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Also serving Roosevelt
County honors Freeport activist
Cancer screening saves resident
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Vol. 91 No. 11
MARCH 12 - 18, 2026
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Joseph Austin, of Freeport, turns 100 spread distribution. “He was the busiest man I ever met,” Austin said of Salk. He’s been a military pilot, a “I worked with him at Pitt (the spacecraft engineer and helped University of Pittsburgh) in his develop the polio vaccine. Long- laboratory… We didn’t realize time Freeport resident Joseph we were making history until Austin has filled his 100 years afterward. He was a nice man and really good to of life with meanwork with.” ingful work and Austin’s expericontributions that have changed the ence with vaccines world — and he has would later lead no intention of him to become a stopping. vocal proponent of Surrounded by the Covid-19 vacfriends and family, cine, particularly Austin celebrated in Freeport’s Afrihis 100th birthday can American comon March 3 at the munity. Bayview restaurant Au s t i n’s wo rk on the Nautical with Salk was Mile. interrupted tempoAustin has made rarily by another meaningful contriincredible endeavbutions to diverse or, when he trained aspects of science, RoBERt KENNEDy to become one of the U.S. military Freeport mayor the famed Tuskegand the local comee Airmen, the first munity. Black U.S. military His most notable contribu- pilots in history. His training tion to the world may have been was intended for future combat his work as a lab technician experience in the Korean War, with renowned scientist Jonas but an unfortunate crash took Salk, who he helped to develop him out of the program. the first successful polio vacWhen Austin returned to the cine in 1955. Salk, however, University of Pittsburgh to finchose not to patent it, in an ish his degree and work with effort to encourage its wideContinued on page 11
By ANDREW FRANCIS
afrancis@liherald.com
o
Courtesy Mia Blaise Photography
Reese Mistretta; his mother, the 2005 golden glove champion desi Mistretta; and Coach Joe Higgins celebrated Reese’s win.
Freeport Boxing Club raises funds to knock out cancer By REI WolFSoHN Correspondent
Professional and amateur boxers jumped in the ring on Saturday, Mar. 7, for the Freeport Police Athletic League’s (PAL) Ring Masters Championship, an event which raised $5,000 for two lifelong Freeport residents, Mitchell Kraeling and Tom Courtenay, both of whom are fighting cancer. All the event’s funds will go directly towards Kraeling’s and Courtenay’s treatments. The winner of the boxing tournament was another Freeport resident, Reese Mistretta, who is ranked third nationally in his weight class and celebrated a unanimous win in the last bout of the day.
Kraeling and Joe Higgins, president of the Freeport PAL and director of its boxing club, emphasized the club’s significance to the community. “To get the kids off the street has become such a big thing for the Freeport boxing gym,” Kraeling said. “The gym is packed every night, which is great for the community. They get some discipline.” Most of last Saturday’s bouts determined the quarterfinal winners in the Ring Master’s Championship, and some decided semifinals winners, some of whom may box at Madison Square Garden next month. The event started with a fight between two amateur volunteers who were not in the tournaContinued on page 10
nce you hear about all the things he’d done in his life, you want to learn more about such an extraordinary man.
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FREEPORT HERALD — March 12, 2026 Andrew Francis/Herald
In addition to Emily Moore, Executive Director of Nassau County’s Office of Minority Affairs, Lionel Chitty, was also recognized as a Black History Month honoree by Nassau
Emily Moore honored by Nassau legislators By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com
In honor of Black History Month, civil rights activist, Roosevelt educator and Freeport resident Emily Moore, 84, was honored in the Nassau County Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building on March 9 by county minority leaders. Nassau County Alternate Deputy Minority Leader Debra Mulé and Legislator Scott M. Davis presented a special citation to Moore for her special service to local Nassau communities and around the world. The cereEmIly mooRE mony was initialEducator and ly planned for Civil Rights activist Feb. 23, but was delayed due to a blizzard shutting down much of Nassau County. Moore’s career of activism and educating began in 1961 when she attended Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, to pursue a degree in physical education. She had come across racism and segregation as a child, having attended the Cleveland Avenue School in Freeport, which exclusively admitted Black students before being shut down in 1963, with its students being integrated into other district schools. While at Morgan State, Moore participated actively in the Civil Rights Movement within Baltimore, and was one of 11 students arrested and jailed for refusing to leave a segregated theater during a 1963 demonstration. This incident garnered national attention and had the
T
he country is in dire need of every one of you.
Courtesy Legislator Scott Davis Courtesy Peter M. Budraitis
Legislator Scott M. Davis, Emily Moore and Minority Leader Debra Mulé celebrate Moore’s decades of contributions to activism and athletics. likes of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. come out in support of Moore and her peers. After graduating from Morgan State in 1965, Moore joined the Peace Corps and taught health, physical education and tennis in Nigeria for two years. After returning to the U.S., Moore earned her master’s degree in education and counseling from Hofstra University in 1972. Moore has spent over five decades teaching in Roosevelt schools and has had notable students like Basketball Hall of Famer Julius Erving and actor Eddie Murphy come through her classroom. Moore is also the founder and execu-
tive director of Alliance Junior Development Program Inc., a company that provides youth tennis instruction, athletic training, community organizing and more. With Alliance, Moore not only taught children tennis, but she also helped them learn how to face life’s challenges. Prior to her honoring at the Nassau County Legislative Building, Moore has been recognized for her efforts to educating and power community youth on numerous occasions. Some of those notable honors include receiving the Junior Tennis Development Award from tennis legend Arthur Ashe in 1988, receiving an honorary doctorate degree from Morgan State in 2021 and being
Emily Moore reminded Nassau County legislators that they need to help foster further growth for local communities. inducted into the U.S. Tennis Association’s Eastern Hall of Fame in 2021. After being introduced by Mulé and Davis, Moore remarked that she was honored to receive such recognition from the county. She also took time to challenge the Nassau legislators that were present to continue furthering the work of activists such as herself. “The country is in dire need of every one of you,” said Moore. “You are the future leaders of this country. I’m counting on you to train and educate our children.” Lionel Chitty, the executive director of Nassau County’s Office of Minority Affairs, was also honored during the same ceremony as the legislature’s majority honoree.
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Crime watCh LarCeny
VehiCuLar Crimes
On Feb. 25, the Nassau County Police Department publicized a warrant for the arrest of Rahmarv McNeil, 24. He is wanted for alleged grand larceny in Roosevelt, with the stolen property valued greater than $1,000. NCPD request any information on the individual’s whereabouts to be shared by contacting the department, but advise civilians not to attempt to apprehend or detain.
On March 1, Freeport Police officers arrest a subject after initially stopping the individual for a traffic infraction, and upon further investigation, was found to have been operating the motor vehicle while intoxicated. The defendant was transported to Freeport Police Headquarters for arrest processing by Freeport Police.
On Feb. 26, Freeport Police officers secured a report for an unknown individual who went into a National Grid truck illegally and removed items from the vehicle. No arrest was made. On Feb. 28, Freeport Police officers secured a report for an individual who removed items from a local business without paying or being granted permission to do so. No arrest was made.
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On March 2, Freeport Police officers arrested a subject who was found to have been a part of a car accident and fled the scene. The concerning accident left a victim with injuries. Once the defendant was placed under arrest, they were transported to Freeport Police Headquarters for arrest processing.
identity theft
On March 2, Freeport Police officers responded to a dispute between two residents of a housing facility. During their response, officers found that one of the subjects had an open warrant for larceny. The defendant was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to Freeport Police Headquarters for arrest processing.
On March 2, Freeport Police officers secured a report for an unknown individual who posed as another person to file a tax return in the victim’s name without permission or authority to do so. A report was taken for documentation, but no arrest was made.
Hempstead and Nassau County Residentss People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law. 1339729
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news brief
Protecting Your Future
Town seeks bay constable for summer patrols
with Michael and Suzanne Ettinger Attorneys-at-Law
Please join attorney Michael Ettinger for a live webinar, “Four Advantages of Using Trusts,” on Wednesday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m. Register in advance at trustlaw.com.
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SAY hTHANK YOU VERY MUCH GOODBYE v )NSTEAD WE SAY hWELCOME TO THE lRM v 'OING FORWARD WE WILL NOT CHARGE YOU FOR PHONE CALLS OR EMAILS AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS YOU HAVE 7E ALSO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE WILL CONTACT YOU EVERY THREE YEARS TO HAVE A MEETING IN PERSON BY PHONE OR BY :OOM FOR A FREE REVIEW OF YOUR PLAN 6ERY FEW lRMS OFFER A FREE REVIEW 7HEN WE SET OUT OVER THIRTY lVE YEARS AGO TO OFFER THE REVIEW WE DECIDED IT HAD TO BE FREE OF CHARGE )F WE CHARGED FOR THE REVIEW A COMMON PRACTICE AMONG THOSE FEW lRMS THAT OFFER THIS SERVICE WE WOULD HAVE TWO TIERS OF CLIENTS THOSE WHOSE PLANS WERE UP TO DATE AND THOSE WHOSE PLANS WEREN T ,IFE IS CONSTANTLY IN mUX 7E BELIEVE IT IS ESSENTIAL TO LOOK AT YOUR ESTATE PLAN REGULARLY TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE MANY THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN TO PEOPLE AND TO THEIR ASSETS )T SHOULD NOT BE UP TO YOU TO MAKE SURE YOUR PLAN IS UP TO DATE SO IT WILL WORK WHEN YOU NEED IT "Y USING THIS SYSTEM YOU LIKE MANY OTHERS CAN BE FREE FROM WORRY ABOUT SERIOUS FUTURE PROBLEMS BEING OVERLOOKED
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Hempstead Town is accepting applications for a seasonal bay constable position as officials prepare for the busy spring and summer boating season along the South Shore waterways. Supervisor John Ferretti and the town board announced the hiring initiative as part of an effort to enhance boater safety and strengthen enforcement of local maritime laws. “While the Town of Hempstead employs a highly trained and dedicated staff of full-time bay constables, we are seeking to add a seasonal team member to further enhance boater safety and code enforcement,” Ferretti said in a _________________
news release. “We urge qualified candidates to apply today.” The seasonal bay constable will help enforce boating safety laws and regulations, protect local waterways and wetlands, and respond to emergencies on the water, according to town officials. They also patrol local waters for unsafe operation, including boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol amongst other tasks. Applicants may apply in person at the town’s Department of Human Resources, located at Hempstead Old Town Hall, 350 Front St., Hempstead. –Jeffrey Bessen
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Networking group supports L.I. businesses Nearly every Thursday when the Imperial Diner opens at 8 a.m. on the busy Merrick Road in Freeport, the restaurant welcomes a chatty and diverse group that’s eager to do business. The group, called Top Notch Teams, is comprised of small business owners who meet weekly to network and potentially grow their clientele. Top Notch Teams, or TNT, was founded by Regina and Jeff Finkelstein, who individually own a marketing and chiropracting business respectively. Regina explained that when other networking groups were not meeting their business needs, the Finkelsteins decided to create their own solution in the form of TNT. “My husband and I had both been in various other global (networking) groups, and we kind of got a little disgruntled,” Regina said. “The fees were very high, sometimes leadership wasn’t very effective. So, we kind of said, ‘You know what, let’s form a group that we want to belong to.’ So that’s what we did.” TNT takes on a more localized approach than some of the global networking groups the Finkelsteins previously dealt with by having primarily Long Island-based members and businesses. With TNT reaching its tenth anniversary this year, the group current-
Andrew Francis/Herald
The network of Top Notch Teams has grown to include over two dozen businesses across Long Island and beyond. ly sits at about 25 members, with business owners who serve communities in Long Island, New York City or both. A typical TNT meeting starts after about 15 minutes of attendees placing their breakfast orders, followed by each person being allowed one timed minute for a brief promotion of their business and share the kind of leads they are looking for with potential clients. After the minute-long presentations, breakfast is ready, and members are given time to network and socialize with
one another and given a chance to compete in a 50/50 raffle. The keynote of the hour-long breakfast meeting is given by a selected member of the group, who can give an extended spotlight of their business for 10 to 15 minutes. The rest of the meeting is then dedicated to members reporting the one-on-one networking they did with other members or referrals they were able to make for another member’s business during the past week, which further promotes the mutualism TNT
strives for. In addition to the weekly Thursday meetings, Regina stated that the group has special dinner meetings twice a year. The dinner meetings provide further time for networking and socializing in a typically more relaxed environment than a weekday morning. While Regina mentioned that continuing to grow the group’s membership is a key ambition, it is important to her and the members to avoid inviting businesses that compete in the same industries as pre-existing members. The noncompetitive environment has been valued highly by many TNT members. “They complement each other rather than competing,” said Carrole Colas of TNT’s member businesses. Colas has a certified accounting business and has been with TNT for three years. “There’s a lot of professionals here, so you’re always learning a lot of different things that are good for you,” Veronica Abril said, a Rockville Centre acupuncturist and member of TNT for two years. Steve Evans, the owner of a computer consultant company, stated that he’s learned important business and social skills as a part of TNT for six years. “They teach you a little bit of public speaking, and then how to meet people, introduce yourself, and then you find you’re having a home network of support you can actually rely upon.”
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afrancis@liherald.com
FREEPORT HERALD — March 12, 2026
By ANDREW FRANCIS
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BRINGING LOCAL SPORTS HOME EVERY WEEK
HERALD SPORTS Confident Hofstra brings high hopes By ANDREW COEN sports@liherald.com
The Hofstra women’s lacrosse team fell one game short in its quest for a conference tournament spot last season and is determined this spring to be on the championship stage. The Pride were picked to finish fifth in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) preseason poll, which would leave it once again on the outside looking in for reaching the four-team league playoffs. Hofstra placed fifth last year with a 4-4 CAA mark to finish one game behind Elon for the final tourney spot. “We want to do everything we can to get into the CAA playoffs to give us an opportunity to play for the CAA championship, and an opportunity to win and get into the NCAA tournament,” said 14th-year Hofstra head coach Shannon Smith. “The only way to do that is by playing a very competitive non conference schedule to prepare us for a conference play.” Leading the charge to bring Hofstra into the postseason is red-shirt junior attacker Nikki Mennella, who tallied 99 points on the strength of 62 goals and 37 assists last year. The reigning 2025 CAA Attacker of the Year registered six goals and seven draw controls in a 14-8 win at Marist on Feb. 26. “She is a warrior out there on the field,” said Smith of Mennella, a USA Lacrosse preseason All-American selection who registered 24 goals and 11 assists through Hofstra’s first seven games. “She’s electric and has and can shoot the ball very well but more importantly she celebrates her teammates’ success even that much more and gets so excited for their big plays and goals, which is really fun to see.” The Pride also returned sophomore attacker Kayleigh Bender, who was named the CAA Rookie of the Year as a freshman after recording 41 points on 31 goals and 10 assists. The Huntington High School product tallied a season-
Nikki Mennella found the back of the net 62 times last spring and tallied 99 points. high four goals in Hofstra’s 12-7 Valentine’s Day victory at Quinnipiac. Hofstra’s offense has featured multiple scoring weapons early in the season including junior midfielder Natalie DeMeo (10 goals) and junior attacker Kristen Redding (seven goals). Freshmen Charli Joyce and Shannon Steck, a Massapequa native and Saint Anthony’s graduate, have also shown offensive potential early in their collegiate careers. The defense is anchored by junior defender Christine Dannenfelser, who was named to the All-CAA First Team as a sophomore with 42 ground balls and 24 caused turnovers along with 58 draw controls. “She’s everywhere on the field,” said
Back attacked? We’ve Got Specialists For That ®
Smith of Dannenfelser. “She plays very inspired and with a sense of urgency.” Dannenfelser leads a defensive unit that features juniors Evin Terzioglu and Natalie Little. Local freshmen Grace Varley, a Babylon native, and Brighid Smith, a Wagner transfer who was an All-County player at Wantagh High School. Senior goalie Luchianna Cardello patrols the net for her final college season this spring. The former Massapequa High School standout recorded 12 saves in a 16-9 home loss to third-ranked Maryland on March 4 and eight stops in the Quinnipiac triumph. “Lulu is seeing the ball very well,” said Smith of Cardello, who also had 12 saves in a 17-7 setback at Big Ten foe
Photos courtesy Hofstra Athletics Communications
Massapequa native Luchianna Cardello patrols the crease for the Pride. Rutgers on Feb. 28.. “She is a senior so she has seen all sorts of different game scenarios and different shots.” Hofstra opens up CAA play at home this Saturday against Elon at noon before hosting Ivy League Power Princeton Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. The Pride conclude the CAA regular season at home on April 25 against William & Mary before what they hope will be a conference semifinal game the following week on April 30 hosted by defending league champion Stony Brook.
516.536.2800 | orlincohen.com
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FREEPORT HERALD — March 12, 2026
NOMINATE A STUDENT CHAMPION FOR SUSTAINABILITY! Do You Know an Extraordinary Young Leader Making a Difference in Their Community? Nominate a student under 18 for the Sustainability Champion Award to recognize their efforts in driving sustainable change.
WIN A $2,500 PRIZE!
Submit a nomination of approximately 100 words or less describing the student’s leadership in promoting sustainability: What motivates them? What impact have they had? Be sure to include a photo or an example of their work—whether it’s a community garden, an environmental campaign, or a creative solution to a sustainability challenge.
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March 12, 2026 — FREEPORT HERALD
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celebrating women’s history month
Empowering and assisting the county’s libraries “Because to be able to work,” she said, “you need to have a resume, submit your application over email, and know how to use Word.” After finishing her degree, she worked at the The Nassau Library System is a cooperative of 54 libraries throughout the county. While each one is sup- Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library, in ported by local taxes and governed by its own board of Manhattan, part of a nationwide network that protrustees, the NLS provides services, materials and pro- vides reading materials to patrons who are blind or visually impaired. Ashby, who worked gramming to all member libraries. with patrons by phone and email, and “One of the largest services we prosuggested braille and audio materials, vide are delivery services five days a credits this experience for broadening week,” NLS Director Caroline Ashby Joan whitney her perspective of library services. said. “We enable libraries to share Payson co-founder and owner In 2014 she was hired as assistant resources with one another. So when a new York Mets director of the NLS. “I wanted to come patron in Levittown wants to use a book back home and serve a community closonly owned by the Elmont library, we’ll er to my heart,” Ashby said. In 2019 she pick it up from Elmont, sort it in our was promoted to director. facility and send it to Levittown the next NLS delivers more than materials to day for the patron to check out. grace local libraries. Technology is a major “We save Nassau taxpayers thousands hartigan aspect of its service, as it provides abstract of dollars a year,” Ashby added, “by expressionist painter libraries with broadband internet serresource-sharing this way.” vice and organizes the shared-material Ashby, a native of Port Washington, influential women catalog. The online catalog allows any began her library career with the New on long island cardholder in the county to view materiYork Public Library while studying for a als available at system branches. master’s in library and information sciNLS offers continuing education for library staff. ences at the Pratt Institute. “I was a volunteer in the adult literacy center as a tutor,” she recalled. “These “We provide training to library trustees on their govwere people from their 40s to their 70s who’d made it ernance responsibilities, we provide training to library administrators on management and legal comthat far without real literacy skills.” At the center, Ashby built relationships with pliance topics, and training for public-facing staff on patrons and learned about the challenges they faced, outreach and best practices,” Ashby explained. such as a lack of technology skills. She decided to Through its networking opportunities, she added, the teach those as well, helping with internet browsing, NLS encourages librarians to “learn from one another setting up emails and teaching them Microsoft. so the service provided at public libraries in Nassau
By MADISON GUSLER
mgusler@liherald.com
Courtesy Caroline Ashby
Caroline Ashby, director of the Nassau Library System, with Assembly Minority Leader Ed Ra at the 2025 Library Advocacy Day in Albany. can be as consistent as possible.” She also leads NLS’s advocacy work, connecting with local and state elected officials to ensure that libraries receive the funding and support available. “The more NLS can do to support member libraries,” Ashby said, “the more freedom those libraries have to serve their communities in close, responsive ways.”
Opening doors for the next generation of women By ALLYSON FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com
A leader helping Long Island girls find their voices traces that mission back to a childhood shaped by an immigrant’s perseverance and a belief that girls deserve the same opportunities to lead and succeed. Now, as executive director of Girls Inc. of Long Island, Patricia Charlemagne works to expand opportunities and leadership pathways for girls across the region. Charlemagne, 52, grew up in Queens before her family moved to Baldwin when she was 11. Now she lives in Baldwin with her husband of 15 years, Frank, and their two children, Alix, 13, and Taylor, 11. Her parents, immigrants from Haiti and the Dominican Republic, prioritized education above everything else. Growing up in a working-class immigrant household, Charlemagne said she was surrounded by opportunities that helped shape her interests and ambitions. “Education continues to be the most important thing to my family,” she said. “They were very committed to my education.” Despite her family’s modest means, she took part in activities including ballet and piano lessons, afterschool sports and school programs focused on the visual and performing arts. At the time, she said, she didn’t fully realize the sacrifices her family made to provide those opportunities. Those experiences later reinforced her belief that all children — regardless of economic background — deserve access to activities that help them grow and thrive. After graduating from high school, Charlemagne attended Wesleyan University, where she earned a
Courtesy Patricia Charlemagne
Patricia Charlemagne at the Girls Inc. of Long Island fall gala in November, which celebrated the 20th anniversary of the organization. bachelor’s degree before following it with a law degree from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law and a doctorate in educational and organizational leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. During her studies, she developed an interest in how laws and workplace systems treated women differently, particularly women of color — which eventually led her to a career in nonprofit leadership.
Girls Inc. offers girls mentorship, leadership development and exposure to career pathways often dominated by men. Industries such as the trades and technology still have a relatively low representation of women, she said, something she hopes to change by introducing girls to those fields early. “My journey to Girls Inc. of Long Island has been a full recognition that when girls are given resources, when girls are given opportunities, when girls are made to feel safe and a sense of belonging,” Charlemagne said, “there is no limit to what they can do.” In addition to youth programming, the organization has begun partnering with companies working to diversify their workforces. The goal, she said, is to help businesses create environments in which women feel supported and encouraged to pursue careers in under-represented fields. Charlemagne believes women and girls should be included when decisions are made, rather than having programs and policies created for them without their input. Her perspective has been shaped by challenges she has faced as a woman in the workforce, including disparities in pay and having her ideas overlooked. “You share an idea and no one hears it,” she said. “Then a man repeats the idea, and all of a sudden it makes perfect sense.” Those experiences, she said, reinforced the importance of helping girls develop confidence and learn to advocate for themselves. For Charlemagne, empowering girls also means encouraging women to support one another and prioritize their well-being. “Take care of yourself first,” she said. “You cannot do anything for anyone else if you’re not taking care of yourself.”
Celebrating Women’s History through art afrancis@liherald.com
Courtesy Long Island Arts Council
Freeport resident Vera Worthington has captured natural Long Island beauty through paintings like this one. in, Jan Tozzo and Vera Worthington. Celella works in fine art photography and specializes in paper art, such as origami. Her art work can be found in homes across the country and around the world in various exhibits, homes, and collections. Cerame is an oil painter that has been inspired by the art work she saw growing up in Brooklyn, New York. She seeks to create all of art to reflect
themes of love, peace and unity. Eisen describes her mixed media work as ranging widely from “intentional themes realistically rendered, to experimental, intuitive explorations with new materials and new approaches, full of surprises.” She has worked with acrylic paint, textile paint, botanical printing, photography, collages, watercolor and much more. Eizer-Lento, who works in photogra-
PUBLIC NOTICE THE ROOSEVELT CHILDREN’S ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Date: Friday March 27, 2026 Time: 9:00am-1:00pm Place: 111 Pleasant Ave. Roosevelt, NY 11575
Board members participating remotely: Fort Mills, SC 29707 • Durham, NC 27713 • Winston Salem, NC 27103
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Board Retreat
PUBLIC NOTICE THE ROOSEVELT CHILDREN’S ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 • Time: 6:00pm Place: 201 Debevoise Ave. Roosevelt, NY 11575 All Are Welcome Board members participating remotely: Fort Mills, SC 29707 • Durham, NC 27713 • Winston Salem, NC 27103
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Board Meeting
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The Long Island Arts Council at Freeport will be celebrating March as Women’s History Month with an art display to be held at the Art Alcove in the Freeport Recreation Center. A special reception will be held on March 18 at the Recreation Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and all are invited to attend. The artwork to be featured in the Long Island Arts Council’s Women’s History Month has been done select individuals from the group The Firefly Artists, a collection of visual artists based in Northport. The featured pieces will be in various mediums, including photography, oil painting, mixed media, textile art, watercolors and more. Larry Dresner, executive director of the Long Island Arts Council at Freeport, stated that as the non-profit organization celebrates 52 years of operation, this Women’s History Month program further reflects the organization’s mission statement of being “committed to the power of the arts to touch the mind and enrich the soul of the individual and community through advocacy and education.” The participating artists are Karen Celella, Loretta Cerame, Emily Eisen, Deidre Elzer-Lento, Katheryn Laible, Michele Miroff, Carol Procopio, Silvia Maria Rey, Christine Thompson Maich-
phy, digital arts and mixed media, has had a successful art career after retiring from teaching. She has been published in various books and newspapers. Laible is a photographer and oil painter who has been the managing partner of The Firefly Artists since 2019. She has contributed to various news, arts and charitable Long Island organizations over the years. Miroff is a native Long Islander who works in embroidery and textile arts. She “fell in love with all things needlework,” after her college experience. Procopio is a book and paper artist who uses creative methods to make twodimensional works and hand bound books and boxes. Rey utilizes oils, pastels, and watercolors for her own art in addition to teaching art at the State University of New York at Old Westbury since 2004. Thompson uses mixed media and watercolor to create vibrant landscapes and still life art. Tozzo is a glass artist, who says she is intrigued by “its liquidity and the ability to control it.” Through hours of experimentation and skilled labor, she creates unique pieces. Worthington is a classically trained artist who utilizes alcohol ink to depict nature, macabre subjects and more. She has been able to sell her art in art shows and online through her website and social media.
FREEPORT HERALD — March 12, 2026
By ANDREW FRANCIS
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March 12, 2026 — FREEPORT HERALD
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Photos courtesy Mia Blaise Photography
the freeport police athletic League Boxing Club hosted its ring masters Championships last Saturday.
Police Boxing Club fundraises cancer fight Continued from page 1
ment. “They were tough,” Higgins said. “Now you’ll watch the rest of the day and see what level they’re on.” Obed Aurelus of Westbury, who fought Freeport boxer Jayden Villegas in the first bout, in the 132 pound weight class. Aurelus said of his opponent, “We train all the time together, we spar … (We’re) just trying to get better and see who’s the best.” B o x e r s stressed the sacrifices they make to stay committed — early-morning runs, weight “cutKiAmAl EvElyn ting” and lost Professional boxer time with family and friends. “If you don’t work hard, you don’t train hard, you don’t believe in yourself, you’re disrespecting people who do believe in you,” said Kiamal Evelyn, a.k.a. Left. The boxers expressed a deep care for the cause of the day. “It’s very important,” said Tyrique Tommlin, of Freeport. “It’s life. It’s very sentimental. So I feel like it’s a great cause.” For some, it was more personal. “I have a grandma and an aunt who died of cancer,” Evelyn said. “It’s super, super sad. I’d say cancer should be our biggest — along with autism — concern as a country, as a nation … we gotta knock out cancer.” The annual fundraising event usually supports Kids Need More, a charity that focuses on patients with life-threatening illnesses. Kraeling is a member of the organization’s advisory board, and its treasurer, Johnny Ray, thought it was time to give back to Kraeling, and to help Courtenay, too.
A
s a nation we gotta knock out cancer.
Rei Wolfsohn/Herald
freeporter george dutan in blue and Jacob robayo in red in a Junior male novice bout. “They’re folks that need help,” Ray said. “This is what we do — it’s our purpose on the planet.” Ray reminisced about Kraeling’s good deeds. “Once we had a girl who wanted to take a photo by the water, at our sleepaway camp,” Ray said. “And she couldn’t get down there because … she was in a wheelchair. [Kraeling] actually put her in his truck and drove his truck halfway into the water, all the way to the photo shoot. That’s the kind of guy he is … always gonna go to the next level.” Kraeling said he would always have two children, a daughter and son — even though his son died 13 years ago, at age 22, of a Ewing sarcoma, a type of pediatric cancer. After that, he did a lot of fundraising for Kids Need More.
freeporter Jayden Villegas, in red, and obed aurelus faced off in a amateur volunteer fight.
Kraeling grew up in Freeport, the youngest of six children, and everyone in his family worked hard, he said. He continues to live in the village with his daughter, an honors student at Stony Brook. Courtenay, who has a wife, son and daughter, was a first responder on Sept. 11, 2001, when he served as a New York City police officer. His brain cancer is believed to have been caused by his exposure to hazardous materials after the attacks. “Tommy is one of the great Freeport people,” Kraeling said. “He’s kind-hearted … Everybody loves Tommy … He does a lot of singing, karaoke. He’s a great father.” Kids Need More sponsored Satur-
day’s event, along with the Guardian Bus Company, Island Electric, Laurie Gioveniello, Roofers and Waterproofers Local 154, Ben Jackson, Steve’s Meats and Montana Brothers Pizza. Higgins said he had “a special appreciation for all our volunteer coaches that open the gym day after day for 30 years.” Mistretta, who won the last bout, defeating Jeminie Ramirez, said, “It’s a great cause to actually be here … We know the money’s going somewhere good.” The Ring Masters Elite Finals will be held at Madison Square Garden on April 10. To support Tom Courtenay, visit gofundme.com/f/standing-with-tommy9-11-hero-needs-us.
Village honors resident’s 100th birthday
FREEPORT HERALD — March 12, 2026
Continued from page 1
Salk, he took on another U.S. government job working for the U.S. Postal Service to support his academic aspirations. While finishing at the University of Pittsburgh, Austin made another, final career change. “I switched from chemistry to engineering, ‘cause I was told by someone that it was hard for Black folks to get a job in chemistry,” Austin said. “It was a very exciting time, and I had a very interesting life. I have no regrets.” Austin certainly found interesting work in the field of engineering, highlighted by a stint as an electrical engineer at the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, where he helped develop the Lunar Excursion Module, used to carry the first astronauts to the Moon in 1969 for the Apollo 11 mission. During his more than 30-year career working at Grumman, Austin also helped develop the Grumman F-14 Tomcat supersonic fighter jet that served the U.S. Navy. When asked how he managed to live to 100, Austin simply replied, “I just didn’t die.” He expressed appreciation for the “wonderful people” in the Freeport community, which he has been a part of since 1958, and the Nassau Mineral Club, of which he’s been a member and invited lecturer. Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy expressed his admiration for Austin,
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Photos courtesy Village of Freeport
Longtime freeport resident Joseph austin celebrated 100 years of life with his wife, marilyn, and their children on march 3. stating, “Once you hear about all the things he’d done in his life, you want to learn more about such an extraordinary man. “As a fellow veteran, I’d like to thank him for his military service,” Kennedy continued. “I’d also applaud his efforts with Dr. Jonas Salk and his early endeavors in the Covid-19 pandemic to encourage people of color to get vacci-
nated.” Kennedy and the Village of Freeport presented Austin with a special citation and held a procession of local fire and police department vehicles to honor his milestone birthday. As an older adult, Austin continued to contribute positively to the Freeport community philanthropically, through teaching typing classes, and coaching
the Freeport Little League for years. Currently in retirement, Austin has enjoyed 70 years of marriage with his wife Marilyn. They have four children who all graduated from Freeport High School. Austin now channels his love of minerals and engineering through making hundreds of pieces of jewelry from semi-precious stones, which he gives to his family and friends.
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the Village of freeport celebrated Joseph austin’s 100th birthday by presenting him a special citation and ceremony.
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Survivor shares how early detection saves By ABIGAIL GRIECO agrieco@liherald.com
A 73-year-old Freeport woman who survived Stage II colon cancer shared her powerful story during a colorectal cancer awareness program held March 4 at Mount Sinai South Nassau in Oceanside, where physicians also highlighted the importance of screening and early detection. The annual awareness event, held during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, featured testimony from cancer survivor Althea Harry along with a panel discussion and question-and-answer session with hospital specialists focused on the prevention, detection and treatment of colorectal cancer. Harry told attendees that her diagnosis came after she noticed a change in her bathroom habits and quickly scheduled a colonoscopy. “That colonoscopy came out that I had cancer. Now that was devastating,” Harry said. But because she acted quickly and sought medical care right away, doctors were able to diagnose the disease at an early stage and begin treatment. Today, Harry is cancer-free. “Colon cancer is curable once you address it immediately,” Harry said during the event. “They took away my fear and gave me calm serenity. They taught
Courtesy Mount Sinai South Nassau
Althea Harry, 73, second from right — with Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Dr. Dean Pappas, chief of colon and rectal surgery, far left; Grace Halleran, physician assistant, second from left; and Dr. Frank Caliendo, colorectal and robotic surgeon, far right — shared her story during the March 4 colorectal cancer awareness program at Mount Sinai South Nassau. me to be positive.” Hospital officials said stories like Harry’s highlight why routine screenings are essential. Colorectal caner is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. While overall diagnosis rates have
declines since the mid-1980s — largely due to increased screening and lifestyle awareness — trends among younger adults are raising concern. Medical exper ts say screening remains one of the most effective ways to reduce deaths from the disease because it allows physicians to detect cancer early or remove precancerous
growths before they become dangerous. “We strongly advocate re gular screening for colon cancer because its symptoms often do not appear until the disease has reached later stages,” said Dr. Frank Caliendo, a colorectal and robotic surgeon at Mount Sinai South Nassau. Current guidelines recommend that most adults begin regular colorectal cancer screenings at 45, though those with a family history of the disease may need to start earlier. Doctors also advise people to seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits or rectal bleeding. “It brings me great joy, as it does the rest of the doctors involved, when we have such a great outcome,” Caliendo said regarding Harry’s journey. Joining Caliendo at the event were Dr. Dean Pappas, chief of colon and rectal surgery; Dr. Bhanu Singh, director of endoscopy and interventional gastroenterology; Dr. Abhinav Rohatgi of hematology and oncology; and Dr. Rajiv Datta, chair of surgery and medical director of the hospital’s Gertrude and Louis Feil Cancer Center. For Harry, sharing her story is about encouraging others to listen to their bodies and get checked. “The message today is simple,” Pappas added. “Please get screened so you don’t have to deal with any of this.”
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n a hot July afternoon, when Park, Brookhaven Rail Terminal and air conditioners across Wyandanch. the South Shore kick into The initiative will analyze rooftop overdrive, Long Islanders feel it solar potential across industrial two ways: in the strain on an aging areas, assess grid interconnection electric system and in the monthly capacity, and identify ways to bill that follows. streamline permitting and multiFor IT professional Brian Leight, building coordination. The goal is that moment came during his first clear: deploy solar in a way that full summer in his Long Island strengthens grid reliability, reduces home. operating costs for businesses and advances local economic growth. Between $400–$500 heating costs in winter and now $400–$500 On Long Island, solar leadership electric bills in summer, “you never Solar panels installed on Long Island home. isn’t just about climate goals. get a break,” he added. It’s about resilience — lowering shift. Long Islanders aren’t just June 2025 heat wave, distributed costs, strengthening reliability and Repeated neighborhood outages solar reduced peak load by 5%, building a more secure energy tied to transformer overload pushed looking for cleaner energy — they’re cutting statewide electricity costs future from the rooftops up. looking for stability, predictable him to look for something more by more than $90 million. reliable and affordable. As someone costs and fewer disruptions. In January 2026, LIPA and who works from home and runs Long Island’s solar growth Suffolk County announced a new servers in his basement, reliability Long Island’s growth in solar partnership to evaluate large-scale isn’t optional. He installed rooftop adoption mirrors these personal industrial solar development across solar paired with battery storage. stories. New York now ranks #1 in major business corridors, including Now, he says, “In the summer I the nation for installed community the Long Island Innovation Park probably use maybe 2% grid and solar, powering more than 550,000 at Hauppauge, the Route 110 you know 98% solar.” homes and delivering 5–10% Corridor, Heartland Business Center His experience reflects a broader savings to subscribers. During the in Brentwood, MacArthur Business
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March 12, 2026 — FREEPORT HERALD
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FREEPORT HERALD — March 12, 2026
Hosted by:
Mayor Robert T. Kennedy Freeport Village
SUPERVISOR
JOHN FERRETTI Town of Hempstead Department of Occupational Resources
invites you to a
TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
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Visit our website: www.HempsteadWorks.com
John John Ferretti Supervisor
Council Members Dorothy L. Goosby • Dennis Dunne, Sr. • Thomas E. Muscarella Melissa Miller • Laura A. Ryder • Christopher R. Schneider
Kate Murray Jeanine C. Driscoll Town Clerk
Receiver of Taxes
Rev. Dr. Eric C. Mallette Commissioner, Dept. of Occupational Resources
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For more information, please call (516) 485-5000, ext. 1100
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Local officials are marking Women’s History Month by encouraging residents to donate essential supplies for women and children experiencing homelessness. Debra Mule, alternate deputy minority leader of the Nassau County Legislature, and Scott M. Davis are partnering with local libraries and a recreation center to host a month-long supply drive benefitting Bethany House, a nonprofit org anization that suppor ts women and mothers with children facing homelessness. The drive runs through March 31, with donations accepted during regular business hours at the Freeport Memorial Library, the Oceanside Library, the Baldwin Public Library and the Rockville Centre Recreation Center. Organizers are asking donors to contribute paper goods such as paper towels, toilet paper, napkins and paper plates or cups; cleaning supplies including garbage bags, disinfectant wipes, cleaning spray and sponges; and nonperishable food items. All donations will go to Bethany House, which operates shelters in Baldwin and Roosevelt. The organization provides a safe environment for women and mothers with children experiencing homelessness while helping them work toward stability and independence. “By working with Legislature Davis
Courtesy Nassau County District Office
Scott M. Davis and Debra Mule are working with local libraries and Bethany House to collect donations through March for homeless women and children. and our community partners, we can honor Women’s History Month by making a real difference in the lives of local families,” said Mule. Davis echoed the sentiment, saying, “It is imperative to support their efforts and equip them with resources to aid Nassau County’s most vulnerable families.” –Abigail Grieco
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March 12, 2026 — FREEPORT HERALD
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Classic Irish Soda Bread
Irish-American Soda Bread
Cheese Soda Bread
Get your Irish on for St. Patrick’s Day A taste of the Emerald Isle
By Karen Bloom ith hints of spring beginning to emerge (or so we hope), St. Patrick’s Day arrives like a cheerful burst of green, bringing with it a welcome dose of celebration and comfort. The beloved holiday is about more than festive attire and lively parades — it’s a chance to gather with family and friends, savor time-honored traditions and, of course, enjoy the rich flavors of Irish cooking. From the hearty satisfaction of corned beef and cabbage to the warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked soda bread, St. Patrick’s Day offers the perfect excuse to bring a little Irish spirit into the kitchen. Naturally, no St. Patrick’s Day table would be complete without one of Ireland’s most beloved staples: Irish soda bread. This simple, satisfying quick bread — made with baking soda rather than yeast — has been a household favorite for generations. Whether you prefer the classic loaf or a modern twist, such as soda bread muffins, there’s a version to suit every taste and skill level. Best of all, it’s easy to make, making it a perfect recipe to add to your seasonal repertoire.
Classic Irish Soda Bread The “real” Irish soda bread consists simply of flour, baking soda, salt and buttermilk. At the other end of the spectrum is Americanized Irish soda bread, a white, sweet, cake-like confection filled with raisins or currants and caraway seeds. Both are equally delicious! • 3 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour • 3/4 teaspoon Kosher salt • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk • Salted butter (preferably Kerrygold) Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. To a large mixing bowl, add the flour, salt, and baking soda. Whisk to combine thoroughly. Using a wooden spoon, make a well in the
center of the dry ingredients. Add the buttermilk to the dry ingredients in the well. Use the wooden spoon to gently stir the ingredients together, starting at the center of the bowl and slowly working out. The dough will be very shaggy, that’s perfect! Lightly flour a work surface, and pour the dough out onto the surface. Use your hands to gently knead the dough about 4 times, until it comes together, and the surface is slightly smoother. Use the palms of yours hands to shape into a round loaf. Transfer the loaf to the prepared baking sheet. Lightly sprinkle the top with flour. Use a sharp chefs knife to slash a large X on the top of the dough. Transfer right away to the oven and bake for 15 minutes at 450°. Lower the temperature to 400°F, rotate the pan 180° in the oven, and bake for another 25-30 minutes until deeply golden brown. Allow the bread to cool for at least 20 minutes, then serve warm with salted butter.
Irish-American Soda Bread This classic quick bread recipe also brings great taste into your home. • 5 cups all purpose flour • 1 cup sugar • 1 tablespoon baking powder • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into cubes, room temperature • 2 1/2 cups raisins • 3 tablespoons caraway seeds • 2 1/2 cups buttermilk • 1 large egg Preheat oven to 350° F. Generously butter heavy ovenproof 10- to 12-inch-diameter skillet with 2- to 2 1/2-inch-high sides. Whisk first five ingredients in large bowl to blend. Add butter; using fingertips, rub in until coarse crumbs form. Stir in raisins and caraway seeds. Whisk buttermilk and egg in medium bowl to blend. Add to dough; using wooden spoon, stir just until well incorporated (dough
will be very sticky). Transfer dough to prepared skillet; smooth top, mounding slightly in center. Using small sharp knife dipped into flour, cut 1-inch-deep X in top center of dough. Bake until bread is cooked through and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Cool bread in skillet 10 minutes. Turn out onto rack and cool completely. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap tightly in foil; store at room temperature.) Serve with hot tea and organic jam, Irish stew, traditional Irish cabbage dishes, or enjoy on its own!
The Grammy-nominated global music sensation returns with their new tour, Celtic Woman — A New Era. The show, featuring Mairéad Carlin, Muirgen O’Mahony, Ciara Ní Mhurchú, and new singer Caitríona Sherlock, fuses the ensemble’s signature sound with fresh orchestrations, dynamic stage production, and a contemporary spark that honors Ireland’s rich musical and cultural heritage while embracing Celtic Woman’s continued evolution. The concert promises to be a mesmerizing blend of timeless tradition and modern storytelling, a spellbinding tribute to the enduring power of Irish music and the extraordinary talents of the performers. Audiences can expect an unforgettable and energetic evening with renowned and breathtaking harmonies, stirring original compositions, and instrumental virtuosity brought to life, reflecting the vibrancy of modern Ireland and its heritage.
Sunday, March 15, 8 p.m. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com.
Cheese Soda Bread This modern savory twist is another winner. • 2 1/2 cups flour • 1/2 cup sugar • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 2 teaspoons caraway seed • 1 teaspoon garlic powder • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper, ground • 1/2 cup shredded Irish Cheddar cheese • 2 eggs • 1 1/4 cups buttermilk Preheat oven to 350° F. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and seasonings in large bowl. Stir in cheese. Set aside. Mix eggs and buttermilk in medium bowl. Add to dry ingredients; stir until well blended. Spread in lightly grease 9-inch round cake pan. Bake 30-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack. Tip: This recipe also lends itself well to a muffin version. Prepare dough as directed and divide among 12 greased muffin cups. Bake 2025 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Josh Joplin with Jeffrey Gaines lternative rock mainstay Josh Joplin returns to the stage for an intimate, can’t-miss evening alongside acclaimed singer-songwriter Jeffrey Gaines at My Father’s Place. Joplin spotlights songs from his latest full-length release, GpYr (“gap year”), a deeply personal project that arrives after a 12-year hiatus. It marks a bold new chapter in Joplin’s career. A deeply personal project, it’s an introspective musical journey that, via Joplin’s own experiences, allows us to ponder all of life’s transitions. Jeffrey Gaines brings his own brand of soul-baring musicianship, heralded for his soul-searching lyrics and his powerful live performances. Armed with little more than his voice and an acoustic guitar, He’s built an international following on the strength of his deeply felt lyrics. His stripped-down sets create an atmosphere that is at once intimate and electrifying.
Thursday, March 19, 7:30 p.m. $43. My Father’s Place 1221 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn. Tickets available at mfpproductions.com.
FREEPORT HERALD — March 12, 2026
Celtic Woman
March 12, 2026 — FREEPORT HERALD
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Your Neighborhood mar
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Symphony of Hope
This special performance celebrates the power of music to unite people of all faiths and backgrounds. Paganini Competition winner Simon Zhu performs as principal soloist, with rising star Jeffrey Dokken conducting. The program also includes a major work by Long Island composer Alexey Shor, joined by a local choir for an evening of reflection, resilience and hope. Violins of Hope, a collection of restored instruments owned and played by Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust — some performed in ghettos and concentration camps, others belonging to musicians who did not survive are featured. Proceeds support the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, Molloy University and Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County. • Where: Madison Theatre, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre • Time: 8 p.m. • Contact: madisontheatreny.org or (516) 323-4444
Wrestling/Intro To Fitness Kids in grades 1-6 can learn the basics of wrestling at Freeport Recreation Center, led by experienced Freeport wrestling coaches and alumni. $65 fee for the series of lessons. • Where: 130 East Merrick Road • Time: 6 p.m. • Contact: (516) 377-2314
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Shamrock Shakes
Freeport Library welcomes tweens/ teens in grades 7-12 to create St. Patrick’s Day themed milkshakes. • Where: 144 West Merrick Road • Time: 3:30 p.m. • Contact: freeportlibrary.info or (516) 379-3274
Family theater Long Island Children’s Museum stages “Pete the Cat,” the charming musical based on the book series by Kimberly and James Dean. Life is certainly an adventure for Pete, no matter where he winds up. The minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. That is, except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. But when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him
CALENDAR Come be part of something extraordinary! $250. Registration required.
• Where: Oheka Castle, 135 West Gate Drive, Huntington • Time: 5-10 p.m. • Contact: cedarmore.org or (5160 378-3415
High Tea & Art Sale Sparkle on Stage Cultural Arts Center welcomes all to enjoy and tea and browse among art for sale. Enjoy a cup of tea, a scone and purchase a piece of original art! • Where: 195 Woodcleft Ave. • Time: 1:30-4:30 pm.; also March 22 • Contact: sparkleonstage.org
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Three Italian Tenors
Direct from Rome, the Three Italian Tenors stop at Tilles Center on their North American Tour debut. Everyone will be captivated by Giovanni Maria Palmia, Ugo Tarquini, and Alessandro Fantoni accompanied by pianist Fabrizio Mocata. Their salute to the great Italian tenors — Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Mario Lanza and Enrico Caruso — is an exhilarating and unique musical event. It features original arrangements and universally loved Italian songs and tenor arias, fusing Italian wit and charm with romanticism, lyricism, dramatic flair and operatic style. From “Nessun Dorma” to “O Sole Mio” to “That’s Amore” and more, the trio perform the songs that define Italian musical brilliance. You will be swept away by operatic gems like “E lucevan le stelle, “ “La donna è mobile” and “Nessun dorma,” alongside timeless Neapolitan songs such as “Torna a Surriento,” “’O surdato ’nnammurato” and “Funiculì Funiculà.” Their repertoire also includes romantic ballads like “Musica Proibita” and “Dicitencello vuje,” a tribute to Dean Martin with Volare, and a lively piano medley of popular Italian tunes — all culminating in a thrilling celebration of vocal artistry and Italian musical heritage. You’re sure to be enthralled by the stunning program that voyages through • Where: LIU Post campus, nostalgia with favorite memorable classics. Experience their rich vocals, heartfelt 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville emotion and the golden tradition of Italian vocal artistry. • Time: 7 p.m. • Contact: tillescenter.org or (516) 299-3100
out. $11 with museum admission ($9 members), $15 theater only. • Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City • Time: 10:15 a.m. and noon; also March 15, March 18-19 • Contact: licm.org or call (516) 224-5800
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Double Dutch
This newly added Freeport Recreation Center program invites children Grade 1 and up, accompanied by an adult, to learn the basics of simple and engaging double Dutch routines. All skill levels are welcome. • Where: 130 East Merrick Road • Time: Noon • Contact: (516) 377-2314
Sip and Paint Sip, paint and unwind while supporting Christina’s Animal Safe Haven, hosted by Nunzi’s by the Water. $35 per person includes painting supplies, wine glass for painting and a glass of wine. A minimum of two additional menu item purchases is required to participate. • Where: 499 Main St, • Time: 1 p.m.
• Contact: christinasanimalsafehaven.com/ events
Candlelight Celtic Bask in the ambience of softglowing candles and Irish melodies in this intimate evening performance on the Adelphi University stage. Surrounded by the soft, warm glow of over 1,000 candles, world champion Irish dancer Scott Doherty and Irish musician Chris Smith, along with their band, bring classic Irish tunes, songs, and stories to life. You’ll be immersed in a one-ofa-kind enchanting atmosphere, filled with the soul-stirring melodies of Ireland, as the beauty of Irish music and the intimacy of candlelight come together in perfect harmony. • Where: Adelphi University Performing Arts Center, 1 South Ave., Garden City • Time: 8 p.m. • Contact: adelphi.edu/pac or (516) 877-4000
Pi Day: Where Math Meets Mayhem! Visit Long Island Children’s Museum for a wacky, wonder-filled celebration of everyone’s favorite infinite number! Grab your
goggles, get ready for the ultimate Pie Toss Party and help make math history in the messiest, most hilarious way possible. Come for the numbers, stay for the splatter, because at the museum, learning is as fun (and as messy) as you make it! • Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City • Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. • Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
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Kids in grades 1-4 can drop by Freeport Library for a St. Patrick’s Day program. Celebrate by designing a shamrock. Registration required. • Where: 1244 West Merrick Road • Time: 4 p.m. • Contact: freeportlibrary.info or (516) 379-3274
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The Freeport-based Cedarmore Corporation holds its annual Women’s History Month gala. Funds raised support youth programs while celebrating the excellence of the community.
STEM Explorers: In Like A Lion The weather during the month of March can be described as coming in like a lion and out like a lamb. Families are invited to join the Green Teens at Long Island Children’s Museum in welcoming spring. Explore what happens during the change of seasons at the drop-in program. For ages 3+. • Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City • Time: Noon-2 p.m. • Contact: licm.org or (516) 224-5800
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The annual Chocolate Expo returns for another delectable edition. Check out the tastings and sales of chocolates, baked goods, specialty foods, cheeses, dairy products, craft beverages (wines, spirits, cider, mead and more and ready-toeat foods from 60-120+ vendor booths. With demos, interactive presentations and celebrity appearances, plus fun for children in the “Kidz Zone.” • Where: Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale • Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. • Contact: ticketmaster.com
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.
LFRE1-2 0312
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff, vs. RICOT PAILLANT, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale After Inquest and Appointment of Referee duly entered on January 27, 2020, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on March 23, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 1395 Circle Drive West, North Baldwin, NY 11510. 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 36, Block 468-02 a/k/a 46802 and Lot 48. Approximate amount of judgment is $485,221.39 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 602216/2019. Cash will not be accepted. Ellen Durst, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 158485 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 #: 610076/2024 U.S. Bank Trust, N.A., As Trustee For LSF10 Master Participation Trust Plaintiff, vs Alexis W. Ramos AKA Alexis Ramos, Ikiesha T. Alshabazz AKA Ikiesha Alshabazz, AKA Ikiesha Al-Shabazz, Aka Ikiesha Al-Shabazz Whittaker Moses Boone, AKA Ikiesha Whittaker As Heir To The Estate Of Janet D. Whittaker, Shamgod J. Whittaker, Sr. AKA Shamgod J. Whittaker, AKA Shamgod Whittaker As Heir To The Estate Of Janet D. Whittaker, Unknown Heirs Of Janet D. Whittaker AKA Janet D. Whitaker, AKA Janet
Whittaker 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, Heirs At Law, Nex t 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, People Of The State Of New York, United States Of America On Behalf Of The IRS, New York State Department Of Taxation And Finance 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: 62 Ann Drive South 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 of Janet D. Whittaker AKA Janet D. Whitaker, AKA Janet Whittaker Defendant In this Action. The foregoing Supplemental Summons is served upon you by publicatio n, pursuant to an order of HON. Jeffrey A. Goodstein of the Supreme Court Of The State Of New York, dated the Ninth day of February, 2026 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 September 24, 2007, executed by Alexis W. Ramos AKA Alexis Ramos and Janet D. Whittaker AKA Janet D. Whitaker, AKA Janet Whittaker (who died a resident of the county of Nassau, State of New York) to secure the sum of $328,776.00. The Mortgage was recorded at Book M 32422, Page 117 in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk on October 17, 2007. Said Mortgage was subsequently modified by a Loan Modification Agreement executed by Alexis W. Ramos AKA Alexis Ramos and Janet D. Whittaker AKA Janet D. Whitaker, AKA Janet Whittaker on February 21, 2011 and recorded May 6, 2011 in Book M 36015, Page 922 in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk. The mortga ge was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed December 6, 2012 and recorded on January 7, 2013, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book M 38154, Page 573. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed May 24, 2013 and recorded on September 30, 2013, in the Office of the
Nassau County Clerk at Book M 39198, Page 551. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed January 18, 2018 and recorded on February 20, 2018, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book M 42684, Page 898. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed March 14, 2019 and recorded on March 26, 2019, in the Office of the Nassau County Clerk at Book M 43359, Page 909. Said Mortgage was subsequently modified by a Loan Modification Agreement executed by Alexis W. Ramos AKA Alexis Ramos and Janet D. Whittaker AKA Janet D. Whitaker, AKA Janet Whittaker on August 23, 2019 and recorded October 29, 2019 in Book M 43770, Page 915 in the Office of t he Nassau County Clerk. The mortgage was subsequently modified by a Deferral Agreement on August 8, 2022. The property in question is described as follows: 62 Ann Drive South, Freeport, NY 11520 HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The state encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, inclu ding trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you
may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Department of Financial Services at 1-800-342-3736 or the Foreclosure Relief Hotline 1-800-269-0990 or visit the department’s website at WWW.DFS.NY.GOV. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME AT THIS TIME. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO STAY IN YOUR HOME DURING THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME UNLESS AND UNTIL YOUR PROPERTY IS SOLD AT AUCTION PURSUANT TO A JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AND SALE. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO REMAIN IN YOUR HOME, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY AND PAY PROPERTY TAXES IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE AND LOCAL LAW. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairl y profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. § 1303 NOTICE 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: February 11, 2026 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. 89113 158427
During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale. Auction Locations are subject to change. 158418
To Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR HSI ASSET SECURITIZATION CORPORATION TRUST 2006-OPT3, MORTGAGE-PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-OPT3, -againstTERESA BYRD, AS VOLUNTARY ADMINISTRATRIX AND AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOEL JOHNSON A/K/A JOEL F. JOHNSON, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on September 17, 2024, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR HSI ASSET SECURITIZATION CORPORATION TRUST 2006-OPT3, MORTGAGE-PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-OPT3 is the Plaintiff and TERESA BYRD, AS VOLUNTARY ADMINISTRATRIX AND AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOEL JOHNSON A/K/A JOEL F. JOHNSON, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME
LEGAL NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU LPP MORTGAGE, INC. F/K/A LPP MORTGAGE LTD., Plaintiff - against - GERARD Y. OLIVIER A/K/A GERARD OLIVIER, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on January 3, 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 the 19th day of March, 2026 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece, or parcel of land situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Premises known as 134 North Long Beach Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520. (Section: 55., Block: 384., Lot: 39) Approximate amount of lien $633,213.36 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 613787/2022. John Boklak, Esq., Referee. Stein, Wiener & Roth LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 1400 Old Country Road, Suite 315 Westbury, NY 11590 Tel. 516-742-1212 OLIVIER-79584 Dated: January 19, 2026
COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 26, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 49 SHONNARD AVENUE, FREEPORT, NY 11520; and the following tax map identification: 55-225-465 & 466. 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, IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 608875/2019. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq. Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 158614 Place a notice by phone at 516-569-4000 x232 or email: legalnotices@liherald.com
LEGAL NOTICE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., -againstCRAIG FORLADER, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on January 6, 2026, wherein WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. is the Plaintiff and CRAIG FORLADER, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on March 26, 2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 154 SOUTHSIDE AVE, FREEPORT, NY 11520; and the following tax map identification: 62-078-6.
FREEPORT HERALD — March 12, 2026
Public Notices
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March 12, 2026 — FREEPORT HERALD
LFRE2-2 0312
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF FREEPORT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 611243/2023. Ronald J. Ferraro, Esq. Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 158616 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf. vs. DARIO CHARLES, et al, Defts. Index #603899/2023. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered April 1, 2024, I will sell at public auction on the North Side Steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on March 31, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. prem. k/a Section 36, Block M, Lot 20 Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale and the right of the United States of America to redeem within 120 days from the date of sale as provided by law. Foreclosure auction will be held “rain or shine.” If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the sale. MERIK AARON, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Dr., Great Neck, NY. #102796 158610 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY ATCF II NEW YORK LLC, Plaintiff against ROBERT STERLING VAILES, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Hersko & Ehrenreich
P.C., 555 Willow Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY 11516, (516) 942-4216. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered November 14, 2025, 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 March 31, 2026 at 2:00 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being, and identified on the land and tax map of the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau in the State of New York. Premises known as 223 Commercial St., Freeport, NY 11520. Sec 55 Block 210 Lot 7. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $5,267.88 plus interest, fees, costs and Attorney fees. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 608202/2024. 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.” Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee File # 21-4871 158612 LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for Securitized Asset Backed Receivables LLC Trust 2006-WM1, Plaintiff, Against Claudia Yon, Isaias Yon, Jose Vasquez, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 08/18/2022, 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.
Book Fairies seek to expand otices L.I. literacy with book drive
11501 on 4/9/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 169 Meister Boulevard, 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 331 Lot 32 The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $823,369.16 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 602090/2019 For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Ellen Durst, Esq., Referee. SHELDON MAY & ASSOCIATES Attorneys at Law, 255 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 Dated: 1/21/2026 File Number: 35520 MB 158735
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2016 SC6 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. JAMES VICTOR, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on January 3, 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 April 6, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 17 Leonard Street, Freeport, NY a/k/a 17 Leonard 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, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 55, Block 369 and Lot 259-260. Approximate amount of judgment is $945,194.77 plus
interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 003714/2016. Massimo Santoli, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff. Firm File No.: 211883-1 158733
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU CALCON MUTUAL MORTGAGE LLC DBA ONETRUST HOME LOANS, Plaintiff AGAINST 317 SOUTH MAIN RE HOLDINGS LLC; BOBKATT INVESTORS INC.; ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered October 8, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on April 7, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 317 South Main Street, 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 62 Block 44 Lot 395. Approximate amount of judgment $1,306,469.45 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #605312/2023. James Leonard, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 25-004074 88948 158636 LEGAL NOTICE The Roosevelt Union Free School District, located in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, hereby invites the submission of sealed proposals for Universal Pre-K Services. Seeking community-based providers for prekindergarten programming for 3and 4-year-old children for the 2026-27 school year. Sealed proposals will be received at the Grants and Funded Program Department, 240 Denton Place, Roosevelt, New York 11575, until and no later than Thursday,
In response to needs for further literary resources for under-resourced communities, The Daniel Gale Foundation and The Book Fairies are partnering for a community book drive, seeking to serve areas across Long Island and New York City. The initiative began on March 2 and will continue through March. The Daniel Gale Foundation is a philanthropic branch of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s Inter national Realty, which serves critical needs throughout Long Island and New York City. The Book Fairies are a non-profit organization, formerly based in Freeport, Courtesy of The Book Fairies which collects donated books A partnership between The Daniel Gale Foundation and collaborates with and The Book Fairies seeks to close “literacy gaps” schools, shelters, community centers and other organiza- for Long Island children. tion to bring reading access in children of all ages,” said Deirdre to families in need. This long-term charity drive will col- O’Connell, the chief executive officer of lect new and gently used children’s Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International books, young adult titles and family-ori- Realty. “We are honored to partner with ented reading materials to be distribut- The Book Fairies to help ensure more ed through The Book Fairies’ pro- children have access to the books they grams. Donations can be made at collec- deserve, not just for school, but for a tion bins present at participating Dan- lifetime of learning, discovery and joy.” iel Gale Sotheby International Realty Eileen Minogue, executive director offices across Long Island and New of The Book Fairies, noted the imporYork City. tance of community collaboration in Ultimately, the goal is to remove finan- expanding literacy, stating, “Through cial and access barriers so that every this partnership, we can help more famchild has equitable opportunities to ilies build home libraries and give chillearn, grow and thrive through reading. dren the tools they need to succeed.” “ Re a d i n g u n l o ck s o p p o r t u n i t y, inspires curiosity and builds confidence –Andrew Francis
Public Notices
March 05, 2026, at 3 PM. Proposals will be opened on Monday, March 09, 2026, at 12 PM. There will be no discussions at the time of the opening of the proposals. Request for Proposals (RFP) documents may be obtained from the Grants and Funded Programs Department at the above address. Any proposal received after the stated date and time will be returned to the sender unopened. The Board of Education reserves the right to waive any informalities in the proposals, to reject any or all proposals, or to accept any proposal which, in the opinion of the Board, is in the best interest of the School District. 158896
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE ASSETS TRUST 2007-3, MORTGAGE-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2007-3 Plaintiff, Against LUIS A. MOZ; ALICIA H. MOZ; et al Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 01/07/2026, 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 4/14/2026 at 2:00PM, premises known as 42 Stevens Street, 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 55 Block 364 Lot 4 The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $563,467.27 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 607677/2023
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. PETER LEVY, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573 Dated: 2/20/2026 File Number: 17-300368 CA 158891
PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… To place a notice here call us us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to:
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Employment
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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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Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! $22 - $27/ Hour Bell Auto School 516-365-5778
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EDITOR/REPORTER
Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. H i s t o r i c a l l y, r e p o r t e r s w h o h ave launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com Why Not Print
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MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286
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GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 877-8-HOPENY OR TEXT HOPENY (467369). RESORTS WORLD NEW YORK CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
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MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
Non-Benefit Rate
$28.91/hr.
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
Positions available in Nassau and Suffolk Counties Apply At: www.educationalbusjobs.com/ EOE
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OUTSIDE SALES
Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships. Earning potential ranges from $35,360 plus commission and bonuses to over $100,000 including commissions and bonuses. Compensation is based on Full Time hours Eligible for Health Benefits, 401k and Paid Time Off. Please Send Cover Letter and Resume with Salary Requirements to rglickman@liherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 X250
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FREEPORT HERALD — March 12, 2026
HERALD
March 12, 2026 — FREEPORT HERALD
22
C2 03/12
Homes
HERALD
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HOME Of tHE WEEK
• To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5
Lido Beach
Prestige Oceanfront Living
L
ido Towers is one of the most prestigious luxury buildings on Long Island. This newly listed oceanfront condo boasts amazing views of the Atlantic and is in a prime central location. It has been completely updated to mint condition, and the kitchen and 2 bathrooms are brand new, offering comfort and luxury to enhance your oceanfront lifestyle. You will enjoy amenities galore in this magnificent complex ~ pool, tennis, pickleball, gym, card room, party room, social gathering room, storage, bike racks, and private beach access with cabana personnel. With proximity to the LIRR, parkways and houses of worship, you can have a Hamptons lifestyle without the commute. Come experience an extraordinary life by the beach!
Open House: Sunday, March 15 12:00-2:00pm. Lido Towers 2 Richmond Road, Unit 3A.
Tom Tripodi Associate Broker Tripodi | Shemtov Team Douglas Elliman Real Estate 30A West Park Avenue, Long Beach 516.902.3497
RESULTS THAT MOVE YOU
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CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978
Rent Your Apartment through the Herald and PrimeTime Classified section. Call us
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‘Let the design professional make the decision’
Q. Are there better times of the year to do construction, and are there cheaper times to do construction? Also, my contractor keeps saying we could save money with smaller lumber, that what is in our plans is “overkill.” Should I opt for smaller lumber? Who decides this? A. There are some benefits to building in milder weather, such as spring and fall, but not because it’s cheaper. Materials respond better when they’re in an environment that isn’t extremely hot or cold. Internal expansion and contraction of materials is hard to control, and so it’s best, for the overall building, to install when the weather is mild. onte eeper Asphalt roof shingles installed in hot weather, for example, can experience micro tears when the material contracts in cold weather. Siding can distort from heat after being installed in cold temperatures. Wood flooring can buckle due to temperature and humidity changes … and on and on. As for cost of construction, if weather were the only factor, it would be simpler to answer that the majority of people would rather not be outdoors working in bad weather. You may get a better deal to do interior work in the winter, but that can vary, based on a bustling economy versus a slow time, when construction companies are trying to keep their employees working for them and being paid. But there are many factors, such as tariffs, material cost fluctuations based on the seasons, fuel cost increases (and decreases), workforce availability and competition. Many skilled workers tell me it’s hard to find the next generation to hire, meaning that you have to pay the workforce you have to stay and train with you. The cost of construction is always going to be cheaper, based on historical observation, in today’s dollars than in the future. Putting off construction projects in the hope of getting a better price has never paid off, it seems. As for deciding what size materials are required, such as beams and wall studs, there are also many factors that go into the decision process of selecting structure, and this is not to be left to opinion, especially for someone who doesn’t have the training to know how these decisions are made. Structural design isn’t arbitrary. The many factors that go into designing a structure include many internal and external forces, and the wrong selection can be disastrous. The general public has to understand that putting materials together in the field, and engineering the many factors that determine a structural system, are very different. Sometimes the choice of a simple roof rafter seems like overkill, and it may actually be, until you consider that the depth of insulation that goes between the structure has to meet a completely different set of criteria. If you can’t pass the energy code, then the smaller structure is not a savings. Taking the structure apart or adding more material just to pass the separate energy code is expensive. Let the design professional, not the assembler, make the decision. Good luck!
Ask The Architect
M
L
© 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.
23
C3 03/12
Market Place • •
To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5
To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5
FREEPORT HERALD — March 12, 2026
HERALD
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C4 03/12
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March 12, 2026 — FREEPORT HERALD
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Answers to todAy’s puzzle
25
opinions
T
he U.S. men’s hockey team’s 2-1 sudden death, overtime win over Canada to win the Olympic gold medal set off a wave of patriotism that few people anticipated. There was, of course, the usual hope of victory when the Americans won their first four games in Italy. That hope increased when they advanced to the final against Canada, the clear favorite. It wasn’t a David vs. Goliath match like the fabled 1980 Miracle on Ice, in which an American team comprising a bunch of amateur college kids defeated the Soviet Union, which was acknowledged to be the overwhelming favorite. But this year’s gold medal game, too, was an instant classic. The winning goal came less than two minutes into overtime on a rocket-like shot by Jack Hughes. There was exultation among the American fans in the arena, and the many millions watching on TV across the country. On the ice, the players were euphoric, overcome with absolute joy. The exuberant Hughes topped it all off
A
by giving credit to his teammates and exclaiming, “I love the USA. I’m so proud to be an American!” His words were obviously genuine and sincere — a raw, unfiltered expression of Americanism that would have had a visceral impact on many Americans at any event. But they came against the backdrop of other American Olympians criticizing the United States and President Trump. The attacks by these athletes against their own country on foreign soil, at an international event, infuriated and disappointed countess Americans regardless of whether or not they supported the president. The reaction of many progressives in politics and the media was that these statements were merely free speech. No one, of course, was denying that the athletes had the right to say what they did. But just because you have the right to say something doesn’t make it right. Nor should you say it in another country, when you’re representing the United States. Whenever I traveled overseas as a congressman, I never said a critical word about my country or the president, whether he was Democrat or Republi-
n
can. I believe that politics stops at the water’s edge. Besides, I can think of no country that offers more opportunity for more people or has done more good for the world than the United States. For whatever the reasons, the several days after the Olympics ended saw a wave of unabashed patriotism and expressions of love of country spread across the land. It peaked when Trump presented the hockey team at his State of the Union address. And then Hughes got a heartwarming welcome when he returned to play his first home game for the New Jersey Devils. Unfortunately, there were the naysayers. An op-ed in The New York Times claimed that the American had allowed themselves to be politicized, and had gone from heroes to zeros. The genesis of the criticism of the players was their acceptance of Trump’s invitation to visit the White House and be his guests at the State of the Union. The invitation had been made by way of FBI Director Kash Patel, who had celebrated with the players in the locker room and held his phone so they could hear Trump’s congratulations. The president’s call to the locker room was described as a political intru-
obody complained about Herb Brooks’s chat with Jimmy Carter in 1980.
sion, though it’s customary for presidents to make such calls. When President Jimmy Carter called to congratulate the 1980 gold medal winners, Coach Herb Brooks not only accepted the call, but also told Carter he supported his controversial decision to boycott that summer’s Olympics in Moscow. Back then there wasn’t a word of complaint from the media. Though Trump also invited the American women’s gold medal-winning hockey team to the White House and the State of the Union, he was assailed for prefacing the invite with the friendly jibe, “I guess I have to invite the women.” Talk about political correctness run amuck! Lighten up! Similarly, there was the criticism that the men were the object of more public acclaim than the women, ignoring the fact that the women’s team had been favored from the start and has now won three gold medals since 1998, while the men hadn’t won in 46 years. We must put aside stridency and needless political division to enjoy such moments of national patriotism, and celebrate that we are fortunate to live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. USA! Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.
Writing the history of our lives in small print
s the Nassau Herald marks its centennial, I hope to light at least one candle on the birthday cake. I have been opinionator-in-residence for over four decades, in addition to my duties as editor for many years. That would be roughly 2,236 columns. A while ago I reconciled to the fact that when you write a column for 40-something years, some will be good, most will be good enough and some will miss the mark — any mark. And very occasionally, you hit one out of the park. I have written every week, through the ’80s, ’90s and and up to today, commenting on the news and chronicling my kids’ school years, our family vacations in the wilds of Montana, the life and times of our dogs and the adventures of my good-natured husband, who has tolerated my writing about everything from his red golf pants to his ongoing fight with pancreatic cancer. A longtime weekly column becomes a
history of its time. I wrote in heavy black ink about the World Trade Center attacks, Hurricane Sandy, presidential elections, fashion trends, diets and riots, and with a finer-tipped pen I wrote about my family, eventually including eulogies for my mother and father and more than one friend. My column has been my space to figure out what I think about this world and how to be a good neighbor in our community. I’ve tried to use my 750 words each week to promote serious debate. My outlook, supporting diversity and women’s rights, reflects what I believe. Not everyone agrees, and I have the letters to prove it. In recent years, some have gotten ugly, like so much dark current flowing through our media. I can recall, at the beginning of my newspaper career, cutting and pasting printed stories on boards, each one a page of the paper. If the story didn’t fit, you just cut a paragraph or two from the bottom. Thus the importance of the first sentence or two, known as the lede, and the first three paragraphs, which basically told the story. I was hired away from the late South Shore Record, owned by the indomitable
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Florence Schwartzberg, by Leatrice Spanierman, the Herald’s brilliant editor in chief and a natural news writer. Leatrice was socially, intellectually and emotionally intertwined with the Herald brand. We turned out big local papers in those days at our Lawrence headquarters. Our team wrote 10 to 20 local stories every week, and our motto was, “Everything that happens anywhere in the world has a Five Towns angle.” And it was true. If a ship hit an iceberg in Antarctica, for sure there was someone who knew someone on board. This is all to say that local newspapers are essential to a functioning democracy, and I am grateful to have enjoyed this golden age of local journalism. This is also to say that across the country, small papers are closing. The loss of a reliable local news source has many consequences for a community. One is the inability to monitor the actions of government agencies and elected officials. Subscribe to and read and advertise in our papers. We need to mind what’s going on in our schools, and to do that we need reporters to monitor the board meetings, and to do that we need to pay
verything that happens anywhere in the world has a local angle.
them. Local papers cover everything from potholes to parades. The obituaries are their guiding light, reflecting a community’s past, reminding us of the special ties that bind friends and neighbors together. When you wanted the scoop on how the blizzards of 2026 affected our schools and roadways, you read about it in the Herald. Wonder why the athletic fields at Lawrence High School are still closed? Want to know what Peter King said about “bipartisanship”? Do you know which Long Beach native won gold at the Olympics? Open the Herald. If you have property tax grievances or worry about the electric grid in your area, read the Herald and find the facts you need to better understand the issues facing Long Islanders now. The dailies look at news through a wide-angle lens; our focus is narrow. I love being a part of this news-gathering and opinion-formulating enterprise. From my perch, I focus inward, on family and life issues, and sometimes outward, on the political and social forces that unite and divide us. It’s a wonderful job, getting to tell the ongoing story of our American democracy. Copyright 2026 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
FREEPORT HERALD — March 12, 2026
A heart-stopping hockey victory was marred by politics
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Herald editorial
Freeport
March 12, 2026 — FREEPORT HERALD
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Hundreds of students are sick, unseen, left behind
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hat if we told you that in every school district across Long Island, an average of 200 students are silently suffering from a condition that has left them barely able to get out of bed? That these children miss school at more than twice the rate of their peers? That they are twice as likely to struggle to learn, concentrate and remember? What if we told you that these students suffer from depression at three times the rate of their healthy schoolmates? That, unlike the flu, their illness doesn’t dissipate with rest and time, and in many cases gets worse? That it can take months or years for a family to find a doctor who understands the disorder — and that when they do, that doctor often has no treatment to offer? If we told you a crisis of that scale was playing out in every Long Island school district, you would expect emergency meetings of school boards, action from Albany and, at minimum, that someone in a position of authority was paying attention. Yet, tragically, this crisis is real, and almost no one is paying attention. An estimated 25,000 children across Long Island are living with long Covid — the little-understood condition that develops when a Covid-19 infection does not fully resolve. Formally known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2, it is defined as symptoms that persist or newly arise more than three months after infection — and many of the 23 million Americans with long Covid have been suffering for over half a decade. “Long haulers” experience a unique combination of more than 200 potential symptoms, including crushing fatigue, brain fog, heart palpitations, pain with
no clear origin, and immune dysfunction that standard blood tests cannot detect. The National Institutes of Health’s RECOVER Initiative determined that roughly 4 percent of children who contracted Covid-19 later develop the condition — translating to 200 students per district in Long Island’s 125 school districts. And because Covid continues to circulate, new cases are being added every day. Harvard economists have estimated the total cost of long Covid to the United States at $3.7 trillion. For a family with a seriously affected child, navigating years of visits to specialists, lost parental income and insurance companies that routinely deny claims, the financial burden can easily reach six figures. This is not a minor post-pandemic inconvenience. It is one of the largest ongoing public health and economic crises in American history. A situation of this magnitude should be impossible to miss. School boards should have data. Superintendents should have plans. Doctors should have answers. Instead, these children are largely invisible — and the reasons are worth understanding. Long Covid carries no definitive diagnostic test, its symptoms overlap with conditions doctors are quicker to define, and families often spend a year or more cycling through specialists without answers. Many of these families suffer quietly at home, unaware of others going through the same thing, with no community, no organized voice, no constituency demanding to be heard. Parents describe a particular kind of helplessness. They watch a child who was active, engaged and social withdraw from everything that once defined them. They fight insurance companies, drain
letters News literacy should be required in schools To the Editor: As a superintendent and a proud educator for over 25 years, I couldn’t agree more with the editorial in the Feb. 26-March 4 issue, “Long Island students need news literacy.” In fact, I believe it should be mandated in all K-12 school districts. In today’s digital world, especially in the age of A.I., where fake images and misleading headlines often come across as “authentic,” developing strong news literacy skills is more important than ever. With a competitive 24-hour “breaking news” cycle coupled with the constant flow of social media feeds, the singular, more traditional news sources are long gone. Now audiences, including young and impressionable adolescents, often rely on media outlets and websites that may be unverified or deceptive.
savings and search online late at night for anything that might help. They sometimes pursue ineffective — and dangerous — therapies offered by unscrupulous people preying on their desperation. More than anything, they wait for a return to normalcy that medicine has not yet figured out how to deliver. Teachers watch capable students quietly disappear. The hand that was always first in the air goes still, and half-done work replaces finished assignments. Without the training to recognize the symptoms of long Covid, too many educators mistake it for disengagement or a behavioral problem. It is neither. Children are being left behind in ways that cannot always be recovered — the reading level never reached, the travel team never made, the Homecoming never attended, the college essay never written. Childhood has a timeline, and long Covid does not respect it. If your child has been struggling since a Covid infection — however mild or even asymptomatic — long Covid may be the explanation no one has yet offered. Ask your pediatrician. Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital, Northwell Health and Stony Brook University Hospital all have long Covid clinics — worldclass resources waiting to help, right in our backyard. This Sunday, March 15, is Long Covid Awareness Day. But awareness without action is futile. So let’s commit to making this the year long Covid gets the recognition, coverage and funding it so sorely needs. Our children deserve nothing less. Are you or your child suffering from long Covid? We want to hear your story, which we will keep anonymous. Email us at longcovid@liherald.com.
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opinions
or the past two months, many skeptics of the administration of New york City Mayor Zohran Mamdani have been anticipating an exodus of residents because of the new mayor’s policies. For now, anyone who tells you that people are leaving New york City in droves is indulging in wishful thinking. But it’s useful to examine Mamdani’s short history to see what he’s doing and whether there are any warning signs ahead. First of all, it’s worth talking about trends when it comes to people leaving the city and the state. Overall, the state is losing population due to the high cost of living and people’s desire to live in warmer climates. in the case of New york City, the only numbers available to date are from July 2024. At that point the city had gained 87,000 new residents in the previous year, the result, demographers explained, of a combination of an increase in the birth rate and wealthy
people from other parts of the world continuing to come to the Big Apple. The international arrivals are the well-to-do who buy high-cost apartments and buildings. Take a trip to Manhattan’s 57th Street and you’ll find towering buildings with breathtaking Central Park views. New york is a very attractive place for these bigmoney people who can’t find the kind of attractions they’re seeking in their native countries. Mamdani has appointed many people who have had previous government experience at the federal and state level. his first deputy mayor, Dean Fuleihan, was my chief of staff in the Assembly when i was chair of the Ways and Means Committee, and the budget director for Mayor Bill de Blasio. Fuleihan is smart, and knows the city’s fiscal issues. The mayor was fortunate to be able to keep Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and she’ll stay as long as he doesn’t meddle in police operations. The recent snowstorms were a big test for Mamdani, but by the second big storm, last month, the cleanup was a lot smoother. Snowstorms have always
Letters The ability to critically analyze and question the information we encounter is no longer optional; it’s an essential life skill. This is why the Baldwin Union Free School District has implemented a robust news and media literacy curriculum for several years now. Beginning in sixth grade, news literacy skills are embedded into our middle and high school social studies and English coursework. Our high school seniors are also required to complete College Civics and News Literacy, a dual-credit course through our partnership with Stony Brook University’s Center for News Literacy. We even hosted a workshop to educate parents about misinformation, since becoming news-literate is important for everyone. News literacy is much more than distinguishing between true and false. Students acquire skills to identify credible sources and misinformation, recognize bias, assess evidence and sources, and critically evaluate the influence of media on individuals and society, including online “trolls.” Teaching these skills in our classrooms prepares students not only for higher education and future careers but also to become thoughtful, informed citizens who are trusted sources of information.
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been a big deal in the city, and especially since the days of Mayor John Lindsay. After the first major snowstorm of his administration, the city failed to plow any streets in Queens, and that damaged Lindsay’s reputation for years. And de Blasio had a horrific first snowstorm experience when he decided to keep the plows out of key sections of Manhattan. The most important issue facing the mayor is his multi-billion-dollar budget deficit. Mamdani has suggested that the state allow the city to tax the earnings of millionaires and billionaires, but that proposal has gotten a cold shoulder from gov. Kathy hochul, who’s running for re-election this year. in the past few weeks, a number of progressive groups have been in Albany, pushing for that increase, but any legislation that creates such a tax is sure to be vetoed by the governor. Since the mayor began talking about the deficit, the state has found an extra $1.4 billion that will help the city. One new proposal that would help raise at least another $1 billion is to add more parking meters around the city. That
ut what will a 34-yearold, first-term mayor have to do to balance the budget?
Framework by Tim Baker
ANThONy MigNELLA Superintendent, Baldwin Union Free School District
Comments about our stories? Send a letter to the editor to execeditor@liherald.com.
At last month’s inaugural WInterfest — Rockville Centre
idea might not be very popular, but it’s better than the mayor’s proposed 9.5 percent citywide increase in the real estate tax. There is some support from Albany progressives for the idea, but it would have to get through both houses of the Legislature. So what will a 34-year-old, first-term mayor have to do to balance the budget? There is such a thing as cutting some expenditures, though that hasn’t been attempted by any recent mayors. The 2025 city budget was an estimated $112.4 billion. having chaired a legislative fiscal committee, i believe that an honest effort should be made to trim some unnecessary spending in order to persuade the state to help close the city’s budget gap. At this point there hasn’t been any so-called “Mamdani effect.” There are lots of things that could happen, but so far, so good. When you manage a government as large as New york City’s, however, there are many land mines ahead, any one of which could do a new, young mayor in. Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He currently chairs the Capitol Insight Group, a government relations firm. Comments? jkremer@liherald.com.
FREEPORT HERALD — March 12, 2026
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For now, New York City is alive and well
March 12, 2026 — FREEPORT HERALD
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Mount Sinai South Nassau is proud to be named a high performing hospital in heart attack and heart failure by U.S. News & World Report® year after year. Our comprehensive heart care, including award-winning expertise in minimally invasive treatments to address blockages, has made us the premier choice for cardiac care on the South Shore. Cardiac surgeons from the world-renowned Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in Manhattan also now see patients at our Oceanside campus for pre and post operative evaluation and rehabilitation. The Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital at The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked No. 2 in the nation for Cardiology, Heart, and Vascular Surgery by U.S. News & World Report®, outranking every cardiac program on the South Shore. Learn more at mountsinai.org/southnassau
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High Performing Heart Care, Right Here on the South Shore