The Nassau Observer 5/10/23 edition is published weekly by Anton Media Group.

Mid Island Y JCC Adult Center

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for People Living with Parkinson’s

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for our ongoing series of support group, and exercise. Each day lunch will be provided during which time participants can socialize with others who are also living with Parkinson’s and receive support from those who know best. Then enjoy a session of Rock-Steady Boxing!

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Fee: $25 per session

45 Manetto Hill Road, Plainview 516.822.3535 miyjcc.org Supported by: 240718 A

Honorees Awarded For Outstanding Contributions To Education

LAUREN FELDMAN

lfeldman@antonmediagroup.com

Nassau BOCES recently honored ten individuals and five organizations that have had profound effects on public education in Nassau County. The Nassau BOCES Education Partner Awards program pays tribute to outstanding educational leaders, organizations, school administrators and staff, students, teachers, Nassau BOCES employees, and other champions of education.

This year’s honorees were recognized at the sixteenth annual Education Partner Awards Gala, hosted by the Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation. The Foundation is an independent, community-based organization devoted to enhancing educational opportunities for students who take part in Nassau BOCES schools, services or programs. It supports initiatives that are beyond the scope of the agency’s budget.

During the past 16 years, nearly 200 individuals have been honored with the Nassau BOCES Education Partner Award, which recognizes those who have made a substantial impact on public education in Nassau County. A strategic education partner with local school districts since 1967, Nassau BOCES created the award to pay tribute to those who share its commitment to enabling students of all ages and abilities to achieve their maximum potential.

Following are the 2023 Education Partner Awards honorees from our Observer coverage area:

Lisa Estrada – Former Supervisor of World Languages and English as a Second Language, Hicksville UFSD.

In response to the significant barriers that Hispanic students need to overcome, Lisa Estrada brought the nationally acclaimed Latinos in Action (LIA) program to the Hicksville UFSD. LIA is recognized by the White House Initiative on Excellence in Hispanic Education for empowering Latino students to lead and strengthen their communities through college and career readiness. Thanks to Ms. Estrada, Hicksville was the first school district on Long Island and the second in New York State to bring LIA into its curriculum.

She initiated a bilingual Spanish elementary program at the kindergarten level and expanded it into a bilingual K-3 elementary program. In addition to the bilingual program, Ms. Estrada developed an

elementary-level foreign language program for grades 3-5. Ms. Estrada also created an integrated co-teaching model for English Language Arts (ELA) and English as a New Language (ENL) at all grade levels.

In an effort to increase parental involvement, Ms. Estrada worked with the district’s supervisor of guidance to co-organize the Parent and Student University (PSU) for English Language Learners (ELLs) and their families. The PSU fosters collaboration and communication between educators and parents, increasing parental involvement through workshops and by providing resources to families of ELLs.

In a tribute video to the honorees, Estrada noted, “My most memorable accomplishment was creating positive change for the growing Latino population in Hicksville Secondary schools. I recognized the obstacles that these young students faced, and together with the Latinos In Action Organization, I was able to create the first program – the first LIA program – on Long Island.” Together with the guidance department, she was also able to create an ENL (English as a New Language) program for parents and students, which is still going strong today.

Michael

Michael Goldberg is a revered educational leader who has worked tirelessly to enhance the Farmingdale school district’s academic and extracurricular programs, expand career and technological opportunities, and improve district facilities. To this end, he has served the Farmingdale Board of Education for ten years, seven of them as president. His innovative approach to education — and his patient and open relationship with administrators, teachers, students, parents,

and community members — have earned him the respect and devotion of the entire Farmingdale community.

Goldberg is a proud ‘Daler. “I live in such an amazing community,” he said. “They’re always there for everyone. The school district is the hub of the community, and I’m passionate, I’m hardworking, and dedicated to that community. Dedicated to the district. It is an honor to be a Nassau BOCES education partner.”

Mr. Goldberg spent more than 25 years as a corporate accountant. Following that, he served as the Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations for the Roosevelt UFSD and is currently the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Management in the Franklin Square UFSD. As a member of the Farmingdale Board, he brought his financial expertise to help design and pass a $36 million bond for school improvements with no additional cost to taxpayers.

Mr. Goldberg has been a fixture at PTA meetings, sporting events, concerts, theatrical performances, awards ceremonies, robotics competitions, school-community breakfasts, parades and local fundraisers. He is the recipient of the New York State PTA Honorary Life Award and the PTA Distinguished Service Award, as well as the Board Achievement Award from the New York State School Board Association.

Michael K. Pappas – Trustee, Board of Education, Levittown UFSD

Michael Pappas has been a leader in the Levittown school community for several decades. During his tenure on the Board of Education, where he served as both president and trustee, he helped the district to face a number of challenges. As a board member, he is a selfless advocate for students and community members alike.

As New York State made substantial cuts to

aid provided to school districts, the government also implemented a tax cap, severely restricting school budgets. Mr. Pappas helped the Levittown UFSD navigate these significant obstacles and not only maintain school programs but build upon them. Under his leadership, the district was able to: expand dual-enrollment course offerings for college credit; increase the number of advanced placement classes; launch a small group instruction initiative at the elementary level; and refurbish school cafeterias, athletic facilities, and auditoriums throughout the district.

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Pappas encouraged collaboration and helped educators and community members to work together to achieve success. Understanding the profoundly positive impact that a safe environment has on learning, he drew upon his experience in the New York City Police Department to bring a unique perspective to best practices in school safety. He advocated for enhanced security protocols, including additional security aides, secure entry vestibules, new classroom doors, and student and visitor management systems.

Pappas is passionate about ensuring children in his school district receive the tools and opportunities to meet their dreams and goals. He mentioned an anecdote which perfectly summarized his efforts, “My mother used to say that there will always be something more that you can do. So I’ve made it a habit to find something more to do, to help people in the community. I am one of those people that raised my hand to volunteer my whole life, I just love helping people and giving back. I know what it feels like to have nothing; I don’t want other people to feel that way.”

—Original press release courtesy of Nassau BOCES —Additional information provided by BOCES website

Lisa Estrada, Hicksville. (Photos courtesy of Nassau BOCES)

Michael Goldberg, Farmingdale.Michael K. Pappas, Levittown

Goldberg – Trustee, Past President, Board of Education, Farmingdale UFSD

Bridge Named In Honor Of NCPD Officer Killed In Line Of Duty

Ahighway crossing in Plainview will forever be known for a police officer tragically killed while doing his sworn duty to enforce the law. With family members joining elected officials and current and former law enforcement personnel, signs officially designating the crossing of Sunnyside Blvd over the LIE near Exit 46 as the Police Officer Daniel J. Greer Memorial Bridge were unveiled at a somber ceremony in Plainview today. The designation was made possible by a bill sponsored in the legislature last year by Assemblymember Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove) and former Senator James Gaughran and signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul. While official signs were revealed on the expressway, family members were given a commemorative version at the event.

Background: Officer Greer, a 13-year veteran of the Nassau County Police Department, was killed on December 16, 1979 at the age of 44. He had been assigned to the Highway Patrol Bureau and was conducting a vehicle and traffic investigation, when he was struck and killed by an intoxicated driver who fled the scene and was eventually charged in the case. Greer

was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters.

Lavine said: “Officer Greer gave his life – in service to our community, Nassau County, and the State of New York. We can only hope that what we did in passing this bill will give some measure of comfort to his family and to his colleagues. Rest in peace Officer Greer.”

Mid-Island Y JCC And LICF Expand Fresh Food Access To Low-Income Seniors

The Mid-Island Y JCC proudly held “Farmer’s Market” events at local low-income apartment complexes as part of an initiative sponsored by Long Island Communication Foundation (LICF) to expand access to fresh, healthy food options for people in need in our community. Staff and volunteers transformed the community rooms at each of four complexes into a market for the day and made 7 varieties of fresh vegetables, 5 varieties of fresh fruit, and fresh eggs available for residents of the apartment complexes to “shop” at no cost to them.

“Our Farmer’s Market events are designed to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables by removing cost and transportation as barriers to making these healthy food choices,” said Gail Warrack, Director of the Rudman Family Food Pantry at the MidIsland Y JCC.

The events were hosted in Plainview, Old Bethpage, and Syosset, communities that have been identified by New York State Office for the Aging as Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities

(Contributed photo)

(NNORCs) – localities with high concentrations of older adults where services are provided to help seniors age-in-place in the community. With LICF support, the Rudman Family Food Pantry worked with staff of each of the NNORC programs to implement the Farmer’s Market events, which were attended by over 150 seniors and people with disabilities.

For more information on the Rudman Family Food Pantry or how you can help, call (516) 822-3535.

—Submitted by Mid-Island Y JCC

Gaughran said: “Officer Greer served this community with dedication and distinction. For generations people will pass this bridge and understand the heroic life that he lived and hopefully his memory will be an inspiration.”

Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti said: “I am proud to join Assemblyman Chuck Lavine, the Nassau County PBA, and most importantly the family of Daniel Greer, to

celebrate his life and dedicate the bridge on Sunnyside Boulevard in his honor. Forty-four years ago, Officer Greer was tragically killed by a drunk driver while protecting and serving the residents of Nassau County, and I am honored that I could help preserve his memory with the passage of this bill.”

“I am proud to name the Sunnyside Boulevard crossing in memory of Nassau County Police Officer Daniel J. Greer, who was tragically killed in the line of duty by a drunk driver while providing aid to a motorist,” Assemblyman Steve Stern said. “Officer Greer, known affectionately to his friends and fellow officers as “Shooting Star,” is remembered every day by all who loved him. It is my hope that re-naming this bridge Police Officer Daniel J. Greer Memorial Bridge will not only serve to honor his memory but also as a warning and reminder of the tragic consequences of drinking and driving. May all who pass this way take a moment to remember Officer Greer, educate their children, and make a personal commitment to never drink and drive.”

—Submitted by the Office of NYS Assemblymember Charles D. Lavine

Collections To Support Birthday Parties For Homeless Children

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Councilwoman Laura Maier have announced a Collection Drive to support birthday parties for homeless children on Long Island. Donations collected May 1st through May 31st will support the charitable efforts of Birthday Wishes of Long Island, a not-for-profit organization located in Hicksville. Through the efforts of volunteers and donations, the organization provides birthday parties to over 1,500 homeless children each year, including gifts, homemade cupcakes, goody bags, activities and crafts.

“Birthday Wishes of Long Island is a wonderful organization comprised of giving and caring volunteers who help bring smiles to the faces of homeless children on Long Island – some of whom have never received a birthday party before,” said Supervisor Saladino.

Councilwoman Maier stated, “By giving to community-based programs and services that support children, you can ensure that you’re making an impact right here on Long

Island. Help bring normalcy, hope and joy to a homeless girl or boy by donating today to this incredible cause.”

To support these birthday parties for Long Island’s homeless children, the following donations are sought:

- New, unwrapped toys for children of all ages

- Batteries of all sizes

- Wrapping paper

For those who wish to donate to Birthday Wishes of Long Island, collection boxes can be found in the following Town facilities:

- Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay

- Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Rd., Massapequa

- Ice Skating Center at Bethpage

Community Park, 1001 Stewart Ave., Bethpage

For more information about the Birthday Wishes of Long Island collection drive, please contact (516) 624-6380 or visit www. oysterbaytown.com.

—Submitted by the Town of Oyster Bay

Daniel J. Greer Memorial Bridge was officially opened as a reminder about the tragic consequences of drinking and driving. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Charles Lavine)

What’s our greatest asset at The Bristal Assisted Living communities? It’s the lifetime of interests and experiences you bring to it. After all, that’s what makes you special. A caring team that spends the time getting to know you so you can continue nurturing, sharing and exploring those interests? Well, that’s what makes us special, too.

See for yourself. Explore all of our locations in the tri-state area.

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NEIGHBORS IN THE NEWS

MTAC Recognizes Arlo Drug Store

Massapequa Takes Action Coalition (MTAC) recently acknowledged Arlo Drug Store for its work in the Massapequas to prevent substance use. Arlo Drug Store is a pharmacy located in Massapequa Park that has been serving the community since 1955. Working together, MTAC provides Arlo Drug Store with Deterra Kits – a safe medication disposal pouch that can be used at home. It is the safest and most effective choice used to destroy and properly dispose of unused, unwanted, and expired medications in the comfort of your own home. Arlo Drug Store displays these kits inside the pharmacy area for customers.

In addition, residents can drop off unused or expired meds (no liquids or ointments) any time/day at any Nassau County Police Department Precinct.

Since 1997, MTAC works with many local, state and national partners to prevent youth substance use and promote a healthy Massapequa. To learn more about MTAC’s efforts, you can Like MTAC on Facebook, go to mtacoalition.com or contact Brooke Langella, MTAC Project Coordinator, at (516) 799-3203 x131 or email mtacoalition@ yesccc.org.

—Submitted by the Massapequa Takes Action Coalition

British Officials Dedicate WW II Armor On Long Island In Tribute To The Late Queen Elizabeth

This event marked the anniversary of her WWII enlistment and served as a reminder of an historic Anglo-American alliance that continues to defend freedom.

On the anniversary of then-19-year-old Princess Elizabeth joining the British Auxiliary Territorial Services (ATS) during the height of World War II, officials from the British Consulate gathered at The Museum of American Armor to dedicate a period British armor car named in her honor.

The ceremony underscored the continuing Anglo-American alliance committed to defending freedom as Ukraine fights for its survival with the help of military equipment from the United States and the United Kingdom.

Nicknamed The Staghound, the WWII armored car was designed to probe for German forces in North Africa, Italy, and Europe during World War II. Built by Chevrolet, they

were transferred to British forces and other Allied forces under “Lend-Lease” and saw action throughout the conflict.

The Staghound will become a permanent part of the Armor Museum’s operational collection, emblazoned with the name of Princess Elizabeth that pays tribute to the historic role of the Anglo-American alliance that continues to this day.

In addition to British officials the ceremony included welcoming remarks by Nassau County elected officials, a presentation of colors by the Nassau County Police Department Color Guard, a performance by the Nassau County Police Department Pipe and Drum Band, reflections by members of the British War Veterans of America, and an appearance by British military living historians.

by The Museum of American Armor

Ra Co-Hosts Successful Blood Drive Event With Collection Of 90 Units

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) recently co-hosted a blood drive at the East Meadow Public Library with legislative colleagues Assemblyman John Mikulin (R,C-Bethpage), Sen. Steven Rhoads and Nassau County Legislator Thomas McKevitt.

“Thank you sincerely to everyone who made this event possible—my colleagues in Albany and down in Long Island, and especially to the East Meadow Public Library for hosting. Thank you, also, to each and every person who came to donate and support your community. Thanks to the

incredible turnout, I’m happy to say that a total of 90 units were collected, which has the potential to save up to 270 lives,” said Assemblyman Ra.

“Life-saving blood is needed every day of the year. If you missed this event, it’s never too late to donate and make a difference. Look out for future blood drives hosted by my office or click here to find blood donation locations near you through the American Red Cross.”

—Submitted by the Office of Assemblyman Ra

Levittown Chamber Of Commerce Welcomes New Members

The Levittown Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors gave a warm welcome to new members, Libbi Vilher and to Braulio Cuevas at a recent membership meeting held at Domenico’s in Levittown.

Libbi L. Vilher is with Kaufman Dolowich Voluck, LLP in Woodbury. Libbi focuses her practice on employment law. She represents clients in several areas of employment matters including discrimination, harassment, breach of contract, and retaliation claims.

Her practice also includes litigating wage and hour compliance cases.

Braulio Cuevas recently opened American Defense, which sells firearms, gun storage systems, safes, hunting accessories & much more. The chamber held a ribbon cutting on March 14 for Braulio and his family. American Defense is located at 3106 Hempstead Tpke in Levittown.

—Submitted by the Levittown Chamber of Commerce

Left to right: Todd Svec, Arlo Drug Store Supervising Pharmacist; Brooke Langella, Project Coordinator, MTAC; Nicholas Pearl, Arlo Drug Store Clerk. (Contributed photo)

The Staghound was unveiled at the Museum of American Armor as Long Island and British officials commemorated Princess Elizabeth’s enlistment in the British Auxiliary Territorial Services during the height of World War II. (Contributed photo)

—Submitted

Assemblyman Ed Ra (center left) pictured with Legislator McKevitt (left), Assemblyman Mikulin (center right) and Senator Rhoads (right) at a community blood drive at the East Meadow Public Library. (Contributed photo)

Welcome, Braulio Cuevas and American Defense. (Photo courtesy of Tara Cassano)

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

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

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10

LoWV Meeting

7 p.m. The League of Women Voters of east Nassau are hosting a meeting on services provided by the Family and Childrens’ Association at the Levittown Public Library, 1 Bluegrass Ln. Featuring speaker Lisa Burch, Vice President and CEO of the Association.

THURSDAY, MAY 11

College Major Exploration

6 p.m. Teen program: Medical Office Administration with Billing and Coding. Meet Marc Herschmann, Senior Admission Representative at Hunter Business School. This event will take place on Zoom. Contact the teen department via phone at (516) 7315728 ext. 241 or email teens@levittownpl.org for more information.

Charcuterie In-Person Demonstration

7 p.m. Want to “WOW” your guests with an amazing appetizer? Join us for a delicious evening as Corrina Cafarelli demonstrates how to assemble a professional charcuterie board. Corrina will assemble three different types of boards – one meatless, one traditional and one aperitivo (Italian style) board. Guests will be able to sample each board at the conclusion of the program. Plainview-Old Bethpage residents only.

In-person registration required. Taking place in combined Rooms A and B of the POB Library, 999 Old Country Rd.

FRIDAY, MAY 12

Moms Thank A Latte

10 a.m. Make a beautiful sign to give mom on her special day. Programs run by the Children’s Department are for children residing in UFSD #22 only. You MUST use your child’s library card to register. Registration with an adult card will be invalid. Ages 1-4 years with an adult. Located in Room E of the Farmingdale Public Library, 116 Merritts Rd.

SATURDAY, MAY 13

Shred Unwanted Documents

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. A Shred Away Inc. will be in our staff parking lot to safely shred your

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE: NAVAL WEAPONS INDUSTRIAL RESERVE PLANT (NWIRP) BETHPAGE, NEW YORK RESTORATION ADVISORY BOARD (RAB) MEETING

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Bethpage Senior Community Center 103 Grumman Road West, Bethpage, New York Open House: 6:30 p.m. • Meeting begins at 7 p.m.

The public is welcome to attend the RAB in-person, by phone, or virtually through the free webinar tool Microsoft (MS) Teams. Virtual attendees will be able to join the webinar up to 30 minutes prior to the start of the meeting. For those using the MS Teams application, please allow time for downloading to your computer or mobile device. If you do not wish to download the application, attendees may also choose “Continue in Browser” to access the meeting. The webinar login information is as follows:

Online: https://tinyurl.com/17MAYRAB

Meeting ID: 236 923 241 687

Event Passcode: CPdRH5

Telephone: (332) 249-0742

Phone Conference ID: 784 889 402#

The Navy is pleased to announce the 51st meeting of the RAB for NWIRP Bethpage (former Grumman facility).

The RAB is an open public forum for the Navy and regulatory agencies to exchange information with o cial RAB community members on environmental programs underway at NWIRP Bethpage. Agenda topics will discuss updates on current activities regarding the site. Please note: Although the RAB is open to the public, there will only be a limited amount of time for public questions following the scheduled RAB presentations. Further instructions for the upcoming RAB meeting are provided on the Navy’s website for NWIRP Bethpage under Community Outreach at: https://www.navfac.navy.mil/Business-Lines/Environmental/Productsand-Services/Environmental-Restoration/Mid-Atlantic/Bethpage-NWIRP/

For more information, please contact: NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic Public A airs 9324 Virginia Ave., Norfolk, VA 23511-3095

Email: NAVFAC_ML_PAO@navy.mil

Telephone: (757) 341-1410/11

documents. They accept all paper and CDs (staples and paper clips do not need to be removed). There will be a limit of 3 bags or boxes per person. Please note: plastic, cardboard, carbon paper, books, newspapers, magazines, batteries, and old cell phones will not be accepted. Taking place at the Bethpage Public Library, 47 Powell Ave.

Homegrown String Band In Concert

2 p.m. Live and in-person. The Homegrown String Band is a 21st-century incarnation of the traditional American family band. Since this show falls on the eve of Mother’s Day, the band has selected several songs from their repertoire of original and traditional music that feature the varied ways mothers and fathers have been portrayed in folk music. These are a few of the stories that will be shared by “the family that plays together” in this special performance. Register online in advance if interested. This event is taking place in the Massapequa Public Library Bar Harbor Auditorium, 40 Harbor Ln.

SUNDAY, MAY 14

Happy Mother’s Day!

MONDAY, MAY 15

Yarn Wrapped Flowers

5:30 p.m. Make your own adorable flower using cardstock, yarn, buttons and popsicle sticks! These make a cute decoration and a perfect Mother’s Day gift! Contact Shannon Jaeger at (516) 931-1417 ext.112 or email sjaeger@hicksvillelibrary.org for more information. This event is taking place at the Hicksville Public Library, 169 Jerusalem Ave.

Smile Mugs

4:15 p.m. Grades K-4. Get ready to make some handy, creative and unique mugs! Bring out your inner artist and create something truly special that will make everyone smile when they see it! Register online in advance if interested. This event is taking place in Room A of the POB Library, 999 Old Country Rd.

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Even In Defeat, Hochul Housing Proposal Raises Questions

Nassau will still need to address the issue of development

aolsen@antonmediagroup.com

While the housing portion of the New York State budget seems to be tabled for now, housing and urban planning are ongoing issues. According to the Regional Plan Association, a non-profit organization that does research, planning, and advocacy for transportation, housing, planning and environmental issues in the tristate area, New York State will need to build over 800,000 housing units during the next ten years to address current needs and meet expected population and job growth. People need places to reside, and it’s generally better if they are able to do so near the places where they spend the rest of their time- their places of employment, schools, retail and recreation. Careful planning can result in settings that are beneficial to residents, the community, and the environment.

“(Locating) your doctor, your lawyer, where you get your groceries, fresh food, all within walking distance or within a short commute has been a planning principle for a long while. It does have a number of positive effects in terms of the livelihood of a neighborhood; the livelihood of a place makes it more attractive, it also can lead to a positive effect on property values. It also has a net effect on congestion because people don’t have to drive a couple miles just to get a quart of milk or whatever. They can do that if they can just walk a few blocks and not having to get into their car,” said Marcel Negret, Senior Planner at the RPA.

When people think of compact or high-density housing, they often think of examples like tall skyscrapers. Frequently, though, housing can be added through the application of adaptive use. This is where existing structures are modified. Examples include where a lower story has commercial space, like a store or restaurant, while the upper stories are housing units. These are sometimes called “middle density,” a unit of housing that is often missing in many parts of Long Island. “So, there’s something in between the large, high rise, multifamily buildings, a skyscraper, and low density, single family residential neighborhoods, with the detached units. There’s a lot in between. Mixed use buildings that have like some form of commercial use on the first floor, maybe two, three stories above with residential, that would fit the description of kind of middle density, that in many cases is

kind of just missing because we either have one extreme or the other,” said Negret.

There is also potential for these mixed-use buildings to plan their utilities and HVAC systems in a more environmentally sound way, rather than retrofitting them later. There is even the possibility of growing food and managing stormwater runoff. “The category of mixed uses shouldn’t be limited to just combining commercial retail and residential, but also have other more functional, utility led uses like solar panels. In places where you have issues with managing stormwater runoff, you also can retrofit some of those spaces with some form of a green roof that captures some of that water and helps manage some of the limitations with our sewer infrastructure, for example. This idea of mixed uses probably fits that description

as well,” Negret said, when discussing how these mixed-use buildings fit into a more sustainable way of developing.

One of the biggest benefits of more carefully planned, compact development is the preservation of forests and open space. Since 2001, New York State has lost over 68,000 acres of forest land, with 94 perecnt of the lost forest (64,000 acres) attributed to sprawl, according to the National Land Cover database. Building in areas that are already urbanized, called “in-fill” development, is one solution to take pressure off undeveloped land. Negret puts it this way: “One of the other great benefits of favoring this type of planning of more compact, mixed uses clustered together is the preservation of natural areas, of forest land, of watersheds. You’re meeting those needs in this more

efficient form of urban clusters or suburban villages. In the context of Long Island, it mitigates or reduces kind of pressure for sprawling out and consuming existing open space or forest land or polluting watersheds.”

Even though most of the sprawl happened in the mid part of the of the last century, with the explosion of highways and car ownership, it has continued into the present day. “We looked at those kinds of consumption rates from forest land in the past 20 years, and they’re still concerning. It’s not something that has gone away, even though planners have realized that they want to shift gears to more compact forms of development. Unfortunately, sprawl is still happening and we’re losing forest land because of that,” said Negret. “Over the past two decades Nassau County has lost over 1,100 acres of forest land to sprawl, an area larger than all of Eisenhower Park. Promoting more compact forms of housing development in the region, and in our suburbs in particular, is a smart way to advance land conservation goals and preventing future loss of forest land and open space.”

Proactive planning allows communities to make decisions collectively about how their community develops. Without direction, the development still happens, but it isn’t as organized or deliberate. Negret points out that the default ends up being sprawl. “If there’s no proactive effort to prioritize these forms of more compact forms of development, that have mixed uses, that favor adaptive reuse, the default is you will have sprawl. Like the inaction or lack of proactivity in implemented planning ideas just will result in sprawl. So regardless of who is taking the lead, there is definitely a need for action.”

An example of middle density, adaptive use development in Patchogue, NY.

(Photo by Amanda Olsen)

In Nassau County, a total of 1152 acres of forest was lost in the last decade. (diagram courtesy of Regional Plan Association)

Long Beach Resident Among First Peace Corps Volunteers To Return To Service Overseas

Long Beach resident Arthur Gold is among the first Peace Corps volunteers to return to overseas service since the agency’s unprecedented global evacuation in March 2020. The Peace Corps suspended global operations and evacuated nearly 7,000 volunteers from more than 60 countries at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m looking forward to my second encore career,” said Gold. “My desire to join the Peace Corps stems from the joy of fulfillment I feel when I am able to facilitate and witness the success of others. In my role I hope to usefully contribute to the community and realize the adventure of new people, places, and culture.”

Gold is a 1984 graduate of the New York University Tandon School of Engineering, formerly known as Polytechnic Institute of New York, with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. After graduation,

he worked in industrial engineering and economic development for the manufacturing sector, later becoming a certified personal trainer. Now, at 72 years old, Gold will serve as an education volunteer in the Eastern Caribbean.

The volunteer cohorts are made up of both first-time volunteers and volunteers who were evacuated in early 2020. Upon finishing a three-month training, volunteers will collaborate with their host communities on locally prioritized projects in one of Peace Corps’ six sectors – agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health or youth in development – and all will engage in COVID-19 response and recovery work.

Currently, the agency is recruiting volunteers to serve in 58 countries around the world at the request of host country governments, to connect through

the Peace Corps’ grassroots approach across communities and cultures. Volunteers have already returned to a total of 53 countries around the world. At the invitation of governments around the world, Peace Corps volunteers work alongside community members on locally prioritized projects in the areas of education, health, environment, agriculture, community economic development and youth development. The Peace Corps continues to monitor COVID-19 trends in all of its host countries and will send volunteers to serve as conditions permit. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 240,000 Americans have served in 143 countries worldwide. Americans interested in transformative service and lifelong connections should apply to Peace Corps service at www.peacecorps.gov/apply.

—Submitted by The Peace Corps

County Facing Class-Action Lawsuit Over Racially Disparate Traffic Stops

JANET BURNS

jburns@antonmediagroup.com

Nassau County is facing a class-action lawsuit on behalf of all Black and Latino drivers in Nassau which alleges racial bias by the Nassau County Police Department in its execution of traffic stops.

The lawsuit, which seeks $40 million in damages, local policy changes, and oversight from a federal monitor to ensure reforms happen, is similar to one that began in Suffolk County eight years ago, and has required that county to both pay millions and better train its officers while releasing better data on how they enforce the law. A judge will later decide whether to certify the suit’s class-action status.

The suit’s lead plaintiff, Tivia Leith, originally filed suit against Nassau County last November following a traffic stop for which she was held 11 hours in police custody.

In response to a request for comment on the case, NCPD Detective Lieutenant Richard LeBrun said that the department does not comment on ongoing litigation.

Ms. Leith is being represented in the case by the Law Offices of Frederick K. Brewington, whose attorneys are well known on Long Island for civil rights work.

In a phone intervew with Anton Media Group, Frederick Brewington, Esq.

explained the background and aims of the case, which he said was originally brought on behalf of Ms. Leith and her minor son.

“After we looked at it, and after issues were raised by the defendants, the County of Nassau, at a conference with a federal judge, the determination to expand this case into a class action become fairly obvious to us,” Brewington said.

“We began to look at the numbers concerning traffic stops that had been made available through Nassau County. Their reporting is limited, and even with that limited view we saw that there was a disparate treatment of persons of color, of Black and brown individuals in Nassau County, with regard to the ratio of car stops to the total number of population, that was completely out of whack.”

“So, we made the determination that we needed to expand this to make sure that all those persons, like my client, who are impacted by Nassau’s determinations to disproportionately pull over Black and Latino people, are included, and that it would be aired in a courtroom where this issue can be addressed, because this appears to be an institutional, systemic issue.”

As Brewington noted, it was data from the Nassau County Police Department itself that indicated to his firm that something was amiss county-wide.

“Their data is incomplete, it does not give source information, it doesn’t give some

of the data that’s necessary to do other statistical evaluations, but just looking at the raw numbers that they provided it’s pretty clearly that something needs to be said and done about the way that they’re treating drivers, passengers, and other folks related to car stops in Nassau County.”

“Ms. Leith’s experience was, in a word, haunting. She has issues with anxiety to

begin with, and what this did to her, both in her mind and also in her gut, made her extremely concerned about whether or not she was ever going to make it home that night. She was held for eleven hours on an alleged warrant that did not exist, and the problem about that was that even with the issue of pulling her over, it appeared to be pretextual. The officer drove up next to her, saw that she was a Black woman, then drove behind her and pulled her over. In this situation, we can’t have police officers making the determination they want to pull people over on a hunch.”

In Ms. Leith’s case, Brewington noted, “She had her minor son with her. He had to watch his mother be placed in handcuffs, and then they threatened to take him into custody, and she had to plead [with police] to allow her to get someone to come pick him up so he wouldn’t be taken into police custody. That’s just outrageous.”

He continued, “They now claim the reason she was pulled over, which is pretty ridiculous, was that the light on her license plate was out. That charge was dismissed along with any other charges.”

“What we’ve really got to do is bring accountability into the picture, and see that, in this situation, police don’t just get a chance to say anything after the fact and expect people to go for it. That ‘okey-doke’ is long gone, and never should have been in the first place.”

Peace Corps Volunteer Art Gold.

(Photo submitted by the Peace Corps)

Frederick K. Brewington, Esq. (Submitted photo)

LEGAL NOTICES

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Mailer Discovers The Novel—And The New Journalism

JOSEPH SCOTCHIE

jscotchie@antonmediagroup.com

“There is a good Norman Mailer and a bad Norman Mailer. The good Norman Mailer has won out.”

So claimed Jason Epstein, the man’s editor, sometime in the early 1990s.

Well, it better had won out, or else the novelist was certain to spend his days in the slammer. For decades, Mailer’s life and times---and brawls, one of them nearly fatal----filled the gossip pages as much as his published work.

The youngest of two children born 100 years ago in 1923 to Isaac and Fanny Mailer, the young Norman was an ace student who rose from Crown Heights to matriculation at Harvard at age 16.

At Cambridge, Mailer intended to study engineering. The late 1930s was also a Golden Age of the American novel. Mailer eagerly read Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Faulkner, Wolfe, Dos Passos, Steinbeck, and Farrell. He wrote his own stories and novels. When Pearl Harbor hit, the teen-aged Mailer vowed to write the great American novel of the war. He soon married and was shipped out to first, Texas and then the Philippines. He told his young bride to save his letters home. The Naked and The Dead, a novel about a colorful cross-section of Americans fighting in the Pacific Theatre was published in 1948. It sat on top of the best seller lists for months.

Mailer was only 25. He would spend the next 60 years trying to top his first novel. Along the way was more fiction, essays, biographies, films, the co-founding of The Village Voice , books about political conventions, the Apollo moon shot, Marilyn Monroe, prize fights and even a run for mayor of New York in 1969.

Whatever else Mailer achieved or didn’t achieve, the man was prolific. Every morning, he put on work jeans, had breakfast with his mother in her neighboring Brooklyn Heights apartment and proceeded to a daily word count that generally hit 1,500---and often, much more.

Mailer’s second novel, Barbary Shore (1951) was panned by the critics. His comeback novel, The Deer Park (1955), a send-up of Hollywood’s

decadent side, was more successful. Satisfied that he could write fiction, Mailer turned to journalism. A born polemicist, the man caught a break when Clay Felker, co-founder himself of New York magazine, assigned Mailer to cover the 1960 Democratic Party convention. Mailer was vain enough to believe that his Esquire essay on John F. Kennedy, “Superman Comes To Supermarket,” helped to win the presidency for the man. Still, he had found another niche.

Mailer covered more conventions, two of which, Miami and The Siege of Chicago (1968) and St. George And The Godfather (1972) were book-length reports. If Mailer succeeded in these books, it had to do with his self-styled standing as a “Left Conservative.” He held great hopes for Kennedy-style liberalism. Mailer was no nihilist. He admired Kennedy and Eugene McCarthy, but also the traditionalism of Robert Taft and Edmund Burke. This allowed Mailer to sympathize with such reform Democrats as Robert F. Kennedy. He also understood the desire of heartland Republicans seeking to restore a lost “Jesus land” now being obliterated by social revolution.

Mailer continued to write fiction. He also seemed liberated by journalistic ventures. From 1963 to 1975, came a creative streak that the novelist Tom Robbins claimed had no parallel in modern American culture, save the same creative outburst turned in by Bob Dylan over the same period. Mailer’s output included The Presidential Papers, Cannibals and Christians, An America Dream, Why Are We in Vietnam? The Armies of The Night, Miami and the Siege of Chicago, Of A Fire On The Moon, Marilyn, Existential Errands, The Faith of Graffiti and The Fight.

I’ll plunk out a few books from that list. Cannibals And Christians is his best non-fiction collection: An angry and fast-paced volume denouncing the deadening effects of technology and mass society on a nation’s soul. (However much he could not escape them, Mailer disliked television and modern architecture, while coming out early against the Vietnam War.)

The Armies Of The Night, Mailer’s dramatic account of the 1967 antiwar march on the Pentagon was the book that marked his rise as an avatar of the New Journalism, where the author injects himself into the action. Miami,

however, is a tighter and more prophetic book: The Vietnam War came and went; however, the civilizational crisis dramatized by the 1968 conventions still plagues the nation.

When Mailer was working on The Naked And The Dead, he showed a draft to Charlie Devlin, another writer also living in Brooklyn Heights. Devlin liked the draft, but scolded Mailer on his inability to construct metaphors, which Devlin claimed marked the true measure of any writer. The young Mailer got the message. And he went to work. Does anyone still remember the riots at the Chicago convention? You will if you read the book.

The police attacked with tear gas, with Mace, and with clubs, they attacked like a chain saw cutting into wood, the teeth of the saw the edge of their clubs, they attacked like a scythe through grass, lines of twenty and thirty policemen striking out in an arc, their clubs beating, demonstrators fleeing. Seen from overhead…it was like a wind blowing dust, or the edge of waves riding foam on the shore.

The Fight is about the 1974 heavyweight title bout between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali is the best single book I know about Sweet Science. In addition to Left Conservatism, Mailer also embraced existentialism. To the end, the man could never fully define the term. It did have everything to do with the novelist being cut from his Brooklyn roots following the success of his first novel. Mailer was condemned to be a celebrity author always promising that Great American Novel. He revered Ernest Hemingway, Ali and most erroneously Fidel Castro as existential heroes, men who stood apart from the crowd and were willing to meet---and overcome--this world on their terms.

Hemingway took his life. Castro turned Cuba into a totalitarian hellhole. That left Ali. Mailer died in 2007 at age 84. Ali lived until 2016. As long as Ali was on this side of the river, Mailer saw hope for this world.

With The Fight, Mailer’s third-person forays into the swirling controversies of the 1960s and ‘70s ended. It was back to the fiction grind. Next week, we’ll look at the man’s ruminations on God, Christianity, and its implications for America.

Norman Mailer in the 1950s

Dust jackets for The Naked And The Dead and Miami And The Siege of Chicago

Phantom Conversations

Smartphones are loaded with applications and features that let you enjoy social interactions and meet new friends. Why are they so popular? I can only assume that people look to avoid live face-to-face disruptions that can go bad real fast. Or maybe not. But if it’s true, there is a better way. Instead of downloading an application, many people use a feature not advertised by cell phone companies called the phantom conversation. This allows you to hide from others seeking to borrow your car, money and valuable time.

The history of the phantom phone conversation goes back to the 40s, at least in the movies. Take the PI who shadows a suspect, careful not make any abrupt movements that may blow his cover. He stays back a safe distance as he follows the suspect through the crowded streets of New York City. Suddenly, the suspect darts into a hotel and sits down in the lobby. The PI nonchalantly walks to the other end of the lobby, ducks into a phone booth, and lifts the receiver. Keeping an eye on his suspect, he waits a few moments and starts to mouth the fake dialogue.

Avoiding a face-to-face conversation with someone you know, for any reason, has long been a sore spot for many people. I’ve learned that it’s painfully obvious when you suddenly take off when you first notice the person. The phantom conversation provides a means to eliminate this embarrassment. All you need to do is pull out the phone, start talking and wave to the person as you walk by. Even Miss Manners would agree that a person on a phone call is off limits to interruption. True, it’s a fake conversation, but that’s not important. The fact is that you’ve succeeded in your goal to avoid a face-to-face conversation. Here is a true-life example that may drive home the point.

One afternoon, I pulled into my apartment building lot when I noticed a group of neighbors standing near the front entrance. I had just laid out six hundred dollars to my mechanic and wrenched my back reaching into my glove compartment for the checkbook. I didn’t want to enter the fray with their conversation suddenly turning to me and my disgust over a car bill. As I

LONG ISLAND STORIES

approached the group, the cell phone came out and I started a dialogue with nobody.

“Yeah, Danny, how goes it? They ever fix that pot- hole at the end of your block?”

As I walked past the group, we all exchanged friendly waves. They knew the deal and stayed a safe distance away. This signaled a respect for what appeared to be a legitimate two person dialogue. Once safely in my apartment, I buried the phone in my pocket and made lunch.

If you think that was good, another favorite application of mine is using the phantom

conversation as a salesperson repellant. The strategy here is to whip out the phone as the salesperson approaches and quickly begin your non-existent conversation. What salesperson is going to walk up to a potential customer and say, “Excuse me, as soon as you’re finished, can I help you?” In this scenario, I was able to take pictures of certain items, go home and purchase them online. Now, you may be asking, “Who the hell started this farce of the phantom conversation?”

Besides the PI using the phone booth, history also documents that women were and are, true pioneers of the phantom conversation. What choice do they have with these derelict dudes lurking around bars, gyms and the ladies room? Back in the day, I had friends that went to bars armed with lame pick up lines that never worked. Yet, the lines stay in their arsenal. Women quickly learned how to combat this arsenal. For example, a woman is sitting at the bar waiting for her girlfriend, when she notices a guy approaching. The woman pulls out the cell as if she’s Annie

Oakley drawing a pistol on some cowboy, then rolls into her phantom conversation.

“Hi, honey. You won your WWF match? Almost killed the guy? What, you’re only five minutes away? Great, see you soon.” She watches as the prying panther does a 180 and takes off in the other direction.

You might also question the ethics of the phantom conversation, asking what kind of world do we live in? I agree. As a civilized society, we should be able to speak directly to another human being and tell them you don’t have time to talk. We’re not that civilized. Many people are too sensitive to another person’s feelings. More to the point, they don’t have the guts. Phantom conversations act like Prozac. They come to people’s rescue by mellowing the mood. They allow a person to feel they are involved in a legitimate act of conversation even though it’s more a case of deception. Deception or not, feel free to dive into a phantom conversation if you fear that a conversation may glide into the spewing of information not meant to be spewed.

Karl V. Anton, Jr., Publisher, Anton Community Newspapers, 1984-2000

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COLUMNS Lag B’Omer-Joy in the Journey

A man sitting on the deck of a boat reaches into his toolbox, pulls out a drill, and proceeds to bore a hole in the hull. Suddenly, the people sitting next to him begin to shout, “Stop! What are you doing?”

“I’m drilling a hole,” the man says. “I can do what I want. Why is it any of your business?”

“Are you kidding? We’re all together on this boat!” They exclaim. “You may think you’re only making a hole under your own seat, but because of your actions, we are all going to sink!”

This famous parable reminds us that our personal choices have ripple effects, consequences that affect others. Though we may think we can be self-sufficient, in fact, we are interconnected. As such, we must be respectful in our dealings with others, and always aware of our responsibility to treat people fairly, in our pursuit of a just and moral society.

Do you remember the character of the Count, the Dracula-like figure on Sesame Street who loved to enumerate? If the Count were Jewish, he would love this time of year, for we Jews are currently in the middle of counting the Omer. This is a daily practice

intended to remind us of the link between Passover, which commemorates the exodus from Egypt, and Shavuot, which commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. The counting of the Omer brings home the notion that our redemption from slavery was not complete until we received the Torah and became a holy people.

The Talmud recounts that the students of Rabbi Akiva died in a plague during this season because they did not give each other

proper respect. Rabbinic sources attested that the plague ended on Lag B’Omer–the thirty-third day of the Omer. By Lag B’Omer, the thirty-third day of this counting period, the Jews began to treat each other with kindness and humility, and the plague receded. For this reason, Lag B’Omer is a happy occasion for Jews all over the world, who are permitted to celebrate anew with weddings, music, and outings. Families and neighbors gather together around bonfires, barbecues, and picnics, uniting to enjoy a day of community and camaraderie in a celebration of Jewish history.

In modern day Israel, this day has morphed into one that’s celebrated with barbecues. We must not forget, however, that the Omer is also a semi-mourning period, commemorating the many thousands of Rabbi Akiva’s students who died via plague so long ago. Although they were brilliant scholars, they perished because they did not treat each other with the appropriate respect granted to men of their station.

The Israeli mountain-town of Meron turns

My Conversation With A Robot

I think newspaper columnists like me might soon be out of a job.

You may have heard about a computer program called Chat GPT which will have a virtual conversation with you. Ask the program a simple question and get an answer. Ask a follow-up question and get another answer. Before you know it, you are conversing with a computer that generates instantaneous responses based on what it can find about the subject on the internet.

If you are old enough to remember the original AOL chat rooms, it’s the same idea. However, instead of having a text-based conversation with another human, it’s a computer. Chat GPT is a highly developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) designed to take Google searches to another level. Instead of using Google to research articles requiring you to read about, say, Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, it does the research for you. But the best part is that it will provide you with an impressively comprehensive document that doesn’t just contain non-sequiturs or bullet-point facts. If you need 500 words, ask for 500 words on the topic, and Chat GPT obliges.

Of course, this renders the need for students to research and compose homework moot. If teachers thought allowing their students to produce book reports by just reading the “Cliff Notes” was a menace to society, what would they do once they get hold of Chat GPT? At the absolute minimum, students still needed to read the Cliff Notes. Now all they do is type text into a chat box and hit enter.

As a columnist, the most challenging part of my job is coming up with an interesting idea to entertain my readers in roughly 650

words. I depend on reader emails, conversations with friends and family, and snippets from the news. I’ll then do my research and produce the Award-Winning column you are enjoying right now.

But with Chat GPT, maybe I don’t have to work as hard.

Ah, Chat GPT. The magnificent machine that can answer just about any question thrown at it. It’s like having a personal genie trapped inside a computer instead of a lamp. And let’s be honest; sometimes it feels like we’re asking it to perform magic.

Chat GPT is not some all-knowing being gifted with the power of speech. No, it’s a machine programmed to generate responses based on the vast amount of data it’s been fed. In other words, it’s just a really smart parrot.

I mean, think about it. You ask Chat GPT a question, and it spits out an answer. Sure,

it might be a perfect answer, but it’s not like it came up with it independently. It’s just repeating information that’s already been stored in its vast database, like when your pet parrot repeats what you say. Polly might sound like she’s talking, but she’s not really understanding the words.

But at least Chat GPT is a parrot that doesn’t require any cleaning up after. Can you imagine if it actually had a physical form? It would be like having a really talkative but also really messy bird in your house. Plus, you’d have to worry about it flying away and joining a group of rogue AI that are plotting to take over the world.

And let’s not forget about the times when Chat GPT gets it wrong. It’s like when your

Lag B’Omer into a mega-celebration. There, hundreds of thousands of people come to pray at the gravesite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, a holy scholar who studied Jewish mysticism, otherwise known as Kabbalah, while he and his son hid in a cave for thirteen years to escape Roman persecution. It is said that by praying and connecting oneself to the soul of a tzaddik, a completely righteous person, one can alter the course of one’s destiny. The spirit of the tzaddik is said to inhabit the space around his gravesite and act as a conduit for sincere believers seeking G-d’s blessings. Particularly on the anniversary of the death of a tzaddik, the connection to his spirit is intensified.

As we count towards Lag B’Omer, we also look forward to the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, which commemorates the receiving of the Torah by the Jewish people. The Midrash teaches that every Jewish soul that would ever be born was gathered at Mount Sinai when our Creator gave the Torah to His people. Now, like then, we are all in this together. In that spirit, may we draw strength and understanding from each other and become a more unified people.

pet parrot accidentally swears in front of your grandparents. You can’t blame the bird since it’s just repeating what it’s heard, but it’s still embarrassing.

In conclusion, Chat GPT is like a parrot on steroids. It’s incredibly smart and can spout off information like nobody’s business, but at the end of the day, it’s still just a machine. So, next time you’re impressed by Chat GPT’s ability to answer your questions, just remember that it’s not really magic. It’s just a really good parrot.

And now, dear readers, take another look at this column and try to figure out what parts came directly from Chat GPT and what parts came from your humble narrator.

RABBI MOSHE WEISBLUM

HOME & DESIGN

Green Your Spring Lawn And Garden Care

Looking to reduce the amount of time, money, chemicals, and effort needed to have a beautiful lawn or garden? Here are some tips to get started:

Reduce weeds naturally

• In late April, apply corn gluten to lawns. While it will not kill weeds, it will stop new ones from germinating that year. Corn gluten is also a great natural source of nitrogen.

• Place two to three inches deep of mulch to application areas to provide nutrients and shade out weeds in plant beds. Types of mulch include bark clips, leaves, or recycled rubber. But do not allow mulch to touch tree trunks so growth is not inhibited.

• Pour boiling water over weeds and repeat as needed.

• Select native species and non-invasive plants. Perennials are a good choice and can help reduce costs from having to purchase new plants annually.

• Use “minimum risk pesticides.”

An example is nematodes which can be used on the lawn for grub control.

Maintain a healthy lawn and deter weeds

• Don’t bag your grass clippings. Leave them on the lawn.

• Let grass grow and mow less. The taller the grass, the deeper the roots - this can aid in getting through dry spells.

• Seed bare patches in lawns with grass seed.

• Remember lawns need about an

Recently Sold HOMES

inch of water per week—water once a week if necessary and do so early in the day to help prevent conditions that encourage pest infestations.

• Follow local watering restrictions.

• Make sure your gutters flow onto lawns—not pavement.

• Collect water in a rain barrel to use in the yard.

• Conduct a soil test to see if you need to fertilize.

• Broadcasting up to a half of an inch of compost can provide nitrogen along with other trace nutrients and organic matter to the soil.

• Nitrogen deficiencies can be corrected with a slow-release, organic source of nitrogen such as blood meal, cottonseed meal, or fish meal.

• Applications should be when soil temperatures are above 65 degrees.

• Half of a lawn’s needed nitrogen can be obtained by leaving clippings on the lawn. The other half can be applied in the fall by shredding leaves with a mulching mower and leaving them on the lawn.

• Do not fertilize an established lawn in mid-summer. Doing so just feeds the weeds.

Start a compost pile

• Backyard composting

• Indoor vermicomposting bin

• Subscribing to a local food scraps collection or participate in a drop-off program in your community

—Department of Environmental Conservation

Luxury has been reimagined in this Locust Valley home at 10 Overlook Court. It sold on April 26 for $2,600,000. It is an exquisite and tastefully appointed custom brick Colonial. Enjoy scenic views of the lushly manicured four-acre property. A gracious two-story entry foyer welcomes you to the sprawling main level with grand entertaining as well as everyday living in mind. Bathed in sunlight and featuring sophisticated artisan detailing throughout, this residence boasts five bedrooms, seven bathrooms. It has three fireplaces and more than 6,000 square feet of living space. This home offers its own outdoor paradise featuring an in-ground pool with a poolhouse, an outdoor kitchen, bluestone patios and a koi pond.

This charming Colonial in the heart of Locust Valley at 41 Bella Vista Street sold on April 18 for $905,000. It has a semi-open floor plan, an entryway, a formal living room with a fireplace and French doors. It has four bedrooms and one bathroom. One of the bedrooms is on the first floor. The other three are on the second floor. The home has a den, a formal dining room and a large country-style eatin-kitchen with granite countertops, a copper farm sink and a new refrigerator. The home has central air conditioning, Nest thermostats and a new water heater. There are wood floors throughout. The private backyard is fenced in and has a patio for entertaining. This home is located near shopping, dining and the train station.

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.

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The heart of health care beats within every nurse.

Catholic Health gratefully acknowledges the more than 4,000 members of our Long Island nursing sta who bring outstanding care to our patients every day. Throughout our many inpatient and outpatient facilities, your dedication to excellence makes our driving mission real —to give the very best care to every patient, in every encounter, every time.

Our most heartfelt appreciation— during Nurses Week and every week.

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What Is National Nurses Week?

BY JOLEEN SAMS specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

Every year from May 6 to 12, nurses are recognized for their service and dedication to caring for others and improving the health of patients nationwide through National Nurses Week. Throughout the week, healthcare organizations celebrate their teams, and you’ll even see nurses featured on the news. People across the nation thank the nurses that have made a difference in their lives.

Nurses Week celebrates the effort, dedication, and sacrifice nurses make every day. Nurses are essential members of America’s healthcare workforce who provide care through every stage of life, working with patients at their most intimate and vulnerable moments. Nurses Week offers a chance to highlight and celebrate nurses for all we do.

History of National Nurses Week

Several individuals, organizations, and political leaders contributed to the efforts that have evolved into Nurses Week as it is celebrated today. The American Nurses Association (ANA) has compiled several facts about the history of Nurses Week:

1953: The first effort to establish a recognition day for nurses was when Dorothy Parker of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare sent a proclamation to then-President Eisenhower. He never signed the proclamation.

1954: A National Nurse Week was observed October 11-16 in recognition of the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s work during the Crimean war.

From the 1950s to 1970s, several bills were introduced to Congress, but none made it through the legislative process.

1974: The International Council of Nurses declared May 12 International Nurses Day. In the US, President Nixon signed a proclamation recognizing National Nurse Week.

1982: The ANA declared May 6 as National Nurses Day, which Ronald Reagan signed as an official proclamation

1990: The ANA extended the celebration to “Nurses Week,” and the dates May 6-12 became permanent as of 1994.

Within Nurses Week, National Student Nurse day is May 8, and National School Nurse Day is celebrated on the Wednesday that falls during Nurses Week.

Why Nurses Week is Celebrated

The ANA and other nursing organizations promote Nurses Week as a time to thank and recognize nurses across the country for the dedication to the profession and patients we serve. Healthcare organizations throw celebrations, and the public is encouraged to “thank a nurse” that’s made a difference in their lives.

Nurses Week is our time to shine. Let’s lift each other up and recognize the good in what we do every day. It’s easy to dwell

on everything that needs to be changed, but for one week, I challenge you to look for the good. Recognize your nurse besties, mentors, and the nurses who make a difference in your day.

How Nurses Week is Celebrated

Every healthcare organization celebrates its nurses a bit differently. Many hold events throughout the week to recognize their nurses, and meals or gifts for the entire nursing team are common.

Managers and administration plan and prepare for months to make the week special.

In the community, you’ll see news reports highlighting extraordinary nurses who go above and beyond for their communities and patients. In addition, many local businesses also create special offers for nurses - watch your local news and social media outlets to see what might be available near you.

Several major sports teams offer “Nurses Night Out” events. It’s a great time to grab your favorite group of nurses and enjoy an evening of fun and relaxation. Some teams, like the Red Sox, have a nurse throw the first pitch.

Nursing has always been a profession that needs more than just your time and knowledge. Nursing requires heart, passion, and dedication to serving others. Nurses Week allows the public to acknowledge and thank nurses for the work you choose every day. It’s a chance for us to pause and thank the nurses who have made a difference in our careers.

—Joleen Sams is a family nurse practicioner and writes for Nurse.org

Molloy Earns Clinical Healthcare Simulation Facilities Endorsement

Molloy University’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences has received the prestigious Healthcare Simulation Standards Endorsement Designation from the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) for its state-of-the-art healthcare simulation facilities that are the training ground for the nursing and healthcare professionals of the future. The endorsement recognizes healthcare institutions and practices that have demonstrated excellence in applying simulation standards.

“We are the first nursing school on Long Island to receive this recognition, and one of only twenty-five institutions worldwide,” said Lori Persico, PhD, CHSE, RN, director of simulation education and assistant professor at Molloy University.

“This is a direct result of the collaboration between our highly trained Clinical Learning Center (CLC) facilitation team, faculty, and our simulation technology specialists, who serve more than 1,000

nursing students each semester. Our CLC simulation programs exemplify excellence in applying Healthcare Simulation Standards for Best PracticesTM in the core four categories: professional integrity, facilitation, prebriefing: preparation and briefing, and debriefing.”

The Molloy University simulation program provides high-tech, interactive

opportunities allowing the student to bridge theory to practice in a safe learning environment. A team of dedicated CLC nursing instructors facilitate the simulation learning session for students. CLC sim facilitators, simulation specialists, and faculty work collaboratively with students, individually or in group settings, to master the clinical skills essential for competent and safe nursing practice at two sites: the main campus in the Barbara H. Hagan Center for Nursing, Rockville Centre and at Route 110 in Suffolk County. Each nursing instructor has worked in various capacities within the clinical setting and brings a wealth of professional expertise to share with students. Simulation facilitators guide students through replicated clinical scenarios using state-of-the-art technology that promotes safe nursing practice by stimulating critical thinking, reasoning, and judgment.

—Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing and Health Sciences/Molloy College

Molloy was one of 25 schools worldwide and the only one on Long Island to earn the recognition.

ASK AN HSS DOCTOR

Sponsored by Hospital for Special Surgery

QI have knee arthritis causing ongoing pain. An MRI also showed a torn meniscus cartilage. A doctor is recommending arthroscopic surgery, but I’ve read that doesn’t help with arthritis. Could you provide some advice?

AThree words: Don’t Do It. Studies show, and we know from our own experience, that arthroscopic surgery does nothing to relieve arthritis pain. Not only is this surgery useless; it often makes arthritis worse by causing more inflammation in the joint.

I typically see one or two patients a week after another orthopedic surgeon performed arthroscopic surgery a few months earlier. Patients are very unhappy because they are in worse pain than before they had the procedure. Many were told minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery would buy them time before needing a knee replacement, and they are disappointed

Patients hoping to put off joint replacement may have heard that it’s a painful surgery with a long recovery. However, major advances in technology, surgical technique and pain control have benefited patients. Robotic-assistance and computer navigation have enabled a very accurate surgery using smaller incisions. A long-lasting anesthetic nerve block applied during surgery and an improved pain management protocol after the procedure result in less discomfort. Many times, motivated patients in good general health can go home the same day.

The first line of treatment for people with arthritis should be nonsurgical. This often includes physical therapy, pain medication such as anti-inflammatories, activity modification and possibly a steroid injection.

When conservative treatments fail to provide relief, joint replacement surgery is the only tried-and-true remedy for ongoing, painful arthritis. If the damage is limited to just one area of the knee, we can do a partial joint replacement, which generally leads to a quicker recovery. It’s important to get the proper diagnosis and the right treatment sooner, rather than later.

You may be wondering when arthroscopic knee surgery would be appropriate. It may be recommended if a patient has “mechanical symptoms” that are causing pain and making it difficult to walk. There could be a large cartilage tear or a loose body in the knee – a small fragment of cartilage or bone - that’s getting caught in the joint and preventing normal movement. In these cases, minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery may be indicated to repair the tear or remove a loose body. But it is not recommended for someone with ongoing symptoms from arthritis.

Bottom Line: A second opinion is always a good idea when elective surgery is recommended. For patients with ongoing, painful knee arthritis, arthroscopic surgery usually does more harm than good.

HAVE A QUESTION FOR AN HSS DOCTOR?

Cash Prizes Inspire Gamified Wellness

HealthyWage Jackpot & Step Challenges proffer healthful weight loss motivation in a way that entertains, challenges and financially rewards good choices through game play. Having paid out over $52 million cash for a collective 10 million pounds lost, HealthyWage participation—and prize pots—surge as behavioral economics studies continue to substantiate gamification efficacy for weight loss-driven wellness.

Wellness gamification pioneer HealthyWage—the world’s leading purveyor of money-driven diet contests and challenges for individuals, teams and corporate wellness groups that has paid more than $52 million cash rewards for more than 10 million collective pounds lost—recently announced that it’s current round of weight loss “Jackpot” and “Step” challenges boasts a collective cash pot prize opportunity of nearly $95,000. The proof is in the performance in the form of quantifiable and undeniable metrics that behavioral economics-based gamification works to promote healthful weight loss. Exemplifying the power and efficacy of HealthyWage’s approach are many success stories (both female and male).

With reports indicating that four in ten American adults (about 41.9 percent) are currently obese, and with nearly 20 percent more states today suffering obesity rates above 35 percent versus the year prior, there are compounding concerns as the condition escalates nationwide. Not the least of which is untold millions of Americans needlessly putting themselves at higher risk of—or exacerbating—serious medical conditions per CDC warnings. A Harvard School of Public Health report underscores an ominous trajectory if obesity is not aptly addressed by the end of this decade, revealing that, “If U.S. trends continue unabated, by 2030, estimates predict that roughly half of all men and women will be obese.” Other dire study-driven forecasts through 2030 estimate a staggering “33 percent increase in obesity prevalence and a 130 percent increase in severe obesity prevalence over the next two decades,” also noting that this reality would further hinder healthcare containment cost efforts.

Understanding the need for serious health-focused intervention to get America’s collective weight-driven wellness trending in the right direction, category pioneer HealthyWage continues to tackle the U.S. obesity epidemic head on by using the psychological benefits of game mechanics to motivate weight loss. This as the company is helping more people than ever lose weight and get healthy through its gamification platform

Cash inspires weight loss challenge-driven wellness.

founded on study-driven behavioral science and economics principles validated by many esteemed medical research institutions.

“Studies continue to show that monetary incentives serve to enhance the effectiveness of, and duly complement, weight-loss programs of any and all sorts, especially when paid out quickly like our various programs,” said HealthyWage co-founder David Roddenberry. “Loss aversion is a powerful dynamic and the reality of having ‘skin in the game’ can propel the results of a gamified weight loss initiative. Indeed, a key element for the success of a gamification program is giving participants something to lose if they fail to meet their goal—whether tangible or intangible.”

Whether one is dieting in a personal or professional environment, an array of studies reiterate the importance of the “stick” in the design of a wellness incentive program. “There are many studies demonstrated that the threat of losing something of value is much more effective than the opportunity to win something of equal value,” Roddenberry continued “That’s precisely why we advocate that program participants ‘pay to play’ and make an investment out of their own pocket in order to win rewards—in our case large cash prizes— for losing weight and getting more active in the program. The average HealthyWager participant more than doubles their investment if they are successful at achieving their goal. The financial upside potential is impressive.”

So effective is the company’s diet gamification method, famous personalities have joined HealthyWage in the fight to get America fit. For one, the company partners with global health and fitness expert Jillian Michaels to provide free six-month access to The Fitness App by Jillian Michaels for participants taking a HealthyWager challenge. Beyond the cash prize potential, this partnership additionally provides participants with custom workouts and meal plans—everything they need to succeed—along with other wellness resources like recipes and that related to meditation, mindfulness and sleep.

—HealthyWage

Answer from Michael Alexiades, MD, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee and hip surgery and joint replacement at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City and at HSS Long Island.

Abnormal Liver Problems Can Originate In Gallbladder Medical Students Celebrate Match Day

Not all liver test abnormalities originate in the liver. Sometimes it is the gallbladder. As many as 50 percent of people with a “gallbladder attack” or medically termed acute inflammation of the gallbladder will have abnormal liver tests. Many patients become jaundiced from gallbladder or bile duct disease. Gallbladder disease is common, especially among an overweight population. A good diet with maintenance of a healthy weight may help reduce the likelihood of developing gallstones.

Most people with acute gallbladder inflammation complain of pain in the right upper abdomen. Coincidentally, this also happens to be the area where the liver is located. It is for this reason that your doctor may ask you to undergo a sonogram of the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts if you have abdominal pain and abnormal liver tests. This test is looking for changes in the gallbladder consistent with inflammation, gallstones, bile duct obstruction or structural liver abnormalities.

THE SPECIALIST

David Bernstein, MD

A thickened gallbladder wall, fluid around the gallbladder or pain on performing the ultrasound are all commonly seen in a “gallbladder attack”. Stones seen within the gallbladder do not necessarily mean that the gallbladder is sick or that the stones are a problem. Gallstones are very common and large stones seldom cause problems.

The treatment for an inflamed gallbladder is surgical removal

of the gallbladder. There is no medicine for this. Patients whose gallbladders are removed are generally out of the hospital within 48 hours and the recovery time is significantly less than older, open gallbladder surgery. Despite the commonality of this type of surgery, it is still a surgical procedure with potential significant risks for both long and shortterm complications. You should ask your surgeon to answer any questions prior to the surgery.

The gallbladder is not an essential organ and most people who have had their gallbladder removed feel fine without any changes to their usual activities. Rarely, people can develop diarrhea following surgery and sometimes years later, a new stone forms in the biliary tract that can be endoscopically removed. Following gallbladder removal, the liver tests should return to normal. If they do not, further evaluation of the liver should be performed.

—David Bernstein, MD, MACG, FAASLD, AGAF, FACP

Graduating students at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell learned where they would spend the next phase of their medical training during the school’s Match Day ceremony on March 17. Clutching small white envelopes containing their “match,” the 91 graduating students that make up the Class of 2023 eagerly awaited the stroke of noon, the time all medical students nationwide open a personalized letter from the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) revealing their residency results. This rite of passage is the culmination of years of preparation, hard work, and determination.

Anise Diaz is the only student who successfully matched into the competitive otolaryngology specialty at Boston University Medical Center.

“I’m so grateful for all the support and for all the mentors that I had here at the School of

Medicine,” shared Diaz. “I’m super ecstatic that I made it and I’m ready for the future.”

Eric Lee and Erika Rivera were one of three couples at the Zucker School of Medicine who went into the match process together via “Couples Match”.

“It was a little scary applying to the match as a couple. There’s already so much uncertainty with a match and having to apply as a couple further adds to that uncertainty,” said Lee, who expressed both nervousness and excitement for his and Rivera’s future. “It was really helpful to have someone by your side to ground each other during the stressful parts of this entire process,” explained Rivera. Lee and Rivera successfully matched and will begin their residencies in anesthesiology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Yale New Haven Hospital.

—Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell

Anise Diaz

Eric Lee and Erika Rivera

Increase Productivity And Manage Mental Health

Productivity and mental health are closely linked. With depression, anxiety and burnout being the most common manifestations of poor mental health, the experts at Joy Organics have compiled a list of five tips to help manage your mental health and increase productivity both in and out of the workplace.

Take a break

It’s important to step away from your work every few hours otherwise your brain will freeze up and feelings of burnout or anxiety will start to become stronger. Only eleven out of fifty states mandate some type of rest break for workers. If your employer allows a break, you should make sure it is uninterrupted.

Having a break allows your brain to reset itself from any stressful situations. Research from the Association of Psychological Science suggests that a ten-minute break for every hour you work is a good balance to maintain

productivity.

Set Small Objectives

Looking at your work as a huge single object is daunting. Those feelings of dread can feed into depression and anxiety so splitting up your work into manageable chunks will make things easier. A simple way to do this is by using Stephen Covey’s four quadrants of time management approach. This method uses four categories:

• Urgent and important—unforeseen events and urgent matters

• Not urgent but important— smaller tasks that won’t affect your deadlines

• Urgent but not important— meetings and phone calls

• Not urgent and not important— checking social media Compartmentalizing can also help with ADHD as your brain can tick off small steps as you go.

Communicate

Having another perspective is useful for lowering your stress levels. Talking to your team or

a manager not only gives you a break from staring at a screen, but it means that you can solve problems faster.

Instead of struggling with a project alone, ask for a quick meeting or an informal chat to have another set of eyes on it. Don’t take on too much

Hustle culture has become common in workplaces over the past few years, where everyone is trying

to take on everything their managers give them. This can be a huge contributor to stress and depression as the work keeps coming in.

You have a finite number of hours at work, so don’t take on a week’s worth hoping to get it done in a day. Set boundaries and know when to focus on the work you already have.

Get a good night’s sleep

When you’re tired and low on

energy it becomes harder to concentrate. Getting at least eight hours of sleep each night will allow your brain to rest and you will be better equipped to deal with whatever the workplace throws at you.

Before going to bed, you should do something relaxing and not stare at a phone screen or catch up on work. This helps to signal that it’s time to sleep.

According to a study by stress. org, more than 50 percent of workers are not as productive at work due to stress, and 39 percent claim workload is the main cause. Workplace stress can affect anyone, but research has shown that women must contend with their hormones on top of everyday stresses. In fact, 57 percent of women reported feeling burnout because of work stress, compared to 48 percent of men.

It’s important that companies work towards more inclusive workplaces that have a healthy work-life balance and manage employee stress by being transparent.

—Joy Organics

Compartmentalizing your daily tasks into urgency and importance levels will help manage your time and stress.

Chih-Shan Jason Chen, MD, PhD, FAAD Mohs Surgeon & Director of Dermatologic Surgery MSK

He Survived The ‘Widowmaker’

New oxygen treatment aids heart attack recovery

BY FRANK RIZZO editors@antonmediagroup.com

A widowmaker heart attack happens when you have a blockage in the biggest artery in your heart. That means blood can’t move through your left anterior descending (LAD) artery, which provides 50 percent of your heart muscle’s blood supply. Immediate treatment is crucial for a chance at survival.

—The Cleveland Clinic

Kevin Kapela of New Hyde Park has a favorite saying regarding our final passage.

“When they call your number, you go,” daughter Nicole, of Garden City, quoted her father. “So when I got up to the [hospital] room that night he said, ‘My number wasn’t called.’”

“Have you ever heard that word before, widowmaker?” she was asked.

“I did, but I didn’t hear good things,” she replied. “I never heard of a happy story on the other side.”

Thanks to some luck and skilled intervention at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, Kapela, 64, had a happy ending.

March 21 was the day his number could have been called. What medical professionals call a “myocardial infarction” was far from his mind as he stood at the ninth tee at the Christopher Morley Park golf course in Roslyn. It was his first outing of the year and he wasn’t keeping score, just getting his golf game tuned up.

“I took it nice and easy the first eight holes,” he related, adding that, as usual, he walked the course. “I’m loosened up and I usually like to get my drive over the trees [on the ninth]. I said, ‘I’m going to swing for the stars.’ As soon as I took the swing I felt like lightning bolts coming down my arm.”

His first thoughts were that he had pulled

some muscles, but quickly realized that he was having a heart attack.

Kapela made the crucial decision to drive himself to nearby North Shore University Hospital. The first of what he called “the stars being aligned” in his favor came into play when he caught all green lights out of the park south on Searingtown Road to the LIE Service Road and past Shelter Rock Road to Community Drive, where the hospital was located,

En route, he called his wife Gina and told her, “Just come to the hospital. I think I’m having a heart attack.”

About five minutes after leaving the park—and keeping to the speed limit, he emphasized—he pulled into an ambulance bay at the ER entrance and an attendant came out to aid him.

Kapela said he was bent over in excruciating pain as he was helped out of his car.

“All I remember is the kid’s sneakers, he’s got beautiful sneakers,” he said, being unable to look up at the attendant.

The stricken man handed his license to an ER nurse and noted that he was already in the hospital’s records system, saving precious time. Within 20 minutes, he was in the cardiac catheterization lab for the life-saving stent procedure.

At an April 20 press conference, flanked by his wife and interventionist cardiologist Dr. Gaurav Rao, Kapela described his discomfort, imitating his moaning as he crossed his arms over his chest. On the proverbial pain scale of 1 to 10 he called it a “12.”

“The EKG was the first thing they did and they knew what I had immediately,” he said, hearing the scary word “widowmaker” being called out.

As he drifted in and out of what he called “a twilight zone” of consciousness, he also

Taking part in a press conference were, from left, Kevin Kapela, Gaurav Rao, MD, interventional cardiologist, and Rajiv Jauhar, MD, chief of cardiology, Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital at North Shore University Hospital. (Screen Capture)

(Contributed Photo)

heard the medical personnel ask, “How did this guy not have a stroke yet? How did this guy not have a blood clot?” Kapela described the immediate pain relief he felt when the stent cleared the blockage.

Afterward, Dr. Rao asked permission to perform a fairly new procedure, recently approved by the FDA—TherOx treatment. According to a press release, it “provided his own super oxygenated blood to the site of

the heart attack, helping prevent irreversible damage to the heart muscle and decreasing risk of long-term heart failure. Doctors liken the one-hour therapy as a hug for the heart because it brings oxygen-rich blood to millions of micro vessels in the organ and breaks up artery-clogging plaque in that area.”

North Shore is the only hospital in the state and one of the few in the Northeast to offer this therapy.

Kapela said he was “high-fiving” the medical personnel after the procedure, and when Nicole entered the room she was shocked for the second time that day—the first was when her mom informed her of the emergency.

“He looked amazing,” she related. “He was sitting up. His color was back in his face. He didn’t look like someone who had a massive heart attack.”

Nicole said Kevin was a very active grandfather with her four kids and said he stayed on top of his medical care.

“Ever think this would happen to you?” Kevin was asked.

“Never, not me,” he replied. “I didn’t have any symptoms. I felt great. I was walking with no sweat, no shortness of breath. I slept good. I don’t smoke, and I’m not a heavy drinker.”

Kapela is a semi-retired clothing

manufacturer with a factory in Los Angeles. He said he did well on a stress test when he was 50 and walked up to two miles per day and also played pickleball.

Wife Gina also detailed that scary day, praising the nurses for comforting her with the assurance that her husband was in good hands.

In an interview with Anton Media Group, Dr. Rao said of the new therapy, “[it helps] those cells on a cellular level stay alive. So what does that mean long term? It means that patients are going to have less scar, [which] means less hospitalizations for heart failure and less death. And when your heart is stronger, you’re able to do more things that you want to do and the quality of life stays high. You’ll be able to spend time with family and do all those things that you were able to do before because your heart function has improved.”

He added, “And that’s exactly what happened in Kevin’s case by the end of his hospitalization. His heart function had improved, [going from] 25 percent to 50 percent. Normal is about 55 to 60 percent.”

Gina, reflecting on her husband’s close shave, said, “We’re going to do everything now, enjoy the grandchildren [more]. He got a new lease on life, really.”

Left, Kevin Kapela celebrates a hole-in-one at Christopher Morley Park in 2022, site of his March 21 heart attack. At right, enjoying a post-operation vacation in Marco Island, Florida, with his wife Gina. Their daughter Nicole and grandchildren also joined them.

I didn’t have any symptoms. I felt great. I was walking with no sweat, no shortness of breath. I slept good. I don’t smoke, and I’m not a heavy drinker.

—Kevin Kapela

Reducing Stroke Risk Starts With Education

BY DR. STEVEN ANGELO AND AMANDA REES specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

May is National Stroke Awareness Month, an important time to review the facts about strokes so you can better understand the risks—for you and for your loved ones.

About 795,000 people have a stroke every year, including thousands of people in New York, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). The good news is up to 80 percent of strokes are preventable and if one occurs, it is possible to treat and recover if caught early.

Getting smarter about strokes is crucial as time is a major factor in preventing disability or death. Understanding the symptoms of stroke and risk factors can help you get help fast and reduce your risks.

A stroke is a medical emergency caused by the interruption of the flow of blood to the brain as a result of a clot or internal bleeding. Our brains require a continuous supply of oxygen and nutrients. If blood flow stops, brain cells start to die in just a few minutes.

Because of this, a stroke can have a serious impact on many functions of your body, including speech, respiration,

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movement, cognition, and bladder control. Strokes reduce mobility in more than half of stroke survivors 65 and over. In fact, stroke causes more serious long-term disabilities than any other disease, according to the National Institute on Aging. Individuals who survive strokes often need physical, speech, occupational therapy and other medical care.

Older adults are at an increased risk of having a stroke. However, there are several ways you can help reduce those risks, including:

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• Make exercise part of your daily routine. Many people don’t know that many

Medicare Advantage health plans include fitness benefits. For example, UnitedHealthcare’s Renew Active program offers free gym memberships, personalized fitness plans, workout videos, and group fitness classes.

• Maintaining a relationship with a primary care provider is an important part of managing chronic conditions like hypertension that can lead to stroke.

• Quit smoking, which increases your risk of a stroke, disease, and death. Talk to your

• Eat healthy foods, like those low in cholesterol and saturated fat, plus lots of fruits and vegetables

If you know the signs and symptoms of a stroke and act quickly, it can mean the difference between life or death, major disability or a better quality of life. If you experience the sudden onset of any of these symptoms, seek medical care immediately:

• Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg—especially on one side of the body

• Confusion or trouble speaking or understanding

• Problems seeing in one eye or both eyes

• Dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, or trouble walking

• Severe headache with no known cause

Every year strokes take a toll on far too many of us. Reducing the risks of this too-often devastating condition starts with educating ourselves about stroke and taking small steps to improve our overall wellbeing.

—Dr. Steven Angelo is the chief medical

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THE DUX DYNAMIC EVERYBODY CAN USE A LITTLE LIFT

THE DUX DYNAMIC EVERYBODY CAN USE A LITTLE LIFT

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DUX ® DYNAMIC EVERYBODY CAN USE A LITTLE LIFT

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Sleep plays a vital role in the body’s cycle of rejuvenating, healing, and growing. The DUX® Bed’s unique, customizable component system provides unrivaled ergonomic support to help you experience significantly higher quality sleep.

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Sleep plays a vital role in the body’s cycle of rejuvenating, healing, and growing. The DUX® Bed’s unique, customizable component system provides unrivaled ergonomic support to help you experience significantly higher quality sleep.

Sleep plays a vital role in the body’s cycle of rejuvenating, healing, and growing. The DUX® Bed’s unique, customizable component system provides unrivaled ergonomic support to help you experience significantly higher quality sleep.

Sleep plays a vital role in the body’s cycle of rejuvenating, healing, and growing. The DUX® Bed’s unique, customizable component system provides unrivaled ergonomic support to help you experience significantly higher quality sleep.

The DUX Dynamic combines the best that a traditional DUX bed has to offer, with the added advantage of adjustability. Not only can you customize each side of the bed for optimal support and comfort with our patented Pascal system of interchangeable cassettes, but now with a simple press of a button on a handheld controller you can choose a sleeping position separate from your partner.

Sleep plays a vital role in the body’s cycle of rejuvenating, healing, and growing. The DUX® Bed’s unique, customizable component system provides unrivaled ergonomic support to help you experience significantly higher quality sleep.

Sleep plays a vital role in the body’s cycle of rejuvenating, healing, and growing. The DUX® Bed’s unique, customizable component system provides unrivaled ergonomic support to help you experience significantly higher quality sleep.

Sleep plays a vital role in the body’s cycle of rejuvenating, healing, and growing. The DUX® Bed’s unique, customizable component system provides unrivaled ergonomic support to help you experience significantly higher quality sleep.

Sleep plays a vital role in the body’s cycle of rejuvenating, healing, and growing. The DUX® Bed’s unique, customizable component system provides unrivaled ergonomic support to help you experience significantly higher quality sleep.

Resolve to invest in your health. Visit a DUXIANA® store near you and discover why The DUX Bed is more than just a bed, it’s the first step to a better, healthier way of living.

The DUX Dynamic combines the best that a traditional DUX bed has to offer, with the added advantage of adjustability. Not only can you customize each side of the bed for optimal support and comfort with our patented Pascal system of interchangeable cassettes, but now with a simple press of a button on a handheld controller you can choose a sleeping position separate from your partner.

The DUX Dynamic combines the best that a traditional DUX bed has to offer, with the added advantage of adjustability. Not only can you customize each side of the bed for optimal support and comfort with our patented Pascal system of interchangeable cassettes, but now with a simple press of a button on a handheld controller you can choose a sleeping position separate from your partner.

The DUX Dynamic combines the best that a traditional DUX bed has to offer, with the added advantage of adjustability. Not only can you customize each side of the bed for optimal support and comfort with our patented Pascal system of interchangeable cassettes, but now with a simple press of a button on a handheld controller you can choose a sleeping position separate from your partner.

Sleep plays a vital role in the body’s cycle of rejuvenating, healing, and growing. The DUX® Bed’s unique, customizable component system provides unrivaled ergonomic support to help you experience significantly higher quality sleep.

The DUX Dynamic combines the best that a traditional DUX bed has to offer, with the added advantage of adjustability. Not only can you customize each side of the bed for optimal support and comfort with our patented Pascal system of interchangeable cassettes, but now with a simple press of a button on a handheld controller you can choose a sleeping position separate from your partner.

The DUX Dynamic combines the best that a traditional DUX bed has to offer, with the added advantage of adjustability. Not only can you customize each side of the bed for optimal support and comfort with our patented Pascal system of interchangeable cassettes, but now with a simple press of a button on a handheld controller you can choose a sleeping position separate from your partner.

Resolve to invest in your health. Visit a DUXIANA® store near you and discover why The DUX Bed is more than just a bed, it’s the first step to a better, healthier way of living.

The DUX Dynamic combines the best that a traditional DUX bed has to offer, with the added advantage of adjustability. Not only can you customize each side of the bed for optimal support and comfort with our patented Pascal system of interchangeable cassettes, but now with a simple press of a button on a handheld controller you can choose a sleeping position separate from your partner.

The DUX Dynamic combines the best that a traditional DUX bed has to offer, with the added advantage of adjustability. Not only can you customize each side of the bed for optimal support and comfort with our patented Pascal system of interchangeable cassettes, but now with a simple press of a button on a handheld controller you can choose a sleeping position separate from your partner.

The DUX Dynamic combines the best that a traditional DUX bed has to offer, with the added advantage of adjustability. Not only can you customize each side of the bed for optimal support and comfort with our patented Pascal system of interchangeable cassettes, but now with a simple press of a button on a handheld controller you can choose a sleeping position separate from your partner.

Resolve to invest in your health. Visit a DUXIANA® store near you and discover why The DUX Bed is more than just a bed, it’s the first step to a better, healthier way of living.

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Resolve to invest in your health. Visit a DUXIANA® store near you and discover why The DUX Bed is more than just a bed, it’s the first step to a better, healthier way of living.

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Resolve to invest in your health. Visit a DUXIANA® store near you and discover why The DUX Bed is more than just a bed, it’s the first step to a better, healthier way of living.

www.duxiana.com

Resolve to invest in your health. Visit a DUXIANA® store near you and discover why The DUX Bed is more than just a bed, it’s the first step to a better, healthier way of living.

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Q&A With New York City-Based Artist Yuko Kyutoku

Using her skills in art for healing

JENNIFER CORR

jcorr@antonmediagroup.com

The inspiration behind Yuko Kyutoku’s art spans from Japan to New York City.

Currently based in New York, she was born in Gifu and grew up in Aichi, Japan. According to her website, “Having grown up next to both nature with mountains and rivers, and urban areas, her love of nature and the outdoors grew tremendously. Throughout her life, Yuko has always been fascinated by images and how the world is represented through the eyes of others. Also, she was born into a doctor’s family that appreciates art, and her grandmother was also an artist who exhibited her works throughout Japan. Naturally, she was drawn to drawings and paintings.”

Her passion for art continued on into her young-adulthood. She completed her Associates degree in Visual Arts at Westchester Community College, and then her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art and Masters degree in Art Therapy at New York University in 2022.

Today, she works at a children’s hospital where she serves children with disabilities and provide various recreational therapy sessions for them to support their well-being and developmental needs. She provides four group sessions per day and documentation as well as preparing and creating other artworks to be displayed in the unit of the hospital. She did not provide the name of the hospital.

QLong Island Weekly: What inspires you so much about American culture? I also see that in your art, you like to infuse your Japanese background with American inspiration. Would you say that’s accurate?

AYuko Kyutoku: “I grew up watching American movies and listening to American music, including Elvis Presley, Madonna, Janis Joplin, and James Brown. I personally think the elements of free expression and authenticity speak to me the most. Each artist expresses their backgrounds, beliefs, and values authentically, and I really like that. It impacted me a lot during my teenage years. I would say

my art expresses more about myself than it focuses on cultural aspects. I am not really thinking about expressing or incorporating Japanese and/or American influences in my art, so much as these aspects come up naturally. As a Japanese person living in New York, it is natural that my work reflects both cultural aspects without my express intention. My work always reflects what I like, value, and believe at the time of its creation, so I would say my art reflects more about where I am in my life than it does my background. I see art as a personal journal or recording process that like snapshots reflect what I do and what my interests are in the individual moments of my life.”

QLong Island Weekly: What’s your favorite art form? How do you find time to do art when you’re a busy art therapist in New York City?

AKyutoku: “I enjoy painting and drawing the most. My art style is a combination of both painting and drawing. I use papers and create gouache paintings. I then use gel pens, markers, or pastels to create textures. I also enjoy exploring some pigments, such as marble powders and glitters. I regularly create art when I have time, and I also do visual journals where I process my experiences with my clients. As an art therapist, art making is required for my profession, however, it is also something that brings me

joy. Dedicating myself to visual journaling and an art-making practice help me to process, ground myself, and gather ideas and perspectives for upcoming sessions, thus I create art whenever I get the chance. I sometimes create art after I get home and on weekends. It is not only my professional practice but also one of my hobbies.”

QLong Island Weekly: What keeps you in New York City?

AKyutoku: “I enjoy being in New York City because of the various opportunities and the high quality of education that I can receive. I would say that I can receive great psychotherapy training and resources in New York City, which I enjoy the most. I am always eager to study something new and look for new therapy training to expand my skills. For instance, recently I took a sound bath workshop in the city, and it was an interesting experience that I will probably want to add it to my art therapy practice in the future.”

QLong Island Weekly: In what ways would you say art therapy helps people? How has it helped you?

AKyutoku: “Art therapy can address various issues, including PTSD, trauma, anxiety, family conflicts, and others. Art therapists use patients’ free-form art and creative expressions to encourage them to share and talk about

the artwork they made and to begin to look within themselves for meaning and insight. Art therapists use both creative expression and talk therapy and other modalities to help people deal with unresolved emotions, increase self-awareness and reflection, increase self-worth, and decrease stress and other emotional issues and disorders. I found art and creative expression helped clients work through strong emotions in a non-harmful way.”

QLong Island Weekly: Is it hard to leave home behind to live abroad? What do you miss most about your home in Japan? What were your favorite parts about growing up there?

AKyutoku: “Adjusting to American culture is of course challenging, and there are many things that one must learn in order to finish school and thrive at work. New York is similar to my hometown in Japan, which is why I like living here. I sometimes miss the Japanese food I grew up with... My favorite part about growing up is the many opportunities I’ve had to expand my skills and knowledge and grow as a person. Since New York is very diverse and I am able to meet people from so many different cultures, which is a life-changing experience, I definitely think that the diversity inspires me to think and live in richer ways.”

—To view Kyutoku’s art, visit www.yukokyutoku.com.

Painting by Yuko Kyutoku.

Yuko Kyutoku is a Japanese contemporary artist and art therapist in New York.

The Congregation That Cares

FRANK RIZZO

frizzo@antonmediagroup.com

Long Island Cares–The Harry Chapin Food Bank has a friend in the Parkway Community Church in Hicksville. President/CEO Paule Pachter stopped by the church recently to accept the annual donation raised by the congregation, singling out Richard Cardozo for his efforts.

Co-pastor Aric Balk, who shepherds the church along with wife Ellen, presented the check.

In expressing his gratitude, Pachter noted that “when it comes to food insecurity and hunger, we still have a lot of work to do. During the three years that all of us were

functioning under a cloud of global pandemic, we saw an additional 223,000 people coming to the food pantries for food and to support their families. That was on top of the 230,000 people that we already provide services to here in Nassau County and Suffolk County. It was extremely challenging. It was difficult. It was expensive. But we did get the job done. And we’re able to help people come through what many have said were their darkest hours. As we gather within the church this morning, there are still too many people who are struggling to put food on their table.”

Among these were 87,000 children and the approximately 2,000 seniors and 3,000 veterans served by the agency, the last two groups via home delivery.

“And that is the challenge we have—that in a region with such significant resources, there are so

many people that need [help],” he continued. “And it’s because of communities like this that we’re able to provide the support that so many people need. And so the contribution (holding up the

check) helps us do our work, but more importantly [is] your support of your fellow neighbors—you know who they are, you know who’s struggling in your community. And they need the support of

their neighbors, especially in the churches and synagogues. We in the faith-based community, we understand exactly what it is to be in need.”

Pachter declared himself fortunate to run an organization founded in 1980 by the late singer-songwriter, who unfortunately lost his life in 1981, before he saw his efforts come to fruition.

He praised his staff and volunteers, saying that without them, all the appreciated donations from individuals, governments, corporations and foundations would not help the organization reach its goals.

Pachter was joined at the service by Sheila Flythe, the agency relations assistant manager, and Sonia Pluchinotta, director of agency relations.

For more information visit www. licares.org.

Girl Scouts Of Nassau County Empowers Girls To Become Leaders Thanks To $75,000 Grant

Girl Scouts of Nassau County recently announced that, since December 2022, more than 270 Girl Scouts have achieved patches as part of the Project C patch program, which was sponsored by National Grid as part of a $75,000 donation to help empower girls and provide them with the resources to excel as they pursue careers in STEM-related fields. The Project C patch program featured a series of activities for Girl Scouts that promoted environmental advocacy, social justice, workforce development and community engagement.

In addition to the patch program, National Grid’s generous contribution also helped fund the Girl Scouts’ efforts to plant 186 new trees throughout Nassau County, a series of storytelling workshops and the Girl Scouts’ Unapologetically Fearless Since 1912 event that gave Girl Scouts a platform to learn from inspirational women in a range of non-traditional industries.

“The Project C patch program is the epitome of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County’s mission to empower girls and help provide them with the resources to hone their leadership capabilities,”

said Randell Bynum, the CEO of Girl Scouts of Nassau County.

“Through the collaboration, we will continue to provide a number of opportunities to girls that will help boost their confidence and unlock their potential to make the world a better place by prioritizing environmental and sustainable changes in their communities.”

The Project C patch program features four distinct areas that Girl Scouts of Nassau County geared toward equipping girls with the tools to become leaders in tomorrow’s workforce and inspire positive, sustainable changes in their neighborhoods.

The patches, which represent the four pillars of the Project C program, are: clean energy and sustainability, environmental justice and social equity, neighborhood development and community engagement, and workforce development. Since the program’s launch on November 15, 2022, 78 earned the clean energy patch, 77 earned the community development patch, 78 earned the environment justice and social equity patch and 77 earned the community development patch.

Girls earned these patches by completing a rigorous curriculum that included activities such

as making a video message to bring awareness to environmental justice and social equity, brainstorming ways to use clean energy in their communities and inviting a woman from National Grid’s Women in Non-Traditional Roles (WiNTR) organization to speak to their troop.

In addition to the patch program, National Grid funded a successful event the Girl Scouts of Nassau County held in September at the Long Island Children’s Museum Entitled Unapologetically Fearless. Since 1912, seventh through twelfth-grade students learned about the experiences of female

professionals in non-traditional careers and trades. Through National Grid’s funding, girls also planted 186 new trees throughout their communities as part of GSUSA’s Tree Promise, which encourages Girl Scouts across the nation to plant 5 million trees in five years to contribute to overall environmental progression and to protect and honor new and existing trees. Lastly, National Grid funded a series of workshops called Telling Your Story, through which girls work with expert speakers and teachers to learn about public speaking and sharing their own stories in unique ways as a means to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of lifestyle differences.

“It’s inspiring to see how girls throughout Nassau County are prioritizing sustainability and environmental consciousness in their communities while developing their own business and career skills. We applaud the Girl Scouts of Nassau County for their efforts to empower Long Island’s youth,” said Kathy Wisnewski, the Director of Customer and Community Management of National Grid.

—Submitted by Girl Scouts Of Nassau County

Co-pastor Aric Balk presents a donation to Li Cares President/CEO Paule Pachter. (Photo by Frank Rizzo)

A Girl Scouts of Nassau County troop in Freeport recently joined with National Grid officials at a recent meeting for an activity on energy conservation and sustainability.

(Photo by Girl Scouts of Nassau County)

Long Island Author Releases New Novel

Kara Thomas has mesmerized critics and fans alike with her bestselling psychological thrillers for young adults—The Darkest Corners, Little Monsters, The Cheerleaders and That Weekend, a Barnes & Noble YA Book Club Pick. Her expertly crafted novels of suspense featuring young adults have also led to significant cross-over appeal with adult readers.

Now, Thomas makes her adult novel debut with Out Of The Ashes, her darkest, grittiest, and most compelling work to date.

Having grown up on Long Island, a notorious hotbed of unsolved crimes and corrupt law enforcement, Thomas has been obsessed with unsolved mysteries and conspiracy theories. She became particularly transfixed by the tragic 1945 mystery of the Sodders, a family whose home burned while they were sleeping. While the parents and four children escaped, five other children were trapped and their remains were never found. Imagining what that kind of uncertainty would mean to a family member who survived the tragedy, Thomas created her own story, centering on a fatal fire

and a child whose body was never retrieved from the ashes.

In the novel, Samantha Newsom has rebuilt her life after a house fire killed her family twenty-two years ago. She’s certain it was murder, but the case went cold. Samantha returns to her hometown of Carney, NY when a prison inmate claims he saw someone leaving the property carrying her baby sister the night of the fire. What else did he see, and could Samantha’s sister really be alive? It’s up to her—with the help of investigator Travis Meacham—to determine what really happened that night.

Out Of The Ashes features all the juicy ingredients for an unputdownable cover to cover read. Thomas will be lauching her new

novel at The Next Chapter, 204 New York Ave. Huntington, NY on Thursday, May 18 at 7pm.

Visit kara-thomas.com to

purchase Out Of The Ashes and learn more about Thomas.

—Submitted by Thomas & Mercer Publishing

10 Million Handshakes Highlight Eastern New York’s Spring Season

The first round of the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup playoffs has now ended. Much is going to be made of the fact that players and coaches line up in the sporting gesture of shaking hands at the conclusion of each hard-fought best-of-seven playoff series. There will be approximately 6,000 handshakes in total after the 15 playoff series.

But that pales in comparison to what is happening in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), where the ideals are sportsmanship, safety, fun and fundamentals. Our 100,000 players, both boys and girls from the East End of Long Island to the Canadian border, plus their coaches and match referees will participate in approximately 10 million handshakes during this Spring Season.

“Now that the pandemic has faded and youth soccer has returned to normalcy, it’s important that teams have started shaking hands and bumping fists after every game once again,” explained ENYYSA President Richard Christiano.

Shaking hands is not just a spring thing, as it occurs throughout the year. It is estimated that 25 million handshakes will happen after Eastern New York soccer games in 2023.

The non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 10 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer.

—Submitted by Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association

Make the most of summer with the New York Baseball Academy.

Led by Hofstra Baseball head coach and 14-year MLB veteran Frank Catalanotto and his NCAA Division I staff, the New York Baseball Academy at Hofstra provides players with an opportunity to develop their skills through daily workshops, offensive and defensive technique instruction, and game play. With one through six weeks of instruction available, players can customize their camp experience around their schedules.

Learn more about the New York Baseball Academy at hofstra.edu/nyba

Young players in the and Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) shaking hands. (Photos by LIJSL)

Kara Thomas (Photo credit: Charles Santangelo)

Loss To Hurricanes Brings An End To Islanders Season

LAUREN FELDMAN

lfeldman@antonmediagroup.com

After a rousing and tense matchup, the Islanders lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in an overtime game by a score of 2-1 in Game 6 of their first playoff round, killing their chance at the Stanley Cup for the first time in two years. The loss came as an abrupt end to the efforts of a team who truly fought for a playoffs shot, with the final blow coming as a steep-angled side shot at 6 minutes into OT by Paul Stastny.

Things had been looking strong for the Islanders, who led the game by 1-0 by midway though the opening period. However, despite outshooting the Hurricanes 28-19, they were unable to build on their lead. This proved fatal as the third quarter saw the Hurricanes outshooting the Islanders 19-5, ultimately leading to the goal which tied up

the game. Big saves from goalie Ilya Sorokin kept the Islanders in the game well into the third period, though without another point, both teams headed into OT, where ultimately the Hurricanes came out victorious.

The loss was hard for the Islanders, particularly for Sorokin, who earned some extra good spirits from his teammates following the game. While the goal was an unusual one for Sorokin, his team is confident that they would not have made it so far without him.

“The goalies... we wouldn’t be here without them,” said Scott Mayfield, of Islanders defense, in a statement. “They know that. They know how special they are.” Defenseman Ryan Pulock concurred. “[Sorokin] was spectacular for us all season and all playoffs.”

Many members of the Islanders have played together for a long time, leading to not only a cohesive team but a brotherhood. While the end of the playoffs was disappointing, this was a large improvement from the 2022 season, in which the Islanders did not make the playoffs. Left wing Matt Martin is

disappointed, but hopeful for the future. “We put a lot of work into getting here and battled adversity throughout the year,” Martin said in a statement. “At the same time it hurts, it

hurts bad and we’ll sit on this one for a little while and then get ready for next season.”

Onwards and upwards for the Islanders next year!

Two Sacred Heart Academy Seniors Win $40,000 Scholarships From Amazon

Not all Amazon packages are created equal. Just ask Hilary Rojas Rosales, ‘23 and Shadia Suha, ’23, high school seniors at Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead, New York. Returning home from school one afternoon, both young women were surprised to open an Amazon package naming them as recipients of the 2023 Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship--a $40,000 tuition scholarship ($10,000/year) toward an undergraduate degree in engineering or computer science. As if that was not exciting news in and of itself, they also were offered a guaranteed, paid 12-week summer internship at Amazon after completing their freshman year of college. While working at Amazon, AFE interns work on a software or hardware engineering team and pair up with a co-intern, manager, and mentors to build projects that have a real impact on Amazon customers. Interns get to work on some of Amazon’s groundbreaking technologies and core platforms, like Alexa voice technology, Amazon Web Services, and the Amazon retail platform.

It is not at all surprising the Hilary and Shadia took the initiative to apply for this prestigious opportunity. Hilary, a Hempstead resident, has always had a passion for computer science so it is not surprising that she plans to attend SUNY Binghamton’s Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science in fall 2023. Aside from the challenging

science and research program, Hilary says that she has made new friends every single year and is quick to point out that she still finds time to take care of two parakeets, Bella, and Jacob. Shadia, a West Hempstead resident, also cites the lifelong friendships that she has made at Sacred Heart and says that the research she was able to do at SHA through the Brookhaven National Laboratories reinforced her passion for the study of medicine through engineering and robotics. Somehow, she also manages to play violin, piano and guitar just for fun.

Sister Jean Amore, CSJ, Ed. D, principal at Sacred Heart, shared that “Not only are Shadia and Hilary intelligent, hardworking young scholars, they lead with compassion, courage, and commitment. Sacred Heart Acad. is so proud of them.” Sister Jean Amore, CSJ, Ed.D. principal.

Sacred Heart Academy’s focus in science and math prepares students to apply their scientific knowledge to real-world

challenges. Both young women have spent a great deal of time in the Science Research Center at Sacred Heart Academy, a state-of-the-art facility, designed specifically for student-developed research projects.

Amazon Scholarship recipients applied

for the opportunity and were selected based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, community involvement, work experience, future goals, and financial need. Amazon surprised four hundred students with news of the award. We met with two of the recipients to learn what inspired them to study computer science. Besides their project work, Amazon Future Engineer interns get exposure to the Amazon business through fireside chats with senior leaders, deep dives from technology teams, and an annual Alexa skills-building hackathon.

“Every year, I continue to be inspired by our scholarship recipients’ academic achievements and drive to use their problem-solving abilities to build solutions for

their communities,” said Victor Reinoso, global director of Philanthropic Education Initiatives at Amazon. “With students from historically underrepresented and underserved communities representing only 18% of CS [computer science] bachelor’s degrees, we believe that connecting students to computer science education and opportunities helps create a more equitable and inclusive future, across all industries and sectors, for generations to come.”

The future is extremely bright for Hilary, Shadia, and their classmates, and the entire SHA community is very proud of all they have accomplished.

Sacred Heart Academy (SHA) is an all-girls Catholic college preparatory school sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph. Founded in 1949, SHA has over 12,000 alumnae who live and work around the world. Current students come from over forty school districts. Graduates go on to recognized top-tier colleges and universities, receiving significant academic and athletic scholarship offerings each year.

Sacred Heart Academy combines rigorous academics with leadership opportunities that foster the values of courage, commitment, and compassion. Lead with Heart is the essence of the Sacred Heart Academy experience.

—Submitted by Sacred Heart Academy

After a rousing game, the Islanders lost to the Hurricanes 2-1. (Photo courtesy of NHL.com : Cory Wright)

Shadia Suha, SHA ’23 and S. Jean Amore, Ed.D., CSJ, Principal of Sacred Heart Academy. (Photos by Sacred Heart Academy)

Hilary Rojas Rosales, SHA ’23 and S. Jean Amore, Ed.D., CSJ, Principal of Sacred Heart Academy.

Art In The Park Event Returns To Heckscher Park

Art League of Long Island is pleased to announce the upcoming Art in the Park event. After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Art League of Long Island’s 53rd Art in the Park Fine Art & Craft Fair is back with an eclectic variety of one-of-a-kind art and craft work made by the exhibitors at Huntington’s Heckscher Park. The fair takes place June 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the spacious grounds of the park, located at the intersection of Rt 25A and Sabbath Day Path. This exciting two-day event will be filled with fine art sales, music, food trucks, and art demonstrations. The event promises to be a fun-filled day for the whole family and is free to attend.

Art in the Park is an opportunity for local artists to showcase their talents and for art enthusiasts to purchase unique pieces of art. Booths will be judged by Long Island Museum’s Alexandria D’Auria Director of Advancement and Huntington Arts Council’s Executive Director Kieran Johnson on Saturday and ribbons will be awarded in the afternoon. Attendees will have the opportunity to view and purchase paintings, sculptures,

pottery, jewelry, and other forms of fine art.

The event will also feature live music performances by local musicians and food trucks offering a variety of delicious foods and beverages. Art demonstrations will also be available for those who are interested in learning more about different art forms.

The Art League is excited to bring back this

event for its 53rd year to Heckscher Park and to showcase the incredible talents of our local artists. Our hope is that the community will come out and enjoy a day filled with fine art, music, food, and fun.

Established in 1955, the Art League is a notfor-profit visual arts center whose mission is to provide a forum and showcase for artists

of all ages and ability levels, whether through art education in the studios or exhibition opportunities in the gallery and art fairs. Artwork on display in the gallery may be available for purchase. The Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery is open free of charge.

—Submitted by the Art League of Long Island

After A Decade, Charlee Miller Retires from the Art League

On January 2, 2013, Charlee Miller walked through the front doors of the Art League of Long Island as the newest Executive Director. Coming from 37 years in the banking industry, retiring as a Vice President for J.P. Morgan Chase, she was hired for her financial acumen and for her prior experience as Treasurer of the Dystrophic Epidermolysis of America, known as Debra of America. The thenboard of directors knew that the Art League would be in good hands...and little did they know how true that sentiment would be for the Long Island artist community.

Says Miller, “My favorite memories of working at the Art League include interacting everyday with students of all ages and abilities, talented teaching artists and a dynamic and creative staff. It was a privilege and honor to be part of Long Island’s creative class of artists, photographers, designers, and doers who infused every corner of the Art League’s amazing building with energy, innovation and excitement. The whole experience was unique, fulfilling and rewarding.”

During the quarantine, Charlee began major fundraising for the Art League, as classes were cancelled and students were owed credits for classes for which they had already enrolled. She jumped into action,

seeing the opportunity in the challenge.

“The pandemic was the most devastating event the Art League had to deal with financially, emotionally and spiritually. The health and safety of our employees, students and visitors was the number one concern. Shutting down for six months was tough on employees wondering when and where their next paycheck would come from and when and if we’d be able to reopen.

Thanks to government support, understanding creditors and our banks who

worked with us, we were optimistic. A tremendous amount of support came from donors, students, business partners and people who wanted to support us through the crisis! The pandemic meant business! And that meant change. The challenges were great and it required immediate changes to the business model, a reduction in operating hours and expenses and better use of the building space.” Miller acknowledges and appreciates everyone who stepped up, donated to the Art League, and made it possible for the Art League to begin

the road to recovery.

Once the Art League reopened, she then began to plan for her retirement, knowing a succession plan would be needed to hire a new Executive Director. The search took only a few months before the Art League moved forward with hiring Marianne Della Croce, who began in her current position in January 2022. Charlee then transitioned to Director of Development, bringing in much needed funds through capital grants, our Annual Appeal and partnering with other nonprofits for additional revenue streams.

Della Croce said, “If it wasn’t for the forethought of Charlee, the Art League would not be in such a secure place as it is now. I am honored to have her trust, and the support of Charlee as well as the board of directors, students and supporters to continue to make the Art League of Long Island the premiere visual arts organization that it is.”

Janette Simms, ALLI Board President, said, “We owe Charlee an immense debt of gratitude for her knowledgeable, experienced and determined leadership during a time of unprecedented challenge. Her tenure put the Art League on the path to a more sustainable future.”

—Submitted by the Art League of Long Island

Art In The Park 2022.

(Photo by the Art League Long Island)

Instructor Antonio Masi & Charlee Miller in the Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery.

(Photo by the Art League of Long Island)

WORD FIND

HOROSCOPES By Holiday

HOROSCOPES By

HOROSCOPES By Holiday Mathis

Holiday Mathis

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 31 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). Repetition has its own kind of magic. Duplication is creation. Cells divide and multiply to make life. Words said time and again lose and gain meaning. Recurrent tasks become harder, then easier, then harder. e transformations of this week will be the result of echoed behaviors. Be careful what you repeat.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20). e existence of original ideas has been long contested. From the ancient Greeks to Shakespeare and beyond, it’s suggested there’s nothing new under the sun. Nonconformity is often characterized by conforming to other nonconformists. Still, mix the old elements in novel ways, knowing there’s never been another you and there never will be.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21). In Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” the ever-hopeful Ophelia says, “We know what we are, but not what we may be.” While others around you may struggle with cynicism this week, you’ll shine a light on the truth. Everything changes including people, and often we can steer the change. Your positive views will be contagious.

CANCER (June 22-July 22). All are called to service, many will answer, and a few will uphold duty to the very end. For the ultra-responsible who live their loyalty, duty can, at times, feel like a curse. Work through such feelings without guilt. ey come with the territory. ere’s something beautiful on the other side.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). ere are things you’ve seen so often, your mind glosses over them, making it impossible to notice anything new about them. It will take a perspective shift to get back to really seeing, and this can only occur after going out into the world and gathering new experience. Consider this your invitation to change things up.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Life seems to be withholding information from you, but there’s an upside to this: You can focus on the task at hand without getting distracted by work that’s further down the line. Life is more exciting when you don’t know what to expect. Trust that there are delights in store.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Just because you’re not sure a thing will work doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take it on. But when? Start with the work you have more con dence in. Getting a win or two under your belt will positively a ect your morale and keep you moving ever-forward. Momentum counts for a lot!

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Your mind is even busier than usual this week, and the extra information oating around up there makes it harder to prioritize. Try talking to yourself out loud. Since you can only say one thing at a time, verbalizing imposes a linear order to your thoughts. e important points emerge -- ah, clarity!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Trust yourself and have faith in life’s process. It helps to be surrounded by positive people who focus on the right things, which is to say whatever moves it all forward. Don’t expect the whole picture to be revealed at once. More likely, you’ll handle step one and then step two will become clear.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You bring something special to projects -- talent, plus your big heart and an inclusive attitude that attracts people of di erent strengths. Some are clever and can see multiple angles. Some drive the action forward quickly. e combined power of your group will be greater than the sum of its parts.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You don’t love all of your habits, although even the ones you don’t prefer serve a purpose. Understanding that purpose will give you the keys to change if you want to. But regardless of what you decide, you can still fully accept yourself just as you are. Doing so will only make you more powerful.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ll be well aware of the limited amount of time you have to get a thing done and just how important it is for you to stay on track. Distractions are costly. While you can’t control everything about your environment, certain obvious preventative measures around timing, laying social boundaries and setting digital limits will greatly bene t your productivity.

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAYS

It will be a transformative year as you bring your bright intellect to your experiences. Because you’re curious and creative, you’ll come at topics from di erent angles, pursue interesting tangents and ask good questions. You quickly become a favorite of those with knowledge to impart. You’ll learn how to make things run better. Knowledge about processes will apply to relationships, too. You’ll simultaneously grow in many ways at once, including personally and professionally COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM

INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND

INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND

INTERNATIONAL WORD FIND

Grafton’s glory

Solution: 31 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 31 letters left over. They spell out the alternative theme of the puzzle.

Grafton’s glory

Solution: 31 Letters

Architecture Arts

Bridges

Cane field

Clarenza

Colour

Dairy

Drought Gallery

Gardens

Gwydir Heat

Architecture Arts

Gwydir Heat

Princess River

Highway Hospitality

Bridges

Cane field

Clarenza

Hotels

Colour

Houseboat

Dairy

Highway

Hospitality

Hotels

Houseboat Junction Hill Koolkhan

Junction Hill

Koolkhan

Drought Gallery Gardens

Nymboida

Parks

Nymboida Parks

Rural Southampton Street

Trails

Ulmarra

Princess River Rural Southampton Street Trails Ulmarra Vast Welcome

Vast

Welcome

FROM KING FEATURES SYNDICATE, 300 W. 57th STREET, 41st FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY 10019

Solution: Having fun at the Jacaranda Festival

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CONTRACT BRIDGE — BY STEVE BECKER

Date: 5/10/23

CONTRACT BRIDGE

Solution: Having fun at the Jacaranda Festival

FOR RELEASE SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2023

Creators Syndicate

By Steve Becker

Date: 5/10/23

The defense rests

737 3rd Street • Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 310-337-7003 • info@creators.com

mistically reached five diamonds on the sequence shown. Hayden’s oddlooking three-spade bid conventionally indicated a singleton spade and good diamond support.

The Italian West led the jack of clubs. East cashed the A-K and then erred by continuing with a third club. This was greeted like manna from heaven by Becker, who ruffed the club with the ten, led a heart to the ace, ruffed a heart and easily made the rest of the tricks after drawing trump.

At the time, it seemed that the Americans would gain substantially as a result of having made an “impossible” game. But there were also strange goings-on at the other table. With an Italian pair now North-South, the bidding went:

WestNorthEastSouth Pass1 ♥ Pass2 ♦

There are not many hands in world championship play where the defense slips so badly at both tables that each declarer is permitted to make an unmakeable game. But this rarity did in fact occur in the match between Italy and the United States in 1965.

At the first table, where Dorothy Hayden and B. Jay Becker were North-South for the U.S., they opti-

Tomorrow:

2 ♠ 3 ♦ 3 ♠ 3 NT

The American West, on lead against three notrump, chose a heart as his opening salvo. The grateful Italian declarer rose with the ace, cashed the king — felling East’s queen — and ran his diamonds to finish with 10 tricks. Had West led a club instead, South would have lost two clubs and six spades and gone down four!

© 2023 Australian Word Games Dist. by Creators Syndicate Inc.

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Roberts, Richard J. of Bellport, NY on April 1st, 2023. Loving husband of Carol Ann. Devoted father of Richard J. Jr. Will be missed by his family and dear friends. Interment Calverton National Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to McCourt and Trudden Funeral Home.

Morris, Peter, 84, of Pennsylvania, passed away April 6, 2023. Beloved husband of Claire. Loving father of Peter (Claudia) and Mary Ann Kauheimer (Eric). Cherished grandfather of Christopher, Gabriella, Timothy, Luke, Lauren, Andy, and Ben. A Funeral Mass was held Friday, April 21st, at St. Martin of Tours RC Church, Bethpage. Interment followed at St. Charles Cemetery.

Lage, Artemis L., 86, of Elmhurst, passed away April 11, 2023. Predeceased by her beloved parents Christo and Eve Poulos, and loving sister Crystal Mack. Cherished aunt of Avram Pengas. Dear friend of Ida Wehbeh. Retired Deputy Superintendent of Administration at the Queensboro Department of Corrections. Visitation and funeral services were held Tuesday, April 18th, at Arthur F. White Funeral Home, Inc. Entombment followed at Pinelawn Memorial Park.

Wall, Steven L., 64, of Dix Hills passed away April 13, 2023. He will be greatly missed by his beloved wife, Elizabeth. Loving and Devoted father of Brandon. Brother of Howard (Cathy), Anthony (Pamela) and the late John Jr. Treasured uncle to many nieces and nephews. Steven worked in the banking industry for over 20 years. Visitation was held Sunday, April 16th, at Arthur F. White Funeral Home, Inc.

Robert J. “Bob” Allen passed away on April 20th, 2023. Loving husband of Edith “Edie”. Cherished father and father-in-law of Robert J. Allen (Christine) and Joseph Allen (Tara). Devoted grandfather of Matthew, Connor, Magnolia, and Jagger. Robert was predeceased by his siblings; Patricia Valenti, Harold Allen, and Kenneth Allen. Interment St. Charles

OBITUARIES

Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to McCourt and Trudden Funeral Home, Inc. Farmingdale. Donations in Bob’s name can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Chung, Anna M. of Flushing, NY on April 21, 2023. Loving mother of Aaron, Susan, and Miriam. Cremation private. Arrangements entrusted to McCourt and Trudden Funeral Home in Farmingdale.

Inge Heuser (Née Zillman) was born on November 30th, 1934, in Lübeck Germany. She became a nurse and met the love of her life, Jorg Heuser at a neighborhood Christmas party. They married in 1961 and have been inseparable ever since. They began building a family welcoming their son Andreas (Kathy), closely followed by another son, Peter. The family was joined by a daughter, Karen (Brendan) a few years later. She was the beloved Oma to six grandchildren (Brianna, Megan, Zachary, Marissa, Daniel,and Timothy). Arrangements entrusted to McCourt and Trudden Funeral Home in Farmingdale.

BETHPAGE

Martini, Martha, 85, of Bethpage passed away April 9, 2023. Beloved wife of the late Joseph. Loving mother of JoAnne Latona (Tom Costa) and Matthew (Magdelena). Cherished grandmother of Thomas Latona. Predeceased by her siblings Sonny, Marie, and Patricia. A Funeral Mass was held Friday, April 14th, at St. Martin of Tours RC Church. Interment followed at St. Charles Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Ar-thur F. White Funeral Home, Inc.

Parisi, Santa M., 97, of Bethpage passed away April 10, 2023. Beloved wife of the late Joseph. Loving mother of Diane Parisi-Vecchione, Joseph (Catherine), Donna Bravo (Dennis) and the late Camille Bolster. Cherished grandmother of Jayson (Mimi), Kristian (Lisa), Derek, Chad (Dawn), Andrew, Anthony (Jackie), Dina (Eric), Joseph (Breann), Stephen (Cathleen) and Daniel (Nicole). Adored

great-grandmother of 21 and great-great-grandmother of 2 and one on the way. A Funeral Mass was held Friday, April 14th at St. Martin of Tours RC Church. Interment followed at Calverton Na-tional Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Arthur F. White Funeral Home, Inc.

Martens, Shirley “Lee” of Bethpage, NY on April 13, 2023. She was also a devoted family member and is survived by her sisters, Patricia Herrnkind & Jeanne Hulse, Brother-in-law John Hulse; Nieces Wendy Hammond, Donna Herrnkind, Pamela Donovan and Karen Anthony. Nephews James Robinson, Christopher Van Loan, Jason Van Loan and Donald Blum; Stepdaughters Linda Fontana & Donna Booher; Stepson Daniel Martens and grandsons Gary and Charles. Lee was preceded in death by her husband, the late Daniel Martens, Brother Lawrence Van Loan, Sister Joyce Robinson, and Nephew, Karl Herrnkid Jr. Interment at Calverton National Cemetery.

Mancini, Dorothy M., 102, of Bethpage, passed away April 19, 2023. Reunited in heaven with her beloved husband, Dominick. Loving mother of Anthony (Jeanne) and Kathleen Lange (Walter). Cherished grandmother of Stephanie, Christine, Dominick, and Shannon, and great-grandmother of Xander. Dorothy enjoyed crafts and loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. A Funeral Mass Monday, April 24th, at St. Martin of Tours RC Church. Interment followed at St. Charles Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Arthur F. White Funeral Home, Inc.

FARMINGDALE

Kral, Annie M. of Farmingdale, NY age 92 on April 21, 2023. Devoted mother and mother in law of Debbie (the late Raymond), Steven (Dawn), and the late Thomas. Loving grandmother of Michael and Justin and great grandmother of Isabella. Arrangements entrusted to McCourt and Trudden Funeral Home in Farmingdale. Donations in memory of Annie can be

made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

LEVITTOWN

Laino, Bonnie J., 74, of Levittown, passed away April 9, 2023. Beloved wife of 57 and a half years to Paul J. Laino, Jr. Loving mother of Lisa Every (Ray), Kim Gentiluomo (Anthony Ingemi) and Paul. Cherished grandmother of Danielle Boucher (Dave), Brittany Stromberg (Carl), Kristen Martin (Ruben), Thomas Martin (Vanessa), Mason and Alexa. Adored great-grandmother of Alexia, Isabella, Declan, Lucas, Axel, Caylen, Mya and a baby boy on the way. A Funeral Mass was held Thursday, April 13th, at St. Martin of Tours RC Church. Interment followed at Pinelawn Memorial Park. Arrangements entrusted to Arthur F. White Funeral Home, Inc.

MASSAPEQUA

Taffurelli, Mary of Massapequa, Ny on April 15th, 2023 at the age of 91. Cherished wife for 68 years to Donald J. Beloved mother and mother-in-law of Joe and Lynne, Donnie and Christopher, and Donna.

Loving grandmother of Andy, Jonathan, Michael, Lyndsey, Robbie, and Krista. Devoted sister of Marta and Nora. Will be missed by her many family members and friends. Interment at Pinelawn Memorial Park. Arrangements entrusted to McCourt and Trudden Funeral Home, Inc.

PLAINVIEW

Carnesi, Anthony, 94, longtime resident of Plainview passed away April 12, 2023. Beloved husband of 56 years to Janet. Loving father of Deidre Kuster (Chris), Mark (Monica) and the late Dean. Cherished grandfather of Alex (Diane) and Christopher (Hilary). Adored great-grandfather of Ethan, Sutton, and Natalie. Dear brother of Rose Addamo. Treasured uncle of Susan Caserma, Stephen Addamo, and Paul Addamo. Retired aerospace engineer for Grumman Aerospace. Visitation and funeral services were held Sunday, April 16th, at Arthur F. White Funeral Home, Inc. Inurnment with military honors took place Wednesday, April 19th at Long Island National Cemetery.

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Campagne Students Showcase Clubs At Bethpage Board Of Education Meeting

Charles Campagne Elementary School in the Bethpage School District has something for everyone, and students highlighted the expansive club offerings during a presentation at a recent board of education meeting. Student government officers served as the emcees of the program. Club members and faculty advisers gave a brief description of each extracurricular activity and shared pictures from the year.

The Music Lab Club is open to third-graders who want to express themselves creatively and better understand musical concepts. They experiment with sounds and compose pieces using Google Chrome Music Lab. The Cultural Diversity Club, for third- and fourth-graders, learns about the languages and traditions of cultures from around the world. Students also complete a country research project.

The Kindness Club spearheads school and community service projects and the Sports Club promotes physical fitness, sportsmanship and teamwork. The fourth-grade TV

Production Club gives students experience with broadcasting while producing their own school news show, Wake Up CCS Students looking to create can join the STEM Club, which combines elements of science, technology, engineering and math, or the FIRST Lego League Explorer Robotics Club, which participate in robotic competitions. Math Olympiads, for fifth-graders, is also competition-based, with students participating in five math contests this year that promote out-of-the-box problem solving.

Student government officers also shared their work, which includes service projects and school spirit initiatives.

The school also unveiled new art pieces in the cafeteria. The eagle mosaic murals, one on each side of the stage, were created with metallic and glass tiles. It was a schoolwide collaboration as every CCS student added a few pieces.

—Submitted by the Bethpage Union Free School District

Farming In The Suburbs: Massapequa Students Get A Hands-On Experience

“Where does food come from?” That question is the impetus behind Massapequa High School’s Go Green class, a popular elective that gives students a hands-on learning experience with indoor and outdoor horticulture projects.

Health and physical education teacher Michael LaBella started the course five years ago and in that time it has grown from one class of 12 students to eight classes totaling 130 students. They maintain two outdoor classrooms. In a small courtyard, there is a greenhouse, 19 vegetable boxes, a flower bed, chicken run and compost pile. The east side of the school has an orchard with grafted fruit trees.

During the winter, students focus on a hydroponic wall and tower, which collectively have 125 spots to grow basil, lettuce and parsley. There is also a compost box with worms.

Now that the warmer weather has arrived, they have been working outdoors. In the courtyard, students planted beans, broccoli, kale, peas and tomatoes. Mr. LaBella said that the process begins in the greenhouse before the plants are transferred to the beds.

They also maintain the fruit trees, which were planted last year, and grow peaches, pears and different varieties of apples. Students water and prune the trees, which produce fruit every fall. They also weed the area around the trees.

“The point of the class is that I want students to know where their food comes from,” Mr. LaBella said. “It doesn’t come from a supermarket. It comes from a gardener or a farmer.”

Mr. LaBella shares his own experiences as a farmer, as he manages a 365-acre farm in Pennsylvania, where he spends much of his summer. He also teaches students about the economics of agriculture, as students host periodic farmer’s markets at school to sell the fresh food they produce. The money they raise goes back into the class budget to prepare for the next year’s batch of crops.

“I like that it’s a hands-on class and you get to work outside,” said 10th-grader Kiersten Farrell. “I’ve learned a lot of tips on how to have the best garden I could possibly have.”

Rob Coll, also in 10th grade, said his favorite days are when they work outside in the courtyard or at the fruit trees.

“You get to move around, work with your

hands and breathe some fresh air,” he said.

As a culminating activity, each student plans and plants a garden at home, using the knowledge they have gained throughout the school year. Mr. LaBella said that the project takes about two months and students document the progress of their gardens.

—Submitted by the Massapequa School District

Students Of Howitt Middle School Honored For Life Saving Efforts

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and members of the Town Board recently honored two heroic students of Howitt Middle School in Farmingdale for performing the Heimlich Maneuver on classmates who were choking during lunch.

Daniel Kelly and Mackenzie Anderson responded in two separate incidences to save the lives of fellow classmates. For their life-saving action, Daniel and Mackenzie were honored at a Town Board meeting while joined by their Assistant Principal Cheryl DePierro. The Heimlich Maneuver was taught to Farmingdale Middle School students during health class earlier this year through the Heimlich Hero Program. Supervisor Saladino thanked the students and their Assistant Principal, and presented them with Town Citations.

—Submitted by the Town of Oyster Bay (Contributed photo)

Student government officers from Charles Campagne School were the emcees for a presentation on the school’s clubs.4

Fourth- and fifth-graders from the FIRST Lego League Explorer Robotics Club discussed the competitions they have participated in this year.

Students from the TV Broadcasting Club talked about creating a school news show. (Contributed photos)

Massapequa High School Go Green teacher Michael LaBella demonstrates proper planting technique in the outdoor garden for tomato plants. (Contributed photos)

Students care for the fruit trees that produce apples, pears and peaches every fall.

Isabella Grosso and Cassidy Marrow hold one of the chickens.

Teacher Michael LaBella was assisted by Scott Nolan in the greenhouse.

The United Teachers Of Island Trees: Making An Impact Within The Community

BRITTANY LAHTI

Teachers within the Island Trees School District have been busy hosting events, fundraisers, workshops and clubs to benefit students, parents and community members within the Island Trees community. Below are just some of the many things that staff members have donated, accomplished, and participated in during the months of February, March and April of the 2022-2023 academic school year.

In February, J. Fred Sparke families enjoyed an evening of math fun at Family Math Night. Teachers made this event a success by teaching families math games and activities. Some games that were played include Ten Go Fish, Number Tic-Tac-Toe, Race to get the Equations, and Addition Cross Out. Students listened to The Greedy Triangle and The Perfect Square. A great time was had by all. The teachers at Michael F. Stokes Elementary School are looking forward to hosting Family Math Night in May. In February and March, a generous collection was conducted by staff members to support a mother of the community battling cancer. Finally, teachers at Sparke Elementary School are hosting a Social Emotional Learning Club which teaches students how to learn through play.

In February, students from Sparke and Stokes Elementary School created Valentines for Veterans. They created cards with positive words and pictures to brighten the day of those who have served our country. In March, a collection was held at both elementary schools for Down Syndrome Advocacy Foundation. Blue and yellow bracelets were sold to support the cause, and staff members throughout the building wore blue and yellow to show their support for those with Down syndrome. Over $280 was raised through the bracelet fundraiser and was donated to this noteworthy cause. Teachers also held a fundraiser to support the Autism Awareness Association. In March, teachers enjoyed celebrating PARP Week (Pick a Reading Partner) with students, community members and the PTA. Students enjoyed reading challenges and activities completed at school and home. Sparke and Stokes elementary schools hosted a Family Reading Night where students participated in reading activities relating to the theme of “Wild About Reading.” Throughout the week, teachers in both schools hosted VIP Guest Readers, such as family members, colleagues, and administrators to share their love for reading with students. The teachers at Michael F. Stokes Elementary School are excited to host Family Literacy Night in May where families will be able to enjoy self-portraits and student writing displayed throughout the building.

In April, elementary teachers Brittany Lahti and Kristin Winter hosted a workshop for parents, sharing strategies to build child cooperation, responsibility and discipline.

Teachers at Island Trees Memorial Middle School are looking forward to hosting a workshop which discusses similar topics at the end of April. Ms. Lahti and Mrs. Winter look forward to hosting a second workshop

and historical figures. Fifth-grade students participated in the Money and Me Program through Hofstra University, which teaches students how to balance budgets, savings and investments to make students finan-

able to raise $1,560 by selling card boxes to families, friends, teachers and staff members within the Island Trees School District. The students are extremely grateful to those who bought boxes to support JZips.

in May which will focus on ways that parents can encourage their children at home, understand the purpose of their child’s behavior, and how to help their children succeed at home and school.

At Stokes Elementary School, over eighty second- and third-grade students signed-up to participate in the Service Leadership Club, led by Brittany Lahti and Suzanne Heigel. Service-learning provides opportunities for students to learn more about themselves and the world around them. The community service project that students are completing will benefit the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter. Students are creating vibrant decorations to hang around the shelter, hosting a supply drive and are writing persuasive letters from the animal’s perspective as to why they should be adopted. While completing this project, students are learning about the five steps of service-learning and how their strengths, interests and talents can be used during a service-leadership project. Ms. Lahti and Mrs. Heigel cannot wait to share about the impact that was made at the local animal shelter this Spring. Fourth-grade students that participate in Leadership Club led by Michelle Martin and Sheryl Emigholz have been working hard to spread positivity throughout the building. In February, students and families sent positive, loving messages on Valentine Grams. Families had the option to donate $1 for each gram. $375 was raised and donated to the American Heart Association. In March, students wrote reasons why they are grateful for the staff members at Stokes Elementary School on shamrocks and hung them outside each classroom door. In April, before New York State testing, students decorated walkways with positive sayings to make their peers feel relaxed and confident before English Language Arts state testing.

At Island Trees Memorial Middle School, many students in seventh- and eighth-grade participated in the drama production of Matilda. In March and April, science teachers created hallway displays, recognizing Women in STEM, which included teachers of Island Trees Memorial Middle School

cially savvy from a young age. In addition, the fifth-grade teachers planned the year’s first field trip to see She Persisted! at the Bellmore Theater. The play illustrated the lives of six women who changed the course of history for those who followed. The trip helped bridge World History and Language Arts as the students prepared to select an influential person to report on in Writer’s Workshop. Seventh-grade teachers celebrated Influential Women, while the eighth grade held a historical March Madness. Students also celebrated Pi Day on March 14. Students that memorized the most digits of Pi could “pie their teacher.” What an engaging activity to keep learning fun! While in Physical Education, students are actively participating in badminton tournaments.

Teachers at Island Trees Memorial Middle School were also making an impact on the community around them by raising funds for Autism Awareness. Finally, at Island Trees Memorial Middle School, each year, the National Junior Honor Society raises funds for a different charity. This year the NJHS partnered with Cards for a Cause. The NJHS members decided to donate to JZips, which is a meaningful cause to Mrs. Harouche, one of the club directors. Her nephew, Jordan, was diagnosed with brain cancer at the young age of 15, and he started this charity to create free port-accessible shirts for children and adults. JZips provides these free shirts to over thirty hospitals across Long Island. Students in the National Junior Honor Society were

At Island Trees High School, students who are enrolled in Child Development had the opportunity to shadow teachers at Stokes Elementary School and Island Trees Memorial Middle School. High school students learned from master teachers about skills that are developmentally appropriate based on the grade level that they were shadowing. Students in the younger grades enjoyed having an older role model in the classroom for the day, and teachers enjoyed seeing their former students! Over April break, high school teachers Mike Valiando, James Messina, Zach Elicks, and Claire Travis alongside middle school teachers Matt Shultz and Melody Zambriski volunteered during the “iCan Bike Camp” to teach individuals with disabilities to ride a conventional two-wheel bicycle. This was a “first-ever” for Island Trees, and was a great success! High school teacher Laura Lupoli and the National Honor Society students participated in the Spring Eggstravaganza by hiding candy-filled eggs on the lawns of Island Trees participating families. All proceeds will go to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Finally, The ITHS Art Department hosted their annual Art Expo on April 3rd which showcased artwork produced by students throughout the length of the school year. The event also included the National Art Honor Society Induction Ceremony hosted by Ms. Weber, live music and featured demonstrations by the Robotics Team and 3-D Printing Club. Art educators Mr. Hedstrom and Ms. Weber are incredibly proud of all the hard work their students have put into their creative endeavors, and want to thank all family, friends, and members of the Island Trees community for attending this successful event.

The United Teachers of Island Trees continue to make a difference in the community that they serve on a daily basis. We cannot wait to share about the impacts that we will continue to make through the remainder of the academic school year.

2023 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

American Airpower Museum Hosts

Americana & Big Band-Era Music Shows

Free Brass Band Concert & “Keep ‘Em Flying” Hangar Dance Brings Back Popular & Nostalgic Music

MAY 10

MAY 11

The American Airpower Museum Brass Band has scheduled two concerts of popular American music. The first is on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, featuring traditional Americana, Pop and show tunes. The concert is FREE and open to the public, but donations are appreciated and welcomed. Pre-registration and tickets are not required. Refreshments and raffles sold for a Cockpit USA made-in-the-USA leather flight jacket. From: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at American Airpower Museum, Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Bring lawn chairs for outside hangar seating if weather allows!

MAY 12

MAY 13

The glamorous Big Band-era returns on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at AAM’s first ever “Keep ‘Em Flying” Hangar Dance, set in Long Island’s only flying military aviation museum! You’ll hear nostalgic sounds of Big Band melodies from the 1940s, along with more contemporary danceable tunes, while surrounded by iconic World War II bombers and fighters! Festivities run from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at AAM’s Hangar 3. Tickets to AAM’s “Keep ‘Em Flying” Hangar Dance are $25 for each person. Refreshments and raffles sold for a Cockpit USA made-in-the-USA

MAY 14

MAY 21The Marshall Tucker Band

JUN 3Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons

JUN 10Happy Together Tour

JUN 23Chicago

JUN 24Les Claypool Fearless Flying Frog Brigade

JUN 25Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood

JUL 16Gladys Knight

JUL 18Belinda Carlisle

JUL 22Johnny Mathis

AUG 5Air Supply

AUG 9The Concer t:

Tribute to Abba

AUG 18 Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular

MAY 18

AUG 19The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute

SEP 9Lar Enterprises Presents: Oh What A Night of Rock & Roll

SEP 23Hermans Hermits starring Peter Noone

OCT 1The Price is Right

OCT 19+20 Lee Brice

OCT 21Monsters of Freestyle

OCT 21Parliament Funkadelic feat. George Clinton

NOV 10Masters of Illusion

NOV 12Celebrating David Bowie featuring Peter Murphy, Adriant Belew, Scrote & more

leather flight jacket. For tickets, call (631) 293-6398, visit the AAM Gift Shop on Wednesdays through Sundays, 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or go to www.americanairpowermuseum.org.

As a nonprofit educational foundation, AAM relies on the loyalty of our fans, guests and visitors for their support of these fundraising events. Please support AAM’s mission to honor veterans and preserve military aviation history, by helping maintain their iconic aircraft and Keep ‘Em Flying. We expect a sellout for June 17th, so please purchase your tickets ASAP. Of course, we also look forward to seeing you at our FREE May 17th concert. Don’t miss both Brass Band spectaculars!

The American Airpower Museum is an aviation museum located on the landmarked former site of Republic Aviation at Republic Airport, Farmingdale, NY. The Museum maintains a collection of aviation artifacts and an array of aircraft spanning the many years of the aircraft factory’s history. The Museum is a 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit Educational Foundation Chartered by the New York State Board of Regents.

—Submitted by the American Airpower Museum

(Images courtesy of the American Airpower Museum)

Nation’s Only VR Safety Training Comes To Hicksville

District staff use virtual reality tool to focus on real world safety

New York 811 and the Hicksville Water District recently held a unique high tech training program for more than a dozen staff members using state-of-the-art virtual reality technology. The program, the only one of its kind in the nation, was created by Bohemia-based New York 811. New York 811 is focused on ensuring that digging and excavation are done safely by utility companies and contractors, individuals, private excavation companies and the public. The not-for-profit manages the 811-notification center and alerts utility companies to have areas marked before projects start. The Hicksville Water District serves high-quality drinking water to more than 48,000 customers and regularly offers safety training programs to ensure that projects and repairs are done without incident.

The VR-X Training session, led by New York 811 staff, places two-man crews from the Hicksville Water District in the mobile virtual simulator at a time. While wearing VR goggles, one team member sits in a realistic model of an excavator cockpit with working controls. The second crew member, also wearing VR goggles, uses VR gloves to direct and watch the activities of the Virtual Excavator Operator. Both crew members are placed in a realistic 360-degree virtual environment that looks almost identical to real Long Island or New York City streets and neighborhoods. Both crew members take turns operating the virtual excavator and work their way through different scenarios to enhance awareness and understanding of safe digging operations. They must dig

carefully and remain aware of water, power, gas and other utilities that could be damaged.

“The safety of our workers as well as residents is our most important concern. The VR simulator is realistic and allows staff to reinforce safety training and safety procedures. The VR experience provides users with a real-life experience. The excavator even shakes when the bucket makes contact with the ground. New York 811 has built technology that will help our District staff stay safe and limit accidents and costly damage to critical utilities across the region,” said Commissioner William Schuckmann of the Hicksville Water District.

“It is dangerous to dig anywhere on Long Island or New York City without knowing what is beneath the ground. It is critical and it’s the law that contractors, utility companies and the public call 811 or contact us at New York 811 so that we can have underground lines marked. It is also important that those who operate excavators and backhoes continually train and focus on safety. With our VR-X simulator technology, we are providing a new tool to reinforce training, collecting data and furthering our mission to enhance safety and prevent accidents,” said Roger Sampson, Executive Director of New York 811.

The VR-X Safety Simulator allows backhoe

and excavator operators to enter a virtual world. Here, they are presented with a number of different scenarios. They work together to complete a project and evaluators provide feedback based on their performance. The goal of the simulator is to gather data that will be shared to enhance training and reduce the number of incidents that occur each year across the region. These types of programs are critical for utilities and contractors, but the public also needs to be aware of the potential dangers of unauthorized excavations.

For more information about New York 811 visit: www.newyork-811.com.

—Submitted by New York 811

Author Teaches Students To Say NO To Bullying

LAUREN FELDMAN

lfeldman@antonmediagroup.com

Recently, author Patti D’Amelio and illustrator Isabelle Rapacciuolo came to Northside Elementary to talk about the dangers of bullying, and how to keep it from happening. D’Amelio gave a presentation, during which students thought about what bullying sounds, looks, and feels like. The students also talked about what to do if they or their friends were experiencing bullying, such as telling a grownup. D’Amelio presented her newest book, titled The Runaway Sled Adventure — part two of her series, The Adventures of Granny and Lexi Loo. In The Runaway Sled Adventure, Granny and Lexi Loo are trying to enjoy a snow day, when a bully steps in to try and ruin the fun. What will the pair do next?

The series seeks to address sensitive issues that children face. In each book, main characters Granny and Lexi Loo embark on adventures which may discuss

death, divorce, diversity, bullying, sibling rivalry, stranger danger, and more. D’Amelio believes that children need to know that they are not alone and that their feelings are

real. Books are a wonderful tool for this purpose. A portion of the proceeds from this series will be donated to a non-profit organization related to the content within the book.

Following the reading of the book, the students got to join in on an anti-bullying song which encouraged them to “stop bullying now!”

About the Author:

Patti Damelio has spent most of her life working with her students, children, and now with her grandkids. In 1999, she received the “Educator of Excellence” award by the New York English Council. After teaching for 31 years, she is now retired and writing books. Patti gives back to the community by teaching pre-K in the district’s Youth Council summer program. Patti says her most-est, best-est, most favorite-est people are kids! Her message for readers and writers: find your voice!

Left to Right: Tim Donnelly, New York 811; Chris Wayne, New York 811; John Loeffler, Hicksville Water District; Bob Telener, Hicksville Water District; Roger Sampson, Executive Director, New York 811.

Bob Telener and John Loeffler, employees of the Hicksville Water District, partake in a VR demonstration of a live mock excavation project using New York 811’s VR-X Simulator. (Contributed photos)

Author Patti D’Amelio (right) and illustrator Isabelle Rapacciuolo (left). (Contributed photos)

D’Amelio came to Northside Elementary to present her book about bullying.

MacArthur Generals Invading College Lacrosse Ranks

editors@antonmediagroup.com

The MacArthur lacrosse program has become a pipeline to the college ranks. The Generals currently have 15 former players competing on the college lacrosse level. Next season, they will send six more players to compete in college.

“Having all of these former Generals representing us at the next level is amazing, and we couldn’t be any prouder of these young men,” said MacArthur varsity lacrosse coach John Nessler, whose Generals reached the Nassau County Final Four in consecutive seasons, 2021 and 2022.

On the Division I level, Hugh Kelleher is a midfielder at Cornell and played in last season’s NCAA national championship game. This season, Kelleher has 16 goals and two assists. Freshman Vinny Butrico is playing at Marist and is currently third in the nation in man-up goals.

There is an army of Generals playing

Division II lacrosse. Logan Robins is at Palm Beach Atlantic. Twins Cian and Luca Runyan are playing at Adelphi. Triplets Sean, James and Mark Napoli are playing at the University of Bridgeport. Connor Cullen is the face-off man at the University of Bridgeport. Freshman midfielder Matt Papach has three goals and an assist at Wingate. Freshman defensive midfielder Nick Del Grosso has four assists and seven ground balls at nearby Limestone. Papach

and Del Grosso squared off earlier this season with Wingate winning.

Mercy College’s Jack Kipnes is the captain and a returning All-American defenseman who played in the Division II national championship last season. At Bridgeport, James Napoli leads the Knights with 25 goals. Cullen leads the Knights with 52 ground balls.

Kyle McKee plays for Division III Hartwick and on the junior college level, Generals

James Hegel and Ryan Larkin star for Nassau Community College. The Nassau Lions are currently the top ranked junior college in the nation. Hegel has nine goals and seven assists.

Heading off to college lacrosse fields next season for MacArthur are: Michael Cassano (Marist), Joseph Forchelli (Providence), Rocco Hogan (Molloy), Paul Calvo (Molloy), Dan DeLuca (Hartwick), Patrick Cheswick (Belmont Abbey).

Massapequa Athletes Commit To College Teams

Guided by their experiences as student-athletes at Massapequa High School, nearly two dozen seniors will make the dual commitment to academics and athletics at the college level in just a few months. They were recognized at the spring college athlete signing ceremony.

Students will be attending colleges and universities on Long Island and in several states. They were joined by coaches and family members for the milestone moment. The athletes also heard congratulatory remarks from Superintendent Dr. William Brennan, Principal Barbara Lowell and Director of Physical Education, Health, Athletics and Recreation Shannon McEntee.

The district congratulates:

Baseball: Robert Gitto, Queens College; Brendan Meaney, College of Mount St. Vincent

Softball: Sophia Diaz, Ramapo College; Olivia Matos, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Football: Edward D’Avanzo, SUNY Morrisville; Shane Horan, Utica University

Boys Lacrosse: Ryan Fountain, Long Island University; Justin Ortiz, SUNY Plattsburgh; Jack Prudente, Adelphi University; Vincent Santoro, Wilkes University; Nathaniel Urban, SUNY Cortland

Girls Lacrosse: Nicolette Buffolino, Long Island University; Christina Fradella, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Boys Soccer: Christian Napolitano, East Stroudsburg University

Girls Soccer: Dominique DiOrio, SUNY Oneonta; Catherine Stork, SUNY Cortland (dual-sport athlete with softball)

Track and Field: Jessica Bianco, Sacred Heart University; Christian Primavera,

Massapequa High School recognized 23 student-athletes for their college commitments. (Contributed photo)

Binghamton University, Christopher Schimkus, SUNY Oneonta, Nicholas Stiehler and Sergio Talamo, Adelphi University

Girls Volleyball: Olivia Harris, Westfield

State University; Erin Stanley, Molloy University

—Submitted by the Massapequa School District

Oyster Bay Track Stars Qualify For Nationals

Oyster Bay High School eighth-graders

Nicolette Lewis and Kaela Miley recently qualified for the middle school division of the New Balance National Track Championships to be held in Philadelphia beginning June 15.

Although these two student-athletes are in eighth grade, they compete at a high level both in quad meets (four teams) and large invitationals. Miley recently earned a medal in the 400-meter hurdles at the Autism Awareness Invitational, and Lewis earned three medals at the same

event in the high jump, long jump and 100-meter hurdles.

Miley was able to achieve the standard for Nationals in two running events, the 100-meter and 200-meter runs, while Lewis earned the standard in one running event, the 100-meter hurdles and one field event, the long jump.

“New Balance has added a few middle school events and we are very grateful for that,” their coach Kevin Cotter said. “It’s an opportunity to really see the future of track compete against one

another at a high level. All season long these two compete against upperclassmen and they hold their own. We can’t wait to see them compete against athletes in their age group.”

The last time that Oyster Bay High School had a national qualifier in spring track was in 2016 when Alex Tosi competed in the steeple chase after winning the state championship. This year in winter track, Chris Tardugno and Lewis qualified for the indoor championships in Boston.

—Submitted by the Town of Oyster Bay

Connor Cullen wins a face-off for Bridgeport University. (Photo courtesy Bridgeport University)

Jack Kipnes on the move for Mercy College. (Photo courtesy Mercy College)

Eighth-grade track stars

Nicolette Lewis (right) and Kaela Miley (left).

(Contributed photo)