The Garden City News (2/7/25) by Litmor Publishing

F OILING THE C OMPETITION

Finishing the season on a high note, the Boys Varsity Fencing team beat Cold Spring Harbor at an away meet on January 29. See page 51

BOT approves new recreation software

BY RIKKI MASSAND

At the Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday, January 16, trustees approved an agreement with Ridgewood, New Jersey-based vendor Capturepoint LLC to implement new recreation management software. The $19,450 contract includes setup, implementation, training, and access at five transaction locations in the village for the

CommunityPass Enterprise software. This new system will replace the outdated RecPro software, which is set to be discontinued in September.

Recreation and Parks

Assistant Superintendent Andrew Hill emphasized the need for improved software to enhance efficiency in program registration and streamline financial record-keeping in collaboration with the village

Finance Department.

“Updating our Rec. software will allow us to be more efficient with registration for programs. It will also help with the proposed improvements we’ve been actively working on with our village Finance Department,” Hill commented.

Mr. Hill said the $19,450 presented an “initial cost” for the service, but it’s inclusive of a

See page 24

BY RIKKI MASSAND

The Village of Garden City’s Traffic Commission met on Thursday, January 16, to continue its efforts on community safety planning in 2024. A new traffic-calming initiative for the Mott Section has become a top priority following concerns raised by residents in recent months.

Village Superintendent of Public Works John Borroni has been reviewing a study of the Mott Section, with plans to install “No Right Turn” signage at key locations coming from Washington Avenue onto the local streets. Trustee Ed Finneran, chair of the Traffic Commission, described this as the first step in a series of roadway changes.

“There will not be any right-hand turns allowed between 4 and 6 p.m. and this is a first part of a comprehensive plan addressing the Mott Section,” he noted.

Borroni presented a diagram outlining the initial phase of the plan, which applies only to village-owned roads, not those maintained by Nassau County.

He explained, “The proposed diagram shows no right-turns between 4 and 6 from Washington and going into the Mott Section

Sustainability Roundtable features climate simulator

BY RIKKI MASSAND

On Wednesday, January 15, the Garden City Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) hosted its annual Sustainability Roundtable, engaging many middle and high school students from the village. A highlight of this year’s event was the demonstration of the Climate Action Simulator software, En-ROADS, presented in Village Hall and via Zoom by EAB member Kurt Ehrig.

The En-ROADS tool aligns with global efforts to limit Earth’s warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. It features historical climate data

See page 42

The Board of Trustees will hold a town hall style meeting about the upcoming St. Paul’s building survey on Tuesday, February 11, at the GC Casino, starting at 7:00 p.m.

This session could go two different ways - it could be a great opportunity to clear the air about some of the issues that have been discussed in our letters pages and online. Or it could devolve into a partisan fight between those that want to demolish the building and those that want to save every brick.

The issues that have been raised deserve a full and open airing. Those that favor demolition have pointed out that votes to save only the facade were lumped in with those who want full preservation. One can argue that some of

those people might actually favor demolition over preservation if those were the only two choices. We found that to be persuasive.

The other major issue is the cost estimates, which we think need to be made crystal clear before the next survey. How much it will cost, how certain the are the numbers, and how much it will cost homeowners in increased taxes.

We were gobsmacked to read in Mayor Flanagan’s column this week that as of Wednesday she has not been given documentation on the proposed costs of the St. Paul’s projects.

This needs to stop. Yes, there are serious divisions on the Board. But this is a situation that needs everyone to work together and put aside their differences.

A simple ask for fair survey

To the Editor:

As yet another survey on St. Pauls is about to be released, recent comments have indicated that “Demolition” will not be an option for residents to choose because it was a “clear minority” in the previous survey given to residents.

However, the previous survey results demonstrated that 39% of residents at the time chose Demolition as their options, meaning 61% chose the combined option that was presented as a choice of Facadism and Restoration. All discussions leading up to that survey laid out pros and cons and costs for three separate options- Demolition, Facadism and Restoration. Then when it came time for residents to choose an option based on the information that had been provided, the last two options were combined for some unknown reason. This resulted in a biased survey in favor of Facadism/Restoration, given that residents like myself, who would have voted just for facadism and not full restoration of the building, had to pick the combined option in order for our choice to be represented in the final results.

Based on simple math, there was no clear minority or majority from the last survey since it combined options. In fact, not knowing the breakdown of how many residents voted specifically for facadism vs. restoration, it is quite possible that demolition, 39% of votes, actually received the most votes. If the other two options split the remaining vote at 30% each, the demolition option actually had the most support amongst residents.

At the risk of sounding facetious, saying that Demolition was a clear minority at 39% is like saying 5 is clearly less than the sum of 3 and 4, when 5 is obviously the largest of all three numbers individually.

After many more months of indecision and arguing over what to do with St. Pauls, at this point, if there is another survey, all options, includ-

ing Demolition and Facadism, must be presented clearly and individually in order to truly see what residents of the town want. Anything else is yet another biased survey.

Neha Bajaj

A modest proposal

To the Editor:

From what we’ve seen of it, the latest pending survey to determine the “will of the people” on St. Paul’s seems disconnected from surveys past, and perhaps for good reason as those surveys had flaws. The new poll is purportedly derived from the results of the prior one(s), but it contains an entirely new “mothballing” option. There’s also a legitimate concern that the prior survey gave us a false reading of the will of the people on demolition vs. facadism vs. full restoration.

When the prior survey took place, the costs associated with each option were all over the place, particularly if you include figures that were disseminated by the multiple interested parties among our neighbors. If we’re going to be adding new ideas to the next survey, perhaps it’s time to wipe the slate clean and start over. If our current board majority (and let’s face it, the board majority owns this project now) really does believe that their dollarfigures are supportable, why not craft the survey to include all options, i.e., full restoration, facadism, mothballing, and demolition with costs of each option spelled out? …and do it as a rankedchoice poll allowing residents to express their first, second, and third preferences and tolerance for spending.

The results of the next survey must be definitive as they will likely drive a bond referendum; the last thing we need is yet another survey to follow this one in a year or two or three should a referendum fail. Let’s get the choices and costs out there and let the people decide once and for all. Better to do this right than to have to re-do it.

See page 36

George Krug

EAB to hear results of aquifer study

Nassau and Suffolk Counties get our water supply from a sole-source aquifer system. Over the last several years, the U. S. Geological Survey and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation have been conducting a sustainability study of the state of Long Island’s aquifers. Because Long Island residents rely on our aquifer system for its water supply, this study is of great importance to the future of Long Island. Phase I of the study, which covered Kings, Queens and Nassau Counties, has been completed. At the next meeting of the Garden City Environmental Advisory Board, Sarah Meyland will give a presentation on the results of Phase I of the Sustainability Study. This meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 12 at 7:30 PM in the Board Room of Garden City Village Hall. A zoom link for this meeting can be found on the village website.

Sarah Meyland, M.S., J.D., is a water management consultant with a background in water resource management and environmental law. She taught at the New York Institute of Technology and directed its Center for Water Resources Management. This will be her third presentation to the GC EAB.

Advice Matters.

Sarah Meyland, M.S., J.D

St. Paul’s Town Hall Meeting

All residents are invited to attend an important Town Hall meeting concerning the St. Paul’s building survey on Tuesday, February 11, at the GC Casino, starting at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting will provide detailed background information on the Board’s work with BCI on the St. Paul’s building survey, including descriptions of the various options for the Main Building, “ballpark costs” and initial estimates of the impact on residents’ Village taxes of the options presented. Additionally, the presentation will tie in the results of last Spring’s Recreational Survey and how it shaped the outline of some of the activities and programs which are highlighted in a handful of the survey questions.

This meeting is a terrific opportunity for all residents to learn more and ask questions. If you are unable to attend this meeting, a second Town Hall is scheduled for Saturday, March 8. The March 8 meeting will be available via Zoom and recorded.

For those seeking more information or who have specific questions related to St. Paul’s, please contact the St. Paul's Advisory Committee via email at stpaulsquestions@gardencityny.net.

Don’t miss this chance to be part of the conversation about the future of St. Paul’s. Your input and engagement are invaluable in shaping the decisions that will affect our Village. We look forward to seeing you there!

Correction

In last week’s issue, a front page story “Trustees approve millions for St. Paul’s abatement” contained a factual error. It said that the Garden City Board of Trustees had approved over $10 million in costs for environmental abate-

ments at St. Paul’s. In fact, the Board received an engineering report that the costs would be that much. However the Board did not take a vote on the matter during the meeting.

We apologize for the error.

Advice Matters.

Meet The George Group at Morgan Stanley Named to Forbes’ Best-InState Wealth Management Teams list for 2023-2024

Meet T he George Group at Morgan Stanley Named to Forbes’ Best-InState Wealth Management Teams list for 2023-2024

Advice Matters.

Meet The George Group at Morgan Stanley Named to Forbes’ Best-InState Wealth Management Teams list for 2023-2024

Raymond George CRPC®

Meet The George Group at Morgan Stanley Named to Forbes’ Best-InState Wealth Management Teams list for 2023-2024

Managing Director, Wealth Management Senior Portfolio Management Director Financial Advisor

Raymond George CRPC®

Managing Director, Wealth Management

1200 Franklin Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 516-683-3282 raymond.george@morganstanley.com advisor.morganstanley.com/ the-george-group

Raymond George CRPC® Managing Director, Wealth Management Senior Portfolio Management Director Financial Advisor

Managing Senior Financial City,

Raymond George CRPC® Managing Director, Wealth Management Senior Portfolio Management Director Financial Advisor 1200 Franklin Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 516-683-3282 raymond.george@morganstanley.com advisor.morganstanley.com/ the-george-group

The George Group: (LtoR) Back - Vivian Gioia Senior Client Associate; David Lazaros CFP® Vice President, Financial Advisor; Amy Curley Vice President, Portfolio Management Associate; Front Cody George CDFA®, Senior Portfolio Manager, Financial Advisor; Raymond George CRPC® Managing Director, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor; Taylor George Financial Planning Specialist, Financial Advisor

CFP Board owns the marks CFP® in the U.S.

Franklin Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 516-683-3282 raymond.george@morganstanley.com advisor.morganstanley.com/ the-george-group

1200 Franklin Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 516-683-3282 raymond.george@morganstanley.com advisor.morganstanley.com/ the-george-group

Senior Portfolio Management Director Financial Advisor 1200 Franklin Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 516-683-3282 raymond.george@morganstanley.com advisor.morganstanley.com/ the-george-group

Welcome to your new home! This beautifully updated 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom first-floor co-op is nestled in a serene courtyard that offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Inside, you will find a new kitchen equipped with modern appliances, sleek granite countertops, ample cabinet space, and a dining area. The convenience of in-unit laundry adds to the appeal, providing you with everything you need for comfortable living.

Manager, Financial Advisor; Raymond George CRPC® Managing Director, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor; Taylor George Financial Planning Specialist, Financial Advisor

The use of the CDFA® designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.

The George Group: (LtoR) Back - Vivian Gioia Senior Client Associate; David Lazaros CFP®, Vice President, Financial Advisor; Amy Curley, Vice President, Portfolio Management Associate; Front - Cody George CDFA®, Senior Portfolio Manager, Financial Advisor; Raymond George CRPC®, Managing Director, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor; Taylor George, Financial Planning Specialist, Financial Advisor

CFP Board owns the marks CFP® in the U.S. The use of the CDFA® designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley

, Senior Portfolio Manager, Financial Advisor; Raymond George CRPC® Managing Director, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor; Taylor George, Financial Planning Specialist, Financial Advisor CFP Board owns the marks CFP® in the U.S.

Source: Forbes.com (2023-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.

The George Group: (LtoR) Back - Vivian Gioia, Senior Client Associate; David Lazaros CFP®, Vice President, Financial Advisor; Amy Curley, Vice President, Portfolio Management Associate; Front - Cody George CDFA®, Senior Portfolio Manager, Financial Advisor; Raymond George CRPC® , Managing Director, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor; Taylor George, Financial Planning Specialist, Financial Advisor CFP Board owns the marks CFP® in the U.S.

Located just a short walk from the train station, local shops and restaurants, this co-op combines tranquility with convenience. Enjoy easy access to all the amenities and services you need while living in a quiet, picturesque setting.

CFP Board owns the marks CFP® in the U.S.

For more information on award methodology and criteria, scan QR code.

CFP Board owns the marks CFP® in the U.S.

For more information on award methodology and criteria, scan QR code.

award.

The use of the CDFA® designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. Source: Forbes.com (2023-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award. CRC 6640117 05/24

The use of the CDFA® designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.

Source: Forbes.com (2023-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.

For more information on award methodology and criteria, scan QR code.

more information on

and

Offered at $360,000

Elizabeth “Liz” Breslin, CBR

Licensed Associate Broker Mobile: 516.375.7081 lbreslin@coachrealtors.com www.lizbreslinrealtor.com

Schedule your viewing today and experience the charm and convenience of this delightful co-op!

Home Happens Here

Discover the perfect blend of classic charm and modern convenience in this 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath Colonial home, situated in the Estates section of the village. Step into a warm and inviting family room with fireplace that seamlessly connects to a spacious eat-in kitchen, designed for effortless entertaining and daily living. The home features generously sized bedrooms, including a primary suite with a private bath. Nearby train access and two parks just moments away.

Offered at $1,299,000

Dana Eaton Kate Crofton Denise Donlon

Patricia Aprigliano Susan Bashian Andrea Bharucha Suzanne Blair Liz Breslin Barbara Chmil

Deirdre Albertson

Arlene Conigliaro Roberta Clark Colleen Ciullo

Cheryl Adams McAuliffe

Maribeth Quinn Sean R. McCoyd Jayne McGratty Armstrong Roseanne McMahon Barbara Moore

O'Grady Julie O’Neill Rita Paiewonsky Louisa Pironi Jill Palmeri

Tony Leondis

Bill Eckel

Sharon Redmond Anny Ko

Rental 4 Bedroom, 2 Bath Cape. Owner pays landscaping and water. Available Jan 1st. $5,500/mo

Howard Hanna|Coach

Theanne

New to Market

Situated on an expansive and private 75 x 150 property on one of the Village of Garden City’s most picturesque streets, this elegant Normandy Tudor is characterized by a stunning slate roof and stately exterior. The interior of the home features large rooms with high ceilings, hardwood floors, and classic moldings. Built in 1927, this home offers over 2700 square feet of living space, with many original architectural features still intact. An impressively sized Living Room w/fireplace, a Formal Dining Room, a Sun Room, Eat-in-Kitchen, Maid’s Room and Full Bath comprise the 1st Fl. The 2nd floor features 4 Bedrooms, including a Primary Bedroom with an Ensuite Bath and Dressing Room. This is a home to love and cherish for years to come. Create your own story at 27 Chestnut Street!

Offered at $1,349,000

Join us at the Open Houses or contact us for a private appointment

Monica Kiely

Licensed RE Salesperson

Mobile: 516.643.6740

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Sharon Redmond

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people

President Trump Shifts Gears

BY BOB MORGAN, JR.

The first days of the Trump Administration have certainly been marked with a tremendous flurry of activity. Some of this activity, like undoing former President Biden's executive orders concerning the Mexican border (including a controversial attempt by Mr. Trump to revoke birthright citizenship) or even pardoning the vast majority of January 6, 2021 protestors, were fairly predictable based on Mr. Trump’s pronouncements on the campaign trail.

However, other proposed actions by Mr. Trump like seriously urging the purchase of Greenland and a takeover of the Panama Canal, slapping tariffs on Canada and Mexico (now placed on hold for 30 days), and now, perhaps most dramatically, a proposal that the United Stakes take over Gaza, seem quite removed from Mr. Trump's previous stands.

You have to start out with an analysis of why President Trump won the election in 2024.

Some of the reasons for the victory were on a personal level, relating to a comparison made by many

voters between Mr. Trump and his opponents. Especially after the June 27 debate, Mr. Trump was able to portray former President Biden, who would have been 86 years old at the end of a second term, as too old and borderline incompetent to serve. Later, Mr. Biden's designated replacement on the Democratic ticket, Kamala Harris, was portrayed and perceived as too radical and somehow unable to say how she would change Mr. Biden's policies. On the other hand, Mr. Trump's supporters were willing to accept his many eccentricities and he was perceived by his supporters as a strong leader willing to fight for ordinary Americans and an overall America first posture .

However, Mr. Trump also ran on specific issues important to voters. The list starts with the economy and inflation rate and the cost of consumer goods, particularly food and energy. Another key matter was immigration and policies of the Biden administration that basically kept the southwest border open for 3 1/2 years, letting

See page 47

Blood drive to be held at GC Public Library

The Garden City Public Library will be holding a blood drive on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in the Large Meeting room on the lower level of the Library.

Appointments are strongly preferred, walk-ins are welcomed only if capacity permits. To schedule an appointment, please visit the Garden City Public Library website at www.gardencitypl.org, you can scan the QR code with your phone and type in Garden City, click on the link below or you can also call 1-800-933-BLOOD to schedule an appointment or for any medical questions concerning blood donations.

https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/322168

Garden City Real Estate Market Information

34 Roosevelt Street

RECENT REAL ESTATE SALES IN GARDEN CITY

Date: 02/04/2025

Sold price: $1,200,000 3 bedrooms, 1 full baths, 1 half bath

Architectural Style: Colonial Property size: .12 acres

Annual taxes: $15,171

MLS number: L3591347

The Seller’s Team: Patricia Aprigliano, Howard Hanna Coach

The Buyer’s Team: Nancy Giannone, Howard Hanna Coach Real Estate

Welcome to this meticulously renovated Colonial home. While filled with modern amenities, this home retains its most charming characteristics. The warm, inviting living room features a wood burning fireplace, bright sun filled windows and refinished inlay bordered wood floors which flow through to the formal dining room with ample space for dining and entertaining. The enjoyment continues in the updated family room furnished with hardwood floors and new Andersen windows. The family room also provides easy access to the patio and yard for outdoor fun. The heart of this home is the updated yet classic kitchen, combining the charm of a farm sink with the style and ease of stainless-steel Bosch appliances and quartz countertops. A powder room offering convenience for guests is also located on the first floor. The primary bedroom has been updated with an oversized custom organized closet to maximize space and storage. The main hall bath has been enlarged to accommodate a double sink and linen closet. The two additional bedrooms also have refinished hardwood floors and custom closet organizers and offer versatility for bedrooms, nursery or home office use. This home offers many options for additional storage with a spacious, walk up third floor attic and unfinished basement presenting a blank slate to make it your own. The many amenities of this home include: new doors and lighting throughout, new HVAC system with 2 zone central air, 200 amp electric, IGS, whole house water filtration system, resurfaced driveway and more. The location is convenient to the LIRR, shops, restaurants and the lively Garden City Village.

111 Cherry Valley Ave #809

Date: 01/16/2025 Sold price: $999,000

2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath

Architectural Style: Condominium Common charges: $1510/month

Annual taxes: $12,146

MLS number: L3580843

The Seller’s Team: Jimmy Amram, Douglas Elliman Real Estate

The Buyer’s Team: Jimmy Amram, Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Welcome to the luxurious Wyndham in the heart of Garden City. As you step inside to over 1500 square feet of living space you will be greeted with hardwood floors and an elegant foyer, boasting an open concept living/dining area with great pond views through out the apartment. The kitchen features stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and great wood cabinetry. Primary bedroom and second bedroom both equipped with en-suite bathrooms and ample closet space. Enjoy your private terrace with spectacular views. The Wyndham offers 24/7 Valet parking with concierge. Enjoy your salt water/heated pool and jacuzzi along with a state of the art gym/ aerobics room with addition to the Wyndham clubhouse. Close to public transportation, amazing restaurants, cafes, shops.

This informational page is sponsored by Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Houses featured on this page were sold by various real estate agencies

Know and Love Garden City

of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC in Garden City, NY. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 10 years. To contact him, ameripriseadvisors.com/brian.crandall@ampf.com, 516.345.2600, 401 Franklin Avenue, Suite 101 Garden City, NY 11530.

Brian C. Crandall, CFP is a Financial Advisor with Halcyon Financial Partners, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC in Garden City, NY. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 10 years.

To contact him: ameripriseadvisors.com/Brian.Crandall 401 Franklin Avenue, Suite 101 Garden City, NY 11530 (516) 345-2600

Test Drive Your Retirement Plan

Two emotions are common for those who are nearing retirement – excitement and fear. Leaving the working world behind can feel empowering, however, apprehension about entering a new life stage may also creep in. If you’re nearing retirement, you’ve likely taken steps to prepare financially for the future. But there’s one important thing you might not have considered adding to your pre-retirement checklist – a practice run. Test driving aspects of your plan before you’re actually in retirement can help provide a sense of security for this next phase of life.

Consider what an ideal retirement looks like in the long term. How you choose to spend your time (and in many cases, your money) in retirement is your decision to make, but it’s not always an easy one. As we age, our interests, hobbies and relationships change. What you may consider your “ideal” retirement when you’re 55 may not be the same as when you’re 65. This evolution can make it hard to plan accurately for retirement. Consider sitting down with your spouse or family members to explore how aging and future milestones may alter your retirement. Your financial advisor can help you make a plan that aligns your ideal retirement with your financial situation. Test drive your retirement lifestyle. Many people pledge a significant amount of savings towards a particular lifestyle in retirement. This could be a home in another part of the country, a timeshare or a trip abroad every year. Problems can arise if you have cemented a financial commitment to a certain lifestyle but change your mind down the road. It’s natural to change your mind about what you want, but it’s better to understand the potential implications of altering your plan before you actually retire.

For example, those who have based their financial plan for retirement on the idea that they will be living in a new location may benefit from a practice run before making the big move. Consider an individual who has lived their entire life in New York but moves to Florida when they retire – where taxes and cost-of-living are generally lower. Deciding after several years to relocate back to New York to be near family – where cost of living and tax rates differ – can mean savings may not go as far as planned. Be prudent and build some flexibility into your plan to avoid unintended consequences.

Simulate your retirement expenses. Practice can also be beneficial in another way – simulating how to manage your expenses in retirement. The idea that your cash flow no longer comes from a reliable paycheck, but from other sources like Social Security and personal savings can come as a shock – even to those who are well prepared for this change. One idea to accomplish a sense of financial security is to run two accounts for a certain period of time. Through one account, manage all of your household and lifestyle expenses that you expect during retirement. This includes the costs for necessities like food, clothing, shelter, utilities, taxes and insurance as well as “nice- to-have” items like dining out, traveling, etc. Keep in mind that you may have to estimate or inflate your lifestyle expenses for retirement as they could rise when you have more free time. Through the second account, manage all of your expenses that are expected to end in retirement like principal and interest on a mortgage payment (if your home will be paid off), current car payments (although car payments can certainly happen again in retirement), college costs for your kids and contributions to retirement plans. Keeping these two separate accounts will help you more appropriately plan for and quantify your expenses in retirement.

The best way to get a handle on these expenses is to experience them while you’re still working. Take that trip to Europe before retirement and find out first-hand what you can do within your budget. If the cost is different than expected, make adjustments to your financial projections to more accurately reflect reality.

Perfecting life in retirement. A little practice can go a long way toward easing emotional and financial concerns when it comes to making the jump into retirement. Consider working with a financial advisor who can help you determine a budget and a retirement income plan that fits your needs and desires.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark, and the CFP® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value.

Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and its affiliates do not offer tax or legal advice. Consumers should consult with their tax advisor or attorney regarding their specific situation.

The Welcoming Club of Garden City

Upcoming Events

Galentine’s Day!

GALS, it’s time to think about YOU for a change! Join us on February 13 from 7–9 p.m. for a fabulous Galentine’s Celebration at the Garden City Casino, where it’s all about beauty, health, and self-care. Local vendors will be showcasing amazing goods and services to help you look and feel your best! Dress comfy with fresh faces to take full advantage of the local vendor services!

Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Exclusive shopping and services with local vendors

• Light bites and drinks to enjoy while you mingle

• A chance to treat yourself (because you deserve it!)

• Raffles and giveaways

Head to our website to register and grab your tickets!

February Book Club

The Book Club’s February book will be “The Housemaid” by Freida McFadden. This psychological thriller will have you hooked with its jaw-dropping twists. The Book Club will be meeting on Wednesday, February 26, at 7:45 p.m. to discuss the latest book. If you would like to join in this lively discussion, please RSVP to welcomingclubbookclub@gmail.com.

Follow Us!

Facebook: The Welcoming Club of Garden City

Instagram: @gcwelcomingclub

Join a Group Book Club

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. Craft Club

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.

Supper Club

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.

Toddler Activities

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.

Council 1869

plans Casino Night

Council 1869, a local charitable group, will host its 3rd annual Casino Night on Friday, March 14, from 7–11 p.m. at the Garden City Casino.

Enjoy casino games, an open bar, music, food and more!

Traffic Commission to meet February 13

The Traffic Commission will meet Thursday, February 13, at 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall and via Zoom to discuss a full agenda. Topics will include potentially banning and/or limiting truck traffic on the Village’s northsouth corridors (e.g. Clinton Road, Washington Avenue, etc.); updates from Nassau County's DPW on pend-

ing Village roadway improvements or projects; potentially adopting a speed limit reduction across the Village or on selected roads; as well as discussion of utilizing traffic calming strategies on specific roadways across the Village. Visit the calendar page on the Village website, www.gardencityny.net, to get the meeting link.

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.

Stephen Baymack Lic. Assoc. RE Broker Principal Agent M: 516.216.0244

Maureen Lagarde Lic. RE Salesperson Founding Agent M: 516.850.7812

Kathleen McCarthy Lic. RE Salesperson Principal Agent M: 516.790.2195

Jennifer Sullivan Lic. RE Salesperson Founding Agent M: 516.361.7190

Carolyn Fowler Lic. RE Salesperson

Laura Carroll Team M: 516.987.9162

Frank Morabito Lic. RE Salesperson Pete Diaz Team M: 917.207.7782

Laura Carroll Lic. RE Salesperson Founding Agent M: 917.370.5354

Patrick M. McCooey Lic. Assoc. RE Broker Founding Agent M: 516.236.4287

Kathy Thornton Lic. RE Salesperson Principal Agent M: 516.987.4886

Mairead Garry Lic. RE Salesperson McCooey Olivieri Team M: 516.375.8434

Ryan Mullins Lic. RE Salesperson

Jen Sullivan Team M: 516.359.6339

Pedro “Pete” Diaz

Athena Menoudakos

Karen Guendjoian Lic. RE Salesperson Principal Agent M: 516.578.8395

Alexander G. Olivieri Lic. RE Salesperson

Agent M: 516.306.7738

Demetrios Arnidis Lic. RE Salesperson McCooey Olivieri Team M: 917.841.5486

Denice Giacometti Lic. RE Salesperson McCooey Olivieri Team M: 516.398.7468

Susan Gillin Lic. RE Salesperson Jen Sullivan Team M: 516.655.5662

Daniel Niebler Lic. RE Salesperson Baymack Team M: 516.592.0976

Stop Searching, Start Living.

2700 Fairway Drive Cutchogue, NY 11935

$1,799,000 | 4 BD | 3 BA

Discover your dream home on the 17th hole of North Fork Country Club. This luxurious ranch-style residence features a spacious living room, formal dining room, 4 bedrooms (2 ensuite), 3 full baths, an inground heated pool, screened porch, new roof, custom fireplace with quartz counters, California closets, a massive full basement, and room to expand in the attic.

THI S WEEK AT ROTARY

Serving Homeless Veterans with Dignity: General Needs Founder to Report

Next Tuesday, February 11, 12:15, at Mineola’s Davenport Press restaurant, Mineola-Garden City will welcome back to our Club as guest speaker, Lonnie Sherman veteran advocate and founder of General Needs, an independent nonprofit organization themed “serving veterans with Dignity and care.”

To celebrate Rotary’s 100th anniversary this year, part of its planning is to conduct a service project for each month of 2025. In January we collected an abundant supply of toiletry products to benefit MOMMAS HOUSE which provides housing and support service for young mothers and their families.

For this month of February, Rotary will collect cleaning products to benefit General Needs which provides support to veterans in transitional housing to independent living. We encourage Rotarians to bring to this Tuesday’s lunch meeting or the lunch meeting of February 25, donations of the following supplies:

• Utility bucket (5 gallon) @ Home Depot, $3.98

• Sponge mop (Nitty Gritty) @ Home Depot, $15.97

• Floor cleaner

• Broom/dustpan

• Toilet bowl brush/holder/

cleaner

• All surface cleaner/cleaning gloves

• Sponges (5 pack)

• Dishwashing liquid Lonnie Sherman co-founded General Needs with his co-founder and wife Susan Sherman in 2008. Over the years, General Needs has expanded to support veterans in transitional housing to independent living. Direct distributions to veterans include beds and welcome kits through collection drives and student volunteer program. General Needs continues to serve as a signature project of Rotary District 7255.

Garden City residents and business representatives are invited to drop off any of the above items to The Garden City News office, 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208 throughout the month of February.

Rotary to Host NC Legislator John Giuffre as Guest Speaker on Feb. 25

Mineola Garden City Rotary will welcome John Giuffre, Nassau County Legislator, District 8, as guest speaker at its lunch meeting on Tuesday, February 25, 12:15 at Mineola’s Davenport Press restaurant.

To register for either the February 11 or 25 lunch meetings, visit mineolagardencityrotaryclub@gmail.com. (Fee: $40, payable at the door.)

Rotarian Anita Frey, General Need’s founder Lonnie Sherman with past president and Asst. District Governor Diane Marmann at a past meeting featuring General Needs.

FOR SENIORS fyi

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!

Fall Prevention Presentation

On Tuesday, February 18, Dr Joseph Marino, DPT will be at the Senior Center at 11:00, to give a presentation about Fall Prevention. Reservations are required, please stop by the Senior Center front desk or call (516) 385-8006.

A Valentine Bingo Extravaganza

Garden City Recreation and Parks presents A Valentine Bingo Extravaganza on Friday, February 14. Enjoy special treats while playing Bingo and a chance to win great prizes! Wear something red!

Where: Senior Center.

Time: 2 p.m.

Cost: $5.

Space is limited. To register, please visit the front desk at the Senior Center.

Chair Yoga

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.

Trip to West Point

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, $153.00 check made payable to “Amazing Destinations”.

Save the Dates for Future Trips:

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)

Chess 4 Community

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!

Senior Center Lunch Group

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!!

Monday Night

Duplicate Bridge Results

The winners of the Monday, February 3, games: North / South:

1st Place: Athena Philippides and Carol Cook

2nd Place: Joan Kiernan and Claire Burns East / West:

1st Place: Rudy Kaiser and George Salem

2nd Place: Grace Basile and Ellen Moynahan

TAKEOUT STEALS & DEALS

Please place your order at least 24 hours prior to pickup time

DEAL #1 ($55 +TAX)

2 16” Regular Pizzas, Mixed Green Salad, and a 2L Bottle of Soda

DEAL #2 ($60 +TAX)

2 18” Regular Pizzas, Choice of Dozen Wings OR Spinach/Artichoke Dip, and a 2L Bottle of Soda

DEAL #3 ($75 +TAX)

2 18” Regular Pizzas, Penne alla Vodka, Choice of Dozen Wings OR Spinach/Artichoke Dip, and a 2L Bottle of Soda

DEAL #4 ($155 +TAX)

2 18” Regular Pizzas,1/2 Tray of Chicken Parmigiana, 1/2 Tray of Caesar Salad, and a 2L Bottle of Soda

LA CARTE ITEMS

1/2 Tray of Assorted Pinwheels w/ a Side of Sauce - $35 +tax 1/2 Tray of Buffalo Wings - $35 +tax

wonderful mix of tomatoes, herbs, spices, and olive oil with toasted crostini bread. 5 pieces. ($10) A Grimaldi’s mini pizza small enough to fit on a single plate! ($9) *Toppings on mini pizzas available at an extra cost*

bone-in oven fired wings with buffalo sauce. ($12)

fresh spinach and artichokes a blend of cheeses. Served with tortilla chips. ($12)

Price Beers and Well Drinks 3–7PM, Mon–Thu

Women’s Health Care of Garden City committed to personalized care

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.

“Songs of Ireland for a Sunday Afternoon”

Back by popular demand … The Garden City Historical Society (TGCHS) is pleased to present its “Songs of Ireland for a Sunday Afternoon” musical performance March 16, 2025, just in time for Saint Patrick’s Day! This year, we are pleased to feature the sounds of John Kouri and The Hambones.

Between them, the members of the group have over 150 years of musical experience, playing in individual bands. They united in 2010 with a simple “desire to play the music we love.” For the past 15 years, they have been on a musical journey captivating their audiences with their diverse styles. If the name sounds familiar — it is, if you go to the GC Pool! They have an extensive range of over 250 songs spanning across Irish, Americana, pop, classic rock and country, ensuring that there’s something for everyone.

We are also pleased to announce that this program will be sponsored by the family of Maureen Clancy (19322021). She and her husband, Cummin, started Clancy & Clancy Brokerage which has been around for more than 67 years. She was also an extremely active and respected member of the GC community, both in private and professional circles. Maureen was a past president of The Garden City Historical Society and an avid supporter of its music programs. As such, The Garden City Historical Society is dedicating its “Songs of Ireland for a Sunday

John Kouri and The Hambones will perform “Songs of Ireland for a Sunday Afternoon.”

Afternoon” March 16 performance to the memory of Maureen. Be sure to get your tickets (only $40 per person) at the A.T. Stewart Exchange, located at the rear of the TGCHS Museum (the yellow Victorian house on 11th Street). It is our most popular show and sells out quickly. Get your tickets early! The performance will be 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at The TGCHS Museum located at 109 Eleventh Street in Garden City. Tickets can be purchased in the Exchange (Mon-Fri 10–4; Sat 12–4 and Wed until 6 p.m.). Light refreshments will be served after the show.

CPOA monthly meeting on February 11

The Central Property Owners’ Association (CPOA) will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 11, at the Senior Center, starting at 7:30.

The Village is looking at traffic issues throughout the village, including First Street. The CPOA will be having an open discussion about First St traffic and welcomes your ideas that we can

discuss and possibly bring to the Village Traffic Commission Committee and board reports will be presented.

Follow the CPOA: Instagram@gardencitycpoa; Facebook Garden City Central Property Owners Association ; Website gccpoa.org

Hands 4 Hope fundraiser for Andy Foundation

The Andy Foundation was formed in 2004 to honor the memory of Andrew Patrick Palmeri. Andy’s family, young friends and their parents came together with the mission of helping less fortunate children. A“by kids-for kids” 501(c) 3 charity,

The Andy Foundation raises funds through grass roots events liketag sales, football clinics and bingo parties. Grants, donations, and hands on assistance are given toworthwhile, childbased organizations.

In honor of Valentine’s Day. Salonce Hair Salon located at 241 Nassau Blvd in West Hempstead is decorating their front window with children’s painted handprints to hopefully form a large heart! Please stop by Tuesday 2/11, Wednesday 2/12 & Thursday 2/13 between 4–7 p.m. to get your painted hand on the window! $10 per hand , 100% of your donation goes to The Andy Foundation. Adults are welcome! Sponsored by Salonce Boutique Hair Salon & Cathy Lattuca from Berkshire Hathaway Laffey International Realty. Please hashtag your photo to show your support #Hands4Hope

until

and wait!

GC Schools appoint new director of pupil personnel

At its business meeting on January 28, the Garden City Public Schools Board of Education proudly appointed Michele Vivona as the district’s new Director of Pupil Personnel Services, effective July 1, 2025.

Ms. Vivona brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to supporting students and families. Currently serving as the Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services at Garden City Schools, she has quickly made meaningful connections with staff and families and a comprehensive understanding of the district’s strengths and needs.

Her extensive career spans over 26 years in public education, including leadership roles such as Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services for Long Beach City Schools, School Psychologist and Coordinator of Special Education at Islip Schools, and Director of Secondary Special Education at Rockville Centre Schools. In these roles, Ms. Vivona has successfully overseen districtwide coordination of referrals to the Committee on Special Education, chaired CSE, CPSE, and Section 504 meetings, and supervised interdisciplinary teams, including social workers, behaviorists, and speech, occupational and physical therapists.

Ms. Vivona holds a Post-Master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership from Stony Brook University, a Master of Science in School Psychology from St. John’s University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Adelphi University. She is certified as a New York State School District Leader, School Building Leader, and School Psychologist.

“I am deeply honored to serve as the Director of Pupil Personnel Services for Garden City Schools,” said Ms. Vivona. “This is more than a role—it's an opportunity to partner

Michele Vivona was appointed director of pupil personnel services.

of Garden City Public Schools

portive environment where every student can discover their strengths and reach their full potential. Together, we will continue to build on the district's strong foundation, ensuring every student is empowered to succeed and be prepared for the future.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kusum Sinha shared, “we are thrilled to congratulate Ms. Vivona on this well-deserved role. Her vast experience and dedication to special education and pupil services will help us elevate the department. In a short time, she has already made a lasting impact, forging strong relationships with our staff and families. We are confident that under her leadership, we will continue to strengthen our support systems for students and foster an

Save the date:

RotaCare Caregivers Ball

RotaCare, a service which provides free healthcare for people in need, will be holding its annual Caregivers Ball on Thursday, April 10, at the Inn at New Hyde Park. The ball will honor Dr. Francis Faustino, chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at NYU Langone, and Tom Crowly, the immediate past district governor of Rotary District 7255.

Founded in 1992 by members of the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club, RotaCare was created to serve the needs of the uninsured on Long Island. Working with the Mary Brennan Interfaith Nutrition Network in Hempstead, volunteers recognized that, in addition to food, the medical needs of their clients were not being met adequately by the health care system.

Through the collaborative efforts of the Rotary Club, local health care professionals, area residents and an initial grant from Grumman Corporation, a “MASH” team was formed to operate weekly at the INN's soup kitchen. RotaCare was born.

When more space became necessary, RotaCare moved to the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility in Uniondale in

January 2009. A staff of doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, clerical staff and translators volunteered and continue to give selflessly of their time and talent to help uninsured individuals and families receive access to vital health care services. As a result of its integral involvement and benefit to the community, RotaCare Incorporated as a not-forprofit 501(c)3 organization and became a Rotary District 7250 project.

In September of 2022, RotaCare leased new space at a location in Hempstead. This 2,500 sq ft facility houses an EKG, equipment for nurses to perform more specialized testing and a medical supply room for distribution to patients on-site. Approximately 40 volunteers have the space they need to provide excellent care.

Since its inception, RotaCare has been supported by concerned companies, organizations, individuals and grants to sustain its good works and benefits to the community by facilitating free health care to people in need.

To obtain more information about Rotacare, you can go to their website at www.rotacareny.org

GC Democrats to meet Feb. 12

The Garden City Democratic Club will be meeting on Wednesday, February 12, at the Senior Center on Golf Club Lane, beginning at 7 p.m.

This year’s elections are local, from County Executive, Town Supervisor, to County Legislator. The Democratic Club plans on participating at all levels to provide an alternative to current stagnated policies.

Over the past four years, we’ve seen the County Executive create an armed

force of special officers, yet he has yet to keep his promise to voters that he would fix the broken assessment system. He boasts of holding the line on taxes, yet we still have some of the highest taxes in the country. Maybe it’s time to lower that line.

All registered Democrats are welcome to attend this meeting to launch an exciting political year.

For information, contact Tom Welch at 516-497-6501.

Photo courtesy

JEFFREY

Four Ever Smile™ patient

GCHS students get ready for Hoops for Hope

Students Helping Students members hang up posters for Hoops for Hope, which takes place on Tuesday, February 25.

SHS help spread the word about Hoops for Hope.

It’s time to count down to Hoops for Hope! Students Helping Students, a service club at Garden City High School, is gearing up for Hoops for Hope. SHS is helping to spread the word about the big day. They are just one of many clubs and teams who come out to support the Challengers. The Cheer and Kickline will be there. Students from ALL of the schools will be there. It’s the teamwork that makes this day so great. Join the fun! Cheer for the Challengers on Tuesday, February 25, at Garden City High School. Doors open at 3 and tipoff is at 3:30. The game is being played in memory of Bobby Menges, a GCHS alum who lost his battle with cancer. All proceeds from the game will be donated to the I’m Not Done Yet Foundation. INDY’s mission is to help adolescent and young adult cancer patients and survivors to live their lives the way they deserve.

A suggested donation of $5 includes a coupon for some free 7th Street Tenders from Seventh Street Gourmet, 100 Seventh Street, GC. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase for a chance to win great prizes. Family and business sponsorships

are available. If interested please contact Liz Menges at efmenges131@gmail.com. Questions? Contact Katherine O’Hanlon at 516-760-7868.

You won't want to miss this special afternoon!

High fives for the players!

Nate and Ben Lau hang posters.

Bobby Menges

LONG LIVE

The

Traffic Comm. starts on Mott Section safety improvements

From page 1

– from 11th Street to Old Country Road. Once this is approved we will make signs and get them posted as soon as possible, though we need approximately for the mark-outs to make sure we wouldn’t hit anything underground.”

Trustee Vinny Muldoon was enthused to hear this can be completed within the month. He shared a quick story about his rounds around Garden City and how he investigated the proposed safety initiative.

His message was that the Traffic Commission’s action would have a chance to push traffic further away, more to the north and east, and out of the Mott Section as most drivers were not going locally from Washington Avenue.

“I decided to travel right there morning, afternoon and evening as the main route is going down Eleventh Street, heading to the traffic light making a left as if I wanted to go east or north. Every time I tried doing that, the Waze and Google Maps showed me the route going through Kingsbury Road, wrap through it heading to Clinton Road and make a left – not even to make the left at Maxwell or Wetherill or any others. Each time these were the directions I received. So once I ignored it and the apps wanted me to make the first right then on Clayton Road, so then when I didn’t do that it showed me directions to the next right turn. Once I got all the way to Transverse Road it did not bring me over to Old Country Road – instead it took me all the way to Roslyn Road and making a right at Westbury Avenue. Then it brought me back to Glen Cove Road,” Muldoon said.

The Commission accepted the proposal for ‘No Right-Turn’ signs along Washington Avenue, with a vote of 4 to 0. Trustee Muldoon asked Police Commissioner Kenneth Jackson to make sure the GCPD puts in every effort to its enforcement once the signs go up, to which Jackson promptly agreed

2nd Street speed humps

At the January 16 meeting, the Traffic Commission revisited a request to install speed humps on 2nd Street between Franklin and Hilton Avenues.

The proposal, supported by nearby apartment residents, had been deferred three times—in July, September, and November 2024, following the completion of a speed study of the roadway by the GCPD.

Resident Mary Quinn addressed the Traffic Commission and said there is camera footage with evidence of excessive speeds down 2nd Street. She attended the Commission’s meetings last year, and said fellow residents of her apartment complex have joined her in signing a petition for the village to address safety concerns.

“Moving down 2nd Street is like a speedway as you have cars going 90 miles per hour, and doing 360 (turns) down 2nd. We have traffic all the time and you can’t get across the street from that crosswalk,” she said.

Trustee Finneran said there was a holdup in reviewing the matter due to some particulars on the residents’ petition. He referred to discussions the Commission has had with Superintendent Borroni about the single-family houses at the end of 2nd Street that could be impacted by new speed humps being installed.

Borroni said the petition was “some-

thing the village was looking into.” He shared more details and told the audience members there was no reason, from an engineering standpoint, that the speed humps could not be installed on 2nd between Franklin and Hilton. He then shared insights into the evaluations of community support for the traffic-calming device.

“We’re determining how to figure out the percentage – there is a 75% requirement (for residents’ supporting the speed humps). But for apartment buildings, we were not sure if this is counted as separate residences for each apartment or as one building and you do have a handful of houses on that block, aside from the apartment complex.

A speed survey of 2nd Street between Franklin and Hilton was dated June 24, 2024, and provided by GCPD Commissioner Kenneth Jackson last summer.

Trustee Finneran said there has been official clearance, “on an engineering basis” with the proposed installation of speed humps due to the shape of the road. Borroni confirmed that it would work.

Finneran asked if it was most appropriate to install one or two speed humps, and Borroni said this would be a location for two because it’s a long stretch of roadway.

Next, Trustee Finneran said the village needs to ensure all procedures are followed “and that we do have 75%.” The topic was again postponed. He offered Quinn a meeting at Superintendent Borroni’s office and said things will be reviewed more at that point.

Despite the comment, Trustee Muldoon said he’s already heard enough from the 2nd Street residents and felt

this matter should be decided on soon.

Trustee Finneran, who led the January 16th meeting, noted that because the Traffic Commission has been meeting bimonthly for the last several years, its next scheduled meeting is not until March 20th; however there are already plans for a February meeting.

The next meeting of the Traffic Commission will be on Thursday, February 13th beginning at 6:30 p.m. –open to the public both at Village Hall and via Zoom.

Trustee Finneran promised Mary Quinn that the 2nd Street petition will be “squared away” ahead of the February 13th meeting. He gave her his email address.

From the official press release, the Traffic Commission’s agenda for the February meeting includes “potentially banning and/or limiting truck traffic on the Village’s north-south corridors (e.g. Clinton Road, Washington Avenue, etc.); updates from Nassau County’s DPW on pending Village of Garden City roadway improvements or projects; potentially adopting a speed limit reduction across the village or on selected roads; and discussion of utilizing traffic calming strategies on specific roadways across the village.”

Another topic deferred at the January meeting was the review of parking on Seventh Street, specifically the village’s Parking Lot 7S. Trustee Finneran announced this topic was adjourned until the Commission’s February meeting. Superintendent Borroni noted that the Board of Trustees had approved the hiring of a firm which will complete a renovation of Lot 7S, “to include various things such as dumpster enclosures, adding parking stalls and more.”

Board of Trustees approves new recreation software

From page 1

$6,000 initiation to get staff trained and for everything to be set up. He expects that moving forward each year, it will be an expense of $13,450 for only the subscription fees.

“The Recreation Department undertook an extensive process to find this new software, taking about five months to research options. We engaged with multiple companies including some back in the fall, when I attended the 2024 National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) conference in Atlanta. We had some demonstrations over Zoom calls and we’ve checked references from companies and agencies that have already used CommunityPass Enterprise,” Mr. Hill explained.

In addition he discussed the new software with consultants from Brandstetter Carroll Inc. (BCI), the firm that has been working with Garden

City on surveys to inform the development of a Recreation Master Plan and to reach the final St. Paul’s survey. Hill said none of BCI’s clients or contacts have reported anything bad about the CommunityPass Enterprise software.

“From all the companies we researched we felt this would best suit our needs,” he told the Board at January’s meeting.

Trustee Jessica Tai asked about the timeline for implementation of this new software. Hill explained that a transfer/ transition process would take approximately eight weeks.

Hill also reported that the Rec. and Parks Department is performing multiple updates, checks and reviews to prepare for a busy spring when the seasonal recreational activities arrive and registrations for the Garden City Pool season are available to the community. He said that in the weeks ahead, their

operations will speed up.

“We had a successful holiday season with approximately 90 people attending our Christmas play and over 100 people attending the children’s Noon Year’s Eve (12 pm) party. I am also happy to announce that the industrial deep-cleaning for our village playground bathrooms began and will be completed (on January 16 and 17),” he said.

Trustee Vinny Muldoon said he will visit the restrooms to inspect the work done in improving their conditions.

Trustee Ed Finneran thanked Hill for preparing information and presenting the cost as a well-researched investment in better software to suit the department’s needs and serve the residents.

Hill said he was eager to put the item before the Board in January so the software could be in use as soon as possible, well before the pool season.

“We don’t want to look at changing anything midway through the time when we are selling this season’s pool memberships. We also want to move as fast as possible to try and work on more of what is outlined with our Finance Department, and every time RecPro has been a hindrance to what we are trying to improve there,” he noted.

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

Old World Quality Corp.

mcarterflanagan@gardencityny.net

Between now and the end of my term as Mayor, I plan to spend some time helping increase Village-wide awareness about St. Paul’s. I believe this is important and timely as we appear to be united as a community in our belief that it is time to make a decision.

This week I am sharing the documentation regarding the National Register of Historic Places, which is now available on the St. Paul’s Page of the Village website. “A.T. Stewart Era” Buildings Comprising Thematic Group on National Register of Historic Places | Garden City, NY

column. I had asked that the documentation be made available before publishing any cost ranges and am now asking that they be available with time for review before the scheduled Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday.

St. Paul’s Town Hall

February 11th

The St. Paul’s Main Building is not separately listed, but rather it is listed as part of a thematic group of buildings. The group includes 50 residential, commercial, religious and civic structures built as original elements of the planned community of Garden City between 1871 and 1893. St. Mary’s School and a number of the homes that were part of the thematic group recognized are no longer standing. The Water Works Building that many residents pass each day driving through the Village is one of the buildings that make up the thematic group, and it is still being used by the Water Department.

The designation of this thematic group is noted as having local historical significance, but not state-wide or national historical significance. The application was made in 1978 by former Village Historian Mildred H. Smith. I hope you take a few minutes to review this interesting document about our Village history.

In future columns I plan to share information on different St. Paul’s topics and next week will address why there are restricted uses of the property, and it’s actually more than just the parkland designation!

Feel free to reach out to me at mcarterflanagan@gardencityny.net if there are other questions you have about the Village’s efforts to find a solution to St. Paul’s that you would like me to address.

Awaiting documentation on cost estimates being shared by 6 Trustees

As your Mayor I continue to ask for any documentation available to support the cost ranges being put forth by the six trustees working on the St Paul’s Survey and the Advisory Committee. I have received no documentation as of the writing of this

There will be a St. Paul’s Town Hall at the Casino on Tuesday, February 11 beginning at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will provide an update on the St. Paul’s Advisory Committee, as well as additional information about the upcoming building survey, including descriptions of the various options for the Main Building and estimated financial information. This meeting is open to all residents. If you would like more information related to St. Paul’s, contact the St. Paul’s Advisory Committee at stpaulsquestions@gardencityny.net.

Traffic Commission Efforts

Residents with concerns about traffic in the village are encouraged to submit any specific requests in writing to the chairman of the traffic commission and attend the traffic commission meetings which allow for resident comments. The next meeting of the Traffic Commission is scheduled for Thursday, February 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall and via Zoom. At that meeting Police Commissioner Kenneth Jackson will provide information on speeding in the Village. The Traffic Commission is considering a speed limit reduction across the Village or on some roads in the Village. In 2024, 13, 675 tickets were issued for Village-wide traffic violations, of which 2,524 of them were for speed-related violations. Other topics include potentially banning and/or limiting truck traffic on the Village’s north-south corridors (e.g. Clinton Road, Washington Avenue, etc.), updates from Nassau County’s Public Works Department on pending roadway improvements or projects within the Village, and a discussion of utilizing traffic calming strategies on specific roadways across the Village.

Vehicle Theft Prevention

See page 39

Mayor Mary Carter Flanagan

Bus crash on Chestnut Street

On January 29, a charter bus struck the train trestle on Chestnut Street. Officers responded to the scene, and the driver, along with several passengers, was transported to a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The driver was charged with disregarding bridge clearance signs.

Suspicious activity

On January 29, officers investigated two reports of individuals checking car door handles on Kildare Road.

Overweight truck violations

A Clinton Road truck driver was charged with multiple overweight violations on January 29.

Water line break

Responding to a residence on January 29, officers assisted with a water line break. The Water Department arrived to shut off the water supply.

Fire alarm response

On January 29, GCFD and GCPD responded to a business where a fire alarm had been activated due to burnt food.

Fraudulent license plate

A truck driver on Clinton Road was stopped on January 29 and charged with displaying a fraudulent license plate and having defective brakes.

Hit-and-run on Franklin

On January 30, officers responded to Franklin Avenue after a report of a white van fleeing the scene of a collision. The vehicle was later found disabled on Old Country Road. Police say the 32-year-old driver was arrested for DWI and leaving the scene of an accident.

Revoked license arrest

A motorist on Commercial Avenue was arrested on January 30 for allegedly driving with a license revoked due to a prior DWI conviction.

Medical alert false alarm

On January 30, officers responded to a residence for a medical alert alarm. It was determined that the alarm was activated in error.

Gas leak on Brompton

Garden City Police responded to Brompton Road on January 30 for a reported natural gas leak. It was determined that National Grid was conducting work in the area.

Suspended license

A North Avenue motorist was charged on January 30 with driving with a suspended license and disregarding a no-right-turn sign.

Fire alarm malfunction

On January 30, GCFD and GCPD responded to a residence for a fire alarm, which was determined to have been triggered by a system malfunction.

Another overweight truck

A truck driver on Clinton Road was cited for multi ple overweight violations on January 30.

Hit-and-run on Cathedral

On January 31, a gray sedan reportedly fled the scene after colliding with another vehicle on Cathedral Avenue.

Suspended registration

A 9th Street motorist was stopped on January 31 and charged with driving with a suspended registration and unsafe lane usage.

Multiple fire alarm responses

On January 31, GCFD and GCPD responded to separate fire alarms, one set off in error and another triggered by a curling iron.

Unregistered vehicle

A motorist on New Hyde Park Road was charged on January 31 with driving with a suspended registration and an unregistered auto.

Gasoline odor

GCFD and GCPD responded to a residence on January 31 for a report of a gasoline odor. The source was determined to be a leaking snowblower.

Truck violations

On January 31, a truck driver on New Hyde Park Road was charged with unlicensed operation and driving without a highway use tax permit.

Multiple vehicles entered

On February 1, items were reported stolen from vehicles parked on Harrison Street, Kensington Road, and Jackson Street. Surveillance footage captured two male suspects checking car door handles.

Traffic violations

A Washington Avenue motorist was charged on February 1 with driving with a suspended license and passing a red light.

Burnt food fire alarm

On February 1, GCFD and GCPD responded to a residence after a fire alarm was activated due to burnt food. No injuries were reported.

Speeding, license violations

On February 1, two Stewart Avenue motorists were charged with driving with suspended licenses and excessive speed. Another motorist on Rockaway Avenue faced similar charges.

Arrest for fleeing accident

Police say a 36-year-old male was arrested on February 2 for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident. According to police, the suspect crashed into a fence bordering the School Administration Building on Cathedral Avenue the previous day and fled on foot.

Smoke condition investigation

On February 2, GCFD and GCPD responded to a residence for a smoke condition, which was determined to be caused by a flue issue. Firefighters vented the home.

Clinton Rd. traffic enforcement

On February 2, a Clinton Road motorist was charged with driving with a suspended license and exces-

sive speed. Another was cited for unlicensed operation and excessive speed.

Gas odor on Hamilton Place

Officers assisted firefighters on February 2 in investigating a reported natural gas odor on Hamilton Place. The area was deemed safe.

Building alarm on 7th Street

On February 2, officers responded to a building alarm on 7th Street and found an open door. After investigation, everything appeared in order.

Alarm set in error

GCFD and GCPD responded to a residence on February 2 for a fire alarm that had been set off in error.

Speeding, registration violations

On February 2, a Nassau Boulevard motorist was charged with driving with a suspended registration and excessive speed.

Brush fire reported

Garden City Police and Firefighters responded to Ash Street on February 2nd for a report of a possible brush fire and to Cambridge Avenue for a smoke condition. Both areas were checked with negative results.

Ordinations at The Cathedral of the Incarnation

The Bishop of Long Island, The Right Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano, ordained eight people across two Saturdays to the Sacred Order of Deacons. These were significant and meaningful events

in a diocese where there is a great deal of energy and spiritual growth. On January 25, there were four Candidates for Holy Orders ordained to the Transitional Diaconate, the final step

before their ordination to the Sacred Order of Priests. This will most likely occur in the fall. On February 1, there were four more Candidates ordained to the Permanent Diaconate, a permanent office in which they will serve their parishes and local communities. The diocese covers the four counties of Long Island – the Brooklyn Bridge to the Montauk Lighthouse.

Beyond holding regular ordinations

for the diocese, as its primary teaching church, the Cathedral is training three postulants, one to the Permanent Diaconate and two to the Priesthood, a sign of the Cathedral’s role in not only serving the present needs of the diocese, but also preparing its future leaders. This is a role the Cathedral and its clergy take with great joy and intention. It is an inspiring place to be!

Miguel Ángel Castilleja Escobar, Rt. Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano, Katharine Jane Akerman Schneider, Casey Jamaal

Ordination: A significant and meaningful event.

Attention students!

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

Rickie Hilton Park, Susan Klopfer Ellinghaus, Rt. Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano, Richard Frederick Ohlsen and Brenda Ronita Marshall.

Jones and Amirthaseeli Jeyaseelan Beulah Koila.

YVONNE VARANO FOR VILLAGE TRUSTEE

WORKING FOR ALL GARDEN CITY RESIDENTS

MARCH 18TH

VOTE THE COMMUNITY AGREEMENT PARTY

Adult Services at the Garden City Public Library

Monday Movies

Monday Movies presented by the Friends of the Garden City Library at 1:30 p.m.: February 2025

2/10/25: “Mamma Mia” - 109 min., 2008

2/17/25: President’s Day- No Movie

2/24/25: “The Man Who Knew Too Much” - 120 min., 1955

Programs

Below is our schedule for Adult Services. More programs and information will be available soon.

Mah-Jongg

Thursday, February 13, 2025

Saturday, February 22, 2025 (New!) Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Large Meeting Room

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.

Chairobics and Strength with Debbie Kryzminski

Wednesdays,February 12, February 19, February 26 (Please note this has been changed.

New Date: March 5), 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.

Defensive Driving Course with Empire Safety Council 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 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.

Learn Libby, Hoopla & Flipster Tuesday, February 11, from 11 a.m. to noon in the Small Meeting Room

Learn how to use these library services to download ebooks, magazines, audiobooks, and more onto their device, whether it be a Kindle, iPad, laptop, smartphone, tablet, or other ereader.

**Registration online at gardencitypl.org. or in person at the Garden City Public Library. Registrants should bring their device, any password(s) associated with their devices, and library card with them to the program.

John Kenrick Presents Jackie Gleason: “How Sweet It Is” Tuesday, February 11, from 2–3 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room

John Kenrick is back and will be discussing Jackie Gleason! Born to poverty, this Brooklyn native rose to fame on stage and immortality on television. What inspired Gleason to create “The Honeymooners”? And did he really refuse to rehearse those hilarious episodes? A multimedia celebration of the career and stormy personal life of “The Great One.”

Yoga with Kimberly Tuesdays. February 11, February 18, March 4, March 11, March 18, March 25, April 1, April 8 7 p.m.–8 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room Kimberly Mercadante is back with her popular Yoga Series! Join her for

film

will be screened at the Garden City Public Library on Monday, February 10.

a Yoga Class for beginners and more. All are welcome! This is a series of eight classes continuing through April.. To register, please register online at gardencitypl.org. 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.

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

Love to write?

will be the topic of a talk at the Garden City Library on February 11.

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 firstcome, first-served 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.

We’re looking for writers in our community to compose ar ticles on local topics, opinions, reviews, worthy places to visit on Long Island, and even pieces of fiction. We aim to feature at least one new article and writer each week in our Discovery magazine section.

Email submissions: editor@gcnews.com

• Attach article and any photos (1MB), along with your name and contact info.

• Articles must be between 1,500 - 3,000 words. • Each writer will be reimbursed a stipend of $25.⁰⁰

Jackie Gleason

The

“Mamma Mia”

News from the Children’s Room

Children from ages birth to five enjoyed a musical program from the Tiny Songbirds.This program was funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Upcoming February Library Programs for Children

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 January 2025.

• Saturday, February 8, at

1:30 p.m.: Edible Slime With Science Teacher Chris Buchman (Grades 3–5)

• Monday, February 10, at 10:30 a.m.: Toddler Storytime (18 Months to 3 Years)

• Tuesday, February 11, at 10:30 a.m.: Mother Goose Storytime (Birth to 17 Months, Non-Walkers)

• Tuesday, February 11, at 11:30 a.m.: Preschool Storytime (3 Years to 5, Not in Kindergarten)

• Tuesday, February 11, at 4:00 p.m.: Lego Club (Grades K–5)

GC Public Library holiday closing

The Garden City Public Library will be closed on Sunday, February 16, and Monday, February 17 (President's Day).

The Library will reopen on Tuesday, February 18, for regular hours.

The STEAM Club for Grades K2 will meet on Wednesday, February 12, at 4:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, February 12, at 10:30 a.m.: Preschool Craft (3 Years to 5, Not in Kindergarten)

• Wednesday, February 12, at 4:00 p.m.: STEAM Club for Grades K–2

• Tuesday, February 18, at 11:00 a.m.: Movie - “Quest for Camelot” (Grades K–5)

• Wednesday, February 19, at 10:30 a.m.: Preschool Craft (3 Years to 5, Not in Kindergarten)

• Wednesday February 19, at 1:00 p.m.: Craft for Grades K–5

• Friday, February 21, at 10:00 a.m.: Chess4Community

• Monday, February 24, at 10:30 a.m.: Toddler Storytime (18 Months to 3 Years)

• Tuesday, February 25, at 10:30 a.m.: Mother Goose Storytime

(Birth to 17 Months, Non-Walkers)

• Tuesday, February 25, at 11:30 a.m.: Preschool Storytime (3 Years to 5, Not in Kindergarten)

• Wednesday, February 26, at 10:30 a.m.: DUPLO Lego

• Wednesday, February 26, at 4:00 p.m.: STEAM Club for Grades K–2

Unattended Child Policy

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.

GC Public Library Board to meet

There will be a Special and Regular Meeting of the Board of Library Trustees on Monday, February 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the Library’s large meeting room located on the lower level. The Board will immediately move into Executive Session for advice of Counsel, to discuss a matter of personnel pursuant to sec-

tion 105(1)(f) of the Open Meetings Law. At approximately 7:30 p.m. the Library Board will move into a public session to continue the Regular Meeting Agenda. Further details will be posted when available on the Library’s website, www.gardencitypl.org.

It’s What’s Happening for Young Adults through the Library

Teens used acrylic paint pens and permanent markers to decorate their own ceramic mugs during Teen Crafternoon: DIY Ceramic Mugs. Teen Crafternoon was held Friday, January 24, at the Library. The next Teen Crafternoon program, Teen Crafternoon: Perler Bead Art, will be held on Friday, February 21, at 3 p.m. in which teens can make their own magnets, keychains, and more using Perler Beads. Sign-up for Teen Crafternoon: Perler Bead Art will begin on Tuesday, February 11, online at https://www.gardencitypl.org/calendar/. Teen Crafternoon was funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Make Slime You Can Eat During Teen STEAM Workshop: Edible Slime with Chris Buchman!

Simple kitchen ingredients will be used and all slime made can be taken home. Learn about the chemistry of why these items together make a chemical reaction that results in slime. Registration is required online at https://www.gardencitypl.org/ calendar/. Teens who complete an online survey after the program can receive community service for participating in this program. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Upcoming and Ongoing Library Programs for Tweens and Teens

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/fMSu9SNq4WZLjRMu6 for the following programs:

• Friday, February 7, at 3:30 p.m.: Teen Gamers (Grades 6–12)

• Saturday, February 8, at 3 p.m.: Teen STEAM Workshop: Edible Slime with Chris Buchman (Grades 6–12)

Registration begins Monday, February 3, at 10 a.m. online at https://www.gardencitypl.org/ calendar/ for the following program:

• Monday, February 3–Friday, February 7: Bookmarks for Community Service, Week Five (Grades 6–12)

Registration begins Tuesday, February 4, at 10 a.m. online at https://www.gardencitypl.org/ calendar/ for the following programs:

• Tuesday, February 11, at 3:30 p.m.: LEGO Club Volunteering (Grades 6–12)

• Thursday, February 13, at 4 p.m.: Teen Creative Hour (Grades 6–12)

• Thursday, February 13, at 7 p.m.: Friendship Bracelets for Community Service (Grades 6–12)

Registration begins Monday, February 10, at 10 a.m. online at https://www.gardencitypl.org/calendar/ for the following program:

• Monday, February 10-Friday, February 14: Bookmarks for Community Service, Week Six (Grades 6-12)

Registration begins Tuesday, February 11, at 10 a.m. online at https://www.gardencitypl.org/cal -

At January’s Teen STEAM Workshop on Saturday, January 25, teens learned about DNA by extracting it from strawberries. Now join us for February’s Teen STEAM Workshop: Edible Slime with Chris Buchman on Saturday, February 8, at 3 p.m., and make slime that you can eat!

endar/ for the following programs:

• Tuesday, February 11–Thursday, February 20: rnaments for Community Service (Grades 6–12 )

• Wednesday, February 19, at 7 p.m.: Teen Game Night (Grades 6–12)

• Friday, February 21, at 3 p.m.: Teen Crafternoon: Perler Bead Art (Grades 6–12)

Registration begins Monday, February 17, at 10 a.m. online at https://www.gardencitypl.org/calendar/ for the following program:

• Monday, February 17–Friday, February 21: Bookmarks for Community Service, Week Seven (Grades 6–12)

Registration begins Tuesday, February 18, at 10 a.m. online at https://www.gardencitypl.org/calendar/ for the following programs:

• Tuesday, February 25, at 4 p.m.: Tween Tuesdays: 100 Paper Cup Building Challenge (Grades 4–7)

• Thursday, February 27, at 4 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons (Grades 6–12)

Ongoing Take-Home Community Service Opportunities

Looking to volunteer? Check out some of our ongoing take-home community 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 ServiceNo registration required. Up to 10 cards can be submitted per volunteer monthly.

• Ongoing to Friday, February 28: Winter Stories for Community Service.

• January 6 to Monday, May 5, 2025: Around the World Recipe Cards for Community Service.

Teens Start the New Year with Teen Gamers

Teens kicked off the weekend and the New Year on Friday, January 10 at the Library with Teen Gamers! Teens enjoyed snacks and drinks while playing games on the Library’s Nintendo Switch consoles, including games like Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart 8, as well as playing board games like Jenga and Uno. Teen Gamers will be back on Friday, February 7, with sign-up beginning Tuesday, January 28, online at https://www.gardencitypl.org/ calendar/. Board games, including Jenga, Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, Sorry, Clue, and more, are also available in the Tweens and Teens Room for patrons to use anywhere in the Library. Teen Gamers was funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Garden City PTA News

Save the Dates!

Grab your calendar and mark down these important upcoming dates across the school district. 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.

• Feb 12 – All Schools Meeting has been POSTPONED to 3/3 at 7:30 p.m.

• Feb 17–Feb. 21 – Schools Closed, Winter Break

• March 3 - All Schools Meeting, 7:30 p.m.

GC Cares-a-Thon

The GC Cares-a-thon, which took place last Friday on January 31, was an ENORMOUS success!! This event is designed to open middle school student minds to local and global

causes, where they actively come up with ideas on how they can make an impact. These ideas are then brought to life at tables that line the hall of the middle school during this event, and attendees can get involved in as many tables as they have time for, to make their own difference in the causes that the middle school students have chosen. The students receive community service hours for their time. There were over THIRTY tables at this event with causes that ranged from collecting toiletries for troops, helping teen patients at hospitals, to cancer awareness and so many more. Thank you to all of the families who donated items and to the 354 students volunteers and student guests who participated in this event and made an indelible impact!!

Parent University

In an effort to accommodate par -

ents’ busy schedules, the PTA will be shifting the format of Parent University moving forward. Instead of one night with multiple sessions, we will be hosting presenters on various educational topics of interest for parents on a monthly basis throughout the year. It will be called “Parent University Presents…” and will feature presentations relevant to parents of children in K–12. Please look out for more information on the sessions we have coming up! We hope to see you there!

PARP

On Tuesday, February 11, join GC PARP for a virtual visit by author Dennis Matthew (How Grizzly Found

Gratitude)! Check emails for the registration link and more information on this event!

Raffle Donations Needed for the Annual PTA Dinner!

The Garden City PTA will hold our Annual Fundraising Dinner on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 6:30 p.m. at the Garden City Hotel. This year ’ s dinner theme is “ Ascending to New Heights. ” By participating in the dinner, every educator, parent, and member of our school community can ensure that our students' futures continue to reach new heights!

We are looking for donations of exciting raffle baskets ($250+ value) and enticing silent auction items

A Clause table at GC Cares-a-thon. Cards for Veterans at GC Cares-a-thon.

Diabetes Awareness table at GC Cares-a-thon.

Cancer Awareness table at GC Cares-a-thon.

Wildlife Warriors at GC Cares-a-thon.

Garden City PTA News

($500+ value) to help make the evening a success! If you would like to show your support of the PTA and this event, please consider joining together with your family, friends, neighbors or club and donate a raffle basket or silent auction item. If you have a connection to sports tickets, concert venues, vacation properties or experiences, please consider donating as these make very exciting prizes. Donated items will be on display at the dinner and listed in the evening's program. Email dinnerdonations@gardencitypta.org if you plan to donate or have any questions. Please help us make a difference!

PTA Reflections Nassau Region Finalists 2024-2025

Congratulations to the students who participated in the district PTA Reflections contest, went on to the Nassau region level and are Nassau Region Finalists!

Locust

Leia Curtin (Dance Choreography)

Stewart

Willow Griffing (Visual Arts)

Stratford

Olivia Ding (Visual Arts)

Aria Noble (Dance Choreography)

Oliver Clark (Music Composition)

Emilie Cheng (Film Production)

Middle School

Natalie Yu (Visual Arts)

Katie Zhao (Visual Arts)

Hannah Cianciotto (Music Composition )

High School

Sarah Phinney (Literature)

Sarah Phinney (Music Composition)

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

To Get Real Time InformationTurn on Notifications

Facebook: Facebook.com/ GardenCityPTA

Instagram: Instagram.com/ GardenCityPTA

Twitter: Twitter.com/ GardenCityPTA

GCPD: Vehicle Theft Prevention

SUBMITTED BY THE GARDEN CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

As theft from vehicle incidents continue to challenge our community and communities throughout Nassau County, some individuals are taking advantage of unlocked cars, particularly during those quiet overnight hours. Thieves are checking for unlocked vehicles, and, unfortunately, when they find one, they’re making off with everything from loose change to personal belongings. In some cases, the subject was able to steal a vehicle when they located a key or smart key/fob.

In light of this, the Police Department wants to remind everyone to take a few simple precautions:

• Always lock your vehicle, even if you’re running into the house for a minute.

• Don’t leave valuables in plain sight; even an old gym bag can look like treasure to a thief.

• Never leave or hide a key, smart key/key fob, valet key, or spare key in your vehicle.

• Never leave your car running, unattended, or unlocked.

• If possible, park your vehicle in a locked garage.

• Park your vehicle in well-lit areas.

• Keep the exterior of homes and driveways well-illuminated.

• Close all your vehicle windows completely when parked.

• Consider installing a GPS system, a visible anti-theft device, or an audible alarm.

• Never leave valuable personal property in your vehicle.

• Also, secure your garage door opener to prevent access to your home.

• Install surveillance cameras.

• And if you see anything suspicious—whether it’s someone loitering near cars or trying door handles—don’t hesitate to report it.

Commissioner Jackson reminds everyone that thefts involving unoccupied vehicles are often just crimes of opportunity. When simple precautions are taken to reduce that opportunity, the likelihood of someone entering your vehicle is drastically reduced. In addition, alert residents are often instrumental in the apprehension of criminals, particularly subjects who commit larcenies involving vehicles. Residents are encouraged to promptly call 911 and report suspicious activities, people, noises, or vehicles, including license plate numbers, to the Police Department. In addition, residents and property owners with video surveillance footage of a crime on their property or a neighbor’s property are encouraged to contact the Detective Division at 465-4108.

Town offers safe boating classes

Boating season may be several months away, but with a New York State law now in effect that requires all operators to be certified in safe boating, Supervisor Don Clavin and the Hempstead Town Board are offering safe boating classes starting in February. As boating is one of Hempstead Town’s most enjoyable pastimes, Supervisor Clavin and Town Board colleagues want to ensure that all residents remain safe and prepared while setting sail.

The first course of 2025 — for

ages 10–18 years — will be held in two sessions: Saturday, February 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday, February 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Department of Conservation and Waterways (1401 Lido Boulevard, Point Lookout). Participants must attend both sessions to receive their boating safety certificate. The classes are led by the Town’s Bay Constables.

“Teaching the next generation how to operate a boat is a rite of passage for many Long Island families, and we

in America’s largest township want to ensure that local mariners practice safe boating,” said Supervisor Clavin.

“Learning at a young age will give future seafarers greater experience and knowledge of their watercraft and the local waterways, creating a safer environment for everyone. We encourage all young residents to sign up for the Town’s upcoming safe boating course.”

The New York State law governing these new boating safety requirements is known as Brianna’s Law, named

after 11-year-old Long Island resident Brianna Lieneck, who was killed in a boating accident in 2005. Additional safe boating courses for youth and adults will be announced in the near future. To register for an upcoming Boater Safety Class, please call the Bay Constables at (516) 897-4100. Residents who are already certified but cannot locate their card can obtain new documentation at https://www.ilostmycard.com/records?state_cd=NY&cert_ type=Boating

Sorry residents, the fix is in To the Editor:

As we literally entertain the largest financial decision this village has ever made, larger than building any of the schools or the $50,000,000 we have spent on water, it was disheartening to see Georgena Wilson’s excellent letter to the GC News explaining how this survey won’t be accepted by the residents and “won’t count because it’ll too easily be proven worthless”. (https:// www.gcnews.com/articles/survey-dismisses-39-of-residents/) While the POA BOT continues to argue that “you can vote for demo on this survey”, the six trustees that were responsible for sidelining BCI, the professional firm hired to create an unbiased survey, might not be aware that the residents fully realize if this BOT wanted a fair survey, rather than having a convoluted methodology to “vote demo”, they could just as easily add a box to check for “demo”. Which is exactly what they did for the “Muldoon Mothballing”.

The POA BOT members are fully aware that many residents will go through their survey as it is now and not even realize they can write in Demo. There is not one indication on this entire five page survey that you are allowed to even add a different choice; whether it be demo or façade. Sure the ten or twelve people that go to BOT meetings might hear from the POA Trustees themselves that you “can write in demo”, but the other 22,000 residents won’t. Not only are these six trustees aware of this, they are actually counting on it in the most cynical way! And while many of the problems are a direct result of the Mayor’s horrific “opinion poll”, that does not excuse THIS board of trustees from putting out a survey that is structured to get a predetermined result that the six Save Every Brick trustees prefer. It is highly unethical and highly undemocratic. Residents should demand the right to check a box for “DEMO”.

The POA’s Trustees have cancelled the resident’s ability to vote for “demo” because it only got 39% of the vote, yet they have added the “Muldoon Mothballing” that got exactly 0% of ANY VOTE!!! ZERO. For a year we hear from the Save Every Bricker’s how we don’t have enough space, the Senior Center is sinking so must be moved to St Paul’s, the Library must be moved to St. Paul’s, we need room for Pre-K, there are not enough rooms in the Village, we need a “teenage dance room”, etc and now we all know it was, let us say, less than honest. Because now, all of a sudden, we don’t need any space, now we can just mothball the building for generations at a cost of $40,000,000 plus.

Even more inexplicable is after two weeks we have yet to receive any supporting data for the costs used for this survey. Basic questions like were soft

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

costs included? Was a 10% contingency used which would be fine for well-cared GC homes, or the 30% that many professionals feel a 150-year old dilapidated building deserves. One can only draw the conclusion that the creation of these numbers, numbers for what might very well be the largest financial decision in the history of this Village, might not have gone thru the rigorous process that a team of highly qualified engineers, P.E.s and finance experts might have done, but rather were done on the back of a napkin, and there is in reality no supporting data. And after two weeks we can now envision the mad scramble to recreate data to justify their “ballpark” figures. Why else would we be waiting weeks for data? Were the five POA Trustees that voted to approve Trustee Muldoon’s estimates with zero back-up data really this negligent when it comes to exercising their fiduciary duty to the residents? Why does Trustee Harrington sit quietly, as Head of the Finance Committee, rather than demand the most basic back-up data from her fellow POA Trustee? Trustee Harrington says she is exercising fiscal responsibility as she votes against $26,000 for the library carpet, but $40,000,000, $65,000,000 or $90,000,000, who needs data or back-up numbers when it comes to St Paul’s?

So, as we approach another survey, this one with cost estimates created solely by one Trustee with no supporting data, I urge residents to be skeptical of any numbers that have been given without the normal basic supporting documentation that is used for cost estimating. I would further caution residents against believing any other unverified information we might hear from the Save Every Brick Trustees or the Alliance or the Historical Society immediately before the survey. For those that don’t remember, immediately before the last survey/opinion poll we had repeated statements from Alliance Leader Frank McDonough supposedly attributed to unnamed “world renowned lawyers and experts”, fanciful math (“who wouldn’t want to save St Paul’s for less than $400 a year?” screamed one postcard after another), terrifying scare tactics regarding demolition leading to closed fields, soccer practices in Guam and certain types of housing the residents might not want, and literally Alice in Wonderland promises, which many residents, sadly, took at face value as they voted. The seniors of this village were particularly misled by the Alliance Trustees with a fake Trustee Torino St. Paul’s Senior Tax Exemption that he and Trustees Muldoon, Courtney and Tai promised.

What has happened to Garden City that it is ok to mislead our seniors as long as we do it with a smile and fake civility?

Perhaps before this survey we will see another last minute tax exemption, maybe a Trustee Torino St. Paul’s Pet

Owners Tax Exemption. Believe it at your own risk.

Donald MacLeod

St. Paul’s Conservancy a good thing

To the Editor:

Examples of the great work of conservancies is all around us in the New York City region. All one needs to do is look at the amazing things that have been accomplished over the years at Bryant Park, Central Park, and Prospect Park. All these non-profit organizations are partners with The City of New York. Bryant Park, for example, has a working budget that is 6 times what the city was allocating to this park and it is now a midtown cultural hub, with an amazing winter festival (known as the Winter Village at Bryant Park). Imagine a winter carnival at St. Paul’s with a temporary out-door skating rink and holiday festivities happening within this architectural gem? Perhaps you could imagine yourself sitting by one of the grand fireplaces with an Irish Coffee as your children or grandchildren visit Santa Claus! Sounds like a real Currier and Ives scene to me.

The point here is that the Village administration and all of the residents could benefit immensely from a conservancy partnership that would work together to coordinate an incredible and functional year-round recreational and community enrichment center that we could all enjoy.

Unfortunately, The Mayor and other members of FABGC have unfairly opposed the conservancy concept for the last few years and even openly attacked and demeaned the St. Paul’s Conservancy (listen to BOT meeting videos on YouTube). The Mayor, and others, have accused the conservancy of not being willing to fund repair projects at St. Paul’s over the last several years. Imagine the audacity of that?

The mayor and the FABGC group who support demolition or massive facadism (demolition) expect to have a group of well-intentioned, hardworking residents offer up their hard-earned money to repair a building that FABGC and The Mayor have every intention of destroying months later. They have even gone so far as comparing the St. Paul’s Conservancy to The Friends of the Garden City Library! No one is planning to knock-down the GC Library!! That group, over the years, has generously supported numerous programs and other causes at the library and should be recognized and applauded for their efforts, but in no way should another unrelated group be expected to contribute money to a building that others are hoping to demolish!

Once the building is “guaranteed” to be saved, restored, and repurposed, the St. Paul’s Conservancy is ready, willing, and able to bring forth a meaningful partnership with The Village of Garden

City that could bring about a community center “like-no-other”. Much like our historic village is unique on Long Island, so would be our new community center, a home for our social activities, sitting within a magnificent and architecturally significant building. Be on the right side of history, support the efforts of the St. Paul’s Conservancy and the work of the St. Paul’s Alliance.

Robert Vassalotti

Two certainties about survey

To the Editor:

There are two certainties regarding St Paul’s and the upcoming survey.

1) The survey is unfairly biased against demolition, so no one will accept the results

2) The costs to residents will be far greater than the published amounts I sincerely hope this BOT repents, attempts to be unbiased, and has a place to check “Demolition”

George Kane

What’s it really going to cost me?

To The Editor:

The newly passed St. Paul’s restricted survey contains a sheet of highly questionable costs to our village property taxes. It has yet to be explained how and where these cost numbers were coming from and how they were calculated.

In the Village of Garden City, the taxable assessed value (AV) is .0122 of the full market value. Example: A home with a market value of $1M x .0122 has an assessed value of $12,220. Now you take that number x Tax Rate ( for the 6/1/2024 to 5/31/25 fiscal year the tax rate is $50.9216 on each $100 of assessed value). That works out to be $12,200 (AV) x $.509216 = $6,212.43, which is what you owe in only village tax.

Historically, for each million dollars added to the village budget we have seen an increase in our tax levy go up approximately 2%. Using that analogy of yearly increases, a St. Paul’s bond could add $5,$10, $15 million, or more to the budget while creating an increase of 10% to ??% to the tax levy and your tax bill per year depending upon the size and complexity of the project. The bond payments only include the principal and interest to be paid over the length of the bond. It would not include any of the yearly village’s tax increases of 2% CAP for village services nor would it include soft, operating, and maintenance costs(O/M). We can only assume that these O/M expenses will increase each year anywhere from $1.5m to $2.0m or more annually.

You should know all the relevant numbers on your mailed tax bill. If you do not receive a tax bill contact your mortgage provider or the village tax department for this information. After all, now is the time to make informed decisions that will impact our financial future for years to come. But this can only be done after we are presented with

accurate and verifiable cost estimates and not just ballpark figures. Bob Orosz

Former member of Nassau County Residential Assessment Reform Teamand a co-author of the Nassau County Property Taxpayers’ Bill Rights Village debt could exceed $50 million

To the Editor:

In my previous letter I pointed out that that Village debt (excluding Water Dept) has risen 28 million dollars in the past nine years. I stated that the projected balance at 5/31/2025 would be 39.9 million. I subsequently discovered that there was a backlog of bonds that had been approved FYE 5/31/2024 that had not been issued. These unissued bonds totaled 12.7 million. If these bonds are issued by May 31,2025, it would bring the bond balance up to 52.6 million. I have asked Trustees Harrington and Finneran to prepare a 5-year bond plan, but they have not responded. Maybe they will present it at one of the Budget meetings. It certainly should be explained at one of the Town Hall meetings to be held before the survey is released. The figures above include 3.9 million for the fire training facility and 5.0 million for the Edgemere Firehouse. They do not include the estimated 10.0 million for St Paul’s abatement.

Re the upcoming survey: The estimated cost figures are overstated. The survey contains a group of yes/no questions using a 15- or 30-year amortization of the debt. The survey states that “Would need NYS approval for this bond. What happens if we do get this approval? Has it been discussed with NYS? This whole series of questions can be tossed out the window if we do not get NYS approval. They should get this approval in writing before the survey goes out.

I guess that Vinny, Finneran and company do not care what it costs Bob Wolff

Thinking about St. Paul’s

To the Editor:

The disposition of the St Paul’s building has many parallels to the recent presidential election. Voters/residents have been bombarded by information, misinformation, falsehoods and character assassinations. Equally importantly, residents have had relevant and material information withheld from them by certain groups in order to unlevel the playing field. No surprise then that many residents are confused, uninformed, misinformed, turned off, tuned out, hyper-emotional, etc.

And yet, residents still need to make an affirmative decision. I’m a deeply analytical person. To come to my own viewpoint, I posed a lot of questions; eventually, I organized them around four key themes. I offer this framework to others to help them make their own decisions. First, with your eyes wide open, are

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

you supportive of having the Village spend $40MM (more?) for what can only be considered a monument that has no current or foreseeable use (“mothballing”) or $90MM (maybe more?) for that monument plus a community center. Do you believe that any such community center would be sub-optimal because it will be stuffed into a tiny portion of a giant, inefficient and expensive-to-maintain multi-story building and used to justify the monument? Do you consider as acceptable to you (and to burden your neighbors with) the higher property taxes (20%?) that will result and endure for the next 15 years in order to fund both the capital costs and the operating and maintenance costs? Are these factors likely to increase or decrease the value of your property?

Second, are you willing to have the Village use up a material portion of its borrowing capacity for a monument?. Would you prefer to invest that capacity in, as of yet, unbudgeted capital projects (schools, parks, theaters, recreation, Village infrastructure, etc.) that would definitively make our Village a better, more attractive place to live going forward? Would such an approach be likely to increase the value of your property?

Third, don’t you want your Trustees to “walk the talk” rather than continue to “talk the talk” with respect to governance and transparency?

Fourth, are you so indifferent and/ or economically insensitive to the outcome that you won’t bother making and expressing a decision because you’re willing to live with what a small number of others decide, no matter how consequential the outcome would be?

I’ll give you my take on these considerations, but you should make up your own mind. If, AFTER you’ve thought about the questions I posed and you disagree with me, I’m OK.

My personal view is that jamming programs into the St Paul’s building in order to justify a monument basically leaves us with a second-rate community center and an expensive monument. This doesn’t provide bang for the buck with respect to quality of life in the Village. If we want a community center, by all means, let’s design and construct a purpose-built facility that meets our specific needs and wants. It will be superior and far less expensive to build and operate.

My personal view is that using up our debt capacity in order to have a monument and, maybe, a second-rate community center seems absurd. This monument would be honoring Alexander Turney Stewart, but how many residents are even familiar with his biography, how he made his fortune, or what happened to it a century-and-a-half ago? And who, outside of some zealots in Garden City, would care? Ask if anyone (especially the zealots) has put their own money (i.e., contributions) where their

mouth is.

My personal view is that the BOT has, so far, kept its work in the shadows and given us no visibility with respect to material information, process, or timetable. There has been, to date, no transparency or evidence of good governance. This a continuation of the “trust me, I’ll tell you everything I want you need to know so that you can agree with me” approach from the playbook of certain groups. Chicago-style democracy at work at its best.

Residents must demand, at a minimum, that the Trustees publicly commit to:

(1) Full Disclosure and to allow a period of time to enable a thoughtful public analysis of all the cost information; this should address who prepared it, whether they are qualified, independent and not conflicted; what’s in, what’s out, etc. BEFORE the survey goes out;

(2) Crystal Clear Instructions: for the survey to those who affirmatively oppose the preservation alternatives; this must go beyond “I do not support this alternative”’ or “none of the above”. There must be total clarity and no ambiguity in the survey and how it’s analyzed. For those who don’t know, the Trustees rejected BCI’s suggestions (which the Mayor’s Advisory Committee felt were appropriate and would provide good data) regarding survey design. These Trustees were dictatorial in their approach (you can vote for Putin or V. Putin or Vladimir Putin, but nothing else). That’s why it took 27 iterations to get to the version they approved; and

(3) That a bond issuance, if there is to be one, be accompanied by updated cost information with full and fair disclosure of all material facts, as well as be subject to a resident vote.

Thomas Jefferson commented that “a properly functioning democracy depends on an informed electorate”. Regardless of whether or not you agree with my personal views, think about the considerations I outlined. They matter. Don’t be like the 83% of eligible voters in NYC who didn’t vote and saw Bill DeBlasio get elected mayor with the support of 11% of eligible voters. Look at all the “good” work he did and the “woe is me” that resulted.

If you don’t educate yourself and weigh in, don’t be surprised if you see your Village taxes increase massively or if your property values decline because would-be home-buyers avoid Garden City and its high property taxes because it spent a fortune on a monument that means nothing to them, while potentially foreclosing projects that could enrich the Village with practical projects. It’s up to you. Disagree with me, but you have no excuse to remain uninformed and/or indifferent.

Jim Apostolides

Demolition is

deserving

To the Editor:

The announcement/approval of the six Trustee driven survey no doubt caused a stir. How did the Mayor’s non-binding Poll get twisted into a Save the Building preservation feast excluding 85% or more of the eligible voters from truly exercising their right to an opinion? Facade and demolition, two options on the Mayor’s Poll ballot, have been eliminated by six Trustees and replaced with a half baked mothball idea for who knows how long and a murky partial replacement choice. The six Trustee letter, p.2 in last week’s GCN, doesn’t explain the substitution of mothballing or partial replacement instead of facade which was on the Oct. Poll. Yet the 6 Trustees now rely upon the Poll as justification for disregarding BCI’s advice that demolition and facade should be affirmative survey options, rather than the question eight now in the Trustee driven survey. In their letter aren’t they essentially admitting that their supporters would be aggravated if demolition was given a fair shot.

What is one to think and do? To boycott the survey only surrenders your right to choose to the save every brick advocates. Preservationists want everyone to share the cost burden to save a decrepit building with no popular demonstrable uses at a cost that jeopardizes the financial well being of the Village. A well explained graphic illustration (see letter, p. 36 with illustration) demonstrates how a reuse project or other preservation choices would skyrocket debt and no doubt impair the Village from accomplishing more for the benefit of all residents. Do not forget that there have been maintenance issues at two schools recently, the High School having delayed starts, the Middle School losing a day of school -attention to betterment of our schools requires focus and money. While Village and School taxes are separate, they add up to comprise sizeable taxes even now without spending tens of millions on a St. Paul’s broken building. So we have heat functioning issues in two schools yet 6 Trustees offer to indefinitely put heat in St Paul’s as part of the mothballing.

Regarding the survey we must play the cards we are dealt, whether fair or not. That means focusing on question 8, all parts of it, and clearly expressing that we want something better, something with more certainty, more flexible space to accommodate a multiplicity of uses. Please remember demolition gives us a clean slate. Some have written yes bring out the wrecking ball; modern demolition actually means we get a new beginning, a clean canvas to draw on not a sad ending perhaps like the 11 St. Social Services to Family Court building Renovation project, years late

See page 38

From page 37

and tens of millions over budget. (read front page Newsday August 30, 2023).

Modern demolition techniques, “historic demolition-salvage”, are very safe and modern equipment can preserve historic elements of the building to be integrated into a park and /or a community-rec center.

Meanwhile in a recent video on Facebook Trustee Muldoon, who repeatedly posts about how he would “never kick the can down the road”, remarked that if mothballing is chosen the future of the building will be left to a “future generation”...the ultimate kicking the can (a 92 yard punt) down the road. And if considering Q. #4 or 5- how long will the building have to “dry out” (his words) before a construction preservation project could commence. Whoa! So what then is the purpose of surveying residents about what uses they want now? What benefit will seniors ever derive from that option?

Demolition has been costed at approx. $15M, in the Oct. Poll the 6 trustees now rely, if you add a classy *”Central Park style”*the St Paul’s Committee conceded the cost was $32M for both*. (GCN, 3/31/23 letter, p.2) For either a demolition or facade concept a new structure gets a made to order treatment, reasonable per. sq. ft. costs with lower operating cost and maintenance. Isn’t it puzzling that Trustee Muldoon as a fiduciary, at last BOT meeting would entertain any discussion that demolition with merely grass and trees would cost anywhere near $50M? (BOT at 2 hr. 10 min conversation- Bob Wolff and Trustee Muldoon).

Given Trustee’s Muldoon’s background, lack of experience with demolition and with large commercial buildings, perhaps it is not surprising that the 6 Trustee survey #27 cost estimates for preservation (except for mothballing where abatement is estimated by D&B) have no documented support, no data, no line item or specifications or reports from any qualified company, be they engineering, architectural or construction. Where is the “Transparency” Trustee Muldoon repeatedly posts about?

Let us be creative looking towards the future, not imprisoned by our past. Doesn’t the demolition option deserve consideration? I think the letter, “Survey Dismisses 39% of Residents” by Georgena Wilson, last week p, 37, says it best, articulating: “When the final vote comes around again (this vote (referring to the survey) will not count because it’ll too easily be proven worthless) there’s the hypothesis that those who originally voted “facade preservation” will now vote “demolish” because they’ve just been pushed too far”.

The only way to assure you are heard, that these choices of facade and demolition get a fair shake, is to say No Do Not

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

Support to Questions 4,5,6 and answer 7 and 8 to express support for better choices. Consider writing, filling in Q.8, # 8 “ demolition and/or facade” if you wish to get the Village on track to a rational and reasonable solution. Instead of the 6 Trustees making the residents do a multi-step approach to voting, shouldn’t place a single check box for “Demo” be there so residents will realize this is an option.

S. G. Gorray

P.S. Trustee Courtney rapidly responded to my letter last week, (p. 37) and advised that the survey cover letter would provide information concerning responding to question 8 in the survey. No details as yet. (Perhaps at 2/4/25 BOT meeting?) Hopefully Trustees will do the right thing and put a “demo” box for the residents to check as they may choose.

Bigger loss looms off the field

To the Editor:

What would happen if Garden City’s football team went from number 1 down to number 7 next year? Oof.

And yet, over time, a similar shift is quietly happening to our District’s literacy performance, which to me, is way uglier.

As parents and taxpayers, we always deserve transparency, accountability, and sound decision-making regarding our school programming and tax dollar expenditures. Unfortunately, Garden City’s recent hiring of a reading/literacy consultant to presumably fix our program and confirm our compliance with related New York rules raises serious concerns on all three fronts.

First, this is not the first time Dr. Sinha and the Board of Ed have spent your money on a literacy consultant—at least one other was apparently hired around 2017-18. If previous efforts were effective, why are you and I paying for yet another consultant now? If they were not, what was the school administration and BOE doing over the past seven years, who is being held accountable, and what lessons have been learned to ensure meaningful change this time?

Most importantly, what exactly is this current consultant expected to do? We already pay for a Literacy Director, a Curriculum Director, a Literacy “Coach,” reading instructors, and have a separate Literacy Committee—shouldn’t these individuals be leading the charge in addressing our District’s literacy challenges? If they are not capable, what does that say about how our kids are being educated and our dollars spent? If outside expertise is indeed needed, what qualifications and objectives justify the hire? And how will success be measured? I’ve asked Dr. Sinha and the BOE for all this information and have been ignored for weeks now as they scramble to issue their own vague, self-serving messaging on the topic.

Parents deserve straightforward answers to why our literacy program is slipping and who is supposedly coming to fix it, not more haphazard spending, unanswered questions, and delay designed to shut us up and make us go away. Our District has significant literacy needs, but it’s not obvious why more delay and murky bureaucratic spending on questionable Albany-area salesmen is needed. Rather, clear goals, accountability, and a commitment to proven, evidence-based instruction delivered by a qualified and proven team is immediately in order.

Board of Education President Joseph Sileo said at a recent Board of Ed meeting that “reading the [NYS mandate on literacy] is not [his] concern” before incorrectly stating there are two schools of thought on the bedrock science of reading that underlies this whole discussion. Mr. Sileo: this is our district, these are our kids, and this is all our money. It’s past time for you and the Board of Education to make our District’s foundational reading and writing program your top concern and provide the transparency, oversight, and results we expect and deserve. There’s no good reason why we can’t be number 1.

Richard F. Corrao

Revamping St. Paul’s

To the Editor:

Without most of the village firmly behind whatever is done with St. Paul’s, it could be seen as both a relevant and financial failure. The California fire disaster could reach billions, possibly even a trillion in losses. Given that California is the world’s 5th largest economy, the future demand for construction materials and labor will drive up costs locally and globally. Should the casino move forward, and construction coincides with St. Paul’s renovation and California’s rebuilding, costs will continue rising.

The village coexisted just fine with St. Paul’s as a school. Unless there’s a reuse plan that generates a profit for the village, everything else is an ongoing financial risk mitigation project. So, if not already put forth, consider making St. Paul’s the new high school (and middle school). Calculate the cost per room for renovation and secure corporate sponsorship to cover rooms, such as the music room, gym, auditorium, cafeteria, athletic field, and classrooms, in exchange for naming rights, technology product use, marketing events, internship programs, etc. As we know, corporate sponsorships in higher education are common, and it can be for high schools too. Years back, I visited an affluent LI high school’s renovated computer room funded by IBM and all equipment and expenses were covered, but the room had to be called the “IBM” room.

Also, a few years back, after a successful pilot with Carey High School, I

approached GCHS about hosting a field trip for 30-40 students to the NFL’s headquarters on Park Avenue. The NFL and the tech company I worked for would cover the tour and presentations, and we would cover lunch and gift bags for everyone. GCHS was expected to cover transportation of the students and faculty. The NFL wanted to promote the event on their social media apps as part of their youth program with pictures of the kids and faculty. The goal of the project was to get students excited and give them insight into careers related to finance, analytics, computer technology, and more. The idea originated from a conversation about college graduates struggling to find jobs. The ambition was to expand this event, bringing in sponsors from various industries, with the NFL as the common attraction and venue. Unfortunately, GCHS didn’t move forward, needing more time to consider it. Despite the outcome for our school, the program pilot proved companies will invest in student related needs. If the school had participated, those connections could have led to corporate sponsorships for St. Paul’s development, potentially even creating future job opportunities. Could corporate sponsorship cover all the expenses? No, but it could significantly reduce the overall cost. Where applicable, multiyear agreements could ensure continued donations to maintain or upgrade equipment. Plus, this town excels at networking and fundraising.

As for the existing school(s), the land could be divided for homes, a park, and maybe a teen/senior center. Solicit bids for the sale of the property to reputable large developers. Once developed, new homes would contribute tax revenue, and the sale of the property will help to offset the cost of the new high school. Testing this idea could be promising, but preparation is key.

The complexity of this project or any project that is eventually put forth cannot be overstated. An AVP of a major construction company in Manhattan, overseeing large scale jobs, explained to me the complexity of managing time, costs, and unexpected delays. Even unnoticed factors, like unintentional, but still unnecessary steps taken by crew members, can drive up labor costs and delay the project. Every aspect must be carefully managed to stay on track and within budget.

We need the best minds with the deepest knowledge we can afford and should be open to expert, reputable free advice too. Anyone driving through the village, resident or not, would be proud to see the prestigious St. Paul’s building representing Garden City’s school system. It will stand as a symbol of our commitment to education, our village’s history, and our contribution to society through every student who graduates from its halls.

Timothy Gillin

From page 27

Suspended, uninsured driving

A Cambridge Avenue motorist was charged with driving with a suspended registration and uninsured operationon February 2nd..

Mail theft attempt

A sticky substance used to retrieve mail illegally was found on February 3 in a Russell Road mailbox. Authorities urge residents who recently mailed items there to confirm receipt with their intended recipients. The Postal Inspector’s Office was notified.

Multiple traffic violations

On February 3, a County Seat Drive motorist was charged with multiple offenses, including driving with a license suspended for a family offense and an uninsured vehicle.

Excessive speed

On February 3rd a Clinton Road

From page 26

night hours. Thieves are checking for unlocked vehicles, and, unfortunately, when they find one, they’re making off with everything from loose change to personal belongings. In some cases, the subject was able to steal a vehicle when they located a key or smart key/fob. In light of this, the Police Department wants to remind everyone to take a few simple precautions:

• Always lock your vehicle, even if you’re running into the house for a minute.

• Don’t leave valuables in plain sight; even an old gym bag can look like treasure to a thief.

• Never leave or hide a key, smart key/key fob, valet key, or spare key in your vehicle.

• Never leave your car running, unattended, or unlocked.

• If possible, park your vehicle in a locked garage.

• Park your vehicle in well-lit areas.

• Keep the exterior of homes and driveways well-illuminated.

• Close all your vehicle windows completely when parked.

• Consider installing a GPS system, a visible anti-theft device, or an audible alarm.

• Never leave valuable personal property in your vehicle.

• Also, secure your garage door opener to prevent access to your home.

• Install surveillance cameras.

• If you see anything suspicious— whether it’s someone loitering near cars or trying door handles—don’t hesitate to report it.

THE OFFICE CAT

motorist was charged with driving with a suspended registration and excessive speed.

Bank scam foiled

A resident received an email on February 3 regarding fraudulent activity on his bank account. He called the number provided and spoke with someone claiming to be a bank representative. The victim was instructed that to solve the issue, he had to withdraw money from his account and wait for someone to pick it up. It was determined to be a scam before the exchange of funds.

Multiple violations

A Cherry Valley Avenue motorist was charged with speeding in a school zone on February 3rd, unregistered auto, and uninsured auto.

False alarms

GCFD and GCPD responded to several false fire alarms on February 3rd,

including one activated by burnt food, an alarm activated by steam, and an alarm set in error.

Motor vehicle violations

On February 3rd a Stewart Avenue motorist was charged with driving with a suspended license, a suspended registration and uninsured auto. Another Stewart Avenue motorist was charged with driving with a suspended registration and excessive speed.

Check fraud investigation

A check mailed from 6th Street in October was reported stolen and fraudulently cashed. The incident was reported on February 4th.

Unlicensed operation

On February 4th a Manor Road motorist was charged with unlicensed operation and passing a stop sign.

Alarm errors

GCFD and GCPD responded to a fire

mcarterflanagan@gardencityny.net

Family Fun During President’s Week

During Presidents Week, February 18-21, Family Fun time provides the opportunity for families to enjoy various gym activities in an indoor environment. 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 dropoff program. We ask that all elementary and middle school aged children be accompanied by an adult/guardian. For the safety of our users, sports involving paddle, stick, or bat equipment will not be allowed.

Blood Drive February 26 at the Library

The Garden City Public Library will be holding a blood drive on Wednesday, February 26, 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in

alarm activated by cleaners and a fire alarm activated in error on February 4th.

Overweight truck

On February 4th a Clinton Road truck driver was charged with driving an overweight vehicle.

Gas odor

Garden City Police assisted Firefighters on February 4th when they responded to a residence for a gas odor and determined all was in order.

Multiple violations

On February 4th a Clinton Road motorist was charged with driving with a suspended license, a suspended registration, and switched plates.

Malfunctioning gates

Garden City Police responded to the Cathedral Avenue train crossing on February 4th for malfunctioning railroad gates.

the Large Meeting Room on the lower level of the Library. Appointments are strongly preferred; walk-ins are welcomed only if capacity permits. Please visit the Garden City Public Library website at www.gardencitypl.org, click this link [https://donate.nybc. org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/322168] or call 1-800-933-BLOOD to schedule an appointment or for any medical questions concerning blood donations. Thank you for your donation and support during this critical time.

Happening in Garden City

Sunday, February 9th

9:30 a.m. Pickleball at the St. Paul’s Field House. Nominal fee.

3:00 p.m. Family Fun time for Garden City families at the St. Paul’s Field House

Monday, February 10th

1:30 p.m. Monday Movie Matinée: Mamma Mia at the Library

7:30 p.m. Library Board of Trustees meeting at the Library

7:30 p.m. Men’s Basketball in the St. Paul’s Field House. Nominal fee. Tuesday, February 11th

6:30 p.m. Zoning Board of Appeals meeting at Village Hall

7:00 p.m. St. Paul’s Town Hall at the Casino

Wednesday, February 12th

12:00 p.m. “Chairobics and Strength” at the Library. Must register.

7:30 p.m. Environmental Advisory Board meeting at Village Hall and via Zoom

7:30 p.m. Adult Basketball at the Field House. Nominal fee.

Thursday, February 13th

7:30 p.m. Adult Volleyball in the St. Paul’s Field House. Nominal fee.

6:30 p.m. Traffic Commission meeting at Village Hall and via Zoom Friday, February 14th

2:00 p.m. Valentine BINGO at the Senior Center. $5. Must register at the front desk.

GC Dunkers clinch two victories in one weekend

The Garden City 8U Dunkers had a full weekend of basketball games on Saturday and Sunday, with the team securing wins on both days. Saturday, February 1 saw the team win 20-8 against Jericho Torres. Leo Herrera (3), Andrew Li (24) and Luke Petito (44) controlled the game with smart passing and breakaway layups. Michael Dunn (22) and Anthony Canner (30) led the defensive effort with Patrick Gomoka (23), William Bedell (10) and Emmett Walker (14) dominating the boards. Bo Boesen (34) had the play of the game with a beautiful spin move into a successful jump shot from the foul line.

The Dunkers faced St Bernard Larsen on Sunday, February 2. Building on the momentum set by their win the day before, the boys showed up

excited to play on a snowy Sunday evening. Andrew Li (24) set the pace with a beautiful 2-point shot to start the game, followed quickly by scoring plays by Patrick Gomoka (23), and Luke Donnelly (1). Leo Herrera (3) dominated the court with his defense and precision passing.

Luke Donnelly (1) and Andrew Li (24) all had additional baskets in the second half, adding 4 more points for the Dunkers. James Immordino’s (33) 2-pointer added even more distance on the scoreboard between the two teams. Strong defense and rebounding from Emmett Walker (14), Bo Boesen (34), and Anthony Canner (30). Luke Petito (44) led the scoring for the team and his third hoop of the game clinched the 18-11 win for the Dunkers. Go Dunkers!

Emmett Walker (14) and Anthony Canner (30).

Gomoka (23) scores a 2-pointer to close out the first half of the game.

Luke Petito (44) with one of his three baskets of the night.

Luke Donnelly (1) with his second 2-pointer of the game.

Patrick

Andrew Li (24) starting the game strong.

The Dunkers celebrating their wins!

Leo Herrera (3) moves the ball up the court.

Historic Hotel Davenport Puts You into Spokane’s Story

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

Nothing puts you as instantly into the story of Spokane, Washington as a stay at the grand, historic Hotel Davenport.

For the past 110 years – except for the 15 years it was boarded up with a wrecking ball looming - the Davenport has been at the center of Spokane’s society. Staying here puts you into that story – most remarkably when you see the black-andwhite photographs on the wall and see the rooms just as they were, easily imagining the people filling them just as then.

Since the Davenport opened in 1914, it has been known as Spokane’s “living room” and folks would make their date to “meet me at the fireplace.” Today, it is even more than that – it is like someone who has been listening and watching all these things unfold over the past 110 years and is so anxious to share.

Louis Davenport who built this grand hotel had been operating a hugely successful restaurant with a grand ballroom at a time when the number of business travelers and salesmen coming through the Spokane transit hub on the Great Northern Railway was burgeoning. Davenport was approached by local investors to build a hotel that would cater to the growing demand.

Considering Davenport’s humble beginnings (he is a classic incarnation of the American Dream), he was surprisingly sophisticated in wanting his hotel to not only give visitors the feeling of making a Grand Tour through Europe, but with state-ofthe- art construction and amenities.

The Davenport was the first hotel

in the country with air conditioning, a central vacuum system, ice cold drinking water piped to each guest room, housekeeping carts and accordion ballroom doors, Marshall Taylor, the Davenport’s Guest Experience Manager, tells me on a grand tour of the hotel. Davenport used steel-reinforced concrete for his building material and imported artisans to make the pillars look like veined-marble and the cast plaster beams to look like wood with gilded reliefs. Indeed, this is how the structure, even after being closed for more than 15 years, could be restored, albeit at the cost of millions, to its former grandeur. (Guest rooms were in fact gutted and rebuilt and redesigned to appeal to modern guests/meet modern standards).

To design the hotel, Davenport hired architect Kirtland Cutter, who had become Spokane’s most prominent architect after the Great Fire of 1889 destroyed most of the downtown, responsible for so many of the city’s iconic mansion homes (I later see

the magnificent Campbell House), buildings and bridges (including the majestic Monroe Street bridge). Their desire was to bring the world to Spokane: the lobby is in the Spanish Renaissance style, with utterly stunning beams and a skylight that in fact is lighted by sunlight (they had to put black tar on it during WWII because of the proximity to Fairchild Air Force Base; it was cleaned up during the restoration.)

The Isabella Ballroom, named for Queen Isabella, was originally the hotel’s dining room is in the the Spanish Renaissance style of northern Spain.

The Marie Antoinette Ballroom is in French Neo-Classical design (Mrs. Davenport’s favorite room in the hotel) - the crystal chandeliers are original, each costing $10,000 (more than the cost of a family home at the time).

The Elizabethan Room is in English Tudor-style, possibly the first hotel ballroom in the world to employ folding panel doors to divide

The historic Hotel Davenport has occupied a special place in Spokane, Washington society since it opened in 1914, offering a Grand Tour of Europe within its walls.

one large room into several smaller rooms (the original panel doors are still used). The chandeliers are original, each made with 75 pounds of sterling silver. A few of the hotel’s original 405 telephones are along the base of the window wall.

The Grand Pennington Ballroom (created during the renovation) evokes Imperial Russia.

The Hall of Doges, designed by Cutter, is almost mythical in its beauty – it literally takes your breath away – you feel you have been transported to Venice. Spokane’s oldest ballroom, the Davenport boasts it is the only “flying ballroom” in the world: it was originally above Davenport’s restaurant in 1904, the year Cutter converted the red brick façade of the restaurant into a Spanish mission design, and a decade before the hotel opened. At the time, it was the largest and grandest ballroom in the West (you can well believe the hyperbole), built at a cost of $30,000. Cutter took as his

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GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

Historic Hotel Davenport Puts You into Spokane’s Story

Continued from previous page

inspiration the Palaces of the Doges in Venice. But in the 2000 renovation, the entire Hall of the Doges was removed intact by a crane and placed inside the newly constructed east wing of the hotel (the original restaurant was completely removed and now serves as the carport). There is actually a photo of the ballroom “flying” in the air.

The Peacock Lounge with its magnificent stained glass ceiling of some 5,000 pieces, has a décor and ambience that exudes the flamboyance of the Jazz Age. With the Davenport in the center of Spokane’s downtown entertainment district, the Peacock Lounge the place for pre-and post-show libations (check out the award-winning double martinis and custom cocktails). You may well spot actors, artists and dignitaries finding their way, as well. (Open seating, first-come, first-served).

The fireplace in the lobby restaurant, which Davenport insisted upon as a symbol of hospitality, was first lit by architect Cutter in September 1914 and, as Davenport decreed, remains lit each and every day, even in summer. “Meet me by the fireplace” was a popular expression among the locals. The fountain in the middle of the lobby, Taylor tells me, is made of stone from the same quarry as the Lincoln Memorial.

For the restoration, they were able to preserve the exquisite woodwork and detail, copying what needed to be replaced. Taylor points me to a bit of wood molding where if you look closely, you can see where the words are scrawled, Will.....You....Marry....Me... stretched out on the wood trim.

It is legend about how it got there

BY CHARLYN FARGO

(encouraged by the hotel, no doubt), but most believable is that during the 2000-2 restoration, the restorer fell in love with a woman who worked in the banquet department and he embedded the words to propose. “It has become the popular place for proposals,” Taylor relates.

Spokane has always been a hub for culture and entertainment, as much as for business and commerce as well as for the entertainers and audience-goers - Mary Pickford, Tyrone Power, Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh, Bob Hope, Will Rogers, John Philip Sousa and Elvis Presley. and that tradition continues today with more recent celebs - Cher, Neil Diamond, Cuba Gooding Jr., Jerry Seinfeld and Sting because Spokane is still a cultural hub, which you see when you cross the street..

Most notably, though is Bing Crosby - the illustrious singer and movie star. He was born in Spokane (you can visit his childhood home on the campus of Gonzaga University). But before Crosby was so established as a singer, the young Harry “Bing” Crosby was the drummer for a local band called the Musicaladars that played on the KHQ radio station, which broadcast from the Davenport’s roof tower in 1925. There is a marvelous display about Bing Crosby in a china cabinet on the mezzanine floor. (A theater named for him is right outside.)

Bing Crosby’s story is wonderful, but I am fascinated with Louis Davenport, who epitomizes America’s self-made man.

Taylor tells me that Louis Davenport came to Spokane in 1889 when he was about 20 years old, to help his uncle, Elijah Davenport, in his restaurant. The restaurant burned down in 1889

NUTRITION NEWS

with the Great Fire that destroyed most of the downtown.

“Louie went into the rubble and found a waffle iron. He built a temporary shop with a wood frame and canvas cover and used that waffle iron to sell waffles to the workmen clearing the debris. He opened his own restaurant in one year.”

With the rail line, Spokane had become a hub and a crossroads for commerce. Davenport’s restaurant was so successful, that Spokane’s big wigs approached him to build a hotel to accommodate the numbers of business people, meetings and big events.

The Davenport, at 14 stories, was the tallest building in Spokane until The Paulson was built in the 1920s.

You can see from the photos on the wall, that the Davenport was a locus for history. The most profound photo is of the first American Indian Congress, in 1925, a gathering of the indigenous tribes in the Davenport ballroom

The Davenport.operated through the Great Depression and World War II. Louis Davenport sold the hotel in 1945 and died in 1951. The hotel changed hands several times, and when it finally closed in 1985, was in disrepair. At one point, the city wanted to demolish it and put up a proverbial parking lot. But the cost of asbestos abatement would have been ruinous.

Local entrepreneurs Walt and Karen Worthy came to the rescue. They spent two years and millions of dollars to restore the Davenport to its grandeur. The Davenport reopened in 2002 with stunning amenities including a gorgeous pool and a luxurious spa.

Now owned by KSL Capital Partners (which owns the Alterra Mountain

Supplements and Kids

You may want to check your kids’ backpacks. If he or she is a middle-school athlete, you might find some supplements instead of healthy snacks.

In a recent investigation into the prevalence of dietary supplement and sports food use in male and female middleschool-aged runners, researchers found that almost half the study participants used these products on two or more days a week during the prior year. Characteristics associated with supplement use included a prior bone stress injury, following a vegetarian diet and behaviors suggesting dietary restrictions such as losing weight and skipping meals. The study was published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

“The preadolescent years represent a crucial period of growth. While previous studies have examined the use of dietary

supplements in high school and college athletes, intake among preadolescent athletes was unknown,” wrote lead author Michelle Barrack, registered dietitian with the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, California.

“It is important to evaluate this population due to the recognition of an elevated risk of low bone mineral density, bone stress injury, and inadequate intake of energy,” said Barrack. “Additionally, in some cases, dietary supplements have been associated with the development of adverse events in children and adolescents.”

Data were gathered from 2,113 middle school-aged cross-country runners who completed a survey on dietary supplement use and related factors. Dietary supplements included vitamin/mineral and non-vitamin/mineral products;

Company and Ikon Pass), there are five hotels in the Davenport Hotel Collection here in Spokane - each with a different theme, spirit and ambiance and vibe. Besides the Historic Davenport (Old World elegance), there is the Grand, which opened 2015 with a modern, Vegas style; the Tower, built in 2007 which has a safari theme; and the Centennial, which is a convention hotel.

The fifth property, the Lusso (a boutique hotel across the street from the Davenport, where Louis Davenport, himself, used to live), has since been entirely renovated, renamed, and is reopening as The Louie at Davenport Hotel, a 48-key boutique property offering personalized luxury including Butler Service (the first and only offering of this kind in Spokane).

I love that The Davenport is walking (or biking) distance to most of what I want to see (especially just a few blocks from Riverfront Park, where I find myself at least twice a day, and where you will find America’s largest urban waterfall), making for an ideal base for exploring the city’s hot culinary scene, nature and cultural offerings, like the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, and the Centennial Trail.

And so I immediately go off to explore. My first stop is by bus: the magnificent Manito Park, where I discover a fountain in its formal garden that was donated by Louis Davenport. The Historic Davenport Hotel, 10 S Post Street, Spokane, WA 99201, DavenportHotelCollection.com, 509-4558888, 866-238-1697.

Next: Exploring Spokane

sports foods included energy bars, carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks, and protein bars or drinks. The survey covered demographic information, weight, height, sports participation history, weekly exercise training, running performance times, dietary patterns, menstrual function, history of a clinical eating disorder, and injury history. Respondents were asked to indicate the type and frequency of supplements and sports food consumption over the last year.

Among the middle school runners surveyed, 42.7% used either a dietary supplement or sport food on two or more days per week. Overall, 26.1% of runners reported using one or more dietary supplements, and 32.6% reported use of a sports food. Girls reported higher use of multivitamins/minerals, vitamin D, calcium, iron, probiotics and diet pills. Boys report-

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The “ins and outs” of joining new groups

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

“The moderator has left the building.” That’s what we said when one of our favorite groups had to disband in March of 2020 because of the arrival of Covid-19. One by one, groups were canceled. They either switched to Zoom meetings or they disbanded altogether. We said that line with a certain wistfulness because we knew we would miss seeing each other in person.

I say that because connecting with people over a shared interest in a community setting can be a lot of fun. I was especially disappointed because at that time I was a relatively recent retiree and I was having a ball spending my free time going around to public libraries, senior centers and people’s houses trying out new groups.

I had worked full-time for 41 years and between my Monday to Friday job and looking after my older parents, I didn’t have much spare time for hobbies. And going to groups, clubs and meetings that met during the day just wasn’t possible.

Once I retired, however, I had no trouble finding the time to check out groups I had never explored before. I don’t know about most retirees because I certainly can’t speak for them but I approach new groups with a certain sense of optimism and cynicism. I want to feel a part of and be blown away by the new group but I often wonder about how friendly people will be and if that particular group is my cup of tea. Will they stay on point and discuss the topic at hand or will they wander and digress?

It’s hard being the newcomer to a group but after a while newcomers are welcomed and become regular members. At first I wanted to bring one or two friends along because that would increase my comfort level plus I felt we might be a little less conspicuous in the group but we weren’t any less conspicuous at all. Also, sometimes my friends couldn’t attend the meeting because of prior commitments. They had some-

where else to go and some other places to be.

Or sometimes they just wanted to sit comfortably at home enjoying their favorite TV show which I found hard to understand because getting out and trying new things is one of the great bonuses of retirement.

Everyone has certain interests and let’s face it, some groups are more interesting than others. When I looked at a list of all of the various clubs I was impressed because there were so many options. But I kept looking because book clubs, writers’ groups, photography groups, bocce and bridge were right up my alley.

I chose the bocce group for something to do outside when the weather was good and the other groups were indoors. I also looked into beginner’s yoga and that was great because sometimes it was held inside and sometimes outside. Getting some exercise is key for this retiree so I am excited about both the bocce and yoga groups.

My friend Johanna, had been a member of the bridge group for eight years and every so often she talked about how much she enjoyed it. At tables of four, 16 people would play bridge and take turns meeting either at people’s houses and having refreshments or they would meet at a clubhouse. This group meets on the first Tuesday of the month and a volunteer keeps track of the dates, the times and the person who is hosting the bridge group.

Many times the host went all out when we met at someone’s house. Decorating the dining room table just so with a beautiful centerpiece and seasonal pieces such as bunnies and pastels in the spring, Uncle Sam motifs in July, autumnal leaves and colors in October, etc. We would enjoy a fancy lunch, have some dessert and coffee or tea then get down to business. Bridge tables had been set up and everyone got comfortably settled before starting to shuffle those decks of cards.

Before joining the bridge group I asked Johanna for some pointers

because I knew going in that it’s complicated. The bridge terminology sounded like a foreign language to me but I was determined to learn it. Of course I knew that the dealer dealt the cards - a standard deck of 52 cards - and an auction is the bidding phase of a bridge hand. The hands move clockwise and I realized that when we follow suit it means to play a card of the same suit that was first led to the trick. Just as in other card games.

I understood all of that preliminary stuff then it got complicated. I wanted to win the trick by putting down the highest card but I didn’t want the game to get over my head. It took a few tries and afterwards I peppered Johanna with questions but eventually I caught on.

Along the way I discovered that Johanna is a whiz at playing bridge because she is great with numbers. I was also impressed because Johanna is a good writer - for years she has

been submitting her freelance stories to magazines and newspapers.

I chose the bridge group because I wanted to have fun in my retirement years and not feel as if I were running a triathlon or taking a final exam in school. Honestly, sometimes playing bridge felt that way.

One of my criteria for sticking with these various groups is engaging in scintillating conversation and as I went from group to group I discovered that not every group offered scintillating conversation. I wanted the groups I chose to be interesting. Deciding to give up the bridge group because it was taxing my brain, I started playing poker and hearts with my neighbors. Those games were more my speed.

My friends and I are enjoying going to the book club, writers’ group and photography group and we hope we won’t have to say “The moderator has left the building” for a long, long time.

Most Beautiful Grandchild

Kathy Cordaro is a proud grandmother of Cameron age 7, Grace age 4 and James age 2. “They are not only beautiful, they are bright and talented.” she said. “Cameron received a principle award at his school. He plays baseball, flag football and is on 2 basketball teams. Grace takes ballet and tap. James is just adorable.”

Why Some People Don’t Pay Into Social Security

BY TOM MARGENAU

In some columns I wrote earlier this month about the repeal of laws that affect people who spent a large portion of their careers working at jobs that were not covered by Social Security, it became very clear to me that many people wondered why that is. Even many people who work at such noncovered jobs were confused. So why are some jobs not covered by Social Security? Here is the story.

When the Social Security laws were first passed in 1935, the program was mandatory for almost all Americans, the vast majority of whom did not have any kind of pension plan where they worked.

But at the time, Congress decided that they could not force a federal pension plan (Social Security) on state and local government employees. So, they gave them the option of joining Social Security or not. Most did. Over the years, other state and local groups who did not originally join Social Security eventually signed on to the program. But to this day, there are still large blocks of state and local employees, such as teachers in some states and firefighters and police officers in other states, who are not covered by the Social Security system. They usually have their own retirement pension system. They constitute about 20% of all state and local government workers.

Another group not covered by Social Security is career railroad workers. The Railroad Retirement System was set up in 1934, one year before Social Security came into being. But once Social Security became law, the two programs developed a special relationship that still exists to this day. For example, if you have more than 10 years of railroad work, but other years where you worked and paid into Social Security, your Social Security earnings will be transferred to the Railroad Retirement Board, and they will pay you a combined benefit. On the other hand, if you have less than 10 years of railroad work, and the rest of your career was at jobs covered by Social Security, then your railroad earnings will be transferred to the Social Security Administration, and those railroad earnings will just be incorporated into your Social Security records.

The other large group of workers who were initially not covered by Social Security were federal government employees. Back in 1935, Congress said that federal government employees did not need to be covered by the new Social Security program. Why? Because federal employees were already covered by the civil service retirement system that had been around since 1920.

But over the years, Congress felt an increasing amount of pressure to bring federal employees into the Social Security fold. There were two main reasons. No. 1: You could make the case that all workers in the country should be covered by the same retirement system. (Although to be true to that philosophy, you would have to make all state and local workers and all

railroad workers part of the Social Security program, too.)

But reason No. 2 was the bigger factor: As federal government employees, members of Congress and the judiciary, and the president, did not pay into Social Security. They were covered by the same civil service retirement system as all other federal employees. And it was politically embarrassing for politicians to be making laws about a retirement program (Social Security) that they were not a part of.

This led to all kinds of conspiracy theories (that still exist to this day) that top members of government get fat and lucrative pensions while scattering crumbs to the peasants in the form of meager Social Security benefits. This was never true. But millions of Americans believed it, and many still do.

Anyway, by the 1980s, the political pressure to bring federal employees into the Social Security tent was too great. In 1983, a law was passed saying that all federal employees hired after Dec. 31, 1983, would be covered by the Social Security system. At the same time, the law decreed that effective Jan. 1, 1984, all members of Congress, the president, the vice president and federal judges would also start paying into Social Security. (So let’s get rid of that myth.)

The new retirement program that Congress set up was called the Federal Employees Retirement System, or FERS. They gave all old government employees hired before 1984 the option of switching from the Civil Service Retirement System to FERS. By the way, I was one of those people; I was hired in 1973. I remember that I struggled mightily with that decision. Should I stick with CSRS or switch to FERS? (There were some advantages -too complicated to explain here -- to making the switch.) I finally decided to stay with CSRS. Frankly, to this day, I’m not sure I made the right move. I have several old friends and former colleagues who switched to FERS, and now that we are all retired, it looks to me like they are a little better off than I am. But that’s my problem, not yours.

FERS employees had Social Security taxes taken out of their paychecks. They also had an extra deduction from their salary to fund a federal retirement benefit designed to supplement their Social Security checks. So old federal retirees like me get just one CSRS pension check each month, but those retirees who are covered by FERS get a Social Security check and a smaller FERS pension check -- smaller than CSRS pension checks, that is. The intent of the new program was that a combination of Social Security and FERS benefits should roughly equal what CSRS retirees were getting. But, as I said, some of my FERS friends seem to be getting more. Oh, well.

Anyway, that’s the story behind the issue that some people don’t pay into Social Security. To put things in perspective, all the people whose jobs are not covered

by Social Security that I’ve been talking about in this column (some state and local employees, railroad workers and old federal retirees like me) make up only about 10% of the workforce in this country. In other words, 90% of people in the United States work at jobs that are covered by Social Security.

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.

You’ve gained tremendous appreciation over the last 5-50 years. Now you have to decide to stay, upgrade and expand for your growing family or make it accessible as you age in place. However, if you have the need for increased space, and do not what the hassle of going through major construction, with all the mess, dirt, while possibly considering renting another home; then cashing out and searching for a newer, more modern home with a sizable increase in living area for your growing family just might be the most prudent path to pursue.

Moreover, if you are an empty nester, and you need to reduce your monthly expenses or loss of a signifcant other, then downsizing will make the most sense in the brain and more cents in your pocketbook. If you desire a social environment with varied activities to keep you busy and occupied, then there are other choices to consider and contemplate. One must be in a very strong financial position to consider independent or assisted living or even a nursing home. Having long-term care insurance many years ago, when it was more affordable would have enabled some to take part in those venues. However, others that can afford it will pay from $7500-$12000 per month, depending on where you decide to relocate. Leaving New York will save you a substantial amount of money if you are considering moving down south or out west to an independent or assisted living facility. However, whose children might want you to stay close by.

Unfortunately, if serious health issues are the number one reason to sell then interviewing various nursing homes could be a solution. However, renting in a condo or straight rental building and engaging a home health

Sell and take the money and run!

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

care aide will potentially save you money from going to a nursing home. Interviewing prospective candidates, making certain that your personality and theirs are amenable and a good fit resulting in a positive impact, whether part or full-time. Go online and Google nursing homes and peruse those local or out of town resources and ammenities. Ascertain and determine whether they have a 4+-5+ review ratings. Reading what consumers have to say about their services will provide much more information assisting in your decision making. There are situations where a reputable agency may have 1 or 2 negative remarks and that can happen, but it may not mean that the business is below par. It’s possible that the resident was either too demanding or they just were not a good fit and resulted in blaming the facility. As we get older, our patience, moodswings and expectations can be overwhelming to be able to comprehend, especially for others to be able to deal with and handle.

ties, food served and service; essentially how well the staff caters to the residents. I would stay for either, breakfast, lunch or dinner sitting and mingling with some of the residents in gaining valuable feedback from them. Doing your research in advance will surely benefit you in the end.

Involve your children or someone close to you in having a serious discussion to assist you in making a final pragmatic and common sense decision. It can be a very stressful and worrisome in moving out of a home, condo or coop that you have been familiar and comfortable with for many years. However, it can also be a new beginning, more conducive to a longer and more rewarding, healthier and fun lifestle. Meeting new people will be an adjustment that you will go through. However, you will be gaining new friends and most important solid future relationships.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 43+ years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned 3 significant designations: what I consider a Master’s degree in real estate) expert in consulting and completing international transactions.

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.

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ed higher use of creatine and sports food. A higher proportion of runners with supplement use, compared to preadolescents with no supplement use, followed a vegetarian diet; were underweight; had one or more running-related injuries; met criteria for elevated dietary restraint; had a diagnosed eating disorder; or reported currently attempting to gain weight. Supplement use was reported by 51% of runners who skipped meals and 77% of runners with weight loss in the past year. The findings support associations between higher supplement use and factors consistent with lower food intake or

You may bring this up and question the facility’s manager, whoever is in charge; about the reasons for the poor remark(s). Asking how long they have been in business will be another determining factor. Those that have been in business at least 5-10 years, and longer, including the large enterprises, will be crucial in adding to your knowledge to determine if this is the right place for you.

Visiting the prospective businesses will also enable you to see and experience the everyday happenings of the place, e.g. the recreational activi-

Selling one’s home can be an exercise involving months of planning. However, moving in the right positive direction with the thought in mind that life will continue to be hopefully happier and healthier in an environment that will be to your benefit, than staying where you are.

If you need any advice in planning your move, ideas in preparing your home for sale, tag or garage sales or suggestions about facilities near and far, I am just a phone call away to provide you with a free, no strings attached, no obligation consultation. So call me at your earliest convenience on the number below.

NUTRITION NEWS

Supplements and Kids

energy deficiency.

Researchers say this is the first study to observe the association in youth runners and that the findings point to the need for teaching middle school runners about the importance of getting enough calories and not skipping meals.

Q and A

Q: How do I break the sugar habit?

A: If you’re “hooked” on sugar, don’t try to eliminate all sugary foods at once. If you deny yourself even a single piece of candy or sliver of cake, you’ll only crave sweets more. Instead, eat a healthy diet made up of more satisfying foods -- whole grains, fruits, vegetables, healthy oils,

and lean protein. Steer yourself away from sugar and eat these foods, which are digested more slowly. They’ll help to even out your blood sugar and you won’t have spikes and crashes all the time. The body naturally craves sweet foods because sugar is addictive. When it’s consumed, opioids and dopamine are released into the body, causing future cravings. In fact, although the daily recommended amount is no more than nine teaspoons of added sugar, Americans on average consume between 22 and 30 teaspoons each day. Sugar is found in many foods, especially processed foods. Although natural sugar acts as an energy source for your body’s cells and is not harmful when consumed

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

in moderation, an added sugar such as table sugar or high-fructose corn syrup can encourage your brain to desire unhealthy foods and to eat more, impacting weight and heart health and leading to chronic illness. To curb cravings, consume naturally sweetened foods and foods high in fiber.

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.

All Kids Fair to return April 6th

Since 2011, the All Kids Fair has provided a fun day each April for kids and their families to spend time together and also learn about Long Island-based companies that offer services and products for them.

Following successful expos at Samanea Mall in Westbury, the All Kids Fair is thrilled to return to the Huntington Hilton—where the children’s event was last held six years ago—for its 14th annual expo.

This year’s All Kids Fair will be held on Sunday, April 6, from 10 AM to 4:30 PM at the Huntington Hilton, formally known as the Hilton Long Island/ Huntington, in Melville

There are many exciting reasons for families to attend each year, in addition to the opportunity to meet with over 80 kid-centered exhibitors. Here are some of this year’s reasons, all of which are free with admission:

• Many kids’ classes

• Bounce houses

• Music

• Face painting

• Balloon animals

• Cotton candy

• Photo booth

• Child ID kits

• Puppies to cuddle

• Arts and crafts

• Mini soccer lessons

• Mini martial arts lessons

• Mini karate lessons

• Mini pediatric dental screenings

• Lego table with sensory play

Newly crowned Miss Long Island 2024, Katherine Wang, will be in attendance and will take photos with the kids.

Kids’ classes this year include golf, pickleball, fashion design and sewing, and karate.

According to Barbara Kaplan, director of the expo, “We are thrilled to be back at the Huntington Hilton. The Hilton is a wonderful venue for us because of its spacious layout, high ceilings, carpeted floors, and excellent parking. We will once again be able to have many draws for Long Island families to enjoy

BY JEFF RUGG

My birthday is coming up, and I was asked what my favorite plant is.

My favorite plants have to meet a few important criteria. They must come back on their own, because I can be a lazy gardener. Insects and diseases must be rare, so there will be no need to spray. I like plants that can grow in the water along the shoreline of my water garden, or in the hot, dry side yard or indoors. They must have big, showy flowers to please the eyes and fragrance to please the nose; tasty would be nice; and if I could get them to make a noise, I would like that, too.

Most plants in the lily family fit some of these criteria, and I have many in my house and yard, from amaryllis, daffodils, daylily, Easter lily, tulip, trillium and yucca to garlic, onion and many others. Of all the lilies, I really like the 180 or so species in the Crinum (CRY-num) genus, probably because, like many gardeners, I lust after tropical plants I can’t have. These

together.” The All Kids Fair will have many different types of exhibitors, including camps, places to play, after-school activities, birthday party planners, photographers, special needs providers, non-profits, kids’ products, and college planning.

This fun-filled event offers exciting educational and leisure activities to interest kids and their families each year. The Fair has opportunities for all ages, including kids with special needs.

One of this year’s newest additions is Puppy Party. Children will be able to play with and cuddle puppies. There will be other fun additions announced shortly.

2024 attendee Linda Calzone shared “This was a fantastic event! Thank you to All Kids Fair and everyone involved in making [the 2024 All Kids Fair] a day our kids won’t forget!!”

After the 2024 event, Barbara Kaplan said, “Once again, we had a wonderful day for families to learn about great Long Island businesses and organizations. We also had terrific products for sale. It was so much fun to see families have an amazing day together.”

There will also be a charity drive to benefit Agape Meals for Kids, a local 501(c)3 organization that provides weekend meals to children living with food insecurity on Long Island. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable, easy-to-prepare, easy-to-heat, single-serve, and healthy food. Those who donate food

A GREENER VIEW

Crinums

warm climate bulbs can grow as large as a football and weigh over 10 pounds, easily dwarfing a merely grapefruit-sized amaryllis bulb.

Crinums are naturally tough. Native to warm areas of Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas, they can survive elephants, kangaroos and hurricanes. Some crinum species grow in deserts, and some grow in swamps. I have seen Crinums growing in islands between traffic lanes in Dallas and Orlando. They get no irrigation, yet they thrive. Some tropical crinums are used as privacy hedges, but most grow only waist high.

The Crinum americanum is native to swamps all around the Gulf of Mexico and the Everglades, where I have seen them blooming for as far as the eye can see. I have grown one in a pot in my pond for more than 15 years. I bring it in every winter as a houseplant that I can’t overwater. It has a starburst of 6-inch-long petals that are less than half an inch wide.

or money will receive raffle tickets to win great prizes and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that they have helped Long Island kids in need.

Sponsors for the 2024 All Kids Fair include SafT-Swim Swim School, WildPlay Jones Beach, Small Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, TGA – Tennis – Golf –Athletics, 106.1 BLI, Clowns.com, Your Local Kids Source, Schneps Long Island, Herald Community Newspapers, Litmor Publications/Garden City News, and 516Ads.com/631Ads.com.

Tickets purchased in advance at www.AllKidsFair. com/Tickets are $5 for children ages 2 and up and adults. Tickets purchased at the door are $10 for children ages 2 and up and $5 for adults. Children 1 and younger are admitted at no charge. The Hilton Long Island/Huntington is located at 598 Broad Hollow Road (Rt. 110) in Melville.

More information about the expo is available at www.AllKidsFair.com

Linnaeus himself is supposed to have been looking at specimens of the American Crinum when he gave the genus the Crinum name after the Greek word “Krinos,” meaning “comet tail.”

Most Crinum flowers look like an Easter lily or Amaryllis, and there may be 20 or more on a single stalk. A single bulb may send out half a dozen flower stalks at once. The foliage of most Crinums is sword-shaped and may be over 6 feet long. Like an Easter lily, many crinums are very fragrant.

Crinum flowers can be pink, red or white, and some are striped red and white. A few varieties have wine-colored leaves. A couple of summers ago, I was surprised to find a Milk and Wine (red and white striped) Crinum bulb at a Menards hardware store sold with other summer blooming bulbs such as dahlias. That Crinum has bloomed for me twice so far. I keep it in a cold but not freezing garage over the winter.

Most crinums are for warm winter areas, but as we have seen in past few weeks, cold spells can reach all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. There are a few varieties that are hardy enough to grow into zone 6. The previously mentioned Milk and Wine is one, and Orange River Lily is another. If you plant it outdoors, plant it on the south side of the house near the foundation where it can be mulched heavily for the winter.

If your local garden center doesn’t stock any crinums, check out www.jenksfarmer.com. I recently posted a video about crinums on the Greener View YouTube channel in the Chapter Four Playlist on Annuals, Bulbs and Houseplants.

The Crinums don’t make sounds on their own, but they attract hummingbirds that do make sweet twittering noises. I can live with that.

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

STARGAZERS

Finding the Elusive Zodiacal Light

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of February 9-15, 2025

Over the years I’ve enjoyed hearing from readers who excitedly describe seeing something they never knew about or had never been able to see before.

I find this quite rewarding since some of the sights about which I write can be pretty challenging. The past two weeks I wrote about Venus, one of the easiest celestial sights available, but now’s your chance to seek out something even more elusive.

Once the brilliant moon leaves our early evening sky late this week, you may want to head out to the dark, pristine skies of the wilderness to glimpse the wintertime sky in all its splendor. In addition to the stars, constellations, planets and the occasional meteor zipping across the heavens, you might catch a glimpse of a unique sight -- one the average stargazer seldom sees (or even knows about). It’s called the zodiacal light.

As evening twilight fades from view -- around 60-90 minutes after sunset -- begin looking toward the western sky for a huge, softly glowing pyramid of light. In its brightest parts, the zodiacal light exceeds the brilliance of the Milky Way, which now appears rather faint as it streams north to south high overhead.

Stargazers often confuse the zodiacal light with the lingering rays of twilight or with the Milky Way itself. They also tend to expect a much smaller or brighter glow.

The zodiacal light ascends around 20-40 degrees into the western sky along the constellations of the zodiac and, right now, can be seen flowing from brilliant Venus low in the west toward the Pleiades (Seven

Sisters) star cluster and bright Jupiter high in the west. Its base near the western horizon typically appears around 15 degrees wide, and the cone tapers to about 5 degrees wide at the top. Keep in mind that the phenomenon is extremely faint, so any light pollution, haze or moonlight is sure to obliterate it from view. Binoculars or telescopes have much too small a field of view to see this phenomenon.

The zodiacal light is caused by sunlight scattered from dust particles spread out along the plane of our solar system. Most of these particles -- continually generated by passing comets or by collisions among asteroids -- are only about four-hundredths of an inch in diameter and are separated by an average distance of five miles.

The plane defined by this dusty glow passes through the constellations of the zodiac -- hence its name -- and roughly defines the plane of our solar system called the ecliptic. Since only during late winter and early springtime does the ecliptic form a steep angle with the horizon in the early evening hours, now is a great time to begin searching for this elusive glow.

If you miss it this week, check again next week. In fact, throughout the entire spring, you’ll have the best opportunity to see it in the early evening, as long as you’re observing from a dark, non-light-polluted site and the moon is nowhere to be found.The elusive zodiacal light will be visible this week.

Good luck with this one. It’s quite a challenge, and I hope you’ll let me know of your success!

LOST IN SUBURBIA

The De-Stinkification of the Dog

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

I wouldn’t say I’m nose blind to the smell of my dog, but typically, I don’t realize he needs a bath until the board of health shows up and condemns the dog, his bed and our house.

My husband will usually smell him before I do. Maybe it’s because he’s out of the house all day, and when he walks in the door, the smell hits him like a basketball to the face.

“Oh wow, the dog!” he said one day when he got home, putting his hand over his nose. “Don’t you smell that?”

“Maybe a little,” I admitted.

“When was the last time he had a bath?” he asked.

“Um, what year is it?”

Once my husband pointed out that our home was starting to smell like a Superfund site, I realized the time had come to de-stinkify him (the dog, not my husband) before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was called in to set up a hot zone around the perim-

eter of our house. I called to make an appointment at a new grooming service I’d heard good things about. But it was booked solid by other people who no doubt had their own Superfund dogs.

I figured waiting a few days wouldn’t make a huge difference since the level of air quality in the house was already at DEFCON 5. I made the first available appointment, then sprayed the dog with air freshener for a couple of days until they could get him in.

The first hint I got that the new groomer might not be the right one for us was in the waiting room. The space was wallpapered in a pink-and-green print with little French bulldogs on it, and there were fuchsia-colored beanbag dog beds in the shapes of dog bones spread around the room for the dogs to recline on until their appointments. A bowl of free-range ostrich bites was on the counter, free to all the pampered pups in the room who preferred their ostriches organic.

I looked at my dog, who seemed as stunned by the opulence as I was.

Apparently, the clientele here was used to a certain level of comfort and cuisine. Then there was my dog. He liked to sleep on bricks and eat dirt.

We waited for a short time until it was our turn.

“Bowie Beckerman,” a voice rang out.

We approached the counter.

“Are you getting the full-service grooming today?” asked the technician.

Not knowing what, exactly, the full service was, I figured it probably included a wash, vacuum and undercarriage spray, like we got for the car. So I nodded yes.

“Would you like a rose, eucalyptus or lemon-scented spa bath for Monty?” she continued.

I raised my eyebrows and glanced down at my dog. He had his head between his legs and was busy taking care of his own personal hygiene.

“Um, just regular clean dog scent, if you have it,” I replied.

“We can do a plain cut or a cut, color and curl,” she said. “It’s very popular

with the poodles!”

“Just a plain cut, please.”

“We can offer him a special non-GMO beverage and a light snack between procedures, if you’d like.”

I looked at the dog again. He was chewing on his foot.

“That’s OK. Just some plain water for him will do.”

“Okey-dokey,” she said cheerfully. “We do ask you to pay in advance. That will be $175.”

“WHAT?” I exclaimed. “And that’s without all the extra stuff?”

She nodded.

“Here,” I said, handing her the dog’s leash. “You keep the dirty dog. I’m going to go out and adopt a clean one.”

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.

The elusive zodiacal light will be visible this week.

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Feed your game day crowd with smoked chicken wings

Virgil’s Smoked Chicken Wings With Blue Cheese Dip

Sports fans across the globe tune in when the National Football League hosts its annual championship game each winter. And that already robust viewership is growing, as figures from Nielsen Fast National and Adobe Analytics indicated Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers garnered 123.4 million viewers who tuned in to watch Patrick Mahomes orchestrate a 25-22 overtime victory over Kyle Shanahan and the Niners.

Super Bowl Sunday has become an unofficial holiday in the United States, where

Blue Cheese Dip

2 cups blue cheese crumbles, divided

1 cup mayonnaise

1⁄2 cup buttermilk

2 teaspoons hot sauce

1 teaspoon Worcestershire

sauce

1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt

1⁄4 cup finely chopped scallions

1⁄4 cup finely chopped celery

Marinade

1⁄2 cup vegetable oil

1⁄2 cup hot sauce

4 tablespoons Virgil’s Dry Rub (see below)

1) To make the dip, combine 1 cup of the blue cheese, mayonnaise, buttermilk, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and blend on low until smooth.

2) Remove to a medium mixing bowl and fold in the rest of the blue cheese, scallions and celery, being sure to break up the larger blue cheese crumbles. Place in a covered container and refrigerate overnight.

3) Mix all the marinade ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Place the wings in a large container with a lid and pour the mixture over the wings. Toss until the wings are thoroughly coated. Cover and refrigerate for 2 days.

4) Preheat the grill or smoker to 245° F.

5) Spread out the wings on a sheet pan and wipe away any excess marinade. Sprinkle liberally with the dry rub, coating the wings all over.

6) Position the wings on the grill away from the direct heat

fans ranging from the diehard to the casual to those simply tuning in for the commercials and halftime show gather to enjoy a few fun-filled hours. Seasoned party hosts know that food features as prominently as football and fun come Super Bowl Sunday. Guests may expect a few staples, including chicken wings. With that in mind, hosts can impress their guests by serving up this recipe for “Virgil’s Smoked Chicken Wings With Blue Cheese Dip” from Neal Corman’s “Virgil’s Barbecue Road Trip Cookbook” (St. Martin’s Press). Serves 4

4 tablespoons granulated garlic

4 tablespoons granulated onion

Juice of 1⁄2 lemon

Wings

8 large chicken wings

1⁄2 cup Virgil’s Dry Rub (see below)

Sauce

10 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 teaspoon cornstarch

4 tablespoons white vinegar

3⁄4 cup hot sauce

1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

of the coals or burners, and add hickory to the smoker or hickory chips on the coals or gas burners.

7) Cook the wings for about 3 hours, flipping every 30 minutes (their internal temperature should be about 165° F when cooked).

8) While the wings are cooking, cut the butter for the sauce into 1-inch cubes and refrigerate. Whisk the cornstarch into the white vinegar in a small bowl.

9) In a medium sauté pan over medium heat, bring the hot sauce to a simmer and whisk in the thickened vinegar. Return to a simmer, cook for 1 minute, and remove from the heat.

10) Add the cayenne and slowly whisk in the cold butter. Keep warm until serving.

11) Remove the wings from the smoker or grill and put half of them into a bowl, cover with the sauce, and toss. Repeat with the remaining wings and serve on a platter, with the blue cheese dip on the side.

Virgil’s Dry Rub

Makes 5 to 5 1⁄2 cups

2 1⁄2 cups sweet paprika

1 cup granulated sugar

1⁄2 cup Texas-style chili powder

1⁄2 cup minced onion

1⁄2 cup granulated garlic

1⁄4 cup dried parsley flakes

6 tablespoons kosher salt

Combine all of the ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk together until completely

Sustainability Roundtable

From page 1

dating back to 1850 and utilizes system dynamics, including mathematical modeling, to simulate climate outcomes.

According to ClimateInteractive. org, En-ROADS allows users to explore how various policies—such as electrifying transportation, pricing carbon, and improving agricultural practices— affect energy, prices, temperatures, sea level rise, and other factors.

Ehrig explained that system dynamics, the foundation of En-ROADS, was used in pandemic-related projections and has been widely applied in industries such as automotive manufacturing. He noted that En-ROADS projects a global temperature increase of 3.3 degrees Celsius (6 degrees Fahrenheit) by 2100 if current trends continue. The software enables users to test different climate scenarios, either through complex simulations or interactive games designed to engage younger generations.

Key factors in the En-ROADS simulations include the impacts of deforestation, livestock farming, and renewable energy sources like wind power.

“We can see on this that things were kind of static from about 1850 through 1930, and when industrialization really took off you can see the pace we’ve been living through up to now. We have gone from averaging between 13.5 and 14 degrees Celsius to 15 degrees. It’s not

the direction we want to head in, but that is where we are headed if we do not do anything to help,” Ehrig explained.

“What you might not consider with these calculations are the unintended consequences, which the program presents. It outlines consequences of doing one thing versus another thing, or how they would work together,” Ehrig noted.

One larger goal he presented, in line with the general outreach plans for the village’s Environmental Advisory Board, is working with Garden City High School to make climate impacts more apparent from “different contingencies in this part of the world and other parts of the world.”

Sustainability summit, policy discussion

EAB member Amanda Shore, an assistant professor of microbiology at Farmingdale State College, led discussions for the upcoming 2025 Sustainability Summit. She emphasized the importance of understanding regional policies related to sustainability.

“We will cover how the public can use their buying power and/or voting power and local issues that could be impacted. Policies we put forth in New York are not the same as what Arizona, for example, would implement,” she shared before the meeting.

During the event, students asked

See page 46

Girl Scouts tackle hunger at Souper Bowl

Troop 1609 collecting donations for the Souper Bowl.

Garden City Girl Scout Troop 1609 hosted the 4th annual Souper Bowl on Sunday, February 3, to collect food for the Mary Brennan INN. Thank you to

everyone who generously donated over 2 trolleys full of nonperishable donations helping to tackle hunger on Long Island.

EAB Sustainability Roundtable features climate simulator

From page 42

questions about global energy impacts. A Garden City Middle School student raised the topic of wind power as part of cleaner energy infrastructure.

Ehrig discussed fossil fuels – oil, gas and coal – versus the renewable sources, with an outline on En-Roads. He spoke about increasing nuclear power and modeling for the future.

“Starting off as a sliver of energy sources in 2000, by 2080 to 2100 renewables will rank substantially, yet we still see the temperature of Earth rising.

Today we think about some of the choices we are making….We’re cranking up for renewables and nuclear power plants and we have zero-carbon breakthroughs with technology for energy… but so far we’d only lower the projected increase in Earth’s temperature from 3.3 to 3.1 Celsius by 2100, so it’s still not quite there yet” he said.

Ehrig also shared examples of the impacts to climate by presenting a game comparing practices of a country like India, which he called “up and coming” to the United States of America.

“From the American point of view we might say the solutions are lowering emissions and greenhouse gas to hit the climate target. Elected officials might look at other countries and explain how the U.S. doesn’t use much coal any more, so the other countries should stop using it. The other country could respond by pointing out the periods in our history where the use of coal was important to the economic rise, ‘so how is it fair to tell us to stop when that’s how you built your country.’ That’s the kind of conversations that get up with

the simulations,” he said.

As the EAB has a goal of education, its meeting offered an overview of global sustainability planning.

“One of the points of this tool is for highlighting how we all must get involved. Everyone needs to do their part whether it’s a smart meter for your lawn sprinklers, whether it’s recycling, setting the thermostats to 65 F and not 70…we are not going to solve the problems all over the Earth by fixing just one little thing. This always needs to be worked on together,” Ehrig said.

The View From Here

From page 8

in criminals as well as millions of other unauthorized migrants seeking economic betterment. Tax cuts were also important to many of Mr. Trump’s supporters. There was a desire to "drill, baby, drill" and keep energy abundant even in the face of climate change concerns. There was an aversion to excessive political correctness. On foreign affairs, Mr. Trump generally ran on a program of peace and non-involvement of the United States in overseas conflicts, although Mr. Trump did strongly support Israel.

Notably, some issues were not an important part of the campaign. For example, while Mr. Trump clearly believed in tariffs and imposed some during his term, many of which were retained by the Biden administration, he certainly did not make tariffs a principal point of his campaign.

Now, however, Mr. Trump is going down a number of paths that certainly did not seem central to his campaign. You perhaps can tie in the proposed 25% tariffs on Mexican goods with his strong stand against illegal immigration and the importation of fentanyl, but this connection is much less compelling in the case of a similar levy against Canadian goods. I don’t believe that Mr. Trump’s concerns with Panama or continuing desire to obtain Greenland were ever mentioned in the campaign , and the idea that the United States should ever take over Gaza was clearly not part of his campaign, and seems to run counter to the overall message of noninvolvement.

It is certainly true that some of Mr. Trump’s foreign policy moves have yielded significant concessions, including Mexico’s agreement to put 10,000 troops at the border and Panama’s willingness to halt trade agreements with China.

The problem is that Mr. Trump sees himself as the leader of a political movement that will make America great again. Mr. Trump runs the risk that his supporters will be surprised and dismayed if the President zig zags in unexpected policy directions (for example, imposing tariffs that end up raising prices) which don’t resemble what Donald Trump promised in 2024.

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE TO

BOARD OF EDUCATION

LEGAL NOTICES

BIDDERS

Garden City Union Free School District

PUBLIC NOTICE: is hereby given for separate sealed bids for: HVAC Improvements Districtwide Bids will be received by the School District, on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the Administration Office, 56 Cathedral Avenue, Garden City, New York, 11530, and at said time and place publicly opened and read aloud.

The Contract Documents may be examined at the Office of the Architect, BBS Architects, Landscape Architects and Engineers, P.C., 244 East Main Street, Patchogue New York, (631-475-0349); however the Contract Documents may only be obtained thru the Office of REV Plans, 28 Church Street-Suite 7, Warwick, New York 10990 (845-651-3845) beginning on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. Complete digital sets of Contract Documents shall be obtained online (with a free user account) as a download for a nonrefundable fee of One-Hundred ($100.00) Dollars at the following website: bbs.biddyhq.com Optionally, in lieu of digital copies, hard copies may be obtained directly from REV upon a deposit of OneHundred ($100.00) Dollars for each complete set. Checks for deposits shall be made payable to the DISTRICT, GARDEN CITY UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT and may be uncertified. All bid addenda will be transmitted to registered plan holders via email and will be available at the above referenced websites. Any bidder requiring documents to be shipped shall make arrangements with the printer and pay for all packaging and shipping costs. Plan holders who have obtained hard copies of the bid documents will need to make the determination if hard copies of the addenda are required for their use, and coordinate directly with the printer for hard copies of addenda to be issued. There will be no charge for registered plan holders to obtain hard copies of the bid addenda. The bid deposit for hard copies will be returned upon receipt of plans and specifications, in good condition, within thirty days after bid date, except for the lowest responsible bidder, whose check will be forfeited upon the award of the contract.

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Notice is hereby given that bids for the following will be received at the Garden City Union Free School District, Business Office, 56 Cathedral Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530 until 10:30am Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at which time and place bids will be opened and read aloud.

PRINTING AND MAILING OF THE BUDGET BROCHURE and BUDGET NOTICE 2025 –2026 School Budget.

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of Formation of Aunty Shan. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/01/2025. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Joshua Renfroe: 42 Orleans Rd, Valley Stream, NY 11581. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

One ad can go so far...

Copies of the specifications and instructions may be obtained at the aforesaid Business Office between the hours of 8:30 am through 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday up to the time of the bid opening.

Dana DiCapua Asst. Supt. for Business & Finance

Garden City Union Free School District

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Advertise your services in our Professional Guide or Service Directory today and be seen in these five newspapers: Call 516-294-8900 today to learn more!

A non-mandatory pre-bid site walk through is scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. starting at the Homestead School located at 2 Homestead Avenue, Garden City, New York, 11530

The Contract will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder or the proposals will be rejected within 45 days of the date of opening proposals. Bids shall be subject, however, to the discretionary right reserved by the School District to waive any informalities, accept or reject any alternatives, reject any proposals and to advertise for new proposals, if in its opinion the best interest of the School District will thereby be promoted.

Each bidder may not withdraw his bid within 45 days after the formal opening thereof. A bidder may withdraw his bid only in writing and prior to the bid opening date.

By Order of:

The Board of Education Garden City Union Free School District

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An annual subscription to one of our papers costs less than buying a copy each week. Call 516-294-8900 to subscribe!

Notice of Formation of Devi’s Sacred Journeys LLC / DBADevi’s Soul Creations. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/31/2024. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC.: 7014 13TH AVENUE SUITE 202 BROOKLYN NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NASSAU COUNTY LEGAL NOTICE

INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF GARDEN CITY NOTICE OF FILING OF 2025 VILLAGE ASSESSMENT ROLL AND MEETING OF BOARD OF REVIEW FOR THE PURPOSE OF HEARING COMPLAINTS IN RELATION TO ASSESSMENTS FOR THE YEAR 2025

Pursuant to Section 1406 of the Real Property Tax Law, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Assessor has completed the Assessment Roll of the Incorporated Village of Garden City, New York, for the year 2025, and filed the same with the Village Clerk of said Village at her office in the Village Hall, 351 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, New York, where it may be seen and examined by any person during business hours until the 18th day of February, 2025. Please be advised that all complaints/grievances must be filed by the 18th day of February, 2025. Please be further advised that on the 18th day of February, 2025, between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. the Assessor and at least a majority of the Members of the Board of Trustees, constituting the Board of Review, will meet in person at 351 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, New York and via Zoom, for the purpose of hearing complaints in relation to assessments. If you have a complaint/grievance, and you are not able to appear in person, please email Village Clerk Kelly Galanek at kgalanek@gardencityny.net by 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 18th and you will be sent the Zoom link. Others are welcome to appear in person on February 18th anytime from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Village Hall.

Kelly Galanek, Village Clerk, Village of Garden City, NY

Dated: February 3, 2025

The Incorporated Village of Garden City does not discriminate on the basis of disability for admission to, access to, or participation in its programs, activities or public meetings, and has designated Kelly Galanek, Village Clerk, as Disability Compliance Coordinator. Persons with a disability who wish to attend a meeting should contact Kelly Galanek at least 24 hours in advance of meeting at: 351 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, New York 11530 (516) 465-4051, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Photos from the Village Archives

Nassau Blvd Station Plaza

A view facing east from Wellington Rd. of the plaza just north of the Nassau Blvd RR station c1908. The brick plaza walls are topped by ten terra cotta vases and also four globe-topped stanchion lamps on either side of the entrance and exit. The exit onto Euston Rd. iappears to be blocked off. The station name is “Nassau Boulevard – Garden City Estates”.Two cars wait at the station. A group of four women are standing in the distance center left. At far left is the pergola, part of the original construction. On the horizon is the Cathedral, the chimney of the powerhouse to its left, and St. Mary’s to its right. The last two original wall vases were broken during an ill-advised attempt to remove them when the brick walls were recently refurbished. Shown is a shortened version of the original photo [see online] which also shows St. Paul’s in the distance at far left and #81 Nassau Blvd. under construction. Archive identifier: str42

gardencityny.net

IN MEMORIAM

Robert Kallem

Robert Kallem passed away on January 25, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born on November 29, 1933, in Endicott, NY, to George and Florence Kallem and had one older brother, Gary. The family later moved to Brooklyn, NY, when George took a job in the printing industry. Robert spent summers at Rockaway Beach, Asbury Park, and the Catskill Mountains with other Armenian families.

In 1958, he married Maryann Zarookian at Holy Cross Church of Armenia in Uptown Manhattan. They had two children, Craig in 1959 and Lisa in 1962. Robert worked as a photo engraver before opening Robert’s Bicycles in Flushing, NY, in 1962. In 1964, he moved his family to Garden City, NY, where he lived for the rest of his life. In 1977, Robert and MaryAnn purchased a home in Fort Lauderdale, FL, where they spent winters with family and friends in Florida.

Robert had a lifelong interest in horse racing and owned a racehorse, Maple

Mim, stabled at Roosevelt Raceway. He was a longtime member of the Garden City Country Club, where he won the senior championship twice and recorded two hole-in-ones. He played softball in a local league with his son and sonin-law where he was pitcher and elder statesman of the squad. Robert also enjoyed photography, skeet shooting, and drawing.

Robert was very active in the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs, serving on the Parish Council and leading the church’s basketball program. He also chaired The Armenian Old Age Home, helping provide care for elders in the community.

Robert is survived by his wife Maryann, his brother Gary, his children Craig and Lisa, and his six grandchildren: Alexis, Michael, Steven, Emily, Kristen, and Robert.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs or Camp Nubar are always appreciated. https://campnubar.org/memory-robert-kallem

IN

Laurel J. Lawton

MEMORIAM

Laurel J. Lawton, 78, of Garden City, passed away on January 21, 2025.

She was born on September 26, 1946, to Eleanor H. Jacobs and Franklin C. Loranger. Laurie was a loving homemaker, an avid gardener, and worked as a real estate salesperson.

She had a warm personality and was always making new friends. She was deeply involved in her community, serving at Garden City Community Church, with the PTA, and as a Girl Scout leader for many years.

She is survived by her husband, David H. Lawton; her children, Allison Stone, Meredith Fochetta, Stephanie Marchan, and Robert Wihnyk, Jr.; stepchildren, Scott Lawton and Kathleen Gibbon; and nine grandchildren. If you would like to post an obituary for a loved one, simply send a short biography of them 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.

IN MEMORIAM

Marie A. Hartmann

Marie A. Hartmann, beloved mother, grandmother, and cherished family member, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2025, at the age of 96.

Born on May 3, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York, Marie was the daughter of Louis and Filomena Buono, both of Flatbush. She carried the warmth and strength of her Brooklyn roots throughout her life. Marie was predeceased by her husband, Joseph L. Tomao, with whom she shared 28 years of a loving marriage. She later found love again and married Joseph Hartmann, who remained her devoted partner until his passing in 1994.

A long-time resident of Garden City and a devout parishioner of both St. Joseph’s Church and St. Thomas the Apostle in West Hempstead, she was deeply involved in her faith community, actively participating in the Mercy League, the St. Thomas widow and widower’s organization, and knitting club. Marie was an avid mahjong player, a skilled cook, a voracious reader, and a dedicated fan of Frank Sinatra, QVC and the television show, Blue Bloods. She cherished the many friends she met on Nassau Blvd.

Marie’s legacy lives on in her three children: Peter J. Tomao, Joseph L. Tomao, Jr., and Joanmarie Pusateri, and their spouses, Kathryn, Theo and Sal. She now reunites with her eldest daughter, Christine Tomao, who passed away in September 2023. She is also lovingly remembered by her 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, her brother Michael, and countless in-laws, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Marie A. Hartmann

Laurel J. Lawton

Boys Varsity Fencing ends season besting Cold Spring Harbor

Finishing the season on a high note, the Boys Varsity Fencing team beat Cold Spring Harbor at an away meet on January 29. In a nail biter of a morning the teams traded points until Garden City triumphed with a final score of 14-13.

The saber squad began by sweeping their entire round with wins from junior Matthew Isobe-Russell, captain Matteo Schettino, and freshman Colin Chan. This was followed by a win from foil captain Trey Plastaras. The momentum continued when the épée squad took their turn at the strip with wins from captain Ronan Comerford and sophomore Justin Rivera, the first of his two wins for the day. Another win was made by Captain Schettino and then Keathan Ho added to the total.

Mikes Luk and Tim O’Brien also had their turn at the strip, rallying for the team.

By the third round the schools were 11-11 until Trey Plastaras won a bout, not only sweeping for the meet, but bringing his in-season High School Fencing career to conclusion and ending his senior year with a 25-2 record. Henry Conlon followed, beating Cold Spring Harbor’s best foil fencer. With one more win from the opposing team, Garden City was still ahead at 13-12 until Captain Comerford won the third of his three bouts and as he’s done in the past, clinched the win for the team in a thrilling finish.

The team looks forward to Nassau County Individual Championships where the top 12 fencers in Nassau County in each gender and weapon compete. Saber captain Matteo Schettino and foil captain Trey Plastaras have qualified. Garden City High School will be hosting.

Foil Henry Conlon after his win

As a sign of respect, épée Keathan Ho shakes his opponent’s hand at the end of the bout.

Épée captain Ronan Comerford and his opponent salute with their weapons before the bout begins.

Saber captain Matteo Schettino on the attack.

The team with Coach Ryan Boelsen before their last meet of the season.

Foil captain Trey Plastaras in optimal form as he takes down his opponent.

Sibling support: At the girls’ meet, Saber Tim O’Brien and épée Maddie O’Brien consult before she takes to the piste

GC Grapplers score big at County Championships

The GC Grapplers wrestling team celebrated a remarkable day at the NY-USA Nassau County Youth Wrestling Championships this Sunday at Bayshore, with several young athletes earning prestigious All County honors at this major tournament. This event, held just two weeks before several GC Trojans High School wrestlers compete at Hofstra University, showcased the exceptional talent of Garden City’s youth wrestlers as they faced off against the best competitors from Nassau County.

When the final matches concluded, four GC Grapplers had earned All County honors, with one wrestler claiming a Nassau County Championship title, solidifying Garden City’s reputa-

tion as a powerhouse in youth wrestling on Long Island.

Among the standout performers was Owen “O-Dog” Sampson, who kicked off the day in the 10U/93 lbs division. Despite a narrow opening round loss to the eventual champion, Owen bounced back, demonstrating resilience and skill, ultimately securing a second place overall finish. Following him was Eli Kong, who had recently triumphed with three victories in Bethpage. Eli (12U/63 lbs) continued to shine, finishing as the runner-up after a hard-fought battle against the ultimate champion from Massapequa. Harry Crofton, recognized as the toughest wrestler on the team, showcased his determination throughout the tournament. After a convinc-

ing opening round win, Harry (12U/78 lbs) faced a nail-biting defeat (6-5, decision) in the semi-final round but rallied back to win his next match and clinch 3rd place, ending the day with several impressive victories. Nate Kong also made waves by stepping up from his usual 69 lbs weight class to compete in

the challenging 14U/75 lbs division. Nate's tenacity paid off as he earned a respectable 4th place finish, marking a significant achievement in a highly competitive bracket. All County honors are awarded to the top six wrestlers in each age and weight class, and these young athletes should take immense

Owen Sampson proudly flashes his All County medal.

Teammates Keegan Fitzpatrick and Harry Crofton warming up.

Keegan Fitzpatrick flashes the guns atop the podium to celebrate his County Championship victory!

Eli Kong is all smiles on the podium after a long day.

Nate Kong is locked in on his opponent.

GC Grapplers score big at County Championships

Harry Crofton muscles his way to the victory!

GCHS

Ryan Kenny

pride in their accomplishments.

In a standout performance, Keegan Fitzpatrick entered the competition on a hot streak, having recently won a NYWAY tournament in Massapequa and boasting an impressive eight-match win streak. Keegan took on the challenge of “wrestling up” from his usual 10U/72 lbs to compete in the 12U/78 lbs division. His efforts were rewarded as he dominated the competition, winning all his matches by pin and claiming the 2025 12U/78 lbs NY-USA Nassau County Championship title.

Coaches Jay and Kirk played a pivotal role in preparing the athletes for this prestigious event, ensuring they were ready

to face the best of Nassau County. The success of the GC Grapplers serves as an inspiration for the GC Trojans as they gear up for their own individual county championships in two weeks.

Looking ahead, several GC Grapplers will be back in action next weekend at the Winter Warzone tournament in Melville, where they will continue to hone their skills and compete for victories. The Garden City wrestling community and GC High School head wrestling coach Stephen Jones is immensely proud of Owen, Eli, Harry, Nate and Keegan. The achievements of these young wrestlers have made the entire Garden City wrestling community proud, showcasing their dedication and talent on the mat.

Boys Varsity Basketball is 17-1

TJ Cooke

Brian Nolan

This past week GCHS Boys Varsity continued playing great basketball. The team had a dominating performance against Glen Cove winning 85-60. The balanced scoring was led by Ryan Campbell with 12 points. Chris Sarkis and Ryan Kenny had 10 points each, Patrick VanBlenis - 9, Noah Lau - 8, Jason Bremer and Merit Ruckh - 7 each, Joe Carey and Jack Costa - 6 each. Additional scoring was provided by Riley Quinn, TJ Cooke, James DeBusschere and Patrick Shirley.

Patrick Shirley

The following game Garden City hosted Carey HS. After a slow start, GC outscored Carey 43-15 in the second half for a final score of 62-37. Noah Lau led the way with 17 points, Chris Sarkis dropped 15, Ryan Campbell 8 and Patrick VanBlenis 6. Merit Ruckh, James DeBusschere, Joe Carey, Jack Costa, Thomas Fargione and Patrick Shirley rounded out the scoring.

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The team now stands at 17 wins and one loss with two games remaining.

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Jason Bremer

Islanders build on momentum with winning streak

BY TONY SENA

The New York Islanders have now won seven of their past eight games and have moved up in the standings in the Metropolitan Division. The team has fought back from a series of injuries that has sidelined some keys players, most notably Mathew Barzal their star forward. But the team has pulled together at a critical point in the season and the Islanders are now playing some great hockey as they make a push to get into the playoffs. On Tuesday evening at the UBS arena the Islanders again

showed their resilience as they defeated the fast skating Las Vegas Golden Knights 2-1.

Coach Patrick Roy in speaking with the media following a team practice at the Northwell Health Ice Center made a reference to the movie Rocky when he compared the toughness of his team in “taking a lot of punches but still standing and not going down.” It was a good analogy and the team has played very well over the past few weeks and they have the confidence to continue this positive momentum. “Let’s Go Islanders”

GC Cobras are tourney champions

The Garden City Cobras

The Year of the Snake got off to a thrilling start as the Garden City Cobras took on all comers in the 58th Annual Rudy Lamonica Tournament, and emerged victorious! The tournament, billed as the nation’s longest continually running indoor tournament, was held on February 1–2, and featured nonstop, fast-paced action on turf fields against some stiff competition.

The Cobras dominated every facet of the game, with stout defense and shutdown goalkeeping keeping the Cobras in every match and opponents on their heels, the crafty and tough midfielders

breaking up any counterattack and continuously creating scoring opportunities, and the lightning quick, aggressive strikers giving the opposing defenders fits and slotting (or smashing) home multiple goals per game!

Individual honors were given out to two standout Cobras, with Ben Mackiewicz named Best Defender and Luca Calma taking home the “Rudy” Award as the contest’s MVP, while every member of the team gave their all in going undefeated and earning the championship.

Go Cobras!

Coach Patrick Roy speaking with the media following a team practice this week.