Saying ‘great job’ in every language
Nicole Formisano/Herald
The Village of Malverne will completely overhaul Whelan Park and the Pine Brook Stream corridor. The $6.3 million project, which broke ground on Monday, is fully funded by the state.
On Constitution Lane, just off Ocean Avenue, lies an empty lot and a baseball field overgrown from disuse. By this time next year, however, the area will look much different. The Village of Malverne has begun a $6.3 million project to transform the area, called Whelan Field, into a park that will double as a stormwater retention area.
Planning for the project began around four years ago, when Mayor Tim Sullivan, a village trustee at the time, was looking for a way to utilize state funds.
“The idea was to come up with an environmentally friendly project that met all the goals of the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery at the time,” Sullivan recalled. “And they were to mitigate against future storm flooding, provide education about environmental conservatorship and ConTinued on Page 5
The seniors of the Atria Tanglewood assisted living facility became high schoolers again, grooving to disco music with the Key Club of Malverne High School at their “Senior” Senior Prom.
The point of the prom was to give the seniors an opportunity to revisit their youthful memories of their high school years, said Lilian Gambol, 15, of the Malverne Key Club — and what better way than a ‘70s disco theme?
The teenage students joined
forces with Atria to transform the living facility in Lynbrook into a disco dance party on May 22. The Key Club, which has been a partner of Atria for years, collaborated with staff at the living center to create this lively event.
“The goal of the prom was to make sure the seniors felt youthful,” said Jahzara Spence, 14, a freshman in Key Club. “And for the kids in the club to brighten their mood.
The benefits are multi-generational.
“It’s amazing to see the generations come together to share their ideas,” Robin Calcagno, advisor of the Key Club, said.
“The seniors love to talk to them about what’s going on in their life, and what they’re doing in school. And (the students) love to listen to the seniors share their memories and experiences with them. It’s just such a nice interaction of generations.”
“It’s important that they get visited sometimes,” Angellah Solon, 15, said of the seniors. “Having activities, doing stuff, going outside.”
According to Julianne Bertini, engage life director at Atria Tanglewood, the seniors love to take part in crafts, ping pong, jeopardy, and more activities with the Malverne students.
About two to three months before the prom, the students visited Atria and made presentations about different themes for the ‘Senior’ Senior Prom.
“So, this year, they picked the 1970s disco theme,” Bertini said. “In past years, we’ve done 1920s and we were teetering on 1950s, but we planned it so that it would be like a gimme,
gimme, gimme Abba disco party.”
The high school students made mocktails, brought snacks and desserts. Solon delighted seniors with her homemade chocolate chip cookies. Bertini decorated the Media Room in the facility and gave out accessories like disco
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Gov. Kathy Hochul indefinitely paused a congestion-pricing plan that was set to go into effect on June 30. The Town of Hempstead opposed the plan, and Supervisor Don Clavin said for now, Long Islanders can claim victory.
Town of Hempstead officials claimed victory last week after Gov. Kathy Hochul put an indefinite pause on a congestion-pricing plan that was set to go into effect on June 30.
The plan aimed to reduce traffic and travel time, create safer streets and cleaner air, reduce emissions and overall improve the quality of life in New York City — but the cost was high. It sought to tax car drivers $15 to enter Manhattan below 60th street, and charge truck drivers anywhere from $24 to $36, depending on the size of the vehicle. The toll would have also applied to motorcycles, taxis and ride-share vehicles.
The plan was first discussed in June of last year, and Hochul faced immediate pushback across the tri-state region from representatives, who expressed concern about the burden the high costs could place on travelers.
“Let’s be real — a $15 charge may not mean a lot to someone who has the means, but it can break the budget of a working- or middle-class household,” Hochul said in announcing a pause in the plan on June 5. “It puts the squeeze on the very people who make this city go: the teachers, first responders, small business workers, bodega owners. And given these financial pressures, I cannot add another burden to working- and middle-class New Yorkers — or create another obstacle to continued recovery.”
Hempstead Town officials, who openly disagreed with the pricing plan, said while the victory is great for now, it is only temporary.
“Yesterday, we saw the governor finally acquiesce to the will of residents throughout Long Island and the tristate region in pausing congestion pricing, not eliminating it,” Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin said at a news conference on June 6. “Those are very key words we need to remember because when you pause something, you pause it with the intention of bringing it back.”
Town leaders were adamant that the congestion-pricing plan would’ve hurt the average middle-class resident
Congressman Anthony D’Esposito also was opposed to congestion pricing, working with New Jersey Democrats to put a halt to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s efforts.
who needs to drive into the city for work — people like teachers, firefighters and police officers.
“This was literally nothing but a money grab,” Clavin said.
The area where tolls would’ve been implemented was referred to as the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan. It was estimated the congestion pricing plan would’ve raised $1 billion a year, which would cover the interest and principal payments for capital improvement projects to the city’s subways, buses and regional train lines.
However, town officials called out the MTA on past spending failures, leading them to feel doubtful that congestion pricing revenue would’ve made a difference.
“Everyone across the island knows that this was not about good government,” Clavin said. “This was not (about) investing in the rail systems.”
The Town of Hempstead filed a federal lawsuit last month, making it the first on Long Island to take legal
action against the congestion-pricing plan.
Clavin said even though there’s a temporary pause on the plan, it’s important that residents continue to fight its possible reenactment.
“We need to stay vigilant,” he said. “We need to keep up this fight. We’re not eliminating our lawsuit.
“This isn’t a Republican issue — this isn’t a Democrat issue,” he added. “This is a taxpayer issue, and the overburdened, overtaxed residents can’t afford this anymore.”
Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, who represents New York’s Fourth Congressional District, said the issue of congestion pricing was not only talked about on Long Island, but in the halls of Congress.
“This is an issue plaguing hardworking New Yorkers, and people in the tri-state area, that come to and from Manhattan,” he said. “Congestion pricing could cost the average commuter over $4,000 a year.”
D’Esposito said he worked with Congressman Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat from New Jersey, who also opposed congestion pricing, to enact legislation that would’ve put a stop to Hochul’s plan.
“We should claim victory because everyone here raised their voices,” D’Esposito said. “But we must keep pressure on. This shouldn’t be a pause — it should be an absolutely never going to happen.”
As of now, it is unclear if and when Hochul may reinstate the plan.
“Congestion pricing would have been another hit on hard working New Yorkers,” Town Councilman Chris Carini said. “I am proud to help champion the fight against an egregious tax that would have crippled residents and small businesses. Every day, more New Yorkers are leaving the state due to high taxes and unsafe neighborhoods. Albany’s leadership continues to produce out of control spending and has failed to rein in costs — let’s hope congestion pricing never rears its ugly head again.”
“This is a small victory in the long battle against congestion pricing,” Councilman Dennis Dunne said. “We are committed to fighting against unfair taxes on the back of Long Islanders.”
Jordan Vallone/Herald photos
The philosopher Epictetus said “Men are disturbed not by events, but by the views they take of them.” Arising out of “The Good Life”, previously reviewed here, comes the W.I.S.E.R. model for reacting to emotionally challenging situations.
Watch. Initial impressions are powerful but may be incomplete. There is usually more to see. When the impression and the emotional response start to interact, take a moment to pause and thoughtfully observe the situation to prevent a potentially harmful reflexive response. As they say in psychiatry “Don’t just do something, sit there.”
Interpret. We are all seeing the world through our own eyes — what is happening, why it is happening and how it affects us. Our reality is not necessarily that of others. Thinking that a situation is all about us often leads to misunderstanding. When your emotions start to bubble up, it indicates you have something important at stake -- a goal, an insecurity or a vital relationship. Figuring out what’s at stake will allow you to interpret the situation better.
Select. Having watched, interpreted and re-interpreted, you must select your response. Instead of reacting reflexively out of stress, slowing down allows us to choose from more options. As “The Good Life” says “Given what’s at stake and the resources at my disposal, what can I do in this situation? What would be a good outcome here? And what is the likelihood that things will go well if I respond this way instead of that way?”
Engage. Now you are ready to respond more purposefully — aligning with who you are and what you want to accomplish. You’ve observed and interpreted the situation, taken some time to consider the possibilities and their likelihood of success, and you then execute your strategy.
Reflect. “How did that work out? Did I make things better or worse? Have I learned something new about the challenge I’m facing and about the best response? Reflecting on our response to a challenge can yield dividends for the future. It’s in learning from experience that we fully grow wiser.”
Lorna Lewis, superintendent of the Malverne school district, has helped Nassau County educators over the past several months to create a comprehensive curriculum focused on tolerance and peace for students in grades K-12. This initiative, driven by the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents’ Curriculum Writing Committee, aims to combat hate and discrimination within Long Island schools.
The Nassau County Council of School Superintendents, a professional organization representing 56 school districts including Nassau Boces, spearheaded the project. Lewis was on the Curriculum Writing Committee, which was chaired by Vincent Randazzo, superintendent of Island Park Public Schools, and Mary O’Meara, superintendent of the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District. The committee also included several other superintendents from across the county, including Phyliss Harrington of the Oceanside school district, Kusum Sinha of Garden City, Ted Fulton of Hicksville and Danielle Gately of East Williston.
Participating teachers unveiled their curriculum projects on May 13 at a halfday program held at Nassau Boces’ Robert Lupinskie Center for Curriculum,
Instruction and Technology, in Westbury. The presentations focused on educating students about the symbols and speeches of peace and hate, with the goal of fostering a more inclusive and respectful school environment. Topics addressed included the various biases students face and effective strategies for educators to handle these issues.
The newly developed lessons will be distributed across all Nassau County school districts, ensuring a consistent approach to teaching tolerance and peace. This collaborative effort marks a significant step toward creating safer and more welcoming schools for all students in Nassau County.
“We appreciate the dedication and attention to detail given in every curriculum writing project shared today,” said Maria Rianna, president of the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents and the superintendent of the Glen Cove City School District. “Through this shared project, educators have developed innovative ways to create a school environment where respect and inclusiveness are paramount for all students, teachers and staff throughout Nassau County school communities.”
–Kepherd Daniel Courtesy of Nassau County Council of School Superintendentsprovide public access to the waterways.”
The creek that runs near the field, called Pine Brook Stream, will be revitalized. The brush and debris surrounding it will be removed and the area will be shaped into a stormwater retention area to reduce the flooding Malverne experiences in heavy rains. The project is designed to be “environmentally friendly and ecologically sensitive,” village officials said in a statement, to support the preservation of the natural wetlands near Malverne that are key to the area’s ecosystem.
After that, the village will overhaul Whelan Field, adding two new baseball fields, picnic areas, a dog park and a half-mile-long pedestrian walkway around the park, which will feature “fitness components and educational opportunities,” officials said.
The village’s ceremonial groundbreaking for the project, on Monday, was years in the making. Sullivan found out on his honeymoon three and a half years ago that the project had been approved, and the state would be sending Malverne $7 million to fund it — the largest grant the village had ever received, then Mayor Keith Corbett said at the time. A bulldozer has now taken up residence at Whelan Field to begin the transformation.
“I think it was a great design,” Corbett told those who were gathered in the lot on Monday. “It was a lot of hard work of a lot of people, everyone here.”
Once renovated, the park will be a big step up from the empty field it is now. Sullivan, who grew up in Malverne, remembers when he and his brothers played baseball there.
“It was literally a sandlot,” Sullivan said. “There were no roads, there was no concession stand. It was two backstops and a couple of stands. We were all running around down here, picking up garbage from the creek.”
But soon, the Malverne Little League will have brand new fields to play on.
“It rains,” said Pat Rudden, president of the Little League, “and now, instead of having a couple games on one field, a couple games on another field, you’re tak-
ing eight games a day and trying to reschedule them during the week, with one field. It was a challenge.”
“This field is a little larger for the older kids,” Mike Morgan, the league’s Field Maintenance Officer gesturing behind him. “This is the only field that we could use. The other field we have, the kids are too big to play on it. They have to play on this one. So we’ll be getting this bigger field back again.”
State Sen. Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, who is from Malverne, and Assemblyman Brian Curran were instrumental in securing the state funds for the project. The money is coming from the state Office of Resilient Homes and Communities, which was created in 2022 to take over the work of the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery.
Whelan Field is a beloved community landmark, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said, and the improvements will ensure it stays that way.
“My father played there when it was still known as Alley Pond,” Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick said, “and I have fond memories of watching my children play by the creek during our visits for sporting events.”
“This investment ensures that Whelan Field will continue to be a place where families can create lasting memories,” she added.
As well, Nassau County Legislator Bill Gaylor is helping Malverne purchase the land from the county, instead of leasing it, as it has since the 1950s. There has been a movement, Sullivan said, to transfer land from the county back to villages to increase local ownership. Malverne has petitioned the county for ownership of Whelan Field, and the county is currently considering the petition.
The architectural and engineering firm H2M, based in Melville, is spearheading the park’s redesign. The project is set to be completed in eight months.
After losing her Assembly seat in 2022 to Brian Curran by a slim margin of 138 votes, Judy Griffin is ready to pick up where she left off.
When she was first elected to the Assembly in 2019, Griffin was the first Democrat to hold this particular seat in more than 40 years. After the coronavirus pandemic upended her original plan, Griffin says she is looking for a reset in November to make the district a safer place to live.
“Sometimes, when I would go to the diner, people would be like, ‘I’m a Republican and I’m sorry you lost,’” Griffin told reporters at a recent Herald Roundtable session. “And now, it’s a year and a half since the last election, and I would say every day, community leaders, union leaders, constituents asked me to run again.”
Griffin wants to tackle the opioid crisis if re-elected, not only helping recovering addicts, but also their family members.
“I always believed that a multi-prong approach was necessary because I’ve seen and spoken to so many people who they said drug addiction harmed the whole family,” Griffin said. “We will support recovering addicts by finding them jobs, a place to live, and I would really love to do more of that.”
Griffin noted that one cause of the rise of the fentanyl crisis is drug dealers lac-
Judy Griffin is running to represent the Democrats in the race challenging incumbent Assemblyman Brian Curran in November. She wants to pick up where she left off in 2022 when Curran defeated her in the general election to take the seat back for Republicans.
ing drugs like marijuana and cocaine with fentanyl. She wants to continue advocating a bill she called “Death by Dealer” intended to hold these drug dealers accountable.
During her time in office, Griffin noted she helped pass legislation like the Red Flag Gun Law, which prevents people who show signs of being a threat to themselves or others from purchasing or possessing any kind of firearm. She also passed the “teacher gun law,” which
ensured educators will never be forced to carry weapons.
“In 2022, we passed even more gun legislation, but I still believe we aren’t done,” Griffin said. “I think there’s a lot more we could do.”
And with her “strong relationship” with local law enforcement, Griffin said she would help allocate funding to provide them with more resources. She committed to doing the same with the district attorney’s office and local schools.
“Something that was really important to me that I wanted to advance was doing something about mental health for police officers,” Griffin said. “That is a heavyduty job, and a lot is expected of them.”
Griffin also plans to gauge how her constituents are feeling on certain issues by resurrecting her “constituent survey” that is posted online each January. It would ask people their feelings on bills Griffin would vote on, and show the percentage of people that agree or disagree with an issue.
“You’re never going to have everyone be happy about everything you do,” she said, “but I tried as hard as I could to meet people in the middle, and meet them where most people were at.”
Griffin also plans to meet with neighbors to hear about the most pressing issues occurring in the district. It’s something she continued from her efforts in the past on the PTA, a nutrition committee, and while advocating for issues within local villages.
“Sometimes I’d be up at 4 in the morning, and that’s the kind of person I am,” Griffin said. “So, the dedication I had as a community advocate, I brought with me to office.”
For Patricia Maher, running in the June 25 Democratic primary for Assembly is about helping people.
“The only way you know what people are thinking in your constituency is to walk door-to-door to talk to them,” Maher told reporters during a recent Herald Roundtable session.
Running to represent Democrats in the November election against incumbent Assemblyman Brian Curran, Maher said she witnessed 700 people sign her candidate petitions. And they did so in places like Baldwin Harbor, Hewlett and Lynbrook — homes where many said it was first time someone running for office knocked on their door.
“These individuals, my future constituents, really feel like they are paying the highest taxes in the country and their roads are atrocious right in front of their house,” she said.
The problem, Maher learned — especially in Baldwin Harbor — was that one road would be repaired, but then that work would somehow cause flooding on an adjacent road.
“I talked to them and we decided we would go down to the town as a group and start to speak before the town council,” she said. “We would go to the county legislature speak to them, because this has to be a joint effort between the county, town
Tim Baker/Herald
coverage that impacts emergency medical technicians, firefighters, first responders, police and retired city teachers — all while still maintaining the promised coverage.
She said the state has good gun laws but they are not enough to battle the firearms coming across from other states.
“We need universal background checks on the federal level,” Maher said, adding she would work with federal officials to make that happen.
and the state.”
An advertising executive, Maher holds two law degrees — a juris doctorate from Touro Law School, and a master of laws from Hofstra University. Maher, however, is not a practicing attorney.
“The job of a New York state lawmaker is to make laws,” she said, noting that understanding the intent of a law is critical.
“I think I guess it’s after four years of schooling with my JD and LLM, I think I’m pretty well qualified to do that. You really need to know how the laws are written.”
A bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages and state Sen. Kevin Thomas — both Democrats — which would increase the allowable property tax income for senior citizens and people with disabilities, is a measure Maher supports. The legislation is in committee.
“I think that would be a great start right there,” she said. “Most seniors want to stay in their own homes. The current exemption is not enough.”
Maher aims to support a potential law reversing a change in health insurance
Tackling student loan debt is mainly a federal issue, but legislation could help. Such laws could be based on age, Maher said, noting the debt of older people. Some of these lenders are not telling borrowers they are eligible for debt relief, she added.
“I think maybe, on the state level, we could come up with some laws that would give penalties for these student loan companies that aren’t being truthful to students,” Maher said.
In the end, these elections — primary elections, especially — are important, Maher said.
“If you are a Democrat, you can come out to vote on June 25,” she said. “And early voting starts June 15. You come out to vote.”
Tim Baker/Herald
Students learning English as a new language in West Hempstead gathered for a luncheon to celebrate the progress and achievements they made during
Students who are learning English as a new language are accomplishing an impressive feat. So last month, West Hempstead took a moment to celebrate the progress and achievements these
students have made throughout the school year.
The event brought together both middle and high school English as a New Language, or ENL, students in the high
school’s gymnasium. The students were tasked with bringing in native dishes to create a buffet. The varied cuisine featured traditional foods from all over the globe, including China, Colombia,
Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Pakistan, Russia and Taiwan.
–Talya Lippman
Photos courtesy West Hempstead school district
Noah Burroughs has, through the course of his life, lived in Hempstead — of which he is currently a village trustee — Freeport and Roosevelt, making him more than familiar with the communities he would serve on the Assembly. At least as far as he sees it.
Burroughs is seeking the Democratic nomination to succeed Taylor Darling, the incumbent Assemblywoman who is now running for state Senate.
A Nassau County Community College and University of Buffalo graduate, retired the New York Jets — including during a time when the NFL team practiced nearby at Hofstra, Burroughs has spent the last 20 years teaching history at Hempstead schools.
“Playing football you always have your organization,” Burroughs told reporters during a recent Herald Roundtable session.
“If (your organization is) good, (they will) usually always reach out to the community and service the community. That was something that was big that I really appreciated.”
Burroughs credits his father — who was deeply involved in the integration efforts in the South during the Civil Rights era — for instilling that interest in community service, His father was arrested on a variety of occasions, and would tell stories to a young Burroughs
Tim Baker/Herald
Noah Burroughs was inspired to do community service through his father — a man who worked under Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights era. Now he’s looking to give back on his own, with a view to expand his community service from Hempstead village trustee to the Assembly currently held by Taylor Darling.
about being sent out on jobs by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. himself.
“I grew up with my dad explaining to us the importance of being involved in
the community,” he said. “My mom was (the) one who was big on education, but also big on doing things for the right reasons.”
But Burroughs also had a passion for sports, coaching football — first at Hempstead High School, and then Nassau Community College, having felt inspired to guide and assist young athletes as they traversed similar obstacles as what he had faced as a younger man.
“I just wanted to make it easy for as many as (I) could,” Burroughs said.
“My philosophy always became, how can I help more? How can I help more? How can I help more?”
Eventually this philosophy led him to start the Time Foundation with his family, which has partnered with churches and other local organizations to give back, and which holds book bag drives, sports camps and more.
But it still wasn’t enough. Burroughs and his father devised a plan to break into local politics so he could help on a grander scale. In 2021, he ran for — and became — a Hempstead village
trustee.
“My first year I got my feet wet,” Burroughs said. “My third year — which is now — I’ve become very clear on what I want to do, and how to get things done.”
So, what does that mean for him joining the Assembly?
“Why am I doing this?” Burroughs asked. “Because I want to continue to grow … and try and help more people in my community. What way to do that better (than) on the state Assembly?”
One way he hopes to begin is with infrastructure.
“Our sewer and water needs a lot of improvement,” Burroughs said. “Our infrastructure and businesses kind of go hand-in-hand.
“Uniondale and Roosevelt don’t even have a semblance of what a downtown area looks like at all. Down Nassau Road, it’s not pleasant. Down Uniondale Avenue, it’s not pleasant. You may not have a complete, thriving downtown, but you still want to modernize it and have your businesses look beautiful.”
Freeport, however, needs to just “continue an upward trend.”
The primary election is set for June 25, with early voting running between June 15 and June 23.
She’s a newcomer to the political arena, but not to serving her community.
Now Lisa Ortiz wants to serve on a larger scale — running for Assemblywoman Taylor Darling’s seat. But first, she needs to win the Democratic primary on June 25.
“I’ve already been doing the work,” Ortiz told reporters during a recent Herald Roundtable session. “Being able to serve as an elected official just gives a title. It would give me a title and be able to allow me to be a little more impactful to a larger community.”
The Lakeview resident wants to succeed Darling, who is running for state Senate. She’s spent the past months attending events and meeting civic leaders in all the different communities of the Assembly district. That way, Ortiz said, if she wins the seat, she can hit the ground running and be impactful.
The position, Ortiz adds, would require the exact skills that her past experiences have prepared her for She was elected to the Lakeview Public Library board in 2017, and now serves as its president. Being on the library board taught Ortiz “to understand how to create policy.”
“It gave me an opportunity to really understand how a budget is prepared,” Ortiz said, “how the funds are allocated,
Tim Baker/Herald
Lisa Ortiz says her experience as a longtime community advocate — especially with the Lakeview Civic Association — will make her the effective representative Assemblywoman Taylor Darling’s district needs. She hopes to represent Democrats in November to succeed her.
making sure that I was able to understand how we could reduce wasteful spending, and make sure that we had adequate funds to service or provide programming that would benefit our community, as well.”
One of her biggest accomplishments in that role, she said, was helping to secure a $900,000 grant to offset the cost
of the library’s renovations.
Ortiz also is an executive member of the Lakeview chapter of the NAACP, and was one of the seven neighbors who came together in 2020 to create the Lakeview Civic Association, which focuses on supporting and advocating for the community in lieu of a local village government.
“Through the civic association, I’ve been able to pull in a lot more resources and make sure that the concerns for the community were addressed,” Ortiz said.
“I really enjoyed engaging with the community and hearing and learning their concerns, so that way I could ensure that our community was being protected, and the services were being implemented and restored.
“And from there, I started to realize — if I were able to do this as a community organizer or a community advocate, I could do so much more if I were given an opportunity to represent larger
districts. I started to develop this burning desire to run for office.”
Professionally, she spent a decade as a portfolio analyst for a real estate company, and she now owns a small local business called Creative Little Learners, a day care center. Public school funding — and helping provide constituents access to high-quality child care — are also priorities of hers.
Neighbors also need access to quality water — a particular problem in this district, she said — and better infrastructure and roads. Perhaps most pressing, Ortiz said, is the unaffordability of Long Island.
“If we don’t start to ensure that residents that currently live on Long Island can stay on Long Island, we’ll continue to have a mass exodus out of the state,” Ortiz said.
The answer, she said, is to make sure small business owners have access to the county resources that will help them keep their doors open.
“I really care about the community, what it looks like,” Ortiz said. “I want to make sure that we’re not only addressing the concerns for right now, but we’re creating a better future for generations to come.”
Children being treated for cancer at NYU Long Island Hospital will soon receive surprise care packages filled with gifts and games — all thanks to the West Hempstead Lions Club.
“If I can make them smile for even one second of their day then we did our job,” said Antonella Verderosa, president of the club. “They are faced with such hardship at a young age, and they just want to be kids at the end of the day.”
“These children have difficult roads ahead of them,” said Mia Murphy, vice president, “and I am hopeful that our goodie bags bring some happiness to all of the kids who receive them.”
The club, a volunteer organization, gathered in the basement of St. Thomas the Apostle R.C. Church, in West Hempstead, and filled 100 backpacks with gifts for the children. The bags were stuffed with fuzzy socks, bucket hats, puzzle books, pencils and Target gift cards, as well as gas gift cards for their caretakers who bring the children to cancer treatments. The 20 bags for infant patients were filled with onesies, sippie cups, and socks in addition to the Target and gas gift cards.
The West Hempstead Lions Club were joined in their project, on May 25, by Long Island Pride, and the Lions Clubs of Massepequa and Massepequa Park.
One of the Lions Club international initiatives is helping pediatric cancer patients. The West Hempstead Lions Club has also cooked for the families of children undergoing cancer treatments, and has done projects with the Ronald McDonald house, a charity organization for families of children dealing with sickness.
Joseph Murphy, second vice president of the West Hempstead Lions Club and husband to Mia Murphy, is
a cancer survivor himself. He is 9 years cancer-free.
“It means the world to me to help in any way possible,” Joseph Murphy said. “To make a child smile, or possibly forget for even just a moment, there is no better feeling.”
Volunteering for the community is what the West Hempstead Lions Club is all about. Verderosa, who has been a member for almost a decade, originally joined to get more involved in recycling projects. Mia Murphy got involved as a way to continue volunteering her
time to help her community once her children got too old for her to be involved with the Parent Teacher Student Association. Joseph Murphy joined to continue volunteering for the community after his time as assistant scout master of West Hempstead Boy Scout Troop 240 came to an end. Being part of the Lions Club, longtime member Terri Oster said, is a way to give back to her community.
To join, visit West Hempstead Lions Club on Facebook.
Courtesy Antonella Verderosa
ball necklaces, ‘70s glasses, headbands, and glow sticks.
“We aimed to make it as fun as possible,” Bertini said. “My residents love to dance and love to be active.”
Dancing with the seniors was her favorite part, said Karen Hernandez, 15. A few of the seniors were impressively good dancers, Gambol said, met with unanimous agreement from the other club members.
“They were so lively and joking,” Spence said.
The residents’ enthusiasm rubbed off on the students.
“I liked building relationships with them,” Hernandez. “I liked listening to their stories when they were younger as well. And sometimes they give words of wisdom to me.”
Events like these are important for the high school students, Bertini explained, because a lot of were able to get out of their shell over the past couple of months. Some start off shy in the beginning, but then Bertini saw them progress to the point where they bond with the residents.
“I think it’s important for them to know the population that has come before them,” Bertini said. “They understand that they’re just me and you just with age and I watched the seniors get more comfortable with them throughout the year.”
Atria plans to continue their long relationship with the Key Club into the next school year — and Key Club is planning the same.
“These are the girls who are the future of our school, of our community,” Calcagno said of Gambol, Hernandez, Solon, and Spence, who are all freshmen. “They’re the future of this club.”
Civil rights icon Hazel Dukes, 92, was honored for her decades of advancing racial equality across Lakeview, Long Island and beyond.
“This is a woman who has literally spent her entire life,” said Laura Harding, ERASE Racism president, “advocating one, for Black people, but for all marginalized peoples.”
ERASE Racism, a leading advocacy organization dedicated to racial equity, honored Dukes at its 19th Annual Benefit on June 5 at the Garden City Hotel. The event, themed “Shine A Light: Illuminating Paths to Equity,” recognized individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to social and racial justice.
ERASE Racism is very intentional with whom they decide to honor, said Laura Harding, president of the organization. Their honorees are not just people who sign checks, she said, but people who truly provide services. The Lifetime Achievement award was created with Dukes in mind.
Tone of those people,” Harding said, adding that Dukes has impacted every Black and brown politician across Long Island and the state. “Dr. Dukes is one of those people who spent a lot of time fighting for systemic impact, and an end to the way structural racism impacts everyone.”
Dukes helped desegregate housing in Roslyn, where a street was given the honorary title of “Dr. Hazel Dukes Way” in honor of her. She was the first Black office-holder in the Nassau County Attorney’s Office. She worked for president Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Head Start” program in the ‘60s, which supported early child care for low-income families.
here’s not a community, a population, that she hasn’t touched or her advocacy has not impacted.
L AuRA HARdINg President, ERASE Racism
“We made sure to give honorees their flowers before they moved on,” Harding said. “Because far too often, we name our awards after people who have passed, but we don’t necessarily tell people thank you for the service that they’ve done while they’re here to hear how much we appreciate them.”
“We’re looking for someone who’s literally spent their entire lifetime on the front lines, and Dr. Dukes is
She’s not only president of the state National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, but also served as president of the national NAACP in the ‘90s, and is currently a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors and the Executive Committee. She worked closely with another civil rights icon, Scottie Coads, to advocate for Lakeview.
“She’s also personally made it her duty to take interest in the next generation, and develop them,” Harding said. “And to invest in them, and ensure that they themselves become social and racial justice warriors, because we understand that this fight will go on long after we’re gone.”
The ceremony on June 5 was also to step back and appreciate the successes that came from decades of advocacy . Activists are often so focused on what still needs to be done, Harding said, that it’s rare they take the time to appreciate their successes and the battles
Lifetime
they’ve won along the way.
“It’s because of your shoulders,” Harding said of Dukes. “Because of who you are. You have given us a foundation upon which we can stand and move forward with this work.”
“There’s not a community, a population, that she hasn’t touched or her advocacy has not impacted.”
Long Island’s most anticipated new oceanfront community is now open. At The
Courtesy ERASE Racism Hazel Dukes, 92, has been honored with ERASE Racism’s inaugural Achievement award for her activism in Lakeview and across the nation.With at least 17 forecasted named storms, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration anticipates the most active hurricane season outlook ever.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially started June 1 when ocean temperatures are typically primed for storm development. Predicting that 17 storms will reach at least tropical storm status — with sustained winds of between 39 and 73 mph — is unusually high considering an average Atlantic hurricane season between 1991 and 2020 included 14 named storms — half of them hurricanes, and three of those major hurricanes.
“This season is looking to be an extraordinary one,” NOAA administrator Rick Spinrad told reporters during a news conference.
Nelson Vaz, a New York-based warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service, noted the forecast calls for high activity in the Atlantic Ocean due to abnormally warm water
how the storms will form, it’s tough to predict on where they will end up.
“The one thing that is not in the forecast is landfall,” Vaz said. “You can’t forecast where the storms are going to go, when they are going to occur. So, those are going to be shorter term forecasts based on shorter term weather patterns.”
The threat for a landfalling hurricane is higher than it would be in a typical season, Vaz emphasized. Even in a low-activity season, it’s important for people on Long Island to prepare, even though only a handful of storms ever make it this far
The best time to prepare, Vaz said, is now before the hurricane season starts to pick up in late July.
state’s homeland security and emergency services division, says that anyone living on the coast needs to know if they’re in an evacuation or flood zone. And that even includes people who live inland, as flooding could very much be an issue.
Residents should to prepare for potentially being trapped for a few days if local authorities can’t get to them.
“Prepare a ‘go’ bag,” Bray said. “Flashlights, batteries, bottled water, non-perishable food, extra medication for you and your pets, tarp, duct tape, and stuff that you just might need.”
Homeowners should make sure they know where electrical equipment is located at their residence, and find out what their drainage situation is like.
■ Know if you’re in an evacuation or flood zone, or flood-prone area
■ Prepare a ‘go’ bag
■ Have supplies ready like flashlights, batteries, bottled water, nonperishable food, extra medication for you and your pets, tarp, duct tape
■ Take note of where your electrical equipment is located
Learn more at NOAA.gov.
–Ben Fiebertarea, Bray explained her department would set up an emergency operations center. From there, they would start tracking local needs, such as generators, light and crews to remove downed trees.
“And because all signs point to an incredibly active season, we’re really focused now on the tabletop exercises, training exercises, and making sure our stockpiles are full,” Bray said.
To stay up to date on the hurricane season, visit NOAA.gov. For information on how to get notified during weather emer-
Courtesy National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Rabbi Art Vernon of Congregation Shaaray Shalom, incoming Central Nassau Rotary Club president, left, and Bill Youngfert, past club president, present Diraj Singh with first place in the middle school essay contest on the Equal Rights Amendment.
The Central Nassau County Rotary Club works with the American Association of University Women every year to co-sponsor a middle school essay contest.
This year’s essay topic was on the Equal Rights Amendment, also known as the ERA.
This year’s winners were Diraj Singh who won first prize and Yonah Lalehzari who won second prize.
The awards were given to the winners at the West Hempstead Public Library on May 23 by Rabbi Art Vernon of Congregation Shaaray Shalom, incoming Rotary Club president, and Bill Young-
fert, Rotary Club past president.
The Central Nassau Rotary Club welcomes neighbors to help others in the community at its weekly meetings Thursday at 8:30 a.m. at the Venus Restaurant in West Hempstead. Visit their website for upcoming events at CentralNassauCountyRotary.org.
The Central Nassau County Rotary Club is always looking for new members. For anyone who is the sort of person whose enjoyment of life is enhanced by helping people and organizations in thier community, then the Rotary Club might be just the place to be.
–Nicole Wagner
Serafina Bruchhauser has achieved among the highest honors a Girl Scout can receive — her Gold Award. She was celebrated at the West Hempstead and Franklin Square Association of Girl Scouts award night on May 2 at Polk Street School, and congratulated by Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray, right. Also in attendance were Nassau County Legislator John Giuffre and New York State Assemblyman Ed Ra.
Courtesy Town of Hempstead W.H.
Courtesy Central Nassau Rotary Club
Nicolas Albarano (with Barry LeBron, music teacher), Rockville Centre
Mr. LeBron, since sophomore year, has encouraged me to do NYSSMA, jazz ensemble and Tri-M Music Honor Society. He’s helped me to develop my musical talent (piano) in and outside of school.
Is there a teacher, mentor, or friend who impacted you throughout your high school experience?
Stephen D’Amato (with Courtney Prestianni, guidance counselor), Wantagh
One person that stands out the most to me is my guidance counselor, Ms. Prestianni. She always helps me problem-solve and come to the best decisions. She treats me like one of her own kids.
Christian Auguste (with Arthur Ergistre, director of science), Uniondale I approached Mr. Ergistre with an idea for a paid peer tutoring program and with his guidance, he pushed me in the right direction. He has always been super supportive of what I want to do, and he’s always encouraged me.
Camdresa Davis (with Peter Buckley, English teacher/track coach), Baldwin During my sophomore year, I faced one of the most difficult challenges of my life, which was the loss of my mother. Mr. Buckley was always there for me I was able to talk to him and he helped me realize that even though I had lost someone close to me, I would never be alone.
(with
I had Ms. Falvo in middle school and high school. Even when I didn’t have her, she always made time for me. When I was struggling with my English class or problems personally, I went to her and she would give me advice.
Johnna Rodriguez
Briar Falvo, English teacher), East Rockaway
By Karen Bloom
June means … strawberries. Those luscious berries await during this precious — short-lived — season. So gather up your gang and venture out to one of the many u-pick growers for a day in the berry patch. The season reaches its peak here as spring transitions into summer, as the fruit grow and ripen throughout May and June.
Everyone can agree that local is always best, so skip those California and Florida supermarket berries and head out to one of the many farms nearby where you can pick your own. Then when you return with your bounty, be sure to whip up some yummy strawberry creations. These fresh gems are always terrific on their own, of course, but when used in a recipe, they’ll jazz up any meal.
The quintessential summer treat never goes out of style.
• 3 baskets of fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Whipping cream
• Vanilla
1. Remove the stems from the strawberries. Slice into thin (1/4- to 1/8-inch slices. Put into a large bowl. Add 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of sugar (depending on how sweet the strawberries are to begin with) and mix into the strawberries. Set aside at room temperature to macerate (which means that the sugar will soften the strawberries and help release their juices).
2. After the strawberries have been sitting for 20 minutes or so, take a potato masher and mash them a little. Not too much, just enough to get more juice out of them.
3. Whip the cream, adding a drop or two of vanilla and a teaspoon of sugar.
4. To serve, break up one biscuit per person into big pieces into a bowl. Ladle strawberries over the biscuit (either scratch-made or Bisquick recipe). Add a dollop of whipped cream.
Biscuits from scratch:
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1. Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Toss with a fork to combine. Cut the butter into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter or a fork until the largest pieces of butter are the size of peas. (Or pulse several
times in a food processor.) 2. Combine the cream and vanilla in a liquid measure. Make a well in the center of the flour and pour the cream mixture into the well. Mix with a fork until the dough is evenly moistened and just combined; it should look shaggy and still feel a little dry.
3. Gently knead by hand five or six times to create a loose ball.
4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and pat it into an 8-inch square, 3/4 to 1-inch thick. Transfer the dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment or silpat, cover with plastic and chill for 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
5. Heat the oven to 425º F. Remove the dough from refrigerator. Cut the dough into 9 even squares and spread them about 2 inches apart from each other on the baking sheet. Bake until the biscuits are medium golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes.
Makes 9 biscuits.
Classic Bisquick biscuits:
• 2 1/3 cups Bisquick baking mix
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons sugar
1. Heat oven to 425° F. Stir baking mix, melted butter, milk, and sugar in a mixing bowl until soft dough forms.
2. Drop by 6 spoonfuls on to a greased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
Makes 6 biscuits.
Strawberry Tarts
All the sweet goodness of strawberry shortcake in a small bite.
• 6 2-1/2-inch tart shells
• 1 1/2 quart fresh strawberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Whipped cream
1. Wash and remove caps from the strawberries. Set aside the best half of the berries; combine the remaining berries, whole or cut, sugar and cornstarch in saucepan.
2. Cook, stirring frequently, 5-6 minutes or until the berry mixture is very thick. Stir in the lemon juice. Cook. Select a few of the reserved strawberries for garnish; add the rest, whole or cut, to the cooked mixture.
3. Pour into the baked pastry shells. Garnish with the whipped cream and remaining whole or cut berries.
Drag out that neon once again and give your hair its best ‘80s ‘do. Those crazy days are back — as only Jessie’s Girl can pull off, on the Paramount stage. So slip on some Jordache jeans, legwarmers, grab an extra-large bottle of Aqua Net, and get ready to dance the night away. There is no decade like the ‘80s, and no band that has mastered the music of the era like Jessie’s Girl. Hear all of your favorites by Prince, Madonna, Eddie Money, Duran Duran, Whitney Houston, Cyndi Lauper, Pat Benatar, Van Halen, J. Geils Band, The Police and many more. The show is led by New York City’s top rock and pop vocalists and backed by a phenomenal band, who get everyone into that ‘Back to the ‘80’ vibe. Throw in a load of super-fun choreography, audience participation, props, costumes bubbles and confetti — and you have a party that audiences don’t want to leave.
Friday, June 14, 8 p.m. $45, $37.50, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.
The Happy Together Tour is back with an evening of groovy tunes. The touring sensation that has crisscrossed the nation delighting audiences for more than a decade returns with a show full of ‘60s and ‘70s chart-toppers — an undeniable 61 Billboard Top 40 smashes. Surely an evening of hit after hit after hit that will have you heading home whistling the soundtrack of that beloved era. Returning favorites and new additions in this edition include The Turtles once again, the evening’s musical hosts. They are joined by Jay and the Americans, The Association, Badfinger, The Vogues and the Cowsills. The Turtles, of course, are best known for their harmony-heavy California pop sound. With such hits as ‘Elenore,’ ‘She’d Rather Be With Me,’ ‘It Ain’t Me Babe,’ ‘You Showed Me’ — and the title of the tour, ‘Happy Together’ — the band ruled the airwaves in the late ‘60s. Rewind time and groove to the classics as you see these legends live on the same stage.
Saturday, June 15, 8 p.m. Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury. Tickets available at LiveNation.com.
Fab Faux
The Beatles live on — in the form of the Fab Faux. The acclaimed band brings out the best Beatles moments, appearing on the Paramount stage, Saturday, June 22, 8 p.m. With a commitment to the accurate reproduction of Beatles’ repertoire, The Fab Faux treat the seminal music with unwavering respect, known for their painstaking recreations of the songs (with emphasis on the later works never performed live by the Beatles). The musical virtuosity of The Fab Faux — in actuality five New York City-based musicians —upends the concept of a Beatles tribute band. Far beyond being extended cover sets, their shows are an inspired rediscovery of The Beatles’ musical magic.
The Fab Faux tackles the group’s most demanding material onstage in a way that has to be experienced to be believed. In addition to their note-for-note accuracy, the band is famous for blurring the lines slightly and injecting their own musical personalities into the performances. Imagine hearing complex material like “Strawberry Fields Forever” or “I Am the Walrus” performed in complete partperfect renditions; or such harmony-driven songs as “Because”, “Nowhere Man”, and “Paperback Writer,” reproduced with extra vocalists to achieve a double-tracked effect. That’s The Fab Faux experience. $55, $35, $30, $25. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.
Families will enjoy another musical adventure, “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” ripped from the pages of Mo Willems’ beloved children’s books, on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage, Friday, June 14, 10:15 a.m. and noon; also Saturday, June 15, 2 p.m.; Sunday, June 9, 2 p.m.; Wednesday, June 19, 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Back by popular demand after a sold-out 2023 run, see Pigeon, Bus Driver, and some zany passengers sing and dance their way to help Pigeon find his “thing” in this upbeat comedy based on Willems’ popular Pigeon books.
Featuring a live band to bring the jazzy score to life, audiences will thoroughly enjoy singing and flapping along with The Pigeon and friends. The audience is part of the action, in this innovative mix of songs, silliness and feathers. It’s an ideal way to introduce kids to theater and the humorous stories from Willems’ books.
$10 with museum admission ($8 members), $14 theater only. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.
On exhibit Nassau County Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “Urban Art Evolution,” is a comprehensive exhibit featuring a diverse range of compositions from the 1980s through the present by creators who were based in the rough and tumble downtown area of New York City known as Loisaida/LES (Lower East Side/East Village) and close surrounding neighborhoods.
Artists pushed the boundaries of what was considered “art” with a primary focus on street/graffiti art. The exhibit’s scope, guest curated by art collector/gallerist Christopher Pusey, offers an even broader view from other creative residents, who worked inside their studios but still contributed to the rich fabric of the downtown art scene from different vantage points and aesthetics.
Works include sculpture, paintings, photography, music, and ephemera from many noted and influential artists. On view through July 7. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.
Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a Seasonal Sprouts session, Wednesday, June 19, 11 a.m.-noon. Children (ages 4 to 6) can explore the grounds on a guided walk within the formal gardens and informal woodlands. Families will enjoy activities and plant a flower to take home. $10 per child. Registration required. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information, visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.
Participate in summer festivities at Malverne Art Walk, beginning June 15 Walk through Malverne and enjoy music, food, street vendors, while browsing among 100 original art pieces — sculptures, photos, quiltwork, paintings and more — from local artists. The event, organized by the Chamber of Commerce, is free and begins at Malverne Public Library. 61 St Thomas Place.
Salute Israel, while welcoming Eisenhower Park’s summer concert season, at the annual Celebrate Israel concert, presented by Jewish Community Relations Council of Long Island, Sunday, June 30, 6 p.m. Israeli superstar Raviv Kaner performs. Bring seating. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. For more information, visit Facebook. com/jcrcli.
Show off your strength at the Manliest Man and Fittest Female competitions, or simply enjoy the food and beer, at Crossroads Farm, Sunday, June 16, noon-3 p.m. Held rain or shine. Registration required. 480 Hempstead Ave. Register at Events.EliteFeats. com/24Strong.
Having an event?
Step back in time and observe different eras of military history, at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, Saturday and Sunday, June 15-16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. As you “march through history” be side by side with knowledgeable and welcoming reenactors from Long Island and numerous other states portraying soldiers, their uniforms and weaponry from Colonial America through more recent conflicts. With firing demonstrations throughout the day, as well as tent and camp life displays. $15, $12 children, $12 seniors 60+. Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Road Old Bethpage. Visit OldBethpageVillageRestoration.org for more information or call (516) 5728409.
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.
Enjoy some summertime tunes at Old Westbury Gardens, Thursday, June 20, 7-9 p.m. Hear jazz standards and original compositions by musician and composer Glafkos Kontemeniotis and his trio Monk for President, with Vince “Kazi” McCoy on drums and Fred Berman on double bass. Before, during, or after, stroll the gardens decorated with floral arrangements and illuminated with lanterns. Drinks and appetizers provided; you’re welcome to bring a picnic dinner. $30. Reservations required. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information, visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.
Visit Eisenhower Park for its Noontime Concert series, Wednesday, June 26, noon-2 p.m. The Long Island Harmonizers perform four-part barbershop a cappella. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. Their repertoire ranges from traditional barbershop to the Great American Songbook and Elton John. Bring seating. For information, visit NassaucCountyNY.gov.
Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just starting out, the Malverne Civic Association welcomes all garden enthusiasts to the 2024 Garden Tour, Saturday, June 22, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. It begins at Malverne Gazebo at 30 Church St. $25 in advance or $30 day-of. Register at tinyurl.com/ MalverneGardenTour2024.
The Eastern Women’s 40+ National Qualifier will excite you whether you’re a player or a fan. Catch the action, Sunday, June 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1000 Lake Drive in West Hempstead.
Join the veterans of Cathedral Post 1087 in honoring the American flag, and all it represents, Friday June 14. The flag day celebration begins at 6 p.m. at Cathedral Post 1087. 233 Woodlawn Rd. in West Hempstead.
PARTY ROOM:
Private dining is the perfect setting for intimate occasions as well as larger parties.
CATERING MENU:
Our catering menu offers a wide selections of food to satisfy all of your guests needs
DECORATIONS:
Let us take care of everything, with personalized decorations, balloons, linens & more!
PFY will host its annual pride gala on June 6, dubbed ‘Power of Pride: Raising LGBTQ+ Voices to Benefit PFY.’ This year’s event aims to focus on prejudice facing the LGBTQ+ community, by honoring Long Island’s trailblazers who fight adversity on many fronts.
PFY, the organization formerly known as Pride For Youth, hosted its annual Pride Gala on June 6. This year, the event is dubbed “Power of Pride: Raising LGBTQ+ Voices to Benefit PFY.”
The gala, in Westbury Manor in Westbury, celebrated the work of PFY, as it is leading, nonprofit, grassroots organization on Long Island. Operating as a subsidiary of the Long Island Crisis Center, it has headquarters in Bellmore, as well as a location in Deer Park. The organization hosts events all year long catered to supporting the needs of individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ on Long Island and in Queens. Founded in 1993 as an organization specifically meant for youth, grant funding last year allowed PFY to expand the breadth of its services.
This year’s gala honored three trailblazers in the LGBTQ+ community, who work tirelessly year-round to make sure that members of the community feel safe, supported and seen. Michael Caputo, of the LI Pride Lions, the Rev. Lana Hurst, the first openly transgender pastor to practice on Long Island, and Sarah Kate Ellis, president and chief executive of GLAAD, were among this year’s honorees.
In the past year, the LGTBQ+ community has seen a lot of prejudice and legislation aimed at restricting their rights, across the country — but even right here in Nassau County. Tawni Engel, the associate director of the crisis center and PFY said, especially after County Executive Bruce Blakeman issued an executive order banning transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports, the gala wanted to recognize people who are advocating for LGTBQ+ individuals.
“We really wanted to uplift those who we see as trailblazers in the LGBTQ communities — that are really doing a lot of good work for the community in the face of adversity,” Engel said. “We really looked at people who we feel embody that sort of presence within the LGBTQ community.”
The pride gala committee has been planning this year’s event for several months, and has looked at what’s going on around the country, and right here at home.
“That is what our committee talked about — how ugly things have been,” Engel said. “Not everybody fully understands what’s going on. If you’re not following the news, if you’re not really paying attention, you might think everything’s just fine. We’re not getting into politics, but we just want to talk about what the social climate has looked like and what we can do collectively to hopefully turn that around.”
Bruce Castellano, who co-chairs the gala committee with Engel, has been involved on and off with PFY was many years, he told the Herald. A retired teacher in the Mineola School District, he and his husband have worked for many years with various LGBTQ+ organizations on Long Island and beyond.
Castellano said PFY is a “boots on the ground” type of organization. “They are doing the work that is supposed to be done,” he added.
He said it’s been wonderful to work with Engel to help bring the gala together. This year is one of the largest galas fundraising-wise PFY has seen, and it’s really exciting that it’s just a week away.
Pivoting off of what Engel said, Castellano said the attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community has shifted in recent years, which is scary.
“I have not seen anything quite this brutal since AIDS — since the 80s,” he said. “It got slowly better, and now the backlash is devastating. It’s not just in other states, it is right here on Long Island.”
Castellano has always fought what he says is “complacency” — people being alright with the way things are.
“My concern has always been complacency,” he said. “People feel it is not going to happen in our state, our county. If it’s happening 10 states away, and it is happening, it affects us too. We have to be vigilant and defend and protect the people who are marginalized, especially youth.”
Neighbors across the island raised nearly 400,000 pounds of food donations for those suffering from hunger.
The Stamp Out Hunger drive on May 11, organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers, helps Long Island Harvest restock their food pantries, soup kitchens and other emergency feeding programs across Long Island.
U.S. Postal Service letter carriers pick up bags of food left by postal customers’ mailboxes as part of their letter carrier duties.
Donations collected on Long Island will help Island Harvest replenish its network of food pantries, soup kitchens and other emergency feeding programs in communities of Nassau and Suffolk counties. According to Island Harvest estimates, the hundreds of thousands of pounds of food collected is the equivalent of around 318,500 meals for hungry people on Long Island. Since its inception in 1993, Stamp Out Hunger has collected around 1.75 billion pounds of food to help address the ongoing public health crisis of hunger in America.
Stamp Out Hunger, which is held each year on the second Saturday in May, is the largest one-day food collection event that spans all 50 states, in addition to the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“We are grateful for the generosity of Long Islanders who donated to this year’s Stamp Out Hunger campaign, whether it was just a can of soup or a bag full of groceries,” said Randi Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of
Courtesy Island Harvest Food Bank Food donated by generous Long Islanders as part of the Stamp Out Hunger food drive held on May 11, 2024.
Island Harvest. “That simple act of kindness will go a long way in improving the life of a person struggling with the uncertainty of not knowing where their next meal may be.”
The postal officers of Long Island received a shoutout from Dresner for their integral role in the Stamp Out Hunger drive.
“And a special thanks,” Dresner added, “To our hardworking volunteers who gave of their time, sorting and packing all of the donations we received.”
Courtesy office Brian Curran
Assemblyman Brian Curran’s pet food drive raised around 420 pounds of pet food. The food will be going to Long Island Cares to help pets in need. “Pets are more than just animals, they are family,” Curran said in a statement. “The 21st District proved once again it is composed of kind generous people.”
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU ONEWEST BANK, FSB, Plaintiff, Against LISA BELL MATTHEWS, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 07/14/2017, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 on 7/9/2024 at 2:30pm, premises known as 841 Woodfield Road, West Hempstead, New York 11552, And Described As Follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the At Lakeview, Town Of Hempstead, County Of Nassau, City And State Of New York. Section 35 Block 604 Lot 67
The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $669,160.70 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 004789/2011 Malachy P Lyons, Esq., Referee.
If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the then Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction. This Auction will be held rain or shine.
MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573
Dated: 5/7/24 File Number: 272-3363 SH 147168
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NASSAU COUNTY LAFAYETTE LENDING, LLC, Plaintiff against GOTHAM WJMS LLC, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800, Rochester, NY 14614. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered October 25, 2021, 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 July 9, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Premises known as 63 Meade Street, Hempstead, NY 11550. Sec 34 Block 325 Lot 59, 60 and 61. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Hempstead, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $586,259.17 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 614432/2019. 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 H. Levy, Esq., Referee File # LAFJN001 147222
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ARCHITECTURAL & SITE PLAN REVIEW BOARD HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL & SITE PLAN REVIEW of the Inc. Village of Malverne will hold a PUBLIC HEARING at the Malverne Village Hall, 99 Church Street, Malverne, New York 11565 on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 7:30 pm to hear the following cases: Lorraine Messina 259 Hempstead Ave.: Business District Sign Permit Application #2024-0281 & #2024-0284
Proposes to replace wall sign with new 24” high x 144” wide high nonilluminated wall sign and re-cover existing 26” high x 204” wide fabric awning for “Taj Wine and Liquor” tenant. All interested parties should appear at the above time and place.
The Architectural & Site Plan Review Board Meeting will be immediately followed by a work session of the Board of Trustees. BY ORDER OF THE MALVERNE BOARD OF TRUSTEES INC. VILLAGE OF MALVERNE Jill Valli, Village Clerk June 7, 2024 147388
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 33-2024
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held May 21st, 2024, by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local
Law No. 33-2024, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 33-2024, amending Section 197-5 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include “ARTERIAL STOPS” at various locations.
Dated: May 21, 2024 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR.
Supervisor
KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 147344
LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD LOCAL LAW NO. 31-2024
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that, pursuant to Article 9 of the New York State Constitution, the provisions of the Town Law and the Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York, both as amended, a public hearing was duly called and held May 21st, 2024 , by the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead on the proposed adoption of Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 31-2024, and following the close of the hearing the Town Board duly adopted Town of Hempstead Local Law No. 31-2024, amending Chapter 202 of the Code of the Town of Hempstead, to include “REGULATIONS & RESTRICTIONS” to limit parking at various locations.
Dated: May 21, 2024 Hempstead, New York BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD
DONALD X. CLAVIN, JR.
Supervisor
KATE MURRAY Town Clerk 147342
DRIVERS WANTED
Full Time and Part Time
Positions Available!
Busy Print Shop in Garden City is Hiring Immediately for Full Time and Part Time Drivers. Must Have a Clean License and BoxTruck Driving Experience. Hours Vary, Salary Ranges from $17 per hour to $21 per hour Night Availability is a Must. Please Email Resume to careers@liherald.com or Call (516)569-4000 x239
DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome!
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DRIVING INSTRUCTORS WANTED
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HR Specialist. Actively listen, address concerns, & take action to promote a culture of inclusivity, multi-cultural awareness & respect among empls. & co. staff; Implement diversity training progs. & educational workshops; identify effective practices & progs to remove barriers; & eval. & assess co. efforts on diversity & cultural inclusion progs. Sal. $53,394/year. BA in Culture, Lit. or rel. Send res/ltt to Attn: HR, Ivy Enterprises, Inc. 25 Harbor Park Dr. Port Washington, NY 11050.
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
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
Marketing Specialist. Conduct mkt. rsh. projs. for beauty prods. to create & impl. approp. strats & responses; collect & analyze info abt mkt. cond. of beauty prods, & rpt to mgr; & exam. & interpret mkt data to forecast mkt. trends & rpt. to mgr. Sal. $56,784/yr. BA in mtkg, culture, comm. Or rel. Send res/ltt to Attn: HR Mgr, KISS Nail Products, Inc. 25 Harbor Park Dr. Port Washington, NY 11050.
Inside Sales
Looking for an aggressive self starter who is great at making and maintaining relationships and loves to help businesses grow by marketing them on many different advertising platforms. You will source new sales opportunities through inbound lead follow-up and outbound cold calls. Must have the ability to understand customer needs and requirements and turn them in to positive advertising solutions. We are looking for a talented and competitive Inside Sales Representative that thrives in a quick sales cycle environment. Compensation ranges from $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
WE HAVE THE HELP YOU NEED!!!
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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
PRINTING PRESS OPERATORS FT & PT. Long Island Herald has IMMEDIATE openings for Printing Press Operators in Garden City. We are a busy print shop looking for motivated and reliable individuals to assist in various duties in the shop. Hours vary, so flexibility is key. Salary Ranges from $20 per hour to $30 per hour. Email resumes or contact info to careers@liherald.com
Pediatrician's Office Mon. Wed. Fri. 9am-5pm And Sat. 9am-1pm Office Experience Preferred $16-$18 per Hour 516-379-4900
RESTAURANT HELP: 4- 5 Days/ Week. Weekends A Must. Starting At $16/ Hr. Great Location. Must Have Transportation. Please call 516-835-2819
EXPERIENCED HOME HEALTH AIDE Needed For Bed Ridden Patient. 2-3 Days When Needed. Seaford 347-869-7752
bathrooms. Eat-in kitchen. Formal dining room. Den/family room, home office and exercise room. First floor master bedroom. 2 fireplaces. Large yard. Potential mother/daughter with proper permits. Convenient location near shopping and LIRR.
Taxes: $12,254
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA East Pointe Country Club. Gorgeous 3BRs, 3Bths, Golf, Double Kitchen, High Ceilings. MLS#RX-10977928 $938,000 Jill 561-373-2724
ISLAND PARK / AUSTIN BOULEVARD 1000- 5000 Sq. Ft, Parking,1 Story, Driveins, Gas, Offices, Sprinklered, Near Railroad. Immediate. Price On Request.Tony 718-937-8100 Ext.101 CROSSTOWN REALTY
CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978
ISLAND PARK: 1 BR, ground floor, all renovated, water/heat included. No Pets. $2200/ month. 516-316-6962
MERRICK: PROFESSIONAL OFFICE Space For Rent, A Secured Building With Parking. Great Deal!
BETH DAVID CEMETERY: Elmont, NY. 3 Plots. Separate Or All Together. Graves 18, 25, and 32. Purchase Separate $4000; Purchase Together $11000. Negotiable. Call 845-641-7316
Bellmore $903,000
Convenient location near shopping, schools, LIRR.
Taxes: $17,085.51
East Meadow $682,000
Rowehl Drive. Expanded Cape. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. Partial finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with pantry. Formal dining room. Den/family room. Updates include skylight.
Taxes: $10,535.61
East Rockaway $865,000
Scranton Avenue. Colonial. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. Partial finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Formal dining room.
Taxes: $14,966.99
Elmont $1,100,000
Waldorf Avenue. Colonial. 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Open layout. Formal dining room. Guest quarters. Updates include cathedral ceiling and skylight.
Taxes: $16,509.01
Lido Beach $1,750,000
Luchon Street. Split Level. 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms. Unique architecturally designed custom beach house. Gourmet chef’s eat-in kitchen with high end appliances and cabinetry. Open layout. Living room with cathedral ceiling and fireplace. Dining room with floor to ceiling windows overlooking garden. Ensuite master bedroom with ocean view and oversized terrace. Den/family room with patio. Extras include private library, skylights. 2 car garage and parking for 4 cars. Steps to private beach.
Taxes: $12,679
Lynbrook $570,000
Farnum Street. Colonial. 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms. Eatin kitchen. Formal dining room.
Taxes: $13,590.44
Merrick $875,000
Horatio Avenue. Hi Ranch. 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with pantry. Formal dining room. Updates include cathedral ceiling and skylight. Taxes: $16,135.87
Rockville Centre $1,295,000
Banbury Road. Colonial. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Formal dining room. Den/family room. Security system. Taxes: $24,305
Valley Stream $665,000
Roberta Street. Expanded Cape. 4 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms. Eat-in kitchen. Open layout. Den/family room. Taxes: $9,574.69
Q. My neighbors from hell have been harassing me at every step of my construction, and I don’t know what to do. They tried to stop our permit, and have continued to try to have it revoked for several reasons, such as false claims that my contractor is unlicensed, that they start work before the allowed work times, that they work too late, that my permit wasn’t posted properly, that the simple deck we’re having built is in the wrong place, that our dog isn’t licensed … How can we stop this harassment? They are both attorneys who aren’t working, and have plenty of time to bother us.
A. George Herbert, a 17th-century poet, said, “Living well is the best revenge.” Apparently he had neighbors like yours, and he didn’t want to use all the other much more vindictive and possibly illegal means to stop them. After a while, like the story of the boy who cried wolf, the authorities will stop believing them and may even turn their attention to them, looking for issues to keep your neighbors busy with their own issues.
I have heard many stories about vindictive neighbors over the years, and although it is puzzling what motivates people to behave this way, to not just live and let live, they have to be either dealt with or ignored. It’s hard to ignore some of the more dastardly things people can do to harass, but it has to be done. Being attorneys indicates that they understand how to manipulate the system, which was put in place for justice, to create an injustice.
In some cases I have knocked on a door on behalf of a client to ask what the problems are, with the best of intentions, to assure the neighbor that their concerns are being dealt with and everything will work out. The lesson I learned from this is that there are people put on this planet for the sole purpose of ruination, destruction, intimidation and harassment. It appears to give them a level of satisfaction that cannot be attained by some more meaningful method. It reminds me of what many people have told me when we hear about a criminal who went to great lengths to figure out how to commit the crime, that had that same individual put their energy into solving a positive, constructive problem, like curing cancer or helping those less fortunate, they may have had a productive life instead of creating the misery they thrive on.
I suggest writing down, in detail, your neighbors’ actions, compiling a book on how pathetic some people can be, selling the book, and living well off the royalties from the neighbors’ contribution to your making lemonade out of the lemons they keep hurling at you. I’m hesitant to write about the worst thing that a neighbor once did just to be difficult, because it really did cause lasting pain for a family whose small children were scared for life by what that neighbor did.
© 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.
EAST MEADOW: SATURDAY 6/15/24; Sunday 6/16/24 10am-5pm. 449 Hilda Street. Moving Sale! Everything Must Go!
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ASSORTED SPORT BOOKS: 25, Hard and Soft Cover, $35. 516-698-5110
BISELL ELECTRIC CARPET Shampoo Cleaner with Supplies. Like New. $85. 516-486-7941
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We Buy Antiques, Fine Art, Coins & Jewelry Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 45 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid. SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com 516-671-6464
US COINS FOR SALE. Silver Dollars, Half Dollars, Quarters, Nickels, Dimes, And Wheat Pennies. 25 Cents Each Or 5 For $1.00 Also Rolled Coins For Sale. 516-735-7011
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Hardly any summer lives up to its hype.
RAnDi KREiss
How could it, when we’ve waited nine months for school to be out, slogging through dark, snowy days and freezing weeks? We’ve waited for the warming breeze, the gentle waves, the fresh cherries and soft-shell crabs. We waited, and here it is … now! All this freedom is too wonderful to grasp. Our vacation time from work lies ahead, too, and we want our adventures, and our kids’ camps, and the rentals in the mountains or by the shore to be restorative and fun. In June it’s still possible that the big family reunion in the Poconos will be a life-altering love fest. In June, the outdoor concerts are still anticipatory joy. These are the best days of summer, when everything is possible. Here, pinned to this spot in time, there are no rampaging wildfires, no floods, no hurricanes, no Covid surge, no family feuds. Yup, the dangerous possibilities all lie ahead. Pre-summer is the golden window of
igood weather and unlimited expectations. That’s why people keep booking weekends in Maine, forgetting that last year they waited on line in the 95-degree heat for a $30 Kennebunkport lobster roller. These are the days of anticipatory dreaming.
BOn summer weekends, families head to our beaches, the Berkshires, the Jersey Shore or out East. Everyone is trying to recapture summer memories while forgetting the kids’ rainy-day tantrums or the traffic in the Hamptons or the prices at the farm stands that used to be a bargain. This is the time of dreaming and planning; there will be enough time in September to absorb the realities that subvert these fantasies.
in their hair. It was a significant cultural shift, which led to the end of the war and the beginning of a real push for civil rights, women’s rights and racial equality.
Trails?
Farm stands?
This is the time of dreaming and planning.
My big regret is that I didn’t go; I wasn’t part of history. I was planning my wedding and looking for a job. I didn’t go to Woodstock, either, in the summer of 1969. My heart and mind were with the progressive causes, but the path I saw for myself was fixed and somewhat narrow.
read “War and Peace,” all 1,200 pages. Truth? The last 50 summers have been my summer to read “War and Peace.” Never cracked the cover, but it doesn’t matter; I hold on dearly to the possibility.
In the big picture, we don’t know yet what kind of summer this will be historically, meteorologically or politically. Will it leave an indelible mark? Will our collective destinies stay the course or take a detour?
I remember the summer of 1967, when some 100,000 young people, widely known as hippies, descended on San Francisco, specifically the Haight, and protested the war in Vietnam, lived in casual encampments, did some drugs and wore flowers
So, young folks, this summer, get out there and live your days. Summer 2024 will not come around again. The calendar from midJune to Sept. 21 is blank. The summer could sweep in dramatic change. Anything can happen. The days are hot already and very long; worry is in the air about drought and wildfire and political unrest.
On an individual level, this is the time to plan our downtime activities. Is this the summer you get out on the kayak? Learn to surf? Start hiking the Appalachian Trail? Rescue a puppy and use the summertime to train it? Maybe send the kids off to camp and get reacquainted with your partner?
For me, this is the summer to finally
The freedom of some unstructured time allows us to prepare for the upcoming election. A minefield covers the ground between June and November. It seems unlikely to me that any of the legal cases against Donald Trump will be resolved in time to make a difference. We have, as individuals who are citizens of a great democracy, the time to think about what kind of man we want to be president. I will be casting my vote for Joe Biden, the sitting president who has displayed decency and solid, pro-American, forward-thinking policies. I hope that others who have the time and inclination will seriously weigh the kind of America we want to live in.
We don’t want to get terribly serious because, after all, it’s about to be summer. Put your feet up. Grab a bowl of Washington State cherries, and if “War and Peace” seems daunting, pick up a National Geographic and learn the important stuff, like “Do Spiders Dream?”
Relax with one eye open. The summer of 2024 is about to unfold.
Copyright 2024 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.
n 2019, the Democratic majorities in the State Senate and Assembly passed the well-known Congestion Pricing Plan. At the time, every Long Island Senate Democrat voted in support of the proposal. The policy mandated an extra fee for most motorists entering Manhattan below 60th Street during peak hours. While the intent behind this initiative may be commendable, its repercussions for commuters — particularly those from Nassau County — are concerning.
Last week, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that she was delaying the implementation of congestion pricing. I commend those of us on the Island who voiced our objections to the plan and made our voices heard. This is a victory for Long Islanders who simply can’t afford another tax. It is disappointing that Hochul’s decision was clearly motivated by politics rather than concern for overburdened New Yorkers, and after a substantial expenditure was made on the required infrastructure.
Elected officials should be held accountable for their actions, and a last-
minute effort to postpone the plan in hopes of avoiding accountability from voters in the upcoming election is shameful. Congestion pricing shouldn’t just be delayed; it must be repealed, and I am a cosponsor of Senate Bill 5425, which would do just that.
Congestion pricing is being promoted as a solution to reduce traffic and emissions, but in reality, its sole purpose is to generate revenue to fix the continuing mismanagement of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The state budget includes $1 billion of revenue for the MTA, which is expected to be generated by congestion pricing, so clearly there is an expectation that many people will continue to drive and pay the price rather than use public transportation. Many from Nassau County travel to Manhattan for work or medical appointments, or to visit family and friends.
enjoy themselves. For those who must travel into the city for work, it will increase their costs, which will in turn be passed on to the consumers of their products.
F or many Nassau County residents, driving into Manhattan is a necessity.
The additional charge would be more than just an inconvenience — it’s a regressive tax that disproportionately impacts our families, small-business owners and those who depend on their vehicles to earn a living. Congestion pricing won’t alleviate traffic or save our environment; instead, it will increase the cost of traveling to Manhattan, and may actually deter people from doing so to
For many Nassau County residents, driving into Manhattan isn’t a luxury, but a necessity. Nurses working the night shift at hospitals, teachers who need to carry supplies and arrive early in the morning, and those with physical challenges who travel to take advantage of worldclass medical care have legitimate reasons for driving into Manhattan. Travel into the city is already fraught with challenges for those who use public transportation, making driving the most convenient, and sometimes the only, option. The introduction of an additional fee, potentially as high as $15 per trip, would be a significant financial burden. The policy would effectively penalize hard-working New Yorkers who have no viable alternative to driving.
Public transportation is a valuable asset, but it isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. For many, using public transit means enduring multiple transfers, which can extend commute times to unmanageable lengths. Instead of punishing those who have no choice but to drive, we must prioritize investing in our
public transportation infrastructure to make it more reliable and accessible.
The MTA’s recent decision to offer a 10 percent discount on monthly Long Island Rail Road tickets is a step forward, but it unfairly excludes residents of Nassau and Suffolk counties. The discount applies only to travel within New York City, funded by a state account for city transit improvements, leaving Long Island commuters out. This exclusion, combined with congestion pricing, would further burden them. Both policies highlight a growing disparity, neglecting the needs of suburban commuters who play a vital role in the city’s economy. We must address this imbalance and ensure equitable support for all LIRR riders. While reducing traffic congestion and emissions are important, the congestionpricing plan, as it stands, is a misguided approach to correcting the MTA’s fiscal mismanagement, doing so by putting the burden on the backs of commuters. By continuing to advocate for our constituents, exploring alternative solutions and engaging the public, we can work toward a more equitable strategy.
Now that this plan is delayed, we must seize the opportunity to repeal it. The time is now. We need solutions that address traffic congestion without unfairly hurting the wallets of Long Islanders.
Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick represents the 9th Senate District.
Nassau county truly is the home of champions.
It’s where you can find the four-time Stanley cup champion New York Islanders. For more than a century, it’s where the Belmont Stakes thoroughbred horse race was held — and where it will return, bigger and better than ever, in 2026, when renovations are completed at Belmont park.
There’s also the four-time atlantic League of professional Baseball champion Long Island Ducks. and, for the past couple weeks, anyone trying to make their away around Eisenhower park, in East Meadow, couldn’t help but get caught up in the excitement of the International cricket council Men’s T20 World cup, in which India upended pakistan in a highly anticipated international rivalry.
But our true champions are much closer to home. In fact, they are in our own backyards, if not in our own homes. They are our school athletes — young men and women who spend hours conditioning, training and drilling to step out on a baseball diamond, a track, a tennis court, a football field, a basketball court, a lacrosse field, or a soccer or rugby pitch to try to win it all in front of their families, friends, neighbors and peers. and then, after all that, they go back to their studies, so they can have the best shot at a successful future.
We are proud of every one of them for what they accomplish. and we support
To the Editor:
Thank you to Gov. Kathy Hochul and the State Legislature for increasing funding for libraries in the fiscal year 2025 state budget! We deeply appreciate the strong support of our work. Hochul’s action brings much-needed relief to the operating budget of the Nassau Library System, a cooperative that provides shared services to the county’s 54 public libraries, and an additional $500,000 to local libraries for building improvements. Nassau’s public libraries serve hundreds of thousands of patrons each year.
Voters deserve thanks, too. Every library budget vote in Nassau passed this spring, with an average approval rate of 77 percent! Over 5,000 Nassau residents signed up for new library cards last month. Libraries truly have something for everyone, and we invite all to check us out this summer.
JOHN ScaparrO President, Nassau Library System board of trusteesthem as they look for ways to win, and cheer them when they do so.
They always give us reason to cheer for them, and even more when they win titles — like the South Side High School boys’ lacrosse team taking home the state class B boys championship in a thrilling overtime win over Victor.
and they are hardly alone. The boys’ track and field team from Baldwin High captured its first county championship in more than a decade, while the girls’ track and field team from Oceanside did the same, over rival Syosset.
The boys from Malverne won a county championship of their own in track and field, while the Valley Stream North girls celebrated a number of individual county champions, like Moanna Thelusca in discus, Nattaly Lindo in shot put, and the Fessler sisters, paige and Brooke, finishing first and second, respectively, in the high jump. We also have to mention the amazing work of the North Shore girls’ track and field squad, which came away with the class a championship.
and don’t even get us started on the excellence in softball from the previous week, with Kennedy and South Side winning Long Island championships, while Oceanside took home the class aaa crown.
Then there was the Wantagh girls’ lacrosse team beating Manhasset for the Nassau class c championship, while the Lynbrook boys’ tennis team won a con-
ference title.
We could go on. There is a lot to celebrate — no matter what the scoreboard shows.
These young men and women are learning teamwork, leadership and resilience. as they work together to achieve common goals, they learn the value of collaboration and mutual support. The highs of victory and the lows of defeat provide lessons in handling success with grace, and the rest with dignity.
These experiences are invaluable as these athletes prepare to face the myriad challenges of adult life with a balanced and determined mindset. They also provide opportunities for college scholarships and career advancement, opening doors to higher education that might not have otherwise been available for many. Their journeys also serve as a powerful unifying force within communities. On Long Island, where villages and hamlets have distinct identities, high school sports can bridge divides and create a sense of shared purpose.
High school sports are much more than a venue for cheering on the home team. They are a cornerstone of physical health, personal development, academic excellence and community cohesion. By supporting and investing in them, we are nurturing the next generation of leaders, scholars and community members, ensuring a vibrant and dynamic future for Nassau county.
if history has proven anything, it’s that the world wasn’t set up for women to succeed.
Countless trailblazers have incited change, but there is still an overarching prejudice against us. The struggle that we internalize may vary, but I think we can agreed that some days, it’s just hard to be a woman.
Every time our gender makes strides, it’s easy to be humbled — by something someone says, by something someone does. And it’s easy for us to deflect, and say, “Well, that’s just the way things are.” But why are we oK with the way things are?
A few weeks ago, as universities around the United States began holding commencement ceremonies, a well-known athlete spoke to the graduates of Benedictine College, a Catholic institution in Atchison, Kansas.
Harrison Butker, the kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs, addressed the crowd of young men and women. And it wasn’t
his presence, but rather what he said, that created an aura of polarity.
“For the ladies present today,” Butker said, “congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. you should be proud of all that you have achieved to this point in your young lives. I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you.”
Butker went on to say that while “some” of the graduating women might lead successful careers, he’d “venture to guess” that the majority of them were excited about marriage, and the children they will bring into the world.
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that it’s more likely that she’s looking forward to a life of marriage and motherhood.
The concepts of modern feminism are broadly misunderstood, by men and women alike. A true feminist would support a woman on any path she chooses, whether it be a career, a home life or something in between, and it was insulting and ignorant of Butker to project that most women in the audience would want to devote themselves to their partner and their future children.
ll that comes to mind when I reread the Chiefs’ kicker’s words is, really?
I have nothing against opinions, and I respect everyone’s right to voice their own. But all that comes to mind as I reread Butker’s words is, really?
The internet jumped to his defense, but let me riddle you this: He chose to single out “the women.”
Imagine being a young woman in Benedictine’s graduating class, who at the very least just completed four years of college. She deserves to be celebrated for her degree, and instead she’s told
To the Editor:
As the presidential election approaches, understanding the opinions of both President Biden and Donald Trump is pivotal when thinking about which candidate to vote for. Specifically, when it comes to abortion rights and women’s equity on both a national and global scale, the two candidates have differing opinions and differing degrees of action, and it is hyper-important for women to be informed about their standpoints, so they understand who to vote for in November.
In terms of abortion rights, Trump and Biden have starkly different opinions. Although Biden has stated that he is a practicing Catholic who doesn’t necessarily personally support abortion, he has avidly stated that women deserve the right to choose, no matter where they live, and that abortion care should be a human right. Trump, on the other hand, wants to leave abortion rights up to the states, meaning that each state can choose whether or not abortions should be legalized, potentially taking away that right to choose.
In terms of the international policy surrounding women’s equity, Biden and
Trump have similar policies, but their commitment to those policies is of varying degrees, and they have different motives for supporting women’s equality. They have both tried to combat women’s inequity through financial support of efforts in other countries, but Biden has directed hundreds of millions more dollars to those efforts than Trump.
Biden also states that women’s equality is a moral issue, something that should be intrinsically guaranteed to populations around the world. Trump, however, mainly sees women’s equality as an opportunity for economic growth. Biden also claims to aid specific countries that may need help promoting gender equity, making Trump’s policy appear weaker and less specific. These differences must be recognized by the people they would affect the most: the voters.
We reach out with the hope that you are aware of the stakes of this election, and that you share our concern for its possible outcomes. We strongly feel that in a world where information is hidden, falsified, misconstrued and polarized, it is important that our reputable local media outlets continue being dedicated to the truth — now more than ever.
HENry SPINA, SoPHIA MArCHIolI and CHArloTTE MArCHIolINorth Shore High School Class of 2024 Glen Head
on the days when women feel the most unsupported, by people in their lives or public figures like Butker, they should remember that there are always things to turn to. I find it exceedingly important to read and watch content that is created with the best intentions for people just like us.
For women.
What do I mean?
A few months ago, as I enjoyed some time off from work in Florida, sitting poolside at my cousin’s house on International Women’s Day, I picked up “The Women,” a novel by Kristin Hannah, released earlier this year. Hannah is an
extraordinary writer who has been telling the tales of important women for decades, and this book is no different. I’ve read several of her novels over the past year, and I’ve come to love the way Hannah crafts stories of inspiring women, and the positive effect she has on my self-worth, every time I finish one of them. “The Women” offers readers an in-depth look at what it was like to be a nurse during the Vietnam War, and what it was like to return home afterward. If you love history, this read is for you.
In the first few pages, you’ll stumble across a striking notion. Women can be heroes.
So, to the women reading this — and the men — internalize that. All of us can be heroes.
And while people like Harrison Butker may continue to make speeches that threaten to strip us of everything we’ve worked for, remember that what we choose to do, in every walk of life, matters. our accomplishments and choices, at home or in the workplace, matter.
And our feelings, and the way we view ourselves, matter, too.
Jordan Vallone is a senior editor who writes for the Bellmore, East Meadow and Merrick Heralds. Comments? jvallone@liherald.com.
Mothers looking for a hospital at which to give birth should consider the quality indicators used by U.S. News & World Report ® to determine institutions deemed High Performing for Maternity care.
Mount Sinai South Nassau is the only South Shore hospital to earn the rating of High Performing based on eight key measures:
• Reduced C-section delivery rates
• Low early elective delivery rates
• Low overall unexpected newborn complication rates
• Increased routine VBAC rates
• Increased exclusive human milk feeding rates
• Low episiotomy rates
• Routine birthing-friendly practices
• Transparency on racial/ethnic disparities
If you want the best birthing experience for you and for your baby, look no further than Mount Sinai South Nassau.
Learn more at southnassau.org/maternity, or call 877-SOUTH-NASSAU.