On Veterans Day the Gus Scutari VFW Post #6394 held a brief ceremony at Memorial Park AKA Gus Scutari Way in Syosset. They also visited veterans and family members of veterans at the Woodbury Estates assisted living facility. They ending their day with a visit to local Girl Scouts who were busy putting together blankets. The blankets will be distributed by the VFW to those in need. For information on joining the VFW or renting their hall call (516)921-7956
A Jericho home was damaged by a house fire on Sunday, November 17, at 4:02 a.m. Nassau County Police responded to the fire and found that the house, located on Seaman Lane, was fully engulfed in flames coming from the sec-
ond floor, along with a heavy smoke condition.
The Jericho Fire department responded to extinguish the flames with the assistance of the Syosset FD, Hicksville FD, Westbury FD, Plainview FD, Bethpage FD, South Farming-
dale FD, Glenwood FD and Carl Place FD. All occupants were out of the house.
There were no injuries reported. The house pet dog was found deceased inside the home.
School librarians Ms. Trish Sergi, Dr. Sarah Wasser, and Ms. Kristina Holzweiss of Syosset High School in Syosset, New York have earned the “Certified Sustainable” designation for the Syosset High School Library Learning Commons through the Sustainable Libraries Initiative’s award-winning Sustainable Library Certification Program (SLCP).
Embarking on the journey to certification together, the Syosset High School librarians demonstrated strength in collective action to bring sustainable practices to their school. With their growth mindset, value for student voice, and nurturing of
student talents, the Syosset High School Library Learning Commons is an inspiring example for other libraries to follow.
As the most recent awardees of the American Association of School Libraries National School Library of the Year Award, the Syosset High School librarians are no strangers to success. Following the addition of a “quick reads” collection and the completion of a “genrefication” project set to make library materials more accessible to their students, the library reports circulation has increased by 30% -- exceeding the number of books checked out by at least 100 more The Jericho Syosset News Journal is published every Friday by Litmor Publishing Corp. Periodical Postage paid at Hicksville, N.Y. 11801Telephone 931-0012 - USPS 3467-68 Postmaster: Send Address Change to: The Syosset Jericho News Journal, 821 Franklin Ave., Suite 208, Garden City, N.Y. 11530 • Meg Norris Publisher
To help residents looking to obtain new passports, Oyster Bay Town Clerk Richard LaMarca announced that his office will offer a special onestop Passport Weekend on Saturday, December 7, and Sunday, December 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at both Town Hall North in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South in Massapequa.
"Residents looking to apply for a new passport are invited to visit Town Hall during Passport Weekend to receive assistance," said Town Clerk LaMarca. "We can help you with organizing your documents, obtaining a photo and submitting the documents for approval."
Requirements for applying for a passport include:
Certification of Birth, Naturalization Certificate, or Certificate of Citizenship.
• Proof of IdentityNaturalization Certificate, Valid Driver's License (cannot have been issued or renewed in the last six months), Current Government ID (city, state or federal), Current Military ID (military and dependents).
• This service does NOT apply to Adult Renewals unless your Passport is expired for 5+ years.
Town Clerk LaMarca has offices located at Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay and Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road in Massapequa. Passport appointments are available Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and during this special Passport Weekend. For appointments in Oyster Bay, please call (516) 624-6324. For appointments in Massapequa,
The Levittown Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its Holiday Tree Lighting on Monday, December 2, at 6 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in front of the Levittown Public Library. Enjoy this annual evening of entertainment with local schools, dance studios, and community groups performing. Santa and his helpers are expected
to visit as the tree lighting takes place. Admission is free, but the Levittown Chamber is accepting donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries for local residents in need. In the event of extreme weather conditions, please check the Levittown Chamber of Commerce website at www. levitownchamber.com for details.
WE
Trainville Hobby Depot will host a Model Train Show on Saturday, November 23, and Sunday, November 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Hicksville Community Center, located at 28 West Carl Street in Hicksville.
For information on passport requirements and processing times, as well as instructions for passport renewals, visit www.travel.state.gov.
The Model Train Show includes operating model layouts coordinated by Trainville Hobby Depot. Charitable donations are being accepted at the exhibit to support the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum.
“We are pleased to partner with Trainville Hobby Depot, who coordinates or participates in many hobby shows that benefit the fundraising efforts of a sponsoring organization,”
said Oyste rBay Town Clerk LaMarca. “Assisting groups that not only bring a fun and educational experience to residents of all ages, but also help preserve our history in understanding the railroad’s role in our heritage, is a great cause.”
Area train club are invited to display operating model layouts, including N, O, HO, On30, and G scales.
Admission in to the exhibit is $5, children ages 4–11 years are $3 and entry for children under the age of 4 is free. For further information, please visit www.trainville.com or call (516) 433-4444.
St. Bernard's will be holding a Craft and Vendor Market on Saturday, November 30, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Enjoy shopping for:
• Christas decorations
• Sports memorabilia
• Jewelry
• Woodcrafts
• Books & paintings
• Candles
• Tumblers and resin art
• Wood lasered items
• Placemats and pillows
• Baked goods
• Jams and jellies
• Floral crafts
• Religious crafts
• Color Street nails
• Leather products
• License plate designs
• Journals and paper crafts
• Fresh cut wreaths
St. Bernard's is located at 3100 Hempstead Turnpike, Levittown.
Janice Lee of the Syosset CSD, who is a visual arts student at Nassau BOCES Long Island High School for the Arts (LIHSA), has been named a Scholar Artist by the Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA). She is among only 40 students from across the Island to be honored with prestigious awards in the 2024-2025 Scholar-Artist competition and to be profiled in Newsday.
There are a great many things Janice loves about LIHSA; the diversity of courses, the nurturing atmosphere, the dynamic classroom environments, and the opportunity to develop her artistic skills all near the top of her list. But the best thing about the school, according to Janice, is its faculty. “My teacher is the absolute best,” she said. “Not only does he make the class fun, he inspires me every day and never fails to brighten my day.”
More than that, her teachers have helped her to find her direction. “They
have encouraged me to follow my dreams, and to discover a career that I truly love and enjoy,” Janice said. “When you’re passionate about what you do in life, it ceases to become work.”
To that end, she plans to attend an arts college in New York City, and is currently considering both the Pratt Institute and Parsons School of Design. From there, she intends to pursue a career in in the art industry, either in design, photography or both.
“LIHSA has laid the groundwork for my future success by empowering me to become a more well-rounded visual artist,” Janice said. “Visual Arts has always been my passion, but LIHSA has taught me the importance of dedication and hard work. Without this experience, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
When asked what being named a Scholar-Artist means to her, Janice responded, “Receiving this award is both an honor, and an acknowledge-
ment of the dedication and hard work I have put into both my academics and my art. It has encouraged me to push myself even further in both areas,” she added. “I have seen enormous improvements in my skills over the course of my time here. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to study something that I truly love.”
Janice earned her status in the Scholar-Artist program by demonstrating the highest level of artistic excellence, and performing at an outstanding level of academic achievement (a grade point average of 90 or above). Candidates are evaluated based on performances, a portfolio of their work and a written essay about how the arts have enriched their lives. Winners are chosen by a committee of arts educators and other professionals, with the final selection being made by a separate steering committee.
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!
Nassau County Police arrested four people for alleged criminal possession of a weapon on Saturday, November 16th at 11:20 p.m. in Bethpage.
According to Detectives, Criminal Intelligence Rapid Response Team (CIRRT) officers observed a 2023 Dodge Ram U-Haul van, traveling westbound on Hempstead Turnpike making an unsafe lane change. During a traffic stop, police say they found a loaded SCCY 9mm firearm and a substance believed to be crack cocaine inside the vehicle. The driver and passengers were placed under arrest without incident.
Jasmine Johnson, 26, of Hempstead was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree and Criminal Possession of a Firearm.
Victor S. Garrison Jr, 24, of Freeport was charged with Criminal Possession
of a Weapon 2nd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, four counts of Criminal Contempt 2nd Degree and Vehicle and Traffic Law Violations. Garrison was the driver.
A male juvenile, 17, is charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Firearm.
Jeffrey B. Pettaway, 61, of Wheatley Heights, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree. Subsequent to the investigation, police say they found Pettaway had open Nassau County Bench Warrants for Criminal Possession of a Coßntrolled Substance 5th Degree and for Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance 7th Degree.
The Mercy Ladies Bowling League is looking for bowlers to participate in its league. The group bowls at Syosset Lanes on Fridays at 10 a.m.
The fee is $16 for three games and includes shoes and ball, as well as an end-ofseason luncheon.
For information, please call Delores at 516-931-4106.
Students at Jonas E. Salk Middle School in the Levittown School District participated in a special experience as they held deep discussions with veterans in observance of Veterans Day on Nov. 8.
Veterans who represent service during every major war since World War II stopped by Salk to meet with eight graders. Students in Samantha McKevitt and Robin Insana’s social studies classes were divided into groups to sit with veterans at tables in the library to facilitate meaningful discussions. Veterans shed light on their experiences during their service as students
engaged with thoughtful questions. Each small group held an intimate conversation as veterans showed photos, medals and gear that they used during their service. Eighth graders were not only thankful for their service, but also for making the stop to Salk.
“It’s very important for students to have the opportunity to speak to veterans,” Mrs. McKevitt said, adding that the foundation of the Levittown community has strong roots in the G.I. Bill of 1944.
Photos courtesy of Levittown Public Schools
Each eighth grade group held meaningful discussions with visiting veterans.
LUXURY RENTALS FOR THOSE
Apartments with Full Kitchens
Concierge Services
Daily Housekeeping
Private Car Services
Outdoor Pool with Cabanas
Fitness Center & Yoga Studio
Spacious Patio & Fire Pit
Golf Simulator
Beauty Salon & Spa
Thursday, November 21
2:00 p.m.: HYBRID: Paris 1874: The Impressionist Movement with Professor Thomas Germano - The origins of Impressionism began 150 years ago with an 1874 exhibition, now considered the birth of modern painting. Through January 19, 2025, The National Gallery of Art in Washington DC will host the only US venue for this remarkable presentation of 30 works including many of the paintings first featured in that now-legendary exhibition reunited for the first time since 1874. Paintings by Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir will be featured along with their lesser-known contemporaries. Professor Thomas Germano will present a visual lecture discussing the art norms they were rebelling against, and political and social shifts that influenced their new approach to art.
7:00 p.m.: Books Before Bedtime (Ages 4–8) - Listen to a read-aloud and then watch a short film all before bedtime!
Friday, November 22
11:00 a.m.: Living Creatively: A Workshop in Seeing Life Through Fresh Eyes - Waking up in the morning and facing the day can be daunting, unless of course we have something to look forward to; something fresh, a new
way of seeing life that we’d not cultivated. In Creative Aging we rekindle our innate creative ability by remembering and telling the stories that are central to our lives and turning them into songs. Through guided imagination, exploration of the senses, free writing, group sharing and collaborating we rediscover our joy. Not only does this highly interactive experience assist us in accessing our creativity it is also empowering in other areas of life leading to greater awareness and satisfaction.
4:00 p.m.: A Different Kind of Dragon (Grades K–5) - This musical comedy adventure is about facing and slaying the dragons that kids have to face and slay every day. Dragons such as getting out of bed in the morning to go to school, taking a super hard test, beating that really mean bully, or just plain getting so good at anything and everything that you’re just cool. By turning kids into dragon slayers, this highly interactive program gives kids a new context to face their everyday challenges. Join the Parents’ Choice Gold Award Winning storytelling musicians Keith Torgan & Barbara Siesel for an adventure that’s out of this world!!
Saturday, November 23
10:30 a.m.: Tiny Songbirds (Ages 18 Months to Pre-K) - Music in early childhood helps to improve motor skills, language, manage emotions and pro-
Friday, November 22, at 10:00 a.m.
Simply Stronger with Balance (VIRTUAL)
Instructor: Mindy Vasta
Handheld weights, resistance bands and balls will help improve strength, flexibility, and coordination. Includes a balance segment to enhance posture, core strength, and proper alignment of muscle groups. Exercises can be performed sitting or standing. Equipment recommended but not required. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org. The Zoom link, will be sent out once you register.
Friday, November 22, at 2:00 p.m.
Friday Movie at the Library (IN-PERSON)
Join us for an afternoon movie at the library. Check our website for the movie that will be shown. Go to syossetlibrary.org.
Monday, November 25, at 2:00 p.m.
A History of Dance in the Movies (VIRTUAL)
mote creativity while building self-esteem and having fun!
Sunday, November 24
2:00 p.m.: From the Fab 40s to the Fab 4 and More! with the Paul Effman Band: Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Simon & Garfunkel, Van Morrison, The Beatles & More! - Come and enjoy a musical presentation that journeys from the 1940s to today. Experience instrumental and vocal music performed in a sophisticated jazz style, brought to life by master musicians with a wealth of playing experience. Tickets are available to all at the Circulation Desk. This program is co-sponsored by the Jericho Public Library and the Town of Oyster Bay Distinguished Artists Series.
Monday, November 25
2:00 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Profiles with Dr. William Thierfelder: The Real Thanksgiving - This program explores the evolution of Thanksgiving from a modest feast in the early 17th century to a widely celebrated event in the US. It delves into regional traditions, folklore, music, and recipes to uncover the essence of gratitude in Thanksgiving.
Tuesday, November 26
9:30 a.m.: Walking Club (Weather Permitting) - All levels, all abilities are welcome. Join us for a 45 minute walk around the neighborhood. It’s an opportunity to get some exercise, meet new people, spend time with a friend and enjoy some conversation. Meet us in front of the library. Participants must wear sneakers and bring a bottle of water.
11:00 a.m.: VIRTUAL: Guided Meditation for Self-Healing with Patricia Anderson - Join Pat for one or all of the meditation sessions to bring harmony and balance into your life. Learn the beautiful practice of Jin Shin Jyutsu to help your body heal and keep you relaxed.
2:30 p.m.: News Currents with Elinor Haber - Join Elinor to participate in an informal exchange about topics of the day — the international, national and local scene. We’ll focus on trends that affect us now and in the future. Bring your thoughts, issues and a friend to join in the discussion.
5:30 p.m.: “Hoo” Loves Fall? (Grades 4 to 6) - Hoo doesn’t love fall? Celebrate the season with this crafty canvas. We will combine paint and other materials to make your canvas come alive!
7:00 p.m.: Teen Community Service: Pet Adoption Plaques and Toys - Earn 1 hour of community service credit as you create decorative plaques and toys that will be given to new pet parents when they adopted their furrr-ever friend.
Friday, November 29
2:00 p.m.: Teen Movie: “The Princess Diaries” - Come to the JPL Theater to see how Mia Thermopolis reacts when she learns that she is a real life princess in Disney’s “The Princess Diaries.” Bring a friend to enjoy the show!
Register for all events at https:// www.jericholibrary.org/events/month Non-residents may register beginning 2 weeks before each program.
Presenter: Brian Rose
The movies and dancing are a partnership born in heaven. From its very beginnings, the new medium of motion pictures turned toward dance as one of the best ways to showcase its unique ability to make movement come alive. And through the decades it's been dancing on the big screen that has provided some of the most ecstatic moments in film history. Illustrated with more than 75 video clips, this talk will survey 130 years of thrilling movie dance performances and demonstrate the extraordinary ways cinema brought dance to life.
Tuesday, November 26, at 2:00 p.m.
Afternoon Book Discussion (IN-PERSON)
Join, Readers’ Services Librarians, Donna Burger and Evelyn Hershkowitz, for a discussion of the New York Times bestselling novel, The Measure by Nikki Erlick. Copies of the book will be available at the Circulation Desk one month before the discussion. No registration.
See what’s happening at your library!
Check this paper each week for fun and informative all-ages activities, like classes, lectures, concerts, movie screenings, and more, all for free or cheap!
From page 1
in any given month compared to last year.
"We are honored to have earned the Sustainable Library Certification recognition for the Syosset High School Library Learning Commons,” shared the librarians.
“This transformative process has redefined our vision for the future of our library program, and has compelled us to prioritize social equity, environmental sustainability, and economic viability. This certification is a testament to the collaboration among our innovative faculty, driven students, supportive administration, and Board of Education—who all share the belief that school libraries can and do change lives.”
To promote a sense of unity and understanding, Book Day and Holocaust Remembrance Day stand as testaments to the belief that the library is the heart of the Syosset High School learning community. The mission of Book Day is to come together as a community of teachers, students, and administrators to discuss, select, and celebrate one book that becomes a confluence of identity, belonging, and narrative for our school community. Each year the entire 9th grade reads a book and is able to
speak and interact with the author. To honor survivors of the Holocaust, 10th graders research particular survivors and create video about them. Finally, survivors and families of survivors are invited to the school to share their stories so they will never be forgotten.
NASSAU COUNTY
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Notice of Formation of Jeung LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/10/2024. 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 Jeung LLC: 26 Patricia Ln Syosset, NY 11791. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
NASSAU COUNTY LEGAL NOTICE SYOSSET CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
NOTICE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT MONTHLY MEETING Monday, December 9, 2024
There will be a meeting of the Board of Education on Monday, December 9, 2024, at approximately 6:00 p.m. in South Woods Middle School, 99 Pell Lane, Syosset, New York.
At that time, the Board of Education will determine whether to go into Executive Session. If there is a need for an Executive Session, the Board
“Trish, Sarah, and Kristina are visionary leaders in the field of librarianship, seamlessly embodying the legacy, contemporary vitality, and future innovation of the profession. Together, they form an extraordinary team with the ability to not only transform but also redefine the very essence of what it means to be a librarian. It was a privilege to collaborate with Kristina, Sarah, and Trish on this initiative.” said Joanna McCloskey when asked about her experience as the group’s mentor.
This accomplishment makes the librarians the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth school librarians to complete the Sustainable Library Certification Program: an award-winning community of practice designed to provide public libraries, academic libraries, library systems, and school librarians with exclusive resources and guidelines to shift towards a cleaner, greener, and more equitable future.
NASSAU COUNTY FORECLOSURE NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS TRUST COMPANY, A/K/A M&T BANK, S/B/M HUDSON CITY SAVINGS
NASSAU COUNTY PUBLIC NOTICE
Syosset Central School District Syosset, NY
There will be a meeting of the District Health and Safety Committee on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 10:00 am in the Little Theatre at Syosset High School
LEGAL NOTICE
BANK, Plaintiff against MELISSA WILLIAMS, et al
Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800, Rochester, NY 14614. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered February 8, 2019, and Amended on August 8, 2022 I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on December 16, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 2 Joan Court, Woodbury, NY 11797. Sec 15 Block 175 Lot 82. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being at Woodbury, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York.
Approximate Amount of Judgment is $849,624.64 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 005816/2014. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District's Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held "Rain or Shine." Alan Gerson, Esq., Referee File # CHJNY469
negotiations, school security, the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person and to obtain legal advice regarding proposed, pending or current litigation. If no Executive Session is needed, the Board will recess until the public portion of the Monthly Board of Education Meeting at 8:00 p.m. at South Woods Middle School, 99 Pell Lane, Syosset, New York.
The Syosset Board of Education and Administration welcome you to observe the Board of Education Meeting via livestream broadcast on the District website.
Dated: November 21, 2024 Syosset, NY
Notice is hereby given that the fiscal affairs of Syosset Central School District for the period beginning July 1, 2023 and ending on June 30, 2024, have been examined by an Independent Public Accountant, and that report of an external audit by the Independent Public Accountant has been filed in the business office where it is available as a public record for inspection by all interested persons. Pursuant to §35 of the general municipal law, the governing board of Syosset Central School District, may in its discretion, prepare a written response to report of the external audit by Independent Public Accountant and file such response in the business office as a public record for inspection by all interested persons no later than November 30, 2024.
November 22, 2024
BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM
Take advantage of the biggest sales on travel of the year to gift your family, friends and yourself. Here are more Black Friday/Cyber Monday/Travel Tuesday deals:
Club Med, a pioneer of the all-inclusive concept, is offering its best discount of the year with its Black Friday sale, Nov. 19-Dec. 2, offering travelers up to 50% off winter, spring and summer getaways across its 70 all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Canada. The deal includes up to $500 Instant Savings and free stays for kids under 4. Whether chasing Caribbean vibes at the luxurious Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda or mountain highs at Club Med Québec, your next adventure is in reach.
Additionally, the Black Friday sale extends to international resorts with up to $770 instant savings at Club Med favorites like the Exclusive Collection (5-star) Alpine ski resort Club Med Val d’Isere and the newly-renovated Club Med Gregolimano in Greece. Perks also include: Kids under 4 stay free; lift passes; and group ski and snowboard lessons for all levels, available for ages 4 and up.
North America Resorts: Enjoy 50% off, plus up to $500 Instant Savings per person/week when booking one of Club Med’s North American all-inclusive resorts, booked Nov. 19-Dec. 2 for travel Dec. 7, 2024 to June 27, 2025. Resorts include Club Med Punta Cana, Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda, Club Med Cancún, Club Med Ixtapa, Club Med Québec Charlevoix, Club Med Turkoise, Club Med Columbus,
villas and one- and two-bedroom beachfront bungalows, all equipped with private pools, modern amenities. Book a five-night stay Nov. 19-Dec. 4 and receive a $500 resort credit per stay through December 25, 2025.
Sonesta Resorts St. Maarten: Book Nov. 29-Dec. 6 for a minimum two-night stay through Dec. 19, 2025 for 50% off standard room rates at the family friendly Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa and adults-only Sonesta Ocean Point Resort. (Use the code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout.)
Club Med La Caravelle, Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek.
International Resorts: Get up to $770 Instant Savings per person/week when booking one of Club Med’s international sun and mountain resorts booked Nov. 19-Dec. 2 for travel from Nov. 24, 2024-May 30, 2025.
Book: https://www.clubmed.us/o/ black-friday
Caribbean Hotels & Resorts
This year for Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday 2024, some 26 Saint Lucia resorts are offering discounts and perks up to 76% off. Deals include discounts on room rates, upgrades, resort credits, spa discounts and more. Options include family-focused hotels, luxury resorts, eco-hotels, wellness properties, villas, global brands and locally-owned boutique hotels. The offers can be found
at www.stlucia.org/en/offers-blackfriday-cyber-monday-2024
Alexandra Resort , Providenciales, Turks & Caicos: is an all-suite, all-inclusive resort located on world-renowned Grace Bay Beach. Book Nov. 19-Dec. 4 for stays from through December 25, 2025 for $200 resort credit per stay. Guests have access to sister-resort Blue Haven amenities. Its sister resort, Blue Haven Resort, is one of the newest and most private all-inclusive resorts in Turks and Caicos, accessible by a 1.5 hour flight from Miami. Book Nov. 19-Dec. 4 to save 10% and receive a $300 resort credit on travel through December 25, 2025. Guests have full access to both properties via regular shuttles.
Ambergris Cay, Turks & Caicos is a luxury private island resort with
Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas, features 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges with celebrity chef culinary masterpieces, including Fish by José Andrés, Nobu by Nobu Matsuhisa, and Paranza by Michael White, Aquaventure, one of the world’s largest waterparks, and a premier shopping destination. Book Nov. 27-Dec. 6 for 20-30% savings on travel Jan. 2-June 30, plus $150 Resort Credit for stays of 4+ nights Mexico Hotels & Resort Deals TAFER Hotels & Resorts luxury oceanfront properties in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos, Mexico are offering up to 45% off and up to $400 resort credit for all-inclusive stays booked Nov. 29-Dec. 15, as well as complimentary one-way airport transportation and free all-inclusive stays for children. Guests staying at the adults’ only Hotel Mousai Puerto Vallarta and Hotel Mousai Cancun will also receive a complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival (www.taferresorts.com)
Casa Kimberly, Puerto Vallarta, the former love nest of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton turned nine-suite
Continued on next page
Continued from previous page
boutique luxury hotel in Puerto Vallarta is offering the rare chance to get 50% off its magnificent suites for stays December 1, 2024-May 31, 2025 booked Nov. 29-Dec. 2. Use code CYBERCK.
Corendon Hotels & Resorts, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Travelers who are part of the Marriott Bonvoy rewards program save up to 25% and non-members save up to 15% for bookings Nov. 26-Dec. 3 on stays from Dec. 1, 2024 and Jan. 20, 2025 booked directly on corendonhotels.com. The hotels include: The College Hotel, Autograph Collection, a five-star property is set in a historic building that once served as a school offering an intimate 40-room retreat in the heart of downtown Amsterdam,walking distance of popular museums, convenient public transportation, and elevated shopping. Corendon Amsterdam NewWest, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, a suburban gem in a vibrant area of Amsterdam, where guests can enjoy the largest hotel spa in The Netherlands as well as the exclusive 737 Suite, a bedroom housing a Boeing 737 cockpit alongside a king bed, living room, and kitchen. Corendon Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, conveniently located near Amsterdam’s largest international airport, featuringrooftop bar and restaurant, on-site movie theater, spa and unique amenities like a retired, full-size Boeing 747 that guests can tour.
Savings in the USA
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, which will celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2025,features awardwinning dining destinations, Drums of
the Pacific Luau, stargazing with a NASA Ambassador where guests can see 80 out of the 88 constellations, Maui’s only oceanfront, 15,000-square-foot luxury spa and fitness center, wildlife tours with penguins and birds, is offering up to 45% off minimum 5-night stays Jan. 1-Sept. 30, 2025, booked Nov. 28-Dec. 3 (use code BF2024).
Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island, SC: Book by Dec. 3 for stays through Mar. 31, 2025 for savings. Sonesta Travel Pass Members can save up to 30% with the promo code CYBER, while non-members can enjoy up to 20% off by using codes EXHCCYBER, BKCYBER or PLCYBER. In addition, take 15% off at the resort’s bar by applying the CYBER code.
National Hotel Miami Beach, in South Beach’s celebrated Art Deco neighborhood, offers guests an adults-only oceanfront experience with cinematic elegance, award-winning culinary, and the area’s longest infinity pool. Book Nov. 19-Dec. 4 for 30% off best available rate with minimum stay of 4 nights, for stays Nov. 19, 2024-Sept. 30, 2025.
Hawks Cay Resort, Duck Key, the largest resort in the Florida Keys, offers an ultimate coastal experience with Calm Waters Spa, adventure-filled group snorkeling excursions, fishing charters. Book Nov. 19-Dec. 4 to save up to 40%: Prepaid and Non-Refundable or up to 30% with a one-night deposit and flexible 14-day cancellation.
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, South Walton, Florida, with exclusive beachfront access, is offering rates from $198.40/night for two or more nights booked from Nov. 29-Dec. 1 for stays through April 30, 2025 (use code BF), or 25% discounted stay for two or more nights plus daily breakfast for two,
booked Dec. 2-3 for stays through April 30, 2025 (use code CM0). Book by phone, 888-519-0048.
Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa, New Hampshire, a timeless retreat on the National Register of Historic Places which completed a multimillion dollar renovation, offers a luxury fourseason escape within its expansive 1,700 acres set amid the picturesque peaks of NH’s legendary White Mountains. Features include Tower Spa, a historic nine-hole golf course where you can have a llama be the caddy, and working farm with educational programming and animal encounters. Book on the website, mountainviewgrand.com, Nov. 22-Dec. 3 for 40% off stays through 2025.
Antrim Streamside , Catskills features 250 acres of hiking trails and opportunities for yoga, wellness activities, wine and spirits tastings, and private chef-led cooking classes. Book Nov. 29-Dec. 8 using promo code FRIDAY30 to save 30% off threenight minimum stays, Jan 2-May 31, 2025, plus complimentary wine tasting kit with sommelier’s tasting guide and savory accompaniments.
Massanutten Resort, Massanutten, VA, winter mountain getaway offers ice skating, snow tubing, skiing and snowboarding, an indoor WaterPark. Save 25% off one-bedroom condo booked by Dec. 2 for travel from Jan. 2-Mar.31, 2025 (use promo code MASSiveDeal24).
Trilith Guesthouse, Fayetteville, GA, which opened this year, is at the main entrance of the Town at Trilith, a European-inspired community adjacent to Trilith Studios, the second largest film and television studio in North America. Book Nov. 26-Dec. 3 for 25% off advance purchase for visits from Nov. 26, 2024
BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES
SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM
There’s a singing chocolate ice cream cone. A chocolate covered strawberry ballerina. Cakey and the Fairy. Not to mention an Ice Palace with penguins, polar bears, seals. A Giant Christmas Tree and of course, Santa in a Sleigh –all created in lights. The holiday season has begun on Long Island with the opening of this year’s LuminoCity Lights Festival at Eisenhower Park, on view through January 5.
An annual holiday event since 2019, each year the theme changes. This year’s theme, “Sweet Dreams,” is featured in 50 attractions as you walk the winding paths through a truly enchanted forest.
You wander through different scenes and settings with different themes. What is so impressive is the creativi-
through Sept. 30, 2025 (Promo code: 7YM). Purchase a $100 gift card for a $25 bonus card that can be redeemed at the hotel’s outlets Jan. 1-May 31, 2025.
Art of Living Retreat Center, Boone, NC, a serene and rejuvenating wellness experience in the Blue Ridge Mountains. 90 minutes from Ashville is offering 25% off Signature Retreats (Happiness, Stepping Into Silence, Breathwork & Meditation) and R+R Retreats for stays from January through March 2025, booked Nov. 22-Dec. 3 with code BLACKFRIDAY2024
Hotel booking site HotelSlash is offering a free lifetime membership (membership is normally $29.95 per year) along with a 7% discount on top of their already low rates. Bookable from Nov. 28Dec.. 3. Use promo code BLACKFRIDAY. Visit https://www.hotelslash.com/ Cruise Offers
Cruisecritic.com is showing Black Friday luxury cruise offers with special rates, free air, upgrades and perks that can be booked through Cruise Specialists: Regent Seven Seas Cruises: up to 40% off fare and $1,000 shipboard credit on 2025 and 2026 cruises booked by Nov. 30. Oceania Cruises: up to 25% bonus savings on 200 voyages booked by Dec. 4. Viking: free air and $25 deposits on 2025 and 2026 cruises booked by Nov. 30. Silversea: up to $6000 cruise savings on 550 cruises plus reduced deposits, booked by Dec. 2. Seabourn: 2-category veranda suite upgrade plus reduced deposits on select 2025-2026 cruises booked by Dec. 3. Cunard: up to $400 onboard credit plus gratuities on 400 voyages booked by Jan 6. Book through Cruise Specialists, cruisespecialists.com, 888-994-6134.
ty and the artistry, the delicate precision and the exquisite quality and scale.
There are nearly life-size deer, giraffes, lambs, then in another scene, wooly mammoths, saber tooth tigers, reindeer, and in another, cartoonish fantastical, fanciful and whimsical creatures.
You walk through arches, portals, tunnels of light. You walk through the mouth of a giant hungry caterpillar whose eyelids open and close; another is a pergola of candy canes. You come upon a train going through a tunnel made of fairy lights (“It’s not about the destination. It’s about the journey,” a note reads.) It’s like finding yourself in a 3-D storybook.
There are hot air balloons, and holiday symbols of candy canes, snowmen, enormous Christmas trees, Santa on a sleigh – all in fairy lights.
And my favorite - which I purposely left for a dramatic climax to my walk (there are several ways to go) - an
entire Ice Palace with penguins, polar bear, seals, and a moving winged horse (Pegasus) where I overhear a kid say, “Oh my god, this is the coolest thing in the world!”
A highlight are the lantern art characters and creatures created from winning drawings of children as young as 6 years old, in collaboration with the Long Island Children’s Museum, where you see their actual drawing and how it has been manifested in stunning lifesize lantern art light sculpture.
This is the second year of the festival’s collaboration with the Long Island’s Children’s Museum – last year, the festival creator, Chen, also collaborated with the Long Island Children’s Museum on themed drawings of Long island’s marine life that were brought to life in these lanterns (the museum will be opening a Long Island Marine Life
Continued on page 5
Quark Expeditions’ Explorers Black Friday Sale on through Dec.2, provides savings up to 50% on select polar voyages: Contact your travel agent or quarkexpeditions.com, 888-908-4833, https://www. quarkexpeditions.com/offer/black-friday
© 2024 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear. com
Crossword Answers
BY CLAIRE LYNCH
My niece, Shannon, and my nephew, Jason, are cousins and they live in the same town. Last year their kids were in an elementary school play before Thanksgiving and they told us aunts and uncles about how her daughter, Olivia, who’s 7, and his son, Max, 6, were dressed in their costumes as Pilgrims and stood on the stage along with several other kids. Their next-door neighbor and friend, Tyler, who’s 7, played Massasoit.
The teachers directed the play from their chairs and the audience loved the performance. They later told the friends and family of the kids that each year the play is a great way for the youngsters to learn how the very first Thanksgiving feast in New England was held in 1621 and why so many Americans still celebrate it each year. The Pilgrims sacrificed a lot to leave England for America.
The play was a big hit and helped put the audience in the holiday mood. Thanksgiving was two days later and each family had their plans set for a meal with relatives and friends.
It was Plymouth, Massachusetts, Gov. William Bradford who decided to organize a feast to celebrate the harvest and invited a group of Native American allies which included the Wampanoag chief Massasoit.
Massasoit was born in about 1590. In 1620 the Pilgrims arrived from England and started Plymouth Colony. By that time Massasoit was a chief. In 1621 he visited Plymouth. He was friendly to the Pilgrims and signed a peace treaty with them. He encouraged his people to show the colonists how to farm, fish, and hunt. To thank Massasoit, the English invited him and other Wampanoag to a great feast.
It took place over three days sometime between late September and mid-November in 1621, and was considered a harvest celebration. They’d had a successful harvest after a difficult winter and they wanted to give thanks for the blessings of the land. The Pilgrims and Native Americans came together for what turned out to be a celebration that included eating and playing games. That event is now celebrated as the first Thanksgiving.
Some people wonder which foods were served during that first feast of Thanksgiving and although wild turkeys were in the area, they probably ate venison plus fish and shellfish, which were all around them plus plenty of fruits and vegetables that the Pilgrims grew in their home gardens. Carrots, cucumbers, leeks, cabbage, lettuce, pumpkins and parsnips most likely were served.
In their first year on new soil the
Pilgrims had learned how to cook Concord grapes, walnuts, chestnuts, garlic, cranberries and wild sunflower aka Jerusalem artichokes - things that were native to Massachusetts.
As my relatives and I gathered around the table and during dessert a few of us talked about why we were thankful. My eight-year-old niece, Elle, said she’s grateful for singers like Taylor Swift. “All of her songs make me happy,” she stated and we all laughed.
Pete, my seven-year-old nephew, said he likes getting chocolate turkey candies from his grandmother on Thanksgiving and he smiled mischievously when he said it.
My sister, Susan, sat back in her chair and recounted the year she was married she and her husband, Don, invited her in-laws over for Thanksgiving Dinner. It would be a treat for them as well as Susan’s brother-in-law, Scott, and his wife, Alexa.
Excited about cooking her first holiday dinner from start to finish, Susan got busy the day before. Preparing mashed potatoes, a green bean casserole and turnips, she chilled a can of cranberry sauce. Thanksgiving morning Susan pulled a 15-pound turkey from the refrigerator and rinsing it in cold water in the sink, the bird kept slipping around and slipping and just then her mother-in-law walked in. “It looks like the runaway bird,” she chuckled then Susan popped it in a large roasting pan and all was well.
Everyone at the table laughed and growing serious, Scott said he was thankful for the latest addition to their family. Dylan was born six months before and there he was, sleeping in the playpen Scott had set up in the living room. With his blond hair and blue eyes everyone agreed that he was the cutest baby they’d seen in a long time. After dinner we took turns holding him and Don cited Scott for saying that family comes first on Thanksgiving and every day of the year.
This year will be my niece, Kylie’s, 15th wedding anniversary so we’ll all toast to that. It was on Saturday, November 28, 2009, that Kylie married
Josh. How they met: Kylie returned a dish at a friend’s house and when she rang the doorbell, Josh answered. Kylie and Josh had never met before but he was babysitting his two young nieces because his sister/the friend was out. Kylie noticed that they’d been having a tea party and Josh was thoroughly engaged in playing with the girls.
Kylie thought Josh was nice and she found out he was single but she was going to the Peace Corps the following month. She was packing her luggage and heading to a European country for three years. I wrote to her often overseas and a couple of times she said Josh was cute and wondered if he still lived nearby. Her friend said yes so shortly after her return to the U.S. they started dating.
As they say, the rest is history. They have four children, Chuck, Danny, Alex and Betsy. We will all have a good time celebrating that milestone.
Thanksgiving Day is not just a day off of work and school, it’s a national holiday that’s a perfect time for getting
together with family and friends to give thanks. This year Thanksgiving falls on November 28 and personally, I think that Thanksgiving is the best holiday of them all.
I enjoy all of the fun events connected with the four-day Thanksgiving weekend. Fall is the best time of the year.
A very Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!
Caryl Oerzen shared this photo of 7-year-old Leah, who is as kind as she is beautiful. Leah is “always the first one to include others in her circle, as her teacher has mentioned many times,” Caryl said. “She is helpful, courageous and selfless.”
BY TOM MARGENAU
I have been saving up some emails from readers who want to know how other government benefits might affect their eligibility for Social Security, or vice versa. In other words, they wonder if their Social Security benefits impact whatever other government benefits they might be due.
I can always deal with that first issue. In other words, I can tell you what happens to Social Security if you get another government benefit. On the other hand, I usually can’t tell you what might happen to your other benefit when you get Social Security. For that answer, you’d have to talk to someone at the agency that manages whatever other government benefit you are talking about.
Q: I am about to turn 62 and want to file for my Social Security, but I am getting unemployment insurance. Can I get both at the same time?
A: There is no Social Security law that prevents you from getting unemployment benefits and Social Security benefits at the same time. But as I said above, you would have to ask someone at your unemployment agency if their rules let you do that.
Q: I am 60 years old. I have several medical problems, and I am in the process of filing for Social Security disability benefits. I am also filing for unemployment benefits. Will one benefit offset the other?
A: As I said in the prior answer, the Social Security laws say you can get Social Security and unemployment at the same time. But you are in a whole different boat than the guy who asked the prior question. He is filing for retirement benefits. You are filing for disability benefits. And if I was processing your disability claim, I’d be looking at your allegation of a disability very skeptically. Why? Well, to get disability benefits, you are telling the Social Security Administration that you are unable to work because of some disabling condition. But at the same time, you are telling the unemployment agency that you are ready, willing and able to work, but you just can’t find a job. I hope you see the conundrum there. And even though I don’t know their rules, if I were your unemployment benefit adjudicator, I’d also be very skeptical.
Q: I am getting worker’s compensation benefits, and I am now in the process of filing for Social Security disability benefits. Will I be able to get both benefits at the same time?
A: The answer is yes, but with some qualifications. There is a law that says the combination of your Social Security disability benefits and your worker’s compensation payments cannot exceed 80% of the average monthly income you had before you became disabled. (There is a complicated formula they use to come up with that 80% figure that I really don’t understand; just know that it ends up with a
maximum of around 80%.)
Anyway, if the combined benefits exceed that level, one or the other gets reduced to take you down to the 80% rate. Which benefit gets cut varies from state to state. But it’s been my experience that most of the time, it is your Social Security check that gets reduced.
Q: Can I get disability from the Veterans Administration and a disability benefit from Social Security at the same time?
A: You can get Social Security disability benefits while getting a disability check from the VA at the same time. And I’m pretty sure your VA check won’t be reduced if you get Social Security. But to be sure, you’d have to ask of someone at the VA.
Q: I get VA disability, but I was turned down for Social Security disability. Why? How can one government agency say I’m disabled but another government agency says I’m not?
A: Because each government agency has its own legal definition of “disability.” For example, the VA has degrees of disability. In other words, you might be classified as “50% disabled” by that agency. Or it could be 10%. Or 70%. Each case is different. But to get Social Security disability benefits, the law says you must be 100% disabled. Or to be more precise, it says your disability must be so severe that you are unable to do any kind of work, or that your condition is terminal.
Q: I am retired military and get a military retirement pension. I am about to turn 62 and plan to file for Social Security. Will that military pension affect my Social Security?
A: No, it won’t. You can get Social Security and military retirement at the same time. But once again, you’ve got to talk to the military retirement people to see what happens when you start getting Social Security. I’m pretty sure nothing happens, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Q: I get a teacher’s retirement pension from the state of Texas. If my husband dies, I’m told I won’t get any of his Social Security. Why?
A: A Social Security retirement pension has always offset any widow’s benefits you might be due -- dollar for dollar.
By the same token, the government pension offset law says your teacher’s retirement pension also will offset any widow’s benefits due. But the GPO law cuts you a deal. Instead of a dollar-for-dollar offset, your teacher’s pension is only a two-thirds offset. In other words, an amount equal to two-thirds of your teacher’s pension will be deducted from any widow’s benefits you might be due from 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.
COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM
I have been thinking about how our supposed amazing economy and crazy housing market has been over the last few years. It is quite remarkable how things have transitioned into providing overwhelming benefits and amazing appreciation to whomever had purchased; especially to those that were fortunate enough to take advantage of the historically low rates.
But what about everyone else who were shut out of the market by the 11 interest rates increases and ever escalating prices? They either had to stay where they were in the current rental or staying put in their current home; not being able to either downsize or upgrade. We can point our finger at so many variables that contributed to this stagnation of the market. However, interest rates and prices and lack of inventory were the main culprits in the drastic change in sales. Who could have predicted this monumental event that occurred? Probably 99.9% would not have known this unless they had a crystal ball that no one else had.
Will our President-elect Trump and those who will advise him figure this out? Will he fire Jerome Powell as he has done with all the other advisers and put in his own genius to contemplate how we will solve our housing problems?
To be very candid, I feel that this is the tip of the iceberg and this will be a very long and drawn out process to come up with viable ideas and solutions to be able to stabilize the market. What is worse our national debt has now gone above 36 trillion dollars. From reading and researching I do not see enough attention drawn to this most critical problem that we are facing. Lowering rates will be advanta-
BY PHILIP A. RAICES
geous in the cost of our National Debt as well as for buyers and refinancing of the most recent higher rate loans. But this will not solve reducing our national debt. We are consistently “kicking the can” down the road and not taking the bull by the horns in coming up with the absolute required and necessary solutions to our debt dilemma. All the unnecessary unwon wars, military spending and other wasteful expenditures of the past 30 years that we had spent trillions on has added to the misery of “how do we pay the money back?”
However, I am not sure how we will reverse the direction of our National Debt unless we experience some very severe sacrifice and financial pain that needs to be considered by Washington. The one way I think we can truly solve our money issue is to “bite the bullet” for a number of years. As they say, “no pain, no gain.” However, I have read that there possibly could be another way in paying our debt down through crytpo currencies that our government supposedly owns, but I am not convinced that this would be a viable path to pursue.
currency status and how we handle the current tumultuous and severe issues around the globe with our NATO partners will determine our future on the world stage.
Looking back to 1929, the National Debt was 17 Billion. Although some years weren’t as bad as others, all of our wars seriously increased our debt. From 1941-1945 our debt went from 49 Billion to 259 Billion. When most recessions hit, the debt receded, where some others it increased. Although our wars boosted our economy and added a multitude of jobs, it also kept increasing our National Debt. Moreover, stagflation, (which is a simultaneous occurrence of high inflation, stagnant economic growth and elevated unemployment) also contributed and raised our National Debt. From there it kept increasing right through the present day. This will assuredly have a major effect on housing. Whatever is left of our middle class, our debt will have a detrimental and negative effect on their mobility to increase their long term future wealth. Taxes will most likely increase to continue paying for our debt interest, which is 1 trillion+ per year.
In a little more than a year and a half, we will be heading into our 250th year of existence as a Democracy. We have many issues that need to be considered, addressed and solved. Problems will always exist as there is no Utopia anywhere in the world where everything is perfect. But if we keep doing what we always do and expect something miraculous is going to all of a sudden change, then we are dealing with what we call insanity. Housing will be a critical commodity for everyone and our future society will depend on reasonable prices that people can afford. At the rate and pace we are currently going with current and future National Debt, inflation, wages and salaries aren’t keeping up with the cost of living, how will we be able to provide shelter for those looking to purchase or even rent.
The multiplying of our National Debt and other major issues over the years is now and will be our ondoing and so much depends on our leadership in the world. Our reputation, reserve
Continued from page 2
exhibit in fall 2025).
“Sweet dreams theme is close to my heart,” LuminoCity Founder and Creator Xiaoyi Chen said at the ribbon-cutting. “I wanted to bring out the wonder we had as kids – the magic. Walking through, transports you back to the holidays with family. We aim to bring light and happiness to all who visit.” She added, “Long Island is our home, too.”
The setting within Eisenhower Park is particularly special. You not only have the lights, the imagery, the colors and shape, the animation, the sound and musical effects, you have the smell
of pine trees and walk through this truly magical forest. You really feel you have come to a winter wonderland, an enchanted forest, a magical place – and not just the kids.
You can purchase tickets online, www.LuminoCityfestival.com (there may be discounts available), as well as at the entrance.
LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival, Eisenhower Park, Parking Lot 4, 1899 Park Blvd, East Meadow, NY 11554, www.LuminoCityfestival.com
© 2024 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear. com
Philip A. Raices is the owner/ Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 42+ years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (G.R.I.) and also as a Certified International Property Specialist (C.I.P.S.) and has earned his National Association of Realtors “Green Industry designation for eco-friendly low carbon footprint construction with 3-D printed foundations, Solar panels, Geo-thermal HVAC/Heat Pumps).
He will also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and his Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.
He will provide you with “free” regular updates of what has gone under contract (pending), been sold (closed) and those homes that have been withdrawn/ released or expired (W/R) and all new listings of homes, HOA, Townhomes, Condos, and Coops in your town or go to https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search on your own. For a “FREE” no obligation 15 minute consultation, as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached call him at (516) 647-4289.
LuminoCity’s Holiday Lights Festival enchants at Eisenhower Park, Long Island, through January 5 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
BY MARY HUNT
Psssst! Could you use an extra $300? You might want to take a look in your garbage.
Recent studies indicate that food waste remains a significant issue in American households. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 31% of the food supply at retail and consumer
levels is lost or wasted, amounting to approximately 133 billion pounds and nearly $162 billion in value.
Focusing on produce, the Produce Price Index reports that wasting 150 pounds of produce annually could result in a financial loss ranging from $258
to $334 per household, depending on the types of produce discarded.
In a survey of 1,000 households, the folks at Glad found that while 83% considered themselves knowledgeable about storing produce, only 32% knew the proper way to store apples, and 38% knew the best way to store strawberries.
And so, my dear readers, in an effort to raise our collective produce intelligence quotient, what follows is a crash course in the proper care and storage of fresh fruits and vegetables.
General: Most fruits will ripen at room temperature, but once ripe, they should be refrigerated. With few exceptions, do not wash fruits or vegetables before storing because washing hastens spoilage. Rather, wash just before eating.
Apples: Store in the refrigerator; do not overcrowd, allow for good air circulation. Unwashed, will remain at their peak for at least three weeks.
Bananas: Store at room temperature unbagged; suspended from a hook is ideal. Do not refrigerate. Once ripe will last three to five days. Can freeze: Peel, slice and spread on cookie sheet. Once frozen, bag them.
Raspberries: Do not wash until ready
to use. Store in a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. For optimum length of life, arrange berries in a single layer. Will last for two to three days in the refrigerator, depending on how ripe they are.
Strawberries: Do not wash, do not remove stems. Store in a sealable bag. To achieve maximum fresh life, arrange strawberries in a single layer in a plastic container with tight-fitting lid. Will stay fresh for four to five days.
Grapes: Do not wash. Leave on stems and store in zip-type bag in the refrigerator. Unwashed will stay fresh for two to three weeks. Washed? One week if you’re lucky. Always wash just before eating.
ning water. Drain well. Store in sealable plastic bag in the refrigerator (insert a paper towel in the bag to absorb moisture). Will remain fresh and crisp for seven to 10 days.
Tomatoes: To ripen, store at room temperature, stem up and away from sunlight. Store in plastic sealable bag in the refrigerator. Will stay fresh for up to a week once ripe.
Potatoes and dry onions: Never refrigerate. Store in dark, cool space like closet or pantry. Maintain good air circulation. To get onions to last for a month or longer: Cut one leg from a clean pair of pantyhose. Drop an onion into the toe, tie a knot close to the onion. Drop in another. Repeat until filled. Hang from a nail in the pantry. Need an onion? Cut right below the lowest knot. Suspended with air circulation encourages long life for onions. Works well with garlic and potatoes too.
Avocados: Ripen at room temperature on the counter, then store in the refrigerator. Will stay fresh and wonderful for up to five days.
Lettuce: Here’s an exception to the washing rule: Wash well under cold run-
Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “DebtProof Living.”
COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM
BY DENNIS MAMMANA
Week of November 24-30, 2024
It may not seem like much when you read a description, but once you see one with your own eyes, you’ll understand why it’s so special. I’m referring to the phenomenon astronomers know as a lunar occultation.
A lunar occultation occurs when the moon, in its orbit around the Earth, drifts in front of a more distant object -- for example, a planet, star or star cluster -- and blocks it from view for about an hour or so.
Occultations of stars are important because they allow us to refine our knowledge of the moon’s orbit and even discover companion objects orbiting distant stars. In fact, it was a faint companion star orbiting the red supergiant Antares that first showed up during a lunar occultation in the early 19th century.
But this week it will be Spica that beomes the star of the show. Spica is the bright white star that marks the shaft of wheat held by Virgo, the maiden, and you can now see it low in the eastern sky before dawn. And on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 27, it will co-star with the waning crescent moon in just such an occultation.
As the moon approaches Spica from its upper right, keep a watchful eye on the star until it winks out instantly behind the moon’s bright edge. This
BY TRACY BECKERMAN
I have a talking dog.
We didn’t know it when we got him, of course. He didn’t reveal this talent to us right away. He would vocalize occasionally in dog-speak, but no one really had any idea what he was saying because he spoke in his language, and we spoke in ours, and there was no Rosetta Stone program for either of us. But then one morning I came down the stairs, as I always do, and I said:
“Hello, Bowie!”
Bowie greeted me with some howling, as he always does, but this time, he said something very clear and easy to understand.
“Hello,” said the dog.
I stopped mid-step.
“What?”
“Hello,” said the dog.
“Joel, come here!” I yelled back toward the bedroom. “The dog is talking.”
occurs for two reasons. The first is that the star is so distant that it appears as only a point of light in our sky. The second is because the moon has no atmosphere to dim the star’s light before blocking it completely.
Watching the star disappear and reappear, however, might be a challenge for some, since the event may occur during bright twilight where you live.
Viewers around the country will view the event from different angles, so its times will differ from place to place. From New York City, for example, Spica will disappear at around 5:36 a.m. EST and reappear at around 6:51 a.m. EST. In Chicago, the occultation will occur at around 4:29 a.m. CST and end at around 5:38 a.m. CST.
Farther to the west, near Denver, viewers will miss the beginning of the occultation since the pair will be below the horizon, but the star will reappear on the upper right side of the moon at 4:21 a.m. MST. Unfortunately, from the West Coast, the event occurs before the moon and Spica rise.
The key is to begin your watch at least 10 or 15 minutes early; also, don’t turn away as the star appears to close in on the moon.
To get the event’s times for your location, call your local planetarium, science museum or observatory, or visit the following website: lunar-occultations.com/iota/bstar/1127zc1925.htm.
The times there are listed in Universal Time, which you must convert into your local time. To get EST, for example, simply subtract 5 hours from UT; for CST, subtract 6 hours; for MST, subtract 7 hours; for PST, subtract 8 hours. If weather should interfere, or you miss the split-second disappearance or
reappearance, don’t worry. We’ll get to see occultations of other planets and stars during the next year.
Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. . COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM
This week, in a lunar occultation, the moon will block the star Spica from view
I heard the door open behind me, and my husband joined me on the steps.
“What are you taking about?” he said, sleepily.
“Watch this,” I said. I looked down at the dog, wagging his tail at the bottom of the staircase.
“Hello, Bowie,” I greeted him.
“Hello,” said the dog. To be honest, it was actually more like, “Huhro,” but it sounded close enough and the circumstances were certainly right for a wholehearted hello.
This would be a good time to acknowledge that Bowie is a golden retriever, and golden retrievers are not generally known for their vocal techniques. Huskies and malamutes tend to be the big talkers and will often congregate around water coolers to discuss the latest show on Netflix. But golden retrievers generally prefer to keep their opinions to themselves and refrain from any gossip or innuendo. Their motto is,
“Speak softly and carry a big stick ... or frisbee or tennis ball.”
We went downstairs and the dog greeted us in a more traditional dog way by bringing us a toy, wagging his tail and generally just acting as though he were happy to see us, unlike our actual children who had typically greeted us in the morning with a grunt and a sneer.
“Does he say anything else?” my husband wondered aloud.
“I don’t know,” I said. “I haven’t asked him.”
We let the dog out, even though he hadn’t said, “I need to go out,” and then when he came back in, I turned to him and said, “Do you want your breakfast?”
He sat and looked at me quite seriously. Then he spoke.
“Hello,” replied the dog.
“Looks like he’s a one-trick pony,” said my husband.
“Don’t pressure him,” I said. “He’ll
lose confidence.”
I decided to give up on the talking dog lessons and walked across the floor to get the dog his food. But as I walked, I failed to notice that it was raining outside and the dog had left a big puddle in the middle of the kitchen floor. I hit the puddle with my foot, lost my balance, skidded across the floor and fell flat on my butt. The dog watched this, then let out a series of guffaws that could only be interpreted as laughter.
“Well, he may only be able to say hello,” said my husband. “But at least he’s got a sense of humor.”
Tracy Beckerman is the author of the Amazon Bestseller, “Barking at the Moon: A Story of Life, Love, and Kibble,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online! You can visit her at www. tracybeckerman.com.
COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM
ONE CALL TO 516-294-8900 AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN 6 LOCAL NEWSPAPERS. CALL TODAY FOR OUR VERY LOW RATES. www.gcnews.com
Garden City News • Mid Island Times Bethpage Newsgram • Syosset Advance Jericho News Journal • Floral Park Villager
2 EASY WAYS TO PLACE ADS:
1) Directly on website: gcnews.com & click on “Classified Order”
2) Email Nancy@gcnews.com
Visa and MasterCard Accepted DEADLINE FOR CLASSIFIED ADS IS TUESDAY AT 1:00PM.
Please include your name, daytime phone number, address and ad copy.
HELP WANTED
GARDEN CITY ATTORNEY SEEKS EXPERIENCED
LEGAL SECRETARY to work full time or part time. Excellent typing skills necessary; accounting background a plus. Reply to: 516-747-1141 or LTJonesAtty@cs.com.
SITUATION WANTED
A HOME AIDE/CAREGIVER
Caring, Honest & Reliable woman with 10 years experience available to care for your elderly loved one. Personal grooming, dispense medications, cooking, cleaning. Checkable references. Licensed driver with own transportation. Please call 516-383-7150
CERTIFIED EXPERIENCED
Compassionate aide seeks job. Willing to give your loved ones TLC. Live in or out. (631) 772-4385
ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS!
Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-855-399-2719
DIRECTV- All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Direct and get your first free months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99 / mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918
GET BOOST INFINITE! Unlimited Talk, Text and Data For Just $25/mo! The Power Of 3 5G Networks, One Low Price! Call Today and Get The Latest iPhone Every Year On Us! 844-329-9391
HEARING AIDS!! High-quality rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45day money back guarantee! 855-598-5898
WE BUY HOUSES FOR CASH AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670
INVITED SALES BY TRACY JORDAN
Transform your space, maximize your value: Are you looking to add value to your property and enhance its appeal? Look no further!
At Invited Sales, we offer a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet your needs:
Personal Property Appraisals and Evaluations: Get expert insights into the true value of your personal property.
Estate and Tag Sales: Simplify the process of selling estate items with our professional online and in-person tag sale services.
Home Updates: From carpet removal to one-day floor refinishing and contractor services, we handle it all to refresh your home effortlessly.
Staging Services: Elevate your space with our curated selection of furniture, accessories, lighting, and decorative items for a stunning transformation.
Explore our captivating before and after photos showcasing homes where we’ve added significant value, making them stand out in the market: Visit: InvitedSales.com today to discover how we can help you achieve your property goals!
Please Call: 516-279-6378 Or Text Tracy Jordan: 516-567-2960
WANTED TO BUY
LOOKING TO BUY!
Estates, Oriental items, Gold, Silver, Costume Jewelry, Dishes, Flatware, Watches, Clothing, Old Photos, Coins, Stamps, Records, Toys, Action Figures, Comics, Art and Furniture. Immediate Cash Paid Call George 917-775-3048 or 718-386-1104
AUTOS WANTED
***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS
$Highest$ Ca$h Paid$ All Years /Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct Ca$h. DMV ID#1303199 Call LUKE 516-VAN-CARS 516-297-2277
GOT AN UNWANTED CAR??? Your car donation to Patriotic Hearts helps veterans find work or start their own business. Fast free pick. Running or not! Call 24/7: 1-888-251-3135.
NAPLES FLORIDA CONDO FOR SEASONAL
RENTAL: Located on Gulf Shore Blvd—on the bay
Newly renovated, 2 bed 2 bath, 2 balconies, living room, dining room and kitchen with all new appliances/ 1/2 mile from Venetian Village and 3 miles from Fifth Ave. Gulf views. $7000/ month, Jan–March. Call (516) 242-1653 for more information.
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!
JACK’S CUSTOM FRAMING
We can frame anything! Quality Care & Workmanship
Thousands of frames to choose from!!
Over 30 years in business! 92 Covert Ave, Stewart Manor 516-775-9495
STEPHANIE A. D’ANGELO, ESQ.
Elder Law, Wills & Trusts Asset Preservation, Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration/Litigation
901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530 516-222-1122 www.dangelolawassociates. com
AQUATEC LAWN SPRINKLERS FALL DRAIN OUTS
Backflow Device Tests Free Estimates Installation Service/Repairs Joe Barbato 516-775-1199
MADE IN THE SHADE CUSTOM WINDOW TREATMENTS
Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Draperies
Top Brands at Discount Prices! Family owned & operated www.madeintheshadensli. com 516-426-2890
PAULIE THE ROOFER STOPPING LEAKS IS MY SPECIALTY!
Slate & Tile Specialists All types of Roofing Local References Licensed & Insured 516-621-3869
HEALTH SERVICES
FAMILY CARE CONNECTIONS, LLC
Dr. Ann Marie D’Angelo PMHCNS-BC
Doctor of Nursing Practice Advanced Practice Nurse Care
Manager Assistance with Aging at Home /Care Coordintion
Nursing Home & Assisted Living Placement PRI / Screens / Mini Mental Status Exams
Medicaid Eligibility and Apllications 516-248-9323 www.familycareconnec
CLEANING SERVICES
Available with flexible daytime hours.
Babysitting & Housekeeping available as well. 20 years experience. Excellent references. Call 516-376-9365 SERVICES
AFFORDABLE TV & INTER-
NET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-855-399-2803
PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-866448-8311 Have zip code of property ready when calling!
Email editor@gcnews.com to put your engagementor wedding announcement in this paper.
A Thanksgiving dinner table can be a sight to behold. For foodies and others who love the array of comfort foods on display come the second Monday in October (in Canada) or the fourth Thursday in November (in the United States), Thanksgiving is a day to circle on the calen-
dar each year. While a mouthwatering turkey and sides like mashed potatoes and stuffing garner the bulk of the attention on Thanksgiving, the dessert table also can be a tempting place to direct one’s eyes. Though no dessert is off limits on Thanksgiving, pie is a
1 9-inch unbaked frozen deep dish pie shell, thawed
1 1⁄2 cups pecans, coarsely chopped
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup light corn syrup
1⁄2 cup brown sugar
1) Preheat oven to 350° F.
2) Spread pecans along the bottom of the prepared pie shell.
3) In a large bowl, mix the remaining ingredients and pour over pecans. The pecans will rise to the surface of the pie.
particularly popular option on Turkey Day. With that in mind, those tasked with crafting something for dessert this Thanksgiving can consider the following recipe for “Pecan Pie” courtesy of Lines+Angles.
Makes 8 servings
1 tablespoon molasses
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons flour
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4) Bake for 60 to 65 minutes until the filling has set. Pie is done when the center reaches 200° F. Pie center when lightly tapped should spring back. Remove pie from oven and let cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours.
5) Serve.
Hosts have free rein when it comes to planning a holiday menu. Despite that freedom, many hosts feel obligated to prepare some holiday season staples their guests will surely expect when they sit down at the dinner table.
Stuffing is a dish many cel-
ebrants can’t wait to see on the holiday dinner table. For hosts trusted with preparing holiday meals, the beauty of stuffing lies in its versatility. A host of unique ingredients can be added to holiday stuffing without adversely affecting the popularity of this beloved
1 loaf crusty white or wheat bread, cut into 3⁄4inch cubes
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus extra for baking dish
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and diced
2 large celery stalks, rinsed, trimmed and diced
4 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
1 cup packed dried tart cherries
1) Preheat oven to 400° F. Position oven racks in the middle and lower third of the oven.
Arrange bread in a single layer on two rimmed baking sheets. Toast until dry and golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool.
2) Lightly butter a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, celery and
side dish. In fact, adding some unique ingredients can make people love stuffing even more. Such could be the case with this recipe for “PecanCherry Bread Stuffing” from Lines+Angles. Makes 8 servings
1 cup roughly chopped toasted pecans
2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage leaves
1 tablespoon crushed fennel seed
Coarse salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1⁄4 cup fresh chopped parsley
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until onion and celery are softened, about 7 minutes. Add cherries, pecans, sage, and fennel seed; cook, stirring for 1 minute. Transfer to a large bowl and season with salt and pepper.
3) Add parsley, eggs and bread to the cherry mixture; stir to combine. Add broth in two additions, stirring until
absorbed. Season generously with salt and pepper; transfer stuffing to butter baking dish. Bake on middle rack until the top is deep golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 50 minutes
Resting time: 5 minutes
Each week,
Litmor Publications publishes the ads of providers in our Classifieds, Professional Guide and Service Directory. A 6-week agreement brings your specialty or service to the attention of the community in a public service format.
LET US BEGIN LISTING YOU IN OUR NEXT ISSUE.
For More Information and Rates, Call Nancy 516.294.8900
Email:
Nancy@gcnews.com
Include name, daytime phone number, address and email.
Deadline for Professional Guide or Service Directory is Monday, 12 Noon. Deadline for Classified is Tuesday, 1pm
Advertising in the Professional Guide is only open to N.Y.S. Licensed Professionals.
Share your accomplishments with our readership! Put your engagement, wedding, baby announcement, or more in our paper. It's free of charge for subscribers! Email editor@gcnews.com
Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D - Plainview) is joining forces with the Plainview-Old Bethpage, Syosset, and Jericho Libraries, as well as Syossetbased Always Orthodontics, to host his office’s third annual winter coat drive to benefit the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless.
Donors are invited to drop off new and gently used winter coats and winter accessories (gloves, hats, scarves, etc.) at the Plainview-Old Bethpage Library, 999 Old Country Road, Plainview, N.Y. 11803; Syosset Public Library, 225 S. Oyster Bay Road, Syosset, N.Y. 11791; the Jericho Public Library, 1 Merry Lane, Jericho N.Y. 11753; and Always Orthodontics, 485 Underhill Blvd., Suite 306, Syosset, N.Y. 11791 during normal business hours from Monday, Dec. 2 to Sunday, Dec. 22.
“Last winter, thanks to the tremendous generosity of communities across the 16th District, we gathered more than 500 warm winter coats for deserving families throughout our region – and with your support, we are hopeful that we will be able to touch even more lives this holiday season,” Deputy Minority Leader Drucker said. “When you donate a winter jacket, you are giving more than the gift of warmth - you are wrapping its recipient in spirit of compassion and hope for a better future. I am grateful to once again be partnering with the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless and our outstanding network of sponsors to bring forth this vital effort.”
Anyone interested in supporting the coat drive can contact Deputy Minority Leader Drucker’s office at 516-571-6216 or adrucker@nassaucountyny.gov for details.
For the first time the Hon. Joseph Colby Golf Course in Woodbury will remain open to residents throughout the winter. Beginning November 4, tee times will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., weather permitting. Fees will remain the same and the course will be closed on Mondays starting in December. The front office will open at 7 a.m. and carts must be returned by 4 p.m. Twilight golf will not be available during the winter season.
“Following the extensive upgrades and improvements to our course completed this past summer, we are proud to announce that the Hon. Joseph Colby Golf Course will remain open this winter so residents may enjoy this scenic and challenging 18-hole championship course all year round,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “Make your reservation, enjoy the beautiful
course and spend the day in the Town of Oyster Bay.”
Applications for membership to the Honorable Joseph Colby Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course are available and are processed at the golf course Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Membership is valid until the end of the calendar year. Prospective members must provide the following proofs of residency: Photo Identification (Driver’s License, DMV Photo ID or Passport); and Car Registration, Tax Bill or Utility Bill. Non-resident memberships are also available for an additional fee.
To reserve a tee time, please visit www.oysterbaytown.com/golf or call (516) 677-5980. A $5 fee per player is applied at time of reservation. Daily senior citizens discounts are offered.
Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray greeted Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers President Walt Enderley, Vice President Bob Trnka and fellow members during the organization’s open house in Levittown on October 26.
On October 24, New York State Senator Steve Rhoads celebrated the ribbon cutting ceremony for the family owned Petite 2 Florist in Levittown. Senator Rhoads, along with the Levittown Chamber of Commerce, lauded the beautiful floral arrangements and quality service, encouraging the community to check out the store and support small businesses.
Students from throughout the Levittown School District showcased a special performance and presentation to parents, peers, administrators and trustees at the Nov. 6 board of education meeting.
In the Levittown Memorial Education Center auditorium, General Douglas MacArthur High School music department students took to the stage to offer a sneak peek at their upcoming show. Performers showcased select scenes from “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” which included songs and coordinated routines. Performers, costume designers and set decorators have been hard at work organizing the show since the start of the school year. The exciting glimpse was a promotion of MacArthur’s upcoming shows from Nov. 21–23. All are welcome to attend.
Following the performance, students from East Broadway Elementary School shared their recent literary pursuit under the districtwide theme of “Book Love.” Fourth and fifth graders participate in daily read-alouds in their classroom led by their teachers, which have led to high student engagement in the stories shared. During discussions, students show impressive literary knowledge as they use terminology such as theme, plot, character traits and author’s purpose. Students also relate what they learn to previous lessons and personal experiences and recommend the books they love to their peers and teachers. At the meeting, fourth graders from Mrs. Russo’s class and fifth graders from Mrs. Hepworth’s class shared their favorite book and their skills gained from the daily read-alouds.
Really Trying,” at the Nov. 6 Board of Education
gave a
Each fourth and fifth grader named their favorite book and shared their love of reading.
themed presentation to trustees and administrators.
On Nov. 15, the back field of Kramer Lane School came alive with laughter and excitement as students, staff, and families gathered for the Amazing Inflatable Race.
On Nov. 15, the back field of Kramer Lane School came alive with laughter and excitement as students, staff, and families gathered for the Amazing Inflatable Race. The event, sponsored by Bethpage High School’s chapter of SADD, combined community spirit with a heartfelt mission: raising funds to help rebuild the Black Mountain Home for Children, Youth & Families in Asheville, North Carolina, which was devastated during Hurricane Helene.
The race was the grand finale of a schoolwide fundraiser that kicked off on Oct. 23. Students cast their “votes” by donating coins and bills into buckets labeled with pictures of participating staff members. These buckets, stationed in the main lobby, quickly filled with contributions as students rallied behind their favorite contenders. By Nov. 14, the votes were in, and the top 10 staff members with the most donations were chosen to compete.
Principal Kerri McCarthy stole the show, delighting the crowd in an inflatable dog costume that had students and parents cheering.
The enthusiasm was palpable as spectators lined the field to watch the staff navigate a hilarious obstacle course, with assistance from Kramer Lane students.
In the end, it was second grade teacher Mr. Zaborowski who emerged victorious, crossing the finish line to loud applause and earning the title of Kramer Lane’s
Second grade teacher Mr. Zaborowski was the winner of the Great Inflatable Race.
inflatable race champion. More importantly, the event raised over $900 for hurricane relief, showcasing the school community’s generosity and commitment to making a difference.
On Oct. 30, the Bethpage High School auditorium filled with family, friends, teachers and administrators to celebrate the National Honor Society induction ceremony for 118 exceptional students. This prestigious event recognized students for their commitment to the National Honor Society’s core values of scholarship, leadership, service, knowledge and character.
The journey to induction into the National Honor Society is no easy feat. Each inductee completed a rigorous application process, compiling a portfolio of achievements, extracurricular activities and community service hours. Their dedication and hard work earned them a place in this respected organization, whose members exemplify high standards in both academics and community service.
The ceremony opened with a musical performance by Tracy Jiang on piano and Samantha Harold on guitar, setting a warm and celebratory tone. Ava Mirabelli then performed the national anthem, marking a patriotic beginning to the event.
During the ceremony, each new member took the NHS oath, pledging to uphold the society’s five foundational values. The NHS executive officers took turns speaking on each of these qualities. As they spoke about knowledge, character, scholarship, leadership and service, they lit
five candles symbolizing the importance of these principles. This traditional ritual underscored the solemn commitment each member has made to live by the ideals of the National Honor Society.
The newly installed officers for the Bethpage NHS chapter were also introduced, including co-presidents Rashed Ahmadi and Michael Nicki, Vice Presidents of Tutoring Jennifer Lee and Ibrahim Rana, Secretary Nand Patel and Treasurer Christopher Gomez. The officers were officially sworn in by NHS advisor Mrs. Sciglibaglio, who expressed her pride in the new leaders and encouraged them to continue their legacy of service and dedication.
One by one, the inductees were called to the stage to sign the official NHS membership book, a long-standing tradition symbolizing their commitment to the organization. Each student was then congratulated by Mr. Jantz, applauding their achievement and welcoming them into the Bethpage NHS family.
This memorable evening marked the beginning of an exciting chapter for these 118 new members as they embark on a journey to make a positive impact on their school and community through leadership, scholarship, and service.
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
