East Meadow Herald 04-24-2025

Page 1


Rain or shine, they ran for a hero

More than 100 runners braved the cold and rain at Eisenhower Park on April 12 to take part in Building Homes for Heroes’ Honoring Our Heroes 5K, supporting injured veterans, first responders, and their families. The event marked the nonprofit’s first Long Island race in nearly a decade — a homecoming for the national organization that began right here after Sept. 11. Above, event organizers joined U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen at the start of the race. Right, Nicholas, 7, and Annello, 9, from Long Beach, took part in the Kids Fun Run. Story, more photos, Page 3.

$1.00

E.M. educator: Stories of WWII ‘unsung heroes’

Throughout history, countless unsung heroes have made lasting contributions, only to be forgotten over time. Social studies teacher Howard Rosenberg wants to change that.

For the past three years, Rosenberg, 50, of East Meadow, has presented a lecture series on lesserknown historical figures at libraries across Nassau County, including the Merrick and Freeport public libraries.

T“It means a lot to present,” he said. “I think sometimes people like to hear these stories told in a public forum.”

hey made their lives better while helping people along the way, and that’s what life’s all about.

Rosenberg made his most recent presentation, on women of World War II, on April 16, at a League of Women Voters of East Nassau meeting at the Levittown Public Library.

HoWARd RoSENBERg

The league is a nonpartisan, grass-roots organization that works to protect and expand voting rights throughout the country while empowering voters through education. The East Nassau chapter encompasses Wantagh, Seaford, Levittown, Merrick, Bellmore and East Meadow. For East Nassau member Barbara Epstein, educating others about brave historical figures, especially women, is essential.

Social studies teacher

“Any additional knowledge that we gain, particularly on women, is a golden opportunity for us to realize how many different ways women affected our lives,” Epstein said.

Rosenberg, a social studies teacher at Gordon Parks Middle School, in Queens, said he is passionate about bringing attention to individuals who are often overlooked in history books.

Rosenberg’s lecture in Levittown highlighted three women who were involved in World War II: Virginia Hall, an American who served as a spy for the United Kingdom; Carolyn Fer-

Continued on page 11

Mike Monahan/Herald photos

Pope Francis dies at 88; E.M. pays tribute

Pope Francis, spiritual leader to nearly a billion Catholics around the globe, died on Easter Monday at the age of 88. In the wake of his passing, Catholic leaders across Long Island — as well as members of the broader religious community — are sharing their reflections and tributes.

Bishop John Barres who leads the Archdiocese of Rockville Centre noted the works in his statement.

“As we mourn the death of Pope Francis on this Easter Octave Monday and the gift of his contemplative global evangelization grounded in Matthew 25 and the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, we give thanks to Father, Son and Holy Spirit for his unique graces and charisms and the compelling way during his Pontificate that he has been a Light of Jesus Christ and the mission of mercy of the Catholic Church to the world,” he said.

Pope Francis was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, and just before his 17th birthday, he was hurrying to meet friends when something directed him to go into the Basilica of St. Joseph in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and moved him to become a priest. He was ordained a Jesuit priest at 33 and he became the pope in 2013 — the first from outside Europe in centuries. Pope Francis was known for his human touch. Jesuits are known for highlighting humility, aiding the poor

and having respect for indigenous people.

Kristina Hollywood of East Meadow told the Herald that she and her then-11year-old daughters, Anna and Ally, saw Pope Francis when he visited New York City in 2015. They waited for hours to catch of glimpse of him as he rode down 5th Avenue in his Popemobile. Hollywood is Methodist, but her daughters are Catholic, she said.

“I became so unexpectedly emotional and was moved to tears, and my daughters, although very young at the time, also knew they were in the presence of an extraordinary, spiritual being who evoked hope, love, unity and inspiration,”

Hollywood said. “He transcended all differences. He was a force, whose beliefs, compassion and values brought people of all walks of life, races, ethnicities and religions to respect and admire him.

“The world was extremely fortunate to have had him and his passing is a loss that can never be measured,” she added. “His life was a blessing for us all. I pray he will now be blessed with eternal life.”

“As a family of faith, we join the Church in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, a humble servant, who led with compassion and simplicity, St. Raphael Parish in East Meadow posted on Facebook. “May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”

Victoria Palumbo shared with the Herald that she had the opportunity to attend

an Easter mass at the Vatican in April of 2017. Pope Francis went right past her in St. Peter’s Square. Palumbo called the experience “amazing.”

Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in North Merrick and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Regional Catholic School in Bellmore each shared prayers on their Facebook pages in response to the Pope’s death, remarking on his influence and spiritual legacy.

State Sen. Steve Rhoads, the director of the youth ministry program at St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church in Plainview, said Pope Francis was “a global spiritual leader and tireless advocate for peace, compassion and justice,” on Monday morning. “The celebration of Easter and the gift of the resurrection underscores the enduring message of hope,” he wrote on Facebook. “As we join our Catholic brothers and sisters and people of good will around the world in mourning the loss of Pope Francis, we take heart in Christ’s promise, secure in the knowledge that Francis has indeed returned home. May he rest in eternal peace.”

Phyllis Zagano Ph.D, is senior research associate-in-residence in the Department of Religion at Hofstra University. One of the world’s foremost experts on the question of women deacons and in 2016 was appointed to serve on Pope Francis’ first commission to look at this issue. She was the only commissioner to travel from the Western Hemi-

sphere.

“Pope Francis will be remembered as the pope who opened the door to more people, especially lay people, especially women, to participate in conversations about how the Church might best move forward,” Zagano said.

Additional reporting by Jeff Bessen & Kelsie Raddziski.

Courtesy Kristina Hollywood Kristina Hollywood shared the above photo with the Herald, taken in 2015 when Pope Francis traveled to New York City.

5K showcases community love for veterans

The rain and cold stop supporters from showing up to Eisenhower Park on April 12 for the Building Homes for Heroes: Honoring Our Heroes 5K Run/ Walk, as over a hundred runners braved the weather to back a cause close to home.

Building Homes for Heroes, a nonprofit dedicated to providing mortgagefree homes for injured veterans, first responders, and their families, returned to Long Island for its first local race in about a decade. While the weather was far from ideal, the spirit of the event shined through as runners and walkers hit the course to raise funds and awareness.

The Long Island-based organization, which now has a significant national presence, has its roots in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks. Founder Andy Pujol, a businessman and philanthropist, volunteered in search and rescue efforts at Ground Zero. Inspired to support wounded veterans returning from service, Pujol launched Building Homes for Heroes with a goal of gifting just one home.

Since then, the group has expanded dramatically. “In the last few years, we’ve actually reached 40 homes a year, and we have a lofty goal to reach as many as 50 this year, in 2025,” said David Weingrad, director of communications for the nonprofit. “We build homes, we modify homes, all free for the veteran. It’s our way of saying thank you to the servicemen and women.”

Over a decade of steady growth culminated in a major milestone earlier this year, when the organization gifted its 400th home. Its work doesn’t end there.

“The struggles don’t end when they complete their deployment — they still have their whole life to figure out,” Weingrad added. “We support them with financial advisors to get their finances in order, we provide emergency funding if they have emergencies or illnesses in their family and we do team building events to bring all of our veterans together.”

The idea to bring a race back to Long Island started with Daniel Hernandez, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who has worked with Building Homes for Heroes since 2019. Hernandez took up running during the pandemic, using races as an opportunity to raise money for the nonprofit.

“Two years ago, I ran my first halfmarathon for in Virginia for Building Homes for Heroes,” Hernandez said, “and since then, I pretty much was hooked on running. One day, I was with David, and we were just talking like, ‘Why not set up a race for the company?’ I found that we did one like 10 years ago, and it never became an annual thing. So, I’m really trying my best to make it an annual thing — I want the community to know that we exist, and I know that Long Island likes to support

Runner braved the rain and cold to take part in the Building

Park on April 12. Over 150 runners departed the start line.

their veterans. This is a great way to have the community come together.”

While the turnout may have been hampered by the weather, the event still made an impact — especially in terms of visibility.

“We are a national organization, but one thing we’ve noticed is that a lot of people on Long Island don’t realize that we’re a homegrown charity,” Weingrad said. “All of the people that work in our Long Island office are from Long Island. So that was part of the inspiration for Danny to do this. We think we’re doing pretty good work, and we just want people to know we’re here, we’re local, we’re part of the community. That’s a big part of helping raise awareness.”

began at the race with a Kids

Participants at the 5K received free T-shirts, and the top 150

were awarded medals. A Kids Fun Run kicked off the morning, with the main race following shortly after.

For more about Building Homes for Heroes and how to get involved, visit BuildingHomesForHeroes.org or stop by their office at 4584 Austin Blvd. in Island Park.

finishers
Aiton Flores, Franklin Almendarez and Kevin Weldon were the top finishers.
Festivities
Fun Run.
Mike Monahan/Herald photos
Homes for Heroes: Honoring Our Heroes 5K Run/Walk at Eisenhower
Christopher, 9, from Rockville Centre, was the Kids Fun Run winner.

Plenty of pies at Barnum Woods ‘Bobcat Bob’

This year, Barnum Woods Elementary School’s Student Council in East Meadow introduced a new twist on their traditional “Pie Day” event with the exciting and spirited “Bobcat Bob.”

Held on April 4, the event brought the school community together for an afternoon of laughter and school pride. Teachers became the stars of the show as they competed to “bob” for letters submerged in whipped cream pies, using only their mouths to find and arrange the letters to spell out the school’s beloved mascot, Bobcat. The competition added a playful layer of suspense, as students eagerly cheered on their teachers from the sidelines.

Classes that raised the most money at each grade level earned VIP seating near the front of the cafeteria-turnedarena, where they had a close-up view of the messy and entertaining challenge. The room was filled with excitement, with students waving signs and showing their school spirit, while staff and administrators helped keep the event running smoothly.

While the event was full of energy and fun, its purpose was rooted in giving back. Proceeds from “Bobcat Bob” supported East Meadow High School scholarships, helping local students pursue their educational goals, and also contributed to school initiatives that benefit the Barnum Woods community. The success of the event underscored the strength of school spirit and the generosity of students, families, and staff alike.

Protecting Your Future

Spousal Refusal - Just Say No

Spousal refusal is a legally valid Medicaid planning option in New York. By way of background, certain income and assets are exempt from Medicaid if there is a spouse. Generally, the spouse at home, known as the “community spouse” may keep about $3,950 per month of the couple’s combined income and up to about $158,000 of the assets or “resources”. Not included in those figures are any other exempt assets, such as a home (up to about $1,100,000 of the equity only) and one automobile. The spouse who is being cared for in a facility is known as the “institutionalized spouse”.

Many a spouse has advised us that they simply cannot afford to live on the allowances that Medicaid provides. This is where spousal refusal comes in. We start by shifting excess assets into the name of the “community spouse”. He or she then signs a document which the elder law attorney prepares and files with the county indicating that they refuse to contribute their income and assets to the care of the ill spouse since they need those income and assets for their own care and wellbeing. Note that you may not refuse your spouse’s own income over the $3,950 per month exemption as it is not coming to you.

Once the “community spouse” invokes their right to refuse, and all of the other myriad requirements of the Medicaid application are met, the state Medicaid program must pay for the care of the institutionalized spouse.

After Medicaid has been granted, the county may institute a lawsuit seeking to recover the cost of care from the refusing spouse. Nevertheless, there are a few reasons why spousal refusal makes sense, even in light of this risk. First, in many instances, the county never invokes this right. Secondly, these lawsuits are often settled for significantly less than the cost of care provided. Thirdly, the payment to the county can sometimes be deferred until the community spouse dies. As one county attorney told us when agreeing to such an arrangement, “the county is going to be around for a long time”. Finally, even though the county may seek recovery, it is only for the Medicaid reimbursement rate and not the private pay rate. For example, if the private pay rate is $18,000 per month, which is what you would have to pay, the amount Medicaid has to pay is generally a quarter to a third less. The county may only pursue you for the amount they actually paid.

ETTINGER LAW FIRM

Photos courtesy East Meadow School District Classes created posters to cheer on their teachers during the ‘Bobcat Bob.’
On April
teachers at Barnum Woods Elementary School competed in the ‘Bobcat Bob.’

elIzABetH poIRot

West Hempstead Senior Lacrosse

TO SAY POIROT is off to an incredible start would be an understatement. A year after leading Nassau County in goals with 74 to go along with 25 assists, she’s set a torrid pace so far and has the Rams at 4-3 entering this week’s action. She scored their last seven goals April 2 in a 13-11 victory over Freeport and has a county leading 41 goals and 53 points. In 2023 as a sophomore, she scored 45 times to rank amoung Nassau’s best.

GAMES TO WATCH

Thursday, April 24

Softball: Freeport at Lynbrook ..............................4:30 p.m.

Baseball: South Side at New Hyde Park ...................5 p.m.

Baseball: Bethpage at East Meadow ........................5 p.m.

Baseball: MacArthur at Division ................................5 p.m.

Baseball: Mepham at Calhoun .................................5 p.m.

Baseball: Long Beach at Kennedy ............................5 p.m.

Softball: V.S. Central at West Hempstead ..................5 p.m.

Softball: Westbury at Hewlett ....................................5 p.m.

Softball: Mepham at Seaford ....................................5 p.m.

Softball: Wantagh at MacArthur ................................5 p.m.

Softball: Division at Plainedge ..................................5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: Calhoun at G. City (Mitchel Field) .....5 p.m.

Boys Lacrosse: North Shore at Hewlett .....................5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Long Beach at South Side ................5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: Massapequa at Wantagh ..................5 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse: V.S. District at West Hempstead ........5 p.m.

Girls Flag Football: MacArthur at Lynbrook...........6:30 p.m.

Friday, April 25

Baseball: C.S. Harbor at East Rockaway ...................5 p.m.

Baseball: Oceanside at Freeport ...............................5 p.m.

Baseball: North Shore at Malverne ...........................5 p.m.

Baseball: Sewanhaka at Lawrence ...........................5 p.m.

Softball: Massapequa at Kennedy ............................5 p.m.

Nominate a “Spotlight Athlete”

High School athletes to be featured on the Herald sports page must compete in a spring sport and have earned an AllConference award or higher last season. Please send the following information: Name, School, Grade, Sport and accomplishments to Sports@liherald.com.

Clarke still rolling on the diamond

The Clarke baseball team has shown no signs of a letting down after capturing the Nassau Class A championship last spring. In fact, it may be hard to find a weakness at all.

The Rams have mowed through the competition in 2025, winning their first eight games by a combined score of 95-10 -- five of them by the run rule – and swept Conference A-1 foe Lynbrook last week without allowing a run. They enter this week’s action 1½ games ahead of Wantagh, whom they beat last May to capture their first county title since 2019.

Clarke was three outs away from a fourth Long Island baseball title last June but lost to Kings Park after a controversial balk call scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. Rams coach Tom Abruscato dismissed the notion of there being an added incentive this season because of that loss.

“If you don’t win a state championship, I would guess we would come back and say it’s unfinished business, but we don’t talk about it,” Abruscato said. “We just talk about our expectations, and they’re the same every year.”

Junior Matthew Kurz (3-0) allowed just two hits and struck out seven in a five-inning complete game in the opener against Lynbrook on April 14 and the run he allowed against Long Island Lutheran in the season opener was the only he has yielded this season. Richard Luke (2-0) tossed a five-inning completegame three-hitter in the middle contest and fellow junior James Beckworth (3-0) followed with five scoreless innings in his first start of the season.

“We throw a lot of strikes, which is good,” Abruscato said. “Right now, we don’t have that kind of velocity, a big time 87-88 mph No. 1, but we got a bunch of 83-84 guys, but they all throw strikes, and they throw multiple pitches for strikes.”

Senior catcher A.J. Cumbo has been setting the table atop the order with a .579 average with a home run, 12 RBIs, and a team-leading 16 runs scored. Kurz

Karen Millindorf/Herald Sophomore Chase Bocci and the defending county champion Rams are off to a flying start with eight straight wins out of the gate.

is batting .462 in the second spot with 10 RBIs and senior third baseman Dylan Vikara went 4-for-4 with five RBIs in the Lynbrook finale to raise his average to an astounding .600.

Junior center fielder and cleanup hitter Micheal Iadevaia has a home run and two four-RBI games so far.

Outfielder Luke Walker has impressed in his varsity debut by collecting at least one hit in all eight games for a .500 average to go with a team-leading 15 RBIs. He drove in eight runs dur-

ing a three-game sweep against Valley Stream South and five more in the opener against Lynbrook.

“I wouldn’t say it’s been a surprise,” Abruscato said. “You never know what you’re going to get from a first-time varsity player in 10th grade and he’s done a phenomenal job.”

First baseman James Millman is riding a seven-game hitting streak, including a home run against Valley Stream South on April 8, and fellow junior Grady Rick went deep the next day.

Town hall

Laura Gillen answers questions on taxes and tariffs at Hofstra

U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen answered the questions that are on hundreds of Nassau County residents’ minds at a town hall event on April 16. Gillen, who represents a large swath of the county’s South Shore, initially spoke about her current projects in Washington. But the majority of the meeting was a questionand-answer session, with questions submitted on index cards by audience members.

Q: How will Gillen work with Republicans to eliminate the cap on the income tax deduction for state and local taxes?

Ways and Means Committee, which dictates tax policy. She co-sponsored a bill with fellow Long Island Rep. Andrew Garbarino to reinstate the full SALT deduction.

Q: How will she protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid?

Gillen: “I (joined) 200 of my colleagues in writing a letter to the administration saying that we will not tolerate cuts to Social Security, to Medicaid or to Medicare,” she said.

“We can use our voice,” she continued. “You can use your voice also to reach out to Republicans on Long Island and tell them that you will not stand for these cuts to Medicaid, and put pressure on them so that maybe they will retreat from this position.”

Q: What is she planning to

do to oppose President Trump’s “illegal removal of migrants”?

Gillen: “I, like the majority of Americans, do believe that people who are undocumented and who commit crimes should be deported,” she said.

The main problem, according to Gillen, is that the administration is not following orders from the judiciary. “I support our Constitution,” she said. “I will fight in the halls of Congress to make sure the dear principles upon which this nation was founded

are upheld, and will work with my colleagues in Congress to push back against overreach of the executive branch.”

Q: How is she working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to keep

on our caucus against any action to reduce the ability of the CDC to perform its important work,” she said.

A theme that Gillen emphasized was bipartisanship — whether with members of the administration, or with representatives across the aisle, she emphasized her desire to cooperate for the best results.

Q: Why hasn’t Congress stepped in to prevent a trade war?

Gillen: She supports a new bipartisan bill, the Trade Policy Relief Act, which would “reassert Congress’s authority over trade policy.” The bill would give Congress the authority to review any tariff policies implemented by the administration for 60 days, and to cancel a tariff it does not consider justified.

Q: Why did sheen vote for the Laken Riley Act?

Gillen: “Homeland Security has the right to detain undocumented folks who commit

Joseph D’Alessandro/Herald
U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen spoke to hundreds of her constituents about the state of the country at a town hall event at Hofstra University on April 16.

Herald gala celebrates L.I.’s top lawyers

Legal excellence and community service are honored at Heritage Club gathering of 300

Some of Long Island’s top attorneys were honored for their professional achievements and community contributions at the 2025 Herald Top Lawyers of Long Island Awards Gala at the Heritage Club in Bethpage on April 8.

More than 300 people attended the gala, where 50 of Long Island’s top attorneys, nominated by their peers, were recognized for their professional excellence and dedication to their communities.

Before the awards ceremony, attorneys gathered for a cocktail hour, where they had the opportunity to meet and connect with fellow honorees and colleagues.

Stuart Richner, president and CEO of Richner Communications Inc., opened the ceremony by thanking all of those who were in attendance for their dedication to their professions and the people they serve. “Lawyers are pivotal in navigating business and personal matters, and we admire the commitment that our honorees have to their clients and all of the institutions they serve,” Richner said.

He added that a portion of the proceeds from the gala would be donated to the WE CARE fund, the charitable arm of the Nassau County Bar Association. The gala attracted representatives from law firms across Long Island. Among those honored were Minevich Law Group, Villacorta Law Group, JAG Law Group, Schroder & Storm LLP, and Meyer Suozzi Attorneys at Law.

Thomas A. Kenniff, a criminal defense attorney and founding partner of Raiser & Kenniff P.C., was the keynote speaker. He detailed his high-profile defense of Marine veteran Daniel Penny last year, when the Long Island native was acquitted of homicide charges stemming from a fatal subway confrontation with a man who had a history of violent behavior.

Kenniff said he was humbled to speak in front of the gala honorees, and honored to be recognized by his peers as the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award.

“It’s very humbling, and it’s difficult to speak and be recognized by a crowd of this caliber,” he said. “You look around the room and see first-class attorneys, household names in the legal industry, and you can’t help but ask yourself, ‘Why me?’ It’s a tremendous honor.”

Nicholas Papain, director and managing member of Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo P.C., was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Papain, who has spent his entire career with the firm since joining it in 1978, has been a personal injury lawyer for 47 years. He has represented families of first responders to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and played a key role in securing a $700 million settlement for rescue and recovery workers.

“I represent people who have been

Hundreds attended to celebrate award winners recognition.

catastrophically injured, and offer them, through our work for them, some financial security for the losses that they have suffered,” Papain said. “It’s a huge honor, I am very humbled by it, I am very appreciative of it, and I am fortunate to be in this position.”

Other honorees included Svetlana Minevich, of the Minevich Law Group, named top health care attorney; Eduardo M. Villacorta, of Villacorta Law Group, recognized as top immigration attorney; and Marjorie Mesidor, of Mesidor PLLC, honored as top employ-

ment discrimination attorney. Mesidor said that to be recognized for what she does drives her to do well. “To be recognized for the work that you are doing is always a great motivator, particularly in times like these, where you feel like there is a lot going on in our country both socially and politically and in the legal field,” Mesidor said. “So this helps to put a little gas in your tank, so to speak, and encourages me to keep going.”

Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP was among the firms with multiple members

The Schroder and Strom, LLP team, Allison Brewi (left), Nicolette MainiMoligano, Robert Goldstein, Esq., Edward Mohlenhoff, Esq., Anthony Forzaglia, Esq., Honorees Joseph C. Packard, Esq. and Christopher P. Byrnes Esq., Jeremy May, Esq., Asad Jilani, Michael Spellman, Esq. (right).

honored, and was recognized as the Top Law Firm on Long Island for the seventh consecutive year. Managing Partner Joseph G. Milizio said that it was a great feeling to receive the award at this point in his career.

“This award is an honor, and it means that I am at a stage in my career where I am able to be recognized for the things that I have done,” he said, “and that is a great feeling.”

For a full list of honorees and to view more pictures please visit: RichnerLive. com/toplawyerawards.

Tim Baker/Herald photos
Deborah A. Kelly, Esq. from Mejias, Milgrim, Alvarado, & Lindo, P.C.
Marjorie Mesidor from Mesidor PLLC.
Platinum Sponsor, Eduardo M. Villacorta, Esq. from Villacorta Law Group.
Courtesy Nixon Peabody
Allan Cohen (left), Honorees, Ashley Mistretta, Neil Diskin, and Christopher J. Moro (right) pose for photo representing their firm, Nixon Peabody LLP.
Honorable Joseph Spinola from Resolute Systems, LLC.
Anthony A. Nozzolillo Esq. accepts his award for Real Estate Law.
Jason A. Greenberg, Esq. from JAG Law Group.
Laurette D. Mulry accepts her award for her work with Legal Aid of Suffolk County, Inc.
Matthew T. McDonough, Esq. CRE accepts his award for Municipal Law.
Charles Skop from Meyer Suozzi, English, and Klein, P.C.
Ellen N. Savino from Sahn Ward Braff Coschignano PLLC.
Neil Diskin Esq. from Nixon Peabody.
Kathryn C. Cole from Greenberg Traurig.
Michael S. Amato from Ruskin Mosco Faltischek, P.C.
Platinum Sponsor, Svetlana Minevich from Minevich Law Group, P.C.
Amy E. Bedell from Lewis Johs Avallone Aviles, LLP.
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
The Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP team, Roy Schwartz (left), Joseph Trotti, Katherin Valdez-Lazo, Theresa DeStasio, Honorees Joseph G. Milizio and Kristine Garcia-Elliott, Helen L. Tuckman, and Philip Hornberger. (right).
Nicholas Papain from Sullivan, Papain Block McManus Coffinas & Cannavo, P.C.

Easter in full bloom with the E.M. Chamber

Saturday was a beautiful day to hunt some eggs, and there was no better place to do just that than at the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Egg Hunt.

The East Meadow community came out in troves on March 30 to take part in a wonderful morning filled with fun, eggs, special characters and of course, plenty of sweet treats. The egg hunt takes place at Veterans Memorial Park, off of Prospect Avenue.

Aside from a special visit from the Easter Bunny, who was out and about meeting children and taking part in the egg hunt, several characters from Star Wars also made an appearance — including a team of Storm Troopers, and many other faces from the “dark side.” Among goodies found scattered throughout the field, there was a cotton candy machine and a face painting station.

Dressed in festive colors, and donning bunny ears and Easter baskets, egg-hunters left no spare egg or treat behind at the park. Once they were given the green light to go, they set their sights on as many eggs as they could hold.

Mason Cereoli, 3, with the Empire City Garrison and the Easter Bunny, joined by Ross Schiller, vice president of the Chamber, far left.
Jason Thomas/Herald photos
The fields of Veterans Memorial Park in East Meadow were packed with eager egg hunters.
Joseph Hiltz, 6, Jaclyn Hiltz, 5, and Maria Acceta, 5, showed off their eggs.
Imara, 3, with Sharon Bertram enjoyed the warm weather, egg hunt — and some cotton candy.
Penny Rodriguez captured the fun and her family with their prizes. At right, Nick Rodriguez, 5, Niko Rodriguez and Maria Rodriguez, 3.
Roxanne Rose, president of the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the kids to the egg hunt.

Highlights the bravery of historical figures

riday, a New York City philanthropist who aided Holocaust survivors; and Ruby Bradley, a U.S. Army Nurse Corps officer who was held as a prisoner of war.

Hall, born in Maryland in 1906, became one of the most effective Allied spies during World War II. After Nazi Germany invaded France in 1940, Hall, who was traveling Europe as she finished her college studies, joined the French resistance by volunteering as an ambulance driver.

As the occupation intensified, Hall fled to Spain, where she was recruited by the United Kingdom’s Special Operations Executive, a covert agency founded by Winston Churchill. Posing as a journalist, she built a resistance network across France and recruited nearly 90 civilians to assist the Allied cause. In 1942, she led a successful mission to help captured agents escape from Mauzac Prison in France.

Her work made her a target of the Gestapo, who dubbed her “the limping lady,” a reference to her prosthetic leg, the result of an earlier hunting accident. Despite the danger, Hall continued to operate in France under disguise, even posing as a milkmaid to transmit intelligence. Her bravery earned her

displayed extraordinary heroism.

Ferriday, a New York City socialite and philanthropist, devoted herself to helping Polish women who survived medical experiments in Ravensbrück, a Nazi concentration camp in Germany.

Known as “the rabbits” because their injuries caused them to hop, the women had endured forced infections and bone surgeries, leaving them disfigured and without support after the war.

“They did terrible things to these prisoners,” Rosenberg said. “After the fight was done, they were sick, they

their stories through news outlets. At the time, many doubted the extent of the atrocities that had taken place at the camp, Rosenberg said, but her advocacy helped shine a light on their suffering, and she pushed for their recognition.

training to treat fellow prisoners, performing more than 230 operations, delivering 13 babies, and even smuggling food to feed starving children. When the camp was liberated in 1945, Bradley weighed just 86 pounds.

She continued to serve after the war, Rosenberg noted, working in evacuation hospitals during the Korean War. She retired from the Army in 1963, having received a total of 34 medals throughout her service, but remained a nurse for the rest of her life.

Epstein said it was “mind-boggling” how many women remain unknown despite their contributions not only to the United States, but to the world. League Treasurer Peggy Stein said she appreciated the presentation’s focus on courageous women during the war, and hoped that more of their stories would be brought to light.

“It’s unfortunate that a lot of contributions people make, you just don’t hear about them,” Stein said. “They’re just not the ones that are highlighted.”

Rosenberg said he hoped to one day turn his presentations on unsung heroes into a book. Until then, he planned to continue sharing stories of bravery, especially those of Hall, Ferriday and Bradley.

“All three women were cut from the

The third woman Rosenberg highlighted was Bradley, a U.S. Army nurse who was born in Virginia. After high school, she joined the military, and she was captured by Japanese forces shortly after they attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, and she spent more than three years in a prisoner of war camp in the Philip-

Ferriday traveled to Europe to meet the survivors and brought attention to

Charles Shaw/Herald
at a League of Women Voters event, social studies teacher and east meadow resident Howard rosenberg told the stories of three unsung heroines of World War ii,

things to know Long isLAnD toURisM

Discover Long Island gears up for busy tourism season

Discover Long Island, the marketing organization promoting Long Island to the world, held its annual meeting and legislative breakfast at Hilton Long Island on March 14.

Discover LI presented its agenda for the year and premiered its new YouBelong campaign, featuring stories of local Long Islanders and business owners. “2025 is already proving to be a monumental year, and there is much more on the horizon,” said Mitchell Pally, chairman of the Discover LI board of directors.

In 2023, travelers spent $7.5 billion while visiting Long Island, in large part as a result of Discover Long Island’s global marketing of the region as a premier travel destination. With events like the 2025 Ryder Cup, the 100th anniversary of “The Great Gatsby” and the 2026 NHL All-Star Game, Long Island is expecting an unprecedented number of visitors in the coming months.

The role of tourism in boosting the local economy

The goal of Discover LI is to increase tourism in the region, because tourism drives revenue across the Island. Over 42 million tourists visited Long Island in 2023, generating $900 million in local and state tax revenue. During peak season, tourism generates over 100,000 jobs.

With 11 social media channels and over 10 million followers, Discover LI promotes Long Island tourism to audiences around the globe.

Targeting high-value

international

visitors and

promoting

local exploration

Discover LI’s team attends tourism trade shows around the world to promote Long Island internationally. They target high-value visitors who spend more when they visit. When travelers come to LI from outside the region, they spend on hotels, dining and activities.

And Discover LI isn’t ignoring residents, featuring hyper-local marketing that aims to acquaint Long Islanders with new experiences in their own backyards.

Discover LI’s digital advances, with NearMe app and AI implementation

Discover LI has made strides in digital options for those planning a visit. Its AI chatbot, LiLi, was launched in 2024, and has since sent 6,071 messages. LiLi speaks a number of languages, and has saved Discover LI staff more than 200 hours of work.

The Discover LI app, which has seen a 300 percent increase in downloads since 2024, generates suggestions for dining and entertainment near users and provides information about the area. There is also a section of the website that allow users to buy tickets for various events without leaving the Discover LI page.

STEPPING OUT

An Evening with Misty Copeland

pring is calling — and there’s no better place to answer than at Old Westbury Gardens. As blooms burst into color and we shake off winter — and early spring’s chill — the beloved 200-acre historic estate is the perfect place to be.

Now a few weeks into its re-opening, this idyllic landmark is ready to enchant visitors with its lush gardens, a refreshed Westbury House and a calendar packed with events and activities. And this momentous season marks the conclusion of its 65th anniversary year as a public garden and historic home.

For Maura Brush, Old Westbury Gardens’ president and horticulturist extraordinaire, the milestone continues to carry a deep meaning.

“Our anniversary year is still ongoing and we have so much to offer,” she says. “And we’re excited about the event we have planned for the 100th anniversary of ‘The Great Gatsby’ being published.”

Gatsby enthusiasts will have to wait for fall to celebrate iconic novel. In the meantime, there’s so much to enjoy — right now.

“When the gardens first opened to the public, it was Peggy Phipps and her friends who helped usher in that new chapter. Sixty-five years later, we’re still here, thriving,” Brush says. It’s a real testament to how loved these gardens are.”

Indeed, it’s not just about surviving — it’s about flourishing. The estate, once home to prominent lawyer John Shaffer Phipps, draws record numbers of visitors and members alike, year after year, enticed by its historic charm and horticultural magic.

And that magic begins the moment you step through the gates.

“All winter long you’re sort of just looking for any signs of life in the garden,” Brush says, about the transition to spring.

“The smallest snowdrop or crocus means the world. And then when you hit this time of year it feels like I can take a walk in the garden in the morning, and by the afternoon something else has sprung up. I love that the garden really changes almost day to day.”

One of her favorite early spring spots? The serene lakeside.

“In the early part of the season, the lake areas are just

Old Westbury Gardens sets its sights on the exciting conclusion of a milestone anniversary year

stunning. The trees haven’t fully leafed out yet, so the

stunning. The trees haven’t fully leafed out yet, so the sunlight dances on the water,” she says.

Keep your eyes open for some of the garden’s wildest residents: turtles sunning on logs, ducks gliding and birdsong echoing through the trees.

“This time of year you start to see the turtles more,” she notes. “The logs are filled with those turtles trying to get their Vitamin D, getting any sun they can.”

Just like us.

• Old Westbury Gardens

71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• For more information and program/events schedule visit oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048

Another mustvisit is the delightful Primrose Path, at its peak in April through mid-May. Here, you’ll find delicate primroses in vibrant hues, forget-me-nots and a scattering of ephemerals — in an expression seasonal joy.

As spring progresses, Old Westbury Gardens transforms week by week. Daffodils, fritillaria, tulips, and more unfurl in careful succession, planned and planted by Brush’s dedicated team.

Of course, you’ll want to head over to the Walled Garden where tulips are in spring’s spotlight.

“The tulips change every year. What we really try to do is create a display that starts with the very early spring tulips and goes to the late bloomers,” Brush explains.

Some appear in early April while others flower closer to May, or even in the middle of May.

“We take a lot of pride in the tulip display,” she continues. “The combinations are very thoughtful. We’ll find a tulip that we really like and then we’ll try to find a pansy or some other annual that has some colors that bring out the tulip’s color and coordinate with that tulip. One row might be very ‘hot’ with ambers and yellows and oranges and then the center aisle will be very ‘cool’ with pale pink and silvery blues and purples. The Walled Garden is a masterpiece.”

Each year Old Westbury Gardens offers a soul-refreshing way to celebrate spring’s return. Plus the extensive schedule of programs enhances its surroundings — and its rich heritage.

“I am especially proud of the dynamic public programming we have curated,” Brush says.“Beloved favorites like Dog Days and Midsummer Nights return, alongside exciting new additions. From inspiring art programs and wellness, we always have a rich roster of programming because that’s who we are.

“It’s a legacy to the Phipps family that their lovely home is so enjoyed by so many people. I think that’s what Peggy envisioned when she so generously gifted Old Westbury Gardens. She had a very happy childhood and life here. Her vision was she would be able to share some of that with the generations to come after her.

And that’s exactly what she’s done.”

So go ahead — let spring sweep you away. The gates are open, the flowers are blooming and it’s all more spectacular than ever.

Experience an intimate and inspiring night with Misty Copeland, the trailblazing ballerina who made history as the first Black female principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre. Hear her incredible journey, from overcoming obstacles to becoming a global icon in the dance world and beyond. Copeland has often spoken out about being “different” in the ballet scene. From living in a motel to dancing on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House, her story of perseverance through poverty, racism, and overcoming setbacks from injury has made Copeland an inspiring figure to millions. She is joined in conversation by screenwriterauthor-producer Susan Fales-Hill. She reflects on lessons learned, the remarkable mentors who have guided her on her path and her hopes and aspirations for the future. Also enjoy a performance by members of the prestigious ABT Studio Company, media from Misty’s legendary and trailblazing career, and some surprises, including students of Copeland’s Be Bold program, her groundbreaking afterschool dance initiative.

Saturday, April 26, 7:30 p.m. LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Jessie’s Girl

Drag out that neon once again and give your hair its best ‘80s ‘do. Those wild days are back — as only Jessie’s Girl can pull off, on the Paramount stage. The band of NYC’s top rock/ pop musicians and singers gets everyone into that “Back To The Eighties” vibe with the latest edition of their popular concert experience. With a lineup including four pop-rock vocalists dressing and performing as 80s icons, backed by a dynamic band, this is the definitive ‘80s experience. Throw on top of that: a load of super-fun choreography, audience participation, props, costumes bubbles, and confetti — and you have a party that audiences don’t want to leave. Jessie’s Girl has mastered over-the-top renditions of the some of world’s most unforgettable songs, all while dressed up as the iconic characters of that decade. Theater meets live music — covered with a load of ‘80s glitz.

Saturday, April 26, 8 p.m. $49.50, $37.50, $35, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

Photos courtesy Old Westbury Gardens Old Westbury Gardens enchants visitors with brilliant pops of color.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

APR

On Exhibit Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, the original “Deco at 100” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Paris International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts (Exposition internationale des arts décoratifs et industriels modernes) that publicly launched the movement. The direct follow-up to the wellreceived 2023 exhibit, “Our Gilded Age,” it comparably links the period’s signature innovation in the decorative arts, Art Deco, to the fine arts. On view through June 15.

•Where: 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor.

•Time: Ongoing

•Contact: (516) 484-9337 or nassaumuseum.org

‘Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!’

The beloved musical adventure, ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved award-winning, best-selling children’s books, is back on stage at Long Island Children’s Museum. Willems’ classic characters Elephant and Piggie storm the stage in a rollicking musical romp filled with plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense perfect for young audiences.

•Where: Museum Row, Garden City

•Time: Also April 27, April 30-May 1, times vary

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

Movie showing

The American Legion in East Meadow hosts a screening of ‘”Hillbilly Elegy,” the biopic of Vice President J.D. Vance. $10 fee, pay at door; bring snacks and drinks

•Where: 294 Bellmore Road, East Meadow

•Time: 7 p.m.

APR

26

EMCon

East Meadow’s EMCon, a pop culture convention, is back at East Meadow Library, through April 27.

•Where: 1886 Front St., East Meadow

•Time: Starts at 10 a.m., both days

•Contact: eastmeadow.info

Earth Day Beach Cleanup

Celebrate Earth Day at beautiful Sands Preserve Preserve! Join

MAY 2

Pink Talking Fish

$35 seniors.

•Where: Plaza’s stage at Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont.

• Time: 2 p.m.

•Contact: plazatheatrical.com or call (516) 599-6870.

MAY

2

Long Island Marathon Weekend

The Long Island Marathon and additional races return to Eisenhower Park with three days packed with races for runners of all ages and abilities, through May 4.

•Where: Eisenhower Park, East Meadow

•Time: Varying times on Friday, Saturday & Sunday

•Contact: RunSignUp.com/ Race/NY/EastMeadow/ LongIslandMarathon

MAY

•Where: Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington

• Time: 8 p.m.

•Contact: landmarkonmainstreet.org.

Three mammoth bands. Three musical phenomenons. One idea inspired by love of the music. That’s Pink Talking Fish. The hybrid tribute fusion act takes the music from three iconic bands creating a remarkable musical jam. PTF brings their unique sound to the Landmark on Main Street stage, on their latest tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of the incredible Pink Floyd album “Wish You Were Here.” This show consists of two sets. The first will be a full rendition of this epic album from start to finish, with “Classic PTF” combinations in the second set. “Wish You Were Here” is extremely meaningful to the band members and so many music lovers around the world and PTF is thrilled to bring this album to life in 2025. Although the music from each act is different, PTF has discovered that fusing the material together creates an amazing story. The epic emotion of Pink Floyd; the funky, danceable layerings of The Talking Heads; the styles, unique compositional structures and pure fun of Phish — to merge these three into one gives music lovers a special experience. Tickets are $49 and $46.

the efforts to help prevent plastic and other harmful materials from polluting our oceans and help keep the preserve’s shoreline clean. Bring your own gloves, all other materials will be provided. No registration is required. All beach cleanup volunteers receive free admission to the Preserve, as a thank you for their help in this important mission.

•Where: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point

•Time: noon-2 p.m.

•Contact: sandspointpreserveconservancy. org or call (516) 570-2185 or email info@sandspointpreserve. org

Giada Valenti’s ‘From Italy with Love’

Enjoy an evening of romantic songs in English, Italian and Spanish at the Madison Theatre. This exquisite concerts celebrates the enchantment of Italy, showcasing the captivating persona and velvety vocals of Giada Valenti. Her voice evokes memories of Celine Dion’s powerful vocals blended with the charm of Edith Piaf, accompanied by remarkable special guests. Hailing from Venice, Giada promises an unforgettable performance filled with passion, emotion, and pure musical artistry. From the hauntingly beautiful “The Prayer” to the romantic “A Place

for Us” from Romeo and Juliet, she mesmerizes with stunning interpretations of beloved tunes.

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

•Time: 7 p.m.

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

APR

27

Boater and Jet Ski Certification Class

Get ready for the summertime with a class that will teach you boating and jet ski safety practices at Allstate in East Meadow.

•Where: 1576 Front St., East Meadow

• Time: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

•Contact: (516) 325-1251

APR 29

Brew-RE 9 at Garden Social Brew RE-9 offers an evening for real estate professionals at Garden Social, featuring craft brews and networking. Cost: $45 per person

•Where: 1964 Hempstead Turnpike

• Time: 5:30-9 p.m.

Kiwanis meeting

East Meadow Kiwanis will meet and hoist a CPR training and certification class.

•Where: 197 East Meadow Ave., East Meadow

•Time: 6 p.m.

•Contact: Melody Schiller, (516) 639-5149

Tech Help

East Meadow Public Library offers a technology assistance program, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

•Where: 1886 Front Street, East Meadow

•Time: 2-4 p.m.

•Contact: EastMeadow.info

APR

Feel the beat with Carole’s Kings

Plaza Theatricals continues its tribute series with a lively look at the Carole King songbook. The iconic singer-songwriter gets a brand-new sound with Carole’s Kings, the world’s first all-male Carole King tribute. This dynamic performance is jam-packed with chart-topping sensations such as “The Locomotion,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” and many more. $40,

3

‘Bridgerton’inspired dance workshop

Learn to dance like Simon and Daphne! Enjoy an hour of grace and merriment at Old Westbury Gardens and learn some of the dances from the “Bridgerton” and “Queen Charlotte” series. No experience is necessary and no partner is needed. Instructor Susan de Guardiola guides participants through easy choreographies inspired from the TV series and talks about how the Bridgerton dances differ from the dances of the actual Regency/Jane Austen era. Ages 16+ welcome.

•Where: The Barn at Orchard Hill, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

•Time: Noon-1 p.m.

•Contact: oldwestburygardens. 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.

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

Index#603508/2024

Date Filed 03/26/2025

Plaintiff designates Nassau County as the Place of Trial Designation of Venue is based upon the situs of the Subject Property HSBC Bank USA, N.A., as Indenture Trustee for the Registered Noteholders of Renaissance Home Equity Loan Trust

2007-1 Plaintiff, -against-

Irlande Cherubin, if she be living or if she be dead, her spouses, heirs, devisees, distributes and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to Plaintiff; State of New York, “JOHN DOE#1” through “JOHN DOE #12”, the last twelve names being fictious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the Subject Property described in the Complaint, Defendants.

SUBJECT PROPERTY:

5 Greentree Circle, Westbury, NY 11590 TO THE ABOVENAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff’s Attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York) in the event the United States of America is made a party defendant, the time to answer for the said United States of America shall not expire until sixty (60) days after service of the Summons; and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED

DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Sarika Kapoor, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Nassau County, entered March 24, 2025 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage dated January 8, 2007 and recorded on February 5, 2007 in Liber M 31512 of Mortgages, Page 160, covering premises known as 5 Greentree Circle, Westbury, NY 11590 a/k/a Section 17, Block 2, Lot 35.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure auction. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Dated: October 8, 2024 Rochester, NY LOGS Legal Group LLP

By: Frank M. Cassara, Esq.

Attorney for Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624

Telephone: (585)247-9000 File No. 23-095401#102212 152650

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, -againstGERARDO PENATE, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on February 24, 2025, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION is the Plaintiff and GERARDO PENATE, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on May 12, 2025 at 2:00PM, premises known as 2456 8TH STREET, EAST MEADOW, NY 11554; and the following tax map identification: 50-45-11, 12, 13 & 14.

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 602170/2020.

Jane P. Shrenkel, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 152864

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Flagstar Bank, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST Kelvin Puello a/k/a Kelvin R. Puello, Wendy Puello, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered July 5, 2024, 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 May 12, 2025 at 2:30PM, premises known as 518 Benine Road, Westbury, NY 11590. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings

and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Westbury, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 10, Block: 325, Lot: 6. Approximate amount of judgment $715,871.39 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #602386/2020. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Wayne Wink, Esq., Referee Frenkel Lambert Weiss Weisman & Gordon, LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-093408-F00 84882 152777

elevate the Conversation

Hitting the target

It’s been a while but the process is easily recalled, like riding a bike. Target announces a collaboration (this time with Kate Spade) and my old competitive spirit to see the line comes out.

For us, the Tuesday before the Saturday availability of adult and children’s clothes, accessories, housewares, candy and decorations is a time to look at pages on the website. I admit to be among the masses, enticed shoppers eager to get a piece of designer wear that’s less than designer prices and untouched (so far, it seems) by tariffs.

unicorn in the crowd: protected from the rain by a bright red hooded jacket and blue jeans. I’m number six in line and poised for action.

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE, IN TRUST FOR REGISTERED HOLDERS OF LONG BEACH MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2006-3, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-3, Plaintiff, vs. GERARDO CARBAJAL, Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 2, 2018, and a Proposed Order duly entered on February 26, 2020, 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 May 19, 2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 2269 Roosevelt Avenue, East Meadow, NY 11554. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at East Meadow, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50, Block 205 and Lots 25, 26, 27 and 28. Approximate amount of judgment is $711,290.24 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #012037/2014. Gregg Sidoti, Esq., Referee

I have a video chat with my daughter, both of us scrolling page after page on our independent laptops as we handicap all the goods. Although I rarely shop, this is a chance to compare tastes, question looks and put the products in priority: need, want, meh.

This results in a short list made shorter via our final review with only questions about the fabrics and designs. Even with my paper notes, this information allows me to memorize what I want to find at the local store and avoid the 3 a.m. online ordering. I’m loyal and determined, but not THAT loyal and determined.

A half-hour before the store opens I pull up to see three women already in line hanging with the store associate/ security guard who was unfortunate enough to get this assignment. It’s a mild-mannered crowd all fully dressed in black jackets and yoga (athleisure) pants, most talking of the aforementioned 3 a.m. ordering process. I am the

Just past the glass door entrance I watch certain products get quickly snapped up as I enter the lobby and head to the display. There are two things I seek before examining any other items and I carry my choices in my arms (muscle memory given years of working retail) until that security guard offers me a red cart. From then it’s a short series of decisions: take the larger size because it’s barely bigger than the smaller one, discard the knitted garments that just won’t work, select a blouse and skirt that will ultimately be returned (not a good look) and watch a shopper wax poetic about the dress that was unanimously dismissed by the Levs just a few short days ago. From outside line to cashier for purchase? Under sixty minutes: half hour to wait, half hour to shop. Might be a new Lev record.

And as for that riding a bike analogy? As I wish the associate who had chaperoned the crowd a good day he affirms that someone has bought the Kate Spade/Schwinn bikes that were on display as well.

I’ll pass, thanks.

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.

Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, 10 Bank Street, Suite 700, White Plains, New York 10606, Attorneys for Plaintiff 152976

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 RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. JOHN W. MILLER, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 18, 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 May 29,

2025 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 863 Prospect Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of North Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 11, Block 3 and Lot 45. Approximate amount of judgment is $537,817.86 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of

filed Judgment Index #604506/2023. Cash will not be accepted. Joy S. Bunch, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 153089

L auren L ev

But Not Necessary

per Hour 516-379-4900

CNA: MALE & FEMALE CAREGIVERS Experienced with a wide range of Medical Care including Dementia, Alzheimer's & Parkinson Patients. Caring & Dependable. Driver. References Available. Derrick@917-363-8924 Business/Opportunities

Rare Triplex – Endless Possibilities

For Rent

LRedoing a basement before the tariffs kick in

Q. We bought our home three years ago, and are finally ready to finish our basement to make a family room, guest bedroom and a bathroom while enclosing our laundry. Right now it’s just a big open space with a lot of columns. The ceiling is low, and we’ve had estimates to cut down the basement floor. It seems like a lot of money to do all these things at once, but we understand that we need to do it before the prices for materials, as we’ve been warned, go a lot higher. We want to know what needs to be done if we want to lower the floor, take out two columns so our recreation room is bigger, and put in a bathroom. Is there any way to save money?

A. I doubt that you’ll save money, since you are correct that prices are creeping up, but only because of the uncertainty of markets. It seems that the Canada lumber tariffs may not take affect so rapidly, because Congress — including those from both sides of the aisle — is reportedly working on bills to stop the economic strife with our neighbor to the north. But it’s anybody’s guess, right now, day to day.

Estate

BUY HOUSES for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three

process: Call, get cash offer and get

Get your fair cash offer today by call-

Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670

LINDENHURST: BRIGHT, Clean, Private 1 King BR, EIK, Fbth, LR, Second Floor. Background/ Credit Check. $1800 Plus Electric. 631-902-9791

FREEPORT: 23 S. Main Street, 3 Office Suite, Furnished, Immaculate, Elevator, Computer Room, Secretarial Area, Close To LIRR, Open Parking. Reasonable Rate. Call Stephen 516-678-9797 Cemetery Plots

CEMETERY PLOT FOR TWO For Sale: Pinelawn Cemetery. Garden Of Normandy North. Price Negotiable. 516-375-1905

Basements have always seemed so minor when compared with additions and other renovations, but there are many safety codes you should become familiar with. First, many jurisdictions disallow any sleeping room in basements. Bathrooms are allowed in most jurisdictions, but verify whether a bathing fixture, shower or tub, is allowed. Some will only allow a toilet and sink.

You also need a second means of escape from the main room, not just the staircase you already have from the first floor. You’ll need an escape window or stairwell to the outside. If you choose a window, the sill can’t be more than 44 inches above the floor, and the window must have at least 5.7 square feet of clear opening, swinging outward into a 9-squarefoot (3 feet by 3 feet minimum) area of escape well with a ladder to get out to the ground level. I’ve watched these escape wells go from $3,500 to $12,000 over the past decade.

You will also be required to insulate the basement walls, and insulation must meet the State Energy Code, because when the basement is done legally, with a permit, it must pass the energy code analysis submission to the state’s website portal.

Many people, hearing all these requirements, elect to skirt the rules by hiring someone who does what they think will pass. When you are required to legalize the work, as the responsible party (the homeowner) in the process, sometimes work has to be redone because someone missed something. There’s a reason that professionals have to be involved, and it’s best not to try to save money by avoiding the inevitable, because experience teaches that the rules don’t get simpler over time. More next week.

© 2022 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,

Stuff HERALD

HOOVER HOUSEHOLD HEAVY DUTY RUG SHAMPOO Machine with all Attachments, and Cleaning Supplies. $85 516-486-7941

QUARTERS: ALL FIFTY STATES: Uncirculated, in presentation folders. $50. 516-486-7941 SERVICES

Brick/Block/Concrete/Masonry

***MASONRY & CONSTRUCTION*** EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS! GIUSEPPE MUCCIACCIARO We Do Pavers, Cultured Stone, Concrete, Bluestone, Blacktop, Fireplace, Patio, Waterproofing, Walkways, Pool Work. Lic#H2204320000 Family Operation Over 40Years. 516-238-6287

Cable/TV/Wiring

Get DISH Satellite TV + Internet! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069

Electricians

E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All Types Residential/Commercial Wiring, Generators, Telephone/Data, Home Entertainment, Service Upgrades, Pools, Spas. Services/Repairs. Violations Removed. Free Estimates Low Rates. 516-785-0646 Lic/Ins.

Floors

AVISTA FLOORING

Professional Floors * Great Prices! Installations * Refinishing Repairs * Dustless FAMILY OWNED FREE ESTIMATES!

516-599-7304 * Avistaflooring.com Lic/Ins #H1505310000

Handyman

PAINTING & HANDYMAN SERVICE

Tired of calling a contractor & they don't call back? I will call you back the same day! 917-822-0225 Ricky Specializing in carpentry, bathrooms, kitchens, sheetrock, flooring, electric, plumbing. Over 25 yrs exp.Lic/Ins H3805150000

Painting

*PROFESSIONAL PAINTER* Repairs, Wallpaper, Moldings & More! Free Estimates Ins/Lic#H0106110000 Please Call Sal Today! 516.343.2152

Power Washing

POWERWASHING ALL SURFACES: Houses, Fences, Concrete/ Brick, Decks/Sealing. ANTHONY & J HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. 516-678-6641

Services

AGING ROOF? NEW HOMEOWNER? STORM DAMAGE? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-833-880-7679

PEST CONTROL: PROTECT YOUR HOME from pests safely and affordably. Roaches, Bed Bugs, Rodent, Termite, Spiders and other pests. Locally owned and affordable. Call for service or an inspection today! 1-833-549-0598 Have zip code of property ready when calling!

Telephone Services

CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682

ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Discover Oxygen Therapy That Moves with You with Inogen Portable Oxygen Concentrators. FREE information kit. Call 1-833-661-4172

ATTENTION: VIAGRA AND CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-833-641-6397

HEARING AIDS!! HIGH-QUALITY rechargeable, powerful Audien hearing aids priced 90% less than competitors. Tiny and NEARLY INVISIBLE! 45-day money back guarantee! 855-819-7060

Legal Services

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT? Don't Accept the insurance company's first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest

Hands off our health care, Governor Hochul

Gov. Kathy Hochul has finally confirmed what many of us have long suspected: The deliberate and calculated withholding of hundreds of millions of dollars from Nassau University Medical Center was never just an unfortunate budgeting decision — it was a setup. A setup designed to justify a hostile state takeover of our county hospital, which Hochul has now tried to sneak into this year’s budget without transparency, without accountability, and without consent from the very people who rely on this facility every day. Let me be absolutely clear: Hands off our health care, Governor.

NUMC isn’t just any hospital. It is Nassau County’s only safety-net hospital, providing care to over 1.4 million residents, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. It serves workingclass families, first responders, veterans, seniors and some of our most vulnerable neighbors. It is a cornerstone of Long Island’s health care network, and the only option for urgent and lifesaving care for many. NUMC doesn’t belong to

Albany. It doesn’t belong to Hochul. It belongs to the people of Nassau County. Are there challenges at the hospital?

Of course. No one denies that it has faced significant operational and financial headwinds — some self-inflicted — but its challenges have built up over time, not overnight. The solution is not to suffocate it by withholding desperately needed funding, only to later claim that the hospital is too weak to survive on its own and must be taken over by the state. That isn’t governance — that is sabotage.

The role of the state is to support struggling hospitals, not seize them.

The governor’s actions are not only deeply irresponsible; they are also dangerous. At a time when New York’s health care system is already under enormous strain, her plan to consolidate control over NUMC threatens to destabilize it. If she succeeds, the consequences will be real and immediate for over 200,000 patients the hospital treats every year, and for other health care systems that will be forced to deal with the overflow. Over 80 percent of NUMC’s patients are either Medicare/Medicaid recipients or have no insurance at all. Are other hospitals ready to absorb them? This isn’t just a power grab — it’s a health care crisis in the making.

What makes this even more egregious is that NUMC, under its current

leadership team, has taken meaningful, successful steps toward reform. We’ve seen critical changes: expansion of services, renewed commitment to patient care, improved staff morale, a Gold Seal of Approval from a nationwide hospital-accrediting organization, an upgrade to an A patient safety rating and the early stages of financial recovery, cutting operating expenses while increasing revenues and preserving its workforce. These improvements didn’t come easy. They came from hard work, local commitment, and a shared belief that NUMC can succeed as a community-led institution.

Rather than support these efforts, Hochul’s approach has been to actively undermine them. By way of comparison, SUNY Downstate, another safetynet hospital in Brooklyn, has received over $1.1 billion in state aid over the past two years. NUMC has received nothing. It has also been shut out of funding from the state’s Distressed Hospital Fund, which helps sustain safetynet hospitals in financial difficulty. The governor is creating winners and losers and, as usual under her leadership, Long Island loses. By refusing to release the funding that NUMC has earned and deserves, the state is jeopardizing the

progress already made. The message from Albany is clear: Success under local leadership will not be tolerated if it doesn’t serve her political interests. Let me remind Hochul: the role of the state is to support struggling hospitals, not seize them. If she truly cared about NUMC’s patients, health care workers and our county’s future, she would be working with us, not against us. She would release the funds that were promised. She would be investing in infrastructure, staff retention and improved care — not plotting a takeover behind closed doors.

I’m proud to stand with my Republican colleagues from Long Island in the Senate and Assembly, who have fought tooth and nail to stop this dangerous plan. I’m also encouraged to see some Democrats join us. This isn’t a partisan issue — it’s a community issue. It’s a moral issue. And it’s one that demands courage from every elected official who claims to represent the people of Nassau County.

We must not allow Albany to dictate the future of our hospital. We must not allow political maneuvering to override patients’ needs. And we absolutely must not let our only safety-net hospital be used as a bargaining chip in budget negotiations. NUMC belongs in Nassau hands — and that’s where it should stay.

Steve Rhoads represents the 5th State Senate District.

Liberty Water customers, we need your help

Picking up right where we left off last legislative session, the Liberty Water team has been hard at work, talking with New York’s elected officials about providing meaningful rate relief to customers. Currently, roughly 30 percent of a Liberty customer’s bill is made up of taxes that provide no benefit to the water system itself. The disproportionate level of taxes paid by our customers unnecessarily drives up the cost of water. That is unjust, but thankfully, we are keeping up the momentum from last year’s efforts to eliminate the special franchise tax — which makes up a significant portion of the overall taxes paid by Liberty customers — and to provide access to the state’s drinking water infrastructure grant programs. Once again, we are

asking our customers to join us in this fight in Albany, and use the tools we have created to make their voices heard.

JStopthehiddentax.org is our advocacy website, and we encourage every Liberty New York Water customer to visit and use it to take action. Showing your support for these legislative changes is very simple. Visit the website, click on the “Take Action” tab and fill out some basic information. Once it is submitted, a letter will automatically be sent on your behalf to key decision-makers who can move this legislation forward.

extremely impactful, and will build on the nearly 60,000 letters that have been sent to elected officials in the past year.

oin us in the fight in Albany to stop the hidden taxes and lower your water bills.

Showing overwhelming support from our customers for this legislative change will move the needle. If you are one of the more than 3,600 Liberty customers who have already taken action through the site, take action again. The continuous reinforcement to our elected officials that you want to see these cost-saving efforts become a reality is

As a company, we continue to make a strong case to the prominent policymakers on behalf of our customers, and the message is resonating. Legislation to eliminate the special franchise tax as well as to provide access to public grant funding has been introduced again this year. Right now it is vital that the elected officials responsible for moving the bill through the legislative process hear from our customers. For those who want to see lower water bills, going to Stopthehiddentax. org and sending a letter to state leaders takes less than five minutes, and policymakers won’t be able to ignore the voices of our 125,000 customers.

While the taxes collected do help fund local taxing jurisdictions, it is our firm belief that these taxes should not be collected through customer water bills. Making matters worse, our cus-

tomers are the only ones in Nassau County who have to pay this excessive tax. Moreover, your tax dollars are being used to fund water infrastructure projects throughout the state that Liberty is currently ineligible to access. Once again, those dollars are being collected without any benefit returning to the water system in your community. I want to be perfectly clear on one final point: The only advantage Liberty stands to gain in pursuing this legislative change is water rates that more accurately reflect the true cost of providing high-quality water service. That’s it. It is written into the proposed legislation that Liberty cannot realize any financial benefit from either bill. So what can our customers do? Visit stopthehiddentax.org, click on the “Take Action” section, and fill in your information to have a letter sent on your behalf directly to key decisionmakers. There is power in numbers, and we are hoping every one of our customers will join the fight for lower bills. Let your voice be heard!

Deborah Franco is president of Liberty Water New York.
DEBORAH FRANCO
sTEVE RHOADs

Small Business Week celebrates entrepreneurs

every May for more than 60 years, the United States has taken the time to celebrate a crucial force in its economy: the small-business owner. This year during National Small Business Week, May 4 to 10, we will honor the entrepreneurial spirit that fuels innovation, drives local economies, and creates opportunity in communities across the country.

It’s important to recognize that this is more than just a ceremonial observance. Small Business Week is a chance to spotlight the backbone of America’s economic engine and the importance of supporting the 33 million small businesses nationwide.

Two of their biggest backers are the federal Small Business Administration and SCORE, a nonprofit organization that has mentored more than 11 million entrepreneurs since 1964. The SBA is a government agency that promotes and safeguards the interests of small businesses. Its mission is to support them and help them thrive, because they are such a vital component of the nation’s economy. The SBA provides access to federal contracts, counseling and financing, among other resources, to help these business grow.

Together, the SBA and SCORE will offer invaluable resources to both aspiring and established business owners at the annual National Small Business Week Virtual Summit, a free online event May 6 and 7. It will offer more than educational workshops; it will be a showcase of what’s possible when the public and private sectors collaborate.

That effort will include mentorships,

letters

Remembering ‘Steady Eddie’

To the Editor:

practical advice and access to federal programs and tools that can help smallbusiness owners navigate the myriad challenges they face, from financing to digital marketing.

The Summit won’t just be about learning — it will also be about community. Consider the sheer number of small businesses that dot the landscape of the cities, towns and villages that Herald newspapers cover. How many do you patronize on a regular basis, from your favorite pizza place to your favorite stationery store or barbershop? Many are anchors of their neighborhoods or downtown commercial areas, making towns into home towns.

Beyond the summit, the SBA is organizing in-person events across the country, including a national awards celebration in Washington, D.C., on May 5. There will be local events as well, giving municipalities the chance to recognize their own standout entrepreneurs.

But why should National Small Business Week matter to everyone — not just business owners? Because small businesses do more than sell products and services. They create jobs. Half of all U.S. workers are employed by small and medium-sized businesses, which contribute 43 percent of the country’s GDP. Small businesses mentor future leaders. They drive innovation. They support schools, sponsor local Little League teams, and strengthen the fabric of our communities.

Almost every dollar spent at a small business goes back into the local economy. And during challenging times, as we saw during the coronavirus pandemic,

Re Peter King’s column, “Ed Kranepool was the real Mr. Met,” last week: As a graduate of James Monroe High School in the Bronx (I entered as Kranepool left), I was following even his high school career, because my dad umpired high school games as Ed chased Hank Greenberg’s (no relation) career high school home run record.

As an aside, the title of Jimmy Breslin’s book, “Can’t Anybody Here Play This Game?” was a quote by Casey Stengel as he appraised his new team.

JOEL GREENBERG Merrick

Time for a bigger, better bottle bill

To the Editor:

Over 40 years ago, I walked with a group of concerned citizens from Inwood, Manhattan, to the Coca-

these businesses often demonstrate resilience and creativity that not only help their communities endure those times, but inspire new ways to overcome them, bringing residents closer together in the process.

Smart legislation is critical, too. State Sen. Monica Martinez, whose district covers parts of Long Island, recently introduced the Lift Our Communities, Advertise Locally, or LOCAL, Act. This bill would provide truly small businesses — 10 employees or fewer — as well as minority-, female- or veteran-owned businesses of any size with a tax credit of up to $4,000 so they can advertise their products and services.

Supporting small businesses is a yearround responsibility, but next month’s special week will give us a chance to recommit to their success. Whether you attend the virtual summit, shop locally, or simply share the story of a small business that inspired you, there are countless ways to show support.

To learn more about this year’s events, to register for the summit, or to find a celebration near you, visit SBA. gov/NSBW. And be sure to follow along, and join the national conversation, at #SmallBusinessWeek. Throughout the year, the Herald offers small businesses webinars and training, too, and we encourage businesses to sign up for these valuable sessions.

In celebrating this special week, we celebrate the grit, vision and drive that continue to shape our nation by shaping its economy — one idea, one storefront and one hardworking entrepreneur at a time.

tbride and ing disturbed moment.

What much and the versity I thought than mine. the cheapest But separate

opinions Reconnecting with old friends

the other week I had the pleasure of flying to Atlanta to celebrate the wedding of two good friends. The ceremony was beautiful, the bride and groom were happy, and nothing disturbed the sanctity of the moment.

What really struck me was how much fun I had seeing a bunch of old friends from college and high school, and how much I’d missed spending time with them.

The groom and I had gone to neighboring colleges, although we’d known each other for years through mutual friends. I spent so much time over my four years with him and the other kids at St. Andrews university that there were some days when I thought I knew their campus better than mine. Certainly I knew where all the cheapest bars in their town were. But after graduation, we all went our separate ways, as happens. While we

kept in touch sporadically, the demands of life and work — not to mention the pandemic and general global craziness — meant that I rarely, if ever, saw or talked to many people who only a few years before I’d hung out with every day. until this recent weekend, when we spent practically every waking moment getting up to our old shenanigans again. It sounds cliché to say, but it truly felt like no time had passed.

a

every weekend. And for many young people, this connection is something that we’re all deeply missing.

Most people are aware that there is a loneliness epidemic in America.

fter college, we went our separate ways, but it was silly of me not to reach out before.

The most astonishing part was finding out how many of these friends now lived so close to me, with the majority of them having moved to New York City in the past few years. The last I’d heard from them, they were scattered as far apart as Los Angeles and London; little did I know that most of them now lived less than an hour away on the LIRR. I’ve already made plans to see some of them again soon.

That got me thinking about how silly it was of me not to reach out before. A simple text, “Hey, how’s it going, dude?” and I could have been seeing them

Letters

Cola plant in Tarrytown to call attention to the fact that New York state needed a bottle deposit bill. I was sore for three weeks! We achieved victory, and New York passed the Returnable Container Act, commonly known as the Bottle Bill. This landmark law has proven to be a highly effective program, reducing litter and increasing recycling rates in our state.

Albany now needs to support the Bigger Better Bottle Bill (S5684, A6543). This legislation would raise bottle and can deposits from 5 to 10 cents, which would increase redemption rates, support some of our state’s most marginalized workers and further reduce litter. The nickel deposit was enacted into law in 1983. If it were adjusted for inflation, it would be 15 cents today.

This bill could generate as much as $100 million for the state, and those funds could be used to address limits on redemption options in low-income communities and other litter and solid waste problems. It would also create more consistency by including sports drinks, iced tea, wine and spirits and more. With more beverage types included, there would be more recycling, less confusion and less pollution.

We must stop littering our Earth with one-time-use disposable bottles. This 42-yearold law needs to be updated. Here’s hoping our Legislature and governor will carry this bill through to fruition.

Joseph Varon is a past president of the New York State Marine Education Association, and a member of the Long Island chapter of

Food

According to a study released in 2024 by the American psychiatric Association, 30 percent of adults experience feelings of loneliness at least once a week, with 10 percent admitting that they feel lonely every day.

This is even more pronounced in young people, with 30 percent of Americans ages 18 to 34 saying they are lonely every day or several times a week.

This crisis, while not as immediately obvious as a drug or disease epidemic, is just as insidious in its negative impact on the health of our country and our communities. A variety of factors are believed to contribute to this problem, from technology to being overworked to our hyper-focused sense of individualism.

While experts argue about the cause, the negative results speak for themselves. Humans are naturally social

& Water Watch, and Beyond Plastics.

Surely we can shelter the homeless and their pets

To the Editor:

There is a desperate need for Nassau County politicians to establish a homeless shelter for people with pets.

There is nothing more emotionally jarring than looking into the eyes of a person who has lost everything and, in order to be admitted to a shelter, must surrender a beloved lifelong companion to an animal rescue — or continue to live on the streets — because Nassau County has no place for the two of them to go.

And it’s equally soul-wrenching to sit with a newly surrendered homeless animal, confused and scared, and console them as they get one last glimpse of the best friend they adored unconditionally.

Last month, the Safe Center of Long Island, in Bethpage, closed. Isn’t there a space like this that can be used as shelter for both the homeless and their pets?

politicians, for decades you have been telling homeless people what they need, instead of asking them. They have told me through their tears, and their animal friends by their despair. Will you act, or continue to look away from the truly voiceless, who in your campaign speeches you profess you will be a champion for.

FuCHS Long Beach

Dana Fuchs works at an animal rescue facility.

animals, and when we are unable to socialize, for whatever reason — from prisoners in solitary confinement to teenage shut-ins who spend all of their time online — the effects of being separated from others take a serious mental and physical toll on our health.

Studies have compared the impact of loneliness on our bodies to the effects of smoking 15 cigarettes, and concluded that it leads to higher rates of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. Loneliness literally kills us.

on the flip side, the desire for companionship can also lead people to seek connection and validation from unhealthy sources, such as political extremist groups, criminal organizations, and even drugs.

That’s why, now more than ever, it’s important to reach out. Shoot a text to your buddy from high school or call your friend from your sports team in college. Sometimes even a short conversation catching up is all you need to remind yourself how many friends you have, and how much they mean to you.

Will Sheeline is an editor covering Glen Head, Locust Valley, Oyster Bay and Sea Cliff. Comments? wsheeline@liherald.com.

Framework by Tim Baker

Hanging out on the Nautical Mile — Freeport

Mount Sinai South Nassau is Improving Health Care on the South Shore

The new Fennessy Family Emergency Department at Mount Sinai South Nassau doubles the size of our previous emergency department, o ering 54 private exam rooms with clear lines of sight for physicians, nurses, and support sta . Our new emergency department also o ers a separate triage area, dedicated areas for children and behavioral health patients, and has been designed to reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes.

The Fennessy Family Emergency Department is located within the new Feil Family Pavilion, opening later this year, which will have 40 new critical care suites and nine new operating rooms, designed to support the most complex surgeries on the South Shore.

To learn more visit www.mountsinai.org/feilpavilion

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.