Port Washington News 5/10/23 edition is published weekly by Anton Media Group.

Family Fun

(See page 14)

Sports: Softball hosts teacher appreciation game (See page 17)

School News: Elementary students prep time capsule (See page 18)

Letter to the Editor: Proposed 2023-24 budget (See page 18)

Port Promenade

Family fun, shopping and outdoor dining

JULIE PRISCO

jprisco@antonmediagroup.com

This spring, Port Promenade will be hosted on two Thursday evenings, on May 18 and June 15, from 5 to 10 p.m. Main Street in Port Washington will be closed off from vehicles and open to pedestrians only for families to dine, shop and enjoy live music and outdoor activities. This year the pedestrian only section will be Main Street, Port Washington from Port Washington Boulevard to Library Drive.

For the past three years, the Port Washington Business Improvement District, Landmark on Main Street, Port Washington Chamber of Commerce and Residents

Forward have worked together to host Port Outdoors. The Port Promenade is taking the best of Port Outdoors and adding a bit more excitement to it for this spring.

“While Port Outdoors was a great answer to COVID-19, and it served its purpose, we felt like we could move onto a new chapter,” said Holly Byrne, Executive Director of the Port Washington Business Improvement District. “Port Outdoors brought the community together during a challenging time to support each other and our local businesses.”

With the craziest of the pandemic behind us, the groups that have brought Port Outdoors to the community decided to rebrand and add to the fun with Port Promenade.

In a press release from the Port Washington Business Improvement District, Bobbie Polay, Executive Director of the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce and member of the event planning committee, explains the history behind the Port Promenade from the 1970s and ‘80s.

“The whole town came out for one night for the original Port Promenade. Many residents and business owners have fond memories of these years,” said Polay. “Giving Port Outdoors a new name is a perfect blend of the much-loved event and today’s new tradition.”

To build on the success of the past Port Outdoors events and answer the requests from previous event patrons, the event committee is bringing in more activities for families.

“We wanted people to know that it’s more than just the outdoor dining. While the outdoor dining and the live entertainment by local artists is still the crux of it all, we are bringing in several other things,” said Byrne.

While Byrne and the event committee are still finalizing some of the activities lined up, attendees can expect an indoor gaming room from Long Island Airstream Experience, a kids dance party every 30 minutes led by Kerboom Kidz and more.

“The other really fun activity is a cornhole tournament as well as casual play,” said Byrne. “We’re also having a Touch a Truck and Bike Rodeo.”

The Bike Rodeo is led by the Port

Washington Police Department, where there will be a bit of an obstacle course and a safety check. In the same area will be a firetruck, an ambulance and a town work vehicle, where kids can get up close to check out and sit behind the wheel.

Live performances from local talent organized by Landmark on Mainstreet has been a staple at Port Outdoors. At Port Promenade, there will be three different stages where performances will be held.

“The Landmark on Main Street is pulling together a great line-up of bands to add to the festivities of Port Promenade. We’ll have multiple performance areas along Main Street, so we’ll really be able to showcase the musical talent of Port Washington,” said Richard Mayer, Executive Director of Landmark on Main Street, in a press release from the Port Washington Business Improvement District.

This year, the Port Washington Business Improvement District offered a limited number of spaces for local vendors, exhibitors and non-profit groups to set up a table for participants to visit, shop and learn about other organizations. While the primary focus of Port Promenade is the local stores in the

pedestrian only area, some local vendors and shops outside of the designated area are being invited to set up shop.

Another change to the outdoor experience is the sectioning of the evening. “Our police department has been amazing and has been really insightful on how to manage traffic flow to give us a larger section,” said Byrne. “It’ll run all the way from Port Boulevard to Finn MacCool’s. So we’ll have all these little pockets but one big section.”

The event is sponsored by Precision Work, Inc and the Port Washington BID and hosted by Landmark on Main Street, Port Washington Chamber of Commerce and Residents Forward. Support from the Port Washington Police Department and the Town of North Hempstead make it possible. Restaurants in the area will have indoor and, of course, outdoor dining available for attendees to enjoy. Download the Try Port First app to view a list of all participating restaurants and stay updated on any new developments. Free parking is available on side streets, municipal lots and at the LIRR lot. Fees for some activities may apply. The event is rain or shine. Visit portwashingtionbid.org/port-promenade to learn more.

Last year’s Port Promenade.

Hop on hop off carriage. (Photos from the Port Washington Business Improvement District website)

Town Hosts CarFit Program For Seniors

North Hempstead Councilmember Peter Zuckerman was proud to join representatives from AARP, the American Occupational Therapy Association, AAA Northeast and the Town’s Department of Services for the Aging on Thursday, April 27 for a CarFit program.

The program was offered free of charge to individuals, including those who reside outside of the Town, who are age 60 and over at Clinton G. Martin Park in New Hyde Park.

CarFit is a program designed to help seniors achieve a better fit with their vehicle for optimal safety and comfort while driving. A 12-point CarFit checklist was reviewed with participants while in their own vehicle, including adjusting mirrors to reduce blind spots, seat belt use and steering wheel tilt.

—Submitted by the Town of North Hempstead

North Hempstead Extends Nomination Deadline For 2023 Women’s Roll Of Honor To May 12

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Town Clerk Ragini Srivastava, and the Town Board have announced that nominations for the 2023 Women’s Roll of Honor have been extended to Friday, May 12, 2023.

“The Town of North Hempstead is so lucky to have an abundance of outstanding women who continue to be champions for

their communities,” Supervisor DeSena said. “I encourage all residents to nominate a deserving individual for Women’s Roll of Honor while there is still time left, so we can celebrate their incredible accomplishments and thank them for helping to make our communities great.”

Town Clerk Srivastava said, “I am proud to continue the long-standing tradition of the

Town of North Hempstead to recognize the achievements of extraordinary women and to thank them on behalf of a grateful community. I encourage our residents to consider that special person in their community as a nominee and to submit their recommendation to the Clerk’s Office without delay.”

The annual breakfast celebration will be held at the Clubhouse at Harbor Links, 1

Fairway Drive, Port Washington on Friday, June 23, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Anyone interested in submitting a name for consideration can call North Hempstead’s 311 Call Center by dialing 311 or download the application form on the Town’s website: www.northhempsteadny. gov/roll-of-honor.

—Submitted by the Town of North Hempstead

North Hempstead To Host Native Plant Rebates For Residents

North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and the Town Board are proud to announce that North Hempstead has received $15,000 from the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District to offer rebates to residents to encourage planting of native plants in their landscapes. The Town will be offering eligible residents up to $350 per household for the purchase of native plants to replace lawn grass or plant in an existing garden.

“We’re proud to once again partner with the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District on this great program,” Supervisor DeSena said. “The Town of North Hempstead has consistently prioritized preserving our environment, and this program will continue to play an important role in protecting our environment for future generations.”

“Native plant gardens have extensive root systems that can absorb polluted stormwater, while their leaves absorb carbon dioxide and other air pollutants,” said Councilmember Veronica Lurvey. “These gardens provide an easy and beautiful way to help

safeguard our surroundings. This initiative is in line with our goal for North Hempstead to serve as a model of sustainability and resiliency.”

For the past two years the program has been successful in creating over 40 new native plant gardens throughout the Town with funding from the Soil and Water District. These gardens provide food, shelter, and nesting resources for pollinators, birds, small mammals, and a variety of wildlife species.

These gardens are important in creating habitats for pollinators such as monarch butterflies. Their populations have been in decline in recent years, and they have been declared endangered by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The Town has also taken the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge again this year and the native plant gardens are important in the effort to conserve this iconic species.

To qualify for the rebate program, residents will be required to complete an application that includes information about their proposed garden location, estimated

Councilmember Zuckerman with representatives from AAA at the Town’s CarFit event. (Contributed photos)

budget, New York native plant species chosen, proposed garden size, photo(s) of proposed planting location, and a basic garden layout.

Live At Five Concert Series Returns To The Science Museum Of Long Island

The Science Museum of Long Island (SMLI) and its Board of Trustees would like to invite the community to join them at the Leeds Pond Preserve in Manhasset for the third annual Live at Five Outdoor Concert Series at the Science Museum of Long Island. Featured are five Thursday nights of live music from 5 to 9 p.m. on May 11, May 25, June 8, July 13 and Aug. 10.

Guests are invited to bring a blanket and chairs and enjoy the natural surroundings of the 36-acre Leeds Pond Preserve as they listen to live music, enjoy food from a variety of changing local food trucks, shop at the Shakedown Street local vendors market and learn from local nonprofit and community organizations. In the meantime, the kids can enjoy a plethora of hands-on science and guided nature activities with their amazing and inspiring educators.

Using the backdrop of the Leeds Pond Preserve to teach sound conservation practices, the museum is determined to find cost effective and ecofriendly alternatives to the single-used waste often seen at events such as this. In addition, they plan to highlight different conservation methods to implement at home and educate the public about how to do their part to keep places like the

Leeds Pond Preserve and Manhasset Bay clean, creating thriving ecosystems for generations to come.

The Live at Five Series has been a catalyst of positive change and a cornerstone to SMLI’s fundraising efforts over the past two years, rebuilding their membership base and reinvigorating long-standing connections and service to the community. SMLI is looking forward to once again hosting this magical outdoor community event.

—Submitted by the Science Museum of Long Island

Coastal Lifestyle

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Concertgoers at last year’s Live at Five. (Photo by Science Museum of Long Island)

Live At Five, August 2022. (Photo by Julie Prisco)

Live at Five has food trucks with meals and dessert options.

(Photo by Julie Prisco)

Eyes on the market. Heart in the community.

Happy to support Port’s local organizations that do so much for our community. Hope to see you at one of these upcoming events!

May 11th • 6pm-8pm

“What’s Your Joy?”

Art Exhibition & Reception at The Art Guild

May 11th & 15th • 5pm-9pm and other Summer dates!

Live at Five at the Science Museum

May 21st • 10am

Storytime at Growing Love Community Garden

May 21st • 12pm-4pm

Hearts PW PortFest at Schreiber High School

Alana Mitnick Benjamin

2018-2022 America’s Best Real Estate Professionals, Real Trends

M: 917.680.1948

alana.benjamin@compass.com

Follow us

@livinginportwashington @alanabenjamingroup

ALANA BENJAMIN SUPPORTS PORT!

New York State Immigration Exhibit At The Port Washington Public Library

The Port Washington Public Library will be exhibiting Immigration in New York State, 1650-1950, from May 1- May 29 in the Library’s Community Gallery, courtesy of the Long Island Library Resources Council. Immigrants built a vibrant, diverse, and modern New York State. However, the arrival of European immigrants was also incredibly disruptive. Indigenous people were pushed off of their lands. Enslaved, indentured, and otherwise subjugated populations were exploited in the establishment of the state. Our history bears those imprints, as well as many more positive outcomes. Immigrants have come to New York for many reasons: to escape persecution, to improve their economic outlook, and to build new lives.

This exhibit focuses on historic immigration to New York State from 1650 to 1950. Our story begins with the arrival of Dutch settlers and continues through the end of the World Wars. Like much of the general documentary record, New York Heritage Digital Collections lacks significant representation of immigrants— particularly more recent immigration to New York. To address this shortcoming, New York Heritage is actively prioritizing the addition of materials depicting under-represented groups.

For more information about the exhibition, visit https://nyheritage.org/index. php/exhibits/immigration

—Submitted by the Port Washington Public Library

Councilmember Mariann Dalimonte Announces Success Of Shrink Wrap Recycling Program

Councilmember Mariann Dalimonte is proud to announce that her shrink wrap recycling program was a tremendous success, with the Town ultimately collecting 3.65 tons, or 7,300 pounds of shrink wrap material. The program was hosted throughout the month of April at Manorhaven Beach Park, and was spearheaded by Council Member Dalimonte.

“I am absolutely thrilled with the results of North Hempstead’s shrink wrap recycling program,” said Councilmember Dalimonte. “I am always trying to innovate the ways in which the Town can protect our environment from pollution, and I am glad that our residents were able to find this program useful.”

The program allowed boaters and Town residents to recycle their shrink wrap materials, helping to reduce waste and protect the environment by providing a convenient and environmentally friendly way to dispose

Town officials host a successful shrink wrap program. (Contributed photo)

of this material. The Town sent five containers of shrink wrap to Westbury Paper Stock Corporation to be recycled.

This material is low density polyethylene, LDPE, and can be pelletized and then reused in the manufacturing of a variety of materials including lawn edging, plastic lumber, carpet, as well as shrink wrap.

—Submitted by the Town of North Hempstead

The exhibit will be on display from May 1 to May 29 in the Library’s Community Gallery. (Contributed photo)

Magnificent Modern Sands Point Home

30 Harbor Acres Road, Sands Point, NY

Absolutely magni cent, modern 8,300 sq. ft new construction home completed in 2023. 4-bedrooms, 5-full baths, 2-half baths, gorgeous top of the line kitchen, formal dining room, breakfast room, large living room, primary bedroom with huge en suite bath and 300 sq. ft. closet with built-ins, 3 additional bedrooms with en suite baths and closets. Finished basement with 2 additional large rooms to be used for gym and o ce, plus another room for media or playroom, depending on your lifestyle. Auxiliary room with 5 zones of HVAC, ethernet and smart home systems. Mud room and 3-car garage with beautiful windows. Blue stone patio o breakfast room with lush green yard and space for a pool. No detail was spared in the construction of this home. $4,650,000.

CALENDAR

FRIDAY, MAY 12-

SUNDAY, MAY 14

Mother’s Day Cupcake Giveaway Shop local all weekend and bring your proof of purchase to participating local bakeries for a free cupcake. Participating bakeries: Crazy Cakes, The One Bakery Store, Saint Honore Pastry Shop, Schmear Bagel & Cafe and Steiner’s Pastry Shop.

SATURDAY, MAY 13

How to Become a LinkedIn Published Author

1 p.m. (Online) Find out what a LinkedIn-published author is and why you should consider becoming one. Learn all this and more at this informative presentation. Made possible by the Career & Personal Finance Center. Register now at pwpl.org/events

MONDAY, MAY 15

Afternoon on Broadway with Stephen Nachamie

3 p.m. (Library Lapham Meeting Room)

Join award-winning director Stephen Nachamie as he celebrates the career of Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz. Explore the universally acclaimed work of Schwartz, looking at such hits as Godspell, Pippin and the smash-hit Wicked. Register at pwpl.org/events beginning May 1.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN YOUR COMMUNITY

How to Play on Manhasset Bay

7 p.m. (Library Lapham Meeting Room)

For anyone interested in buying, renting or sharing a boat—or those who are curious about options to enjoy time on the water, join us for a panel discussion with boating experts who will provide helpful insight. Sponsored by the Library’s Nautical Advisory Council. Register now at pwpl. org/events

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17

Project Independence-Hydration

11 a.m.-12 p.m. (Magnolia Gardens, Community Room) Hydration for seniors. Join the Town of North Hempstead to find simple ways to increase your water intake that can help you avoid the complications of dehydration and stay healthy. Call 311 for more information.

THURSDAY, MAY 18

Adelphi Guitar Ensemble

7 p.m. (Library Lapham Meeting Room)

The Adelphi Guitar Ensemble returns to the library with a new program of guitar quartets, trios, and duos. The program will include the premiere of a brand-new quartet alongside a varied program, including works from the Baroque era through today. Register at pwpl.org/events

FRIDAY, MAY 19

Sandwiched In with Tanisha Mitchell

12 p.m. (Library Lapham Meeting Room)

Join Tanisha Mitchell for an interactive lecture on what makes an orchestra exciting, by exploring famous music themes, instruments, and the people behind the orchestra. Register at pwpl. org/events

Happy Mother’s Day

John Brynes in Concert

4 p.m. (Library Lapham Meeting Room) John Brynes is a talented multi-instrumentalist and vocalist with an eclectic songbook that spans the genres of folk, blues, rock, and country. John’s use of simple but thoughtful melodies, blended with his introspective lyrics and soulful voice, creates a sound that is seemingly familiar, yet entirely his own.

SATURDAY, MAY 20

E-Waste Recycling

8 a.m.-12 p.m. (802 West Shore. Rd, Port Washington) The Town of North Hempstead is hosting an electronic waste drop-off event for residents. Free of charge. Call 311 for more information.

Asian American Festival

11:30 a.m. (North Hempstead Beach Park) The Town of North Hempstead is hosting an Asian American Festival. Enjoy cultural performances and a lively market filled with arts and crafts, shopping and the delicious cuisine of a varirty of Asian countries. Parking fee $10 (cash) and $7 (credit card). Call 311 for more information.

THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR MANHASSET PAT AITKEN

FOR BOARD OF EDUCATION - VOTE TUESDAY, MAY 16th

7 AM to 9 PM – Manhasset High School Gym

THE EXPERIENCE, PROVEN COMPETENCE & DEDICATON WE NEED

Proven record in business advisory & finance combined with governance skills developed through service to churchcommunity & on university board of trustees

PUTTING EDUCATION FIRST

Expandedcurricular & extracurricular options, maintaining high standards in education

New electives in Engineering sequence and Broadcast Journalism

Expanded AP options including Human Geography, Art History, and Capstone r esearch program

HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

24th in NYS Public Schools 2022

Budgets within NYS tax levy cap

2.07% average 15-year levy increase

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

KEYSPAN GAS EAST CORPORATION d/b/a NATIONAL GRID

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by KeySpan Gas East Corporation d/b/a National Grid (“Company”) that it has led with the New York State Public Service Commission (“PSC”) tari revisions to its Schedule for Gas Service, PSC No.1 – GAS, that are proposed to become e ective June 3, 2023.

The Company seeks to increase delivery revenues by approximately $228 million to modernize and improve the safety, reliability, and performance of our infrastructure, enhance the customer experience, reduce system emissions, and fund energy a ordability and e ciency programs. The Company’s ling is subject to approval by the PSC and the rates approved may be di erent from those proposed. The Company expects that the PSC will suspend the proposed rates for the maximum period permitted under the Public Service Law, which would mean an e ective date of revised rates of April 1, 2024.

S.C. No. 1A, 5-1A – Residential Non-Heating Service

S.C. No. 1AR, 5-1AR – Residential Non-Heating Service

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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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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

CUSTOMER SERVICE: (800) 708-7311 EXT. 236

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

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.

Weekly Sudoku Puzzle

Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square.

Answer to last issue’s Sudoku Puzzle

Answer to last issue’s Crossword Puzzle

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Equal Housing Opportunity

Federal, New York State and local laws prohibit discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, familial status, age, marital status, sexual orientation or disability in connection with the rental, sale or financing of real estate. Nassau also prohibits source of income discrimination. Anton Community Newspapers does not knowingly accept advertising in violation of these laws. When you suspect housing discrimination, call Long Island Housing Services’ Discrimination Complaint Line at 800660-6920. (Long Island Housing Services is the Fair Housing Agency of Nassau and Suffolk Counties.)

Assemblywoman Sillitti To Host Sessions On Seniors And Fraud

Assemblywoman Gina L. Sillitti (D-Port Washington) announced that she will be hosting two informational sessions on elder fraud prevention, in conjunction with New York State Attorney General Leticia James’ Office, to help educate Long Island seniors and their loved ones about ways to identify scams.

“Most New Yorkers are familiar with the wide variety of scam calls and unsolicited emails that fill our inboxes, and sadly, our seniors are a frequent target of these despicable criminal enterprises,” said Sillitti. “Older adults lose billions of dollars to scammers each year and we must do our utmost to stop this criminal behavior. These information sessions will provide valuable information and resources for local seniors and help all of us keep our hard-earned money where it belongs – in our pockets.”

The “Don’t Fall for Fraud: Helping our Seniors Spot the Scam” events will be held on May 25, at Clinton G. Martin Park, and on Wednesday, June 14, at the Great Neck Senior Center. The latter informational session is being held in partnership with North Hempstead Councilwoman Veronica

Gillibrand Leads 41 Senators To Fund U.S.-Israel Missile Defense Programs

In April, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) led a bipartisan group of 41 senators in calling for $500 million to fully fund U.S.-Israel cooperative missile defense programs in the Defense Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2024. Israel’s missile defense system is made up of four operational layers: Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow 2 and now Arrow 3. In addition to contributing to ballistic missile defense, these systems play an important role in countering hostile unmanned aerial systems.

Levy. Attendees will learn how to protect their personal and financial information and what to do if they are a victim of fraud. Anyone interested in attending an informational session should RSVP by visiting NYASSEMBLY.GOV/SILLITTI or contacting Sillitti’s office at 516-482-6966.

—Submitted by the Office of Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti

“Continued support of the U.S.-Israel collaborative defense programs is critical to meeting the United States’ and Israel’s national security needs,” wrote the senators. “In addition to ballistic missile defense, this $500 million in federal funding will continue critical work on these air defense systems that can help counter hostile unmanned aerial systems. Together, these programs confront the compelling challenges facing both Israel and the United States and represent the enduring friendship of our nations.”

Senators Gillibrand and Rounds have long led this bipartisan letter in support

of U.S.-Israeli cooperative missile defense programs, which advance U.S. national security interests by supporting Israel’s ability to defend itself against missile and rocket attacks. For several years, the senators have led letters that have secured at least $500 million annually for these important programs. In the Senate, Gillibrand has led the letter dating back to at least 2012.

—Submitted by the Office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

A & F Market

Amalfi Ristorante

Anthony’s World of Floors

Anton Media Group

Jim Avena & Family

Ayhan’s Marketplace

Blank Slate Media

Bonzai Sushi

Cactus Café

Bill Carmody

CASA – Manhasset Coalition Against Substance Abuse

Chez Josee Salon

Kathryn Clejan-Millington

Coach Real Estate – Manhasset

Country Cleaners

Debbie Greco-Cohen

Maria Cuneo

Mariann Dalimonte, Councilwoman

Nancy DeLicce

Jennifer DeSena, TONH Supervisor

Diane’s Hair Salon

Lisa Donatelli, Douglas Elliman

Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Attorneys Eredics, Lunetta & Viola

Sam First, DDS

Finn MacCools Restaurant

For Five Coffee

Dave Franklin

Bob & MJ Freeland

Gino’s of Manhasset

Gum How

Dr. & Mrs. Paul Hamlin

Diane Harragan

Henderson-Marino VFW Post #1819

Stuart Herman

Mitch Horbhaber, DDS

Linda James

Kim Jones

Dr. Jean Kendall

Ivory Kitchen

Knights of Columbus

#2122 Manhasset

Carl Lalena

John Lalena

Michelle Schimel & David Leiman

Kathy Levinson

Le Petite Framboise

The Levinson Family

LI Health Care – Marilyn Cafasso

Lorber Hoffman Team

Louie’s Manhasset Restaurant

Louie’s Prime Steak & Seafood

Manhasset Chamber of Commerce

Manhasset Women’s Club of Flower Hill

Mainly Marketing

Margarita’s Cafe

Pat Mentesana

Melba Molson

Monfort Cemetery Restoration

Mr. Suds Car Wash

Port Washington Police District

Nathan Family

National Mah Jongg League

Northshore Auto Collision

Park East LLC

Pearl East

Peppe Rosso

Elaine Phillips, Nassau County Comptroller

Port Counseling Center: Division of Long Beach Reach, Inc.

Port Washington Adult Activities Center

Port Washington Diner

Port Washington Jewish Center

Salt Cave Port Washington

Precision Plus Home Remodelers Inc.

Prime Manhasset

Project HELP Long Island

Rain Dew

Reyes Brothers

Remodeling and Design LLC

Fran Rinaldi

Ellen Ritz - NAMI

RX/FIT

Sandro’s Manhasset

Serra Provisions

SHOP Manhasset

Gina Sillitti, Assemblywoman

St. Francis Hospital

Sons of Italy – JMM Lodge #1389

Steiner’s Bake Shop

St. Honore Bakery

Jeff Stone

Stop & Shop

Stresa Italian Restaurant

Sullivan’s Quay Restaurant

Tori’s Place Ear Piercing Studio

Toscanini Ristorante

Town & Country Florists

Training Station

Umberto’s of Manhasset

Dominick Versace

Villa Milano Restaurant

Frank Villano

The Wagner House

Warriors Aktion Club

Bob Weitzner, Mayor PW North

Delia DeRiggi-Whitton

Nassau County Legislator

Wild Goose Restaurant

Yummy Gyro Restaurant

A Very Special Thank You

The Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation & Archangel Michael

Greek Orthodox Church

Great Music by Patty McCormack Atkins

Chris Polvere

Diane Polvere

David Holliday

MC

John Canning, Esq.

Grand Opening Celebration

On Thursday, April 20, the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce celebrated the Grand Opening of one of its newest members, WorkSmart Space, located at One Channel Drive. Chamber president Debbie Greco-Cohen and other Chamber members were joined by Chamber Executive Director Bobbie Polay, BID Executive Director Holly Byrne, Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, Town Council Member Mariann Dalimonte, Manorhaven Mayor John Popelesky and many other well-wishers. They all celebrated the occasion with COO of parent company G2D Group Philip Foote, Director of Public Relations Richard Piana, Client Advisor Japinder Kohli and Director of Acquisitions Daniel Wiener, who were presented with certificates from the officials in attendance. A tour of the totally renovated facilities had everyone in awe.

WorkSmart Space rents their modern, attractive and comfortable shared spaces to anyone who can take advantage of this opportunity. Councilwoman Dalimonte commented that she is very pleased that WorkSmart Space chose to open their newest office in Port Washington.

—Submitted by the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce

Free Health Screenings

The Town of North Hempstead’s Project Independence is bringing the St. Francis Hospital Community Outreach Bus to the Port Washington Adult Activities Center on Monday May, 15 for free health screenings.

Project Independence is a comprehensive aging in place initiative sponsored by a local government in New York State. It provides services and opportunities for seniors that help them live independently, while

maintaining socially active and healthy lives.

The Town of North Hempstead and Catholic Health St. Francis Hospital and Heart Center joined together to bring free health screenings to North Hempstead seniors this spring.

According to the Town of North Hempstead website, “The screenings include a brief cardiac history, blood pressure, simple blood test for cholesterol and diabetes screenings with appropriate

Happy 100th Birthday

patient education and referrals as needed for clients above the age of 18.”

On Monday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the outreach bus will be at the Port Washington Adult Activities Center, 80 Manorhaven Blvd. No appointment is required. Call 311 or 516869-6311 for more information.

—Information compiled from The Town of North Hempstead website by Julie Prisco

Assemblywoman Sillitti Demonstrates Induction Stove Top At Earth Day Event

From the left: Kenneth Magida, PW Chamber of Commerce board member; Bobbie Polay, PW Chamber of Commerce executive director; Marie Marcellino, PW Chamber of Commerce board member; Steve Edelson, PW Chamber of Commerce board member; Holly Byrne, Greater PW BID executive director; William Haagenson, BID board memberl; Janet Lavin, representing NYS Assembly Member Gina Sillitti; John Popelesky, Mayor of the Village of Manorhaven; Jennifer DeSena, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor; Philip Foote, COO of G2D Group; Mariann Dalimonte, Town of North Hempstead Council Member; Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, Nassau County Legislator; Debbie Greco-Cohen, PW Chamber president; Lisa Donatelli, PW Chamber Vice president; Richard Piana, Director of Public Relations of G2D Group; Japinder Kohli, WorkSmart Space Client Advisor; Dave Allen, PW Chamber member; and Daniel Weiner, G2D Director of Acquisitions. (Photo by Russell Lippair, Town of North Hempstead)

The St. Francis Hospital Community Outreach Bus. (Photo from the Town of North Hempstead website)

A photo of Georgia Binns, aged 100, former real estate veteran of 40 years with Accent On Real Estate and Port Washington resident of 50 years, on her birthday standing in her home next to the mayor of Molandier, France where she lives now with two of her three children. Mrs Binns lived in Baxter Estates. (Content from Marie DeTommaso)

This weekend, Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti joined Transition Town Port Washington’s President Margaret Galbraith to demonstrate the ease and speed of electric induction stove-top cooking at the Port Washington Public Library‘s Earth Day event. In photo, from the left: Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti and Margaret Galbraith. (Content from the office of Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti)

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HEARTS PW Presents PortFest 2023

JULIE PRISCO

jprisco@antonmediagroup.com

On Sunday, May 21 HEARTS PW

(Helping Enrich the Arts of Port Washington) will be hosting it’s annual PortFest 2023 at Seeber Field (between Weber Middle School and Schreiber High School) from 12 to 4 p.m. HEARTS PW is an independent, not-for-profit community organization whose mission is to add value to children’s lives and the community by supporting, promoting and enriching the arts in Port Washington.

This arts, music and community festival started a little over 10 years ago, and is a major fundraising event for HEARTS. The event is free to the public, though attendees need tickets for crafts. All money raised from these tickets, sponsorships, and donations from across the community go directly towards HEARTS grants next year, the 2023-2024 cycle.

Each year, PortFest is a kickoff to the summertime for the whole family to enjoy. With live performances, arts and crafts, and food trucks with sweet and savory options, there is a lot to enjoy.

“PortFest is a great springtime tradition, and it’s a great event for HEARTS to be

able to showcase all of this great artistry in the community,” said Eric Gewirtz, Board President of HEARTS PW.

This year’s live performances include school groups from Schreiber, Weber and Elementary Schools, Bach 2 Rock, Dance Works, Dance Arts Center, Berest Dance Center and additional performances with Curtains Up and Port Summer Show.

“The performances speak for themselves. We have three of the dance studios in Port performing, which we didn’t have in past years,” said Gewirtz. “Berest is actually

doing this sort of participatory dance event with a May Pole. It speaks to a larger theme of trying to do things that are a little bit new and also a little bit more participatory.”

The arts and crafts activity tent is always a hit with the children at PortFest. Tickets are required to participate in the arts and crafts. This year there will be recycled art, temporary glitter tattoos, button making, tie-dye fun and CD spin toy.

“There are two crafts that have a recycled art concept in mind,” said Gewirtz. “For the CD spin toy, we’re getting spools of old

blank CDs from people from all over the community. Then this idea of sort of the recycled art canvas.”

The recycled art canvas will provide a space for creativity to flow where kids can use recycled materials and paint to create canvas artwork.

Something new this year is HEARTS PW’s partnership with OhMyGoodness to offer a free special arts and crafts tent for preschoolers.

“There are so many new families who have moved to town in the last couple of years, and they may not know PortFest by itself. So we wanted to do something that could really be of great interest to these young families who probably have preschool-aged kids or very young kids in elementary schools,” explained Gewirtz. “OhMyGoodness is creating a whole free arts and crafts area for this younger age group and for these younger families.”

The HEARTS PW team approached OhMyGoodness with the idea to include younger activities for the new families and OhMyGoodness produced several activities and crafts. The tent will be a great hands-on art experience to enjoy, featuring dirt and a planting area in mini-compostable potters, mandala-making crafts, sensory tables and jars, a play dough sensory table and a theatrical puppet class.

“[The tent for younger children] again speaks to this idea of sort of participatory

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Berest Dance Center, PortFest 2022.

The craft booth offers temporary tattoos.

events. It means a lot to us to be able to do something to bring these new families who maybe have not heard of Port Fest together,” said Gewirtz.

Not only is the area a great space for younger kids to keep busy and have fun, its a great opportunity for families new to Port to socialize and meet other new Port families.

“We occupy a very good space in the community. The public trusts us to raise money to create these art experiences that become

our grants for the next year,” said Gewirtz. “But at the same time, there’s always going to be new families and kids who will enter the school district or be involved in something that HEARTS might have helped, like a program with a Parent Resource Center, for instance.”

HEARTS PW is hoping to get these young families involved and give them the opportunity to benefit from HEARTS’ experiences.

“It’s imperative for hearts to be engaged with the next generation of families who will

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be here, will be involved and get to experience all of this,” said Gewirtz.

For lunch and dessert, HEARTS PW is bringing back Rosie’s Grilled Cheese Truck, Yankee Doodle Dandy Chicken and Ralph’s Ices.

There are alot of great sponsors from the community that help make PortFest incredible. PortFest offers an honorable mention to the Dejana Foundation and The Gersh Family for their generous support.

As always, PortFest is a free event, though

tickets for the main arts and crafts activity tent are required, as well as costs for the food trucks.

Donations can be made at PortFest to support HEARTS. Proceeds from PortFest benefit HEARTS, and go directly to the school program grants next year (2023-2024 cycle).

The event is rain or shine, and plans to move indoors to Schreiber High School in the event of rain.

PortFest is Sunday, May 21, from 12-4 p.m. More info at pwportfest.org

Decorate your own lantern, PortFest 2022. (Courtesy HEARTS PW)

School Ensembles, PortFest 2022.

Port Washington Resident Appointed Queens College Dean Of The School Of Education

Bobbie Kabuto has been appointed dean of the School of Education at Queens College, where she has taught since 2006. She has served as interim dean since 2022. Her appointment puts her at the head of one of the most highly regarded teacher-training grounds in New York and the City University of New York system.

“We are delighted that Professor Kabuto has accepted this appointment,” says Queens College President Frank H. Wu. “The School of Education is a large and dynamic part of our institution, and it holds central importance to our mission as a public institution. She has both the scholarly depth and proven administrative skill and initiative to lead it.”

Kabuto, who resides in Port Washington, New York, is a tenured full professor and past chair of the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education (EECE). She has a BS in biology with a concentration in education from the University of Richmond in Virginia, and an MS in education (literacy studies) and PhD in reading, language, and cognition (literacy studies) from Hofstra University; she holds a New York State permanent certification as a reading teacher. Prior to her academic career, she taught pre-kindergarten and second grade in Japan.

As dean, Kabuto will work to enhance the School of Education’s profile, visibility, and

effectiveness, developing long- and shortrange plans and exercising management responsibility for academic program planning, faculty matters, and administration, including staffing, budgets, and facilities. She will also work to foster a high-quality environment of academic teaching, research, and intellectual achievement, and create and strengthen partnerships within and outside the college as a strong advocate.

Aidan Scott

It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Aidan Scott of Port Washington, NY. The middle of three sons of Anne Scott, Aidan was born in Carrick on Shannon on September 14th, 1958. Aidan earned his electrician’s degree from Anco College, Ireland and in 1986 he moved to New York to follow the American dream.

Aidan started his own business, in 1989 and was a highly respected and successful owner/operator of ADS Electric in Port Washington until his death.

Aidan moved to Port Washington not long after arriving in America and there he met and fell in love with Mary Lennon. Aidan and Mary married in 1995 and together they raised two wonderful sons, Owen and John. Aidan was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and friend, with a very dry wit and infectious belly laugh. On any given day, when not working on electrics, Aidan could be found on the golf course, driving around town and Long Island in his classic green MG, or barbecuing in the back yard for any number of friends and family. Aidan was a prodigious reader and loved to travel and do the Times crosswords, all of which made him an unbeatable pub-quiz competitor. Aidan was looking forward to retiring with the love of his life, Mary and making time for more travel and visits with family.

Aidan was traveling in Ireland with his wife Mary, after attending his niece’s wedding in Donegal, when he su ered a medical emergency and died. Aidan is survived by his wife, Mary, together for 34 years, sons, John and Owen, grandson Aidan, Mother, Anne and his brothers, Noel and Declan. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A cremation service took place in Dublin, Ireland on April 20th. Donations, if desired, can be made to Cancer Research. A celebration of Aidan’s life will be held in Port Washington later this year for his extended family and friends.

“I am so pleased that Dr. Bobbie Kabuto will become Queens College’s permanent dean of the School of Education,” says Provost Patricia Price. “The quality of her vision and leadership have been apparent from the outset of her time as interim dean, and I only expect these to strengthen as she transitions into the permanent position. Dean Kabuto brings a fresh perspective tempered by her 17 years of service to the college.”

Kabuto’s research in reading, literacy, and bilingual learners has resulted in 23 articles in scholarly journals and 13 chapters in books. Her article on Family Narratives of Biliteracy, published in Literacy, received the 2019 United Kingdom Literacy Association/ Wiley Research in Literacy Education Award. Kabuto has authored two books and edited or coedited five. A respected scholar, she is president of the Center for the Expansion of Language and Thinking (CELT).

While chair of EECE—the largest major in the School of Education and the third largest undergraduate major in the college—Kabuto led 18 tenured and 50–60 adjunct faculty through the throes of the pandemic, including the challenging transition to remote teaching and later return to classrooms. In her inward- and outward-facing role, she had wide-ranging responsibilities that included managing a $3 million budget, coordinating grant-related partnerships, managing assessment and accreditation efforts, organizing curriculum updates current with changing New York State Education Department requirements, and mentoring faculty through

tenure and promotion. As chair, she also achieved an 11 percent increase in undergraduate enrollment in the EECE major.

Kabuto says she is “proud and excited” to be named dean and will seek to prepare School of Education graduates for work in diverse urban communities. “Having served the Queens College community for almost two decades, I am deeply committed to the equity-minded and inclusive mission of the college,” she says. “I look forward to fostering a progressive community of learners and leaders grounded in social justice, advocacy, and the School of Education’s conceptual framework that centers on Equity, Excellence, and Ethics (3Es).”

Responsible for academic leadership of the school, she has been preparing for the upcoming Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation process; updating the school’s curriculum; fostering teacher development, tenure, and promotion; and overseeing teacher-education programs run by other departments at Queens College (such as Music Education). She has also worked to develop new and continuing partnerships, including the Netter Center UniversityAssisted Community Schools Regional Training Center at Binghamton University, New York City schools, community service institutions, and the Townsend Harris High School College Preparatory Program and Bridge Year Program. With an $11-million base operating budget, she also has launched new fundraising, advancement, and alumni relations initiatives.

—Submitted by Queens College

Search For Spring

A guided nature walk at Sands Point Preserve

The Guided Nature Walk series continues May 13 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Sands Point Preserve Conservancy.

Use binoculars to search the skies, and magnifying glasses to search the ground for signs of spring. We’ll explore the woods and the pond habitat, seeking flowers, buds, insects and animals that indicate spring is here. After the walk, participants will plant seeds to take home to their own gardens.

Our expert guide, environmental educator Hildur Palsdottir, brings a range of perspectives for each outdoor adventure. Join us on for these enriching experiences on the preserve. Throughout the series, we explore different aspects of the preserve’s environment, encompassing its unique physical features and wildlife, as well as critical conservation issues and helpful practices to create a healthy, sustainable environment.

Tickets: Members pay $10 per adult; children are free. Non-members pay $15 per adult, $5 per child. Parking is included. Pay

at the Gatehouse and meet at Castle Gould’s Clock Tower.

The Sands Point Preserve Conservancy is located at 127 Middle Neck Rd., Sands Point, New York. For more information, visit http://sandspointpreserveconservancy.org/ events/guided-nature-walk-2023/, or call 516-571-7901

—Submitted by the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy

Bobbie Kabuto (Image from Bobbie Kabuto)

Walk through Sands Point Preserve with an expert guide. (Photo from the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy website)

SPORTS

Port Softball Team Shows Appreciation For Teachers With Special Game

On Wednesday, the Port Washington girls’ varsity softball team held a Teacher Appreciation game to honor the educators who have made a difference in their lives. Each Varsity Softball player selected a teacher who had a significant impact on them and surprised them with a note and small token of appreciation.

The event was a heartwarming display of gratitude and appreciation for the hard work and dedication of Port’s educators. The teachers were moved by the heartfelt gestures from their former students and expressed their appreciation for being recognized in such a meaningful way.

Port Washington Softball Coach, Eric Sutz, said, “We wanted to do something

special to show our appreciation for the amazing teachers in our district across all levels who have helped us grow and succeed both on and off the field. This event was a great way to give back and show our gratitude for everything they do.”

The Teacher Appreciation game was a resounding success and truly showcased the close-knit and supportive community

that Port has always been known for. For more information about the Port Washington Union Free School District, please visit the district’s website at www.portnet.org and ‘like’/‘follow’ our Facebook/Instagram page @ PortWashSchools.

—Submitted by the Port Washington Union Free School District

Vikings Softball team.

From the left: Elise Rudes, Mr. Adam Wolfert, Daya Gomez-Hernandez. (Contributed photos)

SCHOOL NEWS

John J. Daly Elementary School Prepares Time Capsule With Help From Students

On April 28, 2023, students from John J. Daly Elementary School gathered to place items in a time capsule in the wall of the new wing of their school. The time capsule is filled with items that represent the students’ experiences and interests in 2023, and it will remain sealed until it is opened in fifty years.

The time capsule ceremony was a special event for the school as students from each

grade level contributed drawings, letters, photographs, and other mementos that capture the spirit of Daly Elementary School.

“We are thrilled to be commemorating this addition with a time capsule today,” said Lucia Laguarda, Principal of John J. Daly Elementary School. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to leave a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.”

50th High School Reunion Schreiber Class of 1973

Happiness is….The Schreiber High School Class of 1973 50th Reunion.

Happiness is …was the theme for our Prom in 1973.

We were so fortunate to have Chubby Checker as our entertainment.

It’s time to gather again to reminisce with our classmates. We are looking forward to a weekend of memories and catching up with friends. A weekend of extraordinary activities is planned.

Friday, August 18, a morning golf outing. Limited availability; register early.

Friday evening, meet up at Finns MacCool’s restaurant on Main Street in Port Washington. Pay your own food and drinks. If you want to have dinner before the crowds please make a reservation at Finn’s.

Saturday morning enjoy a historic

narrated bus tour throughout Port Washington.

Saturday afternoon there will be a narrated boat tour of historic Manhasset Bay and Hempstead Harbor (Sold out)

On Saturday, Aug. 19, join us for a memorable reunion dinner celebration at the Hilton Garden Inn, Roslyn

For additional information, please contact Linda Ragusa-Demeo via mail at 75 Shadyside Ave. Port Washington, NY 11050, via phone 516-297-7781 or via email tennis6573@aol.com

A registration form must be filled out with the enclosed check.

For further information and a list of classmates, please visit our website at www.schreiber73.com

Looking forward to seeing you there.

—Submitted by Schreiber Class of 1973 Reunion Committee

The time capsule was placed in the wall in a special ceremony attended by students, teachers, district administration, and members of the Board of Education. Fifth-grade students in Mr. Mason’s chorus sang the National Anthem and “What a Wonderful World.” After a brief presentation by two pre-K students who contributed to the time capsule, the capsule was placed into the wall of the new

wing of the school, where it will remain for fifty years.

John J. Daly Elementary School is proud to have a new wing that will provide students with state-of-the-art facilities for years to come. The new wing at Daly Elementary School is scheduled to open in the 2023-2024 school year.

—Submitted by the Port Washington Public School District

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

PORT WASHINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPOSED 2023-24 BUDGET

Dear Port Washington Community, Our vision for the Port Washington School District encompasses a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive community that believes in the potential of every learner. We expect that all of our graduates will become knowledgeable and responsible individuals who will thrive in, and contribute to, their world. We aspire to give every student the opportunity to pursue and explore their natural curiosities, and to be challenged and supported with varied experiences that lead them to become fulfilled, lifelong learners.

This year’s ballot includes the Board of Education’s proposed 2023-2024 school budget in the amount of $184,265,295. This amount is a 5.39 percent increase over the current year’s budget. The proposed tax levy increase is 2.63 percent, which is below the tax cap limit for Port Washington. The approved budget maintains our schools’ existing academic, extracurricular, support, performing arts, and athletic programs. The proposed budget reflects the district’s Vision, Mission and Portrait of a Graduate

by educating the whole child and providing a well-rounded, equitable educational experience for ALL.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement in our efforts to provide an exceptional educational experience for all students in the Port Washington School District. We are committed to ensuring that our graduates are well-prepared for their futures, and we are grateful for the trust you have placed in us to achieve this goal. We look forward to working together with our community to advance our Vision and Mission, and we welcome your feedback and involvement as we strive for excellence in all aspects of our district.

The administration and school board encourage all eligible voters in our community to exercise their right to vote on the proposed budget and Board of Education Trustee election on Tuesday, May 16.

—Sincerely, Michael J. Hynes, Ed.D., Port Washington School District Superintendent and Adam Smith, Board of Education President

Fifth-grade students from Daly Elementary School place mementos in the time capsule in the new wing of their school.

Daly Pre-K students place drawings in the time capsule.

The time capsule was placed in the wall in a special ceremony attended by students, teachers, district administration, and members of the Board of Education. (Contributed photos)

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