Members of Baldwin Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society launched a schoolwide Make-A-Wish campaign this year that has raised nearly $14,000 and helped spark a first-ofits-kind partnership in which Baldwin school nurses are encouraged to refer eligible children facing critical illnesses to the nonprofit.
By AllYSoN FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com
Baldwin Middle School students set out this year to raise money for the Make-AWish Foundation. Instead, they helped build something far larger.
What began as a schoolwide fundraiser has evolved into a first-of-its-kind partnership in the metropolitan area. Baldwin school district nurses are now trained to help directly connect eligible children facing critical illnesses to the nonprofit’s lifechanging wish program, while students work to help fund those wishes — a once-ina-lifetime trip to Disney World, for example, or meeting their favorite celebrity.
With nearly $14,000 already collected and one Baldwin child having begun a “wish journey,” the initiative has transformed a middle school service project into a communitywide mission centered on access, awareness and hope.
For middle school Principal Erica Taylor, however, the effort began with a far simpler goal. Each year, Taylor selects a global service project for the school to support. Last
By AllYSoN FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com
Long after the condolences fade and the casseroles stop arriving, widowhood often becomes an intensely private kind of survival — especially for younger women still raising children, caring for aging parents and trying to appear strong for everyone around them.
healing space for younger widows, particularly women of color, who they say are too often taught to grieve quietly and endure privately.
August, while considering which country Baldwin would focus on this year, she stumbled on an email from Make-A-Wish — a message that quickly shifted the trajectory of the school’s annual giving campaign.
“I opened the email and I read about Make-A-Wish,” Taylor recalled. “And I said, ‘You know what? Maybe this year we will think globally but will work locally.’”
Intrigued by the possibility of bringing the mission closer to home, Taylor reached out to Make-A-Wish Community Fundraising Manager Michelle Nardelli, and soon realized that Baldwin students would embrace the opportunity to support the organization.
Taylor then contacted Laurie Tricamo, the school’s National Junior Honor Society adviser, and together they began laying the groundwork for what would become one of the school’s most ambitious service initiatives to date.
The response was almost immediate: Before the fundraiser had officially launched last month, the students collected $5,000 in just two weeks, which surprised
That was the reality Gina Lissone, of Baldwin, and Medina “Dina” Fonville, of Brentwood, said they encountered while searching for help on Long Island as younger widows: rooms filled with sympathy, but few women who shared their cultural background, family dynamics or the unspoken understanding of what grief looked like in their communities. Feeling that absence pushed the two women to ask a difficult question: Where were the others like them?
Meanwhile, you’re secretly dying inside.
GINA lISSoNE Co-founder, Widow’s Journey Reach One Teach One
When Lissone’s husband died in May 2023, the now 56-year-old registered nurse she felt not only devastated, but untethered. As a younger widow, she knew few women her age navigating the same sudden shift in identity, family life and loneliness. Hoping to find community, she joined a Long Island bereavement group — and quickly realized something else was missing.
“No one in the room looked like me,” Lissone recalled.
“I am a Black woman,” she said. “While it was a great experience, and we all had the commonality of losing our husbands, I did find that it was missing a little bit of sharing with people from my own culture and my faith.”
The answer became Widow’s Journey Reach One Teach One, a nonprofit through which Lissone and Fonville are now building a culturally conscious
Fonville, also 56, a hospice nurse, had entered that same room two years earlier, after losing her husband to Covid-19, CoNtiNued oN pAge 10
Mery and Sindy always knew they wanted to open a spa to bring beauty to customers. Little did they know it would have the same effect on the community. And Business First was there. We provided $23,000 in grants to help with much-needed renovations so Mery and Sindy could bring their vision to life.* Now, not only does their spa impact clients in a beautiful way, it gives the community an economic lift as well.
grants, and savings will vary with every project.
Dozens of volunteers spread across four local parks on May 3 to collect litter, clear debris and spruce up public green spaces as part of a rescheduled Earth Day community cleanup in Baldwin and Freeport.
Hosted by State Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, State Sen. Siela Bynoe and Nassau County Legislators Debra Mulé and Scott Davis, the effort brought residents, students and civic groups together at Milburn Creek Park, Brookside Preserve, Silver Lake Park and Lofts Pond Park.
By the end of the day, volunteers had collected more than 58 bags of garbage along with several bulk items, organizers said.
Participants included members of Girl Scouts of Nassau County’s Freeport service unit, Boy Scout Troop 182, The Green Army, South Shore Conservation Society, Eco Rotaract Long Island, Freeport-Merrick Rotary and Sanitary District No. 2. Students from Baldwin High School’s Key Club and Freeport High School’s Student Government, Honor Society and ROTC also took part.
Griffin said the turnout reflected the community’s commitment to preserving local parks and waterways.
“I am so grateful to the individuals, children, families, Boy Scouts, and local organizations who joined together to participate in our Earth Day Cleanups at the various sites across Baldwin and Freeport,” she said. “Together, we made a difference and demonstrated why it is essential to preserve our natural resources and keep our community pristine.”
Mulé said the cleanup series has become a successful example of residents working alongside elected officials to maintain Baldwin’s natural resources.
“I am glad that the community responded so enthusiastically to our Baldwin community cleanups — it is their dedication and hard work that made this series such a great success,” she said.
Organizers said the event was intended not only to mark Earth Day, but also to encourage continued stewardship of neighborhood parks throughout the year.
— Allyson Ferrari
Debra Mule, Jose Cuevas of the South Shore Conservation Society and fellow volunteers took part in cleanup efforts at Brookside Preserve. Mule, alongside the conservation society previously joined forces last month at Brookside Preserve, urging Nassau County to better upkeep the community staple.
Volunteers from the South Shore Conservation Society, Boy Scout Troop 182, The Green Army and Environmental Rotaract Nassau County Long Island gathered at Brookside Preserve during the May 3 community cleanup.
Ettinger Law Firm promotes the well-being of our clients as well as the public at large. Here are some thoughts to help ease your day.
“All life is an experiment and the more experiments the better”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Set peace of mind as your highest goal, and organize your life around it” – Brian Tracy
“Accept what is. All pain comes from resistance” – Zen saying
“Holding on to anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die”
– Buddha
“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so” – Shakespeare
“Gratitude is not only the greatest of all virtues, but the parent of all the others” – Cicero
“When you’re good to others, you are best to yourself” – Ben Franklin
“The voyage of the best ship is a zigzag line of a hundred tacks” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Who is rich? He that rejoices in his portion” – Ben Franklin
“Nothing in life is so hard that you can’t make it easier by the way you take it”
– Ellen Glasgow
“Life appears to me to be too short to be spent in nursing animosity or regret”
– Charlotte Bronte
“Not money, or success, or position, or travel, or love makes happiness - service is the secret”
– Kathleen Norris
“To understand all is to forgive all” – Evelyn Waugh
A juvenile was arrested last Tuesday after Nassau County police recovered a firearm at Baldwin High School@Shubert, an alternative high school program on DeMott Avenue, district officials and police said.
Police responded at about noon to reports of a weapon seen inside the school. Officers recovered a gun and took one juvenile into custody.
Authorities have not released the identity of the juvenile, whether the firearm was loaded, or what charges may be filed. Police said there was no threat to the Baldwin UFSD or the surrounding community.
Shubert School serves students through a nontraditional high school model operated in partnership with Nassau BOCES and the Simon Youth Foundation. The program offers an opportunity to complete graduation requirements and earn additional credits in a specialized learning setting.
District officials said administrators
immediately activated school safety protocols and contacted Nassau County police upon learning of the incident.
“The Baldwin Union Free School District remains fully committed to maintaining a safe, secure, and supportive learning environment for every student in our care,” the district said in a statement. “Upon learning of the situation, we immediately activated our safety protocols and contacted local law enforcement, who responded swiftly and professionally. The situation has been fully resolved, and all necessary actions have been taken in accordance with the district’s code of conduct.”
The district first notified Shubert School families the day of the incident and followed up April 29 with a message to the broader Baldwin school community containing additional information.
No injuries were reported. Police said the investigation is continuing.
— Allyson Ferrari
A Rockville Centre man was arrested in connection with a series of incidents across Nassau County last week, according to Nassau County police officials.
Brian Quinn, 50, was taken into custody on April 23 following an investigation into multiple alleged crimes.
Detectives said Quinn is accused of stealing a 2011 BMW from A Plus Auto Technician in Baldwin on April 19 after taking the vehicle for a test drive and failing to return it. He is also charged in connection with an attempted robbery at a Chase Bank branch in Oceanside on April 20, where police said he demanded money from a teller who refused.
Two days later, Quinn allegedly carried out a robbery at a Flagstar Bank in Massapequa, where he passed a note demanding cash. The teller complied out
of fear, and the suspect fled, police said.
Quinn was arrested without incident and charged with robbery, attempted robbery and grand larceny. He was arraigned First District Court in Hempstead the next day. Quinn was previously arrested in 2021 in connection with a separate series of robberies and theft-related incidents across Nassau County.
In that case, police said he was linked to multiple incidents over a short period, including alleged robberies at Chase Bank branches in Oceanside and Baldwin, as well as several vehicle and property thefts, including stolen cars in Rockville Centre and Roosevelt and merchandise stolen from a gas station in Oceanside.
— Brian Kacharaba
By ABIGAIL GRIECO
agrieco@liherald.com
May is recognized nationally as Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about mental health conditions, reducing stigma and encouraging people to seek support when they need it. First established in 1949, it has grown into a widespread effort involving schools, workplaces, healthcare providers and communities across the country. In recent years, conversations around mental health have become more open, highlighting how common anxiety, depression and other conditions are and how important it is to treat mental health with the same seriousness as physical health.
n
Mental health conditions affect millions of people each year in the United States. About one in five adults experiences a mental illness annually, ranging from anxiety and depression to more complex conditions like bipolar disorder. Many more people experience stress, grief or emotional challenges that may not meet clinical definitions but still significantly impact daily life. Despite how common these struggles are, stigma often keeps people from talking about them openly or seeking help. Mental Health Awareness Month helps normalize these conversations and reminds people that they are not alone. Mental health challenges are a part of the human experience — not a personal failure — and support is widely needed and shared.
n Early help and treatment are highly effective
Getting support early can make a major difference in managing mental health conditions. Treatments such as therapy, counseling and medication are effective for many people, especially when started early. Support can also come from school counselors, community programs or workplace resources. In recent years, telehealth has made it easier for people to access care from home, helping reduce barriers like transportation or scheduling. The month also emphasizes the importance of everyday coping strategies, such as exercise, sleep, mindfulness and social connection. While these do not replace clinical treatment when needed, they can support overall well-being and resilience. The key message is simple: no one has to wait until they are in crisis to seek help.
n Stigma still prevents many from speaking up
Stigma remains one of the biggest obstacles to mental health care. Many people still hesitate to talk about what they are experiencing because they fear being misunderstood, judged or labeled. This can delay treatment and make symptoms worse overtime. Simple actions — like listening without judgment, using respectful language and sharing accurate information — helps create a safer environment for discussion. Stigma reduction is not only about awareness but also about action, like supporting policies that improve access to care, encouraging mental health days in schools and workplaces and making resources visible and easy to find. Small, everyday efforts can help create a culture where mental health is treated with the same openness and care as physical health.
ONE OF MANY REASONS the Red Devils have established themselves as one of the favorites in Nassau Class A baseball, Torres threw their second no-hitter this spring April 27 in Plainedge’s 8-0 win over Locust Valley. The righthander struck out 15 and walked only one as the Red Devils won their 13th straight game without a loss. The performance upped Torres’ record on the mound to 5-0 with a 1.75 ERA and 0.61 WHIP with 56Ks in 28 innings.
Thursday, May 7
Softball: South Side at Hewlett 4:30 p.m.
Baseball: Plainedge at Mineola 4:45 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Seaford at Wantagh 5
Baseball: Massapequa at Oceanside
Baseball: Uniondale at V.S. Central
Softball: Farmingdale at Plainedge
Softball: Baldwin at V.S. North
Softball: Uniondale at Sewanhaka 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Long Beach at North Shore 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: South Side at Garden City 5 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse: Manhasset at Farmingdale 5:30 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Plainedge at South Side 6 p.m.
Baseball: V.S. South at East Rockaway 7 p.m.
Friday, May 8
Softball: Lynbrook at Elmont 4:30 p.m.
Boys Lacrosse: Baldwin at Freeport 5 p.m.
Softball: Glen Cove at Wantagh
5 p.m.
Softball: Mepham at Oceanside 5 p.m.
Softball: East Meadow at Plainedge 5 p.m.
Softball: Garden City at Long Beach 5 p.m.
Baseball: Long Beach at Kennedy 5 p.m.
Baseball: New Hyde Park at Calhoun 5 p.m.
Baseball: Hewlett at Carey 5 p.m.
Baseball: Mepham at Clarke 5 p.m.
Nominate a “spotlight athlete”
High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last year. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.
By NICK MONGIOVI sports@liherald.com
The “cardiac kids,” as Hewlett softball coach Jon Welsh said, made an appearance last Saturday afternoon as the Bulldogs erased a two-run Baldwin lead in the seventh inning.
With one out and runners on second and third, junior center fielder Lily Simon singled through the left side of the infield to complete the comeback, beating the Bruins 5-4.
“We’re just built differently,” Welsh said. “It doesn’t matter if we’re down 10, down five, down four, down three, or up seven. We just continue to battle, play our game. [They’re] the cardiac kids.”
Junior catcher Sarah Oliveros opened the last-inning rally with a single and advanced to third on an error. Sophomore shortstop Alyssa Reich laced a single into left field, scoring Oliveros to cut the deficit to 4-3. Eighth-grade pitcher Coraila Savin singled, setting up runners on the corners with one away. Eighth-grade first baseman Sav Nicaleck tied the game with a single, putting the game in the hands of Simon.
“I just wanted to get it in play,” Simon said. “I just wanted to get the runner in.”
She did just that, as Hewlett moved within one game of clinching a playoff spot and knocked Baldwin out of playoff contention.
Reich led the offense, going 3-for-4, scoring two runs and swiping two bases. “In my first at-bat, I struck out and I usually let that linger, but this game, I wanted to change my mindset,” she said. “That really helped me.”
Baldwin had quite the fourth inning, producing timely hits and putting together quality at-bats with two outs. Sophomore catcher Lilly Duet poked her second hit of the day to lead off the frame. With two outs in the inning, senior right fielder Abby Belony doubled to right field, knotting the score at 2-2.
Following a walk from senior center fielder Akua Bonsu, junior third baseman Chloe Collado knocked in a pair on an error, giving the Bruins a 4-2 lead.
“Abby Belony got a hit when it mat-
tered and Chloe, who’s been hitting well all year, hit another RBI with two outs,” Baldwin coach Tom Llewellyn said. “They’ve been working hard all year.”
Savin notched seven strikeouts across seven innings of six-hit ball, allowing four runs and four walks. She recorded her 10th win and 80th strikeout of the season. Savin helped herself out at the plate, going 2-for-4, with a run scored, two RBI and two stolen bases
“I knew that was going to be a tough
game,” Savin said. “I knew they were going to hit the ball and knew they were good hitters, so I had to mix in other pitches besides a fastball.”
Baldwin sophomore pitcher Liv Pascual struck out five and allowing 10 hits and two walks.
The Bruins (6-7 in Conference 4, 6-9 overall) hits the road against Valley Stream North Thursday at 5 p.m., while Hewlett (9-4; 10-5) hosts South Side at the same time.
By ISABELLE SIMONE
Special to the Herald
On April 23, Long Island high school students put their coding skills to the test during the third annual Hackathon, hosted by the New York State Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology at Stony Brook University and sponsored by Verizon. The event brought together 120 students from 15 Nassau and Suffolk County school districts, including Baldwin, for a fast-paced day of coding, innovation and entrepreneurial problem-solving.
The Hackathon challenged young computer science students to design entrepreneurial solutions to real-world problems. Equipped with NVIDIA Jetson Developer Kits, students applied Python programming, machine learning and artificial intelligence to construct innovative applications on advanced computer systems.
Each team of four had the opportunity to receive mentoring from Stony Brook University undergraduate and graduate computer science students while racing against the clock to brainstorm, build and present their concepts to a panel of judges.
“Working in teams of four, students were tasked with developing entrepreneurial solutions to challenges surrounding digital reliability, from disas-
ter response to communication breakdowns,” said Krupa D’Souza, a mathematics teacher at Baldwin High School and advisor. “Students were provided with NVIDIA Jetson developer kits for use to both code and test the prototype solution. Undergrad and grad students were available on site to mentor and help high school students during the hackathon.”
Baldwin sent two teams to the com -
petition, and D’Souza said students rose to the challenge.
“Our students did a good job of creating solutions and presenting to the judges,” she said. “Every member of the team was able to contribute and present. Students walked away with a sense of appreciation for the experience.”
“Baldwin High School’s continued participation in the CEWIT Hackathon
is truly exciting and reflects our commitment to innovation and excellence,” Assistant Director of Instructional Programs Dr. Gabriella Franza added. “I am incredibly proud of our students for their creativity, dedication, and the way they represent our school community.”
The participating districts also included Plainview-Old Bethpage, Mount Sinai, Jericho, Mineola, MacArthur in Levittown, Ward Melville in the Three Village district, Port Jefferson, Syosset, Longwood, Rocky Point, Brentwood, Riverhead, Newfield and Patchogue-Medford.
Students from Plainview-Old Bethpage created a website designed to help businesses troubleshoot software issues by generating instant solutions — functioning as a kind of personal IT assistant.
“For me, it was the product, knowing that I can create something that can help other people,” team member Alexander Veytsman said. “I like that a lot.”
Isabella Simone is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.
even the organizers. Through donation drives, awareness efforts and word-ofmouth support from families and community members, that total has climbed to nearly $14,000, with students pushing toward a $20,000 goal by June 10.
For Taylor, what stood out most wasn’t just the amount being raised, but the enthusiasm behind it. “Their excitement about helping others, their selflessness, the amount of time that they have contributed to Make-A-Wish — I think it speaks to citizenship,” she said.
The mission took on new meaning, Taylor said, when she learned that one district student was facing a serious medical battle. At around the same time, Taylor attended a Make-A-Wish holiday event, and met young adults who had had wishes granted years earlier and were now thriving.
Seeing those testimonies, she said, shifted her perspective.
“I looked at Michelle,” Taylor said of Nardelli, “and I was like, ‘You know, I really would like for my student to have this same type of testimony later on in life.’”
That conversation led Taylor to a frustrating discovery: A school official could not initiate a Make-A-Wish referral on behalf of a child. Referrals were typically made by relatives or members of a child’s health care team. That limitation left schools largely outside the referral process, despite the fact that
school nurses were often among the first to recognize when a child was facing a serious health struggle.
Nardelli raised the issue with MakeA-Wish officials, who, Taylor said, indicated they had already been considering expanding school involvement in the referral process.
As a result of those conversations, the foundation came to Baldwin to train 10 district to identify and refer eligible children — the first school nurses in the New York City area to take part in such a session.
For Nardelli, the shift marked a significant evolution in Baldwin’s partnership with the organization. “Training
school nurses as referral professionals takes their commitment even further,” she said, “turning Baldwin into not just a supporter of our mission, but an active participant in it.” By helping nurses recognize eligible children, she added, the program can now reach students who might otherwise miss out, particularly families overwhelmed by daily caregiving demands.
The impact is already tangible, Baldwin officials say, with one student having begun a wish journey through the new referral process, while the district’s partnership with the foundation is starting to ripple beyond its borders, as Make-A-Wish officials look to replicate
the school-based outreach model elsewhere using Baldwin as an example.
For Taylor, that wider significance has changed the way students now view every dollar they collect. “Their donations are actually going to help someone in their own backyard — that’s huge,” she said, adding that the local connection appeared to deepen students’ commitment, pushing them to become even more invested in fundraising, awareness efforts and supporting the organization’s mission.
The effort has expanded beyond the middle school walls. As donations arrived from relatives, neighbors and community members near and far, Taylor said, students began to feel the support of an entire district for children facing critical illnesses.
“I feel like my students are experiencing community and support and love,” she said.
As they continue working toward their $20,000 goal through the school’s Make-A-Wish fundraising page, and district nurses remain ready to identify the next eligible child, the initiative, Taylor said, has become a visible lesson in the school’s core values. In hallways and fundraising materials alike, students have repeated the same message: Every wish starts with someone willing to help.
“Care, kindness and respect are only words if you don’t put them into action,” she said.
By ALLYSON FERRARI
aferrari@liherald.com
Baldwin Public Library is filling its May calendar with programs designed to draw in every age group, from film lovers and bookworms to families looking for a creative afternoon outdoors. This month’s lineup mixes suspense on the screen, thoughtful literary discussion and hands-on artistic fun — giving residents several reasons to stop by beyond simply borrowing books. Here are three activities to keep on your radar.
n A thriller afternoon hits the big screen
Moviegoers can settle in for an afternoon showing of “The Housemaid” on May 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the library’s second-floor Community Room. The 2025 psychological thriller, based on the book with the same name by Frieda McFadden, follows Millie, a woman who takes a housekeeping job with a wealthy couple only to discover their hidden secrets may be more dangerous than her own. Starring Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar, the R-rated film runs 131 minutes and offers patrons a chance to enjoy a recent theatrical release in a relaxed community setting.
n Author Katie Yee joins readers in person
Book lovers will have the opportunity to meet author Katie Yee during the Afternoon Book Discussion Author Event on May 13 from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Makerspace. Yee will discuss her debut novel, “Maggie; Or, a Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar,” a darkly humorous and emotionally layered story about betrayal, illness and identity. The novel follows an unnamed Chinese-American narrator coping simultaneously with her husband’s affair and a breast cancer diagnosis — both represented by “Maggie.” Adult Programming Librarian Elly Muller will lead the discussion.
n Families can get creative with sidewalk chalk
For those looking for a lighter and more colorful outing, the library will host an all-ages Sidewalk Chalk program on May 23 from noon to 1 p.m. on the outdoor patio. Community members are invited to stop by and transform the pavement into a shared canvas using chalk provided by the library. No registration is required, making it an easy drop-in activity for parents, children, teens and adults hoping to enjoy some spring weather while creating temporary works of art together.
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just five days after his diagnosis.
“I don’t think you know what to expect when you enter a bereavement group,” Fonville said. “You just feel like, ‘OK, I need support.’”
Both women said the support they found was meaningful, but not complete. The loss in the room was shared, they explained, but many of the cultural expectations they carried into widowhood — to remain strong, keep family life moving and avoid appearing emotionally unraveled — were harder to articulate among women who did not share those same experiences.
Lissone said that in her own community, asking openly for mental health care can still feel uncomfortable, if not taboo. “We tend to be a little bit more guarded about things, and feeling as if we’re strong enough to handle it,” she said. “Meanwhile, you’re secretly dying inside.”
Both women said that the instinct to pray through pain or privately endure it often keeps widows from getting involved in formal grief treatment.
“People hear ‘mental health’ — ‘oh my God, I’m not crazy. Oh no, I don’t need a therapist,’” Lissone said. “There’s so much of that associated with it, and then people are suffering silently.”
As they continued attending weekly support sessions, both women found themselves asking the same question: If they needed this kind of support so deeply, where were the other younger widows of color navigating the same loneliness?
Lissone said she had already begun imagining a space that felt more culturally familiar — one where women could speak more freely about faith, family, identity and the hidden pressures that come after loss.
“We just questioned, what would we want,” Fonville said, “and then we created basically what we wanted.”
That vision took formal shape in 2024, when they launched Widow’s Journey Reach One Teach One, a nonprofit created by nurses and certified grief educators. The organization is aimed particularly at women of color who may feel unseen in traditional grief spaces, using guided discussion, reflective exercises and community-building to help participants reconnect with confidence and routine.
This spring, less than two years after Lissone began her own bereavement journey, they launched one of the nonprofit’s flagship programs, Strength in Sorrow, with an inaugural group of five women. In weekly meetings, participants move through guided discussions on what the founders call the “12 Stones of Widowhood,” tackling emotions such as fear, loneliness, distrust and shifting identity.
The sessions are intentionally designed to go beyond conversation. Each also includes a hands-on exercise meant to help participants process grief physically and creatively — from building “joy jars” to creating collages that
Cards focused on loneliness, fear and judgement are part of the “12 Stones of Widowhood” curriculum, guiding participants through commmon stages of grief.
explore secondary losses and unexpected areas of growth.
“We’re not necessarily focusing on the sadness, the bereavement,” Lissone said. “We’re looking to empower people.”
“This is about healing and wellness,” Fonville added. “It’s about giving them tools.”
The atmosphere in the meetings, Fonville said, is far removed from the image many people associate with grief counseling. Rather than a room defined by tears and silence, she described women arriving cautiously at first — “like the first day of school,” she said — before gradually settling into activities and conversations that become increasingly candid with each passing week. By the second or third session, she said, strangers begin sounding more like friends.
“They are with people that get them, and they don’t have to explain,” Fonville said.
Both women said the early response has only reinforced what they suspected from the beginning: the need for this kind of grief support is far larger than many realize.
Participants have gradually begun sharing fears about identity, parenting, faith, finances and the uncertainty of rebuilding a life they never expected to be living alone — a shift that Lissone and Fonville say confirms many that widows had been searching for exactly this kind of experience.
They said they hope to expand through additional groups, partnerships, fundraising and broader grief resources that can reach more widows across Long Island.
“This is about taking the chance,” Fonville said. “You have absolutely nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain.”
Widow’s Journey Reach One Teach One is now assembling its fall Strength in Sorrow group, an eight-week bereavement program that meets from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Coes Neck Community Room in Baldwin and the Long Island Welcome Center in Dix Hills. Widows interested in participating or learning more can submit an inquiry through the organization’s contact form at widowsjourneyr1t1.org/contact-us.
Stones labeled with themes such as identity, family, loneliness and guilt are used as discussion prompts in Strength in Sorrow sessions.
ROOTED IN STRENGTH
Glen Cove Hospital
Northwell Health
Abigail Dunne’s path into healthcare began during her high school years in Locust Valley.
“I went to Locust Valley High School and I took an EMT course and I started volunteering in the Bayville Fire Department as an EMT,” Dunne, 23, says. “I decided that I really enjoyed helping people and I really liked being able to help people in ways that others couldn’t necessarily.”
Her experience in emergency medical services shaped her decision to pursue nursing, to provide what she described as a deeper level of care.
“So it was more than just offering emotional support, but now it’s like physical support and seeing people get better, get stronger. It’s just been something that’s always made me feel really good. I just love helping people.”
Dunne went on to attend nursing school while a nursing assistant at Glen Cove Hospital, where she has been employed since September 2022.
“I’ve worked at Glen Cove ... I was a nursing assistant during nursing school.”
She relates that her role as a nurse centers on compassion and service to others.
“I feel like being a nurse, it’s really just about being able to give to other people. We know people are sick and being able to help them definitely is very rewarding in itself.”
Healthcare runs in her family. Her sister works in EMS and as a nurse at Plainview Hospital, and her greatgrandfather was a doctor.
- As told to Roksana Amid
Tameka Wallace, 42, vice president and chief nursing officer at Glen Cove Hospital, did not initially plan a career in health care.
“My path was finance,” Wallace says, explaining that she once hoped to pursue her father’s career path. “I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps. He worked on Wall Street, and I was always fascinated.”
Her trajectory shifted after she took a job in hospitality services at North Shore University Hospital at age 16. By 18, she had moved onto a Telemetry unit, where she discovered her passion for patient care.
“Once I was able to get on the first unit, I fell in love with patient care services.”
That experience, coupled with working alongside her mother, helped shape her future.
“I actually started nursing school with my mom. We did nursing school together, and we actually graduated together as well.”
Wallace, who has been with Northwell Health for 26 years and a nurse for more than two decades, shares that her work is rooted in advocacy and compassion.
“What nursing means to me is being the patient and caregiver’s advocate; making sure that they feel that they are at home, away from home. You want to put the patient at ease at a very tough time in their life.”
Now in a leadership role, Wallace aims to highlight the broader impact of the profession.
“My goal is to make sure that we get the word out on how special nursing is. It’s not just being at the bedside, we touch so many people in so many ways.”
- As told to Roksana Amid
St. John's Episcopal Hospital
Episcopal Health Services
As a child, I have always had a love for medicine. One of my first toys was a stethoscope, and I loved to play doctor and surgery on my dolls. My favorite television shows have been related to medicine. My late father would say “Medicine is in your blood! You’re born with it!”
One day, I could not help but to ask my father why he said this. He went on to explain that his aunt worked as an RN in England for over 20 years, and my grandmother worked as a CNA. As I thought about this, I realized that he was right! Some of my fondest memories as a child are of my family members caring for the elders.
Upon further reflection I realized my most cherished childhood memories involve my family instinctively knowing how to care for our elders, anticipating their needs for healing or comfort. As I matured, the realization struck me: the care, compassion, attentiveness, and nurturing instinct that is within me, is the core of nursing. Almost instinctively knowing what's needed to heal or cure others.
Throughout my professional life, I have had the privilege of working in diverse settings, and those fundamental nursing principles have remained constant. Today, I am incredibly proud and grateful to be a registered nurse.
St. John's Episcopal Hospital
Episcopal Health Services
My desire to become a nurse was shaped early in life, growing up surrounded by healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, physicians and a long line of nurses across various specialties. It felt like a path I was always meant to follow.
Although I briefly pursued a degree in business administration, it didn’t take long for me to return to my true calling. My journey began as an EMT, where I was known for going above and beyond in patient care, showing compassion, empathy and a commitment to doing my best. My curiosity led me to seek more than just immediate care. I wanted to understand what happened to my patients after I transferred them and how their care continued.
This curiosity led me to work as a Behavioral Health Technician for five years, where I supported patients on a Behavioral Health unit. There, I saw firsthand the profound impact nurses had through compassion, teaching and therapeutic interventions. I found fulfillment in reinforcing coping skills and lessons patients could carry back into their communities. Ultimately, my experiences, curiosity and support system guided me to nursing.
Now, after one year as a nurse, I embrace my role as an educator, advocate and leader entrusted with lives and responsible for making a meaningful difference. I chose nursing to be a positive force in the lives of patients and their families, to educate them in ways they can understand, and to serve as an example that empowers others to advocate for themselves and pursue nursing as well.
At Mount Sinai, we proudly honor the strength, compassion, and expertise of our nurses, and recognize the essential role they play in caring for our patients and supporting the communities we serve.
Mount Sinai’s nursing team creates excellence together every day. Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside and Mount Sinai Queens have each earned the prestigious Magnet® Recognition three times consecutively, while The Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan has received this distinction five times in succession—an honor achieved by less than 3 percent of hospitals in the United States. This recognition reflects an unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care and consistently better outcomes.
As we celebrate Nurses Week, we proudly recognize the dedication and excellence of the nurses who make this achievement possible every day. mountsinai.org
Mount
Becoming a nurse has been my dream since childhood. This aspiration began when I had to care for my father at a very young age. Sadly, he passed away shortly after I graduated from nursing school, but his memory continues to inspire my passion for this profession.
Nursing is a noble calling. The ability to care for others and help save lives is both a privilege and a gift — one that I carry with deep pride. For the past 25 years, I have dedicated myself to this profession, including 13 meaningful years at Mount Sinai South Nassau.
Throughout my career, nursing has taught me far more than clinical and technical skills. It has instilled in me the values of compassion, dedication and selflessness. In this profession, I learned that true fulfillment comes from serving others with a selfless heart. Helping without expecting anything in return and choosing to do what is right even when no one is watching.
Currently I work on F3, the Oncology Med-Surg/Telemetry unit, where teamwork and service are at the heart of everything we do. I work with amazing colleagues where we do more than just care for patients; we care for one another. We stand side by side like a family, lifting each other up and sharing both the burdens and the victories.
Over the years, MSSN has faced many changes and challenges. Yet, one thing has remained constant: our deep sense of belonging. We do not simply work here; we consider this institution our second home and continue to serve with compassion and purpose.
Mount
Born in South Nassau, raised in the Oceanside community and now serving patients within it, my journey into nursing has truly come full circle. I began my nursing career in 2016, driven by a passion for helping others. A passion instilled in me early on through the values of my parents, who were both nurses.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of growing within the profession, starting as a bedside nurse, advancing to Assistant Nurse Manager, and now serving as a Nurse Informaticist. Each role has shaped my perspective and strengthened my commitment to patient care. While my responsibilities have changed, the core of why I chose nursing has remained the same.
To me, nursing is more than caring for the illness in front of me. It is about recognizing the individual behind the diagnosis. It is about understanding that every patient has a story, a family, a life beyond the hospital room. Nursing means showing up for people during some of their most vulnerable moments and providing not only clinical care, but also compassion, dignity and support.
In my current role, I contribute to patient care on a broader level by improving systems and implementing technologies that empower nurses and enhance the care experience for patients. Supporting nurses in delivering safe, efficient and high-quality care is just as important as the outcomes themselves, as it ultimately shapes every patient's interaction. No matter the setting, my goal remains the same: to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
I am grateful for the opportunities that have brought me to this point and for the ability to continue serving others through nursing.
Bethany Lawson’s path to nursing began with a simple instinct: to care for others. Growing up, she was drawn to comforting people in difficult moments, a trait that steadily evolved into a calling.
Today, Lawson is a medical-surgical nurse at Mercy Hospital, where she has worked for 13 years, first as a patient care assistant before earning her nursing degree.
Her role is wide-ranging, from caring for psychiatric and elderly patients to performing IV therapy and phlebotomy. The variety keeps her engaged, but it is her mindset that defines her work. She approaches every patient as if they were family, a perspective that guides her through long hours and difficult days.
“What keeps me going is I come to work every day, and I always treat my patients like they're my mom, my sister, my brother, my grandparents. The fulfillment I get from knowing I've done my part is unmatched, and it continues to motivate me to show up every day with the same passion and dedication.”
Lawson relates her decision to advance in the field came early in her career, when she realized she wanted to do more for her patients. That drive pushed her back to school and ultimately into nursing, where she could expand her skills and impact.
She credits the supportive, familyoriented environment at Mercy Hospital for helping her grow, noting that colleagues encourage one another to improve and deliver the highest level of care to the community they serve each day.
“Nursing means helping others when they're unable to help themselves, putting my patients' needs at the forefront, and caring for them the way I would care for myself or my loved ones.”
- As told to Brian Kacharaba
Gabrielle Del Gatto discovered her calling in nursing after initially pursuing a career in education, ultimately realizing she wanted to serve people more directly in their most vulnerable moments.
Drawn to the emotional and clinical demands of patient care, she entered the nursing profession in December 2024 and quickly found meaning in the fast-paced, high-responsibility environment of the hospital setting.
On a Medical-Surgical unit, she cares for a diverse mix of patients, managing multiple assignments per shift while striving to improve each patient’s experience through attentive care each day on the unit.
“Honestly, I'm very religious, so I always wanted to work for Catholic Health hospitals because they just align with my values,” she says. “But for me, God is my never-ending motivation. Every single patient that has stood in my path, I know that they're sent to me from God. So even if things seem like they're not going the way they're meant to be, I know it's all part of the plan, and I don't question it.”
Early in her career, Del Gatto found affirmation after forming a strong connection with a patient and family, an experience that led to a Daisy Award nomination just five months after practicing independently and reinforced her sense of purpose.
“My favorite part is when a patient looks me in the eye and tells me that they appreciate everything [I’ve done for them]. It is the best feeling in the whole entire world.”
She credits Mercy Hospital’s supportive culture and teamwork for helping her grow, noting the hospital’s shared commitment to compassionate care and the opportunity to learn and develop as a new nurse at Mercy.
- As told to Brian Kacharaba
Northwell
Long Island Jewish Medical Center
Nicolette Mascioli spent eight days in March on a mission trip to Guatemala. It was not a glamorous, Instagram-worthy vacation. Instead, she and other volunteers — through her alma mater Sacred Heart University — provided care in remote villages. Anyone who knows the 24-year-old Farmingdale native would not be surprised.
Today Nicolette is a registered nurse at Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center in New Hyde Park, specializing in a Post-Surgical unit that handles everything from neurosurgery and plastic surgery to colorectal procedures and hysterectomies.
She started her volunteer streak at age 15 when she spent time with the child life program at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park by entertaining, playing and bonding with sick youngsters. She followed that up as an LIJ volunteer. Little did she realize that a career in nursing — let alone a staff role at LIJ — would be in her future. After all, no one in her family had pursued a career in health care.
“I’m grateful to have made an impact on someone else’s life — even a little,” says Nicolette, the oldest of three sisters. “I feel like I do learn something new every day. I did not expect the opportunities that I’ve had through nursing.”
The Guatemala mission through her Catholic university was made possible by a donation from LIJ to cover her travel expenses. Nicolette brought back a greater appreciation of the need in the world and good she can do.
“It was life changing,” she says. “It really reshapes your perception.”
– As told to Jason Molinet
Northwell
Long Island Jewish Medical Center
Melissa Small went away to college, a Jamaican immigrant living the American dream. But the leap proved too great financially and she was soon back in Brooklyn working a string of department store jobs. She even considered joining the U.S. military. Then a chance encounter with a nursing assistant who sold an alternative future pushed her into health care.
Today Melissa, 40, of Jamaica, Queens, is a registered nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center — the last 13 years in the same unit. Eight Tower is LIJ’s surgical oncology floor, with a focus on abdominal, lung and pancreatic surgery patients.
Looking back, the climb up seemed improbable. She worked in a nursing home, then received certifications for phlebotomy and electrocardiogram testing. Her big break was landing a temp job at LIJ, which eventually grew into full-time employment.
“I would recommend health care if your heart is in it,” Melissa says. “I can’t imagine my life not being by the bedside. I like to be around people — our patients are like family — so nursing is great for that.”
Northwell helped fuel her growth.
Aided by tuition reimbursement, she earned an Associate’s degree in Nursing followed by her Bachelor’s degree.
The leveling up of her career continues. Commuting part-time to New Jersey, she graduates from William Paterson University on May 20 with a Master of Science in Nursing, part of its family nurse practitioner program.
“Northwell has encouraged me to do more. The opportunity is there if it’s in you to do more."
– As told to Jason Molinet
Prepare for your healthcare career—or advance the one you have.
Adelphi is a U.S. News & World Report Best College for Nursing, offering:
• BS in Nursing
• Accelerated BS in Nursing*
We’re also a U.S. News & World Report Best Grad School for Nursing, offering:
• MS in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• MS in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• MS in Healthcare Informatics
• MS in Nursing Education
• Master of Public Health
• PhD in Nursing
• DNP in Adult Gerontology Primary Care
• DNP in Psychiatric Mental Health
Clinical partnerships include Catholic Health, NYU Langone Health, Northwell Health, Mount Sinai Health System, New York-Presbyterian and New York City Health + Hospitals.
Visit adelphi.edu/nursingdegree
*Now offered in Garden City and Adelphi’s new Manhattan Center
Dedicated to our communities. ,
Always leading. Always caring. Always learning.
They comfort, advocate, heal and inspire — often all in the same shift. Nurses bring skill, compassion and unwavering dedication to every patient encounter while helping shape the future of healthcare through leadership, education and innovation.
During National Nurses Week, we pause to recognize the extraordinary professionals who stand at the heart of our healthcare system. From routine visits to life-saving emergencies, from welcoming new beginnings to offering comfort in life’s most difficult moments, nurses are there through it all.
Their work demands resilience, expertise and endless empathy. We depend on their steady presence and commitment every day. Simply put, healthcare would not function without them.
In this special photo essay by Photo Editor Tim Baker, we celebrate these everyday heroes through images that capture their care, courage and commitment — and the countless ways they make a difference in our communities. We thank you. We celebrate you. We see you.
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JENNIFER ERDMAN PSINAKIS, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, PCCN
NYU Langone Hospital
Long Island
I have been a nurse at NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island for close to 15 years on a Surgical Telemetry unit specializing in cardiothoracic surgery patients. It is the first unit I started on, and I am still working on that unit to this day! It is a very special unit staffed with very special people, some who have grown to be my closest friends. I am on many hospital councils and committees, and am a boardcertified holistic nurse.
I became a nurse out of a deeprooted desire to care for others and to form meaningful human connections. From an early age, I was drawn to roles that allowed me to support, comfort and uplift those around me, and nursing provided a natural path to turn that passion into a profession. To me, nursing is far more than clinical skill or technical knowledge — it is the privilege of being present for individuals during some of the most vulnerable and significant moments of their lives.
My greatest fulfillment comes from building trust with my patients, understanding their stories and providing care that honors not only their physical needs but also their emotional and personal experiences. Nursing means advocating, listening and showing compassion in a way that helps patients feel seen, heard and valued. It is both a responsibility and a profound honor to walk alongside patients and their families, offering support, dignity and genuine human connections when it matters most.
ADRIENNE KINCH BSN, RN, CPAN, PGMT-BC
NYU Langone Hospital
Long Island
My career as a nurse has been deeply rewarding and a lifelong journey of learning. Nursing has been my profession for almost 48 years, and I cherish every experience — whether happy or sad.
As a teenager, I lost my grandfather to a heart attack, and I felt helpless. I began volunteering at a hospital, where I realized it was my life’s calling. It became very important to me to pursue a career that would allow me to make a difference in people’s lives and give me the opportunity to help others. Nursing was the perfect fit.
I have had the privilege of working at NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island for 36 years in the PACU. Prior to that, I spent 10 years as an ICU nurse and two years on a medical-surgical floor. I feel incredibly fortunate to have built such a fulfilling career at NYU Langone - Long Island and to have gained a second work family.
Helping new nurses grow and succeed is truly my passion. Teamwork and the ability to contribute to improving the quality of patient care have motivated me throughout the years. I credit my peers, my patients, and the support of leadership for helping me grow both professionally and personally.
Nursing has given me a profound sense of purpose and a lasting passion that has brought meaning to my life. If I can give hope to someone who is sick and see it in their eyes, then I am fulfilled. Sharing human experiences and showing kindness through serving others has made me a better person and helped me overcome some of my own life’s heartaches through the strength of those around me.
Amarpreet Kaur began her nursing career at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream hospital last March, working on the hospital’s Medical-Surgical unit with a focus on older adult care.
Her path to nursing was shaped by early experiences after immigrating to the United States from India in 2008. As a child, she often assisted her father during medical appointments, translating and observing the role communication plays in patient care.
“It was their dream of {my brother and me] basically getting our degrees in the medical field, and then coming back and giving back to the community,” Kaur says. “That's something that we always do here and there. When we go back, we set up a camp back home. Even if it is just checking their finger sticks for blood sugar levels or their blood pressure in the community, it's so fascinating to them. That's not something that people often do there.”
Kaur pursued a degree in biology before completing her nursing education at LIU Brooklyn in 2024.
Kaur shares she was drawn to nursing to combine compassion, advocacy and clinical knowledge while supporting patients during vulnerable moments. Since starting at the hospital, she has completed a nurse residency program and taken on additional responsibilities, including serving as a diabetes resource on her unit. She has also contributed to initiatives focused on improving care for older adults and reducing complications such as falls and delirium.
Looking ahead, Kaur plans to pursue certification in gerontology and begin graduate studies in informatics, with the goal of enhancing patient care through both clinical practice and technology.
- As told to Angelina Zingariello
Northwell
Long Island Jewish Valley Stream
Elizabeth McGrath has worked in nursing since 2010, building her career in high-acuity settings before transitioning to Long Island Jewish Valley Stream hospital to serve her local community.
A Franklin Square resident, she spent more than a decade working in Emergency and Intensive Care units in the Bronx before joining the Valley Stream hospital in 2022 as an Emergency Department nurse.
“I've always wanted to be a nurse,” McGrath says. “I've always had a passion for helping people since a very young age. I think my faith in Catholicism played a lot in wanting to provide equitable care, especially for underprivileged populations.”
After two years in the Emergency Department, she stepped into her current role as an associate educator, where she supports the development of new and experienced nurses. Her responsibilities include onboarding staff, leading training programs and coordinating educational initiatives tailored to the needs of the department.
“I'm the first nurse in my family on all sides,” McGrath says. “Actually, I am very happy to say my daughter wants to become an Emergency Department nurse, just like me. So, perhaps there will be a second nurse in the family one day.”
She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in nursing education through Jacksonville University and expects to graduate next year. McGrath relates tht teaching has been a long-standing goal, allowing her to share her experience while supporting the next generation of nurses. She remains closely connected to clinical work by assisting staff during critical situations and staying engaged in patient care environments.
- As told to Angelina Zingariello
Adelphi University’s 2026 Giving Day campaign raised a record $2.25 million in 32 hours, more than tripling its original $750,000 goal and marking the school’s strongest annual fundraising drive to date.
Held April 22 and 23, the university’s “1,896 Minutes to Give” event — named for Adelphi’s 1896 founding year — invited alumni, students, faculty, staff, trustees and supporters to contribute to a wide range of campus initiatives. Donors were able to direct gifts toward scholarships, athletics, academic schools, research, emergency student assistance and community outreach programs.
University officials said 1,578 donors made 1,613 gifts during the campaign, generating $1.05 million in outright commitments and an additional $1.2 million in planned gifts. The total surpassed last year’s Giving Day campaign, which raised roughly $1.8 million, according to Adelphi, continuing steady growth under the university’s broader Momentum Campaign fundraising initiative.
“With 1,578 donors and 1,613 gifts, our community demonstrated the true impact of investing in the university we believe in,” Thomas Kline, Adelphi’s vice president of university advancement and external relations, said in a release.
Officials said every academic unit and major fundraising challenge met or
Courtesy Adelphi University
Adelphi University, located in Garden City, raised over $2 million during its 2026 Giving Day campaign.
exceeded its goal. Every current member of Adelphi’s Board of Trustees participated, while the university’s first planned giving challenge brought in 13 new or increased commitments, including four anonymous donations.
Funds raised will support student scholarships, hands-on learning opportunities, academic resources, Division II athletics and student life programming. Adelphi said community-based programs, including Bridges to Adelphi and the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program, will also receive support.
Adelphi University, headquartered in Garden City, serves more than 7,300 students.
— Allyson Ferrari
ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL OF NURSING QUEENS CAMPUS
By Nick Mongiovi
Long Island has been home for the Ducks for 26 seasons in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), and who better to add to a successful organization than a former CY Young Award winner?
Trevor Bauer signed with the Ducks on April 2, after pitching the last five years in Japan and Mexico. Long Island went 72-54 in 2025, as it looks to build upon last year’s success with speed and dominant pitching.
“When we signed guys, we were looking for guys that wanted to win, wanted to be here and further their careers,” says third-year manager Lew Ford, the franchise’s all-time hits leader. “They’re going to play hard. I think the fans enjoy that and that’s the kind of baseball we want to play.”
Last year’s Ducks led the league in pitching, finished in second in both fielding and hitting, and broke a team record for most stolen bases in a season with 239. Before last season, Ford emphasized speed, reiterating “The game is moving a lot towards speed.”
“We’re very happy with all these guys,” he says “They can still run, hit and play defense. We have a good mix of veterans and younger guys, too.”
Bauer is the name that’ll bring the reigning No. 1 pitching staff to the next level. He received the nod from Ford to be the team’s Opening Day starter on April 21 against the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars. The 10-year MLB veteran struck out eight but surrendered five hits, three walks and two runs in four innings of work in the 7-0 loss. Bauer, who followed his Ducks debut with a dominant no-hitter, makes his return to the United States to pitch on American soil for the first time since 2021 with a “hate to lose” mentality.
“They’ve had a lot of good players here,” Bauer says, on why he chose the Ducks. “A lot of guys have come through here and then signed elsewhere, kind of elevated their careers. All the guys who have been here and have had a really good time here, so that’s part of it. They win. I don’t like losing.
Infielder Wilmer Difo brings MLB experience.
creation to be featured on his and the team’s social media and streaming outlets.
“We are excited to welcome Trevor to Long Island,” Ducks President/CBO Michael Pfaff says. “His talent and knowledge will be important additions to our ballclub, and we are happy to offer him this opportunity to showcase his talents to MLB clubs while giving fans unprecedented access to Ducks baseball. We felt that was a unique and interesting approach. He’s got very unique content, and his approach is overwhelmingly positive.”
Along with Bauer, the Ducks’ starting rotation features Island Park native Ryan Sandberg, who was the team’s most reliable and dominant starter, Nolan Clinton, Harrison Francis and Michael Dominguez. Sandberg pitched to a 3.82 ERA in 91.2 innings of work, striking out 73 batters,
Familiarity returns in the bullpen for Long Island as Jacob Asa, Garrett Crowley, Tanner Jacobsen, Ryan Langford, Michael Reed and Ramon Santos all return.
“Most of these guys came halfway through the year; they had a lot of success here,” Ford adds.
“Ramon Santos, being our closer, had under a one ERA, did a very good job for us.”
Dix Hills native Matt Hogan is the starting center fielder.
Ben Folds is widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of his generation is joined by multitalented actress-singer-composer Lindsey Kraft. Known for pushing genre boundaries, Folds first rose to prominence with Ben Folds Five before launching a wide-ranging solo career that blends sharp lyricism, piano-driven melodies and orchestral ambition. His recent work reflects his deep engagement with orchestral music, including a live album featuring an olrchestral performance of his hits recorded just before concluding his eight-year tenure as Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center — an appointment that marked a first for the role. Today, he continues to move fluidly between pop tours and performances with leading orchestras worldwide, while also developing new work for film, television and theater.
Friday, May 8, 8 p.m. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.
“Teams I’ve been on have been in the playoffs the last decade, except for 2019, when I was traded. “So I want the chance to be in the playoffs and play for something meaningful at the end of the year. Checks that box here. Great market, big in New York, with a huge baseball market. There are a lot of things that are important to me that go on here.”
meaningful at the end of the year. Checks that box are
Additionally, Bauer will be “Mic’d Up” for all games and practices for the purposes of content
He possesses “a lot of speed and defense,” Ford says. It’s a “full-circle moment” for Hogan, who grew up attending Ducks games.
“I remember I sat up in that box up there with my aunt and uncle,” Hogan says, reminiscing on his time as a kid coming to Ducks games. “So coming here and being able to enjoy the time here and have my family come to games. It’s my first time playing on Long Island in about eight years. It’s humbling, it feels good. I’m excited to be here and really play with this team.”
Tickets can be purchased online at LIDucks.com, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or in person at the Fairfield Properties Ballpark box office in Central Islip. All games will be streamed on HomeTeam Network (HTN) with a paid subscription.
Some promotions include fireworks at all Saturday home games, sunglasses to the first 1,500 fans May 17, and Bark in the Park with Ducks patriotic hats July 1.
here and being able to enjoy the time here and have my family come to with
Big band energy meets Jamaican soul. The unique 20-piece band blends the exuberant musical layers of the jazz Big Band era with Jamaican roots music. Their sound is powered by a passionate team of talented musicians, each bringing unique energy and expertise to create an unforgettable experience. Led by trumpeter and vocalist Kevin Batchelor, and featuring Jamaican music legend 87-year-young celebrated percussionist/vocalist Larry MacDonald on congas and vocals, and Jamaican master drummer Carl Wright, band creates and perform lush original compositions and arrangements of classic songs from the rich and culturally iconic Jamaican music of ska, mento, rock steady, reggae, and jazz from the 1950s, ’60s and ‘70s.
Friday, May 8, 8 p.m. $91, $42, $37. andmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. Tickets available at landmarkonmainstreet.org or (516) 767-6444.
Girl Scouts of Nassau County host a Spring 2026
Daisy Parent Information Night at the Baldwin Public Library, offering families a chance to learn about the program for girls in prekindergarten through first grade. The session providse an overview of Girl Scouts, with opportunities to register and learn about activities. For adults only. Registration required.
• Where: 2385 Grand Ave.
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Contact: gsnc.wufoo.com
Baldwin Public Library welcomes all to an afternoon viewing of the new psychological thriller, “The Housemaid,” based on the novel by Frieda McFadden. The film is about Millie, played by Sydney Sweeney, a struggling woman who is relieved to get a fresh start as a housemaid to Nina, played by Amanda Seyfried, and Andrew, played by Brandon Sklenar, an upscale, wealthy couple. She soon learns that the family’s secrets are far more dangerous than her own. No registration is required.
• Where: 2385 Grand Ave.
• Time: 1-4 p.m.
• Contact: baldwinpl.org or call (516) 223-6228
Long Island Children’s Museum stages “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!,” back at the museum by popular demand. With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the award-winning “Pigeon” picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma (Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!), this show is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party! It’s not easy being the Pigeon since you never get to do anything. But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird can finally do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs, and feathers, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is sure to get everyone’s wings flapping. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon.; also May 13-14
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
and expressive artistry to the Madison Theatre stage. A prolific performer and educator, Fabbri has built a global reputation that extends well beyond the concert hall. His more than 40 guitar publications — translated into five languages, including Chinese — have reached an audience of over 300,000 readers worldwide, underscoring his influence on both aspiring musicians and seasoned players Fabbri is a frequent guest at leading international guitar festivals and has performed in many of the world’s most renowned concert venues, where he also conducts masterclasses. His recording career has further expanded his reach.
• Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
The Wallflowers mark the 30th anniversary of their breakthrough album “Bringing Down the Horse” on their latest tour, with a special full-album performance at the Paramount, presenting the record in sequence from start to finish. Originally released in 1996, the album became a defining success of the decade, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and going quadruple platinum. It produced a string of major hits, including “6th Avenue Heartache,” “The Difference,” and the Grammy-winning “One Headlight,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of the era’s most recognizable rock singles. Led by songwriter Jakob Dylan, the band draws on classic American rock influences such as The Band and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers — a legacy echoed in the tour’s additional tribute segment to Petty, including a full performance of the 1982 album Long After Dark. Over the years, Dylan has remained a consistent figure in rock music, collaborating widely and appearing in projects such as Echo in the Canyon alongside artists including Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Beck, Norah Jones and others. The Wallflowers also recently supported Eric Clapton on his 2025 U.S. tour, continuing their long-standing presence on major stages.
Collection
The Town of Hempstead encourages residents to clean their homes of hazardous materials. Dispose of such toxic items as antifreeze, drain cleans, pesticides, fluorescent bulbs, and oil-based paints at a S.T.O.P collection event.
• Where: Baldwin Park, 3232 South Grand Ave.
• Time: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Contact: Contact: hempsteadny. gov/235/accepted-not-accepted items or call (516) 378-4210
‘The Enchantment of Strings’
Visit Old Westbury Gardens for an evening of chamber music as presents in the intimate and elegant Red Ballroom. Ensemblein-residence Poetica Musica Quartet featuring Eric Wyrick, violin; Eugene Moye, cello; and guest artists Janey Choi, violin; and Michael Roth, viola, performs a captivating program including works by Ravel, Mendelssohn, and Dvorák
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
10
Coral House hosts Mother’s Day brunch and dinner buffets offering a range of dining options for families celebrating the holiday. The menu includes carving stations, pasta dishes, salads, desserts and kidfriendly options. Reservations are required. $72.95, $36.95 children ages 2-12.
• Where: 70 Milburn Ave.
• Time: Brunch, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; dinner, 3-6 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 223-6500 or coralhouse.com
Baldwin Civic Association meets
Residents are invited to attend the Baldwin Civic Association’s monthly general membership meeting.
• Where: 841 Ethel T. Kloberg Drive, Cafeteria B
• When: 7:30 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 855-8824 or baldwincivic@gmail.com
The Baldwin Public Library
Walking Club is back at Baldwin
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
Park. Participants will walk for about 30 to 45 minutes. Check email or the library’s website for updates, especially weatherrelated cancellations.
• Where: 3232 Grand Ave.
• Time: 10-11 a.m., also May 19, June 2, June 9, June 16, June 23, June 30
• Contact: baldwinpl.org or call (516) 223-6228
Enjoy an evening of painting and wine during this guided “Greca Nights” experience at Casita RD. Participants create their own artwork with step-by-step instruction in a relaxed, social setting. The event is designed for a night out with friends, a date or a solo creative experience. The $95 ticket includes materials, an appetizer, and a glass of wine or sangria. Advance registration is required. For tickets and details, visit Resy.com.
• Where: 866 Merrick Road
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 600-9079
The Internationally acclaimed
guitar
brings his signature blend of precision
Join Katie Yee at Baldwin Public Library when she discusses her debut novel, “Maggie; Or, a Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar.” Yee’s novel is a darkly comedic and poignant story following an unnamed Chinese American narrator navigating two life-altering challenges: her husband’s affair with a woman named Maggie, and a breast cancer diagnosis she also names “Maggie.” Through grief, humor and reflection, she reclaims her identity — from writing a “user’s manual” for her husband to retelling Chinese folklore to her children. Registration is required.
• Where: 2385 Grand Ave.
• Time: 2-3 p.m.
• Contact: baldwinpl.org or call (516) 223-6228
Baldwin BOE meets The Board of Education holds its next meeting at Baldwin High School. Stay up to date on district issues.
• Where: 841 Ethel T. Kloberg Drive
• Time: 7-8 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 434-6011 or districtclerk@baldwinschools. org
Having an event?
Items on the Calendar 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 kbloom@ liherald.com.
May 7, 2026
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF ANNUAL DISTRICT ELECTION, BUDGET HEARING AND VOTE OF BALDWIN UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT
TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU
STATE OF NEW YORK, TO BE HELD ON May 19, 2026
NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN that the budget hearing of the qualified voters of the Baldwin Union Free School District, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in Cafeteria A of Baldwin High School, Ethel T. Kloberg Drive, Baldwin, New York in said School District for the transaction of such business as is authorized by law including the following purposes:
1. Presentation and discussion of the budget for the operation of the district schools for the school year beginning July 1, 2026.
2. Presentation and discussion of the budget for operation of the Baldwin Public Library for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026.
3. Transactions of such other business as is authorized by law.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the vote upon the appropriation of necessary funds to meet the necessary expenditures for the school year 2026-2027, the library appropriation, and on all propositions duly filed with the Board of Education to fill vacancies for Trustees on the Board of Education shall be held in the gymnasium of Baldwin High School Ethel T. Kloberg Drive, East of Grand Avenue, Baldwin, New York, in said School District on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, between the hours of 7:00AM and 9:00PM. There are two board of education offices to be filled at the May 19, 2026, annual budget vote and election. One office is for a full three (3) year term from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2029. The other office is for the balance of an unexpired term from May 19, 2026, to June 30, 2027. The candidate receiving the largest number of votes will be elected to the longer term. The candidate receiving the second most votes will be elected to the balance of the unexpired term.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the following propositions will be presented to the voters at the May 19, 2026, vote:
PROPOSITION NO.
1: SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET
RESOLVED, that the proposed Budget of the Baldwin Union Free School District of the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, for the fiscal year 2026-2027 in the amount of $180,001,342 be adopted, and the amount be raised by tax upon the taxable property of the School District after first deducting the monies available from State Aid and other sources.
PROPOSITION NO.
2: PUBLIC LIBRARY BUDGET RESOLVED, that the proposed Budget of the Baldwin Public Library for the fiscal year 20262027 be adopted, in the amount of $6,489,946 be adopted, and the amount be raised by tax upon the taxable property of the School District after first deducting the monies available from State Aid and other sources.
PROPOSITION NO 3: USAGE OF FUNDS FROM THE CAPITAL RESERVE FUND KNOWN AS CAPITAL 2023
SHALL the Board of Education of the Baldwin Union Free School District be authorized to expend an additional $8,300,000.00 from the Capital Reserve fund known as “Capital-2023”, established on May 16, 2023 for the purpose of performing the following projects:
(a) construction/ renovation of a kitchen at Brookside Elementary School; (b) construction/ renovation of a kitchen at Lenox Elementary School; (c) construction/ renovation of a kitchen at Meadow Elementary School; (d) construction/ renovation of a kitchen at Plaza Elementary School; (e) construction/ renovation of a kitchen at Steele Elementary School; (f) construction/ renovation of a cafeteria at Brookside Elementary School; and (g) construction/renovation of a cafeteria at Steele Elementary School, all of the foregoing to include all labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental costs related thereto.
PROPOSITION NO. 4: USAGE OF FUNDS FROM TECHNOLOGY RESERVE 2022
SHALL the Board of Education of the Baldwin Union Free School District be authorized to expend an amount not to exceed $475,000 from the Technology Reserve fund established on May 17, 2022 for the purpose of performing the following projects: (a) new Chromebooks for 3rd grade students; (b) new Chromebooks for 8th grade students; (c) Stylus/Meta pens; (d) cases/covers for Chromebooks, (e) battery bank charging cabinets; and (f) interactive boards, all of the foregoing to include all labor, materials, equipment, apparatus and incidental costs related thereto.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the voting shall be on voting machines as provided by Education Law and the polls will remain open from 7:00AM until 9:00PM and as much longer as may be necessary to enable the voters then present to cast their ballots. The District Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to have the necessary ballot labels printed for said voting machines in the form corresponding as nearly as may be with the requirements of the Education Law. The condensed form of the budget proposition and the text of all other propositions to appear on the voting machine and a detailed statement in writing of the amount of money which will be required for the school year 2026-2027 for school purposes, specifying the purposes and the amount for each will be prepared and copies thereof will be made available, upon request, to any taxpayer in the district at each school building in the district in which school is maintained between the hours of 8:00AM and 4:00PM during the period of fourteen days immediately preceding said election of May 19, 2026, excluding Saturday, Sunday, and holidays, and at such annual election.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the election shall be held in accordance with the Rules for the Conduct of Meetings and Elections adopted by the Board of
Education.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the nominations for the office of members of the Board of Education unless otherwise provided by law, shall be made by petition subscribed by at least 25 qualified voters of the District, and nominations for office of member of the Library Board, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be made by petition subscribed by at least 25 qualified voters of the District, filed in the office of the Clerk of the District between the hours of 8:00AM and 4:00PM not later than the 30th day, April 20, 2026, preceding the meeting or election at which the trustees shall be voted upon. Such petition shall state the name and residence of the candidates. Candidates receiving the greatest number of votes shall be considered elected to their respective offices. Where terms are of different length, the candidate receiving the highest vote shall be elected to the longest term. A nomination may be rejected by the Board of Education if the candidate is ineligible for the office or declares his unwillingness to serve.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that any proposition or question to be placed upon the voting machines shall be submitted in writing by petition subscribed by at least 52 qualified voters of the District and filed in the Office of the Clerk of the District between the hours of 8:00AM and 4:00PM, not later than the 30th day, April 20, 2026, preceding the meeting or election at which such question or proposition shall be voted upon, except that this rule shall not apply to those questions or propositions which are required to be stated in the published or posted notice of the meeting or to those propositions or questions which the Board of Education has authority by law to present at any annual or special meeting of the District.
Registration shall also be permitted in the office of the District Clerk at Baldwin’s Administration building during the hours of enrollment of children for a school term and also from 8:00AM to 3:00PM on any school
day at any of the District schools not later than five days preceding the school meeting and election.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the register shall include (1) all qualified voters of the district who shall personally present themselves for registration; and (2) all previously qualified voters of the District who shall have been previously registered for any Annual or Special District Meeting or election held or conducted at any time within four (4) years (2022-2025) prior to preparation of the said register; and (3) voters permanently registered with the Board of Election of the County of Nassau.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Board of Registration will further meet during the hours of voting at the Annual District Election on May 19, 2026, for the purpose of preparing a register for District meetings or elections to be held subsequent to May 19, 2026. Said register shall include (1) all qualified voters of the District who shall present themselves personally for registration, and (2) all qualified voters of the District who shall have been previously registered for any annual or special District meeting or election held or conducted at any time within four calendar years (2022-2025) prior to the preparation of said register.
The Register shall be filed in the Office of the District Clerk of the school district at the Administration Building, Hastings Street, Baldwin, New York where it shall be open for inspection by any qualified voter between the hours of 9:00AM and 2:00PM on each of the five days prior to the day set for the election, except Sunday, and on Saturday by appointment only.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that application for absentee and early mail ballots for the school district election may be applied for at the office of the Clerk. A list of all persons to whom absentee and early mail ballots shall have been issued will be available in the office of the Clerk on each of the five days prior to the day of the election, except
Sunday, and on Saturday by appointment only. Applications for absentee ballots and early mail must be received by the District Clerk no earlier than thirty (30) days before the election. Furthermore, such application must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days before the election if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter or his/her designated agent. Upon receiving a timely request for a mailed absentee or early mail ballot, the District Clerk will mail the ballot to the address set forth in the application by no later than six (6) days before the vote.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that military voters who are not currently registered may apply to register as a qualified voter of the school district. Military voters who are qualified voters of the school district may submit an application for a military ballot. Military voters may designate a preference to receive a military voter registration, military ballot application or military ballot by mail, facsimile transmission or electronic mail in their request for such registration, ballot application or ballot. Military voter registration forms and military ballot application forms must be received in the office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 23, 2026. No military ballot will be canvassed unless it is (1) received in the office of the District Clerk before the close of the polls on election day and showing a cancellation mark of the United States postal service or a foreign country’s postal service, or showing a dated endorsement of receipt by another agency of the United States government; or (2) received by the office of the District Clerk by no later than 5:00 p.m. on election day and signed and dated by the military voter and one witness thereto, with a date which is associated to be not later than the day before the election.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that this Board shall convene a special meeting thereof within twenty-four hours after the filing with the District Clerk of a written
report of the results of the ballot, to meet at the Baldwin Senior High School for the purpose of examining and tabulating said reports of the result of the ballot and declaring the result of the ballot; that the Board hereby designates itself to be a set of poll clerks to cast and canvass ballots pursuant to Education Law 2019-a, subdivision 2b at said special meeting of the Board.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a Real Property Tax Exemption Report prepared in accordance with Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law will be annexed to any tentative/preliminary budget as well as the final adopted budget of which it will form a part; and shall be posted on District bulletin board(s) maintained for public notices, as well as on the District’s website.
Dated: March 31, 2026 Baldwin, NY BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION BALDWIN UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, NEW YORK
Saide P. Vidal, District Clerk 159195
LEGAL NOTICE AVISO DE ELECCIÓN ANUAL DEL DISTRITO, AUDIENCIA PRESUPUESTARIA Y VOTACIÓN DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE UNIÓN DE BALDWIN CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU ESTADO DE NEW YORK, A CELEBRARSE EL 19 de mayo de 2026
POR EL PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA que la audiencia presupuestaria de los votantes calificados del Distrito Escolar Libre de Unión de Baldwin, ciudad de Hempstead, condado de Nassau, se llevará a cabo el miércoles 6 de mayo de 2026, en la cafetería A de Baldwin High School, Ethel T. Kloberg Drive, Baldwin, New York, en dicho Distrito Escolar, para la realización de los asuntos que estén autorizados por la ley, incluidos los siguientes fines:
1. Presentación y debate del presupuesto para el funcionamiento de las
escuelas del distrito para el año escolar que comienza el 1 de julio de 2026.
2. Presentación y debate del presupuesto para el funcionamiento de Baldwin Public Library para el año fiscal que comienza el 1 de julio de 2026. 3. Tratamiento de cualquier otro asunto autorizado por la ley.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que la votación sobre la asignación de los fondos necesarios para cubrir los gastos necesarios del año escolar 20262027, la asignación para la biblioteca, y todas las propuestas debidamente presentadas ante la Junta de Educación para cubrir vacantes de miembros de la junta en la Junta de Educación, se llevará a cabo en el gimnasio de Baldwin High School, Ethel T. Kloberg Drive, East of Grand Avenue, Baldwin, New York, en dicho Distrito Escolar, el martes 19 de mayo de 2026, entre las 7:00 a. m. y las 9:00 p. m. Hay dos cargos en la Junta de Educación que deberán cubrirse en la votación sobre el presupuesto anual y las elecciones del 19 de mayo de 2026. Un cargo es para un período completo de tres (3) años, desde el 1 de julio de 2026 hasta el 30 de junio de 2029. El otro cargo es por el resto de un período no vencido desde el 19 de mayo de 2026 hasta el 30 de junio de 2027. El candidato que reciba el mayor número de votos será elegido para el período más largo. El candidato que reciba el segundo mayor número de votos será elegido para el resto del período no vencido.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que se presentarán las siguientes propuestas a los votantes en la votación del 19 de mayo de 2026:
PROPUESTA N.º 1: PRESUPUESTO DEL DISTRITO ESCOLAR SE RESUELVE que se adopte el presupuesto propuesto del Distrito Escolar Libre de Unión de Baldwin de la ciudad de Hempstead, condado de Nassau, estado de New York, para el año fiscal 20262027 por un monto de $180,001,342, y que dicho monto se recaude mediante impuestos sobre la propiedad sujeta a impuestos del Distrito Escolar, después de deducir primero los fondos disponibles
provenientes de la ayuda estatal y otras fuentes.
PROPUESTA N.º 2:
PRESUPUESTO DE LA BIBLIOTECA PÚBLICA
SE RESUELVE que se adopte el presupuesto propuesto de Baldwin Public Library para el año fiscal 20262027, por un monto de $6,489,946, y que dicho monto se recaude mediante impuestos sobre la propiedad sujeta a impuestos del Distrito Escolar, después de deducir primero los fondos disponibles provenientes de la ayuda estatal y otras fuentes.
PROPUESTA N.º 3: USO DE LOS FONDOS PROVENIENTES DEL FONDO DE RESERVA DE CAPITAL CONOCIDO COMO CAPITAL 2023
SE AUTORIZA a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre de Unión de Baldwin a desembolsar un monto adicional de $8,300,000.00 del Fondo de Reserva de Capital conocido como “Capital-2023”, establecido el 16 de mayo de 2023, con el propósito de llevar a cabo los siguientes proyectos: (a) construcción/ renovación de una cocina en Brookside Elementary School; (b) construcción/renovación de una cocina en Lenox Elementary School; (c) construcción/ renovación de una cocina en Meadow Elementary School; (d) construcción/renovación de una cocina en Plaza Elementary School; (e) construcción/renovación de una cocina en Steele Elementary School; (f) construcción/ renovación de una cafetería en Brookside Elementary School; y (g) construcción/renovación de una cafetería en Steele Elementary School, lo cual incluye toda la mano de obra, los materiales, el equipo, los aparatos y los gastos incidentales relacionados con lo anterior.
PROPUESTA N.º 4: USO DE LOS FONDOS PROVENIENTES DE LA RESERVA TECNOLÓGICA DE 2022
SE AUTORIZA a la Junta de Educación del Distrito Escolar Libre de Unión de Baldwin a desembolsar un monto que no exceda de $475,000 del Fondo de la Reserva Tecnológica
establecido el 17 de mayo de 2022, con el propósito de llevar a cabo los siguientes proyectos: (a) nuevas Chromebooks para estudiantes de 3.º grado; (b) nuevas Chromebooks para estudiantes de 8.º grado; (c) lápices Stylus/Meta; (d) fundas/carcasas para Chromebooks; (e) gabinetes de carga para bancos de baterías; y (f) pizarras interactivas, lo cual incluye toda la mano de obra, los materiales, el equipo, los aparatos y los gastos incidentales relacionados con lo anterior.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que la votación se llevará a cabo mediante máquinas de votación, conforme a lo dispuesto por la Ley de Educación, y que los centros de votación permanecerán abiertos desde las 7:00 a. m. hasta las 9:00 p. m., y durante el tiempo adicional que sea necesario para permitir que los votantes presentes en ese momento emitan sus votos. Por el presente, se autoriza y se instruye a la secretaria del Distrito a que haga imprimir las etiquetas de las boletas necesarias para dichas máquinas de votación en una forma que se ajuste, en la mayor medida posible, a los requisitos de la Ley de Educación. Se preparará la forma resumida de la propuesta sobre el presupuesto y el texto de todas las demás propuestas que aparecerán en la máquina de votación, así como una declaración detallada por escrito del monto de dinero que se requerirá para el año escolar 2026-2027 para fines escolares, especificando los fines y el monto correspondiente a cada uno, y se pondrán copias a disposición, previa solicitud, de cualquier contribuyente del distrito en cada edificio escolar del distrito en el que funcione una escuela, entre las 8:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m., durante el período de catorce días inmediatamente anteriores a dicha elección del 19 de mayo de 2026, excepto los sábados, domingos y festivos, y en dicha elección anual.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que la elección se celebrará de conformidad con el Reglamento para la celebración de reuniones y elecciones
aprobado por la Junta de Educación.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que las candidaturas para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de Educación, salvo que la ley disponga lo contrario, se presentarán mediante una petición firmada por al menos 25 votantes calificados del Distrito, y que las candidaturas para el cargo de miembro de la Junta de la Biblioteca, salvo que la ley disponga lo contrario, se presentarán mediante una petición firmada por al menos 25 votantes calificados del Distrito, que deberá presentarse en la oficina de la secretaria del Distrito entre las 8:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m., a más tardar el día 30, el 20 de abril de 2026, anterior a la reunión o elección en la que se votará a los miembros de la junta. Dicha petición deberá indicar el nombre y la residencia de los candidatos. Los candidatos que reciban el mayor número de votos se considerarán electos para sus respectivos cargos. Cuando los períodos sean de distinta duración, el candidato que reciba el mayor número de votos será electo para el período más largo. La Junta de Educación podrá rechazar una nominación si el candidato no reúne los requisitos para el cargo o declara su falta de disposición para desempeñarlo.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que cualquier propuesta o cuestión que se deba incluir en las máquinas de votación se presentará por escrito mediante petición suscrita por al menos 52 votantes calificados del Distrito y se presentará en la oficina de la secretaria del Distrito entre las 8:00 a. m. y las 4:00 p. m., a más tardar el día 30, el 20 de abril de 2026, anterior a la reunión o elección en la que se votará dicha cuestión o propuesta, excepto que esta disposición no aplicará a aquellas cuestiones o propuestas que deban indicarse en el aviso publicado o fijado de la reunión ni a aquellas propuestas o cuestiones que la Junta de Educación tenga autoridad por ley para presentar en cualquier reunión anual o extraordinaria del Distrito.
También se permitirá
el registro en la oficina de la secretaria del Distrito en el edificio administrativo de Baldwin durante el horario de inscripción de niños para un período escolar y también de 8:00 a. m. a 3:00 p. m. en cualquier día escolar en cualquiera de las escuelas del Distrito, a más tardar cinco días antes de la reunión y elección escolar.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que el registro incluirá (1) a todos los votantes calificados del Distrito que se presenten personalmente para registrarse; y (2) a todos los votantes previamente calificados del Distrito que se hayan registrado previamente para cualquier reunión o elección anual o extraordinaria del Distrito celebrada o realizada en cualquier momento dentro de los cuatro (4) años (20222025) anteriores a la preparación de dicho registro; y (3) a los votantes registrados de forma permanente ante la Junta Electoral del condado de Nassau.
SE NOTIFICA DEMÁS que la Junta de Registro se reunirá además durante el horario de votación en la Elección Anual del Distrito del 19 de mayo de 2026, con el propósito de preparar un registro para las reuniones o elecciones del Distrito que se celebren con posterioridad al 19 de mayo de 2026. Dicho registro incluirá (1) a todos los votantes calificados del Distrito que se presenten personalmente para registrarse, y (2) a todos los votantes calificados del Distrito que se hayan registrado previamente para cualquier reunión o elección anual o extraordinaria del Distrito celebrada o realizada en cualquier momento dentro de los cuatro años calendario (2022-2025) anteriores a la preparación de dicho registro.
El registro se archivará en la oficina de la secretaria del Distrito del distrito escolar en el edificio administrativo, Hastings Street, Baldwin, New York, donde estará disponible para su inspección por cualquier votante calificado entre las 9:00 a. m. y las 2:00 p. m. durante cada uno de los cinco días previos a la fecha fijada para la elección, excepto el domingo, y el sábado únicamente con cita previa.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que las solicitudes de boletas de voto en ausencia y de voto anticipado por correo para la elección del distrito escolar podrán presentarse en la oficina de la secretaria. Una lista de todas las personas a quienes se hayan emitido boletas de voto en ausencia y de voto anticipado por correo estará disponible en la oficina de la secretaria durante cada uno de los cinco días previos al día de la elección, excepto el domingo, y el sábado únicamente con cita previa. La secretaria del Distrito deberá recibir las solicitudes de boletas de voto en ausencia y de voto anticipado por correo no antes de treinta (30) días antes de la elección. Asimismo, la secretaria del Distrito deberá recibir dicha solicitud al menos siete días antes de la elección si la boleta se enviará por correo al votante, o el día anterior a la elección si la boleta se entregará personalmente al votante o a su agente designado. Al recibir una solicitud oportuna de una boleta de voto en ausencia o de voto anticipado por correo para envío postal, la secretaria del Distrito enviará la boleta a la dirección indicada en la solicitud a más tardar seis (6) días antes de la votación.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que los votantes militares que no se encuentren actualmente registrados podrán solicitar su registro como votantes calificados del distrito escolar. Los votantes militares que sean votantes calificados del distrito escolar podrán presentar una solicitud para obtener una boleta militar. Los votantes militares podrán indicar su preferencia de recibir el registro de votante militar, la solicitud de boleta militar o la boleta militar por correo, transmisión por fax o correo electrónico en su solicitud de dicho registro, solicitud de boleta o boleta. La oficina de la secretaria del Distrito deberá recibir los formularios de registro de votante militar y los formularios de solicitud de boleta militar a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. del 23 de abril de 2026. No se contabilizará ninguna boleta militar a menos que (1) la oficina de la
secretaria del Distrito la reciba antes del cierre de las urnas el día de la elección y muestre un matasellos del servicio postal de los Estados Unidos o del servicio postal de un país extranjero, o muestre una constancia fechada de recepción por otra agencia del gobierno de los Estados Unidos; o (2) la oficina de la secretaria del Distrito la reciba a más tardar a las 5:00 p. m. del día de la elección y esté firmada y fechada por el votante militar y un testigo, con una fecha que no sea posterior al día anterior a la elección.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que esta Junta convocará a una reunión extraordinaria dentro de las veinticuatro horas posteriores a la presentación ante la secretaria del Distrito de un informe escrito de los resultados de la votación, para reunirse en Baldwin Senior High School con el propósito de examinar y tabular dichos informes de los resultados de la votación y declarar el resultado de la votación; asimismo, la Junta por la presente se designa a sí misma como funcionarios electorales para emitir y escrutar los votos de conformidad con la Ley de Educación 2019-a, subdivisión 2b, en dicha reunión extraordinaria de la Junta.
SE NOTIFICA ADEMÁS que el Informe sobre exenciones del impuesto sobre bienes inmuebles, elaborado de conformidad con la sección 495 de la Ley del Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles, se adjuntará a cualquier presupuesto provisional o preliminar, así como al presupuesto definitivo aprobado, del que formará parte; y se publicará en los tablones de anuncios del Distrito destinados a los avisos públicos, así como en el sitio web del Distrito.
Fecha: 31 de marzo de 2026 Baldwin, NY POR ORDEN DE LA JUNTA DE EDUCACIÓN DISTRITO ESCOLAR LIBRE DE UNIÓN DE BALDWIN CIUDAD DE HEMPSTEAD, CONDADO DE NASSAU NEW YORK
Saide P. Vidal, secretaria del distrito 159197
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF NASSAU
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., -againstSTAMATIOS SITZANIS
A/K/A S. SITZANIS, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on October 22, 2025, wherein WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. is the Plaintiff and STAMATIOS SITZANIS
A/K/A S. SITZANIS, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on May 19, 2026 at 3:30PM, premises known as 2753 CENTRAL AVENUE, BALDWIN, NY 11510; and the following tax map identification: 54-284-26. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN BALDWIN, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 608418/2019. Paul L. Meli, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 159618
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court County of Nassau CitiMortgage, Inc. successor by merger to ABN AMRO Mortgage Group, Inc., Plaintiff AGAINST Carmelle Arguizoni, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of
Foreclosure and Sale entered on February 24, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on May 14, 2026 at 2:30 PM premises known as 3029 Grand Avenue, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 54, BLOCK: 409, LOT: 72 and 78. Approximate amount of judgment is $626,602.16 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 610708/2017. This sale may be subject to the US Dept of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Real Estate Reporting Rule. In such event, all p urchasers are required to provide the information needed for proper reporting in accordance with the terms of sale. Jon Ward, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-073204-F00 89576 159601
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Section 202-48 of the code of the Town of Hempstead entitled, “Handicapped Parking on Public Streets,” a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 12th day of May 2026, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, to consider the adoption of a resolution setting aside certain parking spaces for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons at the following locations: BALDWIN EMERSON AVENUEsouth side, starting at a point 120 feet east of the east curbline of Westervelt Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet. (TH-101/26) ELMONT
238th STREET - east side, starting at a point 72 feet south of the south curbline of 117th Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-126/26)
ATHERTON AVENUEsouth side, starting at a point 81 feet west of the west curbline of Emporia Avenue, west for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-113/26)
BUTLER BOULEVARDwest side, starting at a point 79 feet south of the south curbline of James Street, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-100/26)
SEWANEE AVENUEeast side, starting at a point 146 feet north of the north curbline of Atherton Avenue, north for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-123/26)
(NR) FLORAL PARK
239th STREET - east side, starting at a point 68 feet north of the north curbline of Ontario Road, north for a distance of 15 feet.
(TH-134/26)
FRANKLIN SQUARE
GARFIELD STREETsouth side, starting at a point 81 feet east of the east curbline of Lincoln Road, east for a distance of 22 feet.
(TH-97/26)
HOFFMAN STREETwest side, starting at a point 249 feet south of the south curbline of Sobo Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-120/26)
ROOSEVELT STREETnorth side, starting at a point 174 feet west of the west curbline of Caroline Avenue, for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-133/26)
ROOSEVELT
BROOKS AVENUEsouth side, starting at a point 48 feet east of the east curbline of Scherer Place, east for a distance of 22 feet.
(TH-136/26)
(NR) VALLEY STREAM
IRVING STREET - east side, starting at a point 244 feet north of the north curbline of Sobro Avenue, north for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-118/26) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons:
FRANKLIN SQUARE
JEFFERSON STREETeast side, starting at a point 77 feet south of the south curbline of Naple Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-517/18 - 1/22/19)
(TH-106/26)
ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have
an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.
Dated: April 28, 2026
Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
JOHN FERRETTI
Supervisor
KATE MURRAY
Town Clerk 160018
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS
Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law
Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Town Hall Plaza, One Washington Street, Hempstead, New York on 05/20/2026 at 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:
- THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00
P.M.
279/26. - 280/26. BALDWIN - Nick Sainsurin, Variance, front yard setback on Edna Ct., maintain 2nd story & 2 story addition, both attached to dwelling; Maintain 3’ & 6” high fence on Edna Ct. within the clear sight triangle at owner’s driveway which may substantially obstruct line of sight., N/W cor. Grimm Pl. & Edna Ct., a/k/a 623 Grimm Pl. ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550. This notice is only for new cases in Baldwin within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.go v/509/Board-of-Appeals
The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.go v/576/Live-StreamingVideo
Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the
call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it.
160023
LEGAL NOTICE CASE NO. 21527
RESOLUTION NO. 414-2026
Adopted: April 28, 2026
Senior Councilmember Goosby offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AND SETTING ASIDE CERTAIN PARKING SPACES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES FOR THE SOLE USE OF HOLDERS OF SPECIAL PARKING PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COUNTY OF NASSAU TO PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 408-2026, adopted April 14, 2026, a public hearing was duly held on the 28th day of April 2026, at the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the proposed establishment and setting aside of a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons, in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, all as set forth in said resolution; and
WHEREAS, after due consideration, this Town Board finds it to be in the public interest to establish and set aside a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, the following parking spaces be and the same hereby is set aside for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically
handicapped persons:
BALDWIN ROCKVILLE DRIVEwest side, starting at a point 120 feet north of the north curbline of Seaman Avenue, north for a distance of 22 feet.
(TH-78/26)
ELMONT
118th AVENUE - north side, starting at a point 50 feet east of the east curbline of 238th Street, east for a distance of 21 feet.
(TH-63/26)
HENDRICKSON
AVENUE - west side, starting at a point 133 feet north of the north curbline of Burtis Place, north for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-81/26)
R STREET - north side, starting at a point 52 feet west of the west curbline of Arcadian Avenue for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-96/26)
FRANKLIN SQUARE
FARNUM BOULEVARD
- east side, starting at a point 436 feet south of the south curbline of Whiteside Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-65/26)
LANGDON STREETnorth side, starting at a point 63 feet east of the east curbline, east for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-93/26)
ROOSEVELT
GORMLEY AVENUEnorth side, starting at a point 152 feet east of the east curbline of Babylon Turnpike, east for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-82/26)
LONG BEACH AVENUE
- east side, starting at a point 105 feet south of the south curbline of Centennial Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.
(TH-92/26) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons:
ROOSEVELT
GORMLEY AVENUEnorth side, starting at a point 92 feet east of the east curbline of Babylon Turnpike, east for a distance of 40 feet.
(TH-533/0910/05/2010) (TH-82/26) ; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk shall enter this resolution in the minutes of the Town Board and shall publish a copy of this resolution once a newspaper having a general circulation in the Town of Hempstead, and shall
Courtesy Baldwin Chamber of Commerce
The Baldwin Chamber of Commerce welcomed Kolstein Music to its new Baldwin showroom with a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 28 at the historic Koch Building at Sunrise Highway and Grand Avenue.
post a copy hereof on the signboard maintained by her, and file in her office affidavits of such publication and posting. The foregoing resolution was seconded by Councilmember Muscarella and adopted upon roll call as follows:
AYES: SEVEN (7) NOES: NONE (0) 160013
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 41-2026
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held on the 28th day of April 2026, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 41-2026, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 41-2026, to amend Section 202-1 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at various locations.
Dated: April 28, 2026
Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
JOHN FERRETTI
Supervisor
KATE MURRAY
Town Clerk 160010
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 42-2026
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held on the 28th day of April 2026, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 42-2026, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 42-2026, to amend Section 197-5 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include “ARTERIAL STOPS” at various locations
Dated: April 28, 2026
Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
JOHN FERRETTI
Supervisor
KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 160011
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, JP MORGAN MORTGAGE ACQUISITION CORP., Plaintiff, vs. NICOLA DAVIS, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on March 24, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front
steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 8, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 1611 Wales Avenue, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Baldwin, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 36, Block 392 and Lot 246. Approximate amount of judgment is $777,547.39 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #009661/2006.
Peter L. Kramer, Esq., Referee. (516) 510-4020 Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 242020-1 160032
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU TOWD POINT MORTGAGE TRUST 2016-5, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE, -againstELMOR JOHNSON, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on October 16, 2025, wherein TOWD POINT MORTGAGE TRUST 2016-5, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS
INDENTURE TRUSTEE is the Plaintiff and ELMOR JOHNSON, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on June 9, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 740 WESLEY STREET, BALDWIN, NY 11510; and the following tax map identification: 36-178-112. ALL THAT CERTAIN, PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE BALDWIN, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, IN THE COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 613679/2023. Michael J. Sepe, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 160028
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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 multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com
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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 from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
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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 quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
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PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS
This breathtaking property is a masterfully crafted home set on a sprawling threequarter acre corner lot, where elegance, space, and thoughtful design come together. From the moment you step inside, the superior craftsmanship
How early do I get the
Q. I’ve been interviewing architects and want your opinion on the issue of interior design. I have no sense of space, color or furniture. I’m getting mixed ideas from the architects about having an interior designer involved at the beginning, and I’m wondering what to do. Should I have the interior designer do the space plan first, and then hire the architect, or should I get the interior designer involved more toward the middle, before plans are done?
A. This is a touchy subject that often leads to frustration, mostly because the tasks of each are not always understood. There’s an old saying, “Too many cooks spoil the broth.” An interior designer on my projects has always been requested to work after the building is designed, from the beginning to the end. The reasons for this are the differences in our knowledge of laws, engineering qualifications and responsibilities.
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An interior designer doesn’t have a license, qualification or, generally, the education to perform the integrated services of an architect or an engineer. The reason that’s a frustrating answer is that I like working with interior designers personally, when the enhancement of the building’s finishes come into play, after the building has met the requirements of being able to stand, shed light to spaces, allow for all the safety requirements and myriad codes that must be followed. Unfortunately, clients often see that as being egotistical, overly sensitive or domineering, and that’s due to the lack of education as to what each person’s role is in construction. It’s no different than when a carpenter tells a homeowner that the structure could have been thinner and would have saved the owner money. The carpenter may not understand that the structure has to be sized for insulation thickness to meet energy codes before voicing their perspective. I’ve had multiple experiences that turned out very well because it was understood, from the project beginning, that the architect wasn’t there just to draw what they were told to draw. At times, issues needed to be discussed, and changes were necessary to accommodate the material thickness.
For example, stairways have a minimum width, and you can’t arbitrarily add a thick stone surface to the side walls that would reduce the clear width. It might be beautiful, but imagine having the inspection fail for safety reasons. In that instance, the plans could have been discussed or the material selection could have been revised.
I once had an interior designer repeatedly changing the shape of spaces, requiring the arbitrary removal of columns. A building won’t stand without columns, and moving them is like pulling one card out of a house of cards, literally and figuratively. A great design starts with great communication and a clear understanding of each person’s responsibilities and boundaries, both legal and by the project team as a whole. As a team, you will be successful if you and every team member understand this. Good luck!
© 2026 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
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I have more than enough words for a memoir
Recently I entered into an agreement with noted editor Peter Ginna to put my 140,000-word memoir manuscript into final form to be presented to publishers. That will probably result in the reduction of at least 30,000 words and some reformatting. The final product, though, will be mine.
This project began five years ago. After I retired from Congress in January 2021, I started to assemble my thoughts, news stories, photos and memorabilia from 28 years in office in an attempt to make some sense of, and put in some perspective, my experiences. The more I assembled, the more I realized how long and unlikely the journey had been — and how fortunate I had been.
Particularly helpful to me in collating so much of the memories and information was Anne Rosenfeld, who worked in my district office, in Massapequa Park, for all of those years, including the last 20 as district director. Melissa Zimmerman was one of the Nassau County Police Department
detectives on my congressional security detail. Having retired shortly before I did, she agreed to be my post-congressional security director. As she learned what I was doing and heard my discussions about my experiences, she urged me to put it all into a memoir. And she didn’t let up until I started the process.
As I began to write, I realized that the story would have to begin where it all began, on the bluecollar sidewalks of Sunnyside, Queens, and then St. Albans.
if not a ragsto-riches tale, my life has certainly been an improbable journey.
My grandparents were Irish immigrants. My father was a World War II veteran and an Army Reserve major who served for three decades in the New York City Police Department, rising to the rank of lieutenant as commanding officer for physical training and head of the department’s first Ceremonial Unit, which he formed. My mother, a product of the Depression, had to turn down a college scholarship and take a job instead.
My younger brother, Kevin, and I attended St. Teresa’s grammar school, in Woodside, where there were 70-plus kids in a classroom, with no concern for feelings or sensitivity. Tuition was 25 cents a week. After that it was Brooklyn Prep and then St. Francis College, while
TI worked full-time at the Railway Express freight yards on Manhattan’s West Side as a junior and senior. After that I was unexpectedly accepted by Notre Dame Law School, where I made friendships that would last a lifetime. At neighboring St. Mary’s College I met Rosemary, who has been putting up with me for a lifetime.
All of this somehow led to experiences with an eclectic mix of people and events that made for an interesting, never boring, life, as I navigated the minefields of New York and Washington politics and government. I dealt with tragedies such as Sept. 11 and its lasting aftermath, which included fighting for health care benefits for its survivors and first responders. I was one of only two members of Congress in history to vote against the impeachment of two presidents. I faced challenges as chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, holding controversial hearings into Islamic radicalization and ensuring that New York and Long Island received the funding necessary to defend against future terrorist attacks.
Over the years in New York, Washington and overseas, there were dealings with Presidents Clinton, Bush,
Obama, Trump and Biden; British Prime Minister Blair and Irish P.M. Ahern; Israeli leaders Rabin, Peres and Netanyahu; and meeting foreign leaders and dignitaries such as Russia’s Yeltsin, Poland’s Walesa and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth. There were New York leaders, characters and personalities including Cardinal John O’Connor, Al D’Amato, Ed Koch, Rudy Giuliani and Roy Cohn. There was also the almost surreal experience of being the grandson of Irish immigrants and having a great uncle who was in the IRA and imprisoned during the Irish War of Independence in the 1920s — and working with Clinton, Blair, Ahern and Irish Republican leader Gerry Adams to bring about the historic 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which ended the centuries-old, bloody struggle between the British government and the people of Ireland.
My life has not been a rags-to-riches tale, but it has certainly been an improbable journey, beyond what I ever could have dreamed of or imagined. It has indeed been what my book title describes, “The Road to God Knows Where — From the Blue Collar Sidewalks of Queens to the Halls of Congress.”
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
We all need friends, and NATO is our best one
he older you get, the more you need to have some friends. While we should always be lucky to have a family that cares for us in good times and bad, we still have to have friends. A little research showed me that there are more songs about the value of friends, and the need for them, than about independence or going it alone. I’m sure many readers are familiar with the Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends.” Or Dionne Warwick’s “That’s What Friends Are For,” or Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend,” Or Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me.” I could list another dozen songs that capture the importance of having a friend. Which brings us to the subject of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Somehow, President Trump has advanced the distorted idea that America can go it alone in the world without the help of our overseas allies. Long before NATO came into existence in 1949, our European friends were fighting with us in World War II, losing thou-
sands of young men to keep democracy alive.
When NATO was founded, its membership comprised Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States. It now includes Albania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Turkey. It is a powerful union of allies who all have economic and strategic relationships with the United States.
T here is no way the United States could go it alone with these allies.
has always stood by us since then. Trump alleges that Iran was almost ready to attack the United States and Israel, but it did not launch an attack on our country. Being a “threat” to a NATO ally isn’t the same as attacking it. On 9/11, the NATO countries immediately declared their support for the United States and provided numerous forms of assistance, both technical and economic.
territory.) Russia could mount an attack on our country in minutes if it ever served their purposes.
What gets lost in the debate about NATO’s obligations to intervene in the war with Iran is that NATO was never consulted before the war began, and no member country was attacked by Iran. Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty says that an armed attack against one member is considered an attack against all members, which is not what happened in the war with Iran.
The first time the NATO charter was invoked was when America was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001. The alliance
To this day, NATO members continue to offer us strategic advice about actions around the world that may be a threat to America. They provide us with warnings about weather patterns and environmental events that are a threat to our region of the planet. And most of all, they buy billions of dollars’ worth of military equipment and other products that make our manufacturers healthy and wealthy.
Whether the president admits it or not, our two biggest enemies are China and Russia. In the case of Russia, it is worth noting that it is less than 60 miles from Alaska. (And actually, Big Diomede Island, in Russian territory, is just 2½ miles from Little Diomede Island, in U.S.
As for China, even with some severe economic problems, it is capable of causing major upheaval for the U.S. if it chooses. Should it invade Taiwan, America would lose its major supplier of the semiconductor chips that companies like Nvidia and Apple use for advanced computing. Other chips are used in automobiles and a wide variety of products, and we can’t afford to lose that supply.
There is no way that the United States could go it alone without its NATO allies. We can’t protect our country from the world’s two worst predators without those allies on our side. Breaking up that alliance would be strategic and economic suicide. Talk is cheap, so the president has every right to pick occasional spats with NATO, but he can’t afford to abandon it. To do so would create chaos for generations to come.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.
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Small Business Week, which runs from May 3 to 9, will bring the usual round of proclamations, ribbon-cuttings and feel-good photo ops. Local entrepreneurs deserve every one of them. They also deserve the truth: The Main Streets of Long Island are under siege, and a week of celebration cannot paper over what the rest of the year has made painfully clear.
Walk down Park Avenue, in Long Beach, or Merrick Avenue, or any commercial corridor from Lynbrook to Glen Cove, and the strain is visible. For Lease signs have not come down in months. Restaurants have cut hours because they can’t find or afford the staff to stay open. Family-owned shops that survived the pandemic now wonder whether they will survive the aftermath. The business owners who anchor our downtowns aren’t asking for sympathy. They are asking, quietly and increasingly, whether the math still works.
The pressures are no secret. Rents for Long Island commercial space have climbed steadily. Costs have skyrocketed, outpacing what owners can charge without losing customers. Wages have risen, as they should, but for thin-margin businesses, every raise is a calculation about how many shifts can be staffed next month.
Energy bills and insurance premiums keep grinding higher. And looming over all of it is the e-commerce machine — Amazon, Temu, Shein and a growing list of online giants whose business model depends on undercutting the shop down the block, capturing the sale, and sending the profit somewhere far from Long Island.
The numbers tell a more complicated story than the celebratory ones we usually hear. In Nassau County, the U.S. Small Business Administration backed more than $207 million in loans last year, supporting roughly 500 businesses and helping create or sustain 2,850 jobs. That is real and meaningful. But SBA lending is also a barometer of need. A community in which hundreds of businesses require government-backed credit just to keep their doors open is not a community where small business is thriving on its own. It is a community where small business is fighting to hold ground.
Matt Coleman, the SBA’s regional administrator, has said that anyone who wants to understand the local economy needs to look past the financial markets and pay attention to those small businesses, embedded in our communities. He’s right. And what those businesses are telling us, if we listen honestly, is that the ground beneath them is shifting faster than they can adapt.
Federal tax relief on tips and overtime will help some workers. Modest tax reductions for small-business owners will help some operators. Neither will reverse the structural forces reshaping retail, hospitality and local service. The playing field is not level, and pretending otherwise does our merchants no favors.
What small businesses can offer is what e-commerce cannot: presence, accountability and a stake in the community. The pizzeria in East Rockaway that sponsors the Little League team.
The diner in Seaford that hosts the volunteer fire department’s monthly breakfast. The florist in Oyster Bay that decorates the village gazebo for the holidays.
None of those things show up on a balance sheet. All of them disappear when the storefront goes dark.
The Herald takes pride in standing alongside local businesses every day of the year. Our reporters tell their stories — the grand openings, the second-generation handoffs, the milestone anniversaries, the moments when local owners step up to feed first responders during a storm. Our advertising and marketing teams work shoulder to shoulder with owners to help them reach customers and grow their brand across print, digital and social channels. We do this because we believe local journalism and local commerce rise and fall together.
Honesty about the challenges is not pessimism. It is the precondition for a serious response. Policymakers should be looking hard at commercial rent pressures, at the unequal tax treatment that favors online sellers, at workforce housing that should allow people to actually live near where they work. Residents have a role, too — a more direct one. Every dollar spent locally is a dollar that stays here, resulting in sponsors for Little League teams, donors for nonprofit events, tenants for local storefronts, and more.
So this week, before clicking “buy now” online, walk into the shop down the block. Order takeout from the family-run restaurant in Island Park. Book the local landscaper from Malverne. Tip generously. The Main Streets of Long Island are not guaranteed. They are chosen, one transaction at a time, by the people who live here — and that choice has never mattered more.
we are living in a world defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity — a VUCA world.
For schools, this reality presents a dual responsibility: We must adhere to rigorous academic standards and mandates while also preparing students for a future shaped by artificial intelligence, automation and global disruption. This is not optional. Schools must do both well.
A.I. is transforming industries at an unprecedented pace.
Tasks once considered human, such as writing, analyzing data and even diagnosing medical conditions, are now being augmented or performed entirely by machines. Jobs are evolving rapidly, and many of the careers our students will pursue don’t yet exist.
Today the question isn’t simply, What do students need to know? but rather, What skills must students master to navigate the unknown?
For future success, students must develop skills that enable them to think critically, solve complex problems, communicate effectively, collaborate with others and adapt to change. They must also be able to manage ambiguity, embrace lifelong learning, think inde-
pendently and approach challenges with resilience and confidence.
In the Baldwin school district, we intentionally design learning experiences to develop these skills. We have embedded what we call our “future ready competencies” — the essential six C’s: critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, citizenship and character — into our curriculum and instruction. These competencies ensure that learners not only grasp content, but apply it in meaningful ways.
TWe implement academic programs and coursework that strengthen these competencies. For instance, Baldwin High School’s Academic Academies connect learning directly to career pathways. This handson approach extends beyond traditional classroom instruction, engaging students in authentic, professional experiences that build both knowledge and transferable skills.
research laboratory, help with a political campaign or work alongside a hospital CFO. Students gain a clearer understanding of what a profession entails, how they can contribute and whether it’s the right fit. These lessons can’t be taught in a classroom alone.
hey must think independently and approach challenges with confidence.
Through our academies, which encompass health sciences, business, law, education, media and STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts and math — students take part in Job Shadowing Days, internships and other industry-specific experiences, giving them the chance to explore potential careers in a real workplace setting before graduating from high school. A student may assist a lawyer, visit a
Framework by Tim Baker
Just as important, when students see the purpose behind what they’re learning, they become more motivated, more invested and better prepared for life. Ultimately they must develop skills that will transfer across a variety of jobs and industries, particularly as the workforce continues to evolve.
Technology is nothing less than transformative. As it rapidly evolves, students must learn not only how to harness tools like A.I., but also how to think ethically about this new form of innovation. They must effectively evaluate information, understand bias, and make informed decisions in a dynamic digital landscape. Curriculum focused on news and media literacy can help our learners distinguish between what is real and what is fictitious.
At the same time, the most important skills remain human. Formerly known as “soft skills,” qualities like empathy, integrity, leadership and the ability to work well with others can’t be automated. These qualities will help define suc-
cess in the future, and should be at the heart of how we educate our students. There is more than one path after graduation. While college is one pathway, career and technical education, internships and industry certifications offer valuable opportunities that lead to rewarding professions. For example, Baldwin students can become FAA-certified in drone technology or try other in-demand occupations, like jewelry design through the district’s Future Jewelers Academy.
These learning opportunities can’t exist in isolation, however. Preparing students for a VUCA world requires strong partnerships with businesses and community organizations. Schools need these partnerships to help students explore potential occupations, foster skills, network with experts and gain real-world experience.
Although the future may be volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous, our response as educators must be clear. We must prepare students not only to navigate the future, but also to shape it. To achieve this, we need to rethink learning, pedagogy and how we equip our students with the competencies they need to thrive in the VUCA world. By elevating classroom instruction through real-world experiences and integrating the essential six C’s into the curriculum, we can ensure that these young minds are ready for lifelong success.
Anthony Mignella is superintendent of the Baldwin Union Free School District.
At Mount Sinai South Nassau, patient safety isn’t just a priority— it’s a standard, one we work on every day. And the experts agree.
We’ve earned national recognition for patient safety, including an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group and the Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Award.
That means better outcomes for our patients with lower risk of infections or hospital acquired conditions.
When it comes to your health, nothing matters more than knowing you’re in a place where patient safety matters most.
Learn more at mountsinai.org/southnassau