HERALD east meadow
Tim Baker/Herald
Ralph esposito, chairman of the nassau County Firefighters Memorial endowment association and director of the nassau County Veterans Service a gency, spoke at a groundbreaking ceremony for a revamped 9/11 memorial in eisenhower park.
County breaks ground on upgraded 9/11 monument
By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
Nearly 25 years after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Nassau County elected officials, police officers and firefighters recently broke ground on an upgraded 9/11 memorial in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow.
The memorial, which will feature new stonework, will pay tribute to volunteer fire service members who died in the attacks, as well as those who have died since then from illnesses related to rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero.
Michael Uttaro, Nassau County’s chief
fire marshal, said the groundbreaking represented “an unwavering commitment to ensure that the remembrance of the heroes that were lost on that fateful day… are never forgotten.
“It’s more than just words,” Uttaro added at the July 9 event. “It is a promise, and it is a promise that needs to be kept today and for generations to come.”
Inside the park, an existing memorial along Park Boulevard, near Field 6/6A, features the names of 19 victims who died on Sept. 11 and 30 additional names of those who have succumbed to illness. All names featured are from Nassau County fire servicContinued on page 12
Civic
beauty contest has a winner
By JoSEPH D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com
East Meadow’s first-ever business beauty contest, a unique one, came to a conclusion at the beginning of the month, announcing its finalists and the ultimate winner.
In May, Friends for a Beautiful East Meadow unveiled a new initiative to transform the community into something greener, cleaner and more glamorous. The advocacy group’s new contest, Most FAB 2026, invited local businesses to refresh, renovate and decorate, with their efforts voted on by community members.
Wa community member, as a business owner, as a leader in the community is extremely important.”
Every holiday, Mary Anne decorates the windows of their building with unique accessories, like signs and flags. “We do little things like that to help our culture along,” James said.
e have a lot
of
windows, and I like to fill them in
MARy ANNE SkiNNER Owner, A&C Pest Management
The winner of the contest was A&C Pest Management, and the runners-up were Pietro’s of East Meadow and Longchamp Photography.
James and Mary Anne Skinner, of A&C Pest Management, say they take pride in their business’s family spirit. “We got some really cool people that work for us,” James said. “I do think leadership by example as
“We have a lot of windows, and I like to fill them in,” Mary Anne added. “It’s just nice to hear the positive feedback when people are sitting at the light or driving by, and they enjoy seeing each holiday decorated.”
Lauren Maslov is the owner of Pietro’s, an Italian restaurant on East Meadow Avenue. Her business was one of many that took part in the contest, and beautification has been an important part of the history of Pietro’s.
“I bought the business from my dad five years ago,” Maslov said. “[I] reinvented the building to kind of still look the way it used to back in the day, but just with a fresher appearance, Continued on page 9
things to know reader services
East Meadow book lovers, this one’s for you
By JORDAN VALLONE
jvallone@liherald.com
Before the school year returns and summer winds down, the East Meadow Public Library is giving book lovers plenty of reasons to keep reading. From meeting a hometown author to sharing favorite titles with fellow readers and getting an early look at upcoming releases, the library is offering opportunities for readers of all interests to discover something new. Whether you’re searching for your next beach read or hoping to connect with other book enthusiasts, here are three things to know this summer.
Meet hometown author Camille Perri
East Meadow Public Library will welcome hometown author Camille Perri on July 28 at 7 p.m. for a discussion of her newest novel, Social Animals. Perri, best known for her bestselling novel The Assistants, will talk about the inspiration behind her latest book, her writing process and her career as an author. Following the presentation, attendees will have an opportunity to purchase copies of Social Animals and have them signed. Readers who want to get a head start can borrow the eBook and eAudiobook through the Nassau Digital Doorway before the event. Registration is required and can be completed online or by calling the library at (516) 794-2570, option 3.
Share your latest favorite book with fellow readers
Readers looking for book recommendations or lively literary conversation can take part in the library’s Read ‘N Share program on Aug. 3 at 7 p.m. Rather than focusing on a single title, participants are invited to discuss any book they’ve recently enjoyed, making it an ideal opportunity to discover hidden gems across a variety of genres. The virtual gathering connects local readers through Zoom, creating a relaxed setting where everyone can exchange recommendations and hear what others are reading this summer. Registration is required, and registered participants will receive the Zoom link by email on the morning of the event.
SENIOR LIVING & MEMORY CARE
In 30 years of serving older adults, we’ve learned real community is built in the small moments. A familiar face at the front desk, birthdays celebrated and staff who know how you take your coffee – and who you want to share it with.
Atria has been part of Long Island for decades. We may be new to the block, but we’ve been helping your neighbors live well for years.
Call 516.363.2877 to schedule your visit and explore our new location.
Be first in line for upcoming bestsellers
For readers who never want to miss the next big release, the East Meadow Public Library’s “Coming Soon to Our Library” webpage offers an easy way to stay ahead of the crowd. The regularly updated online feature highlights anticipated books arriving in the library’s collection in August, September and beyond, complete with descriptions and reviews to help readers decide what to reserve next. Many titles can be placed on hold before they reach the shelves, allowing patrons to join the waitlist early for books expected to be in high demand. It’s a helpful resource for planning your reading list and ensuring your next great read is already on its way.
Fire Fest returns, fueling East Meadow
By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO jdalessandro@liherald.com
Craft beer, live music and community spirit filled the grounds of East Meadow Fire Department’s Engine Company 4 as Fire Fest returned for its fourth year, drawing supporters for an afternoon that celebrated local businesses while raising money for volunteer firefighters, EMS responders and first responder charities.
Hosted by Engine Company 4 and Ladder Company 2 on July 11, the annual fundraiser featured more than 25 breweries and distilleries offering craft beer tastings, along with food trucks, live music by Long Island band KRUSH, axe throwing, a cigar bar and other attractions. The event, open to guests 21 and older, has become one of the East Meadow Fire Department’s signature summer fundraisers.
“This is our big event, from our point of view… this is our big fundraiser for the year,” said event organizer EJ Brennan, a former captain of Ladder Company No. 2 and a 50-year member of the East Meadow Fire Department. Brennan cochairs the event with Anthony Messina and Ray Pellechia.
In addition to supporting the East Meadow Fire Department and its EMS responders, proceeds from Fire Fest benefit several nonprofit organizations, including The Ray Pfeifer Foundation, The Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund, the Nassau County Firefighters Burn Center, Paws of War, GiGi’s Playhouse and The Jesse Gerhard Memorial Foundation. The event was made possible with support from sponsors Crunch Fitness of East Meadow and Simply Green Dispensary.
Among the participating vendors was Twisted Cow Distillery, whose founder, John Pawluk, said Fire Fest has become an opportunity to support volunteer first responders while strengthening relationships within Long Island’s craft beverage community.
“We’ve had a great time,” Pawluk said. “It’s a great community and supporting our local first responders — we’re always up for that.”
He said the event also allows breweries and distilleries to connect with one another and build partnerships.
“It’s a way for us to get out and meet some of our brewers and distillers who are in the business, and kind of collaborate with them, make some friends, and it’s good for everyone,” Pawluk said. “A rising tide raises all boats, so you got to buy local, you got to support local, and that’s what we do.”
The Jesse Gerhard Memorial Foundation also participated in the event. The organization was established in memory of FDNY firefighter Jesse Gerhard and provides financial assistance to first responders and their families.
“My younger brother Jesse passed away in the line of duty with the FDNY, and we started a foundation in his honor, donating back to families of first responders and first responders themselves,” founder Casey Gerhard said. “So far, we’ve donated upwards of $350,000 back to that cause.”
Gerhard said he was impressed by
was a family affair for some.
Fire Fest when the foundation first became involved last year and was pleased to once again be part of the event.
“It’s a really fun atmosphere,” Gerhard said. “I think events like this are crucial. These volunteer firehouses are a bunch of guys who put their lives on the line for the local community without really asking for anything in return, and it’s a great way to contribute back to some of the needs that they have.”
As the event continues to grow, Fire Fest has become more than a summer celebration, bringing together local businesses, craft beverage makers, community organizations and residents in support of the volunteer firefighters and first responders who serve the East Meadow community year-round.
Fire Fest has become one of the East Meadow Fire Department’s signature fundraisers. Crowds packed into tent set up on the lawn of Company No. 4.
Luke Giraci, ‘Woogie,’ Ed Halmel and Sunjay Verman enjoyed East Meadow’s Fire Fest.
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Fire Fest returned last weekend, drawing crowds for one of the area’s premier summer events featuring food, craft beers and more. Above, Jaclyn Haber and Matthew Covelli sampled some brews from Tucker Williams of Jones Beach Beer.
It
Christina Artogiou and Glenn Stocker stopped by with Noah Stocker, 1.
FREE SUMMER MOVIE
A MINDCRAFT MOVIE
EISENHOWER PARK
Taxation of The Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT)
Your writer has often stated that, in elder law, there is more misinformation than information. For example, one of the most pernicious myths about MAPTs is that they lose the stepped-up basis at death. Indeed, a syndicated columnist under the byline “Ask the Expert” recently wrote “...the IRS has determined that assets in an irrevocable trust don’t qualify for a step-up in tax basis at your death.”
For those unfamiliar with the step-up in basis, it works this way. Let’s say you bought your house many years ago for $200,000 and when you pass away it is worth $850,000. The basis gets stepped-up from what you paid to what it was worth on the date of your death. If the heirs sell it shortly after inheriting, they pay no capital gain tax. Savings would be about $200,000 in taxes!
In 2023, the IRS issued a widely misunderstood Revenue Ruling stating that a certain type of irrevocable trust did not get the stepped-up basis. In tax law, it is well understood that (1) if assets pass at death they are includible in the estate and get the stepped-up basis, and (2) if the assets are given away during your lifetime, they keep your original basis. You either get the tax break of the
stepped-up basis and inclusion in the estate OR you get the exclusion from the estate but no stepup. Some aggressive tax lawyers tried to write a trust that purported to get both -- inclusion for capital gains tax purposes but exclusion for estate tax purposes. The 2023 IRS ruling simply stated that you cannot have your cake and eat it too. If the taxpayer claims the irrevocable trust is excluded from the estate for estate tax purposes, then no step-up in basis will be allowed.
Seeing as the estate tax exemption for New York is $7.35 million, most clients are not concerned about inclusion for estate-tax purposes, they want the step-up! Every elder law attorney worth their salt knows this and drafts the MAPT as a “Grantor Trust” keeping the trust assets in the estate.
A very common way of doing this is to provide a “power of appointment” giving the grantor (creator of the trust) the right to change who they leave it to. This way the gift is “incomplete” until death, as which time the grantor can no longer change it. Since the gift is only “completed” at death, it is included in the estate and gets the stepup.
ETTINGER LAW FIRM
What is right and good elevate the Conversation
each week, my husband and I sit down to discuss one chapter in an assigned book we are reviewing for an evening class hosted by our local temple. Our approach is different: I read the piece early in the week, he carves out time on the weekend, and he refuses to engage in any conversation until we formerly come together to compare notes and perspectives sometime before the next class meeting.
The more we read about practical approaches to life’s questions, the more I realize that it’s pretty lonely out here. Has this always been a planet where people are ethically challenged? Do we try to rise to the occasion — doing what is right, not just what is required? If life’s challenges are the ultimate test, why are so many failing honorable living?
When the rumors about the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wedding were swirling around, I felt disappointed. Their lavish plans stunned me, and I thought of their approach as tone-deaf in a needy world. Then word of their millions of dollars in charitable donations occurred and my righteous attitude backed off. Dollars won’t fully eradicate hunger and homelessness, but it was a generous start.
Back to our text, my spouse and I
Tropical
question everything within the passages we read. He takes up the “let’s be real” mantle applying today’s logic to ancient stories while I ask, “Why not?” hoping for a future in which people can consistently rise and deliver. We’ve seen it when tragedy strikes but imagine if it were more commonplace — compromise that does what’s right for ourselves AND everybody else not just during times like 9/11 or Covid-19 but on a regular Tuesday night or Sunday afternoon.
So, our home debate rages on. Week after week we take what’s on the page and ask what is practical, what is realistic, what is our nature and what is our nurture as people when it comes to caring for one another and doing the noble thing. I believe that we as humans ride society’s moral spectrum – each with a personal interpretation of what is “right.” Fortunately, though he and I are very different, so much of what keeps our marriage strong is that core values of family, honesty and integrity have always been the same.
It’s a big ask, a big dream to do what is right, good and just. Hopefully we all never grow too tired of putting these ideas into practice.
Lauren Lev is a direct marketing/advertising executive.
News brief
luau is coming to East Meadow
The Town of Hempstead is bringing a tropical twist to its public pools this summer with a new Traveling Summer Luau Series.
The program, introduced by Supervisor John Ferretti, will transform town pools into Hawaiian-themed destinations featuring live music, inflatables, mocktails, games and activities.
The East Meadow event is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park. Additional luaus will be held at town pools throughout the summer. The Luau Series is designed to encourage families to enjoy local pools in a festive, tropical atmosphere.
–Jordan Vallone
First rounders shine at Isles development camp
By TONY BELLISSIMO
tbellissimo@liherald.com
Unlike 2025 when the New York Islanders selected three players within the first 17 picks of the NHL Draft, including eventual unanimous Calder Trophy winning defenseman Matthew Schaefer No. 1 overall, they had only one pick in the first three rounds this year.
That came at No. 13 overall when Schaefer, in Buffalo for draft weekend June 26-27, stepped to the podium to announce the selection of 6-foot-4, 203-pound left-shot defenseman Malte Gustafsson.
“I’m a big two-way defender, I like to contribute all over the ice,” said the 18-year-old Gustafsson, who played 27 games in the Swedish Hockey League with HV71. “I like to use my size, my length and I play physical. Being annoying is part of my game,” he added.
Gustafsson was one of 37 players at Islanders Development Camp June 29-July 2 and impressed in the Blue & White Scrimmage played before an overflow crowd July 1 at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow.
Gustafsson signed a one-year contract to remain with HV71 for the 2026-27 season, but perhaps one day he’ll be teammates with fellow Swedes Simon Holmstrom, Emil Heineman and Victor Eklund.
The latter two became Islanders property during the early stages of the 2025 Draft when General Manager Mathieu Darche dealt defenseman Noah Dobson to Montreal. Heineman scored 22 goals in his debut season on Long Island, while Eklund, drafted 16th, and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, 17th, were nothing short of dynamic in the SHL and Ontario Hockey League, respectively.
Eklund is very much looking forward to playing a full season in North America, either with the Islanders or recently relocated Hamilton Hammers of the American Hockey League. The 19-year-old winger registered 6 goals and 18 assists in 43 games for Djurgardens IF in the SHL and made his way to the Bridgeport Islanders (10 points in nine games) and ultimately Long Island for his NHL debut April 14. He recorded his first NHL point, an assist, against Carolina.
“I think I made the right decision at the end of last season to come to North America and adapt as fast as I can,” Eklund said after the Blue & White Scrimmage. “Being here with the boys and playing in front of the fans is a lot of fun. Now I’m looking to get stronger, gain weight and be ready for camp in September.”
Aitcheson, who brings a rare combination of physicality and offensive sizzle, is ready for the next step as well after the 19-year-old earned the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenseman award after posting 70 points (28 goals, 34 assists) during the regular season and 27 in the playoffs (8, 19) for the Barrie Colts, helping them to the finals.
“Just putting my head down and putting the work in,” Aitcheson said. “This is another step to get ready for training camp. It’s been fun so far.”
Nobody had more fun at the Blue & White Scrimmage than Gleb Veremyev, an undrafted 23-year-old 6-5, 218pound forward born in Brooklyn. He had a hat trick to lead Team Blue to a 6-3 victory and also scored the winner in a shootout that followed the 40-minute game.
“I’m trying to take everything in this summer, and I feel like I have something to prove for the rest of my career,” Veremyev said.
Kashawn Aitcheson, one of the Islanders’ three first-round picks in 2025 is ready for the next level after starring in the Ontario Hockey League.
Tony Bellissimo/Herald photos Goaltender Sam Hillebrandt made a stop on Jesse Nurmi during development camp held June 29-July 2 at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow.
These two moms opened a spa. It had one big, on the
Mery and Sindy always knew they wanted to open a spa to bring beauty to customers. Little did they know it would have the same effect on the community. And Business First was there. We provided $23,000 in grants to help with much-needed renovations so Mery and Sindy could bring their vision to life.* Now, not only does their spa impact clients in a beautiful way, it gives the community an economic lift as well.
*Incentives, grants, and savings will vary with every project.
Learn more about how we’re helping communities thrive. psegliny.com/revitalization
Mery Seminario and Sindy Catalan, ISSI Beauty Spa, Port Washington
ClearVote system set for November election
By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com
The new voting machines Nassau County residents will use in November are designed to make casting a ballot faster while keeping the voting experience largely unchanged, according to election officials and the machines’ manufacturer.
Voters heading to the polls this fall will use an allnew voting system, after the county Board of Elections selected Clear Ballot’s ClearVote system following a competitive procurement process.
The system will replace the county’s traditional voting equipment, and Nassau will join more than a dozen New York counties that have already adopted ClearVote’s paper-ballot technology.
Although the machines are new, election officials said that voters should notice very little difference in how they cast their ballots. “To the public it will be pretty much the same as they’re used to,” Republican Elections Commissioner James V. Moriarty wrote in a news release. “These machines will be smaller, more efficient and new. New and better equipment.”
The ClearVote system uses full-sized paper ballots that voters fill out by hand or, for those requiring accessibility accommodations, through an ADA-compliant ballot-marking device that prints a full-sized ballot. Every voter ultimately casts the same type of paper ballot, regardless of how it is marked.
The biggest improvements, Democratic Elections Commissioner James Scheuerman explained, will take place behind the scenes, allowing election workers to administer elections more efficiently while preserving the familiar voting experience.
“It’s easier for us to build and run the election and it’s going to be the exact same for the voter, which is
what you’re looking for when you’re bringing on a new voting system,” Scheuerman wrote in a news release.
Once a ballot is filled out, it is inserted into a scanner that reads and records the vote while securely storing the ballot for auditing and recount purposes. Unlike some voting systems that rely on barcodes or summary cards, ClearVote records votes directly from the paper ballots, giving voters the chance to visually verify every selection before casting it.
According to Clear Ballot CEO Bob Hoyt, that transparency is central to the company’s philosophy.
“We believe the best way to establish voter trust is through paper ballots,” Hoyt said. “It allows people to verify their own vote before it’s cast so they know that it counted.”
The new scanners also process ballots significantly faster than older equipment. A ballot, Hoyt said, is scanned and accepted almost immediately after it is inserted — about one second — compared with four to five seconds on many older voting systems.
As soon as the ballot is processed, the screen confirms that the vote has been successfully cast and displays a running ballot count. “It processes the ballot almost immediately,” Hoyt said. “You get a message on the screen that your ballot has been cast, and you can actually see the ballot count increase.”
Clear Ballot first came to New York in 2017, providing high-speed scanners for absentee and mail-in ballots and conducting independent post-election audits. The company introduced its first in-person voting system in the state in 2023. Nationally, its election technology is used in 14 states, serving more than 46 million registered voters.
Preparing Nassau County for the transition has been a months-long process. Roughly 500 voting machines have already been delivered for testing and poll worker training, with the remaining equipment — roughly 12 trailer loads — scheduled to arrive beginning later this month.
The company is also implementing a learning-management system that will help Nassau comply with New York’s mandatory poll worker training requirements by documenting training and providing ondemand instructional materials.
“If you train the election workers really well, and you have good equipment and good people servicing it,” Hoyt said, “you’ll probably have a really good election.”
Courtesy Clear Ballot Group
Nassau County voters will be using the new ClearVote voting system in the November election.
Beautification organization concludes contest
and upgraded all of our menu items.
“If you don’t stand out, it’s just people are going to kind of forget about you,” she added. “The building was deteriorating back a few years ago … we just needed to stand out in the neighborhood and just bring a little energy back to East Meadow Avenue.”
Ted Rosenthal co-founded Friends for a Beautiful East Meadow with Taleen Krug and Richie Krug Jr., who have partnered with the Chamber of Commerce to support the contest and encouraged local businesses to take part.
“We’re hoping a number of things will happen,” Rosenthal said. “Number one, that it will catch on — that people will actually take notice, that businesses will take it seriously … When you drive up to a business and they have taken the opportunity to make their business look special, people want to frequent there.”
The organization’s sole focus is improving East Meadow’s appearance and environment. It recently partnered with the East Meadow school district, the Girl Scouts of Nassau County and the East Meadow Baseball and Softball Association in local cleanup efforts on April 26 at the district’s four elementary schools, at the hamlet’s baseball complex, and at the triangle between Roosevelt and Prospect avenues, just south of Hempstead Turnpike.
“The first time, it was a Friends for a
Beautiful East Meadow project, and we contacted the Girl Scouts, who were thrilled to be included,” Rosenthal recalled. “This year was almost reverse: Before we even started planning, the Girl Scouts contacted us and said, ‘Let’s do it again.’
“I think it’s fantastic,” he added. “It occurred to them to do it, and now we have people thinking about these types of projects, and hopefully more and more do, so it’s not just what we’re putting out.”
Beautification has multiple benefits, according to Rosenthal. “Our goal is to bring attention to the fact that the more beautiful our areas are, the more people enjoy living here, and the more people enjoy working here, and the more people enjoy shopping here and doing business here,” he said. “East Meadow is a wonderful place to be.”
While the organization may be young, Taleen Krug noted that its growth indicates a bright future.
“As we continue to grow this event year over year, we definitely have been able to add both participation, volunteers and different areas that people would like to clean up,” Krug said. “The more people, whether you’re involved in a community organization or not, or you just have a passion to help, this is the perfect event for you.”
To learn more about contest voting and other community initiatives, visit FABEM.org.
Courtesy James Skinner
a&C pest management was the winner of friends for a Beautiful east meadow’s first annual beautification contest. its windows were decorated in red, white and blue.
HERALD NEIGHBORS
Inner Circle
Reggae legends and local talent take the stage
Thousands of music fans gathered at Eisenhower Park on June 28 as Nassau County and DubShot Records presented the Long Island Reggae Festival, a free concert featuring reggae legends Inner Circle, dancehall star Wayne Wonder and Long Island band IRIEspect.
The festival was part of the county’s 2026 Free Summer Fun Guide, a series of concerts, movies and cultural events presented by County Executive Bruce Blakeman and the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums.
“Enjoy live music and family-friendly movies under the stars at Eisenhower Park’s Lakeside Theatre and parks across Nassau County,” Blakeman wrote in the summer guide. “Join us all summer long for unforgettable nights of entertainment.”
Hosted by Brooklyn DJ Max Glazer, co-founder of Federation Sound, the festival also featured DJ sets by Federation Sound and special guest appearances throughout the day.
Inner Circle, known as the “Bad Boys of Reggae,” headlined the event. Formed in Jamaica in 1968 by brothers Ian and Roger Lewis with Bernard “Touter” Harvey, the band rose to international prominence alongside reggae pioneers Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh.
After regrouping in the 1980s, the band achieved worldwide success with hits including “Bad Boys,” the longtime theme song for the television series COPS, and “Sweat (A La La La La Long),” which topped charts around the world in the 1990s. The group continues to tour internationally and recently
Fans enjoyed the Long Island Reggae Festival, a free concert featuring reggae legends Inner Circle, dancehall star Wayne Wonder and Long Island band IRIEspect.
released “Stay Strong,” a song inspired by Jamaica’s recovery following Hurricane Melissa in 2025.
Wayne Wonder, one of dancehall’s most recognizable performers, also took the stage. Best known for the international hit “No Letting Go,” which reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped earn his album No Holding Back a Grammy nomination, Wonder has remained a fixture in reggae and dancehall for more than three decades. Representing Long Island was IRIEspect, a six-piece reggae, dub and Latin fusion band known for its ener-
getic live performances. The group has built a regional following through extensive touring and recent releases, including the “Lost in Time” and “Lost in Dub” EPs.
DubShot Records, founded in New York in 2008, partnered with Nassau County to present the festival. The independent label has become a leading distributor of reggae and dancehall music through its partnership with ADA/Warner and a roster of Caribbean artists.
–Jordan
Vallone
Tim Baker/Herald photos
was among the groups that performed in front of a packed audience at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre.
Wayne Wonder engaged the crowds during his set.
Yve Stewart of Elmont, Patricia Manning of Valley Stream, Meldoy Jones of Uniondale and Grace Douglas, 4, of Valley Stream, enjoyed the performances.
Fire officials urge summer safety precautions east meadow fire department
By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com
With summer activities in full swing, the Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Meadow Fire District is reminding residents to take precautions to prevent fires and stay safe around water, on bicycles and skateboards, and while enjoying outdoor recreation.
Fire officials said warmer weather typically brings an increase in fire-related and other emergencies. To help residents stay safe throughout the season, the district encourages residents to use propane and charcoal grills outdoors only, as using them indoors can cause deadly carbon monoxide poisoning or start a fire. Before using a propane grill, residents should make sure the tank is in good condition, all connections are secure and there are no leaks. If a propane leak is suspected, the East Meadow Fire Department should be contacted at (516) 542-0576. Grills should be kept at least 6 feet away from homes, garages, sheds and other structures, and should never be used under eaves, awnings, overhanging tree branches, on porches or on balconies. Chimineas, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits should also be used only outdoors and at least 10 feet away from homes or anything that can
catch fire.
The district also urges residents to leave fireworks to the professionals, noting that fireworks are dangerous and
sparklers can reach temperatures of up to 1,200 degrees, causing severe burns. Around pools, floats, balls and other toys should be removed from the water
and pool deck after swimming, and adults should closely supervise children around water. Officials also recommend swimming with a buddy whenever possible. Boaters should always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
For bicyclists and skateboarders, the district recommends wearing a helmet and bright clothing so motorists can see them, as well as adding reflectors to bicycles for increased visibility. Riders should keep both hands on the handlebars, travel single file with traffic and obey all stop signs and traffic signals.
In the event of a fire or medical emergency, residents should call the East Meadow Fire Department at (516) 542-0576. Additional safety information is available at eastmeadowfd.com.
The East Meadow Fire Department, which serves East Meadow and parts of Levittown and Westbury’s Salisbury section, is also seeking volunteers to serve as firefighters and emergency medical personnel. No prior experience is required, and the department provides all necessary training.
Volunteer benefits include tax incentives, college scholarships, annual health checkups, life insurance and participation in a service award pension program. For more information, visit EastMeadowFD.com or call (516) 542-4565.
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Courtesy East Meadow Fire Department
For bicyclists, the East Meadow Fire District recommends wearing a helmet and bright clothing so motorists can see them, as well as adding reflectors to bicycles for visibility.
Firefighters honored on revamped memorial
es. But the memorial is aging and includes a typo — the word “officer” is misspelled.
Officials said $350,000 will go toward the revamped memorial, located in the same part of Eisenhower Park. The Nassau County Legislature unanimously approved $150,000 in taxpayer money to partly fund the project, with the remaining $200,000 coming from donations.
In quoting President George W. Bush’s 2001 address to the nation, Uttaro said, “We will not waver; we will not tire; we will not falter; and we will not fail.”
“When the decision had to come to replace the original aging county fire service September 11th memorial behind you here, those same words were immortalized by the bold actions and focused determination of many individuals in the county’s fire service in getting this project underway,” he added. “So, today, we say thanks to the work and relentless dedication of the Nassau County Firefighters Memorial Endowment Association, the Nassau County Fire Commission, and the county executive, but this groundbreaking symbolizes what we are here to say now and forever: We will never forget.”
County Executive Bruce Blakeman, whose nephew, Thomas Jurgens, died while rendering first aid to a woman suffering from severe burns in the lobby of 2 World Trade Center, said: “It’s fit -
Bruce Blakeman, ceremonially broke ground for the upgraded 9/11 memorial, set to be completed ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
ting on the 25th anniversary of that horrible day that we rededicate ourselves to remembering the memory of all those who gave their lives on that dreadful day.”
The body of Jurgens, a Meadowmere
Park firefighter and a military veteran, was never recovered, just his sidearm and shield.
Blakeman added that all of Nassau County’s firefighters who perished were “responsible for saving thousands of lives.”
“We talk every day about the 3,000 people who were murdered on that day,” Blakeman added, “but we don’t talk enough about the number of people that were saved that day, saved by people that were on that list. Now, we will have a brand-new memorial that people will be able to come by and realize the sacrifice they made for each and every one of us.”
The new memorial will feature several large gray stones inscribed with commemorative text. The center stone will list the names of Nassau County firefighters who died, beneath a fire department shield.
The memorial will read: “Dedicated to those members of the volunteer fire service in Nassau County who answered the call on September 11, 2001 and placed themselves in harm’s way and made the ultimate sacrifice to help a stranger.”
is being
through money approved by the nassau County
and private donations.
Ralph Esposito, chairman of the Nassau County Firefighters Memorial Endowment Association and director of the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency, was visibly emotional during the ceremony, recounting his time at Ground Zero and speaking of the firefighters who died and continue to battle illnesses.
“The memorial will be for more than stone and steel,” Esposito said. “It will be a permanent promise that the sacrifices of the Nassau County volunteer firefighters will never be forgotten. It will stand as a lasting tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice on September 11.”
Esposito extended thanks to the donors that helped make the new memorial a reality, including the Peter & Jeri Dejana Foundation, who donated $100,000. Following his remarks, officials ceremonially broke ground for the project.
The new memorial is expected to be completed by September, just ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks. Eisenhower Park is home to another 9/11 memorial — near the lake off Merrick Avenue — that includes a replica of the Twin Towers. Opened in 2007, that memorial honors the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks in Manhattan, at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and aboard Flight 93, which crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
officials, including nassau County executive
Tim Baker/Herald photos the new monument for nassau County firefighters
funded
Legislature
STEPPING OUT
Wild Child
Jazz is in the air
By Karen Bloom
Tilles Jazz Fest is going strong in its third season. The festival returns to the historic LIU Post campus, on Saturday, offering a full day of world-class jazz, family-friendly fun and community celebration across four stages.
Presented in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, this year’s edition again brings together legendary artists and rising stars. This is an immersive indoor/outdoor experience — from lawn picnics and second line parades during the day to headliner The Buena Vista Orchestra performing in the evening.
The day’s lineup includes the Bobby Sanabria Octet, the Grammy-nominated percussionist blends Afro-Cuban jazz with big band flair; Bluesy Beats and Jazzy Treats with Dan and Claudia Zanes, with a lively, family-friendly set of jazz rhythms; young vocalist Ruby Laks, a fresh, expressive voice in contemporary jazz; along with a swinging Second-Line Parade, led by Hot Jazz All-Stars, including up-and-coming trumpeter Bria Skonberg, when all artists and the audience are invited to join in.
As Tom Dunn, Tilles Center’s executive and artistic director puts it: “This festival captures the spirit of jazz, where iconic voices and emerging artists share the stage. It’s an energizing celebration of artistry, innovation, and community, set in a place that inspires creativity at every turn.”
The LIU Jazz Combo (current LIU students) and Long Island Rising Stars (LIU alumni and regional talent) welcome guests at festival entrances from 12:15 p.m. Members of the LIU Marching Band add energy to the New Orleans-style Second Line parade, closing the daytime festivities at 5:45 p.m.
The young superstars of tomorrow are certainly given their due, alongside the jazz greats. Of course, headliner, The Buena Vista Orchestra, surely deserves the spotlight. The orchestra (sometimes referred to as The Buena Vista Social Orchestra, Orquesta Buena Vista) is acclaimed as the world’s foremost Cuban music repertory ensemble — featuring a revolving lineup. Virtuoso Cuban violinist Rolando Morejón Reyes leads an exciting set of musicians pulled from The Buena Vista Social Club, AfroCuban All Stars, the bands of Celia Cruz, Omara Portuondo, Chucho Valdés, Willie Colón, and others.
To date, The Buena Vista Orchestra and related projects have toured the world and garnered global accolades, making it one of the biggest-selling and best known Cuban music projects in history.
On a more intimate scale are Dan and Claudia
Feel that beat
Zanes, who are delighted to bring what Dan Zanes described as their “community music” to this year’s festival audience.
“It was an exiting call to get,” he says, of the invite. He notes that while they’ve performed at Tilles before, their festival appearance allows the Zanes to show a different side of their musicianship.
• July 18, starting at noon
• Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100
• LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville
This is not a typical tribute or pretend concert act. Wild Child relies on recapturing the original: sound, feel, mood, dynamics and delivery of the Doors music. It’s about the music and its delivery. Wild Child lead singer Dave Brock’s Doors concert tribute debuted with a triple sellout at the Whisky a-Go-Go. Since then the act has been touring and playing at sold out national act venues and festivals around the world. Wild Child became the mold that “tribute bands” aspired to become, as they flooded the market with good and bad impersonations of famous artists. In 2010 Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors, invited Dave to tour with them as their vocalist on their concert engagements: a hug honorl Wild Child performances are praised as the closest thing to a real live Doors experience.
Friday, July 17, 8 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny. com.
“I come from the folk and rock ‘n roll world, but Claudia, my wife and partner in all this, is a jazz singer. She was performing and touring as a jazz vocalist before I met her. And Tyree Austin who’s also going to be singing with us is also a jazz vocalist. He sings jazz and gospel. So the spirit of jazz is really in what we do.”
partner in performing and
Zanes, a Grammy-winner, occupies a unique place in American music — where sea shanties, English Music hall, play party songs, the spirit of early rock ‘n roll, soul, North American and West Indian folk music collide. For the past 20 years, he has toured the world with his band, Dan Zanes and Friends, sharing 21st century social music with enthusiastic crowds of all ages.
In the 1980s Zanes was a member of The Del Fuegos, the roots rock band that released several albums and toured heavily before spontaneously combusting in 1989. In 1994 he became a father and began trying to create music that he and his daughter could enjoy together as a shared experience — an updated version of the Folkways records he grew up on. In 2000, he released Rocket Ship Beach, which became an immediate hit with families in America. NPR called him “The Gold Standard in kid’s music.”
And while their music does have a certain kid-friendly appeal, Zanes is quick to point out that there’s much more to it than that. The Zanes prefer not to be categorized as “children’s entertainers.”
“Our music is social music. It’s very participatory. We come out of a lot of different folk traditions: North American folk traditions, blues, as well as Haitian folk traditions {influenced by Claudia who is Haitian-American). It’s for all ages, including young folks but also older.
“At our concerts there’s quite a bit of singing along. It’s a social experiment. Even though we’re a modern group we work with ancient traditions and one of those traditions is galvanizing people with song. There’s movement, there’s dancing. Three voices and a 12 string guitar is the foundation of what we do, with addition of trombone, horn and some percussion.”
He describes their sound as “joyful music.”
“These are hard times for a lot of people and music reminds us that there is so much beauty in the world and so much that we get from being with each other. There’s something about singing together that gives all a sense of life’s best possibilities. Behind it all is joy always.”
Guests are encouraged to come with lawn chairs and blankets for a day of relaxed listening and discovery. Youngsters will also enjoy the Kids Zone, with an instrument “petting zoo,” crafts and face painting. When everyone is ready for a bite, check out the food trucks and artisan purveyors with their tempting wares. Or bring your own picnic!
Derek Hough Symphony of Dance: Encore
Following sold-out successes of his previous tours, Derek Hough is back. The Emmy-winning dancerchoreographer-entertainer — known for his dazzling performances on “Dancing With The Stars” — takes his audience on an exhilarating journey through dance with breathtaking choreography, vibrant visuals and his signature stage presence. The high-energy production celebrates the artistry and emotion of movement while showcasing the versatility that has made Hough one of today’s most celebrated performers. Experience a thrilling fusion of dance and music; the fan-favorite dancer explores styles ranging from ballroom, tap, salsa, hip-hop and everything in between.
Sunday, July 19, 8 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter. org or (516) 299-3100. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville.
Courtesy Anna Zanes Dan Zanes
Courtesy Tilles Center Bobby Sanabria
Courtesy Andrea Escobar
The Buena Vista Orchestra
Courtesy Mark Mann Claudia Zanes
Your Neighborhood CALENDAR
JUL 16
Summertime tunes
Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series continues with Corey Reimer and The Dilemma Band with Scarborough Fair for a Simon & Garfunkel tribute.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200
‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’
The Madison Theatre’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” brings the beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber musical to the stage, retelling the biblical story of Joseph, his colorful coat and his rise from slavery to Pharaoh’s trusted advisor. Told entirely through song, the family-friendly production features memorable numbers including “Any Dream Will Do,” “Close Every Door” and “One More Angel in Heaven,” blending musical styles from calypso to country-western. Suitable for audiences of all ages, the show continues to be one of the world’s most frequently performed musicals.
• Where: Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre
• Time: Various dates and times, through Aug. 2
• Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
Happy Birthday, Franklin!
Long Island Children’s Museum invites families to celebrate the Eastern Box Turtle’s 50th Birthday! Make him a one-of-a-kind cake craft inspired by all his favorite things! Come help honor 50 turtletastic years at the drop-in program. For ages 3+.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 1-3 p.m.
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
Theater. Come ready to party!” Keep an eye out 30 minutes before each show for a special interactive pre-show! For ages 3+. $5 with museum admission ($4 members), $10 theater only.
• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City
• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also July 22
• Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
JUL 17 Murder Mystery Escape
A Celebration of the Mighty Zep
JUL
20
East Meadow Library hosts two sessions of a murder mystery escape room. Registration is required.
• Where: 1886 Front St.
• Time: 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
JUL 18
Farmers Market
CCE Nassau County resumes its summer farmers market in Eisenhower Park.
• Where: Eisenhower Park, Field 8
• Time: 9 a.m.-noon, also July 25
• Contact: Visit CCENassau.org
Led Zeppelin fans, rejoice! Get The Led Out returns to the Paramount with “A Celebration of the Mighty Zep,” two electrifying nights of classic rock, running through June 28. From the bombastic and epic, to the folky and mystical, GTLO has captured the essence of Led Zeppelin and brought their music to the concert stage. The Philadelphia-based group consists of six veteran musicians, intent on delivering Led Zeppelin live, like you’ve never heard before! Utilizing the multi-instrumentalists at their disposal, GTLO re-creates songs, in all their depth and glory, with the studio overdubs that Zeppelin themselves never performed. Hailed for their powerful tribute to what many consider the greatest rock band of all time, the band delivers a faithful and highoctane recreation of Zeppelin’s iconic sound. From thunderous anthems to mystical acoustic ballads, GTLO captures the full range of Led Zeppelin’s brilliance — complete with the layered instrumentation and soaring dynamics that the band rarely performed live. With no wigs or phony accents, just pure musical passion. When an album calls for three guitars, GTLO brings three guitarists to the stage — no shortcuts, no gimmicks. GTLO focuses on the legendary band’s early years and dives deep into beloved hits and rare cuts alike. Their approach is reverent and precise, more like a classical concert than a cover band — a true celebration of timeless rock.
Country sounds
Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series welcomes Simply Stapleton for a Chris Stapleton tribute.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200
Magic in the Making
Old Westbury Gardens welcomes young witches, wizards, and magical makers to special after-hours evening in the gardens. Families are invited enjoy an evening of creativity and a little bit of magic. Activities include Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects exhibit, I LUG NY Challenge Zone, LEGO-freeplay area, “My Own Creation” build contest, craft stations and spell-bound sports. Dress as your favorite wizard, witch or whimsical character! $34 general admission, $24 child, with member discounts. Registration required.
• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
• Time: 5-8 p.m.
• Contact: oldwestburygardens.org or call (516) 333-0048
Summertime vibes
Cover City Soundtrack takes over the Jones Beach Bandshell for a free, all - ages night of pop - punk anthems, emo nostalgia, and shoreline summer energy. Parents can relive their Warped Tour days while kids discover why this music still hits hard. Expect jump - worthy pop - punk, heart - tugging emo classics, and the kind of electric beach - night vibe only Jones Beach delivers. From toddlers to teens to full - grown elder emos, everyone can dance, laugh, and sing along. Bring your crew, your kids, your nostalgia, and your energy.
• Where: Jones Beach Boardwalk Bandshell, Field 4, 2400 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh
• Time: 8-10 p.m.
• Contact: CoverCitySoundtrack. com
Rockin’ on Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series continues with a double bill of Last Exit with a Pearl Jam tribute and Foo For All with Foo Fighters tunes.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Where: The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington
• Time: 8 p.m.; also July 25
• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200
Summer Luau
Grab your lei and practice your hula moves because the Town of Hempstead’s Traveling Summer Luau is coming to a park near you! Featuring music, inflatables, mocktails and more. This festive event is fun for the whole ohana.
• Where: Veterans Memorial Park, East Meadow
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Contact: HemspteadNY.gov
Family theater
Lance the Eagle welcomes families to “A Semi-QuincentenEAGLE Birthday” on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage. In this original production, families are invited to celebrate his birthday. His message: As the national bird, this party will be happening throughout the whole month of July. Come to think of it, I did hear something about a birthday for the United States of America as well. Hmm...must be a coincidence! I’ll be throwing a parade through LICM’s galleries and a celebratory spectacle in the
• Contact: EastMeadow.info
JUL
22
Family movie night
Enjoy a movie under the stars at Eisenhower Park. See “A Minecraft Movie,” the 2025 adventure comedy film based on the video game. Four misfits are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into a bizarre cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home they’ll have to master this world while embarking on a quest with an unexpected expert crafter.
• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow
• Time: Movie begins at dusk
• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov
Having an event?
Items on the Calendar page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to kbloom@ liherald.com.
FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle
Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers
Take advantage of on-site health screenings
Enjoy lively entertainment, fitness demonstrations and interactive experiences
Hear from experts during a panel discussion with Q&A
Win raffles, prizes, and giveaways
Snack station for all
*Boxed lunches for first 150 attendees
All designed to help you stay active, informed, and engaged at every stage of life.
MAE CAIME FOUNDER, AMAEZING MIDLIFE & BEYOND AGENDA:
DRAWINGS MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN
Register for this FREE event: Merrick.eventbrite.com or email rbamgbose@liherald.com or call 516.569.4000 x273
July 16, 2026 —
LEGAL NOTICE
Public Notices
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU
FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE
CORPORATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FREDDIE MAC
SEASONED LOANS STRUCTURED TRANSACTION TRUST, SERIES 2019-3, -againstSYED MOHAMMAD
ABBAS A/K/A SYED
MUHAMMAD ABBAS
A/K/A SYED ABBAS, 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 March 27, 2026, wherein FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE
CORPORATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FREDDIE MAC
SEASONED LOANS STRUCTURED TRANSACTION TRUST, SERIES 2019-3 is the Plaintiff and SYED
MOHAMMAD ABBAS
A/K/A SYED
MUHAMMAD ABBAS
A/K/A SYED ABBAS, 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 July 28, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 2396 3RD AVENUE, EAST MEADOWS, NY 11554; and the following tax map identification: 50-416-40. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU, STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 614933/2024. Ronald J. Ferraro, 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. 160863
at
x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR OPTEUM MORTGAGE ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION, ASSETBACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-4, Plaintiff, AGAINST JESUS A. AVELARLEMUS, et al.
Defendant(s)
Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on December 2, 2025.
I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 27, 2026 at 2:00 PM premises known as 629 Oxford Street, Westbury, NY 11590.
Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for Nassau County, and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Westbury, Town of North Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 0011, Block 00219-00 and Lot 00090-00094. Approximate amount of judgment $630,018.13 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #607755/2023.
Steven M. Feinberg, Esq., Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLPAttorneys for Plaintiff40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747 160857
YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION
(“FANNIE MAE”), A CORPORATION ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, -againstROBERT DYCKMAN, 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 December 16, 2014, wherein FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION
(“FANNIE MAE”), A CORPORATION ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is the Plaintiff and ROBERT DYCKMAN, 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 August 11, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1939 LINCOLN AVENUE, EAST MEADOW, NY 11554; and the following tax map identification: 50-536-20.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN EAST MEADOW, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 011136/2013.
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. 161109
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 61-2026
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held on the 7th day of July 2026, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead, on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 61-2026, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 61-2026, to amend Section 202-1 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include and repeal “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at various locations. Dated: July 7, 2026 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD JOHN FERRETTI
Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 161224
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR BIDS (RFB)
Date: July 6, 2026
Re: Notice of Request for Bids (RFB) No. 26 – SLMSv1Legal Advertising Online Student Learning Management System
Notice is hereby given that EAGER TO SERVE INC., (ETS) a 501 (C) 3 not-for-profit organization established in 1990, is soliciting bids from qualified developers (companies or individuals) to assist with the development of a Student Online Learning Management System (SLMS) for “The Company Play Store”. TM Prospective Vendors must sign and submit three copies of the bid no later than 3pm on August 14, 2026
All bids submitted in response to the RFB must use the bid format as specified in the bid request along with a non-refundable administrative fee of $500. Sealed bids must be mailed to the above address. Electronically submitted bids will not be accepted. Bids shall
News brief
Two students form East Meadow were among more than 110 students who completed New York Institute of Technology’s Internship Certificate Program during the spring.
Students complete NYIT internship program
Two East Meadow students were among more than 110 students who completed New York Institute of Technology’s Internship Certificate Program during the spring 2026 semester, gaining hands-on experience in professional work environments.
Abdul Raafay Irfan completed an internship as a Library 3-D Printing Technician intern with Handshake, while Hitesh Singh served as an Online Student Experience Assistant with Aspire High Youth Development Inc. The Internship Certificate Program recognizes students who complete
internships designed to provide practical experience and career-focused skill development while complementing their academic studies.
New York Institute of Technology is a private, nonprofit university founded in 1955. It enrolls nearly 8,000 students and offers undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs across a range of disciplines. The university has campuses in New York City, Old Westbury, Arkansas and British Columbia, as well as programs worldwide.
Public Notices
be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly addressed as follows: EAGER TO SERVE INC
ATTN: RFB No. 26 –SLMSv1 PO Box 215 Freeport, NY 11520
All submitted bids will become the property of EAGER TO SERVE INC. The selected proposal Awardee(s) will become public record. A completed bid package can be downloaded from the organization’s website at https:// www.eagertoserve.org/ purchasing during the period of July 6August 14, 2026. Questions or comments concerning this RFB #26-SLMSv1 may be submitted via e-mail to EAGER TO SERVE INC –PURCHASING at purchasing@eagertoser ve.org no later than July 20, 2026
Any questions or comments after the questions submission deadline date will be disregarded. Email concerning this RFB should state the
following in the subject line: “RFB No. 26 –SLMSv1”. Any communication regarding or relating to this with any official other than purchasing@eagertoser ve.org is prohibited. A summary of questions from prospective vendors and ETS’ responses will be posted on the website at https://www.eagertoser ve.org/purchase by 3p July 27, 2026
Each bid shall be in accordance with specifications, instructions and information contained in the RFB. ETS reserves the right to reject any or all bids for reason it deems necessary, to waive defects or irregularities in any bid, and to accept the bids deemed the most advantageous for “The Company Play Store”TM This RFB does not commit ETS to award a contract or to pay any cost incurred in the preparation of a response to this request.
Sincerely, Levada Felder Executive Director 161033
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, et al, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on July 5, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, North sides of the steps, Mineola, NY 11501 on August 19, 2026 at 2:30 PM 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 County of Nassau, State of New York, SECTION: 10, BLOCK: 325, LOT: 6. Approximate amount of judgment is $715,871.39 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 602386/2020. This sale may be subject to the US Dept of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Real Estate Reporting Rule. In such event, all purchasers are required to provide the information needed for proper reporting in accordance with the terms of sale. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Wayne Wink, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-093408-F00 90566 161156
–Jordan Vallone
Courtesy New York Institute of Technology
EMPLOYMENT
Help Wanted
ASSISTANT F/T NEEDED For Kidz Being Kidz Daycare In Oceanside Must Be Reliable And Love Children Call 516-608-2575
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers.
Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.
Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com
MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
MULTI MEDIA
ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours
Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off.
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HomesHERALD
Waterfront Dream Home
Spectacular 8,100-square-foot stately brick Colonial offering seven bedrooms, seven full and two half baths on 215 feet of prime waterfront property. Beautifully renovated throughout, this exceptional home features a dramatic two-story entry foyer that opens to a second-floor balcony. Walls of windows flood the home with natural light while showcasing magnificent water views. Designed for both comfortable living and elegant entertaining, the home offers an exceptional flow and generously proportioned rooms throughout. The main-level primary suite overlooks the water and features two enormous walk-in closets and a luxurious radiant-heated bath with double vanities, separate water closets, a steam shower, and a Jacuzzi tub. The 2,100-square-foot finished basement, renovated just 10 years ago, includes a theater, recreation room, gym, wine cellar, bonus room, and full bath. The resortstyle backyard features a heated Gunite pool and spa, outdoor kitchen, expansive patio, and a newly renovated 215-foot raised vinyl bulkhead with a private dock for your boat. Additional highlights include a grand circular driveway and an attached three-car garage. Every luxury amenity has been thoughtfully included. Located in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District #14, this remarkable waterfront estate is conveniently close to the LIRR, shopping, and houses of worship. Asking $5,570,000. Call today to arrange your private viewing of this exceptional waterfront residence.
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What to do about cracking concrete, Part 2
Q. We have large cracks in our concrete driveway and garage floor, and want to make sure they are repaired correctly, since they appear to be recently done, possibly within a year before we purchased the house. In particular, there is a nearly round hole that turned to gravel, kind of, and we want to know why it happened and avoid having it happen again. What can you tell us?
A. As I previously explained, concrete reacts to extreme weather changes, and isn’t as stable as people think. Nature moves mountains, so your driveway was no challenge to the forces of nature. Extreme cold causes concrete to contract — push in on itself — while heat has the effect of stretching rigid concrete to the point of literally ripping apart.
As with any material, water and movement are the most critical factors to work with. You’ll never win over nature. The hole is basically like a zit, a buildup of pressure in a weaker place across the surface. Concrete develops strength as a chemical reaction to the specific combination of materials it is made from. With too much water in the mix, it will be weaker, especially in a particular spot. With not enough water to support the chemical reaction of Portland cement, sand and stone, the concrete will be weak. It’s important to follow the directions on the package(s) to get the correct mix.
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Like any successful repair or construction project, analysis and planning are extremely important. You should have a professional take a look at the problem before you repair it, to decide if a repair is even worth it. A short consult more than pays for itself if it turns out you’d be wasting money on something that isn’t worth a quick fix. If that round hole reveals that there’s no steel reinforcement, for example, then the rest of the driveway is on its way to needing more serious work in the near future. If the hole reveals that the mix was too wet or too dry, or was poured in weather that was too cold, or that admixtures were the wrong combination, you’ll just be throwing good money after bad.
When I see concrete work being done in extreme cold or excessive heat, as I’m driving by, I make a mental note to double back, over time, to see how the experiment worked or didn’t work. You can only shake your head when you understand the possible outcome. There are concrete repair mixtures that include epoxy adhesives, but, again, follow the directions to the letter if you’re making the less expensive, quick repair.
It was invaluable for me to work with a mason, carpenter and painter during summers off from architecture school. The mason taught me to wet the area before continuing after our lunch break, not adding wet next to dry mortar. The dry area was already curing. The fresh mortar would have the moisture sucked right into the drier surface, weakening both, and the work in general. Good luck!
© 2026 Monte Leeper
Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.
Monte Leeper
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opinions America must not abdicate its leadership
Almost 60 years ago, former Secretary of State Dean Acheson wrote a memoir, “Present At the Creation,” which focused on the reality that the United States had to remake the world — or at least Europe — in the years after World War II. That required a rejection and repudiation of the isolationist “America First” policy that had predominated after World War I until Pearl Harbor.
In 1945, Hitler and Nazi Germany had been destroyed, and postwar Germany was in ruins. Though England and France had been victors, the war left them seriously weakened. The British economy was in shambles, and France, which had largely surrendered to Nazi collaborators during the war, was economically damaged and politically unstable.
Most ominously, it soon became apparent that Stalin’s Russia was intent on expanding Soviet rule in Europe, with no regard for treaties or territorial boundaries. Agreements such as Yalta and Potsdam were ignored as Soviet communist rule was imposed on
Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, East Germany and most of Eastern Europe, creating what Winston Churchill so accurately labeled the Iron Curtain.
Fortunately, the United States would not repeat the tragic errors it made after World War I, which led to the inexorable rise of Hitler and World War II. The first world war had left Germany impoverished, creating fertile ground for Hitler and the growth of Naziism. The U.S. had basically demobilized its armed forces after the “war to end all wars.”
UAs Hitler rebuilt the German war machine in the 1930s and Europe appeased Hitler at Munich, the U.S. was slow to respond, and then the America First movement opposed helping Churchill when England was under siege.
Ultimately, the Soviet empire would implode.
kraine needs American support, and in Iran we need NATO’s support.
Today, our world is in need of another act of creation. Russian President Vladimir Putin envisions a new Russian empire, beginning with the invasion of Ukraine. This was the first invasion of one sovereign European nation by another in the almost eight decades since World War II. This continuing attack threatens European stability and, as we should have learned from the two 20th-century conflagrations, America’s security is imperiled. The concept of Fortress America, with oceans protecting us, is outmoded, and potentially suicidal.
In the aftermath of World War II, however, the U.S. assumed the leadership of the free world. Unlike Germany under Hitler, Stalin’s Russian expansion would be halted. America First would be no more. The Marshall Plan was enacted to rebuild West Germany and Western Europe.
To prevent a replay of Munich and appeasement, NATO was created so that an attack on one would be an attack on all. Isolationism was over.
While Europe has stepped forward and provided Ukraine with needed weaponry, the Trump administration has cut off arms sales to Ukraine, instead selling them to Europe, which will provide them to Ukraine. This is unnecessarily convoluted, and is causing Ukrainian lives to be lost. The administration somehow sees a moral equivalence between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which isn’t that different from equating Hitler with Churchill.
Our lead negotiator, Steve Witcoff, is a real estate guy from New York with
no diplomatic experience, and he hasn’t met with the parties in months. Ukraine is fighting valiantly, and actually beating Russia on the battlefield. But being outnumbered and outgunned, Ukraine can’t survive without American support. Echoes of Munich! Similarly, we will not prevail in our struggle against Iran by announcing that we will never use ground troops or by pretending we are winning when we are stalemated by the Iranians, who have the ability to shut down the Strait of Hormuz. To succeed we will need the support of NATO nations to use their minesweeper expertise to clear the strait. That would have been easier if we had informed NATO of our intention to attack Iran in the first place. Every effort must be made to obtain congressional support, and to level with the American people that no war is easy, especially a war against religious fanatics. And every war has risks. Telling the enemy we won’t ever use ground troops only increases the risk of having to use them.
These are perilous times, and we cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past. America must show firm leadership. America First cannot be America alone!
Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
No need for Democrats to panic about Mamdani & Co.
These past few weeks have been difficult for middle-of the-road Democrats. Candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America have won roughly half of 70 or so contested primary contests nationwide. The Wall Street Journal called the DSA successes “the political story of 2026.”
But will the DSA drag the Democratic Party permanently to the left, or will it fade away, as the Tea Party did on the Republican side in the mid-2010s?
Over the past 50 years, I have seen the Democratic Party tugged left and center by a number of forces, but in the end the moderates have always won the tug of war. The first big DSA win was in New York City, when Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor. He has now been in office just over six months, and the political jury is still out on whether he will be able to hold on to his job for more than one term. To date, Mamdani has won some major victories, and kept his pledges to
the voters who supported him. He has gotten lots of money from Albany for pre-K and child care programs, and his promised rent freeze has been approved. He has not delivered yet on his promise of free buses, because that’s a cost that would hurt all New Yorkers who use mass transit, and can’t afford to subsidize bus riders.
GMamdani got elected by virtue of the fact that his only primary opponent was former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who turned out to be a weak candidate. Mamdani’s success can also attributed to the so-called socialists’ mastery of social media. Moderate Democrats have failed to use that medium as effectively, giving the DSA a gift that other candidates around the country have benefited from as well. Can the DSA become a major force in American politics? I personally doubt its long-term ability to survive, but I may be proven wrong. An August 2025 Gallup poll found that 39 percent of Americans had a positive view of socialism, while 57 percent had a negative view. Socialist positions like defunding the police, eliminating rent and solidarity with the Palestinian cause may ener-
overning in the modern era is a big challenge for a fledgling movement.
gize the base, but they remain liabilities in swing districts and national races. A recent article in the Atlantic reported that the DSA’s sectarian wing has refused to endorse a Democratic presidential nominee. That will undercut its political influence.
The recent DSA wins have been concentrated in cities such as New York, Seattle, Denver and Washington, where progressive voters dominate. The organization has no U.S. senators and only a handful of House members, and no member of the DSA has never won a statewide race. And the Mamdani victory is instructive. He won because he softened his image, distancing himself from defunding the police, and stuck to breadand-butter issues.
The socialist movement has an internal contradiction. Its ideologically pure wing alienates voters it needs to build majority coalitions, while its more electable candidates drift toward positions that look a lot like those of typical progressives. In the early 1970s, the New Democratic Coalition made a run at taking over the moderate wing of the Democratic Party, but failed because it
lacked a strong party structure. Electoral success in blue cities does not equal long-term political viability. For socialist candidates to establish durable legitimacy, they will need to demonstrate competence at governing. Mamdani is being watched closely to see if he can hold on to his base. To do so he will have to relax some of his stated positions, which has already unnerved some of his DSA supporters. One example, that went beyond his campaign pledges, was his decision to keep the city police commissioner, Jessica Tisch, in her position.
Some of my Democratic friends in high party positions have reached for the panic button, but I’ve urged them to hold their fire. The DSA and its base have yet to capture the Democratic centrists and hold them hostage. They may notch a few more wins, but governing in the modern era is a big challenge for a small, fledgling movement. History informs me that the moderates in the Democratic Party are still in charge, and, while threatened, are very much alive and well.
Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm.
Sports still bring us together
Sports have always been about more than wins and losses. At their best, they remind us that we have far more in common than the headlines, social media feeds and political arguments would have us believe.
Over the past several weeks, Long Islanders saw two remarkable examples.
The New York Knicks’ championship run transformed Long Island and New York City into one giant community gathering. Bars overflowed with fans wearing blue and orange. Families planned evenings around playoff game tipoffs. Friends who hadn’t watched a game together in years reunited.
Even people who only casually followed basketball found themselves caught up in the excitement. Whether you watched from a crowded sports bar, a watch party or your living room, you became part of something bigger than yourself.
The FIFA World Cup offered a different, but equally meaningful, lesson.
U.S. forward Folarin Balogun’s red card sparked spirited debate among soccer fans. Many questioned the referee’s decision, others defended it, and nearly everyone had an opinion. Yet those conversations, like so many others about the competition, remained focused on the pitch. Fans dissected tactics, coach-
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ing decisions and player performances not as ideological opponents, but as people who simply loved the game.
That distinction matters.
In too many corners of public life today, disagreement quickly turns into hostility. Every issue seems destined to become another battle in an endless culture war. Sports remind us that there is another way. You can passionately disagree with someone’s opinion, make your case, and then sit beside that same person to watch the next match.
Even after Belgium eliminated the United States, American supporters found themselves tipping their caps to a talented Belgian squad. There was disappointment, certainly, but also respect. Some fans even joked that Belgium had earned a little good karma along the way for not making Balogun’s controversial reinstatement an issue. That’s the beauty of sports. Defeat doesn’t have to produce bitterness. Sometimes it simply produces appreciation for excellence.
The same spirit carried Knicks fans through every dramatic moment of their championship run. Complete strangers celebrated together after clutch baskets. Subway rides morphed into rolling pep rallies. Neighborhood restaurants and bars became gathering places where age, politics, profession and background mattered far less than
the logo on a jersey.
For a few hours at a time, everyone was simply a fan. Those shared experiences strengthen communities in ways that statistics never can. They create memories between parents and children, lifelong friends and even strangers who may never meet again.
Years from now, many people won’t remember every score or every lineup change. But they will remember where they were, whom they were with and how it felt when an entire room erupted in celebration.
Our communities need more moments like that.
Sports won’t solve our political differences or erase the challenges we face. They shouldn’t have to. Their value lies elsewhere. They remind us that healthy competition doesn’t require contempt, that spirited debate doesn’t have to become personal, and that people with different backgrounds and viewpoints can still cheer, groan and celebrate together.
The Knicks gave New Yorkers a championship to remember. The World Cup is giving the world another reminder of soccer’s unmatched ability to unite people across borders and cultures. Long after the trophies are lifted and the final whistles blow, that is the real victory worth celebrating.
Seeing for ourselves where a legendary writer lived
suffolk County has been the home of many literary giants. The number is unusual for any area. It includes Walt Whitman, James Fenimore Cooper, Kurt Vonnegut, James Jones, Truman Capote, Betty Friedan, Edward Albee, E.L. Doctorow, Joseph Heller, Lanford Wilson, Joe Pintauro, Terence McNally, Colson Whitehead, Peter Matthiessen . . . and John Steinbeck.
And now, you can get an extraordinary insight into Steinbeck.
The house in Sag Harbor in which Steinbeck and his wife, Elaine, lived has been preserved. That’s thanks to donations to the Sag Harbor Partnership, the participation of the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas (Elaine’s alma mater), $750,000 from New York state, $11.2 million from the Town of Southampton’s Community Preservation Fund, and individual contributions from folks in Sag Harbor. You can go on a free Saturday tour of the 1.8 acres of property overlooking
Sag Harbor Cove, and visit inside the house, too, on Holiday Open House Weekends. My wife and I took the tour on the Memorial Day weekend.
Among the many features of the property is Steinbeck’s charming little six-sided gazebo, his writing studio. He named it, with a sign, Joyous Garde, after Sir Lancelot’s castle in the legend of King Arthur. Steinbeck won the Nobel Prize for literature and the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for his renowned novel “The Grapes of Wrath.” Among his many other books were “East of Eden,” “Of Mice and Men,” “The Pearl,” “The Red Pony,” “The Winter of Our Discontent,” “Tortilla Flat,” Cannery Row” and “Travels with Charley: In Search of America” — which begins in Sag Harbor.
sHe and Elaine lived in the Sag Harbor house from 1955 until his death in 1968. Elaine continued to use the house until she died in 2003.
Our docent for the tour was Lori Raimondo, who is highly knowledgeable about Steinbeck. She told us how Sag Harbor reminded him of Monterey, Calif., on the Pacific Ocean south of San Francisco, where he had earlier lived. Monterey was a working-class waterfront town, like Sag Harbor in those days.
teinbeck wrote in a gazebo that had room for only a small desk and a chair.
Raimondo said that Steinbeck saw the house while looking at another one nearby, but was told it wasn’t for sale. He went over and knocked on the door, anyway, and the couple who owned it said they were just putting it up for sale.
a collection of rifles hung above the fireplace, and she showed us photos of them. In a hallway that led down to a bedroom were many photos, including one of Steinbeck receiving the Nobel Prize. Up what is now a metal circular staircase — which replaced a ladder, Raimondo said — was a loft for the Steinbecks’ two sons, Thomas and John. Outside, we visited a small workshop building that, Raimondo told us, Steinbeck originally thought he could use for writing. But he found there were too many diversions in it. Then it was on to the simple Joyous Garde, which had room for only a small desk and a chair. It was a tranquil place for Steinbeck to write, with a serene view of the waters of Sag Harbor Cove through its windows.
He hung out with friends in the village, which in recent years has featured the John Steinbeck Waterfront Park. In the 1960s, he was a founder and honorary chairman of Sag Harbor’s Old Whaler’s Festival (now known as HarborFest). We lived in Sayville back then, and as a reporter for the Long Island Press, I went to Sag Harbor and interviewed Steinbeck on a festival day.
Framework by Tim Baker
In the house, Steinbeck’s creativity — and humor — were apparent immediately. Raimondo pointed out a mobile hanging in the living room, which, she noted, Steinbeck constructed from the spokes of an umbrella. Adjacent was a cozy kitchen area.
A main feature of the living room is a fireplace made with large stones, especially big in the context of the small house. Originally, Raimondo explained,
To arrange to take the tour, go to steinbeckhouse.org/visit. “There are two options for visiting,” it advises. One is a “regular Saturday visit,” on dates that are listed. The other is holiday open house weekends, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays on which both the grounds and the home are open. Take the tour. It is immensely worthwhile.
Karl Grossman has been an investigative reporter in a variety of media for more than 50 years. He is a professor of journalism at the State University of New York at Old Westbury.
Thrilling the thousands on chairs and blankets below, the Blue Angels celebrated the nation’s 250th birthday — Jones Beach
