Attendees of the Twelfth Night Fundraising Cocktail Party held by the Cathedral of the Incarnation heard talented young volunteer musicians as they raised funds in support of the Interfaith Nutrition Network (The INN) on Sunday, January 5th. See page 36
BY RIKKI MASSAND
The village’s all-volunteer Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) will hold a special educational forum and evening presentation on Wednesday, January 15th beginning at 7:30 p.m., in-person at Village Hall and available via Zoom.
The Garden City EAB’s annual “Sustainability
Roundtable” returns to provide new perspectives, insights, and practical information about the environmental impact of our daily lives. It will offer actionable steps for residents to make their homes, schools, or workplaces more sustainable.
EAB member Amanda Shore, an assistant professor of Microbiology at Farmingdale
State College, will lead the program. During last year’s Sustainability Roundtable she presented information on sustainable environmental and energy goals as part of marine biology studies for students at the collegiate level, and some related career opportunities. Her research focuses on environmental studies and ocean
See page 29
BY RIKKI MASSAND
At a special Board of Trustees meeting on December 30, Garden City Mayor Mary Carter Flanagan expressed concerns about the financial role of preservation advocates, the nonprofit St. Paul’s Conservancy, in saving the historic St. Paul’s building. Her remarks highlighted potential future costs for maintaining the 1880s National Register of Historic Places structure and the role of private preservation groups such as the Conservancy.
While presenting her comments about the potential interests of those residents who voted in favor of demolition during a October 21, 2023 opinion poll, Mayor Carter Flanagan brought up the need for more money; specifically funds raised by pro-preservation groups that are intent on seeing St. Paul’s remain standing.
The mayor questioned why it doesn’t appear that funds have been raised as far as the village is aware.
The special board meeting was held so the board could authorize a $19,925 expense to address a large hole on the building’s roof.
The mayor’s opening statement was a prelude to 34 minutes of arguing by board members, and touched on items the other five trustees present felt did not belong with the funding request for roof repairs.
The mayor read her prepared statement, which alluded to expectations on financing and contributions from non-governmental organizations.
She commented, “It goes without saying that the best way organizations can support a St Paul’s project is by donating funds to help minimize the impact on taxpayers, as is typically done by a conservancy.”
“I will note that I am surprised to see no donations have been forthcoming from the St Paul’s conservancy. That is an organization formed back in 2003 as an IRS recognized 501(c)3 charitable organization whose mission is to reduce the capital and operating & maintenance costs of the St. Paul’s campus,” the mayor noted. “I did advise one of their Board members, who is also a co-chair of our St. Paul’s advisory committee, of the need for urgent repairs…. If there are any other groups favoring preservation raising funds to assist in saving the building they should be in contact with me,
See page 30
Now that the calendar page has turned to January, Garden City residents’ attention is returning to topics such as St. Paul’s and the Sands Casino.
Our prior two issues have been very small as the news and advertising slowed down for the holiday period as usual. But as can be seen in our Letters pages, this week marks a return to discussions of the issues of the day. And with the Village Board election fast approaching in March, we expect that we’ll see even more letters in coming weeks.
We’re all for public participation, and are glad to supply a place to allow people to make their views known, and to attempt to persuade other residents. We accept almost all letters as long
as they are signed (one letter per person per week).
We don’t have a word limit, although we’d urge letter writers to keep it short, not just because that saves newsprint, but also because few people want to wade through a wall of text.
Our deadline each week is Wednesday at noon for all editorial material. That said, we’ve generally been pretty lenient if people a little late.
Unfortunately, during the election season we may need to more strictly enforce the deadline because of the sheer number of letters we receive. We too have deadlines we have to meet with our printer!
That said, bring on the mail bags!
To the Editor:
The 11 way race for three casino licenses is heating up, and the press is increasing their coverage of it. New York State says it will award the licenses at the end of 2025. It’s tempting to handicap the various bidders, and hope that the licenses are sent elsewhere. But, let’s not take our eye off the ball. Our county legislature (including our own representative, John Giuffre) voted last August to give a gambling operator 42 years of control over the 72 acre Hub property. This vote was cast in the face of overwhelming public opposition to placing a Mega casino in the heart of suburban Nassau County and between two colleges. Thank goodness the Village of Garden City launched a lawsuit to overturn this 42 year lease! The lease has nothing to do with “operating” and the real purpose of it is “site control.” The casino company demonstrated that they have no interest in the Coliseum itself when they immediately farmed out day to day operations to a subcontractor. We now have two battles on our hands: to show New York state that Nassau is the wrong location for a casino, and to take back control of 72 acres of resident owned land that our representatives handed over to a predatory gambling corporation. It’s the perfect time to get involved and make your voice heard. Please visit our website at www.nocasinonassau.org and follow the links to send your opposition email in before January 21st. Be sure to stay engaged for the long game as well!
Monica Kiely, Richard Williams, Richard Catalano, Kevin Kiely, Glenn King, Michele King, George Krug, Lynn Krug, Maureen Connolly McFeely, Roger McFeely, Christine Mullaney, Steve Ripp
To the Editor:
In late-November I submitted a letter to the Garden City News in which I called for disclosure of the resumes of the recently-selected members of the just- formed “St. Paul’s Board of Trustees Advisory Committee.” It was set-up to assist the BOT in making final plans to move forward and decide on disposition of the controversial 48-acre property. The Village acquired it in late-1992 and has been unsuccessful throughout the years in reaching a decision on redevelopment of the property, which was poorly neglected and maintained -- which contributed greatly to its deterioration.
At last count the new Committee consisted of 15 members, plus one youth, and was announced by Trustee Vinny Muldoon and is co-chaired by residents Frank Tauches, Jr. and Bob Catell. The Committee was created out of frustration with the ineffectiveness of two mayor-sponsored St. Paul’s groups during the last three years. Incidentally, the 100,000 square foot structure is now 140-years old and by any expert’s judgement, in extremely poor condition. This answers my headline...a very sick “patient.” The resumes of all members of the new group have now been posted on the Village website. I carefully studied the resumes and here’s what I found: Number of Years’ resident of G.C.: Entire life--5 persons; More than 40 years--2; and most of all others--20-plus years. Career professional related experience -- Is impressive, for virtually each person; all were, or still are, employed in one or more of the following necessary skills: municipal investment banking, commercial architecture, real estate law, partnership in a prestigious Wall Street law firm, real estate finance, large project construction, and civil engineering. Bob Catell, is retired former CEO of KeySpan (National Grid); former mayor of G.C. (Mr. Tauches, Jr.); and member of a previous St. Paul’s Committee-Joe Jabour. In my opinion, the new-
See page 2
BY RICH CATALANO AND MONICA KIELY, SAY NO TO THE CASINO
Nassau County is accepting comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Study or DEIS regarding the massive casino complex being proposed at the Nassau Coliseum. The DEIS summarizes the many harmful environmental, social and economic impacts of the proposed casino.
We have made available example comments at this link -https://www. nocasinonassau.org/post/exampleletter-on-deis Copy and paste these comments into an email addressed to sandscomments@nassaucountyny.gov You should sign the email with your name and indicate you are a resident of Garden City.
The example comments provide a detailed summary of the many impacts of the proposed casino. We encourage all residents to read the comments and feel free to customize your email for the
issues most important to you and your family.
We also recommend you cc or copy this email to all of the County Legislators, our County Executive, Town of Hempstead council members, other key officials and the Say NO to the Casino Civic Association. Use the following link to copy and paste the email addresses into the cc line of your email to the County -https://www.nocasinonassau.org/post/email-addressesfor-deis-letter
We need all residents of Garden City (and all of Nassau!) to submit an opposition email so that our voices are heard. Please follow these simple steps and encourage your friends and family throughout Nassau to do the same. Visit our website www.nocasinonassau.org for further information. If you would like to volunteer and join the fight, email us at info@nocasinonassau. org
Do you have a service to advertise? Our Service Directory is sure to bring results. Call 294-8900 for rates and information.
Attention high school students who are sophomores or juniors this 2024 to 2025 school year!
The Western Property Owners Association (WPOA) is offering the opportunity for high school students to serve as “Student Ambassadors” to the WPOA. The WPOA is a civic organization, whose purpose is to advocate for the interests of residents in the Western Section of Garden City. The Student Ambassador Program is designed to introduce high school students to Village Government through attendance at Village meetings, participation in WPOA meetings, and the development and coordination of a community service project.
Qualifications for candidates include the following:
• Be a resident of Garden City whose parent(s) or guardian(s) are members of a POA;
• Preferred, but not required, resident of the Western section of Garden City;
• Be available for Village meetings and WPOA meetings and special events, such as the West’s annual Tree Lighting;
• Have an interest in learning about and participating in local government. Student Ambassador responsibili-
ties are as follows:
• Attend WPOA meetings (a schedule will be provided);
• Attend one or two monthly Village government meetings (Village Trustees, Traffic, Environmental/ Zoning, Recreation, etc.), School Board or Library Board meetings, and report back to the WPOA on issues discussed. Dates and agendas for Village government meetings can be found on the Village website at http:// www.gardencityny.net/
• Completion of the Ambassador’s agreed service project;
• Delivery of a report to the WPOA at the end of the Ambassador’s term outlining his/her accomplishments and thoughts on ways to further improve the program.
Interested students may fill out the application on the WPOA website at https://www.gcwpoa.com or email it to WPOA Schools Director Anna Surrett at anna.mistretta@ gmail.com. Following submission of an application, representatives of the WPOA will contact applicants before the selection of Ambassadors is made. Those interested should submit a Student Ambassador application as soon as possible as meetings will begin soon!
Regular updates on the status of your case.
No upfront fees. • No chance of increased taxes based on filing.
No home inspection required.
trusted
City Realtor. Nancy provides the guidance and world class marketing you need to obtain the highest value for your home. As your Neighborhood Realtor, it is always my pleasure to provide you with the value of your home upon request. It’s complimentary.
Are you a homeowner who is ready to “right size” your life in 2025? Perhaps your home requires too much upkeep, you’ve accumulated too many possessions over the years, and you dream of a fresh start, but don’t know where to begin. On Saturday, January 25, agents from the Garden City office of Howard Hanna | Coach Realtors will host a free downsizing seminar, “Right Size Your Life: Simplify, Sell and Start Fresh” from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Garden City Senior Center on Golf Club Lane. This community event is open to the public and will include continental breakfast, fabulous giveaways, and exciting raffle prizes.
At this informative seminar, Howard Hanna | Coach agents and invited professionals will share valuable tips and strategies to make your downsizing transition smooth and successful. We’ll cover the main questions that homeowners face when thinking about downsizing.
tering and staging your home, as well as gathering and organizing the documents you will need to sell your property. Speakers will include a tax attorney from Schroder & Strom, LLP and estate attorney Robert M. D’Angelillo, Esq. of Futterman Lanza, LLP. Real estate attorney Amanda R. Castellanos, Esq. will discuss the closing process, and home stager Dawn Turck of My Refreshed Room will offer pointers on staging your home to sell. After the information session, participants may stick around to speak one-on-one with representatives from 1st Priority Mortgage, Inc.; Kalfur Brothers, Inc. Moving and Storage; The Andy Foundation; and a handyman from Safe Harbor Inspections, Inc.
ngiannone@coachrealtors.com | www.ngiannone.coachrealtors.com
Old Country Rd, Carle Place 516-248-2676 | www.louiespizzeria.com
11 a.m.–9 p.m. Fri & Sat: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
deliver to Garden City, Carle Place, and Mineola
For example, “Where am I going?” Would you prefer a co-op or condo, a smaller home, a retirement community, or maybe even a new place out-of-state? We will explain the costs and benefits of each option. Also, “What do I need to do to sell?” Experts will walk you through declut -
As you embark on your downsizing journey, your final question may be: “Who will guide me to a fresh start?” Let our team of experienced Howard Hanna | Coach Realtors agents provide information and advice to help you navigate this exciting next chapter in your life.
To register for this free community event, please call the Howard Hanna | Coach Realtors office at (516) 746-5511. All pre-registered guests will receive a free gift. Walkins are also welcome.
SUBMITTED BY THE GARDEN CITY PROPERTY OWNERS' ASSOCIATIONS
The four Property Owners's Associations (POAs) welcome all Garden City residents to attend a special joint POA meeting to meet the four village trustee candidates on
Tuesday, January 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the Garden City Senior Center. At the meeting, POA members will formally ratify the four village residents who will appear on the ballot under the Community Agreement Party line. Refreshments will be served.
100 Hilton Ave unit 412, Garden City, Sold for $705,000
Representing the Buyer
6 Sixpence Court, Huntington, Sold for $852,500
Representing the Seller
42 Kingsbury Road, Garden City, NY, Sold for $1,377,350 Representing the Buyer
7 Sunset Lane, Garden City, Sold for $1,390,000 Representing Buyer
198 Whitehall Blvd, Garden City, Sold for $1,775,000 Representing the Seller
518 Helen Road, Mineola, Sold for $660,000 Representing the Seller
105 Charles St, Floral Park, Sold for $1,393,000 Representing the Seller & Buyer
62 Transverse Road Garden City, Sold for $1,829,000 Representing the Seller
202 Meadbrook Road, Garden City, Sold for $1,351,000 Representing the Seller
165 Brook Street Garden City, Sold for $1,400,000 Representing the Seller
105 Wyoming Ave, Long Beach, Sold for $1,225,000 Representing the Buyer
134 Wickham Road, Garden City, Sold for $1,705,000 Representing Buyer
QR
I have worked with Suzanne exclusively over many years for various purchases and sales. She is a true professional who goes above and beyond for her clients. I highly recommend Suzanne for all your real estate needs!— Renee Borges
Are you thinking of selling your home?
Let Jen Sullivan Guide you. Whether you are downsizing, or searching for your dream home, allow Jen’s experience, passion, and results to work for you. Reach out any time. 516.361.7190
Jen Sullivan
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Founding Agent of Long Island Member of the Luxury Division jennifer.sullivan@compass.com M: 516.361.7190
The St. Patrick’s Luncheon Committee at the GC Hotel: John Parks, Maura Clancy, Dave Abraham, Jay Lynch, Meagan Flannery (hostess at GC Hotel), Club President Patrick Curry, Dan McCarthy, Co-Chair Roger Eltringham,Vicente Serrano (head server) and Frank Tauches.
Schedule an area orientation tailored just for you to help you discover the neighborhoods and their amenities that match your lifestyle! Call
The Garden City Kiwanis Club’s annual St. Patrick’s Luncheon will celebrate its 25th year at the Garden City Hotel on March 13.
Club President Patrick Curry stated, “our St. Patrick’s Luncheon is one of Long Island’s largest annual charitable luncheons, and we are very pleased to celebrate 25 years at the elegant Garden City Hotel.” The event will take place on March 13 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom of the Garden City Hotel.
The St. Patrick’s Luncheon is regularly attended by over 300 people each year, and includes a distinguished dais of elected public officials and judges from throughout Nassau County.
The event is famous for starting and ending on time, as it caters to business professionals. Maura Clancy, who has attended the event for forty years states, “the Kiwanis St. Patrick’s luncheon is a gathering of some of the most prestigious people from the business community in Nassau County. It is also one of the most
fun events as they have a comedian to entertain the group. It is a great way to raise money for a worthy cause.”
The event includes a professional comedian, pipers (Emerald Society Pipe Band), corned beef and cabbage, music and singing, and the opportunity to win prizes and restaurant packages from Garden City sponsors.
All luncheon proceeds benefit the Garden City Kiwanis Club Foundation which provides scholarships to deserving Garden City High School seniors, sends underprivileged children to Kamp Kiwanis and supports the Adelphi University Circle K Club. This year, the Foundation will be spending $5,000 on its “Civility Campaign” to mail George Washington’s “Rules of Civility” booklet to each Garden City senior.
This is a Table event. $900 per table. Please feel free to contact Co-Chairs, Roger Eltringham (516) 993-3042 or Patrick Curry (516) 485-5577
The elegant parlors of the Historical Society will be turned into An Italian Daughter’s Kitchen, with a community-style dinner that will bring the pages of Cathy Coluccio Fazzolari’s new cookbook, which is filled with authentic Calabrese recipes, to life.
An Amuse Bouche and sparkling wine will greet you, followed by four courses, starting with an abbondanza antipasto, each paired with Calabrian and other fine Italian wines, plus an autographed cookbook and gift bag from the famous D. Coluccio & Sons Italian Specialty Store.
This will be another completely interactive and immersive experience. Cathy will explain techniques and tips for reproducing the simple, yet supremely delicious dishes in her cookbook. Expert oenophile Dame Ellen Negrin will explain the wine pairings she curated for each course. Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions!
In addition to being a culinary star from Les Dames d’Escoffier New York, an organization of the top women in the fields of food, wine, hospitality, Cathy is also an owner of the legendary D. Coluccio & Sons Italian Speciality Store, in Brooklyn.
Sensational silent auctions and raffles continue the evening’s immersive experience: Dine at some of New York’s chicest and most interesting restaurants, donated by the Dames who own them. Have a culinary tour of the best places and producers in Italy planned for you by Dame Julie Hartigan. Bid on incomparable wines by the Magnum, like a 3L bottle of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, and basket, assembled by Dames who are sommeliers. Visit Paumanok Vineyards on the North Fork for a VIP Tour and Tasting with the Dame winemaker. Take a “Create Your Own Gin Class”, coupled with a stay at the Lin boutique hotel in Greenport. Revel in an Oyster Master Class For 2 with Dame MichaelAnn Rowe, The Fishionista. A gift cer-
The Historical Society will host a community-style dinner based on Cathy Coluccio Fazzolari’s new cookbook, “An Italian Daughter’s Kitchen.”
tificate to the Holiday Cocktail Lounge. Legendary gourmet food prizes, including a coveted Caviar Special Edition Gift set from Calvisius; and magnificent Mattituck Mushrooms; a basket bursting with Italian delicacies from D. Coluccio & Sons; a tower of the most decadent desserts from William Greenberg. A Ceriello Salami Basket & bottle of Prosecco. Dame Francine Ryan’s Perfect Poundcake, along her Outrageous Sauces. Authentic midwestern BBQ sauces and rubs, etc.
Tickets are $175 pp and limited: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-italian-daughters-food-wine-tasting-dinnertickets-1073746126569
All for two good causes - to support the LDNY Scholarship Program and the Historical Society's educational and cultural programs, like The Student Art Contest & Exhibit.
The information about the homes and the photos were obtained through the Multiple Listing Services of Long Island. The homes presented were selected based solely on the fact that they were recently sold.
Mortgage Rates this week from www.nerdwallet.com
Loan Term Interest Rate APR
30-year fixed 6.910% 6.993%
15-year fixed 6.041%
105 Manor Road
Date: 01/06/2025
Sold price: $1,875,000
4 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath
Architectural Style: Colonial
Property size: .14 acres
Annual taxes: Not available
MLS number: L3570910
The Seller’s Team: Valerie Rosenblatt, Coldwell Banker American Homes
The Buyer’s Team: Laura Carroll, Compass Greater NY
Step into luxury with this exquisite new build by Premiere Builder showcasing a blend of modern elegance, timeless charm and stylish finishes. From the moment you enter you’ll be captivated by the rich hardwood floors and sophisticated molding that showcase this 4 bedroom 3 bath center hall colonial. The state-of-the-art chef’s kitchen is a culinary dream equipped with top-of-the-line appliances and quartz island. Enjoy the open floor plan with large living room complete with a fireplace, oversized dining room and a convenient mud room that adds to the home’s practicality. Master has its own spa bath and walk-in closet. The home features Two Laundry areas for added convenience. A finished basement gives extra room for entertaining or play. Experience luxury living at its finest in this stunning home, where every detail has been thoughtfully designed for your comfort and enjoyment. Nestled in a vibrant neighborhood near shopping, parks and transportation.
59 Harvard Street
Date: 01/02/2025 Sold price: $1,585,000 5 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 2 half bath
Architectural Style: Colonial
Property size: .14 acres
Annual taxes: $25,154
MLS number: L3580254
The Seller’s Team: Peggy Steiner, Saltwater Realty
The Buyer’s Team: Lisa Joa and Mandy Lam, Keller Williams Realty Gold Coast
Rarely available five bedroom, mid-block, fully updated Colonial in the charming Western section of Garden City, within walking distance to train, park, and recreation. This warm and inviting home exudes charm and graciousness, welcoming you into the sunny formal living room with wood-burning fireplace, fully updated eat-in kitchen with Sub-Zero, Wolf and other chef’s quality appliances, a spacious family room with French doors to a private patio and rear yard, large mudroom with custom built-ins and powder room and an attached one car garage. The second floor welcomes you with five large bedrooms, a primary suite with walk-in closet and full bath, and a second full bath serving the other four bedrooms. The finished lower level boasts a second family room, plus a separate laundry room and stand alone exercise room. Plantation shutters and other high end features add warmth and charm to this special home. This is one not to miss; move right in and begin to make your own special memories.
Date: 01/07/2025
Sold price: $355,000
1 bedrooms, 1 full bath
Architectural Style: Co-op
Maintenance: $904
MLS number: L3540049
The Seller’s Team: Patricia Aprigliano, Howard Hanna Coach
The Buyer’s Team: Julie O’Neill, Howard Hanna Coach
Situated in a lovely courtyard setting, this pristine one bedroom, one bath, first floor unit with CAC and in-unit Bosch washer/dryer has been smartly updated with refinished hardwood floors, new crown moldings and new doors throughout. A lovely foyer leads to the living room and dining area. The kitchen features granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances; including a dishwasher. There is also an alcove that may serve as a breakfast nook or office space. The sun-filled primary bedroom and updated full hall bath with new shower doors set this unit apart. The in-unit Bosch dryer and brand-new washer, control of your own central air conditioning, along with an in-unit security system, allow this unit to offer the utmost in comfort and convenience. The desirable Cherry Valley location provides quick access to the Mineola and Garden City LIRR, Winthrop Hospital and the many new dining and shopping options in Garden City’s lively Village, plus all the amenities the Village has to offer its residents.
Houses featured on this page were sold by various real estate agencies
By John L. Gomes, MD
John
L. Gomes, MD, founded Women’s Health Care of Garden City in 1995. It has remained an independent private practice, providing personalized obstetrical and gynecological services.
He employs the technical advances of conventional medicine with an integrative approach to navigate women through difficult pregnancies into the menopausal years. He treats a wide variety of OB/GYN conditions and is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care.
All tests are conveniently done on the premises, and a dedicated, compassionate staff is on call 24/7.
He is committed to excellence in patient communication, education and support, as many patients come with anxiety associated with past experiences and future concerns.
Dr. Gomes received his undergraduate degree from Brown University, and his Doctor of Medicine from Columbia University.
He is both Board Certified and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Women’s Health Care of Garden City is located at 1000 Franklin Avenue, Suite 200, Garden City.
The Traffic Commission will meet Thursday, January 16, at 5:30 p.m. at Village Hall and via Zoom to discuss a full agenda. Topics include potentially banning and/or limiting truck traffic on the Village’s north-south corridors (e.g. Clinton Road, Washington Avenue, etc.); discussion of adopting a speed limit reduction across the Village or on selected roads; utilization
of speed humps or other traffic calming strategies on specific roadways across the Village, consideration of upgrades at the Senior Center crossing on Golf Club Lane, as well as as updates from Nassau County's DPW on pending Village roadway improvements or projects. Visit the calendar page on the Village website, www.gardencityny. net, to get the meeting link.
Enriching Special Adults, a Garden City nonprofit organization supporting special adults, is sponsoring a meetup event to the Disney on Ice–Frozen & Encanto show. The show will be held on Sunday, January 12, at noon at the UBS Arena.
Tickets are sponsored for participant and a responsible adult. Tickets will be raffled off and are limited so please email enrichingspecialadults@gmail.com if you are interested.
Do you have a ser vice to adver tise? Our Service Directory is sure to bring results. Call 516-294-8900 for rates and information.
We bring a unique perspective to the table, blending traditional values with modern expertise. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, we are dedicated to providing personalized service tailored to your needs. When you choose our Mother/Son team, you gain a partner who truly understands the importance of long-term success and building a legacy for generations to come.
New to Market | 5 BD | 3.5 BA | $1,350,000
138 Chestnut Street, Garden City
Open House | Saturday, 1/11 & Sunday, 1/12 | 12–2 PM
This beautifully expanded split style home boasts a generous 3,040 square feet of living space on a 60'x125' lot, making it the perfect canvas for your family’s dreams. The layout of this home flows wonderfully. The main level features a living room with a gas fireplace, a spacious dining room with oversized bay window and high ceilings, an open kitchen with center island and separate eating area, an enormous 32 'x18 ' family room with sliders to the patio, a powder room and a first floor bedroom with a full bathroom. Upstairs, discover the exceptional primary suite complete with a renovated bathroom with glass shower, tub, water closet, separate sun-lit sitting room to relax and a beautiful bedroom with vaulted ceiling and 3 double closets. Three additional bedrooms and one additional full bathroom complete this level. Additional highlights include: attached 1 car garage, basement with laundry, utility area, excellent storage, 5 zones of heat, 2 zones of CAC, new hot water heater, new whole house water purification system & close proximity to school and neighborhood park. The size, the property and the sought after location truly make this a special place to call home! Call today for your private showing (516) 361-7190
M: 516.361.7190
This spacious, sunlit split-level home is situated on a peaceful block near open green space at Stratford Elementary School. Conveniently located close to the Merillon Avenue express train to NYC, the home features a brand-new chef’s kitchen with quartzite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and an open-concept design with gleaming hardwood floors throughout. A stunning sunroom with radiant heated floors overlooks the fully fenced backyard. The second level offers three bedrooms, including a primary suite with an ensuite bathroom and generous closet space. The lower-level den connects to a two-car garage and showcases updated exterior hardscaping, including a new paver stone patio, walkway, and space for four additional cars. The recently renovated basement boasts updated utilities, a modern laundry area, and a full bathroom with a shower.
The festive spirit was in full bloom this holiday season as the Property Owners' Associations (POA) proudly announced the winners of the Holiday House Decorating Contest. Residents from all across Garden City showcased their creativity and holiday cheer, transforming their homes into dazzling displays of lights, ornaments, and festive decor. Residents drove around town to see the entries and all the work that had been done. Over 350 votes were cast!
Taking home the top honor this year is the residence at 141 Chestnut St. The display included a beautiful reindeer scene, lights and even snow!
The second-place went to 194 Wellington Rd. This home impressed with its vibrant
and colorful decorations, highlighting a combination of traditional and modern elements. A flying Santa and his sleigh topped off a wonderful display of holiday cheer. Rounding out the top three was 172 Brixton Rd. The creativity and originality of this display were truly remarkable, featuring an enchanting mix of lights, candy canes and holiday cheer.
The POAs extend its heartfelt congratulations to the winners and expresses its gratitude to all participants for making this year's contest a resounding success. The holiday house decorating contest is becoming an annual tradition in Garden City, fostering community spirit and spreading joy throughout the Village.
BY DIANE GEYER, MANAGER, AT STEWART EXCHANGE
The A.T. Stewart Exchange is a gem of a consignment shop in Garden City and is flourishing because of your support! We would like to thank everyone for their patronage in 2024, and we’re looking forward to an exciting new year ahead!
Through January 11th, The Exchange is kicking off 2025 with a sale on new and consigned holiday merchandise. Add to your collection of beautiful holiday ornaments… ranging from silver and crystal to blown glass and intricately designed ornaments from the White House Historical Association collection. We also have holiday Lenox and Spode for your table, cookie jars, stockings and many more treasures. Start a new family tradition with our holiday crackers — pull the ends and see what treasures lie within.
Additionally, stop by and take a look at the dining table festively dressed in Italian embroidered linens, Royal Albert Old Country Roses china, cranberry glass, Waterford
stemware, silver flatware and a vintage marigold carnival glass — all available for purchase. The breakfront holds an impressive selection of crystal — Waterford, Baccarat, and other one of a kind pieces. Walk down the hall and see beautiful vintage depression glass for sale –dishes, pitchers, candlesticks, etc. in pinks and greens — a perfect head start for Spring entertaining. Turn back time a bit and come by the yellow Victorian house sporting its new green shutters to chat, shop or to simply browse. Our stock of consigned merchandise changes almost daily.
The A.T. Stewart Exchange is a consignment shop managed and operated by a dedicated team of volunteers and located in the lower level of The Garden City Historical Society (TGCHS) Museum at 109 Eleventh Street (entrance and parking is behind the yellow Victorian house).
We take/accept costume and fine jewelry, crystal (Waterford, Baccarat, Tiffany, etc.), silver, purses, china, furniture, artwork, and collectibles. All items must be
in new or nearly new condition and consigning an item depends on what space we have available. Consignments are handled on Monday, and Wednesday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. by appointment only; please call (516) 746-8900 to set up an appointment.Unsure if your items are appropriate to consign… email photos to atstewartexchange@tgchs. org with a description and sizing; we also accept donations during business hours.
All proceeds from sales directly benefit the Garden City Historical Society with all profits from The Exchange supporting the maintenance and upkeep of TGCHS Museum. Thanks to your generous support, work on the restoration of the interior and exterior of the building continues.
The shop is located at 109 Eleventh Street. Shop hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Wednesday until 6 p.m.; Saturday noon – 4 p.m. For more information, please call (516) 746-8900 or email us at atstewartexchange@tgchs.org.
On Thursday, January 9, the South Shore Audubon Society hosted a Zoom meeting titled “Impacts of Sands Casino Proposal on Hempstead Plains,” with the introduction “Major Call to Action Needed Now! (website is www. ssaudubon.org). The Hempstead Plains are home to over 30 protected, endangered, rare and/or special concern flora and fauna that are protected by NY state laws.
Prepared by the GC EAB. See gardencityny.net for details.
NSDAR Member Genevieve Cuopolo, her husband, photographer Tom Cupolo, and prospective member Celia Petersen, all of Garden City, at the library photo exhibit which runs through January.
Garden City photographer Thomas Cupolo, in conjunction with the Col. Aaron Ogden Chapter of the NSDAR , Carla Hall D’Ambra, Regent, announces an exhibit of large format black and white photos of Colonial and Revolutionary War era buildings and artifacts. The display runs for the month of January at the Garden City Public Library lower floor Gallery. The historic buildings which are the focus of the exhibit are located on Long Island, as well as in Tappan, New York.
Among the buildings featured is the house of patriot Johannes DeWint of Tappan, NY. Built in 1700, the classic Dutch style house served as Gen. George Washington’s headquarters. Also from Tappan, is a photo of patriot Casparus Mabie’s Tavern -built in 1668 and today known as the Old ’76 House Restaurant. The local Tavern was the hub of all community socializing during the Revolutionary War. Mabie’s Tavern also served as the ad hoc jail for British Major John Andre before his trial and execution for his role in the plan to takeover West Point with Benedict Arnold.
Other historical places of importance included in the exhibition are Hewlett House, Raynham Hall and the Stony Brook Gristmill, all located on Long Island. Did you know that during the
seven year occupation of Long Island, the British took grain and flour that was processed at the mill to use in feeding their troops?
Photos of artifacts include a tea “brick” and teapot, powder horn, utensil tray and architectural detailing from the time period. Historians and history buffs will delight in seeing these photographic treasures while learning some interesting facts about the same.
The exhibit will be available for viewing at the library for the month of January. All are welcome to attend a small reception at the Lower Library Gallery to celebrate the exhibit on January 25th between 1pm and 4 pm.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) was founded in 1876. It’s nationwide membership of 190,000 women are documented descendants of American Revolutionary War patriots. The group’s National Headquarters occupies a city block of historic buildings in Washington DC, including a fine arts museum open to the public, and one of the largest genealogy libraries in the country. Are you a descendant of an American Revolutionary War Patriot? Would you like to join our group? Come chat with us and find out how!! Or inquire at www.dar.org
mcarterflanagan@gardencityny.net
Next week marks the fourth year the Village of Garden City will host a roundtable discussion on sustainability. What better way to spend a winter evening than participating in this fun event! You are sure to hear about exciting research projects and initiatives being lead by young residents of our Village, and discussion of educational and career opportunities will be highlighted. The meeting will take place in the Village Hall Board Room Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Trustees meeting on January 16 beginning at 7:30 p.m. A revised community survey is expected to be on the agenda for a vote.
EAB members Amanda Shore and Kurt Ehrig have been working with student members Roisin Pfaff, Maeve Smith, Simone Ostracher and roundtable co-chair Hannah Lam to plan this event. If you are interested in participating you are encouraged to email mailto:amanda.n.shore@ gmail.com, though you can also just show up. Community service hours are available for students who participate.
This year’s discussion will explore ecological footprints and how individual actions can contribute to local and global sustainability goals. This is a great opportunity to share ideas on different ways to practice sustainability, and to discuss sustainability in different career paths.
The roundtable discussion is open to all interested community members. High school and college students, as well as recent graduates, or individuals involved in a local sustainability initiative or program, are invited to lead in the discussion.
Looking forward to seeing you there Wednesday night!
A new approach being undertaken by the Board of Trustees led by Trustee Vinny Muldoon will be announced at next week’s Board of
This is a reminder for those with natural Christmas trees or wreaths that need to be disposed of. Please place them at the curb on your regularly scheduled recycling collection day. The Department of Public Works began collection on Monday, January 6, starting in the West, and will continue moving through the Village following the recycling schedule. The trees and/or wreaths will be processed at the Village Yard to be used as mulch for trees and shrubs.
To assist with the process, kindly ensure that all tree stands, electric lights, and plastic bags are removed from the trees before disposal. Additionally, we ask for your cooperation in disposing of your tree only on the scheduled recycling collection days to maintain a smooth process for all residents.
For those with artificial Christmas trees to dispose of, please contact the Sanitation Department to arrange for a special pickup by calling 465-4031 or 465-4032.
Join us in a student-led roundtable discussion at Village Hall on Wednesday, January 15 at 7:30 p.m. to address ecological footprints, sustainability at different levels of society and sustainability in career paths. The roundtable will also feature En-roads, an interactive climate simulator. Students will receive community service hours for participating in the discussion. Please register by filling out this Google form: https://docs. google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLS -
See page 41
Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call our main office today 294-8900 for more information.
Arrest on Cherry Valley Avenue
Garden City Police arrested a 22-year-old motorist on Cherry Valley Avenue on December 30. The charges included Aggravated Unlicensed Operation due to eight license suspensions, a suspended registration, operating an unregistered auto, and having an uninspected vehicle.
Arrest for Hit-and-Run
On December 30, Garden City Police arrested a 57-year-old motorist for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident involving a pedestrian on Franklin Avenue on December 11.
Responding to a hold-up alarm at a financial institution on December 30, Garden City Police determined that it was activated in error. No criminal activity was found.
Suspended license
A motorist on Franklin Avenue was charged on December 30 with driving with a suspended license, defective lights, and uninsured operation.
Clinton Road violations
On December 30, a Clinton Road motorist was charged with driving with a suspended registration and operating an unregistered vehicle.
Fire alarms on New Year’s Eve
On December 31, the GCFD and GCPD responded to multiple fire alarms throughout the day. Burnt food, vaping, and a faulty detector were found to be the causes.
Unregistered vehicle
A motorist on Clinton Road was charged on December 31 with driving with a suspended registration, an uninspected auto, and an unregistered vehicle.
Excessive speed
On December 31, officers stopped a Clinton Road motorist who was charged with driving with a suspended license and excessive speed.
Smoke condition
Firefighters and police responded to a smoke condition in a Franklin Avenue building on December 31. Firefighters rendered the area safe by disconnecting the HVAC system and venting the building.
Stewart Avenue violations
A Stewart Avenue motorist was charged on December 31 with driving with a suspended license and a suspended registration.
DWI arrest on Cathedral Avenue
On January 1st, a driver involved in a one-vehicle accident on Cathedral
Avenue near 1st Street was arrested for alleged DWI. The individual was treated at a local hospital.
Unlicensed operation
On January 1, a Clinton Road motorist was charged with unlicensed oper ation, excessive speed, and an unsafe lane change.
Fire alarm error
The GCFD and GCPD responded to a business on January 1 for a fire alarm, which was determined to have been set in error. No hazards were found.
CO alarm malfunction
On January 1, firefighters and police responded to a residence for a carbon monoxide alarm. Firefighters determined the alarm was caused by a system malfunction.
Arcing power lines
Firefighters investigated a report of arcing power lines on Meadow Street on January 1.
Fugitive arrest on Stewart Ave.
On January 2, officers arrested a 77-year-old male during a traffic stop on Stewart Avenue. He was identified as a Fugitive from Justice due to an out-of-state First-Degree Theft Warrant. He was also charged with driving with a suspended registration.
Porch package theft
A male subject, described as bald and wearing a green coat, was captured on surveillance cameras stealing a package from a Cambridge Avenue porch on January 2. Police say the suspect fled in a dark-colored four-door hatchback.
Unlicensed operation
A Clinton Road motorist was charged with unlicensed operation, suspended registration, and excessive speed on January 2nd.
Hazardous truck
On January 2, a truck operator on Rockaway Avenue was charged with carrying unsecured hazardous materials and operating with defective lighting.
Identity theft incident
On January 3, a victim reported that their identity had been used without authorization to order an item online from a Garden City store.
Suspended documents
A Clinton Road motorist was charged with driving with a suspended license, a suspended registration,
and uninsured operation on January 3rd.
Panic alarm
Officers responded to a residence for a panic alarm on January 3rd, but determined it was set in error.
Car seat violation
On January 3rd a Clinton Road motorist was charged with unlicensed operation and child not placed in a proper car seat.
False alarms
Garden City Police and Firefighters responded to a fire alarm activated by cleaners and a fire alarm activated by construction workers on January 3rd.
Traffic violation
On January 3, a South Avenue motorist was charged with passing a stop sign and driving around a detour sign and barricades.
Elevator rescue
Firefighters and police responded to a malfunctioning elevator on January 3. Firefighters removed two
individuals who were stuck.
Stolen motorcycle
On January 4, officers arrested a 29-year-old motorist on Clinton Road for allegedly operating a stolen motorcycle and possessing a stolen license plate. Police say both items were reported stolen from Queens. The motorist was also charged with multiple other offenses, including Aggravated Unlicensed Operation due to eight suspensions.
Fire alarm at bank
The GCFD and GCPD responded to a fire alarm at a bank on January 4. Firefighters determined that the alarm had been set in error.
Aggravated unlicensed operation
On January 5, a motorist on Meadow Street was arrested for aggravated unlicensed operation due to nine license suspensions. The individual was also cited for not wearing a seatbelt.
Identity theft report
A victim reported on January 5 that their identity had been stolen and used to open unauthorized cell phone accounts.
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Quick
Trusted
Trusted
A selection from the extensive Village Archives. Others can be seen at www.NYHeritage.org - click on Organizations, G, and Garden City Public Library.
Comments/questions: email Historian@gardencityny.net
Cherry Valley School and the Mast
A view of the Cherry Valley School, completed in 1925, with the original flagpole. This flagpole, with crossarm added, was once the mast of the yacht Shamrock IV, which raced in the Americas Cup challenge in 1920, and was acquired by the Village from owner Sir Thomas Lipton [of tea fame] when the yacht was disassembled. The High School yearbook named The Mast derives its name from it. As it was made of wood, in the 1950s it had degraded and was replaced by a steel flagpole. The original building seen here had three wings behind the front: the gymnasium at left, classrooms in center, and the auditorium at right. Archives identifier: schpb11
BY BOB MORGAN, JR.
A few thoughts about the rise to the Presidency of James Earl Carter, Jr., who died a few days ago at age 100. Mr. Carter, our country's 39th president, occupied the White House from 1977 to 1981.
President Carter's rise to fame was the product of a number of unusual political transformations in the United States.
First, the politics of his state, Georgia, were changing rapidly. Mr. Carter’s family ran a peanut farm. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a degree in nuclear engineering. In the early 1960’s, Mr. Carter decided to become active in Georgia politics, gaining election to the state senate.
At the time Mr. Carter became involved in politics, much of Georgia government was still in the grasp of racial segregationists, and, when Mr. Carter decided to run for governor in 1966, he lost in the primaries to a man named Lester Maddox, a restaurant owner who gained notoriety by using a pick axe handle to threaten civil rights protesters sitting in at his restaurant. Mr. Maddox was ultimately elected. However, when Mr. Carter ran for governor again in 1970, racial tensions had eased somewhat in Georgia (for example, even Mr. Maddox, who was legally barred from running for reelection, had integrated the Georgia State Police). This time, Mr. Carter, running a relatively middle of the road campaign (although endorsed by George Wallace), appealed to the current electorate and was able to prevail. During his governorship, Mr. Carter generally pursued a moderate path, emphasizing a commitment to government re-organization and education reform. He certainly favored full participation of African-Americans in Georgia life
Second, in 1976, the Democratic Party very much needed someone like Jimmy Carter.
In the 1972 election, the party’s nominee, Senator George McGovern of South Dakota, took positions on both domestic and foreign issues that were viewed by most voters as far too liberal. Mr. McGovern managed to lose 49 of the 50 states to the Republican incumbent president,
Richard M. Nixon. Then, however, everything went downhill for Mr. Nixon and the Republicans as the Watergate scandal exploded. Mr. Nixon was forced out of office in August 1974 and replaced by his newly appointed vice president, Gerald R. Ford. President Ford issued a controversial pardon of his predecessor for all possible crimes, which ultimately touched off a huge furor.
By 1976, the Democratic Party, which had scored a landslide victory in the 1974 midterms, knew that it had a good chance, at least in theory, of reclaiming the Presidency -- if it could find the right candidate. In addition to the pardon issue, Americans were very unhappy under Mr. Ford, a pretty uncharismatic figure, about continuing inflation and an energy crisis. On the other hand, the Democrats had to shed the left-wing image arising from Mr. McGovern's candidacy.
Starting with the Iowa caucus in January 1976, it became apparent that Mr. Carter would be a major force in the Presidential race. Mr. Carter led the field in the caucus and received a great deal of favorable press. He followed up with a win in the New Hampshire primary and in numerous later primaries, doing particularly well in the South, his home region. By June, Mr. Carter pretty much had the delegates necessary to be nominated and he later had a successful convention in New York..
Mr. Carter went on to win the general election, albeit narrowly. To an electorate made cynical by Watergate and the Vietnam War, Mr. Carter radiated sincerity with his infectious smile and his promise never to tell a lie. Middle American voters were reassured by Mr. Carter’s deep religious faith and his background as a peanut farmer in Georgia.
In an ordinary year, you would not expect the Democrats to nominate someone like Jimmy Carter, a one term governor from a Southern state. But, as it happened, and whatever Mr. Carter’s ultimate limitations as President, everything came together for Mr. Carter, his party and the country in 1976.
mountsinai.org/southnassau
Stephen Horner
With heavy hearts, the family of Stephen Horner announces his passing on December 16, 2024, in Madison, Connecticut. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Born in New Rochelle, New York in 1946, and a former resident of Garden City. Steve was admired by all who had the privilege to know him.
Steve is survived by his devoted wife, Briane (Seaman), with whom he shared a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and countless treasured moments. Their bond was a testament to the enduring power of love, as they navigated the joys and challenges of life side by side.
He also leaves behind his loving children, Brinsley Fox and her husband Jeremy, and Gregory Horner and his wife Caroline, and his sister Susan Cardin and husband Ken. Steve had three grandchildren, Zoe and Gillian Horner and Brendan Fox, and found immense joy in the adventures they shared together. His gentle teasing and playful nature endeared him to his late brother-in-law (and “best buddy”) John Seaman.
Steve earned a BA from Dickinson College and both MBA and JD degrees from Temple University. Following service as a captain in the Army, he went on to become a highly-respected lawyer specializing in employment law. During his career, Steve worked at New York-based firms such as Cullen and Dyckman; Arthur, Dry and Kalish; and Jackson, Lewis, Schnitzler and Krupman before working for Uniroyal, Inc. and then launching his own firm to fight for equity and fairness in the workplace. Throughout his life, Steve was always willing to offer his knowledge of marketing and the law and his legal services to those in need of support. He was generous to the last, even when providing support was beyond his physical capabilities.
Steve had many varied interests and loved to live an active life and to bring others together. He enjoyed kayaking, sailing, biking, skiing and running. Steve completed the New York City marathon four times, served as a troop leader for the Boy Scouts, lobbied members of Congress on behalf of funding for diabetes research, and was an active member of the Madison Winter Club. For many years, he delighted in purchasing and renovating “fixer-uppers”.
Steve was an active participant in the construction of the Shoreline Greenway Trail, loved playing chess with his chess club and with his grandson, and founded a peer support group for those with Parkinson’s disease. He was always ready to organize a game of croquet or bocce. Steve enjoyed both the exercise and the camaraderie of Rock Steady Boxing and exercised with the same determination and optimism he brought to all facets of his life.
Steve’s laughter and vibrant spirit will be greatly missed. Friends and acquaintances remember the twinkle in his eye and his infectious smile. He maintained a positive outlook and sense of humor throughout many years of illness.
As a family, we would like to acknowledge and thank the dedicated supporters and caregivers who helped Steve in his final years, including Vitas hospice coordinator Kristin Giuliano and especially Becky Honan, who provided loving, devoted and joyful care for many years.
In honoring Steve’s memory, his family invites those who knew him to celebrate his life and the love he so freely gave. A gathering to celebrate Steve’s life will be held on March 8, 2025 at 1pm. Friends and family may attend at the VFW hall in Guilford, CT to share stories, exchange fond memories, and commemorate a life well-lived.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation or to Rock Steady Boxing at Squared Circle Studio in Deep River, CT, causes close to Steve’s heart.
Tina Diane Braseth Reinhardt
October 19, 1953 - December 25, 2024
Tina Reinhardt passed away peacefully during the early morning hours of December 25th at 71 years of age due to complications related to Alzheimer’s Disease. She was the beloved wife for forty-four years of Charles J. Reinhardt, and the loving mother of sons Chad and James Reinhardt. Tina was a long-time resident of Bedford, Massachusetts.
She was born at Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1953 when her father was a naval officer assigned to teach celestial navigation at Princeton University. Tina was raised on Long Island in the town of Garden City, New York where she was active in sports as a tennis player, field hockey midfielder, gymnast and high school cheerleader. Tina was a foreign exchange student while in high school and served as a goodwill ambassador to the Netherlands. Tina went on to graduate with honors from Duke University in 1975 and later received a master’s degree in nursing from Boston University. She spent nearly thirty years as a nurse practitioner serving the community at leading medical centers in the Boston area and with Concord Hillside Medical Associates. Tina was board certified in both Adult Medicine and Gerontology. She was also a past president of the Emerson Hospital Auxiliary.
Tina found great joy in quilting and her work was featured in exhibitions around New England. For many years, she was active in the highly regarded guild of art-
ists known as the Quilters Connection in Watertown, Massachusetts where she was both a long-time member and past president.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ansel Clinton Braseth and Martha Hall Braseth, formerly of Garden City, New York and New Castle, New Hampshire. She was the loving sister of the late Dr. Peter C. Braseth and Timothy Hall Braseth. Tina was laid to rest on December 28th at the Shawsheen Cemetery in Bedford, Massachusetts after a private graveside ceremony. Please direct any donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or charity of your choice in lieu of sending flowers.
Gladys Helen (Eisenhauer) Clemmensen, age 95, died on November 30, 2024 at her home in Garden City, NY. after a courageous two year struggle.
Gladys was the wife of the late Ross Clemmensen, beloved sister/sister in law of the late Justina Eisenhauer Mickiewicz and Dr. M. Eugene “Mickey” Mickiewicz with whom she lived for many years in Old Westbury, NY. She is survived by her nephew, Kenneth J. Mickiewicz and by her beloved and loyal friend, Edna O’Keeffe and family.
Gladys was proud to have been an American History teacher at Jericho High School for many years. Her interest in history and innate curiosity led her to travel to over 104 countries in her life. Gladys was fearless when it came to travel, investigations, exploration. Her sister, Justina
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whose death predated her husband's, insisted that Gladys travel with Mickey and the two of them began a travel itinerary that included Poland, Antarctica, Bhutan, Argentina and more. It restored Mickey’s zest for life.
She was fascinated by travel, regional customs and was an intent, vocal follower of local and national politics. She was forever surrounded by news articles and enjoyed blasting the TV especially on Sunday morning news programs.
Gladys will be missed by her many friends including those from her years of teaching, friends in Zonta, Salvation Army, and at the Wyndham.
All friends are invited to a brief celebration of life which will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025 from 10am-12pm at the Fairchild Sons Funeral Home, 1201 Franklin Ave., Garden City. Burial will be private.
If you would like to post an obituary for a loved one, simply send a short biography of them along with (if desired) their photo, details of their funeral/visitation services, and/or any donation requests to editor@gcnews.com, or call our office at 516-294-8900 to inquire.
Charles P. Eschmann
Charles P. Eschmann passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 4th, at the age of 84. He was at home, surrounded by love, with his children, grandchil-
dren, and faithful aid and friend Paul, by his side.
Charles was born on December 15th, 1940, in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn to Charles and Marguerite Eschmann. He and his two sisters were introduced to suburban life, when the family moved to Garden City, in 1957. He would finish high school at St. Johns Prep before moving on to Villanova University.
A home across the street from the 17th green of the Garden City Country Club (GCCC) would start a life-long obsession with golf, but it was on Coopers Beach in Southampton, where he would meet the true love of his life, Lucilla. “Moon River” played at their wedding.
Charlie and Lucilla settled in Floral Park, where they raised their five children. St. Anne’s Church and the GCCC would become constants in their lives, as both served as the backdrop for many of their fondest memories and closest friendships. Friendships which would later join them in Sarasota, FL where they spent their retirement.
Charlie traveled the world as a successful real-estate banker, spending his entire career at Citigroup. When asked the secret to his success, he said “I kept my mouth shut, and wore nice ties.”
Charlie, or “the Captain”, as many of his kids friends called him, was a man of many interests. He loved music, introducing his family and friends to country music decades before it was cool. He loved golf, spending countless hours on the fairways of the GCCC and Garden City Golf Club with his sons. He loved shopping, at times bidding against himself for a golf club on eBay. He loved a good time, often holding court with a glass of wine or Scotch in his hand. A “Gentleman,” impeccably dressed, with a great sense of humor, he was quite simply, the coolest guy around.
His family was everything to him, and though it was a large one, he made everyone feel special and loved unconditionally. Charlie and Lucilla have left their children and grandchildren a blueprint on how to live a life of grace, generosity, joy, compassion, and faith. He
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is predeceased by his love, Lucilla, and his parents, Charles and Marguerite Eschmann. He leaves behind his sisters, Mary Therese Search and Margy (Pat) Connolly. He also leaves behind his loving children Charles (Jean) Eschmann, James (Margaret) Eschmann, Christopher (Mary) Eschmann, Michael (Meghan) Eschmann, and Lucilla (Bryan) Schrubbe. He was a cherished Pop Pop to Charles (Kerianne), Abby, Timmy, and Ryan Eschmann, Cate, Maggie, and Mary Eschmann, Maryn and Matthew Eschmann, Aydan, Alex, Ava, and Michael Eschmann, James and Walker Schrubbe, and great-granddaughter, Kara Eschmann. He was also a loving Uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 9th from 4 to 8pm at Fairchild Sons Funeral Home, 1201 Franklin Avenue, Garden City. Mass Friday, January 10th at 10 am at St. Anne’s Church, Garden City.
From classes to lectures and concerts to movie screenings, there's never a dull day at your local library!
Check this paper each week for fun and informative all-ages activities, all for free or cheap!
Some people prefer traditional funeral services. Others prefer cremation. Some want an elaborate ceremony. Then there are others who don’t want any ceremony at all.
When it comes to funerals, there are as many options as there are people, and we take pride in being able to say we offer them all.
HONORING ALL RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS
Complete funerals starting at $5,995.00 (Funeral
Garden City’s Senior Center is open. Please visit the Senior Center Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for further information on activities and events!
Friday, January 31
Sarah Girgis from STM Physical Therapy will be at the Senior Center at 1:15 to explain what arthritis is, what causes it to become worse, and how to fight back against it with physical therapy. Light refreshments will be served. Reservations are required, please stop by the Senior Center front desk or by calling (516) 385-8006.
Tuesday, February 4
Mary Aguilar, MSW and outreach specialist, will be at the Senior Center to give a presentation about mental health and substance use among older adults. We will explore what mental health is, what substance abuse vs misuse is, break down the stigma, and learn healthy coping skills. Reservations are required. Please stop by the Senior Center front desk or by calling (516) 385-8006.
Free workshop, Monday, February 3rd at the Senior Center, with Marina Horan from Lavender Works. Learn about the history of lavender while you make a roll on perfume and enjoy a short, relaxing meditation. Register at the Senior Center front desk, or by calling (516) 385-8006.
New chair yoga schedule for Tania at the senior center. Beginning Friday, January 10, she is adding an additional Chair Yoga Class at 11:30–12:30 as well as a Meditation Class at 12:30–1:00. This is in addition to her Tuesday 9:45–10:45 Chair Yoga class.
St Francis Outreach Bus will be at the Senior Center on Monday, January 13, for free health screenings from 10:00–2:00. No appointments necessary.
Exciting new art class lead by instructor Julia, at the Senior Center, Thursdays at 10:00-11:00, beginning January 23. Come and learn how to paint different textures and patterns, no experience necessary. Take away a custom designed bookmark, after the 10 week session. $140 check made
payable to “Inc Village of Garden City”. Register at the Senior Center or Recreation office.
Tuesday, June 10
Trip to West Point for a tour and lunch at the Thayer Hotel. Tuesday, June 10, charter bus leaves from across the street from the Senior Center at 8:00 a.m., and it will depart West Point to return home at 3:00. To register visit the Senior Center, $153.oo check made payable to “Amazing Destinations”.
Trip to Nassau County Museum of Art
Trip to the Nassau County Museum of Art and lunch at Mim’s. Friday, January 24, bus leaves from across the street from the Senior Center at 10:45, guided tour at 11:30, then Lunch at Mim’s in Roslyn at 1:15. Cost: $20 check made payable to “Nassau County Museum of Art” and $40 cash for lunch, both required at time of registration.
Deadline: January 17. Register by visiting the front desk of the Senior Center.
Sunday May 4: “Fiddler On the Roof” (Argyle Theatre)
Sunday, June 8: “Legally Blonde” (Madison Theatre at Molloy University)
Sunday, August 3: “The Music Man” (Argyle Theatre)
Trip to the Argyle Theatre to see Jersey Boys, and have lunch at La Famiglia restaurant, in Babylon. Saturday, March 8. Our new recreation bus departs from across the street from the Senor Center at 11:00, lunch is at 12:00, performance at 2:30. Register at the Senior Center front desk, $67.00 check made payable to ‘The Argyle Theatre” and $50 cash for lunch, also paid at time of registration.
Join us for Chess 4 Community’s Play and Learn at the Senior Center, every other Friday 3:00–4:00 beginning December 6. The dates for January are January 10 and January 24. All ages and levels are welcome. No registration is required, just stop by and play!
Join our Senior Center Lunch Group at 12:30-3:30 on Wednesdays, or, if you miss your pool friends, join the Garden City Pool Chat Group at the center, on Thursdays beginning at 1:00-3:30. For both groups, coffee and tea will be served, just bring your lunch and chat!!
The Welcoming Club is excited to host our annual Bowling Night! Lace up your bowling shoes and join us on Saturday, January 25, at Bowlero from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. for a night of funfilled bowling, yummy bites, and cocktails. Bring your spouse or friends and enjoy this adults-only night out! Tickets are on sale now! Head to our website to register.
Ring in the new year with a new book! The Book Club will be reading Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See. The mesmerizing tale of a woman who must risk everything to hunt down the dangerous man who shaped her past and threatens to steal her future: her father. An immersive historical novel inspired by the true story of a woman physician in 15th-century China. Tan Yunxian's grandmother is one of only a handful of female doctors in China, and she teaches Yunxian the pillars of Chinese medicine, the Four Examinations—looking, listening, touching, and asking—something a man can never do with a female patient. But when Yunxian is sent into an arranged marriage, her mother-in-law forbids her from helping the women and girls in the household. Yunxian is to act like a proper wife—embroider bound-foot slippers, recite poetry, give birth to sons, and stay forever within the walls of the family compound, the Garden of Fragrant Delights. A captivating story of women helping each other, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women is a triumphant reimagining of the life of one person who was remarkable in the Ming dynasty and would be considered remarkable today.
The Book Club will be meeting on Wednesday, January 15, at 7:30 p.m.
If you would like to join in this lively discussion, please RSVP to welcomingclubbookclub@gmail.com.
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Enjoy a good book amongst friends. The book club meets every 6 weeks to discuss the page-turner of choice. For upcoming book club events, please email WelcomingClubBookClub@ gmail.com.
The craft club is a great way to meet with friends and get crafty. No experience necessary. We meet every few months to create a seasonal craft. If you are interested in joining, please email GCCraftClub@gmail.com.
Bring your significant others out for this one! This is a great way to make new friends as a couple. You will be paired up with 3-4 other couples to set up a rotation of dinner events. Host your new friends at home or head out to try local restaurants. Please email GCSupper@gmail.com for more information.
Bunco
This simple dice game is usually played in a group of 12. It is a great way to meet people and make new friends. The game is easy to learn and fun to play. If you are interested, please contact WelcomingClubBunco@gmail.com.
A great way for you and your little ones to make new friends. Activities include stroller walks each week around our beautiful village and a visit to the park. We also set up playgroups with kids of similar age. Please email welcomingclubtoddleractivities@gmail. com for more information.
Come join the fun and make a difference! We invite you to join the club! For just $50 a year you will have access to lots of great events and many fun members-only clubs and events. Complete the easy online membership form today at www.thegardencitywelcomingclub. org in the “Join” section of the website. While you are there, browse the site for lots of great information about the club.
Rotary Designates January as Vocation Month
Village Arborist Joseph Umana Guest Speaker Next Tuesday
Reminding that next Tuesday, January 14, 12:15 at Mineola’s Davenport Press restaurant, 70 Main St., Mineola, the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club will welcome Joe Umana, Village Arborist to speak about his vocation as an arborist and Certified Nursery Landscape Professional. Joe will speak about his first year as arborist – issues found and corrected, initiatives, policy and what the future holds for horticulture in Garden City.
At its first breakfast meeting of 2025 to take place on Tuesday morning, January 28, 8:00 a.m., at the Carle Place Diner, 151 Old Country Road, the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club will welcome Michele Iavorone of Iavorone Bros. market on Seventh Street as guest speaker. Topic: what makes Iavorone a different sort of market?
The breakfast meeting will also launch Rotary’s inaugural service project of 2025 to celebrate its l00 year anniversary. Service projects or activities are planned for each month throughout the year to celebrate Rotary’s special milestone.
January’s focus is a toiletry drive to benefit MOMMA’S HOUSE, a nonprofit that provides housing and support services to young mothers and their babies. Members and guests attending the breakfast meeting are encouraged to
bring donations. (Fee: $20 payable at the door). Donations may also be dropped at Rotary Vice President Meg Norris’ Garden City News Office at 821 Franklin Avenue, Ste. 206. To reserve, visit mineolagardencityrotaryclub@ gmail.com. Requested items include:
• New and unopened and unused Toiletries such as toothpaste, hand soap, body wash, hair conditioner & sunscreen
• Baby grooming health kits (i.e., thermometer, nasal aspirators, brush, medicine dispenser, tooth brush.)
• Baby health supplies (i.e., gas drops, infant tylenol, infant motrin, saline spray/drops, diaper rash cream, eczema cream, teething gel, qtips)
• Baby lotion – skin care products for sensitive in, Eczema – veeno, Cerace, Honest
• Body wash – womens, for sensitive skin, uncented such as Dove,
• Aveeno.
Now and then, it is Rotary’s pleasure to extend kudos to members of the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club who have been celebrated in one way or another. So, congratulations to two active Rotarians, Anita Frey and Ray Sikorski!
Anita was regaled at a sumptuous birthday luncheon to celebrate her 95 years hosted by her friends at Mineola’s Davenport Press restaurant this past November 12. Anita, recent-
Ray Sikorski, honored for extraordinary service to the Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN).
ly retired as a long-time professor at Adelphi University, was married to the late active Rotarian Joseph Frey, who served as Club president in 2004-05.
This past November 10, at the Mary Brennan INN, Ray Sikorski was honored by the INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network) for his many years of contributions and service to the philanthropic efforts of the INN, a volunteer-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to address hunger and homelessness on Long Island by providing food, shelter, long-term housing and supportive
services.
An active member of MineolaGarden City Rotary, Ray served as Club president in 2008-09 and along with the Sikorski family had been honored with Rotary’s Community Service Award several years ago. Ray serves on the Board of Directors of RotaCare, created by Mineola-Garden City Rotary in 1992. He has often served as both Rotary and RotaCare’s event emcee extraordinaire. Ray is president of RTS Print Services in Westbury NY.
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conservation, with a specialization in coral ecosystems.
The program will highlight the concept of an “Ecological Footprint,” providing attendees with tools to calculate and reduce their individual or family footprint.
Two themes of this year’s Roundtable include ‘Understanding Your Local and Individual Sustainability Impact’ and exploring broader issues in sustainability and how people can engage.
“For a lot of people the idea of Sustainability can be too large to handle, so I want to help everyone consider the individual and household ways in which we contribute. There are ways for a person to contribute that can impact the larger sustainability initiatives,” she explained.
Information on ways to reduce energy consumption, trash contributions and other environmental impacts will include regulating heating and A/C
systems’ use during the year, energy efficient appliance choices and waste management.
The roundtable will also address regional policies supporting sustainability initiatives.
“We will cover how the public can use their buying power and/or voting power and local issues that could be impacted. The policies we’d put forth in New York are not the same as what Arizona, for example, would implement,” she noted.
She noted that New York has made progress in outlining environmental policies to mitigate climate change and promote sustainability initiatives. She hopes to see more statewide implementation tailored to individual communities.
“This is an area in which people tend to be less knowledgeable because it can be difficult to understand regulatory structures and policies being proposed or ones that were already voted on by the New York State Legislature. Since
I have the opportunity to live in that world with academic research and policy, I can also impart the knowledge about what the Legislature brings forward. Then we examine the tangible result of how policies can affect us living here in Garden City, to help people look into policies in the future,” she explained.
One highlight of the Sustainability Roundtable is a demonstration of the “global climate simulator” En-ROADS. Developed by ClimateInteractive.org, the tool allows users to explore the impacts of various policies—such as electrifying transportation, pricing carbon, and improving agricultural practices—on energy, prices, temperatures, and more.
EAB member Kurt Ehrig will lead that portion at the Sustainability Roundtable, and will present an overview and demonstration of En-Roads.
At a later date the EAB may organize a workshop for Garden City students to interact with En-Roads to learn more
about climate change and sustainability.
Shore, who teaches microbiology to nursing students at Farmingdale, also mentors students conducting individual research projects.
“With marine science, sustainability and climate change issues are definitely core messages brought up in all the different units. I do talk about how climate change impacts diseases, and that relates to sustainability issues. Student research projects also touch on the climate change issue, and how it’s impacting marine organisms,” she explained.
As one of the newer members of the EAB, Shore hopes to be an asset for science education and increased communication with the Garden City community, especially in making scientific topics relatable for the town. With her background in studying the oceanic environment, she noted that despite being on Long Island, Garden City’s day-to-day reality isn’t as connected to the Atlantic
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the Village Administrator or the Village Clerk so we can follow the procedures in place for accepting donations.”
Trustee Edward Finneran responded that for the mayor to “put the St. Paul’s Conservancy front and center here” during the roof repair discussion was a “cheap shot.”
He noted that there’s a myriad of reasons why it may not be appropriate for any citizen to donate money towards St. Paul’s. “This is our 30+ years’ cross to bear and we have endeavored in a very significant and serious way over the last 18 months to do so,” Finneran commented.
He said he respects the 38% of village residents who voted for demolition of St. Paul’s in the October 2023 Opinion Poll, but that is not the direction Garden City will go in.
“Everyone will have an opportunity to tell us what they think about the building and where the future should lead,” Finneran noted.
After hearing this, Mayor Carter Flanagan said she didn’t intend any “shot” at the Conservancy. She brought up a question on what the nonprofit’s financial commitments, or funds from other preservationists for the building, will be when the inevitable needs arise.
Mayor Carter Flanagan said the Board is “in a difficult arena” because receiving an answer on the community interest and potential for investment in St. Paul’s – info which would be gleaned through a St. Paul’s survey – has taken a lot of time. She made the case that private funds, dedicated to St. Paul’s, could come into play soon.
“If you look at history, conservancies are there to raise money to help. There is a hole in the roof, and the village isn’t supporting the heating of St. Paul’s. There are things I would think that anyone in the Conservancy or preservation group would be unified in an expendi-
ture – right? They would all get behind patching the roof, saving the building and the costs involved. We (the Board) are sitting here and spending other people’s money and you do not know what folks want. That’s the tie-in with the Conservancy, as far as raising money though the village can not directly ask for money. It was not irrelevant,” the mayor said.
Trustee Michele Beach Harrington stated that the mayor’s commentary related to the Conservancy was irrelevant. She reminded the mayor that 1,704 people who were pro-demolition in the October 2023 Opinion Poll do not present a majority.
“The majority of those polled voted to restore and preserve St. Paul’s. Let’s keep the majority in mind because currently the majority want us to do what it takes to look at rational decisions with regards to St. Paul’s going forward,” Harrington said.
She then challenged the mayor’s influence in hiring a legal firm, Uniondale-based Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C. – to serve in a role of countering ideas and claims on the viability of the Conservancy vision for St. Paul’s. During the Village’s annual reorganizational meeting on April 1, 2024, the law firm was appointed as special counsel to the village, for a one-year period.
Trustee Harrington called out Mayor Carter Flanagan for her statement, and said her asking the Conservancy to put up some money at this point “is simply not right.”
“Many times, when I first joined the Board (in 2023) I asked you to speak with the St. Paul’s Conservancy and you (the mayor) wanted nothing to do with them. For you to come out now and say, ‘hey, where are these folks with their money?’ – when you would not give them the time of day to talk about St. Paul’s is just speaking out of both sides
of your mouth. You really should have thought about that as you didn’t give the group (the Conservancy) any time, and we (as a municipality) do not ask people for money like that. Eventually if we get something done, we will,” she explained.
The mayor called these comments “some serious attacks” on her, and she acknowledged that a local public government does not and is not allowed to ask for private funds.
“I was just letting them know about the need for urgent repairs. We can hope, we have relationships….A great group is the (nonprofit) Friends of Garden City Public Library raises money and contributes, but we (the village) can’t ask for it. I have spent a lot of time and there is a lot of history, and I think Trustee Harrington is talking about the former St. Paul’s Committee and numbers that would be under the Conservancy plans. I think very publicly I had asked for information and documentation on that,” Mayor Carter Flanagan said.
Trustee Harrington reiterated that she requested for the mayor to meet in person with the Conservancy, but the mayor refused. “You just wanted those numbers. I do not want to go any farther but that’s the story,” she explained.
The mayor responded that she did not feel it was fair for Harrington to break off the dialogue then.
“There was a lot in the background going on at that point and we were awaiting documentation, which I had asked many other people, and they were not forthcoming with it. Because it’s such an outrageous accusation being made about me publicly, I will also note that Ruskin Moscou was not hired to discredit anyone – they were hired to examine what financing options would be available to the village for St. Paul’s including a Conservancy plan and a lease-back, for the ideas they had put
out there. The firm wasn’t hired to discredit anyone and it’s pretty horrible that you would sit here in a public meeting and accuse me of that,” the mayor said.
She went on to explain that once the village was unable to get more (requested) information from the finance team of the St. Paul’s Conservancy, it was the mayor’s idea to hold a meeting with Ruskin Moscou to speak with the Conservancy. “And I continue to think that’s a good idea. With the most recent St. Paul’s Advisory Committee (announced in October 2024) they are also trying to get more information on the Conservancy. I told them counsel already started this – I suggested they obtain the information and bring it back to them to get a more final opinion. The problem with it, from the legal advice we got, was we were missing details from the Conservancy,” Mayor Carter Flanagan said on December 30th.
The mayor said she is still hopeful that the village and legal firm Ruskin Moscou gets the Conservancy’s information “to have that dialogue and complete that legal research.” She added that the discussion with the Conservancy should be “done professionally.”
Trustee Harrington commented that on multiple occasions she’s offered the mayor the chance to sit down with conservancy members Frank McDonough and Peter Cole, but the mayor has always rejected plans for an in-person meeting.
At the close of the 34 minute meeting the six trustees present unanimously voted to allocate the requested funds for the roof repairs
The conversations may be continued in January, with a report on the repair’s status expected from Building Superintendent Giuseppe Giovanniello as the Board reconvenes on January 16th at 7:30 p.m.
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as communities on the south shore, or in Suffolk.
“Moving forward, there’s World Ocean Day celebrated every June and I’d love for the EAB to do something to be part of that. Some of our residents may not be as aware of impacts on ocean health, and how it impacts them. I think issues surrounding the water table and runoff will be where I start to bring in some of that knowledge.” Shore said.
Shore, a Florida native, has lived on Long Island for about five years. In 2023 she moved to Garden City with her husband John Dimino, who grew up in the village. The couple is expecting their
first baby shortly.
Dimino attended both Hemlock School and Stratford School, then GCMS, and he went to Chaminade for high school. John’s two sisters attended all grades, K through 12th, in Garden City School District.
In academia and fieldwork, Shore enjoys bridging the space between marine science and microbiology. She described the spark to her lifelong interest in the environment and sustainability, and she reminisced about the family’s frequent beach days down in the Sunshine State.
From a young age she was made aware of aspects of sustainability and trash building in water bodies or waterways. Shore said her family’s fishing
trips helped her understand ecological issues.
“Growing up in Florida, my parents would take my sister and I to the beaches and we had a small boat to hop from island to island along the Gulf Coast. From a young age I was very appreciative and enjoyed being outside, but then on these excursions I got to see how the problems – like how the oil from tankers accumulates on the water slicks in harbors, or how trash accumulates in the harbors or on coasts. When we fished we were almost always inspected by Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation officials about how much (fish caught) we’d bring in. I also gained insight into fisheries’ management, and I feel that inspired me to continue pursuing
marine science into adulthood – the ultimate goal is to keep our waterways and oceans healthy into the future for everyone to enjoy,” she explained.
Trustee Jessica Tai, co-chair of the EAB with Trustee Michele Beach Harrington, commented, “We are excited that our students and residents engaged in local sustainability initiatives will be participating in a roundtable discussion focused on ecological footprints, sustainability across various societal levels, and sustainability career paths. In this engaging session students will take the lead in facilitating the discussion and sharing their insights…. We can’t wait to see you at Village Hall on January 15th at 7:30 pm!” she said.
Courtney Rutt Rosenblatt (center) pictured with (from left) Library Director Marianne Malagon, Trustee Colleen Foley, Vice Chair Dr. Lola Nouryan, Trustee Linda Ryan, Chair J. Randolph Colahan and Trustee Mary Maguire.
The Board of Trustees of the Garden City Public Library, Chair J. Randolph Colahan, Vice Chair Dr. Lola Nouryan, and Trustees Colleen Foley, Mary Maguire and Linda Ryan, at a Special meeting of the Board held December 20, 2024, appointed Courtney Rutt Rosenblatt to the position of Secretary to the Library Board. Ms. Rutt Rosenblatt’s appointment will be effective January 20, 2025.
Secretary to the Library Board is an exempt position, under the direct supervision of the Library Board of Trustees. The position involves responsible and confidential work for the Library Board.
Ms. Rutt Rosenblatt has worked with
the Village of Garden City since 2016, concentrating in Human Resources and Finance, beginning as the Village Auditor and currently as the Secretary to the Board of Trustees tasked with Human Resources responsibility. She also has 20 years of business management experience in both the public sector and private industry.
Ms. Rutt Rosenblatt and Marianne Malagon, Library director, have worked very well together in their capacities in the Village for more than six years and look forward to aligning their talents to bring the Library to new levels of service and community engagement.
Library Trustee J. Randolph Colahan, newly sworn in Library Trustee Paul O’Grady, Library Library Board Chairperson Colleen Foley and Vice Chair Mary Maguire at the swearing-in ceremony held on Friday, January 3, 2025 at the Library. Missing from photo: Trustee Linda Ryan.
Longtime resident Paul O’Grady took her oath of office Friday, January 3, to become the Library Board of Trustees’ newest member. Mr. O’Grady replaces former Vice Chair Dr. Lola Nouryan who has chosen not to seek another term.
Mr. O’Grady currently serves as Chief of Staff to the Dean of the College of Pharmacy at Long Island UniversityBrooklyn. He earned his J.D. at
Washington & Lee University and is licensed to practice law in New York and Georgia. He also holds Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in American History from Emory University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Mr. O’Grady joins fellow Library Board members Colleen Foley, chair; J. Randolph Colahan; Mary Maguire, vice chair; and Linda Ryan. His first official meeting will be January 13, 2025.
On December 9, 2024, at the Garden City Public Library Board of Trustees Organizational Meeting, Library Board Chair J. Randolph Colahan opened the meeting by adding to the agenda recognition of Vice Chair Dr. Lola Nouryan, who is not seeking another term on the Board. Mr. Colahan thanked Dr. Nouryan for her service. She received flowers and a plaque from the Library Board, and proclamations from the Village of Garden City and elected officials from the County Legislature, the State Assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives.
Chairman Colahan continued with Organizational Meeting business by noting Officer positions are open to all sitting Trustees. He announced in May 2024 that he would not seek an officer
position for the next year; his term as Trustee ends January 2026 and he will not seek re-nomination.
He noted that according to Library ByLaws Article IV: Officers of the Board of Trustees shall be elected annually at the December meeting and shall be as follows: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary. The officers of the Board shall remain in office for one year or until their successors are elected. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson shall be elected from among the members of the Board, but the Secretary need not be a Board member.
Trustee Colahan nominated Trustee Colleen Foley to serve as Chairman, which was approved unanimously. Trustee Colahan and Chairman Foley jointly nominated Trustee Mary
Maguire as Vice Chair, which was seconded and approved unanimously. Library Director Marianne Malagon was re-elected to continue in her capacity as Secretary to the Board of Library Trustees for calendar year 2025.
Chairman Foley then announced the Library Board members appointed Chair of the following Committees for the 2025 calendar year:
• Budget Committee – Vice Chair Mary Maguire and Trustee Paul O’Grady
• Audit Committee – Trustee J. Randolph Colahan and Vice Chair Mary Maguire
• Building Committee - Vice Chair Mary Maguire and Trustee Paul O’Grady
• Community Relations Committee
– Chairman Colleen Foley and Vice Chair Mary Maguire
• Personnel Committee – Trustees J. Randolph Colahan and Linda Ryan
• Policy Committee – Trustee Linda Ryan
• Program Task Force – Chairman Colleen Foley and Trustee Linda Ryan Trustee Colahan introduced Paul O’Grady, who was in attendance. He took his Oath of Office and assumed the role of Library Trustee at the Library on January 3, 2025 and will fill his positions on the Committees noted previously. His first official meeting, which will include a swearing-in ceremony, will be January 13, 2025.
Monday Movies
Monday Movies presented by the Friends of the Garden City Library at 1:30 p.m.:
January 2025
1/13/25: “Cabrini” - 142 Mins., 2024
1/20/25: “Ordinary Angel” - 118 Mins., 2024
1/27/25: “Arsenic & Old Lace” - 118 Mins., 2024
Programs
Below is our schedule for Adult Services. More programs and information will be available soon.
Mah-Jongg
Thursday, January 16, Saturday, January 18 (New!), Thursday, January 30 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Large Meeting Room Players will be required to bring their own games and registration will be required on Eventkeeper (www. gardencitypl.org). For additional information contact Adult Services at (516)742-8405 ext. 5236 or email speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.
January Programs
More programs and information will be available soon.
Operatalks with Tanisha Mitchell“La Bohème”
Sunday, January 12, from 2 p.m.–3 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room
“La Bohème” continues to be one of Giacomo Puccini’s hits with memorable music and characters. This opera is about a beautiful love affair between poet Rodolfo and seamstress Mimi during Christmas in Paris.
Tanisha Mitchell is the founder and CEO of Operatalks (operatalks.com), an arts outreach company that brings a new spin on opera lectures by using technology, artifacts, and even her own singing to teach and inspire audiences. Her outreach continues to grow on the east coast from Long Island to Florida through libraries, community centers and beyond. No registration is required. This program is funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Learn to Speak Italian with Retired GCHS Teacher Mrs. Lea Brunetti8-Week Program Series
January 17, January 24, January 31, February 7, February 14, February 21, February 28, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. in the Small Meeting Room
Retired Italian teacher from Garden City High School Mrs. Lea Brunetti will be teaching beginner Italian in an eightweek series. Come join us as we start to learn the beautiful language of Italian
with an experienced teacher! We promise there will be no tests! Just some fun! Maybe this will inspire a trip to Italy? Who knows! Non vedo l'ora di vederti! (I look forward to seeing you!) Grazie!
To register, please go to www.gardencitypl.org/calendar. For additional information contact Adult Services at (516)742-8405 ext. 5236 or email speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Dennis Raverty Art Lecture on “The Mysteries of ChiricoThe Reluctant Surrealist”
Tuesday, January 14, from 2 p.m.–-3 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room
Join Dennis Raverty in a lecture about Giorgio de Chirico’s work. Chirico is among the most enigmatic of early 20th century painters. His strange “metaphysical” pictures executed during the First World War and shortly thereafter capture an uncanny, poetic world of lonely, haunted piazzas and melancholy streets with dreamlike distortions and juxtapositions of time, scale and perspective. Although idolized by the Surrealists, he later denounced his early work and turned to classicism.
No registration is required. For additional information contact Adult Services at (516)742-8405 ext. 5236 or email speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.
Chairobics and Strength with Debbie Kryzminski Wednesdays, January 22, January 29, February 5, February 12, February 19, February 26
12 p.m.–1 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room
Debbie Kryzminski from Fitness Figures, NY, Inc. will be teaching “Chairobics and Strength.” This program covers strength training, balance, coordination, aerobics and flexibility.Most of the exercises are performed seated in a chair. Equipment will be provided. Feel free to bring your own free weights, if you are comfortable using them. Have water available, wear clothing that you can comfortably move in and be ready to have fun! This is a six-week session; a separate registration is required for each class. To register, please go to www.gardencitypl. org/calendar or call the Reference desk at (516)742-8405 x 5236.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Organize Me - How to Manage Your Paper without Losing Your Mind
Monday, January 27, from 7–8 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room
The beginning of a new year and it’s
The film “Cabrini” will be shown at the Garden City Public Library on Monday, January 13.
time to get organized! Join Annmarie Brogan and Marie Limpert of Organize Me of NY, LLC as they show us How to Manage Your Paper Without Losing Your Mind. This one-hour presentation will focus on:
• Where to begin
• Handle everyday mail quickly
• Create a “Command Center” to manage short-term-active paperwork
• Sort and group your papers for easy decision-making
• Tackle running “to-do” lists
• Develop a simple, easy to maintain filing system
• Reduce stress and make tax season a breeze
• Protect important legal documents and access them quickly
• Establish behaviors and routines that work for you and your family
This program is funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library
Reiki with Kathleen Gunning Tuesday, January 28, from 7–8 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room
Start the New Year off with an introduction to Reiki. Reiki promotes relaxation, stress reduction and pain management. It’s a wonderful form of self-care, which supports physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being to improve the body’s natural healing ability.
To register, please go to www.gardencitypl.org/calendar. For additional information contact Adult Services at z(516) 742-8405 ext. 5236 or email speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
The book “An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s” by Doris Kearns Goodwin will be discussed on Tuesday, February 4.
Book Discussion Tuesday, February 4, from 7–8 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room
Join us for a book discussion on “An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s” by Doris Kearns Goodwin, one of America’s most beloved historians who artfully weaves together biography, memoir, and history. She takes you along on the emotional journey she and her husband, Richard (Dick) Goodwin embarked upon in the last years of his life.
Dick and Doris Goodwin were married for forty-two years and married to American history even longer. In his twenties, Dick was one of the brilliant young men of John F. Kennedy’s New Frontier. In his thirties he both named and helped design Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society and was a speechwriter and close advisor to Robert Kennedy. Doris Kearns was a twenty-four-year-old graduate student when selected as a White House Fellow. She worked directly for Lyndon Johnson and later assisted on his memoir. Over the years, with humor, anger, frustration, and in the end, a growing understanding, Dick and Doris had argued over the achievements and failings of the leaders they served and observed, debating the progress and unfinished promises of the country they both loved.
The Goodwins’ last great adventure involved finally opening the more than 300 boxes of letters, diaries, documents, and memorabilia that Dick had saved for more than 50 years. They soon realized
they had before them an unparalleled personal time capsule of the 1960s, illuminating public and private moments of a decade when individuals were powered by the conviction they could make a difference; a time, like today, marked by struggles for racial and economic justice, a time when lines were drawn and loyalties tested.
Their expedition gave Dick’s last years renewed purpose and determination. It gave Doris the opportunity to connect and reconnect with participants and witnesses of pivotal moments of the 1960s. And it gave them both an opportunity to make fresh assessments of the central figures of the time—John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Kennedy, Eugene McCarthy, and especially Lyndon Johnson, who greatly impacted both their lives. The voyage of remembrance brought unexpected discoveries, forgiveness, and the
renewal of old dreams, reviving the hope that the youth of today will carry forward this unfinished love story with America.
To register, please go to www.gardencitypl.org/calendar or call the Reference desk at (516) 742-8405 x 5236.
Saturday, February 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room
Join us on Saturday, February 8, 2025, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. for a Defensive Driving Course with the Empire Safety Council. Receive 10% reduction on automobile/liability insurance and qualify for a license point reduction. Register In person at the Garden City Public Library. Space is limited, so check with the Reference Department for availability. Register separately for each person. Proper ID is required when registering an absentee party. You must bring
On Nov. 23, Mrs. Lavin and Mr. Byrne, Garden City music teachers at Stewart and Stratford, joined students at the annual NMEA P.E.A.K (parents, educators and kids) festival. P.E.A.K is an introduction to the All-County Music Festival for fourth grade students aimed at promoting the importance of music education. The festival gave students the opportunity to demonstrate their musical achievements, inform parents about the goals and activities of classroom music, and provide opportunities for music teachers to share and learn
from each other.
P.E.A.K specifically focuses on the creative processes behind making music rather than the final product. At the elementary level, music specialists work every day to help expand the children’s way of seeing, thinking, writing, discovering and creating. The festival and the arts help students express themselves and understand their world by teaching discipline, how to make choices and new skills.
a $33 check made payable to Empire Safety Council and current Library card with you to register. Bring your valid New York State driver’s license and a pen to class.
Museum Pass Information
Print From Home for Some Passes!
Through the generosity of the Friends of the Garden City Public Library, the Library offers free passes to select museums and cultural institutions. You can make a reservation to borrow a Museum Pass from one of the member institutions in our Museum Pass Program.
Some museum passes are now available to print from home. If you do not have access to a printer, the library will be happy to print the pass for you. These passes will be good for one day only.
Please note that not all museums participate. Passes for the following museums still need to be picked up at the Library: 9/11 Memorial & Museum, NYC (2 adults
& 2 children); Empire Pass, Long Island Children’s Museum, Garden City (2 adults & 2 children); MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art), NYC (5 visitors) and Old Bethpage Village Restoration, Old Bethpage.
The following Library Museum Pass rules remain in effect.
• Museum passes are available only to Garden City Public Library cardholders in good standing who have signed the Museum Pass User Agreement. Museum passes may be reserved in advance and must be checked out by an adult (18 years and older) family member.
• Reservations will be taken up to one month in advance of the desired date, subject to availability on a first-come, firstserved basis. Reservations can be done in person at the Reference Desk or over the phone at 516-742-8405 x5236.
Additional rules and information are available at the library.
At the end of 2024, the Tweens and Teens Department set up a Makerspace area in the Tweens and Teens Room. A series of shelves in the Tweens and Teens Room is now a dedicated crafting area, with well-organized and labeled art supplies. These arts and crafts supplies can be used by tweens and teens in Grades 6–12 in the Tweens and Teens Room. Tweens and teens will now have better access to use these supplies in the Tweens and Teens Room, which will help give them opportunities to socialize and be creative in the Library. Tweens and teens in Grades 6–12 are encouraged to stop by the Library, get creative, and use the art and craft supplies that arepart of the new Teen Makerspace area in the Tweens and Teens Room.
These programs are for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12 unless otherwise noted. Registration is required for these programs.
Teens who complete an online survey after specific programs can receive community service for participating. These programs have been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Registration is live online at https:// forms.gle/jx3hFv5Kjw15hSje6 for the following programs:
• Ongoing until Friday, February 28: Tweens and Teens Winter Reading Club (Grades 6–12)
Registration is live online at https:// forms.gle/EWNZ7RS8CyQ3C76T7 for the following programs:
• Saturday, January 25, at 3 p.m.: Teen STEAM Workshop: Strawberry DNA with Chris Buchman (Grades 6–12) (Rescheduled from January 4)
Registration is live online at https:// forms.gle/dRt5xqKirnTYA9898 for the following programs:
• Friday, January 10, at 3:30 p.m.: Teen Gamers (Grades 6–12)
Registration is live online at https:// forms.gle/5mdTECHpA8XGBp9k9 for the following program:
• Monday, January 6–Friday, January 10: Bookmarks for Community Service, Week One (Grades 6–12)
Registration is live online at 10 a.m. online at https://forms.gle/93CP3HeuRHjRipsB9 for the following programs:
• Tuesday, January 14, at 3:30 p.m.: LEGO Club Volunteers (Grades 6–12)
• Saturday, January 18, at 2:30
Teens celebrated the New Year by counting down to noon on New Year’s Eve during the Tweens and Teens Noon Year’s Eve Party.
p.m.: Teen Puzzle Party (Grades 6–12)
Registration begins Monday, January 13, at 10 a.m. online at https://forms. gle/3B6XsUhTsvSpBxgk7 for the following program:
• Monday, January 13–Friday, January 17: Bookmarks for Community Service, Week Two (Grades 6–12)
Registration begins Tuesday, January 14, at 10 a.m. online at https://forms.gle/ NJzMLZCLB7HSYb187 for the following programs:
• Tuesday, January 14–Thursday, January 23: Ornaments for Community Service (Grades 6–12)
• Tuesday, January 21, at 7 p.m.: Teen Paint Night (Grades 6–12)
• Thursday, January 23, at 4 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons (Grades 6–12)
• Friday, January 24, at 3:30 p.m.: Teen Crafternoon: DIY Ceramic Mugs (Grades 6–12)
Registration begins Monday, January 20, at 10 a.m. online at https://forms. gle/8QaGHYk3zcvALLPj9 for the following program:
• Monday, January 20–Friday, January 24: Bookmarks for Community Service, Week Three (Grades 6–12)
Registration begins Tuesday, January 21, at 10 a.m. online at https://forms.gle/ y7qMcRdhQvPe34rTA for the following programs:
• Tuesday, January 28, at 4 p.m.: Tween Tuesdays: Watercolor Painting (Grades 4–7)
• Thursday, January 30, at 4 p.m.: Teen Creative Hour (Grades 6–12)
• Thursday, January 30, at 7 p.m.: Friendship Bracelets for Community Service (Grades 6–12)
• Saturday, February 1, at 3 p.m.: Intro to Safe Babysitting Workshop (Grades 6–12)
Looking to volunteer? Check out some of our ongoing take-home commu-
nity service opportunities for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12. Please check at the Library for more information on each of these opportunities; all volunteer projects should be submitted at the Library with a Volunteer Form, which can be found outside the Tweens and Teens Room.
• Ongoing: Kindness Cards for Community Service - No registration required. Up to 10 cards can be submitted per volunteer monthly.
• Ongoing to Friday, February 28: Winter Stories for Community
The Lego Club Grades K–5 will meet on Tuesday, January 14.This program was funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
These programs are for children ages birth through Grade 5. Registration is required. Due to continuing technical issues with Eventkeeper, please visit https://www.gardencitypl.org/calendar to view our Event Calendar. Links are available on this webpage to our new temporary program registration forms as well as a printable calendar for December 2024.
• Saturday, January 11, at 10:00 a.m.: A Time For Kids (Ages 2–5,
Not in Kindergarten)
• Monday, January 13, at 10:30 a.m.: Storytime (Birth–5, Not in Kindergarten).
• Tuesday, January 14, at 4:00 p.m.: Lego Club (Grades 2–5)
• Saturday, January 18, at 1:00 p.m.: Family BINGO
• Saturday, January 25, at 12:00 p.m.: Tiny Song Birds (Birth to 5, but older siblings are welcome.
• Monday January 27, at 10:30 a.m.: Storytime (Birth–5, Not in
There will be a regular meeting of the Board of Library Trustees on Monday, January 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the large meeting room on the lower level.
Further details will be posted when available on the Library’s website, www.gardencitypl.org.
28: Winter Stories for Community Service.
• January 6 to Monday, May 5, 2025: Around the World Recipe Cards for Community Service.
Teens Celebrate the New Year at the Library’s Tweens and Teens Noon Year’s Eve Party
Teens celebrate the New Year by counting down to noon on New Year’s
Eve during the Tweens and Teens Noon Year’s Eve Party, which was held Tuesday, December 31 at the Library. Tweens and teens ate snacks, played games, made ornaments, sang karaoke, and talked with friends. Hot cocoa was served and teens were given NYE hats, noisemakers, beaded necklaces, and more for a balloon drop at noon on New Year’s Eve. This program was funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
On Saturday, January 11, children will enjoy A Time For Kids Ages 2–5 (not in kindergarten) .This program was funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Kindergarten).
• Saturday, February 1, at 10:00 a.m.: A Time For Kids, A Sensory Storytime
• Wednesday, February 5, at 10:00 a.m.: DUPLO Lego
• Thursday, February 6, at 6:00 p.m.: Tiny Song Birds
• Saturday, February 8, at 1:30 p.m.: Edible Slime With Science Teacher Chris Buchman (Grades 3–5)
It is Library policy that all children under age 11 must be accompanied by a parent or designated responsible person while in the Library. Also, if the young child is attending a Library program, we require the parent or designated responsible person to remain in the Library throughout the program and meet the child upon completion of the program.
See what’s happening at your library!
Check this paper each week for fun and informative all-ages activities, like classes, lectures, concerts, movie screenings, and more, all for free or cheap!
BY ARLEEN BREEN
On Sunday, January 5, a cherished tradition returned to the Cathedral of the Incarnation—the Twelfth Night Fundraising Cocktail Party in support of our INNcarnation Ministry. This event celebrates our partnership with the Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN), a remarkable organization dedicated to helping those in need.
The evening began with a beautiful Evensong Service marking the Feast of the Epiphany. Afterward, generous members and guests made their way to the historic See House to continue the celebration of the INN’s mission and the spirit of community.
Rev. Dr. Michael Sniffen, Dean of the Cathedral, and INN CEO Jean Kelly welcomed attendees with heartfelt thanks for their continued support of this vital cause. Guests were treated to an evening of live music performed by talented volunteers, including piano, flute, and harp. A special highlight was a performance by a few of our pianist’s students, whose impressive talents were met with enthusiastic applause.
Since its founding in 1983, the INN
Rev. Dr. Michael Sniffen welcomes guests and thanks them for their support of the INNcarnation Ministry.
has been a lifeline to neighbors in need, providing meals, shelter, and vital support services. Over the past four decades, the organization has expanded its reach to offer housing assistance, help navigating government services,
and referrals to other community organizations. Additionally, the INN collects and distributes clothing, baby supplies, toiletries, and much more to those in need.
To learn more about the INN’s wide
range of services and volunteer opportunities, visit their website at the-inn. org. If you missed the event and would still like to support the INN, please donate here: https://INNTwelfth. givesmart.com.
expresses her appreciation for the support of the Cathedral and its membership. Talented volunteer musicians of extraordinary talent created a festive atmosphere.
BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE
The Best of the Alps, a tourism promotion consortium founded more than 40 years ago, recently came to town to remind American travel writers that this is where skiing began over 100 years ago and that these iconic destinations are still for the most part villages and towns where people live year-round, where tourists come year-round, and where you can be immersed in heritage and traditions as you experience all that the mountains have to offer.
“There is more to skiing than a purpose-built resort,” said, Sammy Salm, CEO of the Best of Alps. “These villages have existed for 100 years, some for more than 300 years, attracting summer travelers. Then, 155 years ago, some hotels decided to stay open in winter.” They built the first motor-driven ski lift, hosted the first Winter Olympics.
These are the most authentic places, he noted. Most of the businesses have been in the same family for generations. There are cultural and sports events throughout the year – some 1,000 in 10 destinations – covering all manner of interests. You enjoy cuisine that reflects the locality – “farm to table” before the expression was a thing.
Cortina D’Ampezzo , the “Queen of the Dolomites” in a national park within a UNESCO World Heritage Area, epitomizes charm, glamour and elegance. Set on a plateau 4500 ft. high, Cortina d’Ampezzo, with 6,000 inhabitants, offers skiers breathtaking scenery
Davos Klosters, one of 10 Best of the Alps destinations, received its first winter guests 150 years ago. Today, it offers 300 km of slopes among six ski areas (photo: Davos Klosters)
from an altitude of 1224 to 3248 meters. The resort’s three ski areas are connected by a free bus and offer 120 km of slopes (the longest trail is 10 km),accessed by 35 lifts with snow making. Winter activities also ski mountaineering, sledding in the moonlight after a dinner in a mountain hut, 70 km of Nordic skiing and 100 km of snowshoeing and 50 km of winter hiking. In summer, Cortina offers 400 km of hiking trails, biking on hundreds of kilometres of marked trails amid magnificent Dolomite scenery, mountain climbing, an indoor climbing center, indoor and outdoor tennis; golf, summer ice skating; horse riding, canyoning, and activities families can enjoy together – water park, skate park, zipline. The most convenient airports are Venice
(there is bus service from Venice Airport), Treviso, and Innsbruck; the train station is Toblach. (cortina. dolomiti.org)
“Discover your true nature” is the motto of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a multifaceted mountain region at the base of the 2,962 meter high Zugspitze mountain. It features winter sports with 207 km of ski runs (longest is 6.8 km) from a base at 708 meters to 2,962 meters, state-of-the art lifts, snowmaking on four long runs into the valley, backcountry skiing; the legendary ski stadium and ski jump and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Bayerische Zugspitzbahn invites ski alpinists to a “Ski Tour Evening.” Also: 28 km of cross-country ski tracks, the famous biathlon and cross-
country ski center in Kaltenbrunn (snow-making and flood lights for night-skiing); Visitors’ Biathlon in Kaltenbrunn on Wednesdays); ice skating and curling at the Olympic Ice Sports Center on one of the many natural lakes. The racy 1.6 km run down from the cozy lodge, St.-Martins-Hütte am Grasberg, is an insider tip for bold sledders. Garmisch-Partenkirchen also offers 110 km of groomed winter hiking trails. Special experiences: a torch hike through the Partnachklamm gorge featuring amazing ice and snow formations; a romantic ride in a horse sleigh; guided winter hikes from the Gesundheits-Eck meeting point (book January-March). Garmisch-Partenkirchen, with 10,000 guest beds, 172 restaurants and 450 shops, can be reached by German Rail, Deutsche Bahn (Saturdays ICE connection from Hamburg, Berlin and Dortmund-Ruhr Area-Cologne with no train changes). Nearest airports are Munich and Innsbruck. (www.gapa.de)
Kitzbühel and the holiday resorts of Reith, Aurach and Jochberg, Austria, known globally as a winter holiday destination with almost 130 years of skiing tradition, offers a mix of down-to-earthiness and cosmopolitan outlook, of rural charm and urban flair. Its accessibility, long winters, reliable snow conditions, multitude of sports activities and maximum comfort are the hallmarks of this town, also lovingly referred to as “Gamsstadt” (chamois town). It offers a total of 234 km of downhill runs (longest is 8.3 km), including the world-famous January 10, 2025
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“Streif”. Families will delight in the free practice lifts in the valley. Kitzbühel also offers 70 km of cross-country skiing, winter hiking and snowshoeing, tobogganing, ice skating, curling and new trend sports. In summer Kitzbuhel offers 1,000 km hiking trails; four golf courses; 1,200 km road network for road bikes and 800 km for mountain bikers. It is reached by train from the Kitzbuhel station; the nearest airports are Salzburg, Innsbruck and Munich. (www.kitzbuehel.com)
Davos, Europe’s highest city and the picturesque alpine village of Klosters are set amid stunning mountain scenery and the granddaddy of winter Alpine tourism. Davos Klosters received its first winter guests 150 years ago. Today, it offers 300 km of slopes among six ski areas: Madrisa and Rinerhorn are the family-friendly ski areas, Jakobshorn is the “fun mountain” for freestylers and après-ski connoisseurs. Parsenn is the classic ski area with wide pistes, Pischa is considered the off-piste paradise and Schatzalp is the “chill” ski area for pleasure skiers. Its 275 km of ski sloopes (longest is 12 km), rise from 1124 to 3146 meters. Among the activities: daily experiences with local guides, an extensive network (100 km) of cross-country tracks, hiking trails (170 km in winter, 700 km in summer), mountain biking routes (700 km) in all the tributary valleys, adventure and theme parks, a lively art and culture scene including the Kirchner Museum. Davos Klosters, which offers childcare programs, has also been awarded the Family Destination quality seal. Take the train to Davos; the nearest airport is Zurich (www.davos.ch)
Lech Zurs am Arlberg is a
cosmopolitan mountain village of just 1,500 inhabitants in a mountain region of five villages which form Austria’s largest ski destination (the fifth largest in the world) – affording 305 km of ski trails (it’s famous for its off-piste territory, which is best explored with a guide). Besides alpine skiing there is also snowshoeing, cross-country, tobaggoning, sledding, ice skating, curling, horsedrawn sleigh rides, art installations, Arlberg can be combined with visits to Vienna or Zurich (by train). Closest airports are Altenrheim, Innsbruck, Zurich, Friedrichshafen (www.lechzuers.com)
St. Anton am Arlberg is a Tyrolian mountain village, where you can enjoy uncrowded outdoors with all the amenities of an international holiday resort. Just 2400 inhabitants host 11,623 guest beds. The destination offers 305 km of ski slopes (longest is 9 km0, accessed by 88 lifts. There is also 40 km of cross-country skiing; 80 km of winter hiking (300 km of summer hiking). It is accessed by train to St. Anton am Arlberg; the nearest airports are Innsbruck, Friedriichshafen, Zurich, Memmingen and Munich (www. stantonamarlberg.com)
Chamonix-Mont Blanc valley is a land of legend full of history and sporting feats, a natural environment and a mecca for skiers, snowboarders and free riders. The astronomical 1000 km of slopes, which rise from1,035-4,809 meters, are served by 44 lifts including the Mont-Blanc tramway and the cable car of the Brévent. The Aiguille du Midi cable gives unforgettable view of the Mont-Blanc range. The Montenvers and mer de glace is an exceptional sightseeing excursion on the nostalgic red cog railway to the “sea of ice
“glacier. The resort of 20,000 guest beds, 120 restaurants and 400 shops, also offers 53 km of cross-country skiing. In summer among the 46 activities include 350 km of hiking, mountaineering, paragliding, golfing. It is reached by train to Chamonix-Mont Black; nearest airport is Geneva. (www.chamonix. com)
Courmayeur, on the other side of Chamonix-Mount Blanc, at the foot of Mont Blanc, is described as “a pure, authentic, elegant, traditional, cosmopolitan, lively and regenerating mountain experience both in summer and in winter. The smallest of the “Best of the Alps” group, it is a “hidden gem.” These are the many facets of the soul of Courmayeur Mont Blanc, a unique location offering visitors a chance to reconnect with their inner self and engage in life at the right pace.” The 33 km of ski slopes go from an altitude of 1224 to a summit at 4810 meters. This is an intimate resort, with just 2798 inhabits and 6715 guest beds, 96 restaurants and 170 shops. The nearest airport is Geneva, nearest train is PreSaint Didier or Chamonix-MontBlanc. (www.courmayeurmontblanc.it)
BY CHARLYN FARGO
As we age, we need fewer calories, yet we need those calories we eat to be of higher quality. But older adults in the U.S. seem to be losing that battle.
A recent study in JAMA Network Open found the number of adults aged 65 and older in the U.S. with a poor diet quality increased from 51% to 61% from 2001 to 2018, while the percentage of those who had an ideal diet remained low at 0.4%. The proportion of those with intermediate diet quality significantly decreased from 49% to 39%.
Participants included a total of 10,837 adults ages 65 or older who completed a 24hour dietary recall several times over the years of the study. Researchers scored diet quality using the American Heart Association Diet Score and the Healthy Eating Index.
Researchers said older adults ate more processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages and foods with sodium, while intake of fruits and vegetables, fish and whole grains decreased.
There may be a lot of reasons for that dietary decline -- income levels, losing a spouse, depression -- but this national trend is one we should all be concerned about. Poor diet quality is a major risk factor for chronic diseases, disability, frailty and death among older adults. It’s predicted that the number of adults aged 65 years or older will more than double by 2060, accounting for nearly a fourth of the U.S. population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
We know a healthy diet is crucial for all of us, but especially for older adults to maintain physical and mental health.
Here’s the good news: It’s never too
late to start eating healthy, no matter your age. Can you add some berries to your oatmeal or cereal? Snack on roasted chickpeas instead of chips? Cook at home more instead of going out? Try adding two vegetables to your evening meal instead of one? Drink a bottle of water with your morning meds to start your day?
When in doubt, throw some color on your plate -- bright greens from crunchy vegetables or vibrant reds from tangy fruit -- to give a healthy boost. Pack your lunch to control portion sizes and add fruits and vegetables.
Choose foods with less sodium and less sugar. Rinse canned foods or choose “no salt added”. Buy fresh poultry, seafood and lean cuts of red meat and pork rather than processed meat and poultry. When it comes to sugar, flavor your low-fat plain
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Crans-Montana, set on a sunny plateau above the Rhone valley, offers views of the Plaine Morte glacier and summits from Breithorn to Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. It offers 140 km of skiing (longest trail is 12 km), accessed by 25 lifts, plus 25 km of cross-country; 65 km of hiking (320 km in summer) and 180 km of mountainbike trails. Convenient airports are Sion (30 minutes), Geneva, Zurich and Milan; the train station is Siders. (www.crans-montana.ch)
Ski passes like Alterra Mountain Company’s Ikon Pass (which includes Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley in France, Cortina in Italy and Kitzbühel in Austria) and Vail Resorts’ Epic Pass (which includes Arlberg (Lech Zurs, St. Anton) in Austria and Crans-Montana, Switzerland) have given Americans an incentive to explore these legendary international ski destinations, from Europe to Asia to South America. Those seeking to venture afar can also take advantage of Ski.com, a ski travel specialist that can help you put together all the elements of your trip.
Megeve is a small alpine village nested at the foot of Mont Blanc that dates from the 12th century. In the 1920s, a Rothschild who was insulted by the unwelcoming attitude in St. Moritz, decided to create a new resort in France. It is one of the first ski resorts in France, had the first cable car, France’s first ski champion, the first fondue restaurant, and it was here that the French song made famous by Frank Sinatra (“My Way”) was written. It boasts the highest altitude 18-hole golf course. Megeve set the standard as a “place to be” for the jet set. (The Rothschilds still own the resort). It’s still high-end, with 32 hotels of which 10 are five-star; three Michelin star chefs (one three-star chef is rated among the top 10 in the world). It offers 400 km of ski trails (longest is 3.6 km), accessed by 107 lifts, plus 40 km of crosscountry, 50 km of winter hiking (150 km in summer). Visitor amenities include 43,000 guest beds, 82 restaurants, 200 shops and galleries, 17 well-being and spa centers, a balneoform and aquatic area, indoor/outdoor skating rink. You can arrange an overnight stay in an igloo. Megeve has its own airport, 15 minutes away, or Geneva Airport, one hour away; or by train to Sallanches. (www.megeve.com)
More information at www. bestofthealps.com.
© 2025 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear. com
BY LOU THEODORE
I’m now in the last decade before officially becoming a centenarian. A host of people have questioned my secrets on longevity. (Webster simply defines longevity as: “length of life.”) Could it be genes? Maybe. But, then again, maybe not. If not, what then?
Here are my half-dozen keys to longevity. This is followed by a host of other “minor” suggestions that one might consider.
1. WALK! This is the most important of my 6 keys. Up until this year, I walked a mile at a leisurely pace in the morning (on awakening) and at night (following dinner). It’s now down to the morning walk and a 1/8 to 1/4 mile at night. I also do a few deep knee bends and seven push ups in the morning. I also try to walk 25 to 100 feet several times in between these walks. If you choose to run, don’t run too far, and don’t overexert. The important thing is to get all parts of your body moving without putting any excessive pressure on other parts of your body. Don’t bypass this key; as I indicated above, I believe it is the most important suggestion you will find in this article.
2. DRINK WATER. Lots of it! Water is the common name for the liquid state of the hydrogen – oxygen compound H2O. It is the major constituent of all living matter. Approximately 75% of the weight of living organisms is water. It plays an important role in the metabolic breakdown of protein and carbohydrates in our system and has been defined by many as the “universal solvent.” Did I say drink lots of it? Well, if you’re not feeling well, I suggest you drink even more of it. I believe that it helps flush out the evil demons within us when ill. Colleague and former student John McConway suggests drinking the water at ambient temperature (no ice) and with a glass (not a bottle) to reduce the resistance to flow. A good idea. Remember, it’s water – not coffee, tea, soda, etc.
3. DON’T SMOKE, DRINK ALCOHOL OR TAKE DRUGS. I smoked for one year during my mid-twenties. You will be spared of the tales of the effects of smoking on some of my friends. I drank alcoholic beverages for approximately 25 years but haven’t had a drink since 1977. And I don’t miss it. I guess alcohol in moderation would be okay, but given a choice, I wouldn’t drink. As you might suppose, I have never done drugs in any manner or form. I think those that do are playing with fire.
4. TAKE DEEP BREATHS. I do just this on awakening and prior to going to sleep. Oxygen is the most abundant of all the elements known to man. It composes 23% by weight of the atmosphere, 86% of the oceans (98% of pure
water is oxygen); and, as a constituent of most rocks and minerals, 47% of the solid crust of the earth. Oxygen comprises 60% of the human body. It is a constituent of all living tissues; almost all plants and animals, including all humans, require oxygen to maintain life. Oxygen is administered medicinally to patients whose respiratory functioning is impaired and is supplied to individuals in aircraft flying at high altitudes where the concentration of oxygen is insufficient to support the normal respiratory process. I suggest the aforementioned deep breaths be taken through the nose. You might also consider doing it during the middle of the day.
5. MAKE OTHERS HAPPY. Since the mid-1970s when I survived a fierce battle with depression, I have attempted to make someone happy every day of the year. How, you ask? By saying thank you whenever the occasion arises. By complimenting people. By overtipping the waiter and commenting on the services. By tipping the bus boy. By tipping anybody who has gone out of their way for me, etc., etc. It really is a good feeling.
6.MAINTAIN TIES WITH IMPORTANT RESOURCES. The resources would, of course, include your physician(s), dentist, psychiatrist, hospital, etc., at the medical level. But also maintain ties and surround yourself with individuals (and things) that are happy, smart, kind, positive, and (most importantly) funny. There are few things that beat a good laugh.
As you might suppose, there are other things that you should consider doing. Some of my other “favorites” are listed below.
• Read.
• Get educated.
• Try writing or painting. I don’t paint. But I did get educated to a point where I have written 117 books…plus nearly 200 articles for my monthly newsletter.
• Drive defensively.
• Vacation occasionally. A change of pace is good but there is nothing like home.
• Slow down and get rid of that protruding belly.
• I’ve been successful in minimizing sugar and salt intake.
• Expose yourself to extreme temperatures on a regular basis; cold during the winter and heat during the summer.
• Stay away from snacks. I guess a small snack on occasion is ok.
• Wed later rather than earlier in life. I got lucky. Girls didn’t want to know me. Then – and I still can’t believe it – I hit the jackpot.
• Don’t overextend exercising. On the other hand, Mary does just the opposite.
• Do puzzles. Newsday provides a crossword puzzle, a Jumble, and 2 crypto quotes.
• I’ve been on a diet the last 13 years. It consists of 600 – 800 calories one day per week.
Back to longevity. Lifespan is the length of time that embraces all the events of one’s life, from conception to death. The maximum lifespan for humans has not changed significantly in the last several centuries. The average lifespan, however, has increased greatly for persons living in industrialized countries. The average lifespan has risen from nearly 40 years of age at the end of the 18th century to about twice that age today. And, the average lifespan of American women now exceeds that of American men by approximately seven years. Interestingly, humans have the longest average lifespan of almost all mammals. The longest living
animal is the giant tortoise, which is believed to attain a maximum age of about 200 years. Some plants, such as trees, however, live much longer than any animal; redwoods, for example, may live for more than 3000 years!
How about you in the reading audience? Any comments? Any contribution(s)? I’d appreciate some help here.
Visit the author at: www. theodorenewsletter.com and / or Basketball Coaching 101 on Facebook
Note: I will be presenting an encore (by popular request) seminar tutorial on gambling (particularly dice) based on my book Winning at Casinos on February 5 at the Village of East Williston Library, 2 Prospect Street, East Williston, at 7:00pm. Entry is free and refreshments will be served.
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 for subscribers!) Email editor@gcnews.com
BY TOM MARGENAU
It has been my custom for most of the past 27 years to write a year-end column that summarizes the Social Security updates scheduled to take place the following year. I already discussed some of these updates in a column back in October when they were first announced, but it doesn’t hurt to repeat them here. (They all grow out of the annual cost-of-living adjustments that have been part of the program since 1973.)
Before I go on, I’ve got to address a related and totally misleading ad that pops up almost every day on my cellphone and iPad, and I’m sure it on your devices, too. The headline goes something like this: “Here are 6 major changes to Social Security coming in 2025 that you probably don’t know about.” If you open it up (and maybe get sucked in by all the other ads on the site), you will learn that those “major changes” are just the routine COL adjustments that have been part of the program for over 50 years now. I’m sharing those routine adjustments with you today -- without all the hype.
Almost all Social Security beneficiaries are familiar with the most popular and publicized upcoming change: the increase in monthly benefit checks for 2025 due to the automated cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. As all of you are already aware, that increase will be 2.5%.
I always dread mentioning COLAs in this column because every single time I do, I am flooded with emails from readers complaining that the increase is not enough.
Yet here’s the rub: Many economists and social planners believe Social Security COLAs are too generous! (I’ve explained why in past columns, but I don’t have the space to get into that argument today.) That’s why many discussions of long-range reform for Social Security include proposals to reduce cost of living increases.
OK, back to the 2025 Social Security COLA. Due to these increases, the average monthly retirement check will be $1,976 in 2025, a $49 increase from the 2024 level. The maximum Social Security check for a worker turning full retirement age in 2025 will be $4,018, compared to $3,822 in 2024. And please note that $4,018 is the maximum for someone turning full retirement age in 2025. That does not mean it is the maximum Social Security payment anyone can receive. There are millions of Social Security beneficiaries who get much more than that, primarily because they worked well past their FRA and/or delayed starting their benefits until age 70.
Here’s another important point about the COLA: Many readers have been asking me if they must file for Social Security benefits in 2024 in order to get the COLA that’s paid in January 2025. The answer is no. The COLA will be built into the benefit computation formula. So even if you don’t file for Social Security until next year or
some subsequent year, you’ll still get the 2.5% increase.
Although this is a Social Security column, I must mention the upcoming increase in the Medicare Part B premium, which is deducted from Social Security checks for most people. In 2025, the basic Part B premium will be $185. And as has been the case for 20 years now, wealthy people will pay more than the basic premium.
I don’t want to get into the complicated issue of Medicare premiums other than to make this quick point. Even though they are linked in the minds of most senior citizens, Social Security and Medicare are entirely separate programs, administered by entirely separate federal agencies, and they have entirely separate rules and regulations regarding their benefit and payment structures. For example, the Part B Medicare premium increase has nothing to do with the Social Security COLA. Instead, by law, it must be set at a level that covers 25% of the cost of running the program. Taxpayers pick up the remaining 75%. (And again, wealthy people pay more than the 25% share.)
Another measuring stick called the national wage index is used to set increases to other provisions of the law that affect Social Security beneficiaries and taxpayers. Specifically, this includes increases in the amount of wages or self-employment income subject to Social Security tax; the amount of income needed to earn a “quarter of coverage;” and the Social Security earnings penalty limits.
The Social Security taxable earnings base will go up from $168,600 in 2024 to $176,100 in 2025. In other words, people who earn more than $176,100 in 2025 will no longer have Social Security payroll taxes deducted from their paychecks once they hit that threshold. This has always been a very controversial provision of the law. (Bill Gates pays the same amount of Social Security tax as his plumber!) I think it’s a pretty good bet that any eventual Social Security reform package will include an increase in that wage base.
Most people need 40 Social Security work credits (sometimes called “quarters of coverage”) to be eligible for monthly benefit checks from the system. In 2024, people who were working earned one credit for each $1,730 in Social Security taxable income. But no one earns more than four credits per year. In other words, once you made $6,920, your Social Security record has been credited with the maximum four credits or quarters of coverage. In 2025, the one credit limit goes up to $1,810, meaning you will have to earn $7,240 this coming year before you get the maximum four credits assigned to your Social Security account.
People under their full retirement age who get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits but who are still working are subject to limits in the amount of money they can earn and still receive all
their Social Security checks. That limit was $22,320 in 2024 and will be $23,400 in 2025. For every $2 a person earns over those limits, $1 is withheld from his or her monthly benefits.
There is a higher earnings threshold in the year a person turns full retirement age that applies from the beginning of the year until the month the person reaches FRA. (The income penalty goes away once a person reaches that magic age.) That threshold goes up from $59,520 in 2024 to $62,160 in 2025.
Continued on next page
Do you have a Will? If not, why not? What are you waiting for? If so, when is the last time you looked at it to possibly determine if it is updated based on your current situation in life?
In 2024, only 32% of adults reported having a will, down from 34% in 2023, according to the 2024 Wills and Estate Planning Study from Caring.com, an online senior care site. There were over two plus million who will have died in 2024 without a Will. Since the Pandemic in 2020, the percentage kept increasing. The spike occurred at the peak of the Pandemic, when most hunkered down in their homes very concerned about their health. People realized and woke up to the fact that their mortality was front and center, prevalent and real.
A staggering 67% of Americans die without an estate plan. However, 33% did create a will and had an Executor of the Estate, who knew where the will was or had a copy; and was appointed to handle the distribution of assets The unfortunate situation arises whereby Probate kicks in when a decedent’s estate is value over $184,500 and they have passed away after April 1, 2022 and no documents were created for their estate, prior to them passing. However, it’s the ways; titles to property are held that dictates whether or not the probate process can be avoided. Most crucial and critical is the severe cost of going through the Probate process. I am familiar with one family where it took 10 years to complete and the financial ramifications were extremely severe for the heirs.
Examples of non-probate asset transfers are the following:
1.) Trust distributions
Continued from previous page
A couple other Social Security provisions are also impacted by inflationary increases. For example, people getting disability benefits who try to work can generally continue getting those benefits as long as they are not working at a “substantial” level. In 2024, the law defined substantial work as any job paying $1,550 or more per month. In 2025, that substantial earnings level increases to $1,620 monthly.
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
2.) Assets owner in joint tenancy (the share of the deceased tenant’s asset goes to surviving joint tenant)
3.) Assets owned as community property with rights of survivorship
4.) Life insurance policies
5.) More info at: https://www.keystone-law.com
6.) https://www.investopedia. com is another resource that will provide invaluable information about Wills vs. a Trust
Setting up and having a Trust in place, while living; will protect ones assets from heirs from the probate process, after one passes. However, a Will only comes into play when one passes. This differentiation is important, so while you are alive. An Irrevocable Trust can reduce estate taxes and protect assets from creditors. Revocable Trusts do not provide tax benefits but can avoid Probate. A Will doesn’t avoid estate taxes (or Probate if contested) which can range from 18-40% for estates over 13.99 million dollars in 2025. Wills do not offer any protection while incapacitated. However, Trusts can provide asset management if the grantor becomes incapacitated.
Unfortunately, if you die without a Will, your estate will be subject to intestacy law. The Probate court will decide how your assets, especially if real estate is owned, which has a greater value than the debts, if any, will be distributed typically favoring close family members. If going into Probate,
Finally, the Supplemental Security Income basic federal payment level for one person goes up from $943 in 2024 to $967 in 2025. SSI is a federal welfare program administered by the Social Security Administration, but it is not a Social Security benefit. It is paid for out of general revenues, not Social Security taxes.
the court will appoint an administrator to manage the estate and distribution of assets. If there is a surviving spouse, then those assets will transfer to that individual, then to any children, then to extended family and descendants. If there are no family members that can be found, then all property typically ends up within State control.
Those who have accumulated a reasonable or larger portfolio of real estate, should ascertain the necessary and important information about setting up either an irrevocable or revocable trust.
As noted earlier, there are so many that just either forget, don’t care or avoid planning their estate wisely or not at all. The inevitable fact is that no one is getting out alive and what you do beforehand will avoid potential financial assets to be given over to the government
This process will save your heirs inheritance taxes; so planning your estate in advance will be the most prudent and most valuable decision in the long run.
There are three guarantees in life, birth, taxes (if you are making any decent amount of money) and death. The only thing that is truly negotiable are your assets if you are smart enough to protect them from Probate and/or the government taking possession of them.
So the bottom line is if you do not have a Will or a trust or haven’t updated your Will or Trust in the last few years; and have some things that have
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 2025 CREATORS.COM
changed in your family situation, get off your butt and do something 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 or email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.com
Continued from page 2
yogurt with fresh fruit instead of purchasing flavored yogurt and choose fresh fruit as an after-dinner treat. Reduce your consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages by drinking water flavored with fruit.
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 2025 CREATORS.COM
BY MARY HUNT
I wouldn’t call it a radical new idea, although a recent issue of a popular women’s magazine did say that living below your means is the hot new trend.
It is a simple concept -- spend less than you earn. Still, LBYM is seen by many as a life sentence, not the lifesaver that it is. It can take a crisis like unemployment or a sudden illness to reveal to some people just how far in over their heads they really are. That’s when a lifesaver can look mighty good.
LBYM means living the best life you can on what you earn. It means learning how to manage your income so well that you can live your life for half the price. A household is just like a business. You earn revenue and you have expenses. If you spend more than you bring in, you will eventually take on debt. A business that continually takes on debt will eventually fail. Same with a household. In a business you make spending decisions based on the effect they will have on the business; you decide how to reinvest your profits to improve your net worth. It is a healthy company that ends the year not just breaking even but with money in the bank. Same at home. This is LBYM.
MAKE A COMMITMENT
A commitment to LBYM should not be taken lightly. It’s a big deal, particularly if you, like most people these days, have come to see credit as a required extension of your income. Of all the things in your
life, there is only one that you control absolutely: your attitude. You choose your thoughts and your response to life and all that happens to you. Making a commitment to LBYM is one of the most important choices for your head and your heart that you will ever make.
If you’ve ever flown on a commercial jetliner, you have survived a controlld crash -- also known as landing. I’m no pilot, but I’ve read how much control is required to take a piece of machinery that weighs roughly 10 million tons (give or take) going at a speed of 600 mph and bring it to a full and complete stop precisely at the gate cited on that monitor inside the terminal. It’s called reverse thrust, and depending on the length of the runway, that braking sensation can be quite an interesting experience. You’re belted in, and for good reason. You could get thrown on your head. Thankfully those systems work thousands of times every day.
If you’ve been spending all that you earn plus a lot more, you’ve been spending at a rate of about 600 mph, metaphorically speaking. Things are out of control. You need to bring your large debt problem to a halt.
At first it will feel like you’ve just reversed your engines, that you’re about to be thrown on your head. That’s when you’ll be thankful for your seatbelt of determination to keep you strapped in and upright. Once you get your bearings,
you’ll be ready to take the first step: For 30 days, track your spending. Write down everything. You have to find out where your money is going.
The consumer credit industry would prefer that you give up silly notions of LBYM. They want you to drift through life in a spending coma believing you deserve everything you want and that you can have it all. Wake up! Start talking to yourself. Whenever you are faced with a desire to spend, STOP and ask:
Can I afford it?
Do I really need it?
Do I need it now?
Do I have something like it already?
Can I find a cheaper substitute?
Is this the best deal?
If you make it through all six questions, go home and sleep on it. Tomorrow you’ll probably change your mind.
An attitude change is essential and just the start. You have to develop a plan 1) to get out of debt, 2) to be prepared for unexpected expenses, and 3) to reduce your expenses significantly. Your plan needs to look good on paper, and it has to work too. You may not be surprised to know that I have written an entire book on this subject. It includes my personal story of debt, devastation and recovery! Yes, since 2014, my husband and I have lived totally debt-free. I cannot tell you how amazing this has been. Wait, yes I can!
It’s all in my book “Debt-Proof Living,” available in stores and online where fine books are sold. I would consider it pure joy to lead you out of your debt mess!
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
Well, we made it through last night’s parties, and we have a whole year ahead of us. How are we going to use it to our full advantage? Most people at least think about New Year’s Resolutions, even if they don’t follow through with them for very long. How did you do with last year’s resolutions? Resolutions that involve or help other people are more likely to be kept than ones focusing on yourself.
First, if you are not a gardener or don’t have a vegetable garden, flower garden or houseplants, share your copy of the “Greener View Gardening” book, or grab a friend and watch the over 400 videos I have posted on YouTube on the A Greener View channel.
Even if you live in an apartment or in a condo, you can grow plants. You don’t need a yard, but if you do, why not plant
some native plants that attract birds and butterflies?
Do you know any children? Help them get away from video games and cellphones by helping them get outdoors more. Help them grow their own flowers and vegetables. Teach them about the insects that come to the flowers. This will help them start a lifetime of enjoying nature and gardening.
Teach skills that involve carpentry. Start by teaching how to build and use a compost bin. Build a birdhouse out of a fence board as seen in one of my videos. Later, you can move up to simple chair and table designs, and then by the time summer is over, you can build a trellis or arbor. Again, help kids develop some life skills that don’t involve scrolling. Take a risk and plant a new kind of vegetable you have never eaten before. It may become a family favorite. Plant extra
tomatoes and peppers instead of zucchini so that your kids can give away vegetables that people like.
Volunteer at a local community garden, even if it is just pulling weeds. Maybe especially if it is pulling weeds. In my experience, most people will be willing to harvest, and some people will be willing to water once in a while, but few people want to do the weeding. Show kids how beneficial hard work is. Volunteer at a local school to help create or maintain a garden. Plant and maintain a tree at the school or local park.
Try a new gardening method such as a rain garden, vertical garden on a wall, rooftop garden, hydroponic garden, water garden or vertical container garden on a pole. Plant a cut flower garden in the unused side yard so that you can bring flowers indoors for a vase. Kids can sell flowers instead of lemonade, or they can give
them to elderly neighbors. And there’s another idea: Help an elderly neighbor with maintaining their landscape. Show kids how to help wildlife by planting a bigger variety of plants that bloom over a longer season. Add water to your landscape, even if it is just a small birdbath.
Plant native plants that use less water. Use drip irrigation that uses less water. Install the proper amount of mulch in all of the flower and vegetable garden beds so they will need less water. Add water-absorbing crystals to flowerpots and hanging baskets so they use less water. May you be blessed with an awesome gardening- and nature-filled 2025.
Email questions to Jeff Rugg at info@ greenerview.com.
COPYRIGHT 2025 JEFF RUGG DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM
BY DENNIS MAMMANA
Week of January 12-18, 2025
The new year begins with planets filling our evening sky.
Throughout January and February, we’ll see Venus blazing in the western sky at dusk until early March, when it becomes too low to see over the glare of the setting sun. Turn around and face the opposite direction at dusk and you’ll find Jupiter, another bright planet that will grace the evening sky throughout the first half of the year.
Perhaps the most interesting planet of this period will be Mars. Reaching its “opposition” point to the sun on Jan. 16, it will lie as close to us as it will get this year and should be marvelous for up-close telescopic viewing. The Red Planet will drift through four separate constellations during the first half of the year, during which time it will recede farther from Earth and become a dozen times fainter.
And this year Saturn will become the planet with no rings! Yes, you read that right. During 2025 our orbit carries us across the ring plane of this planet, and since the rings are 180,000 miles wide but barely a mile thick, they will seem to nearly disappear from view.
The rings will begin to reappear next year and will return to their full glory by 2032.
Eclipses will be in short supply for North Americans this year, but we will be treated to a beautiful total eclipse of the moon. On the night of Thursday, March 13, and the morning of Friday, March 14, the full moon will enter the dark umbral shadow of the Earth. If the sky is clear, you will see the moon disappear except for the deep coppery color it takes on during totality.
Meteor shower fans will have to fight moonlight for one of the year’s best displays. The Perseids will reach their peak on the night of Aug. 12/13 but will be accompanied during most of the night by light from a waning gibbous moon so that only the brightest of meteors may be visible. The Geminids will peak on the night of Dec. 13/14 this year, and they’ll share a waning crescent moon in the predawn sky, so we can expect a pretty nice show.
This year the sun reaches the height of its 11-year solar activity cycle, and we can expect some beautiful aurora displays to make their way down over more southerly parts of North America. During 2024, skywatchers throughout North America got a few rare glimpses
of the northern lights, so we hope they’ll return for an encore performance this year. To keep up with current solar and auroral activity, visit spaceweather.com or get an app or two for your smartphone. Two of my favorites are AmazingAurora and AuroraAlerts.
Of course, our view from the lower 48 pales in comparison to that seen regularly in the Arctic and subarctic. If this amazing sight is on your bucket
list, I hope you’ll join me for my exciting March 2025 Alaska Northern Lights tour. For details about this once-in-alifetime cosmic adventure, please send me an email at dennis@mammana.com. In the meantime, I wish everyone a healthy, safe and star-filled new year!
Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com..
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
When Earth crosses Saturn’s ring plane this year, the planet’s distinctive rings will nearly disappear from our view
BY: TRACY BECKERMAN
There wasn’t a full moon. I didn’t walk under a ladder or break a mirror. No black cats crossed my path. Yet it was undeniably one of those days when I felt cursed. It started with the demise of my coffee maker, followed by the nervous breakdown of my washing machine, and an unfriendly letter calling me for jury duty. I blatantly ignored all of the above so I could keep working. Unfortunately, my laptop was also showing signs of distress: Programs were crashing, screens were freezing, and error messages were flying left and right.
Suddenly, my screen went blank. For a moment, I just sat, stunned. Then I shrieked and started pressing the power button hysterically. But I got nothing. Nada. Zippo. Zilch. No happy little chimes or cute little spinning icons. It was completely, utterly dead.
In a panic, I called the EMTs at Apple support.
“Is it terminal?” I asked.
“It doesn’t sound good, “ said the Genius on the other end of the line. “You better bring it in.”
Two hours later I sat patiently in the waiting area at an Apple Store in the nearby mall, cradling my laptop and talking to it in soothing tones.
“Don’t worry,” I whispered. “I’m sure it’s just a corrupt file or a software problem. You’ll be fine.” I rocked it gently, not wanting to alarm it.
Other people filled the benches, similarly consoling their laptops, tablets and phones. Up at the Genius Bar, a woman began to cry. “You can’t retrieve my data?!?” she sobbed. I cringed and held my laptop closer.
Finally, they called my name.
“Let’s take a look at the patient,” said the Genius. He hmmm’d and tsssk’d as he tried to get my laptop to start, first on its own, then with his hard drive, then with some Voodoo black magic. Finally, I saw
the familiar Apple icon light up on the screen and I breathed a sigh of relief. He held up his hand.
“Hang on,” he said. “We’re not out of the woods yet.”
I gnawed my fingernails. He ran a diagnostic. Then he looked at me gravely.
“It’s the hard drive.”
I looked around desperately. Others who could overhear avoided my eyes. They all KNEW.
“What does that mean?” I asked, knowing full well what it meant.
“We have to replace the hard drive.”
He paused, then said gently, “We will try to retrieve your data, but it may not all be retrievable. You need to sign this form giving us permission to attempt this.”
I scanned the form. The words blurred. I blindly scribbled my name. Then he collected the papers and picked up my laptop. I reached out my hand to stop him.
“Where are you going with it?” I asked.
“I’m taking it to triage. They’ll work
on it there.”
“How long?”
“Seven to 10 days,” he replied and disappeared through an unmarked door. I stood alone. Emotionally naked. Laptopless.
It had been an awful day. The prospect of facing an empty desk and a basement filled with piles of dirty laundry that I couldn’t wash was more than I could bear.
But as I stood there despondent, I realized three things, and my black mood began to melt away. ...
I still had my health, I still had my credit card and, quite fortuitously, I was in the mall.
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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A Bloody Mary is a popular cocktail. Some rely on a Bloody Mary as a hangover cure, and others enjoy it as a treat with brunch. Some say the drink was named after a server, Mary, at The Bucket of Blood in Chicago, while others insist Queen Mary Tudor of England is its namesake. A Bloody Mary gets its “bloody” moniker from the vibrant red color of the tomato juice in the drink. Try this recipe, courtesy of “How to Drink Like a Writer: Recipes for the Cocktails and Libations that Inspired 100 Literary Greats” (Apollo Publishers) by Margaret Kaplan. Serves 8
4 cups tomato juice
1⁄2 cup dill pickle juice
1⁄4 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1 tablespoon grated horseradish
2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1⁄2 teaspoon celery seeds
1⁄8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups vodka
Celery stalks for garnishing
Lemon wedges for garnishing
1) In a large pitcher, mix together tomato juice, pickle juice, lemon juice, horseradish, Tabasco, Worcestershire, salt, pepper, celery seeds, and cayenne pepper. Cover and chill in refrigerator overnight.
2) In the morning (or whenever it is you wake up), locate your phone, keys, dignity, and pants. Next, find the vodka (if you have any left), and pour it into
the tomato juice mixture. Stir. Pour into a highball or collins glass filled with ice and garnish with celery, a lemon wedge, and a cocktail shrimp.
Each week,
Litmor Publications publishes the ads of providers in our Classifieds, Professional Guide and Service Directory. A 6-week agreement brings your specialty or service to the attention of the community in a public service format.
LET US BEGIN LISTING YOU IN OUR NEXT ISSUE.
For More Information and Rates, Call Nancy 516.294.8900
Email:
Nancy@gcnews.com
Include name, daytime phone number, address and email.
Deadline for Professional Guide or Service Directory is Monday, 12 Noon. Deadline for Classified is Tuesday, 1pm
Advertising in the Professional Guide is only open to N.Y.S. Licensed Professionals.
Share your accomplishments with our readership! Put your engagement, wedding, baby announcement, or more in our paper. It's free of charge for subscribers! Email editor@gcnews.com
On Friday, February 28, at 7:30 p.m., the Jupiter String Quartet –internationally acclaimed winners of the Banff International String Quartet Competition and the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, who are known for their “compelling” performances (BBC Music Magazine) – will be presented in concert by Adelphi University at the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, (1 South Ave.). The Jupiter Quartet last performed at Adelphi University in February 2022.
Based at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and giving concerts all over the country, the Jupiter String Quartet is a particularly intimate group, consisting of violinists
Nelson Lee and Meg Freivogel, violist Liz Freivogel (Meg’s older sister), and cellist Daniel McDonough (Meg’s husband, Liz’s brother-in-law).
Brought together by ties both familial and musical, the Jupiter Quartet has been performing together since 2001. Exuding an energy that is at once friendly, knowledgeable, and adventurous, the Quartet celebrates every opportunity to bring their close-knit and lively style to audiences. Their connections to each other and the length of time they’ve shared the stage always shine through in their intuitive performances. For tickets and information, please go to www.adelphi.edu/events/jupiter-string-quartet
BY AHMED AHMED
Doing this one thing to stay active, feel younger, and protect your bones was completely taboo a couple of decades ago!
But now, modern research points to one thing- you need to build and maintain muscle.
Here’s the thing…
As you age, your muscles naturally begin to shrink.
This is a condition called sarcopenia, and with it comes…
Loss of strength that erodes your mobility.
Find a pain-free way to do resistance training exercisesfrom six to fifteen repetitions at around 75% intensity or effort level. Even if you have injuries, there are safe ways to exercise such as using a machine. You can also use free weights, cables, bands, or your bodyweight.
Progress your exercise. Challenge your muscles a little bit more each week to force them to grow.
Low energy that steals your vitality. Balance problems that make falls more likely.
Now here’s the good news- this doesn’t need to happen to you!
Once you’ve found the right exercises, do a lot of them. Studies suggest you need six to twenty sets per week in an area to drive muscle growth.
Eat more protein. Aim for 1–1.6 grams of protein per pound of body weight each day. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, get at least 120 grams of protein in your day.
Prioritize sleep. Try to get eight to ten hours of sleep.
Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call our main office today 294-8900 for more information.
Building muscle means getting stronger, living longer without limitations, staying independent, and lowering your risk of bone fractures.
It doesn’t mean that you’re going to look like a bodybuilder hobbling around with your chest puffed out!
In fact that look is incredibly hard to achieve.
So to build muscle, at any age, follow these 5 rules…
Following these steps will come with health boosting and life changing results. So get started today!
Ahmed Ahmed is the owner of Lotus Fitness. Contact him at (646)415-2349 or ahmed@lotusfitnessny.com https://lotusfitnessny.com/
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Paul’s Roof, Windows
Trustees approved a $20,000 fund transfer for emergency roof and window repairs to the St. Paul’s Main Building during a special meeting December 30, 2024. Statewide Roofing Inc. will perform emergency roof repairs as well as board up six broken windows.
Effective January 5, 2025, vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan - local streets and avenues at or below 60th Street - are being charged a toll. The program is intended to reduce traffic, improve air quality, and
fund better public transit. The toll amount will depend on the type of vehicle, time of day, whether any crossing credits apply, and the method of payment. Most vehicles with E-ZPass will be charged $9 in the peak period or $2.25 overnight, once daily. Discounts or exemptions may apply – visit mta.info/discounts for more details. E-ZPass is the best way to pay the toll. Drivers will be able to pay with their existing E-ZPass transponder and account. If you already have an E-ZPass account, make sure it is up-to-date with your current license plate number to ensure you are charged the E-ZPass toll rate and receive any peak period crossing credits. For more information, visit congestionreliefzone.mta.info. Sign up for newsletter updates at mta.info/crznewsletter.
During the December holiday season, the Police Department utilized Stop-DWI funds to deploy additional patrols to bolster the force’s efforts in the detection and apprehension of persons driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Eight motorists were arrested for impaired driving offenses during the month.
Friday, January 10th
11:00 a.m. Learn to speak Italian with retired GCHS teacher Lea Brunetti at the Library. Eight-week program. Must register.
11:30 a.m. Chair Yoga with Tania at the Senior Center
3:00 p.m. Chess 4 Community’s Play and Learn at the Senior Center. All ages
and levels welcome.
Saturday, January 11th
3:45 p.m. Wintefrest at the Garden City Bird Sanctuary
Sunday, January 12th
3:00 p.m. Family Fun time for Garden City families at the St. Paul’s Field House
2:00 p.m. Operatalks with Tanisha Mitchell. Lecture on La bohéme at the Library
Monday, January 13th
10:00 a.m. the St. Francis Outreach Bus will be at the Senior Center for free health screenings. No appointments necessary.
1:30 p.m. Monday Movie Matinée: Cabrini at the Library
7:30 p.m. Library Board of Trustees Meeting at the Library
Tuesday, January 14th
2:00 p.m. Art Lecture: The Mysteries of Chirico at the Library
Wednesday, January 15th
7:30 p.m. Sustainability Roundtable at Village Hall
7:30 p.m. Adult Basketball at the Field House. Nominal fee.
Thursday, January 16th
6:00 p.m. Traffic Commission Meeting at Village Hall and via Zoom
7:30 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting at Village Hall and via Zoom
7:30 p.m. Adult volleyball and soccer at the Field House. Nominal fee.
Thursday, January 23rd
10:00 a.m. Art class led by instructor Julia at the Senior Center. This is a 10-week session for $140. Register at the Senior Center or Recreation Office.
Saturday, January 25th 6:00 p.m. Food and Wine Gathering at the GC Historical Society. Fee.
From page 23
NASSAU COUNTY LEGAL NOTICE
Private School Transportation Application Deadline: Garden City School District residents who require transportation for their children attending a non-public school for the 2025-2026 school year must request transportation from the District by completing the Private School Transportation Application. The maximum distance a child will be transported is 15 miles. To be eligible for transportation, an application must be submitted on or before April 1, 2025. Late requests will not be honored. A new application is required each year the student requires transportation to the non-public school.
Applications may be obtained at the Administration Building, 56 Cathedral Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm or from the school district website: http://www.gardencity.k12.ny.us.
NASSAU COUNTY LEGAL NOTICE
VILLAGE OF GARDEN CITY
The resolution, a summary of which is published herewith, has been adopted on December 12, 2024, and an abstract thereof has been published and posted as required by law and the period of time has elapsed for the submission and filing of a petition for a permissive referendum and a valid petition has not been submitted and filed. The validity of the obligations authorized by such resolution may be hereafter contested only if such obligations were authorized for an object or purpose for which the Village of Garden City, in the County of Nassau, New York, is not authorized to expend money or if the provisions of law which should have been complied with as of the date of publication of this notice were not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the date of publication of the notice, or such obligations were authorized in violation of the provisions of the constitution.
Kelly Galanek, Village Clerk
BOND RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE OF GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK, ADOPTED DECEMBER 12, 2024, AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF BONDS IN A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$5,100,000 TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS TO VARIOUS INTERSECTIONS IN THE VILLAGE, STATING THE ESTIMATED MAXIMUM COST THEREOF IS $5,100,000 AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT FOR SUCH PURPOSE
The object or purpose for which the bonds are authorized is the construction of improvements to various intersections in the Village, to finance the construction of improvements to various intersections in the Village, including the reconstruction of approximately 250 curb ramps within 46 intersections to comply with ADA standards including drainage improvements, signage relocation, as needed, new crosswalks and stop bars and other ancillary or related work in connection therewith at the estimated maximum cost of $5,100,000.
The period of usefulness is ten (10) years.
The maximum amount of obligations authorized to be issued is $5,100,000. Grant funds are expected to be received by the Village to be applied toward the cost of said project or redemption of the Village’s bonds or notes to be issued.
A complete copy of the bond resolution summarized above shall be available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the Village of Garden City, Village Hall, 351 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, New York.
Let our Service Directory help you find the right company for the job!
Sealed bids MUST be RECEIVED BY & DELIVERED TO:
PURCHASING DIVISION
Inc. Village of Garden City 351 Stewart Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, UNTIL 11:00 AM EST THURS, FEBRUARY 6, 2025 at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud, for furnishing the following: WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS
Specifications, Form of Bid, and other information may be obtained from the office of the Purchasing Division at the above address or you may download the bid specifications from the New York State Contract Reporter website at the following web address: https://www.nyscr.ny.gov/ contracts.cfm This bid specification will be listed under the Agency Name of:
Inc. Village of Garden City Catherine Reynolds Purchasing Agent
Dated: 01/10/24
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Unsafe turn
A Clinton Road motorist was charged on January 5 with operating out of class and making an unsafe turn.
Unlocked door
Officers responded to a residential burglary alarm on January 5. Upon arriving at the scene, they found an unlocked door but determined that all was in order.
7th Street violations
On January 5, a motorist on 7th Street was charged with driving with a suspended license, suspended registration, and uninspected auto.
Smoke condition
On January 6, officers and firefighters canvassed Washington Avenue after a report of a smoke condition. After a thorough check, they determined that everything was in order.
Hubcap theft
Hubcaps were reported missing from a vehicle parked on Eton Road on January 6th.
Multiple violations
On January 6, a motorist on Clinton Road was charged with driving with a suspended registration, having tinted windows, and uninsured operation.
CO alarm at residence
Garden City Police and Firefighters responded to a residence on January 6 after a carbon monoxide alarm was triggered. Firefighters determined the cause to be ongoing boiler work and addressed the issue.
Aggressive driving
A Clinton Road motorist was charged with multiple aggressive driving violations, including excessive speed and unsafe lane use, on January 6.
Fire alarm at business
On January 6, firefighters and police responded to a fire alarm at a business. Upon investigation, it was determined that the alarm had been activated by cleaners.
Rockaway Avenue speeding
A motorist on Rockaway Avenue was charged on January 6 with excessive speed in a school zone and operating an unregistered vehicle.
On January 6, a Clinton Road truck driver was charged with multiple overweight violations and operating with unsafe tires.
On January 7, GCFD and GCPD responded to a residence for a reported gas odor. Firefighters vented the home and ensured the kitchen stove was safe.
A Stewart Avenue motorist was charged on January 7 with driving with a suspended license and a suspended registration.
On January 7, a Clinton Road motorist was charged with excessive speed and uninsured operation.
Firefighters and police responded on January 7 to a fire alarm at a business. It was determined that the alarm had been activated by cleaners and posed no threat.
On January 7, officers investigated a report of a missing vehicle at Garden City Plaza. Upon further investigation, police located the vehicle in a nearby lot, concluding it had been misplaced.
During the December holiday season, the Police Department utilized Stop-DWI funds to deploy additional patrols to bolster the force’s efforts in the detection and apprehension of persons driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Eight motorists were arrested for impaired driving offenses during the month.
The Garden City Police Department is currently seeking Part-time Crossing Guards. All interested candidates can obtain an application by going to https:// gardencitypolice.net/schoolcrossing-guards or by visiting Police Headquarters at 349 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY.
page 2
ly-formed group could be one of the best among the many St. Paul’s Committees in history. We will not know the fate of St. Paul’s for many more months, and likely years. There are several necessary and time-consuming steps prior to actual construction. Among these are stabilization, abatement, plus complicated environmental studies. By some consultant estimates these procedures could delay actual construction for two years or more.
The stated charge of the new Committee is, in Mayor CarterFlanagan’s words... “To guide the reimagined (repurposing) phase as follow-up to the already- completed Recreation Survey of resident desires.” In my opinion,Trustee Muldoon is the most experienced for the job of point person among the eight Trustees. Being the head of a very successful residential construction business in Garden City speaks for itself. None of the other seven have such career backgrounds.
So much for the good news.
I describe the members of the Committee as a talented group of “medical doctors.” Unfortunately, their assignment is to “save the life” of a very sick “patient”--the decrepit St. Paul’s main building -- and redevelop the property into one of several potential choices--100% preservation, partial preservation i.e, facadism, or full demolition with a town park added. Regarding facadism, there is no existing plan for residents to choose from--just an idea of a lower-cost project. My personal bias favors demolition. No one can predict the likely outcome of the new Committee--which will be guided by the upcoming, and thus far delayed for months, survey of all Garden City households, plus advice from BCI (Village consultants) and of course the Board of Trustees who will have the final say in how we go forward. There are simply too many unknowns for anyone to be dogmatic. What do the residents truly want? Choices are endless, and this reality adversely affects reaching a consensus. What will it cost each household, annually, for the next 10, up to 30, years, depending on financing and bond market conditions? The range of the ultimate cost for the project is enormously wide--up to $125 million. Some optimists believe that G.C. can raise material funds via grants from government programs and/or philanthropies. In my view, these sources are long-shots. Sometimes there are strings attached by donors. Another crucial potential barrier to the entire St.Paul’s project is the need for large bond amounts to be issued--perhaps These could be beyond the ability to carry on the Village balance sheet and could jeopardize Garden City’s AAA Moody’s debt rating. Related to this is that financing of ongoing G.C. capital
Email: Editor@GCNews.com
spending could be “crowded out.”
There are no final plans at this time; therefore the ultimate cost is simply guess work. Demolition, apparently, and unfortunately, will probably not be printed as a choice in the survey; only full or partial preservation. I say this for three important reasons: 1) the present 8-member Board of Trustees as currently constituted, heavily favors preservation; 2) professional project specialists, who I have spoken to, seem to “have it in their veins” to save the building-- not tear it down; and 3) many members of the new Committee, as long term G.C. residents could have a nostalgic--not necessarily objective--affection for the importance of the historic building. (For obvious reasons, the latter group of likely preservationists would be led by the G.C. Historical Society.) A crucial unknown is the outcome of the March 2025 annual Village Trustee election. Thus, in early April, we could have a new mayor and some new trustees who may have views different from the present Board. This potential could send the debate back to the drawing boards.
George M. Salem P.S. Readers who find this discussion foggy and highly confusing, are “good analysts.” Too many facts are missing. Affordability is a major issue—for both residents and our Village budget. Finally, one of my own favorite big picture analogies re St. Paul’s, and the challenge to the “doctors” (the new advisory Committee) and the BoT is: “they are being asked to bring back, to youthful good health, a 100 year-old, multi-diseased, person.”
To the Editor:
The Holiday season made for an interesting letter and a spirited special Board meeting on Dec. 30. The letter appeared on p. 2 of the 12/27 GCN. The author, Mike Ciaffa (attorney- in the past represented Mr. Frank McDonough) perhaps asked for civility to rule in the debate over St. Paul’s, noted that “Despite occasional acrimony between some of the Trustees and their critics, they too deserve our credit for trying to make our Village a better place.”
These certainly are kind thoughts and express an ideal. However, at the last Board meeting, which lasted about 35 minutes, there was more than occasional acrimony, it was like many of the Trustees didn’t get the message at all and continued a course of debate designed to belittle and marginalize the Mayor for stating her opinions which differ from their own concerning the survey process to move forward towards a St. Paul’s solution. The Mayor expressed the opinion demolition and facade should be affirmative choices on the survey which is consistent with the expert BCI position. (min. 1-2 and see survey draft Exh. 8 and Trustee version
8A as Agenda item p. 72-79 of 10/17/24 BOT and GCN Mayor Update 12/6/24, p. 22).
What occurred at the 12/30 Special emergency BOT meeting concerning approval of $19,250 to pay Statewide Roofing to repair part of the roof (10’ x 4’ rent ) and several windows at the vacant St Paul’s school was far from civil, at least to me. Several Board members interrupted the Mayor when she spoke and distorted her words. ( min.8-9 and 23-24). Do you agree it was the Mayor who was insulted or was it Trustee Courtney? To truly form your own opinion I urge you to listen and watch the meeting available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?y=oPzSpW9bHKI. The publisher of the GCN on p.2 called the meeting “spicy” in last week’s paper. Indeed! and read the p. 1 article on the subject.
The special meeting included rough stuff from several Trustees: Trustee Torino apparently upset he had to show up to vote on 12/30 at 5:30 PM simply to vote on a routine expenditure. (Meeting at min. 3:25 ). The Mayor pointed out that the emergency repair for St. Paul’s was considered appropriate on advice of Village counsel for a meeting of the Board to vote. (Meeting at 4:30 ), and made comments about the urgency to move forward to offer a proposal to seek community support on a path to a St Paul’s solution. The Mayor noted the need for the repair and, that in view of the deteriorating condition of the building, such problems would not be unexpected. (9:30.)
Yet Trustee Courtney said she was “insulted”( meeting at 10-11 min.). REALLY? that the Mayor did not confine her remarks purely to the approval of the funds to fix the huge gap in the roof- a 10’ x 4’ rent which allows flow of large quantities of water in the building for some period of time- (hear remarks Trustee Muldoon about the damage at min. 12-14 ). My comment; After all the St Paul’s survey scheduled for late last August or Sept. still isn’t done (maybe at Jan. 16 meeting? and note Trustee Muldoon remark; the plan is to send the draft to BCI next week.( At min. 12-15).
After the 6 Trustees rejected survey draft #8 provided by BCI last Oct. 17, then in November promised the survey would be ready soon and then promised it for Dec. 12 meeting). So what draft are we at now? Now the Mayor’s word “indefinitely” describing the delay from November to get the survey out, (see Mayor Updates and speaking at BOT. Nov. meeting ) certainly applies despite the uproar that resulted from 6 Trustees who attacked the Mayor over using this word. Indefinitely means “ not clearly expressed or defined” doesn’t it?
Trustee Finneran has said we are now at “third base” on the survey but close only counts in horseshoes.
The issue of Conservancy again
arose at the special meeting. Because the requested repairs come from taxpayer funds the Mayor commented that the St. Paul’s conservancy could chip in based on their supportive statements about the St. Paul’s complex. (Mayor remarks at min. 2- 3 ). But Trustee Harrington again criticized the Mayor for obtaining a legal opinion from Ruskin, Moscou, a large reputable law firm already retained by the Village, for services, opined that the conservancy concept was not a feasible option to utilize to obtain funding for a St Paul’s project. Trustee Harrington in the past has claimed the Mayor Veneziale appointed Committee figured out what uses for the building could be. Yet no data of any kind was ever submitted for review and analysis.
Similarly, this same Trustee has urged that the Mayor “ talk to Frank and Peter” (Mr. McDonough and Mr. Coll) about the Conservancy plan despite the fact last Spring the Mayor and Trustee Finneran both said that they welcomed a further plan details from Conservancy proponents or members. (Mayor at min. 20-23). Note: Trustees Harrington and Finneran were at times a liaison to that Mayor’s Committee and yet they has not prevailed upon Alliance /Conservancy proponents to come forth with a clarified plan. More than six months later nothing has been submitted. Nothing. Remember, this was a Village appointed Committee, USING VILLAGE FUNDS, and they have yet to submit an appropriate report, but Trustee Harrington thinks “verbal meetings alone” suffice? The formed in 2003 Conservancy has never ever offered to support- fund- maintain the building. Moreover, Mr. Coll is an attorney who spoke at the Committee Town Halls about St. Paul’s- surely he has the acumen to understand the Ruskin report and to respond in an effort to correct any deficiencies or misunderstanding. So Trustee Harrington’s accusation that Ruskin Moscou was hired by the Mayor to discredit the conservancy (min. 19-24) is merely a cover-up defense for a group that has never provided enough information to merit having a meeting as envisioned by the Mayor. (Min. 20-26 and Mayor at 25:40 particularly).
It appears the six Trustees, having deviated from Mayor’s plan which relied upon the expertise of specialized firm, BCI, seem to be having trouble fitting square pegs into round holes. I acknowledge that John Ellis Kordes in his 12/6/24 piece, p. 26, col. 3, used those words about the attempt to force a solution for St. Paul’s, a column worth rereading). By their deliberate choice, a choice not some mistake, 6 Trustees have determined only the votes of those who voted for some undetermined form of preservation count in their minds,
See page 44
having concluded this from a NON BINDING controversial poll marred by a Trustee Torino false senior tax exemption hanging unchallenged before the senior citizenry prior to the Oct. Poll in addition to repeated scare tactics about demo closing the fields for two years and leading to low income housing in GC, both since disproven. During the last meeting Trustee Torino offered the lame analogy that the Poll produced a winner and loser likening it to the election when the Mayor defeated Judy Courtney in 2023.( hear 26-28 min.) Of course an election results in a winner, but a NON BINDING informational opinion poll does not, especially when demolition got more votes than either or maybe even both adaptive reuse and facade. Do the math.(.39/.31/.30).
This Board, i. e. these six Trustees, look to be charting an our way or the highway course (Trustee Finneran remark at min. 7:30) based upon the upholding of an ancient POA tradition, government by the chosen few, listening to none other. Trustees may have the right to do something but that does not in any way make it the right thing to do.
S.G.Gorray
To the Editor:
There were two articles in the GC News last week that residents should give some thought to. The first is “Trustees approve $19K repair for St. Paul’s roof” (https://www.gcnews.com/ articles/trustees-approve-19k-repairfor-st-pauls-roof/) documenting that a “new” 4ft by 10ft hole has appeared in the roof of St Paul’s. Trustee Muldoon stated “Unfortunately nobody saw the hole because of the angle it’s at” which is possible, but more likely is that it is just another piece of the roof collapsing since it was last repaired two years ago. The year before last we had a $380,000 hole repair, than a change order for another $180,000. Did we really do $471,040 of work on the roof and not notice a 40 sq ft hole was also there? Not likely as Mayor Veneziale stated in his July 21, 2022 Mayor’s Update “all of the roofs are now weather tight” while Building Superintendent Giuseppe Giovanniello added “all roofs were inspected and found satisfactory/approved and complete”. So, it is unlikely that this is simply a hole that “nobody saw”, but rather an example of the fact that the underlying roof of St Paul’s has no structural integrity and until the entire full roof is replaced and rebuilt there will be constant and varied leakage. Either way, it is troubling. Secondly, was the article “Delay in St Paul’s Survey” (https://www.gcnews. com/articles/delay-in-st-pauls-survey/) Since the 6 POA Trustees have abandoned the BCI survey that the Mayor
Email: Editor@GCNews.com
spent over a year working on, these Trustees have been promising the survey will be ready “by the next meeting” for months now.
From these two articles, it is clear that any plans for the St Paul’s building will not be moving forward in the near future. The long awaited abatement that Trustee Muldoon championed for this winter is now on hold. Any attempts to have the Conservancy take over the property will surely be met with years of court challenges. Several residents are in discussion regarding this path already. (Mayor Flanagan pointed out on the topic of repairs, that after 21 years, the Conservancy has not contributed a single penny for the upkeep of St. Paul’s., unlike the New York Highline Network/Council that led the way with initial financial support at the BEGINNING of that project. Even the Friends of the Library manages to donate $10,000’s per year to our Library. (https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=oPzSpW9bHKI )
Yearly leaks in the flat roof of St Paul’s, simple surveys this Alliance BOT can’t conclude, on-going documented trespassing in the building by urban explorer groups and/or just teenagers, and last October, reports from Village Staff to the Police Commissioner of additional trespassing and the remains of fires that had been lite in the building (no one is sure exactly when the fires were lite), can only lead to the conclusion that the few historical pieces of St Paul’s history that are left in the building need to be removed immediately.
There are many St Paul’s marble plaques that can still be preserved for eventual exhibit in various other Village buildings; Village Admin. Buildings, the Library, the Schools, etc. The wooden ones are probably beyond saving. A 1883 bronze/copper plaque dedicated to A.T. Stewart by his wife Cornelius Stewart and Judge Henry Hilton should be cleaned, protected and repositioned for the residents to admire. There are at least three metal plaques honoring children that died while at St Paul’s. There is a plaque honoring those graduates that died in the Spanish-American War. If the walls these plaques are attached to collapse, like so many floors have, these plaques will end up in the basement, and probably damaged beyond repair. Several are in poor shape because of the constant water in the building.
The beautiful and fantastic blue skylight should be moved and saved before even more of its pieces come crashing down into the lobby. It can be re-positioned in the Village where it can be both admired and protected.
The 1882 Clinton H. Meleeny bronze bell, forged in Troy NY, should be removed from the clock tower before it suffers damage should the wooden floor, under three inches of guano, collapse like so many other St Paul’s floors
actually have. The bell could be moved where residents can admire it and maybe even have it actually ring again as Village Historian William Bellmer suggests. Put it in Village Hall or put it at the High School and ring it after football victories. Let students rub it for good luck before games or tests. I’m sure other residents will have better ideas.
Most importantly, the 1892 Tiffany window, “The Conversion of St. Paul” donated by the Newcomb family in memory of their son, Thomas, who passed while a student at St. Paul’s, should finally be refurbished in Chicago where it resides with Botti Studio of Architectural Arts and returned to the residents of Garden City. It is truly spectacular and few residents have seen it in decades, if ever. Anyone that has been to the New York Historical Museum’s Tiffany exhibit on 77th and Central Park West will realize that many of these stain-glassed pieces are truly artwork. Now that the GC Library’s first floor work is complete, one or two of the stain-glassed windows could be mounted on the two-story brick Library wall with background lighting where 22,000 residents can visit the library and admire them for the first time in almost half a century. Or Village Hall. Or wherever the BOT decides. We should all thank Mayor Flanagan and the previous BOT for removing the stain-glass windows despite the misinformation and noisy opposition from the Historical Society. As documented, some of the Clayton, Bell & Inc stained glass windows that were installed in 1883 are beyond original repair, having collapsed to the Chapel floor and shattered. The remaining hymnals and Bibles should also be removed after lying scattered on the Chapel floor for three decades.
Why has the Village allowed our historical pieces to rot and deteriorate for years, rather than be displayed for the residents to admire and be used as teaching tools for the residents about the history of Garden City? Trustee Muldoon’s argument that the Village does not take care of our buildings is embarrassingly correct, but he is entirely wrong on the cause. It is not that our buildings have not been taken care of INCLUDING St Paul’s. It is BECAUSE of St Paul’s that the Village has not taken care of our other buildings. As Trustee Courtney admitted at a recent BOT meeting, this BOT has spent more than 50% of its time on St Paul’s as many other BOT’s have over the decades. Not to mention probably north of $10,000,000 with no visible results. Village Historian John Kordes reminds us, St Paul’s did not fail as a school. St Paul’s failed because it could not support the building the school was in. This has led John, after decades of supporting the rehabilitation of St Paul’s, to argue the building needs to be
torn down because it drains too much of the Villages leadership’s bandwidth and finances. (https://www.gcnews.com/ articles/the-kordes-korner-301/ )
And should the residents decide to save St Paul’s in its entirety, all these pieces can then be returned to the building, refurbished and in better shape than they are now. And if the residents decide to tear the building down, at least we will have protected our history.
And again, thank you Mayor Flanagan and the prior trustees that finally started saving the historical pieces in St Paul’s after 35 years of neglect.
Donald
MacLeod
To the Editor:
Are we witnessing (and participating in) the end of democracy in Garden City with respect to the method we determine the future of St. Paul’s?
This past year and one-half have demonstrated a continuing decline in interest by the BOT in determining the will of the people/taxpayers with respect to the future of St. Paul’s. 2023 began with several, if not all, of the Trustees determined to resolve the seemingly intractable issues of what to do with St. Paul’s and how much our citizens/taxpayers should pay to do it. Many Trustees claimed that “it would be different this time” and that “everyone would have a voice in the future of St. Paul’s”. Many Trustees claimed that they would “listen to the people” or some variation on that theme. The reality is now starkly different from those democratic, lofty promises. If some Trustees would be courageous and honest they would admit that what they really meant when making those campaign promises was: “I will listen to some of the people with whom I agree and ignore or seek to silence those with whom I disagree”.
In early 2023 there were three options extensively discussed in Garden City: full rehabilitation, partial rehabilitation, and demolition. As time passed after the issuance of the Westerman Construction reports from March through September some Trustees apparently grew fearful that the full and partial options could not stand on their own merits and that the demolition option may be the most popular of the three options under discussion. Evidently they did not trust the will of the fine people of our Village as expressed in a direct democratic vote. In order to prevent the demolition option from garnering the most votes of the three options some of the Trustees then agreed to attempt to fool the public and rig the opinion poll conducted in October, 2023 by combining the two distinct (tens of millions of dollars in cost differences and dramatically different visions of what and how much was to be rehabilitated) into a single option
which then appeared on the October, 2023 opinion poll. The rounded results of the opinion poll were 60% for the conflated option and 40% for the demolition option. While some touted these results as demonstrating that demolition had received the least support, a careful examination of those results shows the contrary. For example, if the supporters of each of the two rehabilitation options split their votes equally then 30% voted for full rehabilitation and 30% voted for partial rehabilitation. Thus demolition, with 40% of the votes, received more support than both of the rehabilitation options. For a second example, if the supporters of one of the rehabilitation options received 50% of the votes, then the other rehabilitation option received just 10% of the votes. Thus demolition, although receiving the second highest number of votes in this example, still garnered far more votes than at least one of the rehabilitation options. As anyone can see, the demolition option, under any scenario, received either the highest or the second highest number of votes in the 2023 poll.
Not surprisingly, the results of the opinion poll alarmed that group of Trustees which may be called the Keep St. Paul’s At Any Cost (KSPAAC) Trustees. Fast forward to the last few months. Emboldened by the seeming success of their trickery in the 2023 opinion poll the KSPAAC Trustees now seek to again deceive the public further by rigging the upcoming survey to be sent to the citizens/taxpayers. Only three “choices” are slated to appear on their proposed survey according to the Mayor in her December 6, 2024 column in the Garden City News. Despite receiving the highest or second highest number of votes in the October, 2023 poll and despite the recommendation of the professional polling firm hired by our Village, demolition will not appear as one of their choices, effectively silencing the voices of approximately 40% of our residents. Also eliminated as a choice was “facadism” under the KSPAAC Trustees proposal. By silencing the voices of 40+% of the Village population the KSPAAC has effectively invalidated the entire survey process. Intentionally removing a specific 40+% of the population to be surveyed makes the proposed “village wide” survey statistically invalid because it is biased by design. Ask your professional polling firm. Imagine a survey that asks: “What is your favorite ice cream flavor?” Your choices are: chocolate, chocolate fudge and double chocolate. You can’t choose vanilla or strawberry, nor any other flavor. Does anyone believe that such a survey is really designed to assess everyone’s favorite flavor? Plainly it is designed solely to obtain a particular result, in other words, it is biased by design. Some form of chocolate will always win. Dear KSPAAC Trustees
Email: Editor@GCNews.com
please do not attempt to BS the supporters of demolition and facadism by claiming “you can write in your choice or not select any”. Every voice in our fine Village deserves an opportunity to be heard in the same manner as all the others. You can’t intentionally limit the survey choices to those you happen to favor and then rationally claim every voice was heard. Such behavior is paternalistic, elitist and undemocratic.
Mayor Flanagan noted in her “The Mayor’s Update” column on page 22 of the December 6, 2024 edition of the Garden City News: “There is no mandate to preserve the building, far from it. The 62 percent includes supporters of full preservation, partial preservation, facadism . . . Of course demolition should appear in the survey, as the [survey] professionals recommended.”
The KSPAAC Trustees need to reflect carefully about their proposed survey “choices”. Actions reveal values and character. Do you really want to ignore and disrespect 40+% or more of our outstanding community by silencing them in the proposed survey when it is so obviously rigged in favor of some sort of rehabilitation project costing between $40 and $85 million just for Phase 1 according to the Westerman reports? If you are so biased in favor of rehabilitation at any cost you should have the courage to say so in public and simultaneously consider recusing yourselves from participating in the design of a survey in which “everyone will have a voice in the future of St. Paul’s”. The members of the public who are supporters of some form of rehabilitation should also oppose the KSPAAC Trustees proposed rigged survey “choices”. Do the supporters of rehabilitation really want to “win” by rigging the survey and using a statistically invalid process? Don’t the KSPAAC Trustees and their supporters have enough confidence in their choice of rehabilitation to say: “Our proposal will gain the most support in the marketplace of ideas on the merits - we don’t need to cheat to win”?
Let’s examine the three “choices” proposed by the KPAAC Trustees. Let’s start with the new one they label as “mothballing”. Mothballing refers to the deactivation, storing, and preservation of equipment or facilities which are currently in good condition for later use or sale. As everyone will agree and can readily see, St. Paul’s is not currently in good condition, in fact it’s in decrepit condition. It is an obsolete shell whose purpose and usefulness has long passed. It cannot be readily reopened for any use without the infusion of tens of millions of taxpayer dollars, hence the proposals for full and partial rehabilitation. So how do the KSPAAC Trustees define “mothballing”? They are certainly not using the conventional dictionary definition. Do the KSPAAC Trustees mean “let it remain in its current condition
and permit time and nature to continue to take their toll without any more money spent by the Village”? Certainly that is an excellent option for those who believe that the Village should stop throwing more into the money pit of this building, keep their tax burden low and “kick the can” to successive generations of taxpayers and BOTs. Do the KSPAAC Trustees mean to put a giant blue tarp over the entire structure to resist further incursion by the elements? The current BOT could do that right now without the need for an opinion survey or a bond issue. Or do the KSPAAC Trustees mean to start spending tens of millions of dollars to replace the roof, interior supporting structures and exterior openings of the building, in other words, begin Phase 1 of full rehabilitation with an ultimate cost of at least $40 million per the Westerman reports? If that is your definition, then do not be coy and attempt to con the public by mislabeling your proposal as “mothballing” when it is in fact just the beginning of Phase 1 of full rehabilitation/adaptive reuse. If their definition is this last one then the KSPAAC Trustees have really offered just two rehabilitation “choices” - partial and full, with “mothballing” just the start of Phase 1 of rehabilitation/adaptive reuse at a cost applicable to both. So please tell us, KSPAAC Trustees, what is your definition of “mothballing” as used in your proposed survey? What does “mothballing” look like? Where are your drawings or renderings of a “mothballed” St. Paul’s? What is your vision for this option? Please have the courage to clarify exactly what you mean by “mothballing” and exactly what this “mothballing” will cost our citizens/taxpayers. Can you realistically expect any citizen/taxpayer to intelligently consider this option without the above information? Just as a historical reminder, 5,002 of our residents participated in a Village wide opinion poll in 2008. 45.4% approved of demolition of both St. Paul’s and Cluett Hall while 37.1% approved of mothballing St. Paul’s. Thereafter, no action was taken by the BOT at that time and St. Paul’s continued to deteriorate.
The need for a definition of the “mothballing” option and its associated costs segues nicely with the need for the BOT to also communicate to our citizens precisely what demolition, full rehabilitation/adaptive reuse, partial rehabilitation/adaptive reuse, and facadism mean in any survey sent to our citizens.
We already know what demolition is and can easily visualize it. After saving any items of value the entire structure will be removed. A park like carpet of grass (and maybe some trees?) will occupy the former footprint. Artist renderings of the site after demolition and replanting has occurred have been pro-
vided at the back of the Westerman reports which also provided a cost estimate of $13 to 18 million to our citizens/ taxpayers.
The next option proposed by the KSPAAC Trustees is “partial preservation with an additional building added” according to the Mayor’s column. First, definitions are in order. All of the proposed work at St. Paul’s is properly defined as rehabilitation aka adaptive reuse. An old building is made compatible for contemporary use while staying sympathetic to features which show its historical, cultural, or architectural values. Thus a rehabilitated building, while it looks “old”, has modern functionality. While some limited parts of the current St. Paul’s building may be used to complete the rehabilitation/ adaptive reuse it is not preservation, which properly refers to maintaining the exterior and interior of a building as it currently exists following strict rules imposed by a government, or commonly, a HOA. Nor is it restoration, which refers to returning a building back to its appearance at a particular time period (typically when it was first constructed). So what do the KSPAAC Trustees mean by ”partial” rehabilitation/adaptive reuse? What part(s) of the building will be rehabilitated and what part(s) demolished? Will 75% be rehabilitated and 25% be demolished? Will 50% be rehabilitated and 50% be demolished? Will 25% be rehabilitated and 75% be demolished? Will the south core be rehabilitated and three wings be demolished? Two wings demolished? One wing demolished? Will the south core be rehabilitated and fourth, third and and second floors be removed? Or something else? What about the “additional building”? What is its size? Its foot print? Its style? Square footage? Function? Use(s)? Is it the “warehouse” estimated at $50 million in the Westerman reports? Is it the “distinctive building” estimated at $120 million in the Westerman reports? Where are the floor plans, drawings or renderings? What is your vision for this option? Can you realistically expect any citizen/ taxpayer to intelligently consider this option without the above information? Is this proposed option the same as “facadism”? If not, how does it differ from “facadism”?
The next option proposed by the KSPAAC Trustees is “full preservation” according to the Mayor’s column. So what do the KSPAAC Trustees mean by ”full” rehabilitation/adaptive reuse? Is it the $40 million plan described in the Westernman reports? Is it the $50 million plan described in the Westerman reports? Is it the $83 million plan described in the Westerman reports? Or something else? Again, what is your vision for this option? Can you realis-
See page 46
page 45
tically expect any citizen/taxpayer to intelligently consider this option without the above information?
The last option which should be considered in any survey is “facadism”. But which version of facadism? The $47 million plan which will “sustain itself for years” according to the Westernman reports? The $38 million plan which will sustain itself for just two years and then require an addition according to the Westernman reports? Does it also include the addition of a “warehouse” estimated at $50 million in the Westerman reports? Does it include the addition of a “distinctive building” estimated at $120 million in the Westerman reports? Again, where are the floor plans, drawings or renderings? What is the vision for this option? Can we realistically expect any citizen/taxpayer to intelligently consider this option without the above information? Is this proposed option the same as the partial rehabilitation/adaptive reuse with an additional building added proposed by the KSPAAC Trustees? If not, how does it differ?
The current BOT needs to accurately communicate the plans and vision for each option to be included in any survey, AND how much each of those projects will cost to fully complete, AND, with respect to those projects which will be occupied when completed, precisely how much each will cost to operate and maintain after completion on an annual basis. Finally the BOT needs to communicate how each option will be financed AND, most importantly, how much the residential tax rate (currently at $50.9216 on each $100 of assessed valuation) will be increased for the financing and subsequent annual operation and maintenance. These amounts need to be accurate, not “guesstimates” nor “ball park” amounts. If, as the Mayor states in the same column, “there are no reliable cost estimates” then how can any citizen/taxpayer make a rational cost/benefit analysis of any of the proposed options? If the purpose of the survey is merely to ask citizens/taxpayers what they want, without providing the associated costs for each option, then we have devolved into participants in a farce, like naive children telling Santa Claus what they wish for a Holiday present. If you expect citizens/taxpayers to rationally participate in responding to a survey without the associated costs, then I expect every response to be: “I want full rehabilitation/adaptive reuse AND I want no increase in my taxes!” Such a response is, of course, pure fantasy, but it is wholly logical when you disconnect any proposed option from its true costs. Moreover, a survey where the choices have no costs associated will never answer the fundamental and immutably interconnected questions
Email: Editor@GCNews.com
facing our Villagers: What should be done with the St. Paul’s building and by what amount are you willing to increase your taxes to do it?
Some suggestions: First, keep the survey simple as noted below. There is no need for additional questions.
Second, use the ranked choice methodology. For those not familiar with this survey methodology, a ranking survey question asks the respondent to compare and order a list of multiple options based upon their preferences or importance. Ranking allows survey respondents to prioritize different options, thus adding insight to their opinions and attitudes. Ask your professional polling firm about the use and advantages of a single ranking question.
Third, if you do not use the ranked choice methodology then require the responding citizen/taxpayer to select only one option. When all of the responses are received at the conclusion of the first round, eliminate the two choices which received the least support from the next round of the survey. Then repeat this same process until it is clear which option is most favored by our Villagers.
Fourth, use online voting. There are online programs which allow for confidential, anonymous voting which are ideal for a survey such as this. A plain envelope is mailed to each taxpayer which contains a card with a unique computer generated five digit access code. Each taxpayer uses his/ her unique code to access and complete the online survey. Again, ask your professional polling firm about the use, advantages and costs of such an online program.
Here are some examples of the options which may be considered in a simple survey.
OPTION A: Gradual Option. The Village will continue the abatement process, and dismantle and remove portions of the St. Paul’s building one wing at a time. The BOT may authorize spending NOT more than $1,000,000 in any one fiscal year. The funds for this option will come from the General Fund Operating Budget without any increase in the tax rate for citizens/taxpayers.
OPTION B: Demolition Option. Demolition of the entire St. Paul’s structure, backfill with grass and some trees, and salvage of those items deemed valuable as described more fully in the Fact Sheet provided by the BOT.* The cost of the demolition is estimated at $18 million. In addition, the cost of interest plus fees for the issuance of a 15 year bond is estimated at $ ** . The total of these costs is $ ** . The tax rate increase over the current tax rate of $50.9216 on each $100 of assessed valuation for EACH of those 15 years is estimated to be $ ** .
OPTION C: Facadism Option. Rehabilitation of the front of the building (facing Stewart Avenue) and demo-
lition of the remainder of the building as described more fully in the Fact Sheet provided by the BOT. The cost of this option is estimated at $**. In addition, the cost of interest plus fees for the issuance of a 15 year bond is estimated at $ ** . The total of these costs is $ ** . The tax rate increase over the current tax rate of $50.9216 on each $100 of assessed valuation for EACH of those 15 years is estimated to be $ ** . If this option includes the construction of a new structure, then the costs for operating and maintaining the building (HVAC, utilities, maintenance, staff, etc.) upon completion of the project is estimated at $ ** per year.
OPTION D: Partial Rehabilitation/ Adaptive Reuse Option. Rehabilitation/ Adaptive Reuse of some of the building and demolition of the remainder of the building as described more fully in the Fact Sheet provided by the BOT. The cost of the rehabilitation/adaptive reuse and demolition is estimated at $ ** . In addition, the cost of interest plus fees for the issuance of a 15 year bond is estimated at $ ** . The total of these costs is $ ** . The tax rate increase over the current tax rate of $50.9216 on each $100 of assessed valuation for each of those 15 years is estimated to be $ ** . The costs for operating and maintaining the building (HVAC, utilities, maintenance, staff, etc.) upon completion of the project is estimated at $ ** per year.
OPTION E: Full Rehabilitation/ Adaptive Reuse Option. Rehabilitation of all/most of the building as described more fully in the Fact Sheet provided by the BOT. The cost of the rehabilitation is estimated at $ ** . In addition, the cost of interest plus fees for the issuance of a 15 year bond is estimated at $ ** . The total of these costs is $ ** . The tax rate increase over the current tax rate of $50.9216 on each $100 of assessed valuation for each of those 15 years is estimated to be $ ** . The costs for operating and maintaining the building (HVAC,
utilities, maintenance, staff, etc.) upon completion of the project is estimated at $ ** per year.
OPTION F: Mothballing Option. Mothballing of the building as described more fully in the Fact Sheet provided by the BOT. The cost of the mothballing is estimated at $ ** . In addition, the cost of interest plus fees for the issuance of a 15 year bond is estimated at $ ** . The total of these costs is $ ** . The tax rate increase over the current tax rate of $50.9216 on each $100 of assessed valuation for each of those 15 years is estimated to be $ ** . The costs for operating and maintaining the building (HVAC, utilities, maintenance, staff, etc.) upon completion of the project is estimated at $ ** per year.
* The BOT will provide a Fact Sheet via regular mail to every taxpaying entity and published on the Village website and in the Garden City News at least 30 days before any survey. The Fact Sheet will summarize the details of each survey option including the scope of the work, the uses of the building after completion, as well as the benefits, the disadvantages, and costs.
Joseph A. Brown
To the Editor:
Pleased to see that our representative, Laura Gillen, voted in favor of the Laken Riley Bill in the House. Since only a few Democrats voted in favor of this legislation Ms. Gillen should be commended for standing up for the right thing. Let’s push Schummer and Gillibrand to support it in the Senate. That is probably unlikely, but we should let them know how we feel.
Everyone should pay attention to what our representatives do, not what they say in front of the cameras. I will try to report on every major bill’s vote to ensure that our representatives are voting with our interests in mind.
Richard Hay
Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call our main office 294-8900 to request information & rates. Visit our website to place classified Ads, to receive more information & our latest rates, www.gcnews.com
The Recreation Adult Programs in the Field House begin on Wednesday, October 16 according to the following schedule:
Mondays - Mens’ Basketball - 7:30–10 p.m.
Wednesdays - Mens’ Basketball - 7:30–10 p.m.
Thursdays - Adult Volleyball - 7:30 –10 p.m.
These programs are open to residents of the Inc. Village of Garden City who have graduated high school OR adults who can show proof of graduating Garden City high school (diploma, student ID card). A picture ID is required to sign in to any program. For further information, please contact the Recreation Office at 465-4075.
A fee schedule will be place for any resident adult interested in participating in Adult Activities in St. Paul’s Fieldhouse. The fee schedule is as follows:
10 Play Pass – good for any Fieldhouse sport for 10 visits, $50
5 Play Pass – good for any Fieldhouse sport for 5 visits, $25
A participant may also “pay as you go” but payment will only be accepted by check or credit card only, NO CASH ACCEPTED. “Pay as you go” prices will be $6. Passes may be purchased at the fieldhouse when arriving for your sport.
Please note - A resident participant may bring in 1 non- resident guest. This rule will be strictly enforced. These guest must arrive and leave with the resident. There are no passes for nonresidents. The daily fee for the non-resident guest is $8.
To purchase one of the passes, please fill out the attached application and mail to or visit the Recreation Office at 108 Rockaway Ave. You will also be able to purchase a pass from our St. Paul’s staff. All payments must be made by either a check made payable to the “Inc. Village of Garden City” or credit card only, no cash will be accepted.
Pickleball began again in St. Paul’s Fieldhouse on Tuesday, September 17. This program is open to Garden City residents only, Tuesdays through Fridays, 9:30 to noon.
Each session will consist of open play with everyone attending round robining in to play. If you attend the first session you must pay again to stay for the second session. There will be no reserving of courts for individual play. A monitor will be available for any person wishing
to learn the game. The fee schedule to attend is as follows:
10 Play Pass – good for any Fieldhouse sport for 10 visits, $50
5 Play Pass – good for any Fieldhouse sport for 5 visits, $25
A participant may also “pay as you go”. “Pay as you go” prices will be $6.
To purchase one of the passes, please visit the Recreation Office at 108 Rockaway Ave. You will also be able to purchase a pass from our St. Paul’s staff at the time of attendance. Check or credit card payment is preferred.
Indoor Track Hours at Cluett Hall
Mondays: 1 p.m.–8 p.m.
Tuesdays: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 5 p.m.–
9 p.m.
Wednesdays: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.; 1 p.m.–
4 p.m. and 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Thursdays: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and
1 p.m.–8 p.m.
Fridays: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.; 2 p.m.–4 p.m. and 5 p.m.–8 p.m.
Saturdays: 1 p.m.–5 p.m.
*Walk at your own risk
**Hours are subject to change*
We are looking for anyone 16 years or older to hire for our programs. We have an after-school program that would involve playing organized games with children, led by one of the Recreational Leaders. The program runs December 3 –February 13, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursdays from 3:30–6 p.m., you can do one or all the days. In the summer, we also have a summer program that runs at the 5 parks in The Village of Garden City. We have arts and crafts and sports all day. If either of those sound like something you may be interested, please contact sceballos@gardencityny.net, or come into the Cottages at 108 Rockaway Avenue for an interest form.
Garden City Recreation and Parks has again partnered with the very popular “Chess Wizards” to offer after school programs for Garden City children ages 5 through 12 who want to learn the game of chess!
Chess Wizards is a fun way to have kids experience the excitement of chess. Kids will play in mini tournaments, have interactive lessons with chess pros and play cool chess variants like bug house. It is proven that chess enhances cognitive development in children, improves both verbal and mathematical skills, and increases all levels of academic performance! Playing chess stimulates the mind and helps children strengthen skills such as focusing, visualizing goals, abstract thinking, and
forming concrete opinions.
Instructors (who are called “Wizards”) provide all the materials necessary for your child to participate in the class and no additional purchase is required to attend. All students will receive a trophy, puzzle folder and wizard’s t-shirt. Come join the fun!!!
Classes will be on Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m. beginning 1/21 and ending 3/18. The cost of this 9-week session is $241. Classes will be held in St. Paul’s Cottages.
To register for this program please visit the Chess Wizards website at www. chesswizards.com.
Follow our new Instagram and Facebook “GardenCityRecreation” for all Recreation content! Any questions regarding programs or facilities can be directed to our new Recreation email, GCRec@gardencityny.net .
Registration ongoing
Youth swim lessons for Village residents will be held at the Adelphi Pool on Saturday mornings beginning December 7. The program runs for 9 weeks.
Fee for this program is $150 per child. Registration begins Friday, November 22.
• You may register online if you have an account with Recreation Dept.
• If registering by mail please include a check with the registration form
• If registering in person you may pay by check or credit card.
• Checks are to be made payable to: Inc. Village of Garden City
Please note: Your child must be six years of age by the start of the program to participate
For more information or a registration form go to: www.gardencityrecreation.org
Dates of Classes: Dec 7, 14, 21; Jan 4, 18, 25; Feb 1, 8, 15; Make-up date March 1
Garden City Recreation and Parks is excited to announce our annual after school program for grades K-6! Kindergarten and 1st grade will be held on Tuesdays, 2nd and 3rd will be held on Wednesdays, and 4th–6th grades will be held on Thursdays beginning the week of December 3. The cost is $100 for the 9-week session. Space is limited and fills up very quick! Registration is accepted online, if you have an account or at the Recreation Office at 108 Rockaway Ave.
On Sunday afternoons beginning January 5, St. Paul’s Field House will be open for “Family Fun” for Village of Garden City families. This open time provides the opportunity for families to enjoy various gym activities in an indoor environment. The gym will be available for use from 2:45 to 4:45 p.m. each Sunday until March 9. This time is designated for family time only. No organized practices or workouts will be allowed. Although there will be staff to monitor activity, this is not a drop off program. We ask that all elementary and middle school aged children must be accompanied by an adult/guardian. For the safety of our users, sports involving paddle, stick, or bat equipment will not be allowed.
The Garden City Department of Recreation and Parks is pleased to announce the start of the WINTER children’s tennis program. Registration is ongoing and classes begin on Monday, January 13. All classes are held at the Community Park indoor tennis center and are available to Garden City residents’ ages 4 through 16 years old.
How to register:
• In person at the Recreation Office (108 Rockaway Ave). The recreation office is open M – F from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can download a registration form at our website: gardencityrecreation.org.
• By Mail: Mail in your registration form and check to the Recreation Office.
• Register online at www. gcreconline.gardencityny.net .You need a password to register online. If you do not have a password please go to the Recreation office, with proof of residency, to receive one.
If paying by check, please make check payable to Inc. Village of Garden City
If paying by credit card please use: Mastercard, Visa or Discover. We do not accept American Express at this time.
For more information, call the Recreation Office at 516 465-4075
***Non-resident children who attend Garden City Public Schools can register for tennis lessons beginning December 11. Registration must be done by mail or in person at the Recreation Office. Those who would like to register for our tennis program must prove they attend one of the Garden City Public Schools. Proof must accompany registration. An additional $50 fee will pertain to anyone in this category. Make checks payable to the “Inc. Village of Garden City”
The GC Grapplers youth wrestling program is experiencing a remarkable surge in participation and performance, boasting nearly 70 young athletes who practice twice a week and compete in weekly tournaments across Long Island. Under the guidance of first-year coach Stephen Jones and his talented coaching staff—Jason, Kirk, and Mike—the team is making significant strides in the competitive wrestling landscape. The current season is in full swing, and the Grapplers have already made their mark by participating in three tournaments, showcasing their skills and determination.
The season kicked off at the Long Beach Gladiators tournament, where several GC Grapplers, including Eli Kong, Nate Kong, Harry Crofton, William Schrafel, Powers Dell ’ Olio, Quinn Dell ’ Olio, and Owen Sampson, took to the mat. This tournament is known for attracting top wrestlers from across Long Island, and the GC Grapplers had a strong showing. Powers Dell ’ Olio set the tone with a decisive opening match victory, while Harry Crofton secured multiple wins, ultimately finishing fourth in the highly competitive 78lbs division. Both Owen Sampson and Nate Kong wrestled their way into championship matches, finishing in second place, while Quinn Dell ’ Olio emerged victorious in the 67lbs division, winning all three of his matches, including a hard-fought championship bout with a score of 9-6. This impressive
performance not only marked the first individual title of the season for Garden City youth wrestling but also signaled a promising future under Coach Jones ’ s leadership.
Following the success in Long Beach, the Grapplers quickly returned to action at the Bulldog Brawl “Warzone format” tournament in North Babylon. This heavily attended event featured 11 GC Grapplers, each of whom managed to secure at least one win, a notable achievement at the club level. The competi -
tors included Eli Kong (3 wins), Bert McCooey (1 win), Luca Erigo (2 wins), Powers Dell ’ Olio (1 win), Nate Kong (3 wins), Quinn Dell ’ Olio (2 wins), Keegan Fitzpatrick (4 wins), Harry Crofton (2 wins), Owen Sampson (1 win), Karsten Trillhaase (2 wins) and Gianiel Galarza (1 win). Collectively, the team amassed an impressive 22 wins, further establishing Garden City as a burgeoning powerhouse in youth wrestling. This strong showing not only highlighted the individual talents of the wrestlers but
also demonstrated the team ’ s ability to compete with the best in Suffolk County.
Most recently, three GC Grapplers participated in the NYWAY sanctioned Al Bevilacqua tournament in Massapequa, a highly competitive event that drew top local club wrestlers. Keegan Fitzpatrick dominated the 10U / 72 lbs (experienced) division, winning all three of his matches without surrendering a single point, including a commanding 16-0 technical fall (RD2) in the championship
Eli Kong executes a strong collar tie just before executing a takedown.
bout. Harry Crofton, who had previously finished fourth in Long Beach, also shone brightly, going 3-0 in the 12U/78 lbs division and securing his first individual title. Harry consistently shows that he is one of the toughest and most resilient members of the GC Grapplers. His teammate Will Schrafel showcased his growth as a wrestler, battling through tough matches to finish fourth. The two individual titles won by Keegan and Harry at this premier tournament underscore the progress of the GC Grapplers and solidify their status as one of Long Island ’ s top youth wrestling programs.
Looking ahead, the GC Grapplers
are set to compete again on January 12 at the Winter Warzone in Melville, followed by the Green Machine tournament on January 18 in Lindenhurst. The community is encouraged to come out and support these young athletes as they continue to build a winning culture under Coach Jones. With a strong start to the season, the GC Grapplers are proving their dedication and hard work, and their impressive performances reflect the bright future of wrestling in Garden City. Congratulations to all participants for their bravery, dedication, and commitment to excellence in the sport.
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Three soccer players from Garden City recently concluded another successful season with New York City Football Club. Ellie Bernstein, Victoria Gonzalez, and Nora Loeven have continued to show tremendous development with their team NYCFC 2012 South while learning from their accomplished coaches. The team has wrapped up an
extraordinary season, showcasing their skill, determination, and team spirit. Competing in several high-stakes tournaments and the top division in the EDP League, the young athletes achieved remarkable success, earning accolades and solidifying their reputation as a powerhouse in youth soccer.
In October, the girls had a successful
season while conceding only 6. Week after week, the players demonstrated their commitment to excellence, combining strategic play and individual brilliance to dominate the league. Their topnotch performances were a testament to their rigorous training and the guidance of their dedicated coach Julian Escobar. NYCFC Manager of Competition and Development Raul Santos said, “The girls have earned everything they have achieved through hard work and dedication, we couldn’t be prouder of the girls and Coach Julian.”
tournament weekend at the EDP Fall Cup, finishing second in their division and closing with a tightly contested playoff game that ended in a penalty shootout. Facing some of the toughest competition in the region, NYCFC displayed exceptional teamwork and resilience, advancing through the tournament with impressive performances that kept fans and opponents watching. They are also currently leading in the EDP League Cup with three decisive wins and a goal differential of 15.
For the fall season, the team claimed the title of division champion in the 1st Division of the EDP North Atlantic League with a record of 8 wins and 1 loss. They scored a remarkable 40 goals this
As a result of their outstanding season, NYCFC 2012 South has earned promotion to a higher league: the USYS National League North Atlantic Conference for the spring 2024 season. This move is a significant milestone for the team, as it will place them among an elite group of competitors and provide an opportunity to further hone their skills on a larger stage. The promotion is no small achievement for a team that has only been around for a year and a half!
Parents, fans, and the broader NYCFC community have expressed immense pride in the team's accomplishments. Many are eager to see how the NYCFC 2012 South Squad will perform in the upcoming season, confident that their talent and determination will lead to even greater achievements. The future looks bright for these young athletes as they prepare to take on new challenges and continue their journey of excellence in soccer. One thing is certain: NYCFC 2012 South is a team to watch in 2025 and beyond.
Happy New Year to all of the families in our wonderful community!!
Grab your calendar to mark down these important upcoming dates across the school district. You can keep an eye on the PTA website and the GCUFSD website “Events” page for even more detail on what’s happening across all seven schools.
• Jan 15 – Middle School PTA Meeting, in-person and Zoom, 9:15 a.m.
• Jan 16 – High School PTA Meeting
• Jan 20 – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, School Closed
• Jan 23 – Joint Elementary PTA Meeting (time to be announced)
• Jan 29 – Lunar New Year, Schools Closed
• Jan 31 – Middle School GC
Cares-a-thon
Your Membership Matters!
Please take a minute today to visit www.gardencitypta.org to rejoin for the new 2024–25 school year. While there, click the “Get Involved” tab to see the many volunteer opportunities with the PTA overall, and with your child’s specific schools. We can’t wait to work with you this year!
Let’s Connect @GardenCityPTA
Website: www.gardencitypta.org
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Twitter: Twitter.com/ GardenCityPTA
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Real Estate Salesperson
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