Blue Claw Crabs in Season

photo courtesy of Alida Thorpe

It's blue-claw crab season and the bay is abundant with crabs.

Actually, you can catch crabs on Long Island all summer, but it is not until late August into September that they are full size.

An interesting thing has been happening though, and my husband and I don't know why.

Usually, we throw the females back into the water so they will reproduce. This year we have only caught males, no females.

Just an observation, but I wonder why?

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How do you cook crabs?

Do you have a favorite recipe? Do you steam them?

Well, this is how we make them in our family, a recipe handed down from my parents:

When you catch the crabs, immediately kill them with a sharp knife through the body.

(In my opinion, this is much more humane than steaming them alive, but I guess that's debatable!)

Then clean them by pulling off the top shell and cleaning out the insides. (I also know some people eat the insides, but we don't.)

When they are clean, throw them into a fresh pot of tomato sauce. 

That's it! Cook up some pasta and serve.

The crabs and sauce are so sweet this way.

 It is a messy dinner, so be prepared with lots of napkins, a washable tablecloth and don't forget the nut-crackers and picks.

Yummy!

Here is a another hint:

If you only catch a few and/or are not ready to eat them, freeze them after cleaning.

Keep adding cleaned crabs to the freezer in zip-lock bags until you have enough.

Sometimes we catch crabs all week and make the sauce on the weekend.

It's an inexpensive dinner and so delicious!

Long Island Blue-Claws! Mmmmm!

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Quick Update on Long Island Flood Insurance

Summer is the season where everybody on Long Island has much better things to do than think about their insurance (as opposed to the rest of the year, when it's everybody's favorite pastime). But there is one item I wanted to post about since it may affect some of the readers.

FEMA, the government agency that oversees the National Flood Insurance Program, has been in the process of re-mapping Nassau and Suffolk counties, which is done about every 10 years. This is the first one for our area since Katrina so expect some changes.

The new maps take effect next summer. But in the meantime FEMA is hosting two meetings in Nassau County for anyone who might be interested in more information. The meetings will run from 4 to 8 p.m. and will be on September 9 at Valley Stream High School on Fletcher Blvd and September 10 at Long Beach Middle School on Lido Blvd.

According to the Newsday article, 28,000 more buildings will be brought into flood hazard areas next year when the new maps take effect, and of those, the people who have mortgages insured by FNMA and other government backed plans will get a letter advising that they are now required to buy flood insurance where they did not have to before.

In the meantime, people have an opportunity to be 'grandfathered' into the maps and plans that are in effect now. If you buy flood insurance before the change next summer, and your flood zone changes under the new maps to a higher rate, you will still be able to keep the previous zone. So if you think you might be on the border of a flood zone, and may be in a higher rate class next year, you might think of buying coverage now to lock in your current zone.

Summer on Long Island

Photo by Alida Thorpe

Summertime on Long Island is the time for:

beaches

sailing

boating

water skiing

jet skis

barbecues

sunning

outdoor concerts

reading

fishing...

the list is endless!

Check out the sidebar links for your favorite activity.

There is a place on Long Island for you this summer!

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Insurance Issues as we head into Hurricane Season 2008

Greetings all. have not posted in a while about the Long Island homeowners insurance market because it has been 'more of the same' for a while now. That's not to say the situation has gotten better, but change is what makes news, and there have not been many changes making their way to the public for a while.

It seems a little strange to be blogging about hurricane and flood catastrophes as I sit in my office and look out on to one of the most beautiful days we have had. Still, the 2008 hurricane season is underway, with Bertha chugging around the Atlantic as a reminder. Of course once again you can find experts who are saying that this season will be more active than normal, but those same experts have been saying that for several years and so far they have been wrong. I only wish I had a job like the weatherman, where I could be wrong half the time and still get paid.

There has been one interesting development recently that could make it easier to get homeowners or similar insurance down near the water. The New York Property Insurance Underwriting Association has been permanently authorized by the state legislature. This may not seem like much to the average person, but for years now, this New York State-backed insurer of last resort has had to be re-authorized every year, and has been held hostage by various groups within the legislature. They would only authorize the renewal if downstate legislators, who had to make sure this coverage was available to their constituents, would in turn vote for other things that they did not necessarily want. Ain't politics wonderful?

In any event, they have now been made permanent. In addition, they have been authorized to offer broader coverages, and incentives to partner with regular insurance companies who would then be able to write supplemental coverage known as 'wraparound' so that the two policies together will provide something closer to a homeowners policy. Naturally it will take some time to put this in place, but kudos to the state legislature for getting this done.

Meanwhile, on the flood insurance side, the re-mapping of Nassau and Suffolk Counties continues. Newsday had a big article this week on the changes that are being revealed now in Nassau. A lot of folks who were previously right on the edge of a 'special flood hazard area' as defined by FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program may now find themselves drawn into the hazard area by the new maps, which use more accurate mapping techniques as well as information drawn from the government's experiences with Katrina and other flooding situations.

If you think you are close to a flood hazard area but not in one, you might want to think about buying flood insurance soon. If you are outside the zone, in what's called a 'preferred zone' and buy coverage at those low rates, then it changes, you are grandfathered in to the low rates for as long as you keep your home. The difference can be thousands of dollars. And if it turns out that you were NOT one of those now lumped in to the higher hazard area, you can always stop carrying the flood coverage in a year or two when we know more about the new maps.

As always, for more information you can contact us through our web site at www.NYInsuranceWithSerivice.com.

Things To Do on Long Island New York

Sundown Series: Summer Concerts and Family Fun


The following programs are being presented by The Parent Resource Center (PRC) of Port Washington on Tuesday nights and are geared toward kids and families. All proceeds generated by PRC hosted events are used to support the Parent Resource Center and its programs.

The Parent Resource Center is a non-profit cooperative dedicated to providing affordable, quality educational and social opportunities to all of our community’s families. Operating in an economically and culturally diverse area, PRC members celebrate their differences through the open exchange of ideas and experiences. At the same time, families come together at the PRC to share the joys and challenges of raising young children while their children play, experiment, and learn in a safe and nurturing environment.

The Parent Resource Center
232 Main Street, Suite 4
Port Washington, NY 11050
516-767-3808

Port Washington Parent Resource Center
Sundown Series: Port Washington Police and Fire Department/BBQ

Tuesday evening July 8, 2008 6:00-7:30pm

Meet our local firefighters and police officers. Climb aboard a real Fire Truck! Learn all about fire safety and wear a fire helmet. Bring a blanket and join us outside on the lawn at Landmark Park (across from the library). A BBQ dinner and other tasty treats will be available for purchase. Admission is $5 per person. Children under 1 year are free. No reservations or advanced ticket sales necessary. Please call the PRC office at 516-767-3808 for details.

Port Washington Parent Resource Center
Sundown Series: Jeff Sorg and his Songs Say So Much Band with tips for “living green”

Tuesday evening July 15, 2008 6:00-7:30pm

Dance and sing along with the music of this popular recording artist and Port resident. And pick up some tips for “living green”. Bring a blanket and join us outside on the lawn at Landmark Park (across from the library). Pizza, beverages, and other tasty treats will be available for purchase. Admission is $5 per person. Children under 1 year are free. No reservations or advanced ticket sales necessary. Please call the PRC office at 516-767-3808 for details.


Port Washington Parent Resource Center
Sundown Series: Miss Holli and Tommy with a Luau theme

Tuesday evening July 22, 2008 6:00-7:30pm

Kick up your heels and enjoy this fabulous duo’s fun interpretations of children’s classics! Our Luau theme will create a more festive evening so don’t forget to try some Hula-dancing lessons and the Limbo. Bring a blanket and your best dance moves to the Landmark Park (across from the library) for plenty of warm weather and musical fun! Pizza, beverages, and other tasty treats will be available for purchase. Admission is $5 per person. Children under 1 year are free. No reservations or advanced ticket sales necessary. Please call the PRC office at 516-767-3808 for details.


Port Washington Parent Resource Center
Sundown Series: Laugh and Sing with Bruce

Tuesday evening July 29, 2008 6:00-7:30pm

Sing along to original music and old time favorites with Bruce Katz of Little People Entertainment. This fun interactive show will let your children participate with props and musical instruments. So gather the kids, bring a blanket and join us outside on the lawn at Landmark Park (across from the library). Pizza, beverages, and other tasty treats will be available for purchase. Admission is $5 per person. Children under 1 year are free. No reservations or advanced ticket sales necessary. Please call the PRC office at 516-767-3808 for details.


Port Washington Parent Resource Center
Sundown Series: Lynda Quinn – DJ extraordinaire

Tuesday evening August 5, 2008 6:00-7:30pm

Turn the beat around! Join us as we reunite with the PRC’s favorite DJ, Lynda Quinn! She’ll be sure to have everyone up and dancing! So gather the kids, bring a blanket and join us outside on the lawn at Landmark Park (across from the library). Pizza, beverages, and other tasty treats will be available for purchase. Admission is $5 per person. Children under 1 year are free. No reservations or advanced ticket sales necessary. Please call the PRC office at 516-767-3808 for details.

The Parent Resource Center
232 Main Street, Suite 4
Port Washington, NY 11050
516-767-3808

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The PRC is a Parent CO-OP that offers members classes for pre-school aged children (with and without their parents), social gatherings and field trips for the whole family, workshops for parents, drop-in playtime (with parents) , drop-off baby-sitting and a myriad of resources for the whole family. For more information and upcoming programs, visit the website at www.parentresource.org

Memorial Day 2008

Photos courtesy of Alida Thorpe

Calverton National Cemetery

Calverton, Long Island

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For more information and directions: Click here.

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Old Westbury Gardens

Photos courtesy of Alida Thorpe

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Old Westbury Gardens

Old Westbury

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The wisteria are in bloom.

For directions and more information, visit:

www.oldwestburygardens.org

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NWPLI Exhibition at the Fire Island Lighthouse

Photo by Alida Thorpe

NWPLI 

(Nature and Wildlife Photographers of Long Island) 

Spring Exhibition at the Fire Island Lighthouse

April 19 - May 10, 2008

The Spring 2008 NWPLI Exhibit opens this Saturday, April 19th. 

There will be an opening reception party from 5-8 PM at the Lighthouse. 

Parking is at Robert Moses Field #5 (east end) 

and a shuttle bus will be available for the duration of the party.

If the weather is nice, you can walk on the boardwalk to the lighthouse. 

Handicapped parking is available at the base of the Lighthouse and a ramp leads from the unpaved lot to a side entrance of the Lighthouse. 

Free admission to the exhibit. 

Weather-permitting, tower tours may be available for a small fee.

Please join NWPLI to celebrate the opening of the show. 

If you cannot join us for the opening, 

the show remains at the Lighthouse until Saturday, May 10th.

It is available during the regular Lighthouse hours, generally 9:30-4:00.

We hope you can come and see some of the beautiful nature photography presented by NWPLI.

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Growing Demand of Families Struggling on Long Island, New York

Dear Friend,

Newsday's recent cover story, "Look Who Needs Help Now," may seem like an eye-opener, but sadly it is a situation with which we at Island Harvest are all too familiar.

With the cost of such essentials as home heating oil up 50%, gasoline up 21%, food staples up 18 - 22%, unrelenting taxes, and increasing mortgage payments - we find ourselves in a crisis that is compelling solidly middle class Long Islanders to turn to food pantries and other local charities for assistance with the basics.

We hear the stories every day - and have been hearing them for a while about the struggle working people must face to provide their families with nutritious meals to make it through a day. Demand for turkeys by our network of member soup kitchens, food pantries, and other agencies reached 22,000 last holiday season - a shocking 42% increase over the prior year.

As Long Island's largest hunger relief organization, we are supplementing over 5 million meals each year - yet it is still not enough to meet the growing demand of those struggling to make ends meet.

We continue to work hard to find creative ways to fill in the ever growing gap between the supply of donated food and demand for it - including securing commitments from new businesses and trucking in more food to Long Island from other parts of the country.

Your help is needed to address this not always visible, but serious and growing situation. You can help by making a contribution, volunteering, donating food, organizing a food drive, or getting your company or school involved with us. Our Web site offers many great suggestions on how you can get involved in the fight against hunger and food waste - and lend a hand to our neighbors in need.

Or if you want to talk to a person, you can call us at 516-294-8528.

Thank you for your concern and continued support as we work together in ending hunger and reducing food waste on Long Island.

Sincerely,
Randi Shubin Dresner
President and CEO


Island Harvest
199 Second Street
Mineola, N.Y. 11501 USA
516-294-8528

Island Harvest is a non-profit organization the bridge between those who have surplus food and those who need it. Our staff and volunteers “rescue,” or “collect,” good surplus food from over 600 retailers and wholesalers. Then, they deliver it, free of charge, to our network of 440+ soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, Head Start programs, senior and community centers, and other places where those who need it can get it, all across Long Island, New York.

There are so many ways you can get involved with Island Harvest, from making a contribution or making a long-term investment by leaving Island Harvest in your will, becoming a volunteer, conducting a food drive or becoming a sponsor. For more information call 516-294-8528 or visit the website at www.islandharvest.org

Flood and Wind Insurance Reform in Congress

By Aaron J. Stein
The National Flood Insurance program, administered through FEMA which is in turn part of the Department of Homeland Security, is currently how the vast majority of Long Islanders and people all around the country buy their flood insurance when needed. The idea of the program was that because flood is catastrophic in nature, meaning that it can affect large numbers of people at the same time, that only the taxing power of the federal government was enough to make sure that when the time came to pay huge claims, the money would be there.

The problem is that the rates being charged in the program are not nearly enough to pay the claims, so additional monies have had to be put in over the years by Congress, and those funds basically come out of taxes paid be everybody, not just those in the flood hazard areas. There are some social arguments back and forth about whether that's right or wrong, but after Katrina, it was decided that the program needed to be revised to be 'actuarially sound', meaning that it would collect enough premium dollars to pay the claims, without resorting to general tax revenues or other bailouts. The difference is many billions of dollars, and the answer they have come up with is to include more people in the flood hazard areas and also to increase rates.

But since a couple of the people whose homes were destroyed in Katrina happened to be influential members of Congress, they are not looking to stop there. In trying to judge who was responsible to pay the claims of Katrina, there was a lot of finger-pointing on the part of insurance companies who denied some claims that they felt should have been paid under flood coverage. However since many of the affected residents had been told that the work of the Army Corps of Engineers, in building the levee system, would protect them from flood, they did not carry flood insurance and so were left with no way to rebuild.

What is being proposed is to move windstorm coverage from the private homeowners insurance industry to the government-backed flood insurance program, and price it accordingly. Interestingly, this has the insurance industry up in arms. Although as we know here on Long Island, and particularly as you get farther out on the South Shore of Suffolk County, many insurance companies are shying away from providing policies at all because of the windstorm exposure.

Now this sets up an interesting position for the insurance carriers. On the one hand, they are arguing that wind insurance should NOT be taken out of their hands and put into the Government hands. In general, a founding principle of our country was private ownership, and that the Government should not set itself up as a competitor to private industry. But there are many cases (Medicare, Workers Comp...) where private industry was not up to the task and the government stepped in.

To me, it seems simple enough - if covering losses for hurricanes is a money-losing proposition for insurance companies (which one would have to think it must be if they won't write more coverage) then why would they care if the government took it over? And virtually any argument that could be made for or against the government covering windstorm could be easily turned into the same argument for flood insurance. So which is it? The coverage is too risky and they don't want it, or it's profitable and should be left in private hands? The answers being given by the industry suggest they are trying to play both sides of the fence.

As for me as an agent, I have to say it doesn't really matter. I sell both the government flood insurance as well as home insurance for all kinds of waterfront property. Our job is to deliver, explain, and service the product. So I have no great stake in the outcome here, but I know a snow job when I see one.

Walking the Boardwalk, Sunken Meadow

Photos by Alida Thorpe

I went for a walk today on the Sunken Meadow boardwalk.

It was really pleasant and fortunately, not very cold.

I thought it was too cool today for a beach walk but the North Shore was protected from the wind and the warming sunshine was a welcomed addition.

It was a wonderful walk and a wonderful sunny day.

Can spring be close behind?

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Big Changes in Long Island Flood Insurance

By Aaron J. Stein

Hello all, and please accept my apologies for not having written a blog entry in quite some time. But this morning's Newsday article regarding flood insurance had something in it that got me so frustrated that I had to write.

The article is about the re-mapping of flood zones on Long Island by the FEMA, the government agency in charge of the national flood insurance program. They are using new equipment and techniques to reevaluate all the flood maps which may or may not result in people now being required by their bank or mortgage company to carry flood insurance where they may not have been required before.

FEMA is suggesting that some who live near a flood zone are currently outside of it might want to think about purchasing flood insurance now because the price may change dramatically if they are included in a flood zone after the new maps are issued. For instance right now someone who is not in a flood hazard area here on Long Island would pay under $400 for the maximum flood insurance available from the government. If your house is deemed to be in a flood hazard area when the new maps are complete your rate could easily be four to five times higher.

Under FEMA rules, if you have a flood insurance in place and your zone changes you grandfathered in to the old zone for as long as you keep your insurance in force. So if you live close to a flood zone but outside it you might want to think about buying one of the inexpensive policies now. If you end up in a flood zone and your bank requires the coverage, you will be locked into the lower rate. If you remain outside of flood zone under the new maps, you could cancel the policy after a year if you wish. (FEMA will not allow a policy to be canceled in the middle of the year unless you sell your home)

My problem is that in the article there is a quote from County Executive Steve Levy saying that homeowners should be allowed to make their own decision on whether to carry flood insurance or not, as opposed to having that decision made for them by FEMA or their bank. The fact is that we hear every day from people who are only buying flood insurance because their bank is forcing them because of government regulations. They feel that the fact that they've never seen a flood in their home means they will never be flooded. Unfortunately this is not the case and we only need to look at the ongoing problems resulting from hurricane Katrina to see that.

In addition, the idea coming from the County Executive that people should be able to choose which government programs and mandates they participate in and which they choose not to is absurd. If that were the case most people on the South Shore would probably still have cesspools in their backyards except that the government mandated participation in the Southwest Sewer District in order to protect our drinking water in the long run. The same logic is behind a part of our sales tax collections which go to fund open space purchases.

And how about school taxes? I have no children in school anymore. Can I opt out of school taxes because I no longer see the direct benefit to me? I found this to be a very irresponsible statement by the County Executive and contrary to the whole reason for the existence of virtually every government program. It's fine to be a fiscal conservative with the general opinion that government should take the least role possible in people's day-to-day lives. However say that these decisions should all be left to the individual homeowner and rely on them to make the best decision for everybody for the long-term simply does not work and is not valid.

Old Bethpage Village, Long Island

The Powell Farm

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Colonial American Details

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In the heart of the hamlet of Bethpage is Old Bethpage Village Restoration.

Bethpage is in the town of Oyster Bay, in Nassau County.

The Village Restoration is just one reason for people of Bethpage to be proud of the community in which they live.
Old Bethpage Village recreates the times of pre-Civil War Long Island and shows the agricultural and commercial, as well as the domestic lifestyle of the era.

It illustrates the crafts and skills of the time. The homes are filled with antiques and there are gardens and fields. The general store sells old fashioned root-beer and pretzels.

There are live demonstrations of hat making, spinning, weaving and blacksmith crafts.

There is always something new; the village is in a constant state of restoration.

There are more than 55 historic buildings on 200 acres, all original structures.

It gives the town of Bethpage a sense of history and makes people proud to live here.

Buildings were saved from demolition, from all over Long Island, and moved to this site.

Shops are set up and there is a school house with working fireplace and a period costumed teacher. In fact, all of the volunteer and working town’s people are dressed in period costume.

The Powell Farm is original to the site and is complete with pigs, cows and turkey.

This entire area was originally part of the Powell Farm and historical records tell us that Thomas Powell, a devout Quaker, bought the land in 1695 from the Massapequa, Secatog and Matinecock people.

The Old Bethpage Village Restoration is the center of community activity.

Special events are planned each month. There is sheep shearing in May and Autumn Harvest-time in October and there are various other activities throughout the year.
It is a wonderful historic destination and can be part of family life for those living near the village especially if the family interests involve historical America.

Old Bethpage Village also runs school group tours to enrich the culture of Long Island.
This is just one reason to drive out and visit Old Bethpage!
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Directions from the Southern State Parkway:
Southern State Parkway to Exit 28A Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway (NY135) North. Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway to Old Country Road East exit 10. Right turn onto Old Country Road Eastbound to Round Swamp Road. Right onto Round Swamp Road and village entrance will be on your left.

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Photos and text by Alida Thorpe

Winter on Long Island

photos by Alida Thorpe

Winter on Long Island holds many surprises.

The weather is cold but not for long periods of time.

Surrounded by water, the winters are relatively mild.

I hope you are enjoying your Long Island winter!

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Lost and Found Items on the Long Island Railroad

Tom writes, "I lost my camera 12-15-07 on train to Mineola. Does the LIRR have a lost and found department?"

Yes, the MTA Long Island Rail Road has a Lost and Found department open M–F, 7:20AM – 7:20PM and Weekends, 7:20AM - 3:10PM. You may be able to get specific information about a recently lost item by calling 212-643-5228. They should be able to direct you to the main storage area for lost and found items, or direct you to a local facility based on the train line.

Hopefully a conductor or a commuter turned in your lost item. If you find something on the LIRR it is always a good idea to bring it to the attention of a conductor. In light of our National security issues, the public is urged to keep their eyes open and to report suspicious packages.

North Fork Vineyards in Winter

Photo by Alida Thorpe

The North Fork vineyards no longer have grapes to harvest. After all, it is winter.

They are busy for the holidays, offering special sales and wine-tastings for shoppers.

And as many farmers know, winter is the time to prepare for spring.

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Major Changes Ahead for the Insurance Industry?

BY AARON STEIN

Welcome back. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. This post will not be about the New York auto or home insurance coverage that we usually cover. This time I will be highlighting some larger trends that in some cases have already come to affect other industries but may now be coming to an insurance policy near you.

One such new area is that the 'capital markets' are starting to make eyes at the insurance industry. When I say capital markets, I'm talking about monies raised by the giant investment firms like Merrill Lynch or Goldman Sachs. Up until now, insurance companies raised the money needed to back their insurance products by selling stock, and collecting premiums and investing them. But now these super-sized financial companies have become experts at raising literally billions of dollars quite quickly and efficiently, in their constant efforts to find investments to sell to their clients.

Traditionally, these financial companies would raise money for other companies by underwriting offers of their stocks and bonds. So if General Motors wanted to raise a billion dollars to invest in a new vehicle product line, for example, they could have Merrill agree to make good faith efforts to sell enough shares of GM stock (remember that stock represents an ownership interest) or GM could offer corporate bonds (debt that has to be repaid, but does not give up any ownership) for a similar amount. They would have to weigh the plusses and minuses of each.

Now, however, with the advent of things like hedge funds, and giant pension funds and even major individual investors looking to put their money to work, enough capital can be raised to start whole new companies and industries. The capital markets were a major force behind the growth of sub-prime mortgages over the past several years, as investors chased higher yields which could only be had by coming up with the many strange variations of mortgages, and in many cases giving them to people who, it turns out, couldn't afford them and are now facing serious financial problems.

These companies could end up having a huge impact on major insurance coverages such as catastrophe insurance. For instance, billions could be quickly raised to offer reinsurance (the kind of insurance that insurance companies buy for themselves against major events like hurricanes) except that instead of insurance companies buying their reinsurance from traditional markets like Lloyds, or SwissRe, they might look for better deals from the capital markets.

Competition is generally good in that it reduces costs. For instance, it would help us here on Long Island right now if insurance carriers could lower their cost of reinsurance for windstorms and hurricanes. That's what is causing all the disruption in the insurance market for waterfront homes these days. On the other hand, the capital market's tendency to use overly aggressive sales pitches, and only shoot for short term profit as opposed to long term viability, can make for quite a mess. Right now we are going through a mortgage and real estate crisis that was made much worse by predatory lending practices and speculation, fostered by these 'capital markets' chasing down an extra per cent or two of interest on their money through sub-prime mortgages.

The one thing about insurance that is different from almost any other kind of product, is that you can have catastrophic, once-in-a-lifetime events like Katrina or the four hurricanes in 3 weeks that hit Florida a couple of years back. These require careful long-term planning and an industry with plenty of real money behind it. I'm not sure I want to see insurance get the same kind of treatment as the mortgage industry has gotten this year as a result of reckless short term practices over the past couple of years.

Next up, will the next Presidential election bring a total change to our health insurance system? As always, you can contact us through our web site at http://www.nyinsurancewithservice.com/

Autumn on Long Island

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Photo: Alida Thorpe

The fall is here, with Thanksgiving Day just a week away.

I hope you are enjoying the beautiful colors of our "Island"

...and that you find many reasons to be thankful!

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Here’s To The New Gym. Same As The Old Gym

By Michael Watt

When I joined yet another gym earlier this month, the thought occurred to me that I have more former gym memberships (seven) than I do former girlfriends (six – give or take a second date or two).

Make of that what you will, but I hope this gym relationship lasts a good, long time – because joining a gym can be even more awkward and uncomfortable than dating.

Take that first day at the gym, for instance. Just like a first date, you don’t really know what to expect. Will you be welcomed? How long will it take you to feel comfortable? This assumes, of course, that at some point you get to feel comfortable. This is not always the case, as gym veterans know. In the early 1980s, for instance, I joined a gym in Massapequa with my friend John. It was inhabited mostly by muscleheads and the like. John was about an inch shorter than me but a lot stronger and so he fit right in. The bulk of my exercise, on the other hand, was moving that little spike way up on the stack of weights to significantly reduce the burden I had to pull up, press down or push away. I swear I could hear the whole place silently snicker as I did so.

Did not belong to that place for long.

A couple of years later I noticed there was a ring around my waist that had never been there before. Apparently the kid who could wash down a pizza with a Fribble and experience no discernible weight gain was now the adult who did not ride his bicycle everywhere he went as he did in high school or traverse the hills posing as streets in Scranton as he did in college. I decided to explore the possibility of joining a gym again and paid a visit to the place that is across the street from the Sunrise Mall. My plan was to “check things out.” Silly me. Once I walked through that front door I might as well have had a sign on my forehead that read, “Gullible and Vulnerable – take your pick.” They assigned me to a gym bunny “to help with any questions I might have about the facilities.” During our “conversation” she took out a caliper to measure the aforementioned “ring” around my waist. She said if she could “clip” more than an inch then I had better get involved in an exercise program Post Haste. So what happens? She grabbed at least an inch of waist with the caliper – who didn’t see that coming? I was so mortified I would have signed up for a tour of duty in Iraq if doing so meant I would never again have to experience an attractive young lady measuring my fat content.

Lasted there about a year.

Soon after I left I joined a gym in Wantagh with my friend Jack, mostly to play racquetball. Well, to be more precise, mostly to lose to Jack in racquetball. Great workout, though.

Then I got married. Like most new grooms I saw little reason to exercise on a regular basis once I tied the knot. Before I knew it I was several years removed from the gym scene while knocking off a pint of Ben & Jerry’s before bedtime on a regular basis. Not good.

In the early 1990s I was living in Farmingdale and working in Valley Stream so I joined a gym in Rockville Centre. A lot had changed in the gym world in my absence, however. They had these new things called spin classes and aerobics. I found it all so intimidating I opted instead to go jogging through the streets of Rockville Centre. After a while I realized that I could just as easily run through the streets of Farmingdale without having to part with that monthly gym stipend.

I like to jog because a) I get a lot of fresh air that way and b) it does not cost anything. This plan worked through 1998. I even participated in two NYC Marathons. Then I had to have knee surgery – minor enough that I did not miss any work but major enough that I have not run since. With my 20-year college reunion coming up in 2001, however, I decided to re-visit the gym world, just in case any of my former classmates came to the reunion armed with calipers.

I am on my third gym since then. I suppose I am still searching for a gym with a comfort level, although I am not sure what that would entail. I hope this gym works out, though (wow – that pun just spilled out). Just as I don’t need any more former girlfriends, I don’t need any former gym memberships, either.

Thank you for reading this column.

photo: Alida Thorpe

The pumkins are ready!

East End of Long Island

What are you waiting for?

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