A.I.A.I...Oh!

days of fall.

Truth be told, I didn’t write one word of the paragraph in praise of summer or the lament about summer. Nor did I plagiarize from some other author. No, I asked “AI” (an artificial intelligence app) to write me a positive and a negative paragraph about summer.

The Spirit Of Our Town

Fr. Ralph Sommer

fresh, cool air. The sun’s relentless rays beat down on me, leaving me exhausted and fatigued. My once favorite outdoor activities become unbearable as the intense heat drains every ounce of energy from my body. The mosquitoes seem to thrive during this time, invading my personal space and leaving me covered in itchy bites. And let’s not forget the never-ending chorus of lawnmowers and construction work that constantly disturbs any attempt at peace and tranquility. Summer, you are a season of discomfort and inconvenience, testing my patience and leaving me yearning for the crisp, refreshing an “Oriole” dog – cream cheese, peanut butter, and jelly before a ballgame. Disgusting, right? Wrong! It was actually much better than I thought. While on vacation in Denver, Kevin and his wife Arielle visited a place called “Biker Jim’s Gourmet Hot Dogs,” where you can sample dogs made from elk, wild boar, ostrich, or a combination of rattlesnake and pheasant. Arielle had the wild boar with cream cheese and caramelized onions, while Kevin tried the elk dog. The official report was that they were fantastic.

So, as the calendar turns into August and we celebrate the last few weeks of summer, enjoy your fancy grilled shish-kabob, salmon, or sausage and peppers while fighting off the yellowjackets and sipping mojitos. There is still plenty of room on the barbeque for grilled chicken and steak. Wrap those baking potatoes in foil and put them on the top rack. Don’t forget the corn-on-the-cob!

Me? I’ll pick at the chips and dip as everyone scrambles for the burnt chicken and makes a plate with salad. I’ll bide my time until you clear the grate and start lining up the dogs and burgers.

And don’t forget the cream cheese.

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

Publishers of

Glen Cove/Oyster Bay Record Pilot

Great Neck Record

Manhasset Press

Nassau Illustrated News

Port Washington News

Syosset-Jericho Tribune

The Nassau Observer

The Roslyn News

Editor and Publisher

Angela Susan Anton

President

Frank A. Virga

Vice President of Operations/CFO

Iris Picone

Director of Sales

Administration

Shari Egnasko

Editors

Janet Burns, Jennifer Corr, Lauren Feldman, Christy Hinko, Amanda Olsen, Julie Prisco, Joe Scotchie

Advertising Sales

Ally Deane, Mary Mallon, Sal Massa, Maria Pruyn, Jeryl Sletteland

Director of Circulation

Joy DiDonato

Director of Production

Robin Carter

Creative Director

Alex Nuñez

Art Director

Catherine Bongiorno

Senior Page Designer

Donna Duffy

What do you think? Did “AI” get it right? Do I need to write anymore? As I waited the less than two seconds for “AI” to honor my request to write these paragraphs, I was filled with anticipation to see if I would be moved, enlightened, amused, or disturbed by what I’d see on my computer screen. My ultimate reaction was: “well duh!” “AI” produced a list of summertime realties which any of us could put together in couple of minutes. Yes “ai” was faster, but not really insightful. It wasn’t wrong in what it wrote, but so what? Beaches and barbecues, mosquitos and muggy weather. Yes. Those things happen in summer.

But what about the firsts and lasts of summer? These are the things that claim us more than a hot dog or sunscreen: Youngest child finally has courage to jump off diving board. Eldest child hangs out in backyard with friends, about to disperse off to a dozen colleges, never to be together in the same way again. Elderly mom complains of being cold even though the temperature is 95 degrees – might she be gone by Labor Day? Car screeching…seemingly endless pause…crash! Sirens. Is it anyone I know? Even if not, someone is bleeding August blood. Best friends selling their lakeside place. We won’t ever be back there again. Carnival goldfish gone – surprised it lasted this long. Braces in…braces off. Last baseball game before outgrowing the league.

All of these moments mark lives moving on through the summer and there is a haunting realization that we will not pass this way again. Our kids are growing up too fast. We are losing treasured people and treasured moments. For sure there will be new joys in the summers to come, but neither we nor “AI” can be sure of what awaits us.

So for now, until “AI” takes over the world, let us each take some time and look at the summer we are now living and breathe it all in, really taste it, let the warmth penetrate our souls, and let us be grateful for these remaining days.

Page Designer

Christina Dieguez

Director of Business

Administration

Linda Baccoli

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