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HERALD Also serving Point Lookout & East Atlantic Beach
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l.B. celebrates the holidays
Blakeman: No mask needed
Historical Museum portrays city’s past
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Vol. 32 No. 51
DECEMBER 16 - 22, 2021
Reactions to mask mandate are mixed not to be named for fear of retribution. Long Beach Police CommisAt Shine’s, one of Long sioner Ron Walsh said he had Beach’ most popular bars on the not received any complaints West End, co-owner Brent Wil- about threats. But he said he son said he sensed problems on planned to meet with bar owners the horizon when he read Gov. this week to discuss the regulaKathy Hochul’s new Covid-19 tions and other Covid-related regulations mandate matters. issued last Friday. With the Covid-19 “It’s not great,” infection rate rising Wilson said a few again — it was about days after the man6 percent in Nassau date was released. County, compared to “It’s going to be a 4 percent in midheadache.” August — Hochul But the issue said the state would became more com- BRENt wilsoN require masks to be p l i c a t e d w h e n Co-Owner, worn in all indoor incoming Nassau Shine’s public spaces that do County Executive not require vaccinaBr uce Blakeman tion for entry. announced earlier this week that The mandate took effect Dec. he would not enforce Hochul’s 13. It means that unless employmandates when he takes over ees check for proof of vaccinaJan. 1. But he indicated things tion, offices, shops, restaurants could change, depending on the and other businesses must Covid situation. require that patrons be masked. For a number of bar owners, Those that do not comply could Covid-19 restrictions are already face civil and criminal penalties, a headache. Several said that including fines of up to $1,000 since they advised patrons of per violation, and local health mask requirements and posted departments are responsible for notices about vaccinations, they enforcement. have received telephone threats Many Long Island businesses or been called “Nazis.” Those expressed dismay at the new regwho reported the threats asked Continued on page 11
By JaMEs BERNstEiN jbernstein@liherald.com
Courtesy Eileen Pollis
lEstER KappEl was honored recently by the Lido-Point Lookout Fire Department for his years of service: A fire truck was named for him.
No stopping this 98-year-old Lester Kappel is a barrier island institution By BRENDaN CaRpENtER bcarpenter@liherald.com
At 98, Lester Kappel has earned gratitude for his lifetime of service: a big thankyou from the Long Beach Public Library and the naming of a fire truck in his honor at the Point Lookout-Lido Beach Fire Department. K ap p e l wo rk s at t h e library, often delivering books to people who are unable to leave their homes. He joined
the Point Lookout-Lido Beach Fire Department over six decades ago, and is still a member. Kappel was born in Brooklyn nearly a century ago, and began coming to Long Beach with his family at age 7, spending summers in the City by the Sea until the 1930s, renting bungalows in the West End on Georgia Avenue. He became a full-time resident in 1939 when his family moved to Belmont Avenue.
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He attended Long Beach High School, was involved in the biography club and graduated in 1940. His graduating class was the last before the opening of the new high school and middle school on Lindell Boulevard in 1941, before the two school separated and moved to Lido Beach later on. (The former high school/middle school is now Lindell Elementary.) A love of and fascination Continued on page 12
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t’s going to be a headache.