Oyster Bay Herald 02-26-2021

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COMMUNITY UPDATE

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Infections as of Feb. 14 2,671

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Bayville renews two companies’ water contracts pumped, and the number billed to residents. The two numbers should be close, Andrew Petti, In the Village of Bayville, 30 superintendent of the Bayville miles of underground water Water District, said. main, 4 to 16 inches The leak-detecin diameter, carries tion company hooks water to residents’ ultrasonic equiphomes. At the vilment up to fire lage board meeting hydrants to listen for on Feb. 22, trustees running water. If and Mayor Bob De there is, the leak N at a l e ap p rove d location is marked contracts with two on the street with companies to ensure spray paint. Petti that water is monisaid New York Leak tored and analyzed Detection has more efficiently, and always been precise that leaks are detectwhen it comes to ed quickly. finding leaks. A unanimous “Then we open vote garnered a new up the road and fix contract for New the water main York Leak Detection, break,” Petti exwhich has worked plained. “We usually with the village for know of the bad four years, for ones because we can roughly $3,700. The ANDREW PETTI see water. But if it’s company’s work is Bayville a minor leak on the important, because joint of a pipe, it Water District the New York State won’t surface. That’s Department of Envi- superintendent when water is being ronmental Conserlost and wasted.” vation mandates that Bayville The water district repairs two and other municipalities submit to three leaks each year, and an annual water conservation according to New York Leak Detecplan. The 10-page report includes the number of gallons of water CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

By LAURA LANE llane@liherald.com

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Courtesy Congressman Tom Suozzi

Remembering half a million Covid-19 victims At the U.S. Capitol, Rep. Tom Suozzi joined a bipartisan group of senators and representatives to honor the 500,000 Americans who have died of the coronavirus. Story, Page 11.

The Roosevelt School set to open soon at LIU in Brookville By GEORGE WALLACE newsroom@liherald.com

As Americans ponder the quality of the nation’s civic discourse, the nature of its presidency and the future of its political experiment, Long Island University Post and Tweed Roosevelt, a great-grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt, are joining forces to upgrade the uni-

versity’s curriculum in international relations, diplomacy, leadership and public policy. On Feb. 18, Post officials announced the creation of the Roosevelt School, which will open this fall. The school, named for Theodore and Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, will prepare undergraduate and graduate students for careers in international relations, diplomacy, leader-

ship, service and policy making at multinational corporations, foundations, think tanks, nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies around the world. “It will be focused on research in international policy, diplomacy and ethical leadership,” Tweed said. “Eleanor was interested in human rights and social CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

ne year two water main breaks were found that we didn’t know about because Bayville is sandy and the water doesn’t surface and is absorbed.

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Plans to boost study of public policy and the presidency

OYSTER BAY HERALD — February 26, 2021

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

programs and conferences about Roosevelt, his times and his contemporaries. justice; we’ll have an interest in that. FDR The Society of Presidential Descenhad his New Deal. TR was known for dants — a group of Americans with many different interests and concerns, but among them was all he did for the direct lineage to one or more of the 46 presidents — has been in existence for a environment.” Susan Sarna, curator of Oyster Bay’s year or so. It supports educational proSagamore Hill, said that Theodore Roos- grams that focus on the history of the evelt was a proponent of education. “He presidency and the importance of civic engagement in American democraread a book a day, and would approve of the school,” she said. “There is so much cy. The society is planning a major rollto talk about when it comes to TR. Just out in June 2022. Now, both these initiatives will have a one example is all the scientific materihome at LIU Post, at the new Roosevelt als he found in his travels, including School. previously unknown species, speciThere are those who argue that this mens, a lot of which are at the Smithsonian. People don’t even think of him initiative comes none too soon, given the tenor of the national political diathat way.” The new school will build on Long logue. “In this time of polarization, I hope Island University’s extensive heritage of working with the presidential family that this society can encourage the study of our country’s history and how dating back to the early 20th century. From 1901 to 1910, President Theo- its presidents have influenced it,” said dore Roosevelt worked with breakfast Lynda Johnson Robb, daughter of President Lyndon B. Johnson and a vice prescereal entrepreident of the socin e u r C . W. Po s t ety. “We look for(the namesake of ward to having an LIU’s Post camimpact on the diapus) on the establo gue of what lishment of labor unites us as a relations policies country.” in the United Clifton Truman States. Theodore Daniel, a grandRoosevelt Jr., a son of the 33rd war hero and the president, Harry assistant secreS. Truman, tary of the Navy, added, “I hope that was among a we can, in some group of citizens small way, help the to write Long nation toward, if Island Universinot unity, at least t y ’s ch a r t e r i n collegial and con1926. In the 1940s, structive disagreeJoseph E. Davies, ment. In the ranks a resident of the of presidential decampus, served as scendants, historFDR’s ambassador ic friendship ento Russia. Marjodures, while politirie Merriweather Courtesy of Sagamore Hill National Historic Site cal rancor fades Post served with First Lady Elea- Roosevelt was a proponent of conservation away.” and social justice. He often worked in the T h e u l t i m at e nor Roosevelt on several World War library of his Sagamore Hill home to further direction of the II relief committhose goals. Roosevelt School will necessarily be tees to fund a field more global than hospital in France and Red Cross services. And Franklin these specific goals, Tweed said. He Delano Roosevelt Jr., the third son of agreed, however, that there is a need to FDR, was elected to LIU’s board of trust- bolster civic education in the U.S. ees in 1946. “We think we need to educate our LIU is “proud to build on the excep- youth in citizenship,” he said. “Certaintional heritage of the Roosevelts,” LIU ly, if they’re going into government serPresident Kimberly R Cline said. “The vice, nationally or internationally, but Roosevelt School will prepare students that goes for people who are headed for to achieve success in a global society by careers in international business or guiding them to become well-informed, NGOs. We feel civics needs to be critically minded and engaged citizens.” brought back for all students. If we’re Among the entities that will be going to make this republic a success, housed at the school will be Post’s Glob- we have to have an educated electorate.” al Service Institute; the Steven S. HornIs that something he thinks his greatstein Center for Policy, Polling and Anal- grandfather would agree with? ysis; and two organizations headed by “I wouldn’t like to say what he’d say Tweed Roosevelt — the recently formed about the issues of the day, and of Theodore Roosevelt Institute and the course, he comes from a different era,” Society of Presidential Descendants. Tweed said. “Some of his ideas look The Theodore Roosevelt Institute, quite far-sighted, others not. But I think established in 2018, serves as a home for he would support the idea that the presiresearch, public seminars, educational dency needs to be studied.”

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Courtesy of Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, National Park Service, Oyster Bay, N.Y.

PRESIDENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT believed that education was important. He read a book a day to further his own education. TR’S GREATGRANDSON TWEED Roosevelt is chairman of the Theodore Roosevelt Institute and a professor at Long Island University. He will serve as chairman of the Roosevelt School.

Courtesy Tweed Roosevelt

Glen Head resident, first with South African Covid-19 ease specialist with the Northwell Health system, said the South African strain is one of several variants that have emerged from According to Nassau County health offi- the original Covid-19 strain. It has a set of cials, a Glen Head resident has been diag- mutations that make it different from the nosed with the South African variant of original strain, he said, and the result is Covid-19. Gov. Andrew Cuomo that it is less able to be neutralannounced on Sunday that this ized by currently available vacwas the first case of the South cines. The vaccines, however, African strain detected in New still have value when defendYork. ing against the strain, and According to Cuomo’s news would still help limit the release, sequencing of the virus’s most severe effects. strain was conducted at OpenAlthough roughly 60,000 trons Labworks Inc.’s PandemAmericans test positive for ic Response Lab in Manhattan, Covid-19 every day, Hirschwerk and was verified at the Wadsaid that doctors are only able sworth Center in Albany. to conduct genetic sequencing “We continue to see a reducon about 1 percent of the cases. tion in positivity and hospital- DR. DAVID This means that more people izations throughout the state, may have the South African which is good news, and this HIRSCHWERK strain than health officials progress is allowing us to Infectious disease know. The Glen Head patient reopen the valve on our econo- specialist, Northwell had not traveled to South Afrimy even further,” Cuomo said. ca, he said. Health “But with the discovery of a “Really what it speaks to is case of the South African varithat there is community ant in the state, it’s more important than spread of this strain,” Hirschwerk said. ever for New Yorkers to stay vigilant, wear “When you start to see people have it that masks, wash hands and stay socially dis- have no travel to South Africa and we know tanced. We are in a race right now — that that’s where it started, it is almost cerbetween our ability to vaccinate and these tainly reflective of community spread that variants, which are actively trying to prolif- is already out there.” erate — and we will only win that race if Treatment of the South African variant we stay smart and disciplined.” is no different than that of the standard Dr. David Hirschwerk, an infectious dis- Covid-19 strain. But, Hirschwerk said,

By MIKE CONN

mconn@liherald.com

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eally what it speaks to is that there is community spread of this strain.

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Emerging Covid-19 variants There are a number of coronavirus variants that are circulating globally, several of which emerged last fall. ■ In the United Kingdom, a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 (known as 20I/501Y.V1, VOC 202012/01, or B.1.1.7) emerged with a large number of mutations. This variant has since been detected in numerous countries around the world, including the U.S. In January, scientists from the U.K. reported evidence that suggests the B.1.1.7 variant may be associated with an increased risk of death compared with other variants. More studies are needed to confirm this finding. This variant was reported in the U.S. at the end of December. ■ In South Africa, another variant of SARS-CoV-2 (known as 20H/501Y.V2 or B.1.351) emerged independently of B.1.1.7. This variant shares some mutations with B.1.1.7. Cases attributed to this variant have been detected in a number of countries other than South Africa. This variant was reported in the U.S. at the end of January. ■ In Brazil, a variant of SARS-CoV-2 (known as P.1) emerged that was first identified in four travelers from Brazil, who were tested during routine screening at Haneda airport outside Tokyo. This variant has 17 unique mutations, including three in the receptor binding domain of the spike protein. It was detected in the U.S. at the end of January. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

monoclonal antibody treatment, most often used in older Covid-19 patients or patients with underlying conditions, may not be as effective against this strain. Although less is known about the treatment of the South African variant than the standard Covid-19 strain, he said, it is still vital that people get vaccinated. U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Democrat from Glen Cove, said it is important to be prepared, not scared, when unexpected problems like this arise. When he called the Nassau County Health commissioner, Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein, Suozzi said, he was told that the diagnosis was made 10 to 14 days ago and that the patient was immediately quarantined. “As we face these different strains — the UK strain, which could be more deadly, or the South African strain, which is more contagious — it’s more important than

ever that we don’t let our guard [down] over the next couple of months regarding social distancing and mask wearing and getting out vaccines,” Suozzi said. “We just need to contain this before it spreads.” He added that he had confidence in President Biden’s plan to handle the coronavirus, because Biden is stressing the basics of preventing its spread. “There’s light at the end of the tunnel if we do this the right way,” Suozzi said. Nassau County Executive Laura Curran also said that following Covid-19 protocols is key when dealing with the new strain. “Case numbers and positivity rates in Nassau County continue to drop, but we need to keep that progress going,” Curran said. “We don’t believe the South African variant is more deadly, but it may be more contagious.”

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■ DISPlAY ADVERTISING: Ext. 249 E-mail: sales@liherald.com Fax: (516) 569-4643 The Oyster Bay Herald USPS 416660, is published every Friday by Richner Communications, Inc., 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Periodicals postage paid at Garden City, NY 11530 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to Oyster Bay Herald, 2 Endo Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530. Subscriptions: $50 for 1 year within Nassau County, $60 for 1 year out of Nassau County or by qualified request in zip codes 11709, 11732, 11765, 11771. © 2021 Richner Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

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OYSTER BAY HERALD — February 26, 2021

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EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

COMMUNITY UPDATE Thursday, Feb. 25

tor, will explore a 1941 letter written to John Baron from the U.S. Government about Sabina Ghitman’s visa application, providing insight into the bureaucratic hurdles that made it so difficult for Jewish people to leave Nazi Germany and enter the United States during the Holocaust. This is a free event. For more information, visit www.hmtcli.org or call (516) 571-8040.

Virtual play time Virtual play time for children ages 18 months to five years old from the Gold Coast Public Library at 10 a.m. Time For Kids will lead children and their parents or guardians though an educational experience that will help children gain school readiness and developmental growth skills. For more information, visit www.goldcoastlibrary.org or call (516) 759-8300.

‘Bookworms’ discussion group Virtual program for children from second to third grade from the Locust Valley Library at 7 p.m. Join Leslie Armstrong’s monthly book group on Zoom and enjoy books, meet friends and have a great time. To join, parents and guardians should email Armstrong at larmstrong@locustvalleylibrary.org. For more information, call (516) 671-1837.

Friday, Feb. 26 Healthy cooking demo Virtual demonstration from the Glen Cove Senior Center at noon. Healthy eating is vital in ensuring the body gets the nutrients it needs and maintaining a healthy weight to stay active and indpendent. This healthy cooking demo is being led by a chef from Cornell Cooperative Extension in partnership with the Nassau County Office of the Aging. For more information, visit www.glencoveseniorcenter.com or call (516) 759-9610.

Virtual game night Virtual game night from The Life Enrichment Center at Oyster Bay at 7 p.m. Via Zoom, participants will play Scattergories Online. Cost is $20 per player and all money will benefit the LEC. Details will be emailed upon registration. To register, visit www.lifeenrichmentcenteroysterbay.org or call (516) 922-1770.

Thursday, March 4 Herald File Photo

‘Virtual Tai Chi with Linda Cafiero’ Virtual Tai Chi sessions from the Gold Coast Public Library with instructor Linda Cafiero begin via Zoom March 1 at 11 a.m. Tai Chi not only helps reduce stress and anxiety, but also helps increase flexibility and balance. All levels welcome. Register online at www.goldcoastlibrary.org or in person to receive access to program. Call (516) 759-8300 for more information. will take place on Saturdays through April 24. For more information, call (516) 318-5487.

Sunday, Feb. 28 Erev Purim performance

Saturday, Feb. 27 Indoor winter farmers market Village Square, 100 Village Square at Bridge Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Sea Cliff/Glen Cove Winter Market offers a selection of locally grown vegetables, eggs along with fresh baked bread and sweets, honey, maple syrup and other local goods. All products are grown or produced on Long Island or by Long Islanders. Market is operating safely under state guidelines. Market

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Virtual program from Congregation Tifereth Israel at 4:30 p.m. Enjoy a performance and bring Hamantaschen to celebrate Purim. Register online at www. ctionline.org or for more information, call (516) 676-5080.

Monday, March 1 Make dog biscuits to donate Virtual program from the Gold Coast Public Library from 7 to 8 p.m. Pick up a kit of everything needed to make dog

biscuits, except for the eggs, from the Gold Coast Public Library. The kit, made by the Baking Coach, will include an instructional video. Drop off the biscuits by March 15 so the library can donate them to a local shelter. For more information, visit www.goldcoastlibrary.org or call (516) 759-8300.

Tuesday, March 2 Learn to make scallion pancakes Virtual cooking class from the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance center of Nassau County from 7 to 8 p.m. Join Chef Jason Lee, owner of Long Island Pekin, to learn how to make scallion pancakes with a ginger soy dipping sauce. This is a free event. For more information, visit www.hmtcli.org or call

College application help Virtual workshop for high schoolers from the Glen Cove Public Library at 7 p.m. Debbie Gershow Lindell will present a 90-minute workshop about college application essays and the application process. To register, visit www. glencovelibrary.org or call (516) 676-2130.

(516) 571-8040.

‘Archaeology of Cats and Dogs’ Virtual class from the Bayville Free Library at 7 p.m. Archaeologist Patty Hamrick returns with the fascinating history of cats and dogs. They have been gods and guards, hunters, pack animals, sacrifices and more. Register at www.bayvillefreelibrary.org for the Zoom link. For more information, call (516) 628-2765.

Wednesday, March 3 Virtual ‘Curator’s Corner’ Virtual lecture from the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County from noon to 1 p.m. In this “Curator’s Corner,” Dr. Thorin Tritter, HMTC museum and programming direc-

Nassau County taxes extended to March 12. Co-ed fitness classes for people 18 and up now offered by the Town of Oyster Bay. O.B. recreational basketball, badminton and volleyball registration begins March 9. Register for G.C. junior soccer at Village Square on Feb. 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sea Cliff Board of Trustees meeting to be held March 8 at 6 p.m.

HAVING AN EVENT? Items on the Community Update pages 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 jcorr@liherald.com

New system will be more sophisticated

OYSTER BAY HERALD — February 26, 2021

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE tion, they are often homeowners’ responsibility. “One year, two water main breaks were found that we didn’t know about because Bayville is sandy and the water doesn’t surface and is absorbed,” Petti recalled. “We do this once a year, but our water storage tanks are inspected two times a year, as per a mandate from the [state] Health Department.” The leaks are usually found in Bayville’s flood zone, most often on the north side of Bayville Avenue, east of Ludlum Avenue. Petti said that the village did not have any water main breaks in 2020, but did have two service leaks and the homeowner was notified. The Farmingdale company Wire to Water was given a contract for $215,000. It will provide a Supervising Control and Data Acquisition system to monitor and track trends, which Petti said all wastewater districts currently use. The village water district constantly monitors the acid and chlorine levels in its three wells. Currently the analysis capabilities are hooked up to the plant sites. With the SCADA system, the information will be downloaded, allowing Petti and other water district employees to see it on a laptop. The system, Petti said, is more sophisticated. “We don’t have the computers now,” he said. “Everything is recorded on a paper chart. Now the wells will be better maintained, and we’ll see what’s going on at the plants remotely.” Previously, an alarm would indicate that there wa a problem at one of the wells, requiring Petti or another operator to drive there. With the SCADA system, they would receive a call on their cellphone and a computerized voice would provide specific information on what is happening at a well. Using a laptop, the well can be shut down and fixed without

Herald file photo

A UNANIMOUS VOTE by the Bayville Board of Trustees to provide contracts to two companies will ensure that residents’ water will be monitored and analyzed more efficiently and leaks will be detected quickly. the need for someone to drive to the plant. “This stand-alone system won’t be able to be hacked,” Petti said. “The operators will get laptops, and there will be a computer in the office. The system will be encrypted on a Virtual Private Network — a VPN.” Another advantage of the SCADA system is that the Water Department will be able to add more alarms, so when it receives one it will know the type of problem. Petti said

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that one alarm will even let him know if a light goes out at one of the wells. There are other advantages too. “If we had a disaster and you couldn’t get to work, you’ll be able to monitor the status of our wells from home, right?” De Natale asked Petti. “Yes,” he answered. “The on-call operator would have laptop capabilities to see what’s going on, and could turn one well off and another on if needed.”

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February 26, 2021 — OYSTER BAY HERALD

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Alzheimer’s group funding NYU research The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, headed by former New York State Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr., of Merrick, has awarded a $250,000 grant to NYU Langone Hospital in Mineola to expand and accelerate research that it is conducting to uncover the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s disease, with the goal of developing new treatments and slowing the progression of the disease. This AFA award follows a $100,000 grant in 2019 that began the cutting-edge research project. The NYU Langone clinicians and scientists are seeking to approximate brain behavior by reprogramming human cells derived from Alzheimer’s patients. Based on genetic information collected through voluntary blood donations from many patients, the team can distinguish where Alzheimer’s neurons diverge from healthy neurons, and from there take corrective action. This allows the team to then non-invasively explore the potential development of new treatments. The study is led by Dr. Allison Reiss, head of the Inflammation Laboratory at the Biomedical Research Institute at NYU Langone Hospital and associate professor of Medicine at NYU Long Island School of Medicine. Reiss is also a member of AFA’s Medical, Scientific and Memory Screening Advisory Board. “This new funding allows us to quicken the pace of our work and include participants with only mild cognitive impairment, allowing us to study subtle changes in the composition and metabolism of neurons before advanced Alzheimer’s has taken hold,” Reiss said. “The brain is the body’s most inaccessible and complex organ, making it extraordinarily challenging for scientists to develop new treatments and cures for Alzheimer’s,” Fuschillo said. “This grant enables the NYU Langone Health team to

Courtesy Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

The Alzheimer’s FoundATion of American recently awarded NYU Langone in Mineola a $250,000 grant to conduct research into the causes of and treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. Above, Dr. Allison Reiss, head of the Inflammation Laboratory at the Biomedical Research Institute at NYU Langone Hospital. expand the number of participants, perform additional cutting-edge work and accelerate the pace of this very promising research study. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is very pleased to make this investment in hope.” “Having cared for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, I know the impact this disease has on families and how desperately new treatments are needed,” said AFA founder and Chairman Bert Brodsky. “We’re hopeful that NYU Langone’s research can make a game-changing scientific breakthrough that will improve the lives of families affected by this terrible disease.” Reiss and her team have been gathering blood samples from individuals liv-

ing with Alzheimer’s, as well as those without the disease. From each blood sample, the research team isolates exosomes that originated in the patient’s brain. Exosomes are small particles shed from every cell, including neurons in the brain. These extracellular pieces, or vesicles, derived from brain neurons carry key genetic information. Researchers are investigating the differences in this genetic information between healthy people and those with Alzheimer’s. The aim is to use the information gained to reprogram Alzheimer’s neurons to behave more like those in healthy people. The research team is also testing a number of drugs for possible repurposing and use in Alzheimer’s disease, as

well as seeking new gene-editing approaches to treatments. The new grant will allow the study to expand the participant pool to include those with mild cognitive impairment. By comparing this group to the original pool of participants who have already progressed to full-blown Alzheimer’s, the earliest deviations from normal can be captured. The study is also being expanded to include first-degree relatives of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the grant will allow the team to accelerate the project by using more complex tools to analyze the effectiveness of novel treatments to restore cellular and mitochondrial function. Reiss is joined by Dr. Aaron Pinkhasov, chairman of psychiatry, and Dr. Irving Gomolin, chief of geriatrics, at NYU Langone on Long Island; Dr. Joshua De Leon, associate professor of clinical medicine at the NYU Long Island School of Medicine; and Dr. Lora Kasselman, assistant professor of foundations of medicine, and Dr. Thomas Wisniewski, the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman professor of the NYU Alzheimer’s Disease Center. According to Reiss, in the last two decades, only a handful of medicines were approved to treat Alzheimer’s disease, while the vast majority of clinical trials were halted. Trials typically rely on research first conducted on mice or using spinal fluid, and those often fail to replicate the complex neurological activity in the human brain. That contrasts with research to find cures for cancers of the liver, lungs and other vital organs, where it is increasingly common for pieces of tissue to be extracted for biopsies—and for profiling of cancer cells—to develop with optimal treatment regimens. To give to AFA, go to alzfdn.org/ donate.

Inside LI to host Black History Month webinar By nicole Alcindor nalcindor@liherald.com

In honor of Black History Month, Herald Inside LI will host a webinar featuring Black leaders on Long Island on Feb. 25 at 9:30 a.m. S p e a ke r s w i l l i n cl u d e P h i l Andrews, president of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce Inc.; Regina Armstrong, superintendent of the Hempstead School District; Frederick Brewington, owner, principal, civil rights lawyer and community activist at the Law Offices of Frederick K. Brewington; Margo Cargill, CEO of Titanium Linx Consulting Inc.; and Daniel Lloyd, vice president of the of Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, and founder and president of Minority Millennials Inc. The speakers will by Zoom discuss their industries and the culture of

today’s workplaces. They will also discuss how communities have adapted to social justice and racial equity issues, as well as provide insight on how leaders can best harness their influence to impact Long Island. To register to watch the webinar on the scheduled date or receive a recording of the event, go to LIHerald.com/BlackHistoryMonth. To sponsor a webinar or for more information, contact Amy Amato at aamato@richnerlive.com or call (516) 569-4000, ext. 224.

herAld inside li will host a webinar featuring Black leaders on Long Island on Feb. 25 at 9:30 a.m.

Courtesy Herald Inside LI

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OYSTER BAY HERALD — February 26, 2021

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Town warns, do not fall victim to phone scams

The North Shore Community Food Drive

The Federal Trade Commission offers the following tips to residents who fall victim to scam phone calls: ■ Hang up the phone. Do not press numbers to speak to a live operator or take your number off the list because this will confirm your phone number.

Saturday, February 27th from 11:00am - 2:00pm

■ Consider asking your phone company whether they charge for blocking phone numbers.

Located at the Drive-Thru Front North Shore Middle School

■ Do not trust caller ID. Scammers use the internet to make calls all over the world.

505 Glen Cove Ave, Glen Head Covid-19 Safety Protocols Will Be Strictly Enforced! Masks required for pick-up.

■ Report your experience to the FTC online or by calling 1 (877) 382-4357. Visit www.ftc.gov/calls for more information.

Trunks of cars should be in working condition & have space for food items. If not driving, bring a wheeled cart.

Town of Oyster Bay announces new youth dek hockey league for the spring

Call (516) 521-8274

from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and March 3 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Registration will also take place at Syosset-Woodbury Community Park on March 2 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The program fee is $95 for residents and $110 for non-residents. Each child will need to provide their own equipment, a list of which will be supplied upon registration. Families must provide proof of residency and a copy of their child’s birth certificate at registration. Only checks or money orders made payable to “Town of Oyster Bay” will be accepted. If a session is canceled due to inclement weather, there will be an attempt to provide a make-up day. For more information, call (516) 797-7945.

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The Town of Oyster Bay will launch a new Youth Dek Hockey League open to boys and girls from 6 through 12 years old beginning on April 5. Children ages 5-8 will play at Ellsworth W. Allen Park in Farmingdale and those who are 9-12 years old will play at Syosset Woodbury Community Park. Dek hockey is a variation of traditional ice hockey, where the games are played without skates on the “dek” of an ice rink after the ice has melted away for the season. There will be 10 games, weekly practices and an end-of-season playoff competition. Registration for the league will take place in the Allen Park Community Room, 45 Motor Ave., in Farmingdale, on Feb. 28

OYSTER BAY HERALD — February 26, 2021

Town of Oyster Bay Councilwoman Laura Maier is cautioning residents to be on alert of potential phone scams, particularly those soliciting any personal information or monetary contribution. “Time and time again we hear about scammers trying to obtain sensitive information from unsuspecting residents, especially our senior citizens,” she said. Scammers’ return phone numbers can also be falsified to appear as a familiar number. In addition to seniors, others frequently targeted include students and first-generation Americans. Current common scams include offers of debt relief, car warranty extensions and credit repairs. Scammers have also been known to pose as family members allegedly in trouble and seeking money.

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13

WHAT’S NEWS IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM

JAMES H. VERNON students in Meagan Rogus’s class were pumpedup to play the Multiplication Super Bowl game.

Courtesy the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District

Honing math skills at Vernon Third-grade students at James H. Vernon School in the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District showed their mathematical chops when they participated in the eighth annual Multiplication Super Bowl. The school tradition, which aligns with the football championship game, builds excitement for mathematics and encourages students to memorize their facts. Using a giant multiplication spinner,

students were challenged to answer multiplication equations based on where the spinner landed. Unlike previous years where students moved to other classrooms and competed against the other third-grade grade classes, students engaged in a friendly math celebration within their own classrooms to adhere to coronavirus health and safety guidelines.

Oyster Bay High School senior is National Merit finalist Oyster Bay High School senior Nicholas Tardugno was named a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship P ro g r a m , p l a c i n g h i m among the top 1percent of the nation’s brightest and most promising students. Ta rd u g n o i s o n e o f 15,000 finalists for one of three types of National Merit Scholarships: a National Merit $2,500 Scholarship, a corporatesponsored award or a college-sponsored award. Of the 15,000 finalists, about 7,600 scholarship winners will be announced in the spring. Photo credit

NICHOLAS TARDUGNO WAS named a National Merit finalist.

New North Shore Covid-19 positives on the decline By JENNIFER CORR jcorr@liherald.com

Almost a year since Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced statewide shutdowns, Covid-19 cases, after a sharp increase last month, are on the decline. When temperatures dropped in late 2020, Covid cases went up and continued to do so in early 2021. “Over the summer we did a see a lull,” said Andrea Marchese, a Glen Cove Hospital ICU nurse. “It was never completely gone and it was never back to normal, but it was slower. Then in the fall, it started back again.” Today, cases are declining again, but are still relatively high compared with the numbers seen over the summer. Marchese said there are currently up to 13 people with Covid in Glen Cove Hospital’s ICU, a section of the facility designed for eight patients. On Feb. 20, there was 8,238 new cases in New York state, including 272 on the North Shore. The decline in cases comes as the United States surpasses 500,000 Covid-19 deaths and when vaccines are being administered to front-line workers, the elderly and people with underlying conditions. Dr. Bradley M. Sherman, Glen Cove Hospital’s medical director, said he had seen fewer coronavirus-related check-ins lately. It appears that fewer people who contract the virus require hospitalization, and more patients are experiencing milder cases than last spring when the hospi-

Courtesy Nassau County Department of Information Technology

The number of new positives since last December in Glen Cove, Sea Cliff, Glen Head, Glenwood Landing, Oyster Bay, Oyster Bay Cove, Bayville, Locust Valley, the Brookvilles, Muttontown and East Norwich. tal was seeing many elderly patients. Now, Sherman said, people are coming in earlier when experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, which ultimately leads to milder cases. “We are accepting patients from other Northwell Hospitals as part of a load-balancing effort to help offset the higher volumes in some of the other hospitals,” he explained. “But even those numbers are coming down a little bit.” The decline in coronavirus positives

and hospitalizations can be attributed to a number of factors, Sherman said, including wider access to testing. “I think people are less hesitant to come to the hospital to get evaluated then they were in the spring,” Sherman said. “Partially, the treatments have gotten better, [and] we’re treating patients sooner and they are recovering quicker.” Monoclonal antibody treatment has been shown in clinical studies to decrease the number of emergency room visits and

hospitalizations, along with the amount of virus in an infected person’s blood. Studies of this treatment are ongoing. “I think now, in the last two weeks, [vaccines] are playing a role,” Sherman said. “Now that more people have gotten the second vaccine, and that it has opened up to a larger group of people, I think vaccines have definitely helped.” Senior care facilities across the North Shore have hosted Covid-19 vaccine clinics for residents and staff. “The residents were thrilled, as were the staff,” Diane Ziems, executive director of the Atria Glen Cove, said in January. “We made it a celebration, so we had food, gave out gifts and gift certificates.” Three clinics have been planned for the Atria. “The goal is that we’ll have 100 percent by my final clinic in March,” Ziems said, adding that vaccinations would be the beginning of a return to a sense of normalcy for the residents. “I feel there’s hope that we’re getting there.” Battling Covid-19 in the Glen Cove Hospital ICU, Marchese said, has made the medical staff there closer. “We’ve seen a lot,” she said. “We’ve gone through a lot together.” She urged people to continue being vigilant against the virus, and to get the vaccine if they can to help protect the community. “It’s not just you,” Marchese said. “It’s about your family and your community and the country as a whole.”

OYSTER BAY HERALD — February 26, 2021

HERALD SCHOOLS

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State budget cuts impact AHRC Nassau residences

February 26, 2021 — OYSTER BAY HERALD

By JENNIFER CORR jcorr@liherald.com

Across Nassau County are homes run by the disability care and support agency AHRC Nassau, which is based in Brookville. It allows people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead independent and happy lives. “My sister Eileen is a resident at one of AHRC’s group homes,” said Jane Erb, who also serves as a program coordinator for AHRC’s sister agency. Eileen had been living with Erb before she moved into her new home in the North Shore 16 years ago. “My sister likes to be as independent as possible. [The staff] help her with whatever is going on in her life, they help her prepare meals, drive her to medical appointments, spend time with her and interact with her. They become almost like family when family or myself can’t be around.” But for over the past decade, providing this quality of life has become more complicated because the New York state continually cuts funding for agencies like AHRC Nassau. “We operate group homes, day habilitation programs, respite services. You name it, basically we provide it,” Stanfort Perry, AHRC Nassau’s executive director said. “There have been significant budget cuts over the last several years to the field of developmental disabilities and at a time when costs from Covid are soaring, we are experiencing the inabilities to serve people due to a budget that proposes to cut funding on top of what we already actually endure.” Perry said that AHRC Nassau, which for 70 years has been the largest provider of services for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities on Long Island, had spent over $2 million on Covid-19 related

Photo courtesy AHRC Nassau

AHRC NASSAU’S CEDAR Street house residents with artist Mike Pagano, center back, who created the window painting. expenses and was not reimbursed by the state. “The field of developmental disabilities has not received a [cost of living adjustment] increase for over a decade,” Perry said. “As a result, while prices and the cost of doing business continues to increase, we are perpetually finding ourselves in a situation where our expenses are not keeping up with our revenue.” Earlier this month, disability service and support agency Care Design NY, which also serves Long Island, released a letter stating that as the state prepares its next budget, the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities submitted an administrative budget action that cuts 23 percent in funding for care coordination organization and health homes for people with intellectual or

developmental disabilities. This comes right after agencies took an additional 16.2 percent cut that went into effect on July 1, 2020. The financial impact of budget cuts, along with no Cost of Living Adjustments for over a decade has hampered AHRC’s ability to hire and retain competent staff, especially direct support specialists, Perry said. “These direct support professionals are a lifeline to people with disabilities and their families,” he said. “They need and deserve much higher wages for the work they do and we simply do not have the funding from the government to keep up with competitors like fast food restaurants and grocery stores or retail establishments. Those are the entities we are competing with.”

Erb said that people who live in group homes like her sister become attached to these direct support professionals. “She is a fun person,” Erb said of her sister. “She was able to continue doing things she likes to do because of the group home.” Erb’s sister has her friends there and a staff that supports her. “It’s wonderful to know that if something were to happen to me at any point, she’s happy, she’s content and well taken care of,” Erb said. “I want to make sure that continues.” Saundra Gumerove, whose daughter Lauren lives in an AHRC residence in the North Shore, described her daughter as one of the happiest people she knows. Gumerove also serves as an AHRC Nassau board member and a lawyer for people with disabilities and their families. “This is my life,” she said. “Lauren’s group home is wonderful and her staff is wonderful. But if you are a person who lives in a group home and you don’t have staff in the house to take you out into the community, you’re invisible. If you can’t be seen, you’re creating mini institutions.” Having enough staff is key to ensuring that people who live in group homes can participate in society. “Everybody wants to be included in society,” Gumerove said. “People with disabilities, and my daughter is one of them, are just like you and me. They want to do things, they want to participate, they want to have friends, they want to go out, they want to go to dinner. They may not be able to communicate the way you and I can, but they want what everyone else wants.” AHRC Nassau has responded by engaging in activism through letter writing, holding meeting with state lawmakers and protesting in Albany.

Turkey Trot gives back to organizations, businesses By JENNIFER CORR jcorr@liherald.com

The spirit of Thanksgiving has lived on in Oyster Bay months after over 300 runners raced through Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park last Thanksgiving Day as part of the eighth annual Oyster Bay Turkey Trot. John Quirk, who has been organizing the annual Oyster Bay Turkey Trot — a marathon that runs on Thanksgiving Day — and Oyster Bay Turkey Trot board member Danielle Taylor, presented checks for $4,500 to local organizations on Feb. 11. Friends of the Bay, an environmental protection organization in Oyster Bay, the Oyster Bay Main Street Association, Oakcliff Sailing, a non-profit that supports sailing athletes, and the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary were among the recipients. “There’s a lot of good things I can say about this program,” said Heather Johnson, the executive director of Friends of the Bay. “One is that we were allotted to be one of the beneficiaries of the race. The fact that they actually had a race in

2020 was pretty amazing and it goes to show you how sincere these races are that they want to continue despite not only the Covid times, but it was a pretty miserable day. It was chilly and rainy.” She believes many of the runners showed up because they knew the money they would raise would go to local nonprofits that support the community. “They all appreciate it,” Quirk said, referring to the recipients. “They all help out. Friends of the Bay and Oakcliff usually give us volunteers the day of the race, so anything that we raise from the Turkey Trot stays in Oyster Bay and next year, it’ll be even better.” Quirk has been operating the Oyster Bay Turkey Trot for five years, rearranged the course to stay in Oyster Bay instead of going into neighboring communities. He also wanted to make sure the money raised went to Oyster Bay charities like Oakcliff Sailing, Friends of the Bay and the Oyster Bay Main Street Association. Supporting organizations that not only help the environment, but also support Oyster Bay’s business community, is a way of keeping the money in town, Quirk said.

“Every year since then we’ve been growing and then in [2019], we almost cracked 1,000 people,” Quirk said. “We were hoping there would be that this year, but then Covid hit and we ran into a lot of different obstacles.” Despite the obstacles, Quirk was able to get a permit to run in Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park. “We decided, instead of cancelling the race this year, let’s try to get something in the park manageable to a 5K without people bumping into each other,” Quirk said. “We ended up with a 4K race inside the park.” As part of this upcoming year’s race, to further keep the money in town, Quirk approached local restaurants in Oyster Bay, Mill Creek and Bayville to offer dinner deals. “We’ve come up with $8,000 for next year’s race, for the first 110 runners that cross the finish line will get a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant this way we’re helping out the restaurants also,” he said. To raise more money to support the local restaurants this year, there will be a marathon race called the “4X4X48” charity running challenge, which was created

by retired Navy SEAL and athlete David Goggins, where participants run four miles every four hours over the course of 48 hours. The challenge will begin on March 5 at 11 p.m. in Theodore Roosevelt Park. Taylor, who is also a founder of the YOLO Strong Foundation that raises money for medically fragile and special needs children through obstacle courses, will be participating in the race on behalf of the Oyster Bay Turkey Trot. She will be doing another “4X4X48” race later in June as well for the local children YOLO Strong Foundation supports. She said she is scared, but this is what she must do to support her community. “The Turkey Trot gives back to local businesses in Oyster Bay and those businesses are actually the ones that support [YOLO],” Taylor said. “Through nine years ago and in 2022 we’re about to celebrate our 10-year anniversary for YOLO and all of the businesses have supported us since day one. We just want to give back.” To sign up for the 4X4X48 challenge, visit www.gogginschallenge.com and list the Oyster Bay Turkey Trot as the beneficiary.

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February 26, 2021 — OYSTER BAY HERALD

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OBITUARIES Edward B. Fitzpatrick, Jr. Edward B. Fitzpatrick, Jr., 88, of Bayville, died on Feb. 21. Beloved husband of the late Elizabeth “Betty”; loving father of Katherine Donohue (James), Edward III, Thomas (Laura), Terrence, Kelly, Nancy Talcott (Kelly), Daniel (Anne), Tara and Brendan (Elizabeth); cherished grandfather of 22; proud great grandfather of 4. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made to the Elizabeth J. Fitzpatrick Scholarship, which provides assistance to undergraduate civil engineering students. Gifts can be made at http:// supporting.nd.edu by clicking the “Make a Gift” button on the right side of the page. There is a text box on the following page that will allow donors to designate it in honor of Elizabeth J. Fitzpatrick and allocated towards the Elizabeth J. Fitzpatrick Scholarship. Those who wish to make a gift via check can make it out to the “University of Notre Dame” and mail to: University of Notre Dame, Department of Development, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556. For questions or assistance concerning a memorial donation, contact Stacy KoebelHarder at (574) 631-5546 or skoebel@nd. edu. Arrangements entrusted to Oyster Bay Funeral Home.

Gladys E. Mitchell Gladys E. Mitchell, 81, of Oyster Bay, died on Feb. 19. Beloved wife of the late Graham; loving mother to James (Anastasia), Ronald (Marie) and Glenn (Colleen); loving grandmother to Rose, Connor, Sean, Colin, Christina, and Maddie; great-grandmother to Casey Lou; dear sister to Norman, Victor and Ann of Mountcharles, Co. Donegal. Mitchell left Ireland as a teenager in the late 1950’s for a new life in America. She was graciously

ON THE ROAD WITH A TAKEOUT QUEEN

hosted by her Aunt Sadie Koebele, husband Carl and their children Robert and Nancy. She met and married Graham, also an Irish immigrant shortly after. They settled in a quaint house in Hicksville and raised a family of three boys there. They were wonderful years, with the house often filled with family and friends. After Graham’s passing in 1985, Mitchell displayed the subtle strength and courage that were her hallmarks; she studied nights and weekends to earn her High School diploma - one of her proudest accomplishments. She didn’t stop there, and continued her studies, first becoming a nurse’s aide, and later an LPN. Her time as a visiting nurse being the most rewarding, though she spent as much time chatting with patients as she did treating them. Along the way, Mitchell managed to travel extensively. Among her favorites were annual trips to Mexico with friends, extended trips to Ireland to visit family and weekends on Shelter Island – a place she first discovered soon after arriving from Ireland. Arrangements entrusted to Oyster Bay Funeral Home. Entombment Calverton National Cemetery.

Stephen Sekelsky Stephen Sekelsky, 81, of Locust Valley, died on Feb. 17. He joined his beloved late wife Marie in Heaven, together forever; loving father of Eileen Ajamian (James), Diddi Palumbi (Joe), Pauline Rosa (Pete) and Stephanie Korman (Leonard); beloved g randfather of Kristen, Maureen, Giuseppe, Stephen, Anthony, Marissa and Lenny; dearest brother of Wendell (Rose) and the late Marilyn and Elaine. Proud member of the Nassau County Fireriders (Chief Road Captain). Arrangements entrusted to Whitting Funeral Home. Interment Locust Valley Cemetery, Locust Valley.

Public Notices

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LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF ADOPTION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at a regular meeting held on the 17th day of February, the Board of Commissioners of the Jericho Water District duly adopted a resolution, an abstract of which follows, which resolution is subject to a permissive referendum pursuant to Town Law Article 7: RESOLUTION authorizing the Treasurer to appropriate funds from the Capital Improvement Reserve Fund for the purpose of funding engineering for the Installation of Additional Drywells at Well Nos. 18 and 19, in the amount of $37,000.00. Dated: February 26, 2021 James Asmus, Commissioner Secretary of the Jericho Water District 124769

To place a notice here call us at 516-569-4000 x232 or send an email to: legalnotices@liherald.com

LEGAL NOTICE Notice of Summons SUMMONS CASE NUMBER: STK-CVUBC-2019-3326 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: WAYNE LIEBERZ; and DOES 1·20, Inclusive. you ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: ROBERT BEADLES NOTE! You _have been sued, The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 day. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served o you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the

California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/se lfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may call an attorney-referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Website (www.lawhelpcalifonia.or g), the California Courts Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/se

lfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a Statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. The name and address of the court is: SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 180 E. WEBER AVENUE STOCKTON, CA 95205 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: Eurik O’Bryant 18826 N. Lower Sacramento Road, Suite. H Woodbridge, CA 95258 209-924-4990 DATE: MAR 13, 2019 ROSAJUNQUEIRO Clerk s: By Angela Constantino, Deputy Jan. 15, 2021 -195190 124534

Search for notices online at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

Takeout and a movie By CATHI TUROW While I’m eating, I love to watch movies about food. Even if a movie isn’t about food, I notice what the actors are eating. So, this month I matched some of the newest takeout options in town with movies that go with them. Here’s what to view while you chew. ■ Basari Market (2 Main St., Roslyn; basarimarket.com) In the classic film “When Harry Met Sally,” Meg Ryan pretends to be aroused while eating a turkey sandwich. Why not watch that scene while eating one of the eight types of turkey offered in this highest quality Glatt kosher meat and treat shop? Grab a sandwich filled with anything from smoked turkey to Mexican turkey, or Romanian turkey or turkey pastrami. You can even get brisket pastrami and beef bacon. The head butcher told me, “I’m doing beef jerky with my own, unique flavors.” There’s CATHI maple beef jerky, coca cola jerky and a Dr. Pepper jalapeno flavor in the works. The head butcher has also created a line of Kosher for Passover dog food. Since many dog foods contain bread, this version will accommodate families who traditionally remove bread from their homes during Passover. Even better, it’s healthy for dogs all year. Of course, that includes dogs that are not Jewish. ■ Culinar y Architect Catering (28 Chestnut St., Greenvale; culinaryarchitect.com) The movie “Father of the Bride” is your munch match. Owner/ chef Alexandra Troy’s first love is designing events ranging from small gatherings to weddings. Then, she and her staff create all the dishes from scratch. So, as Alexandra continues to come up with brilliant ways to pull off parties during the pandemic, she also offers a new monthly takeout menu. Some of my favorites are chicken parm pizza, and pigs in blankets

wrapped in Alexandra’s homemade puffed pastry. Alexandra will also make any lunch or dinner you dream up. Her Pandemic Cookie Hearts put the biggest smile on my face. Freshly baked heart shaped cookies say, “Wear a mask,” or “Social Distance.” One mom personalized hers. She sent cookies to her daughter in college that said, “Do your laundry.” ■ Schultzy’s (265 Bayville Ave., Bayville; facebook.com/longislandrawbar/; to open in March) Restaurant owner/longtime Bayville resident James Schultz has been catching fish since he was 12, so seafood is truly his specialty. James is excited about presenting a mostly-seafoodmenu for lunch and dinner (though burgers, steak and pasta will also be offered). He’s creating seafood sauces we won’t find anywhere else. Ginger wasabi soy sauce will compliment shellfish, and basil fondue will accompany shrimp cocktail. Raw bar and lobster buckets will be ready for takeTUROW out. Just add water or beer to the bucket, pop it on your stove or barbeque, and steam up a meal! While you eat, watch the movie “Julie and Julia.” Who remembers the scene where Amy Adams freaks out when she steams a lobster? ■ Youngs Farm (91 Hegemans Lane, Glen Head; youngs.farm) During the movie “Baby Mama,” Tiny Fey does her best to chew yeast balls in a vegan restaurant. Too bad she couldn’t have ordered the new vegan pot pie from Youngs Farm instead. Fresh carrots, peas, kale and mushrooms bask in a creamy (but not too creamy) sauce. Everybody sits below a thin slice of vegan pastry. Amazing. So that’s it. By the way, any meal is a match with “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” See you next month! The Takeout Queen is now on Facebook. Search for Oyster Bay Herald Guardian, Sea Cliff/Glen Head Herald Gazette or Glen Cove Herald Gazette.

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OPINIONS

was in Ryann’s Wines in East Meadow around the holidays, standing at the checkout, when a fellow customer, a man in his 70s, called out to a 20-something employee from across the store. “Where’s yuh bittuhz?” the man inquired loudly. Befuddled, the young man asked for clarification. “Excuse me?” I immediately knew what the gentleman was looking for, and probably where he could find it. But rather than clear up the situation, I NICK stood silent. “Yuh bittuhz … bitBUGLIONE tuhz,” the older man exclaimed, growing a bit frustrated. I should have told the kid what the guy was looking for, but I was enjoying the confusion. After another few moments, the light bulb finally went on in the clerk’s head. “Oh, bittERS,” he said, directing the man to the correct aisle. I walked out of the store with a halfsmile, because that brief interaction highlighted a notion that has been turning around in my mind for some time: Younger Long Islanders don’t “tawk” like we

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older folks anymore. I don’t have anything beyond anecdotal evidence of this linguistic shift, but I’m positive it’s been happening for some time. Ten years ago, I married Jill and became stepdad to Nicolas and Jake. At the time the boys were 6 and 4, respectively. I remember how much it frustrated me that they said the word “orange” wrong. They pronounced it “OR-enge.” It sounded like nails on a chalkboard to me, and I’d correct them over and over, “It’s not ‘OR-enge,’ it’s ‘ARE-inge,’” I’d tell them. “Say it like ya from New Yawk.” I wondered where they picked up this mispronunciation. Had they spent time in Florida before coming into my life? No, that wasn’t it. Their dad grew up just a few minutes east of me, and he “tawked” just like I do. In a few years, Jill and I had Adriana and then Elia and, as soon as they were able to talk, they started saying stuff wrong. It was “wah-ter,” not “wah-tuh” and “hot dahg,” not “hot dawg.” My friends noticed the same thing with their kids, and you might have, too. If not, try this. Have your kids say talk, daughter, call and coffee, and see if you notice a difference.

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My interest was piqued after the liquor store encounter, so I set out to find some answers. I contacted Hofstra University to see if they could hook me up with a linguistics professor who could shed some light on the subject. They put me in touch with Ilona Pierce, an associate professor in the Department of Drama and Dance. It seemed like a curious choice, but Pierce seemed to know her stuff when it came to the “Lawn Guyland” accent. It’s part of her job to teach budding Long Island actors how to ditch their accent for a more “neutral American” one. “I’m not a linguist, but I do spend most of my time listening to the speech of young actors — from Long Island, but also from all over the country and the world,” she said. First off, Pierce set me straight on a point of contention. Despite what some locals claim, there is absolutely no difference between the Long Island and the New York City accent. Ours has its roots in New York City, Pierce explained, and it spread out as New Yawk— sorry, New Yorkers moved out to the suburbs. Second, she confirmed that the Long Island accent is absolutely evolving. “I hear way fewer t-h sounds changed to t/d,” she said. “In the Long Island accent

s soon as our kids were able to talk, they started saying stuff wrong.

of the 20th century, you’d hear ‘wit’ for ‘with’ or ‘dis’ and ‘dat’ for ‘this’ and ‘that.’” She also said kids aren’t dropping r’s for a’s anymore (turning “ever” into “eva,” for instance) and they have adopted a more “general American” pronunciation of words like “Harry, Gary and marry.” Case in point: my daughter Adriana is currently reading the classic “Hairy” Potter series. So, what the heck is going on? Well, according to Pierce, accents just naturally evolve over time. Nowadays, people relocate more easily and frequently and, as they move, they bring their sounds with them, she said. That made sense to me. The more I thought about it, I realized that I didn’t speak exactly like Grandma and Grandpa Buglione did. They came from Brooklyn and didn’t boil water, they “berled” it. They used the “terlit,” not the toilet. And if they knew a guy named Earl, they probably would’ve called him “Oil.” But I never spoke that way. It wasn’t all bad news, though. Pierce said she still hears kids calling dogs “dawgs,” and some of them still drink “cawfee.” Maybe there’s hope for the Long Island accent after awl. Nick Buglione is a teacher, freelance journalist and former editor of the East Meadow Herald.

A governor bruised by a pandemic mistake

admired Gov. Mario Cuomo so much that I actually bought an old CD of his speeches some years ago, and I actually listened to them. So I am educated in the successes and rhetorical and political skills of the Cuomo boys. But what to say about Gov. Andrew Cuomo in light of recent headlines? As a longtime supporter who watched his rise through the razor wire of New York politics, I have to say, Governor, you let us down. According to The New York Times, the Cuomo RANDI administration KREISS did not fully disclose the staggering numbers of Covid-19 nursing home deaths in New York City last spring. The allegation is that the horrific death toll — 15,000 and counting — was, in part, the result of the governor’s order to move Covid patients who had been hospitalized back to nursing homes and long-term care facilities. The nursing homes weren’t equipped to handle pandemic disease, and they didn’t have sufficient protective gear for their staff. A cascading series of flawed policy

and thinking led to increased infections and deaths. Remember: Last March 5, Cuomo announced that cases of Covid-19 had doubled overnight from 11 to 22 statewide. By April 1, there were 83,000 reported cases. By May 1, New York state was nearing 375,000 cases. By late spring, Covid patients were swamping New York hospitals. Refrigerator trucks converted to mobile morgues stood outside some medical centers. The search for more personal protective equipment and ventilators was desperate, and in that context, Cuomo made the decision to move Covid patients from hospitals back to nursing homes. There were many possible reasons for that decision, from suggested political advantage to the prospect of hospitals having to triage care for all the incoming patients, to conflicting advice from medical experts on how to move forward. The result was that many thousands of nursing home residents died, almost always alone, almost always without saying goodbye to their loved ones whose grief is now compounded by anger. The people who took care of them, from the

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nurses to the aides to the custodians who washed the floors, also died from the virus as it surged through the facilities. In recent statements, Cuomo has said that the policy was a mistake, and that there should have been more transparency when reporting the nursing home fatalities. He said the total of deaths reported was “delayed,” but he didn’t say that was intentional or self-protective. He said there was a “void.” There were many missteps in the early days of the pandemic. Supplies were scarce, and doctors and scientists who are usually in their comfort zone treating disease were shocked by the ferocity of the virus, even in the best hospitals in New York. There was no federal leadership. President Trump played the governors, had them begging for ventilators and masks that he dispensed grudgingly and for which he demanded obeisance. Cuomo’s nursing home policy was among the many mistakes that were made in those months. It follows that whenever Cuomo realized that the hospital-to-nursing-homepolicy was a mistake, he should have said so, fully and publicly. Waiting, delaying,

uomo rose to the occasion in those first months. He inspired us. He also let us down.

hiding the real numbers or whatever was done to avoid revealing the full truth was wrong. Attempting to cover up the tragedy, if that’s what was done, only compounded thousands of families’ pain. Cuomo is also the leader who sat before the cameras and the press every single morning for months and talked us through the wrenching changes in our lives brought about by the pandemic. He was steady and confident and told us we could get through it. He reminded us that we were “New York tough,” and we believed him. Governor, you rose to the occasion in those first months and provided steady leadership that helped us stay anchored in our lives. You did it while fighting a novel disease that was crushing the city, and you did it without significant support from the federal government. You inspired us, you kept the city going, you were a rock. I will never forget your 11 a.m. fireside chats. You also let us down. No thinking citizen of this state or country expects simple, black-and-white solutions to problems or leaders who are perfect. But we do expect you to tell us the truth, even when it hurts us. Even when it hurts you. Copyright 2021 Randi Kreiss. Randi can be reached at randik3@aol.com.

OYSTER BAY HERALD — February 26, 2021

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How do you know I’m from Lawn Guyland?

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HERALD EDITORIAL

OYSTER BAY

February 26, 2021 — OYSTER BAY HERALD

HERALD Established 1899 Incorporating Oyster Bay Guardian Laura Lane

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offiCe 2 Endo Boulevard Garden City, NY 11530 Phone: (516) 569-4000 Fax: (516) 569-4942 Web: oysterbay.liherald.com E-mail: llane@liherald.com Copyright © 2021 Richner Communications, Inc.

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A year later, lessons learned from the pandemic

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he coronavirus pandemic reached Long Island a year ago next week, at first bringing a handful of cases before it dug in and exploded, wreaking havoc. We failed to see it coming until it was too late. We failed to imagine its destructive power. Nassau County’s first reported case was a 42-year-old Uniondale man who worked at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre and was treated at NYU Winthrop Hospital in Mineola, now NYU Langone. His case was reported last March 3. Three days later, Uniondale Schools Superintendent Dr. William Lloyd said in a statement, “The district has been in close contact with Nassau County and New York state health officials, and we have been told that at the current time, there is no reason to take any additional precautionary or preventive measures than those we already have in place.” By mid-March, schools had shut down. Nassau County Executive Laura Curran gave the order to close them for two weeks. Students didn’t return to their school buildings until September, learning, as best as they could, virtually, using new and unfamiliar online platforms like Zoom and Google Classroom. Businesses shuttered, some never to return. Hospitals — and the brave women and men who staff them — were quickly overwhelmed by the coronavirus caseload. So were funeral homes. Death, it seemed, was everywhere. And so here we are, a year later, battered and bruised, many of us filled with

anxiety because of a job loss, economic issues or simply the uncertainty that the coronavirus has brought to all of our lives. “Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” the saying goes. After a full year of coping with a relentless disease, watching too many family members and friends fall prey to it, we are tired, ready for this nightmare to be over. We need to feel normal again. We are wiser, however. Our children are learning, albeit at a slower pace than they did. We are more forgiving of students if they miss a homework assignment or fail an exam. We don’t require them, to the degree that we did, to take the seemingly unending battery of state tests they were subjected to for years. Even the SAT is no longer sacrosanct, with a growing number of colleges becoming SAT-optional. Maybe that’s how it should have been all along. Perhaps our expectations were unrealistic. Long before the pandemic, young people complained, like no generation before, of the anxiety they were feeling. Maybe we should have listened more closely, understood better. If we come out of the pandemic with more realistic expectations of our children — and the desire to let them be kids at least part of the time — then some good will have come from this hell that we have collectively experienced. Maybe — just maybe — we will have learned that children’s feelings matter more in the end than their grades. At the same time, the pandemic

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LETTERS O’Connell was ‘right on the mark’ To the Editor: John O’Connell’s column in the Feb. 4-10 issue, “Agree with me or shut up,” was right on the mark. I have liberal relatives who still blame President Trump for all our woes, and it’s very difficult to have a reasonable conversation with them, on any subject, because they will always bring up the topic of politics. Many thanks to O’Connell for speaking up for many of us. PAT KING Merrick

It was worthy of framing To the Editor: Reading “Agree with me or shut up” was a profound breath of fresh air. Thank you, John O’Connell, for your thoughts. I’m going to frame this article as proof that there are still good people

exposed, like never before, the wide disparities in educational opportunities for children from different communities, based largely on race and socioeconomic forces beyond their control. We should commit, like never before, to closing these gaps so all children are given equal opportunity to learn. When you’ve had so much taken from you, you start to reassess all that you are. How much does owning the biggest house on the block or the shiniest car really matter? When you’re on a ventilator fighting for your life, not at all. We also learned that we’re highly adaptable creatures. Countless businesses have carried on virtually, leaving their owners wondering why they hadn’t tried going remote earlier. It saves time and effort. It also saves gasoline and, thus, money. And, as we have learned, it might be a way of saving the planet — less travel by car means less greenhouse gases sent into our atmosphere, which could help slow the climate crisis, the biggest of the crises facing humanity. We shouldn’t look back and beat ourselves up. We didn’t know better. We do now, though. The question is, when we are past the pandemic, who will we become? Will we revert to our old ways or adopt our newfound practices? We are likely to achieve herd immunity within the next year through a combination of inoculation and infection. Now is a good time to start planning for that day, and to decide how we will live in the years after these difficult days.

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applaud the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recent guidance update recommending that people who are fully vaccinated not be confined to quarantine after exposure to a case of Covid-19. Becoming fully vaccinated provides many with a sense of liberation, but it also comes with a deep social responsibility. According to published research, full vaccination — defined as two weeks after the second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine — virtually eliminates a person’s LAWRENCE E. chance of dying the strains of EISENSTEIN from the virus we are currently likely to encounter. The vaccines provide excellent protection for most people from even contracting it. Nonetheless, a small percentage of vaccinated people will still come down with Covid-19. And researchers continue to study whether someone who has been vaccinated can transmit the virus to others. While I think they will ultimately find at least some protection against transmission, we can’t yet quantify the risk. Until we have these answers, vaccinated people must assume the responsibility of ensur-

ing they don’t inadvertently spread the virus. Our knowledge of Covid-19 is expanding rapidly, and science should guide our policymaking. The new CDC guidance is important not because it’s a get-out-of-jail-free card — it isn’t — but because of the accompanying explanation. The agency didn’t just issue a blanket statement that vaccinated people don’t need to quarantine after exposure; rather, it gave an important medical explanation. It acknowledged that the risk/ benefit ratio, a cherished tenet in medical evaluation, shifts after people are vaccinated. They aren’t completely free of the possibility of contracting or transmitting disease, but the odds of doing so change. We should acknowledge and even celebrate the fact that vaccinated people are highly unlikely to die of the current predominant strains of Covid-19. But we don’t yet know how long the post-vaccination protection lasts, so the CDC set the quarantine-free policy at 90 days — a period supported by science — as long as people have no symptoms following their exposure. The other side of the equation is benefits. There are important psychological, economic, sociological and health-related benefits to keeping people active, produc-

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tive and out of quarantine, and there are profound impacts of keeping them in quarantine. The CDC concluded that although there is some risk of vaccinated people contracting and spreading the virus, the risks of forcing them to quarantine outweigh the benefits. I fully support this analysis. Quarantine, the taking away of someone’s freedom in the interest of protecting the public’s health, must be ordered responsibly. A careful evaluation of the risk/ benefit ratio is the correct way for public health policymakers to proceed. I believe the next step should be a lifting of the domestic travel quarantine for New Yorkers who are fully vaccinated. If we are no longer quarantining fully vaccinated people with a known exposure, why would we take away their freedom just because they’ve traveled — including those with no known exposures? Using good science, we might find that some locations have more dangerous variants. In those cases, quarantine might become necessary, even for fully vaccinated travelers. I get asked all the time when I think we will return to life as we knew it before the pandemic. We aren’t going to just flip a switch, and parts of our new normal might be here to stay. I for one will always

eep in mind that parts of our new normal — like masks — may be here to stay.

LETTERS that are willing to stand up and speak whole truths. ANTHONY CHRISOSTOMO East Meadow

Doesn’t O’Connell care about facts? To the Editor: My response to John O’Connell’s column is, wow! Just wow! O’Connell complains that “the individual’s right to freely express ideas . . . true or not . . . or [not] reliably sourced at all” should be allowed to flow freely. Really? And he dares call himself a journalist? The reason that “the percentage of those who don’t trust the media at all went up five points in one year” is because of the absolute outright lies the radical right has fomented on sites like Parler. Thank God big tech stopped that slander. The big lie that the election was “stolen” is exactly what led to the insurrection on Jan. 6. O’Connell says “half the country is vexed by the prospect of a Biden-Harris administration unchecked by the House and Senate.” Well, more than half the country was obviously vexed by a Trump-Pence administration whose lies were retold on far-right extremist outlets and went unchecked by the House and Senate. Thus,

wear a mask on a plane, because the benefit of not getting sick with Covid-19, influenza or any respiratory virus that could ruin my vacation far outweighs the tiny cost of wearing that mask. To get back to life as we knew it will require a stepwise series of policy decisions based on benefit outweighing risk, each getting us closer to that light at the end of the tunnel. We don’t have all the answers regarding Covid-19 transmission or variants yet. Until we do, County Executive Laura Curran and I continue to remind residents that it is vital for fully vaccinated people to strike a balance between the activities that become relatively safer following vaccination (reflected in the CDC’s new policy) and the necessary social responsibility for vaccinated people to continue taking protective measures. They should protect themselves and their communities by wearing masks, social distancing, and staying home and getting tested when they feel ill. Fully vaccinated people should be comforted, even liberated by the knowledge they will surely survive even if they catch Covid-19. They can enjoy that luxury while protecting their neighbors and loved ones until everyone experiences the exuberance of immunity. Dr. Lawrence E. Eisenstein is the Nassau County commissioner of health.

FRAMEWORK by Christina Fraser

more than half the country voted for truth over lies, and sane governing over the anarchy brought on by the MAGA rioters and the radically dangerous right. Elections do have consequences, and the people, individuals expressing their individualism, have spoken. So John, take your right-wing group think and weep into your pillow for the next four years as most of America has been forced to for the past four years. LEE PASTORE Seaford

Newspapers aren’t the enemy To the Editor: Now that our nation’s truest “enemy of the people” — Donald J. Trump — is no longer president, I would like to contrast his labeling newspapers and other modern media the “enemy of the people” with what a better, wiser president — Thomas Jefferson — said in 1787 about the press of his era: “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” RICHARD SIEGELMAN Plainview

For a dog named Charlie, a playground coated in white — Bayville

OYSTER BAY HERALD — February 26, 2021

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