendras and Gary Jendras along with Mineola-based Faith Mission Founder Mary Joesten, each who embodied the highest ideals of community service and civic responsibility.

As mementos for our Club’s 100th Anniversary, and with great fanfare, Rotary had also presented a Linden Tree with plaque to the Village of Garden City placed on the grounds of the Garden City Public Library, along with a Peace Pole to the Village of Mineola placed within Mineola’s Memorial Park. Our Club also secured a grant of $4050 to address logistics needs of the Garden City-based Ethical Friends of Children Gift Shop

With its theme, “Service Above Self,” Mineola-Garden City Rotary continues to place particular emphases on societal challenges around health, environment, hunger, homelessness, special needs and aid for veterans while advancing youth leadership and education. Services to nonprofits included donations of $7466, engagements of 263 volunteers that benefited 1824 individuals served by partnering nonprofits. Services and programs for each month of 2025, our Club’s 100th Anniversary year included: Mommas

Revisiting Rotary’s Centennial Year

House … General Needs to assist veterans and their families … RotaCare, free health care for the uninsured … Crayon Initiative crayon drive … Scholarship Program for Garden City and Mineola High School seniors … Volunteer Fair for sponsored by the Long Island Volunteer Center at the Garden City Public Library … donation for RYLA (Youth Leadership Program) … General Needs: filled duffle bags with needs for veterans … Linden Tree donation to Village of Garden city … Peace Pole donation and dedication to Village of Mineola plus re-dedication event … food drive with Garden City High School Fashion Club for the INN and New Ground … donated needs and secured grant for Ethical Friends of Children … Halloween costume drive for children served by New Ground … Election Day Food Drive for The INN … Monetary donation towards Alfred Family Thanksgiving Project …Collected/ wrapped raffle gifts for RotaCare and Mineola-Garden City Rotary events … food drive for FSC food bank … rang bell for efforts of The Salvation Army … Election Day food drive for The INN.

Our Club had also engaged youthbased organizations which included Adelphi University Circle K International, Garden City High School Fashion Club, Garden City Girls Scouts, Church of St. Joseph Boy Scouts, Garden City Public Library Tweens and Teens Department, Long island Volunteer Center Advisory Board, Mineola High School Treble Chorus and A Cappella Singers, NYS DOE ACCES-VR students, Oceanside High School and Uniondale High School. The year 2025, Rotary’s 100th Anniversary, culminated in a year of services well done and well served.

Cluttered?

Village Building Superintendent To Speak Next Tuesday , March 10

Join Rotary next Tuesday, March10 when Rotary resumes lunch meetings at the Davenport Press restaurant, 70 Main Street, Mineola, at 12:15. Rotary looks forward to welcoming as guest speaker Giuseppe Giovanniello, Superintendent of the Building Department, Village of Garden City. Learn about the Building

Department’s wide range of challenges with the main focus to enforce the Village Code and ordinances and to ensure that all building construction meets the latest New York State codes’ standards. To reserve, please email mineolagardencityrotaryclub@gmail. com. (Fee $40, payable at the door.)

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

Breakfast Meeting on March 24

Topic: Challenging Property Tax Assessment

Occasionally, Rotary is pleased to hold breakfast meetings at the Carle Place Diner, 151 Old Country Road (corner of Glen Cove Road). Breakfasts provide attendance for those who find it difficult to break away for lunchtime meetings. (Breakfast of choic; Fee, $20 each person, payable at the door). We will be pleased to welcome as guest

speaker, fellow Rotarian, Jeremy May of Schroder & Strom, Real Estate Tax Counsel. Learn the importance of challenging your tax assessment along with other updated information relative to the 2026 tax season. To reserve, email mineolagardencityrotaryclub@gmail. com.

Rescheduled author talk at GC Community Church

BY MELVA VICTORINO

On Sunday, March 8, at 11:45 a.m., Professor Robin Boyle Laisure, JD will present a forum on her most recent book, “Taken No More: Protect Your Children Against Traffickers and Cults.” This forum was originally scheduled last January 25th but due to the inclement weather, it was canceled and rescheduled for this coming Sunday

“Taken No More”  devotes a full chapter to predators’ tactics in soliciting children online. The frequency in which this is happening is alarming and, often, with devastating consequences. According to statistical reports, law enforcement access to critical data, and strong cases that put more human traffickers behind bars, in America, every 2.5 hours, a child is taken by human traffickers; 50% of trafficking victims are children. Additionally, 2.5 million Americans have joined cultic groups in the past two decades. Online predators pose a critical threat to today’s children.

Garden City Community Church (GCCC) is aware of the dangers lurking upon the most vulnerable victims of these cultic groups. To protect its members, friends, and the community, GCCC presents forums that provide tools to fight critical problems. It serves as a guide for parents, teachers, mental health professionals, lawyers, and law enforcement. Cults are still functioning today and recruiting people.  Cults actively recruit on college campuses, online, and in so-called self-improvement and health space, such as yoga and meditation, among others. In the context of human trafficking, the most significant danger for children is online solicitation.

Professor Robin Laisure is an author and law professor.  She is a full-time member of the faculty at St. John’s University School of Law. Her articles, essays, and book chapters have appeared in legal and other academic publications.  Professor Laisure presents regularly at national and international conferences on topics concerning cults, human trafficking, and undue influence in high-demand groups; as well as on topics relating to law school pedagogy and legal writing.  She resides in Garden City with her husband, Skip; daughter, Andrea; and son, Corey. Professor Laisusre is an active board

participant with the GCCC.

“Taken No More” is a culmination of nearly thirty years of research into the labyrinth of pernicious enterprises and the law. As a guide for family and professionals, the book advises about the dangers of human trafficking and cults. It suggests dialogue when speaking with children, teens, and young adults. It is a must-read for anyone raising, teaching, or counseling children. The advice offered could help save lives.

Come visit and join GCCC and see what a community of God’s people are doing.  No matter who you are or where you are in your journey in life, you are welcome at GCCC. There are worship services, events, and programs for all ages. Its Sunday worship service is at 10:30 a.m., in-person and livestream.

Church school classes every Sunday, youth groups meet every other Sunday evening. To get information regarding its virtual and in-person worship services and programs, visit its website at www.theGCCC.org.

The Garden City Community Church is part of the United Church of Christ (UCC.) It is an Open and Affirming congregation that welcomes people of all ages, races, gender identities, and sexual orientations to participate in the life of its community. It is located at 245 Stewart Avenue between Whitehall Blvd. and Kensington Road. For more information, email  churchoffice@thegccc.org or call (516) 746-1700. You may also visit its website at www.theGCCC. org.

It’s What’s Happening for Young Adults Through the Library

Teen Volunteer Honored with Gift

On Friday, February 20 at the Library before Chess4Community hosted their Play and Learn Chess program, teen volunteer Amanat Jain was presented a gift from the Nassau County Library Association Young Adult Services Division in recognition of her continuous and meaningful volunteer service at the Library.

The recognition was presented to Amanat by Operations Director Courtney Rosenblatt, Chair of the Library Board of Trustees Colleen Foley, and Young Adult Librarian Laura Giunta-O'Donoghue to congratulate and thank her for all her service at the Library.

Amanat co-founded Chess4Community, which is a teen-led and teen-founded community organization that has been teaching chess throughout Garden City over the past several years, including at the Library.

Most recently, children, tweens, and teens in Grades K–12 played chess with Chess4Community on Friday, February 20 at the Library during February break.

Thanks very much to Amanat for all the hours she has volunteered for the Library and congratulations to her on receiving this recognition from the Nassau County Library Association!

Upcoming and Ongoing Library Programs for Tweens and Teens

These programs are for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12 unless otherwise noted. Registration is required for these programs on LibCal at https://gardencitypl.libcal.com unless otherwise noted.

Teens who complete an online survey after specific programs can receive community service for participating.

Registration is live online at https:// gardencitypl.libcal.com for the following programs:

Ongoing: 100 Books Before Graduation Register online here: https:// forms.gle/j262hNm4tGsvR8wz9. After you register, pick up your 100 Books Before Graduation Packet located at the Library to participate!

• Thursday, March 12, at 4 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons (Grades 6–12)

• Friday, March 13, at 3:30 p.m.: Teen Gamers (Grades 6–12)

• Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m.: Inclusive Storytime Volunteering (Grades 9–12)

Registration begins Tuesday, March 10, at 10 a.m. online at https://gardencitypl. libcal.com for the following programs:

• Tuesday, March 10, at 10 a.m.–Thursday, March 19 at 4 p.m.: Ornaments for Community Service (Grades 6–12)

Registration begins Tuesday, March 17, at 10 a.m. online at https://gardencitypl.

Teen volunteer Amanat Jain was presented a gift from the Nassau County Library Association Young Adult Services Division which was presented by Operations Director Courtney Rosenblatt, Chair of the Library Board of Trustees Colleen Foley, and Young Adult Librarian Laura Giunta-O'Donoghue

libcal.com for the following programs:

• Monday, March 23, at 4 p.m.: Teen Manga Mondays (Grades 6–12)

• Tuesday, March 24, at 4 p.m.: Teen VolunTuesday (Grades 6–12)

• Wednesday, March 25, at 4 p.m.: Teen Art Workshop: Oil Pastel Workshop (Grades 6–12)

• Thursday, March 26, at 4 p.m.: Pizza and Pages: Teen Book Club (Grades 6–12)

• Friday, March 27, at 3:30 p.m.: Teen Clubhouse (Grades 6–12)

• Saturday, March 28, at 3 p.m.: Teen STEAM Workshop: Edible Slime (Grades 6–12)

Ongoing Take-Home Community Service Opportunities

Looking to volunteer? Check out some of our ongoing take-home community service opportunities for tweens and teens in Grades 6-12. Please check at the Library for more information on each of these opportunities; all volunteer projects should be submitted at the Library with a Volunteer Form, which can be found outside the Tweens and Teens Room.

• Ongoing until Friday, April 17, 2026: Poetry for Community Service - No registration required. Up to 5 poems can be submitted per volunteer.

• Ongoing until Friday, May 15, 2026: America 250 Recipe Cards for Community Service - No registration required. Up to 5 poems can be submitted per volunteer.

• Ongoing until Friday, May 1, 2026: Teen Art and Creative Writing Showcase 2026 - No registration required. Up to 3 pieces of art and 3 pieces of writing can be submitted per volunteer.

• Ongoing until Friday, May 15, 2026: America 250 What America Means to Me Project for Community Service - No registration required. Up to 2 submissions (1 writing and 1 art) can be submitted per volunteer.

• Ongoing until Friday, May 15, 2026: America 250 Art and Writing Showcase for Community Service - No registration required. Up to 3 pieces of art and 3 pieces of writing can be submitted per volunteer.

• Ongoing until Friday, May 15, 2026: Teen Social Media Team’s America 250: What America Means to Me Video Project - No registration required, but parents must sign a volunteer form located at the Library. One video can be submitted per teen volunteer for this project.

• Ongoing: Teen Social Media Team - No registration required. Up to four social media content can be submitted per volunteer monthly.

• Ongoing: Bookmarks for Community Service - No registration required. Up to 20 bookmarks can be submitted per volunteer monthly.

• Ongoing: Kindness Cards for Community Service - No registration required. Up to 10 cards can be submitted per volunteer monthly.

• Ongoing: Friendship Bracelets

for Community Service - No registration required. Up to 10 bracelets can be submitted per volunteer monthly.

Chick Incubation Project is Underway!

The Library’s annual Chick Incubation program has returned this year! Eggs arrived on Wednesday, February 25 and are scheduled to begin hatching Tuesday, March 17. Chicks will be returned one week after they hatch. Eggs were  picked up from Cornell Cooperative Extension at Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, NY and are returned back to Cornell Cooperative Extension at Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, NY.

This year, the Library received a total of eight eggs. Four of these eggs were brown and four of these eggs were white. The brown eggs will hatch into either Black Star chicks, which are a cross between a Rhode Island Red rooster and a Barred Rock hen, or Cinnamon Queens, which are a cross between the Rhode Island Red rooster and the Silver Laced Wyandotte hen. Black Star female chicks hatch all black and the male chicks hatch black with a white spot on its head. Cinnamon Queen female chicks hatch red and the male chicks hatch yellow. The white eggs are from a White Leghorn mix breed and they will hatch yellow chicks. There is no way to determine the sex of these chicks when they are hatched.

Before they hatch, make sure to enter a name into our annual Name the Chick contest for your chance to name one of our chicks!

News from the Children’s Room

Please join us on March 11 at 3:30 p.m. for Dance Party - 2 to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten).

Upcoming March Library Programs for Children

These programs are for children ages birth through Grade 5. Registration is required. Visit https://www.gardencitypl.libcal.com to register for November programs.

Programs may be canceled due to weather, power outages, lack of registration, or other unforeseen circumstances. If contact information has been provided for registration, a direct attempt will be made to notify participants.

New Storytime Registration Rules

Children’s programs are extremely popular! To give as many children as possible the chance to enjoy storytime, beginning January 6 each child may register for one storytime per week. Please choose the session that best fits your child’s schedule and interests.

If a child is registered for more than one storytime, the librarian will select which session the child will attend. As space allows, we will continue to welcome children from the waiting list and walk-ins. If your child is registered, please arrive at least 5 minutes early. At the start time

of the program, if your registered child is NOT checked in, you will forfeit your child’s spot to a child on the waitlist or walk-in list.

• Saturday, March 7, at 10:00 a.m.: Tiny Songbirds - 2 to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Monday, March 9, at 10:30 a.m.: Toddler Storytime - 18 Months to 3 Years

• Monday, March 9, at 11:30 a.m.: Mixed Age Storytime - Birth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Tuesday, March 10, at 3:30 p.m.: Mixed Age Storytime - Birth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Wednesday, March 11, at 3:30 p.m.: Dance Party - 2 to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Thursday, March 12, at 3:30 p.m.: Mixed Age Storytime - Birth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Saturday, March 14, at 10:30 a.m.: Inclusive Storytime Adventure - Grades 2–5

• Monday, March 16, at 10:30 a.m.: Toddler Storytime - 18 Months to 3 Years

• Monday, March 16, at 11:30 a.m.: Preschool Craft - 3 to 5

Please join us on March 12 at 3:30 p.m. for Mixed Age Storytime - Birth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten).

Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Tuesday, March 17, at 3:30 p.m.: Mixed Age Storytime - Birth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Wednesday, March 18, at 4:00 p.m.: STEAM Fun Club - Grades K-2.

• Thursday, March 19, at 10:30 a.m.: Mixed Age Storytime - Birth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Thursday, March 19, at 11:30 a.m.: Mother Goose StorytimeBirth to 17 Months.

• Thursday, March 19, at 6:30 p.m.: Books Before Bed - Birth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Monday, March 23, at 10:30 a.m.: Toddler Storytime - 18 Months to 3 Years

• Monday, March 23, at 11:30 a.m.: Mixed Age Storytime - Birth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Tuesday, March 24, at 10:30 a.m.: Mixed Age Storytime - Birth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Thursday, March 26, at 10:30 a.m.: Mixed Age Storytime - Birth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Thursday, March 26, at 11:30 a.m.: Mother Goose Storytime -

See what's happening at your library!

Birth to 17 Months

• Friday, March 27, at 11:00 a.m,: Dance Party - 2 to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Saturday, March 28, at 10:30 a.m.: Matters of the HeART - 2 to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Monday, March 30, at 10:30 a.m.: Toddler Storytime - 18 Months to 3 Years

• Monday, March 30, at 11:30 a.m.: Mixed Age Storytime - Birth to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

• Tuesday, March 31, at 10:30 a.m.: Mother Goose StorytimeBirth to 17 Months

• Tuesday, March 31, at 11:30 a.m.: Preschool Craft - 3 to 5 Years (Not in Kindergarten)

Unattended Child Policy

It is Library policy that all children under age 11 must be accompanied by a parent or designated responsible person while in the Library. Also, if the young child is attending a Library program, we require the parent or designated responsible person to remain in the Library throughout the program and meet the child upon completion of the program.

From classes to lectures and concerts to movie screenings, there's never a dull day at your local library!

Check this paper each week for fun and informative all-ages activities, all for free or cheap!

Adult Services at the Garden City Public Library

Monday Movies

Monday Movies presented by the Friends of the Garden City Library at 1:30 p.m.: March 2026 MoviesWomen's History Month

3/9/26 - “Gorillas in the Mist”, PG-13, 1988, 150 mins

3/16/26 - “Coal Miner’s Daughter”, PG,  1980, 125 mins

3/23/26 - “Silkwood”, R, 1983, 128 mins

3/30/26 - “Norma Rae”, PG, 1979, 114 mins

March 2026 Programs

NYU Langone Hospital Presents:  Fall Prevention Classes - A Matter of Balance

Tuesdays, March 10, 17, 24, 31, and April 7, 14, 21 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Large Meeting Room

This is an 8-week program that offers tips to help avoid falls, build confidence, increase personal safety, and provide exercises to help build strength and balance.

Please register online at LibCal at https://gardencitypl.libcal.com/. For additional information contact Adult Services at (516)742-8405 ext. 5236 or email speakingofbooks@gardencitypl. org. Programs may be canceled due to weather, power outages, lack of registration, or other unforeseen circumstances. If contact information has been provided for registration, a direct attempt will be made to notify participants.  Registration is limited.

Adult Crocheting and Knitting with Lupe

• Wednesday, March 11, 25     from 7–8 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room  Crafter, knitter and crocheter Lupe Velasquez will be on hand to teach, help and suggest projects to do. Please register online at LibCal at https:// gardencitypl.libcal.com/. Register once to cover the entire series. For additional information contact Adult Services at (516) 742-8405 ext. 5236 or email speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.  Programs may be canceled due to weather, power outages, lack of registration, or other unforeseen circumstances. If contact information has been provided for registration, a direct attempt will be made to notify participants.

Mah-Jongg Open Play

Thursdays 6–8 p.m.

• Wednesdays, March 11, 18, 25

• Wednesday, April 1 Small Meeting Room (Room assignment is based upon availability)

We are offering the opportunity to

sign up for open play Mah-Jongg for all. In order to hold the room, registration is required. The room will be set up in groups of four and is open to all who would like to play.  Please note there is no instruction for this program. You must bring your own mah-jongg board.

Please register online at LibCal at https://gardencitypl.libcal.com/. For additional information contact Adult Services at (516)742-8405 ext. 5236 or email speakingofbooks@gardencitypl. org. Programs may be canceled due to weather, power outages, lack of registration, or other unforeseen circumstances. If contact information has been provided for registration, a direct attempt will be made to notify participants.

A Celebration of Irish Music and Storytelling with Jim Hawkins

Tuesday, March 10, from 2 –3 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room

Please join us for a celebration of Irish culture featuring James Hawkins. Mr. Hawkins is an acclaimed storyteller who will regale us with stories of Ireland, and features Irish songs. His stories and songs are from Irish tradition, and are mostly humorous, including an explanation of these in relation to Ireland's history, traditions and culture. He encourages his audiences to speak of their own Irish memories and family connections. Everyone is Irish in this program!

Please register online at LibCal at https://gardencitypl.libcal.com/. For additional information contact Adult Services at (516)742-8405 ext. 5236 or email speakingofbooks@gardencitypl. org. Programs may be canceled due to weather, power outages, lack of registration, or other unforeseen circumstances. If contact information has been provided for registration, a direct attempt will be made to notify participants.

Bingo for Adults

Fridays, , March 20, April 17 from 11 a.m.–12 noon in the Small Meeting Room

Join us for a fun morning of Bingo and win some fun prizes. Register for each Bingo online on LibCal (https://gardencitypl.libcal.com) or call Adult Services Reference Desk at (516)742-8405 ext. 5236 or email  speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.  Programs may be canceled due to weather, power outages, lack of registration, or other unforeseen circumstances. If contact information has been provided for registration, a direct attempt will be made to notify participants.

Jim Coll Presents: Madam Justice: Women of the Supreme Court Friday, March 20, from 1–2 p.m.

in the Large Meeting Room

Just in time for Women in History Month, Jim Coll presents: Madam Justice: Women of the Supreme Court.  Jim Coll has been a lecturer at the Garden City Public Library for several years, and his specialty lectures are on American history and the Constitution. Since this is the 250th Anniversary of America, Jim has agreed to do a lecture a month the entire year to celebrate the history of America. Join James Coll, a constitutional historian at Hofstra University and an adjunct professor of American and Constitutional history at Nassau Community College. He lectures to Library and community groups on the U.S. Constitution and history topics.

Empire Safety Council Defensive Driving Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Join us on Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. for a Defensive Driving Course with the Empire Safety Council. Receive 10% reduction on automobile/liability insurance and qualify for a license point reduction. Register in person at the Garden City Public Library. Space is limited, so check with the Reference Department for availability. Register separately for each person. Proper ID is required when registering an absentee party. You must bring a $33 check made payable to Empire Safety Council and current Library card with you to register. Bring your valid New York State driver's license and a pen to class.

Programs may be canceled due to weather, power outages, lack of registration, or other unforeseen circumstances. If contact information has been provided for registration, a direct attempt will be made to notify participants.

Plumbing Lecture with Brian Schnee of Home Improvements with TLC Saturday, March 28, from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Large Meeting Room

Learn the common terms used by a plumbing professional and the importance of maintaining your potable and waste water systems. Topics of discussion include:

• the water supply systems and all its components

• the sanitary waste systems and all its components

• types of pipes and all their fittings

• grey water, can it be reused?

• lead pipes

• the meaning and importance of venting

• maintaining the water supply and sanitary waste systems

• the refrigerator ice maker story

Recommended this lecture be fol-

lowed up with April 11, 2026 hands-on workshop. Please register separately. Please register online at LibCal at https://gardencitypl.libcal.com/. For additional information contact Adult Services at (516)742-8405 ext. 5236 or email speakingofbooks@gardencitypl. org. Programs may be canceled due to weather, power outages, lack of registration, or other unforeseen circumstances. If contact information has been provided for registration, a direct attempt will be made to notify participants

Check Out A Museum Pass!

Through the generosity of the Friends of the Garden City Public Library, the Library offers free passes to select museums and cultural institutions. Reservations can be made via LibCal, which requires a Library card and a PIN. Please visit the Circulation Desk to verify or create your PIN. Once you have a PIN, you can make your reservations from home or at the Library. You can make a reservation to borrow a Museum pass from one of the member institutions in our Museum Pass Program. Some museum passes are now available to print from home, including the Vanderbilt Museum located at 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport. If you do not have access to a printer, the Library will be happy to print the pass for you. These passes will be good for one day only. Please note that not all museums participate. For a list of print-from-home passes, visit the Library website, www.gardencitypl.org.

Passes for the following museums still need to be picked up at the Library: 9/11 Memorial & Museum, NYC (2 adults & 2 children); MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art), NYC (5 visitors); the Long Island Children’s Museum, Garden City (2 adults & 2 children) and the Empire Pass, which allows entry of the vehicle when the card is presented at most New York State Parks, Department of Environmental Conservation forest preserve areas, boat launch sites, arboretums and park preserves. The following Library Museum Pass rules remain in effect.

• Museum passes are available only to Garden City Public Library cardholders in good standing who have signed the Museum Pass User Agreement. Museum passes may be reserved in advance and must be checked out by an adult (18 years and older) family member.

• Reservations will be taken up to one month in advance of the desired date, subject to availability on a firstcome, first-served basis. Reservations

Adult Services at the Garden City Public Library

can be made in person at the Adult Services Desk or over the phone at 516-742-8405 x5236.

Additional rules and information are available at the library.

Garden City Public Library Expands Museum Pass Program Thanks to the Friends of the Library

The Garden City Public Library is pleased to announce that, through the generosity and continued support of the Friends of the Garden City Public Library, eight additional museum passes are now available to our patrons.

The newly added passes include:

• The Frick Collection (Print on Demand)

1 East 70th Street at Fifth Avenue, New York, NY

Free admission for 2 adults (no children under age 10)

• Sands Point Preserve (Print on Demand)

127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, NY

Free parking and entrance to the preserve

• Garvies Point Museum & Preserve (Print on Demand)

50 Barry Drive, Glen Cove, NY

Free admission for 2 adults and 2 children (ages 5–12)

• The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (Print on Demand)

Welwyn Preserve, 100 Crescent Beach Road, Glen Cove, NY

4 general admission passes (not recommended for children 10 and under)

• Long Island Museum (Print on Demand)

1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook, NY

Free admission for 2 adults and 2

children under 18

• New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) (Print on Demand)

47-10 111th Street, Corona, NY

Free admission for 2 adults and 4 children under 18

• The New York Historical (Print on Demand)

170 Central Park West at Richard Gilder Way (77th Street), New York, NY

Free admission for 2 adults and 4 children under 18

• New York Transit Museum (Print on Demand)

99 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, NY

Free admission for 2 adults and 4 children under 18

These additions join our current museum pass offerings, which include: the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Cradle of Aviation Museum, Empire Pass, Guggenheim Museum, Intrepid Museum, Long Island Children’s Museum, Lt. Michael P. Murphy Navy SEAL Museum, MoMA, Firefighter’s Museum, Nassau County Museum of Art, Old Westbury Gardens, and the Vanderbilt Museum, Mansion & Planetarium.

We are deeply grateful to the Friends of the Garden City Public Library for making these valuable cultural and educational opportunities available to our community. Their generosity continues to enhance the library’s mission of lifelong learning and enrichment.

We encourage our patrons to show their appreciation by supporting the Friends through donations of time or financial contributions.

For more information about reserving a museum pass, please visit the Garden City Public Library or check our website.

Help Lucky f ind his gold at the GC Library

Lucky the Leprechaun is visiting the Library in March! He is traveling from place to place on the first floor of the Library, but in his travels he’s lost his gold! When you visit the Library in March, take a gold coin and when you find Lucky, drop it in his pot of gold! Every day he may travel to a new spot - and also lose his gold coins - so make sure to find him every time you visit and drop a gold coin in his pot of gold! Gold coins will be available by the front desk for patrons when they visit the Library if they want to search for Lucky.

The Welcoming Club of Garden City GC Library Board to meet

There will be a Regular Meeting of the Library Board of Trustees on Monday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the large meeting room on the lower level.

Further details will be posted when available on the Library’s website, www.gardencitypl.org.

Books Before School encourages reading

NEW! Encourage Reading through 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and 500 Books Before Middle School

Our Children’s Department is thrilled to introduce exciting new reading initiatives designed to help young readers discover the joy of books!

1,000

Books Before Kindergarten

Encourage your child to embark on a journey of reading 1,000 books before entering kindergarten. This program fosters a love for reading, improves literacy skills, and provides fun milestones to celebrate along the way.

500 Books Before Middle School

For older readers, we offer the 500 Books Before Middle School program. This challenge promotes independent reading and helps children continue developing their imagination and comprehension skills.

Why Join?

These programs are designed to help children experience the pleasure of reading, build lifelong habits, and nurture a natural curiosity of stories.

How It Works:

Register in the Children’s Department beginning January 5.

Start reading and track your books.  Celebrate your progress with fun sticker rewards!

Together, let’s inspire a generation of readers!

For more information, contact the Children’s Department Staff.

NEW! The Grades K–5 After School Hive!

Weekdays after school starting in February, children in Grades K–5 are encouraged to play, build, craft, and work together! Starting at 3 p.m. every weekday after school, children in Grades K–5 can join us in the Children’s Room for a different after school activity!

• Board Game Mondays: Board games will be available in the Children’s Room for kids to play until 8:30 p.m.

• Craft Tuesdays: Craft supplies like beads, yarn, scratch art, and more will be available in the Children’s Room until 8:30 p.m.

• LEGO Wednesdays: Build with LEGO in the Children’s Room until 8:30 p.m.

• Puzzle Thursdays: Work on jigsaw puzzles in the Children’s Room from Thursday through the end of the weekend!

Activities will also be available for kids in the STEAM Workshop if there isn’t a program. No registration required. Children must be accompanied by an adult in the Children’s Room and STEAM Workshop.

GC Kiwanis announces scholarship

The Garden City Kiwanis Foundation is pleased to announce that applications are now available for the 2026 Kiwanis Service Scholarship. The scholarship is open to any high school senior residing in the Garden City School District and is awarded in recognition of a student’s commitment to community service.

Applications have been provided to the

Guidance Department of Garden City High School and to many of the private high schools in the vicinity. Interested students should contact their guidance department. The application may also be obtained by emailing Carole Russo at cartaxpro@aol. com. The deadline for submitting an application is April 1, 2026.

Join the Welcoming Club for Exciting Upcoming Events!

The Garden City Welcoming Club offers rolling membership to women who reside in the village of Garden City. It is a volunteer women’s organization that unites both new & long-standing members to build friendships, explore new interests, and give back to the community.  Whether you are new to our community or have resided here for an extended period of time and are looking for a new venture, we would love to speak to you. See below for details.

Join us for drinks, lite bites, and shopping at Ladies Night Spring Soiree on March 13 from 7 p.m.–10 p.m. a lively spring market featuring local vendors, great food, drinks, raffles and more.

All proceeds benefit Camp Anchor, a program that provides incredible recreational opportunities for children and adults with special needs.

Contact GCLadiesnight@gmail.com for tickets

Ticket Packages:

$50 - entry only; no extras

$75 - entry + 5 raffle tickets + 1 drink ticket

$100 - entry +15 raffle tickets + 2 drink tickets

Vendors Include:

Simply Sage Boutique — curated clothing and accessories

Ginger Jar Stitchery — custom embroidery, home décor, and accessories

Applied Aesthetic — professional skin care and aesthetic services

DripBar — IV hydration and wellness treatments

Wander Candle Co. — handcrafted candles

A Simple Simmer — artisan stovetop potpourri

Coquette — stylish clothing and accessories

Francine’s Outrageous Kitchen — homemade fudge and specialty syrups

Marteen’s Luxury — luxury bags, can-

dles, and accessories

G+L Original — handmade bags, jewelry, and accessories

LAE — unique jewelry pieces

Baubles & Bangles & Bags — clothing and fashion accessories

Old World Quality Corp. — home improvement and renovation services

Join the Club

To purchase tickets to events, you must be a member, so join and make a difference! For just $50 a year, you will have access to great events. Complete the online membership form today at www. thegardencitywelcomingclub.org in the “Join” section of the website. Browse the site for great information about the club.

Follow Us!

Facebook: The Welcoming Club of Garden City

Instagram: @gcwelcomingclub

LinkedIn: The Garden City Welcoming Club

Website:www.thegardencitywelcomingclub.org/register

Join a Group Book Club

Enjoy a good book amongst friends. The book club meets every 6 weeks to discuss the page-turner of choice. For upcoming book club events, please email WelcomingClubBookClub@gmail.com.

Craft Club

The craft club is a great way to meet with friends and get crafty. No experience necessary. We meet every few months to create a seasonal craft. If you are interested in joining, please email GCCraftClub@ gmail.com.

Toddler Activities

A great way for you and your little ones to make new friends. Activities include stroller walks each week around our beautiful village and a visit to the park. We also set up playgroups with kids of similar age. Please email welcomingclubtoddleractivities@gmail.com for more information.

Supper Club

Bring your significant others out for this one! This is a great way to make new friends as a couple. You will be paired up with 3-4 other couples to set up a rotation of dinner events. Host your new friends at home or head out to try local restaurants. Please email GCSupper@gmail.com for more information.

Fitness

Different group fitness activities are planned throughout the year.  It’s a great way to stay active and meet new friends. Stay tuned for details on upcoming events, or contact WelcomingClubFitness@ gmail.com

LEGAL NOTICE

INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF GARDEN CITY

GARDEN CITY, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL ESTATE FOR

UNPAID 2025 VILLAGE TAXES

LEGAL NOTICES

NASSAU COUNTY LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on March 20, 2026 at Village Hall, 351 Stewart Avenue, in the Village of Garden City, New York, pursuant to direction of the Board of Trustees of said Village, I, the undersigned, Treasurer of said Village, will sell the following described real estate in said Village together with any improvements thereon, to discharge the unpaid 2025 Village tax, interest and other charges which may be due thereon at the time of the sale. Such real estate will be sold subject to any unpaid assessments thereon levied by said Village prior to the date of such sale and any unpaid tax liens for years prior to 2025 purchased and held by said Village, and subject to the provisions of the New York State and Federal Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts, as amended, insofar as the same may be applicable to the owners of any said following described real estate. Purchasers will be required to pay the amount of their respective bids to the undersigned within ten days after the sale, pursuant to the provisions of Section 1454 of the Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York, as amended, and upon such payment shall receive a written certificate of sale describing the real estate purchased and the sum paid therefor. Please be advised that the Incorporated Village of Garden City intends to bid-in for any and all parcels to be sold at this year’s sale. Therefore, any and all tax liens sold at this sale will become village-owned tax liens.

The following is a list or statement of the real estate upon which such 2025 tax is unpaid, with the amount of such 2025 tax, together with interest and other charges due thereon to March 20, 2026.

LEGAL NOTICES

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF SALE

LEGAL NOTICE

INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF GARDEN CITY

GARDEN CITY, LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK NOTICE OF SALE OF REAL ESTATE FOR UNPAID 2025 VILLAGE TAXES

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on March 20, 2026 at Village Hall, 351 Stewart Avenue, in the Village of Garden City, New York, pursuant to direction of the Board of Trustees of said Village, I, the undersigned, Treasurer of said Village, will sell the following described real estate in said Village together with any improvements thereon, to discharge the unpaid 2025 Village tax, interest and other charges which may be due thereon at the time of the sale. Such real estate will be sold subject to any unpaid assessments thereon levied by said Village prior to the date of such sale and any unpaid tax liens for years prior to 2025 purchased and held by said Village, and subject to the provisions of the New York State and Federal Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Acts, as amended, insofar as the same may be applicable to the owners of any said following described real estate. Purchasers will be required to pay the amount of their respective bids to the undersigned within ten days after the sale, pursuant to the provisions of Section 1454 of the Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York, as amended, and upon such payment shall receive a written certificate of sale describing the real estate purchased and the sum paid therefor. Please be advised that the Incorporated Village of Garden City intends to bid-in for any and all parcels to be sold at this year’s sale. Therefore, any and all tax liens sold at this sale will become village-owned tax liens.

The following is a list or statement of the real estate upon which such 2025 tax is unpaid, with the amount of such 2025 tax, together with interest and other charges due thereon to March 20, 2026.

Irene Woo, CPA, CMFO

Village Treasurer Garden City, New York March 6, 2026 The Incorporated Village of Garden City does not discriminate on the basis of disability for admission to, access to, or participation in its programs, activities or public meetings, and has designated Kelly Galanek, Village Clerk, as Disability Compliance Coordinator. Persons in need of any special accommodation for a disability who

Pursuant to the provisions of General Municipal Law and Chapter 200 of the Code of the Incorporated Village of Garden City, New York notice is hereby given that the Board of Appeals of said Village will meet in the Village Hall at 351 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, New York on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 , at 6:30 p.m. , to take action on the following matters:

1. APPEAL OF NICK & LAUREN THEOHARIS for a variance of provisions in Sections 200-15 , 200-46 and 200-52 of the Village Code, to permit the erection of a 63 sq. ft . raised deck at the rear , and the maintenance of a previously permitted A/C compressor, relocated to the side yard, at the dwelling known as; 164 LINCOLN STREET (Map of Park Manor, Block -, Lots 97, R-6 district) the granting of which would:

A . exceed the allowable building area of 1,500 sq. ft. or 25.0 % by 99 sq. ft. ( 1,599 sq. ft. or 26.65 %) ~

B . reduce the 18 0 ’ aggregate of side yards to not less than 14 4 ’ ~

C . reduce the 10.0 ’ plotline setback for freestanding A/C equipment, to not less than 5 0 ’.

Building Department application # 2025-18194, Daniel James Reinhart, R.A.

*Adjourned at the February 18, 2026, meeting.

2. APPEAL OF JAMES HOLLAND for a variance from provisions of Sections 200-15 and 200-46 of the Village Code, to allow the issue of building permits for the construction of, a 145 sq. ft. second floor rear addition, and the maintenance of a 75 sq. ft. roof over the existing cellar stair at the side of the premises; known as 88 MULBERRY AVENUE ( Map of Mineola Plaza, Lot 29, Block 1, R-6 district) the granting of which would: A. exceed the allowable building area of 2,000 sq. ft. or 25.0 %, by 72 sq. ft. ( 2,072 sq. ft. or 25 9 %)

B. extend horizontally and vertically existing side yards, reducing the required 10 0 ’ minimum side yard to not less than: 1. 5.5’ to the cellar entrance roof, and 2. 9.7’ to the proposed second floor.

Building Department application # 2025-18198, Leo J. Pyzynski, R.A.

*Adjourned at the February 18, 2026, meeting.

3. APPEAL OF MICHAEL & PATRICIA ELLIS for a variance of provisions in Sections 200

- 15 & 200-31 of the Village Code, to allow for the construction of a 47 sq. ft. portico at the front, a 552 sq. ft. operable louver Pergola at the rear, and a 15 sq. ft. roof overhang at the side of the dwelling; known as 90 POPLAR STREET (Map of Garden City Lawns, Block 5, Lot 19, R-6 district), the granting of which would:

A. exceed the allowable building area of 25 % or 1 , 906 sq. ft. by 381 sq. ft. ( 2 , 287 sq. ft. or 30 0 %), 8.02 % of which is open space~

B. reduce the required front yard setback of 30 0 ’ to not less than 26 3 ’.

Building Department application # 2025-18228, Daniel Fabrizi, R.A.

*Adjourned at the February 18, 2026, meeting

4. APPEAL OF PAUL CANGRO in accordance with the provisions of Section 200-15 of the Village Code, to allow the issuance of a building permit for construction of a 123 sq. ft. first floor addition with a 34 sq. ft. covered entry at the side of the premises, known as 145 KENSINGTON ROAD ( Map of Garden City Estates, Block 36, Lot 27, R-12 District), the granting of which would:

A. exceeds the allowable plot coverage of 2,000 sq. ft. or 20.00 % by 590 sq. ft. (2,590 sq. ft. or 25 . 9 % .

Building Department application # 2025-18157, Kenneth C. Long R.A.

*Area variance granted previously at the January 20 th , 2001, hearing.

**Adjourned at the February 18, 2026, meeting 5. A PPEAL OF CHRIS & R ACHEL SMIRTI in accord a n c e with Section 200 - 8 5 , for a ( 1 y e a r extension of previously g r a nted v a ri a n ce s ( J anua r y 22, 202 5 , of S e c tion s 200 - 15 a nd 200 - 46 of the Village Cod e , to a l l ow the issue of permit s for the construction o f a 144 sq. f t . one story r e a r a ddi t ion w/ 18 sq. f t . plat f orm, a nd 154 sq. f t . s e c o nd floor side addition (demolish 43 sq. ft. rea r walk in bay, a t the dwelling known a s 107 WEY F ORD T E RR A CE (M a p of Country C l ub Estat e s, B lock 7, Lots 35, R - 6 district), the granting of which would:

A . e x c e e ds the allowable building a re a of 1,650 sq. ft. or 25.0% , by 92 sq. ft. ( 26 . 4 % or 1,742 sq. ft.) ~

B . r e duces t h e r e qui r e d 18 . 0 ’ aggregate of side y a r d s, to not less than 15 5 ’. Bui l ding Department a p p l i ca t i on # 2024 - 16029, Ed ward Paul Butt, R.A.

*Adjourned at the February 18, 2026, meeting.

6. APPEAL OF MR. SABATINO IENOPOLI , for a one year extension of a previously granted variance ( September 20, 2022 from provisions of section 200-31 of the Village Code, to allow issuance of building permits; erecting a 205 sq. ft. first floor rear and 58 sq. ft. front additions, with a 1,461 sq. ft. second floor above; a 208 sq. ft. one story side garage and 127 sq. ft. front porch additions (demolish 500 sq. ft. ½ story); at the corner

dwelling known as 42 DARTMOUTH STREET (Map of Richlands, Block 9, Lots 49, R-8 district) the granting of which would:

A . reduce the required 30.0’ front yard setback from Dartmouth Street, to no less than 25.0’ for the proposed porch, and 29.2’ to the second-floor addition.

Building Department application # 2025-16524, John J. Viscardi, R.A.

*For a one-year extension

7. APPEAL OF PRAMOD & KELLY NARULA for a variance of the provisions of Section 200-15 , of the Village Code, to permit the erection of a 335 sq. ft. open porch at the side of the dwelling, known as 120 BROMPTON ROAD (Map of Garden City Estates, Block 47, Lot 41, R-12 district, 7,000 sq. ft. plot) the granting of which would:

A. reduce the required 25.0’ rear yard setback to not less than 23.21 ’, where 20 30 ’ exists ~

B. exceed the allowable building area of 1,400 sq. ft. or 20.0 %, by 686 sq. ft ( 2,086 sq. ft. or 29.80 %), where 1,751 sq. ft. or 25.01 % exists.

Building Department application # 2026-114, John J. Viscardi, R.A.

8. APPEAL OF CHRISTOPHER & DANIELLE GIACALONE for a variance of provisions of Village Code Sections 200 - 16 C ( 1 & 200-61.B , to permit the conversion of a 64 sq. ft. portion of the existing garage to habitable space, at the corner dwelling known as 56 KINGSBURY ROAD (Map of Country Life Development, Block Q, Lot 306, R-6 district) the granting of which would:

A . not provide ( 1 off street parking space.

Building Department application # 2025-18259, Salvatore A. Ferrara, R.A.

9. APPEAL OF MICHELE & BRIAN NICHOLAS for a variance of the provisions of Village Code Section 200-52.H , to allow the issue of permits for the installation of ( 2 A/C compressors, in the side yard, at the dwelling known as 42 HUNTINGTON ROAD (Map of Country Life Development, Block B, Lots 20, R-6 district) the granting of which would: A . reduce the 10 0 ’ plot line setback for freestanding A / C equipment, to not less than 7 0 ’.

Building Department application # 2025-18315.

10. APPEAL OF BRIAN CAPOGNA for a variance of provisions in Village Code Sections 200-45.4 & 200-52.A , to allow the issue of permits for the installation of a 28 kW standby generator in the side yard, at of the dwelling known as 86 SIXTH STREET (Map of Garden City Central, Block 23-A, Lots 3172, R-20 district) the granting of which would: A. cause a generator to not be co-located with other freestanding equipment ~ B. reduce the free-standing equipment setback of 80 0 ’, to not less than 61 3 ’.

Building Department application # 2026-40.

11. APPEAL OF MANUEL & RENA KALAYGIAN for a variance of the provisions of Section 200 - 16 C ( 1 & 200-61.B of the Village Code, so as to permit the conversion of an 80 sq. ft. portion of the existing garage to habitable space: while constructing a 34 sq ft . one story vestibule and 100 sq. ft. porch, at the front, and a 1,339 sq. ft. second floor addition (demolish existing 663 sq. ft. ½ story), at the existing dwelling known as 166 LINCOLN STREET (Map of Park Manor, Lot 100, R-8 district) the construction of which would:

A . does not provide ( 1 off street parking space.

Building Department application # 2025-18186, Alan Jeffery Cooper, R.A.

*Variances granted previously for side yard setback at the March 18, 2025, meeting.

** Exterior approved at the March 25, 2025, ADRB meeting.

12. APPEAL OF GUY & CARMEN IRACE for a variance of Village code section §200-31 , to allow issuance of building permits, erecting a 39 sq. ft. first floor addition in the Lefferts Road front; a 106 sq. ft. first floor addition and 40 sq. ft. Portico in the Transverse Road Front, with a 1 , 432 Sq. ft. second floor addition (demolish 677 sq. ft. ½ story), and a 245 sq. ft. covered patio at the side, of the corner dwelling known as 80 LEFFERTS ROAD (Map of Country Life Development, Lot K, Block 137, R-6 district) the granting of which would:

A. reduce the 25 0 ’ front setback from Lefferts Road, to not less than: 1. 21 33 ’ for the Portico, and 2. 18 . 33 ’ to the Portico steps.

Building Department application # 2026-137, Emilio Susa, R.A.

End of Cases The Board may transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting.

DATED: March 3, 2026, Garden City, New York 11530, Kelly Galanek, Village Clerk

The Incorporated Village of Garden City does not discriminate on the basis of disability for admission to, access to, or participation in its programs, activities or public meetings, and has designated Kelly Galanek, Village Clerk, as Disability Compliance Coordinator. People with a disability who wish to attend a meeting should contact Kelly Galanek at least 24 hours in advance of meeting at: 351 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, New York 11530 (516) 465-4051,8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Next Meeting: APRIL 21, 2026

Celebrate America at 250: From Boston to Long Island

The GC Property Owner’s Associations invite all residents to kick off the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations at a special event, “America 250 – From Boston to Long Island,” rescheduled for Tuesday, March 10 at 7:00 PM at the Senior Center on Golf Club Lane. This engaging and interactive evening will bring Revolutionary War history to life in a way that’s both educational and entertaining for all ages.

The program begins in

LEGAL NOTICES

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Notice is hereby given that bids for the following will be received at the Garden City Union Free School District, 56 Cathedral Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530 until 10:30 am on Thursday, March 26th, 2026 at which time and place bids will be opened and read aloud for

"PRINTING AND MAILING OF THE SCHOOL CALENDAR" 2026-2027

Copies of the specifications and instructions may be obtained at the aforesaid Business Office between the hours of 8:30 am through 4pm MondayFriday up to the time of the bid opening.

Dana DiCapua Asst. Supt. for Business and Finance

Garden City Union Free School District

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Notice is hereby given that bids for the following will be received at the Garden City UFSD, Business Office, 56 Cathedral Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530 until 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 at which time and place bids will be opened and read aloud.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT BID REPAIRS 2026-2027

Copies of the specifications and instructions may be obtained at the aforesaid Business Office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. through 4:00 p.m., Monday –Friday up to the time of the bid opening.

Dana DiCapua Asst. Supt for Business & Finance

Garden City Union Free School District

Boston, with members of the Garden City Marching Band performing music from the Revolutionary era. Residents will also enjoy a lively skit written by Garden City’s own Leslie Dimmling, shining a spotlight on the often-overlooked views of the women of the Boston Tea Party.

From there, the story moves to Long Island with an interactive presentation about the legendary Culper Spy Ring. The highlight of the evening will be a discussion with local historian Margo Arceri, who will share the real story of the Spy Ring and the extraordinary role they played in securing

America’s independence.

Light refreshments will be served, and admission is free. Residents are encouraged to register using the QR code below or by emailing gcpoaevents@gmail.com.

Join your neighbors for the Village’s first event celebrating America’s 250th anniversary,

Historical Society offers scholarship

Sealed bids MUST be RECEIVED BY & DELIVERED TO: PURCHASING DIVISION

Inc. Village of Garden City 351 Stewart Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, UNTIL 11:00 AM EDT THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026 at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud, for furnishing the following: LANDSCAPING - WATER AND DPW PROPERTIES Specifications, Form of Bid, and other information may be obtained from the office of the Purchasing Division at the above address or you may download the bid specifications from the New York State Contract Reporter website at the following web address: https://www.nyscr.ny.gov/ contracts.cfm This bid specification will be listed under the Agency Name of:

Garden City, Inc. Village of Dated: 3/6/26

The Garden City Historical Society is continuing the tradition of awarding a scholarship to a senior who has demonstrated a commitment to promote and understand Village history through significant volunteer hours, historical research, or other related projects.

This scholarship is generously funded by The Stewart Fund. Students can perform service hours or do a project any time through their high school years, including during

9th grade. This scholarship, in the amount of $2500, is limited to students who reside in the Village of Garden City. High School Senior students in both Garden City High School and private schools are eligible to apply.

Applicants will be asked to provide details of their academic grades and SAT/ ACT scores, in addition to their volunteer projects and ideas about the role preservation should play in the Village.

THE OFFICE CAT

Applications can be obtained on the Historical Society website: https://thegardencityhistoricalsociety.org/#societynews, or in the Guidance Office of Garden City High School. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2026.

The Garden City Historical Society is a 501(c)3 non profit organization dedicated to preserving the unique historic character and ambiance of the Village.

Let our Service Directory help you find the right company for the job!

From page 22

Police headquarters on March 2nd to report a suspected scam involving an email appearing to come from a brokerage house. Follow-up with the broker confirmed it was fraudulent; the account was locked and no loss occurred.

Vaping alarm

Garden City Police and Firefighters responded to the Library at Adelphi U on March 2nd for an automatic alarm that had been set off by vaping.

Another vaping alarm

On March 2nd, GCFD and GCPD responded to a Franklin Ave. business for an automatic alarm triggered by vaping.

Hoops for Hope support

GCPD officers were present at Garden City High School’s Hoops for Hope event on March 2nd as a show of support for the participants.

Lost and found vehicle

Garden City Police responded to a GC parking field on March 2nd to assist a motorist

who reported a misplaced vehicle. The auto was located.

Community policing

On March 2nd, officers conducted numerous Community Policing events at houses of worship throughout the Village as a proactive measure for police presence.

Gas odor call

Garden City Police and Firefighters responded to a Garden St. residence on March 2nd for a reported odor of natural gas inside the home.

Medical aid

Garden City Police responded to a residence on Kilburn Rd. on March 3rd for an elderly person in need of medical attention. The aided individual was transported to a local hospital.

Fire alarm malfunction

Police and firefighters responded to a Kenwood Rd. residence on March 3rd for a malfunctioning fire alarm.

Steam alarm

On March 3rd, GCFD and GCPD responded to a Franklin Ave. business for an automatic alarm that had been triggered by steam released when a dishwasher was opened.

Utility fraud

A resident of Euston Rd. reported an instance of identity theft on March 3rd involving fraud tied to a National Grid payment request connected to an address he does not own.

Cooking alarm

GCFD and GCPD responded to a Russell Rd. residence on March 3rd for an automatic fire alarm caused by cooking.

Wire transfer scam

On March 3rd, a resident of Stewart Ave. was the victim of grand larceny as the result of a wire transfer scam.

Misplaced vehicle

Officers responded to a Garden City Parking Field on March 3rd to assist a motorist who reported a misplaced vehicle, which was subsequently located.

Travelers are Prioritizing Meaningful, Wellness, Active, Adventure Experiences

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE

GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

More than ever, travelers are prioritizing meaningful, wellness-focused, experiences, active adventures, and authentic connections with offthe-beaten-path destinations and communities. This is the finding of Backroads, a global trailblazer in active travel since 1979, in its Top Adventure Travel Trends for 2026.

Indeed, adventure travel is now one of the fastest-growing segments in tourism, with global adventure travel projected to surpass $2 trillion by 2032, according to the Adventure Travel Trade Association. At the same time, wellness-driven trips are accelerating worldwide as travelers seek meaningful, restorative, experience-rich vacations over passive leisure, a finding confirmed by the Global Wellness Institute.

Backroads’ Top Adventure Travel Trends for 2026

Women and Solo Travelers on the Rise: Across travel, adventures designed for women are surging as friends, family and solo travelers seek connection, immersive confidenceboosting experiences and a sense of community. Backroads bookings reflect this shift, with demand for its  Women’s Adventures projected to grow 100% in 2026. The  solo travel market is expected to grow 14% over the next five years, with women over 50 a major driver of this momentum. What’s Trending? Backroads England’s Cotswolds, Peru, Canadian Rockies Trips.

Family Togetherness Across the Globe:  Prioritizing real-world experiences over screen time, modern families are seeking active vacations that spark connection and create lasting memories. What’s Trending? Backroads Trips for Families with Kids & Teens, Teens &

20s and 20s & Beyond:  Brittany & Nor mandy, Croatia and Iceland

Young Professionals Seeking Adventure:  Millennial and Gen X travelers are fueling strong growth in adventure travel, driven by a clear desire for active exploration balanced with comfort, camaraderie and iconic destinations. This cohort is also poised to benefit from an unprecedented $27 trillion wealth transfer by 2045, expanding opportunities to prioritize meaningful, experience-driven travel. What’s Trending? Backroads 30s & 40s Trips:  Peru Lodge-to-Lodge Trekking, Dolomites Hut-to-Hut Hiking and Santorini & Crete MultiAdventure.

Nostalgia for Human-Powered Travel: From acoustic (non-electricassist) biking for traditional cyclists eager to cover the miles using their own muscle power to hiking epic mountains, travelers are slowing down and rediscovering the rewards of moving with their own strength. By staying longer in one region or embracing human-powered adventure in small groups, guests are able to dive deeper into local culture and landscapes. What’s Trending? Backroads Unplugged non-electric-assist) Bike Tours in  Croatia, Portugal’s Algarve, Tuscany and  Nova Scotia;  Argentina and Chile’s Patagonia Hiking & Walking Tours.

Biking in Cambodia hits multiple trends, satisfying the wanderlust for active, culturally rich adventures that are also especially welcoming for women traveling solo © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Frontier Islands: Rugged Archipelagos as the New Darling: Moving beyond classic island escapes, travelers are gravitating toward rugged, culture-rich archipelagos, places defined by dramatic cliffs, volcanic ridges, fishing villages and wide-open trails. These “frontier islands” appeal to active travelers seeking big scenery, epic hiking, cooler climates and a sense of remoteness that traditional beach islands can’t deliver. What’s Trending? Backroads Canary Islands, Cyprus, Denmark Islands, Lofoten Islands and  Portugal’s Azores Trips.

Trip Stacking, On and OffSeason: Travelers are increasingly “stacking” their journeys by booking back-to-back trips or even three-stop itineraries to maximize a single longhaul flight. This reflects a growing shift toward sustainable, efficient travel, where guests make the most of every mile and every moment away. Off-season exploration is also on the rise, with more travelers heading out earlier in spring, later in fall and throughout the winter for a fresh take on familiar places. What’s Trending? Backroads Norway,  Japan and  Spain Trips.

Active Culinary Travel Takes Off: Blending outdoor activity with regional food and wine experiences is a travel style that continues to

grow as travelers seek culturally rich, experiential trips. From cooking classes and local farmers market visits to stays at Relais & Châteaux properties, Backroads Active Culinary Trips that unite adventure, flavor and luxury are gaining momentum across key regions. What’s Trending? Backroads Basque Country, Tuscany and Provence Trips.

Slee ing in Huts & Mountain Lodges Is In: Travelers are increasingly choosing mountain lodges and huts and historic hideaways, especially in off-thebeaten-path destinations. Bookings for these laid-back, comfortable stays are surpassing expectations and up more than 170% since 2024, as guests seek accommodations that capture the essence of a place and seamlessly blend activity, discovery, relaxation, sustainability and wellness. Find these authentic stays on many Backroads trips including  Hut-to-Hut and  Lodgeto-Lodge  offerings. What’s Trending?  Backroads Dolomites Hut-to-Hut,  French & Italian Alps Lodge-to-Lodge and  Pyrenees Lodgeto-Lodge Trips.

Learn more about Backroads at www. backroads.com or call 800-462-2848.

More active/adventure tour companies: Active Adventures (activeadventures.com); Austin Adventures (austinadventures.com); Butterfield & Robinson (butterfield.com); Duvine Cycling + Adventure co.(duvine.com); EF Go Ahead Tours (goaheadtours. com); Exodus Adventure Travels (exodustravels.com); Explorateur Journeys (explorateurjourneys. com); G Adventures (gadventures. com); Inspiring Vacations (inspiringvacations.com); Intrepid Travel (intrepidtravel.com); Lindblad Expeditions (expeditions.com); Nat Geo Expeditions (nationalgeographihc.com); Overseas Adventure Travel (oattravel.com); Pure Adventures (pure-adventures.com); Sierra Club (outings.sierraclub.org); Wilderness Travel (wildernesstravel.com); Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com). March 6, 2026

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of March 8-14, 2026

Meet Betelgeuse: A True Superstar

If you hear the word “superstar,” what immediately comes to mind? Perhaps names like Tom Hanks, Taylor Swift or LeBron James? That’s certainly understandable; they are all undisputed superstars who attract the attention of paparazzi and fans alike.

If you’re an astronomer, however, you may answer this question differently. For example, when I hear the word “superstar,” I think of UY Scuti, WOH G64 or RSGC1-F01. Yes, these are superstars, but not quite how people may think. These are some of the largest stars known in our galaxy and, for that reason, are quite intriguing to us celestial paparazzi.

Regular readers of this column know that our sun is also a star. It appears big and bright in our daytime sky because not only is it rather close (about 93 million miles away), it’s also pretty large (nearly a million miles across). It sounds huge, but our star is rather small on a cosmic scale, and believe it or not, there are stars out there that would dwarf our sun and make it look tiny. These are the true superstars!

Until recently, the largest star known was given the hopelessly poetic name of UY Scuti. At a distance of some 9,500 lightyears from Earth, UY Scuti is

what is known as a red hypergiant star, with a diameter some 1,700 times that of the sun!

All that changed recently, however, when astronomers found a gargantuan star some 2,150 times larger than our sun! It’s named Stephenson 2-18, and if you’d like to get a peek at this stellar behemoth, you’ll need more than your eyes. At a distance of some 18,900 lightyears, it appears 5,100 times fainter than we can see without a telescope.

If you have no telescope but would still like to see a celestial superstar, you’re in luck. There’s one shining in our night sky right now; it’s one of the brightest up there and is named Betelgeuse.

Betelgeuse sparkles brightly in the northeastern corner of Orion, the hunter, and you can see its orange light midway up in the southern sky after dark this week. With about 15-20 times more mass than our sun, Betelgeuse is known as a red supergiant star for good reason. While we could align 109 Earths across the face of our sun, we would need at least 700 suns to cross the face of Betelgeuse!

Indeed, this star is so immense that if it replaced our sun at the center of our planetary system, Betelgeuse would engulf the orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, and stretch part of the way to Jupiter! Yet it appears as a simple point of light in our night

The Tale of

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

One day as my husband and I were walking through my town, I noticed a guy coming toward us walking his dog. I peered ahead and tried to figure out what breed the dog was. He didn’t look like any dog I’d ever seen before. As they got closer, I realized he didn’t even look like a dog. He actually looked like ...

A goat.

“Hey honey, is that a goat?” I asked my husband.

“Looks like a goat to me,” he said.

“Is it a pet goat?” I wondered aloud.

“Looks like a pet goat to me,” he said, and then waited a moment for the inevitable.

“I want a pet goat,” I announced.

“Of course you do,” he responded.

Now, where I live, people do not routinely walk goats down the street on a leash. Actually, where I live, people don’t routinely have goats at all. Since this is the suburbs, people are not allowed to keep livestock as pets, even

Betelgeuse, one of the largest known stars, is visible in the southern sky after dark this week

sky because of its tremendous distance from us -- some 3,100 trillion miles, or about 520 lightyears.

Betelgeuse is easily one of the largest known stars, though its size fluctuates by as much as 60% as the star shudders and pulsates on its way to an eventual supernova explosion, thou-

sands or millions of years from now. Or tonight. We just don’t know.

I hope you’ll step out under the night sky soon to meet this remarkable superstar for yourself!

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.

COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM

the Goat With a Coat

ones that are as well behaved as this one seemed to be. As the goat got closer, I could see he was wearing some kind of coat. It was a goat in a coat. What are the odds?

“Is that a coat on the goat?” I asked my husband.

“Looks like a coat on the goat to me,” he responded.

“Why is the goat wearing a coat?” I asked.

“Maybe he’s going out to eat and jackets are required,” he said.

When the man with the goat in the coat on the leash got near us, we could see that the coat had some writing on it.

“What’s the coat say?” I asked my husband.

He squinted. “Service Goat,” he read.

I roared with laughter. Apparently the goat was not a pet. He was some kind of working goat. At this point, the guy with the goat was close enough for us to talk to him, so I waved to get his attention, but he kept on walking. I suddenly realized he couldn’t see.

“Excuse me,” I said, tapping him on the arm. “Can we ask you a question?”

“Sure,” he said, smiling. I was pretty sure we were not the first people to stop and inquire about his goat in a coat.

“I see that your goat is a service goat. What does he do for you?”

“I’m legally blind,” said the guy with the goat in the coat. “He’s a guide goat.”

“Why didn’t you get a seeing eye dog?” I asked.

“I’m allergic to almost all dogs,” he said. “No problem with goats.”

“That makes sense,” I said.

“Besides, there’s an advantage to having a goat,” explained the man with the goat in the coat. “There’s one less chore for me to do.”

“What’s that?” I asked.

“I don’t have to take out the garbage.”

“Why not?” asked my husband.

The man with the goat in the coat shrugged. “The goat eats it.”

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

The generation gap has my head spinning

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

All of these discussions on the news and in people’s homes about the generation gap is making me ask what it’s all about. I’d sing, “What’s it all about, Alfie?” but these younger kids probably don’t remember that song.

I heard the term generation gap bandyed around a lot in the 1960s and ‘70s and it turns out that “Look” magazine editor John Poppy came up with it in a 1965 article for the magazine. He was the West Coast Editor for “Look” and he used that phrase to describe the significant differences in values, politics and lifestyles emerging between the Baby Boomer generation and their parents’ generation.

Poppy emphasized that there was a distinct social and cultural divide separating the young and the old, with “old” often referring to anyone over 30 at the time. Many people were vocal about their opinions on music, fashion, cultural tastes and more.

As a young child in the 1960s I overheard many adults having conversations about the generation gap. My parents, aunts and uncles would laugh and say that the generation gap is so irksome because each generation thinks its view is the preferable one.

Some experts say the reason for the generational conflict is that each generation feels their way is the right way and that the other generation is wrong. This can lead to a communication gap, as each side tries to convince the other that they are right.

Start talking about politics at home or in a social setting and quite often people are off to the races. Over the

BY CHARLYN FARGO

Here’s another win for the Mediterranean diet pattern. A new study finds that switching to a diet full of fresh vegetables and less processed foods could do wonders for your brain and help you lose weight. Researchers found that eating a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetables, seafood and whole grains -- or even just following dietary guidelines -appears to slow the signs of accelerated brain aging that typically accompany obesity.

In the April 2023 study published in eLife, researchers imaged the brains of 102 participants who were taking part of in a larger clinical trial conducted at a workplace in Israel. Brain scans were taken once before the trial began and again after 18 months, along with tests of liver function, cholesterol levels and

years I’ve learned to watch what topics I bring up because it doesn’t take much to start a controversy. My brothers have been known to bring up controversial topics just to see what may happen. In any event, each generation wants to be explained and more than that, each generation wants to be understood.

When it comes to today’s workplace, there are often four different generations - the Baby Boomers, Generation X, the Millennials and Gen Zers. Some people include a fifth generation called the Silent Generation, those born between 1928 - 1945, so that’s quite an age gap.

When having conversations or dividing up the work responsibilities, generational conflicts can pop up for a variety of reasons. Maybe younger employees feel like they’re not given enough responsibility or older employees struggle to keep up with the new technology. Whatever the cause, it’s important to understand the psychology behind the generation gap to resolve these conflicts.

It helps to respect each other’s strengths because we were brought up in different societal contexts. I admire Gen Zers for being so comfortable with computers. Surfing the ‘Net and using their smartphones to look things up, make reservations, etc. seems effortless to them whereas it still seems a bit unusual to me.

This Baby Boomer never even heard the term digital tools or the Digital Age until I was well into adulthood. As kids we were more familiar with textbooks, marble notebooks, #2 pencils and the tablets we used were called chalkboards.

As I journeyed into the Digital Age it was bumpy at times. Surfing the ‘Net appealed to me because I saw how quickly I could look things up but using smartphones, smart boards, iPads and more - and learning how each one works plus its nuances - proved more challenging.

Then apps came along and to someone who already knew English and some Spanish, apps seemed like a whole other language. Grabbing a younger friend or relative helped expedite that learning process but it took some concerted effort.

In the workplace, we Baby Boomers tend to be fiercely competitive and Gen Z employees are a force to be reckoned with. They are a diverse group who by and large were brought up to be very independent. Both technology and social media come naturally to most of them.

They cherish their individuality and creativity and being innovative is key. Gen Zers like contributing ideas and having flexible work arrangements is definitely welcome because they want to promote their work/life balance.

I have always liked etymology, the origin of words, because most words in English come from the building blocks of other words, more often than not from other languages.

In the world of communications, so many of our English words derive from Latin. Having four older siblings who studied Latin for years in high school helped me realize that making connections with the foreign words helped me spot the derivatives. The Latin word “aqua,” for example means water so in

NUTRITION NEWS

A Younger Brain

body weight. Groups ate one of three diets -- a Mediterranean diet with lots of nuts, fish and chicken instead of red meat; a Mediterranean diet with a few added extras such as green tea; or a diet based on healthy dietary guidelines. Estimates of brain age were based on an algorithm. Participants’ activity levels at work were also considered as they received a free gym membership as part of the trial.

On average, participants lost 4.6 pounds. For every 1% of body weight lost, the participants’ brains appeared nine months younger than their chronological age. Signs of brain aging were also associated with lower levels of liver fat and improved lipid profiles. Researchers concluded that successful weight loss following lifestyle intervention might have a beneficial effect on brain aging. A study backing up their

English we use aquarium, aquatics, etc. The Latin word “fortis” means strong and powerful so in English we use the words fortress, fortitude, reinforce and more.

That all makes sense to me but many Gen Zers don’t want to hear anything about Latin roots or etymology because they’re busy using technology and social media platforms. I’m comfortable with Facebook, Facebook Messenger and YouTube - and my friend, Kathy, likes using Pinterest for recipes, crafts and creative inspiration - but when it comes to Reddit, QZone, Snapchat and TikTok, they outshine me. Thus, the generation gap when I feel like they are speaking a foreign language. Still, I overcame tech anxiety and I appreciate technology every day.

So my friends, relatives and co-workers and I sit down and enjoy lunch or dinner together because we do have a lot more in common than we may realize. I don’t want to butt heads so we have a toast, enjoy our food and discuss shared interests.

When my nephew suggests playing a game of Clue with two others I say I’ll pull out the board game from my closet but Ben, age 10, says he’ll upload it. He’s a whiz with technology and yes, Ben has given new meaning to this classic murder mystery. I’ve never played it online before or virtually and all of this electronic stuff sends my head spinning.

Still, this Baby Boomer acts cool, joins in and ends up winning her first virtual game. I’ve been dragged into the 21st century and found out it’s not so bad. In fact, I like the winning part.

findings looked at adipose tissue distribution and brain age in adults; this was published in the journal Neurolmage: Clinical in 2022.

So what constitutes a Mediterranean diet pattern? Fruits, vegetables, olive oil, nuts, pulses and fish. Here are some practical ways to incorporate it into your diet:

-- Top oatmeal or whole-grain cereal with fruit.

-- Include fruits and vegetables in smoothies.

-- Add extra vegetables to pasta and soups.

-- Roast vegetables with herbs and spices.

-- Make homemade salad dressings with olive oil and lemon juice and flavorings.

-- Saute vegetables in olive oil rather than butter.

-- Add nuts to salads, soups and stirfries.

-- Try making your own hummus for raw vegetables and whole-grain pita bread or crackers.

-- Buy frozen, unbreaded fish and cook in an air fryer.

-- Use salmon, tuna or other seafood from a can or pouch over salads or in a sandwich.

-- Try fish tacos.

Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois, and the current president of the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For comments or questions, contact her at charfarg@aol. com or follow her on Twitter @NutritionRD.

COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM

BY TOM MARGENAU

For a couple of different reasons, a claim for Social Security disability benefits may be reviewed. One is what the Social Security Administration calls a “quality assurance review.” The other is what the agency calls a “continuing disability review.” I’ve gotten a couple of emails about this issue recently. Answering them will explain the difference between the two review processes.

Q: I applied for Social Security disability benefits about 3 months ago. I haven’t heard yet if my claim has been approved. But I just got a letter telling me that they are reviewing my case and want my cooperation. What is this all about?

A: I am sure your case has been selected for a “quality assurance review.” About one percent of all disability claims are selected for this kind of review. This review is essentially just a procedure that the SSA initiates to make sure your claim was processed correctly.

They will review all the medical evidence you provided, or that was obtained from your doctors and other health professionals, to make sure it supports whatever decision the agency’s medical examiners made about your case. Most people don’t know this, but the SSA (a federal government agency) contracts out medical decisions to state governments. In most states, the agency that does this is called the “Disability Determination Service.” These quality assurance reviews are a way of making sure that the DDSs are following all the rules and guidelines for making Social Security disability decisions.

That’s the good news. The SSA is making sure your disability claim will be adjudicated properly. The bad news is that it may slightly delay the decision-making process on your claim.

By the way, “back in the day,” meaning back when I retired from the SSA in 2005, the agency also conducted these kinds of reviews on a small sampling of retirement and survivor benefit claims. But all the research I’ve done recently online about this seems to indicate those kinds of reviews have stopped. I can only find references to quality assurance reviews of disability cases. If any readers had a recent review of a non-disability Social Security claim, I would love to hear from them.

Q: After a long process, I started getting disability benefits about a year ago. And now, out of the blue, I just got a letter from Social Security telling me they want to review my claim. I think this is harassment! It took me almost 12 months and several appeals to prove to them that I am disabled in the first place. And now they are turning around and threatening to take my money away from me! How can they do this? And can

Disability Claims Get Reviewed

you please refer me to a good lawyer so I can fight this?

A: Your situation is an example of the other kind of review I mentioned at the beginning of this column. And that is an occasional review of every disability claim.

You asked, “How can they do this?” Well, the SSA can do this because the law requires them to do it. That law says that every Social Security disability claim must be reviewed from time to time to make sure that the person getting monthly checks from the government still meets the legal definition of disability.

How often a claim gets reviewed depends on the severity of the impairment. In cases where the person’s medical condition is expected to improve, the rules say the claim must be re-examined every 6 to 18 months. Obviously, your impairment must be in that category.

In situations where medical improvement is possible, but not probable, the claim should be reviewed every three years or so.

And even in cases where medical improvement is not expected, the law still requires that the case be reviewed once every five to seven years.

The good news is that you must have a condition that shows every sign of improving and you could be on your feet and off the government dole and back in the work force in the foreseeable future. But the tone of your email tells me you don’t see it this way. You obviously think you are still disabled and deserve to continue receiving the benefits you are currently getting. So let me tell you what’s going to happen.

You’re going to have to fill out a form in which you will explain what your impairment is and how you believe it continues to keep you from returning to work. At the same time, you will be asked to provide updated medical reports. You very likely may be sent to a Social Security doctor for a medical examination. You certainly don’t need a lawyer to deal with this first round of paperwork and possible medical exams.

Then, a couple of months later, you will either learn that your disability is still considered severe enough to merit continued monthly benefits. Or you will get a letter telling you that your condition has improved to the point where you no longer qualify for disability. That letter usually says your checks will stop in three months. If the latter happens, then you will immediately want to file an appeal. And it’s at that point that you might want to start searching online for lawyers who specialize in Social Security disability cases in your area.

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. To find out

more about Tom Margenau and to read past columns and see features from other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2026 CREATORS.COM

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

WATCH

The Real Cost of Power and How Homeowners are Fighting Back

In 2026, Long Island homeowners are facing a quiet but powerful financial squeeze — and it’s not coming from mortgage rates or property taxes alone.

It’s coming from the utility bill.

Electricity, heating, and cooling costs have become one of the fastest-rising expenses in homeownership across Nassau and Suffolk counties. What was once a predictable monthly cost has turned into a volatile and increasingly strategic line item in the household budget.

For many homeowners, the question is no longer whether energy costs will rise.

It’s how high — and how fast.

Long Island’s Perfect Storm

Long Island sits at the intersection of several energy pressures that make the region particularly vulnerable.

First, baseline electricity rates in New York are already among the highest in the nation. Second, much of Long Island’s housing stock was built decades ago, long before modern energy efficiency standards. Third, the region faces aggressive electrification and climate mandates that will require major infrastructure investment.

Layer in aging grid equipment, growing demand from electrification, and increasingly volatile weather patterns, and the result is what many homeowners are now experiencing: utility bill shock.

Winter cold snaps and summer heat Waves are becoming more expensive events. Older homes with poor insulation or outdated HVAC systems are especially exposed.

Why Your Electric Bill Keeps Rising

Several structural forces are driving Long Island’s energy costs higher.

Aging Infrastructure

The electric grid serving the New York metro region requires significant modernization. Storm hardening, substation upgrades, and transmission improvements are expensive — and those costs are ultimately reflected in customer bills.

Long Island’s coastal exposure makes resiliency investments even more critical.

Electrification Policies

New York State is pushing aggressively toward electrification of heating, cooking, and transportation. While the long-term environmental goals are clear, the short-term reality is increased demand on the electric system.

More demand requires more generation and more grid capacity.

Both cost money.

Extreme Weather Volatility

Weather has become a direct financial risk factor.

• Hotter summers drive AC usage

• Colder winter swings increase heating loads

• Storm events raise infrastructure costs

For homeowners in Nassau and Suffolk, the seasonal peaks are getting more expensive — not just more uncomfortable.

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

The AI and Data Center Effect

Few homeowners realize this yet, but the rapid expansion of AI and cloud computing is increasing electricity demand nationwide. New data centers require enormous power capacity, and utilities are planning major investments to keep up.

Over time, that demand pressure contributes to higher systemwide costs.

The Real Estate Impact

Energy is quietly reshaping Long Island real estate.

Today’s buyers are more sophisticated and more cost-conscious. Increasingly, they are asking:

• What are the average utility bills?

• Is the home well insulated?

• Does it have solar panels?

• What type of heating system is installed?

Homes with poor energy performance are beginning to experience what can be called utility drag — where high operating costs reduce buyer enthusiasm and perceived affordability.

Meanwhile, energy-efficient homes are gaining a competitive edge.

In some cases, they are selling faster and commanding modest premiums.

How LI Homeowners Are Fighting Back

The encouraging news is that homeowners across Nassau and Suffolk are not standing still. They are adapting — and in many cases, getting ahead of the problem.

Solar Adoption Is Accelerating

Rooftop solar continues to gain traction across Long Island, and for good reason.

Higher utility rates have improved solar payback periods. Financing options have expanded. And many homeowners are looking for predictable long-term energy costs rather than continued exposure to rate increases.

For the right home, solar is increasingly viewed as a financial hedge.

Battery Storage Is Emerging

The next wave is battery storage.

While still early in adoption, more Long Island homeowners are pairing solar with batteries to:

• Provide backup during outages

• Reduce peak electricity purchases

• Improve energy independence

Given the region’s vulnerability to storms and outages, this trend is likely to grow through the late 2020s.

Efficiency

Retrofits Are Delivering Quiet Wins

Not every solution requires major capital.

Some of the highest-return upgrades remain:

• Air sealing

• Attic insulation

• Smart thermostats

• LED lighting

• High-efficiency HVAC systems

In older Long Island homes — especially colonials, capes, and ranches built between the 1950s and 1980s — building envelope improvements often produce the fastest payback.

Smart Usage Is the New Normal

Time-of-use electricity pricing is expanding, and savvy homeowners are adjusting behavior.

Common strategies now include:

• Charging EVs overnight

• Running dishwashers late evening

• Pre-cooling homes before peak hours

• Using programmable thermostats

• This is the early stage of what may become the smart load management era of homeownership.

What LI Homeowners Should Do Now

If you own property in Nassau or Suffolk, the smartest move is proactive planning.

Start Immediately

• Get a professional energy audit

• Seal air leaks

• Install a smart thermostat

• Review your utility rate plan Plan Over the Next 12–24 Months

• Upgrade insulation where needed

• Evaluate heat pump options

• Replace aging HVAC systems

• Analyze solar economics Think Long Term

• Prepare your electrical panel for future loads

• Consider battery readiness

• Track your annual energy costs

• Treat energy as part of housing affordability because increasingly, it is.

The Bottom Line for 2026

The real cost of power on Long Island is no longer just a monthly nuisance — it is becoming a defining factor in the economics of homeownership.

Rates are under upward pressure. Infrastructure investment is accelerating. Weather volatility is increasing. And electrification is expanding demand.

None of these trends appear temporary.

But homeowners today have more tools than ever to respond — and those who act early are likely to have the advantage.

In the housing market of the late 2020s, the winners may not simply be those who bought at the right price.

They will be the homeowners who learned to control their cost of power.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 43+ years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned 3 significant designations:

National Association of Realtors Graduate Realtors Institute (what I consider a Master’s degree in real estate). Certified International Property Specialist - expert in consulting and completing international transactions.

National Association of Realtors Green designation: eco-friendly low carbon footprint construction with 3-D printed foundations, Solar panels, Geothermal HVAC/Heat Pumps).

He will also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and his Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.

He will provide you with “free” regular updates of what has gone under contract (pending), been sold (closed) and those homes that have been withdrawn/ released or expired (W/R) and all new listings of homes, HOA, Townhomes, Condos, and Coops in your town or go to: https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search at your leisure on your own. However, for a “FREE” no obligation/ no strings attached 15-minute consultation, as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached call him at (516) 647-4289 or email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.com

ONE CALL TO 516-294-8900 AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN 6 LOCAL NEWSPAPERS. CALL TODAY FOR OUR VERY LOW RATES. www.gcnews.com

Garden City News • Mid Island Times Bethpage Newsgram • Syosset Advance Jericho News Journal • Floral Park Villager

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

2 EASY WAYS TO PLACE ADS:

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2) Email Nancy@gcnews.com

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

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS!

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WE BUY HOUSES FOR CASH AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670

NOVENAS/PRAYERS

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED MOTHER

Oh Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven. Oh, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity.

Oh Star of the Sea, help me herein and show me here you are my Mother.

Oh Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power.

Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee (say three times).

Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands (say three times). Amen.

This prayer is never known to fail and is to be said for 3 consecutive days.

In Gratitude (M.T.F.)

MARKETPLACE

Antique & Vintage Items

Jewelry-Crystal-Silver Furniture-Mirrors-Tabletop Artwork-Lamps Consign, Shop or Visit the Yellow House 109 Eleventh Street Garden City 516-746-8900

Mon-Fri 10-4 (Wed to 6pm) Saturday 12-4 (entrance & parking in back) Consignments by appointment atstewartexchange@tgchs.org All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society

MARKETPLACE

INVITED SALES BY TRACY JORDAN

Transform your space, maximize your value: Are you looking to add value to your property and enhance its appeal? Look no further!

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Please Call: 516-279-6378 Or Text Tracy Jordan: 516-567-2960

MULTIPLE HOME ITEMS FOR SALE - GARDEN CITY

Artificial Christmas Tree - 7.5' used 1 season only. Perfect condition - $125

Dresser and night table - Dark Brown wood. Used. $200/set Several File Cabinets - Misc sizes

Secretary desk - antique, few scratches, needs some tlc - $100 China cabinet - Dark Brown wood, glass front cabinets, inside light - $200

MARKETPLACE

TAG SALE

INVITED SALES BY TRACY JORDAN

Monday, March 9, 2026 9:30 a.m. 112 New Hyde Park Rd. Garden City, NY 11530

Public sale selling vintage furniture, collectibles, clothes, kitchen items, dolls, books and basement. Visit www.invitedsales.com for pictures & details!!

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOS WANTED

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You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-833-880-7679

BARNES GALLERY

Custom Picture Framing Two Nassau Blvd Garden City, NY 516-538-4503 Tuesday-Saturday 10-5

Miscellaneous power toolssome brand new. For more info: email only: nlzcas@yahoo.com (put GC News Ad in subject line)

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JACK’S CUSTOM FRAMING We can frame anything! Quality Care & Workmanship Thousands of frames to choose from!!

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ATTORNEY

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Asset Preservation, Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration/Litigation 901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530 516-222-1122 www.dangelolawassociates. com

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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SERVICES

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Soup makes an ideal appetizer

Beetroot Soup With Mixed Seeds

The right appetizer can lay the foundation for a delicious meal. Appetizers run the gamut from homemade bread to small samplings of seafood. Soup is a popular and versatile appetizer that won’t fill anyone up before the main course is served.

Home cooks can choose from any number of soups to serve as the first course at their next dinner party or family meal. The unique flavor profile of this recipe for “Beetroot Soup With Mixed Seeds” from Lines+Angles makes it an opening course.

Serves 4

For the soup:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion

1 finely chopped garlic clove

3 chopped celery stalks

1 teaspoon dried marjoram

1⁄2 teaspoon dried dill

5 cups vegetable stock; plus extra as needed

1 1⁄4 pound pickled beetroot, in juice, cooked, cubed with juice reserved

2 tablespoons yogurt, coconut or soy milk

Salt

Freshly ground black peppercorns

To serve:

4 tablespoons yogurt, coconut or soy milk

2 tablespoons chopped pistachio nuts, shelled

2 tablespoons black chia seeds

2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds

2 tablespoons golden linseeds, or linseeds

1 handful mint leaves

1) For the soup: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan set over a medium heat until hot.

2) Add the onion, garlic, celery, and a generous pinch of salt, cooking for 6 to 7 minutes until softened.

3) Stir in the dried herbs and vegetable stock. Bring to a simmer before stirring in the beetroot.

4) Simmer gently for 20 to 25 minutes, until the beetroot is very tender to the tip of a knife.

5) Purée with an immersion blender, adding in some of the reserved beetroot juice to thin

out the consistency to your liking; you can also thin it out with more stock or some water.

6) Return the soup to a simmer and stir in the yogurt and some salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm over a very low heat, making sure the soup does not boil.

7) To serve: When ready to serve, ladle into warm bowls and top with some yogurt.

8) Garnish with a scattering of chopped pistachios, mixed seeds and some mint leaves before serving.

CAP candidates discuss “Landmark Compromise” idea

SUBMITTED BY THE COMMUNITY AGREEMENT PARTY CANDIDATES

Residents of Garden City Village gathered for another two Meet and Greets with candidates running on the Community Agreement (CAP) slate, offering neighbors an opportunity to discuss key issues ahead of the upcoming village election, including the candidates Landmark Compromise Proposal.

Held in at Repeal Bar and Grill and then again at the home of Matt and Ann Heaney, the events provided an intimate, small-group forum where residents shared concerns and asked questions about the future of the village. Conversations covered a broad range of topics, including the details of the two proposals for St. Paul’s brought forth by both sets of candidates.

The Community Agreement candidates — Judy Courtney, Vinny Muldoon, Gerard Smith, and Jessica Tai — emphasized their commitment to preserving Garden City Village’s small-town atmosphere while planning responsibly for future growth. They discussed strategies centered on fiscal responsibility, transparent governance, and continued investment in roads, parks, and public facilities.

Several attendees expressed appreciation for the CAP candidates Landmark

Compromise Proposal, and the fact that it’s not only the most fiscally conservative proposal, by far, but that it really listens to the opinions expressed by the residents who participated in both the 2023 Opinion Poll and the 2025 BCI Survey. “Residents who took the time to vote, twice, don’t like being told their choice now doesn’t matter. These CAP candidates originally ran promising they’d abide by the results of the poll they didn’t even create. They couldn’t push an agenda because they didn’t know what the results would be. They promised not to waste time by creating yet another survey or poll. They promised to move forward and they have. In less than two years, they are ready to decide this year, based on what the majority of residents would like” says candidate Gerard Smith.

Residents are reminded to vote Row B on March 18 at the St. Paul’s Fieldhouse between 12 noon and 9 p.m. Early voting options are available on the village website at www.gardencityny.net. For more information about the candidacies and the CAP platform, visit www.gardencitycap.org. The CAP candidates and Dina and Vinny Muldoon invite everyone to stop in at their Get Out the Vote Party at 103 Brook Street on Saturday, March 7, from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.

FOR SENIORS fyi

Garden City’s Senior Center is open. Please visit the Senior Center Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for further information on activities and events!

Mah Jongg Lessons

Beginning Tuesday, April 7, we will be offering beginner Mah Jongg Lessons at the Senior Center.  You will have 4 weeks of lessons from 10:00–12:00, with an extra 5th week bonus play session with the instructor present. Cost is $125, pay at the Senior Center or on Community Pass, beginning March 6th. Space is limited to the first 8 registrants.

Free Shredding Event

Bring your papers to the Senior Center to be shredded between 10:002:00 on April 13th. We will have a shredding truck onsite, sponsored by The Grand Pavilion in Rockville Centre. Each person can bring up to 2 large bags full of papers to shred. No registration necessary.

Spring Zumba Gold

Join Andrea for Spring Zumba Gold. Beginning Tuesday, April 14th at 10:4511:30. Her spring session will run for 8 weeks until June 2nd. Cost is $65.00. Register on Community Pass or at the Senior Center.

Fall Precautions Talk

Join us at the Senior Center on Tuesday, March 24, at 11:30 a,m. Darlie Abdallah Hilaire, director of PT at Parker Jewish Institute, will speak on fall precautions. To register, please stop by the Senior Center front desk or call (516) 385-8006.

Bingo

Join us for BINGO with Erin Fleischmann from Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Wednesday, March 11th at 12:15. Space is limited, to register, please stop by the Senior Center front desk or call (516) 385-8006.

Navigating Home Care and Medicaid Made Simple

Join us for an educational workshop with Dr Desirie Sykes “Navigating Home Care & Medicaid Made Simple” Thursday, March 12, at 11:00. To register, please stop by the Senior Center front desk or call (516) 385-8006.

St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon

Join us for our St Patrick’s Day Luncheon at noon on Monday, March 16th. Corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, and live music with Dinny Keg. Cost $15.00 cash. To register please visit the Senior Center front desk. Deadline: March 13.

Managing Your Medicine Cabinet

NYU EMS will be at the Senior

Center on Tuesday, March 17, at 11:30, presenting, “Managing Your Medicine Cabinet”. To register, please stop by the Senior Center front desk or call (516) 385-8006.

Book Club

The next book club meeting will be on March 19 at 1 p.m. at the Senior Center.  The book is titled, “The Thursday Murder Club” by Richard Osman. All are welcome.

Know Before You Go

Join us Thursday, March 26, at 11:00 for a presentation “Know before You Go” Understanding and navigating discharge from hospital/rehab, what to expect at rehab, ensuring legal and financial matters are properly organized, and about medicare coverage. RSVP to Kerri Winans Kaley by 3/23 at (631)-372-2392 or kwkaley@thebristal. com

Tai Chi

Beginning December 12, join us at noon for Tai Chi on the second Friday of each month, sponsored by the Bristal at Garden City. For the month of February, Tai Chi will take place on Friday the 27th.

Open Mah Jongg and Canasta

Every Tuesday we will be offering pickup Mah Jongg, Canasta, and Rummikub games, open to all residents from 12:00–2:00. Bring a set and have some fun.

Open Ping Pong

Senior Center Ping Pong on Tuesdays from 1:00–3:00. This is no longer a dropin program, If you are interested in playing, please stop by the Senior Center front desk or call (516) 385-8006 to have your name put on an interest list.

Chair Yoga

Chair yoga schedule for Tania at the senior center.  Thursdays 9:15–9:45 Meditation, 9:45–10:45 Chair Yoga class.

Open Chess

Join us for Open Chess at Senior Center, every Friday at 2:00–3:30. Beginning December 5. No registration is required, just stop by and play!

Senior Center Lunch Group

Join our Senior Center Lunch Group at 12:30–3:30 on Wednesdays, or, if you miss your pool friends, join the Garden City Pool Chat Group at the center, on Thursdays beginning at 1:00-3:30. For both groups, coffee and tea will be served, just bring your lunch and chat!! Also, call to inquire about our two book clubs, one meets on Thursdays during the day and the other on Wednesday evenings.

Get results!

The Iran Engagement

BY BOB MORGAN, JR.

A few thoughts about the war in Iran.

First, even taking into account the need for secrecy to protect military operations, there was an insufficient level of prior communication about the military action from the Trump White House to the public and to Congress. The president's State of the Union address on February 24, just a few days before the attack, made little mention of Iran. An impending military strike is something that people need to understand and debate.

Having said that, few people unconnected with the Islamist regime in Iran will mourn the demise of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country's supreme leader since 1989, nor that of other leaders killed in a daring daylight attack by American and Israeli forces. Mr. Khamenei and his supporters imposed a repressive regime on their people, repeatedly killing and imprisoning opponents. Economically, they left their country, despite tremendous oil resources, relatively impoverished and subject to severe sanctions by Western countries. The Khamenei regime intervened repeatedly in Middle Eastern conflicts and attempted to develop a nuclear program, and was generally a destabilizing force.

Thus far, the United States military, partnering closely with Israeli forces, has performed well in the war, inflicting severe damages on Iranian military infrastructure.   Another piece of good news is that Mideast nations in the regions, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have opposed Iran after being struck by Iranian weapons.

Of course, from the point of view of the United States the best case in this war is probably some type of uprising by the Iranian people that will lead to the overthrow of the current regime. It is hard to believe that any new government would be worse than the current leadership.

Nevertheless, although there have been numerous recent waves of demonstrations in Iran, and a history of secular government under the Shah fifty years ago, the possibility of a regime change occurring certainly cannot be assured, and per-

haps is  not even likely, especially in the limited projected timeframe of the American military action.

There are a number of reasons for doubting regime change in the short term.  There never has been an example of achieving such a change solely after a bombing campaign, and there is little appetite in the United States for a ground war. Moreover, Iran has an estimated 1 million people under arms, including regular-duty military, the Revolutionary Guard Corps and paramilitary forces, a big deterrent to antigovernment activities.  Also, Iran is a Shiite Muslim country, and the clericalist nature of the current regime likely appeals to some elements of the populace.

While there is always some  possibility of rapid regime change (perhaps originating in the military), perhaps the most likely scenario is a government not particularly to the liking of the United States, Israel or the West, but one that is dramatically weakened.  For one thing, the country’s nuclear program, largely very much weakened by an earlier air attack, was likely finished off for many years by the most recent bombings.

An article this week in The New York Times by Steven Erlanger called “Iran’s Regime May Survive, but the Middle East May be Changed” by Steven Erlanger (who also covered Iran in the tumultuous late 1970’s) examines this next best scenario.  In the author’s view, the intense destruction from the air plus earlier losses of Iranian proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah, could lead to a badly weakened Iran not able to intimidate or threaten its neighbors.  One could add that the opposition to Iran in this war by numerous Middle East states seems to reinforce this image of weakness.

Wars always involve risks, unpredictable consequences and loss of life of innocent people, as well as putting young servicemen and women in harm’s way.  President Trump’s military action rests on the hope, but not the certainty, that American military power will quickly weaken a dangerous nation and add to stability in the Middle East and the world.

Let your voice be heard!

Is there an issue in your community you want to discuss? Want to respond to something you saw in our paper? Then write a letter to our editor and bring it to everyone’s attention! Send your letter to editor@gcnews.com and we’ll publish it for you!

Chamber of Commerce Spotlight on Business

SUBMITTED BY THE GARDEN CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

A Personal Approach to Community Care: La Pharmacie in Garden City

In the heart of Garden City, La Pharmacie offers a uniquely elevated approach to pharmacy care — one rooted in the French tradition of thoughtful service, clinical expertise, and wellness as an experience, not just a task. Founded locally by Aristidis Nikolitsis, La Pharmacie blends the warmth of personalized service with the refined sensibility of a French apothecary.

After years working in traditional retail pharmacy environments, Nikolitsis wanted something different. Unlike many traditional pharmacies, La Pharmacie aspires to feel more like a boutique wellness destination than a generic drugstore. Here, patients are known by name, clinical expertise is paired with genuine attentiveness, and every interaction feels less like a transaction and more like a trusted partnership.

Prior to opening in Garden City, Nikolitsis established Tribeca Apothecary in Manhattan. Following the success of that venture, he and his family relocated from Queens to Garden City three years ago. They quickly fell in love with the village’s charm and strong sense of community. Opening La Pharmacie locally felt like a natural extension of his passion for individualized care and an opportunity to serve not just customers, but neighbors in the town they now call home.

Nikolitsis has found living and working in Garden City to be an incredibly welcoming and supportive experience. The community’s appreciation for local relationships and small businesses has been evident from the start. As both a resident and business owner, Nikolitsis has seen firsthand how much the village values connection, service, and trust. He has also found the Garden City Chamber of Commerce to be a great resource helping to further strengthen those ties. Through networking opportunities and involvement in community events, the Chamber has helped La Pharmacie build meaning-

ful relationships and become part of the local business network.

Looking ahead, Nikolitsis is focused on growing alongside the community. His goal is for La Pharmacie to become a trusted healthcare resource for Garden City families by expanding services that make care more convenient and accessible. At the same time, he remains committed to the pharmacy’s founding mission: personal relationships, attentive service, and treating every patient like a neighbor. Beyond filling prescriptions, La Pharmacie strives to be an active and engaged member of the community, supporting local events, and offering services designed to simplify healthcare for residents,

In an era when healthcare can often feel impersonal, La Pharmacie, conveniently located at 171 Seventh St., stands as a reminder that individualized care and genuine community connection still matter, and in Garden City, that approach feels right at home. Whether transferring prescriptions, seeking expert guidance, or simply stopping in to say hello, you’re sure to find a warm welcome and hands on, dedicated service from Ari and his team.

Spring ahead at March 28 Seafood & Wine Soirée

Are you ready for winter to be over? The Historical Society is - and have turned their January 31 dinner, postponed due to weather, into an ode to Spring at their “A Spring Catch- Seafood & Wine Soirée Dinner” on March 28 at The Historical Society. Just a few tickets are left.

The exciting dinner and wine pairings have been created by the Historical Society’s partner, Les Dames d’Escoffier New York and will be hosted by Dame MichaelAnn Rowe, aka “The Fishionista”, along with Dame Cathy Coluccio Fazzolari, (“The Italian Daughter’s Cookbook” author). Attendees at last year’s “Italian Daughter’s Cookbook” event will remember what a fabulous meal Cathy produced from the pages of her cookbook, working with Henry from Prime, who will also produce this event!

The evening begins with the freshest oysters donated by Dame Blake Leonard of Stew Leonard’s (who is donating all the evening’s seafood), and bubbly, ac-companied by passed savory bites of hors d’ oeuvres, followed by the perfect Caesar salad. A simple pasta with shrimp and elegant main dish with roasted vegetables are next. Artisan breads to dip in fine D. Coluccio & Sons Olive Oil will accompany. The finale is imported Italian Panettone, served with Francine’s Outrageous Cherry Chocolat sauce!

These are all dishes you can easily recreate at home. Michael-Ann and Cathy will share tips for how to choose and cook the best seafood!

To complement the menu, wine expert Dame Ellen Negrin has curated exclusive and perfect wine pairings from Italy and Spain to accompany each course and will demystify choosing wines to complement fish, including a robust Tuscan Red. Exceptionally desirable raffle items and experiences, including a pasta & dessert cooking class for six in your home with The Italian Daughter and Dame Francine Ryan, The Sauceress from Francine’s Outrageous Kitchen; an immersive Seafood Experience with The Fishionista, Michael-Ann Rowe; VIP Wine Tour and Tasting, wine/spirits/ gourmet baskets, fine Manhattan and Long Island restaurant dining, etc., etc., have been assembled by Dame Joyce Appelman.

The event will be held in the graceful, candlelit parlors of The Historical Society and executed by Prime. What a night!

Tickets are $150 pp, and there are just a few left. For more information about “A Spring Catch- Seafood & Wine Soirée Dinner” on March 28 and to purchase tickets, go to https://TGCHSSeafoodFeast. eventbrite.com, or visit The A.T. Stewart Exchange at the Historical Society Museum, 109 Eleventh Street, Garden City. The Historical Society’s partnership with LDNY, an organization of women at the top of the culinary, wine and spirits, hospitality, cookbooks fields and culinary media, produces fascinating, delicious wine and food pairing events filled with the best of everything.

Senior Duplicate Bridge Results

The winners of the Monday, March 2, games: North / South: Athena Philippides and Carol Cook East / West: Tommie Dodge and Terry Schoenig

Garden City PTA News

GC PTA Annual Fundraising Dinner

March 31, 6:30 p.m. at the Garden City Hotel

You belong at our biggest fundraiser of the year! Enjoy exciting raffles, community connection & conversation, dinner and more! Book your ticket now before they sell out - we are already at more than half capacity. If you have an individual or group you would like to be seated with, please note that upon checkout. Booking as an individual? Note the grades your children are in and you will be seated with other parents with children in the same grades. There will be assigned seating as tables of 10. Scan the QR code to purchase your tickets now!

PARP

Calling all K–5 students! The PARP committee is thrilled to reintroduce the Pen Pal Program for 2026! Students from different GC schools will be matched according to grade and will send a written letter to their assigned pen pal in the mail. To participate, scan the QR code and complete the registration form by Wed, 3/18. Students will receive their pen pal matches before Spring Break, and are asked to send their letters by 4/30. We look forward to helping kids across GC connect with a love of letters, language and reading!

Career Resources CommitteeVolunteers Wanted!

We’re excited to announce the return of our interview skills practice opportunity for high school students March 20 and 27, 3–4:30 p.m. at GCHS, and we need your help!

Experienced parent volunteers are wanted to guide students through mock interviews, offering constructive feedback and support. If interested, please email careerresources@gardencitypta. org to request the form.

PTA Nominations Open for 26–27

It's never too early to nominate GREAT candidates for our 26–27 PTA Executive Committee.

Open positions this year: President-Elect, Executive VP, VP of Curriculum, VP of Legislation, VP of Communications, Middle School Director, Homestead Director, Locust Director.

Nominate yourself or someone you know TODAY at gardencitypta.org Deadline to submit is March 11, 2026.

Annual Sponsorship Applications Now Available!

Email sponsorships@gardencitypta. org

Other Important Dates

• Joint MS/HS PTA Meeting

In Person at the GCHS- Tuesday, 3/10 9:30

• Last Call for Executive Committee Nominations- 3/11

• PARP Pen Pals- Sign up by 3/18

• SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR ANNUAL PTA DINNER: March 31, 2026!

Let’s Connect!

Website: www.gardencitypta.org Facebook/Instagram/X: @gardencitypta

To get real time information – turn on notifications!

Seniors invited to dinner and a show at GCHS

Garden City senior citizens are invited to a special complimentary dinner and exclusive preview of Garden City High School’s upcoming production of “Footloose: The Musical “on Thursday, March 12, at 3:30 p.m. in the Garden City High School cafeteria.

Hosted by the Garden City Teachers Association, with raffles and additional support provided by the PTA, the event will also feature live music by the

Garden City High School Jazz Band. Guests will enjoy an afternoon of entertainment, community spirit and a first look at the high school’s spring musical. Reservations are required. Seniors are asked to reserve their free tickets by March 10. To secure a spot, please leave a voicemail at (516) 478-2840 with your full name, phone number and the number of tickets requested. Tickets are limited to the first 150 requests.

GCFD: Change your clocks, change your batteries

As we turn the clocks forward for Daylight Saving Time, the Garden City Fire Department (GCFD) is reminding all residents and business owners that this is the perfect time to check and replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.

Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are the first line of defense in the event an emergency occurs in your home or workplace. These life-saving devices provide critical early warning, giving occupants the time, they need to safely evacuate and call 9-1-1.

Over the years, GCFD has responded to numerous alarms where properly functioning smoke detectors alerted occupants to smoke or fire conditions, allowing families to get out safely and minimize damage. Early notification truly saves lives.

10-Year Battery Requirement

Under New York State regulations, smoke alarms sold today are required to be equipped with sealed, non-removable 10-year batteries. These units are designed to provide continuous protection for a full decade without battery replacement. However, homeowners should still test their alarms monthly and replace the entire unit if it is more than 10 years old or not functioning properly.

New York State Requirements:

New York State law requires:

• Smoke detectors in every home and apartment, including inside each sleeping area, outside sleeping areas, and on every level of the residence, including basements.

• Carbon monoxide detectors in all residential dwellings, including one- and

two-family homes and multiple dwellings.

• CO detectors must be installed within 10 feet of sleeping areas.

• Landlords are responsible for providing and installing these devices in rental properties, while tenants are responsible for maintaining them and replacing batteries where applicable.

Best Placement for Detectors

To ensure maximum protection:

• Install smoke detectors inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home.

• Install carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas and on each level of the home.

• Avoid placing detectors directly next to kitchens, bathrooms, or fuel-burning appliances where nuisance alarms may occur.

• Test alarms monthly and after replacing batteries.

Smoke and carbon monoxide are both silent threats. Smoke can spread rapidly through a home, and carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can be deadly without warning. Having both types of detectors installed and properly maintained ensures protection from multiple hazards.

The Garden City Fire Department encourages all residents to use the time change as a reminder to check their alarms and review their home escape plans with family members. Seconds count in an emergency — and a working detector can make all the difference. For more information on smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and other information on fire safety and prevention, visit www.gcfdny.com and www.nfpa.org.

Pool season set for June opening, slight fee increase

From page 1

dard approach was to propose a 3% increase for GC Pool membership fees.

“Last year there was an increase in the minimum wage we had to address, and now we have to do so again. Of course we have Civil Service agreements to adhere to for some of our staff and with our costs of materials increasing too, and we have tried to keep the rate schedule in line with everything,” he advised.

As approved by the Commission on Wednesday night, the price for a family membership will rise from $560 last year to $575 this year. An individual membership will increase to $325 from $315 in 2025.

For a senior couple membership, the 2026 price will be $270, up $10 from the 2025 rate of $260. An individual senior membership will increase from $240 to $247.

A “Family of Two” pool membership will cost $400, up from $390 in 2025.

A “Non-resident Caregiver” pass will increase by $10, from $270 in 2025 to $280 this year.

The GC Pool’s Early Bird Swim membership will increase by $5, from $75 to $80.

For a “School District Family membership,” the 2026 rate will be $690, an increase of $20 from the 2025 price of $670.

Hill explained that the Recreation Department needs to make these adjustments in order for the pool to break even and keep pace with rising expenses.

If the department is able to secure adequate lifeguard staffing — many lifeguards are high school or college students whose schedules change as they return to school or sports — the GC Pool could remain open for the first days of September, Tuesday, September 1 through Thursday, September 4, in addition to Labor Day weekend. Hill assured the Commission that Labor Day weekend coverage should not be an issue, but staffing those earlier weekdays remains uncertain.

“The season’s dates are not set in stone but we’ve always opened on the second Saturday of June. That allows for an 80-day season between June 13th and August 31st, plus the three days of Labor Day weekend for a total of 83 days. Looking at the seasons over a period of 20 years, a typical pool season would average to 87 days of the pool being open (depending on weather too). But last year, with the way the calendar fell, we had only 80 days – so this schedule definitely carries three more days than last year,” he noted.

Hill also discussed the potential “unadvertised dates” from Tuesday through Friday, September 1 through 5, during the first week of school. One idea he raised was adjusting pool hours

during those weekdays, possibly opening for a morning “senior swim” period and then reopening after school hours for children.

“We will do everything we can for the Pool to remain open during that week but it is unwise to tell people we are ready to be open for those days, especially since in the process of interviewing for lifeguard positions I am now asking the students when they would go back to college or get started with team sports, and I ask what the last day of summer they can work will be. We lose a lot of them due to sports practices during those last weeks of August anyway, and then they’ll start school,” he noted.

Hill said the department wants to be transparent with residents about the potential limitations of operating the pool during those early September days when schools are already in session.

Recreation Commission members also asked about revenues generated from pool guestbook passes. Hill said guest attendance is a significant revenue source, with total guest-related revenue reaching about $126,000 last year, including roughly $80,000 in guest fees.

Last year the GC Pool increased its guest fee from $15 to $20, while keeping the 10-pass guestbook at $150.

“A resident could buy a guestbook for the old price of $15 per pass, and we got kick-back from that. I did not

include that pricing on this (2026 membership rates for approval) since we do not sell the guest fees until the pool opens. We did not sell guestbooks last year until around Memorial Day, and right now we need to start selling memberships by the start of April,” Hill said.

Commission member Ray Meyer agreed with the approach, noting that the village wants to avoid a situation where residents delay purchasing memberships and instead rely on guest pass books.

“That happens sometimes with the beach clubs where they do not join first, and I agree with our roll-out for April,” he said.

Commission member John Cantwell asked whether the department tracks how many guest passes go unused each season. Hill said he did not have that data immediately available but would be interested in reviewing it.

“Obviously that is money that the pool made without the passes being used,” he explained.

Hill also noted that the Recreation Department plans to expand programming this summer. Staff member Felicia Lovaglio is organizing an Aqua-Zumba class at the pool, and Hill said some evenings will feature World Cup match watch parties at the pool, offered at no additional cost.

St. Joseph Religious Education students participate in food drive

On February 9, the seventh-grade students of the St. Joseph Religious Education Program demonstrated the true meaning of “faith in action” by holding a food drive to support the food pantry for our Lady of Loretto in Hempstead.  The initiative, organized as a component of their Confirmation

preparation, resulted in groceries for over 35 families delivered to the food pantry.

For these students, the drive was more than just a collection; it was a practical application of their preparation for Confirmation. Inspired by the Gospel’s call to service, the students

donated a variety of non-perishable foods, created family grocery bags and delivered them to Our Lady of Loretto pantry.  This project allowed the seventh grade Confirmation candidates to move beyond the classroom and make a tangible difference in the lives of others, embodying the spirit of compassion that

defines St. Joseph’s parish.

For more information on St. Joseph Religious Education program, please visit our website https://stjosephchurchgc.org/religious-education/.

Garden City seeks multiple state grants

From page 1

Recreation & Parks Department, including $500,000 for the construction of playgrounds at Triangle Park and Hilton Park; $100,000 to construct a new outdoor fitness center/trail at the St. Paul’s athletic complex; and $25,000 to expand inclusive recreational programming.

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved all requested grant application authorizations. However, the topic resurfaced at the Board of Commissioners of Cultural & Recreational Affairs (Rec. Commission) meeting on Wednesday, March 4. Longtime commission member Michael Ryder questioned the two proposed playground sites outlined in the $500,000 grant application.

Staff members, including Commission Chair and department head Matt Nordt and Assistant Superintendent Andrew Hill, responded that the village’s proposal stemmed from a report produced by consultants Brandstetter Carroll Inc. outlining future recreation facilities and programming needs.

Ryder said he was surprised to see the item on the Board of Trustees’ February 17 agenda and sought clarification as to why the Rec. Commission had not been consulted earlier.

“BCI proposed that a playground be put at either site (Triangle Park or Hilton Park) to give that neighborhood a play area because there’s none there for them – but the item is not on our upcoming budget plans and if it even happens it is reliant on our getting grant monies, which then when a grant comes in would be up to the Commission to vote on whether they approve of it or not,” Nordt said.

He explained that there was no time between the Rec. Commission’s

February 4 meeting and the February 17 Board of Trustees meeting to convene the commission again, and the grant opportunity arose only days before the board agenda was finalized.

“It became one of the different things the village threw out there, and we went right off the BCI report since it contained information that we could add right into the grant application because it had required support from a report backing this project up,” he noted.

Nordt also said he discussed the matter with Deputy Mayor Judy Courtney, who served on the Rec. Commission for many years prior to her election as a village trustee.

Ryder said that over the years discussions about playgrounds had been combined with proposals for a dog park, and that residents had also raised concerns about playground locations near street corners.

“To me, going before the Village Board and saying we’d go for the grant money to put the park in without having the Rec. Commission discussing it first is not the right step – I think you’re putting it backwards,” Ryder said.

Rec. Commission member William Garry asked whether a site plan had been prepared for the grant application. Staff said no site plan exists at this stage.

Hill explained that the grant application required identifying a potential location for a playground, but the funding request is based on preliminary information before the commission formally evaluates any project.

Hill also said the BCI report served as an important guideline, noting that the items outlined in the application were “the sort of things the Village of Garden City MAY GET funding for.”

“We do not get funding for a lot of things because Garden City is affluent; there are some places that will get grants in and revenues more than us, but we looked at the BCI recommendations and we can potentially install a new playground to serve a part of the village that is underserved at the moment. We can also make it ADA compliant, and these things can tick the boxes for NYS grant funding. Then, once the funding actually comes through we would be in front of the Commission for a decision on where to actually put in the playground,” Hill said.

Nordt clarified that the grant portion in question would fund construction of a new playground, potentially as an addition to another facility, but not simply the purchase of new equipment for an existing playground.

“Since we know the amount for a new playground, if you look at the amount of NYS funding requested it would not be for a massive playground,” he said.

Nordt added that any eventual project would require approval from the Rec. Commission followed by the Board of Trustees before moving forward.

Commission member Ray Meyer noted that the BCI report had been reviewed by the Village Board and that Rec. Commission members were invited to attend several sessions during its development.

“In the past Andy Hill had circulated the draft report and asked for feedback from Rec. Commission members before that went to Administrator Suozzi, and I did submit my own thoughts. Recently I asked Mr. Suozzi if we had a final plan, though I noted that its section for the use of St. Paul’s would likely be tabled for a while, but I did ask if BCI finalized a report to the village given all

the feedback. There was Commission involvement, and remember Andy coming to us and saying that no matter what happens with St. Paul’s this information will help guide us to make the decision – it does not mean the BCI report would be prescriptive for everything, but it’s informative in how the village moves forward,” Meyer explained.

Nordt said that although the BCI report has not been finalized, he has used it to guide several capital project goals that will be outlined in the proposed Recreation and Parks budget.

Rec. Commission member John Cantwell said, “I do feel like the draft BCI report is a good starting point.”

He also emphasized that the village’s grant applications through Sen. Bynoe’s office do not indicate that Garden City will receive the funding.

“It does not mean we’re going to have a new park at Triangle Park; it means we’re asking to receive grant money to build a playground somewhere. We should, as a Commission, figure out where we can highlight some recommendations for things we are for or opposed to, and where we’d level on them,” he said.

Meyer added that part of the BCI recommendations called for the Rec. Commission to take an active role in evaluating a “checklist” of future projects.

Nordt also noted that in his 25 years working in community recreation and sports, “most master plans are a ‘dream document.’”

Hill agreed with Cantwell’s assessment, saying the village is simply pursuing potential grant funding and nothing beyond that step at this time.

CAP proposes “Landmark Compromise” for St. Paul’s

fence, and enhancements to the surrounding landscape to create an open, inviting green space.

The proposal would preserve St. Paul’s as a historic landmark while limiting the scope of work to essential exterior preservation and site improvements. The approximate scope includes securing a new Mansard roof, minimal necessary exterior repairs (such

Police

From page 1

The board also approved a payout of $291,912.73 to Lieutenant Thomas Federlein, who served 32 years with the GCPD. An additional $130,506 of Federlein’s payout has been deferred to next year.

as structural masonry and security, removal of the construction fence, erecting a permanent black ornamental fence, and enhancements to the surrounding landscape to create an open, inviting green space.

Trustee Candidate Vinny Muldoon emphasized practicality and fiscal restraint. “This work can be accomplished in a simple way that can be managed by the Village. And it is not

Payouts

‘mothballing,’ as some have said. This option does not include spending on HVAC, interior lighting, or white-boxing rooms. Instead, it is focused on preserving the exterior and beautifying the grounds. We estimate the cost to be about $10 million.”

By avoiding costly interior buildouts and ongoing operational expenses, the Landmark Compromise is, by far, the least expensive and most fiscally conservative option currently under consideration.

Trustee Candidate Jessica Tai, a member of the Finance Committee, underscored the broader budget context. “The Village has many financial

From page 3 Get Results!

In addition, the board approved a payout of $3,825 to Sergeant Wehr — a retroactive increase dating to October 2024 due to settlement of the PBA contract — and a payout of $12,757.22 to Sergeant Reilly, retroactive to July 2025 as a result of the contract settlement.

needs, and we must recognize that our infrastructure will continue to require significant investment. This new approach allows the Board to maintain that focus while also resolving the St. Paul’s issue responsibly.”

The CAP candidates stress that additional discussion will follow to ensure every viable option has been thoroughly considered before the Board makes a final determination. With the Landmark Compromise, they hope to turn a decades-long source of division into a balanced solution that preserves history, protects taxpayers, and opens the grounds for all to enjoy.

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

Former Village Administrator Robert L. Schoelle, Jr.

BY WILLIAM KEEGAN

In the summer of 1968, I took a high school summer job at the old Grand Union Supermarket on Seventh Street. Like clockwork, every Thursday night, newly wed couple Bob and Monica Schoelle would do their shopping. Bob had just taken a job at Village Hall and little did I know at the time, we would become lifelong friends.

Over the years, I got the chance to see Bob’s legend build and had the pleasure to work with him on several Village issues. Unlike today’s in your face management style, Bob always comported himself with the utmost dignity and professionalism. He had a gift of making

A tribute to Bob Schoelle

everything look easy which was also reflected by all his staff. You could walk in unannounced and if he had the time, either he or his staff would do their best to accommodate your needs. He would personally return my phone calls and always ask how my Diane and I were doing.

Bob’s dedication to his job and devotion to the Village was unprecedented. Without fail, every night after leaving the office, you could see him driving around a section of the Village to see what was going on. He excelled in all facets of management including the overseeing of infrastructure, police, fire and recreation. Most importantly, Bob brilliantly managed the politics of dealing with several difficult Trustees, legal issues and public opinion. His ability to listen and zero in on key issues was an Ivy League master's study in management.

Under Bob’s management the Village police has historically operated for decades without complaints of unnecessary force or oppression. In 1993, the Garden City Police were one of the first in the nation to experience a mass shooting at LIRR’s Merillon Avenue train station. Under Bob and Commissioner Cipulo’s tenure, the police and village administration handled the violent attack brilliantly. Another life-threatening situation was the violent robber on the loose during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. With each robbery, his violence exponentially escalated. The Bob, together with Commissioner Jackson, worked seamlessly with Nassau County and State Police to apprehend this violent criminal. There are so many countless issues that the

village handles that go unreported.

In the winter of 1978, the east coast was blasted by the worst recorded snow storm. New York City and most of the metro area communities were overwhelmed with the volume of snow and loss of services. Garden City’s public works, police and fire department performed brilliantly. However, it was Hurricane Sandy where Bob Schoelle’s brilliance really shined. The storm was predicted to hit at 5:00 pm and it arrived like clock work. At the time, I was going through pre-surgery testing and driving around to various doctor’s appointments. While driving around to my appointments, I noticed trucks and heavy duty equipment strategically parked throughout the village. The fire department, police and public works were in high alert and again performed brilliantly.

On 9/11, Bob became everyone's big brother. He worked with the village religious leaders to help coordinate prayer services as well as a public memorial. His presence, concern, kindness and leadership helped families and friends morn through the week of sorrow as well as future 9/11 memorials.

Decade after decade, Bob Schoelle performed brilliantly across all village operations. Our parks, sporting events, parades, Seventh Street Promenades and other quality of life community events just shine with joy.

When the Trustees made the decision to reduce the operating budget by outsourcing many of the public works programs, they also made the decision to change village hall's business model and retire Bob. Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. During the changeover,

the village lost Bob’s attention to detail. The garbage behind the stores and parking lots became a visible issue and the village plantings began to look tired and unmanicured. Although things still run well, the village has lost his personal touch.

Bob’s friendship ran deep with so many residents. Unfortunately, I was stricken with a rare and deadly case of auto immune pancreatitis which left me completely paralyzed on a feeding tube in Weill Cornell Hospital for three solid months and five weeks in rehab. One day, I received a call from Bob asking if there was anything he could do to help. I mentioned that I was due to be released from rehab and don’t know if I would be able to get up the stairs. He said not to worry that he would have a mariachi band out front waiting for me and to call him when I was going to be discharged. Sure enough, there he was waiting for me on the front lawn with two police cars and an ambulance team. He saw to it that I was placed on the stretcher and taken up stairs to my bedroom. WOW!

As an investor relations and public relations executive, I have been studying business models for over thirty years. For ten years, I served as a Trustee for the George H. Gallup International Institute and worked with the world's leading pollster George Gallup, Chairman of the Gallup Poll as well as handling the international business outreach for the Government of Bermuda and advisor to various emerging companies. Over the years, I have seen it all. I can safely say that Bob Schoelle’s four decades of professional management and services to our Village is unprecedented.

GCHS National German Exam winners

Each year, the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) sponsors the National German Exam, which is administered to nearly 22,000 high school students in the second, third and fourth level of German. The exam provides German teachers with individual diagnostic feedback, promotes language proficiency in the study of German, and rewards students for their accomplishments. The National German Exam honors student performance with Gold, Silver, Bronze Awards, and achievement awards. Congratulations to Frau Basile’s high school German students who participated in the National German Exam and earned accolades. Three students were eligible for the AATG study trip award based upon their test score (scoring in the 90th percentile or higher). The students were:  Susanna Phinney (10th grade), Ian Straus (9th grade) and Violetta Suaya (9th grade).

Congratulations to all of the Garden City high school German students and to their teacher, Frau Basile, for all of her hard work in preparing her students for these rigorous exams.

GCAA seeks teen umpires for Little League season

Are you a teenager in Garden City looking for a unique way to get involved in your community, earn some extra money, and build valuable leadership skills? The Garden City Athletic Association (GCAA) is excited to announce an open call for teens interested in becoming umpires for the upcoming 2026 Little League season. Must be at least 13 years old by August 31, 2026.

This is a fantastic opportunity for local youth to take on a rewarding role that goes beyond simply calling balls and strikes. Umpiring offers the chance to learn responsibility, develop confidence, and become an essential part of the Little League experience for hundreds of young athletes in our town. No prior umpiring or baseball experience is necessary; GCAA will provide all the training and equipment you’ll need to succeed on the field.

Orientation and training sessions for new umpires will be held at the end of March, ensuring that everyone is prepared and comfortable before the season officially kicks off on April 11. During these sessions, participants will learn the basics of Little League rules, proper positioning and mechanics, and the art of making fair, decisive calls. Veteran GCAA officials and coaches will be on hand to mentor and support all new recruits, creating a welcoming environment for everyone (whether you’re a lifelong baseball fan or just

How to Create a CommunityPass Account!

Three simple steps to create a CommunityPass account:

• Create an account through this link:  https://register.capturepoint. com/GCRecandParks

• Verify your residency with 2 proofs of residency (ID and utility bill) by email (gcrec@gardencityny.net) or stop by the Cottages (108 Rockaway Avenue)

• Log in to your new account and hit the “Click Here To Register” button to find the type of Membership or Class you want to sign up for.

Stay Up to Date On All Things Recreation!

Follow our new Instagram and Facebook “GardenCityRecreation” for all Recreation content! Any questions regarding programs or facilities can be directed to our new Recreation email, GCRec@gardencityny.net .

Fencing Program

This program introduces the Olympic sport of fencing to children in grades K-8 in a safe, structured, and engaging environment.  Fencing fosters disci-

curious to try something new).

The GCAA believes that teens bring energy, enthusiasm, and fresh perspectives to the umpiring crew. “Our community thrives when young people step up and get involved,” says Sephir Hamilton, GCAA’s Umpire Coordinator.

“We’re committed to helping every new umpire feel confident and prepared, no matter their previous experience. If you’re eager to be part of the action, we want you on our team!”

Umpiring is a great way to earn community service hours, build your resume, or even spark a long-term passion for sports officiating. You’ll be at the center of the game, interacting with players, coaches, and fans, all while helping ensure that every contest is fair and fun. Flexible scheduling options

The GCAA is looking for teenagers to serve as umpires for the upcoming Little League season.

make it possible to fit umpiring around school, sports, and other commitments.

If you’re interested in joining the GCAA’s umpiring team for the 2026 season, there are two easy ways to get started. You can call or text Sephir Hamilton directly at 845-464-1833 for more information and to sign up for orientation. Alternatively, you can fill out the Google Form here (https://forms. gle/qGVELEYtxi7ZABL58) or linked in the attached QR code: just scan it

with your smartphone, and you’ll be on your way to becoming an official Little League umpire. Don’t miss this chance to be part of something special in Garden City. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, a baseball novice, or simply looking for a new way to contribute to your community, umpiring with the GCAA is a rewarding and memorable experience. Training begins at the end of March, so contact us soon to reserve your spot.

pline, focus, agility, and sportsmanship, making it an excellent complement to youth development. Coach will provide all equipment for class.  $375 per child.

Family Fun Time Hours at St. Paul’s

Family Fun Time (for all residents, elementary aged children must be accompanied by an adult) - Sundays, 3 p.m.–5 p.m.

On Sunday afternoons beginning December 7, St. Paul’s Field House will be open for “Family Fun” for Village of Garden City families.   This open time provides the opportunity for families to enjoy various gym activities in an indoor environment.   The gym will be available for use from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. each Sunday until March 10.

This time is designated for family time only.  No organized practices or workouts will be allowed.  Although there will be staff to monitor activity, this is not a drop off program.  We ask that all elementary and middle school aged children must be accompanied by an adult/guardian.   For the safety of our users, sports involving paddle, stick, or bat equipment will not be allowed.

Pioneer Sports

Pioneer – Flag Football- starting Fridays 3/20 – 5/8 at 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. at St. Paul’s Fieldhouse.  Girls Volleyball- starting Mondays 3/16 – 4/27 at 3:30 p.m. – 4:40 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Fieldhouse.  Each is $160 per child, contact at www.playpioneersports.com or call at (516) 470-8343.

The Grit Ninja

Wednesdays at St. Paul’s Fieldhouse

March - April.  Pre K (ages 3–5) at 3:30 –4:20 p.m., and Grades K–5th from 4:30 –5:20 p.m.  Grit Ninja is an obstacle-based sport with activities and games led by our expert team of coaches. No ninja experience necessary! Find more information on gritonthego.com.

SuperTots Sports Academy

Offers Music/Movement Classes, Multisport Tots, and Soccer Tots for children ages 2-5 years old at St. Paul’s Fieldhouse or Cluett Hall. Tuesday dates 3/3 – 4/28 from 12–3 p.m. (35 min sessions). The Music/Movement class uses music and songs while focusing on fun activities, based on functional movements, exploring imagination and

creativity. The Multisport class gives your little superstar an awesome first step into sports, using age-appropriate games and activities across multiple sports to explore balance, hand/eye coordination, fitness, sport skills, and child development.

https://www.programs4allkids.org/ program/tot-programs-for-ages-1-5to-4/17998

Sports & Recreation Network: Hockey Clinic which will emphasize fundamentals, teamwork, and sportsmanship.  The clinic will help in growing skills, capturing smiles, and making memories.  There will be highlight moments and interviews put on video.  Will be held at roller rink in Community Park on Saturday, April 18.  Ages 4–6 at 9 a.m., ages 7–11 at 10:15 a.m., and ages 12–14 at 11:30 a.m.  More information at www.sportsrecnet.com

Yoga in Cluett Hall

Yoga at Cluett Hall on Feb: 28, Mar: 7, 14, April: 4, 18, 25, and May: 2, 9, 16, 23.  For 10 classes it will be $100, $15 drop in.

Enrichment Camp

Young Entrepreneurs

Enrichment Camp Young

Garden City Aces are Premier Division champs

The GU11 Garden City Aces received their well-deserved LIJSL fall division winner medals this past weekend. The 2025-26 Aces came together in early August with six new players joining a solid returning core. The girls gelled immediately and became a true team of friends both on and off the field. The Aces only lost one game this fall

on the way to being crowned LIJSL's premier division champions. Supported by a great group of siblings and parents all rooting for one another, the Aces will continue to improve as players and teammates and have fun making memories along the way. Congrats to these Garden City Aces! Great job!

Entrepreneurs for Grades 3-5, will be held on April 6–10 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. for $450 at the Cottages (108 Rockaway Avenue).  This program empowers students with an entrepreneurial mindset develop a plan for their very own business ideas drawing from such disciplines as marketing, finance and strategy, in a supportive environment fostering teamwork. From designing marketing flyers to estimating profits, students have fun while developing business savvy.  Sign up using Community Pass!  Enrichment Camp Junior CEOs for Grades 6–8, will be held on April

6–10 from 9:00–4:00 p.m. for $450 at the Cottages(108 Rockaway Avenue).  How would you like to the boss of Apple or Amazon for a day? In this leadership program, you can! Students act as CEOs for leading companies and work in groups to make strategic recommendations to address real business issues. Case studies include companies, such as Coke McDonald’s, Under Armor, Nike, Tesla, Uber and more! Students enhance their problem-solving skills, develop business savvy and cultivate a strategic mindset as future leaders.  Sign up using Community Pass!

About to hit a milestone?

Share your life accomplishments with your neighbors! Put your engagement, wedding, or baby announcement in the paper. It's free of charge for subscribers! Email editor@gcnews.com

Islanders’ winning streak continues

Islanders celebrate game winning goal by Anders Lee

BY TONY SENA

The New York Islanders returned to action following the Olympic break with impressive overtime victories on the road against the Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets. They also defeated the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers with an enthusiastic sell out crowd last Sunday at the UBS arena. The Islanders are now riding a season high five game winning streak and have been playing solid hockey with some clutch goal scoring and defensive play.

Captain Anders Lee scored a dramatic game winning goal on Sunday night with less than a minute remaining to

defeat the Panthers. The crowd erupted and gave the team a standing ovation for their exciting win on home ice. Following the game, Anders Lee spoke with media and said “it was a great atmosphere here tonight with the fans and we really appreciate the support from the home crowd.” Another star player during this winning streak has been the incredible play of rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer. Schaffer was named this week as the NHL’s star player of the week and now has twenty goals this season. The Islanders will now play on the road and will return home on Friday March 13, against the Los Angeles Kings. “Let’s Go Islanders!”

GC Tradition K & 1st grade spring lax clinics

Is your Garden City kindergarten or 1st grade daughter interested in exploring the sport of lacrosse? Tradition Lacrosse, a GC non-profit, will again be hosting weekly Sunday morning one hour clinics at St. Pauls fields beginning in April, led by varsity players and parent volunteers. In addition to games and drills aimed at introducing basic stick skills, clinics will include introduction to small-sided games, specialized clinics, continued skill development and

introductory rules/positional coaching. The total registration cost is $200 and will include a Garden City Tradition t-shirt, giveaway and all fees for fields and equipment. Families registering multiple daughters can use discount “multi” for a discount. All participants will need a stick, mouthguard and goggles and are required to have a U.S. Lacrosse membership valid through 5/28/26. Please visit traditionlax.org/ pal for more info.

GC Centennials Intramural Soccer registration

The snow is slowly melting and the Centennials are looking forward to kicking off the Spring 2026 Intramural Soccer season on Saturday March 21. Registration is now open with hundreds of young players already being placed on teams. Do not delay registering at gccentennialsoccer.org. Late registration fee starts March 9!

The Centennials intramural pro-

gram is also looking for team coaches / coordinators for this spring season. The Centennials are looking for parents to assist trainers, communicate with their team and provide a positive sideline influence as the players learn and enjoy the game of soccer. If you are interested in coaching or assisting, please register on the intramural tab at gccentennialsoccer.org.

Grapplers capture Bulldog Duals Title in dominant fashion

As the youth wrestling season nears its conclusion, the GC Grapplers delivered a statement performance this weekend at the Bulldog Duals in Plainedge, NY, emerging as the clear champions after a day of intense and spirited competition. Teams from Garden City, Plainedge, Island Trees, Bellmore-Merrick, and Kellenberg all took to the mats, creating a competitive atmosphere from the opening whistle. When the final bouts concluded and the scores were tallied, Garden City stood alone at the top, securing the team victory in convincing fashion.

The meet was a success on multiple levels, highlighted by the competitive debuts of Albie Nicadao and Max Rubenacker. Wrestling in their

first official competition, both athletes showed remarkable courage and composure, drawing thunderous cheers from teammates and spectators alike. The excitement on the sidelines was palpable, and coaches Jay and Kirk expressed immense pride in their performances. Their efforts underscored the depth of talent within the program and pointed to a promising future for the GC Grapplers.

Garden City’s dominant run began with Caleb Howald, who set the tone early. After an impressive first period, Howald elevated his performance in the second, earning a crucial pin that energized the team. He was followed by Powers Dell’Olio, who delivered his strongest match of

the season. Dell’Olio controlled the pace throughout, did not surrender a single point, and secured a major decision victory by an eight-point margin.

Momentum continued to build as John LoPiccolo and Eli Kong each earned decisive, hard-fought wins, showcasing both technical skill and determination. Fresh off his victory at the NYWay Long Island qualifier the previous week, Quinn Dell’Olio continued his dominant run, overwhelming his opponent with a technical fall. Keegan Fitzpatrick followed with the fastest pin of the day, ending his match in under 20 seconds and drawing a huge roar from the crowd. Will Schrafel closed out the string of victories with a pin of

his own, further cementing Garden City’s commanding lead.

Rounding out the day were thrilling and competitive performances from Sean Taylor, Nate Kong, and Andrew Seifert, each contributing to the team’s overall success with grit and perseverance.

Beyond the impressive results on the scoreboard, the Bulldog Duals showcased the GC Grapplers’ strong sense of camaraderie and energy. Teammates supported one another relentlessly, celebrating every takedown, escape, and pin as a collective. That unity, paired with disciplined preparation and standout individual performances, proved to be the difference as Garden City closed out the day as Bulldog Duals champions.

Buy your tickets now for the Harlem Wizards

Don’t miss out on the family fun and get your tickets now!  On Friday, March 20, at 6pm in the Garden City High School gym, the GC teachers & staff will take on the world-famous Harlem Wizards in an exciting game of basketball! Sponsored by the Garden City Scholarship Fund

(GCSF), the event promises a night of laughter with trick hoops and alley oops!  Tickets are available for $25 each on the GCSF website, www. gcscholarship.org, or by scanning the QR code.  Doors open at 5 p.m. (Note that tickets will be $30 each at the door, if available.)

The GCSF is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to the Garden City High School students. GCSF is not funded by the school district and relies exclusively on community fundraising and endowments. The annual Wizards basketball event is the GCSF’s primary fundraiser.  The GCSF awards over $35,000 annually to Garden City High School seniors. These awards include: the Julia Maloney Scholarship, the Unsung Hero Award, the Joseph L. Prusan Kindness Award, and the Helping Hand Award as well as school club awards.  Please visit www. gcscholarship.org to learn more.

Hilton sponsors Runner in Red 5K

“Team Breidgeen,” a past winning team at the Runner in Red 5K, shows spirit for a good cause and signals it’s time to sign up. Register for the 2026 Runner in Red 5K on March 21 at Eisenhower Park at RunnerinRed.com.

Hilton Capital Management, a Garden City-based investment management firm, is once again stepping to the starting line as a major sponsor for the 2026 Runner in Red 5K to support a cure for lung cancer.

Join in too - step to the starting on March 21!

Registration is open for the sixth annual Runner in Red 5K Race/Walk on Saturday, March 21, at 9 a.m. at Eisenhower Park. In addition to Hilton Capital Management, the event is sponsored by Katten and All Round Foods.

Northwell Health Cancer Institute provides information in the fight against lung cancer and news on early detection and screening.

The Runner in Red 5K Race/Walk, which has tripled in size since its introduction in 2020, draws its name from a Boston Marathon mystery novel, “Runner in Red”, by Garden City author Tom Murphy.

The event raises funds to cure lung cancer in memory of Barb Murphy, Tom’s wife, a marathon runner who passed away from non-smoker’s lung cancer in 2013.

Barb fought the disease valiantly for six years and was a tireless advocate to create awareness for lung cancer. She was an advocate for promoting fitness after diagnosis to remain vital and engaged in life, a pro action theme that is central to the Runner in Red resiliency project.

The run/walk has attracted many teams over the years, including a winning team from Garden City, “Team Breidgeen,” captained by Tim Mulvihill and a legion of family and friends. Enlist your friends and create a team!

To learn more about the Runner in Red Foundation’s efforts to cure lung cancer, its many projects around resiliency support and register for the 2026 race, visit RunnerinRed.com.

Boys Soccer will “Egg Your Yard” for Easter

The Garden City High School Boys Soccer Team is planning an “Egg My Yard” fundraiser to benefit the GCHS Friends of Trojans Boys Soccer Program.

There are three options available.

Option 1: On Friday, April 3, the boys will deliver a bag of candy filled eggs to your front door.

Option 2: On Saturday, April 4, the boys will hide candy filled eggs in your front yard starting at 7 p.m.

Option 3: I would not like to purchase any eggs, but I would like to make

a monetary donation via Venmo.

Cost: 25 eggs for $25 or 50 eggs for $50

Orders must be received by Sunday, March 29. All candy will be nut free!

The team will randomly select a few houses to receive an extra egg with surprise GC Soccer apparel!

To participate, please Venmo @patrizia2511 (last 4 digits of cell 9757)

Please specify Option 1, 2 or 3 and your GC address in the comments. When paying, please refrain from special requests.

Saturday, 3/7 | 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Sunday, 3/8 | 2:00pm - 4:00pm 33 Sheperd St, Rockville Centre, NY 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath. MLS# 959424. $1,299,000.

Rockville Centre, NY

5-bedroom, 4.5-bath. MLS# L3531818. $1,399,000.

Wyndham East, #M4

Garden City, NY

2-bedroom, 2.5-bath. MLS# 939532. $1,100,000.

2-bedroom, 2.5-bath. MLS# 933005. $1,275,000.

Garden City, NY 1-bedroom, 1-bath. MLS# 961861. $399,000.

Wyndham East, #M32 Garden City, NY 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath. MLS# 928262. $1,229,000.

March 8th, 2026

Garden City, NY 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath. MLS# 951849. $2,699,000.

MLS# 928706. $1,950,000.

East, #M11 Garden City, NY

2-bedroom, 2.5-bath. MLS# 915553. $925,000.

Flushing, NY

3-bedroom, 1.5-bath. MLS# 950993. $1,058,888.

Garden City, NY

2-bedroom, 1-bath. MLS# 940550. $485,000.

2-bedroom, 2.5-bath. MLS# 922619. $949,000.