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Calverton Column

I found something really special the other day — violets and aconites in full bloom under their protective leaves! This is super early and I had to dig to find them but they looked so beautiful with the promise of more pretty things to come.

Kent Animal Shelter in Calverton and Pet Smart are sponsoring a Beat the Heat event. During February Long Island residents can have their female cats spayed for only $20 per feline. In the spring, a time when cats go into a “heat cycle,” many unwanted kittens are born and the shelter becomes full. Spaying your cat before this cycle assures you there will be no need to give your kittens away. To get this amazing discount you must mention “Beat the Heat” when you call 727-7797 for your appointment. You may also visit kentanimalshelter.com to see potential new friends for adoption.

Belated happy birthday to Phil Zizzo, who celebrated Jan. 24, and his daughter Lauren Ciciulla, who turned 30 on Jan. 27. This is the first time Lauren celebrated a birthday as a married woman (Sept. 16, 2011). Your wonderful wife and mom, Lynette, and all your family and friends say happy birthday. We hope you both had a great day.

Happy birthday to Miriam Niegocki, who will celebrate Feb. 5, from your daughter, Joan, your husband, myself and all your family and friends. We hope your day is very nice, Miriam. Birthday wishes also go to Ed Hodun Jr. on the 5th. Your daughter, Amanda, and all your family and friends hope you enjoy a relaxing day, a fun day, a “do whatever you want” day.

This is a silly thing to write about, but hey, you know me. Someone gave me a recipe last week and it called for feta cheese. Do you know what happens to feta cheese when you add it to hot food? It melts like mozzarella cheese and gets stringy. I was in awe but it really was good!

Did you know the very first Groundhog Day was celebrated on Feb. 2, 1886, in Punxsutawney Pa.? That’s where the tradition began but we have many of our own groundhogs here to annoy us all summer long. They do a great job of eating our gardens, don’t they? It is said that if the groundhog sees his shadow we will have six more weeks of winter. I’m sure many of you are thinking that six more weeks of this winter is perfectly fine.

Go Giants! I am, as most of you know, a diehard Jets fan, but I also like the Giants. If they can beat the “you know what” out of New England (a Jets fan’s biggest enemy), well, they have my support. Good luck!

Take care, be safe, look for your flowers under the leaves and I shall talk to you next week. Bye.