The Nassau Observer 4/19/23 edition is published weekly by Anton Media Group.

In Hicksville: Middle school violinist recognized (See page 4)

In Massapequa: Student battling cancer to get dream prom (See page 4)

In Plainview: Revisiting Anton’s sister cities (See page 7)

In Bethpage: Safe Center raises $66k at 5K run/walk (See page 9)

In Levittown: Middle school wrestling reaches a decade undefeated (See page 10)

Swim Lessons Can Save Lives!

beneath the life jacket, the device won’t be able to work as designed to keep your head above water and allow for proper breathing.

LAUREN FELDMAN

lfeldman@antonmediagroup.com

For many families, spring break marks the beginning of their children’s return to the water since the previous summer. This can be a fun time, where lifelong memories are created. However, it is important not to forget that a lack of swimming knowledge presents a very real and present danger to many young kids.

Sadly, drowning remains the number one cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 1 to 4, taking the lives of three children in the United States every day. Recent studies have shown that fewer and fewer children are taking to water-based team activities each year since 2016, with a record low in 2020 at less than 1 percent. According to a 2021 survey by Fox Business, there are over one million children in the U.S. that cannot swim. In other words, it is more important than ever to ensure your child knows what to do if they find themselves in the water.

However, there are several barriers which can interfere with proper childhood swimming education. Many parents or guardians do not have access to a pool - or controlled body of water – to teach swimming lessons. Many do not know how to swim themselves and may therefore struggle with giving instructions. And private swimming lessons can be too expensive and time-consuming, keeping many would-be swimmers out of the water year after year. The same 2021 Fox survey suggests that up to 19 percent of families in the U.S. simply cannot afford swimming lessons for their children.

This is why Farmingdale’s Goldfish Swim School launched their Jumpstart Clinics; to provide kids with ways to stay safe – and flourish – in the water. These clinics took place from April 11-14, and operated as a crash course in water safety for families that are not able to enroll weekly in lessons or are looking to give swim lessons a try.

The 30-minute swim lessons focused on everything from teaching the fundamentals of water safety to fine-tuning stroke technique. Because children between four months and twelve years old can enroll, they were separated not only by skill level but age, in order to avoid crowding and address the different needs of swimmers at different stages of development.

Families were also able to stay close during the lessons. The lobby of the swim school featured chairs and floor-to-ceiling

glass through which moms, dads, siblings, and other family members could cheer on their swimmer. Several kids even stopped to wave after completing a technique.

It is critical to review water safety reminders before heading to the pool or beach this season. For those with young or inexperienced swimmers, please consider the importance of awareness and education around pool or water safety. It can save lives!

Safety Reminders Before Jumping Back In The Pool

Practice basic moves before returning to the pool: One of the best ways to protect your children against drowning is to improve comfort level in the water and strengthen swimming capabilities through

swim lessons, which have been proven to reduce the risk of childhood drowning by 88 percent.

Swap out floaties & puddle jumpers for U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets: Don’t rely on floaties and puddle jumpers to keep your kids afloat. They give children a false sense of security in the water, they can easily come loose or deflate, and they teach children to float in a vertical position which is the opposite of how our bodies actually float. Search for the United States Coast Guard approval on floatation devices because it means the life jacket has met all the regulations that the United States Coast Guard has set in place as it relates to performance, construction and materials. Pay attention to proper fitting too. Fit matters, because if your head or ears can slip down

Seek out bright colored swimwear & properly fitted goggles: When shopping for swimwear, avoid colors that could blend in with the water and choose swimsuits with bright colors instead. They will stand out in the water and make it easier to spot a swimmer in need of help. When shopping for goggles, there’s a couple of factors to look for: making sure they fit around the eye comfortably (the top of the goggle cup should fit under the eyebrow and comfortably seal on the bottom under the eye socket), that the nose piece is not too tight or too wide, straps easily adjust.

Play it cool and follow the rules:

Sometimes when our little ones are in playmode, rules fall by the wayside. Review rules together as a family before letting your kids loose to enjoy the water. Pay special attention to pool hours, and always schedule your swims when lifeguards are present, if possible.

Make sure your kids know what to do in a water emergency: Their first instinct may be to go toward the person having trouble in the water. Instead, they should throw or reach a life preserver of sorts – and don’t go! That way, they aren’t putting themselves in jeopardy as well and are truly able to help.

Designate a water guardian: Make sure to keep your eyes on your kids at all times – even if lifeguards are present. Kids are as curious as they come and are always willing to push the limits without knowing the true hazards. Designate an adult “Water Guardian” and be sure to change guardians every 30 minutes so he/she is alert and refreshed. A Water Guardian’s sole responsibility needs to be keeping an eye on the swimmers. Vigilance is key – no chatting, no checking your phone, no distractions.

—Water safety tips provided by Lisa Armitage, owner of Goldfish Swim School

Eager swimmers await the start of their lesson. (Photos courtesy of Lauren Feldman)

Kids can earn ribbons for accomplishing techniques such as blowing bubbles or floating.

The program has proudly seen many kids achieve their swimming goals.

Families look on as the little swimmers begin their lesson.

Massapequa Student Battling Cancer Will Get Her Dream Prom

Since being diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of her senior year, Massapequa High School student Arianna Surrow has maintained a positive outlook. On April 3, she was all smiles again when she was surprised with a free prom makeover, courtesy of the My Fairy Godfathers Foundation.

Arianna was called into Principal Barbara Lowell’s office, where she and her mother learned of the good news. She met with the organization’s co-founders Andrew Ashton, who attended via videoconference, and Steven Anderson, who was there in person. Mr. Anderson is a Massapequa native and Berner High School graduate.

The Florida-based My Fairy Godfathers will pick up all of Arianna’s prom costs, including the tickets, transportation, flowers, dress, shoes, makeup, nails and a custom-cut wig. She is the third Massapequa student to receive the “gift of beauty” from the foundation, and the second to be given the prom experience.

It was Sept. 14, 2022, when Arianna found out she had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph tissue. She went through eight rounds of chemotherapy, which she finished in December.

Despite a serious health obstacle, Arianna has made the most of her senior year. She was named to highly-selective All-State and All-Eastern vocal ensembles, starred as Vi Moore in the recent musical production of Footloose and served as president of both the Tri-M Music Honor Society and the Model U.N. She is also the founder of the school’s Environmental Club and is active in the science research program.

Arianna also hasn’t let her illness get in the way of the college selection process, continuing with her applications and campus visits. She is narrowing down her choices, and plans to be a dual vocal music and pre-medicine major in college.

“It was very surprising,” Arianna said of

Self-Love Soars In Bethpage

Bethpage elementary school students in grades 3-5 recently learned the importance of self-acceptance and self-care with the help of middle and high school students. Members of Bethpage High School’s SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) club visited Central Boulevard Elementary School and Kramer Lane Elementary School, while John F. Kennedy Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society members visited Charles Campagne Elementary School to present to classes.

The secondary school students spoke to the elementary students about positive affirmations and how to embrace yourself. The students learned how to celebrate their uniqueness and watched a video of author Grace Byers reading her book I Am Enough, which reiterated the message of being kind to yourself and having confidence.

receiving the prom makeover. “It’s going to be very rewarding. It’s really a nice ending to my senior year to have this.”

Mr. Anderson said that Arianna will be “Cinderella for a night” when she attends her senior prom in mid-June.

“We give her everything she needs to make the night perfect,” he said.

His sister, Teresa Colgan, is an English teacher at Massapequa High School and reached out to the administration and faculty, seeking nominations. Guidance counselor Allison Fifield suggested Arianna, and was thrilled to see her student chosen for the prom makeover.

“She’s been through such a challenging time,” Ms. Fifield said. “Arianna is a remarkable student and person. As we look forward to her recovery and her bright future, this will be an amazing way to make her prom night all the more special.”

—Submitted by the Massapequa School District

Two Levittown Seniors Are Coca-Cola Scholars Semifinalists

Levittown Public Schools is proud to announce that seniors Daniel Scimecca and Faid Faisal have been named Coca-Cola Scholars semifinalists for 2023.

Daniel, a student at General Douglas MacArthur High School, and Faid, a student at Division Avenue High School, are among 1,557 Coca-Cola Scholars semifinalists selected from more than 91,000 applicants. They were chosen due to their outstanding leadership, academics and dedication to their community. Finalists in the competition receive a $20,000 college scholarship.

—Submitted by Levittown Public Schools

Levittown Schools seniors Daniel Scimecca and Faid Faisal, who were named Coca-Cola Scholars semifinalists, were honored at a board of education meeting. (Contributed photo)

After watching the video, elementary students worked on a culminating activity. They each drew a photo of their face and surrounded it with words or sentences about what makes them special. Afterwards, some students presented their worksheets to their class.

The collaboration was a positive way for the secondary school students to educate

others on how to boost their self-confidence, while also strengthening their own public speaking skills. In return, the elementary students enjoyed looking up to the middle schoolers and high schoolers on this important topic.

—Submitted by the Bethpage Union Free School District

Hicksville Middle School Violinist Recognized

Hicksville Middle School eighth-grader Aerie Lim recently placed third in the Annual Metropolitan Youth Orchestra Solo Competition. The accomplished violinist also received an Honorable Mention Award. The Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York is committed to fostering a community of talented young musicians from Long Island and providing them with an opportunity to rehearse and perform choral and orchestral masterworks at the highest possible level with recognized leaders in music education and performance.

The district congratulations Aerie on this wonderful accomplishment and wishes her continued future success.

—Submitted by Hicksville Public Schools

Steven Anderson, co-founder of the My Fairy Godfathers Foundation, visited Massapequa High School, awarding a free prom makeover to senior Arianna Surrow, who was diagnosed with cancer in September.

Members of Bethpage High School’s SADD club spoke with students at Kramer Lane Elementary School about self-acceptance.

Kramer Lane fourth-grader Mia Rider with her completed “I Am Enough” worksheet. (Contributed photos)

Hicksville eighth-grader Aerie Lim recently placed third in the Annual Metropolitan Youth Orchestra Solo Competition. (Contributed photo)

HOSPICE IS ABOUT LIFE

Hospice can be an uncomfortable topic. But the comfort and care it provides can greatly ease sadness, pain and fear during a difficult time. From medical support to peace of mind, understanding what hospice has to offer can help people decide if, and when, it's right for them. Some things you may not know:

1. 4.

It's usually at home. Comfort, familiarity and the presence of loved ones are everything during these times.

It includes full medical care. A hospice team can include doctors, visiting nurses, social workers and other care providers.

2. 5. 3. 6.

It's typically covered by insurance. Most patients qualify through Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance.

It can last up to six months. Many people would benefit by entering hospice earlier.

Talking about hospice can be hard. We're here to help you understand the decisions and choices you may face along the way. Northwell.edu/Hospice

It's not just for patients. Loved ones can receive counseling, learn how to help and much more.

Hospice isn't about death. It's about life.

Hospice helps make this difficult time more comfortable, supportive and dignified.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

To place an item in this space, send information two weeks before the event to editors@antonmediagroup.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 20

Happy and blessed Eid al-Fitr!

Smarter Social Security

7 p.m. An AARP survey determined that only half of its respondents who were either married or who had ever been married were aware that they were entitled to spousal benefits under Social Security. This class will provide a broad overview of the Social Security retirement program while examining in detail spousal benefits and ways to optimize them. Ages 18 and up. Contact Adult Reference at 516-931-1417 ext.124 or email adultprogramming@hicksvillelibrary. org for more information. Located in the community room of the Hicksville Public Library, 169 Jerusalem Ave.

Earth Day Craft

4:15 p.m. Grades K-4. Children will get to enjoy making their own Earth Day themed keychain and decorate their own mini sketchbook that can go along with the keychain. Register online in advance if interested. Located in Room A of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library, 999 Old Country Rd.

FRIDAY, APRIL 21

Sailor’s Valentine

2 p.m. Did you know that whalers often

brought home a special souvenir for their loved ones called a Sailor’s Valentine?

Identify different shells that inspired these beautiful works of art and design a Sailor’s Valentine for yourself or a loved one. All supplies provided. Preference given to UFSD #22 residents. Register online in advance if interested. Located in Room C of the Farmingdale Public Library, 116 Merritts Rd.

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

Special Needs: Build A Birdhouse

3 p.m. Paint and decorate your own small birdhouse. These little “homes” will be perfect for your clay birds! Explore and paint pattern designs, floral themes, geometric patterns, etc. Acrylic paints and pre-made wooden birdhouses will be featured in this workshop. Open to in- and out-of-district residents. Register in the Children’s Room or online with a Public Library Card. This event will take place in the meeting room of the Bethpage Public Library, 47 Powell Ave.

Night At The Races

The Holy Family Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a Night At The Races fundraiser at 6pm in the Holy Family School cafeteria located at 17 Fordham Ave, Hicksville. $20 admission includes beer, wine, soda, water, heroes, dessert, coffee and tea. Contact John at 516-735-3066 or email santak38@ optonline.net for more information.

SUNDAY, APRIL 23

In-person Concert

4 p.m. Comprised of two sensationally gifted and acclaimed virtuosi - clarinetist Maksim Shtrykov and pianist Misuzu Tanaka - the Shtrykov-Tanaka Duo – have been hailed as “a new generation of exquisitely talented performers who elevate our understanding of the world’s music.” Contact Andrea Vaglio

at (516) 938-0077 ext. 254 or email avaglio@ poblib.org for more information. This event is taking place at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library, 999 Old Country Rd.

TUESDAY, APRIL 25

Rain Boot Door Hanger

10:30 a.m. Create a cheerful rain boot filled with silk flowers for your door. Remember April showers bring May flowers! Registration begins April 4 at 9:00 AM, online for Levittown residents. Non-residents on 4/11 at 9:00 AM. There are no fees for these craft classes designed for adults with special needs run by Doreen McIlwaine, Special Education Coordinator/Behavioral Specialist. Call (516) 731-5728 ext. 244 or email pr@levittownpl. org for more information. Event will take place in the innovation station of the Levittown Public Library, 1 Bluegrass Lane.

Georgia O’Keeffe: To See Takes Time

7 p.m. Best known for her flower paintings, O’Keeffe also created a series of extraordinary multi-media preliminary drawings for each painting. The MoMA’s exhibition (April 9-August 12, 2023) offers a rare glimpse of the artist’s working methods and invites us to take time to look. Professor Thomas Germano will conduct a visual lecture about the artist and her work in the MoMa exhibition. Register online in advance if interested. Event will take place in the Childrens’ Room of the Massapequa Public Library, 523 Central Ave.

•12 weeks of games, including playoffs plus evalution day •Games will be scheduled Thursday and Friday late afternoon-evening as well as Saturdays and Sundays

Nassau County Youth Wellness Summit A Success

Going strong after three years, program looks to expand

Adolescent mental health has become a greater concern over the last 25 years, and this trend has only accelerated since the pandemic. The teens themselves are breaking the stigma and demanding better resources. The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, or SPTS, a national organization based in New Jersey, recognized this need in Nassau County and created the Nassau County Youth Wellness Summit. The summit is organized by Susan Brief, a school social worker and private practice therapist, who has been involved with SPTS since her own teen years.

“When I was about 15, I was going through a hard time as a teenager. My parents knew someone that was on the board of SPTS, and I ended up doing a little fundraiser for them. The more I got to know about them, the more purpose it put to what I was struggling with. And since then I’ve just been getting more and more involved in all the different programming that they do. Now I am their event coordinator,” Brief said.

The single-day summit, begun in 2019 and now in its third year after a one year break during COVID, focuses on mental health and suicide prevention, something sorely needed for today’s teens. According to SPTS, Suicide is currently the second leading cause of death for youth aged 10 to 24. And the CDC reports that 36.7 percent of high school students reported feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year. This percentage is higher for females, Hispanic students, and lesbian, gay or bisexual students.

The summit hosted staff and students from 33 different high schools across Nassau County and two Suffolk county high schools. All of the attendees were introduced to coping strategies, overall wellness practices and leadership skills to help them take care of themselves and their friends. These skills will equip them to be mental health leaders in their communities and best support their own mental wellness. The hope is to open dialogues about mental health and break down stigma so that they can continue to talk about these issues in their home schools.

Brief stated that invitations are sent to

the participating schools, but it is the staff and teachers who choose the participants. “We advise them to send students that they feel will be empowered to take what they’ve learned from the day and bring it back to their community. So whatever that looks like, whether it’s a student that’s struggling themselves, or whether it’s a student that’s kind of a leader among their peer group. So we kind of have a mix of student profiles throughout the day.”

The day began with an open discussion panel with people directly affected by teen suicide. “We have three young adults who spoke to their lived experiences losing a loved one to suicide or experiencing suicidal ideation and behaviors... That was a really good outlet for the teenagers to be able to ask questions like whatever was on their mind. And that’s something that we got feedback was really powerful for them.”

The selected students are all sophomores and juniors, and there are workshops geared towards those groups specifically. Sophomores participated in a workshop called “Knowing Your Worth”, which was about self esteem and empowerment. This encourages them towards self-exploration, expressing themselves confidently and using kind words towards one another. This class touches on social media that as well.

The juniors participated in a workshop called “Through My Eyes” which

addressed the stigma of mental health, what assumptions people may hold, how to break through barriers and how to form better connections. This workshop also talked about bullying and cyber-bullying, a huge issue for teens in the age of social media.

Adolescence has always been a time of transition, both mentally and physically, but today’s teens have gone through a massive disruption in the past few years. The pandemic created gaps in the normal progression of self-discovery and development. “With a pandemic would happen for a lot of young teens is they missed that part of social connection and interaction as a big part of trying on different skins and figuring out who I am and what feels right. And they kind of jumped into a later stage and adolescence where they feel like they don’t know who they are yet. They’re not ready for the next stage in life when they’re very close to graduating and moving on. And those who were already you know, in mid- adolescence have been pushed into early adulthood not feeling prepared.” Brief said.

Brief noted changes, not only in suicides, but also in issues of body image and self-harm. “With that we see a big rise in eating disorders have been an incredible rise since the pandemic. substance use and... self-harm rates are up. So just all in all, the mental and emotional wellbeing of our teens is suffering, and it calls for

more attention and more support. Not just for the teenagers but for the staff who are around the teens. Being aware that how they’re feeling emotionally is going to impact how they show up at school and their performance. And also (support) for the parents who might not be sure what the warning signs are at home or how to start a conversation if they’re noticing that their teenagers are acting differently.”

In the future, SPTS plans to bring another of their programs, the Youth Council, to Long Island. “The youth council is for any teenager from ninth through 12th grade in Nassau County who’s interested in remaining involved in mental health. We will have monthly meetings and the meeting location will travel across Nassau County. They’ll be learning more about something called the wellness wheel and it covers eight different components of wellness. They’ll learn more about the warning signs of depression and suicide and how to recognize that in their peers, different engagement skills, more about the local resources so they really can be someone to create change in their school environment and be someone who knows how to support others in their school who may be struggling.”

For more information about the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, their programs, and how to get involved, visit sptsusa.org.

Participants at the Nassau Youth Wellness Summit. (Photo by the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide)

Hiking Up Harriman And A Relaxing Salt Cave Experience

JENNIFER CORR

jcorr@antonmediagroup.com

Harriman State Park

I have been itching to get out there and hike up a mountain since the weather started getting just a little bit warmer.

And on April 2, I just did that. The great part about living on Long Island is that you have so many great attractions that can take you away from your everyday life that can be seen with just a day trip. So on that Sunday, my boyfriend and I, joined by his sister, got up early and headed out to Rockland County, NY to visit Harriman State Park, which was less than two hours away. I’ve personally never been there before.

Once we got there, we realized we would have to park on the side of the road, but there was plenty of distance between the left of the car and traffic. I had downloaded

the Long Path, Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail trail map on the app AllTrails, which made the whole experience so much easier. It keeps you on track and acts like a GPS, even if there’s very little internet.

Throughout the moderate hike, we faced some steep incline, had to climb up or down some boulders, crossed streams by hopping on

rocks and we saw some beautiful sites. It was also interesting to see all the cell phone towers that were there, as well as the underground fiber optic cables. We had been out there for about six hours, gained 1,171 feet in elevation and walked about nine miles.

We celebrated the day by going to Golden Corral in The Bronx, NY. I would only recommend this

on a week day afternoon, as it was extremely busy.

Jeff Salt Cave

On March 30, I was coming off of a mild cold, but was feeling a lot of tension in my eyes, so I looked into some solutions online on how to relieve this tension, and a salt cave was recommended.

The closest one to me was in

Port Jefferson, so I decided to book it for $45, which gave me a 40-minute session.

I went there having no idea what to expect. But once you’re there, the staff takes you through the process. I took off my shoes and my jacket and walked in. The ground is covered in Himalayan salt. Once I sat down in the gravity chair provided, I realized there was pink salt all around me. There was one other woman in the room with me on the other side of the room, and I was given a blanket to keep me warm.

After the both of us picked a meditation to listen to, which played on a loud speaker, a staff member brought us some crystals to hold.

Overall it was a nice way to pass the time, and the meditation was very relaxing. The other woman even fell asleep.

It’s certainly something I would do again! And I’d say it even helped relieve some of that tension and I felt pretty good afterwards.

Port

The view of the mountains from Harriman State Park.

(Photos by Jennifer Corr)

Reading inside the salt cave.

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Ever since my husband retired, we have found ourselves seeking new adventures on the daily. Whether we take a drive to the East End or explore a new hiking trail, these excursions have brought new life to the doldrums that can easily make one feel as though they are in a “rut”.

During our treks through nature, we’ve been blessed to find interesting articles of yesteryear. Several years ago, I found an old bottle of “Minck” that was buried beneath the leaves. The journalist in me loves a good investigation, and so I proceeded to research my subject.

As it turned out, Minck Brothers was a mineral water manufacturer who bottled beverages that were considered better than what was on the market from the 1870s through the 1950s. They were located on Beaver Street in good old Brooklyn, NY. The bottle, sadly, was cracked on the top and would have injured whoever carried it back to the car. We buried it to prevent forest wildlife from injury.

We have collected beach glass, also known as “Mermaid Tears” or “sea glass” for decades. Over the years, our finds became jewelry created by our daughter, a hobby that was short lived thanks, in part, to the cost of creating. She continues to search with her fiancé along the shore and places her finds into the window above her kitchen sink where they glint and gleam in the sunlight.

Hubby and I continued to search for glass and challenged each other to find the most unique specimen to bring home and clean up before it was placed in a vase in the window. Sometimes we found beautiful cobalt and other times we found the frosted remnants of old Coca-Cola bottles that were smoothed by years of natural tumbling along the ocean floor. We collected enough glass to fill two small vases for our daughter, two

Fun Finds Along The Shore

of a green bottle with the word “Duraglas” etched into the bottom. Duraglas was a style of glass that was manufactured in the 1940s and 1950s and was touted as being stronger than the average glass bottle.

SEE YOU AROUND THE TOWN

medium vases for ourselves, and even more glass that is currently scattered upon my dining room table. We have discovered red, orange, cobalt, teal, cerulean, bright lime and even frosted white pieces that can be found along the shore. We’re always grateful for a good find and we’re amazed by the amount that continues to wash up along the shores of Long Island. Recently, Hubby and I opted to hike along the northern shores of Western Suffolk County, where we saw a gray seal as he sunned himself upon a large rock formation in the surf. We strolled along the shoreline as we enjoyed the sound of surf, sea birds and the occasional sound of a buoy clanging in the changing tide. As the tide was quite low, we decided to walk out further to search for seashells and other treasures that may have been stuck in the mud.

Lo and behold, Hubby found a broken piece of milk glass. Our reading glasses weren’t strong enough to read the print in the bright sunlight, so we brought it back to the car for further inspection. As luck would have it, Hubby had stumbled upon a large chunk of a milk glass container from MacLaren’s Imperial Cheese, which was manufactured between 1893 and 1920. Hubby pulled a few more pieces from his pockets and proudly showed me the base

Hubby also found a piece of “Trademark Lightning” glass made by the Putnam Glass company, which had been made to hold jarred fruits. Manufacturing of the Trademark Lightning glassware began in 1882; most jars were created in the early 1900s as well. The color of the glass almost appeared to be iridescent as it shone in the light.

Finally, I showed him my find. It was a piece of pottery with the word “warranted” on the back, along with a unicorn on his hind legs and a small black star beneath him. I did a little research and consulted an expert, who advised me that the pottery was a piece of ironstone that was made by the William Brunt Pottery Company, which dated circa 1880s or 1890s. It was made in East Liverpool, Ohio. It was a “Royal Warranted” item, which meant that it was created for use by the royal family. Most of the experts on ironstone advised me that the piece was either from a shipwreck or “dumping along the shore”. Either way, they told me that it was a lucky find and it would be nice to go back and look for an intact piece of ironstone. Sadly, the tide rose, and we were unable to complete our search. For those who are unfamiliar with ironstone, it is a glaze-covered piece of

earthenware. Most ironstone was manufactured in England, France and the United States.

A friend of mine advised me that there is a television show on BBC known as “Mudlarkers”. Mud larking is a pastime in England, where folks of all ages head out to the mud flats and shorelines at low tide to search for “buried treasure”. It has recently seen popularity in the US, and some mud larkers have found items that are worth anywhere from several hundred to several thousands of dollars. My friend called me her “little mud larker” and hoped I would find something of value in my escapades. I was only too happy with my little broken piece of pottery. Hubby still wants to collect “Mermaid Tears”, and that is just fine with me. I’m not out there to possess the greatest collection, nor do I want a trip to the shore to be just about looking for something, because the joy of being in the moment would truly be lost. We continue to search for sea glass because Hubby plans to create something special with the finds. There is something so special about searching through the sand to find that perfect piece of frosted treasure that feels smooth and cool against the skin and winks in the bright sunshine. While we have even trekked into the water to obtain larger pieces, the thrill is truly in the hunt. I’m not sure what we will find next, but I’ll be sure to share it here. For those of you who also feel the thrill when finding something rare, unique and beautiful, I wish you all the joy of the search!

Patty Servidio

Checking the Robert Moses Park shore (Photos by Alex Nuñez)

OPED

Nassau Hub Casino Is Not A Good Bet

BY PETER CAVALLARO

I have read with interest various recently published opinion pieces related to the potential casino siting in Nassau, one by Hofstra President Susan Poser and the other by RXR Chairman Scott Rechler. As mayor of the Village of Westbury, and someone caught in the middle of Nassau County’s last potential foray into casino gambling, I do not relish that the county will again potentially be the site of one of the state’s several newly authorized, full-blown gambling parlors in the downstate area.

From that last tussle I, and those who fought hard to prevent the siting of a casino at the former Fortunoff site in Westbury, did a great deal of research and learned much about the long-term impacts on local areas from casino siting. Much that we learned was decidedly negative. I certainly agree with Ms. Poser that a casino in the midst of two colleges and tens of thousands of college-age young adults is a uniquely bad idea. I am left with the sense that after literally decades of talk, and stops and starts, no one has

yet offered the clear vision or had the political will or clout, or whatever else it takes, to actually bring to fruition a truly beneficial, appropriate and accretive project to transform the Hub area.

The Hub project that Mr. Rechler and his group have been working on for the past several years offered, I thought, the potential starting point for a very good transformation of that area, and I and my staff had met with and had many discussions with the RXR team, as well as county officials regarding the Hub

development. We provided input on the development’s impacts on surrounding communities, as well as transportation.

But it now seems that Mr. Rechler’s business instincts tell him that he has the chance to take big development risk off the table for himself and his investors. This late shift seems like a bait and switch (intended or otherwise) that now requires a step back and the consideration of all sorts of additional matters, impacts and mitigations to be considered.

Sadly, the casino proposal represents low-hanging fruit for policy makers seeking to grab more revenue, and developers looking to de-risk a very largescale project in a drastically changed real estate environment. I do not blame them for that since their mission is to make money for their ventures above all else.

But, it is up to our government officials to regulate that profit-only desire to make sure that the development meets the needs of the county and surrounding communities. The lack of political will, vision and leadership over decades regarding the Hub is

astounding. It has the same echoes of another long-term Nassau issue—the assessment debacle that also has been a decades-long political football—where fear of partisan electoral losses prevails over creative problem solving. In the end, very few people really believe that a casino proposal at the Hub offers the best long-term vision for the future of Nassau. And the assertions that have been made by various proponents— that this “opportunity” is in any way equivalent to the in-fact

tremendous Amazon opportunity frittered away in Queens several years ago is simply public relations speak that is frankly absurd and offensive. In the end, casino gambling is not going away. But that is not the issue for our policy makers. Nassau residents and taxpayers deserve a project at the Hub that is thoughtful and in their best interests. This casino proposal is lazy and self-serving. Not a good combination.

THE SHIN COLLECTION AND

It is astounding to think that a private collection of masterworks as wide-ranging and important as these could be assembled by a 32-year-old connoisseur, but Hong Gyu Shin is an internationally recognized figure in the global art world. He shares more than a hundred of his treasures with us by such greats as Whistler, Lautrec, Boucher, Daumier, Delacroix, Derain, Balthus, de Kooning and many other top-tier names from art history. Shin is a synthesizer. His credo: “Avant-garde visual culture, irrespective of traditions, is timeless.”

See it now

To purchase exhibition tickets, visit the museum or scan code

More as a Member Experience

To purchase a museum membership. visit the museum or scan code

Open Tuesday-Sunday 11 am-4:45 pm

Cavallaro is the mayor of the Village of Westbury.

Photo credit Google

Westbury Mayor Peter I. Cavallaro.

(Photo by the Village of Westbury)

Better Assignments For Subway Station Booth Attendants

NYC Transit President Richard Davey previously announced his agreement with the Transit Workers Union Local 100 to preserve 2,000 station agents primarily assigned to subway station booths makes no sense. Worse, is his commitment to hire several hundred more. Now they have become “Station Ambassadors” to help riders navigate the system. As NYCT completes conversion to One Metro New York (OMNY) cards, staffing of station booths becomes obsolete. Converting former subway booth attendants to station ambassadors represents featherbedding. We have entered the digital age of OMNY fare-payment system which lets riders go through turnstiles by tapping credit cards, debit cards or smart phones.

Giving former station agents cell phones to use when observing criminal activity to notify transit police will not be meaningful. Those committing criminal acts are not going to wait around for transit police to arrive. Having former station agents periodically walk the platform several times an hour and be available to answer questions or provide directions does little to enhance service. More riders use apps to obtain this information.

The public’s priority is safety and security, open bathrooms and curtailing $500 million yearly fare evasion. Real management would not hire more station agents to perform these new functions outside obsolete token booths. Why not assign station agents on payroll to stand by turnstiles and emergency exit gates and attempt to curtail fare evasion? This would save $1 million a month currently spent in hiring 200 private security guards assigned to deter fare evaders. Let the existing station agents keep their jobs. With attrition as they retire in coming years, reduce the headcount. Start eliminating Station Ambassadors one station at a time based upon those with the least ridership. Keep Station Ambassadors at high volume stations with significant numbers of out of town commuters or tourists. This might include Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station 7th and 8th Avenue, Port Authority Bus Terminal 42nd Street, Times Square, World Trade Center Fulton Street, Flushing Main Street, Jamaica Center Parsons/Archer, Sutphin Blvd. Archer Avenue JFK Airport, Atlantic Avenue Barclay Center, Coney Island Stillwell Avenue, Yankee Stadium and Mets Willets Point (game days) and a handful of other subway stations with high ridership volumes. Cross train existing subway station and end of line terminal subway

station car cleaners to perform many of the same functions as a Station Ambassador. This might include reporting crime, sick passengers or delay in service. Do the same for the new 800 station and subway car cleaners to be hired over coming months as announced by Davey. Issue them cell phones as appropriate. Re-allocate funding saved by reducing the numbers of Station Ambassadors over coming years at they retire to pay for more transit police. They can be assigned to support safety, security and curtail fare beating station by station. This would go further to enhance ridership comfort on the subway system and for those concerned about criminal activity.

Funds can also be reallocated to open many of the still closed subway station bathrooms. NYC is a 24/7 town just like our NYC Transit subway system. Bathrooms need to be opened 24/7, not just 7 AM to 7 PM. There are significant numbers of transit riders with full bladders after 7 PM who desire a bathroom to relieve themselves. All of this needs to be dealt with if the MTA wants to see a return to the pre-COVID 19 five million plus ridership.

It is time to return to the days when a transit police officer was assigned to ride each train and patrol subway stations. Along with installation of security cameras on trains and stations, this might help to reduce vandalism and crime. The longterm NYC Transit management goal over time should be to convert all NYC Transit station agent positions serving as “Station Ambassadors” to finance increasing police protection and opening bathrooms 24/7 in our subway system.

Larry Penner is a transportation advocate,

LIW IW

John Pizzarelli’s Fave Stage & Screen Scores

Somewhere around June 2020, the music union in New York, the Local 802, was sponsoring hour-long lunchtime concerts for all of the first responders and hospital workers,” he recalled. I wasn’t even on Facebook. I hadn’t been on for a bunch of years and they said I had to go to my official page, click on a button and everyone would know and it would happen. I got all my passwords back and did this hour-long thing. That was something and then I decided to try and do that [on a regular basis]. Thursdays are good because it gives us Fridays off—not like I had anything to do on Friday anyway. We decided Thursday nights would be fun and my wife suggested we call [the show]

‘It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere’ and it just blossomed into something that was another thing that saved our lives during the pandemic—the response of the people. Eventually it went to all requests.”

Given the theme of the Garden State native’s latest outing, it only seemed fair to have him list a few of his favorite scores from the silver screen and stage.

Casablanca (1942)

“I’ve always loved it because it’s a perfect movie. But also because the music is so well-done. There’s also something unusual. The band will play ‘Avalon’ at one place and all of a sudden we see Ingrid Bergman and all of a sudden the song is ‘The Very Thought of You.’ There is a way that they use the underscoring to signal what is going on. That’s a really cool part of the movie and I think the movie is special for many reasons.”

BY DAVE GIL DE RUBIO editorial@antonmediagroup.com

Along with being a world-renowned jazz guitarist, John Pizzarelli is an artist quick to pay tribute to his influences via his recorded work. Among the inspirational nods he’s given are to the Chairman of the Board (2006’s Dear Mr. Sinatra, 2017’s Sinatra & Jobim @ 50), the Fab Four (1998’s Meet the Beatles, 2015’s Midnight McCartney), Duke Ellington (2010’s Rockin’ in Rhythm: A Tribute to Duke Ellington) and most notably, Nat King Cole (1994’s Dear Mr. Cole, 2019’s For Centennial Reasons: 100 Year Salute to Nat King Cole). For his new effort, Stage & Screen, Pizzarelli turned to a collection of classic songs from Broadway and Hollywood. The idea to go down this path came out of a weekly live stream the guitarist had been doing shortly after the pandemic lockdown started.

Joined by bassist Mike Karn and pianist Isaiah J. Thompson, Pizzarelli leads his new trio through a gamut of ear worms ranging from “I Want to Be Happy” and “Tea For Two” from the 1925 musical No, No Nanette to “I Love Betsy” from Honeymoon in Vegas, a stage musical adapted from the 1992 film of the same name. It all wound up being a breezy three-day session cut back in November 2021 that had Pizzarelli pleased with the end result. “When we started to go back to work, we were just picking things out of the air,” he explained. ‘I Want to Be Happy’ was just a tune that we decided to play. I’ve always liked that tune—it’s a great little jazz song. And then I heard Blossom Dearie sing ‘Tea for Two’ and she sang it as a ballad. I decided to do it that way and the more we did it, the more comfortable we got with it. And then we had a number of tunes that came out of the Thursday night set. The idea was that I had all these songs and when I looked at them, some of them were from movies and some I had in my back pocket like ‘Coffee in a Cardboard Cup.’ Stage and Screen just seemed like a nice idea for lack of a better title. We put everything together and thought it would work, so that’s what happened.”

WHERE LONG ISLAND WINS!

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) “This is a great movie. Hugo Friedhofer did the score. I actually own the record of the movie. It’s well-done from a cinematic point of view because of what it is about— veterans returning from World War II. I have a soft spot in my heart for Teresa Wright, who is also Mrs. Lou Gehrig in another movie.”

The Bridges of Madison County [musical] (2014)

“One of the greatest things I heard was Steven Pasquale and Kelli O’Hara sing the score of The Bridges of Madison County, the Jason Robert Brown show. It absolutely stunned me. That’s why I did one of Jason’s tunes. I love his work and wanted something that was current.”

The John Pizzarelli Trio will be appearing from April 25-29 at Birdland, 315 W. 44th St., NYC. Visit www.birdlandjazz.com or call 212581-3080 for more information. Visit www.longislandweekly.com to read a full feature on John Pizzarelli.

Casino Hotel

What Is ChatGPT? The capabilities and limitations of artificial intelligence language bots

BY CHATGPT specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

ChatGPT is a large language model developed by OpenAI based on the GPT-3.5 architecture, which stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer 3.5. It is one of the most advanced language models available, capable of generating human-like responses to natural language queries.

The primary purpose of ChatGPT is to provide an automated conversational agent that can understand and respond to human language in a natural and intuitive manner. This makes it an ideal tool for a wide range of applications, including customer service, language translation, and chatbot development.

One of the key strengths of ChatGPT is its ability to generate responses that are not only accurate but also contextually relevant. This is achieved through the use of deep learning algorithms that analyze large amounts of text data to identify patterns and relationships between words and phrases. This enables ChatGPT to understand the meaning behind the words and respond in

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a way that is both meaningful and relevant to the context of the conversation.

Another important capability of ChatGPT is its ability to generate text that is indistinguishable from human-written content. This is achieved through the use of a large neural network that has been trained on a vast amount of text data from various sources, including books, websites, and social media. This enables ChatGPT to generate responses that are grammatically correct and free of errors, and that closely mimic the style and tone of human-written content.

However, despite its many capabilities, ChatGPT also has some limitations. One of the biggest challenges is its lack of real-world experience and knowledge. While it is capable of generating responses based on patterns and relationships in language, it does not have the same level of understanding of the world as humans do. This can sometimes result in responses that are factually incorrect or do not fully address the user’s query.

Another limitation of ChatGPT is its susceptibility to bias. Like all machine learning algorithms, ChatGPT is only as unbiased as see CHAT GPT on page 4B

CHAT GPT from page 3B

the data it has been trained on. If the training data is biased or contains stereotypes, then the responses generated by ChatGPT may also be biased or contain stereotypes. This can be a significant issue, especially in applications such as hiring or healthcare, where bias can have serious consequences.

Despite these limitations, ChatGPT is a powerful tool that has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with machines. As machine learning algorithms continue to advance, we can expect to see even more sophisticated language models that are capable of understanding and responding to human language in increasingly sophisticated ways. With proper training and development, these models could potentially be used to create automated conversational agents that are almost indistinguishable from human interaction, opening up new possibilities for human-machine collaboration and communication.

Editor’s note: The above article, in its entirety, minus the headline and byline, was generated by ChatGPT with the prompt, “write a 600 word explanation about ChatGPT and include the capabilities and limitations.” It was generated in 20 seconds. The above response was not corrected for grammar, spelling or context in order to give the reader an understanding of what the ChatGPT bot and other similar artificial intelligence language machines are capable of. Visit www.longislandweekly.com/ chatgpt-april2023 to read more from local education officials and research librarians.

—Christy Hinko

Campus Visit Checklist

Visiting a college campus helps you get a sense of what a college — and life at that college — is like. This can help you decide whether the college is right for you.

When planning your campus visits, make sure to allow time to explore each college. While you’re there, talk to as many people as possible. These can include college admission staff, professors and students. Below are some other things you can do while visiting. Note that some activities, such as meeting with an admission officer or staying overnight in a dorm, might need to be set up in advance.

Gather Information

Find out what you need to do to apply and see if the college’s class and major offerings are what you want:

• Take part in a group information session at the admission office.

• Interview with an admission officer.

• Pick up financial aid forms.

• Sit in on a class that interests you. If classes aren’t in session, just see what the classrooms

are like.

• Meet a professor who teaches a subject that interests you.

• Talk to students about what they think of their classes and professors.

• Get the names of the people you meet and their business cards so you can contact them later if you have questions.

Explore the Campus

Get a feel for student life and

see if this college is a place where you will do well:

• Take a campus tour.

• Talk to current students about life on campus and the college.

• Check out the freshmen dorms and stay overnight with a student, if possible.

• Visit the dining hall, fitness center, library, career center, bookstore and other campus facilities.

• Talk to the coaches of sports that you may want to play.

• Walk or drive around the community surrounding the campus.

Check Out Campus Media

Tune in to learn what’s happening on campus and what’s on students’ minds:

• Listen to the college radio station.

• Read the student newspaper.

• Read other student publications, such as department newsletters, alternative newspapers and literary reviews.

• Scan bulletin boards to see what daily student life is like.

• Go to the career center and learn what services it offers.

• Browse the school’s website and any campus blogs.

Questions to Ask During Your Visit

Here are some questions you may want to ask your tour guide or students you meet on campus:

• What are the best reasons to go to this college?

• What’s it like to go from high school to college?

• What do you do in your free time? On the weekends?

• What do you love about this college?

• What do you wish you could change about this college?

• Why did you choose this college?

• What is it like to live here?

—College Board

Academy Students Prep For Regeneron Talent Search

BY DR. STEPHEN J. SULLIVAN specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

It’s 7:05 a.m. I’ve been at school for a half hour, so I slip out of Sacred Heart Academy’s (SHA) Science Research Lab for just a moment to brew myself a cup of tea. Upon my return, a half-dozen young women in blue blazers and plaid skirts have appeared seemingly out of nowhere. They are already excitedly chatting about…one senior’s recent research project on the topic of absorption spectroscopy and how it can be applied within atherosclerosis.

You’d think they owned the joint—because, well, they kind of do. And that’s just a typical Tuesday here at SHA. I love how comfortable the girls feel in a room assigned to the department chair and the research director.

According to a recent survey conducted by Junior Achievement and the research group Engine (www.ja.org), only nine percent of girls between the ages of 13 and 17 are interested in careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). But here at SHA, an all-girls, college-preparatory high school founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph, just shy of 100 students practically

“live” in the Science Research Lab throughout the school year. As director of research, I mentor students as they tend to crayfish, weigh earthworms, test the starch content of pea plants or explore colleges with outstanding STEM programs. I encourage our students to challenge themselves academically, to ask tough questions and to dare to dream big. We define STEM broadly; each SciRes girl will work across the life, physical and natural sciences during her four years under our care. STEM

involves thinking critically, logically, and analytically. It also requires approaching problems persistently and creatively. SHA students are doing just that by participating in local, regional, national and international science competitions each year. Supported by gifted colleagues, I seek innovative and unconventional ways to expose these young women to the possibilities in STEM, both in college and beyond. Sure, it’s hard work for the girls. All three of my own children (Christine, Michael and Arthur) were Intel

(now Regeneron) Science Talent kids (2006, 2009, 2012), so I understand exactly what I’m asking of the girls—and their parents. The Regeneron Talent Search (Regeneron STS) is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science competition for high school seniors, providing an important forum for original research that is recognized and reviewed by a national jury of professional scientists. Each year, approximately 2,000 student entrants submit original research in critically important scientific fields of study

Classes Start

Students from Sacred Heart Academy

and are judged by leading experts in their fields. Unique among high school competitions in the U.S. and around the world, the Regeneron Science Talent Search focuses on identifying, inspiring, and engaging the nation’s most promising young scientists who are creating the ideas that could solve society’s most urgent challenges.

But students hardly enter their senior year of high school and suddenly decide to submit a six-week research project at a nationally competitive level. Here at Sacred Heart Academy, research is a four-year program, beginning with Introduction to Research 9 and including the AP Capstone Program. The SHA Research Program offers a unique opportunity for students to experience the rigor and rewards of authentic research while still in high school. This sequence of courses is directed to those students who have a keen interest in the physical, natural, and social sciences and would like to pursue excellence in areas of hands-on, original research. Students begin the program in ninth grade with the Intro to Research 9 course. Ultimately, students who continue with Research for four years will not only earn a SHA Diploma but will also have the opportunity to earn a AP Capstone Diploma, issued by the College Board and valued highly by colleges and universities around the nation and the world. Many students in the program showcase their research in publications and participate in internships with some of the nation’s top research facilities and universities.

And all of that hard work pays off. In

the last four years alone, I have mentored students who submitted 49 Regeneron proposals. Additionally, 13 girls have had research articles published in peer-reviewed journals since 2020. And since 2019, 51 girls have been invited to present original research at the prestigious (adult) Association for Psychological Association Convention; less than 250 precollegiate researchers have ever been invited in the conventions’ 35-year history.

Significantly, SHA students are comfortable explaining their work to their peers, faculty, science fair judges and journalists. Recently SHA’s principal, S. Jean Amore, CSJ explained, “In the middle of a terribly stressful time – an era of political polarization, global pandemics, European wars, and so on—Drs. Sullivan & Feinman make hard work and academic excellence ‘fun’ for seventy to ninety adolescent girls each year. Alumnae frequently write to share success stories from university, success that they consistently attribute to the influence of Science Research and the support they receive from their SHA family. It’s really quite lovely.” I couldn’t agree more. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing your students succeed at university—not just gain admission to university—but truly excel upon matriculation because they were confident and prepared.

—Dr. Stephen J. Sullivan joined Sacred Heart Academy in 2018 as the Director of Research and faculty member. In addition, Dr. Sullivan is a respected senior lecturer at Columbia University.

Molloy College is now Molloy University.

With over 50 undergraduate degree programs, we combine academic excellence and leadership with personal mentoring. Molloy’s programs in healthcare, education, business and arts and sciences will lead you to an exciting career. Here, you’ll think about your future in a whole new way.

Fighting For Student Debt Relief At The Supreme Court

A message from Secretary Cardona on student debt relief

Recently Biden-Harris Administration mounted a powerful case for student debt relief in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The student debt relief program will provide critical support to more than 40 million borrowers most at risk of delinquency or default when the student loan payment pause ends.

Our Administration is confident in our legal authority to adopt this plan, and today made clear that opponents of the program lack standing to even bring their case to court. While opponents of this program would deny relief to tens of millions of working- and middle-class Americans, we are fighting to deliver relief to borrowers who need support as they get back on their feet after the economic crisis caused by the pandemic.

While we await the Supreme Court’s decision, the pause on student loan payments remains in effect. Payments will resume 60 days after the Supreme Court announces its decision. If it has not made a decision or resolved the litigation by June 30, payments will resume 60 days after that.

In addition to this one-time debt relief program focused on counteracting the negative impacts of the pandemic, President Biden, Vice President Harris, and I will continue to put the needs of students and borrowers ahead of special interests, invest in college affordability, hold colleges accountable for runaway costs and unaffordable debts, and pursue historic changes to student loan repayment that will cut costs and reduce the crushing burden of student debt for millions of working families.

We will continue to provide you updates and will notify borrowers directly before payments restart.

Visit Student Aid for the latest information on student debt relief, the payment pause, and additional programs from the Department of Education to make college more accessible and affordable.

—A statement released by Miguel A. Cardona, Ed.D., Secretary of Education on Feb. 28, 2023.

Recently Sold HOMES

This stunning colonial home at 4 Pinewood Rd. in Old Westbury sold on April 4 for $2,300,000. It sits on 1.63 acres in the heart of Old Westbury and has more than 5,000 square-feet of living space. The home has six bedrooms and four bathrooms. The kitchen is an open concept and has a combination of VIking and Sub-Zero appliances. The first floor offers multiple entertaining areas including wood-burning fireplaces throughout the house. The den is bright and offers access to the deck. The bedrooms are generously sized and have a lot of closet space. The primary suite includes a fireplace, a walk-in closet and a bathroom suite complete with a clawfoot tub and a stand-up shower. The home has a three-car attached garage, a generator connection and a fenced-in in-ground saltwater heated pool. The home has six-zone gas heat and cooking, two-zone central air conditioning, a new roof and in-ground sprinklers.

This colonial home on two level acres at 3 Bridle Path Dr. in Old Westbury sold on March 30 for $1,570,000. It has a gated entrance and three quarters of the property is fenced in. The home has four bedrooms and six bathrooms. It has a finished basement and a free-form Gunite heated saltwater pool. There is also a poolhouse and a greenhouse on the property. The home was built in 1970. It has a huge detached three car garage and an attached two car garage. The home has central heat and air conditioning. It is a perfect home to entertain guests and is centrally located to many local amenities.

HOME & DESIGN

Pay Attention To Safety When Using Lawn Mowers

Spring is here and as we get our lawn mowers and other outdoor power equipment out from storage to work in our yards, businesses and other green spaces, it’s important to keep safety in mind.

“Think safety first,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an international trade association representing outdoor power equipment, small engine, utility vehicle, golf car and personal transport vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. “I can’t stress enough to review manufacturer’s safety guidance before starting up any equipment—especially your lawn mower. Review your owner’s manual and do maintenance on your equipment.” Tips for readying and using your equipment:

• Know not all lawn mowers are the same. Whether your mower is a garden tractor, zero turn mower or other, it has a unique design, requirements, weight classification, and other differences that impact how to use it safely. The newest machines have the latest safety standards.

• Know your specific machine. Many mowers may look similar but the technology is ever evolving with evolving safety systems. They vary in design, power supply, performance, operating parameters, and more. Your manufacturer-supplied owner’s manual will guide you in these differences. Read your owner’s manual.

• When using mowers on slopes follow the manufacturer’s guidance to the letter.

• Do not disable or alter manufacturer-installed safety equipment.

• Walk your yard before mowing. Slopes, wet grass and weather may impact equipment performance, as well as safe handling procedures. Pick up sticks and limbs that may have fallen to the ground and any loose objects that could be hit by a mower.

• Look over equipment before use. Check the air filter, oil level and gasoline tank. Watch for loose belts and missing or damaged parts. Replace any parts needed or take your equipment to a qualified service representative.

• Protect your power. Use only E10 or less fuel in gasoline-powered outdoor power equipment if it is not designed for higher ethanol blends.

• Keep children and pets away from machines during operation.

• Keep your mower clean. It will run more efficiently and last longer. Always remove dirt, oil or grass before using and storing. Store equipment in a dry place, avoiding damp or wet environments. Visit www.opei.org for more safety information.

—Outdoor Power Equipment Institute

Homes shown here represent closed sales, sold by a variety of agencies and are selected for their interest to readers by the Anton Media Group editor. Except where noted, data and photos are provided courtesy of Multiple Listing Service of Long Island, Inc. and Zillow.

Alzheimer’s Foundation, Mount Sinai Host Free Memory Screening

To help Long Islanders be proactive about their brain health, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) and Mount Sinai South Nassau will be hosting a free memory screening event on Tuesday, April 25 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm in the atrium of Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital (One Healthy Way, Oceanside). No advanced registration is required, and there are no minimum age or insurance prerequisites. Parking is available in the visitor’s lot.

Memory screenings are quick (approximately 10-15 minutes), noninvasive, and consist of a series of questions to gauge memory, language, thinking skills and other cognitive functions. They are similar to other routine health screenings, such as those for blood pressure, cholesterol and skin checks. Screenings are administered one on one by a qualified professional, and results are confidential. Results are not a diagnosis, but a memory screening can suggest if someone should see a physician for a full evaluation.

“Annual memory screenings should be part of everyone’s health and wellness routine, regardless of whether you’re experiencing memory problems. Just as we regularly check other facets of our health, we need a checkup from the neck up too,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s President & CEO. “We are pleased to work with Mount Sinai South Nassau to provide this free service to the community.”

“The information from the screening helps

you and your physician take charge of your brain health and plan for and implement lifestyle changes as well as take advantage of treatments that will slow memory loss and the decline of thinking skills,” said Adhi Sharma, MD, President of Mount Sinai South Nassau. “My colleagues I and strongly encourage residents to get screened and take advantage of this free and essential screening.”

Early detection of memory impairments is extremely important. Many different conditions can cause memory issues, including treatable or curable conditions such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid disorders, urinary tract infections, sleep apnea, stress, anxiety, and depression.

Even in the case of a dementia-related illness such as Alzheimer’s, early detection can provide greater opportunity to begin treatments that can help slow the symptoms of the disease, as well as taking part in a clinical trial. In addition, it affords the person the chance to take advantage of community services, such as support groups and therapeutic programming, that can help maximize quality of life, as well as have a greater say in making legal, financial and health care decisions.

For more information about the free memory screening program on April 25, please contact Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Community Education Department at 516377-5333 or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at 866-232-8484.

—Submitted by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

Music And Entertainment Hall Of Fame Offers Scholarship

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHoF) will award $500 scholarships to graduating students. These scholarships will provide funding for eligible graduating high school students from Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn, Queens, or Kings (Brooklyn) counties who have shown an interest in pursuing a career in music. To apply and to read the eligibility requirements, please download the scholarship application (https://www.limusichalloffame.org/scholarshipsgrants/).

Student Scholarships Applications

Deadline: Friday May 12th, 2023

All applications must be postmarked by the application due date in order to be accepted.

The LIMHOF Education Committee will base selections on the completed application and the following:

• 400 to 500-word essay on education and career goals

• High school transcript

• Letter of recommendation from an individual who can attest to the applicant’s commitment to a music career

Eligibility criteria:

• Graduating high school senior from Nassau, Suffolk, Brooklyn (Kings) or Queens counties

• Minimum 2.5 GPA

• Accepted full-time at an accredited college or university

• Demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in music

• Demonstrate Financial need

• U.S. citizen or legal resident with I-55 permanent residency

More information and applications may be found at https://www.limusichalloffame.org/scholarshipsgrants/

—Submitted by the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame

The Home Of Giants: More Thrills At Yankee Stadium

JOSEPH SCOTCHIE

jscotchie@antonmediagroup.com

By the 1920s, baseball and prizefighting were the two major American sports. College football was huge. However, it wasn’t until the mid-1950s and the advent of television that the pro game took hold.

Whatever the attraction, Yankee Stadium was where history was made.

Starting in the Twenties, the Stadium was host to many great fights.

They included such championship brawls as the 1939 Joe Louis-Max Schmeling fight, in which Louis avenged an earlier defeat; plus those between Tony Zale and Rocky Graziano, Sugar Ray Robinson and Kid Gavilan, Sandy Sadler and Willie Pep, Rocky Marciano and Ezzard Charles, and Ingemar Johansson and Floyd Patterson.

A favorite was the June 28, 1939 bout between Louis and Tony “Two-Ton” Galento. The latter was known as “the Battlin’ Barkeep” as he tended bar in The Bronx in between ring dates. Imagine the conversation.

GALENTO: Got to take the night off, boss.

BOSS: And why?

GALENTO: Gotta take the train to the Stadium.

BOSS: What for?

GALENTO: The fights!

BOSS: Yeah?

GALENTO: Gotta step into the ring with Joe Louis. See you when it’s over!

(Louis won in a fourth-round TKO, even though Galento staggered the champ with a second-round haymaker.)

By the 1950s, the Yankee Stadium neighborhood was changing rapidly. The flight to Queens and Long Island was in full swing. Plus, fights were now televised.

On Sept. 28, 1976, at the newly-refurbished Stadium, defending heavyweight champ Muhammad Ali took on challenger Ken Norton. By now, Ali was 37. His best days were behind him. Ali won in a decision, one hotly disputed in the media and by the fans. By 1976, the crime situation in The Bronx was becoming out-of-control. A disparaging article on the fight in Sports Illustrated trashed the building as “Junkie Stadium,” while observing local thugs pawing the ladies in attendance. Prize fights would have to

take place elsewhere.

But not football games. New York, in the early and mid-1900s, was a capital for Ellis Island immigrants and their offspring. The most famous college team in America was the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. The Irish often played at Yankee Stadium and the “D” train and Number Four trains were packed with the “subway alumni,” those ethnic Catholics came to cheer the Irish of Knute Rockne and Frank Leahy and such Heisman Trophy winners as Angelo Bertelli, Johnny Lujack, Leon Hart, Johnny Lattner, and Paul Hourning.

A zenith was reached on Nov. 9, 1946. Both Notre Dame and the Army squad

coached by Earl Blaik were undefeated. It was more than a game. The postwar era represented an unprecedented peak of American history. Victorious in the European and Asian theaters of World War II, the game showcased the pride and greatness of this now-invincible nation. The game was the most anticipated match in college football history, ending in a thrilling, but inconclusive 0-0 tie.

With the nationally-televised Dec. 30, 1958 National Football League title game between the New York Giants and the Baltimore Colts, pro football made its debut as the new national pastime.

The game, naturally, took place at Yankee Stadium. The daylight turned from dusk to darkness as the two teams battled each other to a heart-stopping overtime barn burner, with the Colts and their quarterback great, Johnny Unitas, winning on a one-yard touchdown run by Alan Ameche.

That day, the Giants were led by quarterback Y.A. Tittle, plus Kyle Rote and matinee idol Frank Gifford in the backfield. The Giants were on a roll of their own. Two years earlier, while also playing at Yankee Stadium, the Giants defeated the Chicago Bears in the “tennis shoes’” game to capture the NFL crown. (The field was covered with ice. Head coach Jim Lee Howell instructed his charges to play in sneakers, an idea that worked swimmingly.)

At Yankee Stadium, the Giants, under

Allie Sherman, won consecutive Eastern Conference titles in 1961, 1962, and 1963, only to lose to the Vince Lombardi Green Bay Packers and the George Halas Bears in the title games. By 1972, the Giants were through with the House That Ruth Built, settling eventually in the swamps of New Jersey.

The year 2008 was the final one for the 1923 Yankee Stadium. The team stayed in The Bronx, which was great news. It’s not the same. The players, then and now, are not sentimental about these matters. In the old Yankee Stadium, however, players knew they were competing on turf where legends had roamed.

Today’s Yankee Stadium is just another ballpark hosting just another team. The old Yankees were under unbearable pressure, year after year, to win pennants and World Series titles. Managers and players suffered from ulcers, drinking problems, failed marriages. In 1961, while chasing Babe Ruth’s single season home run record, Roger Maris got so nervous that his hair began falling out. That pressure is no longer there.

There’s no need to despair. A century hence, the current Yankee Stadium, glorious as it is now, will grow old. A new Yankee Stadium, one constructed on ground where the 1923 Stadium once stood, will be constructed. History wheels will churn again. Let’s just hope that no youngster says to his pop, “Daddy, who was that man, Babe Ruth?”

Alan Ameche barreled in for the championship winning score. (Courtesy of For The Shoe)

Action from the 1938 Louis-Schelming bout. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)

WORD FIND

HOROSCOPES By Holiday Mathis

HOROSCOPES By

HOROSCOPES By

Holiday Mathis

This is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in any direction always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and when you have pleted the puzzle, there will be 20 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

Holiday Mathis

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You don’t idolize anyone, and neither do you demonize anyone. You really have a balanced view of who people are and why they do what they do, which will serve you well this week. You’ll interact with new people, nd common ground and come out with some real treasures.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). So many come to you with outstretched hands. If only you could help them all... Who knows? Maybe you will! If you do, it will be a byproduct of you following the impulses to help yourself. What do you want? If you don’t know yet, you will by the end of the week.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Accept what you want and accept what you don’t want. Acceptance is crucial to change because you cannot change that which you don’t take on. ink of your current situation as a vehicle. You can drive this wherever you want, but you have to get inside it rst. Acceptance puts you in the driver’s seat.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). You’ve been known to do amazing things even when you’re tired, not in the mood, under the weather or otherwise encumbered.

Bottom line: You’re the kind of person who comes through to the best of your ability no matter what. Quietly celebrate your strength and others will celebrate you far less quietly.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). It’s easier to wake the sleeping than it is to wake the ones who think they are already awake. Luckily, it’s not your job to be the alarm clock. It will be enough for you to simply note the alertness of those around you, meet them where they are and then raise awareness.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). If you want someone to love you back, that’s a less optimal goal than wanting to see their smile. Focusing on others comes easy to you this week. e attention you give them brings you out of your own mind and into the heart of the world.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Needing to know the reason for things is only human. e moment the mind lands on a reason (any reason at all, really), cognitive dissonance resolves. Until that point, agitation drives us forward. is week, provide reasons for people and for yourself. If you don’t, you leave yourself open to speculative ction.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You keep putting yourself in new situations because they always lead to self-discovery. If there isn’t enough novelty around you, a change of location will help. Travel is an especially e ective way to jump-start your energy. If it doesn’t work for this week, at least get something on the books. Looking forward to travel can be half the fun.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). “ e more the merrier” only works up to a point. And for most of what you’re doing this week, merriment isn’t the point anyway. Small groups are better for keeping everyone accountable. When too many get involved, there’s a di usion of responsibility. You’re the leader who helps everyone see how much they count. Together you’ll move mountains.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). No one can get you to move if you don’t want to today. You are self-directed. You follow your whims and do what you tell yourself to do. Follow-through matters much more than what you actually follow through with. It could be anything. e important thing is to trust yourself and know that you are compliant with your higher wishes.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). No one wants you to feel obligated to them, and they will give of themselves freely without strings attached. ey may appreciate reciprocity, but they don’t expect it. ey know it comes in many forms. Know that when people consult you and prioritize you, it’s happening for a good reason. To understand that reason is to appreciate your own inherently lovable qualities.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ll watch everything closely and extract abundant joy from minutiae: a toddler playing, a bird feeding, the patterns of passing clouds. Take on a disorganized area of your home, as it could be stopping the ow of energy through your world and preventing you from receiving money. Clean, clear and organize your way into a weekend payo .

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAYS

Welcome to your pickup year when you’ll have opportunities to swing back and pick up what you might have lost along the way. Some will nish a degree, others will take another whirl at a relationship that didn’t work out the rst time. Among the found items will be material objects such as jewelry as well as things of emotional value, such as the respect of an authority gure or the acknowledgement of a group. More highlights: complex relationships that get simple and lovely, a winning to please your inner child and a physical breakthrough.

INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND

INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND

Favourite foods

Solution: 20 Letters

WORD FIND

This is a theme puzzle with the subject stated below. Find the listed words in the grid. (They may run in any direction but always in a straight line. Some letters are used more than once.) Ring each word as you find it and when you have completed the puzzle, there will be 20 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

Favourite foods

Solution: 20 Letters

Ales Apple

Banana Bars

Basil Beans

Beer

Bites

Brawn

Broccoli

Buns

Cake

Cherry Chips

Chops

Cocoa Cut Duck

Ales

Flavour

Gingerbread

Glutton

Gravy

Jams

Layers

Leg ham

Licorice

Mint

Mixed

Mousse

Pasta

Pate

Peas

Pieces

Pork

Sausages Scones

Spaghetti

Stew

Sugar

Sweet

Syrup

Taco

Tarts

Tomato

Trifle

Varieties

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Creators Syndicate

Solution: Not much that I don’t like Date: 4/19/23 Creators Syndicate 737 3rd Street Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 310-337-7003 info@creators.com

Solution: Not much that I don’t like

Date: 4/19/23

CONTRACT BRIDGE — BY STEVE BECKER FOR RELEASE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023

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By Steve Becker

The fickle finger of fate

of 1,460 points. He won the diamond lead with the ace, finessed the jack of spades at trick two, led another spade and collected the rest of the tricks without even breathing hard.

At the second table, with France North-South this time, the same contract was reached, and again the opening lead was a diamond. But at this table the French declarer played the hand more scientifically and went down as a result.

king of

It is possible to play a hand correctly and get a bad result, and to play the same hand incorrectly and get a good result. Consider the accompanying deal from a European championship match between Norway and France.

At the first table, with a Norwegian pair North-South, six spades was reached on the bidding sequence shown. West led the king of diamonds, and declarer breezed through the play to bring in the slam with an overtrick for a score

After taking the diamond with the ace, he was unwilling to settle for a mere 50% chance of making the contract by relying exclusively on a trump finesse. Instead, he decided to play the A-K-Q of hearts in the hope that the opposing hearts were divided 3-3 (a 36% chance), in which case he could discard his diamond loser on the third round of hearts.

He also had the added chance that even if the hearts broke 4-2, he could still fall back on the trump finesse. All factors considered, this gave him about a 2-to-1 chance to make the slam.

Unfortunately, West ruffed the second heart lead and cashed the queen of diamonds, and South went down one.

Sometimes, a little superior knowledge can be a dangerous thing!

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Revisiting Anton’s Sister Cities

Although I’ve lived in Plainview for 49 years, I’m still not sure if that makes me a “PlainviewER*, *PlainviewiTE*, “PlainviewiAN”, or some other appellation.

While I love living in Plainview, I know there are many PlainviewTONIANS who strongly object to the sky-high property taxes we have to pay for our plots of land and our homes; so that’s why I decided to conduct a “search” to see if there are any other “Plainviews in the United States---in case any of them might be “better* places to live than OUR Plainview.

I found 4 Other cities named “Plainview*. The one closest in size to our population of approximately 26,000 people, is Plainview, Texas (south of Amarillo and north of Lubbock), with a population of around 22,000. Next in size is Plainview, Minnesota (southeast of Minneapolis-St. Paul), with a population of about 3,000. Then comes Plainview, Nebraska (northwest of Lincoln and Ornaha), with a population of about 1,300. Last, but not least, is Plainview, Arkansas (northwest of Little Rock). with a population of about 700.

The odds are that taxes are much lower in all 4 of these “alternate universe Plainviews; and it’s unlikely that their public libraries are as wonderful as ours (Okay, I’ll admit that some of the credit belongs to “Old Bethpage”). The 3 much smaller Plainviews (in MN, NE, & AR) probably have fewer restaurants, shopping centers, movie theaters, doctors, etc. to choose from. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that they don’t have an overall “better” and less stressful way of life, with higher levels of satisfaction and contentment. Who knows?

No one does; at least not unless and until Anton Community Newspapers sends me and my wife on all-expenses-paid “scouting trips” to all 4 of our Plainview “ sister cities*

Once there, I would report back to my 26,000 Plainview, NY “neighbors* about the similarities and differences between our respective communities. I could advise you as to whether or not you should put your house on the market and hire a moving company. Short of that, I could facilitate cultural, educational, and business exchanges which could encourage trade and tourism, and foster friendships and understanding. I could arrange sleepovers, and short-term mini-vacation house exchanges. If desired, I could set up embassies in all 4 Plainviews, and act as our “Ambassador.”

However, to be fair to Anton’s Nassau County readers who do not reside in Plainview, I also skimmed 16,000 place names in my road atlas of the 50 states in order to find other ANTON “sister cities*Sadly. I could not find one single Floral Park, Glen Cove, Great Neck, Manhasset, Massapequa, Mineola, New Hyde Park, Old Bethpage, Oyster Bay, Syosset, or

Westbury in any of our other 49 states.

1 do have some consolation “prizes” for some of these sisterless communities. First prize in the “Close, but no cigar” category goes to our own MiNeola, for which I did find a MiNNeola (population 705) in Kansas. NEW Hyde Park came in second, thanks to Vermont’s NORTH Hyde Park (pop. 350)---which doesn’t qualify as a same-name “sister city” although perhaps as a distant cousin. The closest MANhasset came was a bunch of MANchesters, and the closest MASS Apequa came to a having a sister CITY was the STATE of MASSAchusetts

Westbury could try claiming Wisconsin’s Westby (pop. 2,045) ---unless “YOU ARE” going to be a stickler and object on the grounds that the name “Westby” is lacking the letters “UR” between its “B” and “y”

I am happy to report that 4 Anton communities did have some HALFsister cities: GREAT Neck has Montana’s GREAT Falls (pop. 55,097). OYSTER Bay has Texas’ OYSTER Creek (pop. 912). OLD Bethpage has 6 HALF-sister cities : Connecticut’s OLD Saybrook (pop. 1,820): North Carolina’s OLD Fort. (pop. 720): Pennsylvania’s OLD Forge (pop. 8,834); Texas’ OLD Ocean (pop. 950): and New Jersey’s OLD Bridge (pop. 6,090) & OLD Tappan (pop. 4,254) _ But GLEN Cove won the half-sister sweepstakes by a mile, with a whopping 20 (!) close relatives: Kansas’ GLEN Elder (pop. 448) : Illinois’ GLEN Ellyn (pop. 24,944) : Mississippi’s GLEN Allan (pop. 600): North Carolina’s GLEN Alpine (pop. 563) : North Dakota’s GLEN Ullin (pop. 927): Texas’ GLEN Rose (pop. 1,949) California’s GLEN Avon (pop. 12,663) & GLEN Ellen (pop. 1,191): Maryland’s GLEN Burnie (pop. 32,700) . GLEN Arm (pop. 600) and GLEN Hills (pop. 1,200); New Jersey’s GLEN Gardner (pop. 1,665), GLEN Ridge (pop. 7,076) & GLEN Rock (pop. 10,883): Pennsylvania’s GLEN Rock (pop. 1,688), GLEN Lyon (pop. 2,082) & GLEN Moore (pop. 1,000): and finally West Virginia’s GLEN Dale (pop. 1,612), GLEN Jean (pop. 800) & GLEN Fork (pop. 700).

Still, the most rewarding part of my research was discovering that besides the 4 identically-named Plainviews I had previously found, I learned that 7 other Anton communities have 14 “twin cities” of their own.

Our own Hicksville (pop. 40,174) has Ohio’s Hicksville (pop. 3,664).

Our own Levittown (pop. 53,286) has Pennsylvania’s Levittown (pop. 55.362).

Our own Port Washington (pop. 15.387) has Wisconsin’s Port Washington (op. 9,338).

Our own Jericho (pop. 13,141) has Vermont’s Jericho (pop. 1,300).

But both Farmingdale and Roslyn each had TWIN twin cities. Our own Farmingdale (pop. 8,022) has both Illinois

Farmingdale (pop. 970) and Maine’s Farmingdale (pop. 2,070); while our own Roslyn (pop. 10,000) has South Dakota’s Roslyn (pop. 251) and Washington’s Roslyn (pop. 869).

But the most “imitated” (but never duplicated), and nationally popular of all Anton communities turned out to be Garden City (pop. 21,686) , with 6 identically-named sister cities. There’s Alabama’s Garden City (pop. 578).

Georgia’s Garden City (pop. 7,410). Idaho’s Garden City (pop. 6.369).

Kansas’ Garden City (pop. 24,097). Michigan’s Garden City (pop. 31 846). and Missouri’s Garden City (pop. 1, 225).

—Submitted by Richard Siegelman

Family Owned and Operated

For a hundred years and six generations of funeral directors, we are honored to say our family continues to provide families with the best service at the most affordable cost.

Celebrating 100 Years of Service

Long Islanders Create Mandalas As A Form Of Healing

Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum recently held a healing workshop as part of its Grief Workshop Series. Led by Board Certified, Registered and Licensed Clinical Art Psychotherapist, Deborah Adler, the workshop allowed participants a chance to express their grief and heal through the ancient art of mandala-making.

“Mandala is a Sanskrit word that means circle. Circles often symbolize the connectedness we have with all people, including our lost loved ones,” said Adler. “Mandalamaking is a powerful art therapy technique that helps people access their inner wisdom, heal their emotional wounds, and celebrate their life journey. Mandala-making is a way of honoring our loved ones and ourselves.”

According to Adler and other experts, mandalas are a wonderful tool for healing, self-expression, and relaxation. The balanced, centered design of a circle is soothing to the mind as circles, unlike other geometric shapes, do not have angles, which make circles feel softer and more infinite than other shapes. Circles/mandalas often represent both unity and protection and can be the symbol of the circle of life and rebirth.

If you’d like to create a mandala at home, Adler shared some tips:

1.Trace a circle onto a piece of paper. You can use anything around your home such as

a plate.

2.Take a moment to clear your mind and assess where you are physically and mentally.

3.Then, using a pencil or writing device, beginning in the center of the circle, create a symbol or design that represents you or where you are at mentally.

4.Next, work your way out and start adding further elements to the outer parts of the

circle. You can divide the circle into equal sections to add images or words to keep it balanced. Allow your designs to flow and express how you feel in that moment. Enjoy the process.

5.You can add in images cut out from magazines, use quotes or other collage materials.

6.Don’t worry about skill or ability, let your creativity relax your mind and soul.

“This event marked the first in-person workshop Pinelawn has held since the series was created during the pandemic, and our participants couldn’t have been more pleased,” said Justin Locke, President, Pinelawn. “We are happy to be able to develop supportive workshops and events for families. People helping people, that’s what

it’s all about.”

The event was part of Pinelawn’s Grief Healing Workshop Series, a free community service that was launched during Covid-19 to support those mourning the loss of loved ones. To date, Pinelawn has hosted 26 grief healing workshops that have assisted over 1,300 individuals coping with grief. Topics covered have included Finding Hope and Purpose After the Loss of Your Partner or Spouse, Self-Healing and Resilience Building, Rethinking the Holidays After Loss, Journaling for Life After Loss, Allowing Nature to Hold Us, Healing Through Music, and more.

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(Left to Right) Deborah Adler, Licensed Clinical Art Psychotherapist and Kristyn Hovanec, Pinelawn’s Director of Community Outreach and Marketing Manager show off mandalas at Pinelawn’s Mandala Making Workshop.

Deborah Adler, Licensed Clinical Art Psychotherapist (far left bottom) and Kristyn Hovanec, Pinelawn’s Director of Community Outreach and Marketing Manager (far right bottom) pose alongside Long Island residents showing off the mandalas they made at Pinelawn’s Mandala Making Workshop. (Contributed photos)

—Submitted

Durso Presses To Repeal ‘Raise The Age’ Laws

Assemblyman Michael Durso (R-Massapequa Park) joined a bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers and district attorneys from around the state for a press conference to repeal “Raise the Age” laws that allow a dangerous loophole for 16- and 17-year-old violent offenders to be prosecuted in family court – oftentimes receiving lighter sentences and sealed records.

“How long are we going to allow criminals to run wild in our state with no consequences for their actions?” Durso asked. “Our streets are unsafe, and people do not feel protected. The public deserves to know that violent offenders are behind bars rather than back out on the streets after committing violent crimes.”

Crimes that “Raise the Age,” in most

instances, automatically send an offender to family court include: sex offenses, robbery, burglary and making a terroristic threat. According to the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Raise the Age Statistics, in 2021, only 9 percent of 16- and 17-year-old felony offenders ever received a felony conviction.

“Perhaps the worst consequence of this law is that gangs in New York State and Long Island are using teenagers to run guns and drugs because when caught, they will not be charged as adults,” Durso continued. “We need to fix the law to keep the public safe and hold criminals accountable.”

—Submitted by the office of Assemblyman Michael Durso

The Safe Center Raises $66k At First Annual 5k Run/Walk

The Safe Center, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, the leading victim service organization in Nassau County, raised $66,000 at its first annual 5K run, which started and finished at its Bethpage headquarters earlier this month. Runners braved the rain with the winner finishing in just 17 minutes.

The Safe Center is Long Island’s leading provider of services for victims of domestic violence, child abuse and interpersonal violence.

The run took advantage of an April Fools Day date by pointing out that “Abuse is No Joke.”

“It’s really about raising awareness and helping people better understand these issues,” said Joshua Hanson, Executive Director of The Safe Center. “Unfortunately, for a lot of people who don’t have experience with these issues, it can be a joke, it can be a punchline. We want to help people understand the real impact on individuals,

families and communities that all of these issues have. All in the context of bringing people together and have a little fun on April Fool’s Day.”

The run was co-chaired by board members Laura Curran and Christine Egan.

The day also featured a quarter mile fun run for novice runners and kids age 10 and under.

—Submitted by The Safe Center

(Contributed photo)

(Contributed photo)

Baseball Powers Way Past John Jay

The Farmingdale State College baseball team scored 13 straight runs across the second-through-fifth innings recently at Maimonides Park, including five runs apiece in the fourth and fifth innings before a 10-run top of the sixth frame, to secure a 23-7 win in non-conference action against John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

The Rams (10-9) hit .444 (12-of-27) on the evening and took advantage of 15 walks issued by Bloodhounds (2-23) pitching. In all, 17 FSC batters reached base safely or drove in runs on the night, including two-hit outings by junior Daniel Molina (East Meadow, N.Y.) and senior Elian Pimentel (Huntington, N.Y.), who tied for the team lead with three RBI on the night along with senior

Bobby Pollock (Manorville, N.Y.) and junior Jordan Lambert (Plainview, N.Y.). Pimentel, freshman outfielder Ryan Wasserman (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) and junior Kyle Dorset (Freeport, N.Y.) all scored three runs in the victorious effort.

After spotting the hosts a 1-0 lead through one inning of play, Farmingdale State took the lead for good with a pair of runs in the top of the second, when Lambert came home on a sacrifice fly to center by senior Louis Annunziata (Howard Beach, N.Y.) and Molina drove in Dorset with a single up the middle.

Pollock drove in the next three runs for the Rams, bringing home Wasserman in the third frame on a sacrifice fly before plating

Wasserman and Pimentel one inning later on a two-run single to right field. One batter later, Lambert launched a three-run homer to right field to up the Rams’ lead to 8-1.

FSC used five more runs in the fifth inning to go ahead by a 13-1 count, before answering the Bloodhounds’ six-run bottom of the fifth with a 10-spot in the top of the sixth frame to account for the final score. The contest was called after six innings due to inclement weather.

Five Farmingdale State pitchers saw action on the bump against John Jay, with senior Kevin Primm (Massapequa, N.Y.) (W, 1-1) collecting the win after tossing 1.1 innings with two strikeouts.

—Story courtesy of Farmingdale State College

Salk Middle School Wrestling Reaches A Decade Undefeated

The wrestling team at Jonas E. Salk Middle School in the Levittown Public School District capped off a decade undefeated after their recent win against Berner Middle School.

Salk’s wrestling team began their undefeated streak in 2014, when the team’s current wrestlers were only 3 or 4 years old. This year’s team was comprised of 80 seventh and eighth grade student athletes, including four female wrestlers, which is the most that have ever been on the team.

“This team was special,” coach Brian Luball said. “It was the hardest working team that I can recall, and we always have hard working teams.”

“The lessons we teach about life are more important than teaching wrestling moves,” coach Kurt Lassen said.

“It has been nice to see how these kids develop over the years. It carries onto high school and, more importantly, their life after wrestling,” coach Gian Villante added.

—Submitted by Levittown Public Schools

Massapequa Coast Little League Opening Day Celebrations

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilwoman Laura Maier, and Nassau County Legislator James Kennedy joined the Massapequa Coast Little League

for Opening Day. The day’s festivities included an Opening Day Parade and celebration of the League’s 2022 success as the 11-Year Old Tournament Team

was named New York State Champions. Supervisor Saladino wished the league another season of great baseball, teamwork and sportsmanship and thanked parents

and coaches for their continued investment in youth athletics.

—Submitted by the Town of Oyster Bay

Elian Pimentel (Contributed photo)

The Jonas E. Salk Middle School wrestling team has gone undefeated for a decade. (Contributed photo)

The 11-Year Old Tournament Team was named New York State Champions for 2022. (Contributed photos)

Joseph Saladino, Laura Maier, and James Kennedy joined the Massapequa Coast Little League for Opening Day.