East Meadow Herald 07-30-2026

HERALD east meadow

Fillies round out historic run

Cats in the cradle, and a Chapin tribute in the park

A July 16 concert at Eisenhower Park honored the life and legacy of Long Island singer-songwriter Harry Chapin as part of Nassau County’s free summer concert series. Corey Rieman and The Dilemma Band led the tribute as fans gathered for a night of folk and soft rock celebrating Chapin’s music and fight against hunger. Above, Corey Rieman led the performance in Eisenhower Park. Right, audience members enjoy the soft-rock tunes that fell over the theatre, named after Chapin. Story, more photos, Page 8.

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

The East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center, which has been a vibrant hub in the heart of the community, welcomed Rabbi Samuel Gelman as its new spiritual leader on July 1, hoping to build on the synagogue’s momentum and helping guide it into the future.

The synagogue holds religious services, weekly events and programming that bring together about 300 families in the Conservative Jewish movement.

When thinking about being in a congregation, you’re picking a home

SAmuEL GELmAN

Newly installed rabbi, East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center

Gelman comes to East Meadow BethEl after serving most recently as an educator at the Florence Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning in New York City. A New Jersey native, Gelman said his faith and love of Judaism were important parts of his formative years — and, in some ways, he said he’s always felt becoming a rabbi was his true calling.

A graduate of Princeton University, Gelman received a bachelor’s degree in Near Eastern Studies, specializing in Israeli history. He then served as a youth director and social

Continued on page 5

“We have on tape, me at my kindergarten step up (ceremony), where they’re asking us, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’” Gelman recounted. “And all the kids are like, ‘I want to be a fireman.’ ‘I want to be a policeman.’ I said, ‘I want to be a rabbi.’ I’ve always felt a real, strong connection to Judaism. I’ve always loved it.” East Meadow Beth-El was formed in 2020 through a merger of the former East Meadow Jewish Center and Temple Beth-El in Bellmore. The congregation was then served by East Meadow’s Rabbi Emeritus Ronald Androphy, who retired in 2023. For the next two years, the congregation was led by Rabbi Aaron Marsh, who left in 2025. When a search committee was formed to find a new rabbi, Gelman emerged as a standout candidate.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

East Meadow Fillies wrap up historic run

By JULIA CUTTONE Correspondent

The East Meadow 12-and-under Fillies didn’t just win games this summer, they built a legacy. Under the guidance of coaches Mike Barnwell, Chris Balbi, and Larry Barra, the Fillies captured the District 32 title, claimed the Section 4E championship, and finished 6th in New York State, marking one of the strongest Williamsport runs in program history.

Their journey began with a dominant 4–0 sweep through District 32, a performance that set the tone for a season defined by grit and growth. Sectionals brought tougher competition and their first moment of adversity, a loss to Sayville. Instead of folding, the Fillies responded with poise and determination. They rattled off three straight wins to secure the Section 4E crown and earn their place in the New York State tournament.

“It was an incredible feeling, one none of us will forget,” Coach Barnwell said. “The way they battled back after that first Sayville loss showed real character. We couldn’t be more proud of them.”

At states, the Fillies held their own against the top 12U teams in the region, ultimately finishing 6th, a milestone achievement for both this group and the East Meadow softball community.

“This is the first time this core of players has won District 32, advanced through sectionals, and competed on the New York State stage,” Barnwell added. “To do it all together, at this age, is

something truly special.”

Their success was built long before the first pitch of tournament play. All summer, the Fillies trained at the EMBSA complex, practicing, scrimmag-

ing, and building the chemistry that carried them through every high-pressure moment. The coaching staff emphasized that while standout performances emerged, the team’s strength came from unity.

“This was a true team effort from start to finish,” the coaching staff said. “We got big contributions from every single player on this roster, especially when we needed it most.”

The Fillies closed their Williamsport journey on July 9 with an 8–3 overall record, two championships, and a place among New York’s elite. With the season complete, the coaches are focused not on what’s next, but on celebrating what this group accomplished.

“Finishing 6th in New York State is something these kids will carry with them forever,” Barnwell said. “It’s a bittersweet ending, but an ending we’re incredibly proud of.”

The Fillies coaches also expressed deep gratitude to the community that rallied behind the team every step of the way.

“We want to thank East Meadow Little League for sponsoring our team, our unbelievable parents, and the East Meadow community for their unwavering support,” they said in a joint statement. “And to our girls, you represented East Meadow with class and competed at the highest level. No one can ever take that away from you.”

Courtesy East Meadow Fillies

The East Meadow 12U Fillies celebrate a milestone summer after winning the District 32 and Section 4E championships and finishing sixth in New York State.

East Meadow board reorganizes for new year

The East Meadow Board of Education welcomed new and returning leadership at the Salisbury school during their annual reorganization meeting on Thursday July 16.

The meeting was intended to ring in the new school year as well as continued work in support of student achievement, educational excellence and meaningful partnerships with the East Meadow community.

District Clerk Judy Kandel opened the meeting by administering the oath of office to Superintendent of Schools Kenneth Rosner, who begins his fourth year leading the district.

After the superintendent’s oath, trustees David Carl and Jessica Ricco-Simeone, who were re-elected by the community in May were sworn into new three-year terms on the Board of Education. Ms. Kandal also took the oath of office as district clerk, while Jeanne Puma was sworn in as district treasurer. The board then elected its officers for the coming school year, selecting Ms. RiccoSimeone to serve as President and Maria Talluto as Vice President.

“September we’re working on, Mr. Spinnato and I are working on the state of our schools which will review all of our test scores and our initiatives and our construction projects and everything,” said East Meadow Superintendent of Schools, Kenneth Rosner during his meeting announcements. “So that will be for the September board meeting, so we’re hard at work at that, so we’re looking for-

ward to kind of showing off some of the great things that are happening in our district.”

The district congratulated all of the newly sworn-in officials and wished the Board of Education a successful and productive year ahead.

“I would just like to say what a pleasure it is to work with this board of education,” said trustee Nancy Widman.

“Our president, Jessica, our vice president, Maria, it’s been a really good working board. We work very well together, of course we have our tremendous Superintendent Mr. Rosner and I’m looking forward to another phenomenal year,” she said.

– Jonathan Padilla

Photos courtesy East Meadow Union Free School District

Recently re-elected Jessica Ricco-Simeone was sworn in as the East Meadow Board of Education president.

Maria Talluto was sworn in as the East Meadow Board of Education vice president.

East Meadow Superintendent of Schools Kenneth Rosner was sworn in for his fourth year during the board of education’s reorganization meeting on July 16.

Judy Kandel was sworn in as the East Meadow Board of Education district clerk during the board’s reorganization meeting on July 16.

News brIef

East Meadow farm is open for the season

Fresh, locally grown produce will once again be available at the East Meadow Farm Stand, which will operate every Wednesday through Oct. 28. The farm stand, located at East Meadow Farm, 832 Merrick Ave., will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Wednesday, offering residents access to seasonal fruits and vegetables.

The program is funded by the Nassau County Department of Human Services’ Office for the Aging through

the New York State Office for the Aging.

For information about Farmers Market Coupon distribution, residents can contact the Nassau County Office for the Aging at (516) 227-8900. For additional information about the farm stand, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County at nassau@cornell.edu.

–Jordan

Making the World a Better Place

The late Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom, wrote extensively on making the world a better place. In his book, “To Heal a Fractured World”, he writes, “I have spent much of my life thinking about life, observing people, reading books, searching for teachers and exemplars...I make no claim to wisdom, but this I have learned:”

“That what counts is not how much wealth we make but how much of what we have, we share.”

“That those who spend at least part of their lives in the service of others are the most fulfilled and happiest people I know.”

“That moral health is no less important to the quality of a life than physical health.”

“That the best do good without thought of reward, understanding that to help others is a privilege even more than it is an opportunity.”

“That self-interest is simply uninteresting.”

“That pain and loneliness are forms of energy that can be transformed if we turn them outward, using them to recognize and redeem someone else’s pain or loneliness.”

“That putting others down, we diminish ourselves; lifting others, we lift ourselves.”

“That nothing is gained by less-thanethical conduct. We may gain in the short term but we will lose in the long, and it is the long term that counts.”

“That the ability to give to others is itself a gift.”

“That the privilege of wealth lies not in what it allows us to do for ourselves, but what it enables us to do for others.”

“That the world is a book in which our life is a chapter, and the question is whether others, reading it, will be inspired.”

LAW FIRM

Karma cleanup elevate the Conversation

It starts with an inbound phone call to the office that I answer to redirect to the appropriate associate.

The individual identifies himself, remembers my name and voice from a previous call and although a follow-up call to my boss, he proceeds to engage me in conversation to build rapport with a perceived “gatekeeper”. (Gatekeepers are receptionists, secretaries and skilled assistants who retrieve calls but that’s not my hired role). Basically, in telemarketing and sales calls, it can be vital to build a relationship with the gatekeeper if you wish to ensure access to the senior level executive.

The caller goes on to ask me how my holiday with family was (it’s long past July 4) and despite his intention I don’t let him go much further.

immediately accountable, I revisit some of my conversations wondering if I could have done better. More positive. More aware. In short, improve my Karma.

With family it’s easier. I have some freedom to discuss a past moment with them anytime even if only to find out what was going on in their minds for some clarity.

“What can I do for you?” I call him by his name but my tone is sitting on the crossroads of snark and professional.

Sizing up me and the situation he provides contact information and I tell him I will get his message to the boss, thanking him for the call.

On the surface, there is nothing notable here. He’s making a classic move appearing as if he really cares, or he’s just an affable guy who does. Unfortunately, I am truthfully too busy and find the conversation a little manipulative and intrusive for my taste.

I go back to my work, and the interaction stays with me.

Lately, rather than holding others

For the outside world, cleaning up Karma is more challenging. Reconsidering the situation from the other person’s perspective and remaining open to acknowledging or apologizing even when the incident has passed is possible. It might not seem the best approach, but every time it’s successful, the approach motivates me to try it again.

So while the message is emailed to my boss, I get a moment of “Karmatic” inspiration. I call the gentleman back and let him know that I did exactly what was promised – the message is on its way. He is surprised, defenses are down, and his routine phone techniques are abandoned by gratitude.

I kind of like catching him off guard, I do admit. But improving my Karma is even better.

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.

L auren L ev

Vallone

Herald file

East Meadow residents can get fresh produce at the East Meadow Farm every Wednesday through October.

He hopes to guide temple

justice coordinator for Temple Emanu-El in Providence, Rhode Island.

He went on to attend the Jewish Theological Seminary in Manhattan, where he received his rabbinic ordination and a master’s degree in sacred music in 2022. During rabbinical school, Gelman met his wife, Naima, who is also a rabbi.

Gelman began his congregational work as rabbi of Congregation Agudath Achim in Savannah, Georgia after rabbinical school. Reflecting fondly on his time there, he said Georgia was where he spent his first years of marriage and where he and his wife welcomed their daughter. Still, the couple felt drawn to the northeast, wanting to be closer to family. After his wife accepted a teaching position in Westchester, Gelman spent the past year exploring the educational field himself while considering a return to congregational work.

Last October, Gelman was asked to officiate at a funeral service for the mother of a close family friend in New Jersey, where he met a member of East Meadow Beth-El. The member was impressed by the way he handled the service, and not long after, Gelman learned that the congregation was searching for a new rabbi.

Gelman applied and completed a few rounds of interviews, and later a trial-Shabbat service. When he was offered the job, moving to East Meadow felt like the right step for him and his family. East Meadow Beth-El, he added, impressed him with its traditional-style services.

“When thinking about being in a congregation, you’re picking a home,” Gelman said. “You’re picking a place — a community — that you want to belong to. It’s important to me that I pick a

home, I pick a congregation, where I can be my full self.”

The synagogue’s executive leadership said that although Gelman arrived at East Meadow Beth-El only a few weeks ago, the congregation has already offered him a warm welcome. They liked his personable approach and willingness to sit down with members, whether to chat over a cup of coffee or to learn more about the community, its ideas and needs.

Gelman told the Herald that he hopes to grow East Meadow Beth-El, particularly by attracting younger families. He said both the congregation’s longtime, bedrock members and its newer generation of families are essential to its future.

“I think there’s a lot of room for growth in the congregation, and I think we can get there,” he said. “I’m really excited to see how the congregation grows in the next several years.”

That hope for growth — and the possibility of what East Meadow Beth-El can become — is what excites Gelman the most in his new role.

“We’re not just going to keep doing what we’ve always done forever,” he said, “because we need to grow and thrive. We don’t just want to be complacent. We want new people to be coming in. We want to attract younger folks. We want there to be this huge, intergenerational community happening here.

“What excites me is being able to work on that, being able to expand, being able to see us move into the next chapter,” he continued. “Let’s take what we have, and let’s make it even better.”

The East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center is at 1400 Prospect Ave., East Meadow. For more, visit EastMeadowBethElJC.org.

rabbi Samuel gelman, the new spiritual leader at east meadow Beth-el Jewish Center, who brings both experience in congregation work and the education sector, said he’s looking forward to overseeing growth in a new setting.

Jordan Vallone/Herald

HERALD SPORTS

Crossovers fuel Nassau County football

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

Kickoff for the Nassau high school football season is just over a month away.

On Aug. 17, all 51 public high school football programs in the county will begin preparations for the upcoming season, scheduled to open Thursday, Sept. 3 with a Conference IV battle between Island Trees and Oyster Bay. The vast majority of openers will take place the following Thursday.

The biggest news of the offseason came in the spring when East Rockaway and West Hempstead announced it would be joining forces. Longtime Rocks head coach Russ Pajer adds Dom Carre, who served as the head coach at West Hempstead since 2010, as defensive coordinator. Carre played for Pajer at East Rockaway in 1997 and ‘98.

“Our JV teams combined last year and it was a great experience,” said Pajer, who enters his 32nd season as head coach. “West Hempstead’s numbers are down to less than 20, so it was a no-brainer. It was a seamless process with both superintendents on board. It’s a good thing and we expect to have a strong team.”

East Rockaway/West Hempstead is seeded fifth in Conference IV and opens at Valley Stream North. Three of its home games will be played under the lights at East Rockaway beginning Sept. 18 against defending county champion Seaford. West Hempstead will be the site of the Week 3 crossover against Elmont, and the game will serve as Homecoming. A Homecoming will also take place in East Rockaway Oct. 9. In 2025, the Rocks went 2-6 while the Rams finished 4-4 and qualified for the playoffs.

“We expect to have between 30 and 35 kids on varsity,” Pajer said.

Crossover games add intrigue

Seaford, along with three-time defending Long Island champion Massapequa (Conference I), ninetime defending county champion Garden City (II) and South Side (III) are the No. 1 seeds in their respective conferences.

Massapequa and Garden City will clash in a muchanticipated crossover game Sept. 26 on the Chiefs’ home field at 1:30 p.m. The Trojans enter the season riding an amazing 66-game winning streak. The showdown, along with all the other crossovers between Conferences I and II, and III and IV, will carry a lesser power-ranking weight than the other seven games, Carey head coach Mike Stanley said.

Some of the other Week 3 matchups feature Carey at Oceanside, Long Beach at Farmingdale, South Side at Seaford, Plainedge at Lynbrook, and Freeport at Roosevelt (Thurs., Sept. 24 at 5 p.m.)

Seven teams switch conferences

Plainedge and Carey lead a group of six teams switching conferences for this season based on enrollment and size breakdown of each conference. Plainedge finished first in the regular season in Conference IV a year ago, going undefeated in the process, and bumps down to III. Carey was in III last fall but jumps up to II, essentially changing places with Glen Cove. East Meadow is no stranger to the top conference and heads there after a brief stay in II. Floral Park, Valley Stream North and Valley Stream South moved to IV from III.

Few coaching changes

Legendary Plainedge head coach Rob Shaver retired

10 games to watch

Sept. 10 Long Beach at Carey

Sept. 10 Wantagh at Plainedge

Sept. 10 Lynbrook at Seaford

Sept. 19 Mepham at Calhoun

Sept. 26 Carey at Oceanside

Sept. 26 Garden City at Massapequa

Oct. 10 Oceanside at Massapequa

Oct. 17 Plainedge at South Side

Oct. 24 Massapequa at Farmingdale

Oct. 31 South Side at Wantagh

at the end of last season and the Red Devils are now led by former assistant Adam Hovorka. They’ll kick off at home versus defending Conference III champion Wantagh. And for the third time in four seasons, East Meadow has a new head coach with Matt Castaneda taking over. The Jets are seeded seventh in their return to Conference I and open at home against Hicksville. Former Elmont head coach Jay Hegi is the new head coach at Division.

Lucas DiDio and Oceanside take on Carey in what promises to be an exciting crossover game Sept. 26.

Michelle Ebel/Herald photos Chaminade’s Luka Tomaszweski was on the move during 7 on 7 drills at Oceanside.

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Chapin’s legacy celebrated at Eisenhower Park concert

Music fans gathered at Eisenhower Park for a special evening honoring the life and legacy of Long Island singer-songwriter Harry Chapin as part of Nassau County’s Free Summer Concert Series.

The July 16 concert featured Harry Chapin Day performers Corey Rieman and The Dilemma Band, along with Scarborough Fair, a Simon & Garfunkel tribute act. Families and friends filled the park with lawn chairs and blankets, enjoying a night of classic folk and soft rock under the summer sky.

The annual tribute celebrated Chapin’s enduring impact on music and his humanitarian legacy. Best known for hits including “Cat’s in the Cradle” and “Taxi,” Chapin, a Huntington native, was also a passionate advocate in the fight against hunger, helping to found organizations dedicated to ending food insecurity.

The free concert was presented by

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman as part of the county’s summer entertainment series, which brings live music to Eisenhower Park throughout the

season.

–Jordan Vallone

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Corey Rieman and The Dilemma Band performed at Eisenhower Park, paying tribute to the life and legacy of singer-songwriter Harry Chapin.

Harry Chapin was a Long island native dedicated to fighting food insecurity. Corey Rieman, above on stage, led the tribute performance in his honor.

Also performing was Scarborough Fair, a Simon & Garfunkel tribute act.

First responders inspire Extended School Year students

The playground at Bowling Green Elementary School in East Meadow transformed into an interactive safety hub on July 13 as students in the district’s Extended School Year program spent the day learning from members of the Nassau County Police Department and East Meadow Fire Department.

Police cars, armored vehicles, mounted police horses, a fire engine and a fire department ambulance lined the playground as students rotated through hands-on stations to meet local first responders and discover how they help keep the community safe. Throughout the morning, students eagerly explored emergency vehicles, asked questions and enjoyed memorable interactions with police officers, firefighters and EMS personnel.

Members of the Nassau County Police Department introduced students to their day-to-day responsibilities and gave them an up-close look at police cars, armored vehicles and specialized equipment. Students met the department’s mounted officers and their horses, a highlight of the day for many. As they explored the vehicles and learned about the tools officers use on the job, students gained a better understanding of law enforcement and the important role officers play in the community.

Firefighters from the East Meadow Fire Department shared important fire safety and prevention tips while demonstrating the protective gear they wear when responding to emergencies. Students toured both a fire engine and a fire

department ambulance before watching firefighters demonstrate how a firehose is used, offering an exciting look at the work they do to keep the community safe.

To thank their visitors, students presented both departments with handmade thank-you cards and showed their appreciation with smiles, hugs and high fives.

The district extended its sincere thanks to the Nassau County Police Department and East Meadow Fire Department for making the day both educational and unforgettable. Through their engaging demonstrations and meaningful interactions, they helped students build confidence, learn valuable safety lessons and create lasting memories.

–Jordan Vallone

Members of East Meadow Fire Department demonstrated how to use a firefighter hose with students at Bowling Green Elementary School during the district’s Extended School Year program.

Photos courtesy East Meadow Union Free School District

Members of the Nassau County Police Department exchanged cards with students.

Students saw an East Meadow fire truck up close.

Firefighters also showed students how an ECG machine works.

Tim Baker/Herald

Eisenhower Park lit up earlier this month for America’s 250th birthday. Long Islanders spoke with the Herald about why this year’s celebration felt more important than ever.

Long Islanders reflect on

U.S.’s 250th celebration

By LILY SPINDA Correspondent

Eisenhower Park came alive earlier this month as hundreds of Long Islanders reflected on America’s 250th Anniversary during Nassau County’s annual Celebrate America event. From the live rock bands and food trucks to the captivating fireworks and drone show, residents from across the island were nothing short of entertained as they celebrated with family and friends.

This year, Nassau County Parks reigned in Long Island-based bands including Glenn Strange, Chicken Head and Let Freedom Rock.

The rock bands were a big hit for attendees, including Justin Montana from Valley Stream. This year marked Montana’s seventh year coming to Eisenhower Park for the holiday, and the high schooler hopes to continue his family’s tradition. “This is probably my seventh time being here…my mom always comes here.”

While bands performed at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, long lines formed at food and ice cream trucks stationed across the park.

Even hours after the gates opened at 5:30 p.m., families continued to pour into the park. Some opted to camp outside the park’s gate with lawn chairs and coolers, avoiding the crowds altogether. West Hempstead resident Wendy Cruz and her toddler sat under a shady tree right outside the park’s entrance to beat the crowds and heat.

Although this is not Cruz’s first time celebrating the fourth at Eisenhower Park, this year marked her daughter’s first fireworks show.

“Now that I have a daughter, I just want her to see it too,” Cruz said.

As sunset approached, parkgoers were anticipating the night’s biggest attraction, a firework and drone show presented by TD Bank.

Darren Wilson, who has worked

security with Nassau County Parks for eight years, expected this year’s display to be unlike previous Independence Days.

“I’m just proud to be an American,” Wilson said. “It’s a beautiful thing, and I think the fireworks are supposed to be really insane tonight because of the anniversary,” said Wilson.

For East Meadow resident, Bill Rose, the celebration brought back memories of the nation’s bicentennial.

“I remember when the 200th bicentennial happened, and I got to tell you that the 250th is even more exciting,” Rose said. “Now I’m at Eisenhower Park, where it’s a beautiful crowd, beautiful people, a beautiful hot day.”

Some believed that the historic milestone was an even bigger reason to celebrate compared to previous years. Jon Daniels, program director from KJOY 98.3 was proud to work with TD and Eisenhower Park again to connect with the community.

“Especially this year, America 250, we’re taking it to another level, and it’s great to be here with our local listeners in our community,” he said.

But for Toya Hamilton, nothing specific came to mind as to why celebrating the 250th was different for her than previous Independence Days. The event’s greatest value was bringing her community and neighbors together.

“I think we need this right now,” Hamilton said on the importance of public community events such as Celebrate America. “People are bringing their kids to enjoy, playing tennis and soccer. It’s just a sense of community that’s important for us to have, that we might not get often.”

“This is what an event like this can do, it brings everybody together for all the things that separate us and our differences,” Daniels said. “We come together to enjoy the community, who enjoy America, and the beautiful event that this is here at Eisenhower Park.”

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STEPPING OUT

For Michelle Taplin, seen here at a spring showcase, theater is about more than performance. Through Tap Into Your Passion, she is helping young actors develop the confidence, resilience and skills to succeed both onstage and off.

Opening doors to the stage

By Iris Wiener

Michelle Taplin has spent much of her life immersed in the performing arts, but her greatest role may be helping the next generation discover their own voices. What began as a longtime dream has grown into Tap Into Your Passion, a thriving coaching and arts education company that, more than a year after its official launch, is already making a lasting impact on aspiring performers across the region.

As Tap Into Your Passion marks its first year and a half, Taplin celebrates the milestone with a special fundraising gala on Aug. 10 in The Green Room 42 in New York City that reflects the heart of her mission: making quality theater education accessible to everyone.

For Taplin, the journey started long before she opened her Rockville Centre-based business. Growing up in Oceanside, she balanced voice lessons, dance classes, gymnastics, and community theater while nurturing two lifelong ambitions: becoming a theater educator and one day opening her own company. Inspired by Oceanside High School theater teacher Laura Gallo, she pursued degrees in theater and business at Muhlenberg College before earning an MA in theater education from Adelphi University. Along the way, she gained experience as a performer, director, choreographer, stage manager, and arts administrator while also spending six years with the Sunrise Association, where she developed an inclusive teaching philosophy serving children with cancer and their siblings. Those experiences continue to shape every lesson she teaches today.

Taplin continues to wear many hats. She teaches theater at both the middle and high school in Oceanside, and directs productions with the school district and community theaters, including Plaza Theatricals. She also advises student organizations and mentors countless young performers. Tap Into Your Passion has become a natural extension of everything she loves most about teaching.

“Tap Into Your Passion’s mission is to provide theater education without costing an arm and a leg,” Taplin says, explaining that she wanted to remove financial barriers for students pursuing careers in the performing arts. She offers three primary services: private coaching for performers ages nine and up; a comprehensive college audition program that guides students through every step of the competitive application process; and a monthly master class series featuring accomplished Broadway performers, choreographers, casting directors, and other industry professionals.

The response has been exceptional. Taplin credits much of Tap Into Your Passion’s early success to the generosity of the artists who have shared their time and expertise. Taplin explains that each workshop has

Theater coach celebrates a milestone

reinforced the lessons she teaches her students while helping to build a supportive network where young performers can learn directly from professionals working in the industry.

Rather than molding students into “cookie-cutter performers,” Taplin encourages them to embrace their individuality. She believes there is no single path to success in theater and exposing students to a wide variety of artistic voices helps them discover the techniques and perspectives that resonate most authentically.

That philosophy has attracted students from throughout Long Island and Manhattan. Students from Floral Park, Oceanside, Lynbrook, Sewanhaka, Elmont, Rockville Centre, East Rockaway, Garden City, and New York City, among other places, create a diverse community connected by a shared love of theater.

“Michelle always makes sure to put care and respect into all of her students’ work sessions,” says Kevin Kirley, a student from Rockville Centre who now attends New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. “She has also been so integral to my journey throughout the college audition process. Her teaching has been extremely influential to me as a working actor, and I will take what I have learned throughout my training into my artistry.”

For Taplin, arts education extends well beyond singing, dancing or acting. She advocates that theater teaches empathy, collaboration, resilience, confidence, communication, and determination — life skills that benefit students regardless of whether they ultimately pursue careers on stage.

“It’s what the process teaches you,” she says, emphasizing that the personal growth students experience is often more valuable than the performances themselves.

Those values will be front and center shortly when Tap Into Your Passion hosts its Broadway Gives Back gala. The evening will feature performances by many of the Broadway artists and teaching professionals who have led Taplin’s master classes, each sharing a song that inspired their own theatrical journey. Beyond celebrating the company’s growth, the fundraiser will support Taplin’s goal of keeping coaching and master classes affordable for aspiring performers while demonstrating to students the passion that fuels successful careers in the arts.

As Tap Into Your Passion enters its second year, Taplin aims to continue expanding its reach while maintaining the close-knit community that has become its hallmark. She envisions welcoming more students, introducing them to even more accomplished professionals, and reminding every young artist that there is room for their unique voice in the theater world. Looking back on Tap’s remarkable beginning and the theater community’s willingness to help, Taplin relates that the experience has reinforced one lesson above all others: “The answer will always be ‘no’ if you don’t ask.”

It is a philosophy that has helped transform a childhood dream into a flourishing business, and one that continues to inspire the students following in her footsteps.

Visit TheGreenRoom42.VenueTix.com for tickets or more information about Where It All Began: Broadway Gives Back.

Double Vision: The Foreigner Experience

Comprising a group of exceptionally talented musicians and die-hard Foreigner fans, Double Vision has perfected the art of bringing to life the unforgettable hits that have defined generations. From “I Want to Know What Love Is” to “Cold as Ice,” Their renditions are a harmonious blend of passion, precision, and nostalgic energy. Drawing inspiration from Foreigner’s unmistakable sound and stage presence, Double Vision delivers a performance that pays homage to the band’s legacy while infusing their own charisma and enthusiasm. Their commitment to authenticity is matched only by their unwavering dedication to creating an electrifying experience for their audiences.

Saturday, Aug. 1, 8 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington.

Vishal & Sheykhar

Brace yourself for a high-octane night with Bollywood’s most electrifying music duo – Vishal and Shekhar! VishalDadlani and Shekhar (formerly Shekhar) Ravjiani return to the states, following a completely sold-out U.S. run in 2025. Experience the energy and excitement of The Superhit Tour as acclaimed music duo Vishal and Sheykhar take the stage. Known for creating some of Bollywood’s biggest hits, the duo brings a powerhouse performance filled with fan-favorite songs, dynamic production and a concert atmosphere that will have the entire audience singing along. Expect a night packed with unforgettable music, stunning visuals, and the signature sound that has made them global sensations.

Sunday, Aug. 2, 7 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or tillescenter. org or (516) 299-3100. Tilles Center, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville.

Photos courtesy Michelle Taplin

Student Bella Romero performs at the spring showcase at The Green Room 42.

Broadway’s Krystina Alabado, right, leads a master class.

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

jul 31

‘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

Summer grooves

Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series welcomes Grateful Dead tribute band Half Step. The Long Island-based band are dedicated fans and “students” of the Grateful Dead, capturing the spirit, improvisation, sound and complexity of Grateful Dead music. Half Step has been mastering their craft since 2004 while winning over crowds of veteran Deadheads, newcomers and non-Dead fans alike. Like the Grateful Dead themselves, the band is constantly pushing the envelope, growing together as musicians and performers.

• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200

Aug 1

Storybook Stroll

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a Storybook Stroll. Little listeners are invited to participate in a guided stroll through the Gardens, with a reading of “StellaLuna” by Janell Cannon. Along the way, discover nature’s wonders, in the formal gardens. The tour ends at the Thatched Cottage with a story and handson craft for each child to take home.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Franz Ferdinand

Aug

5

Family movie night

Enjoy a movie under the stars at Eisenhower Park. See Disney’s “Zootopia 2,’” the animated buddy cop comedy sequel. Brave rabbit cop Judy Hopps and her friend, the fox Nick Wilde, team up again to crack a new case, the most perilous and intricate of their careers.

• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

• Time: Movie begins at dusk

• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov

Nature Connects

Old Westbury Gardens welcomes families to spend an afternoon exploring, building and creating together! Seasonal Sprouts offers is a LEGO-themed adventure for young explorers. Children (ages 4–10) embark on a guided outdoor tour of Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects made with LEGO bricks. Everyone discovers the wonders of nature in a fun and hands-on way. After the tour, kids can unleash their creativity in a LEGO free-play area. $22 per adult, $20 ages 62+, $12 child. Registration required.

• Time: 8 p.m.

The Scottish band brings their Greater Glasgow European Cultural Exchange Tour to the Paramount stage, in support of their latest album, “The Human Fear,” which dropped in January. Since emerging from Glasgow’s art-school scene — where the band famously staged illegal parties in abandoned buildings — Franz Ferdinand has built a reputation for bold sharp hooks, infectious riffs and a fearless approach to reinvention. The band’s sixth studio album explores the emotions that define the human experience, transforming fear from something to avoid into something that awakens us. From the vulnerability of new relationships to the courage required to embrace change, “The Human Fear” channels those moments of uncertainty into songs packed with energy, urgency and unmistakable Franz Ferdinand style. Following the retrospective collection “Hits To The Head,” their latest album marks a new chapter for the group — one that honors its signature sound while pushing forward. Expect a high-energy performance filled with the clever songwriting, driving rhythms and irresistible beats that have made Franz Ferdinand one of the most influential bands of its generation. At this point in their career, Franz Ferdinand definitely know who they are, and are relishing the vigor that comes with accepting that

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

Summer sounds

Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series continues with the annual Salute to Veterans show. Desert Highway performs an Eagles tribute. American Bombshell also appears.

• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200

‘Salute to Veterans’

Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series continues with the annual Salute to Veterans show. Desert Highway performs an Eagles tribute. American Bombshell also appears.

• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200

Aug

2

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 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 Aug 5

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

Summer tunes

Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series welcomes Lovesong, with an ‘80s New Wave tribute. The band offers a unique concert experience with electrifying performances of legendary music by Duran Duran, INXS, The Cure, Tears for Fears, Depeche Mode, Erasure, New Order and more.

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

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: nassaucountyny.gov or (516) 572-0200

Bubble Magic

Aug

3

Long Island Children’s Museum welcomes families to the Bubbles exhibit for some extra sudsy fun! Through playful, hands-on experiments explore what makes a bubble form, what makes them pop, and discover new creative ways to make bubbles at the drop-in program. For ages 3+.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

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

Aug

4

Summertime grooves

TOH concert series encourages everyone to “Come Together” at Speno Park in East Meadow. Strawberry Fields gets the vibe going with a Beatles tribute.

• Where: 745 East Meadow Ave.

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 292-9000 ext. 7255

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 2-3 p.m., also Aug. 12

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

Aug

8

Dog Days It really is the dog days of summer! Celebrate the season with your fourlegged best friend during the popular Summer Dog Days Weekend at Old Westbury Gardens. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you for a stroll through the beautiful gardens and grounds at Old Westbury Gardens. It’s the perfect excuse to get outside and enjoy summer together.

• Where: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury

• Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., also Aug. 9

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

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.

News brief

State Sen. Steve Rhoads hits the road

State Sen. Steve Rhoads is bringing his Mobile Office Hour Tour back to communities throughout the 5th Senate District, adding summer and fall dates to give residents more opportunities to meet with him and receive assistance with state-related issues.

Now in its fourth year, the Mobile Office Hour Tour has become a regular outreach program for the senator’s office. Rhoads has hosted more than three dozen office hours at libraries and community locations across the district, offering constituents a convenient way to discuss concerns affecting their families and neighborhoods.

Upcoming office hours are scheduled for Aug. 19 from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m. at the Merrick Library, 2279 Merrick Ave.; Aug. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the PlainviewOld Bethpage Public Library, 999 Old Country Road; Sept. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Levittown Public Library, 1 Bluegrass Lane; and Sept. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Seaford Public Library, 2234 Jackson Ave.

Appointments are required and may be scheduled by calling Rhoads’ district office at (516) 882-0630, though walk-ins will be accommodated as time permits. Dates and times are subject to change. –Jordan Vallone

Courtesy Office State Sen. Steve Rhoads Rhoads is bringing his Mobile Office Hour Tour back to communities in the 5th District.

July 30, 2026 — EAST

LEGAL NOTICE

Public Notices

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW 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 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

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF THE TRUMAN 2021 SC9 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. DEBRA GELORUM, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on February 18, 2026, 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 August 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 1845 Grant 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 190 and Lots 27-30. Approximate amount of judgment is $473,454.30 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #615219/2022.

Oscar A. Prieto, Esq., Referee

Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 231516-1 161331

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR CARRINGTON MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2007RFC1, ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, Plaintiff AGAINST JOSEPH TRICARIO; ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 25, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 1150 on August 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 216 Morris Drive, East Meadow, NY 11554. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the East Meadow, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 45 Block: 495 Lot: 9. Approximate amount of judgment $1,459,408.62 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #006507/2014. Anthony Decarolis, Esq, Referee FEIN, SUCH & CRANE, LLP 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800

Rochester, NY 14614

CARN189 90511 161164

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 AGAINST Ana M. Miranda Individually and as surviving spouse of Jose E. Miranda, et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 4, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on September 2, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 1757 North Drive, East Meadow, NY 11554. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at East Meadow, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50 Block 461 Lot 3. Approximate amount of judgment $292,241.78 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #602193/2025. Only Bank or Certified check payable to the Referee will be accepted for the downpayment. No third party check or cash will be accepted. Jonathan C. Juliano, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 24-003867 90847 161401

Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR RCAF ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST CURTIS DAVIS, CHINEEKA DAVIS, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered January 7, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County

Veterans in cars lined up in East Meadow to receive food, clothing and household items during a community giveaway hosted in Eisenhower Park.

200 pairs of sneakers and socks from men and women in need were distributed, along with household supplies which lined the

Veterans receive essentials during East Meadow giveaway

Veterans in need received food, clothing and household essentials during a community giveaway hosted in East Meadow by the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency and General Needs.

Approximately 200 pairs of sneakers and socks for men and women were distributed to veterans. Home Depot and PSEG donated household supplies, while Long Island Cares provided free

groceries and fresh produce.

The event brought together volunteers and community partners to support local veterans by helping meet their everyday needs. Organizers said the giveaway reflected a collaborative effort to ensure veterans have access to essential resources and assistance.

–Jordan Vallone

Public Notices

Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on August 27, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 897 Niagara Street, Elmont, NY 11003. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Elmont, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 37 Block 655 Lot 12. Approximate amount of judgment $688,916.17 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index

#609788/2023. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 23-001403 90636 161391

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION, Plaintiff AGAINST FLORDELIZA LEONARDO, DANTE DIMAANO IF LIVING, AND IF HE/SHE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, CLAIMING, OR WHO MAY CLAIM TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN, OR

GENERAL OR SPECIFIC LIEN UPON THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THIS ACTION; ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered May 19, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on August 31, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 51 Lafayette Avenue, 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, Nassau County and State of New York, Section 10 Block 144 Lot 185. Approximate amount of judgment $613,142.07 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #600576/2023. For sale information, please contact XOME at www.Xome.com or call (844) 400-9633. Jaime D. Ezratty, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 22-003049 90557 161389

Photos courtesy John Scalesi

giveaway area.

Teacher Aide: $20.60 per hour Address letter of interest and resume to: humanresources@vs30.org 516-434-3600 ext 5223 valleystream30.com

Lunch

in Long Island, New York. We are always looking for NYS Certified energetic Teachers, RTI/ELA Teachers. Response To Intervention/English Language Arts Teachers. Special Education (Special Ed) Teacher, and Substitute Teachers to join

Substitutes. Up to a $500 Signing Bonuses, Scholarships and Employee Referrals Questions call: 631-360-0800 ext. 149 or send a resume to: cc@scopeonline.us SCOPE Education is an equal opportunity Employer

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

Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250

REAL ESTATE

Real Estate

WE BUY HOUSES for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670

Cemetery Plots

TWO BURIAL PLOTS FOR SALE. New Montifiore Cemetery. Desirable location. $5,500 per grave (below current pricing). Please email or call: Nechul333@gmail.com 516-316-0497

Do we have to submit complete house

plans

just for a garage?

Q. We were recently told that our permit plans, to be approved, were going to have to include plans of the entire house, not just the garage area we are bumping out on the side. We were wondering if you have heard of this or whether we are being singled out. Our architect said that it may be because we have to go to the zoning board. Is this the reason, or did we say something wrong and are being punished? We asked, several times, for an update, because things are moving very slowly and we get the impression the building department just wants us to go away. They work for us and I think we deserve better service, frankly.

A. Trust but verify is now a common expression, and with good reason. What I have noticed over the years is that complete information is more often required, showing unrelated areas of the home, because many people have not been truthful about building changes or about how much work they have done, without permits, in other parts of the home. Because of this issue, many plans examiners ask for the big picture, not just the area you are interested in. It is obvious, when looking at file records in building departments and then comparing them to the actual dwelling during a walkthrough.

Your dilemma is due to the lack of trust between the authorities and the public. If the building inspector notices that the plans and the home don’t exactly compare, they can ask for “revised” plans to be submitted. It is frustrating, right at the end of a project, when people are ready to move on with their lives, to find out that the “simple, little changes” and side work they did require revised plans to be submitted to their building department. It is much worse to learn about changes or not following plans many years later.

Contractors and owners may get away with not communicating in the short term, but it does not pay, in the long run, to hide information. When someone realizes they bought a house with inherited, hidden issues which they are now responsible for, they feel taken advantage of. Worse than that are the costly corrections that have to be made because something that has existed for years may not be code-compliant. It happens all too often that unrelated portions of the building become a stumbling block to getting approvals for what you are really looking to do.

You are probably not being singled out, but you have been put in this position by previous workers and owners who did not take the record-updating seriously. People have told me, with a grin, that “By the time anyone notices, we’ll all be long gone.” I just came from a jobsite where work was done 16 years prior, the plans were not followed, and a structural failure is occurring that is going to be expensive to fix. The whole picture, not just part, is, therefore, important. Good luck!

Readers are encouraged to send questions to

AURORA HO MODEL car track. 60+ pieces. Some original boxes. $30.00. 516-781-7069

CORDLESS LEAF BLOWER & Vacuum. Battery and charger included $45.00. 516-872-8486

ERGO BABY CARRIER 360, all positions, 12-45 lbs, boxed, $40, 516-884-9994.

Stuff

Finds Under $100

ERGONOMIC KNEELING CHAIR: Excellent condition, Gray cushioned fabric. 200lb limit. $50. 516-432-2401 Long Beach

VINTAGE DINNERWARE, SANGO Cafe Paris, Set- Two: dinner, salad plates, bowls, cups, saucers, $99, 516-884-9994.

SERVICES

Appliance Srvc./Repair

APPLIANCE DOCTOR FOR ALL YOUR APPLIANCE REPAIRS! Prompt, Reasonable, Reliable. All Repairs Guaranteed. Lic/Ins. Serving Community 45 Years. $10 OFF Repairs. Seniors $12 OFF. 516-764-7011

THE APPLIANCE KING: Washers, Dryers, Dishwashers, Microwaves, Stoves, Refrigerators. WE RULE REPAIR ! $10 Off Repair With Ad. Senior Discount. Lic/Ins #201025, Call 516.640.8593

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

Cleaning Services

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The documentary on Steven McDonald is a must-see

Recently I saw a screening of the documentary about the late NYPD detective Steven McDonald, “Saint of the City.” McDonald was a true hero. In 1986, as a young police officer, he was shot and permanently paralyzed by 15-year-old Shavod Jones, whom he was questioning about a series of bicycle thefts in Central Park.

Jones shot McDonald three times, the third time while he was lying on the ground, shattering his spine and leaving him a quadriplegic, needing a ventilator to breathe.

McDonald not only survived, but forgave Jones and went on to live more than 30 heroic years of dedicated service, without complaint or self-pity, until his death in 2017.

Steven and his wife, Patti Ann, lived in Malverne during that time with their son, Conor, who was born just months after his father was shot. Patti Ann went on to serve two terms as Malverne’s mayor. “Saint of the City” was written by veteran Emmy-award winning WPIX-TV reporter Mary Murphy

and produced by Erin Mulvey, a former DEA agent. Filled with facts, emotion and perspective, the film captures the essence of McDonald as an outstanding human being who inspired so many.

I met with him over the years at various police events, at his home in Malverne and in Congress. Those meetings made vividly clear to me just how devastating his injuries were. He was not only confined to a wheelchair, but incapable of moving any party of his body except his head, and he had no sense of feeling anywhere. Once when he gave me a book he had written, he inscribed it for me with a Sharpie he held between his teeth.

The NYPD detective forgave the teen who shot him, leaving him a quadriplegic.

His breathing was labored, and required a ventilator. At any time he could be struck with severe spasms lasting 30 seconds to a minute. These were difficult to observe, never mind having to endure them.

As the film depicts, McDonald persevered through all of this. He regularly spoke at high schools and to young cops.

He was also an articulate voice for peace and justice in Northern Ireland, not just attending events in New York, but traveling to Northern Ireland to

Iurge those on all sides — Catholics and Protestants, pro-British and pro-Irish — to resolve their differences and pursue the path to peace. McDonald’s efforts were particularly beneficial in the months following the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, when radicals attempted to shatter the peace accord with a horrific bombing attack in Omagh, Northern Ireland, that killed 29 civilians and injured more than 200. His presence at such a critical time delivered a strong message about the necessity of maintaining peace and allowing the agreement to be implemented.

I remember when Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern addressed a joint session of Congress and singled out McDonald, who was seated in the House gallery. At a reception later that day, Sen. Ted Kennedy asked me to introduce Ahern to McDonald.

The film also highlights how McDonald was sustained by his Catholic faith, and particularly by the advice and consolation he received from Father Mychal Judge, the chaplain of the FDNY who died at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, and Cardinal John O’Connor, who McDonald told me would visit him at his Malverne home

to help him through tough moments. McDonald also organized prayer groups that met regularly.

The “Saint of the City” screening took place at the Marymount School, in Manhattan. Among those in attendance were former NYPD Commissioners Ray Kelly and Keechant Sewell, former Detective Bo Dietl and many high-ranking police officials and officers who worked with McDonald or got to know him over the years. Magee Hickey of WPIX, WINS reporter Juliet Papa and Daily News columnist Michael Daly were also there.

From the sports world there was Mets all-time great relief pitcher Jesse Orosco, who, after pitching the final innings of the Mets’ final 1986 World Series game against the Red Sox, had thrown his glove high in the air. Days later, Orosco gave the glove to McDonald, a longtime Mets fan.

Most notable among the attendees, of course, were Steven’s widow, Patti Ann, and their son, Conor, who is now a captain in the NYPD. Both personify and carry on the inspirational legacy of Steven McDonald, who was truly a saint among us. Once it is distributed, be sure to see “Saint of the City.”

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

Why is the U.S. picking a fight with its best friend?

don’t know much about the tariff system, but I know enough about economics and politics to say that President Trump’s new proposed 50 percent tariffs on Canada would be the most foolish things ever done by a president in recent American history. I know these proposals are always subject to negotiation, but why pick on our second-largest trading partner at the worst possible time?

The Canadians have been our best friends for as long as I can remember. They were there for us during World War II, when they lost over 40,000 men in battle. They have contributed soldiers to many of our wars, and have stood up for us at the United Nations and around the world. One of the reasons behind the latest insanity is the president’s statement that he is mad at Canada because of the smoke that has drifted south to the United States.

The best way to describe the latest tariff proposal is that it would be a self-

inflicted wound that would hurt American consumers the most. There is a basic fact that we fail to understand. The average reader may think that new tariffs would punish Canadians, but when new duties are imposed on Canadian autos, wine, hockey sticks, dairy products and cement, American distributors have to pay them, and then they pass the cost on to American consumers. The family in Levittown that buys Bobby a hockey stick pays extra because of the tariff hike.

Tariffs on Canada in retaliation for wildfire smoke that drifted south? Really?

Lots of other bad things happen when new tariffs are imposed. Canada, in retaliation, has imposed its own 25 percent counter-tariffs on U.S. vehicles, steel and aluminum. These tariffs hurt American builders and potential homebuyers who can’t afford higher costs when they’re seeking to purchase their first home. Tariffs on auto parts disrupt production lines and costs manufacturing jobs on both sides of the border.

Tariffs have another impact on countries like Canada. China is eager to establish new relationships with nations that will buy its goods. In 2025,

Canada announced a new comprehensive trade agreement with China that, among other things, will allow the sale of Chinese autos in Canada. Industry specialists say that Chinese cars are high quality and much lower in price, and will be a potential threat to American auto manufacturers.

One of the worst results of our feud with Canada is its impact on American businesses. Tourism in many of our northern border states has been badly damaged by this unnecessary battle. And one of the biggest losers has been Las Vegas. Hotel operators have seen a 70 percent drop in Canadian visitors, which has caused large layoffs of hospitality employees.

When arbitrary tariffs are imposed on a friendly nation, there are other consequences. Other countries watch American actions and conclude that we can’t be trusted if we economically attack a longtime friend. To add to our unreliability, the U.S. has a trade agreement, negotiated by Trump six years ago with Canada and Mexico, which was scheduled to be renewed this month.

The president has stated that he won’t honor the terms of that agreement.

The crowning touch to the U.S.-Canada breach has been Trump’s threats to make Canada our 51st state, and his frequent statements deriding Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Trump supporters will say this is just the president doing his thing, and that he isn’t really serious, but words have consequences, and many Trump watchers around the world don’t have such an expansive sense of humor.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled that the president didn’t have the unilateral authority to impose sweeping, open-ended tariffs under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and that only Congress has that power. Trump is now using a 1930 law to justify his actions, which will likely be challenged in court.

At a time when the nation is juggling a war with Iran, higher gasoline prices and the continuing issue of affordability, fighting with Canada is just plain dumb.

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.

There’s always someone downwind

there’s a particular quality to the light when the smoke arrives. It goes flat and white, the sun turns into a coin you can look at directly, and the air smells faintly like someone three houses down is burning leaves. It has happened enough times now that Long Islanders recognize it.

The fires are in Canada. Ontario mostly, sometimes the prairie provinces — a thousand miles and more from here, far enough that the smoke spends days in transit before it reaches us. And it reaches us anyway. It settles over Rockville Centre and Garden City and Long Beach. It gets into the lungs of kids at day camp in Merrick who have never heard the phrase “boreal forest.”

There is something clarifying about that, if you let it be.

We are accustomed to thinking of our lives as local, and with good reason. This newspaper exists because the things that shape a day here — the school calendar, the traffic on Sunrise Highway, whether the field will be playable Saturday morning — are decided close to home by people you might run into at the deli. That proximity is the texture of life in a place like ours. The distance between a thing and its cause is usually short enough to walk.

letters

Town supervisor candidate Scianablo deserves a serious look

To the Editor:

Barely a day goes by that I don’t receive at least one mailing from John Ferretti expounding on all of his successes as Town of Hempstead supervisor. He claims that he is hard at work for the people of the town. He claims to have lowered town taxes, that he is working to ensure that our water is safe to drink, and is working with Nassau County to protect religious institutions. Just because he makes these claims doesn’t mean they aren’t just alternative facts.

The truth is that since he became supervisor — with the questionable means by which he was made the incumbent for his election — town taxes have increased 12 percent, our

Smoke from a forest a thousand miles away is a different phenomenon. It did not come from anything anyone here did or failed to do. And at the end of that very long chain sits your daughter’s soccer practice.

Why more of it, and why now? Because the climate is warming and the northern forest is drying out as a result. Spring snowpack melts earlier than it used to. Summers run longer and hotter, and the peat and duff beneath the trees turn into something that holds fire the way a sponge holds water — slowly, deep down and for a very long time.

Fires that once burned themselves out now smolder underground through the winter and surface again in spring. More fire, more smoke. And the same atmospheric machinery that has always carried Canadian cold fronts down to the Northeast now carries the smoke with them.

The smoke isn’t doing anything unusual. It is riding the same currents that have brought us our weather since before there was a Long Island to bring it to — the northwest flow behind a front, the same air that gives us a crisp October morning and the frigid air of January. We have always been downwind of Canada. We simply had no occa-

sion to notice.

That’s what makes this worth sitting with. Not the fires themselves, but what they reveal about connection. Something we didn’t do, in a place most of us have never been, is now a feature of summer on Long Island.

And what we do continues downwind. The exhaust from the Meadowbrook, the fertilizer that leaves a lawn in Wantagh and ends up in the bay, the plume from a stack in Island Park — none of that stays put, either. Our runoff is someone else’s smoke.

There is a version of this line of thinking that curdles into helplessness, and we would steer away from it. Being connected to a place you cannot influence isn’t the same as being powerless. It is mostly an invitation to pay attention — to the bay, to the air, to the small local things that are, somewhere downwind, someone else’s inherited condition.

The sky has cleared — but it will haze over again. If not this summer, then next. And each time it does, it is worth taking a moment to notice the strangeness: that we are downwind of a forest we will likely never see, and that somewhere, someone we will never meet is downwind of us.

Donnie Kreiss, ‘I

carry your heart

with me’

My husband, Donnie Kreiss, died on July 12, at home, just days after our 58th anniversary. He was 80, and had been living with pancreatic cancer since it was diagnosed in 2023.

Donnie did not go gently. As Dylan Thomas wrote, he raged against the dying of the light, from the moment he knew he had this relentless cancer until two Sundays ago, when he drew a quiet breath and then no more. Our son and daughter were with him.

My sister, Meryl Greenbaum, was with us. The loving good wishes of everyone he knew were with us.

He had been drifting away for the previous 10 days, suffering the side effects of three years of treatment. Still, in early June he was walking laps in our building, and in April the family had gathered for his birthday dinner. He pushed his athlete’s body beyond anyone’s expectation, and the night he died,

Letters

water rates are up 33 percent, and our energy rates continue to climb. Due to the lack of transparency, we have no idea where our hard-earned tax dollars are going or to whom.

I met Ferretti’s opponent, Joe Scianablo, for the first time when he attended a parlor meeting at my home. I was impressed not only with his background, but also his sincerity and his desire to continue serving the public. Scianablo has spent his entire adult life as a public servant. He served multiple deployments in the Marines in East Timor, Eritrea, and Iraq, then was a New York City police officer, focusing on domestic violence cases, in which helped victims find safety and justice. He is a former prosecutor in the Queens district attorney’s office, where he advocated for survivors of domestic violence.

I believed Scianablo when he said his focus would be to ensure that our tax dollars and resources benefit all the people in the Town of Hempstead, not just the favored ones. He isn’t a career politician, but will be a politician who has made a career of service. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to meet him to do so. I think you will come away as impressed as I was.

CHERIE FEINBERG Lawrence

we rang the bell for him, because every single day he lived since 2023 was a tribute to his courage.

triumph over adversity.

HDonnie never felt sorry for himself. In his last days on earth he was reaching out to friends who had heartache, relationship woes, business setbacks or medical problems. He preached a gospel of positivity, insisting on finding threads of hope. He left a legacy of goodness and generosity, changing the lives of so many people along the way.

e always found the best in others because, truly, that was all he saw.

Donnie was a native Lawrencian. He was born in 1946 at Brooklyn Jewish Hospital to Lillian and Jack Kreiss, who lived at 16 Muriel Ave. in Lawrence. When he was 2, he contracted bacterial meningitis, which was usually fatal in those days. He was in isolation at St Joseph’s Hospital, in Far Rockaway, for two months. That was the first of his medical miracle recoveries, which included a fractured skull when he was 10, heart attacks at 40 and 50, bypass surgery, congestive heart failure and cervical spine surgery. He recited his near-misses enthusiastically, as if they were a resume, not of suffering but of

Donnie was a gifted athlete who ran track and played varsity football, basketball and golf. He was a beautiful man, and we fell hard in love as teenagers. We graduated together in 1964 from Lawrence High. When we married and settled in Woodmere, his second home was the Lawrence Golf Club, where his father was president and then, 50 years later, he was president. In recent years his home course was on Longboat Key, Fla., where last year he was named Most Inspirational Golfer of the Year, an award they created for him.

Don started his own business in 1969, selling slippers and bras and panties. He loved selling, and he was the best salesman because he could out-wait, out-talk and outlast any buyer he encountered.

He always found the best in others because, truly, that was all he saw. He drew on a deep well of generosity and kindness.

Our children, Jason, Rochelle, Jocelyn and Josh, were, as Auden said, his north, south, east and west. His grandchildren, Sabrina, Jacob, Elijah and

FraMework by Tim Baker

Emi, brought light and delight into his life. “Did you talk to the kids today?” was his mantra.

Despite his lifelong medical issues, Don was a rough and ready traveler, up for any adventure. We spent five summers exploring Montana when the kids were teenagers, and then for decades we traveled the world, from Komodo Island, in Indonesia, to the Alaska wilderness, from Bali to Singapore to Tasmania and New Zealand. Nothing stopped him.

Obituaries are the last public words written about someone. I never expected to write Donnie’s obituary, which I hope is more like telling the story of his life. Which is also the story of my life. As Cummings wrote, I carry his heart in my heart.

He trusted me to shepherd him through these last years, to get to the right doctors, to hold hands as we heard the diagnoses that limited his days. He wanted time, he said over and over again. I did my best, but time was not in my hands. I believe he would have wanted me to write this, the last words about him, from a place of love and longing, happy remembrance, and sadness that he did not have more days to grace our lives.

Copyright 2026 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

My Morning Jacket performed at the Great South Bay Music Festival, in Patchogue’s Shorefront Park, last Sunday.

Your Safety is Our #1 Concern—

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At Mount Sinai South Nassau, patient safety isn’t just a priority— it’s a standard, one we work on every day. And the experts agree.

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When it comes to your health, nothing matters more than knowing you’re in a place where patient safety matters most.

Learn more at mountsinai.org/southnassau