Bellmore Herald 05-21-2026

Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald

The three-day Long Island Rail Road strike ended late Monday after five unions and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reached a tentative agreement following several days of negotiations.

After first weekday disruption, LIRR strike ends, trains back on Tuesday

By BRIAN KACHARABA AND HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ Of the Herald

The three-day Long Island Rail Road strike ended late Monday after five unions and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority reached a tentative agreement following several days of negotiations, officials announced at an evening news conference.

For commuters in Bellmore and Merrick, where thousands rely on the LIRR daily to reach Manhattan, the announcement brought immediate relief after three days of scrambling for alternate transportation, including carpools, shuttle buses, and long drives to connecting transit hubs.

“I usually leave Bellmore around 5:30 a.m. to get into Penn Station,” said Thomas Lazo, a Bellmore resident who works in Midtown Manhattan. “Without the train, I had to drive out to a friend’s house in Rockville Centre and carpool the rest of the way in. It added

almost an hour, but there wasn’t really another option.”

Union and MTA representatives announced the deal after negotiations resumed in the afternoon and continued into the night, ending the work stoppage that had halted service and caused widespread travel disruptions across Long Island and into New York City.

“We have good news tonight,” Kevin Sexton, vice president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and spokesman for the Long Island Railroad Bargaining Coalition, said. “We’re pleased to announce that the parties have reached an agreement.”

Sexton said that details of the agreement would not be released immediately, citing the need for member review ahead of ratification votes. However, public radio station WNYC reported that the four-year deal includes ret-

Bellmore voters back budgets, incumbents

By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

Residents across the Bellmore-Merrick school districts approved budgets for the 2026-27 school year during the May 19 Board of Education elections, while incumbents in Bellmore and North Bellmore won re-election in uncontested races.

Voters in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District approved the district’s $210 million budget by a 2,133-852 vote. District officials said the spending plan includes the absorption of some staff positions through attrition and contains no cuts to programs. Voters also approved Proposition No. 2 by a 2,317-665 vote and Proposition No. 3 by a 2,219-705 margin.

In the Bellmore Public Schools, residents approved the district’s $43.3 million budget by a vote of 410-118. District officials said the spending plan will maintain current programs and services, preserve class sizes and continue investments in technology while remaining mindful of rising costs and financial constraints facing school districts statewide. Officials also said the

budget is designed to support students academically, socially and emotionally while maintaining the district’s existing educational offerings.

Bellmore voters also approved Proposition No. 2, authorizing an expenditure from the district’s capital reserve fund, by a 435-92 vote. In the North Bellmore School District, residents approved the district’s $73 million spending plan by a 902-412 vote. The budget includes $55.3 million allocated toward programs, along with $8.2 million for administration and $9.6 million for capital costs. Officials said the budget will continue supporting classroom instruction, student resources and districtwide educational initiatives, while maintaining investments in technology, facilities and student support services.

North Bellmore voters also approved Proposition No. 2, authorizing the use of capital reserve funds, by a 1,004-310 vote.

In Bellmore, incumbent Jay L.T. Breakstone won re-election to the Board of Education with 396 votes. In North Bellmore, incumbent Christine Malloy was re-elected with 1,023 votes.

Teen turns personal struggles into a workbook

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

A junior at John F. Kennedy High School is turning personal hardship into a resource she hopes will help children navigating divorce and life between two homes feel less alone.

At 17 years old, Sophia Rose Lancer recently published “The Road Between Two Homes: A Workbook for Kids When Their Family Changes,” an interactive workbook designed to help children process family separation through guided reflection, emotional support and practical tools.

The workbook, which Sophia began writing at 16 and published roughly two months ago, was inspired by her own experience growing up between two households following what her mother described as a difficult divorce and custody battle.

“We always say kids are resilient, but we don’t always stop to think about what they’re really feeling,” said Sophia’s mother, Dena Shemtov Lancer. “When families are going through divorce, especially difficult divorces, parents can become so consumed by everything happening that they forget to ask their children, ‘Are you okay?’”

Originally from Oceanside, the family moved to Bellmore about six years ago. Sophia attended Shore Road School and Winthrop Avenue School before enrolling at Kennedy High School.

Sophia said the idea for the workbook came during the beginning of her junior year while brainstorming projects that connected to her own life experiences.

“I came across a workbook for kids of divorced parents, because I’ve obviously been through that, so I wanted to share that experience with other people,” Sophia said.

Before creating the workbook, Sophia conducted a

SurveyMonkey questionnaire that received responses from roughly 50 children and adults who experienced divorce or family separation. Their responses helped shape the workbook’s content alongside Sophia’s own experiences.

The workbook includes reflection prompts, emotional check-ins, stories from other children, notes from Sophia and practical tools such as packing lists for “switch days,” when children move between households.

Dena said those transitions were a major source of

BELMONT PARK VILLAGE

anxiety for Sophia growing up.

“She would get so anxious of, ‘What do I bring? What do I pack?’” Dena said. “So she created checklists for the kids to have in the workbook.”

Sophia acknowledged that revisiting those experiences while writing the workbook was emotional at times.

“Obviously they sparked a lot of emotions when I was trying to come up with them,” she said of the workbook prompts and questions. “But I really wanted to help other people, so I just kept the vision of that goal.”

Sophia hopes the workbook can help children identify feelings they may struggle to express while also serving as a tool for parents, counselors, psychologists and social workers to begin difficult conversations.

“Our message is more about it’s okay not to be okay,” Dena said.

The workbook has also earned the backing of Dr. Robert Goldman, a local psychologist and attorney, who plans to pilot the workbook this summer through the Institute of Psychological Resilience with children navigating family transitions. Sophia will also work with Goldman’s practice this summer, applying her interest in child psychology in a clinical setting.

“Sophia has created something genuinely useful,” Goldman said. “This workbook addresses a real need in child psychology — and it does so with empathy and intelligence.”

Sophia said she hopes to continue expanding the project in the future.

“I was thinking of expanding on it for resilience — what comes after going through all those emotions, and then how to overcome it,” she said.

Sophia said she hopes children currently experiencing divorce understand that their circumstances do not define them.

Sophia’s workbook is currently available on Amazon.

Courtesy Dena Shemtov Lancer

“The Road Between Two Homes” is available on Amazon

Grand Avenue students showcase projects at fair

The Grand Avenue Science Research Program wrapped up another competition season by hosting its annual science fair May 7, giving students an opportunity to present original research projects to the school community.

Organized by the Students Network of Cooperative Science, the event featured 18 student researchers who displayed work spanning a variety of scientific fields, highlighting innovation, inquiry and problem-solving skills developed throughout the school year.

Science research teacher Tami Cruz said the fair allowed students to share their work with a wide audience of family members, friends, faculty and administrators.

“This was an opportunity for the students to present their science research projects to family, friends, school faculty and administrators, and other supporters,” Cruz said. “The fair celebrated the hard work and accomplishments of the program’s student researchers throughout the school year.”

During the 2025-26 school year, students in the program competed in two regional competitions: the LISEF-SSP Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge and the Long Island Science Congress. Several students earned placements in the Junior Innovators Challenge, while results from the Long Island Science Congress are still pending.

Science Chair Heather Bizewski said the event highlighted the students’ dedication and growth as young researchers.

“The science fair was a great opportunity for our students to share their passion for research and discovery with the school community,” Bizewski said. “We are incredibly proud of their hard work, perseverance, and achievements throughout the year.”

— Hernesto Galdamez

Memorial Day parade plans sweep across Bellmore-Merrick

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

For veterans throughout Bellmore and Merrick, Memorial Day is an important opportunity to pay respects to their friends, colleagues and predecessors who died in service of the United States.

Bill Morris is a leading member of North Bellmore American Legion Post 1749.

“There’s a difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, and that’s often misunderstood,” he said. “It never hurts to say thank you to a veteran, but that’s not what Memorial Day is about; Memorial Day is recognizing those who wore their funeral form and didn’t come back, who died in battle or shortly afterward, and are buried all across the world.”

Every year, organizations like the American Legion partner with local chambers of commerce, chapters of the Kiwanis Club and libraries to lead parades to honor the fallen.

The Bellmore-North Bellmore parade will begin at the North Bellmore Library parking lot on Bellmore Avenue at 10:00 am, south on Bellmore Avenue to Oak Street and continuing to Bedford Avenue. From there, they will proceed down Bedford Avenue to the Veterans Memorial on the corner of Bedford Avenue and Broadway, ending with a wreath presentation. This parade includes three bands, two fire departments.

Another parade will be held throughout the streets of Merrick, hosted annually by American Legion Post No. 1282.

Attendees can gather at Merrick Avenue and Veterans Plaza at 9:30 a.m. Organizers plan to start the ceremony at the Merrick’s Veteran Memorial Park at about 10:45 a.m., featuring members of Merrick’s schools, houses of worship, clubs, fire departments and elected officials.

Veterans

Robert Dishman is the commander of Merrick American Legion Post 1282.

“The parade is a community parade; we get good support from the Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis, and a lot of the organizations, the schools,” he said. “It’s important because we’re remembering all the people that all the people, men and women, that sacrifice time, and a lot of them, basically their lives, but so that we could have our freedoms, so that we can enjoy to live here freely and practice our religions the way we want, go to school as we want, get it as we want.”

Many of the members of the American Legion are veterans from the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and more.

“it’s like me on those monuments, the one where they list the names,” Dishman said. “I went to school with a lot of those guys that aren’t here anymore. They got killed on Vietnam, and that’s basically why all of us that are able to march, or even just to participate in a parade if they can’t march, do. We do it because it’s people that we serve with, we believe that they deserve this honor.”

Courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District.

Sarah Wu and Katie Lin with their research project, “How Does Streptomyces Griseus and Rhizobium Leguminosarum Affect the Plant Growth of Pisum Sativum?”

Holden Leeds/Herald Photo

of Foreign Wars Post No. 1310 walked in the parade last year.

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Aelevate the Conversation

Tent of dreams

fter the last few weeks, which have been personally confusing, upsetting and ultimately thought-provoking, there finally comes some relief. Although those feelings of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) are never too far away in my mind, it is when this itch calms down in my brain, that the revelations happen.

nition of distinguished faculty. In all these “applause” events, I sat fascinated but wistful. Was now, at this later time in my life and career, a time to officially look at opportunity, but not to touch?

Last Friday, in the span of a little less than three hours, I witnessed two life cycle events: Temple B’nai Torah of Wantagh’s religious school’s high school graduation ceremony and the acknowledgement of a congregant’s 90th birthday. On the surface, seemingly disparate occasions but not really.

The heart of the evening was owned by the graduates who had spent upwards of a decade in our midst. A lot of their joyous speeches had phrases that had been expressed by others in the past but that made them no less valuable given this defining, poignant moment in their lives: the end of high school and the start of their college careers.

“Joyspan”

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”!

It was also the end to a little more than week worth of finales I had witnessed: Fashion Institute of Technology’s senior student fashion show and separately, their celebration and recog-

Then came the birthday wishes for our 90-year-old congregant. Unlike other blessings, this one came with the celebrant reading a passage reflecting the world and the wisdom derived from a life well lived and still living. These weren’t spoken platitudes, but hopeful perspectives. With life, with breath, there will always be the chance to make a difference.

Suddenly I didn’t feel as if I had been watching life from the outside looking in. Suddenly, I was accepting that I may not be the generation to come but my generation has its opportunities too. I just needed a moment. A moment to remember it’s a pretty big tent of dreams and there’s lots of ways for all of us to fit inside.

A contributing writer to the Herald since 2012, Lauren Lev is a direct marketing/ advertising executive who teaches marketing fundamentals as well as advertising and marketing communications courses at the Fashion Institute of Technology and SUNY Old Westbury.

News brief

Eight educators earn tenure recognition

Eight educators in the North Bellmore School District received tenure recognition during the Board of Education meeting on April 16, marking a milestone in their careers before an audience of more than 100 attendees.

The educators who received tenure were:

* Erica Farley, art teacher

* Olivia Gentilucci, social worker

* Kristen Giris, Spanish teacher

* Jacqueline Goode, English as a second language teacher

* Chelsea Huttner, school psychologist

* Nicole Huttner, elementary teacher

* Alexa Laskowitz, elementary teacher

* Hayley Yackavage, elementary teacher

L auren L ev

Rhoads, We Care Blankets collect record donations

By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com

More than 458,000 yards of yarn and over 168 handmade blankets were collected during the second annual Yarn & Blanket Drive organized by Steve Rhoads in partnership with We Care Blankets, officials announced this month.

The monthlong initiative, held from April 1 through May 1, surpassed the totals from last year’s inaugural campaign, which collected more than 400,000 yards of yarn for children undergoing cancer treatment.

The drive brought together residents, volunteers, libraries and community organizations across Rhoads’ district to support pediatric cancer patients and their families through donations of yarn and handcrafted blankets.

Founded in 1999, We Care Blankets provides handmade blankets to children receiving chemotherapy treatments. The organization’s volunteers knit and crochet blankets that are distributed to hospitals and families to provide comfort during treatment.

“This incredible response from our community once again demonstrates the compassion and generosity of the people throughout our district,” Rhoads said in a statement. “Collecting 458,000 yards of yarn and more than 168 handmade blankets is an extraordinary accomplishment that will bring comfort, warmth and

Steve Rhoads joined volunteers and community partners during the second annual Yarn & Blanket Drive, which collected more than 458,000 yards of yarn and over 168 handmade blankets for children undergoing cancer treatment through We Care Blankets.

hope to children battling cancer and their families.”

Rhoads also thanked volunteers, participating libraries and local partners who helped organize the collection effort, including Verity Van Lines, which assisted with transportation and logistics.

Collection sites were hosted at libraries throughout Nassau County, including the Bellmore Memorial Library, Merrick Library, North Bellmore Public Library and North Merrick Public Library, along

with libraries in Bethpage, East Meadow, Farmingdale, Hicksville, Levittown, Plainview-Old Bethpage, Seaford and Wantagh.

Tamara Baker, founder of We Care Blankets, said the partnership with the senator’s office has helped expand the organization’s outreach.

“Senator Rhoads and his wonderful staff with his yarn drives have been a true blessing,” Baker said. “I am very thankful for this.”

Rhoads, who represents parts of

southern and central Nassau County in the New York State Senate, has partnered with local organizations on a number of community service initiatives, including food drives, school supply collections and charitable outreach programs.

Organizers said each donated blanket represents more than physical warmth for children battling cancer.

“Together, we have shown these brave children that they are not alone,” Rhoads said.

Offshore wind, solar and storage power New York’s next chapter

New York’s energy debate is often framed as a question of transition. But for many experts, environmental advocates and utility officials, the more immediate issue is one of necessity. Electric demand is rising, infrastructure is aging and customers are grappling with utility costs, all while the state works to reduce pollution and prepare for future growth.

The fastest way to add more power to the grid is through renewable energy paired with battery storage. Offshore wind, solar power and battery energy storage have become central to the conversation because they can diversify the grid, provide stable sources of energy and reduce environmental impact.

The New York Independent System Operator has predicted energy demand will increase by 65% by 2040, putting pressure on an already strained electric system that still relies heavily on aging

fossil-fuel infrastructure.

“Our electricity needs are increasing,” said Doug Schmid, environmental science professor at Nassau Community College and executive committee member of the Sierra Club Long Island Group.

“The New York State plan for our energy future is counting on 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy. We need it.”

Renewable energy advocates also point to the environmental and public health benefits tied to reducing combustion emissions.

“The wind blows, the turbines turn, and energy is produced,” said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “The air quality is not impacted.”

Esposito said communities are

already experiencing the effects of climate change through rising seas, heavier rainfall and coastal damage, concerns that directly affect Long Island’s economy, tourism industry and shoreline infrastructure. Insurance costs in flood-prone areas are also becoming a growing issue. Though renewable energy projects have faced opposition and misinformation campaigns funded by fossil-fuel interests, advocates say offshore wind, solar and battery storage together offer a practical path toward meeting future energy demand, improving affordability, creating jobs and reducing emissions.

Photo taken by a fisherman of a whale at an offshore wind farm near Long Island.

Photo credit: Captain Paul Eidman

Courtesy office of Steve Rhoads

Nassau County’s free summer fun takes center stage

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Nassau County’s free summer entertainment series is returning with concerts, movie nights and international celebrations at Eisenhower Park and parks across the county.

The 2026 Nassau County Free Summer Fun Guide, presented by County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums, features live music, family-friendly movies and cultural events throughout the summer. Most Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre concerts at Eisenhower Park begin at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

“Enjoy live music and family-friendly movies under the stars at Eisenhower Park’s Lakeside Theatre and parks across Nassau County,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman wrote. “Join us all summer long for unforgettable nights of entertainment.”

Some of the biggest names on the schedule include Cole Swindell on Friday, Aug. 7; Loud Luxury on Friday, Aug. 21; Flo Rida on Monday, Aug. 31; ZZ Top on Tuesday, Sept. 1; The Lords of 52nd Street

on Thursday, Sept. 3; and Los Lobos on Friday, Sept. 4.

The Lakeside Theatre lineup also includes Fun Lovin’ Criminals and Blessid Union of Souls on Sunday, June 7; a freestyle and salsa night featuring Brenda K. Starr, Tito Puente Jr., TKA/K7, Joey Cruz, La Sonora 495 and Forever Freestyle Band on Saturday, June 27; and reg-

show.

gae night with Inner Circle, Wayne Wonder and IRIEspect on Sunday, June 28. Dozens of additional shows will take to the stage throughout the duration of the summer.

A Celebrate America fireworks and drone show is scheduled for Thursday, July 2, at 5:30 p.m., with live music by Glenn Strange, Chicken Head and Let

News brief

Freedom Rock. The rain date is Friday, July 3.

Families will have several options beyond concerts. Movie nights at Eisenhower Park include “Elio,” “Gabby’s Dollhouse,” “A Minecraft Movie,” “Bad Guys 2,” “Zootopia 2,” “Freakier Friday,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Wicked” and “Wicked for Good.” Movies begin at dusk.

International Nights at Lakeside will celebrate a range of cultures, including Ukrainian American, Indian American, Israeli American, Greek American, German American, Creole American, Italian American, Caribbean, Irish American, Bangladeshi American, Pakistan American, African American, Chinese American, Turkish American, Korean American and Latino American nights.

Neighborhood concerts and movie nights will also be held at Wantagh Park, Cedar Creek Park, Grant Park and North Woodmere Park. The county will also offer noontime concerts Wednesdays from noon to 2 p.m. at Eisenhower Park’s mobile stage near Field 1.

For updates, call Nassau County Parks at (516) 572-0200 or visit NassauCountyNY.gov/parks.

New York State Police visit Saw Mill Road for interactive demonstration

Fifth graders at Saw Mill Road Elementary School got an up-close look at law enforcement in action May 12 during a demonstration featuring New York State Police officers and their canine partners.

The visit, held in the North Bellmore School District during National Police Week, included about a halfdozen state troopers and several patrol vehicles. More than 100 students participated in the hour-and-ahalf program, which combined interactive learning stations with a live canine demonstration.

One of the highlights came when a trooper, wearing a protective bite suit, ran across the field and was quickly apprehended by a police dog, drawing cheers from students watching from the blacktop.

“You’ll never catch me,” the troop-

er shouted as he exited a vehicle before the demonstration began.

Students rotated through stations where they tried on police equipment, explored patrol cars and used public address microphones. They also learned about the work of the canine unit before the program concluded with a demonstration showing how police dogs are trained to apprehend suspects.

This marked the second year Saw Mill Road has hosted the event for fifth graders. It was organized by a parent who serves with the New York State Police and followed a districtwide career day that introduced students in all grades to a range of professions, including law enforcement.

— Hernesto Galdamez

Tim Baker/Herald file

The Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre at Eisenhower Park will host concerts and celebrations all summer long. Above, Don Felder on stage during a previous

Courtesy of the North Bellmore School District

Students watched as a New York State Police dog prepared to chase down a “bad guy” – a trooper in a dog bite training suit.

HERALD SPORTS

Kennedy tennis rises to challenge, finishes 9-5

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

Propelled by its first All-County player in 23 years, Kennedy boys tennis finished 9-5 in a deep and talented Nassau Conference 2A with a youthful roster one year after capturing the 2B title.

“The kids worked hard and improved so much during the offseason and we were able to compete against and beat some really strong opponents,” coach Brian DeGaetano said. “We beat every team in the conference at least once but fell one win short of the playoffs. That’ll be a goal for sure next year.”

Two of the Cougars’ singles players served as last year’s second doubles tandem. Both freshman Dylan Stone and eighth-grader Noah Winiarsky shot up the lineup to No. 1 and 3 singles, respectively, and went 9-5.

Stone won two matches at the Nassau County tournament May 9-10 to become Kennedy’s first All-County player since Dan Brous in 2003.

“Dylan made an incredible jump to not only first singles but All-County,”

DeGaetano said. “It’s a direct result of his tremendous hard work, dedication and commitment during the offseason. He’s a perfect example of what it takes to improve, compete at a high level, and work toward becoming an elite player. He loves the sport and has such a well-rounded game.

“Noah, same thing,” he added. “For an eighth-grader to play singles and have the success he had in this conference is rare.”

Stone, Winiarsky and junior David Krass (second singles) all play lots of outside tennis, DeGaetano said. Krass, a talented and steady baseliner with a sound all-around game, played in the top spot in 2025 and helped lead the team to a conference championship. He followed up by going 11-3 this spring.

“All three of those guys are extremely aggressive and look to hit winners,” DeGaetano said. “They just don’t sit back and wait for someone to make a mistake against them.”

At first doubles, senior Dan Heaney and Nico Vergara thrived as a new tandem a year after playing singles. They won 13 of 14 conference matches and

The Bellmore-Merrick United Secondary Teachers would like to honor and celebrate the following students for their outstanding

Grand Avenue Middle School

Arielle Ascher

Kendall Caba

Carissa Lee

Adrian Lien

Mateo Alayon Lopez

Emily McManus

Nicole Quevedo-Armas

Ayden Ruiz

Annmarie White

Henry Wu

Merrick Avenue Middle School

Joseph Bilella

Mila Botkounov

Gabby Fernandez

Hannah Kahn

Stephania Karadimas

Samantha Lange

Jessica Lasky

Dylan Ryan

Sanford H. Calhoun High School

Brady Dumelle

Mark Oladipo

John F. Kennedy High School

Zach Adelstein

Gabriel Balik

Harlan Chugerman

Stella DiSanto Meadowbrook

Molly Hofmayer

Ryan Pagliari

Gallagher

Pugliese

Anthony Victor

advanced to the round of 16 at the county tournament in a bracket with 64 teams.

“They embraced the challenge of playing doubles and had fun,” DeGaetano said. “Every match, someone spoke highly about them. They had great chemistry. Watching them, it wasn’t like seeing two singles guys playing doubles. They looked like a smooth doubles team. They were like an automatic win.”

Junior Kellan Auyeung and eighthgrader Dragan Radulov were solid at second doubles, going 9-5. One or both could move up the ladder next spring with Heaney’s departure. Sophomores Owen Kam and Vincent Carella held their own at third doubles, finishing 7-7, while senior Nate Domb and freshman Zach Grabov formed the primary fourth doubles pair.

The Cougars completed their season May 7 with a 4-3 win over Garden City. “We started 7-1 and had a couple of tough 4-3 losses in the second half,” DeGaetano said. “I know these kids are going to come back next year even more motivated.”

Courtesy Jon Dell’olio

Freshman Dylan Stone went 9-5 at first singles and won two matches in the county tournament to earn All-County honors.

From health to retirement: Herald Senior Health & Beyond Expo empowers Long Island’s 50-plus

By ABBEY SALVEMINI

Long Island’s 50-plus community gathered on May 1 for a free event focused on health, wellness and financial awareness at Memorare Caterers in Seaford. The Herald Senior Health and Beyond Expo brought together those seeking resources, services and expert guidance on topics ranging from medical care to retirement planning.

The expo, held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., featured informational exhibits, refreshments, giveaways and a free lunch provided by Bagel Boss Hewlett. Organizers aimed to create an engaging space where seniors could learn, connect and plan, with support from gold sponsors PSEG and National Grid; also a very special thank you to the Stroke and Brain Aneurysm Center of Long Island for their support.

Tonya Simmons, a consumer advocate with PSEG, highlighted programs many residents may not realize are available.

“We have energy audits that a lot of people don’t know about, and we also have discounted rates for anyone in a lower income bracket,” she said. Simmons also pointed to the company’s “peace of mind” program, which allows customers to pause billing during hospital stays. “It’s to give peace of mind when you go into the hospital. You want to heal without worrying about your bill,” she said.

She stressed the importance of outreach before emergencies occur.

“We don’t want people finding this out during a storm,” Simmons said, noting that PSEG tracks customers who rely on life-sustaining medical equipment. “The fact that we know where they are means we can keep an eye on them and respond faster.”

Diane Jones, a senior consumer advocate with National Grid, said events like the expo help strengthen community relationships.

“It’s important to connect with the community so they can see us in person,” she said. “We’re not just phone calls or emails; it helps to put a face to the company.”

She added that National Grid offers financial assistance programs and payment options to help customers manage energy costs.

Jennifer Roth, an in-home respite coordinator with Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation, emphasized the growing need for awareness as the senior population expands. She highlighted free, state-funded programs for those caring for loved ones with dementia.

“People are living a lot longer because of advances in medicine,” she said. “If you don’t get sick, you don’t know what’s available to you. “There are a lot of free services and grants out there. It’s about getting that information into people’s hands

Attendees gathered to listen to presenters and learn about health and wellness topics.

before they need it.”

Nicola Prestano, assistant director of community engagement with East Neck Nursing and Rehabilitation Center underscored the importance of personal interaction.

“The most important thing is getting those touchpoints with people,” she said. “Walking up to them, introducing yourself, and letting them know you’re there to help.” She added, “That way, if something happens, you already know where you feel comfortable.”

Susan Petroski, the-Randolph MSOT regional ambassador, HSS Long Island, lead the audience in a guided exercise.

“It’s important for seniors to really understand their options and what’s available,” she said.

Attendees visited exhibitors, joined health screenings and activities and enjoyed programming led by Joan Caliendo, Ms. NY Senior America 2024. The event also included bingo, performances, discussions and raffle prizes, aiming to provide both valuable information and meaningful community engagement.

To learn more, see additional photos and view the complete list of sponsors and exhibitors, be sure to visit richnerlive.com.

Tim Baker/Herald

Diane Jones, from National Grid, was among the panel discussion speakers.

A Metro Physical & Aquatic Therapy representative provided information about rehabilitation services.

Edward Jones’ Boris Mikhail shared financial planning resources.

ClaireMarie, representing Park Lane Jewelry, showcased her sparkly goods with RichnerLIVE’s Anna Graci.

East Neck Nursing & Rehabilitation Center presented their services.

Jamie Rossi, from I Love Hearing, at her booth.

Jennifer Roth, from Parker Jewish Institute Health Care and Rehabilitation, spoke during the panel discussions.

The Seasoned Steppers brought their energetic dancing to the floor.

Tonya Simmons, of PSEG Long Island, spoke during the panel discussions.

Bringing Broadway to Congregation Beth Ohr

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com

Over 20 of Bellmore’s best performers are took part in three special shows throughout the month of May. The Bellmore Players, a musical group affiliated with Congregation Beth Ohr, held a series of cabarets to raise funds for CBO’s Hebrew school.

Shows were held at the CBO Merrick Annex on May 3, May 13 and May 17.

Event Producer Ira Levy is one of the founding members of the Bellmore Players. 26 years ago, he and other local artists assembled to share their passion for performance while supporting local causes.

Mranging from operetta to Carole King and Billy Joel, with a lot of Broadway in between.”

Melissa Berman, a Bellmore resident and employee at the Herald, will sing at the cabaret.

“I’ve been doing theater a little over 20 years… I heard about the cabaret run by Ira Levy, and I went out, I auditioned and joined,” she explained. “It’s always a lot of fun because you get to pick what song you want to sing and bring your own life and flair into it.”

y experience has been really nice…

“I personally love music,” Levy said in prior conversation with the Herald. “We’re doing this first and foremost to raise money to support the community, and, of course, to have fun… The fundraising angle is for the kids in the Hebrew school you know, in the school to provide more resources and tools for learning.”

MELiSSA BERMAN Performer

“The temple does one of these cabarets every year, and this is my first year with them,” said Music Director Bruce Bider. “I was most eager to come aboard… It’s just a general treasure trove of popular songs

The Bellmore Players were a special opportunity to pursue artistic growth and make new friends within the neighborhood.

“My experience has been really nice,” Berman said. “It’s genuinely a place where people uplift each other… You’re coming together for your love and passion of theater, of singing, of Broadway and wanting to showcase your talents and having fun while doing so.”

The show offered many attractions, including a rendition of “No Business Like Show Business” from Annie Get Your Gun, which took Broadway by storm in about 80 years ago.

The cabaret also featured ballads, dramatic pieces and instrumentals of all kinds for all ages.

Students, librarians and educators kick off Community Reads Together

The North Merrick School District launched its third annual Community Reads Together initiative May 6 at the North Merrick Public Library, bringing students, educators and community members together through a shared reading experience centered on Stuart Little.

The districtwide program encourages participation from Camp Avenue, Harold D. Fayette and Old Mill Road schools, along with librarians from the North Merrick Public Library. Together, principals, teachers, students and librarians take turns reading chapters aloud, creating a collaborative storytelling experience designed to strengthen community connections through literacy. At the kickoff event, students gathered in the library’s children’s room for an interactive read-aloud of the book’s first chapter led by librarians. The event also included handson activities such as crafting small paper mice and a scavenger hunt that challenged students to locate hidden images throughout the space.

Each student received a free copy of Stuart Little to continue reading at home. As the program progresses, the library will host additional themed activities, including a STEAM challenge using Ozobots, an escape room and an engineering activity tied to the story.

Helen Kanellopoulos, the dis -

Students from the North Merrick School District visited the North Merrick Library on May 6 for a scavenger hunt and more to kick off the Community Reads Together event.

trict’s supervisor of instructional technology, said the initiative is designed to extend learning beyond the classroom.

“This collaboration creates a memorable learning experience that extends beyond the classroom,” Kanellopoulos said. “By combining literacy with interactive activities and community involvement, we are helping students see reading as

something that can bring people together and spark creativity.”

Superintendent Dr. Cynthia Seniuk said the program reflects the district’s broader commitment to community engagement.

“Events like this show the incredible impact that can happen when the community comes together with a shared purpose,” Seniuk said.

— Hernesto Galdamez

Tim Baker/Herald Photo

Melissa Berman took the stage to support her friends and her community.

Photos courtesy North Merrick Public Schools

Siblings Kelsey Poswolsky, second grade, and Zachary Poswolsky, fourth grade, crafted paper mice inspired by “Stuart Little.”

First graders Emily LoPorto and Peter Mancuso collaborated in the crafting activity.

Balboni returns to Adelphi as its president

By ALLYSON FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com

Adelphi University has named Michael Balboni, a former state lawmaker and a longtime public servant, as its 11th president.

Balboni, who will take office June 1, is the first Adelphi graduate, the first Adelphi parent and the first Long Island native to lead the Garden City university. He succeeds Interim President Christopher K. Storm Jr., who will move into the newly created role of senior executive vice president of academic affairs and provost. Christine M. Riordan was Adelphi’s 10th president.

“This transition is a homecoming for me, a true full-circle moment,” Balboni said. “Because I know Adelphi from almost every possible angle, I have an intimate understanding of the DNA of this university and the transformative power of the education it provides.”

Balboni graduated cum laude from Adelphi in 1981 with a degree in biology, and has remained closely connected to the university, including as an adjunct faculty member and, most recently, as chair of the board of trustees. He built a career in law, government and public safety, serving in the Assembly and State Senate and later as New York’s deputy secretary for public safety.

Balboni said he plans to serve as Adelphi’s “chief external advocate,” using his experience in government, law and public policy to raise the university’s profile, expand partnerships and pursue new funding.

“I plan to leverage my professional network and my knowledge of the legislative landscapes in Albany and Washington, D.C., to elevate our institutional visibility,” he said.

He added that he will pursue state and federal grants, build corporate partnerships and work to raise Adelphi’s regional and national profile.

William Fuessler, acting chair of the university’s

board of trustees and chair of the presidential search committee, said Balboni’s background makes him well suited to lead the university at a challenging time for higher education.

“To thrive, Adelphi requires an innovative leader and a proven executive capable of navigating complex financial and operational headwinds,” Fuessler said. “Michael Balboni brings precisely this expertise.”

Fuessler added that Balboni’s public- and privatesector experience will help the university secure resources and support institutional growth.

Balboni takes over as colleges and universities nationwide face pressure from shifting enrollment patterns, rising costs and growing scrutiny over the value of a college degree. Adelphi, he said, is entering that period in a position of strength.

Adelphi received a record 17,000 first-year applications for the upcoming fall semester, and has posted record first-year enrollment in two of the past three years, Balboni said. The university also has a balanced budget, a stable financial outlook and a $282 million endowment, up 69 percent since 2016.

“For workforce readiness, proving the return on investment of a degree is critical,” he said.

Affordability, efficiency and new partnerships will be central to his presidency, Balboni explained, as Adelphi works to demonstrate the value of a college degree. The university will focus on aligning programs with market demand in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and health care, while expanding internships, externships, job shadowing and study abroad opportunities.

“I want to make sure our students all have the experiential opportunities through internships, externships, job shadowing and study abroad,” Balboni said, “so they have real-world experiences employers want.”

Courtesy Adelphi University

Michael Balboni will take office June 1 as Adelphi University’s 11th president. He will be the university’s first graduate, the first Adelphi parent and the first Long Island native to hold the position.

County panel kicks off anti-fraud campaign

Experts detail deceitful practices that cost unsuspecting consumers hundreds of billions of dollars

By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO

jdalessandro@liherald.com

Throughout the country, an easily overlooked category of crime has become a multi-billion-dollar industry: Insurance fraud costs consumers $806 billion every year, taking financial bites out of construction, transportation, real estate and other industries. Long Island’s local business leaders are sharing their strategies to avoid contributing to that statistic.

Some 160 business owners and employees welcomed advice from elected officials, security firms and fellow business people at a panel at the Morrelly Homeland Security Center in Bethpage on May 13.

This was the first panel connecting government agencies and local businesses to share information about fighting insurance fraud, according to John Capece, Nassau County’s consumer affairs commissioner.

“This is the first time in Long Island history that we have a meeting with all the building departments and the Department of Consumer Affairs to host a seminar for training and for communication,” Capece said.

The panel, sponsored by the Long Island Builders Institute, is intended to be the first of many. Capece conceived of the idea to kick off a larger effort to improve consumer safety by helping community members and local businesses identify and avoid malicious actors.

“We want to stop them because they prey on the elderly and the vulnerable people that don’t understand contracts … they get sucked into something where they think they’re going to save so much money and they don’t,” Capece said. “We want to educate the

public.”

Panelists discussed the optimal ways of handling everything from home improvement contractor licensing, permitting, solar installations and contracting oversight to responding to fraudulent insurance and

training certificates and staged construction accidents, as well as other topics impacting homeowners and the building industry.

Panelist Gina Farese is a solar energy entrepreneur and a member of Nassau County’s Home Improvement Advisory Committee and many other groups in the industry. She has seen many cases of improper business dealings, ranging from roofing coverage to workers who aren’t on a contractor’s official payroll.

“There’s a lot of things that are broken and so far gone, and I’m seeing so many homeowners get, unfortunately, taken,” Farese said. “So many people just care about their bottom line … at the end of the day, it’s just making sure that the homeowners are protected properly, and educating people.”

Mary Harkins serves as counsel to the county’s Department of Consumer Affairs. She advises Capece and the department on the interpretation of local laws, with a focus on contract violations.

“Now we’re able to address it more proactively, rather than just reacting,” Harkins said. “Our licensing division is about, like, six people, some part-time, and we’re dealing with 10,000 licenses plus about 800 new applications per year. It’s a lot of responsibility, but in reality, we’re moving on it.

“We’re trying to uncover the really great contractors out there,” Harkins added. For bad actors in the industry, the department, she said, is “trying to identify them and take corrective action.”

The number one way to protect yourself against risk, Capece said, is to verify that any contractor in your home is legitimately licensed.

For more information, call Nassau County Consumer Affairs at (516) 571-2465.

Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald

Panelist Gina Farese and Nassau Consumer Affairs Commissioner John Capece advised more than 160 community members about the risks of insurance fraud.

STEPPING OUT

By Karen Bloom

The holiday weekend may feel a little different this year with the beloved FourLeaf Air Show shifting to over to Fourth of July as part of the celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Still, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the unofficial start of summer, including a patriotic drone show to fill in for the annual flying spectacle that will illuminate the night sky over Jones Beach on May 24.

No matter how the weekend unfolds, one tradition remains firmly in place: gathering around the grill for a barbecue with family and friends.

Of course, no Memorial Day barbecue would be complete without the familiar favorites — juicy burgers sizzling over an open flame, hot dogs nestled in toasted buns and steaks grilled to smoky perfection. But today’s cookout offers far more than the traditional staples. By adding dishes with bold marinades, fresh seasonal ingredients and unexpected sweet-and-savory flavors, hosts can bring new energy to the holiday barbecue while still honoring the classics everyone loves.

The beauty of grilling is its versatility. From colorful kebabs and charred vegetables to caramelized fruit and herb-infused sides, even the simplest ingredients take on extra flavor over the fire. The tried-and-true will always remain a go-to, but the holiday is also the perfect opportunity to refresh the menu with creative twists and crowdpleasing additions that may just become new favorites.

Spicy Mustard Chicken Kebabs

Kabobs add sizzle to the season. With their easy preparation and quick cooking time, kabobs are a simple way to enjoy many of your favorite fresh flavors.

Sizzle into summer

Fire up Memorial Day

• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

• 1 pound raw boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes

• 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and black pepper

• 1 medium red onion, cut into 1-inch chunks

To make sauce, place 3 tablespoons mustard in medium bowl. Add oil and garlic powder, and whisk until uniform. Cover and refrigerate. To make marinade, in small bowl, combine vinegar with remaining 2 tablespoons mustard. Stir until uniform.

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place chicken and marinade in large sealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible and seal.

Gently knead marinade into chicken through bag. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Meanwhile, if using wooden skewers, soak 4 in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning. Alternately thread marinated chicken and onion chunks onto 4 skewers. Bring grill to mediumhigh heat.

Brush both sides of kebabs with sauce. Grill kebabs for 5 minutes with grill cover down.

Flip kebabs and grill for 6 to 8 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Enjoy.

Grilled Pineapple with Lime Dip

Enhance the flavor of fruits and veggies at your barbecue. Try another way to eat pineapple by grilling it and pairing with a lime dip for a tasty treat.

• 1 pineapple

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons lime juice

• 3 tablespoons honey

Lime Dip:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cup plain yogurt

• 3 tablespoons honey

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons lime juice

• 2 teaspoons lime zest

Peel pineapple; cut into wedges.

In resealable plastic bag, combine brown sugar, lime juice and honey. Add pineapple wedges, seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate 1 hour.

To make dip: In small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in yogurt, honey, brown sugar, lime juice and lime zest. Cover and refrigerate.

Heat grill to medium heat.

Remove pineapple wedges from plastic bag; discard marinade. Grill pineapple wedges, covered, 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.

Serve with dip.

Grilled

Lemon Chive Corn

Grilling adds an extra special flavor to corn on the cob. Try it with a lemon chive butter topping.

• 4 ears fresh sweet corn, in husks

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted

• 1 tablespoon chopped chives

• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Pull back husks from each ear of corn, leaving husks attached to base. Remove corn silk. Fold husks back around corn; tie at end of each ear with string or strip of outside corn leaves. Soak in cold water 30 minutes. Drain.

Place corn on grill, uncovered, 20 to 30 minutes or until tender, turning often. Meanwhile combine butter, chives and lemon juice.

Serve corn with lemon-chive butter.

‘Cold Beer on a Saturday Night’

Spring blooms with a taste of summer as Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band bring their “Ultimate Beach Party Tribute” to the Paramount stage, celebrating the music of Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett, and Zac Brown Band. Long Island–based and led by Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, the group also features Linn DeMilta (Lovely Linn) on lead and backing vocals, Luis Rios on guitar, Frank Stainkamp on keyboards, Dan Prine on bass, and Mike Vecchione on drums. Together, they’ve spent more than a decade channeling the laid-back spirit of beach-country favorites. With a setlist built for singing along, the band blends crowd-pleasing hits with an easygoing, sun-soaked energy that evokes margaritas, ocean breezes and carefree nights where, as they like to say, it’s always “5 o’clock somewhere.”

Saturday, May 23, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Decoration Day

Step back into time to when Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Throughout weekend, the living-history site comes alive with the sights, sounds and traditions of the 19th century, offering visitors an immersive glimpse into how Long Islanders once marked the occasion.Stroll the village while enjoying period craft demonstrations, storytelling and stirring brass band concerts that echo through the historic streets. The weekend culminates with the signature Decoration Day observance, re-creating the holiday as it was first commemorated in the early 1870s. Costumed Civil War “veterans” lead a patriotic parade and heartfelt ceremony honoring departed soldiers, capturing the spirit, pageantry and reverence of an earlier era. The parade and ceremonial program begin at 2:15 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, May 2324, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage. Visit oldbethpagevillagerestoration.org or call (516) 572-8409.

Spicy Mustard Chicken Kebabs Grilled Pineapple with Lime Dip

Grilled Lemon Chive Corn

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

MAY

Merrick Carnival

The Merrick Carnival returns, run by Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club, bringing rides, games, food and family entertainment to the community.

• Where: LIRR, 2099 Sunrise Hwy.

• Time: Noon-11 p.m., through May 25

MAY

22

Friday Night Car Show

Drop by to check out hundreds of antique and custom cars, every Friday, through Oct. 30.

• Where: Bellmore LIRR parking lot on Broadway between Bellmore and Bedford avenues

• Time: 5-10 p.m.

MAY

26

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 fourpart 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: Faith Lutheran Church, 231 Jackson Ave, Syosset

• When: Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

• Contact: Call: Rich, (516) 521-4779, or Dennis, (516) 680-8036, or visit longislandharmonizers.org

Live After Five

MAY

28

Don’t miss out on Merrick’s Live After Five, back for another year. Merrick Community Civic Association hosts an evening dedicated to supporting local businesses. Participating restaurants and shops offer special promotions for the evening for all customers. Enjoy music at the Gazebo near the LIRR (weather permitting).

• Where: Along Merrick Avenue, from LIRR to Loines Ave, and into the Merrick Mall

• Time: Beginning at 5 p.m.

• Contact: For the most up

JUN

Gary Clark Jr.

Blues-rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter 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, his 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 Gary Clark Jr 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 multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and performer. And never more so than on his last album, 2019’s illuminating This Land. But while This Land signaled a breakthrough in displaying his musical versatility beyond the blues, his latest album, JPEG RAW, represents a quantum leap.

to date list of participating businesses, check out @ MerrickLiveAfterFive on Instagram

Teaching Kids News Literacy

The South Shore Women’s Alliance hosts Howard Schneider, Executive Director of the Center for News Literacy at Stony Brook University, a national leader in teaching young people how to think critically about the news they consume. He’ll share how media-literacy programs in our public schools can empower students to recognize credible information, question sources, and understand the difference between truth and propaganda. At a time when some voices are pushing to narrow what students learn, help us ensure that our youth on Long Island are learning to navigate the news media.

• Where: Merrick Road Golf Course, 2550 Clubhouse Road

• Time: 7-9 p.m.

• Contact: mobilize.us/ southshorewomensalliance-1/ event/937753

families to spend an afternoon exploring, building and creating together! Brick Builders invites children and their grownups to enjoy building a LEGO Friends Flower Stand with Roses Kit. The program begins at the beech tree and includes a guided walk through some of the featured exhibit Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects made with LEGO bricks. After the tour, head to the Barn at Orchard Hill to build a LEGO kit to take home For ages 5+. | $24 per child (includes admission, guided tour, and LEGO kit). $22 per adult (includes admission and guided tour), with member discount. Registration required.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m.

• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

‘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!,”

• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

“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 four-day run.

• Where: Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: Varied times, through May 31

• Contact: madisontheatreny. org or (516) 323-4444

MAY

30

Families can dig in and get their hands dirty at Long Island Children’s Museum. The museum welcomes all to celebrating all the beautiful May flowers by planting your own at the drop-in program. Take it home and watch it grow!. For ages 3+.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: Noon-2 p.m.

• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

Storybook

Stroll

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a Storybook Stroll. Little listeners are invited to participate in a guided stroll through the Gardens, with a reading of “The Secret Garden” by Callista Brill (based on Frances Hodgson Burnett) Along the way, discover nature’s wonders, in the formal gardens. The tour ends at the Thatched Cottage with a story and hands-on craft for each child to take home.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.

• Contact: oldwestburygardens. org or call (516) 333-0048

Dad & Me LEGO printmaking

Special guys and kids in grades K-6 are welcome to visit Merrick Library for a children’s workshop. Create a print or painting using LEGOs. Registration required.

• Where: 2279 Merrick Ave.

• Time: 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

• Contact: merricklibrary.org

Blood Drive

The Merrick Kiwanis Club and American Legion Post 1282 host a blood drive. Blood donations save lives, and the need for blood is constant. If you’re able to donate, consider signing up. Appointments must be scheduled.

• Where: American Legion Hall, 160 West Merrick Road

• Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Contact: donate.nybc.org/ donor/schedules/drive_ schedule/

JUNE

JUNE 6 Sprout and Bloom

Library concert

North Merrick Library hosts the Day Trippers.

• Where: 1691 Meadowbrook Road

• Time: 2-3:30 p.m.

• Contact: nmerricklibrary.org

Having an event?

Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.

Brick Builders

Westbury Gardens welcomes

Commuters improvised during the strike

roactive pay and expires in July 2027.

“Due to the nature of the negotiations, we cannot discuss the specifics,” he said. “What I can say is we are looking forward to our members getting back to work and doing what they do best, which is serving the region.”

He added that any premature disclosure of details could complicate ratification.

“We don’t want to fail ratification,” Sexton said. “If they get part of this story through the media, it may impact their decision.”

The agreement is subject to a 30-day period in which union members will review and vote on the tentative deal before it becomes official.

The shutdown began after five railroad unions went on strike at 12:01 a.m. Saturday following the expiration of a federally mandated cooling-off period. The work stoppage led to widespread delays across Long Island, with shuttle buses operating on limited routes and commuters in places like Bellmore and Merrick urged to work remotely where possible or find alternative transportation into the city.

“I ended up taking a combination of shuttle buses and the subway into Manhattan,” said Lisa Russo, a Merrick teacher who commutes into the city several days a week. “It was exhausting. You’re up earlier, you’re home later, and

everything feels uncertain.”

“I get both sides, but at the end of the day the workers do tough jobs and deserve a fair deal,” said David Delaney, a Merrick commuter who works in finance in Manhattan. “It’s good to hear they reached an agreement so people can get back to work and the trains can start running again.”

Sexton also said that tensions escalated late in the negotiations on Friday night, when the MTA introduced proposed health care contributions for newly hired employees, an issue he said had not previously been part of bargaining discussions.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said the agreement was reached after continued bargaining focused on balancing worker pay with affordability for commuters and taxpayers.

ing fair wages to the employees.”

Officials said that the LIRR would begin restoring service in phases starting Tuesday at noon, with limited hourly service on four main branches before expanding systemwide later in the day.

The MTA said that contingency bus service that operated during the shutdown would continue Tuesday morning before being phased out as train service ramped up.

Joseph D’Alessandro

Jim floyd, who operates third rail Bar and grill, monitored the strike’s impact.

“I’m truly pleased to share that the five Long Island Rail Road unions and the MTA were able to come together and reach a fair deal this evening,” Hochul said. “The contract achieved two principles: protecting affordability for Long Islanders and commuters while giv-

Hochul said that roughly 3,500 LIRR employees would receive raises under the agreement, while fare and tax increases would not be part of the deal. “I also did not accept a deal for compromise affordability for Long Islanders,” she said. “At a time when everything is going up, I’m not going to allow taxes or fares to go up. Period. Full stop. Got it done.”

Officials said that additional details on full system restoration were expected as crews completed inspections, repositioned equipment and returned employees to scheduled assignments.

It was the first Long Island Rail Road strike since June 17, 1994. That strike

lasted two days before a contract settlement was reached.

Local business owners along the Bellmore LIRR corridor were also watching closely, concerned about how longerterm disruption could affect foot traffic.

Jim Floyd, who operates Third Rail Bar and Grill near the Bellmore LIRR rail corridor and previously worked in Manhattan for decades, told the Herald that the strike underscores how dependent local commerce once was on predictable commuting traffic—and how that has already changed in recent years.

“I took the railroad for over 40 years,” Floyd said. “I could count on one hand the amount of times I stopped at a bar or restaurant on my way home. I just wanted to get home.”

Floyd added that remote work has already reshaped commuter behavior, even before the strike removed rail service entirely.

“So many people work from home now, that definitely has an impact on the amount of people you’re getting in here as customers,” he said. “The most business we get is people going into the city on the weekends.”

In Merrick, commuters said they are now focused on returning to routine as service is restored in phases.

“You don’t think about how much you depend on it until it’s gone,” Lazo said. “Now you just want things back to normal.”

May 21, 2026

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU. BUPM NJ ASSETS LLC, Plaintiff -against- KENT HONG, JOSIE HONG, CHESTER HONG, et al

Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated April 7, 2025 and entered on April 9, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction “Rain or Shine” on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on June 1, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the Westerly side of Newbridge Road, distant 250 feet Northerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the Westerly side of Newbridge Road to the Northerly side of Orange Street; being a plot 131.87 feet by 45.47 feet by 132.47 feet by 54.46 feet.

390 E. Clinton Avenue, Roosevelt NY 11575. 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee; Gray; VIN: 1J4GR48K55C523371; Owner: Wayne Huey of 2832 Bruner Ave 1, Bronx, NY 10469

*2007 Kia Sedona; Gray; VIN: KNDMB233876173866; Owner: Renee McDonough of 157 59 27th Ave, Flushing, NY 11354

*2010 Chevrolet Equinox; Gray; VIN: 2CNALDEW4A6371649 ; Owner: Boris Mizhquero-Yunga of 276 Mountain Grove St, Bridgeport, CT 06605

*2009 Chevrolet Malibu; Black; VIN: 1G1ZK57B59F169309; Owner: Glendon Cateau of 716 E. 45th St, Brooklyn, NY 11203

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, Plaintiff AGAINST JON FARRUGIA; ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered April 1, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 1287 Pierce Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710

A/K/A 1287 North Pierce Avenue, North Bellmore, NY 11710.

Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York,

Section 56 Block 478 Lots 63, 64, 65, 66 & 198. Approximate amount of judgment $968,521.76 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 009598/2014.

Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Brian J. Carmody, Esq., Referee

LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

News brief

Community support boosts food cupboard

The Merrick Kiwanis Club collected more than 100 boxes of food during its annual Spring Food Drive earlier this month, helping restock the Bellmore-Merrick CHSD Dr. Mara Bollettieri Community Cupboard at a time organizers say donations are especially needed.

The drive was held May 2 and 3 outside Stop & Shop at Merrick Mall, where Kiwanis volunteers gathered enough food to fill four SUVs. The donations were delivered on May 5 to the community cupboard, which is operated through the Brookside Educational Center and serves residents throughout the Bellmore-Merrick community.

According to Alternative Program Principal Eric Arlin, the timing of the donation was critical because mid-spring is often one of the food bank’s most difficult periods.

“Merrick Kiwanis is known as the

Club with a Heart and our spring and fall food drives are just another way of showing how much we care about our community,” event chair Dave Denenberg said in a statement. “We want to make a difference.”

Denenberg said many of the same volunteers who participated in the food drive had also taken part in the club’s Earth Day weekend cleanup at East Meadow Pond the week before.

Kiwanis President Barbi Rogonia helped coordinate student volunteers for the effort, including students recruited through Birch School’s PTA. Denenberg credited the volunteers for helping make the annual collection successful.

“What better way to kick off spring than with our annual food drive to stock our community cupboard,” he said.

— Hernesto Galdamez

Public Notices Public Notices

*2007 Dodge Sprinter; White; VIN: WD0PE845X75208525; Owner: Haim Tobaly of 21 Weyant Dr, Cedarhurst, NY 11516

*2004 Toyota Corolla; Blue; VIN: 2T1LR32E04C317785; Owner: Luis V. Peraltamorban of 1934 Harrison Ave 5E, Bronx, NY 10453

Section: 56 Block: 203 Lot: 102

Said premises known as 2312 NEWBRIDGE ROAD, BELLMORE, NY 11710

Approximate amount of lien $721,140.91 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 613262/2023.

MARIA SIDERIS, ESQ., Referee KRISS & FEUERSTEIN LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 360 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1200, New York, NY 10017 {* BELLMORE L*} 159692

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that a public auction for a used vehicle sale will be held on May 26, 2026 on the website www.auctionsinternati onal.com. Bidders must register on website prior to bidding. Vehicles are sold “as is” condition and do not come with vehicle keys. Vehicles pictures and descriptions can be found on website when bid is live. Vehicles must be paid through the website prior to removal of vehicle. Vehicles are located at

*2006 Lexus ES250; Black; VIN: JTHCK262382022200; Owner: Klein Georges of 185 Rutland Rd, Hempstead NY 11550

*2014 Audi AS4; Gray; VIN: WAUBGAFL5EA082964 ; Owner: Dominique Blackman of 8400 Lindbergh Blvd Apt 716, Philadelphia PA 19153

*2010 Honda Accord; Black; VIN: 1HGCS2B85AA004466; Owners: Mike Eli Landaverde and C.L. Landaverde of 69 Hewlett St, Hempstead NY 11550

*2005 Nissan Altima; Red; VIN: 1N4AL11D75N900462; Owner: Timothy Wanser of 1141 Norbay St, Franklin Square NY 11010

*2002 Acura MDX; Blue; VIN: 2HNYD188X2H530024; Owner: Zaynah Witter of 632 Nauer Ct, Elmont, NY 11003

*2016 Nissan Sentra; Gray; VIN: 3N1AB7AP1GY299861; Owner: Nissan Infiniti Lease Trust of PO Box 254648 Sacramento, CA 95865

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS

Antonio Fanizzi Commissioner 160208

All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at North Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, Section: 56 Block: 473 Lot: 23. Approximate amount of judgment $86,204.87 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #614678/2024. For sale information, please visit ServiceLink Auction at https://www.servicelink auction.com or call (866) 539-4173. Lawrence Farbman, Esq., Referee FEIN, SUCH & CRANE, LLP 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800 Rochester, NY 14614 NFUNY005 89859 160148

LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU

The Bank Of New York Mellon as Trustee for Home Equity Loan Trust 2007-FRE1, Plaintiff AGAINST Eduardo Escobedo; Dawn Escobedo a/k/a Dawn M. Escobedo; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered August 13, 2018, amended June 17, 2019, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on June 15, 2026, at 2:00PM, premises known as 2553 Washington Boulevard, North Bellmore, NY 11710. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in Bellmore,

Dated: May 1, 2026 160122

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. ROBERT ATELA A/K/A ROBERT T. ATELA, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on December 2, 2025, 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 16, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 114 Beach Avenue, Bellmore, NY 11710. 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, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 63, Block 223 and Lot 15. Approximate amount of judgment is $566,265.24 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #612746/2022. Cash will not be accepted.

Beth Chamow, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 160144

LEGAL NOTICE

BELLMORE-MERRICK

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

1260 Meadowbrook Road

North Merrick, New York 11566

The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, North Merrick, New York, popularly known as the BellmoreMerrick Central High School District (hereinafter the “School District”), in accordance with Section 103 of Article 5-A of the General Municipal Law, hereby invites the submission of sealed bids from reputable and qualified Bidders for the provision of labor, materials and services for the following contract:

BID#2026-27 CONTRACT:

Dishwasher Supplies, Installation and Services

Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

June 15, 2026 at 10:00 am

Bids for the contract will be received until the above stated hour of prevailing time and date at the School District Purchasing Office, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York 11566, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained at the same office, beginning on June 1, 2026, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and

3:00 p.m. excluding holidays.

Bids must be presented on the standard bid form in the manner designated therein and as required by the Specifications. All bids must be enclosed in sealed envelopes which are clearly marked on the outside: Bid For:

“Bid#2026-27

Dishwasher Supplies, Installation and Services”. All Bidders must complete the bid forms. No bids will be considered which have not been received by the deadline set forth on the Invitation to Bid. The School District is not responsible for delays occasioned by any delivery service, the internal mail delivery system of the School District or any other means of delivery employed by the Bidder. No phone, fax or email bids will be accepted. Bids shall remain firm for a period of forty-five (45) days following the date of the bid opening.

The Board of Education reserves the right to waive any informalities in or to reject any or all bids, or to accept that bid which, in the Board of Education’s judgment, is in the best interest of the School District. The Board of Education reserves the right to consider experience, service and reputation in connection with the services to be rendered. In addition, the Board of Education reserves the right to consider

the financial responsibility and specific qualifications as set forth in the bid specifications, of the prospective Bidder in its evaluation of the bids and award of the contracts.

BOARD OF EDUCATION BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT By: Melisa Stiles School Business Administrator & Purchasing Agent 160348

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Section 202-48 of the code of the Town of Hempstead entitled, “Handicapped Parking On Public Streets,” a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 27th day of May 2026, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, to consider the adoption of a resolution setting aside certain parking spaces for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons at the following locations: BALDWIN ALLEN PLACE - north side, starting at a point 186 feet east of the east curbline of Grand Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-147/26) STEELE BOULEVARD -

south side, starting at a point 540 feet east of the east curbline of Milburn Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-139/26)

BELLMORE FARMERS AVENUEwest side, starting at a point 288 feet north of the north curbline of Merrick Road, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-130/26)

EAST MEADOW WENWOOD DRIVEwest side, starting at a point 84 feet south of the south curbline of Chaladay Lane, south for a distance of 22 feet.

(TH-152/26)

ELMONT LEHRER AVENUE - east side, starting at a point 230 feet north of the north curbline of Rosser Avenue, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-143/26)

WANTAGH BEVERLY ROAD - east side, starting at a point 103 feet south of the south curbline of Bellport Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-151/26) ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

Dated: May 12, 2026 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

JOHN FERRETTI

Supervisor

KATE MURRAY Town Clerk

LYNBROOK PUBLIC SCHOOLS

CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE Full Time/Part Time Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com

COMPANION AVAILABLE

Responsible & Experienced With Luxury Car To Assist With Doctor Appointments, Errands, Shopping, Etc. or Just Going Out For An Enjoyable Day! Call 646-708-2160

DRIVERS FOR DELIVERY $17-$20/Hr. and COUNTER PERSON FOR CASHIER $17/Hr. Some Experience. Pizzeria In Massapequa. Call Rich 516-270-8241

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time Positions Available! Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778 Email: info@bellautoschool.com

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EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K 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

MULTI MEDIA

ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

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

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Do I need to file a plan just to build a stone wall?

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. The rules on retaining walls aren’t as clear as for other things you could build. A wall, in most communities, fits into a few different categories.

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If it’s a retaining wall, meaning it holds something back, like your front lawn from the sidewalk or your neighbor’s lawn from your driveway, it’s definitely structural, and has drainage conditions you have to show on professionally prepared plans. The wall can’t hold back water from draining, or it could collapse. It must have a frost-depth foundation, which means that, since frost can permeate the ground to a depth, in our zone, of 3 feet, there must be a support wall with a spread footing at least 3 feet deep in the ground to limit heaving during extreme freezing, like we had for most of January this year, as you may recall.

It may be possible to build with less concrete, on supports spaced several feet apart and a shallow type of footing called a grade beam, but that still has to be calculated to make certain it won’t crack and heave under the extreme forces of frozen ground. The majority of people I meet have no idea about the upward force that develops when moisture in the soil freezes and expands, but it does occur in colder weather, and you only need a small amount of movement to cause the wall to move.

Stacked stone is, essentially, loose, and can move. It may be considered a safety hazard because the individual pieces of stone can fall, or be carried away or thrown, such as by accident, involving people or vehicles. While this kind of wall may harken back to simpler historical times, you are best to avoid the problem and construct a wall that is safer and less difficult to get approved. Stack stone walls may look great on an old New England farm, but not necessarily in a populated suburb.

As for your neighbors, there are rules we all have to follow, including them. I had to legalize a wall in the process of doing an entire home, and discovered that my client’s wall lined up with the neighbors’ walls on both sides. The worst part was that all the walls were built beyond the front property line, on the municipal right-of way. Curiously, only my client had to file a zoning variance request.

More next week.

© 2026 Monte Leeper

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

Monte Leeper

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OpiniOns

Keeping neighborhood traditions and values alive

Recently I attended an early-cut screening of a documentary on Farrell’s Bar in Brooklyn. The film is about much more than just a bar.

Though the world is always turning, these days it seems as if it’s turning more rapidly than ever. Traditions, values and principles are changing dramatically, and some are gone forever. None of us, of course, should want to live in the past or resist progress, which can bring so much good and improve our lives. But in the rush toward progress, we can’t afford to abandon institutions that encourage friendship and lasting bonds, especially in these fast-paced times.

Farrell’s is a legendary institution that has survived the rush of time. Now in its 93rd year — it opened just after the end of Prohibition — it remains a central neighborhood place for the Windsor Terrace community. It’s an oasis of calm in a desert of turmoil. Farrell’s has never betrayed its blue-

collar culture, embodied in its support for cops, firefighters and veterans. (Though newer, the Good Life, in Massapequa Park, and the Embassy Diner, in Bethpage, are cut from that mold.) Farrell’s isn’t far from Brooklyn Prep, where I went to high school, and a short distance from where my father grew up and my grandparents lived until the late 1970s.

Though I’d heard about Farrell’s and read about it in Pete Hamill’s stories, I stopped in for the first time during my very unsuccessful campaign for New York state attorney general in 1986. One of my closest friends and biggest supporters was Jimmy Boyle, who had been president of the FDNY’s Firefighters Union and a fixture in union politics for years. Boyle thought Farrell’s would be an ideal location for a campaign stop.

small part of it true, I climbed up on a chair in the middle of the room and began my speech by admitting that “even though my father was a cop, I have to say, you guys aren’t half bad yourselves.”

i had a small role in cementing the legacy of a legendary hometown bar.

After much friendly booing and catcalls, I thanked those guys for their support and assured them that I’d always be there for them. (A sad footnote: Boyle’s son, Michael, was one of the 343 firefighters killed on Sept. 11, 2001.) Though I went on to lose the election by 1.2 million votes, I had been a winner in Farrell’s, and for the next few years I’d stop by periodically to relive the one bright moment of the campaign.

independent filmmakers Jay Cusato and Rob Martin to produce a documentary on the bar, as a living metaphor for neighborhoods and good people who refuse to allow their values and lasting memories to be plowed over.

On March 8, 2020, Cusato and Martin interviewed me at my home, one of many people they talked to. At the time, their project was close to completion — or so they thought. The coronavirus hit New York before the week was out, and the documentary was put on ice. I actually thought they’d abandoned it until just last month, when Cusato contacted me to let me know that, in the spirit of Farrell’s, they had stayed on the project, titled “Why Farrell’s?” and invited me to a private screening at the St. Francis College campus on Livingston Street in downtown Brooklyn.

Sure enough, when I arrived just before noon that September day, Boyle had packed the place with loud, supportive firefighters, and a few cops had found their way in. It was as enthusiastic and as friendly a reception as I’ve ever gotten in politics. After Boyle gave me a phenomenal introduction, only a

Later, when I was in Congress, I would join Brooklyn friends from high school and make pilgrimages to Farrell’s. Though they couldn’t drink on the job, two detectives on my security detail, Jimmy Skopek and Melissa Zimmerman, took a particular liking to Farrell’s, especially its old-neighborhood flair.

Then, about 10 years ago, a friend of mine from Massapequa, Pat Fenton, wrote a well-received Off-Broadway play centered on Farrell’s. That inspired

OIt was a great experience. Though several interviews remain to be done, and sound and lighting issues need to be worked out, “Why Farrell’s?” is outstanding, so accurately depicting the values that the bar is doing so much to preserve. My role was minor, but I’m proud to be part of what is truly a meaningful work of art.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

It’s way too early to name things after Trump

ver the past few months, I’ve attended many social events, at which I shared a few drinks and conversation with friends from both political parties. Those gatherings have given me an open window into the rapidly emerging fracture among lifelong Republicans as well as the sharp divisions among Democrats. Democrats are always arguing, so it’s been the Republican fissures that have surprised me the most. Regardless of what the pollsters tell you, President Trump is tearing these lifelong partisans apart. There is division about the president’s arguments with the pope and deep concern about the impact of the war in Iran on the party’s chances in November. But the one issue that seems to evoke even more angst is Trump’s encouraging his name to be plastered on anything and everything that is brandable.

George Washington’s name appears

in all kinds of places across the country, including the national capital. The city was named after him while he was still in office, but he strongly opposed it and tried to block the effort when it was brought before Congress. Washington surrendered his military role when the Revolution ended, rejected efforts to have himself declared king and stepped down after two terms as president. His greatness was not only that he led the country, but that he declined a number of honors.

Let presidents serve. Let citizens judge. Let history name the buildings.

Have other presidents drawn the line? During Gerald Ford’s presidency, Congress passed a bill to name a federal building in Grand Rapids, Mich., after him. Ford refused to sign it, saying he knew of no federal building named for a president still in office and did not want to establish a precedent. President Harry Truman also resisted such honors, and once wrote emphatically that he had no desire to have roads, bridges or buildings named after him. His supporters wanted the Marshall Plan to bear his name, but Truman said the plan deserved the name of its author.

Clearly, the temptation to name things after politicians isn’t limited to one party. Members of Congress have long attached their names to federal buildings, courthouses, highways and bridges. Sen. Mitch McConnell has five buildings named after him in Kentucky.

And every president has been surrounded by supporters who want to flatter him, celebrate him and turn policy into legacy. The danger is especially high in our age of branding, social media and permanent campaigning. That is exactly why every president, irrespective of party, should draw the line when there is an effort to rename everything in sight after him. There is something unhealthy in a republic when a president uses public property to enlarge his own image. This isn’t a Republican or Democratic concern — it’s an American concern. The presidency belongs temporarily to one person, but the government belongs permanently to the people. Public buildings, passports, coins, agencies and national institutions should not become personal billboards for whoever hap-

pens to occupy the Oval Office.

There is also a moral difference between a grateful nation honoring a leader after history has had time to judge him, and a president accepting — or encouraging — public honors while he is in office. This isn’t a question of whether a president is admired. The pollsters have attested to the fact that Trump is supported by 85 percent of registered Republicans. But there will be ample time for our country to render honors unto this president and those who follow him.

We need to have a law that applies equally to all parties. That law should prohibit the naming of entities, structures and objects after a sitting president. It must apply equally to Trump and all those who follow him.

Our founders worried about this issue. They knew that republics can decay not only through force, but also through flattery. Let presidents serve. Let citizens judge. Let history name the buildings.

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.

Memorial Day means more than barbecues

Memorial Day weekend arrives each year with familiar signs that summer is finally at hand. Beaches begin to fill. Backyard grills fire up. Families and friends gather after months of work, school and routines that too often keep them apart. Across Long Island, from Jones Beach to Montauk, the holiday has long marked the unofficial beginning of a season people eagerly await.

There is nothing wrong with celebration. In many ways, that freedom to enjoy ordinary moments with the people we love is part of what generations of Americans fought to preserve.

But Memorial Day asks something more of us as well.

Especially as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Americans should remember that Memorial Day is not simply another three-day weekend on the calendar. It is one of the country’s most solemn observances — a day set aside to honor the men and women who died while serving in the United States military.

That distinction matters.

Veterans Day honors all who served. Armed Forces Day recognizes those currently in uniform. Memorial Day is specifically for those who never came home.

Their sacrifice stretches across every generation of American history. From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War,

from the beaches of Normandy to the mountains of Afghanistan, over 1 million service members gave their lives believing the country they defended was worth that sacrifice.

Many came from communities across Nassau and Suffolk counties. Their names appear on memorial plaques, downtown monuments and flags lining local streets. Long Island itself carries deep connections to America’s military history.

Roughly 1,180 Long Islanders died in World War II: 855 from Nassau and 325 from Suffolk. At least 552 service members lost their lives in the Vietnam War. After the Sept. 11 attacks, 56 Long Islanders died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

From Revolutionary War sites to Gold Star families who sacrificed during the wars of the past two decades, our region has long contributed to the nation’s service and sacrifice. Memorial Day offers communities an opportunity not only to recognize that history but also to share it with those of younger generations.

As America prepares to commemorate 250 years of independence in July, this Memorial Day carries even greater weight. Anniversaries often invite celebration, reflection and pride. But they should also invite humility. The freedoms Americans treasure did not sustain themselves across two and a half centuries. They endured because generation after generation answered a call to serve, often at extraordinary personal cost.

It can be easy for the deeper meaning of Memorial Day to become overshadowed by travel plans, social gatherings and retail sales. Modern life moves quickly, and holidays increasingly blur together into commercial events disconnected from their origins. But Memoria Day deserves more intentional remembrance — and that does not always require grand gestures.

Attending a local parade or remembrance ceremony before heading to a barbecue is one way to honor the fallen. Visiting a veterans’ memorial or cemetery and taking a few quiet moments to read the names engraved there is another. Americans can also observe the tradition of flying the flag at half-staff until noon, and share stories with children and grandchildren about relatives who served, ensuring that those stories are not lost.

Honoring sacrifice does not diminish the joy of the weekend. In fact, it deepens it. Gratitude gives meaning to celebration. A nation that remembers its fallen understands more clearly the value of the freedoms it enjoys. This year, amid the sound of waves, fireworks and laughter that will soon define the summer season, Americans should make room for remembrance, too. Memorial Day is not ultimately about the start of summer; it is about the cost of freedom, the weight of service and the obligation of a grateful nation never to forget those who gave everything in its defense.

opinions

Some in Washington say

all’s well. Families know better.

The sticker shock Americans are feeling at the gas pump, in the grocery store, opening their utility bills and paying for health care aren’t some abstract political talking points. The high cost of living is a daily reality for many families trying to make it through the week.

Gas prices surged 15.6 percent this month, with regular gas sitting above $4.50 per gallon. Grocery prices made the biggest onemonth jump in nearly four years in April. Inflation is up to 3.8 percent, the highest in three years. For the first time since 2023, it’s outpacing wage growth. For millions of Americans, every trip to work, school, the grocery store or a doctor’s appointment now comes with a painful reminder that the cost of living keeps climbing.

Just last week, President Trump was quoted as saying, “I don’t think about

Framework

Americans’ financial situation — I don’t think about anybody.” Previously, he has called affordability, or a lack thereof, a “hoax.” Despite what he refuses to see, the cost of living is the defining issue facing this country right now.

F or many people, the affordability debate is about survival, not ideology.

The numbers tell the real story very clearly. A new Marist poll found that most Americans think their cost of living is not very affordable (44 percent) or not affordable at all (12 percent). More than six in 10 Americans do not believe the economy is working for them. Those aren’t partisan numbers. Those are kitchen-table realities.

Gas prices are a major reason why. The same poll confirmed that a whopping 81 percent of Americans say that current gas prices are putting at least some strain on their household budget. One-third say the strain is major. Only 19 percent say they feel no strain at all.

It’s not just gas prices, either; a reckless tariff policy has caused prices on everyday goods to skyrocket. Gutting green-energy projects has raised utility

by Ellen Jaret

prices by cutting supply so it can’t meet demand. Our historic debt, created by the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” has massively driven up interest rates, making everything more expensive. Sky-high inflation has hit families from every direction.

All of these cost drivers, when put together, can feel insurmountable. Families are facing hard choices, and being forced to think twice about expenses they never considered before. For some that means cutting back on summer travel. For others it means buying less food at the grocery store. And for workers with long commutes, it means watching more and more of each paycheck disappear before they even get home.

Administration officials who continue to deny affordability as a major issue for Americans only grow more and more disconnected from what ordinary people are experiencing. Telling Americans to hit the road when gas is hovering above $4.50 per gallon, as our transportation secretary did two weeks ago,

is a little like telling struggling families not to worry about grocery bills while food prices continue to rise.

For many people, this debate is no longer about ideology. It’s no longer about Democrat vs. Republican, liberal vs. conservative, left vs. right. It’s about survival. Can they afford groceries this month? Can they afford their commute? Can they afford a family vacation, or even a weekend getaway?

That’s why affordability remains the central issue in the country today. Not political slogans. Not cable television arguments. Real life.

Washington can debate statistics and messaging strategies all day long. But families don’t experience the economy through press releases. They experience it every time they swipe a credit card, fill up their tank or open a utility bill.

And right now, too many Americans feel like they’re falling further behind. Now we must come together and work across the aisle to bring costs down for the American people. There is no mission more urgent.

Tom Suozzi represents the 3rd Congressional District.

Overlooking Mgarr Harbour on the Mediterranean island of Gozo, Malta