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Page 5 Vol. 91 No. 37
SEPTEMBER 10 - 16, 2026
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Sensory-friendly family picnic for local children son, Matthew, said events focusing on inclusion are opportunities her family seeks out. “We only have one child, so Siblings Helping Siblings — a Long Island-based nonprofit any special-needs event, we’re created by Roosevelt resident there,” Brett said. Matthew moved around the Maria Tejada — recently hosted its inaugural sensory-friendly picnic area enjoying the activifamily picnic on the lawn of ties he was offered, eventually the John J. Byrne Community settling on a favorite: face Center in Unionpainting. The artist, dale, creating an special-education i n cl u s ive s p a c e teacher Kristen Silwhere children veira, whom Matwith disabilities thew knows from and their families Nassau BOCES, could enjoy a compainted a large flowmunity outing at er on his arm. His their own pace. mother said they S e ve r a l s m a l l are also neighbors details helped make in Wantagh. the Aug. 30 afterBrett explained noon more accessi- KAREN BRETT that finding incluble for f amilies, Wantagh resident sive events can be from quieter music difficult, and larger to sensory toys such gatherings can be as rocks, sand and a sequin overwhelming for Matthew. At board that changed colors with the picnic, he had room to a child’s touch. enjoy himself, and his face lit The setting for the picnic up with a smile several times was intended to reduce some of during the day. His mother said the noise, crowds and other she hoped to find more inclustimulation that can make larg- sive events for him to enjoy. er events overwhelming. About “If there are more events, we 30 people attended the picnic, would love it and go every making for a more intimate weekend,” she said. atmosphere. That experience is what Karen Brett, of Wantagh, Tejada hoped to create when who brought her 14-year-old Continued on page 9
By STACY DRIKS
sdriks@liherald.com
Courtesy Freeport Public Schools
Students and staff return for new school year Columbus Avenue School students pose with their Principal Johanna Medina-Bowers, Superintendent Davis and school board Trustee Alphonso Hardwick. Freeport Public Schools began its 2026-2027 school year at all of its schools on Sept. 2, welcoming students, teachers and other district employees back to the familiar buildings and halls. Story, photos. Page 10.
Still afloat after all these years Freeport and Baldwin families to continue cardboard race By AllYSoN FERRARI aferrari@liherald.com
Ed Phalen’s first attempt at cardboard boatbuilding and racing in Baldwin ended about as well as expected — it was an outright failure. The flimsily built boat was too narrow, and it capsized almost as soon as Phalen climbed aboard it in Milburn Creek. He got back in and managed to paddle a few yards before his creation began to sink, leaving a passing rowboat to tow him — and what remained of the boat — back to shore.
That might have been the end of cardboard boat racing in Baldwin. But Phalen figured out how to build a better boat. Nearly three decades later, Freeport and Baldwin residents have kept the tradition alive. The annual cardboard boat race will return to Milburn Creek on Sunday, continuing the event created by Phalen, now 94, that has spanned three generations of his family and drawn hundreds to the waterfront. Phalen, then the president of the Cross Island Motorcycle Club and a member of the FreeportContinued on page 8
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f there are more events, we would love it and go every weekend.