Mid-Island Times (9/6/24)

9/11

Memorial Ceremony

The Town of Oyster Bay invites residents to join them at the Town’s Annual September 11th Memorial Ceremony scheduled for Monday, September 9, at 7:00 p.m. at TOBAY Beach.

“This year marks the 23rd anniversary of the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, and to honor those we have lost we invite all residents to join us at our annual September 11th Memorial Ceremony. This remembrance ceremony features music, religious readings, a light tribute, and a reading of the names inscribed on the Town’s 9/11 wall,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “We will also unveil new names inscribed on the town’s ‘Walls of Honor,’ recognizing those who made the ultimate sacrifice due to 9/11-related illness.”

The town’s 9/11 Memorial - featuring a steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center is inscribed with the names of residents lost on September 11, 2001. The Walls of Honor monument expands each year with newly inscribed names of those who lost their battle with 9/11-illness caused by exposure at Ground Zero.

For more information, visit the Town’s website at www. oysterbaytown.com or contact the town’s Department of Community & Youth Services at (516) 797-7925.

SERVING PLAINVIEW, HICKSVILLE, AND LEVIT TOWN

SCHOOLS OPEN

Bethpage Union Free School District warmly welcomed its newest and youngest learners for kindergarten orientation. See page 14.

Hicksville Chamber’s Street Fair returns September 15

BY RIKKI MASSAND

The Hicksville Chamber of Commerce is excited to host the 2024 Street Fair on Sunday, September 15, along Jerusalem Avenue, near Kennedy Park. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a rain date set for Sunday, September 22. The location is convenient for residents of Hicksville and surrounding towns, with free parking available at nearby Hicksville LIRR lots.

This year marks the 21st annual Street Fair, a beloved September tradition expected to draw thousands to Hicksville’s downtown. The first 500 children in attendance will receive a free ice cream, courtesy of Tasty Frosty Ice Cream, sponsored by the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce. Chamber Treasurer Charlie Montana commented, “There will be approximately 40 to 50 vendors for our Street Fair and the turnout is expected to grow as the day approaches. The location is what most will say is ‘a center point’ in Hicksville and it’s very visible with vehicular traffic coming down from Broadway and W. John Street, and the LIRR is right there too. Ridgewood Savings Bank and the Hicksville Boys & Girls Club sponsors the Kids’ Zone with a special area that we set up.”

The Kids’ Zone, introduced a few years ago, will feature hands-on arts and crafts, games, and face painting. Last year, the pumpkin-painting activity was a hit, with over 200 children taking home hand-painted pumpkins.

“Last year we went through around 200 of the small hands-sized pumpkins. Kids painted all of them and they each took a pumpkin home,” Montana said.

Local elected officials, including New York State Assembly member Jake Blumencranz, State Sen. Steven D. Rhoads, Nassau County Legislator Rose Walker, and Town of Oyster Bay Councilwoman Vickie Walsh, will attend the fair. Several political candidates will also make appearances.

In 2023, Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino entertained the crowd by playing drums and jazz music on the Town of Oyster Bay Showmobile, which will again be a highlight of the event.

The annual Street Fair Journal will be mailed directly to 7,000 homes in Hicksville. The Chamber’s sponsorship packages have successfully supported the fair’s financing.

Vendors and exhibitors can still participate up until a few days before the fair, either by securing a booth or through promotional opportunities in the Street Fair Journal and posters. Interested parties can contact the

See page 8

Additional arrest after mask-wearing charge

Nassau County Police arrested an 18-year-old Hicksville man on September 1 for allegedly throwing a beer bottle at two male juveniles during a dispute on August 23.

The defendant, Wesslin Omar Ramirez Castillo, had also been arrested on August 25 for allegedly carrying a large knife and violating Nassau County’s new mask ordinance. The ordinance bans wearing masks in public except for medical or religious reasons.

Castillo’s arrest for the mask violation was reported in regional and national newspapers due to the unique nature of the ordinance.

For the charges related to the beer bottle incident, Castillo was charged with two counts of Attempted Assault 2nd Degree,  two counts of menacing 2nd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th Degree and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

Town

extends beach season for two

more weekends

The Town of Oyster Bay will help residents hold on to summer a little while longer by extending hours at TOBAY Beach for two additional weekends after Labor Day — Saturday & Sunday, September 7 and 8, as well as 14 and 15. TOBAY Beach will stay open, free of charge, for those two extra weekends with lifeguards on duty from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“To help you hold onto summer for a little longer, we’re extending access to TOBAY, free of charge, for two additional weekends this year,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “We invite residents and their families to put their toes in the water and feet in the sand while

enjoying some nice weather and savoring the last warm days of the season.”

Residents visiting TOBAY Beach on Sunday, September 8th, can also enjoy the Town’s free, family fun Waterfront Festival at TOBAY Marina, presented by Optimum. In addition to a free concert featuring Captain Cool Band with yacht rockin’ hits, the day of free family fun will feature marine and outdoor exhibits, a children’s snapper derby, police boat demonstrations, food concessions and much more! The festival will run from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on Town beaches and programs, visit www. oysterbaytown.com.

Attempted burglary in Jericho

Nassau County Police arrested a Manhattan man for allegedly attempting to burglarize a home on Saturday, August 31.

According to police, a resident of a S Marginal Road residence contacted police after viewing an unknown subject wearing a black ski mask and glasses covering his face, on her home surveillance camera. The homeowner said she observed the subject enter her rear yard and attempt to enter the residence through the rear door.  She confronted the subject who then fled the scene eastbound on S Marginal Road prior to police arrival.

Police say they located the subject a short distance away and David Li, 27,  was placed into custody without incident.

According to police, Li was also in pos

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Wesslin Omar Ramirez Castillo

Jericho schools superintendent looks ahead

BY GEORGE HABER

After serving as Superintendent of the Jericho Schools for 30 years by the end of this school year, Superintendent Hank Grishman will retire to a future"that remains to be determined," he said in an interview with the Jericho News Journal.

Grishman said he will remain active in educational organizations of which he has been a member. He also, would like to travel to the Far East and to the Pacific with his wife Jill, a retired Wantagh school teacher.

Under Grishman's leadership, the Jericho school district became one of the highest ranked public school districts in New York State and across the country, according to several ratings sites.

Reflecting on his legacy, Jericho School Board vice president and former board president Jill Citron credited Grishman with providing the leadership that  helped establish the district's enviable reputation.

Grishman said he was most proud of his role in eliminating "tracking" of students and opening up advanced placement courses to students desiring to take the challenging courses, and in establishing curriculum associates who

oversee subjects from K to 12. "We did away with department heads," he said  enabling a coordinated and consistent approach.

Grishman came to Jericho thirty years ago, succeeding Robert Manheimer, a former teacher at Erasmus Hall High Schoo in Brookyn.

The school board will shortly begin screening and interviewing candidates for a new  Superintendent.

Board members reflect on Supt. Grishman's legacy

"Hank has touched the lives of so many students, teachers, staff, parents and families, and we are so lucky to have had the benefit of being in Hank's Jericho. He will be sorely missed, but he has built a foundation of excellence that will hopefully continue for many years."

Jill Citron, Vice President and Former President:

"Hank's commitment to excellence, long-term vision, and unwavering dedication to our students, staff and community has been truly inspirational...He has been a steadfast leader. His impact on our district is immeasurable."

Dr. Chris Foresto, Board President:

"Hank has the extraordinary ability to make every day a celebration of of our Jericho students and community. He has instilled in students, staff and community members a strong sense if pride and shared purpose in being a part of this premiere school district."

Dr. Divya Balachandar, Board Trustee:

"Under Hank's strong leadership, the Jericho School District became the model for academic excellence, innovation, and inclusion in New York State's education community."

Sam Perlman, Board Trustee:

"I look forward to working with the Board to identify a new Superintendent who will carry Hank Grishman's legacy of excellence forward."

Jennifer Vartanov, Board Trustee:

Jericho Superintendent Hank Grishman during a school board meeting.

Boxing competition to raise money for local charity

BY GARY SIMEONE

A boxing competition that’s set to take place in Boston, Massachusetts on October 10 will have a far-reaching impact here on Long Island. Danielle Simo, a former Sea Cliff resident, will box in the Haymakers for Hope charity event to raise money for a charitable cancer organization of their choice.

Simon, who now resides in Newton, Massachusett, with her family, said she has been boxing at a local club to train for the upcoming fight.

“Each boxer can donate to a charity of their choice, and I chose to donate to the Hair We Share organization in Jericho, New York,” said Simon. “All of the proceeds that are raised from my boxing match will go to their organization and their new partner, Wig Banks, which donates wigs to cancer patients suffering hair-loss due to cancer treatment.”

Simon, who was born and raised on Long Island, said she hopes to gain two things from her upcoming boxing match.

“Obviously I get to donate any proceeds to a worthy cause and secondly I will receive my official amateur boxing status after participating in the fight.”

She said that the fights are based on age and weight, and she is slated to fight an opponent who is ten years younger than her.

“I’ve sparred before with her and won, but obviously things will be different inside a big venue and in front of nearly two thousand spectators,” said Simon.

She said that she is grateful to donate the money to a Long Island based organization and for a cause that hits close to home.

“I have lost my grandfather, grandmother and my father-in-law to cancer so this means a lot to me because I’m fighting for those who lost the ultimate battle to cancer. I will also fight for those who continue to be impacted by this terrible disease.”

To find out more about the organization and the upcoming fights on October 10, you can visit the website haymakersforhope.org.

Danielle Simon will participate in Haymakers for Hope to raise funds to fight cancer.

Children’s Snapper Derby planned for Sept. 15

The Town of Oyster Bay will be holding its 2nd Annual Snapper Derby to be featured at the famed Bluefish Tournament on Sunday, September 15, at Theodore Roosevelt Park in Oyster Bay.

“This fun family event is open to youngsters ages 14 and under with fun prizes and awards for winners, as well as giveaways for all participants,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “This fun event provides a great opportunity to introduce children to the wonderful recreational sport of fishing.”

The Snapper Derby takes place during between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., during the Town’s Bluefish Tournament, at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park by the fishing pier. There is a $10 registration entry for residents and $15 for non-residents. Participants are invited to bring their own equipment, including poles and bait, as supplies are limited. Children

will be placed into two age groups, ages 7 and under and 8–14. Winners will be based on number of snappers caught — catch and release only — with prizes being awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for each age group.

“We are thrilled to bring this fun event to Theodore Roosevelt Park and invite all youngsters to sign up to participate,” said Town Councilman Lou Imbroto. “There will be free refreshments, shirts and raffles for all participants, as well as awards and prizes for top winners.”

For more information on registration, residents can contact the Town’s Recreation Office at (516) 797-7945. Registration is now open on the Town’s website, at www.oysterbaytown.com/ portal, and in-person at Town Hall South in Massapequa, the Causeway Bait & Tackle in Wantagh, Duffy’s Bait & Tackle in Glenwood Landing, and at the Hi-Hook Bait & Tackle in Huntington.

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Exhibit marks anniversary of LIRR Hicksville station

The Hicksville Historical Society recently created an exhibit on display at the Hicksville LIRR station in honor of the 60th anniversary of the elevated station.

In honor of the 60th anniversary of the elevated LIRR station in Hicksville, the Hicksville Historical Society prepared an exhibit showing the construction of the station. The photos in the exhibit, which were from the Ed Bady Collection at the Hicksville Public Library, are on display on the west wall of the station's waiting room.

While no ceremony is planned for the actual anniversary on September 12, the Hicksville Historical Society plans an event on October 8 at the Hicksville Public Library. October 8th marks the 69th anniversary of “Operation Changeover” which marked the retirement of steam locomotives on Long Island.

The photos depict the grand opening of the station in 1964.

BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN

NASSAU COUNTY EXECUTIVE

cordially invites you to attend Nassau County’s

Remembrance Ceremony and Musical Tribute 9/11

WEDNESDAY

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 6:00PM

Featuring international vocalist CHRIS MACCHIO

EISENHOWER PARK

East Meadow • Parking Field 6 • Rain or shine

Please RSVP for seating and refreshments 516-571-4050

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 September 16, 2024 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 at Bethpage, 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/Admi n/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" Kenneth L. Gartner, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01045133-F00 81872 Too much junk in your house? Too much junk in your house? Place an ad for it in our classifieds section!

Chamber’s Street Fair to return September 15

From page 1

Chamber at 516-644-5615.

Chamber Treasurer Montana said that Jerusalem Avenue will transform into a carnival atmosphere, with rides, games, tents, and booths set up early Sunday morning. The avenue will be closed from Herzog Place to West John Street. The Town of Oyster Bay and Nassau County Police’s Second Precinct ensure the fair’s smooth operation each year, with the Hicksville Fire Department on standby for any emergencies.

“We’ve always been prepared with the Second Precinct officers on-site. The Hicksville Fire Department is always on-call in case any medical care or attention is needed. Our chamber thanks everyone involved for their service and

dedication to Hicksville,” Montana said.

Chamber volunteers will assist vendors in setting up their spots, with most arriving between 8 and 8:30 a.m., and food trucks at 9 a.m.

“Vendors usually arrive between 8 and 8:30 to set up, and food trucks come at about 9 am,” Montana noted. “The Chamber orchestrates a quarter-mile long fiesta of food, rides, craft sales and entertainment, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our many sponsors, board and members and working collaboratively with the Town of Oyster Bay and local emergency services.”

The Hicksville Water District will also participate, offering educational materials on water quality and activities for children. Water District Commissioners William “Bill”

Schuckmann and Nicholas Brigandi, both board members of the Chamber, will be present.

“The Water District provides educational materials about our local water quality, including steps residents can take for the water supply, plus some giveaways and kids’ activities at the Street Fair,” Montana said.

Former Hicksville Chamber President Sam Maruca has once again coordinated with LI Fairs’ Oleg Zivkovich to organize games, rides, and entertainment for the fair. Maruca, who founded the Street Fair initiative, is a longtime Chamber member dedicated to ensuring the event’s success each year.

To promote the fair, the Chamber has boosted its social media presence, reaching approximately 25,000 residents in Hicksville, Levittown, Westbury, and Bethpage. The Chamber’s Facebook page is dedicated to updates on the Street Fair, and more information is available on their website, www. hicksvillechamber.com.

Attendees are encouraged to visit the Hicksville Chamber’s Information Tent during the fair to meet members and learn more about the Chamber.

A lineup of top local chefs will serve delicious food, including Smōk-Haus Barbecue, Señor Burger, and Extreme Empanadas. Frankie’s Famous Zeppole will offer their popular treats, including fried bananas, zeppoles, fried Oreos, and funnel cakes, with Tasty Frosty Ice Cream available all day.

Shed the Meds event planned for Sept. 24

Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (DPlainview), together with the Nassau County Police Department’s Second Precinct will host a “Shed The Meds” event at the Syosset Public Library on Tuesday, Sept. 24.

From 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., residents will have the opportunity to securely dispose of unwanted and/or expired prescription medications and patches, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, drug samples and pet medications at the library under the supervision of Second Precinct officers. Please note that needles/sharps, aerosol cans, thermometers, ointments, (liquid or lotion), hydrogen peroxide, inhalers, biohazardous materials and/or medications from business will not be accepted.

“Through our ongoing partnership with the Second Precinct, my office’s Shed the Meds events provide Nassau residents with convenient opportunities to clear their medicine cabinets in a way that protects

the environment and prevents drug abuse and misuse in our community,” Deputy Minority Leader Drucker said. “If you have unwanted or expired med-

icine to dispose of, I strongly encourage you to join us on September 24 and avail yourself of this vital service.” Residents can contact

Do you have Grandchildren?

the Second Precinct at 516573-6200 or Deputy Minority Leader Drucker’s office at 516-571-6216 with questions.

Send in your grandchildren’s photos and enter our “World’s Most Beautiful Grandchildren” contest. Just send a photo and a brief description of the child (or children) along with your name and address to: editor@gcnews.com

Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D - Plainview, left) greets a resident dropping off items at last year's Shed the Meds program.

New faculty members welcomed at Bethpage schools

The Bethpage Union Free School District welcomed its newest faculty members during the district’s annual new teacher orientation, held in the courtyard of Bethpage High School. The event began with a breakfast reception, where Superintendent of Schools David Schneider, alongside central administrators and directors, introduced themselves, sharing their roles within the district as well as their history with Bethpage Schools.

A memorable moment of the morning was provided by Athletic Director John Franchi, who delighted the gathering with a few magic tricks he picked up over the summer, adding a touch of fun to the occasion.

Superintendent Schneider took the opportunity to encourage the new teachers to actively seek support from administrators and directors throughout the year, emphasizing the value of collaboration and teamwork within the district.

Throughout the day, the new faculty engaged in various meetings and familiarized themselves with their respective schools, setting the stage for a successful year ahead.

New staff members include: Anne Baranello (sub, Charles Campagne), Kara Becker (teaching assistant, JFK), Daniel Borysowski (sub,

The newest staff members of the Bethpage Union Free School District.

Central Blvd), Nicholas Cavallo (sub, JFK), Brent Chiarello (Director Fine and Performing Arts), Anne Dodge (elementary teacher, Charles Campagne), Kayla Downey (physical education and health, JFK and BHS), Alyssa Durante (math, JFK and BHS), Matthew Frouws (sub, BHS), Stephan Godas (teaching assistant, BHS), Lauren Itzler (sub, Central

Blvd), Kathleen Jansen (teaching assistant, BHS), Vincent LoBosco (sub, BHS), Matthew Malerba (sub, JFK), Jayne Matzelle (sub, Kramer Lane), Sean McSwiggan (counseling, BHS), Destiny Parsons (social studies, JFK and BHS), Chloe Rozenveld (teaching assistant, Central Blvd), Abigail Posillico (sub, Kramer Lane), Tiffany Salcedo (LOTE,

BHS), Annemarie Savage (sub, Central Blvd), Alexa Simeone (teaching assistant, Central Blvd), Madiha Sultana (teaching assistant, JFK), Susan Tangel (teaching assistant, Central Blvd) and Konstantina Tsavaris (teaching assistant, Central Blvd).

Fall

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

Post-Labor day, the weather has cooled, crowds have thinned, airfares and hotel rates have dropped precipitously, and tour companies offer discounts, especially on near-term departures. On top of that, Mother Nature puts on a show of autumn colors. Fall can be the best travel time of the year.

Fall is Ideal for Biking

Discovery Bicycle Tours: Cycle over 200 miles from the tip of Manhattan to through the Hudson River Valley to Albany on its six-day day Empire State Trail bike tour, along New York State’s network of rail trails, bike paths and bikeways; cycle the  Appalachian Rail Trails between Virginia and West Virginia, one of its newest tours; or the six-day P’tit Train du Nord, one of the most scenic rail-trails in Quebec; or Or for a shorter tour, pedal for 4 DAYS on the  GAP Trail Getaway or spend 3 days riding the  Vermont Lamoille Valley Rail Trail (discoverybicycletours.com, tours@discoverybicycletours.com, 800257-2226, 802-457-3553)

Wilderness Voyageurs: Fall is a great time to travel and experience the season’s beauty around the country. Take advantage of its flash sale on the Sept. 29 departure of the Virginia Shenandoah & Skyline Drive Bike Tour - $150 off and free bike rental. Fall bike trips Include: five-day Kentucky bike & Bourbon; four-day Cycling Chattanooga, six-day Ohio-Cycling Cincinnati to Cleveland; four-day Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay; Colonial Williamsburg; six-day Mickelson Trail & the Badlands; four-day Georgia Gold Coast; and Missouri’s Katy Trail (https://wilderness-voyageurs.com/fantastic-fall-bike-tours/, 800-272-4141)

Butterfield & Robinson: Nothing quite says adventure like last-minute plans to get away. The impromptu decision to travel, the excitement of meet-

Optimal Time for Travel

ing new faces in new places that just weeks ago weren’t even a consideration. Fall is the perfect time to escape from it all, whether you’re headed to the Morocco, riding along famous ancient caravan routes; striding along the Path of the Gods, hiking mountain and coastal trails and then unwinding in luxurious accommodations on the Amalfi Coast on this walking and hiking trip; or immersing in Portugal’s culinary and cultural heartland of Alentejo—biking from historic castles and villages across a farmland landscape of cork trees and olive groves to the gorgeous Atlantic coast.(butterfield.com)

Fall Rafting, Glamping on the Gauley River

Adventures on the Gorge offers two-day Deluxe Gauley River Overnight package offered throughout Gauley Season in September and October, when the Gauley River is transformed with some 100 rapids –including several Class Vs – within a 25-mile stretch of river. The adventure

includes two days of rafting, one night of camping at the resort’s permanent Canyon Doors Campground and gourmet meals prepped fresh by a chef. The campground features hot showers, bathrooms and hot tubs, as well as a huge sandy beach with room for games and story-telling beneath the stars.

The Upper Gauley starts just below Summersville Dam and drops more than 335 feet in fewer than 13 miles, creating the most intense whitewater on the river and one of the most challenging whitewater experiences in the world. The 12-mile Lower Gauley is slightly less intense, but still extremely challenging, with 70 rapids.

As a result of a long-time agreement between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and resorts like Adventures on the Gorge, the releases are scheduled for Fridays through Mondays so rafters can plan for long weekends of adventure. Release dates this year are Sept. 6-9, 12-16, 20-23, 27-30 and Oct. 4-6, 12-13 and 19-20.

The minimum age to experience the

Deluxe Gauley River Overnight is 16. Pricing of the two-day adventure starts at $439 per person.

The conclusion of Gauley Season coincides with the region’s annual Bridge Day celebration on the third Saturday of October. That’s when the New River Gorge Bridge is closed to traffic and BASE jumpers and rappelers jump from the bridge into the New River below while hundreds of pedestrian celebrants watch the fun.

Adventures on the Gore offers several options for rafters, including the  Upper Gauley,  Lower Gauley and  Gauley Reverse 2-Day. Additionally, some rafters run both stretches as part of the  Gauley Marathon while others take on the Upper Gauley twice in one day as part of the  Double Upper Gauley 1-Day 2-Night package.

Other adventures include  rafting on the New River,  TreeTops Zipline Canopy Tour,  Bridge Walk,  rock climbing, and TimberTrek Adventure Park.

One of AOTG’s more popular options is a two-day Upper and Lower Gauley rafting experience broken up by  camping at Canyon Doors, a permanent campground on the river featuring a wood-fired hot tub, hot showers, bathrooms and gourmet meals prepared by an expedition chef.

Adventures on the Gorge offers glamping tents, RV sites, tent platforms and a variety of cabins, such as multi-bedroom Cabins on the Gorge, with kitchens, furnished living areas and private hot tubs; bunkhouse style Sportsman Cabins, ideal for families and friend groups; and hotelstyle Sunnysides.

Adventures on the Gorge is an adventure resort located on more than 350 acres along the rim of New River Gorge near Fayetteville, West Virginia, in a region with three national parks units including the newest national park in the U.S., New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. (https://adventuresonthegorge.com/, 1-855-379-8738) September

on next page

Fall is an Optimal Time for Travel

Spacious Skies Campgrounds

Along the Fall Color Trail

Spacious Skies Campgrounds has launched a two-week sale on stays during its  Fall Color Trail. Guests who book RV sites, lodging and glamping accommodations and tent sites through September 12 will receive a 25 percent discount between now and October 14, 2024 at any of the company’s 15 campgrounds located from Maine to Georgia, which also are staging Themed Weekends throughout the season.

For RVers with time and a love for natural beauty, there’s the  Fall Color Trail, a 2,500-mile route that connects the campgrounds from Spacious Skies Balsam Woods in north central Maine to Spacious Skies Savannah Oaks in Georgia and showcases the brilliant progression of fall color over a 2 ½-month period, from early September through mid-November. Along the way there are wide-ranging adventures such as apple-picking farms, golf courses, historic sites, charming towns, national and state parks, museums, shopping and outdoor adventures.

Many of the campgrounds offer alternative accommodations for travelers who don’t own RVs, including cabins, yurts, tent sites and in select locations, retro trailers. Spacious Skies has also partnered with RV Share so would-be campers and glampers can rent RVs in each location or rent RVs that they can drive from place to place.

To receive the discount, campers can book  online and use the promo code FALLTRAIL. The sale ends September 12 and is limited to one usage per customer. For more information, visit  www. spaciousskiescampgrounds.com

Maine Fall Vacation

Crisp beach walks; apple orchards; and brilliant crimson, gold and orange foliage are just a few of the things that make fall a glorious time to visit Maine. Maine’s Tourism office has created helpful lists to facilitate your visit:

Outdoor Recreation opportunities include Hiking & Climbing (see  Maine Trail Finder for hikes for all abilities). On the Water: take a leisurely sail aboard a historic   Maine Windjammer  or a  sea kayaking trip; visit a beach (my favorite, Old Orchard Beach has access to a beachfront amusement park, Palace Playland, with rides and Maine’s largest arcade). Biking (pedal through tunnels of vibrant colors or bike to a breathtaking overlook along Maine’s scenic trails and picturesque routes). Camping Fall Festivities and Fairs.

Leaf-peeping Opportunities : Peak foliage season varies across the state, but it is typically from the last week of September to the first two weeks of October. Maine has a foliage tracker that starts up in September to help you plan your trip.

Stunning Drives: Maine’s foliage is accessible via the state’s seven  National Scenic Byways. These historic drives are designated by the federal government as some of the most beautiful and enjoyable across the country.

Fall Meandering: The newly enhanced  Maine Oyster Trail will help you experience Maine’s acclaimed bivalve from the farmer to the raw bar. Get off the beaten path and link to  Farms & Fiber Arts Trip Ideas to enjoy a getaway visiting farms, farm stands and specialty shops, or try a workshop where you can learn a variety of skills, like knitting a sweater from Maine wool.  Maine Craft Weekend, the first weekend October,

Fueling Fall Sports

is the chance to see private artist studios and meet the artists, visit craft-based schools and craft beer breweries collaborating with artists, and purchase Maine-made goods at pop-up shops.

Arts & Culture : The  Maine Art Museum Trail features nine museums and more than 80,000 works of art, (my favorite is the Farnsworth Museum, Rockland, with a fabulous collection of Wyeths). Check out the Art & Ales Trip Ideas for tips on where to find art in Maine in many shapes and forms, from gigantic sculptures to live performances, and sample the art of handcrafted local brews.

Where To Stay: The choices are endless: Campgrounds, Sporting Camps & Wilderness Lodges, Inns / Bed & Breakfasts, Resorts, Hotels & Motels

More info at VisitMaine.com

Fall in Tennessee

Vivid autumn leaves burst through the trees, new experiences await the fall bucket list, the aroma of apple and pumpkin treats waft through the air and echoes of ghost stories whisper with haunted happenings. Here’s what’s new and trending this fall in Tennessee.

Chattanooga  –  Rock City’s Fall Colors is an autumn splendor of pumpkins, haybale vignettes and seasonal decorations and live music.

Pigeon Forge  (Sept. 9-Oct. 28) –Dollywood’s Great Pumpkin LumiNights illuminates the evening with the whimsical glow of over 12,000 pumpkins.

Nashville (Sept. 14-Oct. 27) –Cheekwood Harvest is a fall wonderland with 75,000 pumpkins and 4,000 chrysanthemums; stroll through the Community Scarecrow Trail, iconic Pumpkin Village, live music in the beer garden.

Nashville – Ghost Tours: Tragedy and Mystery at The Hermitage presents

stories of unusual experiences of Andrew Jackson’s family and unexplained incidents on the site, a rare opportunity to see the mansion, grounds and cemetery by lantern light.

Memphis  – Each October, visitors can take special tours and attend Soul of the Cemetery to hear stories of Elmwood Cemetery BackBeat Tours shares more historically spooky tales with walking ghost tours through some of the most haunted places in Memphis.

Visit  TNvacation.com

California Colors

Fall is harvest season in California wine country so while the wine is flowing, the vineyards have turned orange, maroon and crimson.  Sonoma Valley, a 17-milelong valley within Sonoma County that encompasses the city of Sonoma and the villages of Carneros, The Springs, Glen Ellen, and Kenwood, is the ideal drive to take in stunning rolling hills, gorgeous hotels and resorts, historic attractions and, breathtaking vineyards.

From its dramatic waterfalls, giant sequoias and unbelievably tall, sheer granite towers,  Yosemite National Park is one of the most breathtaking places on earth and during the fall, its full of life and colors. Dogwoods, Big Leaf Maples, and the Black Oaks are but just a few that put on a showy display of autumnal color.  Fall colors can usually be seen throughout the month of October but have been known to start in September at higher elevations and run into November.

In El Dorado County, Historic Hwy 49 (which runs the length of historic Gold Country) offers an array of colorful foliage – dogwood, aspen and maple light up the Mother Lode with orange, red and yellow. In Coloma, the   Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park affords spectacular views along the American River as well as many stands of colorful trees.

More info at https://www.visitcalifornia.com/.

BY CHARLYN FARGO

School has started and that means fall sports are underway -- soccer, football and basketball. Fueling a teen’s body for those sports is extra important considering the prevalence of COVID-19 and other viruses. It all boils down to meals full of plenty of nutrients. Here are some tips to help you make it happen.

No. 1: Cut back on added sugars and choose calories that provide good fuel over empty calories. It’s like gas in your car -- the better the fuel, the better it will

run. Young athletes are still growing, so calorie needs vary depending on age, sex, type and amount of activity. How much a teen eats needs to match their activity level and simultaneously support growth and development. On average, active teenage boys need 3,000 to 4,000 calories a day, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Like any other healthy diet, calories should come from fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads and cereals, lowfat dairy, lean protein foods and hearthealthy fats.

No. 2: Breakfast is important to help athletes get all the calories they need, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Choose whole-grain cereals with low-fat milk and fruit, whole-grain waffles with peanut butter or Greek yogurt with fruit.

No. 3: If your teen prefers to pack a lunch for school, try bean and beef burritos topped with salsa; grilled chicken sandwiches with coleslaw; and Mediterranean

Continued on page 5

© 2024 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com

Oh, those Gen Zers and I get along famously

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

All this talk about Gen X, Y and Z makes my head spin at times but I do my best to keep up because it’s true that each generation has its own individual characteristics. I want to appreciate the good traits in each generation even if sometimes that means I have to search a bit.

The point is no matter how the experts classify, analyze or label the Gen Zers, each generation is unique. Cultural influences and historic events all play a role in what affects them just as the events of the 1960s, 70s and 80s affected me.

There’s a lot to be said for each group - the Millennials, the Baby Boomers, and X, Y and Z. At a glance, it appears that many Gen Zers and I get along great. A case in point is when I spoke with my nephew, Patrick, on the phone recently and we got together the next day. He and his wife, Amy, stopped by for a visit and once we were all comfortably settled, we chatted amicably. They updated me on their two children and it was great to hear all of the news. I was also amused by their various activities.

Preparing lunch in my kitchen for us recently I started singing the song, “Hey There Delilah” by the Plain White T’s and Patrick asked what’s that. Later he started singing “Hey Look Ma, I Made It” by Panic! at the Disco and I asked what that song was and when he mentioned the title and the group I said I’d never heard of it or the singers. We both laughed out loud. We had a good chuckle over that. It sure was an example of the generation gap.

So just to show him what a good song is, I showed him the lyrics to “Delilah” which go:

“Hey there Delilah

What’s it like in New York City

I’m a thousand miles away, but girl

Tonight you look so pretty

Yes you do

Times Square can’t shine as bright as you

I swear it’s true …”

It was recorded by the group in Los Angeles and was released in 2006. That year wasn’t so long ago, was it? But Patrick wasn’t familiar with it and he didn’t want to offend me but he said he likes a different style of music. Ok, we agreed that music preferences do vary from one generation to another. That’s nothing new. And he added that he wouldn’t even tell me the words to “Hey Look Ma, I Made It” because I would probably find them offensive.

Eventually we got onto other subjects and every so often signs of a generation gap would spring up. I happen to be a Baby Boomer meaning that I am 50+ and Patrick is one of those Gen Zers who was born between 1997-2012. That means Patrick had never used a rotary phone or even seen one unless it was pictured in a movie or displayed in a museum. Little did he know that our families’ rotary phones were our connection to the world. With a little spin of the dial we could call friends and neighbors plus make business calls. We Baby Boomers thought rotary phones were nifty.

Gen Zers grew up with digital changes in our society that happened on a frequent basis. As teens, Gen Zers experienced the boom of smartphones, wearables such as fitness trackers, virtual assistants and more. The evolution of technology often meant that they were incorporating these things into their daily lives.

On the job, co-worker Mandy and I got to be friends several years ago. She is younger and during lunch hours inevitably the subject would drift to things that were good illustrations of the generation gap. Sometimes Mandy strikes me as young and inexperienced

but at other times she amazes me with her grasp of social media, her ability to get groups of friends together to promote social causes and at other times, to gather some friends together just for the fun of it. Mandy always impresses me.

As a group, Gen Zers are growing up. Many of them love to travel and if they work full-time, they like flexibility. They have some uncertainty about the world today but so many of them have plans for the future and are excited about the prospects.

Born after the Millennials and before Generation Alpha, many of my nieces, nephews, neighbors and young friends who happen to be Gen Zers say rather vocally that they don’t like some of the things that Baby Boomers do but I stop them right there. There’s no use in offending anyone.

Right now it’s the Gen Zers who fascinate me. They are getting older, getting married and starting to raise families. They will make an impact on our society sooner than the individuals

from Generation Alpha and Generation Beta. We will see how they perceive the world around them - and how they see their own microcosm of a world. It will be interesting because many of their values differ from those of us who are Baby Boomers. That’s not to say it’s right or wrong, just that it’s different. Whenever I speak with Gen Zers they always strike me as being proud of who they are. My nephew, Joe, is a Gen Zer and he does whatever he possibly can to help the environment. He has other causes such as protecting animal rights but says he finds it hard to do everything he wants to do for the world. What traits Generation Beta will have all depends on a lot of things: society, the environment, inflation or deflation, the job market and more. I wonder if they will prefer working remotely or if they will like the camaraderie of working with other people in an office setting. I wonder lots of things about tomorrow’s workplace because it’s so up in the air right now. And predicting the future? That indeed is hard to do.

MostGrandchildBeautiful

Dee Berger shared this photo of 3-year-old Mya, who adores her big brother. “She spontaneously will tell him she loves him and will give him a hug,” Dee said. “It is beautiful to observe their relationship! Mya also loves taking ballet which she started over the summer. Mya goes to day care and is very nice to her friends. At this time, she is Minnie Mouse’s biggest fan!”

‘I’ll Tell You What’s Wrong With Social Security!’

BY TOM MARGENAU

Every single day, more than a few of the emails I get from readers start out with this (or a similar) phrase: “I’ll tell you what’s wrong with Social Security!” They proceed to do just that. Sadly, their little rant is almost wrong and based on a misunderstanding of Social Security rules or misinformation they picked up -- usually off the internet.

These diatribes are of two main types: either political or program-related. I’m not going to deal with the political ones today. I’ve concluded that it is not worth it. People will spout off the most ridiculous nonsense to me about the politics or financing of Social Security. And when I try to set the record straight, they almost always write back and tell me they don’t believe me. So I figure: Why bother?

But on the program and policy side, I still can help people understand the way Social Security works. Let’s go over some of them.

Q: I’ll tell you what’s wrong with Social Security. There are too many multiple wives getting benefits on one guy’s record. A guy can have three or four or even more wives, and all of them can collect on his account. No wonder the system is going broke!

A: I suppose anything is possible. But the situation you describe is highly unlikely. I worked for the Social Security Administration for 32 years. During that time, I probably saw 100,000 Social Security records. Only once do I remember a case where three wives were getting benefits from one guy’s account. I never saw four or more. Even two spouses on one record isn’t as common as you might think.

And why is that? It would be very rare for a guy to have multiple wives all of whom never worked and never remarried. In other words, lots of these ex-wives have worked. So they are much more likely to get their own retirement benefit than a much smaller spousal benefit. And most times, a divorced woman will remarry. Once she does that, she loses her eligibility for benefits from her ex-husband.

Q: I’ll tell you what’s wrong with Social Security. It’s all these benefits that are paid to women who never worked a day in their lives. Get rid of these welfare benefits and the system would be flush with cash!

A: I hear this a lot. And as I’ve pointed out before, many of the complaints I’ve heard about this issue come from working women. I’m not going to touch the social debate between working women and stayat-home moms with a 10-foot pole. I will, however, comment on the Social Security angle.

Ever since 1939, the law has said that a retiree’s dependent wife should qualify for a partial spousal benefit. (Benefits to dependent husbands were added years later, but for today’s column, I’m sticking with

the issue of wives.) The law is essentially saying that because a guy with a stay-athome wife supported that wife with his income while he was working, the Social Security taxes he paid on that income should support his wife after he retires with spousal benefits.

Q: I’ll tell you what’s wrong with Social Security. I always knew that children of a parent who dies can get Social Security survivor benefits. That makes sense. But I just learned that they recently added benefits to the children of a living retiree. And that makes no sense. No wonder the system is in trouble!

A: Benefits to the children of retirees have been around since 1939; they were not “recently added.” Anyway, those benefits are based on the same concept discussed in the last answer: dependency. Once again, the law assumes the guy was supporting those kids while he was working, and now that he’s retired, the Social Security taxes he paid should go toward supporting his kids with dependent benefits. Two more quick points: I wasn’t being sexist by referring to a “guy.” Due to obvious biological reasons, it would be very unusual for a woman in her 60s to have a minor child still living at home. Also, even if you still think the children of retirees should not get benefits, you are not going to save Social Security by eliminating them. Those benefits are a tiny drop in Social Security’s big bucket.

Q: I’ll tell you what’s wrong with Social Security. Most people might not know this, but Social Security benefit calculations are always rounded down. This is a sneaky process the bureaucrats invented to cheat senior citizens out of the money they are rightfully due!

A: Government employees don’t have the authority to do things like this, but Congress does. Back in the 1980s, they were looking for ways to cut down on government spending. The came up with the idea of rounding down the “cents” part of all Social Security calculations. For example, if your actual benefit amount comes out to $2,854.32, that will be rounded down to $2,854. Those pennies add up to millions of dollars in savings for the government every year.

I said the myths I tackle in today’s column wouldn’t be political, but I just have to include this final one. It’s not really about politics; it’s about politicians and Social Security.

Q: I’ll tell you what’s wrong with Social Security. It’s the fact that Social Security rules are made by people who have no stake in the system. Congress, and all federal employees for that matter, have their own cushy retirement system that none of us normal people have access to. We are stuck with a failing Social Security system. If we could force Congress to become part

of Social Security, they would fix the program tomorrow!

A: Your idea perpetuates a common myth about Social Security. In fact, since 1984, all federal government employees,

including the president and all members of Congress, have paid into Social Security. Now it is true that if they want, they can

Continued on next page

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Will our national debt be the tipping point?

Our national debt is approximately 35.28 trillion as of July 2024. It is 120.2% of our GDP. However, as bad as that might be, according to The World Bank, Japan’s National Debt to GDP is 220.5% and France’s National Debt to GDP is 116.5% . It is very apparent that major world economies are in debt up to their eyeballs and there appears to be no end in sight or an immediate solution. The countries of Japan, China, The United Kingdom, Belgium, and Luxembourg are those that are our largest creditors with amounts owed to them. However, according to the U.S. Treasury, federal debts of 24.6 trillion are held by the public comprise the largest amounts owed.

The National Debt has increased during wars and recessions, and then substantially decreases over time. However, with all the wars that we are currently financially and physically involved in, and with I firmly believe the current recession we are now experiencing (that some say we are not yet in), how can our debt decrease?

We must take positive proactive steps in the right direction and decrease government spending, while still keeping a strong and modern military force to protect us against our foreign adversaries. When families have to sacrifice and cut back their spending so to should our government!

Creating more money out of thin air has always been the supposed failsafe solution or temporary bandaid fix; but was it really? This only spurs on exacerbates greater inflation and dilutes the value of our currency. Our reserve

currency in the world is being threatened by the Brics nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, (also includes: Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates).

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

Approximately 90% of all currency trading globally is still conducted with U.S. dollars. However, in 2023 1/5 of oil trades were completed with non-U.S. dollars. What is really disheartening and discouraging is over the next 5-10 years other currencies or possibly one major currency will threaten our reserve currency status and become the dominant one for world transactions.

That being said, with all our debt, the effect on our real estate will be monumental. When Baby Boomers pass on, how will GenZ, Gen X and all other future buyers have the money to purchase the existing homes? Will student debt of our children be a continued detriment to becoming homeowners? Will they become the new lifelong renters? Will their longterm future wealth be stifled and be decreased?

Paul Volcker was the Fed Chair under President Jimmy Carter from 1979-1983 and under President Ronald Regan from 1984-1987. His very tight monetary policy during that period increased the Fed Funds rate to historic highs thereby increasing mortgage rates to as high as 18.5%. Inflation went as high as 14.8%. Housing inventory increased and as this occurred,

home prices decreased. Also, this assisted new home buyers as many mortgages (FHA, VA and USDA loans) were assumable. Interested in moving to states with assumable mortgages? Then check out Realtor.com February 29 2024; an article by Hannah Jones about these assumable mortgages and what metro areas have the largest concentration. Today 1 in 4 Government backed mortgages provided over the last 5 years are assumable.

My professional opinion is that we need Jerome Powell to be as tough as Paul Volcker. In order for housing prices to decrease we need rates to stay higher, decreasing demand. This in turn unfortunately will cause more layoffs, as more will need to sell thereby potentially increasing inventory.

This may seem to be counterintuitive and not common sense, but we need to go through some increased Paul Volcker like “tough love” in order for our markets to stabilize and prices to decrease and allow more to affored to purchase. Lowering rates will only cause greater demand and more inflation causing housing prices to continue increasing. Today we have 2 bubbles, housing prices and credit card debt.

As I have said many times in the past we are losing our population to other less costly states, decreasing our tax base and raising everyone else’s costs, especially real estate taxes. This will be a huge negative for our local

economy and a never ending cycle if fresh ideas and solutions don’t materialize.

Some will agree and some will not, but look back when Paul Volcker was Fed Chair and you will see that his methods of cooling the economy and reducing inflation worked quite successfully. Unfortunately, I cannot make any sense of the figures that we are provided by the U.S. Labor Dept as well as other agencies. Consumer spending is 70% of our economy. On the one hand they want us to slow spending and on the other hand they want us to continue; which we obviously are successfully doing. Just look at the rate of credit card debt going up every month, because consumers have run out of money and are not able to pay it back. As I said, we are in a recession and as the expression goes “between a rock and a hard place.” We surely do not want to go into a depression, but, if we keep going in this fashion,with no light at the end of the tunnel, this just might happen.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. 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: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.Com or via https:// WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com

Fueling Fall Sports

Continued from previous page have extra taxes withheld from their paycheck that can be directed into a savings plan intended to augment their Social Security benefits. But this is no different than 401(k) and 403(b) plans available to many folks in the private sector.

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon.com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net.

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

Continued from page 2

veggie wraps spread with hummus and filled with veggies, feta or other cheese, chicken or turkey and a light vinaigrette. Try to combine protein with vegetables with whole grains.

No. 4: For dinner, don’t be afraid of carbs -- carbohydrates are the most important fuel for an athlete. Carbs are stored as fuel inside muscles -- the only fuel the body can use for power moves. For dinner, think whole-wheat spaghetti with a meat sauce, salad, whole grain Italian bread and plenty of milk to drink. It’s a great recovery meal after a hard practice or a great before-game meal to load some carbohydrates.

No. 5: For snacks, think a hard-boiled egg, fresh fruit, veggies with hummus,

string cheese and whole-grain crackers, Greek yogurt or seasoned air-popped popcorn and almonds. Have your athlete drink plenty of water and eat a light snack before practice, such as half a turkey sandwich or an orange and a handful of nuts. After practice or a game, refuel with chocolate milk, a low-sugar sports drink, a banana, Greek yogurt or a handful of trail mix.

Q and A

Q: I know that greens are supposed to be good for me, but I don’t know which ones I should eat. Where should I start?

A: Greens are otherwise known as leafy vegetables. And while “greens” is the generic heading, there are different types of these healthy vegetables, each with its own flavor. Collards are some

of the most popular, perhaps because of their dense flavor and the fact that they get better and sweeter after the first frost hits them. Mustard greens are a bit tangier and have an almost mustard-like zing to them. It’s also fun to mix greens -- collard, mustard and even turnip tops. Kale is also a green. Try greens in a salad or cooked. Both ways are full of flavor and rich in nutrients.

Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois, and the current president of the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For comments or questions, contact her at charfarg@aol.com or follow her on Twitter @NutritionRD. .

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

Youthful Drivers, Level Pay Plans and Windfalls

BY MARY HUNT

Get ready for another round of your burning questions and my hopefully nottoo-scorched answers as we tackle the financial dilemmas that can make even the savviest penny-pincher break into a sweat -- from the joys of insuring your teenage driver (and by joys, I mean sticker shock) to the temptation of throwing every windfall at those relentless credit cards, I’ve got some tips to help you navigate these tricky waters with your sanity -- and your budget -- intact.

Dear Cheapskate: We need help figuring out how to get a better deal on our teenage daughter’s automobile insurance. Learning how expensive it is nearly took our breath away. -Nancy W.

Dear Nancy: Welcome to the world of teenage drivers -- a place where your heart races not just because they’re behind the wheel but because you’re the one footing the insurance bill. While I can’t magically make it cheap (because insuring a teenager is just about as pricey as their taste in clothes), there are a few tricks to soften the blow. First, make sure you’re with a company that dishes out discounts for good grades. Then, lay down the law: no good grades, no car keys. Next, if your insurer offers a

discount for taking driver’s ed, sign her up for a qualified course faster than you can say “parallel park.” Lastly, consider bumping up your deductible. Going from a $250 to a $1,000 deductible could knock about 20% off your premium. Just be sure you can actually come up with that deductible if, heaven forbid, she finds out what the bumper of the car really does.

Dear Cheapskate: My electricity company offers a level pay plan. They take the average of my bills for the past 12 months to determine my flat monthly amount for each month in the coming year. I’ve become very budget conscious and wonder if you would recommend that I accept this option? -- Linda F.

Dear Linda: Level pay plans are like the comfort food of budgeting -- they just make everything feel a bit more predictable. If you like knowing exactly how much your utility bill will be each month, then this option is your new best friend. It’s great for planning and avoiding those nasty surprises when the air conditioning’s been running 24/7. Just remember, once a year, they’ll tally up your actual usage. If you’ve been frugal, you might get a little refund. But if you’ve splurged on keeping the house at igloo temperatures, you’ll have to cough up the difference. The only downside? You might get

a little too comfy with that steady bill and forget that cutting back here and there could save you even more.

Dear Cheapskate: I will be receiving a windfall of about $8,000 in the next couple of months. I do not have any type of savings or what I know that you call a “contingency fund.” I’ve been using every spare dollar to rapidly pay off my credit card debts. Should I start a contingency fund with this money or use it to pay down my debts even faster? -- Donna G. Dear Donna: Ah, the sweet, sweet temptation of paying off those debts! I get it. Slapping that windfall onto your credit cards would feel like a victory lap. But here’s the thing -- without a safety net, you’re one unexpected disaster away from falling right back into those debt-laden arms. Trust me, it’s a lot less fun the second time around. So, as much as it might sting, I’m going to play the responsible adult card here and say: Stash that cash. Start building your contingency fund with at least three months’ worth of expenses -- six if you really want to sleep soundly at night. That way, when life throws you a curveball (because it will), you can dodge it without messing up your debt payoff progress. Park that money somewhere safe, like Ally Online Savings or SmartyPig. Both are Federal

Deposit Insurance Corp.-insured, and they’ll let you build up your fund bit by bit, making it easier to stay on track and out of debt.

Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “DebtProof Living.”

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

How to Unshrink a Sweater, Paying Taxes and More

BY MARY HUNT

I love it when I open my email to find a question that makes me go “Oh, boy. Do I know about that feeling! That’s exactly what happened to me. Been there, done that!”

Today’s first great reader question is a perfect example. Yep, I’ve gone to get rid of shrunken clothing because I didn’t know there was a possible remedy. But now I do, and you’re about to know too!

Dear Mary: Thank you for your many helpful articles. In a past column, you wrote about how to unshrink a wool sweater. All I can remember is that it involved baby shampoo. Could you print the instructions again? Thanks! -- Linda

Dear Linda: Sure. Here it is: Mix a solution of 1 gallon lukewarm water and 2 tablespoons baby shampoo. Soak the gar-

ment for about 10 minutes. Now the important part: Don’t rinse! Simply blot out all the excess water with a dry towel and gently lay it flat on a fresh towel. Reshape slowly, and carefully stretch it back to its original size. Do not dry in direct sunlight or heat.

This tip comes from the Woolmark Company (formerly known as the Wool Bureau), which verifies that this technique will work provided the fibers have not become permanently damaged.

Dear Mary: We recently inherited our father’s property after he died, and the title has been put in our names and transferred to us. A few months ago, we discovered that there is a lien on the property for unpaid taxes. How do we resolve this situation? Are we obligated to pay the taxes? -- Julia

Dear Jules: The property owners of

record are legally responsible for clearing that lien or otherwise suffering the consequences. With the asset comes all outstanding liabilities. My advice is that you pay this lien in full to stop the fees and penalties that are surely accruing. As long as that lien exists, the county or state in which the property is located could have the legal right to sell it out from under you for the current amount of taxes owed. You don’t want that to happen!

Dear Mary: Would I get my husband’s pension, 401(k) and IRA if he were to die? -- Riley

Dear Riley: Yes, provided your husband named you as the sole beneficiary of those plans. Most plans have a stipulation that if the beneficiary is anyone other than the spouse, the husband or wife must consent in writing to prevent any surprises.

Upon your husband’s death, the rules

that applied to him for getting his pension, 401(k) and IRA would apply to his beneficiary. For example, if your husband were to die before the minimum withdrawal date (age 59 1/2), you would have to wait until that date to withdraw funds without a penalty, regardless of your age. Hope that helps.

Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “DebtProof Living.”

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of September 8-14, 2024

The planet Saturn returns to our evening sky this week, and I think anyone who has ever seen it through a telescope would argue that it is their favorite of all.

I know that some prefer the Red Planet Mars or the glistening crescent of Venus. Personally, I like the amazing cloud bands and moons of Jupiter. But Saturn ... it just captures the imagination like no other.

While Saturn looks much like Jupiter, though smaller, it’s the beautiful ring system that gives this planet a unique appearance. Even a small instrument with a magnifying power of only 30x or so will easily let you see these rings.

I’ve been showing the public this planet for more than 50 years, and I’ve heard all kinds of oohs and aahs. The best reaction I’ve ever heard, however, was from a gentleman from Italy just last year. Upon gazing at the remarkably three-dimensional ringed world hanging in the blackness of space, he gasped and exclaimed: “Bellissimo!”

Now that was a reaction worth remembering!

Saturn reaches its annual “opposition” point early this week, when it lies in our sky directly opposite the sun, rising in the east-southeast at sunset and

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

“Hey honey, I just found out I can make a meatloaf in the slow cooker,” I told my husband.

“No offense,” said my husband, “but we don’t even really like the meatloaf you make the regular way.” I frowned. I couldn’t be mad at him because I knew it was true. I did not have the greatest meatloaf reputation. When it came to making a dish as basic as meatloaf, I was something of a ground beef failure. No matter how diligently I watched the meat thermometer and poked my meatloaves to see if they were done, they still always came out dry and cakey. They weren’t really meatloaves. They were more like meatbricks. In my defense, I come from a long line of lousy meatloaf makers. My great-grandmother brought her lousy meatloaf recipe over from the old country. She called it “mitlof,” which is loosely translated to mean “large ball of

STARGAZERS

The Ringed World Saturn

glistening all night long. Its opposition also means that the planet is closest to the Earth. This week, Saturn lies only about 805 million miles from us and, as a result, it appears larger than at any other time.

Finding Saturn in the sky isn’t too tough. Look for a bright “star” low in the eastern sky just after dark. You should have little trouble finding it because it’s the only bright object in that area of the sky. It will remain in our evening sky throughout the summer and autumn months, drifting westward from summer to fall to winter, but only during the next month or so can we expect the largest view with a small telescope.

What makes Saturn appear unusual right now is that its rings are turned almost edge-on to our line of sight. These rings are nearly 180,000 miles wide -- if brought to Earth they would nearly fill the space between our planet and the moon -- but less than a mile thick. Because of their current orientation, they appear quite thin. In fact, next year the ring plane will lie almost directly along our line of sight, and the rings will be nearly impossible to see. Don’t worry, though, they’ll be back. Over the next few years, we’ll see them begin to “open up” once again, reaching their maximum exposure to us in 2032.

Sometimes a telescope allows us to see Saturn’s pastel cloud bands, but they are pretty subtle and we need

excellent atmospheric conditions and optics to spot them. And if that’s not enough, Titan, Saturn’s largest and brightest moon, frequently appears with even the smallest of instruments as a tiny “star” nearby, as do several of its smaller moons that orbit the planet.

Now’s a great time to break out your

telescope, or visit your local amateur astronomy club, to get a view of this stunningly beautiful world. When you do, I’m pretty sure you’ll agree with my Italian friend: “Bellissimo!”

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.

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meat you chew forever.” She passed the lousy meatloaf recipe on to my grandmother, who passed the lousy meatloaf recipe on to my mother, who handed it down to me. Not wanting to break with tradition, I persisted. But the next time I made my great-grandmother’s mitlof when my kids came to visit, it was overwhelmingly panned by the meatloaf critics in my house.

“Sorry mom, but there isn’t enough ketchup in the world to save this,” said my son.

“You killed the meatloaf,” said my daughter. “You’re a meatloaf murderer.”

“On the bright side, honey, if you had a couple hundred of these, we could use them to pave the driveway,” said my husband.

“That bad, huh?” I replied.

“Yeah, but think of all the money we could save on stone pavers.”

The writing was on the wall. It was clear I needed a meatloaf intervention.

So I asked a friend of mine who made world-renowned meatloaf, and she told me she made the most delicious, moist meatloaf in her slow cooker. I begged her for the recipe.

“It’s so easy,” she said. “You mix all the ingredients together, make a loaf shape, put it in the slow cooker on low, and in four hours it’s done.”

“That’s it?” I said.

“Turns out great every time.”

I was dubious but I’d never seen her kids boycott dinner on meatloaf night like mine had, or her dog walk away from the meatloaf when it fell on the floor like my dog did, or her get a cease-and-desist notice from the Health Department like I did, so I decided to give it a try.

I followed all her instructions for making the meatloaf, lined my slow cooker, then added the loaf and hit start.

Without being chained to the oven to keep checking on the meatloaf, I went

out for a few uninterrupted hours of shopping. Drunk with meatloaf freedom, I hit up the bookstore and bought several recipe books for slow cookers. I went to the cookware store and bought some new oven mitts that didn’t have burn marks on them. And I went to the drugstore to buy a bottle of antacid ... just in case.

Four hours later I got home and ran to the slow cooker to check out my delicious, new, juicy meatloaf.

I yanked off the top and peered in.

As I stared down at my meatloaf, I realized I had forgotten one crucial step in the slow cooker recipe: Plug it 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.

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This week is a perfect time to view the ringed planet Saturn.

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EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

CUSTODIAL POSITION

AVAILABLE FULL TIME

A local Garden City church is seeking a full-time custodian. Some evening hours are required. For more information, please call the Business Office at 516-746-1700.

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EMPLOYMENT

MUSICAL THEATRE TEACHER

Broadway Bound Dance Center of Garden City is seeking a talented Musical Theatre teacher to join our team! If you have a passion for teaching singing and acting, we would love to hear from you. Hours are 4pm-7pm Fridays. September through June. If you’re enthusiastic about inspiring young performers and have a background in musical theatre, please contact us: 516-616-1601 to apply. We look forward to hearing from you!

SITUATION WANTED

A HOME AIDE/CAREGIVER

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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

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Getting married?

Email editor@gcnews.com to put your engagement/wedding announcement in the paper.

LAST HOPE ANIMAL RESCUE THRIFT SHOP

274 NEW YORK AVE, HUNTINGTON 11743 (north of 25A)

DAYS & HOURS: THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY FROM 10AM TO 3PM

The Last Hope Thrift Shop is a treasure trove. We have home decor — new & vintage, holiday decorations, small appliances, pet products, toys, unique one-of-a-kind finds, plus new clothing with tags or in good condition and accessories, handbags and jewelry (silver, gold, costume and vintage) and much more.

If you love the thrill of the hunt, please come down get some great buys and support our cause.Your Thrift Shop Purchases and Donations can be magically turned into veterinary care, pet spay/neuters, pet supplies, transport fees and everything needed to care for our homeless dogs and cats.

More VOLUNTEERS Needed so we can be open more days. Email joannascheps@aol.com for additional information. Donations accepted at the Thrift Store when it is OPEN or at Last Hope in Wantagh, if labeled “Thrift Shop”. Please do not leave donations outside. We cannot take books other than animal or pet books, VCR tapes, picture frames, full sets of dishes or glasses.

Slow cook some spicy wings for the big game

Spicy Soy Chicken Wings

The games garner the bulk of fans’ attention when football season kicks off each year at the end of summer. While the exciting action on the gridiron is a cause for celebration among millions of football fans, the food enjoyed during game day provides much to look forward to as well.

Certain foods have become part and parcel of watching a particular sport. For example, who can attend a baseball game and resist the temptation to indulge in a hot dog? For football fans, chicken wings are the go-to game day dish. There’s no shortage of ways to prepare chicken wings, but fans who like their game day grub to have a little kick can try this recipe for “Spicy Soy Chicken Wings” courtesy of Andrew Schloss’s “Cooking Slow: Recipes for Slowing Down and Cooking More” (Chronicle Books). Makes 4 servings

4 lbs. chicken wings, cut into sections at the joints, tapered wing tips trimmed and discarded Coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

2⁄3 cup soy sauce

2⁄3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

1. Combine the chicken wing pieces with a generous amount of salt and pepper in a large zippered plastic bag. Close the bag tightly and refrigerate for at least 12 hours or up to 24 hours.

2. Preheat the oven to 225° F. Transfer the chicken to a baking dish in a single layer without crowding.

3. In a small saucepan, stir together the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, cayenne, chili powder, and garlic and heat to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Pour over the chicken.

4. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and cook until the chicken is nearly falling off the bone, about 3 hours.

1 teaspoon dark sesame oil

1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1⁄8 teaspoon hot chili powder, preferably habanero

2 garlic cloves, minced

5. Raise the oven temperature to 450 F and continue baking until the chicken browns and the sauce thickens into a glaze, about 10 minutes longer. Watch carefully near the end of the cooking time to avoid burning. Toss the wings in the sauce to coat and serve.

Variation: In a slow cooker:

Follow the recipe, cooking the chicken in a 6-quart slow cooker on high for 3 to 4 hours, instead of a baking dish in the oven. When the wings are cooked through, transfer to a bowl. Simmer the sauce with the lid of the cooker off until it thickens, about 10 minutes longer. Toss the wings in the thickened sauce and serve.

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Car show returns to TOBAY Beach on September 22

Long Island’s largest and most premier car show experience returns to TOBAY Beach on Sunday, September 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  “Car Show Long Island” features hundreds of automobiles, trucks, military vehicles, and emergency service vehicles. A live concert performed by Vinyl Revival will take place during the day, followed by trophy presentations. The event is free for spectators. Free shuttle bus service will now also be offered to all Car Show Long Island spectators with convenient pickup and drop-off located at Jones Beach Field 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..

Supervisor Saladino stated, “Whether you’re a proud classic car owner or you want to see the latest and greatest automobiles in the world, Car Show Long Island is the place to be!  With a diverse range of vehicles showcased, car enthusiasts will have the opportunity to admire and interact with some of the most impressive cars around. This free family-fun event is a perfect way to spend the day, all with the beautiful backdrop of TOBAY Beach. Spectators can check out cool cars, vendors, exhibits and enjoy live music while surrounded by Long

Island’s best classic, muscle, antique and exotic cars.”

Car Show Long Island’s 2024 TOBAY Beach Spring Classic features some of the hottest and most classic cars in the tri-state region. While enjoying live music performed by Vinyl Revival and great eats from the Food Truck Corral presented by Eagle Chevy Performance, thousands of spectators are expected throughout the day to get up close and personal with Long Island’s best classic, muscle, antique and exotic cars. Trophies will be awarded in each class, and children will have a say when deeming which rides are their favorites in the Kids’ Choice Award. Car Show Long Island’s 2024 TOBAY Beach Spring Classic is being presented by: Optimum, Signarama of Huntington and Whitey’s Tire Services of Brooklyn.

Classic Car enthusiasts and spectators can also grab a bite to eat from the food truck corral, and can also check out numerous vendors and displays. A rain date of September 29 has been arranged. For more information, visit www.carshowli.com, call (516) 797-4121 or e-mail carshowli@oysterbay-ny.gov.

Grand opening

Receiver of Taxes

attended the grand opening of Ten Rings Archery Long Island, located on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown, on August 23, 2024. Also attending were New York State Senator Steve Rhoads and Congressman Anthony D’Esposito.

Hempstead Town Councilman Dennis Dunne (second right), Town Clerk Kate Murray (left) and

Jeanine Driscoll (third right)

Upcoming Events at the Jericho Public Library

Friday, September 6

10:00 a.m.: The Ultimate Brain Teaser Stations Experience - Get ready to spice up your Fridays with a brain workout bonanza! Challenge your mind with puzzles, games, and endless fun! No registration required!

4:00 p.m.: Lego Buddies (Grades 1 to 6) - Build a Lego creation with the help of teen volunteers. Teens will assist kids in creating Lego structures that display their creativity and ingenuity.

4:00 p.m.: Teen Community Service Event: Lego Buddies - Earn 1 hour of community service credit helping younger children make Lego masterpieces with our large collection of Lego pieces.

Saturday, September 7th

10:30 a.m.: Tiny Songbirds (Ages 18 Months to Pre-K) - Music in early childhood helps to improve motor skills, language, manage emotions and promote creativity while building self-esteem and having fun!

Sunday, September 8

2:00 p.m.: HYBRID: The Nassau County Historical Society presents: Experiencing the British Occupation on Long Island - David Griffen, known for his works “Chronicles of the British Occupation of Long Island” (2023) and “Lost British Forts of Long Island” (2017), will lead a session titled “Experiencing the British Occupation on Long Island.”

From 1776 to 1783, Long Island was under British military control, leaving lasting marks and challenging experiences that lingered. Join author David M. Griffin as he shares gripping stories about life during the British occupation of Long Island and the fight for freedom in the Revolutionary War.

Monday, September 9

9:30 a.m.: Book Donations - The Library will be accepting donations of patrons’ gently used books, CDs and DVDs to be sold at our Annual Book Sale. Please

Special Events for Readers at the Syosset Public Library

Tuesday, September 17, at 2 p.m.

Fall Author Visit with Carol Hoenig

Enjoy an afternoon at the library with Long Island author Carol Hoenig, who will join us to discuss the writing of her 2024 novel, “Before She Was a Finley,” in which a young journalism student is assigned to meet with a nursing home resident to hear their story. Books will be sold at the event by the Friends of the Library and can be signed by the author (cash only). No registration.

Tuesday, September 24, at 2 p.m.

Banned Book Discussion

Join Kaye Spurrell, Readers’ Services Librarian, at the library for a special Banned Book Discussion of the Pulitzer Prize winning graphic novel, “Maus I: A Survivor’s Tale: My Father Bleeds History” by Art Spiegelman. Copies of the book will be available at the Circulation Desk one month before the discussion. No registration.

The library is located at 225 South Oyster Bay Road, Syosset. For more information please email  Readersservices@ syossetlibrary.org

*All events are wheelchair accessible

leave donations beneath the overhang in the back of the library on the JPL Donation Cart. Donated items will become the property of the Jericho Public Library. Use of these items is at the sole discretion of the Library.

2:00 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Profiles with Dr. William Thierfelder: QUEEN BOUDICA OF THE CELTS - This program aims to introduce Boudica, an extraordinary historical figure, to those unfamiliar with her. Known for leading a rebellion against the Romans, she was a formidable leader who left a mark on Western History. Boudica's actions included defeating a Roman army, burning Londinium, and causing significant casualties. Her story raises questions about her motives, leadership as a woman, and continues to inspire.

Tuesday, September 10

9:30 a.m.: IN-PERSON: Adult Walking Club (Weather Permitting)All levels, all abilities are welcome. Join us for a 45 minute walk around the neighborhood. It’s an opportunity to get some exercise, meet new people, spend time with a friend and enjoy some conversation.

2:00 p.m.: VIRTUAL: 9/11 with Sylvia Laudien-Meo The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 were a most traumatic experience to the US and the world. Creative responses were a central part of the mourning and healing process and they came in many varied forms. Street Murals were part of these immediate responses and survive in photographs, some taken by the leading photojournalist Martha Cooper. The first memorials were spontaneous, makeshift, created by the communities, often based on found symbolism. Permanent memorials like Michael Arad’s “Reflecting Absence” took a long time to

See what’s happening at your library!

Check this paper each week for fun and informative all-ages activities, like classes, lectures, concerts, movie screenings, and more, all for free or cheap!

thoughtfully plan and realize; many of them are places along the NYC waterfronts with views of the WTC site and incorporate remnants of the Twin Towers. Fine artists’ responses tend to be more personal and fragile, focusing on the more ephemeral. Each one of these works helps us cope with a catastrophe that is so difficult to express in words.

4:00 p.m.: Board of Trustees Meeting

The public is invited to attend the monthly Jericho Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting.

Wednesday, September 11

10:30 a.m.: Songs for Baby's Day (Ages Birth to 30 Months) Come and enjoy this literacy building, fun, and educational musical storytime!

Thursday, September 12

6:30 p.m.: Transform Your Table with Wrapped Salad Server Spoons Transform a set of basic salad servers into attractive utensils you would be proud to use or give as a gift!

Friday, September 13

10:00 a.m.: The Ultimate Brain Teaser Stations Experience Get ready to spice up your Fridays with a brain workout bonanza! Challenge your mind with puzzles, games, and endless fun! No registration required!

4:00 p.m.: Falling for Trees with the Whaling Museum (Ages 3–5) Watch out! It's that time of year when acorns, seedpods, and pinecones are falling from the trees. Learn about local Long Island trees and discover how shipbuilders used them to build wooden whaling ships. Have fun making and playing with your own spinning whirligig toy and decorate a wooden acorn ornament to take home!

This Week at the Syosset Public Library

Friday, September 6, at 2:00 p.m.

Friday Movie at the Library (IN-PERSON)

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

Tuesday, September 10, from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Meet & Greet with Assemblyman Jake Bllumencranz (IN-PERSON)

Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz invites you to a “Coffee Break with Jake”. Please come and visit, enjoy some refreshments and discuss the local issues most important to you! No appointment needed.

Thursday, September 12, at 2:00 p.m

The Odd Couple (IN-PERSON)

Presenter: Larry Wolff, film historian

Listen to the story of your favorite mismatched pair. From the Broadway show to hit film and then a classic television series, this remains a crowd favorite. You will learn how the casting came about for each pairing and why the setting of the television show changed after the first season. Enjoy viewing some highlights from the shows. No registration needed.

Friday, September 13, at 2:00 p.m.

Friday Movie at the Library (IN-PERSON)

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

Bethpage schools welcome youngest learners

An incoming kindergarten student departs the school bus after his practice ride.

Bethpage Union Free School District warmly welcomed its newest and youngest learners as they embark on their educational journey. On Tuesday, Aug. 27, Charles Champagne School and Kramer Lane School hosted their kindergarten orientations, followed by Central Boulevard School on Thursday, Aug. 29. Each event was led by the building principal, setting the stage for an exciting start to the school year.

Starting kindergarten is always easier with a friend.

The children eagerly explored their new classrooms, where they met their teachers and classmates. Many jumped right in, enthusiastically engaging with the tools and toys available in their vibrant learning spaces.

Upper-grade ambassadors guided small groups of families on tours of the respective campuses, providing a glimpse into the school environment. The incoming kindergarteners also

Some children were immediately comfortable in their classroom and began playing with toys.

Kindergarteners and their parents are welcomed to their new classroom by their teacher.

experienced a brief but exciting school bus ride. At Kramer Lane, students practiced walking through the lunchroom line, learning to confidently state their full name to the cafeteria staff when receiving their lunch.

Despite a few first-day jitters, the children’s excitement was palpable. They are all eagerly anticipating their first official day of elementary school.

An incoming kindergartener sits with her father in her new classroom.

Photos courtesy of Bethpage Union Free School District