Stu Goldman/Herald
Honoring the fallen
At the Baldwin Memorial Day Parade, 1st Sgt Miguel Sanchez, John Goodenough, Lt. Col. Robert Burns and Regina Pasqualino, perform a rifle saltue during Memorial Day service on Monday.
H.S. junior is historian, broadcaster, photographer
David Kreutz channels creativity and curiosity for the hamlet
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Seventeen-year-old David Kreutz isn’t your typical high school junior. He’s a photographer as well as a budding broadcaster and historian who is redefining what it means to be involved in a community.
Kreutz has grown up in Baldwin with a keen sense of pride in his hometown that has morphed into an interest in documenting the town’s history and achievements.
“I’ve lived in Baldwin my entire life, and I’ve developed a deep connection to the community and its events,” he said.
For the past few years, Kreutz has immersed
himself in Baldwin’s history and culture. He has become a passionate photographer since he began shooting pictures at Baldwin High School’s sports events this year.
“When I started photography, I realized how important it is to capture these moments as they happen,” he said. “It’s about preserving the narratives that shape our community, especially since much of Baldwin’s rich history can be overlooked.”
Last summer, while as a student worker assisting in administrative and maintenance tasks for the school district, Kreutz stumbled on old yearbooks in the middle school library. They sparked a curiosity about Baldwin’s history, and
Team Chaos represents Baldwin H.S.
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Team Chaos Inc., Baldwin High School’s robotics team, recently powered through tough competition at the 2025 FIRST Robotics Long Island Regional, held at Hofstra University’s David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.
The event, part of the FIRST Robotics Competition, is a national program run by For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, a nonprofit that promotes STEM education through real-world engineering challenges.
The regional featured 48 teams, including two from Mumbai, India.
Ttrolled by student drivers. The game simulates real-world engineering problems and emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving and technical skills. Teams compete in rotating alliances, and all teams receive the same set of materials to build their robots.
o me, strong teamwork really made a difference when it came to Match 49.
JUSTiN
Chaos, led by coach Justin Funkenberg, a graduating senior, and technology teacher Vincent Leis, is comprised of team members Giovanni SienaHorowitz, driver; Kevin Rottkamp, a manipulator; Wayne Jean Baptiste, a human player; and Isaiah Ramsey, a technician.
fUNkENBERG
Baldwin High School senior
The remaining teams represented schools across New York City and Long Island, with Baldwin among several teams from Nassau County.
This year’s game, called REEFSCAPE, challenged teams to build robots capable of completing a series of tasks — some autonomously and others con-
The team posted a 7-3 record in the qualifying rounds, including a sevenmatch winning streak.
They were ranked 14th at the end of the first day and finished 15th overall.
In one of its standout performances, Baldwin’s alliance won Match 49 by a score of 135–96.
“To me, strong teamwork really made a difference when it
Continue on page 7
What to expect in June at Baldwin Library
Baldwin Public Library is welcoming the start of summer with a vibrant June schedule filled with creativity, learning, and community celebration. From an ice cream
1
Summer Reading Club KickOff: Ice Cream Social (All Ages)
Saturday, June 7, 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Start your summer sweetly. Join the library to build your own sundae, enjoy balloon animals and temporary tattoos, and get creative with a button-making craft for teens and adults. Raffles and fun activities will take place throughout the event.
2
Juneteenth Painting Party (Grades 3–6)
Saturday, June 7, 2:30 p.m.
In honor of Juneteenth, young artists in grades 3–6 are invited to join us for a vibrant painting session presented by Key to My Art.
All materials will be provided.
3
social and a Juneteenth art party to a powerful film discussion and a showcase of young writers, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this month.
The Herald shares a look at what’s coming up this June.
Creative Writing Workshop Reading & Open Mic (Ages 16+)
Thursday, June 12, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
As part of the Baldwin Public Library Coffee House Series, come celebrate the creative voices of our teen writers! Workshop participants will share original work, followed by an open mic for writers, singer-songwriters, and musicians. Each performer will have up to seven minutes to share their art. This event is for ages 16+, and a reception will follow. No registration required.
4
Special Film Viewing & Book Discussion: 12 Years a Slave (Adults)
Friday, June 13, 12:00–4:30 p.m.
Join for a screening of the Academy Award-winning film 12 Years a Slave followed by a special discussion led by Baldwin author Lorna Rainey, who will share the incredible true story of her greatgrandfather, Congressman Joseph H. Rainey—the first African American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Ms. Rainey will connect his story to themes in the film and take questions after the talk.
Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lupita Nyong’o, and Michael Fassbender, the film is based on the memoir of Solomon Northup.
Rated R. 134 minutes.
Registration begins Friday, May 23. Walk-
ins welcome.
5
Mindful Moments: Gentle Yoga & Meditation (Adults)
Tuesday, June 17, 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Take a pause for yourself this summer. Join certified instructor Amira Lee for a relaxing session of gentle yoga and guided meditation designed to reduce stress and increase mindfulness. This all-levels class focuses on slow movement, breathwork, and body awareness. Please bring your own mat or towel and wear comfortable clothing.
Registration begins Tuesday, May 27.
UNIONDALE SCHOOLS
Telling the story of Baldwin one shot at a time
he began photographing school district events — everything from the Homecoming football game to conference championships — and including subtle historical artifacts, like visual Easter eggs, in his photos.
“There’s so much history around us that people don’t notice — like the old buildings in the background of my sports photos,” Kreutz explained. “It’s my way of connecting the past and present, and showing people something they might have missed.”
His work isn’t confined to high school events. He also documents community happenings — most recently the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce’s annual car show.
And Kreutz’s work doesn’t stop at photography. He is also involved in the world of broadcasting. He has an interest in motor sports, and has become part of the simulated-racing scene through his YouTube channel, FTN Broadcasting, which covers the video game iRacing.
Kreutz’s broadcasting work steadily gained popularity during the 2023 and 2024 broadcasts of the eNASCAR Road to Pro Series. The events draw a
modest but engaged viewership, and have become a platform for emerging talent in the sim-racing world. Kreutz’s collaborative approach — bringing together multiple commentators — helped get new voices involved.
His main focus, however, remains on Baldwin, and on bringing attention to the hamlet’s unique history.
“For me, it’s about leaving a legacy in Baldwin — capturing moments, bringing attention to our local history and showcasing what makes Baldwin special,” he said.
Kreutz is involved in a number of extracurricular activities at the high school, including the National Honor Society, the Photography Club and the Key Club, which focuses on community service, but he is uncertain about what he might pursue as a career. One thing is clear, though: His experiences in Baldwin have shaped his aspirations.
“I want to stay connected to my community, wherever I end up,” he said. “Whether it’s through photography, broadcasting or something else, I want to keep telling the stories of the people and places that shaped me.”
For more, follow Kreutz on Instagram: @Kroy_TZ.
david Kreutz, a junior at Baldwin High School, is capturing Baldwin’s present while preserving its past, one photograph at a time.
Kreutz replicated the 1980 photo at the same location, with the shopping complex visible in the background. the purpose of the photo, he said, was to showcase the small changes.
Photos courtesy David Kreutz
Chris marano, who plays baseball for Baldwin High, seen through Kreutz’s lens.
a sign that welcomed Baldwin High School students on ethel t Kloberg dr. in 1980.
Car show drives back into Point Lookout
The Spring Dust-Off Car Show, Long Island’s largest celebration of unique cars, horsepower, bold design and automotive artistry returned to Town Park in Point Lookout on May 18, filling the park with tons of fancy and fun rides.
The Spring Dust-Off Car Show is one of the most exciting events of the year.
Don Clavin Town Supervisor
The event is more than just a car show, it’s a fullthrottle experience featuring hundreds of competitively judged cars, live entertainment, a touch-atruck exhibit, a kids’ zone, movie cars, a beer garden and dozens of vendors offering everything from auto accessories to delicious eats.
“The Spring Dust-Off Car Show is one of the most exciting events of the year here in America’s largest township,” Town Supervisor Don Clavin said. “It’s a celebration of craftsmanship, community, and classic Americana – all set against the beautiful backdrop of our South Shore beaches.”
There were special guests as well, including nationally renowned car celebrities like Joe Martin, Richard Rawlings, Dave Kindig, and Chip Foose, giving fans the chance to meet the legends behind the builds.
“Whether you’re a die-hard car enthusiast or just looking for a fun day with the family, this event has something for everyone,” Clavin said.
Carpenter
Editor’s note: Please join Michael Ettinger’s live Zoom webinar “Four Advantages of Using Trusts” on Wednesday, June 4 at 7 pm or Wednesday, July 9 at 7 pm. Kindly register on our website, trustlaw.com
Clients often ask whether the home should be deeded to the client’s adult children, while retaining a life estate in the parent or whether the Medicaid Asset Protection Trust should be used to protect the asset. While the deed with a life estate will be less costly to the client, in most cases it offers significant disadvantages when compared to the trust. First, if the home is sold prior to the death of the Medicaid recipient, the life estate value of the home will be required to be paid towards their care. If the house is rented, the net rents are payable to the nursing facility since they belong to the life tenant. Finally, the client loses a significant portion of their capital gains tax exclusion for the sale of their primary residence as they will only be entitled to a pro rata share based on the value of the life estate to the home as a whole. Nevertheless, a life estate deed makes sense for a vacation home that is intended to stay in the family.
All of the foregoing may lead to a situation where the family finds they must maintain a vacant home for many years. Conversely, a properly drafted MAPT preserves the full capital gains tax exclusion on the sale of the primary residence and the home may be sold by the trust without obligation to make payment of any of the principal towards the client’s care, assuming we have passed the look-back period for facility care of five years.
It should be noted here that both the life estate and the MAPT will preserve the stepped-up basis in the property provided it is sold after the death of the parent who was the owner or grantor. Upon the death of the parent, the basis for calculating the capital gains tax is stepped up from what the parent paid, plus any improvements, to what it was worth on the parent’s date of death. This effectively eliminates payment of capital gains taxes on the sale of appreciated property, such as the home, after the parent dies.
LAW FIRM
—Brendan
Tim Baker/Herald photos
Lillian, 5, and Colton Woessner, 12, of Wantagh, enjoyed all the cool cars.
Mathew Garcia, of Oceanside, with his 1979 Lincoln Continental Mark 5 and 1941 Chevrolet Master Deluxe.
Baldwin’s 21st year competing in FIRST Robotics
came to Match 49 at the 2025 Hofstra Regional,” Funkenberg said.
“We were matched up against teams that were all ranked within the top 20 at the time,” he added. Even against such tough opponents, our alliance stayed focused through constant communication and quick strategy adjustments.
Through these values and on-the-fly adjustment, we were able to win. Without strong teamwork, this feat likely would not have been accomplished.”
Funkenberg said the team maintained its edge throughout the competition by building strong relationships with alliance partners and staying organized behind the scenes.
“To stay prepared and coordinated during matches, our team emphasized open communication and developed a routine for success,” he said.
“We always reviewed the match schedule, scouted other teams, and, most importantly, built a sense of teamwork with our alliance partners before heading into each match. During each match, we made sure that no matter what, each of our matches was a winning one as we found a groove on our seven-game winning streak.”
Leis praised the students’ performance and dedication.
“The energy, the strategy and the execution were unmatched, making this an unforgettable experience for Team Chaos Inc.,” Leis said. “The team stuck to the game plan, executing flawlessly, and it showed.”
For 21 years, Baldwin has participated in the FIRST Robotics program, which was founded in 1989 and now serves hundreds of thousands of students worldwide through hands-on, project-based STEM learning and competitions.
At Baldwin High School, robotics is part of a broader push for career-connected learning through the district’s Baldwin 2035 academic plan.
Students work with professional-grade tools and software, including design programs and fabrication equipment.
The robotics team gives them the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges with strict deadlines and technical demands.
“Being part of Chaos Inc. and FIRST Robotics
Baldwin High School’s firSt robotics team Chaos inc. competed in the 2025 Long island regional, marking the 21st year that the district has participated in the program.
29, 2025
sparked my passion for STEM by showing me how exciting real-world problem-solving can be,” Funkenberg said. “I learned to design, build, and lead under pressure.
I feel that FIRST Robotics has given me the platform to sharpen my communication skills and earn lifetime friendships. It’s made me want to pursue a STEM career where I can innovate and make an impact because, whether we are an engineer or not, engineering can be found all around us.”
Courtesy Baldwin School District
BALDWIN HERALD — May
Stamp Out Hunger initiative hits the road
Powered by volunteers, Island Harvest’s largest one-day food drive collects 335,000 pounds of food
By RENEE DeLORENZO rdelorenzo@liherald.com
Island Harvest hosted Long Island’s largest one-day food drive of the year, Stamp Out Hunger, on May 10, collecting more than 335,000 pounds of food — and counting.
The donations will stock over 300 food pantries across Long Island, ensuring they have enough supplies to feed children who face food insecurity and lose access to meals once school is out for the summer.
The event, now in its 33rd year, is organized nationwide by the National Association of Letter Carriers, the union representing the U.S. Postal Service’s letter carriers. Since its inception in 1993, the drive has collected more than 1.9 billion pounds of food across the country.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as a householdlevel economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food.
According to Island Harvest, more than 240,000 Long Island residents — over 8 percent of the population — faced food insecurity in 2023, a 10 percent increase over the previous year.
Tom Siesto, executive vice president of NALC Branch 6000, said he has helped coordinate the local drive since it began in 1993. Based in New Hyde Park, Siesto organizes the delivery of more than 865,000 postcards each spring, notifying residents about the collection date, the second Saturday in May. On that day, letter carriers collect nonperishable food donations left on doorsteps.
“We take pride in this,” Siesto said. “Our letter carriers take pride in picking up the food because they know it’s helping their neighbors and communities.”
He emphasized that many people in need on Long Island go unnoticed. “It’s people living paycheck to paycheck,” Siesto said. “It comes down to whether they’re going to put food on the table, buy medication or buy clothing for their children.”
Amanda Chirco, Island Harvest’s director of development, said that donations are initially dropped off at the nonprofit’s Islandia warehouse. Staff and volunteers then sort the food into large mixed bins. The food is later repacked into boxes that are placed on pallets for shipping.
Chirco said that Island Harvest relies heavily on volunteers, including drivers from companies like Amazon and College Hunks, to help transport the food. Three days are dedicated to sorting — Saturday, Monday and Tuesday — and this year, more than 500 pallets were filled and prepared for delivery.
Each pallet holds 550 to 700 pounds of food. Once packed, they are moved with forklifts to a weighing station, where volunteers record the weight in black marker before loading the bins onto trucks. Any remaining food is stored at Island Harvest’s Melville warehouse for
later distribution.
Food pantries across the region are reporting an uptick in first-time visitors, Chirco said, which aligns with Feeding America’s data showing a continued rise in food insecurity.
“These are people who are just one car accident, one flat tire or one medical emergency away from depleting their savings and needing support,” she said. “They’re doing OK until one major thing happens, and then they’re not.”
Federal funding cuts have also affected Island Harvest’s operations. Millions of dollars in government aid were eliminated this year, Chirco said, resulting in over a million fewer meals for local fam-
ilies. Potential cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits could worsen the situation, she said. Many Long Islanders in need don’t qualify for those benefits, she said, because their income exceeds eligibility thresholds — even if it isn’t nearly enough to cover Long Island’s high cost of living.
The Economic Policy Institute estimates that a single adult must earn over $68,000 annually to maintain a modest but adequate standard of living on Long Island. A family of four, with two incomes, needs to earn around $161,000. In contrast, the minimum wage on Long Island is $16.50 an hour — just over
$34,000 annually for full-time work.
“Someone might not be considered in poverty because of their total income,” Chirco said. “But they still can’t afford to live on Long Island.”
Despite the challenges, Island Harvest is on track to distribute more than 20 million pounds of food this year — nearly double its pre-pandemic output.
For Martin Feinstein, a longtime donor who now volunteers for the organization, the scale of need became clear when he visited a local food pantry.
“I couldn’t even find parking,” Feinstein recounted. “I just kind of scratched my head and said, ‘I’ve never really seen that.’”
Now retired, Feinstein volunteers weekly with his wife, helping load food for seniors and pantries across Long Island.
“I want to help,” Feinstein said. “I want to be part of it. I wasn’t part of it for all these years even though I wanted to be, and this is the way to do it.”
Rob Schepis, senior vice president at Flushing Bank, also volunteered at the event alongside three of his employees Rob Albino, Raymond Ok and Michelle Posada. It was the bank’s second year of supporting Stamp Out Hunger through both service and donations.
“When I found out how many people were food insecure, I was shocked,” Schepis said. “It wakes you up to recognizing how fortunate we are.”
Chirco said that Island Harvest’s most pressing need is funding, which supports its food programs, nutrition education and logistics. She encouraged more community partners — businesses, schools and local leaders — to get involved.
Volunteers can register for events at IslandHarvest.org, where they can find dates, instructions and contact information for each one. “Everybody can play a role in some way,” Chirco said.
Renee DeLorenzo/Herald photos
Flushing Bank staff members Raymond Ok, far left, Rob Albino, Michelle Posada and Rob Schepis volunteered for a three-hour shift to sort food during the Stamp Out Hunger event, hosted by Island Harvest in its Islandia warehouse.
Hundreds of pounds of donated nonperishables sat in large bins at Island Harvest’s warehouse, waiting to be sorted and shipped to local food pantries.
Amanda Chirco, Island Harvest’s director of development, took a final tally of the food collected at the completion of sorting on May 13.
Dems push to reduce ‘unfair’ licensing fees
By MOHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com
At All American Cleaners in Bellmore on May 22, Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow, accompanied by Democratic colleagues Delia DeRiggi-Whitton and Olena Nicks, unveiled legislation aimed at reducing business licensing fees across Nassau County.
“The fees that people are paying in Nassau County are multiple times higher than Suffolk County, and it’s just not fair,” Koslow, the Democratic candidate for county executive, said at a news conference. “These small businesses drive our economy, and they have to pay $650 a year just to get their license, when in Suffolk County they’re paying $110.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Nassau is home to over 200,000 small businesses, which employ the majority of the county’s workforce. The proposed legislation targets more than 30 categories of business licenses, including dry cleaners, locksmiths, doggroomers, second-hand gem dealers, appliance replacement services and more.
Asked why there was a difference between the license fees in Suffolk and Nassau counties, Koslow laid responsibility at the feet of County Executive Bruce Blakeman, saying, “Blakeman just keeps raising fees to pay for all his celebrations and his photo ops, and he’s not really worried about taking care of the people here that drive our business.”
“I, unfortunately, don’t anticipate it’ll get much traction because of Bruce Blakeman and the Republican majority,” Koslow added of the legislative proposal. “But this is one of those things that is important to our community, and we should do on a bipartisan level.”
DeRiggi-Whitton echoed Koslow’s sentiments.
“Many of these fees came in under the Mangano administration,” she said, referring to former County Executive Edward Mangano. “And many of them, at that point, we thought, were completely ridiculous, and our caucus voted against them. However, the Republican majority passed them.
“They are arduous,” DeRiggi-Whitton added. “They are something that would make someone decide whether or not they want to come to Nassau County, and that’s the last thing we need.”
Marc Tolchinsky, owner of All American Cleaners, was asked about the impact that licensing fees have on businesses’ ability to stay afloat, and the difference
Nassau County Democrats decried high business licensing fees and announced legislation to cut fees for small businesses on May 22. In Bellmore, from far left, were County Legislators Olena Nicks and Seth Koslow; Marc Tolchinsky, owner of All American Cleaners; and Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton.
that the proposed cuts would make.
“We’ve already been hurt so badly by Covid and the working from home, so all these things that they’re coming up now with, it impacts us,” Tolchinsky said. “You know, we’re running on less revenue, less volume, and anything will help.”
In statement to the Herald, Blakeman rejected the claim that he was responsible for the fees. “These fees were sustained and supported by a Democrat administration with acquiescence from Democrat legislators,” the statement read. “I am happy to cut the fees provided Democrats come up with matching cuts to spending.”
Mohammad Rafiq/Herald
BALDWIN HERALD — May 29, 2025