Freeport Herald 07-09-2026

Woodward school celebrates grads

Also serving Roosevelt

Outdoor charity adventure

Nautical Mile fireworks celebrate America 250

The Freeport Chamber of Commerce and the Freeport community commemorated the 250th birthday of the U.S. two days early on July 2 with a colorful fireworks display on the Nautical Mile. Nearby parks and streets were filled with people enjoying the warm evening weather that accompanied the fireworks show. Jace James, 11, James Rodriguez, 9, Ryan Lopez, 10, Noah Abreu, 10, Jaxon Villalta, 9, and Jonah James, 8, got to enjoy the show together.

Natalia Taylor rewrites record books with athletic throwing

By JUSTIN hABERMAN Intern

For Freeport resident Natalia Taylor, 17, her path to being considered one of the state’s top high school throwers began with a volleyball serve.

Taylor, a rising senior at Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead, quickly mastered the track and field’s throwing events of the shot put, discus and hammer and weight throws for 149 feet, nine inches, gaining notoriety on the New York stage.

Angela Mongitore, a track and field coach at Sacred Heart, first noticed Taylor’s throwing potential during her freshman year, while teach-

HERALD

ing physical education class.

“I had her in ninth grade, and she was playing volleyball, and I saw her serve,” Mongitore said.

“The amount of power and strength that she had behind the volleyball was crazy. Knowing that I coach track, I pulled her aside and recommended shot put and discus, and she finally joined the track team.”

That decision launched Taylor into recognition as one of the state’s most accomplished field athletes in the throwing events.

Taylor’s mother, Tanya, also said it was during her freshman year, while watching her compete at St. Anthony’s High School in South Hun-

By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com

An ugly night for the Freeport school district took an unusual turn last week when Interim Superintendent Shakirah Miller called Freeport Police to report that she had been poked by Michael Pomerico, the newly elected Board of Education president.

On July 1, the district held its much-anticipated Board of Education reorganization meeting at the Caroline G. Atkinson Elementary School. The gathering was a cacophony of arguments among board trustees, cheers and jeers from attendees, depending on which trustee was speaking, and loudly voiced allegations of misconduct.

Wto have based on the advice of attorneys and state education officials. Their conversation became increasingly tense, and at one point Pomerico stood over Miller as she remained seated.

hile I regret that last

week’s interaction did not fully reflect those principles, I remain fully committed to leading this district in a manner that does

MIChAEl POMERICO President, Board of Education

When the meeting ended, Pomerico asked Miller about obtaining certain district documents, which he said he believed he was allowed

According to Pomerico, he lightly poked Miller’s upper arm with his finger to get her attention when they were both seated. Immediately after the poke, which both confirmed, Miller, upset with Pomerico for “laying hands” on her, called 911. Freeport police officers soon arrived, and interviewed Miller, Pomerico, the remaining board trustees and others, including a Herald reporter who witnessed the incident.

Mayor Robert Kennedy, who has no direct role in school district affairs, said that neither Pomerico nor anyone else was arrested or charged with a crime by Freeport

Continued on page 10

Deliah Roberts/Herald

Woodward Children’s Center graduates 17

Mayor, ‘Rocky’ actor Mr. T and others celebrate the school’s collection of special needs graduates

By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com

The Woodward Children Center in Freeport celebrated its Class of 2026 with families and community members. The graduating class was comprised of 17 students that highlight the capabilities of special needs children.

The graduation on June 25 was the first of its kind to be held outdoors behind the school, which provided attendees with great weather along with the immense pride and joy parents and teachers alike had for the students.

Woodward is a not-for-profit corporation and non-public school which provides intentional special education care for students dealing with autism, emotional disabilities or other health impairments. With about 80 full-time students split evenly between ten classrooms from ages 5 to 21, the school aims to maximize the academic and social potential of each student while aligning with New York State education standards.

Among the many supporters present were community leaders and politicians, including Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy, Town of Hempstead Supervisor John Ferretti, Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé and Freeport Chamber of Commerce President Ben Jack-

son. All four addressed the graduates and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence. Mayor Kennedy gave the graduates to particular pieces of advice.

“Please don’t forget, you never put

off for tomorrow what you can do today,” Kennedy said during the graduation. “And second, always take two steps forward and one step back; you’re not always right. Remember those two mottos and you will move forward.”

Another special guest appearance came virtually in the form of a prerecorded video. Actor and professional wrestler Laurence Tureaud, better known as Mr. T, sent a personal message to the school, which Greg Ingino, Woodward’s executive director played during the graduation.

“That’s amazing to reach this great milestone,” Mr. T said in the video.

“Keep up the good work. Don’t quit. Winners never quit and quitters never win.”

In his own remarks Ingino added, “Progress does not always look typical. It may come in small steps. …But those small steps are not small at all. They are foundations. They are breakthroughs. And you are champions, and we can’t thank you enough for being part of the Woodward family.”

The commencement speech was given by New York educator Glori Engel. She praised the school and tis students for fostering such a positive and uplifting environment where students develop and mature in multiple ways.

“Woodward is very unique,” Engel said. “It’s unique because it’s defined by its people. People who care deeply, people who support one another and people who refuse to stop growing. And today we celebrate all of that growth.”

Carmine Carpinone Funeral Director/ Manager

Michael Carpinone Funeral Director

Deliah Roberts/Herald

Woodward graduates celebrate with Greg Ingino, the school’s executive director and Ken Dookram, member of the Freeport Chamber of Commerce.

Operation SPLASH and 36 years of care

By MASHIAT AZMI Herald Contributor

This year, local nonprofit Operation SPLASH celebrates its 36th anniversary of advocacy for marine life and stopping water pollution. The organization has removed 3.5 million pieces of debris since its inception in 1990, when it was founded by Joanne Grover in Freeport.

Operation Stop Polluting, Littering, and Save Harbors, commonly known as Operation SPLASH, focuses on maintaining clean bays and salt marshes through volunteer efforts, with its base of operations located on Freeport’s Nautical Mile. Initially, the organization’s mission was to clean up garbage. However, Robert Weltner, current president of Operation SPLASH, stated that the mission has evolved over the years.

“We used to just pick up garbage, but now we do water quality monitoring work with local municipalities on stormwater issues, as well as sewage treatment plant maintenance, upkeep, and discharge,” Weltner said.

Weltner stated via email that, after Superstorm Sandy, the organization has chosen to work with federal, state and local officials to help find solutions to protect local homes, businesses, and the South Shore Estuary. Many of those projects have been implemented, including an $890 million upgrade to the Bay Park Sewage Treatment plant and other infrastructure in the area.

In addition to having removed millions of pieces of garbage from Free -

port and Nassau waters, Weltner mentioned other organizational achievements, including diverting 65 million gallons of wastewater per day from being dumped into Reynolds Channel and redirecting it to the Cedar Creek ocean outfall pipe over 20 years and

helping update and connect the Jones Beach sewage plant to the Cedar Creek ocean outfall pipe in 2011.

Weltner stated that protecting Long Island’s environment has always been a challenge. He further stated that the organization overcomes these challeng-

es by educating residents on every small step in environmental cleaning.

“Our mission is to try to educate as many Long Islanders as we can on how they can help keep trash, fertilizers, pesticides and oil from getting into our bay waters,” Weltner explained.

Scott Bochner, a long-time volunteer at Operation SPLASH for 25 years, was inspired by the organization’s efforts to clean up marshes and waterways. He emphasized the importance of a single individual, noting that even one person can create a significant impact on the environment.

“It just takes one person to go and clean up an area, and with a handful of people, much more gets cleaned up,” Bochner said. “Also, people should be aware that whatever garbage goes into the street, it will rain, and it will go into the storm drains, and all of the storm drains on Long Island release into a waterway. It’s not a loop system, so whatever goes on the ground, and you don’t pick it up, we wind up picking up in the water.”

Bochner encouraged new volunteers to join and highlighted the satisfaction of cleaning up the surroundings at the end of the day. Moreover, he stated that Operation SPLASH is not only a cleanup organization but also an educational facility. Bochner advised the residents not to throw garbage on the ground and to protect the environment.

Those interested in joining the mission of Operation SPLASH can visit its website at www.operationsplash.org for more information.

South Shore group to bring feel-good show

By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com

The South Shore Theatricals, a local musical theater troupe, will be performing four shows at Freeport’s Sparkle on Stage entitled “Good Times Are Here to Stay.” Tickets are on sale on Sparkle on Stage’s website for the performances on July 18, 19, 25 and 26. The cast of the South Shore Theatricals come from all across Long Island, with some participants from Queens. Oceanside resident Bruce Bider, the group’s founder and the show’s producer, has assembled a dedicated cast and crew of 29 people, both children and adults, that share his lifelong love of musical theater.

“My background in musical theater goes all the way back to when my parents used to take me to see shows at Jones Beach and (the) Westbury Music Fair,” Bider explained. “When I saw my first Broadway show at age 8, “No, No, Nanette,” I knew that was what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.”

While attending Hofstra University, Bider realized that he also had a passion for teaching music and working with youth, which eventually led to the formation of the South Shore Theatricals where he does exactly that.

Two of Bider’s talented cast members, fellow Oceanside residents Jordana Brewer and Marissa Auerbach, both 13, expressed that their love for musical theater also began when they were younger and have only grown since joining the South Shore Theatricals.

“I did the plays in my elementary school, and then when I was in sixth grade, I got one of the leads,” Brewer said. “So then I became more interested in musical theater, and I decided to continue.”

“I started musical theater when I was really young, and I’ve done four other plays, not including this one,” Auerbach told the Herald. “I’ve just really loved expressing myself emotionally and getting to become connected with all my teammates.”

This is the second year the South Shore Theatricals will be performing at Sparkle on Stage. Last year the group performed “Blame It on the Movies,” a musical revue that features a compilation of songs from various motion pictures. This year’s revue has an intentionally positive and uplifting theme across all of its music. Robyn Workman, the owner of Sparkle on Stage who is also co-producing “Good Times Are Here to Stay,” described the show’s values and theme as “what we need right now,” on Earth.

“The world’s a little on fire, and this (show) is bringing a feel good moment,” Workman said. All attendees will hopefully be uplifted by the show’s positivity.

Bider added, “When I see the cast up there, and even when we have numbers where the little kids are in, (or the) few seniors (we have) in the show, the age disappears, and they all become one unit. …It’s really quite wonderful to see.”

Tickets for all four shows are available online at sparkleonstage.org and will also be sold at the door the night of each performance.

Andrew Francis/Herald

The producer of the South Shore Theatricals, Bruce Bider, alongside young actresses Jordana Brewer and Marissa Auerbach at Sparkle on Stage for a practice ahead of their performances later this month.

Courtesy Rob Weltner

On one Monday afternoon, Captain Mike and the SPLASH crew collected large amounts of trash from Freeport bays.

Crime watCh

Driving inCiDents

On June 25, Freeport police officers received a report of a vehicle who lost control while exiting the Milburn boat ramp and struck a building. An occupant of the vehicle received minor injuries from an airbag.

On June 29, an individual was arrested by Freeport police officers after being found to have been operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and with a suspended license. The individual was transported to Freeport Police Headquarters for arrest processing.

CoCaine Possession

On June 29, Freeport police officers arrested a subject who was observed to be walking around with a small Ziploc bag containing a white substance that was discovered to be crack cocaine. The defendant was transported to Freeport Police Headquarters for arrest processing.

shoPlifting anD theft

On June 12, at about 4:41 p.m., Jermaine R. Clemons, 47, of Roosevelt, was arrested for allegedly shoplifting at a Marshalls store on Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont.

On June 27, the Freeport Police Department arrested a subject who was found to have removed property from a location without authority to do so. The subject was transported to Freeport Police Headquarters.

On June 27, the Freeport Police Department secured a report of a subject who allegedly stole a bottle of Beach Bum sun tan lotion from a local business without authority to do so. No arrest was requested.

On June 27, Sabrina Brundidge, 63, of Roosevelt, was arrested at around 3:55 p.m. for shoplifting at a Macy’s department store on Old Country Road in East Garden City.

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.

Freeport chemical spill hospitalizes three

The Nassau County Fire Commission responded to a call at 1:44 p.m. of a mix of household cleaning chemicals that spilled causing people to feel sick at The Home Depot on East Sunrise Highway in Freeport.

further threat to the public or the environment.

The Freeport Fire Department responded to the call promptly, led by Chief Christopher Burkhart. Eight other fire departments and ambulances provided mutual aid with about 40 firefighters reporting to the scene.

13 civilians that were exposed to the chemicals were evaluated by emergency medical services, leading to three being transported to Nassau University Medical Center for further treatment, according to the Nassau County Fire Marshals Office. No other civilian or first responder obtained any reported injuries or illnesses at this time.

The chemical mixture contained chlorine bleach and vinegar. Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro said the chemical spill is contained and that there is no

The Nassau County Fire Marshal Hazardous Materials Response team was requested by the Freeport Fire Department and is on the scene operating in protective suits to definitively identify all of the chemicals involved and assist in the clean-up to ensure the building is safe for workers and customers to re-enter.

–Andrew Francis

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Freeport local holds five throwing

tington, that she recognized her daughter’s throwing skills.

“I watched her throw at St. Anthony’s and saw her potential,” her mother said. “After seeing that, I knew she would become one of the greater throwers in the league.”

During the 2025-26 school year, Taylor qualified for the New Balance Nationals Indoor at The Armory in New York City in March and the New Balance Nationals Outdoor at Franklin Field in Philadelphia in June. She also won four Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) state titles, earning Most Outstanding Field Athlete honors at the indoor championships at The Armory in February and the outdoor championships at Icahn Stadium in May, before placing fourth in the weight throw at the New York State Federation Championships at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex on Staten Island in March.

This season, Taylor captured outdoor CHSAA state titles with throws of 149 feet, 9 inches in the hammer throw, 114 feet, 6 inches in the discus and 35 feet, 1 inch in the shot put.

Mongitore said Taylor’s success is rooted in her work ethic, which extends well beyond practice.

“She does extra time in the weight room with our throwing coach,” Mongitore said. “Even on days where she is not scheduled to throw, she is going to

the gym.”

Taylor’s mother said much of that dedication happens away from competition.

“She had to put in more hours toward track and even attend early practices during her breaks,” she said.

Taylor explained that reaching the highest level of competition takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work, both physically and mentally.

“I had to do more drills, more lifts and listen more,” the track and field star said. “I also had to eat and sleep well and stay on top of my school work. After a while, it became routine.”

Despite winning multiple championships, Taylor said her fourth-place finish in the weight throw at the state federation championships stands out among the rest.

“I am most proud of my fourth-place finish at states this year,” Taylor said. “Most of the time when I get to bigger competitions, especially in the winter season, I get psyched up, but this year I managed to get it together and get fourth place at states.”

Mongitore praised Taylor for her ability to succeed and stay focused during high pressure situations.

“We remind her that she is meant to be there,” Mongitore said. “It helps her relax, and she has grown comfortable in a competition setting.”

As Taylor’s accomplishments have grown, so has her role within the pro-

gram. Mongitore explained how she has developed into a leader for Sacred Heart’s younger throwers.

“Now she’s a junior, she takes the lead with helping the younger athletes,” Mongitore said. “The other girls look up to her because of how talented she is. When she was a freshman, she was still talented, but she has improved over time, so it motivates the current freshmen that they could do the same.”

In addition, she also received the NYS Federation Sportsmanship Award and now holds Sacred Heart Academy records in the indoor and outdoor shotput, weight throw, hammer throw and discus.

Taylor explained how this honor reflects the relationships athletes build despite competing against one another.

“Beyond us being teams and separate players, we all come together, and we form one sort of bond,” Taylor said. “Even though I have to compete against a lot of these people, they’re still friends outside the sport, and even during the competition, you still have to support each other.”

For Mongitore, Taylor’s accomplishments have elevated not only her own career but also Sacred Heart’s track and field program.

“It’s definitely been huge,” Mongitore said. “She’s put our school on the radar. Aside from her talent, she’s known by other coaches for her positive attitude

State

Championships

season

and sportsmanship.”

As she prepares for her senior season, Taylor has set ambitious goals for herself.

“I want to go further with all my distances,” she said. “I am trying to hit things like 150-plus in hammer and 40-plus in shot put, but at the end of the day, I also want to be consistent with my throws.”

Courtesy Sacred Heart Academy natalia taylor finished fourth in the event at the new York

federation

and prepares to enter her senior

as a top thrower statewide.

HERALD SPORTS

Racing fans say final goodbye to Aqueduct

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

There were plenty of cheers along with some tears in South Ozone Park June 28 as 6,866 horse racing fans bid farewell to Aqueduct Racetrack.

The crowd at ‘The Big A’ roared one last time as Assume Nothing, with jockey Jaime Rodriguez aboard, went wireto-wire to capture the final race of the track’s storied 132-year history.

“This is where my career started in 2010 and it feels amazing to win the last race on the last day,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve ridden the horse a few times and knew if he got a clean break, he’d have a great chance to win.”

After the finale, Rodriguez and the rest of the jockey colony celebrated with fans along the rail, giving out high fives and fist bumps. One fan hoisted a cardboard sign that read: “One more day! Give me a chance to win it back.”

Several thousand fans arrived two hours before the nine-race card began at 1:10 p.m. The first 1,000 through the doors received a small mason jar containing dirt from the main track.

One of the highlights on Aqueduct’s final day came not on the dirt but the turf in the penultimate race when Highway Harmony set a new track record at the 6-furlong distance, taking the last stakes race at the track in 1:06.44 under jockey Edgard Zayas.

Ron Berkowitz, a Merrick resident who grew up in Lynbrook, had the closing date circled on his calendar once it

was announced by the New York Racing Association.

“It’s a bittersweet day,” Berkowitz said. “I’ve been coming here since the late 1970s and really fell in love with the track and the sport. I haven’t been here in a couple of years, but there was no way I was missing today.”

Franklin Square residents Anthony and Sally Turco echoed Berkowitz’s sentiments. “Today brings back a lot of

The mural outside Aqueduct depicts Secretariat, who made his career debut there in

at Aqueduct, “Goretty” came in 2008. “So many memories,” he added. “I won’t miss the Belt Parkway, but I’ll definitely miss the Big A.”

great memories of coming to the Big A with family,” Anthony said. “Lots of nostalgia. It was awesome.”

The Turcos were in the paddock prior to the fifth race with friend Bruce Brown, a longtime trainer on the NYRA circuit and Floral Park resident. Brown saddled the winner, Boston’s Phinest.

“This is where it all started for me in New York when I came over from New Jersey,” said Brown, whose first winner

The closure of Aqueduct coincides with a rebuilt Belmont Park, set to open Sept. 18.

“I can see the new Belmont grandstand from my house,” said Brown, who expects to have between 15 and 20 horses in his barn once racing shifts back downstate from Saratoga. “I’ve watched the construction from the beginning to what’s almost the end and it’s going to be incredible when it opens,” he added.

Assume Nothing and jockey Jaime Rodriguez won the Aqueduct finale.

Tony Bellissimo/Herald photos

Nearly 7,000 fans packed Aqueduct Racetrack June 28 for its final day of racing after 132 years.

1972.

News briefs

Bayview’s 20th year honoring firefighters

During Bayview Avenue School Of Arts and Sciences’ annual International Firefighters Luncheon, third-grade students honored the dedicated volunteers of the Freeport Fire Department. The luncheon, in its 20th year, recognizes the bravery and service of local firefighters through student performances and presentations focused on fire safety and community appreciation.

“We salute the members of the Freeport Fire Department for their unwavering dedication to protecting our community,” event organizer and Bayview social worker Lucy Pigliacelli said. “Their courage, commitment and service continue to inspire our students and school community.”

Bayview students received Junior Fire Marshal Awards as part of the celebration for scoring 100 percent on their Junior Fire Marshal quizzes and showing exceptional knowledge of fire safety standards studied in class. Fire department representatives joined district and school administrators in presenting certificates to the students.

Additionally, students entertained guests with fire safety songs, poetry and cultural dance performances.

The luncheon highlighted the strong partnerships between Freeport Public Schools and the Freeport Fire Department, whose volunteer firefighters continue to supporting the community.

–Justin Haberman

First annual Men’s Brunch in Roosevelt

Organized through the My Brother’s Keeper program and themed “The Return of the Classic Man,” Roosevelt High School hosted its inaugural Men’s Brunch. During the event, students, mentors, families and community members came together for an uplifting morning focused on leadership and character development.

The brunch, on May 30, included a series of inspiring speeches, interactive leadership activities and teambuilding games. Attendees interacted in meaningful dialogue and shared

experiences aimed at reinforcing the value of mentorship and community support.

“Events such as our Men’s Brunch reflect the heart of our mission as a district—building strong, confident, young people who are prepared to lead with integrity and purpose,” Superintendent Shawn Wightman said. “We are proud of our continued involvement with My Brother’s Keeper and the meaningful opportunities it provides for our students to grow.”

–Justin Haberman

Courtesy Freeport Public Schools

Students proudly hold their Junior Fire Marshal certificates alongside members of the Freeport Fire Department during the International Firefighters Luncheon.

Courtesy Roosevelt Union Free School District

Roosevelt High School students, staff and community members gathered to celebrate leadership and mentorship at the district’s inaugural Men’s Brunch.

Local outdoor adventure held in Roosevelt

Scouting America Long Island and Nassau’s Cerebral Palsy Association partnered for the event

At the annual Ann Irvin HEARTS Camporee, more than 100 students with special needs came together for a fun day of outdoor adventure, hands-on learning and community. Hosted by Scouting America Long Island in partnership with the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, the event took place at the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County in Roosevelt.

The Camporee offered individuals a full afternoon of traditional Scouting experiences tailored to each participants’ abilities. Some activities that the students took part in were Pinewood Derby races, water bottle rocket launches, patriotic arts and crafts, fishing games, knot tying, nature exploration, camping tent and backpack setup and a U.S. flag activity. Every activity was designed to give each scout a chance to experience the excitement, joy and camaraderie that shape the scouting program.

“Scouting America Long Island changes lives by making sure all young people are included,” Susana Isaacson, a volunteer with Scouting America Long Island, said. “The HEARTS Camporee puts Scouts with special needs at the center of a real, meaningful outdoor experience, one that challenges them,

builds their confidence and connects them with peers who share the same passion for adventure.”

She went on to add, “Since 1981, this Council has been committed to making

Scouting accessible to every young person on Long Island, and you see the impact of that commitment every single year at events like this one. These scouts leave with new skills, new friendships

and confidence they carry with them long after the day is over.”

Kevin Louglin, principal of the Children’s Learning Center, affirmed the program, stating, “We enjoy giving our students these outdoor experiences and activities at the annual Scout Camporee at the Children’s Learning Center. This is truly a normalizing event that brings everyone together. We appreciate the opportunity to work every year with Scouting America to host this event.”

The Ann Irvin HEARTS Camporee reflects Scouting America Long Island’s long-standing dedication to supporting Scouts with disabilities and special needs. Since 1981, the Council and past organizations have been providing dedicated programming for youth with special needs, serving thousands of young people across Long Island through inclusive outdoor experiences within traditional units as well as specialized packs and troops.

The Camporee is among many initiatives through which Scouting America Long Island works to make sure all Scouts have the opportunity to camp, hike, and participate fully in unit activities alongside their peers.

–Justin Haberman

Courtesy Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County Organizers of the event offer a demonstration to the students on how to tie a knot.

Dockside at Otto’s Sea Grill in Freeport

Fresh seafood and waterfront views make this Freeport favorite a destination by land or sea

By Christy hinko chinko@liherald.com

Otto’s Sea Grill delivers classic waterfront seafood dining in the heart of Freeport, pairing fresh catches, generous portions and marina views that reinforce its reputation as a longtime destination along the Nautical Mile.

Located directly on the waterfront, Otto’s offers guests the opportunity to arrive by both land and sea. Ample street and lot parking make access easy for motorists, while dock space for several boats allows boaters to tie up and head directly to dinner. Throughout the evening, vessels regularly pull into slips as diners settle in to enjoy sunset views and seafood specialties.

The restaurant’s relaxed coastal atmosphere complements a menu centered on seafood classics, many of which have remained customer favorites for years. Among the most popular entrees is the Seafarer, a hearty combination platter featuring a salmon filet accompanied by shrimp and scallops, all topped with a lemon butter sauce. The entrée is served with seasonal vegetables and a choice of potato or rice.

The Seafarer showcases the kitchen’s strength in preparing multiple seafood varieties on a single plate without sacrificing quality. The salmon remains moist and flavorful, while the shrimp and scallops are cooked carefully, avoiding the overdone texture that can plague seafood preparations. Accompanied by broccoli, carrots and a baked potato, the dish delivers both variety and value.

Seafood lovers seeking a sampling of the restaurant’s offerings often gravitate toward the Seafarer, while broiled scallops have emerged as another popular selection.

The appetizer menu provides several strong starting points. Prince Edward Island mussels served in a white wine sauce remain a standout. The mussels arrive tender and plump, swimming in a flavorful broth that highlights garlic and wine without overwhelming the shellfish. Served alongside generous slices of garlic toast, the dish invites

diners to savor every drop of the sauce.

Another returning favorite is Otto’s Maryland-style crab cake, which recently made its way back onto the menu after an absence. The crab cake emphasizes large lumps of sweet crab meat blended with seasoning rather than excessive filler. The result is a tender, delicately seasoned cake that allows the flavor of the crab to remain front and center. A creamy accompanying sauce adds another layer of richness.

Other notable starters include large clams and sweet chili wings, the latter bringing a sweet-and-spicy option to a menu dominated by seafood selections.

To accompany the meal, Otto’s offers several tropical cocktails that complement the waterfront setting. The Coconut Sea combines coconut rum, Triple Sec, Blue Curaçao, pineapple juice and orange juice into a colorful, refreshing drink that evokes a beach vacation in a glass. The Caribbean Rum Punch offers another island-inspired option for

News brief

Rotaract to begin Brookside renovations

The Environmental Rotaract of Nassau County is inviting concerned residents, families and environmental enthusiasts to attend its Brookside Preserve Beautification Day on July 11, at 9 a.m.

The preserve, located between Freeport and Baldwin, is a freshwater wetland greenspace under the jurisdiction of Nassau County. The preserve covers over 20 acres of woodlands and wetlands, but has suffered severe deterioration due to years of human abuse and neglect.

In response to the preserve’s subpar

state, the Environmental Rotaract will be beginning what they described as its “most ambitious project” to construct a new, clean entrance on Brookside Avenue.

All who are interested in joining the beatification effort on Saturday are asked to meet at that entrance. Please check the Environmental Rotaract of Nassau County’s website, Facebook or Instagram pages for future updates.

–Andrew Francis

boats entering and leaving the marina throughout the evening, creating an atmosphere that feels distinctly Long Island. The combination of fresh seafood and harbor activity reinforces the appeal of dining directly on the water.

Presentation also plays a role in the dining experience. The mussels arrive in an attractive serving vessel designed to showcase the shellfish, while entrée plates are arranged generously without appearing crowded. Portions throughout the menu are substantial, reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to satisfying diners seeking a full seafood dinner.

Dessert provides a fitting conclusion. A warm brownie delivers a rich, chocolate-forward finish, offering a decadent contrast to the lighter seafood courses that precede it.

guests seeking a fruity cocktail to pair with seafood.

The restaurant’s setting remains one of its strongest assets. Outdoor and waterfront seating provide views of

Otto’s Sea Grill succeeds by focusing on what waterfront restaurants should do best: serving fresh seafood in a scenic location while maintaining consistency across familiar favorites. With easy access for both drivers and boaters, generous portions, carefully prepared seafood and sweeping marina views, the Freeport restaurant continues to offer a dining experience that celebrates Long Island’s maritime heritage.

Otto’s Sea Grill is located at 271 Woodcleft Ave. in Freeport. Visit ottosseagrillny.com for more information.

The Scourge of Ageism

Christy Hinko/Herald

The longstanding favorite, Otto’s Seafarer platter.

Allegedly ‘segregated’ school board meets

By ANDREW FRANCIS afrancis@liherald.com

According to Michael Pomerico, new school board president of Freeport Public Schools, the swearing in of two new board members and the selections of a new board president and vice president signals that “change is here” in the district. However, this change has not been without division and tension among the district’s administration and residents.

Gabriela Castillo, who was elected board vice president, and Edward Gordon were officially sworn in to the board during a July 1 district reorganization meeting, joining Pomerico who began his term in May. The trio, who campaigned together, have been very outspoken about a perceived lack of transparency and mismanagement from the previous iteration of the board, and spoke about their plans to enact meaningful change for Freeport students and the community.

“I promise that I will continue to be a fierce fighter and defender of public education and to our public schools,” Castillo said during the meeting. “I cannot promise you specific outcomes, but I can promise you a process that is rooted in fairness, a process that’s centered around dignity and respect that each and every one of you deserves.”

The comments of Pomerico and Gordon were similar, emphasizing a need for respect and transparency in board affairs. Pomerico specified what he intends that transparency to look like.

“The plan is to do away with committee meetings, we’re going back to planning meetings, and (there will) be public comments,” Pomerico said. “You will hear everything that we are planning for the agenda. The meetings might be a little longer, but they’ll be open and they’ll be transparent.”

Pomerico went on to criticize or comment on previous board decisions, from the ongoing lawsuit against Fia Davis, the district’s reassigned superintendent, to calling into question district expenditures on consultants and attorneys.

Pre-existing trustees Sunday Coward and Alphonso Hardwick have continued to maintain that the board has committed no legal wrongdoing and malpractice. Coward went a step further, describing the current board as a “segregated board,” in response to the three-person majority Pomerico, Castillo and Gordon have secured on the five-person board.

“People may not agree with me, but as a world, as a nation, we are struggling around racial issues,” Coward said. “Freeport has always been diverse, and while we’ve had issues, it has never been to the level of what

this is right now.”

Coward’s words were outspokenly rejected by some of the Freeport teachers and residents present at the meeting who jeered or scoffed loudly. The reasoning behind her comments on race and segregation was also confusing, seeing that three out of the five board members, Coward, Hardwick and Gordon, are Black, with Superintendent Miller also being a Black woman. These comments and others sparked passionate debate between Coward and Pomerico during and after the reorganization meeting, in addition to an altercation between he and Miller had which resulted in Freeport police officers reporting to the scene. These changes leave residents with questions as to how the board will manage to work efficiently with one another for its students and staff.

Police called at end of Board of Ed. meeting

police.

In a brief statement to the Herald on July 7, Miller said that the Nassau County district attorney’s office was investigating the incident, and that she had retained legal counsel, but she declined further comment.

Pomerico offered a more detailed written statement to the Herald on June 7, noting that “emotions were running high” in the meeting and in the moments leading up to the confrontation. He wrote that as he and Miller were talking, Miller kept turning away from him to speak to another board trustee, Sunday Coward.

“At that point I tapped her on the upper arm once with my finger in order to get her attention,” Pomerico wrote. “I felt we were in the middle of a conversation and she turned away from me.”

According to his account, Miller turned back to him and told him not to touch her, and he immediately apologized.

Pomerico wrote that he recognized that his responsibility is to “set the tone” of administrative conduct and put students first. “While I regret that last week’s interaction did not fully reflect those principles, I remain fully committed to leading this district in a manner that does,” he stated. “I look forward to working alongside my fellow board

members, administration and all those who serve our students.”

Freeport residents and other observers have had mixed reactions to the incident since the Herald’s initial report of the confrontation on the night of July 1.

Some social media comments and other discussions have criticized Pomerico’s perceived lack of professionalism, while

others have described Miller’s 911 call as a dramatic overreaction.

A collection of 10 Black clergy members, who lead congregations in Freeport and Roosevelt or live in the area, was the first to offer a statement on the incident to the Herald. The pastors and spiritual leaders who collaborated on the statement and signed it include,

Ebenezer Aduku, Andrew Branch, Stephen Michael Lewis, Arthur Mackey, Donnie McClurkin, Jessica Mitchem, Tristan J. Salley, Frank A. White, Scott Williams and Craig J.J. Wright.

In the statement, the religious leaders expressed “profound disappointment and concern” about the interaction— specifically “the image of a White male public official standing over and making physical contact with a Black woman” who is also a public official.

“Regardless of intent, such conduct evokes a painful historical reality in which Black women have too often borne the weight of racial bias, gender inequity and institutional disrespect while carrying extraordinary leadership responsibilities,” the statement reads. “The Black Church has long stood as a guardian of justice and human dignity. … We do so again today — not to inflame division — but to affirm the sacred principle that every person, regardless of race, gender or position, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.”

The entire statement is available online at liherald.com/freeport/.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Aug. 12, but at last week’s meeting, before the incident, Pomerico said he believed one or two more meetings might be necessary before then.

Andrew Francis/Herald

The 2026-27 leadership of Freeport Public Schools is comprised of returning school board trustees Alphonso Hardwick and Sunday Coward, Interim Superintendent Shakirah Miller, new board President Michael Pomerico and new board trustees Edward Gordon and Gabriela Castillo.

Andrew Francis/Herald

Five Freeport Police Department vehicles and numerous officers responded to Interim Superintendent Shakirah Miller’s call from the Atkinson Elementary School on July 1.

JULY 9, 2026

Cover Story

Summer in motion

Longer days, warm temperatures and abundant sunshine make summer an ideal season to take your fitness routine outdoors. Whether it’s a morning run or walk along the boardwalk, a bike ride, a game of tennis or pickleball, yoga on the beach, or even a family hike, exercising outside o ers both physical and mental health benefits.

An outdoor workout does more than change your scenery. Exercising outdoors has been linked to improved mood, lowered stress, better cardiovascular health, and more motivation to move consistently. Even walking outside can be an excellent workout, especially when you do it regularly. Fresh air and a change of scenery can make workouts feel less like a chore and more like an enjoyable part of your day.

Of course, summer’s relaxed pace — complete with vacations, barbecues, beach days and social gatherings — can sometimes derail even the best fitness intentions. The key is finding ways to incorporate activity into seasonal routines while taking precautions against heat and sun exposure.

Beat the heat

Summer temperatures can quickly turn a workout into a health risk. Exercising during the hottest parts of the day can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.

Whenever possible, schedule outdoor activities during the cooler morning or evening hours, typically before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Check the heat index before heading outside, and if temperatures or humidity levels are extreme, consider moving your workout indoors to an air-conditioned gym, recreation center or your own home.

Watch for warning signs of heatrelated illness, including dizziness, headache, nausea, excessive fatigue, muscle cramps or confusion. If symptoms occur, stop exercising immediately, move to a cool location and rehydrate.

Protect your skin

While we all love being outside, the sun doesn’t love us. Even on cloudy days, ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage skin and increase the risk of skin cancer.

Health experts recommend applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 about 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply every two hours, or more frequently if swimming or sweating heavily.

Additional protection includes wearing lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses. Light-colored fabrics help reflect heat and keep the

body cooler during outdoor activities.

Hydration matters

Proper hydration is essential yearround, but it becomes especially important during the summer months.

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends drinking approximately three to eight ounces of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes during exercise, depending on intensity and environmental conditions. For prolonged or high-intensity workouts lasting more than an hour, sports drinks may help replace electrolytes lost through sweat.

Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink. Thirst is often a sign that dehydration has already begun. Carry a reusable water bottle and drink fluids before, during and after physical activity.

After exercise, experts recommend consuming 20 to 24 ounces of water or a sports beverage for every pound of body weight lost during exercise.

Don’t skip the warm-up

Warm weather doesn’t eliminate the need to prepare your body for exercise. A proper warm-up gradually increases heart rate, loosens muscles and improves flexibility, helping reduce the risk of strains and injuries.

Spend five to 10 minutes performing light aerobic activity such as brisk walking, followed by dynamic stretches that target the muscles you’ll be using during your workout. Cooling down afterward is equally important and can help prevent sti ness and aid recovery.

Try something new

Summer o ers endless opportunities to shake up your exercise routine. Trying new activities can prevent boredom and challenge di erent muscle groups.

Consider adding activities such as:

• Walking or jogging on local trails

• Swimming or water aerobics

• Outdoor yoga classes

• Kayaking or paddleboarding

• Hiking

• Recreational sports leagues

Our parks, beaches and community organizations also o er free or low-cost fitness classes throughout the summer. Rev up the heart and cardiovascular system with sports you can play in the great outdoors. Eschew indoor racquetball for a game on an outdoor court. Try pickleball instead.

It’s easy to break a sweat and enjoy a good workout when a game of hoops is taken outdoors. Head out to your nearby park and check out the action on the basketball courts. Pickup football or baseball is another way to enjoy physical activity outdoors, especially for those who may not be gym hounds. Both sports provide a cardiovascular workout while building muscle. When you’re

engrossed in the game, you’re having fun and getting fit at the same time.

Even consider using items in your favored park to tailor a complete workout. Park benches can serve as a workout bench where athletes can do push-ups, triceps dips and step-up exercises. Stretch on a jungle gym or use monkey bars to fit in some pull-ups.

You’ll find that some parks even have their own fitness zones with exercise equipment built into the design.

Hike on! A nearby park or preserve that features walking trails is a good place to begin an outdoor workout. Some parks build exercise stations into their hiking paths, enabling visitors to vary their workouts along the way. Signs may also point out particular exercises that can be done during the hike, such as lunges or squats.

Hiking is a good cardiovascular workout that is particularly beneficial when done on varied terrain. Mixing uphill and downhill portions of the trail with level ones will work the various muscles in the legs and also provide greater resistance to get the heart pumping.

Take advantage of the beach

We’re surrounded by beaches, so make the most of our environment! After all, that’s one of the best features about living on Long Island. The beach provides much more than a place to relax. It can also serve as a natural fitness center.

Swimming in the ocean provides a full-body workout, as the resistance created by waves and currents challenges muscles while the water’s buoyancy reduces stress on joints. Water workouts are especially beneficial for older adults and those with arthritis or mobility concerns.

Walking or running on sand requires more effort than exercising on pavement because the unstable surface engages additional muscles in the legs,

core and hips.

As a result, beach workouts can improve strength, balance and cardiovascular fitness.

Even active beach outings that involve carrying chairs, coolers, umbrellas and beach gear can contribute to daily physical activity goals.

Keep moving all summer long

Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, along with musclestrengthening activities on two or more days, according to federal health guidelines.

Summer is the perfect season

to reconnect with the outdoors and discover enjoyable ways to stay active. By taking sensible precautions, staying hydrated and making movement part of everyday life, you can enjoy all the benefits of the season while supporting your long-term health and wellness.

The Best Outdoor Workouts to Try

1. Trail Running

What it works: Lower body, core, and cardiovascular system

Benefits: Trail running demands balance, coordination, and strength. Unlike conditions on a flat road or treadmill, trail running requires more physical effort,

Cedrina Calder, M.D., a boardcertified preventive medicine physician and fitness professional says.

“The balance and stability required on the trail engages and strengthens your core muscles. It also requires greater use of your lower limb muscles, including the glutes, quads, and calves.”

Trail running can also support mental health and often feels more engaging than repeating laps on a track.

“It requires 100-percent mental focus — or you subject yourself to a tumble,” says fitness expert Tina Vindum, M.S., C.P.T.

A 2020 study published in BMC Public Health found that people who completed at least 6.5 miles of trail running reported higher wellness and health scores. Additional research suggests that spending 90 minutes moving in nature can help reduce depressive rumination.

Beginner tips: Start with wellmarked trails and shorter distances, focusing on time on feet rather than pace. Keep your eyes a few feet ahead, shorten your stride, and use walking breaks on steep hills to manage intensity and protect your knees.

2. Surfing

What it works: Upper body, core, anaerobic conditioning, and balance Benefits: Surfing blends aerobic paddling with short bursts of anaerobic effort that feel similar to a HIIT routine.

“It’s a great anaerobic exercise that will help strengthen the trapezius, abdominals, and obliques, as well as the lats, triceps, biceps, and deltoids,”

Jimmy Minardi, C.P.T., founder of Minardi Training, says.

Water-based workouts can offer a powerful reset and stress relief in ways a gym can’t match. “I can tell you one thing after being a devout surfer for [many] years, the tranquil and buoyant qualities of being in the water lift your spirits up,” Minardi said.

Beginner tips: Work with a certified instructor and start on smaller waves. Always check tides, weather, and surf conditions and wear appropriate safety

gear, such as a leash and personal flotation device.

3. Hiking

What it works: Cardiovascular system, lower body, and aerobic endurance Benefits: Hiking intensity is highly customizable, making it an accessible outdoor workout.

“Hiking can be a great cardio workout as long as it’s intense enough to significantly raise your heart rate and respiratory rate,” Calder says.

Elevation gain, speed, and pack weight all influence intensity, allowing you to progressively increase the challenge as your fitness improves. Beyond fitness, hiking encourages mindfulness and sensory awareness in a natural environment. Spending time on the trail can also help reduce stress, support mental health, and improve sleep.

Beginner tips: Choose shorter trails with minimal elevation gain and use hiking poles if knee comfort is a concern. Wear supportive footwear, carry water, and plan your route so you finish before dark and avoid extreme heat.

Photo by Marcel Straub Summer is an ideal time to trade the treadmill for trails, parks, beaches and other outside paces. Outdoor fitness routines can help turn exercise into an enjoyable part of everyday life

health

at Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Community Wellness Center

Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Community Wellness Center, 106 Boardwalk in Long Beach, is open all summer to help you enjoy the season safely. Stop in for no-cost health screenings. (See a full list of hours and screenings below.)

To make safety a priority, Mount Sinai South Nassau’s experts have compiled these important summer safety tips:

1. Tick Bites, Bee Stings and Insect Bites: One of the best ways to avoid ticks, mosquitoes, bees, and other insects is to apply EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, skin-friendly picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus onto clothing and exposed parts of your body. Other steps include: Wear light, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes/sneakers when hiking or gardening to reduce exposed skin areas.

2. Sunburn: When the skin — the body’s largest organ — soaks up the sun, it helps produce vitamin D, which is vital to maintaining a healthy calcium balance, immunity, blood pressure, and insulin secretion. When skin is repeatedly exposed to the sun for extended periods of time, the risk can far outweigh the reward.

The American Academy of Dermatologists recommends you:

• Minimize sun exposure between the hours of 10 am and 3 pm

• Apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 that protects against both harmful UVA and UVB rays to every part of your body exposed to the sun

• Reapply sunscreen every two hours, even on cloudy days

• Wear clothing that covers the body and shades the face

• Schedule an annual skin cancer screening

3. Water and Pool Safety: Whether spending time in the pool, at the beach, or on a boat:

• Never leave a child unsupervised near or around any water source

• Wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets during boating and fishing activities

• Keep a safe distance from boat propellers

• Learn CPR, especially if you and your family participate in water activities

Orthopedic Injuries: More than half of all sports and recreation-related injuries are preventable, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To reduce your risk of injury:

• Warm up first: perform gentle stretches before playing, practicing, or training

• Diversify training by alternating exercises like walking, jogging, biking, or weightlifting

• If you feel pain, soreness, or tightness, stop! Early

intervention is key to avoiding further injury

4. Dehydration: Symptoms of dehydration may include some or all of the following: lethargy, dizziness, deep or rapid breathing, muscle cramps, dry mouth and nose, and a drop in blood pressure. Prevent dehydration by drinking six to eight cups of water per day; avoid consumption of tea, coffee, soda, or alcohol on hot days or during recreational activities; and take a break from the sun and heat in a cool, shaded area

5. Picnic Food Preparation and Storage: Food that is not prepared and stored properly is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. For a safe picnic:

• Wrap uncooked chicken and meats in separate tightly sealed bags or containers and place them at the bottom of the cooler

• Store foods with mayonnaise in the cooler and be sure to serve them on platters that are chilled by ice-filled salad bowls

• Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot

• Freeze foods that are prepared more than one day in advance of the picnic

• Discard all leftovers

The Community Wellness Center, a service of Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Department of Community Education, is offering daily health education and screening events throughout the summer and early fall. This includes:

Monday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. — EKG screenings for student athletes, ages 13-25 (registration is required)

9 a.m.-2 p.m.— Narcan and Stop the Bleed training*

Tuesday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. — Diabetes, prostatespecific antigen (PSA), cholesterol blood tests

10 a.m.-12 p.m. — CPR/Basic Life Support certification (registration is required)

Wednesday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. — Blood pressure loaner program*

Noon-3 p.m. — Lung health*

Thursday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. —.Diabetes, PSA, cholesterol blood tests

1-3 p.m. — Diabetes risk assessment screenings*

Friday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. — How to take your blood pressure at home*

9 a.m.-2 p.m. — Healthy eating and teddy bear clinic for kids*

= 30- to 60-minute sessions provided within the timeframe

The Center also offers free blood pressure, colorectal, memory, body mass index, diabetes risk, and stroke risk screenings Monday-Friday, 9 am-2 pm. The Center does not provide medical care. For more information, call the Department of Community Education at (516) 377-5333 or follow us on Facebook.

Mount Sinai South Nassau’s Community Education team is hosting daily health education and screening events throughout the summer at the CommunityWellness Center located at 106 Boardwalk on the Long Beach Boardwalk

Join Us at the Mount Sinai South Nassau Community Wellness Center for Daily Health Screenings and Community Education Events

106 East Boardwalk, Long Beach

(Between Long Beach Blvd. & Riverside Blvd. Enter via ramp at boardwalk level )

June 1- September 4, 2026

EKG Screenings for Students Ages 13-25 (pre-registration required) | 9 am - 2 pm

Narcan and Stop the Bleed Training* | 9 am - 2 pm

*30-60 minute sessions available within this timeframe.

CPR/BLS Certification (pre-registration required) | 10 am - 12 pm

Blood Test (Diabetes, PSA, Cholesterol) | Call 516-377-5333 to schedule

Blood Pressure Cuff Loaner Program* | 9 am - 2 pm

*30-60 minute sessions available within this timeframe.

Diabetes Risk Assessment Screenings* | 12 pm - 2 pm

*30-60 minute sessions available within this timeframe.

Blood Test (Diabetes, PSA, Cholesterol) | Call 516-377-5333 to schedule

How to Take Your Blood Pressure at Home* | 9 am - 2 pm

Healthy Eating & Teddy Bear Clinic for Kids* | 9 am - 2 pm

*30-60 minute sessions available within this timeframe.

We also offer FREE Health Screenings (Monday - Friday, 9 am - 2 pm) including:

• Blood Pressure

• Body Mass Index (BMI)

• Colorectal Screening

• Diabetes Risk Assessment

• Memory Screening

• Stroke Risk Assessment

We are also offering COVID-19, Shingles, and Pneumonia Vaccines. For more information about the program, please call 516-377-5333

Programs subject to change. Please refer to our Facebook page @MountSinaiSouthNassau for weekly schedule.

This is not a patient care facility. In case of emergency, please call 911.

Be sun smart

Take precautions so that the sun is friend not foe

For many people, summer means long days spent outdoors relaxing at the beach, boating on the water, tending the garden, enjoying backyard barbecues or simply lounging by the pool. While sunshine can lift our spirits and encourage us to be active, too much exposure to the sun can have serious consequences for our health.

A moderate amount of sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, which is important for bone health and immune function. But excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can damage the skin and eyes, increase the risk of heat-related illness and significantly raise the likelihood of developing skin cancer.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, affecting millions of Americans each year.

Fortunately, many cases are preventable with proper sun protection. Whether you’re headed to the beach, the golf course, a summer concert or simply spending time in your backyard, taking a few simple precautions can help you enjoy the season safely.

Have your fun but proceed with caution

Many folks take sunburn lightly, viewing it as an inevitable part of summer. But sunburn is much more than a temporary inconvenience.

Sunburn is actually a radiation burn caused by overexposure to UV rays. Depending on its severity, a sunburn can range from mild redness and tenderness to painful blistering and swelling. Severe sunburn may even require medical attention.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that sunburn remains common among both adults and children. Yet every sunburn causes damage to skin cells.

Much of that damage cannot be seen immediately. Ultraviolet radiation penetrates the skin and can alter the DNA inside skin cells. Over time, this cumulative damage contributes to premature aging, wrinkles, age spots, loss of skin elasticity and an increased risk of skin cancers, including melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Because UV damage accumulates over a lifetime, practicing sun safety is important at every age.

Avoid the burn

Sunburn is one of the most preventable summertime health risks. It’s also important to remember that UV exposure occurs year-round not just on hot, sunny days. Up to 80 percent of UV rays can penetrate clouds,

As

and reflective surfaces such as water, sand, concrete and snow can intensify exposure.

We all know by now that artificial UV sources, including tanning beds and sun lamps, are also dangerous. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and dermatologists strongly discourage indoor tanning because it significantly increases skin cancer risk.

Seek shade

The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Whenever possible, limit prolonged outdoor activity during these peak hours.

If you are outside, take frequent breaks in the shade beneath a tree, umbrella, canopy or other shelter. Planning outdoor exercise, yard work or recreational activities during the early morning or evening hours can also help reduce UV exposure and lower the risk of heat-related illness.

Cover up

Clothing provides one of the simplest and most effective forms of sun protection.

Choose lightweight, loose-fitting garments that cover as much skin as possible, including long-sleeved shirts and long pants when practical. Densely woven, tightly constructed fabrics generally offer better protection than loosely woven materials.

Many outdoor clothing manufacturers now offer apparel with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor, or UPF, rating. UPF indicates how effectively fabric blocks UV radiation.

Clothing with a UPF rating of 30 to 50 or higher provides excellent protection. Darker colors and brighter fabrics typically absorb more UV rays than pale colors, while tightly woven materials outperform sheer or loosely

woven fabrics.

Complete your sun-protective wardrobe with a wide-brimmed hat that shades the face, ears and neck.

Wear sunscreen — and reapply it

Sunscreen is an essential part of any sun safety strategy, but it should not be your only line of defense.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Broad-spectrum products protect against both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays are primarily responsible for sunburn, while UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and contribute to premature aging and skin cancer. Both types of UV radiation can damage skin cells and increase cancer risk.

Apply sunscreen generously to all exposed skin about 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. Most adults need approximately one ounce about enough to fill a shot glass to adequately cover the body.

Don’t overlook commonly missed areas, including:

• Ears

• Back of the neck

• Scalp or part line

• Tops of the feet

• Hands

• Lips

• Around the eyes

Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, and more often after swimming, sweating or towel-drying.

Forget the ‘base tan’

Many people believe that obtaining a “base tan” before summer will protect against future sunburn. Experts say this is a myth.

A tan is actually a sign that the skin has already been damaged by UV radiation. When exposed to sunlight, the skin produces additional melanin pigment in an attempt to shield itself from further injury.

There is no such thing as a healthy tan. Any tanning or burning represents skin damage that can accumulate over time and increase skin cancer risk.

The safest way to achieve a sunkissed appearance is to use sunless self-tanning products rather than UV exposure.

Protect your eyes

The sun can damage the eyes as well as the skin.

Long-term exposure to UV radiation has been linked to cataracts, macular degeneration and certain cancers of the eyelid and eye.

Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays whenever you are outdoors. Wraparound styles offer additional protection by limiting UV rays that enter from the sides.

Children require extra precautions

Infants and young children are especially vulnerable to sun damage because their skin is thinner and more sensitive.

Babies younger than six months should be kept out of direct sunlight whenever possible. Use shade, protective clothing and hats to shield infants from UV exposure.

For older infants and children, apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, dress them in protective clothing and encourage regular hydration during outdoor play.

Teaching children healthy sun habits early can help reduce their lifetime risk of skin cancer.

Know when to seek medical care

Most sunburns can be treated at home with cool compresses, moisturizers, hydration and overthe-counter pain relievers. However, seek medical attention if sunburn is accompanied by:

• Extensive blistering

• Fever or chills

• Severe pain

• Confusion or dizziness

• Signs of dehydration

• Nausea or vomiting

Summer is meant to be enjoyed. By seeking shade, covering up, wearing sunscreen and practicing smart sun habits, you can safely soak up the season while protecting your health for years to come

great as the sun feels, it poses serious threats to your health and appearance. Have your time in the sun while sparing your skin from damage and overall harm to your body.

The Freedom To Hear and Stay Independent.

very Independence Day, we celebrate freedom.

_ Dr. Keith N. Darrow, Ph.D., CCC-A

Each Fourth of July, Americans gather to celebrate independence declared nearly 250 years ago, honoring freedom through family, parades, fireworks, and shared stories. As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, independence is not only a historic idea but an ongoing responsibility to protect, renew, and pass forward.

Independence also applies to personal health. For many people, it means living confidently— managing daily life, participating in conversations, making decisions, and staying connected without relying on others to interpret the world.

But for millions with untreated hearing loss and tinnitus, that independence slowly erodes. It often begins with asking for repetition, increasing television volume, avoiding noisy environments, and withdrawing

from social situations that once felt effortless.

Over time, hearing loss affects not just hearing but participation in life. Spouses often become interpreters, conversations become shorter, and social events become more stressful. This shift can strain relationships and reduce quality of life for both people.

Medical treatment for hearing loss and tinnitus focuses on improving clarity, reducing listening effort, and restoring

access to sound. The goal is not only louder hearing, but better understanding and fuller participation in everyday life.

Untreated hearing loss is also linked in research to cognitive decline risk, making hearing health an important part of brain health and long-term independence.

Tinnitus can further reduce independence when people rely on masking sounds such as fans, apps, or sound machines to cope

with constant ringing. Effective treatment aims to reduce the brain’s reaction to tinnitus, not just cover it.

This Independence Day, take action if hearing loss or tinnitus is affecting your life.

Schedule a hearing evaluation with Hearing and Brain Centers of America by calling (516) 212- 0691 or request information by visiting HBCABookOffer.com

Learn more to understand treatment options that support communication, brain health, and lasting independence.

The Freedom To Hear and Stay Independent.

JU JULY 16 M M-122:30PM 6 • 10 10AM-12

FREE community event focused on health, wellness, and lifestyle

Meet trusted local exhibitors and service providers

Take advantage of on-site health screenings

Enjoy lively entertainment, fitness demonstrations and interactive experiences

Hear from experts during a panel discussion with Q&A

Win raffles, prizes, and giveaways

Snack station for all

*Boxed lunches for first 150 attendees

All designed to help you stay active, informed, and engaged at every stage of life.

AGENDA:

Register for this FREE event:

Inspirational drawings from our youngest readers

Ashly R. 6th G W. Babylon Junior High School

Keilani C. 5th G California Ave. School

Rubi 4th G California Ave. School

Jayden C. 2nd G California Ave. School

Anabelle D. 6th G W. Babylon Junior High School

Karol M. 4th G California Ave. School

Mila O. 4th G California Ave. School

Janelle H. 3rd G California Ave. School

Samantha P. 6th G W. Babylon Junior High School

Mia H. 6th G West Babylon Junior High School

Mia A. 6th G West Babylon Junior High School

Jocelyn C. 5th G California Ave. School

AMERICA

By ANGELINA ZINGARIELLO azingariello@liherald.com

Between 1860 and 1942, agriculture remained a defining part of life on Long Island across Nassau and Suffolk counties. During the same period, transportation improvements and expanding connections to New York City began shaping economic changes that would influence Long Island’s future development.

According to the Long Island Farm Bureau, agriculture has been an important industry on Long Island since the earliest periods of Native American cultivation and European settlement.

Before European settlement, the 60,000-acre Hempstead Plains in Nassau — the largest natural prairie east of the Mississippi River — served Indigenous peoples as a vital landscape for hunting, gathering and managing natural resources. English colonists later used the expansive grasslands to graze livestock, establishing agriculture as one of the area’s earliest industries.

The organization reports that fertile soils, access to fresh water, and proximity to major markets helped make Long Island one of New York State’s most significant agricultural regions. The Farm Bureau notes that farmers produced a wide range of crops and agricultural products, including vegetables, potatoes, fruits, poultry, livestock and shellfish.

Historical records published by the Town of Brookhaven show that early residents were primarily engaged in farming, fishing and whaling. The town’s historical records further indicate that additional industries developed during the nineteenth century, but agriculture remained an important part of the local economy.

Transportation became an increasingly important factor in the region’s development. According to the Town of Brookhaven’s historical overview, the arrival of the Long Island Rail Road during the mid-19th century made travel and the movement of goods faster and easier. Historical records of Long Island transportation show that rail service reached the eastern end of

Farming fueled Long Island before suburbia

Angelina

Zingariello/Herald

While the landscape and industries of Long Island have changed over the years, the East End holds onto its farming roots. Every spring, the Waterdrinker Family Farm & Garden in Manorville plants over a million tulips for the annual Tulip Festival.

the island in 1844, creating stronger links between rural communities and larger markets.

By the late 19th century, however, parts of Nassau County’s rural landscape were undergoing dramatic change as wealthy industrialists purchased North Shore farmland to build lavish country estates, creating the famed Gold Coast.

Even as the North Shore evolved, farming remained a dominant force across central Long Island. Throughout the 19th century and into the first half of the 20th century, the Island ranked among the nation’s leading potato-producing regions.

Throughout the 19th century and into the first half of the 20th century, the Island ranked among the nation’s leading potatoproducing regions.

Farming remained a dominant force across central Long Island. Throughout the 19th century and into the first half of the 20th centu-

ry, the Island ranked among the nation’s leading potato-producing regions. Thousands of acres were planted with potatoes, supporting a thriving agricultural economy and supplying markets throughout the Northeast.

While much of eastern Suffolk County remained rural during this period, signs of long-term change were emerging. Historical information published by the Town of Brookhaven states that the 20th century witnessed the town’s expansion from an agrarian community into a more diversified economy.

The transition had not yet fully occurred between 1860 and 1942, but the transportation networks and market connections established during those years

helped shape the conditions under which later development would occur.

Manorville itself retained strong agricultural roots. Historical accounts of the hamlet describe it as a farming community for many years, reflecting the broader agricultural character that defined much of central and eastern Suffolk County during the late 19th and early 20 centuries.

That era began to fade after World War II. As returning veterans fueled an unprecedented demand for housing, farmland rapidly disappeared beneath subdivisions, highways and commercial development. The transformation was perhaps most evident in Levittown, where beginning in 1947 more than 4,000 acres of former potato fields were converted into what became the nation’s most iconic suburban development, symbolizing the shift from an agricultural landscape to the suburban Long Island recognized today.

AMERICA

ABy BRIAN KACHARABA, ALYSSA R. GRIFFIN & LAYLA EASON

of the Herald

cross Long Island, history is not just preserved — it is built into the landmarks that still stand in its villages, harbors, downtowns, and shorelines, where centuries of American life are reflected in manor houses, churches, libraries, museums, crossroads, and memorials.

Together, these sites form a living timeline of the nation’s past, showing how Long Island evolved alongside the United States over more than 300 years.

One of the earliest stories begins in Bay Shore at Sagtikos Manor, one of Suffolk County’s oldest surviving structures. Built around 1697 by Stephanus Van Cortlandt, New York City’s first native-born mayor, the manor grew from a colonial estate into one of the region’s most enduring landmarks.

During the American Revolution, British forces occupied the property, placing it directly within the war’s contested landscape. In the early years of the republic, the manor is also associated with President George Washington, who stayed there for one night during his 1790 tour of Long Island, further linking the site to the nation’s founding era and its first presidential administration.

In Massapequa, Old Grace Church, established in 1844 on land donated by General Thomas Floyd-Jones, preserves nearly two centuries of community life and remains a lasting symbol of the area’s early settlement era. Nearby, the Elbert Floyd-Jones Servants Cottage,

1 2 3

Landmarks define Long Island’s history

built around 1870, survives as one of the few remnants of Massapequa’s grand estate period, offering a rare glimpse into daily life on Long Island’s 19th-century South Shore estates.

The Phillips House Museum in Rockville Centre, built in 1882 and once home to village founder James Phillips, reflects the community’s late-19th-century growth driven by commerce and transportation. Saved from demolition in the 1970s and restored during the Bicentennial era, it now stands as one of New York’s premier small historic museums.

Long Island’s rise to national prominence is reflected at Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay, built between 1884 and 1885 for Theodore Roosevelt. The Queen Annestyle home served as both his family residence and Summer White House, where policy and diplomacy shaped the Progressive Era. Today, it remains a National Historic Site and one of the country’s most significant presidential homes.

The growth of suburban Long Island is traced to Pearsall’s Corners, later Lynbrook, where a 19th-century crossroads centered on the Pearsall family store evolved into a stagecoach and railroad hub. With the arrival of the South Side Railroad, the community expanded rapidly and adopted the name Lynbrook in 1894, marking its transformation from rural hamlet to suburban village.

In Massapequa, the Delancey FloydJones Free Library, built in 1896, became the community’s first public library and remained its only one for more than 50 years. Now preserved within the Massapequa Historical Society Historic Complex, it reflects the rise

of civic institutions across Long Island.

On the South Shore, Long Beach reflects early 20th-century coastal planning. The home at 226 W. Penn Street, built in 1909 as part of William H. Reynolds’ resort vision, is one of the city’s earliest surviving structures. Now the Long Beach Historical Museum, it preserves the story of a barrier island community that grew from seasonal destination to year-round city.

The North Shore Historical Museum in Glen Cove occupies the former 1907 Justices Court Building, a State and National Register landmark that preserves the legacy of the Gold Coast era. In nearby Sea Cliff, the Village Museum—founded in 1979 and housed in a former Methodist church—continues that preservation effort through extensive archives of photographs, artifacts, and village records.

In Freeport, history spans multiple eras. A historic marker at Babylon Turnpike and Lakeview Avenue commemorates Washington’s passage through Long Island during his 1790 tour, linking the village to the nation’s earliest years. Nearby, the World War II memorial honors local service members who fought in the nation’s defining 20thcentury conflict, while the Vietnam War memorial stone at the Freeport Memorial Library stands as a tribute to those who gave their lives in service.

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, these landmarks underscore a simple truth: history is not confined to textbooks. It continues to live in the buildings, streets, and communities that shaped Long Island — and helped

shape the nation itself.

Photo 1 - Sagtikos Manor in Bay Shore, built around 1697, stands as one of Suffolk County’s oldest surviving homes and a rare link to Long Island’s colonial, Revolutionary War, and early presidential history.

Brian Kacharaba/Herald

Photo 2 - The World War II memorial plaque in Freeport honors residents who served and sacrificed during the conflict.

Layla Eason/Herald

Photo 3 - Sagamore Hill in Oyster Bay, the longtime home of President Theodore Roosevelt, reflects Long Island’s role in American leadership history and served as his residence and “Summer White House” during his presidency.

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Photo 4 - A historic marker at Babylon Turnpike and Lakeview Avenue in Freeport commemorates President George Washington’s passage through the area during his 1790 tour of Long Island.

Layla Eason/Herald

Photo 5 - The Old Grace Church in Massapequa traces its roots to 1844, where community members gathered to establish an Episcopal church closer to home rather than traveling to Hempstead for worship.

Alyssa R. Griffin/Herald

Photo 6 - Built in 1882, the Victorian home now housing the Phillips House Museum was once owned by sea captain and village founder James Phillips, whose family played a key role in the early development of Rockville Centre as a growing center of commerce and banking.

Alyssa R. Griffin/Herald

By Leah Ramai (Hunter) Sewanhaka High School freshman

AReader, three centuries is a long time.

ridiculous amount of possibilities could generally happen. Robots mating and artificial intelligence becoming the structure of everything.

America at 300. It’s long enough for your name to become dust. Long enough for every person you have ever loved to disappear. Long enough for your bedroom to become a room nobody remembers belonged to you. Long enough for the sound of your laughter to vanish from the earth entirely.

And perhaps, before you continue reading, I ask something of you. Look at your mother. Look at the shine in her eyes. The bliss, the warmth in her hugs. Look at your father. His tired eyes of making income and he doesn’t get a minute to himself. Not as parents. Not as permanent figures suspended safely in the background of your life. Look at them as people. As living things, imagine the lines of their faces softened by time until even memory struggles to hold them together. Imagine the sound of their voices becoming some-

AMERICA America at its 300th anniversary

thing distant. Imagine reaching for a memory and discovering it has begun to fade. That it simply doesn’t exist anymore. Where do these memories go? Certainly not in the future. Horrifying, isn’t it? Yet this is not fantasy. This is not horror fiction. This is reality moving exactly as it always has, because time does not wait for anyone whatsoever.

When people speak of America 300 years from now, they speak of progress. They speak of technology, discovery, innovation, and futures polished bright enough to distract themselves from the darkness beneath them. The good and positives. Yet I find myself haunted by something far quieter. Far more patient. The casualties time leaves behind.

How many voices will history never bother to remember? How many political figures will be jacks of spades in newspapers and magazines. How many poets will spend entire lifetimes filling notebooks only for their words to disappear without ceremony?

How many artists will devote themselves to beauty only for time to consume their work without even acknowledging it existed? Somewhere tonight, a child is creating something absolutely extraordinary. Somewhere, a story capable of changing a life is being written for the very first time. And somewhere else, another story dies before it is ever born. Reader that should terrify you. Not because it is unlikely. Because it is ordinary for dreams to never be pursued.

That is what makes humanity sacred. Not permanence. Not survival. Not the illusion that anything was

ever promised forever. If life stretched endlessly before us, love would become weightless. If grief did not exist, devotion would mean nothing. If death never arrived, neither would urgency, nor wonder, nor the desperate and beautiful need to create something before time steals the opportunity away.

It isn’t the fear of leaving, but leaving behind something utterly unfathomable, Humanity. Edgar Allan Poe understood this. Mary Shelley understood this. Beneath every graveyard, every ghost, every monster stitched together from pieces of the dead, there lingers the same unbearable realization. Existence is precious because it ends.

America, 300 years from now, will not be measured by what it builds. It will be measured by what it remembers. By whether someone still believes stories matter. By whether a child still stays awake long after midnight scribbling poems in a notebook because their heart feels too large for silence, deeply madly in love. Love, will you still feel the same flutter in your heart.

It’s chronically insane, isn’t it reader? To have to ask if a feeling would still sit in your anatomy because of how the world can change. By whether humanity still possesses the courage to create despite knowing everything eventually disappears. Knowing you have a purpose, but genuinely? It will end one day. Because the greatest horror has never been death. It has always been reaching the end of a life without leaving behind proof that you were here at all.

Look into the future

Photo: Credit: Courtesy Sewanhaka High School

LeaH Ramai (HunteR)

YBy JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

It is nearly impossible to discuss American literary history without mentioning Walt Whitman. Often called “America’s poet,” Whitman left a lasting mark as a writer, journalist and teacher, with a legacy deeply woven into both the nation’s history and Long Island’s own.

Born in what is now Huntington Station in 1819, Whitman came from a family whose Long Island roots stretched back to the 17th century. Though the family moved to Brooklyn when he was young, the island remained part of his foundation. His formal schooling ended at 11, but his education continued in print shops, newsrooms and city streets, where he developed a lifelong appetite for language, politics and the lives of ordinary people.

ou cannot really understand America... without ‘Leaves of Grass.’

MARY BERENsON

Art historian

As a teenager and young adult, Whitman worked as a printer, teacher and journalist across Long Island and New York City. When he returned to Huntington, he founded The Long-Islander, a local newspaper that is still being published.

His formative years placed Whitman in close contact with people from every corner of American life: laborers, commuters, families, readers, voters and strangers passing through the world around him. That broad human canvas helped shape the ideals that came to define his poetry — a sweeping appreciation for everyday Americans.

Whitman carried those influences into “Leaves of Grass,” the collection he first published in 1855 and continued revising until his death in 1892. What began as a slim, unconventional volume grew into a sweeping body of work that challenged literary traditions and helped redefine what American poetry could sound like.

Much of Whitman’s work opens a window onto everyday American life, but “Song of Myself” may be his most expansive expression of that vision. In it, the speaker stretches beyond the individual, seeing himself reflected in all people and all things — a voice that is deeply personal and collective.

The poem stands apart for its bold embrace of the body, its deep connection to the natural world and its insistence on elevating the ordinary individual.

“Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their parents the same,”

AMERICA Long Island’s own Walt Whitman helped give America its voice

Courtesy Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Gottscho-Schleisner Collection [LC-USZC2-4855]

Walt Whitman, one of America’s most renowned poets, taught at a summer school in Woodbury in 1840. The school building, erected in 1807, was acquired by Alexander M. White around 1927, who moved it to his estate in Oyster Bay Cove. The desk from the schoolhouse once used by Whitman is now at his birthplace, a historic site, in Huntington Station.

Whitman writes — a line that captures the layered, generational nature of belonging. It suggests how roots are formed not only through family, but through the places people claim as home. For Whitman, one of those places was Long Island.

Today, the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association maintains the New York state historic site Whitman was born in. Open to the public for tours, the home provides Long Islanders with insight into his early childhood, which influenced his work. Tours run daily in the summertime, and between Wednesdays and Sundays after Labor Day.

On the grounds of his original home is also an Interpretive Center, which opened in 1997, further allowing the birthplace association to build a tourist destination and regional hub for arts and literature, that offers unique, interdisciplinary programs.

“You cannot really understand America without Walt Whitman, without ‘Leaves of Grass’…” art historian Mary Berenson once wrote of the work, according to Whitman’s profile on Goodreads, a networking site for readers. “He has expressed that civilization, ‘up to date,’ as he would say, and no student of the philosophy of history can do without him.”

STEPPING OUT

Photos courtesy LICM

Young artists created colorful works during last summer’s ArtVentures. This year, the program is expanded into four categories and families can enjoy similar creative experiences.

Bright colors and creative techniques come together in the watercolor project, one of the hands-on activities Kids can experiment how colors react to elements, and other colors.

More than art

Cool off with an ‘Artventure’

By Stacy Driks

Long Island Children’s Museum invites families to put down the screens this summer, pick up a paintbrush and discover the many ways to create art.

With the launch of Summer ArtVentures [July 7], the museum expands its arts programming into a season-long celebration of imagination, hands-on learning and creative exploration four days a week.

Whether it’s experimenting with watercolor, building collages, sculpting with clay or creating artwork inspired by professionals, every visit offers something new.

The lineup grew from a pilot series the museum introduced last summer. After seeing children return week after week and hearing families ask for more opportunities to create, museum educators decided it was time to think bigger.

“We had such a positive reaction, people were asking if we could do them on other days and if we could offer more arts programming,” says Jeanmarie Walsh Mansfield, the museum’s director of visual arts and community initiatives. ”We found families kept coming back, and kids were building on what they learned from one week to the next.”

That enthusiasm inspired a full calendar of art experiences running throughout July and August, with activities designed to appeal to toddlers, schoolage children, teens and even adults.

Unlike traditional art classes, participants aren’t divided by age. Instead, everyone creates together in the same space, allowing each person to work at a level that’s comfortable while learning from one another.

“It’s sort of like an old-school classroom,” Mansfield says. “Kids of all ages learn with and from each other.”

Each Tuesday, the museum hosts Imagine That! Summer ArtVentures Workshops, where participants explore a different artistic medium or technique. One week may focus on collage, while another introduces mosaics, sculpture or animation. Before children begin creating, participants are introduced to artists whose work connects to that week’s project.

Some come from centuries ago, like Italian painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo, whose portraits famously transformed fruits, vegetables and other everyday objects into imaginative faces. Others are contemporary artists such as Octavio Ocampo, whose optical illusion paintings encourage viewers to look beyond first impressions.

Fireworks with the South Shore Symphony

“I want kids to learn that art can be much more than they think art is,” Mansfield says. “Art can be everywhere and made from anything. All you need is your creativity, your imagination and a willingness to experiment.”

Fridays offer Watercolor Wonder Pop-Ups, rotating through different galleries with new watercolor techniques and themes each week. One session explores the effects of salt on watercolor paint, while another teaches children how oil pastels and watercolor interact to create surprising results. Other activities draw inspiration from nature, encouraging families to experiment with flowers, color and texture.

What program is best for you?

• Tuesday: Imagine That ArtVentures workshops run from July 7 to Aug. 25, 1-3 p.m. Fee: $4 for children three and up.

• Friday: Watercolor Pop-Up run from July 10 to Aug. 28, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free with museum admission.

• Saturday: Amethyst Playground Pop-Up runs from July 11 to Aug. 1, noon-2 p.m. Free with museum admission.

• Monday: Squish Studio runs from July 27 to July 31, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Free with museum admission.

Still craving more fireworks? Rockville Centre’s annual celebration is just the ticket! Head to Pette and Barasch Fields for a festive evening with the South Shore Symphony, capped off by a spectacular Grucci fireworks display. It’s a beloved summertime tradition that brings together everyone for a rousing spectacle. Music Director Adam Glaser passes the baton to conductor Eileen Murphy who leads the orchestra in a program of Broadway hits, movie themes, pop hits, and patriotic standards. Selections include American Salute by Morton Gould, Suite from Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda, RimskyKorsakov’s Procession of Nobles, Sousa’s Washington Post March and John William’s Raiders March. The orchestra begins performing at 7:30 p.m., the fireworks begin at 9:15 and the orchestra continues after. Hosted by the Village of Rockville Centre and the Rockville Centre Guild for the Arts, this free event has been a favorite for more than 30 years. Admission is free and is open to everyone. Rain date is July 12.

Hope shows her art project inspired by Kelly Olshan’s “Amethyst Playground” exhibit.

On Saturdays, Amethyst Playground Pop-Up connects directly to the current Artists’ Corner exhibition by Kelly Olshan. Families transform leftover materials from the artist’s creative process into colorful magnets, demonstrating how everyday objects can become works of art.

For children who love getting their hands dirty, Squish Studio, running July 27 through 31, offers an entire week devoted to clay. Young artists can experiment with different tools, create personal sculptures and contribute to a collaborative creature that grows throughout the week.

Clay holds a special place for Mansfield.

“I’ve been wanting to do clay-based workshops for a long time,” she says. “Kids really respond to it. It’s intuitive, it’s hands-on, and it helps develop fine motor skills while encouraging creativity.”

But the aim is for visitors leave with more than artwork to hang on the refrigerator.

Creating art helps children build confidence, develop criticalthinking skills and become more comfortable taking creative risks, Mansfield explains. Working alongside others also teaches collaboration, communication and problem-solving.

“Art making reduces anxiety,” she says. “It can be meditative. We know screens can increase anxiety, but when children are creating with their hands, they’re engaged, they’re present and they’re learning.”

Perhaps most importantly, art teaches children that mistakes aren’t something to fear.

“You fail sometimes,” Mansfield says. “You make something and it doesn’t come out the way you wanted. That’s an important life skill — mistakes are learning opportunities and that you can pivot and try something different.”

And the experience sparks curiosity. Rather than providing step-by-step instructions with one “correct” outcome, educators encourage children to ask questions, explore materials and decide for themselves what they want to create.

“There’s no wrong way to make art,” Mansfield says. “I want kids to push their boundaries and realize they’re artists.”

And this is only the beginning.

Museum leadership plans to further expand programming beyond the summer, with additional workshops during school breaks and perhaps a future art festival that celebrates creativity throughout the museum.

Until then, paint, sculpt, squish and create all summer — one colorful adventure at a time. For schedules, admission and registration information, visit licm.org.

Saturday, July 11, 7 p.m. Pette and Barasch Fields, 244 S. Park Ave, Rockville Centre. For more information, visit.rvcny.us.

The Bronx Wanderers

What do you get when a father, his two sons, and two high school classmates come together to create a show? A wildly entertaining mix of hilarious personal stories, a powerhouse playlist spanning every genre and decade, and one unforgettable family’s journey through life and music. Meet The Bronx Wanderers — a high-energy musical experience that’s been bringing audiences to their feet for over 20 years. With a unique blend of rock ‘n’ roll nostalgia, modern hits, and dynamic storytelling, this band has mastered the art of connecting with fans of all ages in one sweeping, musical tour de force. They’re still having the time of their lives — and by the end of the show, you will be too.

Sunday, July 12,7:30 p.m. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com or

Your Neighborhood CALENDAR

Family Fun Nights

Cedarmore Corporation, in partnership with Big Brothers Association hosts its Unity in the Community Family Fun Nights in Bishop Frank O. White Memorial Park every Thursday. With family activities, meetings with local agencies serving youth and adults, and participation in Cedarmore’s youth basketball tournament and summer reading program.

• Where: 100 Parsons Ave.

• Time: 6- p.m.

• Contact: cedarmore.org

Lights, camera, Long Island!

The Long Island International Film continues, bringing independent cinema from around the globe to local audiences. The diverse lineup includes documentaries, feature films, shorts, horror films, music videos and late-night screenings for mature audiences, along with workshops and more. Notable selections include “The Random Guest,” the final film featuring actor Peter Greene.

• Where: Bellmore Movies & Showplace, 222 PettitAve.,Bellmore

• Time: Varied, through July 16

• Contact: For a complete schedule and tickets, visit LIIFE2026.eventive.org

Summer concert series

The Long Island Arts Council at Freeport continues its free Summer Concert series on the Nautical Mile each Thursday in July in August. This week Sequel performs. Bring your own chairs for seating. The Long Island Arts Council at Freeport has not announced a specific location on the Nautical Mile as of yet.

• Where: Woodcleft Avenue

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 578-1337

jul

Wild Child

• Time: 6:30 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 377-2200

Monday meditation on the Mile

Join Sparkle on Stage for an hour of summer relaxation, release and realignment. A guided meditation session will help you slow down, breathe and reconnect with yourself. Up to 8 people total allowed, $35 per person, adults only.

• Where: 195 Woodcleft Ave.

• Time: 7:30 p.m.

• Contact: sparkleonstage.org or(516) 240-1188

‘250 Years of Long Island History’

‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’

The Madison Theatre’s production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” brings the beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber musical to the stage, retelling the biblical story of Joseph, his colorful coat and his rise from slavery to Pharaoh’s trusted advisor. Told entirely through song, the family-friendly production features memorable numbers including “Any Dream Will Do,” “Close Every

This is not a typical tribute or pretend concert act. Wild Child relies on recapturing the original: sound, feel, mood, dynamics and delivery of the Doors music. In true Doors fashion there are no: wigs, props, costumes, or phony banter between songs. It’s about the music and its delivery. Wild Child lead singer Dave Brock’s Doors tribute debuted with a triple sellout at the Whisky a-Go-Go. Since the band debuted, the act has been touring and playing at sold out national act venues and festivals around the world. Wild Child became the mold that “tribute bands” aspired to become, as they flooded the market in the 1990s with good and bad impersonations of famous artists. In 2010 Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors, invited Dave to tour with them as their vocalist on their concert engagements. This was perhaps the best compliment Dave has ever received from anyone for his work. Being selected by these two Rock ’n Roll Hall of Fame musicians was a huge honor; the ultimate compliment of his talents and speaks volumes for his credibility as a Doors style frontman and vocalist. Fans and critics alike praise Wild Child performances as the closest thing to a real 1960s Doors concert and live Doors experience.

Door” and “One More Angel in Heaven,” blending musical styles from calypso to countrywestern. Suitable for audiences of all ages, the show continues to be one of the world’s most frequently performed musicals.

• Where: Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre

• Time: Various dates and times, through Aug. 2

• Contact: madisontheatreny. org or (516) 323-4444

Disco grooves

Eisenhower Park’s Summer Concert Series continues with Disco Unlimited. When Sista Soul, Sparkle Sista, Joe Cool, Strat Cat Ricky Smooth and The MacDaddy, all hit the stage, you are instantly transported to a time when Saturday nights meant white suits, platform shoes and your very best dance moves. And dance you will – when you experience the magic created when the boogie begins.

• Where: Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow

• Time: 7 p.m.

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

Family theater

Lance the Eagle welcomes families to “A Semi-QuincentenEAGLE Birthday” on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage. In this original production, families are invited to celebrate his birthday. His message: As the national bird, this party will be happening throughout the whole month of July. Come to think of it, I did hear something about a birthday for the United States of America as well. Hmm... must be a coincidence! I’ll be throwing a parade through LICM’s galleries and a celebratory spectacle in the Theater. Come ready to party!” Keep an eye out 30 minutes before each show for a special interactive pre-show! For ages 3+. $5 with museum admission ($4 members), $10 theater only.

• Where: 11 Davis Ave., Garden City

• Time: 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; also July 15

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

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

• Time: 8 p.m.

• Contact: ticketmaster.com or paramountny.com

a taste for the classics, all are welcome at Long Island Choral Society’s sing-in happening. The repertoire includes Faure Requiem and assorted choral works to honor America.

Summer Sing is an opportunity for people who love to sing, love choral music or both to get together with like-minded individuals and sing some great musical compositions. It’s not a performance. There aren’t any rehearsals. There’s no audience. We just sing for our own enjoyment. Don’t worry if you don’t know all the notes. The point is not perfection, it is to have fun. Bring your own musical score or borrow one. $10 donation.

• Where: Garden City Community Church, 245 Stewart Ave., Garden City

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: LICS.org

Board of Trustees meet

The next Village Board of Trustees meeting is held at the Village Hall to discuss the matters impacting the community. All interested residents are welcome to attend.

• Where: 46 North Ocean Ave.

Freeport Library hosts a fast passed multimedia talk from Eco-Photo Explorer, a New York-based group that uses photography, presentations, lectures and writing to educate audiences. The program follows Long Island’s history from 1776 to today and looks at the events that helped shape the region.

• Where: 144 W. Merrick Road

• Time: 6:30 p.m.

• Contact: (516) 379-3274 or freeportlibrary.info

SEP 26

50th Class Reunion

The Freeport High School Class of 1976 celebrates its 50th Anniversary at the Freeport Yacht Club, with all graduating members invited to attend. Register for the event at luma.com/event/ manage/evt-sHnBL62p5tU094B prior to attending. Ticket deadline is Sept. 12

• Where: 533 Guy Lombardo Ave.

• Time: 7 p.m.

• Contact: admarkfl@gmail.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.

Program Director The New Terminal One MEREDITH VANDEGRIFT, MD, FACS Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Vandegrift Plastic Surgery KRISTIN THORNE Emmy-Award Winning Investigative Reporter

THERESA PORCARO Vice President, Growth & Marketing Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine

July 9, 2026

LEGAL NOTICE

Public Notices

NOTICE OF SALE

Avatar Nassau Retail Center LLC, Plaintiff vs. 175 Nassau Road Holding, Inc., et. al., Defendants (612130/2023)

Pursuant to the Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered April 23, 2026, the undersigned referee will sell at auction on July 14, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, New York 11501, rain or shine, the premises at 175 Nassau Road, Roosevelt, New York 11575 (Section 55, Block 413, Lot 192), 163 Nassau Road, Roosevelt, New York 11575 (Section 55, Block 413, Lot 191) and the vacant land on Centennial Avenue, Roosevelt, New York 11575 (Section 55, Block 413, Lot 8). The approx. amt. of Plaintiff’s lien is $3,959,706.55 plus interest and costs. The premises will be sold in one parcel and subject to judgment and terms of sale.

Charles Casolaro, Esq. Law Offices of Tae H. Whang, LLC, Attys for Plaintiff, 185 Bridge Plaza N., Fort Lee, NJ 07024, (201) 461-0300 160279

LEGAL NOTICE

REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY 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 22nd day of July, 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

Dated: May 15, 2026

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. 160741

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY

COMPANY. NAME: LAWSTOLIFE LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 03/29/2026. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to: 160 EAST SUNRISE HIGHWAY, FREEPORT, NY 11520

Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 160822

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU LNV CORPORATION DBA NY-LNV, Plaintiff AGAINST KATHLEEN IRONS, MARTHA RITTER INDIVIDUALLY AND AS SURVIVING SPOUSE OF THOMAS M. RITTER, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 24, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the

Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on July 27, 2026 at 2:30 PM, premises known as 6 Lenox Avenue, Freeport, NY 11520. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in Freeport, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 55 Block 275 Lots 24 and 25. Approximate amount of judgment $440,551.18 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #618894/2024. David S. Dikman, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 24-002470 90215 160873

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE OF COOPERATIVE APARTMENT

SECURITY BY VIRTUE OF A DEFAULT In a Loan Security Agreement dated December 7, 2021 executed by Kim T. Fakira, debtor to Wells Fargo, N.A., secured party via assignment, will cause a public sale of the security consisting of 490 shares of stock plus Parking Space and/or Garage, if applicable, of Hawthorne Gardens Owners Corp. all right title and interest in and to a Proprietary Lease between said Corporation and debtor for Apartment F26 in the building known as 153 SMITH ST FREEPORT, NY 11520 together with all fixtures and articles of personal property now or hereafter affixed to or used in connection with said apartment on July 23, 2026 at 9:30am on the North Facing Front Steps of the Nassau County Court House, 262 Old Country Rd. Mineola, NY 11501, in satisfaction of an indebtedness. Apartment is sold “AS IS” AND POSSESSION TO BE OBTAINED BY THE PURCHASER. Said sale is subject to: payment of all sums due, if any, to Hawthorne Gardens Owners Corp. and the consent if necessary, of said corporation; any existing tenancy; payment of all expenses and fees of the secured party with respect thereto; terms

of sale and auctioneers fees; flip tax; State, City and County transfer tax. The secured party reserves the right to bid. Terms: an official bank or certified check made payable to Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC., for ten (10%) percent of the price bid. No cash accepted. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC. 900 MERCHANTS CONCOURSE WESTBURY, NEW YORK 11590 (516) 280-7675 161011

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a license for NYS Application ID: CL-26-102008-01 for an eating place beer license has been applied for by D’LEOS DELI & MARKET CORP. to sell beer at retail in a delicatessen under the ABC Law at 20 W Merrick Rd. Freeport, NY 11520 for on premises consumption. 161124

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR BEAR STEARNS ASSET BACKED SECURITIES I TRUST 2007-HE2, ASSET BACKEDCERTIFICATES SERIES 2007-HE2, Plaintiff AGAINST NINA DEMOSTHENES, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered November 25, 2019, and the Short Form Order entered November 8, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on August 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM, premises known as 915 Van Buren Street, Baldwin, NY 11510. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Baldwin, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section:

News briefs

Legislator Davis salutes Roosevelt seniors

Nassau County Legislator Scott M. Davis, who represents District 1 that includes Roosevelt, recently joined the Roosevelt school community in celebrating the outstanding achievements of Roosevelt High School’s Class of 2026 graduating seniors.

During a special ceremony, Davis presented Gerard Calliste and Myrhallia Marcellus with Nassau County Legislature citations in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements, community leadership and commitment

to public service.

“Across Nassau County, the Class of 2026 is filled with outstanding young scholars who are going to make a big impact in the world,” Davis said. “Gerard and Myrhallia are two shining examples of the talent and drive that is being nurtured in our communities. Congratulations to our graduating seniors; we wish you all the best in your future endeavors!”

–Andrew Francis

HELP to bring tax exemption assistance

Freeport homeowners will have an opportunity to receive free, one-on-one assistance with property tax exemption applications when the Nassau County Department of Assessment’s Homeowner Exemption Liaison Program, known as HELP, comes to the Freeport Memorial Library on Wednesday, July 15.

The workshop, hosted in partnership with Nassau County Legislator Debra Mulé, will take place from noon to 2 p.m. Additional HELP sessions are scheduled for the Oceanside Library on Tuesday, July 14, and the Baldwin Public Library on Thursday, July 23, the latter in partnership with Nassau County Legislator Scott M. Davis.

During the workshops, Department

0054 Block: 00386-00 Lot: 0007. Approximate amount of judgment $530,475.40 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #000879/2016. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at

www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832. Andrew K. Preston, Esq., Referee FEIN, SUCH & CRANE, LLP 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800 Rochester, NY 14614 SPSNY448 90369 161045

of Assessment staff will help homeowners complete applications for a variety of property tax exemptions.

Participants should arrive by 1:30 p.m. to allow enough time to complete their applications. Homeowners are asked to bring copies of their 2025 federal and state income tax returns, along with any additional documentation needed to verify eligibility.

“Not only can the HELP program provide you the expert assistance to complete your applications, it will also give you the chance to submit your completed forms right after you finish them and right in your community,” Mulé said in a statement.

–Abigail Grieco

Courtesy Office of Legislator Scott M. Davis

Roosevelt students Gerard Calliste and Myrhallia Marcellus received honorary citations from Legislator Scott Davis.

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

DRIVERS WANTED

Full Time and Part Time

Positions Available!

Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers.

Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience.

Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour

Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239

EDITOR/REPORTER

Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. Historically, reporters who have launched their careers with us have gone on to The New York Times, Newsweek, Newsday, the New York Daily News, New York Post, CNN, BBC, NBC News and The Daily Mail, among many others. We look for excellent writers who are eager to learn, enhance their skills, and become well-established and respected journalists in our industry. Salary range is from $20K to $45K To apply: Send a brief summary in the form of a cover letter describing your career goals and what strengths you can bring to our newsroom, along with a resume and three writing samples to jbessen@liherald.com

MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

MULTI MEDIA

ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT

Inside Sales

Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $35,360 + commissions and bonuses to over $100,000 including commission and bonuses. We also offer health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

Operations/ Office Coordinator Full-Time. Cedarhurst. $25–$30/hour. Seeking person with strong communication, organizational, computer skills. Resume: info@purebitessnacks.com

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

PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE

Contemporary Coastal Living

Stunning new

What to do about cracking concrete

Q. We have large cracks in our concrete driveway and garage floor, and want to make sure they are repaired correctly, since they appear to be recently done, possibly within a year before we purchased the house. In particular, there is a nearly round hole that turned to gravel, kind of, and we want to know why it happened and avoid having it happen again. What can you tell us?

A. Concrete reacts to extreme weather changes. That is a given to designers of concrete structures, even though most people think concrete is the “immovable object.”

Nature moves mountains, so your driveway was no challenge for the forces of nature.

Extreme cold causes concrete to contract, push in on itself, while the heat has the effect of stretching this fairly rigid material to its limits. In the heat of summer, as you may have heard, the beautifully engineered Autobahn in Germany just buckled in various places. I’ve seen cars going nearly 200 miles per hour on that roadway, but with a buckled road, sections were shut down.

The key to any material selection is understanding its reaction to two major factors in nature, namely, water and movement. Throw in other factors, like chemical reaction and deterioration rates, and you realize that concrete is vulnerable. You have to work with its basic properties to have it adapt and cooperate with your intended use.

All that being said, the hole is basically like a zit, a buildup of pressure in a weaker place across the surface. Concrete develops strength as a chemical reaction to the specific combination of materials it is made from. With too much water in the mix, it will be weaker, especially in a particular spot. If it has no way to expand over a large area, as a thin sheet, only 4 to 6 inches thick over 10 to 20 feet, its strength is reduced because of a strengthto-distance ratio. So, to relieve the intensity of the expansion or contraction, separations, or “joints,” are made so the slabs can spread the forces of shrinking or expanding, a little.

Concrete is known to be very strong in compression, meaning you can press it together, to an extreme, before it crushes. On the other hand, it has very little ability to resist being stretched or pulled apart. To counteract the problem, steel, which is very elastic (stretchable) is spaced within formed concrete to increase the resistance to cracking apart. The combination of steel, in the right ratio and strength, and expansion joints, to let the concrete separate without unsightly cracks, makes the concrete more stable. Even just a depressed joint, not through and through, helps, by basically letting the concrete crack in a controlled way, where the crack runs in a straight depression instead of looking like a big rip.

I recommend having a professional make the repairs, with caution. You want an experienced company that works from a calculated solution, not just a quick fix. More next week. Good luck!

© 2026 Monte Leeper

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

Stuff HERALD

Garage Sales

TOOLS GARAGE SALE! East Rockaway: 7/11, 7/12, 9am-4pm. 54 Denton Avenue. For Contractors, Plumbers, Electricians.

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BOAT OARS, ALUMINUM. 8.5' $50. Extra large and medium life vests $20 each. Text 516-647-1999.

SERVICES

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opinions

Our town is standing up for mothers, fathers and families

At a time when many Americans feel that common sense is increasingly under attack, the Town of Hempstead has taken a stand.

Last month the Town Board voted to approve my resolution to protect mothers and fathers, making our township the first municipality in New York state to formally preserve the terms “mother” and “father” throughout our municipal code, forms and official documents.

For many residents, this may seem like something that shouldn’t require government action. After all, mothers and fathers have been the foundation of families and communities since the beginning of our nation. Yet recent actions in Albany have made it clear that what once seemed self-evident can no longer be taken for granted.

Legislation recently passed by the State Legislature would replace longstanding family terminology in state law with terms such as “gestating parent” and “non-gestating parent.” Many

parents across Long Island see something much larger at stake than mere terminology. They see an effort to remove language that has reflected the reality of family life for generations.

The language we use shapes how we understand our institutions, our traditions and our values. When government begins replacing universally understood terms like “mother” and “father” with bureaucratic alternatives, it sends a message that these roles are somehow outdated or unworthy of recognition. I reject that notion, and so does the Town Board.

Wnot deserve to be erased.

The Town of Hempstead has always been a place where families come first. Our residents choose to live here because of our neighborhoods, schools, parks, houses of worship and sense of community. These are the institutions that make suburban life possible and help families thrive.

e don’t want any part of terms like ‘gestating’ and ‘non-gestating parent.’

This resolution is not about excluding anyone. It is not about judging how people choose to live their lives. Rather, it is about affirming a simple truth that mothers and fathers play unique and indispensable roles in raising children and building strong families.

As a husband and father, I know firsthand the importance of family. I know what it means to hear children call out for their mom or dad. I know the sacrifices parents make every day to provide for their families, teach their children values and prepare the next generation for success. Those roles deserve respect, recognition and preservation. They do

That’s why our local government has consistently focused on policies that improve quality of life. We have worked to keep taxes affordable, strengthen public safety, invest in parks and infrastructure, and deliver essential services efficiently. But protecting our community also means defending the values that unite us. When Albany extremists advance policies that touch on fundamental aspects of family and community life, local governments have a responsibility to speak up on behalf of the people they represent.

Hempstead is America’s largest township. With that distinction comes a responsibility to lead. We cannot simply sit on the sidelines and hope someone else will defend the principles that matter to our residents.

Our resolution sends a clear message that the mothers and fathers of Hemp-

stead will not be ignored. It tells families that their local government hears their concerns and shares their belief that traditional parental roles remain worthy of recognition. And it demonstrates that local communities still have a voice, even when they disagree with the direction coming from Albany.

As we continue to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, we should reflect on the values that have sustained this country through its greatest challenges. Family is one of those values. Strong families create strong neighborhoods. Strong neighborhoods create strong communities. And strong communities create a strong nation. This simple principle is as true today as it was generations ago.

The town’s resolution to protect mothers and fathers is about preserving that foundation for future generations. It is about ensuring that common-sense language remains part of our public institutions. And it is about standing up for the families who make our township such a special place to live.

I’m proud that Hempstead has led the way. My hope is that other communities across New York will join us in affirming the importance of mothers, fathers and the families they help build. These are values worth defending.

John Ferretti is supervisor of the Town of Hempstead.

We must ensure the Drug Pricing Program helps patients

At a time of economic uncertainty and rising costs, affordability matters more than ever — especially for New Yorkers battling serious illnesses and navigating the health care system. For this reason, we must ensure that government programs meant to reduce costs and increase access to care are working for the people.

One such program is the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which the federal government created to allow safety-net hospitals and community health centers to help vulnerable patients access their medications at discounted prices. Unfortunately, the 340B program has strayed far from its original purpose, becoming a major source of revenue for health care systems, and not just for safety net providers. An analysis by the Empire Center for Public Policy found that some of New York’s most well-funded hospitals are taking in hundreds of

millions of dollars through the program each year. But there is remarkably little transparency into whether patients are truly benefiting from that funding.

Hospitals participating in 340B purchase medications at steeply discounted prices while still billing insurers and patients at much higher rates. For cancer treatments, some hospitals charge nearly five times what they paid to acquire the medications through the 340B program. Those markups can drive up deductibles and coinsurance costs, harming patients who are already facing financial challenges.

TOur bill is intended to improve rather than undermine the integrity of the 340B program. It is a common-sense reform to make sure the program works for the people it was designed to help.

he 340B program is now a major revenue source for health care systems.

That’s why Democratic Assembly member Amanda Septimo, of the Bronx, and I introduced legislation requiring 340B-covered entities in New York to report how much revenue they generate through the program and how those funds are spent. Under our bill, the State Department of Health would make that information publicly available so patients, taxpayers and lawmakers could better understand whether the program is fulfilling its mission.

Patients who generate substantial 340B revenues for hospitals often have no idea the program even exists. Hospital patients rarely see those savings reflected at the pharmacy counter or in their medical bills, and there is currently no clear public accounting of where the money generated by the program ultimately goes.

That demonstrates a clear need for transparency in the system.

As a breast cancer survivor, I understand that a cancer diagnosis takes a physical and emotional toll on the patient and their family. Expensive treatments are often unavoidable, and no one battling cancer should have to question whether they can afford the care needed to survive. But people battling cancer often do face financial hardship as medical bills, prescription costs, transportation expenses and lost income

add up. Nearly half of cancer patients and survivors have medical debt, and cancer patients are five times more likely to experience bankruptcy.

Programs intended to support vulnerable patients should be accountable to the public and focused on delivering measurable benefits to the people they were created to serve. New Yorkers and policymakers should have a full accounting of whether hospitals are or are not using these resources to reduce patient costs, expand charity care, improve access to treatment, and strengthen health care services in underserved communities. And if those benefits are not reaching patients, we need to have honest conversations about how to fix and improve the program. Patients and families are already carrying enormous emotional and financial burdens. We need to make sure that medication discount programs are there to provide relief — not to simply boost the revenues of large health care systems. New Yorkers deserve to know whether a program created to lower costs and expand access to care is truly delivering on that promise.

Siela Bynoe represents the 6th State Senate District.

Also serving Roosevelt

Established 1935

Incorporating the Freeport Leader in 2013

Andrew FrAncis

Reporter

John LAibAch

2 Endo Boulevard

Garden City, NY 11530

Phone: (516) 569-4000

Fax: (516) 569-4942

Web: www.liherald.com

E-mail: freeporteditor@liherald.com

Investing in libraries pays dividends all year

Summer has a way of reminding us about the simple pleasures in life. For many, that means relaxing on the beach with a good book, spending time with family or finding fun ways to stay cool during the hottest days of the year.

But while a great novel may be the perfect beach companion, the local public library offers so much more than books. It is one of the smartest and most valuable investments any community can make.

Libraries have evolved far beyond quiet reading rooms lined with shelves full of books. They are vibrant community centers that welcome residents of every age and every background. They’re places where curiosity is encouraged, lifelong learning is celebrated and neighbors come together at author readings, musical performances and movie screenings.

Summer is one of the busiest times of the year for libraries. Children who might otherwise lose valuable academic skills during the school break can take part in summer reading programs intended to keep their minds engaged while making learning fun.

Teens can explore new interests through workshops, volunteer opportunities and technology programs. Adults can attend lectures, careerdevelopment seminars, financial-literacy classes and cultural events. Seniors can take part in social gatherings, edu-

letterS

Home improvement solicitations are not only annoying, but illegal

To the Editor:

Last week, two seemingly pleasant salespeople representing a home improvement company rang our doorbell with the same old pitch: ”We’re working in the neighborhood and noticed your windows could use replacement,” yada, yada, yada. Of course, they told us how much they liked our house. Sound familiar? At that point we cut them off, recognizing the solicitation we get every few months. I would say they were courteously aggressive. Need I mention that it was dinnertime and, given a choice, I would rather sit down to dinner than answer my door and listen to the pitch. I decided to follow them across the street to inform them that we have a village code that prohibits all solicita-

cational presentations and wellness activities that help combat isolation while strengthening community connections.

Libraries are free public spaces open to everyone. They provide safe, air-conditioned environments in which families can spend time together, students can study, remote workers can focus and anyone can simply enjoy a quiet place to read, learn or reflect.

These services don’t disappear when summer ends. Throughout the year, libraries host civic meetings, support groups, educational workshops, cultural performances, technology training, tax-preparation assistance, job search resources and countless other programs that strengthen the social fabric of our communities. They serve as gathering places where ideas are exchanged, friendships are formed and local organizations find a home.

Elected officials deserve recognition when they prioritize funding for public libraries. Public investments often bring to mind roads, bridges or major construction projects, and those investments certainly matter. But investments in libraries produce returns that cannot always be measured in dollars. Whether funding is for the renovation of a community room to expand programs and services or a much larger capital project that overhauls the entire building, libraries aim to improve educational outcomes, encour-

age civic engagement, reduce social isolation, create stronger, more connected communities, and make their facilities more welcoming, accessible and functional for everyone who walks through their doors.

These projects also reflect a broader truth: Investments in libraries are investments in people. Every renovated classroom, meeting space or children’s area creates opportunities for learning, connection and growth that extend well beyond the life of the construction project itself.

At a time when many people worry about loneliness, educational gaps and divisions in society, libraries quietly address each of those challenges every day. They remain one of the few places where everyone is welcome, regardless of age, income or background, and where the only requirement for entry is a willingness to learn.

As summer unfolds, residents should take full advantage of everything their local libraries have to offer. Borrow that next beach read. Sign a child up for a reading challenge. Attend a lecture, explore a new hobby, join a community group or simply spend an afternoon discovering something new.

Every library card opened, every book borrowed and every program attended is a reminder that one of the greatest investments we can make is in institutions that educate, inspire and bring us together.

Biofuels can help decarbonize L.I.’s school bus fleet

as the deadline for school districts to begin purchasing zero-emission school buses loomed, state lawmakers rightfully hit the brakes by delaying the mandate for five years.

The reasons are as clear as they are daunting: the electric grid isn’t ready, charging infrastructure remains scarce compared with ambitious state targets, and the upfront cost of a single electric bus can be triple that of a traditional one.

For long Island school districts already grappling with a high tax burden and unique costof-living challenges, this represents yet another significant financial strain that would fall squarely on local taxpayers. state leaders should be lauded for recognizing these realities. But as officials continue to debate these and other changes to the state’s climate law, we can’t fall into an either-or trap, just as we can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

Letters

tions promoting goods and services. At this point they told me that they had permits. If they worked with permits, it was not in agreement with the Village of Freeport, and I told them that, yet they continued along with their doorbell ringing. I called up the company, Victory Home Remodeling, and the respondent apologized and promised to “look into it.”

Empire is another home improvement company that goes door to door, in violation of our ordinance. This practice is officially identified as disorderly conduct, and is punishable by a fine up to $1,000. Perhaps many residents aren’t aware of this governmental protection of their privacy and property rights. If we want to stop this abusive practice of door-to-door marketing, we need to stop answering the door and avoid conversing with salespeople at our doorsteps. If it is a case of disorderly conduct, then call the police. That’s probably the only way to curtail this annoying practice.

MARc JosloFF Freeport

New York already has a solution that has been in use for decades, and is easily deployed: renewable liquid fuels.

Transitioning the existing school bus fleets to renewable diesel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 86 percent immediately. Unlike electric buses, which require specialized chargers and rely on our dangerously thin electric grid, renewable diesel works in the engines we already own. It requires no costly equipment overhauls, no new infrastructure, and performs reliably in cold New York winters.

rfrom entering our air annually. officials aim to complete the conversion of all city-owned vehicles this summer.

New York became the first state in the Northeast to offer the fuel to state agencies, authorities, schools, municipalities and nonprofits in 26 counties, including Nassau and suffolk. still, too few are availing themselves of this resource.

school bus engines we already own.

While the state waits years for the grid to catch up, municipal leaders are already proving that renewable liquid fuels — biodegradable fuel manufactured domestically from vegetable oils, animal fats and recycled restaurant grease — can deliver significantly carbon reduction today without breaking the bank.

New York city is leading the way, having transitioned its fleet of garbage trucks, emergency vehicles and other heavy-duty machines to renewable diesel in 2024, a move expected to prevent 162 million pounds of carbon dioxide

And while much of today’s conversation centers on delays in transportation electrification, concerns about the pace and practicality of electrification are also growing in the homes and buildings sectors, as well as budget-strapped public facilities — especially our schools. consider a high school in Brooklyn where administrators recently replaced traditional heating oil with the renewable fuel alternative, making it the first school in New York city to convert to a heating system running entirely on biofuels. This historic transition to cleaner renewable fuels proves that giving schools and other institutions the flexibility they need to adopt a range of clean-energy solutions — not just electrification — is how the

Framework by Tim Baker

state can continue to make meaningful climate progress while keeping energy reliable and at a manageable price point.

This common-sense approach is what New Yorkers are demanding as they navigate a punishing economy. With affordability continuing to be top of mind and the state grid operator warning of a razor-thin reliability margin that leaves long Island particularly vulnerable to blackouts, a pragmatic, costeffective approach to making environmental progress today is the smart approach for the region’s school districts and the taxpayers and families who support them.

The debate in Albany often presents a false choice between a costly mandate and a climate delay. But a true all-of-theabove approach to energy options being advanced by Gov. Kathy Hochul and some legislators can find an effective middle ground when the right tools are brought into the mix.

The grid will catch up eventually, but our environment and hardworking long Islanders can’t afford to wait. It’s time to choose the solutions that work today.

Rocco J. Lacertosa is CEO of the Hauppauge-based New York State Energy Coalition.

The U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels arrive at Republic Airport to prepare for their performances at Jones Beach — Farmingdale