Mid-Island Times (10/18/24)

SERVING PLAINVIEW, HICKSVILLE, AND LEVIT TOWN

Road dedicated to honor former Hicksville fire chief

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino recently joined with Hicksville Fire Department Chief Joseph DiFronzo, the Board of Fire Commissioners and all the members of the Hicksville Fire Department in ceremoniously dedicating a stretch of Levittown Parkway in honor of Ex-Chief Owen Magee and his extraordinary lifelong commitment to the fire service.

Supervisor Saladino stated,

“Owen Magee has dedicated his life to protecting our families and community, whether in the United States Navy or in the Hicksville Fire Department. With seven decades of service to others, we proudly dedicate the roadway in front of the Station 4 Firehouse as ‘Ex-Chief Owen Magee Plaza’ and will forever remember Owen for his sacrifices on behalf of our nation and community.”

Owen Magee served in the

United States Navy from 1962 to 1964 and dedicated himself to safeguarding American democracy. He joined the Hicksville Fire Department as a member of Engine Company 7 nearly seven decades ago and pledged himself to protect the lives and property of his neighbors in times of emergency. Owen’s natural leadership qualities were soon realized by his colleagues in the fire service, and he rose through the ranks of his

company as line officer, serving as lieutenant and captain. He ultimately ascended to the position of Chief of Department, where he earned the respect

of his fellow first responders with his unwavering dedication and his expertise as an incident

See page 8

Dogs attack child, adults

Two adults and a child were bitten by a pair of dogs in an incident on Lantern Road in Hicksville on Tuesday, October 15.

According to Nassau County Police, when they arrived at the scene at 12:20 pm they observed two dogs in the attack. After the dogs were secured by animal control, the two adult victims were transported to local area hospitals for treatment of leg injuries. The juvenile victim was airlifted to Cohens Children’s Hospital for treatment of facial injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.

Local officials recently joined with the Hicksville Fire Department to dedicated a stretch of Levittown Parkway in honor of Ex-Chief Owen Magee.

Smok-Haus wins Empire Award

Recently New York State Senator Steve Rhoads joined the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce meeting to present Smok-Haus owner Manny Voumvourakis with the New York State Empire Award. The Empire Award recognizes outstanding businesses in New York State committed to community philanthropy and operational excellence. Senator Rhoads applauded Smok-Haus’ success after expanding into Hicksville after running a successful operation in Garden City. The business has supported countless community events, organizations, and the library.

Women bowlers needed

The Mercy Ladies Bowling League is looking for women bowlers. The group bowls on Fridays at 9:45 a.m. at Syosset Lanes.

The fee is $16 for three games, includ-

ing shoes and ball, as well as an end-ofseason luncheon. If interested in joining, please leave a message at 516-931-4106

Hicksville Water Dist. to begin f lushing mains

The Hicksville Water District (HWD) will be flushing water mains throughout its service area as a part of its regular Distribution System Maintenance Program starting on October 20 through October 25 between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. to minimize the impact on the community. The flushing will be focused in the southwest quadrant of the District service area, which is west of Jerusalem Avenue and south of Old Country Road. Residents should remember that their water is absolutely safe to drink during this period.

“Our integrity of our infrastructure is crucial to our ability to provide residents with efficient water service, and our annual fall flushing program is an

drink, although there may be some slight changes in water pressure or color.”

The HWD flushes its water mains each year to protect the integrity of the water supply. Flushing allows the District to guard against possible accumulation of dissolved chemicals in water mains that has occurred during the past year. The flushing program also provides an opportunity for the District to check for leaks and test water pressure. It also allows the District to determine the water’s pH level and color, as well as to make exact calculations on rates of water flow, adding to its importance in the District’s water distribution practices.

Slight water pressure variations or discolored water conditions may occur during the flushing process, and water uses such as laundering of clothes may be affected due to coloration of water. If the water in your home does become discolored, it can be solved quickly by running your cold-water faucets until the

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Hicksville Board of Education meeting highlights students

Hicksville High School junior Haley Gonzales was recognized at the Sept. 18 Board of Education meeting for her outstanding wrestling achievements. She is pictured with family members, her coach, Board members and administration.

At the Sept. 18 Board of Education meeting, Hicksville Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ted Fulton highlighted Hicksville High School students Haley Gonzales and Kimberly Widjaja. Both students were recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the Hicksville school community.

Haley is one of the fiercest competitors in the sport of wrestling on Long Island and in New York State, always representing herself, her family, Hicksville High School and Hicksville wrestling with strength, class and dignity. Some of her recent achievements include the 2024 Jeff Blatnick New York State Freestyle Championships for 16U at 118 pounds. Additionally, Haley was the 2023 Champion of the Hicksville Comet Classic Tournament and won the MVP Award.

Kimberly Widjaja recently received a Scholar-Artist Award of Merit for Visual Arts from the Long Island Arts Alliance. The Scholar-Artist program is endorsed by the New York State School Music Association, the New York State Art Teachers Association, the Nassau and Suffolk chapters of the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education and the Nassau and Suffolk Art Supervisors Associations.

Additionally, Dr. Fulton acknowledged 17 local organizations for their generosity and ongoing support of Hicksville students by providing school supplies and backpacks in addition to continued encouragement. Representatives from CCNCUSA2024, Chase Bank, Hicksville Boys and

Trunk of Treat 2024

Join the Faith Lutheran Church and School on Saturday, October 26,  for safe family fun trick-or-treating in the parking lot!

If weather is inclement, the event

will be downstairs.

The event will be held from 1–3 p.m. Faith Lutheran is located at 231 Jackson Avenue, Syosset. All are welcome.

Hicksville Supervisor of Fine Arts Chad Wyman, Hicksville Board of Education President Annette Beiner, student Kimberly Widjaja and Hicksville Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ted Fulton.

Girls Club, Horizon Healthcare, Humanity First, IAAC, Indo-American Community Voice, Kiwanis Club of Hicksville, LIDC, Long Island IndoAmerican Lions Club, Metropolitan Caterers, New York South Asian Chamber of Commerce, SAAB, Soni

Center, South Asian Advisory Board, United Way and Wagner Funeral Home were presented with Certificates of Appreciation for supporting Hicksville students.

Photos courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Town plans mega job fair for Oct. 24

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and The Workforce Partnership announced that a Mega Job Fair will take place on Thursday, October 24th, at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center, located at 1001 Stewart Avenue in Bethpage.  There is no charge for admission and parking is free. Doors open at 10am, and the event runs until 1pm.

Employers from across Long Island will be seeking candidates for positions including entry and middle management level, licensed professional, hospitality and food service industries, banking, staffing and individuals with technical and IT experience.

“We’re proud to have helped thousands of residents find meaningful employment through our career center and private sector jobs fair,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino. “The Workforce Partnership and Town of Oyster Bay are committed to helping residents find meaningful employment opportunities as well as assisting local businesses in recruiting qualified employees.  This Mega Job Fair will connect private and public sector employers with job seekers.”

The Town of Oyster Bay serves as administrator of The Workforce Partnership, a consortium of

local governments funded by the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act that provides free valuable resources to both employers and job seekers at Career Centers in Hicksville and Massapequa.  These centers help train employees to meet the needs of the private sector, connecting qualified job seekers with employers, and by assisting applicants in accessing job opportunities.

The Centers offer Resource Rooms, which are equipped with state-of-theart computer workstations, complete with Microsoft software and internet access.  Additionally, these Centers offer residents access to job listings, resource materials, photocopiers, fax machines and telephones.  The Centers provide employability and computer workshops, as well as career counselors who will guide residents through their job search. Computer workshops are taught on-site in modern computer labs. Residents can increase their marketability by updating or acquiring new computer skills at the Centers.

For more information about this program and the many other great services that the Town’s Workforce Partnership program offers, contact (516) 797-4560 or email business@ oysterbay-ny.gov.

Levittown Fall Festival

Hicksville HS hosts Club Fair

Hicksville High School students recently circulated through the school’s gymnasium to explore the Club Fair, learning more about the extracurriculars and programs available to join. Students were happy to know the school offers 42 clubs, including the Helping Hands Club, Mental Health Awareness Club, Robotics, Italian Honor Society, Natural Helpers and Mock Trial Club, among many others.

Family Fall & Halloween Festival

The Town of Oyster Bay will be holding its Family Fall & Halloween Festival on Saturday, October 26, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Marjorie R. Post Community Park, located at 451 Unqua Road in Massapequa.

“This festival is a great opportunity for residents to celebrate Halloween and the fall season with activities that are fun for residents of all ages,” Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. “Families are sure to enjoy all that the festival has to offer, including pumpkin picking and our popular Halloween hayride. Remember, costumes are encouraged!”

The Family Fall & Halloween Festival will feature a ‘U-Pick’ pumpkin patch for children to pick their own pumpkins (while supplies last), Halloween games and giveaways, inflatables, hayride, and food trucks, as well as a special character appearances presented by Royal Events Princess Parties. Costumes for those attending are encouraged!

The Family Fall & Halloween Festival will be held rain or shine. For more information, please call the Town’s Department of Community and Youth Services at (516) 797-7925 or visit oysterbaytown.com.

Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Hempstead Town Councilman Dennis Dunne (third left) attended the Fall Family Fun Day at the Levittown Public Library on October 5. Also attending were Nassau County Legislators Tom McKevitt and John Ferretti, and other friends and neighbors.

Levittown group receives grant to fight drugs

Legislator plans program on tax exemptions

Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold W. Drucker (D – Plainview) will be partnering with the Nassau County Department of Assessment to bring the Homeowner Exemption Liaison Program (HELP) to the Jericho Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

During HELP events, Department of Assessment staff will provide individual assistance with filing for veteran, senior citizen, Cold War veteran, volunteer firefighter and ambulance worker and limited-income disability exemptions. Enhanced STAR applications will also be processed for homeowners already enrolled in the STAR program prior to

Jan. 2, 2015.

All HELP sessions are from 1 p.m. –3 p.m. Participants are asked to arrive no later than one half-hour prior to the scheduled end time for the event. Participants are encouraged to make copies of their 2023 federal and state tax income returns, along with required documentation listed on the exemption application, prior to attending the program.

For more information or to receive a list of necessary documentation, call the Nassau County Department of Assessment at 516-571-1500. The Jericho Public Library is located at 1 Merry Lane, Jericho.

Town to hold inclusive job fair

The Town of Oyster Bay will hold the 2024 Talent Connection Job Expo, a unique event designed to unite Long Island’s employers with differently-abled job seekers. This event will take place on Tuesday, October 29, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Center, located at 1001 Stewart Ave, Bethpage.

“The 2024 Talent Connection Job Expo aims to provide an inclusive platform where differently-abled individuals can connect with recruiters from various industries, explore employment opportunities that match their skills and abilities, and engage with potential employers in a supportive environment,” Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. “We believe that every individual, regardless of ability, has something unique to offer. This job expo is about unlocking those

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possibilities and creating pathways to success.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with recruiters representing several industries, ensuring a diverse range of job opportunities. Whether seeking a new career path or looking to take the next step in your professional journey, this expo is designed to help all differently-abled individuals succeed. Ken Kunken, a motivational speaker and author, will be the featured presenter. Organizations partnering with the Town to make this event possible include: FREE (Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc.), ACLD, and Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing, & Consumer Affairs.

For more information about the 2024 Talent Connection Job Expo, please contact Nicole Esposito at Nesposito@familyres.org or call 516-870-1600 ext. 1697.

US Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-Nassau, Queens) presented an award of $125,000 per year for five years to the Levittown Community Action Coalition (LCAC).

Hicksville Street Fair draws crowds to community

Local leaders recently attended the Hicksville Street Fair, meeting with residents and showing their support for the community. New York State Senator Steve Rhoads, as well as Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz and Legislator Rose Walker were among the dignitaries who attended the fair.

Hosted by the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce, the event showcased the

vibrant spirit of Hicksville as families flocked to enjoy the beautiful weather, unique vendors, fun attractions, and delicious food options. The fair not only served as an opportunity for residents to support their local businesses and community organizations but also fostered a sense of community pride, bringing people together in celebration of their hometown.

New York State Senator Steve Rhoads with a good boy.

Families had a great time at the fair.

Local officials visited the table of the Boy Scouts Council 382.

The Hicksville High School J-Birds had a presence at the fair.

FALL FLAVORS SAVOR TH E

AT THE BRISTAL

Join us at any of The Bristal communities for a festive fall weekend. Indulge in the flavors of the season, prepared by our talented culinary team. Take a tour, view our beautifully appointed apartments & learn more about life at The Bristal.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY OCTOBER 19 & 20

Stop by the community of your choice between 10:00AM - 2:00PM

Take advantage of our fall savings special this weekend only!

To let us know you’re coming, give us a call at 844-953-3599 or scan the QR code to visit: thebristal.com/fallflavors

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME

COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, successor in interest to LaSalle Bank National Association, as Trustee for Lehman XS Trust Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-2, Plaintiff AGAINST Ana D. Salmeron, 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, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 8, 2024 at 3:00PM, premises known as 72 East Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Hicksville, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 45, Block: 64, Lot: 244. Approximate amount of judgment $552,770.84 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #004593/2016. 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". For sale information, please contact XOME at www.Xome.com or call (844) 400-9633 Ralph Madalena, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-078914-F00 82300

LEGAL NOTICES

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of Formation of TNT Roadside Services LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/02/2023. 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 Northwest Registered Agent LLC: 418 Broadway, STE N, Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of Formation of Maxcom LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/28/2023. 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 Incorp Services Inc: One Commerce Plaza - 99 Washington Ave, Suite 805-A, Albany, NY 12210. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of Formation of In-Site Realty LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/11/2000. 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 the LLC: PO Box 406, Jericho, NY 11753. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

NOTICE OF FORMATION of professional service limited liability company (PLLC). Name: Thrive Occupational and Physical Therapy Services PLLC. Articles of Organization filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/18/2024. Office location: Nassau Co. SSNY designated as agent of PLLC upon whom process against it may be served and address SSNY shall mail a copy of process is 6 Arcadia Ln, Hicksville, NY 11801. Purpose: Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy.

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE UNDER THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MAY 1, 2006, GSAMP TRUST 2006-HE3, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006HE3

Plaintiff, Against

MARY MURRAY A/K/A MARY C. MURRAY

Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 09/16/2019, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 11/19/2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 273 North 4th Street, Bethpage, New York 11714, And Described As Follows:

ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being At Bethpage, Town Of Oyster Bay, County Of Nassau And State Of New York.

Section 46 Block 78 Lot 53

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $424,971.27 plus interest and costs.  The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 3901/2015

If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine.

Harold F. Damm, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573

Dated: 10/4/2024    File Number: 17-301460   CA

From page 1

commander.

Ex-Chief Magee, who recently completed 67 years of service with the Department, has become an icon in the fire service throughout Long Island and New York State. He has been an advocate for first responders on every level and has always been willing to do whatever was necessary, to get the job done. Owen has also been a fire prevention instructor and has educated many children throughout Nassau County on this important and potentially lifesaving topic. He has been an outstanding citizen as well as an incredible source of pride for his family and community.

Foodie Week

Continuing efforts to help restaurants recover from the impact of the economic downturn, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, joined by Councilwoman Michele Johnson and Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato, announced the return of Foodie Week — a unique opportunity for dining establishments to showcase their world-class culinary hotspots. This week-long event highlights the finest culinary creations local chefs, bakers, and artisans have to offer, and runs October 13th to October 20th.

Consistent with wellknown New York City standards for similar restaurant promotions, a Long Island Food Critic panel has curated all participating restaurants and evaluates them based on the same set of criteria to help ensure that restaurants are of a similar caliber.  Participation in Foodie Week is free of charge for restaurants located in the Town of Oyster Bay. A full list of participating venues and events are listed at www.FoodieWeek.com. Visit www.FoodieWeek. com for more information.

Old Country Road students “Box Out Bullying”

Old Country Road Elementary students in Hicksville recently participated in a special “Box Out Bullying” assembly, learning how to confront bullying through a live interactive theater performance. The performance made the students laugh, cheer and think.

Students learned to define bullying and identify the different ways in which someone could be bullied. Throughout the program, they were introduced to methods to stop bullying, such as telling an adult and trying to include others who may be left out. Additionally, the actors encouraged the young audience to develop empathy, solve problems, and become resilient and empowered bystanders.

With an entertaining performance, “Box Out Bullying” supported the antibullying initiatives and learning taking place in the school.

About to hit a milestone?

Share your life accomplishments with your neighbors! Put your engagement, wedding, or baby announcement in the paper, (and it's free of charge for subscribers!) Email editor@gcnews.com

Old Country Road students in Hicksville recently enjoyed a special “Box Out Bullying” assembly where they learned to confront bullying through a live interactive theater performance.

Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

October 18, 2024

Wisconsin’s Elkhart Lake, An Intimate Resort Town with World-Class Motor Sports

BY

GERI BAIN FOR TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

“I didn’t know you were into motor sports,” my Midwest friends said when I told them I was going to Elkhart Lake. I’m not, or at least I wasn’t. Before my visit to this popular Wisconsin vacation spot located an hour by car from Milwaukee and Green Bay and 2.5 hours from Chicago, I hadn’t even realized that the town is well known in the road-racing world for its Road America events, which attract spectators and participants from around the world.

For me, the allure was the promise of a relaxing four-day retreat in a friendly, human-scale setting, and this small village of just under 1,000 residents with no chain hotels, eateries, or mega malls with a top-notch spa seemed perfect. I loved that the town was small enough to be easily walkable and proudly preserved its history. A resort town since the late 19th century, its history as a retreat goes back even further. According to local lore, the indigenous Potawatomi attributed rejuvenating powers to the lake’s spring-fed waters.

The town’s story is told in signs, memorabilia and brochures all around town, and discovering it turned out to be part of the fun of being there. Elkhart Lake hit the map in 1873, when an ambitious, forward-thinking landowner persuaded the Milwaukee and Northern Railroad to set its route through the small village. Soon, city dwellers from Chicago, Milwaukee and Green Bay were discovering the natural beauty of the area.

Gambling establishments and speakeasies along with family-friend-

and Top-rated Spa

track. There are also skill-building driving classes for teens, winter and performance driving.

I signed up for their off-road UTV (Utility Terrain Vehicle) Driving Experience. After a brief orientation, the group I was assigned to set off on a journey that was terrifying at first, and then exhilarating as our rugged vehicles bounded over deep gulleys and bounced off boulders and logs. As my confidence grew, I began eagerly seeking out the steepest parts of the gulleys to splash through. (roadamerica.com)

ly hotels, attractions and lake sports sprang up as generations of families began making this their summer spot—a tradition that continues to this day. And even when gambling was taken off the table and roads replaced railroads, the town’s popularity continued to grow.

In 1950, an auto road-racing circuit was laid out that twisted through the town and around the surrounding countryside. That original course is now on the National Register of Historic Places and signs mark key locations along the way. As I explored the town, I was surprised at how sharp some of the turns were and found it amazing to imagine these being taken at high speeds with spectators lining the roads. Road racing was a risky sport and in a few years, the federal

government made racing on public highways illegal. The sport, as we know, didn’t die. The races simply moved to a handful of private courses like Road America, which opened in Elkhart Lake in 1955. It still ranks among the world’s fastest permanent road racing tracks.

The self-proclaimed “America’s National Park of Speed, Road America is known for its 14-turn, 4.048 mile road course and its one-mile Motorplex track. You don’t have to be a racing aficionado to enjoy Road America. On the day I visited, there were no official races, but it was thrilling to watch drivers zip around the course. The venue also offers scheduled times when visitors can take their own cars for a spin around the iconic four-mile track, or bicycle, walk or run the

I found myself being increasingly attuned to the car culture of Elkhart Lake, from the menu items like P.A.M.’s “hard left burger” and of the town’s craft brewery, the SwitchGear Brewing Co, to special events like the Concours d’Elegance pre-race parade of exotic race and sports cars through the village streets. With more time, I would have visited the Throttlestop Museum (throttlestopmuseum.com), which displays historic motorcycles and vintage, rare and restored limited edition automobiles.

Car culture especially permeates the Stop-Inn Tavern (siebkens.com/ dine/stop-inn-tavern/) which calls itself “the best bar on the racing circuit.” Its walls are a living museum of road racing, and on the nights I stopped by, the bar was lively with folks talking about their Road America experiences. If you go, be sure to find your way to the “secret bar”. It’s an intimate corner of the more upscale P.A.M.’s restaurant and a wonderful place to immerse yourself in historic road race photos and memorabilia.

Continued on next page

The four-diamond Osthoff Resort is the largest resort on Elkhart Lake and has the most amenities, including Aspira Spa, cooking and cocktail classes, indoor and outdoor pools, and an array of boat and bike rentals and pontoon boat cruises © Geri Bain

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

Wisconsin’s Elkhart Lake, An Intimate Resort Town with World-Class Motor Sports and Top-rated Spa

Continued from previous page

Driving from Milwaukee Airport to the town, I noted the endless pastures and farms. Small wonder that the town’s restaurants feature so many local ingredients in their dishes. Just outside town, Henning’s Wisconsin Cheese (henningscheese.com) sources from local dairies to produce award winning cheddars, Colby and specialty items like mango fire and tomato basil cheddar. It’s also a great place to sample Wisconsin’s famed squeaky cheese, bite size pieces of fresh, unaged cheese that squeak when you bite into them. Visitors can watch a video, explore their museum to see how cheese was traditionally made, and watch its factory in action through viewing windows before sampling in the shop. While I didn’t have a chance to visit in person, I can vouch for their cheeses, which are sold around town. I loved them so much, I bought some to take home.

Local ingredients also make the town’s restaurants stand out. Lake Street Cafe (lakestreetcafe.com), on the Wine Spectator “Best of” Award of Excellence list, adds creative touches to the Midwest’s best. I especially loved their fennel salad, which included arugula, toasted cashews, parmesan, and a lemon dijon vinaigrette. And almost every restaurant offers its version of a local mainstay, the Fish Fry.

Not to be missed, the family owned Gessert’s Ice Cream and Confectionary shop (gessertsicecream.com) has been bringing smiles to the faces of kids of all ages since the mid 1920’s. And while the ice cream flavors and candies it sells have been updated, the ice cream parlor looks much as it did a century ago. It’s a visual as well as a taste treat.

The well-preserved historic buildings

that house the town’s shops and eateries give the town a unique sense of place, while one-of-a-kind jewelry, crafts and clothing by local designers and friendly storekeepers make it a fun place to shop.

Carrying its own line of clothing and hats, including a paint-your-own-cap kit, the STBF (Small Town Big Family) Shop (https://www.facebook.com/STBFShop) was full of tempting things to buy. Vintage Elkhart Lake (vintageelkhartlake. com) owned by an award-winning certified sommelier, has attractive arrays of Wisconsin and international wines as well as artisan foods, cheeses and chocolates. And the Paddock Shop at Road America (shop.roadamerica.com) is a great place to pick up one-of-a-kind racethemed products from dangling earrings in the shape of the Road America track to themed barware and clothing.

One of my favorite shops was Two Fish Gallery (twofishgallery.net). Its outdoor garden is punctuated with quirky ceramics and sculptures. Here, giant pencils pose among the shrubbery and colorful ceramic fish and turtles seem to swim through the flowers and greenery. Inside, fanciful pottery by local artist Patrick Robinson along with paintings, jewelry and other quality crafts make for unique gifts. And if your timing is right, you might be lucky enough to be able to join a pottery workshop, as I did. Working with Patrick was a rare opportunity not only to try my hand at something new, but to get to know a fascinating person and gain insights into the creative process. I’ll never look at pottery the same way again.

Geologically, this region is a Kettle Moraine, formed when retreating glaciers left finger-like lines of debris called moraines. The 1,200 mile Ice Age Trail, a

National Scenic Trail that traverses the state, passes along the edge of town and Kettle Moraine State Forest (dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/kmn) lies about 25 minutes from town. Hiking through the woods on a guided walk, I learned to spot the “kames,” conical hills comprised of compressed glacial debris left behind as the ancient glaciers retreated, and “kettles”, lakes and depressions in the land created in areas where huge chunks of glacial ice melted.

Elkhart Lake, an amazing 119 feet deep, is the fourth deepest of these kettle lakes in the state and its spring-fed waters keep it pristine and clear. Here, fishing is a year-round sport, and in summer the lake comes alive with kayaks, canoes, and motorized boats. Happily for those who prize quiet, boats must observe nowake hours from 7:30 p.m. to 10 a.m. and on Sundays during the summer.

On my last day, I spent a wonderful morning at the Aspira Spa, located at the Osthoff Resort (osthoff.com/aspira-spa/). Ranked among the nation’s top 100 by Spas of America, the spa offers a wide range of customizable therapies. Some use fresh sprigs from native cedar trees and pristine water from the lake. I opted for one that combined aromatherapy with CBD oil, which fully unkinked my travel-tense muscles. I also opted for a 45-minute Salt Room session that cleared my allergy-clogged sinuses. A final soak in the whirlpool followed by a cool shower left me feeling relaxed and energized.

Elkhart Lake has three resorts and during my stay, I dined at and explored each of them. All have private lakefront beaches, varied dining options, and both traditional hotel and apartment-style accommodations.

The Osthoff Resort (osthoff.com),

Fall Vegetable Garden Questions

BY JEFF RUGG

Q: Help! I planted my tomato plants late, and then we had a lot of hot, dry weather, so there were no tomatoes. Now there are dozens of green tomatoes, but our average first fall frost is coming soon, so I think that many of the tomatoes are still going to be green when the frost comes. Can I cover the plants? Can I spray water on them like in the orchards to prevent them from freezing? I only know a few recipes for green tomatoes. What can I do?

A: Tomato, pepper and many other summer vegetables ripen more slowly as the days become shorter and the weather cools off. Leaving the fruit on as long as you can will allow the fruit to get closer to

being ripe, which will help when you do pick them. If there are a lot of vegetables to pick, don’t wait until the day of the first frost or you may not get to them all, especially if it gets dark as you rush to pick them.

Tomatoes don’t store for a long time when you pick them green, but they do store for several weeks. Place the bottom layer on cardboard, and place a layer of newspaper between any layers that you have to stack. Store at around 55 degrees. If you pick any with cracks or blemishes, you will need to process them within a few days. Don’t store them with the healthy tomatoes.

You can ripen tomatoes more quickly after picking by placing them in a paper bag. It will trap ethylene gas that the fruit release, which helps them ripen. You

where I stayed, is the largest and has the most amenities. It’s an AAA Four Diamond resort, and home to Aspira Spa, cooking and cocktail classes, indoor and outdoor pools, and an array of boat and bike rentals as well as pontoon boat cruises. There’s also a fitness center, sauna and hot tub that are open 24/7. The resort has three restaurants, the Concourse Restaurant, with a lovely outdoor patio, Otto’s, with a traditional Friday fish fry along with great breakfasts; my favorite was an omelette with mushroom, onions, bacon and Wisconsin cheddar atop a potato pancake. And for lovely sunsets and lively evenings, head to the Elk Room Lounge.

More intimate and casual, The Shore Club Wisconsin (shoreclubwisconsin. com) has indoor and outdoor pools, a hot tub, health center and campfire area. The Social, an atmospheric speakeasy, has outdoor deck seating overlooking the lake, fun menu with items like fried tempura cheesecake. and live jazz on summer weekends. The Tiki Bar also has live music. And The Theater presents improv comedy, music and other live entertainment.

Siebkens Resort (siebkens.com) is a landmark in its own right with a small, antique-filled lobby. It has an outdoor pool and is home to the Stop-Inn Tavern, an outdoor bandstand with live music in the summer, P.A.M.s Dining Room and Cocktail Bar, and Sissy’s, for to-go treats like locally made gelato and cold-brew coffee.

Elkhart Lake turned out to be just the change of pace and relaxing getaway I was seeking. While it’s just under two hours by plane from New York, I felt I had traveled far from my everyday life. For more information, visit  elkhartlake.com

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

can place an apple or banana in the bag, as they also release a lot of ethylene gas. Only green tomatoes that are mature will ripen further off the vine.

Peppers and many other garden vegetables that are not quite mature can still be harvested and processed or frozen. We eat green peppers all the time, so they can be harvested and stored in the refrigerator for several weeks before needing to be processed or cut up and frozen.

If vegetables are cut up and placed separately on trays in the freezer until frozen, they can be placed into freezer bags without sticking together.

You can cover some vegetable cool-season crops with row covers to prolong the

on page 5

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

Just when I thought I’d heard of everything when it comes to the pastimes and games of retirees, another one came down the pike.

A neighbor who’s also retired invited my friends and me to play euchre. Ray had started a euchre club in the neighborhood and was encouraging people to join in. My first question for Ray was what’s euchre and even though he pronounced it “yew-ker,” I found myself mispronouncing it in the beginning. I was adding extra letters to the pronunciation, especially putting an extra “r” in the pronunciation but after a while I got it.

Ray very patiently explained that euchre has been around for a long time but maybe I’m just more used to playing poker. Five cards are dealt to each person and it’s usually played with four people in two teams but you could have more tables of people playing euchre at the same time. The more the merrier as they say. That’s what turns a card game into a party. Bring along some snacks and beverages and it’s even more of a party.

Euchre is different in that it is played with a deck of cards that only includes aces, kings, queens, jacks, 10s and nines of each suit. Of the 24 cards in euchre, only 20 are played each hand. Four cards remain face-down in the “kitty.”

In euchre there are five rounds or “tricks” in each game. Each player will place one card down on the table on their turn, and a player takes a trick when the card they placed is the highest out of any other card. The game ends when one team reaches 10 points.

As with most other card games, euchre needs both luck and the skill that comes from playing often. The more advanced your play becomes, the more frequently you’ll come across the advanced euchre terms such as the “left

a party & we’re

bower,” the “right bower” and being “in the barn.”

I won’t get any more complicated than that. Suffice it to say that if you like (or love) playing cards, this euchre card game might appeal to you. Ray, his wife Alice and his friends play for their amusement. They make it clear that no gambling is involved. Something new sounded interesting so one Friday my friend, Tracy, and I met Ray and seven other people to play euchre. I was curious to see what this new club was all about.

Before retiring seven years ago I enjoyed playing all sorts of card games and board games. Poker, hearts, gin rummy and spades are some of my favorites. I enjoy playing Uno with my young nieces and nephews and sometimes I let them win on purpose.

As far as board games go, I’ve always enjoyed playing Loaded Questions, Scattegories, Yahtzee and Scrabble. Rummikub is pretty good, too. My favorite board games are Clue and Monopoly. I switch off depending on if I want to participate in a detective game or “whodunit” vs. being an adventurous real estate investor who rolls the dice and goes around the board collecting properties while avoiding any penalties. I always like snapping up the four utilities then I continue on.

Tucked away in my cabinet I’ve got a fold-up board game that has four games in one. It includes Yahtzee, Clue, Scrabble and Sorry! It includes all of the dice, cards, score cards and directions needed for each game. Measuring 17 inches by 14 inches by 1 inch, it’s a compact set that stores easily.

When company comes and I pull out that “board game,” it’s always fun watching the young kids realize there really are four games in there - and I’m amused as they pore over each choice then decide which one they want to play.

playing euchre

Since retiring I’ve joined some new groups - at my public library, at senior centers and ones that rotate among people’s homes - and I have to say that this new euchre club in my neighborhood is piquing my interest.

It’s an informal one meaning people can participate or not depending on what else they have going on in their schedules. The group meets every other Friday to play euchre.

We have gone twice so far and even though we were newbies to the game, the “old timers” were patient about showing us how to play. Those old timers wore visors and had on their poker faces but we weren’t put off by thatwe’ve played poker hundreds of times before and know that look.

We caught on to playing euchre and it was a fun time. We met some people in the neighborhood we’d never met before plus we had a chance to talk to some people we had seen in passing, to say “hi” to but really hadn’t spoken to at length.

At one point Tracy, Alice and I got talking about a recent movie we had

seen and liked very much, “Reagan,” then Ray and his friends got our attention and brought us back to the card game at hand.

I was comfortable playing various card games but had stretched myself a bit in playing euchre. As we played I couldn’t help but think about how different it is from so many other card games I’ve played before. Euchre is a serious game that takes concentration but it’s a social game, too. My group was a fun group although they do focus on winning.

In conversation it came out that Ray and company call themselves “euchre enthusiasts” and after seeing them play, I’d call that a fair assessment. They get caught up in the game just like I get caught up when playing Clue.

The rules of the game are different with euchre so that takes some getting used to but we jumped right in and played. A good time was had by all and next time maybe we’ll play euchre - or maybe we’ll stick to our tried-and-true poker. Time will tell.

A Widow Doesn’t Have To ‘Live in Sin’ To Get Social Security

BY TOM MARGENAU

Q: My mother told me she remembers a time when women had to “live in sin” (those are her words) to avoid losing Social Security benefits. She couldn’t elaborate, but she thinks some senior women still have to do that today. Do you know what she is talking about?

A: Yes, I know exactly what she is talking about. It has to do with the payment of Social Security widow’s benefits. And it makes a good story about how Social Security and politics can make strange bedfellows!

I have to start out by explaining the thinking behind widow’s benefits. They, along with other payments available to wives (and to a much lesser extent, husbands) and minor children, fall under the broad category of what the law calls “auxiliary and survivor benefits.” These are benefits payable to the dependents of someone getting a Social Security retirement or disability check or to the survivors of a worker who has died.

The concept of “dependency” is a key qualifying factor. In other words, a potential auxiliary or survivor beneficiary must prove that she or he was financially dependent on the primary spouse or parent.

To keep people from having to present all kinds of personal and financial records as part of the application process, the law provides shortcuts to help prove dependency. For example, with only a few exceptions, children are deemed to be dependent on a parent with whom they are living.

And in the case of a spouse, the law assumes the person with the lower Social Security benefit was probably financially dependent on the person with the higher Social Security benefit.

For example, let’s say Tom is 66 and getting $2,800 per month from Social Security. His 62-year-old wife, Becky, is due $700 in her own monthly retirement benefits. Because Becky has the lower Social Security benefit, she is presumed to be financially dependent on Tom and thus qualifies for spousal benefits on his record. On the other hand, Tom, with the much higher Social Security retirement check, could not be considered financially dependent on Becky.

Having established the ground rule of “dependency” as a qualifying factor for spousal benefits, let’s get to the fun part of this column -- the sinning part!

We need to go back in time to about 50 years ago. Millions of women were collecting widow’s benefits on their deceased husband’s Social Security accounts. And some of those women, once a suitable mourning period had elapsed, might eventually start batting their eyes at a handsome bachelor or widower they met at the bingo parlor, or senior center or across the produce aisle at their local supermarket. (This was long before online dating

became a way to find a potential mate.)

And sometimes, sparks would fly and the sweet, lovely elderly couple would decide to get married. All was happiness and bliss until the woman realized this: If she got married, she would lose the widow’s benefits she was collecting on her first husband’s Social Security record!

How could this be? Well, it all has to do with that concept of “dependency” as a qualifying factor for her widow’s benefits. To repeat, she was getting those benefits because she was deemed to be financially dependent on her first husband. But if she married husband number two, then the law would consider her to be this new guy’s dependent spouse. That meant she could no longer be deemed dependent on her first husband. Therefore, she would no longer qualify for widow’s benefits on his Social Security record.

So how did she get around this law? Well, that’s where the “sinning” came in. If the couple merely lived together, as opposed to legally tying the knot, she could keep collecting her widow’s benefits from her first husband.

Eventually, the media picked up on this trend to transgress. And they had a field day with it. Headlines in newspapers around the country went something like this: “Widow must live in sin to avoid losing Social Security check.” Television news reports featured interviews with women in disguise who reported, “I am ashamed to say I am living in sin to avoid losing my government benefits.” Whatever the report, the phase “living in sin” was always the common thread.

It became a national embarrassment that a federal law was requiring these sweet little old grandmas to live outsides the bonds of marriage. Eventually, the pressure just got too much for red-faced members of Congress. They couldn’t act quickly enough to change the law. In 1977, they changed the law to say that a woman who remarried after age 60 could continue to receive widow’s benefits from her first husband’s Social Security account. (The law went into effect a couple years later.)

And that law still stands today. But of course, today, the whole concept of “living in sin” as a social taboo is almost laughable. For example, just in my own neighborhood, there are several couples who have been living together -- unmarried -for years. It’s just no big deal.

On the other hand, there also are many senior citizen lovebirds who want to make everything legal and get married. And if the woman is getting a Social Security widow’s check, she has absolutely no fear of losing those benefits from husband number one if she decides to walk down the aisle with husband number two.

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 oth-

er 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

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Preparing your home for winter will save money and aggravation

It’s that time of the year when there are jobs that you should begin doing. The most significant thing to consider is to turn on and check your heating system. Do you have a contract with a service provider to either change your oil filter or air filter on your forced air gas system? This is crucial to the operating system, so there are no issues during the winter.

The second most important item to consider is cleaning and flushing out your gutters and leaders, especially if you haven’t done this in a while. You will have to do it again after the leaves have fallen. However, waiting may block the drain and overflow your gutters, which can lead to water going behind your soffits and coming inside your walls, causing mold.

The best way to keep your gutters clean permanently is to install leaf filters. I just had this completed last week. I became tired of getting up on my ladder, the danger of falling, getting dirty, and wasting precious time. You can order them online and search for someone to install them. Go to your local online neighborhood community where you will find a handyman to do it. I saved many thousands of dollars by doing it this way. I had an estimate provided by a major installer, material (the same product that I found online), and labor for over $5000!

The next thing to consider is to begin putting away your outdoor furniture, or if no room, cover them for the winter. Did you clean your barbecue grill, and detach your propane tank? If you have a snowblower, have you tried to start it (I did this past weekend, while temperatures were still in the 70s). Waiting until it is colder or worse right

after a snowfall could be more difficult to start. It would be advisable to change the oil with a straight 30W type and change the spark plug.

Continued from page 2

garden, but for warm-season plants, you need a plastic greenhouse shelter. That should be planned for back in the spring with the hoops and watering system, etc., all figured out. At this time of year, you are better off just harvesting the fruit.

Q: I have only grown potatoes in my garden for a few years. This year, the potatoes are the normal size and shape, but many of them are cracked. I cooked a couple of them and they appear to be fine, but I don’t think I can give them away like I usually do. What do you think happened so I can prevent it next year?

A: During the growth of the potato tuber, the plant needs even soil moisture. If

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

If you haven’t yet seeded and fertilized your lawn, it’s not too late to accomplish this task. Rainfall has been almost non-existent for weeks. Unless you have an automatic sprinkler system (assuming it is still on) or haven’t done much watering, your lawn may have gone dormant or possible insect damage from chinch bugs or grubs due to not being proactive with any applications. If your lawn can be pulled up and you notice a “C” shaped insect, then you may have grubs. Although a little late, you may notice Chinch bugs by taking an open-ended can pushing it into the ground right near the brown and green areas, and adding water. If you have them, they will be apparent when they float to the top of the water. You can Google photos of Grubs and chinch bugs. If you apply any materials, I suggest hiring a licensed and insured professional or if you are a do-it-yourself homeowner, always read the label instructions before putting down any materials.

A mix of 30-50% tall fescues, hybrid ryes, and 20% blue grass will provide a great lawn next spring. Spread the seed at 1-3 lbs per 1000 sq ft with a rotary-type spreader. You should add some topsoil dressing to minimize the loss of seed by birds and heavy rains. Apply fertilizer at 1 lb of nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft. Again, follow the label instructions.

You might also want to feed your shrubbery with a specific amount of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potash. A soil test should be considered if you haven’t fertilized in many years. This link will provide excellent information to guide you: www.hgic.clemson.edu. Watering lightly 10-15 minutes every other day as per local watering laws, will promote some germination within 7-14 days depending on the weather and temperatures. Ryzomes and tillers via the root system will continue to expand and grow a thicker lawn up until the ground begins to freeze.

Driveway cracks which will allow water to get in, and freeze during the winter will cause damage. It’s a bit late, but if you can find any type of asphalt driveway sealer at your local or big box stores, to fill in those cracks. I just did an area on my driveway with an asphalt patch 7 days ago and it is now hard. You may want to call a local company to perform this task. You can Google driveway sealing companies and get a few estimates.

If you have sidewalks, I would suggest that you check those slabs that might not be level and cause someone to trip and possibly break a leg, arm, or worse a head injury. Fixing those issues now will save you headaches later on. Check and see if your insurance policy covers you, even though they may be owned by your local village or town. However, you are responsible for repairing them.

Saving time and money and completing these chores will minimize and

eliminate headaches later on and you will be able to enjoy the fall and holidays that will soon be here.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/ Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 42+ years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (G.R.I.) and also as a Certified International Property Specialist (C.I.P.S.) and has earned his National Association of Realtors “Green Industry designation for eco-friendly low carbon footprint construction with 3-D printed foundations, Solar panels, Geo-thermal HVAC/Heat Pumps).

He will also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and his Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.

He will provide you with “free” regular updates of what has gone under contract (pending), been sold (closed) and those homes that have been withdrawn/ released or expired (W/R) and all new listings of homes, HOA, Townhomes, Condos, and Coops in your town or go to https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search on your own. For a “FREE” no obligation 15 minute consultation, as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached call him at (516) 647-4289.

Save his My New Electronic signature/Bio/Reviews to save to your contacts: https://onetapconnect.com/ turnkeyrealestate-philraices

the soil dries out and gets wet and then the cycle repeats, the tubers can be misshapen. If the tuber gets to full size and then the plant gets a lot more water, the tubers can swell and crack (just like tomato fruits). Wide swings in temperature can do the same thing.

Adding more organic matter so the soil holds more moisture will help. Next summer, a drip irrigation watering system could help keep the soil moisture level more steady.

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

COPYRIGHT 2024 JEFF RUGG

DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM

Your Slow Cooker Is a Great Holiday Helper

BY MARY HUNT

Got a hunk of meat that feels like it could double as a doorstop? The slow cooker says, “Challenge accepted!” Toss in that tough cut, add a splash of broth and the magical ingredients, and by dinnertime, you’ll have something that’s practically falling apart in deliciousness. Expensive cuts? Who needs ‘em when your slow cooker can turn a $5 roast into a meal fit for royalty?

Ever buy veggies that seemed like a good idea at the time, only to find them wilting away in your crisper drawer? Rescue them with the slow cooker! It turns sad, forgotten produce into soups, stews or the base of just about anything. Not only are you saving money, but you’re also avoiding the guilt of tossing out that bell pepper.

A slow cooker is like having your own personal sous chef. You throw in the ingredients, hit the button, and you’re free to handle life’s other chaos. Plus, it’s an energy miser. No oven heating up the house or making your electric meter spin like a carnival ride. The slow cooker uses about as much electricity as your grandma’s favorite nightlight.

Honestly, if you’re not already best friends with your slow cooker, it’s time to send it a friendship bracelet, especial-

BY CHARLYN FARGO

Who knew our sleep and snack habits were so intertwined? It turns out sleep influences two key hormones that are linked to appetite. Ghrelin makes you feel hungry, and poor sleep increases this hormone. Leptin makes you feel full, and poor sleep decreases this hormone.

So, when you don’t sleep well, you’re ore likely to feel hungry. And according to a few new studies, we tend to skip the salad to feed that hunger and grab unhealthy, processed snack foods instead.

Scientists found that people who got seven hours or more sleep ate significantly less sugar, caffeine and carbohydrate as part of their morning and evening snacks. Conversely, those who slept less than the recommended seven hours tended to make poorer snacking choices the next day, especially in the earlier and later parts of the day. The research was published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and presented in a poster session at the group’s Food &

ly with the busy holiday season right around the corner.

DIPPING CHOCOLATE

Melt batches of melting chocolate or almond bark for dipping fruit and other goodies by placing in a slow cooker on low. Stir occasionally. Holiday gift idea: Dip big pretzels into chocolate (white, milk or dark). Package in cellophane or other festive holiday containers and embellish with ribbons or raffia.

POTPOURRI

Turn your slow cooker on low, and fill the bottom with grape seed, canola or safflower oil; add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Do not cover, allowing the most wonderful fragrance to fill your home.

FONDUE

Serve cheese fondue from your slow cooker, set on low.

BAKED POTATOES

If you are short on oven space, place baking potatoes wrapped in foil in a covered slow cooker set on high. Cook for about three hours or until they are done to perfection. Amazing!

MASHED POTATOES

Yes! You can actually make mashed potatoes in your slow cooker, start to finish, and allow them to hold for hours until you’re ready to eat. Place the potatoes, water and butter

into a slow cooker. Add salt, pepper and garlic powder (optional). Toss to distribute evenly. Cover, then cook on high for four hours. Do not drain the liquid. Mash potatoes with a masher or electric beater, adding the desired amount of warm milk to achieve a creamy consistency. Keep warm on low or until serving. Mashed potatoes will hold for several hours using this method.

WASSAIL, MULLED

CIDER

Use your slow cooker to make these hot beverages and keep them hot during a party. Place all ingredients in slow cooker. Mix well. Cover, set slow cooker to low and allow to simmer all day. Don’t boil. Serve hot. An unbelievable fragrance will fill the air while your guests enjoy a wonderful holiday beverage.

CHEX MIX

This classic combination of cereal, nuts, butter and seasonings cooks in your slow cooker so you don’t have to watch it or stir while it’s baking.

RECIPES

What’s that? You want specific recipes for all these amazing ways to make your slow cooker your best holiday helper? Oh, I am way ahead of you! While it is not possible for me to include my favorite recipes that keep my multiple slow cookers super busy starting with Halloween right through New Year’s, you can find

NUTRITION NEWS

Sleep More, Snack Less

Nutrition Conference in October.

The researchers found that seven hours of sleep for adults seemed to be the magic number for making better decisions about what to choose for a snack. In the study, more than 20,000 U.S. adults, ages 20 to 60, were put into two groups -- those who slept less than seven hours a night, and those who slept more than seven hours. Those sleeping less than seven hours were more likely to snack on high-calorie foods with little nutritional value. The study was published in the September 2021 issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Similar results for children and adolescents were found in a study published in the April 2020 issue of Food Science & Nutrition. Researchers at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Isfahan, Iran, looked at the relationship between sleep duration and eating snacks in a national sample of children and adolescents, ages 6 to 18. Out of 14,274 students, 50.7% were boys. Some 71.4% of the students were

urban residents. The students’ average sleep duration was 8.57 hours. It turns out children under 10 need 10 hours of sleep and children over 10 need nine hours. Researchers found a significant relationship between sleep duration and age, socioeconomic status, place of residence, physical activity, and duration of watching TV and working with computers.

The less sleep students got, the more salty snacks, soft drinks, fast foods, tea and tea with sugar they consumed. In addition, less sleep resulted in fewer fresh and dried fruits, vegetables, milk, yogurt and fresh juices.

Researchers concluded that lower sleep duration can be associated with unhealthy eating habits and could result in obesity in children and adolescents.

As we enter this busy holiday season, take time to sleep -- both you and your children. Your eating habits will benefit.

Q and A Q: What is maca?

them at EverydayCheapskate.com/autumn-recipes-for-slow-cooker\

You’ll love this.

And now allow me get way ahead of the curve in wishing all my loyal fans and followers happy holidays!

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

A: Maca is a nutrient-dense root vegetable, indigenous to Peru, that grows in the Andes Mountains. It is rich in iron, calcium, copper, zinc, amino acids and vitamins B, C and E. It can be baked, roasted or added to soups. But it’s also found in powder form, capsules or as a liquid extract. Some people take it to improve sexual function; others believe it can help reduce anxiety and depression. Research on it has been limited -- and the studies have been small. Check with your doctor before trying any new supplement to make sure there isn’t any food/drug interaction -- and that it’s worth trying.

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

STARGAZERS

Comet ATLAS ... A Celestial October Surprise!

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of October 20-26, 2024

As the political season heats up in the U.S., we often hear the term “October surprise” to describe some unexpected event that could completely change the electoral landscape. This year the term also applies to the heavens, since a new comet has been discovered and may become quite beautiful in our sky.

No, I’m not referring to Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (aka C/2023 A3), which I wrote about a couple of weeks ago. This is a completely new comet that was discovered on Sept. 27 and is now making a dash toward the inner solar system.

This new comet is named Comet ATLAS (C/2024 S1) and was found by astronomers at Asteroid Terrestrialimpact Last Alert System in Hawaii. As confusing as it seems, the naming system for comets is rather straightforward -- for astronomers, anyway. The comet discoverer comes first (ATLAS, in this case) and is followed by “C/.” This indicates that it’s a nonperiodic comet and that it may be its first journey through the inner solar system. “2024” indicates the discovery year, and “S1” shows that it’s the first comet found in the latter half of September. Still confused? Take it up with the International Astronomical Union, which is responsible for comet-naming systems.

If the current predictions for Comet ATLAS hold, it could become a real October surprise. Of course, predictions about comets can be somewhat untrustworthy simply because comets seem to have minds of their own, especially those that, like this one, have spent their entire existence in the cold darkness of deep space. Since they’ve never been affected by the sun’s heat, they often behave in unexpected ways. But that’s what’s fascinating about these chunks of primordial ice.

Comet ATLAS will swing past the sun on Oct. 28, when it may reach a brightness of magnitude -8.3. So what does that mean? Well, if you’ve seen brilliant Venus low in the west during dusk this week, keep in mind that it currently shines at magnitude -4.0. This means that the comet could outshine Venus by nearly 53 times!

But since the comet will lie so close to the sun at that time, only those in southerly latitudes may have a chance to spot it. Once it leaves the sun behind and begins its trek outward once again, however, all that could change.

If ATLAS survives its close encounter with our star, we expect it to shine brightly and grow a longer tail, perhaps making it quite amazing to see in the dawn sky for a few days.

Or not.

Yeah, I just had to say this, since comets do have a way of making fools out of astronomers who try to make

predictions!

If you’d like to check it out, you’ll need to rise before the sun and have a low horizon to your east and southern sky. How bright it appears -- and how quickly it fades over next week -- is anyone’s guess, but we think it’ll fade fairly rapidly. It may disappear from view

completely by early November but may still be visible in binoculars. We’ll just have to wait and see!

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com..

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Knocks

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

“When’s dinner?” my husband asked me when he got home as I stood in the kitchen stirring a sauce.

“Pretty soon,” I replied.

“Do you mind if I close my eyes for a minute?” he requested, putting down his bag and taking off his jacket.

I nodded. When most people say they’re going to close their eyes for a minute, they actually mean more like 20 minutes or half an hour. But my husband, the King of Naps, he actually means a minute.

Most husbands have some special talent that they bring to their marriage. Some are handy around the house. Some are great with the grill. My husband has a unique skill. He can choose to fall asleep anywhere, at any time, and wake up feeling completely refreshed. He loves his naps, even the minute-long

ones, and for this reason we call him Sir Napsalot.

He actually has a whole menu of naps to choose from. When he just needs a quick nap, he does a FiveMinute Facedown. A slightly longer nap gets him a 10-Minute Snoozer. In the car on a long drive -- when he’s not the one driving, of course -- he will often take a Passenger Power Nap. For this nap he has to get the angle of the seat just right or he will alternate between head bobs and snorts, either of which will interfere with the positivity of the nap experience. At home, before dinner, he might have a quick Snores D’oeuvre, whereas a snooze on the couch before bed would be his Nappetizer.

He has excelled at finding unusual places to grab a quick nap. He has napped standing up in an elevator on a ride up to a high floor, and once he stood in full ski gear and napped in a

did not nap skiing on

He naps on his work commute, both ways, whether it be by train or ferry. He seems to know on a subconscious level when it is time to wake up so he doesn’t end up missing his stop, and only once did he end up at the end of the line in an empty train car.

Unlike my husband, I only nap in one of two places: on the couch or on the bed. And I don’t feel rested unless I nap for an hour. He believes you have to keep your nap under an hour or else you wake up more tired than before you went to sleep, and it will also interrupt your sleep at night. Science is actually on his side, but I’m not sure what the scientists would say about the total of a series of short naps and Nappetizers in a given day. Since my husband seems to sleep just fine at night, it would seem he

may be on to something.

Meanwhile, back at nap central, my husband chose to have a post-dinner Five-Minute Facedown rather than a Snores D’oeuvre before we ate.

“So, is there any of that cake left from last night for dessert?” he asked when he emerged from the bedroom to help me clean up.

“No,” I said. “I ate the last piece.”

“You didn’t save me any?” he asked sadly.

“Sorry,” I replied. “You snooze, you lose.”

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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gondola on the way up a mountain. He

the way down.

LOST IN SUBURBIA

A recently discovered comet could appear in the sky for a few days after it travels past the sun on Oct. 28

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PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (Never known to fail). Oh Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine of Splendor of Heaven. Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this necessity. Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show herein you are my Mother.

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

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

Oh Holy Mary I place this cause in your hands (three times). Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen. This prayer must be said for three days and after three days your request will be granted. The prayer must be published. Grateful thanks (NTG)

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Holiday entertaining often involves hosting overnight guests. That means that breakfast and other meals will be expected. Overnight oats are nutritious and easy options for any day of the week, making them a great breakfast for holiday guests.

5 tablespoons oats of your choice

1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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As the name suggests, overnight oats are prepared the night before and then the flavors marinate with the oats for several hours, producing a rich and creamy breakfast in the morning. Oats are filling on their own, and “Matcha, Coconut and Cacao Overnight Oats” have

6 1⁄2 ounces plant-based milk, plus extra if needed

1⁄2 teaspoon matcha powder

2 tablespoons coconut yogurt

1) To make the overnight oats, add the oats, vanilla and milk to a mason jar or bowl and mix to combine. Cover and leave to soak overnight in the fridge.

2) Remove the oats from the fridge and stir in the

the added benefit of green tea powder (matcha), which not only turns the dish into a festive green color, but also adds antioxidants, vitamins and an energy boost. Enjoy this recipe, courtesy of “Rainbow Bowls” (Sourcebooks) by Niki Webster. Serves 1

1 tablespoon cocoa nibs or dairy-free chocolate chips

1 to 2 teaspoons maple syrup

Topping options:

1 tablespoon chopped pistachios

Berries

Seeds

matcha, yogurt, cacao nibs, and maple syrup.

3) Spoon into a bowl and add more plant-based milk to loosen if needed. Add toppings of your choice and enjoy.

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Hicksville Eagle Scout’s project promotes learning

Recently, New York State Senator Steve Rhoads visited Harshal Mahta of Hicksville as he worked on his Eagle Scout project. Harshal’s ambitious initiative involved constructing four benches, an outdoor library, and a communication board at Lee Avenue Elementary School. This project is not just a display of craftsmanship; it reflects Harshal’s deep commitment to fostering a love for reading and learning within his community. By collaborating with the Family Outreach Program and the Hicksville Board of Education, Harshal is effectively creating a space that encourages educational growth and community engagement.

Through this endeavor, Harshal has demonstrated exceptional leadership and developmental skills that are essential for his journey towards becoming an Eagle Scout. This project has required him to navigate budgeting, fundraising, and construction, showcasing his ability to collaborate and bring people together for a common cause. Senator Rhoads took a moment to express his gratitude not only to Harshal for his inspiring efforts, but also to his parents, acknowledging their enthusiastic support throughout this process.

New York State Senator Steve Rhoads assisted Harshal Mahta, an Eagle Scout candidate, on his Eagle project at Lee Elementary School.

I stand with you, working across party lines for commonsense solutions –from strengthening our border, and reinstating the SALT deduction, to protecting our air and water, I’ll always reject extremism and work to find solutions that make a difference for you and your family.

MY PRIORITIES:

★ Secure the Border

★ Reinstate the SALT Deduction

★ Bringing Federal Dollars Back to Long Island

★ Help Heal the Divide in Congress

190th anniversary of LIRR celebrated in Hicksville

Fred Ruff, who was a former Boy Scout at 1955 “Operation Changeover” unveils the portrait of Valentine Hicks.With him are Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker, and others.

BY MICHAEL CHRISTODOULOU, RECORDING SECRETARY OF HICKSVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

On October 8,  the Hicksville Historical Society presented a program celebrating the 190th anniversary of Long Island Rail Road and the 69th anniversary of Operation Changeover in 1955.

The presentation took place at the Hicksville Public Library, David Morrison served as the Master of Ceremonies and welcomed all in attendance. Participating in the event were the President of Railroad Museum of Long Island Don Fisher and

the President of Oyster Bay Railroad Museum John Specce. The Library’s community room was decorated with historical paintings and pictures by the Railroad Historian David Morrison and was filled with excitement.

The President of the Hicksville Historical Society, Richard Althaus, thanked David Morrison for his great efforts to preserve the history of Long Island Rail Road and Hicksville community, and wished to all attending the event to enjoy the program.

Event Coordinator David Morrison welcomed everyone to the event on October 8, 2024 in the Community Room of Hicksville Public Library. Siting in the front are Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free, Fred Ruff — former Boy Scout at 1955 “Operation Changeover”, and others.

The guest speakers who attended included Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free, Fred Ruff, a former Boy Scout at 1955 ‘Operation Changeover’, and James Pavone creator of Hicksville’s John Bull locomotive. Included in the special events was an unveiling of the portrait of Valentine Hicks, who was the founder of Hicksville and the second President of Long Island Rail Road. The Master of Ceremonies David Morrison invited Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker and Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free to join in this portion of the ceremony. According to the writings of the Hicksville historian Richard Evers, Valentine Hicks had three little locomo-

tives, the Plowboy, Ariel and Hicksville. More details are available in his article titled: “50th Anniversary of the End of Steam Trains.”

The Master of Ceremonies David Morrison invited Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Hicksville Historical Society President Richard Althaus to unveil the Operation Changeover plaque designed by David Morrison and implemented by Winsor Fireform Company, a company specialized in porcelain enamel, graphics, and imaging. The plaque has, printed on it two trains: Steam Locomotive #35 and Steam Locomotive #39. These trains, according to the text printed on the plaque, “met on a rainy day at Hicksville Station, on October 8, 1955” with the purpose of marking “the end of steam loco-

of the

President

Hicksville Historical Society Richard Althaus welcomes everyone to the program.

Photo courtesy of the Hicksville Historical Society/Michael Christodoulou

Fred Ruff (second from right) who was a Boy Scout at 1955 “Operation Changeover” with Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker.

Photo courtesy of Carl Dimino

Photo courtesy of the Hicksville HistoricalSociety/Michael Christodoulou

Photo courtesy of Carl Dimino

190th anniversary of LIRR celebrated in Hicksville

Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free speaks to the attendees.

Sitting (from left to right) are: Hector Garcia — Chief of Staff of Long Island Rail Road; Jeffrey Pravato - Receiver of Taxes of Town of Oyster Bay; Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino; Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker.

Photo courtesy of Carl Dimino

The Operation Changeover plaque was presented by Receiver of Taxes of Town of Oyster Bay Jeffrey Pravato, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, President of the Hicksville Historical Society Richard Althaus, and Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker.

motives on the Long Island Rail Road”. The Steam Locomotive #35 and Steam locomotive #39 were the official “retirees” on that day. This plaque, funded by the Hicksville Historical Society, will eventually be placed at the south end of Hicksville’s Kennedy Park, to landmark the area where the End of Steam happened. This plaque will be in the same area where the John Bull Steam Locomotive replica is standing.

Another special moment during the event recognized a long time Hicksville resident Fred Ruff, who is the former Boy Scout participated at 1955 ‘Operation Changeover’. Richard Evers, in his article describing the ceremony which took place on October 8, 1955, writes: “Highlight of

the ceremony was the presence of Fred Ruff, a Boy Scout who, in 1955’s ceremony, rang the Engine 35’s Bell for the last time, in symbolic salute to the then passing of the great “L.I.R.R. Age of Steam Trains.” With the assistance of David Morrison, Fred Ruff stood in front of the attendees in the community room of the Hicksville Public Library, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 11:30 a.m., and he rang the Steam Engine Bell, making all his friends happy and excited.

During the meeting, informative journals with the title “The John Bull Steam locomotive Replica” were graciously provided to each attendee by the past President of the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce James Pavone. This jour-

Participants at the ceremony listen to the presentation. Among the special guests were: Rose Marie Walker - Nassau County Legislator, Joseph Saladino - Oyster Bay Town Supervisor, Jeffrey Pravato - Receiver of Taxes of Town of Oyster Bay, Hector Garcia - Chief of Staff of Long Island Rail Road, Richard Althaus - President of the Hicksville Historical Society, Chris Economou - President Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Hicksville, Dean Koutsoubis, Fred Ruff – former Boy Scout at 1955 “Operation Changeover”. Photo courtesy of the Hicksville Historical Society/Michael Christodoulou

Photo courtesy of the Hicksville Historical Society/Michael Christodoulou

nal was printed in 2008 by the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce. The Journal Editors were David Morrison and Val Pakaluk. The journal was used on May 17, 2008, at the dedication ceremony of the John Bull steam locomotive replica. James Pavone is the creator of the John Bull steam locomotive replica, which now it stands on permanent display in Kennedy Memorial Park downtown Hicksville, across the Empire Diner.

In the audience, among others, were: Jeffrey Pravato — Receiver of Taxes of Town of Oyster Bay, Brian Nevin — Public Information Officer of Town of Oyster Bay, Hector Garcia — Chief of Staff of Long Island Rail Road, Roseann Acosta — Acting Director of Hicksville Public

Library, Chris Economou — President Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Hicksville, Janet Bergholtz - Treasurer of the Hicksville Historical Society, Susan Caron — Photographer/Editor at the News 12 Long Island, Rick Kopsteinfrom the Newsday, and others.

At the end, the Master of Ceremonies David Morrison thanked the Nassau County and Town Oyster Bay officials, the Long Island Rail Road representatives, the other honored guests, the photo reporters covering the ceremony, and all the attendees. The attendees expressed their appreciation for the well-organized event and the opportunity to learn more details of the history of their community.

James Pavone, restorer of Hicksville’s John Bull locomotive located at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park with Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker, Past President of Hicksville Chamber of Commerce James Pavone, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Town of Oyster Bay Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato.

Photo courtesy of Carl Dimino

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