Mid-Island Times (10/21/22)

SERVING PLAINVIEW, HICKSVILLE, AND LEVIT TOWN

Town seeds waters with baby clam seedlings

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilwoman Michele Johnson, Councilman Lou Imbroto and Receiver of Taxes Jeff Pravato took to the waters off TOBAY Marina on the Town’s south shore to help replenish the shellfish supply by adding 2 million baby clam seed lings to the Great South Bay.

“We are pleased to official ly bring our highly successful seeding program to south shore waters, as we disperse these seeds that were grown right in

our own Shellfish Hatchery. Pro grams like this not only enhance water quality, they help bolster the local economy and improve the resiliency of our coastal communities,” said Supervisor Saladino.

The Supervisor explained that the seedlings are just 2 mil limeters in size when they first start out in the Town’s Shellfish Hatchery. From there, they move from those specialized tanks into

Hicksville scout honored

Free holiday concert lottery

With the holiday season fast approaching, the Town of Oyster Bay invites residents to enter a ticket lottery for this year’s Town Holiday Concerts, being held in early December at the Tilles Center at LIU Post in Brookville.

“Due to the overwhelming popularly of these amazing shows, the Town hosts a lot tery for residents interested in attending,” Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Sala dino stated. “This provides a fair and impartial system that

has proven to be successful, and gives all residents an equal opportunity to attend one of our wonderful performances. As always, this outstanding holiday entertainment is pro vided free of charge for our

11

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, right, recently pre sented a Town Citation to Rohan Manjrekar of Boy Scout Troop 382 for his project to improve a town parklet.

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino recently pre sented a Town Citation to Rohan Manjrekar of Boy Scout Troop

382 in Hicksville for spearhead ing an improvement project at a Town of Oyster Bay Parklet. As

Arrest for counterfeit goods

students exhibit art work

See

Receiver Jeff Pravato, Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilman Lou Imbroto and Councilwom an Michele Johnson prepare to seed 2 million baby clam seedlings in the Great South Bay to help replenish the waterway and improve water quality.

The Long Island Consortium: Ensuring an equitable classroom for each student

BY KATIE TIAN

Long Island schools have long flour ished academically. However, many residents are unaware of the prevail ing equity and access issues that pre vent students from reaching their full potential, especially given the scarcity of opportunities in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The New York State Legislature pro vides school districts with the Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). April Francis-Taylor, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) at the Eastern Suffolk BOCES, works routinely to resolve educational gaps based on gender, race, econom ic status, and other factors. “I really believe that a lot of the social issues we have in society today can be solved or improved if we begin with our schools,” she said.

Fortunately, efforts to counter ineq uity are expanding. One such exam ple is the Long Island Consortium for Excellence and Equity (LICEE). Sponsored by the Nassau and Eastern Suffolk BOCES, the LICEE is a network of regional school districts dedicated to eliminating observed achievement disparities in schools, providing sub

scribed members with workshops, con ferences, seminars, training services, and more.

Associate Director of the Penn Coalition for Educational Equity, Dayna Muniz, coordinates compelling and rel evant presenters for the program. She explained, “Our main focus is to help districts build relationships with each other so that they can support their efforts in becoming more equitable sys tems.” Increasing public awareness of such initiatives could greatly benefit schools seeking social improvement.

Jericho Schools Superintendent Hank Grishman believes that the num ber one priority of schools should be to ensure that students feel secure and comfortable in their identity. He said, “Whether it’s a kid with special needs, or a kid of a specific religion or race, it’s a broader statement to make that we’re supporting all kids, which should be the core of the belief system of any public school in this country.”

According to the Nassau BOCES website, membership in the LICEE includes “a year-long program of eight professional learning opportunities for district teams of five participants.”

School districts can choose to send their most effective candidates, whether this

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be teachers, administrators, counsel ors, psychologists, or other faculty, to engage in workshops hosted by experts. Participants are taught strategies to support students comprehensively by building both in-school support and family partnerships.

One such workshop is titled “Constructing the Innocent Classroom: Dismantling Racial Bias for Our Children of Color,” presented by Alexs Pate. Throughout four sessions hosted live via Zoom, Pate explores the process of establishing authentic teacher-child relationships and confronts the negative impact of implicit racial bias. Each ses sion offers unique insight—Pate begins by introducing key concepts such as stereotype threat, then teaches specific tools such as “The Good Questions” to understand a child’s motivations. Educators then have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from other districts and reflect on their lived expe riences. Finally, they put these concepts into practice by developing reformed classroom strategies and advocating for systemic, schoolwide changes.

Beyond workshops, the BOCES web site offers public resources that are accessible to all. The DEI Department provides extensive articles, videos, and

books that illustrate how to navigate inequitable systems of power, outlining an education framework entitled CR-S (Culturally Responsive-Sustaining) that focuses on creating “student-cen tered learning environments that affirm racial, linguistic, and cultural identities.” A webinar with advocate and educator Zaretta Hammond illus trates the brain science behind CR-S and the importance of its implementa tion in classrooms. A document titled “Tool: Interrupting Microaggressions” teaches effective intervention tactics in response to discriminatory language. The resources are diverse and many, and educators can leverage them to gen erate socioculturally sensitive lesson plans that maximize student success.

Opportunities for in-depth improve ment are abundant on a local level. Long Island, encompassing some of the most top-ranked school districts in the nation, has the potential to lead by exam ple, with programs such as the LICEE providing the fundamental philosophies to do so. Ms. Francis-Taylor said, “We can begin to have these conversations, allow people to show up to schools as their authentic selves and see that as an asset and not a deficit. I think we’ll be a truly stronger nation for it.”

Free mega job fair in Bethpage

The Town of Oyster Bay and The Workforce Partnership announced that a Mega Job Fair will take place on Friday, October 28, 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. Veterans’ admission begins at 9:00 a.m., while doors for General Admission open at 9:30 a.m. The event runs until 1:30 p.m.

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

“We’re proud to have helped thou sands of residents find meaningful employment through our career cen ter 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 employ ment opportunities as well as assist ing local businesses in recruiting qual ified 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 resourc es 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 assist ing applicants in accessing job oppor tunities. The Centers offer Resource Rooms, which are equipped with stateof-the-art computer workstations, com plete with Microsoft software and inter net 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 counsel ors who will guide residents through their job search. Computer workshops are taught on-site in modern computer labs. Residents can increase their mar ketability by updating or acquiring new computer skills at the Centers.

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

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Haunted House of Hamburgers comes to Farmingdale

BY GEORGE HABER

Most people would not think of a haunted house when they think of a ham burger, but Jordan Desner of Jericho is hoping to change that.

On October 25, one week before Halloween, Desner will open a new restaurant in Farmingdale called "Haunted House Hamburgers," where he will combine world-class burgers, fries, and Halloween with elaborate monster and creature decor that would draw admiration from the most ardent Rocky Horror Picture Show devotee.

Desner, a graduate of Jericho High School who now lives in Plainview, has owned movie theatres in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, but when the pan demic dealt a death blow to theaters everywhere, he began to turn his focus to a true desire he harbored for years---opening a venue with a Halloween/monster theme.

“Ever since I was a kid I loved the scary creatures,

the Halloween motifs, the horror movies,” he recalls. “But I didn't know how to turn that interest into a busi ness.”

When he began seeing new hamburger chains open ing across Long Island, he says, he realized “they were all carbon copies of each other. None of them really stood out or captured the imagination of diners, espe cially kids.” Haunted House Hamburgers was born.

The restaurant, on 330 Fulton Avenue (Rt. 109) in Farmingdale, the site of a former Friendly Ice Cream restaurant that was vacant since 2017, will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday -Thursday, 11 to 11 Friday, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. In addi tion to burgers, the restau rant will serve pizza, salads, soups, and vegetarian dish es. The restaurant also will have a full bar.

Breakfast will be served on the weekend from 8 a.m. to noon.

Creepy creatures welcome customers at new Haunted House of Hamburgers on Fulton St.

Eagle’s Nest Cafe opens in Bethpage

BY GARY SIMEONE

It was a special moment for a fatherson business team in Bethpage last Wednesday. Their family owned busi ness, Eagle’s Nest Food & Smoothie Cafe, held its official grand opening cer emony to the delight of area residents.

“We opened two years ago during the heart of the Covid pandemic, and obviously couldn’t hold our opening ceremony at that time. We’re happy we’re able to do this now,” said Michael Eagle, owner of Eagle’s Nest. “We are a big supporter of the chamber of com merce and a safe-haven for kids in the neighborhood.”

He said that what makes his busi ness stand out from the rest is that the smoothies and wraps are freshly made and with all-natural ingredients.

“For our smoothies, we serve fresh fruits and there’s no added sugar. It’s all natural, including our wraps and sandwiches, which are made in-house with our signature sauces on top,” said Eagle.

Smoothies on the menu have an enticing list of names, including the Jays Cherry Blaze, the Watermelon Mama and the Razmat Azzberry which is a combination swirl of raspberries bananas and strawberries.

The listed signature wraps include

the Blazin’ Buffalo and the Teriyaki Tyrant, which is a combination of chick en, lettuce, rice, onions and teriyaki sauce.

The Cafe also serves on ther items like omelets, sandwiches, quesadillas pizzas and desserts.

The Eagle’s Nest was previously known as Long Island Smoothie Cafe before changing names several years ago.

Eagle said he keeps the Long Island Smoothie Cafe banner over the store front so as not to confuse his regular customer-base.

“We had changed the name to Eagle s Nest to support the Bethpage Eagles school name, but still maintain our Long Island Smoothie namesake. I have business cards and other items still out there with the LI Smoothie name. At this point I’m still dual-branding.”

One of the attendees at the grand-opening was New York State Assemblyman John Mikulin, who helped to perform the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“The Eagle’s Nest has been here for two years and is doing a wonderful job in this community,” said Mikulin.

“They were one of the businesses who was able to survive the hard times through Covid, and I’m sure they’ll be successful for years to come.”

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The Eagle’s Nest Cafe held a grand opening ceremony last week.

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Arrest for trademark counterfeiting

Nassau County Police arrested a Smithtown woman for allegedly sell ing counterfeited merchandise at her Plainview boutique.

According to detectives, in April 2021 an extensive investigation with the assistance of the United States Postal Inspectors was conducted at Linny’s Boutique located at 1032 Old Country Road. According to police, Lindsay Castelli, 31, was the sole owner of a storefront that contained thousands of synthetic heat-sealed counterfeit labels along with assorted clothing and jew elry.

On Tuesday, October 4, Asset Forfeiture Detectives executed a Nassau County search warrant. During the search, police say they removed 22 printing press machines and various counterfeit items labeled from Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Dior, Ugg, and Louis Vuitton. The combined value of the items was over $40 million. According to police the items were being shipped all over the United States.

On Friday, October 7, Lindsay

Castelli surrendered herself to Nassau County Asset Forfeiture Detectives. She is being charged with Trademark Counterfeiting 2nd Degree.

This Week at the Syosset Public Library

Tuesday, October 25, at 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon Book Discussion (IN-PERSON)

Join Lisa Hollander, Readers’ Services Librarian, for an in-person dis cussion of the New York Times best selling novel “The Personal Librarian” by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. Copies of the book are available at the Circulation Desk. No registration needed.

Thursday, October 27, at 2:00 p.m.

Politics of Tea: The East India Company & British Tea Culture (VIRTUAL)

Presenter: Clare Evans, Anglophile and former resident of the United Kingdom For all its genteel connotations, the

history of tea is steeped in espionage, rebellion, and the rise of an empire. Join Anglophile and former UK resident Claire Evans to explore the background of the most lucrative corporate venture the world has ever known and the prod uct it brought to the West at any cost.

With a nod to the popular “Bridgerton” series, learn how tea infused British society from top to bottom and what to expect should you ever find yourself at afternoon tea. No registration needed. For Zoom link, go to syossetlibrary.org.

Friday, October 28, 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 syos setlibrary.org.

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Four SHS students to display artwork in exhibit

The Syosset Central School District has announced that the Huntington Arts Council has selected the artwork of four Syosset High School students to be displayed in its Main Street Gallery this month.

“Nightmare on Main Street” is the Huntington Arts Council’s annual exhibit for student artists grades six through 12. This year’s spooky prompt invited students to submit work inspired by a description of a doctor during the bubonic plague. The plague doctor became a symbol for one’s last earthly moments. The long beak of the protective mask was filled with herbs and spices that were believed to filter

out the “bad spirits.” Halloween is also a once-a-year opportunity to disguise yourself or be unknown, and to cele brate the darker parts of life.

Sixteen Syosset students submit ted artwork to the competition, and four were selected to have their work shown in the physical gallery space. The show begins this Friday, October 21, and concludes on November 12 at the Huntington Arts Council’s Main Street Gallery. In addition to the phys ical show, every student who entered this year will be featured in an online gallery posted on the Huntington Arts Council website.

Four students display their artwork (from left) Scout Chen, Molly Lebolt, Lexi Hugel, and Maya Almaliah.

Photo courtesy of the Syosset School District

Upcoming Events at the Jericho Public Library

Friday, October 21

9:00 a.m.: IN-PERSON: Take Home Fridays - Stop by the Children’s Room to pick up a surprise to take home. It can be a craft or an array of trinkets and toys! While supplies last! Jericho cardholders only.

Saturday, October 22

1:00 p.m.: IN-PERSON: Fall Fun For Everyone - Rain or Shine (Grades PreK–6) - Join us at the Library for crafts, puzzles & other activities. No registration required for this program.

Sunday, October 23

2:00 p.m.: HYBRID: CiCi Fader

Presents A Musical Journey - CiCi will perform a wide variety of pieces with music from Spain, France, Russia and more. Deep diving into the bite of Stravinsky and the genius of Mozart, CiCi will take you through a musical journey around the world.

CiCi Fader is an award-winning pianist playing since the age of 5. During her 18 years, she has been a student at Manhattan School of Music, Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and Summer Arts

with Juilliard in Geneva Switzerland. CiCi is currently a piano studies major at New York University under the tutelage of world renowned pianist and five-time Grammy nominee Alan Feinberg.

Tickets are required. Jericho cardhold ers may pick up 2 tickets per person imme diately. Non-residents may pick up 2 tick ets per person beginning two weeks before the performance. Non-ticket holders will be seated as space allows.

Tuesday, October 25

10:30 a.m.: IN-PERSON: Sing ‘n Swing (Ages 2 to 5 Years) - A Mommy & Me program of stories, rhymes and fingerplays. A parade will follow!

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

2:00 p.m.: IN-PERSON: News Currents with Elinor Haber - Join

Elinor to participate in an informal exchange about topics of the day -- the international, national and local scene. We’ll focus on trends that affect us now and in the future. Bring your thoughts, issues and a friend to join in the discus sion.

Wednesday, October 26

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

6:30 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Free Creative Writing Workshop Led by Sandy Kassimir - Do you like to write but don’t know where to begin? You can write on any topic and genre. It can be a short story, poetry, fairy tale, a reflec tive memoir, fiction or nonfiction — there are no limitations. Through both writing and reading we hope you will be inspired!

7:00 p.m.: IN-PERSON: Tweens Ukulele Crash Course (Grades 4–6): Come ready to learn fast! This expedited version of a longer class will give you

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put your

some skills on how to play the ukulele. No prior musical experience needed to join.

Thursday, October 27

1:00 p.m.: IN-PERSON: Adult Game Time We’re setting up the Meeting Room with tables and chairs. Bring a game to play along with your friends for an after noon of fun and relaxation. Play canasta, mahjongg, Scrabble or any other game of your choice.

7:00 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Teen Advisory Board Meeting - Do you want to get involved and help with planning future Teen programs and book purchases here at the Jericho Library? Join our Teen Advisory Board! We will meet once per month to talk about these things and more. Participants will earn 1 hour of community service credit.

Friday, October 28

9:00 a.m: IN-PERSON: Take Home Fridays - Stop by the Children’s Room to pick up a surprise to take home. It can be a craft or an array of trinkets and toys! While supplies last! Jericho cardholders only.

wedding announcement in

paper.

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT- COUNTY OF NASSAU

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS CWALT, INC., ALTERNATIVE LOAN TRUST 2006-6CB MORTGAGE E PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-6CB, Plaintiff, AGAINST EDWIN M. ALAS AKA EDWIN ALAS, et al. Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on February 20, 2020.

I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 9, 2022 at 2:00 PM premises known as 569 Arrandale Road, Bethpage, NY 11714.

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

All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Bethpage (unincorporated area) Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 46, Block 498 and Lot 18.

Approximate amount of judgment $636,077.23 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #010214/2014.

Jane Shrenkel, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE OF SALE  SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for the HSI Asset Securitization Corporation Trust 2006, Plaintiff AGAINST Patricia Warmhold, et al., Defendant(s)  Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered August 16, 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 17, 2022 at 2:30PM, premises known as 201 N 1st Street, Bethpage, NY 11714. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Bethpage, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, SECTION: 46, BLOCK: 48, LOT: 8-10.  Approximate amount of judgment $606,979.12 plus interest and costs.  Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #007502/2016. 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/Admin/oca.shtml) and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held "Rain or Shine". Lawrence Weinreich, Esq., Referee  Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706   01-053591-F00 73244

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT- COUNTY OF NASSAU

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

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

I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on November 15, 2022 at 2:00 PM premises known as 187 North Herman Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714.

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

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

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

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

Drug takeback day

The Hicksville Water District (HWD) will host its second annual Pharmaceutical Take Back Day on Saturday, October 22, in the park ing lot of the Hicksville Fire Department’s Station #3 located at 90-94 W John St., Hicksville, NY 11801 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This contact-less drive-th ru event provides residents with an opportunity to safely and anonymously dispose of unused medications and phar maceutical equipment. These materials will then be brought to Covanta’s waste manage ment facility in East Northport by the Nassau County Police Department for disposal.

“The Hicksville Water District’s first Pharmaceutical Take Back Day last year was a success, and we are excited to bring this opportunity back to the community in 2022,” said HWD Chairman Nicholas Brigandi. “The benefits of this event are numerous, as it not only helps residents get unnec essary drugs out of their homes as we enter the winter, but it also prevents these potentially harmful materials from enter ing into our water supply. Our District’s foremost responsi bility is to deliver top-quality water to our community, and this event gives residents the opportunity to contribute to that mission in a safe and sim ple manner.”

All of Long Island’s water comes from a single-source aquifer located hundreds of feet underground. When residents dispose of their unused medica tions or pharmaceutical equip ment by flushing them down the toilet or sink, they can end up contaminating our water sup ply. By bringing these materials to the District’s Pharmaceutical Take Back, residents do their part in protecting our water supply while also making their homes safer places to live for their families.

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Town seeds waters with baby clam seedlings

From page 1

a FLUPSY – a Floating Upweller Sys tem –which protects the young shellfish as they continue to grow and mature. From just 2 millimeters, those seedlings reached 15–20 millimeters, an ideal size for seeding the waterways. Those seed lings are placed strategically to help repopulate the shellfish harvesting pop ulation but also effectively clean and filter the waterways.

“This great environmental initiative

preserves the quality, resiliency and natural beauty of our waterways, and we’re so proud to have expanded this program so much over the past few years on both shores of our Town,” said Councilwoman Johnson. “We’ve suc cessfully placed more than 10 million shellfish into our waterways each year, thanks largely in part to our great Shell fish Hatchery, helping to strengthen the local economy and keep our waters clean.”

Hicksville scout honored for park beautification

From page 1

part of this Eagle Scout project, Rohan refurbished the parklet’s basketball court, constructed four wooden bench es, painted the backboard, repainted the rim and installed new nets. The project required hours of logistical planning

and design and truly made a positive dif ference in the local community. Rohan is a sophomore at St. John’s University. He was also an intern this past summer with the Town of Oyster Bay, where his work ethic and dedication were highly respected.

Lottery for Town's free holiday concerts

residents.”

From page 1

This year’s Holiday Concerts are scheduled for two evenings: Monday, December 5, and Tuesday, December 6, at 7:30 p.m.; as well as a matinee per formance on Tuesday, December 6, at 2 p.m.

Applications are available on the Town’s website, www.oysterbaytown. com, or can be received by calling (516) 797-7925. Completed lottery appli cations can be dropped off at the follow ing locations:

• Oyster Bay Town Hall North,

Town Clerk’s Office, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay

• Oyster Bay Town Hall South, South Entrance, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa

Residents may receive up to two tick ets per household. All entries must be received by Tuesday, November 1, at 4:45 p.m. Residents selected will receive their tickets in the mail the week of November 21. Ticket distribution will be based on availability. For more infor mation, visit www.oysterbaytown.com or call (516) 797-7925.

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BY KAREN RUBIN, DAVE E. LEIBERMAN, LAINI MIRANDA, ERIC LEIBERMAN & SARAH FALTER

TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

For a place that seems so remote, so exotic, so far from the reaches of the everyday and which affords such a unique opportunity to see rare and endangered animals, the Galapagos is surprisingly easy to reach – not at all like Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” All that it takes to have this “once in a lifetime,” “bucket list,” wonderful experience, is making the decision to go.

“Nature’s Greatest Laboratory,” the Galapagos is where you see natural selection and evolution unfold before you in real time. The Galapagos is also the poster child for the importance of tourism to provide the economic resources to protect the environment and culture, but also the critical need to rein in tourism and development. In effect, the Galapagos is the model for what responsible, sustainable tourism can mean to preservation, conservation of these precious places.

The Galapagos became a national park (Ecuador’s first) in 1959, the same year that the Charles Darwin Research Station was founded and 100 years after Darwin published his seminal “On the Origin of the Species”- introducing the concepts of natural selection and evolution which he developed as a young naturalist who joined the voyage of the Beagle. The park began operations in 1968. In 1979, UNESCO declared the Galápagos Islands Natural Heritage for Humanity, making the Park Service responsible for conservation and protecting the islands.

Seeing interactions of giant tortoises at the Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Karen has been writing about the origin of “soft adventure” travel since Lars Eric Lindblad basically invented it and more than anyone else, opened Galapagos to the world in the 1970s. At the same time, Lindblad crusaded for insuring the protection of the Galapagos – lobbying to limit on the numbers of visitors, the size of ships, which are in force today (his son, Sven Lindblad now continues that legacy with his own company, Lindblad Expeditions, and specially designed expeditionary ships in partnership with National Geographic.).

Finally, we have the opportunity to see the Galapagos and its responsible tourism preservation strategies first hand.

The best way to experience the Galapagos is by ship (you feel a little like Darwin) and we book a four-day/three-night cruise on the 100-passenger MV Galapagos Legend, a gorgeous ship that affords all the luxury amenities, which is operated by Go Galapagos (gogalapagos.com).

The operator has four itineraries and we choose the “East” which seems to afford the least time sailing (in this time of year, we were concerned about rockier seas) and the most time exploring islands, hiking, snorkeling and seeing a good portion of the wildlife that Galapagos is most famous for.

We cleverly organize our trip to arrive in the Galapagos a couple of days before the cruise, on Santa Cruz, easily accessed from the Baltra International Airport where we will meet up for the cruise.

We fly in separately from Quito and Guayaquil into Baltra International Airport on a tiny island that became a US naval base during World War II. Just walking from the plane at Baltra Airport into the terminal, Karen is met by a “welcoming committee” of a golden iguana Along with most of the other air travelers, we get on buses to the ferry ($5 fare), and the short ferry ride ($1 fare) to Santa Cruz, one of four inhabited islands, where we have

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the most splendid introduction to the Galapagos.

It’s almost an hour’s drive from the ferry to get to Puerto Ayora on the island’s southern tip along the longest paved road in the Galapagos, and you already see the variety of geology and ecosystems which support such diversity of animal life and vegetation. The taxi driver pulls over so Karen can see giant tortoises wandering in a pasture, mixed in with cows.

Ecuador has the highest biodiversity per square kilometer in the world, spread out among a wide variety of environments such as the rainforest to the east and the dry forests to the south. Indeed, within minutes of landing, we already see many of the animals and birds that the Galapagos is famous for.

Santa Cruz has a long history of human settlement and agriculture, which has left the landscape permanently altered by invasive species.

Karen’s taxi stops at Playa Garrapatero, a long beautiful white powder sand beach with clear waters (and no kiosks so bring your own food!) where David and Laini, Eric and Sarah are already encamped – Eric and Sarah on the last legs of their sixmonth odyssey.Laini organized a stay in a fantastic AirBnB, Encantadas Guest House, walking distance to everything in Puerto Ayora, and steps away from the entrance to the boardwalk that leads to the fabulous beach at Tortuga Bay.

Puerto Ayora is absolutely charming and fun – unbelievably wonderful restaurants and delightful (and tastefully upscale) shops. (Calle

Santa Cruz Island is Wonder-full Start to Galapagos Adventure

Continued from

Charles Binford is a bustling street of seafood restaurants where you order that day’s catch the length of your arm, some of them still moving, for a $10 complete dinner; elsewhere you can also get a three-course lunch for $5, such as at Laguna Beach, one of our favorite stops; also La Pausa, which Karen insists is the best cerviche ever!).

One of the fun places to stop is the fish market on the pier where the fishermen bring in their catches, eagerly awaited by a gaggle of pelicans and a sea lion or two that hang out daily, waiting patiently for their share of scraps.

There also are any number of tour companies offering day-trips to the various islands, scuba diving, bike rentals.

We walk along the rocky shore and are dazzled to see the marine iguanas, red crabs, sea lions and pelicans.

Visiting the Charles Darwin Research Station/Fausto Llerena Tortoise Center is a must to learn about the conservation efforts of the islands’ giant tortoises. Established in 1959, the center has a new guided tour – including infrastructure to support it. The tour is fantastic, introducing you to the concepts – which you can see in real life – of natural selection and evolution which Darwin developed on his five-year voyage (1831-1836) around the world on the Beagle; he studied and documented flora and fauna, particularly noting the specialization of species living in the isolation of the Galapagos islands.

The dramatic climax of the tour comes when you enter a special darkened room to see a mummified Lonesome George, the last of his species, the Pinta tortoise. Lonesome George died in 2012 at the age estimated to be around 100 years old. (Lonesome George was named

for comedian George Gobel because of a character the comedian played). His body was sent to a taxidermist at the Museum of Natural History in New York City to be mummified, and is now both a cautionary tale of extinction and an iconic symbol of the conservation efforts in the Galapagos.

The Fausto Llerena Tortoise Center, a long-term program run jointly by the Galapagos National Park Directorate and the Charles Darwin Foundation, began in 1965 to save the giant tortoise population on Pinzón. It was quickly expanded to include other populations, in particular that of Española where only 14 individuals remained. As of 2008, more than 4,000 young tortoises from eight different populations have been repatriated to their native island, with 1,500 going back to Española. At the Tortoise Center, we observe a variety of tortoises, including hatchlings, juveniles and full-grown individuals.

There would have been 350,000 tortoises in the 15th Century – the pirates and explorers who found their way here used tortoises and sea turtles for food and fresh water; by 1959, when the Darwin Research Center was founded, there were only 16,000 great tortoises left. The efforts of this center, and three others located in the Galapagos have resulted in the population rebounding to 50,000.

Among the fascinating facts: the conservationists impact whether a tortoise egg will hatch as male or female by controlling the incubator temperature – a higher temperature produces a female.  The eggs are brought here to hatch because they would not survive in the wild due to the introduced animals – rats, cats, dogs – and are kept here for four to six years until their

shells are firm enough to give them a defense against predators, and then are returned to their native island.Charles Darwin Research Station, Av. Charles Darwin s/n, Puerto Ayora, Galapagos, https://www.darwinfoundation.org/en/, $10 fee; allocate two hours.

We pick up some sandwiches at Galapagos Deli and then go off to what is easily the most wonderful day on any beach Karen has ever had, on Tortuga Bay – soft powdery white sand, the most exquisite blue-aqua-green waters, white waves, black lava rock, and a quiet cove ideal for snorkeling.

But first, we walk about 45 minutes down a mile-long paved path through a gorgeous lush forest (cactus trees!), before you get to this most stunning beach. The long beach which is open to the ocean, has strong undercurrents and is not great for swimming. But then we come to a small cove at the end which offers superb calm waters for snorkeling with colorful parrot fish and black marine iguanas (the Galapagos is the only place in the world where you see these marine iguana). Just passed this cove and around a thicket of mangrove trees we find a second beach, “Tortuga Laguna,” that is more protected, where the water is calm and families gather along the more narrow strip of sand.

We round out this exquisite stay on Santa Cruz by arranging with our taxi driver on our way to meet our Go Galapagos cruise group at Baltra Airport to stop at the El Chato Ranch - Giant Tortoise Reserve in the Highlands (a rainforest), where we get to see where great tortoises are protected and also get to walk through two lava tubes.(The boots they give you to wear through the mud is appreciated, $10 admission, General Rodriguez Lara 629 Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz 200350, Ecuador, +593

Plants on the Plate

BY CHARLYN FARGO

We hear a lot about a plant-forward diet these days: Eat more plants and lower your risk of cancer. Eat more plants and lose weight. Eat more plants and it could even help with menopause symptoms.

We’ve gone from vegetarian plans to vegan to now plant-forward or a “flexi tarian” diet. Plant forward or flexitarian means choosing more plants, but not just plants, to eat.

So how do you really do that?

Take the ever-popular charcuterie

tray -- typically a beautiful array of meats and various cheeses. To make it more plant-friendly, add veggie chips, whole-grain crackers and plenty of fresh vegetables. Add a dip like hummus, salsa or olive tapenade. Add some nuts, fruit or fruit spread.

I’m a fan of the “flexitarian” ap proach: a semi-vegetarian lifestyle in which you simply incorporate more vegetables, fruits and whole grains on your plate. It’s a healthy diet that doesn’t involve counting calories or following strict rules and allows you to include meat, fish and poultry in your diet from time to time. “Flexitarian” is a portman teau of the words “flexible” and “vege tarian.” That resonates with me to add flexibility to my meals and more fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. Think of it as a simple, healthy way of eating

less processed and more “whole” foods without obsessing over it (It’s really OK to have a burger now and then).

You don’t have to stress over the hol idays. Think about adding more dishes with fall and winter produce, like a but ternut squash soup or a pear dessert. Fall produce is packed with phytonu trients and fiber and is typically low in calories. It is colorful as well: the reds of cranberries, beets and pomegranate; the greens of Brussels sprouts and broccoli; the winter whites of cauliflower, turnips and parsnips and the bright yellows and oranges of squash, carrots and oranges. Nutritional value is added the more col ors you can eat.

The bottom line is your plate -- in cluding your holiday plate -- will benefit nutritionally from adding more plants. It can be as simple as having your tra

98 864 4178, https://www.ranchoelchato. com/).

At the driver’s suggestion, we also make a quick stop at Los Gemelos (Twin Craters) - two giant pit craters which were caused by the collapse of empty magma chambers, located just off the road.

Two days is really not enough time in Santa Cruz to take advantage of all it offers – you can easily spend a week. On our list for when we return: Las Grietas (The Crevices), a strip of water through two rock formations where we hear the snorkeling is fantastic; El Mirador is a partially collapsed lava tube; Dragon Hill, created by the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Galapagos National Park to restore the population of land iguanas; Playa de los Perros, a short beach on Academy Bay where you can watch sharks.

Some important tips: You pay $20 airport fee at Quito or Guayaquil for the flight to the Galapagos, $100 in cash to the Galapagos National Park (US dollars are used for currency in Ecuador) upon arrival.

We get to Baltra airport and meet up with the guides and fellow passengers for our cruise aboard the Galapagos Legend (www.gogalapagos.com).

An excellent source of information is the Galapagos Conservancy, a US-based nonprofit (https://www.galapagos.org/ about_galapagos/the-islands/)

See more photos: https:// goingplacesfarandnear.com/santa-cruzisland-is-wonder-ful-start-to-galapagosadventure/

ditional holiday dishes and adding a few new plant-based traditions as well.

Continued on page 5

Crossword Answers

© 2022 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear. com

Stormy days and a hummingbird cake

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

My family is a large one and over the years we’ve discovered that when a thunderstorm is approaching, half of us like the idea of a storm and the other half would rather have it pass us right by. I’m in the camp that believes that there is something magical about a seasonal

ing but as irritating as that could be, if I looked closely, I’d see that Mittens was usually correct - it was a sign to get ready because nine times out of 10 a storm would descend upon us.

My sister, Michelle, wasn’t keen on thunderstorms but most of the time she welcomed them because she knew that the farmers needed rain. And our lawns also needed the rain. My sister, Susan, was scared whenever a thunderstorm came along and rather than listen to her shrieks after each clap of thunder, Mom would come up with different fun proj ects for Susan and her to do together. My mom always did her best to get Susan’s

She would ask Susan to help her bake a cake for that night’s dessert. Someone who at the drop of a hat was willing to participate in creative endeavors, Susan and my mom would pull out the big mix ing bowl, the large spoon, the spatula, the cake pans, some toothpicks for test ing the layer cakes to be sure they were done and a couple of cooling racks.

easy to do.

Hummingbird cakes are also called banana-pineapple cakes. They are made with flour, sugar, vegetable oil, salt, a ripe banana, pineapples, pecans, vanilla, eggs and cinnamon or other spices if desired.

A finished hummingbird cake looks like a beautiful layer cake. It is three lay ers flavored with canned pineapple and bananas and topped with a cream cheese frosting. It can be covered with toasted coconut or you can leave the cream cheese frosting plain. You simply stir together the ingredients and the finished product is a moist cake that keeps well sitting on the counter or placed inside the refrigerator.

downpours of rain, either.

I remember that their creative baking didn’t help ward off the thunderstorm. It was an especially fierce thunderstorm which Phil and I, sitting in rocking chairs, watched intently from the porch. When my mom called everyone for din ner at 6 pm, the storm had ended and things were peaceful as we all enjoyed our beef stroganoff dinner.

It was my brother, Phil, who is eight years older, who first told me that thun derstorms can be pretty exciting. If we were both home at the same time we’d sit on the porch and bring along some glass es of coffee or iced tea. He was usually the first one to spot a flash of lightning and I would look for subsequent ones then shout out when I saw some light ning in the distance.

It was Phil who explained that I would see the lightning then I should start counting the seconds until I heard a clap of thunder. He demonstrated the first couple of times then I caught on and would have an estimated distance of how far the storm was from where we were.

Before we even started doing our esti mations, the cat we had as kids, Mittens, often gave us a tipoff that a storm was coming. He’d lie in the doorway between the living room and a bedroom, for example, and not move meaning he’d be in the way when one of us was walk

Walking through the kitchen every so often, I’d see them starting to work on a dessert for the family that would be fresh and tasty. My mom showed Susan how to bake a hummingbird cake, some thing I’d never heard of before but my mom, a native New Yorker, had learned about in Virginia when my dad was in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Lee in Petersburg during World War II.

My mom became friends with anoth er military wife, Gloria, who was from the island of Jamaica. As they did their chores and socialized every so often, Gloria would tell my mom and other friends about the many times her moth er had baked a hummingbird cake for their family. Gloria loved hummingbird cakes and she always said, “If you like eating a layer cake, you’ll love a hum mingbird cake.”

When my mom said that she hadn’t heard of a hummingbird cake before, Gloria said they’re known in the south ern states of the U.S. and of course most people in the Caribbean islands are familiar with it, too. Mom and her friends were happy to learn a new rec ipe, especially one that looked pretty

One weekend when I was 11 and Phil was home from college in Massachusetts my mom decided to bake a cake. She figured a creative project would help Susan’s mind off of the approaching thunderstorm. Susan was eight and Mittens was two years old at the time. Maybe baking in the kitchen would be a comfort to them both. Mom knew that Mittens wasn’t a fan of loud thunder, bright flashes of lightning and heavy

It was a Sunday and Mom surprised everyone when she brought out the hum mingbird cake, all except Susan who’d helped bake and frost it. My dad was delighted with the cake. He remembered their years in Virginia and how my mom had gotten the recipe from Gloria. My family of eight polished off that cake in one sitting and although Mittens looked on, wanting some, Michelle gave him some cat treats instead.

Usually Mittens, with all of his antics, was the star of the day but this particu lar time the big hit was the humming bird cake. It was the perfect finish to a nice beef stroganoff dinner on a Sunday when all of us had gathered together.

Social Security Pop-up Ads Are So Misleading

BY TOM MARGENAU

In the last month or so, I’ve writ ten two columns about Social Security “news” articles I’ve seen in various pub lications with misleading headlines that are intended to lure you into reading the rest of the story. What’s contained in the article is never as dramatic or newswor thy as the exaggerated headline would indicate.

These Social Security ruses also show up in the form of “pop-up” ads while you are online. For example, today I was on line at a news website when an ad with this headline popped up: “Seven reasons why you may not get your Social Securi ty check!” Even though I knew the con tent was going to be mostly bogus, I just had to click to see where this was going. I also wanted to save my readers the anx iety of worrying that they may never get any Social Security, or that their current benefits might stop.

As always, these come-ons contain little molehills of truth hidden among mountains of misleading information. So anyway, according to this particular pop-up propaganda, here are the seven reasons people may not receive Social Security benefits.

Reason No. 1: Moving to a foreign country

Well, that statement by itself is very misleading. You can move almost any where on the planet and your Social Security benefits will follow you. But there is a small list of countries where Social Security benefits cannot be sent. As the article eventually pointed out, your checks will be stopped if you move to Cuba, North Korea and most of those “-stan” countries that made up the for mer Soviet Union (Uzbekistan, Turk menistan, Tajikistan, etc.) I’m sure 99.9% of the people who were lured into this pop-up ad have absolutely no intention of moving to any of those countries. So, my point is: Why scare all these folks with misleading information that doesn’t apply to them?

Reason No. 2: Dying before reaching age 62

Well, duh! Of course you won’t get any Social Security retirement benefits if you die before you are old enough to claim them. At least the article correct ly pointed out that your spouse or minor children will probably be due survivor benefits on your record.

Reason No. 3: Divorce (sometimes)

Actually, the vast majority of di vorced women (and 95% of these cases involve women) will almost assuredly get benefits on their own Social Securi ty record, on the record of their former husband or on the record of their cur rent husband. (Many divorced women remarry and end up getting benefits on their new husband’s account.) The only divorced women who would end up with no Social Security at all would be those

who divorced before their 10th anniver sary (you must be married 10 years to qualify for divorced spouse benefits), who never remarried, and who never worked, meaning they have no Social Se curity of their own. And in my 50 years of dealing with Social Security issues, I never met a single woman in that boat.

Reason No. 4: If you have too few Social Security credits

Well, this is another great big “Duh!” Who doesn’t know that you have to work and pay Social Security taxes for a min imum of 10 years to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits? And in my half-century of Social Security expe rience, I’ve learned there are only two groups of people who don’t have enough Social Security credits by the time they reach retirement age. One group is mar ried women who choose to stay home and be full-time mothers and homemakers. However, they will always qualify for benefits on their husband’s Social Secu rity record. The other group is made up of state, local and some federal govern ment workers who pay into a separate retirement program and not into Social Security. But of course, they end up get ting a pension from their own retirement system.

Reason No. 5: Being a noncitizen

If you entered this country legally and have worked and paid Social Secu rity taxes, you will qualify for benefits just like anyone else. And legally resid ing noncitizens who have never worked could get dependent or survivor benefits from a spouse’s Social Security record (assuming they meet all the other eli gibility requirements). However, their benefits may stop if they move out of the United States. The only noncitizens who will never get Social Security are those undocumented workers who came to this country illegally.

Reason No. 6: Having worked infrequently

This is just a rehash of the points made in Reason No. 4. (My hunch is the writer of this piece originally had six reasons, but his or her editor said seven were needed, so they added this redun dant bit.) Anyway, once again, the rules say you must work and pay taxes for a minimum of 10 years to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits.

Reason No. 7: You failed the Social Security earnings test

Well, this might be the only bit of re alistic and helpful information in the en tire piece. The “earnings test” referred to says this: If you file for Social Security, if you are under your full retirement age and if you are still working, one dollar must be withheld from your benefits for every two dollars you earn over a pre scribed annual limit. That limit is $19,560 in 2022. I’ve written many past columns explaining why I don’t like this law. So cial Security beneficiaries under full re tirement age who are working and mak

ing more than the earnings limit always end up getting more Social Security ben efits than they are due, and then they must pay back the overpaid amounts.

Here’s some good advice for my read ers. Instead of clicking on these mislead ing pop-up ads, you should read my new book: “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” I just read the book from cover to cover for the first time since turning it over to my syndicator for publication, and I forgot how really good and helpful it is. Try it. You can get it for less than 10

bucks on Amazon.com.

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Securi ty -- Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Under stand 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.

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CROSSWORD PUZZLE

REAL ESTATE WATCH

Are you buying a home or a community lifestyle?

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

As you have been searching for that hard-to-find special first-time or moveup home; is it all about the home or the neighborhood or both? I believe the most crucial item for families about to have or with children is the school system. Obviously, your budget comes into play, so you can only buy what is affordable in today’s higher inter est rate environment. But do your research and find those school districts that have the highest percentage of children going on to higher education.

Another important thought that not everyone may contemplate is the life style that one would like to have for themselves and their family in the town that they will reside in. Specifically, what activities and cultural offerings and opportunities are available as part of your taxes? As an example, if you are fortunate to live in Great Neck, it has a special Park District, with 21 active and passive parks. Every week end music concerts occur from July through September as well as special Family Day events during July and October, with slides, bouncy houses and with food vendors, and Long Island microbreweries bringing their hand crafted ales. Tuesday nights are con cert nights in Ielpi Park on Grace Ave too from July-September. Many other towns nearby like Manhasset, Port Washington, Roslyn, etc. have music venues during the summer months too. Schedules are sent out to all Nassau County residents to enable everyone to participate in those events that occur in the local parks.

Are you looking for a communi

ty pool, tennis courts, tracks to run on, and an excellent library that offers educational and fun activities? If these items are important to you and your family, then one must ascer tain what towns you are interested in purchas ing or renting in have to offer as far as those added value benefits that would make you want to move there.

Checking into the crime and safety of a local town will also provide the perspective for your family from future unwanted and tragic events. Going online will provide excellent informa tion to aid you in your decision-mak ing. As many are traveling and vaca tioning once again, again, it is still imperative to be able to know that where you are living allows you the opportunity to participate in whatever your town has in ancillary activities e.g. holiday events. It will be more beneficial to get your kids off their com puters and cell phones to go outside in the fresh air and move their bodies. All towns that I am aware of have activ ities for children. You need to check your town’s website and make sure you sign up to receive regular emails to be aware of all that is happening in and around your town, throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties, or wherever you decide to reside.

Does the town you are looking into have sufficient restaurants; with avail able dining outside, and promenades

during the summer that closes off certain streets for dining and entertainment? During the Pandemic, most towns, including NYC and its 5 boroughs allowed side walk dining. It appears that many are continuing the practice as a more per manent benefit to enable the restaurant industry to survive and thrive and enable their patrons to be able to dine at Al Fresco.

It really isn’t just about the space that you will be living in but what else is being offered and available in the community to make your family’s life more fun, enjoyable, and entertaining in satisfying your maximum needs and wants.

To me, a house is not totally a home unless there is a component of involve ment in the local community that will support its’ residents in creating, pro ducing, and enhancing activities for a healthy and fun lifestyle.

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

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 40 years experience in the Real Estate indus try and has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (G.R.I.) and also as a Certified International Property Specialist (C.I.P.S.) and in 2022

Plants on the Plate

Q and A

Q: What is the difference between salted and unsalted butter and how should you use them?

A: The only real difference between salted and unsalted butter is literally the salt: All butter is made from the milkfat in cream and contains at least 80% milk fat, 18% water and 2% solids (mainly pro tein and salt). To make butter, pasteur ized cream is shaken or churned until the milkfat (butterfat) separates from the re maining fluid, which is known as butter milk. After churning, the butter is rinsed -- and salted, if making salted butter -- and the excess buttermilk is removed. Salted butter is the best kind of butter to use for the table and general cooking. Unsalted butter can be used anytime fat needs to be added to a recipe. Unsalted butter should be your go-to for baking and pastry. Be

cause most recipes call for the addition of salt as an ingredient, using salted butter in things like baked goods can take them over the edge in terms of saltiness. If you only have salted butter on hand when you’re baking, pull back on the added salt in the recipe -- maybe reduce by half or so, depending on what you’re making -- remembering that you can always add more salt later, but you can’t take it back out.

RECIPE

Your slow cooker is a life- and time-saver when trying to feed your fam ily a healthy meal. You can simply toss all your ingredients in before leaving for the day and come home to a comforting dinner that’s ready to eat. Here’s a reci pe for turkey chili with butternut squash from Eating Well magazine that is full of fiber and vitamin A. The sweetness of the butternut squash tames the kick from the cayenne. It’s a great recipe for

a weeknight dinner or tailgating party. SLOW COOKER TURKEY CHILI WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Servings: 6

1 pound lean ground turkey

1 (28-ounce) can no-salt-added crushed tomatoes

1 (14-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed

1 large onion, diced

4 cups cubed butternut squash

1 cup water

1/4 cup tomato paste

3 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh garlic

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, for serving

Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high

has earned his National Association of Realtors “Green Industry designation for eco-friendly construction. He will provide you with “free” regular updates of sold and new homes in your town via the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island (MLSLI) or go to http://WWW. Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search on your own. For a “FREE” `15 minute consultation, as well as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached. He can also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and our Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.

You can email or snail mail (reg ular mail) him with your request or ideas, suggestions or interview you for a specific topic and a Q & A for a future column with your name, email and cell number. He will email or call you back and respond to your request ASAP as long as he has your complete name, cell, email and/or full home or business address. Again, for a “FREE” 15 minute consultation, he can also be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.Com to answer any of your questions and concerns in sell ing, investing, purchasing, or leasing residential or commercial property.

heat. Add turkey and cook, breaking it up into chunks, until no longer pink, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add tomatoes, kidney beans, on ion, squash, water, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, garlic, cinnamon, salt and cayenne to the slow cooker; stir to combine. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours. Remove lid and stir to combine. Serve hot, topped with cheddar, scallions and hot sauce, if desired. Serves 6 (serving size: 1 1/3 cups)

Per serving: 276 calories; 22.4 grams protein; 35 grams carbohydrates; 6.1 grams fat (1.5 grams saturated); 43.3 mil ligrams cholesterol; 12.6 grams fiber; 7.7 grams sugars; 735.8 milligrams sodium.

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

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STARGAZERS

A True ‘All-Star’ Baseball Game

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of October 23-29, 2022

I remember as a kid sitting in our front room next to our small black-andwhite Motorola television set as my dad introduced me to many of the comedy teams of his day. What a treat it was to share laughter with him over such clas sic acts as Laurel and Hardy, Our Gang, the Bowery Boys and many others.

But of all these hilarious acts, there’s never been any question about my alltime favorite comedy routine: Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s on First?” You remember how it goes: “Who’s on first? What’s on second? I Don’t Know’s on third...”

Even after all these decades, I can’t even think about this brilliant skit without doubling over from laughter. If you’ve never heard it, and even if you have, you really should check out the 8-minute classic here: youtube.com/ watch?v=kTcRRaXV-fg.

I guess baseball is on my mind right now because the 2022 World Series is upon us. And, once again, my favorite teams are sitting at home watching on TV!

So what does baseball have to do with stargazing, you might ask? Plenty. Let me show you.

High in the eastern sky after dark right now we can see four equally bright stars that form what astronomers know

as the Great Square of Pegasus. A fan of our national pastime, of course, might prefer to see it as the Great Celestial Baseball Diamond.

Highest in this square -- sorry, dia mond -- we see a star marking home plate. Moving counterclockwise around the diamond we encounter first, second and third bases. With some imagination, a creative stargazer might even spot the pitcher, catcher, shortstop, umpires, on-deck batter and base coaches along the way.

Way too many outfielders, though!

Now, while you’re gazing up at this all-star baseball game, you may be tempted to ask, “Who’s on first?” Well, the answer is Alpheratz, a name that comes from an Arabic word meaning “navel of the mare.” On second base you’ll find Algenib; on third is Markab. Batting at home plate is Scheat, and right behind is the catcher named Matar.

The stars of Pegasus are more clas sically associated with the front and mid-section of the great winged horse of antiquity, who flew to Mount Helicon in Boeotia where the nine Muses lived. Upon landing, one of its hooves tore open a spring of gushing water that became known as the Hippocrene or The Horse’s Fountain. It was said that drinking its water conferred on one the gift of verse and, ever since, the figure of Pegasus has been a symbol of poetry and the creative arts.

It’s certainly a fun story from ancient mythology, but trying to trace the out line of a horse among these stars is another matter altogether. Not only is Pegasus supposed to be a flying horse, but it also appears upside-down. And if that isn’t confusing enough, there’s only half of an upside-down flying horse in the sky. No wonder we have trouble

making it out!

Nah, I’m a pretty simple guy. Forget the mythological winged horse and give me a celestial baseball diamond any day, even if I have to repeatedly answer the immortal question, “Who’s on first?”

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennis mammana.com.

COPYRIGHT 2022 CREATORS.COM High in the eastern sky after dark right now we can see four equally bright stars that form what astrono mers know as the Great Square of Pegasus. A fan of our national pas time, of course, might prefer to see it as the Great Celestial Baseball Diamond

LOST IN SUBURBIA

The Handy-Dandy Halloween Candy Dilemma

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

Years ago, when we lived on a culde-sac where the houses were far apart, we got very few trick-or-treaters for Halloween. Nevertheless, for some rea son each year I would panic that we would run out of candy and I would have to resort to handing out boxes of raisins, which would definitely result in my house getting egged by disgruntled trick-or-treaters. So, in fear of being yolked, I would buy about six bags of candy and sure enough, each year we’d only get about a dozen kids at our door. At the end of the night, we were left with one rotting pumpkin, all the rai sins and four bags of candy.

Of course, my kids were always over joyed. They figured whatever didn’t get distributed from our house would go back to them. Forget the fact that they brought home enough sugar from

their trick-or-treating to put a diabetic elephant into a coma. No, as far as they were concerned, they had squatters’ rights, and if the candy didn’t leave the house, it was rightfully theirs.

But I begged to differ.

As far as I was concerned, the candy was mine. And I love candy. I adore candy. I would rather eat candy than any meal. No matter what I tell the kids, candy IS better than fruits and vegeta bles, hands down. I don’t care if it melts in my mouth AND melts in my hands. I want candy and I WANT IT NOW!!!

OK. Breathe. Deep, cleansing, choco late-free breaths.

Good. I got that out of my system. But clearly this was a problem... a weighty problem. Four bags of candy. One can dy-lovin’ mama. You do the math. No matter how many lunges and squats I did between Halloween and Christmas, if I kept all that candy, I would eat it and

I would turn into a suburban Oompa Loompa.

In the past, I’d tried to beat this trend by buying candy I didn’t like. For me this meant the kind with coconut and almonds. Unfortunately, the kids didn’t like this kind either, so it back fired. They only took the good stuff and left me with all the coconut and almonds, which, in the throes of a choc olate emergency, I would eat anyway. There’s nothing in the rule book about licking the chocolate off the coconut.

This year I’m an empty nester, and we now live on a street where the hous es are even farther apart. Not having learned my lesson, I still overbought Halloween candy to make sure we didn’t run out. But without any kids in my house, it was a certainty that any remaining candy would end up in my mouth, and later, on my thighs... assuming the candy even made it to

Halloween. Not sure what to do about this potential chocapocalypse, I tossed the bags onto the kitchen table and went out to buy cut-up carrots, the anti-candy.

Did I mention that the table is next to a big picture window?

A window that gets direct sunlight all day?

When I got home, my bags of choc olate candy had become bags of choco late goop.

Which, by the way, taste just fine that way.

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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MARKETPLACE

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516-746-8900

Antiques-FurnitureJewelry-Silver-MirrorsLamps-Artwork Come to Consign & Stay to Shop Visit....

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

All proceeds benefit

The Garden City Historical Society

Like us on Facebook & Instagram

ANDY FOUNDATION

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Saturday 10/22 9am 3pm 295 Stewart Ave Garden City, NY 11530

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Questions: 516-739-1717

INVITED ESTATE SALES BY TRACY JORDAN is doing VIRTUAL TAG SALES and ONLINE AUCTIONS now! Sell the contents of an entire house or sell just a few things! You can host your own sale on invitedsales.com and Facebook and Instagram or we can do it for you. We can photograph, advertise and handle the win ning pickups for you within a week! Don’t worry about your closing date, we can get your house ready on time! We are a one stop service for all your needs when you are moving or selling a property! Selling, donating, discarding and clean ing out services can be done to meet your time frame with minimal stress. Contact info@invitedsales.com for more information or call 516279-6378 to schedule a consul tation or receive more infor mation. Visit us at www.invitedsales. com for a listing of our upcom ing Virtual Tag Sales and Weekly Auctions!

MARKETPLACE

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Call George 917-775-3048 or 718-386-1104

TOP CASH PAID: ESTATE CONTENTS ALL OBJECTS OF ART JEWELRY, ETC.

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TAG SALE

GARDEN CITY INVITED ESTATE SALES BY TRACY JORDAN Monday, October 24, 2022 9:30 a.m. 230 Kensington Rd Garden City, NY 11530

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AUTOMOTIVE

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REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

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PAINTING & PAPERHANGING

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Call: 516-328-7499

PARTY HELP

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RELAX & ENJOY Your Next Party!

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

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MAGNUM SECURITY SYS TEMS, INC.

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Let Magnum Upgrade Your Ex isting Security System. Burglar & Fire Alarms Cellular Radio 3G Upgrades Remote Access Call: 516-486-5484

STRONG AS STEEL WITH THE ATTRACTIVE LOOK OF VARIOUS ROOF STYLES

Black Magic Cake

2⁄3 cup vegetable oil, plus more for greasing the baking pans

1 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder (or any cocoa powder if on hand)

1 cup boiling water

2 cups granulated sugar

1 and 3⁄4 cups all-purpose flour (see cook’s note)

Filling and Frosting:

1 and 1⁄2 cups heavy cream

3⁄4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted

8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped 1 teaspoon espresso powder

Decoration:

2 cups mini marshmallows (about 4 ounces)

FOR THE CAKE:

1) Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350° F. Line the bottom of two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment and crease the parch ment and the sides of the pans with oil.

2) Stir together the cocoa powder and boiling water in a small bowl and let sit to bloom for 5 minutes (this step intensifies the chocolate flavor in the cake).

3) Whisk together the granulated sugar, flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together the bloomed cocoa, oil, milk, eggs, and vanilla in a medium bowl.

4) Pour the cocoa mixture into the sugar mixture and stir until smooth (the batter will be thin).

5) Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake until the cakes bounce back when pressed in the middle and a tooth pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely in the pans on a rack.

FOR THE FILLING AND FROSTING:

1) Heat the cream in a double boiler over low heat, whisking occasional ly, until it begins to steam.

2) Whisk in the cocoa powder, choc olate, espresso powder, vanilla, and salt until the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the but ter until melted. Whisk in the con fectioners’ sugar until incorporated. Let the frosting cool completely.

TO ASSEMBLE:

1) Put one cake, bottom-side up, on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread about 1 cup of the frosting over the top but not all the way down the side.

2) Top with the other cake, bot tom-side up, and frost the top and sides with the remaining frosting.

FOR THE SPIDER WEB OR MUMMY DECORATION:

1) Microwave the marshmallows in a microwave-safe medium bowl until they swell and are soft enough to stir, about 1 minute. Let sit a few minutes until cool enough to touch.

2) Spray your hands with cooking

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon fine salt

1 cup whole milk

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Pinch fine salt

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1⁄3 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted

Cooking spray

1 or more candy spiders or two candy eyes for decorating

spray. For a spider web, pick up a table spoon-sized blob of the melted marshmal low and stretch it over and around the cake; repeat so that the strings of marsh mallow crisscross one another in many directions. Continue until you have what looks like a spiderweb. For a mummy, stretch the marshmallow so that all the strings on the top of the cake run in the same direction, leaving a small gap be

tween strings for the mummy’s eyes to peak out.

3) Garnish with a candy spider or several candy spiders for the web cake or candy eyes for the mummy cake. Cook’s note: The candy directions are a nice touch, but the cake will be fun and delicious without them as well. When measuring flour, spoon it into a dry mea suring cup and level off the excess.

8 to 10 servings

Sweet treats are on display come Halloween. People hosting Halloween parties or bringing items over to others’ homes for the holiday may need to scare up some new ideas for dessert.

Chocolate never goes out of style and is right at home on

Halloween. This recipe for “Black Magic Cake,” courtesy of The Food Network, is decadently rich. Don’t let all that chocolate frighten you. Drizzle as much melted marshmallow as necessary to brighten up the flavor. Turn into a mummy face or transform the top of the cake into a spiderweb instead.

Professional

PC

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of Formation of Vestic Group, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2022-09-21. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Vestic Group, LLC: 734 Franklin Ave Suite 775 Garden City NY 11530. Purpose: Any lawful purpose

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON

SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF THE RESIDENTIAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES TRUST VI-A, Plaintiff, vs. VIJAY DADLANI, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on October 25, 2007, an Order duly entered on March 14, 2018, and an Order Appointing Successor Referee and Amending Case Caption duly entered on July 27, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps at the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on November 2, 2022 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 3165 Dorset Lane, Levittown, NY 11756. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in Hicksville, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 51, Block 261 and Lot 8.

Approximate amount of judgment is $416,333.25 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #011816/2006. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Ralph Madalena, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff, Firm File No. 190887-2

516-294-8900 to find out how to advertise your services in our paper!

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf. vs. RICHARD J. LACOLA AND MILLIE S. LACOLA, if they be living, if they be dead, their respective heirs-at-law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors, and successors in interest, and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through RICHARD J. LACOLA AND MILLIE S. LACOLA, if they be dead, whether by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, including any right, title or interest in and to the real property described in the complaint herein, all of who and whose names and places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff; et al, Defts. Index #608419/2021. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered July 21, 2022, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on November 2, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. prem. k/a District 17, Section 46, Block 368, Lot 11. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale and the right of the United States of America to redeem within 120 days from the date of sale as provided by law.

Foreclosure auction will be held “rain or shine.” If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the sale.

MARK

RICCIARDI, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Dr., Great Neck, NY. #99790

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, CASCADE FUNDING MORTGAGE TRUST 2017-1, Plaintiff, vs. MIRNA BENITEZ, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on April 11, 2019 and an Order for Extension of Time to Conduct Foreclosure Sale duly entered on November 27, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on November 1, 2022 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 141 West Avenue, Hicksville, NY 11801. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 45, Block 46 and Lot 289. Approximate amount of judgment is $907,661.64 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #5314/2015. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Barton Slavin, Esq., Referee Greenspoon Marder, 590 Madison Avenue, Suite 1800, New York, NY 10022, Attorneys for Plaintiff

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

A Notice of Formation of 138 Peer LLC, Art. of Org. filed Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 8/19/2022. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: The LLC, 17 Pal St, Plainview, NY 11803. Purpose: any lawful activity.

NASSAU COUNTY PUBLIC NOTICE

AT&T is proposing to remove and install antennas on a water tank with an overall height of 139 feet at Schoolhouse Place, Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New York 11771. The antennas will be installed at a centerline height of 120.5 feet. AT&T is publishing this notice in accordance with Federal Communications Commission regulations (47 CFR § 1.1307) for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Parties interested in commenting on this Federal undertaking or with questions on the proposed facility should contact, Elizabeth Shule, 2154 Torrance Boulevard, Suite 200, Torrance, CA, 90501, (314)3393896, eshule@partneresi.com. Please provide comments within 30 days of the publication date.

Too much junk in your house?

Family Fall & Halloween Festival

The Town of Oyster Bay invites residents and their families to the Town of Oyster Bay’s Family Fall & Halloween Festival, which will be held on Saturday, October 22, 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 pump kin 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, hay ride, food trucks, and games. Costumes for those attending are encouraged!

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

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Hicksville High School Homecoming 2022

Hicksville High School’s field was buzz ing with school spirit as students, staff and the community came together to celebrate homecoming on Oct. 8.

Prior to the start of the game, the school hosted its annual Homecoming Fair. Activities, games, spirit wear, gift basket raffles, food and refreshments were offered at various tables, which were operated by students, parents and school community organizations. Children were also able to play on the inflatable slides and bouncy houses.

The celebration kicked off with a pro cession of the marching band, cheerleaders

and the kickline team, as well as the four classes who displayed banners with this year’s theme of fairytales. The sophomore class took home best-banner honor for their “gingerbread man” design.

Comet pride carried over onto the field, with a varsity football game and spectac ular halftime festivities including perfor mances from the marching band and color guard, cheerleaders and the kickline team, as well as the crowning of homecoming king Gustavo Balaguera and queen Marina Morales.

Homecoming king Gustavo Balaguera and queen Marina Morales were crowned at halftime.

During halftime, cheerleaders put on a performance from the field.

The marching band led the procession from the fair to the field. They also per formed at halftime.

The sophomore class took home best-banner honor in this year’s fairytales themed contest with their “gingerbread man” design.

The Helping Hands Club was represented at the fair.

The Robotics Team had a table at the fair.

The Future Business Leaders of America.

Photos courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Students challenge teachers to game of charades

Rose Scalera’s “It ’ s Showtime” class at Jericho Middle School challenged ELA teachers and school administrators to a game of charades as a culmina tion to their non-verbal communication unit. The teachers enjoyed the game as much as the students!

The students were great with their clues.

The teachers help each other to guess the clue!

Free Family Fall & Halloween Festival

The Town of Oyster Bay invites residents and their families to the Town of Oyster Bay’s Family Fall & Halloween Festival, which will be held on Saturday, October 22, 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 oppor

tunity 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 encour

aged!”

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 give aways, inflatables, hay ride, food trucks, and games. 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.

Dr. Dan Salzman gives clues to the teachers.

Rose Scalera helps a student break down the word.

Educators gather at BHS for EdCamp 2022

Bethpage High School classrooms filled up with teachers and administrators who participated in a number of workshops ranging from technology in the classroom to building school community.

Bethpage High School opened its doors to hundreds of educators from across Long Island for EdCampLI 2022 on Oct. 15. EdCampLI connects teach ers and administrators from Nassau and Suffolk counties to collaborate on a number of topics that affect school buildings and classrooms. Unlike a tra ditional conference, participants create the event’s schedule the morning of the event.

Bethpage Superintendent of Schools David Schneider kicked off the day by welcoming the crowd. He introduced the Bethpage High School student ambassadors who were present to help facilitate the event, including senior and Student Council President Marnes Richemond. Richemond shared an inspirational message of how his teach

ers have shaped him.

“What makes the life of a student mean something is all of you guys,” Richemond said. “Every single staff member knows how to make a student feel like they’re a part of something with their kind remarks, warm smiles and willingness to help keep students be safe and proud — proud to be students.”

Following the opening remarks, the educators broke out into workshops. Bethpage High School classrooms quickly filled up for presentations ranging from how to build community within a building, to social emotional learning opportunities, to profession al development sessions including, “So You Want to be an Administrator?” led by Superintendent Mr. Schneider.

Bethpage HS Student Council President Marnes Richemond received a standing ovation after sharing an inspirational message with the crowd.

See what's happening at your library!

From classes to lectures and concerts to movie screenings, there's never a dull day at your local library! Check this paper each week for fun and informative all-ages activities, all for free or cheap!

Student volunteers helped facilitate the day’s events.

Bethpage administrators and teachers were among the hundreds of participants.

Bethpage Superintendent of Schools David Schneider welcomed hundreds of educa tors from across Long Island to EdCampLI.

Superintendent of Schools David Schneider led a ses sion titled, “So You Want to be an Administrator?”