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‘Bethany’s gift to the community’

Courtesy Bethany Congregational Church ATTENDEES AT BETHANy Congregational Church’s 2019 Thanksgiving dinner. As was the case then, participants enjoyed this year’s holiday meal in person.

By BEN FIEBERT bfiebert@liherald.com

The Bethany Congregation al Church reopened its doors after three years for its free Thanksgiving dinner.

Barbara Herrmann and her husband, Doug Herrmann, hosted this year’s Thanksgiv ing meal at 100 Main St. in East Rockaway. During the pandem ic, this annual sit-down meal wasn’t held, but delivery and takeout meals were prepared. This year marked the 12th year the Church hosted this event.

Bethany Congregational

hosted its inaugural Thanks giving dinner for the communi ty in 2010 and continued to do so every year since for those who need a hot meal. This year, the Church provided people with options.

Just like in 2019, local resi dents were invited to this meal.

Pastor Mark Lukens said in a Facebook post, “No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are wel come here just as you are.”

According to Herrmann, the energy this year at the event was very similar to pre-Covid.

Continued

Lifelong Lynbrook resident, Shannan Pearsall, plays an instrumental role in collecting thousands of toys for children affected by heart conditions.

This annual toy drive is host ed by the Mended Little Hearts foundation of Long Island. The Long Island chapter started in 2011 and has been hosting toy drives for the patients in the pediatric cardiology unit at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital every year since.

Pearsall, the Group Coordina tor for the Mended Little Hearts foundation, worked with Lyn

brook mayor Alan Beach and recreational staffer Ginger Fuen tes to increase toy donations this year.

“We are very fortunate to have a great relationship with Mayor Beach,” Pearsall said. “And once he learned about the fact that we’ve been doing this drive every year, he said please share this information with Vil lage Hall via local drop off.”

After Pearsall talked with staffers at Village Hall, Beach placed a drop-off box. Fuentes also placed one at the recreation al center.

Pearsall didn’t expect any thing less from the Lynbrook community as it’s a typical reac

tion in Lynbrook where commu nity members embrace some thing, such as the toy drive, and grow it even further.

“We are so fortunate to have a community that says ‘hey, I may not know who you are, but you’re my neighbor and I see you sharing this drive and I’d love to support it’,” Pearsall said.

For Pearsall, this foundation hits home. “My 14-year-old son had three open heart surgeries and three cardiac cauterizations at Columbia,” Pearsall said. She understands the impact that any gift can have on children who are in the hospitals during the holiday months.

“His last surgery happened to

fall over the Easter holiday,” Pearsall said. “So we were in the hospital and it was hard, but someone came in the room and gave him a package of stickers.”

Pearsall saw her son light up and that gesture made her realized the impact that foundations like Mended Little Hearts can have.

Pearsall explained how gifts don’t have to be anything extrav

agant or expensive. Just like the gift her son received, Pearsall emphasizes the importance of small, simple gifts. “Sometimes it’s just a small, little token that can make the difference between a bad day and a good day,” Pears all said.

Pearsall and other workers at the Mended Little Hearts founda

Continued on page 16

Congregational Church hosts annual Thanksgiving dinner

NY Elks Members Receives Grand Lodge Awards

At a recent Elks Lodge ini tiation, the Lodge member ship Chairman Paul Sch neller read letters from the Grand Lodge, which was signed by past Grand Exalted Ruler T. Keith Mills.

Lois Anderson received a Grand Lodge membership pin for sponsoring three new members. Schneller also showed a Grand Lodge pre sentation to John Nuzzi — Sr. Past District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler — for sponsor ing more than 10 new mem bers as well as a reinstate ment. Schneller presented Nuzzi with an elks watch from the Grand Lodge. Nuzzi said that he “wears his watch with honor and proud in doing so.”

Nuzzi knows that members are the lifelines of Elkdom. “Members mean everything to our order, members are the back bone and survival of the Elks,” Nuzzi said. Member

Anderson and Nuzzi were honored in receiving these awards, as they thanked the New York Elks Lodge one and the Grand Lodge.

New members initiated in The Great Order of Elks

The Performing Lodge Officers and Members of the New York Elks Lodge ini tiated four new members into Lodge one.

The Lodge constantly looks for new members to get involved. Being involved means supporting the Lodge’s charitable

works. Accoridng to Nuzzi, these new members will “make it easier to carry out the Lodge’s obligations.” The Installing Officers of New York Elks one, under Exalted Ruler Amy Schneller, holds great pleasure of initiating all new members.

Courtesy John Nuzzi

John nuzzi, left, and Lois Anderson, right, photo graphed after receiving awards from the Elks Lodge.

Courtesy John Nuzzi lodge one’s newest members, Steven Dignam, Mary Dignam, Eileen O’Neill, and Rosette Finneran with Lodge officers.

Titans win football championship thriller

Lynbrook 11-year-olds defeat Garden City for title after key win over Bellmore

By BEN FIEBERT bfiebert@liherald.com

The 11-year-old Lynbrook Titans foot ball team won the championship against Garden City on Sunday, Nov. 20.

The game took place on Mitchell Field where the Titans went up against Garden City during the championships for the second year in a row.

Garden City beat Lynbrook in the Titan’s second game of the sea son. However, the Titans won 24 to zero during the championship game with the help of Owen Cegiles who scored three touchdowns.

“The Titans not only came out focused and well pre pared, but the players were amped up to get over this Garden City hump and take home a championship,” Head Coach Brian Marasco said. “The game was indicative of the year the boys had and the fight they displayed week in and week out.” Marasco led the team to victory

along with Brian Bowes and Mike Lee.

Although the Titans had a huge victo ry, players went through some challenges during their season. “Injuries at key posi tions hit the Titans had as they headed into a brutal stretch of their schedule,” Marasco said. The team suffered four straight losses as some players were asked to play out of position.

These injuries did not stop the Titans

as some players returned back to health and some key victories at the end of the year propelled the Titans into the playoffs. “Every player has been a contributor. It is a special group of boys that have shown comradery and heart unlike any other I have seen,” Marasco said.

The Titans were an underdog in the first round of the playoffs as they went to Bellmore, but left with a 12-7 victory. Juel

Maclaughlin had a touchdown run and also threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Brody Marasco. The defense came up strong in the fourth quarter as the Titans successfully held off Bellmore to preserve victory.

Marasco mentioned other important players that helped the Titans defeat Bell more’s team. “Evan Fifield and Chris Molinari were solid on the lines as were Mason Davis and Ryan Bowes helping from secondary,” Marasco said. “Mike Pogozelski had some strong runs behind his center, Veer Goel, to close the game out. Andrew Collarossi, filling in for our injured kicker and tackle had kickoffs that continually pinned our opponents deep.”

After this win against Bellmore, the Titans were ready to go up against Gar den City one last time this season. Maras co said that Garden City was a team that the Titans were “hungry to get a rematch with.” After the Titans defeated Garden City, Marasco expressed his gratitude for working with the team.

“It was a pleasure to watch them earn that championship after all they perse vered throughout the year,” Marasco said. “They proved that focus and hard work, mixed with a dedication and unselfish ness for the team, is a combination that makes up the heart of a championship winning team.”

Giving Back feeds others for holidays

Numerous people in need can put food on the table for the upcoming holiday season because of the charitable efforts of the Giving Back to Community Corporation.

Emilian Emeagwali, president of the Giving Back to Community Corporation, received a generous donation on Nov. 21 from the employees of Arrow Exterminating Company — based in Lynbrook — for their food pantry on Hempstead Turnpike near Elmont Memorial Library, which is still under construction.

Nonetheless, volunteers of the non-profit stood out side of the future food pantry building on Nov. 26 to dis tribute the plethora of canned goods, non-perishables and other items that were donated by the community, Emeagwali said.

“My heart melts,” she said. “It’s such a good feeling when you help people — one lady when we gave her food, she started crying.”

Emeagwali, who is a physical therapist and owner of State of the Art Physical Therapy Rehabilitation, P.C. in Valley Stream, founded the nonprofit organization in

2009 after a visit to her home country of Nigeria. What she saw was an appalling reality of children in her hometown going to sleep hungry, having no access to clean water, education and other basic needs.

From that point on, she made it her mission to help the underprivileged in Nigeria, as well as in her own backyard in Elmont. The organization focuses on feeding poor individuals, reducing illiteracy rates, improving the quality of schools in low-income communities and awarding scholarships to youths.

Emeagwali said the nonprofit plans to offer up any leftover food donations from the November collection to others who are in desperate need. This month, Giving Back to Community is traveling to Onitsha, Nigeria to distribute rice, beans and other food at Ogboli Primary School.

To donate to Giving Back To Community’s cause or to learn more about their efforts in fighting food insecurity, visit www.givingbacktocommunity.org.

— Ana Borruto

JENNy dEFREITas, Top left, Luci Baijnath, Tom Jordan, bottom left, and Rafael Corro

EMIlIaN EMEagwalI, FouNdER of Giving Back to Community Corporation, shows excitement for the amount of donations they received from the Arrow Exterminating Company.

Courtesy Brian Bowes

ThE 11-yEaR-old lyNBRook Titans team after their championship win on Nov. 20.

T his truly was a season the boys are thankful for and will never forget.

BRIaN MaRasco Head Coach

PHOTOS courtesy Emilian Emeagwali Bags ovERFlowINg wITh donations of food supplies.

proudly posing with all the food they collected.

Great shopping on Main Street

Finding perfect gifts, great service downtown is easier than ever

By MARK NOLAN mnolan@liherald.com

Holiday shopping season is upon us, and whether you’re a shopper who plans ahead or a last-minute scrambler, Main Streets have everything you need to com plete your list.

While many people search high and low for deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, chambers of commerce in Nas sau County emphasize that local business es provide quaint and unique items that show a level of care that can’t be found with online gifts.

“It’s time to get back to having the expe rience of shopping in a store,” said Ste phen Wangel, a past president of the Lyn brook Chamber of Commerce and owner of the Kitchen Loft. “Local retailers are more geared towards serving individual customers and making sure they get exactly what they want.”

“Malvernites have been supportive of our business community during the last few years, and this holiday season is no different,” said Maria Casini, president of the village’s chamber and chief executive of Visual Fuel Design. “Black Friday was bustling, with many people buying from our retail stores and purchasing gift certif icates from our restaurants, bars, the cine ma and our bowling center. People realize the importance of shopping local to pro vide tax dollars for our village, and to keep home values up by having business filling storefronts.”

West Hempstead will offer a family event on Sunday, from 3 to 5 p.m.: Holidays at Hall’s Pond Park, sponsored by the West Hempstead Civic Association and featur ing a Christmas Tree lighting at 4:30 p.m.

“It will be fun for the whole family,” West Hempstead chamber President Mar shall W. Myers, of Laffey Real Estate, said. “There will be arts and crafts, and hope fully the weather will cooperate. The whole community gets behind this event, and looks forward to it all year.”

Wangel said that shoppers sometimes forget that purchasing online means being unable to see gifts first-hand. “There are certain things you can’t necessarily order

online,” he said. “Jewelry is a big part of holiday shopping. You can order online all you want, but unless you can feel it and touch it and look at it, the satisfaction won’t be the same. In person in the store, you get to make sure it’s exactly the right gift.”

Wangel added that local businesses directly support the local community in a number of ways, so shopping local is in turn a way to support not only downtown businesses, but also downtown itself. “An intangible that gets lost is that local retail

ers support the village and schools and sports teams,” he said. “It’s reciprocal sup port. Local businesses help the local com munity.”

A big part of local shopping is spread ing the word on social media, and Casini said that the Malverne chamber regularly promotes businesses during the holidays. “The chamber is featuring businesses on social media,” she said, “and our mascot, Chamber Champ, will be waving people on during weekends to encourage people to stop into shops.”

Upcoming holiday events

east Rockaway

Winter Festival and Christmas Tree Lighting

Saturday, Dec. 3, at 5 p.m. - Village Hall

Menorah Lighting Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m. - Village Hall

Lynbrook

Christmas Tree Lighting and Blessing of the Creche Saturday, Dec. 3, at 5 p.m. Stauderman Avenue

Breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 10, at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus Drive-Thru Wonderland of Lights Saturday, Dec. 17 - Greis Park Trail

Menorah Lighting Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 6:30 p.m. Stauderman Avenue

Malverne

Gingerbread Cookie Workshop Friday, Dec. 2, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Malverne Public Library

Historical Society Holiday Gala Friday, Dec. 2, from 7 to 11 p.m. St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus, Lynbrook

Breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 3, at 9 and 11 a.m. The Bridge Church Holiday Movie Matinee Saturday, Dec. 3, at 11 a.m. Malverne Cinema

Bowling with Santa Saturday, Dec. 3, at noon and 2 p.m. San-Dee Lanes

Holiday Lights Tour and Scavenger Hunt Sunday, Dec. 4, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Menorah Lighting Sunday, Dec. 18, at 5:30 p.m. Malverne LIRR station

West Hempstead

Tree and Menorah Lighting Sunday, Dec. 4, from 3 to 5 p.m. Hall’s Pond Park

Mark Nolan/Herald photo

MALveRNe ChAMBeR Of Commerce president Maria Casini with a gift certificate for Orchid Nails and Spa. Gift certificates, she said, are big items for the holidays.

–Mark Nolan

East Rockaway hosts day of leading and learning

East Rockaway Superintendent James DeTommaso brought together district administration, faculty, and staff for a day of team building.

Superintendent’s Conference Day on Nov. 8 featured dozens of workshops. These sessions includ ed applications for using technolo gy in the classroom, innovative protocols to enhance learning, ideas for co-teaching, small group instruction models, and maximiz ing collaboration with a flexible classroom environment.

After these workshops, the teams took a break with a mindful ness and meditation session. This was followed by a walking tour led by the president of the East Rocka way Historical Society. Teams learned about the community on this walk.

DeTommaso had a keynote address that focused on the theme, “Kids First, Always.” He shared the values and priorities of the dis trict as well as the importance of teaching 21st century skills. DeTommaso also read a letter from an alumnus explaining why East Rockaway Schools provided them with an unforgettable experience.

tEams taking a break during East Rockaway Superintendent’s Conference Day with a mindfulness and meditation session.

Photos courtesy East Rockaway School District East Rockaway supERintEndEnt James DeTommaso makes Keynote Address at Superintendent’s Conference Day on Nov. 7.

supERintEndEnt’s confEREncE day breakout session, led by East Rockaway Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Mr. Sean Murray.

Lianne Webb, Natalia Suaza take home crowns

Baldwin, Valley Stream contestants win at Miss Long Island pageant

By daniEL oFFnER doffner@liherald.com

Lianne Webb and Natalia Suaza stood out from among dozens of contestants from across Nassau and Suffolk counties, crowned winners of Miss Long Island and Miss Teen Long Island.

The two young women from Baldwin and Valley Stream were among those who gathered at the Madison Theatre at Molloy College on Nov. 20, selected by a panel of judges based on their talents, drive, beauty and compassion.

Before stepping on stage, Suaza said that she set out to complete the New York City Marathon as a way to take herself out of her comfort zone and face her fears head-on.

Upon her coronation as the new Miss Teen Long Island, Sauza says she plans to work with Long Island communities, spreading her message of cancer aware ness.

“With my title, I hope to partner with the Center for Hope at Northwell Hospi tal and the Calvary Hospital,” she said.

Having lost her father when she was just 9, these organizations helped pro vide Suaza an opportunity to talk about him — just as they helped others with loved ones who have passed, and to try and live the lives that they would’ve wanted them to live. Suaza also praised their free summer camp that was offered for her and her siblings.

“This really impacted my life and made me as strong as I am today,” she said.

Leanne Baum, executive director of the Miss Long Island pageants, said that over the next year, both of the winners will make guest appearances to promote their platform.

Webb’s platform aims to promote advocacy for children. She works as a

behavioral therapist with Achieve Beyond, where she works with students with autism. She’s also a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island.

By promoting these different causes across Long Island, the goal is for the pageant winners to become role models for change in the world. This year, for example, all of the pageant contestants came together before the big night to help collect food for Island Harvest, Baum said. In fact, they ended up with more than 400 pounds of food for Long Island’s largest food bank.

Both Webb and Sauza now move on to compete for Miss New York USA and Miss Teen New York USA next August.

Some of the runners-up from this year’s Miss Long Island competition include Jenna Hofmann of West Islip, Alexandra Ali of Commack, Alliyah St. Omer of North Baldwin, and Michelle Lent of Glen Cove.

The Miss Teen Long Island competi tion runners-up include Emily Hall and Valarie Goorahoo of Valley Stream, Rudra Patel of Farmingdale, and Kyra Smith of East Hampton.

Miss Long isLand Teen 2023 Natalia Suaza, from Valley Stream, joined by Miss Long Island Pageants executive director Leanne Baum, and Miss Long Island 2023 Lianne Webb, from Baldwin.

ThE 2022 Miss Teen Long Island winner Jessica Fuentes crowns her successor, Natalia Suaza, of Valley Stream.

ThE 2022 Miss Long Island winner Nadgeena Jerome crowns fellow Baldwin native and 2023 Miss Long Island winner Lianne Webb.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

Miss Long isLand contestants hit the stage at the Madison Theatre in their glorious gowns, showing their best for judges Matthew James Graziano, Yasmeen Gumbs, Amy Amato of RichnerLive, Peter Andolina and Edson Estime

At Chabad, honing skills of self-defense

By MARK NOLAN mnolan@liherald.com

An early-November alert by the FBI about threats to tristate-area syna gogues was yet another reminder of the need for constant vigilance. The Chabad of West Hempstead has been training congregants in self-defense and activeshooter drills in case those skills and procedures are ever needed.

Avi Abraham, a martial arts expert and the chief instructor of the New York Self Defense Academy, directs the training. Abra ham is a former Israeli sol dier, and has been teaching people how to defend them selves for over two decades.

While self-defense may seem extreme to some, Abraham and the Chabad’s congregants are agree that the training is needed and appreciated. “Every time people come in and out of the synagogue, we get so many thank yous,” said Rachel Flam, who, along with her husband, Seth Speiser, oversee security at the facility. “It’s really nice when people say, ‘Thank you for protecting me and my family.’”

that congregants must be prepared, and the best reason for them to be proactive and train for a possible attack instead of being reactive. “It’s inevitable that some thing is going to happen to someone in the Jewish community,” he said. “We would rather it not happen to us, but if it does, we train to mitigate the attack.”

Several years ago, Speiser said, many congregants were opposed to training a security team to protect the Chabad. Now, he said, more and more con gregants realize that as attacks continue, the need for defense increases.

Avi ABRAhAM martial arts expert

The training consists of self-defense, active-shooter drills, weapons defense, and more. Abraham said that the basic course — Commu nity Emergency Response Training, or CERT — is approved by the U.S. Depart ment of Homeland Security. He offers more detailed training as well. “We give them ways to defend other people,” Abraham said.

The fact that Jews are the most often targeted victims of religiously motivat ed hate crimes, Speiser said, is proof

“We do simulations — if someone is stabbing someone else, what do you do? We simulate different active-shooter trainings, or maybe the terrorist has a secondary weapon or an explosive. It’s a very intense program.”

An expert in krav maga, a martial art

Courtesy Rachel Flam

Avi ABRAhAM, LefT, an expert in martial arts, taught Seth Speiser and Michael Sigal the proper technique for disabling an attacker at Chabad of West Hempstead.

Continued on page 14

D’Esposito in driver’s seat to House floor

By KARINA KOVAC kkovac@liherald.com

He was an obscure candidate from Island Park who went up against a Republican powerhouse — and won.

His name was Al D’Amato, who would go on to serve 18 years in the U.S. Senate before being upended himself by Chuck Schumer in 1998. D’Amato’s early political career in Island Park involved him running village elec tions, which helped him get his feet wet before heading to Congress.

Now, four decades later, voters have sent another Island Park resident to Washington as Anthony D’Esposito makes his way to the floor of the House of Representatives, in congressional seat he flipped from Democrat to Republican.

“I don’t think that coming from a small community prepares you to be in politics,” D’Esposito said, after defeating Laura Gillen in the November election. “I think it opens your eyes to what community is all about.”

But getting involved on a local level in the fire depart ment, Kiwanis, chamber of commerce or a civic group is “really what opens people’s eyes to further public ser vice” — paralleling how the Hempstead town council man got his start.

Mentioning D’Amato’s influence during his victory speech election night, D’Esposito says he’s pleased to be adding to the village’s story.

“That’s a piece of history, especially coming from a small tight-knit community,” he said. “It’s a place where I was born, raised, called home. The fact that we’ve sent two members of our little village to represent us in Washington, D.C. I think is pretty cool.”

On Long Island, those within the Town of Hempstead have wondered who will fill his empty seat on the town board. D’Esposito still has a month or so left before he

has to pack up and head to Capitol Hill, but says he’ll “figure that out when the time comes.”

He spent his first week in Washington undergoing ori entation, and hopes when it comes time to join commit tees, he’ll find himself on homeland security, and trans portation and infrastructure.

Worried about the state of people’s pocketbooks as well as their quality of life, D’Esposito says nothing has

changed his campaign promises since winning.

“The duration of this campaign, the message has been the same,” D’Esposito said. “And people are con cerned about things that affect their pockets. They’re concerned about crime, and they want someone to repre sent them that’s willing to cross party lines and work with others in order to deliver for our communities.”

But then again, he’s already posting negative com ments on social media about some Democratic col leagues like U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. D’Esposito says their track records leave much to be desired.

“When it comes to Nancy Pelosi, the fact that we can all ask ourselves, ‘Are we better off today than we were two years ago when Joe Biden took office?’ And she’s been nothing but a rubber stamp for the Biden adminis tration,” he said. “And I think a lot of the issues that we’re dealing with on Long Island are issues that are reflective of the administration.”

So, which Democrats will D’Esposito work with?

“People that are there to deliver for the communities that they represent,” he said. “Not just be a loud mouth piece and looking for headlines on Twitter and CNN.”

Sitting down as a delegation after Thanksgiving, D’Esposito says he’s looking forward to making America safer, the economy stronger, and energy greener. But his first focus will be eliminating the cap on state and local taxes, otherwise known as a SALT cap.

“For me, what’s most important is delivering change to Long Island,” D’Esposito said. “Working hard to repeal the SALT cap, so that we can bring tax relief to commu nities here in New York — some of the individuals who pay the highest taxes in the nation. So, there’s a lot of work to do.

“But I look forward to getting to D.C. again, rolling up my sleeves, and getting to work.”

Courtesy Anthony D’Esposito

By the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building sits freshly elected Anthony D’Esposito, a Republican from Island Park, getting ready for his first day in Congress.

Tips to avoid holiday charity scams

Donations of any kind can make a real impact on a good cause, which is why char ity scams are especially cruel. Unfortu nately, scammers never miss an opportuni ty to defraud people, so it’s important to remember that not all donation requests are legitimate. The New York State Depart ment of State’s Division of Consumer Pro tection (DCP) created a guide to help donors do their own due diligence on the charities seeking their support.

“After a major event such as a natural disaster, tragedy, or as the season of giv ing unfolds, scammers prey on the good intentions of people and take money that could otherwise help individuals and pro grams in need,” said Secretary of State Robert Rodriguez. “In order to ensure that donations go to the right place, we encourage New Yorkers to research and confirm charity claims before making a donation.”

Charity scams can happen at any time, but they are more prevalent after a natu ral disaster or emergencies collecting mil lions of dollars from unsuspecting donors. On many occasions, these fraud sters pretend to be affiliated with wellknown organizations or even the govern ment to scam people out of their hardearned money. According to the Federal Trade Commission about 2.8 million peo ple nation-wide reported being victims of someone pretending to be a trusted chari ty source in 2021 causing loses of about $2.3 billion.

Check the legitimacy of the charitable organization. Research the charity by searching the New York State Attorney General’s online database of registered charities at charitiesnys.com, and by vis iting websites such as bbb.org, www.give. org and www.guidestar.org in addition to visiting the charity’s website. If donating toward relief efforts after a natural disaster, check a site like disasterphilanthro py.org to be sure your money is going to truly help those in need.

Learn how to detect a phony charity. Some scam mers will create fake “charities” and try to trick you with similar names of wellknown charities. Pay attention to the charity’s name, web address, logos, etc. Scammers often mimic the names of familiar, trusted organizations to fool donors.

Designate your donation. Find out what percentage of your donation will go directly toward the cause as opposed to administrative costs. Ask the charity whether you can designate your donation to a specific effort rather than a general contribution fund. If the solicitation

comes from a professional for-profit fund raising company, be aware that the chari table organization will receive only a per centage of your donation. If you want to ensure the charity receives the whole amount, donate directly instead.

Pay attention to vague claims. Pay attention to language such as “all proceeds go to charity” or “your purchase will benefit a chari ty.” A disclosure should be provided that includes the actual or estimat ed purchase price amount the charity will receive directly.

Resist high-pressure tac tics. Charity fraud scams can come in many forms, whether by email, social media, crowdfunding platforms, cold calls, etc. Watch out for direct emails from “vic tims” and solicitors who employ heartwrenching stories, insisting that you donate immediately. It is strongly advised not to give money over the phone to unso licited telemarketers, and instead ask the caller to send written materials about the charity.

Find out who’s behind the crowdfunding request. Online platforms like GoFundMe make it easy for people to create crowd

funding campaigns. To protect yourself, remember to give to people you know directly. It’s also important to understand the crowdfunding site’s rules, policies, and vetting procedures. It can be helpful to know these ahead of time to determine how they are protecting consumers from potential fraud.

Do not disclose personal or financial information to unsolicited requests. Never give your Social Security number, credit card or debit card number or other personal identifying information in response to an unsolicited charitable request.

Avoid giving cash. Give your contribution by check or credit card to ensure that you have a record of the donation. Make checks out to the charity, not to an individ ual. If you choose to make a donation via a charity’s website, check that the website is secure and that your computer is equipped with the latest anti-virus protection. Do not send contributions with a “runner,” by wire or overnight parcel pick-up.

Don’t assume. Check out an organiza tion’s tax status at irs.gov/app/eos to find out if the donation is tax deductible. Ask for a receipt and trace the status of your donation.

The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Fri day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

STEPPING OUT

‘First Couple’ of ‘Up, Up and Away’ with Marilyn McCoo Billy Davis Jr.

By Mary Malloy

It’s easy to see why seven-time Grammy winners Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., have been married for 53 years. A dynamic duo on and off the stage, the former members of the 196070s group The 5th Dimension have an easy way of sharing the conversation, finishing each other’s sentences, and endearingly calling each other “baby.” They are in true harmony — and headed to Tilles Center for the Performing Arts for “Up, Up and Away! A Musical Fable,” with special guest The Next Dimension, on Saturday.

As two of the lead vocalists with one of the top pop-R&B-soul-jazz groups of the era, their popular classics — among them “Up, Up and Away,” “Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” “One Less Bell to Answer” and “Stoned Soul Picnic” — live on. Graced with McCoo’s three-octave vocal range, the group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002, and have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the St. Louis Walk of Fame.

After a decade with The 5th Dimension, McCoo and Davis decided to step away in 1975 to establish themselves as a duo. They had immediate success with the single “You Don’t Have to Be a Star (To Be In My Show)” which hit No. 1 on the charts and earned them a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. They have since enjoyed enduring success through the years as recording artists, performers and authors. Throughout their career, this showbiz couple has been honored with seven Grammy Awards and earned 15 gold and three platinum records, as well as enjoyed starring roles on television and the Broadway stage.

WHERE WHEN

• Sat., Dec. 3, 8 p.m.

• Tilles Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall, LIU Post, 720 Northern Blvd. Brookville

• Tickets are available at TillesCenter.org, or by calling the box office at (516) 299-3100

Their many endeavors go beyond their musical achievements. They also have a movie coming out during the holidays, “The Waltons Thanksgiving,” on the CW network. “It’s family-oriented, and it’s so perfect for this time of year,” McCoo says. “It’s nice for people to remember the warmth and love and excitement that comes from family.”

From East to West

“We are so looking forward to being in New York,” says McCoo, who, with Davis, calls California home. “We’ve visited, but we haven’t done a show there in quite a while. We truly always enjoy coming back … Long Island is such a pretty area, and we’re very excited.”

“We love New York, we have a history with New York,” Davis adds.

“Up, Up and Away” is a journey and musical celebration of their iconic music. The concert also includes tributes to fellow music legends including The Beatles (McCoo and Davis’ contemporaries) and The 5th Dimension’s original lineup.

They will perform some songs from their newest CD, “Blackbird: Lennon-McCartney Icons,” a celebration of The Beatles’ timeless music. The album covers 10 Beatles classics and solos. “It’s so relevant,” Davis says about the title track. “It fits in with things that are happening today. The young people are very concerned with what was going on in the world.”

And what about their own iconic songs as the “First Couple” of Pop & Soul?

“Of course, we’ll enjoy doing many of our hits,” says Davis. “They wouldn’t let us off the stage if we didn’t!”

Tony Danza

The actor-entertainer croons the classics in his cabaret turn. In ‘Standards & Stories,’ he performs a selection of his favorite standards from the Great American Songbook, plus selections from Jason Robert Brown’s score for ‘Honeymoon in Vegas,’ while interweaving stories about his life and personal connection to the music. Danza combines timeless music with wit, charm, storytelling, and a dash of soft shoe and ukulele, in this evening of glorious songs and personal storytelling, backed by a four-piece band. Perhaps best known for his starring roles on two of TV’s most cherished and long-running series, “Taxi” and “Who’s The Boss,” Danza has also established himself as a song and dance man, and received rave reviews for his performance in the Broadway musical comedy ‘Honeymoon In Vegas.’

Friday, Dec. 2, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. $62. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, Route 25A, Brookville. (516) 2993100 or TillesCenter.org.

Judy Collins: Holidays & His

The iconic legend lends her voice to holiday standards along with her classic hit songs as only she can. Collins performs holiday classics, along with songs from her latest album ‘Spellbound’ — her 55th album and first complete album of originals — and beloved songs culled from her six-decade career. Collins is as creatively vigorous as ever, writing, touring worldwide, and nurturing fresh talent. She is a modern-day Renaissance woman who is also an accomplished painter, filmmaker, record label head, musical mentor, and an in-demand keynote speaker for mental health and suicide prevention. She continues to create music of hope and healing that lights up the world and speaks to the heart.

Saturday, Dec. 3, 8 p.m. $70, $65, $60. Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main Street, 232 Main St., Port Washington. (516) 767-6444 or LandmarkOnMainStreet.org.

Courtesy Darren Stone/Jon Carrasco

Photos: Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., honored with multiple Grammy awards numerous gold and platinum records, return to the concert stage with their iconic hits — and some surprise selections.

THE SCENE

On stage

Plaza Theatrical continues its season with “Grumpy Old Men: The Musical,” Thursday, Dec. 1, 2 p.m; Friday, Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 3, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 4, 2:30 p.m. Based on the beloved 1993 film, which starred Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau and AnnMargret, this stage adaptation captures the lovably crotchety characters through humor, great songs, and the affectionate depiction of a small town that feels like home to everyone. It’s performed at Plaza’s stage at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $49, $45 seniors. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

Veterans thrift shop

Holiday fun

Visit the streets of 19th century London during the darkest days of the year, in this adaption of the classic “A Christmas Carol,” with the Experiential Theater Company, Thursday and Friday, Dec. 1,-2 10:15 a.m and noon; Saturday, Dec. 3, 2 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 4, 2 p.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 7, 10:15 a.m. and noon, on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage. Meet the Cratchit family, Mr. Scrooge, and the ghosts of past, present and future in this interactive show that weaves together music, humor, puppetry and collaboration. Celebrate the change of seasons through this beloved literary tale. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.

Waverly Park Elementary Winter Concert

Legally Blonde: The Musical

The ultimate Broadway tribute to girl power arrives at Tilles Center, Saturday, Dec. 10, 4 and 8 p.m. Elle Woods, is ready to prove who’s in charge (again) in this ultimate Broadway tribute to girl power, on the LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. Based on the beloved movie, the musical follows Elle’s transformation as she tackles stereotypes, sexism, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams, and proves that you can be both ‘legally blonde’ and the smartest person in the room. Tickets are $89, $69, $59, $49; available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

VFW Post 3350 in East Rockaway continues its veterans thrift shop at 164 Main St. The store’s schedule remains variable in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, but attempts to be open daily, including Sundays. For thrift shop information or hall rentals, call (516) 887-8170, or visit VFWPost3350.org.

Students at the Waverly Park Elementary School, 320 Waverly Ave. in East Rockaway, host their holiday concert in the school auditorium on Thursday, Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. For more information contact the school at (516) 887-6589.

Dec. 8

Monthly Car Seat Check

The Lynbrook Police Department will be training parents and caregivers on the proper installation, position, and fitting of child safety seats, Thursday, Dec. 1, 4-8 p.m., at Lynbrook Fire Department Headquarters, at 81 Wright Ave. Reservations are available online at Eventbrite.com.

Having an event?

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.

Matinee time

Join crafty Jack Frost on a magical, musical winter adventure, in Plaza Theatrical’s production of “Jack Frost,” Saturday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m. Also Dec. 17. The story , arrated by a groundhog name Pardon-Me-Pete, tells us about the immortal winter sprite, who falls in love with a human girl named Elisa after rescuing her. Tickets are $15. Bring the kids to the Plaza stage at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

Dec. 3

Christmas Tree Lighting and Blessing of the Crèche

The Village of Lynbrook invites all to take part in its holiday traditions, Saturday, Dec. 3, when hosts the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Blessing of the Crèche, at 5 p.m., on Stauderman Avenue, at the corner of Forest Avenue.

Keeping up with the Village

The next meeting of the Village of East Rockaway Board of Trustees will take place at Village Hall, at 376 Atlantic Ave., on Monday, Dec. 5, at 5:30 p.m.

West End

Elementary

Winter Concert

Dec. 5 Dec.

Students at the West End Elementary School, 30 Clark Ave.,hold their holiday concert in the school auditorium on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. For more information contact the school at (516) 887-0288.

On exhibit

Photography’s ascent in the art world is an international phenomenon. Nassau County Museum of Art’s star-studded exhibition spans the historical roots of the medium. View works by Ansel Adams and his generation and the thrilling, large-format color works of such contemporary masters as Cindy Sherman, Thomas Struth, James Casebere and Gregory Crewdson, among others. From the documentary to the painterly, images bear witness to the times. On view through March 5. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Experts in self-defense teach preparedness

developed by the Israeli Defense Forces, Abraham said he had to engage and dis arm an enemy several times in the mili tary and as a civilian. He estimates he has trained as many as 15,000 people in selfdefense, and said that the mental aspect of training is especially difficult for some to master.

“We start with aggression and how to be in a different mindset,” Abraham explained. “Once the attacker comes in shooting a gun, it’s very loud. They have to learn to deal with extreme scenari os and work under pressure. We yell and scream so they understand this is like the real thing. They have to go from 0 to 100 and have con trolled aggression. Not every body can do these things.”

tecting all year round and not waiting for an attack to happen.”

Chabad of West Hempstead’s security team works in shifts to protect the congre gants. They stand outside in extreme heat and cold, Flam said, because it’s worth the hardship to provide security.

“There’s always a need for more peo ple,” she said. “It’s not an easy thing to do. We have a great team. We’re out in 100-degree heat and 18-degree cold, freezing our toes off.”

raChel flam

An important aspect of the training, Flam said, is realizing there is a need for the training. Some people, she added, tend to become complacent, and forget the need for constant vigilance.

“It’s called optimism bias,” Flam said. “People think, it won’t happen to me. But what we’ve experienced in the past five years proves the need to be vigilant, not only right after an attack. There’s always terror out there. People forget. We are pro

Abraham, a highly regard ed security expert who receives constant alerts on possible threats, said he was aware that some people don’t believe that preparing for an attack is necessary, but he steers clear of philosophical debates about preparedness. He simply urges awareness.

“Our goal is to save lives,” he said. “My goal, my job, is to try to take control and prevent people from dying. The more people who are trained, the more lives will be saved. It’s as simple as that. We do the best we can do because the bad guys, their mindset is to kill as many people as possible. Our goal is to defend as many people as possible.”

Waverly Park students pick up their next reads

Students throughout Waverly Park Ele mentary School picked up their next enticing read at the annual book fair coor dinated by the PTA.

Several bookracks and tables were set up to display hundreds of books as well as

other knick-knacks available to purchase. Book covers teased adventures following students’ favorite characters or entirely new journeys to explore. Selections such as picture books and novels were avail able for all grades.

there’s always terror out there. People forget.

Chabad of West Hempstead

Courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools

from left to right, Waverly Park Elementary School students Leo Knacke and Ethan Stukov browsed a wide selection of books and other goodies at the annual book fair.

Marion Street create ‘Hall of Heroes’ for Veteran’s Day

Students from Marion Street Elemen tary School marked Veteran’s Day by debuting a Hall of Heroes that thanked United States service members.

The front lobby of Marion Street is decorated with red, white, and blue through various drawings. Along with the drawings, there’s art in the shape of vari ous patterns such as hearts and stars.

Others featured patriotic images of bald eagles and the United States flag. These pieces of art were created using different methods such as drawing abstract shapes or creating a collage with paper.

Students reflected on their own family members who served and thanked those who have served nationwide.

Courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools

StudentS from marion Street Elementary School marked Veterans Day by creating a Hall of Heroes.

A variety of groups donate food for needy

“This event was the same as 2019 and we continued our mission to make people feel very welcomed,” she said.

She added that the Church served meals on a regular plate with silverware as community members ate a “restaurant quality meal.”

The meal was hosted in the parish hall, a perfect for a space usually used for com munity and charitable events. “It was dec orated beautifully,” Herrmann said. With festive tablecloths on several tables, com munity members took a seat and ate the food that was donated by various local groups.

“We had traditional Thanksgiving

food,” Barbara Herrmann said. “Such as turkey, ham, gravy, national mashed pota toes, sweet potatoes, corn, string beans, rolls, and cornbread.”

Local businesses and community members helped make the event happen. Herrmann expressed her gratitude for Front Street Bakery in Rockville Centre for donating pies, cakes, and strudels.

“We have turkeys that was donated from the American Legion and from indi viduals that live in East Rockaway,” Herrmann said.

The donations for this event were food or monetary donations. Herr-mann said that the financial donations took place not only in East Rockaway, but also in

Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC, Plaintiff AGAINST JAMES MANTHOS, LINDA MANTHOS, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered December 11, 2014, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on December 13, 2022 at 2:00PM, premises known as 27 SECOND STREET, LYNBROOK, NY 11563.

All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Lynbrook, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, SECTION 38, BLOCK 241, LOT 25, A/K/A SECTION 38, BLOCK 241, LOTS 25-27.

Approximate amount of judgment $756,633.90 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #013847/2013. The aforementioned auction will be conducted in accordance with the NASSAU County COVID-19 mitigation protocols and as such all persons must comply with social distancing, wearing masks and screening practices in effect at the time of this foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the foreclosure auction. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine”. Ellen Durst, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle Drive Williamsville, NY 14221 00-295303 73819 135247

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS-SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NASSAU- DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR AMERIQUEST MORTGAGE SECURITIES INC., ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2003-9, Plaintiff,against- THE UNKNOWN HEIRS-AT-LAW, NEXT-OFKIN, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST AND GENERALLY ALL PERSONS HAVING OR CLAIMING, UNDER, BY OR THROUGH THE DECEDENTS RICHARD G. RANK AND EILEEN E. RANK, BY PURCHASE, INHERITANCE, LIEN OR OTHERWISE, ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN AND TO THE PREMISES DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT HEREIN; GERALD R. RANK; DANIEL RANK; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (EASTERN DISTRICT); NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #12” the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to the plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint; Defendants - Index No. 601882/2018 Plaintiff Designates Nassau County as the Place of Trial. The Basis of Venue is that the subject premises is situated in Nassau County. To the above named Defendants-YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if

the complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. That this Supplemental Summons is being filed pursuant to an order of the court dated October 27, 2022.

NOTICE-YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME - If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.

Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR AMERIQUEST MORTGAGE SECURITIES INC., ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2003-9) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable David P. Sullivan .J.S.C. Dated: October 27, 2022 The object of this action is to

foreclose a mortgage and covering the premises known as 31 Carol Street, Lynbrook, New York 11563 Dated: November 4, 2022 Filed: November 4, 2022 Knuckles, Komosinski & Manfro, LLP., Attorney for Plaintiff, By: Richard F. Komosinski Esq., 565 Taxter Road Suite 590, Elmsford, NY 10523 Phone: (914) 345-3020 135490

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to N.Y. Election Law Article 17, Title 2, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York, and N.Y. Public Officers Law Article 7, the Open Meetings Law, public hearings will be held by the Town of Hempstead Temporary Redistricting Commission in the Nathan L. H. Bennett Pavilion, Hempstead Town Hall, 1 Washington Street, Village and Town of Hempstead, New York, on December 13, 2022 at 10:30am, to receive input regarding the reapportionment and composition of the Town of Hempstead’s councilmanic districts to be used beginning with the Town election of 2023.

ALL PERSONS INTERESTED shall have an opportunity to be heard and give input at the times and place aforesaid.

Dated:Hempstead, New York

November 15, 2022

BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NEW YORK.

KATE MURRAY Town Clerk DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR. Supervisor 135671

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES… Printed in this publication can be found online. To search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

BarBara Herrmann Bethany Congregational Church

neighboring towns.

“We do have financial donations out side of Bethany,” Herrmann said. The Church raised money with the help of not only East Rockaway community mem bers, but Oceanside residents as well. Every monetary donation went to pur chasing the food for this meal.

With 40 people showing up in person as well as people picking-up food, the Church served around 120 to 130 meals this year. Bethany Church wasn’t the only collector of foods for thanksgiving as the Lynbrook Community Chest also helped give out food.

Former Community Chest Chairper

son, Laura Ryder said “the community chest paid for and delivered 58 Thanksgiv ing meals with about 35 to 40 of them donated to the senior facility free of charge.”

Barbara and Doug were appreciative of the volunteers, as without them, this event wouldn’t happen.

All of the volunteers at the Bethany Congregational Church Thanksgiving meal were from Church this year.

“The volunteers are usually from Beth any or are East Rockaway residents,” Her rmann said. “Doug and I can never pull this off alone.”

Barbara Herrmann wanted to empha size that the event was done to serve the community. “We do this for the communi ty and to serve the community,” Her rmann said. “This event is to provide for the people that live in East Rockaway and Lynbrook.

“It’s really just a 100 percent event for the community to show them that we appreciate them and that Bethany looks after them.”

A small gift goes a long way

tion sort the donated toys.

“We sort the toys into a cate gory and sticker each item so that if you’re a family in the hospital receiving one of the donations and you are looking for support, you have a way to connect to us,” Pearsall said. The foundation goes through 2,000 to 3,000 stickers every year.

Along with donating toys to the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, Pearsall stressed other reasons why this founda tion is crucial for children with heart defects as well as their family members.

“The organization provides support, education, and aware ness for families,” Pearsall said. “Then also for the children who are living with congenital heart defects, it gives them an oppor tunity to meet and interact with other children who may be going through something similar.”

Pearsall noted Mended Little Hearts also looks after the siblings of the patients to assure they don’t feel left out

as the majority of the attention is on their sibling.

“Sometimes the focus is not on them and we understand that,” Pearsall said. “So we want to make sure that the sib lings feel that they are just as much taken care of and part of this overall diagnosis as a heart diagnosis affects an entire fam ily and not just the patient.”

As people are figuring out what sorts of gifts to buy for the toy drive, Pearsall emphasized the importance of being mindful of the teens and tweens age group.

“Sometimes they’re overlooked,” she said. “We remind people that travel board games, adult coloring books, arts and crafts, and even young adult novels are all fantastic gift ideas.”

Courtesy Shannan Pearsall a pediatriC Cardiology patient at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital shortly after she received a toy from the Mended Little Hearts foundation’s toy drive.

Continued from front page

this meal is Bethany’s gift to the community.

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A deck becomes a nightmare

Q. We bought a house with a deck and didn’t know it never had a permit until we went to make a home office out of the garage. We then learned that the deck posts are resting on the patio, with no footings in the ground, so the deck won’t pass an inspec tion. The problem is that we got estimates for the con crete posts, 3 feet deep in the ground, and it’s going to be a lot more than we expected, like $12,000. We decided to take the deck down instead, but then we saw that the crumbled concrete steps underneath have to be replaced. Between demolition costs and new back steps, we feel stuck. Any alternative ideas would be greatly appreciated.

A. Once again, an avoidable problem created by someone not investi gating the right way, before building, then pass ing the problem on to an innocent buyer. An engi neer’s building report before buying might have caught this problem, but like many other instances, the problem is pushed off because it seemed like a minor reason to not buy the house.

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REAL ESTATE

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Ask The Architect Monte Leeper

The building code requires the support posts extend into the ground in your region at least 3 feet deep, so the post bottoms are below the front line. This is to avoid uplift that causes damage when the ground is frozen in the colder months. Ice crystals form that crowd out the posts and force them upward. Resting on a patio, not only is the deck moving up and down with the slab, but it has no safe anchorage to resist high winds from ripping it to pieces. So now you need an anchorage manage ment class before you get too upset.

A publication on barn-building for the farming industry, mostly in the American Midwest, often publishes techniques with many cost-saving engi neering diagrams and discussions about using treated wood posts, coated or uncoated, extending into the ground and resting on thick rubber disks down below the 3- to 4-foot-deep frost line. The discs come in sizes from 12 inches to 36 inches in diame ter, to spread the loads, which must be calculated to select the correct-sized column base footing pad.

The same requirement of flared-out spread is required in the building code for concrete posts and must be calculated, no guessing or shortcuts allowed, and there actually are code tables outlin ing the minimum required spread size of column bases. This technique, without concrete, was devel oped to save money and time. If you can imagine the constant stresses and strains the wind and earth can impose on a freestanding barn in a Midwest blizzard, you can imagine that the person who came up with this idea must have been out standing in their field.

Since you will need plans for the deck to show this money-saving solution, hire a licensed profes sional who will review the code, the right method and save you much more than the cost of their ser vice. You can already see what guessing led to. Good luck!

© 2022 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.

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OpINIONS

The challenges for the Long Island Four

Once upon a time, there was a group known as the Long Island Nine. They were the nine Republican state sena tors who wielded enormous power in Albany. We now have a new group of seven Republican senators, but the spotlight is shifting to a new Long Island Four: the newly elected Republi can members of Congress, who will have enor mous influence due to the fact that the Republi cans in the House of Representa tives will be gov erning with such a small margin.

JERRY KREMER

The Long Island Four are Representatives Andrew Garbari no, Anthony D’Esposito, George Santos and Nick LaLota. On almost any issue where a critical vote is needed, those four must support the needs of the lead ership, and that’s where the headaches begin. Sometimes what your leadership wants could be a vote that would do enormous damage back at home. I know from personal experience as a state leg islator that bucking the leaders isn’t

easy, but you aren’t elected just to do what the bosses want.

Santos was the first of the four to make a public statement about the House’s mission in 2023. He made it clear that he was “not interested in a Congress that spent all of its time investigating the enemy,” and wanted to be a part of productive actions. Santos and his colleagues will be tested very early in the new session, when the far-right wing proposes the impeachment of President Biden and investigations into the business activities of his son Hunter.

The next test will be whether to shut down the federal government to appease a group that would like to cut back on entitlements such as Medicare and Social Security. That will be fol lowed by resolutions to strip certain Democrats of their committee assign ments to get even for last year’s actions against Congresswoman Marjorie Tay lor Greene of Georgia. I could go on, but that’s just a taste of what is likely to happen early on in their tenure.

Most Long Island voters are just like any other rational voters. They want government to work, and are generally

tired of partisan bickering. Inflation is an issue that hurts voters of all parties, and Congress must be prepared to take action that will heal our economy. Last month’s election taught Washington pol iticians that there is overwhelming sup port for a woman’s right, in consultation with her doctor, to decide whether she should have an abor tion. Women in the four local congressional dis tricts expect their voices to be heard, and that promis es to be another dilemma for the Long Island Four.

To add to these new members’ potential politi cal challenges is the fact that most of them received substantial funding from the Republican Congressional Cam paign Committee. Without that money, a couple of them might never have made it to Washington. How do you vote on an issue that hurts your district but is a priority of the party leadership? That headache reminds me of the old Tip O’Neill reminder that “all politics is local.”

Of course, there’s a positive side to being a member of the majority. With the backing of your party leaders, you can get grants for programs and proj

ects that will make the voters happy. You also get sufficient staff to be able to han dle the thousands of requests for help from your constituents. One of the cru cial things that help candidates get reelected is good constituent service. There are numerous cases of members of Congress losing their seats because they ignored the day-to-day demands of their voters.

Representing our suburban congres sional districts shapes up as an enor mous challenge. Long Island is a very informed and progressive region. There are no secrets about how our represen tatives vote on contentious issues, and bad votes will be part of the debate when they seek re-election. Local voters have many issues they care about at the federal level, and they won’t be bashful about demanding action. As one who served almost a lifetime in public office, I wish the Long Island Four the best of luck as they embark on their new chal lenge. They will need a lot more than luck to stay in office.

Jerry Kremer was a state assemblyman for 23 years, and chaired the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee for 12 years. He now heads Empire Government Strat egies, a business development and legis lative strategy firm. Comments about this column? JKremer@liherald.com.

Being vulnerable, a new holiday ritual

Can we settle in and be real? No, not everyone is having a better time than you. No, you aren’t the only one who wishes you’d passed on the second slice of coconut custard pie. Yes, we’ve said it before, but that doesn’t make it any less true: Families coming together for holi days are a movable feast of food and family history, old gripes and edgy new connections. And, yes, the coronavirus pan demic and politi cal fractiousness will take seats at our tables this year.

Ph.D. researcher-scientist who’s a pro fessor at the Universities of Texas and Houston. She says she has studied cour age, vulnerability, shame and empathy for the past few decades. She says she is a storyteller. She has a Netflix docu mentary out, several books that hit bestseller lists and podcasts galore. She has a unique style propelled by wit and infused with intel ligence. She tells us we need to be vulnerable. She tells us that when we’re willing to be vulnerable, we connect with people in more genuine ways.

nabes. So smart, so funny and so authentic. I identified with her immedi ately when she told a story of her daughter going to a prom. Her date picks her up in his pickup truck. The girl is dazzled; the guy is strutting. All Brown can think is, “They’re going to crash.” I get that. She was willing to share that tendency to cat astrophize, which as a mother, I own.

I know it all sounds like stuff we know, but try her podcast or her Netflix doc umentary and see for your self.

ly can learn from my experience.

So, to be more vulnerable, I shared some truths with my daughter I haven’t thought to mention in 45 years. I initiat ed a few risky talks with my son. I told stories on myself to the teenage grand kids, not the usual morality tales I prof fer but the real stuff, the dumb stuff, the mistakes that I was lucky to survive. I told them I pretty much stayed within my own no-risk zone all my life, and I know I should have stepped out, and I hope I still may.

RANDI KREISS

So give your self a break. With Thanksgiving just behind us and this month’s Hanukkah/Christmas/New Year’s Eve trifecta ahead, we need to treat our selves with care. We’ve all been through a meat grinder. It’s OK if the fruitcake isn’t homemade. It’s fine if the gift-giv ing isn’t a whirlwind of gimme-gimmegimme.

To strike a vulnerable note myself, these ideas didn’t come to me just like that. Lately I have been watching and reading Brené Brown, the MSW and

“I believe that you must walk through vulnerabili ty to get to courage, there fore … embrace the suck,” Brown says. “I try to be grateful every day, and my motto right now is ‘courage over comfort.’”

Vulnerability might look like shar ing something about yourself you might tend to hold back, or telling somebody they have hurt you in some way, or stepping out of your comfort zone to try some new adventure or job or social group. Brown talks a lot about vulnerability, and how it makes us so much more approachable.

She’s an influencer who has the creds to influence, unlike so many wan

I brought all my new found wisdom (not that much) to the Thanksgiving table, and now call on myself to be vulnerable and tell you most of the truth of my own holiday experience with the whole family.

The mélange included kids, grand kids (all teens), ex-wives, new partners, airplane travel, car trips, weather, secrets, trying to squeeze 75 years of life lessons into words of wisdom for the grandkids, not because I should or because they want to hear it but because that is who I am. I need to teach, to hope that my words land in fertile ground and set roots, so my fami

This isn’t a recipe, but I noticed that when I opened up a bit with an honest personal story, so did others. Not every one, but the teenagers did let a crack of light into the mysterious interior of their adolescent lives.

It feels like a challenge with a big payoff. I’m going to keep reading Brené Brown. I’m pushing myself, and it feels right.

Try it for Hanukkah and Christmas and New Year’s. Talk to strangers at the party. Invite someone for dinner. Actu ally go to the shelter to deliver food. Find a way to find warmth after this long winter apart.

The best of times and the most chal lenging times lie in the holiday weeks ahead.

Copyright 2022 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

A popular author suggests it, so I gave it my best shot at the family gathering.

O ur newest members of Congress must support the needs of the party leaders.

Phone: (516) 569-4000

Remembering for those who no longer can

Where were you when Kennedy was shot?”

Many of us remem ber asking that, or being asked. That question has since been supplanted by ones like “Where were you when the Challenger explod ed?” or “Where were you on Sept. 11?”

But those singular tragedies were hardly the first to dominate our everyday lives on such a massive scale. That is a tragedy remembered for decades with its own question: “Where were you when Pearl Harbor was bombed?”

Yet there are very few people left who can answer that. Not surprising, since the stunning attack that officially brought the United States into World War II happened over 80 years ago. Without those living witnesses, however, we risk the possibility that the attack, the war itself, and atrocities like the Holocaust will become mere footnotes in history.

And that’s simply not acceptable.

This was the time of what NBC anchor Tom Brokaw coined the Greatest Generation. People who lived through the suffering of the Great Depression, only to find themselves fighting for something greater: freedom. Not for Americans, but for people on a global scale. We fought to destroy fascism as well as its key components, totalitarian ism and authoritarianism, as well as hate.

Not that we were perfect in doing so —

far from it. But if anything good came from that period, it was the fact that our global society at least took some signifi cant steps forward.

Conflict has been a part of human his tory, but never on the scale we saw in World War II. Never in the numbers of people lost. The outright attempted geno cide of an entire religious ethnicity. We have to take time to remember because, as Winston Churchill said, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

Part of that education comes from exploring what happened at Pearl Har bor — a place thousands of miles away, practically across an ocean, on a group of islands that, at the time, were merely an American territory. The attack killed 2,403 U.S. personnel and destroyed or damaged 19 ships — nearly half of them battleships.

By the time World War II ended in 1945, American deaths would reach near ly 420,000, while globally, 15 million sol diers and 45 million civilians would lose their lives.

The pain from that war — and World War I, “the Great War,” before it — was felt for generations, to the point where governments worked as hard as they could not to let any other conflict balloon to such a global scale. But memories fade, hastened by the loss of those who experienced that suffering firsthand.

Now we live in a time when fears of a

worldwide conflict are stronger than they have been in decades. It’s not just political polarization, but also what has become a broader tolerance of intoler ance and outright hate — something that can never be allowed to normalize, whether it’s antisemitism, racism, sex ism or homophobia. Attacking where someone is from, how they worship — or if they worship — or even how they iden tify gender-wise.

History is fading, and with it its les sons. And we can’t let that happen. That’s why Dec. 7 is so important. Or Jan. 27 — International Holocaust Remembrance Day — as well as spring’s Yom Hashoah. Because you can’t even begin to talk about loss during this peri od without talking about the 6 million Jews who were killed — a third of Jews worldwide. Or the 2 million ethnic Poles. Or 500,000 Roma. Or thousands more who were gay, or who were political or religious prisoners.

The late Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survi vor himself, once said, “To forget a Holo caust is to kill twice.” And that can be applied to any tragedy we try to forget.

Next week, we have a chance to remember on the 81st anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. There might be few left to ask where they were when this tragedy took place, but remember ing means we’re learning. And learning gives us a fighting chance to never repeat those horrors again.

letters

O’Connell sure didn’t pull any punches

To the Editor:

Don’t you love freedom of the press? That basic right enables people like John O’Connell, former executive edi tor of the Heralds, to blatantly cast aspersions on public figures without including specific evidence to support his claims.

In his op-ed last week, “I’ll take the GOP agenda — without Trump — any day,” O’Connell refers to Hillary Clin ton as a “backstabbing, secretive, supercilious, lying, characterless cypher.” While I don’t love Hillary, I question what purpose such unsup ported name-calling achieves, except perhaps to justify why O’Connell opted to vote for Trump, despite his “unap pealing, obnoxious,” “insufferable” and “bullying” behavior.

O’Connell goes on to blast our sit ting president, vice president, trans portation secretary and governor,

opinions

‘Energy efficient’ may become a contradiction in terms

Hearings are getting under way on a proposal to socialize energy on Long Island. It would make the Long Island Power Authori ty the region’s sole entity responsible for keeping our lights on. Its structure would replicate virtually every government agency, bureau or department that you have cursed as inept, incompetent or indifferent.

The hearings, by a special com mission, are the result of legisla tion signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul. It directs the review of a plan to convert the existing public-pri vate partnership that manages our electrical grid to one that would, in essence, make the governor ultimately responsible for its operation and mainte nance.

To set the stage for these hearings, you need to understand that LIPA currently owns most of the Long Island electrical grid, including the bulk of our power plants. It has an incentive contract with PSEG Long Island, which actually runs the system. If PSEG does well and hits certain performance criteria, it is finan cially compensated. If it fails, it will take a financial bath. This is the essence of

why capitalism is always better, and why it provides for more-efficient creation and distribution of goods and services than any government-controlled or socialized economy.

What is instructive about this forced march to complete govern ment control is that these hearings were mandated by law to be held by the end of September, but are just beginning now. The govern ment commission couldn’t even get its act together to hold them on time. Good thing it isn’t responsible for directing our electrical future.

Oh, wait. It is.

James Hanley, a fellow with the Empire Center for Public Policy, is a seasoned observer of Albany’s political stinkpot. “It’s hard to predict what will come of this proposal,” Hanley has written. “Public power (left wing) advocates clearly want to eliminate any role for a private utility in operating LIPA’s grid. They don’t have any evidence that LIPA could improve upon PSEG’s management; they seem to think the word `public’ is a magical incantation that will make everything better.”

In truth, it makes everything worse. An example? Which delivery service is more reliable, the government controlled U.S. mail, or the privately owned Federal Express? The answer is obvious.

Letters

among others, again without a logical explanation. He cites the GOP agenda, familiar to most of us. However, he does not mention the many Americans who suffer from a housing shortage, food insecurity, climate change, or a lack of adequate gun control. He also exhibits no concern for the recent increase in racist, antisemitic and homophobic violence against fellow human beings. Will these people merely be casualties of war as the GOP tries to stifle the voic es of its opposition? Surely a nation as great as ours must be able to find a way to achieve compromise so that the needs and safety of so many of its citizens are not ignored.

PAm SInGER Malverne

Trump’s ‘great’ accomplishments?

To the Editor: John O’Connell asserted in his nov.

24-30 column that he doesn’t like Donald Trump, but that the former president accomplished “great things.”

What in the world would those “great things” be?

His disrespect for the country’s courts and its diplomatic and intelli gence services? His refusal to accept the results of an election? Deepening politi cal divisions and encouraging racial bigotry?

O’Connell’s column derides potential Democratic candidates for president and vice president, but omits any men tion of the many GOP members of Con gress who have gone along with Trump’s lies about a rigged election. n or is there any mention of Trump’s attempt to defy the will of American voters by backing a coup.

O’Connell even claims there is a “GOP agenda.” And what would that be? more stunts such as votes to end Obam acare?

LARRy mcCOy Rockville Centre

Hanley has identified the ideological underpinnings of this power grab. It has little to do with the efficiency, innovation and accountability demanded of PSEG Long Island under a strict don’t-screw-up contract with LIPA. Rather, it is about a progressive agenda of grow ing government whenever it can, assuming authority over infrastructure that it has no competence running and operating costs it has no interest in cutting.

What makes this power play particularly toxic is that LIPA had been tasked with running the grid before. It failed, miserably, when Superstorm Sandy came ashore a decade ago. As a result, then Gov. Andrew Cuomo required LIPA to engage private industry in running the grid, and to use financial incentives and penalties that are employed in the real world. Hav ing had such a raving success with cash less bail, today’s progressive powerbro kers seem quite content to ignore those lessons, and now seek the keys to the power grid.

How would that work? For starters, the people currently working for PSEG would probably be asked to transfer their skills and expertise to LIPA, a government enti ty. As LIPA employees, they would be given salaries, benefits and pensions that you and I would pay for. The LIPA man

Framework

agement structure would balloon with executives making six-figure salaries. There would be no financial incentives for any of them to work smarter, better, more efficiently.

Compare that with a recent J.D. Power survey that found dissatisfaction with PSEG Long Island among businesses on the Island. That could mean a financial hit for the utility management company, because its compensation is directly tied to customer opinions of its performance. Were LIPA in charge, and faced with such a report, its response would undoubtedly be “Feh,” for there would be no account ability under a socialized structure. That would be good news for those who feast on political patronage, because one suspects someone’s brother-in-law would be in charge of consumer complaints.

We can assume that it will be Hochul’s decision as to whether Long Island’s power goes progressive. She needs to, but probably doesn’t, appreciate, or care, that if that’s the future of LIPA, her office number will be on speed dial for 2.7 mil lion Long Islanders the next time a hurri cane takes down the grid. And if last month’s elections proved anything, it’s that those LIPA customers vote.

Ronald J. Rosenberg has been an attorney for 42 years, concentrating in commercial litigation and transactions, and real estate, municipal, zoning and land use law. He founded the Garden City law firm Rosen berg Calica & Birney in 1999.

by Fatima Lasso

In a season of crowded stadiums, a moment to appreciate where it all began — Rome

in Albany, a potential plan to gut the public-private management of our electricity.

ronaLd J. rosenBerG