Mid-Island Times (2/24/23)

SERVING PLAINVIEW, HICKSVILLE, AND LEVIT TOWN

Town dedicates street to honor fallen NYPD officer

The Town of Oyster Bay, along with the New York City Police Department and other local officials recently dedicated a Hicksville Street in honor of fallen NYPD officer Thomas P. Connelly, who died in the line of duty as a result of cancer he developed after being exposed to toxins while working at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks.

A “Terence P. Connelly Way” street sign was unveiled by Officer Connelly’s family at the corner of Blueberry Lane and Elmira Street in Hicksville, which is situated on the block where he grew up and his parents, Mary and Henry Connelly, still reside.

Officer Connelly, a rookie cop with the 112th Precinct at the time, responded when the Twin Towers fell and worked at Ground Zero with others searching for survivors in the days and weeks following the 9/11 attacks. Terence was just 47 when he passed away on February 8, 2021.

“Terence responded into danger when his fellow Americans needed help,” said Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “Officer Connelly is a true American Hero, but also as a kind and warm-hearted person who was a loving husband and a fantastic father.”

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino (seventh from right) and his colleagues in Town government, including Councilman Tom Hand (right), Councilwoman Vicki Walsh (third from right), Councilwoman Laura Maier (fifth from right), joined by New York State Senator Steve Rhoads (second from right), Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker (sixth from left) and officials from the New York Police Department (NYPD) in a ceremonious street dedication to honor fallen NYPD Officer Terence P. Connelly.

Supervisor Saladino noted that when people pass by this block, they will remember NYPD Police Officer Terence P. Connelly as an exemplary first responder who did not hesitate to act, even if the situation was perilous, and as someone who always put the safety of residents, ahead of his own.

“This street, in the community where he lived for many years, will forever serve as a reminder of his sacrifice and his extraordinary life,” added Supervisor Saladino.

Town installs solar lighting at Burns Park

The Town of Oyster Bay has installed solar lighting backup energy panels throughout John Burns Park in Massapequa. Funded entirely through a New York State grant through the New York State Office of Storm Recovery, lighting along the walking path and throughout parking lots at the facility have been retrofitted to LED with solar power and battery backup. The project was selected as part of the New York Rising Com-

munity Construction Program, through which the community identified areas of the community heavily impacted by severe weather events such as Superstorm Sandy.

“Through the New York State Office of Storm Recovery, the Massapequa community was identified as being eligible for reconstruction funding, to help rebuild and improve resiliency. Residents came together to gather public

input, strategize and implement an effective plan to establish a stronger and better future,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “This project not only improves our resiliency in the event of a future storm, it helps the environment while assisting the Town in its emergency readiness.”

John Burns Park is often heavily utilized as a command center during weather events, whether it be for gathering of equipment, drop off and pickup of supplies, or temporary location of storm debris. These newly retrofitted lighting

fixtures, which will also be installed in other areas of the community, collect and store power from sunlight, going into effect in the event of a power outage.

“This lighting, which is also being installed along local roadways in the southern area of Massapequa, will help the community maintain functionality during power outages,” said Supervisor Saladino. “In the event of a power outage, this project will help make it safe for residents to traverse the area and evacuate when necessary.”

St. Paul Lutheran Church celebrates 100th anniversary

St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, located at 449 Stewart Avenue in Bethpage, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the church’s March 1923 founding. To commemorate this momentous event, St. Paul will be hosting a celebratory worship service on Sunday, March 12, at 10:30 a.m.

It all began on March 5, 1923, when a meeting of Lutherans from Central Park (later to be named Bethpage) was held in the Theodore Roosevelt Republican Hall. Pastor William Rusch of Hicksville offered to conduct services on Sunday afternoons at the firehouse on Stewart Avenue (across from the present site of St. Paul). The first worship service was held on March 11, 1923 with 75 in attendance.

The name of St. Paul was chosen and the first officers were: Henry Schaaf, chairman; Theodore Damm, secretary; and Edward Sengstacken, treasurer and superintendent of Sunday school, positions which he held for many years.

The present property was purchased and in November 1923, work was started on the church building. On November 25, 1923, the cornerstone was laid. The church building is unique in that the members gathered from nearby areas, all the large stones that comprise the outside walls of the church. In a few months, services were held even though there was no heat except for a wood-burning stove. The church was dedicated on September 28, 1924.

Throughout the years, numerous people served at St. Paul and grew the church. St. Paul has been an element of Bethpage history which has made an impact on many people over the years.

In September 1999, Little Gospel Lights Preschool opened its doors in the basement of St. Paul Lutheran Church with a beginning enrollment of 42 students.

On June 26, 2002, at just after 6:00 p.m., lightning struck St. Paul

Evangelical Lutheran Church. No one was in the building when the fire broke out, however, the church building sustained quite a bit of interior damage. The organ pipe room, chancel and parish hall were destroyed. In addition to the fire damage, there was additional damage due to smoke and water in our basement. An aggressive building project was begun, and the congregation under the leadership of Pastor Mario Ancira, with assistance from the community of Bethpage, banded together to see the church re-built.

In August, 2004, the congregation re-entered the newly re-built St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church which is now capable of supporting multiple classes and meetings.

Today, Rev. Victor Rapp is the current Pastor at St. Paul. Little Gospel Lights (LGL) Preschool has an enrollment of 70 students under the leadership of Cheryl Hydo, the preschool’s current director.

The theme for the 100th anniversary is based on Jeremiah 31:3: “I have loved you with an Everlasting Love.” “God’s love, our strength in the past and hope for the future.”

The church invites everyone to come and hear the Good News of God’s everlasting love for us on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. The church is located at 449 Stewart Ave. in Bethpage, NY (two blocks south of the railroad tracks). If you would like more information, please call the church office at 516-931-8262 or email office@stpaulbethpage.com. You can follow the church on Facebook at ‘StPaulsBethpage’ and watch services.

Taken from various publications and church records. Submitted by Janice Kennedy, 100th Anniversary Committee chairperson, St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bethpage.

Levittown HS Artists Reception

Grand opening

Hempstead

attended the grand opening of Crumbl Cookies, located on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown, on February 10. Also attending were co-owners Lori Rung and Tara Costa, members of the Levittown Chamber of Commerce, Nassau County Legislators Tom McKevitt and John Ferretti, New York State Assemblyman John Mikulin and New York State Senator Steve Rhoads.

Are you a professional?

Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray attended the Levittown High Schools Artists Reception on February 9. The reception, hosted by the Levittown Memorial Library, featured artwork by students from Division High School and MacArthur High School.

Town Clerk Kate Murray

Student business earns gold recognition

The Hawks Nest, a school-based enterprise (SBE) at Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School, earned Gold Re-Certification by DECA for the 2022–2023 school year. The student-run business was among 461 worldwide to achieve this recognition—and one of only four in New York State to do so. As part of this special re-certification, The Hawks Nest will be recognized during DECA’s International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Florida, in the spring.

An SBE is an entrepreneurial operation in a school setting that provides goods and services to meet the needs of the market. SBEs are managed and operated by students as hands-on learning laboratories that integrate National Curriculum Standards in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. DECA advisors have utilized this effective educational tool for over four decades to provide their students with realistic and practical learning experiences that reinforce classroom instruction, enhance 21st century skill development, and prepare students for college and careers.

The Plainview-Old Bethpage DECA members who contributed to the certification were Sofie Nelson and Divbani Sabharwal. They were assisted by their DECA chapter advisor, Lindsay DeLucca.

As part of the re-certification process,

DECA’s SBE certification program provides recognition for outstanding achievement by SBEs and motivates student-run organizations to strive for excellence and growth. SBEs can be certified at three

levels: bronze, silver or gold. In order to apply for the certification, SBEs must submit extensive documentation that explains how the SBE demonstrates the practice of various marketing and retail standards. A

review committee evaluates the documentation to determine which level of certification has been achieved. DECA’s schoolbased enterprise programs are sponsored by Intuit and Otis Spunkmeyer Inc.

Great rates like ours are always in season.

To qualify you must have or open any Flushing Bank Complete Checking account2 which provides you with access to over 55,000 ATMs, ATM fee rebates, mobile banking, and mobile check deposit. Plus, you can qualify for additional cash bonuses 3

For more information and to find out about our other great offers, visit your local Flushing Bank branch, call 800.581.2889 (855.540.2274 TTY/TDD) or visit FlushingBank.com

Small enough to know you. Large enough to help you.®

minimum balance is required to receive the advertised rate. Certain fees, minimum balance requirements and restrictions may apply. Fees may reduce earnings on these accounts. A checking account is not required for IRA accounts. 3) The Customer Value Program bonus is limited to one (1) account credit per new Complete Checking customer. New money only. Existing checking account customers are not eligible. A new checking account is defined as any new checking account that does not have any authorized signatures in common with any other existing Flushing Bank checking account(s). An existing checking customer is defined as anyone who currently has or has had a Flushing Bank checking account within the last 24 months. New money is defined as money not currently on deposit with Flushing Bank. The Customer Value Program bonus will be based on the three-month average account balance of the first three (3) full calendar months after the month of account opening. The Customer Value Program bonus will be posted to the account on or about the end of the subsequent month following the account’s three (3) month anniversary. A 1099 will be issued in the amount of the account bonus. The new Complete Checking account must remain open, active, and in good standing for six months. The bonus will be forfeited if the account is closed prior to six months. Other fees and restrictions may apply. The minimum three-month average balance to qualify for the Customer Value Program is $10,000. A minimum deposit of $25 is required to open the Complete Checking account. The offer is subject to change or termination without prior notice at any time. Speak with a branch representative for details.

Flushing Bank is a registered trademark

Members of the Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School school-based enterprise, The Hawks Nest.

Ninth grader honored in state art contest

POBJFKHS art student Issac Chen’s submission for New York State Art Teachers Association Youth Art Month Flag Contest for 2023.

Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School 9th grader Issac Chen received honorable mention in the 2023 New York State Art Teachers Association Youth Art Month Flag Contest. Issac was among over 300 students who submitted artwork in this statewide contest. His art teacher is

Nirel Weinstein.

Founded in 1961, Youth Art Month takes place every March and is intended to emphasize the value of art education for all children and encourage support for quality school art programs. The theme for this year’s flag contest was Your Art, Your Voice.

“Get in the Game”

Senior Softball Players

How would you like to feel like a “kid” again? Want to re-live the thrill of hitting a double or catching a long fly ball? If you will be 60 years old on or before December 31st, 2023, you are eligible to play senior softball this summer.

The Generals are looking for men to try out for our team. The Generals play in the Long Island Senior Softball Association, a league consisting of eighteen senior teams across Nassau and Suffolk counties. Its home field is

conveniently located at Cantiague Park in Hicksville.

Enjoy the camaraderie of men who want to turn back the “ hands of time, ” enjoy friendly competition and maintain a healthful lifestyle. Remember, “You don’t stop playing because you old! You get old because you stop playing!”

For further information, call Lou at 631-923-1555, or cell at 516-241-7073, before April 1.

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!

Bethpage students embrace Random Acts of Kindness Week

Bethpage students from Central Boulevard Elementary School participated in kindness challenges from Feb. 13–17 for Random Act of Kindness Week. Central Boulevard’s Student Council Club organized a different challenge for each day during the week and encouraged all students to complete them. The challenges aligned with the school’s Energy Bus program which is based on Jon Gordon’s children’s book “Energy Bus for Kids: A Story About Staying Positive and Overcoming Challenges.”

At the start of the week, students were reminded that they are the “driver of their own bus.” They each celebrated their own uniqueness by choosing five character traits that they possess and writing them down on a template or on a tracing of their hand. On Tuesday,

classes spoke about how positive words and phrases help individuals make the right choices. The students created kindness posters to display in the hallways.

As the week continued, Central Boulevard students gave out kindness tickets to thank or acknowledge someone. They also created their own gratitude lists as part of Thoughtful Thursday and decorated a license plate to represent themselves. Student Council members plan on creating a collage of all the completed license plates to display in the school. Through these kindness challenges, Central Boulevard students continue to build a positive school culture.

Photos courtesy of the Bethpage Union Free School District

Town offers fitness classes for spring

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that residents who are interested in maintaining or improving their levels of fitness will be able to register for the Town’s popular Co-Ed Fitness Classes at the Hicksville Athletic Center. Classes run for 10 weeks and are offered to individuals 18 years of age or older.

“The Town’s spring co-ed recreational programs have consistently proven to be one of the most popular programs the Town offers each year, as they provide a terrific outlet for our residents to exercise and stay in shape,” said Town Councilwoman Laura Maier. “The Town’s Parks Department has done an amazing job offering residents

the opportunity to take advantage of these classes and stay physically active, creating an optimal environment for fitness and forging new friendships!”

This April, residents can participate in a variety of fitness classes that will be held at the Hicksville Athletic Center:

• Ballroom Dancing: Saturdays, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., beginning April 8.

• Cardio Kick-Boxing: Thursdays, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., beginning April 6.

• Pilates: Mondays, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., beginning April 3.

• Yoga: Residents can choose their session from the following: Saturdays

(beginning April 8 from 9am to 10 a.m.), Sundays (beginning April 2 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.), Mondays (beginning April 3 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. *This class will be held at the Allen Park in Farmingdale*), and Tuesdays (beginning April 11 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.).

• Zumba: Mondays (beginning April 3 from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.) or Wednesdays (beginning April 5 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.).

Online registration begins Monday, March 6, at 5 p.m. at www.oysterbaytown. com/portal. You must upload proof of residency (tax or utility bill) and a valid identifi-

Do you have a ser vice to adver tise?

Our Service Directory is sure to bring results. Call 516-294-8900 for rates and information.

cation card such as a driver’s license.

In-person registration will be available at the Hicksville Athletic Center, located at 167 S. Broadway in Hicksville, on Tuesday, March 7, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The schedule is subject to change. If a session is cancelled, make-up day(s) will be attempted. Class fees are $60 for residents and $70 for non-residents (checks or money orders only). Proof of residency/age required when registering, with TOB residents given first preference. Participants must bring their own mat to yoga and Pilates. For more information, call (516) 7977945 or email tobparks@oysterbay-ny.gov.

Third grader Josie Sachs with her completed hand project.

Fourth graders Syed Ibrahim (left) and Zayneb Qurreshi (right) showed off their hand drawings with their character traits listed on the fingers.

Fourth grader Christian Sachs made his gratitude list on Google Slides.

Terrific Kids in Levittown

Re-elected to water association board

Theresa M. Catapano-Black was recently re-elected as Bethpage Water District Commissioner. Re-elected and newly elected water commissioners from 21 local water districts who are members of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) were sworn into office on January 1, 2023 to begin their three-year term. Each local water district is comprised of three commissioners on each board.

NSWCA President and Locust Valley Water District Chairwomen Patricia Peterson commented on the election results, “Local voters came out to cast their ballet in meaningful elections for the men and women of their choice who harness the responsibility of safeguarding our water today, and into the future. This process is a sterling example of local representation by and for each community as water commissioners and voters must reside within their respective district.”

Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray congratulated Adam Zuffrante, Jennifer Barba, William Salvage, Gabriella Krasko, Zeemal Jaffery, Haddie Kelly, Kevin Doherty, Sobaan Mian, Annabella Camisa, Anthony Marroquin, Yuremi Ronquilio Leiva, Mykaela Padilla, Amelia Verbeeck, Ethan Duque, Jefferson Gonzalez Ochoa and Jonathan Zavala Romero of Stokes Elementary School in Levittown as they were named “Terrific Kids” by the Levittown Kiwanis. Also attending were Michael Pappas and Pat Carney of the Levittown Kiwanis, Principal Allison Ackerman and Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti.

Short Stacks for a Tall Cause

The Mercy League will be holding a Flapjack Fundraiser breakfast on Saturday, April 15, from 8 a.m to 10 a.m. at Applebees, 938 S. Broadway, Hicksville.

The meal will include pancakes, sau-

A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT FOR LONG ISLAND

Sands, the world leader in developing integrated resorts, is proposing a multi-billion-dollar investment at the current site of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. This groundbreaking, world-class hospitality and entertainment project will be transformational for the Long Island economy, creating thousands of quality union jobs and generating millions of dollars in tax revenue.

A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY FOR LONG ISLAND BUSINESSES

Sands is committed to developing long-term partnerships with local businesses. For Long Island-based manufacturers, distributors, wholesale suppliers and other companies servicing the hospitality and entertainment industries, the Sands project will be an unprecedented opportunity to grow your business and be part of what will surely become an iconic centerpiece of the Long Island landscape.

sage, scrambled eggs and a beverage (coffee, tea, juice or soda). Tickets are $13.

For information, please contact 516735-6451 or email mercyleague.copresidents@gmail.com

Theresa M. Catapano-Black

College Notes

Zachary Rozales of Plainview is among nearly 1,500 students graduating from Mississippi State University in Fall 2022.

Rozales received the Master of Science from MSU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

New York Institute of Technology recognizes the student leaders who assist the university’s Academic Success and Enrichment team, including:

Julia Andor of Bethpage, who serves as a Peer Tutor.

Bishwo Mainali from Hicksville, who serves as a Peer Tutor and Peer Success Guide (PSG).

Yamini Bhaveshbhai Patel from Hicksville, who serves as a Supplemental Instruction Leader.

Christian Patsos of Bethpage has received Bachelor of Arts from The University of Alabama during fall commencement ceremonies on Dec. 10th.

The following local students earned President’s List honors for the Fall 2022 semester:

Bethpage

Richard Verbouwens Hicksville

Julia Colonna

Julia Deturris

Jessica Kwasnik

Levittown

Sage Diaz

Brandon Martinez

Old Bethpage

Madison Cohen

Eric Melle Syosset

Argiroula Kefalas

Olivia Strocchia

Emily Wolfe

To qualify for the President’s List, students must earn a grade of A- or better in each of their classes while carrying a course load of 12 hours or more.

Local residents were named to The University of Scranton’s Dean’s List for the 2022 fall semester.

Students added to the Fall 2022 Dean’s List are:

Bethpage

Seamus J. O’Callaghan, a junior marketing major in the University’s Kania School of Management.

Levittown

Isabella R. Barberio, a senior advertising/public relations major in the University’s College of Arts and Sciences.

Tara L Renda, a sophmore occupational therapy major in the University’s Panuska College of Professional Studies.

Jason T. Adams, a sophmore accounting major in the University’s Kania School of Management.

Plainview

Julianna Lunt, a senior occupational therapy major in the University’s Panuska College of Professional Studies.

Matthew J. Duffy, a senior business analytics major in the University’s Kania School of Management.

Julianna Lunt, a senior occupational therapy major in the University’s Panuska College of Professional Studies.

The Dean’s List recognizes students for academic excellence. A student must have a grade point average of 3.5 or better with a minimum number of credit hours during the semester to make the Dean’s List.

n

Michael Balnis of Hicksville was named to the Cazenovia College Dean’s List for the Fall 2022 semester. Those named to the Dean’s List have achieved a 3.5 or better grade point average.

n

The University of Tampa has honored 2,044 students who were named to the dean’s list for the Fall 2022 semester. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.75 or higher to be eligible for the Dean’s List.

The following local students were named to the Dean’s List:

Bethpage

Isabella Ninivaggi, majoring in education-elementary (K–6) BS

Megan Russo, majoring in allied health BS

Andrew Miller, majoring in journalism BA

Old Bethpage

Danielle Wicker, majoring in communication and speech studies BA

Plainview

Domenica Nizzari, majoring in allied health BS

Ryan Foley, majoring in human performance BS

Woodbury

Sarah Weisman, majoring in advertising and public relations BA

Stephanie Massimo, majoring in forensic science BS

n

Endicott College has named Julia Pergolis of Garden City to its Dean’s List for the Fall 2022 semester. Julia is majoring in exercise science and is the daughter of Michele and Robert Pergolis.

Kelli Heffer of Bethpage was one of 150 Lebanon Valley College student-athletes to be named to the Middle Atlantic Conference’s (MAC) Fall Academic Honor Roll.

Heffer, a graduate of Plainedge High School, is a member of the Lebanon Valley College volleyball team, and is pursuing a bachelor of science in exercise science at The Valley.

The Academic Honor Roll is comprised of student-athletes who compete in a varsity-level sport and registered a term/semester GPA of 3.20 (on a 4.00

scale) or higher.

Congratulations to Mackenzie Gregory of Levittown for making the Dean’s List for the Fall 2022 semester. The Dean’s List recognizes students who have earned a grade point average of 3.65 or higher in the academic semester.

Jordan Blank of Plainview graduated from The University of Tampa on Saturday, Dec. 16. Blank earned a business administration degree.

Jillian Lambdin of Plainview is among 20 University of Scranton education majors serving as student teachers during the spring semester at 12 local schools in the following nine school districts: Abington Heights, Dunmore, Mid Valley, NEIU, North Pocono, Riverside, Scranton, Valley View and Western Wayne.

Lambdin, a graduate student, will serve as a student teacher at Evergreen Elementary School. Lambdin is majoring in special education

Students at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Metropolitan Campus, located in Teaneck, have been named to the Honors Lists for the Fall 2022 semester.

Nina Carlomusto of Hicksville

Purnima Sengupta of Hicksville

Alyssa Perez of Bethpage, a student at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Metropolitan Campus in Teaneck, NJ, has been named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2022 semester.

To qualify for the Dean’s List, a student must carry a 3.2 or better grade point average out of a possible 4.0 and be enrolled in a minimum of 12 letter-graded hours (four courses).

Jessica Najdek of Bethpage, a student at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Florham Campus in Madison, NJ, has been named to the Honors List for the Fall 2022 semester.

To qualify for the Honors List, a student must carry a 3.5 or better grade point average out of a possible 4.0 and be enrolled in a minimum of 12 letter-graded hours (four courses).

The following students have been named to Western New England University’s Dean’s List for the Fall 2022 semester:

Levittown resident Christopher Fusco, who is working toward a BSBA in finance

Woodbury resident Robert Trapeo, who is working toward a BSBA in business analytics & information management

Students are named to the Dean’s List for achieving a semester grade point average of 3.30 or higher.

n

The following Fairfield University

students received Deans List Honors for the Fall 2022 semester:

Bethpage

William J. Fitzgerald

Frank S. LoVerde

Ryan A. Pugliano

Levittown

Alyssa M. Weinberg

Daniel S. Wilson

Old Bethpage

Matthew J. Mullen

Plainview

Kaitlyn A. Capone

Christina M. De Angelis

James G. Protonentis

Dominic A. Savarese

Syosset

Alexandra R. Emanuel

Austen E. Flink

In order to be placed on the Dean’s List, students must have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours in a semester, have no outstanding or incomplete grades for that semester, and have attained a semester grade point average of 3.50 or better.

n

Ian Kirsch of Syosset graduated from Ithaca College in December 2022 wtih a BS in television-radio.

n

Matthew J. Duffy of Plainview was among the 124 University of Scranton students who studied abroad during the Intersession 2023 semester. Duffy, a business analytics major at Scranton participated in the American Institute for Foreign Studies in Barcelona.

n Purchase College announced that more than 1,100 students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall semester.

The following local students were honored:

Bethpage

Isabella Benkhallouk

Emma Bordt

Madison Buttice

Michael Iannucci

Liam O’Connor

Gabriella Shamah

Hicksville

Ahona Dias of Hicksville

Levittown

Benjamin Goldfeder

Amelia Llewellyn

Sofia Mancz

Elizabeth Tonis

Old Bethpage

Sam Saltzman

Woodbury

Skylar Hertz

Nicholas Massimo

Students who have earned this academic honor have maintained a gradepoint average of 3.5 or higher and taken a minimum of 12 credits. For BA and BS programs, a semester GPA of 3.50 is required. For BFA and MusB programs, a semester GPA of 3.75 is required.

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF Nassau, U.S. Bank National Association, not Individually but solely as Trustee for Bluewater Investment Trust 2018-1, Plaintiff, vs. Eve Rockfeld, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 21, 2019 and an Order

Appointing Successor Referee and Other Relief duly entered on December 22, 2021, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 28, 2023 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 12 Cindy Drive, Old Bethpage, NY 11804. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Bethpage, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 47., Block 110 and Lot 3. Approximate amount of judgment is $322,816.59 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 602744/2018. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

William Boccio, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No. 181106-1

NASSAU COUNTY FORECLOSURE NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for Lehman XS Trust Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2006-4N, Plaintiff AGAINST Parminder Chandi; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered February 20, 2020 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 29, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 253 Haypath Road, Old Bethpage, NY 11804. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Old Bethpage, in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 47 Block 31 Lot 12. Approximate amount of judgment

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT- COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL FUNDING MORTGAGE SECURITIES I, INC., MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-S7, Plaintiff, AGAINST NAZANINA FARHADI, KHAN FARHADI A/K/A KHAN M. FARHADI, et al. Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on May 8, 2019.

I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 14, 2023 at 2:30 PM premises known as 187 North Herman Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714.

Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for the Tenth Judicial District, Nassau County, and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing.

All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Central Park (Bethpage) not an Incorporated Village, in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 49, Block 117 and Lot 445, 447, 449.

Approximate amount of judgment $1,089,185.98 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #002530/2016.

Karen C. Grant, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLP - Attorneys for Plaintiff - 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747

Drawing, knitting, painting classes

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that registration for the Town’s Spring 2023 Cultural Enrichment Programs will be held online only for the first time. Both residents and non-residents must register for classes including Figure Drawing, Outdoor Painting, Chunky Hand-Knit Blanket, Watercolor Painting, Oil Painting, Drawing Fundamentals, Sumi-E Painting and Painting with Acrylics online at www.oysterbaytown.com/portal.

To register, visit www.oysterbaytown.com/portal, create an account, select the Cultural Enrichment link on the homepage, choose the class(es) you’d like to register for by checking the box, and then select Add to Cart. Please note the fees vary for residents and non-residents. You will next be prompted to select the eligible members on your account; check off all family members that you wish to enroll in the class, and then press continue. Once you’ve proceeded to checkout and submitted your credit card information, a receipt will be linked on the confirmation screen and will also be emailed to you, along with a copy of the supply list for the class, if applicable.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION

Notice of Formation of Let's Birdie LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023-01-11. 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

$578,244.15 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 010267/2015. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the Tenth Judicial District.

Foreclosure Auctions will be held "Rain or Shine." Charles J. Casolaro, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 4304792 Dated: February 7,

For assistance registering, or for more information, please call the Department of Community & Youth Services, Cultural and Performing Arts (CAPA) at (516) 797-7923.

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT- COUNTY OF NASSAU

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ALL PERMITTED SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS OF JPMORGAN CHASE BANK N.A., AS TRUSTEE, FOR CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF NOMURA ASSET ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-AR3, Plaintiff, AGAINST

ASHOK KUMAR, ANJU KUMAR, et al. Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on August 16, 2019.

I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 14, 2023 at 3:00 PM premises known as 38 Bloomingdale Rd, Hicksville, NY 11801.

Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Nassau County and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing.

All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in Bethpage, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 46, Block 519 and Lot 10.

Approximate amount of judgment $487,160.92 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #005358/2016.

Russell S. Burman, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLP - Attorneys for Plaintiff - 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747

Hicksville writing students recognized at Board meeting

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC, Plaintiff, vs BEATRIZ E. ACOSTA AKA BEATRIZ ACOSTA, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 6, 2019 and an Order Appointing Successor Referee duly entered on July 29, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 28, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 14 Lily Lane, Levittown, NY 11756. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in Levittown, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 45, Block 201 and Lot 6. Approximate amount of judgment is $441,323.72 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 2691/2017. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Edward Andreas Vincent, Esq., Referee

Friedman Vartolo LLP,

85

Broad

Plaintiff. Firm File No. 193036-7

Hicksville Superintendent of Schools Marianne Litzman, students

Katelyn Suarez and Marion Rai, Hicksville Supervisor of English, Reading and Libraries Brendan McGowan, English teacher Eva Shtein, student Beau Flay and HicksvilleBoard of Education President Brenda Judson. Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Hicksville High School students Beau Flay, Marion Rai and Katelyn Suarez were recognized at the Feb. 15 Board of Education meeting for earning Regional Awards from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards through the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.

Marion Rai earned two Gold Key Awards for the poetry submissions titled “an elegy to understand (me), mother”

and “The Art of Blending In.” Katelyn Suarez was honored with a Silver Key Award for the short story titled “Smile” and Beau Flay garnered an Honorable Mention for the poem “Sour 16.”

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards were founded in 1923 and exist to inspire and celebrate creative teens throughout the country.

February 24, 2023

Utah Adventure Day 3-4: Grand Staircase-Escalante Poses Challenge

BY KAREN RUBIN WITH LAINI MIRANDA AND DAVE E. LEIBERMAN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a Delawaresized museum of sedimentary erosion that takes you down a 200-million-year-old “staircase” – a series of plateaus that descend from Bryce Canyon south toward the Grand Canyon.

But it’s relatively new and unexplored: it was the last part of the Lower 48 United States to get cartographed. President Bill Clinton set aside these 1.87 million acres as a national monument in 1996 because its untrammeled significance distinguishes it for researchers and explorers alike – but it has been controversial ever since, as Trump and Republicans sought to reverse its protected status, slash the size of Grand Staircase in half and neighboring Bears Ears by 85%,and open up vast sections of both – including areas sacred to indigenous people – to extraction and exploitation. Biden reinstated the protected areas in 2021.

Unlike the exceptionally popular and trafficked Capitol Reef, Zion, Bryce Canyon and Arches National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante is for more hard-core adventuresmost of the trails are barely marked, require four-wheel drive to reach the trailhead, and have minimal services (you are on your own).

David and Laini have been here before, so have scouted and know the ropes – like how to drive down the

rustic, 55-mile long Hole-in-the-Rock road that begins on Highway 12, just southeast of the town of Escalante, and ends at the edge of a cliff. That road leads to the trailheads of the minimally marked trails into many slot canyons that Laini most wants to explore. When they came the last time, the road was almost impassable – we are lucky today, that the gravel and sand are not so deep. (Pro tip: go in early spring shortly after the road is regarded; in summer and fall, the washboard road has been so well-traveled and destroyed that it takes over an hour to drive just 20 miles, even in a four-wheel drive car with high clearance, as David and Laini learned through experience).

The canyons are a rugged, desolate adventurers’ paradise – Jurassic Park comes to mind - and draws hard-core hikers, canyoneers and other outdoors enthusiasts. There are very few people around (the town is tiny), even reaching the trailhead

requires four-wheel drive capable of off-road, and the trails are not marked, beyond a sign at the trailhead, and even these are rare.

As we head out for hikes, we have to be extremely mindful of carrying enough water and snacks. David hauls a 5-gallon collapsible water jug that he stashes for the trip back, and carries a 4L Hydrapak water bladder that he uses to refill our personal water bottles. We’re here in cool weather, but in summer, it can be dangerously hot. You are cautioned not to start out on these hikes after 10 am. David and Laini are also big fans of the lightweight Clif Energy Bloks that you can stock up on at Escalante Outfitters in town, where we get breakfast before heading out. Besides water, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, snacks (and me a camera), a light compactable jacket, we try to carry as little as possible.

On a previous trip, David and Laini had a sophic guide named Ace

(or Yoda), who said things like, “Let the land reveal itself to you and you will ultimately find the red zone.” (I have no idea what the red zone represents but it sounds very Zen and I think it has something to do with the fact that there is no real trail –we have to find our own way using instinct, intuition, or just common sense, as well as the verbal descriptions of landmarks.)

This first morning, we hike to the Zebra Canyon – a slot canyon which is often too flooded to visit, as it was when Laini and David were last here. It’s a two-mile hike across flat open terrain to get to the entrance (virtually no shade).

Laini reads notes to direct our route that sound like Indiana Jones navigating by looking out for cryptic descriptions of land formations.

“Named after the vivid stripes that line its walls, Zebra Slot Canyon in Grand Staircase Escalante is perhaps the most unique canyon in Southern Utah,” the notes read. “To reach the stunning canyon requires an 8-mile drive down a dirt road, a 5-mile round trip hike that can be tricky to follow, and a challenging climb through very narrow canyon walls. Even though the Zebra Slot Canyon itself is only about a quarter-mile long, the long journey to reach it is completely worth the effort.”

The landscape here in the Grand Staircase Escalante is so different from Capitol Reef – swirls and folds, amazing color, the formations sensuous. We come upon a literal pile of perfectly round rocks (“Moqui

Continued on next page

Hiking Big Horn Canyon, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Utah © Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com

Utah Adventure Day 3-4: Grand Staircase-Escalante Poses Challenge

Continued from previous page

marbles”)—that look like chocolate bon bons or rubber balls formed by hand–that native peoples used like marbles or balls.

At Zebra Canyon, I make it through a little ways, squeezing my way in, but then it becomes even narrower, with barely 10 inches to get through. This is much more technical, requiring real climbing skill, where you have to use your hands and legs to shimmy up the walls of the canyon and slither through. Essentially, every “step” is problem-solving a puzzle – involving seeing the puzzle in its full-dimension, thinking out of the box to use all your resources, and transfigure/manipulate/reshape your body. You need to be flexible (I’m not), have good strength in your upper body, hands and knees (I don’t), and it helps to be thin (no comment).

This is my first experience in a slot canyon, and I am intimidated. I don’t want to hold back the others or have them worry that I will be completely trapped inside (my worry), so I tell them to go on ahead and wait for them in a small wider section, enjoying watching others go through (and not return).

It feels surreal, but I can hear people laughing through the rock walls, as if embedded in the rock (it’s weird).  While I wait, I watch the various techniques people use to scramble up the sides and solve the problem of slithering through. Very creative!

Canyons don’t have signs or markers. People just know where to go. In some instances we find cairns. But mostly, we just go (a tad unnerving

because of the vastness of emptiness and the thought of actually wandering around totally lost, as I’ve seen in Survivor and/or Disaster movies).

Laini recalls another of Ace’s sagacious aphorisms, “Whichever way you go, that’s the best way.”

So, we find ourselves paving our own trail (that’s fun too) , walking over a vast section of slickrock - amazing white, swirled smooth mounds of rock like petrified ice cream - and find another slot to explore. This time, I scramble over boulders to get in (very proud of myself), but it doesn’t go far. Still. I did it and it gives me confidence for another day. We don’t actually find the Tunnel Slot Canyon.

We find our way to the trail we came in on (whew!), and return to the trailhead. We’re back to the Jeep by 4:10 pm, having hiked for 6 hours (6 miles).

The slots are reached along Hole in the Rock Road. And after these ambitious hikes, we continue driving on the road to Devils Garden, 13 miles south of Escalante.

Devils Garden is an astonishing sight - a whole cityscape of hoodoos and arches. These are incredibly dramatic, mysterious – not rock at all, but seem to be imbued with spirits (hence the name, no doubt). This is probably the easiest trail in the area, and is absolutely magical. There is also a lovely picnic area and bathrooms.

Back in the Jeep, Laini leads us down a wild path to the no-name hoodoos overlook that she and David discovered wild camping on a previous trip (the drive was harrowing enough, like being in an ATV). From this high elevation we look through these tower-

ing rock formations to the vast expanse below. It’s tempting to camp here, but we return to our cozy cabin at Canyons of Escalante RV Park in Escalante.

Big Horn Canyon

For our second day exploring Grand Staircase-Escalante, we head to Big Horn Canyon.

I’m more prepared today for this hike and basically, go with the flow (as Ace would say).

Big Horn Canyon is a tributary of Harris Wash. It runs for three miles through alternating slickrock and sand – the first two miles are in the wash. The slots cut into the Navajo sandstone rock layers displaying an unusually wide range of colors and forms.

We follow instructions which say to park at the two blue containers, then make our way down to the river bed (exactly where do we start?) and follow Harris Wash  of the Escalante River, crossing it many times (and can be hard to reach when the water is higher.)

This first part of the hike to reach the canyon is pleasant – we go back and forth over a riverbed which on this day, is mostly dry.

There are two slot canyons. The first over to the left is shorter and the hike ends when it becomes too narrow to pass through. The second one is long and the colors are spectacular. For a change in perspective, once the canyon walls open you can hike on the creamsicle swirled ice cream rocks.

Unlike Zebra, Big Horn Canyon is really easy to navigate (no need to slither up walls) – ideal for neophytes like me.

Coffee and Heart Health

BY CHARLYN FARGO

Go ahead and grab that cup of coffee or two: it’s good for lowering your blood pressure.

In a recent study published in the journal Nutrients, researchers found that drinking two to three cups of coffee every day helped maintain low blood pressure.

The study found regular coffee drinkers had significantly lower blood pressure, both on peripheral and central levels, than those who do not drink it, according to Dr. Arrigo F. G. Cicero, an associate professor in the department of medical and surgical sciences with the University of Bologna in Italy.

“Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in Italy and in the world, and its consumption has already been associated with a positive impact on human health, particularly regarding CVD (cardiovascular disease), Type 2

diabetes and a number of neurodegenerative and liver diseases,” Cicero and colleagues wrote in a press release.

Researchers looked at the Brisighella Heart Study to compare both peripheral and central blood pressure values in 783 women and 720 men who reported drinking varying amounts of coffee every day. They found that heavy coffee drinkers had the lowest systolic blood pressure, followed by moderate coffee drinkers.

Compared with those who didn’t drink coffee, people who drank two cups per day and those who drank more than three cups a day had lower systolic blood pressure. Researchers found similar trends for aortic blood pressure, aortic pulse pressure and peripheral pulse pressure.

“The results are very clear: peripheral blood pressure was significantly lower in individuals consuming one to three cups of coffee a day than in non-coffee drinkers,” Cicero said in the release.

“And for the first time, we were also able to confirm these effects with regard to the central aortic pressure, the one close to the heart, where we observe an almost identical phenomenon with entirely similar values for habitual coffee drinkers compared to non-coffee drinkers.”

The study found both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee gave the same results, suggesting that caffeine isn’t the main determinant of the effect of coffee on blood pressure.

“Caffeine is only one of the several coffee components and certainly not the only one with an active role. Positive effects on human health have indeed been recorded even among those who consume decaffeinated coffee,” Cicero said in the release. “We know that caffeine can increase blood pressure, but other bioactive components in coffee seem to counterbalance this effect with a positive end result on blood pressure levels.”

Big Horn Canyon is magnificent. Nature puts on a fantastic display of colors, patterns, swirls and shapes. You can imagine how the ancients got their inspiration for their art. Walking through, it feels like you are the ball in a psychedelic pin ball machine.

This hike reminds Laini of Dr. Seuss’ “Oh the Places You Will Go.”

And I think to myself, how is this canyon not more popular!?! In fact, for the most part, we are completely alone – not a soul around (in contrast to Zebra which seemed to draw lots of people, despite its difficulty). It makes it all the more surreal when a couple does pop up in our space, bursting the reverie.

The hike altogether is about six miles – absolute perfection.

We are back in the car at 2:14 pm, and head out to drive to our next stop, Glen Canyon, via the Burr Trail, a scenic byway.

Information at Escalante Interagency Visitor Center, 755 West Main, Escalante UT 84726, 435-826-5499, www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/utah/grand-staircase-escalante-national-monument .

Another visitors center is at 745 US-89, Kanab, UT 84741, 435-644-1200.

Also, www.utah.com/destinations/ national-monuments/grand-staircase-escalante-national-monument/

See more photos: https://goingplacesfarandnear.com/utah-adventureday-3-4-grand-staircase-escalante-poseschallenge/

© 2023 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com

.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS

Crossword Answers

Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU Med School in Springfield, Illinois. For comments or questions, contact her at charfarg@aol.com or follow her on Twitter @NutritionRD.

March Is Women’s History Month

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

March is Women’s History Month and I am focusing on Helen Thomas who was an American journalist. Helen Amelia Thomas was born on August 4, 1920, in the small town of Winchester, Kentucky.

Thomas, a reporter and author, is probably best remembered by most Americans as a long-serving member of the White House press corps. She covered the White House during the administrations of 10 U.S. presidents - from the beginning of the Kennedy administration to the second year of the Obama administration.

Thomas was the seventh of the nine children of George and Mary Thomas who were Lebanese immigrants. Thomas said that her parents couldn’t read or write. She was raised mainly in Detroit, Michigan, where her family moved when she was four years old, and where her father ran a grocery store. She has said that her father encouraged all of his children to attend college.

Attending Detroit Public Schools, it was while Helen Thomas was a student at Eastern High School that she got her first byline in the student newspaper. It was then and there that she decided to become a journalist. She said that her “ego swelled and she was hooked for life.”

She enrolled at Wayne University (now Wayne State University) in Detroit and received a bachelor’s degree in English in 1942 because at that time Wayne University did not offer a degree in journalism. Many people have said that being a reporter suited her personality because she had a boundless curiosity. At college Thomas worked on the university newspaper covering various events.

Right after college Thomas moved to Washington, D.C. and throughout her career she had many accomplishments. She became a copy girl at the now defunct Washington Daily News where she earned $17.50 a week and she was later promoted to “cub reporter.”

In 1943 she was hired by the United

Press International and she would be with them for 57 years. A news writer, Thomas wrote radio news, especially women’s news and celebrity profiles, and she later reported on the federal government, particularly the FBI and Capitol Hill. She was assigned to the White House in 1961 and in 1974 was promoted to Chief White House Correspondent, a position she held until 2000.

Thomas then served as a columnist for Hearst Newspapers from 2000 to 2010, writing about national affairs and the White House. Thomas was the first female officer of the National Press Club, the first female member and president of the White House Correspondents’ Association and the first female member of the Gridiron Club.

Throughout her life Helen Thomas wrote six books. Her last book with co-author Craig Crawford was “Listen Up, Mr. President: Everything You Always Wanted Your President to Know and Do” which was published in 2009.

Thomas received numerous honorary doctorate degrees from Brown University, St. Bonaventure University, Michigan State University and George Washington University. She was also a commencement speaker at dozens of colleges and delivered lectures on the White House and the Presidency.

In 1971, Helen Thomas married a colleague, Douglas Cornell, who was just retiring as the White House reporter for the Associated Press. Four years later, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and she cared for him until his death in 1982.

Helen Thomas died on July 20, 2013, at her home in Washington, D.C. at the age of 92. She would have turned 93 the following month. Many female journalists memorialized Thomas on Twitter, including Judy Woodruff, who called her a “trailblazer,” and Lynn Sweet, who said she was a “glass ceiling breaking journalist.” Andrea Mitchell tweeted that Thomas “made it possible for all of us who followed.” Mitchell also said that Thomas wasn’t afraid to ask pointed questions of the president or the

press secretary.

Dana Perino, who served as press secretary to President George W. Bush, remembered that on her first day as press secretary, Thomas approached her at the podium to give her words of encouragement.

President Obama released a statement calling her “a true pioneer” who “never failed to keep presidents - myself included - on their toes. What made Helen the ‘Dean of the White House Press Corps’ was not just the length of her tenure, but her fierce belief that our democracy works best when we ask tough questions and hold our leaders to account.”

Coincidentally Helen Thomas was born the same day as President Obama and he surprised her when he took a break from his official duties and popped into in the White House briefing room unannounced on her 89th birthday. Helen Thomas was sitting in the front-row seat reserved with her name and Obama sat next to her.

Leading the roomful of reporters in singing “Happy Birthday to You,” Obama gave Helen Thomas a plate full

of cupcakes, making her the first White House correspondent to have a birthday cake delivered by a president. He had just turned 48.

Helen Thomas was known as the reporter who for nearly 30 years signed off at the end of press conferences with her signature, “Thank you, Mr. President.” That phrase became so wellknown that it was included in several movies about the White House.

Many people recognized Thomas not just because of her work as a Washington, D.C. journalist but because she often made TV appearances. To many Americans, she was a well-known face.

About the occupation Helen Thomas had chosen so many years ago, as a girl in high school in Detroit, she has said:

“When you’re in the news business, you always expect the unexpected.”

“I think I’ll work all my life. When you’re having fun, why stop having fun?”

“I love my work, and I think that I was so lucky to pick a profession where it’s a joy to go to work every day.”

BY TOM MARGENAU

Most mornings, I sit down at my computer and open my emails. I find many of the same questions I’ve answered hundreds, if not thousands of times over the 25 years I’ve been writing this column. And even though it’s “deja vu all over again,” I don’t mind answering those questions because I know that not everyone has memorized all my past columns and these queries are coming from folks now facing some Social Security issues or decisions in their lives.

But for some reason, this morning’s batch of emails was different. They still were questions I’ve dealt with in the past. (I don’t think there is a single Social Security question I have never been asked.) Still, they were not the common questions I’m asked over and over again, so I thought I’d put them in today’s column.

Q: I am a bit of an amateur genealogist. I want to create a family tree and I’m trying to get whatever information I can about several deceased relatives. I know I might be able to get a little information from their Social Security records. How do I go about doing this?

A: The most easily obtainable Social Security record you can get is a copy of the deceased person’s Social Security number application card. That card lists the deceased’s name, date, place of birth and parents’ names. Just do a Google search for “Social Security form SSA-711.” That’s the form you use to get a copy of that SSN application card. The usual fee for this service is $30. And I’m sure you’re also checking out online sites like Ancestry.com.

Q: I was married to a man for 28 years. It was a troubled marriage. We divorced about 10 years ago. During most of that marriage, I was a stay-at-home wife and mother. All the children from that marriage are grown. About three years ago, I met the most wonderful man and we got married. But one complication is that he is living in this country illegally. He is working and paying taxes. (I’m not really sure how that works.) Will I ever be able to get any benefits from my first husband’s Social Security? Will I get anything from my second husband’s Social Security?

A: As long as you are married to husband No. 2, you can’t get any Social Security from husband No. 1. And because husband No. 2 is an undocumented immigrant, he won’t be able to get any Social Security -- even though he is somehow paying into the system. And that means you can’t get any spousal benefits on his record. But if your marriage to husband No. 2 ends, you could go back and get benefits from No. 1. Or if you happen to have enough credits on your own record, you could get a small retirement benefit. You would need a minimum of 10 years

An Unusual Morning Mailbag

of work to qualify for your own Social Security.

Q: In a recent column, you answered a question from a divorced wife who was wondering if she could get the “bump up” in Social Security benefits even though her prior husband, who was also at full retirement age, was planning on deferring his benefits until he was 70.

You said that she should file her claim because the law says a divorced woman can file for benefits on an ex-husband’s record even if he is not collecting benefits -- although the ex would have to be at least age 62.

Well, my wife and I are both at full retirement age. She filed her claim this past year, and I am deferring my benefits until age 70. When I questioned the Social Security clerk about why my wife did not receive the bump up to half of my FRA benefit, which is significant, we were told that my wife could not get the bump up until I began to receive benefits. So, is this another “marriage penalty?”

A: It’s not a “marriage penalty” per se. There is a reason why the rules are different for divorced women and married women.

It all comes down to the issue of dependency. The law requires a woman to be financially dependent on her husband’s Social Security in order to be eligible for spousal benefits on his record. If a woman is still married to her husband, and if he’s still working and not getting Social Security, it’s assumed that his income is being used to support her and therefore she doesn’t need his Social Security spousal benefit until he applies for benefits himself.

But the law can’t make that assumption for a divorced woman. It can’t be assumed that she is being supported by her ex’s current income. So that’s why she is able to collect his Social Security even if he hasn’t yet filed for benefits himself.

Q: I am a recent widow. My husband died in October 2022. I am 47 years old. We were married for 25 years. I was told I would have to wait until I am 60 years old to collect his Social Security. Yet I know another widow who is 10 years younger than me, and she gets a Social Security check for herself and her children. Why is this?

A: The law just assumes that a widow under age 60 ought to be able to work and support herself and not rely on the Social Security system for her livelihood. However, there is an exception for younger widows who are caring for small children. A widow with minor children of the deceased in her care can get benefits at any age. She would collect those benefits until the youngest child reaches age 16 (although the children continue to get survivor benefits until age 18).

In your case, once you reach age 60, you could file for widow’s benefits then -- if you’re not working. If you are working, you’d have to wait until you stop working or reach full retirement age, whichever comes first, to file for benefits. And when that happens, you’ll have several options. Just as one example: you could file for widow’s benefits at your full retirement age and then at 70, switch to about 128% of your own retirement benefit.

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.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers on page 2

Will you have to pay capital gains when selling?

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

In the last few weeks I have had several inquiries concerning capital gains on the sale of one’s primary residence. There are a multitude of variables that come into play. It would be smart to strategize and determine in advance of selling if there will be any capital gains to be paid. The first step is to check out those homes that have sold recently (in the last 3 months) in your area that are similar to yours e.g. bedrooms, baths, EIK, interior square footage, lot size and condition, etc. Then take that price and do a hypothetical calculation. You can use the following as an example:

∙Comparable sale: $975,000

∙Your original purchase price: -$

∙All capital improvements: -$

∙Married: -$500,000

∙Or single: -$250,000

∙Closing Costs: Lawyer -$

∙Adjustments for oil/gas: -$

∙Adjustments for R. E. taxes: -$

∙Nassau: Transfer tax: $4 per $1000 of sale price

∙Queens: “City tax 1% of sale price

<$500,000

1.425% above $500,000

•Remaining mortgage: -$

•Real Estate Taxes paid -$

•Mortgage Title: (if paying off)

-$250.00

• Real Estate Commissions: -$

• Any advertising costs: (FSBO)

as the most recent ones. They will be crucial in the event of an audit by the IRS. Keeping organized and accurate records will save you quite a lot of money, especially if you are a new homeowner; as they will greatly benefit you as allowable deductions when you are ready to sell.

Mortgage interest on mortgage debt (up to $750,000); unless your mortgage was on or before Dec, 15, 2017 then the interest on up to a $1,000,000 mortgage can be taken. Also, your local real estate and state tax (S.A.L.T.) up to a maximum $10,000 can also be deducted.

tions and exemptions, but consult your CPA and/or financial planner for greater insight into your specific allowable expenses.

-$

• Staging fees: -$

• Escrow Fees: (if any) -$

When you subtract all your deductions you may or may not be required to pay any capital gains tax. Another item that will come into play and will be an important factor in calculating your capital gains tax is your marginal tax bracket at the time of your sale. The lower your tax bracket the less you will have to pay in capital gains. The tax can be 0-20%. Keep in mind this must have been your primary res idence for the last 2 out of 5 years and not an investment property. You can also deduct and repairs and upgrades that you have performed to make your home more saleable, as long as they were done within 90 days of the closing. Make sure you keep all your receipts from any capital improvements that you have made over the years as well

However, if itemizing you will need to compare it with the standard deduction(which has doubled in recent years to $25,900) to determine which method will provide a greater benefit. If you paid any points to get your original or refinanced mortgage, these are also allowable deductions. If you had put down less than 20% for your purchase price and paid points to receive private mortgage insurance, they would also be deductible from your sale price; but there are limitations, so discuss with your CPA. Also, any points on your mortgage to reduce the actual cost, or interest rate, would also qualify as a deduction too. Home equity interest is an allowed deduction only if used for home improvements. However, your primary and home equity loans combined cannot exceed $750,000 for interest to be deductible.

Any green improvements, solar panels, heaters, and heat pumps have an

There are also ways to defer capital gains by not selling your home, but by renting it out for at least 2 years and then it becomes an investment property. It is critical to keep records of the rent that you collect to prove it was rented in the event of an audit. You can then decide to sell it using an allowable IRS 1031 deferred Tax Exchange process. Once selling the property after 2 years and 1 day, the money received is held by your attorney or 3rd party Exchange. You will have 45 days after the closing to locate a replacement investment property and total of 6 months to finalize the transaction by IRS rules and regulations. You can perform a 1031 Deferred Tax Exchange as many times as you want.

However, there is a holding period of at least 1 year on the property.

Also, if you have more than one investment property (always put each one in an LLC for minimizing your liability), you might also seek advice from your CPA and/or financial planner to create a trust. This will further, decrease your heir’s tax exposure when the day comes and you pass away.

One last item is that only $10,000 of local real estate and state and sales taxes that can be deducted yearly from your tax return. However, setting up a trust will allow greater deductions on real estate taxes that people and families wouldn’t normally be able to

donation=form1&cid=Paid_ Search%3ABing_Paid%3AEmer_ Turkey%3ANonbrand%3A020623&s_ kwcid=AL%219048%213%21%21p%21% 21s%21%21donate+turkey&msclkid=5 bae766871a71211d4f9159a3d3eb9fc&gclsrc=ds

Continue to Donate to the Ukrainian Crisis and save a life or 2: https://usaforiom.org/iomsukraine-response/

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 40 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 in 2022 has earned his National Association of Realtors “Green Industry designation for eco-friendly construction. He will provide you with “free” regular updates of sold and new homes in your town via the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island (MLSLI) or go to https://WWW. Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search on your own. For a “FREE” `15 minute consultation, as well 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. He can also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and our Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.

You can email or snail mail (regular mail) him with your request or ideas, suggestions or interview you for a specific topic and a Q & A for a future

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of February 26 -- March 4, 2023

Believe it or not, there remain quite a few people who still think we live on a flat Earth. How they’ve managed to escape exposure to scientific advances of the past two millennia I’ll never know. Perhaps they think that these are all hoaxes perpetuated by “the guvment.” I wish I had an answer.

In any case, the idea of a spherical Earth is not at all new. The concept goes back to the sixth century B.C., when the Greeks began discussing the topic; and then, around 330 B.C., the wise philosopher Aristotle offered some observational evidence to support this round Earth idea.

The matter was essentially resolved about a century later when the mathematician Eratosthenes noticed that, on the summer solstice, shadow lengths were different in Alexandria and Syene in Egypt. From the length of these shadows he used geometry to show not only that the Earth was spherical but calculated its circumference to within only a few percent of what we know today -- quite a remarkable achievement for the time!

We modern stargazers can use Aristotle’s technique to demonstrate easily the Earth’s curvature by simply looking skyward while traveling to different latitudes. In fact, a perfect group of stars to help us stands upright in the southern sky around 9 p.m. local time

How Far South Can You See?

this week. Its name is Orion.

Orion represents a great hunter, with its vertical rectangle of bright stars marking his shoulders and knees, and the three equally bright stars in a straight line forming his belt. What’s nice about Orion is that it lies directly over the Earth’s equator and can be seen from everywhere on the planet.

This means that, if we were to stand on the equator and look skyward, Orion would pass directly overhead; from the North Pole, these same stars would appear split by our southern horizon. And from viewpoints in between, Orion would appear at different heights above our southern horizon.

Everyone in North America can see Orion during evening hours right now, and can trace its belt stars eastward toward the star Sirius -- the brightest in all the nighttime sky. But another bright star lies south of Orion, and only those who live in, or travel to, more southerly latitudes can see it.

Named Canopus, this bright star is easily visible to stargazers near and south of the equator. But, if you live farther north than about 37 degrees latitude, you can never see Canopus in your sky.

At a latitude of 37 degrees, you would need a perfectly clear view toward the south to get a glimpse of Canopus as it clears the southern horizon for only a few minutes during February evenings.

Farther south of 37 degrees, Canopus appears higher in the south and adds the nighttime’s second brightest star to

an already sparkling February sky. This demonstration is possible only because our Earth is not flat; if it were, we would see the same stars wherever on Earth we stood. But, because our planet is spherical, traveling north and

Snistle While You Work

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

“You were making some weird noises last night when you were sleeping,” I said to my husband as I made the bed. He was shaving in the bathroom and stuck his head out to protest.

“Two weeks ago, you said I was talking in my sleep, and now I’m making weird noises?” he replied. “So, what now? Was I snoring?”

“No, it wasn’t snoring.”

“Was it a nose whistle?” he asked. It occurred to me that this was something one can only ask a spouse after 30 years of marriage.

“No, it was somewhere between a snore and a whistle,” I said.

“So, it was a snistle,” he said confidently.

“Not really,” I said. “It was more assertive than that.”

“So, it was more like a snort,” he said.

“It was like a snort, but it was more prolonged.”

“How is that different than snoring?” he asked.

“I don’t know, but it was, and it kept me up,” I complained.

Apparently, my husband decided that this piece of information was not worth any more of his time, and he went back to shaving. But I was bothered. It was less about the fact that he kept me up the night before and more to do with my inability to accurately describe the sound coming out of his nose. It was less noisy than a jackhammer but more resonant than a drone. It was almost like he was snoring and laughing at the same time, which I suppose would make it a sniggle, but even that wasn’t quite right.

It was possible that there was an actual medical term for this, so I decided to look it up on the internet. But when

I checked WebMD, I found out that the medical term for snoring is “snoring” and the symptoms are... snoring. This is kind of like when you look up the ingredients on a carton of milk and it says, “contains milk.” The website also said if you have persistent snoring, you should consult a doctor. But I wondered if the same were true if you experienced snistling, snorting or sniggling when you slept.

The next night my husband was quiet while he slept. The good news was I was able to get a decent night’s sleep. The bad news was it was impossible for me to do further research into this whole snoozing issue.

As we lay in bed the following evening reading, we heard a loud, buzzsaw-like sound from the floor below.

“What is that sound?” I asked. My husband leaned forward and bent his head over the foot of the bed.

south changes the positions of familiar stars in our sky, and brings to our eyes a whole new set of stars to enjoy.

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. . COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM

“It’s the dog. He’s snoring.”

I looked at the dog laying prone on the carpet and listened for a moment.

“I don’t think that’s snoring,” I said. “It sounds more like a series of woofs.”

“So, you think he’s snoofing?” said my husband.

“I don’t know if he’s snoring or snoofing or snistling or snorting. But I do know one thing.”

“What’s that?” said my husband.

I got up and shooed the dog out the door.

“He’s sleeping in another room.”

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 2023 CREATORS

We modern stargazers can use Aristotle’s technique to demonstrate easily the Earth’s curvature by simply looking skyward while traveling to different latitudes

CLASSIFIEDS ...a sure way to get results. Call

ONE CALL TO 516-294-8900 AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN 11 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 Williston Times - Mineola Edition New Hyde Park Herald Courier • Manhasset Times

Roslyn Times • Port Washington Times • Great Neck News

DEADLINE FOR CLASSIFIED ADS IS TUESDAY AT 1:00PM.

2 EASY WAYS TO PLACE ADS:

1) Directly on website: gcnews.com & click on “Classified Order”

2) Email Nancy@gcnews.com

Please include your name, daytime phone number, address and ad copy.

Visa and MasterCard Accepted

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

ADMINISTRATIVE OPENINGS MONTICELLO CENTRAL SCHOOL

SCHOOL BUILDING PRINCIPAL (2 POSITIONS).

The Monticello CSD is seeking forward thinking and dynamic School Building Principals who can lead MCSD’s highly engaged faculty, staff, parents, students and community. The successful candidate will have a vision of educational excellence, be highly motivated and demonstrate the ability to impact student learning. Starting salary: $125,000, commensurate with experience. NYS SDA/ SDL / SBL Certification Required plus 2 yrs. of previous administrative leadership and 5 yrs. exp. as a classroom teacher preferred. Please apply online my March 5th at: https: / / monticelloschools. tedk12.com/hire

EOE

COUNTER HELP WANTED for the Snack Bar the Parkwood Sports Complex Ice Skating rink in Great Neck. Will train.

Please call 516-826-4540

LEGAL ASSISTANT

Garden City Attorney

Seeks Legal Assistant to work full time or part time. Excellent typing skills and accounting background a plus. Reply to: LTJonesAtty@cs.com OR 516-747-1141

EMPLOYMENT

SITUATION WANTED

CERTIFIED HHA / CNA / BABYSITTING FULL TIME

Over 25 years experience. Light housekeeping, shopping, activities, appointments etc. Valid driver’s license. Excellent references and fully vaccinated. Please call 516-236-1711

COMPANION/CAREGIVER AVAILABLE FOR AFTERNOONS

Experienced Polish Woman is available for companionship with elderly. Honest, kind, caring, friendly & patient.

294.8900

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

LEGAL SECRETARY

Needed for Litigation Attorney in Garden City

Part-time 2 to 3 days a week (must be flexible with days and hours)

Must type fast and know how to use Dictaphone to listen to cassette tapes 100 words per minute

Strong organization and time management skills

On-site training will be provided to get up to speed on all aspects of job.

$38.00/hour

Email resume to Teresa Caruso: tcaruso73@yahoo.com

SEEKING LOCAL LADY for help with daily activities. Food shopping, medical appointments and other errands. P/T Flexible Days/Hours. Call 516-829-0542

Speaks English. Has own car. Call or text 516-589-5640

HOME HEALTH AIDE with sunny personality seeks job in eldercare. 16+ years experience with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Stroke, Sundown Syndrome. Excellent references upon request. Call Marcia 347-551-1720

CAREER TRAINING

COMPUTER & IT TRAINING

PROGRAM! Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Grants and Scholarships available for certain programs for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details!

(844) 947-0192 (M-F 8am-6pm ET) Computer with internet is required.

Advertise in our paper!

If you own a business or have a service to provide, we’ll create professional advertisements to promote it and help you be seen by thousands of local readers! Call 1-516-294-8900 to inquire!

CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

SCOPE

We are looking for energetic applicants who love working with children! Looking to fill multiple Director, Assistant Director, Group Leader and Substitute positions. All positions are part time and can accommodate flexible schedules.

Competitive Wages • Signing Bonus Referral Bonus • Scholarship Program

Please call Renee Mercer at 631-360-0800 ext. 149 or send a resume to cc@scopeonline.us

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION IN NASSAU COUNTY is seeking sealed bids for the sale and installation of Blast resistant Film, Impact Resistant Door, Fixed Area Lighting and Physical Access Control. Selection criteria will be based on knowledge of security, adherence to projected work schedule, prior experience, references, and cost.

Please email: office@ahavatshalomsynagogue.org for project specifications and bid requirements. All interested vendors must provide primary contact, phone and email address.

GET DIRECTV FOR $64.99 / month for 12 months with CHOICE Package. Save an additional $120 over 1st year. First 3 months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz and Epix included! Directv is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.). Some restrictions apply. Call 1-888-534-6918

NOVENAS/PRAYERS

NOVENA TO ST. CLAIRE: Ask St. Claire for 3 favors; 1 business and 2 impossible, say 9 Hail Mary’s for 9 days with lighted candles. Pray whether you believe or not. Publish on the 9th day. “May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored and glorified today and everyday”. Request will be granted no matter how impossible it seems. Publication must be promised. (B.P.)

MARKETPLACE

A.T. STEWART EXCHANGE CONSIGNMENT SHOP

516-746-8900

Antiques-FurnitureJewelry-Silver-MirrorsLamps-Artwork

Come to Consign & Stay to Shop

Visit....

Our Shop

109 Eleventh St. Garden City

Mon-Fri 10-4 (Wed till 6)

Saturday 12-4

Shop Our Online Store ATStewartExchange.org

Items to Consign?

Email photos (with sizing info) to: store@atstewartexchange.org

All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society

AUTOMOTIVE

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

DRIVE OUT BREAST CAN-

CER:

Donate a car today! The benefits of donating your car or boat: Fast Free Pickup 24hr response Tax deduction Easy to do! Call 24/7: 855-905-4755

WHEELS FOR WISHES

benefitting Make-A-Wish

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

TIME SHARES

VACATION RENTAL. Time share in Williamsburg, VA. One family, up to 6 people. 2 BR, 2 BTH, kitchen & Living Room. Available March 18-25th, $1000 Call 516-477-9199

VACATION RENTAL

ATLANTIS, BAHAMAS

TIME SHARE RENTAL Harborside

On the Atlantis Marina

July 8-15, 2023

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOVENAS/PRAYERS

NOVENA TO THE BLESSED MOTHER

Oh Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven. Oh, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity.

Oh Star of the Sea, help me herein and show me here you are my Mother.

Oh Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power.

Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee (say three times).

Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands (say three times).

Amen.

This prayer is never known to fail and is to be said for 3 consecutive days. (B.P.)

Like us on Facebook & Instagram INVITED ESTATE SALES BY TRACY JORDAN is doing VIRTUAL TAG SALES and ONLINE AUCTIONS now! Sell the contents of an entire house or sell just a few things! You can host your own sale on invitedsales.com and Facebook and Instagram or we can do it for you. We can photograph, advertise and handle the winning pickups for you within a week! Don’t worry about your closing date, we can get your house ready on time! We are a one stop service for all your needs when you are moving or selling a property! Selling, donating, discarding and cleaning out services can be done to meet your time frame with minimal stress. Contact info@invitedsales.com for more information or call 516-279-6378 to schedule a consultation or receive more information. Visit us at www.invitedsales. com for a listing of our upcoming Virtual Tag Sales and Weekly Auctions!

AUCTIONS

COOL OLD STUFF IN GLEN COVE VINTAGE SHOP. WINNER OF BEST OF NASSAU COUNTY 2021. GREAT PRICED items for Boat & Home. See ALL online at Wilsonsdrydock.com. 118 Dayton St. Sea Cliff. Call 516-662-2821

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

TOP CASH PAID: ESTATE CONTENTS ALL OBJECTS OF ART JEWELRY, ETC. Please call 718-598-3045 or 516-270-2128 www.antiqueassets.com

Northeast New York. Your Car Donations Matter NOW More Than Ever! Free Vehicle Pick Up ANYWHERE. We Accept Most Vehicles Running or Not.

100% Tax Deductible. Minimal To No Human Contact. Call: 877-798-9474

Car Donation Foundation

d/b/a Wheels For Wishes. www.wheelsforwishes.org

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FOR RENT

GREENPORT

North Fork Commercial / Retail. Prime main street village location. 857 sq.ft. Original floors and architectural details. Excellent exposure.

Owner: 516-241-8135

Corner Premium 2BR, 2 BATH Unit, Bldg 7 Sleeps 8 7 nights, $4,100 Call: 516-742-3176

OCEAN BEACH

FIRE ISLAND RENTAL 5 Bedroom, 2 Bath, 2 Kitchen house that is just 6 houses from the beach w/all the amenities. Weekly rentals available May-Sept $8,000/week

Monthly rentals availableMay, June, Sept $20,000/month

Rental fee does not include cleaning, taxes & utilities Call 516-978-6842

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

OUT OF TOWN REAL ESTATE

RETIRED NYC EMS FIRE LIEUTENANT selling quarter to half acre lots in Palm Coast Florida. We pay closing costs. We have a travel program to buy. Call 1-386-437-7058

SERVICES

ARE YOU BEHIND 10K OR MORE on your taxes? Stop wage and bank levies, liens and audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, and resolve tax debt FAST. Call 888-869-5361 (Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm PST)

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

ATTORNEY

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

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES

in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 866-393-3636

CHIMNEY KING ENT. INC. FREE ESTIMATES

Stainless steel liners cleaning & repair specialists. Masonry specialist.

FULLY licensed & insured. NYC NASSAU SUFFOLK

516-766-1666 or 631-225-2600

Since 1982 chimneykinginc.com

DON’T PAY FOR COVERED

HOME REPAIR AGAIN!

American Residential Warranty covers ALL MAJOR SYSTEMS AND APPLIANCES. 30 DAY RISK FREE/$100 OFF POPULAR PLANS. 833398-0526

HANDYMAN

Careful & Reliable

Serving GARDEN CITY and surrounding area since 2003

Repairs & Installations of all types

Carpentry, Moldings, Lighting and More

35-yr Nassau Resident References

Lic#170101

Phone/Text Friendly Frank: 516-238-2112

Email: Frankcav@optonline. net

MADE IN THE SHADE

CUSTOM WINDOW TREAT-

SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

MASONRY

All types of stonework

Pavers, Retaining Walls, Belgium Block Patios, Foundations, Seal coating, Concrete and Asphalt driveways, Sidewalks, Steps.

Free Estimates

Fully Licensed & Insured

#H2219010000

Boceski Masonry

Louie 516-850-4886

ROOFS, GUTTERS, CARPENTRY, BATHROOMS, KITCHENS, NEW BASEMENT ENTRANCES, EXTENSIONS, MASONRY, FLOORS, WATERPROOFING, DRAINS, LEAKS, STOOPS, DECKS, DRIVEWAYS, DEMOLITION, RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ARIS CONSTRUCTION

10% Discount w/ad.

Call 516-406-1842 www.ArisLI.com

SERVICES

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.familycareconnections.com

901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530

SERVICES

PAINTING & PAPERHANGING

MICHELANGELO

PAINTING & WALLPAPER

Interior, Exterior, Plaster / Spackle, Light Carpentry, Decorative Moldings & Power Washing. Call: 516-328-7499

PARTY HELP

LADIES & GENTLEMEN

RELAX & ENJOY

Your Next Party!

Catering and Experienced Professional Services for Assisting with Preparation, Serving and Clean Up Before, During and After Your Party Bartenders Available. Call Kate at 516-248-1545

SERVICES

CLEANING

HOUSE CLEANING

Excellent service

Great References

Reliable, Own transportation, English speaking. Call Selma: 516-690-3550

SERVICES

DISH TV

$64.99 for 190 Channels + $14.95

High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply.

Promo expires 1/31/24

Call 1-866-595-6967

SERVICES SERVICES

LEAK REPAIRS

Plumbing Repairs

Bathrooms, Showers, Kitchens

24 HOUR SERVICE

Call 516-668-5624

MAGNUM SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.

Serving Garden City for 40 years.

Let Magnum Upgrade Your Existing Security System.

Burglar & Fire Alarms

Cellular Radio 3G Upgrades Remote Access Call: 516-486-5484

PASSION FOR SENIORS

Certified HHA’s, Companions & Homemakers. 24 hour care available. Also Nassau Locations. Trained in Dementia and Alzheimer’s care. Call 718-850-3400

Free employers’ registration for Town Job Fair

The Town of Oyster Bay invites employers to register today for table space at the Free Job Fair being hosted on Thursday, March 30, at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center, located at 1001 Stewart Avenue in Bethpage. Hosted by the Workforce Partnership, New York State Department of Labor and Town of Oyster Bay, the event offers tremendous benefits for businesses seeking candidates for positions.

Register today as space is limited for the March 30th Free Job Fair. Call (516) 7974560 or email at business@oysterbay-ny. gov. Here are just some of the reasons you should register today:

• Save Time. Whether you have a

position open or not, it’s always smart to be on the lookout for top talent. Job fairs introduce hiring managers to the talent on a much more meaningful level than online, and at higher volumes—all within hours.

• Brand Awareness. Simply put - job fairs are also public relation events. Companies attending job fairs will likely have their logo included in promotional work, and they lend a sense of establishment to participants. Plus, it’s a chance to develop your company reputation through public interaction.

• Better Candidates. Job fairs tend to target specific industries and skills. They can also be excellent sources for young talent.

• Face to Face Interaction. Sometimes it can be more efficient to skip the resume - although not entirely. Cover letters, resumes, Zoom calls - they all serve as screeners to get to the heart of the matter: who is this person? Job fairs let hiring managers start at the heart. Face to face communication offers the first glimpse into whether a person’s a good fit for your company culture, thereby significantly shortening the screening process.

• Networking. Job seekers aren’t the only ones making connections at job fairs. Obviously, such events are mixers for businesses from a spectrum of industries. Plus, they may even offer a unique look at your competition.

• The Unexpected Candidate. Sometimes the perfect candidate isn’t in your target zone, or vice versa. When you have several industries loaded into the same venue as a pool of talent, you never know who you might find. For example, a talented videographer probably knows enough about cameras to be an excellent sales rep.

• Making an Early Connection. Another advantage of career fairs are the connections made with passive candidates “just looking.” Spotting talent early is an excellent way to nurture a relationship and give you an edge over your competition.

Bethpage students send love to veterans

Approximately 400 Bethpage students from Charles Campagne Elementary School recently participated in Nassau County’s “Valentine’s for Veterans” program. Charles Campagne art teacher Danielle Hermann gets her students in grades K–5 involved in the program each year. Members of the school’s Kindness Club and Student

Government Club also participated in the project this year.

The elementary students created 585 Valentine’s Day cards to be distributed to veterans in hospitals and nursing homes. Each student received a certificate from Nassau County for taking part in the program.

Town accepting applications for 9/11 Walls of Honor

The Town of Oyster Bay has announced that applications are now available for families to add the names of loved ones to the Town of Oyster Bay’s 9/11 Walls of Honor which recognize all those with a connection to the Town who gave their lives and succumbed in their battle against 9/11 related cancers and illness. Each September, the Town unveils newly inscribed names into the Walls of Honor which recognize the family members, friends and neighbors lost to this toxic legacy.

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino stated, “We remember and give thanks

to those who ran into danger in order to help the victims of a cowardly act of terror. This includes first responders, downtown workers, residents, students and so many others with cancer certified to be 9/11-related. The events of 9/11 continue to take our heroes and survivors – and members of our community will continue to face darker days ahead. We watch each week as more of these heroes pass, in an ever-increasing and unending number. Just as many of these rescue and recovery heroes raced to the Towers the first minute the plane hit, and stayed until

the last brick was turned, their memorial stands with and lead us to those we lost that tragic Tuesday morning.”

Reports from the World Trade Center Health program indicate that we are approaching a terrible milestone, in which approximately 43,000 people are being treated for medical problems and 10,000 people have suffered cancers linked to the toxic exposure at Ground Zero. More than 2,500 responders and others affected have succumbed to their illness.

The 9/11 Walls of Honor were constructed under an initiative led by

Supervisor Saladino, the Town Board and a volunteer committee that includes retired FDNY EMS Lieutenant Bill Gleason, Retired NYPD Detective Tom Luberto, Deacon Dave White, Jericho Fire Commissioner Frank Sammartano, North Massapequa Fire Commissioner Ralph Raymond, Massapequa Fire Commissioner Justin McCaffrey and Rescue & Recovery Worker Joseph Pinto.

Applications may be downloaded at www.oysterbaytown.com/wallsofhonor.

Students from Charles Campagne Elementary School created Valentine’s Day cards for veterans.

Elementary students from Charles Campagne Elementary School received certificates from Nassau County for participating in the “Valentines for Veterans” program.

Lee Road STEAM students dazzle BoE at meeting

Lee Road Elementary School students donned their white lab coats and rubber gloves while attending the Feb. 8 Levittown Board of Education meeting to present a STEAM-based project.

Students in fourth and fifth grades in Eileen Vogel, Tina Vrachnas, Pamela Smith and Tina Napoli’s classes showed attendees a glimpse into their Creativity in Science and 21st Century Skills unit. They discussed how learning through STEAM is both fun and beneficial in giving them skills for the future. Students have engaged in several STEAM activities this year, including building a marble rollercoaster, assembling a “doodle bot,” building a straw rocket and constructing a tower out of marshmallows. They also learned many science-related vocabulary terms and skills, such as determination, analytical thinking, problem-solving, perseverance and teamwork.

At the end of their presentation, the science equipment came out for fifth graders Casey Walsh and Antonio Zambrano’s liquid works experiment. The gooey material created was handled with assistance by Board President Jennifer Messina.

The students discussed various STEAM activities they have completed in class.

STEAM-based skills were shown off as the students created a slime-like material.

Students in fourth and fifth grades at Lee Road Elementary School presented a science experiment to Levittown Board of Education members during the Feb. 8 regular meeting.

Photos courtesy of Levittown Public Schools

Levittown Schools spread positivity for P.S. I Love You Day

Levittown Public Schools were a sea of purple on P.S. I Love You Day on Feb. 10, an important day when students and staff spread love, positivity and acceptance.

Levittown schools participate in P.S. I Love You Day every year. The initiative was started in New York and aims to bring awareness to the importance of mental health. Through positive messages and activities about acceptance, students help decrease bullying while ending the stigma around mental health issues.

This year’s theme, “Love All Your

Chapters,” was reflected in the many P.S. I Love You Day activities that students participated in, such as selfie projects in which students shared what they love about themselves. Middle school students sold purple bracelets and other goodies sporting positive messages while sharing compliments through special projects and throughout the halls. In each of the district’s 10 schools, the importance of loving one another was reinforced and will be continued every day.

The East Broadway Elementary School donned purple for P.S. I Love You Day on Feb. 10.

Lee Road Elementary School students created selfie projects sharing what they love about themselves.

Jonas E. Salk Middle School students lifted each other up with messages of positivity.

Northside Elementary School’s halls are decorated for the special day each year.

Gardiners Avenue Elementary School students were all smiles as they spread positivity.

Photos courtesy of Levittown Public Schools

What a difference a day makes!

Cold Spring Harbor – 2 Acres – 6 days (over ask)

Jericho Colonial – 9 days (over ask)

Melville Condo – 3 days (full price)

Plainview 4 BR Split – 12 days (over ask)

Plainview 3 BR Split – 6 days (over ask)

Plainview Expanded Split – 6 days (over ask)

Plainview Split – 16 days (over ask)

Syosset Colonial – 17 days (over ask)

Syosset Colonial – 19 days (full price)

Westbury Condo – 10 days (full price)

Woodbury The Gates – 5 days (over ask)

Let

“...Barbara’s marketing strategy for my parents’ home sold it within a week at a price well beyond anyone’s expectations. As I told my sister, ‘Barbara is the BEST.’”

— Patricia J., Seller

“...Everything you did had a lot to do with us going to contract three weeks after putting the house on the market…”

— Joe R., Seller

“...Barbara vigorously marketed the house and we found a buyer sooner than expected. Barbara is a true professional.”

— Edith L., Seller