theFloralParkDispatch.com Calendar

Church Fair – Saturday, April 17

Village-Wide Yard Sale – Saturday, April 17

Starving Crafstman Fair – Sunday, April 25

Saturday, April 17

Church Fair/Flea Market

St. Elisabeth’s Church, 6 Harvard St. (off Tulip Ave.) will hold its semi-annual Craft Fair/Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 48 vendors from all over Long Island will present their wares – hand-made articles, crafts, white elephants, books, jewelry, new items, etc. Vendors from Mary Kay, Avon, Tastefully Simple, will also be present. Food will also be served.

Village-Wide Yard Sale

Sponsored by RE/MAX Village Manor to benefit the Floral Park Historical Society. The sale will be held at participating residences throughout the Village of Floral Park. RE/MAX Village Manor is requesting a $25 donation from each participating yard sale residence on behalf of the FP Historical Society. RE/MAX will cover the permit fees, promote the sales and supply custom yard sale signs to the participants. To register, applications will be available at RE/MAX Village Manor, 52 Covert Ave. Call Michele Mayo 326-2555 or visit VillageYardSale.com. Rain date April 19.

Saturday, April 24

Defensive Driving Course

Sponsored by Msgr. John’s Knights of Columbus. Save money – save lives – save points. 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Anne’s Church Rectory, St. John Vianney Room (lower level), 35 Dartmouth St., Garden City. Cost $45 per person. Pay to: Knights of Columbus, Council #11836 and mail to: Defensive Driving Course, St. Anne’s Rectory, 35 Dartmouth St., Garden City, NY 11530. Contact: John McCabe 633-6146 or John Russo 384-4552. Defensive Driving Classes scheduled quarterly.

Sunday, April 25

Starving Craftsman Fair

Sponsored by the Floral Park Junior Woman’s Club at Memorial Park, Tulip and Plainfield Aves. The event is a benefit for the club’s scholarship fund. Crafts, jewelry and other moderately priced items for the home and garden. For vendor information call Andrea 328-6444 or Stacey 354-6192.

Ongoing

Weekly Events

•Gam-Anon, an anonymous organization for spouses, adult children over 18, family and friends whose lives have been affected by a gambling problem. Meets Mondays at the Jewish Community Center of W. Hempstead, 711 Dogwood Ave., W. Hempstead. For information call 321-2883.

•Nassau Mid-Island Chapter of the Barber Shop Harmony Society invites any man who is interested in singing barbershop harmony to join them any Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. in the Church of the Advent Winthrop Hall, 555 Advent St. (one block east of Post Ave.; two blocks south of Jericho Tpke.), Westbury. Call George Seelinger 333-0803.

•Bingo. Robert Van Cott American Legion Post #1139, 734 Woodfield Rd., West Hempstead, hosts a weekly Bingo game Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m. Early bird and game specials.

•Boy Scout Troop 158. Queens Village for boys ages 10 to 18 meets at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 92-10 217th St., Queens Village, every Friday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Call Mr. LeVine 1-781-465-5522 or email to Pear1H21@nyc.rr.com.

Monthly Events

•Look Good…Feel Better, sponsored by LIJ Medical Center in association with the National Cosmetology Association, the Toiletry Fragrance Association and the American Cancer Society. The program reaches out to women with cancer and teaches them how to best apply makeup and wear their hair while undergoing cancer treatment. Meets on the second Monday of every month at LIJ Medical Center, 27005 76th Ave., New Hyde Park. Reservations suggested, but not required. Call Harriet Pine or Selma Robinton 718-470-7094. All women who attend receive a makeup kit filled with brand-name cosmetics valued at over $200.

•Family Promise of NC. Are you concerned about helping homeless families in our local communities? You are invited to meetings for Family Promise of Nassau County, Inc., the third Monday of every month, at 7:30 p.m. at the New Hyde Park Baptist Church, 635 New Hyde Park Rd., NHP (352-9672 ). All congregations invited: Churches, synagogues, mosques and NC residents. The need is great. Call Family Promise at 684-9833.

•Stewart Manor Auxiliary Police Unit 105 is currently having an ongoing Recruitment Drive. Meetings are held on the last Monday of each month at the Village Hall, 120 Covert Ave. (side entrance on Chester Ave.). Those interested should call Sgt. Jerry Ortell 775-5126 to find out more.

•Garden City Ski Club meets on the first and third Wednesdays through April (except holidays) at 7:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 1000 Marcus Ave., New Hyde Park. Social events, trips to our lodge in Vermont, and skiing in a variety of areas throughout the West and New England. Ages 21 and over, please. For additional info and schedules visit www.gardencityskiclub.com or call 872-1448.

•Order Sons of Italy meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the VFW Hall, Lincoln Rd., Franklin Square. There are also entertaining programs and refreshments and food are served free at every meeting. Call Sal Palmeri 328-0333 for an application.

•Citizen’s Party of FP meets on the third Wednesday of each month at the American Legion Hall. To become a member residents are invited to visit www.fpcitizensparty.com or call 775-2940.

•Young Widows/Widowers Social Group, a nonsectarian, nonprofit organization of widows and widowers ages 40 to 69 years of age. Fee for members is $3, nonmembers $5. Meets at 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, 5th St. and Franklin Ave., Garden City, on the third Wednesday of each month. For additional information call Sandy 996-6574.

•FP Arthritis Support Group meetings will be held on the first Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Floral Park Library, Tulip Ave. and Carolina Pl., Floral Park. Call the Arthritis Foundation 427-8272.

•Free/Low Cost Health Insurance. The residents of communities served by Mercy Medical Center will have the opportunity to apply for free or low cost health insurance for children, families and adults up to age 64 on the first Thursday of every month from 5 to 7 p.m. in Mercy’s Main Lobby. Staff from Catholic Charities of LI will assist you and our children applying for Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus and Medicaid Health Insurance Programs. The bi-lingual enrollers will screen adults for income eligibility for the state’s health insurance program Family Health Plus. Children are eligible for Child Health Plus. These programs cover medical check-ups, hospitalization, emergency care, prescriptions, vision and dental care.

•Zonta Club of LI, a member of Zonta International, a worldwide service organization with a local club. Members help advance the status of women and are involved in many community service activities. The name Zonta is word taken from the Sioux and stands for honesty, trust, inspiration and the ability to work together for service and understanding. At meetings members discuss and learn about issues facing women, develop and conduct fun fundraising that benefits community programs and network with Zonta International programs. The club meets at a monthly dinner meeting in New Hyde Park on the third Thursday of each month. Call Kathy Rau 488-2796.

•Art League of NC monthly meeting and demonstration by a guest artist. Meets on the fourth Friday of each month at the New Hyde Park Recreation Center, Clinton G. Martin Park, Marcus Ave. and NHP Rd., NHP (near Union Tpke.) at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited. Refreshments served. Call 437-0919. Nonmembers $2. No meetings in June, July, August, December.

Safe Boating Courses

Safe Boating Courses, free vessel safety checks and more from America’s Boating Club, the United States Power Squadrons. With 18 squadrons around Long Island, there’s one near you. Visit WeBoatSafe.org or call 1-800-341-8777 for more information.

Crime Prevention Information

The NC Auxiliary Police Unit has available, through the cooperation of the NYS Office of Crime Prevention, very informative pamphlets on how you, the homeowner, can better protect you and your family from being a victim of crime. Any resident requesting a copy of these pamphlets can write to NC Auxiliary Police Unit 116, PO Box 288, West Hempstead, NY 11552; call 538-5800; or e-mail: NCAP116@AOL.COM. The following pamphlets are available:

•Common Sense for the Elderly

•The Babysitter Guide

•Crime Check (Home Survey)

•Don’t Be a Victim of Burglary

•Rape Prevention

Epilepsy Foundation

Located at 506 Stewart Ave., Garden City, the following is offered:

•Free Puppet Show on Seizure Disorder. A free children’s program on epilepsy using the internationally acclaimed “Kids on the Block” troupe of puppets to public and private elementary schools. These shows are appropriate for the 3rd and 4th grades levels but can be tailored to your needs. Programs are also available for junior and senior high classes. Help us foster a climate of acceptance, understanding and compassion in our schools for all. Call Janet Romeo, ext. 145.

•Support Groups. Do you have seizures? Are you having difficulty with jobs, relationships, etc.? Are you isolating from your family and friends? If you answered yes to any or all of the above questions, we have group for you. Call Irene Rodgers, CSW, ext. 415.

FISH of Floral Park

FISH Organization of Floral Park provides transportation to and from medical appointments for residents in the Floral Park/Bellerose area. FISH needs volunteers for only one day a month as telephone coordinators who then contact regular or back-up drivers to schedule pick-ups, or as drivers who provide transportation to and from medical appointments. FISH provides the cell phone service and mileage driven is a tax deduction. If you wish to take part in this worthwhile service, contact Peggy Thivierge 437-8896 or Fran Hornberger at 775-0740.

Help for Seniors

Are you a senior who would like help paying for your Medicare benefits and prescription drugs? Free assistance is only a phone call away if you qualify for extra help because of limited income. There may be a way to alleviate some of the cost of Medicare – deductibles and coinsurance, Part B premiums, prescription drug plans (Part D). Reducing monthly premiums, annual deductibles and co-payments, aiding with coverage gaps (the doughnut hole). To learn more call a LIS/HHS (Low Income Subsidy from US Dept. of HHS) counselor from Family & Children’s, a community of caring. 485-3425, ext. 222.

At the Bellerose Jewish Center

Located at 254-04 Union Tpke., Floral Park. Call 718-343-9001:

•Free Jewish education for kindergarten and Sunday School children. A thorough religious curriculum with experienced teachers for 3rd grade to their Bar/Bat Mitzvah is also provided.

•The Renaissance Group. A nonsectarian group of men and women who have lost a dear one. Dialogue and an exchange of ideas can be helpful. Call for date of the next meeting.

You Have Options!

In 1982 Options for Community Living, Inc., was established to help respond to the need for supportive housing for people living with mental illness. As the Mental Health Residential Program continued to expand, Options began serving homeless families as an emergency shelter provider in 1990. A few years later, Options opened a comprehensive case management and housing program for Long Islanders with HIV/AIDS. A small not-for-profit organization with humble beginnings has since grown to serve over 800 individuals and families with special needs across Long Island. With offices in Hempstead, Smithtown and Riverhead, help is easily accessible. For more information or to offer support call 631-361-9020. Visit www.optionscl.org.

Senior Programs

The following programs regularly serve all residents of Nassau County (call the NC Dept. of Senior Citizen Affairs 571-4330):

•Employment Referrals for Seniors. The NC Dept. of Senior Citizen Affairs is a resource to employers seeking qualified workers and to mature job seekers, 55+, who want assistance with employment and resume preparation. Services are free of charge.

•The Foster Grandparents Program is recruiting senior volunteers to share their time and love with children in Nassau County. Volunteers receive a non-reportable stipend, transportation reimbursement, paid holidays, sick days and vacation days.

•If you are 55+, make your spare time count. Join the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, a national organization, and share your talents and skills at one of the many diversified placements.

FP United Methodist Thrift Shop

The Floral Park United Methodist Church Thrift Shop, 35 Verbena Ave., open every Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featuring jewelry, clothing, housewares, bric-a-brac, dishes, linens, collectibles, some furniture, small appliances and antiques. Donations gratefully accepted. Call 354-4969.