Syosset Advance (6/7/24)

“...I was overwhelmed by

RIDE TO END CANCER

Town of Oyster Bay officials recently announced a partnership between the town and Empire State Ride Long Island to host Long Island's largest charitable fundraiser to benefit cancer research.

Volunteers needed to help terrapin turtles

The Town of Oyster Bay and Friends of the Bay will be co-hosting a Terrapin Survival and Beach Cleanup Day on Saturday, June 15, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Centre Island Beach.

“The Town of Oyster Bay joined forces with Friends of the Bay to launch ‘Team Terrapin,’ to help protect the Diamondback Terrapin

turtle, as this small species lives in fresh or brackish waters in our Town,” said Town Councilwoman Laura Maier. “These turtles, which have distinctive diamond-shaped rings covering their shells, have a near-threatened conservation status and we are working with our environmental partners and local volunteers to help protect this vul-

nerable species.”

During this Terrapin Survival and Beach Cleanup Day, volunteers will be trained to identify signs of nesting terrapins, briefed on how to collect data and how to deploy protective cages around nests. These structures keep natural predators like raccoons and fox away from

Petition created to prevent teacher backing of BOE picks

BY GEORGE HABER

More than 350 Jericho residents have signed a petition to prevent Jericho school teachers from actively supporting and funding candidates for School Board elections.

The petition on the website Change.org was launched by Jericho resident Cherilyn Weiss, whose two children attend Jericho schools.

“It’s an obvious and blatantly conflict of interest for Jericho teachers through their union to endorse a candidate for the school board,” she said.

“Of course, teachers have a right to support candidates of their choice,” she said. “But when a united front is formed to finance a campaign and to sway parents of school children to vote a certain way, that is an obvious abuse of the teachers’ position.”

Weiss said teachers were making phone calls to parents and knocking on doors to enlist support for specific candidates.

“When school boards vote on teacher contracts or discuss issues involving teachers, it is inappropriate for the teachers’ choices to be board members with obvious vested interest in these issues,” Weiss said.

Weiss said the School Administration sees no problem with teachers supporting specific Board candidates, and one education lawyer contacted by the News Journal said he saw no legal basis for preventing teachers or their unions from taking sides in school board elections.

Weiss said she recognizes everyone’s right to free speech, but “to keep elections and board decisions fair,” she said, “board members elected with the backing of aggressive and coordinated support from teachers should have the sensitivity” to recuse themselves from decisions affecting teachers such as salary negotiations and certain issues involving teachers.

The petition will be submitted to New York State agencies that oversee School Board activities.

Pasadena Elementary School adds music, art wings

School administrators and staff members were on hand on May 14 to cut the ribbon on new additions to Pasadena Elementary School.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Tuesday, May 14, at the Pasadena Elementary School in Plainview. The ceremony was held inresponse to recognize the new additions to the school, which include a brand new  music room, artroom, instrumental room and indoor and outdoor bathrooms.

Karen Heitner, principal of Pasadena Elementary, said that the new additions to the school would create more space for students and staff and help them develop their musical and artistic talents.

“With the newly renovated art, instrumental and general music rooms as well as the two bathrooms, both inside and outside of the building, it will help students with their artistic and musical skills,” said Heitner. ”We were pretty much busting at the seams with our previous layout. It’s been a longtime coming to add these new wings to our building.”

Heitner said that the idea for the new additions to the school building came about pre pandemic, when the Board of Education and community members gathered for a school meeting.

“The idea has been in the works for a few years to add more space to our building. We had been utilizing old kindergarten rooms for our students and now they’ll be treated to a new temperature controlled music room with a closet for their instruments. They will now have an art room with a new sink and one that will allow more space for their projects and creativity.”

The ribbon cutting was performed by Board of Education Vice President, Seth Greenberg, followed by a performance from the school’s fourth grade chorus.

“Today we celebrate not only the addition of new classrooms, but the boundless opportunities they represent,” Greenberg said. “Within these walls creativity will flourish, young minds will dream and friendships will be forged. This addition is a testament to our community's commitment to enhancing the educational experience for our children."

Construction on the new project broke ground last June and the work was completed last month.

Navy Band gives performance at high school

Members of the U.S. Navy Band recently visited Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School.

Members of the official U.S. Navy Band visited Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School to give a series of rousing performances for the students. The visit gave students a rare opportunity to see this long-running and storied band in action.

The Navy Band, comprising active-duty sailors, was formed in 1925 as the official band of that branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Over the years, it has served in

important ceremonial roles during major occasions, including U.S. presidential inaugurations and other national celebrations. Additionally, members of the Navy Band tour the country, performing at various schools and public venues. The performance at POBJFKHS was both entertaining and educational, giving the school’s own band a chance to see one of the most famous bands in the country in action.

Touch a Truck event

Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray joined students from Mrs. Bergersen’s Kindergarten class during the Touch a Truck Day on May 16, at Gardiners Avenue Elementary School in Levittown.

Hicksville student art recognized in national competition

Hicksville High School junior

Kira Cristelli with New York State Representative Tom Suozzi at a recent reception celebrating her winning artwork. Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

Hicksville High School junior

Kira Cristelli was recently named a Congressional Arts winner for the Congressional Art Competition for New York District 3.

Cristelli dedicated her winning art entitled “Homage” to her grandfather, sharing proudly, “My grandfather served as a soldier in World War II where he was deployed to Iwo Jima, Japan and when he returned, he continued to help others and became a firefighter.” She continued, “These historical artifacts represent the heroic heritage of a man who provided service to people his whole life, both in the military and as a fireman.”

Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated in the visual art competition through the Congressional Institute.  Open only to high school students, the goal is to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district.

About to hit a milestone?

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

Bethpage HS Senior Awards

Select Bethpage High School seniors were recognized for their academic strides, musical talent, athletic skills, school involvement, volunteer efforts and overall good character during their annual Senior Awards ceremony that was held on May 23. Congratulations to all who achieved these acknowledgments, which result from continued effort and a dedication to learning. Photo courtesy of Bethpage Public Schools

Lockin CurrentPricing

Syosset alumna accepted to Yale summer program

Sabrina Guo, a rising sophomore attending Yale University, has been selected as a Yale Women in Government Fellow and accepted to the prestigious The Campaign School at Yale’s annual 5-day Summer Session campaigning boot camp from June 10 to 14 in New Haven, Conn. Just 68 people nationwide and beyond have been accepted into this intensive non-partisan, issue neutral campaign training program.

Guo will learn the tools and insights necessary to navigate the complexities of modern political campaigns from experts from both major political parties. Lessons will emphasize the unique challenges women face in running for office, including asking for contributions (often a special challenge for women), security on the campaign trail, the economics of campaigning, and more.

“Sabrina represents a wave of women who know they can lead in a less ego-driven and more collaborative way,” said Patricia (Patti) Russo, executive director of The Campaign School at Yale. “Women lead differently, and we need strong, enthusiastic women like Sabrina in office to help bridge the bipartisan gap that is plaguing our government.”

Guo said “I am excited to learn more about the art and science of campaigning so I can earn the right to serve my community. The Campaign School at Yale is one of the most prestigious campaign training programs in the world. People travel from all over to learn from

Sabrina Guo

the best, and I am honored to be chosen to attend. Women are underrepresented in political office, and I am passionate about serving or helping other women win leadership positions.” Guo added, “Joining The Campaign School at Yale's Summer Session isn't just about gaining insights into political strategy; it's about embracing a commitment to ethical leadership and driving positive change in our communities. Politics is a business and there is so much to learn to earn the right to represent my community.”

Sabrina is a graduate of Syosset High School and a current rising sophomore at Yale University pursuing a degree at the intersection of law and public policy.

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

LUXURY RENTALS FOR THOSE 62 AND OLDER

‘ Apartments with Full Kitchens

‘ Concierge Services

‘ Daily Housekeeping

‘ Private Car Services

‘ On-Site Cinema

‘ Outdoor Pool with Cabanas

‘ Fitness Center & Yoga Studio

‘ Spacious Patio & Fire Pit

‘ Two On-Site Restaurants with al fresco Dining

‘ Golf Simulator

‘ Beauty Salon & Spa

Terrific Kids at Abbey Lane School

Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray congratulated Abbey Lane Elementary School students Syed Sherazi, Leandra Nako, Ambren Mahmod, Lucas Puglisi, Chloe Yu, Alianna Stanley, Bruno Lazo, Ibrahim Umer, Afzer Mahmod, Ananya Roy, Tyler Dunn and Sarah Sosa as they were named “Terrific Kids” by the Levittown Kiwanis Club on May 22.

HMS Eighth Grade Awards Night

Select Hicksville Middle School eighth graders were recognized for their academic strides, musical talent, athletic skills, school involvement, volunteer efforts and overall good character during their annual Eight Grade Awards ceremony that was held on May 30. Congratulations to all who achieved these acknowledgments, which result from continued effort and a dedication to learning.

Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

BRUCE A. BLAKEMAN

POB media program shines at award ceremony

The Plainview-Old Bethpage TV Media Program, under the guidance of technology teacher Caryn McCarroll, achieved remarkable success at the 2024 Broadcast Awards for Senior High held at Hofstra University on May 21. Competing against nearly 1,000 students from 50 districts across Long Island and Westchester, the talented video production students brought home two trophies and an honorable mention, showcasing their exceptional skills and creativity.

8:30am

BASH, founded by the Southold School District in 2017, is an annual celebration of student broadcast journalism and video production. The BASH awards serve as both an awards ceremony and a learning conference for high school students, teachers, and school administrators involved in journalism programs and media production classes.

The POB TV Media Program was recognized in the following categories:

• Third Place: #lookup PSA

• Second Place: Boys Varsity Basketball Livestream

• Honorable Mention: POB News Intro

“We are incredibly proud of our students’ achievements at the BASH awards,” said McCarroll. “Their hard work, dedication, and creativity have paid off, and it is gratifying to see them recognized among

The Plainview-Old Bethpage TV Media Program was recognized in three categories at the BASH Awards.

such talented peers.”

The success at BASH underscores the quality and commitment of the POB TV Media Program and highlights the exceptional talent of our students. We look forward to seeing their continued success in future competitions and endeavors.”

Chamber welcomes new member

The Levittown Chamber of Commerce welcomed new member Meryl Manthey on May 15 at their membership meeting held at Domenico’s in Levittown. Meryl is a licensed real estate agent with JoAnn Cilla Real Estate. Meryl's contact information is meryl@joanncillarealestate.com or call Meryl at 415-602-9775.The Chamber meets every third Wednesday of the month, alternating between lunch and dinner meetings. Their next meeting is on June 19 at 12:30 p.m. at the VFW. To join the Chamber or attend a meeting, visit levittownchamber.com.

Photo courtesy of Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District

THE BRISTAL ASSISTED LIVING INVITES YOU TO A

SATURDAY, JUNE 8 & SUNDAY, JUNE 9 Take advantage of our spring savings special this weekend only!

Stop by the community of your choice between 10:00A M -2:0 0PM

Join us at any of The Bristal communities for a festive spring weekend. Take a tour, view our beautifully appointed apartments, meet our team and learn more about The Bristal’s amenities and lifestyle.

To let us know you’re coming, give us a call at 877-978-1088 or scan the QR code to visit: thebristal.com/gardenparty

Jericho MS student excels in history competition

BY TRACY FITZGERALD

Jericho Middle School student Brent Costello proudly brought home three awards from the 2024 National History Bee, hosted by International Academic Competitions (“IAC”) in Orlando, Florida. He was a medalist in Black American History, a semifinalist in U.S. History, and a quarterfinalist in World History.  The National History Bee, which boasted over 1,500 participants from across the country this year, is a quiz competition where individual students compete to demonstrate their vast knowledge of the history of all eras.

Costello is a veteran competitor. He competed in both the 2023 IAC National History Bee in Arlington, Virginia and the International History Olympiad in Rome, where he won silver and bronze medals in Italian History and Music History events.  This year he also qualified for the next International History Olympiad, scheduled to take place in London in July 2025.

Costello enjoys learning about history by watching “Jeopardy” with his family, reading, watching YouTube videos and traveling. He hopes to one day compete on “Jeop-

ardy,” perhaps even “Teen Jeopardy” soon. Costello was enthusiastically supported and encouraged in his competition endeavors by his History Club advisor, Theresa Cantwell,

NASSAU COUNTY LEGAL NOTICE

SYOSSET CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

NOTICE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT MONTHLY MEETING

Monday, June 10, 2024

There will be a meeting of the Board of Education on Monday, June 10, 2024, at approximately 6:00 p.m. in South Woods Middle School, 99 Pell Lane, Syosset, New York.

At that time, the Board of Education will determine whether to go into Executive Session. If there is a need for an Executive Session, the Board will vote to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing matters regarding collective bargaining negotiations, school security, the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person and to obtain legal advice regarding proposed, pending or current litigation. If no Executive Session is needed, the Board will recess until the public portion of the Budget Information and Monthly Board of Education Meeting at 8:00 p.m. at South Woods Middle School, 99 Pell Lane, Syosset, New York.

The Syosset Board of Education and Administration welcome you to observe the Board of Education Meeting via livestream broadcast on the District website.

Dated: June 5, 2024

Syosset, NY

Class receives lesson from helicopter EMTs

Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School (POBJFKHS) emergency medical technician (EMT) students recently received a hands-on lesson with an active air ambulance helicopter. As part of the lesson, the helicopter made its appearance, landing atop the POBFJKHS fields, and the students were able to tour the truly state-of-the-art aircraft.

The lesson was made possible through a collaboration among the high school; the Plainview-Old Bethpage Fire Department; and the Nassau County Police Department, which operates the helicopter.

The students had the opportunity to learn about the pilots of this aircraft, and the role the vehicle plays in both policing and transporting patients during specific types of medical emergencies where a regular ambulance would be inappropriate.

The high school’s EMT class provides valuable, hands-on emergency rescue and firstaid skills to students. Upon completion, students receive official New York State EMT certification, allowing them to take their first steps into the emergency first response field while still in high school.

the Jericho Middle School social studies administrators and teachers, and the Jericho School District administration.

Do you have a service to advertise? Our Service Directory is sure to bring results. Call 294-8900 for rates.

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of Formation of AAMLR JERICHO LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/25/2024. Office location: NASSAU. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to AMREY PAUL SINGH: 71 EAST ST HICKSVILLE NY, 11801. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Volunteers needed to help terrapin turtles

From page 1

the terrapins, thus contributing to their survival. The event features a beach cleanup and tours of nesting sites.

Terrapin monitoring will take place for four to six weeks after the event and Team Terrapin volunteers will be encouraged to sign up for halfhour or one-hour monitoring shifts during weekdays and weekends. This is an excellent citizen science opportunity for

people of all ages. Community service hours and certificates of participation will be provided upon request.

Terrapins can be found along the northern shore of Oyster Bay, especially at Centre Island Beach, with a large population at the head of Mill Neck Creek near Beaver Dam. To register for the event, volunteers should visit https:// www.friendsofthebay.org/volunteer-opportunities.html

Brent Costello

The helicopter made its debut on the school fields.

Upcoming Events at the Jericho Public Library

Sunday, June 9

2 p.m.: HYBRID: Nassau County Historical Society presents: Long Island’s History and Lessons for the 21st Century with Tim Keogh - What do the roughly 1 in 9 Long Islanders who lived in poverty after 1945 tell us about living and working in the nation’s wealthiest large county? Join Tim Keogh, the author of In Levittown’s Shadow: Poverty when we discuss the untold history from Tim’s new book. It will also offer new perspectives on Long Island’s twenty-first century ‘challenges’.

Monday, June 10

2 p.m.: VIRTUAL: Profiles with Dr. William Thierfelder: The Summer of ‘69 - In 1969, America experienced one of its most extraordinary summers. In addition to the ongoing unrest revolving around the Vietnam War and Civil Rights, three pivotal milestones occurred: The Stonewall Riots, which marked the beginning of the modern LGBTQ era; the Apollo moon landing, which became the crowning achievement of a decade-long “Space Race” and Woodstock, probably the single most important cultural event of the era. Join us as we relive the season that changed the face of America forever.

Tuesday, June 11

9:30 a.m.: IN-PERSON: Adult Walking Club - (Weather permitting) All levels, all abilities are welcome. Join us for a 45 minute walk around the neighborhood. It’s an opportunity to get some exercise, meet new people, spend time with a friend and enjoy some conversation. Meet us in front of the library. Participants must wear sneakers and bring a bottle of water.

Wednesday, June 12

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

educational musical storytime!

2 p.m.: HYBRID: Hidden Faces: Covered Portraits of the Renaissance with Professor Thomas Germano - An intriguing but unknown side of Renaissance painting: multisided portraits where the sitter’s likeness was concealed by hinges or sliding covers within a box, or a dual-faced format. The covers and reverses of these small portraits were adorned with puzzlelike emblems, epigrams, allegories and mythologies that celebrated the sitter’s character. The viewer had to decode the meaning of the symbolic portrait before lifting, sliding, or turning the image over to unmask the face below. Join Professor Germano when he presents a visual lecture related to this unique exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Thursday, June 13

8:15 a.m.: Spring Bus Trip Culinary Institute & Vanderbilt Mansion - Dine at the Culinary Institute of America’s American Bounty Restaurant and enjoy a delectable 3-course lunch featuring:

• Roasted Beet & Mixed Green Salad-Marinated Fingerling Potatoes Tarragon-Shallot Vinaigrette

• Sautéed Chicken Breast Roasted Garlic Potato Gratin, Seasonal Vegetables, Chicken Jus

• Milk Chocolate Mousse Hazelnut Praline, Soft Chocolate Cake, Caramel Whipped Cream

Next we will visit the spectacular Vanderbilt Mansion and get a tour of this national historic site and Gilded Age dream home. Cost: $121.50

Friday, June 14

1 p.m.: IN-PERSON: Learn to Play Bridge with Anne Bass - Those who have little or no experience with the game of bridge are invited to register for this 8 week course. Basic bridge rules and bidding conventions will be covered.

Town seeks photos for publications

The Town of Oyster Bay invites residents to submit photos taken in the Town of Oyster Bay to be considered for future use in Town publications.

“We accept photos year-round submitted by our residents which depict people, places, community events and scenery throughout our Town,” said Town Councilman Tom Hand. “We accept photos for the calendar, as well as other Town publications, including our website, social media pages and brochures.”

Councilman Hand noted that photos should be taken within the confines of

the Town of Oyster Bay. Digital submissions are preferred, but high-quality photos may also be submitted. Emailed photos should be sent to photos@oysterbay-ny.gov. Printed photos can be submitted to the Town’s Public Information Office, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay NY 11771. Residents should make sure their name, address, phone number and brief description of the photo are included with their submission. The photographer is responsible for the correct spelling of the names and subjects in the photos, as well as notifying subjects they may appear in a Town publication.

This Week at the Syosset Public Library

Friday, June 7, at 2:00 p.m.

Collage Art Class (IN-PERSON)

Instructor: Meagan Meehan

Everyone will paint a canvas and decorate it with clay, rhinestones, bottle caps, and more. All materials will be supplied and no art experience is needed. Fee: $5. Registration needed. Register at syossetlibrary.org.

Monday, June 10, at 7:00 p.m.

Which Hydrangea is Right for You (VIRTUAL)

Presenter: Kathie Skinner, master gardener

Over 800 hydrangea cultivars may be found across garden centers. Selecting the best shrub for the home garden can be daunting and mistakes can be made. This lecture focuses on the key points that gardeners should consider before selecting a hydrangea. It’s easy to select a plant based on some attributes - especially the size and color of blooms - only to find that the plant will not be the “right plant in the right place.” The seven common species are identified, characteristics, examples, and their best use in the landscape are provided.

Tuesday, June 11, at 2:00 p.m.

Title Swap Tuesdays (IN-PERSON)

Excited to hear about our favorite books? Join the Readers’ Services librarians for a fun, lively in-person presentation of all the books we can’t stop talking

about. Leave with a list of great reads. No registration needed.

Thursday, June 13, at 2:00 p.m. Shakespeare in Opera, Part 2 (IN-PERSON)

Presenter: Tanisha Mitchell, MET opera singer, librarian at Freeport Library and MET William Shakespeare’s timeless works always make an excellent opera. Join Tanisha as she discusses how opera breathes life into Shakespeare’s works through famous operas including  “Falstaff,” “Midsummer Night’s Dream” & “I Capuleti e i Montecchi.”

Thursday, June 13, at 7:00 p.m.

The Importance of Juneteenth (VIRTUAL)

Presenter: Martin H. Levinson

Juneteenth, which occurs on June 19, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Join historian Martin H. Levinson in discussing this important celebration. No registration needed.

Friday, June 14, at 2:00 p.m. Friday Movie at the Library (IN-PERSON)

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

Student artists get lesson on Japanese pottery

Students worked in teams to remove their clay art from a kiln.

Pottery and sculpture students at Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School recently had a hands-on lesson in an ancient Japanese pottery glazing technique. Students had the rare opportunity to perform Raku firing, which produced unique metallic patterns on their clay art pieces.

Raku firing is a process that involved the students heating their pieces in a kiln, placing them in a bucket of flam-

mable material—in this case scraps of newspaper—and then immediately closing the bucket. The process deprives the clay glaze of oxygen as it dries, creating a unique pattern. Using tongs and fireproof gloves, students worked in teams to perform the technique, which was done outside the building to ensure safety.

Raku firing dates back to 16th century Japan, and the technique has under-

selected their glazed, clay sculptures to be placed in the kiln.

After some time, the fire is extinguished so the pieces can be removed.

gone a variety of iterations as clay and sculpture artists from all over the world adopted and used it on their pieces.

The pieces are placed in a bucket of flammable material, and the students readied to immediately close the bucket to starve the glaze of oxygen.

A student shows off her completed sculpture.

The finished products are cooled with water.

Students

POB’s special, hands-on lesson was done in collaboration with a visiting clay artist at the school.

S:10.3"

T:11.3"

June 7, 2024

Best Bike Trips for this Summer’s Travel

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

Biking is my favorite form of travel – I love the perfect pace – not to fast, not too slow to be able to really be in the moment - being outside with no window or barrier, going through villages and neighborhoods you would not likely see traveling by car, bus or train, being able to stop and admire the view. And I love at the end of the day, feeling both physically accomplished and exhilarated, with the endorphins sparking. You feel you are an active participant in your surroundings, not a mere spectator. All your senses are activated.

In decades of travel, the experiences I cherish most include riding the biketours.com’s self-guided Danube Bike Trail trip from Passau to Vienna with my sons; being transformed seeing people and villages in Albania (e-bike recommended); the exhilaration of reaching the top of Cadillac Mountain on Discovery Bicycle’s Maine Coast tour; and the warm feeling after a hot shower, wrapped in a lush bathrobe in a historic inn after a hilly, rainy ride on a hybrid bike (e-bike available) on Discovery’s Eastern Quebec Townships trip; and the sheer delight of biking from Bruges to Amsterdam and sailing on a boat with Boat Bike Tours.

Bike trips have become so popular, they have veered far from the humdrum into the heretofore unimaginable. There is hardly any place in the world where you cannot explore on two-wheels (hybrid, road bikes, gravel bikes, e-bikes), where there are not guided trips, or self-guided trips (where you rent the bike, have vouchers for accommodations, and your luggage is picked up and mag-

Fondest memories of travel are from bike tours like BoatBikeTour’s Bruges-Amsterdam trip, with this memorable scene of biking passed windmills after a rain © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

ically appears at the next inn, much easier now with Ride GPS and similar apps). Also, e-bikes have opened a world and extended your years in the saddle – you no longer have to be afraid when the ride is rated a 4, with major hills.

Also, whether you are a family, a couple, a group of friends, or traveling solo (as I do), bike tours are ideal. Here are some recommendations:

Wilderness Voyageurs has a huge selection of offerings, especially trips that take advantage of railtrails (the company is based along the Great Allegheny Passage in Ohiopyle, PA).They have trips on 30 rail-trails across the USA (11 are in the Rails to Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame), and have been the operator of RTC’s Sojourn trips on the GAP. They offer a marvelous selection of trips on New York’s Erie Canalway, on the new Empire Trail Network (from Battery Park up to Albany, but the trail network actually goes all the way up to Canada), as well as Missouri’s KATY Trail (longest rail trail in the

USA), C&O Canal and Mickelson Rail Trail in South Dakota (I thoroughly enjoyed its Badlands & Black Hills tour). The trip I am looking to do next is the Coeur d’Alene & Hiawatha Trail in Idaho. Road bike tours include Michigan, Texas, Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, Gettysburg & the civil War, Shenandoah & Skyline Drive, Kentucky Bike & Bourbon, Colorado, New York’s Finger Lakes and the Adirondacks and a new offering on the Maine Coast & Acadia (I am eying the San Juan Islands, Washington, six-day trip covering San Juan, Lopez and Orcas Islands). It also offers gravel bike tours and two itineraries in Cuba. The trips are well marked for their ability, and the guides, accommodations and meals are superb. (Wilderness-Voyageurs. com, 855-550-7705).

Discovery Bicycle Tours has actually added departures on four otherwise sold out itineraries this year:  GAP Trail Getaway, ride the full Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trail in 4 days, from Cumberland,

GOING PLACES NEAR AND FAR

Maryland, to Pittsburgh, PA (Level 1), new departures Sept. 14-17, Sept. 19-22; six days of carefree riding on the  P’tit Train du Nord, one of the most scenic rail trails in the lovely province of Quebec, just over the border in Canada (take your passport! Level 2-easier to intermediate, new departure Sept. 17-22); a fourday  Appalachian Rail Trails, one of Discovery’s newest tours, offers some of the best trail riding in the Virginia-West Virginia region; new departure Oct. 6-11); and a four-day New York Finger Lakes Getaway trip where you unpack once, stay in a high-end inn, and spin through New York State’s famed winery region (easier-intermediate, departure Sept. 22-25). Discovery Bicycle Tours offers cycling vacations through the US, Canada, New Zealand, Europe, Chile, Cambodia, and Vietnam. They are already taking bookings for 2025 for its 8-day Bike & Barge Netherlands North tour; 8-day Moselle River

Continued on next page

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

Best Bike Trips for this Summer’s Travel

Continued from previous page

Bike & Barge; 8-day E-bike & Cruise Croatia. Discovery Bicycle Tours, which I traveled with on their marvelous Maine Coast and their Eastern Quebec Townships trips, provides excellent value for what is high luxury (inns, dining) – including bike rentals, even e-bikes, in the cost. (800-257-2226, 802-4573553, tours@discoverybicycletours.com, discoverybicycletours.com).

Netherlands-based Boat Bike Tours, which I traveled with on their fabulous Bruges-to-Amsterdam tour (by boat), has special offers for this summer, with up to 200 Euro savings per person on select tours: Sail & Bike Ijsselmeer & National Parks- 100 euro discount per person, on an elegant three-masted sailing ship, Elizabeth, cycling through dune landscapes, peaceful pastureland and historic fishing villages. In France, get 200 Euro discount per person: Taste Champagne (and brie!) in Champagne (Paris-Eparnay or Eparnay-Paris on the Zwaantje); visit the best winemakers in Northern Burgundy (on the Zwaantje); or the Paris-Montargis tour for beautiful medieval towns and royal history on the Fleur. There is also a 100 Euro discount pp on its Croatia/Greece programs. (https://www.boatbiketours. com/all-offers/, boatbiketours.com, NL: +31 20 72 35 400, USA: +1 203 814 1249).

Backroads, a pioneer in biking trips since its founding in 1979 by Tom Hale, has branched out to all manner of active, multi-sport programs, and from its California origins, to span the world. It still offers one of the most extensive opportunities for biking – in fact, 143 different itineraries this year, including all the major US destinations (California, New York, Kentucky, Vermont), plus a huge selection of international destinations. Among them: 6-day Bordeaux & Dordogne Bike Tour; Brittany & Normandy Bike Tour; 6-day Tuscany by the Sea Bike Tour; and Croatia & Slovenia Bike, and eight-day Vietnam

& Cambodia Bike Tour, and the trip I am eyeing, eight-day Japan Bike Tour featuring Nikko National Park to Kyoto ( https://www.backroads.com/trips/ BJNI/japan-bike-tour). (backroads.com, 800-462-2848).

There’s still time for DuVine Cycling & Adventure Co.’s offer to first-time Duvine travelers to take $250 off any 2024 scheduled departure tour booked by June 9. Among the favorites for first timers: Bordeaux, France; Douro Valley, Portugal; Tuscany, Italy; Costa Brava, Spain; Greek Isles Yacht & Bike Tour. Its catalog of all-inclusive, luxury cycling vacations spans the United States, Europe, Latin America and Africa and include family, adventure, challenge, cycle & sail, specialty, villas, private tours, and, of course, classic itineraries. BTW, 2025 tour dates are live on duvine. com to take advantage of best rates and dates—especially for destinations that sold out fast in 2024: tulip season in  Holland, new departures in  Norway, and its popular hiking and biking tour in the Italian  Dolomites (duvine.com, 888 396 5383)

The high-end operator, Butterfield & Robinson, offers such exotic cycling trips as Ultimate Morocco, The Sahara to Marrakech Biking (with time spent in bustling souks, historic Kasbahs and indigenous Berber camps hidden among the Sahara’s silky dunes) and Vietnam biking Expedition through lush rice paddies and local villages, discover ancient cities, enjoying delicious Vietnamese cuisine and culture. B&R has released its 2025 offerings, including a new Bali Multi-Active; Japan Tayoma biking. It’s new, limited edition Sri Lanka: Cultural Triangle to South Coast Biking, Feb 9-16, 2025 is an eightday sojourn that takes you from the port city of Negombo to the sacred city of Kandy, concluding in Galle Fort, and visiting the UNESCO World Heritage sites like Sigiriya Rock. (butterfield.com, 866-551-9090)

VBT Bicycling Vacations, an early

Slow It Down

pioneer in bike trips through Vermont, has long ago spread wings to far-flung destinations, to the far reaches of North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania. One trip that has caught my eye is a six-day Utah: Bryce Canyon & Zion National Parks (rated easy/moderate, bike included, offered September to October) and Maryland: Eastern Shore & Chesapeake Bay (easy, bike included, offered JuneOctober), Among the Europe itineraries is an eight-day Danube Bike & River Cruise: Prague to Budapest, available as an 11-day air-inclusive. More exotic: South Africa: Cape Town & the Garden Route, easy/moderate, bike included, available as an 11-day air-inclusive package, or 9-day land-only; New Zealand: The South island, 12-days,Jan 6-17, 2025,air included.(vbt.com, 877-7741942, 855-443-0719)

Looking for more hard core?

Trek Travel ’s trending trips include: Andalucia bike tour (breathtaking views, savor exquisite tapas, taste classic wines, and experience warm hospitality set to the rhythm of passionate music.); Norway bike tour (Pedal past the Nigardsbreen and Bergset glaciers and conquer Sognefjellet Mountain Pass, northern Europe’s highest); Shenandoah Valley Gravel Bike Tour (pedal along pristine unpaved roads nestled in the valley between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains). Cycle through Tuscany, or Explore Coastal Charm of Croatia. Looking for romance on your bike trip? Its top “Romantic Bike Tours in 2024” include Mallorca Island; Loire Valley; Andalucia; Santa Barbara Wine Country; California Wine Country. Trek Travel is also a leader in gravel bike trips, the newest trend in cycling. (There may still be time to take advantage of a $250 discount: use code EXPLORE250 at checkout. trektravel.com, 866-464-8735)

Escape Adventures has a wonderful selection of rides through national parks, including Glacier National park Road Bike tour; Canyonlands National

Park; North Rim of the Grand Canyon; Bryce, Zion,7 Grand Canyon Road Bike Tour; Canyonlands, Arches & Moab by Mountain Bike. More exotic: a road bike Tour de France Experience; Vuelta a Espana Experience; New Zealand road trip. With 100 destinations, Escape Adventures caters to the full spectrum of active travelers, respective to fitness level and activity type. From road cyclist to mountain biker to electric biker, hiker, and multi-sport enthusiast, and from first timer to friends and family groups of all ability levels. Escape Adventures is introducing a guided “bikepacking” 5-day camping and mountain biking trip along the 144-mile-long  Maah Daah Hey Trail System (MDH). (https://escapeadventures.com/, 800-596-2953)

For excellent value in bike tours, my go-to is Biketours.com – basically a broker of programs in just about every country in Europe, even Montenegro, Poland, Romania, and Estonia (I took a fabulous boat/bike trip through Greek Islands), plus Japan and South Africa and the United States. They basically represent local operators, so offer much the same itinerary as the high-end offerings, but with more choice of accommodations and opportunities for lower cost. They also offer perhaps the best selection of self-guided trips, which can be 30-50 percent cheaper than guided tours (we’ve done their self-guided Danube Bike Tour Passau-Vienna, and self-guided Venice-Croatia). The company, under its previous owner and founder, Jim Johnson, opened Albania for biking, which I experienced with Johnson. This also has to be one of the best values in European cycling: experience the 9-day “UNESCO Sites of Albania” guided 1190E or self-guided from 950E. (biketours.com, 833-216-0635, 215-613-0874)

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

BY CHARLYN FARGO

Want to eat healthier? You may need to slow down -- enjoy your meal more, linger a bit. It could be that simple.

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that children who were given a 20-minute lunch period versus 10 minutes ate more fruits and vegetables. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, began June 3, 2019 and was conducted over 20 days. Elementary and middle school-age children at a summer camp held at the U

of I were provided lunches prepared according to the National School Lunch Program nutrition standards.

If given 20 minutes to eat, the children (ages 8-14) ate 84.2% of fruits and 65.3% of vegetables served to them. If they only had 10 minutes to eat, consumption dropped to 72.9% of fruits and 51.2% of vegetables.

Those differences -- 11.3 percentage points for fruits and 14.1 points for vegetables -- are both statistically and nutritionally significant, according to lead U of I researcher Melissa Pflugh Prescott and her colleagues. The difference equated to nearly 10 extra grams each for fruits and

vegetables for lunch. A side benefit was less food waste, from 43% to 27%.

Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommend at least 20 minutes of (seated) lunch time for children. That means students need a 30-minute lunch period to give enough time for walking to the cafeteria and waiting in line. In 2016, only half of all U.S. school districts required or recommended 20 minutes of seated lunch time, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Continued on page 6

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

Yesterday I went to see the boats in Carmody. It’s where I go often to refresh, rewind and recharge my batteries. Some people tell me their happy place is the beach because they get to stretch out on a beach towel and take a swim in the Atlantic Ocean whenever they feel like it. Or maybe even fly a kite.

The beach is fun and refreshing, no doubt about it. I find the beach enjoyable and spent many childhood days going to Point Lookout with my family but now I prefer the piers and marinas that are chock full of boats. There I find sailboats, motorboats, jet skis and kayaks of various shapes and sizes. They pique my interest and make me wonder about who takes them out on the water, who lives on them and who drops their anchors way out in the ocean to do some fishing then grill it later for dinner.

I can’t help but think about boats and boating on the open water. Learning more and more about boating has been an interesting hobby of mine, one that I’ve had more time to do as a retiree. The single engine boats, the twin engine boats, the sailboats with masts so tall they seem to reach for the sky. I’ve since looked them up and many masts go as high as 131 feet. The boat owner has to be realistic because the sailboat and mast have to be able to pass under fixed bridges in order to gain access to harbors. So taller than 131 feet is impractical.

In the good weather when people mill about on the docks I’ve gotten to speak with many of the sailors and boat owners, with those boat pilots who steer their huge ships from harbors and marinas out onto the mighty Atlantic. I’ve had the chance to ask them what prompts them, their spouses and families to boat from New York to Florida or from New York to the easternmost islands of Georgia. St. Simons Island and the Jekyll Harbor marina are ideal destinations for boaters on the east

mighty Atlantic Ocean

coast. Some of the people I’ve chatted with have gone as far south as the Dominican Republic.

These sailors have many different reasons for doing so - they head north in the summer for cooler weather and before winter arrives they head south for warmer weather. One person I spoke with was working out the details and finalizing plans for a long trip around the world with his wife on their yacht.

When talking with my former co-worker, Ted, and his wife, Sarah, about the long trips they’ve planned and taken I’ve found myself getting excited about the many possibilities that are out there. Ted and Sarah retired from their jobs a year after I retired so they’ve had a few years to take their excursions.

Their sailboat is 40 feet long because sometimes their relatives go with them. If it was just Ted and Sarah they would have gotten a 30-foot sailboat but having their kids and grandkids on their sailboat is something the extended family always looks forward to. It’s also been a learning experience for their grandchildren because Ted and Sarah show them how they map out not just their destination but their stops along the way. A successful voyage is “a well planned one” they say and the kids get the message that sailing isn’t all glamorous - it takes some hard work.

But like the kids, I understand the excitement of going on a long trip. It’s fun to explore new lands and see new places. I enjoy arriving in a port, tying up the boat, walking along the streets and visiting the shops of St. Simons Island, Charleston, S.C., St. Augustine, Fla. and Miami Beach.

We’re mostly land lovers since we’ve

always lived and worked on the mainland but from time to time we like setting out by boat for some faraway place. Our goal these days is to boat from the Thousand Islands to Toronto, Canada. Up north, my relatives and I would like to walk the streets of Quebec City, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Charlottetown, Newfoundland. It’s going to take some research but I like looking into the details that help make a voyage successful and enjoyable. On the return trip we’d see the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia plus some other spots. My husband, Dan, and I have had our hearts set on doing something as glamorous as boating to Tahiti with a few relatives but so far we haven’t actually planned or carried out our dream. So talking to others who have done some long-dis-

tance boating or sailing - or who are about to do so - is fun. It’s engaging. It makes us think of exotic lands and all the possibilities that are out there.

My friend, Alexa, and her husband, Tim, did that last year and said it was exhilarating. That’s what I look for - a trip that is unforgettable and thrilling not just an everyday type of trip. It’s not a cruise, not a quick flight for a week’s vacation. The boating trip I dream of is an up close and personal way to see each stop, to visit each village or city.

We’ll mingle with the locals and talk about what life is like there. We’ll sample the area’s food and drink and linger over luscious desserts. At night we will fall asleep in our 35-foot cabin cruiser and feel the gentle lapping of the water hitting the sides of the boat. We’ll smell the fresh air and relax, knowing that boating is our new way of life. We’ve got all the comforts of home on this cabin cruiser so we’re set.

I’d say we’re focused on our next destination but we want to enjoy each minute of our boating experience. Summertime means there’s no rush and steering our cabin cruiser nice and easy is exactly what we’ll do.

This is fiction.

BY TOM MARGENAU

My wife and I are celebrating 50 years of wedded bliss! I wrote a column similar to this one on our 45th anniversary. I did it then because I was worried we weren’t going to make it to 50 -- not because of any marital discord but because of health issues. For you see, I inherited some terrible longevity genes. My dad died at the age of 47. And I don’t have a single uncle who lived past the age of 60. So, my prospects for old age were gloomy. And about five years ago, my wife started struggling with some health issues. But here we are at our 50th anniversary. My wife has been given a clean bill of health by all her doctors. And for some genetic reason I don’t understand (but am thankful for), I’m still kicking!

Anyway, I got more positive feedback to that anniversary column I wrote five years ago than I’ve received about any column I’ve ever written. So I thought I’d repeat a slightly updated version of it now.

We were married on June 1, 1974. I was a relatively new employee of the Social Security Administration at that time, having been hired just a year earlier. How that came to be is an interesting story.

After graduating from college, I floundered around for a year or two looking for work. I finally decided to take a federal civil service exam. Within a month or two, I started getting letters from various federal government agencies inviting me for job interviews.

The first letter came from the Federal Aviation Administration for a job as a “sky marshal.” Older readers may recall that in the late 1960s and early 1970s, there were a spate of airline hijackings in this country and around the world. So, the government was beefing up the air marshal service that had started in the 1960s. The interview did not go well. They were looking for tough young men (and back then it was just men) preferably with military training who were familiar with guns, not a bookish nerd who barely knew the difference between a six-shooter and a pea-shooter.

Next came a letter from the Internal Revenue Service. Once again, I didn’t impress them. They wanted someone who was good with numbers. I was never into math and could barely balance my checkbook, let alone be ready to audit someone’s tax return.

Three or four more letters arrived from various government agencies. I don’t even recall what the jobs were. I just remember that each interview was a flop. And I had pretty much concluded that a career with the federal government was just not in the cards for me. And so, when a letter arrived from the Social Security Administration about a job in Springfield, Illinois, I just threw it in the trash figuring it wasn’t worth the effort of scheduling an interview.

And then, about two weeks later, I got

Still Nifty at 50!

a call from the manager of the Springfield Social Security office. I was living in my hometown, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and he said the reason he called was that he was born and raised in the “Bratwurst Capital of the World,” and he thought he’d try to help a fellow Sheboyganite. He asked if I had received their letter. Thinking quickly on my feet, I lied and said, “What letter?” I then cursed the post office (apologies to all my postal service friends out there), and he promised to send a follow-up invite.

Long story short: About a month later, I found myself reporting for duty at the Social Security office in Springfield, Illinois. And following a long training class, I was eventually assigned to Springfield’s new branch office that they were opening up in a small farming community about 50 miles south called Litchfield.

One of my duties in that office was to take phone calls from the insurance billing clerk at the local hospital. Becky Bachstein would call almost every day to verify Medicare numbers so she could complete the billing process for various elderly patients. We had been exchanging these phone calls for many months when her boss decided to try to play matchmaker by inviting me out to the hospital for lunch to meet Becky.

That was in January 1974. And another long story short: Five months later, we were married! Of course, I’ve often thought about the serendipity of our getting together. I mean, if the Springfield Social Security office manager hadn’t been from Sheboygan, and if he hadn’t felt inclined to call me, that Social Security job invite would have remained in my trash basket -- and who knows where I’d be today? And who knows who Becky Bachstein’s boss would have invited to have lunch with her?

I promise I will tie something to do with Social Security into these memories in a minute. But first I must share another cute story involving my courtship with Becky. Please indulge me. After all, how many 50th wedding anniversaries do you get in a lifetime?

The story involves asking Becky out on our first date. (That lunchtime get-together arranged by her boss didn’t count.)

On an upcoming Saturday night, I was going to invite her to the most popular movie at the time, “American Graffiti.” Starring Ron Howard and Richard Dreyfus and directed by George Lucas, it is the story of recent high school grads cruising their summer nights away in 1962 before going off to college.

Anyway, the tagline to the movie was this: “Where were you in ‘62?” And I had cleverly (or so I thought) planned to use that as one of the opening lines in my date invite. Now, in 1962, I was in 7th grade. And I fully expected Becky’s response to be something similar. So imagine my shock when she answered, “Oh, that’s the year I graduated from high school.” And then she turned the question on me.

“Where were you in ‘62, Tom?” Not wanting to admit that I was just a youngster and that she was about to “rob the cradle,” I merely replied, “Oh, about the same.”

But oh, my gosh! I suddenly realized I was talking to an older woman! I had no idea. My mind raced. What should I do? I thought of coming up with excuses. “Oh, I forgot. I’m washing my car Saturday night and I can’t go.” Or “I’m sorry, but Saturday night is when I polish my shoes.” But I wisely decided I’d forgo the excuses and

Continued on next page

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Is education, entrepreneurship a steppingstone to home ownership?

Is education and entrepreneural spirit a steppingstone to homeownership?

Over the years a defining factor for the majority of purchasers was location, location and the school district. This was understandable, especially if you already had or planed on having children in the future. Todays’ high prices of homes, condos and coops dictate who has the wherewithal to afford to move to a highly rated school system. Moreover, the availability and diversification of Special Education programs is another asset to consider when choosing a town. This is a dilemma for many who want the best education for their children, but may be limited due to the high interest rates and prices as well as their defined budgets and qualifications to be approved for a mortgage. Paying high rents as opposed to buying, to be in better schools is a trade-off in reducing your future wealth, but temporarily, may be worth it in exchange for a better learning environment and opportunities for your kids. Unfortunately, those with higher paying jobs or lucrative businesses have an advantage and are in a more beneficial position to purchase and choose better school systems.

The price of education has escalated over the last decade to an unpredictable average level of $36,523 per student, for the 11 school districts in the Town of North Hempstead, up an estimated $1000 plus from the previous year as stated in last week’s Blank Slate Medias column “Gulf remains in per pupil spending” by Cameryn Oakes. Since approximately 65% of your real estate taxes are related to your school taxes, there appears to be no end in site. The majority of school budgets passed as education is still a priority for voters and their families as the most important and worthwhile facet and commodity of a top notch community

I need to change direction for a moment to provide some explanation. My personal and professional opinion, if you are currently residing in a school system that needs improvement, there is only one path that you must take as a homeowner. It should be of utmost

priority for you to be as involved as possible in your schools and the programs it offers that will be the greatest benefit to your children’s education. There is power in numbers and the more proactive in participating in all meetings with school administrators; the greater the opportunity that changes will occur.

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

To start, this can be accomplished at home, by setting ground rules at an early age as to what you expect of your children as far as doing their daily homework, studying and most important after school activities to keep them healthier, building strong character qualities and teamwork. Sacrificing some of their free time and becoming disciplined will assist them in their future development and advancement later on in life. Consistent conditioning and guidance will reap the rewards in their future endeavors. Increasing the scholastic scores in math, science and English will raise the statistics and profile of that school. Hopefully this will also lead to better grades, going on to higher education and a successful career and/or business. You as a parent are a critical and crucial component in order to have a successful outcome.

The end result could lead to opportunities that would not normally be available without an education. A society is stronger and more successful when a family structure is solid and complete. But what we are experiencing today is a divergence from what is truly needed. It does start and begin with how the parents guide, teach and bring their children up, while simultaneously, the teachers and the school system will also come into play. This should be somewhat of a seamless process; but it is easier said than done. The bi-product of a quality school district are higher and more stable real estate prices. There is a correlation between towns having higher home prices and appreciation and their statistically stronger scoring schools.

If you are lucky and fortunate and born with the ability to be creative, have natural talents and ideas that most do not, will potentially enable you to be successful without anymore than a high school or college education. Although this is not the norm, college may or may not be a necessity for everyone, especially with todays’ exorbitant costs. Succumbing to student debt for the foreseeable future may not be in the cards for many going forward. This unfortunately has been a detriment to homeownership. I believe college is no longer a guarantee for a better job, as there are many educated unemployed people with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. Today, the bare minimum requirement for many companies is earning a Master’s Degree to get your foot in the door to compete for a higher paying position in corporate America. Twenty plus years ago, both my daughter and son, had only earned under graduate degrees. Fast forward to today, both would have needed a minimum of a Master’s Degree to be considered entrance into their very ambitious professions. Competition is fierce and even having a PhD, may soon be the standard to secure a higher paying position. However, today, opting or dropping out of college and becoming an entrepreneur can start with just one single idea as some notable individuals have had. Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Bill Gates of Microsoft, Steve Jobs of Apple, dropped out of Harvard to start their massively successful corporations. Even Sergey Brin and Larry Page, dropped out of their PhD programs at Stamford University to start Google. However, Michael Dell, Dell Computers, started his company in his college dorm room at the University of Texas.

The bottom line, the higher scoring school districts, generally the better the education; and as mentioned, the stronger the housing prices will be and the greater appreciation over the long run. Moreover, those school districts

SOCIAL SECURITY AND YOU

Continued from previous page

take a chance by asking this older woman out on a date. And thank goodness I did. Because it’s been a fantastic 50 years! And believe it or not, all these years later, she’s still five years older than me. But she looks and acts 10 years younger! OK, so what is my Social Security tie-

in to all of this? Well, I thought I would look back to see what Social Security was like in 1974.

In 1974, there were around 30 million people getting Social Security checks totaling about $61 billion in annual benefits. Today, there are 66 million beneficiaries, and annual Social Security benefits will top the $1 trillion mark. (That’s what hap-

can attract more qualified personnel through better pay and benefits. I remember when I went to school the majority of teachers lived locally within my community. Today, housing prices force most new teachers to have to live in areas father away from their schools, where prices are more affordable whether buying or leasing. Our future will be defined and determined by how educated and/or entrepreneurial our workforce is and will be a major component in who will be a homeowner.

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

pens when every single day, about 10,000 baby boomers turn into senior boomers and file for Social Security benefits.) My love for baby boomer turned senior boomer Becky Bachstein has continued to grow for 50 years. So has Social Security!

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security --

Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon. com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net.

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

Clever Ways to Use This for That to Save Time and Money

BY MARY HUNT

Recently as I was halfway out the door, car keys in hand, on the way to the home improvement center, I remembered I might already have what I needed. Cooking spray! That’s it. I’d heard it just might work. It did, and quite perfectly, too. No more squeaks, and I saved a trip and purchase, too.

There must be thousands of ways we can save time and money by finding clever ways to use “this” for “that.” Here are a few to get your creative juices flowing!

-- Cooking spray. Got a squeaky door or sticky drawer? Spritz a little cooking spray on the hinges or drawer slides, then work it back and forth to distribute the “lubricant.” Wipe away any drips with a paper towel.

-- Baby gate. Use an old baby gate as a drying rack for sweaters or other hand-washables that need to dry flat. Lay it flat side-to-side over the bathtub, adjusting the width of the gate as necessary. Now air circulates well, and that sweater will be dry in no time.

-- Mayonnaise. Use mayonnaise to get rid of white water rings on wood furniture. Make sure the area is completely dry, then spread enough full-fat mayonnaise on the spot. Let it sit for several hours, even overnight. Now wipe it clean, and buff with a soft, clean cloth. Magical, isn’t it?

-- Cardboard drink holders. If you’re anxious to tidy up a cluttered drawer, re-

purpose a clean cardboard drink holder to help divide and organize various items like office supplies, makeup, kitchen utensils or smaller clothing items like socks and underwear. Use one of those nifty holders in a drawer or cupboard to segregate cords and cables. How about using them to arrange items in your refrigerator? Or (there’s more!), with a touch of paint and creativity, use it to keep your dresser top neat and tidy. The possibilities just go on and on!

-- Eyeglasses case. Don’t toss out that spare eyeglasses case. It can be used to protect your jewelry in your suitcase. Or how about that collection of crochet hooks rolling around in a drawer? They’ll fit nicely into a case. One can also make for a dandy manicure kit, or emergency first aid or sewing kit. Kinda makes you wish you had several cases, doesn’t it? Here’s one more: storage bin for those rascally earbuds.

-- Bread tabs. Save those little plastic bread tabs to use as labels to mark various power cords, especially the ones in remote places like behind the entertainment center. Use a permanent marker to write “Printer,” “DVD,” etc. on the tab. Next, slip it onto that cord or cable. Done! -- Pickle juice. Whenever eggs go on sale, buy extra and hard-cook them. Then peel and drop them into jars of leftover pickle juice, and keep them in the fridge. The pickled eggs are great shredded into potato salad or casseroles, atop green salad, for quick and tasty egg salad (shred-

ded, with mayonnaise) or even eaten whole as a snack.

-- Shower curtain. Got an old shower curtain? Even if it’s no longer good enough for its original purpose, there are several ways to extend its useful life: Use it to cover your patio furniture or barbecue next winter. Connect it with bungee cords. Or keep it in the truck of your car as a tarp for roadside emergencies in the event you need to sit on the ground, change a tire, or make a quick underbody repair.

-- Mesh bag. A mesh onion bag is perfect for cleaning and storing cookie cutters and other small kitchen utensils. Just load up those dirty items, cinch the bag to close it, then set it on the top dishwasher rack for easy cleaning.

-- Water spots. Look for Rain-X in the automotive aisle of your favorite discount store. It’s sold as a product to keep windshields free of water spots and help rain to sheet off windows. It works great

Slow It Down

Continued from page 2

We can apply the principles of this study to our own eating patterns. Most of us eat healthier if we allow ourselves time to eat, rather than a grab-and-go, fast-food approach. Too many of us eat while we surf our phone or watch television. Other countries seem to do a better job at this -- allowing for meals to include conversa-

tion, relaxation and plenty of time to enjoy a meal.

Let’s make it a habit to focus on the food we’re eating -- and to take time to enjoy it. We’ll eat healthier if we do.

Q and A

Q: Is there a diet to reduce chronic inflammation?

A: Chronic inflammation has many causes and can result in risk factors for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis and even bowel disease. While diet hasn’t been proven to cause chronic inflammation by itself, it can be a contributor, especially if pro-inflammatory foods are a big part of one’s diet. Reducing the amount of sugar, processed meats and trans fats in your diet is a step in the right direction. While dairy foods have often been cited as possible triggers for inflammation, a recent review of clinical trials published in the journal Advanced Nutrition found that consumption of milk or dairy products did not increase inflammation in healthy individuals or individuals with metabolic syndrome or Type 2 diabetes. Choose foods rich in antioxidants more

often, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fatty fish, and spices such as ginger, turmeric, rosemary and oregano. The prescription for reducing inflammation is the same as that for good health -- eat more plant foods and fatty fish and be physically active.

RECIPE

Here’s a quick, healthy recipe for a weeknight dinner -- using your Instant Pot. This spicy lime chicken works as a taco filling or spooned over brown rice. It’s from Taste of Home’s Skinny Instant Pot & Slow Cooker Cookbook.

SPICY LIME CHICKEN

Servings: 6

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)

2 cups chicken broth

3 tablespoons lime juice

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon grated lime zest

Fresh cilantro leaves

Place chicken in a 6-quart Instant Pot pressure cooker. Combine broth, lime juice and chili powder; pour over chicken. Lock lid. Close pressure-release valve.

on tub and shower walls to keep hard water stains from building up.

-- Rubber band. Got an annoying stripped-out screw that you need to remove? Easy! To get a better rip, trap one side of a wide rubber band (use one that you saved from that last bundle of fresh broccoli) between the screwdriver and the screw head. Now give it a try.

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.”

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Adjust to pressure-cook on high for 6 minutes. Quick-release pressure. A thermometer inserted in chicken should read at least 165 degrees. Remove the chicken. When cool enough to handle, shred meat with two forks; return to pressure cooker. Stir in lime zest with chicken and other juices. Spoon into whole grain tortillas as a taco meat or over brown rice. If desired, serve with cilantro. Makes 6 servings. Per serving: 132 calories; 23 grams protein; 2 grams carbohydrates (1 gram sugars); 3 grams fat (1 gram saturated); 64 milligrams cholesterol; 1 gram fiber; 420 milligrams sodium.

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

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of June 9-15, 2024

Last week I suggested that you step out after dark to count the stars. If you did this, I hope you learned just how few stars we can see with the unaided human eye.

You might like to try it again this week with the light of the waxing moon. I guarantee you’ll come up with a significantly smaller number. That’s because the moonlight scatters around the atmosphere and decreases the contrast of the stars against the sky. The sun does this in the daytime as well, so no stars are visible then (though they’re all there to see if you’ve got a hefty telescope!)

If we expect to see stars during the early evening hours this week, we’ll have to be satisfied with only the brightest of them, since that’s all that can be seen over the moon’s “light pollution.”

Fortunately, the seven stars of the Big Dipper are bright enough. To find the Dipper, look fairly high in the northwestern sky shortly after dark and you’ll see the four stars that form a rectangular bowl and the three stars of its curved handle just above.

Like all other stars, these are distant thermonuclear fusion reactors. In their cores, they convert hydrogen to helium and release a tremendous amount of energy in the process. Some of that

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

My husband was never much of a coffee drinker, but after a business trip to Italy, he became enamored with espresso. At first he would just order it in restaurants. Then he started frequenting fancy coffee shops. Eventually he bought his own machine, and not just one of those pop-in-a-pod-and-callit-espresso machines. No, he went fullon caffeine-crazy and ordered a highend professional machine. Before I knew it, he was a stay-at-home barista with his own monogrammed apron and an espresso mistress he named Audine.

“Something’s wrong with Audine,” he said one morning. “She making a very weak macchiato.”

“Can I help?” I asked, sipping my much less glamourous cup of tea.

“No,” he said. “She’s a very complex machine, and you don’t know how to work her.”

“You could show me,” I said.

STARGAZERS

A Closer Look at the Big Dipper

energy arrives at the Earth in the form of the starlight we see.

Another interesting fact about stars is that only about 15% of them are single bodies. The rest are part of what we call “binary” or “multiple-star” systems, in which two or more stars orbit a common center of gravity.

Even a glance around the night sky will reveal many stars that seem to have a “companion” nearby, but more often than not, these stars are not physically connected by gravitation. Many stars simply appear to lie roughly along the same line of sight as other, more distant stars.

Despite the bright moonlight this week, we can easily find one good example of such a stellar pair during the early evening hours. First, locate the Big Dipper and look toward the middle star of its bent handle. If you look carefully, you might be able to see two stars there; if you have trouble, aim binoculars in their direction.

The main star at the bend of the Dipper’s handle is known as Mizar, and its fainter companion is Alcor; they’re also known informally as the “horse and rider.” The 13th-century Persian writer al-Qazwini wrote that “people tested their eyesight by this star,” and I’ve heard it said that those who saw them both were inducted into the Persian army!

Though they appear close together in the sky, Alcor and Mizar are not connected by gravitation. The pair is what’s called an “optical double” -- two stars that just happen to appear roughly along the same line of sight. Mizar, the brighter of the two, is part of a binary system, and even a small telescope will

show you its faint companion star right next to it. Its name is Zeta Ursa Majoris (aka UMaj).

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. . COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

When Trouble Is Brewing

“I don’t think so,” he replied. “I only give out that information on a need-tobrew basis.”

I was actually relieved to be cut out of their affair. Audine was a very fickle espresso machine, and I really couldn’t be a party to her mood swings. Weeks would go by where she was reliable and devoted to my husband. But then she would turn on a dime and make bitter, acrid espresso. I would sit to the side, silently cursing Audine as she toyed with my husband, keeping him occupied for hours while he blew out the grinder and cleaned the machine. Eventually, he would get her to start working properly again, but not before our evening date night plans had been dashed by the harlot Audine.

Sadly, this was not the first time he’d been infatuated with a machine. Years ago, we had a GPS in our car with a sultry English accent. My husband stopped taking directions from me and only listened to her. Even when she took us

onto a road that wasn’t there, he would let her off easy, citing computer error. But then one day she got us lost on a road trip. We ran out of gas, and there was no Wi-Fi and no one around to help except a herd of heffers. I’m pretty sure that was the beginning of the end of their love affair.

Meanwhile, back at espresso central, more than the milk was starting to steam as my husband tried unsuccessfully to get Audine to make a decent macchiato. I suspected she knew he’d cheated on her with a Starbucks the previous day, and she was taking her revenge.

“I don’t know why Audine isn’t working right,” he said in frustration as he tried cleaning out the grinder for a third time.

I sat on the sofa reading a book and pretending not to notice all the coffee drama.

“Maybe I should try a different bean,” he said, mostly to himself.

“You probably have oils clogging up the portafilter,” I said, not looking up from my book.

He stopped tinkering with the machine and stared at me.

“It’s probably from that dark Ethiopian blend you bought,” I said. “A natural orange oil cleanser would remove the oil accumulations pretty easily.”

His jaw dropped a little.

“How do you know about this?” he finally asked.

“Oh, you know,” I replied, pointing to my laptop. “Just a few things I picked up from my handsome computer, Pierre.”

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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LOST IN SUBURBIA

Look closely at the Big Dipper’s handle, and you’ll see Alcor and Mizar, aka the “horse and rider.”

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EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED

BOOKKEEPER WANTED Twice a month-6 hours daily. $18p/h. Comfortable with numbers. Will train. Please call 917-705-7564. Leave message.

CUSTOMER SERVICE: PT/FT

Manhasset State Farm. Handle customer inquiries and much more. No insurance experience necessary but 5 years office experience is. Send resume: joinourteam@nancymorrisagency.com

SITUATION WANTED

A HOME AIDE/CAREGIVER

Caring, Honest & Reliable woman with 10 years experience available to care for your elderly loved one. Personal grooming, dispense medications, cooking, cleaning. Checkable references. Licensed driver with own transportation.

Please call 516-383-7150

CNA / HOME HEALTH AIDE MATURE LADY SEEKS employment as CNA. Home health aide, very reliable, hard working, willing to do background checks, 15 yrs nursing home experience.

Please call: 516-514-9442 or 516-410-1892

CNA/ HOME HEALTH AIDE Available. Experienced young lady seeks employment as an aide or companion to care for the elderly. Excellent references.

Please call 516-523-0697

EMPLOYMENT

SITUATION WANTED

ESTHETICIAN AVAILABLE

Licensed esthetician seeks part time employment. Can work in all areas; Facials, Waxing, Brows, etc.

Please call 516-523-0697

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION IN NASSAU COUNTY IS SEEKING SEALED BIDS for sale and installation of security related enhancements. The project includes: CCTV System and related equipment. Selection criteria will be based on knowledge of surveillance and security, adherence to projected work schedule, prior experience, references, and cost. Specifications and bid requirements can be obtained by contacting us at: 758sarado ba@gmail.com. All interested firms will be required to sign for the proposal documents and provide primary contact, telephone and e-mail address. Bids will be accepted until 6/30/2024 and work is to commence by 8/1/2024 and be completed by 12/31/2024

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ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-855-399-2719

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GLEN COVE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF ‘79 45TH RE-

MARKETPLACE

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Antiques-FurnitureJewelry-Silver-MirrorsLamps-Artwork

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LOOKING TO BUY!

Estates, Oriental items, Gold, Silver, Costume Jewelry, Dishes, Flatware, Watches, Clothing, Old Photos, Coins, Stamps, Records, Toys, Action Figures, Comics, Art and Furniture.

Immediate Cash Paid Call George 917-775-3048 or 718-386-1104

TAG SALE

INVITED ESTATE SALES BY TRACY JORDAN

Monday, June 10, 2024 9:30 a.m.

191 Rockaway Ave

Garden City, NY 11530

Public sale selling furniture, home decor, figurines, Apple TV, hammock, outdoor chairs, cooler, folding chairs, garage. Visit www.invitedsales.com for pictures & details!!

GARAGE SALE

CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

MARKETPLACE

GARAGE SALE

MANHASSET-SHOREHAVEN ASSOC. MULTI-FAMILY GARAGE SALE

(off Bayview Ave.) Sat. 6/8, 9am-4pm. Raindate Sun. 6/9. Pick up list at 142 Shoreview Rd. Manhasset

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTO FOR SALE

JAGUAR XJ8

2003 4 door

Dark green good condition

2nd owner

156,000 miles good engine needs trans rebuild located in Syosset asking $2,500 Call Arnold 516-817-9554

AUTOS WANTED

***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS

$Highest$ Ca$h Paid$ All Years /Conditions! WE VISIT YOU! Or Donate, Tax Deduct Ca$h. DMV ID#1303199 Call LUKE 516-VAN-CARS 516-297-2277

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

OFFICE SPACE

WILLISTON PARK PROFESSIONAL OFFICE

Space for rent. Beautifully shared Office Space. Partially Furnished-2 Exec. Offices. Reception Area, Main Floor, Private Parking. $1900-p/m. Please call 516-248-4080

VACATION RENTAL

MATTITUCK, 2 Bayfront Homes For Rent.

One 3 BR, 2 BTH, One 2 BR, 1 1/2 BTH House. Available the weeks of June and July.

3 BR House $2100-per week. 2 BR House $1900-per week. IDEAL FAMILY VACATION Call 516-434-8430

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FOR SALE

OFFICE BUILDING FOR SALE

Located in Mineola. Perfect for user/investor. Near hospital, train and courthouses. Price $2.1 million.

Contact Larry Ross 646-693-5103 Broker

REAL ESTATE WANTED

APARTMENT WANTED

APARTMENT WANTED

Wanted 2 Bedroom Apartment. Mint condition. Phone- John Koerner 516-269-9107.

SERVICES

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT?

Don’t Accept the insurance company’s first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider

JACK’S CUSTOM FRAMING

We can frame anything! Quality Care & Workmanship Thousands of frames to choose from!!

Over 30 years in business! 92 Covert Ave, Stewart Manor 516-775-9495

SAVE ON YOUR TRAVEL PLANS! Up to 75% More than 500 AIRLINES and 300,000 HOTELS across the world. Let us do the research for you for FREE! Call: 877 988 7277

ATTORNEY

STEPHANIE A.

D’ANGELO, ESQ.

Elder Law, Wills & Trusts Asset Preservation, Estate Planning, Probate & Estate Administration/Litigation 901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530 516-222-1122 www.dangelolawassociates. com

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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Serving Garden City & Surrounding areas for over 20 years. Free Switchovers We Service All Brands Installation, Expert Service Control Your Alarm With Your Smartphone No Phone Line, No Problem! Call Now For Free Estimate.. 516-747-9111

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SPRING TURN ONS Backflow Device Tests Free Estimates Installation Service/Repairs Joe Barbato 516-775-1199

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BEAUTIFUL BATH UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Superior quality bath and shower systems at AFFORDABLE PRICES! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Call Now! 1-855-399-2076

DO YOU NEED A ROOF OR ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOWS & HELP PAYING FOR IT? YOU MAY QUALIFY THROUGH NEW RELIEF PROGRAMS (800) 944-9393 or visit NYProgramFunding. org to qualify. Approved applications will have the work completed by a repair crew provided by: HOMEOWNER FUNDING. Not affiliated with State or Gov Programs.

HANDYMAN

Minor Home Repairs Basic Carpentry

Over 700 5-star reviews Read them here: www.taskrabbit.com / profile / william-suarez

Call or text for a free estimate: 212-518-8483

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PAULIE THE ROOFER STOPPING LEAKS IS MY SPECIALTY!

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All types of Roofing Local References Licensed & Insured 516-621-3869

WIREMAN/CABLEMAN

Flat TVs mounted, Phone, TVs & Computer wiring installed & serviced, camera & stereos, HDTV Antennas FREE TV www.davewireman.com

Call Dave 516-433-WIRE 631-667-WIRE (9473) or TEXT 516-353-1118

SERVICES

HEALTH SERVICES

FAMILY CARE CONNECTIONS, LLC

Dr. Ann Marie D’Angelo PMHCNS-BC

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Advanced Practice Nurse Care

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Assistance with Aging at Home /Care Coordintion

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Medicaid Eligibility and Apllications 516-248-9323

www.familycareconnections.com 901 Stewart Ave, Ste 230 Garden City, NY 11530

FREEDOMCARE. Let your loved ones care for you and get paid! Paid by Medicaid. Choose family or friends as your paid caregiver. Check your eligibility today! Call FreedomCare now! 1-855-385-7556

PAINTING & PAPERHANGING

INTERIOR & EXTERIOR PAINTING

Plastering, Taping, Sheetrock Skim Cutting, Old Wood Refinish, Staining, Wallpaper Removal & Hanging, Paint Removal, Power Washing, Wood Replacement JOHN MIGLIACCIO

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Call John anytime: 516-901-9398 (Cell) 516-483-3669 (Office)

JV PAINTING

Interior/Exterior Painting. Handyman. We can help with most jobs. Licensed and Insured. Call John 516-732-8937

PARTY HELP

LADIES & GENTLEMEN RELAX & ENJOY

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

SERVICES SERVICES

AFFORDABLE TV & INTERNET. If you are overpaying for your service, call now for a free quote and see how much you can save! 1-855-399-2803

PASSION FOR SENIORS. Certified HHA’s, Companions & Homemakers. 24 hour care available. Also Nassau locations.

*Trained in *Dementia and * Alzheimer’s care. Call 718-850-3400

PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-866-448-8311 Have zip code of property ready when calling!

About to hit a milestone?

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

Pedestrian injured on Hempstead Tpke.

A 76 year-old man was seriously injured in a crash on Hempstead Turnpike on Saturday, June 1, at 8:30 pm in Levittown.

According to detectives, the pedestrian was attempting to cross Hempstead Turnpike northbound in the vicinity of Ranch Lane where he was struck by a 2020 Nissan Altima being operated by

a 29-year-old male who was traveling eastbound on Hempstead Turnpike.

The pedestrian suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local area hospital for treatment and evaluation. He is listed in critical but stable condition. The driver remained at scene. No other injuries were reported.

The investigation is ongoing.

An

Students excel in Microsoft specialist exams

Plainview-Old Bethpage students proudly displayed their achievements from the Microsoft Specialist Exams. Photo courtesy of Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District

Several Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School students achieved top honors in the Microsoft Office Specialist Exams for Word 365 and PowerPoint 365 during the Spring Qualifier held from January through May. These exams, which certify proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, are taken by students and professionals worldwide.

In a historic first, Hailey Acquaviva placed first in the Word 365 exam, marking a significant milestone for POB. Additionally, multiple students placed in the top 10 across New York State, showcasing the strength and dedication of POBJFKHS’s Computer Concepts & Applications class.

Word 365 Top 10 Achievers:

• Hailey Acquaviva – 1st Place

• Zachary Menkes – 2nd Place

• Jonathan Philip – 5th Place

PowerPoint 365 Top 10 Achievers:

• Hailey Acquaviva – 2nd Place

• Benjamin Monka – 4th Place

• Ethan Selip – 5th Place

• Isabel Blisard – 7th Place

• Katelyn DeLuca – 8th Place

• Haylie Sherman – 10th Place

The MOS certification is a globally recognized standard, and achieving these ranks signifies that POB students possess advanced skills in Microsoft Office applications, making them well-prepared for both academic and professional endeavors.

“We are incredibly proud of our students' accomplishments in the MOS exams,” said business teacher Catherine Tortoso. “Their success is a testament to their hard work and the high-quality education provided at POBJFKHS. These certifications not only validate their skills but also enhance their future career prospects.”

The Computer Concepts & Applications class at POBJFKHS, which prepares students for these exams, continues to demonstrate its effectiveness in equipping students with essential technological skills. With more than 300 students participating in the Word 365 exam and over 200 in the PowerPoint 365 exam statewide, the achievements of POB students are truly commendable.

East Street Elementary students in Hicksville got moving during a recent morning Zumba assembly! The students learned that Zumba is a fun way to incorporate fitness into their life with simple dance moves. Photo courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools

East Street students get moving with Zumba Town offers new beach yoga classes

The Town of Oyster Bay is offering a new 10-week yoga program at Philip B. Healey Beach at Florence Avenue in Massapequa. Classes are offered Wednesdays throughout the summer, beginning July 10, for a 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. or 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. session.

“The Town is proud to offer residents a variety of programs and services including these new yoga classes which offer great benefits to the mind, body and soul, behind a beautiful beach setting,” said Town Councilwoman Vicki Walsh. “Yoga builds strength, increases general flexibility and is considered a great stress reliever.  Sign up today and use this opportunity to also meet new friends that can last a lifetime!”

Registration is now open and available at www.oysterbaytown.com/ portal. Residents can also sign up on

Love to write?

the Town’s new Parks & Recreation App, available by searching ‘Town of Oyster Bay Parks and Recreation’ in the Apple App Store or Google Play store. Registration is $60 for Town residents and $70 for non-residents.  Please note that the schedule may be subject to change and residents are encouraged to inquire about special holiday scheduling. If a session is cancelled due to inclement weather, a make-up session will be attempted. Mats will not be provided, so participants must bring their own yoga mat.  Participants should check with a physician before partaking in any physical fitness program.

For more information and for registration availability, contact the Town of Oyster Bay Department of Parks at (516) 797-7945 or email tobparks@oysterbay-ny.gov.

We’re looking for writers in our community to compose ar ticles on local topics, opinions, reviews, worthy places to visit on Long Island, and even pieces of fiction. We aim to feature at least one new article and writer each week in our Discovery magazine section.

Email submissions: editor@gcnews.com

• Attach article and any photos (1MB), along with your name and contact info.

• Articles must be between 1,500 - 3,000 words. • Each writer will be reimbursed a stipend of $25.⁰⁰

High school Career Day draws professionals from community

A number of professionals from the healthcare field spoke about their career paths.

Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School recently hosted a schoolwide career day. This special networking and career-preparedness event invited more than 50 professionals from across more than 40 occupations to speak to students.

Guests included airplane pilots, hospital CEOs, architects, and engineers, as well as professionals from the

healthcare, marketing, technology and financial fields, among many others. Volunteers spoke about their careers, answered students’ questions about day-to-day routines, and outlined the steps needed to start on their respective career paths. Keynote speakers spoke about ways students could pursue their dreams; after which, students broke out into classrooms where they were able to

Other speakers included engineers across a variety of disciplines.

A handful of keynote speakers gave students advice on how students could pursue their dreams.

interact with a number of professionals.

The event was organized in partnership with Career Day Inc., which aims to connect students with professionals in a variety of fields through special networking opportunities, and introduce them to different career paths.

“Thank you to all of the professionals who took the time out of their busy schedules to speak to our students,”

said Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School Principal Dr. Heather Dvorak. “We hope our students gained valuable information on how to pursue their career dreams, and for some, learn more about career paths that they may not have previously considered.”

The career day hosted a variety of professionals such as those from the marketing and graphic design field.

Gold Award Recipient, Top 15% of Agents Nationwide in 2023 * President’s Circle Award Recipient, Top 16% of Agents Nationwide in 2022 * The NYC Journal’s Top 50 Under 50, 2022 ² #2 Agent in Syosset Office, 2021 ** Long Island Board of Realtors (LIBOR) YPN Top 20 Under 40, 2019 ¹