East Meadow Herald 07-18-2024

HERALD east meadow

New president, board members sworn in for 2024-25 school year

By JoSEPh D’AlESSANDRo jdalessandro@liherald.com

As students and teachers begin to enjoy their summer break, members of the East Meadow School District Board of Education were sworn in at the July 2 reorganization meeting, setting plans in motion for the 20242025 school year.

The purpose of the reorganization meeting was to officially install new and returning board members. This marks the start of the terms for a new board president and vice president, as well as two new trustees, as decided by the May board of education elections.

Jessica Ricco-Simeone was sworn in as president, with David Carl named vice president. Maria Talluto and Nikole De Luca

were selected as board trustees. This is Talluto’s and De Luca’s first terms on the board. The other trustees include Matthew Melnick, Jodi Luce, and Nancy Wildman.

Judy Kandel was sworn in as district clerk; Jeanne Puma as district treasurer; and Kenneth Rosner will serve his second year as superintendent of schools.

“I am excited to start this year off on the right side — we all have things that we hope to accomplish this year for our schools, our community, and, most importantly, our students.” Ricco-Simeone said. “Everyone sitting up here plays a major role in the progress we can make this year, and I look forward to seeing what we can do.”

“I’m proud to sit here with our new board, and my message to the community is Continued on page 2

By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com

It has been three years since the East Meadow Jewish Center merged with the former Temple Beth-El in Bellmore, creating the East Meadow BethEl Jewish Center. Unified by shared spiritual, educational, and social values, the congregation — now made up of roughly 300 family units — quickly became one and began charting a path toward a vibrant future.

Wingly unified, Goodstein said it has always been this way.

e’re really a very vibrant synagogue

Until recently, East Meadow BethEl’s administration consisted of copresidents, co-vice presidents and cotreasurers — made up of members from both synagogues. As of July 1, the first sole president of the Jewish center, Seth Goodstein, began his tenure, alongside Molly Siegel, the new first vice president, Adam Raclaw, the new second vice president, and Jordan Silver, the new third vice president. The treasurer is Barry Marin. Although on paper, the two congregations are now seem -

SEth GooDStEiN President, East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center

“Once we consolidated a few years ago, we were one congregation,” he said. “We became the East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center from the very beginning. As part of the process with the consolidation, the agreements were made — to make sure everything was a seamless as possible, to bring everyone together as one coalesce group — that they were going to have, at least initially for the first two years, co-positions.”

East Meadow Beth-El also has several committees, such as an education committee, finance committee, and membership committee.

“Some of the standing committee chairs were co as well,” Goodstein added.

Things were set up this way, Goodstein explained, to help with the consolidation.

“It was able to address the needs of all the constituents coming in as we went through

Continued on page 4

courtesy East Meadow Union Free School District

Jessica Ricco-Simeone was sworn in as the east Meadow Board of education president during the district’s July 2 reorganization meeting.

Motions passed; Barnum principal announced

clear: for some years now, your voices have not been heard,” Carl said. “We are here to represent the children, parents, and taxpayers of this district. To those who have not felt heard, you now have a voice, a new voice. Welcome to the new East Meadow.”

The newly sworn in board members congratulated recently graduated students and expressed their commitment to meeting high academic standards.

“I would like to congratulate all the graduates of the East Middle School District and East Middle High School, W.T. Clarke High School, W.T. Clarke Middle School and Woodland Middle School,” De Luca said. “Thank you East Middle community members for placing your trust in me to represent your interests on the board of education. It is an honor to be given this opportunity to contribute and make positive changes to our school district.”

Talluto has a similar message to the community she will represent.

“I am honored to sit here today,” Talluto said. “I want to thank you for your support that led me here. I represent you, your children, and our community, and I vow to do so passionately and fairly. I want the best for our children, and for the values of our homes.”

Wildman, whose term on the board expires in June 2025, congratulated the

members of the Class of 2024.

“It was an honor and a pleasure to attend both high school graduations and shake our graduates’ hands as they received their diplomas,” Wildman said. “Their smiles were contagious, and they were so excited to start the next chapter of their lives. Parents, job well done. To our graduates, reach for the stars and follow your dreams.”

After the new members were sworn in, the board approved motions establishing contracts with the educators and service providers for the upcoming school year, as well as codifying amendments to internal auditing procedures. The motions covered topics that are essential for the school’s performance for the upcoming school year. This includes contract resolutions with the

music department, and for the extension of their contract with Whitsons Nutrition LLC, the district’s current food service provider, as well as a motion to approve an amended internal audit corrective action plan.

The board members also formed several committees to manage the district’s education, business, and safety throughout the upcoming school year.

At the meeting, the new principal for Barnum Woods Elementary School, Amanda Sagnelli, was announced. She is the successor to former principal Gregory Bottari, who retired at the end of the school year. Sagnelli was previously principal at Stewart Manor School in Elmont.

The selection of a new principal “was an extremely rigorous process that started in 2006, because in 2006, this young lady was my assistant principal,” Rosner, who formerly worked in Elmont schools, said, “I was principal, and I watched her grow and flourish into an incredible principal and incredible leader.”

Sagnelli’s background is deeply rooted in the East Meadow community, as she was a student at Parkway Elementary, Woodland Middle School and East Meadow High School. The board expects a bright future ahead for Barnum Elementary School under Sagnelli, RiccoSimeone said.

GRADUATE OPEN HOUSE

Tuesday, August 6, 2024 6 p.m.

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For event details and to RSVP, visit hofstra.edu/visit

Courtesy East Meadow Union Free School District

Kenneth rosner, superintendent of schools in east meadow, was sworn in for his second year.

Neil Diamond tribute artist says ‘Hello Again’

By Jack Schwed Intern

Robert Neary returned to his roots, and brought with him a performance that would touch the hearts of thousands. Neary and Long Island-based cover band The Mystic covered Neil Diamond’s greatest hits in Neary’s selfmade tribute show, “So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience,” at Eisenhower Park on July 6.

At 19-years-old, Neary was an aspiring actor, getting his start by taking acting classes at Nassau Community College. While there, he studied the performing arts intensively, hoping that he could one day become a Hollywood star. One of his professors recognized his talent, encouraging him to pursue this dream.

“[He] said to me, ‘What are you doing here?’ He goes, ‘You need to be out in Los Angeles.’ I said that’s my goal, and that was it, that pushed me even further,” Neary said.

His professor’s encouraging words and his own determination inspired Neary to pursue an acting career in Los Angeles. Within only a year of living there, he landed roles in several television shows and even co-starred in the 1987 film “Teen Wolf Too.”

Throughout the next 40 years, his career exploded and he made a few notable appearances, including as a performer in the “Chippendales” show, a lead replacement in the Broadway musical revue “Smokey Joe’s Café,” and in Elton John and Tim Rice’s musical “Aida.”

However, over the course of this period, the business was transforming drastically. A fan of Neil Diamond, he was able to mimic his voice well, so he started putting together the materials for this passion project after gaining overwhelming support from his friends and

family.

And in 2019, the show further came together when Neary attended a Halloween party at a music hall. One of Long Island’s premier cover bands, The Mystic, took the stage. Neary knew immediately that they were exactly what he needed, so he took advantage of this opportunity.

“This guy in the audience wanted to come up and sing and I’m like, ‘Here we go again,’” Sam Bello, head of The Mystic, previously told the Herald. “He played me an audio of him doing a Neil Diamond song and it was uncanny, I almost didn’t believe him. I said, ‘If this is you, I’m interested.’”

Since then, Neary and The Mystic’s Neil Diamond tribute show has taken off, and they have toured the country. As they traveled, selling out numerous venues, Neary has made sure to return to his roots in East Meadow. This show was so well-received that he was invited to perform again at Eisenhower Park for Nassau County’s summer concert series.

People from all across Long Island came to watch this performance, proving how far Neary has come since he was a 19-year-old aspiring actor. Praised as “the most authentic and professional tribute to Neil Diamond,” “So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience” continues to blow crowds away, making it an unforgettable experience for all. The show at Eisenhower Park earlier this month drew a substansial crowd.

In case you missed the recent show, you can catch it again at Merrick Road Park on July 17, through the Town of Hempstead’s summer series events. For more information on Nassau County concerts this summer, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.

Additional reporting by Brian Norman

Tim Baker/Herald photos

The audience was immersed in the performance.

A special guest was introduced and performed alongside Robert Neary and The Mystic.

Robert Neary presented “So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience,” a tribute to Neil Diamond, at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre.

Robert Neary and The Mystic played Neil Diamond’s greatest hits with Neary’s wife Natasha as a guest dancer.

A vibrant future ahead at East Meadow Beth-El

this merging process, the consolidation process, to bring everybody in and make sure that everybody’s concerns from both synagogues were being addressed according to the new constitution so that no one would feel left out,” he said. “It was always the idea that after these initial two-and-a-half years that it would go back to a single position.”

Synagogues are bound by constitutions, which provide a framework for how it is governed, while also ensuring consistency and transparency in operations. East Meadow Beth-El created a new constitution following the merger.

“Nothing’s changed as far as who we are,” Goodstein said of the new administration. “It’s really just moving out of the consolidation process and really cementing now us as a consolidated synagogue. There’s no Temple Beth-El people, there’s no East Meadow Jewish Center people. It’s really been like that for the last few years, but we’re one congregation, with one membership and one board of trustees.”

Goodstein, who was originally part of the East Meadow Jewish Center’s congregation, has been a member of the synagogue for about 25 years, he said. Members of the synagogue’s administration are solely volunteers, and typically a president and the vice presidents will serve two, 1-year terms. Vice presidents will often move up the ranks and assume

Brittany Krilov/Herald

the east meadow Beth-el Jewish Center is a vibrant synagogue, which celebrates two former congregations, now joined together as one. as of July 1, a new administration has taken over, hoping to continue growth and programming. above, members of the congregation enjoy a pre-Shabbat concert on July 12.

the higher title until they reach the presidency. Previously, Goodstein was a vice president about a decade ago, and has also been on the synagogue’s board of trustees, among other volunteer positions he has held.

“The administration, we’re responsible for, together with the treasure or financial secretary, making sure the day-

Second Marriage Planning

In second marriage planning, a co-trustee is sometimes recommended on the death of the first spouse. While both spouses are living and competent they run their trust or trusts together. But when one spouse dies, what prevents the other spouse from diverting all of the assets to their own children? Nothing at all, if they alone are in charge. While most people are honorable, and many are certain their spouse would never do such a thing, strange things often happen later in life. A spouse may become forgetful, delusional or senile or may be influenced by other parties. Not only that, but the children of the deceased spouse tend to feel very insecure when they find out their stepparent is in charge of all of the couple’s assets.

If you choose one of the deceased spouse’s children to act as co-trustee with the surviving spouse there is a conflict that exists whereby the stepchild may be reluctant to spend assets for the surviving spouse, because whatever is spent on that spouse comes out of the child’s inheritance. Then what if stepparent gets remarried? How will the stepchild trustee react

to that event? What if it turns out the stepchild liked the stepparent when his parent was living, but not so much afterwards?

Here is where the lawyer as co-trustee may provide an ideal solution. When one parent dies, the lawyer steps in as co-trustee with the surviving spouse. The lawyer helps the stepparent to invest for their own benefit as well as making sure the principal grows to offset inflation, for the benefit of the deceased spouse’s heirs. The stepparent in this case takes care of all their business privately with their lawyer. The trusts cannot be raided. These protections may also be extended for IRA and 401(k) money passing to the spouse through the use of the “IRA Contract”. Surviving spouse agrees ahead of time that they will make an irrevocable designation of the deceased spouse’s children as beneficiaries when the IRA is left to the surviving spouse, and further agrees that any withdrawals in excess of the required minimum distribution (RMD) may only be made on consent of the lawyer.

Second marriage planning offers numerous traps for the unwary.

ETTINGER LAW FIRM

to-day operations function (at East Meadow Beth-El),” Goodstein said.

Collaborating with the committees and other volunteers, the administration makes sure that the synagogue can hold its regular events and functions throughout the year. Everything is funded by membership dues and fundraisers.

This August marks one year since East Meadow Beth-El welcomed its new spiritual leader, Rabbi Aaron Marsh. Goodstein said while the new administration has only been working with him for a short time, they are looking forward to planning for the high holidays this fall. The synagogue will welcome a cantor, a trained vocalist who can lead congregations in prayer, during the holidays as well.

“This person will be coming in for the holidays, which is very exciting,” Goodstein said. “It’s great to have a new person, we get to see and hear some different tunes and songs, and it really makes for a great three days of the high holidays.”

As East Meadow Beth-El continues to thrive, Goodstein said the administration hopes to maintain the thriving community that defines the congregation.

Quick history on East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center

■ East Meadow Jewish Center founded in 1953

■ Temple Beth-El founded in 1956 in Bellmore

■ The congregations consolidated in 2020, forming East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center

■ The new administration includes President Seth Goodstein, first Vice President Molly Siegel, second Vice President Adam Raclaw, third Vice President Jordan Silver and treasurer Barry Marin

“We are one synagogue,” he said. “We are all one, the East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center. And it’s not to erase anyone’s history — that’s important, and we’ve brought that over from Beth-El. We have their memorial boards, and their torahs that were in their synagogue are now part of our collection which is great.

“We have the history of Beth-El, we have the history of East Meadow, but now we have this,” he said, “and it’s exciting.”

The synagogue is hoping to build its membership and attract new and possibly younger families. Branching from that, enhancements to youth programs may be on the horizon, as well as continuous growth in all sectors of East Meadow Beth-El.

“We’re really a very vibrant synagogue,” Goodstein said. “When you look at the programs that we do, and the different events that we have, it’s really amazing to see how many things are going on.”

Goodstein said if anyone is interested in learning more about the synagogue and its programs, they can call East Meadow Beth-El at (516) 483-4205.

Helping children with Kiwanis toy drive

By BRIAN NORMAN Intern

This summer, the Kiwanis Club of East Meadow will be collecting toys for their first-ever Christmas in July event. The Toy Drive, which began in late June, and will run all the way through July 31, with all collectings and proceeds going to the Nassau University Medical Center’s pediatrics unit.

The Kiwanis Club is a global organization that aims to change children’s lives in their own communities, through international initiatives. The international organization has participated in more than 1.3 million service projects and raised 390 million dollars for families and communities around the globe.

The inspiration for the event came from the yearly donations that the Kiwanis club makes every holiday season. However, over the course of the year, the hospital finds it harder to continue distributing toys. Donna Goldstein, the chairperson of the event, says this initiative will help to keep the donations flowing yearround.

“I have had several conversations with the people from the hospital and everyone likes to donate during the holidays, and they mentioned that they have to distribute toys sparingly throughout the year so that they avoid running out,” Goldstein said. “But during the summer, we find ourselves with fewer toys, books, and pajamas to give out. So I was like, you know what? This would be a great thing at Christmas in July.”

The Kiwanis Club has set up boxes in four different locations throughout the community for people to drop off items, most recently adding JAG Physical Therapy, at 2555 Hempstead Turnpike, as a drop-off location. Additional locations include the East Meadow Baseball and Softball Association Snack Shack at 30 Mer-

The Kiwanis Club of East Meadow has been collecting toys since June for its first-ever Christmas in July event. The donations will be given to the Nassau University Medical center in East Meadow.

rick Ave., Rosenthal, Curry & Kranz at 1600 Front Street and Coldwell Banker American Homes at 1856 Hemsptead Tunrpike.

The club has also set up an Amazon link, which gives people recommended items to purchase for the drive.

The Kiwanis Club is looking for any and all toys for children ranging from infants to 15-years-old. Donations given in the past include board games, dolls, action figures and books. This year, the hospital is also

specifically asking for pajama donations.

“I hope the community is able to rally behind it and donate because, nobody wants to be in the hospital during the summer or at anytime and this is a way of trying to give these children in need a little something to brighten their day,” Goldstein said.

For information on the drive and how to donate, visit the East Meadow Kiwanis Club Facebook page. There, community members can also find a link for the Amazon wishlist.

Courtesy Donna Goldstein

HERALD SPORTS

Ducks pursue second-half turnaround

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

Gutted by roster departures and injuries, the Long Island Ducks completed the first half of the Atlantic League baseball season July 5 with a 30-33 record, 13 games behind the North Division-winning York Revolution.

First-year Ducks manager Lew Ford, the franchise’s all-time hits leader with 1,036 and a key member of three championship teams, witnessed plenty of second-half turnarounds in his 13 seasons and is hopeful for another.

“I try to look at the positives and so far we’ve helped eight guys sign to play either in a Major League organization or professionally overseas,” Ford said. “We’ve had a ton of turnover and some injuries, but I like our roster entering the second half.”

The offense, led by outfielder Tyler Dearden and first baseman Frank Schwindel, did its part through the first 63 games averaging 5.25 runs. Dearden and Schwindel finished first and third in the league in batting, hitting .361 and .353, respectively,

Dearden, who spent his first six professional seasons in the Boston Red Sox organization and played at the Triple-A level in 2023, appeared in 55 first-half games and cracked 12 homers with 46 RBIs and 37 runs. His contract was purchased July 2 by the Minnesota Twins organization.

Schwindel, who has 145 games of Major League experience, appeared in 39 games and belted 11 homers and drove in 38 runs in the first half.

“Those guys were our MVPs in the first half,” Ford said of Dearden and Schwindel.

The most accomplished player Ford has penciled into the lineup is outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., who appeared in 1,182 MLB games and won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2018. He totaled 109 homers, 449 RBIs and 69 stolen bases over an 11-yer career.

A lower body injury forced Bradley Jr. to miss 35 games thus far. When healthy, he’s raked to the tune of a .360 average, 7 homers and 22 RBIs.

Catcher Chance Sisco, with nearly 200 MLB games under his belt, hit a team-leading 14 homers in the first half. Ivan Castillo has been steady with the glove and batted .298 with 6 homers, 23 RBIs and 7 steals in 42 first-half games.

Improving a team ERA of 5.34 and a league-worst .280 opponents’ batting average will go a long way in the Ducks’ chances of getting back to the playoffs. By far their most impressive arm to date is reliever Ramon Santos, who carries a 0.71 ERA with 3 wins (one shy of team leader Stephen Woods Jr.) and 45 strikeouts in 25 innings.

“We have to pitch better and the staff knows that,” Ford said. “They’re all capable.”

Ducks reach 9 million fans all-time

The Ducks welcomed their record 9 millionth fan through the gates of Fairfield Properties Ballpark June 18 prior to their

Tyler Dearden, signed by the Minnesota Twins July 2, hit .361 with 12 homers and 46 RBIs in 55 games with the Ducks.

game against the Staten Island FerryHawks.

“This is another special day in the history of this great franchise,” Ducks General Manager Sean Smith said. “Reaching 9 million fans is a testament to the incredible support from our fan base since we first opened the gates in 2000 and to the fun and excitement Ducks baseball continues to provide Long Islanders every year.”

Five-year-old Ethan Oldham from Islip entered through the West Gate at 5:56 p.m. with his mother, Katie; father, Craig; and baby brother, Nolan. In doing so, Ethan became the 9 millionth fan in franchise history to attend a Ducks game in their home ballpark.

Long Island became the first club in Atlantic League history to reach the milestone attendance figure despite having begun play in the league’s third year of existence (2000). The Ducks are also currently the league’s all-time leader in sold out crowds with 707, have led the league in attendance 17 times and currently lead the league in 2024 attendance as well with an average of more than 4,500.

Ethan was recognized during a VIP onfield ceremony for being the 9 millionth fan. Sheldon Ellison, General Manager of the Levittown P.C. Richard & Son location, presented the lucky fan with a $1,000 gift card to use at any of the Ducks charter sponsor’s locations. In addition, the Ducks presented Ethan with a jersey featuring “9 Million” as the name on the back and the number “24”, representing this season. Ethan threw out a ceremonial first pitch, received a 2024 Ducks team-signed baseball, and he and his family were upgraded to VIP tickets for the night.

Photos courtesy Long Island Ducks

Reliever Ramon Santos pitched to a 0.71 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 25 innings through the season’s opening half.

Last month, eighth graders at W.T. Clarke Middle School in East Meadow were proud to take the next step towards high school during their moving up ceremony at the school’s football field.

News briefs

Students move on to W.T. Clarke High

W.T. Clarke Middle School celebrated as it’s eighth grade class took the next step on their scholastic journey towards high school on June 24.

Eighth graders at Woodland Middle School in East Meadow celebrated three years of hard work during their moving up ceremony at the Salisbury School.

Woodland’s class celebrates graduation

The ceremony took place outside W.T. Clarke Middle School on the football field and welcomed members of the both the Board of Education and school administration to come celebrate this great achievement.

–Brian Norman

Superintendent Kenneth Rosner, Principal Elizabeth Dowling and Assistant Principal Linda Lynch addressed the students with words of encouragement as they look to move up to W.T. Clarke High School this fall. Dowling and Rosner also took turns congratulating students on their many academic achievements throughout the year, with some even getting honored with academic awards.

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Woodland Middle School’s eighth grade students came together to celebrate their moving up ceremony on June 24 at the Salisbury School.

Members of the Board of Education and the school administration came together to celebrate the students hard work throughout the last three years.

Superintendent Kenneth Rosner, Principal Kristi Detor and Board of Education President Matthew Melnick all

came on stage to address the students with words of encouragement as they took their next step.

Detor and Rosner also addressed the students many academic achievements throughout their time at Woodland, with some even being recognized with academic awards during the ceremony.

–Brian Norman

Thomas L. Kearns

Courtesy East Meadow Union Free School District

Courtesy East Meadow Union Free School District

Registration dates won’t help Jewish voters

Two Saturdays in the fall — and one Thursday — will conflict with Shabbat and Rosh Hashana

By NICOLE FORMISANO nformisano@liherald.com

Voter registration programs aim to make voting more accessible for people, and to encourage them to participate in the democratic process. But a recent directive from the state Board of Elections has done just the opposite for Jewish constituents, county executive Bruce Blakeman says.

A statewide voter registration date — this year, Thursday, Oct. 3 — is required by state law. A second, local voter registration program also takes place in Nassau County, but the dates that program may take place is up to the state Board of Elections, rather than the county’s. The state gave the county board two options to choose from: Sept. 28 or Oct. 5. Both are Saturdays.

That makes the voter registration program inaccessible for observant Jewish people, as well as Seventh-Day Adventists, and is antithetical to the program’s purpose of diversity and inclusion, Blakeman said at a news conference last week.

Blakeman appeared with county legislators Bill Gaylor and Mazi Pilip; the Legislature’s presiding officer, Howard Kopel; Comptroller Elaine Phillips and Rabbi Yossi Lieberman, of the Chabad of West Hempstead, on July 11 at Halls

Pond Park, in West Hempstead, to urge Attorney General Letitia James to step in and take action to correct the state election board’s decision.

“We are here in West Hempstead, which has a very large Jewish population,” said Blakeman, who is the county’s first Jewish executive. “And quite frankly, Nassau County is home to probably the third-largest Jewish county in population in the United States, and we

have a very large population of SeventhDay Adventists, especially in the Elmont and Franklin Square areas. So we believe that the state is making a big mistake, and we would ask them to correct that mistake.”

bat is a day for many Jewish people, they are resting, they are going to synagogue, they don’t work, they don’t use phones, they don’t do anything that typically they’d do on a regular day.”

Even the statewide voter registration date of Oct. 3 is problematic for Jewish constituents, Kopel said.

“Nobody’s saying it’s necessarily deliberate,” Kopel said, “but let’s also remember that not only is that Thursday date a workday, it is also, as it happens, the day after Rosh Hashana. It is a fast day. Some people don’t feel well — they’re fasting, they can’t get out, they’re not up to it.”

Because the Saturday dates for the county program were finalized by state legislation, they cannot be changed without legislative action. The state Board of Elections, however, has the power to change the statewide registration program from a Thursday to a Sunday, so it is not on a working day. Blakeman called on James to direct the state board to make that change.

“As we welcome a voter registration program and we encourage everyone to participate in an election, I would expect from our state leadership to be sensitive for Shabbat,” Pilip said. “Shab-

“It should be a very simple thing to do,” Kopel said. “Just go ahead, make the change. And I would also urge our officials to be a little bit more sensitive and a little bit more careful, and think about what you’re doing before you go ahead and do it. Because this was just really careless.”

Courtesy Office of Bruce Blakeman

The State Board of Elections gave Nassau County two Saturdays to choose from for a local voter registration program, making the program inaccessible to observant Jews, County Executive Bruce Blakeman said at a July 11 news conference.

County superintendents honor top students

The Nassau County Council of School Superintendents honored valedictorians and salutatorians from Nassau County public high schools for their outstanding academic achievements during its annual Celebrating Excellence Breakfast at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury last month. The event also served as a tribute to the legacy of James Tolle, former NCCSS Executive Director, who has left an indelible mark on education on Nassau County and across the state of New York.

The Class of 2024 honorees were

joined at the breakfast by their superintendents, principals and family members. As guests arrived, they were greeted by members of the Westbury High School JROTC and enjoyed a musical performance that featured the Roosevelt High School String Ensemble, under the direction of Michael Calvaresi. The Glen Cove High School Chamber Choir, under the direction of Edward Norris, performed the national anthem and “Rock A My Soul” arranged by Stacey Gibbs.

Maria Rianna, superintendent of

Glen Cove School District and president of NCCSS, welcomed guests, introduced the executive committee members and leaders and praised students for their accomplishments.

Keynote speaker Kapil Longani, who serves as senior vice chancellor for legal affairs and general counsel for the State University of New York, shared his experiences growing up as the son of immigrant parents and how the challenges they faced prepared him for a career in public service. He stressed the importance of justice and equity at

home and across the world and reminded students that everyone has the power to facilitate change and make a better future for all.

As the superintendents who serve on the Celebrating Excellence Committee announced the names of each valedictorian and salutatorian along with the colleges they plan to attend and their anticipated majors, each received a plaque to commemorate their outstanding achievements.

–Jordan Vallone

Courtesy Nassau County Council of School Superintendents

Valedictorian and salutatorians from Nassau County were honored by the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents at a breakfast earlier this month. Above, the valedictorians.

Captivating audiences at Noontime Concert

This summer, Eisenhower Park will be hosting various entertainment events, including concerts, movie nights, and international nights. In a flyer shared with Nassau County residents, Bruce Blakeman, the County Executive, said “From thrilling performances to family-friendly movie nights under the stars, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”

Among these exciting events are weekly Noontime Concerts, sponsored by NYU Langone Health. Most concerts occur in the evening, so this offers a convenientlytimed alternative to those who may be unable or unwilling to attend a typical concert, like seniors.

The Harmonizers, the second group of this concert series, delivered an outstanding performance with their nostalgic barbershop style and their dazzling display of vocal talent late last month. They sang

tunes ranging from traditional barbershop to Elton John. According to their website, LongIslandHarmonizers.org, this four-part acapella chorus has existed for over 70 years, entertaining a wide audience at impressive venues, including Citi Field, Old Westbury Gardens, Coe Hall, and even the highly prestigious Carnegie Hall.

Accomplished entertainers like The Harmonizers will continue to perform at these Noontime Concerts, which will take place every Wednesday, 12 p.m to 2 p.m. at Eisenhower Park, Field No. 1, through the end of September. For more information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov/parks or call Parks Administration at (516) 572-0200. For further information on The Harmonizers, visit their website, LongIslandHarmonizers.org.

–Jack Schwed

Tim Baker/Herald photos

The Harmonizers showed off their remarkable voices at a noontime concert, hosted by Nassau County in Eisenhower Park’s Field 1 last month.

Charles Kempton, member of The Harmonizers, was delighted to sing alongside his friends.

The audience enjoyed a soothing and nostalgic performance.

John Pagliaro, member and trustee of The Harmonizers, gave it his all on stage.

Maurice Debar, Director of Long Islnd Harmonizers, was honored to present a fantastic performance under his direction.

STEPPING OUT

Local musicians and fans gather in tribute to the beloved musician

By Karen Bloom

Harry Chapin’s tragic death is now many decades behind us, but his music and philanthropy remain forever enshrined in Long Island’s collective consciousness. Stuart Markus, a longtime fixture on the local folk-acoustic scene, cherishes his role as guardian of Chapin’s legacy, organizing the yearly memorial concert each summer. Markus, who is based in Malverne, remains just as passionate about Chapin’s music and his humanitarian zeal as when he began this tribute event — taking on the role of concert organizer — 21 years ago. It has now moved on from its longtime home at Chapin’s namesake theater in Eisenhower Park — following last year’s well-publicized kerfuffle with Nassau County officials — to the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Huntington’s Heckscher Park. Some 30 musicians will gather with fans on Sunday, July 21, regrouping for this year’s edition of “Just Wild About Harry.”

“I’ve long thought it would be wonderful and extremely appropriate to do the show in Huntington, where Harry and Sandy lived and raised their family,” Markus says. “Harry is still held in such beloved regard by residents of the town and public officials at all levels.”

Despite the years that have passed since Chapin’s shocking death on the Long Island Expressway en route to his ill-fated performance in Eisenhower Park in July 1981, the man and his music still resonates. In fact, several show regulars were among the crowd when what was supposed to be a joyous event turned into a vigil, according to Markus.

“Harry is so beloved in memory on Long Island,” Markus says. “You don’t have to look too hard to find someone who met him, whose school he did a benefit for, or someone who’s been helped by one of his charities. It’s so meaningful for the music community to come together and, in effect, do the concert he might have given.”

And come together they do — year after year. “I never expected it would go on this long,” Markus says. “When I first started doing the show I thought it would run its cycle. Instead, each year it keeps growing and keeps getting better. It’s such a wonderful concert and everyone has a great time, which is a tribute to what a great man he (Chapin) was.”

• Sunday, July 21, 7 p.m.

Admission is free.

• Heckscher Park, located off Main Street (Route 25A) and Prime Avenue, Huntington

• Long Island Cares’ staff and volunteers will be collecting donations of nonperishable food at a tent at the entrance to the Chapin Rainbow Stage

The troubadour’s song catalogue is creatively interpreted by each act, who make it their own, while honoring Chapin. “We’ve had some amazing arrangements, from folky to country, torch-song style to hard rock,” adds Markus. “Throughout the two decades that we’ve been presenting the show, I’ve always encouraged everyone to make the songs fresh, however they imagine them. They’re not just reproducing them the way Harry did.”

Markus is pleased to welcome Chapin’s daughter, singer-songwriter Jennifer Chapin, in her first performing appearance at this year’s concert. She’ll do “I Wanna Learn a Love Song,” which tells

the story

“It means a lot to her and the family that we’re doing this in Huntington, where they grew up,” Markus adds.

In another first, the lineup also includes Cantor Lisa Wharton, of Temple Beth Emeth in Mount Sinai, who appears with her husband, percussionist Akiva Wharton, and Cantor Judy Merrick, of Plainview Jewish Center. They’ll perform “I Wonder What Would Happen,” which Markus describes as very appropriate as “it’s a spiritual, gospel feeling song.”

Also Cantor Talya Smilowitz, with Oyster Bay’s Congregation L’Dor V’Dor, also graces the stage; Markus accompanying her for “Saturday Morning.”

“She has an amazing voice and in the chorus melody it just soars,” he enthuses.

Also participating, as always, are stalwarts of the local music community — including returnees Roger Street Friedman, Frank Walker, Patricia Shih and Stephen Fricker, Robinson Treacher, MediaCrime, Judith Zweiman, Martha Trachtenberg, Robin Greenstein, Christine Solimeno, and Grand Folk Railroad. They are joined, of course, by Markus, who performs with his longtime trio Gathering Time.

As is their signature, Markus, with Gathering Time, arrive on stage at the end to conclude the concert. They’ll perform “Cat’s in the Cradle,” which marks its 50th anniversary this year; also on the “Verities & Balderdash” album. Then, as always, in the true spirit of Harry Chapin, Gathering Time is joined by the entire group for their annual rendition of “Circle,” Chapin’s traditional closing.

More than just a concert, the free event, of course, involves a food drive. Concertgoers are asked to bring donations of nonperishable items to support Long Island Cares, the regional food bank and humanitarian organization Chapin founded n 1980.

Bring seating to the concert, held rain or shine. It will also be livestreamed on Facebook and the Harry Chapin Foundation YouTube channel.

Courtesy Keith Rossin

Top photo: Gathering Time’s Stuart Markus leads his fellow musicians in the spirited tribute.

Courtesy Doug Otto

Bottom photo: Everyone gathers to salute Harry

Comic showcase

Laugh the night away at Mom’s Night Out, presented Long Island Comedy Festival. You’ll enjoy standup delivered by four clever comics. Talia Reese, (pictured) an Orthodox woman, is one of the edgiest comedians on the circuit. Also a lawyer and a mom, she’s more than capable of not only wearing many hats, but mixing offbeat comedy, motherhood and Orthodox Judaism together. She’s joined by Carla Ulbrich, a singersongwiting comedian known as a “professional smart-aleck, with a love of the absurdities of ordinary life; Rockville Centre’s own Laura Patton, who encourages everyone to laugh along with her as she lives her dream; and national headliner Maria Walsh, “America’s Naughtiest Mommy,”known for her quick wit.

Thursday, July 18, 8 p.m. $45. Madison Theatre, Molloy University, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. Tickets available at MadisonTheatreNY.org or call (516) 323-4444.

His ‘New York State of Mind’

and their

during the rousing finale that closes the

Mike DelGuidice is, of course, forever known for his connection to Billy Joel. One of Long Island’s most celebrated singer/songwriters continues his “residency” on the Paramount stage, DelGuidice and his band always give it their all, especially when playing the iconic Billy Joel songs. Like his idol, DelGuidice has become one of the area’s most popular performers, balancing his schedule between doing his own thing and touring with Joel. DelGuidice, as with Joel, grew up mastering several instruments including bass guitar, guitar, piano, and drums. He’s renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge of the Joel catalog, which caught the attention of Joel himself, who ultimately brought him on stage with him. DelGuidice and his band pack hit after charttopping hit, along with his own tunes in a high energy show that’s always a crowd pleaser.

Friday and Saturday, July 19-20, 8 p.m. $60, $40, $25, $20. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

of Chapin meeting his future wife Sandy Cashmore in 1966

romance. It was included on his 1974 album “Verities & Balderdash.”

Chapin

concert.

July 26

‘Cold Beer on a Friday Night’

Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band are back on the Paramount stage, Friday, July 26, 8 p.m., with their beachy vibe. With summer in full swing, keep the mood going with their “Ultimate Beach Party Tribute” to Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett and Zac Brown Band. Parrotheads, No Shoes Nation and the Zamily: it’s 5 o’clock somewhere so let’s ‘raise ‘em up and sing along.

The Long Island based band — guided by Paul C. Cuthbert (aka Jimmy Kenny) on lead vocals/ acoustic guitar, with Linn DeMilta (aka Lovely Linn), lead and backing vocals, Luis Rio, lead guitar/ backing vocals, Frank Stainkamp, keyboard/backing vocals, Dan Prine, bass, and drummer Mike Vecchione, have been celebrating the beach country sounds of Buffett, Chesney and Zac Brown Band for over a decade, spreading their vibe up and down the Northeast. Everyone has a great time grooving to their lively mix of their popular sing-along hits and feel good, easy living flair. It’s a show that connects everyone to good times and good friends. And, of course, you’ll know all the tunes. If you like your toes in the sand, wasting away with a margarita or a cold beer, then you’ll surely have a great time with the Jimmy Kenny Band. $35. $25, $20, $15. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

Movie Night

Enjoy a family film outdoors on Eisenhower Park’s big screen, Wednesday, July 31, dusk, at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. See the recent 3D animated musical fantasy “Trolls 3: Trolls Band Together.” The film serves as the threequel to Trolls, the sequel to Trolls World Tour, and the continuation of DreamWorks Trolls franchise. Eisenhower Park, Lakeside Theatre, East Meadow. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.

Alliance MC Annual Life Ride 2024

Alliance Motorcycle Club holds their annual Life Ride, at Eisenhower Park, Field #1, on Sunday, July 28, at noon. Event includes an escorted parade run and an after party with music, food, and raffles. Registration to join the ride costs $20. Proceeds benefit Phoenix House, a national nonprofit drug and alcohol rehabilitation organization. For more information, visit @ AllianceMCNY on Facebook.

Tunes in the garden

Enjoy the glorious grounds of Old Westbury Gardens and listen to some stirring sounds, as Old Westbury Gardens’ summer music series continues, Sunday, July 21, 3-4 p.m. The Cambiata Cello Duo performs compositions spanning styles and centures at the Barn. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.

Long Island Psychics offers oneon-one private readings over dinner at the East Meadowbased Italian Restaurant La Novella, Tuesday, July 23, at 6:30 p.m. $75 per person, includes both the reading and a full dinner, consisting of salad, pasta, an entree, and a dessert. 364 E. Meadow Ave. For reservations, call (516) 794-6248. For more information, call or text Brenda Lee at (516) 4441975.

LI

Minority Millennials host over 1,200 youth at Nassau Coliseum for 2nd annual “We Are the Future Summit” powered by Sands NY to empower the next generation of change-makers

Minority Millennials, a nonprofit civic and youth development organization, hosted its 2nd annual "We Are the Future Summit," on Friday, May 31 at Nassau Coliseum. Powered by Sands NY, the summit featured an enriching lineup of groundbreaking sessions, keynote presentations from thought leaders, elected officials, and influencers.

Additionally, the event showcased live performances by the 80 member Uniondale Marching Band & Steppers, Uniondale Jazz Band and Hempstead High School graduate Rising HipHop Star Chow Lee, adding a dynamic cultural element to inspire and engage attendees.

As the title sponsor, Sands NY is integral to the summit, supporting a new initiative to create a diverse local talent pipeline through preapprenticeships and procurement opportunities connected to their proposal for a multi-billiondollar integrated resort at the Nassau Hub. This collaboration will enable Minority Millennials to further their mission of empowering young people of color with access to jobs, wealth building, and enhanced civic engagement.

Ron Reese, Senior Vice President of Global Communications and Corporate Affairs at Las Vegas Sands, added, "This partnership

who we are:

exemplifies our commitment to not only develop a world-class entertainment and hospitality facility but also to invest in the local workforce and community. We are excited to see how this summit will open doors for many young professionals across Long Island."

Dan Lloyd, Founder and President

of

Minority Millennials, highlighted the summit’s comprehensive approach: "We are thrilled to bring together an eclectic mix of culture, policy, and professional development at this year's summit. Alongside the inspiring talks and sessions, we will host a vibrant array of performances that reflect the cultural richness of our community."

Haugland Group and Vineyard Offshore led as Workforce Development and Clean Energy Sponsors, that helped to feature an extensive career fair, providing attendees the chance to connect with leading companies and organizations from emerging industries such as offshore wind, construction, manufacturing, and more. The career fair will include opportunities for on-the-spot job applications, interviews, and networking, helping to bridge the gap between Long Island’s youth and local economic opportunities.

Although entrepreneurship is popular with a lot of young people, Billy Haugland II said not to count out trade careers such as construction and touted the benefits of a union job. He’s CEO of Haugland Group in Melville, an infrastructure services holding company.

“The wages are typically 20- to-50 percent

Continued on page 4

The developer of a proposed multi-billion-dollar flagship hospitality and entertainment project on Long Island

Photo provided by Sands

Photo: On May 31, more than 1,200 people attended the “We Are the Future Summit” sponsored by Sands NY.

Las Vegas Sands and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund host 15 HBCU students for annual Immersive Las Vegas Experience

The Sands Hospitality Immersion Program aims to create pathways to careers in hospitality and tourism for students from historically Black colleges and universities.

Las Vegas Sands and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) hosted 15 students representing 10 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) from around the country in the second annual Sands Hospitality Immersion Program, June 16-22 in Las Vegas.

Sands and TMCF, the only national organization exclusively representing the Black college community, established the Sands Hospitality Immersion Program to encourage interest in travel, tourism and leisure by exposing HBCU students to the inner workings of the Las Vegas hospitality industry.

The 15 rising junior and senior students selected for the exclusive summer program include Joshua Lee, Alabama A&M University; Waneysha Louissaint, Bethune-Cookman University; Tori Carlisle, Coppin State University; Fatima Diallo, Eli Pearson, Salimah Scott and Morayo Adeyemi, Howard University; Mya Mendoza and Denise White-Scott, Morgan State University; Hizikiel Holloman and Trevor Elliott, North Carolina A&T State University; Christian Nettles, North Carolina Central University; Zora Cunningham, Tuskegee University; Malaysia Jones, Virginia Union University; and Darryl Quick, Jr., Winston-Salem University.

Students are studying a range of majors including business, computer science, communications, finance, hospitality management, information technology, marketing, sales and supply chain management. They will receive a deep introduction to the travel, tourism and leisure industry and its wide range of professional positions, to inspire them to consider one of the world’s fastest-growing and largest employment fields.

“As a sales and marketing major, this experience will help me to better understand customer engagement,” said Zora Cunningham, a Tuskegee University student and immersion program participant. “By understanding this crucial practice in hospitality, I can apply these strategies to broader marketing efforts. This experience will also help me build valuable connections, gain practical insights and develop a deeper appreciation for personalized service and attention to detail.”

The multi-day experience is being curated by the Harrah College of Hospitality’s Sands Center for Professional Development at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Program elements include on-campus learning sessions with college faculty, industry speakers and interactive activities such as a cooking competition led by the college’s executive chefs. Over the course of the program, student participants will receive special insider tours of integrated resorts, convention spaces and sports venues.

In addition, students will visit Sands’ corporate headquarters to hear from professionals who will outline their experience in a wide range of disciplines and provide insights into the realm of professional services within the hospitality industry.

The travel, tourism and leisure industry continues to experience tremendous job growth and encompasses many professional positions. Beyond traditional hospitality tracks in hotel operations or restaurants, meetings and venue management, the industry offers career opportunities in finance, marketing, sales, human resources, information technology, legal and

other professional service fields.

“The Sands Hospitality Immersion is a transformative initiative designed to give HBCU students unparalleled access and exposure to the dynamic field of hospitality. This program not only broadens their career horizons but also equips them with the essential skills and networks needed to thrive in a competitive industry. By fostering a deeper understanding of hospitality, we are empowering the next generation of leaders to drive innovation and excellence in this vital sector,” said Tristin Rainey, senior manager of learning and talent at TMCF. Sands established the Sands Hospitality Immersion Program as part of the Sands Cares global community engagement program. It is one of the company’s many education and workforce development initiatives, which include contributions to and partnerships with higher education institutions, funding for scholarship programs, on-property and industry-supported training opportunities for students and hospitality professionals, and mentorship and instruction from company leaders and experts. “The Sands Hospitality Immersion Program advances two of our core initiatives – helping to build a highly skilled, diverse workforce in the hospitality industry and fostering opportunities and advancement for young people from traditionally underrepresented groups,” said Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs, who spearheads corporate responsibility initiatives at Sands. “We hope this unique experience will inspire this talented group of students to consider the many opportunities the hospitality industry offers.”

Sands New York honored by United Way

Over 600 people turned out to the United Way’s 2024 “United in Purpose” Gala, where Sands New York was honored as the Corporate Impact Champion. To introduce the award, the organization showed a video of Theresa Regnante, President and CEO of United Way of Long Island driving with Former New York State Governor and Sands Senior Vice President David Paterson.

The segment included a conversation with two United Way beneficiaries, Matthew Knoblock, an alumni of United Way’s Power Up! Program, which led him to his position with PSEG Long Island; and Jennefer Maldonado, who received a DREAMS Scholarship to help get her through her college education, leading to her career with Brookhaven National Laboratory. Both Matt and Jennefer thanked United Way and Sands New York for the support they received as they pursued academic and professional goals.

Sands Senior Vice President Ron Reese was on site to accept the award, praising the United Way’s

work in the Long Island community. “Sands New York is proud to partner with United Way to help provide critical assistance for families and individuals throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties.”

Sands New York celebrates PRIDE Month with the LGBT Network

On June 9, 2024 the Sands New York team joined the LGBT Network to celebrate PRIDE on Long Island. The event, held annually in Huntington, drew in more people than ever before making it the largest Long Island Parade ever, according to organizers thousands turned out to celebrate the LGBTQ+ and allies of the community and to enjoy a variety of vendor booths, live music, food trucks, games and entertainment, and fun for everyone.

“Sands has a proud history of supporting, employing and welcoming those within the LGBTQ+ community, and we are extremely proud to partner with the LGBT Network to celebrate June as PRIDE month,” said Tracey Edwards, Senior Vice President and Corporate Social Responsibility Officer for Sands New York. “If built, the proposed Sands New York project will carry on our legacy of equity and opportunityand it will be a space where every Long Islander

can feel safe and free to be their full authentic selves.”

Sands was a platinum sponsor of the event and managed several booths within the festival area, where they spoke to festival-goers and handed out water bottles, frisbees and lip balm.

LI TODAY

more than a job that’s not unionized, and there’s health care, retirement benefits. …” Haugland said. “It can give you the stability to let your entrepreneurial passions rise.”

“Clean energy not only preserves our environment for future generations, but it holds immense potential for sustainable and equitable career paths for youth and people early in their careers,” said Andrea Bonilla, Senior Manager of External Affairs at Vineyard Offshore. “We are proud to partner with Minority Millennials to help make this clean energy future a reality.”

Founded in 2017, Minority Millennials, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to bridging the gap between policy and culture. Their mission is to help young people of color access, jobs, build wealth and become civically engaged.

Sands returns to East Meadow Day 2024

The East Meadow Community turned out in droves to celebrate East Meadow Community Day this year. The annual event is organized by the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce and local businesses to give back to the community.

The Sands New York Team joined in as a sponsor, providing refreshments, enjoying the music and reveling in the spirit of giving back. The team joined in on the pie-eating contest and the color run, and supplied a face painter to add to the messy fun!

Ted Rosenthal, East Meadow Community Day 2024 Chairperson said, “Thank you to the Sands team for once again supporting our East Meadow Community Day, now in our 34th year. Not only did they bring an unlimited supply of refreshments but ensuring that the sound system reached all of our participants was a tremendous asset. We were thrilled that you joined us in what was our best Community Day yet.”

Dramatic Play

Theatre Playground returns to Long Island Children’s Museum with “Dramatic Play!,” Monday, July 22, 1 p.m., taught by Lisa Rudin, Director of Theatre Playground. In this interactive, theater-inspired workshop, children will act out an original story and help choose how it unfolds. Music, props, and sound effects create a theatrical world where participants are immersed in the story.

Children express themselves as they create characters, explore different worlds, stretch their imaginations and build selfconfidence.This week’s theme: Pirates and Princesses to the Rescue. Costumes encouraged. $5 with museum admission. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

Summer tunes

‘Take it on the Run’ when the Town of Hempstead’s Neighborhood Concert Series continues with Speedwagon: The REO Experience, Friday, July 19, 8 p.m. The band performs at Speno Park. 745 East Meadow Ave.

Best of Broadway

Sounds of the Great White Way return to Eisenhower Park with Neil Berg’s “100 Years of Broadway,” Saturday, July 20, 7-9 p.m., at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre. The lively musical revue, hosted by Neil Berg, on piano, shares those dynamic showstopping tunes performed by a cast of Broadway actors and actresses. These energetic talents light up the stage with songs from the hit shows in which they starred.

Berg presents creatively revived arrangements of Broadway classics as well as thrilling numbers from some of the newest hits, along with his fascinating commentary and historical notes in between songs. Bring seating. Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.

Having an event?

Bingo at Beth-El

Get your game on at a weekly bingo game at East Meadow Beth-El Jewish Center starting at 6 p.m. Prizes, progressive games, bell jar prizes and refreshments will be provided. Proof of vaccination is required. 1400 Prospect Ave., in East Meadow. For information, contact (516) 4834205.

Pet Adoption Program

Adopt your “fur-ever” friend this summer. There’s no better time to adopt a new pet than during the ”summer of love” at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter. Now through Sept. 1, all pet adoption fees are waived and include free spaying/ neutering, vaccinations and microchipping. There is a $10 license fee for dogs. Check out the friendly faces of the dogs and cats before stepping foot in the shelter online at HempsteadNY. gov/179/Animal-Shelter or on the shelter’s Facebook page at Hempstead Town Animal Shelter. For more information, contact (516) 785-5220.

Items on The Scene 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 thescene@liherald.com.

A. BLAKEMAN

On exhibit

Nassau County Museum of Art ‘s latest exhibition “Seeing Red: Renoir to Warhol,” reveals the many meanings, connotations, and associations of this powerful color in art. Evoking strong emotion, red can represent the human condition. Its myriad variations have come to signify authority as well as love, energy and beauty. Red warns us of peril and commands us to stop, but it can also indicate purity and good fortune. Red boldly represents political movements and religious identities. From the advent of our appreciation for this color in antiquity to its continued prominence in artistic and popular culture, this exhibition will span various world cultures through a range of media. It features more than 70 artists, both established and emerging, ranging from the classical to the contemporary. American portraitists such as Gilbert Stuart imbued red in their stately paintings of prominent individuals to conjure authority.

Robert Motherwell, Ad Reinhardt, and other major abstract painters displayed a deep fascination with red in their commanding compositions that evoke a sense of chromatic power. And, of course, Andy Warhol is known for his bold and imposing silkscreened portrait of Vladimir Lenin saturated in bright red to his signature Campbell’s Soup Cans. It opens July 20 and is on view through Jan. 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

St. Raphael Parish Line Dancing

St. Raphael Parish invites all to an afternoon of dance and exercise at St. Raphael’s School Auditorium, Saturday, July 20, 1-4 p.m. Admission costs $7. Proceeds benefit St. Raphael Parish. Light refreshments will be served. 600 Newbridge Road. For more information, call Maria Coz at (516) 781-9003 or Jane Asuncion at (516) 640-0066.

Nature Journaling Workshop

Learn the basics of nature journaling with James S. Sisti, author of “A Field Guide to Nature Journaling,” at East Meadow Public Library, Monday, July 22, starting at 6:30 p.m. All adults and families with children ages 10 and up are welcome. Registration is required. 1886 Front St. For more information, visit EastMeadow.info or call (516) 7942570, Option 3.

NOONTIME CONCERTS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24TH | 12:00PM-2:00PM

TANGERINE

EISENHOWER PARK

FREE ADMISSION | Bring Blankets or Chairs Weather permitting, call 516-572-0200 for up-to-date information.

Before the event, be sure to check out Nassau’s top-notch Restaurants, Golf Courses, Beaches and Shopping. Nassau is back and open for business!

A Mineola rededication for Nassau’s 125th

By ROKSANA AMID ramid@liherald.com

Despite pouring rain outside the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola on July 12, there was a joyful rededication ceremony for the building, a highlight of Nassau County’s yearlong 125thanniversary celebration. Attendees reflected on the county’s journey from its separation from New York City, in 1899, to its present-day status as one of the bestknown, busiest, most vibrant and culturally diverse counties in the United States.

Moderated by County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the event brought together elected officials, local historians, and Tweed Roosevelt, the great-grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt, to honor the rich history and legacy of both the county and the former president.

“Today we reaffirm our commitment to the memory of Theodore Roosevelt, a great president, a great governor, a police commissioner, a state legislator,” Blakeman said. “Someone who was a war hero, and someone who overcame tremendous adversity to achieve so many great things.”

The county’s origin story was, in effect, an act of secession, according to historians. In 1898, when New York City annexed Queens County, its three eastern towns — Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay — pushed to split away, drawing an invisible boundary between themselves and the newly expanded city. On Jan. 1, 1899, Nassau County was born, and its suburban future firmly secured.

The county building, designed by the architectural firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon, best known for designing the Empire State Building, is historically significant, because then Gov. Teddy Roosevelt himself helped lay the cornerstone in 1900. When U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi was

Tim Baker/Herald

Tweed Roosevelt, President Theodore Roosevelt’s greatgrandson, honored the rich history and legacy of both the county and the former president.

serving as county executive in 2002, he announced that the building, a former county courthouse, would be renamed in honor of Roosevelt.

In 2005, a replica of a 17-foot statue of Roosevelt that stands on Theodore Roosevelt Island, in the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., was installed outside the building in Mineola. Now the statue’s plaque recognizes the county’s historic milestone.

Roosevelt’s legacy as a public servant and leader is extensive. He was born in New York City on Oct. 27, 1858, into a wealthy family. Though he was frail and asthmatic as a child, he was determined to pursue a vigorous lifestyle that would define most of his life.

Roosevelt’s education was a mix of private tutoring and formal schooling, culminating in his graduation

from Harvard in 1880. His political career began with his election to the State Assembly in 1882, where he earned a reputation as a reformer. As president of the New York City Board of Police Commissioners in 1895, he fought corruption and modernized the police force through hands-on inspections and reforms.

Appointed assistant secretary of the Navy in 1897, Roosevelt prepared the Navy for the Spanish-American War, and subsequent leading the Rough Riders, the first U.S. volunteer cavalry. His heroism propelled him to the governorship of New York in 1898, where he implemented significant labor, health care and conservation reforms.

Roosevelt’s New York-honed leadership led to the vice presidency in 1900, and the presidency just a year later, when William McKinley was assassinated. His progressive policies, including trust-busting and conservation efforts, were influenced by his New York experiences.

Roosevelt’s connection to New York remained strong throughout his life. His home at Sagamore Hill, in Oyster Bay, was his retreat as well as a hub of intellectual and political activity, and played a large role in his personal and political life. The name of the main house on the 150-acre estate, which he bought in 1880, is Native American for “chief,” and it was the scene of many milestones in Roosevelt’s life, from family moments to political decisions.

“He spent the better part of his life here,” his greatgrandson, Tweed Roosevelt, said during the event. “He’s reputed to have said on the day he died to his wife, ‘Dear, you have no idea how much I love Sagamore Hill.’”

“Teddy Roosevelt is a man that we all should try to emulate,” Scott Fairgrieve, president of the Nassau County Historical Society, said. “He was a family man. He was a great president of the United States, and he loved this country.”

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, -againstADAN SALGUERO, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau on November 16, 2022, wherein U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST is the Plaintiff and ADAN SALGUERO, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on July 30, 2024 at 2:00PM, premises known as 740 BARRY PLACE, UNIONDALE, NY 11553; and the following tax map identification: 50-360-23.

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 613459/2019. Mark Ricciardi, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 147664

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to New York State Town Law Article 16, New York State Public Officers Law Article 7, and the Town of Hempstead Building Zone Ordinance, NOTICE is hereby given that the BOARD OF APPEALS of the Town of Hempstead will hold a public hearing in the Old Town Hall, 350 Front Street, Room 230, Second Floor, Hempstead, New York on 07/24/2024 at 9:30 A.M. to consider the following applications and appeals:

THE FOLLOWING CASES WILL BE CALLED STARTING AT 9:30 A.M.

495/24. - 499/24. EAST MEADOW - John & Laura Poplawski, Variance, front yard setback, maintain wood deck forward of the dwelling abutting the Meadowbrook State Parkway; Special exception to maintain 2nd accessory structure (shed) & not permitted in the side yard; Special exception to maintain 3rd accessory structure (carport) forward of the dwelling, exceeding horizontal maximum on both sides & with less than required side yard setback; Maintain pool & pool equipment not permitted in front yard abutting the Meadowbrook State Parkway; Maintain 10’ high fence forward of the dwelling abutting the Meadowbrook State Parkway., W/s Richmond Rd., 397.63’ N/o N. Jerusalem Rd. running thru to Meadowbrook State Parkway, a/k/a 922 Richmond Rd. 500/24. LEVITTOWNAshok K. & Amita Saini, Mother/Daughter Res. (2nd Kitchen)., E/s Albatross Rd., 100’ N/o Orchid Rd., a/k/a 105 Albatross Rd.

ALL PAPERS PERTAINING TO THE ABOVE HEARING ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN HALL, 1 WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550.

This notice is only for new cases in East Meadow & Levittown within Town of Hempstead jurisdiction. There are additional cases in different hamlets, towns and villages on the Board of Appeals calendar. The full calendar is available at https://hempsteadny.gov/ 509/Board-of-Appeals

The internet address of the website streaming for this meeting is https://hempsteadny.gov/ 576/Live-Streaming-Video Interested parties may appear at the above time and place. At the call of the Chairman, the Board will consider decisions on the foregoing and those on the Reserve Decision calendar and such other matters as may properly come before it. 148005

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 6th day of August, 2024, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 197-5

of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “ARTERIAL STOPS” at the following location:

LEVITTOWN BLUE SPRUCE ROAD (TH 266/24) - STOP -

All traffic traveling north bound on Pinetree Lane shall come to a full stop. BLUE SPRUCE ROAD (TH 266/24) - STOP -

All traffic traveling north bound on Elmtree Lane shall come to a full stop. ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid.

Dated: July 2, 2024

Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR.

Supervisor KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 147996

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and Municipal Home Rule of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing will be held in the Town Meeting Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, New York, on the 6th day of August, 2024, at 10:30 o’clock in the forenoon of that day to consider the enactment of a local law to amend Section 202-1 of the code of the Town of Hempstead to INCLUDE “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” at the following locations: EAST MEADOW COREY LANE (TH 268/24) South Side - NO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the east curbline of Newbridge Road, east for a distance of 60 feet.

INWOOD

LAWRENCE AVENUE (TH 271/24) West SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the north curbline of Pearl Street, north for a distance of 35 feet.

PEARL STREET (TH 271/24) North SideNO STOPPING HERE TO CORNER - starting from the west curbline of Lawrence Avenue, west for a distance of 35 feet.

WEST HEMPSTEAD

HEMPSTEAD AVENUE (TH 253/24) West SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 167 feet north of the north curbline of Coolidge Street, north for a distance of 168 feet.

HEMPSTEAD GARDENS DRIVE (TH 272/24) East Side - NO STOPPING ANYTIME - starting at a point 164 feet south of the south curbline of Hempstead Avenue, south for a distance of 81 feet.

ALSO, to REPEAL from Section 202-1 “PARKING OR STANDING PROHIBITIONS” from the following location: WEST HEMPSTEAD HEMPSTEAD AVENUE (TH 179/23) West SideNO STOPPING ANYTIMEstarting at a point 201 feet north of the north curbline of Coolidge Street, north for a distance of 68 feet. (Adopted 6/20/23) ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard on said proposal at the time and place aforesaid. Dated: July 2, 2024 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR.

Supervisor

KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 147995

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. MICHELLE DEANGELIS, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 5, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on August 20, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 712 Morris Court, East Meadow, NY 11554. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 50, Block 554 and Lot 20. Approximate amount of judgment is $496,728.97 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #617604/2022. Cash will not be accepted. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Jane P. Shrenkel, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff 148053

According to experts, water conservation key this summer

The Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection held a press conference in Nassau County recently to discuss the ongoing water conservation issues this summer as part of their “Our Water Our Lives” messaging campaign.

The commission aims to gather the help of residents in protecting Long Island’s only source of water as well as relieve some of the stresses that infrastructures face with trying to keep up with demand.

“There is no natural resource that is more important to Long Islanders than our drinking water,” said LICAP Chairman Jason Belle. “We all draw our water from the same place and we have a mutual responsibility to protect it. This starts with water conservation, and making just a few simple habit changes to our lawn-watering practices will go a long way toward maintaining the health of our aquifer this summer.”

The number one user of the water supply during peak summer months is the use of irrigation systems. The commission advises all Long Island residents to begin following an odd/ even water schedule, meaning that houses with even numbers would water lawns on even days and odd numbered houses water lawns on odd numbered days.

For more information on the Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection visit OurWaterOurLives.com.

–Brian Norman

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE

Metro Water conservation is key during the summer months, according the Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection. Changing lawn-watering practices can go a long way in mantaining the island’s aquifer system.

Public Notices

479 and Lot 12.

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR CABANA SERIES V TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. ROBERT WINKLER, Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 11, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on August 20, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., premises known as 524 Pontiac Road, East Meadow, NY 11554. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at North Bellmore, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 51, Block

Approximate amount of judgment is $719,717.83 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #616227/2022. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Matin Emouna, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff Firm File No.: 222115-1 148051

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC, Plaintiff against PAMELA PRENTISS F/K/A LAWRENCE STEINBERG, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Stern & Eisenberg, P.C., 20 Commerce Drive, Suite 230, Cranford, NJ 07016 and 1131 Route 55, Suite 1, Lagrangeville, NY 12540. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered May 28, 2024, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on August 19, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 20 Cypress Lane East a/k/a 20 East Cypresss Lane, Westbury, NY 11590. Sec 45 Block 384 Lot 2. All that certain plot, piece, or parcel of land, with the buildings and

improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being at East Meadow, Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $365,014.89 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 613639/2022. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 10th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee shall cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Peter M. Rubin, Esq., Referee File # NY202200000447-1 148036

Courtesy

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EDITOR/REPORTER Part Time & Full Time. The award-winning Herald Community Newspapers group, covering Nassau County's North and South Shores with hard-hitting news stories and gracefully written features, seeks a motivated, energetic and creative editor/reporter to join our dynamic (and awesome) team! This education and general assignment reporting position offers a unique experience to learn from some of the best in the business. 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 mhinman@liherald.com

HANDYPERSON WANTED

Immediate Opening at our Garden City Location DESIRED SKILLS: Electrical * Welding * Carpentry Mechanical * Plumbing Part Time/Fulltime (benefits available with full time) $18-$30 per hour based on experience Richner Communications, Inc 2 Endo Blvd Garden City, NY 11530 Send resume to careers@lixtherald.com or Call 516-569-4000 ext 211

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MAILROOM/ WAREHOUSE HELP

Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for a FULL-TIME & PART-TIME mailroom/warehouse helper in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Forklift experience is a plus and heavy lifting is required. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges fromo $16 per hour to $20 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com

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 $33,280 + 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

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 $33,280 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

PERSONNEL CLERK/ ACCOUN T CLERK ASSISTANT. $20-$23 per hour. 17 hours per week. Monday and Tuesdays 9:30-3:30. (remaining shift TBD w/ candidate) Occasional Saturday may be required depending upon payroll schedule Duties include Payroll, Benefits Administration, assisting Account Clerk. Necessary skills: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, strong math skills. Email resume to jkoenig@islandparklibrary.org PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for

Rockaway $710,000

4th Avenue. 2 Story. 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Finished basement. Spacious 2 family house on quiet dead end street. First floor has 3 bedrooms, with eat-in kitchen and living room. Second floor has a large living room and gourmet kitchen with many cabinets, plus 2 bedrooms. Basement recently updated with a bar, family room, laundry, utility room and plenth of extra space. Fenced-in yard with shed. Double driveway with parking for 4 plus cars.

Taxes: $13,862

Franklin Square $860,000

Delmar Avenue. Tudor. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Finished basement. Kitchen with granite countertops. Formal dining room. Den/family room. Security system.

Taxes: $10,668.97

Hewlett Harbor $3,900,000

Thixton Drive. Estate. 9 bedrooms, 8.55 bathrooms. Gourmet chef-style eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Formal dining room. Den/family room. Exercise room with sauna/steam room. Other features include wet bar, guest quarters, elevator, security system.

Taxes: $84,610

Long Beach $1,985,000

W. Penn Street. Colonial. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms. Gourmet eat-in kitchen. Ensuite master bedroom with walkin closet. Three levels of luxury with rooftop deck and lounge. Panoramic city views. Steps away to beach.

Taxes: $11,073

Malverne $675,000

Linmouth Road. Cape. 3 bedroom, 2 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen. Formal dining room. First floor master bedroom.

Taxes: $14,503.12

Merrick $750,000

Hanover Place. Expanded Cape. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Partial finished basement. New eat-in kitchen with stylish farmhouse chic cabinetry and quartz countertops. Formal dining room. Updated great room with fireplace. Updates also include bathrooms and cathedral ceiling. Trex deck overlooking sweeping yard.

Taxes: $14,774.54

siding is melting!

Q. We have a siding problem that nobody, so far, seems able to solve. We added a second floor three years ago, and redid all our siding. The siding representative came after the siding people couldn’t figure out why our siding began to distort and hang, almost as if it had melted. We don’t keep our barbecue near the house because we learned the hard way, after the siding melted, when the barbecue was too close. This is different, and nobody has any idea why our siding is sagging. The representative took pictures but hasn’t gotten back to us. Have you ever heard of this, and is there anything we can do to stop it? We did replace two sections, but after a year it began happening again. We even checked to see if maybe an appliance was overheating indoors, but there’s nothing nearby that could have caused this. Any ideas?

A. I can shed some light on this, literally, by confirming that your siding, is indeed, melting, but for a reason you didn’t mention: the sun. In the past, when there were mysteries like this, they created fear of the unknown, and your may have thought your home was possessed, but as long as the mortgage is paid, the house isn’t possessed, and it won’t be repossessed. I’ve only seen this problem three times over the 50 years I’ve been in the field, and each one was solvable, but with some rethinking and extra expenditure.

If you were to check to see the orientation of the house and monitor where the sun reflects in either the early morning or late afternoon — and I have seen both phenomena — you’d notice that the sun is especially intense at certain angles. In each case I’ve traced, the sun hit an upper window and reflected with great intensity — like holding a magnifying glass over an innocent bug — off a neighbor’s window and back onto the siding of the first house. This “house of mirrors” phenomenon was intense enough to melt the vinyl siding, which simply wasn’t able to resist the heat.

In one case, the solution was to add a trellis to the side of the house to shield it from the sunlight. This can be done with a freestanding trellis instead of puncturing the siding and causing potential leaks with invasive hardware. Ironically, in that case you could be solving one problem while creating another.

You could also add tall shrubs or short trees between the houses if you have the room. The most expensive way is to side the area with a different, more durable, siding material such as cement board, which looks like vinyl siding, brick or stone. As we experience more intense sunlight due to climate change, I anticipate seeing more of this problem, but it’s still rare, because the windows have to align just right, and it usually happens when the sun is oriented to the Earth just right, possibly only twice a year. Good luck!

© 2024 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.

Ask The Architect Monte Leeper

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In a medical emergency, we were in experts’ hands

Iam writing this with the strong encouragement of my wife, Rosemary, who just underwent emergency surgery to remove her gallbladder. She believes it is important to express gratitude to the medical profession, and stress the benefits of early medical attention and detection.

Three Sundays ago, early in the morning, Rosemary began feeling mild but persistent stomach pain and discomfort, which continued into midafternoon. She wasn’t concerned, but she contacted our family physician, Dr. Eric Barth, in Wantagh, to see if he could prescribe something to address her discomfort. Even on a Sunday afternoon, Barth got back to her within minutes.

As she answered his questions, he told her this could well be a serious gallbladder issue, and that she should quickly go to an emergency room for an MRI and blood tests. (Interestingly, it was Barth’s brother, Dr. Michael Barth, a

gastroenterologist, who discovered a cancerous tumor in my stomach wall during a routine endoscopy last year.)

Still not overly concerned and having only mild pain, Rosemary calmly got dressed and sat down in the front seat of our car, which I was driving, joined by our 20-yearold grandson, Jack, who took the back seat. Barely five minutes into the drive to the North Shore University Hospital emergency room, we suddenly realized how accurate Barth’s diagnosis had been. Rosemary was struck with severe abdominal pains, causing her to scream and kick like she never had before, including during labor. At almost the same time, it started raining, and there was an accident on the LIE, which made Waze divert us off the expressway as I tried to maneuver through the rain and reassure Rosemary while Jack navigated from the back seat. When we arrived at North Shore, the doctors and nurses worked calmly but feverishly to relieve the pain and determine the course of treatment. Melissa Zimmerman, a retired police detective who was on my security detail when I was in Congress and has become a close

Ifamily friend, joined us in the emergency room and stayed with us at the ICU, where Rosemary was taken next and excellently cared for.

M y wife initially wasn’t concerned about her mild but persistent stomach pain.

She was operated on late Tuesday afternoon by an outstanding surgeon, Dr. Geraldo Tamayo Enriquez, who had initially hoped to remove her gallbladder in a laparoscopic procedure rather than by opening her up. Several hours later, though, Enriquez was in the waiting room, explaining to my sister Barbara and me how complicated, difficult and extensive the surgery was and how it could not have been done laparoscopically. (Barbara is a retired nurse who is always there and invaluable to our family in stressful health care situations.)

The next few days were rough for Rosemary, but she received excellent care and is on her way to full recovery. I cannot begin to thank Barth for his initial diagnosis and the doctors, assistants, nurses and support staff at North Shore for all they did for Rosemary from the moment we arrived at the emergency room to the day of her discharge. She was truly fortunate.

Now that the crisis has passed, she

and I have the chance to appreciate what a teaching experience the surgery has been. There is no substitute for staying in contact with a trusted family physician and other doctors you deal with regularly and know you well. This was proven true this month with Rosemary and Dr. Barth, and last year with me, when his brother detected a stomach tumor when I had no symptoms whatsoever.

Just as important were the skilled medical professionals at North Shore, who began immediate emergency treatment and then conducted so many tests and procedures over the next several days, including the complicated surgery itself, to restore Rosemary to good health. I admit my bias as a consultant to Northwell Health, but I maintain that the American health care system and its hospitals do extraordinary work that could not have been imagined even several years ago. (I say this as someone who grew up in the old Irish tradition of avoiding doctors.)

We should be grateful to the medical profession, and diligent and attentive to our individual health.

Peter King is a former congressman, and a former chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Comments? pking@ liherald.com.

If you like horror stories, read Project 2025

don’t watch horror movies, and even if my friends recommend them to me, I take a pass. I try to avoid anything else that is gory, including news photos and some Facebook posts. But one horror story that has captured my attention is a political document known as Project 2025.

Project 2025 is a 922-page manifesto created by the Heritage Foundation. It has been described as a road map for any new Trump administration. It outlines, agency by agency, the federal programs and projects that should be eliminated, and what the policies of a second Trump administration would be.

Over the past few weeks, officials in former President Donald Trump’s campaign have attempted to disavow any connection between themselves and this recipe for a government revolution, but those denials do not have any substance. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who was willing to say anything or do anything to be Trump’s running mate, called Project 2025 “a bunch of recommendations by

scholars and has no substance.”

The facts belie all of the protestations by the Trump team. The Heritage Foundation is a conservative think tank that had enormous influence on the first Trump administration. It recommended all three of the justices whom Trump appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Foundation Chair Kevin Roberts has bragged that 64 percent of the organization’s 2016 recommendations were adopted by the administration. Roberts has attracted national attention with his recent statement that “we are in the process of a second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be.”

n o federal agency is spared from the Heritage Foundation’s governing plan.

There is much more to the Project 2025 blueprint. It recommends that upward of 50,000 federal civil service workers be reclassified so that they can become political appointees. It recommends that Medicare and Medicaid funding be reduced, and that the president take total control of the FBI, the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Commerce and the Federal Communications Commission.

ernment is overlooked, Project 2025 advises that all climate-change regulations favor fossil fuel production, and that Medicare be banned from negotiating with pharmaceutical companies to lower drug costs. To make Medicare less costly, it calls for a new health insurance tax, and concludes by recommending that “Christian Nationalist policies be incorporated into the administration’s mission.”

Project 2025 is the work of a team composed almost exclusively of former Trump appointees, including the former chief of staff of the Office of Personnel Management, Paul Dans. Many of its planks are identical to speeches made by Trump on the campaign trail. They include instituting tariffs on all imported goods; setting up deportation camps for non-citizens and so-called Dreamers, even those married to American citizens; and deploying the military for local law enforcement.

No agency would be spared the wrath of Project 2025. It suggests that the Department of Education be abolished and reconstituted as a way of “enhancing parental rights in education and reclaiming the funds from students whose college loans were forgiven.” While it does not suggest that abortions be banned, it recommends that the abortion pill mifepristone be removed from the market. It urges that 100 current government workers have their names publicly posted so that citizens can comment on whether they will be loyal to the new administration. Parts of the document sound like they were written during World War II.

To make sure that no function of gov-

When questioned about Project 2025, Trump, who followed many of the Heritage Foundation’s previous government and court reform strategies, stated, “I have no idea who is behind it. I disagree with some of the things they are saying.” That’s not much of a denial. Trump campaign operatives can deny any connection to Project 2025, but the facts say otherwise. One of its loudest supporters has been Steve Bannon, a Trump confidant, who is currently in federal prison. “This is not empty rhetoric,” Bannon recently stated. “This will be the manifesto of the new administration. Take it seriously.”

Jerry Kremer was an Assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strategies, a business development and legislative strategy firm. Comments about this column? jkremer@liherald.com.

HeraLd editoriaL

The key to safe swimming? Paying attention.

Last week we offered tips on fire safety, and this week we’re focusing on another summer activity that is usually fun, but nevertheless requires responsible behavior in order to keep it safe as well. There were three backyard swimming pool deaths on Long Island in just 24 hours earlier this month, and another incident a few days later in which a 2-year-old fell into a pool and, fortunately, was rescued.

Swimming pools are supposed to be places of joy, not tragedy. They offer respite from the summer heat, host family gatherings and are a place for those of all ages to play and exercise — but they also present significant potential dangers, especially for younger children and inexperienced swimmers.

The recent drownings — like those we hear about every summer across the country — underscore the absolute necessity of an annual focus on swimming pool safety. A study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last month reported that over 4,500 people drowned in pools or other waterways each year from 2020 to 2022.

The allure of a swimming pool is undeniable, but it is essential to recognize its inherent risks. Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children, and it usually happens not amid a flurry of attentionattracting splashing and shouting, but unnoticed and all but silently. Unlike the dramatic portrayals seen on TV or in

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movies, many real-life drownings are quick and quiet, making it all the more critical for adults to remain vigilant when their children are swimming. Lapses in supervision for even mere seconds at a time simply aren’t unacceptable.

A responsible adult should always be within arm’s reach of young children who are in or near the water. Designating a “water watcher” can ensure that there is always someone focused on the pool, free from distractions like phones or animated conversation. This simple yet effective practice can be a lifesaver. Equally important are physical barriers and safety devices. A pool should be surrounded by a fence that is at least four feet high, with self-closing and selflatching gates. This is the first line of defense against accidental drownings, particularly for toddlers, who are naturally curious and drawn to water. Pool covers and alarms can add extra layers of security, alerting homeowners to potential dangers before they escalate.

Swimming lessons are another crucial component of pool safety. Teaching children to swim when they’re young — most can become comfortable in deep water at age 6 or 7 — not only equips them with the skills they need to stay safe, but also instills a sense of respect for a pool’s potential dangers. Community centers, clubs and other organizations offer swimming lessons, and investing in them brings lifelong benefits.

Do the math: There’s a better way to conserve water

To the Editor:

I applaud any effort endorsed by local government to conserve water, but I find the recent Town of Hempstead rain barrel campaign a bit of a stretch and, after careful analysis, downright foolish, shortsighted and inherently a waste of time and money.

A plastic container with a 50-gallon capacity and an overflow outlet requires installation by skillfully cutting your roof downspout pipe to position it on a firm and level base. If you have the tools, time and expertise, go for it.

In the spring and fall, when we get plenty of rain, it will fill quickly, just in time to water your plants that somehow don’t need watering because of all the rain. The surplus will simply overflow, with no benefit. In the hot, dry summer months, those 50 gallons will be used up in a few days with no replenishment in sight. Turn on the garden hose!

The math: The barrel costs you $65. For that price you can buy about 6,500 gallons of water from Liberty Water, or about 130 barrels full. And this water is available on demand when needed. My guess is that you’ll be lucky to end up collecting, storing and actually using

In addition, educating pool users about risks and safety protocols is essential. Training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, for adults and older children can mean the difference between life and death in the critical moments before emergency responders arrive in an actual emergency. Anyone whose regular summer routine includes time at the pool should know how to respond when someone is pulled unconscious from the water. CPR courses hosted by schools, public pools, and the offices of the American Red Cross and many other organizations, should be a regular part of teens’ and adults’ summer preparation in every community.

investment. Are there better alternatives? There most certainly are. It’s called a well-andpump system, connected to your lawn sprinkler — and most of us have one of

The recent deaths on Long Island serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting pool safety. Each represents not just a statistic, but a family shattered by an avoidable tragedy — emphasis on avoidable. Public-awareness campaigns can play a vital role in the effort to eliminate those tragedies altogether, and those efforts should involve local governments, schools, community centers, service clubs, health clubs and police and fire departments. Ultimately, the goal is to create an environment in which memories of joyfilled days in the pool will be the highlights of your children’s summer. Make sure they learn to swim — adding some incentive, perhaps, by taking a lesson or two yourself — and keep a close eye on them whenever they’re in the water. about 10 full barrels per season. And don’t forget to drain, move and reattach that section of drainpipe before winter, or you’ll end up with a 50-gallon ice block that may well crack your

opinions NUMC is on the road to financial recovery

the treatment is working. For the past year, the leadership of Long Island’s largest safety-net hospital has buckled down to demonstrate that this beacon of hope for so many residents can survive, and thrive.

That may not be the message of some politicians, Albany bureaucrats and media often content to push misinformation, but the facts tell a story of resilience. The Nassau Health Care Corporation and Nassau University Medical Center are demonstrating the power of strategic reform and unwavering dedication in the face of intense financial strain.

The comprehensive reforms implemented over the past year have been nothing short of transformative. We overhauled NUMC’s ancient billing and collections processes, updated financial standards and practices, strengthened quality controls, and upgraded our information technology systems. All were longstanding areas of deficiency in hospital management that needed reform.

Today NUMC boasts on-time budgets, comprehensive audits, greater transpar-

ency and daily financial reporting that have enabled us to identify more than $100 million in savings in the past year.

those, right?

The math: A well/pump system will pay for itself in about three years, from savings of metered water use. Ironically, a shallow well also actually recycles rainwater, storing it in a trillion-gallon natural aquifer rather than a 50-gallon molded plastic barrel. You decide.

GARY CAPARELLI Lawrence

Minimizing the risk of shark interactions

To the Editor:

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is promoting public safety at ocean beaches by educating the public to help minimize the risk of negative interactions between people and sharks.

The annual summer migration of sharks into New York’s coastal waters is underway, and sightings of shark activity in the nearshore ocean waters are expected to increase during the summer months through September.

DEC encourages New Yorkers to be aware of their surroundings in the water with the potential for sharkhuman interactions, and to follow DEC

The recent audit by Grant Thornton confirms that our reforms are working. NHCC is on a path to long-term fiscal sustainability. The numbers speak for themselves. Despite what has been reported by Newsday, our cash on hand increased from $23 million to $67 million in just the first six months of 2024.

we’ve identified more than $100 million in savings in the past year.

Net patient service revenue saw a significant boost, rising by $76 million to $536 million in 2023. We also managed to reduce our operating losses by $30 million, and reduced overtime costs by $4 million. These aren’t just dollar figures; they represent our commitment to responsible stewardship and our dedication to providing quality health care.

For 2023, NUMC was projected to have a $179 million budget gap. We’ve closed that projected deficit by more than half.

This remarkable progress underscores the efficacy of our Financial Sustainability Reform Plan, initiated last year, and highlights the potential for more success if health care is prioritized over political gamesmanship.

This dramatic reform program has

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guidelines to minimize the risk of negative interactions.

■ Avoid areas with seals.

■ Avoid areas with schools of fish, splashing fish, or diving seabirds.

■ Avoid swimming at dawn, at dusk or at night.

■ Avoid murky water.

■ Swim, paddle, and surf in groups.

■ Stay close to shore, where your feet can touch the bottom.

■ Always follow the instructions of lifeguards and park staff.

Sharks have existed in New York’s marine waters for millions of years. Today there are more than a dozen shark species that migrate through New York’s marine waters.

Each shark species has unique habitat and food preferences, and plays an important role in maintaining a healthy and balanced marine ecosystem. Sharks can prevent other species from monopolizing limited resources and degrading the marine environment. The presence of sharks in New York’s marine waters is a positive sign of a healthy marine ecosystem.

Humans assume risk whenever they enter any wild environment, whether on

been a team effort led on a daily basis by our interim president and CEO, Megan Ryan. Her leadership, combined with the tireless efforts of our new chief financial officer and the entire NHCC management team, has been pivotal in demonstrating that despite chronic challenges, the hospital can thrive, giving peace of mind to future generations.

It is important, however, to acknowledge that our journey is far from over. While the audit results are encouraging and key metrics are positive, there is an underlying and inescapable truth that seems inconvenient for some Albany leaders. As a safety-net hospital, NUMC cannot continue to serve its more than 275,000 patients per year without state aid and higher Medicaid reimbursement rates. We serve a diverse community, including Nassau’s most at-risk patients, many of whom cannot afford to pay for care.

Even though the Legislature just increased the state budget by $8 billion, there continues to be reticence to commit to ensuring that our hospital survives. Our progress shows clearly that our stated goal for NUMC of relying on less aid over time is achievable. But we still need help to provide care for those

who cannot afford to pay.

Claims that the state doesn’t have the money are nonsense. Claims that management isn’t making reforms are patently false. Cutting our staff by 90 percent, which was recommended by the Nassau Interim Finance Authority in 2020, would be an insult to the people who rely on us for care. Caring for our most vulnerable should be government’s top priority, not political jockeying for control over vital institutions.

Nassau needs NUMC. No other hospital can serve our patients. There simply isn’t enough capacity. Other local hospitals are disincentivized from treating Medicare and Medicaid patients and won’t treat the uninsured. While we wait for Albany to recognize that, our team will continue to protect this vital institution. We are determined to address the challenges we face head-on, with the same commitment and resilience that have brought us this far.

Despite what you’ve heard, the future of NHCC is indeed promising. The hospital is treating what has ailed it for decades. This success should be a rallying cry for bipartisan support now for a healthier tomorrow for all we serve.

Matthew J. Bruderman is chairman of the board of directors of Nassau Health Care Corporation, which operates Nassau University Medical Center and the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility.

Framework by Tim Baker

land or in the water. Although it is impossible to eliminate risk altogether, ocean users can modify their behavior to minimize potential interactions with sharks and reduce overall risk. When in the ocean, follow DEC’s shark safety guidelines to minimize the potential for negative interactions with sharks. Learn more about New York’s shark species at DEC.ny.gov.

CHRISTOPHER SCOTT Supervising biologist, Division of Marine Resources

Now this is what summer’s all about — Eisenhower Park, East Meadow