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Vol. 91 No. 2

JANUARY 8 - 14, 2026

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Farm-to-truck food giveaways planned at church By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com

Courtesy The Manna Project

The Long Island Cares Farm-to-Truck vehicle is set up for a community food distribution, offering fresh produce through its basket-style layout.

The Manna Project of Long Island, a food-relief nonprofit founded during the Covid-19 pandemic, is planning a farm-to-truck food distribution at Zion Cathedral Church of God in Christ in Freeport — an effort organizers hoped will become a monthly presence for residents facing food insecurity. Yvette Hester, The Manna Project’s founder and president, said her Nassau County-based organization has operated since 2020, expanding from a small, community-based food assistance service into a high-volume pantry model that connects families with both groceries and support services. Describing the group’s approach as broader than a traditional pantry model, Hester said The Manna Project could also connect residents with housing resources and other forms of assistance. “We’re a food pantry,” Hester said. “We not only ConTInued on page 12

Sparkle on Stage launches push to buy Mile building By MoHAMMAD RAFIQ mrafiq@liherald.com

For over four years, the Sparkle on Stage Cultural Arts Center has carved out a rare cultural space on Freeport’s Nautical Mile, hosting everything from live music and theater to spoken-word and drag performances, student showcases and community conversations. Now the organization is tryi n g t o e n s u re t h at s p a c e remains a fixture in the village by purchasing the building at 195 Woodcleft Ave. that it now leases from its owner GroGrove Realty Group. Sparkle on Stage owner

Robyn Workman said the effort to buy the building is as much about preservation as ownership. “It’s a community cultural arts center,” Workman said. “We offer the space at reasonable rates to other nonprofits, to high school students, and we work with the children of the community. I don’t want to see our space become another bar or another restaurant.” Workman said there are few venues like Sparkle on Stage nearby, let alone on the Nautical Mile, and that the diversity of programming is intentional. Over the past year alone, the venue has hosted high school

bands, tribute concerts, original theater productions, multigenerational community events and more. “There’s not really another space like ours for miles and miles and miles,” she said. “We serve a specific and unique experience — not just for Freeport, but for surrounding communities as well.” The push to purchase the building comes as Sparkle on Stage continues to gain recognition across Long Island. The venue was recently named a top-five finalist in the Long Island Choice Awards in the small theater category, with voting on the winner set to

begin Jan. 22. The nomination, Workman said, came as a surprise. “I don’t even know who put us up for the vote,” she said. “But it shows the support we have.” Sparkle on Stage has become a regular stop for touring and local performers alike. It has hosted recent events ranging

from yacht rock concerts to theatrical concerts like The Wizard of Oz in Concert to artist networking nights hosted by the Long Island Arts Council at Freeport. Proceeds from several of those shows have supported Sparkle’s #HomeForSparkle campaign, the fundraising initiative tied to the building purConTInued on page 10

January 8, 2026 — FREEPORT HERALD

News briefs

Deliah Roberts/Herald Courtesy Village of Freeport

Trees and other refuse should be placed at the curb after 6p.m. the on Tuesday night for Wednesday pickup.

Putting out Christmas trees for recycling Wondering when to put your live Christmas tree out for recycling? Your Christmas tree and other live greenery should be put out on your regular yard refuge day, which is Wednesdays. Trees and other refuse should be placed at the curb after 6 p.m. the night before to avoid missed pickups. Don’t place household waste in recycling containers. Remove all decora-

tions, garland and tinsel from the tree before putting it out. If recycling other refuge that day, you can put up to 20 bags of leaves or yard waste out for pickup. When cleaning after removing your tree, start with a broom and dustpan as pine needles can clog your vacuum cleaner. And, check to see if your tree left sap and check with your flooring manufacturer the best way to remove it.

Terry Seide, 10, Paxton Cobourne, 7, Landon Williams, 8, and Pryce Cobourne, 9, all from Uniondale, joined Ezra Rucker, 9, of Hempstead, in picking out new toys — all while rocking their pajamas. Behind them is Larry Gore, one of the event’s sponsors from Town Elite.

The first ever Hemp-Dale party Hundreds of children and their families gathered at Kennedy Park on Dec. 17 for the first-ever Hemp-Dale Christmas Pajama Party — a festive event uniting the Uniondale and Hempstead communities for the holidays. Children arrived in pajamas, met Santa Claus and received personalized gifts, many chosen from wish lists submitted in advance. Holiday music filled

the air as families enjoyed dinner, sweet treats and a joyful night of celebration. The event was organized by Nassau County Legislator Scott Davis and Assemblyman Noah Burroughs, with support from sponsors including Wild Fork and Town Elite. Organizers say they hope to make it an annual tradition. –Stacy Driks

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Maria Torres retires after 16 years of service mrafiq@liherald.com

After more than 16 years of keeping village spaces clean, safe and running smoothly, Maria Torres officially retired from her job with the Village of Freeport on Jan. 3. Her final day marked the end of a career defined by long hours, quiet dedication and a willingness to do whatever was needed, in every season and in nearly every corner of the village. Torres reached her 16-year milestone with the village in September, but continued working several additional months before stepping away. She began her tenure with eight months in the recreation department before spending the remainder of her career with the Department of Public Works, where she handled cleaning and maintenance inside and outside village buildings. At 71 years old, Torres said the physical demands of the job had begun to take a toll, especially the afternoon and nighttime hours. Her typical work a spanned across village offices, parks and public facilities. “I work afternoons, I do everything: Park offices, yard, garage, water department, Village Hall. I’m never in one place,” she said. “I have a lot of friends here because I am everywhere. I do everything. Hot or cold, that is the job. Sometimes it is not easy. I thank God

that he lets me do it.” Torres worked Tuesday through Saturday and was often responsible for closing parks at night — a task that could be challenging, especially on weekends. “People going to party, they don’t want to leave it from the park,” she said Before joining the village workforce, Torres had already spent decades working in Freeport. She came to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 1979 and worked for about 15 years in a factory, followed by another long stretch working in a deli her family owned. “In the deli I (did) everything,” she said. “I’m the one in charge for everything, shopping, selling, deli, lotto, everything, bank problems, bill problems.” Those early jobs helped prepare her for village work, especially when it came to dealing with people. “You need to support other people and other kinds of people coming into you, someone good, someone not good, someone just come and bring you trouble,” she said. Torres raised three children with her husband while working full time, without government assistance. “I have three children,” she said. “I taught myself English.” Learning the language was a necessity, she explained, especially once her children were born.

“When I came here, I would just memorize things to teach myself English,” she said. “My children were born here and I needed to talk to doctors and other people, so I needed to learn.” Despite never attending formal English classes, Torres said she takes pride in what she accomplished. “Maybe it is not as good as it could be, but I am proud that I taught myself,” she said. Reflecting on her life in the United States, Torres said work and opportunity defined her experience. “What is my favorite things about living in America: that I was able to have a job,” she said. “Here, I found a good job so I could grow my family, be able to educate my children. I am happy to be able to do that here.” Village officials praised her dedication and work ethic. “Maria Torres is a dedicated, enthusiastic individual who has been a great asset to the village of Freeport,” Mayor Robert Kennedy said. “She took great pride in her work and is well-liked by her fellow workers. She will be missed, but we wish her well, and hope she will check back in to let us know how retirement life is going.” Rob Fisenne, superintendent of the Department of Public Works, echoed that sentiment. “Maria was a great employee, she always had a great smile when you met

FREEPORT HERALD — January 8, 2026

By MOHAMMAD RAFIQ

Courtesy of Village of Freeport

Maria Torres, who retired on Jan. 3 after more than 16 years with the Village of Freeport worked in the recreation department and later with DPW her,” Fisenne said. “She will be missed by all of us here. We all wish her well.” “Now that I am retired, I hope to go back soon to get a little warm weather,” Torres said. “If I were there now, I’d be wearing just a sweatshirt.” After decades of steady, often unseen work, Torres said she leaves proud of what she gave to the village of Freeport through her years of service. “I was always proud that I could do the best job I could,” she said.

things to know whole milk returns to schools

Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 passes By MELISSA BERMAN mberman@liherald.com

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025, which will restore whole and 2 percent milk to America’s school cafeterias for the first time since they were banned in 2012. Every serving of whole milk provides 13 essential nutrients including protein, calcium, and vitamin D, with recent scientific research showing that higher-fat milk consumption by children is associated with lower childhood obesity and other positive health outcomes.

Historic return of whole milk to schools after 13-year ban The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 by voice vote in December 2025, delivering final congressional approval for legislation that will restore whole and 2 percent milk to America’s school cafeterias for the first time in more than a decade. Schools participating in the USDA national school lunch and breakfast programs have not been permitted to serve whole milk since 2012, when they aimed to align school meal menus with Dietary Guidelines that proposed limiting fat consumption in children. The bill is expected to be signed into law by President Trump and will give schools the flexibility to offer flavored and unflavored organic or conventional whole, 2 percent, 1 percent, skim and lactose-free milk.

Nutritional benefits and overwhelming parent support Recent national polling shows 91 percent of parents serve their children whole or 2 percent milk at home, and 81 percent of them support Congress passing legislation to reinstate these options in school meals. Recent scientific and medical research indicates that higher-fat milk consumption by children is associated with lower childhood obesity and other positive health outcomes. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act highlights health benefits milk provides to students, including better bone health, lower blood pressure, and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease or Type 2 diabetes. Since whole and 2 percent milk were banned from school meal menus more than a decade ago, school milk consumption and meal participation have declined.

Significant benefits to New York’s dairy industry The dairy industry is one of New York’s largest contributors to the agricultural economy, with nearly 3,000 dairy farms in New York that produce over 16.1 billion pounds of milk annually, making New York the nation’s fifth largest dairy state. Schools served nearly 4.9 billion lunches in 2024, with 85 percent of students choosing milk, and school milk accounts for nearly 8 percent of all fluid milk sales, making it a significant market driver. Senator Chuck Schumer announced the passage of the legislation, stating it will help bring more milk from Upstate NY dairy farms to school cafeterias across America. The legislation provides a meaningful outlet for dairy farmers while ensuring students have access to the nutritious milk options they prefer at home.

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On Dec. 27, police received a report that an unknown person entered an unlocked vehicle and took a pair of boots. No arrest was made.

On Jan. 4, a driver stopped in a hotel parking lot was arrested after police found cocaine in their possession. The individual was transported to Freeport Police Headquarters.

ERRORS IN DRAFTING AND EXECUTING THE COMPLEX .EW 9ORK FORM OF POWER OF ATTORNEY 7HAT CHANCE DOES A LAY PERSON HAVE TO GET IT RIGHT 4HEN THERE S THE FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY ONE HAS IN BELIEVING THEY HAVE AN ADEQUATE PLAN UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE n ULTIMATELY ENDING UP WITH THE FAMILY LOSING THEIR HOME AND LIFE SAVINGS 7HY "ECAUSE ONLINE ESTATE PLANNING DOES NOT ADDRESS PROTECTING ASSETS FROM THE EXTRAORDINARILY HIGH COST OF LONG TERM CARE EITHER AT HOME OR IN A FACILITY 4HIS INVOLVES PLANNING WITH A -EDICAID !SSET 0ROTECTION 4RUST -!04 ONLY AVAILABLE FROM AN EXPERIENCED ELDER LAW lRM AND NOT FROM THE INTERNET #ONSIDER THIS 9OUR CHANCE OF HAVING YOUR HOUSE BURN DOWN IN ANY GIVEN YEAR IS ABOUT ONE IN THREE THOUSAND 9ET WHO DOESN T CARRY HOMEOWNER S INSURANCE EVERY YEAR /N THE OTHER HAND THE MORTALITY RATE IS STUBBORNLY STUCK AT ONE HUNDRED PERCENT 9OUR ESTATE PLAN FOR YOUR FAMILY YOUR HOME AND YOUR LIFE SAVINGS IS SIMPLY WORTHWHILE INSURANCE THAT WILL ONE DAY PAY OFF .OT ONLY THAT BUT YOU ONLY PAY FOR IT ONCE AND HAVE THAT INSURANCE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFETIME Visit us at trustlaw.com to learn more or search Ettinger Law on YouTube for our elder law estate PLANNING VIDEOS

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On Jan. 5, a motorist reported being struck in the forehead and injured following a verbal dispute with another driver. A report was taken; no arrest was made.

On Dec. 26, a driver involved in a crash was arrested for DWI and possession of cocaine. The individual was processed at police headquarters.

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_________________

Freeport _________________

HERALD HOW TO REACH US

Our offices are located at 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530 and are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

MAIN PHONE: (516) 569-4000 ■ WEB SITE: freeport.liherald.com ■ E-MAIl: Letters and other submissions: freeporteditor@liherald.com ■ EDITORIAl DEPARTMENT: Ext. 206 E-mail: freeporteditor@liherald.com ■ SUBSCRIPTIONS: Press ”7” E-mail: subscriptions@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4942 ■ ClASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Ext. 286 E-mail: ereynolds@liherald.com Fax: (516) 622-7460 ■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: rglickman@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643 ■ PUBlIC NOTICES: Ext. 232 E-mail: legalnotices@liherald.com Freeport Herald, USPS 307320 is published weekly, every Thursday, by Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Periodicals Postage is paid at Garden City, NY and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Freeport Herald, 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Subscriptions by qualified request in zip code 11520, $52 per year auto pay or $65 one time payment within Nassau county (excluding qualified zip codes) or $76 outside of Nassau County. Copyright © 2026 Richner Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

FREEPORT HERALD — January 8, 2026

THANKS TO THE CONGESTION RELIEF PROGRAM, NEW YORK IS ON THE MOVE! One year of the congestion relief program means real results for Long Island. Commute times are down 22% from the LIE to the Queens-Midtown Tunnel— meaning less time wasted in traffic and more time back in your day. [SOURCE: Newsday, 8/6/25]

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spotlight athlete

January 8, 2026 — FREEPORT HERALD

HERALD SPORTS

Freeport eyes championship runs By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com

justiN ORtiz Hewlett Senior Basketball ORTIZ ADDED HIS name to Hewlett boys’ basketballl lore Dec. 26 by becoming the eighth player in program history to reach 1,000 career points. He entered the game needing 27 for the milestone and accomplished the feat in the third quarter. A third-year starter with a pair of All-County seasons under his belt, Ortiz averaged 17 points per game as a sophomore and 18.8 last season with 63 threes to rank among Nassau’s leaders.

games to watch Thursday, Jan. 8 Girls Basketball: Carey at Sewanhaka............... 4:30 p.m. Boys Basketball: Sewanhaka at Carey .............. 4:30 p.m. Girls Basketball: Seaford at Lawrence............... 6:45 p.m. Girls Basketball: Plainedge at Kennedy............. 6:45 p.m. Girls Basketball: Calhoun at Long Beach .......... 6:45 p.m. Girls Basketball: Clarke at South Side .............. 6:45 p.m. Boys Basketball: South Side at Clarke .............. 6:45 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 9 Boys Basketball: V.S. South at V.S. North................ 5 p.m. Boys Basketball: Lawrence at Seaford ................... 5 p.m. Boys Basketball: Carle Place at West Hemp........... 5 p.m. Girls Basketball: Mineola at Lynbrook ............... 6:45 p.m. Girls Basketball: V.S. South at V.S. North ........... 6:45 p.m. Girls Basketball: Hicksville at Oceanside .......... 6:45 p.m. Boys Basketball: Island Trees at Malverne.............. 7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 10 Boys Basketball: Division at Mepham .............11:45 a.m. Girls Basketball: Syosset at Baldwin ...............11:45 a.m. Girls Basketball: East Meadow at F-Dale ........11:45 a.m. Girls Basketball: Freeport at V.S. Central .........11:45 a.m. Boys Basketball: Uniondale at Massapequa .......... 1 p.m. Boys Basketball: Baldwin at Oceanside ................. 1 p.m.

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

A season removed from producing five All-County honorees and one state qualifier, sixth-year Freeport wrestling coach Matt Cellan is looking for an even bigger championship performance this winter. Christian Mccravey achieved the biggest spot on the podium as a freshman with a third place showing at 116 pounds in the Nassau County Division I championships at Hofstra to earn a spot in the New York State championships in Albany. Now as sophomore, Cellan sees an even bigger ceiling for Mccravey in the 138-pound weight class. “I think he would win counties and be back upstate competing for a state title,” said Cellan of Mccravey, who picked up his 100th career win early in the season. “One hundred wins is not something that people usually get until they are a senior, and he’s already got 100 wins less than halfway through the season as a sophomore which is pretty impressive.” Cellan also sees county champion potential in senior John Saraldi, who finished fourth in the heavyweight division as a junior. Saraldi entered the Christmas break undefeated with several pins. Senior Kerry Ellis could be poised to reach the podium for the first time at 144 pounds after knocking on the door the last few seasons. Ellis recorded a pin of Shoreham-Wading River’s Giovanni Aliotta on Dec. 20 in the Red Devils’ 59-21 dual meet loss to the Suffolk County power. “He hasn’t placed yet but he has been right there with a lot of very competitive guys,” Cellan said of Ellis. Senior Carlos Aguilar at 190 and junior Jason Lara at 175 are also capable of making deep county runs this winter. Both are captains along with Saraldi and Ellis, with the group pricing key leadership leading by example to establish a winning culture for underclassmen on the roster, according to Cellan. “We ask them to guide the younger

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John Saraldi is a returning All-County wrestler with aspirations of making a deeper run this season. kids and lead the way and show them how to do things,” Cellan said of the captains. “It’s a good thing to have guys have enough experience and are mature enough to do that.” Cellan pieced together a challenging dual meet schedule to prepare for the high stakes county tournament including a Jan.6 road tilt at Massapequa, which placed third in the counties last year. Five members of the team, Mccravey, Saraldi, Ellis, Aguilar and Lara will also participate in Eastern State Duals on Jan 9-10 in Clifton Park, N.Y. featuring the top wrestlers from

New York and surrounding states. “That is the top regular season tournament out there,” Cellan said of the Eastern States. “If you place in this Eastern States tournament it’s almost just as good if not better than placing in the state tournament.” The Nassau County Dual Meet championships are scheduled for Jan. 24 at Clarke High School. The individual county championships are slated for Feb. 15-16 at Hofstra’s Mack Sports Complex with those who qualify then competing in the New York State Championships at MVP Arena in Albany on Feb. 27-28.

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Your HealtH and Wellness — with a focus on neW You for tHe neW Year

Go the distance Timeless habits for better health By Francesca Coltrera A veritable avalanche of influencers, news headlines, and well-meaning friends and family offer conflicting advice on wellness. If you’re overwhelmed by fads and hype around wellness, read on. Dr. Wynne Armand, a primary care physician at Harvard-affiliated Mass General Brigham health care, recommends simple habits to boost health and wellness in everyday life. Quick fixes and fads may do little for our health, and some even prove harmful. Try to work healthy habits into your daily routines. If you’re a parent, sharing and modeling them can help children and teens embrace wellness, too. Bring mindfulness into your day Mindfulness and meditation are overlapping techniques proven to ease stress, improve sleep, and enhance concentration. “Anxiety and stress are very common issues in my practice,” says Armand. Worrying too often about the past or future is rarely helpful. The too-frequent release of stress hormones affects our heart, brain, and sleep, all of which have downstream consequences for our health. Practicing mindfulness — whether simply by appreciating birds and plants on a walk in green space, or using apps like Calm and Headspace — anchors you in the present moment. This can calm anxiety, improve focus and concentration, and amp up positive feelings. When applied to eating, mindfulness may help with weight loss by encouraging people to slow down to savor meals. Meditation knits together body and mind by focusing

on sensations, such as breathing, images, or a repeated word or phrase. One exercise that works equally well for adults and younger people is box breathing. The rhythmic pattern of breathing helps regulate the nervous system, reining in anxiety and stress, lowering heart rate and blood pressure, and boosting focus. The rhythmic pattern of breathing helps regulate the nervous system, reining in anxiety and stress, lowering heart rate and blood pressure, and boosting focus. Prioritize sleep Sleeping poorly can leave you feeling awful — snappish, foggy-headed, slow moving — and take a toll on your health over time. By contrast, getting sufficient, restful sleep supports the immune system, helps control weight, and aids physical well-being, mental well-being, memory, judgment,

and other cognitive functions. It may even extend longevity. But how much sleep do you need? That varies with age and other factors: most adults need at least seven hours per night, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, sleep quality (a measure of refreshing, uninterrupted sleep versus tossing and turning) may be more important than nailing seven hours. And it’s worth noting that too much sleep — nine hours or more in one analysis of multiple studies — is linked to higher risk for early deaths, too. Be aware that sleep patterns and circadian rhythms that help rule sleep and wakefulness change over time. Good sleep hygiene can help. Tips include getting regular exercise, setting regular bedtime and wake-up times and turning off screens at least 30 minutes before going to bed. Eat real, whole foods A wealth of evidence shows that diets rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes and pulses like lentils, peas, and beans, and minimally processed foods support longevity and vitality. Plant-based and plant-forward diets are better for our health: research links them to lower rates of heart disease, certain cancers, and chronic illnesses like diabetes and obesity. They’re better for the planet, too. Move more, sit less The hurry of life often short-circuits opportunities to be active. So, swap out the thought “What saves me time?” for a healthier one: “What keeps me mobile, flexible, and functioning well within my world?” Polishing off exercise requirements through a 30-minute block once daily is great, but you may reap even greater health benefits if you seek out ways to stay active throughout the day. Photo: Adopting a healthier way of life moves us beyond quick fixes and fads

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January 8, 2026 — FREEPORT HERALD

HEALTH MEMO Compassionate care that enriches lives THE JOURNEY TO WELLNESS STARTS

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25 years and take great pride in the compassionate care they provide every single day. With private and semi-private rooms, OCC offers many comforts that create a homelike atmosphere, including complimentary flat screen TVs in every room and three home cooked meals a day. Residents enjoy numerous activities and

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he only skilled nursing facility in Oceanside, Oceanside Care Center is a 100-bed rehabilitation and nursing center that has been a part of the community’s fabric for more than 50 years. Their unique approach allows them to provide patient-centered care in a way that no other facility can. OCC specializes in an array of different services, from short-term rehab to long-term care. Oceanside Care Center provides unrivaled residentcentered care. Under the guidance of the highly skilled, professional staff, the team customizes a care plan matched to specific needs and abilities. The nursing team consists of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants who are driven to build warm and compassionate bonds with residents. The unique and intimately sized facility attracts many residents who enjoy a meaningful relationship forged between devoted staff members, residents and their families. Many staff members have worked at Oceanside Care Center for over

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January 8, 2026 — FREEPORT HERALD

Sparkle seeks permanent home for the arts CoNTINuED FRoM PAGE 1

chase. Community members say that purchasing the building would preserve a space that has become meaningful for families across the area. Alina Kuehn, a Baldwin resident whose 8-year-old daughter, Catherine, participates in programming at Sparkle on Stage said the venue has played a significant role in introducing her child to theater. “I think it’s a wonderful place,” Kuehn said. “It’s a welcoming place. It’s very inclusive. “Mrs. Robyn is great with children, and it gives everyone a place to experience all sorts of different events, from paint nights to community theater. And it gives the children, like, an introduction to productions and experience on a stage.” Kuehn said her family discovered Sparkle on Stage by chance last summer while visiting the Nautical Mile, when they wandered in during an open audition. She added that she hoped the campaign to purchase the building succeeds. “I really do hope they’re able to buy the building,” she said to the Herald, “because it’s, I think, necessary for the local community and … society as a whole to have a place like that.” Workman said the cost of acquiring the property, which she currently rents for $2500 a month, will exceed $1 million. The organization is pursuing a lease-to-own arrangement, and hopes to raise $50,000 to $75,000 for an initial

Herald file photo

The Sparkle on Stage Cultural Arts Center, on Woodcleft Avenue on Freeport’s Nautical Mile, where owner Robyn Workman is working to purchase the buildin. down payment. “We need the community’s help,” she said. So far, Sparkle on Stage has raised five thousand dollars through benefit perfor mances, donations and other fundraising efforts. Among the recent fundraisers were a concert by local band Plain Jane and Oz in Concert, a multi-generational production that brought in about $1,500. Additional events are planned, including the return of Almost Hamil-

ton, an original musical tied to Freeport’s upcoming celebrations of the nation’s semiquincentennial, a High Tea art auction in March, and wellnessfocused arts programming throughout the year. Workman said remaining a tenant indefinitely is risky. “I think, eventually, the current landlords are going to sell,” she said of the Grover family, who own the building. “I don’t want to see somebody else come in and either raise our rent to a point that I can’t afford to stay,

or take the building over for another usage.” She added that the Grovers have expressed support for Sparkle on Stage remaining in the space as have village officials, performers and community partners. “I think she brings a lot of happiness to the canal,” said Al Grover Jr., who rents the building to Sparkle on Stage. “Families and dances and movies at night, so we’re anxious to see her continue.” “Sparkle on stage cultural art center on Woodcleft Canal has proven to be a great asset to the village of Freeport residents,” said Village of Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy when requested for comment. “I have attended numerous events at Sparkle on stage and thoroughly enjoyed each event. The center regularly collaborates with organizations such as the Long Island Arts Council at Freeport, Freeport Memorial Library and Long Island Traditions, and draws repeat performers who frequently ask when they can return. “I think we belong there,” Workman said. “I think we’re meant to be there.” As the fundraising campaign continues, Workman said the goal is not just to buy a building, but also to protect a cultural anchor that reflects Freeport’s diversity and creativity. “There are plenty of bars and restaurants,” she said. “What we do here is important.”

$100K to Island Harvest to fight hunger By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

While the surge of generosity that marks the holiday season fades once the decorations come down, the need facing food banks and families struggling to make ends meet continues year-round — a reality prompting renewed investment from organizations seeking to sustain that support well beyond winter. Addressing that need, last month, PSEG Foundation, a nonprofit supported and funded by PSEG, announced $1.5 million in grants to more than 25 community organizations that provide critical assistance to households facing economic hardship, including a $100,000 award to Island Harvest, a longtime community partner of PSEG Long Island, a major electricity provider for the region. The funding is part of the foundation’s Community Relief Initiative, a year-long effort designed to bolster food banks and social service organizations through a multifaceted approach. The initiative also reflects the foundation’s commitment to affordability and community well-being, while reinforcing the volunteer efforts of employees at PSEG Long Island. Island Harvest Food Bank is a leading hunger-relief organization with a mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island. The organization boasts food and product collection and distribution systems, hunger awareness and education programs, a Workforce Skills Development Institute, as well as targeted services for specific populations, outreach activities, and advocacy initiatives. Its work supports a wide network of community-based nonprofits, as well as individuals, families, and seniors in need. At an event in 2024 in Nassau County’s headquar-

Courtesy PSEG

Island Harvest Food Bank received a $100,000 donation from the PSEG Foundation, funded by PSEG, a major utility provider in the Long Island region. Randi Shubin Dresner, president of Island Harvest with David Lyons, interim president of PSEG Long Island. ters in Mineola, Randi Shubin Dresner, the president and chief executive of Island Harvest, and a former East Meadow Herald Person of the Year, explained that even though Nassau County has some of the wealthiest residents living within its zip codes, Island Harvest helps more than 100,000 neighbors in need. Annual distribution efforts have topped 10 million pounds in Nassau County.

Many neighbors in need who receive food from Island Harvest are working, sometimes multiple jobs, to make ends need. “We’re on the side of action,” Shubin Dresner said of Island Harvest’s efforts. “We are providing support, and importantly, we’re providing 10 million pounds of food so we can be sure that our neighbors don’t have to worry about where their next meal comes from.” David Lyons, interim president and chief operating officer at PSEG Long Island said the company has long partnered with Island Harvest to collect, sort and distribute meals to Long Islanders facing food insecurity. “We have seen first-hand the good work Island Harvest has done, and we are thrilled that the PSEG Foundation is ensuring that even more good can be done through this $100,000 grant,” he said in a December release. Calvin Ledford Jr., president of the PSEG Foundation, said its work extends beyond providing clean and reliable energy to Long Islanders. “During times of economic challenges and hardship, these collaborations allow us to deliver meaningful solutions that directly benefit families,” he said. “We are deeply grateful for each of our partners and for the impact these initiatives will have in helping local communities access the critical resources needed to stay safe, healthy, and secure.” “On behalf of the 240,000 people we serve who face food insecurity and uncertainty of when their next meal will come, we are incredibly grateful to direct the PSEG Foundation grant to our Hunger Relief Action Fund,” Shubin Dresner said. “The strong, long-term partnership we have with PSEG Long Island and the PSEG Foundation continues to make a positive impact on the lives of Long Islanders.”

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L.I. Cares partnership to give local produce it focuses on locally grown produce. “The major difference is we offer farm fresh produce that’s grown locally in upstate New York and on Long Island,” DeLauro said. “Most other agencies give out perishable stuff, so that’s going to be canned stuff. We figured that it’s much better to have fresh produce than canned.” DeLauro said the far m-to-truck model offers a more personal experience than many large-scale distributions, allowing residents to choose their own items from baskets rather than receiving food handed out from the back of a truck. Hester said The Manna Project first took shape in 2020, when the sleep lab at Maimonides Hospital where she works shut down during the height of the pandemic, prompting her to look for ways to support families in need. She works as a sleep technician, also known as a polysomnographic technician. She added that forming relationships with major food banks was a key step in the organization’s early growth, noting that she contacted Island Harvest and Long Island Cares shortly after establishing the nonprofit and that those partnerships have continued to develop over nearly five years. “It turns out, here we are, five years later, and we’re going strong,” Hester said. “We help thousands of people, and we continue to do so.”

Continued from page 1

provide food, but we provide other services that families need, like we have resources to help people with SNAP and different things like clothing and (heat), insurance.” The planned distribution at Zion Cathedral, at 312 Grand Ave., will be conducted through a partnership with Long Island Cares’ farm-to-truck program. The date is still being finalized through church scheduling protocols, Hester said. While the organization is eyeing early February for a first event, she said the organization expects to confirm a schedule after an upcoming meeting with Zion leadership. “It is going to be an ongoing thing,” Hester confirmed. Greg DeLauro, Long Island Cares’ far m-to-truck coordinator, said the model is designed to provide fresh produce in a way that feels more like shopping than a typical distribution line. “There’s 12 baskets on the truck, and we’ll bring that much variety as far as produce and fruits,” he said. “It’ll be a two-hour distribution.” Families are asked to share basic household details at check-in, including where they live and how many children, adults, and older adults are in the household, before selecting the food they need. He emphasized that farm-to-truck differs from many food giveaways because

more donors, sponsors, corporations and private foundations to assist our organization’s individual needs,” Hester said via text message. “We need donors, sponsors to support the continuance of our programs.” Residents and those who wish to help may contact The Manna Project at (516) 412-5069 or TMP.NY@yahoo.com and visit tmpny.org.

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The nonprofit’s slogan, “fighting hunger with love,” she said, reflects its focus on dignity and compassion. “Loving people once they see that you care about them, you know, it makes a world of difference,” she added. Vanessa Jones, a volunteer at The Manna Project who helps with sign-ins and packing bags, described the pantry’s impact on the communities it already serves. “It’s a blessing. It’s truly a blessing,” Jones said, describing the need she has seen in Inwood, where she lives and where the organization conducts food distribution operations. “It’s very rewarding just being able to help a fellow man or woman, you know, put food on the table,” Jones added. “It’s very hard out here. It’s hard, a lot of people are struggling.” Hester said she hopes the Freeport partnership will not only provide consistent food distributions, but also help The Manna Project build toward a more stable, permanent operation. “We are in the process of getting our own space,” she said. “Because we operate outside of the church right now, but we need our own space.” She also said the organization is actively seeking support to expand its work, continually looking for sponsors and donors so they can keep assisting the community. “As a small food charity, we need

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January 8, 2026 — FREEPORT HERALD

STEPPING OUT

Fettucine with Brussels Sprouts and Cranberries

Hearty Beef Stew with Roasted Vegetables

Rustic Roasted Winter Vegetable Chowder

New year, fresh flavors Your kitchen beckons By Karen Bloom

he holidays may be behind us, but winter’s cozy rhythm is in full force. January invites us to nest at home and gather in the kitchen, where comforting, flavorful dishes warm both body and spirit — and gently set the tone for healthier habits in the new year. It’s the perfect time to experiment “Top Chef”–style, playing with bold flavors and seasonal ingredients. After all, few pleasures rival a hearty, nourishing meal shared on a cold winter evening.

additional 1-2 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed. (If pasta is too dry, add reserved cooking water a tablespoon at a time.) Season with salt and pepper and serve garnished with Parmesan cheese and reserved bacon.

Consider adding these recipes to your repertoire.

• 1 cup cubed butternut squash • 1 cup cubed carrots • 1 cup cubed parsnips • 1 cup cubed sweet potatoes • 1 cup cubed onion • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided • 1 1/2 pounds boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into 1-inch cubes • 3/4 cup chicken stock • 3 bay leaves • 1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, coarsely ground • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/4 cup dry red wine Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss vegetables with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Arrange in single layer on large baking sheet. Roast 20 minutes or until vegetables are golden brown. Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches. Return all beef to skillet. Add roasted vegetables, stock, wine, salt, pepper, thyme and bay leaves. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 10 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened. Remove bay leaves before serving.

Fettucine with Brussels Sprouts and Cranberries A satisfying plate of pasta is especially welcoming on a cold winter day. • 4 slices bacon (approximately), cut into 1/2-inch pieces • 2 cups (about 12 ounces) Brussels sprouts, trimmed and vertically halved • 1 medium onion, sliced • 1 cup chicken broth • 1⁄4 cup dry vermouth • 1⁄2 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped • 6 ounces fettuccine (or another long pasta like spaghetti) • 2 ounces. Parmesan cheese, coarsely shredded • Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste Slowly cook bacon in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat until fat is rendered and bacon is crisp, about 7 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels; set bacon aside. Increase heat to medium-high, arrange Brussels sprouts cut-side down in the rendered bacon fat and cook, without stirring, until sprouts begin to crisp and brown on the cut face, about 2 minutes. Add the onion and toss to combine with the sprouts; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add the broth, vermouth, and dried cranberries, scraping up any fond from the bottom of the skillet, and bring to a fast simmer. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook until the sprouts soften, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the pasta until just al dente, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water. Transfer pasta to the skillet with the sprouts and liquid and toss continuously over medium-high heat for an

Hearty Beef Stew with Roasted Vegetables This classic stick-to-your-ribs stew is a terrific winter warmer-upper, served with a hearty bread or corn bread.

Rustic Roasted Winter Vegetable Chowder A rustic, flavorful soup can be flavorful centerpiece to healthy, satisfying meal. This filling soup is packed with vegetables. • 1/2 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch dice (about 2 cups) • 3 medium parsnips, peeled, cut into 1-inch dice (about 1 cup ) • 1 medium sweet potato, peeled, cut into 1-inch dice (about 1 cup) • 2 medium carrots, peeled, cut into 1-inch dice

(about 1 cup) • 1/2 fennel bulb, quartered & sliced thin (about 1 cup) • 1/2 teaspoon plus 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or coarse sea salt • 2 tablespoons plus 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided • 1 medium onion, diced (about 2 cups) • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour • 4 cups vegetable broth • 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 3/4inch dice (about 2 cups) 4-5 fresh thyme sprigs • 1 cup milk or unsweetened plain almond milk • Additional salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste • More pepper and thyme leaves for garnish Heat oven to 400 F. In a large bowl, toss the butternut squash, parsnips, sweet potatoes, carrots, and fennel with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt. Spread in a single layer on a large baking sheet and roast until tender and browned in places, about 40 minutes, turning a couple of times while roasting. While the veggies are roasting, prepare the base of the soup. To a large saucepan over low heat, add 3 tablespoons olive oil. Add the onion along with a pinch of salt and a bit of pepper, then cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 10 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in the vegetable broth. Add the potatoes and thyme. Bring to a boil over medium heat then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes or until potatoes are soft. Remove from heat. Pick out the thyme stems and discard. Stir in the roasted vegetables. Carefully transfer about 3 cups of the chowder to the pitcher of a blender. Puree until smooth. Return the pureed mixture to the pot and stir to combine. The soup should be thick, rich, and creamy. Stir in the milk. Place the pot back on the burner, and, with the heat on medium-low, return to a simmer, stirring often to prevent burning. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve garnished with an additional turn of cracked pepper and thyme leaves.

Hailed by Rolling Stone as the “world’s premier soft-rock party band,” Yacht Rock Revue invites audiences on a nostalgic voyage through the melodies of the ‘70s and ‘80s. Since their humble beginnings in 2007, Atlanta, Ga.-based YRR has emerged as a pivotal figure in revitalizing yacht rock, sharing stages with icons and garnering a devoted following of “Anchorheads.” Inspired by soft rock’s golden era, the 10-piece band has mastered the art of recreating the breezy laid-back tunes that defined a generation. From the sun-kissed melodies of Steely Dan and Michael McDonald to Hall & Oates’ velvety harmonies, their repertoire spans beloved hits that evoke memories of palm trees, ocean breezes and carefree summers. But Yacht Rock Revue isn’t just a tribute band. Their original compositions are a modern ode to the genre, capturing the essence of those bygone days while infusing it with a fresh and invigorating twist.

Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 8-10, 8 p.m. $82, $60.25, $49.25 $37.25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.

V is for Violet Families are welcome to Nassau County Museum of Art for a special storytime with children’s author Valerie Goldstein. During the interactive reading of her inspiring picture book “Violet’s Victory!”, young audiences will follow Violet — a determined girl with lavender hair — as she discovers her inner strength, perseverance as she chases her dreams. Violet wants to participate in Sports Day at her school. She walks with crutches for support, which she calls her “magic sticks.” Violet knows she will not be able to keep up with her classmates using crutches. Then she spots a purple handcycle! With determination and perseverance she participates in Sports Day. Every hue of purple is mentioned and makes for a perfect art connection. Following the reading, children and caregivers can meet the author during a book signing and participate in a handson craft inspired by Violet’s journey. Designed to spark imagination and open the door to meaningful conversations, the session celebrates resilience, self-belief and the joy of trying something new. Saturday, Jan. 10, 1:30-3 p.m. $20 adult, $10 members and children. Register at nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337.

FREEPORT HERALD — January 8, 2026

Yacht Rock Revue

January 8, 2026 — FREEPORT HERALD

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD JAN

On Exhibit

CALENDAR Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out

Nassau County Museum of Art invites visitors into a world where reality is uncertain, dreams take shape, and the line between fact and imagination disappears. From dreamlike landscapes and uncanny portraits to images so exact they look like photographs, works in “Real, Surreal, and Photoreal” challenge what we see and what we believe. This exhibit explores how artists across generations have reimagined “the real” in strikingly different ways. Works from both American and European artists are featured. On view through March 8.

Long Island Children’s Museum’s welcomes all to the opening of its new exhibit. Emotions at Play with Pixar’s Inside Out provides interactive experiences that help visitors learn about the important role emotions, memory and imagination play in our everyday lives. Hands-on and digital experiences focus on the five emotions featured in the film: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust and Fear. Kids learn to recognize emotions and explore ways that we express and manage our own emotions. With opening weekend activities to celebrate the arrival of this traveling exhibit. • Where: Museum Row, Garden City • Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

• Where: 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor • Time: Ongoing • Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337

New Visions PTA Meeting.

New Visions School holds its regular monthly PTA meeting. • Where: 80 Raynor St. • Time: 6-7 p.m. • Contact: freeportschools.org

Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club Meeting

Regular meeting of the Rotary Club at Freeport Memorial Library. Open to adults interested in community service and civic engagement. • Where: 144 W. Merrick Road • Time: 7-8:30 p.m. • Contact: freeportlibrary.info

JAN

Tai Chi for Adults

Participate in the gentle traditional Chinese exercise known for its health and meditative benefits at Freeport Memorial Library. Bring water and wear comfortable clothing and sneakers. • Where: 144 W. Merrick Road • Time: 10-11 a.m. • Contact: freeportlibrary.info or (516) 379-3274

Elated Eagles

Long Island Children’s Museum invites families to discover the mighty eagle. Since 1782, the bald eagle has been the United States’ national emblem and mascot. These amazing animals have an impressive wingspan of 7 feet and use their strong wings to soar 10,000 feet in the air. Come learn all about these majestic birds and make your own flying eagle craft in honor of National Save the Eagles Day. This is a drop-in program, free with admission. • Where: Museum Row, Garden City • Time: Noon-2 p.m. • Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224

JAN

Paul Cornish Trio

Newly signed to Blue Note Records, Los Angeles-based pianist and composer Paul Cornish is making waves as one of the most innovative new voices in jazz. Presented in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, Tilles Center Atrium becomes an intimate lounge to showcase this exciting up-and-coming jazz talent. Cornish, who strives to inspire freedom and collaboration in his music and community, has performed extensively across the globe with such notable artists as Joshua Redman, Louis Cole, Mark Guiliana, and more. With Jonathan Pinson (drums) and Jermaine Paul (bass) he’ll perform selections from his Blue Note Records debut album “You’re Exaggerating. “ A Stanford Jazz Workshop alumnus, Cornish blends deep jazz roots with bold, forward-thinking vision, transforming tradition into an electrifying and inspiring musical journey. A standout talent from Houston’s renowned High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Cornish went on to earn degrees from USC and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz at UCLA. Now a member of Joshua Redman’s band, he has toured the • Where: LIU Post campus, 720 world and was featured on Redman’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert. “Paul is one of the most Northern Blvd., Brookville innovative pianists to come along in quite a while,” says Blue Note President Don • Time: 7:30 p.m. Was. “He is the next purveyor of that hallowed legacy.” Don’t miss this opportunity to • Contact: tillescenter.org or witness Cornish’s extraordinary artistry and boundless creativity live. (516) 299-3100

JAN

Let’s Celebrate 2026 with the East Coast Band

Ring in the New Year with an energetic live performance by the East Coast Band. This eclectic rock-androll group features a powerful horn section and dynamic vocals; band members have performed with Roberta Flack, Harry Connick Jr., and Billy Joel and Broadway. • Where: 144 W. Merrick Road • Time: 5:30 p.m. • Contact: freeportlibrary.info or (516) 379-3274

Roslyn Harbor • Time: 3 p.m. • Contact: nassaumuseum.org or (516) 484-9337

JAN

All are welcome to the public session of the Village of Freeport Board of Trustees next meeting at Freeport Village Hall. • Where: 46 N. Ocean Ave. • Time: 5:30 p.m. • Tickets: freeportny.gov

Talking art

Nassau County Museum of Art hosts Stanley Lewis with Chief Curator Franklin Perrell. Lewis is a distinguished American painter, teacher, and Guggenheim Fellow known for his richly layered, perceptual works that explore light and place through complex surfaces and on-site observation. His practice is deeply rooted in sustained looking and revision, emphasizing the physical and experiential process of painting. His work has been exhibited widely, including major retrospectives such as at the Katzen Arts Center, and he is represented by the Betty Cuningham Gallery in New York. $20, $15 seniors, $10 students (members free). Limited seating, register in advance. • Where: 1 Museum Drive,

Board of Trustees meet

JAN

Disney on ice Presents Mickey’s Search Party

Enjoy the magic of ‘Disney On Ice presents Mickey’s Search Party,’ an action-packed adventure filled with beloved characters, dazzling skating and immersive storytelling at UBS arena. Mickey and friends journey through exciting worlds as they search for clues, bringing the audience along for an unforgettable, high-energy experience. Perfect for all ages. • Where: 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont • Time: 7 p.m., through Jan. 19, times vary. • Tickets: ticketmaster.com

JAN

Comic showcase

Known for their elite brand of clever comedy, The Ivy League of Comedy visits the Madison Theatre. You’ve heard their brilliant comedic voices on late-night television and Comedy Central and on the club circuit. The lineup features Keith Alberstadt, who’s playful personality radiates on stage. He mixes light-hearted sarcasm with a southern charm and has become a favorite at comedy clubs and theaters. Also Clayton Fletcher, who’s heard every day on Sirius/XM Radio’s Laugh USA, Blue Collar Comedy, and Jamie Foxx’s Foxxhole stations. He has been featured on Hulu-TV’s “Comedy Brew,” MSNBC’s “Your Business,” ESPN’s “World Series of Poker,” and Comcast-TV’s “Who’s Laughing Now?” He allows us to see the world through the eyes of the son of a poker-playing mom and a jazz musician dad. And Jane Condon, mom of two boys, has been dubbed “an uppercrust Roseanne.” She loves to tell stories about her adventures (mostly survival tales) with her husband and kids. • Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre • Time: 8 p.m. • Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444

JAN

Let Freedom Ring with MLK

Visit Long Island Children’s Museum for a workshop honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. Families will learn about MLK beyond his “I Have a Dream” speech and gain a better understanding of his impact on the civil rights movement. Also participate in a gallery walk of images from that era and then create a bell to “let freedom ring.” The program is part of the AdvoKids monthly series that focuses on teaching kids how to advocate for themselves and others and teaching adults how to support their kids’ advocacy efforts. For ages 5 and up. Free with museum admission, but tickets required. • Where: Museum Row, Garden City • Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. • Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800

JAN

Parent University: Your Mental Health Matters

A Parent University workshop focused on family mental health and wellness strategies at John W. Dodd Middle School. • Where: 25 Pine St,. • Time: 7-8 p.m. • Tickets: freeportschools.org

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

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LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE CO-OP APARTMENT PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that pursuant to Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, STEPHAN G. MARCELIN, Auctioneer, JOHN WILLIAM O’KEEFE, Auctioneer, or TERENCE GEE, Auctioneer, or RICHARD J. CANTWELL, will sell at public auction with reserve to the highest bidder, on the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 21, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., security consisting of 300 shares of FORDHAM HILL OWNERS CORP., in the name of NICHOLE HENRIQUEZ, and all right, title and interest in and to a Proprietary Lease for Cooperative, located in a building known as and by the street address 100 SOUTH OCEAN AVE, UNIT 4H, FREEPORT, NEW YORK 11520, NICHOLE HENRIQUEZ, as Lessee, and 100 SOUTH OCEAN AVE REALTY CORP., as Lessor. This sale is held to satisfy an indebtedness of the unpaid principal balance, interest, attorney fees, and advances through January 21, 2026, and to enforce the rights of NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING (the “Secured Party”), arising under a Security Agreement dated October 5, 2021, executed by and between NICHOLE HENRIQUEZ and NEW REZ LLC. The Secured Party reserves the right to bid. The Co-op Apartment will be sold “AS IS”, subject to open common charges, and possession is to be obtained by the purchaser. DATED: December 19, 2025 Knuckles & Manfro, LLP Attorneys for SECURED PARTY 120 White Plains Road Suite 215 Tarrytown, NY 10591 (914) 345-3020 157612 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL

CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff AGAINST LUIS M. CORDERO, ELIZABETH MATEUS, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered June 9, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 2, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 18 Hotchkiss Place, Freeport, NY 11520. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 55 Block: 395 Lot: 75. Approximate amount of judgment $486,818.66 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #614432/2022. Joseph M. Terino, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, L LC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 21-001160 88103 157519 LEGAL NOTICE SHARPS DISPOSAL SERVICE Meadowbrook Care Center, a skilled nursing facility, located at 320 West Merrick Road, Freeport, New York 11520, offers a community service for the collection and disposal of homegenerated sharps (syringes, needles and lancets). To ensure safety, all sharps must be placed in OSHA approved containers with tight fitting screw tops which are shatter proof, leak proof and puncture resistant (OSHA approved containers can be purchased at medical supply stores.) Community residents can bring properly contained sharps to Meadowbrook Care Center on designated days and times. Call Meadowbrook Care Center Inc. at (516) 377-8200 for days and times. 157737

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY It is the policy of

Meadowbrook Care Center Inc., located at 320 West Merrick Road, Freeport, New York 11520, not to discriminate because of Race, Creed, Religion, Color, National Origin, Sex, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Handicap, Disability, Blindness, Source of Sponsorship, Source of Payment, Marital Status, Age, Sexual Preference, Genetic Predisposition, or Carrier Status in employment or in the admission, retention and care of residents and patients. All persons and organizations that have occasion to refer prospective residents or patients to Meadowbrook Care Center Inc., are advised to do so without regard to the person=s Race, Creed, Religion, Color, National Origin, Sex, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Handicap, Disability, Blindness, Source of Sponsorship, Source of Payment, Marital Status, Age, Sexual Preference, Genetic Predisposition, or Carrier Status. 157736

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING The Freeport Housing Authority will be holding a Public Meeting on January 28, 2026, at 5:00PM, at 240 South Main Street, Community Center, Freeport, NY 11520. 157741 LEGAL NOTICE FREEPORT HOUSING AUTHORITY PUBLIC NOTICE TO BIDDERS INVITATION FOR BIDS Sealed Bids will be received by the Freeport Housing Authority, at 100 North Main St., Freeport, New York 11520 until 12:00PM. on March 2, 2026, for all labor, materials, and work to be performed under the following contract: ROOF REPLACEMENT The Dr. E. Mitchell Mallette Senior Citizen Apartments 100 North Main St. Freeport, NY 11520 Required for: Freeport Housing Authority 100 North Main St. Freeport, NY 11520 In accordance with the Plans and Specifications and Contract Documents on file at the office of the Freeport Housing Authority, beginning at 10:00 a.m., on the 20th day of January 2026. Bids will be publicly

opened and read aloud at said offices at 12:00PM on March 2, 2026. Each Bid must be accompanied by a DEPOSIT in the form of certified check, cashier’s check, or Bid Bond in the amount of Five percent (5%) of the Bid. Such Bid Bond shall be satisfactory to the Freeport Housing Authority executed and sworn to by Surety Company authorized to do business in the State of New York, and shall be required to qualify in the sum equal to the value of the work as stated in the proposal of the Bidder for whom it is to act as Surety, shall insure the Freeport Housing Authority, in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the amount of the base bid proposal. Electronic Copies of Plans, Specifications and Contract Documents may be obtained by contacting George Bella of GWB Architect P.C. on or after January 20, 2026, at 10:00AM. Contact info is as follows: George Bella, AIA 516.432.3406 Gbella@GWBArchitect. com **Requests for contract documents should include the following: Company name Company Address Company phone number Contact name Contact e-mail address NOTE: ONLY BIDDERS WHO HAVE IDENTIFIED THEMSELVES IN WRITING TO GWB ARCHITECT P.C. VIA EMAIL ARE AUTHORIZED TO SUBMIT BIDS. BID DOCUMENTS OBTAINED THROUGH THIRD PARTIES ARE NOT VALID; SUCH BIDDERS MUST CONTACT GWB ARCHITECT P.C. DIRECTLY TO RECEIVE AN OFFICIAL BID PACKAGE. Bids must be wholly filled out on the prepared Bid Forms furnished with the Contract Documents and must be contained in a sealed opaque envelope plainly marked on the outside by the title of the project to which they are relating, the name of the Bidder and his

residence or business address, the number of the Contract and the nature of the work as set forth in the Instruction to Bidders. BIDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED ELECTRONICALLY. The Freeport Housing Authority reserves the right to reject any, and all Bids or to waive any informalities or irregularities in the Bids. A required Pre-Bid Meeting to review the scope of work and project procedures will be held at the office of the Freeport Housing Authority located at 100 North Main St., Freeport, NY 11520 at 12:00 PM on February 12, 2026 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FREEPORT HOUSING AUTHORITY 157740 LEGAL NOTICE BOARD OF EDUCATION BALDWIN UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT SPECIFICATIONS FOR PUPIL TRANSPORTATION Section 1 ADVERTISEMENT The Board of Education Of The Baldwin Union Free School District. County of Nassau hereafter invites The Submission of Sealed Bids for the SouthWest Quadrant Consortium PUPIL TRANSPORTATION Monday, January 26, 2026 At 11:00 A.M. At the office Of the Board of Education Baldwin Union Free School District, Baldwin N.Y. 11510 At which time and place All bids will be publicly Opened and read aloud Specifications and bid Forms may be obtained By Telephone 516-434-6040 Between the hours of 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM Weekdays The Board of Education reserves the Right to reject any or all Bids, or to accept any bid Which is in the opinion of The Board of Education Will be in the best Interest of the School District Board of Education Baldwin Union Free School District. By: Pamela Pratt District Clerk 157739 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK

NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR CARRINGTON MORTGAGE LOAN, TRUST, SERIES 2005OPT2, ASSET BACKED PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2005-OPT2 Plaintiff, Against CYNTHIA CRAIG A/K/A CYNTHIA A. CRAIG, et al Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 06/18/2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 2/9/2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 153 Connecticut Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520, and described as follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Section 0055 Block 00388.00 Lot 00198 The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $830,747.82 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 612946/2018 If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine. Georgia Papazis, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573 Dated: 12/26/2025 File Number: 18-300586 CA 157728 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE UNDER THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER l, 2006, GSAMP TRUST

2006-HE7, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-HE7 Plaintiff, Against FRAZIER EDWARDS A/K/A FRAZIER EDWARDS, JR, et al Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 06/10/2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 2/10/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 30 Porterfield Pl., Freeport, New York 11520, and described as follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, and State of New York. Section 54 Block 91 Lot 209 The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $635,724.65 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 000576/2017 If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine. Jared Kasschau, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573 Dated: 12/26/2025 File Number: 560-3683 CA 157730 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST DIANA J. BARNES A/K/A DIANE CARTER A/K/A DIANA CARTER; ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered February 7, 2017, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North

Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on February 5, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 39 Lessing Place, Freeport, NY 11520. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section: 55 Block: 377 Lots: 1267, 1268, and 1269. Approximate amount of judgment $331,470.41 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #011584/2007. Janine T. Lynam, Esq., Referee Fein, Such & Crane, LLP 28 East Main Street Rochest er, NY 14614 NSRNC625 88221 157625 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: 18 Bedell Street LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 9/19/25 NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as an agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: Law Office of Howard Colten, 53 E.Merrick Rd 237, Freeport, NY 11520 Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 157734 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 FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: JZYN & CO LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 9/17/25. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as an agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 964 Pacific Street, Baldwin, NY 11510 Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 157209

FREEPORT HERALD — January 8, 2026

Public Notices

January 8, 2026 — FREEPORT HERALD

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Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE Supplemental Summons and Notice of Object of Action Supreme Court Of The State Of New York County Of Nassau Action To Foreclose A Mortgage Index #: 601472/2025 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Plaintiff, Nassau County Public Administrator, As Administrator Of The Estate Of Regina M. Mcewen AKA Regina Mcewen, April Mcewen As Heir To The Estate Of Regina M. Mcewen AKA Regina Mcewen, Christopher Garran As Heir To The Estate Of Regina M. Mcewen AKA Regina Mcewen, Brandon Garran As Heir To The Estate Of Regina M. Mcewen AKA Regina Mcewen, Marasha Garran As Heir To The Estate Of Regina M. Mcewen AKA Regina Mcewen, Steven Garran As Heir To The Estate Of Regina M. Mcewen AKA Regina Mcewen, Unknown Heirs Of Oluf A. Jackson If Living, And If He/She Be Dead, Any And All Persons Unknown To Plaintiff, Claiming, Or Who May Claim To Have An Interest In, Or General Or Specific Lien Upon The Real Property Described In This Action; Such Unknown Persons Being Herein Generally Described And Intended To Be Incl uded In Wife, Widow, Husband, Widower, Heirs At Law, Next Of Kin, Descendants, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Legatees, Creditors, Trustees, Committees, Lienors, And Assignees Of Such Deceased, Any And All Persons Deriving Interest In Or Lien Upon, Or Title To Said Real Property By, Through Or Under Them, Or Either Of Them, And Their Respective Wives, Widows, Husbands, Widowers, Heirs At Law, Next Of Kin, Descendants, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Legatees, Creditors, Trustees, Committees, Lienors, And Assigns, All Of Whom And Whose Names, Except As Stated, Are Unknown To Plaintiff, Alton A. Jackson As Heir To The Estate Of Oluf A. Jackson, Eroll Jackson If Living, And If He/She Be Dead, Any And All Persons Unknown To Plaintiff, Claiming, Or

Who May Claim To Have An Interest In, Or General Or Specific Lien Upon The Real Property Described In This Action; Such Unknown Persons Being Herein Generally Described And Intended To Be Included In Wife, Widow, Husband, Widower, H eirs At Law, Next Of Kin, Descendants, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Legatees, Creditors, Trustees, Committees, Lienors, And Assignees Of Such Deceased, Any And All Persons Deriving Interest In Or Lien Upon, Or Title To Said Real Property By, Through Or Under Them, Or Either Of Them, And Their Respective Wives, Widows, Husbands, Widowers, Heirs At Law, Next Of Kin, Descendants, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Legatees, Creditors, Trustees, Committees, Lienors, And Assigns, All Of Whom And Whose Names, Except As Stated, Are Unknown To Plaintiff As Heir To The Estate Of Oluf A. Jackson, Nassau County Clerk, People Of The State Of New York, United States Of America On Behalf Of The IRS John Doe (Those unknown tenants, occupants, persons or corporations or their heirs, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, assignees, creditors or successors claiming an interest in the mortgaged premises.) Defendant(s). Mortgaged Premises: 36 Mount Joy Avenue Freeport, NY 11520 To the Above named Defendant: You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Supplemental Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Supplemental Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Supplemental Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against

you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Nassau. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. TO Unknown Heirs, Eroll Jackson Defendants In this Action. The foregoing Supplemental Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an ord er of HON. Jeffrey A. Goodstein of the Supreme Court Of The State Of New York, dated the Eighth day of December, 2025 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, in the City of Mineola. The object of this action is to foreclosure a mortgage upon the premises described below dated July 7, 2010, executed by Regina M. McEwen AKA Regina McEwen (who died on February 17, 2021, a resident of the county of Nassau, State of New York) and Richard D. McEwen (who died on October 7, 2019, a resident of the county of Montgomery, State of Pennsylvania) to secure the sum of $140,000.00. The Mortgage was recorded at Book M 35032, Page 802 in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk on August 5, 2010. The property in question is described as follows: 36 Mount Joy Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520 NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this Foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE

COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: December 9, 2025 Gross Polowy LLC Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s) 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221 The law firm of Gross Polowy LLC and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. 88386 157288

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, M&T BANK, Plaintiff, vs. THE UNKNOWN HEIRS-AT-LAW, NEXTOF-KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST AND GENERALLY ALL PERSONS AND PARTIES HAVING OR CLAIMING, UNDER, BY OR THROUGH THE DECEDENT MARIE PAUL A/K/A MARIE M. PAULBOISROND A/K/A MARIE M. BOISROND, BY PURCHASE, INHERITANCE, LIEN OR OTHERWISE, ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN AND TO THE PREMISES DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT HEREIN, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Discharging Guardian Ad Litem, Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on September 24, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 176 Evans Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 55, Block 101 and Lot 4. Approximate amount of judgment is $373,157.95 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index

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#604276/2023. Cash will not be accepted. Joseph Trotti, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 157305 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. KATHRYN BLOOM A/K/A KATHRYN A. BLOOM A/K/A KATHRYN ANN BLOOM, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report, Amend the Caption, Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on April 29, 2025 and an Order For Extension of Time to Conduct Foreclosure Sale and Amend Caption duly entered October 15, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 20, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 28 Howard Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 62, Block 106 and Lot 391-392, 426. Approximate amount of judgment is $843,228.86 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #011828/2014. Jane Shrenkel, Esq., Referee Greenspoon Marder, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105, Attorneys for Plaintiff 157309

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY BAYVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff against ANDREA FAGAN, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800, Rochester, NY 14614. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered April 27, 2017, 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 January 20, 2026 at 2:30 PM. Premises known as 296 Pine Street, Freeport, NY 11520. Sec 54 Block 84 Lot 7. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $466,592.84 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 015029/2010. 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.” Merik Aaron, Esq., Referee File # FCINY008 157298 To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, 1844 LANSDOWNE CORP., Plaintiff, vs. 1844 LANSDOWNE OWNER 2024 LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 3, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 27, 2026 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 1844 Lansdowne, Freeport, NY 11566. 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, Section 55, Block 150 and Lot 72,73,75 89, 90 & 95. Approximate amount of judgment is $3,465,713.83 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 617893/2024. Michael J. Sepe, Esq., Referee Vallely Mitola Ryan PLLC, 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 165, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff 157473 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PENDING EQUITABLE DISPUTE AFFECTING TITLE AND POSSESSION (Non-Bona Fide Purchaser Notice) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a substantial equitable dispute exists concerning the ownership, validity of title, and right to possession of the real property located at: 49 Meyer Street, Roosevelt, New York 11575(the

“Property”).The dispute arises from a foreclosure sale conducted on May 6, 2025, and includes, without limitation, issues concerning:(i) the validity and authority of the foreclosing party;(ii) conflicting promissory notes and chain-of-title defects;(iii) the conduct and timing of the sale while judicial review was pending;(iv) noncompliance with required referee procedures; and(v) the validity and effect of the referee’s deed and subsequent recordings.Related proceedings include a foreclosure action and a landlord-tenant proceeding in which ownership and right to possession are actively contested and have not been adjudicated on the merits. ANY PERSON OR ENTITY considering bidding at, purchasing, taking assignment of, or otherwise acquiring any interest in the Property is hereby placed on actual, constructive, and inquiry notice that such interest, if acquired, may be subject to existing equitable claims, defenses, restraints, and judicial review, and will not be taken free of such claims.This Notice is published solely to provide public notice of a pending equitable dispute affecting title and possession. It is not a determination of rights by any court, and no allegation of wrongdoing is hereby adjudicated. 157392

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 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

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Employment

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Every effort is made to insure the accuracy of your ad. Please check your ad at the first insertion. Credit will be made only for the first insertion. Credit given for errors in ads is limited to the printed space involved. Publisher reserves right to reject, cancel or correctly classify an ad.

BUS NOW HIRING IVERS AND VAN DR The Merrick Before/After School Program is hiring for the 2025-26 school year.

Call (516) 379-4245.

EMPLOYMENT Help Wanted CIRCULATION ASSOCIATE Full Time/Part Time Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity for a FT/PT Customer Service Clerk in our busy Circulation Department. Basic customer service and administrative responsibilities include: heavy computer work, answering phones, making phone calls, entering orders, faxing, filing, etc. STRONG knowledge of EXCEL a must! Knowledge of DATABASE maintenance or postal regulations a big plus. Qualified Candidates must be computer literate, able to multi-task, dependable, reliable, organized, energetic, detail oriented and able to work well under deadlines. Salary Range is $17 per hour to $20 per hour. For consideration, please send resume & salary requirements to: circulationassociate@liherald.com

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Full Time and Part Time Positions Available! Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

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C2 01/08

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Don’t people understand how important permits are? Q. I notice you write about getting building permits all the time. You would think it was obvious, yet you devote many of your columns to reminding people to get permits. Is this because you find that people don’t already know this? I like the details about buildings that you give, and wish you could write more about that.

A. You would probably be amazed at how often I hear from people wondering if they need a permit for something. Or maybe you wouldn’t. Either way, I started writing this column, which some only see as an advertisement or a blog, in December of 1989, after speaking with a young lady from the Herald who came to speak to my local onte eeper Chamber of Commerce. I was a young architect with a toddler and a kindergartner, both of whom have long since finished college, married and provided my wife, Mindy, and me with grandchildren. When I first spoke to the local editor that day, it was about how I naively started my own practice after leaving an international firm in Manhattan. I realized right away that people are investing the largest amount of what they will ever spend on having a home, and need guidance on how to avoid the pitfalls of shoddy practices, dangerous work done by amateurs and getting ambushed by finding out the work they had done can’t pass a building inspection. She asked me to write a sample column, which wasn’t difficult, since local architects are challenged daily with trying to figure out the best way to get people out of the messes they’re dealing with. I noticed that different building departments had different instruction sheets and different ways of handling the permit process, and that some were extremely helpful, while others basically pushed the responsibility of explaining onto the architect. Some even referred architects, but mostly referred to unlicensed services, which became another problem for many homeowners when plans were incomplete or code-deficient, or where there was only a rubber stamp from an elderly retiree who needed a few extra bucks but wouldn’t be around to answer questions or resolve more technical problems. Basically, the system has no real guidance on whether the most expensive thing homeowners will ever undertake is being done safely, correctly or legally, or whether it will last. I approached bigger building departments about coming up with their own manuals to explain what needs a permit and the best way to get one. Not one, to this day, has either put together such a guide for their department, and not one municipality has ever informed their constituency in one of their newsletters about how important it is to avoid doing things the wrong way, having to go to court, pay a fine, and still have to file for a permit. One government leader even suggested that I write the manual for them. Instead, I write for you. So I try to inform people about how to avoid the hassles for better success — permits and all. Thank you!

Ask The Architect

© 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.

C3 01/08

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opinions

my Goodman, an intrepid journalist and a Long Island native, explained after a recent screening of a documentary about her that she is “committed to independent media being the oxygen to a democratic society.” The documentary “Steal This Story, Please!” had its premier at the DC/DOX film festival in Washington, D.C., in June, and has been shown at other film festivals, at which it has also received awards. And now she was “here on Long Island!” she exclaimed after kArl the documentary grossmAn was featured last month as the opening-night presentation of the Hamptons Doc Fest. Being on Long Island was “really a thrill,” Goodman said following the showing at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor. She is a 1975 Bay Shore High School graduate, and after graduating from Harvard with an anthropology degree, she went to work at WBAI, the listener-sponsored radio station in New York City, part of the Pacifica network. It was there that Goodman co-founded and became — and still is — host and

executive producer of “Democracy Now!” It began as a radio program, and subsequently expanded to television, too. Goodman has not only been a journalist on radio and TV, but has authored or co-authored books including “Standing Up to the Madness,” “The Exception to the Rulers,” “The Silenced Majority” and “Democracy Now! Twenty Years Covering the Movements Changing America,” published in 2017. As the website for it then related: “In 1996 Amy Goodman began hosting a show on Pacifica Radio called Democracy Now! to focus on the issues and movements that are too often ignored by the corporate media. Today Democracy Now! is the largest public media collaboration in the U.S., broadcasting on over 1,400 public television and radio stations around the world, with millions accessing it online at democracynow.org.” A documentary is different than a book. I’ve authored books and also written and presented documentaries, and as a journalism professor at SUNY Old Westbury, I taught for years a course called “Documentary: Theories and Techniques.” As John Grierson, the Scottish filmmaker credited with coining the term “documentary” in 1926, explained, a documentary focuses on an “actuality”

— capturing and showcasing the real-life issues of real people, with the “original” people involved, and “original” scenes, conveying a truer picture of reality, he felt, than actors and a set could provide. That’s what the documentary about Goodman does. It starts with her trying to question Wells Griffith, the representative of the first Trump administration at a 2018 United Nations climate conference in Poland. She asks Griffith about President Trump’s claim that climate change is a hoax. Griffith scrambles away up a series of stairways, with Goodman keeping up, and charges her with “harassment.” “A reporter asking you a question,” Goodman responds, “is not harassment.” The documentary then shifts to Goodman’s reporting on the 1991 killing of more than 200 independence protesters in East Timor by Indonesian troops, and shows her and fellow journalist Allan Nairn badly beaten. It includes her arrest, with other journalists, in a police sweep of an anti-war demonstration at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn. It presents scenes of Goodman covering Native Americans in Standing Rock, N.D., in 2017, protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline, which brought with it

his 1975 Bay Shore High grad is seen and heard by millions on public media.

the threat of oil spills that could contaminate the Missouri River and the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation’s water supply, as Goodman faced arrest. These are just some of the elements of “Steal This Story, Please!” The archival footage illuminates. The directing, by Carl Deal and Tia Lessin, is superb. The words of Goodman running through it are eloquent. Here’s the description of the documentary in the Hamptons Doc Fest program: “Undeterred by armed soldiers, smooth-talking politicians and riot police, journalist Amy Goodman has reported some of the most consequential stories of our time. ‘Steal This Story, Please!’ is a gripping portrait of Amy, the trailblazer whose unwavering commitment to truth-telling spans three decades of turbulent history. The film is both a call to action and a celebration of resistance, posing the question: What happens to democracy when the press surrenders to power?” In kicking off the 18th year of the Hamptons Doc Fest with the documentary about Goodman, Jacqui Lofaro, the festival’s founder and executive director, spoke of “journalism’s vital role in revealing truth.” Carl 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.

The arts on Long Island are for you

he arts — literature, music, drama, painting, sculpture — form a narrative that helps explain the origins and promises of a society. The arts help us explore our history and imagine our future. While Long Island is well known for health sciences and aerospace technology, it is also a major home for culture — the arts and artists. Think of Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner, F. Scott Fitzgerald and “The Great Gatsby,” Stanford White and the Gold Coast, Harry Chapin, Chuck D roBErT A. and Public Enemy, Adelphi sCoTT Professor Paul Moravec’s Pulitzer Prize for Music, Billy Joel and countless others. We are fortunate to have the Long Island Arts Alliance, a regional arts service organization dedicated to strengthening the arts and arts education across Nassau and Suffolk counties. It does this through advocacy for private and public funding, research into best practices and innovations, programming for people of all ages as well as for performance and

recognition, and promoting collaboration across sectors. LIAA partnered with the Center for an Urban Future to report on the condition of the arts and arts education on Long Island. The report, “Sustaining Long Island’s Creative Spark,” offers important insights. Among them are: ■ Arts and culture employment on Long Island grew 21.8 percent from 2014 to 2024, more than five times the region’s overall job growth.

received about 3.2 percent of awards. Yet Long Island is home to 15 percent of New York’s population. In addition, grants to Long Island arts organizations were about 21 percent lower than the statewide average. So Long Island not only receives a small share of the total; it also receives smaller average awards than the rest of the state. The size of grants to Long Island artists, however, increased about 375 percent over 2024. This reflects a small but targeted pilot program that LIAA ran this year. It acted as a fiscal sponsor and outreach coordinator, met one-on-one with artists, reviewed proposals, and helped first-time applicants navigate the process. LIAA submitted 14 artist applications; nine were funded, and all nine were first-time state grant recipients. The pattern is clear: when Long Island has the support and infrastructure to compete, it can bring in substantially more state funding. Without that support, the region continues to be underrepresented. LIAA is now advocating for Nassau and Suffolk to seed a Long Island grants

hat do F. Scott Fitzgerald and Chuck D have in common? Take a guess.

■ Long Island’s resident artist and design workforce increased to over 10,500, even as the under-65 population declined.

■ Nonprofit arts and culture organizations generate $330 million in annual economic activity on Long Island, supporting 4,905 jobs and $81 million in tax revenue for local, state and federal governments. The center found that Long Island’s arts sector is performing at a high level, but state funding lags. For example, Long Island received about 2.5 percent of the total grant funding awarded, and

academy for the arts. The goal is to build a reliable, long-term pipeline of grant-ready organizations and artists so the region finally gets its fair share of state and federal arts funding. The proposed academy would provide training and coaching for artists and small or midsized nonprofits; offer shared tools, templates and guidance for preparing competitive applications; and deliver cohort-based workshops and one-on-one support tied to the New York State Council on the Arts and other public funds. LIAA is seeking an initial investment of $50,000 from each county to scale this model. The results to date suggest that even this modest local investment can unlock hundreds of thousands of additional state dollars for Long Island’s creative sector. To date, more than 50 organizations and individual artists have indicated support for the grants academy concept. LIAA will continue to advocate for this resource at the county and state level. It is imperative to step up advocacy for Long Island arts, and essential for the LIAA to expand its influence in promoting the value of culture to the community. Robert Scott is president emeritus of Adelphi University and the author of “How University Boards Work.”

FREEPORT HERALD — January 8, 2026

Documenting a formidable L.I. journalist, Amy Goodman

Herald editorial

Freeport

January 8, 2026 — FREEPORT HERALD

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Without January pressure, change works better

very January, we perform the same ritual. We draw a hard line between who we were and who we intend to become, armed with resolutions that sound decisive and hopeful: lose 20 pounds, save more money, finally become more disciplined. And yet, by February, or sooner, many of these goals quietly dissolve. This isn’t a personal failure. It’s a structural one. Traditional goal-setting asks too much of willpower and too little of reality. It assumes that motivation is stable, that life will cooperate, and that change happens neatly within arbitrary timelines. Behavioral research consistently shows the opposite. Willpower fluctuates. Stress, fatigue and unexpected events derail even the most sincere intentions. A goal like “exercise five times a week” collapses the moment work runs late, a child gets sick or winter motivation disappears. The problem isn’t laziness; it’s designing change by focusing on outcomes instead of behavior. Consider the familiar stories of those who set weight-loss goals. For weeks they follow strict rules, track every calorie and push through workouts fueled by January enthusiasm. Then, when the scale stalls or life intervenes, frustration sets in. The goal becomes a source of shame rather than support, and quitting feels inevitable. Contrast this with someone who

builds a simple system instead: walking for 20 minutes after dinner, cooking the same three nourishing meals during the week, keeping snacks visible and convenient. No dramatic target, no deadline, just repeatable behaviors that fit real life. One approach relies on intensity; the other relies on design. The same pattern shows up at work. Professionals set ambitious annual targets — revenue milestones by the third quarter, promotion by December — tying their sense of progress to metrics largely outside their control. When external conditions change, motivation craters. A systems-based approach looks different: a weekly ritual of deep work, a monthly feedback loop, a principle of saying no to low-leverage tasks. These don’t guarantee a promotion, but they dramatically increase clarity, energy and long-term momentum. What replaces resolutions isn’t a lowering of ambition; it’s a smarter framework. Instead of obsessing over outcomes or focusing on inputs, what’s important are the actions you can show up for even on imperfect days. Instead of intensity, prioritize consistency. Ten minutes completed daily beats an hour attempted sporadically. Instead of perfection, build adaptability. Systems that can bend won’t break when life gets messy. This reframing also forces us to rethink what progress means. In 2026, progress doesn’t look like constant

acceleration or public metrics that reward burnout. It looks like sustainability. It looks like habits that support physical and mental health, boundaries that protect attention, and routines that make good choices easier over time. Progress is waking up with less dread. It’s energy that lasts past Wednesday. It’s the ability to course-correct without starting over. The myth of the January fresh start persists because it’s comforting. It promises a clean slate, a dramatic reset. But meaningful change rarely respects the calendar. People quit smoking on random Tuesdays. They start therapy after breaking points, not countdowns. They rebuild routines in April, September or the middle of a chaotic week. When we tie improvement to a date, we also tie failure to missing it. A healthier approach is permissionbased rather than deadline-driven. You can begin again at any point. You can adjust systems without declaring them broken. You can measure progress by how supported you feel, not how perfect your execution looks. This January doesn’t need another list of resolutions destined to expire. It can be a moment to design a life that works beyond motivation — one built on systems, rituals and principles that make showing up easier than giving up. For those tired of trying harder and ready to live better, that shift changes everything.

opinions

hank you to residents of Legislative District 11 for re-electing me and giving me the honor of continuing to serve you for another

term. A new year always gives me a spark of hope, and that fuels my determination to see Nassau County operate in a more equitable and responsible manner. With many of us contemplating our 2026 resolutions, it’s an exercise that would benefit county leaders and the constituencies they serve. These are but a few of the issues DELiA that county govDeRiGGi-WHiTTon ernment should prioritize as we set our goals: To finally get the opioid funds into the hands of frontline agencies. Nassau County has been far too slow in its efforts to get nearly $100 million in opioid settlements to agencies providing lifesaving prevention, treatment and recovery resources. A review of Nassau’s financial system shows that, as of December, less than 7 percent of that money had made it out of county bank accounts and into actual treatment initiatives. With hopes of getting this vital pro-

gram onto a better path, the Legislature authorized the use of $1 million of the funds to bring in an outside agency to cut through the red tape. But the funds have languished for years while lives continue to hang in the balance — and that must change. Remove politics from community grants. Over the past two years, the Legislature’s Democratic minority has fought tooth and nail to secure equitable resources for our communities. We have had to take this approach because County Executive Bruce Blakeman continues to act as though only the districts served by members of his party are entitled to those funds. By sticking together as a caucus, we delivered $1.3 million to equip our first responders and firefighters, and advanced long-delayed grants from the Hotel-Motel Occupancy Tax Fund to support cultural agencies, such as the Sea Cliff Arts Council, that boost regional tourism. Despite Blakeman’s hyper-partisanship and stubbornness, we are delivering for our constituents. But there is much more work to be done in 2026. To date, Republican districts have received approval for 58 Community Revitalization Program grants — for

FRAmEWoRk by Tim Baker

On the ice at Milburn Pond, no scarves or skates needed — Baldwin

schools, libraries, parks and more. Democratic districts? Just two. In the new year, let’s judge these projects by how they will enrich the lives of children and protect our first responders — not whether the applicant is Democrat or Republican. Invest equally in Nassau’s infrastructure. The Democratic minority secured a 2025 capital plan that invests in our law enforcement and medics, strengthens vital infrastructure and delivers tens of millions of dollars in resources for critical improvements in our districts. Looking ahead to the 2026 plan, I will continue to prioritize these upgrades for District 11:

know that generous Nassau County residents can more than meet the challenge.

■ Glen Cove, Glen Head and Sea Cliff: We remain focused on advancing the Shore Road flood-mitigation, traffic safety and beautification project. ■ Shore Road seawall, Baxter Estates: I continue to work with many levels of government to secure the roadway, protect the beach from erosion, add ADAcompliant sidewalks, improve lighting and provide amenities such as benches. ■ Baxter Pond, Baxter Estates/Port Washington: We are cleaning the basins to improve water flow, and are working

to secure approvals for dredging. ■ Crescent Beach, Glen Cove: Our test results at the end of the summer were very promising, and we hope to share more good news in the spring. Extend a helping hand all year long. A project nearest to my heart during the Legislature’s last term was our successful efforts to secure $43,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding that equipped Glen Cove’s Nosh food pantry, and $50,000 for Plant A Row for the Hungry, in Port Washington, to feed families throughout our region. With President Trump’s megabill, underfunding of federal nutrition assistance programs was rampant, making it more critical than ever to support local hunger-fighting organizations. That’s where each of us comes in — and I know the generous hearts of Nassau County residents can more than meet the challenge. Please consider supporting one of the many toy drives that will put a smile on a child’s face in 2026, and give what you can to your local food pantry throughout the year. Together we can give families the greatest gift of all this year: a chance at a new start and better days to come. I wish all of you a joyous New Year! Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, of Glen Cove, represents Nassau County’s 11th Legislative District and is the Legislature’s minority leader.

FREEPORT HERALD — January 8, 2026

Looking ahead to a new year of advocacy and action

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January 8, 2026 — FREEPORT HERALD