Merrick Herald 08-10-2023

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Comedians back on stage after

By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com

There’s no doubt that the coronavirus pandemic affected many thousands of local people in dozens of professions — not just doctors, nurses and essential workers, but many others.

Including performers. The careers of actors, singers, comedians and more, who make a living by being on stage and entertaining others, were threatened by pandemic shutdowns.

One local business, CMIT Solutions of South Nassau, an information technology company, set out to help them. Its owner, Armando D’Accordo, of Wantagh, started sponsoring comedy shows as a way to get comedians back on stage, and to encourage

people to get back out to their shows. The performances are made possible with the help of D’Accordo’s son, Vincent, and Vincent’s friend Paul Dagliolo.

CMIT Solutions was based in Merrick for many years, but recently moved to Massapequa. D’Accordo has long been involved with the Merrick Chamber of Commerce as well as other professional networking groups.

On Aug. 19, CMIT Solutions will host the third installment of its comedy shows, at The Loft in Bellmore. “We’re looking to do a series of them,” D’Accordo said. “It helps local venues. It helps comedians. We’re trying to do our best to help both sets.”

The Loft, a venue above the Bellmore Playhouse on Bedford Avenue, boasts a lot ConTInueD on PAge 2

The wheels on the trolley go round and round Merrick

By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com

If you were out and about in Merrick on the evening of Aug. 2, you may have seen a trolley driving around town.

You weren’t imagining it — or mistaking the Long Island suburb for San Francisco. The North Merrick Public Library was hosting its very first Trolley Tour of the Merricks, as part of its summer reading program, with the theme “All Together Now.”

Kelly Rechsteiner, a community relations librarian in North Merrick, said the library drew its inspiration from the children’s television series “Mister Rogers’ Neighbor -

hood,” which famously featured Fred Rogers.

“The Trolley Tour was inspired by the beloved Mr. Rogers and his message of community, kindness and understanding,” Rechsteiner said.

“Our summer reading program, ‘All Together Now,’ focused on these wonderful themes, which led to the visual of the Neighborhood Trolley, synonymous with Mr. Rogers.”

Rogers employed a toy trolley on his show, to take viewers into and around his neighborhood.

Library patrons packed into a trolley for three hour-long tours of Merrick, and caught glimpses of the hamlet’s hidden history. There were two

KElly REcHSTEiNER Librarian

adult-oriented tours as well as one family tour with the children’s library staff.

The library’s history

Taylor Smith, another community relations librarian, gave most of the presentation as the trolley made its way around town. She began with

the history of the North Merrick library itself.

“The first library in Merrick’s history began in 1891,” Smith said. “About 50 books were circulated from the Cammann family farm. For many years the Merrick Library offered its services for free to their neighbors in North Merrick, but as populations grew, nonresidents were charged a fee.”

The North Merrick Library was established by a community vote on Nov. 21, 1964, and opened two years later, in October 1966. The current library is a former elementary school, part of the North Merrick School District.

Merrick campgrounds

Today there’s a small neighborhood in North Merrick ConTInueD on PAge 10

Courtesy Paul Dagliolo Paul Dagliolo, who will host the show coming up on Aug. 19 at The Loft in Bellmore, on stage at a previous comedy event sponsored by CMIT Solutions.

The community’s enthusiasm for the tour exceeded our expectations.

Lots of good laughs to be had at The Loft

of space, including food service and a bar.

Dagliolo, the show’s host and Vincent D’Accordo’s childhood friend, works in comedy.

“During Covid, it was a struggle for everybody that was doing comedy,” Armando D’Accordo said. “They were doing, you know, videos and some Zoom comedy, but it’s very difficult. Most of the venues were not having people, so it was very tough.”

He and his son wanted to find a way to help comedians.

“Paul and I have been friends since kindergarten,” Vincent said. “We grew up together. We’ve always had affinity and respect for stand-up comedy. Paul kind of took that to the next level, by becoming a stand-up comedian himself. Ever since he did that, we’ve been wanting to do a show together.”

“After Covid started to lessen — I won’t say it’s gone — we came up with the idea of hosting or sponsoring some of these guys,” his father added. “Paul loved it. My son loved it. So, they put together the arrangements, and they made up the flyers, and we’ve had some really nice events.”

Dagliolo brings in comedians that he’s met over the years.

The comedians that will be featured are mostly from New York City, so it’ll be a different mix of stage personalities than what Long Island comedy fans are used to seeing.

A show at The Loft last December was well attended. The hope is for an even larger audience at this month’s event.

“The most important thing is the comedians are really good, Armando D’Accordo said. “It’s a fun night for everybody. It’s enjoyable — everybody who went to the venue (in December) was happy with it. Everybody wins.”

The show on Aug. 19 will begin at 7:30 p.m. There will be a full bar as well as food. Tickets cost $20, and can be purchased ahead of time at EventBrite.com. For 20 percent off the price, use the promotional code “Herald.” The Loft is at 525 Bedford Ave., Bellmore.

Profit from the ticket sales will benefit the comedians, who will be compensated for their work, and also cover event expenses, Vincent said.

A lot of work goes into planning the shows, and Dagliolo said he was excited to see everything come together.

“I’m looking forward to doing the show, and seeing the vision come to life,” he said. “And I get to continue to do comedy, which is something that is, you know, its own journey. But it’s fun to do that. It’s one thing to perform in front of friends and family, but it’s also even better to perform in front of strangers.”

“Each show has gotten better, in my opinion,” Vincent said. “I’m excited to see where we can take this, and what this show is going to look like. The more friends and family, and people that come from the community, it provides a setting for them to enjoy themselves, have a nice night out in a cool place with some cool people.”

Courtesy Paul Dagliolo Comedian Jenn Wehrung performing at a Cmit Solutions event. there will be a slew of new talent at this month’s show.

Rhoads spearheads Farm Day of Action Working with Island Harvest, volunteers learn about farming and food insecurity on LI

State Sen. Steve Rhoads hosted the inaugural Senate Farm Day of Action where he invited his fellow Long Island senators to join him and Island Harvest in planting seeds, harvesting crops, and packing fresh produce at Island Harvest’s Healthy Harvest Farm in Brentwood.

Island Harvest is one of Long Island’s leading hunger relief organizations and their farm helps them deliver on their mission to end hunger and reduce food waste.

At the farm, senators, their staff, and volunteers were able to gain first-hand experience from Long Island farmers about all the work that goes into operating a fresh food bank garden. The group planted string beans and squash and harvested Swiss chard and fennel to be sent to local food banks.

The Senate Farm Day of Action highlighted the importance of local food banks and the valuable services that they provide for people in need. Studies show that 272,000 Long Islanders experience hunger and food insecurity — that is one in every nine Long Islanders.

Hunger and access to healthy foods is a major issue on Long Island. With Rhoads’ leadership in spearheading events like the Senate Farm Day of Action, it reminds Long Islanders of the rich agricultural history of Long Island, creates more awareness about hunger relief organizations on Long Island, and supports their e orts to help combat food insecurity.

“It was an honor to spearhead the inaugural New York State Senate Farm Day of Action on Long Island” Rhoads said. “It truly was a fun, educational, and rewarding experience for everyone involved. I was happy to roll up my sleeves with State Sen. Dean Murray and my interns to play an active role in fighting hunger on Long Island.

“Special thank you to Randi Shubin Dresner and her unbelievably welcoming Island Harvest team for helping us plant seeds, harvest crops, and learn about sustainable farming practices,” Rhoads added. “Island Harvest does an incredible job educating our community about healthy eating habits as well as providing fresh produce to local families in need on Long Island.”

“It was an absolute pleasure to join my colleague, members of his staff and Randi Shubin Dresner and her team from Island Harvest, as we did some planting and harvesting of food that will be shared with those in need all across Long Island,” State Sen. Dean Murray of the state’s 3rd District said. “Island Harvest does a tremendous job of making sure they are providing families with healthy food as well as teaching them the importance of eating healthy and nutritious meals. The part about this experience is that it doesn’t get any healthier than growing your own food.”

“We are grateful to Senator Rhoads

for his efforts in helping bring to light the importance of providing fresh produce and the nutritional value it brings to people who are food insecure,” Shubin Dresner, president and CEO of Island Harvest, said. “Along with Senator Murray, they helped plant squash and harvested tomatoes, Swiss chard, and fennel, and we are grateful for their continue support, working together to find creative solutions to the ongoing and chronic issue of hunger on Long Island and across New York state.”

Rhoads, above with State Sen. Dean Murray, of the state’s 3rd District, working out in the field.

Rhoads and Murray, with legislative interns Ryan Farrell, Steven Mendell, Keith Presti and John Dossie.

Photos courtesy Office of State Sen. Steve Rhoads Volunteers got to learn about Island Harvest, one of Long Island’s leading hunger relief organizations.

Here’s TheSCOOP

Men arrested for allegedly committing 19 robberies

Two men from Queens were arrested for multiple burglaries that police say occurred between April 20 and Aug. 3 of this year across Nassau

According to burglary pattern squad detectives in the Nassau County Police Department, an investigation led to the arrest of Hector Portilla, 60, of Queens Village and Diego Ercoli, 50, of South Richmond Hill.

Detectives from the burglary pattern squad, bureau of special operations and Lynbrook Police Department collaborated to determine that Portilla and Ercoli were working together to burglarize the Bagel Chalet in Merrick, at 2037 Merrick Road.

A further investigation revealed that the duo is allegedly responsible for 18

LarCeny

On July 23, a victim reported that a catalytic converter was stolen from her car parked on 5th Street in East Meadow.

On July 26, a victim reported that a dehumidifier was stolen from a residence on 3rd Avenue in East Meadow.

Book Review:

“ Die with Zero” by Bill Perkins

In “Die with Zero”, subtitled “Getting All That You Can from Your Money and Your Life”, retired engineer Bill Perkins takes an analytical view about making your life grow as opposed to making your money grow. Letting opportunities pass you by for fear of squandering money leads many to squander their lives instead.

Instead of just keeping on earning and earning to maximize wealth, too many of us don’t give nearly as much thought as to maximizing what they can get out of that wealth — including what they can give to others while they are living, instead of waiting until they die.

As opposed to spending money on things, which excitement depreciates over time, the author advocates spending on experiences, which grow in value over time, due to the “memory dividend”. Perkins advocates a systematic approach for eliminating the fear of running out of money (the main reason people oversave and underenjoy) while maximizing your and your loved ones

enjoyment of that money.

Being that the main idea is that your life is the sum of your experiences, you should put some thought into planning the kind of experiences you want. If you die with significant wealth but a scarcity of experiences, you worked a lot of hours just to accumulate money that you either never used or were too old to use.

You can waste your life by underspending. Life is not only about “accumulating”, it is also about “decumulating” or using the money to maximize your life which, in the end, is nothing more than the memories you make.

In a similar vein, giving inheritances early maximizes the impact of those inheritance on the recipients’ quality of life. The average age of heirs being about sixty, the money usually arrives too late to do the most good.

Your time is limited. The chief regrets of the dying are that they didn’t live their dreams more and spent too much time working, missing out on relationships and life experiences.

A victim reported an iPhone was stolen from the Gateway Inn in Merrick at 1780 Sunrise Highway on July 30.

arrests

Randolph Milteer, 38, of Merrick, was arrested for shoplifting at the Home

additional burglaries in New Hyde Park, Oceanside, Mineola, Hicksville, Queens, Plainview, and Lynbrook.

Ercoli has prior arrests for burglary, criminal possession of stolen property, rioting, petit larceny, grand larceny, criminal mischief, possession of burglars tools, conspiracy, reckless endangerment, driving while intoxicated, assault, criminal contempt, auto stripping, criminal sale of a controlled substance, and robbery while displaying a firearm.

Portilla has prior arrests for petit larceny, forgery, grand larceny, possession of a forged instrument and burglary. Both Ercoli and Portilla are being charged with 19 counts of robbery. They were arraigned on Aug. 4 at the First District Court in Hempstead.

Depot in Westbury on Corporate Drive on July 31.

CriminaL misChief

A male vicitim reported that an unknown subject damaged his front door on Market Lane in Levittown on July 28. A female victim reported an unknown subject damaged her PVC fence on Ferris Road in Seaford on Aug. 2.

Dwi

Charles Sumpter, 29, of Westbury was arrested for driving while intoxicated at Salisbury Park Drive on July 28.

People named in Crime Watch items as having been arrested and charged with violations or crimes are only suspected of committing those acts of which they are accused. They are all presumed to be innocent of those charges until and unless found guilty in a court of law.

Diego ercoli Hector Portilla

Dylan’s Dream Team begins raising funds for new

By JORDAN VALLONE jvallone@liherald.com

Dylan’s Dream Team Memorial Foundation is hoping to make other kids’ dreams come true.

The Bellmore-based organization is in its early stages of raising funds to finance a brand new, state-of-the-art baseball and softball field for the North Bellmore North Merrick Little League — all in memory of Dylan Murphy, the foundation’s namesake.

Dylan grew up in Bellmore, attended Saw Mill Road Elementary School in the North Bellmore School District, and was an avid baseball player with the North Bellmore North Merrick Little League. In 2015, when he was nine, he was diagnosed with Wilms tumor, a rare kidney cancer that affects children.

He underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments to combat the disease, and nine months later, he was cancer-free, Dylan’s dad, John Murphy, told the Herald.

“Ultimately, about six months later, we found out that he had leukemia, which is sometimes a side effect of some chemo medications that he took,” John Murphy said. “Some of them are pretty strong, and they could cause other types of cancer, which happened to him.”

Dylan underwent a bone marrow transplant, but his body rejected it. He died in September of 2018.

The following year, John Murphy and his wife, Donna, started a charity in Dylan’s name, to help families and children going through similar situations. Around the community, they are known for some of their staple events, including an Easter egg hunt in the spring.

John Murphy said the foundation collects Legos and donates them to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, as well as other hospitals that treat childhood cancer. The foundation also gives back to the Ronald McDonald House charities, which helped the Murphy family during Dylan’s hospital stays.

Lastly, the foundation finances scholarships for the Bro. Joseph C. Fox Latin School and Kellenberg Memorial High School, which Dylan would have attended.

Within the last year, John Murphy said the foundation decided to try and do something bigger. A family friend, Sal Visone, who’s involved in Dylan’s Dream Team, suggested the idea of a baseball field.

Visone’s son, also Sal, played baseball with Dylan. Visone and John Murphy used to coach together when the boys were younger.

“I was really blessed to get to know Dylan and the Murphys,” Visone said. “Dylan was just an amazing kid, an amazing pitcher. We called him Superman — as a young boy to fight so bravely for so long.

“It was heartbreaking, and yet so inspirational,” he added. “His mom, Donna, John, and his brother, John, came together so strong as a family. So, to honor Dylan forever and create this beautiful gift, for the boys and girls of the Bellmore-

*

Dylan’s Dream

Memorial Foundation, created in honor of Dylan Murphy, a boy who died from cancer in 2018, is raising money to finance a new baseball field in his name.

Merrick community, is just going to be a beautiful thing. We’re really looking forward to bringing the community together.”

Now in the midst of raising money to finance a new field, which could cost somewhere around $500,000 — if not more — Dylan’s Dream Team is rallying for support from the community, and making sure people are aware of the foundation’s plans. The field will be built at Saw Mill Road School.

The foundation has held a couple of events already, including a poker tourna ment in March, and a paint night in May. On Aug. 19, Dylan’s Dream Team is host ing a cornhole tournament at Gunther Field, at 1295 Bellmore Ave., North Bellmore, where most of the North Bellmore North Merrick Little League games are played.

Registration for the tournament is $100 per team, which also includes a barbecue.

Dylan’s Dream Team is also planning to hold a larger event at Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall on Oct. 12.

“That one, from 7 to 11 p.m., is going to be a big event,” John Murphy said. “We’re hoping to get hundreds of people there, possibly even a celebrity to drive the attendance, and there’ll be live auctions and raffles and all that.”

The Murphys are estimating that it’ll probably take two years, if not longer, to finance the project.

“Everyone’s been receptive,” John Murphy said. “It’s a sad story, but it’s a good story, too. You know, bad things had to happen for this to happen, but people feel good about what we’re trying to do.”

“We really appreciate all the support we’ve gotten,” Visone said. “I’m so grate ful to John and Donna. I really appreciate so much of what they’re doing to honor Dylan, as a gift to the Bellmore communi ty.”

To register for the cornhole tournament, contact John Murphy at (516) 4920779. Follow Dylan Murphy Field of Dreams on Facebook for updates on the project and upcoming fundraisers, or visit DylansDreamTeam.com.

Courtesy John Murphy

Team

Progressives want to hold D’Esposito accountable

By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com

A lot of attention directed toward Long Island’s congressional delegation has been directed at U.S. Rep. George Santos.

But one group doesn’t want voters to forget about another member of that delegation, who might not be facing criminal charges or accusations of lying to voters, but with whom they feel is falling short of his responsibilities.

The advocacy group Empire State Voices gathered representatives from Democratic caucuses and labor unions to Rockville Centre last week, calling out U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito.

“We’re here because Congressman D’Esposito has not been standing for working families on Long Island,” said Maria Martinez, executive director of Empire State Voices.

Martinez hosted a panel discussion with guests that featured former state senator John Brooks, former Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, and Nassau County Working Families Party representative Joe Sackman. On the agenda were their thoughts about a number of economic issues affecting those living in New York.

For instance, they claim that in the first seven months since taking office, D’Esposito has voted on legislation to “protect wealthy and corporate tax cheats,” “give corporations $6 billion in tax breaks,” and made it harder for senior citizens to access Social Security and

Medicare benefits.

“I have heard Anthony profess so much support for veterans, so much support for disabled children, support for seniors,” said Griffin, who lost her Assembly seat to Brian Curran last year by a handful of votes.

“Don’t just listen to him because he’s all about talking the talk, but that guy never walks the walk. I have listened to him make speeches, and it’s always the same thing. But when it comes down to it, when he has the chance to vote to help people, he doesn’t.”

D’Esposito didn’t take part in the discussion, but a spokesman from his office

told the Herald the congressman “continuously ranks as one of the most bipartisan members of Congress, and regularly works with colleagues from across the aisle to deliver results for Long Islanders.

“Unlike many Nassau County Democratic officials who take their cues from out-of-touch New York City progressives, Congressman D’Esposito’s votes have always advanced the interest of Nassau County neighbors.”

But some of the panelists gathering in Rockville Centre would disagree, using the Limit Save Grow Act — which was passed in April to increase the federal debt ceiling and decrease spending — as

an example.

D’Esposito voted in favor of Limit Save Grow, which Martinez believes will make it harder for senior citizens to access Medicare benefits, putting Medicaid coverage at risk for millions.

“When you cut our services, when you cut funding to schools, when you cut funding to hospitals and Medicaid, the cost comes back onto us,” Sackman said. “There’s always a cost to this, and we are the ones who are paying it over and over and over again. That has to change.”

Maryland Republican Greg Murphy, however, said last April the bill “will not cut Medicare, Social Security or veterans’ access to health care.”

The conversation also touched on the proposed American Families and Jobs Act, which the group labeled a “tax scam.” The three-part legislative proposal aims to provide tax relief for working families and individuals, strengthen small businesses, and provide tax incentives for economic development in rural communities.

“We can’t reiterate enough how important these economic policies are for us, not just out on Long Island, but across the state of New York,” Martinez said. “We need to urge Congressman D’Esposito to vote ‘no’ on the GOP tax scam bill. There’s a long road ahead, and over the next couple of months, we’re going to be out ensuring that we hold (him) accountable for the votes he’s either taken or not taken.”

Daniel Offner/Herald

Neighbors were invited to a panel discussion featuring former Assemblywoman Judy Griffin, left, former state senator John Brooks, Empire State Voices executive director Maria Martinez, and Working Families Party representative Joe Sackman, to share what they say are problems U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito needs to address.

HERALD SPORTS

High school football camps open Aug. 19

By TONY BELLISSIMO tbellissimo@liherald.com

On Saturday, Aug. 19, all 53 Nassau County public high school football programs will begin preparations for the upcoming season, scheduled to open Friday, Sept. 1 when MacArthur visits Manhasset as part of a handful of games that weekend in Conference II.

Nassau returned to the usual eightgame regular season in 2021 after all scrimmages, two regular-season games, one round of playoffs and the Long Island championships were eliminated the previous season due to Covid-19. This season, with Conference II fielding an odd number of teams (13), each team in that conference will get a bye over a nine-week campaign. Long Beach, Sewanhaka and Jericho will kick off their respective seasons in Week 2 (Sept. 8 and 9) with the rest of the county.

“We’re not the first conference to have an odd number of teams and we just have to do the best we can to prepare,” said MacArthur head coach Bobby Fehrenbach, whose seventh-seeded Generals play their first three games over a 13-day span including a trip to No. 2 Carey in Week 2 and their home opener Thursday, Sept. 14 against Rolsyn/Friends Academy. “The kids have been working hard during the offseason and we’ll be as ready as we can be for Manhasset,” he added.

Farmingdale (Conference I), Garden City (II), Plainedge (III) and North Shore (IV) won county titles in 2022 and are preseason No. 1 seeds, making them favorites on paper to repeat. Farmingdale was awarded the Rutgers Cup, presented annually to the most outstanding team in Nassau. The Dalers open at home against Uniondale Sept. 8. An Oceanside-Freeport matchup kicks off the Conference I action that same evening.

Garden City, which has captured seven straight Conference II titles, opens the 2023 campaign at home against New Hyde Park. Longtime Conference II contender Carey moved to III last fall but is back to familiar territory. The Seahawks open Sept. 9 at Elmont.

“We have five September games and no scrimmage,” Carey head coach Mike Stanley said. “Everyone in our conference is in the same boat, but it’s tough from an evaluation standpoint to not scrimmage. That being said, we’ve been putting in the work all summer and the fortunate thing for us is we’re bringing back a lot from last year’s team.”

Any teams outside of Conference II choosing to play a game scrimmage can do so once 10 practices are completed, Section VIII football coordinator Matt McLees said. Most scrimmages will take place Sept. 2 and 3. “Everyone needs 10 practices to conduct a scrimmage, but

10 Games To Watch

Sept. 8: Oceanside at Freeport

Sept. 9: Elmont at Mepham

Sept. 22: Freeport at Farmingdale

Sept. 30: Carey at Garden City

Sept. 30: Wantagh at Lynbrook

oct. 7: Wantagh at South Side

oct. 7: Malverne at North Shore

oct. 21: Seaford at Malverne

oct. 21: South Side at Plainedge

oct. 28: Baldwin at Freeport

teams can practice together after five practices,” he said. “If teams practice against one another, they can do drills but can’t simulate anything that would happen in a scrimmage or a game.”

Six teams switch conferences

Along with Carey, five other teams have switched conferences for the upcoming season based on enrollment figures: South Side, Manhasset, Mineola, Clarke and Kennedy. In addition, Jericho has returned to Nassau County football following a 2022 campaign it teamed up with Plainview.

South Side is back in Conference III and seeded No. 2 behind Plainedge. The Cyclones open at home versus Hewlett. Kennedy is also in III from II. Clarke, along with Mineola, jumps to III from IV. The Rams are at Valley Stream North in Week 1.

Thursday games Sept. 14

The second week of the season (third for many Conference II teams) will be played on Thursday, Sept. 14 due to Rosh Hashanah that Saturday. Games will kick off as early as 1:30 p.m. (Elmont at Sewnhaka) and as late as 7 p.m. on the 14th, with one game going on Friday, Sept. 15 (Roosevelt at Division) at 2 p.m.

Local coaching changes

After 20 years, the legendary Jay Hegi will no longer serve as Elmont head coach. Former assistant Tom Innes takes over the helm of the Spartans and will make his debut against Carey.

A member of Lawrence’s Long Island championship team in 2014, Melik Mavruk, who scored the game-winning touchdown that year against Sayville on an 82-yard fumble recovery late in the fourth quarter, takes over as the Golden Tornadoes’ third head coach in as many seasons. Lawrence opens at home versus Valley Stream South.

Ernie Blount is the new sideline boss at Baldwin. He spent 23 years on the staff at LIU-Post. The Bruins are seeded fourth in Conference I and host Hempstead in the opener.

Photos by Eric Dunetz/Herald

Lynbrook’S ramon CaLderon, top, hauled in a pass during 7 on 7 drills hosted by Oceanside every Wednesday throughout July.

oCeanSide and quarTerbaCk Shane Harmon open the season at rival Freeport.

Team USA exits World Cup in Round of 16

By MICHAEL LEWIS sports@liherald.com

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deserved a lot more. We deserved to win this game. I thought we created enough to win this game. I felt that we put up a fight, a battle.

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Like the rest of her U.S. women’s soccer national team teammates, Crystal Dunn is taking an unexpected early trip home from the Women’s World Cup.

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The two-time defending champions crashed out of the 32-team tournament on Sunday. They lost a shootout to Sweden in the Round of 16, 5-4, after playing to a scoreless draw in Melbourne, Australia.

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“They showed grit, resilience, the fight and the bravery,” he added. “They showed everything that we could to win the game. And unfortunately, soccer can be cruel sometimes.”

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The Americans, who won four previous World Cups, had reached the semifinals in the eight previous tournaments.

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Dunn and the Americans had hoped to stay around for the final in Sydney, Australia on Sunday, Aug. 20, to become the first team, men’s or women’s to win three consecutive World Cups.

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Dunn performed well at left back, helping to hold the opposition to only one goal in four games. She also became part of the U.S. attack on many occasions, overlapping into the offensive third.

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Instead, the one-time South Side High School standout will be forced to watch the championship game on television.

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The U.S. started the competition with a 3-0 triumph over World Cup debutants Vietnam, but suffered three consecutive disappointing draws, a 1-1 deadlock with the Netherlands, a scoreless tie with Por tugal, and then Sunday’s result.

“Very proud of them and devastated for them,” U.S. head coach Vlatko Andonovski said. “That they would have to go out the way we did I thought that we

The USA’s Achilles Heel, however, wasn’t the defense. It was the attack, or lack thereof.

Despite her superior attacking skills, the 31-year-old Dunn did not participate in Sunday’s penalty-kick tie-breaker, 2015 Women’s World Cup, Dunn, then a member of the Washington Spirit, took out her frustrations on the rest of the NWSL. She captured the scoring title and

Crystal Dunn had a strong performance on defense Sunday but the U.S. was eliminated by Sweden in penalty kicks.

ture the 2019 World Cup.

With the Portland Thorns, Dunn also was a vital cog in the team’s attack en route to the 2022 title.

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When she received an opportunity to play for the USWNT, Dunn was switched to left back. She worked hard to become a world-class defender, helping the U.S. cap-

Dunn, who has made 136 international appearances while scoring 24 goals, should be in the mix for the U.S. team that will participate in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

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Programs for Lifelong Learners at Molloy University!

Learning doesn’t have to end at a certain age—it can be a lifelong pursuit. Molloy University empowers learners of all ages by offering high-quality, flexible and adaptable programs to serve and meet the needs of Long Islanders through two outstanding programs: The Molloy Institute for Lifelong Learning (MILL) which was established in 1992 and the new Sister Mary Celeste Lecture Series. In both programs you learn for the fun of learning in a relaxed environment without assignments, exams or grades.

The MILL program is a membership-based program. Most members are retirees, however, not everyone is retired, nor is this a requisite for membership. All ages are welcome, men and women, singles or couples, as long as there is a willingness to participate in learning and to maintain a rigorous mind. The programs meet in-person one day week during the day: Tuesdays or Fridays in Rockville Centre and Wednesdays in Amityville. Membership is valid from September 1 to August 31 each year and lectures usually start mid-September and runs until mid-June.

The Sister Mary Celeste Lecture Series offers individual courses in a variety of areas, offered in-person during the day for one or more sessions in Rockville Centre. Topics may include, current events, music, art, literature, history, finance, heath, philosophy, technology and more. Whether you’re interested in dabbling in a new hobby or just trying to keep up with technology, there’s a class out there for you. Find

Courtesy Nikita Taparia/NWSL

Trolley takes library patrons all around town

referred to colloquially as Tiny Town, due to the comparatively miniature size of the area’s homes. Tiny Town features a series of circular streets that resemble a campground.

“The Merrick campgrounds were established by the Long Island Camp Meeting Association as a place for religious worship and meetings for New York Methodists,” Smith explained. “In 1860, the association bought 60 acres of land in North Merrick for its permanent summer site.”

The former site of the campgrounds is north of Camp Avenue and east of Merrick Avenue. Families rented oneand two-story homes in the summer so they could attend meetings. The population of the camp sometimes swelled to 10,000 due its proximity to the Long Island Rail Road.

Today, some of the campground’s smallest bungalows remain, hence the nickname Tiny Town. Many of them have historical markers indicating the year they were built.

“America’s entry into World War I, in 1917, and the Great Depression that followed, in 1929,” Taylor said, “brought a complete halt to camp gatherings.”

The Gables

The Merrick Gables, a neighborhood just north of Sunrise Highway, was the first large real-estate development in the hamlet after World War I. Homes in the area were influenced by California-style architecture — Spanish-style designs consisting of stucco, light concrete walls and turrets.

To wealthy buyers in the 1920s, the area was seen as high-class, and even attracted Hollywood stars, Smith said. “Stars like Errol Flynn and Ed Begley, father of Ed Begley Jr., live in Merrick’s mini-Hollywood during their performances on Broadway in New York City’s many theaters,” Smith said. “Stores and movie houses were built to accommodate the new residents.”

Similar to its effect on the campgrounds, the stock market crash of 1929 caused the Gables community to fail, and homes were sold at auction in the

early 1930s.

Trolley takeaways

Aside from the tour’s main attractions, library patrons aboard the trolley had the chance to share some of their own history in Merrick, and the reasons why they wanted to take the tour. The general takeaway was that the participants were curious, and wanted to learn more about their hometown.

The tour was free to North Merrick patrons, but they did have to register in advance. The event was immensely popular, Rechsteiner said, and the waiting list exceeded 50 people.

“The community’s enthusiasm for the tour exceeded our expectations,” she said. “I’m sure we’ll be doing it again.”

Jackie Perez, the library’s director, said the library was thrilled to offer such a unique experience. “We were really excited to show our patrons how much history is on our community,” Perez said, “and how much our own town has to offer them.”

north merrick public Library patrons, above, aboard a trolley on aug. 2, for the library’s first ever trolley tour of the merricks.

Librarians Kelly rechsteiner and taylor Smith, near left, led an informative presentation throughout the tour. friends Kathy Bowen and Barbara Kammarada, of merrick, far left, had a good time aboard the trolley.

Tim Baker/Herald photos the trolley tour, part of the summer reading program, was inspired by the children’s television series ‘mister rogers’ neighborhood.’

Hundreds pay respect to Robert Dillon

By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com

Hundreds gathered at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre last week to pay their respects to Robert Dillon.

The late Nassau BOCES superintendent died July 28 after following complications from spinal surgery. He was 72.

Dillon — who lived in both Walden in Orange County, as well as Plainview here on Long Island — was appointed to lead the Nassau Board of Cooperative Educational Services in 2015.

During his time with BOCES, Dillon advocated and expanded access to career and technical programs, revitalized the Long Island High School for the Arts, and helped create a mental health consortium, serving all 56 Nassau County school districts, parts of Suffolk County, and the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

“After his first full year at BOCES, his passion and dedication for the students, staff and programs were part of every conversation I had,” his son, Chris Dillon, told the packed cathedral. He followed his father’s footsteps into education, now an assistant superintendent in the Plainview-Old Bethpage school district.

“He was honored to be part of such a great team.”

Dillon grew up in Bayside, Queens, and at one point almost became a Major League Baseball player. The Detroit Tigers drafted him out of Loyola High

School, a private Jesuit academy on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

Instead, Dillon chose a different path, graduating from St. John’s University in Queens with a doctorate in education.

He began his career as a special education teacher in 1975, and for the next 45 years, would inspire and motivate hundreds of students, teachers, parents and faculty members across New York.

“To this day, he could not only name most of his students from his early years

of teaching or retell their success stories,” the younger Dillon said, “he had a steady belief in the potential of every single student he encountered. He was not just the teacher, director, principal or superintendent, He was a cheerleader. A mentor.

And a trusted confidant who loved to teach and coach other professionals — including myself — to be the best educator they could be.”

Throughout his career, Dillon served

as the superintendent of four school districts — including two on Long Island. He was at one time the superintendent of the former Sugar Loaf school district in Orange County, and the Abbott school district in Westchester County.

Between 1992 and 1999, he was superintendent of the Eastport-South Manor Central School District in Suffolk County, where he helped lead the effort to merge the two districts. He also led the East Meadow school district between 1999 and 2007.

“Whether navigating through the Covid-19 pandemic, pushing for increased mental health student support, or innovating numerous programs, he has revitalized, transformed and enhanced educational opportunities for all students,” BOCES representatives stated.

During the funeral Mass at St. Agnes, Dillon was remembered by family, friends, colleagues, supporters and countless others whose lives he touched.

“He taught by example, that there was never a problem, only your solution or plan on how to fix it,” Dillon’s son said. “He understood that failure was a part of life and would never allow that to define him. Instead, he taught us resilience, showing us that setbacks are sources of strength rather than defeat.

“Never letting them deter his spirit, he proved that true success is not measure by achievement, but by how one navigates through challenges.”

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Daniel Offner/Herald

Following a funeral Mass at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre last week, the late Robert Dillon — superintendent of Nassau BOCES, and former superintendent of the East Meadow school district — was laid to rest at the Queen of Peace Cemetery.

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Dr. Natalya Rooney, an optometrist, opens new office on Merrick Avenue

Dr. Natalya Rooney recently held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for the opening of her comprehensive optometry practice, Merrick Avenue Optometry, at 30 Merrick Ave. in Merrick, NY.

Rooney was joined by Congressman Anthony D’Esposito, NY State Sen. Steven Rhoads, Nassau County Legislator Michael Giangergorio, Town of Hempstead Clerk Kate Murray, representatives from the offices of Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Nassau Legislator Thomas McKevitt, as well as members of the Merrick Chamber of Commerce, including Chamber President Ira Reiter of The Barking Biscuit LLC.

“My practice focuses on utilizing the latest technology and treatments to provide patients with exceptional eye care,” Rooney said. “My team and I take a personal approach with every patient. We educate our patients and walk them through treatments, care and identifying the eyewear and lenses for them.”

The new office is 1,339 square feet and will have four employees, featuring three exam rooms. The location will offer a full spectrum of optometric services, including eye exams for adults and children, contact lens and prescription eyewear services and eye

disease diagnosis and management for conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye and macular degeneration.

“Our goal is to make every patient feel at ease when they come through the doors of Merrick Avenue Optometry,” Rooney said. “Merrick is a great community and we are already members of the chamber of commerce and look forward to giving back.”

Rooney has 10 years of professional medical experience and received her bachelor’s of science degree at Adelphi University in 2009 and Doctor of Optometry degree from SUNY College of Optometry in 2013.

While at SUNY College of Optometry, Rooney completed her rotations with emphasis on ocular disease and pediatrics. She is an active member of the American Optometric Association, the New York State Optometric Association and Nassau County Optometric Society which allows her to keep up to date and utilize the most recent optometric research. She specializes in diagnosis and treatments for patients experiencing dry eye.

For more, visit MerrickAveOptometry.com

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Courtesy Office of Dr. Natalya Rooney

Dr. Natalya Rooney, center, with from left, Joe Baker, Town Clerk Kate Murray, County Legislator Michael Giangregorio, and Merrick Chamber President Ira Reiter.

STEPPING OUT

Entice your crowd with the late-season flavors

By Karen Bloom

“Summer means a sudden availability of all sorts of fresh vegetables — from familiar zucchini and eggplant, to more exotic mushrooms and chilies,” says award-winning chef Rick Bayless. “Entertaining a summer crowd can be easy, delicious and inexpensive if you let the season’s produce do most of the work.”

Chef Bayless suggests simple recipes that highlight fresh summer fare. His summer entertaining advice is always worth following, some of which many of us practice already.

Opt for organic: Shop your farmers markets. Small local farms promote biodiversity by planting a wide range of produce, are more likely to operate using organic practices, and add to the fabric of their communities. With their homegrown approach to agriculture, these farmers ensure the highest quality of food. Other organic products besides fresh produce are popping up on grocery shelves.

Know your way around the grill: Whether using a charcoal or gas grill, heat the grill grate thoroughly before putting food on, and avoid moving the food until it is well-browned. This prevents food from sticking to the grill. Keep a spray bottle filled with water on hand to handle flare-ups that can arise from fat drippings.

When in doubt, just chill: Simple marinades can take meat and seafood to a new flavor level. Save time by marinating the main dish for a few hours prior to your guests’ arrival. And keep it refrigerated. Then put it on the grill when it’s time to eat. A little preparation can lead to big, bold taste.

The Rocketman Show

Rus Anderson dons the famous boots, outfits and glasses, ready to demonstrate once again his talent and pizazz for embodying the musical legend that is Sir Elton John. Anderson has built a reputation of seamlessly embodying Elton John’s persona. He even caught the attention of the man himself, impressing him so much that Anderson was his official body double for his ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ World Tour projects, re-creating highlights of Elton’s career in virtual reality. Anderson has a natural ease at personifying John’s flamboyancy, sequins and songs, but also does it with genuine authenticity — always singing the vocals and playing the instruments live. Whether it be Elton John’s more upbeats tempos, such as ‘I’m Still Standing’ or ‘Saturday Night’s Alright,’ or his heartfelt ballads, Anderson will have you up on your feet joining in. He painstakingly recreates those memorable concerts with the colorful and flamboyant costumes — including Elton’s iconic boots, glasses and jumpsuits. Friday, Aug. 11, 8 p.m. $65, $45, $35, $30. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com or ParamountNY.com.

Skewered Shrimp with Black Bean-Lemon Rice

Marinade/dressing:

• 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar

• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

• 2 medium garlic cloves, minced

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 3/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

Skewers:

• 24 large raw, headless, peeled shrimp, with tails on (about 1 pound)

• 24 whole green onions, trimmed to 6 inches in length

• 24 cherry tomatoes

• 2 poblano chili peppers, seeded and cut into 24 pieces

• 8 12-inch bamboo skewers, soaked in water

Rice:

• 3 cups hot cooked brown rice

• 15 ounces canned black beans, rinsed and drained

• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

• 3 teaspoons grated lemon zest

Whisk marinade ingredients in small bowl. Reserve 1/2 cup mixture in separate bowl and set aside. Place shrimp in a resealable plastic bag, pour marinade over shrimp, seal tightly and coat well. Refrigerate 30 minutes, turning frequently.

Remove shrimp from marinade (reserving marinade). Place shrimp on skewers, alternating with tomatoes, chilies and onions (folded in half).

Preheat grill on high heat. Brush skewers with reserved marinade and cook 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until shrimp are opaque in center. Place remaining marinade in a small saucepan on the grill to heat slightly. Toss rice with black beans, cilantro and lemon zest.

To serve: Top rice with skewers and spoon remaining marinade over skewers.

Grilled Vegetables with Ginger Citrus Mayonnaise

• 2 each crookneck or summer squash, baby zucchini, large whole carrots, large fennel or 3 medium fennel bulbs

• 5 to 6 shallots

• Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

• Extra virgin olive oil

For the Ginger Citrus Mayonnaise:

• 3 juicy oranges, grapefruits, Meyer lemons, mineolas, tangerines, Mandarins, blood oranges, etc., cut in half (6 halves total)

• 3 tablespoons (or more for desired consistency) store bought preferred mayonnaise

• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

• Preheat grill for vegetables.

To make the mayonnaise, squeeze all the juice out from 5 of the 6 citrus halves into a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. When juice begins to boil, lower heat to medium-high and reduce juice until thick and syrupy, being careful not to let it burn.

Remove from heat, pour into a bowl, and allow to cool slightly. (At this point you can grill the vegetables). Whisk in mayonnaise, ginger, and cayenne pepper until smooth. Squeeze in juice from last remaining citrus half, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Cut all veggies in half lengthwise, rub all sides sparingly with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Grill, cut side down first, for 4 to 6 minutes if small, 5 to 8 minutes if large pieces. Flip so skin side is down, and grill all an additional 1 to 2 minutes, until all veggies are firm but easily sliced with a knife.

Serve on platter alongside bowl of ginger citrus mayonnaise or drizzled on top of vegetables.

Half Step

Whether or not you’re a Deadhead, Half Step will have everyone feeling the vibe, when the band rocks out Eisenhower Park. The band, themselves a group of dedicated fans and ‘students’ of the Grateful Dead, capture the spirit, improvisation, sound and complexity of the Dead’s music. Since 2004, these Long Islandbased musicians have been mastering their craft while winning over crowds of veteran Deadheads, newcomers and non-Dead fans alike. Like the Grateful Dead themselves, the band is constantly pushing the envelope, growing together as musicians and performers. Their attention to detail is clearly evident in their effort to put on a viable Grateful Dead experience. They stay true to the traditional show format and play sets of tunes in a sequence that could likely have been performed by the Dead themselves years ago.

Saturday, Aug. 12, 8 p.m. Free admission. Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow. For information, visit NassauCountyNY.gov.

uring summer’s waning weeks, get-togethers outside with family and friends take on even greater appeal.

THE Your Neighborhood

Sept. 30 On stage Plaza

Class Reunion

Sanford H. Calhoun High School is hold a multiyear reunion for the classes of 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974 at the Uniondale Marriot, Sept. 30, beginning at 7 p.m. 101 James Doolittle Blvd, Uniondale. Visit bit.ly/Calhoun-Reunion, or email calhounreunion2023@gmail. com for more.

Old School Hip Hop Brunch

American Beauty Bar & Grill hosts an Old School Hip Hop Brunch, Sunday, Aug. 13. Doors open at noon; no cover fee to enter. Must be 21 or older to attend. Reservations are required. 2562 Sunrise Highway, Bellmore. Call (516) 541-1075 for more.

Aug. 19

Theatricals presents a tribute to the one and only Barbra Streisand, Saturday, Aug. 19, 7:30 p.m. Sharon Owens performs her acclaimed interpretations of Streisand’s songbook. It’s performed at the Elmont Library Theatre, 700 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont. $33, $35. Elmont. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

Dramatic Play

Disco fever

Boogie along with Disco Unlimited,” Friday, Aug. 18, at 8 p.m., at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre, Eisenhower Park. When Disco Unlimited hits the stage, you are instantly transported to a time when Saturday nights meant white suits, platform shoes and your very best dance moves. And dance you will — when you experience the magic created when the boogie begins. Capturing a time in music that to this day has not been matched, this lively band will exhilarate you with their powerful vocals, tight harmonies and dance grooves — all coupled with a synchronized stage and light show. Close your eyes and you will truly believe you are listening to the original artists. Hear the best of Tavares, France Jolie, The Trammps, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Yvonne Elliman, Anita Ward, Deney Terrio, George McCrae, Bonnie Pointer, Melba Moore, Maxine Nightingale, Carol Douglas, and so much more. Joe Cool, Sista Soul, Funky Sista, Strat Cat, Wild Jerry and The MacDaddy comprise this group of unique and experienced musicians who love and live this era of music. As always, bring seating. For information, visit NassauCcountyNY.gov/parks.

Aug. 18

Bellmore-Merrick BOE Meeting

The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s Board of Education meets on Wednesday, Sept. 6 The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Brookside School, the district’s administrative headquarters. 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick. For more, visit BellmoreMerrick.k12.ny.us.

Theatre Playground returns to Long Island Children’s Museum with “Dramatic Play!,” Monday, Aug. 14, 1 p.m., taught by Lisa Rudin, Director of Theatre Playground (who visitors may already know from her role as “Piggie”!). In this interactive, theater-inspired workshop kids will act out an original story and help choose how it unfolds. Music, props, and sound effects create a theatrical world where participants are immersed in the story. Children are encouraged to express themselves as they create characters, explore different worlds, stretch their imaginations and build self-confidence. This week’s theme: The Amazing World of Bugs and Butterflies. Costumes encouraged. Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

Breastfeeding Support Group

Mercy Hospital offers a peer to peer meeting for breastfeeding support and resources, facilitated by a certified breastfeeding counselor, every Thursday, 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Bring your baby (from newborn to 1 year) to the informal group setting. All new moms are welcome, regardless of delivering hospital. Registration required. Call breastfeeding counselor, Gabriella Gennaro, at (516) 705-2434 to secure you and your baby’s spot. Mercy Hospital, St. Anne’s Building, 1000 North Village Ave., Rockville Centre. For information visit CHSLI.org.

Car Show Fridays

Enjoy vintage cars, socializing and more. Every Friday night, join the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores for a car show in the LIRR parking lot in Bellmore. It’s a summer scene not to be missed. Admission for people is free, cars costs $5. Show opens at 6 p.m. Visit BellmoreChamber.com for more.

Pro Diamond Baseball Tryouts

Pro Diamond Rangers Baseball hosts tryouts for its 12u, 13u and 14u teams, for the 2024 season, Wednesday, Aug. 16, at Grand Avenue Middle School. The 12u session begins at 5 p.m., 13 and 14u at 6:30 p.m. 2301 Grand Ave., Bellmore. Registration is required; tryout is free. For more info, contact (516) 641-1458, or visit ProDiamonBaseball.com.

Networking with the Merrick Chamber

The Merrick Chamber of Commerce hosts a networking event, Monday, Sept. 18, 6 p.m., at Frankie’s Restaurant. 1692 Merrick Road, Merrick. $20 admission goes towards appetizers and cash bar. For more, visit MerrickChamber. com.

Having an event?

Aug.

Westbury House Tour

Bug Safari

Bring the kids to Old Westbury Gardens for a buggy adventure, Saturday, Aug. 19, 11 a.m. Hunt elusive grasshoppers, butterflies, predatory insects and other crawly creatures in the gardens. Bring a butterfly net and collecting jars. All ages. Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information visit OldWestburyGardens.org or contact (516) 333-0048.

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.

For many years visitors to Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens asked what was beyond the first floor corridor. Now go beyond the door and discover “secrets of the service wing,” during a 60-minute guided tour,Sunday, Aug. 13, 1:30 p.m.; also Sunday, Aug. 20, 1:30 p.m. Be introduced to the intensive labor required to create the lifestyle experienced by the Phipps family and their guests; tour the many rooms that were “behind the scenes” to create the formal dining experiences of early 20th century. Go along the corridors to the butler’s pantry and silver cleaning room then descend the 17 steps to the kitchen, scullery, and wine storage rooms located on the ground floor. Reservations required. 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury. For information contact (516) 333-0048 or visit OldWestburyGardens.org.

Family Street Festival

Merrick Fall Festival

The Merrick Fall Festival kicks off on Oct. 20. The carnival and festival is held in the Merrick Long Island Rail Road station and on Merrick Avenue through Oct. 22. The carnival opens on Friday at 6 p.m. and the street festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 11 a.m. Visit MerrickChamber.org for more information.

The Bellmore Family Street Festival returns on Thursday, Sept. 21, running through Sept. 24. On its opening day, the carnival will commence at 6 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, shopping the street vendors begins at 10 a.m. For a fun weekend of games, shopping and entertainment, be sure to stop by the Bellmore LIRR Station. For more, visit BellmoreChamber.com.

Bingo at Ohav Shalom

Congregation Ohav Shalom hosts Bingo games, every other Sunday, at 145 S. Merrick Ave., Merrick. For times and more information, contact (516) 378-1968 or visit Ohav.org for upcoming dates. All are welcome.

Soirée Under the Stars honors Anthony Cancellieri

By DANIEL OFFNER doffner@liherald.com

Soirée Under the Stars has set an ambitious goal this year to raise $1 million. And it all starts Saturday, Sept. 23 at The Lannin — the newly renovated venue at East Meadow’s Eisenhower Park.

The annual fundraiser from Mount Sinai South Nassau will help benefit its new comprehensive stroke program, part of a $10 million upgrade intended to help save lives on the South Shore by providing enhanced round-the-clock coverage for interventional treatment of complex and life-threatening vascular diseases, such as stroke or aneurysm.

Mount Sinai plans to install a biplane 3D interventional radiology imaging suite for precise, rapid treatment of blood clots and vascular diseases. It also will apply for thrombectomy capable stroke center designation from state health department, which provides accreditation to medical centers like Mount Sinai, opening the door for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements.

“We are taking things to the next level,” said Joe Calderone, Mount Sinai South Nassau’s spokesman.

This year’s Soirée Under the Stars will honor Rockville Centre’s Anthony Cancellieri, who co-chairs the hospital’s board of directors. Cancellieri has been

a decade, expanding services from the Rockaways to Massapequa.

“I’m honored,” Cancellieri said. “Our work at Mount Sinai South Nassau will make it one of the best — if not the best — caring facilities on Long Island for years to come.”

For the last 35 years, the hospital has held a special place in Cancellieri’s heart. It was where two of his three chil-

dren — were born.

Cancellieri felt the need to do something more — volunteering his expertise in public service — after his daughter was injured in a car accident on Merrick Road. Although he was frightened for her well being, thanks to the attentive and dedicated response from hospital staff, Cancellieri said he was able to feel more at ease.

“The compassion and care that was

showed to us at South Nassau was unbelievable,” he said. “They didn’t treat us like we were clinicians, they treated us like parents. I never forgot that.”

A few years later, Cancellieri was appointed to Mount Sinai South Nassau’s board of directors. He had been approached because of his years of experience in public service, primarily with the lobbying and development firm of Park Strategies, among other leadership roles — including one with the New York Police Department.

Cancellieri’s “leadership, support, and commitment to the hospital’s mission cannot be overestimated,” Dr. Adhi Sharma, president of Mount Sinai South Nassau, said in a release. “There is no one more deserving than Tony, who has helped shepherd our hospital through many milestones, including the affiliation with the Mount Sinai Health System, our $500 million capital campaign, and community support for the staff during and after Covid-19 — which was one of the biggest challenges our hospital and our community has ever faced.”

This year’s event will feature a twohour outdoor reception starting at 7 p.m., with food, an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, and an opportunity to mingle with the hospital’s key supporters, staff, board leadership, and administration.

To learn more about the soirée, purchase tickets, or support the event as a sponsor, call (516) 377-5360.

Herald file photo

The first Soiree Under the Stars in 2017 helped raise money for Mount Sinai South Nassau. This year marks the fifth gala fundraiser event, following the two-year hiatus between 2020 and 2021.

*must be present at drawing to win

EVENT

PANEL

RAFFLE DRAWING AT 12:30PM

SILVER

Clavin helps out at S.T.O.P program

Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin assisted Andrew Lirio of North Bellmore as he participated in the Town of Hempstead Stop Throwing Out Pollutants Program on July 11. This program allows residents to dispose of harmful pollutants — such as antifreeze, drain cleaners and pesticides — in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.

Keeping kids safe with a Child I.D.

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

Courtesy Town of Hempstead

Elisabeth Ventimiglia and her children, Shane and Lilly, all Merrick residents, met with Hempstead Town Clerk Kate Murray at the town’s Child Safety I.D. Program on July 17, held at Elmont Road Park.

Learning has no age limit with BOCES adult education classes

By NICOLE FORMISANO nformisano@liherald.com

Learning has no age limit. The Nassau BOCES adult education programs are here to help people of all ages build careers, especially in the industries Long Island needs most.

BOCES has specialized programs for everything from construction to cosmetology, and are expanding their offerings to include three new programs beginning this school year: clinical medical assistant, veterinary assistant and pet grooming. These three new courses, like BOCES’ other programs, include internships and on-site training. BOCES is continuing the success it experienced under superintendent Robert Dillon, who died July 28.

Brad Slepian, the assistant principal of the adult education program, said that BOCES helps students find where their passions and interests intersect with job market demand. That kind of opportunity can cost tens of thousands elsewhere. As a public program, BOCES strives to make its offerings as affordable and accessible as possible.

“Whether it’s our actual training, or providing different opportunities and connecting students to different grants that might allow payment for their full training program, we want to ultimately make it as low cost or no cost to the student as possible,” Slepian said.

That goal is exactly what allowed Meaghan Makar, from West Hempstead, to achieve her dream of becoming a professional hairstylist. Makar was in college when the pandemic hit, and realized she wanted to pursue her passion.

“It was kind of just a no brainer,” Makar said. “I came from college and I definitely didn’t have more money to spend on a different path now, so I looked into it, and BOCES actually works with the Town of Hempstead Job Center. So I got a grant from the Town of Hempstead so that I could attend BOCES.”

Makar said that with the education and experience she received in BOCES’ 1,000-hour cosmetology program, it would be her top choice regardless of cost. She learned haircuts, updos, perms, rollers, and everything in between to prepare her for the practical exam and beyond. Industry experts would come to impart advice about their specializations — tips and tricks for men’s haircuts, vivid color hair dyeing, seamless highlighting. To someone like Makar who likes to ask questions, the in-person expert advice was indispensable.

Makar currently works at East Coast Hair Studio, a young studio in Oceanside that has already made a big name for itself — the team won the best hair salon Long Island Choice Award this year, just 18 months after opening. She joined the team this past April.

“It was great because every time I learned something I’d be so excited to go into work,” Makar said. “Being able to have a job during the day and go to school at night, it really helps with applying

The hands-on experience that

provides is not only indispensable for job success, but also safety, as is the case in Giovanni Iglesias’ electric work.

things as you go.”

That structure is what allowed Giovanni Iglesias, from East Meadow, find success and stability at the same time. Iglesias had spent 25 years as an internationally renowned DJ, playing at clubs across Europe, South America, and the states — until Covid hit. The gigs came to a sudden halt.

Iglesias found BOCES and applied for a grant to attend the trade electric program. Soon after beginning his studies, though, he received a call from the MTA offering him the bus operator position he had previously applied for. He spent the next years balancing his employment and his education. Iglesias said the instructors at BOCES were instrumental in making the balance possible.

“The teachers understood, they worked with me,” Iglesias said. “So I don’t lose my time, I don’t lose my pension, but I can do something I actually enjoy doing: electrical work.”

These days, Iglesias continues to work with the MTA and volunteers with Grasso Electric — a mentor he found during his time at BOCES — during his time off. He recently passed the electrical helper exam he’d been preparing for, and currently has his sights set on working as an electric helper for the MTA and eventually becoming licensed as a master electrician.

BOCES prepared Iglesias for success, but that came as no surprise to him — It was the same organization he graduated from in 1999, where he learned multimedia video production. His knowledge of video editing, branding, music production, and more put him leagues above the industry standard, and helped him excel as a DJ and an artist for 25 years. Now Iglesias is entering the next chapter of his career with the same level of preparedness.

“That’s what BOCES does,” Iglesias said. “BOCES was always the reason for my success.”

For more, NassauBoces.org/AdultEducation.

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE INVESTORS TRUST, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-WMC2, V. TODD C. SCHLEGEL, ET. AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated April 10, 2019, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE INVESTORS TRUST, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-WMC2 is the Plaintiff and TODD C. SCHLEGEL, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on August 22, 2023 at 2:00PM, premises known as 1747 CHESTNUT STREET, MERRICK, NY 11566 Section 55, Block 155, Lot 34: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT MERRICK, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 001064/2015. Rita Solomon, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES 140820

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST Alys Balbes; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered November 5, 2018 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on August 29, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 2599 Orr Street,

Merrick, NY 11566-4745.

All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being at Merrick, in the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau, State of New York, Section 63 Block 135 Lot 861. Approximate amount of judgment $588,637.31 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 014715/2013. The auction will be conducted pursuant to the COVID-19 Policies Concerning Public Auctions of Foreclosed Property established by the Tenth Judicial District. Foreclosure Auctions will be held “Rain or Shine.” Irene Villacci, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC

Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff

175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792

Dated: July 12, 2023 140957

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

NASSAU COUNTY TAXCTCO LLC, Plaintiff against ANTHONY BOPP, et al

Defendant(s)

Attorney for Plaintiff(s)

Law Office of Michael Ehrenreich PLLC, 555 Willow Avenue, Cedarhurst, NY 11516.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered November 18, 2020, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501 on August 29, 2023 at 2:00 PM, all that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being, and identified on the land and tax map of the County of Nassau in the State of New York, the Premises known as 59 Winifred Dr., Merrick, NY 11566. Sec 56 Block A05 Lot 36. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $57,732.95 plus interest, fees, and costs and attorneys fees. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 615070/2019. 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.”

Roger Hausch, Esq., Referee 16-3252

140955

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU

DLJ MORTGAGE CAPITAL, INC., V. CAROL VALENTE TOPOREK, ET. AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated January 31, 2014, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein DLJ MORTGAGE CAPITAL, INC. is the Plaintiff and CAROL VALENTE TOPOREK, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Nassau County Supreme Court, North Side Steps, 100 Supreme Court Drive Mineola, NY 11501, on August 29, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 2840 LINDENMERE DR, MERRICK, NY 11566: Section 62, Block 191, Lot 14:

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT MERRICK, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 009621/2008. MICHAEL H. SAHN, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES

140953

LEGAL NOTICE

BELLMORE-MERRICK CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

BELLMORE U.F.S.D.

MERRICK U.F.S.D.

NORTH BELLMORE U.F.S.D.

NORTH MERRICK U.F.S.D.

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, COUNTY OF NASSAU NOTICE TO BIDDERS:

In accordance with provision of Section 103 of the General Municipal Law, the Board of Education of the Bellmore-Merrick Transportation Consortium hereby invites the submission of sealed bids for:

Bellmore-Merrick

Cooperative School Year 2023-2024

Bids will be publicly opened and read at the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Business Office, 1260 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick, New York, on Friday, August 18, 2023, at 10:00 am. Specifications and Bid Forms may be obtained from the office of Tom Volpe, Director of Transportation, between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.

The Board of Education reserves the right to waive any informalities in or to reject in whole or in part all bids or to accept any bid which in its judgment is in the best interest of the school district.

By order: Board of Education

BELLMORE-MERRICK

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

BELLMORE U.F.S.D. MERRICK U.F.S.D. NORTH BELLMORE U.F.S.D.

NORTH MERRICK U.F.S.D. 141203

LEGAL NOTICE

ADJOURNED NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT, NASSAU COUNTY

INDEX NO.: 612596/2018

DIME COMMUNITY BANK

f/k/a THE DIME SAVINGS

BANK OF WILLIAMSBURGH v.

MICHAEL D. COSTANZA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PETER J. TOMAO, JOHN DOE and JANE DOE, Defendants. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, dated April 3, 2023 and entered on April 4, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Supreme Court, “Rain or Shine”, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, New York on the 28th day of August, 2023 at 2:30 P.M., the premises directed by said Judgment to be sold, being in Section 55, Block 75, Lots 1190-1191 on the Tax Map of the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau and State of New York, and known by the street number 1789 Gianelli Avenue, Merrick, New York. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, then the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the Foreclosure Auction.

The approximate amount of Judgment is $115,055.79 plus interest, costs, attorneys’ fees and advances. Said premises will be sold subject to the provisions of the filed Judgment and the Terms of Sale.

BRIAN J. DAVIS, ESQ., Referee. SANDERS, GUTMAN & BRODIE, P.C., Attorneys for Plaintiff, 18 North Central

Courtesy Nassau BOCES

BOCES

DRIVING

EMPLOYMENT

Help Wanted

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL /College

/Grad School Students: Staff Needed Before School 7:00-9:00AM Afterschool

2:45-6:00PM. Experience with children preferred. Friedberg JCC Locations in Oceanside, Bellmore, Baldwin, Long Beach, Island Park. Send resume to: tcorchado@friedbergjcc.org or call 516 -634-4179.

AUTO MECHANIC FT

4 Day Work Week

Experienced And Reliable. NYSI A Plus.

Busy Merrick Shop. Call 516-781-5641

Busy Rockville Centre Landlord/Tenant

Law Firm seeking FULL TIME in office (not hybrid) administrative assistant to work with one of the Partners.

Responsibilities include heavy client contact via emails and telephone. Landlord/Tenant experience a plus.

Salary commensurate with experience.

401K, Medical/Dental benefits.

Send resumes to: Kathleen@rosenblumbianco.com

Chief Marketing Officer– Amityville, NY–

Responsible for all marketing endeavors for the current and future brand portfolio.

Salary range: $159,058 to $159,058 p/y. Apply to: Iconic Brands, Inc., richard.decicco@gmail.com

Richner Communications, publisher of Herald community newspapers has an excellent opportunity

Company Car/ Bonuses. Clean Driving Record Required, Will Train. Retirees Welcome! Bell Auto School 516-365-5778

Email: info@bellautoschool.com

DRIVING INSTRUCTORS WANTED

EDITOR/REPORTER

MEDICAL OFFICE RECEPTIONIST.

Busy South Shore Nassau County Neurology Office. F/T And P/T. Must be flexible, computer literate, medical experience preferred. Salary commensurate with experience. 401K. Email resume: bookkeeping@lineurology.com Or Call 516-887-3516 ext. 110

MULTI MEDIA ACCOUNT DEVELOPMENT Inside Sales

DRIVERS WANTED

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.

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

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. We offer salary, commission, bonuses, health benefits, 401K and paid time off. Will consider part time. Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to ereynolds@liherald.com Call 516-569-4000 X286

OUTSIDE SALES

Richner Communications, One of the Fastest Growing Media, Event and Communications Companies on Long Island is Seeking a Sales/Marketing Candidate to Sell our Print Media Products and our Digital, Events, Sponsorships.

JOIN OUR TEAM!

Be

Now

•Sales/Multi Media Consultants*

•Receptionist

•Reporter/Editor

•Drivers

•Pressman/Press Helper

To place an ad call

Baldwin $602,000 Cottage Place. Colonial. 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Formal dining room. Home office.

Taxes: $9,954.41

Bellmore $765,000

Ellen Road. Hi Ranch. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. Eat-in kitchen. Formal dining room. Den/family room. Security system.

Taxes: $13,529

East Meadow $910,000

1st Avenue. Colonial. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and pantry. Formal dining room. Den/family room. Updates include marble bathrooms and skylight. First floor bedroom.

Taxes: $9,720.84

East Rockaway $890,000

E-mail Your Resumes to Careers@liherald.com call 200

Mail Your Resumes to Careers@liherald.com or call 516-569-4000 ext 239

*must have a car

PROFESSIONAL REGISTERED NURSE

Part-Time (Ten-Month) Position Monday – Friday (3.5 hours/day)

Must have registered nurse’s license, cPr and aed certification. copies of all college transcripts (including transfer credits) and certification(s) must be provided with application. Official transcripts are required for appointment.

SALARY: $26,631

ANTICIPATED STARTING DATE: On or about August 31, 2023

Candidates are to submit a letter of interest with resume and above credentials to:

Diane Drakopoulos, Personnel Clerk 443 Ocean Avenue, East Rockaway, NY 11518

(516) 887-8300, Ext. 1-441 • ddrakopoulos@eastrockawayschools.org

Baldwin School District

Is hiring for the 2023-2024 School Year

School Nurses

Teacher Aides (Full Time)

Lunch Time Monitors 10:45 AM – 1:15 PM

online today

CEDARHURST NO

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

MoneyTo Lend

ARE YOU BEHIND $10k OR MORE ON YOUR TAXES? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 888-869-5361 (Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm PST)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

West Boulevard. Colonial. 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. Eatin kitchen with granite countertops. Formal dining room. Updates include cathedral ceiling. Ample storage.

Taxes: $17,941.92

Elmont $765,000

Lucille Avenue. Colonial. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Formal dining room. Den/family room and home office. First floor bedroom. Home is in Franklin Square school district.

Taxes: $13,742.41

Long Beach $1,245,000

Armour Street. New Contemporary. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms. Gourmet eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and high-end stainless steel appliances. Open layout with 2 gas fireplaces. Ensuite master bedroom with spa bathroom. Built to FEMA code with space for inground pool. Bay views.

Taxes: $21,000

Malverne $650,000

Church Street. 2 Story. 4 bedrooms,1.5 bathrooms. Partial finished basement. Eat-in kitchen. Formal dining room. Den/family room. First floor bedroom.

Taxes: $13,112

Merrick $635,000 Meadowbrook Road. Ranch. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Formal dining room. Den/family room. Updates include cathedral ceiling.

Taxes: $11,937.01

Rockville Centre $1,898,000

Kenwood Court. Colonial. 5 bedrooms, 3.55 bathrooms. Finished basement. Eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and pantry. Formal dining room. Den/family room, home office and guest quarters. With wood burning stove and cathedral ceiling.

Taxes: $33,949.57

Valley Stream $735,000

Lydia Street. Expanded Cape. 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Finished basement. Updated eat-in kitchen with granite countertops. Formal dining room. Den/family room, exercise room and wet bar. First floor bedroom.

Taxes: $12,125

HomesHERALD

To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5 • To place an ad call 516-569-4000 press 5

Spectacular Home Has It All!

Welcome to the most spectacular home featuring a custom great room with chef's kitchen including two 5 burner gas stoves, double wall ovens, warmer drawer, sub-zero fridge and custom cabinetry. The guest quarters are on ground level with bedroom, full bath and den. The third level includes three spacious bedrooms, full bath and laundry. There are upgrades throughout including 13 zones of heat, central A/C and hardwired alarm and sound system. There is a home office in the basement as well as utilities. Plenty of room for parking with an oversized driveway and two car attached garage that has dual access through yard. This corner property has a covered front porch and fully fenced in yard, perfect for entertaining! Come discover all this amazing home has to offer. Asking $849,000.

Does the color of my roof matter?

Q. Can you solve a debate I’m having over my roof replacement? A friend told me that my roof color has to be light, like white or light gray, to be reflective and save energy. He says roof manufacturers are switching to light colors because it helps keep homes and big buildings cooler. My roof has always been a dark brown, and I want to keep the same color when we change the roofing.

Cory Knopf Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker

Licensed as: Rhea Cory Knopf Cell: 516-375-7727 Office: 516-764-6060

Cory.knopf@compass.com

Hal Knopf Team at Compass 2800 Long Beach Rd Oceanside NY 11572

Bsmt. Upper Level has Primary Ste w/ Dressing Rm & Bth Plus 3 BRs &

2 Bths. 2 Car Att Gar. Low Taxes! SD#20

HEWLETT

REDUCED! $2,098,000

1390 Broadway #102, BA, NEW! Move Right Into This Magnificent Newly Renovated 2 BR, 2 Bth Coop in Prestigious Hewlett Townhouse.Open

Layout. NEW State of the Art Kitchen & Bths, HW Flrs, Windows, HVAC, Recessed LED Lights, Doors, W/D. Community Pool. Full Service 24 Hr

Doorman, Valet Pkg, Elevator, Priv Storage. Gar Pkg. Near Shops, Trans &

Houses of Worship $579,000

1534 Broadway #205, BA, Extra Large 2000 Sq Ft, 2 Bedroom (Originally

3 BR), 2 Bath Condo in Prestigious Jonathan Hall with Doorman & Elevator. Updtd Wood/Quartz Kit, LR & DR. Washer/Dryer in Unit.

Underground Pkg. Loads of Closets. Terrace Faces Back. Easy Ranch

Style Living BIG REDUCTION!! MOTIVATED SELLER! $579,000

WOO dMERE

504 Saddle Ridge Rd, BA, Move Right Into This Renovated 4 BR, 2 Bth

Split with Open Layout in Prime Location! Granite/Wood EIK Opens to

Dining Room & Living Room. Lower Level Den. HW Flrs, Gas Heat, CAC.

Oversized Property! SD#14. Near All! REDUCED! $999,000

CE da RHURST

332B Peninsula Blvd, BA, Move Right Into This Updated 3 Br, 2.5 Bth

Coop Townhouse. LR, DR, Gran/Wood

Ask The Architect

Leeper

A. Depending on your climate, the selection of roof materials is just as important as color, and maybe even more important, depending on what you’re looking to achieve. For example, in Florida, with less likelihood of needing a balance of heat in winter to absorb and keep the house warmer, you’d be looking for higher reflectivity to lower heat absorption, whereas in a northern climate, you want the balance of heat absorption in colder weather and less in hot weather. But there’s more to consider. Concrete or clay tiles, and how they’re applied, can also make a difference. Concrete is what is known as a “heat sink” absorptive material, which heats on the sky-facing side and slowly builds heat into the material throughout, like a sponge picks up water, then slowly releases it. On Mediterranean hillsides, this principle naturally kept people comfortable without mechanical heating and cooling for thousands of years. Clay tile has air moving underneath, channeled to dissipate heat.

Now we get into asphalt shingles and metal roofs. The latest technology, which has rapidly evolved thanks to applied science, engineering and nanotechnology advances, shows that color does play a role, but not as much as your friend thinks. Even light colors only have about a 30 percent effective rate on reflectance. This means that 70 percent of the heat is still transferred through to the interior space below. On the other hand, the reflectance can be increased by applying — usually during roofing manufacture in a controlled environment — coatings that have prism-like qualities.

Like most building principles, however, effective solutions work as a system. If it isn’t fully understood before using the coatings or materials, the system may fail. You can increase reflectance of solar rays, but without making sure the applied coatings are compatible with the roof material, you can cause the roofing to react by distorting or even disintegrating.

In addition, the system works best if insulation slows the heat absorption on the underside of the roofing without buckling the structure or the roofing. Like any product, packaged materials, paints, etc., come with warnings, but systems usually don’t come with precautions. If an asphalt shingled roof isn’t stabilized by being cooled or ventilated underneath, it will prematurely fail by cracking and twisting (in very slow motion) as the roof structure expands and contracts underneath it.

There are darker color paints that also reflect, and if you search online, roofing companies have several products in dark reflective colors. Consult the manufacturer about your specific application. Good luck.

© 2023 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.

Monte

MERCHANDISE MART

Antiques/Collectibles

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

FINDS UNDER $100

Finds Under $100

FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS, 48 inch long, 18 bulbs new in box $20. (516) 254-3640

Finds $100-$350

TRIO- TRAINER BRT7989: Hardly Used, Exercise Bicycle And Elliptical Trainer. Asking $175. Call/ Text 516-319-1651

SERVICES

Brick/Block/Concrete/Masonry

*MICHAEL LO BAIDO CONSTRUCTION*

Cement Specialist, Brickwork, Interlock Bricks, Belgium Blocks, Stoops, Patios, Driveways, Sidewalks, Basement Entrances, Pavers, Waterproofing. Quality Work,

Electricians E-Z ELECTRIC SERVICES, INC. All

Wiring,

Handyman

HANDYMAN

Repairs and Installations for the Household. Careful and Reliable and Vaccinated. Licensed and Insured. 30-Year Nassau County Resident. Friendly Frank Phone/Text 516-238-2112 E-mail-Frankcav@optonline.net

Home Improvement

BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 866-393-3636

DANDY HOME IMPROVEMENTS * Full Or Partial Kitchens/ Baths *Painting *Sheetrock *Taping/ Spackling *Installations Ceramic/ Vinyl Tile *Carpentry *Alterations *Repairs/ More. FREE ESTIMATES.

Dan 516-342-0761

LITO CONSTRUCTION

Home Improvement/ Construction 10% OFF ANY JOB OVER $2,000 Driveways, Sidewalks, Steps, Designer Brick Work, Stone Decor, Pointing, Framing, Foundations, Extensions, Bathrooms, Basements, Installation Of Draining Systems. Licensed/ Insured. Free Estimates. 516-564-8315, 516-376-9365

Miscellaneous

BEST SATELLITE TV with 2 Year Price

Guarantee! $59.99/mo with 190 channels and 3 months free premium movie channels! Free next day installation! Call 888-508-5313

Power Washing

POWERWASHING ALL SURFACES: Houses, Fences, Concrete/ Brick, Decks/Sealing. . ANTHONY & J HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. 516-678-6641

Sprinkler Syst./Irrig.Wells

Tree Services

T&M GREENCARE TREE SERVICE

*Tree Removal *Stump Grinding *Pruning

*Roof Line Clearing. Residential and Commercial. "We Beat All Competitors' Rates." Lowest Rates. *Senior Discount. Free Estimates. *516-223-4525, 631-586-3800 www.tmgreencare.com

Satellite/TV Equipment

DIRECTV. NEW 2-YEAR Price Guarantee. The most live MLB games this season, 200+ channels and over 45,000 on-demand titles. $84.99/mo for 24 months with CHOICE Package. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires 1/31/24. 1-866-595-6967

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Education

COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM!

Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Grants and Scholarships available for certain programs for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details! 844-947-0192 (M-F 8am-6pm ET). Computer with internet is required.

TRAIN ONLINE TO DO MEDICAL BILLING! Become a Medical Office Professional online at CTI! Get Trained, Certified & ready to work in months! Call 855-543-6440. (M-F 8am-6pm ET). Computer with internet is required

Health & Fitness

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VIAGRA AND CIALIS USERS! 50 Pills SPECIAL $99.00 FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW! 855-413-9574 Instruction NEW YORK STATE CONCEALED CARRY CLASS 18 Hour Mandatory Course Call 516-724-0242

frtguns@gmail.com

Two very hot political subjects

During my lifetime, the summer months have been a time to just soak up the sun and try to get only as much work done as is necessary. But these days there are more things going on in the political world that I find myself struggling to keep up with, and two of them are worth exploring. One is climate change, and the other is Hunter Biden.

A dear friend of mine volunteered his thinking about the horrendous weather the world has been experiencing, stating, “There’s no such thing as climate change. It’s all cyclical.”

There are a lot of things that are cyclical. The major one is the economy. I’ve lived long enough to have seen major ups and downs in the stock market, and experienced both inflation and recession.

But at no time in my life have I seen virtually the entire world experiencing oppressive heat waves and violent storms. If you travel to Europe in the summer, there’s always the chance that you’ll run

into brutal heat waves. But recently the temperature of the ocean off south Florida exceeded 100 degrees. That is not a cyclical experience.

I feel a touch of sadness when I see photos of polar bears in the Arctic, stuck on land because ice floes have melted. Many of the western states now have deserts where there were once overflowing streams and lakes. The lack of available drinking water has stirred fights among some of those states, and there is no way to create any new water sources. This past winter, many communities were buried in as much as eight feet of snow with no past history of such accumulations.

Almost every day, there’s a report about flash floods killing people. Last month, Westchester, Orange and Rockland counties were hit with torrential rains that caused at least two deaths. Elected officials in those areas likened the rainstorms to waterfalls, and they caused millions of dollars in damage. Government officials attested to the fact that the flooding they caused had no historical precedents.

My second issue is the Republican fixation with President Biden’s son, Hunter.

Because the economy is good and the president is championing so many positive things that have happened during his time in office, the opposition party is spending night and day talking about his son. Which, to be fair, raises the legitimate issue of relatives of presidents capitalizing on their name or contacts.

When Jimmy Carter was president, his brother, Billy, spent all his waking hours promoting the Carter name. He started out with Billy Beer and created many other promotions using the family name. President George H.W. Bush’s brothers snagged lucrative business deals. It didn’t hurt to have the name Bush.

Then there’s Jared Kushner, former President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. I have met Jared on a number of occasions, and find him to be a very likable person. But Jared is no Warren Buffett. The Saudi government gave Jared $2 billion for his investment fund, against the wishes of the government’s own finance minister.

According to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings as of March 31, Kushner’s fund had $2.5 billion on hand, almost all of it having come from overseas inves-

tors.

It’s fair to assume that Jared didn’t get his Saudi windfall based on his looks or charm, so being a son-in-law of a president hasn’t hurt his brief career as an investor. Has Hunter Biden made thousands, or millions, based on the fact that his last name is Biden? I think that’s a fair assumption. Did he break any laws? That’s up to prosecutors to determine — not Fox News or Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. I could fill volumes of Herald columns with stories about presidential family members benefiting from their last names. I wasn’t around during the days of President William Howard Taft, but there are a few stories of lucky relatives dating back even to those times. From now at least until November 2024, many Republican politicians will be spending many of their waking hours pursuing the dirt, real or imagined, on Hunter Biden. I think there are more issues of importance to America than one man’s son.

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

Now, only memories of the Big Top animals

The sweep of history has ushered in the first woman ringmaster for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and, at the same time, swept out the entire circus, which will close in May. After 146 years in business, the circus decided to put a woman in the center ring, which might have been a step forward if the circus had a future, which it does not.

Progress cuts in myriad directions. Naturally, I’m delighted that a woman, Kristen Michelle Wilson, was chosen to be in the spotlight.

covered by media and hailed as an entertainment that carried a rich history and promised thrilling, freakish sideshows.

RANDI KREISS

But I’m also delighted that her tenure will be brief. The circus’s tent will come down forever this spring, due to rising expenses, declining audiences and protests by animal rights activists.

Ringling Brothers’ elephants were retired to a Florida sanctuary some time ago, presumably due to pressure from animal advocates and the cost of upkeep.

When the circus closes, the clowns will also take their final bow, and not a moment too soon. If you grew up when I did, the circus was a must-see, go-to event every year. It was a big deal when the elephants paraded through New York City,

As a kid, though, I hated the circus. I never told my parents, because they seemed so invested in my “big day” at Madison Square Garden, but the whole scene felt skeevie. In the vernacular of the time, the bearded lady, the giant, the midgets and the skinniest man on earth scared the stuffing out of me. I couldn’t have articulated it then, but there was something awfully creepy, and just awful, about paying to stare at these people, who we now know suffered from various endocrine imbalances.

that had a highly respected Clown College, a place where the Ringling Brothers circus wintered since 1927. Still, I just can’t appreciate the appeal of the greasepaint and the big shoes.

The tigers and elephants won’t miss the circus. Will we miss the creepy clowns?

There was nothing fun or amusing about the tigers tormented by men with whips, or the elephants prodded into kneeling and dancing and running in a circle, end to end. There was always the sense at the circus, just as there is even today at carnivals, of some malignant force lurking beneath the face paint.

Clowns, for obvious reasons, have become a common source of anxiety among kids today. It’s about the fake face, the false smile and the unknowable person behind the mask. I know there’s a rich history of great clowns, and I’ve vacationed in Sarasota, Florida, a town

Once upon a time, when the circus came to town in the boondocks, it was a thrill and an opportunity to see something one might never see again. But today, kids raised on videos and iPhones have neither the interest nor the attention span for a circus act. The immense skill of many of the performers eludes them. They want quick. I read that Ringling Brothers, in an effort to survive, kept shortening the acts. But the entertainment value of the circus has lost relevance for today’s children.

If you read “Water for Elephants,” by Sara Gruen, you got a good story along with a history of the circus in America over the past 100 years. It wasn’t all about sparkly young women and men flying through the air, trapeze to trapeze. The dark side of the circus during the Great Depression was this: When some traveling circuses couldn’t afford to pay their workers, they threw them off a bridge before pulling in to the last stop. Animal abuse was rife; living conditions for both humans and animals were often appalling. In modern times, conditions improved,

but the basic concept of subjecting wild animals to a lifetime of captivity and forced performance has become disturbing and unacceptable. In “Water for Elephants,” Rosie the elephant is prodded with gaffs and burned with cigarettes. When she goes berserk at the end and runs a spear through her trainer’s head, we root for Rosie.

There is a theory that culture and society evolve as time goes on, that we get better and more considerate of one another and increasingly sensitized to the needs of other inhabitants of our earth and even those of the earth itself. Still, this is a theory.

Many aspects of life in 2017 challenge the concept of an evolving society. In many ways, especially politically, we seem to be falling back.

But the end of the circus is a good thing, a progressive thing. Millions are left with great memories of the Big Top and the times the circus came to town. We can hold on to the good memories and also embrace modern sensibilities that are offended by the exploitation of animals.

Copyright 2023 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

Randi is on a brief leave. This column was originally published Feb. 2-8, 2017.

Climate change is not cyclical, and Republicans are way too focused on Hunter Biden.

JERRY KREMER

Moving MLK’s dream forward

america will soon mark 60 years since the March on Washington.

On Aug. 28, 1963, some 250,000 people gathered peacefully at the Lincoln Memorial to advocate for civil and economic rights for Black Americans.

Although it was a protest against racial discrimination, it also was an opportunity to show support for major civil rights legislation that had stalled in Congress.

It’s important to remember what happened that day, and the changes it brought for Black Americans, while reflecting on what remains to be done to eliminate racial discrimination. Understanding history is important to avoid repeating what was bad and using what was good as a springboard for further positive change.

Black Americans were hopeful after the election of President John F. Kennedy. Roughly 70 percent of Blacks had voted for Kennedy in 1960. Their expectations were high for change, but Kennedy’s narrow victory seemingly negated any voter mandate, leading him to be cautious in moving forward on controversial issues like civil rights legislation because he needed the support of the South, where racial discrimination was still the norm.

The march came together because hopes had been dashed that Kennedy would make any of the needed changes.

The president did not initially support the march, worried that there would be a disorderly mob prompting chaos. Seeing the big picture, Kennedy also thought the march might destroy public support for the civil rights movement, even making matters worse as racial tensions heightened nationwide.

But after meeting with organizers, Ken-

Letters

Can we control artificial intelligence?

To the Editor:

nedy was behind the march by July.

At the Lincoln Memorial, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his historic “I Have a Dream” speech. The 34-year-old preacher from Atlanta gave people hope at a time in history when there was anything but that for Black people. Discrimination was rampant. The Ku Klux Klan was active around the country, and especially in the South. Black people could not live in white neighborhoods, use the same water fountains, attend the same schools or, in some states, even vote. They had to sit at the back of the bus and were not served in many restaurants.

Even here, a lot of Long Island was built with segregation securely in place, controlling where people lived and where their children went to school. Blacks and whites had to remain separate when it came to friendship and even love. Intermarriage was illegal, and it was a common belief — albeit a very wrong one — that Blacks were not as intelligent as whites. They were not even permitted to swim in the same pools as white people.

Kennedy never stopped trying to pass his Civil Rights Act. But it was President Lyndon Johnson who signed it into law after Kennedy’s assassination.

The law ultimately supported what the march was all about. It was a guarantee that Blacks would have equal voting rights, outlawed discrimination in restaurants, employment and theaters, and encouraged school desegregation.

The march was also responsible for the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, outlawing the poll tax, which was a requirement for some to vote.

Yet there is much that still needs to be

done. The FBI released a report this spring showing that hate crimes are on the rise, with far more than half of them targeting people because of their race or ethnicity. Additionally, the distribution of racist, antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ propaganda — flyers, stickers, banners, graffiti and posters — rose by 38 percent in 2022, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

Next year, voters will weigh in on New York’s Equal Rights Amendment, designed to prohibit discrimination based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. While Albany has created a number of laws over the years to ensure equality, the ERA would enshrine it in the state Constitution.

It seems the perfect time to remember the March on Washington and Dr. King’s inspiring words. There are plans underway for a march down Constitution and Independence avenues in Washington on Aug. 28 that will conclude at the Lincoln Memorial. It will be led by Martin Luther King III and his wife, Andrea Waters King, as well as the Rev. Al Sharpton, a civil rights leader and the founder and president of the National Action Network.

The hope is that the march will inspire the continuation of Dr. King’s work and vision, and serve as an opportunity to highlight what is still needed to bring about peace, justice and equity around the world.

“The vision that Dad had is not one that cannot be achieved,” Martin Luther King III told The Washington Post. “We have made great strides, and then there seems to be always an inevitable setback.”

Re Mark Nolan’s column in last week’s issue, “We don’t have much time — AI is coming!”: Mr. Nolan’s warning is timely. His most frightening sentence is, “AI’s only limitation is that it is constrained by our limitations.” Closer scrutiny of “our limitations” clarifies the nature and degree of the threat. Our limits, as humans, on perfidy and domination have yet to be found. Some among us already are, and will always, use any tool available to advance nefarious ends. Unity of the benevolent is necessary to limit the damage.

Our control as individuals over AI is minuscule. Whatever controls there are over its use, development or deployment are in the hands of a handful of corporate entities, semi-human creations with the status of “corporate citizens.” These beings operate to maximize profit and to maximize growth toward monopoly.

Creators and users of AI are already calculating its possible per- unit cost reductions. Workers will be sacri-

It was dated June 10, 1927, written from a home no longer standing at Exchange Street in Rochester, to a young woman in Ellicottville named lola.

“I am not driving taxi now. I quit Sunday night. Monday morning, I went to work again for the Salvation Army. Am not driving truck this time, but am helping on a wagon. I hope to get back on a truck again soon, but I am satisfied to get three square meals a day, and a bed to sleep in.”

lola, by the way, is my grandmother. The young man struggling to make ends meet at the height of the Roaring ’20s? OK, not hard to figure out: That’s my grandfather Donald. The cursive stretched across both sides of the yellowed, cardsize paper, sharing much of the mundanity many of us today might reserve for text messages or a quick phone call while driving home.

“While you were in Buffalo, did you go to any shows, where they had Vitaphone

A glimpse into the heart

pictures?” my grandfather asks. “In other words, ‘talking movies.’ I saw my first one here at Rochester, and it certainly is wonderful. I go to it nearly every night. There is no reading at all on the screen.”

I found this letter at the bottom of a box of family heirlooms a cousin of mine keeps at her home in Florida, and I was mesmerized. I have very little memory of my paternal grandparents. lola died when I was still an infant, and Donald when I was in kindergarten.

When I was growing up, my father would share many stories about his relationship with his parents — none of them good. Both would work all day, and at quitting time, they didn’t come home. Instead, they headed to the bar, where they would drown any remaining daylight with booze.

My dad and his siblings were left to fend for themselves, his older sister — by just a year — filling in as caretaker. When either of his parents were home, it was never pleasant. My dad shared how he once saved a bunch of money he earned setting pins at a local bowling

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ficed on the usual bloody altars of efficiency, consolidation and market share. Citizens and corporate citizens have divergent interests here, but the history of .com, Enron, default swaps, the inviolability of trade secrets and class action restrictions, to name a few, indicate human citizens’ limits on our corporate compatriots.

Overwhelming majorities of the benevolent will be needed. This is theoretically possible, as this is what our government is for. However, given the governmental usefulness of AI’s capabilities, the great economic powers of our corporate citizenry, the allowances of Citizens United and our business/market-friendly Supreme Court, overwhelming majorities must mobilize, rapidly, toward a clear goal.

Time is not on our side. Regulating this industry as a public utility, at least for a decade, while a plan for its most reasonable, least harmful integration into our culture, economy and polity is possible. But ...

BRIAn KElly Rockville Centre

The spam calls are relentless

To the Editor:

It’s been several years since then Speaker of the House nancy Pelosi announced that Congress would take up the issue of spam/ phishing phone calls and alleviate this problem. But since then the problem has grown worse.

I realize that Congress has many issues to

alley so he could take an art course. When his mom found the stash of coins, she took it and spent in on a two-tone, brown Easter suit for my dad.

He was so angry, he wore that suit every day — whether it was a formal occasion or he was outside playing. The suit barely made it a month.

My life wasn’t like that at all, thank goodness. My dad never touched alcohol or cigarettes, which might explain why he’s about to turn 90 with the energy and health of a 60-year-old.

My mom worked so hard to provide for my little sister and me — the youngest of the seven children my parents had from previous marriages and their current one. A day for her could include driving a bus and then working at night as a bartender. Both of my parents grew up wanting for many things, and they ensured that their children wanted for nothing.

What I wouldn’t give, however, to see the letters my mom and dad exchanged after they first met at a roller-skating rink. They were hardly the young adults my grandparents were — both already experiencing marriage and divorce, and

deal with, foreign and domestic, including the incessant political infighting that now dominates the news. The issue of spam calls has fallen by the wayside, rarely if ever mentioned, even as it increases and has evolved into a constant annoyance for Americans.

Many people in and outside new york state have told me they deal with it on a regular basis. I can receive a half-dozen or more such calls a day, often from callers (most with foreign accents) who identify themselves as working with or representing Medicare or private companies, such as CVS, or my utility company. If I don’t hang up, they make inquiries in an attempt to get personal information, or say that they have this or that offer for me. The situation has become untenable.

I have registered my phone number with various agencies, as directed, but this hasn’t stopped the calls.

Isn’t it time that Congress directed its attention to this problem? We shouldn’t have to deal with this ongoing problem, whose annoyance is only increasing. Surely the technology to do away with it is available — perhaps even the use of AI, which we’re now hearing so much about.

My congressman’s office directed me to contact my service provider, but this, I’m certain, would be ineffective, because this is a national problem that requires the attention of Congress to solve. They’re just passing the buck. Where is our government when you really need it? I’ve received several of these calls even as I’ve written this letter! Why should I have to deal with this?

ROBERT RUBAlSKy East Rockaway

raising kids as part of it.

Instead, all I have is the memory of the notes they would leave each other every morning. My dad addressed his notes to “Sweetheart” and signed them “Sweetheart,” while my mom opted for “Honey.”

I remember how irritated I would be to see these notes between them. now, more than 30 years later, I would give anything just to find one of them at the bottom of a box somewhere. They may have been just as mundane as some of the letters between my grandparents, but still, each word is an expression of them. And thus, every note is a vital piece of my parents that I long to have again.

Writing letters — writing notes — has become a lost art in the century since Donald wrote to lola. But even today, there’s something special — even romantic — about not choosing a keyboard or a touchscreen, and instead picking up a pen and finding a sheet of paper.

I’m glad my grandfather did. And I’m glad my grandmother saved it. Because in those pages, I don’t see the grandparents I only heard about through my father. Instead we get a special glimpse into their hearts.

Michael Hinman is executive editor of Herald Community Newspapers.

Framework by Tim Baker

Is there any finer art than the details of life? — At the Queens County Farm Museum

what I wouldn’t give to see more of the letters my parents exchanged.

mICHaeL HInman