Allyson Ferrari/Herald
Author Katie Yee attended Baldwin Public Library’s afternoon discussion of her debut novel, “Maggie; or, A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar,” on May 13. The paperback edition will be released July 21.
One unnamed narrator, many stories shared at the Baldwin Public Library
By AllYSoN FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com
The main character in Katie Yee’s debut novel is never named, but inside Baldwin Public Library, readers spoke about her as if she were someone they knew.
Yee joined the library’s afternoon book discussion group earlier this month for a conversation about her novel, “Maggie; or, A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar,” which follows an unnamed narrator navigating divorce, breast cancer, motherhood and betrayal.
Nearly 20 readers attended the discussion, asking questions, responding to one another, and sharing personal connections to the novel’s themes. What began as a discussion of one novel became a broader conversation
about names, identity, illness, race, motherhood and the stories people carry with them.
Adult Programming Librarian Elly Muller said the afternoon group, one of three book discussions the library offers, tries to feature newer books and a variety of voices. Many of the same women attend regularly, she said, building the familiarity that helps conversations become personal.
Muller kept an advance reader copy of Yee’s novel on her desk for months before reaching out to the author, as the library board has been interested in bringing more authors to Baldwin for discussions and events.
Rather than host a formal lecture, Muller wanted Yee to sit with readers around the
Happy Legacy Team
Strength of mothers seen at annual 5K
By AllYSoN FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com
More than 100 women gathered at Baldwin Park on Mother’s Day morning for the Run Like a Mother 5K, a 3.1-mile run and walk focused less on competition than on wellness, community and giving mothers a rare hour for themselves.
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The annual event, now in its fifth year, has grown from 15 participants in 2022 to 105 this year, drawing mothers, daughters, friends and supporters from Baldwin and surrounding communities.
Organized by resident Sophea Sainsurin and a volunteer planning team, the event is intentionally pressure-free. Unlike many 5Ks, it isn’t a fundraiser. Instead, Sainsurin said, the focus is on participation, connection and self-care — giving mothers something rather than asking something of them.
t’s about redefining strength. It’s not about speed or placement, but about resilience, sacrifice, and the quiet power that moms carry every single day.
The event’s growth has come through word of mouth, school connections and local visibility. Jennifer Clonmell-Peck, a mother of two girls, ages 6 and 3, said she had seen stories about the run in the Herald in previous years and joined when she had the chance this year.
SopHEA SAINSURIN
Organizer, Run Like a Mother 5K
“It’s about redefining strength,” Sainsurin said. “It’s not about speed or placement, but about resilience, sacrifice, and the quiet power that moms carry every single day.”
That message resonated with Kerri Stevens, 46, a mother of two, who said she took part the 5K to “refill my cup” by connecting with other local mothers and doing something for her physical and mental wellness on Mother’s Day
“The 5K is never really about the running — at least not for me,” Stevens said. “It’s really
ConTInued on PAge 10
Scott Davis and Debra Mule, Nassau County legislators who both represent parts of Baldwin, recently visited the Baldwin Scout House.
News brief
Baldwin Scout House serving generations
Nassau County Legislature Alternate Deputy Minority Leader Debra Mulé and Legislator Scott M. Davis recently visited the Baldwin Scout House to discuss ways to support the century-old community gathering place.
Mulé and Davis met with Sanitation District 2 Commissioner John Cools at the site, which has served generations of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in Baldwin and nearby communities.
“This century-old cabin house has been utilized by Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops for many decades to bond and develop skills that will serve them well throughout their lives,” Mulé said.
“Legislator Davis and I are committed to doing all we can to identify opportu-
nities for the County to support the enhancement of the Baldwin Scout House so it can be a resource for future generations.”
Davis said the Scout House remains an important place for young people to build leadership skills and a commitment to service.
“The Baldwin Scout House is a storied venue where those experiences have been cultivated for generations, and I am ready to roll up my sleeves alongside Legislator Mulé and community stakeholders to keep this local treasure vibrant for many years to come,” Davis said.
— Allyson Ferrari
Former Grand Marshal still marching
BELMONT PARK VILLAGE
Courtesy office of Alternate Deputy Minority Leader Debra Mule
Courtesy Baldwin Chamber of Commerce
Rolf Mahler was the Grand Marshal in the Baldwin Memorial Day Parade 70 years ago. Now at nearly 90, he is still marching alongside his community. Above, Mahler, center, with his son Erik and Bob Hare, the Commander of the American Legion with Mahler’s Military Tribute banner.
Golfers drive support for cardiac care
By ABIGAIL GRIECO
agrieco@liherald.com
More than 400 golfers, business leaders and community supporters gathered on May 11 for Mount Sinai South Nassau’s 42nd annual golf outing, raising more than $771,000 to support the expansion of advanced cardiac care services on the South Shore.
The fundraiser, described by organizers as the largest annual hospital golf outing on Long Island, took place across three courses — The Seawane Club, Rockaway Hunting Club and Rockville Links Club — before guests returned to Seawane for a barbecue dinner, awards presentation and fundraising program.
Proceeds from the outing will benefit the hospital’s “Bringing Heart Home” campaign, a three-year initiative aimed at expanding cardiac services at the Oceanside campus, including the addition of open-heart surgery later this year. Hospital officials said the effort allows South Shore residents to receive advanced cardiac care closer to home instead of traveling to Manhattan or other parts of Long Island.
“Our cardiology program, you’ll be able to get the same exact care that people get in Manhattan right here in Oceanside,” said Tony Cancellieri, cochair of the hospital’s board of directors and co-chair of the event.
The hospital honored three community leaders during the outing. Justin Breslin, vice president of Breslin Real-
ty Development Corporation, was recognized as the event’s honoree. Dr. Jay Itzkowitz received the Lifesaver Award, and Ralph Esposito was honored for community service.
Joe Calderone, senior vice president of corporate communications and development and co-chair of the outing, said the annual event has continued to grow alongside the hospital.
“It originally was one course, and then two courses, and then a few years ago, we went to three courses because of the amount of supporters,” Calderone said.
“As South Nassau has grown — and now we’re part of the Mount Sinai Health System — our support has grown, and our footprint in the community has grown,” he added.
Calderone called the outing both a fundraiser and a “friend raiser,” explaining that the event allows community members to connect directly with hospital leaders, physicians and staff members while learning about the expanding medical services.
“The money is important, and that’s why we come together, but it’s also an opportunity for our stakeholders and the community to learn a little bit about what we’re doing,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to just be able to be together and celebrate the hospital and celebrate all the good work that the nurses and physicians and support staff do every day.”
Dr. Adhi Sharma, the hospital’s president, thanked supporters during
the evening program.
“We are lucky to have all of you, as supporters of the work that we do on the South Shore,” Sharma said. “And we’re lucky to have the amazing doctors and nurses at the hospital who work every day to take care of the patients in the community.”
Breslin is a third-generation real estate developer who has helped expand his family’s firm into multifamily housing developments throughout Long Island, including projects in Lynbrook and Baldwin. During his remarks, he reflected on the recent loss of his grandfather, longtime developer Wilbur Breslin.
“Thank you for taking a chance on a 31-year-old, entrusting me to help support such an important mission,” Breslin said. “While no one could ever fully follow in his footsteps, I do hope this honor represents the beginning of my own commitment to carrying that spirit forward, supporting Long Island, investing in its future and giving back however I can.”
Itzkowitz was recognized for leading the hospital’s emergency department, which sees about 70,000 patient visits annually. Under his leadership, the department completed a $50 million renovation and improved patient satisfaction measures, including reducing the rate of patients leaving without being seen from 7 percent in 2023 to below 2 percent in 2024. The department also earned the Lantern Award from the Emergency Nurses Associa -
tion, a recognition given to emergency departments that demonstrate innovative and exceptional performance.
“In the ED, every shift is a team effort, all working together in what can only be described as organized chaos,” Itzkowitz said. “I want to sincerely thank the hospital board and hospital leadership for their support, recognition and investment in the people who show up every day to care for our community.”
Esposito, a U.S. Navy veteran who served aboard the USS Ticonderoga, was recognized for decades of advocacy on behalf of veterans through the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency. He highlighted the veterans pantry program he helped establish to support local veterans in need.
“Veterans are very proud,” Esposito said. “They don’t like to be known. I started a veterans pantry. We feed our veterans, thanks to all of you that donate food. Please, let’s never forget the people that served this country and made it possible for all of us to be here today.”
Calderone said the outing’s success reflects the strong relationship between the nonprofit hospital and the surrounding community.
“The only reason we exist is to serve the community,” he said. “We’re very fortunate that we have so many people who support the hospital and see what we’re doing and see how it’s grown over the years and improved services.”
Tim Baker/Herald
At Mount Sinai South Nassau’s 42nd annual golf outing, Justin Breslin, left, vice president of Breslin Realty Development Corporation, was named this year’s honoree. Dr. Jay Itzkowitz, center, chair of emergency medicine, was the recipient of the Lifesaver Award, and Ralph Esposito, right, U.S. Navy veteran and director of the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency, was recognized for his community service.
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News brief
Gillen talks drug threats with superintendents
Subtitled “The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half”, this book reflects the natural progression of our desire to increase our lifespan (the number of our years), to increasing our healthspan (the number of our healthy years), to increasing our joyspan (the number of our joyful years). The author defines joy as an inner feeling of well-being or contentment, as opposed to happiness, which comes and goes, often according to external circumstances.
Burnight writes, “To thrive in old age means to live a fulfilling, purposeful, and satisfying life despite the challenges of aging. It involves maximizing physical health, cognitive function, emotional well-being, social connections, and a sense of meaning. Thriving doesn’t mean being free of all health problems or challenges, rather, it emphasizes resilience, adaptability, and the ability to find joy and value in life.”
Research shows that those who thrive late in life:
Grow: They continue to explore and expand
Connect: They put time into new and existing relationships
Adapt: They adjust to changing and challenging circumstances
Give: They share themselves
As a Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Dr. Burnight was struck by the radical difference in how people experienced their own aging process. “For some it is a frustrating, degrading, painful trajectory of ever-increasing decline. For others, there is visible delight, spirituality, and joy in occupying their eighth, ninth, and tenth decades.”
The thieves of joy are (1) comparison with others (2) frustration with health and mobility limitations (3) feeling like you are a burden (4) feeling heartbroken over the loss of a loved one, and (5) feeling defeated as if your best days are behind you. Nevertheless, she says, “Like the sun, joy is always there. But when it’s hidden by clouds, we mistakenly say it’s gone. Joy is resilient and can break through the clouds because it’s an innate part of the human experience.”
“One might say that following this doctor’s prescription will increase your “joyspan” and decrease your “oyspan”!
U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen hosted an information session with Nassau County school superintendents and Frank Tarentino, associate chief of operations for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Northeast Region, to discuss the threat of fentanyl and synthetic drugs in local schools and communities.
The discussion focused on efforts to combat fentanyl, carfentanil, xylazine and other illicit drugs, while also highlighting resources and opportunities available through Gillen’s office for students and schools.
The meeting included presentations from Tarentino and Larry Lamendola, co-chair of the Levittown Community Action Coalition. Lamendola, an addiction treatment advocate, has worked to raise awareness about fentanyl poisoning since the death of his daughter in 2019.
“The danger we face from the fentanyl, carfentanyl, xylazine and other illicit drugs trafficked into our communities cannot be overstated. Their capacity to kill is terrifying,” Gillen said. “After meeting with the frontline warriors at the DEA who are combating this scourge, I saw the critical need to make sure our neighbors, schools and students are informed about this threat. I’m grateful to DEA Associate Chief of Operations Tarentino, activist Larry
Lamendola and our school superintendents for their partnership in fighting to protect our youth and neighbors.”
In addition to discussing public safety and student wellness, Gillen encouraged school leaders to connect students with programs available through her office, including the Congressional Art Competition, the Congressional App Challenge and this week’s Military Service Academy Information Session. Gillen also highlighted her work in Congress to support law enforcement and combat drug trafficking, including helping pass the HALT Fentanyl Act and supporting increased funding for the DEA through the fiscal year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act. Gillen recently visited New York’s divisional DEA lab to hear about its work supporting law enforcement and keeping illegal drugs off the street.
Participating school leaders included representatives from Hempstead, Rockville Centre, Lynbrook, East Meadow, Baldwin, Valley Stream, Uniondale, Roosevelt, Oceanside, Malverne, Lawrence, Island Park, East Rockaway, Chaminade High School and Evergreen Charter School.
—Jordan Vallone
baldwin
Courtesy office of U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen
U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen hosted an information session with school superintendents to discuss the threat of fentanyl and synthetic drugs in local schools and communities.
Baldwin students recognized at Nassau Zone AHPERD honors ceremony
Baldwin elementary students were recognized earlier this week with Nassau Zone New York State AHPERD Awards honoring achievement in health, physical education, recreation and dance. Honorees included Brookside Elementary students Kennedy Dulin and Maxwell St. Louime; Lenox Elementary students Alayah Moore and Nathaniel Davis; Meadow Elementary students Abigail Duplessy and Christian Daniels; Plaza Elementary students Ethan Boodram and Ethan Monsalve; and Steele Elementary students Jeremiah Fanfan and Kinda Alvarez.
News brief
Franza honored for education leadership
Gabriella Franza, assistant director of instructional programs for the Baldwin Union Free School District, has been selected as a 2026 Nassau BOCES Education Partner Award honoree.
The awards recognize educational leaders, administrators, teachers, students, organizations and community partners who have made outstanding contributions to education. Nassau BOCES established the program nearly 20 years ago to honor those who support its mission of helping students of all ages and abilities reach their full potential through collaboration with schools and communities. More than 240 individuals and organizations have received the distinction.
Franza was one of 18 honorees and three organizations recognized at the 19th annual Nassau BOCES Education Partner Awards Gala, hosted by the Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation. The dinner was held April 22 at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.
As part of Baldwin’s leadership team, Franza has helped support instructional programs and expand learning opportunities through the district’s School2Career programs and curriculum.
“The Baldwin school community proudly congratulates Dr. Franza on
this well-deserved recognition,” Superintendent Anthony Mignella said. “Her leadership and unwavering commitment to our School2Career initiatives have strengthened meaningful pathways for students and continue to elevate excellence across the district.”
Mignella said Franza’s work reflects Baldwin’s commitment to innovative, future-focused educational experiences for students.
— Allyson Ferrari
Courtesy Baldwin School District
Gabriella Franza was honored by BOCES.
Courtesy Baldwin Chamber of Commerce
Book discussion at BPL explores names, belonging
table and take part in the discussion.
“I wanted everyone to be able to ask their questions and for it to be more personal,” Muller said.
Yee, 30, is a Brooklyn writer whose debut novel has drawn national recognition. “Maggie” was named a notable book of 2025 by The New York Times, won the Barnes & Noble Discover Debut Author Prize and was longlisted for the PEN/ Hemingway Award for debut fiction.
That informal format shaped the May 13 conversation almost immediately, as readers focused on one of the novel’s most striking choices: Yee never names her narrator.
Names are central to the book, Yee said. In the novel, both the husband’s lover and the narrator’s tumor are named Maggie, giving the narrator a way to claim some control over two forces disrupting her life. But Yee intentionally left the narrator unnamed because she wanted readers to feel a sense of shared ownership over her.
“I wanted her to feel like she was our narrator,” Yee said. “I wanted her to belong to all of us in that way.”
Several readers connected the narrator’s lack of a name to their own experiences with identity, culture and belonging, saying names are often the first way people show respect, especially when someone’s name is unfamiliar or difficult to pronounce.
“The first respect I can give you is to know your name,” Donna, a discussion participant, said.
Others shared stories of friends and family members who had been encouraged, or required, to use English names in school or in other countries. Shelley, another participant, said the narrator felt so real by the end of the book that the missing name became less important than the emotions Yee had built around her.
“The woman was so real to me that her name was so unimportant,” Shelley said.
Yee said the novel is not autobiographical, though it draws from pieces of her life, family history and fears she was thinking through while writing. Released last July, it began as a short story about five years ago, when she was going through what she described as a minor breakup and wanted to raise the emotional stakes in fiction.
Rather than write directly about a breakup, she imagined a narrator facing divorce, illness and betrayal.
“I feel like I had created a narrator that I thought was strong and resilient,” Yee said, “and I wanted to see kind of how much I could lovingly put on her plate.”
Breast cancer also shaped the novel. Yee said the illness runs in her family, noting that her grandmother had breast cancer and her mother has it. Nanette, another participant, said she had to put the book down for a time because the subject matter was too painful, but returned to it because she wanted to see the narra-
tor reach a place of happiness.
Despite the novel’s focus on cancer, divorce and betrayal, Yee said humor was essential because laughter can become a form of understanding. During the discussion, she said the narrator’s use of jokes is less about wanting to be a comedian than wanting to connect with her children and the people around her.
“If I can make you laugh, that means that I understand something about you,” she said.
The discussion of names and belonging also led readers to talk about race and representation. Cece, a discussion participant, said she appreciated the way Yee addressed racism subtly, without making it the entire focus of the novel.
“Race is always present, but not central,” Yee said.
Motherhood and storytelling were also central to the discussion. In the novel, the narrator uses Chinese folklore and bedtime stories to connect with her children and share part of their heritage. Yee said she grew up hearing Greek, Roman and Chinese myths from her mother and grandmother.
“I think it was important for her to share some bits of this culture with her children,” she said.
For Muller, those exchanges are what make the gatherings valuable beyond the book itself. She said Baldwin’s book groups have helped patrons form friendships and become more involved in the library.
“You just find out a whole lot about someone when you’re talking about a book,” Muller said. “You just end up telling stories about yourself as part of analyzing the book. And that definitely forms community.”
Around the table, Yee’s novel became more than a book to discuss. It became an invitation for readers to tell stories of their own.
Baldwin Public Library’s next afternoon book discussion will feature “Go Gentle” by Maria Semple on June 10. For more information or to register, visit baldwinpl.org.
Continued from page 1
Allyson Ferrari/Herald Katie Yee, left, joined adult programming Librarian elly muller, who led the discussion of Yee’s debut novel, “maggie; or, a man and a Woman Walk into a Bar,” at Baldwin public Library.
BHS students win big in stock market challenge
Baldwin High School students put their financial skills to the test this spring, earning top placements in Junior Achievement’s Stock Market Challenge and advancing to a championship competition that brought together teams from across Long Island and New York City.
Students in Baldwin High School’s Global Business and Entrepreneurship Academy competed in the live trading simulation, which challenged them to make quick investment decisions in a fast-moving, simulated stock market. The competition gave students a chance to apply lessons from Gregg Kelley’s College Personal Finance class in a setting designed to mirror the pressure and strategy of real-world investing.
The program began with an in-class competition in November, when students developed investment strategies and competed in a simulated marketplace led by a professional facilitator. The winning team — Isaiah Vielot, Ojas Taneja, Donato Salerno and Jackson Roberts — advanced to the regional competition. A second in-class competition was held during Kelley’s spring College Personal Finance class, with Lenny Pochon, Shane Platel, Adolfo Lopez-Salvador and Zajin Ramirez earning the top spot.
At the Junior Achievement Regional Competition at Hofstra University in March, Baldwin students placed first and third among participating schools. The firstplace team included Jackson Roberts, Donato Salerno, Xavier Melendez and Isa-
iah Vielot. The third-place team included Lenny Pochon, Adolfo Lopez-Salvador and Zajin Ramirez. Both teams qualified for the Long Island and New York City Championship.
During the New York City regional event in April, which included 30 teams, Baldwin’s teams placed seventh and 11th.
“The JA Stock Market Challenge gave us the chance to think like real investors and make fast decisions under pressure,” Melendez said. “It wasn’t just about buying and selling stocks — it taught us teamwork, strategy, and how the financial world works in real time.”
Kelley said watching students apply classroom lessons in a competitive setting was a proud moment for the Business Department.
“This competition isn’t just about numbers; it’s about watching these young leaders apply complex economic theories to high-pressure, real-time scenarios,” Kelley said.
Dr. Gabriella Franza, assistant director of instructional programs, said the competition reflected Baldwin’s commitment to hands-on learning through its School2Career initiatives.
“We’re also proud to partner with Junior Achievement, and with Mr. Gregory Kelley’s guidance, our students gained firsthand experience and built skills that will last beyond the classroom,” Franza said.
— Allyson Ferrari
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Photos courtesy Baldwin School District
Baldwin High School students Jackson Roberts, Xavier Melendez, Isaiah Vielot and Donato Salerno competed in Junior Achievement’s Stock Market Challenge, where Baldwin teams earned top placements.
Baldwin High School students Adolfo Lopez-Salvador, Lenny Pochon and Zajin Ramirez took part in Junior Achievement’s Stock Market Challenge, a live trading simulation that tested students’ financial decision-making skills.
Israeli Elite hockey comes to UBS arena
With late third-period rally, Jerusalem Capitals capture Challenge Cup, defeating HC Tel Aviv 6-5
By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com
No matter who scored, fans throughout UBS Arena jumped to their feet, waving Israeli flags, proudly cheering on competitors from the Israeli Elite Hockey League last week during the Challenge Cup championship between the Jerusalem Capitals and HC Tel Aviv. In a thrilling game, the Capitals mounted a late comeback to win 6-5.
The Challenge Cup, originally scheduled for February but postponed because of a blizzard, finally brought the two teams together on the ice in Elmont for a hard-fought game.
The atmosphere inside the arena on May 17 felt like more than just a hockey game. Families packed the stands dressed in blue and red, and there was loud chanting and spirited flag-waving throughout the crowd, creating a strong sense of pride and unity among fans celebrating both the sport and Israeli culture.
“It’s nice when you get to see support a lot for Jews and the country,” said spectator Hillel Kober, who was rooting for HC Tel Aviv.
Brooklyn resident David Silverberman said the game provided a comforting atmosphere amid a culture of rising antisemitism. “It’s a good game,” he said.” It’s very competitive scoring, but not too much. The fans are into it. It’s an exciting day, and you know, if you’re Jewish, there’s so much antisemitism going on right now, it feels very comfortable to be here. It’s nice to see the families too.”
The IEHL, founded in 2020 and approaching its sixth season this summer, was founded by Marc Brunengraber, a former goaltender for the Israeli national team. Brunengraber said the league was created not only to develop hockey talent in Israel, but also to highlight another side of the country.
“The goal is to raise Israel from the world championship Division II level to Division I,” Brunengraber said. He added that the league aims to positively represent Israel beyond the conflict-focused narratives that often dominate coverage of the country, emphasizing that its citizens continue to live everyday lives as ordinary people.
The championship game was intense from start to finish, marked by heavy physical play, shifting momentum and a UBS Arena crowd that fed off every moment of drama. Tel Aviv controlled play for much of the first two periods, keeping Jerusalem players on their heels and forcing them to fight just to stay within reach heading into the third.
Capitals player Nathanel Peretz described the surreal feeling of stepping onto the ice at UBS Arena.
“There’s kids growing up dreaming of this moment, and you’re seeing Jerusalem against Tel Aviv, and a bunch of Jewish people just playing the sport they love,” he said.
Peretz admitted that the locker room atmosphere was tense after the second period with Jerusalem trailing by two goals. “It’s the second year that we [were down by] two goals going into the third,” he said. “We trusted our coaches, we trusted our captain, we trusted our players, and we got out there in the third.”
Late in the third period, the Capitals suddenly took over. Two goals came just seconds apart, and suddenly Tel Aviv was scrambling to keep up. The energy in the arena flipped instantly as fans rose to their feet, and the game intensified dramatically in the final minutes.
Capitals head coach Craig Brunengraber said the team had to manage intense emotions to complete the comeback. “You have a lot of strong personalities,” he said. “At the end of the day, we won the game, and that’s the hardest part about being a coach.”
He also praised Peretz’s performance, saying, “Peretz is all heart and soul. He shows the world he can do this on a world stage.”
Despite the loss, Tel Aviv captain Mike Gennello reflected on the broader meaning of the game. “Guys can get on the ice and it can be an absolute war out there, and then we get off and it’s all smiles,” he said.
As Jerusalem celebrated its comeback victory on the ice, fans throughout the arena remained standing, waving Israeli flags, giving the scene a powerful sense of pride in their country — and the game of hockey.
HC Tel Aviv’s Johnny Lazarus controlled the puck, with Jerusalem’s Zach Sprung on his heels.
Erik Lee/Herald photos
The Jerusalem Capitals and goaltender Yonatan Reisinger pulled out a win over HC Tel Aviv on May 17 at UBS Arena.
HC Tel Aviv’s Zach Freeman, right, collided with Jerusalem’s Jeremy Sprung.
Students of the Quarter named at Nassau BOCES
This spring, 125 students from throughout Nassau County were named Students of the Quarter for the thirds quarter by Nassau BOCES Barry Tech and GC Tech career and technical education high schools. All were honored for their grades, attendance, work ethic and preparedness. Students of the Quarter have taken the initiative on class projects and are role models for their fellow students, in both the classroom and the workplace.
In Baldwin, the Students of the Quarter were Elizabeth Albrecht, Barry Tech
Cosmetology; Ashaunti Mosley, Barry Tech Veterinary Science; Analia Perez, Barry Tech Cosmetology; Anthony Cruz Ramos, Barry Tech Animation & Digital Media Skills; and Ethan Solano-Madera, Barry Tech Auto Skills.
Bellmore-Merrick’s Student of the Quarter was Sean Schettino, CG Tech Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.
In East Meadow, the Students of the Quarter were Sandra Flores Garcia, Barry Tech Physical Therapy Aide and Rehab Medicine; Yiannis Kakavas, Barry
Tech Carpentry; Bryan Lai, Barry Tech
Computer Game Design & Programming Skills; Aidan Lehmann, GC Tech Automotive Technology; Gabriel Martinez Cruz, Barry Tech Animation & Digital Media Skills; Joshua Rubinfeld, Barry Tech Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Administration; Isabella Schaefer, Barry Tech Health Care Skills; and Kaylee Fuentes, Barry Tech Culinary Arts.
In Levittown, the Students of the Quarter were Isabella Bonano, GC Tech Medical Assisting; Antonia Bruno, GC Tech Medical Assisting; James Carr,
Barry Tech Computer Game Design & Programming Skills; Thomas Cukro, GC Tech Construction Electric; Sarah Florentin, GC Tech Cosmetology; Luis Guerrero, GC Tech Automotive Technology; Caeli Mugno, GC Tech Esthetics and Skin Care; and Kyle Russo, Barry Tech Plumbing.
In Wantagh, the Students of the Quarter were Emma Bush, Barry Tech Child Care Skills; Margaret Conti, Barry Tech Dental Assisting; and Peyton Garrett, Barry Tech Horse Science and Management.
—Jonathan Padillo
Courtesy Nassau BOCES
Nassau BOCES GC Tech Students of the Quarter, Antonia Bruno, Jordyn Lessne, Sarah Florentin, Matthew J. Wipperman, Aidan Lehmann, Kanye Ray, Logan McClancy and Robert Northrop.
‘Run Like a Mother’ grows into a tradition
just about connecting and feeling good with other local moms on a day when we should, can and now do celebrate ourselves in a way that’s meaningful for us.”
The route followed a course through the park and nearby streets, with families and children cheering along the way. The run-walk started at 8 a.m. so mothers could still attend church or spend the rest of the day with their families.
For Jennifer Cordova, 36, of Valley Stream, family support made the morning especially meaningful. The event marked her first real workout after giving birth to her first child three months ago, and she took part along with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law while her husband and son cheered from the sidelines.
“I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to connect with other moms, celebrate my very first Mother’s Day and a enjoy a meaningful workout,” Cordova said, adding that children along the route were cheering, “You’ve got this!” and “You’re amazing!” — and that seeing her husband and son waiting at the finish line was one of the most emotional moments of the morning.
The event began four years ago, when a small group of local mothers completed a wellness challenge and decided to mark the moment with a 5K. What started as a simple run among friends has grown each year, from 15 women to 30, then 75 and 105 this year.
For Sainsurin — a mother, PTA co-president at Meadow Elementary School, Girl Scout Troop 2210 leader and four-time marathoner, the 5K feels different from other races.
“I am very intentional about how I show up,” she said. “I try to lead by example by keeping a steady pace, encouraging others along the way, and showing that finishing matters more than anything else.”
Malikah Williams, 39, a mother of three, said that this year’s race was the first 5K she had run straight through. “This year, participating not only connected me with community, but I was able to mark it as a personal milestone,” Williams said. “Witnessing so many mothers, who all juggle so much, day in and day out, show up for themselves was heartwarming.”
The event was supported by local volunteers, families and small businesses. Sary So donated a handcrafted flower bouquet for the first finisher, while Katisha Brown, 42, a mother of two and a member of the Fun Committee helped organize food, beverages, goodie bags, check-in and the distribution of shirts and bibs.
more than 100 women gathered in Baldwin park for the annual run
focused on wellness, community and giving mothers time for
of local mothers into a Baldwin tradition.
The event, Brown said, helped her reconnect with herself outside of motherhood and daily responsibilities. “It meant taking a step toward finding myself,” she said. “It also reminded me how important community, wellness and sisterhood are for moms.”
For Grisselle Eustache, a mother of three children ages 13, 9 and 6, the morning was a reminder that motherhood doesn’t have to feel isolating. She walked with another mother while her 9-year-old daughter cheered her on at the finish line.
“Sometimes motherhood can feel lonely,” Eustache said. “And this event was such a beautiful reminder that we are not alone in this journey.”
The event also included multigenerational moments. Vernita Cunningham, returned after taking part last year, and walked with her sisterin-law, Malvia Cunningham. Her daughter, Venee Cunningham, also participated. Vernita said she enjoyed the fellowship among the women and the encouragement from families along the route.
Although children and other family members lined the route, the run itself was reserved for mothers. Sainsurin said that requirement is intentional, creating a space where mothers can focus on themselves while still being supported by their loved ones.
That balance, she said, was what she hopes the participants took with them after the race.
“I hope they walked away reminded that they matter, and that taking care of themselves is not an afterthought,” she said. “It’s essential.”
Maureen Lennon/Herald photos
Like a mother 5K, a mother’s day run and walk
themselves. the event has grown from a small group
Winner tashami Harris-palache, left, with organizer Sophea Sainsurin at the may 10 event.
malikah Williams, far left, deniqua murray and Krystal myers celebrated after finishing the run Like a mother 5K at Baldwin park on mother’s day.
Jennifer and Zoe muschett made the run Like a mother 5K a mother-daughter moment, taking on the Baldwin park course together as first-time runners.
mary Lou Harracksingh was greeted by her husband, aaron, and their baby, Zion, after finishing the run Like a mother 5K at Baldwin park. many participants benefited from vocal support along the course.
Baldwin seniors recognized for character and leadership
By ALLYSON FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com
Two Baldwin High School seniors were among 23 students recognized by Assemblywoman Judy Griffin during her annual Student Standout Awards Ceremony, which honors young people across Assembly District 21 for leadership, character and contributions to their school communities.
Mia Smith and Fahiem Jenkins, both seniors at Baldwin High School, were selected as this year’s Baldwin honorees. Each school in the district was invited to nominate up to two seniors who have made a lasting difference through their actions, initiative and character, according to Griffin’s office. The ceremony, held in Rockville Centre, brought together students, families, educators and community members to celebrate high school seniors from public and nonpublic schools across the district. Honorees were recognized for qualities including leadership, kindness, inclusiveness, helpfulness, strong work ethic, creativity, civic engagement and determination. The awards also highlighted students with talents in music, dance, theater, the arts, STEAM,
writing, language, debate and mentoring, as well as students whose contributions are not always recognized through traditional academic or athletic awards.
“I was truly honored to recognize the incredible slate of 2026 Student Standout Honorees for Assembly District 21,” Griffin said. “I am grateful for the positive impact so many young women and men continue to make in our school communities.”
Griffin said the annual ceremony gives her office a chance to shine a light on students whose service, empathy, perseverance and leadership have helped shape their schools. She also congratulated parents for the support and encouragement they have given their children.
Students were honored for taking initiative in team settings, mentoring or supporting classmates, excelling in extracurricular activities, striving academically, athletically or in the arts, and helping create more inclusive and welcoming school environments.
Other honorees represented schools in East Rockaway, Freeport, Hempstead, Lynbrook, Malverne, Oceanside, Rockville Centre, Uniondale and Valley Stream.
Sunday, June 7th
FUN LOVIN’ CRIMINALS AND BLESSID UNION OF SOULS
Thursday, June 11th - 6:00pm
Senior Afternoon Concert
featuring Amber Ferrari and Debra Toscano
Thursday, June 18th
Juneteenth Celebration – Earth Wind & Fire Tribute by D’votion, Gospel Choir and DRIFT featuring members of TAUK and MJT
Friday, June 19th - 3:00pm
FIFA World Cup Watch Party USA vs. Australia
Monday, June 22nd - 6:00pm
Senior Afternoon Concert
The Chiclettes and Vinnie Medugno
Friday, June 26th
The Allmost Brothers BandAllman Brothers Tribute, Sons of Skynyrd –Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute
Saturday, June 27th
FREESTYLE MEETS SALSA –featuring BRENDA K. STARR, TITO PUENTE JR., TKA/K7, JOEY CRUZ, LA SONORA 495 AND FOREVER FREESTYLE BAND
Sunday, June 28th
REGGAE NIGHT WITH INNER CIRCLE, WAYNE WONDER AND IRIEspect
Thursday, July 2nd – 5:30pm
TD PRESENTS CELEBRATE AMERICA FIREWORKS & DRONE SHOW with Live Music By: Glenn Strange, Chicken Head and Let Freedom Rock
Friday, July 3rd
Fireworks Rain Date
Thursday, July 9th
Oldies Night with E’stefano DiSanto, Johnny Farina, Bobby Wilson, Vito Picone & The Elegants and The Brooklyn Bridge
Saturday, July 11th
Disco Unlimited
Thursday, July 16th
Harry Chapin Day – Corey Rieman and The Dilemma Band with Scarborough Fair - Simon & Garfunkel Tribute
Saturday, July 18th
Simply Stapleton –Chris Stapleton Tribute
Sunday, July 19th - 6:00pm
Last Exit – Pearl Jam Tribute Foo For All – Foo Fighters Tribute
Thursday, July 23rd
LANIE GARDNER & BROOKE MORIBER
Friday, July 24th
ZBTB – Zac Brown Band Tribute and Guys with Guitars
Saturday, July 25th - 6:30pm
JEFFERSON STARSHIP, ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION, FIREFALL AND PURE PRAIRIE LEAGUE
Sunday, July 26th - 4:00pm
Family Day On The Lake, featuring Beauty and The Beat, Princesses and wide-ranging entertainment for children and families
Thursday, July 30th
3 Decades Rewind
Rock Hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s
Friday, July 31st
Half Step – Grateful Dead Tribute
Saturday, August 1st
SALUTE TO VETERANS with Desert Highway – Eagles Tribute and American Bombshell
Sunday, August 2nd
Lovesong – 80s New Wave Tribute
Thursday, August 6th
THE OUTLAWS
Friday, August 7th
COLE SWINDELL
Saturday, August 8th
Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway
Monday, August 10th - 6:00pm
Senior Afternoon Concert
Gerry Ferretti and the Mutant Kings and Jenna Esposito
Thursday, August 13th
Neil Diamond Tribute
Friday, August 14th
Swingtime Big Band
Saturday, August 15th
MIDTOWN MEN
ORIGINAL CAST OF JERSEY BOYS
Thursday, August 20th
Let’s Sing Taylor – Taylor Swift Tribute
Friday, August 21st
LOUD LUXURY with OPENING BY DJS CAFFEINE ACADEMY, DJ DENNIS THE MENACE AND JUST JOE
Sunday, August 23rd
WORLD RENOWNED PUERTO RICAN SALSA ORCHESTRA
Thursday, August 27th
Long Island’s American Idols featuring Constantine Maroulis, Kevin Covais and Robbie Rosen with Special Guests
Friday, August 28th
Dancing Dream – ABBA Tribute
Monday, August 31st FLO RIDA
Tuesday, September 1st ZZ TOP
Thursday, September 3rd
THE LORDS OF 52ND STREET
Friday, September 4th LOS LOBOS
Saturday, September 5th
Streetfighter – Rolling Stones Tribute, Who’s Next – The Who Tribute
Photos courtesy office of Assemblywoman Judy Griffin
Baldwin High School seniors Fahiem Jenkins, left, and Mia Smith, right, were honored by Assemblywoman Judy Griffin at her annual Student Standout Awards Ceremony.
Assemblywoman Judy Griffin presented Baldwin High School senior Fahiem Jenkins with a Student Standout Award.
Assemblywoman Judy Griffin presented Baldwin High School senior Mia Smith with a Student Standout Award.
Risa
STEPPING OUT
Nature, brick by brick
Wild wonders in LEGO form at Old Westbury Gardens
By Christie Leigh Babirad
Art, nature and imagination come together this summer at Old Westbury Gardens with the arrival of Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects Made with LEGO Bricks, an outdoor exhibition that transforms familiar scenes from the natural world into larger-than-life works of art.
Now on display through Sept. 7, the exhibit features 17 larger-than-life intricate sculptures crafted entirely from LEGO bricks, many inspired by the landscapes, wildlife and beauty found throughout the historic gardens. Blending creativity with environmental themes, the installation invites visitors of all ages to experience the grounds in a fresh and unexpected way.
For Maura Brush, president and CEO of Old Westbury Gardens, bringing the exhibition here has been especially rewarding after years of planning and anticipation.
“We’re really excited to be hosting this exhibit,” Brush says, explaining that whenever she and her team choose a temporary exhibit, they strive for the display to blend with the grounds — and this does exactly that.
“When you see the exhibit and you see the sculptures it really fits so beautifully within the landscape,” she continues. “Old Westbury Gardens is home to foxes, butterflies and hummingbirds, and to see these exaggerated, large-scale sculptures in the landscape, it feels like it fits pretty beautifully.”
All of the displays are tucked into natural places throughout the garden areas where visitors might see these creatures and flora naturally. Each includes is a sign that indicates how many bricks were used, how many hours it took the artist to make each one and facts about the creature or flora.
Angela and Martin Pavlovic attended the preview opening with their 5-year-old son Niko who was excited to see the hummingbird and gave rave reviews for the wheel barrel made completely out of LEGOs.
“I like the wheel barrel,” Niko enthused. “It’s a 10 out of 10.”
Anne Caminiti, who attended with her daughters Nina and Mia, noted their eagerness to see the exhibit as her eldest daughter loves LEGOs.
South Shore Symphony
“I’m excited to see this display in one of our favorite places and see how many LEGOs it took to make each one,” Caminiti says, adding that she appreciates how many great family programs are offered at Old Westbury Gardens.
Ashley Friel, spokesperson for Imagine, which manages the exhibit, explains that Sean Kenney, who has been involved with Imagine for over 10 years now, is an artist who likes to invoke a sense of whimsy and fun for the whole family.
• Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects open daily, except for Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., through Sept. 7
• 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• For more information and program/events schedule visit oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048
“Nature Connects is a super inspiring show and really about how the beauty of nature is interconnected in the same way that LEGO bricks are,” Friel says.
She added that she is eager to hear visitors’ reactions to the sculptures and hopes the exhibit encourages guests to see the natural world through a new and more imaginative lens.
The fun does not stop with the sculptures. Throughout the Nature Connects’ duration, Old Westbury Gardens will host a series of LEGOthemed events and programs designed to inspire creativity and bring together visitors of all ages.
Laura Erwin, education manager, explained that the exhibit will be complemented by a variety of special events, including Family Nights and the Seasonal Sprouts program, held on select Wednesdays from July 1 through Sept. 2. Created for children ages 4 through 10, Seasonal Sprouts combines exploration and creativity through guided outdoor tours of the exhibit followed by hands-on activity in a LEGO free-play space.
“There are a lot of fun events coming up and the Family Nights are going to be big,” Erwin says.
Another preview visitor, Claudine Krause, stopped by with her son Tatum, who she said loves LEGOs and goes to all the master LEGO events and has been following Sean Kenney’s work.
“There’s a lot you can learn through LEGOs and they have a lot of great events for children here,” Krause says.
Adults can also join in the creativity when Bricks and Brews returns on Aug. 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
The adults-only evening pairs art and socializing, beginning with a guided tour of the exhibition and continuing at the Barn at Orchard Hill, where guests will build with official LEGO Botanical Daisies kits while enjoying refreshments in a relaxed setting.
The beloved orchestra, under direction of Adam Glaser, returns to St. Agnes Cathedral for its annual spring concert, joined by St. Agnes combined choirs, directed by Michael Bower. The inspiring program showcases beloved masterworks, including Mozart’s Regina Coeli, and Bach’s Mass in B Minor: Dona Nobis and Beethoven’s Christ on the Mount of Olives: Hallelujah.The evening culminates with Beethoven’s monumental Symphony No. 9, the groundbreaking 1824 masterpiece that transformed symphonic music by introducing a chorus in its final movement and giving voice to Friedrich Schiller’s enduring “Ode to Joy,” a celebration of unity and shared humanity. More than 65 musicians and approximately 75 vocalists join acclaimed soloists soprano Risa Renae Harman, mezzosoprano Elizabeth Sarian, tenor Eric Finbarr Carey, and baritone Scott Lefurgy. Admission is free, with donations requested.
Friday, May 29, 7:30 pm. 29 Quealy Place, Rockville Centre. Visit sssymphony.org for more.
The blues-rock guitarist-singersongwriter has built a reputation as one of the most exciting live performers of his generation. Blending electric blues, rock, soul, R&B, and hints of hip-hop, Clark’s sound is both rooted in tradition and boldly modern. His guitar tone often recalls legends like Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, but his songwriting, socially aware lyrics, and willingness to experiment make him stand out as a contemporary artist. On stage, he is known for extended solos, dynamic arrangements, and emotionally charged vocals that move from soft falsetto to gritty growls, making every concert feel unforgettable. Anyone who has listened to a Gary Clark Jr. album or watched the four-time Grammy Award winner perform live knows that he’s a gifted multiinstrumentalist, songwriter and performer.
Wednesday, June 3, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Gary Clark Jr.
Right photo courtesy Imagine/ other photos Christie Leigh Babirad/Herald Detailed
Westbury Gardens
bricks.
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
MAY
‘Something Rotten! The Musical’
See the comedy musical, set in the 1590s, which follows two playwright brothers competing with William Shakespeare as they attempt to create the world’s first musical. From tap dancing eggs to beautiful love stores, this musical really has it all. Songs include “A Musical!,” “It’s Hard to Be the Bard,” and “Welcome to the Renaissance.” The cast is comprised of New York City professionals, including David Hibbard, who was in the original Broadway production, with CAP21 alumni and current students. Performances are scheduled throughout the fourday run.
• Where: 1Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: Varied times, through May 31
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
MAY
29
Family
theater
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 30, June 3-4
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
MAY
First Presbyterian Church of Baldwin Centennial
The First Presbyterian Church of Baldwin marks
David Lee Roth
Jun
include bingo games, raffles and a 50/50 drawing, with grocery-themed prizes available throughout the evening. Admission is $20 for five bingo books or $5 each. Guests are also encouraged to bring a canned good donation for the St. Chris Food Pantry. Parking will be available in the lot behind the church on Edna Court.
• Where: 2332 Grand Ave.
• Time: 7-10 p.m., doors at 6 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 223-1951
Mindfulness & Movement
Get ready to jump! Diamond Dave is back! The iconic, high-flying frontman of Van Halen is bringing his legendary swagger and a massive arsenal of rock anthems to the Paramount stage. Fans can expect a high-octane night packed with timeless hits like “Jump,” “Panama,” and “Runnin’ with the Devil.” This tour marks a massive return for the rock legend, who officially ended a five-year hiatus from the stage last May with a triumphant, headlinemaking debut at the M3 Rock Festival. Far from a stripped-down nostalgic act, Roth is backing up his signature showmanship with a powerhouse new eight-piece band to perfectly replicates those massive, classic Van Halen harmonies. Between the fresh musical muscle and Roth’s undiminished, charismatic stage presence, this promises to be an unforgettable night of nostalgia and high-energy rock ‘n’ roll. If you’re looking for a night of pure, unadulterated arena-rock energy right in our own backyard, this is the ticket of the season.
its 100th anniversary with a commemorative program in the sanctuary, followed by a dinner in Beyer Hall. The celebration will feature music, historical displays highlighting the church’s century in Baldwin, and opportunities to reconnect with past and present ministers and members.
• Where: 717 St. Lukes Place
• Time: 3 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 223-2112 or firstpresbyterianchurchbaldwin@ gmail.com
Family Night: Backyard Bugs
Old Westbury Gardens welcomes families to discover the fascinating world of bugs during this special after-hours experience. Explore Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects exhibit, a hands-on bug information station, the LEGO free-play area, along with a live bug show. Participants will meet incredible insects up close and learn what makes them so amazing, plus the bug station for further exploration and discovery. Registration required. $34, $24 children (20% member discount).
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 5-8 p.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048
Jun
2
BPL Walking Club
The Baldwin Public Library Walking Club is back at Baldwin Park. Participants will walk for about 30 to 45 minutes. Check email or the library’s website for updates, especially weather-related cancellations.
• Where: 3232 Grand Ave.
• Time: 10-11 a.m., also June 9, June 16, June 23, June 30
• Contact: baldwinpl.org or call (516) 223-6228
Harmonize With Long Island Harmonizers
Love to sing? So do the Long Island Harmonizers. The chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society is a chorus of more than 20 singers, now welcoming new members. The ensemble performs four-part a cappella harmony in the barbershop style, entertaining audiences at libraries, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and local events. All are welcome to visit one of their weekly rehearsals. Come listen, meet the chorus, and — if you’d like — join in and sing. No musical experience is necessary, just a love of singing and a desire to have fun making music together.
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
• Where: Faith Lutheran Church, 231 Jackson Ave, Syosset
• Time: Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
• Contact: Call: Rich, (516) 521-4779, or Dennis, (516) 680-8036, or visit longislandharmonizers.org
American Music: Louis Armstrong
Baldwin Public Library hosts
C. Ricky Riccardi, director of Research Collections at the Louis Armstrong House Museum, to discuss Armstrong’s rise from New Orleans musician to jazz legend and examine his lasting influence on American music. Also explore how Armstrong’s trumpet style, stage charisma and public voice helped break racial barriers and shape jazz in the 1950s and 1960s. Registration required.
• Where: 2385 Grand Ave.
• Time: 2-3 p.m.
• Contact: baldwinpl.org or call (516) 223-6228
Jun
6
Supermarket Bingo
Relay for Life of Baldwin hosts a Supermarket Bingo fundraiser at St. Peter’s Church. The event will
Bed of Roses hosts a Mindfulness & Movement wellness event at Suite 1937. The collaborative afternoon features local entrepreneurs and wellness experts offering experiences designed to help guests reset and recharge. Participate in movement activities, mini facials, functional fragrances and other wellness offerings. Featured partners include Enchanted Beauty, AristoFit, Viva La Skin, The Crystal Bee, From My Island, M.B. Florals and June Skin. Guests can also enjoy mimosas during the event. Registration required.
• Where : 1937 Grand Ave.
• Time: Noon-5 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 782-1322
Jun 11
Baldwin Civic Association meets Residents are invited to attend the Baldwin Civic Association’s monthly general membership meeting.
• Where: 3232 Grand Ave.
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 855-8824 or baldwincivic@gmail.com
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.
FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle
Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers
Take advantage of on-site health screenings
Enjoy lively entertainment, fitness demonstrations and interactive experiences
Hear from experts during a panel discussion with Q&A
Win raffles, prizes, and giveaways
Snack station for all
*Boxed lunches for first 150 attendees
All designed to help you stay active, informed, and engaged at every stage of life.
x273 AGENDA:
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, JP MORGAN MORTGAGE
May 28, 2026 —
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
LEGAL NOTICE SUMMONS Supreme Court of New York, Nassau County. U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff -againstTERRANCE W. LEE, JR. A/K/A TERRANCE LEE; KAVITA J. RAMJANAMLEE A/K/A KAVITA RAMJANAM-LEE; JONATHAN NEIRA; PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BY INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF GARDEN CITY JUSTICE COURT; “JOHN DOE” and “JANE DOE” said names being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of premises being foreclosed herein, Defendants Index No. 617022/2024.
Mortgaged Premises: 817 North William Street Baldwin, NY 11510 a/k/a 817 North William Street North Baldwin, NY 11510 Section: 36 Block: 181
Lot: 353 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above captioned action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the Plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a Defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECTIVE of the above captioned action is to foreclose on a Mortgage to secure $308,000.00 and interest, recorded in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office on May 10, 2006 in Liber Book M 30466, Page 872, Control Number 1150, covering the premises known as 817 North William Street, Baldwin, NY 11510 a/k/a 817 North William Street, North Baldwin, NY 11510. The relief sought herein is a final judgment directing sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the reverse mortgage described above. Plaintiff designates Nassau as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is located.NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will
not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
FRIEDMAN VARTOLO, LLP 1325 Franklin Avenue, Suite 160 Garden City, NY 11530, Attorneys for Plaintiff. 160159
LEGAL NOTICE
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU
DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR MORGAN STANLEY ABS CAPITAL I INC. TRUST 2007-HE3 MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-HE3, -againstCHRISTINE SHEEHY. 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 March 3, 2026, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR MORGAN STANLEY ABS CAPITAL I INC. TRUST 2007-HE3 MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-HE3 is the Plaintiff and CHRISTINE SHEEHY is the Defendant. 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 24, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 2732 WINONA RD, BALDWIN, NY 11510; and the following tax map identification: 54-226-505. 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.: 003202/2008. Bruce R. Bekritsky, 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. 160314
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, CHONDRITE ASSET TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. 34 DRIVE CORP., ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 19, 2024 and an Order Directing Release of Earnest Money Deposit to Plaintiff duly entered on March 25, 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 23, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 3498 Bertha Drive, 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 Harbor, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 54, Block 590 and Lot 6. Approximate amount of judgment is $883,031.27 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 607423/2021.
David S. Dikman, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 200539-1 160308
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…
To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES
To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF FORMATION of Preserved Goods, LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/01/26 Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to 2 Barnes Avenue, Baldwin NY 11510. Purpose: any lawful act 160285
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 06/10/2026 at 2:00 P.M. to consider the following applications and appeals: THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 2:00 P.M. 314/26. BALDWINApplied Behavioral Health Management LLC d/b/a Family of Kidz, Use variance for proposed trash enclosure not permitted in Res “B” district (in conjunction with proposed medical office); Use variance for proposed children’s play area not permitted in Res. “B” district; Variance in off-street parking., S/W cor. Merrick Rd. & Central Ave., a/k/a 944 Merrick Rd. 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. 160414
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., Pltf. vs. HERBERT A. JENKINS A/K/A HERBERT JENKINS, et al, Defts. Index #009152/2014. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered May 5, 2025, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on June 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a 882 Kings Parkway, Baldwin, NY 11510 a/k/a Section 36, Block 441, Lot 250-251. Said property beginning at the corner formed by the intersection of the southerly side of Kings Parkway with the easterly side of Decatur Street and from said point, being a plot 41 ft. x 91.76 ft. x 40 ft. x 82.72 ft. Approximate amount of judgment is $633,619.46 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. MICHAEL ZAPSON, Referee. HILL WALLACK, LLP, Attys. for Ptlf., 261 Madison Avenue, 9th Floor, Ste. 940, New York, NY 10016. File No. 017511-05247#102990 160423
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…
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PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES
To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO CITIBANK, N.A. AS TRUSTEE OF STRUCTURED ASSET MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS II INC., BEAR STEARNS ALT-A TRUST II, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2007-1, Plaintiffagainst - MAURO A. TURCIOS, et al Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on May 27, 2025. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on the 25th day of June, 2026 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, Baldwin, County of Nassau, and State of New York. Premises known as 1420 Grand Avenue, North Baldwin, NY 11510.
(District: 10, Section: 36, Block: 230, Lot: 50) Approximate amount of lien $1,101,764.18 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 615033/2019. Michael Joseph Sepe, Esq., Referee. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409 For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832
Dated: April 23, 2026 During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. 160351
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Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com
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To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
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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Do I need to file a plan just to build a stone wall? Part 2.
Q.. I planned and started building a stack stone wall in my front yard, but I was stopped by a building inspector. He told me the wall was structural, and needed a professional plan to be approved before I could do the rest of the work. It’s just a landscape wall instead of a fence or hedges at my front sidewalk, so why should it matter? A lot of my neighbors have them, and he told me to file a complaint, and he would check the others out, but I don’t want to tell on my neighbors. What do you suggest?
A. Continuing my answer from the last column, which addressed the technical issues, the approval side is often more complicated, especially when we attach the stigma of living among neighbors in this condition we refer to as “civilization.”
You wondered why neighbors have gotten away with building their walls and fences without permits, and yet you are being called out for your venture into building without approvals they didn’t seem to need. You may also wonder why the inspector suggested you file a complaint so that there is cause to look into violations created by your neighbors the same kind of violation you feel singled out for. We, collectively, wonder why this happens. It is a regular occurrence to be taken to a potential customer’s door and pointed out violations others have, completely visible to all, which are either prohibited or require building permits and zoning variances. Things like extra-tall fences, pools, sheds, decks and porches extended into front yards even garages and “temporary” carports. I know that once I have to explain the rules and regulations, it isn’t convincing, and I may be dismissed, mainly because the neighbors are “getting away with it, so why should I have to spend all this money and time when they didn’t have to?”
or
You, like most, believe that if an inspector sees a violation, they will act. In many incorporated villages, that is the case. In the larger jurisdictions, however, that isn’t always the case. You are requested to file a complaint. People I have spoken to won’t do that, because that pits neighbor against neighbor, even if the authorities tell you that your complaint is confidential. The violator immediately becomes suspicious, and when I get called to meet and try to clear a violation, the first part of the conversation is spent by the owner pointing at the suspected neighbor’s property, and vindictive language follows.
I never really had a name for it until recently, when the phrase “The system is rigged” prevailed. Now I understand, as you should, too, that the way violations are handled actually creates stress among neighbors and goes against public safety, as more and more of us want to do uncertified, unsafe construction without approvals. Financially, those municipalities that double their fees for already-built work benefit from the violations they encourage. If public safety is most important, it’s overshadowed by administration. Good luck!
2026 Monte Leeper Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the
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opinions
Protecting our suburbs from overdevelopment
Long Island’s suburbs weren’t created by accident. They were built to offer families a place to grow, to feel safe, and to put down roots in communities that reflect shared values and a commitment to quality of life. In the Town of Hempstead, we take that responsibility seriously.
Right now, however, that way of life is being challenged from two directions: Albany’s push to override local zoning authority, and unchecked overdevelopment that threatens the character of our neighborhoods. I want to be clear that my administration is not opposed to growth. We understand the need for more housing, including more affordable housing, to ensure that the next generation can stay on Long Island. But growth must be thoughtful, balanced and locally driven. It can never be dictated by Albany bureaucrats who neither live in nor understand our communities.
Governor Kathy Hochul’s latest plan to circumvent local zoning regulations is a direct threat to suburban Long
AIsland. It is a one-size-fits-all mandate that ignores the unique needs, infrastructure and character of towns like Hempstead. Local zoning exists for a reason. It allows communities to plan responsibly to ensure that roads, schools, public safety services and utilities can support new development. Stripping that authority away undermines decades of careful planning and silences the voices of the very residents these policies impact.
Albany’s plan to circumvent local zoning is a direct threat to suburban L.I.
Decisions about our neighborhoods should be made by the people who live here and the officials they elect, not by distant policymakers focused on solving problems specific to New York City. Long Island is not Manhattan, and it should not be treated as such.
At the same time, we have taken decisive action at the local level to protect the integrity of our neighborhoods. In Levittown, one of the most iconic suburban communities in America, we recently passed a zoning reform to address the rise of so-called McMansions. Often built by developers looking to maximize profit, these oversized homes, which dwarf neighboring properties and fundamentally alter the character of entire neighborhoods, have been replacing
modest, affordable houses. Levittown was built as a symbol of opportunity. After World War II, it provided affordable homes for returning veterans and their families. It was a place where the American Dream was within reach and where legacy mattered. We listened when residents came forward, voicing concerns about privacy, overcrowding, infrastructure strain and the loss of neighborhood character.
After extensive public hearings and community input, the Town Board unanimously voted to reduce the allowable building area on residential lots to align it with the majority of residential zoning restrictions in the Town of Hempstead. This strikes a balance between allowing homeowners to improve and modernize their properties and preventing overdevelopment that erodes the very charm that makes these neighborhoods special. When modest homes are replaced with million-dollar structures, we aren’t expanding opportunity. Rather, we are pricing families out and changing the fabric of our neighborhoods in ways that cannot be undone.
These two issues — Albany’s overreach and local overdevelopment — are connected by the need to protect our suburbs from decisions that prioritize
volume over value and expediency over community.
We also cannot ignore the broader context. As Albany struggles to pass a budget, we see proposals that include record spending increases, bailouts that disproportionately benefit New York City, and little meaningful relief for Long Island taxpayers. At a time when families are already feeling the pressure of rising costs, this approach is simply unsustainable.
I am proud to stand with many of Long Island’s leaders to say to Albany that enough is enough. We need a state government that respects local control, exercises fiscal responsibility and recognizes that Long Island deserves its fair share and should not be left as an afterthought in a city-centric agenda.
Protecting the suburbs doesn’t mean resisting all change. It means guiding change in a way that preserves what works while addressing what doesn’t. It means building housing that is attainable, not excessive. It means empowering local communities, not overriding them.
The Town of Hempstead will continue to stand firm on these crucial matters. We will defend our neighborhoods, uphold local decision-making and ensure that our suburbs remain places where families can thrive today and for generations to come.
John Ferretti is the Town of Hempstead supervisor.
Let’s take our daughters outside
sk a girl in Elmont, Freeport or Hempstead what she did last weekend, and chances are her answer would sound a lot like that of girls across Long Island. She spent time scrolling on her phone. Maybe on social media. Maybe texting friends. Maybe watching a show. What she likely wasn’t doing was exploring the outdoors, or simply lying in the grass and watching the sky. June is National Great Outdoors Month, and as CEO of Girl Scouts of Nassau County, I want to say something plainly: Girls need to spend more time outside, unplugged and reconnecting with the world around them.
The good news is we already have the solution, one that has been working for more than a century. According to the Outdoor Foundation, participation in outdoor recreation among girls ages 13 to 17 has fallen to roughly 50 percent. Research published in the Journal of American College Health confirms that screen time is a significant predictor of
higher anxiety, depression and stress in young people, while time spent outdoors predicts lower rates of stress and depression. Nature is good for girls, and the absence of it is doing harm.
TWhat makes this urgent is that girls are disproportionately affected. Studies show that girls spend less time outdoors than boys, and that the drop-off accelerates sharply in early adolescence — the years when confidence, identity and resilience are being forged. At a time when we’re already grappling with a youth mental health crisis, this is a trend we can’t afford to ignore. Outdoor experiences don’t just reduce anxiety. They actively build the skills girls need to lead. The Girl Scout Research Institute has found that girls who regularly spend time outdoors are better problem solvers, more likely to seek out challenges and stronger environmental stewards. They develop leadership skills, forge deeper friendships and report greater happiness overall.
them become leaders.
Nassau County Communities are home to thousands of girls who deserve every opportunity to experience the outdoors. Many of them face real barriers, including fewer green spaces, limited transportation and tighter family budgets. The idea of sending a daughter to sleep-away camp in the Hamptons can feel like a luxury that belongs to someone else’s life.
here they can discover what they’re made of without the Wi-Fi.
Every girl, regardless of Zip code, family income or whether she has ever seen a tent stake, deserves the chance to discover what she’s made of when the Wi-Fi is gone and there are stars overhead.
Across acres of woods, trails and private beachfront, girls spend summers canoeing, swimming, building fires, sleeping under the stars, and doing something that is increasingly rare in young people’s lives: being fully, completely present.
thought she was “not outdoorsy” finds herself paddling a canoe across open water and realizing she loves it. These are moments that shape who a girl believes she can be, and that belief follows her home.
Every girl should have the chance to get outside in a meaningful, supported, joyful way. Not just girls whose families can easily absorb the cost of summer camp. Not just girls who already love hiking or have spent weekends on trails. Every girl, including the one in Elmont who has never left Nassau County, the one in Hempstead who thinks camping sounds miserable, the one in Valley Stream who just needs someone to hand her a canoe paddle and say, “You’ve got this.”
Heading into summer, I’m asking Long Island families, school leaders, community organizations and businesses to join us in making the outdoors accessible to every girl in Nassau County. Because the research is clear, the need is urgent and the girls are ready.
For girls from lower-income communities, access to the outdoors is even more transformative. Research shows that they are significantly more likely to credit outdoor experiences with helping
The girls I see during the school year undergo a transformation at camp. They become — dare I say — wild and free. They are independent, curious and brave. The girl who was nervous about sleeping away from home discovers she can navigate a trail. The girl who
The girl who builds a fire, sleeps in a tent and wakes up to birdsong instead of notifications isn’t just having a fun summer adventure. She’s becoming a leader for Long Island, for our communities, for the future. Those leaders start here.
Rande Bynum is CEO of Girl Scouts of Nassau County.
Incorporating
rHondA
Water safety starts with vigilance
as summer approaches on Long Island, our communities eagerly embrace the joys of swimming, boating and waterfront leisure. From backyard pools to the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, aquatic activities are woven into our seasonal traditions.
With those pleasures, however, comes a paramount responsibility: ensuring water safety for all.
New York ranks fourth in the nation in drowning deaths. The state now requires all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, to possess a valid boating safety certificate. The requirement, established as part of Brianna’s Law — named in memory of 11-year-old Brianna Lieneck, who lost her life in a 2005 boating accident in the Great South Bay — is intended to make waterways safer.
Boaters can enroll in approved safety courses available in person and online. The BoatUS Foundation offers a free, state-approved online course, and the New York State Parks Adventure License program encourages boaters to add an anchor icon to their driver’s license to indicate completion of the course.
Water safety extends well beyond boats, to backyard and public swimming pools and Long Island’s many miles of beaches. Drowning remains a leading cause of accidental death
letters
Where is Hempstead’s affordable-housing plan?
To the Editor:
among children.
Suffolk County reported 24 drownings in 2024, a 60 percent increase over the prior year, based on statistics from Stony Brook University. Experts noted what they called an “alarming shift,” with 66 percent of drownings happening in backyard pools rather than open water, driven largely by a post-pandemic surge in pool installations. Nationwide, drowning remains a leading cause of unintentional-injury deaths among children ages 1 to 4.
To reduce the risks:
■ Always supervise children closely when they are in or near water. Avoid distractions, even when lifeguards are present.
■ Install fences with self-latching gates around pools to prevent unsupervised access. State law requires fences to be at least 4 feet high and to fully enclose pools.
■ Teach children to swim, learn yourself if you never have, and understand basic water safety rules.
■ Ensure that supervising adults are trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation so they can respond effectively in emergencies.
■ State law requires children under 12 to wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejackets on boats smaller than 21 feet.
Re Joseph Scianablo’s op-ed, “We can’t solve a housing crisis with hypocrisy or politics,” in the May 14-20 issue: Scianablo, the Democratic candidate for Hempstead town supervisor, clearly stated the issues involved in dealing with the housing crisis. He also delineated steps that need to be taken to solve the problem.
One must wonder, what has the town’s leadership, under Supervisor John Ferretti, been doing about this housing crisis? No cogent plan has been followed to deal with the shortage of housing that’s affordable for young families or seniors wanting to downsize. A predictable pattern has developed, which we have witnessed with the Woodmere Country Club and Inwood/North Hempstead projects: A project is proposed by developers, there is an outcry from community residents who have reasonable concerns, and then there is expensive litigation, paid for with taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars.
Ferretti and the Town Board should have had a forward-looking housing plan in place. As proposed by candidate Scianablo, stakeholders
Lifejackets accessible to all passengers are essential on any vessel.
■ At public pools and beaches, pay attention to lifeguards, who are trained to identify hazards such as rip currents — fast-moving channels of water that can quickly pull swimmers away from shore.
■ Ask lifeguards about dangerous conditions, and swim only in designated areas. If caught in a rip current, stay calm and swim parallel to shore until free of the current.
Another major danger is after-hours swimming. When lifeguards are off duty, swimmers who are inexperienced, overconfident or impaired are left unmonitored, and that is when many drownings occur.
Early-season swimmers should also remember that ocean water remains dangerously cold well into late spring. Cold water quickly drains energy and increases the risk of distress, even for strong swimmers.
Water safety is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you’re watching children at a pool, enjoying a day at the beach or heading out on a boat, a few simple precautions can mean the difference between a close call and a tragedy. Long Island’s waters are meant to be enjoyed, but only if we treat them with the respect they demand.
including developers, union workers and residents must be engaged in planning housing projects for the needs of each unique community.
Instead of blaming Albany, our town
must take responsibility
to deal with the housing crisis.
opinions
The disappearance of embarrassment
somewhere in Washington right now, custom bourbon bottles etched with FBI Director Kash Patel’s name and title are being distributed as tokens of power and prestige at taxpayer expense. Strange as it sounds, those bottles tell a much larger story about contemporary politics and politicians.
You don’t have to be a political historian to know that democracies have always produced their share of vain, incompetent and corrupt political opportunists. What feels different now is the brazenness — the complete disappearance of embarrassment and restraint among leaders, as well as citizens’ expectations that public officials at least appear to be answerable to the people they serve.
At a moment when millions of Americans are struggling to afford groceries, gasoline, rent, medication and health insurance, our “leaders” parade openly in a spectacle of self-glorification, ideological theater, open self-interest and flat-out contempt. The examples arrive almost daily:
A White House “ballroom” project that began as a supposedly privately
funded $200 million undertaking has steadily ballooned to a taxpayer-supported $1 billion monument to one man’s excesses.
A sitting president and his family are profiting from business ventures made possible only through political power. Airports, cultural institutions, public spaces and even passports are being renamed and revised in ways that elevate and glorify that president.
Patel’s custom bourbon bottles are etched with his name while taxpayers absorb the costs of an increasingly theatrical government culture.
Those personalized bourbon bottles seem sadly emblematic of the moment.
Other cabinet officials and agency heads appear openly hostile to, or ignorant of, the very missions of the departments they oversee.
A secretary of health and human services attacks scientific consensus, vaccine trust and established medical knowledge during a period of growing public health anxiety.
A secretary of defense speaks less like a sober administrator than a cablenews warrior wannabe posturing for cameras and political allies. Presidential social media tirades are aimed at journalists, critics, political opponents and private citizens — many dismissed as “low IQ,” “stupid,” dishonest, even treasonous.
LeTTers
Voters deserve to hear more from the candidates on housing
To the Editor:
Mr. Scianablo is half right. Politics is the only means we have to reconcile civil issues. What is required is the sort of politics Mr. Scianablo describes, where leadership seeks to “rise above the noise” and “tell the truth” to promote “honest conversations” and form “partnerships” that will work toward “thoughtful, community-driven planning.” That would mean a constructive confrontation with some hard words.
Nassau County’s leaders must acknowledge the truth that the housing issue can’t be “solved” at the county level, but progress can be
facilitated. Candidates for leadership must dismiss the noise to center the honest conversations on those few factors and limited partnerships within their purview and jurisdiction. This means devising a thoughtful plan for changes in zoning to encourage density at sites that provide transportation and public services — which will encourage builders and bankers to construct affordable units that make Nassau attractive to buyers, preferably families with children.
There are hard words here, but voters deserve to hear from each candidate some opening position from which they will begin their honest conversation, and what their vision is for a Nassau community plan to ameliorate its portion of the “crisis.”
Meanwhile, we are told every day that all is well, the economy is strong, the war is won, and that public concerns are exaggerated. Republican Sen. Tim Scott proclaimed on Fox Business last month that “You can even feel in our environment how good things are getting. Gas prices continue to come down, which means that your groceries will come down a little bit as well.”
As Scott spoke, gas and grocery prices were rising dramatically in his home state of North Carolina and around the country. Without embarrassment, he invented a picture of America that has no basis in reality.
That same day, on CNBC, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said, “You go back two years ago, we were paying almost $6 a gallon for gasoline.” Two years ago, in mid-2024, the nationwide average price of gasoline was $3.66 per gallon. Without embarrassment, he made up a price easily disproved.
More and more Americans no longer believe what they are being told, because their own lives tell them otherwise. And alongside all of this come the vanity projects, the public self-glorification, the open profiteering, the personalized institutions, the theatrical insults and the endless performances of loyalty and power.
The deeper cultural shift isn’t simply these behaviors themselves, but how little civic alarm they now produce. Why, we should ask, do these officials feel no shame, or even just a little embarrassment? But mostly we don’t ask. Too often we give up on demanding competence, dignity and social awareness in our leaders.
Why? Or maybe the question should be how? How can people who call themselves leaders act with so much contempt toward the people who put them in positions of authority? A healthy republic depends on leaders understanding that public office carries obligations larger than ego, profit, loyalty rituals and selfcelebration. It depends on some continuing sense that, at the very least, public suffering should impose limits on displays of extravagance and self-interest.
Evidently, our leaders feel no such constraints; they feel not one shred of embarrassment about the lies and excesses that have come to characterize them. For many of them, holding office means little more than having permission to engage in public spectacle, branding, self-celebration and acts of contempt in plain sight.
Which may be why those personalized bourbon bottles feel oddly — and sadly — emblematic of the political moment itself.
Michael Blitz is professor emeritus and former chair of interdisciplinary studies at City University of New York.
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BRIAN KELLY Rockville
Centre
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Framework by Tim Baker
At Molloy University’s graduation, that’s President James Lentini on guitar — Jones Beach
