Massapequa Herald 12_18_2024 by Richner Communications, Inc

HERALD Massapequa

Also serving Farmingdale, Massapequa, Massapequa Park and Plainedge

Oyster Bay Town sets date for Pickleball Tournament this spring

By MIKE POLANSKY Correspondent

The Oyster Bay Town Board took two key actions to address the growing demand for pickleball during its December 10 meeting.

The Board authorized the Town’s Pickleball Tournament, set for May 17-18, 2025, with nine divisions and a total of 18 awards for local athletes. The entry fee is $40 per team of two for residents and $50 for non-residents. Winners will also receive a free Town pick-up pickleball session to be used during the 2025 season.

Additionally, the Board approved an increase in funding for pickleball and yoga instructors in

response to rising enrollment in these programs. The amount allocated to pay instructors was raised from $42,200 to $47,856.25 for 2024, per Resolution 926-2024.

Pickleball has become a fixture in the Town of Oyster Bay since the opening of its first courts in Bethpage in 2018. In 2020, the Town Parks Department launched co-ed recreational pickleball classes, expanding the offering with summer pickup games in 2024. In 2022, additional courts were constructed at H. Garrick Williams Park in Massapequa, followed by more courts at John Burns

MPK Village hosts Holiday Open House

Families gather for day of celebration

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com

Families and friends gathered at Massapequa Park Village Hall to enjoy the Village’s annual Holiday Open House.

Visitors were welcomed to a beautifully decorated Village Hall as Massapequa Park Village Mayor Daniel Pearl and Village Trustees Tina Schiaffino and Dana Durso.

A medly of music was provided by a number of groups from the Massapequa School District including the students of the Handbell Choir from East

Lake: Sean Connelly, Casey Currias, Christian Cuhna, Krista Fazio, Luca Giordano, Kataline Gribko, Emilia Guzzo, Connor Keeley, James LoRusso, Roman Micheli, Aaron Nunez, Antonia Purificato, Juliet Ramos, Giada Salamone, Zoe Tartaro, Emerson Taylor, Heidi Thomson, Madison Toomey and AJ Veltri. The were under the direction Gina Aspetti, EdD. In additon students for the Berner Flute and vocal points choral group performed. There was also a selection of

Family friends gather at tree in MPK Village: Courtney Jean, Teddy and Amelia Bart; Harry, Cindy, Jack Ethan, Joseph, London and Erin Turkewitz.

Katalina Gribko of Massapequa Park selects a goodie bag following Massapequa Park Villge’s Holiday Open House on Dec. 8

Annual Holiday Open House in Massapequa Park

holiday treats for the young and young at heart which were distributed at the conclusion of the event.“This is always a wonderful day and the entire Village

Board wished all of our residents and their families a joyous holiday,” said Mayor Pearl.

Town Pickleball and Yoga programs

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

rick Williams Park.

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino has been a strong advocate for expanding pickleball facilities.

“Pickleball has quickly become one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation, and our Town is proud to lead the way in creating opportunities for residents to enjoy this exciting game,” Saladino said.

“In 2024 alone, we opened courts at Tappen Beach, Plainview-Old Bethpage, Anchor Park, and Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park, with plans to bring even more courts to Farmingdale and Massapequa. These investments in recreational spaces enhance our community and provide fun, healthy activities for all ages.”

The Village of Massapequa Park also responded to the rise in popularity of pickleball court by opening a Pickleball court at Brady Park in 2022.

Pickleball, invented in 1965 by three friends in Washington state, has seen explosive growth in recent years. In its 2023 report, the Sports & Fitness Industry

Association (SFIA) named pickleball the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. for the third consecutive year. According to the SFIA, the sport now boasts 8.9 million players over the age of six, up from 4.8 million in 2022.

In other business at the December 10 meeting, the Town Board:

•Authorized 2025 Town membership in local Chambers of Commerce, including the Massapequas Chamber of Commerce and the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce;

•Approved the site plan and building permit application for the Nassau County Police Athletic League to construct a 4,000-square-foot building for indoor recreation and offices at 510 Parkside Boulevard in Massapequa;

•Reappointed Lois Schmitt of Massapequa to the Zoning Board of Appeals for the term January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2029; and

•Rescheduled the January 14, 2025, Town Board meeting to January 7, 2025.

Youngster from Massapequa Park having a warm discussion with Santa at the Massapequa Park Village Holiday Open House.

Massapequa teen died while playing the game he loved

By CAROLYN JAMES

When he was growing up in Massapequa, Connor Kasin had a passion for hockey, skating from almost the time he could walk and hold a stick, according to his family.

cjames@liherald. can express its grief, pointing to a tradition that originated with Brian Munz, a broadcaster for Canada’s TSN network. He shared a photo and asked people to leave hockey sticks out on their porches in memory of Connor.

He joined the Town of Oyster Bay’s youth hockey travel team and he was proudest when he later put on the jersey for the Massapequa Chiefs high school team.

Connor died doing what he loved best. He was playing hockey at the Oyster Bay Skating Center in Bethpage Sat., Nov. 30 when he collapsed. He slipped into unconsciousness and despite efforts of those who provided immediate CPR at the center and the Nassau County police, he was pronounced dead at the hospital. He was 17 years old.

As a proud third-generation family of Chiefs, Connor earned a spot on the varsity team as a sophomore and was looking forward to his senior season. On the ice he was known for his determination, boundless energy and fierce defending, said his family, but even more so as a beacon of sportsmanship and leadership.

A lifelong NY Islander fan, he had a love for the sport that was rivaled only by his love for, and from, the people in his life, including parents Mary and Craig Kasin, who is a retired Nassau Country police officer.

Joe Pinto, a longtime Massapequa Little League coach, understands well the impact the tragic loss of a youth has on a community, especially a youth as well-known and active as Connor. On his Facebook page, Pinto talked about one way a community

“This is a tradition that shows respect and honor to a player who has died, or to express support for the hockey community,” said Pinto.

The school community was also grieving, and Superintendent William Brennan sent a letter out to the community saying that it was a sudden medical event and that the actual cause of Connor’s death was not immediately clear.

“Connor was a cherished member of our school community, known for his kindness, positivity, enthusiasm and bit smile,” Brennan wrote. “He had a way of bringing light and joy to those around him and his absence will be felt deeply by all of us.”

In addition to his parents, Connor is survived by his brothers, Christian and Cole; his grandparents, Bruce and Mary-Ann Kasin; his great grandmother, Honey, and an extended family that includes 12 aunts, 13 uncles and 25 first cousins. Also mourning his loss is a large group of classmates, teammates and coaches, as well as the family of Massapequans.

There was a funeral mass Dec. 6 at St. William the Abbot Roman Catholic Church, Seaford, with burial in St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale.

A version of this story originally appeared December 3 on the Post’s online site.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

week: Please note: All meetings are subject to change without notice.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19

•Town of Oyster Bay Zoning Board of Appeals: 7 p.m., Town Hall Meeting Room, Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay. Call (516) 624-6200 with related questions.

CRIME WATCH

The following incidents have been reported by the Nassau County Police Department:

PETIT LARCENY

Massapequa: An unknown male subject walked into Mobil Gasoline Station at 950 Carmans Road shortly after 10 a.m., Dec. 5 and removed five packs of Newport cigarettes.

Massapequa: A flagpole from in front of a home at 101 Harbor Lane was stolen

sometime between Dec. 6, 9 a.m. and Dec. 9 at noon.

DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED/IMPAIRED

The following individuals were arrested by Nassau County Police and charged with DWI: Pastor A. Alvarado Calderon, 39 of New Cassel; Jackeline Arseneault, 44 of Levittown Andrew S. McKay, 57 of Oyster Bay. People

• The Long Island Dahlia Society: 9 a.m., Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Hwy., Great River. All are welcome. Come and learn how to care for your dahlias. For more information, call (631)-972-8829 (leave message) or visit longislanddahlia.org

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20

•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631)-789-2569

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21

• The Long Island Dahlia Society: 9 a.m., Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Hwy., Great River. All are welcome. Come and learn how to care for your dahlias. For more information call (631)-972-8829 (leave message) or visit longislanddahlia.org.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22

•Simpson United Methodist Church Thrift Shop: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 30 Locust Ave., Amityville. For more information, call (631)-789-2569.

Calendar items are printed for non-profit organizations, as space permits, or when an event, service or information is being sponsored by a profit-making organization without charge to readers. Submit items to us at Richner Communications, attn: Beacon Editor, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530; or email: dconsola@liherald.com at least two - three weeks prior to the publication date in which the item must appear. Sorry, but open-ended requests without the specific dates of the events are not acceptable. While we make every attempt to accommodate each request, we cannot guarantee publication of any items. For more information, call 516-569-4000.

The following are a list of public meetings and special events for the coming

‘Magic of Lights’ show illuminating Jones Beach through January 4

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and Live Nation invites visitors to enjoy the ”Magic of Lights” showing now in Jones Beach State Park.

Experience the festive lights from the comfort of your own car as you wind through the sparkling path of Jones Beach’s new holiday tradition. The display of over one million lights runs at dusk, approximately 5 p.m., through Jan. 4, 2025.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the entrance. Standard vehicle pricing starts at $30 Monday—Thursday and $35 Friday—Sunday. You can purchase tickets in advance at: https://magicofli-

ghts.com/locations/jonesbeach/.

The experience features favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations. There is also a holiday village, with a North Pole Café, a walk-through selfie present, illuminating mega trees, special nightly activations, holiday merchandise, holiday movies, and more.

Santa will be at the Holiday Village every night through December 23 The Grinch will appear Dec. 24 through January 4. The village will feature special added attractions

For more information, visit parks. ny.gov.

Registration for co-ed fitness classes underway in O’Bay

Residents who are interested in maintaining or improving their levels of fitness can register for the Town of Oyster Bay’s popular Co-Ed Fitness Classes at the Hicksville Athletic Center. Classes will kick off in January 2025 and run for 10 weeks. They are offered to individuals 18 years of age or older.

“The Town’s popular co-ed recreational programs provide a great outlet for our residents to exercise and stay in shape while making new friends,” said Councilwoman Laura Maier. “These fun classes offer an opportunity to stay physically active, creating an optimal environment for fitness and forging new friendships!”

This winter, residents can participate in a variety of fitness classes:

•Ballroom Dancing: Saturdays, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., beginning January 11

•Cardio Kickboxing: Thursdays, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., beginning January 9.

•Pilates: Mondays, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., beginning January 6.

•Yoga: Residents can choose their session from the following: Saturdays (beginning January 11) from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Sundays (beginning January 5) from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Tuesdays (beginning January 7 ) from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursdays (beginning January 9 ) from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

•Zumba: Mondays (beginning January 6 ) from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. or Wednesdays (beginning January 8 ) from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Registration, at $60 per class, is available online to residents by visiting oysterbaytown.com/sports. Residents must upload proof of residency (tax or utility bill) and a valid identification card such as a driver’s license. Non-residents can register for $70. Mats will not be provided; patrons must bring their own mats to Yoga and Pilates. The schedule is subject to change. If a session is cancelled, makeup day(s) will be attempted. For more information, or to inquire about special holiday scheduling, call (516) 797-7945 or email tobparks@oysterbay-ny.gov

Suffolk Sheriff’s Office teams up with 3 groups to sponsor Narcan training event in Farmingdale

The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Planet Nugg in Farmingdale, Long Island Cannabis Coalition and Open Minded Organics, hosted a recent Narcan training event aimed at combating opioid overdose deaths.

David Tubens, who co-owns Planet Nugg with Walter Bonilla, Paul Doreste, and Umberto Romero, emphasized the importance of the event. “We wanted to sponsor it because it can save lives,” Tubens said. “We’ve expanded our facility to provide space for nonprofit organizations to hold important community events like this one, which can have a positive impact on people and communities.”

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, an estimated 107,543 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States in 2023. That’s actually a 3 percent decrease from the 111,029 deaths reported in 2022, the first annual decline in overdose deaths since 2018.

Experts believe the decline in overdose deaths is partly due to the increased use of Narcan (naloxone), an over-the-counter medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose if administered quickly.

Mohamad Fakhro, a training officer with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, spoke at the event and stressed the importance of immediate action in overdose cases. “Police and emergency personnel are trained to respond quickly to overdose calls but the earlier the intervention the

best chance the victims have of survival,” Fakhro said. “Those closest to the person

experiencing an overdose are often co-users, friends, or family members. If they are

trained and have Narcan on hand, the victim stands the best chance of surviving and making better decisions moving forward.”

Around 30 people attended the training session in Farmingdale, where they learned how to properly administer Narcan in case of an opioid overdose. They also received a package of Narcan to take home.

The event is part of ongoing efforts by local law enforcement, health organizations, and community groups to provide the drug and training to thousands of individuals to reduce overdose deaths.

For information on upcoming Narcan training sessions, visit the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office website at suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com/community-programs or contact your local town or village office.

WI Class of ‘75 sets reunion date

The West Islip High School Class of 1975 is planning a class reunion for July 19, 2025 at Captain Bill’s restaurant in Bay Shore. For details, visit/join the organization’s Facebook page: West Islip High School Class of 1975. Or call 516-456-3207 and leave a message.

Shown in photo are: Gahrey Ovalle, President of LICC, William Weick, Deputy Sergeant; Deputy Sheriff Investigator Dustin DeFilippo. Deputy Sheriff Mohamad Fakhro, Julie Tubens, Planet Nugg Co-owner, Walter Bonilla, Planet Nugg Co-owner, David Falkowski, OMO, Founder & President andJimmy McCune, Celestial Branding & The Cloud

Kitten sings louder than choir at Garden City Cathedral

“Do you hear what I hear?” That familiar Christmas carol took on new meaning Saturday when a kitten’s desperate cries interrupted choir practice at the Cathedral of the Incarnation.

The meows, louder than “Joy to the World,” echoed from outside the cathedral’s apse, prompting choir members to rush out and search for the source. They discovered a black kitten stuck at the bottom of a 12-foot-deep concrete shaft near the altar.

Pets, Pets, Pets...

JOANNE ANDERSON

Sexton James quickly lowered a 20foot ladder, allowing choir member Thea, known for her agility, to climb down and rescue the freezing feline. Thea carried the kitten, later named Carol, to safety. Though frightened, Carol was in good health and not hungry, suggesting she had likely been trapped for much of the day in the freezing cold.

Canon Musician Larry offered his office as a temporary refuge, complete with food, a comfy bed, and a litter box. Meanwhile, Kyle from the Cathedral’s Pet Ministry contacted Last Hope Animal Rescue, the cathedral’s partner organization, for assistance.

Last Hope agreed to scan Carol for a microchip, spay her the following week, and place her in their cat adoption program, unless a member of the congregation chose to adopt her first. Rebecca, a Cathedral member and Last Hope volunteer, will oversee Carol’s care.

In 2021, Rebecca and Kyle, leaders of the Cathedral’s Pet Ministry, ap-

proached Last Hope Animal Rescue to explore a partnership for supply drives and other charitable projects. Since then, the relationship has flourished. Last Hope has provided coats from its thrift shop to the Cathedral’s Long Island locations and helped the congregation raise funds for earthquake victims in Turkey in 2023.

During last Sunday’s service, as the choir performed carols in multiple languages, the Cathedral announced a supply collection for Last Hope. Meanwhile, Carol, blissfully unaware, nestled safely in Larry’s office.

As for Carol’s future, if the kitten turns out to be male, her name may be changed to “Wenceslas.”

Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas & Best Wishes for a Happy New Year to all from the Incorporated Village of Massapequa Park

Jeff Anfuso

Samantha Angerame

Michelle Bartolo

Joe Bello

Gregg Bencic

Christine Bentz

Christine Botti

Christopher Briggs

Robert Cantelmo

Frank Capobianco

Thomas Chodak

Louise Conwell

Maureen Cooney

Cathy Dehmer

Ann DeSantis

William Eisele

Robert Fieman

Louis Filippone

Mary Fiorito

Cheryl Forte-Iula

Jay Gershen

Elizabeth Giorgio

Rita Grande

Kevin Hebel

Ellen Hennings

Juan Henriquez

Skip Horal

Patrick Hunt

Garet Lamb

Craig Lisogorsky

Robert Macri

Christopher Magistro

Matthew McCauley

Chris Molina

Steven Molina

Marcus Povinelli

Richard Protano

David Ratcliff

Joseph Reyes

Paul Rosenblatt

Steve Sapeta

Vincent Sugamele

Linda Tuminello

Charlie Vandermosten

Peter Voyes

Robert Weik

Carol inside the Cathedral with Kyle, Thea and Larry.

Carol with Thea, her choir rescuer.

Blanche Keeney, 99, of Massapequa, devoted family matriarch

By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.

Blanche Keeney and her husband, Frank, made their life in Massapequa Park, raising a family there and operating the William J. Hofmann Insurance Agency.

Known as “Ma” to those close to her, her life was defined by two great loves: her family and classic Hollywood films. Over the years, she amassed a collection of more than 3,000 movies from the Golden Age of cinema, with “Gone With the Wind” among her favorites.

Blanche Keeney, died Dec. 7, 2024, at the age of 99.

Born Blanche Ruchar in the Catskills village of Andes, N. Y., she was the daughter of Czechoslovakian immigrants who owned a dairy farm.

“She was a placid, practical farm girl,” recalled her daughter-in-law, Kathleen Keeney. “Family was always at the center of her life.”

Mrs. Keeney moved to New York City in 1948, where she lived with an aunt and worked at a local bank. It was there she met Frank. The couple later settled in Massapequa, first in Arlyn Oaks and later in Unqua Gardens, where they raised their children. Together, they purchased the insurance agency from its founder, and it was eventually passed down to their son, Robert, and his wife, Kathleen.

“She lived a full and active life, and her home was the center of the family’s universe,” Kathleen said. “As the family grew and spread out across the country and the world, she would track our schedules. No matter where

If the funeral home you preplanned with is no longer what you had in mind,the prearrangements may be transferred to us. Please call us—we can help.

we were, she always knew what we were doing. And when we came to town, we always visited the matriarch—the heart of our family.”

Mrs. Keeney continued to travel throughout her life. Up until she was 95, she made trips to Los Angeles to attend the annual TMC Film Festivals. In addition, she also had a deep passion for all things Disney throughout her life. “She went to Disneyland and Disney World many times,” Kathleen said.

As a grandmother and great-grandmother, Mrs. Keeney was known for her boundless indulgence and devotion to her family. “She lived for her family,” Kathleen said. “Her children grew, married, and had children of their own, and she loved every moment of it.”

Mark Ciccone, her son-in-law, shared his own memories on the funeral home’s website. “I grew up in an era when every comedian had a joke or two about how difficult their mother-in-law was,” he wrote. “Not me. I never had a single moment like that. Not one. I valued our relationship immensely, and I hope it was mutual.”

She was predeceased by her husband, Frank, on Feb. 7, 1994. Survivors include her daughter, Eileen Ciccone and her husband, Mark, of Duxbury,

Blanche Keeney

Mass., and her son, Robert, and his wife, Kathleen, of Sayville. She is also survived by seven grandchildren— Christine, Caroline, Michelle, Amanda, Michael, Elizabeth, and David— and four great-grandchildren: Vivian, Aria, Gabriella, and June.

A private prayer service was held on Dec. 14, followed by burial in Old Grace Church Cemetery in Massapequa.

Please meet some of our local scholars

The following students were recently recognized for academic achievements and graduation at their respective colleges:

•Vincent Austin of Massapequa Park, attending the University of Maryland Global Campus, was recently named to the Dean’s List.

•Jillian Keeshan of Farmingdale, attending SUNY Oneonta, was one of 18 Dietetics majors who conducted outreach, research and nutrition education this semester by partnering with several local groups and organization as part of a community service project.

•Sophia Greco of Massapequa, attending the University of Rhode

Island, was recently elected mem bership into the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline colle giate honor society.

The following faculty member was recently recognized:

•Christopher J. Muran of Oyster Bay, dean of Adelphi University’s Gordon F. Derner School of Psychol ogy, was recently awarded by the American Psychological Association (APA) Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy (APA Division 29) the 2024 Distinguished Psychologist Award for Contributions to Psychol ogy and Psychotherapy.

WI Class of ‘75 sets reunion date

The West Islip High School Class of 1975 is planning a class reunion for July 19, 2025 at Captain Bill’s restaurant in Bay Shore. For details, visit/ join the organization’s Facebook page: West Islip High School Class of 1975. Or call 516-456-3207 and leave a message.

Rhythm & Soul

HERALD NEIGHBORS

Farmingdale’s Daler athletes are ready to tackle college fields

The Farmingdale School District celebrated the accomplishments of 21 graduating student-athletes who will be advancing to compete at the collegiate level. A commitment signing ceremony took place on Mon., December 9 to recognize the students for their unwavering commitment to academics and athletics.

Held at Farmingdale High School, the ceremony was an event filled with pride, excitement and heartfelt congratulations as parents, coaches and friends gathered to celebrate those who demonstrated excellence both on the field and in the classroom.

“Your passion and dedication to your sport have brought you to this moment,” said Jeanne Berkoski, director of athletics.

“A heartfelt thank you to the parents for

your crucial role in supporting your children’s athletic pursuits.”

Superintendent of Schools Paul Defendini highlighted the importance of balancing academics with athletics, encouraging students to embrace the challenges and opportunities that await them.

The following Farmingdale High School graduating student-athletes have signed to play college sports: Juliana Abbene, softball at Mercy University; Angel Cartagena: baseball at Iona University; Jack DeLeo, baseball at the University of Mount Saint Vincent; Andrew Dillon, baseball at SUNY Oneonta; Ava Fierst, softball at St. John’s University; Gavin Gatchalian, football at Saint Anselm College; Logan Genna, lacrosse at SUNY New

Paltz; Mia Hayes, diving at Drexel University; Katie Hecker, softball at Russell Sage College; Colin Horowitz, baseball at SUNY Maritime College; Matthew Hughes, lacrosse at the University of Bridgeport; Matt Ippoliti, lacrosse at Long Island University; Kiara Kegel, softball at Farmingdale State College; Aidan MacGilvray, lacrosse at Saint Leo University; Jake Mangio, lacrosse at Bryant University; Jack Molloy, baseball at the College of Staten Island; Allison Priestley, swimming at SUNY Oswego; Kevin Renneisen, lacrosse at DeSales University; Dylan Rosenberg, soccer at Russell Sage College; Loveleen Singh, crosscountry at Molloy University and Riley Walsh, lacrosse at Belmont Abbey College.

Tennis event in East Meadow celebrated the sport for young girls

By NIKO SCARLATOS Correspondent

Mike Pavlides, a long-time coach and advocate for youth sports, played a key role in a special event at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow aimed at promoting tennis among young girls.

The event, organized by the Women’s Sports Foundation and Sports USTA, saw the refurbishing of the park’s tennis courts and a series of tennis lessons for girls aged 8-12. Pavlides along with Brooke Brown, Sofia Maran, Anya McGrath, and Sara Kizhnerman, four players from the Massapequa girls tennis team, were there.

“This event is all about growing the game of tennis,” he said. “It’s about giving people the opportunity to learn, stay active, and meet new people. Tennis is a game that can be played by anyone, regardless of background or experience, and I want to help make it accessible to as many people as possible.”

The event’s efforts included inviting local girls’ clubs to participate in tennis clinics, as well as bringing in athletes

from the Hofstra University tennis team to showcase different levels of play. Pavlides and the organizers were also committed to making a broader impact, with Pavlides personally donating $50,000 to the Women’s Sports Foundation, an organization that advocates for girls’ sports and works to provide girls with more opportunities to play.

Pavlide s has coached tennis at Massapequa High School for 28 years, including coaching both the girls’ and boys’ teams. He emphasized the importance of such events in providing access to the sport. “For many of these girls, it’s their first exposure to tennis,” he said. “But it’s also about seeing the diversity of the game like different age groups, different backgrounds, different skill levels. It’s not just about the kids in clubs doing tournament training; tennis is for everyone.”

As a coach, Pavlides has always focused on making tennis accessible to all players, regardless of their skill level or back -

ground. “I love working with kids,” he said. “It keeps me young and active. It’s rewarding to see these kids grow, not just as tennis players, but as individuals who are part of a team and a community.”

The event also underscored the importance of mentorship. Pavlides and other coaches who were there worked closely with the girls, teaching them the fundamentals of tennis while encouraging them to have fun.

“We had a range of kids—some who had never picked up a racquet before, and others who had been playing for a while. It was great to see how the girls supported one another and learned from the older players. It shows that tennis can be a great way to connect people from all different walks of life,” he said.

The event, with its emphasis on youth development and expanding access to sports, was a celebration of the growth of tennis, especially among young girls.

Farmingdale High School savors the season

Farmingdale High School recently opened its doors for the annual Dalers Deck the Halls Holiday Breakfast. This beloved tradition fills bellies with delicious food and fills hearts with a sense of togetherness and giving. Each year, the Farmingdale Council of PTA’s ensures that the magic of the holidays touches all corners of the community, reminding everyone of the power of kindness and generosity.

In the blink of an eye, elves worked their magic to turn the high school commons into a winter wonderland that could melt even the Grinch’s icy heart. The Deck the Halls celebration unfolded with a mouthwatering hot breakfast served by Superintendent

Paul Defendini and the Farmingdale Board of Education. A vibrant DJ entertained the families with cheerful holiday tunes as guests were invited to indulge in games and crafts. Tables adorned with raffle baskets lined the area while sizzling hot chocolate stations added to the festive atmosphere. Enchanting characters from Frozen, Charlie Brown, The Grinch and the Polar Express wandered through, bringing joy to all. The celebrations reached new levels of joy when the legendary Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrived, captivating guests as they posed for photographs.

Dozens of volunteers gathered to support the event. Theatre students from Farming-

dale High School were dressed in full costume, warmly welcoming guests and posing for photographs. Enthusiastic National Honor Society members served as Santa’s helpers, guiding young Dalers through various craft stations where they could make ornaments, reindeer food, and holiday cookies. Additionally, there was an exciting elf scavenger hunt and a special mailbox where children could drop off their letters to Santa.

The annual holiday breakfast is a charity event with 100% of the proceeds used to purchase holiday gifts for Farmingdale families.

Photos Courtesy/Farmingdale Schools

Chapter 2

A Little Wit, Whimsy and Wisdom—With A Few Wrinkles

Welcome to the first edition of an exciting new section in the Amityville Record, Massapequa Post and Babylon Beacon. It is the brainchild of four local residents— Jo Pettit, Phyllis Singer, Dolores Conroy and Jean Patman—who are in the next phase of their lives and wanted to share some of what they have learned along the way with the community.

Join them as they offer thoughts and perceptions on how they are making the later years purposeful, active, educational and fun! And send us your thoughts and perceptions in return.

Holiday memories? We remember them well

By JO PETIT

In my large Italian family, major holidays were a big deal. My Mom was born into a small Ukrainian family but once married she was swallowed up by Dad’s overwhelming kin, who originated in southern Italy.

Relatives and semi-relatives would come from all over Long Island, Brooklyn and the Bronx to my Aunt Jenny and Uncle Fred’s house in Baldwin because it had the biggest basement (it seems to me that gatherings of Italian relatives often took place in someone’s basement). Theirs had a full kitchen and ping pong and pool tables, which converted into dining tables that accommodated at least 30 people, a dozen of them kids. And two ovens, one upstairs and one down, made cooking the turkeys and roast beef easy while accommodating vats of pasta and vegetables.

I have a clear vision of my father in his sleeveless T-shirt, moist from the stove’s heat, carrying two enormous turkeys to the table and then rushing back to the stove to stir the pasta, which was boiling in a pot the size of a bathtub (or so it seemed!). In our family, not having enough food was considered a mortal sin, so “just to be sure,” enough food to supply several meals of leftovers was prepared. The women placed large plastic sheets over the “good” damask cloths lest they get stained.

My twin cousins Carol and Marilyn and I, who were only three months apart in age and the oldest of the kids, believed we had great performing talents. So they danced and I sang and told jokes. To bypass a long day of Uncle Carl pinching our cheeks and being hugged and bored by wine-infused relatives, we would gather all the other restless children and go upstairs to the bedrooms where all the coats were piled on beds. There, the twins and I wrote scripts of terrible jokes, rehearsed dancing and singing and gave everyone, including the much younger ones, various parts to play.

Of course, the show we performed was corny and the material was dreadful, but our loving, boisterous relatives thought they were at a Broadway show.

These were some delightful holiday memories of some caring people in my life. I asked a couple of friends about their holiday memories and what follows is what they shared:

Mary Dobby Gero, Amityville

When I remember my childhood holidays during the 1950s in Amityville, I picture Christmas lights strung across Broadway like twinkling stars as the holiday spirit brought our little village alive. It was a magic time for me.

Long before the malls were built, a day of window shopping locally was like a treasure hunt. My five brothers and sisters and I would dream of what Santa might bring us. Losi’s Corner and Fisher’s Candy

shop near the Triangle beckoned us with the sweet smell of fudge and chocolate. It wasn’t just candy. It was happiness wrapped in a box.

Rexall Drugstore offerings went from Christmas cards to quirky gifts and Phannemiller’s Pharmacy was the place to go for holiday essentials. The soda fountain in Fisher’s Soda Shop on the corner of Union Avenue had a place to sit and sip a milkshake while soaking in the holiday buzz. Christoffer’s Stationery provided all the paper goods you could hold as if they were holiday wishes and we would buy marvelous meats at Johnson’s Meat Market for our holiday feast. The clucking of live chickens at Amityville Feed and Grain provided a little lesson in reality: that the holidays weren’t just about traditional snowy scenes but also about everyday life.

If you stopped by the quaint gathering place Tony Esposito’s, near the RR tracks, you could hear conversations about past snowstorms and holiday plans. But the true jewel at holiday time was McClellan’s. The scent of popcorn and roasted nuts would hit you like a warm blanket, wrapping you in pure delight as you shopped for gifts. The spirit of giving came alive for us as we’d buy gifts like Evening in Paris perfume in its lovely satin-lined box for our Mom, whose eyes we knew would sparkle when she opened it on Christmas morning.

When we returned home, we kids would gather under the decorated tree with our coloring books and we’d dream and share whispers of our hopes and excitement about waking on Christmas morning. The recollections of our busy village and our cozy home created a beautiful patchwork of memories that still warm my heart. Christmas wasn’t just a holiday, it was an experience that brought us together, filled with laughter, love and a spirit of giving.

Craig Pavlik, Babylon

The coming together of family, tradition, and the joy of the season makes holiday memories some of the most cherished moments in life. When Caroline and I moved to Babylon, our family embraced new Christmas traditions – searching for the right tree, decorating everything including our boat, hanging Christmas roping, and even making ice cream together.

One of our most memorable holidays began the weekend after Thanksgiving. We woke on that Saturday to a crisp, cold morning, and hit the road early for upstate New York, in search of the biggest Christmas tree our living room could fit (imagine the Griswold Christmas tree

from Christmas Vacation).

Riding and laughing in son Ryan’s trusty Ram pickup, we made our way to our favorite tree farm where we searched until we found the perfect tree. We sawed it down and we all lugged the massive tree to the wrapping station. The young man helping us shook his head and said, “There’s no way we can wrap that tree in the netting, we’ll have to tie it up the old-fashioned way.”

With the tree safely secured, we headed home for our next adventure.

Later that afternoon, we were all hands-on deck to decorate our 22-foot center console for the annual Babylon Boat Parade. With Christmas lights adorning the boat and holiday music blasting from Mariah Carey to Frank Sinatra, we set out for Babylon Cove to join the parade. It was a cold evening, but the hot cocoa Caroline packed kept us warm. The parade featured about 40 boats that cruised around the cove, passing

the local senior citizen residence perched right at the water’s edge. As we rode past, we could see the seniors standing and waving. After a few laps around the cove, the sun had set, and the twinkling lights on the boats made the entire cove sparkle, helping to make it a perfect evening.

Later in that holiday season, we all piled into the car, including our family dog, Buddy, and with Christmas roping in hand, we went to decorate our assigned lamppost in the heart of Babylon Village. (We started this tradition when daughter Carli was in grade school, and now she’s ready to graduate college, a somewhat emotional reminder that time truly flies by. )

Finally, when Christmas Day arrived, so did the rest of our family and another holiday tradition: breaking out our old hand-cranked ice cream maker. Eggnog was the flavor that year and everyone took a turn cranking the handle, with Grandpa and the Grandmas leading the way.

The giant Christmas tree, the fun of making the ice cream together and just having all our family gathered in one place made the ice cream taste like the best we’d ever made.

Just in the nick of time:

Santas gather on my mantle

By PHYLLIS SINGER

Watching the sheer joy on my grandchildren’s faces after they fly downstairs on Christmas morning to see what toys and goodies Santa brought them has made me love the jolly old maneven more as the years go by. Sure, the kids are excited for the gifts, but the idea that this kind guy with the white beard knows what

they want is a very special belief. I did not grow up in a Christmas house but I always felt something warm for Santa. His arrival each year at the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade kicked

off the spirit of this holiday for me. The kids, my own and now my grandchildren, would get a little restless watching the wonderful marching bands and the terrific Broadway performances, but when Santa showed up we all were thrilled. Which, of course, is the idea.

So, for decades I have collected Santas. While many are robed in red and sport long white beards, others come in assorted

shapes, sizes, clothes and adornments.

here is a little explanation of who in Santa land is

Like the fashionista announcers

the red carpets who ask the celebrities which designer they’re wearing,

Amityville, playground of the elegant in 1900

By RICHARD HANDLER baritones.

As the 20th century rolled in, Amityville was already the Hamptons of its day.

Families would return each year to the Village by the Bay to “summer” in cottages on Ocean Avenue or stay most seasons at hotels along the Great South Bay. The village boasted several fine hotels with inviting names like the Narragansett Inn, which opened in 1907, the Alexandrea, Wardel’s

became a South Shore landmark. The interior housed an elegant restaurant, grill, bowling alley, billiard room and library while sun-drenched parlors and porches provided breathtaking views in all directions. An ad in the June 2, 1912, New York Herald Tribune boasted: “Bathing, Boating, Fishing, Tennis - the finest Sea Shore Resort on Long Island, and all for a weekly room rate of from $15 to $35.”

The New Point established a reputation for elegance and grace. The guest rolls recorded visitors primarily from Manhattan, Brooklyn and New Jersey who sought its invigorating sea breezes and tranquility as an escape from the summer heat and demands of metropolitan life. The Amityville Record reported in August 1905 that “the season is in full splendor with one social event followed by another in rapid succession; where Saturday evening soirees and affairs were held with orchestras and dancing.” On special occasions the premises were “festooned with flags and bunting, palms and ferns” adding to the gaiety.

The New Point was so successful that in 1900 an adjacent New Point Inn was constructed to accommodate 75 more guests. Later the name New Point Inn was changed to the Hathaway Inn apparently to distinguish it from the Hotel New Point. Both hotels provided livery services from the Amityville train station, and had stables In 1916, the winds of war reached Amityville, forcing the majestic Hotel New Point to close its doors. An auction held that April disposed of most furnishings, Rogers’ silverware, 5,000 yards of Brussels carpet and velvet curtains. The hotel was then repurposed to host special events. Notable affairs included an American Cancer Society Gala where Paul Robeson performed, and a Dixie Festival with Jules Bledsoe, both famed Harlem Renaissance

By the 1930s, whether because of economics or the automobile, the golden days of summer stays at grand Long Island hotels had waned. The New Point evolved into the Herald Tribune Fresh Air Fund Camp for innercity children. After World War 11 it became Camp Meroke, a summer camp for boys and girls. Then mysteriously, on Dec. 12, 1962, the night before it was scheduled to be torn down, flames were observed shooting from a turret window. By daybreak the Hotel New Point was smoldering ash.

The Hathaway Inn survived until November 1951 when, like its adjacent cousin, fire ended its 51-year run. By mid-century, gone too was the Alexandra Inn, on the northeast corner of Bayview Avenue and Merrick Road, which hosted the famed Vanderbilt Cup Races in the 1930s; as well as the Amity Inn at the northwest corner of Broadway and Merrick Road, which served as the final stop of the 1899 New York City-toAmityville Bicycle Race.

The last survivor was the Narragansett Inn at the southeast corner of Ocean and Richmond Avenues. Known for its spectacular views, it operated as Shanahan’s during the Depression, where it enjoyed a reputation for name music acts and spirits. It remained open as the Shangri-La until it too, succumbed to fire on April Fool’s Day 1965.

A

Little Wit, Whimsy and Wisdom—With A Few Wrinkles

A dash of holiday cheer lies within these

By SUSAN BENARD-HANDLER

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Random House

$12.95

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss is a beloved children’s book that has captured the hearts of readers since its publication in 1957.

The story is set in the cheerful town of Whoville, where the Whos are busy preparing for Christmas. But high up on a mountain above the town lives the Grinch, a grouchy and bitter creature who hates Christmas and all the joy it brings. The Grinch, determined to ruin Christmas for the Whos, devises a plan to steal their presents, decorations, and food on Christmas Eve.

pages

publication.

The novella, first published in 1843, tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly, cold-hearted man who undergoes a profound transformation after being visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Through this journey, Scrooge comes to understand the importance of generosity, compassion, and the Christmas spirit.

At its core, A Christmas Carol is a moral tale about the consequences of selfishness and the redemptive power of kindness and community.

Winter Solstice

St. Martin’s Griffin $25

Winter Solstice, by Rosamunde Pilcher, is a novel about finding hope and comfort in the most unlikely places and learning to embrace new beginnings, no matter your age or past experiences. It’s a slow, character-driven story that leaves the reader with a sense of warmth and peace. The setting -- a quiet, snow-covered village at Christmastime -- adds to the novel’s cozy feeling.

However, on Christmas morning, the Grinch is shocked to find that the Whos are still filled with joy and celebrating Christmas despite having nothing. This realization—that Christmas isn’t about presents, but about community, love, and togetherness—touches the Grinch’s heart. In the end, he returns everything he stole and joins the Whos in their celebration, his heart growing “three sizes” in the process.

If you enjoy stories about the power of human connection and personal growth, this book, by the author of The Shell Seekers, will be a rewarding read.

A Christmas Carol Sea Wolf Press

$14.95

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers nearly two centuries after its

Time to place Santa on the mantle

Continued from previous page

wearing what.

Our Santa in the U.S. has definitely eaten a lot of cookies, and is toasty in his fur-lined red coat closed by a big black leather belt. Britain’s Father Christmas often is wrapped in a green cloak, sports a wreath of holly on his head and walks with a staff. In France and other Frenchspeaking countries, Pere Noel doesn’t wear a red Santa hat, but has a long red cloak with a fur-lined hood. Sinterklaas is the legendary Dutch version of the big fellow and he wears a tall, red bishop’s hat and walks with a bejeweled staff. He is one of the sources of the modern Santa Claus.

Through the years Santa, or St. Nick, or Father Christmas or the many othernamed fellow gift- givers around the globe appeared in blue, brown, purple or even silver robes. In 1863, the artist Thomas Nast dressed him in a blue coat with stars and also featured him in tan or green as well. Over the years, his fur was often brown and his coat grew shorter with buttons. Brocade patterns often graced the cloaks no matter what their color.

On my mantel, one of my favorites is a simple little Santa with a plain greenish coat, fur trim, a gold painted beard and a lantern. My son brought him home after a long-ago trip to Ukraine, where he’s

known as Grandfather Frost. Odin, the ancient Norse god, may be Santa’s origin story. He was a warrior, a wise man and during the Yule season he would wander in a blue hooded cloak and leave gifts for children in their shoes or stockings by the hearth, a tradition that we still practice. Many of those traditions have morphed into the way we celebrate now, but they grew out of the legends throughout time that celebrate a generous spirit bearing gifts for the needy. It’s the spirit we cherish at this time of year. So friends, believe! I still do.

For Massapequa 9th graders, history becomes reality in trip to Ground Zero

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks happened nearly a decade before Massapequa’s ninth graders were born.

During recent trips to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City, those students got an in-depth look at an event that is historical to them but was a landmark to the adults in their lives,

Buses departed from the Ames Campus with more than 200 students and 20 chaperones on each of two trips Dec. 2 and 9. It was the culmination of their study of the Alan Gratz book, “Ground Zero.” The historical fiction book tells the stories of a 9-year-old boy who goes to work with his father and has to escape the World Trade Center, and an 11-year-old growing up in Afghanistan in the shadow of war.

The trip, coordinated by English teachers Kristin Petersen and Jen Rabie, led off with students going to the reflecting pools at the site of where the north and south towers once stood. They were shown the names of some Massapequa residents who died in the attacks to understand the impact it had on their hometown. After seeing the Survivor Tree, they spent about an hour and a half inside the museum.

Petersen said that students explored both in small groups and independently, so they could see the exhibits important to them. Teachers wanted to ensure the trip was fulfilling and meaningful for everyone.

In the museum, Maddie Kaiser said she saw the firefighter coat of her grandfather’s best friend, who died in the attacks.

“I thought it was really interesting, learning how people were affected differently by it, and how everyone went through different things,” she said of the trip.

Rafael Songcuya listened to the last phone calls of people who died in the towers. In experiencing the museum’s various exhibits, he said he found the book “Ground Zero” to be an extremely accurate depiction.

Max Motchourad said seeing the damaged cars and fire trucks was particularly impactful, while Keira Felker noted the many artifacts from the World Trade Center that show the devastation, like damaged computer keyboards.

“There was everything possible from the buildings,” Keira said. “It gave a different perspective from the book and its shows how real it is.”

News broadcasts from the day captivated Nick Cordero.

“It puts you in the moment because you see how people reacted at the time it happened,” he said.

Lily Villalta was struck by the room hon-

oring all of the people who died, because she realized then how many families were impacted by the tragedy. She also noted that videos of smoke rushing down the street matched the description from the book.

Prior to the trip, the students had several guest speakers, including two brothers, retired New York City fire marshal Don Mormino, who survived the tower collapses, and retired FDNY Lt. Steve Mormino, who worked in the recovery efforts. Several army veterans who served in Afghanistan also spoke to students.

Nick noted that it was interesting to see the subway station that Don Mormino jumped into for safety after one of the towers collapsed, as well as the damaged fire truck he refered to. Peter Tavoulareas was fascinated by the stories of the veterans who spoke about how they would eat, sleep and communicate with the Afghanistan people during their service.

Schools Superintendent William Brennan said students were extremely attentive and engaged during these presentations, and asked many thoughtful questions. He explained that reading the book, hearing from the speakers and visiting the museum gave them a thorough understanding of the events of 9/11.

“It really makes this whole day come to life for children who didn’t experience it, “ Brennan said.

Tina Farrell, curriculum associate for English language arts, commended the teachers for their successful planning of the inaugural trip to the memorial and museum.

“Students were able to go home and talk to their family members, who have their own first-hand accounts of 9/11, about this historical time,” she said. “The experience made it more meaningful for them after reading about it in school.”

Students gather at the Survivor Tree

Ninth graders from Massapequa at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

Birch Lane’s toy drive reflects students’ generosity and spirit

The toys are piling up at Birch Lane Elementary School in the Massapequa School District, reflecting the giving spirit of students during the annual holi-

A long-standing tradition at the school, toys are being collected for the John Theissen Children’s Foundation, which will distribute the items to sick and underprivileged children. This year’s toy drive is a partnership between the student council, advised by Meghan Reedy and Allison Rifkin, and Students Against Destructive Decisions, led by social worker Anna Romeo.

Every morning, fifth grade student leaders serve as elves and travel the school, visiting classes and picking up toys that were donated that day. They place the toys in bins in the main lobby,

which are then brought to a classroom. When the toy drive ends, representatives from the John Theissen Foundation will pick up the toys, which already total in the hundreds. Students and staff could also donate gift cards for Amazon, Best Buy, Target and Walmart.

“It makes me feel happy that a bunch of other kids who can’t afford it will get toys,” said fifth grade student council member Isabella Tiscione.

“It feels good because we’re helping people,” added Andrew Venditto.

Isabella and Andrew said that one of the biggest responsibilities of student council is to help the community. They noted that Birch Lane students have been very generous this holiday season and a lot of children will benefit from the school’s efforts.

After

Birch Lane Elementary School’s students with some of the toys they collected

picking

toys from classrooms, fifth grader Nico Galioto places them in a bin in the main lobby.

STEPPING OUT

Merry eatings

‘Tis the season for a

By Karen Bloom

ost of us would agree that there’s almost nothing better than the aroma of fresh-baked goodies wafting through the house. Especially during holiday time. Nothing says “love” like fresh baked cookies and treats. So give the gift of homemade goodness, whether it’s a gift platter or by hosting family and friends for a cookie exchange. Everyone can get in on the act and share their creations all around.

Your gang will enjoy tasting these luscious creations in your makeshift holiday workshop.

Chocolate Mint Squares

Notes of crisp peppermint perfectly complement the ﬂavors of coffee in this festive alternative to a brownie. Add some crushed peppermint to each cookie to create a beautiful and seasonal presentation.

Dough

• 1/3 cup baking chocolate or unsweetened chocolate

• 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) butter

• 1 cup sugar

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 2 large eggs

• 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose ﬂour

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or chopped pecans, optional

• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract or peppermint oil

Frosting

• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar or glazing sugar

• 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) melted butter

• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract or peppermint oil

• 2 tablespoons milk

Glaze

• 3 tablespoons baking chocolate or unsweetened chocolate

• 1 tablespoon butter

Garnish

• 1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9” x 9” pan.

To make the dough: In a double boiler, or in a microwave, melt together the chocolate and butter. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat together the sugar, salt and eggs.

Add the chocolate mixture, stirring to combine, then the ﬂour, nuts and peppermint, mixing until well-blended.

Pour the batter into the pan. Bake the squares for 25 minutes. Remove them from the oven, and

‘Holiday Joy’

cool to room temperature. Remove them from the oven, and cool to room temperature. While cooling make the frosting and glaze.

To make the frosting: In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, melted butter or margarine, peppermint and milk. Spread the frosting over the cooled squares in a thin layer.

To make the glaze: In a double boiler, or in a microwave, melt together the chocolate and butter or margarine. Drizzle this over the frosted squares, and sprinkle with the crushed peppermint candy. Refrigerate the squares until they’re well-chilled. To serve, cut into 1 1/2” squares.

Dreidel Hanukkah Cookies

You can’t spin these dreidels, but you sure can gobble them up. The versatile dough that can be customized to create chocolate or colored cookies.

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose ﬂour

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 2/3 cup sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

• Dreidel-shaped cookie cutter

• Piping bag

• Blue frosting

Cookie dough

In a medium-size bowl, mix the ﬂour and salt. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar, stir in the egg, then the corn syrup and vanilla extract. One third at a time, add the ﬂour mixture until thoroughly mixed.

Pat the dough into two disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours, or until ﬁrm enough to roll. If it is too ﬁrm, soften at room temperature for 5 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375° F. Roll one disk of dough between two pieces of waxed paper or

plastic wrap, 1/4 inch thick. Remove the top sheet and cut out the cookies with cookie cutters.

Using a metal spatula, transfer the shapes to baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies start to brown lightly around the edges. Remove the baking sheet to a wire rack and cool for 5 minutes.

Using a metal spatula, transfer the cookies to racks and cool completely before frosting and decorating. Makes 12 to 50 cookies, depending on their size.

For chocolate dough: After the last third of ﬂour has been added to the dough, mix in 1 ounce melted, slightly cooled unsweetened chocolate. Use your hands to knead in the chocolate.

For colored dough: Divide the dough into portions and use a toothpick to add food coloring paste (available at party supply stores) to each one. Knead until the color is evenly distributed. For a ﬂavor surprise, omit the vanilla extract and add 1 teaspoon of lemon extract to the yellow dough, mint extract to the green dough, and strawberry extract to the red dough.

How to prepare

Cut out the dreidels from the rolled-out dough and bake as directed (if you cant ﬁnd a dreidel cookie cutter, make a pattern out of lightweight cardboard). When cooled, pipe one of the four classic dreidel symbols on each cookie (either gimel, shin, nun, or hay) with blue frosting.

Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

• 1/2 cup butter, softened

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar

• 1 egg

• 1 tsp. vanilla

• 1-1/2 cups ﬂour

• 1 tsp. baking soda

• 44 candy-coated chocolate pieces

• 88 semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

• 44 pretzels, broken into 1-inch pieces

Heat oven to 350° F.

Beat peanut butter, butter and sugars in large bowl with mixer until light and ﬂuffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until blended. Add combined ﬂour and baking soda; mix well.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place, 2 inches apart, on baking sheets. Bake 7 to 9 min. or until cookies are just set.

Place 1 chocolate piece immediately in center of each cookie for a nose (press down slightly if cookies aren’t ﬂat enough), 2 chocolate chips for eyes, and 2 pretzel pieces at top of cookie for antlers. Carefully remove cookies to wire rack; cool completely.

Beloved holiday tunes are combined with a musical cabaret in a joyous over-the-top spectacle that is the Madison Theatre’s holiday celebration. The cast of 48 performers enthusiastically share all the delights of the season in this show, now in its 11th year, created by Artistic Director Angelo Fraboni. The vibrant cast includes Broadway performers. and Molloy University’s pre-professional CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory students “Holiday Joy” invites everyone to take a journey through the many worlds of the holidays — through song and dance — in the fast- paced spectacle. Timeless songs such as “We Need A Little Christmas” are brought to life in joyful arrangements, accompanied by a live band.

Friday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m. ; Saturday, Dec. 21, 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 22, 3 p.m. Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. (516) 323-4444 or madisontheatreny. org.

Yellow Brick Joel

Relive the classic songs that deﬁne generations. David Clark performs as Billy Joel along with Bill Connors as Elton John in this thoroughly entertaining and faithful tribute to the Face To Face/Face 2 Face tours of the 1990s and 2000s. Experience a spirited concert celebrating the two greatest ‘Piano Men’ of our generation with hits like “I’m Still Standing,” “Rocket Man,” “Piano Man” and “You May Be Right” along with some deeper fan performances like “Honky Cat,” “Funeral For A Friend,” “Miami 2017,” and “Captain Jack.” A tribute to two of the greatest piano players and performers of all time couldn’t be set up any other way! Groove along to the vibe at this one-of-a-kind performance where these two talents go head-tohead as Elton John and Billy Joel delivering unforgettable music and showmanship.

Friday, Dec. 27, 8 p.m. Tickets start at $28. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. Tickets available at LiveNation.com.

Chocolate Mint Squares Dreidel Hanukkah Cookies Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

Jan. 3

‘Cold Beer on a Friday Night’

Keep those winter doldrums at bay with Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band. It may seem like we’ve got much too long to wait ‘til we’re back on the beach, but Jimmy Kenny and his band come to the rescue, on the Paramount stage, Friday, Jan. 3 , 8 p.m. Join in their “Ultimate Beach Party Tribute” to Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band. Parrotheads, No Shoes Nation and the Zamily: it’s 5 o’clock somewhere so let’s ‘raise ‘em up and sing along. The Long Island-based band — guided by Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals/acoustic guitar, with Linn DeMilta (aka Lovely Linn), lead and backing vocals, Luis Rios, lead guitar/backing vocals, Frank Stainkamp, keyboard/backing vocals, Dan Prine, bass, and drummer Mike Vecchione — has been celebrating the beach country sounds of Buffett, Chesney and Zac Brown Band for over a decade, spreading their vibe up and down the Northeast coast. Everyone has a great time grooving to their lively l mix of their popular sing-along hits and feel good, easy living flair. If you like your toes in the sand, wasting away with a margarita or a cold beer on a Friday night, then you’ll surely have a great time with the Jimmy Kenny Band. $35, $25, $20, $15. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

In concert

Copy: The Hopelessly Olivia Band Experience debut, an Olivia Newton-John tribute band, is held at The Warehouse in Amityville, Thursday, Jan. 9, 9 p.m. Tickets are available now, but there is limited seating. For tickets, visit o the Hopelessly Olivia Facebook page or call (631) 394-8296. 203 Broadway, Amityville.

Co-ed Badminton

For adults looking for an indoors sport to keep active in the winter, join Co-ed Badminton! Classes start Sunday, Jan. 5 and take place on Tuesday, Fridays and Sundays, at Hicksville Athletic Center. Classes are for those 18 years of age or older and run for 10 weeks. Online registration is open at oysterbaytown.com/portal. There are fees for the classes. For information, (call 516) 7977945. 167 Broadway, Hicksville.

Christmas House Long Island

Celebrate the holidays with The Christmas House, an immersive indoor holiday attraction at Broadway Commons, now until Thursday, Jan. 2. This unique 45-minute walk-through features interactive and imaginative experiences that will delight people of all ages! Walk through the North Pole where it’s actually snowing, and down the aisles of the nostalgic Christmas House Video store in addition to a dozen other experiences. Each of the rooms was curated by Hollywood set designers, artists and Christmas enthusiasts using creative lighting, props and effects that bring to life the sights, sounds, characters, and traditions associated with the holiday season with some interesting twists. $24.99. Tickets are available in person as well as online and are on sale now at christmashouselongisland. com. 58 N. Broadway, Hicksville.

Ugly Sweater Party

Farmingdale Public Library hosts an Ugly Sweater Party for students in grades 6-12, Friday, dec. 20, 4:15-5 p.m. Bring your own sweater to decorate and see who can make the ugliest sweater. All decorating materials will be provided. Preference is given to UFSD #22 residents. To register and for more information, call (516) 249-9090. 116 Merritts Road, Farmingdale.

Rock ‘n Roll Holiday Party 2024

Are you ready to Rock n’ Roll? The Massapequa Public Library hosts a Rock ‘n Roll Holiday concert, Sunday, Dec. 22, 1-2:30 p.m. The afternoon will be filled with your favorite holiday songs mixed with rock ‘n roll classics of the decades. To register for visit massapequa. librarycalendar.com/event. For more information, call Lee Gundel at (516) 798-4607. 40 Harbor Lane, Massapequa Park.

Model Train Show

The TMB Model Train Show opens Saturday, Nov. 30. It features its ever-exciting show of model trains running in dozens of interesting settings, Saturdays, Jan. 4, 18 and Feb. 8, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sundays, 1-5 p.m., Jan. 5, 19 and Feb. 9, at the Upper Room Church. With new scenic areas to discover as well as familiar sights and a wide variety of trains from prewar to the most modern O gauge trains, all set in 6,500 square feet of fun for the entire family. Admission is free. So, mark your calendars now. 722 Deer Park Ave., Dix Hills. For more information go to tmbmodeltrainclub.com.

Movie matinee

See a movie on Massapequa Public Library’s big screen. Enjoy “It Happened on 5th Avenue,” Thursday, Dec 19, 1-3 p.m. The 1947 classic comedy romance stars Don DeFore, Ann Harding and Charles Ruggles. For more information, call (516) 799-0770. 40 Harbor Lane, Massapequa Park.

Art Explorations

Converse, collaborate and create at Family Saturdays at Nassau County Museum of Art. The drop-in program continues, with Holiday Break for Art, Saturday, Dec. 28. Choose from Session I, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., or Session II,12:30 p.m. Registration required. 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. Visit nassaumuseum.org to register or call (516) 484-9337.

Having an

event?

‘A Christmas Carol’

The Argyle Theatre in Babylon Village presents, “A Christmas Carol,” with performances now through Sunday, Jan. 5 Broadway heavy hitters, Alan Menken (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors) and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Seussical, Once on This Island), breathe fantastic new life into the classic tale of A Christmas Carol. The theatre is at 34 W. Main St., Babylon. To reach the box office, call (631) 230-3500 or email boxoffice@argyletheatre. com. To purchase tickets online, go to ci.ovationtix.com

Holiday on Ice

The Town of Oyster Bay presents “Holiday on Ice,” Saturday, Dec. 21, 4:30 p.m., at Town of Oyster Bay’s rink, 1001 Stewart Ave., Bethpage. For more information call (516) 797-4121.

Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition “Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition will span various world cultures through a range of media. It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority. Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. On view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Lydia comes to LIMHOF Singer-songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist

Lydia von Ho is back at Long Island Hall of Fam, Sunday, Dec. 29 , 3 p.m. She has performed as a soloist at Madison Square Garden at a New York Knicks halftime show, The Bitter End in NYC, Rockwood Music Hall, and more. Free with admission. 97 Main St., Stony Brook. For more information, go to limusichalloffame.org.

Writing Our Stories

Massapequa Public Library hosts a writing workshop for seniors in a fun and supportive environment, Thursday, Dec. 19, 1-2:30 p.m. The group will be live, but you will also be able to attend through Zoom. The presenter is Marc DeSantis. To register, visit massapequa. librarycalendar.com/event. For more information, contact Lee Gundel at (516) 798-4607 ext. 6304. 40 Harbor Lane, Massapequa Park.

EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K is looking for...

Brunch begins the New Year right

The first official meal of 2025 should be memorable and flavorful. Chances are late night New Year’s Eve revelry will make breakfast a nonstarter, but a New Year’s Day brunch can hit the spot on January 1. When family members or guests rouse from their post-countdown slumbers, these brunch ideas and tips can kick off the new year with flavor. Skip the mimosas

While it may be tempting to employ a little “hair of the dog” therapy to combat the ramifications of overindulgence from the evening prior, it is a better bet to skip any extra alcohol come the morning. Rather, serve plenty of hydrating refreshments, with water at the top of the list. For those who desire something with a little more zip, create a mocktail with fruit juice and sparkling water.

Make-ahead meals

Serving foods that can be made in advance cuts back on the amount of work that needs to be done in the late morning of New Year’s Day. Breakfast casseroles can be the way to go, as they pair many ingredients together and can be reheated. Fruit salads as well as homemade granola parfaits can be made in advance and then served during the brunch.

Consider bagels and breads

A platter of bagels, croissants and cinnamon rolls are easy to serve and might be a welcome way to fill the stomach. Paired with lox, cheeses and cold cuts, these carbohydrates can help complete the meal.

Sheet-pan options are easy

Brunch hosts and hostesses who choose to whip up foods during the brunch itself can employ some tactics to make the work easier. Crack eggs onto cheese-coated slices of thick bread and put under the broiler for perfectly cooked batch results.

Don’t forget the sweets

Muffins and sweet rolls can blur the lines between meal and dessert; otherwise, serve alternative make-ahead desserts that are relatively easy, such as pound cakes or cookies.

Set up the coffee bar

Chances are a little caffeine might be necessary to jump-start the day. Make coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and other warm beverages readily available with the accompanying creamers and flavorings so that brunch guests can customize their drinks.

New Year’s Day brunch kicks off the new year with food, family and friends.

Gifts for holiday hosts

Millions of people open their homes to relatives and friends each holiday season. Taking on the task of holiday host can be a labor of love, as it involves not only a commitment of time, but also a financial investment. Lending Tree reported that 60 percent of Americans considering hosting holiday gatherings in 2023 expected to spend an average of $556 on their celebrations. Six-figure earners planned to spend even more, indicating they expected to spend $764 on holiday hosting.

Guests benefitting from holiday hosts’ hospitality can offer tokens of their appreciation upon arrival. The following are some great gifts to offer hosts this holiday season.

• Beverage of choice: A bottle of wine or another spirit can be a great gift for holiday gatherings. Let hosts decide if they want to serve it with the meal or save it to enjoy at a later time.

• Curated food basket: A guest can put together a basket of different foods, including crackers, cheeses, jams, bread sticks, and other items that can be enjoyed as snacks or appetizers.

• Holiday plant.: A poinsettia or Christmas cactus may be fitting this time of year, and a holiday host can enjoy seeing it grow during the season.

• Kitchen tools or serving items: A beautiful olive wood serving platter or cutting board might be appreciated, particularly if guests arrive with it covered in a charcuterie spread.

• Scented candle: Hosts can set the mood and add to the ambiance of an entertaining space with lit, scented candles, which make for a great gift. Guests can inquire

as to the hosts’ preferred aromas or stick with safe bets like vanilla or cinnamon.

• Holiday ornament or decorative piece: Guests can offer ornaments for the tree or another decorative item for hosts who are repeat entertainers. Dating the decoration or having it engraved can transform it into a memento hosts can relish through the years.

• Comfort and care assortment: Hosting takes effort, so a box of items to pamper holiday hosts can be a great gift. Fill the box with a loofah, bath bombs, shower gel, moisturizing cream, and massage oil. Holiday hosts invest time and money into making their homes welcoming spaces to spend the holidays. Guests can treat these hosts with gifts to show how much their efforts and hospitality are appreciated.

LMAS1

Public Notices

Notice of formation of BELTAGH REALTY, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 11/06/24. Office located in Nassau County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC 1430 Horseshoe Drive Bellmore, NY 11710,USA. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

24-680. 11/20, 27, 12/4, 11, 18,25

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: Matthew A. Knee, Consultants, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY} on 10/25/2024. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 2840 Rosebud Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566 Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity.

24-678. 11/13, 20, 27, 12/4, 11, 18

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0340-24-145570 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 108 South St, Oyster Bay, NY 11771, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at L'Etoile LLC. 24-688 12/11, 18

EQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Sealed proposals to provide “Upgrade to Email System” for all Fire Department members and Fire District employees will be received by the Board of Fire Commissioners of said district at District Administration Building at 1 Brooklyn Avenue, Massapequa, NY 11758. All bids must be received by the Massapequa Fire District by 7:00 PM on January 27. 2025. Bids will be publicly opened at 7:30 pm and read aloud at said office. (In accordance with Section 103 of Article 5-a of the General Municipal Law)

The information for bidders, general requirements of contract, form of proposal and

specifications may be obtained at the Fire District Office 1 Brooklyn Avenue, Massapequa, New York 11758. The specifications will be available after December 19, 2024.

The Board of Fire Commissioners of the Massapequa Fire District, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau, New York or its duly appointed representative reserves the right to waive any informalities in or reject any or all proposals or any part of any proposal or to accept that proposal or any part of that proposal which in its judgment is for the best interest of the said fire district.

No proposal shall be withdrawn pending the decision of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Massapequa Fire District and said proposal price shall be in effective for a period not less than sixty (60) days from date of proposal opening.

Note: return sealed envelopes to be marked "Upgrades to Email System" Massapequa, New York Issue Date: December 09, 2024

ATTEST: Joanne Riggio Secretary BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS MASSAPEQUA FIRE DISTRICT 24-693. 12/18

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0240-24-146091 for beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 11 Central Ave, Massapequa, NY 11758, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM CORP. 24-691. 12/18, 25

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0340-24-146133 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 3595 Bayview St, Seaford, NY 11783, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at The Bayview Tavern LLC. 24-692 12/18, 25

Legal Notice PLEASE BE ADVISED, that the Organizational Meeting of the Massapequa Fire District of the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau, New York has been REVISED to be held on the 7th day of January 2025 at 7:00PM at One Brooklyn Avenue, Massapequa, New York.

Dated: December 9, 2024 Joanne Riggio, Secretary Massapequa Fire District 24-694. 12/18

Notice is hereby given that a license, Application ID: NA-0340-24-143111 for liquor, beer, wine, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, beer, wine, and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 2825 Long Beach Road, Oceanside, NY 11572, County of Nassau, for on premises consumption at Joeyfalyn LLC. 24-695. 12/18, 25

Photo Courtesy of Metro Creative Connection

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

Amityville UFSD Food Service Workers

PT/FT

Responsibilities- Food preparation & service, sanitation awareness, other duties as assigned by the District.

Qualifications- Knowledge and experience with cooking, inventory, cashiering, recordkeeping, customer service, computer skills **Suffolk County Food Manager's Certificate preferred. Salary range starting at $20,980. Email resume to: humanresources@amityvilleufsd.org or apply online at www.olasjobs.org/longisland

Amityville UFSD

Substitute/Permanent Substitute Teachers Elementary & Secondary Level

Qualifications: NYS Certification Salary: $150 per day

Application: Interested candidates please apply online at www.olasjobs.org/longisland

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE Full Time/Part Time Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multitask, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $16 per hour to $23 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: careers@liherald.com

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

Positions Available! Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

EDITOR/REPORTER

EMAIL MARKETING SPECIALIST

Herald Community Newspapers is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable

Email Marketing Expert to join our team. If you have a passion for crafting effective email campaigns and a knack for data-driven decision-making, this role is for you!

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Set up and manage email campaigns from start to finish. Analyze data to identify target audiences and optimize email strategies. Craft compelling email content, including writing effective subject lines. Monitor and report on campaign performance.

REQUIREMENTS:

Degree in Marketing, Business, or related field. Strong understanding of data analysis and marketing principles. Experience with email marketing is preferred but not required.

POSITION DETAILS: Flexible: Part-time or Full-time.

Salary range: $16,640 to $70,000, depending on experience and role.

Join our dynamic team and help us connect with our audience in meaningful ways! Apply today by sending your resume and a brief cover letter to lberger@liherald.com

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour.

Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a

A Dream Home

Making an old home newer

Q. We looked at a home to buy, and saw that the stairs from the first to the second floor were leaning. We keep seeing this in homes that we’re interested in. Even though we will get a home inspection, can you tell us, more specifically, what causes this, and whether it’s a reason not to be interested in any particular house?

A. Leaning stairs are usually improperly supported. Because stairs go through an opening between floors, their weight must be supported all around the opening. Unfortunately, this leaning and sagging condition is not uncommon, especially in older homes that were built before there were building codes and official building inspections by trained individuals who had to sign off on the way a home was framed. Many homes were framed by carpenters who had knowledge of materials and how to join them to create beautiful homes, without necessarily being formally educated in the engineering, science and math required to predict, and thereby avoid, failure.

To the trained professional, the stair condition you describe is considered a failure, because the weight of the stairs and the surrounding structure were not resolved to keep everything aligned. The leaning staircase was predictable, but not avoided. In some modern cases, when inspectors aren’t called before the framing is covered in finishes such as wallboard or woodwork, an official inspection isn’t done, and many inspectors will rely on a letter from a licensed architect or engineer.

You should be made aware that this practice of asking for letters may not be of much assurance, because not seeing the conditions and still writing a letter can be a problem. Letters don’t hold up buildings, but the shifting of the task is meant to shift responsibility, and unless the licensed professional really examines the conditions fully, you may just go through a shifting of blame similar to the shifting stairs.

The remedy is to lift the stairs into position while remediating the structure. In some cases, a column at the lowest level was required and not installed; in others, the horizontal floor joists surrounding the stairwell weren’t the right size; and in other cases, the stair may have been framed and attached to the surrounding structure incorrectly. Many people never consider the impact of an adult transferring their weight, with gravity, to the next step, literally falling a step at a time, multiplying their mass plus gravity.

In one instance I investigated, an air conditioning installer “needed” to cut through the main beam just below the stair landing so that only the air duct was holding the stairs’ weight, which, by the time I arrived, had dropped 4 inches. The air duct was redirected and the beam had to be replaced, which turned out to be an involved procedure. If the house has plaster walls, the repair is more expensive and, in either case, the added framing may be costly. It might be a reason to keep looking. Good luck!

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opinions

Like many other devotees, I’ll miss ‘Blue Bloods’ dearly

Atelevision era has ended. Last Friday night’s “Blue Bloods” episode was the last. It has been canceled by CBS despite having consistently high ratings and, in my opinion, having been the best show on television during its 14-season run on the network. I don’t profess to be a media critic, but I am a lifelong New Yorker who appreciated the firstclass acting of a cast led by Tom Selleck, and the show’s proud espousal of support for the police and its advocacy of traditional family values.

“Blue Bloods” focuses on four generations of the Reagan family in New York law enforcement — the “Reagan family business.” Frank Reagan, played by Selleck, is the NYPD commissioner. His father, Henry, is a former commissioner. His sons, Danny, a detective, and Jamie,

a sergeant, as well as Jamie’s wife, Janko, are all NYPD, and his daughter, Erin, is a prosecutor in the district attorney’s office. An older son, Joe, was killed in the line of duty. His son, Joe Hill, previously unknown to the family, recently appeared on the NYPD scene using his mother’s last name.

Besides the expected emphasis on crime solving, “Blue Bloods” shows the realities of cops’ lives and the impact that those often harsh realities have on their families’ day-to-day lives. Unlike almost every other crime drama series, “Blue Bloods” never succumbed to political or corporate pressure to portray cops in a negative light, even at the height (or the depth) of the Defund the Police movement, which was all the rage in 2020.

consequences, including being secondguessed by critics who have never had to confront professional killers, violent drug dealers or crazed madmen.

W as it canceled for resisting corporate pressure to be more ‘woke’?

Not that it shows cops to be perfect. Just human — people who are willing to put their lives on the line for all the rest of us. People who have to make lifechanging decisions and live with the

iAs a recent Newsday story pointed out, “Blue Bloods” has a particularly strong following on Long Island, where many police officers and their families and friends live, as well as the many thousands of commuters who regularly travel to the city for work or entertainment.

I admit to having a bias. My father was a member of the NYPD for more than three decades before he retired as a lieutenant. I also have friends who have been officers in the NYPD as well as the Nassau and Suffolk County police departments. It was most impactful to be able to closely observe police work during my 18 years on the House Homeland Security Committee.

I had the chance to meet the “Blue Bloods” cast during several visits to their studio in Brooklyn, where they filmed the Sunday-family-dinner scenes,

and other shooting locations on Long Island. All are outstanding people, especially Selleck; Donnie Wahlberg, who played Danny; and Will Estes, who played Jamie. So, too, is Steve Schirripa (Anthony Abetemarco), whom I’d met before, a great guy who’s as genuine as the investigator he plays on the show.

Believe me, I’m not a star-struck guy. Being in public life, I’ve met a number of famous people and celebrities who are jerks. The “Blue Bloods” guys are the real deal.

The unanswered question is why CBS canceled a show that had consistently positive ratings for so many seasons and such a loyal, supportive fan base. Was it because “Blue Bloods” resisted corporate pressure to be more progressive and ‘woke’? Were its traditional values, exemplified by support for the police, the family dinner and strong patriotism, too out of touch for some of its advertisers? No matter. “Blue Bloods” fans will always have the memories.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

At least Governor Hochul got the message

n case you’re still counting, Election Day happened six weeks ago, and all of the post-mortems on both sides reached the same conclusion: The No. 1 issue for voters was the economy, and the Democrats failed to pay attention to that issue, even though James Carville has been telling his party that “It’s the economy, stupid,” since 1992.

As we approach a new year, nothing has changed. The voters voted their pocketbooks, and they will judge all national and state politicians by what they do to ease people’s financial tensions. Incoming President Donald Trump says he hasn’t forgotten about his promise to cut the price of basic necessities, and his legacy will be judged by the promises he will keep.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, meanwhile, has gotten the message, and will propose a 2025 budget that will be loaded with pro-

grams to help wage earners on many levels. Her first salvo into the coming year is an interesting one. She wants to give every family that makes less than $300,000 a check from the state for $500, and individuals who make less than $150,000 a onetime payment of $300.

Fiscal conservatives and budget hawks jumped on the plan with all kinds of criticism, but it will take more than a few barbs to kill Hochul’s one-shot anti-inflation proposal. Why is this plan being proposed, and where would the money come from?

swhen she announces her proposed budget in late January. Every one of the ideas in her plan will be aimed at saving people money.

he’ll propose a 2025 budget loaded with programs to help wage earners.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the state collected a bonanza of tax revenue. Housebound voters purchased billions of dollars’ worth of necessities, and the state was the beneficiary. Those funds are sitting in some budget account, and if the governor doesn’t spend them first, the State Legislature surely will.

The rebate proposal is just one of many taxpayer benefits that Hochul will announce. There are numerous ways to reward consumers, and the governor can be the first one to offer them

Aside from the fact that Hochul is paying attention to the message of this year’s election, she is also keeping an eye on the political calendar. She will be seeking re-election in 2026, and now is as good a time as ever to make proposals that appeal to the average voter. The timing is important, because there are always a few ambitious Democrats who think they can do a better job, as well as some Republicans who are looking for promotions.

Even New York City Mayor Eric Adams has climbed on the tax-cutting bandwagon. He has proposed a modest cut for people on the lowest rung of the income ladder, but a check in the mail can be a much more potent gift for a voter in 2025.

Is a rebate check a new political idea? Some years back, when the state was running the Long Island Lighting Company, then Gov. George Pataki

approved a one-time payment for utility customers. It was an instant hit. Are there many ways to put money in voters’ wallets? From personal experience, I can think of a few. While serving as chair of the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee, I Iearned a lot about sales taxes. New York’s tax laws cover thousands of day-to-day household items. Some of those taxes could be eliminated, and consumers would know very quickly why their expenses went down. The flip side of sales tax cuts is that they cost the state money, but if there’s money in the cupboard, why not spend it?

In the weeks ahead, New York voters will be romanced with one proposal after another. The trick for the governor is to be the first one to come up new ideas that the Legislature will have a hard time rejecting. It’s time for the state to start giving back, even if that comes in small pieces.

Jerry Kremer was an assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.

Massapequa

Ira L. Cahn - Founder

Suffolk C.C. is shortchanging journalism

Web:

HERALD

n a decision that has left many Long Island journalists and educators dismayed, Suffolk County Community College has chosen to eliminate its journalism major.

The move, characterized as a cost-cutting measure in response to declining enrollment and the purportedly dim career prospects of students who study journalism, is not only shortsighted, but runs counter to the college’s mission of preparing students to transfer to fouryear institutions where they can follow their chosen paths to future success.

For years, SCCC has prided itself on serving as a launching pad for students aiming to continue their education at schools such as Adelphi, Hofstra and Stony Brook universities — institutions with thriving journalism and communications programs. Suffolk’s own commercials proclaim how proud the school is to propel two-year students to fouryear schools.

Journalism is not only a viable academic path at these schools; it is also a critical discipline that is nothing less than the backbone of a functioning democracy. By shuttering the journalism major, SCCC sends a troubling message about the value it places on media literacy, civic engagement and students’ preparation for essential careers in public service, accountability and compelling storytelling.

The college’s decision is proving to be a controversial one, given that it came despite opposition from SCCC’s own faculty. In three separate votes, educators overwhelmingly rejected the proposal to discontinue the program. Such strong opposition suggests that those closest to

letters

Those excessive red-light-camera fines

To the Editor:

the educational process, who teach, mentor and advise students, understand the importance of maintaining a journalism program, even at a time when there couldn’t be more challenges for the profession.

The executive dean ultimately overrode those votes, citing enrollment declines and data from the New York State Department of Labor projecting limited growth in journalism jobs.

Figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, however, show a more robust industry despite the decline in the number and readership of newspapers. The SCCC decision fails to account for the evolving nature of journalism and its continued relevance in a mediasaturated world. The field is not disappearing; it is being transformed, and students deserve the opportunity to learn the skills needed to adapt to this new media landscape.

Content creation, social media management, podcasting, multimedia reporting and data journalism are just a few of the avenues now available to those with a foundation in journalism. Furthermore, the skills taught in a journalism program — writing, research, critical thinking and ethical reasoning — are transferable to a wide range of careers.

As it happens, the State University of New York has a system-wide community journalism program, the Institute for Local News, that provides students with real-world experience at local media outlets. Ironically, SCCC is the largest college by enrollment in the SUNY system. And we should note that its sister school, Nassau Community College, also offers journalism classes, but has no

If you haven’t heard, it seems a state appeals court has found that Nassau County has been adding illegal fees to red-light-camera tickets over the past 10 years — $100 on a $150 ticket. Ouch. I know — just like you, I’m shocked. Shocked, I tell ya. OK, not really.

But here’s the thing: Some of our dear legislators don’t wanna give back the money that was taken from us! Yeah, another shock.

I guess we’ll just see how that little bit of business plays out, but there is one more thing I’d like to bring up again. One of the biggest complaints about the redlight cams is the rear-end collisions they cause. Not being one to complain without offering a solution, I’d like to re-introduce my simple solution that would solve the problem immediately. Simple countdown clocks! There is absolutely no excuse why there shouldn’t be one hanging from every traffic light at a

journalism major.

The Herald Community Newspapers have for years invited journalism students from colleges across Long Island to work as interns, and the company is currently in partnership with Hofstra on a program in which students will join forces with Herald journalists on a series of stories, as well as with Stony Brook’s Working Newsroom, in which students will pitch and write stories. All of the stories will be published in the Heralds.

SCCC is targeting other programs and majors that fail to meet certain enrollment and job market criteria, and those decisions signal a troubling trend of prioritizing short-term metrics over longterm educational value. While budget constraints are an undeniable reality for most institutions, their decisions about academic programs should be guided by more than just numbers. They should reflect a commitment to the colleges’ missions and to the needs of their students.

If SCCC is truly committed to preparing students for transfer and future success, it must reconsider the elimination of its journalism major. A flourishing journalism program would not only support the college’s academic reputation, but also affirm its dedication to producing graduates who are informed, articulate and passionate about engaging with the world.

Bottom-line-focused decisions may balance budgets in the moment, but they risk undermining the broader purpose of education: to prepare students not only for jobs but also for meaningful, informed lives.

We need the Department of Education

the U.S. Department of Education was established as a cabinet-level agency in October 1979 by President Jimmy Carter, and officially began operations in May 1980. For nearly 45 years, the department has soldiered past many attempts to break it apart, or disband it altogether, most notably by conservative politicians who believe that the federal agency oversteps states’ rights.

While calls to do away with the agency have persisted through the early 21st century, the effort has never been successful, and here’s why: Many educators, parents, advocacy groups and politicians on both sides of the aisle support a federal role in education to ensure equity and civil rights enforcement.

I’m not an educator or a politician, but I can tell you this: Education, and at the very least a high school diploma, is imperative to one’s success in life. What’s even more important is that the Department of Education has played a vital role in making access to education possible for countless people, ensuring that opportunities for learning and growth are within reach for all.

The DOE oversees and coordinates national education policies, but it also works closely with state and local governments to assess needs on a state-bystate basis.

There are many avenues on which I could diverge to highlight some of the department’s key components, but I’ll focus on just a few things, the first being Title I — the largest federal education program, which is aimed at improving the academic achievement of disadvantaged students. It provides financial assistance to schools and districts with high percentages of children from low-income families.

provides them with specific protections and resources, like individualized education plans, mandating that schools develop tailored plans for these students, outlining their unique needs and goals and the services required to meet those goals.

s hutting it down would have profound consequences for students all over the nation.

Over the years, Title I has garnered bipartisan support, because both Democrats and Republicans recognize the need to address education inequities. Debates have arisen over funding distribution and outcome measurement, but Title I remains a central component of federal education policy because of its critical role in supporting vulnerable students.

The DOE also oversaw the implementation of the landmark Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990. In simplest terms, the act guarantees free, appropriate public education for students with disabilities, and also

Letters

red-light-cam intersection. Problem solved. You’re welcome.

FRED GEFEN Woodmere

More local memories of Jimmy Breslin

To the Editor:

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Peter King’s column “Remembering Jimmy Breslin, a legend in New York journalism” (Dec. 5-11). It brought back so many memories. Breslin used to call my late husband, Marvin Bernstein, every Sunday night for the news about the Nassau County Supreme Court. Marvin was the public information officer at the courthouse, and Jimmy kept him busy! Thanks for the column, Mr. King!

SANDY BERNSTEIN East Meadow

The Sands proposal: ‘right location, wrong project’

To the Editor:

Las Vegas Sands’ proposal for an

integrated casino-resort in the Nassau County Hub a very bad idea. Right location, wrong project! Are the risks to our suburban lifestyle and environment worth the grossly exaggerated benefits projected? There were so many assumptions in the draft environment impact statement, and so much information omitted.

I am strongly opposed to the proposed project at the Hub. There are better alternatives that would benefit all Nassau County residents, but the people we rely on to protect our interests and preserve our suburban way of life are looking for a quick fix. They will bankrupt your future in more ways than you could imagine.

Hard Rock’s application to develop Citi Field has been approved by local community boards. Much better location, very accessible public transportation and a much better independent operator than Sands. That “Metropolitan Park,” if built, would compete with Sands and other downstate casinos for the same pool of gamblers and people seeking entertainment options. Somebody’s going to lose, and it will be the residents of Nassau County.

The act stretches beyond primary and secondary education, also requiring schools to help students transition from high school to postsecondary education, employment or independent living — ensuring that no one’s future is negatively impacted by a learning or physical disability.

I’m detailing all of this because I, like many others, find it extremely alarming that President-elect Donald Trump has once again vowed to shut down the Department of Education.

He first proposed to do so during his 2016 presidential campaign, but even his own secretary of education during his first term, Betsy DeVos, didn’t see that idea through.

The DOE has faced its share of woes over the course of seven presidencies, and yet it steadfastly continues its work. Shutting it down isn’t just a matter of politics — it’s a decision that would have profound consequences for students across the nation.

If Trump succeeds in dismantling the department in his second term, experts in the field have indicated that its programs could survive or operate under other federal or state agencies, but the transition would likely cause massive disruptions in services, negatively impacting students.

Ninety percent of all K-12 students in the U.S. are publicly educated, due to education’s accessibility and widespread availability, and who would we be, as a nation, if we took that accessibility away?

I’ve said this many times, and I’ll say it again: If you voted for Trump because you believe in his vision for America, that’s fine, and it’s your right as an American.

Putting that aside, however, I now ask you to think about students — perhaps even your children — and what the shutdown of a massively important department could mean.

The Department of Education exists to ensure that education is not a privilege for few, but rather a right for everyone, and to close it down would risk reversing decades of progress. Rather than dismantle it, we should be focused on strengthening it for generations to come, prioritizing children, their futures, and the promise of opportunity for all.

Jordan Vallone is a senior editor of the Herald Community Newspapers. Comments? Jvallone@liherald.com.

Framework by Tim Baker

Rockville Centre Girl Scout Troop 864 at Dees’ annual Trees for Troops — Oceanside

JorDan VaLLone