Mid-Island Times (7/7/23)

Hicksville

HS celebrates the Class of 2023

Town, Baymen plan memorial monument

Members of the Oyster Bay Town Board recently joined with the Baymen’s Heritage Association to dedicate the future sight of the Baymen Memorial Monument in Theodore Roosevelt Park in Oyster Bay. The monument will honor the Town’s Baymen and those who have lost their lives to the demanding profession, including beloved Bayman Mike Kennedy, who perished in the Long Island Sound on May 17, 2020.

“This memorial will be a place of reflection, where friends, family and visitors can view our beautiful harbor and take a few minutes to think about the sacrifices made by our Baymen, including Mike Kennedy who sadly lost his life just three years ago.” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “Honor-

ing his legacy, and those of his colleagues, is the impetus behind this memorial, which will forever remember those who make their living from the sea.”

To date, the Baymen’s Heritage Association has raised over $250,000 to fund the project, including a large donation from local musician Billy Joel, but still need to raise additional funding to bring the monument to fruition.

“This monument will serve as a tribute to Michael, but also to the heritage of Baymen in Oyster Bay,” Councilman Labriola added. “We ask that you consider this cause when opening your hearts and wallets; 100% of funds raised will be used to erect and preserve the monument and convey the his-

See page 9

Hicksville High School graduates made their way into the school’s gymnasium on June 24 as “Pomp and Circumstance” played and cheers from family and friends filled the air. The commencement ceremony kicked off with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Principal Raymond Williams was the first to welcome the Class of 2023, offering peace and thanks to all. His welcome was followed by graduating senior Khristian Romano’s rendition of the national anthem.

After the national anthem, Principal Williams began his remarks by telling the graduates they are resilient, adaptable and persistent. He acknowledged the strength and courage they showed as they persevered throughout their high school years with Hicksville pride.

He asked the Class of 2023 to remember, “Miracles are possible and miracles manifest when people remain strong and committed to improvement and treat each other well.” Principal Wil-

liams continued, “You will create a better future, you will turn crisis into peace and defeats into successes, you will turn hate into love and will ensure that our nation remains on the right track.”

Concluding remarks included live a life that is empowering to you, don’t compare to others, stay calm and know it’s okay not to have everything figured out and smile because life is short.

“Be good to each other, Class of 2023,” he said. “Onwards

See page 8

Free concert, fireworks at TOBAY Beach

The Town of Oyster Bay invites residents to celebrate our nation at “Salute to America,” the Town’s upcoming free Concert and Grucci Fireworks Show scheduled for Tuesday, July 11th, at the special start time of 7:30pm at TOBAY Beach. “Salute to America” will feature a performance by Any Way You Want It Tribute to Journey and will conclude with a spectacular firework show by Grucci. This event honors veterans and mem-

bers of the United States Armed Forces. Concertgoers are urged to bring folding chairs and pack a cooler, as no formal seating exists. Reserved parking and easily accessible restrooms will be available for disabled residents. If inclement weather arises, the rain date for the firework show will be July 12th.

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino stated, “Salute to America is

See page 8

Hicksville High School celebrated the graduating Class of 2023. Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Hicksville

extinguish fire

Hicksville and Bethpage Fire Departments responded to a house fire that took place on Wednesday, June 28th on 9th Street in Hicksville.

According to Nassau County Police, officers responded to the home, at which the male homeowner, age 65, was the only occupant. He was removed from

Island Trees Middle School recycles

the home by Hicksville Fire Department personnel and was transported to a local area hospital for treatment of burns and smoke inhalation. No further injuries were reported. The Bethpage Fire Department assisted in extinguishing the fire.

Attempted commercial burglary in Hicksville

An employee of a Hicksville restaurant on West Marie Street arrived at work on Tuesday, June 27, to find that the business' front door was shattered and had been pushed in.

After investigation, the Nassau County Police said no entry had been made into the restaurant, Village of the

Soul of India, and there was no reported loss. There is no description of the subject. The investigation is ongoing.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding the above incident to please contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or call 911. All callers will remain anonymous.

Levittown Community Council plans Lazy Days of Summer

The Levittown Community Council will be holding its 26th annual Lazy Days of Summer event on Saturday, July 15, from 11:30 to 3 p.m. at the East Village Green Park (Jerusalem Avenue and Meridian Road in Levittown).

Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin, Councilman Dennis Dunne and Town Clerk Kate Murray delivered Town of Hempstead recycle bins to Island Trees Middle School, helping the future generation of young leaders protect the environment.

“Shootout for Soldiers”

24-hr charity lacrosse game

Admission is free. Bring your own lunch, chairs or blanket. Enjoy activities, music and entertainment.

Non-perishable canned goods and toiletries will be collected for distribution to local neighbors in need.

voice be heard!

The Town of Oyster Bay will host the 8th Annual “Shootout for Soldiers”

24-Hour Lacrosse Benefit Game at the Town of Oyster Bay’s John J. Burns Park, located on Merrick Road in Massapequa. This year’s round-theclock event begins on the morning of July 13 at 9:00 a.m. and continues non-stop for 24 hours until July 14 at 9:00 a.m. The event benefits veterans and active duty military personnel. The Long Island Air Force Association will conduct a special ceremony on July 13 at 5:00 p.m. to honor hometown Vietnam War veterans and present them with medals that commemorate their service to our nation. There will be a parachute landing on the field conducted by the “All Veterans Group,” which will deliver the official ball.

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino stated, “Shootout for Soldiers is a wonderful game that provides local lacrosse players a chance to enjoy a sport they love in a unique way while also rais-

ing charitable funds to support the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces. Whether you enjoy lacrosse or are just looking for a fun-family event, I invite residents to be a part of the festivities.”

The charitable funds raised at Shootout for Soldiers will benefit the Army Ranger Lead the Way Fund, the Long Island Air Force Association, and the Joseph J. Theinert Memorial Fund.

The event features 24 continuous 1-hour sessions. The score is cumulative, resulting in unique scores for a lacrosse game with totals reaching into the hundreds. Participants include children, adults, seniors, youth, high school, college players and veterans. Teams that accommodate players with special needs are also scheduled to play.

For more information, please visit www.shootoutforsoldiers.com or contact Harry Jacobs at longisland@shootoutforsoldiers.com or at (516) 315-3002.

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 HS robotics team honored for achievements

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Town Board members recently honored the Bethpage Robotics Team, the “Regal Eagles”. This am excelled in the highest levels of competition, winning the Engineering Inspiration Award at FIRST Long Island's Regional Compet earned the Regal Eagles a place at FIRST World Championship in Texas, for the seventh year consecutively.Supervisor Saladino an ed the students and faculty and Altice was on hand to present the Robotics Team with a $1,500 check in honor of their achieveme

Wisdom Lane School

Oyster Bay Railroad Museum

Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray joined members of the Key Club, Gary Cozier, Dave Cummo and Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti during the Blood Drive on June 1 at Wisdom Lane Middle School.

This Week at the Syosset Public Library

Friday, July 7, at 10:30 a.m.

Shell Lantern Ceramics Class (IN PERSON)

Presenter: Rosemarie Attard, ceramics craft instructor

Enjoy a morning painting a beautiful sculpted ceramic shell lantern that can be used with a tea light. The grooves of the shells allows each person to have a unique design of their own. Do not wear your nicest clothes. Fee: $5. To register go to syossetlibrary.org.

Friday, July 7, at 4:00 p.m.

A Tribute to the Timeless Music of the Great American Songbook (IN PERSON)

Join us for an entertaining afternoon with Vincent Roccaro. Vincent will sing the songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Louis Prima, and others. A tribute to the timeless music of the Great American Songbook. No registration needed.

Tuesday, July 11, at 2 p.m.

Summer Author Visit with Kirstin Chen (IN PERSON)

Enjoy an afternoon at the library with author Kirsten Chen, who will join us to discuss the writing of her 2022 instant New York Times bestselling novel, “Counterfeit,” about two former college roommates who devise an ingenious plan to get what they want out of life. Books will be sold by the FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY at the event and can be signed by the author.

Thursday, July 13, at 12:00 p.m.

#AskALibrarian (ON TWITTER)

Join librarians from Syosset Library and around the world on Twitter for #AskALibrarian to receive reading suggestions based on your requests. Must have a Twitter account to participate. Read a great book? Need a read-alike? Looking for your next book club choice? Use #AskALibrarian in your tweet.

Thursday, July 13, from 1:30 -3:30 p.m.

Seniors of Syosset

Drop-In Session (IN PERSON)

Learn about social work support, community health nursing, and assistance with

transportation to medical appointments and a shopping bus for grocery shopping, as well as other activities and services, offered to Syosset residents through the Naturally Occurring Retirement Community program funded by the NYS Office for the Aging. These services are only available to residents of Syosset proper, age 60 and over. For those living in the surrounding area, staff can provide referrals to other resources that may address your needs.

Thursday, July 13, at 2:00 p.m. Marvin Hamlisch: They’re Playing My Song (HYBRID)

Presenter: John Kenrick, entertainment historian

Accepted by Julliard at age 7, he won three Oscars at age 29 (for “The Sting” and “The Way We Were”) and composed the score for “A Chorus Line” the same year. What fueled this prodigy’s lightning rise to fame? And why did this gifted, romantic man not marry until he was 45? The lecturer will share backstage stories and rare performance videos to celebrate the life and career of this unassuming man whose music still delights us more than a decade after his untimely passing. No registration needed for in-person or Zoom. For Zoom link, go to syossetlibrary.org.

Friday, July 13, at 7:00 p.m. Hand Stamped Tea Towels (IN-PERSON)

Presenter: Ofra Levine

Join in on the fun of using the perfect stamp, just the right amount of paint and hand-picked colors to create your personalized tea towel. Each person goes home with 2 tea towels that can be used to cover bread or baked goods, use as decoration for your kitchen, wrap a wine bottle and many more things! Fee: $5. Registration is required. To register go to syossetlibrary.org.

Friday, July 14, at 2:00 p.m. Friday Movie and Book to Film Discussion at the Library (IN PERSON)

Join us for an afternoon movie at the library. Check our website for the movie that will be shown. Go to syossetlibrary.org.

Valid at all Holiday Farms locations. Expires 8/31/23. Offer not to be combined with any other offer including senior discount. Code 9920

Field Day at Robbins Lane School

Robbins Lane Elementary School hosted Field Day on June 15, a day of outdoor fun to mark the end of the school year. Each grade was assigned a color to wear, with individual classes facing off against one another in friendly competition. Students participated in traditional outdoor games, includ-

ing relay races, tug-of-war, sack races, balancing a pizza box, and other fun activities. Field Day is a great chance for students to let loose, get active, and have a good time while staff and parents cheer them on at the sidelines. And at the end of the day, it is all about creating a memorable experience.

Sack race.

Team Green.

Showing red spirit.

Two legged race.

Showing blue spirit.

Tug of war.

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

Ditech Financial LLC f/k/a Green Tree Servicing LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST Michael B. Mendonez, Jr. a/k/a Michael B. Mendonez, Gracia T. Mendonez a/k/a Grace T. Mendonez, et al., Defendant(s)   Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 17, 2017, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 19, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 11 Berry Hill Lane, Bethpage, NY 11714.  All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, SECTION: 49, BLOCK: 267, LOT: 7.  Approximate amount of judgment $410,614.09 plus interest and costs.  Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #005296/2014. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 Protocols located on the Office of Court Administration (OCA) website (https://ww2.nycourts.gov/Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held "Rain or Shine". John G. Marks, Esq., Referee   Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706   01045133-F00 76532

NOTICE

OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATION

Notice of Formation of Michelle's Pet Care. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2023-05-29. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to United States Corporation Agents, Inc. : 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202 Brooklyn NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose

NASSAU COUNTY FORECLOSURE NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE   SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Indenture Trustee, for New Century Home Equity Loan Trust 2005-1, Plaintiff AGAINST Jasbir Singh; et al., Defendant(s)   Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 3, 2019 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 August 8, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 48 Robin Lane, Plainview, NY 11803.  All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Plainview, in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 13 Block 56 Lot 4.  Approximate amount of judgment $626,898.71 plus interest and costs.  Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 001045/2017. 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."  George Esernio, 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: June 1, 2023

Hicksville HS celebrates the Class of 2023

From page 1

and upwards.”

Other speakers included honored guest Dr. Theodore Goldstein, Hall of Fame recipient 2023; board of education trustees Linda Imbriale and Phil Heckler; Class of 2023 valedictorian Michael Varghese, salutatorian Isabella Diaz and student government president Wesley Kong. The students each addressed their classmates directly, reminiscing about fond memories made together, and shared good wishes as they move forward in life.

Valedictorian Michael Varghese shared with his fellow classmates they are all worthy of this day and the diplomas they are about to receive. He continued, “Graduates you have a bright future before you. Life is so short so there isn’t room to waste time, live every day to be purposeful.” The valedictorian closed his speech by saying, “I will be forever grateful for being part of such an outstanding school and I will pray for its safety and blessings for generations

to come.”

When Superintendent of Schools Marianne Litzman spoke, she began with a warm welcome to the students and guests in attendance at the morning celebration. She expressed gratitude and appreciation to all and extended a special mention to the PTA for their steadfast support always. The Superintendent continued with words of wisdom for the graduating class and reminded them all the things they’ve learned throughout their time in the district by those that taught them. “Good people are always here you can rely on for small and important things.” She continued, “You are wished nothing but the best” and encouraged them to go in love and peace and bring their whole heart to all their celebrations and in everything they do!

After the speakers, the high point of the ceremony took place. Diplomas were presented to the Class of 2023, and each graduate received applause and cheers from guests as their name was called.

Free concert, Grucci fireworks

From page 1

a great opportunity for families and seniors to enjoy a free evening of music and entertainment while celebrating our freedoms in America and the veterans and active duty mili-

Let

tary who secured our freedoms. Please bring your family, and friends, along with some lawn chairs and coolers to TOBAY Beach for a wonderful night.”

If doubtful weather conditions arise, please call (516) 7977925.

Town, Baymen plan memorial monument

From page 1

tory of the local shell fishing industry to the public.”

To raise the charitable funds needed to construct this monument, the group formed a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. To assist their efforts, the Town of Oyster Bay has launched a GoFundMe page titled: ‘Monument to Baymens Heritage in Oyster Bay, NY.,’ and can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/monument-to-baymens-heritage-in-oysterbay-ny. For more information about the Baymen’s Heritage Association and the Baymen Memorial Monument please visit www.baymensheritage.org.

Town of Oyster Bay officials and members of the Baymen's Heritage Association gather at site of a future memorial monument in Theodore Roosevelt Park in Oyster Bay. Singer Billy Joel, who grew up in the town, has provided a generous donation to the project.

Upcoming Events at the Jericho Public Library

Thursday, July 6

10:00 a.m.: HYBRID : Chair Yoga with Jolie Bosnjak - During this chair yoga class, you will move from head to toe, using the chair as a prop for support. This practice is for all levels...including those nursing an injury or coping with a chronic problem. The results will surprise you! Cost: $48 (8 sessions) There are no refunds.

1:00 p.m.: HYBRID : A Booktastic

Discussion- “ The Maid ” by Nita Prose“ The Maid ” explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different — and reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connection to the human heart.

5:30 p.m.: HYBRID: Yoga with Joe -

You will learn yoga poses that include standing, sitting, twists, leg stretches, chair poses, and breathing exercises. Mindfulness and living in the moment are woven into the practice. Have a sticky mat, chair, yoga blanket, block and belt. Cost: $48 (8 sessions) There are no refunds.

7:00 p.m.: Reader ’ s Theater (Grades 3–5) - Share stories and stimulate your imagination while bringing characters to life through your voice and gestures.

7:00 p.m.: TEENS : Acrylic Paint

Pouring Make your own unique acrylic poured paint design on canvas. Be prepared to make a mess!!!

Saturday, July 8

2:00 p.m.: Meet the Artists’ Reception: Mixed Media by M. Ellen Winter - In the Gallery in July...

Monday, July 10

2:00 p.m.: VIRTUAL : Profiles with Dr. William Thierfelder: Roswell & Beyond - Since the beginning of recorded history, humans have been fascinated with the sky especially when “visitors” seemed to descend from the stars. There are accounts of these beings and their miraculous crafts in ancient religious texts (including the Bible), in artwork and in legends. In 1947, a reported crash of a ”flying saucer” in Roswell, New Mexico opened up the proverbial flood gates. This presentation explores the possibilities of life beyond Earth and if we’ve been having alien visitations for thousands if not millions of years. The truth is out there!

Tuesday, July 11

11:00 a.m.: VIRTUAL : Guided Meditation for Self-Healing with Patricia Anderson - Join Pat for one or all of the meditation sessions to bring harmony and balance into your life. Learn the beautiful practice of Jin Shin Jyutsu to help your body heal and keep you relaxed.

4:00 p.m.: Board of Trustees Meeting - The public is invited to attend the monthly Jericho Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting.

6:00 p.m.: Teens: Video Game

Tournament: Smash Bros UltimateMario? Link? Pikachu? Why not all of them! Test your mettle and battle your friends to determine who is the true champion in Super Smash Bros Ultimate!

Wednesday, July 12

2:00 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Elvis in Hollywood with Brian Rose - From 1956 to 1969, Elvis Presley made 31 films, playing the above-the-title star in all but one. It was an extraordinary achievement which helped make him one of the wealthiest performers in Hollywood. Unfortunately, Elvis’ dream of being taken seriously as an actor and becoming a true movie star was never fulfilled, due to the almost insatiable greed and crass commercial instincts of his manager, Col. Tom Parker. This talk will examine the ups and downs of Presley’s Hollywood career, which started off with such promise in films like “King Creole” and “Jailhouse Rock but would ultimately conclude with dozens of cheap, mediocre movies like “Harum Scarum” and “Paradise, Hawaiian Style” which dimmed his creativity and reputation. We’ll also look at some of his movie musical highlights.

7:00 p.m.: Chess (Grades 1–6)Whether you’re new to the game or an avid player, learn new moves and develop skills to become a proficient chess player.

7:00 p.m.: VIRTUAL: All About Diamonds with John Nicolosi -

Learn all about the diamond from mine to market. We will look at diamond exploration, different mining methods, rough diamond trading and processing, polished diamond trading, diamond jewelry wholesale, retail and lab-grown diamonds. This presentation is not technical in nature and will enhance your understanding and knowledge of this highly sought after gem.

Thursday, July 13

3:00 p.m.: Teens: Get Crafty! Arts & Crafts - Feeling creative? Bring your imagination to the library and we will provide the art supplies. Paint, colored pencils, paper, and an assortment of other art supplies will be on hand for you to use in creating your own masterpiece.

7:00 p.m.: Exploring Color with Music and Movement (Ages 5–11) - Based on My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss, children will select colored scarves then whirl and twirl as they create their own special dance.

Friday, July 14

3:30 p.m.: Paying it Forward with Paws (Grades 2–6) - Local author Sarah Zagaja will share her heartwarming picture book, “Raising Betty,” which chronicles the adventures of a golden retriever puppy who is training to hopefully become a guide dog. Sarah and her family began raising guide dog pups as a “pay it forward” for the kindness and generosity shown to her family following the loss of their home in a fire.

Register now for fall art classes

Registration for the Town of Oyster Bay’s Fall 2023 Cultural Enrichment Programs will be held online beginning Wednesday, August 2. Both residents and non-residents must register for classes including Watercolor Painting, Oil Painting, Figure Drawing, Drawing Fundamentals, Painting with Acrylics, Chunky Hand Knit Blanket, Decorative Hand Knit Pumpkin, and Coffee & Canvas online at www.oysterbaytown. com/portal.

“Whether you are an emerging artist looking to develop your skills or a resident looking for a new hobby, these classes offer a wonderful opportunity to broaden your horizons,” said Town Councilwoman Vicki Walsh. “To streamline registration and increase convenience and accessibility for residents, we’ve opened registration online

for this program.”

Classes will begin the week of September 11, 2023 and include:

Watercolor Painting

Mondays from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Syosset-Woodbury Community Center

Oil Painting

Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Syosset-Woodbury Community Center

Figure Drawing

Tuesdays from 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Syosset-Woodbury Community Center

Drawing Fundamentals

Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.– 12:00 p.m.

Syosset-Woodbury Community Center

Painting with Acrylics

Fridays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Syosset-Woodbury Community Center

Chunky Hand Knit Blanket

Thursday, September 28, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

North Massapequa Community Center

Decorative Hand Knit Pumpkin

Wednesday, October 4, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

North Massapequa Community Center

Coffee & Canvas

Friday, September 29, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Marjorie Post Park Community Center

Resident registration begins on Wednesday, August 2, at 10 a.m., while non-resident registration begins on Wednesday, August 23, at 10 a.m. 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.

For assistance registering, or for more information, please call the Department of Community & Youth Services, Cultural and Performing Arts (CAPA) at (516) 797-7925.

July 7, 2023

Pursuit Collection Celebrates a Century of Tourism Enterprise in Banf

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

It wasn’t mining or farming that brought settlers to Banff. It was tourism. Banff was built for tourism. Even before the railroad (built to cajole the western territory to join Canada instead of the United States), even before three railway workers discovered the hot springs that pinpointed Banff as a destination and Canada’s first national park, and before Canadian Pacific Railroad built its world-famous, grand Banff Springs Hotel, this was a gathering place for indigenous peoples for centuries if not millennia.

Travelers, adventurers, pioneers, artists have come under the spell of this place – its majestic scenery, the heady feeling of pure crisp air at altitude – and so have entrepreneurs and innovators.

Two clever young entrepreneurs, the Brewster brothers, were among those visionaries responsible for building Banff – turning a fledgling guide service when they were just teenagers into Banff’s first tour company, then added hotels and bus operations.

Flash forward 100 years, and the long list of tourism enterprises they launched are under the Pursuit Collection umbrella, now part of a U.S.-based company, that stretches well beyond Banff, to Jasper and Watertown; to Glacier National Park in Montana, to Alaska and even to Iceland, including some that the clever brothers never could have imagined – Sky Lagoon, a new geothermal hot pool in Reykjavik, Iceland, and Flyover virtual reality experiences (where you get to sightsee an entire

country in a matter of minutes) in Vancouver, Las Vegas, Iceland and soon Chicago and Toronto. And just opened, the Railrider Mountain Coaster – a 3,375-foot mountain coaster at the Golden Skybridge in Golden, B.C. (the first of its kind in Western Canada it is the fastest and largest mountain coaster in Canada, www. goldenskybridge.com).

I get an actual flyover experience as I jet from Toronto across Canada’s vast plains, still blanketed in white snow, to Calgary, Alberta, at the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, to sample many of the Pursuit Collection services that make Banff such a delightful, year-round visitor experience.

My introduction to what the Brewster boys accomplished is the

Brewster Express bus service from Calgary International Airport to the Mount Royal Hotel (also Pursuit Collection) in Banff. The service is so efficient – both the agent at the Brewster desk and the driver have my name on a list, and I board a comfortable coach to enjoy the scenic ride that takes 90-120 minutes. “Welcome to Calgary,” the driver rings out cheerily, “the sunniest place in Canada.” We set off after he gives us a safety talk.

I check-in to the Mount Royal Hotel, founded in 1908 as the Banff Hotel, making it one of Banff’s oldest hotels, which the Brewsters acquired in 1912. In fact, the Cascade Hotel, an older hotel, is incorporated into the today’s building with four wings, each representing a different era, that

GOING PLACES NEAR AND FAR

spans the entire block.

The Mount Royal Hotel is perfectly situated, walking distance to everything. The view from my window onto the charming streetscape with the mountain peaks behind takes my breath away. The service is wonderfully friendly, hospitable, with every creature comfort provided – the rooms are even equipped with ear plugs and white noise machine (the hotel is right on the main street which has a lively nightlife).

I arrive before meeting my group of three other travel writers and our Pursuit Collection host, early enough in the afternoon to wander about the small, picturesque village, almost entirely ringed by mountain peaks that seem to flow right into the town.

The entire town of Banff is set within the national park– Canada’s first and since 1984 also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the boundaries of the park expanded out from the hot springs (now a national historic site) to 2,564 square miles (96 percent wilderness), the town’s boundaries are fixed and buildings are limited to three stories high (except for the Mount Royal, with four stories, which is grandfathered). Probably 95 percent of the town’s population of 8,0009,000 works in tourism (you have to work in Banff in order to buy a house but do not own the land). So it is so interesting to also have stores and services that are for local, everyday use – the high school is right on Banff Avenue (the main street), a hardware store, a grocery store.

Much of how tourism developed here is due to the Canadian Pacific Railroad, which not only created the

Continued on next page

Natalie Wuthrich takes us on an Open Top sightseeing tour of Banff, Canada, in vehicles recreated from the original, one of the many tourism ventures begun by the Brewsters and carried on by Pursuit Collection © Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com

Pursuit Collection Celebrates a Century of Tourism Enterprise in Banf

Continued from previous page

means for bringing tourists but built the grand Banff Springs Hotel, opening its doors in 1888.

But so much more is due to the work of other pioneers and entrepreneurs: the Brewster brothers, who from a young age (10 and 12), realized that the tourists wanted to be guided for sightseeing, and exploring the wilderness.

Beginning in 1892, the clever lads hired out as guides, becoming the exclusive outfitter for CP Railroad’s guests, then created a sightseeing service which grew into a fleet of 70 horse-drawn “Tally Ho” carriages; then, as automobiles became popular in the 1920s and 1930s, they introduced specially designed open-top touring vehicles (replicas are now used in a new incarnation of the open-top sightseeing tour).

Brewster, which celebrated its 100th year, was acquired by Viad, a Phoenixbased investment company, which in 2014, put the various tourism services and experiences under one umbrella, rebranded as Pursuit Collection. This includes the Brewster bus service, Open-Top Sightseeing (in Banff, Jasper and Watertown), the Mount Royal Hotel, Elk & Avenue Hotel, the Banff Gondola (most popular attraction in Banff for good reason), and restaurants including the Sky Bistro (atop the gondola), Farm & Fire, and Brazen, and the Lake Minnewanka marina, cruises and snack shop, plus its Columbia ice field glacier tours (summer). Its tourism operations span Montana, Alaska and now Iceland. (You can book all the elements and packages on the website; res agents can give ideas, counsel, and there are sample itineraries, www.pursuitcollection. com)

We get a preview of this season’s Open Top Sightseeing tour in the new, custom built vehicles to explore the people, places and moments that

have made Banff. The vintage-inspired automobiles have the look and feel of the 1930s—including a fully-open roof (but with modern comforts like USB charging ports) and a guide dressed in period costume.

Our guide for this preview is Natalie Wuthrich, Open Top Touring’s manager, who tells us that they re-created the open top vehicle from Brewster’s original mold, put on top of a Ford 550 base, then stretched (actually putting two chassis together) so they accommodate 19. She adds that each of the three vehicles has its own personality and quirks (like the windshield wiper goes on by itself). We also get a safety talk before she pulls away from the hotel (three emergency exits!).

The 90-minute tours are offered eight times a day in Banff, and four times in Jasper and Watertown. (The vehicles are available for private charter, wedding, corporate transfer, shuttles for shopping loops.)

She plays music to accompany the mood for the story she is telling. We set out to Billie Holiday’s “A Fine Romance.”

We pass Tanglewood House – one of first of Banff’s buildings, which was originally used as a trading post and post office; a yellow house styled after houses that were literally transported to Banff in the 1930s from 15 miles away in Bancoff, a coal mining town, when the mine shut- they moved 38 houses using trolleys, in 40 days; originally sold for $50/room, $250 in today’s money, the homes are now worth $1.5 million each); the lovely Banff Center for Arts & Creativity, founded in 1933 to promote visual and performing arts and pass Tunnel Mountain (there is actually no tunnel in Tunnel Mountain).

We come to the “Castle in the Rockies” – the Banff Springs Hotel. “It was the vision of Sir William Cornelius Van Horne, the general manager of the Canadian Pacific Railroad who was

A GREENER VIEW

BY JEFF RUGG

responsible for completing the transcontinental line (in 1885). He built a coast to coast train, but where would the people stay?” in order to experience this magnificent place.

Guests came on the train and stayed at the hotel. Bill and Jim Brewster –their father was a dairy farmer who supplied Banff Springs Hotel - realized the guests needed something else to do, so they started guiding back packers, pack horses, then Tally Ho’s, the horsedrawn carriage. When automobiles became popular in 1920s and 1930s, they devised 12-passenger open-top automobiles, ultimately building a fleet of 60 vehicles.

The Brewsters hosted major celebrities – there is a marvelous photo we see later at the Whyte Museum of the Brewsters driving King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in their horse-drawn carriage on the royals’ visit to Banff during their 1939 tour of Canada.

The music now is “Stompin at the Savoy,” by the “King of Swing” Benny Goodman, who stayed at the hotel in 1933.

We stop to take in the view of Mount Rundell, Sulphur Mountain and Tunnel Mountain and drive up to Norquay – one of three ski areas within Banff National Park. One of the oldest ski hills, its 1948 double chair lift still runs (Marilyn Monroe was photographed here during filming of “River of No Return” in 1953; “Eddie the Eagle” came here to practice ski jumping for the 1988 Calgary Olympics).

Natalie regales us with stories of the colorful characters who populated and built Banff.

Bill Peyto, who was an early park warden (1913-1937), was a recluse and a trapper who collected animals for the zoo (which opened in 1907 but was closed in 1937). On this day, he trapped a lynx, sedated it, and decided to get a drink in the Alberta Bar (where Brazen restaurant is today in the Mount Royal Hotel), with the sedated lynx still wrapped

Summer Gardening To-Do List

With the hot weather of summer, there may not be much to do in your landscape, but there are a few things that need to be watched for so that the landscape stays healthy.

Rain in summer across North America usually comes in a few heavy thunderstorms with many hot, sunny days in between. Heavy, brief rains mostly run off without soaking in. It is not the quantity of rain from a storm that matters, but rather how much of it soaks in. In each week or two, you may need to supplement the rain with enough water to give the

plants what they need.

Proper watering soaks down into the soil as deep as the roots can grow. A person walking around with the garden hose rarely stands in one place long enough to let the water soak in deep enough. The person may keep the plant alive, but the roots of the plant do not grow deep enough to stop the need for continued watering. Roots growing in a deeper, larger volume of soil have more water available to them, so they can survive longer without supplemental water.

Planting: Any tree or shrub that is growing in a container or was balled and

burlapped last fall can be planted in summer. Just be careful to monitor its watering needs after it is planted.

Fertilizing: Many actively growing plants will be healthier if fertilized. If the plant is growing leaves, use a fertilizer higher in nitrogen, and if it is producing flowers and fruit use one with a higher phosphorus content.

In cold climates, stop fertilizing trees by the end of July so that the trees can harden off by fall. Other plants can be fertilized monthly following label directions. Do not overdo it; more is not better.

Continued on page 5

around his neck, until it wasn’t.

We pass the Trading Post, established by another of Banff’s important founders, Norman Luxton. He came to Banff in 1902 and earned the nickname “Mr. Banff” for all the ventures he launched, including a newspaper, a theater, a hotel, a museum showcasing First Nations (still operating, a mustsee) and boat tours – most still in operation today - and creating the annual Winter Carnival (in 1917) and Banff Indian Days festival.

Luxton was a real promoter, possibly picking up a few tips from P.T.Barnum. Luxton got a black bear orphan cub, ‘Teddy,” which he put outside his Trading Post, as “a sure drawing card for eastern city-slickers looking for a piece of the Wild West.” People, who came from all over the world to see Teddy, would buy salty caramel chocolate treats at the trading post to feed the bear, until a boy, as a prank, laced chocolate with chili peppers that so agitated the bear, the park superintendent had the bear removed (he lived with a hotel keeper in Golden) and banned keeping any wild animal as a pet.

Later, when I visit the Trading Post, I see Luxton’s “Fiji Merman” which Luxton probably used in place of the bear as a lure to visitors to the store.

Pursuit Collection’s website makes it easy to plan a three-day itinerary out of Banff. A Pursuit Pass provides savings up to 40% when you book Banff, Jasper and Golden’s attractions together, including the Banff Gondola, Columbia Icefield Adventure, Golden Skybridge, Open Top Touring, Lake Minnewanka Cruise and Maligne Lake Cruise.

You can find Pursuit Collection’s services and attractions at https://www. pursuitcollection.com/; to book Pursuit Collection’s Banff and Jasper experiences, https://www.banffjaspercollection. com/.

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

Crossword Answers

Some Random Thoughts on Baseball

BY LOU THEODORE

Here we go again with another “random” article. This one is strictly devoted to baseball thoughts. I hope you find the following twenty-five comments interesting.

1. DeGrom may have been the greatest pitcher of all time the two previous years. He hardly ever had a start where he was working with a comfortable lead.

2. I predicted DeGrom would flop this year (2023).

3. Why didn’t batters go the other way when the “shift” was on in previous years.

4. Naturally, I bet on the Mets; as is usual, my Met bet almost certainly is doomed. They really are an overrated team but here’s hoping I’m wrong.

5. When will pitchers learn that the key to success is not to walk anyone.

6. Scherzer will flop this year (2023). Why? He’s one year older, more subject to injuries, and another ridiculously high-priced acquisition.

7. Verlander will also flop this year for the same reasons in item 6. For me, the word dumb doesn’t do justice to the word describing the Met owner and management team.

8. My key bet this year (before the start of the season) was the Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds. Boy, am I looking good.

9. Any pitcher who goes head-hunting (ala Roger Clements) should not only be barred from baseball (and the Hall of Fame I might add), but also arrested.

10. These overpriced aging stars are nearly all overrated. I know this is a

baseball article but look for the Jets (who I root for) with Rodgers to disappoint.

11. I find the new timing rules to be bothersome.

12. My favorite pitcher of all time was Sal Maglie. He was a terrific pitcher with great control.

13. I have the key for a youngster to become an immensely successful major league pitcher: just put the ball over the plate and don’t walk anyone.

14. Why can’t they have replays on balls and strikes? Moreso, why not replace the home plate umpire with a video-replay camera?

15. There are simply too many batters getting hit. I suggest that following a hit batsman, the next batter should also be given first base. If the same pitcher hits another batter, both he and the next batter should be given 2 bases. If a 3rd batter is hit by the same pitcher, add ejection and a 1-month suspension for the pitcher.

16. Gloves for all fielders (not including the catcher) should be of a much smaller size.

17. How about scheduling weekend doubleheaders now that it is a faster game? This would result in a later start to the season and an earlier end, providing some cold weather relief.

18. There should be an age limit on a player batting – perhaps 40 or 42.

19. Here’s the scenario: It’s the ninth inning and your team is leading by two or more runs. Your pitcher walks a batter. If I’m the manager, I’d walk to the mound, replace my pitcher, and ship him down to the minors. The same applies if it’s the 8th inning.

20. Here’s another scenario: A bat-

ter doesn’t run out a ground ball or a fly ball at top speed. If I’m the manager, the player would be informed that he is being shipped to the minors.

21. I believe that pitchers don’t perform as well after the second go-around because they are tired. That’s why it is especially important for pitchers to be in great shape. Remember that the mound is approximately a foot above the playing field; this means that after 6 innings, the pitcher has walked up approximately 15 flights of stairs.

22. The playoffs do not provide sufficient advantages to those teams that outperform other teams during the season.

23. I guess it’s age, but I no longer have any interest in going to a ballpark or arena. None.

24. Is there anything more boring than sandlot baseball?

25. There should be some entertainment during an extended 7th inning stretch – either live or on the big screen. Baseball also needs some simple form of

entertainment between innings. I just came up with three more.

1. I love the Met announcers but have had it with their historical / statistical data. Who gives a damn what happened in 1937? Or this is only the 4th time this has happened in the past 19 years? Give it up!

2. Here’s the scenario: It’s the start of the 9th inning and you are losing by five runs. Your batter is swinging for the fences instead of trying to get on. If I’m the manager, he’s headed to the minors and a seminar to improve his intelligence.

3. Visited the baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. It was a bit of a disappointment and very difficult to get to.

Any thoughts on your part?

Visit the author at: www.theodorenewsletter.com and Basketball Coaching 101 on Facebook

Maybe Social Security Is Just Another Tax We Pay

BY TOM MARGENAU

I’ve received a lot of emails recently from readers trying to calculate how much they paid in Social Security taxes over the years and then wanting to compare that to what they will get out of the system in return. More often than not, they are trying to prove that Social Security is a rotten deal. While considering my response to these folks, I thought back to a column I wrote on this topic. I guessed it was just a couple years ago, but when I checked, I wrote the column way back in 2010. I decided I’m going to reprint the column today. I think it bears repeating, so here is that column I wrote 13 years ago.

“I’m writing this at two o’clock in the morning, so I’m not sure if the message I’m trying to convey in this column is a startling revelation ... or the mindless meanderings of a half-asleep brain! Let’s find out.

There I was trying to sleep. But I was troubled by some recent comments from readers about Social Security that were running through my head. That’s the downside to spending your entire adult life either working for the Social Security Administration or writing a newspaper column about Social Security issues. Instead of dreaming about my lovely wife, or dreaming about ... well you know, the kinds of things guys dream about ... boring old me was thinking about Social Security as an investment.

Those mindless musings were prompted by a recent email I received, one that included comments similar to those I’ve heard from people almost every day for the past 40 years. The comment generally goes something like this: ‘If I could have invested all that money Social Security took out of my paycheck, I’d be a millionaire today!’

In fact, the most recent such claim, the one that prompted my sleepless night, came from a guy who somehow calculated exactly how rich he’d be. And he had it down to the penny! He said his investments would have netted $7,466,847.69. Yup, had that big, bad government not stolen from his paycheck in the form of Social Security taxes, he’d have over 7 million dollars. Oh, and don’t forget that 69 cents!

My normal response to such allegations takes two tacks. For one thing, such calculations assume they would have religiously invested every nickel of their Social Security tax each week for the past 40 years or so. And, of course, they also assume all of their investments would have paid off and that the markets don’t collapse just before they were planning to tap into their personal Social Security goldmine.

Also, in this guy’s case, I pointed out in my emailed response to him that if he claims he would have gotten back $7 million, I’d guess other Social Security

taxpayers could expect the same. In fact, assuming this guy is Mr. Average, that means some people would make better investments and some would do worse. So we’ll assume that the average taxpayer would get $7 million from their Social Security investment account. Well, there are about 150 million Social Security taxpayers in this country. If they each will get $7 million, that comes out to more than one quadrillion dollars! I mean, is this a great country or what? Sign me up for this guy’s Social Security plan tomorrow! (Actually, I’m not sure if that “quadrillion” number is right. My little desktop calculator didn’t go that high, so I did some old-fashioned math with pencil and paper -- and I haven’t been in an arithmetic class since 1968! But it really doesn’t matter if it’s a quadrillion dollars or a gazillion dollars; it’s a heck of a lot of money, and somehow, apparently, our economic systems could handle all that personal wealth accumulation!)

So, let’s get back to my normal responses to claims of lost personal wealth because the inefficient government forced people into paying Social Security taxes. The second point I usually make to these folks is that Social Security was never meant to be a personal investment scheme. It is and always has been just what its name implies: a social insurance system. It guarantees a basic level of support for you and your spouse if you retire or become disabled, or for the young children of a family breadwinner who dies.

But what kept me up tonight is that I got to thinking something more radical: maybe Social Security isn’t a social insurance program or an investment. Maybe it’s just another tax we pay.

So why do we think of it in terms of an investment? Of course, I know part of the answer to that question. Social Security has always been touted as the one government program where you pay an earmarked tax into the program, records are kept of those taxes and your earnings, and then someday you get a benefit that is based, in part, on those numbers. In other words, there is a ‘return on your investment.’

But why is that really different than any other tax we pay? You pay federal income taxes, and in return you get the world’s largest military force. You get national parks. You get medical research programs. You get embassies all over the world to serve our needs in foreign countries. You get a highway system. You get air traffic controllers to keep you safe when you’re flying across the country. The list goes on and on.

And for the state and local taxes you pay, you get schools and libraries. You get your garbage picked up and your streets plowed. Do we ever say, ‘If I could have invested those state taxes I paid, I would have built a much nicer library’?

Or ‘If I could have invested those federal income taxes, I would have come up with a cure for cancer by now.’

So why do we think that way with Social Security? Maybe Social Security is simply another tax you pay. And instead of getting back a school or a tank or a new visitor center in a national park, you get a pension.”

So, was I on to something all those years ago? Or should I have just kept my mouth shut and not shared my middle-

of-the-night musings with my readers?

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

Purchasing a vacation or retirement home requires research

Some of you who have been quite successful over the years have expressed interest in a vacation, investment, and potential retirement home. I have helped numerous families and individuals locate their special vacation or retirement homes here and abroad. This requires quite a lot of researching and digging to ascertain the exact and proper information so as to make a wise and pragmatic purchase.

There are some countries, like the Dominican Republic, according to Colleen Valeiro of DR Properties, that have a one-time fee of 3% (a transfer fee as we call it in the U.S.). However, there are no real estate taxes whatsoever. There is also an IPI tax of 1% per year on all properties based on their current value above $150,000. But if you are 65 or older you are currently exempt from that yearly tax, as long as you do not own any other properties in his or her name. However, one should be aware and know that this could be subject to change sometime in the future. There are other taxes that are levied, so you must research and check depending on your temporary or permanent residency and where your income is derived from, etc.

Most important if you are purchasing as an end user or investor, you should look for developments where builders and developers had or have applied and are being approved for what is called a “Confortur” by Dominican law; which will grant tax exemptions to owners of specific properties for 10 years, which in the U.S. is called “tax abatement.” Obviously, the R.O.I will be much more lucrative in those situations. As of June 19, 2023, $1 equals 54.9 DOP (Dominican Pesos).

There are approximately 12+% (over 250,000+) of the population in the Dominican Republic are emigrants

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

or ex-expatriates from the U.S. & Canada and other destinations. Here is our U.S. government site for more information: purchasing in the Dominican Republic. There are numerous laws and regulations in their IRS code that you need to check, especially if you are a high-income earner, and plan to live there part-time or permanently. Here is some valuable information and criteria that will be helpful for you to know, info provided by Colleen Valeiro. Moving to the Dominican Republic

If you are planning on staying in the country longer and moving to the Dominican Republic, you may wish to apply for a residence visa.

How do I become a resident of the Dominican Republic?

There are two steps to becoming a resident of the Dominican Republic. The first step is to apply for temporary residency in the Dominican Republic. The second step is to apply for permanent residency. Each step typically takes up to 6 months from the date of application.

To qualify applicants should be able to demonstrate that they are in good health, have sufficient financial means to support themselves, and are of good standing (i.e. have a clean police record).

The application process is relatively straightforward but we would generally recommend that you seek the advice of a local attorney to assist with your application, particularly if you are not fluent in Spanish.

Temporary Residency

If you would like to live in the Dominican Republic you can apply to

the Migration Office of your local Dominican Consulate for “provisional residency” via a temporary residency permit. Temporary residency permits are valid for 1 year.

To apply, you must submit a package of properly prepared documents including the following, together with a completed application form:

• Your passport (original),

• Photo,

• Certificate of good conduct,

• Birth certificate,

• A doctor’s letter confirming you are in good health,

• Recent bank statements demonstrating sufficient funds and/or sufficient monthly income,

• Letter of Guarantee from a Dominican citizen or company signed by a notary in the Dominican Republic and legalized by the Attorney General’s office

• Letter of application, stating your reasons for seeking residency and personal circumstances, which may include: marriage to a Dominican citizen (in which case must provide marriage certificate), ownership of property (in which case must provide relevant documents), job with a Dominican company (in which case must provide contract and certificate of Labor), retirement (in which case must provide pension statement and monthly income from pension),

• Non-refundable visa fee.

Documents and certificates should be translated into Spanish and apostilled.

Upon completion of the application process, successful applicants will receive a Provisional Residency Card

Summer Gardening To-Do List

Continued from page 2

Pruning: Prune any spring- and summer-blooming plants that are done blooming. Spring-blooming plants will set next year’s flower buds by the end of summer. Pruning after midsummer removes next year’s flower buds. Trim hedges if needed. When cutting a rose, cut the stems back to just above a five-leaflet leaf where the bud points outward. Cut or pinch off the dead flowers of annuals and perennials to encourage more flowers.

Lawns: Northern lawn grasses can be left dormant if the rains don’t come and they are not watered, but they still need to have a half-inch of water every oth-

er week just to stay alive and yet still be brown.

Grubs are the larvae of beetles. The adult of the most common lawn white grub is called the June bug. The one-inch grub is white, has six legs at one end, and curls up when disturbed. They feed on the grass roots so the lawn can be picked up as though it was freshly laid sod. The lawn can survive without chemicals if there are only a few grubs and the lawn is well-watered.

Adding insecticides to your lawn to contol grubs when there aren’t any is wasteful and kills beneficial insects and birds. So, do not follow the hype of chemical company commercials and put out

which is valid for 1 year and non-renewable.

For further details, please contact your local Dominican Consulate.

Permanent Residency

Individuals who have resided in the Dominican Republic for 1 year with temporary residency status may then apply for permanent residency.

Applicants are required to submit a package of documents together with the results of a health check.

Successful applicants will receive a Letter of Deposit which entitles the applicant to a Permanent Residency card.

Permanent Residency Cards are valid for 2 years and can be renewed for a fee at the Immigration Department for periods ranging from 2 to 10 years.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 42 years of 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) as well as the new “Green Industry” Certification for eco-friendly construction and upgrades. For a “FREE” 15-minute consultation, value analysis of your home, or to answer any of your questions or concerns he can be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email: HouseBrokerOne@GMail.Com or via https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com Just email or snail mail (regular mail) him with your ideas or suggestions on future columns with your name, email and cell number and he will call or email you back.

Come back for Part 2 next week

poisons that are unnecessary. Make sure grubs exist before putting out insecticides.

Sharp mower blades cut tall grass (all grass) better. A properly sharpened blade will cut a piece of paper. Have a spare blade on hand so you can sharpen it at your convenience. Or change blades each time the gas runs out, so you can turn the mower over without spilling any gas. Balance the blade on a nail on the wall to see if it is equally weighted on both sides. Unequal weight can harm the engine.

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

COPYRIGHT 2023 JEFF RUGG

DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS

Measuring the Cosmos

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of July 9-15, 2023

My regular readers have surely become accustomed to seeing some pretty big numbers.

For example, in any one article, I might explain that our Milky Way galaxy is home to hundreds of billions of stars, that our sun produces 400 million billion megawatts of power each second or that the distances to even the nearest stars are measured in trillions of miles.

With each increasing number, I can imagine my readers’ eyes rolling farther back into their heads. And that’s understandable; other than astronomers, the only people who throw around such incomprehensibly large numbers are politicians!

Now I know that stargazers don’t often vocalize it, but I’m sure everyone is wondering the same thing: “How can you possibly know that?” A natural question and, in the case of cosmic distances, the answer -- at least in principle -- is surprisingly simple.

Astronomers use one technique we all learned in elementary school and one we use to navigate our everyday world. It’s called parallax, and you can demonstrate it like this.

Close one eye, hold out your thumb at arm’s length and align it with a very distant object. Without moving your thumb, open your eye while closing the other. Notice how your thumb seems to

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

My daughter came into the world with a blast of fireworks. Of course, the fact that it was the Fourth of July may have had something to do with it. Still, I expected all the hoopla that day to be in the sky, not in the delivery room. But she decided it would be cool to share her birthday with the country, and who was I to disagree? However, when my labor pains kicked in at the local July Fourth fair and I told my husband we were going to have a Yankee Doodle baby, he wasn’t so sure.

“Let’s wait and see what happens,” said the one of us who wasn’t doubled over with contractions.

“No, we have to go to the hospital NOW,” I assured him.

“Don’t you remember that the first one took 36 hours?” he reminded me. No, really? Gee, I had almost forgotten about those two glorious days in a Demerol haze that were more painful

have shifted relative to the more distant background object without ever moving it? Now bring your thumb closer to your eyes and try again. What happens now?

This apparent shift you see against the background is a measure of your thumb’s parallax, and it’s determined by the separation of your eyes (the “baseline”) and their distance to your thumb. Since stars are considerably more distant, astronomers must use telescopes with more sophisticated equipment and much longer baselines.

The first ever to do this successfully was Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel (1784-1846), who used a telescope at the Konigsberg Observatory in East Prussia to measure the position of the faint star 61 Cygni relative to the more distant background stars. Six months later -when the Earth was on the opposite side of its orbit around the sun -- he made the same measurement.

And in 1838, he proudly announced that his observations of the star showed a tiny parallax of a mere 0.314 arcseconds -- the width a U.S. dime would appear if held at a distance of more than two and a half miles!

What Bessel achieved was stunning. Not only did he determine this star’s parallax, but from it he calculated the star’s distance. With this long baseline of 186 million miles, Bessel determined that the star 61 Cygni must lie about 61 trillion miles from Earth -- pretty darned close to the 67 trillion miles we measure with modern equipment.

On the next really dark night, head outdoors to look high in the eastern sky for the three bright stars outlining the famous “Summer Triangle.” There you’ll spot the bright star Deneb, which is the tail star of Cygnus, the swan -- also known as the Northern Cross -- and just behind the swan’s easternmost wing, the faint star we call 61 Cygni. Though it

LOST IN SUBURBIA

Labor Day on the Fourth of July

than watching an entire audition season of “American Idol.”

“The second one can be different,” I said through gritted teeth. I finally convinced him that it wouldn’t be hygienic to have our baby on the ground next to the pony rides, and we set off for the hospital.

We arrived at the nearby hospital within a matter of minutes and pulled up directly to the front door, where a lovely attendant met our car with a wheelchair and offered me a cappuccino on the way up to the delivery room.

“How long was your first one?” my doctor asked us after examining me.

“Thirty-six hours,” said the one of us who wasn’t sipping cappuccino between contractions.

“Well, I guess we have some time then,” said my doctor. “I’ve been here all night. I’m going to run home, get some lunch and change. By the time I get back, you should be ready.”

It was a good plan in theory. But

no sooner had the doctor left than my daughter decided she wanted out... NOW!

This is when I discovered the downside of having a baby on a holiday. The hospital was operating on a skeleton staff, so there was only one anesthesiologist, and suddenly, eight women having babies who demanded anesthesia.

If there were any fireworks outside, we couldn’t hear them.

“Where’s the doctor?” yelled my husband.

“Where’s your insurance card?” asked the nurse.

“Where are my drugs?” I howled.

It was just us, the nurse and a panicked-looking intern in the room. I glared at my husband. “The baby’s coming!” I told him definitively.

He put on his catcher’s mitt.

The anesthesiologist finally arrived just as we heard the sound of heavy footsteps running in the hall. My husband looked out the door to see our

looks like most others, it was the study of this star 185 years ago that made it possible for humans to begin measuring the cosmos.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS.COM

doctor galloping toward us in flip-flops, a Hawaiian print shirt and straw hat. “Sorry,” yelled the doctor, pulling on latex gloves while he ran. “I thought I had time for a barbecue.”

He ran into our room, held out his hands, and seconds later, he caught my daughter as she entered the world.

“It’s a girl,” announced the doctor. “Born on the Fourth of July!”

“Oh, wow!” exclaimed my husband. He turned to me. “How do you feel, honey?”

“Numb,” I said.

“Numb?” he asked.

“Yeah. My epidural just kicked in.”

Tracy Beckerman is the author of the Amazon Bestseller, “Barking at the Moon: A Story of Life, Love, and Kibble,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online! You can visit her at www. tracybeckerman.com.

COPYRIGHT 2023 CREATORS

Follow Dennis Mammana at facebook/dennismammana.

Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel invented a way to measure the distance of stars that you probably learned about in elementary school. That’s how he estimated the distance of star 61 Cygni.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Are you a professional?

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

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

RECEPTIONIST PART TIME NEEDED for Port Washington Animal Hospital. Including evenings/ weekends. Please call for interview/more info:

516-883-2005

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

NICHE FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY

THEFANWHISPERER.COM

replacing noisy bathroom fans plug & play easy. Train.

1-888-888-2134

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.

EMPLOYMENT

TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL BILLING

Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get trained, certified & ready to work in months! Call 855-5436440 (M-F 8am-6pm ET) Computer with internet is required.

DIRECTV

New 2-Year Price Guarantee. The most live MLB games this season, 200+ channels and over 45,000 on-demand titles. $84.99/ mo for 24 months with CHOICE Package. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888534-6918

USE ITCHNOMORE SHAMPOO ON DOGS & CATS to relieve secondary dermatitis, treat yeast infections & eliminate doggy odor. At Tractor Supply (www.happyjackinc. com)

MARKETPLACE

A.T. STEWART EXCHANGE CONSIGNMENT SHOP

516-746-8900

Antiques-FurnitureJewelry-Silver-MirorsLamps-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

Like us on Facebook & Instagram

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

POSTING PROVISIONAL

APPOINTMENT

EAST ROCKAWAY UFSD

EAST ROCKAWAY JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL

INTERNAL POSTING

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER (2 POSITIONS) 12 Month Position

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS PER NASSAU COUNTY CIVIL SERVICE

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university and Four years of satisfactory administrative staff experience, which must include participating in budget preparation, and/or personnel and/or procurement activities.

EAST ROCKAWAY UFSD CENTRE AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HEAD CUSTODIAN 1

MUST BE REACHABLE ON THE CIVIL SERVICE HEAD CUSTODIAN 1 LIST

NOTE: 1. Experience, as outlined above, in excess of the four-year requirement, may be substituted for college education on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of four years.

2. A Master’s degree from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university may be substituted for one year of the experience as outlined above.

SALARY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EAST ROCKAWAY CUSTODIAL UNIT BARGAINING AGREEMENT

AnticipAted StArt dAte: to Be determined

STARTING DATE: On or after July 3, 2023

Please submit letter of interest and resume by July 10, 2023, to:

MS. DIANE

Please submit letter of interest no later than May 17, 2023, to: Diane Drakopoulos

Personnel Clerk

443 Ocean Avenue East Rockaway, NY 11518

Email: ddrakopoulos@eastrockawayschools.org

MARKETPLACE

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!

PIANO FOR SALE

SAMICK BABY GRAND

Model SG-172 Black

Pristine Condition

$2,500

Call: 516-650-6801

ESTATE SALE GARDEN CITY

Saturday, July 15 9am to 3pm

117 Weyford Terrace Garden City, NY 11530

Fine china, glasses, dishes, household items, paintings, clothing, toys, amateur radio equipment, Christmas village, all types of furniture, desks, piano, pool table, juke box.

Something for Everyone !!

NO EARLY BIRDS !!

MARKETPLACE

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

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 CANCER:

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

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

OFFICE SPACE

GARDEN CITY OFFICE

SPACE

Windowed office available in Garden City law suite. Use of reception area, conference room, kitchen, and copiers.

Large workstation also available. Ample parking. Office has access from both sidewalk and building lobby. Prime location near parkways, restaurants, and shopping.

$1,500/month

Call: 516-408-7030

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

OFFICE SPACE

GARDEN CITY

PROFESSIONAL OFFICE

SPACE FOR SUBLET IN LAW

FIRM SUITE

1305 Franklin Ave, Third Floor Suite

3 to 4 windowed offices and 2 to 3 Admin Asst. workstations available.

Shared reception area and kitchenette, use of conference rooms and copier included. Walk to LIRR Mineola station, courts, government buildings and GC downtown. Ideal for attorneys, accountants, insurance agents.

Available July 1st

Contact Michael Sparacino: michael.sparacino@brosnanlaw.com

VACATION RENTAL

MATTITUCK

2 Bayfront Homes For Rent

One 3 BR, 2 BTH, One 2 BR House. Available the weeks of June 24th-July 1st and August 26-September 2nd. 3 BR House $2050-per week. 2 BR House $1850-per week. IDEAL FAMILY VACATION. Call 631-298-8433

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

SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

BURKE CLEANING SERVICES

Home Cleaning, Offices, Apts. Household help. Assisting Elderly clean up. We offer night service. Excellent work at a low price! PLEASE

AQUATEC LAWN

SPRINKLERS

SPRING TURN ONS

Backflow Device Tests

Free Estimates

Installation

Service/Repairs

Joe Barbato 516-775-1199

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

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 TREATMENTS

Blinds, Shades, Shutters, Draperies

Top Brands at Discount Prices!

Family owned & operated www.madeintheshadensli. com

516-426-2890

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

PAULIE THE ROOFER STOPPING LEAKS IS MY SPECIALTY!

Slate & Tile Specialists

All types of Roofing

Local References

Licensed & Insured

516-621-3869

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

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

PAINTING & PAPERHANGING

MICHELANGELO

PAINTING & WALLPAPER

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

SERVICES

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

CLEANING

CLEANING AVAILABLE EXPERIENCED POLISH HOUSE CLEANER

Good references, ability. Very honest, reliable, responsible and hard working. Own transportation. English speaking. Flexible days and hours. Reasonable rates. I will do a good job.

Call or text 516-589-5640

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

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

CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

Offer a sweet ending to July 4th celebrations

Fourth of July Cookie Cups

July 4th celebrations are much anticipated each year. Whether they include an intimate barbecue with a close-knit group of friends or a massive block party with everyone from the neighborhood,

Makes 24

Nonstick cooking spray, for greasing the pan

1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled

there’s a strong chance that food will be part of the party.

As various menu items will hit the grill, hosts and hostesses may wonder which desserts to serve to make their events complete.

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder

1⁄4 teaspoon salt

1⁄2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

While there is seemingly nothing more American than apple pie, cookies also can be sweet ways to help wrap up the festivities. Sugar cookies are a universal favorite, and in this recipe for “Fourth of

3⁄4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg, at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Red, white and blue sprinkles, for topping

1. To make the cookie cups: preheat the oven to 350� F. Spray a 24-count mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch,

baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the butter and granulated sugar together

for 1 to 2 minutes, or until well combined.

4. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined, making sure to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

5. Mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.

6. Evenly distribute the cookie dough among all 24 cups in the mini muffin pan, a little more than 1 tablespoon of cookie dough per cup. Press each ball of cookie dough into the cups and smooth it out.

7. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, or until the edges of the cookie cups are lightly browned and the tops are set.

8. Remove from the oven, and make an indentation in each cook-

ie using the back of a measuring spoon. Allow to cool in the muffin pan, then carefully remove from the pan and set aside.

9. To make the vanilla buttercream frosting: In the bowl of a

stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the butter for 1 to 2 minutes until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, 1⁄2 cup at a time, mixing in each addition until well combined.

10. Add the heavy whipping cream and vanilla extract, and continue mixing until fully combined, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Pipe the frosting into the cooled cookie cups and top with the sprinkles.

11. Store the cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Avoid penalties — pay tax bill by August 10

Town of Oyster Bay Receiver of Taxes

Jeffrey Pravato reminds residents that the Second Half of the 2023 General Tax Levy is due on July 1, but can be paid without penalty through August 10.

“New York State Law allows my office to provide taxpayers with a 40-day penalty free period from the date the tax is due during which payment may be made without penalty,” Receiver Pravato explained. “After the 40 days, State Law requires a one percent penalty be added for each month the tax remains unpaid. So make your pay-

ment before August 10th and don’t delay, and you will ensure you aren’t paying more out of pocket than you need to.”

The Tax Office is open at both Town Hall North, 74 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, and Town Hall South, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. to assist residents and accept payments with a check, cash or credit card. On August 9 and 10 both offices will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. When paying in person, residents are reminded to bring the entire tax bill. There are also outdoor walkup windows,

and drop boxes have been installed at both locations for residents to make payments when the Tax Office is closed.

Residents who prefer to mail in their payments should send them to the Office of the Receiver of Taxes, 74 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, N.Y. 11771-1539. Please make your check payable to Jeffrey P. Pravato, Receiver of Taxes and indicate your property’s Section, Block and Lot and telephone number on the check.

Tax payments may also be made online through a link on the Town website, www.

oysterbaytown.com. Residents may view tax bills, print out a hard copy, or pay taxes with an ACH check payment for a fee of $1.75, or by credit card (for a much higher fee, charged by credit card companies). The Town of Oyster Bay receives no portion of this fee.

Residents may contact the Tax Office with any questions about their tax bill at 516-624-6400 or by emailing receiveroftaxes@oysterbay-ny.gov.