Oyster Bay Herald 01-06-2023

Paying it forward by capturing strangers’ moments of joy

By LAURA LANE llane@liherald.com

Ann Balderston-Glynn wears many creative hats, and has found success as a creative director, television and video producer and freelance photographer. Her productions have won a number of accolades, including five Emmys and a Gabriel Award.

Depending on their interests, people around town may

know the Oyster Bay resident from a variety of activities.

She’s the creative director of Stroll the Cove — formerly Cove Living Magazine — and a photographer and writer for the publication as well.

Balderston-Glynn is also a volunteer board member for the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum, and a public relations and marketing consultant for the Life Enrichment Center. And she has been

known to take photos for the various nonprofits and foundations around town.

But what BalderstonGlynn really is is a do-gooder. Or as the actress Drew Barrymore calls her, a “Drew-gooder.” She was invited to be a member of an audience filled with people like her on “The Drew Barrymore Show” in December, and she went home with over $300,000 in give -

New office in the works for Land Alliance

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

The North Shore Land Alliance, one of Long Island’s largest conservation groups, has been in the process of renovating the historic Humes property and tavern house in Mill Neck since 2015. Now, thanks to a grant from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, the alliance will be able to finish updating the property and turn it into its headquarters, a huge step for the conservation organization.

Founded in 1998 under the name the Oyster Bay Cove Land Trust, the North Shore Land Alliance, as it has been known since 2003, is one of the largest nonprofit conservation groups in western Long Island. It serves as steward for approximately 1,300 acres of land, and chances are that if you have gone for a walk through the area’s scenic woodlands, you

have done so on property that is either owned or cared for by the alliance.

In 2015, the organization was looking to set up a permanent headquarters, and purchased the Humes property, which had been left virtually untended for decades and was in a state of disrepair.

“We bought it for conservation purposes, but we had to take on debt to be able to buy it,” the organization’s president and CEO, Lisa Ott, explained. “In order to help pay down our debt, we sold off two of the big houses and five acres, but we put conservation easements on the land so that the land couldn’t be further developed.”

But that left the alliance no closer to being able to move into and work in many of the buildings, because most were so full of mold — and raccoons — that even stepping inside posed a

Courtesy Ann Balderston-Glynn

ANN BALDERSTON-GLYNN, LEFT, and her daughter, Briana, at ‘The Drew Barrymore Show,’ which aired on Dec. 5. Ann was invited as one of 200 ‘Drew-gooders,’ for her volunteerism as a wedding photographer during the pandemic at town weddings.

We were so excited to receive the grant, because it will enable us to finally finish this project.

LISA OTT President and CEO, North Shore Land Alliance

Lafazan knocks on Santos’ door, but no one’s home

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

Nassau County Legislator Josh Lafazan gathered with residents of New York’s 3rd Congressional District on Thursday to once again call out and condemn Representative-elect George Santos for his numerous lies and for his failure to establish his district office.

Lafazan held the press conference outside of Santos’ district office in Douglaston, Queens. The building was until recently the office of Congressman Tom Suozzi, whose name has not been replaced from the windows and awnings. The interior was dark and lifeless, betraying the fact that the Representative-elect has yet to set himself up in his district.

“What George Santos is doing is hiding from the voters he has lied to,” Lafazan argued. “By not staffing his office, he’s not allowing himself to be held accountable, and he’s banking on the fact that his constituents cannot or will not drive down to D.C. to hold him accountable.”

Assembled alongside Lafazan were voters and community leaders from across the 3rd Congressional District, including Oyster Bay, Bayville, Syosset, and different parts of Queens. Many who spoke, such as Evelina Sarles of Bayville, pointed out that it was up to residents of the district to make their voices heard

and get him removed.

“He got there because of us; we dropped the ball,” Sarles said. “It was our responsibility, and now it is our responsibility to make this right and to clean up this mess.”

Lafazan and several attendees also called out Republicans in the House of Representatives and throughout the district to condemn Santos, arguing that this should not be a partisan issue, but a question of morals. Jody Cass Finkel, of

Great Neck, a 3rd District resident for over 30 years, called on House and local Republicans to do the right thing and force him out of office.

“We are entitled to a free and fair election, and we did not get it,” Cass Finkel said. “This is not partisan. Santos deceived all the residents of this district.”

Roberta Glick, of Syosset, said she was angry, both as a resident and Jewish woman, regarding Santos’ shameless

attempt to curry favor with Jewish voters through his claims that his grandparents had fled the Holocaust. Santos’ fraudulent assertions spit in the face of honesty, she said, for all residents in his district, regardless of religion.

“I’m angry that we have someone local to us who has taught our kids how to lie, and that lying will get you ahead,” Glick said. “The fact that he thinks he can pull the wool over our heads and lie to all of us and get away with it, I find personally to be extremely insulting.”

Lafazan also addressed his upcoming bill, the Campaign Honesty Bill, which would make it a misdemeanor for candidates for public office in Nassau County to lie about their income, age and educational and professional backgrounds while campaigning. Lafazan claimed that he has worked on it with Nassau County Democrats, is currently working with the Legislature’s Republicans, and hopes to have it passed by the end of the month.

“When any ordinary American applies for a job, when any college kid applies for grad school, when any high school kid applies for college, one lie on their resume might disqualify them from that role or that school,” Lafazan said.

“Ironically, if you apply for a job in the federal government, you get a background check, but if you apply to be a member of Congress in the federal government, there’s no vetting.”

Will Sheeline/Herald

CONSTITUENTS FROM THE 3rd Congressional District held signs mocking George Santos

Late-night hosts take first jabs at Santos scandal

Congressman-elect targeted by Kimmel, Fallon, Colbert

By MICHAEL HINMAN mhinman@liherald.com

It was a historic first day on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, after three roll call votes failed to produce a new Speaker for the first time in more than a century.

The day also ended without two of Nassau County’s newest representatives getting officially sworn in, although both Anthony D’Esposito and George Santos both put their support behind Republican leader Kevin McCarthy.

D’Esposito — who represents a large portion of the South Shore — could be seen standing in the back of the House chamber during the first vote. But much of the attention — including C-SPAN cameras — seemed focused on Santos, who did find a seat, but appeared to have little to no conversation with his Republican colleagues.

That didn’t stop late-night television hosts — all of whom were on holiday break when the stories questioning Santos’ past first broke — from taking their jabs at the embattled congressman-elect.

“Santos just got elected in New York, and we recently learned that during the campaign, he lied about — and I’m rounding down here — everything,” Stephen Colbert joked during his monologue on CBS’s “The Late Show.”

Colbert, like the other network hosts, highlighted a number of claims from Santos’ past that media outlets like The New York Times and CNN say are not true. Like graduating from Baruch College, attending Horace Mann School in the Bronx, and working for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs.

“Santos also admitted to lying when he claimed that he owned 13 different properties, when in reality he resides in his

sister’s place in Huntington,” Colbert said. “Should have known when he said the properties were Boardwalk, Baltic Avenue and Marvin Gardens. And a Scotty dog the size of a top hat” — all references to the board game Monopoly.

Across the country, in Los Angeles, Jimmy Kimmel, of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” told his audience that Santos “basically catfished an entire district,” referring to the popular bait-and-switch that has become common in the social media age.

“He apologized for lying — kind of — for ‘embellishing’ his resume,” Kimmel said, “and said a lot of people overstate their resumes to get a job — which is

true. For instance, when I was interviewing for this job, I told ABC I was Rosie O’Donnell.”

On NBC, Santos took a hit from the original late-night show. “A lot of people are talking about this newly elected congressman George Santos,” said “Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon. “He’s already facing calls to resign because of a growing list of scandals, including lies he’s told about his family, education and his work history. It’s when a congressman holds up his right hand to get sworn in, and everyone is like, ‘You know what? Don’t bother.’”

But for many — including those deeply rooted in the Republican establishment

WHAT’S NEWS IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM

Singers open for the Rockettes

The Oyster Bay High School Chamber Singers recently boarded a bus to Manhattan for the experience of a lifetime. Under the direction of Christopher Fludd, the singers took the stage at Radio City Music Hall and served as the opening act for the Rockettes. They were chosen for this special opportunity after submitting an audition video.

“It was through their hard work that the students were selected for this opportunity to open for the Rockettes,” Fludd said. “I hope I can provide more opportunities for the students during my time here and I look forward to the growth of the choral program.”

The Chamber Singers performed a five-minute a cappella set before the cur-

tain opened on the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. This included performing holiday hits such as “Carol of the Bells” and “Joy to the World.”

Afterwards, the students watched the entire Christmas Spectacular show in the company of 86 members of the Oyster Bay-East Norwich community, including their classmates, teachers and members of the Board of Education and administration.

Aside from the excitement of performing, the talented students also enjoyed a delicious meal together at the famous Ellen’s Stardust Diner, where they were treated to live performances from the waitstaff, who are Broadway singers.

the Santos scandal has not been much of a laughing matter. WABC-AM owner John Catsimatidis appeared on Chris Cuomo’s “NewsNation” television show last week, just days after interviewing Santos on-air, describing the election that allowed Santos to defeat Democrat Robert Zimmerman as a “failure of the system.”

“It’s a failure of the Republicans to catch those mistakes, and it’s a failure of the Democrats to do opposition research and catch those mistakes,” Catsimatidis said. “The news audience — the news channels, the newspapers — no longer have investigative teams that would catch those mistakes. So it’s an overall failure of the system, which we shouldn’t put up with. And we hope it can fix itself in the future.”

Going into Tuesday’s Speaker vote, McCarthy has been notably silent on the Santos situation, although there’s some speculation that while the GOP can’t stop Santos from being seated, the party could keep him off committees and freeze him out of other House functions.

Santos was met at the entrance of his office on Capitol Hill on Tuesday by a group of reporters, but refused to answer any questions, including on whether he plans to resign, and if “George Santos” is his real name.

He faces a number of investigations at different government levels, including a criminal investigation into an alleged stolen checkbook incident that took place in Brazil 15 years ago. Closer to home, some investigators are looking more closely into how Santos was able to jump from an annual income of $55,000 to becoming a millionaire, and where the $700,000 he loaned his recent campaign came from.

Santos has denied breaking any laws, and has made clear he has no plans to resign.

SCHOOLS

Courtesy C-SPAN

U.S. REP.-ELECT GEORGE Santos sat mostly alone on the U.S. House floor on Tuesday during the Speaker elections, standing up only to cast his vote for Republican leader Kevin McCarthy. But his presence on the floor — along with the scandals he brought with him to Washington — opened up the North Shore politician to ridicule on the late-night talk shows.

Courtesy Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District

THE CHAMBER SINGERS had a fun-filled evening in New York City.

‘Drew-gooder’ photographed pandemic weddings

aways. Balderston-Glynn drew Barrymore’s attention for her generosity: She photographed 129 weddings for free in the hamlet during the coronavirus pandemic. When Balderston-Glynn told her friend Natalie Burke, who’s also a producer, about the joy of shooting weddings, Burke thought it sounded like something that would be of interest to Barrymore. Burke contacted a producer she knew who worked on the show.

Joining 200 other Drew-gooders, Balderston-Glynn went to the Drew Merrymore X People Magazine Holiday Giveaway, which aired on Dec. 5. She sat in the front row with her daughter, Briana Glynn. Four Drew-gooders were highlighted, and although Balderston-Glynn wasn’t one of them, she and one other woman got callouts from Barrymore thanking them for their efforts.

Glynn said that her mother’s commitment to marrying people during the pandemic didn’t surprise her. She worried that her mother might catch Covid-19 from being around so many people, but Glynn knew there was nothing she could do to stop her.

“Mom always goes above and beyond for people,” Briana said. “I knew it was important to her to help others. She’s always inspired me.”

Richard LaMarca, the Oyster Bay town clerk, traditionally marries people in Town Hall, but Covid forced the building’s closure in March 2020. People still wanted to get married, so he performed ceremonies on the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park beach and in the Elizabeth Derby Bandstand on Audrey Avenue.

A working relationship between LaMarca and Balderston-Glynn developed by chance. One evening after work, when Covid was at its worst, LaMarca ran into Balderston-Glynn on his way to the Town Hall parking lot. She asked if he was still officiating weddings. “I told her there were a lot of military, police and first responders who wanted to get married quickly,” LaMarca recalled. “There were a record number of people with Covid, and they were afraid. I remember a woman who was a doctor and her fiancé from Brooklyn, who said they didn’t know what to expect. That was March 20, 2020.”

Balderston-Glynn, who had never pho-

tographed weddings because she didn’t like the pressure, asked LaMarca if she could help. She said she realized that what might make her uncomfortable could be a positive for others. “I offered my services to bring joy to people in hard times,” she explained. “A wedding is such an important day in one’s life.”

A group of senior citizens who had lunch at the beach each day sometimes watched the ceremonies. They looked forward to them, Balderston-Glynn said, and would applaud when the couple were pronounced husband and wife.

“It was a cool time,” she said. “This ended up being a gift for me and them. We forgot how isolated everything was. One guy told me they were marrying to give people hope.”

At first, the brides and grooms were confused. They asked who Balderston-

Glynn worked for and the cost of her services. She told them her photos were free, and were her way to bring them joy during hard times. She photographed weddings until August 2021.

“What she ended up doing was incredible,” LaMarca said. “She made people so happy.”

Their stories, BalderstonGlynn said, were beautiful, and she often got acquainted with the strangers. She has saved the emails of thanks she received, and she reads them often.

“When I sent them the link, it was their love story,” she said. “A wedding is such an important time in people’s lives, and I was the only person capturing this moment.”

Balderston-Glynn would also sometimes serve as a witness to a wedding, or even as a bridesmaid. She photographed people wearing shorts, pregnant women, and even a couple who came dressed as Mary Poppins and a pink flamingo around Halloween.

LaMarca said that people loved getting married outside, and with other municipalities closed, they came from Queens, Manhattan and eastern Long Island. Some people wore masks. The ceremonies were rarely canceled, even when it rained or snowed.

“Sometimes I’d be 15 feet away to social distance,” he said. “Ann would just back up and take the shots there.”

There were so many stories. One groom

had been very sick as a child. His mother said she thought he’d never marry. Frontline workers often shared their stories of anguish, as did people who said they’d lose their visas if they didn’t marry. For some, the rush to marry was due to a job loss. They needed the health insurance that marriage provided.

Others were just madly in love and wanted to start a life together. Kenia Nunez and James Leon, of Valley Stream, decided to marry in 2020. Nunez was a widow, and it was Leon’s second marriage, too. Both had children, and Nunez said they wanted to combine their families. They didn’t want to just live together. “It was very important to both of us to marry on paper and solidify it for our children,” Nunez explained.

They applied for a marriage license, but discovered that it wasn’t easy. On a waiting list in Long Beach and the Town of Hempstead, Nunez learned through Balderston-Glynn, with whom she had a business relationship, that weddings were being performed in Oyster Bay. The couple got married on Dec. 18, 2020, after a snowstorm, in frigid weather.

“It was 15 or 17 degrees outside,” Nunez recalled. “Right before our vows, we removed our coats. My excitement helped overpower the cold and brutal weather, and it was like a winter wonderland. Ann captured it all so beautifully. I’m so grateful to her.”

Courtesy Ann Balderston-Glynn

ANN BALDERSTON-GLYNN CAPTURED Kenia Nunez and James Leon’s wedding at the Elizabeth Derby Bandstand on Dec. 18, 2020.

A wedding is such an important time in people’s lives, and I was the only person capturing this moment.

Life Enrichment Center gala a big success

The Life Enrichment Center of Oyster Bay hosted its 8th annual benefit “Oyster Bay State of Mind,” celebrating the historic hamlet and all it has to offer in November. Historic interests include the American Revolution and the Washington Spy Ring as well as connections with President Theodore Roosevelt and more local celebrities in the 21st Century such as Billy Joel.

Scott and Jo-Ellen Treiber, longtime and esteemed residents of Oyster Bay Cove, were honored at the gala. There was also a special tribute to the center’s retiring president, Susan Peterson.

“This year, we are privileged to have Scott and JoEllen Treiber as our honorees,” Ed Mohlenhoff, the board president said. “Scott and Jo-Ellen are local residents who are passionate about their community. They have run a successful family insurance agency and have raised their four sons in the community. Their philanthropy to Christ Church and other non-profits speaks to their dedication.”

Over 200 supporters turned out to be entertained with a night of dancing by a Billy Joel tribute band. The evening was filled with various ways to support the center, including the 70 plus auction items donated by local businesses and other generous patrons. This year’s gala is the center’s most successful benefit ever, helping provide area seniors with much needed funding.

The gala also paid tribute to Susan Peterson. “Susan has spent decades volunteering on our Board of Direc-

Courtesy Ann Balderston-Glynn of Scott and Jo-Ellen Treiber, who were honored, came in full force to show their support.

Tavern house will be converted to offices

health risk. Now, after receiving a $250,000 grant from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, the alliance has the funds to complete the project, which should be done by the end of this month.

The Gardiner Foundation is a nonprofit philanthropic organization that promotes the advancement of local history. It has worked with historical organizations including Raynham Hall Museum, and spends approximately $5 million a year supporting historical projects.

“David Gardiner loved history, but he also loved the story of Long Island itself,” Kathryn Curran, the foundation’s executive director, said. “We’re so lucky to be able to help these groups in advancing their educational mission. That has always been the goal.”

The grant, which the land alliance had been working to acquire since 2018, will help defray the expense of renovating and repairing the historic structures on the Humes property. It was at one time a farm owned by

This historic heritage enabled the land alliance to apply for the Gardiner Foundation’s historical buildings grant, which, due to intensive vetting by both the foundation and the Town of Oyster Bay, took several years to be approved.

With its help, and that of several other grants, the alliance plans to convert the tavern house on the property into a modern office for its 12 employees. The building, which will feature an environmentally friendly geothermal heating system, will also include meeting space and room for small-group educational programming.

“We were so excited to receive the grant, because it will enable us to finally finish this project,” Ott said. “It’s been an ongoing project, but we can’t wait to move into the new space.”

Jemima Cock Baker, one of the first female farmers and landowners in the area, as well as the intermarried Schmidlapp and Humes families, which included politicians and business leaders such as John P. Humes, the U.S. ambassador to Austria from 1969 to 1975.

Will Sheeline/Herald

THE NEW OFFICE of the North Shore Land Alliance’s president and CEO, Lisa Ott, will look out on the entrance to the property’s historic Japanese garden.

THIS BREAD OVEN was discovered in the old tavern house during the renovations, and dates to the late 18th or early 19th century.

Broadway talent comes to Congregation L’Dor V’Dor

By LAURA LANE llane@liherald.com

People don’t have to go to Manhattan this month to see Broadway, thanks to Congregation L’Dor V’Dor, who will be bringing the stars of the Great White Way to Oyster Bay on Jan. 21. Broadway Showstoppers will offer performances by the stars from Broadway’s “My Fair Lady,” “Six The Musical,” “West Side Story,” “Wicked” and so many more.

Brian Land, of Oyster Bay Cove, the president at L’Dor V’Dor, said the synagogue is trying to offer performances, lectures and programs similar to what can be found at Manhattan’s 92nd Street Y.

“We’ve had joint programs with (former Congressman) Steve Israel and have offered a political series,” Land said. “We had Maryland’s Congressman Jamie Raskin who led the January 6 investigations and Reince Priebus, President Trump’s chief of staff.”

The plan, Land said, is to broaden the religious institution’s purpose within the community. Having had both sides of the political spectrum come to speak in a very divided country was a benefit, but L’Dor V’Dor will also continue to have other types of opportunities, including cultural events like Broadway Showstoppers.

“Oyster Bay is a beautiful community,” he said. “We are bringing Broadway’s biggest stars, people currently on Broadway or those who just completed their runs. It wasn’t cheap to get them, but we believe it’s important to give back to the community.”

And the tickets are only $35. Land said people won’t be able to see performers like what is being offered at the temple for this price anywhere else. Although they don’t expect to make a profit on the performance, Land said that isn’t why it’s being offered. He’d love to see 350

people attend to fill the room to capacity. Land wants the performance to be a success to continue to offer similar programs to the community.

The idea took shape when Land met Stephen DeAngelis after enjoying a concert in Patchogue. DeAngelis, a casting director, had produced the concert that Land enjoyed.

“He asked me if I could do this for the temple,” DeAngelis recalled. “No two of my concerts have ever been the same. They are based on needs. So, no one will

experience what I’ve created for the synagogue.”

And because he is a casting director, he has been able to get stars like Teal Wicks, who performed as one of the Chers in “The Cher Show,” and Jelani Remy who played Simba in “The Lion King.” One of his goals has been to ensure that the concert will be for all ages, he said.

“The show will be like a big buffet so people can take what they like with them,” he said. “These performers are really diverse, and I want to show their diversity in an intimate atmosphere.”

The performers will put the songs in the context of the show. And they will share interesting anecdotes about their career as well as the song. DeAngelis said he thinks the audience will find the show to be fascinating.

The performers will be themselves, not a brand, he also said. DeAngelis wants the audience to feel connected and appreciate what the performers do.

“They all have crazy stories,” he said. “This will be a feel good performance.”

Steven Moskowitz, who has been the rabbi at Congregation L’Dor V’Dor for the past 23 years, said he’s always wanted to do things for the community.

“The power of music and song raises people’s spirits,” he said. “People are very excited about this but they are always excited for our programs and offerings.”

Moskowitz knows the value of the 92 Street Y having worked there for eight years. He’s committed to bringing the same types of programing to Oyster Bay.

The last two years of programming have been a success, he said, with people coming from the community who are not Jewish. As for the upcoming performance, Moskowitz said his goal is to “lift people’s winter spirits.”

Estate planning was formerly only for the wealthy who wanted to shelter their assets from taxes and pass more on to their heirs. But today estate planning is also needed by the middle class who may have assets exceeding one million dollars, especially when you consider life insurance in the mix.

Estate planning with trusts became popular starting in 1991 when AARP concluded that probate should be avoided and trusts should be used to transfer assets to heirs without a court proceeding. Trusts are also widely used today to avoid guardianship proceedings on disability, protect privacy, and reduce the chance of a will contest in court.

As the population aged and life expectancies increased, the field of elder law emerged in the late 1980’s to help people protect assets from nursing home costs by using Medicaid asset protection strategies.

The two fields of elder law and estate planning still tend to be separate, which can

work against a client needs. For instance, a client may see an elder law attorney for Medicaid asset protection planning in the event of disability, but overlook the benefits of estate planning, such as avoiding estate taxes or keeping assets in the bloodline. Similarly, a client may have prepared an effective estate plan for death with an estate planning attorney, but failed to avail themselves of Medicaid asset protection strategies for their lifetimes.

For this reason, we have been practicing “elder law estate planning” together for over thirty years to address these needs:

• Getting your assets to your heirs, with the least amount of court costs, taxes and legal fees possible.

• Keeping your assets in the bloodline for your grandchildren and protecting those assets from your children’s divorces, lawsuits and creditors.

• Protecting your assets from the costs of longterm care and qualifying you for government benefits to pay for your care either at home or in a nursing facility.

• Avoiding guardianship proceedings if you become disabled and probate court proceedings on death.

Courtesy Stephen DeAngelis

MIA PINERO, ONE of the performers in Broadway Showstoppers, made her Broadway debut as Maria in the revival of West Side Story.

“Elder Law Estate Planning” is an area of law that combines features of both elder law and estate planning and relates mostly to the needs and concerns of the middle class.

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Congrats to all the Top 3 Finalists in the 2022 Herald Long Island Choice Awards presented by PSEG Long Island!

week for the Top 3 Reveal in each category leading up to the Oscar-style awards ceremony in April 2023.

*Finalists are listed alphabetically, not in order of placement.

STEPPING OUT

Dancing With The Stars Live

Heroism unfolds in an epic adventure

By Karen Bloom

elcome the New Year with another dose of that wonderful world of Disney. The latest Disney ice extravaganza arrives at UBS Arena in Elmont to the delight of families who can’t get enough of their favorite Disney moments. Audiences can relive some of the iconic characters and stories — classic and new — when Disney on Ice’s “Into the Magic” brings a lineup of Disney “royalty” here for four days, opening Jan. 5.

WHERE WHEN

• Thursday through Sunday. Jan. 5-11; times vary.

• Tickets start at $20 (pricing may fluctuate based on demand); available at Ticketmaster.com or DisneyOnIce.com

• UBS Arena, 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont

This production showcases inspiring favorites from the Disney canon, including those spunky royal sisters, Anna and Elsa, from the always popular mega-hit “Frozen.” Joining this spirited pair are the forever-enchanting Belle, dauntless Rapunzel and the charming bandit Flynn, the determined Cinderella, the aspiring young musician Miguel, and the daring and fearless Moana. Their courage and plucky grit to live their best lives are set forth in lively — albeit condensed — re-tellings of “Beauty & the Beast,” “Coco,” “Tangled,” “Cinderella,” “Frozen” and “Moana.”

These unforgettable characters and their adventures are brought to life on ice in a captivating production that transports audiences to worlds where imaginations soar and in true Disney spirit “anything can happen if you just believe.” Guided by Mickey and Minnie and their crew, of course — with the assistance of two hosts this time around — these tales are told through graceful, artful skating and dynamic special effects, set to the soundtrack fans know and love.

In keeping with longstanding Disney tradition, it’s a fast-paced spectacle with rapidly changing segments.

“All celebrate why these stories are so special,” says Chase Belmontes, who performs as Gaston, Belle’s strapping suitor. “The uplifting nature of these stories all end strongly with an inspiring message about finding your dreams and finding your inner hero.”

That message surely resonates with the 27-year-old Las Vegas native, who is in his third year with Disney On Ice. “I grew up with Disney as a

kid,” he says. “I loved Disney and watched all the movies. Being here now is a personal accomplishment.”

As with his fellow cast members, Belmontes’ competitive skating skills enhance the high level of athleticism that is the hallmark of these productions. Solos, pair and fast-paced ensemble skating with high-flying jumps add to the appeal of the stories the audience knows so well.

“There are so many iconic moments,” he says, noting the pairs sequence in his “Beauty and the Beast “ portion, which also includes a dramatic ensemble routine. “It’s all very exciting.”

And, of course, “Frozen” elicits an enthusiastic response. As Belmontes says: “Always a fan favorite.” Especially when it comes time for “Let It Go.”

“It’s absolutely magical,” he continues. “Everyone sings along to every single word. It’s such a wonderful experience.”

There’s plenty of singing, with the audiences up on their feet throughout the show. And, naturally, Belles, Cinderellas and many others are scattered throughout the arena.

“Everyone dresses up in costume, even adults.” Belmontes says. “It’s amazing. So sit back and soak it all in. There’s a lot to look at and enjoy.”

indeed.

The popular dance showcase is back on tour this winter to celebrate its 31st season. The tour delivers electrifying dance performances from world-renowned dancers including Brandon Armstrong, Alan Bersten, Sasha Farber, Gleb Savchenko, Emma Slater, Britt Stewart, and ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ winner Alexis Warr, who now appears on ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ See the ballroom brought to life in this new production featuring your favorite ‘Dancing’ pros, plus special guest stars, performing original numbers as well as some of the showstoppers featured in Season 31. With dazzling routines in every style, fans will enjoy an unforgettable night full of all the magic of the television competition series and more. Experience the excitement, glitz and glamour they see in the ballroom live, up-close and personal.

Tuesday, Jan. 10, 8 p.m. $99, $79, $59, $49. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. (516) 299-3100, or TillesCenter.org.

Literary Luncheon

Madison Theatre hosts Deborah Goodrich-Royce, who discusses ‘Reef Road,’ her latest psychological thriller that explores the psychology of criminals and their victims, while drawing from real-life events that happened before she was born. Goodrich Royce is the author of the widely praised psychological thrillers ‘Ruby Falls’ and ‘Finding Mrs. Ford.’ A former film and television actress, she is remembered by soap opera fans as Silver Kane, sister of the legendary Erica Kane, on ABC’s ‘All My Children.’ She later worked as a story editor for Miramax Films and was instrumental in developing such films as ‘Emma’ and ‘A Wrinkle in Time.’ With her husband, Chuck, she restored the Avon Theatre in Stamford, Connecticut, which now operates as a not-for-profit dedicated to independent, classic, foreign, and documentary films.

Wednesday, Jan. 18, noon. $50. Molloy University’s Larini Room, Public Square Building, 1000 Hempstead Ave., Rockville Centre. (516) 323-4444, or MadisonTheatreNY.org.

Photos courtesy Feld Entertainment

Photos: Old and new favorites lace up their skates for a show that encourages everyone to ‘find your inner hero.’

THE SCENE

America

The perennial classic rock favorite is still going strong, appearing on the Tilles Center stage, Friday, Jan. 27, 8 p.m. Founding members Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell celebrate the band’s 53rd anniversary on their current tour, on the LIU Post campus, 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. The pair (along with former band mate Dan Peek), who met in high school in London in the late 1960s, quickly harmonized their way to the top of the charts on the strength of their signature song “A Horse With No Name.” America became a global household name and paved the way with an impressive string of hits following the success of their first #1 single. Forty plus years later, these friends are still making music together, touring the world and thrilling audiences with their timeless sound. Tickets are $99, $79, $69, $59; available at TillesCenter.org or (516) 299-3100.

Art talk

Join Nassau County Museum Director Charles A. Riley II, PhD, for a Director’s Seminar, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 4 p.m. He’ll discuss “Photography: Beauty and Truth,” in a session that is keyed to the photojournalism of Robert Capa and the Magnum group as well as the pioneering work of Walker Evans and Lewis Hine. He’ll compare their approach with the digital manipulation of images (including video) in the media of our time and consider the relationship between the photographer as documentarian and as artist who holds the mirror up to nature. Participation is limited; registration required. Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor. (516) 484-9337 or NassauMuseum.org.

Historic Spirits Tour

Stop by Raynham Hall Museum, at 30 West Main Street in Oyster Bay, on Saturday, Jan. 28, and learn about three generations of Townsend family occupants with Samantha Lynn Difronzo, a spiritual healer. To purchase tickets for the event visit RaynhamHallmMuseum.org or call (516) 922-6808.

In concert

David Alterman returns to the stage with Altzim, Friday, Jan. 13, at My Father’s Place supper club. Enjoy an evening of music that Alterman describes as “Dylan with a twist,” with special guest Cathy Rose Virgilio. Rich Demand and his band also appear. Doors open at 6 p.m., concert is at 8 p.m. The Metropolitan, 3 Pratt Blvd., Glen Cove. For tickets/ information, visit MyFathersPlace. com or call (516) 580-0887.

Frozen Feathers

Join the Glen Cove Public Library for the virtual program Frozen Feathers: Winter Birds of Long Island, from 2 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 18. Using photos and interesting facts, long-time birder Dianne Taggart will teach attendees about Long Island’s birds of winter. To register, go to glencovelibrary. org. For any questions, email adultprograms@glencovelibrary. org or call (516) 676-2130.

Forest Bathing

Take a meditative Forest Bathing walk, led by certified guide Linda Lombardo, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2-4 p.m. Based on the Japanese tradition of ShinrinYoku, a wellness practice developed in the 1980s, the walk, on the grounds of the former summer residence of Howard Gould and later Daniel and Florence Guggenheim, inspires mindful connections with the natural elements of the woods for a range of healthful benefits. $40, $35. Pre-registration required. Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road. For information, visit SandsPointPreserveConservancy. org or call (516) 571-7901.

The Beatles:

Years Later

60

Join the Bayville Free Library for a virtual program on The Beatles on Tuesday , Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. Explore the band’s growth, originality, musical innovations and lyric depth. Presented by musician, author and teacher Barry Weisenfeld. Register online at bayvillefreelibrary.org.

For any questions contact Kristy Fumante at (516) 6282765 or adultprograms@ bayvillefreelibrary.org.

Financial advice

Visit the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Public Library, at 89 East Main Street in Oyster Bay, for an Investment Seminar Series, every Wednesday throughout January, 7 p.m. This program is presented by Vincent Sama, financial advisor from Edward Jones. Register online at oysterbaylibrary.org. For questions, call (516) 9221212.

Jan. 10

Senior Lunch Program

Enjoy visiting friends, with a delicious lunch and chair yoga, at the popular senior program hosted by Mutual Concerns, every Tuesday and Friday, at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church, at 253 Glen Ave., in Sea Clifff. Those iinterested in joining the lunch program can call Peggie Como at (516) 675-7239.

On exhibit

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

Deep Roots Indoor Winter Market

Start the New Year with a visit to Deep Roots Indoor Winter Market, Saturday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m.2 p.m. The market, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 28 Highland Road, Glen Cove, offers locally grown vegetables, eggs, meat and dairy, as well as fresh baked goods, artisan cheeses, honey and more. For more information contact Amy Peters at amy@ deeprootsfarmersmarket.com or call (516) 318-5487.

Skate on

Long Island Children’s Museum’s “skating rink” is open for a final weekend, Friday through Sunday, Jan. 6-8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Related crafts activities throughout the weekend. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

A sharing of thoughts on Santos controversy

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

While the story of George Santos’ widespread deceit and financial improprieties continues to grab the attention of the nation, residents of the North Shore have weighed in to share their thoughts and feelings regarding the Congressman.

While politicians from every corner of the United States and political experts from every major news network have been giving their two cents on Santos and his political future, it is the residents of New York’s Third Congressional District who have the most to lose from the new Congressman’s actions. Many, such as Bayville resident Evelina Sarles, expressed their anger and disappointment in Santos not just for lying to the district, but also for making the district the laughingstock of not just the United States, but of the world.

“I was very surprised, I read “Le Monde,” and even they picked up the story,” Sarles said. “This American tragedy is huge, and it’s a sad day for all of us that we’re so trusting and that we believe in the process. Not just one person dropped the ball, all of us did.”

Her husband, David, was among many who questioned how the story broke only after Santos had already been elected. He expressed concern that the New York Times had held it until after the election in order to make the headline even more eye-catching.

“My feeling is that it didn’t get widespread attention because there was the possibility that (the Times) wanted to let it ride out and become more of a national issue, to reflect on the national ineptitude of the Republican Party,” David pondered. “But why it didn’t break earlier, when the news was so thorough, I can’t imagine. Why wasn’t there a leak of some description?”

Residents from across the North Shore expressed their disappointment in not just Santos, but also the current state of American politics that have normalized such immoral and puerile behavior. Frank Ferrara, of Sea Cliff, mentioned how he feels Santos is part of a larger problem facing the country’s political culture.

“I feel like he should resign, and it

shouldn’t be a Democrat or Republican thing. He’s clearly unfit for office,” Ferrara said. “But unfortunately in these times you have to put it in the overall context of the fact that we don’t have any moral boundaries or ethics in our politics.”

Despite the overall belief that American politicians are becoming less and less honest with the people they supposedly serve, some residents maintain trust in their representatives, barring Santos. Ron Collura, owner of Arata’s Deli in Sea Cliff, mentioned how he was shocked by the news, but spoke about how the good work done by local politicians like Chuck Lavine and Delia DeRiggi-Whitton shows that there are still good people working in government, even if they seem few and far between.

Collura mentioned how while he was recovering from an operation last month, DeRiggi-Whitton called him up to check on him. During this time his grandson was also diagnosed with

diabetes, and when he told her that she sprang into action.

“She told me ‘Ron, don’t worry, I’m on the Diabetes Board, I can help,’ and she talked how her daughter was 3 when she was diagnosed,” Collura said, filled with emotion.

“She asked for my daughter in law’s phone number, and on Christmas Eve she came in and brought Hot Wheels to the store for him. People like her, they go above and beyond.”

George Khimov, one of the barbers at Mike’s Barbershop in Oyster Bay, said that he believed that while the scope of Santos’ lies are stunning, it’s important to give him the chance to share his full side of the story. Khimov, who is Jewish, mentioned that he believes in many ways everyone is Jewish after a fashion, but that Santos still had a lot to answer for.

“I feel that he has to explain his actions as to why he lied or did what he did,” Khimov said. “Listen, at the end of the day, we’re all Jewish. I believe Jesus was a Jew, everyone takes their religion from the Torah, so even Christians and Muslims have at least some bit of Judaism in them, so he’s technically not wrong, but it all depends on how people see it.”

Not just one person dropped the ball, all of us did.

EVELINA SARLES Bayville

A special holiday visit to the Life Enrichment Center

The Life Enrichment Center received a special holiday treat with a visit from Kris Kringle himself on Dec. 22. Michelle O’Brien, the physical education teacher and alumni from St. Dominic High School, orchestrated the event for the participants of the Day Break Program at the center. The program is for individuals with memory impairment in which O’Brien’s mother is a participant.

Santa Claus arrived dressed in his Christmas panoply, bringing treats and

smiles for all the participants.

Another highlight was the appearance of a singer Luke Islam, a junior at St. Dominic. Luke is best-known for being a contestant on season 14 of “America’s Got Talent” and received the Golden Buzzer, sending him right to the show’s quarterfinals.

Luke has since been in the Netflix hit musical “13” and the Disney+ series, “The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers.” Everyone in attendance enjoyed listening to Luke sing holiday favorites.

STATE OF NEW YORK PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

CASE 22-T-0294 - Application of Beacon Wind LLC for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for the Construction of Transmission Infrastructure from the Boundary of New York State Territorial Waters to a Point of Interconnection at the Astoria Power Complex in Queens.

NOTICE INVITING PUBLIC COMMENT AND ANNOUNCING PUBLIC STATEMENT HEARINGS

(Issued December 19, 2022)

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that public comment is sought regarding a request by Beacon Wind LLC (Beacon Wind) to construct, operate, and maintain transmission facilities from the boundary of New York State waters to a point of interconnection in Astoria, Queens County, New York (Project). In order to construct the Project, Beacon Wind must first obtain a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need from the Public Service Commission (Commission) pursuant to Article VII of the Public Service Law. Beacon Wind’s proposed Project includes one 320-kilovolt high voltage direct current submarine export cable circuit located within an approximately 115 nautical miles-long submarine export cable corridor from the boundary of New York State waters to the cable landfall at the Astoria power complex. The Project would also include one 2,000 feet-long onshore cable route and substation facility within the Astoria power complex. Under New York State Law, the Commission may adopt or reject Beacon Wind’s proposal, in whole or part, or modify it. In doing so, the Commission will consider input from the participating parties and the general public. Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) are presiding over the gathering of public comments and all evidence related to the Project. As indicated in this Notice, public statement hearings will be held to obtain comments from the public concerning Beacon Wind’s proposal.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that virtual public statement hearings will be held before ALJs Dakin Lecakes and Lindsey Overton as follows:

Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2023, Time: 1:00 p.m. Event Number: 2345 776 1023, Password: Jan24-1pm, Phone-Only Access: (518)549-0500 Access Code: 2345 776 1023, Time: 5:00 p.m ., Event Number: 2335 920 5588, Password: Jan24-5pm, Phone-Only Access: (518)549-0500, Access Code: 2335 920 5588

Any person wishing to provide a public statement on the record at the hearings must pre-register to do so by 3:00 p.m. on Monday, January 23, 2023.

To pre-register and provide a statement electronically : Participants who would like to provide a statement and will log in to a hearing electronically must pre-register by the date and time indicated above, by visiting www.webex.com, where they should click “Join” at the top right-hand corner of the screen, enter the event number listed above, and provide all requested information. When logging in on the date and time of a hearing, participants will be asked to “select audio system.” It is recommended that participants opt to have the system “call me” or “call using computer.” The “call me” option will require that participants enter their phone numbers. To pre-register and provide a statement by phone: Any participant who is not able to log in to a hearing electronically may participate by phone. Call-in participants wishing to provide a statement must pre-register by the date and time indicated above by calling 1-800-342-3330 , where they should follow prompts to the appropriate hearing and provide the following information: first and last name, address, and phone number. On the date and time of the hearing, call-in participants should dial 518-549-0500 and enter the access code listed above. The public statement hearings will be held open until everyone who has registered to speak has been heard or other reasonable arrangements to submit comments into the record have been made. Time limits may be set for each speaker, as necessary. It is also recommended that lengthy comments be submitted in writing and summarized for oral presentation. A verbatim transcript of the public statement hearings will be made for inclusion in the record of this case. Persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations should call the Department of Public Service’s Human Resources Management Office at 518-474-2520 as soon as possible. TDD users may request a sign language interpreter by placing a call through the New York Relay Service at 711. Individuals with difficulty understanding or reading English are encouraged to call the Department at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this notice.

Other Ways to Comment

For those who cannot attend or prefer not to speak at the public statement hearings, there are several other ways to provide your comments. Comments should refer to Case “22-T -0294.” Although comments will be accepted throughout the course of this proceeding, they are requested on or before February 17, 2023. Internet or Mail: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “Search,” enter “22-T-0294” in the “Search by Case Number” field, and then click on “Post Comments” at the top of the page. Alternatively, comments may be mailed to the Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York, 12223-1350. All written comments will become part of the record considered by the Commission and may be accessed on the Department of Public Service website by searching the case number, as described above, and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab. Toll-Free Opinion Line: You may call the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This number is set up to take comments about pending cases from in-State callers 24-hours a day. These comments are not transcribed verbatim, but a summary is provided to the Commission.

MICHELLE L. PHILLIPS Secretary

Photos ourtesy Ann Balderston-Glynn

SANTA CLAUS AND St. Dominic High School junior Luke Islam brought holiday cheer and song to the participants of the center’s Day Break program.

SANTA WAS GREETED on his arrival by none other than his wife, Mrs. Claus.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NASSAU, FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION (“FANNIE MAE”), A CORPORATION ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff, vs. KIMBERLY WELSH, ET AL., Defendant(s).

Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on October 24, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the front steps on the north side of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on February 7, 2023 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 2 Peerless Drive, Oyster Bay, NY 11771. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, Section 27, Block 77 and Lot 4. Approximate amount of judgment is $748,743.66 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 13500/2012. Cash will not be accepted. This foreclosure sale will be held on the north side steps of the Courthouse, rain or shine. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. If proper social distancing cannot be maintained or there are other health or safety concerns, the Court Appointed Referee will cancel the sale.

Mary Jane McGrath, Esq., Referee Knuckles, Komosinski & Manfro, LLP, 565 Taxter Road, Suite 590, Elmsford, NY 10523, Attorneys for Plaintiff 136492

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT

NASSAU COUNTY

INVESTORS BANK, Plaintiff against STEPHANIE ANTELL, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Fein Such & Crane, LLP, 1400 Old Country Road, Suite 103N, Westbury, NY 11590.

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered November 20, 2019, 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 January 17, 2023 at 2:30 PM. Premises known as 15 Amber Lane, Oyster Bay, NY 11771. Sec 27 Block 081 Lot 56. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon

erected, situate, lying and being in the Incorporated Village of Oyster Bay Cove, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau, and State of New York.

Approximate Amount of Judgment is $1,492,497.04 plus interest, fees, and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 009668/2015 F/K/ A 9668/2015.

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.”

Jordan Hoffman, Esq., Referee CHJNY408 135935

the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale.

135908

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF HOUSE BEAUTIFUL AT WOODBURY

Sylvia Prior

er and then for 20 plus years as a case manager at United Cerebral Palsy of Queens.

Sylvia Prior, 96, formerly of Greenvale and Old Brookville, died on Oct. 6 after a short bout of Covid-related pneumonia. Sylvia gave explicit instructions to her grandchildren, told funny family stories and listened to her favorite music as she ended her medical treatment and then died peacefully.

Sylvia lived most of her life on Long Island and spent a decade living in Dobbs Ferry with her husband, Mac Prior (deceased), and near her daughter, Ellen Prior and her family. In the last years of her life, Sylvia lived in Manhattan and then the Bronx.

She attended Hofstra College at 16 and got her master’s in Social Work at CUNY later in life. She was a school social work-

She was predeceased by her husband, Mayer (Mac) Prior in 2008 after 62 years of marriage, the mother of Charlie, Eddie (Lucy Chou) and Ellen (Mark Morganelli), grandmother of Laura Mellen, Ilana Redmond, Daniel Prior, and Ian and Jaren Morganelli. She was the great-grandmother of Benjamin, Tessa, Gogo, Harry and Ollie Mac. Sylvia was committed to and adored her family and was a beloved cousin, friend, and colleague.

Sylvia donated her body to research at Einstein Medical School. A memorial service was held at Temple Beth Shalom. Donations can be made to the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County or Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

LEGAL

NOTICE REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURTCOUNTY OF NASSAU ELM CAPITAL LLC, Plaintiff - against - EDITH MARIE CAPERS BROWN, INDIVIDUALLY AND ADMINISTRATRIX OF THE ESTATE OF JOSEPH WALKER BROWN, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on July 1, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, N.Y. 11501 “Rain or Shine” on the 17th day of January, 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.

Premises known as 45 13th St., Locust Valley, NY.

(Section: 30, Block: 22, Lot(s): 48 (Group Lot 48-49))

Approximate amount of lien $6,120.74 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.

Index No. 606967/2020.

Dominic A. Villoni, Esq., Referee.

Joseph Ehrenreich, Esq. Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 366 North Broadway, Suite 410 Jericho, NY 11753 Tel. 516-942-4215

Dated: September 29, 2022

During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at

HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC., Plaintiff -against- GLORIA PASSEROFF, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated October 7, 2022 and entered on October 11, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court located at 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on January 17, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. premises situate, lying and being a part of a condominium at Woodbury, Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau and State of New York, known and designated as Unit No. 3 and Tax No. 3, together with a 2.272 percent undivided interest in the common elements.

Section: 15 Block: 198 Lot: 28, Tax Unit 3 All bidders must wear a face mask/shield at all times and social distancing must be observed by all bidders at all times. Bidders who do not comply with the face mask and/or the social distancing mandate will be removed from the auction.

Said premises known as 6 CHESTNUT LANE, WOODBURY, NY Approximate amount of lien $6,581.08 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index Number 602994/2021.

JANE SHRENKEL, ESQ., Referee Schneider Buchel LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 666 Old Country Road, Suite 412, Garden City, NY 11530 {* OYSTER BAY*} 135848

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT. NASSAU COUNTY. L&L ASSOCIATES HOLDING CORP., Pltf. vs. EDITH MARIE CAPERS BROWN, et al, Defts. Index #611985/2021. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered October 25, 2022, I will sell at public

auction on the North Side steps of the Nassau Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY on January 26, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. prem. k/a Section 30, Block 22, Lot(s) 48-49. Sold subject to terms and conditions of field judgment and terms of sale and the right of the United States of America to redeem within 120 days from the date of sale as provided by law. Foreclosure auction will be held “rain or shine.” If property social distancing cannot be maintained of there are other health of safety concerns, then the court appointed referee will cancel the sale. FAY MATTANA, Referee. LEVY & LEVY, Attys. for Pltf., 12 Tulip Dr., Great Neck, NY. #99932 136266

Search for notices online at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

Public Notices Public Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR THE RMAC TRUST, SERIES 2016-CTT, Plaintiff, v. ASSUNTINA BOTTICELLI, ET AL, Defendant. NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT

In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the Office of the County Clerk of Nassau County on October 17, 2022, I, Evette Coretta Ennis, Esq. , Esq. the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on January 26, 2023 at The North Side Steps of the Nassau County Supreme Court, 100 Supreme Court Drive, Mineola, NY 11501, County of Nassau, State of New York, at 2:30 PM the premises described as follows:

1 Wakefield Drive Glen Head a/k/a Muttontown, NY 11545 SBL No. 16.-A-953

ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Suffolk, State of New York.

The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 607881/2017 in the amount of $1,271,481.58 plus interest and costs.

Foreclosure Auctions will be held Rain or Shine. 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.

Richard S. Mullen

Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

Plaintiff’s Attorney 500 Bausch & Lomb Place Rochester, NY 14604 Tel.: 855-227-5072 136268

LEGAL

NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST, V. GENE SCHAEFER, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated October 19, 2022, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST is the Plaintiff and GENE SCHAEFER, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY

SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE, MINEOLA, NY 11501, on January 24, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 959 RIPLEY LANE, OYSTER BAY, NY 11771: Section 24, Block E, Lot 328:

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND WITH THE BUILDING AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF UPPER BROOKVILLE, TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 001852/2017. Oscar A. Prieto, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for

LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF NASSAU THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS SUCCESSOR TO JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION, HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE ASSET-BACKED PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2004-KS7, V. BART SESSA, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated November 20, 2019, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Nassau, wherein THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS SUCCESSOR TO JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET SECURITIES CORPORATION, HOME EQUITY MORTGAGE ASSET-BACKED PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2004-KS7 is the Plaintiff and BART SESSA, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE at the NASSAU COUNTY SUPREME COURT, NORTH SIDE STEPS, 100 SUPREME COURT DRIVE,

MINEOLA, NY 11501, on January 26, 2023 at 2:30PM, premises known as 26 ADAMS STREET, OYSTER BAY, NY 11771: Section 27, Block 14, Lot 227:

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS

THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING AT OYSTER BAY, TOWN OF OYSTER BAY, COUNTY OF NASSAU AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 003221/2015. Jane P. Shrenkel, 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 ACORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 136263

Search for notices online at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

LEGAL NOTICE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of Formation of Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Name: St. James Management Company LLC

Articles of Organization filed by the Department of State of New York on: 12/02/2022

Office location: County of Nassau

Purpose: Any and all lawful activities

Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail a copy of process to:

Search for notices online at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

LEGAL NOTICE

OYSTER BAY-EAST NORWICH CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Town of Oyster Bay OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK 11771

Requests for School Transportation The Board of Education in the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District, in accordance with existing Education Law, reminds residents of the district that requests for transportation of nonhandicapped children to private and parochial schools in or out of the district, must be submitted in writing to the office of the Assistant Superintendent for Business on or before April 1, 2023. To obtain a “Request for Transportation” form, please call the transportation office at 624-6501 or go to www.obenschools.org and click on the link.

Private or parochial school officials may act as agents for parents requesting such transportation.

It is also requested that parents of handicapped children, who may require transportation to other than public schools, contact the office of the Deputy Superintendent.

Written requests may be submitted to Maureen Raynor, Deputy Superintendent, Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District, Administration Building, 1 McCouns Lane, Oyster Bay, New York 11771.

Board of Education Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District of the Town of Oyster Bay, County of Nassau, Oyster Bay, New York 11771 District Clerk - Darlene Dolan

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 ACORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES. 136261

opinions

A con man is succeeding me in Congress

Tuesday was my last day as a member of Congress, and George Santos is about to be sworn in to take the seat I held for six years. He will take an oath to “bear true faith” to the Constitution and take this obligation without any “purpose of evasion.” I’ve lost track of how many evasions and lies Mr. Santos has told about himself, his finances and his history and relationship with our stretch of Long Island and northeastern Queens. When he is seated, it will diminish our Congress, our country and my constituents — soon his constituents.

er it be far-right election deniers, personal attacks that call for violence against opponents, claims of false-flag mass shootings, extremists spouting the first thing that comes to mind or even one politician saying he could “shoot somebody” on Fifth Avenue and still not lose supporters.

If we are going to subdue the tyranny of unchecked liars and their lies, then Mr. Santos must be held accountable: He must be removed by Congress or by prosecutors, because there is no indication that he will be moved by conscience to voluntarily resign.

ToM sUoZZi

It saddens me that after 30 years of public service rooted in hard work and service to the people of this area, I’m being succeeded by a con man.

Yet I’m clinging to my sense of optimism. I believe that as slow and frustrating as it sometimes is, our democracy, our free press and the rule of law work. They have to.

I also know the voters of the 3rd District pretty well. They believe in the rule of law, in playing by the rules. They like authenticity in their leaders, and pride themselves on having good BS detectors. The fact is that Mr. Santos’s behavior went beyond BS: He fabricated the basics of his biography to an extent that most voters wouldn’t have thought possible. The shame would be too great, right? I am certain that if the 3rd District’s voters have an opportunity to weigh in on his political future again, he will be gone.

But for now, there is no getting around the fact that Mr. Santos’s con game is a manifestation of a growing political phenomenon of saying or doing anything, with no automatic consequences. Wheth-

LeTTers

Thank you!

To the Editor:

I do not say these things lightly. Expelling a member of Congress is no easy task, and the bar is rightly high. Our country’s democracy is based on free and fair elections, the wisdom of the voters and the peaceful transfer of power. Some of my constituents even now are saying that they don’t want their vote overridden and Mr. Santos ousted.

But now we know that no one voted for the real George Santos. Sure, some candidates say and do anything to get into office and then abuse the public trust. In Mr. Santos, we have someone who abused the public trust even before he got into office; it’s mind-boggling to think what his actions and conversations will be like in Congress on behalf of his constituents.

I know from my experience as a mayor of my hometown, as a county executive and as a member of Congress that you cannot get things done without building trust with your colleagues. How can Mr. Santos be trusted? How could he be effective?

Even before his lies were exposed in the media, he showed himself to be an avatar of this age of no-consequences impunity. He ran against me in 2020. It was the middle of the Covid pandemic, he did not live in the district, and no one had heard of him. He had little in campaign funds, and during our few joint campaign appearances, all virtual, he came across as a phony. I ignored him, hardly men-

tioned his name and beat him by 12 points.

On election night 2020, Mr. Santos jumped on Donald Trump’s discredited “stop the steal” bandwagon. We knew on Election Day we had won and won big, but he used the Trump movement to raise funds online and attended the orientation for new members before the race was called. I was sworn in on Jan. 3, 2021, without much ado. Then we learned that Mr. Santos attended the Jan. 6 Trump rally at the Ellipse. He went on to boast that he had written “a nice check for a law firm” to help defendants who had stormed the Capitol. (He probably didn’t even do that.)

His behavior should have alerted us all, but he wasn’t taken seriously, and unfortunately, as Robert Zimmerman, his Democratic opponent in November’s election, has said, the press didn’t really grasp the level of his deceit. His actions and comments around Jan. 6 didn’t have the consequences they should have.

We now know more about his Mr. Santos’s biographical information. We are appalled by his insensitive and fallacious pandering to the Jewish community. His apology tour has been cringeworthy, and continues to raise more disturbing questions. We will learn more about his newfound wealth and questionable financial disclosures and campaign financing as the press, law enforcement and, ideally, the House Ethics Committee dig in. But we already know enough.

Could he be enjoying all the attention? This inexperienced newcomer who fabricated much of his life story is now better known than most members of Congress, including me. He’s becoming as well known as others who abused trust, like Sam Bankman-Fried and Bernie Madoff. Not unlike them, he appears to have conducted his finances in highly unusual, if not unlawful, ways. But I have to wonder, having seen his delight for attention and his self-regard, if he loves that everyone

now knows his name — even though it’s because of yet another big lie.

The people of my district are holding rallies, signing petitions and calling on the Republican leadership to act. The district is a model for moderation, seen by most political observers as a 50-50 district with constituents who embrace a get-itdone attitude. They dislike partisanship and value tell-it-like-it-is leadership.

They are now being saddled with a slippery, inexperienced liar who tells it like it isn’t. They’ve been reaching out every day to ask, “How could this have happened?” and “What can we do?” We are counting on the press to keep digging in, law enforcement to keep investigating and the political pressure to keep building on the House.

But again, I believe we will get this right. So many panicked people came to me during Mr. Trump’s presidency, fearful that his tactics would win him a second term — and one with a mandate, no less. He lost. I was one of the last people in the chamber as the Jan. 6 riot intensified, and people legitimately worried that the insurrectionists would succeed. We certified the election that night, and more than 960 people have been charged. The election deniers were decisively turned back.

One of my favorite lines from the 2011 film “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” has always stayed with me: “Everything will be all right in the end. So if it is not all right, then it is not yet the end.” That’s how I feel about America right now.

It’s not a naïve idea; it’s what keeps us sane and able to keep moving forward in the age of Mr. Santos and Mr. Trump. The system works — if not right away, then ultimately. It has worked throughout our history, and it will work now.

Tom Suozzi represented the 3rd Congressional District until Tuesday. A version of this essay originally appeared in The New York Times.

I am deeply appreciative to the Herald for the very generous honor and article, “Rob Brusca is ‘Mr. Oyster Bay,’” in last week’s paper. I was under the impression that it was a feature on volunteers and had no idea that I was to be the sole volunteer! I also want to thank all who offered their tremendously kind comments about me. Thank you very, very much.

Like so many, I’ve been fortunate to grow up and to now remain here in and around Oyster Bay-East Norwich. It is genuinely my honor, and I am proud to do whatever I can with many, many others to further our home and great community.

As our parents urged all of us, I urge you to keep doing what you can, in whatever way, wherever you are. Even your tiniest reach is a ripple impacting and, ideally, strengthening another and in turn, another after that. Keep at it, keep at it, keep at it.

I wish a healthy, peaceful, and happy year ahead to

When ‘it’s just government’ isn’t an excuse

It’s a new year. A time of renewal. A time when we look ahead to brighter days.

Many people, however, woke up a couple of days before Christmas to heavy rain and wind that once again brought a frightening amount of flooding to residential streets and primary roadways.

The early-winter storm evoked memories of 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, which was considered a once-in-a-century weather event. One South Shore resident even said that the storm was “giving me Sandy vibes.”

As early-morning motorists maneuvered through small rivers of water, it wasn’t surprising that some thought, “No, not again.” But they may have scratched their heads at the next thought: “Where are all those Sandy flood-mitigation projects we were promised?”

Less than a year after Sandy, New York state — under the direction of then Gov. Andrew Cuomo — established the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery to centralize the rebuilding and recovery efforts. One of its programs, New York Rising Community Reconstruction, empowered local communities to provide input into resiliency projects. Sandy was one of three storms — along with Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 — that were under the storm recovery office’s umbrella.

Roughly $4.4 billion was made available to the state through federal funding for an assortment of resiliency projects as well as for residential home rebuilding. For the NYRCR program, communities assembled committees of civic leaders. There were public meetings. Engineers were consulted. Ideas were exchanged. Public comment

LETTERS

you all and your loved ones. And my thanks again for your kindness and generosity.

ROB BRUSCA Oyster Bay

Government shouldn’t control energy on L.I.

To the Editor:

The recent column by Ronald Rosenberg (“‘Energy efficient’ may become a contradiction in terms,” Dec. 1-7) hits the nail on the head. Proposed moves away from the current public/private energy setup, which works well, are supported by left-

was collected.

From the list of NYRCR projects provided by the storm recovery office, 45 have been completed in Nassau County, while 30 others are in progress. These projects total nearly $334 million. GOSR has done a heck of a job.

However, getting to this point is one thing, but finishing is something else. What started as a well-run program looks as if it’s going to be a tough haul to complete.

Local officials tasked with cooperating with their state counterparts have found the process, which continues today, annoyingly slow and frustrating. There have been too many meetings, too much talk, and a lack of coordination — to the point where it felt like projects were constantly stopping and starting.

One of the problems appears to have been self-inflicted. As local officials pushed to move the projects forward, not only were there too many personnel changes in the state storm-recovery office, but the incoming officials, based in New York City, were unfamiliar with Long Island. Some projects went through nearly 10 iterations. It seemed that the process had to start from scratch any time there was a change in GOSR leadership.

Storm recovery representatives were also constantly interpreting federal language differently, creating more bumps in the road. The large volume of paperwork that moved back and forth between municipalities — requirements put in place by federal agencies as a response to the rampant fraud, waste and abuse of funds after Hurricane Katrina —slowed projects down.

Then, in 2020, the world shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. Projects that were in the works were given extensions because of unforeseen conditions that created supply-chain issues. That was understandable.

But don’t misunderstand: Much has been accomplished. There is a pump station in Cedarhurst, for example, that surely could help reduce flooding on Peninsula Boulevard.

Cuomo’s idea of having one central entity to oversee the projects was a good one. And the grass-roots NYRCR program won numerous national awards. But as more projects move forward, the state’s execution needs to be better. Now that there is a record of what was done — good and bad — there should be an audit, and what is learned from it should be applied as soon as possible.

The state’s newly created — and much more permanent — Office of Resilient Homes and Communities will now take over the storm recovery office portfolio. We hope that a permanent department will mean less staff shuffling and a streamlining of the bureaucracy. Importantly, state officials need to be more familiar with the communities they are supposed to be helping.

At one of many public meetings held several years ago, one resident was heard to say, “It’s just government,” in response to proposed plans that neighbors did not completely agree with.

That’s not an excuse our government should hide behind. To start the new year off right, the state should move the remaining projects to completion as soon as possible — before the next storm strikes.

FRAMEWORK by Tim Baker

wing activists who want further government control.

Current conventional energy producers and purveyors tend to be Republican and conservative. The cries for clean and green energy have less to do with saving the planet and more to do with consolidating power among Democrats and socalled progressives. More and more analysis has shown that electric cars, wind power and solar power are fraught with failures. Wake up, folks — the real goal here is to consolidate power among the radical left, not to save the planet.

MIKE TARTAGLIA Franklin Square

OPINIONS

Does Kirsten Gillibrand care about Long Islanders?

Absent on personal appearances. Just plain absent. Even Newsday was compelled at one point to ask, “Where is she?”

RONALD J. ROSENBERG

New York state’s missing U.S. senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, recently surfaced on Long Island. That must mean that Gillibrand finally got around to analyzing November’s election results and the near-death experience that will be seared into Gov. Kathy Hochul’s memory. Say what you will about our senior senator, Chuck Schumer — and there’s much to say — at least he knows where Long Island is. Before he became majority leader, Schumer seemed to be on the Island every weekend, holding news conferences on topics ranging from baby products to the width of airline seats. He understood the power of Long Island’s potent voter base and its propensity to swing right or left, depending on issues and personalities.

Schumer has been in our faces, like him or not, because he understands politics and the importance of engaging voters. He has long recognized that if you take Long Island for granted, you do so at your own political peril.

Gillibrand? She has long been absent on issues. Absent on voter engagement.

Well, you can tell that she has checked the calendar, and discovered that re-election is just two years away. Last month she met with journalists in Melville. In what was described as a wide-ranging discussion, Gillibrand announced that Long Island’s “red wave” would end in 2024. While suggesting that her party was trounced in November because “a lot of Long Island is libertarian,” she added, “I intend to run for re-election and win the state back, along with Long Island.”

These are bold words from someone who has failed to make a serious connection with Long Island voters. Over the years, Gillibrand has made a handful of announcements about federal programs, with little evidence that she pursued them specifically for our region, or even the state. In some instances, she has simply piggybacked off press statements from Schumer’s office.

To be fair, a search reveals that she held a town hall meeting at Hofstra in October. At that event, in which she engaged with students, the focus was the

Supreme Court’s ruling on abortion. She told the Herald that she was in favor of term-limiting the justices. Ironically, that’s a suggestion she has not proffered for members of the Senate.

Gillibrand described herself as “very progressive” in her Melville interview, which raises the question: Just how far out of step is she with the majority of New Yorkers and those Long Island “libertarians” who voted in the last election cycle? Does she appreciate that being “very progressive” may serve to short-circuit a primary challenge from the left, but leaves her totally at odds with moderates in both parties?

Being frightened of a left-wing primary challenge led Hochul to ignore such profound issues as crime, high taxes, and municipal zoning authority. Her election night turned rather tense as returns demonstrated that a state with nearly twice as many Democrats as Republicans wasn’t going to give her the margin of victory her consultants were touting.

Former Rep. Lee Zeldin has given no indication of what he plans to do for the next two years. He has been mentioned as a potential choice as the next state GOP chairman, who could infuse new blood and strategic vision into that posi-

tion. There is also speculation that he could run for Senate, confronting Gillibrand’s progressive candidacy with the grounded policies of moderates and conservatives who want an engaged senator who knows the difference between AOC and the LIE.

Another Long Islander who would make a formidable opponent to Gillibrand is Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. He has quickly established his credentials as a tireless campaigner who embraces policies that are welcomed by those who describe themselves as Republicans, as well as independents who are in search of common sense. Comfortable before the media, popular “at home” and dedicated to public service, Blakeman would be an attractive candidate on many levels.

While two years is a lifetime in politics, Gillibrand’s recent return to Long Island is like Halley’s Comet, an event that happens very rarely. And her description of our red wave as the product of a bunch of libertarians is a reflection of the fact that she may visit every once in a while, but she doesn’t know us. And never has.

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

Happiness is a reach, but we have long arms

As the new year begins, let us look up to the stars that light our winter nights.

The transition from 2022 to 2023 has been showered with starlight. Fresh off the front lines in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky, the most unlikely of heroes, came to America to thank us for our support, and ask for more. As it turns out, the man in green fatigues roused something in us that had been beaten lifeless over the past few years: pride in our will to do good, faith in our democracy and a clear demarcation between right and wrong. Heroism is a rare commodity, but it walked into Congress on Dec. 21 and reminded us of who we are.

Nothing about the Ukrainian presidential visit was business as usual. Zelensky’s superheroic persona was forged in the fires sparked by Russian missiles and tanks. Seems like a minute ago he was an entertainer raising a family in a safe and bustling society. But when the Russians

invaded, he stepped out of his old life and into battle dress. His visit to the U.S. shook something loose in our pervasive national cynicism and growing mistrust of one another. Here is a good guy, brave, not afraid to die for his country, a real David against a monstrous Goliath.

The Ukrainians face a winter without heat or running water, under constant bombardment by Russia. Their courage reminds us what death-defying bravery looks like after years of Trumpist self-serving corruption.

“It is often in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars,” the philosopher Hannah Arendt said. Just in these last weeks, as 2022 ended and as 2023 begins, the sky seems afire with hope.

There was something uplifting in how it all looked: the man from Ukraine hugging the outgoing Speaker of the House and embracing the American president. Political pundits have been busy hounding aging boomers out of the public spotlight and urging older statespeople to retire. Yet it was 82-year-old Nancy Pelosi and 80-year-old Joe Biden who were getting things right, and getting the people’s work done. It was 72-year-old Sen. Chuck Schumer who pushed some critical

human-rights and voter-rights legislation through Congress.

Heroes come in unlikely personas at odd times. Cassidy Hutchinson is in the news, too. The 26-year-old former assistant to Mark Meadows, the Trump White House chief of staff, a woman who knows right from wrong, decided to tell the truth about President Trump’s alleged crimes despite enormous pressure to dissemble. It is hard to overstate the significance of her testimony. She is key to the Department of Justice investigation of Trump and the insurrection. A woman who had to look up the history of Watergate to guide her may be key to preserving our democracy.

Then there’s the January 6th congressional committee and its 800-somethingpage report, released during these weeks of wonder. Another unlikely force for good, the committee, over 18 months, compiled a detailed and disturbing account of a rogue presidency, an attempted coup, and a coterie of accomplices to crimes against our nation.

Accountability is in the air, and it isn’t only playing out in our government. More locally, The New York Times recently ran a front-page story detailing alleged unethi-

cal behavior at NYU Langone. The article alleged longstanding policies on the part of hospital administrators to offer favorable treatment to powerful donors and celebrities and political figures. The reporting stood boldly against those who think that might makes right, and in support of those who surrender to privilege or who are resigned to “the way things work.”

In the wake of the Times story, maybe those bending the rules will be held accountable. It’s going around.

The fact that we have newspapers and reporters who sweat the details and follow up and write truth to power is another bright star in our firmament.

For these many years of political travail and pandemic grief, newspapers have kept us informed. Stories like the expose on NYU prove that we have people in our profession who care about public corruption and work hard to bring it to light.

Correspondents on the ground in Ukraine risk their lives every day to bring us the human story unfolding there.

We survived the shortest day of the year. As the daylight lingers, is it harmony in our homeland we see in the new year? Moments of happiness? Certainly the stars are brilliant in our cold, dark skies, and we can read that as hope.

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

The senator may visit every once in a while, but she doesn’t know us, and never has.

Happiness is a reach, but we have long arms

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