Bethpage Newsgram (6/28/24)

SERVING BETHPAGE, OLD BETHPAGE, AND PLAINVIEW

Hicksville resident named Woman of Distinction

On May 14, New York State Senator Steve Rhoads recognized Hicksville’s Patricia Harrs as his New York State Senate 2024 Woman of Distinction in Albany.

Patricia Harrs is a truly remarkable woman who is an inspiration to all and a shining example of what it means to live a life dedicated to serving others. She has spent her entire

life living in Levittown and Hicksville passionately focused on public safety, volunteerism, and her family. Patricia Harrs has dedicated her life to serving her community, starting as a lifeguard, and progressing through roles as a Nassau County Police Department crossing guard and a Nassau County Corrections Officer, where she retired as

captain of the Police Academy after 32 years.

Despite facing personal tragedy, she persevered and raised her four children while working and training countless officers. Now in retirement after recovering from cancer, she remains a pillar of strength for her family and continues to be recognized for her dedication and loving heart.

The Bethpage Newsgram is published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp.

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Hicksville Chamber presents scholarships to HHS graduates

BY RIKKI MASSAND

On Tuesday, June 18, the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce gathered at Peppercorn’s on E. Marie Street to welcome this year’s scholarship recipients, two members of Hicksville High’s Class of 2024: Arshdeep Kaur and Anthony Lopez. Each student received $500 towards their college education expenses.

Arshdeep Kaur will head to Cornell University in late summer, where she plans to study computer science. She was a contributor to the Hicksville High School Robotics team and earned recognition as a National Honor Society student. She attended the Chamber’s June

18 luncheon and recognition ceremony with her mother, Amanmeet Kaur, and her father, Kanwal Singh.

Anthony Lopez, who attended Hicksville Public Schools from kindergarten through 12th grade, will be attending the University of Michigan to pursue a degree in physics. He attended the Chamber luncheon with his mother, Barbara, and younger brother.

In presenting the students with the checks and citations, longtime Chamber member and past president Patrick Crowe, chairperson of the Chamber’s Scholarship Committee, shared that 32 Hicksville students applied for the scholarship.

See page 8

Patricia Harrs of Hicksville with New York State Senator Steve Rhoads.

Hicksville Chamber board member Patrick Crowe (left) and president Charlie Razenson (right), presented Class of 2024 HHS graduates Arshdeep Kaur and Anthony Lopez with scholarship award certificates.

Plainview business holds fundraiser for local youth who passed away

BY GARY SIMEONE

It was a crowded scene at Catch The Wave frozen yogurt shop in Plainview on Wednesday, June 12. Dozens of people turned out for the twelfth annual “Spencer Reis” fundraiser to help raise funds for Spencer’s family, and to support the “Spencer Cares Scholarship Fund,” which helps high school seniors with financial assistance towards college.

Michael Agliato, owner of Catch The Wave, said this is the twelfth consecutive year that his business has participated in the fundraiser to raise funds for Spencer, who passed away from cancer in 2012 at the age of fourteen.

“This is a very strong and close-knit community, and you can tell that the people really care for one another by the turnout we’ve received since we’ve put this event together in 2012,” said Agliato. “Our store has become like the hometown store here in Plainview and we have a great customer-base and support from the community and local school district.”

Spencer, who was a Mattlin Middle School graduate, died after being diagnosed with leukemia in 2012. He was given his graduation degree posthumously at the time by POBJFK Principal James Murray.

Spencer’s father, Jeff Reis, said his son was a shining star in their lives in the short time they had him.

“I know every parent who loses a child says this, but it is absolutely true in the case of Spencer. He was a great kid and made everyone around him smile, and there’s not a day that goes by that we don’t think about him,” said Reis.

Reis said a month before Spencer passed away, a number of his classmates approached Mike at Catch The Wave to propose the idea of a fundraiser in his name.

“The first one in 2012 was an unbelievable turnout with nearly four hundred people deep who came to show their support for Spencer. The event was held on April 15th and Spencer’s funeral was held two days later on April 17th.”

In the first few years, fifty percent of the daily sales at Catch The Wave were donated to Spencer’s charity. In the last few years, twenty-five percent of sales has been presented to his family. In the twelve years since the inception of the fundraising campaign, over $45,000 has been raised in Spencer’s name.

Reis and his wife Anita , along with their two sons, Ryan and Josh, have been very altruistic by forming a scholarship fund for POBJFK High School seniors to help with college assistance.

The criteria for the applicants is to write an essay to the Reis family describ ing what they’ve done in times of need in past, present and future tense.

Reis said that he usually chooses six of the top applicants and presents each with an $1,000 check at POBJFK High School awards ceremony day.

“My wife and I go onstage, talk about Spencer a little bit and then present the checks to each of the deserving seniors,” said Reis. “I must say that every year since we started this, the essays are get ting better and more comprehensive.”

If anyone would like to donate to the Spencer Reid fundraiser, they can send checks to the POBJFK School district with “Spencer Cares” in the memo.

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Arrest in Hicksville Target robbery

Nassau County Police arrested an Amityville man for a robbery that occurred on Monday, June 24, at 6:33 p.m. at Target in Hicksville.

According to detectives, Clayton Rhoden, 33, entered Target located at 2003 Broadway Mall and allegedly proceeded to pass all points of purchase with store merchandise.  Police say that after attempting to exit the store without rendering payment, three loss prevention officers confronted Rhoden and he threatened them with a knife before fleeing the scene.

Subsequent to the investigation, responding officers located Defendant Rhoden on Newbridge Road and placed him under arrest without further inci-

Defendant Clayton Rhoden was charged with Robbery 1st Degree, Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th Degree, three (3) counts of Menacing 2nd Degree and Petit Larceny.

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Levittown blood drive “Shootout for Soldiers” lacrosse marathon to support vets

Recently, Senator Steve Rhoads partnered with the Levittown Fire Department for a Community Blood Drive. Senator Rhoads would like to thank everyone who came out to donate. Thanks to your generosity, enough blood was collected to save over 174 lives.

The Town of Oyster Bay will host the 10th Annual “Shootout for Soldiers” 24-Hour Lacrosse Benefit Game at the Town of Oyster Bay’s John J. Burns Park, located on Merrick Road in Massapequa. This year’s event begins on Thursday, July 11, at 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and continues on July 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The event benefits veterans and active duty military personnel. The Long Island Air Force Association will conduct a special ceremony on July 12 at 11:00 a.m. to honor hometown Vietnam War veterans and present them with medals that commemorate their service to our nation. There will be a parachute landing on the field conducted by the “All Veterans Group,” which will deliver the official ball on Friday at 6 p.m.

Supervisor Saladino stated, “Shootout for Soldiers is a wonderful event that provides local lacrosse players a chance to enjoy a sport they love in a unique way while also raising charitable funds to support the brave men

and women of the United States Armed Forces. Whether you enjoy lacrosse or are just looking for a fun-family event, I invite residents to be a part of the festivities.”

The charitable funds raised at Shootout for Soldiers will benefit the Team RWB, the Long Island Air Force Association, Strongpoint Theinert Ranch, and The Warrior Ranch Foundation.

The event features 24 1-hour sessions. The score is cumulative, resulting in unique scores for a lacrosse game with totals reaching into the hundreds. Participants include children, adults, seniors, youth, high school, college players and veterans. Teams that accommodate players with special needs are also scheduled to play.

For more information, please visit http://shootoutforsoliders.com or contact Harry Jacobs at longisland@shootoutforsoldiers.com or at (516) 315-3002.

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Syosset High School student Grace Liu presents her reserach at Research to Empower.

Grace Liu first developed an interest in academic research in middle school. But she soon learned that most extracurricular research programs were expensive and out of reach for many students.

Liu, a student at Syosset High School on Long Island, set out to change all of that.

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Now, Liu has received the $5,000 second prize in the Bill of Rights Institute’s national MyImpact Challenge for creating Research to Empower (ReTE), a nonprofit that makes free research training available to all students, especially underrepresented populations.

The Bill of Rights Institute is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that teaches civics and history through market-leading curricula and educational programs for teachers and students.

their innate creativity, initiate research projects, and apply their knowledge to address real-world needs in their community,” Liu wrote in her MyImpact Challenge essay.

ReTE offers free in-person and virtual classes and resources to help students develop research skills. The organization has conducted events reaching 41 school districts in 21 countries since 2022, and continues to work extensively within the Long Island community.

Along the way, ReTE has received support from companies like Google and Microsoft, and Liu received a Daily Point of Light Award from Points of Light, a foundation started by former President George H.W. Bush focused on volunteerism.

For more information or to register online, check the website for our Summer Semester at

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Through its MyImpact Challenge civic engagement contest, the Bill of Rights Institute encourages students to develop service projects that benefit their communities and advance constitutional principles such as liberty, equality, and justice. More than 400 students from every corner of America participated in this year’s MyImpact Challenge.

“Every young mind deserves the opportunity to discover their passion, develop critical thinking skills, unleash

David Bobb, president and CEO of the Bill of Rights Institute, said that MyImpact Challenge is helping students nationwide apply their civic knowledge to connect with their communities and develop vital citizenship skills.

“Civic education should not be confined to the four walls of a classroom,” Bobb said. “Through MyImpact Challenge, students are putting their skills and knowledge to work to improve their communities, solve local problems, and take the first steps toward a lifetime of civic engagement.”

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Hicksville resident featured in Gilbert & Sullivan production

Hicksville’s Roseann Rodriguez is featured in Gilbert & Sullivan’s “Iolanthe,” a new production of the classic comic opera, presented by the Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island in East Islip, Commack, Port Washington and Rockville Centre.

The Light Opera Company is one of Long Island’s oldest cultural institutions, celebrating its 70th season;  Rodriguez has been a company member since 2022, and was most recently seen in last season’s “Princess Ida.”  She plays one of a band of fairies who come into conflict with the Lord Chancellor of England when he accidentally offends the Fairy Queen by refusing to allow the marriage of a ward in Chancery to a humble shepherd who is secretly a fairy’s son; she also understudies the role of the Fairy Queen.

Iolanthe—which debuted in 1883, with book and lyrics by W.S. Gilbert and music by Arthur Sullivan—is one of the most beloved of all the Gilbert & Sullivan operas, especially for its perfect balance of words and music, humor and drama, magic and political satire.  The current production, directed by Gayden Wren, with music directed by Isabella Eredita Johnson and David Bernard, is the Light Opera Company’s first since 2015.

The story is a whimsical one:  That humble shepherd, Strephon, has the unusual problem of being half fairy and half mortal … his mother was a fairy, his unknown father a mortal, and he’s a fairy down to the waist, though his legs are mortal.  When Strephon falls in love with Phyllis, a ward in chancery sought after in marriage by half the House of Lords, it sets up a conflict between the wily Lord Chancellor and the cosmically powerful Fairy Queen, with the Queen’s band of fairies, the lovestruck Peers and Strephon and Phyllis themselves caught in between.

The dramatic side of the story involves Strephon’s mother, Iolanthe, who was sentenced to death for marrying a mortal, then reprieved at the last moment and banished from the fairy world.  Her greatest concern is for her son, and when the Lord Chancellor himself falls in love with Phyllis, Iolanthe faces a dilemma that may spell the end of her immortal life.

“It’s really Gilbert & Sullivan at their best,” concluded Wren, who admitted that it’s his personal favorite of the operas.  “The real magic isn’t the invisible fairies or the hypnotic spell they cast, it’s Gilbert, Sullivan and the way that they seem to come together so closely that it’s hard to tell where one begins and the other leaves off.  It’s one of the greatest works of musical theater ever written.”

He added that Rodriguez is at her best in the current production.

“Roseann has really grown as a performer in the past couple of years,” Wren said. “She has a lovely voice, and works incredibly hard to master the staging and every syllable of the dialogue and lyrics.  She’s always ready to rehearse, always eager to find a way to take something that’s already good and make it better.”

Iolanthe will be presented on Saturday, June 22, at 8 p.m. at the Bayway Arts Center, 265 East Main Street in East Islip; on Sunday, June 23, at 3 p.m. at the Star Theater at the Suffolk Y/JCC, 75 Hauppauge Road in Commack; on Saturday, June 29, at 8 p.m. at the Jeanne Rimsky Theater at the Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main Street in Port Washington; and on Sunday, June 30, at 3 p.m. at the Madison Theatre at Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Avenue in Rockville Centre.  Admission is $30, seniors and students $25.  For further information, call (516) 619-7415 or visit www.gaslocoli.org.

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Roseann Rodriguez of Hicksville plays a fairy in the Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island’s 2024 production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s “Iolanthe.”

Photo by Marc Eliot Stein. Copyright 2024 The Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island.

BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE

STEVE ISRAEL FORMER CONGRESSMAN PRESENTS

JUNE 28TH & 29TH

LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY IN BROOKVILLE

Keynote by best-selling historian ERIK

LARSON

and many more author panels on Saturday, June 29th.

JUNE 30TH DOWNTOWN OYSTER BAY

ENJOY Marketplace, Kids’ Activities, More Authors in Oyster Bay’s Downtown with many wonderful local businesses!

“Celebrate literature and Long Island at the Gold Coast Book Fair!”

Congratulations to South Woods Middle School Class of 2024

240 South Woods Middle School students were honored at a Moving Up ceremony on June 18.

South Woods Middle School sent 240 graduates off to Syosset High School during a moving up ceremony on Tuesday, June 18.

The ceremony was held in the Syosset High School gym. Graduates Kelsie Chin and Sophia Staller served as the Masters of Ceremony. A recording of the South Woods Select Chorus rendition of the Star Spangled Banner kicked off the ceremony, followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Maggie Fennell and Drew Smiler. Speakers included Board of Education Trustee Susan Falkove, Superintendent Dr. Thomas Rogers, and Principal Michelle Burget. Graduates Savi Mehta and Blake Schoenberg also offered reflections to their class.

Principal Michelle Burget spoke about the significance of the word milestone. “What does it really mean? The literal definition of milestone is a stone

set up beside a road to mark the distance in miles to a particular place. Figuratively, a milestone is an event marking a significant change or stage in development,” she said. “Today marks a milestone for all of you, in that it signals a poignant moment in your journey to adulthood, marking time and progress instead of distance.”

In addition to their certificates, several students were granted the Presidential Award for Educational Excellence, Presidential Award for Educational Achievement, and various Community Awards.

After receiving their certificates and being named Syosset High School freshman, the students departed the gym, joining family and friends to celebrate the next chapter in their educational journey.

Sanitation, recycling schedules for holiday week

Town sanitation and S.O.R.T.

Before the event, be sure to check out Nassau’s top-notch Restaurants, Golf Courses, Beaches and Shopping. Nassau is back and open for business!

Recycling collection schedules will be modified for the observance of Independence Day on Thursday, July 4.

“There will be no sanitation or recycling collection on Thursday, July 4th for residents who normally receive Town service,” Town Councilman Lou Imbroto said. “Residents who generally receive Town pickup on Thursdays will

have their collections done the next day, Friday, July 5th. Those who generally receive Town pickup on Fridays will be picked up Saturday, July 6th.”

The Councilman added that Town offices will be closed on July 4, but beaches, parks and pools will remain open. For more information, visit the Town’s website, www.oysterbaytown. com.

Attention students!

Graduated from school? Have an outstanding GPA? Made the honor roll or the Dean’s List? Scored an internship or a study abroad opportunity? We invite you to send details of any of these things and more, along with your name and contact info, to editor@gcnews.com for a chance to be seen in our paper!

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LEGAL NOTICES

NASSAU COUNTY

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NASSAU.

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, successor in interest to LaSalle Bank National Association, as Trustee for Lehman XS Trust Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-2, Plaintiff AGAINST Ana D. Salmeron, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 3, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, ‘Rain or Shine’, on July 25, 2024 at 3:00PM, premises known as 72 East Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Hicksville, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, SECTION: 45, BLOCK: 64, LOT: 244. Approximate amount of judgment $552,770.84 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #004593/2016. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 Protocols located on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) website (https://ww2.nycourts.gov/ Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. For sale information, please contact XOME at www.Xome.com or call (844) 400-9633. Ralph Madalena, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-078914-F00 80387

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO BAC HOME LOANS SERVICING, LP FKA

COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS SERVICING, LP, Plaintiffagainst- YONG S. LEE, YOUNG JA KWAK, MOON CHAN KWAK, EDWARD W. WALSH, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated November 12, 2019 and entered on November 13, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court "Rain or Shine" located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on July 9, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Hicksville, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the southerly side of Stanley Street, distant 431.85 feet southerly and easterly as measured along the westerly side of Stanley Street West and the Southerly side of Stanley Street South from the extreme southerly end of the curve connecting the westerly side of Stanley Street West with the Southerly side of 10th Street; being a plot 70.00 feet by 100.00 feet by 70.00 feet by 100.00 feet. Section: 46 Block: 334 Lot: 20

Said premises known as 22 BROOKS STREET AKA 22 BROOKS STREET SOUTH, HICKSVILLE, NY 11801

Approximate amount of lien $543,131.03 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 002575/2016.

ANTHONY J. RATTOBALLI, ESQ., Referee Kosterich & Skeete, LLC

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 707 Westchester Ave, Suite 302, White Plains, NY 10604

{* Mid Island Times*}

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Hicksville Chamber presents scholarships to HHS graduates

Hicksville Chamber of Commerce President Charlie Razenson and NY State Senator Steven Rhoads presented Hicksville High Class of 2024 grad Anthony Lopez with a certificate recognizing his scholarship award. Barbara Aziz held up the proclamation, with New York Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz, and Anthony’s younger brother Joseph also attended the luncheon.

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“With these two fabulous graduates (Kaur and Lopez) the cream rose right to the top. They are unbelievable and their community service records are fantastic. I applaud their parents because young kids do not learn about this unless your parents set a right direction about giving back to the community. Our hope as a business chamber is to continue to make our community better. When you both graduate from college, if you stay in Hicksville for a little while please join the chamber – we can use the young blood,” Rowe said.

Arshdeep Kaur thanked the Chamber and its Board, and she said the honor means a lot because it celebrates her commitment to the Hicksville community. “This is a great help for me as I plan for college too. Thank you all!” she said.

Anthony Lopez, a tall young

LEGAL NOTICES

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION

Notice of Formation of Ronrico LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/15/2024. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Ron: 257 Maple St, Massapequa pk, NY, 11762. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Legislature Proclamation.

State Senator Rhoads offered words of encouragement to Kaur and Lopez and shared his thoughts on the students’ high levels of achievement.

Assemblyman Blumencranz provided updates on economic development and New York State Legislature news, including proposed bills that would impact the local economy.

Assemblyman Blumencranz first congratulated the students and families, as well as the Chamber, on the scholarships.

man, walked up with a beaming smile to shake Crowe’s hand for the presentation of his scholarship award. He told the Chamber audience that he’s “eternally grateful” for the selection and said it was an honor to be part of the event and meet business leaders.

Two other Hicksville Chamber Board members, Nicholas Brigandi and William Schuckmann, both from the Hicksville Water District, served alongside Crowe on the 2024 Scholarship Committee.

New York State Senator Steven D. Rhoads and State Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz were guests at the luncheon, where they met with both families and Chamber members to commend the students on their achievements. They presented each student with an official New York State

“I am so grateful to the parents, all the Chamber Board members and everyone here – all those who are working to make this community so great. I am happy to provide the honor and recognition on behalf of all 20 million New Yorkers. I know you both have worked incredibly hard and are about to embark on such a wonderful journey. It is the kind of togetherness that a local chamber of commerce like we have in Hicksville creates that helps facilitate so much joy in families when they receive scholarships, and it takes a lot of work from a Scholarship Committee to have the award cross the finish line. I appreciate all of your hard work!” he said.

The Chamber members also discussed planning ahead for the annual Hicksville Street Fair, which will take place on Sunday, September 15. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Learn more about Chamber activities at www.hicksvillechamber.com.

Hicksville Chamber of Commerce President Charlie Razenson and NY State Senator Steven Rhoads presented Arshdeep Kaur, a graduating senior set to attend Cornell University, with her Chamber scholarship. New York Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz also presented a proclamation. They were joined at the ceremony by Arshdeep’s parents Kanwal Singh and Amanmeet Kaur and local Sikh community leader Mohinder Singh Taneja.

Preschool program supports children with cancer

The Morgan Center (TMC), a preschool program for children with cancer located in Hicksville, recently hosted a special 20th graduation ceremony. The remarkable event honored 15 courageous young preschoolers battling cancer. At this special ceremony, the graduates walked in to “Pomp and Circumstance” wearing white caps and gowns to receive their diplomas. The celebration included the children laughing, singing and dancing throughout the ceremony. The commencement was attended by family members, supporters and community leaders.

“This graduation ceremony is an emotional day for these children and their parents,” said Nancy Zuch, co-founder and director of The Morgan Center. “Today is an unforgettable milestone as these children graduate and move on to the next steps in their education and their lives,” Zuch said.

As a special surprise, the 2024 TMC graduates were joined by TMC alumni, some from The Morgan Center very first graduating class of 2004, from twenty years ago. Wearing their graduation caps and their college shirts the alums were an inspiration to all, especially this year’s preschool graduates battling cancer and their families.

“We are grateful to have these TMC alums join us on this very special day,”

2024 graduates of The Morgan Center, a preschool program for children with cancer, with alumni from the program.

said Rod Zuch, co-founder of The Morgan Center. “Seeing our TMC graduate alumni grow up and complete college fills us all with pride and hope. These young adults are proof of the bright and healthy future ahead for TMC preschoolers.”

For 20 years, The Morgan Center program has been provided free of charge to

preschool age children battling cancer. All operating expenses are covered by private donations and fundraising.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost to run The Morgan Center program has skyrocketed. This year, The Morgan Center has grown to help a record number of preschool age children battling cancer.

TMC needs additional financial support and monetary donations to continue to operate the program. The Morgan Center welcomes all donations and support; please visit https://www.themorgancenter.org/ how-to-help/. to donate.

Summer Travel: Find Your Wild Side

Summer family vacation travel is defined by being active outdoors. Here are some ideas:

A Bakers’ Dozen of Best Campsites in New York State New York State offers some of the most incredible camping experiences anywhere in the country. Marta Zielinska, the Managing Editor of ILOVENY.com, has provided this list of a dozen of her favorites across the state, to which I would add Watkins Glen State Park:

Scaroon Manor Campground & Day Use Area (Adirondacks): Once an upscale summer resort for the big city’s high society and a filming location for 1957’s Marjorie Morningstar starring Gene Kelly and Natalie Wood, this tranquil campground on the banks of Schroon Lake is today a down to earth Adirondacks retreat. Hike, lounge on the beach, rent a canoe or kayak, go fishing. Nearby visit   Natural Stone Bridge and Caves Park, the largest marble cave entrance in the eastern U.S.; Gore Mountain, 30 minutes away, offers scenic gondola rides, hiking, and mountain biking.

Moreau Lake (Capital-Saratoga): Woodsy campgrounds have tent and trailer sites, nature trails, a boat launch, fishing holes and sandy swimming beach on the tranquil lake. Saratoga Springs, 20 minutes away, offers cultural attractions, mineral waters at  Saratoga Spa State Park, horseracing and museum at  Saratoga Race Course

Kenneth L. Wilson Campground & Day Use Area, Mt. Tremper (Catskills) offers hiking, mountain biking, fishing and pad-

dling about the scenic lake in a canoe or kayak. Explore the quaint villages of  Woodstock and Phoenicia for golfing, shopping, and dining; the historic city of  Kingston, New York’s first capital, is 30 minutes away.

Verona Beach (Central New York) on the eastern shore of Oneida Lake, with 11 sites boasting views of the water. At Verona Beach State, hike the “Woods and Wetland” nature trail. Just 30 minutes away, see a 167-foot waterfall that formed 10,000 years ago at the 194-acre Chittenango Falls State Park

Cooperstown Shadow Brook Campground  (Central New York): Camp on 20 acres surrounded by mountains and farmland in the home of baseball. On-site is a fully-stocked three-acre catch and release fishing pond, heated pool, arcade, rec center, general store and weekly activities. Visit the  National Baseball Hall of Fame,  The Farmers’ Museum,  Brewery Ommegang, the  Fenimore Art Museum

Allegany State Park (Chautau-

qua-Allegheny): With over 65,000 acres of primitive forested valleys, Allegany State Park is the largest state park in NYS. It offers two sandy beaches, miles of paved bikeways, picnic areas, fishing piers, lakes, and two museums, Camp at  Red House and  Quaker. The park is only 40 minutes from the National Comedy Center and  Rock City Park

Keuka Lake State Park (Finger Lakes): Located in the heart of Finger Lakes wine country with breathtaking views of vineyard-covered slopes, glimmering water, and clear blue sky, the campground offers swimming at the beach, boating, fishing, and hiking, Explore the six family-owned wineries along the  Keuka Lake Wine Trail, visit  the  Finger Lakes Boating Museum and Glenn H. Curtiss Museum

Green Lakes (Finger Lakes): Two glacial lakes surrounded by upland forest make up this picturesque state park where you can set up camp on grassy and wooded sites before heading to the lakeshore

GOING PLACES NEAR AND FAR

for fishing and swimming in crystal-clear water. Kayak and rowboat rentals are available. Play golf on the park’s scenic  18-hole golf course Located just 15 minutes from  Syracuse, where you can visit  Dinosaur Bar-B-Que,  Museum of Science and Technology (MOST),  Destiny USA Plan your trip around the  Great New York State Fair (August 21-September 2) for food, fun, rides, and great live entertainment.  Green Lakes has 135 campsites ranging from $18 to $37 a night; seven cabins also available for booking.

Letchworth State Park (Finger Lakes): The Genesee River roars through the gorge over three major waterfalls between cliffs as high as 600 feet in some places surrounded by lush forest, earning it the nickname, the “Grand Canyon of the East.” 66 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, a special one-mile loop Autism Nature Trail, nature center, museum, swimming pool and guided walks, whitewater rafting through the canyon and hot air balloon rides available.

Watkins Glen State Park (Finger Lakes) The Gorge Trail is the centerpiece of the 778-acre Watkins Glen State Park, in the Finger Lakes. Six Nations Campground is set amid beautiful trees, excellent restroom facilities, and affords access to a glorious Olympic-sized pool.

Four Mile Creek (Greater Niagara) offers 10 coveted waterfront sites with panoramic views of Lake Ontario, hiking trails that wind along wooded bluffs, and a marsh that’s home to great blue herons and whitetailed deer, plus biking and fishing. It is just 15 minutes north of the mighty  Niagara Falls, and offers discounted tickets to the  Maid of the

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GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

Summer Travel: Find Your Wild Side

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Mist boat tours and Cave of the Winds Other nearby attractions include a twohour cruise past historic sights and the five original Lockport Locks, historical reenactments at  Old Fort Niagara, and racing at  Ransomville Speedway. Hop aboard the  Discover Niagara Shuttle to catch a free ride from Four Mile Creek to Old Fort Niagara, Niagara Falls, and several points in between (available Friday-Sunday).

Cranberry Lake Campground & Day Use Area (Thousand Islands-Seaway) is located in the Adirondack Mountains in one of the largest remote areas in all of New York State with thousands of acres of unbroken forest nearby. It offers a sandy beach, hiking trails with scenic vistas, fishing spots, and access to miles of unencumbered scenic waters. Tupper Lake, 40 minutes away, offers The Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory and the Wild Center.

Wildwood State Park (Long Island). Swim and fish on two miles of beachfront along the Long Island Sound, hike along 12 miles of marked trails; at night activities include watching movies under the stars and square and line dancing. With 600 acres of undeveloped hardwood forest terminating on a high bluff overlooking the Sound, it’s also the perfect setting to take in a stunning sunset. Explore  Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard and Long Island Aquarium. Wildwood offers 314 campsites for $18-$35 a night, plus 10 cottages starting at $175/ night.

New York State Parks and the Department of Environmental Conservation’s campsites can be booked through  ReserveAmerica.com. New York State also has a multitude of  private-

BY JEFF RUGG

Q: We bought some early sweet corn from the farmers market. It was the sweetest I have ever eaten. I want to grow some in my garden next year. The lady at the market didn’t know what kind it was. Any ideas on what to look for?

A: In the case of many garden plants and sweet corn in particular, a great deal of work has been done to produce new varieties that have better-tasting characteristics. This work has been going on for decades and even centuries.

Corn plants produce seeds with a high starch content so that the germinating seed can use it for its initial growth. The seed converts simple sugar compounds into complex starch molecules. The starch is good for cattle and people to eat, but people prefer sweeter foods whenever possible.

ly-owned campgrounds

More info on New York State tourism at iloveny.com.

Under Canvas, Backroads Adventure Experiences in National Parks

After first establishing a relationship with trips in Montana’s West Yellowstone and glamping tours in Tennessee and South Dakota, Under Canvas and Backroads are expanding to offer 185 scheduled trips through 2025. The expanded line-up this year includes an all-new, glamping-only itinerary in Southwestern Utah with stays at Under Canvas Bryce Canyon and Under Canvas Zion. From the scenic beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota to the dramatic red rock and hoodoo vistas of Southwest Utah, to the ancient Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, guests enjoy a Backroads active adventure by day and immerse themselves in nature with Under Canvas’ upscale glamping retreats by night.

Backroads trips staying at Under Canvas properties in 2024 include:

Utah’s Bryce & Zion Glamping MultiAdventure Tour for Couples, Friends, and Solos.

Black Hills & Badlands National Park Multi-Adventure Tour for Couples, Friends, Solos, and Families with Teens and Kids (aged 9+).

Great Smoky Mountains MultiAdventure Tour for Families with Teens and Kids (aged 9+).

Yellowstone, Tetons & Big Sky MultiAdventure Tour for Couples, Friends, Solos, Families with Teens and Kids (aged 9+) and Families with Older Teens and 20-somethings, featuring accommodations at Bar N Ranch with access to Under Canvas complimentary

programming.

More information: backroads. com,800-462-2848.

Campspot: Surprising Camping Destinations on the Rise Campspot dug into trending camping destinations that have seen the most significant year-over-year increase in reservations, some of which are pretty surprising:

Filer, Idaho has famous attractions of the Magic Valley area, including Shoshone Falls (known as the “Niagara of the West”), Snake River, and the Sawtooth Mountains. Hiking trails offer views of the Snake River Canyon, Perrine Bridge, Pillar Falls, and Shoshone Falls. Twin Falls 93 RV Park, offers nearby access to Shoshone Falls, the Perrine Bridge, and Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve.

Watertown, South Dakota is home to the Redlin Art Center exhibiting the original paintings of wildlife and Americana by renowned artist Terry Redlin andBramble Park Zoo Lake Kampeska offers fishing, boating, and water sports.  Memorial Park Campground stretches 90 acres Lake Kampeska.

Cuddebackville, NY offers fishing and boating on Neversink Reservoir, hiking the Neversink Gorge Trail, exploring the D&H Canal Historical Society and Museum. Neversink River Resort bordering the Neversink River (playing fields, pool, swing set, jumping pillow and cruiser bikes).

High Point, North Carolina—the “Furniture Capital of the World”— visit the High Point Museum, High Point City Lake Park for hiking, kayaking, paddle boating, mini golf, and pontoon boating. Oak Hollow Campground is open year-

round within the 1,550-acre Oak Hollow Park in High Point (100 RV sites,13 tent sites bordering the lake, camp store, fishing, pool, playground).

Bergton, Virginia in Shenandoah Valley: hike George Washington National Forest, fish or go tubing down the Shenandoah River; explore Lost River State Park; bike trails, golf course, beaches at Bryce Resort.  River’s Edge Campground (RV sites, tent sites, glamping tents and cabins, access to two miles of the North Fork Shenandoah River, Capon Run stream, and two-acre private pond for fishing).

Exeter, New Hampshire on the banks of the Squamscott River, for kayaking, hiking Gilman Park and Swasey Parkway.  Winding River Campground (RV sites, cabins, tent camping,; waterslide, hot tub, playgrounds, arcade, restaurant and activities, games, live music).

Hungry Horse, Montana near Glacier National Park, on the edge of Hungry Horse Reservoir and Hungry Horse Dam. Columbia Falls RV Park, is 15 minutes from Glacier National Park (year-round RV sites, near restaurants and attractions like Big Sky Water Park, Meadow Life Golf Resort, and Glacier Ziplines).

Saint Helen, Michigan, offers hiking, biking, and horseback riding in nearby Huron National Forest, fishing and canoeing down the Au Sable River.  Beaver Trail Campground, offers riding off-road vehicles (ORV), snowmobiling, hunting, and fishing. Tillamook, Oregon: tour Tillamook Creamery and coastal wetlands at Sitka Sedge State Park, the Three Capes Scenic Route, the shop, and Rockaway Beach. Kelly’s Brighton Marina is on Nehalem Bay. More ideas at  https://www.campspot. com/.

Another excellent source to find campgrounds and camping resorts is KOA, https://koa.com/

Back in the early 1800s, sweet varieties of corn began being sold. They were created when a single recessive gene displayed its characteristics. It caused the seed to slowly convert its sugar into starch while on the plant, but as soon as the ear was picked, the seeds began losing their sweetness. So, if you could harvest it and eat it that day, you were OK. These corn plants are known as sugary hybrids and are often designated as “SU hybrids” on seed packages or in catalogs.

Back in the 1950s, another recessive gene was brought out through hybridizing. It is called the shrunken-2 gene and is designated “Sh2.” The seeds are very wrinkled when they are dried for storage. These seeds are very slow to turn sugar into starch before and after harvest. Unfortunately, they also have very tough skins that make them a little less tender to eat -- or on the positive side, it can be

called a crisp texture. These hybrids from the University of Illinois are often called “supersweet,” and the sugars last about five days after harvesting.

In the 1960s, a new gene was discovered called the sugary-enhanced gene. The SE hybrids have the highest sugar content, and they last the longest after harvest -for more than a week if refrigerated. The kernels are tender enough to be called creamy. Nothing was manipulated in a laboratory to enhance the seeds.

All sweet corn varieties need to be planted away from popcorn, ornamental corn and field corn. The pollen from these other types of corn will turn sweet corn starchy instead of sugary. The shriveled seed characteristic of sweet corn will shrivel popcorn seeds so they may not have enough moisture to pop. The yellow Continued on next page

© 2024 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear. com

What’s great about these Summer months

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

Summer is vacation time and it’s also when the temperatures soar. We celebrate our nation’s independence and it’s a festive birthday time for me. Here are some other things I like about summer.

Enjoying Caesar Salads

Many people think that the Cesar salad was named for the famous Julius Cesar, a Roman emperor, but it’s named after Caesar Cardini. Caesar Cardini was an Italian-born chef who immigrated to the U.S. after World War I. He lived in San Diego but the Cardini family operated a restaurant called “Caesar’s” in Tijuana, Mexico, because of prohibition. Many Americans went to Tijuana to drink, so at the time business for restaurants in Tijuana was booming. According to Caesar’s daughter, Rosa Maria Cardini, on July 4th, 1924, Caesar was running short on supplies due to an unexpected rush of customers on the holiday. He didn’t want to turn any customers away so he concocted a salad and dressing from some of the remaining ingredients he had lying around. The salad soon became a hit and people came to the restaurant for the salad. At first glance, the Caesar salad looks pretty simple - there’s some iceberg lettuce, cheese and croutons. But Caesar Cardini added romaine lettuce, fresh grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, egg, olive oil, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies and black pepper. He tossed it all around and those ingredients were a perfect combination. This chef showed how the intermingling of regional cooking can produce culinary magic. I like eating Caesar salads because they taste good and are nutritious. By improvising with the various ingredients in the kitchen, Caesar Cardini turned some odd scraps into a surprisingly delicious meal.

A Dog Named “Rusty”

The summer I was nine years old, my family and I went to a local animal shelter to adopt a dog. My parents had said we could look for a dog right after school ended so we got in the car and started our search. Walking along aisle after aisle in the shelter we wanted a dog that would fit into our family. We passed poodles, too prim and proper for us, and we passed chihuahuas, too persnickety for us. Soon we came upon Rusty, a tan-colored mutt. The employee said Rusty, a combination Golden retriever and beagle, was two years old. It seemed like a good combination to us. The employee added that he was friendly with adults and kids. Playing with him at the shelter, we liked Rusty’s look and personality. When my parents looked at each other and smiled, we got his leash and favorite blanket. Returning home, we put a water bowl and food bowl in the kitchen and my dad placed his leash beside the front door. He explained that we needed to stick to certain routines of walking him, feeding him, brushing him, etc.

We kids were off all summer so it was easy to stick to the routines and play with Rusty. My sisters, Michelle and Susan, would play with him in the back yard for a few minutes and my three older brothers would romp around with him when they could but mostly I played with Rusty. After playing fetch, tug of war and roll over, we’d sit under the shade of some big oak trees. I’d read a good book or talk to friends and Rusty would lie there taking in the fresh air. At night Rusty would sleep on the living room floor listening for any unusual sounds and protecting the eight of us Lynches - six kids and my parents. Most mornings, once I started to stir, Rusty would come into my room, greet me with a smile and stay close as I got ready for the day.

A GREENER VIEW

Sweet Corn

Continued from previous page

color of corn will cause any white corn pollinated to become yellow.

There are new varieties that have one or more parents or grandparents that have the SE gene, so some or all of the kernels are sweet, but they are not as sweet as the Sh2 varieties. The SE hybrids have a tender skin, germinate well and don’t have to be isolated from other varieties.

If you intend to grow some of these newer varieties in your garden next year, here are some tips: The shriveled seeds of some of the new varieties need to be planted shallower, and they will need more water. The soil should be lighter with less clay,

What I remember most of that summer was how fun it was adding Rusty to our family - was knowing that we had a pet. Right after Labor Day I disliked having to go back to school but Rusty was at home. The evening of Labor Day a thunderstorm slowly rolled in and stayed for a while. I remember lying out my school clothes for the next daymy forest green plaid uniform with the white blouse and green knee socks to go to St. Agnes Cathedral Elementary School in Rockville Centre. Between the storm and returning to school I was nervous and I guess Rusty picked up on that because he slept all night long on a rug I had beside my bed. He stretched out and stayed for the duration. By morning the skies had cleared and all was good. I think back to that summer with happy memories and also as “the longest summer” because it seemed as if each day was leisurely and enjoyable because of whatever activities my family and I were doing plus Rusty was around. I’ve spent other summers traveling to faraway lands and making memories but this one was special. It was the first time we had a dog of our own and Rusty and I grew up together. Whether we were romping around

in the yard or having a snack inside, Rusty watched over the whole family but he was my dog. And my siblings always kidded me that Rusty always was “my dog.”

Did You Know?

July 30 is International Friendship Day. Friends make our lives better. This annual celebration cherishes the meaningful friendships in our lives. Officially proclaimed in 2011 by the U.N. General Assembly, the idea is to promote friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals. I’m reminded of the Beatles’ 1967 song “With a Little Help from My Friends” when I think of friendship. Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, it was sung by drummer Ringo Starr. It was part of the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album. The lyrics go:

“What would you do if I sang out of tune?

Would you stand up and walk out on me?

Lend me your ears, then I’ll sing you a song

I will try not to sing out of key … Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends …”

and it needs to be warmer, so plant them in full sun. They are harder for the seller to keep dry and disease-free, so expect them to cost more.

Most grocery stores won’t be able to tell you the variety of sweet corn they sell, but many farmers market vendors will be able to tell the variety if not the designation. The main thing to remember about fresh corn on the cob for the summer picnics is to eat it as soon as possible after harvest. Even the sweetest varieties are changing sugar into starch from the moment they are harvested.

Email questions to Jeff Rugg at info@ greenerview.com. .

COPYRIGHT 2024 JEFF RUGG

BY TOM MARGENAU

I recently did a radio show, and the host asked me what the most common questions I get are. I told her they can be divided into two broad categories: politically oriented questions (usually about the financing of Social Security) and program-related questions (mostly about Social Security benefits). She told me to stick with the latter. I thought I’d share with you what I discussed on this radio program. Here are some of the more common questions I get about Social Security benefits.

Q: How will my retirement benefit be figured?

A: In a nutshell, a Social Security retirement benefit is a percentage of your average monthly income using your highest 35 years of inflation-adjusted earnings.

So when you file for retirement benefits, the Social Security Administration will look at your earnings history and pull out your highest 35 years. They don’t have to be consecutive. If you don’t have 35 years of earnings, the SSA must plug in an annual salary of “zero” for every year you did not work, until the 35-year base is reached.

However, before they add up those “high 35,” they index each year of past earnings for inflation. And this is where the formula starts to get messy. That’s because there is a different adjustment factor for each year of earnings, and each year’s adjustment factor is different based on your year of birth.

You can find a complete breakdown of those inflation adjustment factors for each year of birth at the Social Security Administration’s website. If you have a hard time negotiating that website, just Googling “Social Security indexing factors” will lead you to the right place.

The next step in the retirement computation formula is to add up your highest 35 years of inflation-adjusted earnings. Then you divide by 420 -- that’s the number of months in 35 years -- to get your average inflation-adjusted monthly income.

The final step brings us to the “social” part of Social Security. The percentage of your average monthly income that comes back to you in the form of a Social Security benefit depends on your income. Basically, the lower your average wage, the higher percentage rate of return you get. Once again, the actual formula is messy and varies depending on your year of birth. You can find a complete breakdown of those computation “bend points” on the SSA website or by Googling.

Believe it or not, that was the “simple” explanation of how a Social Security retirement benefit will be figured. If you want an in-depth explanation, you’ll find it in my book “Social Security -- Simple and Smart” available at Amazon and other booksellers.

Q: I heard a wife is supposed to get half her husband’s Social Security.

Common Questions

I’m not. How come?

A: Probably because you took benefits before your full retirement age. When you do that, benefits are reduced. For example, if you took benefits at 62, your spousal rate should be around 30%.

Q: If I die, what will my wife get?

A: The answer depends on several factors. But assuming you die well after your full retirement age, and assuming your wife is over her full retirement age when you die, as a general rule, she will get what you were getting at the time of death. Here’s a quick example: You are 85 and getting $2,800 per month. Your wife is 82 and getting $1,700 per month. When you die, she will keep getting her $1,700, and then she will get an additional $1,100 in widow’s benefits.

Q: I took my benefits at 70, so I get an extra 32% added to my retirement rate. When I die, will my wife’s widow’s benefit be based on my augmented age 70 rate, or on my full retirement rate?

A: It will be based on your age 70 rate. And just to clarify a little further: A benefit paid to a spouse whose husband is still alive is based on his full retirement age rate. But as I just said, a widow’s benefit is based on the age 70 rate (assuming the husband waited until 70 to claim his benefits).

Q: I’m already getting my Social Security, but I’m still working. Will my additional income and the taxes I’m paying increase my Social Security check?

A: It depends. Your original benefit was based on your average monthly wage using your highest 35 years of inflation-adjusted earnings. If the earnings you have now are higher than the lowest inflation-adjusted year used in your original computation, the SSA will drop out that lower year, add in the new higher year, and adjust your benefit accordingly. But don’t expect a windfall. Your benefit might go up by $10 to $20 per month for a year of good earnings.

Q: When my father died, why did we have to return his last check?

A: Several rules come into play here. First, Social Security benefits have never been prorated. Second, benefits are always paid one month behind. And third, the law says you must live an entire month to be due a Social Security check for that month.

Here is a quick example: John dies June 24. The Social Security check that comes in July (the payment for June) must be returned.

That’s the downside to the lack of proration. But there are two upsides. One: Let’s say John started his benefits when he was 66 and that he turned 66 on June 22. He would get a check for the whole month of June even though he was 66 for only eight days of the month. Two: If John left a widow, she would get widow’s benefits for the whole month of June even though

she was a widow for only six days of the month.

Q: We would like to talk to you personally about our Social Security situation. We’d be willing to pay you. Can we please call you to discuss this?

A: I’m sorry, but I just can’t provide personal service, or work on individual Social Security cases. But for 15 bucks, I can give you the kind of help that might even be better than a personal consultation. Buy my little Social Security guide-

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CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Plaster versus sheetrock, old versus new

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

You have just begun your search or have been looking for a while to find your next starter or dream place to call home. There is so much to consider when purchasing, location, location, school district, prices, budgets, analyzing the costs of your mortgage, interest rates, taxes, what repairs and upgrades need to be considered, and so much more. It can become overwhelming when making the most expensive purchase of your life.

I have found that some buyers do not know much about how a home is constructed, or what materials are used, comparing the quality of older homes versus newly constructed ones. I happen to reside in a home with all plaster walls that was built in 1949 making it 75 years old. Some might jump to the conclusion that it’s way past its time and would not consider the thought of purchasing such a home, while others would consider the opposite to be true and would thoroughly enjoy an older abode.

There are obvious differences, pros, and cons when comparing older homes to newly constructed homes. The first thing most will notice when they walk into a new home is the open space layout, vaulted ceilings, larger kitchens, and all the bells and whistles of a new home. However, most know that the interiors of all new homes are put together with sheetrock. This component was created in 1916 as a faster way to assemble a home to save time and perform this more efficiently and most importantly to save money.

The components of plaster walls are lathing furring strips and/or wire mesh. It was and is much more labor-intensive, expensive, and very time-consuming to construct! However, the quality of the finished product and its’ functionality are far ahead of sheetrock construction. The transition over the years away from plaster walls to sheetrock walls became the standard process when building. It was and still is all about saving time and creating efficiencies leading to earning more money. However, sometimes regardless of the quality of the product and the result,

construction is a very challenging and time-sensitive industry. Today, if you desired plaster walls you would have to import a craftsperson from Italy or somewhere else where you might locate an artisan, with the qualifications, knowledge, and talent to perform such a service. It surely would be an extremely costly undertaking and only for those with very deep pockets who desired that quality and workmanship for their walls.

Some buyers might look at sheetrock as very favorable and easy to maintain, while others would truly appreciate an older home containing plaster walls. I can surely say with many years of experience, when anyone uses the bathroom on the second floor, you hear absolutely nothing. The soundproofing of the walls is such that you generally hear very little if anything. However, with sheetrock-style walls, the sound is not as muffled, and sometimes over the years as most homes settle, sheetrock can crack and split. There are times when repairing sheetrock can be more expensive than a few cracks on plaster walls. I have noticed issues on sheetrock ceilings of new homes 1-3 years later. The quality of the builder and how the home is constructed can also contribute to issues with sheetrock. Most importantly, all wood used in construction today isn’t seasoned as it was in the early 1900s; and tends to dry and shrink over the years adding to additional maintenance.

Last week, I received an agreement between buyer and seller for a home purchase in Great Neck. The home was built in 1926, with outstanding plaster walls in exceptional pristine condition.

Very expensive to fabricate by today’s cost of labor and materials. The purchasers were enamored with the quality of the home, the incredible plaster walls, the inherent solid no-compromise construction, and the unique architectural style and layout of the interior and exterior. Even the hardwood floors with intricate patterns in the dining room and cherry inlay would also be very costly to install in a new home today. The inspection was completed and passed with flying colors.

Every once in a while when there is a crack here and there, one must open up the cracks and use spackle or drywall joint compound. However, if there is major damage, then plaster is the only material to be used to do a quality repair. There are plenty of tutorial videos on YouTube to be able to guide and educate you on how to go about fixing and repairing your plaster walls.

In my professional opinion, purchasing an older home, if proactively maintained can be a better built home and hold its value for years to come than some of the newly built homes today. Some might disagree with me, and I respect everyone’s opinions. However, from my 42+ years in real estate and visiting 1000s of homes, I have learned over the years the pros and cons of various types of construction and materials used. The majority of homes that I have purchased and resided in have generally had mostly plaster walls with very few issues. Sometimes there was a combination with sheetrock. But hands down, plaster walls are my favorite and in the long run, those older homes from the 1900s, if handled with TLC, will be around long after some of the new homes that are constructed today. We see many knockdowns today of older

homes that weren’t maintained properly and others that are still in pristine condition. Repairing and upgrading an older home is something that you need to have a passion for and have some thick skin and patience. However, the result can be a pure gem of a residence that combines the eclectic old-world classic look inside and out in combination with all the modern creature comforts and technologies that are available today.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/ Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 42+ years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (G.R.I.) and also as a Certified International Property Specialist (C.I.P.S.) and has earned his National Association of Realtors “Green Industry designation for eco-friendly low carbon footprint construction with 3-D printed foundations, Solar panels, Geo-thermal HVAC/Heat Pumps).

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

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

Save his My New Electronic signature/Bio/Reviews to save to your contacts: https://onetapconnect.com/turnkeyrealestate-philraices

book called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart.” In that book, you’ll find 10 factsheets that cover just about any Social Security situation you might encounter.

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand

Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon. com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net.

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

BY MARY HUNT

7 Easy Ways to Slash the Cost of Clothing

Clothing is not optional, but spending a lot of money on it is, says author Gregory Karp in his book “Living Rich by Spending Smart.”

Off the top of your head, how much would you say your family spends on clothing in a year? According to the U.S. Consumer Expenditure Survey, a family of four spends an average of $1,434 a year on apparel plus services like dry cleaning, to keep that apparel looking good. Wow. That’s $120 a month -- a major expense in any family’s budget.

Karp offers seven easy ways to cut that expense without having to take fashion risks for yourself or sending the kids off to school looking odd and frumpy.

DO NOTHING

Of course this is my favorite of the seven tips. Maybe that’s because I’m naturally lazy or, like many, have enough clothes to get by for months. Do with what you have by recognizing the difference between needs and wants.

BUY USED

Vintage, consignment and thrifts stores are growing by leaps and bounds, offering name-brand used clothes. I

If you’re creeped out at the thought of buying secondhand, take a tour of a few stores. They’re not usually the dark, smelly, chaotic places you remember as a

kid. Most these days are as lovely as regular retail stores. And if you’re really uncomfortable buying used clothing, here’s a tip from Karp: Take baby steps by buying one time, maybe something inexpensive at a high-end consignment store.

USE GARAGE SALES WISELY

Garage sales can be a great source for clothes for kids and babies but probably not so much for adults for the simple reason that you won’t find enough inventory to offer a good selection of sizes, styles and colors.

STRATEGIZE

Most of us have wardrobes jammed haphazardly with so many clothes, it’s nearly impossible to know what we have, so we just keep buying more. Instead, organize your closet and take inventory of what you have. And, says Karp, buy for the size you are now, not the size you someday hope to be.

SIMPLIFY

Buy classic styles that will look good for years. Assemble a base of neutral colors -- blacks, khaki and navy -- that can mix and match to create several outfits. Ditto for shoes.

SAVE ON RETAIL

If you won’t buy secondhand, says Karp, go to your favorite store’s website site to check its sales every week. Sign up for that store’s email newsletters to receive coupons and notice of coming sales.

MAINTENANCE

Read the tags before you buy. If a garment must be dry-cleaned, that is going to add to its cost tremendously over its useful life. Also, steer clear of fabrics that tend to pill or wear too fast. Make sure you use the proper temperatures for washing and drying your clothes. A great tip: Put your clothes in the dryer for just a few minutes, then hang them to dry.

NUTRITION NEWS

Grilling Safely

You’ll save on energy costs and extend the life of your clothes.

Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “DebtProof Living.”

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

BY CHARLYN FARGO

Many of us keep our grill handy all year long, but we typically use it more in the summer months. As the temperatures rise, grilling your food is a great way to keep the kitchen cool.

Our family grills meat, seafood, poultry, vegetables and even fruit -- the grill brings out the flavors in a way that other cooking methods don’t. When you think about grilling, it’s important to think also about food safety.

A recent study by the Food and Drug Administration found that there is an increase in the number of foodborne illnesses during the warm summer months. Each year, there are about 48 million cases of foodborne illness -- the equivalent of sickening 1 in 6 Americans each year. And these illnesses result in an estimated 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths yearly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here are a few food safety tips for grilling safely.

No. 1. Thaw safely. Keep meat, poultry, and seafood cool until you are ready to use it. Leaving food on countertops provides bacteria the opportunity to multiply and reach dangerous levels. And it is even more important to keep these items cool in warmer weather. If the temperature is 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, the time needed for harmful bacteria to reach unsafe levels can be as little as one hour. It’s best to thaw items in the refrigerator on the lowest shelf to reduce the risk of contaminating other foods.

No. 2. Use a marinade only once. A marinade is a savory, usually acidic sauce in which meat, poultry, seafood or a vegetable are soaked to either enrich flavor or tenderize. When marinating, always keep foods refrigerated. When it’s time to grill, discard the marinade or bring it to a full boil to destroy any harmful bacteria.

No. 3 Cook to the right tempera-

ture. To do that, you need to use a thermometer rather than relying on color. Cook beef, pork, veal, lamb roasts, steaks and chops to a minimum internal temperature of least 145 F. Cook ground beef, veal, lamb and pork to a minimum in-

ternal temperature of at least 160 F. And cook poultry to a minimum safe internal temperature of 165 F.

Q and A

Q: What are liquid aminos?

A: Liquid aminos are culinary seasonings that have a look and flavor similar to soy sauce and are made by treating soybeans with an acid solution to break them down into free amino acids, or by fermenting coconut sap with salt and water. They have a salty and savory flavor. Compared to soy sauce, aminos have less sodium and are gluten free. They are also a source of amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Try them as a replacement for soy sauce.

Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois, and the current president of the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. .

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of June 30 - July 6, 2024

If you find yourself in a dark, un-light-polluted area anytime soon, be sure to glance around the sky with binoculars. Along the hazy band of the Milky Way and elsewhere, you’re sure to find plenty of hazy splotches of light that astronomers know as “faint fuzzies.”

Some of these are immense families of stars born from the same interstellar clouds millions or billions of years ago. One of the most famous of such star clusters lies in the direction of the constellation Hercules (the strong man) and is known as M13 or the Great Globular Cluster of Hercules.

Hercules is the fifth-largest constellation in the heavens and now appears very high in the eastern sky -- nearly overhead -- just after dark. Because it contains no particularly bright stars, it’s not very prominent except for its four equally bright stars that form a distorted square or “keystone.” This supposedly outlines the body of the strong man, but finding his head or appendages will require some vivid imagination. It is among these stars that we can find M13. To do so, look nearly overhead in the eastern sky after dark, identify the keystone, and look about one-third of the way between the two westernmost stars.

STARGAZERS

The Great Cluster of Hercules

If you have excellent vision and a clear, dark sky, you may see it as a fuzzy star. It may not be visible at first; instead of staring directly in its direction, glance slightly off to the side of it. This “averted vision” technique is one that astronomers use quite frequently when searching for such faint objects.

Once you find it, check it out with binoculars and you’ll see it’s not just a fuzzy star but something considerably larger. And if you’ve got a small, backyard telescope that you can aim in its direction, you’ll be amazed by what appears in the eyepiece.

At a distance of 22,000 light-years, M13 contains some 300,000 stars held together by gravitation into a spherical volume about 170 light-years across. With so many stars in this cluster, might some be home to planets of technologically advanced civilization?

It was with this very thought that, 50 years ago this year, astronomers broadcast in the direction of M13 a three-minute message from the newly dedicated 1,000-foot-diameter radio telescope in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. This cryptic signal carried into the heavens the story of our planetary system, our species and our understanding of the cosmos.

Of course, no one expects a reply. Even traveling at the speed of light, the radio message would require 220 centuries just to arrive there. No, the signal was intended only as a message in a bottle, tossed by the human race to the

Putting

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

“What’s for dinner tonight?” my husband asked, inhaling deeply as he lifted the top off a simmering pot of tomato sauce.

I shooed him away.

“We’re having spaghetti marinara,” I said.

“Cool,” he said. “But I thought we were eating gluten-free?”

“We are,” I assured him.

“But pasta isn’t gluten-free.”

“It’s not actually spaghetti. It’s vegetti.”

“Vegetti?”

“Yeah. It’s fake spaghetti made from vegetables.”

He made a face only his mother could love and then backed away from the stove top as though I had said I was boiling slugs for dinner.

“That doesn’t sound very good,” he said.

cosmic ocean. It said, in essence, “We are here.” And, while we may never know its fate, this message might one day let other beings know that they are not alone.

Pretty remarkable stuff! Equally remarkable is that we can see this very star cluster with our own eyes on any clear, dark night -- if we know just

where to look.

To learn more about the message itself, go to any internet search engine and search for “Arecibo message.”

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

the Veggies in Vegetti

“I promise, it’ll be delicious,” I said, smiling deceptively.

He looked at me glumly. I had been on a gluten-free, dairy-free, meat-free diet for a month, not to lose weight but just to see if it made me feel better. Not that I had been feeling bad in the first place, but after a friend touted the benefits of going everything-free, I thought I’d give it a try. Unfortunately, my husband was often an unwilling participant in my dietary experiments, so this was not his first food rodeo. I’ve done high-protein, low-carb diets, no-sugar diets, grapefruit diets and something he nicknamed the disgusting vegetables diet, which consisted mainly of lima beans and beets.

With that in mind, I tried to make this latest food journey interesting for him, but so far my husband felt that in addition to being gluten-free, dairyfree and meat-free, most of it was also taste-free.

This from a guy who believes ketchup is a vegetable.

He let me know he didn’t like the meatless meatballs, the fishless tuna, and the chickenless chicken nuggets. He was not a fan of facon (fake bacon), fauxgurt (fake yogurt) or nawsages (not sausages). I made a gluten-free, dairyfree macaroni and cheese which, essentially, was a bowl of nothing. He gave me two thumbs down.

Then I tried giving him some near beer with his not dogs, but he was not having it.

“What’s a not dog?” he had asked.

“Hot dogs made of, um, something other than hot dogs,” I’d replied.

He cut a piece of it and put it on the floor for the dog. The dog sniffed it and walked away.

“If the dog’s not eating it, I’m not either,” he said.

This from a dog that eats underwear.

“I need something real,” he finally complained.

“OK, I’ll make you something I promise you’ll like,” I said.

I perused my cookbooks and the internet for gluten-free, dairy-free, meat-free dinner dishes and finally settled on a meatless meatloaf. It looked great in the photos and got a ton of rave reviews. Even meat eaters loved it.

The recipe was easy. It called for chickpeas, beans, garlic, onions, green peppers and oats.

I followed the instructions precisely.

And then I drowned it in ketchup.

Tracy Beckerman is the author of the Amazon Bestseller, “Barking at the Moon: A Story of Life, Love, and Kibble,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online! You can visit her at www. tracybeckerman.com.

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

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Hercules, the fifth-largest constellation, contains the star cluster M13.

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This crispy side is popular in country kitchens

Serves 4-6

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1 cup all-purpose flour

⅓ cup minced yellow onion

Country cooking often is associated with southern cooking, at least in the United States. Recipes feature no-nonsense meals made of unassuming ingredients that are often locally sourced.

Various dishes are associated with country cooking, from macaroni and cheese to grits to collard greens. Buttermilk biscuits also are high on the list. Hush puppies are another treat that often are whipped up in country kitchens. Legend

¼ cup fresh corn kernels

½ tablespoon granulated sugar

2 teaspoons onion powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

1. Combine the first eight ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the egg and buttermilk.

2. Add the buttermilk mixture to the dry mixture and blend. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

Turn to turkey for meals Crispy Hush Puppies

Turkey Burgers

states that these crispy bites were tossed to hunting dogs so that the dogs wouldn’t bay and scare off the game planned for the evening’s meal. Hush puppies can be served in lieu of bread or muffins alongside grilled and fried fish, or other meats.

Try this recipe for “Crispy Hush Puppies” courtesy of “Virgil’s Barbecue Road Trip Cookbook” (St. Martin’s Press) by Neal Corman with Chris Peterson.

1½ teaspoons kosher salt

1 cup buttermilk

1 extra-large egg

4 cups canola oil

3. Fry in hot oil until brown and crispy.

Makes 4 patties

1 pound lean ground turkey (or chicken)

⅓ cup panko crumbs or dried bread crumbs

1. In a bowl, combine chicken, crumbs, egg, sour cream, onions, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper.

2. Gently form into four even-

1 egg, beaten ¼ cup sour cream or plain yogurt

2 green onions, chopped

1 teaspoon each dried thyme

ly shaped patties. Wrap each patty in plastic wrap or foil to keep separated. Refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.

3. When ready to enjoy, cook

Turkey does not garner much attention outside of Thanksgiving or other holidays when a roasted turkey is the centerpiece of a large family meal. However, turkey is a lean, tasty and versatile protein source that can be utilized in many meals. Individuals interested in reducing the fat and calorie content of some of their favorite dishes can opt for turkey over red meat. This is the case for “Turkey Burgers,” from “The New Trailside Cookbook” (Firefly) by Kevin Callan and Margaret Howard. Turkey substitutes for ground beef in juicy burgers that can be cooked on the trail or in the backyard.

and oregano

½ teaspoon each salt and freshly ground pepper

4 whole wheat buns, halved

burgers 6 minutes per side and serve on toasted whole wheat buns. Garnish with favorite toppings.

This Week at the Syosset Public Library

Monday, July 1, at 7:00 p.m.

Plants for Healthy Living (IN-PERSON)

Presenter: Paul Levine, horticulturalist

Learn about a variety of house plants that are good for your health. Paul Levine will discuss the benefits of each plant and how to care for them, including the ideal lighting conditions and watering techniques to help them thrive. Registration required. Register at syossetlibrary.org.

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Syosset HS commencement for Class of 2024

Thomas Rogers took a moment to recognize and thank Syosset staff members who are retiring this year. “Their dedicated service has built this system that has served you (students) so well,” he said. “They leave a void to be filled...”

Board of Education President Carol Cheng compared the extraordinary growth of Syosset students to a flourishing garden. “Our minds are similar to gardens, where seeds of knowledge are sown. With time and care, these seeds bear fruit, enabling us to converse fluently in a new language or grasp the complexities of various disciplines,” she

said. “Syosset students epitomize lifelong learners.”

Valedictorian Griffin Hon and salutatorian Scout Chen offered reflections to their fellow classmates. Class of 2024 Student Government President Brandon Mun and Senior Class President Zehran Muqtadir also presented the class gift—an electronic sign to be placed in the front of the High School.

The commencement culminated with each student receiving their diploma and the traditional cap toss.

Photos courtesy of the Syosset Central School District

Syosset Superintendent Dr. Thomas Rogers with the School District Board of Education.

Syosset High School salutatorian Scout Chen and valedictorian Griffin Hon.

Syosset High School Principal Dr. Giovanni Durante gives remarks to Class of 2024.

Memorial Day in Hicksville

New York State Senator Steve Rhoads joined with Legislator Rose Walker and Hicksville residents to celebrate Memorial Day and honor the sacrifices made by our brave men and women who gave their all in service to our country. The rain did not ruin the patriotic spirit in Hicksville that day!

Events for Readers at the Syosset Public Library

Tuesday, July 9, at 11 a.m.

Morning Mystery Book Discussion

Join Donna Burger, Readers’ Services Librarian, for an in-person Morning Mystery Book Discussion of the novel “The Golden Spoon” by Jessa Maxwell. Books will be available at the Circulation Desk one month before the discussion. No registration.

Tuesday, July 23, at 2 p.m.

Afternoon Book Discussion

Join Kaye Spurrell, Readers’ Services Librarian, for an in-person discussion of the New York Times bestselling novel “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern. Copies of the book will be available at the Circulation Desk one month before the program. No registration.

Tuesday, July 30, at 2 p.m.

Summer Author Visit with Elyssa Friedland

Enjoy an afternoon at the library with author Elyssa Friedland, who will join us to discuss the writing of her 2024 novel, “Jackpot Summer,” about four siblings whose lives are thrown into disarray when their father sells their family beach house and three of the siblings win the lottery. Books will be sold by the Friends of the Library at the event and can be signed by the author (cash only). No registration.

The library is located at 225 South Oyster Bay Road, Syosset. For more information please call 516-921-7161 ext 239 or email: Readersservices@syossetlibrary.org.

All events are wheelchair accessible

Levittown Chamber Spotlight on Business

BY DON PATANE

The Levittown Chamber of Commerce would like to introduce one of our newest members, Meryl Manthey, who is an independent Realtor with JoAnn Cilla Real Estate, a boutique/small business headquartered in Lindenhurst. Joann Cilla Real Estate serves Nassau, Suffolk, Queens & Brooklyn.

Manthey, being active in the business for 24 years with obtaining her license in 1989, was inspired by when she herself was looking for a home. She wasn’t impressed with the service she received and felt she could do much better for clients.

Manthey is a resident of Levittown. She has spent the last 10 years being a caregiver for her now departed two sisters and her mother. Currently single, with her remaining sister living in Oak Beach & a nephew living in Levittown for whom she shares in assuring his well being since his mom has passed.

Although, not having served personally in the military, she is an Army brat. Born on a base in Japan and from there, Manthey lived in Monterey, CA, then off to Fort Bragg, NC and arrived to the area growing up in a Levitt home in Wantagh, within the USFD School District #5.  Yes, she commented, she attended the little schoolhouse on Jerusalem Ave where they used to tap the trees for maple syrup!

Manthey’s corporate background in selling and marketing years ago to hi tech in its heyday in the San Francisco Bay Area, and partnering with major firms to accomplish a common goal has helped lay the groundwork for her career as a realtor.

Manthey’s  mission statement is as follows… “ Globally connected, locally grown – your  personal trusted Realtor Partner.  My business goals are to serve & support my local community

Meryl Manthey of Joanne Cilla Real Estate is one of the Levittown Chamber of Commerce's newest members.

and businesses, with a focus on the military/Veterans, Seniors, first time homebuyers, & those in need of relocation, hoping, that in doing so, they will support me when it comes to their real estate needs. I completely understand the definition of partnering and my duty to the client as the utmost goal & have all the necessary connections to support that effort! ”

Manthey likes to golf, bowl, volunteer, plan events and enjoys decorating and volunteering with AARP to advocate for the needs of the 50+ community. In addition, she loves attending concerts, volunteers as a board member of her co-op and cat–sits for her sis in Oak Beach.

Meryl Manthey can be reached at 415-602-9775.

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