Oyster Bay Herald 12-09-2022

Mets player helps local youth team

Boy Scouts follow code of honor

Rehab unit a plus for Glen Cove Hospital

By LAURA LANE llane@liherald.com

Glen Cove Hospital’s rehabili tation center was ranked 47th in the nation by U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Hospitals 2022-2023.” Newsweek ranked the hospital among “America’s Best Physical Rehabilitation Centers 2022.” That’s all great news for the hospital, but even better news for its patients.

“The hospital is in a renais sance,” Executive Director Kerri Anne Scanlon said. “The hospi tal used to lose money. We will break even this year, and we will make money next year. Any time

Toys for kids of all ages on exhibit at Raynham Hall Museum

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

With Christmas just around the corner, children have toys on their minds. In the spirit of the season, Raynham Hall Museum has created a new exhibit high lighting the history of children’s toys and games, called “Toy Sto ries.”

It opened to the public on Nov. 23, although the process of installing the toys in their new display cases and set-ups has been continuing. Museum Direc tor Harriet Clark said that although there had been hopes for such an exhibit for some time, the pandemic and other

issues had prevented it.

Some of the pieces are from the museum itself, but many come from the private collection of museum board member Joan na Badami. The toys all date from the 1890s to the 1940s, and are predominately from the Northeastern United States, including a few from Oyster Bay.

“This is really a celebration of Joanna’s amazing collection, which is something that the pub lic would normally never get to see,” Clark said. “That’s what makes this show really special, I think — the quality of her arti facts, and the fact that she’s let ting us show them.”

The exhibit features a wide

range of toys, from classic dolls and cards to religious-themed board games, Little Red Riding Hood puzzles, pop-up books, jacks-in-the-box and more. Some of the museum’s regular pieces, including one large and elabo rate dollhouse, have been given greater prominence as well.

Dollhouses were very popular girls’ toys in the period, in part because they were seen as teach ing young women the skills they were expected to have as adults, such as dressing their children and hosting tea parties. Another prominently displayed piece is a box of Christian-inspired chil dren’s board games kept in the music parlor, which includes an

eye-catching image of the Tower of Babel.

The exhibit also has a small “play station” where children can play with less antique ver sions of the artifacts on display, including building blocks and jacks-in-the-box.

The main space for the exhib it is in the museum’s special

Laura Lane/Herald

ANGELA CIRAMI, DIRECTOR of rehabilitative services at Glen Cove Hospital, left, and Dr. Lyubov Rubin, a neuro-rehabilitation physician who leads the hospital’s Parkinson’s rehab program, said the new rehab center’s spa-like atmosphere benefits brain-injury patients.

I

t’s all relatable, and it’s very familyoriented.

JESSICA PEARL collections manager

Many pieces are from a board member’s private collection

exhibition room on the second floor, although some of the toys are displayed on the first floor as well. Jessica Pearl, the museum’s collections manager, said that the universal appeal and the shared expe rience of playing as children informed the approach the staff took when setting up the exhibit.

“Toys are so enjoyable, partly because everyone has played with them, as chil dren, as adults, whether it’s traditional toys or video games,” Pearl said. “It’s all relatable, and it’s very family-oriented.”

Although the exhibit is holidaythemed, it won’t be limited to December. Clark and Pearl said that “Toy Stories” would be a part of the museum’s regular setup until next March.

Christopher Judge, head of visitor ser vices at Raynham Hall, said that although there have been few changes to the regu lar tour to accommodate the new exhibit, the historical educators have been famil iarizing themselves with the displays and are ready to guide new visitors through them.

While the new exhibit has been open for only a few weeks, Judge said that the

museum has already had positive feed back from visitors. When eight students from the Oyster Bay Cooperative PreSchool came by, he said, the kids really enjoyed seeing the toys, and the two teach ers who accompanied were impressed with the layout.

“The children were totally absorbed by the jack-in-the-boxes,” Judge said. “The teachers told me how fascinating it was.”

Will Sheeline/Herald

Fundraiser for local youth team is a grand slam

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

Roughly 300 people lined up to enter Sapiens Physical Therapy in Oyster Bay on Nov. 29, although they weren’t there for rehabilitation or condition ing. They were there to sup port a local baseball team and to meet Daniel Vogelbach of the New York Mets.

The first baseman, former ly from the Pittsburgh Pirates, joined the Mets at the end of 2022. After a strong showing with the Mets in the second half of last season, he has quickly become a fan favorite.

Vogelbach took time out of his off-season training to stop by Oyster Bay to support the Blue Collar Bulldogs, a local youth travel team.

The Blue Collar Bulldogs is made up of 11-year olds from Oyster Bay, East Norwich, Sea Cliff, and Glen Head. They’ve been playing together for the last three years, mainly in the Tri-State Area.

The young team is preparing for a tournament in Aber deen, MD, taking place on the Fourth of July weekend in 2023. The tournament, known as The Ripken Experience, is organized every year by Carl Ripken Jr., a Hall of Fame shortstop who played for the Baltimore Orioles.

Jim Werner, one of the four Bulldogs coaches and the father of team member Colin, said he and the other fathers brainstormed ways to raise money for the team for the expenses that will be incurred for the trip. They also want ed to benefit the community.

Werner, who is also board president for the Youth & Family Counseling Agency of Oyster Bay-East Norwich, explained that their goal was to raise money for the team, while also teaching the young players the importance of community service.

“We try to instill an element of community service because they’ve always been good to us, so that goes both ways,” Werner said. “We’re always thankful to the commu nity for their support.”

Edward Kull, the father of Bulldog Lukas, is also the athletic director for Fordham University. He was able to bring some star power to the fundraiser when he enticed Vogelbach to come to Oyster Bay free of charge to sign baseball memorabilia and be photographed.

Kull’s brother-in-law, Julian Samodulski, owner of Sapi ens Physical Therapy, provided the venue for the event. He said he was happy to support his nephew’s team, especially if it gave the community a chance to meet a New York sports icon.

“We were happy to see how many people showed up to see him and also support the team,” Samodulski said. “I think it was successful on both ends, you know. People were satisfied, and the team got great exposure.”

Fans came from all over Long Island to meet Vogelbach,

with some waiting outside for nearly a half hour before Vogelbach even arrived. Andrew Garnett, a resident of East Norwich, was one of them.

“I’m a huge Mets fan. I heard about this through the Oyster-East Norwich Parents Facebook group, and I was so excited,” Garnett said. “It’s great that we also get to help a local team and meet Vogelbach.”

According to attendees, Vogelbach couldn’t have been nicer, taking photos and signing everything from baseballs to jerseys to bobbleheads.

The Bulldogs were able to reach their goal for the fund raiser, although they plan to have several more before they can afford to take the trip to Maryland. Anyone interested in donating to the team can do so using Venmo at @bull dogs-ripken.

Will Sheeline/Herald

THE LINE TO meet New York Mets first baseman Daniel Vogelbach on Nov. 29 stretched all the way down West Main Street in the hamlet..

Courtesy Jim Werner

THE BULLDOGS, INCLUDING catcher and second baseman Mateo Colacioppo, of Sea Cliff, also got the chance to get their picture taken with Vogelbach,

We try to instill an element of community service because they’ve always been good to us, so that goes both ways.

JIM WERNER Coach, Blue Collar Bulldogs

THERE WERE A wide range of Christmas goods on display at the bazaar.

Festive Christmas bazaar at Village Church

Alittle bit of Christmas magic came early to Bayville on Dec. 2 and 3, as the Village Church held a Christmas bazaar for the community. Visitors were able to buy used and new holiday decorations, as well as sample some homemade Christmas cook ies and other baked goods.

Santa Claus himself was in atten dance, ho-ho-hoing to the delight of the children.

MJ COLACINO, 5, right, enjoyed sampling a candy cane while he waited to meet Santa.

SUZI SGUEGLIA, LEFT, and Ann Albre organized the bazaar for the church and invited Santa.

Elise Dragotto/Herald photos

SHOPPERS LIKE JOANNE Gaglione were able to buy holi day toys and decorations.

HERALD SCHOOLS

Talking civics at Locust Valley High School

Locust Valley High School wel comed New York State Supreme Court Justice Timothy Driscoll and Nassau County Family Court Judge Colin O’Donnell to speak to juniors and seniors about civics and career oppor tunities on Dec. 5.

Driscoll and O’Donnell, residents of Locust Valley and Bayville respec tively, discussed freedom of speech, Miranda rights, teenage impact on voting and careers in the court sys tem. The district was happy to have these local leaders provide their expe rience and expertise to the students.

JUDGE COLIN O’DONNELL discussed the right and importance of voting with the students.

Second graders from Theodore Roos evelt Elementary School in the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School Dis trict held the Balloons Over Roosevelt Parade on Nov. 23, which served as a culmination to the STEAM project the classes had been working on and a cele bration of Thanksgiving.

Second graders read “Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Pup peteer of Macy’s Parade” by Melissa Sweet. before the parad.

They learned the true story of pup peteer Tony Sarg and how he made the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade balloons for what has become an

parade.

Second grade teachers chose a non fiction theme for the second annual parade to connect the reading and writ ing curriculum. This was a STEAM project that was a true collaboration of creativity and critical thinking for the second graders.

On the day of the parade, Theodore Roosevelt Pre-K, kindergarten and first grade students, staff and administra tors gathered outside the school to serve as spectators for the second grad ers who proudly showcased their cre ations and paraded around the school’s field.

Courtesy Locust Valley Central School District

STUDENTS ASKED THE two judges questions about careers in law and the court system.

Focus on Parkinson’s patients in new rehab unit

a hospital is doing well, it gives back to the community in new services.”

To give even more to its patients, Glen Cove spent $11 million on a new physical medicine and rehabilitation unit, which opened in November. The 15,500-squarefoot space, on the third floor, has ample room for the treatment of patients with neurological conditions, including brain injury, stroke and Parkinson’s disease. It has 28 beds, 12 of which are for Parkin son’s patients.

Patients come to the unit for an inten sive rehabilitation program to restore what they’ve lost. Ninety percent of them are from Northwell hospitals. The other 10 percent, Scanlon said, are from Memo rial Sloane Kettering and Columbia Pres byterian. The rehab center is a “destina tion center,” she said.

“Patients accepted here in our acutecare rehabilitation have physical therapy, occupation therapy and speech pathology, a minimum of three hours a day with the specialties,” Scanlon explained. “They receive therapy with nurses, and are comanaged by our physiologists and medi cal doctors.”

Two other floors of the hospital are designated for rehabilitation, but in the new unit, most of the rooms — 24 — are private. Only two others are double rooms. On the other rehab floors, three patients may share a room. The thirdfloor rooms have windows and private bathrooms, and some have couches.

“The ability to care for patients in pri vate rooms reduces the risks of infection and gives the patient the most calming, holistic environment,” Scanlon said.

The unit, although immaculate, isn’t sterile in appearance. Great care has been taken to create a spa-like atmo sphere, with soothing colors, accent mosaic tiles and unframed paintings. A simulated apartment is available for patients to practice day-to-day activities, like getting out of a bathtub or using a stove.

They also have access to two physical therapy and occupational gyms and three large rooms for private speech therapy, neuropsychology and consulta tion. There are two nursing stations, so the nurses are close to all of the patients. The main station is equipped with telem etry that provides around-the-clock mon itoring of patients’ cardiac condition.

“Equipped with cutting-edge thera

pies, the new rehabilitation unit meets the growing needs of our patient com munity with complex, high-acuity brain and neurological disorders,” Dr. Susan Maltster, chair of the hospital’s depart ment of physical medicine and rehabili tation, said.

Among the innovations is a 3D immersive virtual reality system to moti vate patients to stay engaged in rehab and focus on repetitive tasks. Patients wearing a headset with sensors interact with different virtual environments.

“It addresses patients’ performance with specific tasks, and addresses patients’ impairments,” explained Ange la Cirami, director of rehabilitative ser vices, adding that there are 32 alternative environments. “A pinball game is one environment, where the speed of the pin ball coming at you can be adjusted. Patients really enjoy using (the system), and it helps them.”

The reality system can be used to help improve a patient’s coordination, strength, ability to grab or reach, and speech.

“With all of our patients, we focus not

on their disability but help their ability,” Maltster explained. “We help them adjust to a new way of life, one with good quality.”

Dr. Lyubov Rubin, a neuro-rehabilita tion physician, leads the hospital’s Par kinson’s rehabilitation program. Thanks to a generous donation from a benefactor, Rubin has arranged for members of the Brooklyn-based Mark Morris Dance Group to teach dance classes twice a week to Parkinson’s patients. The danc ers encourage patients to combine move ment, music and creative expression, and caregivers are welcomed to join in. Patients enjoy dancing, Rubin said, but are also offered a social outlet. Parkin son’s patients often feel isolated by their disability.

The benefactor initially agreed to fund one year of classes, but after taking a class with the Parkinson patients and loving it, they extended the program for another year. And patients can continue to benefit from the program by using the CD of the class given to them when they go home.

“Research has shown that dance inter

vention helps,” Rubin said. “Music unlocks their potential. And the dancing gives people hope.”

During the Parkinson’s program, which is two-weeks in length, patients also receive physical and occupational therapy and engage in creative arts. Every patient has a different goal, which can be as simple as taking a shower alone or feeding themselves. It’s the ther apists’ job to identify those goals and help the patients accomplish them.

Parkinson’s is a progressive illness, but, Rubin said, the rehab team can help patients improve their quality of life by modifying the disease’s progression.

In addition to helping as many patients as she can, Rubin said she would like to eventually open the unit to clini cal research by Northwell experts in the field.

“What surprises me is how incredibly resilient people are,” Rubin said. “They can be incapacitated and not have walked for a year and lost hope. This team can unlock their potential. I’ve seen one patient pick up a guitar and sing, which he couldn’t do for years.”

Laura Lane/Herald

GLEN COVE HOSPITAL physical therapist

Rabia Hassan worked with a patient in the physical therapy room of the new rehab center on the third floor of the hospital.

Fulfilling the Boy Scout promise

Members of Bayville Boy Scout Troop 176 led a property clean up at the Reformed Church of Locust Valley in November. The weather was optimal for

the many scouts who came by to pitch in.

The scouts, along with some family members and church members, raked and bagged over 50 bags of leaves.

Residents cautioned phone scams on the rise

Scams have increased, particular ly those soliciting personal informa tion or monetary contribution. These scams can be performed by phone calls and text messages.

Scammers return phone num bers can also be falsified to appear as a familiar number.

Scams include offers of debt relief, credit repairs or an opportu nity to share lottery earnings. Scammers have also been known to pose as family members allegedly in trouble and seeking money.

“The last thing families need, especially during these ongoing uncertain times, is someone trying to scam them out of the hardearned money,” Councilwoman Michele Johnson said. “We alert all residents to be wary of any unsolic ited phone calls an d texts, especial

ly those requesting money or per sonal information, even if they claim to be from a government or bank entity.”

The Federal Trade Commission offers the following tips:

• Hang up the phone. Don’t press numbers to speak to a live operator to take your number off the list, this just confirms your phone num ber.

• Block any numbers from which you have received scam calls or texts.

• Don’t trust your caller ID. Scam mers use the internet to make calls all over the world.

• Report an experience with a scammer to the FTC online or by calling (877) 382-4357. Visit www.ftc. gov for more information.

S H O P L O C A L

BAYVILLE BOY SCOUTS from Troop 176 helped the Reformed Church of Locust Valley by raking the leaves on the grounds of the church.

Clavin, Khzouz, Richner honored at gala

Money raised will help Nassau Community College feed the hungry

By ANDRE SILVA asilva@liherald.com

It was a night to remember, and a night to recognize the people and businesses that help make Nassau Community College what it is.

It was the annual gala of the Nassau Community College Foundation, taking place not far from the campus at the Cra dle of Aviation Museum in Garden City.

Among those honored were Hemp stead town supervisor Don Clavin, NICE Bus chief executive Jack Khzouz, NCC administrator Charmian Smith, and Richner Communications, the parent company of Herald Commu nity Newspa pers.

community, and our families.

ChARmIAN SmITh interim VP, academic student services, NCC

Adorned in their best suits, ties and dresses, guests were immediately offered cham pagne and given a chance to pose for photos in front of a red carpet display. From there, it was a tour of the model planes and his toric aviation displays before being invited to sit at their respective tables in the main dining room.

Leading the night off was Donna Drake of her self-titled inspirational tele vision show introducing guests like Joy Dedonato, an NCC alum, and executive director of the NCC Foundation.

“I’ll never forget the people I met and the values I learned at Nassau Communi ty College,” Dedonato said. “This place taught me to hit the wall, where you can not go further, and then go further any way.”

NCC president Maria Conzatti then introduced the honorees, selected for their support. Like Clavin and Richner Communications, both of which publi cize important notices to students, while also providing advertising and market ing.

Clavin, in fact, is a staunch supporter of the college, Conzatti said, thanking him for what he has done as an elected official. Like helping to organize The Nest at NCC — a non-profit organization that aims to alleviate hunger for stu dents, employees and their families.

“Some people say it takes a village to raise a child,” Conzatti said. “And were proud that this village raised so many students who come back to support our college.”

Baldwin’s Charmian Smith is NCC’s interim vice president of academic stu dent services, telling the crowd she was honored to know her colleagues recog nized her in such a way.

“This gala helps to bring us all togeth

er after the years of the Covid-19 pan demic,” she said. “It’s a great time to cel ebrate each other, our accomplishments, the community, and our families.”

Clavin is an NCC alum, and has count ed some of the professors there as actual members of his family.

“So many of my friends started their lives at this institution,” the town super visor said. “To be recognized is just hum bling.”

Stuart Richner talked about the importance of providing well-rounded learning experiences.

“Educating young adults takes a team of professionals and advisers, which we understand,” the Herald Community

Newspapers publisher said. “Here at Richner, we work as a team to pro vide hyperlocal news to our commu nities.”

Khzouz described his being hon ored by the foundation “amazing.” NICE Bus employs more than 1,000 people, transporting more than 70,000 each day in 450 vehicles. That’s more than a million miles a month.

“We have a mission, which we live every day,” Khzouz said. “That mission is to make sure our bus services are an asset to Nassau County institutions and its citizens.”

And now NICE is celebrating 10 years

in Nassau County.

“We use large complex vehicles to drive through Nassau County and Queens at peak rush hour with impatient New Yorkers. What could go wrong?”

Khzouz joked. “Yet, we prevail anyway.”

Proceeds from the gala will help The Nest at NCC food pantry. To make a dona tion, too, visit tinyurl.com/GiveNCC.

Tim Baker/Herald photos

ThE NASSAu CommuNITy College Foundation honored Hempstead town supervisor Don Clavin, NICE Bus chief executive Jack Khzouz, NCC administrator Charmian Smith, and Richner Communications, parent company of Herald Community Newspapers, during a fundraising gala last week.

mARIA CoNzATTI, pRESIDENT of Nassau Community College, honored Baldwin’s Charmian Smith during the Nassau Community College Foundation Gala last week.

SuppoRTERS AND INVITED guests gathered to celebrate four honorees at the Nassau Community College Foundation’s annual gala last week at the Cradle of Aviation Museum.

It’s a great time to celebrate each other, our accomplishments, the

STEPPING OUT

Neil deGrasse Tyson

The festive tradition continues to delight arrives on

By Karen Bloom

local stages

How real is what you’re seeing up on the big screen? Astrophysicistlecturer Neil deGrasse Tyson knows and he’ll clue us in, separating fact from fiction — in a new installment of ‘An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies: The Sequel.’ Derived from yet another set of 30 films/television shows that range from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ to ‘Mary Poppins’ to ‘Game of Thrones’ to ‘Harry Potter’ to ‘The Lion King,’ this lecture is an entertaining and enlightening review of all the science that our favorite entertainment got wrong, combined with some of the stuff they got right. This lecture also incorporates the latest films as well as some classics that you may not have known had any science in them at all.

Friday, Dec. 9, 8 p.m. $250 (VIP), $100, $75, $50. $250 VIP ticket includes a post-show Q&A. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post, Route 25A, Brookville. (516) 299-3100, or TillesCenter.org.

New York

offers its 40th season of the holiday classic, presented in the style of the legendary George Balanchine, on the John Cranford Adams Playhouse stage at Hofstra University.

The dance theatre closely follows the Balanchine tradition — from storyline through choreography, as well as sets and costumes. It is the largest production on Long Island, according to new artistic director, — and dance theatre alum Nicole Loizides Albruzzese.

The dance theatre’s version keeps to the tone set by company founder Frank Ohman, which remains true to the spirit of New York City Ballet’s Lincoln Center production. As a former student and New York City Ballet soloist under George Balanchine, Ohman was one of a select few authorized to use the original pas de deux choreography of his mentor, which continues to distinguish this production.

Through the years, Ohman created original dances and scenes to enhance Balanchine’s iconic vision. Now Albruzzese — who was a student at the dance theatre’s Ohman School of Ballet under Ohman and performed most of the children’s roles in “The Nutcracker” during her time there — returns as a professional dancer in the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy before her international dance career, follows in her mentor’s footsteps in keeping to the Balanchine standard.

Special guest artists New York City Ballet principal dancers Indiana Woodward and Daniel Ulbricht take on the roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, joining a cast of Ohman School students to bring the holiday classic to the stage.

With the elegant Christmas party scene, the battle of the toy soldiers and giant mice, the intense snow storm, and elaborate dancing in the Land of the Sweets, this “Nutcracker” is sparkling treat that maintains its enduring appeal.

Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-18, noon and 5 p.m. $42, $32 seniors and children 12 and younger. Hofstra University, John Cranford Adams Playouse, Hempstead. For tickets, call (631) 462-0964, or visit OhmanBallet.org.

Curry’s interpretation at Tilles Center stars New York City Ballet soloist Miriam Miller as the Sugar Plum Fairy and New York City Ballet principal Tyler Angle as her Cavalier. Also of note, Fox Weather meteorologist (and Instagram and TikTok sensation) Nick Kosir joins the cast of more than 60 students and professional dancers as Dr. Stahlbaum, Clara’s father.

The Park Avenue Chamber Symphony, under the baton of maestro David Bernard, performs Tchaikovsky’s glorious score.

“This year, I’ve taken some elements and changed them to keep the production fresh,” Curry says. “Our professional dancers, along with our incredibly talented academy students, have accepted the challenge of these new variations and character developments. I’ve enriched the production with more theatricality and many new dramatic elements.

“Having our guest artists from New York City Ballet and the wonderful Nick Kosir is like having a very sweet cherry on top of an already decadent sundae.”

Company member Briana Laman dances the role of Clara, with fellow company member Ryan Cavaline as Nutcracker Prince. For this production, Curry has reinterpreted the central first act pas de deux in the prelude to Waltz of the Snowflakes (usually danced by a Snow Queen and a Snow King) for Clara and the Nutcracker Prince.

“Having this pas de deux danced by these two characters intensifies the connection between the two,” he says. “We see the arc of their relationship and gives the opportunity for Clara’s dream to have a more poignant and personal effect on our audiences.”

Saturday, Dec. 17, 1 and 6 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 18, 2 p.m. Tickets are $89, $69, $59, $49. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, LIU Post, Route 25A, Brookville. For tickets, call (516) 299-3100 or visit TillesCenter.org or EglevskyBallet.org.

Kenny G’s

The Miracles Holiday & Hits

Ring in the holiday season with smooth jazz saxophonist Kenny G. The crossover jazz icon has enjoyed phenomenal success across the pop, jazz and R&B charts for more than three decades. Known for his lyrical and emotive style, his music has garnered a devoted fan base and made him one of the biggest-selling instrumentalists of all-time. The sound of his sax is as iconic as his curly coif. Indeed, both are instantly recognizable. Expect an evening filled with a festive spirit and contemporary classics. A reprise of last year’s successful outing,’The Miracles Holiday & Hits Tour’ features a mix of holiday hits and fan favorites infused with his captivating and distinctive blending of genres. The tour follows the release of his 19th studio album, ‘New Standards,’ and the acclaimed HBO documentary ‘Listening to Kenny G.’

Thursday, Dec. 15, 8 p.m.

NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road., Westbury. TheTheatreAtWestbury.com or LiveNation.com, or (516) 247-5200.

New York Dance Theatre’s ‘The Nutcracker’

Dance Theatre

Those sugar plum fairies and various figments of a young girl’s imagination come alive this month. The beloved holiday confection never goes out of style.

Courtesy New York Dance Theatre

Photo: Clara is enchanted with her nutcracker in the party that opens the ballet.

Eglevsky Ballet’s innovative ‘The Nutcracker’ Long Island’s professional dance company is known for its inventive staging of Clara’s delightful journey, featuring additional choreography by Executive Artistic Director Maurice Brandon Curry.

Courtesy Eglevsky Ballet

Photo: The enchanting snow scene is a shimmering showstopper.

THE SCENE

Shrek The Musical

See the uplifting tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey, presented by Nassau Community College Theater Department, now through Sunday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. All the beloved characters you know from the film are brought to life on stage for an incredible adventure that includes a wisecracking donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand — and that’s Shrek, of course. Nassau Community College’s Mainstage Theatre, Garden City. Tickets $18; NCC students free with valid ID; $15, veterans, alumni, seniors 60+, students and NCC employees. For tickets/information, visit NCC.edu or call (516) 572-7676.

Christmas Tree of Lights celebration

Mercy Medical Center Council of Leagues invites the community to its annual Christmas Tree of Lights celebration, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 5:30 p.m. Enjoy some of your favorite holiday songs sung by Mercy’s carolers and refreshments. The festivities take place in front of the hospital, 1000 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre. Proceeds from the event will support the Endowment for Nursing Leadership and Education at Mercy Hospital. For information visit CHSLI.org/mercy-hospital.

Christmas luncheon

The Women’s Club of Glen Cove hosts its annual Christmas Luncheon, Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 11:30 a.m. The event, at The View Grill, 111 Lattingtown Road, in Glen Cove, includes live entertainment, goody baskets and a 50/50 drawing. Reservations are required. Contact Yvette Menezes at (516) 673-1061 for more details.

Holiday Variety Show

The North Shore Village Theatre presents their third annual Holiday Variety Show, Saturday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m., at the Glenwood Life Center, 71 Grove Street, Glenwood Landing. Tickets can be purchased on NsVillageTheatre.com.

Holiday fun

Visit the streets of 19th century London during the darkest days of the year, in this adaption of the classic “A Christmas Carol,” with the Experiential Theater Company, Thursday and Friday, Dec. 8-9, 10:15 a.m. and noon; Sunday, Dec. 11, 2 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 14-15, 10:15 a.m. and noon, on the Long Island Children’s Museum stage. Meet the Cratchit family, Mr. Scrooge, and the ghosts of past, present and future in this interactive show that weaves together music, humor, puppetry and collaboration. Celebrate the change of seasons through this beloved literary tale. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 2245800 or LICM.org.

Having an event?

Sugar Plum Ball/ Galactic Gala

Bring the kids to celebrate the season at festivities hosted by the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Sunday, Dec.11, noon-4 p.m., at the Chateau Briand in Carle Place.

Kids ages 4-12, accompanied by their adult guest (Mom, Dad, grandparent, etc.), will enjoy a unique party featuring food, fun and some special guests including princesses, fairies and visitors from a Galaxy Far Far Away. With lunch, DJ, magic show, dancing, raffles, games, photo ops, and more. Cost is $75 per child, $100 per adult.

Advance reservation only. All proceeds benefit CP Nassau. Register online at CPNassau.org or call CP Nassau at (516) 3782000 ext 651.

Items on The Scene page are listed free of charge. The Herald welcomes listings of upcoming events, community meetings and items of public interest. All submissions should include date, time and location of the event, cost, and a contact name and phone number. Submissions can be emailed to thescene@liherald.com.

LI Warriors Sock Hockey Clinic

Add some skills to your sock skating game with members of the LI Warriors recreational hockey league at Long Island Children’s Museum, Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m.-noon. Learn about stick handling and passing as you master wrist and slap shots on the LICM “ice” in a hockey clinic for ages 3 and up. Long Island Children’s Museum, Museum Row, Garden City. (516) 224-5800 or LICM.org.

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.

All about Beethoven

Locust Valley Library offers a Zoom presentation on Ludwig van Beethoven, with A to G Music, Inc., Tuesday, Dec. 13, 6:30 p.m. Examine the composer’s impact on the course of music history and how he still influences the world today. For more information, call (516) 671-1837 or email mvinas@ locustvalleylibrary.org.

Matinee time

Join crafty Jack Frost on a magical, musical winter adventure, in Plaza Theatrical’s production, Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m.; Sunday, Dec. 12, noon. The story, narrated by the groundhog Pardon-Me-Pete, tells about the immortal winter sprite, who falls in love with a human girl named Elisa after rescuing her. Tickets are $15. Bring the kids to the Plaza stage at The Showplace at Bellmore Movies, 222 Pettit Ave., Bellmore. For tickets, call (516) 599-6870 or visit PlazaTheatrical.com.

Guardian Angel hosts its 10th Giving Tree

By WILL SHEELINE wsheeline@liherald.com

As the holiday season kicks off, mil lions of American families are beginning to plan which presents to get for their loved ones. The nonprofit Guardian Angel Family Crisis Center, in Sea Cliff, is ask ing North Shore residents to consider extending their shopping lists to include their neighbors in need.

This marks roughly the 10th year that Guardian Angel has hosted its Giving Tree, a Christmas tree set up in the store with cards written by local children in need listing a small gift that they would like this year. People visiting the store are encouraged to take a card and be Santa Claus for one of the children.

Barbara Costello, director of Guardian Angel, explained that by engaging the community to help their neighbors in need, the nonprofit hopes to not just help residents, but foster a sense of support and camaraderie in the area.

“Guardian Angel’s very much about raising awareness of the needs of our community,” Costello said. “The really beautiful thing is that we have recipients who have been taking on the same kids year after year, to the point where they basically become part of each other’s families in a way.”

Guardian Angel began 13 years ago, with the vision of raising awareness for the needs of community members and

reaching out to high-risk individuals. It works with single mothers and their chil dren facing financial difficulties.

Throughout the year, the organization provides a wide range of services for

community members, from clothing and toy donations to English language classes for local students who speak it as a sec ond language.

Guardian Angel also works very hard

to reduce the stigma of going to a non profit for help. By promoting a friendly, caring, community-oriented atmosphere, she and her fellow volunteers emphasize that they’re not getting “handouts,” but instead showing people how much their neighbors support and care for them.

Jennifer Marshall, a volunteer at Guardian Angel, explained the impor tance the gifts had to families in need, not just as toys or clothes, but as symbols of the holiday spirit of giving back and the community spirit of caring for neighbors.

“It’s such a good opportunity for the community to get essential items at unbelievable prices,” Marshall said, “and also shows us how we can service the people in the community who are really in need.”

On Christmas morning, Santa Claus himself makes a special stop at the store to the delight of the children. For many mothers, such as Maria of Glen Cove, this event really brings the magic of Christmas alive for the children.

“The Giving Tree at the Guardian Angel Family Store makes my boys so happy at Christmas. First they visit Santa in the store and have a picture with him, then Santa gives them the presents,” she said. “They are so excited Christmas morning when they open the present and it is what they wanted.”

For further information on Guardian Angel, call (516) 277-1068.

Courtesy Guardian Angel

EVELYN, 5, IS one of dozens of children who have received gifts through the Giving Tree program over the past decade at Sea Cliff’s Guardian Angel Family Crisis Center.

OBITUARIES

Woodrow J. Elmore

LEGAL NOTICE

Schedule of 2023 meetings of the Oyster Bay Sewer District to be held every Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. (unless otherwise noted), at the District’s office at 15 Bay Avenue, Oyster Bay, NY 11771.

JANUARY 4 JULY 5 11 12 18 19 25 26

FEBRUARY 1 AUGUST 2 8 9 15 16 22 23 30

MARCH 1 SEPTEMBER 6 8 13 15 20 22 27 29

APRIL 5 OCTOBER 4 12 11 19 18 26 25 MAY 3 NOVEMBER 1 10 8 17 15 24 21 (Tuesday) 31 29 JUNE 7 DECEMBER 6 14 13 21 20 28 27 135832

LEGAL NOTICE

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

JERICHO WATER DISTRICT

1,4-DIOXANE AND PFOA TREATMENT AT WELL 22

CONTRACT C12-22RGENERAL CONSTRUCTION-REBID

Sealed Bids for Contract Nos. C12-22R - General Construction-REBID, for 1,4-Dioxane and PFOA Treatment at Well 22 will be received by the Jericho Water District office, located at 125 Convent Road, Syosset, New York, no later than 9:00 a.m. (Local Time), on Friday, January 6, 2023, and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud. COVID-19 protocols will be in effect.

This project consists of three separate contracts for compliance with Wicks Law and generally consists of the demolition of all structures on the site and construction of a new well building including a new well, advanced oxidation process and granular activated carbon vessels and piping, valves, chemical treatment, standby generator, and all appurtenances and accessories as shown on the Drawings and specified herein. The work also includes the rehabilitation and cleaning of an existing well at the site, power, controls, SCADA, all wiring and devices, site paving and restoration, and other utility work as shown and called for in conformance with the Contract Documents.

Contractors shall comply with all NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation (NYS EFC), Minority/Women’s Business Enterprise (M/WBE) and ServiceDisabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB) Program requirements as well as all applicable Village, County, State and

Federal Laws and Regulations.

The Contract Documents, consisting of Advertisement for Bids, Instructions to Bidders, Bidder’s Checklist, Bid, Bid Bond, Statement of Surety’s Intent, Agreement, General Conditions, Supplementary Conditions, EFC Terms and Conditions, Payment Bond, Performance Bond, Maintenance Bond, Drawings, Specifications and Addenda may be examined at the following locations:

Jericho Water District 125 Convent Road Syosset, NY 11791

D&B Engineers and Architects, D.P.C. 330 Crossways Park Drive Woodbury, NY 11797-2015

Complete digital sets of Bidding Documents, drawings and specifications, will be available on Friday, December 9, 2022, and may be obtained online as a download at the following website: dbea.biddyhq.com under ‘public projects.’ Neither Owner nor Engineer will be responsible for full or partial sets of the Contract Documents, including Addenda if any, obtained from sources other than the issuing office. All bidders must obtain a set of the Contract Documents and All Addenda.

No formal pre-bid meeting will be held. Please see Instructions to Bidders section for details.

Complete sets of Bidding Documents, Drawings and Specifications, may be obtained from REVplans, 28 Church Street, Warwick, New York 10990, Tel: 1 877-272-0216, as a download upon payment of a $100.00 non-

refundable bid fee. Any bidder requiring hard copies of the documents shall make arrangements directly with REV and pay for all reproduction, packaging and shipping costs.

Each Bid must be accompanied by a certified or bank cashier’s check made payable to OWNER, or a Bid Bond issued by a surety licensed to conduct business in the state where the Project is located and having a Best Rating of A- or better from A.M. Best Company and named in the current list of “Companies Holding Certificates of Authority as Sureties on Federal Bonds and as Acceptable Reinsuring Companies” as published in Circular 570 (amended) by the Financial Management Service, Surety Bond Branch, U.S. Department of the Treasury, in an amount not less than 5% of the amount of the Bid submitted. The list may be ordered from the Government Printing Office Bookstore, 26 Federal Plaza, Room 110, New York, NY 10278, (212) 264-3825.

This project is to be funded in whole or in part using funds from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (NYSEFC). All projects funded by the NYSEFC must conform to the goals stated in NYS Executive Law - Article 15-A. The Contractor will agree to make documented “good faith efforts” to utilize a combined goal of 30% Minority Business Enterprise(s) and Women’s Business Enterprise(s) for this project; and a 6% Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business goal. Each Bidder must complete and submit with their bid the “Iranian Investment Activities Certification” provided in the Bid Form in compliance with General Municipal Law 103-g, Iranian Energy Sector Divestment.

Each Bidder must complete and submit with their Bid the “Certification of Compliance with New York State Labor Law Section Two Hundred One-G” provided in the Bid Form regarding the implementation of a written policy addressing sexual harassment prevention in the workplace.

The Bidder to whom the OWNER proposes to award the Contract will be required to furnish performance and payment bonds and the necessary insurance certificates as prescribed in the General Conditions and the Supplementary Conditions upon the execution of the Agreement within ten

(10) days of the Notice of Award.

Bidders are required to execute a non-collusive bidding certification required by Section 103-d of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York.

The attention of Bidders is particularly called to the requirements as to the conditions of employment to be observed and the minimum wage rates to be paid under the contracts.

Bidders are also required to comply with the antidiscrimination provisions of Sections 290-301 of the Executive Law of the State of New York.

The OWNER reserves the right to reject any or all of the Bids received, to readvertise for Bids, to abandon the project, to waive any or all informalities in any Bid received and to accept any proposal which the OWNER decides to be for the best interest of the OWNER.

A public meeting may also be held at the time and place noted above wherein the District will conduct such regular and other business which is properly brought before the Board of Commissioners. In response to the concerns relative to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Board of Commissioners reserves the right to hold Board Meetings via a phoneconferencing platform pursuant to Chapter 417 of the NYS Laws of 2021.

For up-to-date information, please visit the District’s website, www.jerichowater.org.

Bidders may hand deliver bids to the District’s Headquarters, if desired, or via mail or other courier service. Directions for on-site hand delivery of bids will be posted on the front door on the day of the bid opening. If community COVID transmission rates are high, and the Commissioners close the bid opening to the public, all vendors who requested bid packages will be notified. The Bid Totals for each submitted Bid will be posted on the District’s website immediately following the bid opening.

Note: All questions must be submitted, in writing, to Benjamin Giese, no later than 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. Questions must be sent via email to bgiese@db-eng.com.

Board of Commissioners Jericho Water District Date: December 9, 2022

By:James Asmus, Secretary 135834

Search for notices online at: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME:King & Marie Properties, LLC.

Woodrow J. Elmore, 77, of Bayville, died on Nov. 25. Beloved brother of Jessie and Zora Ann, devoted best friend of Liz DeFreitas. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. Visiting was held at Oyster Bay Funeral Home, while the funeral service took place on at Holy Rood Cemetery.

Marian Lakser

Marian Lakser, 72, of Bayville, died on Nov. 24. Formerly of Roslyn, he was the beloved father of Shira and Jonathan. Also survived by many loving relatives and friends. The service was held at the Oyster Bay Funeral Home.

Sylvia Prior

Sylvia Prior, 96, formerly of Greenva le and Old Brookville, died on Oct. 6, 2022, after a short bout of Covid-related pneumonia. Prior gave explicit instruc tions to her grandkids, told funny fami ly stories and listened to her favorite music as she ended her medical treat ment and then died peacefully.

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

She was born on Feb. 21, 1926 to Isidore and Frances (Dolins) Seifer, attended Hofstra University at 16 and got her master’s in social work at CUNY later in life. She worked as a school social worker and then for more than 20 years as a case manager at United Cere bral Palsy of Queens.

Prior was a competitive tennis player and fan throughout her life, an ardent bridge player, politics junkie, lifelong learner, lover of fashion, advocate for her clients, social justice and Israel, the atergoer, excellent cook, avid grammari an and reader, and an adventurous trav eler.

She was predeceased by her husband, Mayer (Mac) Prior in 2008 after 62 years of marriage and raising their family in Greenvale and Old Brookville. She was the mother of Charlie, Eddie (Lucy Chou) and Ellen (Mark Morganelli), grandmother of Laura Mellen, Ilana Redmond, Daniel Prior, and Ian and Jaren Morganelli.

Prior was the great-grandmother of Benjamin, Tessa, Gogo, Harry and Ollie Mac. She was committed to and adored her family and was a beloved cousin, friend, and colleague. Her love of curi osity, optimism and humor will be terri bly missed.

Prior donated her body to research at Einstein Medical School. Donations in her memory can be made to the Holo caust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County or Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Holiday Stroll by the Bay in the hamlet

hayrides, food, firepits, and a visit from Santa. The event was organized by the Oyster Bay Main Street Associ ation.

Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York, (SSNY) on 08/29/ 2022. NY Office location: Nassau County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a

copy of the process to:260 Madison Ave 8th Floor, New York, NY 10016

Purpose: To engage in any lawful act or activity. 135614

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

publication

online.

search by publication name, go to: www.newyorkpublicnotices.com

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To Place A Notice Call 516-569-4000 x232

PUBLIC AND LEGAL NOTICES…

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

TO PLACE AN AD CALL

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The Oyster Bay Market and holi day tree lighting is this Saturday with festivities at noon on Audrey Avenue until 5 p.m. There will be ice skating,

Elisa Dragotto/Herald SATURDAY’S HOLIDAY TREE lighting will include firepits on Audrey Avenue.

Are you raising a grandchild, young relative or child of a family friend in the absence of the biological parents? Then you’re a Kinship Caregiver!

Want to keep your family healthy and safe?

NYS Kinship Navigator provides information, referral and assistance with financial needs, legal options, school enrollment, kinship law and other resources. Help is just a phone call away.

Want to keep your family healthy and safe?

NYS

a phone call away.

877-454-6463

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TTY: NY Relay 711 or 1-800-421-1220

NYS Kinship Navigator can help. nysnavigator.org

NYS

NYS Kinship Navigator can help. nysnavigator.org

NYS Kinship Navigator provides information, referral and assistance with financial needs, legal options, school enrollment, kinship law and other resources. Help is just a phone call away.

TTY: NY Relay 711 or 1-800-421-1220

877-454-6463

877-454-6463

TTY: NY Relay 711 or 1-800-421-1220

NYS Kinship Navigator can help. nysnavigator.org 1194471

877-454-6463

TTY: NY Relay 711 or 1-800-421-1220

TTY: NY Relay 711 or 1-800-421-1220

NYS Kinship Navigator can help. nysnavigator.org 1194471

OPINIONS

Facing life — and death — with peace and love

John Casciani died last weekend. You don’t know him, but trust me, he wouldn’t want anyone to fuss over him. He came into this world quietly 88 years ago, and I’m sure would prefer the same exit now.

But you can’t have such a profound effect on someone’s life — to the point that you almost single-handedly changed it for the better — and expect them to experience your passing as an afterthought.

Casciani doesn’t deserve to be remem bered, but because I simply don’t know how to express my sadness that someone who touched and transformed so many lives as a teacher over the years no longer shares the same plane of existence we do.

with “peace and love” — something you always felt around him. Peace and love.

I can usually write a column like this practically in my sleep, but nothing seemed right to honor this man who did so much for everyone, yet didn’t want anyone to notice.

So, that’s what I did. I cried. Tears of sadness. Tears of happy memories. Tears of who I am. Tears of what I might have been if it weren’t for Mr. Casciani.

MICHAEL HINMAN

Writing isn’t just a profession for me. It’s how I cope. And the moment I learned of Mr. Casciani’s passing, I put pen to paper, sharing an anecdote from the very first time I met this fascinating chemistry teacher and photography club adviser from my high school days, and how he introduced me to the magical world of the darkroom.

I talked about the value of teachers, who are key to our self-discovery of who we are. I even shared Mr. Casciani’s way of making even the most mundane interest ing, like when he would wager his chemis try classes he could drink a glass of boiling water — and then actually do it.

But the moment I typed the final words of that piece, I closed the document and then dumped it in the trash. Not that Mr.

I was going through a bad time when I first met Mr. Casciani. We all remember being teenagers, and few of us can say it was easy. But Mr. Casciani truly changed my life. Not just teaching me the skills that helped me land my first newspaper job — the fact that I could devel op my own film and print my own pictures helped get me through the door of a daily newspaper when I was still in high school — but being someone who taught me it was OK to be fascinated by the world around us. That we shouldn’t be ashamed of that sense of wonder.

Yet I simply couldn’t find the words to express any of that. Outside of a few Face book interactions, I hadn’t had a direct conversation with Mr. Casciani since I graduated from high school in the early 1990s. But he would occasionally send me a note, usually asking me to help him remember some details about projects we worked on — like our school’s television program in the days when creating televi sion at the high school level wasn’t so easy to pull off — so he could reminisce.

He would sign each of those messages

But then I remembered something else Mr. Casciani taught me. Strength doesn’t come from not needing to ask for help — it comes from seeking help when you need it. Something pride inter feres with all too often.

So, I sought that strength inside of me and asked for help. Marcie Schellhammer is the assistant managing editor of the Bradford Era in north-central Pennsylvania, about 30 miles from where I grew up. She’s written so many beautiful columns about people that I cite her work to my own reporters when we need examples of the best way to honor people with our words.

I did everything I was supposed to do. I shared a favorite memory, and how what I learned from it changed my life. I shared the moment my eyes opened, and even talked about how Mr. Casciani helped mold me into the man I am now. But it still wasn’t working.

“That’s because you wrote it to write a column,” Marcie told me. “You didn’t write it with your heart. At least that’s my pro cess. I can’t write a memorial column with out crying.”

As always, Marcie was right. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized I couldn’t take the traditional approach in honoring Mr. Casciani. I can scream from the hilltops how important our educators are — and they indeed are. But the truest way to honor a man like Mr. Casciani is to put what he taught me into practice.

To admit when I’m struggling. To face it. To seek out help. And to never, ever be ashamed of it. I joke from time to time that Mr. Casciani would tell me the skills I was learning in the darkroom would be skills that would help me the rest of my life. And then, in my mid-20s, darkrooms went extinct in the shadow of digital pho tography.

But that has changed my life. I haven’t stepped inside a darkroom in about two decades, but the skills I learned there opened the doors at the beginning of my career that allowed me to sit here and write these words today. And for that, I will be forever grateful to Mr. Casciani.

We all have a Mr. Casciani in our lives. And we can never thank them enough for making the impact they did. So, if you can still thank them, please take a moment and do it now.

Peace and love.

Michael Hinman is executive editor of the Herald Community Newspapers. Com ments? Execeditor@liherald.com.

No, Gwyneth, I will not buy your face cream

In this season of marathon shopping, I started wondering why I buy what I buy. There are millions of choices when it comes to our cosmetics and cars and food and OTC meds and clothing and shoes and TV series and movies and furnishings and technology, and travel and education.

So why do I scan the shelves and pick out one sneaker among the many sports shoes for sale?

celebrity flogs a product, my avoidance mode kicks in. I love Matthew McCo naughey, but I’m not buying a Lincoln because he looks dreamy sitting behind the wheel in the TV commercials. I am not buy ing Gwyneth Paltrow’s skin cream thinking it will make me look like her.

does she know about shoes or me or the value of her product? As for the Kardashi ans, well, how much time do you have? Who are they, exactly, and how many of them are in the public eye, and what is their skill set?

ing crosses, and stigmata. After an outcry from religious groups, Pepsi canceled its ad.

My friends are my greatest influencers. I buy what they tell me to buy; I watch the TV that they suggest; I read the books they send my way.

I mean, why would I buy a Dior product because Charl ize Theron is their public face? She’s a gorgeous 8-foottall South African beauty. My life, inside this body of mine, bears no resemblance to her existence. Dior face cream will not help. I resist.

They endorse various hair products, and I imagine their pitch is to young people, but why? They are the most famous people who are famous just for being famous.

I also take seriously consumer reviews from reliable websites. I have found new doctors by reading online reviews.

We think we have the power of choice, but we are bedazzled by influ encers. Psycholo gists say that we are especially moti vated by celebrity endorsements that suggest we can acquire good looks, wealth, friends and celebrity itself by buying the car that George Clooney drives or wearing the ath letic shoes that Selena Gomez wears or drinking the Coke that LeBron James, Penelope Cruz or Michelle Kwan drinks. Various media put enormous money into advertising campaigns that feature celebrities touting their products. For me, it’s a waste of their time and money. When a

RANDI KREISS

I’m crazy about Reese Witherspoon and I love Crate & Barrel products, but I’m not buying a new couch because she’s their “brand ambassador.”

I can’t argue that celebrity endorsements don’t work, because apparently they pay off big time, or companies wouldn’t seek out famous people to push their products. I just don’t think it works for me, and I would urge others to look at their prospective pur chases in a clear-eyed way, setting aside the celebrity glam factor.

Drew Barrymore has associated herself with Crocs. What the heck? Should I buy a clutzy shoe because she tells me to? What

Epic flops and scandals have haunted the celebrity endorsement industry. Kanye West recently unraveled with his nonstop antisemitic rants. He lost Adidas, Balen ciaga, Foot Locker, Gap, and others. Michael Phelps was dropped by Kellogg’s years ago, after a photo circulated of him smoking marijuana. Today, with a net worth of some $80 million, he can boast associations with Intel, Sub way, Under Armor, Beats and Visa. The weed factor is passe.

Years back, according to E-News, Madon na landed a one-year contract as the celebri ty spokesperson for Pepsi. A two-minute family-friendly ad premiered wherein the singer revisited her eighth birthday. But the next day, Madonna’s video for “Like a Prayer” debuted. The video featured burn

I have one friend whom I love who has mysterious powers over my purchasing decisions. When we’re together, we some times shop. I find myself buying what she tells me to buy — even the outsized blouse with a geometric print that makes my eyes burn. Sometimes there’s a pricey item I don’t need, but if she tells me I need it, boom, it’s in the shopping bag. I don’t know what it is. My only defense is not to go shop ping with her too often. Because if she tells me I need the striped balloon pants in neon green, it’s circus time for me.

As we go about our Christmas and Hanukkah shopping, it might be wise to consider who is influencing our purchases. One of the oldest and longest-running celeb rity endorsements was launched by Jell-O in the early 1970s, when they hired a 37-yearold actor named Bill Cosby. Presumably JellO has wiggled onward without him.

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

I can’t argue that celebrity endorsements don’t work. Apparently they pay off big time.

W e all have a Mr. Casciani in our lives, and we can never thank them enough.

Roosevelt’s address to the nation, Dec. 8, 1941

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speak er, members of the Senate, and of the House of Repre sentatives:

Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliber ately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation, and at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor, looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japa nese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our secre tary of state a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese gov

ernment has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false state ments and expressions of hope for con tinued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many Ameri can lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported tor pedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine islands.

Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area.

The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the impli

cations to the very life and safety of our nation.

As commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all mea sures be taken for our defense. But always, will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us?

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute vic tory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend our selves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

LETTERS

Taking the air out of balloon releases

To the Editor: Thank you to Senior Reporter Jordan Vallone for her well-written piece, “Balloon Mission is up and away: Planning initial projects, nonprofit sets tone for future” (Bell more and Merrick Heralds, Dec. 1-7, liherald.com/merrick/stories/bal loon-mission-is-up-and-away, 152602). And bravo to Cynthia Sei bold, of North Merrick, for using the pandemic to start a nonprofit group, Balloon Mission, committed to stopping the inane practice of releasing balloons into the environ ment as a form of celebration.

Balloons are made of rubber, latex or nylon fabric, which does not break down easily — a polyure thane balloon can take up to 450 years to decompose, according to the University of Melbourne. In the wild, balloons get caught in trees and underbrush, where they are shredded by branches. Over time, they appear to disintegrate, but what is really happening is the bal loons are further breaking down

into microplastics, which then become ingrained in soil and water systems. From there, they are ingest ed by animals and marine creatures — and then by we humans at the top of the food chain. In 2019, the Town of Southampton passed a law

banning the intentional release of balloons — with a fine of $350 or imprisonment for up to 15 days for a first offense. Subsequent offenses would receive harsher penalties. The Town of Hempstead has a similar ordinance on the books, also passed in 2019,

OPINIONS

The red wave that wasn’t, and the crime wave that isn’t

Despite expectations, Republi cans ended up underperform ing on Nov. 8. Although Republi cans narrowly captured the House, Democrats kept the Senate and even managed to flip multiple state cham bers blue, including capturing the gover nor’s office in Arizona, of all places.

ing on the good people of Nassau County. For their part, the Democrats, as usual, were yet again unable to show a spine and attack the Republican narrative. But at any rate, it seems the Republican assault on our collective psyche was successful.

your chances of being a victim of grand larceny are? About 0.002 percent.

So what can we do?

MATTHEW ADARICHEV

Peculiarly, however, Republicans had one of their best nights in none other than the deep-blue Demo cratic stronghold of New York. They flipped a stagger ing one-fifth of all Democratic con gressional seats here, and nearly unseated Demo cratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.

How did they pull it off? Fear of crime. While in most of the nation, inflation and preserving democracy were the top two issues, poll ing from New York City in May showed that the No. 1 issue on people’s minds was crime — and it wasn’t even close.

Leading up to the election, the Republi cans unleashed a barrage of fear-monger

LETTERS

There’s just one problem. There’s no actual crime wave.

It’s completely normal to be worried about crime; we all deserve to be safe in our neighborhoods. But the facts just don’t bear it out. Did you know that the num bers of murders, rapes and sexual crimes have all gone down this year compared with last, according to offi cial Nassau County Police Department data? Surpris ing, I know. And all things considered, we’re actually in one of the safest periods ever in our county.

There have been increases in crime, but they’ve been related to property, not violent crimes. And even with the increase in property crimes, it is still exceedingly rare for a Nassau resident to be a victim of such a crime. The most common crime defined as “major” this year was grand larceny. You know what

But I can definitely understand the claim that we all feel an air of crime here in Nassau. Blame the media: 2022 saw a spike in the media coverage of shootings in New York City that went far beyond the actual num ber of shootings.

It sickens me. You turn the page, a shooting. Anoth er page, a corpse. The third page, a guy arrested for beating his girlfriend. The media fills us with dread, all to make money. And I see how my neighbors increas ingly construct their own fortresses, replete with video cameras, dogs and floodlights, all out of fear of passersby.

This fear has serious consequences, increasing anxiety, social withdrawal, and unraveling the social fabric of neighbor hoods. This is no way to live.

At the same time, I don’t want to live in a county where we see an increasing number of desperate people turning to theft to survive. After all, if you can’t work, you go hungry, and stealing catalyt ic converters beats going hungry.

Let’s start with a price cap on gas in Nassau County, to fight inflation and bring relief to millions at the pump. Next, the county should put people to work at a good wage to finally fix these damn pot holes. And thirdly, let’s keep kids off the streets by fully funding schools, and lower violent crime by having Nassau replace our lead pipes, which contribute to lead poisoning, which researchers have tied to aggressive and impulsive behavior.

Too bad the Republican-led County Legislature won’t do any of that. In fact, when adjusted for inflation, Nassau’s 2023 budget actually has less funding for spe cial education and early-intervention pro grams. Nothing about lead pipes, or gas price caps. Don’t the Republicans care about preventing crime?

It’s OK to have a healthy fear of crime, and it’s OK to take measures to keep your self safe. But I implore my friends: Don’t let politicians and the media manipulate you. It is imperative that we do not fear our neighbor.

Matthew Adarichev is a public policy major at Hofstra University, a political activist and an aspiring journalist whose work has appeared in the Hofstra Chroni cle and the Anton Media Group.

FRAMEWORK by Tim Baker

but the fine for intentional release cannot exceed $100, and there is no provision for jail time. I would like to see Hempstead pass an ordinance with stronger teeth.

As a town resident, though, I am heartened to see Hempstead working with Balloon Mission to educate the public about the myriad dangers that balloon releases present — particularly to the 17,000 acres and 180 miles of coastal waterways under the town’s jurisdiction.

Finally, each of us can play our part in helping to reduce plastics in the environment. When you see a plas tic bottle or rubber balloon on the street in your neigh borhood, pick it up and throw it away. I’m a runner. When you run and collect garbage, it’s called plogging, a Swedish fitness term. Hempstead would do well, though, to add more trash cans for recyclables at its parks, like those at the Levy Preserve in Merrick. This way, when folks are out collecting garbage, they could easily recycle plastic bottles and aluminum cans.

SCOTT A. BRINTON Merrick

Randi nailed it on air travel

To the Editor:

I really love Randi Kreiss’s columns in the Herald, and the one that I specifically liked was “Flying the notso-friendly skies” (Nov. 24-30), about JetBlue and the way they’ve changed their system so that they don’t really accommodate people very well.

I went on a trip about three weeks ago, and it was really hard to book a flight because I had a couple of problems, and, like you said, to reach somebody, it’s like reaching God. And yes, the snacks are pretty sad.

Thank you so much for your articles, Randi.

JUDITH WEITZ Long Beach

Here’s hoping they’re bundled up out there — Sea Cliff Yacht Club

The numbers of major crimes in Nassau County have actually gone down this year.