Publisher’s Letter: Honoring Dad
Though 24 years have gone by since his passing, I have vivid memories of him and the meaningful impact he had on my life. He fulfilled his responsibility as a father, as I fulfilled my devotion and respect for him as a son. In his own quiet way, my father had always been there for me. Though my dad rarely expressed his feelings outright, I never doubted the love he had for me. He would always tell my mother how he felt; she in turn, would share with me my father’s thoughts.
My father loved everyone and all of nature’s beauty. He was a true outdoorsman. I recall stories of my Father hand feeding turtles and a school of sunfish, that came up to the water’s edge in a canal by their home. He adored nature and respected it–a kind of modern day Dr. Doolittle.
My father served honorably in the US Army during World War II, yet we never once spoke about his experiences. After his passing, I learned that Dad earned eight medals for his service. I proudly display them, along with his ceremonial folded flag, in my office.
My father has been an inspiration to me in many ways. He taught me to look at adversities in my life as nothing more than a hurdle to overcome. I also learned to honor and respect others, even when conflicts arise.
I have fond memories of dad leading us into the Canadian wilderness, staying in log cabins on a remote lake–just for a bass or pike. These are the experiences that brought our family ties close. I know this, because as my father did, I too have enjoyed similar experiences with my family. Dad brought song into our home too! And what a voice he had. Most said he sounded like, “Ol Blue Eyes”. Influenced by his musical ability, I had a bit of a rock and roll band growing up. As a result, my love of music has influenced my children.
Hard working, honorable and gentle, best describe this man that I loved and miss. Through our family experiences and his non-conventional way of influencing me, my father truly impacted my life. When he passed 24 years ago, there were no regrets nor guilt. My father made me proud of the man he had become, and I made him proud for the man I had become. And that makes me feel complete.
In Honor of all Dads, Happy Father’s Day.
The Baking Coach: Red, White & Blue Firecracker Cupcakes
Makes 12 Servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes for the cake / 10 minutes for the frosting
YOU WILL NEED :
FOR THE CAKE :
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- ¾ stick unsalted butter at room temperature
- ¾ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup buttermilk (whole milk with just a squeeze of lemon juice)
- Food Dye: Red and Blue
- 4 cups of buttercream icing (See Below)
- Garnish with 1/4 cup multi-colored sprinkles.
FOR THE FROSTING :
- 2 ¼ sticks unsalted butter
- 1 lbs. confectionary sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons water
HERE’S HOW YOU DO IT :
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Place cupcake liners in a 12-portion cupcake pan; set aside.
In a bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients except for the sugar; set aside.
In another bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat the butter until smooth. Slowly add the sugar and continue beating until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, and then add the vanilla. Add the flour mixture in 3 portions, alternating with the buttermilk in 2 portions, starting and ending with flour.
Divide batter into three portions. Remove 1/3 of the batter and dye it red. Then another 1/3 and dye it blue. Leaving 1/3 in the original mixing bowl. Pour each color of batter evenly into prepared cupcake pans. Then using a toothpick swirl the colors gently.
Bake for 20 – 22 minutes, or until lightly golden-brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. After cake is cooled, level layers and top with frosting stack one on top of the other. Cover the top with frosting, then drizzle sprinkles over top and sides of the cake.
TO MAKE THE FROSTING:
Beat butter until it resembles frosting. Slowly add confectionary sugar until combined. Add vanilla and water; mix at high speed until smooth.
Health & Wellness: Health and Wellness All Year Round
Last month, we celebrated Earth Day. There were paper shredding parties at major banks, clean-ups at parks and on beaches, spring plantings. The list goes on. People were cooperative with and kind toward one another. Why, I wondered, only on April 22, do we celebrate our beautiful, struggling planet?
As I mature, I realize more and more what it is that keeps me healthy and makes me happy– to partake in all of nature’s riches: a walk at West Hills Park, a hike in the mountains of New Hampshire, a visit to Sag Harbor’s Elizabeth Morton Bird Sanctuary, a stroll along Robert Moses or Jones Beaches. And what makes me even happier is to be kind to others: to think outside of and beyond myself and to try to be attuned to the life situations of others.
There is unprecedented strife around the world today. Too much ignorance and blind hatred. I do not consider myself to be political, however, I do think that it’s time that we learn to honor and respect one another’s varied and wonderful differences before we alienate ourselves from ourselves and from one another.
I propose this to everyone who may be reading this short article: be kind to one another and yourself, your friends, neighbors, and loved ones. Take a walk in your neighborhood and admire the different species of plants, flowers, and trees, the squirrels digging for their treasures, the cardinals pairing in flight, the screech of the blue jays, and the keen eye of the hawks. If you see some stray litter, be kind and pick it up. Say hello to a neighbor and be willing to lend an ear if you feel they need connection. Hold the door for a stranger, especially those who may need your help. Apologize to someone you think you may have wronged.
We are all on this planet Earth together. We are connected not just to one another, but to every living thing on our forgiving mother earth. Let’s pledge to strive to live a healthy life both physically and mentally, each and every day. Let’s give ourselves a break from social media and harmful words and threats and turn them instead to words of encouragement and positivity. We are given this one life. Let’s try to make the best of it. One day at a time.
Gift Guide for Grads!
Celebrate the achievements of the Graduates of 2024 with a curated selection of gifts that inspire and motivate them for the exciting journey ahead. Choose a gift that not only recognizes their hard work but also encourages them to reach for their dreams.
- A Personalized Graduation Blanket to commemorate the day when watching their favorite movie.
- A Graduation Box filled with Keepsakes Commemorating the Special Day!
- A Gift Set with keepsake gifts they will use and wear every day!
- Your grad can decorate their dorm with this hanging picture frame, with plenty of space for photos of all their loved ones.
- Gift cards to their favorite chain restaurants and movie theatre.
- An iPad to keep all their class notes organized (and to FaceTime you when they miss you!). www.amazon.com
Fashion & Beauty: Botox Treatments
In a world concentrated on the perfect aesthetic in every field of life, it isn’t shocking that the global market for facial aesthetics is valued over $6 Billion dollars and projected to grow.
A few years ago people approached the world of aesthetics in pursuit of BBL’s, boob jobs, lip and cheek filler and botox; basically everything and anything to get them resembling a Kardashian. Admiringly the game has changed. People are now approaching aesthetics procedures as a way to enhance their natural beauty, rather than overindulge.
The idea of natural beauty and remaining youthful is top priority in 2024. Women are pampering themselves with minimally invasive procedures that appear to stop the hands of time, smooth out wrinkles and categorize them as a method of self-care.
The most sought after practice is Botox. Botulinum neurotoxin, also known as Botox, is a highly potent neurotoxin protein that temporarily paralyzes muscles, reducing the presence of fine lines and facial wrinkles.
Botox, which is a trademark name for a specific brand of the neurotoxin, has become the universal term for the treatment. Presently people are flocking to Botox as a way to hold on to their youth and maintain their own facial features.
Something as simple as getting rid of 11 lines between eyebrows and removing crows’ feet has women leaving their appointments feeling like a new person. One of the most common outcomes of receiving botox is an increase in self-confidence and reduced anxiety about one’s physical appearance.
That could be the reason women are beginning these treatments at a younger age than in previous years. Kayla Core, a physician assistant specializing in aesthetic medicine, says that most of her patients are in their mid to late 20’s and love how these treatments are keeping their skin fresh.
Women in their 20’s are getting botox treatments as a preventative measure against allowing deep lines to form and settle in their skin.
Core claims that the most desired areas of treatment are forehead lines and lip flips. Lip flips give a more natural look than injecting lips with filler. A lip flip is when botox is injected into the muscles of the upper lip to prevent the muscles from contracting when smiling, creating the appearance of a larger upper lip.
The few injections in the top lip create a “flip” effect in the appearance of the lip allowing the top lip to remain prominent. It’s almost better than using a filter for instagram pictures, you can give a full smile and still show your top lip.
Facial aesthetic treatments have become more celebrated and less taboo as celebrities and other social media influencers have been honest about the work they get done. Facial aesthetics is here to help overall aesthetics.
Up Close: Carmelina’s Pizzeria Ristorante
61a Rte. 111 • Smithtown
(Uncle Giuseppe’s Shopping Center)
631-257-5888
Website: Carmelinas Pizzeria Restaurant of Smithtown
Trends come and go, but as I always say, “bringing in back old school is the only way”! I don’t just mean good old fashion cooking like Nonna used to make back in the day, but the whole feel-good experience with people you care about. Great food, cool vibe with exceptional service signifies everything Carmelina’s. Opening in August of 2023, owners Jack Romano and Tommy Giordano have that hands on philosophy. Tommy, who has been making pies since he was a kid, is always in hot pursuit of making the best pies this side of Naples, while Jack, if not in the kitchen cooking, makes it his business to make every customer feel like family. Though Tommy is busy cranking out the pies, nothing stops him from running out onto the dining floor to greet his customers.
As a small business owner myself, this kind of old-fashioned service is priceless. You don’t see much of this anymore, but Tommy and Jack get it. The owners continue, “with every meal we serve, our reputation for making customers feel good has spread very quickly. It’s not just about serving them great food but getting to know who they are. It’s all part of the experience of coming down to enjoy the same food we grew up with”, says Tommy. All I can say is wow. I love the passion these guys put into their business, and it shows. Both Tommy and Jack come with decades of experience in the food biz. In fact, Jack not only was an executive chef at some high-profile restaurants in the city, but also owned several restaurants himself.
When you come to Carmelina’s try their grandma pie, it’s an absolute must. A thin Sicilian crust pan pizza made with plum tomatoes and fresh mozzarella made right here in their own kitchen. I don’t know any local pizzeria that makes their own mozzarella. No wonder people are knocking down their doors to get their pies!! The good news is that Carmelina’s is affordable. An entire family can enjoy a fantastic take-out special right now that feeds a family of four for just $48.95. A great family value that comes with a selection of salads, entrees, and pastas to choose from. “An affordable family package that has really grown in popularity since our opening,” explains Jack. The owners also make it their business to put their heart into the community, by supporting local fund raisers and schools. As the owners explain to me, “we must be there for the people that support us. That’s what community is all about”
I don’t care what anyone says. Give me some good old fashion service by a couple of guys who really care, and I’ll tell you straight up, that’s a permanent trend you can count on. Please join me in congratulating Tommy and Jack as they continue to make everyone feel like Familia.
20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000.