_________________ WANTAGH ________________
HERALD
September 16, 2021
Higher Education ENABLING A BRIGHTER FUTURE
$1.00
Higher Education Inside
Vol. 69 No. 38
Wantagh studio sponsors festival
MacArthur kicks off new season
Page 11
Page 10
SEPTEMBER 16 - 22, 2021
Locals protest mask orders
A salute to remember Members of Wantagh Fire Department Explorer Post 690 at the Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony outside the firehouse. The annual ceremony, organized by the Wantagh Fire Department, honored the lives of those lost on Sept. 11, 2001. Full story and more photos, Page 3.
Wantagh parents join nationwide opposition to school mandates By KATE NAlEPiNSKi knalepinski@liherald.com
Mallory Wilson/Herald
At 10 a.m. on Sept 10, a small group of Wantagh School District parents gathered outside Wantagh High School to protest the district’s mask mandate for students. The 20 or so people who took part in the demonstration walked on the sidewalk outside of the high school, middle school and the administration building, some holding signs that read “Unmask Our Kids,” “No Masks, No Vacs, Back to School” and “Freedom to Choose.” “I think everybody here is in agreement that we want the
right to choose,” said Alan Jacoby, who has advocated against masks at school board meetings. “No one is against wearing masks — if that’s your choice, that’s fine for your child. And it’s our choice not to mask our kids.” The Wantagh protest took place on a nationwide walkout day, when students, parents and teachers across the country left school buildings at the same time to show their opposition to mask mandates. Jacoby said the protest was organized by parents in the community and promoted on social media. District students were invited to take part, but Superintendent Continued on page 14
Wantagh chamber’s sunset candlelit vigil honors heroes By KATE NAlEPiNSKi knalepinski@liherald.com
It was a solemn scene on Sept. 9 at Heroes’ Walk in Wantagh: With candle flames flickering in the wind, residents bowed their heads as the Wantagh American Legion Pipe Band played “Amazing Grace” to honor those who died on Sept. 11, 2001. The Wantagh Chamber of Commerce hosted a 20th-anniversary memorial at Heroes’ Walk, adjacent to Twin Lakes Preserve. The Chamber and pipe band were joined by the Wantagh Fire Department; the Nassau County Police Department; Wantagh School District offi-
cials; Miss Wantagh 2021, Angelina Maciak, and her court; Blue Star Military Moms of Nassau County, and town and county officials. Chamber President Cathy McGrory Powell introduced guests and explained how the Heroes’ Walk was established. Roughly 22 years ago, Powell said, she asked Town of Hempstead officials to install a sidewalk along a section of Park Avenue west of the Wantagh Parkway, and the walkway was dedicated to the 15 Wantagh residents who perished in the terrorist attacks. For the past 19 years, Powell said, community members have kept the area clean.
“I know that we’re all reflecting on the fact that it’s been 20 years,” County Executive Laura Curran said at the ceremony. “I know it doesn’t feel like 20 years — it feels like it was just yesterday. As we think about those who died that day, and those who have died since that day of 9/11-related illnesses … I think it’s incredibly important to say the names, to honor the memories and to thank those who laid down their lives for us.” Tom Bloomfield, 1st chief of the Fire Department, noted that the department hosts a ceremony each Sept. 11 to remember Continued on page 15
Kate Nalepinski/Herald
WANTAgH RESidENTS liSTENEd to the Wantagh American Legion Pipe Band on Sept. 9 at the local memorial.