Garden City Girl Scout Troop 1387 met with Councilman Thomas E. Muscarella on Friday to complete the “Democracy for Daisies” badge. The Councilman taught the girls about the branches of government and explained the importance of local government. The girls were presented with a Certificate of Recognition and the Troop received a Citation in fitting recognition of the outstanding members who comprise Girl Scout Troop 1387.
BY KASSARA MCELROY
At the latest Garden City Board of Education meeting, parents, educators, and board members engaged in a spirited discussion about the district’s literacy review process, the role of consultants, and the future of curriculum decisions.
The conversation centered around the district’s engagement with CASDA (Capital Area School Development
Association) to conduct a curriculum review, sparking debate over the consultant group’s qualifications, the vetting process, and the need for external evaluation.
Curriculum review, consultant
Superintendent Dr. Kusum Sinha addressed recent concerns over the district’s approach to literacy education, stating, “We are committed to the review process and
following the state education department’s guidelines. If our consultant identifies areas for improvement, we will carefully assess recommendations and engage the literacy committee, including parents.”
The board explained that consultants will begin their work once formally approved by BOCES, which helps the district control consulting
See page 32
BY RIKKI MASSAND
The Garden City Village Board of Trustees held a well-attended town hall meeting on February 11 at the Garden City Casino to discuss the fate of the historic St. Paul’s main building.
Trustee Vinny Muldoon led much of the discussion, emphasizing the historical significance of St. Paul’s and its placement on the National Register of Historic Places. He credited the founder of Garden City A.T. Stewart for having the vision and courage to set forth on a journey to build this community on the Hempstead Plains in the second half of the 19th Century. Muldoon argued that demolishing or drastically altering the structure would diminish Garden City’s character.
Muldoon outlined the upcoming resident survey options regarding St. Paul’s future and reviewed cost estimates based on the March 30, 2023, Westerman Report and consultations with various experts in architecture, engineering, and construction.
See page 6
BY RIKKI MASSAND
At the February 6 Board of Trustees meeting, former Garden City Mayor Frank Tauches provided an update on the St. Paul’s Advisory Committee, which he co-chairs with longtime resident Bob Catell. This initiative aims to determine the best use for the historic St. Paul’s main building. Tauches thanked the board for its support and for appointing him and 13 other residents to the committee.
“Our sole purpose is to find the best utilization for the St. Paul’s
See page 16
One writer of a letter to the editor this week sent us a personal note regarding the placement of letters in the paper, asking that their letter be placed near the front of the letters section.
This isn’t unusual. We often get requests for letters to be placed on the “page two” section of the letters. Years ago, when we did our last redesign of the paper we used to only receive a few letters each week, but that has changed over the years. Now many weeks we have two or three full pages of letters. (Our record is nine pages just before a recent village election.)
The letter writer said, “People are watching your practices,” implying that we place certain letters on page two out of favoritism. That isn’t true.
The number one rule on the placement of editorial material is “Is it interesting?” Will it make people want to pick up the paper? Will it make people want to read further?
Sometimes a letter has a novel idea. Sometimes it’s something unexpected written by a prominent person. Sometimes it’s a subject that hasn’t been discussed much, but might have wider appeal. And sometimes it’s as simple as having several short letters in that space so that more people might find something interesting to read.
It’s an art, not a science, and not everyone will agree with our placement decisions. But please understand that we are not trying to signal approval or disapproval based on placement.
BOE, Superintendent have failed us To the Editor:
“I believe in what we’re doing currently…” -Superintendent Kusum Sinha, Board of Education meeting, 2/11/25, about Garden City’s Literacy & Reading Program
While Dr. Sinha also said we could do better, the statement alone is telling, and she refused to disavow the publicly debunked reading programs Garden City has been using when asked.
1. The District knows there’s a problem
2. Goal: the endgame should be to fix our reading program, train our teachers, reliably track our kids’ progress, and spot students struggling early to get them the proven help they need and prevent bigger trouble down the line
3. How? Either use our in-house and widely available (free) resources or hire someone (e.g., consultant). If we hire someone, our standards should be high, and we should get someone with a proven track record who’s helped top schools
On #2 & #3, this Board of Education and Superintendent have so far failed us. They need to hear it.
Richard F. Corrao
Fiduciary duties of a BOT
To The Editor:
1.) Board members are bound to a high standard of responsibility to fulfill the tasks required of their positions. The duty of care means they must do their due diligence to make the most informed and reasonable decisions within their authority.
2.) The Board of Trustees agrees to a code of ethics that requires them to act with honesty, fidelity, and professionalism. This includes following official HOA rules processes, respecting confidentiality, and treating all residents equally.
3.) The duty of disclosure means that board members must lead with transparency and be open and honest about what happens behind the scenes.
The board should disclose all factors
influencing their decisions and impacting residents.
4.) The duty of good faith suggests that board members should always act in the best interests of the community. Every decision should be made to benefit residents within the confines of the law and HOA rules.
5.) A board member’s duty of loyalty refers to the agreement to leave personal agendas and preferences aside to serve the community. There should be no conflicts of interest or intentional personal gains when a board member takes office.
Our board members seem to be sorely lacking these duties and responsibilities in their decision-making process.
Bob Orosz
To the Editor:
As a senior citizen, I remain a supporter of the continued enhancement of our village for future generations whether it is the enhancement of our schools, parks, library, roads, water, recreation or QOL improvements.
The generation before me on Long Island looked to my future by building schools on Long Island’s farmland after WWII, churches, opening stores, theaters, and roadways.
I am a supporter of the adaptive reuse of the St. Paul’s campus as a community center for the future generations of our village.
Smart residents of our village have an extraordinary vision for the uses of the St. Paul’s School now and in the future. I believe the incredible financiers in our village have the talent to understand creative financing options available to proceed with this project. I believe in the outstanding award-winning historic preservation architects, landscape designers, structural engineers and project managers that live in our village. I believe the outstanding minds our legal team will navigate the legal challenges ahead. They are residents too and want the best for the
See page 24
RotaCare, a service which provides free healthcare for people in need, will be holding its annual Caregivers Ball on Thursday, April 10, at the Inn at New Hyde Park. The ball will honor Dr. Francis Faustino, chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at NYU Langone, and Tom Crowly, the immediate past district governor of Rotary District 7255.
Founded in 1992 by members of the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club, RotaCare was created to serve the needs of the uninsured on Long Island. Working with the Mary Brennan Interfaith Nutrition Network in Hempstead, volunteers recognized that, in addition to food, the medical needs of their clients were not being met adequately by the health care system.
Through the collaborative efforts of the Rotary Club, local health care professionals, area residents and an initial grant from Grumman Corporation, a “MASH” team was formed to operate weekly at the INN's soup kitchen. RotaCare was born.
When more space became necessary, RotaCare moved to the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility in
Uniondale in January 2009. A staff of doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, clerical staff and translators volunteered and continue to give selflessly of their time and talent to help uninsured individuals and families receive access to vital health care services. As a result of its integral involvement and benefit to the community, RotaCare Incorporated as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization and became a Rotary District 7250 project.
In September of 2022, RotaCare leased new space at a location in Hempstead. This 2,500 sq ft facility houses an EKG, equipment for nurses to perform more specialized testing and a medical supply room for distribution to patients on-site.
Approximately 40 volunteers have the space they need to provide excellent care.
Since its inception, RotaCare has been supported by concerned companies, organizations, individuals and grants to sustain its good works and benefits to the community by facilitating free health care to people in need.
To obtain more information about Rotacare, you can go to their website at www.rotacareny.org
A Long Beach man was killed in a crash on Stewart Ave. on Sunday, February 9th after the vehicle he was a passenger in struck a tree.
According to Nassau County Police, at 4:47 a.m. Garden City Police responded to an auto accident westbound on Stewart Avenue at Nassau Boulevard. Police found that a 2007 Nissan that had struck a tree and the two front seat passengers had fled the scene on foot. A male rear passenger who suffered severe body trauma was transported to local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The passenger has been identified as Marco Antonio Zuniga, 27 of Long Beach.
Police say that a short time later, Garden City officers located the other passenger and the driver, Christhian Velasquez-Geleano, 28, also of Long Beach. According to police, they determined that the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol and charged him with DWI, Vehicular Manslaughter, Vehicular Manslaughter 2nd Degree and No Interlock Device.
Nassau County Police later said that the vehicle had been reported as stolen in Oceanside. An investigation is ongoing.
Meet The George Group at Morgan Stanley
Meet T he George Group at Morgan Stanley
Meet T he George Group at Morgan Stanley Named to Forbes’ Best-InState Wealth Management Teams list for 2023-2024
Meet T he George Group at Morgan Stanley Named to Forbes’ Best-InState Wealth Management Teams list for 2023-2024
Named to Forbes’ Best-InState Wealth Management Teams list for 2023-2024
Named to Forbes’ Best-InState Wealth Management Teams list for 2023-2024
Meet T he George Group at Morgan Stanley Named to Forbes’ Best-InState Wealth Management Teams list for 2023-2024
Meet The George Group at Morgan Stanley Named to Forbes’ Best-InState Wealth Management Teams list for 2023-2024
Raymond George CRPC® Managing Director, Wealth Management Senior Portfolio Management Director Financial Advisor 1200 Franklin Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 516-683-3282 raymond.george@morganstanley.com advisor.morganstanley.com/ the-george-group
Raymond George CRPC® Managing Director, Wealth Management enior Portfolio Management Director
The George Group: (LtoR) Back Vivian Gioia
Raymond George CRPC® Managing Director, Wealth Management Senior Portfolio Management Director Financial Advisor 1200 Franklin Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 516-683-3282 raymond.george@morganstanley.com advisor.morganstanley.com/ the-george-group
David
Raymond George CRPC® Managing Director, Wealth Management enior Portfolio Management Director Financial Advisor 1200 Franklin Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 516-683-3282 raymond.george@morganstanley.com advisor.morganstanley.com/ the-george-group
Raymond George CRPC® Managing Director, Wealth Management Senior Portfolio Management Director Financial Advisor 1200 Franklin Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 516-683-3282 raymond.george@morganstanley.com advisor.morganstanley.com/ the-george-group
Franklin Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 516-683-3282 raymond.george@morganstanley.com advisor.morganstanley.com/ the-george-group
Advisor 1200 Franklin Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 516-683-3282 raymond.george@morganstanley.com advisor.morganstanley.com/ the-george-group
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CFP®, Vice President, Financial Advisor; Amy Curley Vice President, Portfolio Management Associate; Front Cody George CDFA® Senior Portfolio Manager, Financial Advisor; Raymond George CRPC® Managing Director, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor; Taylor George, Financial Planning Specialist, Financial Advisor CFP Board owns the marks CFP® in the U.S.
The George
Raymond George CRPC® Managing Director, Wealth Management Senior Portfolio Management Director Financial Advisor 1200 Franklin Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 516-683-3282 raymond.george@morganstanley.com advisor.morganstanley.com/ the-george-group
The use of the CDFA® designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.
The George Group: (LtoR) Back - Vivian Gioia, Senior Client Associate; David Lazaros CFP® Vice President, Financial Advisor; Amy Curley Vice President, Portfolio Management Associate; Front - Cody George CDFA®, Senior Portfolio Manager, Financial Advisor; Raymond George CRPC®, Managing Director, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor; Taylor George, Financial Planning Specialist, Financial Advisor
Source: Forbes.com (2023-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
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The George Group: (LtoR) Back - Vivian Gioia, Senior Client Associate; David Lazaros CFP®, Vice President, Financial Advisor; Amy Curley, Vice President, Portfolio Management Associate; Front - Cody George CDFA®, Senior Portfolio Manager, Financial Advisor; Raymond George CRPC®, Managing Director, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor; Taylor George, Financial Planning Specialist, Financial Advisor
The George Group: (LtoR) Back - Vivian Gioia, Senior Client Associate; David Lazaros CFP® Vice President, Financial Advisor; Amy Curley Vice President, Portfolio Management Associate; Front - Cody George CDFA®, Senior Portfolio Manager, Financial Advisor; Raymond George CRPC®, Managing Director, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor; Taylor George, Financial Planning Specialist, Financial Advisor
a licensed attorney. Source: Forbes.com (2023-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK
CFP Board owns the marks CFP® in the U.S.
© 2024 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.
CFP Board owns the marks CFP® in the U.S.
CFP Board owns the marks CFP® in the U.S.
code.
The George Group: (LtoR) Back - Vivian Gioia, Senior Client Associate; David Lazaros CFP®, Vice President, Financial Advisor; Amy Curley, Vice President, Portfolio Management Associate; Front - Cody George CDFA®, Senior Portfolio Manager, Financial Advisor; Raymond George CRPC® , Managing Director, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor; Taylor George, Financial Planning Specialist, Financial Advisor CFP Board owns the marks CFP® in the U.S.
The use of the CDFA® designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.
For more information on award methodology and criteria, scan QR code.
Manager, Financial Advisor; Raymond George CRPC® Managing Director, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor; Taylor George Financial Planning Specialist, Financial Advisor CFP Board owns the marks CFP® in the U.S. The use of the CDFA® designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. Source: Forbes.com (2023-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award. © 2024 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.
The use of the CDFA® designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. Source: Forbes.com (2023-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
The use of the CDFA® designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by
Source: Forbes.com (2023-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
For more information on award methodology and criteria, scan QR code.
The use of the CDFA® designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. Source: Forbes.com (2023-2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
For more information on award methodology and criteria, scan QR
One of the factors Muldoon brought up was the amount of dust that would escape the St. Paul’s site should a significant amount of demolition work occur there, especially as the building is adjacent to sports fields and across the street from Garden City Middle School. Potential costs detailed
To arrive at some ballpark numbers for the village to use in the survey Trustee Vinny Muldoon reviewed the March 30, 2023 Westerman Report and consulted with building construction, architecture and project management firms. They include Vakota Architects; Thornton Tomasetti Engineering; BBB Architects; Erwin, Lobo, Belinski Architects and Engineering (with its 2011 report on the building conditions and roofing structural stability); Preservation Consulting; Fiocchi Group Consulting Co.; Star Iron Works; Orchid Sewer & Water; Windows We Are, Inc.; JT Magen general construction; Exdem Engineering/Shoring and Bracing Design; TACA Ltd. Construction Advisors; Ward Piping Company; United Electrical Contractors; Empower Solar, Brightcore Energy for Geothermal and others.
“With the members of the St. Paul’s Advisory Committee we put in a whole lot of work, spend hundreds of hours on
this and did a whole lot of reading and then we combined the entire package into one…I talked with about 50 more professionals over the phone and continued reaching out to so many people for their views. It involved the big firms in New York City down to the subcontractors, just to check all their opinions and views on St. Paul’s as we tried to ballpark the numbers – the numbers within a certain range to give you the public, our customers, a realistic idea of what types of figures to consider, at least within a box,” Trustee Muldoon explained.
He said his review concluded that the Westerman Report quoting approximately $49 million for an adaptive reuse project (for approximately 30,000 square feet) was done very well and offers helpful information, but he continued to ‘search for the holes.’
“If we are going to restore this building and finish 25,000 square feet of the building, restore the exterior – facade, windows, the roof, the gutters, electric and fire escapes/railings, on and on then with the parking lots, drainage and landscaping we would have to do so one day you (residents) can pull up in front and see that it looks spectacular, and how it appeared the day it was done in the 1880s. Projecting it, the start of the job could not be until at least 2026 by the time we’re done with designs, approval
and the rest and we get the financing secured….First you build in the escalation and cost of living increase. Westerman had built in one year to start (from 2023) and they had 3%, so I added another two years just to cover that at 3% and the total I added in was at 6% for escalation. The one thing I did that they did not include was the costs for architects and engineers’ fees, so I talked with the large firms and something that was not in the Westerman cost estimate that we’ve included is the $3.3 million for those professional services,” Muldoon said.
Trustee Muldoon spoke about a “big miss” from the March 30, 2023 Westerman Report – he said the report was too conservative with an estimate of $547,000 for the abatement work at St. Paul’s. During the January 16th Board of Trustees’ meeting a report from Superintendent of Building Giuseppe Giovanniello included abatement prices well into the millions.
“The most recent report we got for just abatement work alone were projected to be at $5.2 million. That is over $4 million more, and though we have not started the process or allocated any funding to specifically do the abatement we talked with two contractors. One company shared a very vague contract of about $2.5 million which I think was too low, and the other gave us a figure of about $4 million. The projections now wind up somewhere within $3 million to $4 million to abate the building but if we can do this along with interior demolition work – which would remove some of the contaminants individually or with some material – it’s a completely different scenario. We will probably be spending time over the next 90 days reviewing the prices and projects, as Superintendent Giovanniello will be putting out the RFP for that work,”
One other big item he believes to be critical for the St. Paul’s project is that it should include an up-front cost to cover installation of a geothermal heating system for the building. “If you’re going to do a building this large, you are going to have Operating and Maintenance costs….one day when the building is done, you will have those costs and energy is a big, big part of this building. You need to make sure you’re putting in the most energy-efficient systems. Though it will cost more up front, we would save millions in the long run on a building this size,” Trustee Muldoon said.
He said the plans should certainly include geothermal and solar energy, in order for the village to do things with the return on investment in mind and the best value to taxpayers.
“When it comes to solar power it’s perfect since St. Paul’s will have the perfect roof up there, and you would not even see the panels picking up all the great sunlight coming from the south, the east and the west. That energy will help to cover the most expensive utilities – the pumps and the whole geothermal system. Then you have the electricity, lighting and generators. Our Advisory Committee has been considering that whereas the Westerman Report did not, and to me this is critical,” Muldoon stated.
Another aspect he advised to add for potential projects for St. Paul’s are brand new, 21st century utilities – water mains, sewer main, and gas main. Mr. Muldoon discussed this with the village’s utility providers including National Grid, and he said with all the new infrastructure that would require
“May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall softly upon your field.” Traditional Irish blessing (ancient Celtic prayer). With St. Patrick’s Day fast-approaching, I thought it a good idea to examine some of its history and traditions.
Did you know that “St. Patrick” is a myth of many contradictions? Revered as the patron saint of Ireland, Patrick was neither Irish nor a saint. When he was 16, he was apparently kidnapped and enslaved by British pirates and brought to Britain. He was never canonized by the Catholic Church since evidence suggests that he lived and died during the fifth century. Patrick supposedly found religion while in Ireland and later, when he was ordained as a priest in Britain, he was sent back to Ireland to minister to the Catholics already living there AND to convert the “pagans.” One of his supposed miracles — having prayed and banished the snakes from Ireland — has been debunked. There were no snakes in Ireland! Just a few of the colorful embellishments that are so much a part of the Irish legacy. The first parade was held on March 17, 1601 (his feast day) om St. Augustine, Florida. Homesick Irish soldiers serving in the military supposedly marched in 1772 to honor the saint, and a tradition was born.
Don’t forget to come into the Exchange and pick up your tickets for the Garden City Historical Society “Songs of Ireland for a Sunday Afternoon” show. On Sunday, March 16, at 3:00 p.m., John Kouri and the Hambones will perform at the Historical Society Museum.
Between them, the members of the group have over 150 years of musical experience, playing in individual bands. They united in 2010 with a simple “desire to play the music we love.” For the past 15 years, they have been on a musical journey captivating their audiences with their diverse styles. If the name sounds familiar – it is if you go to the GC Pool! They have an extensive range of over 250 songs spanning across Irish, Americana, pop,
Sunday Afternoon.”
classic rock, and country, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. The performance will be 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at The TGCHS Museum located at 109 Eleventh Street in Garden City.
We are also pleased to announce that the family of Maureen Clancy (1932–2021) will sponsor this program. She and her husband, Cummin, started Clancy & Clancy Brokerage which has been around for more than 67 years. She was also an extremely active and respected member of the GC community, both in private and professional circles. Maureen was a past president of The Garden City Historical Society and an avid supporter of its music programs. As such, The Garden City Historical Society is dedicating its “Songs of Ireland for a Sunday Afternoon” March 16th performance to the memory of Maureen.
Be sure to get your tickets (only $40 per person) soon, as it is our most popular show and sells out quickly. Light refreshments -— including Irish soda bread and Irish coffee — will be served after the show. Tickets can be purchased at the A.T. Stewart Exchange (Mon-Fri 10-4; Sat 12-4 and Wed until 6pm), located at the rear of the TGCHS Museum (the yellow Victorian house on 11th Street).
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• No chance of increased taxes based on
• No home inspection required.
We invite you to send details of your academic achievements, along with your name and contact info, to editor@gcnews.com for a chance to be featured in our paper! Submissions from students of all ages are welcome!
Join us for Chess4Community: Play and Learn on Friday, February 21 and Friday, March 7, 10 a.m.–11 a.m.! Chess4Community is launching engaging chess sessions designed to bring together players from diverse ages and skill levels. Participants will be thoughtfully paired based on their playing experience, ensuring a balanced and competitive environment.
Throughout these sessions, players will face off against equally matched opponents and receive valuable instruc-
tion, offering tailored advice and teaching new strategies and skills. All ages and levels welcome! Registration is required online via LibCal (www.gardencitypl.org).
Please note registration ends two days before each program. Chess4Community is a teen-led and teen founded community organization that has been teaching Chess throughout Garden City over the past several years, including at the Library.
Happy Valentines Day! Save the Dates!
Grab your calendar and mark down these important upcoming dates across the school district. Keep an eye on the PTA website and the GCUFSD website “Events” page for even more detail on what’s happening across all seven schools.
• Feb 17–Feb. 21 – Schools Closed, Winter Break
• March 3 - All Schools Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
• March 4 - Joint Primary PTA Meeting at Locust, 9:30 a.m.
• March 7 - PTA Family Day, PTA Health & Safety Day at GCHS Middle School Board Game Donation
The Middle School is collecting new and gently used board games to be used during homebase periods. Our hope is that students will take the opportunity to socialize, work together and have some fun in the midst of their busy day. Homebase is a short period so think games that can be played quickly. If you want to purchase new and need ideas, email middleschool@gardencitypta.org for our wish list. We are also happy to accept gently used games as long as they are in good shape and contain all the pieces. Thank you in advance for your support! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out at middleschool@gardencitypta. org.
In an effort to accommodate parents’ busy schedules, the PTA will be shifting the format of Parent University moving forward. Instead of one night with multiple sessions, we will be hosting presenters on various educational topics of interest for parents on a monthly basis throughout the year. It will be called “Parent University Presents…” and will feature presentations relevant to parents of children in K–12. Please look out for more information on the sessions we have coming up! We hope to see you there!
The Garden City PTA will hold our Annual Fundraising Dinner on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 6:30 p.m. at the Garden City Hotel. This year ’ s dinner theme is “ Ascending to New Heights. ” " By participating in the dinner, every educator, parent, and member of our school community can ensure that our students' futures continue to reach new heights!
We are looking for donations of exciting raffle baskets ($250+ value) and enticing silent auction items ($500+ value) to help make the evening a success! If you would like to show your support of the PTA and this event, please consider joining together with your family, friends, neighbors or club and donate a raffle basket or silent auction item. If you have a connection to sports tickets, concert venues, vacation properties or experiences, please consider donating as these make very exciting prizes. Donated items will be on display at the dinner and listed in the evening's program. Email dinnerdonations@gardencitypta.org if you plan to donate or have any questions. Please help us make a difference!
Congratulations to the students who participated in the district PTA Reflections contest, went on to the Nassau region level and are Nassau Region Finalists!
Locust
Leia Curtin (Dance Choreography)
Stewart
Willow Griffing (Visual Arts)
Stratford
Olivia Ding (Visual Arts)
Aria Noble (Dance Choreography)
Oliver Clark (Music Composition)
Emilie Cheng (Film Production)
Middle School
Natalie Yu (Visual Arts)
Katie Zhao (Visual Arts)
Hannah Cianciotto (Music Composition)
High School
Sarah Phinney (Literature)
Sarah Phinney (Music Composition)
Your Membership Matters!
Please take a minute today to visit www.gardencitypta.org to rejoin for the new 2024–25 school year. While there, click the “Get Involved” tab to see the many volunteer opportunities with the PTA overall, and with your child’s specific schools. We can’t wait to work with you this year!
Let’s Connect @GardenCityPTA
Website: www.gardencitypta.org
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Good until 2/22 (Cannot be combined with any other offers)
The information about the homes and the photos were obtained through the Multiple Listing Services of Long Island. The homes presented were selected based solely on the fact that they were recently sold.
Mortgage Rates this week from www.nerdwallet.com
Long Island Sales Data From One Key MLS Nassau County Median Sale Price
278 Stewart Ave.
Date: 02/12/2025
Sold price: $2,100,000
4 bedrooms, 3 full baths
Architectural Style: Ranch
Property size: .52 acres
Annual taxes: $33,565
MLS number: L3588546
The Seller’s Team: Michelle F. Mcardle, Douglas Elliman Real Estate
The Buyer’s Team: Grace Kusnierek, Daniel Gale Sothebys Intl Realty
Welcome to 278 Stewart Avenue, a beautifully renovated 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath ranch style home located in the Estates section of Garden City. This meticulously maintained home offers almost 3,000 interior square feet of living space and offers a perfect blend of classic elegance and modern comfort. The first floor features a gracious entry foyer, spacious living room with gas fireplace, formal dining room, large eat-in kitchen with breakfast nook, family room with wet bar, primary bedroom with en-suite full bath and walk-in closet, an additional bedroom, a full bath and laundry room. The upstairs has 2 bedrooms and a full bathroom. Some highlights of the home include a renovated gourmet kitchen with high-end stainless steel appliances, custom cabinetry and a large 7’ quartzite island. There are renovated spa-like bathrooms, brand new central air conditioning, central heating, hickory hardwood flooring, in-ground sprinklers, a tremendous basement and a 2-car attached garage. Step outside into your personal oasis... the property sits on a 150X150 park-like property and perfect for entertaining. This exceptional residence is conveniently located a short distance from the LIRR, shopping, restaurants, schools and the park. This home TRULY has it all!
379 Stewart Avenue
4 beds, 3 full baths, 1 half bath Date: 02/06/2025
Sold price: $1,700,000
4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 1 half bath Architectural Style: Ranch
Property Size: .69 acres
Annual taxes: $24,369
MLS number: L3581188
The Seller’s Team: Matthew Minardi and Claudia Galvin, Daniel Gale Sothebys
The Buyer’s Team: Adrienne McDougal, Compass Greater NY
Experience First Floor Living in this Spacious Ranch! This uniquely designed ranch offers a bright and airy main floor, featuring a sunlit living room and a generously sized family room with a dual wood-burning fireplace that creates a cozy atmosphere. The eat-in kitchen is equipped with ample cabinet space and new appliances, seamlessly connecting to a separate dining area adorned with skylights. A convenient foyer separates the living areas from the private bedroom wing, which includes a primary en-suite with a full bath. Two additional bedrooms complemented by an updated full hall bath. In the opposite corner, a fourth bedroom with its own en-suite adds flexibility for guests. Hardwood floors flow throughout, enhancing the home’s warmth and charm, while a convenient two-car garage provides ample storage. The expansive basement, accessible through a separate entrance, offers a large recreation area, an additional rec room perfect for a home gym, a powder room, a laundry room, and a utility room. Step outside to enjoy sprawling green spaces and a patio ideal for entertaining. This property has it all-don’t miss your chance to make it yours!
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Houses featured on this page were sold by various real estate agencies
The Property Owners Associations (POAs) jointly hosted a captivating magician event on Sunday, January 26, at Cluett Hall. The show, performed by the talented Mr. Magico, was filled with interactive illusions, surprises, and plenty of laughter, delighting both children and adults alike.
This event was designed to promote community engagement and establish friendships amongst neighbors both young and old. It provided a wonderful opportunity for residents to meet new people, share joyful moments, and experience a fun afternoon of magic.
The POAs extend their heartfelt appreciation to the Garden City Recreation and Parks Department, with special thanks to Recreation Leader Camryn Casey for her coordination and support in making this event a success.
Stay tuned for email notifications regarding upcoming events. We encourage you to attend our gatherings as they provide an opportunity to have fun and catchup with neighbors.
For those interested in becoming a member of your POA, paying 2025 dues, obtaining information on upcoming community meetings/events, please visit your POA website.
We bring a unique perspective to the table, blending traditional values with modern expertise. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, we are dedicated to providing personalized service tailored to your needs. When you choose our Mother/Son team, you gain a partner who truly understands the importance of long-term success and building a legacy for generations to come.
Claudia Galvin
Associate Real Estate Broker
Gold Circle of Excellence
claudiagalvin@danielgale.com
c.516.972.8389
Matthew Minardi
Real Estate Salesperson
Gold Circle of Excellence
matthewminardi@danielgale.com
c.516.456.3091
Garden City Office
102 7th Street, Garden City, NY 516.248.6655 | danielgale.com
Stephen Baymack
Assoc. RE Broker Principal Agent
List this winter with the #1 brokerage in Garden City.* Reach out to connect to a Garden City agent.
By John L. Gomes, MD
John L. Gomes, MD, founded Women’s Health Care of Garden City in 1995. It has remained an independent private practice, providing personalized obstetrical and gynecological services.
He employs the technical advances of conventional medicine with an integrative approach to navigate women through difficult pregnancies into the menopausal years. He treats a wide variety of OB/GYN conditions and is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care.
All tests are conveniently done on the premises, and a dedicated, compassionate staff is on call 24/7.
He is committed to excellence in patient communication, education and support, as many patients come with anxiety associated with past experiences and future concerns.
Dr. Gomes received his undergraduate degree from Brown University, and his Doctor of Medicine from Columbia University.
He is both Board Certified and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Women’s Health Care of Garden City is located at 1000 Franklin Avenue, Suite 200, Garden City.
From page 1
main building and the best possible path based on the needs of residents of our village. The documentation we’ve been able to review because of this board’s and prior boards’ abilities to make that transparent has helped us a lot in our path, though we are still in the research process with some interviewing. We look forward to producing a report in the late spring and early summer,” he said.
Tauches noted that the St. Paul’s Advisory Committee will be looking to incorporate official results from the completed St. Paul’s Surveys, once the residents have submitted their responses to the village.
“That will at least represent the sentiment of our residents, and I describe the way forward as a ‘pathway’ because that’s what it is. Many administrations including my own (as mayor) looked into a single use for the St. Paul’s property and we embarked on something we knew the village did not have, which was an assisted living facility, as we searched for a partner and an entity to take over that entire process,” he said.
Tauches said what is envisioned for St. Paul’s once the surveys are returned will be “integral for the village, not only in the capital needs of our different departments - certainly including Recreation and Parks – but also for the local schools.”
In his statement, he said the legal team is now looking at any issues that would have to be overcome. Tauches added that there might be legislative efforts “that might have to be made” to seek grants or other funding, and to create momentum.
“Certainly what we’re planning to do most of all is get the real financial picture so that our residents and the Board will understand that potential and be comfortable with it,” Tauches said.
He expressed an interest in an energy and cost-saving plan for incorporating geothermal, solar, and new ‘passive-building technologies’ to invest in should a viable project for St. Paul’s be arrived at down the road, following surveys and a potential bond referendum.
Today he and colleagues on the St. Paul’s Advisory Committee continue to do research and meet with local organizations, including the Garden City School District leadership, the St. Paul’s Conservancy, the St. Paul’s Alliance and others. The former mayor and current advisory committee co-chair thanked the members of the Board of Trustees who have participated in meetings “in a very positive way.”
“It’s so important having you in some of our meetings, and I know you have busy schedules but I want to thank the
Village Board,” Mr. Tauches concluded. Concerns over financing, cost estimates Later in the meeting, concerns about project financing arose. Garden City Mayor Mary Carter Flanagan noted that she was still waiting for cost estimates on potential St. Paul’s projects. This detail came up when the mayor responded to a public comment by Frank McDonough of the St. Paul’s Conservancy. The mayor said that the law firm Ruskin Moscou Faltischek P.C.’s March 1, 2024 report indicated there was “no financial mechanism with the ‘conservancy approach’ to validate cost estimates and numbers that had already gotten out to the community (by the St. Paul’s Alliance organization).”
The report remains on the village’s website, at the link https://gardencityny. net/291/A-New-Approach-for-2025 With McDonough at the podium last Thursday, the mayor asked that St. Paul’s Conservancy to not put any more numbers (cost estimates) out to the Garden City community until they are vetted and verified by the village. Mayor Carter Flanagan said she is concerned residents may get the impression the projects proposed for St. Paul’s could equate to the cost of “a cup of coffee per day” on their taxes, and with less costs they would all “get on board.” The next thing we know, she explained, is the village would start the large building project and costs could escalate dramatically.
“The legal advice (from Ruskin Moscou) is still on our website, and we’ve asked for more details on the St. Paul’s Conservancy plan. I do not want to sit down and have a cup of coffee – I just want the numbers and details to give to village counsel. The numbers matter because we are speaking about a project that could potentially handicap a village we all care deeply about, and it could result in debt that we could not manage,” the mayor commented.
Towards the end of the Thursday board meeting, Trustee Vinny Muldoon noted that the St. Paul’s Advisory Committee is expected to present a report during the late spring or early summer, “involving a full analysis of conservancies and how they work.”
“One of the things I’ve tasked this new St. Paul’s Advisory Committee with, on the finance and legal side, is I asked them to do two things when it comes to conservancies as they relate to looking at every possible option we may have to finance this project, in the best possible way. First, I told them to talk with the (St. Paul’s) Conservancy that exists in the village which has been involved in some of this stuff, which
See page 28
5 BD | 3 BA | 2 HB | 3,719 SF | 135 x 193 LOT | $3,195,000
OPEN HOUSE: Sat Feb 15th & Sun Feb 16th 11 AM - 1 PM
Magnificent Colonial located midblock in the esteemed Central Section on a 135 x 193 lot, blends traditional elegance with modern comfort. Built in 1999, this 3719 sqft, 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom home was recently renovated to perfection. The eat-in kitchen seamlessly transitions into a welcoming family room with a fireplace that overlooks a spacious yard, featuring a blue stone patio and an outdoor kitchen. It boasts stunning marble countertops, Wolfe & SubZero appliances, attractive built-ins, stunning picture windows and gorgeous hardwood floors throughout. The Grand foyer, elegant dining room, inviting living room with an additional fireplace, laundry, mudd room, powder room, wrap around porch and two car garage complete the first floor. The second floor features a spectacular Primary bedroom with a gorgeous ensuite and WIC, 4 additional large bedrooms (one with en-suite) and a full hallway bath. The basement is enormous and fantastic for entertaining. It features a spacious rec room with a media area, gym, wine room, powder room, as well as incredible storage and utilities. Located just a few short blocks from the heart of the village, this property is conveniently situated near shops, restaurants, schools, parks, library, and the LIRR Garden City station. Its idyllic setting makes it an exceptional choice for those seeking a combination of elegance and practicality.
BY BOB MORGAN, JR.
When I was a kid in the 1960s, I had a coin collection, certainly including a lot of pennies. My grandfather, who came to the United States in 1906, actually helped me start out by giving me a bunch of Indian head pennies that had dates up to 1909. But most of my collection involved searching through piles of Lincoln head pennies to see if I could get one from every year and mint mark. I would even go to banks to get rolls of pennies to sort, although that was not very popular with bank tellers. Over the years, I did find a few valuable coins, although no blockbusters like the prized 1909-S coin that also contained the initials, VDB, of the designer.
In any event, at almost no time during my life were pennies particularly valuable or useful. A rare exception was during the 1978 blackout, when I was in my twenties and did not have any money at home (payday was the next day), except for a jar of pennies.
After spending two hours in the dark in my apartment, I ventured out with my jar of pennies to get a few beers at my local tavern, which at least had candles set up on the bar. Small beers at this place were just 40 cents each and I remember laying out four rows of 10 pennies each time I needed a refill. I got a little bit of sarcasm from the bartender and other customers, but they were fairly understanding under the circumstances.
All of this reminiscing may be a bit relevant because the days of the penny may be coming to a close. Last week, President Trump asked the Treasury Department to stop the further minting of pennies, although the coin will remain as legal tender. In a Truth Social post, Mr. Trump justified his decision, declaring “let’s rip the waste out of our great nation’s budget, even if it’s a penny at a time”
There are some pretty solid financial reasons for ending the one cent coin. A huge number of pennies are
minted (for example, 4.5 million in fiscal year 2023) and they actually cost quite a bit more than one cent to mint, at 3.7 cents each in fiscal 2024. In an effort to lower production costs, pennies are now zinc with copper shells, but still are money losers for the U.S. Mint.
While there is some legal controversy about Mr. Trump’s authority to stop new pennies, there is more considerable discussion of the practical effects of much less usage of pennies. About 250 billion pennies have been minted in the last three years, with most of them seemingly in coin jars other hordes rather than in circulation and use. Presumably, transactions going forward will be rounded up or down to the nearest nickel. One possible indication that the change will not be significant is that Canada discontinued its penny in 2012 without much disruption to its commerce. Retail organizations favor this change, saying that it will speed up cash register transactions by a few seconds.
Some of the objections to ending pennies are sentimental and a few practical. In The Wall Street Journal, Bob Greene points out that pennies are part of American lore, and have produced such expressions as a “penny saved is a penny earned” and a “penny for your thoughts.” More serious critics of the penny decision point out that the next ranking coin, the nickel, which likely will be used more without pennies, actually costs around 14 cents to make. (One assumes that the five cent piece, too, will get wiped out in fairly short order. )
As the opening paragraphs of this piece indicate, my life has been at least slightly affected by pennies and probably most other people (including nearly everyone who had a childhood piggy bank) can say the same. But this may be a situation where sentimentality should yield to rationality.
Garden City’s Senior Center is open. Please visit the Senior Center Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for further information on activities and events!
VOTE THE CAP LINE ON MARCH 18TH! VOTE THE CAP LINE ON MARCH
WE ARE WORKING WITH YOU WE ARE WORKING WITH YOU WE ARE WORKING FOR YOU WE ARE WORKING FOR YOU
TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER WE ARE GARDEN CITY TOGETHER WE ARE GARDEN CITY
On Tuesday, March 11, 11:00 a.m., at the Senior Center, NYU EMS Long Island Presents: Preparing for Emergencies. Informational Session - The anatomy of a 911 call, free health information packets, review of essential documents, and time for Q&A. To register, please stop by the Senior Center front desk or call (516) 385-8006.
lunch at the Thayer Hotel. Tuesday, June 10, charter bus leaves from across the street from the Senior Center at 8:00 a.m., and it will depart West Point to return home at 3:00. To register visit the Senior Center, $153.00 check made payable to “Amazing Destinations”. Deadline: February 14. We are now opening up this trip to non-residents.
VOTE THE CAP LINE ON MARCH 18TH! VOTE THE CAP LINE ON MARCH 18TH!
Sunday May 4: “Fiddler On the Roof” (Argyle Theatre)
Sunday, June 8: “Legally Blonde” (Madison Theatre at Molloy University)
WE ARE WORKING WITH YOU WE ARE WORKING WITH YOU WE ARE WORKING FOR YOU WE
On Tuesday, February 18, Dr Joseph Marino, DPT will be at the Senior Center at 11:00, to give a presentation about Fall Prevention. Reservations are required, please stop by the Senior Center front desk or call (516) 385-8006.
New chair yoga schedule for Tania at the senior center. Beginning Friday, January 10, she is adding an additional Chair Yoga Class at 11:30–12:30, as well as a Meditation Class at 12:30–1:00. This is in addition to her Tuesday 9:45–10:45 Chair Yoga class.
Tuesday, June 10
Trip to West Point for a tour and
Sunday, August 3: “The Music Man” (Argyle Theatre)
Chess 4 Community
Join us for Chess 4 Community’s Play and Learn at the Senior Center, every other Friday 3:00–4:00. This program will resume in March, dates to be announced. All ages and levels are welcome. No registration is required, just stop by and play!
Join our Senior Center Lunch Group at 12:30–3:30 on Wednesdays, or, if you miss your pool friends, join the Garden City Pool Chat Group at the center, on Thursdays beginning at 1:00–3:30. For both groups, coffee and tea will be served, just bring your lunch and chat!!
There will be no garbage pickup on Monday, February 17, President's Day. The holiday week collection schedule will be as follows:
Western half of the Village (west of Rockaway Avenue):
Garbage - Tuesday and Thursday; Rubbish - Wednesday, February 26
Eastern half of the Village (east of Rockaway Avenue):
Garbage - Wednesday and Friday; Rubbish - Wednesday, February 26
Residents scheduled for recycling on Monday, February 17, are asked to put their recyclables out on President’s Day.
The winners of the Monday, February 10 games: North / South:
1st Place: Pat Fontaine and Ellen Moynahan East / West: 1st Place: Grace Basile and Rudy Kaiser
Reminder: There will be no bridge on Monday, February 17th - Presidents Day. The Senior Center is closed.
Understanding the restriction on uses of the St. Paul’s Main Building is important in navigating a path to a St. Paul’s solution for the Village.
The efforts I was supporting to find a St. Paul’s solution focused on uses that are allowed under the present restrictions, with a Community Center being researched by the Mayor’s Advisory Committee. A Community Center was also the use being proposed by the preservationist groups, and the idea of building a Community Center is not new to the Village and an idea that could have widespread support. As Mayor, I have not been a proponent of attempting to undo the restrictions on the property.
The Village of Garden City has owned the 50-acre St. Paul’s campus, including all structures, since 1992. The property was acquired in a negotiated condemnation proceeding.
“Parkland” in 2005 to ensure the protection and preservation of the St. Paul’s Campus for future Village residents. The Parkland designation restricts potential uses of the buildings, and details of those restrictions are on the website.
Non-Parkland use of the St. Paul’s buildings and campus requires NYS legislative approval after a Home Rule request by the Village Board AND likely would require the acquisition of new, additional parkland to replenish the parkland lost to Non-Parkland use.
An early proposed use of the remaining ten acres surrounding the building was to convert the principal building into an assisted senior care facility. That private use was contested in a lawsuit brought by Village residents in 1998 (Kenny v Board of Trustees of Incorporated Village of Garden City). The Village argued that this didn’t result in a park designation. The court found “although the instruments of conveyance do not contain … restrictive language … the property was utilized for recreational purposes” and therefore “was impressed with a public trust” and that “a privately owned assisted living facility for seniors was inconsistent with the public purposes for which the property was acquired” and a “public trust” was created. The court concluded that the proposed use was for a private, profit-making purpose, not for “public or recreational use” and accordingly was prohibited without prior legislative approval. That lower court decision was upheld by the Appellate Division in 2002. Legislative approval was never granted, though discussions took place with at least one state representative. The company proposing the Senior Assisted Living facility, Care Matrix, entered bankruptcy six months thereafter.
The Board of Trustees subsequently designated the St. Paul’s property
Part of the reason I have not supported alienation of the Parkland designation is due to the history of prior Village efforts to find uses for the building that were ultimately determined to be too costly or not supported by the community. In next week’s column I plan to share some of the history regarding prior efforts to find uses for the St Paul’s Main Building and what we know about why they were not successful, including efforts to move the GCHS to the St Paul’s Building, and efforts to move the GC Library and other Village offices into the St. Paul’s Main Building.
The Board has approved a Smart Controller Rebate Program for residents replacing their standard automatic irrigation system clock timers with EPA WaterSense labeled smart irrigation controllers. This would result in a one-time rebate of $100 on their water bill. Customers requesting the rebate will be responsible for submitting a receipt for the purchase and installation of a smart irrigation controller to the Village Water Department, which may be subject to inspection and verification by Water Department personnel. This rebate only applies to controllers purchased after the adoption of this resolution on February 6, 2025. This program will run for two years, beginning April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2027.
The Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing on Thursday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss a proposed amendment to the Village Code relating to swimming pools.
See page 30
False alarms
On February 5, firefighters and officers responded to two separate locations after fire alarms were activated in error. Later that day, they also responded to a business where a fire alarm had been set off by construction workers.
Aggressive driving
A motorist on Clinton Road was charged on February 5 with aggressive driving violations, including excessive speed and running a red light.
Suspended license
Also on February 5th, a driver on Washington Road was charged with operating a vehicle with a suspended license, a suspended registration, and no insurance.
School zone violation
A Rockaway Avenue motorist was charged with driving with a suspended license and excessive speed in a school zone on February 5th.
Gas odor investigated
On February 6, the Garden City Fire Department, Police Department, and PSEG responded to Whitehall Boulevard after receiving a report of a natural gas odor. After an inspection, they deemed the area safe.
Medication disposal
A total of thirty pounds of medications collected through the department’s Drug Take Back Program were properly disposed of on February 6.
Suspended registration
A Franklin Avenue motorist was charged on February 6 with driving with a suspended registration and making an illegal turn.
Truck tickets
Also on February 6th, a truck driver on St. James Street South was cited for driving in a prohibited zone, failing to have a highway use tax permit, and carrying unsecured hazardous materials.
Multiple charges
On February 7, police say a Stewart Avenue moped driver was arrested on two outstanding probation warrants related to drug and larceny offenses. He was also charged with driving on a sidewalk, accumulating nine license suspensions, and multiple aggressive driving violations.
Shoplifting report
A female suspect reportedly entered a store on 7th Street on February 7 and stole an item.
Unlicensed operation
On February 7, a motorist on Tanners Pond Road was charged with unlicensed operation and failing to stop at a Stop sign.
Excessive speed
A Clinton Road driver was also cited for excessive speed and operating an uninsured vehi cle on February 7th.
Fire alarm responses
Firefighters and officers responded on February 7 to multiple fire alarm activations, including one caused by a faulty detector and another by a defective battery.
No registration, plates, insurance
A motorist in Parking Field 7S was charged on February 7 with making an illegal turn, operating an unregistered vehicle, improper plates, and driving without insurance.
False panic alarm
Officers responded on February 7 to a business office after a panic alarm was accidentally set off.
Package theft arrest
The Detective Division arrested a 31-year-old man on February 8 for allegedly stealing a package from a front porch on Huntington Road back on July 30.
Truck violations
A truck driver on Clinton Road was charged on February 8 with unlicensed operation, driving an unregistered vehicle, and being in a prohibited zone.
Restaurant alarm
Firefighters and officers responded on February 8 to a restaurant fire alarm, which had been activated by a stove malfunction.
Suspended license
A Parking Field 7S motorist was charged with driving with a suspended license and illegal turn on February 8th.
Unlicensed operation
On February 9, a St. James Street motorist was charged with unlicensed operation and failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
Possession of alcohol
Five youths were cited on Edgemere Road for obstructing traffic and possession of alcohol on February 9th
. Fraud report
A resident reported on February
9 that their credit card and bank accounts had been targeted in fraudulent activity. Officers are investigating.
Fire alarm from cooking
Firefighters and police responded to a home on February 9 for a fire alarm set off by burnt food. Failure to stop
A St. James Street motorist was charged with unlicensed operation and passing a stop sign on February 9th.
Damaged light pole
A light pole was found damaged on February 9 at the intersection of Garfield Street and Harvard Street.
Seventeen suspensions
On February 10, officers arrested a Meadow Street motorist for felony aggravated unlicensed operation. Police say the driver had 17 license suspensions. He was also charged with having improper license plates, an unregistered vehicle, and no insurance.
Pedestrian hit-and-run
A pedestrian was struck by a white vehicle in Parking Field 7S on February 10. The vehicle left the scene, and the victim suffered a knee injury.
Stolen watch report
Garden City Police are investigating a February 10 report of a stolen Apple Watch at Stratford School.
Traffic violations
On February 10, a Stewart Avenue motorist was charged with driving with a suspended license, excessive speed, and making an improper turn.
Bridge strike
A truck driver on Chestnut Street struck the train overpass and was cited for disregarding bridge clearance signs.
Gas odor investigated
Firefighters and officers responded to 7th Street on February 10 for a report of a natural gas odor. Upon arrival, they found National Grid already working in the area.
Speeding violation
A Washington Avenue motorist was charged on February 10 with unlicensed operation and excessive speed.
Quick
Quick
Remote
Remote
Trusted
Hoops for Hope is a team effort. Stewart and Stratford students are hard at work making posters that will hang in the gym that day. GCMS students are talking to business owners and hanging flyers around Garden City to promote the event. It's a great day in our community. Come and be a part of it!
Cheer for the Challengers at Hoops for Hope on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at Garden City High School. Doors open at 3 and tip off is at 3:30. The game is being played in memory of Bobby Menges, a GCHS alum who lost his battle with cancer. All proceeds from the game will be donated to the I’m Not Done Yet Foundation. INDY’s mission is to help adolescent and young adult cancer patients and survivors to live their lives the way they deserve.
A suggested donation of $5 includes a coupon for some free 7th Street Tenders from Seventh Street Gourmet, 100 Seventh Street, GC. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase for a chance to win great prizes. Family and business sponsorships are available. If interested
please contact Liz Menges at efmenges131@gmail.com. Questions? Contact Katherine O’Hanlon at 516-760-7868. You won't want to miss this special afternoon!
A Stratford student supports the
village they live in.
I believe Garden City needs a yearround indoor community center for all ages and I will support the adaptive reuse of St. Paul’s. I trust our Village Board to find and offer the residents a fiscally responsible plan. The final say will be in the hands of the residents whether they want to vote to support the bond for the project.
Jeannette McLaughlin
To the Editor:
I have followed this issue passively since arriving in Garden City in 2022. My wife and I are a young family with two children and no prior connection to Garden City. Although I appreciate the rich history of the town and its various historical structures, the dysfunction I’ve witnessed in regard to this issue has led me to favor the demolition of the structure. As a young family, our goal is to minimize our expenses and save for our children’s future. It’s my understanding that a solution has been elusive for many years. This would favor the simplest, most cost effective solution. I suspect most young families feel this way and are simply checked out from local politics.
Michael Powers
St. Paul’s will cost a fortune
To The Editor:
I am a 48-year resident of Garden City, and this is my first letter to the Garden City News. I love Garden City, but I do not love St. Paul’s. Love is not a word that I apply to a structure. And, despite hearing an earlier rallying call of “St. Paul’s is in my DNA,” it is not in my DNA.
Although I have an appreciation for historical things, there comes a time when a cost/benefit analysis must enter the equation. Regardless of whose numbers you believe, it is obvious that redoing St. Paul’s will cost a fortune. And I have learned that the actual cost of doing a project often becomes a multiple of the original cost estimate. Therefore, I am for demolition.
I am disheartened that the currently constructed survey does not include a demolition option. Unless such an option is added to the survey before it is finalized and released, I plan to vote against each of the six trustees who decided to exclude the demolition option from the survey when they are up for re-election.
I have no doubt that these trustees are good people who believe they have the best interests of the Village at heart. I also believe that every one of them has done good things for the Village. However, the sum of all these good things by all these trustees does
Email: Editor@GCNews.com
not outweigh the damage to the Village that will be caused by pouring a fortune in hard-earned taxpayer money into St. Paul’s.
Ed Bonnie Kubuki theater
To the Editor:
On Tuesday night, Trustee Muldoon gave a tour de force performance for which I give him an “A” - - but only for “optics”; I give him and the other trustees an F for objectivity and governance. Why? two major reasons:
My first reason is that, despite the sound and fury with which they were presented, the “ballpark estimates” have no credibility.
Trustee Muldoon spearheaded the cost information effort. He used the word “I”, not “we”, innumerable times last night. He told us, in effect, to trust him, that he personally will make sure that the cost numbers are right and that he personally will keep a sharp eye on the project (if it gets underway) so that it won’t incur overruns (as virtually every other significant municipal and county project has). Very comforting words.
However, even ascribing the best of intentions to Trustee Muldoon, he’s not qualified. He is not a professional engineer engaged in planning or managing the disposition of dilapidated, gigantic 150 year old buildings. This is not like gut renovating a 5,000 square foot home or a 10,000 square foot commercial space in a shopping center; it isn’t a case of everything is the same, but just with more square feet. Would you choose to have your GP perform a bypass operation on you?
Trustee Muldoon inspired the creation of an advisory committee, but it’s hard to believe that it’s independent with diversified viewpoints. Members were surely hand-selected to rubber stamp his obsession of spending huge sums for a monument to A.T. Stewart and, maybe, we even get to jam in a second rate, but expensive, community center. (He openly admitted the monument point, and added a point about our “skyline”.)
It wouldn’t be surprising if every one of these committee members is a hardcore preservationist. It also wouldn’t be surprising if many were affiliated with the groups who gave us the misinformation leading up to the flawed referendum.
ing such a project? Not good for potential business.
To me, these costs estimates are not credible and it wouldn’t be surprising if they were biased to the downside.
One example is the reference to a 3% inflation escalator. I personally am hard-pressed to accept that as reasonable. Using as a broad proxy the replacement cost for insuring my home in GC, these replacement costs increased 12.9% in 2024 and 5.9% this year (with no changes to my home). Three percent anyone?
As far as detailed disclosure is concerned, we got 4, 10 and 11 lines in a summary spreadsheet relating to the three preservation options, with no written narrative.
My second major reason for giving the performance an “F” for governance is that the actions of this BOT force a raising of the standard and integrity of what’s required to inform the residents before they respond to the survey. What does that mean?
Trustee Finneran has taken every opportunity to tell us that the residents spoke clearly in the referendum. He and five other Trustees do so, knowing full well that there was considerable misinformation provided to residents to influence the referendum.
Because all six are either oblivious or seem to have very selective memories, I’ll remind them: (i) $400 tax increase per household - - now 3-5x higher for most residents; (ii) proposal that seniors get an exemption from the property tax impact - - not legal in this Village; (iii) conservancy will contribute huge sums - - the cash is currently in witness protection; (iv) demolition will disrupt the village for 3 years, whereas adaptive re-use will be done quickly with nominal disruption - - not according to Westerman’s experience; and (v) sponsors of such misinformation refused to tell us the source of this information - perhaps it’s highly classified information affecting national security?
Now, we get “ballpark estimates”. If they prove to be way low, as the previous ones were, it wouldn’t be surprising if the six trustees respond with the line they’ve memorized, “the residents have spoken” and then they’ll continue to behave like commissars.
Despite a considerable volume of requests, the trustees continue to refuse a direct approach to expressing preference for the demolition option. We only have the backdoor way of “none of the above”. Another resident asked, “what if hypothetically 60%” of the survey respondents chose “none of the above” (i.e., none of the preservation options), what would the BOT do. We got a Kamala Harris type soup salad answer.
“Trust” and “St. Paul’s” don’t belong in the same sentence. Keep your eyes wide open.
To the Editor:
Jim Apostolides Skeptical City
More of the same contortions of past events and extolling ideas without foundation occupied much of last week’s BOT meeting. Things were real quiet for awhile with Board members seemingly trying to liven things up with comments. But two residents, Carl Russo and Bob Orosz made inquiries about the upcoming survey and we learned each household gets 1 survey. This is because it is the taxpaying unit. So I guess my wife and I, who respectively like Folgers and Tasters Choice, will have to figure out our collective response to question 8 on the survey. It was also revealed that renters will get surveys too- they are taxpayers via a pass through by paying rent to the landlord. So renters remember there is no free ride for you regardless of what gets done with St. Paul’s. Proceed accordingly. And then there was Frank McDonough inexplicably allowed to speak, with interjected comments by various Board members from 1 hr. 43min. to 2 hr. 09 min! Was this because he offered the Mayor chocolates for Valentines Day? Heck NO. Based upon what Mr. McDonough said during the meeting I would advise caution about ingesting food from someone who remains so persistently uncooperative with the Mayor during the past and present Board sessions. This chasm of opacity and nondisclosure by the conservancy’s spokesman clearly continues- listen to the dialogue between the Mayor and Mr. McDonough.( 1hr. 48-52 min.). I hope the Mayor remains well and that she continues to be involved with matters of public interest after her term as a hard working Mayor ends. There was a repeat of the oft said by McDonough, we want to meet to explain how great the conservancy is ( 1 hr. 45-48min.). The Mayor, at 1 hr. 50 min. reminded Mr. McDonough as well as Trustee Finneran that she has several times requested written clarifications, comments addressing criticisms of the Conservancy “plan” by large multi- specialty law firm Ruskin Moscou (composed of 75 attorneys, check out their website- areas of practice include construction, environmental, land use, zoning, not for profit, IDA municipal development, municipal governance, about which Mr. McDonough seemed totally oblivious Frank McDonough derogatorily characterized Ruskin Moscou as a simple real estate firm or like a negligence firm. (meeting at 1 hr. 52-54 min.). Remember at the CCC OCT. 8, 2023 Salem/McDonough debate he pulled From page 2
Trustee Muldoon referenced a number of outside organizations which he reached out to. Who knows what questions he asked and how he posed them. You can get almost any answer you like depending on how you pose the question. Why would any of these organizations, who presumably stand to benefit from potential future contracts, provide advice contrary to Trustee Muldoon’s dreams and, perhaps, contribute to kill-
The expression that applies here is: “once burnt, twice shy”.
See page 26
In 1993, Anita Rothenberg of Valley Stream was first admitted to Mount Sinai South Nassau’s ER in Oceanside and treated for a heart attack at the age of 37. She recovered, raised a family and worked as a teacher on Long Island for the next 29 years. Then, in November of 2022, an angiogram showed three blocked arteries. She underwent triple bypass surgery a few days later at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in Manhattan and completed her cardiac rehabilitation close to home at Mount Sinai South Nassau.
Mount Sinai South Nassau o ers comprehensive heart care for Long Islanders, and has received the following ratings and quality awards:
• Rated High Performing in heart attack and heart failure from U.S. News & World Report ® for 2024-2025
• Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention™
• Healthgrades Coronary Intervention Excellence Award™
• Healthgrades Five-Star Recipient for Coronary Interventional Procedures
• Named among the top five percent in the nation for Coronary Interventional Procedures by Healthgrades
L ea r n mo r e a t mountsinai.org/southnassauheart
the same thing comparing our Village Counsel, Gary Fishberg, of the august firm Cullen & Dykman, to a “dentist trying to do brain surgery”). These sort of tactics are used by someone whose got nothing substantive to support his own position. Never has the Conservancy provided legal or financial opinions by experts for scrutiny by the Board or residents. How does the conservancy arrive at its calculations and conclusions?
Never has the Conservancy, whose monetary assets McDonough would not provide as private, responding to Trustee Chester’s inquiry that they were not public. Perhaps, McDonough forgot that his own Conservancy’s assets are public information “ The St Paul’s Conservancy’s assets were $1596 in 2011, $4581 in 2012, $4531 in 2013, $3796 in 2014, $3656 in 2015, $3138 in 2016, $3136 in 2017, $2776 in 2018, $2657 in 2019 and $2657 in 2020. IRS rules are now in effect that 501(c)(3)’s with less than $50,000 in gross receipts no longer have to file.
So “When you got nothin you got nothin to lose”, from” Like a Rolling Stone”, the Bob Dylan classic, seems apropos. These deflecting attention ploys seem akin to a candidate for middle school class president saying the opponent’s Mother wears Army shoes. If you coulda ya woulda appears to apply to the lack of expert opinions and explanations that remain for years shadowing over the conservancy’s technically legal ideas. But hey, the fact something maybe legal doesn’t make it the best or even a good idea. When Mike Ciaffa opined that the conservancy concept was legal in a letter he did not state in any way it was the greatest thing since sliced bread or Taylor Swift’s latest song. We all know it’s legal to smoke but it’s not a good idea.
It was surprising that Trustee Finneran, an attorney, took a dismissive jibe at the uncontested by other legal opinion Ruskin report as if it was like wearing a parka when summer comes. (His “we are past Ruskin “ remark at 2hr. 01 min.). He admits the current Board “is going in a different direction”. Indeed disregarding the advice of expert BCI about the inclusion of demolition and facade is a direction turn off the highway into a Trustee driven validation survey road to oblivion.
The Mayor gave Mr. McDonough wise advice “do not put out resident cost numbers prior to vetting by the Village”( 1 hr. 49-51min.). She also cautioned that estimates would likely undercalculate the actual costs. And remember the McDonough Alliance folks misrepresenting the dangers of demolition despite Westerman Construction’s objective proof at Oct. 2023 Village presentation to the contrary. Yep, Deja vu all over again .
Tuesday’s Town Hall ! Hope y ‘all came to the meeting, or zoomed or watched - check Facebook resident page to learn if transparency has truly left the building!
P. S. Update >Feb. 7 Newsday front page, the “new” Courthouse on 11St. is finished, a renovation project priced at $168M was completed at $214.6M, a roaring $ 47M over run. I don’t think we want to roll the dice, mortgaging our future on a dilapidated out of use for over 35 years building, do we?
To the Editor:
First Lady Elon Musk had it right when he gave the Nazi salute to President Trump. We are back in 1939 with a feckless fascist nominating all his boot licking brown shirts for Cabinet posts to carry out daily attacks on our democracy.
Musk, now leading the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) - which is neither a federal agency nor a legally recognized federal advisory committee has no legitimate authority, as it was not established by Congress or lawfully by the president. Nearly one-third of all federal employees are veterans and are concentrated in targeted agencies like the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency. Many of these veterans rely on their jobs to support their families.
All the veterans took an oath to support and defend OUR Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. That oath never expires. Musk wouldn’t know. He never took it.
Also, please tell your next cruise director you want to see the new “ Gulf of America” on your Way to the “the Riviera of the Middle East.”- Gaza. Once the ethnic cleansing and deportation begins. Israel claims Ireland is legally responsible to accept Palestinian refugees. Otherwise, our commander in bone spurs will start a war so son-in-law Jared Kushner can build a new resort.
Speaking of war, let me know “within 24 hours” the Ukraine War Trump promised would be over? And when the price of eggs is below $10 under his leadership?
Our groundhog is a 78 year old convicted felon and rapist who just pardoned over a thousand J6 self professed criminals who assaulted capitol police. Again, the party of law and order.
With Trump, every day is “Groundhog Day.” A never-ending nightmare over and over.
God save America.
Patrick A. O’Rourke
In case you missed the EAB’s February 12 presentation on the sustainability of Long Island’s aquifers, the link below will connect you with the U. S. Geological Survey on this critical topic. Nassau and Suffolk Counties get our water supply from the aquifer system, so this study is of great importance to the future of Long Island. Phase I of the study, which covered Kings, Queens and Nassau Counties, has been completed.
The information was presented by Sarah Meyland, M.S., J.D., who is a water management consultant with a background in water resource management and environmental law. She taught at the New York Institute of Technology and directed its Center for Water Resources Management.
To view the reports, visit the link https://www.usgs.gov/centers/new-york-water-science-center/science/groundwater-sustainability-long-island-aquifer-system.
Place an ad in our Classifieds for reasonable rates and prompt results. Call our main office 294-8900 to request information & rates. Visit our website to place classified Ads, to receive more information & our latest rates, www.gcnews.com
underground and into St. Paul’s, the line item was set for approximately $1.1 million.
“If we are renovating a building of this magnitude and stature, for budget purposes the Westerman Report said that we can replace about 50 windows – but I have a good memory and there are around 663 windows in that building, and we need to replace all of them with new and high-quality windows to protect from the weather and for energy efficiency. Once we’re done with a project the windows must look great but also they need to be high-quality for energy savings purposes. We’ll put in all-new windows for the building and we have prices from different companies (vendors) – for this estimate we’re adding in approximately $3 million. The quotes we received ranged from $2,000 to $7,000 per window, so we know on average what we would spend from the different projections from companies,” Muldoon said.
He also said the building must be equipped with at least one state-of-theart elevator, which would be another cost to calculate after some quotes are offered.
“Grants are a big opportunity and the Advisory Committee is hard
at work exploring every avenue for grants, including generating new ideas to build the potential for philanthropic programs. All those things will help to reduce the tax burden and bring the total price of a project down,” he said.
Mayor’s opinions, public comments
In her comments on Tuesday night, Mayor Mary Carter Flanagan noted that the process for abatement would have been more established, because originally she mentioned it would have to be done whether or not St. Paul’s can be worked on for adaptive reuse or even if it would be demolished.
“I thought at this point the village would have more information from residents. I do want to be clear, we do know there will be a huge cost difference for abatement if we are preserving the whole building or if we’re removing wings or removing the whole building, it would be much cheaper. I am glad to hear Vinny (Muldoon) say it does not make sense to abate until we have a plan,” she said.
Former Village Trustee and longtime member of the Environmental Advisory Board Lawrence Quinn submitted a comment which was read aloud by current Trustee Ed Finneran.
“The premise of the Recreation survey was ‘What can we do with the
building?’ and not ‘What can we do with the acreage/space?’ – so demolishing was not an option. We the residents should be given the option of demolition and show that a potential rendering of empty space than the tree/ parkland would look. Open spaces have real value, and only showing buildings on the St. Paul’s space is a blatant bias.”
Village Historian William Bellmer asked about the potential for “parkland alienation” being applied to just the St. Paul’s main building. He suggested that designation would allow more options for the use of the structure and land, and Bellmer said this should also be a question on the St. Paul’s Survey.
Trustee Bruce Torino, an attorney, noted how this is not a possibility.
“Park alienation for this building has a legislative problem. You can’t alienate the property unless you attribute another area as parkland – so where in the village will you get 10 acres?” he shared.
Mayor Carter Flanagan said this week’s Mayor’s Column in The Garden City News will shine a light on this topic. “There is another layer of protection, and when the property was acquired by the village it came with another restriction which became the topic of a lawsuit against the municipality. Please give the column a read for the understanding of restrictions,”
she said.
Trustee Muldoon responded to questions by Steve Gorray about the potential size of a building that could be built behind the facade of St. Paul’s. Muldoon said that facadism can be prevalent and successful in some downtown areas where buildings are next to each other, without space around them, and the footprint of St. Paul’s would be an awkward situation if that were pursued here.
“You don’t have to put a 100,000-sq. foot building there but if you have a five-story building and you want to put in a one-story building that would look absolutely ridiculous. You could have that erector set structural steel to support the facade, but engineering they would want to do a step-building to tie the structures in. I used the Westerman Report as a basis to advise on costs,” he shared.
Mayor Carter Flanagan said there was a lot of discounting of facadism by the six trustees supporting the next steps outlined on Tuesday. “On our website we also included the prior (2018) hockey rink plans done by the prior Board, and that is an example of a facade, so it is not only just the front with some steel structure behind as (Trustee Muldoon) described. Brandstetter Carroll Inc. did
See page 28
From page 27
speak about this, and until you have a program for the building the pricing is harder to do…Facadism may be less expensive than an adaptive reuse, but we do not know until we know the program. This is one thing I do not want people to be misled on as far as facadism being one particular thing and more expensive,” the mayor noted.
Gorray’s written comments also cited the Westerman Report’s review of asbestos abatement only (for approximately $547,000) but not for every other kind of hazardous material.
A few moments became tense after she criticized the timing of the Westerman Report coming up just prior to her taking office as the 2023-2025 Garden City mayor, and citing a more digestible number of $49 million to achieve a preservation project.
Another concern the mayor raised was the amount Trustee Muldoon and the Advisory Committee have included for project contingency, at 10%. After speaking with Village Administrator Ralph Suozzi, she noted that typically the contingency amount for larger projects is set at 20%. That would equate to a higher ceiling for costs – which she wants residents to be aware of.
Mayor Carter Flanagan stated, “This goes to my ‘Eyes Wide Open’ – IF we are going to do this, we need to know what we are walking into. If you look at the building, everybody knows 10% would be too low but it is what it is,” she said.
Trustee Muldoon noted that the 10% came from Westerman, and he respectfully disagreed with the mayor’s comment on a need to add it at 20%.
“Contingencies are only as good as the time and the effort you put into knowing the scope of work and spending all the hours buttoning up on the project. I love Westerman and they do great work but there was a big miss on abatement costs (advised to the village).
The majority of abatement inside St. Paul’s is not asbestos as that did not come around until the 1930s or 1940s. The asbestos there would be more from the pipe-wraps added to steam and heating lines and asbestos tiles/flooring,” he said.
The mayor said she sent an email to every trustee about the ways in which the 2023 Westerman Report has been so heavily used and relied on by Trustee Muldoon and the new Advisory Committee.
“That report was hastily finalized in the days before I became mayor. After becoming mayor (April 2023) I said it would be a big issue in moving forward on St. Paul’s so a first step was trying to understand the Westerman Report. It was unintelligible to an engineer by training, and on its face it did not make sense to anyone. I started searching for records to see what we asked them to price out..;.the wonderful plans by Will Alisse were not in their pricing, so what did we get their price for? I dug and dug, and no village records were kept with any communications between the village and Westerman. There were some references by resident volunteers, and one person on the prior St. Paul’s Committee had set up a meeting with our paid consultants – unbeknownst to me and others on the Board – to discuss the cost estimates. I will let you draw your own conclusions,” she explained.
Several audience members appeared to take the mayor’s side in questioning the numbers. Resident Pete Leibman approached the front of the room at the start of the question & answer period. He told the audience that the villagewide polls done in 2011 and in October 2023 only accounted for a small percentage of the over 23,000 Garden City residents. Leibman said the sample size should be considered to evaluate whether or not a majority of the village actually concurs with the results – most recently with the 2023 Poll, the 61% in favor of the full or partial preservation of St. Paul’s, and
39% who favored demolition.
He also shared his feelings about Mayor Carter Flanagan’s position on a project for St. Paul’s.
“Our mayor deserves our village’s gratitude as she has the strength and character to disagree with six hardworking and dedicated people on the Board. Congratulations, and thank you mayor…. I really believe demolition really should be part of this survey, as most people I talk to do prefer that,” Mr. Leibman commented.
Another comment he offered was on the sad state of St. Paul’s.
“There are some videos online taken inside St. Paul’s by some enterprising young filmmakers, and that is a real eye-opener. It’s a disgrace that building was allowed to deteriorate to that extent, and I can’t believe it has been decades and we have not done anything, “ Leibman said.
Later, comments came up from Kevin Rogers, who asked the questions about the specifications of floors involving the 25,000 square feet to renovate and build for community use.
Trustee Muldoon said the 25,000 square feet would involve predominantly the first floor, the staircase, and up from spaced noted in the Westerman Report.
“You can go with one wing, just the middle, or up and down – the 25,000 square feet we are working with for costs can be placed wherever you want but again it will be based on the programs that residents want in the building. Until we know the programs we would not design the space, but obviously it would involve the center of the building and spreading out to the wings,” he noted.
Tim Finnegan asked if a gym (St. Paul’s Field House) will be included in the outcome of a St. Paul’s Survey vote. Trustee Ed Finneran responded that it is not included.
Another question, asked by Walter Horn, was ‘Why spend up to $10 million
on abatement before a final decision is made on the fate of the building?’
Trustee Muldoon said after the initial numbers were received from a few firms, the Board decided to not pursue doing the abatement or any interior demolition work yet, “until such time as the residents decided what they want to do with the building, what budget we’re doing, the architects/engineers have designed a project and we feel like this would be more cost-effective to do that based on the programs.” He said this delay was the right decision given the information the Board will need to work with coming from the survey responses.
Another question from Rogers which was read by Trustee Finneran asked if every Garden City resident will be able to complete a St. Paul’s Survey. The answer from Trustee Judy Courtney stated that just one physical survey will be mailed to every Garden City household. Individuals at the same home address will not receive their own surveys, based on household size. One will be mailed to the entire home and one will be counted for that household.
Francine Ryan asked the trustees about the potential for the survey to be done online, “In the interest in having the highest survey response rate, reflective of the feelings and desires of the largest amount of residents about what to do with St. Paul’s.” She noted it would need to be 100% safe and secure but could boost the response rates across the village and from the younger generations in particular.
For residents who wish to fill out the St. Paul’s Survey online, only one completed survey will be recorded for every home address. Trustee Courtney explained that in case too many surveys online are relating to the same IP address, the safety/tracking mechanism would alert the survey company and still only one will be recorded per household.
From page 16
Frank McDonough and Peter Coll from the Conservancy are representing. Then I specifically asked that they meet with people from three other conservancies in New York State. I think they already chose the three. We will see how those conservancies work by examining their viability – how they work, how they are financed and how their boards are set up. This will give us data and insights on how conservancies really work, from an unbiased perspective,” Trustee Muldoon said.
Resident Leo Stimmler said the even-
tual fate of St. Paul’s and a project on the site should be “monitored closely” because the Garden City Senior Center on Golf Club Lane was not monitored so closely. He told the trustees about neighbors and friends who have considered the forthcoming St. Paul’s Survey with skepticism on how Garden City will handle a major infrastructure project.
Mr. Stimmler noted up front that his personal selection for St. Paul’s would be Option B – Partial Replacement.
“My friends, neighbors and golf buddies are using that (senior center project) against the survey so I hope you
are prepared. The survey for St. Paul’s is different, with a different group of people monitoring things, and I do have a lot more confidence in you (the Board) over what happened previously,” Stimmler said.
Trustee Muldoon responded. “You can tell all your friends, and I have said it before and will say it again tonight – if the residents decide they want to pick or decide on one of the St. Paul’s projects to move forward for a bond vote, and then they move this thing through, I will run with this project for as long as it takes and make sure that it sticks within budget and the time estimated.
If we say two years it has to remain at two years, etc. I will be on top of that and I will be making sure it gets done in the time frame it should be done in – but the residents’ input will drive our planning.”
He expects the report from the advisory committee to allow the Village Board and residents to have details to make a determination of what is in the best interests for a St. Paul’s project, tied to the most appropriate, lowest-cost financing – “all depending on what our residents want when they submit this survey to us.”
A health system is more than a doctor. In our case, it’s 320+ locations with the exact same high standard of care. It’s integrated medical teams that achieve the best patient outcomes. It’s leading the charge in medical discoveries. It’s the lowest mortality rates in the nation. It’s being named #1 for quality care in the U.S. Our health system has the best doctors, and the best doctors are just the beginning.
Better health starts with a better health system.
From page 21
Reckless driving
A motorist on Edgemere Road was charged on February 11 with reckless driving, passing two Stop signs, and unsafe speed.
False fire alarms
Firefighters and officers responded on February 11 to multiple fire alarms,
one activated by construction workers and another set off in error.
Unlicensed operation
On February 11, a Clinton Road motorist was charged with unlicensed operation, an unregistered vehicle, and excessive speed.
Truck troubles
Also on February 11th another Clinton Road truck driver was cited
for driving with a suspended license, a suspended registration, multiple overweight violations, defective brakes, and an unsecured load.
School zone speeding
A motorist on Rockaway Avenue was charged on February 11 with driving with a suspended license and speeding in a school zone.
School zone violations
mcarterflanagan@gardencityny.net
From page 20
The Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss a proposed amendment to the Village Code related to outdoor dining.
The Board of Trustees designated six additional pieces of Village property as parkland: Plattsdale Park, Commercial Park, Lefferts Park, Plaza East, Plaza Park and Nassau Blvd. Park. These locations join more than a dozen others the Board has designated over the past year. It has been wonderful being part of such a positive action in our Village government as we have been able to add an extra layer of protection to the beautiful parks across the Village. This step will help to ensure that these areas will continue to be enjoyed by future generations. While some parks were fairly straightforward because the park had been deeded to the Village in one action, many were not, which required the studying of maps at Village Hall and at the County office. The designations would not have happened without the work of prior and present Village Trustees who supported this initiative and assistance of Village Historian Bill Bellmer and Village Counsel. I also would like to thank the passionate residents who contributed their ideas and pressed to see action to protect our parks and open spaces.
The St. Paul’s Main Building roof patch took approximately five hours to complete last week. The work closed an approximate 4 foot by 8 foot wide hole. The roof is now secure and weather tight, according to Building Superintendent Giuseppe Giovanniello, who oversaw the work.
The following suggestions are offered in an effort to reduce inconvenience to residents and to assist the Village in serving your needs during a snowstorm:
• If possible, excessive shoveling of your driveway apron can be avoided by waiting until the plow operation is complete.
• Please be considerate of how and where snow is piled when shoveling or using a snow blower. Always shovel snow or aim a snow blower chute back onto your property. Please DO NOT blow or shovel snow from driveways or sidewalks into the street. It is a hazard to all vehicles.
• When you hear that a storm is expected, move your car off the street into your driveway. This will speed up the plowing operation and make the streets safer for travel.
• Park your car, or cars, as close to the end of the driveway as is safely possible (not over the sidewalk or driveway apron). This eliminates the need for shoveling the entire driveway to free your car when the storm has ended and the roads are safe to travel.
• When snow removal equipment is at work with lights flashing, stay clear. This equipment moves slowly.
• If you are unable to shovel snow or are going to be away, make arrangements to have the snow cleared from your sidewalk. Please remember that you are responsible to shovel your sidewalks within 24 hours after the storm. This will be enforced by the Police Department. This is also applicable to the business community.
• Please clear snow away from all hydrants so that the Fire Department can reach them without delay. Also, make sure that the snow is not blocking the address number to your house.
• Be aware that snow shoveling is a strenuous activity made worse by extremely cold temperatures. Stay hydrated. Older residents and those in ill health should not shovel. Prior to a snow storm, make arrangements with someone to shovel for you.
Another driver on Clinton Road was cited for a suspended registration and excessive speed in a school zone on February 11th.
Improper turn
A Washington Avenue motorist was charged on February 11 with driving with a suspended license and making an improper turn.
To facilitate safe garbage collections, a clear path should be made from the sidewalk to where the garbage is kept. If this is not possible, it is suggested that the garbage be carried to the curb for pickup and returned promptly after the collection is completed.
Residents are reminded that there will be no garbage pickup on Monday, February 17, 2025. The Holiday Week Collection Schedule will be as follows: Garbage
Western Half of Village - Tuesday and Thursday
Eastern Half of Village - Wednesday and Friday
Rubbish
Entire Village - Wednesday, February 26th
Recycling
Residents scheduled for recycling on Monday, February 17 are asked to put their recyclables out on Presidents Day.
Sunday, February 16th
9:30 a.m. Pickleball at the St. Paul’s Field House. Nominal fee.
7:00 a.m. Special discounted rates for tennis players at the Community Park Tennis Center
Monday, February 17th
7:30 p.m. Men’s Basketball in the St. Paul’s Field House. Nominal fee.
Tuesday, February 18th
11:00 a.m. Movie: Quest for Camelot at the Library for Grades K-5
Tuesday, February 18-21
12:00 p.m. Open gym for Garden City residents at the St. Paul’s Field House
Tuesday, February 18th
5:30 - 9:30 p.m. Grievance Day at Village Hall
7:30 p.m. Board of Trustees meeting at Village Hall and via Zoom Wednesday, February 19th
12:00 P.M. Chairobics and Strength at the Library. Must register.
7:00 p.m. Teen Game Night at the Library. Must register.
Thursday, February 20th
7:30 p.m. Adult Volleyball and Soccer in the St. Paul’s Field House. Nominal fee.
Friday, February 21st
9:00 a.m. Adult Art Class at Cluett Hall. Register for the class at the Recreation and Parks office.
10:00 a.m. Chess4Community Play & Learn at the Library. All levels and ages welcome.
10:00 a.m. Baby and Toddler Storytime at the Library. Must register. 11:00 a.m. Budding Bookworms Storytime at the Library. Must register. 3:00 p.m. Teen Crafternoon: Perler Bead Art at the Library for Tweens and Teens in Grades 6-12
Monday, February 24th 10:30 a.m. Toddler Storytime at the Library. Must register.
NASSAU COUNTY
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Notice of Formation of Aunty Shan. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/01/2025.
Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Joshua Renfroe: 42 Orleans Rd, Valley Stream, NY 11581. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
NASSAU COUNTY
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF GARDEN CITY
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Garden City, New York, will hold a public hearing at the Village Hall, 351 Stewart Avenue, in said Village as well as via Zoom at 7:30 p.m. on the 6th day of March 2025, upon the following: Amendment to Section 200-45 of the Village Code with regard to Swimming Pools. Dated: February 7, 2025, Garden City, New York BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK
KELLY GALANEK
VILLAGE CLERK
The Incorporated Village of Garden City does not discriminate on the basis of disability for admission to, access to, or participation in its programs, activities or public meetings, and has designated Kelly Galanek, Village Clerk, as Disability Compliance Coordinator. Persons in need of any special accommodation for a disability who wish to attend a meeting should contact Kelly Galanek at least 24 hours in advance of meeting at: 351 Stewart Avenue Garden City, New York 11530 (516) 465-4051 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
NASSAU COUNTY
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF GARDEN CITY
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Garden City, New York, will hold a public hearing at the Village Hall, 351 Stewart Avenue, in said Village as well as via Zoom at 7:30 p.m. on the 6th day of March 2025, upon the following: Amendment to Chapter 148 of the Village Code with regard to Outdoor Dining.
Dated: February 7, 2025 Garden City, New York BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK
KELLY GALANEK
VILLAGE CLERK
The Incorporated Village of Garden City does not discriminate on the basis of disability for admission to, access to, or participation in its programs, activities or public meetings, and has designated Kelly Galanek, Village Clerk, as Disability Compliance Coordinator. Persons in need of any special accommodation for a disability who wish to attend a meeting should contact Kelly Galanek at least 24 hours in advance of meeting at: 351 Stewart Avenue Garden City, New York 11530 (516) 465-4051
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Subscribe to our newspaper by calling 516-294-8900, or visit issuu.com and search for Litmor Publishing to find
NASSAU COUNTY
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Notice of Formation of Devi’s Sacred Journeys LLC / DBADevi’s Soul Creations. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/31/2024. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC.: 7014 13TH AVENUE SUITE 202 BROOKLYN NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
SERIES 2006-16, Plaintiffagainst- CHRISTOPHER J. LENNON, et al Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated January 2, 2025 and entered on January 8, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court "Rain or Shine" located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 18, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Garden City, County of Nassau and State of New York, known and designated as SBL# 33-326-96
Said premises known as 57 DARTHMOUTH ST., GARDEN CITY, NY 11530
Approximate amount of lien $2,171,885.88 plus interest & costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.
Index Number 004195/2007.
SCOTT SILLER, ESQ., Referee Pincus Law Group, PLLC
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 425 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, NY 11556
{* GARDEN CIT*}
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costs. Administrators stressed that curriculum reviews are a routine practice, providing an outside perspective on program effectiveness.
Several community members raised concerns about CASDA’s effectiveness, questioning the scope of work, the consultants’ experience, and potential conflicts of interest when consultants also sell educational programs.
One parent voiced frustration over the lack of transparency, stating, “I’ve heard nothing publicly about the vetting processes. I’m making it my personal mission to get everyone to understand these issues and get a top-tier structured literacy program into GC schools.”
Others pointed to CASDA’s track record, noting that districts where the consultants had previously worked had proficiency rates below 50%. “What value will they bring, and how will they help us?” one community member asked.
Dr. Sinha responded, “If we’re not getting the work we need, we won’t go that route. However, we are confident these consultants will help us improve, and the community will be involved throughout the process.” The superintendent reiterated that any decisions made will be based on the review’s ultimate findings.
Not everyone agreed with the concerns raised. One attendee countered, “I’ve been in schools my entire life. You can’t compare one school to another, even if it’s the same consultant.”
Others questioned the necessity of hiring an outside consultant when the district already employs a superintendent of curriculum and a director of literacy. Board members defended the decision, arguing that external reviews provide valuable perspectives, identify gaps, and offer recommendations for improvement.
Some parents, dissatisfied
with the district’s response, reached out to CASDA directly but were unable to obtain measurable impact data. They wanted to know why the district would pursue a consulting firm without data-backed results. Administrators noted they could not comment on interactions they were not involved in.
Community frustration was evident throughout the discussion, with some parents questioning declining student performance and the district’s response. Board Trustee William O’Donohue acknowledged the divide, stating, “We’re in the same church, just not in the same pew. There’s no silver bullet, but we have to be thoughtful in our approach.”
A lifelong educator in attendance urged the community to view the process as an opportunity for improvement. “Every single person in this room is really on the same page: we want the students of this district to do better. I’ve been part of many programs—some horrible, some great, some mediocre, some in-between. Even the worst programs left us with valuable takeaways. I love the fact that there is going to be another set of eyes to look at everything. It should be respected and done frequently. The goal is to keep improving.”
The total cost for the CASDA engagement is $24,000. Board members assured parents that the full scope of work is already available and that results of the review will be made public on a dedicated page on the district’s website. Opportunities for parent and community engagement will continue.
The meeting concluded with a reminder that curriculum reviews take time and are part of a broader effort to strengthen student outcomes. The next Board of Education meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 8:15 p.m. at Garden City High School.
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14, 2025
BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM
My long-held desire to bike the award-winning Route of Hiawatha rail trail in Idaho provides the opportunity to discover the enormous appeal of Spokane, Washington, where the Discovery Bicycle Tours’ Idaho Trails bike tour begins. I cleverly arrange to come in three days early to give myself time to immerse, staying at the exquisitely grand and historic Hotel Davenport, so connected to Spokane’s story and walking distance to most everything I want, and even taking advantage of their bicycles to get a jump on the Centennial Trail which figures so prominently in the bike tour, too.
This is all new territory for me.
The first delightful surprise is how easy it is to navigate Spokane International Airport (if you’ve been through JFK and LaGuardia in New York, you will appreciate what I mean) – a few steps to the door, and a few steps more to a wonderfully convenient public bus that takes me steps from the Davenport’s door (the bus driver and fellow travelers are so helpful! – something I find throughout my stay in Spokane) – just $2 for the fare (which you can use to transfer or return within 2 hours; $4/day or $12 for three-days).
It doesn’t take long for me to realize why Spokane, with its natural and cultural appeal, isn’t just a great place to visit, but a great place to live.
Imagine strolling over America’s largest urban waterfalls, walking 15 minutes from downtown to a rafting trip on a river that cuts through evergreen forest, and getting on a bike in the downtown city park - the site of the 1974 World’s Fair, appro-
The Spokane River that goes through the city of Spokane, Washington, gives the city its special beauty and quality of life (as well as its hydroelectric power). It can be said that the river energizes the city. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com
priately themed for environmental protection - and biking 58 miles on the trail to Coeur- d’Alene in Idaho. This is Spokane, Washington - and even though it is 95 degrees outside, it doesn’t feel hot.
Spokane is this vibrant city organized for its people. Of course, it wasn’t always that way, but the same reasons it developed into a hub of the West – railroads, commerce and mining - Spokane was an early adopter of sustainability and environmental protection while transitioning into the 21st century by holding on to what was best about the past.
For me, the mark of a place that takes pride in itself and has community spirit is one that has historic markers and plaques and its respect for historic and cultural places.
You feel it especially in the historic Davenport Hotel - a truly grand dame that is very happy to share its stories.
So I begin my exploration with a tour of The Historic Davenport
Hotel (see Historic Hotel Davenport Puts You into Spokane’s Story)
From there, the concierge directs me to the public bus (the central depot is across the street), for a ride to visit the magnificent Manito Park. (1702 S Grand Blvd). This is a spectacular 90-acre oasis in the in the South Hill neighborhood that features five distinct gardens: the Duncan Garden (a formal garden where I notice the fountain is dedicated to Louis Davenport who built the Davenport Hotel), Rose Garden, Perennial Garden, Lilac Garden and (my favorite) the Japanese Garden. (If you come in the afternoon, save the enchanting Japanese Garden for last; if you come in the morning, see it with the morning light.)
Most wonderfully, the Manito Park, is really a neighborhood park –much like Central Park in New York City, and Golden Gate Park, in San Francisco – grand and yet neighborly. Besides the gardens, Manito Park has spacious manicured lawns, play-
grounds, walking trails and biking paths, topiary shrubs, a greenhouse conservatory, a conservatory and a duck pond. It gets some 150,000 visitors a year. (Best viewing May-October, http://www.manitopark.org/)
An absolute highlight for me –almost a homebase during my stay in Spokane – is Riverfront Park. Just a few minutes walk from the Historic Davenport Hotel, I found myself wandering into the park two, even three times during the day.
It is actually one of the rare successes in urban renewal: once a blighted space, the city seized on the opportunity to host the 1974 World’s Fair (notably the first expo themed around environmental conservation) to make major, lasting improvements serving the community in myriad ways.
Riverfront Park was opened by President Nixon (who made an eloquent speech about the importance of environmental protection and resigned by the time the Fair closed). It is pure delight for residents and visitors alike: stroll over bridges for dramatic views of the falls you neve expect in an urban landscape; be carried over the falls on the Numerica SkyRide gondola, channel your inner child on the historic Looff Carrousel, fantastic playgrounds and rides (slide down The Red Wagon, a giant Flyer), and feed the Garbage Goat (a clever way to encourage composting). Enjoy a concert at the United States Pavilion which was saved and repurposed as an outdoor performance venue seating as many as 6000 (there was a concert there during my visit) – the roof replaced by steel ribbings that are lighted at night.
The park actually is composed of several islands. One of the islands pays tribute to Spokane’s indigenous heritage. There is a totem pole and story
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board stations. The pathways weave throughout – you come upon marvelous playgrounds, sculptures and art.
I stop into the Riverfront Park Visitor Center (actually the Visit Spokane tourist center), where I learn about the Great Fire of 1889 that destroyed 90 percent of the downtown – the only surviving buildings were those made of brick by the railroad company. What was left became the historic district (but there are some modern skyscrapers that seem so out of place, that were built before the new rules were put into place).
Also going through the park is the Centennial Trail, a biking/pedestrian/ recreational trail that extends for miles, which I will take from beginning to end on my upcoming Idaho Trails bike tour.
It is an interesting experience to be walking distance of a rafting experience in a major city - the Spokane River that goes through the city gives the city its special beauty and quality of life (as well as its hydroelectric power). It can be said that the river energizes the city – and this confluence of nature, urbanity and livability is what makes Spokane such a hot place for people to put down roots.
Within minutes, we embark from the Peaceful Valley neighborhood on a two hour-long scenic Spokane River Float with Wiley Waters. (Wear water-shoes and a bathing suit; a dry bag is provided, as well as drinks). It’s the end of the season so is a very gentle glide – towards the end, we hop off the raft for a brisk dunk. The season runs May-September (Wiley E. Waters, riverrafting.net, 888-502-1900).
In the evening, I return to the Riverfront Park to once again stroll about as the sun set.
BY CHARLYN FARGO
February is Heart Health Month, and a good reminder that eating the right foods can make a difference in heart health and longevity. My mom died from poor heart health. My goal is to help others choose a different path.
For years, heart disease was the No. 1 cause of mortality in the U.S, and it’s responsible for nearly a fourth of annual deaths -- more than all types of cancer combined. COVID-19 may have taken over that first-place spot -- the numbers aren’t all in yet -- but the point is, we need to be concerned about the health of our hearts.
There are several heart-healthy diets (Mediterranean; DASH; vegetarian; MIND). Here’s what they have in common:
--High in vegetables
--High in traditionally healthy fats such as fish, nuts, seeds, olives and avocado
The next morning, I take advantage of the Davenport’s bike rental (two hours are included in the resort fee), and connect to The Centennial Trail in Riverfront Park. I ride west, toward Riverside State Park, where the Centennial Trail begins. The trail in this direction goes along the high ridge that follows the Spokane River well below – just beautiful – and passed these beautiful housing complexes that are wonderfully designed, sharing the trail with families out for a stroll, runners, walkers, and cyclists. (Again, pointing to the livability of Spokane).
I bike up to the point where the trail has a sharp descent which I would have ride back up (with a three-speed city bike) so I leave that for the bike tour which will start at the very beginning of the trail and ride to where it ends in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Instead, I cycle the trail in the other direction, going back through Riverfront Park, toward Gonzaga University campus in search of the famous singer/actor Bing Crosby’s childhood home, which is actually on the campus and now a museum. You can also see a statue of Bing outside a building named for him on campus. (Crosby House, 508 E. Sharp Avenue, Spokane, WA 99258, 509-313-4064).
In the afternoon, I head to the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture
To get there, I could easily hop on the purple City Line lightrail from just across the street from the Davenport and get off in Browne’s Addition, but I prefer to walk the mile.
The walk takes me passed the Bing Crosby Theater, the Fox Theater (1931), gorgeous Art Deco buildings that exemplify Spokane’s importance as a cultural center for the Northwest, its legacy as an
--High in plant-based protein sources such as legumes and soy
--High in aquatic protein sources such as fish and seafood
You can’t go wrong with foods and snacks that are nutrient-dense, such as dark leafy greens -- which have fiber, micronutrients and phytochemicals -- and nuts, fruits (especially berries) and vegetables, olive oil, whole grains, avocados, salmon and walnuts.
In his book, “The 5-Ingredient Heart Healthy Cookbook”, Registered dietitian Andy De Santis offers six guidelines for eating in a heart-healthy way.
No. 1: Lead with legumes. They help keep blood cholesterol levels down. Legumes are beans, peas and lentils.
No. 2: Push potassium. It helps lower blood pressure, which when high, can be a major risk factor for heart disease. High amounts of sodium can raise blood pressure; high amounts of potassium can help restore the balance. Potassium is found in
important commercial hub on the railroad line, and its wealth from nearby Idaho mines.
I pass stunning Victorian mansions – most of them now inns or museums – but none more magnificent than the Campbell House, which is now part of the museum and a “must visit” (be aware of the opening hours).
Founded in 1918, the Smithsonianaffiliated Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture presents an extensive, permanent collection of Plateau Tribal art and artifacts, Pacific Northwest art, regional historical objects and archives. It really offers a synthesis of the history and heritage here, with appropriate respect for the tribal people.
Having spent time in Riverfront Park, I am particularly fascinated to see the special exhibition, “It Happened Here: Expo ‘74 Fifty Years After” and so fortunate to visit when the museum is presenting a riveting exhibit,”1924: Sovereignty, Leadership, and the Indian Citizenship Act” marking 100 years since American Indians were declared citizens.
Be sure you leave enough time to visit The Campbell House and its carriage house (admission to the house closes an hour before the museum, so in retrospect, should have done it first.).
The Campbell House is an absolute jewel with exquisite architecture, interior decoration. The mansion was designed in 1898 for the Campbell family by architect Kirtland K. Cutter (who also designed the historic Davenport Hotel). Cutter incorporated all the modern technologies available - indoor plumbing, hot and cold running water, electricity, central heat and even a telephone.
The carriage house holds the personal
bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, salmon and avocado.
No. 3: Stick with soy if you enjoy it. Products include soy milk, tofu, soybean oil, edamame and soy nuts.
No. 4: Go nuts for tree nuts. Tree nuts are high in fiber, potassium and hearthealthy fats. Tree nuts include almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios and walnuts.
No. 5: Choose vegetables and fruits, fresh or frozen. Fruits and vegetables
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story of the Campbells and the Spokane community of the time – artifacts and photographs, a car that would have been very much like the one the Campbell’s had. It is so interesting to have such a personal look at this family.
Campbell made his fortune investing in the mines of north Idaho (that I will be visiting soon on the Discovery Bicycle Tours’ Idaho Trails trip). The Campbell family (his wife was a school teacher) lived here for 26 years and in 1924, after both parents had passed away, their daughter, Helen, donated the house to the Eastern Washington Historical Society which started the museum. Now it is under the auspices of the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture.
(Open Tuesday-Sunday, 12-4 pm, admission included with museum ticket) Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, 2316 W First Avenue, Spokane 99201, northwestmuseum.org (give yourself at least 2 hours, more like 3)
In the evening I return again to the Riverfront Park. The setting sun casts a pink glow in the sky and I am once again awed by the dramatic view over the falls – the largest urban falls in the country, apparently. And I finally get my chance to ride the Looff Carrousel.
The beloved, iconic attraction of the park was hand-carved by Charles Looff in 1909 as a gift for his daughter and her husband. Looff, an immigrant from Germany, arguably was America’s first great carousel carver, having made wooden animals for Coney Island’s carousel. This carousel was set in an amusement park, Natatorium Park, for many years before the park closed in 1968, saved for the city by Spokane’s parks manager.
To plan your visit: Visitor Information Center, Riverfront Park, 6y20 W. Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99201, 888-SPOKANE, Visit Spokane, www. visitspokane.com.
© 2025 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com
BY LOU THEODORE
Sleep apnea is a disorder of the respiratory system in which breathing ceases for a period of a few seconds before resuming. Such periods, which may also occur during sleep, are sometimes alternated with periods of rapid, heavy breathing known as hyperpnea.
On a personal level, I snore. But what’s worse is that I suffer from apnea, a term which means “no air.” It seems nearly one in three Americans snore and one in ten have sleep apnea.
Well, is it a nuisance or is it a health concern? The answer: both. Most of us know that snoring can be extremely bothersome to your bedroom partner if he / she is not a sound sleeper. The snoring occurs when your breathing airway is partially obstructed by tissues (that may vibrate) near the pharynx in the back of the mouth. Alternately, the air passage may be extremely narrow or partially blocked; a small jaw can also cause problems. Thus, anything that narrows the breathing airways can cause snoring. In these cases, the noise usually ends when the problems are addressed.
When total blockage occurs, it is defined as the aforementioned sleep apnea. Breathing ceases at this point and the individual is deprived of oxygen. Individuals on average can suffer from a few to a hundred of these episodes per hour. This in turn leads to an increase in blood pressure. Although the apnea effect may only last a few seconds, this starting-and-stopping process can lead to a heart attack, stroke, hardening of the arteries, or kidney failure. In addition to these problems, sleep apnea
can cause difficulty in reasoning, shortterm memory loss, headaches, muscle pain, depression, and slow reflexes.
From a medical perspective, the delivery and deposition of oxygen to the heart is a requisite to sustaining life. The breathing process provides the regular and continuous requisite supply of oxygen content of the air to various locations within the body.
One of the oxygen passageways to the lungs is the pharynx (often referred to as the windpipe); its opening is ½ inch in diameter. However, the passageway can be partially blocked by muscle tissue at the entrance to the windpipe. This tissue normally hangs loosely in the pharynx during most hours of the day. During sleep, particularly when one is dozing face up, the tissue can flop downward due to the force of gravity and partially (or totally) block the opening.
The blockage phenomenon also arises because muscle tissues in the uvula at the back of the throat and the entrance to the pharynx can sag under the force of gravity. This effect may be exasperated due to a similar action at the epiglottis.
When blockages occur, the resistance to the flow of air in the passageway increases, which in turn reduces the flow of air to the lungs. This sleeping disorder process has come to be defined as the aforementioned sleep apnea.
There are several possible solutions to sleep apnea.
1. The first is to sleep on one’s stomach with a prop pillow to support one side of the face. This prop pillow can be similar to a doughnut used by a pregnant woman to relieve pressure from
one side of her body. By sleeping on the stomach, the gravitational effect on the trachea and any blockage of the airway will be minimized or eliminated.
2. The second possible solution is to insert a mouthpiece similar to that of a wrestler or boxer. This mouthpiece forces the mandible jaw to remain in the forward position which keeps the airway open during the course of the night. Your dentist can also provide a soft plastic device that can be custom-fashioned to hold both the jaw and tongue forward during sleep. This solution may cause some discomfort to the patient and is not recommended for all individuals.
3. Use adhesive plastic strips to hold the nostril (more) open. This solution helps to reduce the resistance of flow to the lungs.
4. The treatment by somnoplasty, a procedure that employs radio frequency energy to treat the affected area in the air passage. Here, an automated radio frequency control delivers a measured amount of thermal energy to a specific area at the back of the mouth. The process effectively burns off the unwanted fat and / or tissue without damaging the throat lining. Somnoplasty usually takes less than five minutes and can be performed in a doctor’s office.
5. The fifth solution is a lifestyle change, and only pertains to some sufferers of sleep apnea. Changes that include: eliminating the use of alcohol and other depressants, loss of excess weight, and maintaining regular sleep times. Depressants such as alcohol relax the muscle cells of the trachea, causing them to partially collapse and prohibit the flow of oxygen. Eliminating these
drugs can lower the occurrence, or even prevent sleep apnea in some patients. Losing excess weight can lower the risk of sleep apnea because, if the trachea is made up of less fatty cells, it will have less tendency to collapse during sleep. By maintaining regular sleep times, the effects of extreme fatigue on the muscle cells in the trachea can be minimized. Two other lifestyle changes can include: smoking cessation and avoiding unhealthy snacks before sleep.
6. The new kid on the block (this year) prompted the writing of this article involves using an expensive (relatively speaking) simple strip across the mouth that forces one to breath through the nose. The inventor claims that it will solve the apnea problem.
Well, that is what is out there in terms of solving the apnea problem. What do I recommend, you ask? My solution earlier first employed process (3), which was followed by (2). Both, at best, marginally solved my problem. Process (1), which I first recommended 20 years ago, did the job. It is what I recommend, and don’t tell me you can’t sleep face down! I presently continue to employ (1) and have no plans to visit a sleep apnea doctor; and, I have no plans to use process (6).
I hope the above helps some of you.
Visit the author at: www.theodorenewsletter.com and / or Basketball Coaching 101 on Facebook
P.S. My talk on casino gambling scheduled for Wednesday, February 5th was cancelled and rescheduled for Thursday, April 10th.
BY TOM MARGENAU
Poor Lyndon Baines Johnson. When it comes to Social Security, he gets blamed for something he never did. Our 36th president is often accused of being the first chief executive to tamper with Social Security financing. Well, he did tamper with it. But not in the way conventional wisdom would have you believe.
I was reminded of this when I got reactions from people to some recent columns I wrote about the repeal of certain laws that effect the Social Security benefits paid to government employees. I thought the repeal was unwise and would drain Social Security funds. Dozens of you wrote and told me some version of this sentiment that came from a reader in California: “Social Security wouldn’t need any changes if Congress would just pay back the money that President Johnson stole from the Social Security system back in the 60s.” Here is another version of the story as relayed by a Texas reader: “We all know that LBJ cooked the books when it came to the Social Security trust funds. And politicians have been stealing money ever since. Get that money back and Social Security will be flush with cash!”
Unfortunately, for decades now, misinformed critics have charged that President Lyndon B. Johnson moved Social Security money from its own separate ledgers to the government’s general funds in order to spend it. That’s not quite right. Here is what really happened.
We all know that the Vietnam War, which LBJ inherited from his predecessor, John F. Kennedy, was rapidly turning into a huge albatross around Johnson’s neck. And it wasn’t just the loss of thousands of young men’s lives that was bothering him. It was also the staggering costs of paying for the increasingly unpopular war in Southeast Asia. He was looking for a way to hide some of those costs, not just from Congress, but from the American people. The government’s general coffers were essentially empty. But he noticed that there was an entirely separate government fund that was flush with cash: the Social Security trust fund.
What most people mistakenly think LBJ did was simply tap into those funds and “steal” Social Security money to help pay for the Vietnam War. But that is NOT what he did.
What he did do was simply change an internal government bookkeeping practice. Up until then, Social Security’s income and expenditures had always been kept on a completely separate set of government books. President Johnson merely added Social Security’s accounts to the general government budget. But this is the important (and almost always overlooked) point: He did not change in any way the method used to invest and spend Social Security money.
In other words, Social Security funds were not touched. By pulling off this bookkeeping maneuver -- adding the Social
Security funds to the government’s overall ledgers -- LBJ was able to disguise the growing deficit caused primarily by all the spending for the Vietnam War.
Maybe this analogy will help you understand what happened. Fred and Ethel are married. They both work. And they keep separate bank accounts to manage their finances. Fred spends money like there is no tomorrow. His bank balance is always near zero. Ethel saves a lot of her income, so she has a substantial account balance. Fred talks Ethel into combining their assets. Neither person changes their habits. Fred keeps spending just his money and Ethel saves most of hers. But suddenly Fred looks like he has more money than he really does because, on paper at least, his bankrupt account has been combined with Ethel’s flush ledgers.
Fred is like President Johnson and the overall government budget. Ethel is Social Security. Fred really hasn’t done anything wrong. He hasn’t taken any of Ethel’s money. He’s simply using her money to make his bottom line look better.
Like Fred, Johnson moved the balance sheets for Social Security money into the overall government budget for one sneaky reason: to mask his (and Congress’) risky spending habits. All the Social Security income made the actual government deficit appear smaller.
This accounting procedure is known as the “unified budget.” Despite its shifty intentions, you could make the argument that the procedure is entirely justified. After all, Social Security money is government money, and it makes sense to add it in with all other government funds.
Still, after the American people figured out what was going on, these bookkeeping shenanigans left a bad taste in their mouths and in Congress’ mouths. That’s why back in the 1990s, Congress changed the law to remove Social Security funds from the overall federal budget. So, Social Security went back to its original “off budget” status. But that doesn’t stop politicians and pundits from including Social Security funds when discussing the overall federal budget. And because for several years now, the Social Security system has been running a deficit, if someone wants to make the federal budget look even worse than it really is, all they’d have to do is add Social Security funds to the picture.
Having said all that, I cannot stress enough that this game-playing with the government books has absolutely nothing to do with how Social Security tax money is spent on Social Security benefits and invested in government bonds. If you would like to read a more thorough account of Social Security financing, including a discussion of its investment practices, spend 15 bucks at Amazon.com and get my bestselling guidebook called “Social Security -- Simple and Smart.” An entire chapter in the book is devoted to the topic.
Here’s the bottom line: Neither President Johnson nor any other president nor any member of Congress has ever stolen a
nickel of Social Security money. But they sure have played around with its accounting ledgers!
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 2025 CREATORS.COM
BY JEFF RUGG
The American Garden Rose Selections judges have announced the newest roses to be selected in their testing program. This year, there are an unprecedented nine new winners.
The All-America Rose Selections progra ran from 1940 until 2013. The AGRS program began in 2016. If you are looking in a garden catalog and see that a rose was the winner of either award, you can be sure it is a good rose.
Since the country has diverse climates, it makes sense that the AGRS judging is done by region. All roses entered into the AGRS are tested for two years in six geographical regions, each containing at least two test gardens. Most of the test gardens are open to the public, so you can see for yourself which roses you like.
The roses are evaluated five times each growing season. Evaluators are looking for the same characteristics you would like in a garden rose. Disease resistance is highly valued since it will give you a rewarding experience with less care required. They also judge each plant on its bloom abundance; bloom form; attractiveness; fragrance; rebloom habit; aging quality of blooms; hardiness in cold and heat; vigor; foliage proportion and attractiveness; and plant habit. For a variety to be granted an award, it must demonstrate superior performance in at least three of the six regions. An award is also given for fragrance, because that is important to many gardeners.
The region codes are NC for north central, NE for northeast, NW for northwest, SC for south central, SE for southeast and SW for southwest.
Blushing Drift is the latest addition to the drift roses. Drift roses are crosses between full-size groundcover roses
and miniature roses, and they are great for containers or large masses of roses on slopes. Blushing Drift grows 18 inches high by 3 feet wide. The double pink flowers last a long time. It won in all six regions.
Brindabella Crimson Knight is the newest addition to the Brindabella roses that have won this award. Brindabellas are tough, low-maintenance shrub roses growing 4 feet tall and wide. The dark red flowers of Brindabella Crimson Knight are very fragrant. This flower won in the NW, SC and SW regions.
Fiesta Veranda is part of the veranda series of roses. It is a floribunda with yellow and orange flowers on a 4-foot-tall, 3-foot-wide low-maintenance shrub. It won in the NW, SC and SW regions.
Firefly has a bright yellow flower with lots of petals. There are older varieties of roses that are orange or red that also have the Firefly name. This one is from Altman Plants. It won in the NC, NW, SC and SW regions, and it won a fragrance award.
Grandbaby may only be 2 feet tall, but the fragrant, pale yellow flowers are huge with lots of petals. It is perfect for containers or planting en masse. It won in the NC, NW and SW regions.
Like No Other lives up to its name. Each fragrance-award-winning dark purple flower has over 100 petals. The 4-foot-tall plant is very disease resistant. It won in the NW, SC and SW regions.
Ruby Red has a dark red flower and dark green leaves on a 5-foot tall, 3-footwide plant. It won in the NC, NW, SC and SW regions.
Soaring to Glory is a yellow floribunda rose that grows 3 by 3. It won in the NW, SC and SW regions.
1000 Wishes is a large shrub rose that is so easy to grow you will wish you had
Valentine’s Day is a day of love nestled in the middle of February. Sweethearts use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to show the people they care about just how deep those feelings run. A 2023 survey from the National Retail Federation found consumers expected to spend $25.9 billion on Valentine’s Day, up from $23.9 billion in 2022. Forecasters suspect spending is likely to increase this year as well. Valentine’s Day is awash in many different customs. Here’s a deep look at some of those enduring traditions and others that some may feel should be brought back into favor or adopted entirely.
Handwritten cards
It’s a common scene each year in card retailers and pharmacies: people threedeep in the aisle trying to pick out Valentine’s Day cards in the eleventh hour. People can save themselves the hassle of
1,000 more. The pink flowers attract pollinators more than the other 2025 winners because they are the original rose shape with just five petals. It won in the NW, SC, SE and SW regions.
To find a test garden near you, a list of all the past winners in your region and
the names of the nurseries growing the roses, visit americangardenroseselections.com.
Email questions to Jeff Rugg at info@ greenerview.com.
COPYRIGHT 2025 JEFF RUGG DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM
fighting the crowds if they make their own handmade cards. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, sweethearts created unique cards from scratch, according to Country Living. And prior to products produced by Hallmark and other greeting card companies, people used to send one another cards customized with personalized messages.
Pampering gentlemen
It is common in North America for Valentine’s Day celebrations to lean significantly toward favoring women, who are often on the receiving end of flowers and chocolates. However, in South Korea and Japan, it is the men who are pampered with such gifts. Women purchase chocolates for their male partners, family members and coworkers as tokens of appreciation and affection. Never fear, a month later on White Day (March 14) men
reciprocate with candy, cake and flowers.
Bouquets
These days a dozen long-stemmed red roses might be the norm for Valentine’s Day gifting. However, roses weren’t always the preferred flower for the holiday. History.com reports that, in the nineteenth century, bouquets might contain all sorts of flowers, each chosen to convey certain messages. Individuals can research the meanings behind certain flowers and put together a Valentine’s Day gift this year that expresses exactly what they are feeling.
Sweethearts in Victorian England created “puzzle purses,” which were a series of love letters that could be read separately, but also fit together to create a design and message. These intricately folded sheets of paper had parts of messages or
verses written on different corners and were meant to be read in a specific order.
Heart-shaped chocolate boxes
British chocolatier Richard Cadbury is credited with creating the first heartshaped box for Valentine’s Day. The boxes were intended to be so beautiful they would be kept to hold trinkets or love letters. Ornate chocolate boxes are not quite as common today, although the gifting of chocolate for the holiday is still strong.
Celebrating in June?
Many Brazilians skip Valentine’s Day in February and choose to celebrate Saint Anthony, the patron saint of marriage and matchmaking, on June 12. Celebrating both is fine for those who prefer to shower affection on loved ones multiple times a year.
Valentine’s Day traditions are still strong and can add a little something extra to celebrations this February.
BY MARY HUNT
Saving money doesn’t have to require becoming a miser or even erasing all the fun from your life. In fact, there are so many ways you can choose to not spend just $5 every day -- and instead hide that money away in a safe place. It’s about sidestepping sneaky little expenses that can add up faster than loads of dirty dishes after a big Thanksgiving feast if we’re not paying attention!
BREW YOUR OWN COFFEE
Your kitchen is a coffee shop waiting to happen. Put that machine on your countertop to good use so you can skip the daily $5 latte. There’s a reason it’s called a coffeemaker. See how that works?
Fancy name: leftovers. Better name: fee lunch. Bonus: You don’t have to fake a smile when your coworker asks to “try a bite.”
BRING YOUR OWN SNACKS
That vending machine is just a shiny box of bad financial decisions. Toss some cheese and crackers or a banana in your bag and call it good.
TAP WATER IS A THING
We’re blessed to live in a country where water comes straight out of the faucet. Fill up a reusable bottle and pretend it’s artisanal.
Those prechopped fruits and veggies are just regular produce sporting a huge tax. Check it! Anything you buy that comes grated, chopped, sliced or otherwise prepared is going to cost twice the price. Opt for the unprepared version, then do it yourself. It counts as exercise.
STAY HOME FOR MOVIE NIGHT
Your couch doesn’t charge admission, and the popcorn is 1/10th the price. Plus, you get to wear pajamas.
USE THE LIBRARY
The library is like Amazon but free. And quieter. And there’s no guilt when your “to be read” pile gets out of hand.
STICK TO FREE APPS
That app upgrade promising “endless possibilities” is code for “endless charges.” Stick to the free version and call it good enough. Want to find lots more $5 bills? Make sure you read “This 5 Minute Self-Checkup to Find iPhone Subscriptions Saved Me a Lot of Money” at EverydayCheapskate.com/subscriptions. I was shocked and I’ll bet you will be too when you discover how much you’re paying for stuff you’ve totally forgotten.
CARPOOL OR COMBINE ERRANDS
A gallon of gas is basically a liquid $5 bill these days. Plan ahead, buddy up and cut those extra trips.
DITCH THE TOLL ROADS
Unless that toll road takes you straight to a tropical vacation, skip it. Save yourself the fee and enjoy the scenic route.
PAUSE BEFORE YOU PURCHASE
Impulse buys are like stray cats -- they seem harmless, but they’ll take over your house if you’re not careful. Walk away, then walk away again.
FIX INSTEAD OF REPLACE
A little duct tape and creativity can save you from replacing that torn shirt or wobbly chair. Think of it as channeling your inner MacGyver.
CANCEL UNUSED MEMBERSHIPS
If you’re still paying for the yoga studio
you quit six months ago, that’s a problem. Cancel it and do a downward dog in your living room instead.
STICK WITH FREE SERVICES
You don’t need the premium version of every app. Most of the time, the free one does the job just fine without draining your bank account.
TURN OFF THE LIGHTS
If you’re not in the room, the light doesn’t need to be on. Your parents were right about this one.
ADJUST THE THERMOSTAT
It costs nothing to haul out a sweater
from the closet. Cranking up the heat costs $5. You do the math.
DIY MANICURES
Your nails can look good without shelling out $30. Just don’t try anything fancy unless you’re OK with “abstract” art. Better yet, learn my simple secrets for the perfect home manicure at EverydayCheapskate.com/manicure. (It’s free!)
MAKE YOUR OWN CLEANERS
Vinegar, baking soda and elbow grease can clean almost anything. Plus, they’re cheaper than those miracle sprays that smell like regret.
HOST A POTLUCK
Your friends are tired of restaurant bills too. Have everyone bring a dish and marvel at how much cheaper fun can be.
SAY NO TO SCRATCH-OFFS
The lottery isn’t a retirement plan. Save that $5 instead. Call it money not spent.
AVOID ATM FEES
Plan ahead so you’re not forking over
$3 to withdraw $20. That’s paying to get your own money.
PAY BILLS ON TIME
Late fees are just money you could’ve spent on snacks. Set a reminder and keep that cash in your pocket.
STOP BROWSING ONLINE STORES
Window shopping online is like inviting temptation to move in. Close the tab, log out and call it a win.
Saving $5 a day isn’t about deprivation -- it’s about outsmarting the sneaky little expenses that chip away at your bank account. Actually taking that money and putting it into a safe place is the way to save. Now go forth and keep all those unspent $5 bills where they belong: hidden away for you!
Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “DebtProof Living.”
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
Continued from page 2
are fundamental components of a hearthealthy diet. Eating any and all fruits and vegetables is strongly associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, according to a
2017 paper in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
No. 6: Choose omega-3s. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to have anti-inflammatory capabilities and to lower blood triglyceride levels. A 2019 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association showed that omega-3 intake did indeed reduce heart disease risk. Good sources include flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts, tofu, salmon, trout, mackerel and sardines.
Q and A
Q: Is it a good idea to have a snack?
A: Snacking can be healthy or un-
healthy, depending on what you choose for a snack. Advertising will tell you that organic and plant-based foods and products without additives are good choices, but organic potato chips, rice crackers and even some cookies and candy bars meet all three of those criteria, and they’re not necessarily good choices. For a healthy snack, choose fruits, low-fat plain yogurt, veggies and nuts or seeds. Snacking is an opportunity to add nutrients like calcium or vitamin C that you may be short on. Beware of front-of-the-package claims -- it’s better to read the label on the back. Here are a few healthy snacks to try: almonds,
fruit, unsweetened yogurt (add your own fruit), hummus and fresh veggies, a tuna snack pack, light string cheese, and airpopped popcorn.
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 2025 CREATORS.COM
BY DENNIS MAMMANA
Week of February 16-22, 2025
Our sun is a star, and the stars are suns.
While some are hotter or cooler than others, and some are larger or smaller, all work the same way. Each is a thermonuclear cauldron that converts hydrogen into helium and releases a tremendous amount of energy, some of which we see as light.
For centuries folks wondered how the sun worked -- they postulated that it might be coal- or wood-powered -- but it wasn’t until Einstein’s famous equation E=mc2 hit the presses in 1905 that we finally understood the process, that they were all like our sun.
This understanding also made it possible for us to measure stellar distances. By sending a star’s light through a spectrograph, we can determine a star’s temperature and intrinsic brightness. Once we know how luminous the star is, we can ask (mathematically, of course) how far that star would have to be to appear as faint as it does. And that’s its distance.
Surprisingly, it was the ancient Greeks who first did this. They didn’t have telescopes and spectrographs, but some thinkers presumed that the stars were like our sun. And when they wondered how far they would need to drag our sun away from us before it appeared as small and faint as the stars we see at night, they were shocked by
the answer. It was the equivalent of trillions of miles. Well, this was just too mind-boggling for them, so they dropped the whole thing!
As it turns out, they were right. The stars are trillions of miles from us, but modern astronomers don’t use miles when computing stellar distances. These units are much too small for cosmic distances, and the numbers we calculate come out insanely large (just as the ancient Greeks discovered). Instead, we talk about how long it takes for a beam of light from the stars to reach us.
Take Sirius, for example, the brightest star in the night sky, now appearing low in the south after dark. Sirius has been measured to be about 50.6 trillion miles away, and that means that its light takes 8.6 years to travel to Earth, so we say that Sirius is 8.6 light-years from us. In other words, the light we see of Sirius tonight left that star in the summer of 2016, and we see the star as it was then.
Other stars are considerably farther, with some of their light requiring hundreds or thousands of years to reach us. And that means that we view the stars as they were in the distant past.
Now you may ask if the stars we see are even there anymore, and this is a great question. The answer is yes, they are. Stars operate for billions of years, so a few measly centuries or millennia to a star would be equivalent to only
a few seconds or minutes to a human. Stars just don’t change much in such a short time.
In a sense, the night sky is a cosmic time machine in which we can view light from the distant past. Check out
BY TRACY BECKERMAN
When it comes to air travel, I’m certainly no stranger to flight delays. On a trip last summer, our return flight was delayed 36 hours. Strangely enough, this was also approximately the same amount of time I had been in labor with my son. The difference was at the end of my labor, I got a beautiful child, whereas at the end of the flight delay, I only got a free pack of pretzels.
After this marathon travel experience, I was understandably nervous when I spent an hour on the runway waiting to take off for a trip to Texas. I had a connecting flight to make, so I thought it would be a good idea for us to actually take off that day if I would have any chance of making my connection.
The one thing I had going for me was the fact that I didn’t check my luggage. After the delay, I would only have 20 minutes to change planes. Had I checked my bag, I knew there was
no way it would have made it onto the connecting flight. Then I would have had to buy underwear from a vending machine in the airport, and I would have been really cranky for the rest of the trip.
Unfortunately, when we landed, I found out that my connecting flight was in another terminal in another part of the airport, which was so big that the other terminal seemed to actually be in another part of the state. I was going to have to run 20 miles in chunky platform boots, which seemed like a good footwear choice at the time but maybe isn’t the most sensible one when you have to run a half-marathon and you have knee issues. Add to that a suitcase with a wonky wheel, and I was not a happy traveler.
I barreled down one of the moving sidewalks at an incredible pace because I was running and it was moving, and invariably I got to the end
the winter sky this week and enjoy traveling back through history!
Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
where it stopped, but I didn’t, and I fell on my face.
After doing this five times, I decided I needed an alternative mode of transportation. But just when I thought I would actually have to walk the rest of the way, I caught site of an airport golf cart for the elderly and the disabled.
“Hey, mister, could you give me a ride to Terminal C?” I begged the driver.
“Lady, this is a transport for disabled people,” he told me.
“But I am disabled,” I told him. “I’ve been running for 10 miles in these chunky platform boots, and I’m pretty sure I have stress fractures in all of my toes.”
He looked at me skeptically.
Fortunately, there were no actual disabled people around, so he let me hitch a ride until a man on crutches came into view.
Golf Cart Guy started to slow down.
“No, keep going,” I insisted. “He’s doing just fine. He’s got to learn to stand
on his own two, er, one and a half feet.”
Golf Cart Guy stopped the vehicle, gave me a free pack of pretzels and kicked me out.
Eventually I arrived at my gate, breathless and sweaty from dragging a suitcase with a wonky wheel and limping from running in my platform boots that were not even made for walking, much less running across an airport.
“Did I make it?” I panted to the woman behind the check-in desk. “Am I in time for the flight to Texas?”
She looked at me, perplexed. “Of course,” she said. “That flight is delayed. Would you like some pretzels while you wait?”
Tracy Beckerman is the author of the Amazon Bestseller, “Barking at the Moon: A Story of Life, Love, and Kibble,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online! You can visit her at www. tracybeckerman.com.
COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM
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Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to lavish love and attention on a special person in your life. Exchanging gifts, enjoying dinner out and snuggling with your sweetheart are commomplace on this mid-February holiday devoted to love. It is equally common to enjoy a sweet dessert to cap off this romantic day.
Food allergies and intolerances do not take a holiday when Valentine’s Day rolls around. For those who live gluten-free, finding a dessert that suits their diet might prove a tad challenging. Luckily it is relatively easy to whip up a gluten-free dessert and ensure that Valentine’s treats can be enjoyed by all. This recipe for “Snickerdoodles” from “Cozy Kitchen Allergy-Friendly Cooking” (Umbrella Sky) by Jeanette Smerina, is gluten-, soy- and dairy-free, but certainly not free of delicious flavor. What’s fun about these cookies is cooks can use colored sugar to customize them for any occasion. Use red and pink for Valen
Makes 25 to 30
2 1⁄2 cups gluten-free flour, 1-1 blend
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1⁄2 cup olive oil
1) In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Mix on low just to combine.
2) In a small bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together oil, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract until thickened.
3) Add the egg and sugar mixture to the dry ingredients, and mix until just combined. Then add the almond milk and blend once more.
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons almond milk
For rolling and cutting 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar (or colored sugar)
2 tablespoons cinnamon
4) Cover and chill dough for 30 minutes or more. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or use silicone baking mats.
5) In a shallow bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon. Scoop small balls of the cookie dough (about an inch in diameter) and roll in the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Place each ball 2 inches apart on the cookie
sheets. Repeat until all dough is used. The cookies will puff and enlarge while cooking.
6) Press down slightly on all cookie balls to flatten a bit. Bake cookies 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges of cookies are looking set up.
7) Cool cookies on racks. Store in covered containers for up to one week.
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A view facing east from the top of the Hotel c1902. Eighth St. is at left and Seventh St at right, with two Apostle houses in foreground facing Hilton Ave. These were replaced in 1931 by the Hilton House apartments. The north side of Seventh St is vacant – the Garden City Garage at Franklin Ave. will only be built in 1908. Nine additional houses line the sides of Eighth St. between Hilton and Franklin. The unbuilt East fades into the distance. A close look shows some freight cars on the railroad, top center.
When the Garden City Company in 1910 decided to widen Eighth St between Hilton and Franklin with a center mall to match the new Stewart Ave. with its wide mall east of Franklin, these nine houses were all moved to locations on Ninth St., and Eighth St was renamed Stewart Ave. also. Then the Company changed its mind and left the street as it was.
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Teens and tweens enjoy a Teen Crafternoon program at the Library.
Tweens and teens in Grades 6–12 can get crafty at Teen Crafternoon: Perler Bead Art on Friday, February 21, at 3 p.m. Teens can use Perler beads to make keychains, magnets, and more! Registration is required online at https://gardencitypl.libcal.com. Teens who complete an online survey after the program can receive community service for participating in this program. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Registration is live online at https:// gardencitypl.libcal.com for the following programs:
• Tuesday, February 11–Thursday, February 20: Ornaments for Community Service (Grades 6–12)
• Wednesday, February 19 at 7 p.m.: Teen Game Night (Grades 6–12)
• Friday, February 21 at 10 a.m.: Chess4Community: Play and Learn (All Ages)
• Friday, February 21 at 3 p.m.: Teen Crafternoon: Perler Bead Art (Grades 6–12)
• Friday, March 7 at 10 a.m.: Chess4Community: Play and Learn (All Ages)
Registration begins Monday, February 17 at 10 a.m. online at https:// gardencitypl.libcal.com for the following program:
• Monday, February 17–Friday, February 21: Bookmarks for Community Service, Week Seven (Grades 6–12)
Registration begins Tuesday, February 18, at 10 a.m. online at https:// gardencitypl.libcal.com for the following programs:
• Tuesday, February 25, at 4 p.m.: Tween Tuesdays: 100 Paper Cup Building Challenge (Grades 4–7)
• Thursday, February 27, at 4 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons (Grades 6–12)
• Saturday, March 1, at 3 p.m.: Teen STEAM Workshop: Puffy Paint and Rainbow Science with Chris Buchman
• Monday, March 3, at 3:30 p.m.: Inclusive Storytime Volunteers (Grades 9–12)
Registration begins Monday, February 24, at 10 a.m. online at https:// gardencitypl.libcal.com for the following program:
• Monday, February 24–Friday, February 28: Bookmarks for Community Service, Week Eight (Grades 6–12)
Registration begins Tuesday, February 25, at 10 a.m. online at https:// gardencitypl.libcal.com for the following programs:
• Tuesday, March 4, at 4 p.m.: Teen Advisory Board (Grades 6–12)
• Thursday, March 6, at 4 p.m.: Tweens and Teens Yarn Group (Grades 4–12)
Teens playing video games during a Teen Gamers program.
Registration begins Tuesday, March 4, at 10 a.m. online at https://gardencitypl.libcal.com for the following programs:
• Tuesday, March 4–Thursday, March 13: Ornaments for Community Service (Grades 6–12)
• Tuesday, March 11, at 3:30 p.m.: LEGO Club Volunteering (Grades 6–12)
• Thursday, March 13, at 4 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons
• Friday, March 14, at 3:30 p.m.: Teen Crafternoon: DIY Model Magic Air Dry Clay (Grades 6–12)
• Saturday, March 15, at 2 p.m.: Video Editing with Sharper Training Solutions (Grades 6–12)
Ongoing Take-Home
Community Service Opportunities
Looking to volunteer? Check out some of our ongoing take-home community service opportunities for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12. Please check at the Library for more information on each of these opportunities; all volunteer projects should be submitted at the Library with a Volunteer Form, which can be found outside the Tweens and Teens Room.
• Ongoing: Kindness Cards for
Community Service - No registration required. Up to 10 cards can be submitted per volunteer monthly.
• Ongoing to Friday, February 28: Winter Stories for Community Service.
• January 6 to Monday, May 5, 2025: Around the World Recipe Cards for Community Service.
Teens Kick-Off the Weekend with Teen Gamers, Plus Teen Game Night to be held Winter Break!
Teens kicked off the weekend with Teen Gamers on Friday, February 7. Teens played games like Super Smash Bros on Nintendo Switch while enjoying snacks and drinks. Teen Gamers will be back in March, but a special Teen Game Night will be held on Wednesday, February 19, at 7 p.m. as part of Winter Break! Teens will be able to play on the Library’s Nintendo Switch Consoles, play board games and card games like Jenga, Uno, Magic the Gathering, and more. Snacks and drinks will be served. Registration is required online at https://gardencitypl.libcal.com. Teen Gamers and Teen Game Night was funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
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
Children enjoyed building with Duplo Lego on February 5. This program was funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library. Upcoming February Library Programs for Children
These programs are for children ages birth through Grade 5. Registration is required. Visit https://www.gardencitypl.org to view our Events on LIBCAL for registration forms for the month of February 2025.
• Saturday, February 15, at 10:00 a.m.: Baby and Toddler Storytime
• Saturday, February 15, at 11:00 a.m.: Budding Bookworms Storytime.
• Tuesday, February 18, at 11:00 a.m.: Movie: “Quest for Camelot” (Grades K–5)
• Wednesday, February 19, at 10:30 a.m.: Preschool Craft, 2 Years to 5 (Not in Kindergarten)
• Wednesday, February 19, at 1:00 p.m.: Craft for Grades K–5
• Wednesday, February 19, at 3:30 p.m.: Mixed-Age Storytime
• Thursday, February 20, at 11:30 a.m.: Tiny Tots Storytime
• Friday, February 21, at 10:00 a.m.: Baby and Toddler Storytime
• Friday, February 21, at 10:00 a.m.: Chess4Community
• Friday, February 21, at 11:00 a.m.: Budding Bookworms Storytime
• Monday, February 24, at 10:30 a.m.: Toddler Storytime (18 Months to 3 Years )
• Monday, February 24, at 1:30 p.m.: Little Listeners Storytime (Ages 3–5)
• Tuesday, February 25, at 10:30 a.m.: Mother Goose Storytime, Birth to 17 Months (Non-Walkers)
• Tuesday, February 25, at 11:30 a.m.: Preschool Storytime, 3 Years to 5 (Not in Kindergarten)
• Wednesday, February 26, at 10:30 a.m.: Duplo Lego
• Wednesday, February 26, at 3:30 p.m.: Mixed-Age Storytime.
• Wednesday, February 26, at 4:00 p.m.: STEAM Club for Grades K–2.
• Wednesday, February 26, at 6:00 p.m.: Nighttime Storytime
• Thursday, February 27, at 11:30 a.m.: Tiny Tots Storytime
• Thursday, February 27, at 7:00 p.m.: PJ Storytime for Ages 3
The Garden City Public Library will be closed on Sunday, February 16, and Monday, February 17 (President’s Day).
The Library will reopen on Tuesday, February 25, for its regular hours.
Years to 5 (Not in Kindergarten) Unattended Child Policy
It is Library policy that all children under age 11 must be accompanied by a parent or designated responsible person while in the Library. Also, if the young child is attending a Library program, we require the parent or designated responsible person to remain in the Library throughout the program and meet the child upon completion of the program.
BY AHMED AHMED
When you’re dealing with lower back pain, it changes how you move.
You second guess yourself bending down or picking something up off the ground.
It’s frustrating. So what do you do? You google how to get rid of back pain, and you find that all you need to do is strengthen your core.
Now, that's not the worst advice. But the problem is, most people translate that into only strengthening their abs. Which leaves out 75% of your core!
Let me explain. Your core is made up of four parts that help create pressure to support your spine and move your trunk with comfort.
Now, imagine your core is like a balloon filled with air.
The top makes up your diaphragm, your main breathing muscle…
The front, sides, and back make up muscles that make trunk motion seamless.
While the bottom makes up your pelvic floor muscles, which help support your hips while doing activities like
walking.
If you were to poke the balloon when it’s filled with air, it would hold its shape because of the internal pressure, and nothing would happen. But if one side of the balloon is damaged, you poke it, and the air starts leaking out- then, eventually, the balloon will crumble!
The support your core muscles provide keeps your spine safe and protects you from injury. But that’s not all. If muscles like your diaphragm aren’t working properly. Compensations can start to arise in your upper body, which can drive shoulder and neck discomfort.
While lacking strength in your pelvic floor muscles can cause instability in your hips, which can lead to pain.
So next time you train your core, make sure it’s not just your abs!
This way you’ll keep your body strong, pain-free, and mobile.
Remember exercise is key to lifelong strength and independence. Try these tips today!Ahmed Ahmed is the owner of Lotus Fitness. Contact him at (646)415-2349 or ahmed@lotusfitnessny. com https://lotusfitnessny.com/
Monday Movies
Monday Movies presented by the Friends of the Garden City Library at 1:30 p.m.: February 2025
2/17/25: President’s Day- No Movie
2/24/25: “The Man Who Knew Too Much” - 120 min., 1955
Programs
Below is our schedule for Adult Services. More programs and information will be available soon.
Saturday, February 22, 2025 (New!) Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Large Meeting Room
To register, please go to www.gardencitypl.org/calendar. For additional information contact Adult Services at (516)742-8405 ext. 5236 or email speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.
Chairobics and Strength with Debbie Kryzminski Wednesdays,February 19, February 26 (Please note this has been changed.
New Date: March 5), 12 p.m.–1 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room
Debbie Kryzminski from Fitness Figures, NY, Inc. will be teaching “Chairobics and Strength.” This program covers strength training, balance, coordination, aerobics and flexibility.Most of the exercises are performed seated in a chair. Equipment will be provided. Feel free to bring
your own free weights, if you are comfortable using them. Have water available, wear clothing that you can comfortably move in and be ready to have fun! This is a six-week session; a separate registration is required for each class. To register, please go to www. gardencitypl.org/calendar or call the Reference desk at (516)742-8405 x 5236.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Yoga with Kimberly Tuesdays. February 18, March 4, March 11, March 18, March 25, April 1, April 8
7 p.m.–8 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room
Kimberly Mercadante is back with her popular Yoga Series! Join her for a Yoga Class for beginners and more. All are welcome! This is a series of eight classes continuing through April.. To register, please register online at gardencitypl.org. For additional information contact Adult Services at (516) 742-8405 ext. 5236 or email speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.
This program is funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.
Museum Pass Information Print From Home for Some Passes! Through the generosity of the Friends of the Garden City Public Library, the Library offers free passes to select museums and cultural institutions. You can make a reservation to borrow a Museum Pass from one of the member institutions in our
The Garden City Public Library will be holding a blood drive on Wednesday, February 26, at 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in the Large Meeting room on the lower level of the Library.
Appointments are strongly preferred, walk-ins are welcomed only if capacity permits. To schedule an appointment, please visit the Garden City Public Library website at www.gardencitypl.org, you can scan the QR code below with your phone and type in Garden City, click on the link below or you can also call 1-800-933-BLOOD to schedule an appointment or for any medical questions concerning blood donations. https://donate.nybc.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/322168
Museum Pass Program.
Some museum passes are now available to print from home. If you do not have access to a printer, the library will be happy to print the pass for you. These passes will be good for one day only.
Please note that not all museums participate. Passes for the following museums still need to be picked up at the Library: 9/11 Memorial & Museum, NYC (2 adults & 2 children); Empire Pass, Long Island Children ’ s Museum, Garden City (2 adults & 2 children); MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art), NYC (5 visitors) and Old Bethpage Village Restoration, Old Bethpage.
The following Library Museum Pass rules remain in effect.
• Museum passes are available only to Garden City Public Library cardholders in good standing who have signed the Museum Pass User Agreement. Museum passes may be reserved in advance and must be checked out by an adult (18 years and older) family member.
• Reservations will be taken up to one month in advance of the desired date, subject to availability on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations can be done in person at the Reference Desk or over the phone at 516-742-8405 x5236.
Additional rules and information are available at the library.
The film “The Man Who Knew Too Much” will be shown at the Garden City Public Library on Monday, February 24.
See what’s happening at your library!
Check this paper each week for fun and informative all-ages activities, like classes, lectures, concerts, movie screenings, and more, all for free or cheap!
James Gallagher
James “Jim” Gallagher of Garden City, died peacefully in his sleep after a long illness on July 9, 2024 at the age of 80 years old, just 2 weeks shy of his 81st birthday. He was the son of the late James J. Gallagher (1912 -1997) and Margaret Kemple (1912-2000) also of Garden City. Jim is survived by his wife Margaret of Garden City, his son Patrick R. Gallagher of Garden City, and his granddaughter Shannon Gallagher of Garden City.
Jim was a lifelong resident of Garden City and lived there for over 78 years. He moved there at the age of three with his parents and younger brother Herb in 1946. The family originally lived on Meadow Street and eventually moved to South Gate. Jim later purchased the family home on Linden Street where he lived for 46 years.
Jim was a man of many “firsts.” He was the first-born child of his generation on either side of the family (his parents had a combined total of eleven siblings in Ireland, the UK, and the US). He was also the first person in his family to go to college. Finally, he was the first person in his family to go to law school and become a professional. This fostered a great feeling of pride in Jim’s parents as Jim led the way for his generation of Gallaghers. He accomplished these “firsts” emphatically by attending world-class schools and becoming extremely accomplished in a challenging profession.
Jim began his education at St. Joseph’s School in Garden City and remained there until high school. After St. Joseph’s, Jim attended Chaminade for high school where he played basketball and developed a lifelong love of the game. He played until his late-40s and coached youth teams for his son Patrick. He also followed the Knicks, Fordham, and Notre Dame basketball for the rest of his life. It was after a Knicks game in 1974 that he met the love of his life and future wife Marge. They remained married for almost 50 years and shared their love for Ireland and fishing. They travelled together to
Ireland almost every year to visit family and enjoy the beauty of the homeland of both his parents and wife. Jim had an acute love of nature and the outdoors and he was continually enamored with the beauty of Ireland.
After Chaminade, Jim attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated in 1965 with a degree in Political Science. While at Notre Dame, Jim was on the inaugural lacrosse team in 1963. During these years, the Notre Dame lacrosse program struggled to establish itself as a serious program in the hierarchy of the school. During the first year, he told a story about how the team couldn’t secure uniforms from the athletic department who were only able to give them used practice jerseys from the football team. For road games, they packed in as many players and as much equipment into a 1952 Chevy as they could and drove to nearby schools to play games. He marveled that the program had morphed into a national powerhouse and he lived to see them win two D1 National Championships. Near the end of his life, he lit up when he saw a picture of his granddaughter Shannon at a Notre Dame-Georgetown game at Hofstra.
While a student at Notre Dame, Jim also developed a lifelong love of Notre Dame football. As a student, he travelled to many of their away games, including Northwestern, Wisconsin, Purdue, and Michigan among other schools and had some great stories. His favorite one involved the 1964 Navy game. Again, he packed some friends into his old 1952 Chevy and made the trip to Philadelphia. Luckily for Jim, his friend and former teammate from Chaminade was a wide receiver for Navy and was able to get him field-level tickets at the 50-yard line. At the time, Navy was ranked #1 in the country. Notre Dame upset Navy and won the game 40-0. After the game, Jim basked in the glory of the victory by meeting his friend from Navy football for dinner. At the dinner, his friend brought a very famous teammate with him –future Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach. Jim was always amazed at Staubach’s graciousness after the game and described him as the ultimate gentleman. Although this was his favorite game, a close second was when he travelled to New Orleans for the 1973 Sugar Bowl where Notre Dame beat Alabama for the National Championship. For Jim, this was a trip to New Orleans that he would never forget.
After Notre Dame, Jim attended law school at Fordham University. Although Notre Dame was first in his heart, Fordham became a close second, especially after his son Patrick attended. He often went up to Rose Hill to watch basketball and rugby games which continued for the rest of his life. He greatly enjoyed walking around the campus at Rose Hill which he described as being
as beautiful as his college alma mater. Patrick and Jim shared St. Joseph’s School, Chaminade, and Fordham. They also shared a common career and love for fishing which made them very close.
After law school, Jim joined the U.S. Army and served for 6 years, beginning in 1968 until he was honorably discharged in November,1974 serving 3 years on active duty and 4 years in the reserves. Although he was primarily stationed in Fort Knox in Kentucky, his time on active duty allowed him to travel the country, seeing so many places that he had never seen before and even tour some famous baseball parks such as Busch Stadium and Wrigley Field.
At the conclusion of his active duty in the army, Jim passed the bar exam and began to practice law. His first job was a one-year clerkship with a federal judge in the Eastern District of New York in Suffolk County. After this, he began his career with the Nassau County Office of the County Attorney. Jim stayed for the remainder of his professional life with the County and worked there for five decades spanning a time frame of 44 years. During this time, he mentored five generations of attorneys, many of whom became judges, congressmen, senators, and other government officials. He served five administrations and worked for twelve different County Attorneys. He began his career as a trial lawyer, defending medical malpractice cases from Nassau University Medical Center, defending the police department in civil rights cases in federal court, and general negligence claims in state court. Later in his career, Jim became an administrator and was a bureau chief for almost 30 years. First, Jim was Bureau Chief for Medical Malpractice for 10 years. For the next 20 years, Jim was Bureau Chief for the Torts Bureau. He continued in this role until his eventual retirement in 2015. He was a patient teacher and empathetic boss who loved mentoring young attorneys. He was beloved in the office and was a huge institutional resource who is still sorely missed by his colleagues even today, over 10 years since his retirement. For the last 5 years of his career, Jim worked with his son Patrick who was also in the County Attorney’s Office. Jim cherished these years and the ability to visit his son every day and discuss the law. Patrick considered Jim his greatest legal mentor and will greatly miss his perspective on both law and life. The final years in the office were very special for both of them. After retirement, Jim sorely missed the office and as the years passed, his mind continually returned to the office and the practice of law. Oftentimes, a father will teach his son to fish. In Jim’s case, Patrick started fishing and taught his father this craft. Jim spent his childhood summers in the Catskills near Yulan, NY where his parents stayed annually at Washington
Lake. On a visit to Barryville, NY in the mid-1980s, Patrick and Marge talked him into bringing fishing rods on the trip. While eating lunch in Barryville, Jim noticed a sign for trout fishing at the Eldred Preserve, which was very near Yulan. So, after lunch, Jim headed out to Eldred and caught his first trout. It was clear that, despite catching the trout, Jim was really the one that was hooked because this catch began a 30-year love affair with fishing that became the center of their family lives. For the next 25 years, Jim’s love of fishing brought him to some of the most beautiful places in the world and he travelled to places like the Florida Keys, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Sun Valley in Idaho, Provo in Utah, and, of course, Ireland where the family trips became less family-focused and more fishing-centric. The annual 3-week vacations to Ireland became increasingly centered on fishing the various lakes around Marge’s childhood home in Leitrim where catching pike in the loughs and the Shannon River were excursions that he looked forward to all year long. As he got older, he also enjoyed fishing in Florida and his winter vacations would often start on the west coast in Naples or Tampa and end in the Florida Keys with stops on the east coast around West Palm Beach. Jim loved to drive and these long vacations to Ireland and Florida kept him going through the years. Later, Key West would become a mainstay after his brother-in-law Pete Reynolds moved there. Patrick and Jim would take a father-son fishing trip every year to new locations in the Adirondacks and New England and their canoe covered more miles than their car. This tradition started shortly after Patrick’s graduation from Fordham and continued for many years. During these trips, they covered lots of water, caught loads of fish, and made great memories. Jim appreciated the beauty of the mountains, maybe even more than catching fish. The tranquility of the mountains and the great outdoors brought Jim substantial happiness and peace. The number of stories that they had are too many to include here.
Jim was an extremely proud Irishman and was deeply connected to the country and his family there. He travelled there over 25 times and made his first trip to Ireland in 1971 after his conclusion of active duty in the army. At this time, communications were primitive compared to today and his parents had written to their siblings that he would be travelling there. Jim flew into Shannon Airport, rented a car, and drove out into the Irish countryside on the narrow roads of Ireland to meet the family that he had heard so much about through his parents. He started in Galway (where his mother was from) and called on his aunts and uncles from a hotel. He rounded up his aunts and
uncles and met them at Joiners Pub in Barnaderg and instantly connected with them. He stayed in contact with them for the rest of their lives and started a multi-generational connection. Patrick and Shannon still visit with the Kemple side of the family today. He then headed out to Dublin and met his cousin Shay which began a lifelong friendship with him and the Scanlon and Greene family. This was a special relationship that he valued greatly and they spent much time together during holidays and family functions, along with the Gallagher contingent in New York.
Two years after his first trip to Ireland, he returned there again with his parents. This was the only time that his parents returned to Ireland after immigrating there in 1929. During that trip, they also travelled to Belfast for the first time to visit his father’s family. This was the only time that either of his parents saw their siblings again and it was a very special trip for all of them that they always reminisced about. But, these visits to Ireland created lifelong relationships with the Fahy, Bermingham, Scanlon, Robinson, and Sweeney families.
Jim loved baseball as well and was a lifelong Mets fan. His father was a sales manager for Rhinegold and his largest contract was Shea Stadium. Because of this, the family always had prime seats for games and Jim attended every home
World Series game in 1969 and 1973. His fondest Mets memory was attending Game 2 of the 1986 World Series to see Gooden vs. Clemons. Although the matchup was a classic, the fact that he attended this game with his son and father made it extremely special. Prior to the establishment of the Mets, he was a Brooklyn Dodger fan and always spoke about the dubious distinction of attending Don Larson’s perfect game in the 1955 World Series. However, he’d quickly remind you that the Dodgers won the World Series that year! Jim’s final baseball game in 2019 was also special since it was the first time he attended a baseball game with his granddaughter Shannon thus completing a family circle of baseball that began with Shannon’s great-grandfather in the 1940s.
Jim’s final years in retirement were quiet ones but he took advantage of these years to get to spend time with his granddaughter Shannon whom he loved immensely. He could not get enough of her and would time his driving outings to say hello to her at her bus stop or visit with her at Hemlock Park. Out of all of his trips to Ireland, he described his final one as the greatest because he got to go there with his granddaughter and show her many of the places that he loved and had shared with his family through the years, thus closing another circle. As he got older, he didn’t like
Katherine Baumgartner 87, a lifelong resident of Garden City, went to her eternal reward on January 4, 2025.
She was the daughter of the late George and Corona Baumgartner and the sister of the late Joan Bumstead. Prior to her retirement, Katherine was a legal secretary.
She was a lifelong member of the Church of Saint Joseph. Katherine was the primary caretaker of her parents and sister in their later years. She was
generous with her time as a volunteer, a kind and patient soul always willing to help those in need.
Visitation Friday February 14, 2025, 8:30 am at Fairchild Sons Funeral Home, Inc., Garden City.
Mass of Christian burial immediately following, 9:45 am at the Church of St Joseph in Garden City; interment Holy Rood Cemetery.
Donations in her memory may be made to Church of St Joseph 130 Fifth St. Garden City NY. 11530.
Have you lost someone?
If you would like to post an obituary for a loved one, simply send a short biography of them with (if desired) their photo, details of their funeral/visitation services, and/or any donation requests to editor@gcnews.com, or call our office at 516-294-8900 to inquire.
to travel as much but he always made time for a quick trip with Shannon to the Catskills, Adirondacks, or Florida to show her the places that he fished with Patrick during his younger years and stayed with his parents during his childhood. It meant much to him to eat dinner in the same places with Shannon that he ate with his parents 50 years prior. He always made sure that Shannon had plenty of Notre Dame schwag and spoke to her about how she would go there someday if she studied hard. He had made many family trips to Notre Dame with Patrick but was saddened that he couldn’t take Shannon when she was old enough because he was too ill. To see him beam with pride with Shannon was special. For him to crack a smile was like the sun bursting through a rainy day and Shannon never failed to make him laugh and bring a smile to his face. It saddened him that he couldn’t spend as much time with her as his numerous illnesses progressed but he did all he could to make it up to her. He will always be an important person in Shannon’s life but we all wish they had more time together, especially in the outdoors and on the ballfields as Shannon has grown as an athlete. Jim was a man of great integrity, generosity and kindness who lived his life by the codes that he had learned through his Catholic education and consistently stayed true to them. Despite
his accomplishments in life, he was extremely modest but had a great amount of pride that he rarely showed in public. Despite his quiet pride, he never flaunted his abilities or accomplishments. He was never judgmental and treated everyone the same from all walks of life. He had a powerful mind and shared his knowledge willingly with all, especially to those he mentored in his career. His final years were difficult for him since his illnesses prevented him from doing the things that he loved and being with the people that he cared about but he held tight to his memories from his prime days and our discussions would almost always go back to the family trips to the mountains, Ireland, and our shared sports teams. But most of all, Jim loved his family and dedicated his life to making their life better and creating memories that they will all hold dear for the rest of their lives. He is greatly missed but the lessons that he taught living his life will live on through future generations and he will never be forgotten.
There will be a funeral service at St. Joseph’s Church in Garden City on March 22, 2025 at 10am. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Good Sheppard Hospice, 110 Bi County Blvd Ste 114, Farmingdale, NY 11735.
Harry Moses Simeone, 82, born 1942. Husband to Darlene Anne Simeone; father to Gary Simeone and Cori Simeone Cronin. Grandfather to Alex Simeone and Caitlin, Molly and Grier Cronin.
You were the best father and grandfather anyone could ask for. We are all going to miss you so so much. You don’t know how much you were loved by all of us. Dad, you were my best friend. You inspired my love for everything sports and I could talk to you about anything at anytime. You always listened with an open ear and always gave me sound advice. Life won’t be the same without you but I am going to try and be the best son, father and person I can be going forward. We will all think about you every single day.
We’re looking for writers in our community to compose articles 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
The Recreation Adult Programs in the Field House begin on Wednesday, October 16 according to the following schedule:
Mondays - Mens’ Basketball - 7:30–10 p.m.
Wednesdays - Mens’ Basketball - 7:30–10 p.m.
Thursdays - Adult Volleyball - 7:30 –10 p.m.
These programs are open to residents of the Inc. Village of Garden City who have graduated high school OR adults who can show proof of graduating Garden City high school (diploma, student ID card). A picture ID is required to sign in to any program. For further information, please contact the Recreation Office at 465-4075.
A fee schedule will be place for any resident adult interested in participating in Adult Activities in St. Paul’s Fieldhouse. The fee schedule is as follows:
10 Play Pass – good for any Fieldhouse sport for 10 visits, $50 5 Play Pass – good for any Fieldhouse sport for 5 visits, $25
A participant may also “pay as you go” but payment will only be accepted by check or credit card only, NO CASH ACCEPTED. “Pay as you go” prices will be $6. Passes may be purchased at the fieldhouse when arriving for your sport.
Please note - A resident participant may bring in 1 non- resident guest. This rule will be strictly enforced. These guest must arrive and leave with the resident. There are no passes for nonresidents. The daily fee for the non-resident guest is $8.
To purchase one of the passes, please fill out the attached application and mail to or visit the Recreation Office at 108 Rockaway Ave. You will also be able to purchase a pass from our St. Paul’s staff. All payments must be made by either a check made payable to the “Inc. Village of Garden City” or credit card only, no cash will be accepted.
Pickleball began again in St. Paul’s Fieldhouse on Tuesday, September 17. This program is open to Garden City residents only, Tuesdays through Fridays, 9:30 to noon.
Each session will consist of open play with everyone attending round robining in to play. If you attend the first session you must pay again to stay for the second session. There will be no reserving of courts for individual play. A monitor will be available for any person wishing to learn the game. The fee schedule to attend is as follows:
10 Play Pass – good for any Fieldhouse sport for 10 visits, $50
5 Play Pass – good for any Fieldhouse sport for 5 visits, $ 25
A participant may also “pay as you go”. “Pay as you go” prices will be $6.
To purchase one of the passes, please visit the Recreation Office at 108 Rockaway Ave. You will also be able to purchase a pass from our St. Paul’s staff at the time of attendance. Check or credit card payment is preferred.
Track Hours at Cluett Hall
Mondays: 1 p.m.–8 p.m.
Tuesdays: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 5 p.m.–9 p.m.
Wednesdays: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.; 1 p.m.–4 p.m. and 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Thursdays: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and
1 p.m.–8 p.m.
Fridays: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.; 2 p.m.–4 p.m. and 5 p.m.–8 p.m.
Saturdays: 1 p.m.–5 p.m.
*Walk at your own risk. Hours are subject to change. Please do not open the windows on the track.
Stay Up to Date On All Things Recreation!
Follow our new Instagram and Facebook “GardenCityRecreation” for all Recreation content! Any questions regarding programs or facilities can be directed to our new Recreation email, GCRec@gardencityny.net .
St. Paul’s Field House will be open for “Family Fun” for Village of Garden City families. This open time provides the opportunity for families to enjoy various gym activities in an indoor environment. The gym will be available for use from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on all below dates.
President’s Week February 18th 21st.
This time is designated for family time only. No organized practices or workouts will be allowed. Although there will be staff to monitor activity, this is not a drop off program. We ask that all elementary and middle school aged children must be accompanied by an adult/guardian. For the safety of our users, sports involving paddle, stick, or bat equipment will not be allowed.
The Garden City Department of Recreation and Parks is pleased to announce the start of the WINTER children’s tennis program. Registration is ongoing and classes begin on Monday, January 13. All classes are held at the Community Park indoor tennis center and are available to Garden City residents’ ages 4 through 16 years old.
How to register:
• In person at the Recreation Office (108 Rockaway Ave). The recreation office is open M – F from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can download a
registration form at our website: gardencityrecreation.org.
• By Mail: Mail in your registration form and check to the Recreation Office.
• Register online at www. gcreconline.gardencityny.net .You need a password to register online. If you do not have a password please go to the Recreation office, with proof of residency, to receive one.
If paying by check, please make check payable to Inc. Village of Garden City
If paying by credit card please use: Mastercard, Visa or Discover. We do not accept American Express at this time.
For more information, call the Recreation Office at 516 465-4075
***Non-resident children who attend Garden City Public Schools can register for tennis lessons beginning December 11. Registration must be done by mail or in person at the Recreation Office. Those who would like to register for our tennis program must prove they attend one of the Garden City Public Schools. Proof must accompany registration. An additional $50 fee will pertain to anyone in this category. Make checks payable to the “Inc. Village of Garden City”
The Garden City’s Department of Recreation and Parks will offer an adult art class this winter. This tenweek program will teach the beginner as well as the advanced student the art of painting portraits and landscapes/ still-life in pastel from photographs. Arleen Rueth Urban, the instructor for this program, is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America.
Classes will be held Fridays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The cost of this program will be $ 140. This class is open to adult residents who reside in the Inc. Village of Garden City. Classes are held in St. Paul’s Cluett Hall beginning Friday, February 7.
The first lesson includes a portrait and landscape demonstration. At that time, a supply list is provided. Demonstrations will be available as needed throughout the program. Each student will receive the individual attention required as they move at their own pace and level of expertise.
To register for this session please visit the Recreation and Parks office at 108 Rockaway Avenue. If you have a password, you may register online at gcreconline.gardencityny.net.
USA Sports Group, a longtime partner of the Recreation and Parks Department of the Village of Garden City, will be running Summer Camps from children ages 5–12. It will be a
multi-sport program with an adapted curriculum running from June through August. For more information, please go to PULSECAMPS.COM
Nassau Haven Park
Kids Spring Golf Clinic Programs
Designed for all ages and abilities, our enrichment curriculum follows a 5-level progressive skill development so that students can set goals to achieve and progress at their own pace. Our low student-to-coach ratio allows for individualized attention— meeting each student where they are in their journey & progression.
The NY Islanders Street Hockey program is open for registration. Please visit newyorkislanders.com/ streethockey to register.
Pioneer Sports will have a February break Multi-sports camp here at St. Paul’s. the program will run Monday to Friday (2/17–2/21) from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Please visit https://pioneersports.leagueapps.com/camps/ to register and for more information.
Volleyball Clinic: Tuesdays, March 4 to April 8, 6:30–7:30 p.m. This program is a learn and play clinic for grades 3–5 at the St. Paul’s Fieldhouse. The cost of the program is $150 per child.
GC Rec is announcing a Pickleball program for the kids from March 4 through May 1. It will be 90 minutes of play on all four courts in the field house with a basic intro to the game and rules. We will provide the equipment, and the cost is $100 for 8 sessions. We will need a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 24 sign ups to run the program per day.
Attention: Tennis Players – Are you looking to improve your game or just to get some exercise during the long winter months? Why not join our Adult Tennis Lesson Winter Program. All ability levels offered! Registration form and more information is available on the gardencityrecreation.org website (under upcoming programs). The deadline for signing up has been extended to February 4. Lessons will begin the week of Monday, February 10.
You must be a resident of the Inc. Village of Garden City to register. Program Fee: $295 per course (10 sessions)
Either drop off or mail your application along with your check (made payable to the Inc. Village of Garden City) at the Recreation Office located at 108 Rockaway Avenue or the Community Park Tennis Center.
The GCMS Wings won an important game vs St Mary ’ s by a score of 7-3 on Tuesday night. With the win, the Wings are now tied for first place with 4 games remaining in the season. Behind Lucas Ferrucci's great play in goal, the Wings dominated every facet of the game. Breaker Seidenberg and Ryan Chalupa each had two goals a piece, with Liam Mijares, Nicholas
Marchelos and Caeden Corbett with a goal a piece. Danny Willet (2), Norah McCallum and Jack Mormile each had assists. The defensive pairs of SeidenbergKieran Moon, Eamon Harrington/ Luke Seaman, Jack Mormile/Vin Sartorelli contained the St. Mary ’ s offensive attack. The next Wings game is February 28 vs Roslyn.
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Following a triumphant performance at the Nassau County Championships last weekend, the GC Grapplers returned to the mat for the Winter WARZone tournament on Sunday. Despite facing inclement weather, the young wrestlers showcased their skills, achieving multiple victories and marking two highly anticipated season debuts. A total of five GC Grapplers participated in the event, collectively securing 11 wins.
Among the standout competitors was Catherine Donovan, who made history as the first female wrestler in GC Grappler history. After dedicating significant time and effort with her coaches this year, Catherine made her tournament wrestling debut and did not disappoint. After two hard-fought matches, she was determined in her final bout. From the moment the referee signaled
the start, it was clear Catherine was ready to dominate. She quickly took control of the match, ultimately winning 11-0, much to the excitement of the crowd. Her coaches and the entire Garden City Wrestling community expressed immense pride in Catherine’s progress and determination, viewing her as an inspiration for aspiring female wrestlers.
Kelly Crofton also made his tournament debut this season. A recent graduate of the GC Grappler program and current member of the GC middle school team, Kelly participated in the event and achieved a significant 15-4 victory, signaling a promising middle school wrestling future under Coach Murphy’s guidance.
Other competitors also had notable performances. Gianiel Galarza con-
tinued to impress, securing two wins, bringing his season total to seven. Owen Sampson and Harry Crofton, who each earned “All County” honors at the County Championships last week, were back in action and had successful outings. Owen started strong, achieving three wins on the day, raising his season total to 14 victories, solidifying his status as one of the top wrestlers on the team. Meanwhile, Harry added four wins to his impressive season, bringing his total to 16, showcasing his toughness and skill as he emerges as a leading contender in his age and weight group across Long Island.
Coaches Jay and Kirk have played a crucial role in preparing these young athletes through bi-weekly training sessions and intense in-match instruction. Their efforts are reflected in the GC
Grapplers' most successful season to date, with over 70 participants, more than 30 of whom have competed in at least one tournament, collectively amassing over 100 tournament victories.
The GC Grapplers will take a break this weekend as they gear up to support Coach Jones’s Garden City Trojan varsity high school wrestlers at the Nassau D1 Championships at Hofstra University. The excitement continues for the Garden City wrestling community!
The Garden City Girls Varsity Basketball team has made headlines this season, remaining undefeated in conference play while showcasing the best defense in Nassau County. With a dynamic combination of talent, teamwork, and determination, the team has solidified its status as a formidable contender. The Garden City Girls Varsity Basketball team ended the season this week on a 18-game win streak and a record of 14-0 in conference and an overall 18-2 record.
Seniors Breanna Santopietro and Kyle Finnell have taken on leadership roles as team captains, guiding the team through an outstanding season. Alongside fellow senior
Ava Mullally, they have excelled on the court, contributing to the team’s exceptional performance and strong camaraderie. The team has received significant contributions from junior Marissa Patrissi, and sophomores, Lia Costa and Grace Brantuk. Other key contributors to the team include juniors Kaitlyn Santopietro, Kiera Ruoff, Kennedy Palmer, Ella Leonardo, Alexa Marshall and freshman’s Charlotte Kenny and Angela Vorkas.
Defensive intensity has become a hallmark of the team’s playstyle this season. They average an astounding lowest points-per-game average against (30.2/PPG) in Nassau County, making them a tough matchup for
any opponent. Coach Steve Bilello attributes this success to his players' relentless work ethic and commitment to each other. “We emphasize defense in practice, and the girls have really bought into that philosophy. Their communication and execution on the court have been exceptional,” he stated.
With Finnell's strong rebounding skills and team leading points per game scorer, along with Mullally’s sharp shooting, the team has created a well-rounded squad that excels on both offense and defense. Their teamwork and defensive strategies have been crucial in securing victory after victory.
As the season wrapped up this
week winning the Conference AA-II title, the team looks forward to the upcoming conference playoffs, where they hope to continue their undefeated streak and contend for a county championship title.
With the stakes rising and the competition intensifying, the Garden City Girls Varsity Basketball team remains focused on their goals. Their unified drive, exceptional defense, and the unwavering support of their community will set the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating conclusion to the season. Playoff competition starts next week!
Champions Cohen (left) and Pica (right) with assistant coach Mike Curiel.
After wrapping up a very strong dual meet season with a 14-4 record, including a 5-1 mark and second place conference finish, 30 Trojan wrestlers competed in one of six qualifying tournaments for the right to advance to the Division I Nassau County Championships -- which will be held this weekend at Hofstra University. At the Oceanside qualifier, junior captain Anthony Pica (138 lbs) turned in a dominating 4-0 performance and earned the distinction of “Most Outstanding Wrestler”. Pica, who was seeded 3rd, easily won his first two matches by technical fall and then faced off against senior teammate and fellow captain Nick Griffin in the semifinals. This was to be Pica’s day as he avenged a loss earlier in the season to his fellow captain and moved on to the finals where he overwhelmed the #1 seed by a score of 9-2. He’ll likely be
seeded among the top wrestlers in his weight class at Hofstra tomorrow. Wrestling begins at 10:15 a.m.
Also, landing at the top of the podium at the Oceanside qualifier were freshman Ryan Bolzelli (101 lbs), junior captain Gabe Cohen (145 lbs), and junior captain Zach Olson (285 lbs). All three entered competition as the number one seeds in their respective brackets. Bolzelli breezed through his matchups, and earned his title with a 6-0 decision. Cohen won his first three matches by pins and won the championship bout by major decision, 14-6. Olson continued his winning ways with two first period pins, a second period pin, and a third period pin in his final match of the day. Like Pica, these three also figure to be highly seeded at the Nassau County Championships.
Seven other Garden City wrestlers finished in the top four at the qual -
ifier and will also head to Hofstra. Sophomore Matteo Ingrassia (152 lbs) fell in his championship match to earn an impressive 2nd place finish. Freshman Connor Ahearn (108 lbs) was unseeded and battled back for 3rd place. Five Trojans came in 4th place -- eighth grader Michael Polizotto (101 lbs), sophomore Vin Lattuca (116 lbs), sophomore Eric Chen (124 lbs), senior Nick Griffin (138 lbs), and senior Jack Cicione (170 lbs).
Congratulations are also in order to the four boys who finished 5th (GC had no losers in the 5 vs. 6 matchups.) Now waiting to see if they will receive a wildcard entry to the county championships are freshman Nick Sampieri (131 lbs), junior Kyle Walsh (190 lbs), sophomore Luke Agrippina (215 lbs), and freshman Nikko Malderi (285 lbs). These four along with the 11 afore -
mentioned wrestlers all have earned All-Conference status.
Others winning at least one match at Oceanside included eighth grader James Sorohan (108 lbs), freshman Ben Seifert (116 lbs), senior Ben Griffin (138 lbs), freshman Christian Mattice (152 lbs), and freshman Wolfy Ullrich (215 lbs).
Finally, a special shout out is in order to the three seniors who wrestled their final matches for Garden City. Ben Griffin, who qualified for the Nassau County Championships as a freshman and overcame a broken arm his sophomore year to provide much needed depth to the team; Joe Lippens, an ultimate team guy who earned some hard fought wins along the way; and Walker Scricca who had the deciding victory in a big dual match with Calhoun last season.
February 7 was on the schedule from the beginning of the year for Senior Night, it ended up being Championship Night as well. Sewanhaka, whose only conference loss all season was a tight 51-48 game earlier in the season to GC, were in town. Despite adversity, including some injuries/illnesses during the year, most notably starter Ben Lau, who is now out for the rest of the season, GC had also only lost one conference game all year. The game set up to be winner take all.
The gym was packed and the atmosphere insane. Sewanhaka outscored GC 16-9 in the first quarter, led by Sewanhaka's 6' 7" forward, Nehemy Fresnel. GC started gaining back some momentum in the 2nd quarter with strong rebounding by Patrick VanBlenis, Patrick Shirley and Ryan Campbell. A Chris Sarkis steal and basket with 2 1/2 minutes left, followed by a hard cut to the basket and score by Brian Nolan with less than a minute left, helped cut the lead to 5 by halftime.
After running the GC offense most of the game and playing tough, sophomore point guard Noah Lau fouled out with 4:10 remaining, exciting the Sewanhaka fans. With 3:37 left in the game, GC trailed 44-40. With 2:49 left, Chris Sarkis hit a clutch 3 to tie the score at 44. Next possession, Sewanhaka took the lead right back 46-44. Then Garden City took over. With 2:22 left, Chris Sarkis hit another clutch 3 and was fouled, sank the
free throw for a 4 point play and a 48-46 lead. Next Sewanhaka possession, Jack Costa stole the ball and drove down for a layup for a 50-46 lead. Then with 1:34 left on the clock, Chris Sarkis had another steal, drove to the basket, scored, was fouled and completed the 3 point play to put the game away and win the Conference Championship. Final score was 57-46. Chris Sarkis led the scoring with 15, of which 13 were in the 4th quarter. Merit Ruckh, showing no fear all night driving to the basket, scored 10. Patrick VanBlenis dropped in 9, Ryan Campbell 6, Noah Lau 6, and
Jack Costa 5. Jason Bremer, Brian Nolan and Patrick Shirley supplied additional scoring. Congratulations to the team and coaches on an incredible 19-1 regular season and Conference Championship! A few days later, GC travelled to Roosevelt for the last game of the season after clinching the conference. Chris Sarkis led all scorers with 19, Noah Lau 13, Ryan Campbell 11, Jason Bremer 10, Patrick VanBlenis 8. Other scorers were Brian Nolan, Thomas Fargione and Patrick Shirley.
The Garden City Men’s Baseball team is recruiting new players for the 2025 season. Games are played on Field 4 at Garden City Community Park on Sunday nights. If you are 35 years of age or older as of December 31, please email gcbaseball@optonline.net for more details.
St. Anne’s eighth grade girls took home the Division Championship last weekend!
