Don’t Miss Your HERALD — it’s
Bellmore Chamber’s block party blasts off
Local band “Pour some 80’s on me” performed at the Bellmore Block Party on June 18, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores. Story, photos, Page 3.
OBITUARY HERALD
Susan Gruen Helsinger, philanthropist, realtor and heart health advocate dies at 75
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Susan Gruen Helsinger, a Merrick philanthropist, real estate leader and advocate for children’s heart health whose foundation helped identify potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions in Long Island students, died June 15. Helsinger, a former president of the Long Island Board of Realtors and the Herald’s 2016 Person of the Year, spent more than four decades transforming personal tragedy into a mission that touched countless lives across Long Island.
After the sudden death of her 15-year-old son, Jason Gruen, from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 1985, Helsinger founded the Jason Gruen Foundation to support cardiac research, hospital programs and early detection efforts aimed at preventing similar tragedies.
The foundation became a driving force behind
pediatric heart-health initiatives on Long Island, helping fund children’s heart centers at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and Cohen Children’s Medical Center, supporting research into cardiac abnormalities and bringing heart screenings to local schools.
Beginning in 2006, Helsinger worked to establish voluntary cardiac screening programs for middle school students, first in the BellmoreMerrick Central High School District and later in other districts across Long Island. The screenings helped identify dozens of children with heart abnormalities, some of them life-threatening, allowing families to seek treatment before a medical emergency occurred.
For her efforts, Helsinger was named the Herald’s Person of the Year in 2016.
A former nurse and entrepreneur, Helsinger built several successful businesses before enter-
Local extends softball career in Puerto Rico
By HERNESTo GAlDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
When Hailey Guerrero boarded a plane to Puerto Rico earlier this summer, the Bellmore native wasn’t sure she was making the right decision.
The 22-year-old Mepham High School graduate had just completed her collegiate softball career at Iona University and was preparing for the next chapter of her life. Then an unexpected opportunity arrived — an invitation to play professional softball in Puerto Rico.
At first, Guerrero wasn’t convinced she should go.
the first time.
Guerrero, a former standout at Mepham, has been playeding softball since she was 7 years old. She attended Martin Avenue Elementary School and Grand Avenue Middle School before starring at Mepham, where she helped the Pirates win multiple county championships and establish themselves among Nassau County’s elite programs.
I think the biggest adjustment for me was the sense of independence.
HAIlEy GuERRERo Bellmore
“I literally cried at first,” she said. “I was not going to do it, and everyone I talked to was like, ‘You have to go. You’ll never have this opportunity again.’”
Now, just weeks later, Guerrero is helping lead Juncos, one of Puerto Rico’s top softball clubs, toward the league playoffs while discovering a deeper connection to her Puerto Rican heritage and learning what it means to live independently for
After graduating in 2022, Guerrero began her collegiate career at Stony Brook University before transferring to Iona, where she completed her degree this spring. Like many college athletes, Guerrero expected her competitive playing career to end after graduation.
“I was supposed to actually stop playing,” she said. “Softball has been my whole life, and I realized how much I would miss it.”
The opportunity to continue playing came through connections she made during her college career. A former teammate
Continued on page 2
Holden Leeds/Herald
Embracing family roots and playing softball
who had previously played in Puerto Rico helped put her in contact with league officials, who expressed interest after reviewing her collegiate accomplishments.
Guerrero accepted a six-week contract with Juncos, where she currently plays second base and bats near the top of the lineup.
The adjustment has involved more than learning a new league.
“I think the biggest adjustment for me was the sense of independence,” Guerrero said. “I’ve always had my parents there for me. This is the first time I’ve really been on my own.”
Guerrero is the youngest of four children and had never lived outside New York before moving to Puerto Rico for the season.
The experience, she said, has helped her grow both as an athlete and as a person.
“I’m able to find myself kind of transitioning outside of softball,” she said. “As grateful as I am for playing softball, I’m also able to find myself.”
Her father, Alfonso Guerrero, said the opportunity exceeded anything the family expected when Haley first began playing youth softball in Bellmore.
“We didn’t know this opportunity would ever be presented,” he said. “That’s why it’s more amazing that it did happen.”
The experience has also given Guerrero an opportunity to connect more deeply with her Puerto Rican heritage. While she visited the island growing up, she said living there has provided a new perspective.
“My whole dad’s side is basically Puerto
Rican,” Guerrero said. “I’ve never really experienced the atmosphere here, and I just feel like I’m able to find another part of myself being out here.”
Several relatives who live in Puerto Rico have attended her games, including family members who had never seen her play in person before.
Guerrero said the experience has taken on even greater meaning following the recent loss of a family member and memories of her Puerto Rican grandmother, who died several years ago.
“Just them seeing me play is honestly my motivation,” she said.
On the field, Guerrero’s team currently sits atop the league standings and is preparing for the postseason, which begins next month.
While she plans to return to school to pursue a master’s degree at Adelphi University, Guerrero said she remains open to extending her professional career if additional opportunities arise.
“If the opportunity presents itself, I would totally consider it,” she said.
For now, however, her focus remains on enjoying every moment.
“My goal is to have fun and remember my why,” Guerrero said. “It’s for my family and for myself.”
Looking back on her journey from Bellmore Little League to professional softball, Guerrero hopes young athletes learn to trust themselves and continue pursuing their goals.
“I’ve had so many coaches tell me that I shouldn’t be playing, or I can’t do this, or I can’t but at the end of the day, you know yourself and know the work that you put in.”
Allyson Ferrari/Herald Haley Guerrero, a 2022 Mepham graduate, is spending the summer playing professional softball for Juncos in Puerto Rico.
Block party welcomes adults after hours
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Food and music are going to fill the streets of downtown Bellmore this summer. Local restaurants will have variety of foods available for sale in a central community event to nourish the neighborhood’s spirit.
The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores partnered with local businesses to create the Bellmore Block Party. The first occurred on June 18, and next will come on July 16.
This June, food trucks and musical acts took Bedford Avenue by storm from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The musicians filled the area with 80’s-themed music, the main theme of the event, inviting local adults to socialize with safe and secure fun after working hours.
Robert Saylor is the president of the chamber of commerce and a passionate advocate for community engagement.
“I was born and raised in Bellmore and still reside there,” he said. “We constantly try to find new ways to promote all member’s businesses… we have an Easter parade, we have a Halloween parade, we have a tree lighting, a menorah lighting, all that good stuff.”
An essential part of the event is that it costs nothing to attend, according to Chamber Vice President Joseph LoPresti.
“We’re not having any vendors, no crafting, nothing — it’s just for busi -
Edwin Maldonado, left, and Chris Wink were one of many musical acts at the street festival.
nesses to come out and get exposed, to eat, drink, listen to the music and just have a good time,” he said. “It’s to give back to the to the community.”
The businesses who contributed to the event are numerous and brought a wide arrangement of treats and meals.
“We have Donna’s Sausage coming
down,” LoPresti said. “We have a lobster truck, we have a barbecue truck, and then on top of it, the restaurants: we have Kumo on the block, we have a really good sushi place. The avenue will be out, but seating will be accommodated with food and drinks.”
The two block parties are made possible through a partnership between Bellmore’s chamber of commerce and the Lunchbox Brewing Company, based on Bedford Avenue.
Patrick Campion, Merrick resident and co-founder of the brewing company, is one of the voices who floated the idea of a revamped community party event.
“We saw how all the other towns surrounding us are doing ‘live after five’ summer street shutdowns,” he explained. “We’re trying to add some energy to the town, and it’s to really support all the local businesses in there: the restaurants, the bars, some new shops opening up as well.”
This was the first official Bellmore Block Party, said Campion, an experiment that could become an annual tradition that rounds out the town’s annual calendar by adding appealing things for older demographics.
Local restaurants and businesses sponsoring the event include Avenue Social Kitchen and Cocktails, Twisted Fork Brunch Company, Pierogi Bites and More, Fat Boy’s Burrito Co., Cue Bar, McBride’s Bar and Grill, Chiusano Construction and The Seth Levy Team.
Angela Carman brought her children, Jack, 4, Dom, 8 and Joe, 11, to enjoy the food and fresh air.
Holden Leeds/Herald Photos
Franny Mannion, Emerson Mannion, Heather Imondi, Chris Imondi and Anne Gacciola attended the Bellmore Block Party on June 18, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores.
Friends Constantine Giannarais, Paul Healt and Anthony Kokonas visited food trucks while exploring the area.
The theme of this month’s party was encapsulated by “Pour some 80’s on me,” local musicians sharing their love for music by performing various covers.
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News briefs
Chabad marks year-end with ceremonies
Chabad Hebrew School of MerrickBellmore-Wantagh celebrated the end of the school year with ceremonies honoring student achievement, learning and community growth.
More than 180 students and family members attended the annual end-of-year events, which recognized students for their progress in Hebrew reading, Jewish studies and participation in holiday programming.
Throughout the year, students studied Jewish values and traditions, took part in hands-on projects and interactive lessons, and celebrated holidays together while building friendships in a supportive environment, according to school officials.
“Our students truly became champions this year,” Rabbi Kramer said. “They learned, celebrated, connected, and grew together as a community. Watching their confidence and Jewish pride shine throughout the year has been incredibly inspiring.”
The ceremonies featured student classroom presentations, awards and trophies recognizing student achievement,
remarks from Rabbi Shimon and Chanie Kramer and teachers, and a festive outdoor celebration with pizza and Italian ices. Students also received personalized gifts, including custom bags, logo cookies and commemorative wooden clocks.
The first ceremony was held June 3 for students in the Wednesday program. A second ceremony took place June 7 at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life in Merrick.
The school also announced that enrollment is open for the 2026-27 school year. New initiatives include a refer-a-friend tuition credit program and plans for afterschool clubs for children ages 5 to 12, featuring activities such as arts, sports, STEM, music, drama and community service.
Clubs are planned to run two weekdays per week from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., with final scheduling still being determined.
For more information or to enroll, visit ChabadJewishLife.org/chs or call 516-8333057.
— Hernesto Galdamez
Crime briefs
Roosevelt man charged with firearm possession in North Merrick
A Roosevelt man was arrested in North Merrick after Nassau County police said he was found carrying a loaded firearm while standing in the roadway on June 15.
According to detectives, officers responded to Elsie Avenue near Meadowbrook Road at about 9:30 a.m. for a report of a person impeding traffic. Upon arrival, officers found Naggie Ford, 21, of Roosevelt, acting irrationally in the roadway and removed him from the area.
During their investigation, officers discovered Ford was in possession of a loaded silver handgun, police said. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Ford was charged with criminal possession of a firearm and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was scheduled to be arraigned June 16 in First District Court in Hempstead.
— Hernesto Galdamez
L. Kearns
Naggie Ford
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BRINGING
Long Island tops NYC in All-Star Classic
By TONY BELLISSIMO
tbellissimo@liherald.com
New York City just complete its best possession of the 2nd Annual National Football Foundation’s All-Star Football Classic, driving 60 yards on 11 plays following a takeaway to cut Long Island’s lead to four points with 4:51 remaining in the third quarter.
However, it didn’t take long for momentum to swing back in favor of Long Island.
Thirteen seconds, to be exact.
Mount Sinai’s Dontae Spadaro took the ensuing kickoff in stride and blazed down the sideline 73 yards for a touchdown to extend Long Island’s advantage to two scores and it held on for a 21-13 victory before a crowd of 1,500 at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium June 17.
“It meant a lot to me to score that touchdown and help our team win,” Spadaro said. “It’s pretty emotional.”
Long Island won last year’s inaugural All-Star Classic, 33-15, as the senior showcase game made its return for the first time since the Boomer Esiasion Foundation’s Empire Challenge completed a fantastic 24-year run in 2019.
The new version, with a special touch featuring some of college football’s most renowned rivalries (Long Island wore Notre Dame uniforms; New York City wore USC), also honors Esiason, a former East Islip High School and NFL star quarterback, with the game’s MVP trophy named in his honor.
East Islip’s Jovan Bonilla was named MVP. He had a tremendous night leading a Long Island defense that allowed only one touchdown —Eagle Academy quarterback Aaron Smith’s 20-yard run up the middle that brought NYC within 14-10 before Spadaro’s special teams heroics. Bonilla batted down a pass on the opening play of the second quarter to hold NYC to a field goal and racked up 8 tackles.
“It was a great experience,” Bonilla said. “Our defense was relentless the whole game. The energy was high and I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”
Long Island’s first scoring drive answered the first of two Jake Borrowes (Monsignor Farrell) field goals. Quarterback Simmon Blisset (Northport) directed a 10-play, 57-yard drive capped by his 6-yard touchdown pass on a backfield screen to Huntington’s Yasir Jones. It was 7-3 after kicker Justin Jones’ (Chaminade) first of three successful extra points.
Carle Place’s Ryan Leary kept the drive alive, hauling down a 16-yard pass from Blisset on fourth-and-8 from Long Island’s 45. Jones added a 22-yard reception.
“There was so much talent on the field,” said Leary, who had three recep-
Ja’Quan Thomas,
tions for 43 yards. “One thing that struck me was the size of the linemen. It was a lot of fun and great to be targeted.”
Long Island led 14-3 at halftime following an impressive 89-yard touchdown drive that culminated with a 23-yard scoring strike from Miller Place quarterback Shane Kiernan to William Floyd running back Ja’Quan Thomas.
It was back to a one-possession game with 6:18 remaining in the fourth quarter after Borrowes nailed a 24-yard field goal. New York City got the ball back with 3:22 left, but East Islip’s PJ Gannon’s interception sealed the outcome.
“The kids were class acts for weeks, became a team and really showed up and played for each other,” said longtime Wantagh coach Keith Sachs, who along with Garden City’s Dave Ettinger, Roosevelt’s Joe Vito, Massapequa’s Kevin Shippos, St. Anthony’s Joe Minucci, Ward Melville’s Chris Boltrek, Cold Spring Harbor’s John Mendreski, Bayport’s Mike Zafonte, East Islip’s Sal Ciampi, Smithtown West’s Craig Perrino, West Islip’s Steve Fasciani was part of a Long Island staff led by Sayville’s Rob Hoss.
Derrick Dingle/Herald photos
William Floyd’s
right, had a 23-yard touchdown reception in Long Island’s 21-13 victory.
Carle Place’s Ryan Leary, right, had three receptions for 43 yards.
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Knicks parade draws huge, celebratory crowd
By NOAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com
New York City held a ticker-tape parade celebrating the Knicks’ NBA championship win over the San Antonio Spurs last week — the Knicks’ first title since their 1973 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lower Manhattan was packed on June 18, with paradegoers clamoring for space along the route up Broadway from Battery Park to City Hall. Each Knicks player had his own float, atop which he and a group of team staff celebrated.
Star center Karl-Anthony Towns had a special guest on his float: Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who gave a speech congratulating the team at a ceremony at City Hall after the parade, where the team was presented with keys to the city.
Mamdani told the crowd that the oddsmakers had given the Spurs a 99.6 percent chance of winning Game 4 of the championship series. “A 99.6 percent chance of tying up the series 2-2 …,” the mayor said. “But there is one thing that the pundits don’t get about this city: It is in that .4 percent that we go to work.
“It’s in that .4 percent that the Knicks do what New Yorkers have always done when we are told that something is impossible,” Mamdani added. “We find a way. We win.”
Actor Timothée Chalamet, film director and Knicks superfan Spike Lee, and rapper Fat Joe were also on floats with the Knicks players.
According to city officials, the parade attracted a crowd of over 2 million, but when the estimates of the number who didn’t make it into the viewing area are included, the approximate totals were much larger. Among those in both categories were a number of Long Islanders, who took the LIRR into the city to support the team’s historic win.
Brothers Bryan and Christian Rosado, of Long Beach, made it into Manhat-
tan by 6 a.m., but that wasn’t early enough for them to get a good view of the parade. But they said they appreciated the experience nonetheless.
“I’d love to say we stayed to watch the whole thing, but we really weren’t going to see much,” Bryan Rosado said. “It might have felt like hell on earth, but it was worth celebrating the Garden becoming Eden again.”
“The parade was an unorganized mess — it was so chaotic,” his brother said. “I still think being with so many other New Yorkers, laughing, chanting and celebrating, made it worth it.” The unity Christian described spread through the streets, and many Knicks fans were wearing Yankees and Mets caps as well.
Jacquelle Lainez, of Freeport, managed to get a better view than the Rosados. Her plans were also altered by how early paradegoers began gathering in
Lower Manhattan. “My friend I was supposed to go with said her phone fell off her nightstand, lost power and died before her alarm could go off,” Lainez said. “I waited for her from 4 to 5:30 a.m., but after that I just went. It’s her loss.”
The unity was palpable on Church Street, parallel to the parade route. Fans who couldn’t get a view of the parade flooded the street, climbing on sanitation trucks, crowding subway entrances and climbing lampposts. Chants of “Knicks in 5!” “Let’s go Knicks!” and “Jalen Brunson” rang out regularly. Even after the parade, Lower Manhattan was still full of Knicks fans buying shirts from street vendors, getting much-needed drinks at delis, and congratulating one another as if all were members of the team. New Yorkers’ connection to the Knicks was clearly as strong as it has been in decades.
Guard Josh Hart, who, like each of the players, had a float of his own, looked comfortably well-equipped.
J Goy/Herald photos
Some of the estimated 2 million people — not counting the crowded side streets — who attended the Knicks’ championship parade in Lower Manhattan on June 18.
Knicks Captain Jalen Brunson in the foreground as the confetti fell.
Actor and Knicks superfan Timothée Chalamet joined in the championship parade festivities.
LIA panel urges bipartisan cooperation
Rahm Emmanuel and Kevin McCarthy
By NOAH PERETZ nperetz@liherald.com
The Long Island Association hosted its Centennial Spring Luncheon wit Rahm Emmanuel, former White House chief of staff for President Barack Obama, former mayor of Chicago and the 31st United States ambassador to Japan, and Kevin McCarthy, former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, were guest speakers on the June 15 panel with LIA President and CEO Stacey Sikes.
Sikes, Emmanuel and McCarthy discussed the American political climate and the standing of the Democratic and Republican parties. They spoke about how each party can improve itself, work toward collaboration, and “reach across the aisle” rather than stoke further division.
Sikes asked McCarthy about President Trump’s potential influence over the upcoming midterm elections, and how that influence is more prominent than most previous presidents. “He controls the party — he can make you win or lose by an endorsement alone,” McCarthy said. “He governs differently. Most presidents want to do everything through the House and Senate, but he’s happy doing executive orders.”
Emmanuel and McCarthy were asked
take part in spirited political discussion
about how the suburban vote could swing the midterms, particularly on Long Island.
“Democrats control urban elections and seats; Republicans control rural,” Emmanuel said. “The battleground will be in the suburban districts. That has been the truth for the last 20 and 30 years.”
“I’d have never been speaker if it wasn’t for the guys up in Long Island, and suburbs everywhere else,” McCarthy said. “Democrats have the advantage now, but anything can happen.” Emmanuel decried the negative impact of political division, and how it is a detriment to America’s performance on the global stage. “While
we’re spending all our time, all our energy on redistricting and trying to figure out how to screw each other, China’s doubling their research funding,” he said. “They’re spending money on research in China, and we’re spending primary resources on redistricting. You tell me, which one’s going to get you ahead?”
Sikes asked the panelists about the political brand the Democratic party has built up over the past decade, and what they think Democrats can do to remake that brand. “Across the country, 48 to 49 percent of the country describes themselves as independents,” Emmanuel said. “It’s basically a rejection of both parties.”
McCarthy agreed, but extended the criticism to the Republican party. “Both parties aren’t solving problems,” he said. “That’s why you’re getting flips in control — that’s why people aren’t believing in the system. I like campaigns about ideas.”
Despite the talk of division and political strife, the conference ended on a positive note when Emmanuel said, “Whatever our experiences are, we both know one thing: We won the lottery ticket of life. This is the greatest country in the world, as long as we don’t turn our back on what makes it the greatest country in the world.”
Courtesy Long Island Association
Kevin McCarthy, left, Stacey Sikes and Rahm Emmanuel discussed elections, political division and ways to improve the country.
‘Soccer In The Park’ for FIFA World Cup
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
Hundreds of soccer fans gathered at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre in Eisenhower Park on June 19 for Soccer In The Park, a community watch party hosted by The Island FC in partnership with Nassau County.
The event featured a live broadcast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between the United States and Australia, drawing families, youth soccer players and fans of all ages to one of the county’s most popular outdoor venues. Attendees spread out across the theater grounds with lawn chairs and blankets while enjoying concessions, giveaways and family-friendly activities before and during the match.
“Nassau County is proud to partner with The Island FC to bring this exciting event to Eisenhower Park,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman said of the event. “FIFA World Cup 26 is the biggest sporting event in the world, and Soccer In The Park is a great opportunity for residents and families to come together, celebrate the game, and enjoy a worldclass community experience right here in Nassau County.”
The gathering served as the first official community activation for The Island FC, Long Island’s MLS NEXT Pro club, as it continues preparations for its inaugural professional season.
“This is about more than watching a soccer match — it’s about bringing Long Islanders together around the beautiful game,” Travis Lamprecht, The Island FC’s president of business operations, said. “Long Island has an incredible soccer culture and deep passion for the sport at every level. We’re proud to partner with Nassau County on our first community event and create an experience that feels welcoming, energetic and truly representative of this community.”
The Island FC is expected to launch its MLS NEXT Pro team in 2027 as part of its effort to create a pathway from youth soccer to the professional ranks.
Friends from Queens and Brooklyn, Oliver Antreassian, 3, and Gian Luca Manta, 4, had a blast kicking soccer balls around during the World Cup watch party.
Organizers said the watch party reflected the club’s broader mission of connecting with communities across Long Island through soccer and shared experiences.
The event comes as interest in soccer continues to grow throughout the region, fueled in part by the World Cup. Fans gathered throughout the afternoon to cheer on Team USA and celebrate the global game in a festive, family-oriented atmosphere.
During the match, the U.S. defeated Australia 2-0, off an own goal forced by Folarin Balogun and a header from the 21-year-old Alex Freeman. The win allowed the U.S. to secure the top seed in their preliminary group and advance to the Round of 32. The team will play one more group stage game against Türkiye on June 25. Their first knockout game will be on July 1 against a yet-to-bedetermined opponent.
Tim Baker/Herald Photos
Fans flocked to Eisenhower Park for a World Cup watch party hosted by The Island FC in partnership with Nassau County. Among those attending were families from East Meadow and Westbury, including Alex Machare, Jeanette Garcia, Michele Machare, Rosemary Garcia, Lauren Jara, Julian Jara and Olivia Jara.
Kaiden Olio, 3, from Levittown, was dressed patriotically.
Luke Martins, 8, of Westbury, practiced his skills while dribbling through a large, inflatable soccer ball, set up for youngsters to enjoy.
Olivia Jara, 6, from Westbury, also put his skills to test on the pitch.
Foundation’s heart screenings helped children
ing real estate. By age 25, she was a founding partner of Gruen Optika Corporation in New York City. Later, she coowned a toy store in Great Neck before returning to school after Jason’s death, earning a paralegal degree from Adelphi University and becoming a licensed real estate broker.
She and her late husband, Jay Helsinger, founded the Custom Real Estate Group and JSC Building Corporation. Following Jay’s death in 2004, she assumed sole ownership of the brokerage and continued to lead the company until it was acquired by Douglas Elliman Real Estate, where she remained an associate broker.
Helsinger joined the Long Island Board of Realtors in 1994 and became one of the organization’s most influential leaders. She served in numerous leadership positions before becoming president in 2021. She also served on the boards of the New York State Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors.
In announcing her death, the Long Island Board of Realtors remembered Helsinger as a leader whose dedication to advocacy, professionalism and service helped shape the organization and inspire future generations of realtors.
“Susan led with grace, strength and a lifelong dedication to helping others, both within the real estate profession and throughout the communities she served,”
the organization said in a statement.
Helsinger also served as a past president of the Merrick Kiwanis Club, vice president of the Merrick Chamber of Commerce, and a leader in the Jewish War Veterans Auxiliary, and was an active supporter of numerous charitable and community organizations throughout Nassau County.
“Susan’s compassion for helping others was boundless and demonstrated by the numerous organizations she served,” said Doug Mills, a board member and past president of the Merrick Chamber of Commerce. “Her determination for rising above challenging situations was remarkable.
Her endless list of accomplishments will be remembered by all the lives she impacted and changed for the better. She was an amazing woman, and I was proud to call her my friend.”
Over the years, Helsinger received numerous honors, including Merrick Woman of the Year, the New York State Senate’s Woman of Distinction Award, the National Association of Realtors’ Good Neighbor Award, the New York State Association of Realtors Community Service Award and multiple recognitions from the Long Island Board of Realtors, including its Spirit Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.
She also authored the memoir “Glass Half Full,” chronicling her experiences with loss, resilience and service.
Gruen Helsinger, a real estate leader and advocate for children’s heart health and the Herald’s Person of the Year in 2016, died on June 15. In 2013, she helped the Merrick Kiwanis Club and Calhoun High School Key Club assemble more than 100 boxes of food for families in need.
Herald file photo
Susan
Propel NY project continues permit process
By JULIA CAPITELLI jcapitelli@liherald.com
The Propel NY Energy project, the installation of nearly 90 miles of underground transmission lines across a number of counties in New York state, is continuing the process of securing permits from the state. Representatives of New York Power Authority and NY Transco, the partners on the project, have provided an update on its progress and outlined the next steps.
Developers are required to secure a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need from the state Public Service Commission. Propel has not yet received that certificate, but Transco Project Director Steve Hatchard said the team is aiming to receive it by summer’s end.
Construction on the $3.2 billion project is slated to begin later this year and expected to last four years, with completion anticipated in May 2030. Crews are expected to progress 50 to 150 feet per day.
The new transmission lines would augment existing lines. In 2023, the New York State Independent System Operator chose the project as a solution to problems like increased demand on the state’s power grid and its vulnerability in severe weather.
A NYISO report from June 9 highlighted the challenges of aging infrastructure. “This report made it clear
that modernizing and expanding our transmission network is essential for long-term reliability,” Tia Santoro, NYPA’s senior director of government and community affairs, said, “especially in the downstate region.”
New York has 11,000 miles of transmission lines, including 241 miles of underground 345-kilovolt lines similar to those proposed for the Propel project.
The new transmission lines would not be built to carry energy generated by any one source. The energy that flows on the lines would be determined by NYISO.
A joint proposal — an agreement among Propel, state agencies and other parties that determines site, environmental impact and construction requirements to which the project must adhere — was filed with the Public Service Commission in April. The next step is the creation of a series of Environmental Management and Construction Plans, which must demonstrate compliance with the parameters established in the joint proposal. They will be opened for public comment before they are reviewed by the PSC. Hatchard said that if there is feedback that needs to be incorporated into the plans, they will be amended and a new public comment period will open.
Other components of the plans include descriptions of construction methods, emergency response proce -
dures and the responsibilities of contractors, inspectors and environmental monitors.
“The purpose of the environmental monitors,” Hatchard explained, “is to be a third-party set of eyes out there that is ultimately responsibility to the regulators from an environmental compliance perspective.”
There are five proposed phases of Environment Management and Construction Plans, each dealing with a different aspect or location of the project. Pre-filings have already been submitted for the first two phases.
“We have started to receive some
The Propel NY Energy project will span several downstate counties.
comments back on the E.M. and C.P. Phase One,” Hatchard said, “and we are looking forward to the comments back for Phase Two as well.”
The plans are scheduled to be filed for public comment this summer, and Hatchard said the team is planning for approvals to begin in the fall. Construction is slated to start late this year on part of the project in New Rochelle, in Westchester County, followed by work in the Town of Oyster Bay.
Hatchard said that during construction, residents can receive information through the mail, text messages and updates from the Propel NY Energy app.
Herald file photo
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News brief
‘Frog
Man’
brings hands-on science lesson
Third graders at Winthrop Avenue School got an up-close look at the world of amphibians on May 29 when guest science specialist Brian Wallrapp, known as “Frog Man,” visited the school for an interactive presentation.
Students gathered in the school’s Star Lab, where Wallrapp used books, props, frog-themed toys and a real frog skeleton to teach them about the many species of frogs and their life cycles. The lesson covered frog habitats, diets and the transformation from tadpole to adult frog.
As the presentation progressed, students eagerly participated and asked questions while learning about the unique characteristics of amphibians.
The highlight of the visit came when Wallrapp introduced a live frog named Bobby. Students formed a circle as Wallrapp carried the frog around the room, giving each child an opportunity to gently touch its skin and observe it up close.
Excitement grew as Bobby was placed on the floor and hopped around the Star Lab while students cheered. Several students also took part in a dem-
onstration in which they lay on the floor while the frog leaped over them.
The hands-on experience provided students with a closer understanding of animals found in nature while reinforcing lessons about respecting living creatures and their habitats.
School officials said the presentation combined science education with interactive learning, helping students deepen their understanding of the natural world through firsthand observation and participation.
— Hernesto Galdamez
Photos courtesy Bellmore Public Schools
Third graders at Winthrop Avenue School had the opportunity to touch a frog during a special lesson by guest science instructor Brian Wallrapp on May 29.
Compiled by Herald Staff
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To
Pia Tallarico, Rockville Centre, age 9
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Dylan
Emree Tucker, Freeport, age 6
Tim Baker/Herald
Joe Reilly, Massapequa, age 3
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STEPPING OUT
Visitors learn how E.T. travels by creating a comet and launching film-canister rockets powered by dry ice and Alka-Seltzer while exploring the science of propulsion and space travel.
Investigating the ‘unknown’ At
the Cradle of Aviation UFO curiosity meets science
By Stacy Driks
Some questions have a way of capturing the imagination no matter how much time passes. Are we alone in the universe? What lies beyond our understanding of the cosmos? For those drawn to such mysteries, the Cradle of Aviation Museum offers an opportunity to explore the unknown through presentations, discussions and stories that examine some of the most intriguing phenomena ever reported.
The museum hosts “UFOlogy: Close Encounters at the Cradle,” on Saturday, a daylong event featuring investigators, astronomers, interactive exhibits and a 300-drone light show. Visitors can examine reports of unidentified aerial phenomena while exploring the curiosity, science and speculation that have fueled interest in the subject for decades.
“We thought it was a good opportunity because there’s been so much in the news and media over the past few years,” says Jen Baxmeyer, the Cradle of Aviation’s executive director. “Everyone’s been talking about it. We said, ‘Let’s use this as an opportunity to talk about some of the science and technology occurring out there and even some of the fun science that goes into investigating these things.’”
Throughout the day, everyone can explore demonstrations involving drones, astronomy and investigative technology. Activities range from comicbook creation and face painting to an alien autopsy — an alien-themed version of the classic game Operation.
Many of the elements Baxmeyer noted, are designed to disguise STEM lessons inside entertaining experiences.
“They’re not going to realize that they’re actually learning science,” she says.
One station demonstrates the physics of buoyancy and air pressure through a hovering UFO-inspired craft, while others allow visitors to experiment with drones and discover how modern aerospace technology works.
The event also has a distinctly Long Island flavor. Organizers intentionally selected local experts to participate.
Featured speakers include UFO investigator Ben Hansen, who discusses how researchers draw on fields such as physics, meteorology and mathematics to analyze sightings and videos, including cases from New York City and Connecticut.
Long Island-based researchers the Tedesco Brothers showcase the cameras, sensors and field equipment they use to document and study unusual aerial observations, offering visitors a firsthand look at the technology behind modern UFO investigations.
• Saturday, June 27, noon9:30 p.m.
• Tickets are $25, $20 children, $75 for family four-pack, also $40 for Spaceballs/ UFOlogy combo; available at cradleofaviation.org
• Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Garden City
“We’re trying to keep it Long Island,” Baxmeyer says. “Most of our organizations are local, and they’ll be talking about incidents that are very specific to Long Island.”
Among those participating are members of the Amateur Observers’ Society, who will set up solar and nighttime telescopes for public viewing. Visitors have an opportunity to learn more about astronomy while observing celestial objects through equipment operated by local enthusiasts.
As daylight fades, attention will shift outdoors for one of the day’s most anticipated attractions: a 300-drone light show produced by Grizzly Entertainment, the company behind the recent aerial display at Jones Beach on Memorial Day.
The synchronized drones create a series of aviation, aerospace and space-themed images in the night sky, with a few extraterrestrial surprises mixed in.
“We’re going to have some fun, exciting stuff,” Baxmeyer says. “We’ll have a DJ, we’re going to have our own E.T. doing kind of a kickoff dance party.
“A lot of people in the sciences shy away from talking about these types of topics. But people are interested in them. They’re talking about them on social media. Why not have the conversation here and give everyone the opportunity to learn about the science too?”
Visitors will also enjoy watching — or re-watching — “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” participate in themed activities and meet costumed characters inspired by popular science-fiction franchises and other extraterrestrial characters.
The museum also welcomes everyone to a pre-show on Friday, when visitors can screen“Spaceballs,” the 1987 sci-fi parody.
While UFOlogy makes its debut this year, museum officials are already looking ahead. A strong turnout could pave the way for the event to become an annual fixture on the museum’s calendar, much like the widely attended Cradle-Con convention.
”We’ll probably give it a few years to catch on,” Baxmeyer adds. “If people enjoy it and it grows, we’d love to keep doing it.”
For now, she — and her team — are betting that a mix of curiosity, discovery and a little extraterrestrial fun is enough to bring everyone together for a day that is, quite literally, out of this world.
The Allmost Brothers
Keep your summer of music rolling along with a killer evening of jams with the Allmost Brothers Band at the iconic Lakeside Theatre at Eisenhower Park. They’re part of a double bill with Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band Sons of Skynard. The Almost Brothers headlines at 8:30 p.m. with their rocking vibe. The popular progressive tribute act honors the tradition of the legendary Allman Brothers Band. Working within the framework of ABB’s incredible and vast songbook, The Allmost Brothers inject something new, fresh and exciting into the material. In a matter of words: high level musicianship, authentic improvisational interplay, dedication to the high octane performance, and power that established the original ABB back in 1969, and sustained their 45-year career. Bandmates Sean McGrath and and Dave Filloramo on lead guitars, Joe Wasserman on vocals and keys, Dave Losee and Dan Roth on drums, and Tom Hooker on bass truly consider themselves a band of brothers. They thrives on chemistry and improvisation, bringing a unique fire to the song book of the ABB during every performance.
Friday, June, 26, 7 p.m. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. Contact nassaucountyny. gov for more.
Hop aboard that “Midnight Train to Georgia” when the legendary soul chanteuse returns Westbury Music Fair. Gladys Knight is without a doubt one of the most influential, beloved, and important living singers on the planet. And while the Empress of Soul may have been in the business for more than 60 years now, that hasn’t stopped her from continuing to rock that beat as only she can do. The great ones endure, and Knight has long been one of the greatest.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee’s fierce vocal power, elegant precision, and heartfelt performances have cemented her as one of music’s unquestionable icons. For sure, very few singers over these many years have matched her unassailable artistry. If you’re a fan of her classic Motown-style R&B, then you’ll surely want to see her perform — on more time.You know all her hits, now hear her bring them to life once again in her inimitable style.
Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. Tickets available at livenation.com. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury.
Gladys Knight
Photos Courtesy Cradle of Aviation Museum
Extraterrestrial characters are part of the experience. Cosplayers will enchant visitors with a UFO dance party before the 300 drone light show.
A 300-drone light show serves as the day’s finale. The displays are inspired by aviation, space exploration and extraterrestrial lore.
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
JUN
Bellmore Fireman’s Fair
Enjoy a fun-filled weekend with the family. Check out carnival rides, games, entertainment.
• Where: Bellmore LIRR Station
• Time: 5-10 p.m., varied times through June 28
JUN
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.
Family movie night
North Bellmore Public Library welcomes families to a screening of the classic Disney/Pizar film “Toy Story.” With popcorn, drinks, and an NBPL giveaway for those who register in advance (as supplies allow). Also photo background for picture taking. So, grab a chair or a blanket and join in the fun. Patrons under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Dropins are welcome.
• Where: 1551 Newbridge Road
• Time: 7:45-10 p.m.
• Contact: northbellmorelibrary.org
Midsummer Nights
North Old Westbury Gardens welcomes all to picnic, stroll and relax on the longest nights of the year. The Gardens will be illuminated with lanterns and decorated with wreaths and floral arrangements. Bring a picnic dinner or purchase food and beverages on site from Café in the Woods. $25 general admission, $12 children 7-17.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: Gates open at 6 p.m., also June 27-28
• Contact: oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048
Stewart Copeland’s ‘Have I Said Too Much’
Stewart Copeland, world-famous drummer, founder of the most successful rock band of the 1980s, The Police, heads out on his first American spoken-word tour: “Have I Said Too Much - The Police, Hollywood, and other adventures.” The accomplished frontman, also a composer of film scores, video games and operas — in addition to his accolades as multi-Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, writer and film maker — is ready to talk about it all in his usual funny, intelligent, sharp, and unique way. He became an all-time great after recruiting Sting and Andy Summers into his band in 1977. They enjoyed four consecutive number one studio albums, winning Grammy and BRIT Awards, and selling a cool 75 million records. Enjoying number-one hits with “Message In A Bottle,” “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” and the multi-platinum “Every Breath You Take.” Copeland has spent the subsequent near-four decades at the forefront of contemporary music, as a rock star and acclaimed film composer, and across the worlds of opera, ballet, chamber and world music. There were two books that dealt with his remarkable life, which are all part of this evening of conversation, with photos, videos and a Q&A. JUL 14
‘Merricka 250 Block Party’
Merrick Library welcomes families to the “Merricka 250 Block Party,” kicking off the Summer Reading Challenge with barbecue, classic yard games, and activities for all ages. From friendly lawn games to festive community celebrations, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. The Paumanok Stompers, a six-piece traditional New Orleans jazz band, set the tone at 11:30 a.m., with highenergy, foot-stomping music to launch an unforgettable day of summer fun. Food available while supplies last.
• Where: 2279 Merrick Ave.
• Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Contact: merricklibrary.org
Freestyle Meets Salsa
Get in the groove at Eisenhower Park with Brenda K. Starr, Tito Puente JR., TKA/K7, Joey Cruz, La Sonora 495 and Forever Freestyle Band.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 572-0200
Inner Circle, Wayne Wonder and IRIEspect.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: (516) 572-0200
‘Yeoman of the Guard’
The Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company stages “Yeoman of the Guard.” The romantic tale unfolds in the Tower of London during the reign of Henry VIII, blending romance, humor and drama. The story follows Colonel Fairfax, unjustly condemned, who escapes execution moments after secretly marrying Elsie Maynard, leaving her torn between love and loyalty as danger closes in. Long a favorite of the Gilbert & Sullivan repertoire, The Yeomen of the Guard features some of W.S. Gilbert’s most beautiful lyrics, paired with Arthur Sullivan’s sweeping, romantic music. Its songs include the yearning “I Have a Song to Sing, O,” the bouncy patter song “A Private Buffoon Is a Light-Hearted Loon,” the ravishingly beautiful quartet “Strange Adventure,” the lyrical “Is Life a Boon?” and the comical “Hereupon We’re Both Agreed.”
• Where: Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: 3 p.m.
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
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
• Time: Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
• Contact: Call: Rich, (516) 521-4779, or Dennis, (516) 680-8036, or visit longislandharmonizers.org
building and creating together! Seasonal Sprouts offers is a LEGO-themed adventure for young explorers. Children (ages 4–10) embark on a guided outdoor tour of Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects made with LEGO bricks. Everyone discovers the wonders of nature in a fun and hands-on way. After the tour, kids can unleash their creativity in a LEGO free-play area. $22 per adult, $20 ages 62+, $12 child. Registration required.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 11 a.m.-noon and 2-3 p.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048
JULY
Live After Five
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 to date list of participating businesses, check out @ MerrickLiveAfterFive on Instagram
•
•
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
JULY
1
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.
to spend an
exploring,
Nassau honors top scholars from Class of 2026
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
Nassau County’s top academic achievers from the Class of 2026 were recognized June 5 during the annual Nassau County Council of School Superintendents celebration at the Crest Hollow Country Club, with a Bellmore-area educator helping lead the event.
The ceremony, hosted by the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents, honored public school valedictorians and salutatorians from across the county. Students, families and school leaders gathered to celebrate the graduates’ academic accomplishments and future plans.
The event also paid tribute to the legacy of Dr. James Tolle, the late former executive director of the council, whose contributions to public education throughout New York left a lasting impact.
North Bellmore Superintendent Marie Testa, who serves as president of the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents, welcomed attendees and encouraged students to view excellence as the result of consistent effort rather than a single accomplishment.
“Excellence then is not an act, but a habit,” Testa said, quoting Aristotle. “Excellence is not defined by a single test, assignment or accomplishment. It is the result of consistent effort, intellectual curiosity and the courage to embrace the challenges and to leap over those hurdles.”
The morning began with performances by the Hicksville High School String Chamber Group and the Syosset High School Adelettes. Members of the Westbury Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps presented the colors, and Plainview-Old Bethpage Superintendent Mary O’Meara delivered welcoming remarks.
A highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of
each district’s valedictorian and salutatorian. Superintendents announced the students’ college destinations and intended majors before presenting them with plaques commemorating their academic achievements.
The keynote address was delivered by Brett Roer, founder and chief executive officer of Amplify and Elevate Innovation and a former New York City public school teacher, adviser and principal. Roer urged students and parents to pause and appreciate the significance of the milestone.
“Your children have worked their entire lives to get here, and I hope you enjoy every single second of it and remember that this is what life is,” Roer said. “Right here, right now, this is life.”
Roer encouraged graduates to focus on the relationships and experiences that shaped their success rather than solely on academic accolades.
“You’re going to look at those pictures 25 years from now and you’re going to remember that moment and these people,” he said. “Look at opportunities and moments that present themselves that remind you of
your why and your purpose.”
The ceremony concluded with remarks from Bethpage Superintendent David Schneider, the council’s president-elect, who reminded students that their academic honors represent the beginning of a new chapter.
“As we close this chapter, remember that the titles of valedictorian and salutatorian are not just rewards for where you have been, they are the launch pads for where you are going,” Schneider said. “As you move on to the next chapter in your lives, the true measure of your success will not be the GPAs you maintain, but the problems you solve and the people you lift up.”
The council extended its congratulations to the Class of 2026 scholars, recognizing not only their academic accomplishments but also the leadership, curiosity and character they have demonstrated throughout their school careers.
The annual celebration recognizes the highest-achieving graduates from Nassau County’s public high schools and highlights the role educators, families and communities play in supporting student success.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1 12:00
Photos courtesy of the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents Nassau County Class of 2026 valedictorians were recognized during the NCCSS annual Celebrating Excellence Breakfast.
From mobile book trailer to the Bellmore Village
By HERNESTO GALDAMEZ hgaldamez@liherald.com
When Denise Cruz launched The Wandering Page from a trailer last year, she hoped to bring books directly to Long Island readers.
Less than a year later, that dream has grown into a permanent home.
Cruz, a Bellmore resident and Spanish teacher at H. Frank Carey High School, will open a brick-and-mortar location of The Wandering Page on Bedford Avenue in Bellmore Village on June 27, expanding the mobile bookstore she debuted in September 2025.
The new store at 103 Bedford Ave. marks the latest chapter in a business that began with book-themed merchandise sold under a tent at local fairs and evolved into a custom mobile bookstore that has drawn readers from across Long Island.
“This was always a dream of hers,” said Cruz’s husband, Juan Carlos Cruz, who recently retired from the New York City Police Department and plans to help run the store. “To open a bookstore in our own community in Bellmore and give back to our community.”
The idea for a storefront emerged earlier this year when the couple noticed a vacant storefront while walking through Bellmore Village. After several locations failed to work out, another opportunity became available across the street.
The couple signed a lease and began transforming the former law office into what Denise Cruz describes as a “third space” — a place where residents can gather, read, work and connect.
The approximately 1,100-square-foot store includes a children’s reading area, community seating, handmade literarythemed merchandise, and a selection of books curated by Cruz. Plans also include book clubs, author events, paint nights and other community gatherings.
“We wanted it to be more than just a bookstore,” Cruz said. “We wanted it to be a place where the community can come and hang out and just feel comfortable.”
The storefront will also continue partnerships developed through the mobile bookstore, including offering cold brew coffee from Buzz’d Express Coffee in North Bellmore.
Although the business now has a permanent location, Cruz said the mobile bookstore is not going anywhere.
“People love coming on the truck,” she said. “It gives people a different experience, and I don’t want to take that away.”
Public Notices
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION OF BOGOMATCH LLC. Application for Authority filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/15/2026. Office Location: Nassau County. LLC formed in DE on 04/10/2025. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 911 Harlane Circle, North Bellmore, NY 11710. Principal business address: same. DE address: c/o Northwest Registered Agent Service, Inc., 8 The Green STE B, Dover, DE 19901. Cert. of LLC filed with DE
Secretary of State, 401 Federal St., Suite 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful act. 160399
Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE TO BIDDERS VENDOR___________
Sealed proposals will be received by the Board of Education, Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, Merrick, New York at the Business Office, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New
York 11566-1500, for the following categories up to the times on the dates indicated: Bread, Rolls, Bagels July 14, 2026 10:00 am and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud. All information for the bidders, specifications and bid forms may be obtained at the abovementioned address. The Board of Education, BellmoreMerrick Central High School District, reserves the right to waive any informalities in, or reject any and all bids, or to accept that bid, or any part of that bid, which in its judgement is for the best interests of the School District.
All bid awards are pending budget approval. The School District may receive bids for the above listed items periodically during the 2026-2027 school year if necessary. These bids will not be readvertised for this purpose. The frequency of bid solicitations will be determined by operating requirements. By order: Board of Education Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District By: Joanne Finelli 160896
To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
The Wandering Page’s trailer will continue appearing at festivals, book clubs and community events across Long Island, though Cruz said operations may be scaled back somewhat as the new store gets established.
For Juan Cruz, the most rewarding part of the business has been seeing families gather around books at a time when many young people spend much of their free time online.
“Social media has taken over,” he said. “We want children and the youth to start picking up books and reading and using their imaginations.”
The couple hopes the new bookstore will serve as a gathering place for resi-
dents of all ages while strengthening Bellmore Village’s downtown business district.
“What this bookstore brings is unity,” Juan Cruz said. “Bringing these wonderful families together, sharing quality time and learning lessons through books.”
For Denise Cruz, opening the storefront represents the fulfillment of a dream years in the making.
“If I didn’t start with the tent, then I wouldn’t have needed the trailer,” she said. “And if I didn’t have the trailer, I wouldn’t be building a store now.”
The Wandering Page will celebrate its grand opening on June 27 at 11 a.m.
Photos courtesy Denise Cruz
The Wandering Page bookshop will be located at 103 Bedford Ave.
The approximately 1,100-square-foot store includes a children’s reading area, community seating, handmade literary-themed merchandise and a selection of books curated by Denise Cruz.
EDITOR/REPORTER
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 X286
OUTSIDE SALES
PRINTING
Coastal Luxury in Lido Dunes
Pinelawn Memorial Park
2 Cemetery Plots For Sale Plot M Grave 222 Range 26, Block 6, Section 40 $2,500.00 Each Total Real Value $8,000 615-444-3175 or 615-609-0332 Harrywatkins@yahoo.com
What’s involved in a net-zero home?
Q. We’re looking for a home — first-time buyers — and are interested in something we can make into a net-zero residence. Is it possible, and what are the things we’ll need to consider? Net zero is our hope, but we know we may have to settle. Some things may be way out of our price range.
A. Net zero for a home means producing as much energy as it consumes, bringing a utility balance to no expense. It’s possible, and the first thing you should look for is the orientation of the building and the location relative to problems. For example, a home near saltwater won’t allow for a well pump that will save hundreds on irrigation, and the home would need to be higher off the ground to avoid flooding, leaving greater surface exposure to cold.
You want to find a home where the back faces south and, if there’s a garage, it’s at the northeast corner, to act as a wind block. A home whose back faces south brings more daylight to kitchens, dining and recreation rooms, which are used more during the day and oriented to the backyard. Trees make a difference, too, because they provide a wind block, to reduce the time you run the boiler in the winter, as well as shade, reducing the heat on the home in summer and reducing air conditioning demand.
Make sure the property has drainage away from the home, and that shrubs are kept slightly away from the exterior walls. Where there’s more moisture, there’s more need for running a dehumidifier, which erases utility cost savings. Thermal operable window shades are helpful, but remember to open the blinds for daylight. The more sun-lit the rooms are, the lower the electric bill for lighting. And the better the windows (newer and more energy-efficient), the less heat and cool will be lost.
Look at the attic to see if insulation is uniform and thick. If you really want to save energy and dramatically reduce costs, consider re-insulating with closed-cell foam. It’s costly to install, but will pay you back in two to three years and for the rest of the time you’re in the home. Open-cell foam is less costly but also less insulating. Foam insulation is also a great sound reducer if you’re looking near a busy roadway or airport. You can also generate power and reduce utility bills substantially with solar panels, but understand that the time period to pay back is several years, often seven to 10.
What’s great is that these upgrades pay for themselves. Not many products can do that. Installing new roofing before putting up solar panels is highly recommended and, if you manage another expensive upgrade, consider a standing seam metal roof. Less-sightly solar panels can be placed on the south (rear) roof, attached to the standing fins of each roof section, and there will be no roof penetration.
Going net zero saves energy and money. Good luck!
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opinions
What it means to be a college graduate
At a time when some loud voices are questioning the value of college, I thought of my own experience.
In 11th grade, while other students were making college plans, I was uncertain of my future. Neither of my parents had gone to college. My mother died when I was 9 and my father, bankrupt from medical bills, was a single parent of two young children.
One day, my 10th-grade biology teacher, Joe Leone, stopped me in the hallway and asked, “Bobby, why haven’t you signed up for the SATs?” Why, indeed? No one had encouraged me. The guidance office, knowing my family’s circumstances, had urged me to apply to a non-selective Midwestern public university that didn’t require scores and was eager for students. With Mr. Leone’s encouragement, I took the SATs, earned a scholarship to Bucknell University, and the rest is history — a history whose critical hinge was a teacher who cared enough
to ask a question.
As a sophomore at Bucknell, I had doubts about why I was there and whether I could afford to stay, even while working 20 hours a week in the library and having saved money from summer jobs. Fortunately, my adviser, English Professor Mildred Martin, talked me into rethinking my decision to leave, and urged me to see the dean about additional scholarship aid. Together they helped me understand why I should stay, academically, and how I could stay, financially. I’ve been indebted to them ever since. Here I am, an educator who cares about students, like them.
Hing point and a foundation.
Research indicates that earning a college degree results in more career options, better health outcomes, lower rates of unemployment and greater citizen engagement. It is also reported to yield an average annual rate of return on investment of 9 to 10 percent more than a high school diploma.
igher education isn’t just about providing credentials for work.
My career path wasn’t a straight line, however. I went to college to be a minister, majored in English, got interested in advertising, joined Procter & Gamble, served in the Navy, returned to Bucknell in admissions rather than enter law school, attended an institute at Harvard and was recruited to be a junior dean at Cornell, where I earned my Ph.D. and taught sociology. Then I served in the top three posts in higher education, leading a state coordinating agency, a public college and a private university. Life can be like that. College is a start-
The goals of higher education aren’t limited to providing credentials for work. It helps students cultivate the judgment, creativity and character traits needed for success in a future no one can fully imagine. The intent is to prepare citizens with the judgment needed to advance a free society.
The purpose of any college education is to advance in knowledge, both expert in a major and general in electives and required courses; skills such as writing with coherence, grace and precision, and speaking with clarity and persuasiveness; abilities such as reasoning and leadership; and values such as regard for others and respect for diverse opinions.
College is, or should be, as much about character development and active citizenship as it is about preparation for
careers and advancement in commerce.
In recent years, about 2.5 million students have started their first year at one of the nearly 6,000 two- and four-year colleges and universities in the country. Of these, about 1,800 are private institutions and 1,900 are public. There are also about 2,300 for-profit colleges.
Unfortunately, nearly one-quarter of the students who start each year at fouryear colleges don’t continue to the second year, and before graduation, nearly another quarter will drop out. Twentyfive percent of undergraduate students are raising children or caring for dependents, and 73 percent work full time. Talk about pressure. Concerns about student success are among the reasons that many institutions have started first-year college programs designed to help students navigate and succeed in college.
These courses are designed to help students get the most out of college, to learn how to live a life of meaning and become one’s best self. I know they work because I’ve observed them and taught in them — one way of saying thank you to Professor Martin.
Dr. Robert A. Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and co-author, with Dr. Drew Bogner, of “Letters to Students: What it Means to be a College Graduate.”
The Peace Corps language lesson 35 years in the making
My plane lifted off from Long Island MacArthur Airport in June 1991. The night before, Jupiter, Mars and Venus had aligned in the night sky above my family’s home in Yaphank, in Suffolk County — an auspicious moment that foretold a journey I’m still on today.
That propeller plane — so loud it rattled inside my brain — was headed to Washington, D.C., where I attended a three-day Peace Corps orientation before traveling to Bulgaria for two years of volunteer service as an English teacher. I had joined the corps at 24, in part out of a longing to see the world beyond my hometown. I never imagined how Peace Corps service would reshape my worldview — an experience that resonates today in my teaching as a Hofstra University journalism professor.
I was among the first two dozen Peace Corps volunteers sent to Bulgaria, only 18 months after the fall of communism there. At first I felt excited to be living 4,800 miles from home in a society
that moved more slowly, more deliberately, with a deep appreciation for food and wine, art and music. Living in Veliko Tarnovo, a thousand-year-old city perched atop steep hills overlooking the Yantra River, I was happy.
I couldn’t escape the feeling, though, that I was a foreigner, an outsider, despite the many kindnesses that Bulgarians showered on me. Language, in particular, set me apart. Learning Bulgarian — really learning it — might rid me of my sense of otherness, I thought.
Mintermediate? Nothing like A.I. to offer a harsh dose of reality.
y Bulgarian fell within the “lower intermediate” range .
Then, amid my Peace Corps service, I married Katerina, a Bulgarian who taught — and still teaches — English. I wanted — needed — to feel more connected to her family, who became my family.
Katerina and I have spoken Bulgarian together, on and off, for nearly 35 years. Last summer I measured my listening, speaking, reading and writing skills with multiple A.I.-designed tests. After days of evaluation, A.I. delivered its verdict: My Bulgarian fell within the “lower intermediate” range.
I had long known that it was riddled with grammar errors, and I often struggled to pronounce many of the sounds unique to the language — but lower
I resolved to improve, and I’ve practiced and studied the language daily since. I talk with Katerina on walks through our Merrick neighborhood; read the Bulgarian-American community newspaper Sega; watch Bulgarian newscasts, TV series and movies; listen constantly to the Bulgarian alternative rock band Ostava; translate children’s books and Facebook posts; and drill with flashcards and grammar guides.
Slowly, steadily, I’ve moved up to upper intermediate. Progress has been hard-fought, though, full of minor wins rather than big breakthroughs — recalling an infrequently used word and dropping it into a sentence, pronouncing a tongue-twisting noun, deciphering word order to interpret a text.
I’m often frustrated and always humbled. I can understand 75 percent or so of spoken Bulgarian, but being able to speak it and write it quickly and eloquently is another matter entirely. As a writer and journalism professor, it’s maddening when I fumble over Bulgarian words, as I often do. Words are my currency, my livelihood. They need to flow. Based on my current progress, I’ll
likely need another three to six years of daily study to reach the advanced level of fluency.
Pushing myself to learn Bulgarian at a higher level has given me pause to think of the Latino and Haitian communities that I’ve covered and researched in Hempstead and Uniondale in recent years. I think of the immigrants who must navigate schools, workplaces, doctors’ offices and government agencies in a language they are often still learning, while negotiating an increasingly complicated and precarious immigration system.
Imagine moving through the world understanding only 75 percent of the critical information you need for daily survival — or 50 percent, or less — and dealing with the anxiety that must come with that lack of knowledge. The fear. Possibly depression.
I set out last year to improve my Bulgarian because I want to understand my wife’s culture on a deeper level, and language is central to culture. I do not, however, need Bulgarian to survive. English, on the other hand, is vital to immigrants’ daily existence in the U.S. It’s a lifeline in an increasingly hostile sea.
Scott Brinton, a former Herald executive, directs Hofstra University’s Graduate Journalism Program and coordinates its new Peace Corps Prep Program.
Herald editorial
Stronger together as America turns 250
aHERALD
s America approaches its 250th anniversary, there will be no shortage of celebrations.
There will be fireworks, parades, concerts, historical exhibits and ceremonies commemorating the nation’s founding. Those traditions are important, but the semiquincentennial should also be a moment to reflect on something deeper: the ideas, institutions and values that have enabled the United States to endure for two and a half centuries.
That reflection was encouraged recently at a Long Island Association event featuring former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Republican, and Rahm Emanuel, a Democrat whose career has included service in Congress, as mayor of Chicago, ambassador to Japan and chief of staff to President Barack Obama.
The two men represent different political philosophies, and often disagree on public policy. Yet they shared a stage, exchanged ideas and demonstrated that debate does not require hostility, and disagreement does not require contempt.
In today’s political climate, that lesson is worth revisiting.
The United States was never intended to be a nation of uniform opinions. From the earliest days of the republic, Americans have argued over the role of government, economic policy, foreign affairs and social issues. The nation’s founders themselves often disagreed vigorously.
What made the American experiment remarkable wasn’t the absence of conflict, but the ability to manage it with democratic institutions, civic engage-
letters
Do state leaders need to speak out on world affairs?
To the Editor:
ment and a commitment to a larger common purpose.
As the country turns 250, Americans would benefit from remembering that principle.
The strength of the U.S. has never come from everyone thinking alike. It comes from people bringing different experiences, perspectives and beliefs to the table while remaining invested in the success of the nation as a whole. Diversity of thought is not a weakness to overcome; it is one of the country’s greatest assets. It fuels innovation, challenges assumptions and helps communities solve problems that no single viewpoint can address alone.
And a healthy democracy requires more than debate. It requires its citizens to respect one another. That doesn’t mean surrendering convictions or avoiding difficult conversations. It means recognizing the humanity of those with whom we disagree. It means listening before responding. It means accepting that reasonable people can reach different conclusions while still caring deeply about their communities and their country.
Americans see examples of that shared connection every day, often outside politics. They gather to support local businesses, volunteer at food drives, coach youth sports, attend school concerts and celebrate community milestones. They cheer together when their favorite teams compete for championships. They fill venues like Jones Beach for summer concerts. They rally around neighbors after storms, tragedies and hardships. Those moments matter because they remind us of a simple truth: We need one another.
Re Kevin Kelly’s letter, “Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and Brown are silent on Israel,” in the June 11-17 issue: Kelly is sympathetic to the need for stronger measures to protect the Jewish community “from harassment and the threat, or actuality, of violence.” He references opinion pieces in the Herald by Assemblyman Ari Brown and State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, and he notes that neither of those state officials “offers the slightest criticisms of the Israeli government’s military response” to Hamas’s attacks on Oct. 7, 2003.
As a New Yorker who votes in statewide elections, I don’t see the need for any of our state or local elected officials to comment on issues of international import. Concern for local matters, including protection of the residents of New York, including the Jew-
No individual succeeds entirely alone. Families depend on support networks. Businesses rely on workers and customers. Communities thrive when residents contribute their time, talents and energy. The same principle applies to the nation. America’s greatest accomplishments have been achieved when people from different backgrounds worked toward a common goal despite their differences.
The story of the United States is, in many ways, a story of perseverance. Generations have faced wars, economic downturns, social upheaval, natural disasters and political divisions. Each challenge tested the country’s resolve. Time and again, Americans found ways to adapt, rebuild and move forward. That spirit remains essential today. The metaphor is simple but powerful: We are all in the same boat. Some may sit on different sides. Some may prefer a different course. Some may disagree about how fast to move or where to steer. But if everyone rows in opposite directions, the boat goes nowhere. Progress requires effort, cooperation and a recognition that our destinies are linked.
As America celebrates 250 years, the occasion should inspire more than nostalgia. It should renew our commitment to civility, perseverance and community. The ideas that divide Americans from one another are not the ideas that will shape the nation’s future.
Citizens who engage respectfully, work together and share the belief that the next chapter of the American story can be even stronger than the last will build that future. Ours is a legacy worthy of celebration.
Go to liherld.com/subscribe
opinions Declaring victory before victory
Victory used to be something that happened before anyone announced it. Increasingly, the order has been reversed.
In sports, the concept remains reassuringly clear. The game ends. Officials post the score. The winner (How ’bout those Knicks?) celebrates. The loser explains. Fans may dispute a referee’s call, but nobody expects a news conference to change the outcome.
Beyond sports, however, victory has become remarkably elastic.
Political leaders launch wars with grand objectives and sweeping promises.
Months or years later, after spending enormous amounts of blood, treasure and political capital and often achieving far less than they promised, those same leaders still claim victory. They point to a ceasefire, a withdrawal, a temporary calm or a return to the conditions that existed before the conflict began and call it success. In some cases, the conditions that prompted the war remain unchanged. The victory speech, however, arrives right on schedule.
The pattern extends beyond warfare. Governments champion policies that
Letters
ish community, is their responsibility. They are not elected to opine on international matters.
But even if they were to do so, why do they have to criticize a foreign government in order to provide a safe environment for citizens in our state? Is Kelly suggesting that the actions of a foreign government give people in New York the right to act in violation of the law, and to harass or commit violence against others here in New York? If so, he is misguided.
Regardless of how any person in New York feels about the actions taken by the State of Israel or any other matter, political or otherwise, and whether of local, state, national or international import, that person is entitled to protection from harassment and violence in New York.
Paul HaNau Woodmere
disproportionately benefit the affluent, and market those policies as victories for working families. advocates promote programs that fail to meet their stated objectives, and then redefine success around some narrower achievement. Military officials destroy a handful of targets while leaving a much larger criminal enterprise intact, and then describe the operation as a victory over the enterprise.
Politicians lose elections and declare victory anyway. Some candidates refuse to acknowledge defeat, cast the winners as impostors and recast themselves as the rightful victors.
victory, as does the candidate who loses. The nation that prevails claims victory, and the nation that withdraws claims victory because it has endured. The official who succeeds claims victory, and the official who fails does so, too, because the effort itself was noble.
C ontests no longer center on what happened, but on who defines what happened.
Different arenas, same strategy: When reality fails to cooperate, just redefine success.
Somewhere along the way, victory drifted away from accomplishment and attached itself to assertion. Public figures learned that they no longer needed to achieve victory before claiming it. They only needed to persuade enough people that victory had occurred. The announcement became the accomplishment.
For most of human history, victory and defeat described opposing conditions. One side won because another side lost. The concepts depended on each other.
Today, the candidate who wins claims
We have not expanded the meaning of victory. We have abolished its opposite.
The legendary football coach Vince lombardi famously declared, “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” Today that means something entirely different: When I win, I win. When I lose, I win. When I fail, I win. When I withdraw, I win. When I refuse to compete, I win. When my actions harm others, I still win.
Victory no longer describes an outcome. It has become an entitlement.
George Orwell saw the danger nearly 80 years ago. In “1984,” citizens drink Victory gin, smoke Victory cigarettes, and hear incessant reports of triumph while enduring scarcity, deprivation, surveillance and endless war. The irony extends beyond the products themselves. Orwell’s Party has detached the word “victory” from any recognizable condition. It no longer describes success, achievement or conquest. It simply means whatever the Party needs it to mean at any given moment.
The regime has not expanded the
Framework by Tim Baker
meaning of victory. It has dissolved meaning itself.
That insight reaches far beyond Orwell’s fictional world. Today’s most consequential victories often occur not on battlefields, in legislatures or even at ballot boxes. They occur in the narrow space between an event and the carefully crafted narrative that follows it.
The contest no longer centers on what happened. It centers on who gets to define what happened. We once assumed that victories produce compelling stories. These days, the stories themselves — whether true, false, wild, even idiotic — produce the victories, or at least the appearance of them.
Maybe that explains the enduring appeal of sports. The scoreboard remains stubbornly indifferent to rhetoric. No coach can transform a loss into a win through messaging alone. No athlete can claim a championship into existence. Reality gets the final vote.
Much of public life now operates according to a different principle. There, assertion masquerades as accomplishment. Narratives compete with outcomes. leaders claim victory before they achieve it, or after they fail to achieve it, or even when the opposite has occurred.
Which raises an uncomfortable question: If everyone is victorious, who, exactly, is winning?
Michael Blitz is professor emeritus and former chair of interdisciplinary studies at City University of New York.
