Franklin Square/Elmont Herald 07-16-2026

Franklin square/elmont

HERALD

Fernandez draws a new path as a retired scientist

By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com

Franklin Square resident Joseph Fernandez had worked for decades as a scientist studying life under a microscope before discovering that his next chapter would be spent bringing life to paper.

The retired biomedical research scientist transformed his home into a personal gallery, where walls are lined with meticulously detailed graphite drawings inspired by everything from classic literature and rock music to history, science and family memories.

Last month, many of those works were featured in an exhibit at the Franklin Square Public Library, where visitors had the chance to experience the depth and precision that have become hallmarks of his artwork.

Fernandez retired about seven years ago after spending more than 30 years conducting biomedical research at The Rockefeller University alongside Nobel Prize-winning scientists studying cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and cell biology. He began dabbling in art at 13.

He said he never expected that his scientific career would influence his artistic one.

“I’m a chemist,” Fernandez said, “so I always had to view chemical structures.”

Years of visualizing three-dimensional molecular structures taught him how to translate depth and perspective onto a flat page, skills that now define his artwork.

“You have to actually be able to draw something flat that you know how it’s orient-

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Two crowns and a dream turned reality

By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com

Elmont native Julissa Duchatellier is representing both Long Island and New York after earning the titles of Ms. Long Island US Nation and Ms. New York US Nation, accomplishments she hopes will inspire young women to embrace their individuality and pursue their dreams.

Ms. New York US Nation and Ms. Long Island US Nation are titles within the Miss US Nation pageant system, which emphasizes leadership, community service and personal development. Throughout their reign, titleholders represent their communities at public events, support charitable initiatives and promote causes they have chosen to champion.

from York College.

I figured it didn’t hurt to try again.

JULISSA DUCHATELLIER US Nation title holder

Although she did not pursue a traditional journalism career, Duchatellier remained involved in media through an online television show and online radio program. She later entered the airline industry before transitioning to cargo in 2017. Along the way, she started businesses in graphic design and social media content creation, organizes pop-up shopping events across New York City and Long Island, and recently launched a music career with her friend, Akil Alexander, who performs as Alexander the Gift.

Duchatellier, whose family moved to Elmont in 1999, said growing up in the community helped shape who she is today. She attended Gotham Avenue School and Elmont Memorial High School before earning a degree in broadcast journalism

Duchatellier assists Alexander the Gift with public relations and promotion while also creating her own original music. She said her favorite song she has written is “Make Me Better,” a Haitian-inspired track that also features Alexander the Gift.

Her first pageant experience came in 2018 when she competed in the Miss New York USA pageant. While she did not win, CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Hailey Fulmer/Herald

Franklin Square resident Joseph Fernandez in one of his two home studios, the creative spaces where he has produced many of his detailed illustrations over the years.

Rescuing Families continues their mission

By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com

What started as a few garage sale tables in Gina and Vincent Centauro’s backyard has grown into a year-round community hub where donated treasures help change lives.

The founders of Rescuing Families, a nonprofit that provides financial assistance, resources and home renovations for families facing disabilities and financial hardships, recently hosted the organization’s annual fundraiser at its Franklin Square Thrift Boutique last weekend. “We started doing fundraisers in our backyard,” co-founder Gina Centauro said.

As the sales grew, so did the support. Volunteers and neighbors donated items, and the family’s property eventually transformed into a sprawling fundraising event.

“It began to take over our yard,” Centauro said. Eventually, the logistics became too much to manage. After taking a brief hiatus, the Centauros found a permanent home when the Franklin Square storefront became available.

The couple, both avid vintage shoppers, saw the boutique as an opportunity to create something different from a traditional thrift store. Inspired by vintage shops they frequented in Suffolk County, Brooklyn and Manhattan, they

Hailey Fulmer/Herald

Brian Barry, left, joins Rescuing Families co-founders Vincent and Gina at the nonprofit’s annual fundraiser held this past weekend at its vintage boutique.

curated a collection of antiques, collectibles and vintage items dating from the early 1800s through the early 2000s.

“We said, ‘Why don’t we do something that’s a little different?’” she said.

Today, every item sold in the boutique is donated. Volunteers also visit estate sales and garage sales, encouraging homeowners to donate unsold items instead of throwing them away.

Behind many of those donations is volunteer Andrietta Calderone, who has helped secure contributions for the nonprofit since 2018. Calderone first connected with Rescuing Families after attending one of the organization’s yard sales and soon began volunteering. Calderone maintains a detailed spreadsheet of potential donors, regularly contacts businesses by email and coordi -

nates pickups with volunteers once donations are confirmed.

“I was born with a developmental delay, and when I found out what they do, I fell completely in love with it,” Calderone said. “It touches my heart because I have a disability, so I know I am giving back to the community that helps me.”

Donations arrive from across Long Island, including Queens and Brooklyn, giving shoppers a constantly changing selection while supporting the nonprofit’s mission.

Brian Barry, founder of Long Island Creative Arts parnered with Rescuing Families for the initiatve. His organization provides scholarships to students pursuing the arts. Barry said his nonprofit grew out of a memorial fundraiser he organized in 2005 after the sudden death of a close friend, Joshua Brandon, store manager at what was Luna Music in West Hempstead. “What they do is a 24/7 job,” Barry said of the Centauros and Rescuing Families. “People recognize the good that’s being done and say, ‘We want to get on board. We want to contribute.’”

For the Centauros, the fundraiser continues a tradition that began in their backyard years ago — neighbors helping neighbors and turning donated items into meaningful support for families in need.

Trustee sworn in at Franklin Square Library

The Franklin Square Public Library welcomed a new trustee and honored a longtime board member during its annual reorganization meeting on July 6.

Antonia Abreu was sworn in as the library’s newest trustee, while William Youngfert received a Distinguished Trustee Award recognizing his 22 years of service to the library.

Library officials also announced that voters approved the library’s 2026-27 budget with 80.5% support, the highest approval rate in the library’s history.

The library board meets at 6 p.m. on select Mondays throughout the year unless otherwise noted. The next meeting is scheduled for July 27. For a complete meeting schedule and more information, visit fslibrary.org.

–Hailey Fulmer

Photos courtesy Franklin Square Public Library

Franklin Square Public Library trustees Julie Soffientini, Lori Turczyn, Carl Gerrato, Adrienne McKenna and newly sworn-in Trustee Antonia Abreu pose with former Trustee William Youngfert after Youngfert received the library’s Distinguished Trustee Award recognizing his 22 years of service during the board’s reorganization meeting on July 6.

Former Franklin Square Public Library Trustee

William Youngfert, left, and Franklin Square Public Library Trustee Carl Gerrato pose together.

The library is committed to keeping the community engaged, including through its annual summer reading kickoff.

Trustees work alongside library leadership to support programs, services and responsible stewardship of public resources.

Franklin Square Public Library Trustee Carl Gerrato, left, welcomes newly sworn-in Trustee Antonia Abreu.

July 16,

GUEST COLUMN NEWS BRIEF

Pre-k students explore bubble science

Covert Avenue School’s prekindergarten students recently discovered the science behind one of summer’s favorite activities — bubbles — during an interactive educational program presented by the Long Island Children’s Museum. The Bubble POP! program gave the young students a hands-on opportunity to explore how bubbles are formed through demonstrations and experiments. They created bubbles of different shapes and sizes, made colorful bubble art and learned why bubbles are always round.

Using a variety of materials, the students made their own bubbles while thinking like scientists and sharing their observations. The program encouraged curiosity, exploration and hands-on learning through play.

“This memorable experience was a wonderful way to celebrate a successful school year and the growth of our prekindergarten students while bringing science to life in a way they will not soon forget,” Principal Alison Gunn said.

–Hailey Fulmer

Finding your place and your people

Everyone says the people you meet in school can become lifelong friends. What they don’t tell you is that friendship rarely happens overnight.

When I started middle school, I wasn’t the kind of person who could walk up to someone and start a conversation. I usually waited for someone else to speak first. The first few weeks felt awkward. I’d recognize faces in the hallway but not names. At lunch, I often found myself wondering whether everyone else had already found their people. Eventually, I found mine over time.

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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.

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exactly the point. Walk through any high school hallway and you’ll find students wondering where they fit in. Some worry about walking into a crowded cafeteria alone. Others wonder whether they’ll ever find their group. It’s easy to assume everyone else already has it figured out, especially when social media only shows the highlights.

It wasn’t one big moment that changed everything. A classmate asked to borrow a pencil. Someone invited me into a conversation before class. Sitting next to the same people every day slowly turned strangers into friends. Those small interactions became inside jokes, after-school plans and friendships that made school feel like somewhere I belonged every day.

When high school began, I challenged myself to be the one who said hello first. I introduced myself to classmates instead of waiting for them to approach me. I joined clubs, ran for student government and stopped worrying so much about saying the perfect thing. Stepping outside my comfort zone made me realize that most people were just as nervous as I was.

My story isn’t unique, and that’s

Every generation has experienced the uncertainty of trying to fit in. Every generation probably remembers those same feelings, even if they looked a little different. What has changed is the world in which we experience them. Today, friendships can seem defined by group chats, Snapchat streaks and Instagram posts, making it easy to believe you’re the only one still searching for your place.

Through my own experiences, I’ve realized that many of the challenges teenagers face aren’t as different as people might think. Everyone has searched for friendship and a sense of belonging. Today, however, we navigate those feelings in a world where it’s easy to compare our lives with everyone else’s. Looking through a teenager’s lens, it’s clear that while the setting has changed, the desire to belong has not.

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Jahane Abidi is the student columnist for W. Tresper Clarke High School.

J ahane a bidi

These two moms opened a spa. It had one big, on

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

HERALD SPORTS

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.

The Civilian Patrol builds community ties

By HAILEY FULMER hfulmer@liherald.com

For more than four decades, the Franklin Square Civilian Patrol has served as an extra set of eyes and ears for the community, working alongside law enforcement to help address neighborhood concerns and keep residents informed.

The group, which has been active since the early 1980s, is made up of concerned citizens who work with the Nassau County Police Department’s Fifth Precinct to support problem-oriented policing efforts. Members meet regularly with officers assigned to the unit to discuss community concerns and help coordinate solutions.

Franklin Square Civilian Patrol President Carl Gerrato said the organization has evolved over the years, moving beyond traditional patrols to focus on education, communication and connecting residents with resources.

“We are the eyes and ears for the police department,” Gerrato said. “We see something, say something as it should be.”

Gerrato emphasized that every resident has a role in keeping the community safe.

“Everybody in the community is a member of the civilian patrol. They just don’t know it,” he said. “Because any good concerned citizen is going to call if there’s a problem.”

The group’s recent initiative was developed after more than a year of gathering information and working with community members and local organizations. The goal is to provide residents with a direct avenue to report concerns and find solutions rather than simply sharing complaints online.

Gerrato said issues such as illegal apartments,

parking concerns and other quality-of-life matters are among the topics residents bring to the group. Members help connect residents with the appropriate departments, including the building department, when issues require additional action.

While the Civilian Patrol once focused more heavily on scheduled neighborhood drives, Gerrato said the organization has adapted to changing times. Today, members also provide information sharing, community outreach and educational opportunities, including coordinating trainings such as Narcan education and

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CPR programs.

Joseph Gerrato, Carl Gerrato’s brother and a Civilian Patrol member, said the organization is now focused on recruiting younger volunteers to continue its mission.

Many of the group’s members have backgrounds in community service through organizations such as the Franklin Square Fire Department, Lions Club and Rotary Club. “The relationship started through our meetings and community events,” he said.

Joseph Gerrato said the organization has also evolved with advances in technology, making it easier to share information with residents and law enforcement.

“A lot of our senior members have definitely embraced it,” he said. “They love it.”

The group’s patrol model has changed as well. Rather than relying solely on marked patrol vehicles, members often observe the community while walking, biking or spending time with their families, reporting suspicious activity when necessary.

“It has changed especially now that we have cellphones and we communicate differently,” Joseph said.

He pointed to an example at Rath Park, where repeated vandalism led to the installation of cameras in certain areas to help address the issue.

Gerrato said the organization is not focused on recognition but on making Franklin Square a better place to live.

“We just want to make things better for the community.”

The group continues to welcome new members who are interested in supporting the community and working toward solutions to local concerns. The Civilian Patrol will hold a virtual general meeting Aug. 6 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact (516) 805-1126.

Herald file photo

The Franklin Civilian Patrol serves as the eyes and ears of the police and fire departments, including the 5th precinct pop unit.

Class of 2026

Sewanhaka High School

Class of 2026

Madison Afflick

Cristian Aguilera Mejia

Jonathan Aguillon Portillo

Ashmita Ahmad

Saif Ahmed

Aneeq Ali

Irfaan Ali

Garvens Curtis Alphonse

Juan Alvarenga Santana

Zoe Amadike

Mike Amadis

Dante Anderson

Selvin Andrade Maldonado

Isaiah Antoine

Sebastien Antoine

Luigi Antonio

Abdul Aquil

Kiana Arcillas

Kiara Arcillas

Paula Arias Ordonez

Emmanuel Arrieta

Manahil Asif

Michela Augugliaro

Erik Ayala

Adrian Ayau

Ethan Baboolal

Rebecca Badillo

Yash Bajwa

Shaquille Bartley

Shiloh Batista Reyes

Nia Bauciquot

Michaela Beckford

Joseph Bellone

Safiullah Bhalli

Alyssa Biscessar

Ephraim Bolouvi

Ethan Bonilla

Jahzeel Boothe

Kayleen Borde

Garmylay Boucicault

Alexia Brogdon

Zain Brown

Taaboja Brown

Jayden Browne

Breanna Brummell

Kaden Budhram

Luigi Buffa

Samaira Bushra

Kaden Butler

Leah Cain

Genesis Canaca Zelaya

Alexander Caraballo

Cypress Cassagnol

Mateo Castro

Stacy Castro

Abishai Cayo

Jennah Cejourne

Jenzen Chacko

Amiya Charles

Zainab Chattha

Amira Chester

Sarwar Chowdhury

Ameir Christie

Rihanna Chuchuca Mejorada

Joseph Conforti

Darlin Contreras Zelaya

Diego Coreas

Mark Coreas

Camrin Crooks Daudier

Vladimir Davis

Alexandria De la Cruz

Rambaldes

Wilfryn DeLeon

Armani Demetrius

Aundre’ Diligent

Jaymie Domingue

Briana Dominguez

Dave Edouard

Anne Encalada Borja

Alexis Escobar Euceda

Jonathan Estevez

Jaylene Estilien

Kerry Fagbenro

Amirah Falla Ramirez

Daniel Fernandez Franco

Diego Ferrando

Naella Flores Cabrera

Dixon Florez

Alexander Fontilus

Arl Francisco

Garven Francois

Jayden Fremont

Nerla Fresnel

Jayden Galeano Rodriguez

Nehemy Garay Gamarra

Imelda Garzon Pesantez

Yanitsa Gayle

Javier Gerancon

Kai Gerome

Franchesca Giannola

Betchina Gilmore

Gabriele Gomez Cox

Jalen Gomez Jimenez

Anghy Gomez Mejia

Yerson Granados Molina

Gabriela Graveley

Joanna Guachichullca Alvarez

Joel Guardino

Kevin Guarnera

Eve Gutierrez

Joseph Hatt-Rojas

Ebony Hernandez

Nicole Hernandez

Michelle Hernandez Cornejo

Xavier Hernandez Martinez

Milton Hernandez Padilla

Jennifer Herrera

Nataly Hoque

Josue Hoque

Monim Hudson

Naeem Hurd

Cole Hurst

Juan Hyder

Victorica Ibanez Gonzalez

Hania Idohou

Madelyn Inzua-Gasca

Izhrath Isleem

Luciano Jacob

Lamees Jaramillo

Joshua Jasmin

Alexander Jauregui

Magnola Canedo

Jocelyn Javier

Aaron Jean

Michael Jean Baptiste

Emerson Joseph

Aldritchmie Junaid

Mathew Kanhai

Yahya Karatas

Anthony Kaur

Muhammet Kaur

Muskaanpreet Kaur

Ramanpreet Khan

Yashanpreet Khan

Fatima Khan

Shazia Kochukanayathil

Zaviyaar Koshy

Saira Lamitie

Raina Lamour

Jonathan Landero Aguilar

Bianca Lariosa

Maite Leon

Joshua Leonard

Maximilian Ligonde

Bree Lopez

Preston Lopez

David Lopez Guevara

Lilah Loremil

Adriana Luna Estrada

Noah Madrid Fernandez

Gustavo Maisonet

Ashly Maldonado Aguilar

Samuel Marquardt

Jasmine Martinez

Kyle Martinez

Juan Mathew

Raquel Matute

Carol Mazzara

Carlos McIntosh

Gianna Medina Tello

Continued on next page

Davon Mejia

Juan Mejia

Jader Nunez

Oscar Mendez

Rodjjah-Amore Mendiola

Ayala

Luis Mendoza

Jeffery Mercado

Aubrey Merchant

Jataysia Meza Vasquez

Carlos Mezar

Darius Mirza

Muhammad Mitchell

Bianca Mohammed

Safiya Mondragon Lopez

Ruben Montenegro

Rodriguez

Isabel Mor

Danny Muhammad

Hassnain Multani

Shirleenjot Muniz

Tatiana Mustanser

Mohid Naissant

Derrick Nasir

Rahman Nicolas

Athelor Noor

Saba Norfleet

Andrew Nunez

Jeremy Ordonez

Omar Jared Ocampo Garcia

Jorge Ochoa Zumba

Clinton Ogunleye

Elias Ojeda

Matthews Ordonez Lituma

Sabrina Orellana Vasquez

Bella Ortiz

Faiz Ozigi

Ronald Pacheco

Ervin Paniagua

Sarah Paniagua

Intaj Pathan

Merina Paul

Jefferson Paulemon Carrasco

Kayla Perez

Oliver Perez

Jordan Plummer

Summer Plunkett

Theodore Polancic

Sebastian Polanco

Senice Poliard

Daniel Portillo Martinez

Ever Posadas Funez

Angie Precil

Madison Princivil

Muhammad Qamar

Hamza Rafiq

Rhea Ragnauth

Ritika Rai

Marissa Ramirez

Trish Ramirez

Charan Ramlagan

Saleen Ramsaran

Louis Reinhardt

Danniel Richards

Sara Rios

Nery Rivera

Angel Rivera Benavides

Amber Riviello

Tony Rodriguez

Estevan Rodriguez

Omar Rojas

Thomas Rolon

Joel Romero

Crisleidy Romero Guzman

Erica Romero-Ayala

Alexandro Romulus

Unisa Rooplall

Kyra Ross

Alexandra Saccone

Kevin Saintlot

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Jennetta Saul

Claude-Josias Sayi

Ipsaan Sedhai

Justin Seeram

Hailey Sethi

Yousuf Shahzad

Albin Shibu

Oscar Sierra Amador

Symphony Sievers

Kieran Simon

Alyssa Simpson

Shilan Simsek

Amritpreet Singh

Bachitar Singh

Jai Singh

Harjit Singh

Jaskirat Singh Bhagtana

Tivanie Singhroy

Joelyne Smith

Angel Solages

Joy Sotannde

Jayden Spaulding

Bradley St. Vil

Jayden Stackhouse

Nashat Syed

Udaya Taylor

Javier Tello

Daniel Teran

Ashka Tercius

Sanjith Thomas

Jahmeer Thomas

Gaven Thompson

Skyler Thorne

Rajbir Toor

Joshua Torres

Aminul Towhid

Trask

Amanda Tucker

Deodath Uzagir

Kellen Vaneer

Emma Varghese

Jayden Vasquez Medrano

Miguel Villatoro Lazo

Vedant Waghmare

Joshua Weingart

Shayera White

Ashen Wijewardana

Elijah Williams

Tamia Williams

Jaelen Williams

Morgan Winchell

Caitlyn Wong

Annie Ye

Fawad Zafar

Alex Zelaya Flores

Maggie Zhang

Dylan Zitti

Syed Zulain

Stewart Manor Elementary School

6th Grade

Abira Acharya

Ranses Aguilar Llerena

Amarmaney Jonah Amar

Connor Cameron

Tristan Canedo

Isabel Carranza

Elizabeth Chaver

Joel Dias

Pari Dusrajh

Roman-Alexander Florissant

Sophia Fuentes Villatoro

Susan George

Eman Horia

Adan Khan

Kimberlee Matthews

Abdul Moeez

Mia Mor

Miles Morelli

Ryan Murtagh

Esther Prince

Jacory Quiroz

Allison Moran Rodriguez

Jazmine Rosa

Dalia Sachdev

John Scicutella

Alexander Seretis

Oliver Shahali

Nikita Singh

Luna Solorzano

Dean Sutherland

William Tobon

Carmelo Wylie

Kayden Yi

Jade

Resident finds art beyond the microscope

ed in 3D space,” he said. “I did that for decades.”

His drawings often stop viewers in their tracks. Whether recreating the dramatic lighting inside an alchemist’s workshop or the intricate laboratory in a graphic novel adaptation of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” Fernandez has paid close attention to every highlight, reflection and shadow.

Standing before one of his favorite pieces, an incredibly detailed interpretation of Bernie Wrightson’s iconic “Frankenstein” artwork, Fernandez enthusiastically pointed out the subtle details that give the illustration depth, from the transparent glass cylinder reflecting light to the shadows stretching across the laboratory.

“I always consider that one of my best,” he said. Fernandez has a story to tell on almost every piece he has done, which is most often rooted in his own life.

One drawing celebrates the music that filled his childhood, featuring 13 rock legends. It remains his favorite piece because it reflects the artists that he grew up listening to through his older brothers.

Another pays tribute to J. R. R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” a series Fernandez first read in high school, years before the films were released.

“My inspiration was just because I love the books,” he said.

Another drawing recreates the Manhattan view from his Rockefeller University office before new construction permanently altered the skyline. In the drawing, viewers can spot a horse on the highway, a common sight at the time because a horse stable operated along the FDR Drive. The piece offers a unique perspective because construction began shortly before his retirement in 2015 and was completed in 2019, resulting in a five-block-long, two-story building along

the roadway that permanently changed the view forever.

Still another celebrates Sunday newspaper comics, weaving together beloved cartoon characters with portraits of family members, including his daughters,

brothers and parents.

Perhaps his most meaningful piece is a simple still life dedicated to his daughters. Hidden within the arrangement are treasured keepsakes connected to loved ones they never had the chance to know, including a Cub Scout race car he built with his father, an elephant figure brought home from Africa by his late brother and a baseball that belonged to his wife’s grandfather.

Fernandez is colorblind, which became a challenge, leading him to embrace pencil, where careful blending and shading allow him to produce realistic pieces. Working from two studios in his home, he spends about an hour drawing most days, relying on construction lines and grids to establish perfect proportions before erasing them from the finished work.

Jason Alvino, president of Friends of the Franklin Square Public Library, said the technical skill behind Fernandez’s drawings is unlike anything he has seen.

“Like he’s doing stuff with the pencil that you shouldn’t be able to do, you know, it’s just bananas,” Alvino said.

“This technique is just for an artist to see this, it’s mind boggling,” he added.

Among Alvino’s favorites is Fernandez’s recreation of Bernie Wrightson’s work.

“The monster’s one is my favorite one,” he said. “This is Bernie Wrightenstein, and when I tell you, like, first of all, this is insane, because the original Bernie Wrightson artwork is so incredibly detailed, and he got every single detail.”

Fernandez’s library exhibit may have concluded, but it won’t be his last. He plans to return to the library in December with an entirely new collection, giving visitors another opportunity to experience the stories he tells — one pencil stroke at a time.

Elmont titleholder eyes a national crown

she said the experience stayed with her. Earlier this year, after auditioning for New York Fashion Week, Duchatellier was contacted by organizers of the US Nation pageant system and invited to interview for the Miss Long Island US Nation title.

“I figured it didn’t hurt to try again,” Duchatellier said. “When they reached out, I felt like it was a sign to go for it.”

Winning the Miss Long Island US Nation title this past spring automatically qualified her to compete in the Miss New York US Nation pageant on June 14. Following interviews with judges and runway competitions, she earned the state title, too.

The next step is competing for the Miss US Nation title in October against contestants from across the country.

“My message to young women is to always be yourself and never change who you are. Never give up, Duchatellier said.

She said her journey also shows that setbacks can lead to unexpected opportunities. After not being selected for New York Fashion Week, she was later invited to compete for the Miss Long Island US Nation title.

“I feel like I guess that was like a sign to go for it again,” she said.

As she prepares for the national competition, Duchatellier is seeking sponsors to help cover pageant expenses,

including wardrobe, accommodations and competition fees.

She said many people misunderstand the financial commitment required to compete.

“What people don’t realize is that with the pageants, well, the pageant fee, it will cover his wardrobe, makeup, room and board, etc.,” Duchatellier said.

“Plus, as you know, when somebody does sponsor and donate it, does you

know I do active content for them, promote their business on my platform on social media, especially on Instagram.”

Duchatellier has family and friends who have stood as a support system during her journey. Alexander wrote in support of Duchatellier to “keep pushing, keep believing” and to “stay positive” during her experiences.

Her parents, David Duchatellier and Marie J. Charles-Duchatellier, wrote to

the Herald that they want their daughter to be happy. “Remember do everything with discipline,” they wrote in a statement.

Looking ahead, Duchatellier hopes to continue representing Long Island and New York while encouraging young women to pursue opportunities with confidence and remain true to themselves.

Hailey Fulmer/Herald

Joseph Fernandez, of Franklin Square, shows one of his blending sticks, a tool he uses to smooth pencil strokes and create shading in his detailed drawings.

Deliah Roberts/Herald

Julissa Duchatellier stepped out in Haitian pride at the Elmont Cultural Center’s Haitian Flag Day parade.

Courtesy Dong Yang

Julissa Duchatellier currently holds two pageant titles from US Nation, Ms. Long Island and Miss New York.

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.

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NEWS BRIEFS

Students complete a Market Day project

Stewart Manor School’s fifthgrade classes put their entrepreneurship skills into action during the annual Market Day on June 11, the culminating activity of their economics unit.

Since April, students worked diligently to develop their own businesses, creating handmade products such as sports stickers, key chains, little lizards, artwork, stress balls and puppets. Students either worked independently or with a partner, selected a product they believed would appeal to customers and explained why their item would be useful or desirable.

As part of the project, students learned the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. They calculated production costs, determined pricing, developed budgets and ensured they would not spend more money than they had available. Each student business was required to produce a minimum of 20 handmade items and carefully track expenses and potential profits.

Students began the project with a set amount of classroom currency and had to make strategic financial decisions throughout the process. Mandatory expenses included purchasing table space at the market, obtaining a

business license, creating a commercial using green-screen technology and buying supplies. Students could also choose optional purchases, such as premium table locations or seating.

Through these decisions, students gained a firsthand understanding of budgeting and resource management.

On Market Day, the fifth graders rotated through four rounds, giving everyone the opportunity to serve as both business owners and shoppers.

–Jahane Abidi

Local artist will be featured at the library

The Elmont Memorial Library will feature the artwork of Elmont resident Mary Weiser from Aug. 1-31.

A graduate of Manhattan’s High School of Art and Design, Weiser worked as a freelance photographer before pursuing painting. She later spent 32 years working for Amtrak at Penn Station, where her artwork was displayed in three employee-sponsored exhibits. Following the death of her husband in 2025, Weiser returned to painting with encouragement from family and friends.

Working in acrylic, oil, watercolor, pastel, pen and ink, and charcoal, Weiser creates a variety of pieces known for their attention to detail and calming color palettes. Local artist and writer Cathy Varen described Weiser’s work as “very professional,” praising her keen eye for detail, soothing colors and the uniqueness of each painting.

–Hailey Fulmer

Mary Weiser’s artwork will be on display at the Elmont Memorial Library from Aug. 1-31.

Courtesy Elmont Union Free School District Stewart Manor School fifth graders hosted Market Day on June 11.

Courtesy Letitia Gorray

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

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Register for this FREE event: Merrick.eventbrite.com or email rbamgbose@liherald.com or call 516.569.4000 x273

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

jul

‘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

An evening with Joe Piscopo

The Town of Hempstead summer concert series continues with Joe Piscopo. Enjoy entertainment, food, and family-friendly activities designed to bring neighbors together for a summer celebration. Food trucks offer a variety of options, along with a lively outdoor atmosphere in the park. As part of the Town’s Block Party series, Thursday and Friday nights feature

A Celebration of the Mighty Zep

jul 20

Kindness Camp

The 3rd annual Kindness Camp invites campers to a fun-filled week where giving back meets creativity, friendship, and unforgettable moments. Participants will take part in hands-on service projects and inspiring activities designed to spread kindness and make a real community impact. Every camper will receive a free Howie’s Heart T-shirt. Space is limited and campers must commit to attending the full week. Open to residents and non-residents of Franklin Square, ages 8 to 11. Registration is required. The camp runs through July 23 at Franklin Square Library then at the Garden City Bird Sanctuary on July 24.

• Where: Franklin Square Public Library, 19 Lincoln Road

• Contact: howiesheart@gmail.com

‘Grease’

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

• Time: 8 p.m.; also July 25

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.

expanded programming beginning at 6 p.m. with inflatable games for children, a food truck, and an ice cream truck. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m.

• Where: Rath Park, 849 Fenworth Blvd., Franklin Square

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 670-1050

jul 18

Argo Civic Association Fair

The Argo Civic Association Vendor Fair returns to Elmont with local vendors, community businesses, and shopping opportunities. Vendor spaces are available for a $40 fee for a 10x10 spot, with applications due by June 27. Argo Civic Association members receive a discounted $35 rate.

• Where: St. Boniface Church Parking Lot, 631 Elmont Road

• Time: Noon-6 p.m.

• Contact: (917) 783-6047 or argocivicelmont@gmail.com

Buju Banton & Stephen Marley

Experience an unforgettable night of reggae as legends Buju Banton and Stephen Marley take the stage

together for their “Roots and Rhymes Tour at UBS Arena. This highly anticipated collaboration brings together two of the genre’s most influential voices, blending classic hits with newer music in a high-energy live performance. The tour marks a major North American run featuring multiple cities and a powerful celebration of reggae culture.

• Where: 2400 Hempstead Turnpike

• Time: 6:30 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com

Magic in the Making

Old Westbury Gardens welcomes young witches, wizards, and magical makers to special afterhours 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, LEGOfree-play 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

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

jul

19

Berry Good Time Carnival

The annual Berry Good Time Carnival transforms Plattduetsche Park into a summer festival experience filled with carnival-style attractions, berry-themed specialty foods, and live entertainment. Guests can expect seasonal desserts, fruitinspired drinks, outdoor food stations, and a lively Biergarten atmosphere throughout the evening. The event also features a live performance by Wonderous Stories, a popular Long Island classic rock group known for energetic sets and crowd favorites. Families and visitors can enjoy music, games, and festival-style entertainment in one of Franklin Square’s largest outdoor gathering spaces.

• Where: 1132 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square

• Time: 6 p.m.

• Contact: parkrestaurant.com or (516) 354-3131

Rockin’ on Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series continues with a double bill of Last Exit’s Pearl Jam tribute and Foo For All with Foo Fighters tunes.

• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

• Time: 6 p.m.

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

Plaza Theatrical Productions welcomes all to Rydell High. Here’ the senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding “Burger Palace Boys’ and their gum-snapping, hipshaking “Pink Ladies” in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical. Head “greaser” Danny Zuko and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of their “Summer Nights” as the rest of the gang sings and dances its way through such songs as “Greased Lightnin’,” “It’s Raining on Prom Night” and “Alone at the Drive-In Movie,” recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Elvis Presley that became the soundtrack of a generation. An eight-year run on Broadway and two subsequent revivals, along with innumerable school and community productions, place Grease among the world’s most popular musicals.

• Where: Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont

• Time: 7:30 p.m.; also July 26 and July 29

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

Having an event?

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

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF POPULAR ABS, INC. MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES

2005-4, Pltf. vs. THEYCESLYN FREEMAN, et al, Defts. Index #610776/2019. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered Jan. 28, 2025, I will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on July 30, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. premises k/a 32 Cerenzia Boulevard, Elmont, NY 11003

a/k/a Section 32, Block 672, Lot 00001. Said property known as and by Lot No. 1 in Block 645 on a certain map entitled, “Amended Map of Argo Village, N.Y., owned by Argo Homes Inc., 481 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, New York, surveyed by Howard J. Teas, Civil Engineers and Surveyors, Homeland Building, Malverne, N.Y., June 23, 1947 under file Number 4421. Approximate amount of judgment is $520,118.02 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale and the right of the United States of America to redeem within 120 days from the date of sale as provided by law. JOHN BOKLAK, Referee. HILL WALLACK, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 260 Madison Avenue, 9th Floor, Ste. 940, New York, NY 10016. File No. 20292-1223 - #103048 160995

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, MILL CITY MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2016-1, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST AS TRUSTEE, Plaintiff, vs. JORGE A. LAMPREA, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on May 19, 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 6, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 1142 Ferngate Drive, Franklin Square, NY 11010. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Franklin Square, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 35, Block 173 and Lot 120. Approximate amount of judgment is $400,575.68 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #608815/2025.

Michele A. Baptiste, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 246126-1 160993

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 PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Section 202-48 of the code of the Town of

Hempstead entitled, “Handicapped Parking On Public Streets,” a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 4th day of August 2026, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day, to consider the adoption of a resolution setting aside certain parking spaces for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons at the following locations:

ELMONT

WORLD AVENUEnorth side, starting at a point 243 feet east of the east curbline of Meacham Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-260/26)

WELLINGTON ROADwest side, starting at a point 507 feet south of the south curbline of Hempstead Turnpike, south for a distance of 25 feet.

(TH-272/26)

NORTH VALLEY

STREAM

EDWARDS BOULEVARD - west side, starting at a point 30 feet north opposite the north east curbline of Vista Road, north for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-267/26)

ROOSEVELT

ANNA AVENUE - west side, starting at a point 57 feet south of the south curbline of East Clinton Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-251/26)

ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

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 161222

LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITION TRUST

2018-HB1, -againstVADELL WALKER, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF TONI WILLIAMS; ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, THAT THIS IS A LEGAL POSTPONEMENT OF THE SALE ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 29, 2026 AT 2:00 PM TO BE HELD AT NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on January 16, 2025, wherein WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA

STRUCTURED SECURITIES

ACQUISITION TRUST

2018-HB1 is the Plaintiff and VADELL WALKER, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF TONI WILLIAMS; ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on 07/24/2026 at 2:30PM, premises known as 34 LOUIS AVENUE, ELMONT, New York 11003; and the following tax map identification, 32-363-74, 75, 76 & 77.

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 610675/2021. Christine M. Grillo, 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. 161231

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…

To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE CASE NO. 21527

RESOLUTION NO. 664-2026

Adopted: July 7, 2026

Councilmember Muscarella offered the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AND SETTING ASIDE CERTAIN PARKING SPACES FOR MOTOR VEHICLES FOR THE SOLE USE OF HOLDERS OF SPECIAL PARKING PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COUNTY OF NASSAU TO PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS.

WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 657-2026, adopted June 23, 2026 a public hearing was duly held on the 7th day of July, 2026, at the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the proposed establishment and setting aside of a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons, in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, all as set forth in said resolution; and WHEREAS, after due consideration, this Town Board finds it to be in the public interest to establish and set aside a certain parking space for motor vehicles for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that in accordance with Section 202-48 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, the following parking spaces be and the same hereby is set aside for the sole use of holders of special parking permits issued

by the County of Nassau to physically handicapped persons:

ELMONT

RANDALL AVENUEwest side, starting at a point 129 feet south of the south curbline of Sweetman Avenue, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-213/26)

WEST HEMPSTEAD

GREENWAY SOUTHeast side, starting at a point 140 feet south of the south curbline of Greenway East, south for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-226/26) and on the repeal of the following locations previously set aside as parking spaces for physically handicapped persons:

BELLMORE

HILLSIDE AVENUEwest side, starting at a point 95 feet north of the north curbline of Wilson Avenue, east for a distance of 20 feet.

(TH-69/22 - 4/25/2022)

(TH-229/26) ; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk shall enter this resolution in the minutes of the Town Board and shall publish a copy of this resolution once a newspaper having a general circulation in the Town of Hempstead, and shall post a copy hereof on the signboard maintained by her, and file in her office affidavits of such publication and posting.

The foregoing resolution was seconded by Supervisor Ferretti and adopted upon roll call as follows:

AYES: SIX (6) NOES: NONE (0) 161229

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 4th day of August, 2026, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 197-5 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “ARTERIAL STOPS” at

the following location(s): (NR) EAST ROCKAWAYLAWRENCE STREET (TH 276/26) - STOP - All traffic traveling northbound on Rhame Avenue shall come to a full stop.

LAWRENCE STREET (TH 276/26) - STOP - All traffic traveling southbound on Rhame Avenue shall come to a full stop.

FRANKLIN SQUARE TYLER STREET (TH 279/26) - STOP - All traffic traveling southbound on Jefferson Street shall come to a full stop.

ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

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 161219

LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the fiscal affairs of the Elmont Fire District for the period beginning on January 1, 2025 and ending on December 31, 2025, have been examined by an independent public accountant, Satty & Partners, Satty, Levine & Ciacco, CPAS, PC, that the report of external audit by the independent public accountant has been filed in my office where it is available as a public record for inspection by all interested persons. Pursuant to Section 181-b of the Town Law, the governing board of the Elmont Fire District shall prepare a written response and corrective action plan to the report of external audit of the independent public accountant and file any such response and corrective action plan in my office as a public record for inspection by all interested persons not later 90 days from the date hereof.

Dated: Elmont, New York

July 8, 2026

ATTEST: Frances Andino, Secretary Elmont Fire District 161214

PUBLIC & LEGAL NOTICES

To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE TO THE TAXPAYERS OF THE ELMONT FIRE DISTRICT: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a resolution was duly adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the ELMONT FIRE DISTRICT, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, on the 8th day of July, 2026, subject to permissive referendum as provided for by the General Municipal law. An extract of the resolution is as follows: THE ELMONT FIRE DISTRICT SHALL PURCHASE A NEW HEAVY RESCUE FIRE APPARATUS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT AT A COST, INCLUDING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH TRANSACTION, NOT TO EXCEED ONE MILLION SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND ($1,600,000.00) DOLLARS WITH FUNDS FROM THE FIRE APPARATUS CAPITAL RESERVE FUND. This resolution shall not take effect until thirty (30) days, unless in the meanwhile a permissive referendum as provided by the General Municipal Law is required to be held. Dated: July 8, 2026 BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS ELMONT FIRE DISTRICT TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD ATTEST: FRANCES ANDINO Secretary 161215

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…

To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS CERTIFICATE TRUSTEE OF BOSCO CREDIT II TRUST SERIES 2010-1, Plaintiff, vs. KEVIN LAVALLEE, ESQ., AS GUARDIAN AD LITEM FOR THE RESPECTIVE HEIRS-ATLAW, NEEXT-OF-KIN, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST AND GENERALLY ALL PERSONS HAVING OR CLAIMING UNDER, BY OR THROUGH ADELE

Officials speak on skin cancer awareness

By CHRIS COLUCCI ccolucci@liherald.com

With July at the heart of every summer, its designation as National UV Safety Awareness Month is timely. When beachgoers soak in the sun and outdoor activities fill most days, skin care and cancer prevention tips are as critical as ever.

Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti held a news conference at the Town Park at Point Lookout Thursday morning, joined by partners from Northwell Health, to launch the town’s Summertime Wellness Series.

“This program offers residents convenient access to important health services,” Ferretti said. “We’re kicking it off today with a free skin cancer screening event.” From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., medical professionals from Northwell Health were set up with a mobile unit, providing free skin cancer screenings to 50 town residents. “We urge all of our town residents in the Town of Hempstead to get checked on an annual basis for skin cancer,” Ferretti explained, “Whether that’s here in a town facility or with your own dermatologist.”

Ferretti shared effective tips to mitigate UV exposure, including the use of sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher; aiming to stay in the shade during peak sunlight hours, typically 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and wearing proper clothing, sunglasses and headwear when outdoors.

Dr. Camila Villa-Ruiz, a dermatologist at Northwell Health, spoke at the conference discussing more realities surrounding skin cancer. “We estimate that one in

five people will develop skin cancer by the age of 70,” Villa-Ruiz stated. “It is a very common, but preventable, cancer that has a high cure rate. Have your skin cancer screenings. Visit your dermatologist if you see anything that’s changing, growing, or bleeding.”

Individuals with tattoos, or anyone considering getting a tattoo, should take extra precaution. “It is harder to screen, especially when you have tattoos that are covering moles,” Villa-Ruiz said. “It is definitely harder, but we can still do it. I would highly recommend to not get tattoos over existing moles.”

Public Notices

ASSSENZA WHO MAY BE DECEASED BY PURCHASE, INHEIRITANCE, LIEN OR OTHERWISE, ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT HEREIN., ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 4, 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 18, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 88 Emporia Avenue, Elmont, NY 11003. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in Elmont, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 32, Block 455 and Lot 87. Approximate amount of judgment is $130,974.93 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 000320/2018.

Francesco P. Tini, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 232026-1 161194

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff against JOHN MILLER, IF LIVING AND IF ANY BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL THE HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, TRUSTEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, ASSIGNEES, AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF ANY OF THE AFORESAID DEFENDANTS, NEXT OF KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, TRUSTEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, ASSIGNEES AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST OF ANY OF THE AFORESAID CLASSES OF PERSON, IF THEY OR ANY OF THEM BE DEAD, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE HUSBANDS, WIVES OR WIDOWS, IF ANY, AND ALL OF WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES AND PLACES OF RESIDENCE

ARE UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, EXCEPT AS HEREIN STATED, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC, 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840, New York, NY 10170.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered May 22, 2026, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on August 18, 2026 at 2:00PM. Premises known as 1819 Fairfax Street, Elmont, NY 11003. Sec 32 Block 443 Lot 3 and 4. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at Elmont, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $296,414.10 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 608087/2019. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th

Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.”

Francesco Paolo Tini, Esq., Referee File # 21-04629NY 161204 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION of ATAR LUXURY CAR RENTAL L.L.C.. Arts of Org filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/12/2026 Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to 109 King Court, Elmont, NY, 11003, USA. Purpose: any lawful act. 161233

A second wellness series event and free skin cancer screening will be held on July 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Veterans Memorial Park Pool in East Meadow. The series will conclude with a presentation on Four Ways to Save a Life — including how to administer CPR, how to use an automated external defibrillator and other potentially life-saving practices — from 11 a.m. to noon on July 23 at the Echo Park Pool Complex in West Hempstead.

NEWS BRIEF

Fans are invited to create a team sweater

The New York Islanders have launched a fan-driven contest to design the team’s third jersey for the 2027-28 season, marking the first time in National Hockey League history that a franchise has invited fans to create an official team sweater.

The New York Islanders Foundation, the charitable arm of the franchise, works to sup port Long Island communities through initiatives focused on health, education, youth hockey and community development. Through partnerships with local organizations and programs, the foundation aims to create meaning ful opportunities and positive impacts for families throughout the region.

tional details.

After submissions close, a team committee will review the entries and select five finalists. Those designs will be available for a public fan vote in early August, with the winning concept becoming the Islanders’ official third jersey.

The contest winner will receive a team-signed third jersey and tickets to a 202728 Islanders game to see the design make its on-ice debut.

Beginning today, fans can use a digital design tool to create and submit their jersey concepts through July 24. The tool includes historic logos and patches, official team fonts and a variety of color options. A “paint-by-number” format ensures submissions follow NHL jersey templates, while a notes section allows fans to explain the inspiration behind their designs and suggest addi-

“Islanders fans are among the most passionate in all of sports, and their emotional investment is the heartbeat of this franchise,” Kelly Cheeseman, president of business operations for the Islanders and UBS Arena, said in a statement. “With this contest, we are breaking down traditional boundaries and inviting Isles Nation directly into the design room to do something that has never been done before in our league. Our third jersey will truly belong to the fans, born from their passion and chosen by their voice.”

–Hailey Fulmer

Chris Colucci/Herald

Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti, at podium, was joined, from left, by Councilwoman Laura Ryder, Town Clerk Kate Murray, Councilman Tom Muscarella, Dr. Camila Villa-Ruiz from Northwell Health and Deputy Supervisor Dorothy Goosby.

EMPLOYMENT

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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

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FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30

HomesHERALD

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Real Estate

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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.

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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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.”

As 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.

U 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-

YOUR OPINION MATTERS

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.

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The strength of our community comes from open dialogue. We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.

The strength of our community comes from open dialogue. We invite residents to submit letters to the editor on issues affecting our neighborhoods, schools, businesses and local government.

Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send them to execeditor@liherald.com.

Letters must include your name and contact information for verification. Send lettters to execeditor@liherald.com

Be heard. Be part of the conversation.

Be heard. Be part of the conversation.

OPINIONS

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

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