Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District received a generous donation of school supplies for local families in need from the Floral Park Lions Club. Pictured with Interim Superintendent of Schools Lisa Ruiz, Assistant Superintendent for Business Linda Macias and Floral Park-Bellerose School Principal John DeKams are Lions Club representatives Lynn Smith, Tracie Thomson, Helen Farley, Fred Rieger and Tom De Maria.
Photo courtesy of the Floral Park-Bellerose Union Free School District
Floral Park Library Lawn Sale
The Floral Park Library's 5th annual Lawn Sale is planned for Saturday, September 21st from 10 am to 4 pm (rain date October 5th).
Old and new items, crafts and books, all in one space. Sell your attic treasures, or find some new treasures to take home!
Reserve a space on the Library lawn for $25. Sign up with a check only at the main desk. Spaces are the size of two parking spaces.
Floral Park board previews fall events
The Floral Park Village Board of Trustees ended the summer with a look ahead to upcoming fall events and networking opportunities.
At the August board meeting, Deputy Mayor Dr. Lynn Pombonyo highlighted the recent opening of two new businesses: Mon Reve, an event venue and catering hall on South Tyson Avenue, and Floral Park Chemists, a pharmacy west of Plainfield Avenue that offers prescription services, vaccines, wellness products, toys, and gifts.
The Floral Park Chamber of Commerce will host a dinner meeting on Thursday, September 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at BC Bistro, located at 225 Jericho Turnpike. The American-European fusion restaurant, owned by the Borgognone family, is well-known for their Buttercooky Bakery locations. The cost is $50 per person, and local businesses can register at FloralParkChamber.org/ events or contact the Chamber at 516-641-1200 or info@ FloralParkChamber.org.
Deputy Mayor Pombonyo also mentioned the Covert Avenue Chamber’s fall kickoff meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, September 24, at 7 p.m. at Shintaro Asian Bistro, 78 Covert Avenue. Attendees will discuss the upcoming Covert Avenue Street Fair, set for Saturday, October 5.
“Businesses and residents can learn all about what’s happening on Covert Avenue and join in the planning for the Chamber’s fabulous Covert Avenue Street Fair happening on Saturday, October 5th. Throughout the year, we can all Shop and Dine Local, at the best of Nassau County in Floral Park and Stewart Manor!” Deputy Mayor Pombonyo said.
She also reminded residents about the “Weed Outs” event at Floral Park Centennial Gardens on Saturday, September 7, at 9 a.m. Volunteers are invited to join the Floral Park Conservation Society and Richard Burgess to help with weeding and other gardening tasks.
See page 6
FP girl honored for Girl Scout artwork
Third grader Leah Conway recently was honored by the Nassau County Girl Scouts for her artwork about the Girl Scout pledge.
Leah Conway, a third grader from Floral Park who attends JLCS and is a Girl Scout brownie, entered the Nassau County Girl Scout art contest in July. The rules to follow were to draw a picture choosing one of the lines from the Girl Scout pledge and Leah choose “Friendly and Helpful.” She drew different Girl Scouts all wearing friendship bracelets.
Leah got a wonderful surprise when her artwork won. She was one of 10 girls
who were honored on August 14, at the Long Island Children’s Museum.
In addition to her art submission being displayed in the museum, Leah also received a $25 gift certificate for the Girl Scout store. Leah was able to invite three family members to the museum for a delicious catered dinner. The best part of the evening, was the two hours the museum was open only for the 10 winners and their guests! The kids had a wonderful time!
Theatre Box to perform “Morning’s at Seven”
Paul Osborn’s classic play “ Morning’s at Seven ” will be performed by Theatre Box of Floral Park during November 15–24 at the United Methodist Church of Floral Park.
Set in a quaint Midwestern town, this heartfelt and humorous production delves into the lives of four elderly sisters who, beneath their contented facades, grapple with the weight of isolation, unfulfilled dreams, and the ticking of time.
This beloved play, inspired by Robert Browning’s cheerful lyric, is a celebration of family life, the complexities of aging, and the universal search for meaning. It’s a story that resonates as deeply today as it did when it first captivated audiences in 1939.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable evening of theater. Reserve your tickets now to secure the best seats!
For information about how to reserve tickets, please call 516-900-2031 or email info@theatrebox.org
Schedule of performances: Fridays: November 15, 22 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays: November 16, 23 at 8:00 p.m.
Sundays: November 17, 24 at 2:00 p.m
Adults: $20; Seniors: $15; Youths: $10
Reserve tickets online at theatrebox.org.
Welcome Back
John Lewis Childs School
The JLCS PTA Executive Board welcomes everyone back to the 20242025 school year. As always we have exciting events planned this year for our students, and parents alike. We look forward to welcoming back Jared Campbell, Movie Night, and the Harvest Fair just to name a few!
Our Membership Drive is open for the school year. Your membership is important to us. All of the funds we raise during the course of the year go back to enriching the school experience for our children. Just a friendly reminder that you MUST be a PTA Member for the 24/25 school year to volunteer at any PTA event. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to jlcsptafp@gmail. com.
September Events
Tuesday, September 3 - Chalk
The Walk & Be Kind Shirt Swap;
1 p.m.–3 p.m. & 5 p.m.–7 p.m.
Wednesday, September 4 - First Day of School
Friday, September 6 - Be Kind
Friday
Friday, September 13 - Last Day to Pre-Order Mums; Visit www.jlcspta. com to order
Wed. & Thurs., September 18 & 19- Back to School Night (more information will be shared on Parent Square)
Thursday, September 26 - Mums Pre-Sale Pickup Date
Friday, September 27 - Harvest Fair; 4 p.m.–7 p.m.
Sewanhaka HS welcomes new principal
Sewanhaka Central High School District has appointed John Kenny as the new principal of Sewanhaka High School starting immediately.
Mr. Kenny has been with the Sewanhaka CHSD for more than 25 years, beginning his career in the district as a school counselor at Floral Park Memorial High School. He also has experience as an assistant principal at both Floral Park Memorial and H. Frank Carey high schools. For the past six years, he has served as the director of alternative education at Sewanhaka High School. Among his responsibilities, he provided leadership and direction for the day-to-day operations of the Prestige Academy and oversaw the Academic Learning Center for students with suspensions.
Having volunteered his time as a coach for the district, Mr. Kenny has coached junior high school boys and girls basketball and junior varsity golf. He is also a co-chair of Drug-Free and Safe Schools and a Big Sister Advisor.
Mr. Kenny holds a bachelor’s in history from SUNY New Paltz, a master’s in counselor education and New York
State Permanent Certification from Queens College, and a School District Administrator Certification from the College of New Rochelle.
John Kenny was named new principal at Sewanhaka Central High School.
Photo courtesy of the Sewanhaka Central High School District
September Events at the Floral Park Library
A Facebook Milestone
The Floral Park Library hit a Facebook milestone recently — we earned our 2500th “Like.” Thank you to everyone who visits, presents, participates, volunteers, or stops in just to chat with staff. No doubt some of the newest “Likes” were in response to the almost 500 people who turned out for July’s lawn concert featuring BonJourney.
Summer Upgrades at the Library
Over the summer, the Library made a few changes — and a few additions. New doors were installed on the main level, allowing for a small room meeting space, and a new 60+ inch-Smartboard was installed in that room. At the Circulation Desk, there’s a new digital display monitor that keeps patrons up to date on what’s happening at the Library.
Friends of the Library Lawn Sale
It’s a busy September at the Library. The Friends of the Floral Park Library are bringing their popular lawn sale back to the corner of Tulip Avenue and Caroline Place on Saturday September 21 (rain date: Saturday, October 5).
Enjoy Outings with the Library
The Floral Park Library Urban Explorers are headed to Fraunces Tavern for their September outing, after
having visited the Brooklyn Historical Society in July. And, the Library plans a trip to Greenport Village and the Pindar Winery in mid-September.
Events for Kids
This month, the younger set can enjoy Play Hooray, and A Time For Kids Baby Start and Family Preschool Hour, along with Play Pals (18 months –Preschool), and a Halloween Lantern Craft with Miss Michele from Through the Looking Glass (grades 3 – 5).
Programs for Adults
With summer vacations ending, and the local pool closing, adult programs are back in full swing. Choices include a Succulent Terrarium Workshop with Birch Plants, Empower Wellness!, Did You Dream Last Night?, Stress Management Strategies, an Estate Planning Workshop, the Basics of Medicare, and a program on How to Survive Rising Food Prices.
Narcan Training,
Defensive Driving Class
The Floral Park Police Department offers a one-hour free Narcan Training program on September 17.
Empire Safety Council hosts Defensive Driving on September 12. You don’t have to be a Floral Park Library cardholder to register and attend either of these programs.
Tax Exemption Assistance
Nassau County Department of Assessment’s Community Outreach HELP (Homeowner Exemption Liaison Program) will be at the Library on September 16. All are welcome; no registration required.
Chair Yoga on Zoom
Wednesday morning Chair Yoga with Micheline will be fully remote via Zoom on September 4 and 11. Hybrid sessions resume on September 18.
Book Club
The legacy Friends of the Library
Book Club meets Monday, September 9, at 10:15 am. Both groups meet in the main level Community Meeting Room. The Evening Edition Book Club meets Thursday, September 12, at 7:00 p.m. to discuss Carson McCullers “The Member of the Wedding.”
Knitting, Crochet Group
The Made with Love Knitting and Crocheting volunteer group meets Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m.. No registration necessary; no formal instruction provided. New members welcome.
Library Board meeting
The Library Board of Trustees meets at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11.
Library Hours
Regular seven day a week Library hours resume on Saturday, September 7.
About to hit a milestone?
Share your life accomplishments with your neighbors! Put your engagement, wedding, or baby announcement in the paper, (and it's free of charge!) Email editor@gcnews.com
German is for Everyone at German American School
German lessons since 1897
United Methodist Church plans spaghetti dinner Sept. 28th
The Floral Park United Methodist Church will be holding a spaghetti dinner on Saturday, September 28th at 6 p.m.
Enjoy a delicious spaghetti and meatball dinner with side salad, bread, dessert and beverage with your friends, neighbors or new friends!
Sing Along with some of
your favorite Italian songs! Reserve your seat today by calling the Church Office at 516-354-4969
Walk-ins welcome!
Adults $15; Children 5-12 $7
The church is located at 35 Verbena Ave Floral Park.
Board previews fall
From page 1
“There’s pulling weeds, raking, clearing the soil and other gardening tasks to help keep everything beautiful,” Deputy Mayor Pombonyo explained.
“Some of our helpers stop by on their Saturday morning walks, just to lend a hand for 10 to 15 minutes. Every bit of effort helps beautify our Floral Park treasure.”
Pombonyo concluded her report by announcing the annual Fairie Forest Festival, scheduled for Saturday, October 26, at 1 p.m. at Centennial Gardens.
events
Visitors can explore tiny villages, participate in a treasure hunt, and enjoy light refreshments at the gazebo. Proceeds will support the Floral Park Conservation Society’s efforts to enhance Centennial Gardens.
“Hundreds of people and tiny things will appear in tiny villages for all to admire. All visitors may walk the trails and use their maps on a treasure hunt to find twelve tiny fairie stations, and claim fairie tokens. Then, everyone is invited to enjoy light fall refreshments at the gazebo,” the deputy mayor announced.
Fall
BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM
Post-Labor day, the weather has cooled, crowds have thinned, airfares and hotel rates have dropped precipitously, and tour companies offer discounts, especially on near-term departures. On top of that, Mother Nature puts on a show of autumn colors. Fall can be the best travel time of the year.
Fall is Ideal for Biking
Discovery Bicycle Tours: Cycle over 200 miles from the tip of Manhattan to through the Hudson River Valley to Albany on its six-day day Empire State Trail bike tour, along New York State’s network of rail trails, bike paths and bikeways; cycle the Appalachian Rail Trails between Virginia and West Virginia, one of its newest tours; or the six-day P’tit Train du Nord, one of the most scenic rail-trails in Quebec; or Or for a shorter tour, pedal for 4 DAYS on the GAP Trail Getaway or spend 3 days riding the Vermont Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (discoverybicycletours.com, tours@discoverybicycletours.com, 800257-2226, 802-457-3553)
Wilderness Voyageurs: Fall is a great time to travel and experience the season’s beauty around the country. Take advantage of its flash sale on the Sept. 29 departure of the Virginia Shenandoah & Skyline Drive Bike Tour - $150 off and free bike rental. Fall bike trips Include: five-day Kentucky bike & Bourbon; four-day Cycling Chattanooga, six-day Ohio-Cycling Cincinnati to Cleveland; four-day Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay; Colonial Williamsburg; six-day Mickelson Trail & the Badlands; four-day Georgia Gold Coast; and Missouri’s Katy Trail (https://wilderness-voyageurs.com/fantastic-fall-bike-tours/, 800-272-4141)
Butterfield & Robinson: Nothing quite says adventure like last-minute plans to get away. The impromptu decision to travel, the excitement of meet-
Optimal Time for Travel
ing new faces in new places that just weeks ago weren’t even a consideration. Fall is the perfect time to escape from it all, whether you’re headed to the Morocco, riding along famous ancient caravan routes; striding along the Path of the Gods, hiking mountain and coastal trails and then unwinding in luxurious accommodations on the Amalfi Coast on this walking and hiking trip; or immersing in Portugal’s culinary and cultural heartland of Alentejo—biking from historic castles and villages across a farmland landscape of cork trees and olive groves to the gorgeous Atlantic coast.(butterfield.com)
Fall Rafting, Glamping on the Gauley River
Adventures on the Gorge offers two-day Deluxe Gauley River Overnight package offered throughout Gauley Season in September and October, when the Gauley River is transformed with some 100 rapids –including several Class Vs – within a 25-mile stretch of river. The adventure
includes two days of rafting, one night of camping at the resort’s permanent Canyon Doors Campground and gourmet meals prepped fresh by a chef. The campground features hot showers, bathrooms and hot tubs, as well as a huge sandy beach with room for games and story-telling beneath the stars.
The Upper Gauley starts just below Summersville Dam and drops more than 335 feet in fewer than 13 miles, creating the most intense whitewater on the river and one of the most challenging whitewater experiences in the world. The 12-mile Lower Gauley is slightly less intense, but still extremely challenging, with 70 rapids.
As a result of a long-time agreement between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and resorts like Adventures on the Gorge, the releases are scheduled for Fridays through Mondays so rafters can plan for long weekends of adventure. Release dates this year are Sept. 6-9, 12-16, 20-23, 27-30 and Oct. 4-6, 12-13 and 19-20.
The minimum age to experience the
Deluxe Gauley River Overnight is 16. Pricing of the two-day adventure starts at $439 per person.
The conclusion of Gauley Season coincides with the region’s annual Bridge Day celebration on the third Saturday of October. That’s when the New River Gorge Bridge is closed to traffic and BASE jumpers and rappelers jump from the bridge into the New River below while hundreds of pedestrian celebrants watch the fun.
Adventures on the Gore offers several options for rafters, including the Upper Gauley, Lower Gauley and Gauley Reverse 2-Day. Additionally, some rafters run both stretches as part of the Gauley Marathon while others take on the Upper Gauley twice in one day as part of the Double Upper Gauley 1-Day 2-Night package.
Other adventures include rafting on the New River, TreeTops Zipline Canopy Tour, Bridge Walk, rock climbing, and TimberTrek Adventure Park.
One of AOTG’s more popular options is a two-day Upper and Lower Gauley rafting experience broken up by camping at Canyon Doors, a permanent campground on the river featuring a wood-fired hot tub, hot showers, bathrooms and gourmet meals prepared by an expedition chef.
Adventures on the Gorge offers glamping tents, RV sites, tent platforms and a variety of cabins, such as multi-bedroom Cabins on the Gorge, with kitchens, furnished living areas and private hot tubs; bunkhouse style Sportsman Cabins, ideal for families and friend groups; and hotelstyle Sunnysides.
Adventures on the Gorge is an adventure resort located on more than 350 acres along the rim of New River Gorge near Fayetteville, West Virginia, in a region with three national parks units including the newest national park in the U.S., New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. (https://adventuresonthegorge.com/, 1-855-379-8738) September
on next page
Fall is an Optimal Time for Travel
Spacious Skies Campgrounds
Along the Fall Color Trail
Spacious Skies Campgrounds has launched a two-week sale on stays during its Fall Color Trail. Guests who book RV sites, lodging and glamping accommodations and tent sites through September 12 will receive a 25 percent discount between now and October 14, 2024 at any of the company’s 15 campgrounds located from Maine to Georgia, which also are staging Themed Weekends throughout the season.
For RVers with time and a love for natural beauty, there’s the Fall Color Trail, a 2,500-mile route that connects the campgrounds from Spacious Skies Balsam Woods in north central Maine to Spacious Skies Savannah Oaks in Georgia and showcases the brilliant progression of fall color over a 2 ½-month period, from early September through mid-November. Along the way there are wide-ranging adventures such as apple-picking farms, golf courses, historic sites, charming towns, national and state parks, museums, shopping and outdoor adventures.
Many of the campgrounds offer alternative accommodations for travelers who don’t own RVs, including cabins, yurts, tent sites and in select locations, retro trailers. Spacious Skies has also partnered with RV Share so would-be campers and glampers can rent RVs in each location or rent RVs that they can drive from place to place.
To receive the discount, campers can book online and use the promo code FALLTRAIL. The sale ends September 12 and is limited to one usage per customer. For more information, visit www. spaciousskiescampgrounds.com
Maine Fall Vacation
Crisp beach walks; apple orchards; and brilliant crimson, gold and orange foliage are just a few of the things that make fall a glorious time to visit Maine. Maine’s Tourism office has created helpful lists to facilitate your visit:
Outdoor Recreation opportunities include Hiking & Climbing (see Maine Trail Finder for hikes for all abilities). On the Water: take a leisurely sail aboard a historic Maine Windjammer or a sea kayaking trip; visit a beach (my favorite, Old Orchard Beach has access to a beachfront amusement park, Palace Playland, with rides and Maine’s largest arcade). Biking (pedal through tunnels of vibrant colors or bike to a breathtaking overlook along Maine’s scenic trails and picturesque routes). Camping Fall Festivities and Fairs.
Leaf-peeping Opportunities : Peak foliage season varies across the state, but it is typically from the last week of September to the first two weeks of October. Maine has a foliage tracker that starts up in September to help you plan your trip.
Stunning Drives: Maine’s foliage is accessible via the state’s seven National Scenic Byways. These historic drives are designated by the federal government as some of the most beautiful and enjoyable across the country.
Fall Meandering: The newly enhanced Maine Oyster Trail will help you experience Maine’s acclaimed bivalve from the farmer to the raw bar. Get off the beaten path and link to Farms & Fiber Arts Trip Ideas to enjoy a getaway visiting farms, farm stands and specialty shops, or try a workshop where you can learn a variety of skills, like knitting a sweater from Maine wool. Maine Craft Weekend, the first weekend October,
Fueling Fall Sports
is the chance to see private artist studios and meet the artists, visit craft-based schools and craft beer breweries collaborating with artists, and purchase Maine-made goods at pop-up shops.
Arts & Culture : The Maine Art Museum Trail features nine museums and more than 80,000 works of art, (my favorite is the Farnsworth Museum, Rockland, with a fabulous collection of Wyeths). Check out the Art & Ales Trip Ideas for tips on where to find art in Maine in many shapes and forms, from gigantic sculptures to live performances, and sample the art of handcrafted local brews.
Where To Stay: The choices are endless: Campgrounds, Sporting Camps & Wilderness Lodges, Inns / Bed & Breakfasts, Resorts, Hotels & Motels
More info at VisitMaine.com
Fall in Tennessee
Vivid autumn leaves burst through the trees, new experiences await the fall bucket list, the aroma of apple and pumpkin treats waft through the air and echoes of ghost stories whisper with haunted happenings. Here’s what’s new and trending this fall in Tennessee.
Chattanooga – Rock City’s Fall Colors is an autumn splendor of pumpkins, haybale vignettes and seasonal decorations and live music.
Pigeon Forge (Sept. 9-Oct. 28) –Dollywood’s Great Pumpkin LumiNights illuminates the evening with the whimsical glow of over 12,000 pumpkins.
Nashville (Sept. 14-Oct. 27) –Cheekwood Harvest is a fall wonderland with 75,000 pumpkins and 4,000 chrysanthemums; stroll through the Community Scarecrow Trail, iconic Pumpkin Village, live music in the beer garden.
Nashville – Ghost Tours: Tragedy and Mystery at The Hermitage presents
stories of unusual experiences of Andrew Jackson’s family and unexplained incidents on the site, a rare opportunity to see the mansion, grounds and cemetery by lantern light.
Memphis – Each October, visitors can take special tours and attend Soul of the Cemetery to hear stories of Elmwood Cemetery BackBeat Tours shares more historically spooky tales with walking ghost tours through some of the most haunted places in Memphis.
Visit TNvacation.com
California Colors
Fall is harvest season in California wine country so while the wine is flowing, the vineyards have turned orange, maroon and crimson. Sonoma Valley, a 17-milelong valley within Sonoma County that encompasses the city of Sonoma and the villages of Carneros, The Springs, Glen Ellen, and Kenwood, is the ideal drive to take in stunning rolling hills, gorgeous hotels and resorts, historic attractions and, breathtaking vineyards.
From its dramatic waterfalls, giant sequoias and unbelievably tall, sheer granite towers, Yosemite National Park is one of the most breathtaking places on earth and during the fall, its full of life and colors. Dogwoods, Big Leaf Maples, and the Black Oaks are but just a few that put on a showy display of autumnal color. Fall colors can usually be seen throughout the month of October but have been known to start in September at higher elevations and run into November.
In El Dorado County, Historic Hwy 49 (which runs the length of historic Gold Country) offers an array of colorful foliage – dogwood, aspen and maple light up the Mother Lode with orange, red and yellow. In Coloma, the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park affords spectacular views along the American River as well as many stands of colorful trees.
More info at https://www.visitcalifornia.com/.
BY CHARLYN FARGO
School has started and that means fall sports are underway -- soccer, football and basketball. Fueling a teen’s body for those sports is extra important considering the prevalence of COVID-19 and other viruses. It all boils down to meals full of plenty of nutrients. Here are some tips to help you make it happen.
No. 1: Cut back on added sugars and choose calories that provide good fuel over empty calories. It’s like gas in your car -- the better the fuel, the better it will
run. Young athletes are still growing, so calorie needs vary depending on age, sex, type and amount of activity. How much a teen eats needs to match their activity level and simultaneously support growth and development. On average, active teenage boys need 3,000 to 4,000 calories a day, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Like any other healthy diet, calories should come from fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads and cereals, lowfat dairy, lean protein foods and hearthealthy fats.
No. 2: Breakfast is important to help athletes get all the calories they need, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Choose whole-grain cereals with low-fat milk and fruit, whole-grain waffles with peanut butter or Greek yogurt with fruit.
No. 3: If your teen prefers to pack a lunch for school, try bean and beef burritos topped with salsa; grilled chicken sandwiches with coleslaw; and Mediterranean
All this talk about Gen X, Y and Z makes my head spin at times but I do my best to keep up because it’s true that each generation has its own individual characteristics. I want to appreciate the good traits in each generation even if sometimes that means I have to search a bit.
The point is no matter how the experts classify, analyze or label the Gen Zers, each generation is unique. Cultural influences and historic events all play a role in what affects them just as the events of the 1960s, 70s and 80s affected me.
There’s a lot to be said for each group - the Millennials, the Baby Boomers, and X, Y and Z. At a glance, it appears that many Gen Zers and I get along great. A case in point is when I spoke with my nephew, Patrick, on the phone recently and we got together the next day. He and his wife, Amy, stopped by for a visit and once we were all comfortably settled, we chatted amicably. They updated me on their two children and it was great to hear all of the news. I was also amused by their various activities.
Preparing lunch in my kitchen for us recently I started singing the song, “Hey There Delilah” by the Plain White T’s and Patrick asked what’s that. Later he started singing “Hey Look Ma, I Made It” by Panic! at the Disco and I asked what that song was and when he mentioned the title and the group I said I’d never heard of it or the singers. We both laughed out loud. We had a good chuckle over that. It sure was an example of the generation gap.
So just to show him what a good song is, I showed him the lyrics to “Delilah” which go:
“Hey there Delilah
What’s it like in New York City
I’m a thousand miles away, but girl
Tonight you look so pretty
Yes you do
Times Square can’t shine as bright as you
I swear it’s true …”
It was recorded by the group in Los Angeles and was released in 2006. That year wasn’t so long ago, was it? But Patrick wasn’t familiar with it and he didn’t want to offend me but he said he likes a different style of music. Ok, we agreed that music preferences do vary from one generation to another. That’s nothing new. And he added that he wouldn’t even tell me the words to “Hey Look Ma, I Made It” because I would probably find them offensive.
Eventually we got onto other subjects and every so often signs of a generation gap would spring up. I happen to be a Baby Boomer meaning that I am 50+ and Patrick is one of those Gen Zers who was born between 1997-2012. That means Patrick had never used a rotary phone or even seen one unless it was pictured in a movie or displayed in a museum. Little did he know that our families’ rotary phones were our connection to the world. With a little spin of the dial we could call friends and neighbors plus make business calls. We Baby Boomers thought rotary phones were nifty.
Gen Zers grew up with digital changes in our society that happened on a frequent basis. As teens, Gen Zers experienced the boom of smartphones, wearables such as fitness trackers, virtual assistants and more. The evolution of technology often meant that they were incorporating these things into their daily lives.
On the job, co-worker Mandy and I got to be friends several years ago. She is younger and during lunch hours inevitably the subject would drift to things that were good illustrations of the generation gap. Sometimes Mandy strikes me as young and inexperienced
but at other times she amazes me with her grasp of social media, her ability to get groups of friends together to promote social causes and at other times, to gather some friends together just for the fun of it. Mandy always impresses me.
As a group, Gen Zers are growing up. Many of them love to travel and if they work full-time, they like flexibility. They have some uncertainty about the world today but so many of them have plans for the future and are excited about the prospects.
Born after the Millennials and before Generation Alpha, many of my nieces, nephews, neighbors and young friends who happen to be Gen Zers say rather vocally that they don’t like some of the things that Baby Boomers do but I stop them right there. There’s no use in offending anyone.
Right now it’s the Gen Zers who fascinate me. They are getting older, getting married and starting to raise families. They will make an impact on our society sooner than the individuals
from Generation Alpha and Generation Beta. We will see how they perceive the world around them - and how they see their own microcosm of a world. It will be interesting because many of their values differ from those of us who are Baby Boomers. That’s not to say it’s right or wrong, just that it’s different. Whenever I speak with Gen Zers they always strike me as being proud of who they are. My nephew, Joe, is a Gen Zer and he does whatever he possibly can to help the environment. He has other causes such as protecting animal rights but says he finds it hard to do everything he wants to do for the world. What traits Generation Beta will have all depends on a lot of things: society, the environment, inflation or deflation, the job market and more. I wonder if they will prefer working remotely or if they will like the camaraderie of working with other people in an office setting. I wonder lots of things about tomorrow’s workplace because it’s so up in the air right now. And predicting the future? That indeed is hard to do.
MostGrandchildBeautiful
Dee Berger shared this photo of 3-year-old Mya, who adores her big brother. “She spontaneously will tell him she loves him and will give him a hug,” Dee said. “It is beautiful to observe their relationship! Mya also loves taking ballet which she started over the summer. Mya goes to day care and is very nice to her friends. At this time, she is Minnie Mouse’s biggest fan!”
‘I’ll Tell You What’s Wrong With Social Security!’
BY TOM MARGENAU
Every single day, more than a few of the emails I get from readers start out with this (or a similar) phrase: “I’ll tell you what’s wrong with Social Security!” They proceed to do just that. Sadly, their little rant is almost wrong and based on a misunderstanding of Social Security rules or misinformation they picked up -- usually off the internet.
These diatribes are of two main types: either political or program-related. I’m not going to deal with the political ones today. I’ve concluded that it is not worth it. People will spout off the most ridiculous nonsense to me about the politics or financing of Social Security. And when I try to set the record straight, they almost always write back and tell me they don’t believe me. So I figure: Why bother?
But on the program and policy side, I still can help people understand the way Social Security works. Let’s go over some of them.
Q: I’ll tell you what’s wrong with Social Security. There are too many multiple wives getting benefits on one guy’s record. A guy can have three or four or even more wives, and all of them can collect on his account. No wonder the system is going broke!
A: I suppose anything is possible. But the situation you describe is highly unlikely. I worked for the Social Security Administration for 32 years. During that time, I probably saw 100,000 Social Security records. Only once do I remember a case where three wives were getting benefits from one guy’s account. I never saw four or more. Even two spouses on one record isn’t as common as you might think.
And why is that? It would be very rare for a guy to have multiple wives all of whom never worked and never remarried. In other words, lots of these ex-wives have worked. So they are much more likely to get their own retirement benefit than a much smaller spousal benefit. And most times, a divorced woman will remarry. Once she does that, she loses her eligibility for benefits from her ex-husband.
Q: I’ll tell you what’s wrong with Social Security. It’s all these benefits that are paid to women who never worked a day in their lives. Get rid of these welfare benefits and the system would be flush with cash!
A: I hear this a lot. And as I’ve pointed out before, many of the complaints I’ve heard about this issue come from working women. I’m not going to touch the social debate between working women and stayat-home moms with a 10-foot pole. I will, however, comment on the Social Security angle.
Ever since 1939, the law has said that a retiree’s dependent wife should qualify for a partial spousal benefit. (Benefits to dependent husbands were added years later, but for today’s column, I’m sticking with
the issue of wives.) The law is essentially saying that because a guy with a stay-athome wife supported that wife with his income while he was working, the Social Security taxes he paid on that income should support his wife after he retires with spousal benefits.
Q: I’ll tell you what’s wrong with Social Security. I always knew that children of a parent who dies can get Social Security survivor benefits. That makes sense. But I just learned that they recently added benefits to the children of a living retiree. And that makes no sense. No wonder the system is in trouble!
A: Benefits to the children of retirees have been around since 1939; they were not “recently added.” Anyway, those benefits are based on the same concept discussed in the last answer: dependency. Once again, the law assumes the guy was supporting those kids while he was working, and now that he’s retired, the Social Security taxes he paid should go toward supporting his kids with dependent benefits. Two more quick points: I wasn’t being sexist by referring to a “guy.” Due to obvious biological reasons, it would be very unusual for a woman in her 60s to have a minor child still living at home. Also, even if you still think the children of retirees should not get benefits, you are not going to save Social Security by eliminating them. Those benefits are a tiny drop in Social Security’s big bucket.
Q: I’ll tell you what’s wrong with Social Security. Most people might not know this, but Social Security benefit calculations are always rounded down. This is a sneaky process the bureaucrats invented to cheat senior citizens out of the money they are rightfully due!
A: Government employees don’t have the authority to do things like this, but Congress does. Back in the 1980s, they were looking for ways to cut down on government spending. The came up with the idea of rounding down the “cents” part of all Social Security calculations. For example, if your actual benefit amount comes out to $2,854.32, that will be rounded down to $2,854. Those pennies add up to millions of dollars in savings for the government every year.
I said the myths I tackle in today’s column wouldn’t be political, but I just have to include this final one. It’s not really about politics; it’s about politicians and Social Security.
Q: I’ll tell you what’s wrong with Social Security. It’s the fact that Social Security rules are made by people who have no stake in the system. Congress, and all federal employees for that matter, have their own cushy retirement system that none of us normal people have access to. We are stuck with a failing Social Security system. If we could force Congress to become part
of Social Security, they would fix the program tomorrow!
A: Your idea perpetuates a common myth about Social Security. In fact, since 1984, all federal government employees,
including the president and all members of Congress, have paid into Social Security. Now it is true that if they want, they can
Continued on next page
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Will our national debt be the tipping point?
Our national debt is approximately 35.28 trillion as of July 2024. It is 120.2% of our GDP. However, as bad as that might be, according to The World Bank, Japan’s National Debt to GDP is 220.5% and France’s National Debt to GDP is 116.5% . It is very apparent that major world economies are in debt up to their eyeballs and there appears to be no end in sight or an immediate solution. The countries of Japan, China, The United Kingdom, Belgium, and Luxembourg are those that are our largest creditors with amounts owed to them. However, according to the U.S. Treasury, federal debts of 24.6 trillion are held by the public comprise the largest amounts owed.
The National Debt has increased during wars and recessions, and then substantially decreases over time. However, with all the wars that we are currently financially and physically involved in, and with I firmly believe the current recession we are now experiencing (that some say we are not yet in), how can our debt decrease?
We must take positive proactive steps in the right direction and decrease government spending, while still keeping a strong and modern military force to protect us against our foreign adversaries. When families have to sacrifice and cut back their spending so to should our government!
Creating more money out of thin air has always been the supposed failsafe solution or temporary bandaid fix; but was it really? This only spurs on exacerbates greater inflation and dilutes the value of our currency. Our reserve
currency in the world is being threatened by the Brics nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, (also includes: Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates).
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
Approximately 90% of all currency trading globally is still conducted with U.S. dollars. However, in 2023 1/5 of oil trades were completed with non-U.S. dollars. What is really disheartening and discouraging is over the next 5-10 years other currencies or possibly one major currency will threaten our reserve currency status and become the dominant one for world transactions.
That being said, with all our debt, the effect on our real estate will be monumental. When Baby Boomers pass on, how will GenZ, Gen X and all other future buyers have the money to purchase the existing homes? Will student debt of our children be a continued detriment to becoming homeowners? Will they become the new lifelong renters? Will their longterm future wealth be stifled and be decreased?
Paul Volcker was the Fed Chair under President Jimmy Carter from 1979-1983 and under President Ronald Regan from 1984-1987. His very tight monetary policy during that period increased the Fed Funds rate to historic highs thereby increasing mortgage rates to as high as 18.5%. Inflation went as high as 14.8%. Housing inventory increased and as this occurred,
home prices decreased. Also, this assisted new home buyers as many mortgages (FHA, VA and USDA loans) were assumable. Interested in moving to states with assumable mortgages? Then check out Realtor.com February 29 2024; an article by Hannah Jones about these assumable mortgages and what metro areas have the largest concentration. Today 1 in 4 Government backed mortgages provided over the last 5 years are assumable.
My professional opinion is that we need Jerome Powell to be as tough as Paul Volcker. In order for housing prices to decrease we need rates to stay higher, decreasing demand. This in turn unfortunately will cause more layoffs, as more will need to sell thereby potentially increasing inventory.
This may seem to be counterintuitive and not common sense, but we need to go through some increased Paul Volcker like “tough love” in order for our markets to stabilize and prices to decrease and allow more to affored to purchase. Lowering rates will only cause greater demand and more inflation causing housing prices to continue increasing. Today we have 2 bubbles, housing prices and credit card debt.
As I have said many times in the past we are losing our population to other less costly states, decreasing our tax base and raising everyone else’s costs, especially real estate taxes. This will be a huge negative for our local
economy and a never ending cycle if fresh ideas and solutions don’t materialize.
Some will agree and some will not, but look back when Paul Volcker was Fed Chair and you will see that his methods of cooling the economy and reducing inflation worked quite successfully. Unfortunately, I cannot make any sense of the figures that we are provided by the U.S. Labor Dept as well as other agencies. Consumer spending is 70% of our economy. On the one hand they want us to slow spending and on the other hand they want us to continue; which we obviously are successfully doing. Just look at the rate of credit card debt going up every month, because consumers have run out of money and are not able to pay it back. As I said, we are in a recession and as the expression goes “between a rock and a hard place.” We surely do not want to go into a depression, but, if we keep going in this fashion,with no light at the end of the tunnel, this just might happen.
Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. For a free 15-minute consultation, value analysis of your home, or to answer any of your questions or concerns he can be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.Com or via https:// WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com
Fueling Fall Sports
Continued from previous page have extra taxes withheld from their paycheck that can be directed into a savings plan intended to augment their Social Security benefits. But this is no different than 401(k) and 403(b) plans available to many folks in the private sector.
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.
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Continued from page 2
veggie wraps spread with hummus and filled with veggies, feta or other cheese, chicken or turkey and a light vinaigrette. Try to combine protein with vegetables with whole grains.
No. 4: For dinner, don’t be afraid of carbs -- carbohydrates are the most important fuel for an athlete. Carbs are stored as fuel inside muscles -- the only fuel the body can use for power moves. For dinner, think whole-wheat spaghetti with a meat sauce, salad, whole grain Italian bread and plenty of milk to drink. It’s a great recovery meal after a hard practice or a great before-game meal to load some carbohydrates.
No. 5: For snacks, think a hard-boiled egg, fresh fruit, veggies with hummus,
string cheese and whole-grain crackers, Greek yogurt or seasoned air-popped popcorn and almonds. Have your athlete drink plenty of water and eat a light snack before practice, such as half a turkey sandwich or an orange and a handful of nuts. After practice or a game, refuel with chocolate milk, a low-sugar sports drink, a banana, Greek yogurt or a handful of trail mix.
Q and A
Q: I know that greens are supposed to be good for me, but I don’t know which ones I should eat. Where should I start?
A: Greens are otherwise known as leafy vegetables. And while “greens” is the generic heading, there are different types of these healthy vegetables, each with its own flavor. Collards are some
of the most popular, perhaps because of their dense flavor and the fact that they get better and sweeter after the first frost hits them. Mustard greens are a bit tangier and have an almost mustard-like zing to them. It’s also fun to mix greens -- collard, mustard and even turnip tops. Kale is also a green. Try greens in a salad or cooked. Both ways are full of flavor and rich in nutrients.
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. For comments or questions, contact her at charfarg@aol.com or follow her on Twitter @NutritionRD. .
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Youthful Drivers, Level Pay Plans and Windfalls
BY MARY HUNT
Get ready for another round of your burning questions and my hopefully nottoo-scorched answers as we tackle the financial dilemmas that can make even the savviest penny-pincher break into a sweat -- from the joys of insuring your teenage driver (and by joys, I mean sticker shock) to the temptation of throwing every windfall at those relentless credit cards, I’ve got some tips to help you navigate these tricky waters with your sanity -- and your budget -- intact.
Dear Cheapskate: We need help figuring out how to get a better deal on our teenage daughter’s automobile insurance. Learning how expensive it is nearly took our breath away. -Nancy W.
Dear Nancy: Welcome to the world of teenage drivers -- a place where your heart races not just because they’re behind the wheel but because you’re the one footing the insurance bill. While I can’t magically make it cheap (because insuring a teenager is just about as pricey as their taste in clothes), there are a few tricks to soften the blow. First, make sure you’re with a company that dishes out discounts for good grades. Then, lay down the law: no good grades, no car keys. Next, if your insurer offers a
discount for taking driver’s ed, sign her up for a qualified course faster than you can say “parallel park.” Lastly, consider bumping up your deductible. Going from a $250 to a $1,000 deductible could knock about 20% off your premium. Just be sure you can actually come up with that deductible if, heaven forbid, she finds out what the bumper of the car really does.
Dear Cheapskate: My electricity company offers a level pay plan. They take the average of my bills for the past 12 months to determine my flat monthly amount for each month in the coming year. I’ve become very budget conscious and wonder if you would recommend that I accept this option? -- Linda F.
Dear Linda: Level pay plans are like the comfort food of budgeting -- they just make everything feel a bit more predictable. If you like knowing exactly how much your utility bill will be each month, then this option is your new best friend. It’s great for planning and avoiding those nasty surprises when the air conditioning’s been running 24/7. Just remember, once a year, they’ll tally up your actual usage. If you’ve been frugal, you might get a little refund. But if you’ve splurged on keeping the house at igloo temperatures, you’ll have to cough up the difference. The only downside? You might get
a little too comfy with that steady bill and forget that cutting back here and there could save you even more.
Dear Cheapskate: I will be receiving a windfall of about $8,000 in the next couple of months. I do not have any type of savings or what I know that you call a “contingency fund.” I’ve been using every spare dollar to rapidly pay off my credit card debts. Should I start a contingency fund with this money or use it to pay down my debts even faster? -- Donna G. Dear Donna: Ah, the sweet, sweet temptation of paying off those debts! I get it. Slapping that windfall onto your credit cards would feel like a victory lap. But here’s the thing -- without a safety net, you’re one unexpected disaster away from falling right back into those debt-laden arms. Trust me, it’s a lot less fun the second time around. So, as much as it might sting, I’m going to play the responsible adult card here and say: Stash that cash. Start building your contingency fund with at least three months’ worth of expenses -- six if you really want to sleep soundly at night. That way, when life throws you a curveball (because it will), you can dodge it without messing up your debt payoff progress. Park that money somewhere safe, like Ally Online Savings or SmartyPig. Both are Federal
Deposit Insurance Corp.-insured, and they’ll let you build up your fund bit by bit, making it easier to stay on track and out of debt.
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.”
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How to Unshrink a Sweater, Paying Taxes and More
BY MARY HUNT
I love it when I open my email to find a question that makes me go “Oh, boy. Do I know about that feeling! That’s exactly what happened to me. Been there, done that!”
Today’s first great reader question is a perfect example. Yep, I’ve gone to get rid of shrunken clothing because I didn’t know there was a possible remedy. But now I do, and you’re about to know too!
Dear Mary: Thank you for your many helpful articles. In a past column, you wrote about how to unshrink a wool sweater. All I can remember is that it involved baby shampoo. Could you print the instructions again? Thanks! -- Linda
Dear Linda: Sure. Here it is: Mix a solution of 1 gallon lukewarm water and 2 tablespoons baby shampoo. Soak the gar-
ment for about 10 minutes. Now the important part: Don’t rinse! Simply blot out all the excess water with a dry towel and gently lay it flat on a fresh towel. Reshape slowly, and carefully stretch it back to its original size. Do not dry in direct sunlight or heat.
This tip comes from the Woolmark Company (formerly known as the Wool Bureau), which verifies that this technique will work provided the fibers have not become permanently damaged.
Dear Mary: We recently inherited our father’s property after he died, and the title has been put in our names and transferred to us. A few months ago, we discovered that there is a lien on the property for unpaid taxes. How do we resolve this situation? Are we obligated to pay the taxes? -- Julia
Dear Jules: The property owners of
record are legally responsible for clearing that lien or otherwise suffering the consequences. With the asset comes all outstanding liabilities. My advice is that you pay this lien in full to stop the fees and penalties that are surely accruing. As long as that lien exists, the county or state in which the property is located could have the legal right to sell it out from under you for the current amount of taxes owed. You don’t want that to happen!
Dear Mary: Would I get my husband’s pension, 401(k) and IRA if he were to die? -- Riley
Dear Riley: Yes, provided your husband named you as the sole beneficiary of those plans. Most plans have a stipulation that if the beneficiary is anyone other than the spouse, the husband or wife must consent in writing to prevent any surprises.
Upon your husband’s death, the rules
that applied to him for getting his pension, 401(k) and IRA would apply to his beneficiary. For example, if your husband were to die before the minimum withdrawal date (age 59 1/2), you would have to wait until that date to withdraw funds without a penalty, regardless of your age. Hope that helps.
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.”
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BY DENNIS MAMMANA
Week of September 8-14, 2024
The planet Saturn returns to our evening sky this week, and I think anyone who has ever seen it through a telescope would argue that it is their favorite of all.
I know that some prefer the Red Planet Mars or the glistening crescent of Venus. Personally, I like the amazing cloud bands and moons of Jupiter. But Saturn ... it just captures the imagination like no other.
While Saturn looks much like Jupiter, though smaller, it’s the beautiful ring system that gives this planet a unique appearance. Even a small instrument with a magnifying power of only 30x or so will easily let you see these rings.
I’ve been showing the public this planet for more than 50 years, and I’ve heard all kinds of oohs and aahs. The best reaction I’ve ever heard, however, was from a gentleman from Italy just last year. Upon gazing at the remarkably three-dimensional ringed world hanging in the blackness of space, he gasped and exclaimed: “Bellissimo!”
Now that was a reaction worth remembering!
Saturn reaches its annual “opposition” point early this week, when it lies in our sky directly opposite the sun, rising in the east-southeast at sunset and
BY TRACY BECKERMAN
“Hey honey, I just found out I can make a meatloaf in the slow cooker,” I told my husband.
“No offense,” said my husband, “but we don’t even really like the meatloaf you make the regular way.” I frowned. I couldn’t be mad at him because I knew it was true. I did not have the greatest meatloaf reputation. When it came to making a dish as basic as meatloaf, I was something of a ground beef failure. No matter how diligently I watched the meat thermometer and poked my meatloaves to see if they were done, they still always came out dry and cakey. They weren’t really meatloaves. They were more like meatbricks. In my defense, I come from a long line of lousy meatloaf makers. My great-grandmother brought her lousy meatloaf recipe over from the old country. She called it “mitlof,” which is loosely translated to mean “large ball of
STARGAZERS
The Ringed World Saturn
glistening all night long. Its opposition also means that the planet is closest to the Earth. This week, Saturn lies only about 805 million miles from us and, as a result, it appears larger than at any other time.
Finding Saturn in the sky isn’t too tough. Look for a bright “star” low in the eastern sky just after dark. You should have little trouble finding it because it’s the only bright object in that area of the sky. It will remain in our evening sky throughout the summer and autumn months, drifting westward from summer to fall to winter, but only during the next month or so can we expect the largest view with a small telescope.
What makes Saturn appear unusual right now is that its rings are turned almost edge-on to our line of sight. These rings are nearly 180,000 miles wide -- if brought to Earth they would nearly fill the space between our planet and the moon -- but less than a mile thick. Because of their current orientation, they appear quite thin. In fact, next year the ring plane will lie almost directly along our line of sight, and the rings will be nearly impossible to see. Don’t worry, though, they’ll be back. Over the next few years, we’ll see them begin to “open up” once again, reaching their maximum exposure to us in 2032.
Sometimes a telescope allows us to see Saturn’s pastel cloud bands, but they are pretty subtle and we need
excellent atmospheric conditions and optics to spot them. And if that’s not enough, Titan, Saturn’s largest and brightest moon, frequently appears with even the smallest of instruments as a tiny “star” nearby, as do several of its smaller moons that orbit the planet.
Now’s a great time to break out your
telescope, or visit your local amateur astronomy club, to get a view of this stunningly beautiful world. When you do, I’m pretty sure you’ll agree with my Italian friend: “Bellissimo!”
Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.
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meat you chew forever.” She passed the lousy meatloaf recipe on to my grandmother, who passed the lousy meatloaf recipe on to my mother, who handed it down to me. Not wanting to break with tradition, I persisted. But the next time I made my great-grandmother’s mitlof when my kids came to visit, it was overwhelmingly panned by the meatloaf critics in my house.
“Sorry mom, but there isn’t enough ketchup in the world to save this,” said my son.
“You killed the meatloaf,” said my daughter. “You’re a meatloaf murderer.”
“On the bright side, honey, if you had a couple hundred of these, we could use them to pave the driveway,” said my husband.
“That bad, huh?” I replied.
“Yeah, but think of all the money we could save on stone pavers.”
The writing was on the wall. It was clear I needed a meatloaf intervention.
So I asked a friend of mine who made world-renowned meatloaf, and she told me she made the most delicious, moist meatloaf in her slow cooker. I begged her for the recipe.
“It’s so easy,” she said. “You mix all the ingredients together, make a loaf shape, put it in the slow cooker on low, and in four hours it’s done.”
“That’s it?” I said.
“Turns out great every time.”
I was dubious but I’d never seen her kids boycott dinner on meatloaf night like mine had, or her dog walk away from the meatloaf when it fell on the floor like my dog did, or her get a cease-and-desist notice from the Health Department like I did, so I decided to give it a try.
I followed all her instructions for making the meatloaf, lined my slow cooker, then added the loaf and hit start.
Without being chained to the oven to keep checking on the meatloaf, I went
out for a few uninterrupted hours of shopping. Drunk with meatloaf freedom, I hit up the bookstore and bought several recipe books for slow cookers. I went to the cookware store and bought some new oven mitts that didn’t have burn marks on them. And I went to the drugstore to buy a bottle of antacid ... just in case.
Four hours later I got home and ran to the slow cooker to check out my delicious, new, juicy meatloaf.
I yanked off the top and peered in.
As I stared down at my meatloaf, I realized I had forgotten one crucial step in the slow cooker recipe: Plug it in.
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.
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This week is a perfect time to view the ringed planet Saturn.
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LAST HOPE ANIMAL RESCUE THRIFT SHOP
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DAYS & HOURS: THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY FROM 10AM TO 3PM
The Last Hope Thrift Shop is a treasure trove. We have home decor — new & vintage, holiday decorations, small appliances, pet products, toys, unique one-of-a-kind finds, plus new clothing with tags or in good condition and accessories, handbags and jewelry (silver, gold, costume and vintage) and much more.
If you love the thrill of the hunt, please come down get some great buys and support our cause.Your Thrift Shop Purchases and Donations can be magically turned into veterinary care, pet spay/neuters, pet supplies, transport fees and everything needed to care for our homeless dogs and cats.
More VOLUNTEERS Needed so we can be open more days. Email joannascheps@aol.com for additional information. Donations accepted at the Thrift Store when it is OPEN or at Last Hope in Wantagh, if labeled “Thrift Shop”. Please do not leave donations outside. We cannot take books other than animal or pet books, VCR tapes, picture frames, full sets of dishes or glasses.
Slow cook some spicy wings for the big game
Spicy Soy Chicken Wings
The games garner the bulk of fans’ attention when football season kicks off each year at the end of summer. While the exciting action on the gridiron is a cause for celebration among millions of football fans, the food enjoyed during game day provides much to look forward to as well.
Certain foods have become part and parcel of watching a particular sport. For example, who can attend a baseball game and resist the temptation to indulge in a hot dog? For football fans, chicken wings are the go-to game day dish. There’s no shortage of ways to prepare chicken wings, but fans who like their game day grub to have a little kick can try this recipe for “Spicy Soy Chicken Wings” courtesy of Andrew Schloss’s “Cooking Slow: Recipes for Slowing Down and Cooking More” (Chronicle Books). Makes 4 servings
4 lbs. chicken wings, cut into sections at the joints, tapered wing tips trimmed and discarded Coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2⁄3 cup soy sauce
2⁄3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1. Combine the chicken wing pieces with a generous amount of salt and pepper in a large zippered plastic bag. Close the bag tightly and refrigerate for at least 12 hours or up to 24 hours.
2. Preheat the oven to 225° F. Transfer the chicken to a baking dish in a single layer without crowding.
3. In a small saucepan, stir together the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, cayenne, chili powder, and garlic and heat to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Pour over the chicken.
4. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and cook until the chicken is nearly falling off the bone, about 3 hours.
1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1⁄8 teaspoon hot chili powder, preferably habanero
2 garlic cloves, minced
5. Raise the oven temperature to 450 F and continue baking until the chicken browns and the sauce thickens into a glaze, about 10 minutes longer. Watch carefully near the end of the cooking time to avoid burning. Toss the wings in the sauce to coat and serve.
Variation: In a slow cooker:
Follow the recipe, cooking the chicken in a 6-quart slow cooker on high for 3 to 4 hours, instead of a baking dish in the oven. When the wings are cooked through, transfer to a bowl. Simmer the sauce with the lid of the cooker off until it thickens, about 10 minutes longer. Toss the wings in the thickened sauce and serve.
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New yoga studio opens in Floral Park
BY GARY SIMEONE
A new yoga studio, which will have its grand opening on Saturday, September 7, officially opened its doors earlier this summer. Here and Now Yoga, which is owned by Michelle Cavanagh and Dina Denis-Paolucci, opened their main studio on June 1. The new business is located at 22 Verbena Avenue.
Cavanagh said the new studio space accommodates up to thirty people and the business offers a variety of classes to people of all ages.
“We have classes for everyone, including children,“ said Cavanagh. “We have classes for anything that ails you. We have classes for people with mobility issues, inclusive yoga for individuals with disabilities, and can accommodate those with wheelchairs. We are in the process of installing an ADA compliant bathroom that will be functional by early September.”
Denis-Paolucci said the studio offers many kids classes including for those as young as six months old.
“We have a special caregiver-and-me class for the little ones and for mommies and daddies who want to bring their younger ones to the location. We have classes for the younger ones all the way to the older children,” said Denis-Paolucci.
She said that the teachers at the studio are skilled and talented and are able to hold classes for the younger ones up to the senior level.
Cavanagh, who lives in New Hyde Park, said she has been practicing the art of yoga since 2010.
“I’ve been teaching yoga since 2010 and prior to that I was a martial arts instructor. I’m also an actress and performer so I come from the arts background which is important in the practice of yoga.”
Denis-Paolucci said her background is in dancing and choreography and that she came to yoga through her dancing classes.
“I started teaching yoga during the pandemic and began working with Michelle after taking a few of her classes,” said Denis-Paolucci. “We ended up coming together to collaborate to bridge yoga and wellness and this whole lifestyle With the arts. This is how Here and Now Yoga and Arts Collective came to be.”
The new studio consists of one main floor and there are plans in the works to renovate a lower level of the facility to a secondary studio.
The two women said that the new yoga studio is one of its kind in the village.
“I think that what makes us stand out is that we cater to everyone and we’re not one of these studios where everyone has to know the vernacular or has to know everything about breath-work and meditation,” said Denis-Paolucci. “We serve everybody from young people to older people and people with disabilities. Yoga is inclusive and it’s about a way of being, practicing and thinking.”
Cavanagh echoed that statement, saying that many yoga studios cater to advanced practitioners.
The official grand opening ceremony for the new studio will be held on Saturday, September 7, at 1:30 p.m.
To find out more about Here and Now Yoga Wellness & Arts Collective you can visit their website at hereandnowyoga.com.
“There’s more people who are beginners than super advanced. Oftentimes people are intimidated to go to yoga because they’re unfamiliar with the practice or vernacular. We are not that type of place. We are welcoming to everyone, even if you’ve never stepped foot on a yoga mat before.”
Yoga studio owners Michelle Cavanagh and Dina Denis-Paolucci.
BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN
NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE
cordially invites you to attend Nassau County’s
Remembrance Ceremony and Musical Tribute 9/11
WEDNESDAY
SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 6:00PM
Featuring international vocalist CHRIS MACCHIO
EISENHOWER PARK
East Meadow • Parking Field 6 • Rain or shine
Please RSVP for seating and refreshments 516-571-4050
